cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Longitudinal Trajectories of Alcohol Consumption in People with HIV.

Background Our aim was to describe alcohol consumption trajectories in a cohort of people living with HIV and determine clinical and sociodemographic predictors of each trajectory. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of 7,906 patients in the 7 Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems sites. Alcohol consumption was categorized as none, moderate, and alcohol misuse. Predictors included age, race/ethnicity, depressive or anxiety symptoms, illicit drug use (opioids, methamphetamines, cocaine/crack), marijuana use, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, HIV transmission risk factor, and HIV disease progression. We estimated sex-stratified alcohol consumption trajectories and their predictors. Results We found 7 trajectories of alcohol consumption in men: stable nondrinking and increased drinking (71% and 29% of initial nondrinking); stable moderate, reduced drinking, and increased alcohol misuse (59%, 21%, and 21% of initial moderate alcohol use); and stable alcohol misuse and reduced alcohol misuse (75% and 25% of initial alcohol misuse). Categories were similar in women, except lack of an increase to alcohol misuse trajectory among women that begin with moderate use. Older men and women were more likely to have stable nondrinking, while younger men were more likely to increase to or remain in alcohol misuse. Minorities, people with depressive or anxiety symptoms, HCV-infected individuals, and people who injected drugs were more likely to reduce use. Illicit drug use was associated with a reduction in overall drinking, while marijuana use was associated with stable moderate drinking or misuse. Conclusions Longitudinal trajectories of increasing alcohol use and stable misuse highlight the need to integrate routine screening and alcohol misuse interventions into HIV primary care.
The growing importance of lesion volume as a prognostic factor in patients with multiple brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is considered standard of care for patients with 1-3 brain metastases (BM). Recent observational studies have shown equivalent OS in patients with 5+ BM compared to those with 2-4, suggesting SRS alone may be appropriate in these patients. We aim to review outcomes of patients treated with SRS with 2-4 versus 5+ BM. This analysis included consecutive patients from 1994 to 2015 treated with SRS. Of 1017 patients, we excluded patients with a single BM and patients without adequate survival data, resulting in 391 patients. All risk factors were entered into univariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model, and significant factors were entered into multivariate analysis (MVA). We additionally analyzed outcomes after excluding patients with prior surgery or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Median follow-up was 7.1 months. Median KPS was 90, mean age was 59, and most common histologies were melanoma and lung. Median tumor volume was 3.41 cc. Patients with 2-4 BM had a median OS of 8.1 months compared to 6.2 months for those with 5+ BM (P = 0.0136). On MVA, tumor volume, KPS, and histology remained significant for OS, whereas lesion number did not. Similar results were found when excluding patients with prior surgery or WBRT. Rather than lesion number, the strongest prognostic factors for patients undergoing SRS were tumor volume >10 cc, KPS, and histology. BM number may therefore not be the most important criterion for candidacy for SRS. Patients with 5 or more BM should be considered for SRS.
Prioritizing social equity in MPA curricula: A cross-program analysis and a case study

Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy programs are training grounds for current and future public service leaders. However, many programs may underemphasize the importan...
Prolonging Living and Prolonging Dying

Some time ago I was involved in a particularly agonizing decision about the care of a baby born with a serious genetic problem. There were conspicuous physical abnormalities: deformed hands and misshapen ears. His arms were rigid, fingers tightly flexed. The baby was also in respiratory failure and appeared to have a heart defect. He was placed immediately on a respirator. The physicians consulted with the family. After a few days, it became clear that death was inevitable. Serious heart and respiratory problems meant that at the most the baby had another week or two to live. The parents, knowing that the baby’s life-stream was flowing inevitably and rapidly toward death, decided that the respirator was useless. It was turned off. The baby died rapidly. The diagnosis of trisomy-18 was confirmed.
Margaret Mead's Individual in Culture, or Cultures and Personalities without Embarrassment

Margaret Mead is associated with the rubric "culture and personality." Mead herself preferred the formula "individual in culture." This essay traces Mead's uses of her preferred formula from 1928 through 1946. Over the course of this period, Mead developed her idea from its initial concerns with the "role" of the individual in Samoan culture in ways which came to focus on the person as the conjunction of biological, developmental (or "genetic"), and cultural processes. The essay examines both published, if now little known, materials and Ruth Benedict's notes taken during a course on "The Study of the Individual in Culture" that Mead taught in 1935. Mead emerges as a researcher well aware of cultural and individual differences, but not as a cultural determinist, much less a biological determinist. Cultures and the personalities which emerge within those cultures were related, according to Mead, but not mirror images of each other.
The Mucocutaneous Problems Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic continues to expand insidiously worldwide. Current estimates suggest that over 100 million persons will be HIV-infected by the year 2000. The cutaneous and mucous membrane manifestations of HIV infection and its end-stage disease, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), are of importance for at least four reasons: (1) they may be the first manifestation of the progression from the asymptomatic carrier state to overt disease; (2) they may be the cause of considerable morbidity and contribute to the mortality of HIV-infected patients; (3) the mucocutaneous site of involvement may serve as the portal of entry for infection that will subsequently disseminate to produce life-threatening systemic infection; and (4) the mucocutaneous site, because of its easy visibility, may serve as the first warning that disseminated infection or malignancy is present in a given individual.
Structure and Regulation of the Human Metallothionein Gene Family

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of low-molecular-weight, heavy-metal binding proteins that are unique in their high cysteine content. MTs specifically bind heavy metals such as Zn, Cd, Cu, Hg, Au, and Ag in their ionic forms (1). These proteins have been isolated and characterized from a large number of animal and plant species, including lower eukaryotes. MTs exist in several molecular forms which are distinguishable by their electrophoretic behavior and are designated MT-I and MT-II. Recently, several other variants have been described in mammals (2).
FXR-Dependent Modulation of the Human Small Intestinal Microbiome by the Bile Acid Derivative Obeticholic Acid.

Background & Aims Intestinal bacteria can modify the composition of bile acids and bile acids, which are regulated by the farnesoid X receptor, affect the survival and growth of gut bacteria. We studied the effects of obeticholic acid (OCA), a bile acid analogue and farnesoid X receptor agonist, on the intestinal microbiomes of humans and mice. Methods We performed a phase I study in 24 healthy volunteers given OCA (5, 10, or 25 mg/d for 17 days). Fecal and plasma specimens were collected at baseline (day 0) and on days 17 (end of dosing) and 37 (end of study). The fecal specimens were analyzed by shotgun meta-genomic sequencing. A Uniref90 high-stringency genomic analysis was used to assign specific genes to the taxonomic signature of bacteria whose abundance was associated with OCA. Male C57BL/6 mice were gavage fed daily with water, vehicle, or OCA (10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Small intestine luminal contents were collected by flushing with saline and fecal pellets were collected at baseline and day 14. Mouse samples were analyzed by 16S-tagged sequencing. Culture experiments were performed to determine the taxonomic-specific effects of bile acids and OCA on bacterial growth. Results Suppression of endogenous bile acid synthesis by OCA in subjects led to a reversible induction of gram-positive bacteria that are found in the small intestine and are components of the diet and oral microbiota. We found that bile acids decreased proliferation of these bacteria in minimum inhibitory concentration assays. In these organisms, there was an increase in the representation of microbial genomic pathways involved in DNA synthesis and amino acid metabolism with OCA treatment of subjects. Consistent with these findings, mice fed OCA had lower endogenous bile acid levels and an increased proportion of Firmicutes, specifically in the small intestine, compared with mice fed water or vehicle. Conclusions In studying the effects of OCA in humans and mice, we found evidence for interactions between bile acids and features of the small intestinal microbiome. These findings indicate that farnesoid X receptor activation alters the intestinal microbiota and could provide opportunities for microbiome biomarker discovery or new approaches to engineering the human microbiome. ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01933503
The American College of Surgeon's surgical risk calculator's ability to predict disposition in older gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy.

Abstract Objectives The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) surgical risk calculator calculates risk of postoperative complications utilizing clinically apparent preoperative variables. If validated for patients with gynecologic cancers, this can be an effective tool in to use for shared decision-making, especially in the older (70+ years of age) patient population for whom surgical risks and potential loss of independence is increased. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator to predict discharge to a post-acute care among older (age 70+ years) gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy. The secondary objectives were to assess its ability to predict postoperative complications and death. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of gynecologic oncology patients 70+ years of age undergoing laparotomy. Surgical procedures, 21 preoperative variables, postoperative complications, and patient disposition were abstracted from the medical record. Risk scores for seven postoperative complications and discharge to post-acute care were calculated. The association between risk scores and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression and predictive ability was evaluated using the c-statistic and Brier score. Results 204 surgeries were performed on 200 patients between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. The mean age was 76.3 ± 5.1 years; 87% were independent at baseline. A total of 79 (41%) were discharged to post-acute care. The calculator's ability to predict discharge to post-acute care was reasonable (c- statistic =0.708, Brier = 0.205). Although the calculator did not accurately predict all postoperative complications, the calculator's ability to predict death was strong (c-statistic = 0.811, Brier = 0.015). Conclusion For older patients with an elevated calculated risk of discharge to post acute care the possibility of discharge to post-acute care should be discussed preoperatively. For patients with a higher risk of death, non-surgical management options should be considered when available.
Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging to Assess Skeletal Muscles in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of quantitative ultrasound imaging (QUI) in assessing the biceps brachii muscle and gastrocnemius muscle in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods From May to October 2018, we prospectively performed B-mode ultrasound imaging and ultrasound strain elastography of the biceps brachii muscle and gastrocnemius muscle in 24 patients with MS and 10 age-matched healthy volunteers. ImageJ (https://imagej.nih.gov/ij) was used to assess the muscle pixel intensity in grayscale images. Using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking software, we estimated the muscle axial peak strain (maximum deformation) produced by manual compression with an ultrasound transducer and the muscle longitudinal peak strain (maximum displacement) produced by passive elbow and ankle movements. Muscle QUI parameters used in the study included the mean pixel intensity, axial peak strain ratio (SR = muscle strain/subcutaneous tissue strain), and longitudinal peak SR. Statistical analyses included 1-way analysis of variance and a post hoc test to examine the differences in QUI parameters among 3 groups (1, affected muscle in patients with MS; 2, unaffected muscle in patients with MS; and 3, healthy muscle in controls) and, in all paired groups, an unpaired t test to compare the muscle SR in patients with MS with a Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score of 1 or higher to those with an MAS score of 0. Results The mean age of the 24 patients with MS was 43 years, and all patients and volunteers were female. We observed a significant difference in QUI parameters among the affected muscle in MS, unaffected muscle in MS, and healthy muscle in all paired groups and in patients with MS between an MAS score of 1 or higher and an MAS score of 0 (all P 0.75). Conclusions Our results suggest that QUI is feasible to assess muscle echogenicity and mechanical behaviors in adult MS.
Bayesian Modeling of COTS Power MOSFET Ionizing Dose Impact on Circuit Response

Threshold voltage variation with ionizing dose was measured for a commercial power MOSFET. Variation of radiation response was captured using a Bayesian linear model, which enabled a Monte Carlo simulation of variation in circuit performance.
Dynamic Optimizations for SBCL Garbage Collection

Using a garbage collected language poses a challenge for latency- sensitive applications. The garbage collector is an integral part of a lisp implementation; optimizing or replacing the GC may be infeasible without a substantial rewrite of the lisp compiler/runtime. By taking advantage of the container which many modern processes run inside we can tune the garbage collector only to keep the lisp process's heap within the bounds provided by the container. We make 3 simple changes to SBCL's generational garbage collector which result in improved application performance. We find that the application's runtime throughput and latency are improved, with less time spent in the GC, and that behavior in a multi-core environment is improved.
Fair Division through Information Withholding

Envy-freeness up to one good (EF1) is a well-studied fairness notion for indivisible goods that addresses pairwise envy by the removal of at most one good. In the worst case, each pair of agents might require the (hypothetical) removal of a different good, resulting in a weak aggregate guarantee. We study allocations that are nearly envy-free in aggregate, and define a novel fairness notion based on information withholding. Under this notion, an agent can withhold (or hide) some of the goods in its bundle and reveal the remaining goods to the other agents. We observe that in practice, envy-freeness can be achieved by withholding only a small number of goods overall. We show that finding allocations that withhold an optimal number of goods is computationally hard even for highly restricted classes of valuations. In contrast to the worst-case results, our experiments on synthetic and real-world preference data show that existing algorithms for finding EF1 allocations withhold a close-to-optimal amount of information.
Modeling peer effect modification by network strength: The diffusion of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in the US hospital network

We develop methodology that allows peer effects (also referred to as social influence and contagion) to be modified by the structural importance of the focal actor's position in the network. The methodology is first developed for a single peer effect and then extended to simultaneously model multiple peer-effects and their modifications by the structural importance of the focal actor. This work is motivated by the diffusion of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with congestive heart failure across a cardiovascular disease patient-sharing network of United States hospitals. We apply the general methodology to estimate peer effects for the adoption of capability to implant ICDs, the number of ICD implants performed by hospitals that are capable, and the number of patients referred to other hospitals by noncapable hospitals. Applying our novel methodology to study ICD diffusion across hospitals, we find evidence that exposure to ICD-capable peer hospitals is strongly associated with the chance a hospital becomes ICD-capable and that the direction and magnitude of the association is extensively modified by the strength of that hospital's position in the network, even after controlling for effects of geography. Therefore, interhospital networks, rather than geography per se, may explain key patterns of regional variations in healthcare utilization.
Effects of salinity on sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense Crantz) seed germination

Abstract Sea level rise threatens coastal peatlands globally, as increased salinity can cause peat collapse and formation of brackish ponds, replacing marshes. Sawgrass, Cladium jamaicense Crantz (Cyperaceae), is the charismatic macrophyte that dominates Everglades marshes (Florida, USA). Sawgrass root growth is reduced by salinity pulses of 20 ppt, impacting soil structure and organic input into coastal peats and possibly leading to coastal marsh loss. The potential for regeneration of coastal sawgrass marsh from seeds depends on how salinity affects sawgrass germination. Although adult sawgrass plants can tolerate salinities of 10–20 ppt in the field, the effect of salinity on seed germination is not known. In this study, sawgrass seeds were exposed to salinities of 0, 5, 15, and 25 ppt and observed weekly for germination over seven months (Oct. 2017-Apr. 2018). Twenty-eight percent of seeds in 0 ppt water germinated, while only 4% of seeds in 5 ppt germinated. Seeds in 15 and 25 ppt salt did not germinate. After 3.6 months, four-fifths of the seedling trays at the two higher salinities were transferred to 0 ppt. Beginning 7 weeks after transfer, 6% (15 ppt) and 3% (25 ppt) of transferred seeds germinated, while seeds remaining at the higher salinities did not. These results indicate that sawgrass seeds have greatly reduced or no germination in elevated salinity. If salinities rise in coastal areas, this lack of germination could prevent coastal sawgrass regeneration from seed, negatively affecting coastlines as sea level continues to rise.
Out‐of‐sample performance of bias‐corrected estimators for diffusion processes

We investigated the out‐of‐sample forecasting performance of six bias‐corrected estimators that have recently emerged in the literature for the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process: the naive estimator, the Tang and Chen estimator, the Bao et al. estimator, the bootstrap estimator, the Wang et al. estimator, and the bootstrap estimator based on the Euler method, along with the benchmark least squares (LS) estimator. Our Monte Carlo simulations illustrated that the bias‐corrected estimators, except for the Bao et al. estimator, produced much worse out‐of‐sample forecasting performance than the LS estimator because these other estimators have a tendency to generate negative estimations of the mean reversion parameter when the true value is close to zero. However, if we set a zero lower bound to all of these estimators, including the LS estimator, all the bias‐corrected estimators improved the out‐of‐sample forecasting performance of the LS estimator as long as the true mean reversion parameter was not very large. These main results also hold for the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross process. Our real data applications confirmed these overall findings.
Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical approaches for the selective removal, recovery, and valorization of chloride ions

Abstract Anthropogenic activities such as the use of water softeners and road deicers have artificially increased the Cl− concentration in freshwater resources, threatening sustainable water ecosystems worldwide. Currently, there is no energy-efficient and sustainable method to selectively remove Cl− from water to regulate the Cl− concentration in water treatment processes. In this study, we report new electrochemical and photoelectrochemical strategies that can not only selectively remove Cl− but also recover and valorize Cl− to Cl2, HOCl, and ClO−. These methods are based on the use of Bi as a Cl-storage/release electrode for the construction of Cl-removal and Cl-recovery cells. We demonstrate the operation of proof-of-concept electrochemical and photoelectrochemical cells where the Cl− storage/release reactions are coupled with various reactions to generate electricity, fuels, and chemicals.
Assessing capacity loss remediation methods for asymmetric redox flow battery chemistries using levelized cost of storage

Abstract Redox flow batteries, a promising grid-scale energy storage solution, have an open architecture that can host a broad range of redox electrolytes. Vanadium is the most mature chemistry, which is largely due to its symmetry, where all active species are based on a single parent compound, that allows for inexpensive crossover remediation via rebalancing. However, the industry has increasingly sought chemistries with lower-cost and higher-abundance redox couples. Most chemistries cannot be configured symmetrically, though, necessitating research into capacity-recovery methods for asymmetric chemistries. In this work, we adapt our previously developed levelized cost of storage model, which tracks capacity fade and recovery and evaluates the costs across the battery's lifetime, to analyze two classes of asymmetric chemistries, those with active species of finite or infinite lifetimes, and their respective remediation options. For finite-lifetime chemistries, we explore active-species replacement to counter decay. For infinite-lifetime chemistries, we consider two methods for addressing crossover: imposition of pseudo-symmetry via the spectator strategy (i.e., mixed electrolytes) and elimination of crossover via membranes with perfect selectivity. We anticipate this framework will help guide the evaluation and design of new redox chemistries, balancing the desire for low capital costs with the need to remediate capacity repeatedly and inexpensively.
The antiviral sirtuin 3 bridges protein acetylation to mitochondrial integrity and metabolism during human cytomegalovirus infection

Regulation of mitochondrial structure and function is a central component of infection with viruses, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), as a virus means to modulate cellular metabolism and immune responses. Here, we link the activity of the mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 and global mitochondrial acetylation status to host antiviral responses via regulation of both mitochondrial structural integrity and metabolism during HCMV infection. We establish that SIRT3 deacetylase activity is necessary for suppressing virus production, and that SIRT3 maintains mitochondrial pH and membrane potential during infection. By defining the temporal dynamics of SIRT3-substrate interactions during infection, and overlaying acetylome and proteome information, we find altered SIRT3 associations with the mitochondrial fusion factor OPA1 and acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), concomitant with changes in their acetylation levels. Using mutagenesis, microscopy, and virology assays, we determine OPA1 regulates mitochondrial morphology of infected cells and inhibits HCMV production. OPA1 acetylation status modulates these functions, and we establish K834 as a site regulated by SIRT3. Control of SIRT3 protein levels or enzymatic activity is sufficient for regulating mitochondrial filamentous structure. Lastly, we establish a virus restriction function for ACAA2, an enzyme involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation. Altogether, we highlight SIRT3 activity as a regulatory hub for mitochondrial acetylation and morphology during HCMV infection and point to global acetylation as a reflection of mitochondrial health.
Sex Differences in Lung Imaging and SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses in a COVID-19 Golden Syrian Hamster Model.

In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), more severe outcomes are reported in males than in females, including hospitalizations and deaths. Animal models can provide an opportunity to mechanistically interrogate causes of sex differences in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. Adult male and female golden Syrian hamsters (8 to 10 weeks of age) were inoculated intranasally with 105 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of SARS-CoV-2/USA-WA1/2020 and euthanized at several time points during the acute (i.e., virus actively replicating) and recovery (i.e., after the infectious virus has been cleared) phases of infection. There was no mortality, but infected male hamsters experienced greater morbidity, losing a greater percentage of body mass, developed more extensive pneumonia as noted on chest computed tomography, and recovered more slowly than females. Treatment of male hamsters with estradiol did not alter pulmonary damage. Virus titers in respiratory tissues, including nasal turbinates, trachea, and lungs, and pulmonary cytokine concentrations, including interferon-s (IFN-s) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were comparable between the sexes. However, during the recovery phase of infection, females mounted 2-fold greater IgM, IgG, and IgA responses against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein (S-RBD) in both plasma and respiratory tissues. Female hamsters also had significantly greater IgG antibodies against whole-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and mutant S-RBDs as well as virus-neutralizing antibodies in plasma. The development of an animal model to study COVID-19 sex differences will allow for a greater mechanistic understanding of the SARS-CoV-2-associated sex differences seen in the human population. IMPORTANCE Men experience more severe outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than women. Golden Syrian hamsters were used to explore sex differences in the pathogenesis of a human isolate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). After inoculation, male hamsters experienced greater sickness, developed more severe lung pathology, and recovered more slowly than females. Sex differences in disease could not be reversed by estradiol treatment in males and were not explained by either virus replication kinetics or the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. During the recovery period, antiviral antibody responses in the respiratory tract and plasma, including to newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, were greater in female than in male hamsters. Greater lung pathology during the acute phase combined with lower antiviral antibody responses during the recovery phase of infection in males than in females illustrate the utility of golden Syrian hamsters as a model to explore sex differences in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine-induced immunity and protection.
The Physical Unity of the River Basin

A river basin is commonly defined as the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.1 It plays a vital part in the hydrologic cycle whereby water vapor in the atmosphere condenses, is precipitated on the earth in the form of rain, hail, or snow, and is returned to the atmosphere as vapor.2 One of the basic properties of water is that it flows and that (except under pressure) it always seeks its lowest level — hence its tendency to sink through porous surfaces or to run off impervious surfaces, and its ability to transport fragments of loose material which, given sufficient steepness of slope, enable the water to carve stream channels.
Temperature dependent cyclic deformation mechanisms in Haynes 188 superalloy

Application of the cobalt-base superalloy, Haynes 188 in aerospace gas turbine engines necessitates a comprehensive understanding of cyclic deformation under isothermal and thermomechanical loading conditions. Certain combinations of temperature and strain rate can exert a strong influence on the cyclic behavior through the interaction of various time and temperature dependent phenomenon such as inelastic deformation, dynamic strain ageing (DSA), creep damage, environmental damage, precipitation, etc. In order to clarify the effects of some of these processes, isothermal and in-phase thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) tests were conducted in the range 25 to 1000 °C at various strain rates on Haynes 188, which culminated in an extensive data base. In this paper, a summary of representative results on the temperature and strain rate dependence of isothermal fatigue deformation under total axial strain control is given. The corresponding deformation mechanisms at different temperatures are briefly discussed. The temperature dependence of TMF deformation behavior is rationalized on the basis of the cyclic stress response and deformation substructure developed under appropriate isothermal conditions.
College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be

Preface xi Introduction 1 Chapter One: What Is College For? 9 Chapter Two: Origins 36 Chapter Three: From College to University 67 Chapter Four: Who Went? Who Goes? Who Pays? 102 Chapter Five: Brave New World 125 Chapter Six: What Is to Be Done? 150 Acknowledgments 179 Notes 183 Index 215
Estimating the Useful Life of an ATF Using an Integrated Bulk Oxidation and Friction Degradation Model

An integrated approach to modeling end of useful life of an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) has been developed. The flexible fluid life model allows either predictive or real-time calculations of the end of useful fluid life under different transmission design strategies and customer driver behaviors as reflected in operating temperatures, shift characteristics, fluid volume and fluid distribution throughout the transmission. An estimation of remaining useful fluid life is monitored using two metrics, namely bulk oxidation, as a general indicator of fluid quality, and frictional degradation, as an indicator of shift quality. As operating conditions increase in severity, ATF is subjected to conditions that may shorten its life. Using the developed technique, ATF useful life can be better predicted.
Control and coordination of head, eyes and facial expressions of virtual actors in virtual environments

The primary focus of our project is the creation of 'virtual actors', for training and other applications where human figures must be coordinated. By the term virtual actor, we refer to computer animated figures that can mimic human beings in physical form, function and behavior. In this paper, we will discuss the underlying techniques and software systems for creating the "skin, bone, and muscles" of aspects of interactive human body models. >
Metal ion catalysis during splicing of premessenger RNA

The removal of intervening sequences from premessenger RNA is essential for the expression of most eukaryotic genes. The spliceosome ribonucleoprotein complex catalyses intron removal by two sequential phosphotransesterification reactions, but the catalytic mechanisms are unknown. It has been proposed that two divalent metal ions may mediate catalysis of both reaction steps, activating the 2'- or 3'-hydroxyl groups for nucleophilic attack and stabilizing the 3'-oxyanion leaving groups by direct coordination. Here we show that in splicing reactions with a precursor RNA containing a 3'-sulphur substitution at the 5' splice site, interaction between metal ion and leaving group is essential for catalysis of the first reaction step. This establishes that the spliceosome is a metalloenzyme and demonstrates a direct parallel with the catalytic strategy used by the self-splicing group I intron from Tetrahymena. In contrast, 3'-sulphur substitution at the 3' splice site provides no evidence for a metal ion-leaving group interaction in the second reaction step, suggesting that the two steps of splicing proceed by different catalytic mechanisms and therefore in distinct active sites.
Vitamin B12 status in pregnant women and their children in India (135.6)

Objective: To examine the prevalence and determinants of poor infant vitamin B12 status at birth, and determine the associations between maternal and infant vitamin B12 status. Methods: 366 pregnant women participating in a vitamin B12 supplementation trial in India were monitored to assess maternal vitamin B12 status in pregnancy and its association with infant vitamin B12 status at 6 weeks of age. Binomial and linear regression were used to evaluate the associations between maternal and infant vitamin B12 status. Results: 51% of mothers were vitamin B12 deficient (<150pmol/L) at baseline, and 47% of infants were vitamin B12 deficient at 6 weeks of age. Maternal vitamin B12 concentrations during 3 trimesters (T) were significantly correlated with infant vitamin B12 status (T1: r=0.19, p=0.10; T2: r=0.39, p<0.01; T3: r=0.56, p<0.0001); with stronger correlations in B12-supplemented women (T1: r=0.42, p<0.01; T2: r=0.55, p<0.001; T3: r=0.55, p=0.001). After adjusting for vitamin B12 supplementation, higher...
Concurrent product data modeling for collaborative design environments

A deductive approach to design has served the era of evolutionary changes well. However, many recent design projects are requiring more of an evolutionary jump. These projects demand more resources and more learning over large collaborating organizations to produce results. This paper will discuss elements such as large scale collaboration, flexibility, and shared understanding among designers in the context of a design process for complex physical systems. It is proposed that these qualities can be achieved through the use of a well conceived computer framework which implements several tools and techniques used in the software development industry. These techniques include the use of logical abstractions, distributed revision control, service oriented architectures, and Unit testing. These particular techniques have been extracted as key features that enable developers to successfully produce products while working collaboratively across organizational and cultural barriers. It is believed that this combination of tools will enhance the design process of physical systems by addressing the deficiencies required by new projects that call for evolutionary jumps and by creating learning opportunities for designers which could benefit the whole in terms of problem definition and solution development.
Physical Activity and Self-Efficacy in Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in an Urban Elementary Setting.

Background: Identifying lifestyle factors such as physical activity (PA) patterns and eating behaviors of children may be beneficial in implementing interventions in urban elementary schools. Purpose: To examine PA levels and self-efficacy (SE) in PA and health eating (HE) of third, fourth, and fifth graders in 3 low economic elementary schools in an urban setting. Method: Students (N = 295) were administered SE in PA and HE inventories and given Omron HJ7201TC pedometers. Results: Girls had significantly (P < .05) higher goal setting for healthy food choices (4.34 ± 0.75) and decision making for healthy food choices (3.85 ± 0.89) than boys (goal setting: 4.11 ± 0.87; decision making: 3.20 ± 1.05). For step counts per weekday (SWKD), boys (7354.88 ± 2631.44 steps/day) had significantly (P < .05) higher steps than girls (6273.87 ± 2259.00 steps/day). Third and fifth graders (third: 7112.48 ± 2564.13 steps/day; fifth: 7189.35 ± 2470.57 steps/day) had significantly (P < .05) higher steps than fourth graders ...
Mode of Action of Oxathiin Systemic Fungicides V. Effect on Electron Transport System of Ustilago maydis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The systemic fungicide carboxin (5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxanilide) at 100 μm inhibited succinate cytochrome c reductase in mitochondria from Ustilago maydis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It did not have any effect on reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) cytochrome c reductase. Succinate coenzyme Q reductase was also inhibited, but NADH coenzyme Q reductase was not. When dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) was used as the terminal acceptor of electrons from the oxidation of succinate, carboxin was very effective in inhibiting succinate-DCIP reductase. Carboxin was inhibitory to succinic dehydrogenase assayed with phenazine methosulfate plus DCIP when intact mitochondria were used as the enzyme source but not when solubilized enzyme was used. The main site of action of carboxin, therefore, appears to lie between succinate and coenzyme Q. The dioxide analogue of carboxin was also effective in inhibiting succinate-cytochrome c reductase, succinate-coenzyme Q reductase, or succinate-DCIP reductase, whereas the monoxide analogue was less effective in inhibiting these enzymes.
The protease inhibitor leupeptin interferes with the development of LTP in hippocampal slices

The effect of leupeptin, an inhibitor of thiol-proteases, was tested on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in field CA1 of hippocampal slices. Two h of drug application did not produce substantial changes while a greater than 3-h application caused a sizeable reduction in the degree of LTP induced. Leupeptin had no obvious effects on the facilitation of postsynaptic responses occurring within or between the short high frequency bursts used to induce LTP, suggesting that the drug acted on cellular chemistries occurring after the initial physiological events that normally trigger LTP. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a calcium-activated thiol protease (calpain) is involved in the induction of LTP.
Wigner functions defined with Laplace transform kernels.

We propose a new Wigner–type phase–space function using Laplace transform kernels—Laplace kernel Wigner function. Whereas momentum variables are real in the traditional Wigner function, the Laplace kernel Wigner function may have complex momentum variables. Due to the property of the Laplace transform, a broader range of signals can be represented in complex phase–space. We show that the Laplace kernel Wigner function exhibits similar properties in the marginals as the traditional Wigner function. As an example, we use the Laplace kernel Wigner function to analyze evanescent waves supported by surface plasmon polariton.
Rearrangement of 10-oxabenzo-syn-sesquinorbornene by light and by acids

Abstract 10-Oxabenzo- syn -sesquinorbornene ( 1 ) is rearranged by either UV irradiation or strong acid to 2,3-norborneno-1-naphthol ( 5 ), whose methyl ether is formed by the acid rearrangement in the presence of methanol. The mechanism of the acid rearrangement is discussed. With strong acid, cyclopentadiene reacts with 1-naphthol to yield 2- and 4-cyclopentenyl-1-naphthols.
Inequity measures for evaluations of environmental justice: A case study of close proximity to highways in New York City

Assessments of environmental and territorial justice are similar in that both assess whether empirical relations between the spatial arrangement of undesirable hazards (or desirable public goods and services) and sociodemographic groups are consistent with notions of social justice, evaluating the spatial distribution of benefits and burdens (outcome equity) and the process that produces observed differences (process equity). Using proximity to major highways in New York City as a case study, we review methodological issues pertinent to both fields and discuss choice and compu- tation of exposure measures, but focus primarily on measures of inequity. We present inequity measures computed from the empirically estimated joint distribution of exposure and demographics and compare them with traditional measures such as linear regression, logistic regression, and Theil's entropy index. We find that measures computed from the full joint distribution provide more unified, transparent, and intuitive operational definitions of inequity and show how the approach can be used to structure siting and decommissioning decisions.
Complete Heart Block Complicating Cardiac catheterization

Complete heart block developed in two patients during cardiac catheterization. Left bundle branch block was present in one patient prior to study and complete heart block developed during catheter manipulation in the right ventricle. Marked left axis deviation was the only conduction abnormality in the second patient. Right bundle branch block developed during right ventricular catheterization; complete heart block occurred shortly thereafter. It is suggested that a standby pacer is indicated during catheterization when transient right bundle branch block occurs in a patient with left axis deviation, as in patients with left bundle branch block prior to right heart catheterization.
An Adaptation of the Barnes Filter Applied to the Objective Analysis of Radar Data

Abstract Spatial objective analysis is routinely performed in several applications that utilize radar data. Because of their relative simplicity and computational efficiency, one-pass distance-dependent weighted-average (DDWA) schemes that utilize either the Cressman or the Barnes filter are often used in these applications. The DDWA schemes that have traditionally been used do not, however, directly account for two fundamental characteristics of radar data. These are 1) the spacing of radar data depends on direction and 2) radar data density systematically decreases with increasing range. A DDWA scheme based on an adaptation of the Barnes filter is proposed. This scheme, termed the adaptive Barnes (A-B) scheme, explicitly takes into account radar data properties 1 and 2 above. Both theoretical and experimental investigations indicate that two attributes of the A-B scheme, direction-splitting and automatic adaptation to data density, may facilitate the preservation of the maximum amount of meaningful info...
The effect of material properties on reducing intermediate blast noise

Abstract This work investigates the effectiveness of several different materials on the reduction of blast noise produced by detonating high explosives. In each case, the explosive charge is centered in a cube of blast reducing material. The materials selected have quite different physical properties (e.g. steel wool, straw and plastic bubble pack) and hence, the results provide some insight into the dominant mechanism for energy transfer between the shocked air and the blast reducing materials. In all cases reported, the flat-weighted sound exposure level (FSEL), C-weighted sound exposure level (CSEL), and the peak sound level (Pp) were measured at four positions, 2 at 38 m and 2 at 76 m. Based on the experimental data presented, all four materials tested scaled as a function of the geometrically averaged material depth, the material density and the explosive masses (kg-TNT equivalent). Furthermore, in all cases studied the peak level scales more exactly than do the energy integrals CSEL and FSEL.
Clinical outcomes for the surgical treatment of sinonasal headache.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the changes in patient-relevant clinical outcomes in a selected group undergoing surgery for nasal septal and turbinate abnormalities.STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine consecutive patients with headache and correctable anatomic nasal obstruction were seen at the study institution from March 1998 to May 2000. These patients were evaluated for changes in patient-relevant clinical outcomes measures after surgical correction of their anatomic abnormalities.RESULTS: Seventy-one patients underwent surgical correction of nasal obstruction. More than half of these patients had contact points preoperatively. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the patient population with respect to 8 of the 10 clinical outcomes measures. Importantly, a decrease in the severity and frequency of headaches was noted after surgery, especially after the correction of contact points.CONCLUSION: The surgical correction of the septum and turbinates resulted in predictable improvem...
Arterial problems associated with dysfunctional hemodialysis grafts: evaluation of patients at high risk for arterial disease.

PURPOSE To retrospectively review the incidence and types of arterial problems associated with dysfunctional hemodialysis grafts in patients who are at high risk for peripheral arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the 1-year period from February 2001 to February 2002, 40 patients with polytetrafluoroethylene hemodialysis grafts underwent upper extremity arteriography to evaluate arterial inflow to the vascular access. The indication for arteriography was based on the presence of at least two of the following risk factors for peripheral vascular disease: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and age greater than 65 years. Thirty-three of the 40 patients were women and the median age was 65 years. Thirty-three patients had forearm loop-configuration grafts and seven had upper-arm grafts. RESULTS Upper extremity arteriography revealed 13 arterial inflow lesions in 11 of the 40 patients (28%). Ten patients had stenoses at the arterial anastomosis. Two of these patients also had stenoses in the brachial artery. One patient had a single stenosis in the brachial artery. Eight of the 11 patients (73%) underwent angioplasty of seven arterial anastomotic stenoses and three brachial artery stenoses. Comparative analysis revealed that the presence of risk factors for atherosclerotic disease did not correlate with an increased incidence of arterial inflow problems. Surprisingly, patients with diabetes mellitus had a decreased likelihood ( P = .03) of having an arterial abnormality. CONCLUSION Although the incidence of arterial anastomotic stenoses in our study group was higher than previously reported, patients undergoing hemodialysis who have risk factors for peripheral vascular disease do not have a high prevalence of native arterial lesions.
Trehalose as a common industrial fermentation byproduct

Abstract During the analysis of several industrial fermentation byproduct streams significant amounts of α,α-trehalose and α,β-isomaltose were found. These disaccharides were purified from one of the fermentation-byproduct streams and identified by chromatography and 600-MHz 1 H NMR. Examination of fermentation streams before and after the addition of active organisms established that α,α-trehalose is a product of the fermentation and α,β-isomaltose is a component of the starting nutrients. Analysis of a number of agribusiness industrial-byproduct streams has had the objective of identifying compounds of potential value for isolation, or determing those that may be toxic to microorganisms in the anaerobic methanogenesis of organic compounds in the streams. The frequent occurrence of two disaccharides was noted in those streams from fermentation processes and prompted this study.
Leptin resistance and obesity

The prevalence of obesity, and the human and economic costs of the disease, creates a need for better therapeutics and better understanding of the physiological processes that balance energy intake and energy expenditure. Leptin is the primary signal from energy stores and exerts negative feedback effects on energy intake. In common obesity, leptin loses the ability to inhibit energy intake and increase energy expenditure; this is termed leptin resistance. This review discusses the evidence in support of leptin resistance in mouse models and humans and the possible mechanisms of leptin resistance.