cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrepancy between severity obtained from examination and classification conducted by experienced examiners and classifiers and documented severity in paediatric spinal cord injury.

Objective: The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISCSCI) motor and sensory examinations provides a mechanism for severity classification via the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). The purpose of this study is to explore agreement between reported severity in medical charts to severity determine via the International Standards examination and classification by trained examiners and classifiers. Methods: The agreement between severities from ISCSCI classification from experienced classifiers for all subjects was compared to severities from medical records using percentage agreement and the kappa statistic. Results: Severity classification between ISCSCI and medical record documentation was assessed for agreement in 157 subject examinations. Among the five medical records source documentation, agreement with the study ISCSCI classification on injury severity classification ranged from poor to high. Conclusion: The implication in this study provides justification for clinical practice guidelines and better documentation policy to improve documentation of injury severity. Language: en
Effects of muscimol, amphetamine, and DAMGO injected into the nucleus accumbens shell on food-reinforced lever pressing by undeprived rats

Abstract Previous studies have shown that large increases in food intake in nondeprived animals can be induced by injections of both the GABA A agonist muscimol and the μ-opioid agonist DAMGO into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh), while injections of the catecholamine agonist amphetamine have little effect. In the current study we examined whether injections of these drugs are able to increase food-reinforced lever pressing in nondeprived rats. Twelve subjects were trained to lever press on a continuous reinforcement schedule while food deprived and were then tested after being placed back on ad libitum feeding. Under these conditions, responding was markedly increased by injections of either muscimol or DAMGO, although the onset of the effects of the latter drug was delayed by 30–40 min. In contrast, amphetamine injections failed to increase reinforced lever pressing, although they did enhance responding on a non-reinforced lever, presumably reflecting alterations in behavioral activation. These results demonstrate that stimulation of GABA A and μ-opioid receptors within the AcbSh is able to promote not only food intake, but also food-directed operant behavior. In contrast, stimulation of AcbSh dopamine receptors may enhance behavioral arousal, but does not appear to specifically potentiate behaviors directed toward food procurement.
Biology of microsporidian species infecting mammals

Microsporidia (phylum Microspora) are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Over 1000 species have been classified into approximately 100 genera, and at least 13 species have been reported to infect mammals. Phylogenetically, the microsporidia are early eukaryotes because they have a true nucleus, possess prokaryote-like ribosomes, and lack mitochondria. The species that infect mammals are relatively small, measuring 2.0-7.0 microns long and 1.5-5.0 microns wide. The mature organism is the spore, which is enclosed by a chitinous coat, making it relatively resistant to the environment. Infections often occur by fecal-oral or urinary-oral transmission, although vertical transmission is quite common in the carnivores. Host cells become infected through a process of germination in which the spore propels its contents through the everting and unwinding polar filament into the host cell. The polar filament is unique to the microsporidia. With a few exceptions, microsporidiosis is typically chronic and subclinical in immunologically competent hosts. Young carnivores infected with microsporidia, however, develop severe and sometimes lethal renal disease, and immunodeficient laboratory animals (e.g. athymic and SCID mice) develop ascites and die from microsporidiosis. This review describes the morphology, life cycle, taxonomy, and host-parasite relationships of the species of microsporidia that infect mammals.
New data on the history of the plateau forest of Okomu, southern Nigeria: An insight into how human disturbance has shaped the African rain forest

Summary The classic 1955 and 1956 papers by Eustace Jones describe vegetation pattern, process and history in Okomu Forest, south-western Nigeria. Jones and colleagues were puzzled to find an extensive layer of charcoal and pottery below mature mahogany forests. Based on an extensive review of historical documents and the estimated ages of dying emergent tree species, Jones suggested that the forest in Okomu had regenerated after a human population decline 200–300 years previously. We made radiocarbon measurements on samples from the layer of charcoal and pottery described by Jones. In addition, we obtained δ13C measures from a soil profile cutting through the charcoal layer. The charcoal dates to about 700–750 years BP whilst the δ13C profile showed no evidence of input of organic matter from C4 grasses. These results are discussed in the light of other recent archaeological evidence of the impact of humans on the rain forests of Africa during the last 2000–3000 years. It seems that extensive archaeological remains are hidden beneath much of the African rain forest, suggesting that human disturbance has been one of the dominant factors affecting forest structure and composition in recent millennia.
Site-directed Mutagenesis in the Fingers Subdomain of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Reveals a Specific Role for the β3–β4 Hairpin Loop in dNTP Selection

Abstract HIV-1 reverse transcriptase shares the key features of high fidelity polymerases, such as a closed architecture of the active site, but displays a level of fidelity that is intermediate to that of high fidelity, replicative polymerases and low fidelity translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerases. The β3–β4 loop of the HIV-1 RT fingers subdomain makes transient contacts with the dNTP and template base. To investigate the role of active site architecture in HIV-1 RT fidelity, we truncated the β3–β4 loop, eliminating contact between Lys65 and the γ-phosphate of dNTP. The mutant, in a manner reminiscent of TLS polymerases, was only able to incorporate a nucleotide that was capable of base-pairing with the template nucleotide, but not a nucleotide shape-analog incapable of Watson–Crick hydrogen bonding. Unexpectedly, however, the deletion mutant differed from the TLS polymerases in that it displayed an increased fidelity. The increased fidelity was associated with reduced dNTP binding affinity as measured using the dead end complex formation. In an effort to delineate the specific amino acid residue in the deleted segment responsible for this phenotype, we examined the K65 residue. Two substitution mutants, K65R and K65A were studied. The K65A mutant behaved similarly to the deletion mutant displaying dependence on Watson–Crick hydrogen bonding, increased fidelity and reduced dNTP-binding, while the K65R was more akin to wild-type enzyme. These results underscore the key role of the K65 residue in the phenotype observed in the deletion mutant. Based on the well-known electrostatic interaction between K65 and the γ-phosphate moiety of incoming dNTP substrate in the ternary complex structure of HIV-1 RT, we conclude that non-discriminatory interactions between β3–β4 loop and the dNTP in wild-type HIV-1 RT help lower dNTP selectivity. Our results show that the fidelity of dNTP insertion is influenced by protein interactions with the triphosphate moiety.
The prenatal diagnosis of ventral abdominal wall defects

Ventral abdominal defects are frequently diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. This review of 47 infants with ventral defects was designed to determine the effect of prenatal diagnosis on neonatal outcome. All nine infants with prenatal diagnosis were delivered by cesarean section at tertiary level hospitals. Only 13 (34%) of 38 infants with unsuspected defects were delivered by cesarean section and 15 (39%) were delivered at tertiary level hospitals. There was no difference in mortality between infants with prenatal diagnosis (44%) and those with unsuspected defects (37%). Increased mortality correlated with the presence of other major anomalies (79% mortality), with birth weight
One-dimensional central-force problem, including radiation reaction

Two equal masses of equal charge magnitude (either attractive or repulsive) are held a certain distance apart for their entire past history. AT t = 0 one of them is either started from rest or given an initial velocity toward or away from the other charge. When the Dirac radiation-reaction force is included in the force equation, our Taylor-series numerical calculations lead to two types of nonphysical results for both the attractive and repulsive cases. In the attractive case, the moving charge either stops and moves back out to infinity, or violates energy conservation as it nears collision with the fixed charge. For the repulsive charges, the moving particle either eventually approaches and collides with the fixed one, or violates energy conservation as it goes out to infinity. These results lead us to conclude that the Lorentz-Dirac equation is not valid for the one-dimensional central-force problem. (AIP)
The Rotational Spectra, Isotopically Independent Parameters, and Interatomic Potentials for the X12Π3/2 and X22Π1/2 States of BrO

Abstract Observations of the rotational spectrum of BrO have been extended to include vibrational levels up to v = 8 in the X 1 2 Π 3/2 and v = 7 in the X 2 2 Π 1/2 states. The rotational spectra of isotopically enriched Br 18 O, X 1 , v = 0, 1 and X 2 , v = 0 have been observed as well. The spectra of all four isotopic species have been fit to a Hamiltonian in which the parameters have fixed isotopic ratios. An extensive set of isotopically independent parameters has been determined. Interatomic potentials have been derived for both the X 1 and X 2 states. The hyperfine constants and their vibrational dependencies have been determined more precisely and several of them have been determined for the first time. These are interpreted in terms of the electronic structure of the molecule. The isotope relations among the constants have provided a means of decorrelating the electron spin–rotation constant γ from the fine-structure centrifugal distortion constant, A D , and have allowed the first determination of an effective value for γ.
Identification of SHC as a substrate of the insulin receptor kinase distinct from the GAP-associated 62 kDa tyrosine phosphoprotein.

Abstract Insulin stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of SHC, a SH2 containing protein, was demonstrated in Chinese hamster ovary cellsoverexpressing the insulin receptor by immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies and in vivo labeling. Insulin induced tyrosine phosphorylation of SHC occurred very rapidly (within 1 min) with a dose curve which paralleled the autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Phosphorylation of SHC appeared to occur to a high stoichiometry since insulin induced the majority of SHC to shift to a higher molecular weight.The tyrosine phosphorylated SHC was not bound by the GTPase activating protein of Ras although a distinct 62 kDa tyrosine phosphorylated protein was found to be associated in the same experiments. It also was not bound to the insulin receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or insulin receptor substrate-1.
The Political Economy of Gutswirtschaft : A Comparative Analysis of East Elbian Germany, Egypt, and Chile

In many otherwise diverse societies, owners of large agricultural estates have paid their year-round workers with the use of a piece of land on which to produce their own subsistence crops. In a “preliminary report” Magnus Morner cited some eleven examples of this system in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Although Morner mentions different influences, he does not advance an argument to explain these systems. This essay seeks to contribute to our understanding of the political economy of these “labor rent” or “estate labor” systems. The paper is exploratory: previous approaches are considered, a theoretical framework is proposed, and some tentative hypotheses are presented. My evidence comes from three examples: the Insten system of East Elbian Germany from ca. 1750 to ca. 1860; the ‘izbah system of the Egyptian Delta from ca. 1850 to ca. 1940; and the pre-1930 inquilinaje system of Central Chile.
AN EARLY BUREAU OF LONGITUDE: PEIRESC IN PROVENCE

One of the most interesting aspects of the history of science is the role that has been played by amateurs, a role especially important in the early scientific movement. Although this importance has long been recognized, many of these amateurs have never received the attention that they merit. Such is the case with Nicolas Claude Fabri de Peiresc
Time to transplantation as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation

In the United States, there are significant geographic disparities in the time to transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); it is possible that rapid transplantation contributes to higher rates of posttransplant HCC recurrence because there is insufficient time for the tumor biology to manifest. In this study, we compared HCC recurrence in rapid transplant patients and their slower transplant counterparts. We identified adult liver transplantation (LT) candidates in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data set who were granted an initial exception for an HCC diagnosis between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2010 and underwent transplantation in the same time window. Patients were followed until HCC recurrence, non-HCC-related death, or last follow-up. The cumulative incidence of HCC recurrence was compared for patients waiting ≤ 120 days and patients waiting >120 days from an HCC exception to LT. The association between the risk of posttransplant recurrence and the wait time was further evaluated via competing risks regression with the Fine and Gray model. For 5002 LT recipients with HCC, the median wait time from an exception to LT was 77 days, and it varied from 30 to 169 days by UNOS region. The cumulative incidence of posttransplant HCC recurrence was 3.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.8%-3.8%] and 5.6% (95% CI = 5.0%-6.3%) within 1 and 2 years, respectively. The rate of observed recurrence within 1 year of transplantation was significantly lower for patients waiting >120 days versus patients waiting ≤ 120 days (2.2% versus 3.9%, P = 0.002); however, the difference did not persist at 2 years (5.0% versus 5.9%, P = 0.09). After we accounted for clinical factors, the HCC recurrence risk was reduced by 40% for patients waiting >120 days (subhazard ratio = 0.6, P = 0.005). In conclusion, the risk of HCC recurrence within the first year after transplantation may be lessened by the institution of a mandatory waiting time after an exception is granted.
Impact of demand correlation on the value of and incentives for information sharing in a supply chain

Abstract Research on information sharing partnerships between manufacturers and retailers in a supply chain is relatively recent. The research has generally focused on models involving a single retailer or multiple retailers with independent demands. We analyze the value of demand information sharing in a one manufacturer– N retailer model in which demands at the retailers during a time period may be correlated. We use the well known Shapley value concept from game theory to analyze the expected manufacturer and retailer shares of the surplus generated from information sharing. We find that demand correlation affects the magnitude and shape of the surplus function, which, in turn, impacts the relative incentives of the manufacturer and retailers to form such partnerships. Higher correlation increases (reduces) the manufacturer (retailer) surplus. However, the declining marginal manufacturer surplus under high correlation condition may induce the manufacturer to limit the number of retailer partners. The impact of correlation among retailer demands on the value of and incentives for information sharing can be explained using the substitutable and complementary nature of demand information when they are highly and weakly correlated respectively.
Destruction of serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus blocks circadian rhythm phase shifts to triazolam but not to novel wheel access.

Systematic treatment of hamsters with triazolam (TRZ) or novel wheel (NW) access will yield PRCs similar to those for neuropeptide Y. Both TRZ and NW access require an intact intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) to modulate circadian rhythm phase. It is commonly suggested that both stimulus types influence rhythm phase response via a mechanism associated with drug-induced or wheel access-associated locomotion. Furthermore, there have been suggestions that one or both of these stimulus conditions require an intact serotonergic system for modulation of rhythm phase. Thepresent study investigated these issues by making serotonin neuron-specific neurotoxic lesions of the median or dorsal raphe nuclei and evaluating phase response of the hamster circadian locomotor rhythm to TRZ treatment or NW access. The expected effect of TRZ injected at CT 6 h on the average phase advance was virtually eliminated by destruction of serotonin neurons in the median, but not the dorsal, raphe nucleus. No control or lesioned animal en...
Saccharomyces Genome Database provides tools to survey gene expression and functional analysis data

Upon the completion of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genomic sequence in 1996 [Goffeau,A. et al. (1997) Nature, 387, 5], several creative and ambitious projects have been initiated to explore the functions of gene products or gene expression on a genome-wide scale. To help researchers take advantage of these projects, the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) has created two new tools, Function Junction and Expression Connection. Together, the tools form a central resource for querying multiple large-scale analysis projects for data about individual genes. Function Junction provides information from diverse projects that shed light on the role a gene product plays in the cell, while Expression Connection delivers information produced by the ever-increasing number of microarray projects. WWW access to SGD is available at genome-www.stanford.edu/Saccharomyces/.
Levelers and Fugitives: Runaway Advertisements and the Contrasting Political Economies of Mid-Eighteenth-Century Massachusetts and Pennsylvania

In the early nineteenth century colonial Pennsylvania and Massachusetts had sharply different political economies and labor systems that were only partly blended with violence. These two political economies are reflected in various stories about Benjamin Franklin, who encountered a markedly different labor system when he moved from Boston to Pennsylvania.
A compact realization of antenna arrays for mobile communications

This paper presents a compact microstrip slot antenna array for mobile communications. Unlike the conventional arrays furnished with parallel RF channels, the proposed array consists of four switch-able slot radiators in series and operates at 5.5 GHz. This array offers several advantages such as compactness, low cost, and compatibility with MMICs. With the implementation of spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) techniques, the array is able to receive information from multiple spatial channels using a single RF front-end. Design issues and digital beamforming performance of the antenna array are discussed. It is expected this array can be used for high speed mobile communication where MIMO or beamforming applications are needed.
The Possibility of Metaphysics: Substance, Identity, and Time*

I am happy to report that serious metaphysics is alive and well in the work of Jonathan Lowe. His recent book The Possibility of Metaphysics: Substance, Identity, and Time is a major contribution to analytical metaphysics; it confirms Lowe's standing as a leading figure in the field. There is a great deal of common ground between Lowe's ideas in this book and the ideas in my own published work. Nevertheless, there are a few philosophically interesting differences of detail concerning matters that are fundamental to metaphysics. In this essay I will first explore our common background and then the philosophical significance of these differences of detail.
Initiation and evolution of antitumor immunity to a transplanted murine lymphosarcoma.

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the burden of tumor cells required to initiate a specific anti-tumor response against a transplanted lymphosarcoma in mice and the degree of concomitant immunity after cure of the initial tumor inoculum. It was shown that immunity to the 6C3HED Gardner Lymphosarcoma develops in mice and that this immunity can be transferred to unimmunized recipients by spleen and regional lymph node cells. 2 × 10 6 cells were required to initiate immunity against this tumor in 50% of the mice. Immunity could be demonstrated in some mice with a burden of 10 4 cells while others required a burden of 10 8 cells before immunity could be demonstrated, indicating a wide variation in the immunocompetence of the population tested. It was also shown that control of the palable primary tumor by local irradiation was highly dependent upon an intact immune mechanism. The results sgggest that concomitant immunity decreases with time, after induction of a strong initial response.
Parent and Physician Perceptions of Medical Home Care for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders in the State of Kentucky

The medical home model of care is widely accepted as the ideal for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) but may be very difficult to implement. In this study, parents of children with autism and pediatricians caring for children with autism in Kentucky were surveyed to determine the current status of primary care services for children with ASDs. Results indicated that the majority of families and physicians were comfortable with the routine health care provided to children with ASDs, but had concerns about physician ability to provide information regarding community resources, address comorbid conditions associated with autism, and discuss treatment options. The need for physician education regarding available national and regional autism resources is clear. Creative strategies involving collaboration across medical, educational, and community systems appear to be essential for establishing effective medical homes for children with ASDs.
THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ON MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EMPIRICAL RESULTS FROM KENYA

This paper considers the role of public infrastructure in municipal economic development in Kenya. The primary objectives of the examination are to estimate the impact of roads and water infrastructure on municipal incomes, to ascertain the extent to which differences in institutional authority over water service delivery affect the quantity or quality of infrastructure, and to determine whether the presumed simultaneity between infrastructure and incomes matters for purposes of estimating the effect of the former on the latter. The analysis provides evidence to suggest that the impact of public infrastructure in the roads and water sectors on municipal economic development is significant. Also, the examination implies that local governments, when given authority over water services, do not appear to provide a larger quantity of water infrastructure than does the central government and/or its parastatal. On the other hand, and perhaps more significantly, the paper provides some initial evidence that the public water infrastructure services provided by local authorities are more accessible and reliable than those provided by central institutions. Finally, the results of the paper support the conclusion that possible simultaneity between public infrastructure and incomes does not seem to matter for estimating the quantitative impact of infrastructure on economic development.
Enterococcus faecalis Infection Activates Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling To Block Apoptotic Cell Death in Macrophages

Apoptosis is an intrinsic immune defense mechanism in the host response to microbial infection. Not surprisingly, many pathogens have evolved various strategies to manipulate this important pathway to benefit their own survival and dissemination in the host during infection. To our knowledge, no attempts have been made to explore the host cell survival signals modulated by the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis. Here, we show for the first time that during early stages of infection, internalized enterococci can prevent host cell (RAW264.7 cells, primary macrophages, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts [MEFs]) apoptosis induced by a wide spectrum of proapoptotic stimuli. Activation of caspase 3 and cleavage of the caspase 3 substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were inhibited in E. faecalis-infected cells, indicating that E. faecalis protects macrophages from apoptosis by inhibiting caspase 3 activation. This antiapoptotic activity in E. faecalis-infected cells was dependent on the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, which resulted in the increased expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 and decreased expression of the proapoptotic factor Bax. Further analysis revealed that active E. faecalis physiology was important for inhibition of host cell apoptosis, and this feature seemed to be a strain-independent trait among E. faecalis isolates. Employing a mouse peritonitis model, we also determined that cells collected from the peritoneal lavage fluid of E. faecalis-infected mice showed reduced levels of apoptosis compared to cells from uninfected mice. These results show early modulation of apoptosis during infection and have important implications for enterococcal pathogenesis.
Mothering, Guilt and Shame

Even as research continues to explore mothering experiences and social psychologists consider the costs of guilt and shame, few empirical works have examined the relationships among mothering, guilt and shame. The idea that guilt and shame are necessary components of mothering is widespread. A few sources take seriously the emotions of guilt and shame nor has considerable thought been given to the social nature of guilt and shame. Rather than accept a purely psychological explanation of guilt and shame, I investigate the institutional and interactional dynamics that fuel women’s drives to perform as ‘the good mother’. In particular, I explore the ‘good mothering’ ideology that places mothers at risk of guilt and shame and then two social and institutional spaces where guilt and shame are likely to be prevalent.
Multiple component mode conversion coefficients via Lamb wave polarization measurements

The paper presents a method of quantifying the mode conversion of Lamb waves within a 1D structure from a notch-like asymmetric damage using both in-plane and out-of-plane velocity/displacement measurements. The method is applied to data recorded from a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer, and likewise to numerical studies from a plane strain finite element model. A filtering procedure is implemented, and the reflected, converted, and transmitted waves are separated in the frequency/wavenumber domain, and then integrated spatially in the space/frequency domain. An accurate experimental technique for capturing the multiple components from a single laser head is verified. Based on an initial in-plane excitation, the spatially-integrated multiple component mode conversion coefficients are shown to mitigate experimental noise compared to single component mode conversion coefficients.
Exploring holism in Frank Ankersmit's historical representation

For over 20 years Frank Ankersmit has been one of the leading figures of narrativist philosophy of history. Despite the fact that his work has received considerable attention from other philosophers of history, few authors have attempted to provide a favorable interpretation of the interesting things he says about history. In this article I argue that such an interpretation of his account of historical representation may reveal a very important point he makes concerning the nature of historical work. Following a discussion of theory-ladenness and underdetermination from the general philosophy of science I show that these concepts should be taken into account better to understand Ankersmit's holistic view of historical representation. Although it is possible to find several types of holism in his writings, this article tries to emphasize the significance of one of them. It could be summarized in the so-called new holism thesis claiming that historical representation is a whole produced by the interplay of ...
Regular 48-hour cycling of sleep duration and mood in a 35-year-old woman: use of lithium in time isolation.

At least 20 cases of regularly occurring 48-hr mood cycles have been reported previously (Jenner et al. 1967; Kupfer and Heninger 1972; Gelenberg et al. 1978; Doerr et al. 1979; King et al. 1979; Frank and Harrer 1980; Paschalis et al. 1980; early cases reviewed in Bunney and Hartmann 1965; Sitaram et al. 1978). The disorder sometimes begins with longer, more irregular mood cycles that shorten progressively until a regular 48-hr pattern is established (Wiesel 1927; Doerr et al. 1979; Paschalis et al. 1980). In some cases, the onset of symptoms coincides with pregnancy (Pfanner 1930) or with a traumatic event, such as a head injury (Jenner et al. 1967) or a stroke (Scheiber 1901). The mood swings may be either unipolar or bipolar, of greater or lesser severity, but they nearly always exhibit remarkable regularity in timing. Patients typically switch between manic and depressive mood during each sleep period, seldom if ever missing a day. If untreated, the cycles may persist for many years, even decades. The intriguing regularity of the mood alternations in these cases provides a valuable opportunity to study the biological concomitants of affective disorders, and particularly suggests involvement of the circadian timing system in these disorders. Accordingly, we have performed an intensive evaluation of a previously undescribed patient exhibiting 48-hr mood cycles, paying particular attention to characteristics of sleep and other circadian rhythms before and during lithium treatment.
Risk of target lesion revascularization after coronary stenting in patients with and without chronic kidney disease

Background. Rates of restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement are high in patients with advanced renal failure. Whether mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a similarly increased need for short or long-term target lesion revascularization (TLR) following coronary stenting is uncertain. Methods. We analysed results from 1228 patients enrolled in four separate, randomized, controlled clinical trials who underwent elective coronary angioplasty with stenting and were prospectively followed for 5 years after the index procedure. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to correct for confounding and to estimate the short and long-terms risks of target lesion revascularization in patients with vs without mild to moderate CKD. Results. During a median follow-up of 5 years, 205 patients (16.7%) required TLR with 59 (4.8%) requiring TLR after the first year. Mild (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.74–1.53) and moderate (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.552–1.64) CKD were not associated with an increase in the adjusted, overall-risk of TLR. However, mild to moderate CKD was associated with a non-significantly increased risk of late TLR (HR 1.40, 95% CI 0.73–2.69). Conclusions. Coronary stenting appears to be similarly effective in patients with mild to moderate CKD and patients with normal renal function. While target lesion revascularization is rarely needed beyond the first year after revascularization, long-term results of coronary stenting may be less-favourable in patients with CKD.
Unified Method for Estimating the Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations in Variably Saturated Soils under Steady Flow

AbstractThis study presents a unified method for estimating the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations resting on variably saturated soils under a steady flow. The effective stress approach originally employed for predicting the bearing capacity of saturated soils is extended by incorporating a suction stress-based representation. A closed-form equation is used to define the suction stress characteristic curve, capturing changes in the effective stress because of varying soil saturation and matric suction. The proposed method uses the classic effective shear strength parameters and two fitting parameters to represent the soil water characteristic curve. The method can be used for different soil types, various degrees of saturation, and different surface flux boundary conditions. The results from the proposed formulation were compared, and good agreement was observed against three sets of experimental results from model footing and plate load tests. A parametric study was performed, and the ultim...
Research and New Developments in Photogrammetry

Report to members of American Society of Civil Engineers on significant advances in photogrammetry during past 5 yr and discussion of some of current research of importance to civil engineers.
Microeconometrics: Missing Data and Imputation

Introduction The problem of missing data in survey data is one of long standing, arising from nonresponse or partial response to survey questions. Reasons for nonresponse include unwillingness to provide the information asked for, difficulty of recall of events that occurred in the past, and not knowing the correct response. Imputation is the process of estimating or predicting the missing observations. In this chapter we deal with the regression setup with data vector ( y i , x i ), i = 1, …, N . For some of the observations some elements of x i or of both ( y i , x i ) are missing. A number of questions are considered. When can we proceed with an analysis of only the complete observations, and when should we attempt to fill the gaps left by the missing observations? What methods of imputation are available? When imputed values for missing observations are obtained, how should estimation and inference then proceed? If a data set has missing observations, and if these gaps can be filled by a statistically sound procedure, then benefit comes from a larger and possibly more representative sample and, under ideal circumstances, more precise inference. The cost of estimating missing data comes from having to make (possibly wrong) assumptions to support a procedure for generating proxies for the missing observations, and from the approximation error inherent in any such procedure. Further, statistical inference that follows data augmentation after imputed values replace missing data is more complicated because such inference must take into account the approximation errors introduced by imputation.
Intestinal apical polarity mediates regulation of TORC1 by glucosylceramide in C. elegans

TORC1 (target of rapamycin complex 1) plays a central role in regulating growth, development, and behavior in response to nutrient cues. We previously showed that leucine-derived monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids (mmBCFAs) and derived glucosylceramide promote intestinal TORC1 activity for post-embryonic development and foraging behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we show that clathrin/adaptor protein 1 (AP-1)-dependent intestinal apical membrane polarity and polarity-dependent localization of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) mediate the impact of the lipid pathway on intestinal TORC1 activation. Moreover, NPRL-3 represses mmBCFA-dependent intestinal TORC1 activity at least partly by regulating apical membrane polarity. Our results provide new insights into TORC1 regulation by lipids and membrane polarity in a specific tissue.
Nature of Wave Attenuation in Open Channel Flow

The identification of the term or group of terms which will cause a free-surface flow to dissipate is investigated. It is shown that wave attenuation is caused by the interaction of the kinematic term (friction and bottom slope) with the local acceleration term. When the latter is absent or negligible, wave attenuation is caused by the interaction of the kinematic term with the pressure gradient, or conventive acceleration terms, or both.
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells utilize the IRF4-IL-9 module to coordinate epithelial cell maintenance of lung homeostasis

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) have an important role in acute allergic lung inflammation. Given their distribution and function, lung ILC2s are hypothesized to coordinate epithelial responses to the external environment; however, how barrier surveillance is linked to ILC2 activation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that alveolar type II cells are the main source of interleukin (IL)-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) generated in response to chitin or migratory helminths. IL-33 and TSLP synergistically induce an interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4)-IL-9 program in ILC2s, and autocrine IL-9 promotes rapid IL-5 and IL-13 production required for optimal epithelial responses in the conducting airways. Thus, ILC2s link alveolar function to regulation of airway flow, revealing a key interaction between resident lymphoid and structural cells that might underlie similar organizational hierarchies in other organs.
Pelvic Radiotherapy versus Radical Prostatectomy with Limited Lymph Node Sampling for High-Grade Prostate Adenocarcinoma

Purpose. To compare oncologic outcomes for patients with Gleason score (GS) ≥ 8 prostate adenocarcinoma treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) versus external beam radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation (RT + ADT). Methods. Between 2001 and 2014, 121 patients with GS ≥ 8 were treated at our institution via RT + ADT (n = 71) or RP (n = 50) with ≥ 1 year of biochemical follow-up. Endpoints included biochemical failure (BF), distant metastasis, and initiation of salvage ADT. Results. The RT + ADT group was older, had higher biopsy GS, and had greater risk of lymph node involvement. All other pretreatment characteristics were similar between groups. Mean number of lymph nodes (LNs) sampled for patients undergoing RP was 8.2 (±6.18). Mean biochemical follow-up for all patients was 61 months. Five-year estimates of BF for the RT + ADT and RP groups were 7.2% versus 42.3%, (p < 0.001). The RT + ADT group also had lower rates of distant metastasis (2% versus 7.8%) and salvage ADT (8% versus 33.8%). Conclusion. In this analysis, RT + ADT was associated with improved biochemical and metastatic control when compared to RP with limited LN sampling. How RT + ADT compares with more aggressive lymphadenectomy, as is currently our institutional standard, remains an important unanswered question.
Failure of thyroidectomy and thiouracil to protect rat liver from acute carbon tetrachloride injury.

SummaryThe lowering of thyroid activity by (1) thyrdidectomy and (2) the feeding of thiouracil in a stock diet, failed to prevent or suppress hydropic degeneration or necrosis of the rat liver induced by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride.
The Stick-Slip Motion of a Chaplygin Sleigh With a Piecewise Smooth Nonholonomic Constraint

The Chaplygin sleigh is a canonical problem of mechanical systems with nonholonomic constraints, which arises due to the role of friction. The motion of the cart has often been studied under the assumption that the magnitude of friction is as high as necessary to prevent slipping. We relax this assumption by setting a maximum finite value to the friction. The Chaplygin sleigh is then under a piecewise smooth nonholonomic constraint and transitions between ‘slip’ and ‘stick’ modes. We investigate these transitions and the resulting non smooth dynamics of the system. Further more the piecewise smooth constraint offers the possibility of controlling the speed of the sleigh and we investigate this with numerical simulations.© 2015 ASME
Brief paper: Periodic optimization with applications to solar energy control

It is reasonable to assume in many temperature control applications, that disturbance signals, i.e. solar insolation, ambient temperature, etc. are periodic with 24 hour period and that these periodic disturbances persist over a sufficiently long time interval to allow the system response to settle into a steady-state periodic mode. In this study a linear model is assumed for the system being controlled. The steady-state average of an integral quadratic measure is selected as a performance index. Disturbance signals are assumed to be representable by Fourier series expansions. The periodic optimal control input, which minimizes the given performance index, is then computed in terms of its Fourier coefficient. The optimal control-input coefficients are obtained explicitly in terms of disturbance-input coefficients.
Research on Diversities of Power Frequency Overvoltage of UHV AC Transmission System

Based on the features of UHV power grids and synthetically considering many factors such as grid structure, power capacity, power flow, line parameters, compensation degree of shunt reactor, series compensation and line switching station, the diversity of power frequency over-voltage in UHVAC transmission system is researched. Research results show that in transmission lines erected in three forms, namely the single circuit, the double circuit on the same tower and the mixture of the first two, there are diversities among power frequency over-voltages at substation side during the load-shedding under single-phase earth fault: the over-voltage level is the lowest for transmission lines erected in double circuit on the same tower; the over-voltage level of the mix-erected transmission lines composed of single circuit and double circuit on the same tower is related to the mixture ratio of the two kinds of transmission lines. When transmission distance from power plant to power grid by UHVAC double circuit on the same tower is less than 300 km, in general the power frequency over-voltage levels at the substation bus side and the transmission line side are less than 1.2 pu and 1.3 pu; when the distance is within the range from 300 km to 600 km, the power frequency over-voltage levels are less than 1.3 pu and 1.5 pu; for power transmission from one power grid to another via UHVAC double circuit on the same tower, in general the power frequency over-voltage level is lower than that in transmission line from power plant to power grid, when transmission distance is less than 400 km, in general the power frequency over-voltage at bus side and line side does not exceed 1.2 pu and 1.3 pu, when the distance is within the range from 400 km to 600 km, the power frequency over-voltage levels are less than 1.2 pu and 1.4 pu. The power frequency over-voltage level of transmission line without adding series compensation is basically the same as that with series compensation added. For double circuit UHVAC transmission line on the same tower, in the middle of which the switching station is configured, when the operating modes of the preceding section and the following section of the transmission line are asymmetric, the power frequency over-voltage level during the load-shedding under single-phase earth fault is much higher than that of full-length single circuit, thus to avoid such situation it is suggested to adopt the operating mode of full-length single circuit.
Lipid composition of freshly prepared and stored platelet concentrates

To evaluate the possibility that changes in lipid composition might be related to the functional lesion that develops when platelets are stored as concentrates for several days, we measured lipid constituents of platelets in freshly prepared concentrates and in concentrates stored for 72 hr at 4 degrees C or at 20 degrees C under standard blood banking conditions. At 20 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C, platelets lost about 15% of total cholesterol and 7%--11% of total phospholipid. The distribution of individual phospholipids remained unchanged. This was also true of the fatty acid distribution in total phospholipids and in individual phospholipids except for a statistically significant reduction of linoleic acid (18:2) and an increase in oleic acid (18:1) in phosphatidyl inositol (PI). Platelets collected in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant did not differ significantly in lipid composition from those collected in acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) anticoagulant during the period of observation. These findings do not provide a basis to suggest that functional abnormalities developing in stored platelets are related to changes in lipid composition.
A periodic matrix population model for monarch butterflies

The migration pattern of the eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) consists of a sequence of generations of butterflies that originate in Mexico each spring, travel as far north as Southern Canada, and ultimately return to the original location in Mexico the following fall. Estimates of monarch populations in the Oyamel firs in Mexico have caused concern within the scientific community about the long-term stability of this phenomenon. We use periodic population matrices to model the life cycle of the eastern monarch butterfly and find that, under this linear model, this migration is not currently at risk. We extend the model to address the three primary obstacles for the long-term survival of this migratory pattern: deforestation in Mexico, increased extreme weather patterns, and milkweed decline. Incorporating these obstacles into the model shows that there is a definite need to take action to alleviate the aforementioned obstacles.
Gender Classification Using Under Floor Vibration Measurements

The ability to automatically classify the gender of occupants in a building has far-reaching applications in multiple areas spanning security and threat detection, retail sales, and possibly biometric identification in smart buildings. While other classification techniques provide potential for gender classification, they face varied limitations such as invasion of privacy, occupant compliance, line of sight, and high sensor density. High-sensitivity accelerometers mounted under the floors provide a robust alternative for occupant classification. The authors take advantage of the highly-instrumented Goodwin Hall on the Virginia Tech campus to measure vibrations of the walking surface caused by individual walkers. A machine learning technique known as Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is used to classify gender. In this study, the gait (i.e. walking) of 15 individual walkers (eight male and seven female) was recorded as they, alone, walked down the instrumented hallway, in multiple trials. The trials were recorded via 14 accelerometers which were mounted underneath the walking surface with the placement of the sensors unknown to the walker. A tenfold-cross-validation method is used to comment on the validity of the algorithm’s ability to generalize to new walkers. This work demonstrates that a gender classification accuracy of 88 % is achievable using the underfloor vibration data from the Virginia Tech Goodwin Hall applying an SVM approach.