cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning of Cockroach Allergen, Bla g 4, Identifies Ligand Binding Proteins (or Calycins) as a Cause of IgE Antibody Responses

An allergen cloned from a Blattella germanica (German cockroach) cDNA library, encoded a 182-amino acid protein of 20,904 Da. This protein, designated B. germanica allergen 4 (Bla g 4), was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The prevalence of serum IgE antibody to recombinant Bla g 4 in 73 cockroach allergic patients with asthma ranged from 40% (antigen binding radioimmunoassay) to 60% (plaque immunoassay). Cockroach allergic patients gave positive intradermal skin tests to recombinant Bla g 4 at concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-5) micrograms/ml, whereas non-allergic controls, or cockroach allergic patients with no detectable serum IgE antibody to Bla g 4, gave negative skin tests to 1 microgram/ml. Polymerase chain reaction and Southern analysis identified a 523-base pair DNA encoding Bla g 4 in both B. germanica and Periplaneta americana (American cockroach). However, Northern analysis showed that mRNA encoding Bla g 4 was transcribed in B. germanica but not in P. americana, suggesting that allergen expression was species specific. Sequence similarity searches showed that Bla g 4 was a ligand binding protein or calycin and unexpectedly revealed that this family contained several important allergens: beta-lactoglobulin, from cow milk, and rat and mouse urinary proteins. Although the overall sequence homology between these proteins was low (approximately 20%), macromolecular modeling techniques were used to generate two models of the tertiary structure of Bla g 4, based on comparisons with the x-ray crystal coordinates of bilin binding protein and rodent urinary proteins. The results show that members of the calycin protein family can cause IgE antibody responses by inhalation or ingestion and are associated with asthma and food hypersensitivity.
Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and insignificant coronary artery disease: results from the Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) initiative.

Background Unlike ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the degree of stenosis and physiology of ischemia varies in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of patients with NSTEMI who lack significant epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) in routine clinical practice remain poorly characterized. We sought to determine the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of patients with NSTEMI and insignificant CAD. Methods We analyzed 38301 patients with NSTEMI in the CRUSADE quality improvement initiative who underwent cardiac catheterization to determine the prevalence and factors associated with insignificant CAD (all coronary stenoses Results A total of 3306 (8.6%) of 38301 patients had insignificant CAD. The strongest multivariable predictors of insignificant CAD were female sex (odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 2.6-3.1), younger age (odds ratio per 10-year decrease 1.5, 95% CI 1.5-1.6), and lack of current/recent smoking (odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-2.0). Inhospital rates of death were 0.65% for patients with insignificant CAD compared with 2.36% for patients with CAD ( P Conclusion Insignificant CAD is present in 9% of patients with NSTEMI and is associated with a low incidence of adverse outcomes. The strongest predictors of insignificant CAD are female sex and younger age. These findings underscore the need for research to understand the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction in this population.
Synthesis, characterization, and permeation properties of polyether‐based polyurethanes

A system of synthesis of polyether-based urethanes was developed which had sufficient flexibility in composition so that transport properties could be optimized. Mixtures of poly(oxyethylene) glycol (PEG) and poly(oxypropylene) glycol (PPG) of a variety of molecular weights were tied together by varying amounts of kinds of “hard segments.” Thus, the water swell, the mechanical properties, and the size of the soft blocks and hard blocks could be varied. With a fixed content of hard segments, the water absorption decreased with decrease in the PEG/PPG ratio, demonstrating the feasibility of producing controlled changes in hydrophilicity of the polymer without significant change in the mechanical strength. Some polyurethanes based on PEG 600 and PPG 425 had a very good high value of Pw/Ps but a somewhat low value of Pw. The polyurethanes prepared by using phenylenediamines as chain extenders had markedly enhanced modulus and an extended rubbery plateau region, as anticipated.
Molecular Excitation in Beta Decay

The theory of molecular excitation in beta decay is developed for the general case of a polyatomic molecule. Calculations of the daughter molecule vibrational excitation are carried through for diatomic molecules, and the results are presented graphically. Finally, the formation of the ${({\mathrm{He}}^{3}{\mathrm{H}}^{3})}^{+}$ molecule ion in the decay of one nucleus of a tritium molecule is studied in detail. It is concluded that the ${({\mathrm{He}}^{3}{\mathrm{H}}^{3})}^{+}$ ground electronic state vibrational spectrum should be observable in the light spontaneously emitted by tritium. For example, neglecting nonradiative transitions, one expects approximately ${10}^{14}$ photons per second to be radiated at wave number \ensuremath{\cong}2.35\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ by every gram of tritium in the 1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 vibrational transition.
Phoneme recognition in vocoded maskers by normal-hearing and aided hearing-impaired listeners.

This study compared modulation benefit for phoneme recognition obtained by normal-hearing (NH) and aided hearing-impaired (HI) listeners. Consonant and vowel recognition scores were measured using nonsense syllables in the presence of a steady-state noise and four vocoded speech maskers. Vocoded maskers were generated by modulating the steady-state noise, in either one or six frequency channels, with the speech envelope extracted from the speech of either a single talker or a four-talker babble. Aided HI listeners obtained lower consonant recognition scores than NH listeners in all masker conditions. Vowel recognition scores for aided HI listeners were comparable to NH scores, except in the six-channel vocoded masker conditions where they were relatively lower. Analysis using the extended speech intelligibility index developed by Rhebergen, Versfeld, and Dreschler [(2006). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120(6), 3988–3997] suggested that the signal-to-noise ratio deficit observed in aided HI listeners was largely due to uncompensated audibility loss. There was no significant difference between modulation masking release obtained by NH and aided HI listeners for both consonant and vowel recognition.
Computing projections for the Karmarkar algorithm

Abstract Alternatives are considered for computing the projection of a vector onto the nullspace of a matrix, as is required to compute the step direction for the Karmarkar projective algorithm. Among the possibilities considered are forming and factoring the normal matrix, and working with a larger but sparser extended matrix. The extended matrices are symmetric but indefinite. A modification to the Harwell MA27 set of subroutines to make them more efficient for indefinite matrices is presented. Computational results are given to support the conclusion that computing these projections using one of the extended matrices offers significant computational advantages over the other alternatives with which it is compared.
Detection of measles virus RNA in whole blood stored on filter paper.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of dried blood spots stored on filter paper as a means to provide specimens for virologic surveillance for measles virus (MV) in situations when the reverse cold chain is not available. Two single-step RT-PCR assays were evaluated for sensitivity of detection of MV nucleoprotein gene RNA. The more sensitive assay was then used to assess the stability of MV RNA in dried whole blood stored on filter paper. MV RNA was found to be stable in dried blood spots for up to 2 months at room temperature or 1 month at 37°C. As few as 100 infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) per blood spot could be detected using a single-step RT-PCR reaction and ethidium bromide detection. MV RNA was also detected in dried blood spots obtained from rhesus macaques after challenge with wild-type MV. In the rhesus samples, the single-step RT-PCR reaction could detect approximately 103 TCID50 per blood spot, while nested PCR detected 3 TCID50 per blood spot. The results of this laboratory-based study suggest that the use of dried blood spots stored on filter has the potential to improve virologic surveillance for MV in some areas, and they emphasize the need for continued testing under field conditions. J. Med. Virol. 67:596–602, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Laminar Flame Speeds of Preheated iso-Octane/O2/N2 and n-Heptane/O2/N2 Mixtures

Laminar flame speed measurements are carried out for premixed i so-octane/air and n-heptane/air mixtures under conditions of atmospheric pressure, equivalence ratios ranging from 0.7 to 1.4, and unburned mixture temperatures of 298, 360, 400, and 470 K using the counterflow flame technique. These experiments employ the digital particle image velocimetry technique to characterize the two-dimensional flow field upstream of the flame. As such, the reference stretch-affected flame speed and the imposed stretch rate can be simultaneously determined. By systematically varying the imposed stretch rate, the corresponding laminar flame speed is obtained by linearly extrapolating to zero stretch rate. In addition, the effect of nitrogen dilution level on the laminar flame speed is investigated by varying the nitrogen molar percentage in the oxidizer mixture from 78.5 to 80.5%. These results are further used for the determination of overall activation energies at different equivalence ratios. The experimental laminar flame speeds are subsequently compared with the computed values using two iso-octane reaction mechanisms and two n-heptane reaction mechanisms available in the literature, followed by discussion and sensitivity analysis.
Integration of word pair responses in paired associate learning

Separate lists of single words (SW), of primary associates with word pairs highly integrated (HI) and of unrelated word pairs of a low degree of integration (LI), were presented to independent groups in a paired associate learning task. The SW and HI groups did not differ in number of trials to the criterion of one errorless trial, while the LI groups took significantly longer than both.
A decomposition of the beta distribution, related order and asymptotic behavior

Let β v, w be any beta variate with p.d.f.(Γ(v+w)/Γ(v)Γ(w))x v−1(1−x) w−1 and letU v, w =-log β v, w . ThenU v,w =U CM +U PF , whereU CM andU PF are independent with completely monotone andPF ∞ densities, respectively. It is shown thatU v, w is infinitely divisible and β v, w correspondingly infinitely factorable. The asymptotic behavior ofU v, w and β v, w for largev, w is described. For different modes of increase ofv andw,U v, w is asymptotically normal, gamma or extreme value distributed. The decomposition is employed to provide an algorithm for generating random β v, w distributed numbers. Many of the results are based on insights provided by the classical theory of the Gamma function in the complex plane.
Costimulation in antiviral immunity: differential requirements for CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses

Abstract A key step toward improving vaccines is understanding the molecular interactions responsible for inducing antiviral T cell responses. An emerging theme from recent studies is that CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses require distinct costimulatory pathways for activation. In addition, these costimulatory interactions can play a crucial role during the death phase of the T cell response and determine the number of effector T cells that survive to become memory T cells.
SU‐E‐T‐165: Systematic Evaluation of Uncertainties Associated with GAFCHROMIC EBT2 Film Dosimetry for 6MV Photon Beams

Method and Materials:Eight packets of films were exposed to 13.5cm ×13.5cm, 6MV radiation fields in a solid water phantom. Dose levels of 1.1, 3.2, 5.3, 7.4, and 9.5 Gy were delivered to five films in each packet. Films were scanned both before and after irradiation using an Epson flat‐bed scanner (24hr wait‐time for post‐irradiation coloration). Corresponding 2D dose distributions were measured with a detector‐array (MatriXX). Point dose comparisons were performed with an ion chamber. Digitized film images were registered to the 2D dose distribution to generate a correction map that compensated the scanner non‐uniform response as a function of dose. Optical density (OD) and net optical density (NetOD) values were calculated for all images. Dose response curves were established using mean values of a central 0.5cm × 0.5cm region‐of‐interest (ROI). Images were converted to dose, and error uncertainties (1SD) were measured in the central 8cm × 8cm ROI. Results: The overall dosimetric uncertainties (1SD) of the NetOD approach were 2.2%, 1.9%, and 3.5% for red, green, and blue channels, respectively. The corresponding uncertainties of OD were 2.7%, 3.1%, and 8.3%, respectively. For low dose range (<3 Gy), the green channel revealed higher uncertainty (SDgreen= 3.3%) than the red channel (SDred=2.6%). However, for high doses (3∼9 Gy), the green channel showed less variability (SDgreen=1.6%, SDred=2.9%). Minimum SDred and SDgreen were 1.6% at 5.3Gy and 1.3% at 7.4 Gy, respectively. Scanner non‐uniformity correction mitigated the irregular response of scanner detector elements observed initially. Conclusion: NetOD may be a more useful metric for benchmarking EBT2 than OD. We demonstrated that the lowest dose uncertainties were achieved using the red channel for low dose range, while the green channel was preferred for higher doses. Scanner non‐uniformity correction is necessary for higher precision dosimetry.
Oscillatory instabilities of convection rolls at intermediate Prandtl numbers

The analysis of the instabilities of convection rolls in a fluid layer heated from below with no-slip boundaries exhibits a close competition between various oscillatory modes in the range 2 [lsim ] P [lsim ] 12 of the Prandtl number P. In addition to the even-oscillatory instability known from earlier work two new instabilities have been found, each of which is responsible for a small section of the stability boundary of steady rolls. The most interesting property of the new instabilities is their close relationship to the hot-blob oscillations known from experimental studies of convection. In the lower half of the Prandtl-number range considered the B02-mode dominates, which is characterized by two blobs each of slightly hotter and colder fluid circulating around in the convection roll in a spatially and time-periodic fashion. At higher Prandtl numbers the BE 1-mode dominates, which possesses one hot blob (and one cold blob) circulating with the convection velocity. Just outside the stability boundary there exist other growing modes exhibiting three or four blobs which may be observable in experiments.
The use of gaming as a peer mentoring tool for student success strategies

Abstract The use of a novel board game, called "Steps of Success," is discussed as a peer mentoring tool. Students progress through the game by answering questions about strategies that promote a nursing student's ability to achieve academic success. Freshman and senior nursing students in an associate degree nursing program played the game together during peer mentoring labs. A questionnaire used to assess student feedback suggests that playing the game benefits both groups.
A study of several factors affecting the distribution of phosphorus-32 from the leaves of Pisum sativum.

1. Distribution patterns for the movement of solutes in the phloem from leaves of pea plants were found to be relatively specific. Phosphorus-32 applied to the leaf at the first bloom node moved predominantly (to the extent of 50 to 90 per cent) to the pod at that node. Distribution of the translocate from this leaf to pods at higher nodes was negligible.
Consultant Directiveness and Support as Predictors of Consultation Outcomes.

Abstract Transcriptions of the first interview between 17 advanced doctoral students in school psychology serving as consultants and 17 experienced teachers were coded with the Consultant Analysis Record (Bergan & Tombari, Journal of School Psychology, 13, 1975) for consultant verbalizations that provided support to the consultee. The consultants had received training in an expanded model of behavior consultation. Correlations were computed between categories of consultant verbalizations and three consultee outcomes: consultees' perceptions of (a) the consultation process, indicated by their responses to the Consultant Evaluation Form (Erchul, Professional School Psychology, 2, 1987); (b) whether the problem improved; and (c) whether they did anything differently as a result of consultation. Total scores on the Consultant Evaluation Form correlated significantly with positive validation elicitors (r = -.62), with inference emitters (r = .48), and with support (r = .47). The findings are interpreted as supporting the importance of the consultants' relationship skill and problem-solving skills to consultees' evaluations of consultation. The use of controlling verbalizations, especially closed-ended questions, is associated with less favorable consultee perceptions of consultation. The implications for training consultants and directions for future research are offered.
Identification of pruning branches in tall spindle apple trees for automated pruning

Pruning is a labor intensive operation that constitutes a significant component of total apple production cost. As growers are adapting simpler, narrower, more accessible and productive (SNAP) tree architectures such as the tall spindle fruiting wall system, new opportunities have emerged to reduce pruning cost and labor through automated pruning. This work focused on identification of pruning branches on apple trees in a tall spindle architecture. A time-of-flight-of-light-based three dimensional (ToF 3D) camera was used to construct 3D skeletons of apple trees. Pruning branches were identified in the reconstructed trees using a simplified two-step pruning rule; (i) maintain specified branch spacing and (ii) maintain specified branch length. Performance of the algorithm was optimized using a training sample of 10 trees to achieve human worker’s pruning level. With a selected branch spacing (28 cm) and branch length (20 cm), the algorithm achieved 19.5% branch removal with the training dataset and 19.8% of branch removal with the validation dataset (10 trees) compared to 22% average branch removal by workers. Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) between human and algorithm in number of branches identified for pruning was 10% for the training dataset and 13% for the validation dataset. The algorithm and the human pruning resulted in similar average branch spacing. The algorithm maintained an average spacing of 35.7 cm for validation set whereas the average spacing for three workers was 33.7 cm. RMSD in branch spacing between the algorithm and the workers was found to be 13%. The algorithm removed 85% of long branches whereas the overlapping branch removal was only 69%. With some additional work to improve the performance in terms of overlapping branch removal, it is expected that this work will provide a good foundation for automated pruning of tall spindle apple trees in the future.
Catatonia. I. Rating scale and standardized examination.

To facilitate the systematic description of catatonic signs, we developed a catatonia rating examination, rating scale and screening instrument. We constructed a 23-item rating scale and a truncated 14-item screening instrument using operationalized definitions of signs ascribed to catatonia in published sources. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 44 simultaneous ratings of 28 cases defined by the presence of ≥2 signs on the 14-item screen. Inter-rater reliability for total score on the rating scale was 0.93, and mean agreement of items was 88.2% (SD 9.9). Inter-rater reliability for total score on the screening instrument was 0.95, and mean agreement of items was 92.7% (SD 4.9). Diagnostic agreement was high based on criteria for catatonia put forth by other authors. Seven per cent (15/215) of consecutively admitted patients to an academic psychiatric in-patient facility met criteria for catatonia. It is concluded that catatonia is a distinct, moderately prevalent neuropsychiatric syndrome. The rating scale and screening instrument are reliable and valid. Their use facilitates diagnosis, treatment protocols, and cross-study comparisons.
After the Adolescent Pregnancy: Parents, Teens, and Families

This article introduces a framework for understanding adolescent conditions and decisions during and after pregnancy. The framework provides a structure for a systematic examination of literatures within five dimensions: pregnancy, abortion, childbearing, adoption, and teen parenthood. The article presents a review of these five conditions or decisions organized around 22 empirically based practice guidelines. Themes across the practices emphasize individualized approaches, future orientation, and family system support.
Novel sulfamoyl benzamides as selective CB(2) agonists with improved in vitro metabolic stability.

Abstract A lead optimization campaign in our previously reported sulfamoyl benzamide class of CB2 agonists was conducted to improve the in vitro metabolic stability profile in this series while retaining high potency and selectivity for the CB2 receptor. From this study, compound 14, N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-(morpholinosulfonyl)phenyl)-2,2-dimethylbutanamide, was identified as a potent and selective CB2 agonist exhibiting moderate in vitro metabolic stability and oral bioavailability. Compound 14 demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a rat model of post-surgical pain.
Concentration and Removal of Waterborne Bacteria for Easy Detection

In the past decade a significant amount of research and development has been geared towards water treatment and distribution, especially in low income areas. Large fractions of this research have focused on waterborne contaminant removal, such as filters and flocculation agents, and biosensors designed to detect waterborne threats. In low income areas many of the currently used treatment methods are not suitable as they commonly are more expensive and difficult to maintain. Problems have also been observed with biosensors including a very low sensitivity, making it difficult to get accurate readings when low bacteria concentrations are present. In an attempt to address both of these problems in conjunction with one another, we have been studying the effects of a natural compound extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus as a flocculation and concentration agent for bacteria suspended in water. This material, known as mucilage, has proven to be an effective tool for aggregating and removing the sediment kaolin, and has also demonstrated flocculation of E. coli, B. cereus and B. subtilis. In bacteria treated columns thus far, the response in mucilage treated columns was almost immediate and large flocs were observed to form both with the naked eye and using a light microscope. Removal rates of up to 97% were also observed. Current tests with B. anthracis (fully attenuated) also demonstrate a great potential for mucilage in the fields of water treatment and biosensors. The aggregated bacteria that are formed within the column settle to the bottom forming a compact pellet that can then be removed for testing with biosensors. This type of flocculating agent has the potential to be very valuable in both of these fields because it is inexpensive, sustainable and easy to process and use.
Equivalent Survival With Mastectomy or Breast-conserving Surgery Plus Radiation in Young Women Aged < 40 Years With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A National Registry-based Stage-by-Stage Comparison

Abstract Background Studies have shown that young patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) are increasingly undergoing mastectomy instead of breast-conserving therapy (BCT) consisting of lumpectomy and radiation. We examined the difference in outcomes in young women (aged Materials and Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for women aged Results Of the 7665 women, 3249 received BCT and 2627 underwent mastectomy without radiation. When separated by stage (I, IIA, and IIB), with a median follow-up duration of 111 months, the BCT and mastectomy-only groups showed no statistically significant differences in BCSS and OS. Overall, the age group of 35 to 39 years (66% of total) was associated with better 10-year BCSS (88%) and OS (86.1%) compared with the younger patients aged 20 to 34 years (34% of total). The latter group had a 10-year BCSS and OS of 84.1% and 82.3%, respectively ( P Conclusion The results of our study suggest that although young age might be a poor prognostic factor for BC, no evidence has shown that these patients will have better outcomes after mastectomy than after BCT.
Patterns of erythrocyte digestion by bloodsucking insects: constraints on vector competence

Two general patterns of erythrocyte digestion were observed in representative species from four insect orders. Ingested erythrocytes were hemolyzed rapidly, and blood meals remained liquefied within body lice, Pediculus humanus L. and the fleas Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) and Xenopyslla cheopis (Rothschild). Peritrophic membrane was absent. In contrast, there was a lag time of 6-18 h before substantial degradation of erythrocytes within the blood meals of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L.; the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli; and the mosquitoes Anopheles stephensi Liston and Culex pipiens L. Blood meals of sand flies and mosquitoes were clotted and surrounded by peritrophic membrane at 18-24 h after feeding. Clotting and peritrophic membrane were less pronounced in bed bugs. It is proposed that acquisition and maintenance of pathogen types (i.e., prokaryotic versus eukaryotic) within insects are constrained by the general pattern of bloodmeal processing.
Spinal Cord Injury: Gastrointestinal Implications and Management

For persons with spinal cord injury, gastrointestinal disorders have a major impact on medical morbidity, maintenance of body image, need for caregiver support, and hospital discharge destination. Difficulties in achieving bowel continence have an impact on virtually every aspect of life; interfering with fulfillment of interpersonal, sexual, and employment roles. Strategies for management of SCI-related bowel disorders should take advantage of the considerable amount of normal, residual function that exists in the gastrointestinal tract, even after the most serious spinal cord injury.
Comparison of methods of acquiring attenuation maps for cardiac SPECT in the presence of respiratory motion

We investigated the effect of the respiratory motion on attenuation-corrected (AC) SPECT images for three different SPECT systems, each using a different approach in obtaining attenuation maps: scanning-line sources (SLS) acquired simultaneous with emission; slow cone-beam CT (CBCT) acquired sequentially to emission; and fast helical CT (HCT) acquired sequentially to emission. A torso phantom filled with 99mTc was used to model a cardiac perfusion study. Stationary baseline acquisitions were followed by the acquisitions with the phantom moving axially using a computer-controlled motion platform to simulate breathing. In addition, HCT acquisitions were made simulating breath-hold at different extents of misalignment between CT and emission. HCT images were also used to simulate the Average-CT method. Acquisitions were repeated with added breast attachments, and the heart insert in two different orientations. Visual comparison was made of AC maps, AC emission slices and polar maps. Quantitative comparisons were made of global uniformity based on the percent fractional standard deviation (%FSD) of the polar map segment values, and the ratio of the segment values in the Anterior and Inferior walls divided by that of the Lateral and Septal walls (AI/LS ratio). The AC maps for the SLS were inferior to the CT’s, and most impacted by added large breast attachment. Motion artifacts seen on CBCT slices were minimized in the derived attenuation maps. AC maps obtained from HCT showed inconsistent organ sizes depending on the direction of respiration at the time of acquisition. Both visually and quantitatively CBCT resulted in the best uniformity (up to 3.4 % lower in %FSD) for all the stationary acquisitions, and for the motion acquisition of the female phantom with large breast attachment (up to 4.0 % lower). For the motion acquisition of the male phantoms, HCT resulted in slightly better uniformity (<0.5 % lower) than CBCT. Breath-hold at end-expiration slightly improved (up to 1.1 %) the uniformity over the HCT acquired during regular breathing. Further improvement was achieved with the Average-CT method. For all the systems, phantom respiratory motion reduced the AI/LS ratio compared to when the phantoms were stationary. The CBCT approach resulted in the best uniformity of the AC emission images. For the female phantom with larger breast attachment, HCT and SLS were truncated at some projection angles introducing artifacts into the AC emission images. The emission image artifacts observed with HCT could be mitigated by performing breath-hold acquisition at end-expiration or Average-CT type acquisitions.
Effect of central fans and in-duct filters on deposition rates of ultrafine and fine particles in an occupied townhouse

Abstract Airborne particles are implicated in morbidity and mortality of certain high-risk subpopulations. Exposure to particles occurs mostly indoors, where a main removal mechanism is deposition to surfaces. Deposition can be affected by the use of forced-air circulation through ducts or by air filters. In this study, we calculate the deposition rates of particles in an occupied house due to forced-air circulation and the use of in-duct filters such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and fibrous mechanical filters (MECH). Deposition rates are calculated for 128 size categories ranging from 0.01 to 2.5 μm. More than 110 separate “events” (mostly cooking, candle burning, and pouring kitty litter) were used to calculate deposition rates for four conditions: fan off, fan on, MECH installed, ESP installed. For all cases, deposition rates varied in a “U”-shaped distribution with the minimum occurring near 0.1 μm, as predicted by theory. The use of the central fan with no filter or with a standard furnace filter increased deposition rates by amounts on the order of 0.1–0.5 h−1. The MECH increased deposition rates by up to 2 h−1 for ultrafine and fine particles but was ineffective for particles in the 0.1–0.5 μm range. The ESP increased deposition rates by 2–3 h−1 and was effective for all sizes. However, the ESP lost efficiency after several weeks and needed regular cleaning to maintain its effectiveness. A reduction of particle levels by 50% or more could be achieved by use of the ESP when operating properly. Since the use of fans and filters reduces particle concentrations from both indoor and outdoor sources, it is more effective than the alternative approach of reducing ventilation by closing windows or insulating homes more tightly. For persons at risk, use of an air filter may be an effective method of reducing exposure to particles.
Oxidative damage to plasma constituents by ozone

The reaction of ozone (O3) with human blood plasma was studied to help understand possible events that could occur in the respiratory tract. Uric acid (quantitatively the most important scavenger) and ascorbic acid were oxidized quickly, protein-SH groups were lost more slowly, and there was no loss of bilirubin or α-tocopherol. There was little formation of lipid hydroperoxides and no detectable formation of 4-hydroxynonenal, hexanal or nonanal, or changes in lipoprotein electrophoretic mobility. Uric acid in human upper airway secretions may play a significant role in removing inhaled O3. Oxidative damage to lipids must not be assumed to be the key mechanism of respiratory tract O3 toxicity.
Interpersonal and Affective Communication in Synchronous Online Discourse.

This article examines the communication of text‐based synchronous online discussion (chat) participants during the process of information sharing. It addresses the communicational constraints imposed by the computer‐mediated communication (CMC) channel on participants’ expression of interpersonal and affective stances, analyzes the mechanisms participants employed to overcome these constraints, and describes the characteristics of information seeking in chat interaction. Data for this study are derived from a math help chat group for K–12 students, facilitated by the Virtual Math Teams at Drexel University. Participants employed a variety of creative linguistic and paralinguistic devices to express interpersonal and affective stances, such as contractions of linguistic forms, prosodic features, and typographical conventions such as capital letters and emoticons to simulate gesture and facial expressions. The analysis of data suggests that effective interpersonal and emotional communication is a critical f...
Partitioning a planar assembly into two connected parts is NP-complete

Abstract Consider the following decision problem. Given a collection of non-overlapping (but possibly touching) polygons in the plane, is there a proper connected subcollection of it that can be separated from its complement moving as a rigid body, without disturbing the other parts of the collection, and such that the complement is also connected? We show that this decision problem is NP-complete. This had been known to be true without the connectedness requirement, and also with this requirement but in three-dimensional space.
Medial Rectus Muscle Marginal Myotomies for Persistent Esotropia

We reviewed the records of 18 patients with persistent esotropia after maximal recession of each medial rectus muscle on whom marginal myotomy of both medial recti muscles was subsequently performed. We compared the results in patients with essential infantile esotropia, acquired esotropia, nonaccommodative convergence excess, and nystagmus compensation syndrome. After a follow-up of three years, the mean improvement of esotropia at distance fixation was 9 prism diopters (range,−20 to +41 prism diopters) and was 21 prism diopters at near fixation (range,+4 to +50 prism diopters). The effect of marginal myotomy of previously maximally recessed medial recti muscles is unpredictable. However, we believe it to be an acceptable secondary surgical procedure in selected cases of persistent esotropia. The best results were obtained in essential infantile esotropia.
Effect of Bearing Pad Arrangement on Capacity of Slab Panel Bridge Members

Slab panel bridges (elsewhere referred to as flat-slab bridges) are constructed with multiple precast pretensioned slab panels that are placed side by side and act compositely with a cast-in-place concrete topping. Design standards from the Florida Department of Transportation specify that individual slab panels be supported by a tripod system of bearing pads. A single bearing pad is placed at one end, and two bearing pads at the opposite end. This paper presents experimental research on the effect that this bearing pad arrangement has on the behavior and capacity of slab panel members. Four full-scale tests on slab panels were conducted, with variables that included the bearing pad arrangement (single or double bearing), and the position of the load point [shear span-to-depth (a/d) ratio of 2.0 and 3.3]. For slab panels loaded at a/d of 3.3, test results indicated that the behavior and capacity were independent of the bearing pad arrangement. For the panel loaded at a/d of 2.0 with a single bearing pad, ...
Feeding Wild Animals: The Urge, the Interaction, and the Consequences

AbstractFeeding mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis) by tourists was studied on Mt. Evans in Colorado. Interviews revealed that one important reason why people hand-feed is to have the animal take food from their hand to show that it trusted them. Many believe that animals are better judges of people than are people, and that to be trusted by a wild animal reflects favorably on a person. However, feeding created a point source of food, which made it possible for an individual sheep to dominate access to food and to prevent the other group members from reaching the food. This intensified aggressive interactions and social stress among the sheep.In recent years there has been an increase in non-consumptive uses of wild animals, such as birdwatching. Although the term “non-consumptive” is meant to connote a way of enjoying wildlife that does the wildlife no harm, some non-consumptive uses do cause wildlife considerable harm (Boyle and Samson, 1983, 1985). Feeding wild animals is a common non-consumptive use of w...
Results after distal Austin and proximal displacement osteotomy: therapy for hallux valgus

Summary Correction osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone are the methods of choice for the therapy of hallux valgus in the absence of significant arthrotic changes in the metatarsophalangeal joint. Distal and proximal osteotomies are indicated, depending on the intermetatarsal angle. Fifty-eight patients were followed-up after an average of 12.8 months. The Austin osteotomy was used in 28 patients. The base wedge osteotomy was performed in 30 cases. Evaluation was done using an adaptation of the Miehlke score. After proximal displacement osteotomy, the results were very good and good in 27 cases. Complications occurred in two cases of non-union and one case of recurrent hallux valgus. After the Austin osteotomy, ‘good' and ‘very good' results were achieved in 23 cases. There were recurrences in seven cases with a borderline high intermetatarsal angle. The mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint is significantly better after base wedge osteotomy.
RETAINING STUDENTS THROUGH JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS

The purpose of this article was to examine the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) services and its potential in developing effective strategies to retain and retrain students. Community colleges must develop partnership relationships with businesses and other work organizations through vocational education programs in order to retrain and retain students. Firstly, to achieve this purpose community colleges must develop systematic techniques for gathering information and identifying students who need these programs. Secondly, community colleges must maintain a conducive and sustaining educational environment that is supportive to retaining culturally disadvantaged students.
Five-Coordinate Aluminum Bromides: Synthesis, Structure, Cation Formation, and Cleavage of Phosphate Ester Bonds

The alkane elimination reaction between Salen(tBu)H2 ligands and diethylaluminum bromide was used to prepare three Salen aluminum bromide compounds salen(tBu)AlBr (1) (salen = N,N‘-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)), salpen(tBu)AlBr (2) (salpen = N,N‘-propylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)), and salophen(tBu)AlBr (3) (salophen = N,N‘-o-phenylenenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)). The compounds contain five-coordinate aluminum either in a distorted square pyramidal or a trigonal bipyramidal environment. The bromide group in these compounds could be displaced by triphenylphosphine oxide or triphenyl phosphate to produce the six-coordinate cationic aluminum compounds [salen(tBu)Al(Ph3PO)2]Br (4), [salpen(tBu)Al(Ph3PO)2]Br (5), [salophen(tBu)Al(Ph3PO)2]Br (6), and [salophen(tBu)Al{(PhO)3PO)}2]Br (7). All the compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, 27Al, and 31P NMR, IR, mass spectrometry, and melting point. Furthermore, compounds 1−3 and 5−7 were structurally characterized by ...
A Perspective on Characterizing Benefits and Risks Derived from Clinical Trials: Can We Do More?

This article considers a variety of issues associated with the role that clinical trials play in the evaluation of the benefits and risks (harms) of new therapies and with the communication of quantitatively assessed benefits and risks based upon the evidence derived from clinical trials. The article is organized into several sections that explore and discuss aspects of the challenging area of characterizing benefits and risks from clinical trials. We begin with a background on the interest in the topic, and then consider a theme that argues for the imbalance or asymmetry in the way benefits and risks in clinical trials are currently characterized, using examples from the medical literature to illustrate the points. We then comment on several topics, such as metrics for benefit:risk that are involved in other aspects of benefit:risk analysis, which relate to other articles in this issue. Finally, we make some concluding remarks on how to make progress in the future to improve benefit:risk analysis in clinical trials.
The Evolved Actor in Sociology

In this article, I show that principles from both evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology inform a model of the actor that is usually implicit in sociological research on the family and social stratification. Making this evolved actor model explicit can unify and explain existing empirical sociological findings in these areas, and suggest new hypotheses for future research. I suggest the same is true in many other areas of sociology as well, and that explicitly incorporating a fully developed evolved actor model into sociology can both unify the discipline and reconnect it with the other life sciences.
Diversification Benefits of Investing in NYSE-Listed Developed Market ADRs: Evidence from 1990 through 2009

Investing in developed market ADRs listed on the NYSE provided US investors with diversification benefits based on how the ADR portfolios performed relative to the S&P 500. Developed ADRs listed in the 2000s during the weak US stock market outperformed those listed in the 1990s during the booming US stock market by over 29 percent relative to the S&P 500 index. These benefits existed even after breaking the sample down into IPOs and SEOs.
Action of digoxin and insulin on transport of glucose through myocardial cell membrane.

SummaryGalactose transport into the myocardium of the anesthetized intact dog was measured as function of time following administration of either digoxin (0.065 mg/kg) or insulin (1 unit/kg). Administration of these drugs resulted in an increase in galactose entry and accumulation in the myocardium, thus indicating an increase in rate of glucose transport into this tissue. The data support the conclusion that digoxin increases myocardial glucose metabolism by facilitating entry of glucose into the myocardial cell.
Investigating the Role of Cultural Capital and Organisational Habitus in Architectural Education: A Case Study Approach

Compared to other professions in recent years, architecture has lagged woefully behind in attracting and retaining a diverse population, as defined by class, race and gender. This research investigates the extent to which architecture culturally reproduces itself, specifically examining the socialisation process of students into the subculture of architecture during formal education. The work of French sociologist and anthropologist Pierre Bourdieu, who has written extensively on the subject of socialisation in education, serves as a theoretical framework for this research. Specifically, two factors are examined in this study: a student's level of cultural capital and the organisational habitus of the architecture programme. Using a comparative case study research strategy of two US schools of architecture, both quantitative and qualitative tactics are employed to provide a rich description of architecture students' and faculties' experiences. Building upon cultural reproduction and cultural mobility theories, findings from this research present a more nuanced understanding of students' backgrounds, beyond the typical dichotomous definition of high vs low cultural capital. Recommendations are made for architectural education to consider meaningful curricular reform in an effort to attract and engage a more diverse student population.
Literal solutions for the time-domain response of a two-conductor transmission line excited by an incident electromagnetic field

Analytical solutions of the transmission line equations for a lossless, two-conductor transmission-line with incident electromagnetic field illumination are obtained. The equations for the terminal voltages are in terms of symbols, rather than numerical values. This form of the solution gives insight into the various factors that contribute to the overall, time-domain response waveshape that would be obscured in a numerical solution. The results are specialized to uniform plane wave illumination and to electrically short lines. >
An RPC design for wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) will profoundly influence the ubiquitous computing landscape. Their utility derives not from the computational capabilities of any single sensor node, but from the emergent capabilities of many communicating sensor nodes. Consequently, the details of communication within and across single hop neighborhoods is a fundamental component of most WSN applications. But these details are often complex, and popular embedded languages for WSNs do not provide suitable communication abstractions. We propose that the absence of such abstractions contributes to the difficulty of developing large-scale WSN applications. To address this issue, we present the design and implementation of a remote procedure call (RPC) abstraction for nesC and TinyOS, the defacto standard for developing WSN applications. We present the key language extensions, operating system services, and automation tools that enable the proposed abstraction. We illustrate these contributions in the context of a small case study, and draw preliminary conclusions regarding the suitably of our approach to resource-constrained sensor nodes
Maternal periodontal disease and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 expression.

Background: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and plasma angiogenic factor expression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1.Methods: This was a nested case-control study of 220 women, including 45 healthy women with evidence of active periodontal disease, 98 women without evidence of active periodontal disease, 13 women with fetal exposure to oral pathogens, and 64 women without fetal exposure to oral pathogens. Active periodontal disease was defined as the presence of moderate/severe periodontal disease and evidence of periodontal disease progression. Fetal exposure to oral pathogens was determined by fetal immunoglobulin M (IgM) umbilical cord seropositivity. Maternal plasma was collected at <26 weeks of gestation; umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery. sFlt-1 was measured with an immunoradiometric assay. Demographic and medical data were chart abstracted. Maternal variables and sFlt-1 concentrations were compared between cases and ...