cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Right Ventricular Volumetric and Afterload Indices for Risk Stratification in Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot.

Right ventricular (RV) volume overload due to chronic pulmonary regurgitation is the common mechanism for hemodynamic deterioration after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. As a result, RV volumetric indices are used for clinical risk stratification in this population. Since RV afterload is a determinant of RV hemodynamic performance, we hypothesized that afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices will have a better correlation with disease severity compared with RV volumetric indices alone in patients with TOF. Cross-sectional study of adults with previous TOF repair that received care at Mayo Clinic, 2002-2015. We defined disease severity as atrial arrhythmia and/or impaired exercise capacity. We created afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices by indexing these indices to RV systolic pressure (RVSP) as follows: RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi)/RVSP, RV end-systolic volume (RVESVi)/RVSP, and RV ejection fraction (RVEF)/RVSP. The RV volumetric indices were: RVEDVi 141 ± 43 ml/m2, RVESVi 79 ± 38 ml/m2, and RVEF 44 ± 10%, and RVSP was 48 ± 9 mm Hg. RVESVi was the only RV volumetric parameter that was associated with disease severity (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.32, p = 0.041) with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.612. In contrast RVEF/RVSP (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92, p = 0.037, AUC 0.649), and RVESVi/RVSP (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.55, p = 0.008, AUC 0.798) were associated with disease severity. Compared with RV volumetric indices alone, the combined RV volumetric and afterload indices had better correlation with disease severity as measured by AUC. Afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices had better correlation with disease severity, and may potentially improve risk stratification in this population.
Physiologic stress among surgeons who take in-house call

Abstract Introduction Burnout and depression is higher in trauma surgeons as compared to surgeons in other specialties. Clinical practice for many acute care surgeons (ACS) includes in-house call (IHC). The goal of this study was to quantitate physiologic stress among ACS who take IHC. Methods ACS with IHC responsibilities from two Level I trauma centers were studied. Participants wore a fitness and heart rate variability (HRV) device over 3 months. HRV was categorized as normal if 85% of baseline, moderate stress when HRV 50%, and high stress when HRV Results 1421 nights were recorded among 17 surgeons (35.3% female; mean age 45.5 years). Excluding IHC, mean HRV = 32.23, and 95.63% of days were consistent with moderate or high stress. Post-call day 2 had significantly highest percentage of high stress (65.82%, p = 0.0495). High and moderate stress levels returned to baseline on post-call day 3. Conclusions High and moderate stress beyond IHC is common among ACS. Future study is needed to determine consequences of persistent stress and identify factors which impact recovery after IHC.
Cryptocurrency Economics and the Taxation of Block Rewards

This report argues that including proof-of-stake cryptocurrency block rewards in gross income when the reward tokens are first created results in inequitable taxation and would discourage U.S. taxpayers from participating in this new technology. The better approach is to tax reward tokens when they are sold or exchanged. In this two-part report, Sutherland proposes a single taxation policy for all public cryptocurrencies. Focusing on the mechanics of proof-of-stake networks and the economic incentives underlying their maintenance, Sutherland, in the first installment, begins to make the case that reward tokens should be taxed when they are sold or exchanged, not when they’re created. In the second installment, Sutherland explores options for the equitable taxation of cryptocurrency reward tokens based on existing policies and principles. He concludes that for both proof-of-work and proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies, the best approach is to tax reward tokens only when they are sold or exchanged. Although cryptocurrency would benefit from legislative and regulatory clarity and certainty, the report also argues that in the meantime no act of Congress or new Treasury regulation is required to ensure the proper taxation of block rewards.
Regional Policy Analysis in the Era of Spatial Big Data

New and expanding sources of spatial big data hold tremendous potential for regional policy analysis. Such data enable us to analyze regional policies in ways not possible with traditional sources of data, such as administrative records. At the same time, the use of spatial big data is fraught with issues and challenges that must be addressed. In this paper, we discuss both the opportunities and challenges of using spatial big data for regional policy analysis. We also explore analytical issues tied to the use of regional policy analysis methods in the era of big data, as well as the state of art in applying such methods to spatial big data. Our discussion focusses on three types of methods: (1) statistical and regression modeling, (2) traditional nonparametric modeling, and (3) deep neural learning.
Cancer-work management during active treatment: towards a conceptual framework.

Forward progress in cancer treatment has resulted in fewer adverse consequences of cancer during and after treatment, offering employed cancer patients the possibility of continuing to work during treatment, returning to work after treatment, or implementing a combination of strategies to manage the cancer–work interface. Yet, much of the research on cancer and employment examines return to work as the primary outcome, neglecting to consider the circumstances of survivors who maintain employment while engaged in active treatment. We introduce the Cancer–Work Management Framework (CWMF), a conceptual framework for understanding the cancer and job demands survivors who continue to work during active treatment experience and how cancer and job resources and strategies could promote cancer–work fit and ultimately optimize employment and health outcomes. We provide an overview of the research describing the cancer–work management experiences of survivors who maintain employment during active treatment and summarize the theories that informed the CWMF including ecological systems, boundary-spanning, and job demands and resources theories. The paper presents a description of the components of the CWMF which include cancer demands, cancer care resources and strategies, work demands, and workplace resources. We also describe a process—cancer–work fit—that reflects the interplay between demands and resources influence employment and health outcomes. Future research directions for developing knowledge about the cancer–work management process are proposed with suggestions for study of how cancer and job demands influence cancer treatment and employment decisions.
The role of polymer mechanochemistry in responsive materials and additive manufacturing

The use of mechanical forces to chemically transform polymers dates back decades. In recent years, the use of mechanochemistry to direct constructive transformations in polymers has resulted in a range of engineered molecular responses that span optical, mechanical, electronic and thermal properties. The chemistry that has been developed is now well positioned for use in materials science, polymer physics, mechanics and additive manufacturing. Here, we review the historical backdrop of polymer mechanochemistry, give an overview of the existing toolbox of mechanophores and associated theoretical methods, and speculate as to emerging opportunities in materials science for which current capabilities are seemingly well suited. Non-linear mechanical responses and internal, amplifying stimulus–response feedback loops, including those enabled by, or coupled to, microstructured metamaterial architectures, are seen as particularly promising. Polymer mechanochemistry converts mechanical forces in materials to chemical reactions through the response of functional groups known as mechanophores. This Review discusses the colorimetric, mechanical, chemical and electronic responses of mechanophores that may be useful in materials for strain sensing and strengthening, soft devices and additive manufacturing.
Versatile Phosphate Diester-Based Flame Retardant Vitrimers via Catalyst-Free Mixed Transesterification

We herein report a new vitrimer system integrated with UV curability, recyclability, and flame retardancy. Energy-efficiency, sustainability, and safety have been required features for next-generat...
Evaluating the potential of carbonate sub-facies classification using NMR longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratio

While the well log-based lithology classiﬁcation has been extensively utilized in reservoir characterization, the classiﬁcation of carbonate sub-facies remains challenging due to the subtle nuances in conventional well-logs. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) log provides extra information of pore size and pore geometry features, improving differentiating carbonate sub-facies. Here we explore the feasibility of using the ratio between NMR longitudinal relaxation time and transverse relaxation time as a potential lithology indicator to determine carbonate sub-facies. We analyzed a series of logging data and corresponding core samples of Arbuckle Group carbonate containing mudstone, packstone, grainstone, incipient breccia, and breccia in northern Kansas for the characteristics of longitudinal relaxation times, transverse relaxation times, and longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios. The results show that mudstone, packstone, and grainstone exhibit high, intermediate, and low longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios, respectively, while incipient breccia and breccia have a wide range of longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of using longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios to classify carbonate sub-facies using multivariate analysis. By adding longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios to neutron porosity, total gamma-ray, and conductivity logs as inputs of automated facies classiﬁcation, the prediction error decreased, especially for incipient breccia. On the contrary, when photoelectric log and computed gamma-ray are also available, adding longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios does not improve the accuracy of sub-facies classiﬁcation. Our results suggest that longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratio is an independent lithology indicator. However, it cannot replace other logs like gamma-ray and photoelectric logs in classifying carbonate sub-facies. Our study provided valuable evidence and credible elucidation of the importance and physicochemical mechanism of longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratios, which is essential for deciphering NMR logging data in carbonate reservoirs. Cited as : Zhang, F., Zhang, C. Evaluating the potential of carbonate sub-facies classification using NMR longitudinal over transverse relaxation time ratio. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2021, 5(1): 87-103, doi: 10.46690/ager.2021.01.09
Streptococcus iniae biofilm formation enhances environmental persistence and resistance to antimicrobials and disinfectants

Abstract The globally distributed bacterium Streptococcus iniae is responsible for outbreaks of disease resulting in high mortality in a wide range of economically important freshwater and marine fish species. Despite the significance of S. iniae, our understanding of its transmission and infection dynamics remains incomplete. Biofilms are important for the survival and pathogenesis of many bacteria, but there is a paucity of information on their role in the ex-host persistence of S. iniae. This study aimed to compare biofilm formation by isolates representing different S. iniae genotypes and to investigate the effect of biofilm formation on environmental persistence and resistance to common disinfectants and antimicrobials. Eleven clinical isolates of S. iniae representing 4 distinct genetic groups and diverse host types were assessed for their ability to form biofilms. Planktonic bacteria or mature biofilms were exposed to in vitro aquatic microcosms of different temperatures to quantify the number of culturable bacteria in each system over time. The minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assay® system was used to determine biofilm resistance to 18 antimicrobials and 4 disinfectants commonly used in food producing animals and aquaculture, respectively. All isolates formed biofilms within 72 h. Bacteria remained culturable notably longer in the biofilm form compared to the planktonic, with a significant impact from temperature and salinity (p
The 'No Collusion' Rule

Federal courts have largely permitted “tacit collusion,” the process by which companies use public announcements, investments, and algorithms to raise prices or depress wages without ever coming to an explicit agreement with one another. This has an enormous impact on consumers, on workers, and on democracy as a whole. But barring an unexpected reinterpretation of the Sherman Act at the Supreme Court, those who hope to prevent tacit collusion must find new tools to do so. This Article proposes one such tool: rulemaking at the Federal Trade Commission. A “No Collusion” Rule would prevent a firm from raising its prices solely because a competitor has done so. Under the rule, the FTC would be empowered to bring enforcement actions against those who engage in such unfair methods of competition. Defendants could defeat these actions by showing that their price in-creases were not solely motivated by their competitors’ parallel behavior. In proposing the rule, this Article fills an important gap in the academic literature. A long line of scholarship beginning with Richard Posner has examined the problem and forms of tacit collusion, but to date, no one has deeply considered FTC rulemaking as a means to address it. More recently, advocates of the “Neo-Brandeisian” or “hipster” school of antitrust have revived interest in FTC rulemaking, but so far no one has offered a specific proposal like the one here. This Article connects and extends these disparate lines of scholarship and as such will be of keen interest to both academics and policymakers as antitrust law gains re-newed national attention. This Article proceeds in three parts. Part I describes the twinned problems of increasing industry concentration and tacit collusion, and how federal courts have largely declined to address them. Part II proposes the “`No Collusion Rule,” and both describes the rule itself and how it would be implemented. Part III addresses five key objections, namely that the FTC lacks authority to promulgate the rule, that the rule is unnecessary, that it is too broad (or too narrow), that it is impossible to administer, and that tacit collusion is good. Note: The opinions in this Article are my own and do not reflect those of the Department of Justice. The discussion that follows is based solely on public information learned outside my government service.
Landscape Models of Complex Change

This chapter reviews recent advances in the NK modeling literature conceptualizing organizational change and innovation as a search over a complex landscape. It discusses both strengths and limitations of this perspective and delineates potential for future research directions. The key argument is that the NK model in its traditional form may be exhausting its theoretical insights that it can provide to the field. However, substantial modifications and extensions of the NK model or new classes of landscape models may provide fresh perspectives. Specifically, we consider the modeling efforts that endogenize the landscape construction as the next frontier in this literature. We also discuss several recent studies that incorporate various extensions of the NK model and allow for agent-driven changes to the landscape
Conclusion – What Have we Learned?

The key purpose of this book is to examine the need for accurate personnel data, identify barriers and provide solutions to supply good quality data that can be used for sound decision-making. Good quality data are the backbone of any organization and impacts institutional decision-making capacity, which in-turn impacts policies at all levels of an organization (Strong, Lee, & Wang, 1997). Thus, the importance of accurate human resources data cannot be underestimated. The data can be used for operational and compliance purposes since public entities are responsible for reporting employee data to the federal and state agencies. Any sizable public organization will need to have an information system to manage human resources information. However, there are several challenges in getting good quality data as indicated by this research. HRIS in the public sector is often used for data collection and storage more than for strategic decision-making (Beadles et al., 2005; Kovach & Cathcart, 1999). According to Guan et al. (2002, p. 174) “what is needed in developing effective information support for institutional decision making is a ‘paradigm shift’ that re-conceptualizes information systems as critical to decision making.”
Mycobacterium fortuitum abortion in a sow.

Two aborted Chester White pig fetuses were presented to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Illinois. Postmortem examination identified no gross abnormalities. Histologic evaluation revealed mult...
Engineering antigen-specific T cells for in vivo imaging: A study of the dynamic biological interactions in anti-tumor immunity

5532A Immunotherapy with adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells has anti-tumor activity in melanoma, but questions remain regarding the biology of the T cell responses, especially the kinetics of its anti-tumor effects. We engineered lymphocytes to express a transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) specific to a melanoma antigen and a PET reporter gene to be used in an adoptive transfer model to study TCR transgenic cells targeting melanoma tumors in vivo. A tetracistronic lentiviral vector was engineered to express the alpha and beta chains of a hybrid murine/human TCR specific for the endogenous melanoma antigen tyrosinase (Tyr), along with a modified HSV1-tk with higher affinity for nucleotide analogues (sr39tk) used as PET reporter gene, which was fused to the GFP marker. The transgenes were interspaced with picornavirus-derived highly efficient self-cleaving 2A-like sequences to allow balanced protein expression. The hybrid TCR chains contained murine constant regions and human variable regions specific for human HLA-A2.1, allowing the specific recognition of HLA-A2.1-restricted peptides. Transduction of ex vivo activated splenocytes with concentrated lentivirus stocks (titer range of 1.5-3.2 x 10e8 infection units/ml) demonstrated correct expression of Tyr-specific TCR as assessed by flow-cytometry with anti-Vbeta12 staining and Tyr (368-376) tetramer assays, with transduction efficiency of 12-32% at M.O.I.=15 . The functionality of sr39tk was confirmed with 3H-penciclovir uptake and ganciclovir cell killing assays, demonstrating its use as both PET reporter and suicide gene. The cleavage efficiency of the 2A-like sequences was assessed by immunoblotting, which indicated more than 90% correct cleavage of the protein products. Transduced murine splenocytes stimulated with EL4 murine lymphoma stably transduced with HLA-A2.1/Kb (EL4-A2.1/Kb) pulsed with Tyr (368-376) showed higher IFN-gamma-producing cells in comparison to control cells in an ELISPOT assay (30.4 vs. 1.6 spots/1x10e5 cells, P
Plasma insulin response during oral glucose tolerance tests in newborns of normal and gestational diabetic mothers.

The plasma insulin, growth hormone, free fatty acids (FFA), and blood glucose responses to the oral ingestion of glucose were studied in eight infants of gestational diabetic mothers (IGDM) and in 11 normal newborns during the first 24 hours of life. Fasting blood sugars and growth hormone values were similar in the IGDM and the normal. Fasting plasma insulin values were significantly higher (14 ± 2 µU/ml) in the IGDM than those in the normal (7 ± 1 µU/ml), and FFA values were significantly lower (1268 ± 42 µEq/l versus 1627 ± 155 µEq/l). Blood glucose values at each sampling interval after the ingestion of glucose were significantly lower in the IGDM than those in the normal. Plasma insulin responses were prompt in the IGDM and delayed in the normal newborns; corresponding values at 30 minutes were 30 ± 6 µU/ml in the IGDM and 15 ± 3 µU/ml in the normals.
Pneumopericarditis: A Case of Acute Chest Pain with ST Segment Elevation

Pneumopericarditis describes a clinical scenario where fluid and air are found within the pericardial space. Although infrequent, pneumopericarditis should be considered in patients presenting with acute chest pain as a differential diagnosis. This is relevant in patients with history of upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, as this may lead to a fistula communicating the GI tract and the pericardium. We report a 42-year-old man with history of numerous surgical interventions related to a Nissen fundoplication that presented with acute chest pain and inferior lead ST segment elevations. Emergent coronary angiography was negative for coronary vascular disease but fluoroscopy revealed air in the pericardial space. Subsequent radiographic studies helped confirm air in the pericardial space with a fistulous communication to the stomach. Ultimate treatment for this defect was surgical closure.
Nutritional and Clinical Management of Chronic Conditions and Diseases

CHRONIC CONDITIONS: CHILDHOOD OBESITY, Rebecka Peebles and Lawrence D. Hammer MEDICAL WEIGHT CONTROL IN THE ADULT PATIENT, Jeanette Newton Keith and Lori Rowell ADULT OBESITY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BARIATRIC SURGERY, Nitya Srinivasan Sharma, Annamaria Calleo-Cross, and Louis J. Aronne NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF THE ELDERLY, Lorraine S. Young and Caroline M. Apovian FOOD ALLERGY, Abba I. Terr NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY AND LACTATION, Michelle G. Brenner and Jatinder Bhatia FACILITATING PATIENT BEHAVIOR CHANGE IN CLINICAL NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT, Richard K. Fleming, Carol Curtin, and Linda Bandini SPECIFIC DISEASE CONDITONS: GENETIC DISEASES AND ERRORS OF METABOLISM, Kimberlee Michals Matalon and Reuben Matalon MALNUTRITION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, R. K. Chandra NUTRITIONAL AND DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ORAL DISEASES, Jason M. Tanzer and Jill Livingston DERMATOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Meagen M. McCusker, Constance J. Marcy, Marti J. Rothe, and Jane M. Grant-Kels NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT IN THE PATIENT AND WITH AN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER, Marcus Ferrone and James S. Scolapio NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF CACHEXIA OF CHRONIC ILLNESS, David Frankenfield and J. Stanley Smith INDEX
Kroll, Murakami, and Seneviratne Receive 2013 James B. Macelwane Medals: Citation for Motohiko Murakami

The James B. Macelwane Medal of AGU is presented to Motohiko Murakami for his discovery of the postperovskite phase of MgSiO3, for a new class of sound velocity measurements under lower mantle pressure-temperature conditions that have changed our view of whole-Earth chemistry, and for other fundamental contributions that have furthered our understanding of the Earth's deep interior.
Macaque salivary proline-rich protein: structure, evolution, and expression.

Proline-rich proteins areafamily ofproteins that exhibit unique features including anunusual high proline content andsalivary-specificity. Asa major constituent inthesalivary secretion ofhigher primates, proline-rich proteins may have biological roles inoral lubrication andprotection. Inthis article, thegenomic structure andregulation bycAMPofoneofthe macaque salivary proline-rich protein genes,MnP4,isreviewed. Theevolution ofthis multigene family ofproteins isalso discussed.
Rat intestinal and hepatic ferritin subunit expression during development and after dietary iron feeding

Ferritin consists of 24 heavy (H) and light (L) subunits in varying proportions in different tissues and plays a significant role in iron metabolism. We studied rat ferritin subunit expression in the duodenum and liver during early life, when a cycle of iron depletion and repletion occurs. In both tissues, ferritin contents decreased to low levels from day 3 to day 12. The ferritin on day 3 had an H/L mRNA ration of 0.9 and an H/L subunit ratio of 0.6. The decrease of tissue ferritin levels, but not mRNA, on day 12 suggests translational repression consistent with iron depletion. In the duodenum, a twofold increase in both H and mRNA and subunit protein occurred on day 18. The subsequent increase of H mRNA was accompanied by a 50% decrease in L mRNA, resulting in the increase of H/L mRNA and subunit ratios to 7.9 and 9, respectively, by day 32. In contrast, liver H/L mRNA and subunit ratios were similar throughout development. The possibility that dietary iron regulates duodenal ferritin subunit expression was investigated. When day 12 rats were fed 6 ml of a milk formula containing 56 microgram/ml iron for 18 h, dietary iron increased the duodenal levels of L mRNA but not H mRNA. In contrast, hepatic H and L mRNA levels did not change. Dietary iron promoted greater increases in ferritin protein than mRNA in both tissues. Thus a shift from L-rich to H-rich ferritin isoforms occurs in the duodenum but not in the liver during neonatal development. This change is regulated at the pretranslational level and is independent of dietary iron.
Functional interactions between OCA2 and the protein complexes BLOC-1, BLOC-2, and AP-3 inferred from epistatic analyses of mouse coat pigmentation.

The biogenesis of melanosomes is a multi-stage process that requires the function of cell-type-specific and ubiquitously expressed proteins. OCA2, the product of the gene defective in oculocutaneous albinism type 2, is a melanosomal membrane protein with restricted expression pattern and a potential role in the trafficking of other proteins to melanosomes. The ubiquitous protein complexes AP-3, BLOC-1 and BLOC-2, which contain as subunits the products of genes defective in various types of Hermanksy-Pudlak syndrome, have been likewise implicated in trafficking to melanosomes. We have tested for genetic interactions between mutant alleles causing deficiency in OCA2 (pink-eyed dilution unstable), AP-3 (pearl), BLOC-1 (pallid) and BLOC-2 (cocoa) in C57BL/6J mice. The pallid allele was epistatic to pink-eyed dilution, and the latter behaved as a semi-dominant phenotypic enhancer of cocoa and, to a lesser extent, of pearl. These observations suggest functional links between OCA2 and these three protein complexes involved in melanosome biogenesis.
Dissolution Rate Enhancement, Design and Development of Buccal Drug Delivery of Darifenacin Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes.

Darifenacin is a urinary antispasmodic. The oral absorption of darifenacin is poor due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability (15–19%). Darifenacin was complexed with hydroxylropyl beta-cyclodextrin (Hpβ-CD). The best results were obtained with the coevaporation that interacts in a 1 : 1 drug : cyclodextrin molar ratio. The solid inclusion complexes were found to be amorphous in the characterization. The dissolution rate of darifenacin from the Hpβ-CD solid inclusion complex was increased compared to the powdered drug. The controlled release buccoadhesive patches for the delivery of darifenacin were prepared using HPMC K100M CR and HPMC K15. The coevaporation complex of the drug was used in the formulation due to its increased saturation solubility and increased ease of dissolution. The patches were evaluated for their surface pH, folding endurance, swelling, mucoadhesive properties, in vitro residence time, vapour transmission test, and in vitro and ex vivo release studies. Formulations Hb2 (2%) and Pb4 (4%) were found to be optimized. These two formulations can be used for buccal delivery of darifenacin which avoids first pass effect and leads to increased bioavailability of darifenacin.
Optimal capacitor placement for distribution feeder maximum savings

This paper illustrates the process used for capacitor placement on an existing radial distribution feeder with an objective of reducing the downstream power loss while minimizing total cost. The Loss Sensitivity Factors are used to determine the candidate buses for capacitor placement and an experimental methodology is used to find the exact optimal capacitors locations and capacitors sizes. The method is tested on an existing 13.2kV feeder. Simulation is done using CYME and results are presented.
Nonexponential networks of queues: a maximum entropy analysis

We will propose a new, iterative method for approximately analyzing closed networks of queues with nonexponential service time distributions and FCFS scheduling. Our method is based on the Principle of Maximum Entropy and produces results which, first, are consistent with the fundamental Work Rate Theorem and, second, are exact for separable networks of queues. Considering accuracy and execution time characteristics, our method offers a viable alternative to Marie's homogeneous approximation method.
OBOC Small-Molecule Combinatorial Library Encoded by Halogenated Mass-Tags

[reaction: see text] A bromine-/chlorine-containing mass-tag encoding strategy for a small-molecule OBOC combinatorial library is reported. The resulting MALDI FTMS isotope pattern of each tag clearly defines the component building blocks of each "hit" bead in an 1890-member demonstration library screened on-bead for binding against streptavidin via both enzyme-linked colorimetric and Quantum Dot/COPAS assays.
A numerical scheme for initial compliance and creep response of a system

Abstract This paper is an extension of a previous paper [Yuan, L., Agrawal, O. P., 2002. A numerical scheme for dynamic systems containing fractional derivatives. Journal of Vibration and Acoustics 124, 321–324] in which we demonstrated that a fractional differential equation (FDE) governing the dynamics of a system could be transformed into a set of differential equations with no fractional derivative terms. We developed a memory free formulation (MFF) for FDEs and eliminated the need of storing long memory. In this paper, we reexamine the MFF for FDEs and address some of the concerns raised by various authors about the formulation. The new formulation allows accurate computation of initial compliance and creep response of a system for a long duration. The performance of the scheme is demonstrated using an example. Possible future directions of research are discussed. It is hoped that the benefits of the MFF for FDEs will initiate further research in this direction.
Dermal Damage Promoted by Repeated Low-Level UV-A1 Exposure Despite Tanning Response in Human Skin

Importance Solar UV irradiation causes photoaging, characterized by fragmentation and reduced production of type I collagen fibrils that provide strength to skin. Exposure to UV-B irradiation (280-320 nm) causes these changes by inducing matrix metalloproteinase 1 and suppressing type I collagen synthesis. The role of UV-A irradiation (320-400 nm) in promoting similar molecular alterations is less clear yet important to consider because it is 10 to 100 times more abundant in natural sunlight than UV-B irradiation and penetrates deeper into the dermis than UV-B irradiation. Most (approximately 75%) of solar UV-A irradiation is composed of UV-A1 irradiation (340-400 nm), which is also the primary component of tanning beds. Objective To evaluate the effects of low levels of UV-A1 irradiation, as might be encountered in daily life, on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and type I procollagen (the precursor of type I collagen). Design, Setting, and Participants In vivo biochemical analyses were conducted after UV-A1 irradiation of normal human skin at an academic referral center. Participants included 22 healthy individuals without skin disease. Main Outcomes and Measures Skin pigmentation was measured by a color meter (chromometer) under the L* variable (luminescence), which ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white). Gene expression in skin samples was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Lightly pigmented human skin (L* >65) was exposed up to 4 times (1 exposure/d) to UV-A1 irradiation at a low dose (20 J/cm 2 ), mimicking UV-A levels from strong sun exposure lasting approximately 2 hours. A single exposure to low-dose UV-A1 irradiation darkened skin slightly and did not alter matrix metalloproteinase 1 or type I procollagen gene expression. With repeated low-dose UV-A1 irradiation, skin darkened incrementally with each exposure. Despite this darkening, 2 or more exposures to low-dose UV-A1 irradiation significantly induced matrix metalloproteinase 1 gene expression, which increased progressively with successive exposures. Repeated UV-A1 exposures did not suppress type I procollagen expression. Conclusions and Relevance A limited number of low-dose UV-A1 exposures, as commonly experienced in daily life, potentially promotes photoaging by affecting breakdown, rather than synthesis, of collagen. Progressive skin darkening in response to repeated low-dose UV-A1 exposures in lightly pigmented individuals does not prevent UV-A1–induced collagenolytic changes. Therefore, for optimal protection against skin damage, sunscreen formulations should filter all UV wavelengths, including UV-A1 irradiation.
Men Older Than 70 Years Have Higher Risk Prostate Cancer and Poorer Survival in the Early and Late Prostate Specific Antigen Eras

Purpose: We clarified whether men older than 70 years have a higher risk of prostate cancer and poorer survival in the early and late prostate specific antigen eras.Materials and Methods: A cohort of 4,561 men who underwent radical prostatectomy were stratified into 3 age groups (younger than 60, 60 to 70 and older than 70 years), and early and late prostate specific antigen eras based on the year of surgery (before 2000 and 2000 or later). Race, body mass index, prostate specific antigen, prostate weight, tumor volume, pathological Gleason sum, pathological tumor stage, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion and surgical margin status were submitted for univariate and multivariable analyses against the previously mentioned groups. Survivals (prostate specific antigen recurrence, distant metastasis and disease specific death) were compared among the 3 age groups using univariate and multivariable methods.Results: Compared with younger age groups (younger than 60, 60 to 70 years) men older than ...
Silica Glass Based Nonlinear Optical Fibers

This paper reviews silica glass based nonlinear optical fiber designs for signal processing using optical Kerr effect. The requirements for designing nonlinear fibers are described first. Then the design concept is discussed and design examples are shown to illustrate the tradeoffs among the different fiber properties such as effective area, dispersion and attenuation. Furthermore, fiber designs with distributed Brillouin frequency shift to mitigate the effect of simulated Brillouin scattering in nonlinear fibers are discussed in detail. SBS threshold increase of 7 dB over conventional nonlinear fibers is experimentally demonstrated.
Fostering Resilience Among Youth in Inner City Community Arts Centers The Case of the Artists Collective

Growing up in an inner city environment can inhibit healthy development and have detrimental consequences for children and adolescents such as increased risks for many social and psychological problems. This article explores the role of community arts centers in fostering resilience among youth living in the inner city. A review of the literature of risk factors associated with growing up in an inner city environment provides a rationale for the need for interventions that promote resilience by creating a refuge from the surrounding poverty and violence, and which strengthen youth’s personal and social resources. We examine the case of the Artists Collective, an inner city community arts center in Hartford, Connecticut, and propose that there are three components of community arts centers that contribute to youths’ resilience. First, features of the physical space promote resilience. Second, they are a place where prosocial relationships and social capital contributing to resilient functioning can be form...
Detector Identification in a 4×4 BGO Crystal Array Coupled to Two Dual PMTS for High Resolution Positron Emission Tomography

A detector identification technique for a detector assembly in which sixteen BGO crystals are packed in a 4×4 array and coupled to two dual PMTs has been developed for high resolution and high sensitivity multilayer positron emission tomography. This allows dense packing of small BGO crystals which is essential to the achievement of high resolution not only in the transaxial plane but also in the axial direction. Experimental results on the timing and detector identification are presented.
Global force balance of region 1 current system

Abstract At times of strong solar wind forcing such as those that produce major magnetic storms, the region 1 current system dominates over the Chapman–Ferraro current system in mediating the transfer of force between the solar wind and the terrestrial system. The global force balance can be broken into two components, one involving the high-altitude part of the region 1 current system that is in contact with the solar wind (labeled here the HRS) and the other involving the low-altitude part of the region 1 current system that lies in the ionosphere (the LRS). Both communicate their J × B force to the geomagnetic dipole via a gradient in the magnetic field that they generate. In the HRS case the force acts to push the dipole away from the sun. This is the region 1 analog of the Chapman–Ferraro mechanism for transmitting the solar wind's force to the Earth. However, in the LRS case, the force (which is much stronger than in the HRS case) acts to push the dipole toward the sun, seemingly paradoxically. The LRS balances the ‘paradoxical’ sunward force on the dipole with an opposite force on the atmosphere. This paper uses MHD simulations to demonstrate the presence of both the normal force-transmitting gradient generated by the Chapman–Ferraro and the counter-Chapman–Ferraro gradient in the magnetic field generated by the region 1 current system.
Polygyny and Child Survival in Nigeria: Age-dependent Effects

Mortality risks under age five are estimated using data from the 1990 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey for children in monogamous and polygynous families. Integrating existing theories on polygyny’s relationship with infant and child mortality and some demographic concepts, the study shows that polygyny has different effects on infant and child mortality at different ages. The results indicate that polygyny does not have a significant effect on neonatal mortality (age less than one month). In contrast to the results of previous research, polygyny is significantly associated with lower child mortality during the post-neonatal period (1–11 months), but not during childhood (12–59 months). The study found socio-economic factors to be important confounders of the relationship between polygyny and mortality during the neonatal and post-neonatal periods. The protective effect of polygyny during the post-neonatal period suggests the need to further investigate circumstances that may favour post-neonatal child survival in polygynous families including availability of childcare.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDIES ON THE NORMAL IMPACT OF MICROSPHERES WITH SURFACES

Abstract Experiments investigating the normal impact of polydisperse microspheres with surfaces have been carried out. The incident and rebound normal velocity components and particle size were measured using the phase Doppler approach. Incident normal velocities were near those required for capture by the surface. The numerical simulation approach developed by Brach and Dunn (1995, Aerosol Sci. Technol . 23, 51–71), was improved and applied to analyze the polydisperse microsphere normal impact data. This improved approach was justified through comparisons with the monodisperse microsphere normal impact data of Wall et al . (1990, Aerosol Sci. Technol . 12, 926–946) and of Dahneke (1975, J . Colloid Interface Sci . 51, 58–65).
Monoclonal Antibody Analysis of T-Lymphocyte Subsets in Young and Aged Adults

Eleven monoclonal antibodies identifying surface antigens present on human T lymphocytes were utilized to investigate the effects of advanced age on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. Both the proportion and number of lymphocytes recognized by five antibodies reactive with 'pan' T cell antigens (OKT3, OKT11, Leu4, T101 and Lyt3) decreased with age. The percentage of helper/inducer(OKT4+, Leu3a+) cells remained constant; however the proportion of Leu2a+, suppressor/cytotoxic cells declined. There was no change with age in the percent representation of OKT9+ or OKT10+ cells, nor in the ratio of helper/inducer to suppressor/cytotoxic cells (OKT4+/OKT8+ or Leu3a+ /Leu2a+). Absolute numbers of helper/inducer (OKT4+, Leu3a+), suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+, Leu2a+), OKT9+ and OKT10+ cells were lower in elderly individuals as the result of lymphocytes constituting a lower percentage of the peripheral blood white cell population in this age group. While only small differences existed between the lymphocyte populat...
Working on the Weekend: Fathers' Time With Family in the United Kingdom

Whereas most resident fathers are able to spend more time with their children on weekends than on weekdays, many fathers work on the weekends spending less time with their children on these days. There are conflicting findings about whether fathers are able to make up for lost weekend time on weekdays. Using unique features of the United Kingdom’s National Survey of Time Use 2000 (UKTUS) I examine the impact of fathers’ weekend work on the time fathers spend with their children, family, and partners (N = 595 fathers). I find that weekend work is common among fathers and is associated with less time with children, families, and partners. Fathers do not recover lost time with children on weekdays, largely because weekend work is a symptom of overwork. Findings also reveal that even if fathers had compensatory time, they are unlikely to recover lost time spent as a family or couple.
Regulation of cell-cell adhesion by Abi/Diaphanous complexes.

Actin polymerization provides the driving force for the formation of cell-cell junctions and is mediated by two types of actin nucleators, Arp2/3 and formins. Proteins required for coordinately linking cadherin-mediated adhesion to Arp2/3-dependent versus formin-dependent nucleation have yet to be defined. Here we show a role for Abi, the Abi-binding partner Nap1, and the Nap1-binding protein Sra1 in the regulation of cadherin-dependent adhesion. We found that Abi, which is known to interact with Wave, leading to activation of the Arp2/3 complex, is also capable of interacting with the Diaphanous (Dia)-related formins in the absence of Wave. Knockdown of Abi, Nap1, Sra1, or Dia markedly inhibited cell-cell junctions, whereas knockdown of Wave or Arp2/3 produced mild and transient phenotypes. Dia and Abi colocalized with β-catenin at cell-cell junctions. Further, Dia and Wave bound to overlapping sites on Abi1, and Wave competed with Dia for Abi1 binding. Notably, an active Dia1 C-terminal fragment that localizes to cell-cell junctions rescued the abnormal junctions induced by depletion of Abi or Nap1 in epithelial cells. These findings uncover a novel link between cadherin-mediated adhesion and the regulation of actin dynamics through the requirement for an Abi/Dia complex for the formation and stability of cell-cell junctions.
Grid file concurrency

Abstract The grid file is a partial match search structure which is equally efficient for range queries involving any subset of the attributes of the key of a file. This paper proposes a method of safe correct concurrent access to the grid file, using a minimum number of locks. In particular, searchers are never locked out from any part of the search structure.
Constraints on the depth of generation and emplacement of a magmatic epidote-bearing quartz diorite pluton in the Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia

Petrology and P–T estimates indicate that a magmatic epidote-bearing quartz diorite pluton from Mt. Gamsby, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, was sourced at pressures below ∼1.4 GPa and cooled nearly isobarically at ∼0.9 GPa. The P–T path indicates that the magma was within the stability field of magmatic epidote early and remained there upon final crystallization. The pluton formed and crystallized at depths greater than ∼30 km. REE data indicate that garnet was absent in the melting region and did not fractionate during crystallization. This suggests that the crust was less than or equal to ∼55 km thick at 188 Ma during the early phases of magmatism in the Coast Plutonic Complex. Late Cretaceous contractional deformation and early Tertiary extension exhumed the rocks to upper crustal levels. Textures of magmatic epidote and other magmatic phases, combined with REE data, can be important for constraining the P–T path followed by magmas.
Selection effect of needle exchange in Anchorage, Alaska

Participation bias (selection bias) may be a problem in studies that attempt to evaluate the effects of needle-exchange programs (NEPs). The present study looked at only those injection drug users (IDUs) who were randomly placed in the needle-exchange condition in a two-arm randomized clinical trial of needle exchange. Time to follow-up between the experimental NEP condition (n=296; median=261 days) and pharmacy sales condition (n=304; median=256 days) was not statistically different [χ2(1, N=600)=0.42, P=.52]. Within the NEP condition, a similar analysis comparing time to follow-up between IDUs who used the NEP (n=65; median=199 days) and those who refrained from using the NEP (n=231; median=286 days) was highly significant, χ2(1, n=296)=17.3, P=.0001. The final logistic regression model predicting use of the NEP was the log 10 transformation of the number of times injected heroin in the last 30 days (odds ratio [OR]=4.9, confidence interval [CI] 2.8, 8.9), ever injected amphetamine in the last 30 days (OR=4.9, CI1.09, 22.5), and ever shared injection equipment in the last 30 days (OR=2.9, CI1.5, 5.5). Within the NEP condition, follow-up rates differed between those who used the NEP and those who did not use it. Of drug users randomly assigned to an NEP, the ones who actually used the NEP had higher levels of drug use. Predictors of who used the NEP were consistent with the studies of Hagen et al. This study demonstrates that selection bias occurs among IDUs who use NEPs.
Methods For Exploiting The Relationship Between Buildings And Their Shadows In Aerial Imagery

This paper describes computational techniques for utilizing the relationship between shadows and man-made structures to aid in the automatic extraction of man-made structures from aerial imagery. Four methods are described that perform the prediction of structure shape, grouping of related structures, verification of individual structures, and structure height estimation. In each method the relationship between structure and cast shadows is exploited in a unique fashion. Key issues involve the accurate localization of the structure/shadow boundary and the shadow edge, and attribution of shadow segments to structure hypotheses. We present several examples that show how each method is used within the task of building detection, delineation, and height estimation.