cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A History of Fort Worth in Black & White: 165 Years of African-American Life. By Richard F. Selcer.

A History of Fort Worth in Black & White: 165 Years of African-American Life . By Richard F. Selcer. (Denton: University of North Texas Press, 2015. xvii + 598 pp. Illustrations, map, notes, bibliography, index. $29.95, cloth; $23.96, e-book.) Texas has always been a paradox of cultures. Since the days of the 1836 revolution the state has been perhaps the quintessential melting pot, as many cultures have made positive contributions to the development of the Lone Star State. However, the state’s black community has languished in the shadows since emancipation. Dr. Richard F. Selcer’s A History of Fort Worth in Black & White is valiant attempt to detail the experiences of the black community in Fort Worth within the broader backdrop of U.S. … regoodwin{at}pvamu.edu
Narcissism and egocentrism as concepts in individual and cultural development.

L'auteur constate l'utilisation croissante du concept de narcissisme pour rendre compte de toute une serie de phenomenes aussi bien psychologiques que culturels. Une telle utilisation n'est pas depourvue d'ambiguite et l'auteur propose de differencier le narcissisme de l'egocentrisme. Le concept de narcissisme doit etre reserve a la description et a l'explication des phenomenes cliniques, tandis que celui d'egocentrisme est applicable a la comprehension du developpement psychologique normal ainsi que du processus culturel. L'egocentrisme, un des premiers concepts utilise par Piaget, en tant qu'inclus dans le proces d'assimilation, jour un role constructif dans le developpement du sens de la realite chez l'enfant. Le narcissisme, au contraire, est un processus pathologique de retrait des investissements objectaux, une manœuvre defensive pour proteger un sentiment de soi precaire et menace par les vicissitudes des relations interpersonnelles
Knowledge-independent data mining with fine-grained parallel evolutionary algorithms

This paper illustrates the application of evolutionary algorithms (EA) to data mining problems. The objectives are to demonstrate that EA can provide a competitive general purpose data mining scheme for classification tasks without constraining the knowledge representation, and that it can be achieved reducing the amount of time required using the inherent parallel processing nature of EA. Experiments were performed with GALE, a fine-grained parallel evolutionary algorithm, on several artificial, public domain and private datasets. The empirical results suggest that EA are competitive and robust data mining schemes that scale up better than non-evolutionary well-known schemes.
Processing, characterization, and properties of aluminum–carbon nanotube open-cell foams

This paper discusses the processing, characterization, and properties of aluminum–carbon nanotube (Al–CNT) open-cell foams. The effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on the developed internal surface macro/microstructure and local mechanical response is discussed. Grain size and amount of oxygen-rich internal scales increased with an increase in sintering temperature. Room temperature spherical indentation tests showed a general decline in load-bearing capacity of the foams with increase in sintering temperature. Cell-wall failure was found to be due to brittle fracture rather than plastic collapse. Analyses of the indentation unloading curves showed Al–CNT foams to be ~16% stiffer than Al foams processed at the same condition.
Trends in Otolaryngology Consultation Patterns at an Academic Quaternary Care Center.

Importance The consultation patterns of an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service have not previously been reported. The time, resources, and attention required to operate such a consultation service are unknown. Objective To assess trends in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery consultations conducted in emergency departments (EDs) and inpatient services. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical records of patients at a quaternary care center receiving inpatient otolaryngology consultations from January 1 to December 31, 2014. Exposure Clinical evaluation and bedside and operative procedures performed by the otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographics, reason for consultation, diagnosis, bedside procedures, operative interventions, and admission variables. Results A total of 1491 consultations were completed for adult (1091 [73.2%]; 854 men and 637 women; mean [SD] age 50.3 [19.3] years) and pediatric (400 [26.8%]; 232 boys and 168 girls; mean [SD] age, 4.0 [5.2] years) patients. Of the 1491 consultations, 766 (51.4%) originated from inpatient teams vs 725 (48.6%) from the ED. A total of 995 of all consultations (66.7%) resulted in a bedside procedure, and 243 (16.3%) required operative intervention. Consultations regarding airway evaluation (362 [47.3%] vs 143 [19.7%]), management of epistaxis (78 [10.2%] vs 33 [4.6%]), and rhinologic evaluation (79 [10.3%] vs 18 [2.5%]) were more frequent from inpatient teams than from the ED. Consultations regarding management of head and neck infections (162 [22.3%] vs 32 [4.2%]), facial trauma (235 [32.4%] vs 16 [2.1%]), and postoperative complications (73 [10.1%] vs 2 [0.3%]) were more frequent in the ED. Of the 725 consultations performed in the ED, 212 patients (29.2%) required hospitalization. Conclusions and Relevance The consultation volume of an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service requires significant time and resources. Consultations are most often for rhinologic or laryngologic issues and are reflective of the clinical setting in which the patient is evaluated. Cost savings may be realized by increasing health care access points for nonurgent concerns that can be evaluated in an outpatient setting.
PARALLAX AND DISTANCE ESTIMATES FOR TWELVE CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE STARS

We report parallax and distance estimates for 12 more cataclysmic binaries and related objects observed with the 2.4 m Hiltner telescope at MDM Observatory. The final parallax accuracy is typically ~1 mas. Notable results include distances for V396 Hya (CE 315), a helium double degenerate with a relatively long orbital period, and for MQ Dra (SDSSJ155331+551615), a magnetic system with a very low accretion rate. We find that the Z Cam star KT Persei is physically paired with a K main-sequence star lying 15 arcsec away. Several of the targets have distance estimates in the literature that are based on the white dwarf's effective temperature and flux; our measurements broadly corroborate these estimates, but tend to put the stars a bit closer, indicating that the white dwarfs may have larger masses than assumed. As a side note, we briefly describe radial velocity spectroscopy that refines the orbital period of V396 Hya to 65.07 ± 0.08 minutes.
Cuff tear arthropathy shoulder hemiarthroplasty: a radiographic outcome study

Cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) head prosthesis has recently become an alternative to standard shoulder hemiarthroplasty in patients with severe cuff disease by offering an increased surface area and decreased impingement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiographic outcomes of CTA prosthesis and to correlate them with clinical outcomes. In this retrospective study of CTA hemiarthroplasties over an 11-year period, two radiologists reviewed pre-/postoperative radiographs and clinical data. Radiographic complications were correlated with subsequent surgery using Cox regression models. Rates of surgical revision and radiographic complications over time were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Ninety-seven CTA hemiarthroplasties were identified in 92 patients (5 bilateral) with a mean patient age of 68.7 years. Mean radiographic follow-up was 12 months with a mean of 3.3 radiographs per prosthesis. Twenty-six arthroplasties (26.8%) experienced at least one radiographic complication, including acromion remodeling (19.5%), anterior-posterior subluxation (5.2%), periprosthetic fracture (4.1%), glenoid remodeling (3.1%), hardware loosening (2.1%), superior subluxation (2.1%), and subsidence (1.0%). Eight cases underwent revision surgery (8.2%). The occurrence of a postoperative radiographic complication was associated with increased risk of surgical revision (hazard ratio 11.5, 95% CI: 2.4–55.7, p = 0.002); 73.5% of radiographic complications occurred by 3 months after the initial surgery (complication rate of 23.3%) based on Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. Radiographic complications after CTA head hemiarthroplasty are common with most occurring by 3 months after surgery and are highly associated with surgical revision.
Nurse Satisfaction With Opportunities to Engage in Research.

Nurses should be able to participate in research and integrate evidence from research into practice; however, studies investigating factors related to nurse satisfaction with opportunities to engage in research are lacking. A questionnaire was distributed to nurses employed at two sites: a hospital and a nursing school. Only 16% of nurses reported being satisfied with opportunities to engage in research. In multivariate analysis, degree of belief that resources are a barrier to research was inversely proportional to satisfaction with nursing research opportunities (adjusted odds ratio = 0.13, p < .001), whereas perception that personal relevance is a barrier to research was associated with increased satisfaction (adjusted odds ratio = 2.38, p < .001). Satisfaction with opportunities to engage in research is low. Incentivizing nursing research and providing protected research time, training and education, and mentors to guide nurses through the research process could be effective strategies for increasing ...
Physical Activity in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Review

Physical activity has known health benefits and is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in the general population. Relatively few data are available for physical activity in kidney transplant recipients. Compared to the general population, physical activity levels are lower overall in kidney recipients, although somewhat higher compared to the dialysis population. Recipient comorbid condition, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors, and long-term immunosuppression use negatively affect physical activity. Physical inactivity in kidney recipients may be associated with reduced quality of life, as well as increased mortality. Interventions such as exercise training appear to be safe in kidney transplant recipients and are associated with improved quality of life and exercise capacity. Additional studies are required to evaluate long-term effects on cardiovascular risk factors and ultimately cardiovascular disease outcomes and patient survival. Currently available data are characterized by wide variability in the interventions and outcome measures investigated in studies, as well as use of small sample–sized cohorts. These limitations highlight the need for larger studies using objective and standardized measures of physical activity and physical fitness in kidney transplant recipients.
Comparison of baseline ImPACT performance in amateur motocross riders to football and basketball athletes.

Primary Objective: The American Motorcyclist Association requires professional riders to undergo baseline computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment an...
Reported Influences on Restaurant-Type Food Selection Decision Making in a Grocery Store Chain.

Abstract Objective To examine food decision-making priorities for restaurant-type foods at grocery stores and determine whether adding calorie information, as required by federal menu labeling laws, affected decision-making priorities. Design Natural experiment: intervention and control groups with baseline and follow-up. Setting Regional grocery store chain with 9 locations. Participants Participants (n = 393; mean age, 54.8 ± 15.1 years) were primarily women (71%) and Caucasian (95%). Intervention Data were collected before and after calorie information was added to restaurant-type foods at 4 intervention locations. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary influencers of food selection decision making for restaurant-type foods and frequency of use of nutrition information. Analysis Quantitative analysis examined the top 3 influencers of food selections and chi-square goodness of fit test determined whether the calorie labeling intervention changed food decision-making priorities. Qualitative data were used to describe responses. Results Taste, cost, and convenience were the most frequently reported influencers of restaurant-type food selections; 20% of participants rated calories as influential. Calorie labeling did not affect food selection decision making; 16% of participants in intervention stores noticed calorie labels. Qualitative explanations confirmed these findings. Conclusions and Implications Menu labeling laws increase access to calorie information; however, use of this information is limited. Additional interventions are needed to encourage healthier restaurant-type food selections in grocery stores.
The Influence of the Gut Microbiome on Cancer, Immunity, and Cancer Immunotherapy

The microbiome is receiving significant attention given its influence on a host of human diseases including cancer. Its role in response to cancer treatment is becoming increasingly apparent, with evidence suggesting that modulating the gut microbiome may affect responses to numerous forms of cancer therapy. A working knowledge of the microbiome is vital as we move forward in this age of precision medicine, and an understanding of the microbiome's influence on immune responses and cancer is key. It is also important to understand factors influencing the gut microbiome and strategies to manipulate the microbiome to augment therapeutic responses.
Left cervical chyloma following right thyroidectomy.

Cervical chylomas are rare entities, as only four cases have been previously reported. All of these previous cases involved the left side, all were related to the thoracic duct, and all occurred fo...
Strategies for Computational Efficiency in Continuum Structural Topology Optimization

A methodology of enhanced computational efficiency is presented for continuum topology optimization of sparse structural systems. Such systems are characterized by the structural material occupying only a small fraction of the structure's envelope volume. When modeled within a continuum mechanics and topology optimization framework such structures require models of very high refinement which is computationally very expensive. The methodology presented herein to deal with this issue is based on the idea of starting with a relatively coarse mesh of low refinement and employing a sequence of meshes featuring progressively greater degrees of uniform refinement. One starts by solving for an initial approximation to the final material layout on the coarse mesh. This design is then projected onto the next finer mesh in the sequence, and the material layout optimization process is continued. The material layout design from the second mesh can then be projected onto the third mesh for additional refinement, and so forth. The process terminates when an optimal design of sufficient sparsity, and sufficient mesh resolution is achieved. Within the proposed methodology, additional computational efficiency is realized by using a design-dependent analysis problem reduction technique. As one proceeds toward sparse optimal designs, very large regions of the structural model will be devoid of any structural material and hence can be excluded from the structural analysis problem resulting in great computational efficiency. The validity and performance characteristics of the proposed methodology are demonstrated on three different problems, two involving design of sparse structures for buckling stability, and the third involving design of a hinge-free gripper compliant mechanism.
Readmissions following ambulatory pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is indicated in select pediatric patients with medically refractory sinus disease. Our objectives were to examine indications and rates of readmission following ambulatory pediatric ESS and identify specific subgroups that may benefit from inpatient admission. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database review. METHODS The Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) 2004-2016 database was retrospectively reviewed for patients age <18 years who underwent ambulatory ESS between January 2011 and December 2016 and were readmitted within 30 days postoperatively. Data regarding demographics, extent of surgery, comorbidities, adjunctive procedures, and cost were collected. A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model was employed for analysis. RESULTS We identified 3,669 unique pediatric ESS cases with 128 readmissions within 30 days (3.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9%-4.1%). Median cost of readmission was $980 (mean, $5,890; standard deviation, $13,421). The most common indication for readmission was epistaxis (17.2%), followed by nausea/abdominal pain (14.1%). Respiratory infection (13.3%) and sinusitis (10.2%) presented a combined readmission rate exceeding that of epistaxis alone. Multivariable analysis indicated age <3 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.41, 95% CI: 1.96-5.93) and a prior diagnosis of asthma (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.99-4.18) or cystic fibrosis (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.44) significantly increased the risk of readmission. Extent of ESS and simultaneous adenoidectomy, septoplasty, or turbinate reduction had no significant impact on readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS ESS is a relatively safe outpatient surgical procedure in pediatric patients, with an overall readmission rate of 3.5%. Clinicians should consider careful preoperative evaluation of very young patients and those with cystic fibrosis or asthma to optimize perioperative management and determine if postoperative admission is warranted, given their significantly higher readmission rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 129:2681-2686, 2019.
Fourier Phase and Pitch-Class Sum

Music theorists have proposed two very different geometric models of musical objects, one based on voice leading and the other based on the Fourier transform. On the surface these models are completely different, but they converge in special cases, including many geometries that are of particular analytical interest.
Measurement in Correctional Health Research: Unique Challenges and Strategies for Enhanced Rigor.

It is essential to identify valid and reliable measurement strategies to enhance accurate, comprehensive, and meaningful health assessment and evaluation to improve health outcomes among justice-in...
Low-FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What We Know and What We Have Yet to Learn.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Given that most IBS patients associate their GI symptoms with eatin...
Keyserlings Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenbeiträge (Essays, Kritiken und Rezensionen)

Arbeitsbibliographie der bisher bekannten Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenbeitrage Eduard von Keyserlings ohne Anspruch auf Vollstandigkeit.
Implications of ECMO Bridging and Salvage Strategies on Mortality and PGD

Purpose ECMO is increasingly used for bridging and salvage therapies in lung transplantation, with favorable short-term results. Mid- to long-term outcomes of ECMO use for bridging and salvage are incompletely understood, as is effect on PGD risk; therefore, we sought to define the effects of these strategies on mortality and PGD. Methods The Lung Transplant Outcomes Group study is a multi-center prospective cohort study designed to identify risk factors for PGD and mortality. Patients were enrolled from August 2011 to June 2018. The effect of pre-operative (bridging) and post-operative (salvage) ECMO on Grade 3 PGD incidence and long-term survival were assessed using time-to-event analyses adjusted for center. Results 1,537 subjects were enrolled with a 17.0% incidence of PGD on day 3 and an 18.9% mortality overall. PGD was associated with mortality (p=0.0001, Fig. 1a). ECMO bridging and salvage strategies increased over time (Fig. 1b). 138 (9%) subjects had bridging ECMO and 275 (17.9%) had salvage ECMO. PGD was associated with bridging strategies (p=0.001). PGD incidence in bridged patients (50.7%) exceeded non-bridged (42.2%). Bridging was not associated with mortality overall (p=0.70, Fig. 1c); however, if PGD developed after transplant using a bridging strategy, there was a significant increase in mortality (HR 1.8 [1.3; 2.61]; p=0.0007). About 45% of patients bridged with ECMO required salvage after transplant. ECMO use for salvage was highly associated with mortality (HR 2.1 [1.6; 2.8]; p Conclusion Use of the ISHLT Revised definition identifies Grade 3 PGD as highly associated with mortality in the ECMO bridging and salvage era. ECMO use is increasing for both bridging and salvage strategies. ECMO bridging strategies do not seem to increase mortality in lung transplant patients unless Grade 3 PGD subsequently develops. ECMO salvage after transplant is associated with increased risk of mortality; however, it is likely used only in the severest cases, thus indication bias is likely present.
A robust gray-box modeling methodology for variable-speed direct-expansion systems with limited training data

Abstract Compared to physics-based models, the gray-box modeling approach has clear advantages including reduced engineering efforts in the model development phase, higher computational efficiency, improved accuracy and reduced uncertainties. In this paper, we present a gray-box steady-state modeling methodology for variable-speed direct-expansion systems that is robust against limited training data. The methodology incorporates a dual-stage training scheme, where component models are identified separately, and then integrated through continuity constraints to establish a system model trained on a higher hierarch. To further improve model reliability and robustness, the training methodology incorporates two commissioning techniques, i.e., significance ranking and de-correlation, to down-select the estimation parameters according to the quality of the training data. To demonstrate the efficacy, the proposed modeling methodology was applied to a 3-ton variable-speed heat pump. Qualities of the identified models were evaluated in terms of parameter accuracy and model prediction accuracy against variable training data sizes. Robustness of the methodology was demonstrated in achieving reasonable model accuracies with limited training data.
The levelized cost of energy and regulatory uncertainty in plant lifetimes

The levelized cost of energy is commonly used in both policymaking and capital investment decisions. It unitizes capital costs by amortizing them over an assumed asset life. The life of the asset i...
Making Merit Work at the Entrance to the Engineering Workforce: Examining Women’s Experiences and Variations by Race/Ethnicity

This study utilizes interviews from 22 young female engineers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds as they first entered the White and male-dominated engineering labor force with the goal of examining: (1) how these women endorsed a gender-blind frame that characterizes their workplaces as fundamentally meritocratic, and alternatively, (2) how they named gender as relevant or salient to experiences and interactions at work. Drawing on the insights of intersectional scholars to answer the previous questions, the study calls attention to how the invocation of these frames differed for women of color compared to their majority White female peers. Results revealed that most respondents strongly endorsed the idea that engineering workplaces are meritocratic and that their gender is not relevant. However, there is also evidence of racial divergence in the themes expressed. For example, some White women expressed a narrative contradictory to meritocracy, discussing their workplaces as like family, while in contrast, women of color often expressed uncomfortable experiences of standing out. Overall, the results suggest that female engineers’ tendency to disavow, either explicitly or implicitly, that discrimination and bias occurs in their workplaces, likely contributes to continued gender and racial inequality; subsequently, programs and interventions to facilitate awareness of inequality are critically needed.
First case report of tumor lysis syndrome and acute renal failure after selinexor use in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a clonal B-cell neoplasm accounting for 10% of hematological malignancies [1]. Renal dysfunction is relatively common in MM, with the more common etiologies being myeloma cast n...
Selective Microvascular Tissue Transfection Using Minicircle DNA for Systemic Delivery of Human Coagulation Factor IX in a Rat Model Using a Therapeutic Flap.

BACKGROUND Gene therapy is a promising treatment for protein deficiency disorders such as hemophilia B. However, low tissue selectivity and efficacy are limitations of systemic vector delivery. The authors hypothesized that selective transfection of rat superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps could provide systemic delivery of coagulation factor IX, preventing the need for systemic vector administration. METHODS Minicircle DNA containing green fluorescent protein, firefly luciferase, and human coagulation factor IX were created. Vector constructs were validated by transfecting adipose-derived stromal cells isolated from Wistar rat superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps and evaluating transgene expression by fluorescence microscopy, bioluminescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Minicircle DNA luciferase (10 and 30 μg) was injected into murine (wild-type, C57/BL/6) inguinal fat pads (n = 3) and followed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging for 60 days. Wistar rat superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps were transfected with minicircle DNA human coagulation factor IX (n = 9) with plasma and tissue transgene expression measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS Transfected adipose-derived stromal cells expressed green fluorescent protein for 30 days, luciferase for 43 days, and human coagulation factor IX (21.9 ± 1.2 ng/ml) for 28 days in vitro. In vivo murine studies demonstrated dose-dependence between minicircle DNA delivery and protein expression. Ex vivo rat superficial inferior epigastric artery flap transfection with minicircle DNA human coagulation factor IX showed systemic transgene expression at 2 (266.6 ± 23.4 ng/ml) and 4 weeks (290.1 ± 17.1 ng/ml) compared to control tissue (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Rat superficial inferior epigastric artery flap transfection using minicircle DNA human coagulation factor IX resulted in systemic transgene detection, suggesting that selective flap or angiosome-based tissue transfection may be explored as a treatment for systemic protein deficiency disorders such as hemophilia B.
Adjustable speed drive and variable speed generation systems with reduced power converter requirements

This paper describes the physical configuration of the brushless doubly-fed machine (BDFM) and its potential as an alternative low cost adjustable speed drive. Particular interest in this type of machine is now being shown because of its flexibility as a variable speed generator. Applications which have been demonstrated in the laboratory and for which patents have been issued include a synchronous industrial motor drive that will revert to an induction motor in the event of converter failure, a controllable power factor correction device (synchronous condenser), a generator for wind turbines and low-head hydroelectric power, and a generator for automobiles. These two latter applications are covered in detail. The diversity of the potential applications and the unusual configuration of the BDFM has necessitated the development of several analytical approaches which are now being developed into design tools. >
Autoradiographic localization and biochemical characteristics of M1 and M2 muscarinic binding sites in the striatum of the cat, monkey, and human

The autoradiographic distribution of M1 and M2 muscarinic cholinergic binding sites was studied in the striatum of the cat, monkey, and human, and concurrent binding assays were carried out on striatal tissue sections from the cat. M1 sites were directly labeled with 3H- pirenzepine; M2 sites were labeled as a consequence of binding competition between pirenzepine and 3H-N-methylscopolamine. Serial section analysis with autoradiograms and stained tissue sections allowed for comparisons among M1 and M2 binding distributions and AChE staining patterns. The 2 subtypes of binding sites demonstrated distinct striatal distributions. M2 sites were virtually homogeneous except in the ventral striatum, where zones of sparse and especially dense binding were observed. Striatal M1 sites were generally more abundant than M2 sites and showed similar heterogeneity in the ventral striatum. Dorsally, however, patches of dense M1 binding were found, and proved to correspond with AChE-poor striosomes, hallmarks of striatal compartmentalization. The finding of differing distributions for the 2 subtypes of muscarinic cholinergic binding sites suggests a mechanism for the intrinsic spatial segregation of striatal cholinergic function. Further, the striosomal patterning of M1 binding indicates that certain aspects of cholinergic function in the striatum may be constrained and thus regulated by the compartmental ordering characteristic of this region of the basal ganglia.
A fast heuristic search algorithm for finding the longest common subsequence of multiple strings

Finding the longest common subsequence (LCS) of multiple strings is an NP-hard problem, with many applications in the areas of bioinformatics and computational genomics. Although significant efforts have been made to address the problem and its special cases, the increasing complexity and size of biological data require more efficient methods applicable to an arbitrary number of strings. In this paper, a novel search algorithm, MLCS-A*, is presented for the general case of multiple LCS (or MLCS) problems. MLCS-A* is a variant of the A* algorithm. It maximizes a new heuristic estimate of the LCS in each search step so that the longest common subsequence can be found. As a natural extension of MLCS-A*, a fast algorithm, MLCS-APP, is also proposed to deal with large volume of biological data for which finding a LCS within reasonable time is impossible. The benchmark test shows that MLCS-APP is able to extract common subsequences close to the optimal ones and that MLCS-APP significantly outperforms existing heuristic approaches. When applied to 8 protein domain families, MLCS-APP produced more accurate results than existing multiple sequence alignment methods.
A generalized framework - periodically scrambled CDMA

In this paper, a generalized framework - periodically scrambled CDMA is proposed. The basic idea is to use periodic scrambling instead of the conventional pseudo-random scrambling. The period of the scrambling code can either be the same or different from that of the channelization code. Each user can be assigned a specific pair of channelization code and scrambling sequence to modulate its message signal. The overall system is therefore a "structured long code system", existing short code, long code and semilong code systems are all special cases of the proposed scheme. In this paper, following the system modeling, channel estimation and signal separation are presented for both uplink and downlink periodically scrambled CDMA. The proposed framework potentially can provide more flexibility in mobile management and cross-layer optimization for broadband access multimedia systems.
'The American Blindspot": Reconstruction According to Eric Foner and W.E.B. Du Bois

In the teaching of U.S. history, Reconstruction occupies a position analogous to the Revolution in France or the Khyber Pass in military affairs: whoever controls it controls the terrain below. Among the changes brought about by the Civil Rights Movement was the emergence of a school of historians who, breaking with the Redemptionist Burgess-Dunning school, viewed the Reconstruction regimes with sympathy. Eric Foner's book, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, is the synthesis of three decades of revisionist scholarship. As such it is the closest thing that exists to a standard work; Foner, more than any historian of his generation, owns the period.
Repetitive synchronization of human lymphoblast cultures with excess thymidine.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the repetitive synchronization of human lymphoblast cultures with excess thymidine. Currently available techniques for the synchronization of mammalian cells generally depend on selection of a naturally synchronous population or imposition of a chemical block either by addition of an inhibitory substance or removal of an essential nutrient, resulting in synchronized growth following release of the block. The mitotic selection technique provides a synchronous population with the least physiological perturbation of the cells. Synchronization of mammalian cells by imposition of a chemical block is followed by synchronized growth of the majority of the cell population, but may result in “unbalanced growth.” However, the presence of “unbalanced growth” may be excluded if the parameter of interest varies in the same pattern through more than one cell cycle of synchronized growth. Growth of human lymphoblast cells in suspension dictates the use of a metabolic block to achieve synchrony. Of several methods that have been tested, such as excess thymidine (dT), methotrexate, fluorodeoxyuridine, Colcemid, or isoleucine depletion, excess dT has proved the most successful.
Perspectives on multiple sclerosis.

There is no question that MR imaging is presently the best method for imaging multiple sclerosis (MS); yet, even today, MS remains a clinical diagnosis, with the relationship between clinical course and MR findings still problematic (1, 2). MR imaging appears to be the most important test performed in the diagnostic workup of MS; it has much greater impact than CSF analysis and evoked potential testing (3). It is far more sensitive than a clinical examination in revealing disease activity, as MR abnormalities are found five to 10 times more often than clinical abnormalities detected by standard neurologic examination (4–8). In this review, we briefly summarize the clinical and pathologic hallmarks of MS and discuss the MR findings in this disease, examining the strengths and weakness of conventional imaging protocols in relation to their clinical utility. Additionally, we consider how newer imaging techniques may add to our understanding of this most interesting and challenging disorder.
Cigarette use among two cohorts of U.S. Air Force recruits, compared with secular trends

ABSTRACT This study provides a comparison of cigarette smoking among two cohorts of U.S. Air Force recruits. The first cohort, Air Force 1, entered the military between August 1995 and August 1996. The second cohort, Air Force 2, entered between October 1999 and September 2000. Cigarette use significantly increased among both men (7.0-percentage point increase) and women (7.3-percentage point increase) between the two cohorts. This difference remained statistically significant in models adjusted for demographic differences between the two groups of recruits. Direct standardization methods were then used to compare rates in both Air Force surveys with rates of current smoking reported for a national sample from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys from the same years. Although the average number of cigarettes smoked and years of smoking decreased between the two cohorts, troops from Air Force 2 reported being less motivated to quit. This study suggests that efforts to reduce smoking among...
Single-stage, Immediate Loading, and Flapless Surgery

Abstract With appropriate patient selection, single-stage surgery, immediate loading, and flapless site preparation are dependable treatment approaches that offer significant benefits to implant pa...
Reactions of N+4 with rare gases from thermal to 10eV center-of-mass energy: collision-induced dissociation, charge transfer and ligand exchange

Abstract The reactions of N+4 with the rare gases are studied by using guided-ion beam mass spectrometry. A newly designed flow tube source, in which the nascent ions undergo on the order of 105 collisions with the helium flow gas, is used to produce thermalized N+4 ions. This source is described in detail. Collision-induced dissociation of N+4 by the rare gases is used to characterize the internal energy of the ions. The N+2N2 bond strength thus determined. 1.09 ± 0.06 eV (25.1 ± 1.4 kcal mol−1), is consistent with 298 K literature values, demonstrating that the ions produced are thermalized. Ligand exchange and charge-transfer reactions are also observed and discussed. The measured threshold for N+2 Ar formation may indicate an N+2 Ar bond strength of 1.05 ± 0.07 eV (24.2 ± 1.7 kcal mol−1), although there is some controversy in the literature over whether this measurement represents the true thermodynamic threshold.
A molecular dynamics study of solvated orthosilicic acid and orthosilicate anion using parameterized potentials

Abstract Ab initio calculations have been used extensively in the last decade to model silicate mineral surfaces. A major problem with both the use and validation of ab initio calculations is that including more than a few solvent molecules requires enormous amounts of computer time. In this work, we propose a means of alleviating this problem by introducing a parameterized force field for SiOH systems. The parameterized model is constructed by appending an SiO interaction to a previously published molecular dynamics model for water. By fitting the parameters of the SiO interaction to the structure and vibrational spectrum of H4Si04, and retaining the OH interactions in the water model, we obtain a representation of the H4SiO4 which quite accurately reproduces the gas-phase deprotonation energy of H4SiO4 computed from quantum mechanical calculations. Molecular dynamics calculations are then used to model the free energy change for the deprotonation of H4SiO4 in aqueous solution. While the predicted value of the free energy change (16 kcal/mol) is 2.5 kcal/mol larger than the accepted experimental value of 13.5 kcal/ mol, the difference between the gas-phase deprotonation energy computed from quantum mechanics and the solution phase deprotonation free energy measured experimentally is predicted to within 1%.
Neuroendocrine response to an intravenous L-tryptophan challenge in women with premenstrual syndrome ☆

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the neuroendocrine responses to an intravenous L-tryptophan challenge across the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and controls. Design: Controlled clinical study. Setting: The Clinical Research Center of an academic research environment. Patient(s): Women with PMS and healthy volunteers. Intervention(s): An intravenous L-tryptophan challenge was administered two times a week during 1 month to five subjects with prospectively documented PMS and five age- and body mass-matched controls. Main Outcome Measure(s): Whole-blood serotonin, cortisol, and prolactin levels were assessed at the baseline and at 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 minutes after the challenge. Result(s): Whole-blood serotonin response to the L-tryptophan challenge was blunted in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in subjects with PMS compared with controls. Cortisol levels differed between groups and cycle phases only at the baseline, with higher baseline cortisol levels during the luteal phase in women with PMS, whereas baseline and postchallenge prolactin levels did not differ between groups. Conclusion(s): The present results support previously reported findings of alterations in tryptophan handling in women with PMS. The elevated baseline luteal phase cortisol concentrations in subjects with PMS warrants further investigation.
A Comparison of the Toxicity of Insecticides for the Control of Corn Earworm on Sweet Corn

Experiments to control the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), have been conducted in southern California with 69 different formulations during the past 10 years. These individual-ear, paint-brush dust tests showed Sevin® (1-naphthyl- N -methyl carbamate), Thiodan® (6,7,8,9,10, 10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro- 6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin-3-oxide), heptachlor, Dipterex® ( O, O -dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate), and isodrin equal to or slightly better than a 5% DDT standard treatment. The higher dosages of malathion, Diazinon® (O,O -diethyl O -(2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate) and Guthion® ( O, O -dimethyl S -(4-oxo-3H-l, 2,3-benzotriazine-3-methyl) phosphorodithioate) approached DDT in effectiveness, while all other materials were poor or ineffective.
DYNAMICS OF NA IN SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE GLASSES AND LIQUIDS

23Na NMR measurements on Na2Si3O7, Na3AlSi6O15, and NaAlSi3O8 glasses from room temperature to 1200°C show that the dynamics and local structure of sodium in silicate/aluminosilicate glasses and melts vary with composition and temperature. The peak positions decrease in frequency between room temperature and 200°C indicating that the Na sees a larger average site as temperature is increased. Between 200°–300° and 700°C, line widths, nutation frequencies and peak positions are consistent with motional averaging of quadrupolar satellites. Above 700°C there is little or no change in the peak positions with temperature. Chemical shifts of the materials at 1000°C (Na2Si3O7: 3.6; Na3AlSi6O15:-1.3; NaAlSi3O8:-6.4 ppm) indicate a slight change in the average Na coordination number from 6–7 for the silicate to 7–8 for the aluminosilicates. Relaxation time (T1) measurements show a shift in the T1 minimum to higher temperature with the addition of aluminum to the system. This is indicative of Na motion being hindered in aluminosilicates relative to silicates. Comparison of the data to a model for spin-lattice relaxation involving a distribution of barrier heights to atomic hopping (Svare et al. 1993) yields average barrier heights consistent with this, as well as indicating differences in the number of neighboring sites and amount of disorder around Na sites in the three glasses. The slopes on the high temperature side of the relaxation curves yield apparent activation energies for diffusion of 70 kJ/mol, as has been previously seen for several other alkali silicate liquids.
Nitrate Ingestion: A Review of the Health and Physical Performance Effects

This paper provides an overview of the current literature and scientific evidence surrounding inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation and its potential for improving human health and physical performance. As indicative of the ever-expanding organic and natural food consumer market, athletes and health enthusiasts alike are constantly searching for ingredient-specific "super foods" and dietary supplements capable of eliciting health and performance benefits. Evidence suggests that NO3- is the viable active component within beetroot juice (BRJ) and other vegetables, responsible for health-promoting and ergogenic effects. Indeed, multiple studies support NO3- supplementation as an effective method to improve exercise performance. NO3- supplementation (either as BRJ or sodium nitrate [NaNO3-]) has also demonstrated modest benefits pertaining to cardiovascular health, such as reducing blood pressure (BP), enhancing blood flow, and elevating the driving pressure of O2 in the microcirculation to areas of hypoxia or exercising tissue. These findings are important to cardiovascular medicine/exercise physiology and suggest a possible role for NO3- supplementation: (1) as a low-cost prevention and treatment intervention for patients suffering from blood flow disorders; and (2) an effective, natural ergogenic aid for athletes. Benefits have been noted following a single bolus, as well as daily supplementation of NO3-. While results are promising, additional research is needed to determine the impact of NO3- supplementation on anaerobic exercise performance, to identify principle relationships between isolated nitrate and other ingredients found in nitrate-rich vegetables (e.g., vitamin C, polyphenols, fatty acids, thiocyanate), to explore the specific dose-response relationships needed to elicit health and ergogenic benefits, to prolong the supplementation period beyond a relatively short period (i.e., >15 days), to determine if more robust effects can be observed with longer-term treatment, and to fully examine the safety of chronic NO3- supplementation, as this continues to be a concern of some.
Circuit-simulated obstacle-aware Steiner routing

This article develops circuit-simulated routing algorithms. We model the routing graph by an RC network with terminals as inputs, and show that the faster an output reaches its peak, the higher the possibility for the corresponding Hanan or escape node to become a Steiner point. This enables us to select Steiner points and then apply any minimum spanning tree algorithm to obtain obstacle-free or obstacle-aware Steiner routing. Compared with existing algorithms, our algorithms have significant gain on either wirelength or runtime for obstacle-free routing, and on both wirelength and runtime for obstacle-aware routing.
A Model for Investigating Eddy Viscosity Effects on Mesoscale Cellular Convection.

Abstract A mathematical model consisting of a complete set of the Boussinesq equations governing Rayleigh convection in the atmosphere has been solved for the marginal stability case in order to study the geometry and circulation patterns of mesoscale cellular convection. The significant new feature of the model is the inclusion of eddy viscosity variation with height through the convecting layer. Results obtained show that the direction of convection circulations are controlled by the sign of the vertical gradient of eddy viscosity. It is also concluded that variable convective depth has a significant but small effect on the geometry of the convection, with the degree of cell flatness being principally controlled by the degree of anisotropy. Using an assumed periodic form of the perturbation solutions, the problem reduced to solving a sixth-order differential stability equation with variable coefficients and accompanying boundary conditions. By applying the two-variable, small-perturbation technique, the...
Voraussetzungen und Technik der Pneumoniebehandlung

Es sei abschliesend noch einmal betont: Die Serumbehandlung der Pneumonie erfordert die atiologische Typendifferenzierung des Falles mit folgender typenspezifischer Serumbehandlung. Es ist, als ob ein besonderer Schlussel zur Offnung eines Schlosses erforderlich ist. Einen Passepartout (um bei dem Bilde des Schlussels zu bleiben) gibt es nicht! Die fortgesetzte Darreichung von Sauerstoff durch Nasenkatheter, Zelt oder Sauerstoffkammer verhindert die Anoxamie. In Verbindung mit Serum macht Sauerstoff andere Stimulantien uberflussig. Gelegentlich ist symptomatische Behandlung von Schmerz und Unruhe erforderlich. Die wirksame Fruhbehandlung mit Serum verhindert oder heilt die Bakteriamie.