cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fourier transform infrared microscopy of calcified turkey leg tendon.

Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FT-IRMS) was used to monitor spatial variations in the quality and quantity of the mineral phase in calcified turkey tendon. Spectral maps were generated by analysis of 50 μm×50μm areas within different regions of the tendon. Spectra of the transitional region, where nonmineralized matrix ends and mineralized matrix begins, revealed marked changes in the spectrally determined mineral-to-matrix ratio, whereas regions deeper into the mineralization front showed a relatively constant ratio. Since spectra of EDTA-demineralized matrix were similar to those of nonmineralized matrix, the nonmineralized regions of the tendon were used for spectral subtraction. The broad, relatively featureless contour of the mineral ν1, ν3 phosphate region (900–1200 cm−1) showed only subtle changes at different stages of mineralization. Second derivatives of these spectra were calculated and compared with those of synthetic, poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA). The peak positions seen in second-derivative spectra of the mineral near the transitional region were within ±2 cm−1 of the least mature synthetic HAs whereas spectra of the mineral deeper into the mineralization front were within ±2 cm−1 of the most mature synthetic HAs. Spectra from cross-and longitudinal sections at equivalent positions in the tendon, and polarized FT-IRMS data were analyzed to determine the effect of mineral orientation on the parameters used to characterize the mineral. Spectra of cross-aand longitudinal sections of the tendon showed no major differences in either the ν1, ν3 phosphate region or the amide I, II, or III components (1200–1800 cm−1). However, polarized FT-IR spectra revealed dramatic differences in both of these regions. Despite these differences, second-derivative analysis of the ν1, ν3 regions revealed no significant changes in the positions of the underlying bands used to characterize the environments of the phosphate ion in poorly crystalline HA. The results of this study demonstrate the power of FT-IRMS to monitor spatial variations of the mineral phase in calcified tissue. Also, the incorporation of polarized radiation provides a method capable of assessing the molecular orientation of the mineral phase relative to the collagen matrix.
Hope in the terminally ill.

The diagnosis of a terminal illness initially precipitates a vulnerability and isolation that belie description as contemplation of one's impending death transcends the mundane activities of daily living. Mortality is suddenly confronted, and the concept of hope wanes as the unattainable goal of extended life vanishes. And while denial may temporarily intervene and preclude reality, the fact that life is ending becomes hard to deny as the disease advances. But a seemingly paradoxic question arises: because hope is frequently defined as the expectancy of good in the future, how can a future defined in hours, days, weeks, and months provide hope?1 To understand the answer to this contradictory question, physicians must acknowledge the dynamic and complex nature of hope and how it changes during the dying process.
Radiologically guided balloon dilation of gastrointestinal strictures. Part I. Technique and factors influencing procedural success.

Radiologically guided balloon catheters were used to dilate 94 gastrointestinal strictures in 92 patients over a 6-year period. Fifty strictures were esophageal and 44 nonesophageal (22 gastroenterostomies, 11 antral-pyloric strictures, four colorectal strictures, four enteroenterostomies, and three miscellaneous strictures). Factors influencing the success of stricture intubation included patient age, stricture location (esophageal vs. nonesophageal and proximal vs. distal esophageal), and association with a surgical anastomosis. Malignancy was associated with greater postdilation irregularity and a smaller increase in stricture diameter, as measured radiographically. Procedural failures occurred in 8% of cases (2% of esophageal and 30% of nonesophageal lesions). Two small, asymptomatic mucosal tears were seen after dilation (one esophageal and one colonic); no other procedural complications occurred. Following successful dilation, 16 patients (17%; six with esophageal and ten with non-esophageal strictu...
Regulation of hypoxanthine transport by cyclic nucleotides in cultured Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts.

Abstract The regulation of hypoxanthine transport activity by Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts grown in culture was examined in wild-type clones and 8-azaguanine-resistant mutant clones which lack hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. Hypoxanthine transport activity increases with increased rates of cellular growth expressed as viable cell number, total cell protein, and DNA synthesis. The transport activity for hypoxanthine declines when the fibroblasts approach confluence or after exposure to cycloheximide or actinomycin D. In vivo incubation of either fibroblast subline with 100 μ m dibutyryl cyclic AMP decreases transport activity over 50%, whereas exposure to 10 μ m dibutyryl cyclic GMP increases hypoxanthine uptake by 40%. A synergistic effect is observed when fibroblasts are incubated with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or theophylline) plus glucagon, an adenylate cyclase stimulator. Such additions result in a 70% decrease in the cellular transport capacity. Stimulation of hypoxanthine transport by 40% is observed following incubation with insulin. Addition of all agents produces maximum changes in the rate of hypoxanthine transport only after a 6-h in vivo incubation with the fibroblasts. These findings suggest that hypoxanthine transport is regulated by the intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides. This control may occur at the level of gene expression for a hypoxanthine transport protein.
Occurrence and pathways of manure-borne 17β-estradiol in vadose zone water

The hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2) can cause endocrine disruption in sensitive species at part per trillion concentrations. The persistence and transport pathways of manure-borne E2 in agricultural soils were determined by comparing its occurrence with the transfer of water and the transport of non-sorbing fluorobenzoic acid (FBA) tracers. This comparison was done using capillary wick lysimeters installed 0.61m beneath three corn (Zea mays L.) plots that receive swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) manure from various sources. An additional control plot was included that received no manure. Soil water transfer was modeled to compare actual versus predicted percolation. On average, lysimeters collected 61% of the expected percolation and 8% of the FBA. There were frequent E2 detections, where there were an average of 8 detections for the 11 sample events. The average detection was 21ngL(-1) and its range was 1-245ngL(-1). 17beta-Estradiol was detected before manure was applied and also in the control plot lysimeters. Furthermore, the average mass recovery of E2 in all the lysimeters was >50%, which was greater than the FBA tracer recovery. Results indicated that tracer was transported with precipitated water infiltrating into the soil surface and percolating down through the soil profile. There was substantial evidence for antecedent E2, which was persistent and mobile. The persistence and mobility of the E2 may result from its associations with colloids, such as dissolved organic matter. Furthermore, this antecedent E2 appeared to overwhelm any observable effect of manure management on E2 fate and transport.
Magnetic circular dichroism of the potassium atom “blue triplet” in a xenon matrix

Abstract The K/Xe “blue triplet” spectrum (730–790 nm) arises from K atoms in three distinct sites. Each site gives rise to a similar 2 S→ 2 P triplet pattern. The effective excited state spin-orbit coupling constant is −170 cm −1 compared to the values −213 and −196 cm −1 for Na/Xe and Li/Xe respectively.
Multi-Physics Modeling of Tribological Processes Using Cellular Automata

Tribology is in every sense of the word multidisciplinary. A multitude of different physical processes can occur simultaneously, often over widely varying time and length scales. The contact region between sliding bodies is a particularly interesting area, where thermal, mechanical, chemical, and electrical affects all play a role and interact in complex ways. Often our understanding of these phenomena is limited by the lack of a convenient methodology to model and solve such complex problems. The objective of this paper is to describe a new modeling and solution method that is relatively simple yet powerful enough to handle complex, multi-physics problems.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The cardiac veins in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: delivery options for cardiac devices.

Background Device implantation is sometimes required in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) because of morphologic right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and complete heart block. The anatomical course of the veins remains unknown, despite well-described coronary arterial anatomy. Knowledge of the venous anatomy may facilitate planning of percutaneous cardiac procedures in these patients. Objective This study sought to characterize the venous anatomy in ccTGA. Methods Pathologic cardiac specimens from patients with ccTGA were identified from the Mayo Clinic pathology database. Coronary sinus (CS) anatomy and distances from the CS ostium to the major cardiac veins were evaluated. Thebesian veins with ostial openings >1 mm, epicardial veins, and venous collaterals were also quantified. Results There were 56 hearts with a diagnosis of ccTGA identified. The CS was unidentifiable in 5 hearts due to slicing, and assessment of the Thebesian veins was not possible in 16. Seven hearts had an abnormal CS, 2 of which had atretic ostia and the other 5 of which either had an abnormal ostial location or multiple ostia. There were 28 hearts with at least 1 Thebesian vein with an ostial opening >1 mm. All 12 hearts with unidentifiable Thebesian veins had venous collaterals from the right ventricle (RV) to the major cardiac veins. Epicardial veins extended to the proximal, middle, and distal thirds of the RV in 71%, 23%, and 6%, respectively. Conclusion In ccTGA, the ventricular venous anatomy is abnormal and follows the morphologic RV. However, large interventricular and Thebesian veins may offer options for percutaneous lead or catheter placement when approaching the systemic RV.
Reinforcement enhancing effects of nicotine via smoking.

Rationale In animals, nicotine enhances reinforcement from stimuli unrelated to nicotine intake. Human research is suggestive but has not clearly shown a similar influence of nicotine.
Law Enforcement Suicide: Discerning Etiology Through Psychological Autopsy

The issue of suicide among law enforcement personnel has garnered increasing attention. Unfortunately, little is known about the etiology of suicide for this group, and whether its rates warrant unique consideration as an at-risk population. This project used the psychological autopsy technique to examine the etiology of eight law enforcement suicides. FINDINGS indicated that all employees in the sample demonstrated risk factors for suicide congruent with those of the general population. Prehire risk factors were elemental to most employee completions, including those related to family-of-origin context and substance abuse. Exposure to traumatic on-duty critical incidents was not a primary theme. The findings challenge the dominant theoretical perspective that law enforcement training, vocational culture, and exposure to traumatic on-duty events generate cognitive restriction and then patterns of substance abuse for those who complete suicide within this vocation. Suggestions for prehire screening are made, with a focus on the assessment for preexisting polarized cognitive styles. Language: en
Computer-assisted color classification of peanut pods.

Abstract Mesocarp color classification in the Hull Scrape Maturity Method is the most important step in determining peanut maturity and optimum harvest date. This research involved the development of an image acquisition system and a software procedure for color classification. Images of peanut pods that had been sorted manually into color classes and subclasses were used in computer training. After training with sorted color classes, the computer-assisted procedure correctly identified and classified the peanut pods, with a 99% precision for the same sample in different alignment, and with a 95% precision for different size samples taken from the same population. Pod size measurement with a resolution of 0.1 mm was also performed using image processing techniques.
Does Therapy With Anti–TNF-α Improve Glucose Tolerance and Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance (IR). IR is partially caused by the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which is produced in inflammatory fat tissue in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. Inflamed abdominal fat releases adipokines and inflammatory cytokines, one of which is TNF-α. Past experimental studies using anti–TNF-α therapy in type 2 diabetic patients have been limited in both time and dosage because of the toxicity of these agents. We designed a retrospective study in which anti–TNF-α agents were used in larger therapeutic doses for up to 10 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease (CR). We assessed the effects of this treatment on control of type 2 diabetes. Eight Veterans Affairs patients with RA or CR and type 2 diabetes and a matched group of control patients with both …
Postmenopausal hormones and coronary artery disease: potential benefits and risks

Various secondary prevention trials, including the Women's Health Initiative (WHI0, assessing the effects of hormone therapy (HT) on coronary artery disease (CAD) showed no benefit, and a trend towards early harm. However, in the WHI trial, there was a significant trend for decreasing CAD with time. The observational arms of WHI for both estrogen and estrogen/progestin suggested results which were similar to the cardioprotective effects reported in earlier observational studies. Women in these observational trials initiated hormones at a younger age and were generally healthier than women in the randomized trials. Hypotheses have been generated to explain the phenomenon of early harm, based on the induction of plaque instability in the older woman with existent significant atherosclerosis. A report of over 7000 early postmenopausal women initiating prospective trials on hormonal use did not find any evidence suggesting early harm. In the estrogen-only arm of the WHI trial, an analysis of the 50-59-year-old age group showed a near statistical decrease in coronary events: 63 (0.36-1.08), and a statistically significant reduction in a global coronary score, 0.66 (0.45-0.96). In a pooled analysis of 23 randomized clinical trials of hormonal therapy, those women within 10 years of menopause had a significant reduction in coronary events, 0.68 (0.48-0.96). Recent publications from WHI have shown a significant trend for reduced CAD and total mortality in younger women, as well as a reduced coronary calcium score when estrogen alone was given. In that neither aspirin nor statins have been shown to afford a statistical primary benefit for reducing CAD, the benefit of estrogen remains an attractive yet unproven possibility for younger women. In conclusion, while it is clear that HT has no place in the treatment of older women with CAD, emerging evidence strongly suggests a possible coronary benefit in younger healthy women.
Polycapillary optic-enhanced x-ray diffraction and fluorescence for rapid materials analysis

An energy dispersive x-ray diffraction and fluorescence (EDXRD/XRF) system with no moving parts was developed to monitor in situ the initial stages of thin film growth. The EDXRD/XRF system utilized a low power 25 W microfocus x-ray source and collimating polycapillary optics manufactured by X-Ray Optical Systems (XOS). Metastable semiconductor thin film samples containing phase-separated inclusions of Sn were analyzed for simulation of early deposition stages. The time required to obtain sufficient diffraction data from these thin films was on the order of 60 seconds. Diffraction and fluorescence data were simultaneously obtained making it possible to simultaneously determine the crystal structure and composition of thin films while they are growing. This has the potential for revolutionizing how new materials are developed and commercialized, significantly cutting development and process control costs. An additional XRF system was developed that utilized a low power 20 W microfocus x-ray source and a focusing polycapillary optic. The Sn minimum detectable limit of this system (samples of interest were Ge 1-x Sn x ) was on the order of nanograms using the Sn-L α signal, which corresponds to picograms from a Sn-K α signal. Such low levels are usually only possible with a rotating anode source 10 3 times more powerful than the low power sealed tube source used in this experiment. An 100nm thin Ge 1-x Sn x sample made by ion implantation was analyzed with this XRF system. In 300 s, a detectable signal was obtained, indicating the viability of this system for in situ, thin film, composition monitoring and characterization of the first several monolayers of thin film growth.
p38 MAP kinase is critical for the transcriptional regulation of the human interferon-γ gene. ♦ 58

p38 MAP kinase is critical for the transcriptional regulation of the human interferon-γ gene. ♦ 58
A quasi-direct fast Poisson solver for general regions

Abstract A fast Poisson solver for general regions with Dirichlet boundary conditions is proposed and analyzed numerically. This solver uses an unsymmetrical preconditioner for the conjugate gradient method. The preconditioner is generated by the recursive construction of factorable finite-difference approximations of the Laplacian which, formally, are fully consistent both in the interior of the region and near its boundary. The construction of the difference operators is mildly unstable but their entries (and thus the error constants) are proven to remain finite for any finite number of recursion steps. The solver is studied numerically for a number of test problems and is found to have novel, interesting convergence properties. The iteration is started from a first guess provided by the preconditioner itself with correct boundary conditions. Asymptotically, as the number n of discretization steps in each direction gets large, the accuracy of the first guess apparently tends to a constant . Furthermore, the important early phase of the iteration, during which the errors are reduced down to any specified level (say the truncation error of the five-point star approximation of the Laplacian), is characterized by convergence rates which are virtually independent of the grid parameter . Hence this solver appears to be quasi-direct , in the sense that it generates numerical solutions of specified accuracy in a number of passes which seems to be independent of the number of discretization steps n as that number becomes large.
Demographic Variables Associated with Fear of AIDS and Homophobia

During the fall of 1985, over 500 introductory psychology students participated in a survey which employed different questionnaires to measure Fear of AIDS, Knowledge of AIDS, Homophobia, and Behavior Change. Opinions about public policy regarding AIDS and homosexuals, and background information such as sex and religious preference were also obtained. The results indicated that males who knew the most about AIDS were less fearful of the disease than were males who knew the least. No such relationship was found for females. In addition, respondents reported that they have been changing their behavior in light of the AIDS epidemic. This included some behaviors which were related to AIDS and some which were not. Finally, political and religious conservatives were generally more homophobic and fearful of AIDS than were liberals. In addition, conservatives generally preferred protection of the public as an approach to controlling the AIDS epidemic while liberals generally preferred to educate the public.
Using an OpenDS Driving Simulator for Car Following: A First Attempt

This paper describes the modifications to free, open-source driving simulator software to simulate a car-following task resembling that in the NHTSA driver distraction protocol. In brief, the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the lead vehicle were sharply reduced (to 70% of the specified values) and made more uniform. In addition, the mean speed was reduced by 10 ft/s to reduce the time to get up to speed (and collect data). Finally, modifications were made to the Logitech G27 interface commonly used with OpenDS. Wooden blocks were mounted on the foot pedals to make the configuration more car-like and the accelerator and brake pedal springs were replaced with stiffer springs (Hillman #49). With stiffer pedals, there were fewer instances of excessive speeding and braking g levels were closer to those in real driving, correcting problems that commonly occur with fixed base driving simulators.
Autism and psychiatric disorders in tuberous sclerosis.

PDFlib PLOP: PDF Linearization, Optimization, Protection Page inserted by evaluation version www.pdflib.com – sales@pdflib.com
Remote sensing research project: Satellite imagery evaluation for environmental classification in Qatar

Qatar is facing unprecedented development both inland and in its surrounding waters. While the natural environment is not yet fully characterized, there is a need for managers to have an accurate overview of it as a decision making tool and a baseline study for monitoring the future changes. Remote sensing techniques are cost effective in their ability to cover great areas and provide information in a time and cost efficient manner. Development of new sensors such as the WorldView2 satellite and airborne hyperspectral sensors provides highly accurate data including habitat, and superficial soil characterizations. Finer scale techniques such as acoustic surveys can be deployed to compliment study areas of particular interest. Finally, data have to be verified and validated by visual field observations. Implementation of these new techniques for producing a large-scale geographic information system data set for Qatar would highly improve the current knowledge and provide a powerful decision making tool for ...
Modeling of Evanescent Energy in Optical Fibers

Optical fibers have found important applications in chemical imaging and single-particle detection. The applications make use of the propagating evanescent energy existing outside the core of a fiber. In this paper, a variational method is described to solve two-dimensional Helmholtz eigenvalue problems for a core of arbitrary shape. The method enables the problem in the infinite domain to be reduced to a bounded one by using a transparent boundary condition. It is shown that the variational formulation does not produce spurious solutions. An optimal error estimate is obtained for the associated finite element method. Finally, numerical experiments indicate that square fibers yield sufficient evanescent energy for imaging application.
Abstract 4928: 14-3-3ζ-mediated hypomethylation of c-myc oncogene by downregulation of Dnmts contributes to initiation and progression of breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The development of breast cancer is a multistep process and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are still elusive. Previously, we discovered that 14-3-3ζ overexpression not only contribute to breast cancer progression but also play an important role in breast cancer initiation, including an early stage of breast disease-atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, 14-3-3ζ has been shown to bind to Histone H3, Methylation Binding Proteins (MBPs) and HDAC family members, suggesting 14-3-3ζ may play a role in epigenetic regulation. As an initial effort to investigate whether 14-3-3ζ has a role in epigenetic regulation and whether epigenetic regulation by 14-3-3ζ plays a role in breast cancer initiation, we established 14-3-3ζ stable overexpressing lines (10A.14-3-3ζ) in non-tumorigenic MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and analyzed molecular alterations by cDNA microarray in the 10A.14-3-3ζ cells versus the 10A.vec control cells in a 3D culture system. Interestingly, we found that c-myc, a well known oncogene which is overexpressed in many types of cancer, was upregulated at the mRNA level in the 10A.14-3-3ζ cells versus the 10A.vec cells. We further confirmed c-Myc upregulation at both mRNA level by RT-PCR and protein level by Western Blotting. Additionally, we performed Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) analysis with a series of validated antibodies, and we found that Dnmt1, the key DNA methyltransferase in mammals, was downregulated in 10A.14-3-3ζ cells compared to 10A.vec cells. We have confirmed Dnmt1 downregulation by western blotting. Since c-myc oncogene are well known to be upregulated by hypomethylation as a consequence of Dnmt1 downregulation, these data suggest that 14-3-3ζ may contribute to breast cancer initiation and progression by upregulation of oncogene c-myc via promoter hypomethylation. We will continue this study to provide a better understanding on how 14-3-3ζ contributes to breast cancer initiation and progression via epigenetic deregulation (demethylation) of c-myc. This study will bring insight into how 14-3-3ζ overexpression elicits the phenotypic changes during the development of breast carcinomas through global deregulation of transcriptome as well as specific gene expressions. Our studies could provide a better understanding of the role of 14-3-3ζ in breast cancer initiation and progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4928.
Introduction of contextual legal issues in an interdisciplinary program for the study of ethical dilemmas in obstetrics and gynecology for third-year medical students.

Abstract Objective: To introduce contextual legal issues, and the role of law in resolving ethical dilemmas, in a women's health ethics curriculum for third-year medical students. Methods: Seventeen third-year medical students at Emory University School of Medicine, rotating on an 8-week obstetrics and gynecology clerkship, and 8 third-year law students from the Georgia State University College of Law attended four 1-hour ethics sessions conducted by an obstetrician and gynecologist, a law professor and an ethics fellow. Each student group completed a short survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the sessions. Results: The overwhelming majority, 20 of 25 (80%) of the combined student group ranked the sessions a level 6 or 7 (the highest level) and suggested continuation of the interdisciplinary group format. The majority of the combined student group, 14 of 25 (56%), also viewed the multidisciplinary nature of the group as the most helpful aspect of the sessions. For the medical students, additional helpful aspects included having the legal perspective from persons who actually study the law. For the law students, other helpful aspects included the informal roundtable discussion format and the structured 4-quadrant model. Conclusion: Incorporation of medical and law students into a discussion group for resolving ethical dilemmas is a satisfying method for discussion of legal issues in the women's health ethics curriculum. It enriches the understanding of students from both disciplines. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:S44-8.)
Fatigue Analysis of Preloaded Threaded Fasteners

This study investigates the fatigue performance of a preloaded threaded fastener under two scenarios of axial cyclic in-service loading. Since the fastener mean stress level would naturally affect the fatigue performance, various methods are investigated for their suitability for use to generate mean-stress adjusted S-N fatigue curves. The maximum in-service cyclic tensile load that may externally be applied to the joint for a desired fatigue performance is also investigated. Limited fatigue test data set-up is generated for comparison with various methodologies for generating the mean stress-adjusted fatigue strength curves of A286 fasteners. Cumulative damage analysis is also performed in accordance with commonly used damage theories.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The group problem and integer programming duality

Some duality results for integer programming based on subadditive functions are presented first for linear programs and then for the group problem. A similar result for the knapsack problem is given and then a relationship between facets for the group relaxation and facets of the knapsack problem is given. The mixed integer cyclic group problem is then considered and a dual problem given. A common theme is to try to characterize the strongest possible dual problem or equivalently the smallest possible cone of subadditive functions.
Spontaneous uterine rupture during pregnancy after treatment of Asherman's syndrome.

Abstract The treatment of Asherman's syndrome is often complicated by uterine perforation during hysteroscopic correction. We describe the first reported case of spontaneous uterine rupture with resultant hemorrhage during pregnancy after surgical treatment of Asherman's syndrome. This complication mandates close monitoring of these patients during pregnancy. (AM J OBSTET GVNECOL 1989;160:1053-4.)
Chromatin-driven de novo discovery of DNA binding motifs in the human malaria parasite

Despite extensive efforts to discover transcription factors and their binding sites in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, only a few transcription factor binding motifs have been experimentally validated to date. As a consequence, gene regulation in P. falciparum is still poorly understood. There is now evidence that the chromatin architecture plays an important role in transcriptional control in malaria. We propose a methodology for discovering cis-regulatory elements that uses for the first time exclusively dynamic chromatin remodeling data. Our method employs nucleosome positioning data collected at seven time points during the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum to discover putative DNA binding motifs and their transcription factor binding sites along with their associated clusters of target genes. Our approach results in 129 putative binding motifs within the promoter region of known genes. About 75% of those are novel, the remaining being highly similar to experimentally validated binding motifs. About half of the binding motifs reported show statistically significant enrichment in functional gene sets and strong positional bias in the promoter region. Experimental results establish the principle that dynamic chromatin remodeling data can be used in lieu of gene expression data to discover binding motifs and their transcription factor binding sites. Our approach can be applied using only dynamic nucleosome positioning data, independent from any knowledge of gene function or expression.
Distributed Algorithms for Spectrum Access in Cognitive Radio Relay Networks

We develop distributed algorithms for efficient spectrum access strategies in cognitive radio relay networks. In our setup, primary users permit secondary users access to the resource (spectrum) as long as they consent to aiding the primary users as relays in addition to transmitting their own data. Given a pool of primary and secondary users, we desire to optimize overall network utility by determining the best configuration/pairing of secondary users with primary users. This optimization can be stated in a form similar to the maximum weighted matching problem. Given such formulation, we develop an algorithm based on affinity propagation technique that is completely distributed in its structure. We demonstrate the convergence of the developed algorithm and show that it performs close to the optimal centralized scheme.
Estimating Transmissibility with One Drawdown

In an effort to find a method of determining aquifer transmissibility with an abbreviated pumping test the basic equations governing the Theis non-equilibrium method of determining aquifer constants were examined. They show the relationships of the coefficients of storage and transmissibility. Rearranged in terms of T (transmissibility) and equated to eliminate that parameter, the expression is rewritten as The left side of the equation can be computed from existing tables. All parts of the right side of the equation can be measured during a test except S, the coefficient of storage. Assuming a value for it and measuring distance from the pumping well, drawdown, time, and pumping rate, uW(u) can be computed. The single value of u corresponding to this can be determined from tables or a curve, and the calculation of transmissibility using the available data is the simple final step. Computations were made over a wide range of actual and hypothetical examples, and it was found that for a range in assumed values of coefficient of storage of 4,000 times, the range in coefficient of transmissibility was between 1.52 and 3.22 times. The method was tested using actual well data with the conclusion that it is reasonably reliable if used in an unconfined aquifer after about three hours of pumping and making drawdown measurements in the pumping well or in an observation well less than 25 feet from the pumping well. Calculations involving a confined aquifer suggest that the method is applicable within a shorter time and over larger distances from the pumping well
Combining Functional and Diffusion Tensor MRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the perceptual, motor, and cognitive capacities in humans is of increasing importance for basic and clinical neurosciences. The explanatory power of current fMRI techniques could be greatly expanded, however, if the pattern of the neuronal connections between the active cortical areas could likewise be visualized. In this study, we acquired blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI signals during the stimulation of subjects with a set of localizer stimuli for cortical visual areas. Subsequently, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from the same subjects were obtained, and the activation areas identified through fMRI were utilized as seeding points for 3D DTI fiber reconstruction algorithms. The methods developed in this study have the potential to lay a foundation for in vivo neuroanatomy and the ability for noninvasive longitudinal studies of brain development.
Hypothyroidism in Childhood

The mammalian thyroid gland, a derivative of the primitive gut, evolved from an iodine-concentrating exocrine gland in lower vertebrates to an endocrine gland capable of storing and secreting iodothyronines in higher vertebrate species. The active iodothyronines, thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,39-triiodothyronine (T3) are amino acids bearing, respectively, four and three iodine atoms per molecule (Fig 1). T4 and T3 influence oxygen consumption and heat production, nerve function, the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrate, and proteins, and also the metabolism of nucleic acids, vitamins, and inorganic ions. In addition, they are important modulators of the secretion and effects of other hormones such as growth hormone (GH) and catecholamines. Finally, thyroid hormones are essential for normal growth and development and for the evolution of normal puberty. Thus, while thyroid hormones are important, at any age, to maintain body metabolic homeostasis, they are critical during childhood to control the manifold maturational events involved in the transformation of the newborn infant to the mature adult. HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-THYROID (HPT) SYSTEM The HPT system is shown diagrammatically in Fig 2. In the normal individual it is composed of a precisely controlled neuroendocrine transducer control system which operates to transduce (or transform) neural (hypothalamic) input into endocrine (thyroid-stimulating hormone[TSH]) output.1 This is accomplished by direct synthesis and secretion of thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) by neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus.
Steady-state multiplicity in a solid oxide fuel cell

Steady-state multiplicity in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in constant ohmic external load, potentiostatic, and galvanostatic operation modes is studied using a detailed first-principles lumped model. The SOFC model is derived by accounting for heat and mass transfer as well as electrochemical processes taking place inside the fuel cell. Conditions under which the fuel cell exhibits steady-state multiplicity are determined. The effects of operating conditions such as the convection heat transfer coefficient, and the inlet fuel and air temperatures and velocities on the steady state multiplicity regions are studied. Depending on the operating conditions, the cell exhibits one or three steady states. For example, it has three steady states at low external load resistances in the constant ohmic external load mode, and at low cell voltages in the potentiostatic mode.
Channel Estimation and Equalization in the Presence of Timing Offset in MB-OFDM Systems

This paper presents low-complexity preamble-based channel estimation and one-tap frequency-domain equalization for zero-padded MB-OFDM based UWB systems. The required circular convolution property of the received signal is obtained by means of an overlap-add method. The proposed low-complexity channel estimator for each band is developed by first averaging the over-lap-added received preamble symbols within the same band and then applying time-domain least-squares method followed by the discrete Fourier transform. By using the probability density functions of the UWB channel path delays, we also derive the statistics of the UWB channel models, and utilizing them we present several optimization criteria for our proposed channel estimation and equalization in the presence of timing offset. The effectiveness of our proposed methods and optimization criteria are confirmed by computer simulation results.
A Model Investigation of Aerosol-Induced Changes in Tropical Circulation

This study investigates how anthropogenic aerosols, alone or in conjunction with radiatively active gases, affect the tropical circulation with an atmosphere/mixed layer‐ocean general circulation model. Aerosolinduced cooling gives rise to a substantial increase in the overall strength of the tropical circulation, a robust outcome consistent with a thermodynamical scaling argument. Owing to the interhemispheric asymmetry in aerosol forcing, the zonal-mean (Hadley) and zonally asymmetrical components of the tropical circulation respond differently. The Hadley circulation weakens in the Northern Hemisphere but strengthens in the Southern Hemisphere. The resulting northward cross-equatorial moist static energy flux compensates partly for the aerosol radiative cooling in the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, the less restricted zonally asymmetrical circulation does not show sensitivity to the spatial structure of aerosols and strengthens in both hemispheres. The results also point to the possible role of aerosols in driving the observed reduction in the equatorial sea level pressure gradient. These circulation changes have profound implications for the hydrological cycle. Aerosols alone make the subtropical dry zones in both hemispheres wetter, as the local hydrological response is controlled thermodynamically by atmospheric moisture content. The deep tropical rainfall undergoes a dynamically induced southward shift, a robust pattern consistent with the adjustments in the zonal-mean circulation and in the meridional moist static energy transport. Less certain is the magnitude of the shift. The nonlinearity exhibited by the combined hydrological response to aerosols and radiatively active gases is dynamical in nature.
Characteristics of fresh-cut honeydew (Cucumis xmelo L.) available to processors in winter and summer and its quality maintenance by modified atmosphere packaging

Quality characteristics and physiology of fresh-cut honeydew cubes harvested in summer and winter were evaluated. Sanitized melon cubes were packaged and held at three different atmospheres; passively formed atmosphere (passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)), active flushing of package with 5 kPa O2� /5 kPa CO2 at packaging (active MAP), and perforated film package (PFP) and at three different temperature treatments; continuously at 5 or 10 8 Co r 2 days at 5 8C and transferred to 10 8C for a total of 11 days. Cubes of summer fruit had higher soluble solids content (SSC), respiration rate, and translucency than that of winter fruit. Translucency and off-odor were the main factors in deterioration of cubes. Cubes in active MAP had better color retention, reduced respiration rate and microbial population, and longer shelf-life than those in passive MAP, which was of better quality and had a longer shelf-life than cubes in PFP. The active MAP and 5 8C continuous was the best combination and the PFP and 10 8C continuous was the worst combination among the treatments for retaining quality and shelf-life of honeydew cubes. Quality attributes differed between cubes of fruit available in winter and summer, but the shelf-life was similar for both winter and summer cubes. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Inkjet patterned superhydrophobic paper for open-air surface microfluidic devices

We present a facile approach for the fabrication of low-cost surface biomicrofluidic devices on superhydrophobic paper created by drop-casting a fluoroacrylic copolymer onto microtextured paper. Wettability patterning is performed with a common household printer, which produces regions of varying wettability by simply controlling the intensity of ink deposited over prespecified domains. The procedure produces surfaces that are capable of selective droplet sliding and adhesion, when inclined. Using this methodology, we demonstrate the ability to tune the sliding angles of 10 μL water droplets in the range from 13° to 40° by printing lines of constant ink intensity and varied width from 0.1 mm to 2 mm. We also formulate a simple model to predict the onset of droplet sliding on printed lines of known width and wettability. Experiments demonstrate open-air surface microfluidic devices that are capable of pumpless transport, mixing and rapid droplet sampling (~0.6 μL at 50 Hz). Lastly, post treatment of printed areas with pH indicator solutions exemplifies the utility of these substrates in point-of-care diagnostics, which are needed at geographical locations where access to sophisticated testing equipment is limited or non-existent.
Multistate analysis of factors associated with intimate partner violence.

Abstract Background: Reports on prevalence estimates and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are limited in that they (1) focus on specific subgroup populations that are not representative of all women or (2) involve long questionnaires that are not useful as surveillance tools. Objectives: To report prevalence estimates and identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with IPV in a large population-based sample of U.S. women using surveillance data. Methods: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from eight U.S. states were analyzed individually and as a pooled sample (N=18,415). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between IPV and the factors of interest. Results: Factors consistently associated with IPV across the majority of states and in the pooled analysis included young age (pooled adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.07), single marital status (pooled aOR, 2.89), divorced/separated marital status (pooled aOR, 4.67), and annual household income Conclusions: This study provides population-based estimates of IPV prevalence and factors associated with IPV using surveillance data. By pooling BRFSS data from individual states, the resulting large sample has adequate power to detect significant associations and has increased precision in the estimates of IPV risk. In addition, this study identifies high-risk populations to target for education and intervention programs and demonstrates the need for improved IPV surveillance.
Low Cement/High Fly Ash Concretes: Their Properties and Response to Chemical Admixtures

In practice, the amount of fly ash added to portland cement concrete varies depending upon the desired end properties of the concrete. Generally, when a given portland cement concrete is redesigned to include fly ash, between 10 and 50% of the cement is replaced by a volume of fly ash equal to that of the cement. Sometimes as much as twice the volume of the cement replaced, although 45.4 kg (100 lbs) of cement will only produce enough calcium hydroxide during its reaction with water to react with about 9 kg (20 lbs) of a typical fly ash. The combination of large amounts of certain fly ashes with small amounts of portland cement in concrete has been found to produce surprisingly high compressive strengths, which cannot be accounted for by the conventional “pozzolanic reaction”. Ratios of cement to fly ash as high as 1:15 by weight can produce compressive strengths of 20.7 MPa (3,000 psi) at I day and over 41.4 MPa (6,000 psi) at 28 days. Methods of identifying these “hyperactive” fly ashes along with some of the startling results, with and without chemical admixtures are described.
Understanding fandom: An introduction to the study of media fan culture, by Mark Duffett

Review of Mark Duffett. Understanding Fandom: An Introduction to the Study of Media Fan Culture. New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013, hardcover, $100 (360p) ISBN 978-1441158550; paperback, $29.95 (360p) ISBN 978-1441166937.
Robust Polynomial Filters for Impulsive Environments

Linear combinations of polynomial terms yield poor performance in environments characterized by heavy?tailed distributions. Weighted myriad (WMy) filters, however, are well? known for their outlier suppression and detail preservation properties. It is shown here that the WMy methodology is naturally extended to the polynomial sample case, yielding filter structures that exploit the higher order statistics of the observed samples while simultaneously being robust to outliers for heavy?tailed distributions environments. Moreover, the introduced PWMy filter class is well motivated by analysis of cross and square term statistics of heavy?tailed distributions. The effectiveness of the proposed filter is evaluated through simulations.
Initial experiments with an all-optical spinor BEC

We report on experiments performed with an all-optical spinor BEC, including gravity-aided evaporation, a novel atom laser and a measurement of the density dependence of the spinor dynamics.
Concepts-Based Education in a Rules-Based World: A Challenge for Accounting Educators

ABSTRACT: In this paper we discuss the challenges of teaching U.S. GAAP and IFRS side by side. We then focus on one particular challenge of teaching both the more detailed U.S. standards and the less specific IFRS: the likelihood that students will “anchor” on the precise rules in U.S. GAAP when applying the less specific guidelines under IFRS. As a part of this discussion, we report on a classroom experiment designed to test for the presence of anchoring on U.S. GAAP rules when applying IFRS in a lease classification task. Our results indicate that students do anchor on the U.S. GAAP bright-line values for lease accounting when classifying leases under IFRS, primarily when U.S. GAAP rules provide an acceptable quantification of IFRS' less precise guidelines. We do not find that teaching order (i.e., teaching U.S. GAAP first versus IFRS first) directly affects anchoring or lease classification. However, a moderation analysis suggests the interaction between teaching order and anchoring may affect lease cl...