cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Within- and between-person associations with drug use disorder among adolescents and emerging adults presenting to an urban emergency department.

Abstract Background The distinction between within- and between-person associations with drug use disorder (DUD) has implications for intervention targets and content. We used longitudinal data from youth entering an urban emergency department (ED) to identify factors related to changes in DUD diagnosis, with particular emphasis on alcohol use. Methods Research staff recruited youth age 14–24 (n = 599) reporting any past six-month drug use from a Level-1 ED; participants were assessed at baseline and four biannual follow-ups. Participants self-reported validated measurements of peer/parental behaviors, violence/crime exposure, drug use self-efficacy, and alcohol use. Research staff performed diagnostic interviews for DUD with nine substances, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). We used repeated measures logistic regression models with person-level covariate means, and person-mean-centered covariates, as separate variables, to separate within- and between-person covariate effects. Results Among 2,630 assessments, 1,128 (42.9 %) were DUD diagnoses; 21.7 % were co-diagnoses with multiple drugs. Positive (aOR = 0.81, 95 %CI:[0.70, 0.94]) and negative (aOR = 1.73, 95 %CI:[1.45, 2.07]) peer behaviors related to DUD, primarily through between-person effects. Parental support (aOR = 0.92, 95 %CI:[0.83, 0.99]), community violence/crime (aOR = 1.28, 95 %CI:[1.14, 1.44]), PTSD/MDD diagnosis (aOR = 1.36, 95 %CI:[1.04, 1.79]), and alcohol use quantity (aOR = 1.06, 95 %CI:[1.02, 1.11]) were associated with DUD, showing primarily within-person effects. Other factors, such as interpersonal violence involvement (aOR = 1.47, 95 %CI:[1.21, 1.78]), showed both within- and between-person effects. Conclusions DUD is prevalent in this population, and within-person changes in DUD are predictable. Within-person effects suggest the importance of addressing escalating alcohol use, enhancing parental support, crime/violence exposure, and other mental health diagnoses as part of DUD intervention.
Interdisciplinary strategies to enable data-driven plant breeding in a changing climate

Summary This perspective lays out a framework to enable the breeding of crops that can meet worldwide demand under the challenges of global climate change. Past work in various fields has produced multiple prediction methods to contribute to different plant breeding objectives. Our proposed framework focuses on the integration of these methods into decision-support tools that quantify the effects on multiple objectives of decisions made throughout the plant breeding pipeline. We discuss the complementarities among these methods with an emphasis on integration into tools that utilize operations research and systems approaches to help plant breeders rapidly and optimally design new cultivars under extant time, cost, and environmental constraints. In illustrating this potential, we demonstrate the interconnectedness and probabilistic nature of plant breeding objectives and highlight research opportunities to refine and combine knowledge across multiple disciplines. Such a framework can help plant breeders more efficiently breed for future environments, including so-called minor crops, leading to an overall increase in the resiliency of global food production systems.
New Disulfide-Linked Dinitroxides and the Kinetics of Their Reaction with Glutathione

The health of living systems depends on the proper balance of cellular oxidative and reductive processes (redox balance), which is reflected in the thiol-disulfide balance in cells. Glutathione is the predominant low-molecular-weight thiol in mammalian cells. Through its diverse actions as an antioxidant, as a detoxifier of xenobiotics, and as a regulator of protein function, among others, glutathione is vitally important to cell health. Spectroscopic probes that can act as sensors or reporters of glutathione are, therefore, useful. We report here the synthesis of three new disulfide-linked dinitroxides, whose EPR spectra change dramatically upon reaction with glutathione, and the characterization of the kinetics of their reaction with glutathione.
Mask Wearing as Cultural Behavior: An Investigation Across 45 U.S. States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although masks (face coverings) are a prime tool in fighting airborne pathogens, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the use of masks encountered resistance based on existing patterns of cultural division. We argue that mask wearing must be understood basis on existing cultural frames assessed at both the individual level and the state level. We relied on prominent frameworks in cultural psychology: individualism-collectivism as well as independent and interdependent self-construals, the tightness-looseness framework, U.S. honor cultures, and political orientation as predictors. Using multilevel modeling, in a sample of 633 respondents from 45 U.S. states we investigated mask-wearing behavior, masks' perceived utility, implications for well-being, and the social meaning attributed to masks. Conservatism was linked to lower mask wearing, and consistently unfavorable perceptions of mask wearing. Collective interdependence predicted favorable perceptions of masks, as did state-level differences in collectivism; both constructs were linked with viewing mask wearing to be normative. Independent self-construal predicted a greater intent to wear masks, even though masks were also evaluated less favorably. Mediation analyses revealed that a single mediator, the perceived utility of mask wearing, was implicated in translating the effects of different cultural predictors into behavior. Additional findings highlighted that in tightener (vs. looser) states masks wearing was conceived of as a civic duty, whereas in U.S. honor states mask were seen as spoiling one's public image. Our discussion focuses on the cultural and political context of mask wearing, argues that different communities in the U.S. respond to its symbolic and social meaning, and suggest strategies to increase mask wearing among those who are otherwise reluctant to do so.
Early-learners' expectations of and experience with IPE: A multi-institutional qualitative study

Abstract Background Multi-institutional qualitative studies are scarce within the interprofessional education (IPE) literature; such a report would provide comprehensive evidence for the application of interprofessional instruction among earlier learners. Objective This investigation explored students' expectations of and barriers to introductory IPE across four institutions. Design Qualitative inductive content analysis was utilized to interpret students' narrative responses to assigned pre- and post-survey questions. Setting Health science schools of four U.S. institutions at Institution A, Institution B, Institution C, and Institution D. Participants Twenty-two percent (n = 385) of eligible participants completed both pre- and post-surveys. Nursing student participation was greatest (n = 113, 33%), followed by occupational therapy (n = 44, 13%), and physical therapy (n = 36, 10%). All other program participation was Methods Responses from one pre-survey question on expectations of introductory IPE and two post-survey questions on IPE benefits and barriers were studied using qualitative inductive thematic analysis. Results Four themes emerged as IPE learning expectations and benefits: my own professional role, professional role of others, teamwork, and communication. The theme of interacting with peers surfaced as an additional IPE benefit. There were four themes noted as IPE barriers: course logistics, lack of context, course content, and social dynamics. Conclusion This multi-institutional qualitative study adds to the literature by providing empirical evidence regarding early learner perceptions of IPE experiences. Student expectations and benefits of their introductory IPE course/curriculum aligned. Perceived barriers are useful in informing future IPE implementation and research.
Complexity of optimizing over the integers.

In the first part of this paper, we present a unified framework for analyzing the algorithmic complexity of any optimization problem, whether it be continuous or discrete in nature. This helps to formalize notions like "input", "size" and "complexity" in the context of general mathematical optimization, avoiding context dependent definitions which is one of the sources of difference in the treatment of complexity within continuous and discrete optimization. In the second part of the paper, we employ the language developed in the first part to study information theoretic and algorithmic complexity of {\em mixed-integer convex optimization}, which contains as a special case continuous convex optimization on the one hand and pure integer optimization on the other. We strive for the maximum possible generality in our exposition. We hope that this paper contains material that both continuous optimizers and discrete optimizers find new and interesting, even though almost all of the material presented is common knowledge in one or the other community. We see the main merit of this paper as bringing together all of this information under one unifying umbrella with the hope that this will act as yet another catalyst for more interaction across the continuous-discrete divide. In fact, our motivation behind Part I of the paper is to provide a common language for both communities.
Generating client workloads and high-fidelity network traffic for controllable, repeatable experiments in computer security

Rigorous scientific experimentation in system and network security remains an elusive goal. Recent work has outlined three basic requirements for experiments, namely that hypotheses must be falsifiable, experiments must be controllable, and experiments must be repeatable and reproducible. Despite their simplicity, these goals are difficult to achieve, especially when dealing with client-side threats and defenses, where often user input is required as part of the experiment. In this paper, we present techniques for making experiments involving security and client-side desktop applications like web browsers, PDF readers, or host-based firewalls or intrusion detection systems more controllable and more easily repeatable. First, we present techniques for using statistical models of user behavior to drive real, binary, GUI-enabled application programs in place of a human user. Second, we present techniques based on adaptive replay of application dialog that allow us to quickly and efficiently reproduce reasonable mock-ups of remotely-hosted applications to give the illusion of Internet connectedness on an isolated testbed. We demonstrate the utility of these techniques in an example experiment comparing the system resource consumption of a Windows machine running anti-virus protection versus an unprotected system.
New York Case Study: Biological Control of Otiorhynchus ligustici with Native Persistent Entomopathogenic Nematodes Using a More Classical Approach

Alfalfa snout beetle (ASB), Otiorhynchus ligustici (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of alfalfa and clover production in Northern New York (NY), USA. Currently the infestation area covers >200,000 ha across nine NY counties and a small portion of Canada across the St Lawrence River from the NY infestation (Fig. 11.1). Within the infested area, entire fields of alfalfa and clover can be destroyed in a single year from root feeding by the larvae. This flightless parthenogenetic (clonal reproduction) European insect was introduced into the Port of Oswego, NY on shipping ballast between 1848 and 1896, when it was collected by Wickham (Claassen & Palm, 1935; Shields, Testa, Neumann, Flanders, & Schroeder, 2009). O. ligustici became an economic pest after alfalfa and clover were introduced into the area in the 1920s. In 1935, the infestation was reported to cover 235 ha, growing to 1,200 ha by 1941. By the 1970s, the infestation area had grown to 6,400 ha and by 2006, there were over 200,000 ha infested.
Robust Stabilization and Disturbance Attenuation for Discrete-Time Systems with Structured Uncertainty

This paper presents a method based on the use of discrete algebraic Riccati equations for designing state and output feedback control laws for plants with structured uncertainty. The designs provide both robust stability and disturbance rejection with uniform H ? norm bounds. The design method consists of incorporating information on the plant uncertainty into the Riccati equations used for nominal H ? suboptimal designs.
The Principal and Discipline: Working with School Structures, Teachers, and Students.

(1992). The Principal and Discipline: Working with School Structures, Teachers, and Students. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 65, No. 6, pp. 376-380.
Risk Factors for End-Stage Kidney Disease After Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Adult liver transplant (LT) recipients commonly develop advanced kidney disease. However, burden of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) after pediatric LT has not been well-described. We performed a retrospective cohort study of pediatric LTs in the United States from 1990 to 2010. Multivariable Cox regression models were fit to determine risk factors for ESKD and death. Eight thousand nine hundred seventy six children received LTs. During median follow-up of 7.8 years, 2005 (22%) subjects died (mortality rate 26.1 cases/1000 person-years); 167 (2%) developed ESKD (incidence rate 2.2 cases/1000 person-years). Risk factors for ESKD included older age at LT (highest risk age >15 vs. < 5 years, HR = 4.94, p < 0.001), hepatitis C (HR 2.79, p = 0.004), liver re-transplant (HR 2.67, p < 0.001), eGFR pre-LT < 60 versus ≥ 60 (HR 2.37, p < 0.001), hepatitis B (HR 2.25, p = 0.027), black race (HR 1.46, p = 0.046), and male sex (HR 1.44, p = 0.022). LT recipients with ESKD had increased risk of mortality (HR 2.37, p < 0.001). Among pediatric LT recipients, rate of ESKD was lower than among adults and far exceeded by rate of death, however follow-up time in this study may underestimate lifetime burden of ESKD. Although uncommon, ESKD was highly associated with mortality. Pediatric LT recipients should be routinely monitored for kidney disease, particularly those at highest risk of ESKD.
Permeable endothelium and the interstitial space of brain.

1. Fenestrated vessels can be reversibly induced in brain by agents that stimulate urokinase production. This plasminogen activator, like vascular endothelial growth factor and metalloproteinases, is secreted by tumor cells and may account for induction of fenestrated vessels. Why only some of the brain's barrier vessels are converted to fenestrated vessels is unknown. 2. The structures responsible for the filtering of solutes by fenestrated vessels may be the same as those of continuous, less permeable vessels: the glycocalyx on the surfaces of the endothelial cells and the subendothelial basal lamina. 3. Solutes leaving the cerebral ventricles immediately enter the interstitial clefts between the cells lining the ventricles. A fraction of a variety of solutes, injected into CSF compartments, is retained by subendothelial basal lamina, from which the solutes may be released in a regulated way. 4. The brain's CSF and interstitial clefts are the conduits for nonsynaptic volume transmission of diffusible signals, e.g., ions, neurotransmitters, and hormones. This type of transmission could be abetted by a parallel, cell-to-cell volume transmission mediated by gap junctions between astrocytes bordering CSF compartments and parenchymal astrocytes. 5. The width and contents of the interstitial clefts in fetal brain permit cell migration and outgrowth of neurites. The contents of the narrower and different interstitial clefts of mature brain permit solute convection but must be enzymatically degraded in order for cells to migrate through it.
A game theoretic approach for power aware middleware

In this paper, we propose a dynamic game theoretic approach for choosing power optimization strategies for various components(e.g. cpu, network interface etc.) of a low-power device operating in a distributed environment. Specifically, we model the energy consumption problem as a dynamic non-cooperative game theoretic problem, where the various components of the device are modelled as the players in the game that simultaneously consume a common resource (device battery power). An analysis for the Nash and social optima of the game is presented. We then introduce an adaptive distributed power-aware middleware framework, called "Dynamo", that incorporates the game theoretic approach for determining optimal power optimization strategies. We simulate the distributed game environment for proxy-based video streaming to a mobile handheld device. Our performance results indicate that significant energy savings are achievable for the device when the energy usage of the individual components achieve a social optima than when the energy usage achieves the strategic Nash equilibria. The overall utility of the system is measured both in terms of energy gains and the quality of video playback. Our results indicate that the device lifetime was increased by almost 50%-90% when compared to the case where no power optimization strategies were used, and 30-40% over device lifetime when Nash equilibrium is achieved; the overall utility of system for both types of equilibria were similar (utilities differ by ≤ .5%), indicating that the Nash equilibrium strategies tend to overuse the battery energy consumption.
Pulsed Optical-Optical Double Resonance Spectroscopy of 7Li2

One of the more fascinating applications of laser spectroscopy is the use of multiphoton phenomena to explore molecular electronic states which cannot be excited by one photon electric dipole transitions. Such studies are particularly rewarding when applied to diatomic molecular spectroscopy where a comparison between theory and experiment is often possible and of fundamental interest. The electronic state structure of Li2, the least complex stable homonuclear diatomic besides molecular hydrogen, is an important example. Recently, we initiated OODR experiments on Li2 with the intention of making a comprehensive spectroscopic investigation of the one-photon “forbidden” states [1–4]. A pulsed OODR technique was developed which is extremely useful for the characterization of states in this molecule that have been previously unobserved. The pulsed approach to OODR yields clean, simple spectra which are easily and unambiguously assigned. The enormous simplification of the OODR spectrum arises because (1) a single transition between the ground and intermediate state can be selectively pumped by one laser while a second laser is scanned to produce excitation from the populated intermediate level to the final states; and (2) the amount of relaxation within the intermediate state can be controlled by adjusting the delay time separating the pump laser pulse from the scanned laser pulse.
Propagation of dissolution/precipitation waves in porous media

The transport of a chemically reactive fluid through a permeable medium is governed by many classes of chemical interactions. Dissolution/precipitation reactions are among the interactions of primary importance because of their significant influence on the mobility of aqueous ions. In general, advective or diffusive transport coupled with dissolution/precipitation reactions leads to the propagation of coherent concentration waves. These waves can cause local buildup of concentrations in the aqueous and mineral phases, but can also cause local reductions in concentrations. A decrease in concentration may be desirable if it leads to contaminant concentrations below recognized hazard levels. An increase in concentration might aid removal of a contaminant by concentrating the contaminant in a relatively small region.
Three‐dimensional Laramide deformation of the Colorado Plateau: Competing stresses from the Sevier thrust belt and the flat Farallon slab

[1] Kinematic analysis of Laramide basement-cored uplifts on the northern Colorado Plateau indicate that four of the uplifts were constructed by northeast directed shortening while at least two were constructed by southeast directed shortening. Available timing data suggest that all of the uplifts rose at approximately the same time (∼72–50 Ma). This paper proposes that the different shortening directions are a predictable result of deformation in a three-dimensional stress field where the magnitude of σ2 approaches that of σ1. The concept is supported by both Angelier stereographic analysis and elastic modeling. Tectonically, σ1 is may have been the result of coupling between the horizontally subducting Farallon slab and the North American plate. The elevated values of σ2 are attributed to far-field stresses generated by the topographically high Sevier thrust belt which wraps around the western edge of the Colorado Plateau and was active at the time of deformation in the Plateau.
Multimedia presentation servers: buffer management and admission control

Most multimedia servers reported in the literature are designed to serve multiple and independent video/audio streams. We think that, in the future, multimedia servers will also serve complete presentations. A multimedia presentation contains explicitly specified synchronization information describing when each multimedia data needs to be delivered in the playout of the presentation. Multimedia presentations provide unique opportunities to develop algorithms for buffer management and admission control, as execution-time consumption requirements of presentations are known a priori. In this paper, we examine presentations in three different domains (heavyweight, middleweight and lightweight presentations) and provide buffer management and admission control algorithms for the three domains. We propose two improvements (flattening and dynamic adjustments) on the schedules created for the heavyweight presentations. Results from a simulation environment for the proposed algorithms are also presented.
Montana's courting of physician aid in dying. Could Des Moines follow suit?

Montana recently joined Oregon and Washington as the only states in the nation to legalize the choice among terminally ill adults to hasten death by self-administering a lethal dose of drugs prescribed by a physician. Unlike Oregon and Washington, however, Montana's legalization of physician aid in dying (PAID) resulted not from public consideration of a statewide initiative, but from the judicial resolution of a lawsuit, Baxter v. Montana. As originally conceived, a trial judge reasoned that the unenumerated right to PAID is embraced by enumerated state constitutional rights to privacy and dignity. On appeal, Montana's supreme court jettisoned this construct, and, in its place, fashioned a legal home for PAID out of state homicide, consent defense, and end-of-life statutes. Central to this court's statutory rendering is the finding that state law, allowing terminally ill Montanans sustained by life support to withdraw such treatment and die, discriminates against terminally ill Montanans not sustained by life support who seek death; these classes are similar, the justices reckoned, entitling both to choose death. This analysis examines Montana's courting of PAID, offering textual examination of state trial and appellate court opinions, an accounting of legal strategies advanced in amici curiae briefs, and commentary about the problems and prospects with Baxter's holding. I argue, ultimately, that the equality principles statutorily conceived in Baxter (1) could be parroted in the vast majority of states that both criminalize assisted suicide and enumerate constitutional equal protection guarantees, and (2) could replace sub silentio the equal protection paradigm applied to “physician-assisted suicide” by the United States Supreme Court in its landmark Vacco v. Quill ruling.
Distribution and Abundance of Hopanoid Producers in Low-Oxygen Environments of the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Hopanoids are bacterial membrane lipid biomarker molecules that feature prominently in the molecular fossil record. In the modern marine water column, recent reports implicate bacteria inhabiting low-oxygen environments as important sources of hopanoids to marine sediments. However, the preliminary biogeography reported by recent studies and the environmental conditions governing such distributions can only be confirmed when the numerical abundance of these organisms is known with more certainty. In this study, we employ two different approaches to examine the quantitative significance of phylogenetically distinct hopanoid producers in low-oxygen environments. First, we develop a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the squalene hopene cyclase (sqhC) gene, targeting a subset of hopanoid producers previously identified to be important in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. The results represent the first quantitative gene abundance data of any kind for hopanoid producers in the marine water column and show that these putative alphaproteobacterial hopanoid producers are rare, comprising at most 0.2 % of the total bacterial community in our samples. Second, a complementary analysis of existing low-oxygen metagenomic datasets further examined the generality of the qPCR observation. We find that the dominant sqhC sequences in these metagenomic datasets are associated with phyla such as Nitrospinae rather than Proteobacteria, consistent with the qPCR finding that alphaproteobacterial hopanoid producers are not very abundant in low-oxygen environments. In fact, positive correlations between sqhC gene abundance and environmental parameters in these samples identify nitrite availability as a potentially important factor in the ecology of hopanoid producers that dominate low-oxygen environments.
Effect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary women

It has been reported that boron may be beneficial for optimal calcium metabolism and, thus, optimal bone metabolism. Therefore, we designed a study to determine the effects of boron supplementation on blood and urinary minerals in athletic subjects and sedentary control subjects consuming self-selected typical Western diets. Serum phosphorus concentrations were lower in boron-supplemented subjects than in placebo-supplemented subjects. Compared with all other subjects, serum magnesium concentrations were greatest in the sedentary control subjects supplemented with boron and increased with time in all subjects. Exercise training diminished changes in serum phosphorus concentrations caused by boron supplementation. Calcium excretion increased over time in all groups combined, and boron excretion increased over time in all boron-supplemented subjects. The findings suggest that boron supplementation modestly affected mineral status, and exercise modified the effects of boron supplementation on serum minerals.
Differentiating Women/Bodies of Knowledge

Writing Women's Worlds: Bedouin Stories. Lila Abu-Lughod. Baladi Women of Cairo: Playing with an Egg and a Stone. Evelyn A. Early. A World of Difference: Islam and Gender Hierarchy in Turkey. Julie Marcus.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a dansyled amino acid derivative as an imaging agent for apoptosis

To develop a small molecule-based biomarker for in vivo apoptosis imaging, a dansyled amino acid derivative (BNSBA) was designed and synthesized in good yield. The biological evaluation demonstrated that BNSBA selectively binds to apoptotic cancer cells and is localized within the cytoplasm of cells that bound annexin V on the plasma membrane.
Isolation and DNA content of nuclei of Physarum polycephalum.

Abstract Methods have been developed for isolation of nuclei from Physarum polycephalum at various stages of the life cycle and mitotic figures and nucleoli from the plasmodial stage. Organelles of growing plasmodia and myxamoebae were isolated by Waring blending in 0.25 M sucrose, 0.1% Triton X-100, 0.01 M CaCl2 (0.001 M for nucleoli) and 0.01 M Tris buffer, pH 7.2, and centrifuging through 1 M sucrose. The same procedure was used for starving cultures, except that before homogenization starving and sporulating plasmodia were washed with 0.01 M EDTA in 0.25 M sucrose, and spherules were washed with EDTA-sucrose and broken in the French pressure cell. The DNA, RNA, protein and polysaccharide content of nuclei was determined at all stages of the life cycle. Nuclei of growing, starving and sporulating plasmodia contained 1 to 1.2 pg of DNA; viable spores, logarithmically growing amoebae and spherules contained 0.6 pg; and encysted amoebae contained 0.3 pg. It was concluded that spores and growing amoebae were in haploid, G2 phase; spherules in diploid, G1 phase; and encysted amoebae in haploid, G1 phase.
Fetal alcohol and drug effects.

BackgroundAlcohol and drug use by pregnant women are harmful to the developing embryo and fetus. Teasing apart the specific contributions of each substance to adverse child outcome, however, proves difficult in practice. The risks to the neonate include intrauterine growth retardation, birth defects
Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, gallium-67 lung scanning and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in asbestos exposure.

This study examined different markers of lung immunologic and inflammatory responses to previous asbestos exposure. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and gallium-67 (67Ga) lung scans and measured serum and BAL soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE) levels in 32 subjects with a history of significant asbestos exposure, 14 without (EXP) and 18 with (ASB) radiographic evidence of asbestosis. BAL analysis revealed increases in neutrophils in both ASB and EXP when compared to controls (P
Multirate closed-loop system identification of a variable valve timing actuator for an internal combustion engine

This paper applies the multi-rate closed-loop system identification (ID) technique to a continuously variable valve timing (VVT) actuator system. Limited by the sample rate of the crank-based cam position sensor, function of engine speed, the actuator control sample rate is different from that of cam position sensor. Multi-rate system identification is a necessity for this application. On the other hand, it is also difficult to maintain the desired actuator operational condition with an open-loop control. Therefore, system identification in a closed-loop is required. In this study, PRBS q-Markov Cover identification is used to obtain the closed-loop model, and the open-loop system model is calculated based upon information of closed loop controller and identified closed-loop system model. Both open and closed-loop identifications are performed in an HIL simulation environment with a given reference model as a validation process. An intake VVT actuator system test bench is used to conduct the proposed multi-rate system identification using PRBS as excitation signals.
Early clinical evaluation in man: the buck stops here

The development of new drugs as potential therapeutic agents involves multi-discipline 'team' research. The clinician has to deal with scientific and ethical issues and keep in mind the axiom 'Primum no nocere--Above all, do no harm.' The clinical pharmacologist has to address the pharmacologic actions of a potential new drug and if any antidotes are available. Species in pharmacologic actions, assessment of animal laboratory data to determine the sensitive organs, and the role of drug metabolism in evaluating and correlating animal data all need to be addressed. The clinical pharmacologist has an important role in new drug development which is unique and includes the responsibility to ensure the welfare of the volunteer subjects or patients.
The role of turbulence in determining the heat-transfer characteristics of impinging jets

Abstract Data on the variation of local heat-transfer coefficients produced by impinging jets have been re-examined in the light of measurements of the velocity and turbulence distributions in submerged jets and in the context of other work on the influence of turbulence on heat transfer. It is shown that some seemingly anomalous heat-transfer phenomena can be explained as effects of the intense and spatially varying turbulence inherent in jets.
Bayesian hierarchical structured variable selection methods with application to molecular inversion probe studies in breast cancer

The analysis of alterations that may occur in nature when segments of chromosomes are copied (known as copy number alterations) has been a focus of research to identify genetic markers of cancer. One high-throughput technique recently adopted is the use of molecular inversion probes (MIPs) to measure probe copy number changes. The resulting data consist of high-dimensional copy number profiles that can be used to ascertain probe-specific copy number alterations in correlative studies with patient outcomes to guide risk stratification and future treatment. We propose a novel Bayesian variable selection method, the hierarchical structured variable selection (HSVS) method, which accounts for the natural gene and probe-within-gene architecture to identify important genes and probes associated with clinically relevant outcomes. We propose the HSVS model for grouped variable selection, where simultaneous selection of both groups and within-group variables is of interest. The HSVS model utilizes a discrete mixture prior distribution for group selection and group-specific Bayesian lasso hierarchies for variable selection within groups. We provide methods for accounting for serial correlations within groups that incorporate Bayesian fused lasso methods for within-group selection. Through simulations we establish that our method results in lower model errors than other methods when a natural grouping structure exists. We apply our method to an MIP study of breast cancer and show that it identifies genes and probes that are significantly associated with clinically relevant subtypes of breast cancer.
Photochemistry of SO2 in Venus' upper cloud layers

The photochemical and transport processes that occur in the Venusian atmosphere in and above the upper cloud region are characterized with attention to the correlation with the Pioneer Venus spectrometer results for the cloud top SO2 distribution. The model uses upward-flowing SO2 and H2O to replace the sulfur and hydrogen lost through the lower boundary by the settling of sulfuric acid aerosols. Oxygen for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3 prior to hydration to H2SO4 is supplied by the photolysis of CO2. A model with SO2 as the major sulfur-bearing gas is consistent with the Pioneer data.
The challenges of wearable computing for working dogs

We present two case studies on creating wearables for dogs and discuss them in terms of challenges of safety, space, weight and comfort, that motivated them. You can use these case studies and our design process as a practical primer for designing wearables for working dogs.
Petrified stigmaria of sigillarian origin from North America

Abstract A basic anatomical type of stigmarian system representing the underground parts of an Upper Pennsylvanian Sigillaria is described. This form is distinguished from the underground parts of genera such as Lepidodendron and Lepidophloios , as represented by Stigmaria ficoides , on the basis of numerous features. The sigillarian Stigmaria has a characteristics stelar configuration and histology, cortical histology, and histology of the lateral appendages.
Least-squares estimation and group delay in astrometric interferometers

The Palomar Testbed Interferometer is a long-baseline interferometer that uses both phase and group-delay measurements for narrow-angle astrometry. The group-delay measurements are performed using 5 spectral channels across the band from 2.0 to 2.4 micrometers . Group delay is estimated from phasors (sine and cosine of fringe phase) calculated for each spectral channel using pathlength modulation of one wavelength. Normally the group delay is estimated to be the delay corresponding to the peak of the power spectrum of these complex phasors. The Fourier transform does not however yield a least-squares estimate of the delay. Nevertheless, the precision of phase estimation can be achieved in a group-delay estimate using a least-squares approach. We describe the least-squares group-delay estimator that has been implemented at PTI and illustrate its performance as applied to narrow-angle astrometry.
An Improved Computational Approach for Multilevel Optimum Design

A penalty-function algorithm employing Newton's method with approximate second derivatives (Haftka and Starnes, 1980) is developed for two-level hierarchical design optimization problems. The difficulties posed by discontinuous behavior in typical multilevel problems are explained and illustrated for the case of a three-bar truss; the algorithm is formulated; and its advantages are demonstrated in the problem of a portal framework having three beams (described by six cross-section parameters), subjected to two loading conditions, and to be constructed in six different materials for comparison. The final design parameters are listed in a table.
Analysis of the degree of pulmonary thallium washout after exercise in patients with coronary artery disease

An abnormal increase in pulmonary thallium activity may be visualized on post-stress thallium images in patients with coronary artery disease. Because this increased pulmonary thallium activity usually disappears by the time of redistribution imaging, this study was designed to assess whether measurement of the degree of pulmonary thallium washout between stress and redistribution might improve the detection of increased pulmonary thallium activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Quantitative analysis revealed abnormal (that is, > 2 standard deviations of normal values) pulmonary thallium washout in 59 (64%) of 92 patients with coronary artery disease, but in only 2 (25%) of 8 subjects with angiographically normal arteries (p Thus, the analysis of pulmonary thallium washout is a useful diagnostic variable because it: 1) provides an objective measurement of abnormal pulmonary thallium activity and is more sensitive than other methods; 2) correlates with both the extent of coronary artery disease and the degree of exercise-induced left ventricular dysfunction, and 3) improves the sensitivity of quantitative myocardial thallium scintigraphy to detect the presence of coronary artery disease.
Purification and amino acid sequences of dog, goat and guinea pig VIPs

Abstract VIP has been reported to be identical in pig, cow, human and rat but to differ in four amino acids in chicken. We report now on the purification and sequences of VIP from three other mammalian species, dog, goat and guinea pig (GP). The general method of purification of the three peptides was similar. The frozen intestines were extracted in five volumes of an organic solvent and the residual cakes re-extracted with acid or acid-ethanol. The VIPs were brought to final purity through a series of HPLC steps. Overall recovery using this methodology is in the range of 20–30%. The VIP sequences obtained were: Dog and Goat: H S D A V F T D N Y T R L R K Q M A V K K Y L N S I L N GP: L T M V Dog and goat VIP are identical to, but GP VIP differs from, that of other mammalian species. Substitution of the four amino acids in positions 5, 9, 19 and 26 appears not to affect its biological activity. That GP VIP differs from other mammalian VIP's is further evidence that the GP gastroenteropancreatic axis has a unique evolutionary separation from other mammals.
DISCRETION AND DISPARITY UNDER SENTENCING GUIDELINES: THE ROLE OF DEPARTURES AND STRUCTURED SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES*

This article examines the use of alternative sentencing provisions as mechanisms for departing from sentencing guidelines in Washington State and as structural sources of unwarranted sentencing disparity. The authors argue that these structural features of guidelines not only serve as “windows of discretion” through which disparities arise, but they also may encourage disparities by requiring consideration of substantive criteria that disadvantage certain offender groups. The analyses find that males and minority offenders are less likely to receive alternative sentences below the standard range, but that race-ethnicity and gender have inconsistent effects on departures above the standard range. Theoretical implications of the study are discussed.
Engineering Tools for Studying Coordination Between Biochemical and Biomechanical Activities in Cell Migration

Cell migration is achieved by the dynamic feedback interactions between traction forces generated by the cell and exerted onto the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM), and intracellular mechano-chemical signaling pathways, e.g., Rho GTPase (RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42) activities [1,2,3]. These components are differentially distributed within a cell, and thus the coordination between tractions and mechanotransduction (i.e, RhoA and Rac1 activities) must be implemented at a precise spatial and temporal order to achieve optimized, directed cell migration [4,5]. Recent studies have shown that focal adhesions at the leading edge exert strong tractions [6], and these traction sites are co-localized with focal adhesion sites [7]. Further, by using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology coupled with genetically encoded biosensors, researchers reported that Rho GTPases, such as RhoA [8], Rac1 [9], and Cdc42 [10] are maximally activated at the leading edge, suggesting the leading edge of the cell as its common functional site for Rho GTPase activities. All these works, however, were done separately, and the relationship between tractions and mechanotransduction during cell migration has not been demonstrated directly because of the difficulty in simultaneously recording tractions and mechanotransduction in migrating cells, precluding direct comparison between these results. Furthermore, these studies have been conducted by monitoring cells on glass coverslips, the stiffness of which is ∼ 65 giga pascal (GPa), at least three to six order higher than the physiological range of ECM stiffness. Although it is increasingly accepted that ECM stiffness influences cell migration, it is not known exactly how physiologically relevant ECM stiffness (order of kPa range) affects the dynamics of RhoA and Rac1 activities. For a complete understanding of the mechanism of mechano-chemical signaling in the context of cell migration, the dynamics and interplay between biomechanical (e.g., tractions) and biochemical (e.g., Rho GTPase) activities should be visualized within the physiologically relevant range of ECM stiffness.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Full inversion of a two-level atom with a single-photon pulse in one-dimensional geometries

We analyze a system comprising a one-dimensional single-mode waveguide (a) coupled directly to a two-level atom (b) side-coupled to a cavity containing a two-level atom and show that in both cases it is possible to invert the atom with a single-photon pulse. In contrast to the semiclassical $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse, the inverting single-photon pulse is unique.
TAXONOMY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF TWO NEW NEIDIUM SPECIES FROM LAKES IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (U.S.A.)

Neidium Pfitzer is a common genus in the freshwater diatom flora of the United States. Most Neidium taxa are large diatoms with robust features. However, several smaller, more finely organized species are also present. These species are often overlooked in collections due to their size and finer structure. Upon reviewing collections from several lakes and rivers in Northern California, some new and interesting forms were discovered. In this work observations on two Neidium species are provided that appear to be new to science. The first species is zmoderately sized, has an undulate margin and a broad, rectangular central area. The second is small, linear in shape, and has very fine striae. Light and scanning electron microscope observations on these two species are presented on both valve and girdle components, and they are compared to other small, finely ornamented taxa. These observations suggest there are still many new species of freshwater diatom to discover and describe in the U.S. flora.
PRIVATIZED HOUSING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONDOMINIUMS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: THE CASES OF POLAND, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AND ROMANIA

This paper looks at the housing sector reform in Central and Eastern Europe and examines the progress to date in housing privatization and policies aimed at improving the management and condition of the existing housing stock through the establishment and operation of the condominium form of ownership. The paper compares and analyzes approaches taken in four countries with regard to four issues: (I) the legal framework and implementation strategies; (2) the role of local government housing strategies in supporting the development of viable condominium associations; (3) property management of privatized housing; and (4) financing rehabilitation and capital repair projects for condominiums. Findings include the need for a clear legal framework, competition in the property management market, more supportive local government policies, and public sector support in tackling rehabilitation finance issues.
Flux-flow Hall-effect problem: Comparison of the theory of Nozières and Vinen with results in 2H-NbSe2.

The old problem of the flux-flow Hall effect is investigated in single-crystal 2H-${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{2}$. We find that the Hall signal, particularly the constancy of the Hall angle with field, is correctly described by the theory of Nozi\`eres and Vinen (NV). The dependences of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{\mathit{H}}$ on the field, current density, and temperature are compared in some detail with the version of NV's model that assumes a finite pinning force.
SNS machine status report

The Spallation Neutron Source is now under construction in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Commissioning of the accelerator complex began in 2002 and is scheduled to be complete in April 2006. In this paper we will briefly discuss the status of each major accelerator system and give some examples of some recent commissioning results.
Patients' expressions of complaints as a predictor of the course of acute hepatitis A.

Abstract Objective: Physical complaints, emotional states, liver, and immune parameters were investigated as possible indicators of the course of hepatitis A. Methods: Forty-seven patients with hepatitis A were studied by means of the Giessen-Complaint-Inventory (GBB) and the Berlin Mood Questionnaire (BSF), as well as by taking into account their typical liver parameters and the following immune parameters: αInterferon (αIFN), soluble Interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and Immunoglobulin M or G (IgM, IgG). Two hundred twenty-nine medical students and a representative German sample (n = 1557, Braehler et al.) served as controls. Results: We found that the initial degree of change in permeability of the liver cells, complaints about abdominal symptoms, and extent of depressive mood were able to predict the length of hospital stay. Patients with the initial, more pronounced liver damage, as well as patients who articulated less subjective impairment proved to have a longer course of illness. Those patients who needed a significantly longer time for recovery report, at admission, very few complaints—fewer than even the normal population. We were not, however, able to demonstrate a significant difference in the investigated immune parameters. Conclusion: A certain denial tendency seems to be harmful with respect to the recovery process and the immunological competence in the course of hepatitis A.
INTEGRAL REPRESENTATION FOR A SCATTERING AMPLITUDE WITH COMPLEX SINGULARITIES

A double integral representation for a scattering amplitude, which includes the contribution of a box diagram with complex singularities, is obtained. The integrations extend over real values of energy and momentum transfer only. ( auth)