cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal maturation of sleep states in infants with aborted sudden infant death syndrome.

Summary: The time spent in REM, quiet, and indeterminate sleep was computed in 13 aborted SIDS infants and compared to that spent in the same sleep states in 19 normal infants. Aborted sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) infants were studied within a week of their aborted SIDS episode and subsequently at monthly intervals through the age of 4 months. Normal infants were studied at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months of age. Sleep staging was performed by two independent observers using electroencephalogram, electrooculogram, electromyogram and behavioral criteria. Although there was an increase in the percentage of time spent in quiet sleep with age in both normal and aborted SIDS infants, the significantly greater regression coefficients in normal infants (6.3 versus 2.9; P < 0.01) indicate that there are differences in the two groups and suggest a maturational abnormality or delay in sleep state distribution in aborted SIDS infants. Speculation: The results of this study suggest that the differences in sleep state distribution between aborted sudden infant death syndrome and normal infants share a common pathophysiologic alteration with the ventilatory and cardiac abnormalities reported by us elsewhere, perhaps involving the catecholaminergic system.
Single-pulse and burst-mode ablation of gold films measured by quartz crystal microbalance

Femtosecond ablation has several distinct advantages: the threshold energy fluence for the onset of damage and ablation is orders of magnitude less than for traditional nanosecond laser machining, and by virtue of the rapid material removal of approximately an optical penetration depth per pulse, femtosecond machined cuts can be cleaner and more precise than those made with traditional nanosecond or longer pulse lasers. However, in many materials of interest, especially metals, this limits ablation rates to 10-100 nm/pulse. We present the results of using multiple pulse bursts to significantly increase the per-burst ablation rate compared to a single pulse with the same integrated energy, while keeping the peak intensity of each individual pulse below the air ionization limit. Femtosecond ablation with pulses centered at 800-nm having integrated energy of up to 30 mJ per pulse incident upon thin gold films was measured via resonance frequency shifts in a gold-electrode-coated quartz-crystal oscillator. Measurements were performed using Michelson-interferometer-based burst generators, with up to 2 ns pulse separations, as well as pulse shaping by programmable acousto-optic dispersive filter (Dazzler from FastLite) with up to 2 ps pulse separations.
Nucleation and Growth of Dust Grains

Classical nucleation theory must be modified for the condensation of small, solid dust grains. Ion nucleation is unimportant and exchange reactions with gas molecules are required. For carbon-rich stellar atmospheres, hydrocarbons act as intermediaries for converting acetylene gas into carbon particles. For oxygen-rich atmospheres, magnesium silicate grains form by surface nucleation. Sputtering and coalescence of grains is discussed.
INORGANIC PYROPHOSPHATE HYDROLYSIS BY RAT-LIVER MICROSOMES.

Abstract 1. 1. Inorganic pyrophosphate hydrolysis by rat-liver microsomes has been studied. 2. 2. On the basis of activity-pH studies, it appears that such microsomes contain two and possibly more enzymes capable of hydrolyzing inorganic pyrophosphate. 3. 3. Michaelis constants for added pyrophosphate have been calculated as 1.10 −4 M at pH 8.1 in the presence of Mg 2+ concentrations initially three times those of pyrophosphate, and as 6.1·10 −4 M at pH 5.0 without added Mg 2+ . 4. 4. Unlike its mitochondrial counterpart, microsomal inorganic pyrophosphatase (Pyrophosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.1.) inhibition by nucleotides appears to be due entirely to chelation of Mg 2+ , since for the latter activity, (a) relatively high concentrations of nucleotides are required for inhibition, (b) ATP inhibition is reversed by elevated Mg 2+ concentrations, (c) GTP inhibits to an even slightly greater extent than does ATP, (d) AMP, is without effect. 5. 5. While F − inhibits the microsomal activity just as it did that in mitochondria, ATP does not partially reverse this inhibition with the former preparation.
Bootstrapped confidence intervals for the Cox model using a linear relative risk form

A linear relative risk form for the Cox model is sometimes more appropriate than the usual exponential form. The usual asymptotic confidence interval may not have the appropriate coverage, however, due to flatness of the likelihood in the neighbourhood of β. For a single continuous covariate, we derive bootstrapped confidence intervals with use of two resampling methods. The first resamples the original data and yields both one-step and fully iterated estimates of β. The second resamples the score and information quantities at each failure time to yield a one-step estimate. We computed the bootstrapped confidence intervals by three different methods and compared these intervals to one based on the asymptotic standard error and to a likelihood-based interval. The bootstrapped intervals did not perform well and underestimated the true coverage in most cases.
The Effect of Different Types of Video Filters on PDM-FM and PCM-FM Radio Telemetry

The effects of two limiting types of video filters (namely the ideal low-pass vertical cutoff herein called the ILPF and the Gaussian) on the performance of PDM-FM are compared. It is found that minimum allowable pulse height controls the minimum allowed bandwidth of the Gaussian filter and if crosstalk suppression of 50 to 60 db is required, crosstalk controls the minimum allowed bandwidth of the ILPF. In PCM-FM using the sampling video detector, the critical effect is the overlapping of pulses at sampling time; using the integrating detector, the critical effect is the difference in area under the pulse with adjacent pulses not present and the area with no pulse present but the two adjacent pulses present. In general, the results of the theory agree well with experimental results of Aeronutronic [8] and aid in their interpretation.
Evidence for Collisional Damping in High-Energy Raman-Scattering Experiments at 0.26 μm

Experiments using 1.5 kJ of 0.26-\ensuremath{\mu}m wavelength light to irradiate thin "burn-through" targets show less stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) than similar experiments at 0.53 \ensuremath{\mu}m. The SRS from high-$Z$ (Au) targets is 3 orders of magnitude less than SRS from low-$Z$ (CH) targets irradiated at similar intensities. These results are the first direct observation of collisional damping of the Raman instability in high-$Z$ targets as predicted by theory and simulations.
AFM study of topographical changes on aluminum surfaces in sulfuric acid under low current anodic dissolution

Abstract A study of the anodic dissolution of polycrystalline aluminum utilizing in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) is reported. Terraced pyramidal walls with a constant characteristic width of 300–400 nm running relatively parallel to each other appear within a few minutes of dissolution. Upon further dissolution, these pyramidal walls are reduced to square terraced pyramids or ziggurats of constant width. AFM contour and profile plots reveal the extremely square and flat surfaces of the square plateaus on top of the ziggurats, all of them having the same size. Under the dissolution conditions utilized, nucleation occurs at dislocation sites with primarily layer-by-layer dissolution. A long-range interaction between approaching dissolution fronts decreases the dissolution rate leaving the terraced pyramidal walls. This interaction is interpreted to arise from band bending in the oxidic layer existing on the surface. These features suggest that a strong role in the dissolution kinetics is played by the non-local potentials caused by the electronic charge and band bending on the oxide layer. The terracing of the walls is believed to result from a short-range or chemical dissolution effect. Possible applications of these prepared surfaces are also discussed.
Calorimetry of phase transition and melting in silicates

Abstract High temperature reaction calorimetry is used to study phase transitions and melting reactions in silicates. Two types of calorimeters are used in our laboratory: a custom built Calvet-type twin microcalorimeter for solution, drop-solution, and transposed-temperature-drop calorimetry near 700 °C and a commercial Setaram HT-1500 calorimeter for transposed-temperature-drop and step-scan measurements at 600–1500 °C. The two types of calorimeters are complementary in their capabilities and together can be used to tailor a calorimetric experiment to the exact conditions needed for a specific reaction. Metastable phases quenched from ultra-high pressure or prepared as glasses, thin films, or gels present special challenges in determining their energetics. A new differential drop-solution calorimetric method has been developed. A sample contained in a capsule made of the lead borate glass used as calorimetric solvent is dropped into one side of a twin microcalorimeter at the same time as an empty capsule is dropped on the other side. The increased sensitivity and accuracy of this method has allowed the determination of the enthalpy of formation of the high pressure perovskite polymorph of MgSiO3 using a single 5 mg sample. The enthalpy of the reaction MgSiO3 (orthopyroxene) = MgSiO3 (perovskite) is 110 ± 5 kJ/mol; that of the ilmenite-perovskite transition is 59 ± 8 kJ/mol. These values support phase equilibrium studies which indicate that reactions forming MgSiO3-rich perovskite at the 670 km discontinuity in the earth's mantle generally have negative P-T slopes. The energy systematics of pyroxene, garnet, ilmenite, and perovskite structures in silicates and germanates have been determined. The step-scan and transposed-temperature-drop methods also are giving new information on nonquenchable phase transitions, including those involving rapid order-disorder reactions, at 600–1500 °C. The spinels MgAl2O4 and NiAl2O4, and the pseudobrookite MgTi2O5 each show complex cation positional order-disorder. The orientation transition in CaCO3 (calcite) near 987 °C has been characterized by in situ calorimetry, analyzed in terms of Landau-type order parameters, and applied to understanding apparent curvature in measured calcite-aragonite phase equilibria. Melting and crystallization reactions in silicates at 1100–1500 °C have been measured directly by using the Setaram HT-1500 calorimeter in step scanning mode. The heat capacities of silicate liquids have also been measured. Results for CaMgSi2O6 (diopside) agree well with previous thermochemical data. Crystallization runs provide kinetic as well as thermodynamic information. The ternary system CaMgSi2O6-NaAlSi3O8-CaAl2Si2O8 (diopside-albite-anorthite), as a model for igneous rocks, is being studied in detail by this method.
Fusion of dendritic cells with multiple myeloma cells results in maturation and enhanced antigen presentation.

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that are uniquely capable of inducing primary immune responses. Although tumour cells may directly inhibit DC maturation, exposure to tumour products may also result in their activation. Fusions of cancer cells and DCs are being explored as cancer vaccines. The effect of tumour cell fusion on DC maturation and their functional characteristics has not been defined. In the present study, immature and mature DC generated from human CD34+ and peripheral blood precursors were fused to multiple myeloma cells in the presence of polyethylene glycol. Fusion of both immature and mature DCs with tumour cells resulted in an activated phenotype. In this regard, fusion cells expressed interleukin-12, a cytokine essential for the induction of T-helper cell type 1 immunity. In contrast to immature DCs, fusion cells also strongly expressed CC-chemokine receptor R7, which is responsible for DC migration to draining lymph nodes. Fusions generated with both immature and mature DCs also potently stimulated T-cell expression of gamma-interferon and cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing of tumour targets. These findings demonstrate that tumour cell fusion induces DC maturation and the development of an activated phenotype necessary for their effectiveness as cancer vaccines.
Some elements of a theory of multidimensional complex variables: part II. expansions of analytic functions and application to fluid flows

The paper introduces a new theory of N-dimensional complex variables and analytic functions which, for N greater than 2, is both a direct generalization and a close analog of the theory of ordinary complex variables. The algebra in the present theory is a commutative ring, not a field. Functions of a three-dimensional variable were defined and the definition of the derivative then led to analytic functions.
Improving the localization accuracy of RSSI-based RTLS by using diversity antenna techniques

In this paper, we propose to improve the localization accuracy of mobile tags in a Real-Time Location System (RTLS). Our approach consists of applying three different antennas to achieve pattern and polarization diversity. This solution minimizes several issues such as misaligned antenna polarization, non-uniform radiation pattern and multipath fading. We then demonstrate that our approach can improve the localization accuracy through a scenario in which multipath fading is originated by ground and ceiling reflection. Moreover, our study gives an insight on how the surroundings may impact the localization accuracy of an RSSI-based (Received Signal Strength Indication) RTLS.
Asian aridity and the zonal westerlies: Late Pleistocene and Holocene record of eolian deposition in the northwest Pacific Ocean

Rea, D. K. and Leinen, M., 1988. Asian aridity and the zonal westerlies: Late Pleistocene and Holocene record of eolian deposition in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., 66:1 8. A 30,000-year record of eolian deposition in the northwestern Pacific Ocean provides a history of the aridity of the Asian source region and information on the changing latitude and intensity of the zonal westerlies. The position of the maximum in eolian flux to the deep sea remained unchanged at 38 ° to 40°N during this entire time period, but the dust flux record of aridity is greatest 6000 years ago at the Holocene climatic optimum. Eolian grainsize data indicate that the northern margin of the westerly jet stream retreated northward during the Holocene to a poleward extreme at about 6000 years ago and then moved back toward the equator. The change in wind intensity across this margin was continually reduced throughout the Holocene. These sorts of data enhance our understanding of the behavior of the atmosphere during times of climate change and can be used to test computer-generated models of past climatic conditions.
Immunotherapy of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Therapeutic Interventions Aimed at Modulating the Th1/Th2 Cytokine Expression Balance

ABSTRACTBased on the postulates of viral and autoimmune etiologies of CFS, several interventions have been designed and tested by different research groups around the world, including the United States, Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. This review addresses those interventions aimed at altering the balance of certain cytokines, the mediators of immune responses. Patients with CFS who show evidence of activation of the immune system have poor immune cell function and a predominance of what is called a T-helper (Th)2-type cytokine response when their lymphocytes are activated. A Th2-type response, which is characterized by production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)−4, −5, and −10, favors the function of B lymphocytes, the cellular factories of immunoglobulins. A predominance of a Th2-type response is therefore consistent with pathologies, such as autoimmunity and atopy, which are based on inappropriate production of immunoglobulins. Many of the CFS therapies discussed decrease the Th2-type pr...
Is Gulf War Syndrome Due to Stress? The Evidence Reexamined

Medical policy-makers have concluded that stress from wartime trauma and deployment constitutes an important cause of the chronic physical symptoms observed in US veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War. The author reviewed scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals referenced in the final report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' illnesses and conducted a MEDLINE literature search. All reported prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Gulf War veterans were defined by critical cutpoints on psychometric scales constructed by summing veterans' responses on standardized symptom questionnaires rather than by clinical psychiatric interviews. Observed PTSD rates varied from 0% to 36% (mean, 9%). Correcting for measurement errors with previously determined values of the sensitivity (range 0.77 to 0.96) and specificity (range 0.62 to 0.89) of the psychometric tests yielded estimated true PTSD rates of 0% for 18 of the 20 reported rates. Mean scores on the Mississippi PTSD scale in all subgroups of Gulf War veterans were within the range of values for well-adjusted Vietnam veterans (50-89) and far below that of Vietnam veterans with psychiatrically confirmed PTSD (120-140). Most PTSD and "stress-related symptoms" reported in studies of Gulf War veterans appear to represent false-positive errors of measurement reflecting nonspecific symptoms of other conditions.
Assessment of Molecular Interactions through Magnetic Relaxation

Magnetic Interactions: The dissociation constant (KD) of various molecular interactions was determined using a novel competition assay with binding magnetic relaxation nanosensors (bMRs). In this assay, changes in the magnetic relaxation of an aqueous suspension of the nanosensors facilitate the fast determination of KD values using nanomolar protein concentrations.
History and Overview of Robotic Surgery in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery

Surgical robots are commonly utilized in multiple surgical specialties but have only relatively recently been used routinely in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. The high levels of instrument maneuverability, magnification, and excellent visualization make modern surgical robots ideal for certain confined spaces of the head and neck including the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. This chapter outlines the basic principles of robotic surgery and technology and provides a brief history of the technological developments that led to the robotic devices currently in use. In addition, the use of robotics in specific head and neck subsites is reviewed including the oropharynx, larynx, thyroid, and skull base.
Crossing the Line: How Women in the Building Trades Interpret and Respond to Sexual Conduct at Work

A significant number of women who experience sexual conduct in the workplace do not define it as sexual harassment. This has caused a discrepancy between social science measures of sexual harassment and women’s perceptions and experiences. As a consequence, studies have begun to examine how workers distinguish between wanted and unwanted sexual behavior. Through indepth interviews and ethnographic fieldwork with women who work in the building trades, this study examines how tradeswomen interpret and respond to the sexual conduct of their coworkers. Using a micro-politics of trouble framework, the author shows how interpretations of sexual conduct are shaped up exactly in the process of responding to problematic interactions. The analysis finds that many initial responses to unwanted sexual conduct attempt to restore good relations between coworkers. However, if the sexual conduct is considered extreme or if initial attempts to resolve the trouble are unsuccessful, the actions may be reinterpreted and responded to informally as actions that “cross the line” even as tradeswomen face constraints in exercising formal punitive measures.
What Do Teachers Think of Merit Pay? Study Lists Important Variables:

Are all teachers against merit pay? Does educational level in fluence a teacher's decision? The answers to these and other questions are described by the writers, who conducted a study of 200 teachers.
A soft decision metric for coherently detected, differentially encoded MPSK systems

This paper defines the maximum likelihood (ML) metric for soft decision decoding of forward error correction (FEC) codes on DEPSK systems. Analysis over an AWGN channel shows that the ML soft decision metric provides approximately a 2.0 dB improvement over hard decision FEC decoders for DEPSK systems at a BER of 10/sup -6/, which is consistent with results obtained for the coherent case. Unlike coherent systems, the ML soft decision metric for DEPSK systems is computationally burdensome. Hence, an easily implemented suboptimal soft decision metric that induces negligible loss to BER performance is proposed.
Optimal control of a reentry vehicle in the presence of measurement uncertainties

Trajectory control of a lifting reentry vehicle is considered. Control of the vehicle flight path is obtained by rolling the vehicle about the relative wind axis, thereby altering the direction of lift. A method is developed for determining the controller which minimizes the expected total number of roll maneuvers, plus a quadratic penalty imposed on the miss distance at the target. A numerical example is presented and the physical significance of the solution is explained.
Flow and Correlations in PbPb and pPb Collisions from CMS Experiment

Measurements of two- and four-particle angular correlations for inclusive charged particles in pPb collisions at p sNN = 5:02 TeV are presented over a wide pseu- dorapidity range, | | < 2.5 and full azimuth from the CMS experiment. Results from 31 nb 1 of pPb data, collected during the 2013 LHC running are compared to 2.76 TeV semi peripheral PbPb collision data, from 2011 PbPb run, having similar range of particle multiplicities. The second-order (v2) and third-order (v3) anisotropy harmonics are ex- tracted using the two-particle azimuthal correlation technique. v2 is also extracted using a four-particle cumulant method to further explore the multi-particle nature of correlations in pPb collisions. We observe a remarkable similarity in the v3 signal as a function of multiplicity between pPb and PbPb systems.
Parallel developmental genetic features underlie stickleback gill raker evolution

Convergent evolution, the repeated evolution of similar phenotypes in independent lineages, provides natural replicates to study mechanisms of evolution. Cases of convergent evolution might have the same underlying developmental and genetic bases, implying that some evolutionary trajectories might be predictable. In a classic example of convergent evolution, most freshwater populations of threespine stickleback fish have independently evolved a reduction of gill raker number to adapt to novel diets. Gill rakers are a segmentally reiterated set of dermal bones important for fish feeding. A previous large quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping study using a marine × freshwater F2 cross identified QTL on chromosomes 4 and 20 with large effects on evolved gill raker reduction. By examining skeletal morphology in adult and developing sticklebacks, we find heritable marine/freshwater differences in gill raker number and spacing that are specified early in development. Using the expression of the Ectodysplasin receptor (Edar) gene as a marker of raker primordia, we find that the differences are present before the budding of gill rakers occurs, suggesting an early change to a lateral inhibition process controlling raker primordia spacing. Through linkage mapping in F2 fish from crosses with three independently derived freshwater populations, we find in all three crosses QTL overlapping both previously identified QTL on chromosomes 4 and 20 that control raker number. These two QTL affect the early spacing of gill raker buds. Collectively, these data demonstrate that parallel developmental genetic features underlie the convergent evolution of gill raker reduction in freshwater sticklebacks, suggesting that even highly polygenic adaptive traits can have a predictable developmental genetic basis.
A further introduction to finite element analysis of electromagnetic problems

An elementary tutorial introduction in finite-element numerical analysis is presented. The finite-element method is applied to Laplacian electrostatic field problems. Suggestions are offered on how the basic concepts developed can be extended to finite-element analysis of problems involving Poisson's or the wave equation. A step-by-step procedure for coding the numerical method is presented; a useful, working FORTRAN program is also included. >
Quest for fire: seeking the source of pathogenic oxygen radicals in atherosclerosis.

Abstract —There is an accumulating body evidence that atherosclerosis is either caused by or accompanied by oxidative events in the vessel wall. These oxidative events have been implicated in proatherogenic modification of proteins, alteration of gene expression, promotion of inflammation, remodeling of vessels, and perturbations of vascular tone. This body of literature has led to a dogma that oxidation is a prerequisite for the atherosclerotic process. In particular, oxidation of lipoproteins by activated macrophages in the subintimal space has been postulated to be an important early step in the atherosclerotic process.
A portal for visualizing Grid usage

We introduce a framework for measuring the use of Grid services and exposing simple summary data to an authorized set of Grid users through a JSR168-enabled portal. The sensor framework has been integrated into the Globus Toolkit and allows Grid administrators to have access to a mechanism helping with report and usage statistics. Although the original focus was the reporting of actions in relationship to GridFTP services, the usage service has been expanded to report also on the use of other Grid services. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding Enron: It's About the Gatekeepers, Stupid

Debacles of historic dimensions tend to produce an excess of explanations. So has it been with Enron, as virtually every commentator has a different diagnosis and a different prescription. Yet, in most respects, Enron is a maddeningly idiosyncratic example of pathological corporate governance, which by itself cannot provide evidence of systematic governance failure. Properly understood, however, the Enron debacle furnishes a paradigm of "gatekeeper failure" - that is, of why and when reliance may not be justified on "reputational intermediaries," such as auditors, securities analysts, attorneys, and other professionals who pledge their reputational capital to vouch for information that investors cannot easily verify. This comment shows that, during the 1990's, the expected liability costs associated with gatekeeper acquiescence in managerial misbehavior went down, while the expected benefits went up - with the unsurprising result that earnings restatements and earnings management increased. Diagnosing the circumstances under which "gatekeeper failure" is likely leads in turn to prescriptions focused on re-aligning the incentives of gatekeepers with those of investors.
Pretreatment of wheat straw for fermentation to methane

The effects of pretreating wheat straw with gamma-ray irradiation, ammonium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide on methane yield, fermentation rate constant, and loss of feedstock constituents were evaluated using laboratory-scale batch fermentors. Results showed that methane yield increased as pretreatment alkali concentration increased, with the highest yield being 37% over untreated straw for the pretreatment consisting of sodium hydroxide dosage of 34 g OH(-)/kg volatile solids, at 90 degrees C for 1 h. Gamma-ray irradiation had no significant effect on methane yield. Alkaline pretreatment temperatures above 100 degrees C caused a decrease in methane yield. After more than 100 days of fermentation, all of the hemi-cellulose and more than 80% of the cellulose were degraded. The loss in cellulose and hemicellulose accounted for 100% of the volatile solids lost. No consistent effect of pretreatments on batch fermentation rates was noted. Semicontinuous fermentations of straw-manure mixtures confirmed the relative effectiveness of sodium and ammonium-hydroxide pretreatments.
Working in Silicon Valley : economic and legal analysis of a high-velocity labor market

Introduction 1. The Development of Silicon Valley's High-Velocity Labor Market Part I. The Information Story 2. Mobile Employees, Information Spillover, and Trade Secrets 3. A New Economic Analysis of Trade Secrets Law from an Economics of Information Perspective 4. Information Ownership and Transmission by Mobile Employees: Alternative Economic Approaches Part II. The Flexibility Story 5. How Flexible Labor Is Hired. I: Temporary Help Employees Who Work at One Client (Permatemp) 6. How Flexible Labor Is Hired. II: Independent Contractors 7. The H-1B Visas Part III. Labor Market Intermediaries: Information and Flexibility 8. Labor Market Intermediaries: Matching Workers to Jobs 9. Employee Organization, Networks, Ethnic Organization, New Unions Part IV. Flexible (and Informational) Compensation 10. Stock Options, Their Law and Economics 11. Market Failure in Retirement Savings and Health Insurance Part V. Inequality 12. Employment Discrimination? How a Meritocracy Creates Disparate Labor Market Outcomes Through Demands for Skills at Hiring, Networks of Employees, Entrepreneurial Tendencies Conclusion: The New Implicit Employment Contract
α-Lipoic Acid: Cell Regulatory Function and Potential Therapeutic Implications

Publisher Summary α-Lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid, 1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid, 1,2-dithiolane-3-valeric, or 6,8-thioctic acid, is a naturally occurring potent antioxidant. It is present as lipoyllysine in various natural sources. In the plant material studied, the lipoyllysine content was the highest in spinach (3.15 μg/g dry weight; 92.51 μg/mg protein). When expressed as weight per dry weight of lyophilized vegetables, the abundance of naturally existing lipoate in spinach is over three- and five-fold higher than that in broccoli and tomato, respectively. A lower concentration of lipoyllysine is also detected in garden pea, brussel sprouts, and rice bran. However, lipoyllysine concentration has been found to be below detection limits in acetone powders of banana, orange peel, soybean, and horseradish. Lipoic acid is also an integral component of the mammalian cell. It is present in trace amounts as lipoamide in at least five proteins, where it is covalently linked to a lysyl residue. Four of these proteins are found in α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes: pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Three lipoamide-containing proteins are present in the E2 enzyme, dihydrolipoyl acyltransferase, which is different in each of the complexes and specific for the substrate of the complex. One lipoyl residue is found in protein X, which is the same in each complex. The fifth lipoamide residue is present in the glycine cleavage system.
Electrical Properties of Elastomers and Related Polymers

Abstract Interest in the electrical behavior of elastomers stems from several widely different sources. From the theoretical standpoint electrical measurements provide a valuable tool for the study...
A data mining approach to identify perpetrators: an integration framework and case studies

Data mining and social network analysis have been widely used in law enforcement to solve crimes. Research questions such as strength of ties in social networks, crime pattern discovery and prioritizing offenders have been studied in this area. However, most of those studies failed to consider the noisy nature of the data. The techniques they proposed only have been applied to small scale data sets. Therefore, it is an important task to design a framework that can work on large scale data sets and tolerance noisy data. In this dissertation, we built an integrated crime detection framework that combined two data mining techniques: decision tree and genetic algorithm and graph theories to solve the problems we pointed out. Our crime pattern analysis is based on all offenders of the state of Alabama in the past 50 years. Our constructed social network contains all Alabama residents. It allows us to fully evaluate the proposed models. Two case studies have been conducted to evaluate the framework. One is based on 625 inmates released from Madison county jail in 2004. Our experimental results show that our recommended risk level has strong correlation in predicting future offense. Another case study is based on the 100 real police reports. The experimental results show that the median ranking of arrestees remains at the top 3% of the return list.
Abstract 30: Localized Immune Response to Oxidized Lipids in ABCG1-/- Mice: A New Model for Lipid-Driven Autoimmunity

Many metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), and obesity, have a chronic inflammatory component involving both innate and adaptive immunity. Mice lacking the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCG1, develop chronic inflammation in the lungs, associated with lipid accumulation (cholesterol, cholesterol ester, phospholipid, oxidized lipids) and cholesterol crystal deposition, characteristic of atherosclerotic lesions and PAP. Here we demonstrate that specific lipids, likely oxidized (Ox) phospholipids and/or sterols, elicit a lung-specific immune response in Abcg1-/- mice. Loss of ABCG1 results in increased levels of specific oxysterols, phosphatidylcholines and oxidized phospholipids, including 1-palmitoyl-2-(5’-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC), in the lungs. Further, we identify a niche-specific increase in natural antibody (NAb)-secreting B-1 B cells in response to this lipid accumulation that is paralleled by increased titers of IgM, IgA and IgG against oxidation specific epitopes such as those on OxLDL and malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL). Finally, we identify a cytokine/chemokine signature in the lungs of Abcg1-/- mice reflective of increased B cell activation, antibody secretion and homing. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the accumulation of lipids in Abcg1-/- mice induces the specific expansion and localization of B-1 B cells, which secrete NAbs that may help protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Indeed, despite chronic lipid accumulation and inflammation, hyperlipidemic mice lacking ABCG1 develop smaller atherosclerotic lesions compared to controls. These data also suggest that Abcg1-/- mice may represent a new model in which to study the protective functions of B-1 B cells/NAbs, and may provide novel targets for pharmacologic intervention and treatment of disease.
Tunable inverse topological heterostructure utilizing (Bi1−xInx)2Se3 and multichannel weak-antilocalization effect

In typical topological insulator (TI) systems the TI is bordered by a non-TI insulator, and the surrounding conventional insulators, including vacuum, are not generally treated as part of the TI system. Here, we implement a material system where the roles are reversed, and the topological surface states form around the non-TI (instead of the TI) layers. This is realized by growing a layer of the tunable non-TI ${(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{i}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{x})}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}$ in between two layers of the TI $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}$ using the atomically precise molecular beam epitaxy technique. On this tunable inverse topological platform, we systematically vary the thickness and the composition of the ${(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{i}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{x})}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}$ layer and show that this tunes the coupling between the TI layers from strongly coupled metallic to weakly coupled, and finally to a fully decoupled insulating regime. This system can be used to probe the fundamental nature of coupling in TI materials and provides a tunable insulating layer for TI devices.
I-131 Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare tumors arising from chromaffin cells. Available therapeutic modalities consist of chemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). I-131 MIBG is taken up via specific receptors and localizes into many but not all pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Because these tumors are rare, most therapy studies are retrospective presentations of clinical experience. Numerous retrospective studies and a few prospective studies have shown favorable responses in this disease, including symptomatic, biochemical, and objective responses. In this report, we review the experience of using I-131 MIBG therapy for targeting pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): Distance/Response Curves to Trimedlure to Measure Trapping Efficiency

The probability of capture of male Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), by trimedlure in a trap is described by an exponential curve derived with a good fit from 22 replications at each of six different distances. Not all males are responsive on any one day. There is a high probability of capture of nearby males which decreases rapidly to only a few percent at 240 m (800 ft).
Engineering Integrative Stem Cell and Biomaterial Therapies for Peripheral Artery Disease

Because of their potential to regenerate tissues and organs, stem cells garner extensive interest worldwide for treating a wide range of degenerative diseases. In numerous efforts, a variety of stem cell formats have been considered for therapeutic purposes to combat such pathologies, one being vascular-related diseases. In particular, the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) has steadily increased with the growth of the aging population in many first-world countries. Considering this disturbing trend as well as the obesity epidemic and the ballooning population growth in third-world nations, the burden of PAD is expected to increase worldwide to alarming levels in the coming decades. The advent of stem cell treatments could stymie this burden by alleviating the complications and improving upon the less-than-satisfactory outcomes from current standard-of-care surgical/pharmacological interventions for PAD. This chapter reviews the relevant, cutting-edge clinical and animal model research efforts in the field and explores the remaining questions as they pertain to convergence technologies that may provide the potential for stem cells to reverse PAD-induced tissue damage. Harnessing and translating this potential to create more viable and efficacious PAD treatments should be of paramount global and public health concern.
Application of Waste Heat Recovery Technology of Circulating Water in Thermal Power Plant Base on Absorption-type Heat Pump

To reduct energy consumption of coal-fired power plant,a kind of waste heat recovery technology of circulating water based on heat pump is applied.Lithium-Bromide absorption-type heat pump station is located in thermal power plant,circulating water is utilized as heat source water of heat pump to heat water of heat-supply network.The application of heat pump technology in thermal power plant can significantly improve heat-supply capability and heat efficiency,reduce net coal consumption,and implement the target of energy-saving and environment protection.
The Genetics and Molecular Biology of Methanol-Utilizing Bacteria

In the past decade, the development of genetic capabilities in methylotrophic bacteria has greatly expanded the scope of research in these organisms. Work is now underway to define the molecular mechanisms involved in regulatory phenomena, to manipulate the physiology of the organisms, and to sort out the complex steps involved in C1 metabolism. This chapter will review recent advances in genetic technology as applied to C1 metabolism in the methanol-utilizing bacteria, with emphasis on the information gained concerning the physiology of these organisms.
Disparities in Access to Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy for African Americans with Arthritis

Approximately, 10 million Americans have an outpatient physical therapy or occupational therapy visit per year. This population is largely Caucasian, insured, educated and middle or high income. The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of racial and/or ethnic disparities in patients with self-reported arthritis accessing office-based therapy services in the USA. A pooled analytic file of 2008–2010 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Survey was created. We first conducted a descriptive analysis of the utilization of therapy services for persons reporting arthritis. From the descriptive analysis, we formulated experimental hypotheses that we tested to determine if a racial disparity existed to access therapy services between White and Asian persons with arthritis and Black/Hispanic populations. To test our hypotheses, we determined the odd ratios using a logistic regression analysis. We conducted a similar analysis controlling for education, income, and insurance status. Eight percent of the US adult population with self-reported arthritis has an office-based therapy visit each year. Hispanic and Black Americans with arthritis have a reduced odds of a therapy visit (26.5 % [95 % CI 7–42 %] and 44.8 % [95 % CI 31.9–55.3 %], respectively). We did not find a similar effect on odds of a therapy visit for the Asian American population. The effect of race/ethnicity on the odds of a therapy visit was moderated by socioeconomic variables but persists for Black Americans. The results of this study confirm a reduced likelihood of an office-based therapy visit for Black Americans with arthritis when controlled for income, insurance, and education. An effect of race/ethnicity on the likelihood of a therapy visit for Hispanic Americans with arthritis disappears when controlled for income, insurance, and education.
Enhancing the Informatics Evaluation Toolkit with Remote Usability Testing

Developing functional clinical informatics products that are also usable remains a challenge. Despite evidence that usability testing should be incorporated into the lifecycle of health information technologies, rarely does this occur. Challenges include poor standards, a lack of knowledge around usability practices, and the expense involved in rigorous testing with a large number of users. Remote usability testing may be a solution for many of these challenges. Remotely testing an application can greatly enhance the number of users who can iteratively interact with a product, and it can reduce the costs associated with usability testing. A case study presents the experiences with remote usability testing when evaluating a Web site designed for health informatics knowledge dissemination. The lessons can inform others seeking to enhance their evaluation toolkits for clinical informatics products.
Heart Transplant Pathology

Heart transplantation has become standard therapy for patients with end-stage heart disease from a variety of causes. Whereas more noninvasive methods for detecting rejection are evolving, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard.
On-chip microwave test circuits for production IC measurements

The paper presents recent progress in the development of embedded test for RF/microwave circuits. This work includes compact on-chip circuits designed for (1) microwave signal sampling (5 GHz couplers, baluns, and combiners), and (2) microwave/RF signal detection circuits (5 GHz peak detector and 1 GHz RMS detector).
Effect of Freezing, Additives, and Packaging Techniques on the Quality of Processed Blue Crab Meat1,2

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of freezing technique on quality of Blue crab meat. Freshly processed crabmeat was used as a control. The treatments were evaluated by a trained sensory panel and analyses for trimethyl amine (TMA), total volatile base (TVB), and pH. The first experiment involved comparisons of crabmeat pre-treated with malic acid vs. phosphate, can vs. vacuum packaging in plastic pouches and storage at −18 and −30 C for 8 months. The results indicated that freezing and storing of crabmeat in a conventional air-circulating freezer (−18 C) significantly reduced the quality (aroma, flavor, texture, appearance) when compared to fresh crabmeat. Even when stored at −30 C, the quality was substantially lower than that of fresh crabmeat after 1½ months of storage. The two packaging methods and application of malic acid or phosphates did not prevent quality deterioration. A second experiment included a similar design except that the effect of freezing crabmeat with dichlorodifluorome...
PERIPHERAL GAS EXCHANGE

Gas exchange in any tissue or organ requires O2 delivery (and CO2 removal) along a transport pathway involving, sequentially, the lungs, heart, blood, circulation, and tissues. Convective factors governed mostly by the lungs, heart, blood, and circulation determine how much O2 reaches each tissue, while diffusion underlies tissue O2 unloading and transport to mitochondria. O2 consumption may be limited by these transport processes, or alternatively may be set by tissue metabolic demand. The maximal amount of O2 available to mitochondria is not determined uniquely by any one step in the transport pathway, but by all in an integrated manner. Because the pathway steps are arranged in series, poor function of any single step significantly reduces maximal O2 transport, while greater than normal function of any such step increases overall transport only slightly. When considering central and peripheral limitations to O2 transport, it is evident that convective O2 delivery to tissues depends in part on peripheral factors (regional vascular conductances), while diffusive unloading in the periphery depends in part on central factors (especially blood flow). In both health and disease, central and peripheral factors contribute to limitations on O2 transport, at least in the area of muscle function during exercise, where the O2 transport system is often stretched to its limits.
Return to play after forearm and hand injuries in the National Basketball Association

Background:Hand injuries can result in significant time away from competition for professional basketball players. Time to return to play after hand injuries in elite athletes has not been well des...
Irreducible Positive Operators and Hyperinvariant Ideals

This is an announcement (without proofs) of several results obtained recently by the authors. We present sufficient conditions for a positive operator to have strictly positive spectral radius. The conditions are given in terms of commutativity properties. Some of these results can be proven by formulating a lattice hyperinvariant subspace theorem e Lomonosov. The results obtained are either new or far reaching extensions of well known theorems.