cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Underpinnings of Cardiogenesis and Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD), the leading noninfec-tious cause of death in infants, occurs in nearly 1% of live births and causes 10% of spontaneous abortions (1). Diagnosis and treatment of CHD have improved, and surgical palliation for many defects has resulted in an increasing population of adults surviving with complex CHD. Some forms of adult-onset heart disease originate in cardiac developmental defects. The most notable of these defects, aortic valve stenosis, is usually associated with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve and is seen in 1% of the population.
Heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract Although heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty is frequently observed radiographically, it fortunately is much less commonly of clinical importance. There are, however, a group of patients that develop significant heterotopic bone formation, which can be symptomatic and, in some cases, can require repeat surgery. Careful surgical technique seems indicated in all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty to try to reduce the incidence of this problem. Patients who are recognized to be at risk should be treated with prophylaxis. These include patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, skeletal hyperostosis, and prior heterotopic bone formation. Both low-dose radiation and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories have been shown to be effective. The choice between these two modalities depends on the patient's individual circumstances, the availability of radiotherapy support (including custom shielding for ingrowth components), and the presence of areas of bone grafting and any osteotomies or fractures. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, particularly Indomethacin, are a very acceptable form of prophylaxis and may be preferred in certain patients, including young women of childbearing age. Radiation is preferred in those patients with known GI intolerance to these medications or with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease. Excision of heterotopic bone, if symptomatic, should not be performed before 6 to 12 months and then only once it is clear that the process is mature. Bone scans can be helpful in assessing the maturity of heterotopic bone and can guide the timing of excision. Prophylaxis should be carried out in all patients following excision of heterotopic bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Guiding Junior Scholars into and Through the Publication Process

This chapter focuses on the challenges that newer scholars face in learning to write for publication and on the role that doctoral supervisors and other mentors can play in helping these scholars to climb the learning curve (or “crack the code”) and become successful academic writers. Subtopics include the types of feedback and other instructional interactions that can be helpful in scaffolding the writing process and special considerations for co-authoring papers with current or former students. In addition to the literature on response to student writing and especially the mentoring of doctoral students, the author draws upon several decades of experience of supervising MA theses and doctoral dissertations, co-authoring with students, and providing mentoring as a journal reviewer and editor.
Self-tuning stochastic resonance energy harvesting for rotating systems under modulated noise and its application to smart tires

Abstract Energy harvesting from rotating system has been an influential topic for researchers over the past several years. In this paper, we propose an energy harvester for rotating systems under modulated noise excitations by taking advantage of self-tuning stochastic resonance with particular application to power smart tires. Compared to existing tire energy harvesters, it has larger power output and wider bandwidth. The former is achieved by stochastic resonance while the latter is by passively tuning the stochastic resonance frequency to track the time varying rotating speeds of the tire via a centrifugal stiffening effect; thus, the harvester maintains optimal power generation over a wide range of vehicle speed. It is an electromagnetic energy harvester consisting of an inward oriented rotating beam subjected to centrifugal force induced buckling. The compressive centrifugal force induces bistability to the harvester. The equation of motion is derived to investigate the effect of self-tuning. The tuning performance is verified by analysis of Kramers rate and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Numerical simulation is conducted to simulate the harvested power in a passenger car tire at different driving speeds. Maximum power of 45 mW is achieved in the simulation. The half-power bandwidth of the harvester is around 52–111 km/h (32 mph–70 mph), which corresponds to a typical speed range for a car in general roads and highways. To validate the simulation results, experiment is conducted. A rotating platform is built to mimic the tire rotation. Experiment results show good agreement with the numerical simulation with around 10% of errors, which proves the feasibility of the proposed harvester. A frequency sweep test also shows that the harvester works well in frequency-varying environments which are close to real driving conditions.
Estimating domestic well locations and populations served in the contiguous U.S. for years 2000 and 2010.

Abstract Domestic wells provide drinking water supply for approximately 40 million people in the United States. Knowing the location of these wells, and the populations they serve, is important for identifying heavily used aquifers, locations susceptible to contamination, and populations potentially impacted by poor-quality groundwater. The 1990 census was the last nationally consistent survey of a home's source of water, and has not been surveyed since. This paper presents a method for projecting the population dependent on domestic wells for years after 1990, using information from the 1990 census along with population data from subsequent censuses. The method is based on the “domestic ratio” at the census block-group level, defined here as the number of households dependent on domestic wells divided by the total population. Analysis of 1990 data (>220,000 block-groups) indicates that the domestic ratio is a function of the household density. As household density increases, the domestic ratio decreases, once a household density threshold is met. The 1990 data were used to develop a relationship between household density and the domestic ratio. The fitted model, along with household density data from 2000 and 2010, was used to estimate domestic ratios for each decadal year. In turn, the number of households dependent on domestic wells was estimated at the block-group level for 2000 and 2010. High-resolution census-block population data were used to refine the spatial distribution of domestic-well usage and to convert the data into population numbers. The results are presented in two downloadable raster datasets for each decadal year. It is estimated that the total population using domestic-well water in the contiguous U.S. increased 1.5% from 1990 to 2000 to a total of 37.25 million people and increased slightly from 2000 to 2010 to 37.29 million people.
Some Misconceptions concerning the Concept of Variable.

Letters in equations were my initial mathematical downfall. For me, it wasn't the jc's, /s, and z's of algebra that caused the trouble. Nor was it the e's and 5's of cal culus, though they certainly caused some very panicky moments. It was my first sight of the a's and /?'s of abstract albegra that pushed me into a frenzied retreat from mathematics. At that time (ten years ago) I identified mathematics as being little more than obscurity by abstraction and dehu manization by symbolization. I have since returned to mathematics, tackling a's, /?'s, and y's left and right. But, the memory of the difficulties I had has in creased my interest in the problems associ ated with learning about mathematics and its symbols. Much has been written in the last decade concerning the reasons why so many stu dents have difficulty with, and an aversion to, mathematics. Compelling arguments can be presented about cultural, political, and psychological factors that have caused the mathematical downfall of many a would-be mathematician, scientist, busi ness person, and computer programmer. As valid as these arguments may be, we must not neglect the inherent difficulty of the
Costs and Benefits of Water Pollution Control

The United States Congress, in amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in 1972, tied the control of water pollution to the application of pollution control technology. By 1977 all major point sources of water pollution were to have “best practicable control technology” (BPT) in place followed by the application in 1983 of “best available control technology” (BAT). The specific levels of discharges and technology for their achievement are being described in industry “development documents” issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1
Dedo Azul Não-Isquémico: Caso Raro e Benigno: Non-Ischemic Blue Finger: Rare and Benign Case

The spontaneous non-ischemic blue finger consists of the sudden onset of isolated digital violaceous discoloration, with no other associated symptoms and rapid and spontaneous resolution. It is a rare and benign phenomenon and represents a diagnosis of exclusion. Thus, it is important to make the differential diagnosis with other more frequent aetiologies, such as thrombotic and ischemic events, or autoimmune pathology. We describe the case of an 83-year-old woman who sought her primary care doctor due to a sudden onset of a painless tumefaction and blueish discoloration of the third finger of her right hand, sparing the distal extremity. The analytical evaluation for thrombophilia and autoimmunity was negative, as was the imaging investigation for ischemia or trauma. The patient was re-evaluated seven days later, showing complete resolution of the condition. This case assumes importance due to its similarity with potentially more serious prognostic pathologies.
Catering Crisis in Edwardian England

Of the six catering companies relying primarily on working- and middle-class custom examined in this chapter, only the Express Dairy Company avoided internal upheaval in Edwardian England. Boards of Directors at Ye Mecca, Lockharts, Slaters, the ABC and the BTT in turn confronted disgruntled committees of inspection in the years 1904–1909 and 1915. Each company had similar problems—declining profits, dividends and gross sales, together with un-remunerative shops. Three of them—Ye Mecca, Express Dairy and Slaters—had periods of missed dividends, while Slaters and two others (ABC and Lockharts) had plummeting share values. Whether the companies had set aside reserves or declared some or no goodwill matter not at all in terms of long-term financial health. What mattered most in restoring a company to stability were skills of the general manager, as Arthur Pearce demonstrated at Lockharts.
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of GATA3 positive tumors: A case report

Abstract We describe a novel pathology finding in a 40-year-old woman without a history of breast carcinoma who presented with axillary swelling. The patient underwent core needle biopsy followed by axillary dissection 6 months later. The core biopsy of the axillary mass was initially considered to be a carcinoma of unknown primary, and as the biopsy specimen showed a pleomorphic malignant neoplasm that was GATA3 positive, the working diagnosis became metastatic breast carcinoma. The patient underwent an axillary dissection and was referred to our center for continuation of care. In addition to being positive for GATA3, the neoplasm was positive for CD21, CD23 and CD35, and negative for keratins, EMA, mammaglobin GCDFP-15, CD138, S-100 protein and other markers. The diagnosis of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma was established. We believe it is important to be aware that follicular dendritic cell sarcoma can be positive for GATA3, to avoid misdiagnosis as a metastatic neoplasm and an exhaustive workup for a primary site.
Imaging through an imperfect skull with non-Hermitian complementary acoustic metamaterials

Biomedical ultrasound is a proficient tool for diagnostic imaging and a wide variety of non-invasive medical procedures due to its high spatial resolution and biocompatibility. While high frequency ultrasound is highly sought after for use in the brain, the skull acts as a highly mismatched and lossy impedance barrier that scatters and damps the energy delivered to a targeted region. This limits the usefulness of ultrasound for brain imaging and brain therapies. Non-Hermitian complementary metamaterials (NHCMM) use transformation acoustics to overcome the impedance mismatch and intrinsic loss of the skull to enable bidirectional acoustic transmission into the brain. Here, we apply the NHCMM to skulls with curved geometries, varying thicknesses, and irregularities to evaluate the performance of NHCMMs in near realistic circumstances. We customize the metamaterial shape for each unique skull geometry to maximize the bidirectional transmission through the skull to better identify internal acoustic scatters. The NHCMM manages to preserve the imaging information of an acoustic tumor embedded in the brain with multiple imperfections present. The evaluation of NHCMMs for skulls with imperfections is vital to gauge its effectiveness for real-world applications as the proposed NHCMM establishes a noninvasive technique for ultrasonic brain imaging through skull and ultrasound diagnostics for neurological disorders.
Preventable causes of cancer in Texas by race/ethnicity: tobacco smoking

OBJECTIVES Tobacco smoking is classified as carcinogenic to humans (International Agency for Research on Cancer Group 1). We aimed to estimate the percentage and number of incident cancer cases diagnosed in Texas in 2015 that were attributable to tobacco smoking, and we examined differences in the proportions of smoking-attributable cancers between the major racial/ethnic subgroups of the population. METHODS We calculated population-attributable fractions for cancers attributable to tobacco smoking using prevalence data from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and relative risks associated with smoking status from pooled analyses of cohort studies or meta-analyses. Cancer incidence data were collected from the Texas Cancer Registry. RESULTS We estimated that 19,000 excess cancer cases or 18.4% of all cancers diagnosed in 2015 in Texans aged ≥ 25 years were caused by tobacco smoking. Males had a higher overall proportion of cancers attributable to tobacco smoking than females (male, 23.3%, 11,993 excess cases; female, 13.5%, 7,006 cases). Approximately 20% of cancer cases in non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks were attributable to tobacco smoking compared to 12.8% among Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS Despite ongoing public health campaigns combatting tobacco use, this preventable behavior still contributes significantly to cancer incidence in Texas. Racial/ethnic differences in smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable cancer incidence should be considered when designing cancer prevention programs.
Use of computer-assisted surgery in the orbit

To present the application of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) in pre-operative planning, intra-operative navigation, and post-operative assessment as an adjunct tool in orbital surgery.An IRB-appro...
Multiple isoelectric forms of poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: evidence for phosphorylation

Poliovirus-specific RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol) was purified to apparent homogeneity. A single polypeptide of an apparent molecular weight of 63,000 catalyzes the synthesis of dimeric and monomeric RNA products in response to the poliovirion RNA template. Analysis of purified 3Dpol by two-dimensional electrophoresis showed multiple forms of 3Dpol, suggesting posttranslational modification of the protein in virus-infected cells. The two major forms of 3Dpol appear to have approximate pI values of 7.1 and 7.4. Incubation of purified 3Dpol with calf intestinal phosphatase resulted in almost complete disappearance of the pI 7.1 form and a concomitant increase in the intensity of the pI 7.4 form of 3Dpol. Addition of 32P-labeled Pi during infection of HeLa cells with poliovirus resulted in specific labeling of 3Dpol and 3CD, a viral protein which contains the entire 3Dpol sequence. Both 3Dpol and 3CD appear to be phosphorylated at serine residues. Ribosomal salt washes prepared from both mock- and poliovirus-infected cells contain phosphatases capable of dephosphorylating quantitatively the phosphorylated form (pI 7.1) of 3Dpol.
Performance analysis of coherently detected signals transmitted over slow, flat, Ricean fading channels

Error probability analysis for communications systems often yields mathematics which defy analytical solution. In these situations, it is desirable, both for added insight and reduced computational burden, to carry the solution analytically as far as practical before resorting to numerical analysis. In this paper, the probabilities of bit error for coherently detected digital modulation techniques are analyzed. Approximate analytic solutions are developed for the probability of bit error when the signal is affected by the most commonly encountered impairment to system performance for a wireless channel, the transmission of the signal over a fading channel. In this paper, the effect of a slow, flat Ricean fading channel on coherent communications systems performance is examined.
Astronomy and the Laws of Physics

The metaphor of physical law — a range of orderly behavior within certain authoritative constraints — has not escaped the historians of ideas. That scheme, in all its forms, east and west, gained its earliest strength from astronomy itself. The search for measured order in heaven is old and widespread; two instances from ancient China and pre-Columbian Mexico will make the point.
Soft matter: Frictionless fluids from bacterial teamwork.

By increasing the sensitivity of an established technique, researchers have shown that swimming bacteria can make frictionless fluids — with potential applications in areas such as microfluidics.
Transfer of purified herpes virus thymidine kinase gene to cultured mouse cells.

Treatment of Ltk−, mouse L cells deficient in thymidine kinase (tk), with Bam I restriction endonuclease cleaved DNA from herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) produced tk+ clones with a frequency of 10−6/2 μg of HSV-1 DNA. Untreated cells or cells treated with Eco RI restriction endonuclease fragments produced no tk+ clones under the same conditions. The thymidine kinase activities of four independently derived clones were characterized by biochemical and serological techniques. By these criteria, the tk activities were found to be identical to HSV-1 tk and different from host wildtype tk. The tk+ phenotype was stable over several hundred cell generations, although the rate of reversion to the tk− phenotype, as judged by cloning efficiency in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine, was high (1–5 × 10−3). HSV-1 DNA Bam restriction fragments were separated by gel electrophoresis, and virtually all activity, as assayed by transfection, was found to reside in a 3.4 kb fragment. Transformation efficiency with the isolated fragment is 20 fold higher per gene equivalent than with the unfractionated total Bam digest. These results prove the usefulness of transfection assays as a means for the bioassay and isolation of restriction fragments carrying specific genetic information. Cells expressing HSV-1 tk may also provide a useful model system for the detailed analysis of eucaryotic and viral gene regulation.
Escitalopram alters gene expression and HPA axis reactivity in rats following chronic overexpression of corticotropin-releasing factor from the central amygdala

We have previously demonstrated that viral-mediated overexpression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) reproduces many of the behavioral and endocrine consequences of chronic stress. The present experiment sought to determine whether administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram reverses the adverse effects of CeA CRF overexpression. In a 2×2 design, adult male rats received bilateral infusions of a control lentivirus or a lentivirus in which a portion of the CRF promoter is used to drive increased expression of CRF peptide. Four weeks later, rats were then implanted with an Alzet minipump to deliver vehicle or 10mg/kg/day escitalopram for a 4-week period of time. The defensive withdrawal (DW) test of anxiety and the sucrose-preference test (SPT) of anhedonia were performed both before and after pump implantation. Additional post-implant behavioral tests included the elevated plus maze (EPM) and social interaction (SI) test. Following completion of behavioral testing, the dexamethasone/CRF test was performed to assess HPA axis reactivity. Brains were collected and expression of HPA axis-relevant transcripts were measured using in situ hybridization. Amygdalar CRF overexpression increased anxiety-like behavior in the DW test at week eight, which was only partially prevented by escitalopram. In both CRF-overexpressing and control groups, escitalopram decreased hippocampal CRF expression while increasing hypothalamic and hippocampal expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). These gene expression changes were associated with a significant decrease in HPA axis reactivity in rats treated with escitalopram. Interestingly, escitalopram increased the rate of weight gain only in rats overexpressing CRF. Overall these data support our hypothesis that amygdalar CRF is critical in anxiety-like behavior; because the antidepressant was unable to reverse behavioral manifestations of CeA CRF-OE. This may be a potential animal model to study treatment-resistant psychopathologies.
Beyond peptides and mAbs—current status and future perspectives for biotherapeutics with novel constructs

Biotherapeutics are attractive anti-cancer agents due to their high specificity and limited toxicity compared to conventional small molecules. Antibodies are widely used in cancer therapy, either directly or conjugated to a cytotoxic payload. Peptide therapies, though not as prevalent, have been utilized in hormonal therapy and imaging. The limitations associated with unmodified forms of both types of biotherapeutics have led to the design and development of novel structures, which incorporate key features and structures that have improved the molecules' abilities to bind to tumor targets, avoid degradation, and exhibit favorable pharmacokinetics. In this review, we highlight the current status of monoclonal antibodies and peptides, and provide a perspective on the future of biotherapeutics using novel constructs.
Complex Index of Refraction of Airborne Fly Ash Determined by Laser Radar and Collection of Particles at 13 km

Abstract On 30 September 1970, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) obtained data on the vertical distribution of particulate material over Boulder, Colo., from laser radar soundings and simultaneous airborne particle collections. A layer of particulate material at about 13 km was of special interest. Particles in this layer differed from normal tropospheric particles and were probably fly ash created by forest fires in California during the previous week. A technique for determining the complex index of refraction of atmospheric particles has been applied to the 13-km data. By assuming the real part of the refractive index to be 1.55, the imaginary part (the absorption parameter) is estimated to be 0.044±0.011.
Biological wastewater treatment system design Part I. Optimal synthesis

Common practice for design of biological wastewater treatment systems involves evaluation of certain fixed structure systems at several alternative conditions. This study considered optimization of both the structure and the design of the system using the structural parameter system synthesis technique. The system was composed of a trickling filter, an activated sludge aeration vessel, and a secondary clarifier. Results of optimal synthesis indicated that the activated sludge system was the most cost effective system for the specific set of process parameters employed. The same conclusion was reached by optimizing several systems with different structures. La pratique courante, dans le cas de la conception des systemes pour le traitement biologique des eaux usagees, comprend l'evaluation de certains systemes a structure fixe dans plusieurs alternatives. Dans le travail present, on a etudie l'optimisation de la structure et de la conception du systeme en employant la methode de synthese d'un systeme a parametres structuraux. Le systeme comprenait tin filtre a degouttement, un recipient pour l'aeration de la boue activee et un clarificateur secondaire. Les resultats d'une synthese optimale ont indique que le systeme a boue activee etait le plus efficace au point de vue du cou't, dans le cas des parametres specifiques qu'on a employes. On en est venu a la me'me conclusion en optimisant plusieurs systemes de structures differentes.
Induced optical activity in rhodopsin analogs

Abstract The Schiff's base derived from 11- cis retinaldehyde and ( S )-α-(1- naphthyl)ethylamine has been synthesized and its CD spectrum measured. Schiff's bases derived from all- trans retinaldehyde and ( S )-α-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine , ( S )-α-phenylethylamine and ( R )-2,2′-diamino-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl were also prepared and their CD spectra recorded. The introduction of optical activity into the retinaldehyde moiety of these simple Schiff's bases could be explained in terms of a coupled oscillator mechanism. These results require that previous explanations of the 500 nm Cotton effect of rhodopsin be re-examined.
Information cities in Europe 1992

Abstract The coming of the Single European Market in 1992 is intensifying competition among leading cities for investment, jobs and services. The deployment of information technology is central to the profound structural changes that are affecting Europe's cities as a result. In this Comment the author surveys the range of strategies being developed to boost the local economy and public service provision. Government action will be necessary, he warns, to offset the potential intensification of social and regional disadvantage.
Reliability of heterosocial skills measurement with sex offenders

The heterosocial skills of 79 sex offenders were assessed using two self-report inventories, the Social Anxiety and Distress Scale (SAD) and the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness (SRI). In addition, staff members rated the offenders on modified versions of the SAD and the Heterosocial Skills Behavior Checklist for Males (HSB). Twenty-one offenders were also videotaped during a brief interaction with a female confederate. The tapes were rated using the HSB. All ratings and videotapings were conducted twice within a two-week period. The two self-report scales showed good test-retest reliability (r=.88) and correlatedr=.63 with each other. However, the SAD correlated significantly with the Crowne-Marlowe Social Desirability Scale and showed significant change from first to second administrations. The SRI showed less reactivity to social desirability and changed less over time. The staff ratings showed higher test-retest (r=.72–.76) than interrater (r=.36–.43) reliability. They correlatedr=−.56 with each other and did not show a significant relationship to the Crowne-Marlowe. However, both staff-ratings changed significantly from test to retest. Inspection of correlations between staff and self-report measures indicated that these instruments may be strongly affected by rater variance. Different measures completed by the same person correlated higher than the same measure completed by different persons. The HSB showed high levels of interrater agreement (90–100%) and split-half reliability (r=.95–.97). However, test-retest reliability was poor for the overall score and for the category measuring form of conversation. Categories measuring voice and affect were moderately reliable over time (r=.53–.74). However, the voice category scores changed substantially from first to second videotaping. On almost all measures used in this study, the sex offenders' scores were similar to those derived from normal populations. Only the category measuring affect on the HSB seemed to differentiate this group from normals.
Rapid In Vivo Assessment of the Nano/Bio Interface

Recent advances in nanoscience offer great promise for the nanomedicine sector. These advances in the nanotechnology field will undoubtedly increase both human and environmental exposures to engineered nanomaterials. Whether these exposures pose a significant risk remains uncertain. Despite recent collective progress there remain gaps in our understanding of the nanomaterials physiochemical properties that drive or dictate biological compatibility. The development and implementation of rapid relevant and efficient testing strategies to assess these emerging materials prior to large-scale exposures could help advance this exciting field. I will present a powerful approach that utilizes a dynamic in vivo zebrafish embryonic assay to rapidly define the biological responses to nanomaterial exposures. Early developmental life stages are often uniquely sensitive to environmental insults, due in part to the enormous changes in cellular differentiation, proliferation and migration required to form the required cell types, tissues and organs. Molecular signaling underlies all of these processes. Most toxic responses result from disruption of proper molecular signaling, thus, early developmental life stages are perhaps the ideal life stage to determine if nanomaterials perturb normal biological pathways. Through automation and rapid throughput approaches, a systematic and iterative strategy has been deployed to help elucidate the nanomaterials properties that drive biological responses.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A Fast Pulsed Electron Gun System

A pulsed electron gun system has been developed for use with the Stanford superconducting accelerator and the free-electron laser. This report reviews the design and operating characteristics of the system and its components.
Easing the conscience of the guilty net

Abstract This article deals with dynamical system neural networks which find for given vertices simple paths joining the vertices with optimal (shortest) or near-optimal length. Such neural networks might have a role in scheduling a machine which wires integrated circuits. We develop a modified guilty net algorithm which is fully parallel in vertex placement; thus there might be efficient, albeit not perfect, implementations in parallel. During iterations of the algorithm all vertices of a mathematical path move in two-dimensional space until vertex positions coincide with given physical vertices.
Randomized trial of the quantitative and functional antibody responses to a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and/or 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine among HIV-infected adults.

In a double-blinded, randomized trial, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults with ≥200 CD4 cells/μl received placebo (PL), 7-valent conjugate, or 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (PS) vaccine in one of the following two-dose combinations given 8 weeks apart: conjugate–conjugate, conjugate–polysaccharide, placebo–polysaccharide, placebo–placebo. A total of 67 persons completed the study. Neither significant increases in HIV viral load nor severe adverse reactions occurred in any group. After controlling for confounders, when compared with persons receiving placebo–polysaccharide, persons receiving conjugate–conjugate and conjugate–polysaccharide had higher antibody concentrations (serotypes 4, 6B, 9V and serotype 23F, respectively) and opsonophagocytic titers (functional antibody assay, serotypes 9V, 23F and serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, respectively) after the second dose (P<0.05). The second dose with either conjugate or polysaccharide following the first conjugate dose, however, produced no further increase in immune responses.
Strain tunability of spontaneous polarization and enhanced ferroelectric properties in epitaxial (001) BiFeO3 thin films

We report the strain dependence of remanent polarization and coercive field of epitaxial (001)p BiFeO3 films. Our measurements reveal that the large spontanoues polarization of BiFeO3 is indeed intrinsic, the remanent polarization of (001)p BiFeO3 thin films has a strong strain dependence, even stronger than (001) PbTiO3 films, and the coercive field of BiFeO3 films is also tunable. In addition, the low coercive filed and the reduced leakage current in (001)p BiFeO3 membranes allows us to achieve a fatigue-free switching behavior to 1010 cycles. This experimental result strongly suggests that epitaxial (001)p BiFeO3 thin films are very promising materials for non-volatile memories and magnetoelectric devices.
Analysis of conversion of particulate biomass to ethanol in continuous solids retaining and cascade bioreactors

Design considerations for continuous conversion of biomass to ethanol using the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process are discussed. A previously presented and verified modeling approach is extended to describe advanced solid-substrate reactor systems incorporating solids and enzyme retention, and reaction in CSTR cascades. A single solids retaining CSTR has predicted advantages over a batch process at low-residence time and conversion. The predicted performance of a cascade of CSTR reactors for SSF approaches that of the batch system, whereas a cascade system with differential retention of solids with respect to the aqueous phase (solids residence time = 1.5 times the liquid residence time) is predicted to allow a 47% decrease in overall reactor volume relative to a batch system at high conversion (90% cellulose utilization). Further benefits are anticipated because of the effects of substrate classification in nonwell-mixed reactor configurations. Apparatus for laboratory-scale experimentation using solid substrates is presented, along with progress toward experimental verification of the reactor concepts proposed. In addition to predicting bioreactor productivity, the modeling was used to examine ethanol tolerance. In contrast to the approximately linear inhibition trend observed for soluble substrates, the ratio of dilution rates necessary to achieve a fixed conversion in the absence and presence of inhibition is essentially unity until the maximum growth rate is approached, and falls precipitously thereafter. Implications of this and other simulation results for the bioreactor design are discussed.
Stratospheric ozone and hydroxyl radical measurements by balloon-borne lidar.

An experiment is reported in which a balloon-borne lidar system was used to measure ozone and the hydroxyl radical in the stratosphere by two lidar techniques. Ozone was measured in the 20-37 km altitude range using differential absorption lidar, and the hydroxyl radical was measured in the 34-37 km range using remote laser-induced fluorescence. Ozone concentrations were determined with a vertical resolution of 0.5 km, and in addition, horizontally resolved ozone measurements with 0.15-km resolution were obtained over a 2-km range. The temporal variation of the hydroxyl radical concentration ranged from 40 parts/trillion shortly after noon to about 5 parts/trillion two hours after sunset. Possible modifications to the system are discussed which can yield an improvement in the sensitivity of between one and two orders of magnitude, thus permitting measurements of the hydroxyl radical in the 20-30-km altitude range.
Leading the learning organization: portrait of four leaders

The phrase “learning organization” has existed in the literature for several decades. Senge popularized the term in the 1990s; however, other writers have made significant contributions to this topic. The leadership literature, although vast, lacks specificity. At the intersection of these two concepts, the literature lacks a needed link that describes the specific actions that a leader can take to achieve the transformation to a learning organization. This paper examines the actions that a leader can take in order to transform an organization into a learning organization and studies four leaders of widely diverse organizations. The research indicated that leaders who were successful in implementing the learning organization concept used it as the solution to a business problem, while devoting time and attention to the transformation. The findings have widespread implications for practitioners, adult educators and for future research.
On the existence of “structural expansion” and “thermal defect” production during the isothermal annealing of gold after moderately fast heating☆

Abstract Astrom has reported significant heat absorption in high purity silver, gold, aluminum and molybdenum and expansion in gold during isothermal annealing immediately following heating from room temperature to temperatures, T m , in the range 433–753°K at rates ∼ 50–100°K min −1 . The relative linear isothermal expansion in gold was claimed to be ΔL L ≅ − (1·7 × 10 −3 ) exp [ (−0·26±0·08)eV kT m ]exp( −t τ ) , where τ was 2–3 hr, similar to the time constant given by the calorimetric work. These results are experimentally inconsistent with the production of thermal vacancies or other currently recognized lattice defects or with the dissolution of precipitates; they were therefore tentatively explained in terms of the “structural defects” having similar activation energies postulated in the phenomenological analyses of Borelius. In the present work attempts were made to verify the existence of “structural expansion” under conditions similar to those of Astrom by measuring changes in the X-ray lattice constant, Δa a , during the isothermal annealing of gold after moderately fast heating. For structural defects producing lattice dilatations, Δa a = ΔL L . Two rapid X-ray techniques were used on a 99·999 per cent gold crystal at T m = 752 and 850°K for which the equation above predicts total expansions of 32 and 50 ppm, respectively. No detectable trace (±4ppm) of the claimed expansion was found, and it was concluded that there was no basis to support either Astrom's experiments or their interpretation.
I See Me the Way You See Me: The Influence of Race on Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Leadership Perceptions

This research investigated two key questions central to research on leadership and race: (a) How are leadership perceptions influenced by target’s race? (b) What are the consequences of race-based ...
Extracting laboratory test information from biomedical text.

Background: No previous study reported the efficacy of current natural language processing (NLP) methods for extracting laboratory test information from narrative documents. This study investigates the pathology informatics question of how accurately such information can be extracted from text with the current tools and techniques, especially machine learning and symbolic NLP methods. The study data came from a text corpus maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, containing a rich set of information on laboratory tests and test devices. Methods: The authors developed a symbolic information extraction (SIE) system to extract device and test specific information about four types of laboratory test entities: Specimens, analytes, units of measures and detection limits. They compared the performance of SIE and three prominent machine learning based NLP systems, LingPipe, GATE and BANNER, each implementing a distinct supervised machine learning method, hidden Markov models, support vector machines and conditional random fields, respectively. Results: Machine learning systems recognized laboratory test entities with moderately high recall, but low precision rates. Their recall rates were relatively higher when the number of distinct entity values (e.g., the spectrum of specimens) was very limited or when lexical morphology of the entity was distinctive (as in units of measures), yet SIE outperformed them with statistically significant margins on extracting specimen, analyte and detection limit information in both precision and F -measure. Its high recall performance was statistically significant on analyte information extraction. Conclusions: Despite its shortcomings against machine learning methods, a well-tailored symbolic system may better discern relevancy among a pile of information of the same type and may outperform a machine learning system by tapping into lexically non-local contextual information such as the document structure.
Effect of proteases on the structure and activity of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthetase.

Rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthetase exists in two forms, the non-phosphorylated, glucose 6-phosphate-independent I-form and the phosphorylated, glucose 6-phosphate-dependent D-form. The conversion of the I-form to the D-form can be effected by phosphorylation catalyzed by either cyclic AMP-dependent [ 1,2] or cyclic AMP-independent [3-51 protein kinases and by limited proteolytic digestion [6-91, whereas conversion brought about by phosphorylation can be reversed by the action of phosphoprotein phosphatase(s), that due to proteases is irreversible. Takeda and Larner [8] and Soderling [9] reported that the conversion of synthetase I to synthetase D by trypsin is accompanied by a decrease in the molecular weight from 90 000 to about 75 000. Takeda and Lamer [8] further reported that the action of trypsin on synthetase is restricted to the COOH-terminal part of the molecule. This report is concerned with further examination of the effect of proteolysis digestion on glycogen synthetase structure and activity using subtilisin as well as trypsin for this purpose. A striking feature of the effect of subtilisin is a marked activation of the enzyme that occurs during the early part of the reaction as seen by activity determinations carried out in the presence or absence of glucose 6-phosphate. In the course of this work the amino acid sequence of the NH2 -terminal portion of the synthetase was determined and found to be slightly different from that reported [lo]. It was noted that low levels of either trypsin or subtilisin cause some modification of the NH2 -terminal region of the synthetase.
Lifetime Prevalence of Sexual Intercourse and Contraception Use at Last Sex Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Purpose Because of the increased risks associated with unplanned pregnancy for males and females with congenital heart disease (CHD), we investigated sexual intercourse and contraception use in these adolescents and young adults (AYA) and compared the same with national and state population data.
Induction of metallothionein by α-Hederin

Abstract α-Hederin (α-Hed) is a triterpenoid saponin that has been shown to protect against some hepatotoxicants. This study examined the protective effect of α-Hed against cadmium (Cd) hepatotoxicity and the mechanism of protection. α-Hed pretreatment (100 μmol/kg, sc) dramatically decreased Cd (3.7 mg/ kg, iv) hepatotoxicity as indicated by a reduction of serum alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase, as well as by histopathological examination. α-Hed did not produce protection by decreasing the distribution of Cd to the liver, as higher amounts of Cd were found in the liver of α-Hed-pretreated mice. However, there was a marked alteration in subcellular distribution of Cd in the α-Hed-pretreated mice, with much less Cd distributing to nuclei, mitochondria, and microsomes and more in the cytosol. The increased cytosolic Cd was found primarily bound to a low-molecular-weight protein, metallothionein (MT). α-Hed (10-300 μmol/kg, sc) produced a dose-dependent increase in hepatic MT with a 100-fold increase over controls 24 hr after a single injection of 100 μmol/kg, as determined by the Cd/hemoglobin assay. The hepatic MT increase produced by α-Hed is relatively long lasting, in that it is still eight times control values 6 days after a single administration. The induction of MT was also relatively specific for the liver, as little or no increase in MT was observed in other tissues. Furthermore, α-Hed increased both hepatic MT-I and MT-II levels. Northern blot analysis revealed that α-Hed rapidly increased MT mRNA levels. In conclusion, α-Hed decreases the hepatotoxicity of Cd by inducing MT, which binds Cd in the cytosol, and thus reduces the amount of Cd in the critical cellular organelles. α-Hed is an effective inducer of both MT-I and MT-II in liver, and this effect is associated with an increase in MT mRNA.
Segmented Assimilation Among Mexicans in the Southwest

This article examines segmented assimilation among foreign-born and U.S.-born Mexicans. Using the 2000 census, this article investigates how immigrants' length of residence in the United States and...
MapReduce-based similarity join for metric spaces

Cloud enabled systems have become a crucial component to efficiently process and analyze massive amounts of data. One of the key data processing and analysis operations is the Similarity Join, which retrieves all data pairs whose distances are smaller than a predefined threshold e. Even though multiple algorithms and implementation techniques have been proposed for Similarity Joins, very little work has addressed the study of Similarity Joins for cloud systems. This paper focuses on the study, design and implementation techniques of cloud-based Similarity Joins. We present MRSimJoin, a MapReduce based algorithm to efficiently solve the Similarity Join problem. This algorithm efficiently partitions and distributes the data until the subsets are small enough to be processed in a single node. MRSimJoin is general enough to be used with data that lies in any metric space, thus it can be used with multiple data types and distance functions. We present guidelines to implement the algorithm in Hadoop, an open-source cloud system. The experimental evaluation of MRSimJoin shows that it has very good execution time and scalability properties.
Hybridization and tribomechanical properties of ultrathin amorphous carbon films synthesized by radio-frequency low-pressure plasma discharges

Ultrathin amorphous carbon (a-C) films were deposited on Si(100) substrates by low-pressure radio-frequency plasma discharges of varying substrate bias voltage in pure Ar atmosphere. The surface roughness and tribomechanical properties of the a-C films were measured with an atomic force microscope and a surface force microscope, respectively. Insight into tetrahedral (sp3) and trigonal (sp2) atomic carbon hybridization was obtained from the deconvoluted C1s core level peak of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. Energetic particle collision theory was used to correlate hybridization and tribomechanical properties to low-pressure plasma discharge conditions. The results are interpreted in the context of Ar+ ion collisions with carbon atoms on the growing film surface, followed by collision cascades between excited carbon atoms and other surface carbon atoms, resulting in the removal of weakly bonded carbon atoms and dominance of sp3 hybridization or the development of thermal spikes that promote sp2 hybridization. Particle collision analysis shows that the sp3 fraction is a function of Ar+ ion flux, sputtering yield of target carbon atoms, and kinetic energy of surface carbon atoms, in good qualitative agreement with experimental results of the sp3 content of a-C films versus substrate bias voltage.