cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated myocardial perfusion imaging using saturation-recovery spiral-in/out SSFP

Background Myocardial first-pass perfusion imaging is a promising diagnostic tool for the assessment of ischemic heart disease. Spiral imaging, due to its high acquisition speed and robustness against motion artifacts, has been successfully combined with the saturation recovery (SR) GRE sequence using a traditional spiral-out trajectory. However, aS R SSFP sequence can provide higher SNR and use shorter saturation recovery time. In addition, as compared to a spiral-out trajectory, the spiral-in/out trajectory in an SSFP sequence can take advantage of the refocusing mechanism at TE=TR/2 to increase SNR and reduce off-resonance artifacts. Furthermore, spatial and temporal parallel imaging methods can be used to achieve up to 4x acceleration without degrading the image quality. In this study, we have implemented a spiral-in/out SR SSFP sequence and imaged rest myocardial perfusion. Methods
dShark: A General, Easy to Program and Scalable Framework for Analyzing In-network Packet Traces

Distributed, in-network packet capture is still the last resort for diagnosing network problems. Despite recent advances in collecting packet traces scalably, effectively utilizing pervasive packet captures still poses important challenges. Arbitrary combinations of middleboxes which transform packet headers make it challenging to even identify the same packet across multiple hops; packet drops in the collection system create ambiguities that must be handled; the large volume of captures, and their distributed nature, make it hard to do even simple processing; and the one-off and urgent nature of problems tends to generate ad-hoc solutions that are not reusable and do not scale. In this paper we propose dShark to address these challenges. dShark allows intuitive groupings of packets across multiple traces that are robust to header transformations and capture noise, offering simple streaming data abstractions for network operators. Using dShark on real-time packet captures from a major cloud provider, we show that dShark makes it easy to write concise and reusable queries against distributed packet traces that solve many common problems in diagnosing complex networks. Our evaluation shows that dShark can analyze production packet traces with more than 10 Mpps throughput on a commodity server, and has near-linear speedup when scaling out on multiple servers.
Chapter 18 – Radar Basics

This chapter introduces the basics of the radar (radio detection and ranging) used to detect target range, direction, and motion. Radar has been used since the second world war. The frequency of the radio waves depends on the radar application. Radar systems are often designated by the wavelength or frequency band in which they operate. Higher frequency systems usually are of lower power due to electronic circuit limitations, and they experience greater atmospheric attenuation. Most airborne radars operate between the L and Ka bands, also known as the microwave region. Many short-range targeting radars, such as on a tank or helicopter, operate in the millimeter band. The shape and contours of the aircraft also greatly influence the radar cross-section. In radar systems, sequences known as Barker sequences are sometimes used. They may scan wide sweeps of azimuth and elevation.
Surgical management of patients with coexistent multiple sclerosis and cervical stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) and cervical stenosis (CS) are two unique pathologies that can present with overlapping symptoms. In patients with concurrent MS and CS, the exact cause for worsening of symptoms is often difficult to decipher. In this study, we aimed to review the medical literature on the benefits of surgical decompression surgery in patients with coexisting CS and MS. We systematically reviewed the literature for articles published prior to December 1st, 2018 describing outcomes (improvement of symptoms of radiculopathy, myelopathy, and neck pain) in patients with coexisting MS and CS undergoing cervical decompression surgery. Effect sizes were calculated demonstrating the effect of surgical decompression on improving symptoms. We identified eight articles that satisfied our selection criteria, of which six provided data regarding symptoms after surgery. Our meta-analysis indicates that cervical decompression surgery in patients with coexisting MS and CS is beneficial in improving symptoms of myelopathy (ES 0.74, 95% CI 0.38–1.10, p
Laborers becoming ‘peasants’: agroecological politics in a Sumatran plantation zone

Over the last two decades a group of rural workers on Sumatra's Aren Volcano worked with a self-proclaimed ‘peasant’ union to occupy and rehabilitate a bankrupt industrial ranch and plantation. Wom...
Lung disease and pulmonary hypertension in the premature infant

The premature infant is born into the world unprepared to naturally thrive in a foreign environment. Lung development entails immense growth, structural remodeling and differentiation of specialized cells during the normal term perinatal and postnatal periods. Thus, the premature infant presents with a lung deficient for appropriate respiration. Disruption of lung development seen in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and chronic lung disease (CLD) results in not only impaired airway growth but also a deficiency in the accompanying vasculature including the capillary system required for gas exchange. Deficient vascular area can lead to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Unlike PH seen in children and adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), treatment with conventional pulmonary vasodilators can be limited in developmental lung disease-associated PH because there are fewer blood vessels to dilate. In this brief review, we highlight some of the knowledge on PH in the premature infant presented at the Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Update on Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease.
China's response to a novel coronavirus stands in stark contrast to the 2002 SARS outbreak response.

The strengthening of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been a turning point in outbreak responses in the area. This represents very welcome progress and development for global health security and diplomacy.
Potassium Treatments for Solution-Processed Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 Solar Cells

Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSe, CIGSSe) has emerged as an attractive thin-film solar cell absorber material owing to its high light absorption coefficient and tunable bandgap. In CIGSSe processing and fab...
Sleep Tracker and Smartphone: Strengths and Limits to Estimate Sleep and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

An increasing number of customers are using wearable devices, sleep trackers, or smartphones apps to monitor and measure a variety of body functions. These devices claim to measure different physiological parameters such as sleep quality, snoring, or sleep-disordered breathing (SDR). Here, we present a review of validation studies of sleep applications to providing some guidance in terms of their reliability to assess sleep in healthy and clinical populations. A review was conducted on PubMed. Twelve validation studies were identified, evaluating sleep trackers and smartphone app performances compared to polysomnography (PSG) or actigraphy for sleep assessment in healthy and clinical samples. Validation studies in healthy children, adolescent, and adult show that sleep trackers overestimate sleep time, sleep efficiency, and the latency to fall asleep. “Jawbone UP 3” and “Fitbit Charge” sleep trackers show good equivalence with the sleep diary total sleep time (effect size = 0.09 and 0.23, respectively). Compared to electrocardiography in determining HR during sleep, the “Fitbit Charge 2” reports no significant difference in the mean HR (0.09 beats per minute, P = 0.426). Most of the smartphone apps based on body movements, measured by accelerometers, show a weak correlation between PSG and apps sleep parameters. A multiple parameter-based smartphone app using the EarlySense contact-free sleep monitoring system shows that total sleep time estimates with the contact-free system were closely correlated with PSG. More experimental studies are warranted to assess the validity of sleep trackers or smartphones apps for clinical applications and their reliability in sleep–wake detection particularly.
Membership status, social exclusion, and regulatory focus

Previous work suggests that being socially excluded can influence people’s regulatory focus motivations (i.e., promotion and prevention). In the current work, we extend past findings and further ex...
Association of Continuity of Care With Outcomes in US Veterans With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Importance Health care fragmentation is associated with inefficiency and worse outcomes. Continuity of care (COC) models were developed to address fragmentation. Objective To examine COC and selected outcomes in US veterans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Corporate Data Warehouse to identify veterans with IBD who received care in the VHA health care system between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2014. Included patients were veterans with IBD who had a primary care physician and at least 4 outpatient visits with key physicians (gastroenterologist, primary care physician, and surgeon) within the first year after an index IBD encounter. Data were analyzed from November 2018 to May 2020. Exposures Care continuity was measured with the Bice-Boxerman COC index to define care density and dispersion within year 1 after the initial presentation. Main Outcomes and Measures A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to quantify the association between a low level of COC in year 1 (defined as ≤0.25 on a 0 to 1 scale) and subsequent IBD-related outcomes in years 2 and 3 (outpatient flare, hospitalization, and surgical intervention). Results Among the 20 079 veterans with IBD who met the inclusion criteria, 18 632 were men (92.8%) and the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 59 (48-66) years. In the first year of follow-up, substantial variation in the dispersion of care was observed (median [IQR] COC, 0.24 [0.13-0.46]). In a Cox proportional hazards regression model, a low level of COC was associated with a higher likelihood of outpatient flares that required corticosteroids (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22), hospitalizations (aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.47), and surgical interventions (aHR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.43-2.07). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study showed a wide variation in dispersion of IBD care and an association between a lower level of COC and active IBD and worse outcomes. The findings suggest that investigating the barriers to COC in integrated systems that have invested in care coordination is key to not only better understanding COC but also identifying opportunities to improve care fragmentation.
Study of Academic Writing Evolution in Geospatial Domain Using Natural Language Processing Techniques

Academic writing is known for a formalized discourse that tends to persist over time. However, evolution of academic writings became an interesting topic due to the fast-pace dynamics of technology in recent years. In this article, we analyze changes in academic texts for the geospatial domain. We collected and analyzed articles submitted to the IGARSS conference over the past ten years and evaluated how the overall organization of written patterns relate to formalized knowledge in geospatial ontologies and how they have evolved over time.
A Bite So Bad: Septic Shock Due to Capnocytophaga Canimorsus Following a Dog Bite.

Infection by Capnocytophaga canimorsus (C. canimorsus), a Gram-negative rod found in the normal oral flora of canine and feline species and transmitted through bites or scratches, is a rare phenomenon. Infections most commonly occur in alcoholics and immunocompromised patients. In this report, we describe the case of a middle-aged male with a history of alcohol abuse who presented with septic shock and multisystem organ failure following a suspected dog bite. The patient was a 59-year-old Caucasian male with alcohol abuse disorder who initially presented with encephalopathy and lethargy. The patient had scratches and multiple healing wounds, with a mottled appearance on his extremities. According to his wife, the patient had been playing aggressively with his dog at home. On admission, he was febrile, tachycardic, and saturating in the 80s on ambient air. His extremities rapidly developed diffuse purpura and dry gangrene of all digits along with the tip of his nose and genitals. The patient developed septic shock and multisystem organ failure. Blood cultures initially grew Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods for which broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated. Follow-up blood cultures were positive for C. canimorsus and the antibiotic regimen was adjusted accordingly. His condition continued to deteriorate. His family opted for comfort measures only and he died soon after. Common sequelae of C. canimorsus infection include septic shock with multisystem organ failure, disseminated purpuric lesions, hypotension, encephalopathy, and acute renal failure. As seen in our patient, C. canimorsus infection should be considered in such patients, particularly if there is a recent history of an animal bite. Prompt initiation of appropriate treatment is essential to improve patient prognosis.
Online health information seeking, health literacy, and human papillomavirus vaccination among transgender and gender-diverse people.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe online health information seeking among a sample of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people compared with cisgender sexual minority people to explore associations with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and whether general health literacy and eHealth literacy moderate this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional online survey of TGD and cisgender sexual minority participants from The PRIDE Study, a longitudinal, U.S.-based, national health study of sexual and gender minority people. We employed multivariable logistic regression to model the association of online health information seeking and HPV vaccination. RESULTS The online survey yielded 3258 responses. Compared with cisgender sexual minority participants, TGD had increased odds of reporting HPV vaccination (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2) but decreased odds when they had looked for information about vaccines online (aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9). TGD participants had over twice the odds of reporting HPV vaccination if they visited a social networking site like Facebook (aOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6). No moderating effects from general or eHealth literacy were observed. DISCUSSION Decreased reporting of HPV vaccination among TGD people after searching for vaccine information online suggests vaccine hesitancy, which may potentially be related to the quality of online content. Increased reporting of vaccination after using social media may be related to peer validation. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should investigate potential deterrents to HPV vaccination in online health information to enhance its effectiveness and further explore which aspects of social media might increase vaccine uptake among TGD people.
The Material Basis of Mind

Nobody knows how the brain works. Major issues are rarely resolved by a single idea, let alone a single experiment. Different hypotheses capture different aspects of a complex and unfamiliar reality, and a narrowly-pitched adversary posture in defense of one position would limit rather than foster the growth of human understanding.1
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATTER

This chapter presents the thermal expansion of solids and liquids. It also discusses the changes of phase, which include melting and boiling. Additionally, this chapter develops the concept of an ideal gas. The ideal gas is a generalized model of a gas that incorporates the basic properties common to all real gases. This model offers both practical and conceptual advantages. The engineer who wants a rough idea how a temperature change will affect the pressure of a particular gas can rely on the ideal gas model. By using the ideal gas model, the engineer can avoid minor details. The ideal gas model not only makes calculations simpler but also makes it easier to grasp certain thermodynamic concepts. The ideal gas plays the same role in thermodynamics as does the “point mass” or “particle” in mechanics. It can be used to illustrate the principles of thermodynamics at an intuitive level.
/spl pi/-scheme short-scan SPECT and image reconstruction

Because the effects of physical factors such as photon attenuation and spatial resolution are distance-dependent in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), it is generally considered that accurate image reconstruction requires knowledge of the data function over 2/spl pi/. In SPECT with only uniform attenuation, Noo and Wagner (2001) showed that an accurate image can be reconstructed from knowledge of the data function over /spl pi/. In this work, we develop an heuristic perspective to demonstrate - and use simulation studies to confirm - that the data function in /spl pi/-scheme SPECT with non-uniform attenuation contains complete information for an accurate image reconstruction. In its most general form, the proposed /spl pi/-scheme SPECT entails data acquisition over disjoint angular intervals without conjugate views, totalling to /spl pi/ radians, thereby allowing flexibility in choosing projection views at which the emitted gamma-rays may undergo the least attenuation and blurring.
Modeling Nicotine Arterial–Venous Differences to Predict Arterial Concentrations and Input Based on Venous Measurements: Application to Smokeless Tobacco and Nicotine Gum

Significant arterio-venous differences in nicotine concentrations have been observed during and after cigarette smoking, nicotine nasal spray, and intravenous nicotine administration. In this paper we describe a novel mathematical method for estimating arterial blood levels from venous blood level data. The model allows to quantify: (i) the influence of the microcirculation in the hands and forearm on the distribution of nicotine, and (ii) the influence of disregarding the venous to arterial circulation in the estimate of systemic inputs. We also (iii) propose a general method to predict arterial concentrations and inputs given venous data. The basic model we adopt is based on the relationship Cv = T * Ca, where Cv and Ca are the concentration in the venous and arterial site, respectively, T is the arterio-venous transfer function and * indicates convolution. We use empirical data to estimate T. We then compare estimates of systemic inputs to the venous site obtained taking into account the transfer function or, as usually done, disregarding it. The relationship we use to compare estimated inputs are: Cv = T * ka * A (where Ka is the arterial disposition function and A the systemic input), and Cv = Kv * A (where Kv is the venous disposition function), respectively. Finally, the estimated transfer function allows to estimate (average) Ca or A given arbitrary venous data. (i) Our analysis suggests that a bi-exponential T is needed to describe observed arterial–venous differences. The estimated transfer function indicates that no elimination of nicotine is involved in the forearm. (ii) Disregarding T, as usually done, erroneously obtains too complex venous input functions (because these input functions incorporate T). (iii) Disregarding T erroneously estimates significantly higher total inputs. (iv) Using the proposed model and previously published venous nicotine level data we predict substantial arterial–venous differences in blood nicotine levels for smokeless tobacco and nicotine gum. The use of disposition functions obtained from venous data may lead to erroneous estimation of the rates of entry into the circulation and systemic bioavailability for many drugs.
Bending and Torsional Design Charts for Round Chrome-Molybdenum Tubing

In this paper design charts based on Figs. 4.20 and 4.22 of the ANC-5 are developed. These may be used for the design of round chrome-molybdenum tubing either in bending or torsion alone, or under combined bending and torsion. The general case of combined bending and torsion is simplified by use of the "equivalent" moments method and is treated in detail. Several examples illustrating the use of the charts are included. Some recent systematic combined bending and torsion tests on representative tube sizes are found to substantiate the design charts satisfactorily.
Soka Education: For the Happiness of the Individual, by Ikeda, D

The title of this volume, Soka Education, refers to the tradition in educational ideas and practices established by Japanese educator Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944), continued by his chief disci...
Children’s Right to Safety: The Problem of Corporal Punishment in Pakistan

This chapter focuses on the child’s rights issue of corporal punishment. It is increasingly being recognized that children have the right not to be hit by anyone, including parents and teachers. Recent psychological research on the negative outcomes associated with CP is briefly reviewed. The extent of the problem of CP around the world is then illustrated. The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (article 19) makes clear that children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse or maltreatment. Nevertheless, as of summer 2015, only 46 countries have enacted full legal protections for children from the risk of physical assaults. Even in countries with legal protections, children continue to be hit, though at a decreased rate than before the ban. The chapter will examine what is known about the use of corporal punishment on children in South Asia. This is a region of the world that has not received much attention with regard to the problem of CP. Specifically, we will focus on one country: Pakistan. The chapter will review what evidence is available concerning positive attitudes toward CP as well as the prevalence of CP in Pakistani classrooms and homes. We then examine the legal status of corporal punishment from the perspective of federal, provincial, and Shariah laws. Recent efforts at federal law reform will also be reviewed. The final section of the chapter will provide recommendations for advancing the protection of Pakistani children from CP and their right to safety.
Brain perfusion abnormalities in patients with compromised venous outflow

Elevated intracranial intravenous pressure is not routinely measured in clinical practice. Indirect evidence of increased venous pressure is reflected in the size change of the cerebral sinuses and the presence of venous infarctions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of brain perfusion venous time–density curves in the diagnosis of cerebral venous hypertension. A retrospective review of four cases in which increased cerebral intravenous pressure was reflected in abnormal time–density curves on CT brain perfusion studies was completed. The abnormal venous time–density curves correlated with clinically increased intravenous pressure and normalized after treating the underlying pathology. Abnormal venous outflow affects brain perfusion. This could be identified on a CT brain-perfusion study based on characteristic venous time–density curves. These curves may appear quite similar even when the underlying etiologies are different. Normalization of the venous time–density curves may be observed after the underlying pathology was treated.
TU‐A‐116‐08: A Methodology to Estimate Radiation Dose Reported On a Personal Radiation Monitor

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the expected reading on a personal radiation monitor (PRM) in a fluoroscopy procedure and to determine what information can be deduced from PRM reports. Our institution received a PRM report indicating a deep dose equivalent (DDE) exceeding our ALARA III level (1250 mrem) during a monitoring period. The employee (a radiation therapist) reported she underwent a 2 hour upper GI fluoroscopy examination and her PRM was in her purse 1 meter away during the procedure. Methods: Typical, minimum, and maximum dose area products (DAP) and x‐ray field sizes (FS) for upper GI examination were estimated based on a literature review. The ratio of DAP and FS gave an estimate of the entrance air kerma (EAK). The air kerma (K) at the location of the PRM was calculated by multiplying the EAK by the side‐scatter fraction at 1 meter. K at the PRM was corrected to 1 cm tissue depth to estimate DDE. Results: The DDE based on the scenario reported was estimated to be 12 mrem. Minimum and maximum readings were estimated as 3 and 26 mrem, respectively. If the reported DDE was due to the upper GI examination only, the EAK would be approximately 30 Gy. The PRM report also noted that imaging results were inconclusive. Shallow dose equivalent (SDE) was 5% less than DDE. Conclusions: The scenario reported by the employee is highly unlikely to have resulted in the DDE observed on the PRM. Reported beam quality from the PRM report and the relative ratio of shallow to deep dose suggest a higher energy beam (such as scatter in a radiation therapy room) to be the more likely cause.
Structural, magnetic, and transport properties of substitutionally doped graphene nanoribbons from first principles

We present a study of the electronic properties of narrow zigzag and armchair nanoribbons substitutionally doped with a single boron, nitrogen, or phosphorus atom. Using density-functional calculations, we analyze the formation energy, electronic band structure, magnetic, and quantum conductance properties of these nanoribbons with doping sites ranging from the edge to the center of the ribbon. Substitutional doping is found to be most favorable at the ribbon edge in all the cases except for the boron-doped armchair ribbon, which has the lowest formation energy in the three-coordinated site next to the edge. Boron-doped zigzag nanoribbons exhibit spin-dependent donorlike states when the dopant is on the ribbon edge, and acceptor states as the dopant is moved toward the ribbon center. Nitrogen-doped zigzag nanoribbons show the opposite effect, while phosphorus-doped nanoribbons exhibit both donorlike and acceptorlike states. The band structure and local density of states indicate that dips in conductance occur from either the presence of a localized state or the opening of mini band gaps around a particular energy value. The variations in conductance arising from different doping profiles could be useful for tailoring the properties of graphene-based nanoelectronic devices.
Images of the two-dimensional field and temperature gradients to quantify mixing rates within a non-premixed turbulent jet flame

Abstract The two-dimensional structure of the instantaneous temperature field and the temperature gradients were imaged in a turbulent jet flame using Planar Rayleigh Scattering. Two types of regions are observed: thin thermal layers in which temperature gradients are large and in which intense thermal mixing occurs, and broad homogeneous thermal zones in which temperature gradients are negligible. Many of the thermal gradient layers appear to be created by vortex motions, since the thin layers are parallel and are rolled up into spiral-shaped patterns. Flame-vortex interactions are shown which result in local flame extinction, and in some cases the vortices appear to penetrate through the viscous flame gases in the radial direction. A distinct cusp-shaped entrainment pattern is observed that is believed to result from counterrotating vortex pairs. The local thermal mixing rate is quantified by the thermal dissipation rate ( χ T ), which is deduced from the measured temperature gradients. Profiles of χ T are compared with a theoretical scaling relation. The thinnest thermal layers were 0.6 mm thick; the sparcity of thin mixing layers, as compared with nonreacting flows at the same jet Reynolds number, is due to the large gas diffusivity associated with flames. The joint probability density function pdf ( T , χ T ) of a scalar (temperature) and its gradient was measured within the flame. The joint pdf displays a clipped Gaussian dependence on T and a log-normal dependency on χ T at all locations except the flame-air boundary, which is dominated by intermittency.
Knowledge servers for the classroom

We describe a knowledge-server we developed for our data structures course. This server holds information traditionally contained in textbooks. Additionally, it houses information that is not easily contained in textbooks, such as animations and presentation slides of important concepts. It furthermore references materials from diverse sources available on the World Wide Web. In addition to course materials, the server makes available a variety of ways in which to navigate the information. In addition to searching concepts and a directory listing of concepts, it makes available a navigable graph, representing the ontology of the course materials. This enables students to more quickly find information and to better see relationships between materials introduced in the course. We see knowledge servers as taking the role of textbooks in the not so distant future.
Food-Insecure Dietary Patterns Are Associated With Poor Longitudinal Glycemic Control in Diabetes: Results From the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study

OBJECTIVE To determine whether dietary patterns associated with food insecurity are associated with poor longitudinal glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective, population-based, longitudinal cohort study, we ascertained food security (Food Security Survey Module), dietary pattern (Healthy Eating Index 2005 [HEI 2005]), and hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) in Puerto Rican adults aged 45–75 years with diabetes at baseline (2004–2009) and HbA 1c at ∼2 years follow-up (2006–2012). We determined associations between food insecurity and dietary pattern and assessed whether those dietary patterns were associated with poorer HbA 1c concentration over time, using multivariable-adjusted repeated subjects mixed-effects models. RESULTS There were 584 participants with diabetes at baseline and 516 at follow-up. Food-insecure participants reported lower overall dietary quality and lower intake of fruit and vegetables. A food insecurity*HEI 2005 interaction ( P 1c in food-insecure than food-secure participants. In adjusted models, lower follow-up HbA 1c was associated with greater HEI 2005 score (β = −0.01 HbA 1c % per HEI 2005 point, per year, P = 0.003) and with subscores of total vegetables (β = −0.09, P = 0.04) and dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (β = −0.06, P = 0.048). Compared with the minimum total vegetable score, a participant with the maximum score showed relative improvements of HbA 1c of 0.5% per year. CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity was associated with lower overall dietary quality and lower consumption of plant-based foods, which was associated with poor longitudinal glycemic control.
The Potential of Adapted Primary Literature (APL) for Learning: A Response

This set of papers is to be welcomed in that they challenge established notions of what it means to learn science. The basic concept in all of them is that there is something of value to the learning of science to be gained from using adapted primary literature (APL). For the reader, the questions are many. For instance—what contribution to the student understanding of science will the use of adapted primary literature make? Is there sufficient data here to justify the arguments of the authors? What are the theoretical presuppositions on which this body of work rests and are they justified? Phillips and Norris (2009) begin by pointing to the centrality of reading to the work of the practicing scientist developing the seminal argument they have previously made that literacy is fundamental to science (Norris and Phillips 2003). Using the data drawn from Tenopir and King’s study (Tenopir and King 2004), their case for the core nature of communicative activities in science is unequivocal—in particular that it is impossible to conceive of science without reading or writing. In one sense, this is hardly surprising. Longino (1990), for instance, points to the fact that science is a social and communal practice:
The Effect of Audio Bandwidth on Selected Digital Speech Coding Algorithms

The speech intelligibility in noise of three different digital speech coding algorithms was investigated at the standard audio bandwidth of 300 to 3400 Hz and a developmental bandwidth of 100-6000 Hz. Speech intelligibility was measured using a standardized instrument, the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT). Performance was investigated at three different levels of an acoustic noise environment. This report presents results, discussion, conclusions and recommendations for further research.
Transferrin is an autocrine growth factor secreted by Reuber H-35 cells in serum-free culture.

We have previously reported that Reuber H-35 rat hepatoma cells secrete an autocrine growth-stimulating activity in serum-free culture. To characterize this activity, conditioned serum-free medium from dense H-35 donor cultures was collected in the absence and presence of [35S]methionine. A 1∶4 dilution of conditioned medium into fresh serum-free medium resulted in an increase in mean H-35 cell numbers per assay dish from 1.59±0.12×105 to 3.35±0.34×105 after 44 h of incubation. Control, unconditioned medium, resulted in significantly (P<0.05) less growth (2.14±0.41×105 cells per dish). Trypsin digestion eliminated the growth-promoting effect of conditioned medium but had no effect on unconditioned medium. Dialysis did not diminish the growth-promoting activity of conditioned medium. The immunoprecipitate of [35S]methionine-containing conditioned medium with antisera against rat serum transferrin contained a dominant radioactive doublet of molecular weight equal to purified rat serum transferrin. A rat transferrin radioimmunoassay was devised and used to quantitate that 29.1±1.2 ng of transferrin was secreted per 106 cells per hour in serum-free culture. Addition of antitransferrin antibody resulted in a significant (P<0.025) decrease in H-35 cell growth after 48 h. Thus, a portion of the autocrine growth-promoting activity secreted by H-35 cells into serum-free culture is due to transferrin.
QU Vulpeculae: An Eclipsing Neon Nova in the Period Gap

Time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations of the neon nova QU Vul are presented. Our spectroscopic data show that the radiation from QU Vul is still dominated by emission from the shell that was ejected a decade ago. Our photometric data establish that QU Vul undergoes eclipses that are ~0.5 mag deep in V, and recur with a period of 2.68 hr, placing QU Vul near the middle of the 2-3 hr gap in the orbital period distribution of cataclysmic variables. The addition of QU Vul raises the number of novae in the period gap to three, equal to the number of AM Her binaries in the gap. The orbital period distributions of novae and AM Her systems are discussed within the context of the evolution of cataclysmic variables.
Parathyroid hormone-regulated production of stem cell factor in human osteoblasts and osteoblast-like cells.

Abstract We investigated stem cell factor (SCF) expression in osteoblasts because mast cells, which occur ectopically in hyperparathyroid bone, are induced by SCF. Nontransformed osteoblasts and Saos2 or MG63 cells expressed SCF in response to PTH. Western analysis showed only large, cell-associated isoforms, Mrs ∼40-48 kD. Transfection of MG63 cells with plasmids expressing antisense SCF mRNA eliminated immunoreactive SCF. Sequencing osteoblast SCF cDNAs showed that exon 6 was omitted. mRNAs without exon 6 produce membrane-associated SCF isoforms in rodents, suggesting that human SCFs are processed similarly. The major osteoblastic SCF mRNA, ∼5 kB, was augmented by PTH. Neither protein or mRNA was increased by vitamin D, however, 6-7 kB transcripts were predominant in other tissues but not detectable in osteoblasts. We conclude that osteoblasts express SCF in response to PTH, with mRNA and protein processing differences relative to other cells. SCF stimulates osteoclasts, suggesting that PTH-induced osteoblastic SCF functions to accelerate bone turnover. Mast cells may occur due to SCF overexpression at extreme PTH levels.
Multiprogramming and multiprocessing

Multiprogramming and multiprocessing make economically feasible the capabilities of on-line debugging, man — machine interaction, and remote operation and communication in information handling systems
Zinc stimulation of nitrogen assimilation by Helminthosporium cynodontis.

Zinc increased the uptake and retention of ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concomitant with increased growth of a strain of Helminthosporium cynodontis. Zinc also stimulated increased growth with nitrate ...
Quantitative assessment of segmental wall motion abnormalities at rest and after atrial pacing using digital intravenous ventriculography.

Digital intravenous ventriculography lends itself readily to quantitative assessment of ventricular wall motion with computer algorithms. Forty-five patients referred for cardiac catheterization were studied by digital intravenous ventriculography (mask mode) and direct ventriculography in the 30° right anterior oblique position. Quantitative wall motion was analyzed by a radial shortening method applied to both studies. Lower limits of normal radial shortening were determined for each technique and used to determine the presence or absence of wall motion disorders. The inter- and intraobserver variability of radial shortening measurements was ± 5.3 and ± 8.8%, respectively, with maximal discrepancies of - 6 and + 7% fractional shortening units. The overall agreement between the two techniques in wall motion assessment was 87% (274 of 315 radii). A subset of patients also underwent atrial pacing, and a second digital intravenous ventriculogram was obtained (5 normal subjects and 15 patients with coronary artery disease). Although analysis of wall motion at rest showed a poor sensitivity for detection of significant coronary stenoses, nine of nine patients with coronary artery disease and normal wall motion at rest showed a quantitative decrease in radial wall motion after atrial pacing. Thus, digital intravenous ventriculograms can be used to provide quantitative wall motion analyses that show a high degree of agreement with those of standard, direct left ventriculography. Atrial pacing can be used to increase the sensitivity of wall motion analysis for the detection of significant coronary disease.
Correlation between Certain Laboratory Stress Tests and Fertility of Frozen Bovine Spermatozoa

Abstract In an initial study, involving 18 ejaculates from ten Holstein bulls, spermatozoa stored in liquid nitrogen (LN) were more resistant to the imposed repeated exposure to ambient temperature, stress tests, than spermatozoa stored at dry ice-alcohol (DI) temperatures. Significant positive correlations (P
Progress towards artificial hydrolases: synthesis and binding properties of a water-soluble cyclophane host with a phenol cap

Abstract The synthesis of the functionalized macrobicyclic host 1 on the way to the water-soluble artificial esterase 2 is presented. A phenolic nucleophile is properly oriented atop the binding cavity of 1 which forms strong complexes with aromatic guests in aqueous solutions.
Prospects of renewables penetration in the energy mix of Pakistan

Abstract Pakistan is the sixth most populous country of the world comprising 2.56% of the total global population. However, it ranks 37th in the energy consumption, at 0.37% of the world total. The per capita energy availability is only 43 W, which is 1/7th of the world average. The greatest reason for such a huge energy deficiency is its heavy dependence on imported oil for power generation. The country is however, rich in renewable energy sources and has vast potential for their exploitation. In this article, a survey of the availability of various renewable energy sources, including hydel, solar, wind and biomass, and their current and future penetration prospects in the total energy mix have been carried out, with some recommendations. It is estimated that Pakistan has the feasible potential of 30 GW of installed power capacity from hydel and 50 GW of installed capacity from wind by 2030.
Towards optimization of RDF analytical queries on MapReduce

The broadened use of Semantic Web technologies across domains has led to a shift in focus from simple pattern matching queries on RDF data to analytical queries with complex grouping and aggregations. An RDF analytical query involves graph pattern matching, which translates to several join operations due to the fine-grained nature of RDF data model. Complex analytical queries involve multiple grouping-aggregations on different graph patterns, making such tasks join-intensive. Scale-out processing of RDF analytical queries on existing relational-style MapReduce platforms such as Apache Hive and Pig, results in lengthy execution workflows with multiple cycles of I/O and network transfer. Additionally, certain graph patterns result in avoidable redundancy in intermediate results, which negatively impacts processing costs. The PhD thesis summarized in this paper proposes a two-pronged approach to minimize the costs while processing RDF queries on MapReduce: an algebraic approach based on a Nested TripleGroup Data Model and Algebra that reinterprets graph pattern queries in a way that reduces the required number of map-reduce cycles, and special strategies to minimize the redundancy in intermediate data while processing certain graph patterns. The proposed techniques are integrated into Apache Pig. Empirical evaluation of this work for processing graph pattern queries show 45–60% performance gains over systems such as Pig and Hive.
Alternative ways of coupling particle behaviour with fluid dynamics in mineral processing

Research in particulate multiphase hydrodynamics is especially important in mineral processing applications that involve complicated physical processes and complex geometry. Numerous numerical methods have been developed to address the coupling physics. However, there is no single solution for all applications, especially after considering computational costs and model accuracy. This article presents alternative numerical coupling approaches to capture the physics of interest. A one-way coupling of conventional grid-based CFD with discrete element method (DEM) is applied to simulations of slurry pumps. FLUENT is used to compute the fluid field in the pump, which is imported into our DEM code. The DEM is used to capture dynamics of the detailed behaviour of individual solid particles, including inter-particle collisions and particle impacts into structure (boundaries). A Lagrangian-Lagrangian multiphase model is proposed for simulation of dense particulate flows in a grinding mill. This work is motivated by developing totally meshfree approaches for particulate flows due to complex and rotating geometry in many pieces of equipment in the mining industry. The particle-based multiphase model is an integration of DEM with smooth particle dynamics (SPH). SPH is extended to the multiphase version where an extra variable, volume fraction, is introduced into the governing equation in order to account for interpenetrating multiphase fluid dynamics. The interaction between the solid particles and the fluid phase consists of three contributions: volume fraction, pressure and drag force. The time stepping scheme can be either explicit Euler for speed-up or lower order Runge-Kutta for more accuracy, and the time step is controlled by the Courant condition. The model is applied to a preliminary study of a semi-autogenous grinding mill.
Strategies for reducing medical costs by changing physicians' behavior: efficacy and impact on quality of care.

During the past two decades a great deal has been learned about the role of physicians in generating medical costs and about ways of changing physicians' behavior so as to reduce those costs (8;10;19;30;34). Unfortunately, very little is known about how cost reductions affect the quality of care.
Induction of kidney tubules in mouse metanephrogenic mesenchyme by various embryonic mesenchymal tissues

Abstract Many, but not all, embryonic mesenchymes were found to be inductively active when combined with kidney mesenchyme. Tissues undergoing ossification are particularly active. There is variation in the time-course of appearance of tubules in kidney mesencyme: 2 days for jaw, 4 days for developing bone, and 5–6 days for salivary mesenchyme or somite.
Transcriptional Cofactors Exhibit Differential Preference toward Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors α and δ in Uterine Cells

We previously showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta) is crucial for embryo implantation as a receptor for cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostacyclin in mice. PPARs belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily. They form heterodimer with a retinoid X receptor, recruit transcriptional cofactors, and bind to a specific recognition element for regulation of target genes. Although cofactors are generally shared by various nuclear receptors, some are involved in cell-specific events. The objective of this investigation was to examine interactions of transcriptional cofactors with PPARdelta in uterine cells for its effectiveness in regulating gene expression. We chose two uterine cellular systems: periimplantation mouse uterus and AN(3)CA human uterine cell line. As examined by in situ hybridization, steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-2, SRC-3, PPAR-interacting protein, receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140), nuclear receptor corepressor (N-CoR), and silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) exhibit overlapping expression with that of PPARdelta in the periimplantation mouse uterus. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays show that PPARdelta physically interacts with SRC 1-3, RIP140, PPAR-binding protein, N-CoR, and SMRT in the absence of ligands, suggesting their potent interactions with PPARdelta. Transient transfection assays in AN(3)CA cells show that among members of the SRC family, only SRC-2 serves as a true coactivator for PPARdelta, whereas all SRC members could enhance PPARalpha-induced transcriptional activation. Interestingly, N-CoR and SMRT potently repress PPARdelta-induced transcriptional activation but fail to repress PPARalpha activity. RIP140 is effective in repressing basal and PPAR-induced transcriptional activation. Collectively, the results suggest that gene regulation by PPARdelta in the uterine cells uniquely responds to SRC-2, N-CoR, SMRT, or RIP140, and these interactions may be operative during implantation when these cofactors are abundantly expressed.
Spectroscopic Investigation of Even-Even Neutron-Deficient Gd Isotopes

Properties of levels in $^{146}\mathrm{Gd}$, $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$, and $^{150}\mathrm{Gd}$ have been investigated both by observing the electron-capture decay of $^{148}\mathrm{Tb}$ and $^{150}\mathrm{Tb}$ as well as the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions following the ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, \mathrm{xn}$) reactions on $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ and $^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$ targets. Decay schemes were constructed or confirmed. The angular distributions of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ lines with respect to the beam direction enabled spin assignments for most states. Searches for isomerism revealed lifetimes of ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}=17.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.0$ nsec and ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}=9.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.0$ nsec, respectively, for the ${8}^{+}$ 2689-keV level in $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$ and the ${6}^{+}$ 2981-keV state in $^{146}\mathrm{Gd}$ and indicate a particle character for these states. An upper limit of 5 nsec was derived for the half-lives of any level reached in $^{150}\mathrm{Gd}$. The decay schemes of $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$ and $^{150}\mathrm{Gd}$ are similar to those of the neighboring neutron-deficient nuclei, e.g. $^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$ and $^{146}\mathrm{Nd}$. The low-lying negative-parity states observed may represent a collective sequence based on a ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state.