cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online Narratives and Peer Support for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Background Delivering personal narratives and peer support for CRC screening in an online weight-loss community could be an efficient approach to engaging individuals at increased risk, because obesity is associated with excess colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality and lower screening rates. Purpose Evaluate user engagement and impact of narratives and peer support for promoting CRC screening in an online weight-loss community. Design Pilot randomized trial. Setting/participants Members of an online weight-loss community who were not up-to-date with CRC screening were enrolled in the study in 2011. Intervention Basic and Enhanced groups ( n =153 each) both received education. The Enhanced group also received narratives and peer support for CRC screening in online forums. Main outcome measures The main measures were user engagement, psychosocial outcomes, and self-report CRC screening at 6 months. Analyses were conducted with (1) the full sample of participants and (2) a minimum dose sample of those who participated in their assigned intervention to a minimum degree. Analyses were completed in 2012. Results Participants were mostly female (92%) with a mean age of 56 years. More than 90% in both groups viewed the educational information. Only 57% in the Enhanced group joined the online team. The Enhanced group had greater improvement in motivation for screening than the Basic group at 1 month ( p =0.03). In the full sample, there was no difference in CRC screening at 6 months (Enhanced 19% vs Basic 16%, adjusted OR=1.33, 95% CI=0.73, 2.42). In the minimum dose sample, fecal occult blood testing was higher in the Enhanced (14%) vs Basic (7%) group (adjusted OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.01, 6.17). Conclusions Although no between-group differences in CRC screening were seen at 6 months, this study did demonstrate that it is feasible to deploy a narrative and peer support intervention for CRC screening in a randomized trial among members of an online community. However, modifications are needed to improve user engagement. Trial registration This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01411826.
Variable Neighborhood Search Heuristics for Selecting a Subset of Variables in Principal Component Analysis

The selection of a subset of variables from a pool of candidates is an important problem in several areas of multivariate statistics. Within the context of principal component analysis (PCA), a number of authors have argued that subset selection is crucial for identifying those variables that are required for correct interpretation of the components. In this paper, we adapt the variable neighborhood search (VNS) paradigm to develop two heuristics for variable selection in PCA. The performances of these heuristics were compared to those obtained by a branch-and-bound algorithm, as well as forward stepwise, backward stepwise, and tabu search heuristics. In the first experiment, which considered candidate pools of 18 to 30 variables, the VNS heuristics matched the optimal subset obtained by the branch-and-bound algorithm more frequently than their competitors. In the second experiment, which considered candidate pools of 54 to 90 variables, the VNS heuristics provided better solutions than their competitors for a large percentage of the test problems. An application to a real-world data set is provided to demonstrate the importance of variable selection in the context of PCA.
Atrial fibrillation--rhythm or rate control.

The human heart has a complex electrical system that ensures coordinated propulsion of blood under a variety of physiologic conditions. Remarkable effort is expended with each heartbeat to maintain sinus rhythm. Arrhythmias are a system failure — and none more so than atrial fibrillation. It is the most common sustained arrhythmia, and people with atrial fibrillation have a mortality rate that is twice as high as that among people with sinus rhythm. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, from 0.5 percent among young adults to more than 6 percent among those 80 years of age or older. “Delirium . . .
RELATIONSHIP OF CYCLIC-AMP AND PHOSPHORYLASE a IN STRESS-SUSCEPTIBLE AND CONTROL PIGS

Muscles from stress-susceptible (SS) pigs are often characterized by a rapid rate of glycogenolysis, but the mechanism which is responsible for this abnormality is unknown. As part of an effort to define the mechanism, we determined the relationship between cyclic AMP (c-AMP) and phosphorylase a activity in SS and control (C) pigs. Longissimus muscles were obtained from SS and C uias at 3. 30. 60 and 120 min postexsanguination. At 3 mm, c-AMP levels were 1555 ? 94 and 1309 ± 29 pica moles/g muscle from SS and C, respectively, and differed significantly (P = 0.05). Levels at ofher times were not significantly different. Ratios of phosphorylase a to a±b (total) activities at 3 min were 0.303 ± 0.047 and 0.157 ± 0.028 for SS and C, respectively, and differed significantly (P = 0.05). Differences were not significant after 3 min. Total activities at 3 min were 0.617 ± 0.119 and 0.535 ± 0.047 mg phosphorus liberated/10 min/mg protein. These results, without accounting for ofher mechanisms which might regulate phosphorylase activation, indicate that higher c-AMP levels at 3 min could produce higher phosphorylase a levels in SS than in C pigs. Whether this difference is adequate to explain the difference in rate of glycogenolysis needs further clarification.
The cultural meanings of Israeli Tokbek (talk-back online commenting) and their relevance to the online democratic public sphere

Israeli journalistic websites have initiated a feature that became fairly universal: a section at the end of each article that allows readers to respond to the article and to each other. This feature is captured by the meta–communicative term 'tokbek', derived from the English phrase 'talk–back'. Although originally viewed as having the potential to promote civil participation, the tokbek soon became associated with pejorative cultural meanings that indicated its failure to do so. Drawing on the Ethnography of Communication, we provide an interpretative framework for an analysis of this failure. The main function of tokbek is the construction of the commenters' political identities, mainly as leftists and rightists. This oppositional construction takes the antagonistic form of a 'bashing ritual' that communicates radical pessimism about the possibility of political debate. Because sharing a virtual space does not necessarily facilitate deliberation, democratic culture should be explicitly addressed when discussing technological advancements.
High order semi-lagrangian methods for the kinetic description of plasmas

Summary form only given. The Convected Scheme (CS) is a family of ‘forward-trajectory’ semi-Lagrangian schemes for the numerical solution of transport equations (most often the Boltzmann equation), which uses a method of characteristics in an integral form to project an initial ‘moving cell’ (MC) forward to a group of final cells.
5-Aminoimidazole-4-Carboxamide Ribonucleoside: A Novel Immunomodulator with Therapeutic Efficacy in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, is a Th1-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. AMP-activated protein kinase was reported recently to have anti-inflammatory activities by negatively regulating NF-kappaB signaling. In this study, we investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of an AMP-activated protein kinase activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), in active and passive EAE induced by active immunization with PLP(139-151) or MOG(35-55) and in adoptive transfer of PLP(139-151)-sensitized T cells, respectively. In vivo treatment with AICAR exerted both prophylactic and therapeutic effects on EAE, attenuating the severity of clinical disease. The anti-inflammatory effects of AICAR were associated with the inhibition of the Ag-specific recall responses and inhibition of the Th1-type cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, whereas it induced the production of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Treatment of PLP(139-151)-specific T cells in vitro with AICAR decreased their expression of T-bet in response to IL-12, a Th1 transcription factor, whereas in response to IL-4, it induced the expression and phosphorylation of Th2 transcription factors GATA3 and STAT6, respectively. Moreover, treatment of APCs in vitro with AICAR inhibited their capability to present the proteolipid protein peptide to PLP(139-151)-specific T cells. In an irrelevant Th1-mediated, OT-2 TCR transgenic mouse model, AICAR impaired in vivo Ag-specific expansion of CD4(+) T cells. Together, these findings show for the first time that AICAR is a novel immunomodulator with promising beneficial effects for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other Th1-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Room-temperature deposition of carbon nanomaterials by excimer laser ablation

Abstract Numerous investigators have reported on pulsed laser deposition of carbon nanotubes, mostly using the Nd:YAG laser for ablation. In all cases the depositions have been conducted at high-temperatures and high pressures. Here we report on the deposition of carbon nanostructures at room temperature using a 248 nm excimer laser nm to ablate mixed graphite-nickel/cobalt targets. We find that the formation of the carbon nanomaterials is dependent on the particular ambient gas employed. In O2 gas, carbon nanotubes and nano-onions are produced. The nanotubes have notably large channel diameters of 100–200 nm and the nano-onion structures are 100–200 nm in diameter, also much larger than previously observed. High-resolution, in-situ, time-resolved emission spectroscopy has been used to follow the production of molecular carbon species such as C2 and C3, as well as metals such as Ni or Co in the different ambients employed. Spectral modeling reveals significant differences in the vibrational–rotational temperatures of C2 spectra in O2 versus Ar. Mechanistic details of the formation of carbon nanotubes and nano-onions, and in-situ optical emission spectroscopy are described.
Reliable file transfer in Grid environments

Grid-based computing environments are becoming increasingly popular for scientific computing. One of the key issues for scientific computing is the efficient transfer of large amounts of data across the Grid. In this paper we present a reliable file transfer (RFT) service that significantly improves the efficiency of large-scale file transfer. RFT can detect a variety of failures and restart the file transfer from the point of failure. It also has capabilities for improving transfer performance through TCP tuning.
Chemical imaging with Fourier transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

We report chemical imaging using Fourier transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (FTCARS) microscopy. Adding a passively phase-stable local field to amplify the weak FTCARS signal, we also demonstrate interferometric FTCARS microscopy, permitting reduced incident power to be used for imaging. We discuss signal-to-noise considerations and the conditions necessary to effectively suppress background noise, allowing FTCARS microscopy that is limited by the shot noise of the detector. We also discuss differences between the signal-to-noise obtainable by time and frequency domain coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) methods.
Incidental tricuspid regurgitation in adult cardiac surgery: focus on current evidence and management options for the perioperative echocardiographer.

NCIDENTAL MODERATE tricuspid regurgitation remains common and clinically significant in adult cardiac surgical practice. Recent guidelines have classified functional tricuspid regurgitation based on anatomy, valve hemodynamics, hemodynamic consequences, and clinical symptoms. Although recent guidelines for surgical intervention in tricuspid regurgitation lack robust evidence, recent trials suggest that it is reasonable to consider surgical management of incidental significant tricuspid regurgitation at the time of cardiac surgery, including at the time of left ventricular assist device implantation. Further prospective randomized trials are required to resolve this clinical equipoise. It is likely that the advent of three-dimensional perioperative echocardiography will foster advances in surgical and transcatheter tricuspid valve therapies that may facilitate clinical intolerance for incidental moderate tricuspid regurgitation in the adult cardiac surgical patient.
Psychiatric management of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients beginning treatment for hepatitis C virus infection: survey of provider practices.

Abstract Objective To determine expert clinical practice in the management of psychiatric status of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients initiating pegylated interferon/ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C. Method Two hundred thirty-six expert providers were identified and invited by email to complete an online anonymous survey. Results Ninety-two providers (39%) completed the survey, 24 (26%) of whom are psychiatrists. More than one third of providers indicate that they use or offer the option of antidepressant use prophylactically in HIV-positive patients with no past or current depression beginning HCV treatment, and more than three quarters do so in patients with a history of depression but no current symptoms of depression. The most experienced nonpsychiatrist providers were more likely to use antidepressants prior to the start of treatment in HIV-coinfected patients as compared to in HCV monoinfected patients. There is consensus among providers to leave psychiatric medication unchanged in patients currently treated for unipolar depression. Conclusions Many expert providers prescribe antidepressants to HIV/HCV-coinfected patients initiating Hepatitis C treatment in the absence of symptoms of depression, despite the lack of data supporting this approach in this population. Research is needed to provide an evidence base to guide the optimal psychiatric management of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients beginning hepatitis C treatment.
Purification and distribution of pathotoxin-enhanced proteins in sorghum.

The synthesis of a group of four 16 kDa proteins in sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] roots is enhanced by treatment with peritoxin, the host-selective toxin produced by the root rot fungus Periconia circinata (Mangin) Sacc. The proteins were purified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and partially characterized, and their distribution within the sorghum plant and in other plant species was determined. The four proteins were found to be charge isomers indistinguishable by electrophoretic analysis of the products of protease digestion and CNBr cleavage. In Western blots with polyclonal antibodies, the proteins were detected in all organs of mature sorghum plants in quantities that decreased from the roots upward toward the inflorescence. Multiple cross-reacting proteins from 15–21 kDa were also detected in all grass species tested and in some other monocotyledons. None of the dicotyledons analysed contained cross-reacting proteins. The results suggest that the 16 kDa proteins are conserved proteins whose constitutive synthesis is regulated and whose function is important in several plant species, especially grasses. The presence of these proteins in other plant species suggests that they are not the direct cause of disease symptoms and plant cell death in peritoxin-treated sorghum plants.
From Calculation Through Courtship to Contribution Cultivating Trust Among Urban Youth in an Academic Intervention Program

Purpose: By examining data from interviews with students in the Upward Bound (UB) Program (a federally sponsored program that provides academic support to students at risk preparing for college entrance), this study seeks to strengthen understanding of the stages of trust in educational organizations that serve urban youth and in so doing provoke further thought regarding our collective understanding of trusting dispositions and behaviors in educational organizations. Research Design: This qualitative piece uses data from a study of student participation in leadership and interviews, observations, and document analysis of participants and informants to build conceptual understanding of the stages of interpersonal trust in educational organizations. Participants included 20 recent high school graduates enrolled in the summer Bridge Program of the UB Program at a university in a midsized city. Findings: Better understanding of the stages of trust came from examining the concept in an educational organizatio...
Gas Sensing Behavior of Porous ZnO Varistors Densified via Rate Controlled Sintering

A hydrogen gas sensor based on shift in breakdown voltage of a ZnO varistor was developed. Changes in rate controlled sintering schedules resulted in significant variations in microstructure. Microstructures showing more intergranular porosity and finer grain size demonstrated a comparatively more linear and broad response to H 2 concentration. A mechanism for the shift in breakdown voltage based on adsorbed oxygen is suggested for this unique and potentially very useful sensor.
Uncompacted void content of fine aggregate as quality indicator of materials used in superpave mixtures

The uncompacted void content of fine aggregate, or fine aggregate angularity (FAA), was introduced in the Superpave mixture design system to screen smooth or rounded fine aggregates that may result in mixtures with low rutting resistance. The assumption is that fine aggregates with lower FAA values have lower shear strength (internal friction) and lower resistance to rutting. Continued implementation and evaluation of the Superpave system has led to numerous questions regarding the validity of this assumption and of the use of the FAA test in general. Nine fine aggregates were used to evaluate the FAA test and to determine whether it was a reliable indicator of fine aggregate shear strength. FAA tests were performed using three gradations and the three standard test methods (A, B, and C). Microscopic analysis was conducted to obtain independent visual measures of angularity and texture. Direct shear tests were performed at four confining stresses to determine shear strength parameters. Results indicated t...
Statics and Engineering Design-a new freshman engineering course at the US Coast Guard Academy

The US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) began teaching a new freshmen engineering course titled Statics and Engineering Design (SED) in the Fall 2000 semester. The new course represents a significant change from the Introduction to Engineering and Design course that had been taught at USCGA for more than 20 years. Teaching statics to freshman is not new; however, unlike most institutions, all freshmen at USCGA take the same first course in engineering regardless of their intended major. The critical factor that allows us to successfully teach a statics-based course to nonengineers yet provide an acceptable foundation in mechanics to future engineers is that the order and choice of topics was new. Many have argued that design is an essential component of all freshmen engineering courses. In SED, we introduce a six step problem solving process that is identified by the acronym DRIDS-V (define, research, identify, decide, solve-verify). This same process is not only used in other engineering classes but it is also used in several other freshman level classes in other departments. In SED, we put DRIDS-V to use on multiple open-ended group projects that require statics-based design and hands-on building of a system. Each project has a clear goal and multiple constraints, yet affords the cadets many opportunities to be creative while solving the problem. Nightly closed ended statics homework is completed using a three-step subset of the full design process. The initial success of the course can be partly measured in the recruiting of would-be nonengineers to engineering. By giving all USCGA freshman a fun yet "real" engineering course, it took away their fear of engineering and has resulted in an increase in the number of qualified applicants to the engineering majors. A comparison is made showing that future engineer SED cadets performed as well as Sophomore Statics cadets on a common multiple choice final exam.
The Client’s Desire to Age in Place: Our Role as Elder Law Attorneys

The phrase “aging in place” is not just an idiosyncratic choice, not just an ideal that must give way to “practical” realities. For staying “in place” is for most elderly not a luxury, not a mere preference, but a silent cry to be recognized as a person. For too many elderly, to be asked or forced to move is not just an inconvenience or an unfortunate event; it is the first large step towards oblivion. Conversely, to “age in place” or just to “stay put” continues the arc of life, which although drawing to end, is not yet completed. A move to a nursing home is the loss of those little freedoms such as when and what to eat, that so erode personal autonomy that make the nursing home seen as the waiting room of death. Conversely, to stay “at home” means that life continues no matter how diminished or reduced in scope.Thus it is that helping clients to age in place must be an essential aspect of elder law planning. For if our legal advice does not support, encourage and ultimately succeed in enabling the client to age in place, or in the vernacular, to stay put, then our planning has fallen short. While we may not have failed our client, we have done less than our best.
Development of a mobile ecogenomic sensor

Modern ocean microbial research utilizes advanced molecular analytical techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA and protein probe arrays, and nucleic acid sequencing (etc.). Applying or at least initiating these techniques at the point and time of sample collection can enhance their effectiveness. To that end, in-situ sample processing and real-time molecular detection schemes have been implemented using deployable autonomous systems that can be operated in diverse ocean environments from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. Such devices have been termed “ecogenomic sensors.” The size of these instruments currently requires that they be moored in a fixed location or passively mobile, drifting at fixed depth and observing microbial communities in a moving frame of reference with ocean currents. With the highly dynamic motion of open water and microbial life, the next frontier of ocean microbial research requires the improved capability of an actively mobile asset. A mobile ecogenomic sensor encompasses a fully maneuverable vehicle with weeks of persistence, environmental data analysis, detection of physical and biological features, autonomous sampling and in situ analysis, and near-real-time data reporting. This system is now being developed by integrating three components: a compact molecular analytical instrument (the 3rd generation Environmental Sample Processor), a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle, and software algorithms for AUV-based feature detection and sampling. A summary of the system and its initial application is presented.
Differential Calculus of Real-Valued Functions

If D is a subset of R n , a rule f that assigns a unique real number to each point of D will be called a real valued function on D. The set D on which f is defined is called the domain of f. Usually, a function is defined by a single formula valid over its entire domain D . is the chapter presents an assumption that if f is given by a formula and D is unspecified, then D should be understood to be the largest subset of R n for which the formula makes sense. The problem of locating extreme values of a function of one variable is an important application of the one-dimensional calculus. This chapter highlights this problem for functions of several variables. It explores limit and continuity, which are fundamental to the calculus of functions of one variable. It generalizes these ideas to real valued functions of several variables and extends them further to vector valued functions. It presents some theorems that allow to build up an extensive collection of continuous functions by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition of continuous functions. It also describes the derivative of a function of one variable and presents a definition that generalizes the idea of the derivative to functions of which domains are in R n . The chapter also explains directional and partial derivatives.
Reproductive success of the Northern Cardinal, a large host of brown-headed cowbirds

We investigated the effects of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) reproductive success to test the hypothesis that cowbird hosts of similar size and incubation period to cowbirds are able to raise their own offspring when parasitized. During the breeding seasons of 1993-1995, we collected data on the frequency and intensity of cowbird parasitism, the effect of cowbird parasitism on cardinal reproductive success, and the defensive response of cardinals to parasitism. Of the 115 cardinal nests, 48% were parasitized, and the mean number of cowbird eggs per parasitized nest was 1.3. Nest survival, as calculated by the Mayfield analysis, was higher in parasitized than unparasitized nests across all stages of the nesting cycle. Although female cowbirds removed significantly more cardinal eggs per parasitized than unparasitized nest, parasitized cardinals did not suffer losses attributable to reduced hatching success or nestling competition. The growth rates of cardinals in parasitized and unparasitized nests did not differ, nor did that of cardinals and cowbirds in the same nest. We detected cardinal defensive response at only three (5%) parasitized nests. These data suggest that this population of cardinals pays only a slight cost in being parasitized by cowbirds, which may explain the lack of defensive response.
KNGP: A network-based gene prioritization algorithm that incorporates multiple sources of knowledge.

Background Candidate gene prioritization is the process of identifying and ranking new genes as potential candidates of being associated with a disease or phenotype. Integrating multiple sources of biological knowledge for gene prioritization can improve performance. Results We developed a novel network-based gene prioritization algorithm called Knowledge Network Gene Prioritization (KNGP) that can incorporate node weights in addition to the usually used link weights. The online Web implementation of KNGP can handle small input files while the downloadable R software package can handle larger input files. We also provide several files of coded biological knowledge that can be used by KNGP.
Modeling the role of alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and their oligomers in secondary organic aerosol formation.

A computationally efficient method to treat secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from various length and structure alkanes as well as SOA from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is implemented in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to predict aerosol concentrations over the United States. Oxidation of alkanes is predicted to produce more aerosol than oxidation of PAHs driven by relatively higher alkane emissions. SOA from alkanes and PAHs, although small in magnitude, can be a substantial fraction of the SOA from anthropogenic hydrocarbons, particularly in winter, and could contribute more if emission inventories lack intermediate volatility alkanes (>C13) or if the vehicle fleet shifts toward diesel-powered vehicles. The SOA produced from oxidation of alkanes correlates well with ozone and odd oxygen in many locations, but the lower correlation of anthropogenic oligomers with odd oxygen indicates that models may need additional photochemically dependent pathways to low-volatility SOA.
Our bulging medicine cabinets--the other side of medication nonadherence.

Millions of pounds of prescription medications go unused each year in the United States, where patients' leftover supplies may contribute to opiate abuse, increase the complexity of taking medications, promote antibiotic resistance, and lead to environmental pollution.
A portable device for microliter blood clot elastometry employing resonant acoustic spectroscopy with optical vibrometry (rasov)

A portable device for measuring Young's modulus of 150uL blood samples offers 3Pa-27kPa dynamic range and small-strain (<0.13%) operation. We demonstrate sensitivity to heparin concentration in human blood, relevant to post-surgical monitoring.
Work in progress — Diversity and connection in CSTEM integrated project

In this paper we describe “Diversity and Connection in CSTEM” project that is currently being implemented at LaGuardia Community College. This faculty-driven integrated project targets diverse student population in Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics aiming to advance their engagement, connection, and retention in CSTEM. The project's implementation, empowered by pedagogy of integration and technology-intensive educational experiences, cuts across several categories: (a) experiential learning through undergraduate course-based, learning, and research projects that are incremental in their difficulty; (b) social learning with innovative technology/Web 2.0 resources and projects in gateway to CSTEM courses; (c) talks/discussions involving women and other underrepresented groups in CSTEM; (d) professional development for faculty. The authors hypothesize that integration of the proposed activities will help students solidify their knowledge acquired in CSTEM courses, build new skills needed for CSTEM workforce, increase self-confidence and awareness of CSTEM fields, and connect to each other and faculty.
Formation and Immunological Properties of Aldehyde-derived Protein Adducts following Alcohol Consumption

Most ingested ethanol is eliminated from the body through oxidative metabolism in the liver. Alcohol dehydrogenase is the enzyme that is most important in the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. However, it has also been demonstrated that cytochrome P4502E1 also can contribute to this process. However, this is not the only aldehyde that is produced after chronic ethanol consumption because oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation can be induced in the liver, which results in the production of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. These aldehydes are highly reactive and have the ability to react with (adduct) many macromolecules to alter their structure and play a major role in the derangements of hepatic function. Therefore, the formation of these types of adducts in the liver has been proposed as key events leading to the development and/or progression of alcoholic liver disease. In this chapter, methods for the production and detection of these modified proteins will be discussed.
How does tissue preparation affect skeletal muscle transverse isotropy

The passive tensile properties of skeletal muscle play a key role in its physiological function. Previous research has identified conflicting reports of muscle transverse isotropy, with some data suggesting the longitudinal direction is stiffest, while others show the transverse direction is stiffest. Accurate constitutive models of skeletal muscle must be employed to provide correct recommendations for and observations of clinical methods. The goal of this work was to identify transversely isotropic tensile muscle properties as a function of post mortem handling. Six pairs of tibialis anterior muscles were harvested from Giant Flemish rabbits and split into two groups: fresh testing (within four hours post mortem), and non-fresh testing (subject to delayed testing and a freeze/thaw cycle). Longitudinal and transverse samples were removed from each muscle and tested to identify tensile modulus and relaxation behavior. Longitudinal non-fresh samples exhibited a higher initial modulus value and faster relaxation than longitudinal fresh, transverse fresh, and transverse rigor samples (p<0.05), while longitudinal fresh samples were less stiff at lower strain levels than longitudinal non-fresh, transverse fresh, and transverse non-fresh samples (p<0.05), but exhibited more nonlinear behavior. While fresh skeletal muscle exhibits a higher transverse modulus than longitudinal modulus, discrepancies in previously published data may be the result of a number of differences in experimental protocol. Constitutive modeling of fresh muscle should reflect these data by identifying the material as truly transversely isotropic and not as an isotropic matrix reinforced with fibers.
Cost-oriented Pricing

The above passage from ICC shows that utility rates are a product of cost, with costs allocation a major determinant in arriving at a particular rate. However, even in such rate-setting procedure cost allocation is not done equally across the board, but rather is based on the type of electric user. Rates are reached by dividing customers into classes on the basis of related use.
Energy efficiency of channels under additive Gaussian-mixture noise in the low-power regime

This paper investigates the energy efficiency of communication channels subject to additive Gaussian mixture interference in the low-power regime. This channel is widely used to capture the asynchronism in heterogeneous cellular networks. In particular, we characterize the low-signal-to-noise-ratio (low-SNR) metrics of minimum energy per bit or capacity per unit cost and the wideband slope of the spectral-efficiency curve. Instead of directly maximizing the mutual information or determining the optimal input, we make use of the characterization that the first derivative of the capacity with respect to SNR at SNR= 0 can be determined from the Kullback-Leibler divergence without identifying the optimal input. We also identify the wideband slope of spectral efficiency in closed-form by relying on the discreteness in amplitude of the capacity-achieving input. The characterization of these fundamental energy efficiency metrics allows us to find the signaling strategies that are optimally efficient in the low-SNR regime and obtain an analytical confirmation of the earlier information-theoretic findings.
Far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP) in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335. II.Characterization of phycobiliproteins produced during acclimation to far-red light

Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna complexes that harvest light for photosystem (PS) I and PS II in cyanobacteria and some algae. A process known as far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP) occurs when some cyanobacteria are grown in far-red light (FRL). They synthesize chlorophylls d and f and remodel PS I, PS II, and PBS using subunits paralogous to those produced in white light. The FaRLiP strain, Leptolyngbya sp. JSC-1, replaces hemidiscoidal PBS with pentacylindrical cores, which are produced when cells are grown in red or white light, with PBS with bicylindrical cores when cells are grown in FRL. This study shows that the PBS of another FaRLiP strain, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335, are not remodeled in cells grown in FRL. Instead, cells grown in FRL produce bicylindrical cores that uniquely contain the paralogous allophycocyanin subunits encoded in the FaRLiP cluster, and these bicylindrical cores coexist with red-light-type PBS with tricylindrical cores. The bicylindrical cores have absorption maxima at 650 and 711 nm and a low-temperature fluorescence emission maximum at 730 nm. They contain ApcE2:ApcF:ApcD3:ApcD2:ApcD5:ApcB2 in the approximate ratio 2:2:4:6:12:22, and a structural model is proposed. Time course experiments showed that bicylindrical cores were detectable about 48 h after cells were transferred from RL to FRL and that synthesis of red-light-type PBS continued throughout a 21-day growth period. When considered in comparison with results for other FaRLiP cyanobacteria, the results here show that acclimation responses to FRL can differ considerably among FaRLiP cyanobacteria.
Robert Boyle: the secret alchemist

In 1689 Robert Boyle, the famed chemist and physical experimentalist whose name is memorialized in the foundational gas law, managed to persuade the British parliament to remove the ban on the transmutation of metals. Isaac Newton suspected that Boyle had done this because he knew of a red powder that he thought, or so Lawrence Principe plausibly conjectures, was an unrefined form of the "philosophers' stone" – the substance that alchemists thought would turn metals into gold.
Self-Esteem and Feelings of Community Connectedness of At-Risk Adolescents Attending Community-Based Afterschool Programs

This research investigated the relationship between adolescent afterschool program attendance, self-esteem and feelings of community connectedness. Thirty-nine of the 61 at-risk adolescents enrolled in two federally funded, community based afterschool programs participated in the study. Participants completed a 10-item self-esteem questionnaire and a 5-item section of the Youth Involved in Community Issues Survey (YICI) to measure perceptions of community connectedness. Attendance records were also collected from the sites. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlations. Results indicated that there was not a significant relationship between the total variables. The individual item analysis, however, did find a significant relationship between adolescent community connectedness and self esteem items. Findings suggest that there is a relationship to be explored and strengthened through means of community outreach for adolescents. Conclusions from this study have important implications for youth practice. Specifically, program leaders need to help adolescents get involved in the community as contributing members.
Probability of Accurate Heart Failure Diagnosis and the Implications for Hospital Readmissions.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome with inherent diagnostic challenges. We studied the scope of possibly inaccurately documented HF in a large health care system among patients assigned a primary diagnosis of HF at discharge. Through a retrospective record review and a classification schema developed from published guidelines, we assessed the probability of the documented HF diagnosis being accurate and determined factors associated with HF-related and non–HF-related hospital readmissions. An arbitration committee of 3 experts reviewed a subset of records to corroborate the results. We assigned a low probability of accurate diagnosis to 133 (19%) of the 712 patients. A subset of patients were also reviewed by an expert panel, which concluded that 13% to 35% of patients probably did not have HF (inter-rater agreement, kappa = 0.35). Low-probability HF was predictive of being readmitted more frequently for non-HF causes (p = 0.018), as well as documented arrhythmias (p = 0.023), and age >60 years (p = 0.006). Documented sleep apnea (p = 0.035), percutaneous coronary intervention (p = 0.006), non-white race (p = 0.047), and B-type natriuretic peptide >400 pg/ml (p = 0.007) were determined to be predictive of HF readmissions in this cohort. In conclusion, approximately 1 in 5 patients documented to have HF were found to have a low probability of actually having it. Moreover, the determination of low-probability HF was twice as likely to result in readmission for non-HF causes and, thus, should be considered a determinant for all-cause readmissions in this population.
Simulation optimization with sensitivity information: an application to online-retail inventory replenishment

We study a simulation optimization approach for the online-retail inventory replenishment problem, where the goal is to minimize the total operational cost among a class of parametrized replenishment policies. We model the problem as an infinite-horizon average-cost dynamic program with discrete states and controls, which can be difficult to solve due to the curse of dimensionality. We propose a simulation optimization method that searches for low-cost policies using cost sensitivity information with respect to policy parameters. This information is analogous to the gradient in continuous-space descent methods, and we show that it can be collected as a by-product of the simulation process. Numerical experiments with realistic inventory networks show that our method is able to identify low-cost solutions efficiently, requiring significantly fewer iterations and less computation time than a simple random search method that only samples the local neighborhood.
Quantifying and correcting the effects of anisotropy in XANES measurements of chromium valence in olivine: Implications for a new olivine oxybarometer

Chromium valence ratios in igneous olivine may hold a wealth of redox information about the melts from which they crystallized. It has been experimentally shown that the Cr 2+ /∑Cr of olivine varies systematically with f O 2 , therefore measurements of Cr valence in olivine could be employed as a quantitative oxybarometer. In situ synchrotron μ-XANES analyses of Cr valence ratios of individual olivine phenocrysts in thin section have the potential to unlock this stored magmatic redox information on a fine spatial scale. However, there are still obstacles to obtaining accurate XANES measurements of cation valence in crystalline materials, as the results from these measurements can be compromised by anisotropic absorption effects related to the crystallographic orientation of the sample. Improving the accuracy of XANES measurements of Cr valence ratios in olivine by calibrating an anisotropy correction is a vital step in developing Cr valence measurements in olivine as a rigorous oxybarometer. To accomplish this goal, we have used an integrated approach that combined experiments, electron backscatter diffraction analysis, and XANES measurements in olivine to systematically examine how orientation affects the resultant Cr K -edge XANES spectra and the Cr valence ratios that are calculated from them. The data set generated in this work was used to construct a model that mitigates the effects of anisotropy of the calculated Cr 2+ /∑Cr values. The application of this correction procedure as a part of spectral processing improves the overall accuracy of the resultant Cr 2+ /∑Cr values by nearly a factor of five. The increased accuracy of the XANES measured Cr valence ratios afforded by the anisotropy correction reduces the error on calculated f O 2 values from approximately ±1.2 to ±0.25 log units.
Survival of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Two Different Soil Types at Various Moisture Levels and Temperatures.

ABSTRACT With the increased consumption of fresh produce, a proportional increase in numbers of produce-related foodborne illness has been observed. An estimate of foodborne illness during 1998 to 2008 attributed ∼46% of the incidences to produce. Any foodborne illness associated with produce can have devastating consequences to the industry. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implicate leafy vegetables, vine-stalk vegetables, root vegetables, and sprouts as the most common cause of produce-related foodborne outbreaks. Excess rainfall or flooding, mainly by altering levels of soil moisture and oxygen content, affects the microbial community in soil. The goal of this research was to determine the survivability of a three-serovar Escherichia coli and a five-serovar Salmonella enterica cocktail in microcosms prepared with Candler sand (CS) and Orangeburg sandy loam (OSL) soils. Microcosms were prepared with low, medium, and high volumetric water contents and were incubat...
Geriatric Acetabulum Fractures

Acetabular fractures in the elderly are estimated to account for 10–20% of all osteoporotic pelvis fractures and represent the fastest growing segment of pelvic trauma [1].
DEVELOPMENT OF REPEATABLE INTERIM PRODUCTS UTILIZING THE COMMON GENERIC BLOCK CONCEPT.

Productive shipbuilders provide customized or made-to-order products to customers. To date, most of these "world class" companies have succeeded by developing a series of repeatable type blocks, which may be chosen and combined to form products that respond to customer needs. Type blocks have been developed as a result of long experience in customizing ships to specific needs, while maintaining a repeatable build strategy. These are, therefore, empirically based. This paper reports on the early stages of work to develop a theory and methodology for developing type blocks for shipyards that do not currently have them in place and/or lack the historical base from which to extract common blocks. The concept, called Common Generic Block, builds these using the principles of mass customization, a block complexity matrix, grouping using clustering techniques based on production attributes, and applying a threshold value as a stopping criterion for the clustering. This paper describes the general framework of the approach and provides details on the block complexity matrix, used for determining the relative similarity of products to be included in a product family.
Effects of Leukotrienes C4 and D4, Cyclic AMP and Methylation Reactions on Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Rat Peritoneal Macrophages

Ligand-receptor interaction in a number of biological systems, often involves release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Understanding the physiological significance of this phenomenon should take into account the wide spectrum of biological activities which were ascribed to the various arachidonate metabolites.
Regulation of LH-RH Secretion by Gonadal Steroids and Catecholamines

The presence of a hypothalamic factor that stimulates the release of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) was demonstrated two decades ago (McCann et al., 1960). A great deal of effort was directed toward the purification and chemical identification of the hypothalamic LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH). Matsuo et al. (1971) characterized the chemical structure of the naturally occurring LH-RH and showed it to be biologically and chemically identical with the synthetic decapeptide. Antibodies against the synthetic decapeptide were produced for the radioimmunoassay of LH-RH in tissue and body fluids (Nett et al.,1973). Recently, the distribution of the LH-RH neuronal network in the brain has been investigated by a variety of techniques including bioassay and radioimmunoassay and by immunocytochemical means (Naik, 1975; Elde and Hokfelt, 1978; Hoffman et al., 1978; Setalo et al., 1978).
Robots and Computers Enhance Us More Than They Replace Us

Past fears that robots and computers would cause large increases in secular unemployment have proven unfounded. Some well-respected economists and other technology and labor analysts are worried ag...
Markov fundamental tensor and its applications to network analysis

Abstract We first present a comprehensive review of various Markov metrics used in the literature and express them in a consistent framework. We then introduce the fundamental tensor – a generalization of the well-known fundamental matrix – and show that classical Markov metrics can be derived from it in a unified manner. We provide a collection of useful relations for Markov metrics that are useful and insightful for network studies. To demonstrate the usefulness and efficacy of the proposed fundamental tensor in network analysis, we present four important applications: 1) unification of network centrality measures, 2) characterization of (generalized) network articulation points, 3) identification of network's most influential nodes, and 4) fast computation of network reachability after failures.