cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EPIDEMIOLOGIC DETERMINANTS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS : A HOSPITAL-BASED CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract PURPOSE: Risk factors for endometriosis were identified through data obtained from a case-control study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. METHODS: Cases were 50 women with infertility-associated endometriosis. The primary control group consisted of 89 fertile women without endometriosis, and an alternate control group consisted of 47 infertile women without endometriosis. RESULTS: The risk of endometriosis was positively associated with height (odds ratio (OR), 2.8 per 10 cm increase; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4–5.6) and inversely associated with weight (OR, 0.7 per 10 kg increase; 95% CI, 0.5 – 1.0) and body mass index (OR, 0.7 per 5 kg/m2 increase; 95% CI, 0.4 – 1.1). We observed an inverse association with exercise (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3 – 1.5), but the effect was limited to women who exercised ⩾4 hours per week (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 – 1.2). Endometriosis was not associated with either smoking or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the fertility status of controls can strongly influence associations seen with menstrual characteristics. This study is one of few to address the issue of control selection for a case-control study of endometriosis. Specifically, potential problems encountered using fertile and infertile control women are examined and discussed.
Pilot trial of interleukin-2 and zoledronic acid to augment γδ T cells as treatment for patients with refractory renal cell carcinoma

Prior to the advent of VEGF-targeted therapies, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was among the few solid tumors shown to respond to cytokine-based therapies such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon alpha. Previous work has shown that aminobisphosphonates, including zoledronic acid (ZA), are capable of activating human Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells in vitro, and these cells can be further expanded with IL-2. Moreover, these Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells have cytolytic activity in vitro to multiple human tumor cell lines. In the current report, we have conducted a pilot trial in patients with metastatic RCC, evaluating different doses of ZA in combination with low-dose IL-2 to determine whether combining these agents can promote in vivo proliferation of Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells and elicit an antitumor response. In 12 patients evaluated, no objective clinical responses were observed by RECIST criteria; however, two patients experienced prolonged stable disease. A modest increase in Vγ9 Vδ2 T-cell frequency could be detected by Day 8 of therapy in four of the nine patients who received at least one cycle of therapy, but not to the magnitude anticipated from preclinical models. Repeated administration of IL-2 and ZA resulted in both a diminished in vivo percentage of Vγ9 Vδ2 T cells as well as impaired expansion in vitro after the first cycle of therapy. These results suggest that repeated administration of IL-2 and ZA, at the doses and schedules used in this trial, may actually inhibit the proliferative capacity of Vγ9 Vδ2 T cell in patients with metastatic RCC.
Does Childhood Disability Increase Risk for Child Abuse and Neglect

In this article we review the empirical evidence for the presumptions that children with disabilities are at increased risk for child maltreatment, and parents with disabilities are more likely to perpetrate child abuse and neglect. Challenges to the epidemiological examination of the prevalence of child maltreatment and disabilities are discussed. We conclude that the evidence for the relationship between child maltreatment victimization of children with disabilities and perpetration by caregivers with disabilities remains equivocal due to variability in research samples, key definitions, and study methodology. Future research examining the link between disability and child maltreatment would benefit from more rigorous methodology and inclusion of a theoretical framework, such as the ecological model of child maltreatment. One potential pathway from disability to child maltreatment is presented. Knowing and understanding the link between disability and child abuse and neglect is an important step toward ...
Sound radiation from an airfoil encountering an oblique gust in its plane of motion

An evaluation is conducted of the acoustic field radiated when an airfoil encounters a gust in the plane of motion, with a view to the prediction of helicopter tail rotor noise. The analysis is based on the unsteady thickness noise theory of Glegg (1987). Sound radiation is shown to be dominated by the transient effect of the blade tip moving into the velocity deficit, so that the effects of blade rotation are not important.
Optimal discrete prediction in parametric binary response models

Abstract The paper demonstrates that one's choice of threshold for post-estimation prediction in the conventional parametric binary response regression model is not arbitrary. Under the minimum mean-squared discrete prediction error criterion, the optimal threshold is shown to be 1 / 2.
Different transcript abundance of two divergent ATP synthase subunit 9 genes in the mitochondrial genome of Petunia hybrida.

The mitochondrial genome of Petunia hybrida line 3704 has been found to contain two transcribed genes for the proteolipid subunit of the ATP synthase complex (atp 9). The 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences of the second atp 9 gene differ from those of another atp 9 gene previously sequenced by Young et al. (1986), while the coding region exhibits only one silent base change. The transcript termini of the two divergent atp 9 genes map to different locations, most of which are surrounded by sequences homologous to putative mitochondrial transcription signals (Hiesel and Brennicke 1985; Schuster et al. 1986; Young et al. 1986). Because transcripts from the atp 9 genes differ in abundance, divergence in the flanking regions of these two genes must affect regulatory elements which control either transcription rate or transcript stability.
A truncated FatB resulting from a single nucleotide insertion is responsible for reducing saturated fatty acids in maize seed oil

Key message We identified a G-nucleotide insertion in a maizeFatBresponsible for reducing saturated fatty acids through QTL mapping and map-based cloning and developed an allele-specific DNA marker for molecular breeding.
Tradition and change: what should we be teaching in computer architecture?

The structure of computers has been taught for almost 30 years. During that time there have been many changes both in industry and academia. Even amidst all this changed there have been certain in variant challenges to educators. By taking a historical perspective, this paper identifies some of those invariance. The paper concludes with an example of a possible computer architecture course based upon interdisciplinary design that combines both educational and research experiences.
Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by mammary tumor spheroids

Abstract Multicellular aggregates of tumorigenic mouse mammary epithelial cells contain a hyaluronate-rich matrix, both at the aggregate periphery and within the growing spheroid. It is proposed that the establishment of a hyaluronaterich matrix is essential to spheroid growth in vitro, and that the spheroid is a good model system for analysis of this aspect of early tumor development.
Primary extracranial rhabdoid tumors clinicopathologic features and response to ifosfamide

Background. Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is an aggressive, invariably lethal tumor that is resistant to multimodal therapy. Methods. The authors reviewed the clinicopathologic features, treatment, and outcome of 13 children (7 boys and 6 girls) with diagnoses of primary extracranial MRT at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1981 and 1990. Results. The median age at diagnosis was 8 months (range, 10 weeks-18 years). Primary sites included the kidney (seven patients), liver (three patients), soft tissue of scapula, posterior mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. Seven patients had metastatic disease (lungs, six patients; cutaneous hemangioma, one patient). Ten patients had surgical resection of primary tumor (complete, nine patients; incomplete, one patient). Eleven patients had chemotherapy with multiple agents. Three of four chemotherapy responses observed were with regimens containing ifosfamide. Partial responses (PR, > 50% reduction in tumor size) were obtained in one patient who received single-agent ifosfamide during disease relapse (PR lasting 2 months), one patient who received a combination of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide at diagnosis (PR lasting 5 months), and one patient who was treated with bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine at diagnosis (PR lasting 5 months) and subsequently with ifosfamide in combination with carboplatin and etoposide during disease relapse (PR lasting 4 months). All patients died at a median period of 5 months (range, 0.5-30 months) after diagnosis. Conclusions. Based on this review, the authors recommend using ifosfamide alone or in combination with carboplatin and etoposide in front-line therapy for malignant rhabdoid tumor.
Decision Making Tool in Life Cycle Assessment for Packaging Sustainability

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method to measure the environmental impact of a product’s life stages from the cradle to the grave, and is widely used for packaging sustainability. Although many successful applications using LCA have been reported, the current state of LCA tools still has many limitations. For example, it is difficult to select the best design among the LCA results of design sets. Moreover, the LCA tool cannot implement a decision maker’s preference into the process easily.To overcome these limitations, we developed a decision making tool using LCA for packaging sustainability. First, Pareto Active Set Selection (PASS) method is proposed to find Pareto Front of packaging options. Additionally, Design Preference Function (DPF) is introduced to implement the designer’s preference for selecting the best packaging options. Case studies are presented to demonstrate this decision making tool.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Enzyme-amplified amperometric sandwich test for RNA and DNA.

A one-step enzyme-amplified amperometric sandwich hybridization test for RNA and DNA is described. The test utilizes a carbon electrode, modified with a film of co-electrodeposited avidin and redox polymer; the redox polymer electrically “wiring” horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reaction centers upon contact. The film is made specific for the particular RNA or DNA sequence tested by conjugating its avidin with a biotinylated oligonucleotide, complementary to the assayed sequence. This oligonucleotide-modified redox polymer film, prepared prior to the test, forms the base of the sandwich. The center layer of the sandwich, added in the test, is the analyte RNA or DNA; its top is a second complemetary oligonucleotide, which is HRP-labeled, and is cohybridized in the test. The test consists of mixing the analyte DNA or RNA solution, the HRP-labeled oligonucleotide solution, and a hydrogen peroxide solution, immersing the base-layer carrying electrode applying a potential of 0 V versus Ag/AgCl, and measuring the H...
Land Use Influences and Ecotoxicological Ratings for Upper Clinch River Tributaries in Virginia

The Clinch River system of southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee is among the most biodiverse aquatic ecosystems of the United States, but its fauna are in decline. Unionidae (freshwater mussel) species are a major component of the Clinch's aquatic community, and their decline is well documented. Point-source discharges within the Clinch drainage are few, and primary stressors on the biota are believed to originate from non-point sources that are transported into the mainstem by tributaries. Currently, the relative influences of tributaries as stressors on aquatic biota are unclear. We studied 19 major tributaries of the free-flowing Upper Clinch River, developed an Ecotoxicological Rating (ETR) utilizing eight parameters, and assessed stream quality among land use categories using the ETR rating system. Biological, toxicological, habitat, and chemical variables were measured in each tributary, near its confluence with the Clinch. Geographic Information System software was used to quantify land use within each tributary watershed; all tributary watersheds are predominately forested, but agricultural, mining, and developed land uses (urban, transportation) are also present. ETRs indicated that the tributaries draining mining-influenced watersheds had greater potential impact on the mainstem than those draining agricultural or forested watersheds, because of poor benthic macroinvertebrate scores. ETRs ranged from 44 to 63, on a 100-point scale, for mining-influenced tributaries compared to agricultural (57-86) and forested tributaries (64-91). Mean ETRs for the mining-influenced tributaries (51) were significantly different than ETRs from agricultural and forested streams (75 and 80, respectively), and the presence of developed land uses had no significant relationship with ETRs.
From altus to parvus: cardiac fatigue in athletes: reply

We would like to thank Professor Erdem Kasikcioglu for his interest in our article. In response to the initial question of why exhaustive physical activity suppresses diastolic function, we believe that exhaustive physical activity does not attenuate only diastolic, but also systolic function as evidenced by a reduction in the tissue-Doppler-derived strain values in both the septal and lateral …
Localization of casein-rich, fat-rich and DNA-synthesizing cells in monolayer cultures of mid-pregnant mouse mammary epithelium.

Monolayers of 16-day pregnant BALB/cfC3H/Crl mouse mammary epithelial cells were examined for the occurrence and distribution of cells which contain large amounts of casein and fat and those which synthesize DNA. Cells within the central portions of colonies of epithelial cells appeared rich in casein and fat, whereas cells on the peripheral edges of the colonies synthesized DNA almost exclusively. Casein deposits and DNA synthesis were mutually exclusive phenomena, since only 2% of the cells synthesizing DNA also stained for casein. Of the casein-rich cells, 74% were also rich in fat, suggesting that cells which contain large deposits of casein almost always contain large amounts of fat. These results indicate that a specialization of function exists between cells on the growing edge and those centrally located within a single colony of nammary epithelial cells.
A note on the diffraction of obliquely incident water waves by a stepwise obstacle

The second-order problem of the propagation of surface gravity waves over an asymmetric rectangular obstacle in an oblique sea is solved numerically using a Green's theorem integral-equation method.
The Gross-Neveu model at finite temperature and density

The thermodynamics of the Gross-Neveu model is analyzed at finite temperature and finite chemical potential μ on the lattice. The chiral transition is found to be first order for all μ > 0 and second order at μ = 0. The different phases are studied and direct evidence for the creation of a kink-antikink condensate at μc is presented.
Distributive Model-Based Sensor Fault Diagnosis in Wireless Sensor Networks

This poster presents a distributed model-based fault detection algorithm which is based on local pair-wise verification. We first show that there exists a linear relationship between the outputs of any pair of sensors. Therefore, a network can be partitioned into sensor pairs, and the relationship between a pair of sensors can be modeled by a linear model. In addition to detecting general faults happened within a sensor pair, we developed an algorithm for identifying non-linearity type of fault without the use of reference sensors. Preliminary performance analysis shows that this scalable algorithm achieves high diagnosis accuracy. Communication power is also greatly reduced by the distributed nature of the algorithm.
Effect of Laser Heating on the Local Temperature and Composition in Raman Spectroscopy: A Study of Ba(NO3)2 and BaO2 Decomposition:

The effect of laser heating on the local concentration of a white Ba(NO3)2 or BaO2 sample in a stationary in situ Raman cell, as determined by Raman spectroscopy, was addressed in this study. The decomposition of Ba(NO3)2 and crystalline BaO2, both supported on MgO, was followed as a function of the temperature of the cell with the use of Raman spectroscopy and product analysis by gas chromatography. At a laser power level of 25 mW and with the sample at 580°C, the decomposition curves were offset by about 3°C, rather than by a temperature difference of more than 15°C that might be expected from laser heating. Diffusion of NO3- and O22- ions from the surrounding region into the 100 mu m-size spot heated by the laser apparently compensates for the loss of materials at the higher temperature. As a consequence, for in situ catalytic studies, the concentrations determined by Raman spectroscopy may be more representative of the sample than one might expect from the local temperature.
Multiadsorption and Coadsorption of Hydrogen on Model Conjugated Systems

Hydrogen interaction with conjugated aromatic molecular systems is analyzed with high level ab initio electronic structure methodology. The adsorption of hydrogen molecules on aromatic systems ranging from a single ring to double ring systems including fused and bridged molecules is investigated. We propose several functionalization schemes of the conjugated system to increase hydrogen intake. These functionalizations consist of using an asymmetrical conjugation skeleton as inherently present for the azulene molecule and the introduction of B−N heteroatom pairs as doping sites in the conjugation ring. We have also tested the possibility of involving more than a single interaction site within the same molecule by using a molecule involving several rings as the triptycene and several derived functionalized molecules. These computational studies provide insight on the interaction of hydrogen with conjugated molecular species. This insight can be utilized for designing materials such as metal organic framewor...
Effects of low oxygen on the release of dopamine from the rabbit carotid body in vitro

1. Rabbit carotid bodies were pre-loaded with [3H]dopamine (DA) synthesized from [3H]tyrosine and then mounted in a vertical drop-type superfusion chamber which permitted simultaneous collection of released [3H]DA and recording of chemoreceptor discharge from the carotid sinus nerve. 2. The time course of the spontaneous release of [3H]DA (superfusion with media equilibrated with 100% O2) in the presence of monoamine oxidase inhibitors exhibited two linear components, an initial steep phase followed after 3-4 hr by a later slower phase of release. 3. When a 5 min low O2 stimulus was delivered during the initial steep linear component of resting [3H]DA release, there was an abrupt increase in release, the magnitude of which was stimulus-dependent. 4. The efflux of total radioactivity from the preparation declined exponentially with time; under resting conditions it was principally non-metabolized [3H]tyrosine. During stimulation, however the efflux increased, and 60-80% of the radioactivity could be attributed to [3H]DA. 5. For a given low O2 stimulus, the ratio of [3H]DA release during the stimulus period over that in the preceding control period remained approximately the same throughout a single experiment. Ratios for different low O2 stimuli (50, 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0% O2 in N2) yielded a parabolic relationship when plotted against stimulus intensity. 6. Transection of the carotid sinus nerve or removal of the superior cervical ganglion 12-15 days prior to the experiment did not affect the release of [3H]DA at moderate stimulus intensities (superfusion with media equilibrated with 30% or 10% O2 in N2) but both procedures significantly depressed release at the highest stimulus intensity (100% N2). 7. Chemoreceptor discharge and [3H]DA release were simultaneously monitored in experiments using superfusion media free of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In these experiments, the efflux of [3H]dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) was also measured. The increase in peak chemosensory discharge was closely correlated with the increase in total release ([3H]DA + [3H]DOPAC) during stimulation with a series of low O2 stimuli. 8. Release of [3H]DA was almost completely abolished during superfusion with Ca2+-free, high Mg2+ (2·1 mM) media, and the stimulus-related efflux of [3H]DOPAC was significantly reduced. However, chemoreceptor discharge was diminished by only 55%. These data are discussed with respect to their implications for DA as a chemosensory transmitter in rabbit carotid body.
An interview with Bernard Weiner

For over 30 years, the fields of personality and social psychology have been influenced by the work of Bernard Weiner. Dr. Weiner is currently professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is one of the leading contributors to attribution theory. His attribution the ory of motivation and emotions has contributed greatly to the educational psychologist's understanding of how perceived causation influences moti vation, behavior, and emotions. This theory has been applied to a wide range of topics and has been supported by numerous empirical studies. Dr. Weiner is the author of An Attributional Theory of Motivation and Emotion and has published extensively in professional journals. The first author was a graduate student at U.C.L.A. who worked with Dr. Weiner and has published on attribution retraining. The second author has conducted symposia and workshops on attribution theory and it's ap plication to education. The interview was conducted in written format. 1. Q. What is the current "state-of-the-art" of attribution theory? A. Well, there are a few states, depending on what part of attribution one is referring to. The work started by Hal Kelley on the antecedents of causal attributions—that is, how does one infer causality—has become in creasingly sophisticated and now is in the hands of mathematically-oriented cognitive psychologists who are interested in more general inferential proc esses and the use of covariation information. The other side of attribution is the consequences. Given that one has reached a causal understanding, then so what? What difference does it make to what an event has been ascribed? I think our own work is most central here. We have been moving away from an analysis of achievement
Synthesis and properties of poly(aniline-co-azidoaniline)

Copolymers of polyaniline and o-azidoaniline were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization. The copolymers were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV/Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermal activation of the azido chromophore in the copolymer caused it to react and cross-link into adjacent polymer chains. The cross-linking of the copolymers was indicated by the depletion of the azido band in the FT-IR spectrum. The effects of the cross-linking were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and four-probe conductivity. The TGA showed that the thermal stability of the copolymers is improved due to cross-linking. However, the increased thermal stability is accompanied by a decrease in electrical conductivity due to the loss of conjugation detected by UV/Vis spectroscopy and a loss of crystallinity due to the azido substituents, which was demonstrated by XRD.
Partial Purification of a DNA-polymerase from the Non-histone Chromatin Proteins of Rat Liver

THE basic histones and the acidic proteins constitute all the protein components of the mammalian chromosomes. Although histones have been suggested as possible gene regulators, the functions of these protein components in relation to genetic activity are still poorly understood. It has, however, been suggested that the acidic proteins may be involved in the biosynthesis of DNA1. We reported previously that some of the activity of the calf thymus DNA-polymerase is associated with chromatin proteins2. With the isolation of the chromatin acidic proteins from rat liver3, a direct test of this suggestion is possible. In this communication we report the partial purification of a DNA-polymerase from the solubilized chromatin acidic proteins of rat liver. Results from the study of this chromatin enzyme show that it depends on a complete supplement of four deoxynucleoside triphosphates for its optimal activity and preferentially uses native DNA as the template.
Number of Sexual Partners and Associations with Initiation and Intensity of Substance Use

We dissected associations between initiation and intensity of substance use and number of sexual partners using pooled data from high school seniors (weighted n = 13,580) who participated in the 1999–2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey. In multinomial multivariable logistic regressions, number of sexual partners steadily increased as substance use intensified from never use to experimental/new user to heavy use across all substances for both male and females. Severity of substance use is more closely related to, and thus a better indicator of, higher number of sexual partners than age of substance use onset.
How Adequate Do Social Workers Feel to Work with Elders with Alzheimer's Disease?

ABSTRACT In a systematic sample of Florida-licensed clinical social workers (N = 273), this study investigated the correlates of perceived adequacy to work with elders with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Five predictor variables were identified from a standard regression analysis that account for 35.7% of the model's adjusted variance: (a) employment with elders (Beta = .225, p = .000), (b) years of experience (Beta = -.125, p = .018), (c) attitude toward working with elders with Alzheimer's disease (Beta = .351, p = .000), (d) perceived sufficiency of professional education to work with elders with Alzheimer's disease (Beta = .178, p = .002), and (e) attitude toward the delivery of nonclinical services to elders with Alzheimer's disease (Beta = .192, p = .000). Overall, respondents perceived their abilities to work with elders as slightly less than adequate. Implications are discussed.
Alkali Diffusion and Electrical Conductivity in Sodium Borate Glasses

Abstract The diffusion coefficient of sodium, 22 Na, and silver, 110 Ag, and electrical conductivity for sodium borate glasses (4–24 mol% Na 2 O) has been measured from 100°C to slightly below the glass transition temperature, T g . Unlike silicate glasses where the self-diffusion coefficient is much larger than the impurity diffusion coefficient, D Na and D Ag had close to the same magnitude in the sodium borate glasses. In some glasses, D Ag was slightly larger than D Na . Na 2 O-Ag 2 O-B 2 O 3 glasses show a relatively small mixed alkali effect, despite the significant mass difference between Ag(≈108) and Na(≈23). It is concluded that the mixed alkali effect is more dependent upon the difference in ionic radii rather than differences in mass.
Teaching Sound Change

L'A. evoque les problemes specifiques a l'enseignement de l'histoire de l'anglais et, a partir de son experience personnelle d'enseignant, rapporte quelques exemples de changement phonologique particulierement interessants a aborder en contexte scolaire. C'est le cas notamment de la prononciation des voyelles dans des mots tels que don/dawn, ou balcony, ou encore dans la serie calm, palm, psalm, almond, etc. L'interet pour l'enseignant est de mettre en evidence l'instabilite de la langue anglaise
Regional left atrial stasis during fibrillation and flutter determinants and relation to stroke

Objectives. This study sought to 1) determine the location of left atrial stasis during atrial arrhythmia; 2) define the degree of stasis associated with significant risk of stroke; and 3) identify clinical or transthoracic echocardiographic data useful for predicting left atrial stasis. Background. Prior studies suggest that stroke during atrial arrhythmia is related to stasis in either the body of the left atrium or the appendage. Recent data indicate that appendage stasis is associated with appendage thrombus formation, but stroke during atrial arrhythmia occurs frequently in the absence of appendage stasis. Methods. Blood flow velocity was measured in multiple sites in the body of the left atrium and in the appendage by transesophageal pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography in 89 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter. Regional velocities were related to the frequency of probable embolic stroke and to clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic variables. Results. The lowest velocity region was either the posterior left strium or the appendage. Stroke frequency increases progressively and steeply with velocity <15 cm/s is either region; this cutoff value had an 87% sensitivity and 40% specificity for stroke. Factors related to stasis were low left atrial ejection fraction, mitral regurgitation <3+, fibrillation (vs. type 1 flutter), left ventricular dilation and mitral valve area <2.0 cm2. Conclusions. Posterior left atrial stasis appears to the as important as appendage statis for the risk of stroke, which increases sleeply with lower blood flow velocity in either region. Patients likely to have severe stasis during atrial arrhythmia are those with left ventricular dilation and low atrial ejection fraction accompanying left atrial dilation. Direct measurement of atrial velocity by transesophageal echocardiography appears to be useful for the identification of patients at risk for stroke during atrial arrhythmia.
Source regions of the slow solar wind in coronal streamers

Recent SOHO/UVCS observations of the O5+ ion line emission at 1032A in coronal streamers indicate that the emission is stronger by an order of magnitude at the edges (legs) of streamers than in the central core of streamers. In contrast, the brightness of the Ly-α emission peaks in the core of streamers. I have developed the first 2.5D, three-fluid numerical MHD model of the slow solar wind flow in a coronal streamer. Using the model I find that the enhancement of the oxygen line emission occurs due to the enhanced abundances of O5+ ions in the legs of streamer caused by the Coulomb friction with the outflowing protons. Thus, the enhanced O5+ emission traces the source regions of the slow solar wind in coronal streamers. The identification of these regions helps to understand the origins and the composition of the slow solar wind.
Pheromones of two arctiid moths (Creatonotos transiens andC. gangis) : Chiral components from both sexes and achiral female components.

The two major components of the female sex pheromones of twoCreatonotos species have been identified as an achiral C21 triene, (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heneicosatriene, and a chiral epoxide, (Z,Z)-2(2,5-octadienyl)-3-undecyloxirane. The ratios of these components in the two species fall into nonoverlapping ranges. Two additional achiral minor components, (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadiene and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene, were also identified in the female sex gland extracts. The male pheromone of both species consists of hydroxydanaidal, a chiral dihydropyrrolizine derived from pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the larval diet.Creatonotos transiens was found to convert dietary heliotrine into (R)-(−)-hydroxydanaidal, with inversion at the single asymmetric carbon atom. The possible biological and biosynthetic significance of the chiral pheromone components are discussed, and they are compared with known examples of chiral lepidopteran pheromones.
Agent-based simulation study of behavioral anticipation: anticipatory fault management in computer networks

Network fault management is concerned with the detection, isolation, and correction of anomalous conditions that occur in a computer network. Present state of art in fault management classifies existing methodologies into two main categories: reactive rule based approaches and intelligent monitoring systems. In this paper we explore the concept of anticipatory behavior to develop an intelligent agent-based network management model, which uses an anticipatory agent to proactively detect occurrence of faults using a predictive model pertaining to network performance. To compare the effectiveness of the anticipatory technique, we build a simulation model of a network using the DEVS framework. Two reactive rule based fault management strategies are compared against the anticipatory approach. Results of the comparative analysis are presented to demonstrate the potential of the anticipatory technique in detecting network anomalies.
Public Transit Access for Disabled Persons in the United States

ABSTRACT Disabled persons in the United States often lack usable public transit. The two most common solutions put forth are lift equipped buses on a fixed route and demand-response paratransit systems. Both of these programs have serious drawbacks in terms of service provided and costs, but a combination of them can begin to resolve the problem of public transit for disabled persons. The arguments for and against the use of lift buses and paratransit systems are analyzed. A policy recommendation is made.
Catalysis of the silica sol-gel process by divalent transition metal bis(acetylacetonate) complexes.

Transition metal bis(acetylacetonate) complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) have been found to be active catalysts for the sol−gel process. The catalytic activity of these complexes decreases in going from Co(II) to Zn(II) and is highest for the acetylacetonate ligand system. 29Si NMR studies show that the complexes act primarily as condensation catalysts and are, in that regard, similar to Bronsted bases such as hydroxide. Mechanistically, however, they appear to differ significantly from hydroxide in how they induce condensation. This is revealed in the catalyst concentration dependence, which is 1/2 order for the metal complexes and 1st order in hydroxide. Differences are also apparent in the thermochemical parameters that indicate that the metal complexes act to increase the entropy of the transition state leading to condensation. The catalytic activity is proportional to the degree of ligand dissociation of the metal complex, and experiments suggest that the active catalytic species is spec...
Limbal relaxing incisions at the time of apodized diffractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation to reduce astigmatism with or without subsequent laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) to reduce astigmatism at the time of apodized diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Setting University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA. Methods This retrospective review comprised consecutive patients who had LRIs at the time of lens extraction and AcrySof ReSTOR IOL implantation. A subgroup of patients had subsequent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for residual refractive error correction. Results The study evaluated 73 eyes (59 patients); 21 eyes (28.7%) of 59 patients had further LASIK (LRI+LASIK). The mean follow-up was 13.2 months ± 6.4 (SD). The mean keratometric astigmatism decreased from 1.49 ± 0.71 diopters (D) preoperatively to 0.56 ± 0.57 D at the last follow-up ( P P = .005) and 1 month ( P = .030) and 6-months ( P = .014) postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups at the last follow-up ( P = .528). At the last follow-up, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/25 or better and the uncorrected near visual acuity was J1 or better in 32 (76%) of 42 eyes in the LRI-only group and in 17 (81%) of 21 eyes in the LRI+LASIK group. Conclusion Limbal relaxing incisions at the time of apodized diffractive multifocal IOL implantation, with or without subsequent LASIK, were effective and safe in reducing astigmatism. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Additional disclosures are found in the footnotes.
Simplified and refined earthquake analyses for buried pipes

The paper discusses the simplified and refined analysis methods for buried pipes subjected to a strong earthquake. Effects of soil-structure interaction, pipe embedment, soil layering, material nonlinearity, and ground water table fluctuation are evaluated. A number of real pipe examples are investigated and the results obtained from various analysis methods are compared. Suggestions for modification of the design formulas are made.
4, 4, 6-Trimethyl-3, 4-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol, an effective inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylation in vivo

Abstract 4, 4, 6-Trimethyl-3, 4-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol, although considerably less potent (1/500) than disulfiram as an inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylation in vitro , is 10–20 times as potent as disulfiram, both administered intraperitoneally, in vivo . The pyrimidinethiol decreases the concentration of norepinephrine in the brain (mice and rats) but does not decrease the concentration of dopamine in that organ; it inhibits the depleting action of methyldopa and α- methyl -m- tyrosine on brain and heart norepinephrine, and of α- methyl -m- tyramine and α-methyl-dopamine on heart norepinephrine, and its effects upon tissue catecholamines are additive to those of DOPA and of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; it inhibits restoration of the tyramine-pressor response in reserpine-treated rats by α-methyldopamine. The pyrimidinethiol is perhaps twice as potent as disulfiram as an inhibitor of alcohol metabolism in the rat, and in this function it, like disulfiram, acts at the aldehyde dehydrogenase step of oxidation. The pyrimidinethiol, like other thiourea derivatives, blocks the uptake of iodine by the rat thyroid gland in vivo . In this function it is about 1/150 as potent as propylthiouracil and six times as potent as disulfiram. The pyrimidinethiol is well absorbed after oral administration; for this reason, and because of its potency advantage over disulfiram, the compound should be superior to dilsulfiram in a number of situations.
Evidence for two-dimensional inertial turbulence in a cosmic-scale low-beta plasma

Magnetospheric electric-field power spectral densities measured from high-altitude balloons and the Hawkeye 1 satellite are combined in wavenumber space and exhibit a power-law spectrum with index -1.6 + or -0.3 below a wavenumber of 0.05 reciprocal km and index -2.8 + or -0.3 above 2 reciprocal km. This spectrum agrees with that predicted for the inertial subrange of an isotropic homogeneous two-dimensional fluid and for a two-dimensional plasma when energy enters the system at the spectral knee and there exists a viscous dissipation mechanism at large wavenumbers. The wavelength of the spectral knee corresponds to that of folds and curls in the aurora and may be due to an instability of the auroral particle beams.
A Personal Surround Environment: Projective Display with Correction for Display Surface Geometry and Extreme Lens Distortion

Projectors equipped with wide-angle lenses can have an advantage over traditional projectors in creating immersive display environments since they can be placed very close to the display surface to reduce user shadowing issues while still producing large images. However, wide-angle projectors exhibit severe image distortion requiring the image generator to correctively pre-distort the output image. In this paper, we describe a new technique based on Raskar's (1998) two-pass rendering algorithm that is able to correct for both arbitrary display surface geometry and the extreme lens distortion caused by fisheye lenses. We further detail how the distortion correction algorithm can be implemented in a real-time shader program running on a commodity GPU to create low-cost, personal surround environments
Identifying significant facilitators of dark network evolution

Social networks evolve over time with the addition and removal of nodes and links to survive and thrive in their environments. Previous studies have shown that the link-formation process in such networks is influenced by a set of facilitators. However, there have been few empirical evaluations to determine the important facilitators. In a research partnership with law enforcement agencies, we used dynamic social-network analysis methods to examine several plausible facilitators of co-offending relationships in a large-scale narcotics network consisting of individuals and vehicles. Multivariate Cox regression and a two-proportion z-test on cyclic and focal closures of the network showed that mutual acquaintance and vehicle affiliations were significant facilitators for the network under study. We also found that homophily with respect to age, race, and gender were not good predictors of future link formation in these networks. Moreover, we examined the social causes and policy implications for the significance and insignificance of various facilitators including common jails on future co-offending. These findings provide important insights into the link-formation processes and the resilience of social networks. In addition, they can be used to aid in the prediction of future links. The methods described can also help in understanding the driving forces behind the formation and evolution of social networks facilitated by mobile and Web technologies. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perceptions of Risk and Resiliency Factors Associated With Rural African American Adolescents’ Substance Abuse and HIV Behaviors

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to select and refine an integrated substance abuse and HIV prevention intervention model for rural African American adolescents based on input from teens, pa...
Impact of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest on myocardial lymphatic function.

Cardioplegic arrest (CPA) is associated with interstitial myocardial edema, which has been shown to impair myocardial function. The accumulation of interstitial myocardial edema may be enhanced by ...
A global redundant robot control scheme for obstacle avoidance

The obstacle avoidance problem is considered by using modern control theory and choosing an integral type performance index which results in a global optimization scheme. Obstacles are expressed as state-space constraints. The state constraint function and control effort are minimized globally as a performance index. The control effort which maximizes the Hamiltonian and minimizes the performance index is used to find the homogeneous solution by utilizing the null space of the Jacobian. A simulation for a three-degrees-of-freedom planar robot is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme. >
Renal and bone marrow cells fuse after renal ischemic injury.

After acute kidney injury, bone marrow cells contribute to renal repair by converting into renal cells, but the mechanism of this conversion is not well understood. To determine whether cell fusion between bone marrow cells and injured renal cells plays a role, we subjected female mice expressing
Assessing the validity and reproducibility of genome-scale predictions.

Motivation: Validation and reproducibility of results is a central and pressing issue in genomics. Several recent embarrassing incidents involving the irreproducibility of high-profile studies have illustrated the importance of this issue and the need for rigorous methods for the assessment of reproducibility. Results: Here, we describe an existing statistical model that is very well suited to this problem. We explain its utility for assessing the reproducibility of validation experiments, and apply it to a genome-scale study of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)-mediated RNA editing in Drosophila. We also introduce a statistical method for planning validation experiments that will obtain the tightest reproducibility confidence limits, which, for a fixed total number of experiments, returns the optimal number of replicates for the study. Availability: Downloadable software and a web service for both the analysis of data from a reproducibility study and for the optimal design of these studies is provided at http://ccmbweb.ccv.brown.edu/reproducibility.html Contact: ude.nworB@ecnerwaL_selrahC Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A semantic account of mirative evidentials

Many if not all evidential languages have a mirative evidential: an indirect evidential that can, in some contexts, mark mirativity (the expression of speaker surprise) instead of indirect evidence. We address several questions posed by this systematic polysemy: What is the affinity between indirect evidence and speaker surprise? What conditions the two interpretations? And how do mirative evidentials relate to other mirative markers? We propose a unified analysis of mirative evidentials where indirect evidentiality and mirativity involve a common epistemic component. A mirative interpretation requires a close temporal proximity between the speech event and the event of the speaker's learning the at-issue content.
Bioengineering strategies to generate artificial protein complexes

For many applications, increasing synergy between distinct proteins through organization is important for the specificity, regulation, and overall reaction efficiency. Although there are many examples of protein complexes in nature, a generalized method to create these complexes remains elusive. Many conventional techniques such as random chemical conjugation, physical adsorption onto surfaces, and encapsulation within matrices are imprecise approaches and can lead to deactivation of protein native functionalities. More “bio-friendly” approaches such as genetically fused proteins and biological scaffolds often can result in low yields and low complex stability. Alternatively, site-specific protein conjugation or ligation can generate artificial protein complexes that preserve the native functionalities of protein domains and maintain stability through covalent bonds. In this review, we describe three distinct methods to synthesize artificial protein complexes (genetic incorPoration of unnatural amino acids to introduce bio-orthogonal azide and alkyne groups to proteins, split-intein based expressed protein ligation, and sortase mediated ligation) and highlight interesting applications for each technique. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1495–1505. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unique sets oriented partitioning of nested loops with non-uniform dependences

Although many methods exist for nested loop partitioning, most of them perform poorly when parallelizing loops with non-uniform dependences. This paper addresses the issue of parallelizing nested loops with non-uniform dependences. The approach is based on convex hull theory, which has adequate information to handle non-uniform dependences. We introduce the concept of Complete Dependence Convex Hull, unique head and tail sets and abstract the dependence information into these sets. These sets form the basis of the iteration space partitions. The properties of the unique head and tail sets are derived using convex hull theory. Depending on the relative placement of these unique sets, the partitioning problem is grouped into several cases. Several partitioning schemes are also suggested for implementing the technique. Preliminary implementation results of the scheme on the Cray J916 and comparison with other schemes show a dramatic improvement in performance.
Improved synchronization of HeartLander locomotion with physiological cycles

The variation of intrapericardial pressure due to the respiration and cardiac cycles greatly affects the locomotion efficiency of HeartLander, a minimally invasive surgical robot which adheres to and moves over the surface of the heart. This paper presents work which would allow HeartLander to improve motion efficiency by synchronizing its movement with the physiological cycles using a magnetic tracker. Using models of the respiratory and cardiac cycles generated using Kalman filtering techniques the work presented determines the phase of each physiological cycle in real time, which in turn enables synchronization of HeartLander to maximize locomotion efficiency.