cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
mActive-Smoke: A Prospective Observational Study Using Mobile Health Tools to Assess the Association of Physical Activity With Smoking Urges

Background: Evidence that physical activity can curb smoking urges is limited in scope to acute effects and largely reliant on retrospective self-reported measures. Mobile health technologies offer novel mechanisms for capturing real-time data of behaviors in the natural environment. Objective: This study aimed to explore this in a real-world longitudinal setting by leveraging mobile health tools to assess the association between objectively measured physical activity and concurrent smoking urges in a 12-week prospective observational study. Methods: We enrolled 60 active smokers (≥3 cigarettes per day) and recorded baseline demographics, physical activity, and smoking behaviors using a Web-based questionnaire. Step counts were measured continuously using the Fitbit Charge HR. Participants reported instantaneous smoking urges via text message using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 9. On study completion, participants reported follow-up smoking behaviors in an online exit survey. Results: A total of 53 participants (aged 40 [SD 12] years, 57% [30/53] women, 49% [26/53] nonwhite) recorded at least 6 weeks of data and were thus included in the analysis. We recorded 15,365 urge messages throughout the study, with a mean of 290 (SD 62) messages per participant. Mean urge over the course of the study was positively associated with daily cigarette consumption at follow-up (Pearson r=.33; P=.02). No association existed between daily steps and mean daily urge (beta=−6.95×10−3 per 1000 steps; P=.30). Regression models of acute effects, however, did reveal modest inverse associations between steps within 30-, 60-, and 120-min time windows of a reported urge (beta=−.0191 per 100 steps, P<.001). Moreover, 6 individuals (approximately 10% of the study population) exhibited a stronger and consistent inverse association between steps and urge at both the day level (mean individualized beta=−.153 per 1000 steps) and 30-min level (mean individualized beta=−1.66 per 1000 steps). Conclusions: Although there was no association between objectively measured daily physical activity and concurrently self-reported smoking urges, there was a modest inverse relationship between recent step counts (30-120 min) and urge. Approximately 10% of the individuals appeared to have a stronger and consistent inverse association between physical activity and urge, a provocative finding warranting further study.
Problems in antifungal chemotherapy.

The field of antifungal chemotherapy is undergoing rapid change at present, with an accelerating pace of introduction of new agents. The problems at present include the need for more effective agents, particularly with novel modes of action. Fungal infection must be considered more frequently in differential diagnosis, and methods developed for early diagnosis. The literature must be improved, with more precise terms. Trials comparing agents are needed, as are studies directed at determining the appropriate length of therapy.In vitro susceptibility testing must be standardized, and clinical correlations examined. Particular problem areas in current therapy are deep candida infections, zygomycotic infections, fungal endocarditis and meningitis, cryptococcosis in AIDS patients, and ocular infections withFusarium species. Immunomodulating or “pro-host” drugs present an as yet unexplored avenue for clinical therapy. Regimes to prevent fungal infection need improvement. Until the needed advances occur, we must be resourceful in minimizing the toxicity of the agents presently available.
Incidence and growth potential of Bacillus cereus in ready-to-serve foods.

To simulate temperature abuse, 106 test portions of ready-to-serve moist foods, 12 test portions of rehydrated powdered infant formula, and 18 test portions of nonfat dry milk were incubated for 20 and 24 h at 26°C, and then examined for Bacillus cereus . Of the ready-to-serve moist foods, 88 of 106 were positive for B. cereus at levels ranging from 0.25 to 8.5 × 106/g after 20 h of incubation and from 0.1 to 58 × 106/g after 24 h. All of the powdered milk and 12 of the 15 units of infant formula, representing five brands, were positive, with counts ranging from 0.15 to 5.0 × 106/g in 20 h and 5.0 to 49 × 106 after 24 h. B. cereus counts in the powdered products were low, ranging from 0.09/g for one of two soy-based products to an average of 0.29/g for milk-based products. However, these levels were sufficient to initiate growth of B. cereus in almost every 2-oz serving. Similar results were obtained for rehydrated nonfat milk, with initial B. cereus counts ranging from 0.29 to 1.5/g; at 26°C the counts averaged 3.3 × 107 after 20 h and 5.5 × 107 after 24 h. Counts ranged from 2.0 × 104 to 1.1 × 105 after 9 h in milk and were in excess of 106/g after 10.5 h.
Terminal and Aggregate Traffic

We first focus on modeling terminal traffic. We then examine the superposition of traffic from these terminals The rest of the chapter evaluates the distribution of superposed random variables and processes. In a broadband environment, we expect a significant degree of traffic aggregation. This inherent advantage for broadband networks is explained using the law of large numbers, which implies that the statistical fluctuations of the aggregate traffic decrease as the number of superposed processes increases. Methods of estimating the tail distribution of the aggregate traffic are also given.
Carrier-Mediated Transport of Bile Acids and Amino Acids in Caco-2 Cells

The small intestinal epithelium comprises a cell population exhibiting continuous growth and differentiation in vivo, where the continuous loss of differentiated cells at the villus tip is compensated by cell replication at the villus crypt.1 The presence of tight junctions, which limits the paracellular diffusion of solutes, together with the numerous enzymes present in the brush border region make the intestinal epithelium the most significant barrier to mucosal absorption of drugs and nutrients.
Millennials’ Attitudes Towards Same-Sex Intimacy: A Review of Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity Among Men by Ritch C. Savin-Williams

In his book, Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity among Men, Savin-Williams (2017) introduces the possibility of new sexuality for men who are sexually attracted to men or fantasizing about having sex ...
Antibody and antibody derivatives as cancer therapeutics

Antibodies are an important class of therapeutic for treating a wide range of diseases. These versatile macromolecules can be engineered to target many different antigens and to utilize several mechanisms of action to produce a pharmacological effect. The most common antibody platform used for therapeutics is immunoglobulin G (IgG). Advances in protein-display and genetic engineering have enabled the construction and manipulation of IgG to enhance desired activity such as increasing antigen affinity, modulating pharmacokinetics, and enhancing effector functions. IgGs can also be altered to suppress undesired effects, such as immunogenicity. The main approaches to control IgG behavior include engineering the protein sequence and glycosylation of intact IgG; constructing IgG-based derivatives, including bispecific and multivalent binders; and fusing small-drug molecules or proteins to IgG-derived scaffolds. Often, a single modification applied to a given IgG can alter more than one property. The desired effects of an antibody therapeutic should be carefully tailored to the physiology and characteristics of each disease condition. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures.
Effects of a 3-week High-Fat-Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Lipid and Glucose Profiles in Experienced, Middle-age Male Runners.

This study examined glucose and lipid marker responses following a 3-week, ad libitum low-carbohydrate-high-fat diet (LCHF; ~70% kcals from fat, 20 mg/dL (p < 0.05) for both treatments from NEXH to EXH (HMD = 42 ± 16; LCHF = 35 ± 21 mg/dL). Main effects for diet were exhibited for HDL-C during NEXH and EXH (HMD = 48 ± 10 and 50 ± 11; LCHF = 57 ± 13 and 60 ± 13 mg/dL), and LDL-C also increased (p = 0.02) by ~20 mg/dL for LCHF at both collection points resulting in ~30 mg/dL greater total cholesterol for LCHF before and 24-h after exercise (p < 0.05). A 3-week, ad libitum LCHF did not elicit significant negative cardiovascular disease risk in male runners 30-50 years of age with healthy pre-intervention lipid and glucose marker status.
Taking Natural Evil into Account

In this chapter, I examine the problem of natural evil and the challenge that it presents to the God of traditional theism.
Zebrafish as a Model to Understand Human Genetic Diseases

Abstract Our collective knowledge of human genetic disease has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, with the rate of new gene discovery spiking as newer, more efficient genotyping methods are employed. Zebrafish have occupied a unique niche in this biological realm, providing a system in which the stereotypical vertebrate body plan is combined with large numbers of immediately accessible offspring in which to observe, characterize, and manipulate the genetic regulation of form and function. These features position zebrafish as a pivotal model organism for the diagnostic and therapeutic investigation of human genetic disorders. In this chapter, we outline the utility of the zebrafish model in studies of human genetic disease, highlighting some of the past contributions to the field and providing an overview of the current laboratory practices for basic and translational research into human disease genes.
Profiting from the failed state of Somalia: the violent political marketplace and insecurity in contemporary Mogadishu

This article examines the entanglement of insecurity profiteering and the emergence of the profitable violent political marketplace in southern Somalia. Reinforcing the recent research into secreti...
Celastrol, an active ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine, radiosensitizes human prostate cancer via modulating NF-kB-signaling pathway

422 Radioresistance markedly impairs the efficacy of radiotherapy and involves anti-apoptotic signal transduction pathways that prevent radiation-induced cell death. Modulation of cancer cell signaling pathways with small molecules may overcome radiation resistance of cancer cells, thus improving the efficacy of current radiation therapy for cancer and benefiting the cancer patients. There is a growing interest of the use of traditional medicines for cancer prevention and treatment. Celastrol, an active compound extracted from the root bark of the Chinese herbal medicine “Thunder of God Vine”, has been used to treat inflammatory conditions, and is also known to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of tumor cells, including prostate cancer. Recent studies have suggested the use of proteasome inhibitors as novel anti-cancer drugs, and it is thought that celastrol is a potent proteasome inhibitor and induces apoptosis via inhibition of NF-kB pathway. Since NF-kB pathway is involved in radiation-induced cell death, we carried out studies to investigate whether celastrol will sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation therapy.Our results show that Celastrol enhances radiation-induced cell growth inhibition in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Celastrol also inhibits the migration ability of prostate cancer cells. The results demonstrate that Celastrol induces apoptosis and inhibits cellular proliferation by blocking the activation of the NF-kB pathway and down-regulating NF-kB-regulated antiapoptotic proteins via proteasome inhibition. W found that clonogenic assays show potent sensitization of prostate cancer PC-3 and DU-145 cells, especially when treatment is given in sequence. Celastrol increased activation of Caspase-3 and blocked NF-kB activation in a radiation dose-dependent manner. In a PC-3 xenograft model in nude mice, celastrol achieved a much greater efficacy when used in combination with ionizing radiation. Tumors treated with celastrol plus radiation showed much more increased apoptosis and reduced angiogenesis than either treatment alone. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Celastrol can overcome apoptosis-resistance and sensitize human prostate cancer to radiation therapy. Celastrol represents a promising adjuvant therapy for radiosensitization of human prostate cancer.
Chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced or unresectable extra-hepatic biliary cancer

Background Although surgical resection is the preferred curative-intent treatment option for patients with non-metastatic, extra-hepatic biliary cancer (EBC), radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may be utilized in select cases when surgical resection is not feasible. The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) associated with CRT for patients with locally advanced and unresectable EBC. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with EBC, including extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer, deemed inoperable who received RT between 1998 and 2018. The median RT dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions and 94% received concurrent 5-fluorouracil. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from the start of RT. The cumulative incidence of local progression (LP), locoregional progression (LRP), and distant metastasis (DM) were reported with death as a competing risk. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess for correlation between patient and treatment characteristics and outcomes. Results Forty-eight patients were included for analysis. The median OS was 12.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.3-73.2 months]. The 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS were 33% (95% CI: 22-50%), 20% (95% CI: 11-36%), and 7% (95% CI: 2-20%), respectively. The 2-year PFS, LP, LRP, and DM were 21% (95% CI: 12-36%), 27% (95% CI: 17-44%), 31% (95% CI: 20-48%), and 33% (95% CI: 22-50%), respectively. On univariate analysis, biologically effective dose (BED) >59.5 Gy10 was associated with improved OS [hazard ratio (HR): 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18-0.92, P=0.03] and PFS (HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.16-0.84, P=0.02) and primary tumor size (per 1 cm increase) was associated with worsened PFS (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02-1.63, P=0.04). BED >59.5 Gy10 remained associated with PFS on multivariate analysis (HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.78, P=0.01). Treatment-related grade 3+ acute and late gastrointestinal AEs occurred in 13% and 17% of patients, respectively. Conclusions RT is associated with 3- and 5-year survival in a subset of patients with unresectable EBC. Further exploration of the role of RT as part of a multi-modality curative treatment strategy is warranted.
Design of a study to implement population-based risk assessment for hereditary cancer genetic testing in primary care

Identifying patients with high genetic risk for cancer has important clinical ramifications, but hereditary cancer risk is often not identified because of testing barriers at both the provider and patient level. It is unknown how to best implement appropriate genetic testing and follow-up care into an operating primary care clinic. Implementation studies to date have been conducted in high resourced facilities under optimal conditions, often not at the clinic level. This study aims to compare and evaluate two population-wide engagement strategies for identifying members of a primary care clinic's population with a family or personal history of cancer and offering high-risk individuals genetic testing for cancer susceptibility mutations. The two engagement strategies are: 1) point of care screening (POC), conducted when a patient is scheduled for an appointment and 2) direct patient engagement (DPE), where outreach provides the patient an opportunity to complete screening online on their own time. The study will identify changes, problems, and inefficiencies in clinical flow during and after the implementation of risk assessment and genomic testing for cancer risk across primary care clinics. It will also evaluate the effects of the two engagement strategies on patient, provider, and clinic leader outcomes, including perceptions of benefits, harms, and satisfaction with the engagement strategy and process of cancer risk assessment and genetic testing, across gender, racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and genetic literacy divides. Finally, the study will evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of each engagement strategy.
Superconducting computing with alternating logic elements

Although superconducting single flux quantum (SFQ) technologies offer the potential for low-latency operation with energy dissipation of the order of attojoules per gate, their inherently pulse-driven nature and stateful cells have led to designs in which every logic gate is clocked. This means that clocked buffers must be added to equalize logic path lengths, and every gate becomes a pipeline stage. We propose a different approach, where gates are clock-free and synchronous designs have a conventional look-and-feel. Despite being clock-free, however, the gates are state machines by nature. To properly manage these state machines, the logical clock cycle is composed of two synchronous alternating phases: the first of which implements the desired function, and the second of which returns the state machines to the ground state. Moreover, to address the challenges associated with the asynchronous implementation of Boolean NOT operations in pulse-based systems, values are represented as unordered binary codes - in particular, dual-rail codes. With unordered codes, AND and OR operations are functionally complete. We demonstrate that our new approach, xSFQ, with its dual-rail construction and alternating clock phases, along with "double-pumped" logical latches and a timing optimization through latch decomposition, is capable of implementing arbitrary digital designs without gate-level pipelining and the overheads that come with it. We evaluate energy-delay tradeoffs enabled by this approach through a mix of detailed analog circuit modeling, pulse-level discrete-event simulation, and high-level pipeline efficiency analysis. The resulting systems are shown to deliver energy-delay product (EDP) gains over conventional SFQ even with pipeline hazard ratios (HR) below 1%. For hazard ratios equal to 15% and 20% and a design resembling a RISC-V RV32I core (excluding the cost of interlock logic), xSFQ achieves 22x and 31x EDP savings, respectively.
Chapter 2 – Vibrational spectroscopy of polymers

This chapter introduces the basics of vibrational spectroscopy when applied to simple molecule and further extended to polymer molecules. It would also discuss the experimental aspects of IR and Raman spectroscopy, and their applications to polymers. Vibrational spectra include infrared and Raman result from the interactions of the vibrational motions of a molecule with electromagnetic radiation. These vibrational interactions can be described by a simple harmonic oscillator model. Raman spectroscopy is complementary to IR and due to differences in the nature of the selection rulesyields vibrational information not obtainable from IR. In many cases, Raman spectroscopy is particularly useful when ease of sampling and remote sampling is important. Much of the theory of Raman spectroscopy is the same as IR, so one can deal with them at the same time. A vibrational spectrum of either IR or Raman is ordinarily recorded in wave numbers, (cm -1 ), which is the number of waves per centimeter.
Design of robotic fingers with human-like passive parallel compliance

While human-like series passive compliance has been used in previous robotic hand designs, little attention has been paid to parallel passive compliance due to the lack of understanding of its importance in grasping and manipulation. In this paper, we present a novel design of compliant finger inspired by biomechanical features and functionality of human hands. We develop a human-like compact joint by optimizing the geometry of a compliant material and mechanical elements. The joint exhibits a passive double exponential torque matching human-like compliance. We implement the compliant joint into a robotic finger design with human-like tendon routings. We carry out a series of experiments on the finger design with an open-loop control strategy in grasping and manipulation. The results show that the fingers perform reliable grasping and manipulation without feedback. We validate the trajectory tracking with a motion capture system. The human-like compliant fingers follow the desired trajectories with small errors (less than 1 cm). The innovative finger design realizes the human-like hand passive properties and achieves human-like grasping capability.
Feminist Ethical Challenges in Supervision: A Trainee Perspective

Abstract Much like psychotherapy, the conduct of clinical supervision is ripe for potential ethical dilemmas due to the power differences inherent in the roles of supervisor and trainee. This study investigated these ethical dilemmas from the perspective of the trainee using a focus group and individual interviews. A qualitative analysis was conducted utilizing the feminist ethical frameworks of Brown (1994) and the Feminist Therapy Institute (1990). Trainees presented ethical conflicts that fell into three main categories: case conceptualization, failures of respect and mutuality and misuses of power. Implications of these findings and suggestions for resolving such dilemmas are presented.
Characterization of a centromere-linked recombination hot spot in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract A 1.5-kilobase-pair SalI-HindIII (SH) restriction fragment from the region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XIV immediately adjacent to the centromere appears to contain sequences that act as a hot spot for mitotic recombination. The presence of SH DNA on an autonomously replicating plasmid stimulates homologous genetic exchange between yeast genomic sequences and those present on the plasmid. In all recombinants characterized, exchange occurs in plasmid yeast sequences adjacent to rather than within the SH DNA. Hybridization analyses reveal that SH-containing plasmids are present in linear as well as circular form in S. cerevisiae and that linear forms are generated by cleavage at specific sites. Presumably, it is the linear form of the plasmid that is responsible for the stimulation of genetic exchange. Based on these observations, it is proposed that this DNA fragment contains a centromere-linked recombination hot spot and that SH-stimulated recombination occurs via a mechanism similar to double-strand-gap repair (J. W. Szostak, T. Orr-Weaver, J. Rothstein, and F. Stahl, Cell 33:25-35 1983).
Finding Pathways: Case Selection for Studying Causal Mechanisms in Mixed-Methods Research

The study of causal mechanisms interests scholars across the social sciences. Statistical approaches to studying mechanisms can be used to bolster our confidence in the causal connection between variables or estimate the average effect of a mechanism on an outcome. These approaches, however, often require more knowledge about mechanisms than we possess. Case studies can be a valuable tool in developing the knowledge need to utilize these statistical tools to study mechanisms. The usefulness of case studies in the search for causal mechanisms depends on effective case selection and there are few guidelines for selecting cases to study causal mechanisms. We fill that gap by focusing on case selection for “pathway analysis”: the use of case studies to probe causal links between statistically related variables across settings. Our case selection procedures are tied to the goal of building knowledge that can ultimately be utilized in statistical studies of mechanisms. Our approach focuses on selecting cases that allow scholars to both observe the mechanism being studied and to understand what, if any, generalizations can be made from the chosen cases. We demonstrate how to apply our approach and compare our approach to a leading example of pathway analysis in the so-called “resource curse” literature, a prominent example of a well-established X1/Y correlation featuring a non-linear relationship and multiple causal mechanisms.
From Crystals to Nanocrystals: Semiconductors and Beyond

Knowledge of the atomic-scale structure is an important prerequisite to understand and predict the physical properties of materials. In the case of crystals it is obtained from the positions and the intensities of the Bragg peaks in the diffraction data1. However, many materials of technological importance are not perfectly crystalline but contain significant disorder at the atomic scale. The diffraction patterns of such materials show only a few Bragg peaks, if any, and a pronounced diffuse component. This poses a real challenge to the usual techniques for structure characterization. The challenge can be met by employing the so-called atomic pair distribution function (PDF) technique. The atomic PDF gives the number of atoms in a spherical shell of unit thickness at a distancerfrom a reference atom. It peaks at characteristic distances separating pairs of atoms and thus describes the structure of materials. The PDF, G(r)=4πr[ρ(r)−ρ 0 ], is the sine Fourier transform of the so-called total scattering structure factorS(Q) $$ G(r) = (2/\pi )\int\limits_{Q = 0}^{{Q_{\max }}} {Q[S(Q) - 1]\sin (Qr)dQ,} $$ (1)
Sterically stabilized phospholipid mixed micelles: in vitro evaluation as a novel carrier for water-insoluble drugs.

Purpose. Sterically stabilized phospholipid micelles (SSMs) composed of poly(ethylene glycol-2000)-grafted distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG(2000)-DSPE) are new and promising lipid-based carriers for water-insoluble drugs. This study investigates and compares sterically stabilized mixed micelles (SSMM), composed of (PEG(2000)-DSPE) plus egg-phosphatidylcholine, with SSM as a novel delivery system for improved solubilization of water-insoluble drugs using paclitaxel as a model.
Analysis of the nifHDK operon and structure of the NifH protein from the unicellular, diazotrophic cyanobacterium, Cyanothece strain sp. ATCC 51142(1).

Abstract Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 is a unicellular, diazotrophic cyanobacterium that demonstrates diurnal rhythms for photosynthesis and N2 fixation, with peaks of O2 evolution and nitrogenase activity approximately 12 h out of phase. We cloned and sequenced the nifHDK operon, and determined that the amino acid sequences of all three proteins were highly conserved relative to those of other cyanobacteria and bacteria. However, the Fe-protein, encoded by the nifH gene, demonstrated two differences from the related protein in Azotobacter vinelandii, for which a 3-D structure has been determined. First, the Cyanothece Fe-protein contained a 37 amino acid extension at the N-terminus. This ∼4 kDa addition to the protein appeared to fold as a separate domain, but remained a part of the active protein, as was verified by migration on acrylamide gels. In addition, the Cyanothece Fe-protein had amino acid differences at positions involved in formation of the Fe-protein dimer-dimer contacts in A. vinelandii nitrogenase. There were also changes in residues involved with interaction between the Fe-protein and the MoFe-protein when compared with A. vinelandii. Since the Cyanothece Fe-protein is quickly degraded after activity, it is suggested that the extension and the amino acid alterations were somehow involved in this degradative process.
Brevitas and the disabled

Brevitas is a doctrine of communication style that emerged from classical rhetorical theory. This approach to writing or speaking valorizes directness, clarity, “just rightness” in choice of words, and ease of comprehension for the reader or listener — all the while pursuing the goal of greatest effectiveness. For the ancients, the idea was to find the virtuous golden mean for all one's words, in the zone midway between the opposing vices of prolixity (too much) and obscurity (too little). The habit of speaking or writing with brevitas constituted a virtue just like courage, wisdom, self control, or any other virtue. It was one of the things that defined human excellence. In this paper, a college professor, a tutor, and a student discuss the value of brevitas and the way it was taught — and learned — in a technical communication course at an American university. For the student, who is both quadriplegic and nonverbal, the power and the philosophy of brevitas hold special interest.
Intraglobulin fractional analysis as an aid in the differentiation of medical from surgical jaundice.

Summary Intraglobulin fractional analysis by a simple in vitro battery of determinations consisting of the serum mucoprotein (M), acid precipitable globulin (APG) turbidity, zinc sulfate (ZS) turbidity, total bound polysaccharide (Ptp) was studied in 100 patients with hepatocellular jaundice and 60 patients with obstructive jaundice. Alterations in the profile characterized by reduced M, reduced APG, high ZS, low APG/ZS values were associated with hepatocellular jaundice, whereas normal or high M, high APG, normal or low ZS, high APG/ZS values were usually found with obstructive jaundice. This profile compared favorably with the cephalin flocculation, alkaline phosphatase and other established aids in the differential diagnosis of jaundice.
Feasibility evaluation of dynamically linearized kinematically redundant planar manipulators

The objective of this research is to investigate a promising theoretical development which could lead to advanced manipulator concepts offering fast dynamic and control features. The application of 'dynamic linearization' to open-chain kinematically redundant planar and spatial manipulator towards the end of determining the feasibility of dextrous robots exhibiting both high mechanical and computational speed is investigated. In comparing planar dynamically linearized manipulators with standard nonlinear designs, it is shown that performance advantages and reductions in joint actuator energy consumption can be realized using relatively simple trajectory optimization schemes. Kinematically redundant planar manipulators are shown to outperform their nonredundant counterparts. The results pertaining to planar manipulators only are summarized. >
The Rotation Curve from A-F Supergiants

The Galactic rotation law provides critical information for estimating the distribution of mass in the Galaxy, for tying the distance of the Sun from the Galactic center to local distance scales, and, if determined over large enough distances, for estimating the total mass of the system and the amount of nonluminous matter present. Interior to the Sun velocities are well defined by observations of the ISM, particularly III. These techniques are not available for points exterior to the Sun and we must rely on observations of velocities of objects whose distances can be estimated. Notable among these are the Cepheids (Pont et al 1994) and the combination of CO velocities and OB cluster distances (Brand & Blitz 1993) where the two are found to coexist. Adding a new class of objects, particularly bright, relatively common objects to this effort is of importance.
Oxidized-LDL Enhances Coronary Vasoconstriction by Increasing the Activity of Protein Kinase C Isoforms α and ε

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic coronary vasospasm; however, the cellular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that ox-LDL enhances coronary vasoconstriction by increasing the activity of specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in coronary smooth muscle. Active stress was measured in de-endothelialized porcine coronary artery strips; cell contraction and [Ca 2+ ] i were monitored in single coronary smooth muscle cells loaded with fura-2; and the cytosolic and particulate fractions were examined for PKC activity and reactivity with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies with Western blots. Ox-LDL (100 μg/mL) caused slow but significant increases in active stress to 1.3±0.4×10 3 N/m 2 and cell contraction (10%) that were completely inhibited by GF109203X (10 −6 mol/L), an inhibitor of Ca 2+ -dependent and -independent PKC isoforms, with no significant change in [Ca 2+ ] i . 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 10 −7 mol/L) and KCl (24 mmol/L) caused increases in cell contraction and [Ca 2+ ] i that were inhibited by the Ca 2+ channel blocker verapamil (10 −6 mol/L). Ox-LDL enhanced coronary contraction to 5-HT and KCl with no additional increases in [Ca 2+ ] i . Direct activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate (PMA; 10 −7 mol/L) caused a contraction similar in magnitude and time course to ox-LDL–induced contraction and enhanced 5-HT– and KCl-induced contraction with no additional increases in [Ca 2+ ] i . The ox-LDL–induced enhancement of 5-HT and KCl contraction was inhibited by Go6976 (10 −6 mol/L), an inhibitor of Ca 2+ -dependent PKC isoforms. Both ox-LDL and PMA caused an increase in PKC activity in the particulate fraction, a decrease in the cytosolic fraction, and an increase in the particulate/cytosolic PKC activity ratio. Western blots revealed the Ca 2+ -dependent PKC-α and the Ca 2+ -independent PKC-δ, -e, and -ζ isoforms. In unstimulated tissues, PKC-α- and -e were mainly cytosolic, PKC-δ was mainly in the particulate fraction, and PKC-ζ was equally distributed in the cytosolic and particulate fractions. Ox-LDL alone or PMA alone caused translocation of PKC-e from the cytosolic to particulate fraction, whereas the distribution pattern of PKC-α, -δ, and -ζ remained unchanged. 5-HT (10 −7 mol/L) alone and KCl alone did not change PKC activity. In tissues pretreated with ox-LDL or PMA, 5-HT and KCl caused additional increases in PKC-α activity. Native LDL did not significantly affect coronary contraction, [Ca 2+ ] i , or PKC activity. These results suggest that ox-LDL causes coronary contraction via activation of the Ca 2+ -independent PKC-e and enhances the contraction to [Ca 2+ ] i -increasing agonists by activating the Ca 2+ -dependent PKC-α. Activation of PKC-α and -e may represent a possible cellular mechanism by which ox-LDL could enhance coronary vasospasm.
Nanorod orientation dependence of tunable Fano resonance in plasmonic nanorod heptamers

We present orientation dependence and tuning of Fano resonances in plasmonic gold nanorod heptamer nanostructures. The heptamer structures were formed by surrounding a central circular nanoparticle by six satellite nanorods in a hexagonal arrangement and the heptamer structures were then embedded in a thin flexible membrane. The Fano resonance was found to depend on the orientation of the nanorods within the heptamer and for a given orientation, the Fano resonance was dynamically tuned and its symmetry lowered by application of uniaxial mechanical stress. The expected spectral features were obtained by simulations and verified by experiments. The spectral features of the heptamer structures were further characterized by using detailed group theoretical analysis. We show that both sub-structural and mechanical tuning could be employed to engineer the Fano resonances in complex plasmonic molecules.
FAK, SMAD and MAPK Pathways Diverge During Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Cells

Adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (AMCs) are a promising cell source for orthopaedic tissue engineering applications due to their accessibility and multi-lineage potential [1]. However, future use in bone and cartilage regeneration requires a comprehensive understanding of the pathways driving AMCs to osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. We have previously demonstrated the dual function of a single medium containing bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) on differentiation of AMCs; in the presence of BMP-6, monolayer culture induces osteogenic differentiation while pellet culture stimulates chondrogenesis [2]. Additionally, BMP-6 has been demonstrated to be both osteogenic and chondrogenic on marrow-derived stem cells [3,4], but the mechanisms driving the effect of BMP-6 in these conditions remains poorly understood. Recent studies have implicated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cell/matrix attachment in directing osteogenesis, while an absence of these signals support chondrogenesis [5,6]. We hypothesized that the focal adhesions present in monolayer prompt different pathway activation than in pellet culture, resulting in either osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation of AMCs in response to BMP-6. Our goal was to elucidate the cellular mechanisms employed by BMP-6 during differentiation. Therefore, we examined the activation of the FAK, MAP kinase (MAPK) pathways, and the canonical BMP-6 pathway via SMAD signaling in both monolayer and pellet culture.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Activation volumes for formation and motion of defects in crystalline solids

Abstract By consideration of the factors that affect the activation volume for formation, Δ V F , and for motion, Δ V M , of a diffusing species, it is suggested that the sign dependence of the activation volume for self-diffusion, Δ V D , can be predicted. Our predictions are based on the assumption that (1) interstitial diffusion is associated with an abnormally low activation energy for diffusion, (2) vacancy diffusion is present where normal activation energies are observed, and (3) a disordered, liquid-like region is produced when the diffusing species moves into the activated state. Several examples are presented to illustrate our proposed model.
SHADOWING ON FRACTALS

We consider several families of continous dynamical systems on Cantor sets arising, in particular, from computer simulation and modeling of neural networks by discrete and/or finite approximations (such as cellular automata). It is shown that such approximations are always observable (have the shadowing property), in the sense that pseudo-orbits obtained by small perturbations of an orbit are approximated by actual orbits. It follows that the true behavior of locally defined dynamical systems can be observed exactly on computer simulations, despite unavoidable discretization and approximation errors.
Bone marrow and extramedullary variations of cell membrane antigen expression in childhood lymphoid neoplasias at relapse.

To increase our knowledge of the pathogenesis of tumour recurrence, cell membrane phenotypes were determined on bone marrow and extramedullary tumour cells at diagnosis and at relapse in 24 children with lymphoid malignancies. There were 19 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and five with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Membrane characteristics used for classification were E-rosetting, T antigen, surface immunoglobulin (sIg) and Ia antigen. Twelve patients were phenotyped as non-T, non-B, five as T-like and seven as B-like leukemia/lymphoma. Eighty-eight tissue samples were assayed for cell surface markers at the time of relapse(s). Lymphoblasts from 18 children (75%) demonstrated no variation in membrane marker expression. Six patients (25%) showed alteration of antigen expression on lymphoblasts obtained during relapses. This was manifested by loss of Ia antigen in two patients, loss of E-rosetting in one patient and loss of sIgD in one patient. Lymphoblasts from two patients, initially non-reactive with the four membrane markers utilized, expressed Ia antigen on subsequent relapses. Despite these variations no patient was categorized differently (i.e. T-like becoming non-T, non-B). Simultaneous lymphoblast phenotype determination from multiple body sites in 13 children showed no variation in marker analysis. A lymphoblast's phenotype remains stable throughout repeated relapses and is not influenced by relapse site in most children with lymphoid neoplasias. This information may be helpful in designing protocols where cytotoxic monoclonal antibodies are used as a treatment modality in patients with recurrent disease.
Review of “orthopaedic biomechanics” edited by Beth A. Winkelstein

This article is a review of the book “orthopaedic biomechanics” edited by Beth A. Winkelstein. This book (hardcover) was published by CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, FL in 2012. The contents of the book and its relevance to orthopedic research or practice is discussed in this invited review.
Bridging the digital divide one tweet at a time: twitter-enabled devices for family communication

We present two devices designed to facilitate information transfer and communication between family members, particularly older adults and their younger relatives. Central to both devices is their use of Twitter to send updates and messages to relatives and friends. In this paper, we report on the design of the system and share results from preliminary focus groups.
THE PREVALENCE OF CORNEAL DISEASE AND CATARACTS IN AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES IN NORTHWESTERN AUSTRALIA

Fifty percent of the Aborigines over the age of 30, in two settlements, were examined and the presence of anterior ocular disease was recorded. A group of urban Europeans were also examined. All of the 82 Aborigines showed signs of trachoma, eight were bilaterally blind and 15 had monocular blindness. Corneal opacities were found in 60% of Aborigines, pterygium in 44%, cataract in 32%, climatic droplet keratopathy in 18% and pseudo-exfoliation of the lens in 11%. Only 4% of Europeans had corneal scarring and 4% had pterygium, 10% of Europeans had cataracts. Trachaoma, climatic droplet keratopathy and pseudoexfoliation were not seen in Europeans. It is postulated that much of the anterior segment disease seen in Australian Aborigines is due to environmental factors.
Fluid Dynamics of Sprays—1992 Freeman Scholar Lecture

Various theoretical and computational aspects of the fluid dynamics of sprays are reviewed. Emphasis is given to rapidly vaporizing sprays on account of the richness of the scientific phenomena and the several, often disparate, time scales. Attention is given to the behavior of individual droplets including the effects of forced convection due to relative droplet-gas motion, Stefan convection due to the vaporization or condensation of the liquid, internal circulation of the liquid, interactions with neighboring droplets, and interactions with vortical eddies. Flow field details in the gas boundary layer and wake and in the liquid droplet interior are examined. Also, the determinations of droplet lift and drag coefficients and Nusselt and Sherwood numbers and their relationships with Reynolds number, transfer number, Prandtl and Schmidt numbers, and spacing between neighboring droplets are extensively discussed. The spray equations are examined from several aspects; in particular, two-continua, multi-continua, discrete-particle, and probabilistic formulations are given. The choice of Eulerian or Lagrangian representation of the liquid-phase equations within these formulations is discussed including important computational issues and the relationship between the Lagrangian method and the method of characteristics. Topics for future research are suggested.
Plasma glucose changes in preterm infants during oral theophylline therapy

no longer available, reabsorption of the reconverted bilirubin would presumably occur; this might account for the marked rebound observed in the three infants requiring repeat phototherapy. It is difficult, however, to explain the less pronounced rebound that occurred in the two infants in the post-phototherapy period; perhaps the increasing maturity of the liver, with improved conjugation, is a factor in reducing the post-phototherapy rebound. In the infants with low intestinal obstruction, the response to phototherapy and the subsequent rebound were hardly different from that of infants without obstruction. 6 The propulsion of photoisomers into the large gut might again be a significant factor in determining this particular form of response.
Rationale and Design of the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE)

OBJECTIVE The epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) threatens to become the major public health problem of this century. However, a comprehensive comparison of the long-term effects of medications to treat T2DM has not been conducted. GRADE, a pragmatic, unmasked clinical trial, aims to compare commonly used diabetes medications, when combined with metformin, on glycemia-lowering effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS GRADE was designed with support from a U34 planning grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The consensus protocol was approved by NIDDK and the GRADE Research Group. Eligibility criteria for the 5,000 metformin-treated subjects include 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) and, ultimately, the need to implement an intensive basal/bolus insulin regimen. The four drugs will also be compared with respect to selected microvascular complications, cardiovascular disease risk factors, adverse effects, tolerability, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS GRADE will compare the long-term effectiveness of major glycemia-lowering medications and provide guidance to clinicians about the most appropriate medications to treat T2DM. GRADE begins recruitment at 37 centers in the U.S. in 2013.
1550-nm time-domain study of ErAs:GaAs photoconductive switches as a function of the erbium concentration

We present the performance of ultrafast ErAs:GaAs photoconductive-switch antennas measured with a 1550-nm time-domain spectrometer. A 1%- and 2%-Er ErAs:GaAs PC switch were tested and showed detected transmitted frequencies up to at least 2.5 and 4.0 THz, respectively, with a dynamic range of ∼50 and ∼55 dB below ∼200 GHz.
Real‐time multirate state estimation in a pilot‐scale polymerization reactor

Real-time implementation of a robust multirate state estimator on a continuous stirred-tank, free-radical, styrene polymerization reactor is presented. The estimator is designed based on a first-principles model of the process. It has integral action that allows for robust estimation of the process states. The estimator calculates frequent robust estimates of polymer weight-average and number-average molecular weights and monomer concentration. These are estimated from frequent online measurements of the reactor temperature, and infrequent offline and delayed measurements of polymer weight-average and number-average molecular weights and monomer concentration. In-frequent measurements of monomer concentration are obtained by gas chromatography and gravimetry, and those of weight-average and number-average molecular weights by gel permeation chromatography.
Bayesian structural inference for hidden processes

We introduce a Bayesian approach to discovering patterns in structurally complex processes. The proposed method of Bayesian structural inference (BSI) relies on a set of candidate unifilar hidden Markov model (uHMM) topologies for inference of process structure from a data series. We employ a recently developed exact enumeration of topological e-machines. (A sequel then removes the topological restriction.) This subset of the uHMM topologies has the added benefit that inferred models are guaranteed to be e-machines, irrespective of estimated transition probabilities. Properties of e-machines and uHMMs allow for the derivation of analytic expressions for estimating transition probabilities, inferring start states, and comparing the posterior probability of candidate model topologies, despite process internal structure being only indirectly present in data. We demonstrate BSI's effectiveness in estimating a process's randomness, as reflected by the Shannon entropy rate, and its structure, as quantified by the statistical complexity. We also compare using the posterior distribution over candidate models and the single, maximum a posteriori model for point estimation and show that the former more accurately reflects uncertainty in estimated values. We apply BSI to in-class examples of finite- and infinite-order Markov processes, as well to an out-of-class, infinite-state hidden process.