cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A randomized technique for remote file comparison

A technique for file comparison is presented that is based in a set of signatures that are selected by a randomized algorithm. The sites performing the comparison agree on this randomized set of signatures before any comparison takes place. This technique proves to be very competitive with previously published algorithms. It has an advantage over previous techniques in that one can set up the algorithm to diagnose up to a given number of different pages. This is done by changing the total number of bits sent to guarantee that the expected number of falsely diagnosed pages remains under a given level. A metric for comparing the complexity of file comparison techniques is introduced, based on the number of bits that the algorithm needs to send in order to diagnose a given number of differing pages while keeping the probability of false diagnosis under a certain level of confidence. >
Intragroup Differences and Attitudes toward Varieties of Spanish among Bilingual Pupils from California and Texas

Mexican-American high school students from Texas (n=50) and California (n=80) rated their relative proficiency and use of Spanish. The pupils registered their reactions to four varieties of Spanish (16 passages-read by four speakers and recorded on tape using the matched guise technique). Differential reactions to the four varieties-code switching, ungrammatical, dialectal, and "standard" Mexican Spanish-were interpreted as revealing differential language attitudes. Each variety was rated in terms of (a) degree of grammaticality, (b) appropriateness for classroom use, (c) the speaker's likelihood of academic achievement, and (d) a global reaction. Location affected language proficiency and use. "Standard" Mexican Spanish was rated higher than the other three varieties, and the two "non-standard" varieties were evaluated more favorably than code switching. Judgements about the four varieties were influenced by a number of factors including sex.
Maximum efficiency tuning of microwave amplifiers

Maximum-efficiency tuning conditions for a microwave power amplifier are determined by a statistical impedance matching method. A physics-based MESFET simulator is used to predict optimum device performance. The sensitivity of efficiency to variations in source harmonic impedance matching is described and shown to be significant. Simulations indicate that proper harmonic tuning can achieve power-added efficiencies of approximately=80% at 5 GHz. >
Development of total-skin electron therapy at two energies

Total-Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) modalities have been developed at two energies on a Varian Clinac 1800. The physical criteria for the beams were determined mainly from the requirement of continuing the Stanford treatment technique, which was 12 Total-Skin Electron Therapy portals combined in six pairs. The penetration of the lower energy mode matches that previously obtained at Stanford on the Varian Clinac 10, (about 4 mm for the 80% isodose contour in the 12-field treatment). The penetration of the higher energy mode is about 8 mm at the 80% contour. The Total-Skin Electron Therapy modes necessarily use electrons produced by the two standard electron-beam modes of lowest energy, nominally 6 and 9 MeV. Measurements to verify the beam specifications were carried out with diodes, a variety of ionization chambers, and a specially constructed circular phantom for film dosimetry. Initially, the penetration of the Total-Skin Electron Therapy beams was too large to match our criteria, so two methods of reducing it were explored: (a) the energies of the electron beams produced by the machine were reduced (which also reduced the energies of the corresponding standard electron modes) and (b) a large polymethylmethacrylate degrader (2.4 m X 1.2 m) 1 cm thick was placed just in front of the patient plane. Acceptable Total-Skin Electron Therapy beams could be produced by either method and the latter was finally used. The use of the standard dose monitoring system for the Total-Skin Electron Therapy modes considerably simplifies the daily treatment delivery as well as the implementation. However, the need for reasonable dose rates at the treatment plane (3.5 meters beyond the isocenter) requires dose rates of 24 Gy/min at the isocenter. Nevertheless, it is possible to use the internal dose monitor provided the problems associated with high dose rates (recombination and amplifier saturation) are addressed. Solutions to these problems involved switching the primary and back-up dose monitors, increasing the collecting voltage on the ion chambers, and calibrating the dose monitor so that 1 unit = 1 cGy at the patient rather than at the isocenter.
On random pattern generation with the selfish gene algorithm for testing digital sequential circuits

A selfish gene (SG) algorithm differs from the genetic algorithm (GA) because it evolves genes (characteristics) that provide higher fitness rather than evolving individuals with higher fitness. We enhance the spectral method of sequential circuit test generation by using a SG algorithm. The objects of evolution are the Hadamard spectral matrix, non-linear digital signal processing (DSP) filtering cutoff values, vector holding time, and relative input phase shifts, which are all modeled as genes. These characteristics, extracted from compacted test vectors, are used to create new vector sequences to be further compacted with higher fault coverage. Alternatively, new vectors were generated by holding randomly selected vectors and then randomly perturbing some bits in 8-bit chunks of bit streams. Both the SG algorithm and holding with bit-perturbation can outperform the previously-published spectral method in either fault coverage, or shorter vector length, or both. The SG algorithm is often superior to random bit-perturbation but it requires more CPU time.
Myocarditis after Smallpox Vaccination: A Case Report

A 20-year-old airman (US Air Force) developed myocarditis 8 days after smallpox vaccination. He was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and his symptoms promptly resolved. However, postvaccinial myocarditis can lead to serious complications and even death.
A frequent-value based PRAM memory architecture

Phase Change Random Access Memory (PRAM) has great potential as the replacement of DRAM as main memory, due to its advantages of high density, non-volatility, fast read speed, and excellent scalability. However, poor endurance and high write energy appear to be the challenges to be tackled before PRAM can be adopted as main memory. In order to mitigate these limitations, prior research focuses on reducing write intensity at the bit level. In this work, we study the data pattern of memory write operations, and explore the frequent-value locality in data written back to main memory. Based on the fact that many data are written to memory repeatedly, an architecture of frequent-value storage is proposed for PRAM memory. It can significantly reduce the write intensity to PRAM memory so that the lifetime is improved and the write energy is reduced. The trade-off between endurance and capacity of PRAM memory is explored for different configurations. After using the frequent-value storage, the endurance of PRAM is improved to about 1.6X on average, and the write energy is reduced by 20%.
Mechanical Model Parameters for Viscoelastic Dampers

Models of varying complexities are being used to represent the frequency-dependent dynamic force deformation characteristics of viscoelastic dampers. More sophisticated models with real or complex fractional derivatives can definitely capture the frequency-dependent properties better. However, since these advanced models add complexity in the analysis of structures, the use of two classical models—a Kelvin chain and a Maxwell ladder—consisting of usual dashpots and springs is suggested. In this technical note, we provide explicit steps and necessary formulas to calculate the parameters of these two proposed models to provide desired frequency-dependent characteristics represented by the storage and loss moduli.
Differential Effect of Experimental Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia on Adventitial Remodeling

Objective— Intima-media remodeling, as frequently assessed by changes in the external elastic lamina-to-lumen area (EELLA), is well-described in coronary artery disease in contrast to adventitial remodeling, especially in the early disease stage. Method and Results— Female domestic pigs were randomized to one of the following 12-week treatment groups: normal diet (N; n=6), high-cholesterol diet (HC; n=6), or renovascular hypertension (HT; n=4). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol serum concentration was higher in HC than in N and HT (395.5±106 versus 38.6±14 and 37.2±6.8 mg/dL; P P P P Conclusions— The current study suggests that adventitial remodeling precedes intima and media remodeling of coronary arteries early after exposure to hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, with distinct qualitative differences between them.
Intrarenal Arterial Stenosis Saralasin Acetate Infusion Test as an Aid to Diagnosis

This report documents a case of hypertension caused by an intrarenal arterial stenosis in a ten-year-old girl. The renovascular origin of her hypertension was suggested by a positive saralasin acetate infusion test, and the lesion was identified by use of the subtraction technique in renal arteriography. Partial nephrectomy resulted in resolution of the pa tient's hypertension with good function in the remaining portion of the kidney.
Assessing children in kindergarten: The narrowing of language, culture and identity in the testing era:

In contemporary kindergarten classrooms, children’s literacy abilities are often assessed by tests used to determine a child’s ‘readiness’ for school. Readiness often means letter identification, p...
Adaptive Control of Uncertain Linear Systems With Uncertain Hysteretic Input Nonlinearities

We apply retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) with auxiliary nonlinearities to a command-following problem for uncertain Hammerstein systems with rate-dependent hysteretic input nonlinearities. The only required modeling information of the linear plant is a single Markov parameter. To account for the hysteretic input nonlinearity, RCAC uses auxiliary nonlinearities that reflect the monotonicity properties of the input nonlinearity. The hysteresis nonlinearity is modeled using the rate-dependent Prandtl-Ishlinskii model.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-Based Screen To Identify Functional Genomic Binding Sites for Sequence-Specific Transactivators

In various human diseases, altered gene expression patterns are often the result of deregulated gene-specific transcription factor activity. To further understand disease on a molecular basis, the comprehensive analysis of transcription factor signaling networks is required. We developed an experimental approach, combining chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with a yeast-based assay, to screen the genome for transcription factor binding sites that link to transcriptionally regulated target genes. We used the tumor suppressor p53 to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Using primary and immortalized, nontransformed cultures of human mammary epithelial cells, we isolated over 100 genomic DNA fragments that contain novel p53 binding sites. This approach led to the identification and validation of novel p53 target genes involved in diverse signaling pathways, including growth factor signaling, protein kinase/phosphatase signaling, and RNA binding. Our results yield a more complete understanding of p53-regulated signaling pathways, and this approach could be applied to any number of transcription factors to further elucidate complex transcriptional networks.
Direct measurement of thrust and efficiency of an airfoil undergoing pure pitching

We experimentally investigate the thrust and propulsive efficiency of a NACA 0012 airfoil undergoing oscillating pitching motion at a Reynolds number of . While previous studies have computed thrust and power indirectly through measurements of momentum deficit in the object’s wake, we use a pair of force transducers to measure fluid forces directly. Our results help solidify a variety of experimental, theoretical and computational answers to this classical problem. We examine trends in propulsive performance with flapping frequency, amplitude and Reynolds number. We also examine the measured unsteady forces on the airfoil and compare them with linear theory dating from the first half of the 20th century. While linear theory significantly overpredicts the mean thrust on the foil, its prediction for the amplitude and phase of the time-varying component is surprisingly accurate. We conclude with evidence that the thrust force produced by the pitching airfoil is largely insensitive to most wake vortex arrangements.
Content of text messaging immunization reminders: What low-income parents want to know

Abstract Objective The purpose of this project was to gather preliminary data on preferred content for text reminders sent to low-income parents. Methods A brief, IRB-approved survey was administered to 200 consecutive English-speaking parents of children under 6 years old at a Pediatric Residency clinic. Because text messages can hold only limited content, parents were given three example texts ranging from very basic to very specific information and asked to select the information they would wish to receive. Results Of the 190 parents (95%) who responded, 22.1% (42) were Hispanic and 76.3% (145) were non-Hispanic. Over 80% (153) received Medicaid. Of the 79.5% (151) of respondents interested in receiving text messages who responded to the question regarding content, nearly 50% (74) preferred Option 2, with the remaining respondents divided between Option 1 (43) and Option 3 (35). Results differed significantly between Hispanic and non-Hispanic respondents ( χ 2 (2) = 6.36, p = 0.042). Conclusion The majority of parents preferred a message containing the child's name, specific immunization information and physician information. However, Hispanic respondents were significantly more likely to endorse an option that included additional information. Practice implications Text messaging may be an optimal vehicle for provider–patient communication, however cultural differences should be considered when developing messages.
Expectations, satisfaction, and intention to leave of American expatriate managers in Japan

Abstract Many multinational corporations experience high and costly rates of expatriates returning prematurely from overseas assignments. Extending the general turnover literature, we test the specific relationships between expectations, satisfaction, and intent to leave for a sample of American expatriates in Japan. In a path analysis, work role clarity and overmet expectations about the general environment were positive predictors of general satisfaction. For job satisfaction, work role clarity and overmet expectations about job discretion were positive predictors. Finally, general satisfaction was the strongest predictor of intent to leave the assignment early. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are explored.
An investigation of teacher impact on student inquiry science performance using a hierarchical linear model

Teachers play a central role in inquiry science classrooms. In this study, we investigate how seven teacher variables (i.e., gender, experience, perceived importance of inquiry and traditional teaching, workshop attendance, partner teacher, use of technology) affect student knowledge integration understanding of science topics drawing on previous research. Using a two-level hierarchical linear model, we analyze year-end knowledge integration performance of 4,513 students taught by 40 teachers across five states. Results indicate that students of teachers who value inquiry teaching strategies have significantly higher levels of knowledge integration understanding than those of teachers who believe in traditional teaching methods. In addition, workshop attendance and having a partner teacher teaching the same unit in the same school also have a positive impact on students' knowledge integration levels. The results underscore the importance of professional development and collegial support in enhancing student success in inquiry science. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47:807–819, 2010
Development of Thick-Film Thermoelectric Microcoolers Using Electrochemical Deposition

Advanced thermoelectric microdevices integrated into thermal management packages and low power, electrical source systems are of interest for a variety of space and terrestrial applications. By shrinking the size of the thermoelements, or legs, of these devices, it becomes possible to handle much higher heat fluxes, as well as operate at much lower currents and higher voltages that are more compatible with electronic components. The miniaturization of state-of-the-art thermoelectric module technology based on Bi2Te3 alloys is limited due to mechanical and manufacturing constraints for both leg dimensions (100-200 gm thick minimum) and the number of legs (100-200 legs maximum). We are investigating the development of novel microdevices combining high thermal conductivity substrate materials such as diamond, thin film metallization and patterning technology, and electrochemical deposition of thick thermoelectric films. It is anticipated that thermoelectric microcoolers with thousands of thermocouples and capable of pumping more than 200 W/sq cm over a 30 to 60 K temperature difference can be fabricated. In this paper, we report on our progress in developing an electrochemical deposition process for obtaining 10-50 microns thick films of Bi2Te3 and its solid solutions. Results presented here indicate that good quality n-type Bi2Te3, n-type Bi2Te(2.95)Se(0.05) and p-type Bi(0.5)Sb(1.5)Te3 thick films can be deposited by this technique. Some details about the fabrication of the miniature thermoelements are also described.
Designing a Safety Program

In Chapters 18 through 21 we covered all of the elements that must be considered when designing an organizational safety program. In this final chapter we will combine all of these elements into a structure based upon the safety policies developed by the organization’s administration. The resulting framework of practices, policies, organizational structure, and safety guidelines forms the basis for the organization’s safety program. Most safety programs are established to meet legal requirements—the organization’s legal advisors recommend establishing a program to minimize awards in employee negligence suits—or to satisfy regulatory requirements. OSHA requires a safety program to be established as part of the organization’s safety and health responsibilities to its employees.
The computational model will see you now

With computational power increasing, mathematical equations quantifying human physiology have been connected across biological time and length scales to develop multiscale models, from the subcellular level all the way to the organ and organism levels. These models can be used to expose critical gaps in our knowledge of human biology and disease and also motivate simulations of how a disturbance on one scale manifests at the systems level. Given the explosion in available biomedical and healthcare data, it is natural to ask whether such models can be personalized. Vicario and coworkers work toward this goal, taking a different approach to personalized physiological modeling and parameter estimation through “minimal modeling”—reducing the model to a few crucial parameters (aggregation). Complex models with long simulation times and thousands of model parameters may not be compatible with personalized medicine. Rather than starting with multiscale models, Vicario et al. applied a highly aggregate representation of the human respiratory system to estimate lung resistance and elastance from select data from spontaneously breathing, ventilated patients. By incorporating reasonable physiological constraints into their optimization algorithm, the authors were able to accurately estimate resistance and elastance in both simulations and in a large animal (pig) study where gold-standard invasive measurements had also been conducted. The algorithm can be run in real time, thus potentially aiding critical care at the bedside. An open question is how one can bridge small-scale, aggregate models (such as in Vicario et al. ) and large multiscale models, linking personalized outputs to detailed mathematical representations of human physiology. If such personalized models can be realized, they would have the potential to help guide patient care, particularly in data-rich clinical environments, such as critical care medicine. F. Vicario et al ., Noninvasive estimation of respiratory mechanics in spontaneously breathing ventilated patients: A constrained optimization approach. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 10.1109/TBME.2015.2470641 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=7214248
Computer-assisted design in perceptual-motor skills research.

A categorization was made of independent variables previously found to be potent in simple perceptual-motor tasks. A computer was then used to generate hypothetical factorial designs. These were evaluated in terms of literature trends and pragmatic criteria. Potential side-effects of machine-assisted research strategy were discussed.
CuNb1−xTaxO3 (x ≤ 0.25) solid solutions: impact of Ta(V) substitution and Cu(I) deficiency on their structure, photocatalytic, and photoelectrochemical properties

Solid solutions of Cu(I)-containing oxide p-type semiconductors provide key opportunities to probe the fundamental relationships between chemical compositions and crystal structures, bandgap sizes, band energies, and photoelectrochemical properties. Members of the CuNb1−xTaxO3 (0 < x ≤ 0.25) solid solution have been synthesized via high temperature solid-state methods. The structure of CuNbO3 was found to be Cu-deficient Cu0.965NbO3 after heating in air at 250 °C for 3 hours, i.e., under similar conditions as those used to prepare it as a polycrystalline film. Powder X-ray diffraction techniques confirmed the purity of each composition up to x ≤ 0.25 and the lattice parameters were refined as the molar ratio of Nb(V) and Ta(V) was varied (a = 9.499 to 9.506 A, b = 8.439 to 8.451 A, c = 6.768 to 6.781 A and β = 90.847 to 90.694°). An increase in the amount of Ta(V) yielded a small blue shift of the bandgap size from ∼1.89 eV to ∼1.97 eV for CuNb1−xTaxO3 from x = 0 to 0.25. Polycrystalline films of each member of the CuNb1−xTaxO3 solid solutions produced relatively comparable p-type photocurrents of up to −0.5 mA cm−2, while the stability of the cathodic photocurrent also remained similar with increasing Ta(V) content. Mott–Schottky analysis of CuNb1−xTaxO3 showed that the conduction band edge of −1.5 (vs. SHE) provides a sufficient overpotential (∼800 mV) to drive the reduction of water to hydrogen gas at the surface. The capability of the solid solutions to drive hydrogen production was confirmed through suspended particle photocatalysis. Further characterization of the CuNb0.91Ta0.09O3 composition included scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. These data show that Cu(I) is oxidized to Cu(II) as CuNb1−xTaxO3 is heated in air. Thus, the formation of Cu(II) rich regions at the surface, together with the Ta(V) content, are found to play important roles in the stability and magnitude of the cathodic photocurrents produced under visible-light irradiation. Importantly, these results demonstrate that solid solution compositions can be used in films for solar energy conversion, notwithstanding their inherent atomic disorder.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Utilization of Colorectal Stents for the Treatment of Malignant Bowel Obstruction

Background Colorectal stents are increasingly employed as a bridge to surgery or for palliative relief of malignant large bowel obstruction.
Abstract 3091: Image Sharing Prior To Transfer Of Patients With Stroke

Introduction: The lack of 24X7 availability of sub-specialty neurologists and neurosurgeons in regional county hospitals frequently leads to transfer of patients with stroke/ICH to higher tertiary care centers. Transfer of patients without prior communication may delay both diagnosis as well as time sensitive treatments. Recently our institution adopted image sharing prior to transfer to facilitate triage of inter-hospital transfers. Aim: To analyze if image sharing enabled judicious selection of patients more likely to require intensive care/intervention. Methods: We analyzed consecutive adult patients with an admission diagnosis of stroke/TIA/carotid stenosis/carotid-dissection/aneursym/hemiplegia/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis for whom an interhospital transfer request was made. Results: The cohort had 197 subjects with 52.6% females. The mean age of subjects was 61.1 years (SD 16.1 years). The mean distance of healthcare facilities requesting transfer from our center was 47.7 miles (SD 28.5 miles). Of all transfer requests, 78.7% (155) were accepted to our facility, 14.7% (29) were asked to follow up in outpatient clinics, 3% (6) transfers were cancelled because a higher level of care was deemed unnecessary, 1% (2) patients declined transfer and 2.5% (5) were lost to other facilities. The median stroke severity measured by NIHSS on arrival was 3 (IQR 1 to 8). Images were shared prior to decision making for transfer for 20.3% (40) patients. Fewer patients were accepted for transfer with image sharing (73%) than without (83.7%), although this did not reach statistical significance (z statistic -1.51; p=0.132). There was no significant difference in NIHSS (p=0.3919), neurological status measured by GCS (p=0.294) or age (p=0.9942) between subjects who had image sharing versus those who did not. Amongst all accepted patients 45.1% were deemed to need intensive care and 47.7% received interventions (surgical, medical or advanced diagnostic testing). The proportion of patients who underwent intervention or were admitted to an intensive care unit was much higher when patients’ images were shared prior to transfer (85.2%) when compared to patients transferred without image sharing (56.8%; z statistic 2.755; p=0.006). The odds of undergoing intervention when patients were transferred after image sharing was 4.37 as compared to patients transferred without image sharing (95% CI 1.43 to 13.39). Conclusion: Subjects who had their images shared prior to transfer had significantly higher intervention rate. Thus image sharing is a possible tool to increase specificity for selecting patients with stroke related diagnoses, who would benefit from transfer to a tertiary care center.
Musculoskeletal infections due to bacteroides.

The clinical characteristics of infections due to bacteroides with emphasis on musculoskeletal involvement were reviewed together with data on eleven patients with musculoskeletal infections due to bacteroides seen at the Mayo Clinic over an eighteen-year period. Six of these patients had osteomyelitis. All cases were characterized by a chronic course prior to bacteriological diagnosis. Follow-up indicated that the infection was arrested in ten of eleven patients after extensive debridement and antibiotic therapy.
Validation of the BESS TRS-P Structure With an Independent Sample of Teacher Ratings

The underlying structure of the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System, Teacher Rating Scale–Preschool was investigated with a replication sample. Ratings from more than 3,000 students were used and four alternative models were investigated. As with prior research, a bifactor model with four factors was identified. The results supported an (Emerging) School Problems factor and yielded similar patterns of relationships with specific and general factors identified with prior research.
Teaching engineering

Numerous studies of the workforce indicate a growing gap between skills needed in the near future and adequate preparation in those skills in the schoolhouse. This is particularly true in engineering where the rapid pace of technology innovation makes preparing engineers for successful careers more difficult. We know that global challenges exist that demand sophisticated engineering skills combined with effective business management and ethical decision making. In another view, surveys reveal that engineers in practice are positive about their educational experience, believe they are prepared for their careers, and highly value their university program and professors. So, what to do?
Indication-based Antimicrobial Derestriction: Ceftazidime Derestriction for Febrile Neutropenia

Sta2s2cal Analysis Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common condi2on in children receiving chemotherapy and can be life-­‐threatening. The University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital has a rigorous an2microbial restric2on and prior authoriza2on policy overseen by the An2microbial Stewardship Program (ASP). • CeIazidime (CTZ), our agent of choice for FN, is restricted. • Use requires calling Infec2ous Diseases (ID) on call for approval, followed by ID calling pharmacy with authoriza2on, leading to a poten2al delay in order processing. • FN is recognized as a 2me-­‐sensi2ve disease state with a clear indica2on for empiric an2bio2c (i.e. CTZ) use. • FN clinical pathway was revised, removing the need for prior approval, or “derestric2on”. • Goal of the revised clinical pathway and derestric2on is to promote the most appropriate, targeted and 2mely care to those high-­‐risk pediatric FN pa2ents. • Derestric2on serves to minimize the 2me between ini2al pa2ent presenta2on and 2me to an2bio2c administra2on. • New clinical pathway provides guidance for the ini2al workup and an2microbial management. • Indica2on-­‐based an2bio2c ordering and derestric2on can be successfully implemented in an ASP with a historically restric2on-­‐based system, without significant change in the appropriate use of the derestricted agent, change in the rate of bloodstream infec2ons or pa2ent outcomes. • The ED serves as the most efficient administrator of CTZ within the goal of less than 60 minutes. • Other units (i.e. clinic and inpa2ent unit) do not meet the desired less than 60 minute standard. Future efforts will be directed towards evalua2ng addi2onal factors affec2ng 2me to CTZ administa2on administra2on, specifically within the clinic and inpa2ent seYngs.
Abstract 5150: What is in control of DNA replication timing.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The initiation of DNA replication at specific sites in the genome is known to be far from perfect, where known initiation sites may or may not fire in a given single cell during specific cell cycle. At the same time, from larger scale perspective, one finds that the timing of DNA replication is highly orchestrated, where specific regions in the genome are copied at specific, reproducible time points throughout S-phase. In an attempt to reconcile these two somewhat discordant observations, many researchers have assumed that a yet unknown, active regulatory mechanism in the cell is responsible for coordinating replication timing. Here we present a mechanistic explanation for genome-wide replication timing patterns. Our model is purely stochastic, does not contain any active control components and reproduces existing replication timing data with extreme fidelity (correlation > 0.9, about the same as the correlation between technical replicates of the experiment). The main findings of our work are • Existence of reproducible genome-wide replication patterns do not logically necessitate existence of a complex, active control system in the cell • Integrative analysis of recently released ENCODE data identifies semi-local chromatin structure as the main determinant of replication timing • Plasticity of replication timing across different cell types are a direct consequence of changes in the chromatin structure between the different cell differentiation states • Replication timing is a “systems” phenomenon emerging from the collective action of many uncoordinated, stochastic replication initiation sites. Replication timing cannot be understood by investigating individual initiation sites: deleting up to 30% of high probability initiation sites does not significantly change replication timing Citation Format: Yevgeniy Gindin, Paul S. Meltzer, Sven Bilke. What is in control of DNA replication timing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5150. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5150
Changes in the Vote Margins for Congressional Candidates: A Specification of Historical Trends

Recent research on House elections has focused on the decline in congressional competition since the mid-1960s. However, this body of research suffers from three major problems: 1) an imprecise specification of the nature of change in the degree of congressional competition, 2) its exclusive reliance on a limited time frame, which calls into question the generalizability and adequacy of its explanations, and 3) its overemphasis on incumbency-oriented explanations. Using a Multiple Interrupted Time Series (MITS) analysis of trends in aggregate electoral data from 1824 to 1980, we find that current low levels of congressional competition are not historically unique, but instead constitute a continuation of a long-term trend established in the mid-1890s. In addition, and in contrast to the general thrust described in the literature, there appears to be a post-1965 trend toward greater competition, although the absolute level of competition is lower after the mid-1960s. Finally, a disaggregation of electoral results by incumbency status suggests a growth in the incumbency advantage since the mid-1890s, but that lower post-1965 levels of congressional competition are the result of a winners' and not an incumbency, advantage. Such findings cast doubt on the adequacy of explanations that focus on post-1965, incumbency-oriented factors.
Hypercoordinate Ketone Adducts of Electrophilic η3-H2SiRR′ Ligands on Ruthenium as Key Intermediates for Efficient and Robust Catalytic Hydrosilation

The electrophilic η3-H2SiRR′ σ-complexes [PhBPPh3]RuH(η3-H2SiRR′) (RR′ = MePh, 1a; Ph2, 1b; [PhBPPh3]− = [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]−) are efficient catalysts (0.01–2.5 mol % loading) for the hydrosilation of ketones with PhMeSiH2, Ph2SiH2, or EtMe2SiH. An alkoxy complex [PhBPPh3]Ru–OCHPh2 (4b) was observed (by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy) as the catalyst resting state during hydrosilation of benzophenone with EtMe2SiH. A different catalyst resting state was observed for reactions using PhMeSiH2 or Ph2SiH2, and was identified as a silane σ-complex [PhBPPh3]RuH[η2-H–SiRR′(OCHPh2)] (RR′ = MePh, 5a; Ph2, 5b) using variable temperature multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (−80 to 20 °C). The hydrosilation of benzophenone with PhMeSiH2 and 1a was examined by 1H NMR spectroscopy at −18 °C (in CD2Cl2), and this revealed that either 1a, 5a, or both 1a and 5a could be observed as resting states of the catalytic cycle, depending on the initial [PhMeSiH2]:[benzophenone] ratio. Kinetic studies revealed two possible expressions for the rat...
The MAPS-based vertex detector for the STAR experiment: Lessons learned and performance

Abstract The PiXeL detector (PXL) of the STAR experiment at RHIC is the first application of the state-of-the-art thin Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS) technology in a collider environment. The PXL, together with the Intermediate Silicon Tracker (IST) and the Silicon Strip Detector (SSD), form the Heavy Flavor Tracker (HFT), which has been designed to improve the vertex resolution and extend the STAR measurement capabilities in the heavy flavor domain, providing a clean probe for studying the Quark–Gluon Plasma. The two PXL layers are placed at a radius of 2.8 and 8 cm from the beam line, respectively, and is based on ultra-thin high resolution MAPS sensors. The sensor features 20.7 μm pixel pitch, 185.6 μs readout time and 170 mW/cm 2 power dissipation. The detector is air-cooled, allowing a global material budget of 0.4% radiation length on the innermost layer. A novel mechanical approach to detector insertion allows for fast installation and integration of the pixel sub detector. The HFT took data in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV during the 2014 RHIC run. Modified during the RHIC shutdown to improve its reliability, material budget, and tracking capabilities, the HFT took data in p + p and p +Au collisions at √ s NN =200 GeV in the 2015 RHIC run. In this paper we present detector specifications, experience from the construction and operations, and lessons learned. We also show preliminary results from 2014 Au+Au data analyses, demonstrating the capabilities of charm reconstruction with the HFT.
Smoking behaviors and tobacco consumption of smokers among residents in Jiangsu province

Objective To explore smoking behaviors as well as tobacco consumption of smokers among residents in Jiangsu province.Methods Questionnaire interviews were conducted among 8 400 adults aged 18 years and above selected from14 disease surveillance areas in Jiangsu province with multistage cluster sampling.Results The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking was 27.1%among the adults,with a significant gender difference(56.9%for males and 2.5%for females,P0.01).With the increase of age and education,the current smoking rate increased first and then decreased.Among the current smokers,the median number of cigarette consumed per day was 15 and the heavy smoking rate(over 20 cigarettes per day)was 48.4%for the males and23.7%for the females,respectively.For the current smokers aged35-64 years and with middle school or lower education,the proportion of heavy smoker was more than50%.The median price of cigarettes consumed by the current smokers was7 Yuan(RMB)per package,and 62.1%of male smokers bought cigarettes at the price between 5-19 Yuan per package and64.7%of female smokers bought cigarettes at the price less than5 Yuan per package.Higher proportions of the smokers buying cigarettes at the price5 Yuan per package were observed among the current smokers at older age,with lower education and lower family income.The median cost of tobacco consumption for a smoker per month was 150 Yuan,and38.5%of male smokers spent over 200 Yuan per month and 82.4%of the females spent less than 100 Yuan per month.Only 34.5%of urban smokers spent over 300 Yuan per month and 44.3%of rural smokers spent less than100 Yuan per month,respectively.Conclusion The prevalence of smoking and the number of cigarettes consumed by a smoker per day were high in male adults in Jiangsu province.The proportion of smokers consuming cigarettes with low price was high,indicating raising tobacco tax and price may be effective in the control of tobacco consumption,heavy smoking behaviors and current smoking rate.
The association between cigarette smoking and work status among Egyptian adolescent males.

CONTEXTE: En Egypte, la consommation de cigarettes a augmente rapidement et aujourd'hui de nombreux jeunes fument, mais on connait peu les facteurs influencant le comportement tabagique des adolescents egyptiens. OBJECTIF : Determiner dans quelle mesure le fait de travailler est en association avec le fait de fumer la cigarette chez les adolescents egyptiens de sexe masculin. SCHEMA : Les donnees proviennent de l'enquete menee en Egypte sur le Statut Social et Sanitaire et sur les Realisations Educationnelles des Adolescents dans un echantillon representatif au niveau national. Entre mars et aout 1997, on a interviewe 4354 garcons et 4773 filles âges de 10 a 19 ans ainsi qu'un adulte de chaque menage. Du a un faible taux de tabagisme, les filles ont ete exclues de l'analyse. RESULTATS: Les travailleurs ont tendance a etre plus âges, a avoir un plus grand nombre de pairs fumeurs, a avoir un niveau socio-economique inferieur et a vivre dans les regions rurales ; ces facteurs confondants ont ete inclus dans les modeles multivaries. Lors de la comparaison entre les ex-fumeurs et ceux qui n'ont jamais fume, l'OR d'avoir fume a un moment donne est de 1,57 (IC95% 1,17-2,12) et celui du fait de fumer actuellement est de 1,46 (0,99-2,25). Lors de la comparaison entre les travailleurs non remuneres et ceux qui n'ont jamais travaille, l'OR d'avoir fume a un moment quelconque est de 0,86 (0,63-1,19) et l'OR du fait de fumer actuellement est de 1,08 (0,69-1,67). Lors de la comparaison entre les travailleurs remuneres et ceux qui n'ont jamais travaille, l'OR d'avoir fume a un moment quelconque est 1,36 (1,00-1,85) et l'OR du fait de fumer actuellement est de 1,68 (1,07-2,65). CONCLUSION: Les garcons egyptiens qui ont fait un travail remunere ont plus de risques d'etre fumeurs. Les decideurs politiques doivent cibler la jeunesse a risque eleve de tabagisme dans les industries qui embauchent des adolescents.
Wide local excision of perianal Paget’s disease with gluteal flap reconstruction: an interdisciplinary approach

Perianal Paget's disease (PPD) is an extremely rare condition characterized as intraepithelial adenocarcinoma of unclear etiology. It can be either primary or secondary. The disease typically presents as an eczema-like, erythematous, and painful skin lesion that is associated with pruritus. It is usually misdiagnosed as a common anorectal problem. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment of PPD, with the specific technique being dependent upon disease invasiveness. The treatment may involve reconstructive surgery. A 61-year-old female with a history of rectal pain and intermittent pruritus for the past two years presented with large painful lesions in her perianal area including the anal verge, diagnosed as primary PPD. After excluding other malignancies elsewhere, a laparoscopic ileostomy followed by a wide local excision (WLE) of the PPD was performed by a colorectal team. Reconstruction of the defect with gluteal advancement flaps was performed by the plastic surgeon. The patient recovered uneventfully. Her surgical site showed healing without flap compromise, widely open anal opening, and full sphincter control at the three-month follow-up exam. The patient returned to normal function after ileostomy closure. WLE with bilateral V-Y gluteal flap advancement is a feasible treatment for primary PPD.
Endovascular Training and Learning Curve for Complex Endovascular Procedures

Advancements in the medical science have significantly increased patient longevity and it is safe to assume that vascular care is becoming more complex with time. Managing patients will require thoughtful planning and the use of minimally invasive techniques to prevent complications and death. This is particularly true when managing patients with complex aortic aneurysms and dissections who have multiple comorbidities and need difficult aortic reconstructions involving side branches. The fast pace of evolving endovascular technology has changed the paradigm from open surgical repair to widespread use of stent-grafts. These novel developments expanded the indications of endovascular procedures to treat aneurysms involving the arch, thoracoabdominal, and iliac arteries. A new set of skills is needed to perform these operations. Dedicated training programs are already available in the form of workshops, mini-fellowships, or a formal endovascular aortic training. In most successful programs, one or more leading physicians with prior dedicated training formed aortic teams to overcome the learning curve that is needed to master these procedures. This chapter summarizes novel training paradigms, credentialing, learning curve, and factors affecting failure to rescue after complex endovascular procedures.
Making the Mark: The Role of Adenosine Modifications in the Life Cycle of RNA Viruses

Viral epitranscriptomics is a newly emerging field that has identified unique roles for RNA modifications in modulating life cycles of RNA viruses. Despite the observation of a handful of modified viral RNAs five decades ago, very little was known about how these modifications regulate viral life cycles, until recently. Here we review the pro- and anti-viral effects of methyl-6-adenosine in distinct viral life cycles, the role of 2' O-methyl modifications in RNA stability and innate immune sensing, and functions of adenosine to inosine modifications in retroviral life cycles. With roles for over 100 modifications in RNA still unknown, this is a rapidly emerging field that is destined to suggest novel antiviral therapies.
Person Perception as A Function of Perceiver’s Position on a Cold-Warm Dimension

That perception of others is a function of observer’s position on a cold-warm personality dimension is demonstrated. In describing others after an interview, “warm” observers (N = 70) make the most frequent use of warm-related adjectives; “intermediate” observers (N = 200) the second-most frequent; and “cold” interviewers (N = 107) least.
Lessons from realistic physics for the metaphysics of quantum theory

Quantum mechanics, and classical mechanics, are framework theories that incorporate many different concrete theories which in general cannot be arranged in a neat hierarchy, but discussion of ‘the ontology of quantum mechanics’ tends to proceed as if quantum mechanics were a single concrete theory, specifically the physics of nonrelativistically moving point particles interacting by long-range forces. I survey the problems this causes and make some suggestions for how a more physically realistic perspective ought to influence the metaphysics of quantum mechanics.
Hyperheavy nuclei: Existence and stability

Abstract What are the limits of the existence of nuclei? What are the highest proton numbers Z at which the nuclear landscape and periodic table of chemical elements cease to exist? These deceivably simple questions are difficult to answer especially in the region of hyperheavy ( Z ≥ 126 ) nuclei. We present the covariant density functional study of different aspects of the existence and stability of hyperheavy nuclei. For the first time, we demonstrate the existence of three regions of spherical hyperheavy nuclei centered around ( Z ∼ 138 , N ∼ 230 ), ( Z ∼ 156 , N ∼ 310 ) and ( Z ∼ 174 , N ∼ 410 ) which are expected to be reasonably stable against spontaneous fission. The triaxiality of the nuclei plays an extremely important role in the reduction of the stability of hyperheavy nuclei against fission. As a result, the boundaries of nuclear landscape in hyperheavy nuclei are defined by spontaneous fission and not by the particle emission as in lower Z nuclei. Moreover, the current study suggests that only localized islands of stability can exist in hyperheavy nuclei.
Automated semantic indexing of figure captions to improve radiology image retrieval.

Objective: We explored automated concept-based indexing of unstructured figure captions to improve retrieval of images from radiology journals. Design: The MetaMap Transfer program (MMTx) was used to map the text of 84,846 figure captions from 9,004 peer-reviewed, English-language articles to concepts in three controlled vocabularies from the UMLS Metathesaurus, version 2006AA. Sampling procedures were used to estimate the standard information-retrieval metrics of precision and recall, and to evaluate the degree to which concept-based retrieval improved image retrieval. Measurements: Precision was estimated based on a sample of 250 concepts. Recall was estimated based on a sample of 40 concepts. The authors measured the impact of concept-based retrieval to improve upon keyword- based retrieval in a random sample of 10,000 search queries issued by users of a radiology image search engine. Results: Estimated precision was 0.897 (95% confidence interval, 0.857-0.937). Estimated recall was 0.930 (95% confidence interval, 0.838-1.000). In 5,535 of 10,000 search queries (55%), concept-based retrieval found results not identified by simple keyword matching; in 2,086 searches (21%), more than 75% of the results were found by concept-based search alone. Conclusion: Concept-based indexing of radiology journal figure captions achieved very high precision and recall, and significantly improved image retrieval.