cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multivariate Differences, Polynomials, and Splines

We generalize the univariate divided difference to a multivariate setting by considering linear combinations of point evaluations that annihilate the null space of certain differential operators. The relationship between such a linear functional and polynomial interpolation resembles that between the divided difference and Lagrange interpolation. Applying the functional to the shifted multivariate truncated power produces a compactly supported spline by which the functional can be represented as an integral. Examples include, but are not limited to, the tensor product B-spline and the box spline.
Threshold levels of 2-deoxy-D-glucose for the hyperglycemic response: Dog and goat compared

Abstract When cerebral glucoprivation is induced by injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose, the sympathetic nervous system is activated with adrenal release of epinephrine and hepatic glycogenolysis causing an abrupt hyperglycemia. The threshold plasma concentration of 2-DG initiating this hyperglycemic response was determined during a slow i.v. infusion of 2-DG and used to assess the sensitivity of the CNS to such glucoprivation. It was found that (1) the hyperglycemic response to 2-DG is generally similar in dog and goat, (2) the 2-DG threshold is lower in the normal goat than in the dog, and (3) the ratio of plasma 2-DG/glucose concentrations at initiation of the hyperglycemic response was remarkably constant despite differences in plasma glucose levels, holding even for goats with glucose levels elevated by glucose injection to above those of dogs. These results were interpreted as indicating that the sensitivity of the CNS with respect to this hyperglycemic response, which is a homeostatic control, was similar in dog and goat.
Chain Length Dependence and Sensing Capabilities of the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Silver Nanoparticles Chemically Modified with Alkanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers

In this paper, we explore the optical properties of Ag nanoparticles chemically modified with alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by measuring the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectrum using UV−vis extinction spectroscopy. For all the experiments presented here, the Ag nanoparticles were fabricated using the technique of nanosphere lithography (NSL) and had in-plane widths of 100 nm and out-of-plane heights of 50 nm. We first demonstrate that unmodified nanoparticles are extremely susceptible to slight changes in 3-dimensional structure when exposed to various solvents. These structural effects can have dramatic effects on the extinction maximum, λmax, of the LSPR shifting it to the blue by over 100 nm. The significant discovery reported here is that λmax for NSL fabricated Ag nanoparticles is extremely sensitive to the SAM properties. We will demonstrate the following new features: (1) λmax of the LSPR linearly shifts to the red 3 nm for every carbon atom in the alkane chain; (2) ...
A mutation in apolipoprotein A-I in the Iowa type of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Immunoblotting of isoelectric focusing gels of plasma and direct genomic DNA sequencing have been used to characterize a mutation in apolipoprotein A-I associated with the familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy originally described by Van Allen in an Iowa kindred. An arginine for glycine substitution in apolipoprotein A-I identified in the proband's amyloid fibrils was determined to be the result of a mutation of guanine to cytosine in the apolipoprotein A-I gene at the position corresponding to the first base of codon 26. Direct sequencing of genomic DNA of three affected individuals who died in the 1960s confirmed the inheritance of the disorder. Immunoblot analysis detected the variant apolipoprotein A-I in the proband's plasma and in several at-risk members of the kindred. In addition, allele-specific amplification by the polymerase chain reaction was used to detect carriers of the variant gene.
Active rabies immunization in an individual hypersensitive to duck embryo vaccine

Abstract Active immunization against rabies was achieved by cautious administration of duck embryo vaccine (DEV) to a child who had skin-sensitizing antibody to the vaccine. Dermal hypersensitivity to DEV was found in 20 per cent of "atopic" individuals, including 60 per cent of individuals with dermal hypersensitivity to chicken eggs. Fatal anaphylactic reactions have not been reported, and immediate hypersensitivity and neurologic reactions rarely occur after immunization with DEV. Since there is greater risk of neurologic reactions to vaccines made from nervous tissue, DEV should be considered when active rabies immunization is indicated, even in the DEV-hypersensitive individual.
Regional Aerosol Transport Study Using a Compact Aircraft Lidar

A compact aircraft lidar using a Nd:YAG pulsed laser, fiber coupled telescope, and three-channel receiver was flown in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach and California Central Valley regions to show lidar can reveal complex regional aerosol distributions.
Gill Na+,K+-ATPase of Atlantic salmon smolts in freshwater is not a predictor of long-term growth in seawater

Abstract Gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity is a widely used measure of osmoregulatory preparedness in salmonid smolts. The degree to which this measure may predict long term performance is uncertain. In order to assess the relationship of this enzyme to long term growth and ion homeostasis, a cohort of Atlantic salmon hatchery smolts was used in a controlled environment with no salinity perturbations. In May 2006, gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity from 940 individually PIT tagged, Penobscot River smolts (USFWS, Green Lake National Fish Hatchery, Maine, United States) was measured immediately prior to isothermal transfer from freshwater to 32 ppt seawater. From the observed range of activities, individuals were classified as having “low”, “middle”, or “high” enzyme activity levels. Individual size (fork length and mass) was recorded on days 0, 1, 3, and 14 and monthly for four months. Growth rates over four time periods were calculated for individual fish maintained until the end of the experiment. Gill Na+,K+-ATPase activities were also measured from a subset of sampled fish. All groups effectively osmoregulated as evidenced by minor perturbations in plasma osmolyte levels. Apart from initial weight loss on transfer, fish grew throughout the experiment, however, there were no differences (fish size, growth rate, and gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity in seawater) among groups with initially different gill Na+,K+-ATPase activities (prior to seawater entry). While gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity may be predictive of performance during the acute phase of acclimation (first few days), typical variation in this enzyme, expressed in freshwater at the peak of smolting, does not appear to be predictive of long-term growth in seawater.
Static Shape Determination and Control of Large Space Structures: II. A Large Space Antenna

An integral operator approach is used to derive solutions to static shape determination and control problems associated with large space structures. Problem assumptions include a linear self-adjoint system model, observations and control forces at discrete points, and quadratic performance criteria for the comparison of estimates or control forces. Solutions reduce to the solution of linear equations of dimension on the order of the numbers of observations or control forces. Results are illustrated by simulations with a finite element model of a large space antenna. Modal expansions for terms in the solution algorithms are presented, using modes from the static or associated dynamic model. These expansions provide approximate solutions in the event that a closed form analytical solution to the system boundary value problem is not available.
Resonance Raman spectra of aqueous pollen suspensions with 222.5-242.4-nm pulsed laser excitation

Excitation of resonance Raman spectra with wavelengths shorter than 257 nm, i.e., deep UV-excited resonance Raman spectroscopy, has been shown to have major advantages. This has been most apparent in the study of relatively simple biologically important molecules which have electronic transitions in the deep UV. Recently, such techniques have been extended in order to study much more complex systems such as whole bacterial cells and viruses. A variety of molecular components can be excited selectively and sensitively to a degree dependent upon the exciting wavelength. In this laboratory our primary emphasis has been on the investigation of the bases for the development of analytical methods aiding the rapid detection and identification of bacteria. A variety of taxonomic markers have been detected which allow rapid bacterial identification at the genus and perhaps even the species level. Most recently, it has been shown to be possible to determine bacterial G+C/A+T base pair molar ratios from bacterial spectra independent of cultural conditions or growth rates.
The application of Hudson's lactone rule toγ- andδ-hydroxyamino acids and the question of the configuration ofδ-hydroxy-l-lysine from collagen

Die Anwendung von Hudsons Lakton-Regel auf eine Reihe von Laktonen vonγ- undδ-Oxyaminosauren bestatigte die unabhangig auf chemischem Wege bewiesenen Konfigurationen an denγ- undδ-Kohlenstoffatomen. Im Falle des erstmalig dargestellten Laktons desα,ɛ-Dibenzoyl-δ-hydroxy-d-lysins fuhrte die Anwendung der Regel zurerythro-Struktur XV, und folglich fur naturlichesδ-Oxylysin aus Collagen zur Formel XIa, deren Beweis auf chemischem Wege noch aussteht.
Adolescent pregnancy and subsequent obesity in African-American girls☆

Abstract Purpose: Obesity is a significant contemporary health problem among African-American women. This study investigates whether excessive gestational weight gain during adolescent pregnancy is associated with subsequent obesity. Methods: Thirty previously pregnant African-American adolescents on whom there were extensive extant anthropometric and psychasocial data were evaluated approximately 3.3 years following delivery. Results : Rapid gestational weight gain (> .40 kg/wk) was associated with a 19.9% increase in body mass index (BMI); average gestational weight gain (.23 to .40 kg/wk) was associated with a 13.2% increase, and slow gestational weight gain ( p Conclusions: 1.1. Rapid gestational weight gain is associated with a significantly greater percent change in the BMI compared with the slow gestational weight gain in adolescent pregnancy. 2.2. Adolescents who are obese prior to their first pregnancy often become even more obese on average 3.3 years following pregnancy. Such adolescents may be at particular risk of retaining gestational weight gain, and the consequences of their morbid obesity may be ultimately life-threatening.
Activating mutation in a mucolipin transient receptor potential channel leads to melanocyte loss in varitint–waddler mice

Transient receptor potential (TRP) genes of the mucolipin subfamily (TRPML1–3 and MCOLN1–3) are presumed to encode ion channel proteins of intracellular endosomes and lysosomes. Mutations in human TRPML1 (mucolipin 1/MCOLN1) result in mucolipidosis type IV, a severe inherited neurodegenerative disease associated with defective lysosomal biogenesis and trafficking. A mutation in mouse TRPML3 (A419P; TRPML3Va) results in the varitint–waddler (Va) phenotype. Va mice are deaf, exhibit circling behavior due to vestibular defects, and have variegated/dilute coat color as a result of pigmentation defects. Prior electrophysiological studies of presumed TRPML plasma membrane channels are contradictory and inconsistent with known TRP channel properties. Here, we report that the Va mutation produces a gain-of-function that allows TRPML1 and TRPML3 to be measured and identified as inwardly rectifying, proton-impermeant, Ca2+-permeant cation channels. TRPML3 is highly expressed in normal melanocytes. Melanocyte markers are lost in the Va mouse, suggesting that their variegated and hypopigmented fur is caused by severe alteration of melanocyte function or cell death. TRPML3Va expression in melanocyte cell lines results in high resting Ca2+ levels, rounded, poorly adherent cells, and loss of membrane integrity. We conclude that the Va phenotype is caused by mutation-induced TRPML3 gain-of-function, resulting in cell death.
The Practical Enactment of Adventure Learning: Where Will You AL@?

The Adventure Learning (AL) approach to designing and implementing learning experiences has great potential for practitioners. This manuscript delineates the practical enactment of AL to support the K-12 community, teacher educators, and residential environmental science program providers in the conceptualization and delivery of their own AL expeditions. AL@ is the coupling of the AL approach and place-based education principles. AL@ highlights connections and relationships to place that empower students and teachers to explore the question, “where will you AL@?” This manuscript shares valuable lessons learned as a result of multiple AL pilot expeditions that highlight local spaces. In addition, next steps are explored that further situate the AL@ approach into existing curricular structures.
Prothrombin activity of blood of the newborn.

SummaryWhen adult and newborn plasmas were mixed in varying proportions, the prothrombin time which was 12 seconds for each plasma remained unaltered in the series of mixtures. This suggests that the prothrombin activity i.e., the concentration of active prothrombin, is the same in the plasma of the newborn baby as in that of the adult.
The surface constraint all atom model provides size independent results in calculations of hydration free energies

Consistent approaches for calculations of solvation free energies should provide results which are independent of the size of the simulation region. Simulations that use periodic boundary conditions and a standard Ewald treatment yield size dependent results. Corrections that can overcome this problem have been formulated, but have not yet been fully validated for solutes with general charge distributions. Furthermore, Ewald treatments of proteins may involve size dependent problems whose nature has not been explored by systematic studies. Here we demonstrate that our surface constraint all-atom solvent (SCAAS) model with its spherical boundary conditions (that include special polarization constraints) provides proper size independent results. It is also pointed out that this approach lends itself to an effective treatment of long-range interactions and offers a useful way of obtaining size independent free energies in studies of electrostatic effects in proteins.
Kinetic and segregational analysis of mitochondrial DNA recombination in yeast

A pair of yeast strains of opposite mating type was constructed to contain polymorphisms at three loci on the mitochondrial genome--the 21 S rRNA gene, var1, and cob--such that parental and recombinant forms of these genes could be easily detected by Southern blot analysis. These polymorphisms were used to measure in a single cross gene conversions at the 21 S rRNA and var1 loci and a reciprocal recombination at cob. For all three loci, recombination initiates at about the same time, 4 to 6 h after mixing cells, and increases with similar kinetics over a 24-h period. The segregation of parental and recombinant forms of these genes was then followed by pedigree analysis. The results, which show a high variance in the distribution of parental and recombinant forms of all three genes in cells derived from both the first bud and the mother zygote, are consistent with the segregation of a small number of mitochondrial DNA molecules from the zygote to diploid buds. Based on these results and previous experiments of this type, a limited "zone of mixing" of parental mitochondrial DNA molecules probably exists in the zygote. The extent of sampling from this zone, together with the intrinsic properties of the recombination events themselves, is likely to determine the observed pattern of recombination of mitochondrial DNA sequences at the population level.
Quaternary depositional patterns and sea-level fluctuations, northeastern North Carolina

Abstract A detailed record of late Quaternary sea-level oscillations is preserved within the upper 45 m of deposits along an eight km transect across Croatan Sound, a drowned tributary of the Roanoke/Albemarle drainage system, northeastern North Carolina. Drill-hole and seismic data reveal nine relatively complete sequences filling an antecedent valley comprised of discontinuous middle and early Pleistocene deposits. On interfluves, lithologically similar marine deposits of different sequences occur stacked in vertical succession and separated by ravinement surfaces. Within the paleo-drainage, marine deposits are separated by fluvial and/or estuarine sediments deposited during periods of lowered sea level. Foraminiferal and molluscan fossil assemblages indicate that marine facies were deposited in a shallow-marine embayment with open connection to shelf waters. Each sequence modifies or truncates portions of the preceding sequence or sequences. Sequence boundaries are the product of a combination of fluvial, estuarine, and marine erosional processes. Stratigraphic and age analyses constrain the ages of sequences to late Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 and younger (∼ 140 ka to present), indicating multiple sea-level oscillations during this interval. Elevations of highstand deposits associated with late MIS 5 and MIS 3 imply that sea level was either similar to present during those times, or that the region may have been influenced by glacio-isostatic uplift and subsidence.
OBSERVATIONS OF UNRESOLVED GALACTIC X-RAY SOURCES.

OSO 3 satellite observations of diffuse X ray emission from galactic plane, eliminating straight line interpolation of spectrum between 3-10 keV X ray range and 100 MeV energy range
Role of soluble epoxide hydrolase in age-related vascular cognitive decline

P450 eicosanoids are important regulators of the cerebral microcirculation, but their role in cerebral small vessel disease is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is linked to reduced cerebral microvascular eicosanoid signaling. We analyzed human brain tissue from individuals formerly enrolled in the Oregon Brain Aging Study, who had a history of cognitive impairment histopathological evidence of microvascular disease. VCI subjects had significantly higher lesion burden both on premortem MRI and postmortem histopathology compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Mass spectrometry-based eicosanoid analysis revealed that 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET) was elevated in cortical brain tissue from VCI subjects. Immunoreactivity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), the enzyme responsible for 14,15-DHET formation, was localized to cerebral microvascular endothelium, and was enhanced in microvessels of affected tissue. Finally, we evaluated the genotype frequency of two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms of sEH gene EPHX2 in VCI and control groups. Our findings support a role for sEH and a potential benefit from sEH inhibitors in age-related VCI.
Survey of the State-of-the-Art of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing as a computational model has gathered tremendous traction. It is not completely clear what this term represents though it generally is thought to include a pay-as-you model for computation and storage. This paper explains what Cloud Computing is and contrasts it with Grid computing. It describes the major cloud services offered, discusses architectural details, and gives details about the infrastructure of Cloud Computing. This paper surveys the state of cloud computing and associated research and discusses the probable directions to the future of this evolving field of computing.
EFFECTIVE COLLISION STRENGTHS FOR FINE-STRUCTURE TRANSITIONS IN Si VII

The effective collision strengths for electron-impact excitation of fine-structure transitions in Si VII are calculated as a function of electron temperature in the range 5000-2,000,000 K. The B-spline Breit-Pauli R-matrix method has been used to calculate collision strengths by electron impact. The target wave functions have been obtained using the multi-configuration Hartree-Fock method with term-dependent non-orthogonal orbitals. The 92 fine-structure levels belonging to the 46 LS states of 2s 22p 4, 2s2p 5, 2p 6, 2s 22p 33s, 2s 22p 33p, 2s 22p 33d, and 2s2p 43s configurations are included in our calculations of oscillator strengths and collision strengths. There are 4186 possible fine-structure allowed and forbidden transitions among the 92 levels. The present excitation energies, oscillator strengths, and collision strengths have been compared with previous theoretical results and available experimental data. Generally, a good agreement is found with the 6 LS-state close-coupling approximation results of Butler & Zeippen and the 44 LS-state distorted wave calculation of Bhatia & Landi.
In-situ characterization of moisture absorption-desorption and hygroscopic swelling behavior of an underfill material

Moisture absorption and hygroscopic swelling behavior of an underfill material were measured in-situ using the sorption TGA and the DMA-RH techniques, respectively. Results showed that moisture diffusion can be well described by Fick's law when the relative humidity (RH) is 60% or less, and the diffusivity exhibits an Arrhenius temperature dependence with an activation energy of ∼ 0.56 eV. At 85% RH, non-Fickian diffusion behavior becomes apparent in the latter stage of the diffusion process. Increase in the saturated moisture content (C sat ) at 60%RH was observed after exposure at 85°C 85%RH, which is attributed to hygrothermal ageing induced damage in the material. In-situ DMA-RH results showed that hygroscopic swelling strain is significant comparing with the thermal expansion of the material, and the swelling strain at 60°C 60%RH is equivalent to the thermal strain over a ΔT of 100°C for T g . The coefficient of hygroscopic swelling (CHS) was calculated and the results showed that CHS is temperature dependent, and it increases with the increasing temperature. At higher humidity condition (85%RH or higher), the swelling strain deviates from its linear dependence on C sat and it increases faster than linear when C sat increases, which may also be attributed to hygrothermal ageing induced damage in the underfill material.
Supply Shocks and Price Adjustment in the World Oil Market

Understanding the impacts of transitory oil supply shocks on world oil prices is crucial to the evaluation of the economic impacts of shocks and the design of policy responses to address those impacts. This paper integrates short-run and long-run approaches to oil price determination, with particular emphasis on the "two-price" structure of the world oil market—with coexisting short-term "spot" prices and long-term "contract" prices. Even transitory shocks are shown to exhibit persistence effects on long-term prices. Some implications for econometric models of the relationship between spot and contract prices are discussed.
The passions of punishment

t: I criticize an increasingly popular set of arguments for the justifiability of punishment. Some philosophers try to justify punishment by appealing to what Peter Strawson calls the reactive attitudes - emotions like resentment, indignation, remorse and guilt. These arguments fail. The view that these emotions commit us to punishment rests on unsophisticated views of punishment and of these emotions and their associated behaviors. I offer more sophisticated accounts of punishment, of these emotions and of their associated behaviors that are consistent with Abolitionism, the view that punishment is unjustified.
Manuscript Preparation and Publication

Manuscript preparation and publication are a cornerstone of medical knowledge. The published manuscript is the “coin of the realm” in academic medicine, the specie by which physicians and scientists alike are judged relative to their peers; it is also considered an indicator of future potential and current achievement. The importance of publications is highlighted by their central role in academic advancement. There are multiple steps and multiple goals in the preparation of a manuscript and its subsequent publication. Gaining some understanding of these issues is crucial before taking on the actual practical task of turning ideas and concepts into a finished product. The primary goal of publication is communication. However, the means and form by which the communication takes place may vary widely. The goals of preparation and publication depend in part on the author and the landscape in which crafting the manuscript occurs. Sometimes manuscripts are the outcome of an experiment or research project; at other times, they fulfill a requirement of a training program. Some manuscripts result from a comprehensive review of a subject matter or field (as in a review article). Regardless of the landscape, it is critical to begin by defining what is to be communicated and to whom it will be targeted. Preparation of a manuscript for publication begins with a clear delineation of what is to be communicated. Once this task is completed, the primary aim is to write a manuscript in a format that attracts editors and reviewers and effectively educates readers. It might be said that an unpublished manuscript and an uncited published article are the 2 ultimate failures of communication and education. Another failure is related and equally important. It results from a series of events that include manuscript preparation and submission followed by several rejections, which a young investigator perceives as failure, becoming discouraged and hesitant to attempt other academic ventures. Achieving the goals and tasks of planning, preparing, submitting, and publishing academic manuscripts is the focus of this article, which is aimed at young investigators.1–8
The crystallography of cleavage fracture in Al3Sc

The intermetallic compound Al3Sc is a trialuminide with the L12 structure, which deforms easily in compression at room temperature, with yield stresses around 100 MPa. As shown by single crystal compression experiments, slip occurs on {111} planes. In tension Al3Sc fractures transgranularly in a brittle manner. The predominant cleavage plane is {011}. In a scanning electron microscope (SEM) numerous cleavage steps, which are aligned in three major crystallographic directions, are observed. The fracture surfaces almost always show microscopic waviness along the traces of intersecting slip planes. Regions that are flat within the experimental resolution of the SEM are only occasionally observed. Some of the cleavage steps consist of {111} or {001} planes, but others are not distinctly crystallographic. Plastic deformation involving dislocation motion or twinning may have occurred at these steps. Reactions among different types of steps are also observed. One type of cleavage pattern found is strikingly similar to the typical appearance of fracture surfaces of fcc or fcc related materials after stress corrosion cracking. However, this particular pattern is only rarely observed in Al3Sc and can therefore not be taken as evidence for stress corrosion cracking in this material. Our observations indicate that an interpretation of cleavage fracture in Al3Sc in terms of surface energies alone is unlikely to be successful. Similarly, any criterion that categorizes its fracture behavior into either fully brittle or fully ductile is faced with difficulties. A full understanding of the fracture morphology of Al3Sc will therefore require detailed atomistic simulations.
Ethical Implications of Epigenetics Research

New advances in epigenetics research are being reported at an accelerating rate. Intriguing research findings, primarily from animal studies, show that epigenetic changes tend to occur at a much higher frequency than mutations in DNA sequence, that the susceptibility to epigenetic changes is greater at earlier stages of development, and that epigenetic changes are often reversible.. Importantly, a growing body of data from animal and human studies suggests that alterations in gene expression that are due to epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, can be inherited and affect future generations.
Reconfigurable Architecture for ZQDCT Using Computational Complexity Prediction and Bitstream Relocation

Due to the high computational complexity of discrete cosine transform (DCT) computation, prediction of zero quantized DCT (ZQDCT) coefficients has been extensively studied to reduce the computational complexity of DCT computation. In this letter, we propose a reconfigurable architecture to support ZQDCT computation. Twelve different modes of DCT computations including zonal coding, multiblock processing, and parallel-sequential stage mode can be performed using proposed architecture. We develop a hybrid model-based quality priority algorithm to reduce power consumption, required hardware resources, and computation time with a small quality degradation.
Are quantum dots ready for in vivo imaging in human subjects

Nanotechnology has the potential to profoundly transform the nature of cancer diagnosis and cancer patient management in the future. Over the past decade, quantum dots (QDs) have become one of the fastest growing areas of research in nanotechnology. QDs are fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles suitable for multiplexed in vitro and in vivo imaging. Numerous studies on QDs have resulted in major advancements in QD surface modification, coating, biocompatibility, sensitivity, multiplexing, targeting specificity, as well as important findings regarding toxicity and applicability. For in vitro applications, QDs can be used in place of traditional organic fluorescent dyes in virtually any system, outperforming organic dyes in the majority of cases. In vivo targeted tumor imaging with biocompatible QDs has recently become possible in mouse models. With new advances in QD technology such as bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, synthesis of smaller size non-Cd based QDs, improved surface coating and conjugation, and multifunctional probes for multimodality imaging, it is likely that human applications of QDs will soon be possible in a clinical setting.
StReD: A quality of security framework for storage resources in Data Grids

Securing storage resources in Grid environments has increasingly become a major concern to make Grids attractive for a wide range of data-intensive applications, because security requirements are often imposed on storage resources to support security-critical applications. However, existing storage systems are unable to dynamically adjust their quality of security to meet the flexible security needs of complex data-intensive applications. To remedy this deficiency, we propose in this paper a quality of security framework, or StReD, for storage resources in Data Grids. In this framework, we integrate a quality of security adaptor with an array of security services. Applications running in the framework are enabled to specify flexible security requirements and the desired response times of disk requests. The framework leverages the adaptor to dynamically control the quality of security for disk requests, thereby achieving good tradeoffs between the security and storage system throughput. Experimental results based on a simulated Grid with storage resources show that the proposed framework is capable of significantly improving the quality of security and guaranteeing the desired response times of disk requests.
Concurrent Validity of the Multidimensional Health Profile—Health Functioning Scales (MHP-H) in the Pre-operative Assessment of Applicants for Gastric Bypass Surgery

The concurrent validity of a brief screening test, the Multidimensional Health Profile-Health Functioning (MHP-H) was examined in conjunction with a much more lengthy pre-operative assessment procedure in 449 applicants for gastric bypass surgery (GBS). The MHP-H is a 69-item screening inventory that assesses five areas of health functioning: Adult Health History, Health Habits, Health Care Utilization, Health Beliefs and Attitudes, and Response to Illness. The more lengthy procedure included a comprehensive 273-item structured interview plus the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Basic Personality Inventory (BPI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The MHP-H showed significant correspondence with the more comprehensive assessment on measures of potential relevance to outcome in GBS, supporting the use of the MHP-H as a low-cost alternative to the more extensive procedure. The utility of the MHP-Psychosocial Functioning (MHP-P), a companion instrument to the MHP-H, was demonstrated in an earlier study.
Early Cytokine Production Risk Stratifies Trauma Patients for Multiple Organ Failure

Background Shock is a prime inciting event for postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF), believed to induce a state of injurious systemic inflammation. In animal models of hemorrhagic shock, early ( Study Design In a prospective observational pilot study of > 1 year at an urban Level I trauma center, serial (every 4 hours) serum cytokine levels were determined during a 24-hour period using multiplex suspension immunoassay in patients with major torso trauma (excluding severe brain injury) who met criteria for standardized shock resuscitation. Temporal cytokine expression was assessed during shock resuscitation in severe trauma patients to predict risk for MOF. MOF was assessed with the Denver score. Results Of 48 study patients (mean age 39 ± 3 years, 67% men, 88% blunt mechanism, mean Injury Severity Score 25 ± 2), MOF developed in 11 (23%). MOF patients had a considerably higher mortality (64% versus 3%) and fewer ICU-free days (3.5 ± 2 versus 17.8 ± 1.3 days) compared with non-MOF patients. Traditional predictors of MOF, including age (45 ± 7 versus 38 ± 3 years; p=0.21), Injury Severity Score (26 ± 3 versus 25 ± 2; p=0.67), admission hemoglobin (11.4 ± 0.9 versus 12.1 ± 0.5 g/dL; p=0.22), international normalized ratio (1.6 ± 0.2 versus 1.4 ± 0.06; p=0.17), and base deficit (9.0 ± 2 versus 7.1 ± 0.8; p=0.19), were not significantly different between MOF and non-MOF patients. Statistical analysis identified six candidate predictors of MOF: inducible protein 10, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, interleukin-10, interleukin-6, interleukin-1Ra, and eotaxin. Conclusions These data provide insight into cytokine expression during traumatic shock that can enable earlier identification of patients at risk for development of MOF.
Implementation of CIM technology: The key role of organizational learning

This article develops a conceptual model by which to examine the relationship between effective implementation of CIM technology with different levels and characteristics of organizational learning. Although a large number of firms have invested enormous sums into CIM and other advanced manufacturing technologies recently, many have not been able to garner the full potential of these investments to produce high variety at low cost. This article contends that successful implementation and utilization of CIM require a commensurate organizational commitment to instill double-loop learning in which experimentation, risk-taking, and an open-systems perspective become the basis for redesigning organizational structures, reward systems, and human resource practices. Firms that are locked into patterns of single-loop learning in which organizational change is resisted face the greatest difficulties in making the transition from traditional to advanced manufacturing technologies.
Sleep apnea studies in an infant with congenital primary hypoventilation ("Ondine's curse").

Recurrent apneic episodes were typically associated with sleep, not wakefulness, in an infant with congenital primary hypoventilation (“Ondine' Curse”). Quiet sleep (SLQ) was shown to constitute a higher risk condition than active sleep (SLA) at the ages she was recorded polygraphically (2-4 months old). This infant' respiratory disorder was complicated by recurrent pneumonia, seizures and deficient growth which resulted in death at the age of eight months. Necropsy revealed bronchopulmonary dysplastic fibrosis and cor pulmonale. Neuropathology examination failed to reveal pathologic changes in the brainstem.
Matching on Race and Ethnicity in Case-Control Studies as a Means of Control for Population Stratification

Some investigators argue that controlling for self-reported race or ethnicity, either in statistical analysis or in study design, is sufficient to mitigate unwanted influence from population stratification. In this report, we evaluated the effectiveness of a study design involving matching on self-reported ethnicity and race in minimizing bias due to population stratification within an ethnically admixed population in California. We estimated individual genetic ancestry using structured association methods and a panel of ancestry informative markers, and observed no statistically significant difference in distribution of genetic ancestry between cases and controls (P=0.46). Stratification by Hispanic ethnicity showed similar results. We evaluated potential confounding by genetic ancestry after adjustment for race and ethnicity for 1260 candidate gene SNPs, and found no major impact (>10%) on risk estimates. In conclusion, we found no evidence of confounding of genetic risk estimates by population substructure using this matched design. Our study provides strong evidence supporting the race- and ethnicity-matched case-control study design as an effective approach to minimizing systematic bias due to differences in genetic ancestry between cases and controls.
Microporous Carbon-halide Nanocomposites Electrodes for Symmetric and Asymmetric Capacitor

Microporous carbon containing little mesoporosity was chemically modified through a vapor phase iodation treatment in an effort to improve the electrochemical performance of activated carbon system commonly utilized in symmetric and asymmetric capacitors. This new carbon system has been studied with respect to their structural, morphological and electrochemical properties and contrasted to the mesoporous carbon based nanocomposites.
Immunohistochemical analysis of platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in cardiac biopsy and autopsy specimens of heart transplant patients

The purposes of this study were to examine 250 heart biopsy specimens and 20 autopsy specimens from heart transplant patients for the presence and localization of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and to correlate these findings with the histologic features of rejection and the autopsy findings of graft coronary vasculopathy and global ischemia. Positive specimen staining was significantly more prevalent for PDGF (78% of specimens) than for bFGF (54% of specimens) (p< 0.001). PDGF was distributed more in an interstitial (53%) than a vascular (28%) pattern and was associated with macrophages, whereas bFGF was distributed more in a vascular (50%) than an interstitial (12%) pattern. The prevalence of PDGF (but not bFGF) staining was significantly greater in biopsy specimens with at least grade 2 vascular rejection changes (81%) than in those without vascular rejection changes (58%) (p<0.001). In autopsy specimens, PDGF staining was present in the hearts of all 5 patients (100%) who died of graft failure from coronary vasculopathy and was present in all 11 hearts (100%) with global ischemic changes, but in only 4 of 9 (44%) of the hearts without global ischemia (p<0.01). PDGF staining was absent in nontransplanted heart specimens, whereas bFGF staining in nontransplanted heart specimen was similar to that in transplanted hearts. We conclude that PDGF is increased in transplanted hearts, is distributed more in an interstitial pattern, and is associated with macrophages. Furthermore, PDGF staining is increased in transplanted hearts with evidence of vascular rejection, coronary vasculopathy, or global ischemia.
Response behaviour of hot wires in shear flow

The response characteristics of a hot wire operated at constant temperature and exposed to a mean-velocity gradient along its length are examined both analytically and experimentally. The shear sensitivity of local wire temperature distributions, as measured with an infrared microscope, are compared with predicted temperature distributions in order to select a convective heat transfer correlation which can be applied locally along a wire in shear flow. On the basis of this correlation, the steady-state and dynamic response behaviour of platinum and tungsten wires in shear flow are examined by means of computer-generated data. Response curves of general applicability are presented which can be used to correct local mean-velocity and turbulence intensity measurements whenever a mean-velocity gradient exists along a wire.
Comparative data mining analysis for information retrieval of MODIS images: monitoring lake turbidity changes at Lake Okeechobee, Florida

In the remote sensing field, a frequently recurring question is: Which computational intelligence or data mining algorithms are most suitable for the retrieval of essential information given that most natural systems exhibit very high non-linearity. Among potential candidates might be empirical regression, neural network model, support vector machine, genetic algorithm/genetic programming, analytical equation, etc. This paper compares three types of data mining techniques, including multiple non-linear regression, artificial neural networks, and genetic programming, for estimating multi-temporal turbidity changes following hurricane events at Lake Okeechobee, Florida. This retrospective analysis aims to identify how the major hurricanes impacted the water quality management in 2003-2004. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra 8-day composite imageries were used to retrieve the spatial patterns of turbidity distributions for comparison against the visual patterns discernible in the in-situ observations. By evaluating four statistical parameters, the genetic programming model was finally selected as the most suitable data mining tool for classification in which the MODIS band 1 image and wind speed were recognized as the major determinants by the model. The multi-temporal turbidity maps generated before and after the major hurricane events in 2003-2004 showed that turbidity levels were substantially higher after hurricane episodes. The spatial patterns of turbidity confirm that sediment-laden water travels to the shore where it reduces the intensity of the light necessary to submerged plants for photosynthesis. This reduction results in substantial loss of biomass during the post-hurricane period.
PCSP: A Probable Concurrent Secure and Portable Peer-to-Peer Protocol

Unstructured Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks for content distribution are decentralized and robust. Searching for content in the network is based on the Gnutella protocol which does not provide security. Communication between two or more peers is secure if it can provide authentication and ensures the confidentially and integrity of the data exchanged. Authentication enables the identity verification of the devices sending and receiving the data. Confidentiality and integrity of the data guarantee that only the users that are authorized can understand the data and that an adversary is unable to modify the data exchanged. The challenge is how to authenticate users and establish a decentralized protocol that exploits concurrency and can provide confidentiality and integrity in content distribution networks? We propose the design of a Probable Concurrent Secure and Portable (PCSP) Local Look-up search P2P protocol. PCSP is based on the Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol (DH) to establish a shared session key that can provide confidentiality and integrity. Authentication is achieved by concurrent processed secretly encrypting the Internet Address (IP) of the peer exchanging the key in a bloom filter, and hiding the existence of the bloom filter in a picture.
Comparison Based on Age of Baseline Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities between older (age > or = 70 years) and younger patients presenting with acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Retrospective review of qualifying electrocardiograms in 918 patients enrolled in the multicenter Veterans Affairs Non-Q-Wave Infarction Strategies In-Hospital (VANQWISH) study. SETTING: Seventeen Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 918 patients (224 > or = 70 years old) with acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. MEASUREMENTS: Comparison of electrocardiograms in patients aged > or = 70 years and younger patients for presence of left ventriculary hypertrophy, widened QRS complex, ST and T wave abnormalities, rhythm other than sinus, heart rate > or = 80 beats/minute, and location of acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Left ventricular hypertrophy and ST depression > or = 1 mm were significantly more frequent in older than in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients presenting with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction have a greater incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and ST depression on their electrocardiograms than younger patients. Both of these electrocardiographic findings have previously been associated with increased risk of death and recurrent myocardial infarction and may help account for the worse prognosis of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in older patients.
SANJAY: Automatically synthesizing visualizations of flow cytometry data using decision procedures

Polychromatic flow cytometry is a widely used technique for gathering and analyzing cellular data. The data generated is high-dimensional, and therefore notoriously difficult to visualize by a human expert. The traditional method of plotting every pair of observables of the original high-dimensional data leads to a combinatorial explosion in the number of visualizations. The usual solution is to project the data into a lower-dimensional space while approximately preserving key properties and relationships among data points. The lower dimensional data can then be easily analyzed with the help of specialized data visualization software.
Should the Dose of Antiplatelet Drugs Be Adjusted for Body Weight? The Example of Vorapaxar

Background: In contrast to the vast majority of pharmaceuticals on the market, antiplatelet agents are widely prescribed in a uniform, ‘one size fits all' manner, without conventional dose adjustments. However, strong evidence yielded from clinical trials repeatedly suggests that patients with a low body weight (LBW), the elderly and those with renal or hepatic impairment may benefit from reduced doses, while younger, heavier patients, males and diabetics may benefit from a dose escalation. Vorapaxar, a thrombin protease-activated receptor-1 inhibitor, has been tested in the TRA2P and TRACER clinical trials, but its efficacy and safety in patients with a LBW is unclear. Objective: To determine the impact of LBW on primary end point rates (PER) and bleeding risk after vorapaxar, as yielded from the TRA2P and TRACER secondary FDA review. Results: The LBW (Conclusion: The FDA analyses revealed no definite proof that LBW is associated with reduced efficacy of vorapaxar. While these data are striking, they can be explained by better outcomes in LBW placebo patients already sufficiently treated with dual-antiplatelet therapy. In contrast to efficacy, both TRA2P and TRACER definitely suggest that bleeding rates after vorapaxar are higher in patients with LBW. Dose adjustment for antiplatelet agents may soon become a reality.
The breakthrough balloon for critical limb ischemia

A true medical breakthrough represents “a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique” ([1][1]). In the field of vascular medicine, such a breakthrough is welcome, because many of the treatments we have for peripheral artery disease (PAD) are limited. Of the patients with PAD, the