cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serotonin1B receptor modulation of startle reactivity, habituation, and prepulse inhibition in wild-type and serotonin1B knockout mice

Two operational measures of central information processing mechanisms are habituation and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response. Both measures can be assessed reliably in humans and other animals, and have been shown to be deficient in patients with schizophrenia. The three present experiments assessed the involvement of the serotonin1B (5-HT1B) receptor in modulating startle reactivity, habituation, and PPI by comparing 5-HT1B receptor gene knockout (5-HT1B knockout) with wild-type 129/Sv mice. In experiment I, female mice received saline, 2.0 mg/kg 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6)tetrahydropyridin-4-yl-1H-indole (RU24969), a 5-HT1A/1B agonist, and 1.0 mg/kg 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a selective 5-HT1A agonist. Female mice received saline, 10.0 mg/kg RU24969, and 5.0 mg/kg 8-OH-DPAT in experiment 2, and male mice received saline, 10.0 mg/kg RU24969, and 5.0 mg/kg 8-OH-DPAT in experiment 3. All three studies used identical within-subjects designs. Two phenotypic differences were observed following saline treatment: 5-HT1B knockout mice consistently exhibited a small increase in PPI that achieved significance in experiment 1; and 5-HT1B knockout male mice exhibited robust decreases in startle reactivity. Habituation was disrupted consistently by RU24969 in wild-type but not in 5-HT1B knockout mice, while 8-OH-DPAT had no effect on habituation. Consistent with the phenotypic difference in PPI, the high dose of RU24969 significantly and consistently reduced PPI in wild-type but not in 5-HT1B knockout mice. 8-OH-DPAT increased PPI in both wild-type and 5-HT1B knockout mice in every experiment. These findings suggest that 5-HT1B receptors modulate startle reactivity, habituation, and PPI in mice. Additionally, a potential species difference may exist in the behavioral effects of 5-HT1A receptor activation on PPI.
Robust classifiers by mixed adaptation

The production of robust classifiers by combining supervised training with unsupervised training is discussed. A supervised training phase exploits statistically scene invariant labeled data to produce an initial classifier. This is followed by an unsupervised training phase that exploits clustering properties of unlabeled data. This two-phase process is termed mixed adaptation. A probabilistic model supporting this technique is presented along with examples illustrating mixed adaptation. These examples include the detection of unspecified dotted curves in dotted noise and the detection and classification of vehicles in cinematic sequences of infrared imagery. >
Skin surface light reflectance: Effects of exercise

Previous studies have examined the relation of light reflectance to changes in optical properties at depth within the tissue. The effect of exercise on reflectance is of interest, when these changes can be related to optical properties and when the optical properties can in turn be related to physiological differences at depth within biological tissue. Presented in this paper is a study of changes in reflectance at the tissue surface during exercise. Optical reflectance measurements are at wavelengths of 660nm(red) and 880nm(infrared). A source-detector arrangement and a data acquisition computer collected human subject reflectance measurements on the calf of the leg. The data demonstrate the ability to measure consistent changes in tissue optical properties during exercise.
Applying regression analysis to improve dyeing process quality: a case study

The main purpose of this paper is to propose a regression-based new approach to pH control in open beck dyeing to improve its process quality. Specifically, we examine the current practice of adjusting pH of dye liquor at a large manufacturer of automotive carpets in the United States and point out several drawbacks that lead to substandard products. To properly address the issues, we theorize casual relationships among the key variables in the dyeing process and seek to identify them by using a multiple linear regression model based on the data gathered from actual production dyeings at the company. Our findings show that a dyer should set the pH of the solution in the beck before the dyes are added so that the dyebath pH after the addition of the dyes will be in the target range for best coloring results with minimum or no adjustment. The suggested approach enhances the quality of the dyed carpets, reduces laboratory work required to fix defective products, and renders the operations much more efficient. All of these translate into significant cost savings.
Simultaneous determination of acetylmethanol and its active biotransformation products in human biofluids

Abstract A method employing solvent extraction and gas-liquid chromatography has been developed for the quantitative determination of acetylmethadol simultaneously with its two major biotransformation products, noracetylmethadol and dinoracetyl-methadol. Noracetylmethanol and dinoracetylmethanol are analyzed following their conversion to the corresponding amides. The amide structure is confirmed by the use of chemical ionization mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. The method can be used to determine the concentration of acetylmethadol and these compounds in plasma samples from acetylmethadol maintenance subjects. Methanol and normethadol do not attain measurable plasma levels. Urine contains predominantly noracetylmethadol and dinoracetylmethadol. Evidence was also obtained for the urinary excretion of acetylmethadol, methadol and normethadol. A mean quantity equal to 28% of the administered dose was extreted in the urine of a 48-h dosing interval as acetylmethadol and metabolites.
Splines on Triangulations with Hanging Vertices

Polynomial spline spaces defined on triangulations with hanging vertices are studied. In addition to dimension formulae, explicit basis functions are constructed, and their supports and stability are discussed. The approximation power of the spaces is also treated.
Use of peak ankle velocity (PAV) to assess lower extremity arterial insufficiency (LEAI)

RESULTS: Mean age was 56.4 15.7. Eight (72.7%) were females. Most common risk factors were hypertension (81.8%), hyperlipidemia (36.4%), history of tobacco use (36.4%), and diabetes mellitus (36.4%). Endovenous approach and open bypass were used in seven (63.6%) and four (36.4%) cases, respectively. Ten patients (90.9%) presented with facial and cervical edema; five (45.5%) with additional UE edema, three (27.3%) with respiratory embarrassment, and two (18.2%) with weakness and headache. In all cases etiology was indwelling hemodialysis access devices. All cases resolved SVC syndrome and facies, and retained UE dialysis conduits. Post-operative complications occurred in two (18.2%) cases. Technical success was 100%, no re-interventions or deaths within 30 days.
Migration of perfluoroalkyl acids from food packaging to food simulants

A broad range of fluorochemicals is used to impart oil and water barrier properties to paper and paperboard food packaging. Many of the fluorochemicals are applied to paper and paperboard as complex mixtures containing reaction products and by-products and unreacted starting materials. This work primarily focussed on the determination of seven perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in two commercially available food contact papers: a di-perfluoro-alkyloxy-amino-acid and a perfluoroalkyl phosphate surfactant. In addition, the migration of the PFCAs into five food simulants from two commercial packages was evaluated. All seven PFCAs were detected in the range of 700-2220 µg kg⁻¹ of paper, while three perfluoroalkyl sulphonates were under the LOD. Results from migration tests showed that migration depends on paper characteristics, time and food simulant. The percentage of migration after 10 days at 40°C ranged from 4.8% to 100% for the two papers and different food simulants.
Isolated Chewtonian (Lower Ordovician) graptolites from western Newfoundland

Isolated material of Chewtonian graptolites from the Cow Head Group of western Newfoundland shows some new and unexpected structural details. A high number of the two- and three-stipedPendeograptus fruticosus specimens show metasicular origin for th11 combined with a normal isograptid proximal development. Sigmagraptine sicular development includes a large parallel-sided prosicula and a parallel-sided metasicula. One species acquired an azygograptid-like proximal end, characterised by a loss of the initial branching, but kept the capacity to produce distal dichotomies.Maeandrograptus sinosus n. sp. andKeblograptus geminus n. sp. are described as new species.
Leading fire signatures of spacecraft materials: Light gases, condensables, and particulates

Abstract The primary goal of this research is to provide recommendations for the eventual development of more effective and efficient fire sensors to be installed in space vehicles and habitats. An entirely new ground-based testing facility that generated fire signatures was developed to perform the combustion and pyrolysis experiments of eight different practical spacecraft materials. The flaming and smoldering of polymers approved by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) generate three types of residues: condensables, light gases, and particulates. The residues were characterized by gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis was interpreted as a function of oxygen concentration, temperature, and flow direction. Key findings are that the combustion of some materials such as Kevlar and cotton can only be identified by light gases, while the combustion of other materials, such as silicone and melamine, is best detected using a particulate-specific sensor. The implications during a fire event, its suppression, astronaut health in post-event cleanup as well as material recommendations are briefly discussed.
Hand sanitizer-dispensing door handles increase hand hygiene compliance: A pilot study

Improving rates of hand hygiene compliance (HHC) has been shown to reduce nosocomial disease. We compared the HHC for a traditional wall-mounted unit and a novel sanitizer-dispensing door handle device in a hospital inpatient ultrasound area. HHC increased 24.5%-77.1% (P < .001) for the exam room with the sanitizer-dispensing door handle, whereas it remained unchanged for the other rooms. Technical improvements like a sanitizer-dispensing door handle can improve hospital HHC.
Educational equivalents of psychotherapy: Positive and negative mental health benefits after group therapy exercises by college students

In abnormal psychology courses, exercises that simulated group therapy markedly improved the mental health of students. Although the exercises were limited to two or four class sessions, and were relatively narrow in focus (on the “ABCs” of Rational-Emotive Therapy, and on script techniques for personal assertiveness), they consistently produced decreased emotional distress, increased satisfaction with life, and increased self-esteem. In three studies, measures of reduced distress (negative affect) and of increased satisfaction and self-esteem (positive affect) were significantly correlated, but they provided measure-specific, as well as conjoint, evidence of multiple global benefits.
Visual Comfort, Discomfort Glare, and Occupant Fenestration Control: Developing a Research Agenda

ABSTRACTThis article compares and contrasts existing and emerging discomfort glare analysis metrics that can be used to predict occupants’ acceptance of and preference for competing design solutions and to evaluate the likelihood of manual blind deployment or automated blind overrides upon occupancy. It documents and synthesizes how discomfort glare and other factors affect the use of both manually controlled and automated blinds in buildings with vertical fenestration, based on a review of several laboratory and field studies. Finally, this article identifies current knowledge gaps; defines a prioritized list of research needs of the lighting, daylighting, and architectural fields; and suggests potential future research modes that may lead to new breakthroughs in order to minimize discomfort glare while promoting occupant visual preference and whole-building energy efficiency.
Estimation of three-dimensional mean dihedral angle in a W-Ni-Fe alloy liquid-phase sintered in microgravity

The three-dimensional mean dihedral angle of impinging W grains is estimated in a 50 wt.% W–35 wt.% Ni–15 wt.% Fe alloy liquid-phase sintered in microgravity at 1500 °C for times ranging from 1 to 600 min using unbiased stereology and automated image analysis. The estimated mean dihedral angles are in the range 50 ± 3°. The mean dihedral angle does not vary significantly with the liquid-phase sintering time, although the mean intercept size of the W grains increases almost by a factor of 5.
A Firing-Rate Lateral Amygdala Network Model With Calcium-Dependent Synaptic Learning

Neurons in the nervous system communicate by spiking, which activates synaptic connections via the release of neurotransmitter molecules. Modification of the strength of these synaptic connections, known as plasticity, is a mechanism by which networks of neurons can exhibit learning. Previously, a biophysical model of a rodent lateral amygdala was developed that could learn and store auditory fear and extinction memories following classical Pavlovian fear conditioning [1]. We propose a novel reduced order model that preserves the learning capabilities of the detailed model with considerably fewer computations while providing additional insights into the synaptic learning process. To capture the dynamics of individual cells, we propose enhancements to the Wilson-Cowan firing rate model that permit “full” spike frequency adaptation and a non-zero threshold. To incorporate synaptic learning dynamics, we propose a regression technique to capture the nonlinear relationship between firing rate and synaptic [Ca2+ ]. The resulting method provides a general technique to develop neuronal networks that employ [Ca2+ ]-dependent synaptic learning.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Expected Size of the Sphere-of-Influence Graph

Abstract The sphere-of-influence graph of a set of point sites in R d is constructed by identifying the nearest neighbor of each site, centering a ball at each site so that its nearest neighbor lies on the boundary, and joining two sites by an edge if and only if their balls intersect. The asymptotic behavior of the expected number of edges of this graph is investigated when the sites are independent and uniformly distributed and their number grows without bound.
Validation of an inferential approach for the measurement of illegitimacy

An inferential model which utilizes surname comparisons in inferring legitimacy status is developed and validated. Criterion validation is employed to assess the level of agreement between the inferential approach and the conventional reporting procedure. Data for the analysis are based on a sample of birth certificates contained in files of the National Center for Health Statistics for calendar year 1973. Results indicate that despite excessive error within some categories of the control variables, the inferential method is generally adequate to obtain reliable estimates of illegitimacy.
Defining "necessary" services and supports: why systems of care must take direction from service-level processes.

Abstract A crucial element of the system of care definition is the specification of its purpose, namely, “to ensure access to and availability of necessary services and supports.” This article discusses the structures and processes that must be in place so that systems of care can acquire and respond to high-quality information about what services and supports are truly necessary.
Effectiveness of augmented-reality visualization versus cognitive mediation for learning actions in near space

The present study examined the impact of augmented-reality visualization, in comparison to conventional ultrasound (CUS), on the learning of ultrasound-guided needle insertion. Whereas CUS requires cognitive processes for localizing targets, our augmented-reality device, called the “sonic flashlight” (SF) enables direct perceptual guidance. Participants guided a needle to an ultrasound-localized target within opaque fluid. In three experiments, the SF showed higher accuracy and lower variability in aiming and endpoint placements than did CUS. The SF, but not CUS, readily transferred to new targets and starting points for action. These effects were evident in visually guided action (needle and target continuously visible) and visually directed action (target alone visible). The results have application to learning to visualize surgical targets through ultrasound.
The Ala-161-->Thr substitution in Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase does not result in loss of enzymatic activity although the homologous mutation in humans causes hypophosphatasia.

Abstract The correlation between sequence homology and catalytic importance of a specific amino acid in the E. coli and Liver/Kidney/Bone (L/K/B) human alkaline phosphatase was investigated. For this reason Ala-l6l in the E. coli enzyme was substituted with a threonine residue via site-specific mutagenesis. The homologous amino acid in the L/K/B alkaline phosphatase sequence has been shown to cause inactivation of the enzyme. In E. coli alkaline phosphatase the Ala-l61→Thr substitution results in a mutant enzyme with virtually unchanged catalytic properties when compared to the wild-type enzyme. Our results show that Ala-161 in the E. coli alkaline phosphatase does not have an important catalytic role. The results suggest that the three-dimensional topology of the L/K/B alkaline phosphatase may be different from that observed for the enzyme from E. coli .
ARE HOSPITAL SERVICES RATIONED IN NEW HAVEN OR OVER-UTILISED IN BOSTON?

The populations of New Haven and Boston are demographically similar and receive most of their hospital care in university hospitals, but in 1982 their expenditures per head for inpatient care were $451 and $889, respectively. The 685,400 residents of Boston incurred about $300 million more in hospital expenditures and used 739 more beds than they would have if the use rates for New Haven residents had applied. Most of the extra beds were invested in higher admission rates for medical conditions in which the decision to admit can be discretionary. The overall rates for major surgery were equal, but rates for some individual operations varied widely. These findings indicate that academic standards of care are compatible with widely varying patterns of practice and that medical care costs are not necessarily high in communities served largely by university hospitals. They also emphasise the need for increased attention to the outcome and cost implications of differences in practice styles.
Antioxidant Activity of Citrus Limonoids, Flavonoids, and Coumarins

A variety of in vitro models such as beta-carotene-linoleic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, and hamster low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were used to measure the antioxidant activity of 11 citrus bioactive compounds. The compounds tested included two limonoids, limonin (Lim) and limonin 17-beta-D-glucopyranoside (LG); eight flavonoids, apigenin (Api), scutellarein (Scu), kaempferol (Kae), rutin trihydrate (Rut), neohesperidin (Neh), neoeriocitrin (Nee), naringenin (Ngn), and naringin(Ng); and a coumarin (bergapten). The above compounds were tested at concentration of 10 microM in all four methods. It was found that Lim, LG, and Ber inhibited <7%, whereas Scu, Kae, and Rut inhibited 51.3%, 47.0%, and 44.4%, respectively, using the beta-carotene-linoleate model system. Lim, LG, Rut, Scu, Nee, and Kae showed 0.5% 0.25%, 32.2%, 18.3%, 17.2%, and 12.2%, respectively, free radical scavenging activity using the DPPH method. In the superoxide model, Lim, LG, and Ber inhibited the production of superoxide radicals by 2.5-10%, while the flavonoids such as Rut, Scu, Nee, and Neh inhibited superoxide formation by 64.1%, 52.1%, 48.3%, and 37.7%, respectively. However, LG did not inhibit LDL oxidation in the hamster LDL model. But, Lim and Ber offered some protection against LDL oxidation, increasing lag time to 345 min (3-fold) and 160 min (33% increase), respectively, while both Rut and Nee increased lag time to 2800 min (23-fold). Scu and Kae increased lag time to 2140 min (18-fold) and 1879 min (15.7-fold), respectively. In general, it seems that flavonoids, which contain a chromanol ring system, had stronger antioxidant activity as compared to limonoids and bergapten, which lack the hydroxy groups. The present study confirmed that several structural features were linked to the strong antioxidant activity of flavonoids. This is the first report on the antioxidant activity of limonin, limonin glucoside, and neoeriocitrin.
Attenuation of epileptogenesis: proactive effect of a single epinephrine injection on amygdaloid kindling

Repeated daily electrical stimulation of the amygdala can lead to a progressive increase in brain and behavioral seizures. This phenomenon, termed kindling, has been viewed as a model for epileptogenesis. The results reported here demonstrate that a single systemic epinephrine injection can significantly retard such epileptogenesis for a period of at least several days. These findings suggest that peripheral catecholamines, responding either to stress near the time of seizure initiation or to treatments administered at that time, may be important in regulating the development of epileptic states. In addition, the results indicate that an acute episode of high plasma epinephrine levels may result in a durable modification of brain function.
Genes differentially expressed by Aspergillus flavus strains after loss of aflatoxin production by serial transfers

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic fungal secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and other closely related species. Levels of aflatoxins in agricultural commodities are stringently regulated by many countries because of the health hazard, and thus, aflatoxins are of major concern to both producers and consumers. A cluster of genes responsible for aflatoxin biosynthesis has been identified; however, expression of these genes is a complex and poorly understood phenomenon. To better understand the molecular events that are associated with aflatoxin production, three separate nonaflatoxigenic A. flavus strains were produced through serial transfers of aflatoxigenic parental strains. The three independent aflatoxigenic/nonaflatoxigenic pairs were compared via transcription profiling by microarray analyses. Cross comparisons identified 22 features in common between the aflatoxigenic/nonaflatoxigenic pairs. Physical mapping of the 22 features using the Aspergillus oryzae genome sequence for reference identified 16 unique genes. Aflatoxin biosynthetic and regulatory gene expression levels were not significantly different between the aflatoxigenic/nonaflatoxigenic pairs, which suggests that the inability to produce aflatoxins is not due to decreased expression of known biosynthetic or regulatory genes. Of the 16 in common genes, only one gene homologous to glutathione S-transferase genes showed higher expression in the nonaflatoxigenic progeny relative to the parental strains. This gene, named hcc, was selected for over-expression in an aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain to determine if it was directly responsible for loss of aflatoxin production. Although hcc transformants showed six- to ninefold increase in expression, no discernible changes in colony morphology or aflatoxin production were detected. Possible roles of hcc and other identified genes are discussed in relation to regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis.
Increasing Nursing Students’ Knowledge of Health Promotion Through Community Engagement

The shift in health care toward primary health care and health promotion requires nurse educators to ensure students learn to practice the skill of health promotion. An ideal way in which to do thi...
Integration of propagation modeling in simulation of CDMA communication systems

The development of a propagation software package for characterizing both indoor and outdoor realistic wireless communication environments is described. The developed software is based on a ray-tracing method that provides channel parameters including path loss, delay spread, and angle of arrival/departure. Through a graphical user interface (GUI), propagation environments downloaded directly from .dxf files can be processed automatically. The obtained propagation results are then incorporated in Matlab (Simulink block) to simulate the performance of CDMA systems in realistic communications environments. The developed block is used to evaluate the interference suppression and SNR maximization of a maximum ratio combining scheme in RAKE receivers.
Finite element approach to composite mold design based on Darcy flow with velocity clipping

This article discusses various numerical techniques that are widely used in industry to solve the Darcy flow equations. We outline their merits and limitations. We also present a new stabilized finite element formulation that has been proposed recently (Nakshatrala et al., Comput. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng., doi: 10.1016/j.cma.2005.07.009). This method is the best available numerical method in the present literature for solving Darcy flow equations and it is the ideal formulation for three-dimensional Darcy flow simulations because of its accuracy and stability characteristics. This formulation can be easily implemented in an existing finite element code and it is the only formulation based on continuous finite elements to pass three-dimensional constant flow patch tests. Next, we present a computational methodology that is based on a velocity clipping finite element approach and a steady-state solution of the Darcy flow equations to model and visualize resin flow during the resin transfer molding process. We show that steady-state Darcy flow can be a valuable tool for a composite manufacturer to decide on the location of the inlets and outlets, and also to visualize resin flow. The methodology is promising for the design of the manufacturing process for complex composite members because it is computationally efficient. We also present a novel approach to model open space within the mold that results from cutting and bending of fibers. In the end, we provide some experimental results and compare them with the numerical results. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:65–70, 2006. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
The sickness experience of the Josselins' children.

For some forty years the seventeenth-century clergyman and farmer Ralph Josselin kept a diary. Among the events that he recorded regularly were the occasions when one or another of his ten children fell ill. Combining the experience of the ten children—136 disease and injury episodes within 148.3 years at risk—shows a distinctive pattern of morbidity risk from birth to age twenty. Josselin's diary allows consideration of some other issues in childhood health, including maladies linked to immune system damage and the weanling crisis. The health experience of the Josselins' children is also compared on some points to that of children living in Third-World areas in recent decades.
Inner Contradictions Among Men Who Bareback

Barebacking, or intentional unprotected anal intercourse when HIV transmission can occur, emerged as a descriptive term in the 1990s, and marked greater acceptance by gay and bisexual men of dispensing with condom use under certain circumstances. In an exploratory study of men who used Internet sites to meet partners and reported recent episodes of barebacking, respondents outlined numerous strategies they deployed to avoid HIV infection instead of universal condom use. However, in interviews many participants acknowledged uneasiness with the flaws in their chosen strategies, and the contradiction between their urgent desire to remain HIV-free and their sexual practices. For some, the dissonance between the conflicting cognitions could be resolved through self-justification, mental compartmentalization, or invincibility beliefs so that barebacking could continue. For this subpopulation, continued reiteration of cognitive-based prevention messages has the potential to reinforce rather than undermine their ...
Use of microgravity bioreactors for development of an in vitro rat salivary gland cell culture model

During development, salivary gland (SG) cells both secrete factors which modulate cellular behavior and express specific hormone receptors. Whether SG cell growth is modulated by an autocrine epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway is not clearly understood. SG tissue is the synthesis site for functionally distinct products including growth factors, digestive enzymes, and homeostasis maintaining factors. Historically, SG cells have proven difficult to grow and may be only maintained as limited three-dimensional ductal-type structures in collagen gels or on reconstituted basement membrane gels. A novel approach to establishing primary rat SG cultures is use of microgravity bioreactors originally designed by NASA as low-shear culture systems for predicting cell growth and differentiation in the microgravity environment of space. These completely fluid-filled bioreactors, which are oriented horizontally and rotate, have proven advantageous for Earth-based culture of three-dimensional cell assemblies, tissue-like aggregates, and glandular structures. Use of microgravity bioreactors for establishing in vitro models to investigate steroid-mediated secretion of EGF by normal SG cells may also prove useful for the investigation of cancer and other salivary gland disorders. These microgravity bioreactors promise challenging opportunities for future applications in basic and applied cell research.
Further comments on the Suleman case

No medical scientist would accept a single case report as an adequate level of evidence to warrant changes in clinical practice. Yet, paradoxically, here is our medical speciality, based on a singl...
Heartbeat: A Timeout-Free Failure Detector for Quiescent Reliable Communication

We study the problem of achieving reliable communication with quiescent algorithms (i.e., algorithms that eventually stop sending messages) in asynchronous systems with process crashes and lossy links. We first show that it is impossible to solve this problem without failure detectors. We then show how to solve it using a new failure detector, called heartbeat. In contrast to previous failure detectors that have been used to circumvent impossibility results, the heartbeat failure detector is implementable, and its implementation does not use timeouts. These results have wide applicability: they can be used to transform many existing algorithms that tolerate only process crashes into quiescent algorithms that tolerate both process crashes and message losses. This can be applied to consensus, atomic broadcast, k-set agreement, atomic commitment, etc. The heartbeat failure detector is novel: it is implementable without timeouts and it does not output lists of suspects as typical failure detectors do. If we restrict failure detectors to output only lists of suspects, quiescent reliable communication requires ><P [ACT97a], which is not implementable. Combined with the results of this paper, this shows that traditional failure detectors that output only lists of suspects have fundamental limitations.
391: Maternal and fetal Doppler pulsatility indices predict adverse pregnancy outcome in uncomplicated pregnancies with borderline-low amniotic fluid index in the early third trimester

indices predict adverse pregnancy outcome in uncomplicated pregnancies with borderline-low amniotic fluid index in the early third trimester Kazumasa Hashimoto, Tania Kasdaglis, Sheveta Jain, Ozhan Turan, Kristin Atkins, Jerome Kopelman, Chris Harman, Ahmet Baschat University of Maryland School of Medicine, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Baltimore, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Baltimore, MD OBJECTIVE: We have reported borderline-low (BL) amniotic fluid index (AFI) in the early third trimester in uncomplicated pregnancy associated with adverse outcome. The aim of this study is to test if maternal and/or fetal Doppler indices can stratify risks of adverse perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Nested case-control study in cohort of uncomplicated pregnancy with BL-AFI (8.0-11.9) at 28.0-31.9 weeks gestation (20062010, N 173). Frequency of abnormal uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (UtA PI), umbilical artery (UA PI) and middle cerebral artery (MCA PI) were compared between controls and those with adverse outcome, defined in categories: Antepartum (abnormal antepartum testing, stillbirth, placental abruption, preeclampsia, N 9), Delivery (emergency and/or fetal-indicated Cesarean delivery, preterm birth, N 52), Neonatal (birth weight 1.645 (90th centile) for UA PI and UtA PI, and Z-score 1.645 (10th centile) for MCA PI, defined abnormal values. RESULTS: Abnormal UtA, UA, and MCA-PI were significantly more common in all categories of adverse outcome, compared to controls. When any Doppler index is abnormal, prediction of adverse outcome had the following characteristics: Antepartum sensitivity (SN 0.88), specificity (SP 0.80), positive predictive value (PPV 0.26) and negative predictive value (NPV 0.99); Delivery (SN 0.43, SP 0.84, PPV 0.56, NPV 0.76); Neonatal (SN 0.43, SP 0.84, PPV 0.56, NPV 0.76); Composite (SN 0.39, SP 0.85, PPV 0.63, NPV 0.67). While individual Doppler indices had clinically-low predictive ability, combining UtA, UA, and MCA PI increases SN and NPV. CONCLUSION: Using these parameters, maternal and fetal Dopplers can identify cases at high-risk for adverse outcome in uncomplicated patients with borderline AFI. Measurement of all three Doppler indices helps triage such pregnancies.
Risk estimates of hysterectomy and selected conditions commonly treated with hysterectomy

Purpose This study presents corrected rates and probability (risk) estimates of experiencing a hysterectomy and of selected conditions commonly treated with hysterectomy. Methods Analyses are based on hysterectomy prevalence data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (calendar years 2000–2006), hysterectomy incidence data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (2001–2005), and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau (2001–2005). The correction involved removing those women without a uterus from the denominator in the rate calculation. Results Corrected hysterectomy incidence rates per 1000 women were greater than the uncorrected rates for women ages 18–44 years (6.0 vs. 5.0), 45–64 years (10.4 vs. 7.1), and 65 years and older (4.9 vs. 2.6). Correcting the rates had a comparatively larger impact in the South. Incidence rates of selected conditions associated with the female reproductive system were greater after correction for hysterectomy prevalence. For example, corrected compared with uncorrected rates of uterine fibroids per 1000 women were 2.9 vs. 2.7 for ages 18–44 and 5.0 vs. 3.4 for ages 45–64. The uncorrected and corrected 10-year risk of being diagnosed with uterine fibroids among women aged 50 who have not previously had fibroids is 3.87 (1 in 26) and 4.54 (1 in 22), respectively. Conclusions The correction method employed produces greater incidence and age-conditional-risk estimates of hysterectomy and of conditions commonly treated with hysterectomy. Corrected rates and age-conditional risk estimates may allow women with intact uteri to better assess their probability of undergoing a hysterectomy and certain other conditions of the reproductive system.
Developmental Changes in the Inhibition of Previously Relevant Information

This study examined whether developmental differences exist in the ability to suppress irrelevant information that has entered working memory. Second graders, sixth graders, and young adults (Mages = 7.5, 11.7, and 22.4 years, respectively) were asked to provide the ending for a series of sentences that highly constrained a terminal noun (e.g., “He mailed the letters without anystamps.”). Responses to filler sentences were confirmed with the anticipated ending, whereas responses to critical sentences were disconfirmed with an unexpected ending (e.g.,help). In either case, participants were instructed to remember the terminal noun (target) that was presented to them. Using another sentence-completion task, memory for both disconfirmed and target nouns was measured implicitly in terms of priming effects. Children, particularly second graders, showed priming effects with disconfirmed nouns, whereas young adults exhibited priming effects only with the target nouns. These results are consistent with the view that there are developmental differences in the ability to inhibit irrelevant information (Bjorklund & Harnishfeger, 1990; Hasher & Zacks, 1988).
Two experimental tests of the relationship between group stability and aggressive conflict in Polistes wasps

Two field experiments were used to examine how the relative benefits of cooperation influence within-group conflict in foundress associations of the paper wasp Polistes dominulus. P. dominulus foundresses can either nest alone or cooperate with other foundresses. We experimentally manipulated the relative benefits of co-foundress associations vs independent reproduction and tested the effect on aggressive within-group conflict. First, we examined aggression between alpha and beta co-foundresses before and after lower-ranking foundresses were removed. Removal of subordinates increases the relative contributions of the remaining subordinates to group reproductive output as there are fewer adults to care for the brood. Transactional models predict that group conflict over reproductive shares will increase as the relative benefits of grouping increase. As predicted, aggression between the co-foundresses significantly increased following subordinate removal. Second, we experimentally reduced ecological constraints on independent nesting by placing a previously orphaned, adoptable nest comb near the occupied nests. Providing an independent breeding opportunity is predicted to increase the benefits of independent reproduction relative to those of cooperating, thereby reducing group stability and aggression. As predicted, aggression between dominant and subordinate foundresses significantly decreased after the orphaned comb was presented. Therefore, group members sense variation in ecological constraints and relative productivity contributions and quickly modulate their behavior in response. Overall, these two experiments suggest that paper wasps behave as if within-group competition is limited by the threat of group dissolution such that stable groups where cooperation is strongly favored can withstand higher levels of conflict than unstable groups.
Locus of the effect of distinctiveness on response recall

Subjects were presented a PA list composed of one high and one low distinctive word as the compound stimulus and a single digit as the response. Recall of digits on a test trial to single words was a function of distinctiveness when Ss could not produce the remaining stimulus word for a. group asked to recall the digits first. No such effects were found when Ss were asked to recall the words first. The results were interpreted to indicate that stimulus selection occurs and that response recall is based on the ability to recall the more distinctive stimulus.
Genetic Relationships between Respiratory Pathogens Isolated from Dental Plaque and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Patients in the Intensive Care Unit Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important infection in patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) who receive mechanical ventilation [1]. VAP occurs in such patients >48 h after intubation [2]. Common VAP pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae [3]. Gram-negative bacteria account for 60% of all hospital-acquired pneumonia [4]. The mortality rate associated with VAP can be as high as 76% [5], especially among patients with life-threatening illness. The prevalence of VAP is 10%–65% among patients who receive mechanical ventilation, with mortality rates of 24%–76%, depending on the study method, the patient population, and the mode of treatment [1, 6–8]. VAP can prolong the duration of mechanical ventilation by 14–32 days and the length of stay in the ICU by 11.7 days, resulting in an increase in total hospital charges of >$150,000 per patient [9]. Dental plaque is a complex and dynamic biofilm that forms on supragingival and subgingival tooth surfaces, oral mucosal surfaces (especially the tongue), and dental restorations [10]. Recent molecular studies have suggested that >700 species of bacteria colonize dental plaque [11]. It is well known that a lack of oral hygiene allows uninterrupted microbial ecological succession and, therefore, increased microbial diversity within dental plaque [12, 13]. Plaque formation is also fostered by reduced salivary function, which is often a sequelae of xerostomic medications in critical care patients [14]. Such conditions may favor colonization by respiratory pathogens. Indeed, several studies have suggested that dental plaque may serve as a reservoir for respiratory pathogens in patients in the ICU, but not in community-dwelling subjects [15–19]. In the present study, a molecular epidemiologic analysis was used to determine the genetic relationship between respiratory pathogen strains isolated from the oral cavity of patients in the ICU who underwent mechanical ventilation and strains isolated from tracheal secretions and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from the same patient.
Combinatorial Methods and Informatics Provide Insight into Physical Properties and Structure Relationships during IPN Formation

Combinatorial methods and informatics are applied to the study of complex property-structure-processing relationships during interpenetrating polymer network formation in an epoxy/acrylate system. Principal component analysis of a dataset that covers different compositions and process sequences successfully identifies the most unique samples as well as relationships between material properties. The relationships between material properties can be exploited in future investigations by allowing high throughput screening and as a guide for engineering materials. The use of combinatorial methods, high throughput screening, and informatics will lead to accelerated material design.
Interpreted collaboration protocols and their use in groupware prototyping

The correct and timely creation of systems for coordination of group work depends on the ability to express, analyze, and experiment with protocols for managing multiple work threads. We present an evolution of the Trellis model that provides a formal basis for prototyping the coordination structure of a collaboration system. In Trellis, group interaction protocols are represented separately from the interface processes that use them for coordination. Protocols are interpreted (rather than compiled into applications) so group interactions can be changed as a collaborative task progresses. Changes can be made either by a person editing the protocol specification “on the fly” or by a silent “observation” process that participates in an application solely to perform behavioral adaptations.Trellis uniquely mixes hypermedia browsing with collaboration support. We term this combination a hyperprogram, and we say that a hyperprogram integrates the description of a collaborative task with the information required for that task. As illustration, we describe a protocol for a moderated meeting and show a Trellis prototype conference tool controlled by this protocol.
An engineering skills and design course for sophomores with seniors as mentors

In the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department at North Carolina State University, an experimental, elective course was offered to sophomores entering the department in the fall semester of 1994. The course was designed to provide these students with resources that would help them be better prepared for the demands of the ECE curriculum, to give them a better understanding of engineering practice, and to afford an opportunity for fun and excitement in their engineering education. The course responsibilities were shared by ECE faculty and senior students. The seniors taught time management, team building, and communication skills to the sophomores. The faculty and seniors shared responsibility for teaching simple circuit design, circuit building, creativity, and documentation. The faculty presented engineering career options, conceptual design, and prototyping. The participating sophomores gave the course very high ratings. The students' progress will be evaluated against a control group throughout their academic careers at NC State. The senior instructors were excellent peer role models and provided the sophomores with a perspective beyond that offered by the faculty. The senior mentors also gained a great deal from their teaching experience and used this experience to advantage in job interviews. The course is being taught again in the fall semester of 1995. After that semester we anticipate proposing the course to the curriculum committee for adoption as a required course.
Weight Change and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis of observational cohort studies examined the association between weight change (weight loss, weight gain, and weight fluctuation) and all-cause mortality among older adults. We used Pub Med (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify prospective studies published in English from inception to November 2014. Seventeen prospective studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Higher all-cause mortality risks were noted with weight change: weight loss (pooled RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.51-1.85; p < 0.001 for heterogeneity), weight gain (pooled RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33; p = 0.03 for heterogeneity), and weight fluctuation (pooled RR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.36-1.72; p = 0.43 for heterogeneity). Similar results were observed with stricter criteria for sensitivity analyses. None of the study characteristics had statistically significant effects on the pooled RR, except for study quality on weight loss. Weight change is associated with higher mortality risk among community-dwelling adults 60 years and older.
Politics and Research of Immigration: Implications for Counseling and Psychological Scholarship and Action

Research about and with recent immigrants has expanded within psychology, counseling, and related fields. Such research has a potential to contribute significantly toward social action through affecting cultural understanding and public policies. However, counseling and psychology professionals and researchers often lack understanding of historical and current trends affecting this research. Thus, in this article we discuss the broader contextual influences on the scholarly focus on immigration within the psychological literature, reviewing the issues and debates, both historical and current, that dominate scholarly discussions regarding constructs related to immigration. Specifically, we focus on reviewing divergent perspectives on acculturation, transnationalism and immigrant identity, immigrant mental health issues, measurement strategies, and attitudes toward immigrants. Lastly, the article highlights the intersection of politics and research in immigration scholarship within counseling and psychology. Specific suggestions for social action resulting from this knowledge are presented.