cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Feasibility of Functional Upper Extremity Task-Specific Training for Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment

Background. Although functional task-specific training is a viable approach for upper extremity neurorehabilitation, its appropriateness for older populations is unclear. If task-specific training ...
Analysis of Metabolism of 6FDG: A PET Glucose Transport Tracer

Abstract Introduction We are developing 18 F-labeled 6-fluoro-6-deoxy-d-glucose ([ 18 F]6FDG) as a tracer of glucose transport. As part of this process it is important to characterize and quantify putative metabolites . In contrast to the ubiquitous positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 18 F-labeled 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([ 18 F]2FDG) which is phosphorylated and trapped intracellularly, the substitution of fluorine for a hydroxyl group at carbon-6 in [ 18 F]6FDG should prevent its phosphorylation. Consequently, [ 18 F]6FDG has the potential to trace the transport step of glucose metabolism without the confounding effects of phosphorylation and subsequent steps of metabolism. Herein the focus is to determine whether, and the degree to which, [ 18 F]6FDG remains unchanged following intravenous injection. Methods Biodistribution studies were performed using 6FDG labeled with 18 F or with the longer-lived radionuclides 3 H and 14 C. Tissues were harvested at 1, 6, and 24 h following intravenous administration and radioactivity was extracted from the tissues and analyzed using a combination of ion exchange columns, high-performance liquid chromatography, and chemical reactivity. Results At the 1 h time-point, the vast majority of radioactivity in the liver, brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and blood was identified as 6FDG. At the 6-h and 24-h time points, there was evidence of a minor amount of radioactive material that appeared to be 6-fluoro-6-deoxy-d-sorbitol and possibly 6-fluoro-6-deoxy-d-gluconic acid. Conclusion On the time scale typical of PET imaging studies radioactive metabolites of [ 18 F]6FDG are negligible.
Factors associated with radiation therapy incidents in a large academic institution

Abstract Background This study evaluated factors associated with radiation therapy (RT) planning and delivery incidents at a large academic institution. Methods and materials The RT incidents (including near-misses) were recorded using an electronic incident reporting system from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2013. Each incident's origin was categorized according to the step in the treatment process (simulation, physician prescription, treatment planning, scheduling, treatment delivery, and other) in which it occurred. The incident database was linked to the RT delivery (record and verify) database to evaluate the effect of various factors on the rate of RT incidents. Results There were 189 reported RT incidents (including near-misses) among 326,448 fractions, of which there were 70 (37%) treatment planning incidents and 56 (30%) treatment delivery incidents. The rates of total incidents, planning incidents, and delivery incidents were 136.0, 50.4, and 40.3 per 10,000 patients, respectively. Logistic multivariate analysis showed that fewer work days from plan approval to treatment start, fewer fractions, higher number of prescription items, and longer beam duration were significantly associated with radiation planning incidents. Multivariate analysis also showed that first day of treatment, fewer fractions, higher number of prescription items, and longer beam duration were significantly associated with treatment delivery incidents; intensity modulated radiation therapy was associated with a lower rate of treatment delivery incidents. Conclusions More complicated radiation plans, fewer fractions, first day of treatment, and rushed processes were associated with higher risk of RT incidents. We hope that a national incident reporting database will lead to greater understanding of factors influencing the rate of RT incidents.
A new model of metal plasticity and fracture with pressure and Lode dependence

Abstract Classical metal plasticity theory assumes that the hydrostatic pressure has no or negligible effect on the material strain hardening, and that the flow stress is independent of the third deviatoric stress invariant (or Lode angle parameter). However, recent experiments on metals have shown that both the pressure effect and the effect of the third deviatoric stress invariant should be included in the constitutive description of the material. A general form of asymmetric metal plasticity, considering both the pressure sensitivity and the Lode dependence, is postulated. The calibration method for the new metal plasticity is discussed. Experimental results on aluminum 2024-T351 are shown to validate the new material model. From the similarity between yielding surface and fracture locus, a new 3D asymmetric fracture locus, in the space of equivalent fracture strain, stress triaxiality and the Lode angle parameter, is postulated. Two methods of calibration of the fracture locus are discussed. One is based on classical round specimens and flat specimens in uniaxial tests, and the other one uses the newly designed butterfly specimen under biaxial testing. Test results of Bao (2003) [Bao, Y., 2003. Prediction of ductile crack formation in uncracked bodies. PhD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology] on aluminum 2024-T351, and test data points of A710 steel from butterfly specimens under biaxial testing validated the postulated asymmetric 3D fracture locus.
Testing of a Hydrogen Diffusion Flame Array Injector at Gas Turbine Conditions

High-hydrogen gas turbines enable integration of carbon sequestration into coal-gasifying power plants, though NOx emissions are often high. This work explores nitrogen dilution of hydrogen diffusion flames to reduce thermal NOx emissions and avoid problems with premixing hydrogen at gas turbine pressures and temperatures. The burner design includes an array of high-velocity coaxial fuel and air injectors, which balances stability and ignition performance, combustor pressure drop, and flame residence time. Testing of this array injector at representative gas turbine conditions (16 atm and 1750 K firing temperature) yields 4.4 ppmv NOx at 15% O2 equivalent. NOx emissions are proportional to flame residence times, though these deviate from expected scaling due to active combustor cooling and merged flame behavior. The results demonstrate that nitrogen dilution in combination with high velocities can provide low NOx hydrogen combustion at gas turbine conditions, with significant potential for further NOx red...
Effects of prestriate and striate lesions on the monkey's ability to locate and discriminate visual forms

Abstract Prestriate lesions that removed areas OA, OB, and transitional TEO in the monkey impaired relearning of a two-choice pattern discrimination. In addition three of four animals were temporarily blinded by this surgery and required from three months to a year of testing to distinguish a raisin from a steel machine nut and to locate a single striped door in an array of white food bin covers. Monkeys with prestriate lesions recovered vision sooner than did two animals with complete striate cortex lesions, but they were more impaired than three monkeys with incomplete removal of area 17. The prestriate area is interpreted to be an important link between primary visual cortex and the rest of the hemisphere.
Nuclear data acquisition with a large 2nd generation computer

Abstract An IBM 7094 computer system is used for real-time data acquisition at the Texas A&M Variable Energy Cyclotron (TAMVEC) facility. The IBSYS monitor has been modified to support a multiprogramming environment in which data acquisition functions are handled automatically while the user either monitors the data acquisition or analyzes previously acquired data. The heart of the acquisition system is a control interface, in which an experiment is configured under software control.
Planning, Design, and Management of Hazardous Waste Disposal by Environmental Systems Engineering Approach

In the past century, the natural environment has provided for our development needs in support of rapid industrialization and urbanization. As the world’s population grows over time, human beings have progressively made greater demands on the environment through an increase in technology capacity, energy demand, international trade, and social complexity. To explore the ultimate limitation of nature, an analysis of the environment in terms of the physical, chemical, and biological processes, and the relationship of these processes as well as the interactions between them and human society is essential. While certain facets of the various processes may be overlooked in the analysis, the seamless integration of them after respective analysis can be even more complicated and difficult to model. The fragmented analytical effort by accounting for individual components separately is no longer acceptable in decision analysis. Recent challenges in decision making require development of a radically different approach for assessing management options by using various tools and methodologies that can be broadly applied for conducting integrated assessments in conjunction with the embedded complexities of interest. Such integration of scientific research into policy formulation requires covering not only pertinent quantitative costbenefit data but also relevant risk information and social response. While state-of-the-science models characterizing the transport of contaminants in different environmental compartments are indeed necessary to rigorously understand the long-term dynamics of pollutant behavior, they may be of limited value in immediate policy planning and regulatory studies. Hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste management frequently involves tremendous managerial efforts in dealing with social, economic, environmental, and ecological impacts when making disposal options safe, cost-effective, risk-informed, and consensus-oriented. Irrespective of the adopted methodologies, policy formulation with respect to planning, design, and management of waste disposal requires several critical decisions that eventually direct the path, progress, and success of such endeavors. However, a number of important conceptual ideas in the area of systems science and systems engineering have emerged when we consider the interactions between living systems and the nonliving environment in making critical decisions with respect to waste disposal. The system-based approach enables us to investigate the complex interactions fundamental to the coevolution of engineered and natural systems. Recent advances in environmental systems engineering lean toward making effective the search for the sustainable development strategy, via integrative efforts, that could intimately link domain knowledge with the envisioned system-based approach as the availability and scarcity of environmental resources become critical. Nevertheless, capturing the social, economic, ecological, and environmental objectives into a
Molding light into solitons

The nature of soliton waves and the potential of optical solitons for long-distance repeaterless transmission are discussed, and the pioneering experiments are recounted. Techniques for generating and transmitting solitons are described. The discovery of the existence of a limit on transmission distance, due to timing jitter, and ways to extend that limit are discussed. >
Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Destination Therapy

Although an estimated 16,500 Americans annually could benefit from a heart transplant, in 1999 only 2184 heart transplants were performed in the United States. These statistics emphasize the severity of the shortage of available hearts for transplantation. Circulatory support provided by an implantable Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that meets Food and Drug Administration approval as destination therapy is a promising alternative that impacts patient survival. As medical technology creates smaller implantable battery-powered circulatory assist devices that allow patients to safely live independently in the community, nursing's role must change in response. Long-term LVAD patients require strategic, anticipatory planning for extended care and emergency preparedness for mechanical support. Therefore, practitioners must familiarize themselves with these devices as they care for larger numbers of patients with implanted LVADs who require assessment and treatment of noncardiac problems during their lengthened lifespan.
Bare metal stenting for obstructed small diameter homograft conduits in the right ventricular outflow tract.

Objective Our aim was to assess acute hemodynamic changes with stent insertion, outcomes, and factors associated with increased longevity of stented small diameter homograft conduits. Background Right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) homograft conduits are commonly used to palliate RV outflow tract obstruction. Bare metal stenting (BMS) and transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation have been shown to relieve obstructed larger diameter conduits and may delay surgical conduit reintervention. Less is known about BMS of small conduits. Methods and Results From 1992 to 2009, BMS was performed to relieve obstruction in 106 homograft conduits that were ≤12 mm at implant. The peak RV-PA gradient fell from 54.3 ± 17.4 mm Hg at baseline to 46.1 ± 15.2 mm Hg after balloon dilation alone and to 25.1 ± 11.4 mm Hg with stenting (all P < 0.001). Higher pre-BMS gradient and RV pressure were the only factors associated with higher post-BMS RV-PA gradient (≥30 mm Hg; both P < 0.001). There were no procedural deaths, two patients required surgical removal of embolized stents. At a median follow-up of 1.6 years, 83 conduits were replaced; freedom from conduit reoperation after BMS was 66% ± 5% at 1 year and 28% ± 5% at 3 years. Factors associated with shorter freedom from reoperation included implanted conduit diameter <10 mm (P = 0.009), higher post-stent RV-PA gradient (P = 0.026), and higher post-stent RV pressure (P < 0.01); only post-stent RV pressure remained significant on multivariable analysis (P < 0.001). Conclusion BMS was acutely effective for the treatment of obstructed small diameter homograft conduits, with low morbidity. Prolongation of small diameter homograft conduit longevity with BMS may be useful in the lifetime management of conduit dysfunction in this patient population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emotional and Social Contingencies Affecting HIV Risk Reduction Among Lesbians and Bisexual Women

A community-based HIV prevention project for lesbians and bisexual women was implemented in San Francisco from June 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994. The purposes of this qualitative intervention research were to (a) discover HIV risk-taking and HIV risk-reduction activities of lesbians and bisexual women and (b) offer them context-specific HIV prevention education. Twenty peer researchers conducted open-ended field interviews with a racially diverse sample of 563 lesbians and bisexual women in naturalistic settings including women's bars and dance clubs and lesbian/bisexual community events. Sexual and drug use practices reported by lesbians and bisexual women demonstrate that they are indeed at risk for HIV Content analysis revealed that emotion-driven, socially motivated practices underlie lesbians' and bisexual women's HIV risk behaviors and attempts at risk reduction. Findings about emotional and social contingencies challenge conventional cognitive approaches to HIV prevention.
A Comparison of the Stability of Factor Analysis Principal Component Analysis and Rescaled Image Analysis.

Theoretical problems with the factor analysis model have resulted in increased interest in component analysis as an alternative. It is therefore of interest to assess empirically some of the assert...
Sensitive and selective voltammetric measurements of tricyclic antidepressants using lipid-coated electrodes

Abstract An investigation of the accumulation/voltammetric behavior of tricyclic antidepressants (desipramine, imipramine and trimipramine) at lipid-coated glassy carbon and carbon paste electrodes is presented. These hydrophobic drugs are extracted from aqueous solutions into the lipid coating and yield a well-defined voltammetric response. Hydrophilic electroactive species (e.g., ascorbic acid, uric acid, acetaminophen), that commonly co-exist and interfere in the quantitation of tricyclic antidepressants, are rejected by the lipid layer. The response is evaluated with respect to the pH, accumulation time, bulk concentration, film-to-film reproducibility, scan rate and other variables. Rapid and convenient regeneration of “analyte-free” lipid layer is obtained upon immersion in the blank solution, thus allowing use of a single electrode in multiple determinations. Applicability to direct measurements in urine samples is demonstrated. These data demonstrate that hydrophobic voltammetry offers a highly useful means of imparting selectivity toward species in solution based on polarity.
Intermediate Technology in China’s Rural Industries

In an age of remarkable technological feats, it is natural that great stress should be put on the search for technological solutions to the problems of less developed countries. In pursuing technologies suitable to the factor proportions, foreign exchange availabilities and skill levels of developing countries, it must not be forgotten that technology interacts in a complex variety of ways with other components of culture and society, and that these ‘externalities’ play a role in determining the appropriateness of particular techniques.
An evaluation of phase change microcapsules for use in enhanced heat transfer fluids

Abstract The results of an experimental study to evaluate the properties of microencapsulated phase change materials have been presented. Two phase change materials, n-eicosane and stearic acid, have been used in the study. The microcapsules were manufactured with two different wall thickness, comprising of approximately 15% and 30% of the total microcapsule volume. Three different microcapsule sizes ranging from 50μ to 250μ have been considered. The microcapsules with thinner walls are unable to withstand repeated thermal cycling past the melting point. However, the microcapsules with thicker walls were found to be both structurally as well as thermally stable.
Sodium ferric gluconate therapy in renal transplant and renal failure patients.

Intravenous infusion of sodium ferric gluconate (Ferrlecit) has been reported to be effective and safe in pediatric and adult hemodialysis patients with iron depletion. We sought to expand on the previous studies by treating 13 consecutive pediatric renal failure and renal transplant patients with sodium ferric gluconate doses that were higher than previously reported. Efficacy was defined as: (1) an increase in hematocrit of > or = 3 vol% with no change or a decrease in erythropoietin dose or (2) a stable hematocrit with a decrease of > or = 25% in the erythropoietin, 2 weeks to 2 months after sodium ferric gluconate infusion. Two dosing strategies were employed: (1) high dose, where single dose sodium ferric gluconate (mg) approximately calculated iron deficit, and (2) sodium ferric gluconate, 62.5 mg/dose for children 40 kg, infused on eight consecutive hemodialysis runs. There was only one self-limited adverse reaction in 60 doses. Three patients with previous adverse reactions to iron dextran tolerated sodium ferric gluconate without adverse effect. Sodium ferric gluconate was efficacious in eight out of ten patients that received a cumulative dose > 5 mg/kg. The mean hematocrit increased 30.3 +/- 7.8 to 36.4 +/- 4.4 vol% (P = 0.04) and the mean erythropoietin dose decreased 251.5 +/- 149.1 to 100.7 +/- 113.0 units/kg/week (P = 0.02). Although sodium ferric gluconate appears to be effective and safe at the doses used, multicenter, prospective pharmacokinetic and clinical trials of sodium ferric gluconate should be conducted in children.
Wake-promoting and sleep-suppressing actions of hypocretin (orexin): basal forebrain sites of action

The hypocretins (orexins) are a newly identified peptide family comprised of two peptides, hypocretin-1 and hypocretin-2. Recent observations suggest an involvement of these peptides in the regulation of behavioral state. For example, these peptides are found in a variety of brain regions associated with the regulation of forebrain neuronal and behavioral activity states. Furthermore, when infused into the lateral ventricles in awake animals, hypocretin-1 elicits increased duration of waking beyond that observed in vehicle-treated animals. Previous studies have been limited to an examination of the sleep-wake effects of hypocretin-1 in awake animals. Currently, the sleep-wake effects of hypocretin-2 and the extent to which hypocretins can initiate waking in the sleeping animal remain unclear. To better characterize the wake-promoting actions of the hypocretins, the current studies examined the sleep-wake effects of varying doses (0.007, 0.07 and 0.7 nmol) of hypocretin-1 and hypocretin-2 when administered into sleeping rats (e.g. remote-controlled infusions). Infusions of hypocretin-1 and hypocretin-2 into the lateral ventricles elicited a short latency (0.7 nmol hypocretin-1; 93+/-30 s from the start of the 120-s infusion) increase in electroencephalographic, electromyographic, and behavioral indices of waking. These infusions also produced substantial decreases in slow-wave and rapid-eye movement sleep. Hypocretin-1 was more potent than hypocretin-2 in these actions. Interestingly, hypocretin-1 infused into the fourth ventricle elicited less robust waking which occurred with a longer latency than infusions into the lateral ventricles. These latter observations suggest a forebrain site of action participates in hypocretin-1-induced waking. Within the forebrain, a variety of basal forebrain structures, including the medial preoptic area, the medial septal area and the substantia innominata, receive a moderate hypocretin innervation. Therefore, additional studies examined the sleep-wake effects of bilateral hypocretin-1 infusions into these basal forebrain structures. Robust increases in waking were observed following infusions into, but not outside, the medial septal area, the medial preoptic area and the substantia innominata. These results indicate a potentially prominent role of hypocretins in sleep-wake regulation via actions within certain basal forebrain structures and are consistent with studies indicating a prominent role of hypocretins in sleep/arousal disorders.
Ultrastructure of Blue-Green Algae

Two freshwater blue-green algae, Tolypothrix tenuis and Fremyella diplosiphon, and an oscillatorialike marine alga, were found to possess structures on the photosynthetic lamellae which appear to correspond to the phycobilisomes of red algae. These homologous structures are important because they contain the phycobilins which are accessory pigments involved in photosynthesis. As in the red algae, the phycobilisomes were attached on the outer side of each lamellae, i.e., the side facing away from its own membrane pair. Although our study on Anacystis nidulans has not thus far revealed the presence of phycobilisomes, some observations were made on the structure of the polyhedral bodies. After negative staining, the polyhedral bodies were seen to be composed of regularly spaced subunits arranged in a crystalline array. Elongated segmented rods, which differed from the polyhedral bodies, were found in the nuclear region of apparently healthy Tolypothrix cells. Images
26.5 An 8-to-16Gb/s 0.65-to-1.05pJ/b 2-tap impedance-modulated voltage-mode transmitter with fast power-state transitioning in 65nm CMOS

Future processor I/Os must aggressively improve per-channel data-rates and energy efficiency to meet projected system bandwidth demands. These constraints necessitate the design of ultra-low-power serial-link transmitters that can efficiently incorporate equalization to compensate for channel losses, while enabling fast power-state transitioning to leverage dynamic power scaling. In this work, a scalable-data-rate voltage-mode transmitter is presented that introduces two main innovations. First, an impedance-modulated 2-tap equalizer is adopted that employs analog control of the equalizer taps, thereby obviating output driver segmentation. Second, fast power-state transitioning is achieved using a replica-biased voltage regulator to power the output stages of multiple channels and per-channel injection-locked oscillators (ILO) that can be rapidly disabled. Furthermore, capacitively driven low-swing global clock distribution and automatic phase calibration of the local ILO-generated quarter-rate clocks enables improved energy efficiency with aggressive supply scaling.
Advances in artificial immune systems

During the last decade, the field of artificial immune system (A1S) is progressing slowly and steadily as a branch of computational intelligence (CI). There has been increasing interest in the development of computational models inspired by several immunological principles. In particular, some are building models mimicking the mechanisms in the biological immune system (BIS) to better understand its natural processes and simulate its dynamical behavior in the presence of antigens/pathogens. Most of the AIS models, however, emphasize designing artifacts - computational algorithms, techniques using simplified models of various immunological processes and functionalities. Like other biologically-inspired techniques, such as artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and cellular automata, AISs also try to extract ideas from the BIS in order to develop computational tools for solving science and engineering problems. Although still relatively young, the artificial immune system (AIS) is emerging as an active and attractive, field involving models, techniques and applications of greater diversity
Inside the command and control reference model

This paper provides an inside look at the C2RM and documents some of its more subtle aspects. More specifically, the taxonomy of the C2RM and its use with object-oriented benchmarks for modeling command and control are illustrated. In addition, the paper reviews known criticisms of the C2RM, attempts to dispel some of the apparent myths, and clarifies with specific examples possible areas of confusion. The objective of the C2RM is to provide a standard, object-oriented, open system architecture, and open system interconnection framework to be used in modeling and simulating C2ed objects. In developing technology and applications of managed objects for command and control (i.e., C2 objects) it is intended to promote standardization of key C2 protocols and interfaces for interactions among heterogeneous and distributed resources of C2 systems. >
Update of the Case Definitions for Population‐Based Surveillance of Periodontitis

Background: This report adds a new definition for mild periodontitis that allows for better descriptions of the overall prevalence of periodontitis in populations. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with the American Academy of Periodontology developed and reported standard case definitions for surveillance of moderate and severe periodontitis based on measurements of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (AL) at interproximal sites. However, combined cases of moderate and severe periodontitis are insufficient to determine the total prevalence of periodontitis in populations.Methods: The authors proposed a definition for mild periodontitis as ≥2 interproximal sites with AL ≥3 mm and ≥2 interproximal sites with PD ≥4 mm (not on the same tooth) or one site with PD ≥5 mm . The effect of the proposed definition on the total burden of periodontitis was assessed in a convenience sample of 456 adults ≥35 years old and compared with other previously reported definitio...
Avenues Down Which a Self-Reminding Mind Can Wander

We test the mnemonic benefit of having a mind that distracts itself with unresolved matters. In 5 studies, conducted in quasi-naturalistic settings, using both self-reported and experience-sampled measures of intention-related intrusions, we establish the reminding value entailed in mindwandering. Study 1 verifies that the mind is more likely to wander toward intentions outstanding rather than intentions bygone and provides preliminary evidence that more frequent intention-related intrusions lead to greater success at realizing the intention. Studies 2‐5 replicate the self-reminding effect of mindwandering. Studies 2‐4 examine whether committing to an intention in a setting replete with distinctive versus banal contextual details increases the number of retrieval pathways down which the mind can wander to the intention, and thus the likelihood that the intention is retrieved in both inopportune (mindwandering) and opportune (enactment) moments. Study 5 reveals that enriched details of the commitment moment can increase the likelihood that the delayed goal will be enacted, even when the details are self-generated.
Convert to Compete: Competitive Advantage through Conversion Franchising

This paper offers an in–depth treatment of conversion franchising, where new franchisees are added to a franchised system by recruiting existing independent entrepreneurs or competitors’ franchisees. The first part of the paper examines conversion franchising as a source of competitive advantage. This discussion leads to the articulation of four propositions. The second part of the paper looks at the empirical results of our study of 72 North American franchisors. Seventy–two percent of these firms use conversion franchising in their domestic markets, and 26 percent use conversions in international locales. The propositions relating to a franchisor's decision to use conversions based on increased levels of experience, economic resources, and to a lesser extent skills/knowledge, all were supported. These results lend support to the literature indicating that resources and skills serve as sources of competitive advantage. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Occurrence of hantavirus within the rodent population of northeastern California and Nevada

Abstract These studies were initiated to determine the prevalence and hosts of hantaviruses within the rodent population of Nevada and northeastern California. A total of 1,867 rodents were collected, sexed, weighed, identified, and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of antibody against hantavirus nucleocapsid. The primary hosts for hantaviruses in this region were found within the family Muridae (Peromyscus maniculatus, Reithrodontomys megalotis, and Microtus montanus). Studies over time of animals within a defined geographic area indicated that animals with hantavirus antibody are not distributed uniformly over the rodent population in a specific area but were found in foci spanning a distance of only several hundred meters. The antibody prevalence in a given geographic area remained relatively constant with repeated sampling of between 0% and 30%. These data support the hypothesis that rodents within the family Muridae are the primary reservoir for hantaviruses, and the primary risk to biologists for exposure to hantavirus is by contact with members of this family.
Quantitative evaluation of design tradeoffs in file systems

The design of a file system has never been a simple nor a straightforward task because of its complexity. Heuristics and experience still play a major role in guiding the design process. To organize the entire design process in a more systematic manner, large scale simulation has proved to be an effective technique. The FOREM models developed during the past several years (specifically for the evaluation of file system designs) represent facilities of this type. This paper utilizes the FOREM model as the principal tool and presents a hypothetical design example dealing with many essential issues of the design process. Evaluation of designs of several other actual file systems are also being carried out and will be reported at a later date. Only through quantitative evaluation can each design decision be arrived at correctly and the possible tradeoffs be identified.
Changes in Chloroplast mRNA Stability during Leaf Development

During spinach leaf development, chloroplast-encoded mRNAs accumulate to different steady-state levels. Their relative transcription rates alone, however, cannot account for the changes in mRNA amount. In this study, we examined the importance of mRNA stability for the regulation of plastid mRNA accumulation using an in vivo system to measure mRNA decay in intact leaves by inhibiting transcription with actinomycin D. Decay of psbA and rbcL mRNAs was assayed in young and mature leaves. The psbA mRNA half-life was increased more than twofold in mature leaves compared with young leaves, whereas rbcL mRNA decayed with a similar relative half-life at both leaf developmental stages. The direct in vivo measurements demonstrated that differential mRNA stability in higher plant plastids can account for differences in mRNA accumulation during leaf development. The role of polysome association in mRNA decay was also investigated. Using organelle-specific translation inhibitors that force mRNAs into a polysome-bound state or deplete mRNAs of ribosomes, we measured mRNA decay in vivo in either state. The results showed that rbcL and psbA mRNAs are less stable when bound to polysomes relative to the polysome-depleted mRNAs and that their stabilities are differentially affected by binding to polysomes. The results suggested that ribosome binding and/or translation of the psbA and rbcL mRNAs may function to modulate the rate of their decay in chloroplasts.
Crystallization of protein–ligand complexes

Obtaining diffraction-quality crystals has long been a bottleneck in solving the three-dimensional structures of proteins. Often proteins may be stabilized when they are complexed with a substrate, nucleic acid, cofactor or small molecule. These ligands, on the other hand, have the potential to induce significant conformational changes to the protein and ab initio screening may be required to find a new crystal form. This paper presents an overview of strategies in the following areas for obtaining crystals of protein–ligand complexes: (i) co-expression of the protein with the ligands of interest, (ii) use of the ligands during protein purification, (iii) cocrystallization and (iv) soaks.
Exercise tests in heart failure patients: is simple better?

The most direct, and in a sense the most important, problem which our conscious knowledge of nature should enable us to solve is the anticipation of future events, so that we may arrange our present affairs in accordance with such anticipation. Heinrich Hertz ([1][1]) My wife exits my wardrobe
Joachim Weimann, Andreas Knabe, and Ronne Schöb: Measuring Happiness: The Economics of Well-Being

In Measuring Happiness: The Economics of Well-Being (2015), authors Joachin Weimann, Andreas Knabe, and Ronnie Schob provide an important contribution to the field of happiness research by posing c...
The Vomiting Patient: Small Bowel Obstruction, Cyclic Vomiting, and Gastroparesis

Vomiting and abdominal pain are common in patients in the emergency department. This article focuses on small bowel obstruction (SBO), cyclic vomiting, and gastroparesis. Through early diagnosis and appropriate management, the morbidity and mortality associated with SBOs can be significantly reduced. Management of SBOs involves correction of physiologic and electrolyte disturbances, bowel rest and removing the source of the obstruction. Treatment of acute cyclic vomiting is primarily directed at symptom control, volume and electrolyte repletion, and appropriate specialist follow-up. The mainstay of therapy for gastroparesis is metoclopramide.
Two distinct Xenopus genes with homology to MyoD1 are expressed before somite formation in early embryogenesis

Abstract The myogenic factors MyoD1 and myogenin contain a conserved region with similarity to the myc family of proto-oncogenes. To identify amphibian genes structurally and functionally related to these myogenic factors, we screened a Xenopus laevis embryo cDNA library under conditions of reduced stringency with probes corresponding to the myc-like helix-loop-helix motif of mouse MyoD1 and myogenin. Several distinct cDNAs that are highly related to each other and share extensive homology to MyoD1 were isolated. Transcripts from two of these genes, Xlmf1 and Xlmf25 (X. laevis myogenic factor), reach maximal levels of accumulation during gastrulation, remain at constant levels through early embryogenesis, and are found exclusively in skeletal muscles of adult frogs. The appearance of these transcripts early in development precedes the expression of cardiac alpha-actin, a molecular marker for mesoderm formation. A third cDNA, Xlmf11, contains an internal 351-base-pair deletion downstream of the myc homology region and encodes a truncated version of the protein encoded by Xlmf1. When expressed in mouse pluripotential stem cells, Xlmf1 activates the muscle cell differentiation program, resulting in expression of endogenous MyoD1, myogenin, and myosin heavy-chain genes and formation of multinucleated myotubes.
The AIBS After Ten Years

HE AIBS now represents an estimated total of 80,000 biologists. It is no smaller than second in size among the independent scientific societies and in all likelihood is the largest. Its annual gross income from all sources is fast approaching thirty times that projected for 1955, its first year of operation without the financial backing of the National Academy of Sciences. The staff has tripled in size and there are AIBS employees in two offices in Washington, D. C., and offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Boulder, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri. The AIBS is in the forefront among its sister societies in educational programs, in the development of improved communications among scientists, in experimental publications projects, and in the development of foreign language translation programs. The Institute's prestige is growing steadily and there is hardly a significant group concerned with scientific matters which does not invite AIBS representation. A great many people are responsible for the growth of the AIBS. Credit in large measure is due the officers, the Executive Committee, the Governing Board, our friends in government agencies and private foundations, and the thousands of biologists who support the Institute day by day. A significant share of the credit must go to the staff members, who have given devoted and diligent service to the Institute far beyond what normally could be expected of them.
Does Where You Go Depend on Whence You Come? Evidence from Natural-Resource-Seeking FDI

Seeking natural resource remains a critical motivation for multinationals’ foreign direct investment. Yet, few studies have investigated why firms differ in their location choices in seeking for na...
Irregular employment: effective ways of disadvantaged groups obtaining employment

Under the condition of conspicuous labour force contradiction that brings from structural reform and new technical application, disadvantaged groups with limited careerprospects have presented. It is very important to develop irregular employment for these disadvantaged groups. 
Meter Calibration Technology for the Digital Watt-hour Meters Based on Value Traceability

To solve the problem of poor reliability,impossibility in tracing the value and the lack of a complete system of the value transfer in digital measurement in the digital watt-hour meters,this paper proposes the meter calibration technology for the digital watt-hour meters based on value traceability.Firstly,we simulate the threephase power source sampling and get the standard digital power source of which the output data fit standard IEC61850-9-1/-9-2.Secondly,we calibrate the errors of the digital watt-hour meters based on this to make the accuracy of the standard digital power source be able to trace that of traditional electric energy standard.In this way the problem of impossibility in tracing the value in the digital watt-hour meters at present is solved.And then we develop the meter calibration device for the digital watt-hour meters,which achieves the functions of tracing the value,the virtual load verification and the real load verification of the digital watt-hour meters.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Serious Rubbing on One 9F Combined-cycle Power Train

High pressure casing of one 9F combined cycle power train occurred serious rubbing in commissioning period.Vibration characteristics,diagnosis method and treatment of that rub were discussed with date records.The treatment result showed that the key reason of rub was HP rotor axial position "K" value seriously deviated from the design value.
Pretreatment depression severity in breast cancer patients and its relation to treatment response to behavior therapy.

OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder is prevalent in breast cancer patients. There is a paucity of research on variables associated with depression severity and the link between depression severity and response to psychotherapy. To provide optimal mental health services to breast cancer patients, examining correlates of depression severity and its relation to treatment response is critical. METHOD In the context of a randomized trial of behavior activation and problem-solving therapy for depressed breast cancer patients, this study evaluated demographic (marital status, age, education), psychosocial (social support, environmental reward, anxiety, number of coexistent anxiety disorders), and cancer-related (bodily pain, length of diagnosis, cancer stage) variables associated with pretreatment depression severity. Second, the relation of pretreatment depression severity with posttreatment and 12-month response and remission was assessed. RESULTS For pretreatment depression severity, the overall regression model accounted for 40% of the variance, F(5, 74) = 9.87, p < .001. Less environmental reward and greater somatic anxiety were significantly and uniquely associated with depression severity. Depression severity was unrelated to treatment remission but was a significant moderator of treatment response at posttreatment and 12-month follow-up; individuals with higher depression severity were more responsive to therapy. For patients treated with behavior activation, environmental reward significantly mediated the relationship between pre- and posttreatment depression. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with behavioral models of depression, less environmental reward and greater anxiety might influence depression severity in breast cancer patients. Data support the efficacy of behavior therapy for breast cancer patients, particularly those with more severe depression.
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are often devastating to patients and their families. The symptoms can be both terrifying and disabling. While delusions and hallucinations are the often the most obvious manifestation of a psychotic disorder, a wide range of more subtle symptoms may also be present. Current antipsychotic treatments, while they can be effective, do not impact all aspects of psychotic illness and frequently carry a significant side effect burden. This chapter will provide an overview of the psychotic disorders, touching on their clinical presentation, neurobiology, and treatment.
Nonstandard Finite Difference Models

Purpose of Lesson To present nonstandard modeling capabilities for the finite difference method that have been developed as a result of the use of strain gradient notation and the new boundary condition models.
Model systems of thought: A neuroscience perspective on cognitive frameworks

One of the core issues in psychology and neuroscience research is that the nervous systems and behavior of human beings are complex, yet laboratory experiments must be kept relatively simple in order to be well-controlled and thus provide definitive answers to research questions. In this chapter, I first discuss how “model organisms” are used to reduce the complexity of scientific investigations in low-level (cellular) neuroscience research; that is, even if researchers are ultimately interested in the human mind and brain, it is often easier to begin by asking reduced forms of their questions about animals with simpler nervous systems, and attempt to build towards an understanding of increasingly complex systems. A similar approach can be taken in psychological studies of human beings. It is impossible to simultaneously examine all the multitude of factors that drive human behavior, so instead we must study individual facets of human behavior in the laboratory, and hope to build towards a more unified understanding. Here, I argue for a “component process” approach to studying human thought, wherein we use extremely simple laboratory tasks in an effort to identify fundamental “building blocks” of cognition that may form the basis of more complex thoughts and behaviors.
The politics of Unfriending

This article examines exposure to political disagreement on social media and user filtration in response to it. Popular arguments suggest that social media sites prevent exposure to political disagreement either through algorithmic filtration or selective affiliation. Another popular argument says that when users are exposed to political disagreement on social media, they filter it from their feeds by unfriending/unfollowing or hiding the author. We put these narratives to the test by examining (a) the relationship between social media use and exposure to political disagreement and (b) the factors that predict user filtration in response to political disagreement. Results from analysis based on a nationally representative sample of Colombian adults in urban areas show that (a) engagement with news and public affairs content on social media is positively associated with exposure to political disagreement and (b) the amount of disagreement users are exposed to is not related to user filtration in response. A study of unfriending in response to political disagreement in Colombia.Exposure to political disagreement on social media is related to using social media for news and public affairs content.The amount of political disagreement a social media user encounters is not related to unfriending a contact.Unfriending a contact is predicted by number of friends and time spent on social media platforms.
Characterization of 1-on-1 damage in high reflectors using the spatially-temporally resolved optical laser-induced damage (STEREO-LID) technique

Spatio-TEmporally REsolved Optical Laser-Induced Damage, or STEREO-LID, is a novel laser damage technique which measures the actual fluence (and intensity) at which damage occurs in a single pulse. This is accomplished by measuring the initiation time during the pulse and the initiation position within the beam profile. This technique has been demonstrated in the measurement of the defect distribution of single films and surfaces. In this paper, we demonstrate the technique to characterize laser-induced damage in high reflectors by single 8.3 ns pulses at 1064 nm. The high reflectors were quarter-wave stack of HfO2/SiO2 on a fused silica substrate. Applying STEREO-LID to high reflectors required a change in geometry as the technique previously used light transmitted through the optic. Instead, the initiation time is identified by a disruption of reflection and scattered light. The initiation position is determined by imaging the backscattered laser light. The STEREO-LID results are compared to the traditional 1-on-1 damage test to show that it is superior at detecting critical fluence limiting defects.