cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transitional cell papillary bladder neoplasm in a girl : an unusual presentation

An 8-year-old girl presented with the clinical features of acute appendicitis. The removed appendix was normal but the abdominal pain persisted. There were no urinary symptoms and bacteriological examination of the urine was negative. An ultrasound scan showed an intravesical tumor that was subsequently excised. Histology showed a grade 1 transitional cell papillary bladder carcinoma of low grade malignancy. All previously reported cases have presented with urinary tract symptoms, usually hematuria.
Optical probes and techniques for molecular contrast enhancement in coherence imaging

Optics has played a key role in the rapidly developing field of molecular imaging. The spectroscopic nature and high-resolution imaging capabilities of light provide a means for probing biological morphology and function at the cellular and molecular levels. While the use of bioluminescent and fluorescent probes has become a mainstay in optical molecular imaging, a large number of other optical imaging modalities exist that can be included in this emerging field. In vivo imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy have had limited use of molecular probes. In the last few years, novel nonfluorescent and nonbioluminescent molecular imaging probes have been developed that will initiate new directions in coherent optical molecular imaging. Classes of probes reviewed in this work include those that alter the local optical scattering or absorption properties of the tissue, those that modulate these local optical properties in a predictable manner, and those that are detected utilizing spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) principles. In addition to spectroscopic OCT, novel nonlinear interferometric imaging techniques have recently been developed to detect endogenous molecules. Probes and techniques designed for coherent molecular imaging are likely to improve the detection and diagnostic capabilities of OCT.
Oomycetes baited from streams in Tennessee 2010-2012.

Sixteen streams in middle and eastern Tennessee were surveyed for the sudden oak-death pathogen Phytophthora ramorum 2010-2012. Surveys were conducted in the spring and fall using healthy Rhododendron leaves, and a total of 354 oomycete isolates were recovered. Sequence analysis of the ITS region provisionally identified 151 Phytophthora ,2 00 Pythium ,t woHalophytophthora and one Phytopythium. These include six Phytophthora species (P. cryptogea, P. hydropathica, P. irrigata, P. gonapodyides, P. lacustris, P. polonica), members of the P. citricola species complex, five unknown Phytophthora species, 11 Pythium species (P. helicoides, P. diclinum, P. litorale, P. senticosum, P. undulatum, P. vexans, P. citrinum, P. apleroticum, P. chamaihyphon, P. montanum, P. pyrilobum), three unknown Pythium species, Halophytophthora batema- nensis, and one Phytopythium isolate. The biology and implications are discussed.
Inhibition of α4β1 integrin increases ovarian cancer response to carboplatin

Abstract Objective The inability to successfully treat women with ovarian cancer is due to the presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis and the development of platinum resistance. Ovarian cancer metastasizes throughout the peritoneal cavity by attaching to and invading through the mesothelium lining the peritoneum using a mechanism that involves α4β1 integrin and its ligand (vascular cell adhesion molecule) VCAM-1. Integrin α4β1 expression on tumor cells is known to confer protection from therapy in other cancers, notably multiple myeloma. We evaluated the role of α4β1 integrin in response to platinum-based therapy in a mouse model of peritoneal ovarian cancer metastasis by treatment with a humanized anti-α4β1 integrin function-blocking antibody. Methods Integrin α4β1 expression on primary human ovarian cancer cells, fallopian tube and ovarian surface epithelia and fresh tumor was assessed by flow-cytometry. The therapeutic impact of anti-α4β1 treatment was assessed in murine models of platinum-resistant peritoneal disease and in vitro using the platinum resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. Results Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with human-specific α4β1 integrin function-blocking antibodies, anti-VCAM-1 antibody or carboplatin alone had no effect on tumor burden compared to the IgG control group. However, the combined treatment of anti-α4β1 integrin or anti-VCAM-1 with carboplatin significantly reduced tumor burden. In vitro, the combination of carboplatin and anti-α4β1 integrin antibodies resulted in increased cell death and doubling time. Conclusions Our findings support a role for α4β1 integrin in regulating treatment response to carboplatin, implicating α4β1 integrin as a potential therapeutic target to influence platinum responsiveness in otherwise resistant disease.
Multiemission wavelength picosecond time-resolved fluorescence decay data obtained on the millisecond time scale: application to protein:DNA interactions and protein-folding reactions

One of the major aspects of fluorescence spectroscopy which differentiates this technique from many other spectroscopic approaches is the inherent multidimensional nature of the data. For instance, the basic pulsed-laser fluorescence data set is characterized by fluorescence versus: emission wavelength, polarization state (parallel and perpendicular intensities), time of emission (picoseconds to nanoseconds), and time of biological reaction (milliseconds to minutes). Usually, this six-dimensional data set is obtained piecemeal, single dimension at a time; often complete data sets are not even collected. This is especially true of the biological time scale axis. Data acquisition times for picosecond decay data are typically seconds to minutes, and, therefore, it has not been generally possible to perform this experiment in a kinetic mode. What is described in this report is the construction of a parallel multichannel time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) fluorometer which is capable of simultaneous collection of: fluorescence vs. picosecond to nanosecond time vs. emission wavelength vs. polarization state vs. millisecond to second time. Use is made of two multi-anode microchannel plate detectors, each obtaining data at two different polarization states, six different emission wavelengths, along 12 independent TCSPC channels. This instrument is interfaced to a three-syringe stepper motor controlled stop-flow apparatus, and picosecond decay data along all of these channels is stored and collected by two 33 MHz 80486 computers at rates approaching 1200 - 12000 data sets per second.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kupffer cells from halothane-exposed guinea pigs carry trifluoroacetylated protein adducts

Abstract The anesthetic, halothane, is bioactivated by the liver cytochrome P450 system to trifluoroacetyl-chloride, which can readily acylate liver protein. Covalent binding of the trifluoroacetyl moiety may result in hapten formation leading to the induction of an immune response and ultimately halothane hepatitis. In this study the presence of trifluoroacetylated-protein adducts in Kupffer cells was investigated to learn how the immune system might come in contact with the proteins. Guinea pigs were exposed to 1.0% halothane, 40% oxygen for 4 h. Kupffer cells were isolated on days 1 through 9 post-exposure, by liver perfusion and purification by elutriation. Using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting techniques, it has been demonstrated that Kupffer cells obtained from halothane-treated guinea pigs, do carry trifluoroacetyl-protein adducts as recognized by an anti-trifluoroacetyl-rabbit serum albumin antibody. Apparent molecular weights of polypeptides bound by trifluoroacetyl were of a wide range, 25–152 kDa. Bands were most prominent in the larger Kupffer cells with more appearing at lower molecular weights. Trifluoroacetyl-protein adducts were not detected in lung, spleen, lymph node or peripheral blood macrophages. This work suggests a role for Kupffer cells in the presentation of altered proteins in the liver to cells of the immune system.
Assessment and management of the severely polytraumatized small animal patient

Objective: To review the current recommendations for the care of the seriously injured polytraumatized small animal patient, including team organization and facility readiness; scene assessment and care; transport; and hospital assessment and care. Data sources: Original research articles, scientific reviews, book chapters, and clinical experience. Human data synthesis: The care of the seriously injured patient is demanding and requires adequate preparation, rapid access to organized resources and equipment, and skilled personnel. Second in urgency only to stabilization of the airway and breathing is shock. In many, surgical intervention to provide improved and continued stability is required. Evidence is provided by data published comparing survival for humans with high injury scores being cared for at level I trauma centers compared with small rural hospitals. Personal experience as a member of an emergency medical team in the care of multiple injured human patients in both level I trauma centers and small hospitals is also used in this review. Veterinary data synthesis: Publications reporting large clinical series of seriously injured dogs and cats are minimal. Experimental animal models of shock caused by blood loss and the study of various organ injuries and their management are numerous. These and 35 years of the author's experience in managing severely injured dogs and cats (estimated to be >750) is also used in this review for generation of guidelines. Conclusions: Guidelines for care of severe multiple injury patients are presented and are recommended to be used in clinical veterinary medical practice to improve outcome.
PAR-2 triggers placenta-derived protease-induced altered VE-cadherin reorganization at endothelial junctions in preeclampsia

PAR-2 is a G-protein coupled protease receptor whose activation in endothelial cells (ECs) is associated with increased solute permeability. VE-cadherin is an endothelial-specific junction protein, which exhibits a disorganized distribution at cell junction during inflammation and is a useful indicator of endothelial barrier dysfunction. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that PAR-2 activation mediates placenta-derived chymotrypsin-like protease (CLP)-induced endothelial junction disturbance and permeability in preeclampsia (PE). PAR-2 and VE-cadherin were examined by immunofluorescent staining. Specific CLP induced PAR-2 activation and altered VE-cadherin distribution was assessed following depletion of protease chymotrypsin in the placental conditioned medium and after PAR-2 siRNA. VE-cadherin assembly was determined by treating cells with protease chymotrypsin and/or the specific PAR-2 agonist SLIGKV-NH2. Our results showed: 1) placental conditioned medium not only disturbed VE-cadherin distribution at cell junctions but also activated PAR-2 in ECs; 2) PAR-2 siRNA blocked the placental conditioned medium induced PAR-2 upregulation and disorganization of VE-cadherin at cell junctions; 3) PAR-2 agonist induced PAR-2 activation and VE-cadherin reorganization were dose-dependent; and 4) PAR-2 agonist could stimulate ERK1/2 activation. These results strongly suggest that proteases produced by the placenta elicit endothelial barrier dysfunction via a PAR-2 signaling regulatory mechanism in PE.
Using action-based hierarchies for real-time diagnosis

Abstract An intelligent agent diagnoses perceived problems so that it can respond to them appropriately. Basically, the agent performs a series of tests whose results discriminate among competing hypotheses. Given a specific diagnosis, the agent performs the associated action. Using the traditional information-theoretic heuristic to order diagnostic tests in a decision tree, the agent can maximize the information obtained from each successive test and thereby minimize the average time (number of tests) required to complete a diagnosis and perform the appropriate action. However, in real-time domains, even the optimal sequence of tests cannot always be performed in the time available. Nonetheless, the agent must respond. For agents operating in real-time domains, we propose an alternative action-based approach in which: (a) each node in the diagnosis tree is augmented to include an ordered set of actions, each of which has positive utility for all of its children in the tree; and (b) the tree is structured to maximize the expected utility of the action available at each node. Upon perceiving a problem, the agent works its way through the tree, performing tests that discriminate among successively smaller subsets of potential faults. When a deadline occurs, the agent performs the best available action associated with the most specific node it has reached so far. Although the action-based approach does not minimize the time required to complete a specific diagnosis, it provides positive utility responses, with step-wise improvements in expected utility, throughout the diagnosis process. We present theoretical and empirical results contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of the information-theoretic and action-based approaches.
Backward error analysis of the extended iterative refinement or improvement algorithm for solving ill conditioned linear system

Solving an ill conditioned linear system \(Ax = b\) is a central problem in matrix computations. We solved the ill conditioned linear system \(Ax = b\) using the preconditioning method and the Schur aggregation approach. The Schur aggregation is a process of transforming the linear system \(Ax = b\) into better conditioned linear systems of small sizes, with well conditioned matrices \(V^HC^{-1}\), \(C^{-1}U\), and \(S = I_{r} - V^HC^{-1}U\) using the Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury formula \(A^{-1}=(C-UV^H)^{-1}=C^{-1}+C^{-1}U(I_r-V^HC^{-1}U)^{-1}V^HC^{-1}\). We used the technique of extended iterative refinement or improvement algorithm to compute the Schur aggregate \(S = I_{r} - V^HC^{-1}U\) with high precision. In this paper we provide an extensive backward error analysis of the algorithm also we calculate a bound of the backward error.
Risk of mortality after spinal cord injury: an 8-year prospective study.

Abstract Krause JS, Zhai Y, Saunders LL, Carter RE. Risk of mortality after spinal cord injury: an 8-year prospective study. Objective To evaluate a theoretical model for mortality after spinal cord injury (SCI) by sequentially analyzing 4 sets of risk factors in relation to mortality (ie, adding 1 set of factors to the regression equation at a time). Design Prospective cohort study of data collected in late 1997 and early 1998 with mortality status ascertained in December 2005. We evaluated the significance of 4 successive sets of predictors (biographic and injury, psychologic and environmental, behavioral, health and secondary conditions) using Cox proportional hazards modeling and built a full model based on the optimal predictors. Setting A specialty hospital. Participants Adults (N=1386) with traumatic SCI, at least 1 year postinjury, participated. There were 224 deaths. After eliminating cases with missing data, there were 1209 participants, with 179 deceased at follow-up. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Mortality status was determined using the National Death Index and the Social Security Death Index. Results The final model included 1 environmental variable (poverty), 2 behavioral factors (prescription medication use, binge drinking), and 4 health factors or secondary conditions (hospitalizations, fractures/amputations, surgeries for pressure ulcers, probable major depression). Conclusions The results supported the major premise of the theoretical model that risk factors are more important the more proximal they are in a theoretical chain of events leading to mortality. According to this model, mortality results from declining health, precipitated by high-risk behaviors. These findings may be used to target those who are at high risk for early mortality as well as to direct interventions to the particular risk factor.
Potential Composite Structures for NASA Future Launch Vehicles and Crew Spacecraft

Because of their well known specific strength, stiffness and excellent durability properties, advanced composites are being considered for primary structures in launch vehicles, crew modules and various components for increased performance and cost reduction. Therefore, it is prudent and beneficial to review the engineering practices and lessons learned in connection with their use in related aeronautic and energy applications, where they are already replacing formerly used metallic materials. Examples of composite components will be shown for the reusable space shuttle orbiter where a number of different composite systems performed very satisfactorily. In addition, very large potential polymer composite designs for future launch vehicles will be discussed. Among them are payload shrouds, interstage structures and the typical intertank shell, wherein thrust booster rockets are often attached between the core stage propellant and oxidizer tanks. In addition, cryogenic propellant composite vessels of different sizes and shapes were fabricated with mostly excellent results, although some spectacular failures were also observed. High pressure composite overwrapped vessels, with and without metallic liners, will be described. Compared to widely used metallic materials, some special features of composites are listed. Relevant design allowables, depending on mission requirements, will be summarized and currently used design practice for aircraft and spacecraft in the US will be reviewed. The well-known “building - block” approach, which is often used to design military as well as civilian aircraft, will be summarized. Some of the most popular micromechanics and macromechanics computer programs used to analyze composite structures, especially with finite elements, will be listed. Although very high temperature composites like carbon/carbon, carbon/ceramic and ceramic/ceramic fiber/matrix systems are also selectively used, the focus in our discussion will be on advanced polymer matrix, carbon/glass fiber systems.
The Francis bitter national magnet laboratory at MIT: 1988 status

Abstract The laboratory provides a wide variety of magnets and equipment to about 250 experimenters involved in ≈ 100 programs each year; these account for over 100 publications covering a broad scientific spectrum. The hybrid magnet has surpassed 1500 hours of operation and recently attained a field of 31.8 T.
Separation distance and static transmission error of involute spur gears

The effects of separation distance and deflection of gear teeth on the static transmission error of involute spur gears are investigated. In this paper, only low-contact-ratio gears with true involute profile are studied. Gear ratio and tooth addendum are varied to examine their effects on the separation distance and static transmission error. Results obtained from the investigation shows that the contact ratio and static transmission error are affected significantly if considering the separation distance. In general, the magnitude of contact ratio has been increased and the variation of static transmission error has been smoothed. The most significant change occurs for a gear pair with a theoretical contact ratio close to 1.95.
New crack-tip elements for XFEM and applications to cohesive cracks

An extended finite element method scheme for a static cohesive crack is developed with a new formulation for elements containing crack tips. This method can treat arbitrary cracks independent of the mesh and crack growth without remeshing. All cracked elements are enriched by the sign function so that no blending of the local partition of unity is required. This method is able to treat the entire crack with only one type of enrichment function, including the elements containing the crack tip. This scheme is applied to linear 3-node triangular elements and quadratic 6-node triangular elements. To ensure smooth crack closing of the cohesive crack, the stress projection normal to the crack tip is imposed to be equal to the material strength. The equilibrium equation and the traction condition are solved by the Newton–Raphson method to obtain the nodal displacements and the external load simultaneously. The results obtained by the new extended finite element method are compared to reference solutions and show excellent agreement. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Addressing human factors in electric vehicle system design: Building an integrated computational human–electric vehicle framework

Abstract The electric vehicle (EV) has been developing rapidly and predicting the lifetime of Li-ion batteries in EVs has become an important issue. Characteristics of human drivers and the battery configuration interact and both play important roles in determining EV battery lifetime. Moreover, due to the relatively high cost of real EVs and long testing time for battery life of EVs, it is important to integrate the human driver and EV battery into one framework and implement it in a driving simulator test-bed. To address this problem, the current work proposes the first integrated computational human–electric vehicle framework (ICHEV) and implemented in a STISIM driving simulator. ICHEV can be used to: 1) Analyze the effects of driver differences (including driver characteristics, charging strategy, and driving schedule) and battery configuration on battery lifetime in saving real EV test cost and time; 2) Predict the battery lifetime given the driver characteristics, driving schedule, and battery configuration; and 3) Obtain the optimal battery configuration, the optimal driving patterns and charging strategy for the purpose of maximal battery lifetime. According to the ICHEV, software was developed and further applications of the ICHEV were also discussed.
Involvement: Its measurement for retail store research

Several marketing scholars have noted the importance of the concept of involvement with respect to marketing strategy. Various definitions of involvement have been offered. These definitions have resulted in two major measures: the importance measure (importance attached to the attributes of the object under consideration in a choice process) and the “matrix approach”. This paper addresses the reliability and validity of these two measures.
The unexpected guest: Problem of iris reposition

A 31-year-old male presented with a corneal laceration and iris prolapse in the left eye. The surgical repair was complicated by epithelial ingrowth on the lens capsule. The appropriate management of both the initial trauma and subsequent complication is discussed.
Extensional Flow Induced Miscibility in a Polymer Blend

Extensional flows can induce miscibility in a polymer blend of polystyrene with poly(vinyl methyl ether). Miscibility is observed as a change from turbidity to optical clarity when a phase separated blend flows isothermally in planar extension. In a start-up experiment at temperatures above the LCST, optical clarity does not appear instantaneously but after a time which depends on the rate of extension and the temperature, and it appears first near the region of highest extension. This effect is opposite to the observation for polymer solutions which exhibit shear-induced demixing. We attribute this to the fact that enthalpic effects largely determine blend miscibility, while the phase behavior of solutions is essentially controlled by entropic contributions. Since a deformation field decreases the configurational degrees of freedom of a polymer molecule, demixing is favored in solutions. However, the alteration of specific interactions rather than this entropic effect appears to be much more important in blends.
Effect of serum components on the physico-chemical properties of cationic lipid/oligonucleotide complexes and on their interactions with cells

Abstract The interactions among serum components and cationic lipid–nucleic acid complexes are central to the understanding of how serum inhibits cellular delivery of oligonucleotides in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that several serum proteins, in particular bovine serum albumin (BSA), lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) and macroglobulin, interact with cationic lipid/oligonucleotide complexes, alter the complex diameter and zeta potential (from positive to negative values), and significantly interfere with the ability of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) to deliver phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (ODN) into cells. Serum and BSA do not dissociate the ODN and lipid components, therefore inhibition of delivery cannot be attributed to a displacement of cationic lipid from the ODN. Rather BSA at 2.5 mg/ml, comparable to the amount found in 10% serum, decreases the cell association of ODN by about 5-fold and nuclear uptake of ODN by greater than 20-fold. In contrast, immunoglobulin G, the other major serum component, alters the zeta potential from positive to near neutral, has a modest effect on the diameter of the complex but does not affect cell association or nuclear delivery of the ODN at amounts found in 10% serum. Other molecules found in serum, specifically oleic acid and heparin, displace the ODN from the complex and thus interfere with delivery. This displacement is attenuated by first incubating the complex with BSA. Another manifestation of serum–complex interactions is that ODN significantly and cationic liposomes slightly, activate complement. However, formation of the complex markedly reduces the complement activation of the ODN. Finally, the effect of serum can be partially counteracted by the selection of the helper lipid (DOPE or cholesterol). Inclusion of a helper lipid reduces the effective charge ratio (cationic groups/anionic thioates) required to deliver ODN into cells and permits delivery in the presence of greater percentages of serum in the culture medium. These results support the current view that the binding of serum proteins to the complex is a significant factor in modulating the activity of cationic lipid–ODN complexes in culture and after intravenous administration.
Adolescents' experience of a life-framing decision

High school students participating in a year-long longitudinal study of the college decision-making process described their experiences in open-ended essays, and rated their reactions to the process on several different Likert scales. Students' certainty in the decision and readiness to make a decision rose over time. As the process continued, students reported increasing satisfaction with the information they had obtained, and more comfort with the process itself. However, overall levels of reported enjoyment of the process were low to moderate, and overall ratings of the stressfulness of the decision remained high. Students gave evidence of seeing this decision as a life-framing one.
Evaluation of host and pathogen responses for screening soil amendments to control Sclerotium rolfsii.

A methodology for the quantitative description of disease produced by S. rolfsii under greenhouse conditions was developed in this study. Lentil (Lens culinaris) was planted in field soil previously infested with increasing inoculum densities (ID) of Sclerotium rolfsii. The number of lentil seedlings emerged decreased linearly with increasing ID. Percent of seedlings remaining alive decreased quadratically with respect to ID. A similar model described the relationship between colonies or sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii on the soil surface and ID. Total numbers of sclerotia in the soil (methanol-soil tray method) were correlated with ID and with colonies on the soil surface. The technique was used to evaluate the effectiveness of nitrogenous amendments for control of the pathogen. Severity of disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii could be quantitatively described by determining seedling emergence, percent of seedlings alive, numbers of colonies and sclerotia produced on the soil surface and total number of sclerotia. The efficacy of the methodology was evidenced in the screening of nitrogenous compounds. Guanidine thiocyanate and guanylurea sulfate were considered promising compounds for control of S. rolfsii.
STRAW: Species TRee Analysis Web server

The coalescent methods for species tree reconstruction are increasingly popular because they can accommodate coalescence and multilocus data sets. Herein, we present STRAW, a web server that offers workflows for reconstruction of phylogenies of species using three species tree methods—MP-EST, STAR and NJst. The input data are a collection of rooted gene trees (for STAR and MP-EST methods) or unrooted gene trees (for NJst). The output includes the estimated species tree, modified Robinson-Foulds distances between gene trees and the estimated species tree and visualization of trees to compare gene trees with the estimated species tree. The web sever is available at http://bioinformatics.publichealth.uga.edu/SpeciesTreeAnalysis/.
Caregiver Well-Being: Is it On Your Radar?

Virtuallyeveryhealth careprofessional who provides careforolder adults regularly encounters one or more members of the patient’s caregiving network, whether in the outpatient appointment, emergency room, in-patient setting, or long-term care facility. While there is no question that these individualsdfamily members, friends, and/or paid caregiversdare instrumental in the care of the older adult, there is a lack of clarity on the provider’s perceived responsibility to involve the caregiver in the medical intervention process or assess their caregiving-related needs and own personal needs. As geriatric health professionals, we need to better understand the experience of the informal and formal caregivers in terms of the impact on the caregiver’s physical and mental health, ability to provide ongoing care, and our ability to be effective in delivering health care. To deepen our knowledge and understanding of the caregiving experience, let us consider a range of caregiver-focused issues, to include identifying who provides care; defining the experience; capturing the effect of caregiving on the caregiver; determining the importance of health care providers addressing caregiver well-being and needs; and clinical and policy-related strategies for intervention. Decades of well-established research has provided evidence that the majority of care for older adults is provided by “informal” caregivers with the majority being family members. At present, 34.2 million US adults are engaged in an unpaid caregiving relationship with an older adult. 1 Not surprisingly, given sociocultural norms and traditions, the typical informal caregiver is female (60%); middle-aged (49 years); related to the care-recipient (85%); a long-term caregiver (average 4 years); caring for a female recipient (65%) over 75 years (47%) who has a chronic health condition (59%); and is providing an average of 24.4 hours of care/week [more if the care-recipient is a spouse (44.6 hours/week)]. 1 Caring for a family member is typically a temporary experience but one in which more than one-half (57%) of persons over the age of 51 are likely to be involved as they care for a parent or parent-in-law. 2 Caregivers perform a range of tasks and services for the carerecipient with the type, level, and frequency increasing as the recipient’s health declines, particularly when the older adult has dementia. Nearly all (99%) caregivers assist with at least 1 instrumental activities of daily living, transportation (78%), shopping (76%), and/or housework (72%) ranking the highest, whereas fewer (59%) assist with activities of daily living, primarily in the areas of transferring (43%), dressing (32%), and toileting (27%). 1 Caregiving does not stop with the traditional instrumental activities of daily livings and activities of daily living particularly in situations in which the care-recipient requires support in interacting and advocating with health and social service professionals. 1 Increasingly, over one-half (57%) of family caregivers
The oral microflora in obesity and type-2 diabetes

Background : Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is prevalent in people with obesity. It has been proposed that these conditions are related to specific features of the microflora of the mouth and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Hyperglycemia often resolves quickly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) but the role of the GI microflora cannot be examined easily because of reduced intestinal mobility. We propose that the study of microorganisms present in the mouth of patients undergoing RYGB will contribute to our understanding of the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Objective : To conduct a feasibility study to examine differences in oral microbes in obese patients with and without T2DM and to determine whether it is feasible to measure changes after gastric bypass surgery. Methods : Individuals with morbid obesity ( n =29), of whom 13 had T2DM, were studied. Oral rinses, stool samples, and blood samples were obtained before RYGB, and oral rinses and blood samples were obtained at 2 and 12 weeks postsurgery. Results : Prior to surgery, participants with T2DM had slightly higher total levels of oral bacteria than those without diabetes. Those with HbA1c > 6.5% had rather lower levels of Bifidobacteria in the mouth and stool. At 2 weeks post-RYGB, patients with T2DM were able to reduce or discontinue their hypoglycemic medications. Stool samples could not be obtained but oral rinses were readily available. The levels of oral Bifidobacteria had increased tenfold and levels of circulating endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha had decreased. Conclusions : The study of oral bacteria before and after RYGB is feasible and should be tested in larger patient populations to increase our understanding of the role of microorganisms in the pathogenesis of obesity and T2DM. Keywords : oral microflora; type-2 diabetes; obesity; gastric bypass; Bifidobacteria (Published: 30 October 2012) Citation: Journal of Oral Microbiology 2012, 4 : 19013 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jom.v4i0.19013
BUCKLING OF STRUCTURES WITH UNCERTAIN BUT NOT-NECESSARILY RANDOM IMPERFECTIONS - PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

The previous review on stochastic buckling of structures was written by Amazigo in 1976. This review summarizes some of the developments which took place in recent two decades. A brief overview is given of the effect on uncertainty in the initial geometric imperfections, elastic moduli, applied forces, and thickness variation. For the benefit of the thinking reader, the review has a critical nature. It should be noted that this manuscript has yet to be completed. The list of topics to be included is listed below. The final version of the manuscript will be obtainable by informing this writer.
ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR AND PERIODIC SOLUTIONS OF A NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL-DIFFERENCE EQUATION.

2. The Existence and Properties of Periodic Solutions.-We define C[-1, 0] to be the metric space consisting of the set of all continuous functions defined on [-1, 0] together with the metric p(li, 02) = max { I 01(x) - 02(x) I }.. S c C[- 1, 0] is defined to be the set of continuously differentiable functions such that f in S implies ?(-1) = 0, ((x) 0,0 <O (x) < e" - 1, and 0 < _'(x) < ae". Unless otherwise indicated, f shall henceforth denote a solution of (1.1) corresponding to an initial function in S. From the results of Wright, we have the following properties: 879
The Expected Number of Heterozygous Sites in a Subdivided Population

A simple, exact formula is derived for the expected number of heterozygous sites per individual at equilibrium in a subdivided population. The model of infinitely many neutral sites is posited; the linkage map is arbitrary. The monoecious, diploid population is subdivided into a finite number of panmictic colonies that exchange gametes. The backward migration matrix is arbitrary, but time independent and ergodic (i.e., irreducible and aperiodic). With suitable weighting, the expected number of heterozygous sites is 4Neu, where Ne denotes the migration effective population number and u designates the total mutation rate per gene (or DNA sequence). For diploid migration, this formula is a good approximation if Ne >> 1.
Dynamic resource allocation of computer clusters with probabilistic workloads

Real-time resource scheduling is an important factor for improving the performance of cluster computing. In many distributed and parallel processing systems, particularly real-time systems, it is desirable and more efficient for jobs to finish as close to a target time as possible. This work models the execution time for such a stochastic environment and proposes a dynamic algorithm for optimizing the job completion times by dynamically allocating resources to jobs that are behind schedule and taking resources from jobs that are ahead of schedule. We validate our analytical model with simulations that represent the real computing environment. The results of our simulations show that our alternative is the best estimate to predict the time remaining by using earlier data. Emphasis is placed on where variance enters the system and how well it can be controlled. Also our dynamic algorithm involves modifying the architecture to help reduce the peak number of servers used to execute a job and thus optimize the computation cost.
On the Bistability of Sine Wave Analogues of Speech

Our studies revealed two stable modes of perceptual organization, one based on attributes of auditory sensory elements and another based on attributes of patterned sensory variation composed by the aggregation of sensory elements. In a dual-task method, listeners attended concurrently to both aspects, component and pattern, of a sine wave analogue of a word. Organization of elements was indexed by several single-mode tests of auditory form perception to verify the perceptual segregation of either an individual formant of a synthetic word or a tonal component of a sinusoidal word analogue. Organization of patterned variation was indexed by a test of lexical identification. The results show the independence of the perception of auditory and phonetic form, which appear to be differently organized concurrent effects of the same acoustic cause.
Relationship of Age for Grade and Pubertal Stage to Early Initiation of Substance Use.

INTRODUCTION: Studies suggest students who are substantially older than the average age for their grade engage in risky health behaviors, including substance use. However, most studies do not account for the distinct reasons why students are old for their grade (ie, grade retention vs delayed school entry) or for their pubertal stage. Thus, whether the association between age for grade and substance use is confounded by these factors is unknown. We sought to determine whether age, grade, or pubertal stage were associated with early substance use. METHODS: Cross-sectional Healthy Passages Wave I survey data from 5,147 fifth graders and their caregivers in Alabama, California, and Texas from 2004 through 2006 were analyzed in 2014. Logistic regressions examined whether older age for grade, grade retention, delayed school entry, or pubertal stage were associated with use of any substance, cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs. RESULTS: Seventeen percent of fifth graders reported trying at least 1 substance. Among boys, advanced pubertal stage was associated with increased odds of cigarette, alcohol, or other drug use, whereas delayed school entry was associated with lower odds of any substance, alcohol, or other drug use. Among girls, advanced pubertal stage was associated only with higher odds of alcohol use, and delayed school entry was not associated with substance use. Neither older age for grade or grade retention was independently associated with substance use after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Advanced pubertal stage may be a more important risk factor for substance use than age for grade. Pediatricians should consider initiating substance use screening earlier for patients with advanced pubertal stage. Language: en
Archival Cooperation: A Critical Look at Statewide Archival Networks

Cooperating institutions in nine states founded archival networks in the 1960s and 1970s to administer more effectively their archival and manuscript collections. In July 1981, a National Conference on Regional Archival Networks was held to evaluate the achievements of these networks. The authors of this article extend the work of that conference by offering a critical look at mature networks. The first author reviews the development of archival networks and compares the reasons behind their establishment to the realities of daily operation. The second author analyzes the extent to which archival cooperation exists in five areas: local government records, acquisitions, collection use, resource sharing, and conflict resolution. The third author examines the effectiveness of archival networks in terms of funding and structure.
Dont Invade My Personal Space: Facebooks Advertising Dilemma

For many companies, advertising on Facebook seems like the right decision. But with decreasing click-through rates and negative consumer perceptions of Facebook advertising, some major corporations are rethinking their social media strategy. The purpose of this paper is to examine role theory, boundary theory, and role segmentation/integration as possible explanations to the negative consumer perceptions surrounding Facebook advertising. Theory suggests that Facebook users expend effort creating and maintaining boundaries around consumer and social roles. By targeting consumers in a social domain, companies advertising on Facebook may actually be exacerbating the problem.
Comparison of Methods for the Immunological Identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Clinical Specimens Using Commercially-Obtained Reagents

Neither an immunofluorescent nor a co-agglutination method was adequately sensitive for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae when commercially-obtained reagents were used to test oxidase positive organisms taken directly from Transgrow medium. The sensitivity of co-agglutination, the better of the two methods, was improved from 83% to 96% when organisms were subcultured for colony isolation prior to identification. False positive results were obtained with both methods.
Mutillidae Miscellanea: Taxonomy and Distribution

A new family (Evaniidae) is recorded as host for Mutillidae: Odontophotopsis (Odontophotopsis) eubule (Cameron) was reared from cockroach ootheca parasitized by Evaniella neomexicana Ashmead. Also given are new descriptions with designations of allotype for the males of Chyphotes (Pitanta) nitidus Mickel, Pseudomethoca toumeyi (Fox), Dasymutilla fulgida Mickel, and the female of Sphaeropthalma (Sphaeropthalma) auripilus ssp. fasciventris Schuster; numerous new taxonomic and nomenclatorial changes; and new geographical data for nearctic Mutillidae.
THE RELIABILITY OF COMPOSITE-MET AL ADHESIVE JOINTS SUBJECT TO THERMO-MECHAN ICAL LOADING

Adhesive joints between composites and metals find numerous applications in industry. The reliability of such joints when subjected to thermomechani cal loading is a recurring issue in their design. In this paper, steady-state fracture mechanics solutions are used as a tool for analyzing the failure behavior of single and double lap composite-metal joints. This allows prediction of the failure mode and load to cause failure as a function of material properties, geometry and interface toughness. The results are presented in graphical format as failure mechanism diagrams, which are useful for design and failure mode analysis. The results are compared with data from an experimental program consisting of thermal loading tests on specimens composed of aluminum/ graphite-epoxy composite. The adhesive toughness was obtained from mechanical tests on aluminum specimens. The results confirm that steady-state analysis correctly predicts trends in the critical temperature drop for failure and the resulting failure modes. It was also observed that a single value of adhesive toughness is not adequate to describe the data. It was concluded that steady-state fracture solutions are convenient for preliminary design purposes.
Uses of Solar Radiation Pressure for Reconfiguration Of Sun-Earth Libration Point Formations

This paper examines the use of solar radiation pressure for reconfiguration of satellite formations at one of the collinear Sun-Earth libration points. Specifically, it considers whether spacecraft that are equipped with Sun-facing thermal shields can exploit the solar radiation force that acts on them to perform gradual relative maneuvering. Small shield off-pointing angles give rise to differential solar forces that are essentially perpendicular to the Sun line: the effect of these small differential forces on the relative motion of the satellites in the formation is therefore quite different from that of the total (down-Sun) solar force on the absolute orbital motion. The paper first sets up the linearized equations of motion for libration point formations under differential solar radiation forcing, with the sun shield off-pointing angle taken as the control input variable. These equations are then used to study the existence and properties of solution trajectories that take the spacecraft from a given initial formation geometry to a desired
Up-conversion luminescence of gold nanospheres when excited at nonsurface plasmon resonance wavelength by a continuous wave laser.

We show that, when gold nanospheres are excited at the red side of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength at 592 nm by a continuous wave (CW) laser, they give substantial up-converted luminescence in the SPR wavelength range. The luminescence intensity scales as a second-order function of the excitation power, with a quantum yield ∼1/50 of down-conversion luminescence when illuminated at a power of 30 MW/cm2. The luminescence spectrum is completely different than the SPR profile, indicating a new emission mechanism possibly involving interband transitions coupled with phonons or localized vibration of neighboring gold atoms. Such luminescence is also observed to be substantial for short gold nanorods with an aspect ratio of ∼2 but weak for bulk gold. This study provides new insight to the understanding of gold nanoparticle luminescence and opens a new detection scheme for gold nanoparticle-based biological imaging.