cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brillouin and raman scattering studies of the melting transition in salol

Abstract Brillouin and Raman scattering studies of salol from room temperature to within 5 mK of the melting transition at T m = 40.97°C are reported. Changes in the Brillouin shifts and linewidths were accurately determined by nonlinear least-squares fitting and deconvolution. A marked increase in the deconvoluted Brillouin linewidth (~400%) and a gradual softening (~20%) of the transverse acoustic modes were observed very close to T m . The increase of the Brillouin linewidths was analyzed by a simple dislocation model assuming the hypersonic attenuation to be proportional to the concentration of thermally generated defects near T m . The defect formation energy E D ( T ) was computed from the temperature-dependent linewidth data, and was found to decrease significantly (~60%) near T m , suggesting a cooperative effect producing a catastrophic growth of defects which brings about melting by destroying the long range order of the crystal. The conclusion that melting is mediated by a sudden growth of defect concentration near T m was further strengthened by Raman scattering experiments in which 13 new Raman modes appeared close to T m . These new modes are believed to be defect activated through breaking of the local symmetry of the crystal. A slight softening of the Raman modes (~5%) was observed close to the melting point.
Decision support alerts for clinical laboratory and blood gas data.

The process by which clinicians recognize potentially dangerous laboratory data is difficult to computerize. Normal value limits are useful reference points, but although a significant percentage of ICU laboratory results are abnormal, most should generate no undue alarm. Critical value limits such as K+<3.0 mmol/L or hemoglobin <7.0 g/dl are more relevant to critical care areas and are relatively easy to program into a data management computer system. However, simple limits are inadequate for more complex laboratory results, which must be correlated with other data to insure that true critical values are present. For example, hypocalcemia is a relatively common finding in surgical ICU patients in whom bowel disorders, abdominal surgery, stress, and sepsis may rapidly produce a hypoalbuminemic state. Because calcium is bound to albumin, in such a setting the hypocalcemia may be more apparent than real. Critical value limits will also fail to identify subtle but dangerous trends such as falling hemoglobin or hematocrit until the blood loss is quite severe and a critical value threshold is exceeded.
A comparison of energy intake and food selection during laboratory binge eating episodes in obese women with and without a binge eating disorder diagnosis.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare energy intake and food selection of laboratory binge eating episodes in obese women with and without binge eating disorder (BED). Method: Twenty women, 12 meeting BED criteria, and 8 BMI and age matched obese controls, engaged in a laboratory binge eating episode. Results: BED participants consumed significantly more total food in kilocalories than the non-BED obese group and more kilocalories of fat. However, there were no differences between the groups in the proportion of calories from any macronutrient. There was a nonsignificant trend for the BED group to consume more total grams of food. During the binge, the BED group consumed more dairy products. Conclusion: Results of the study confirmed that women with BED consumed significantly more total food in kilocalories than the non-BED obese women when they were allowed to have a binge eating episode in a laboratory setting. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Structure of the PolIIIα-τc-DNA complex suggests an atomic model of the replisome.

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the τ subunit of the clamp loader (τc) binds to both the DnaB helicase and the DNA polymerase III α subunit (PolIIIα), and determines their relative positions and orientations on the leading and lagging strands. Here, we present a 3.2 A resolution structure of Thermus aquaticus PolIIIα in complex with τc and a DNA substrate. The structure reveals that the CTD of τc interacts with the CTD of PolIIIα through its C-terminal helix and the adjacent loop. Additionally, in this complex PolIIIα displays an open conformation that includes the reorientations of the oligonucleotide-binding fold and the thumb domain, which may be an indirect result of crystal packing due to the presence of the τc. Nevertheless, the position of the τc on PolIIIα allows us to suggest an approximate model for how the PolIIIα is oriented and positioned on the DnaB helicase.
The Potential Impact of Small-Scale Physical Disturbance on Seedlings in a Papuan Rainforest1

Physical disturbance, such as falling debris, is an important cause of mortality to rain forest seedlings. I used artificial seedlings to quantify physical disturbance in a rain forest at the Crater Mountain Biological Research Station in Papua New Guinea. Single (N = 418) and clustered artificial seedlings (N = 428) were placed on eight transects spanning varied topography to assess the area's disturbance regime, to test if ground slope affected disturbance, and to test if clustering affected the incidence of damage. Two transects showed a significant departure from random in the spatial distribution of damaged seedlings within the transect, suggesting that some areas of experience more disturbance than others. Artificial seedlings on level ground experienced damage less often than artificial seedlings on slopes; disturbance increased with ground slope. Artificial seedlings in dry washes experienced the greatest probability of damage. Artificial seedlings in clusters experienced significantly less damage than single ones, suggesting clustered seedlings might be less vulnerable to damage than lone seedlings. The disturbance rate at this site (34.7% damaged in one year) was markedly lower than that measured at the La Selva Biological Reserve in Costa Rica (82.4%).
An investigation of the role of China's urban population on coal consumption

Abstract This paper investigates the causal relationship between urban population, real GDP, electricity production and coal consumption in China for the period 1971–2009. Using a vector autoregression framework and a modified version of the Granger (1969) causality test proposed by Toda and Yamamoto (J. Econ. 66 (1995) 225), the results suggest that there is causality running from GDP to coal consumption. The variance decomposition analysis report that urban population and coal affect electricity production variability over the forecast period. We also find that increasing urban population may negatively affect China's GDP over time. Policy measures aimed at influencing GDP could ultimately affect coal consumption.
Low-complexity H.264/AVC motion compensated prediction for mobile video applications

The performance of the motion-compensated prediction (MCP) in video coding is degraded by aliasing due to spatial sampling. To alleviate this problem in H.264/AVC, a low-pass filter is used by the fractional-pel motion estimation (FME) to suppress the aliasing component. However, the FME demands higher computational complexity on H.264/AVC encoding. In this work, we first perform a joint quantization and aliasing analysis on the H.264/AVC MCP process and show that the impact of the aliasing component can be alleviated by the quantization process. Then, we propose a fast motion estimation (ME) algorithm that uses the FME and the integer-pel motion estimation (IME) adaptively. The adaptive FME/IME algorithm examines the coding modes of the reference block for the current coding block, and then decides whether the FME or the IME should be applied to the current coding block. Experimental results show that the proposed adaptive FME/IME algorithm can help the encoder generate a bit stream at much lower computational complexity with small degradation in the coding gain as compared with a pure FME algorithm.
A personal view: environmental education—its content and delivery

Arguably, no challenge faced by humanity is more critical than generating an environmentally literate public. Otherwise the present “business as usual” course of human affairs will lead inevitably to a collapse of civilization. I list obvious topics that should be covered in education from kindergarten through college, and constantly updated by public education and the media. For instance, these include earth science (especially climatology), the importance of biodiversity, basic demography, the problems of overconsumption, the fact that the current economic system compels producers and consumers to do the wrong thing environmentally, and the I = PAT equation. I also summarize less well-recognized aspects of the environmental situation that are critical but are only rarely taught or discussed, such as the nonlinear effects of continued population growth, the impacts of climate disruption on agricultural production, and the basic issues of human behavior, including economic behavior. Finally, I suggest some of the ways that this material can be made a major focus of all education, ranging from using environmental examples in kindergarten stories and middle school math to establish an international discussion of the behavioral barriers to sustainability.
Molecular dynamics simulation of inorganic ions in PEO aqueous solution

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), especially the ones dissolving lithium ions in poly ethylene oxide (PEO) polymer by the bonds between ether oxygen and cations, have long been investigated with the goals of developing batteries with high energy density. It has been accepted that most ions move through the amorphous polymer phase and their mobility depends crucially on the solution environment, though the detailed transport mechanism is not fully developed. Recently, ternary mixtures composed of PEO/salts in aqueous solution have been shown to display more attractive properties than binary SPE mixtures. Numerous experiments have found a dramatically changed environment for the cations and increased ionic conductivity of polymer/salts electrolytes for increased relative humidity, suggesting that the coupling between polymer chains and cations may be weakened due to the existence of water molecules. In this paper we report molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, using an optimized force field that includes pol...
SU‐GG‐T‐97: Monte Carlo Modeling of Modulated Electron Beams Delivered Through a Photon Multileaf Collimator

Purpose: To use Monte Carlo programming methods to accurately modelelectron beams delivered through a photonmultileaf collimator (pMLC) in preparation for their use in modulated electron radiotherapy.Method and Materials: Electron transport through a Varian Clinac 2100C linear accelerator was modeled using BEAMnrc. The linear accelerator is equipped with Milenium 80 multileaf collimator(MLC). The linac was first verified using the electron applicators against measurements taken in water. Then the applicators were removed and electron fields were shaped using the MLC. A phase space files was generated at the end of the accelerator structure (after the MLC) and was used as input in DOSXYZnrc to calculate the dose distributions in a water phantom. Various field sizes ranging from 2cm × 2cm to 10cm × 10cm were measured using Gafchromic EBT and Kodak EDR2 films modeled for energies of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV at source‐ to‐surface distances ranging from 70cm to 85cm. The beam profiles and depth dose curves from the film measurements were compared against the dose distributions obtained from the Monte Carlo calculations. Results: Good agreement was achieved between the experimental data and calculated values for our relative depth dose curves and beam profiles, with deviations of less than 2 mm in the penumbra region and within 1.5% in depth dose. The penumbra increased with increasing SSD and decreased with increasing energy. Deviations between measured and calculated values were affected by artifacts associated with the Gafchromic film used. Conclusion: The use of BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc is a highly effective method for modelingelectron beams shaped by a pMLC. Care must be taken when using Gafchromic film for beam measurements in order to avoid artifacts that may affect measured values.
Abstract P1-14-06: Everolimus effect on hematologic parameters in a phase II clinical trial for metastatic estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer

Background: Everolimus (RAD001) is increasingly used in combination with endocrine therapy for treatment of metastatic ER-positive breast cancer. Its beneficial effect notwithstanding, familiarity with its associated toxicities is critical for the treating oncologist. Here we present hematologic changes on everolimus from a phase II trial using a combination of everolimus and fulvestrant in metastatic ER-positive breast cancer after aromatase inhibitor failure (NCT00570921). Methods: Complete Blood Counts (CBCs) were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and every 4 weeks thereafter while on treatment, as well as one month after discontinuation. Adverse events (AEs) were defined on protocol using Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 3. Linear mixed modeling with random intercepts and slopes were used to study trends of studied parameters during treatment and comparisons were conducted using paired t-test. All p-values were two sided. Results: There were 31 evaluable patients on trial. Anemia was reported in 22 patients (71%), thrombocytopenia in 17 (55%), and leukopenia in 14 (45%). All toxicities were grade 1 or 2 except for one grade 3 anemia deemed unrelated to study drug. To further analyze the observed changes and trends, we next studied red blood cell indices, including mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), as well as differential white blood cell percent distribution. Both MCV and MCH decreased significantly over time (p Conclusion: Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia are commonly observed on everolimus, albeit predominantly mild in nature. Changes in red blood cell indices start very early after treatment and appear readily reversible upon discontinuation, suggesting that these changes may not solely be due to suppression of hematopoiesis. The etiology for these changes is currently unclear. While leukopenia is relatively common, lymphopenia in particular is consistently observed and does not appear to be readily reversible in the first month after treatment discontinuation. This may be related to the risk of infection encountered while on everolimus. Regular monitoring and familiarity with the spectrum of CBC changes observed on everolimus is prudent with its increased use. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-14-06.
Cumulative incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Abstract Background Although vitamin B12 is routinely measured in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) at the time of the initial diagnosis, it is not known if repeat vitamin B12 measurements are indicated to detect new deficiency cases. We aimed to determine the incidence of de-novo vitamin B12 deficiency over a period of 3 years in a cohort of AD patients without a prior diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency and with initial vitamin B12 levels greater than 350 ng/L. Methods Vitamin B12 levels were measured at the time of AD diagnosis and repeated 3 years later in 102 consecutive patients, unless a diagnosis of B12 deficiency was made in the interim. Results Vitamin B12 deficiency was diagnosed in 7 patients, corresponding to a cumulative incidence in the cohort studied of 7.6% after 3 years of follow-up. Statistical comparison of initial and repeat vitamin B12 measurements in patients that completed follow-up showed a significant reduction in levels ( p = 0.003). Among the 79 subjects with follow-up, 17 patients (22%, 95% CI, 13%–32%) had a repeat level less than 350 ng/L. No significant correlates of deficiency incidence were identified. Conclusion Our pilot data indicate that vitamin B12 levels decreased in this cohort of AD patients putting a substantial percentage at risk of deficiency and reaching deficiency state in a meaningful number of patients. Repeat screening for B12 deficiency after approximately 2 years of follow-up seems warranted in order to prevent hematological and neurological manifestations that may significantly alter their quality of life.
The long-term therapeutic significance of the addition of electromyographic biofeedback to relaxation training in the treatment of tension headaches

The long-term effects of therapist-delivered relaxation training alone (N=4) versus relaxation training plus frontalis EMG feedback (N=4) on self-monitoring reports of headaches and medication ingestion were assessed. Eight tension headache sufferers seeking traditional medical treatment from a neurologist served as subjects. Mean hours of pain per day, headache severity, and medication ingestion were significantly lower in both groups following treatment. These results were maintained at a 1-year follow-up for hours of pain per day and medication ingestion. There were no main effects due to EMG feedback and no interactions indicating no benefit of adding EMG feedback to relaxation training.
The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index on the risk of gestational diabetes

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a large unselected population. Methods: We performed a case control study using data collected in The Consortium on Safe Labor database. The association between BMI and GDM was evaluated both using BMI weight categories adopted by the National Institute of Health, and separately using BMI as a continuous variable. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of BMI, age, ethnicity, parity, chronic hypertension and antenatal steroid use on the risk of GDM. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to approximate relative risks of GDM. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: After controlling for other factors, the risk of GDM increased with an increasing BMI across all weight categories. For each 1 kg/m2 increase of BMI the OR of developing GDM was 1.08 (95% CI 1.08–1.09) and for each 5 kg/m2 increase,...
The Companion Animal Semantic Differential: Long and Short Form Reliability and Validity:

The Companion Animal Semantic Differential consists of 18 bipolar semantic differential word pairs for assessing the respondent's perception of a childhood companion animal. The measure was adminis...
Frequency and significance of pericardial effusion detected by two-dimensional echocardiography in infective endocarditis.

Abstract The frequency and clinical significance of pericardial effusions in infective endocarditis has not been well documented. In the past, studies on pericardial effusion in infective endocarditis were rare and their cause usually suppurative.1,2 Echocardiography is a sensitive technique for the detection of pericardial effusion.3 This study analyzes the frequency, clinical features and clinical course of patients with infective endocarditis associated with pericardial effusion detected by 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography.
Vibration and wave number characterization in carbon-fiber sandwich composite structures

Sandwich composite structures have highly desirable properties including superior stiffness and strength-to-weight ratios. Such properties arise from combining thin, stiff materials called face sheets with a soft, thick core. Unfortunately these properties give rise to poor acoustic performance, as sandwich structures efficiently radiate noise at low vibrational frequencies. Therefore much consideration has been given to improve acoustic performance with small sacrifices in key mechanical performances, such as bending stiffness and weight. This study focuses on sandwich composite structures with both high noise mitigation and passive structural dampening. Specifically, it is sought to understand how the vibrational responses of carbon-fiber face sheet sandwich composite beams are affected by the core's thickness, as well as its properties. Here, it is shown that the relationship between bending stiffness and coincidence frequency (a metric of acoustic performance) is non-linear. By reducing the core thickness from 10.7mm to 8.4mm, approximately 120% improvement is seen in acoustic performance. Also, the core materials' specific shear modulus is inversely proportional to acoustic performance. Finally, superior damping performance can lead to substantial noise mitigation in low vibrational frequencies. Thus coupling these concepts will provide vastly improved acoustic performance with minimal sacrifices in mechanical performance or weight.
An investigation of factors affecting the entry of radon into structures on the island of Guam

Factors affecting the entry of 222Rn gas into structures on the Island of Guam were investigated during the summer of 1993. Research findings indicated that radon transport into buildings on Guam, and perhaps in other tropical areas, is driven by sub-grade soil pressure (positive with respect to atmospheric pressure) rather than interior buildings vacuums. Immediate and substantive increases in indoor radon concentrations were associated with environmental effects of wind and rain. Radon entry, and, hence, indoor radon concentrations, are significantly greater during the rainy season as opposed to the dry season. In the absence of mechanically induced interior vacuums in buildings, external environmental forces creating sub-slab pressures are the predominant factor in affecting radon entry in Guam. Indoor radon potentials can be correlated to the locations where the underlying geology is limestone. Furthermore, the radon source appears to be within the first few feet of the surface of these limestones rather than uniformly distributed throughout the limestone. The effects of seismic activity on radon entry are short-lived unless significant damage occurs to a structure. Radon entry during calm weather conditions may also be a function of the rising and falling of ocean tides.
Facial Soft Tissue Injuries as an Aid to Ordering a Combination Head and Facial Computed Tomography in Trauma Patients

Purpose While the trauma computed tomography (CT) head scan is frequently ordered during resuscitation of multiply injured patients, determining when also to order facial CT in these situations can be difficult. Consequently, facial fractures are commonly missed on initial imaging evaluation. In acute trauma situations, facial soft tissue injury markers are often used to aid in this decision. A study was undertaken to identify exactly which facial soft tissue injuries correlate with facial fractures and which did not. The aim of our research was to compare the facial soft tissue injury patterns of patients receiving a combination head and facial CT who had facial fractures versus those who had no facial fractures. Patients and methods A retrospective trauma registry review was performed for a 5-year period at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, a level 1 trauma center. The trauma team saw a total of 9,871 trauma patients and 49.9% required head CT as part of their initial evaluation. A total of 777 (15.7%) patients had a combination head and facial CT in which 477 (61.4%) had a facial fracture and 300 (38.6%) had no facial fracture. Statistical significance was established using Bonferroni corrected P values less than .05. Results Lacerations occurring in areas of the lips, nose, and intraorally, as well as wounds leading to periorbital contusion and subconjunctival hemorrhage, were significantly prevalent in the fracture group. Conversely, scalp lacerations and scalp contusions were significantly higher in the nonfracture group. Other injuries such as lacerations of the tongue, chin, forehead, cheek, ear, eyelid, and eyebrow were indistinguishable between both groups. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that there are certain facial soft tissue injury zones that correlate with facial fractures in trauma patients who obtain head CT. We would like to propose that the acronym LIPS-N (Lip laceration, Intraoral laceration, Periorbital contusion, Subconjunctival hemorrhage, and Nasal laceration) be used in conjunction with a physical examination when assessing if a trauma patient who is getting head CT should also get facial CT.
Preparation of crosslinked membranes with controlled pore size distribution

A technique has been developed to prepare crosslinked, porous/asymmetric membranes from poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene). Mixtures of styrene monomer, divinylbenzene, benzoin (a photo-initiator), and some dead polystyrene are dissolved in a cosolvent and cast on a flat, transparent substrate. The coating is then irradiated with a UV lamp and subsequently phase separated by exposure to a nonsolvent bath. Pores are generated by phase separation induced by nonsolvent ingression. Crosslinking is achieved via the photo-initiated incorporation of divinylbenzene with styrene, while the membrane morphology evolves. A mechanism for the formation of crosslinked membranes prepared by this technique has been proposed. Experimental results systematically examine the effects of crosslinking and nonsolvent/solvent combinations on pore size and overall membrane structure. Temperature and solvent treatments on the finished membrane structure are also studied.
Viscous analysis of high speed flows using an upwind finite volume technique

A numerical study using an upwind finite volume technique to analyze high speed viscous flows is described. Two test cases were considered: a Mach 4.0 shock wave/laminar-boundary-layer interaction, and Mach 14.1 compression corners (15-deg and 24-deg ramp angle). PNS, TLNS, and NS equation results were obtained on each test case. As expected, PNS solutions are not adequate to resolve the flow physics. For the grids used in this study, there is no noticeable difference between the TLNS and full NS solutions. Both the TLNS and full NS solutions compared favorably with experimental data.
A random coefficient model to estimate a stochastic density gradient

Abstract A stochastic density gradient is derived by employing the random coefficient model developed by Theil. It is shown that the deterministic density gradient developed and studied by Clark, Mills and Muth is only a special case of the stochastic density gradient. An index of uncertainty for the density gradient is constructed to determine whether distance is a sufficient variable in measuring the variation of the population density patterns of a city.
The Idols of Organizational Theory: From Francis Bacon to the Dilbert Principle

The comic strip Dilbert has been commercially successful in portraying dysfunctional aspects of the workplace. However, it is not well linked to related academic work, and its descriptive success is not matched by its prescriptive usefulness. This article (a) employs Francis Bacon's "idols of the mind"framework (b) to organize academic research in the field of organizational theory (c) for the purposes of better understanding the Dilbert principle and outlining appropriate coping mechanisms or, if changeable, managerial actions to address its different root causes.
A Comparative Analysis of Prescription Drug Advertising Before and After Patent Expiration

ABSTRACTIn this study, a content analysis was used to evaluate advertisements of two drug products before patent expiration and after patent expiration. Advertisements were evaluated for information content, emotional appeals, and rational appeals. The results showed differences in the frequency of use of types of information content, rational appeals, and emotional appeals based on the status of patent protection for the 375 drug product advertisements reviewed.
Application of a variable transformer to the study of low temperature thermal expansion

An air-cored variable transformer can be used in connection with a mutual inductance bridge to obtain fractional Angstrom sensitivity for the study of thermal expansion of solids at liquid helium temperatures. This method has a number of attractive, though not unique, features. First, it provides a linear measurement—permitting the study of anisotropic materials. Second, it is well adapted to an absolute measurement in which only the sample changes temperature—eliminating the need for expansion estimates of other parts. Third, it allows direct mechanical calibration. Fourth, it does not require precise sample dimensions or shapes. Fifth, if cost is a consideration, the only inherently expensive part of the measurement system is a good narrow-band amplifier. This statement, however, neglects the cost of the Dewar system, the liquid helium, and a good thermometer. The major limitations appear to be an applicability solely to low temperature measurements (where the resistance of the variable transformer is low) for the highest sensitivity, and then only to samples of high thermal conductivity where thermal gradients can be minimized. The results obtained for the linear thermal expansions of copper and aluminum are comparable in precision with those obtained using different methods, and the agreement within this precision is gratifying. The anomalous (non-T3) thermal expansion observed for sapphire is of interest, and it is unfortunate that the more routine heat capacity data do not exist in the same temperature region as our thermal expansion data. Further investigations of both the thermal expansion and heat capacities of dielectric solids in the temperature region below θD50 would be profitable, and are being planned.
Usage patterns of blue flower color representation by Encyclopedia of Life content providers

Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is a resource for community-driven biodiversity data, focusing on species information and images. Research into blue flowers to compare color ('blueness') at different elevations revealed that data content providers describe flowers as blue for any color hue in the range from blue to magenta. We propose methods for standardizing color values and color searching within EOL by means of an expanded color vocabulary and improved access to image metadata, in order to improve the research capacity of this valuable resource.
Galectins as self/non-self recognition receptors in innate and adaptive immunity: an unresolved paradox.

Galectins are characterized by their binding affinity for β-galactosides, a unique binding site sequence motif, and wide taxonomic distribution and structural conservation in vertebrates, invertebrates, protista, and fungi. Since their initial description, galectins were considered to bind endogenous (“self”) glycans and mediate developmental processes and cancer. In the past few years, however, numerous studies have described the diverse effects of galectins on cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses, and the mechanistic aspects of their regulatory roles in immune homeostasis. More recently, however, evidence has accumulated to suggest that galectins also bind exogenous (“non-self”) glycans on the surface of potentially pathogenic microbes, parasites, and fungi, suggesting that galectins can function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in innate immunity. Thus, a perplexing paradox arises by the fact that galectins also recognize lactosamine-containing glycans on the host cell surface during developmental processes and regulation of immune responses. According to the currently accepted model for non-self recognition, PRRs recognize pathogens via highly conserved microbial surface molecules of wide distribution such as LPS or peptidoglycan (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs), which are absent in the host. Hence, this would not apply to galectins, which apparently bind similar self/non-self molecular patterns on host and microbial cells. This paradox underscores first, an oversimplification in the use of the PRR/PAMP terminology. Second, and most importantly, it reveals significant gaps in our knowledge about the diversity of the host galectin repertoire, and the subcellular targeting, localization, and secretion. Furthermore, our knowledge about the structural and biophysical aspects of their interactions with the host and microbial carbohydrate moieties is fragmentary, and warrants further investigation.
Maternal-child immigrant health training: changing knowledge and attitudes to improve health care delivery

This paper reports the development, implementation and evaluation of a training program for all levels of staff of Maternity Infant Care Family Planning Centers in New York City. The learner-centered training is designed to enhance cross-cultural sensitivity and communication skills. It provides epidemiological and patient management skills for serving ethnically diverse populations and focuses on skills training, such as the cross-linguistic, cross-cultural interview, and using epidemiological principles in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the core curriculum, each module is tailored to the site-specific information needs of the participants, as determined during individualized needs assessments. There are five sessions: the cross-cultural medical interview and working with interpreters; epidemiologic issues; attitudes and practices in maternal child health; family dynamics and interactions; and a session devoted to follow-up and evaluation. This training has been very successful in enhancing health care providers' sensitivity toward immigrant health issues. Pre- and post-test measurements found statistically significant improvements in the knowledge and attitudes of participants. Patient care has been greatly improved.
Estimation of distribution algorithms based on n-gramstatistics for sequencing and optimization

This paper presents our work on Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs) that address sequencing problems, i.e., the task of finding the best ordering of a set of items or an optimal schedule to perform a given set of operations. Specifically, we focus on using probabilistic models based on $n$-gram statistics. These models have been used extensively in modeling the statistical properties of sequences. We start with an EDA that uses a bigram model, then extend this scheme to higher-order models. However, directly replacing the bigram model with a higher-order model results in premature convergence. We give an explanation on this situation, along with some empirical support. We then introduce a technique for combining multiple models of different orders, which allows for smooth transition from lower-order models to higher-order ones. Furthermore, this technique can also be used to incorporate other heuristics as well as prior knowledge about the problem into the search process. Promising preliminary results on solving Traveling Salesman Problems (TSPs) are presented.
Health status and hypertension: A population-based study

We describe the relation between self-reported hypertension and measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a community-dwelling population. In a cross-sectional study, 1430 randomly selected adults, aged 45 to 89 years, were interviewed to obtain a medical history and health status measures, including the SF-36 questionnaire, the Quality of Well Being (QWB) index, and time trade-off (TTO) assessments. A total of 519 participants reported being affected by hypertension (HTN group). The HTN group, compared to the No HTN group, had significantly lower age-adjusted health status scores measured by the General Health (GH) scale of the SF-36 and by TTO, with differences between groups for each measure comprising approximately 5% of the total scale. HTNs also had a significant decline in general health status measures associated with increasing numbers of antihypertensive medications but not with specific classes of medications. We conclude that hypertension and hypertension drug therapy are associated with clinically meaningful decreases in reported health status.
Lens coupling efficiency: derivation and application under differing geometrical assumptions.

The calculation of lens coupling efficiency is often performed in the design of lens coupled digital radiographic systems, now currently under development. With these systems, an electronic camera is focused onto a planar scintillator such as a conventional intensifying screen. Historically, this calculation has relied on certain assumptions concerning the emission properties of the scintillator, and primarily this assumption is that the scintillator is either a Lambertian emitter (light is emitted over all angles equally) or a point radiator. Because there now exists new classes of scintillators such as scintillating fiber optic screens and pixelated intensifying screens, it is sometimes necessary to perform lens coupling calculations in the absence of the Lambertian and point source assumptions. In this paper we describe the necessary equations to accurately calculate lens coupling efficiency in the most general of cases. Graphical examples demonstrate the lens coupling efficiency for hypothetical Lambertian scintillating sources, for a rare earth intensifying screen, and for a scintillating fiber optical screen.
Zinc transporter genes and urological cancers: integrated analysis suggests a role for ZIP11 in bladder cancer

Although zinc transporters were shown to play roles in the development of prostate, bladder, and renal cancer, no study has evaluated the genetic variants in zinc transporter genes with risk of urological cancers. A candidate gene association study using genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets was conducted for variants in 24 zinc transporter genes. Genotypes were analyzed using logistic regression models adjusted for covariates. The function of identified variants was assessed by using the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE). We further evaluated tumors for somatic change of the implicated gene(s) and the associations between identified variants and patient survival from data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A ZIP11 variant, rs8081059, was significantly associated with increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (odds ratios (OR) = 1.28, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) (1.13–1.45), p = 0.049). No zinc transporter variants were associated with prostate cancer risk. Four variants within ZIP11 were significantly associated with bladder cancer risk: rs11871756 (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI (1.24–1.63), p = 0.0002), rs11077654 (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI (0.68–0.85), p = 0.001), rs9913017 (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI (0.68–0.85), p = 0.002), and rs4969054 (OR = 0.78, 95 % CI (0.69–0.88), p = 0.02); the three protective variants were co-located and highly correlated. These variants were located within predicted transcribed or enhancer regions. Among the 253 bladder cancer patients in TCGA, two had tumors that contained deleterious missense mutations in ZIP11. Moreover, rs11077654 was significantly associated with survival of bladder cancer patients (p = 0.046). In conclusion, zinc transporter gene, ZIP11, may play an important role in bladder cancer. Further studies of the gene are warranted.
A first-principle predictive theory for a sphere falling through sharply stratified fluid at low Reynolds number

A sphere exhibits a prolonged residence time when settling through a stable stratification of miscible fluids due to the deformation of the fluid-density field. Using a Green's function formulation, a first-principles numerically assisted theoretical model for the sphere-fluid coupled dynamics at low Reynolds number is derived. Predictions of the model, which uses no adjustable parameters, are compared with data from an experimental investigation with spheres of varying sizes and densities settling in stratified corn syrup. The velocity of the sphere as well as the deformation of the density field are tracked using time-lapse images, then compared with the theoretical predictions. A settling rate comparison with spheres in dense homogeneous fluid additionally quantifies the effect of the enhanced residence time. Analysis of our theory identifies parametric trends, which are also partially explored in the experiments, further confirming the predictive capability of the theoretical model. The limit of infinite fluid domain is considered, showing evidence that the Stokes paradox of infinite fluid volume dragged by a moving sphere can be regularized by density stratifications. Comparisons with other possible models under a hierarchy of additional simplifying assumptions are also presented.
Applied Heat Transfer in the Development of the New Wind Chill Temperature Chart

In November, 2001, the national weather services of the United States and Canada, recognizing inaccuracies in the original, adopted a revised Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) chart. This revision was developed by the authors under a mandate from a joint action group for temperature indicies (JAG/TI) formed by the U.S. Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology. This new chart provides, for a given air temperature and recorded wind speed, that air temperature, the WCT, which would result in the same rate of heat loss from exposed human skin in still air. Values of the WCT are given for a range of air temperatures from −45°F to 40°F and a range of wind speeds from 5 mph to 60 mph. For Canada, the ranges are from −50°C to 10°C and 10 km/hr to 80 km/hr. The new chart was developed using principles of heat transfer, including conduction, forced convection and radiation. Skin tissue resistance was obtained from human studies. This paper describes the application of these principles and will show how these same principles have been used to demonstrate the errors in the original chart developed over 60 years ago by our military in Antarctica and adopted by the U.S. Weather Service in 1973. As was the case for the original chart, a clear night sky has been assumed, thus ignoring any direct solar radiation that would otherwise tend to elevate the WCT. The new chart is unlikely to be the final version long term and this paper will also discuss possible future modifications.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Evaluation of acoustical particle counter for the sizing of fog droplets.

An acoustical particle counter (or acoustical particle sizing device) was evaluated for counting and sizing of fog droplets. Fog droplets were generated under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Fog droplet sizes were measured by an optical and an electron microscope and compared to results from the acoustical particle counter. Most of the droplets were found to be in the size range of 5–30 µm. The mean diameters estimated from the acoustical particle counter were in agreement with the microscope values of mean droplet diameter. A Rich 100 condensation nuclei monitor was also operated simultaneously during the fog droplet counting to monitor the condensation nuclei counts in the laboratory. The results indicate that condensation nuclei count is inversely correlated with the fog droplet threshold diameter. Aerosols of uniform size (35 µm) were generated by the vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator and counted at three different flow rates by the acoustical particle counter. The counts/liter/minute were similar, indicating the reliability of the acoustical particle counter.
Positive tensor factorization

Abstract A novel fixed point algorithm for positive tensor factorization (PTF) is introduced. The update rules efficiently minimize the reconstruction error of a positive tensor over positive factors. Tensors of arbitrary order can be factorized, which extends earlier results in the literature. Experiments show that the factors of PTF are easier to interpret than those produced by methods based on the singular value decomposition, which might contain negative values. We also illustrate the tendency of PTF to generate sparsely distributed codes.
DC-plasma polymerization of pyrrole

DC-plasma-polymerized pyrrole (PP-Py) films deposited on metals were extensively characterized by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), Reflection-Absorption IR Spectroscopy (RAIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Glow Discharge Optical Spectroscopy (GDOS), electrical conductivity (ASTM Franklin test), and contact angle measurements. TOF-SIMS and RAIR showed no spectroscopic evidence of the presence of the pyrrole ring structure in any of the plasmadeposited films. The major parameter that affected their composition was found to be the pressure. Films deposited at low pressure were less hydrogenated than those polymerized at high pressure or in remote plasma conditions. Although all deposits oxidized slowly in air, their surface energy remained low over an extended period of time. The electrical conductivity of the PP-Py films was in the range of 10−3–10−4 S/cm, i.e., higher than that of amorphous carbon films.
For Treatment of Odontogenic Keratocysts, Is Enucleation, When Compared to Decompression, a Less Complex Management Protocol?

Purpose To determine whether the clinical management of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) is more complex in patients who undergo enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy than in patients who undergo decompression with or without residual cystectomy. Materials and Methods The authors implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of patients presenting for the evaluation and management of OKCs. The predictor variable was treatment group, classified as decompression with or without residual cystectomy versus enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy (Carnoy solution, cryotherapy, or peripheral ostectomy). The outcome variables were measurements of complexity of management, including total number of procedures, venue of procedure (operating room vs office), type of anesthesia, hospital admissions, and total number of follow-up visits. Data analyses were performed using univariate and bivariate statistics and a multiple linear regression model. Results The study sample was composed of 45 patients (66 OKC lesions) with a mean age of 43.3 years. Of the 66 OKCs treated, 34 (51.5%) were treated with decompression with or without residual cystectomy and 32 (48.5%) were treated with enucleation with or without adjunctive therapy. Larger lesions and lesions with radiographic evidence of cortical perforation were treated more often with decompression with or without residual cystectomy. Based on the multiple linear regression model, patients who underwent enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy compared with those who underwent decompression with or without residual cystectomy had on average 1) 1.1 fewer total procedures ( P 2) 0.8 fewer total office procedures ( P 3) 0.6 fewer local anesthesia procedures ( P 4) 4.8 fewer postoperative visits ( P Conclusion Given comparable recurrence rates, the increased complexity of managing OKCs with decompression with or without residual cystectomy might not be warranted. Enucleation with or without adjunctive therapy could be the more efficient treatment option.
Reliability and structural validity of cross racial identity scale scores in a sample of African American adults.

In this article, the authors examine the internal consistency and structural validity of scores on the Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS; Vandiver et al., 2000; Worrell, Vandiver, & Cross, 2000) in a sample of 105 adults. Exploratory factor analyses provided support for the six-factor structure of the CRIS. Reliability estimates for the scores were in the high to moderate range, and subscale inter-correlations were low. The authors conclude that the evidence supporting the CRIS is strong and recommend that the examination of CRIS scores be extended into other areas of construct validity.