cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Hospital Elder Life Program on Risk of 30‐Day Readmission

Objectives To compare rates of 30-day readmission between hospital units with a Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) and control units without HELP. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting The study took place from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, a 520-bed community teaching hospital that has used HELP since 2002. Eight medical and surgical units with HELP were compared with 10 medical and surgical units without HELP. Participants During the study period, HELP units, had 4,794 patients aged 70 and older, and usual care units had 2,834. Intervention HELP is a multifactorial, multidisciplinary program that provides targeted interventions for delirium risk factors in at-risk individuals in collaboration with bedside staff. Measurements Mixed-effects Poisson regression models were used to estimate the adjusted incident risk ratio for 30-day readmission between HELP and usual care units for the overall cohort and for the subgroup of individuals discharged home, with or without services. Results Patients on HELP units were more likely than those in usual care units to be older, female, and black and had an unadjusted readmission rate of 16.9%, versus 18.9% for patients on control units. The adjusted risk of readmission was 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.73–0.94, P = .003) for HELP unit patients overall and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.63–0.87, P < .001) for HELP unit patients discharged to home with or without services. Conclusion The HELP program is associated with lower risk of 30-day hospital readmission overall and for the subgroup of individuals discharged to home. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Complexity in pH-Dependent Ribozyme Kinetics: Dark pKa Shifts and Wavy Rate–pH Profiles

Charged bases occur in RNA enzymes, or ribozymes, where they play key roles in catalysis. Cationic bases donate protons and perform electrostatic catalysis, while anionic bases accept protons. We previously published simulations of rate–pH profiles for ribozymes in terms of species plots for the general acid and general base that have been useful for understanding how ribozymes respond to pH. In that study, we did not consider interaction between the general acid and general base or interaction with other species on the RNA. Since that report, diverse small ribozyme classes have been discovered, many of which have charged nucleobases or metal ions in the active site that can either directly interact and participate in catalysis or indirectly interact as “influencers”. Herein, we simulate experimental rate–pH profiles in terms of species plots in which reverse protonated charged nucleobases interact. These analyses uncover two surprising features of pH-dependent enzyme kinetics. (1) Cooperativity between t...
Betretenes Schweigen: Vom angeblichen Ende von „Literary Theory“ in den USA

In den meisten literaturwissenschaftlichen Universitatsinstituten der USA wird nach wie vor der Schwerpunkt auf poststrukturalistische Interpretationsmodelle gelegt. Die wohl einflussreichste literaturtheoretische Fachzeitschrift des Landes, Critical Inquiry, hat vor zwei Jahren gezeigt, dass Jaques Derrida der in ihrer Zeitschrift meistzitierte Denker ist. Und trotzdem stosen gangige Literaturtheorien — allen voran die Dekonstruktion — zunehmend auf Kritik. Der Stellenwert, den die Dekonstruktion einst in der amerikanischen Hochschullandschaft innehatte, hat sie eindeutig eingebust. Die Kritik kommt nun nicht mehr nur von reaktionaren Kreisen. Renommierte amerikanische Universitatsverlage veroffentlichen Werke, die den Wert von postmodernen Literaturtheorien generell anzweifeln. Dass die Reaktionen auf jene Werke, die die „Literary Theory“ hochst kritisch bewerten, verhalten ausfallt, macht auf ein Problem in der literaturtheoretischen Praxis in den USA aufmerksam, das nicht ubergangen werden sollte.
Ab Initio Electronic Structure Calculations by Auxiliary-Field Quantum Monte Carlo

The auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (AFQMC) method provides a computational framework for solving the time-independent Schroedinger equation in atoms, molecules, solids, and a variety of model systems by stochastic sampling. We introduce the theory and formalism behind this framework, briefly discuss the key technical steps that turn it into an effective and practical computational method, present several illustrative results, and conclude with comments on the prospects of ab initio computation by this framework.
Probing the Sensitivity of the Orbitrap Lumos Mass Spectrometer Using a Standard Reference Protein in a Complex Background

The use of mass spectrometry as a tool to detect proteins of biological interest has become a cornerstone of proteomics. The popularity of mass spectrometry-based methods has increased along with instrument improvements in detection and speed. The Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer has recently been shown to have better fragmentation and detection than its predecessors. Here, we determined the sensitivity of the Lumos using the NIST monoclonal antibody reference material at various concentrations to detect its peptides in a background of S. cerevisiae whole cell lysate, which was kept at a constant concentration. The data collected by data-dependent acquisition showed that the spiked protein could be detected at 10 pg by an average of 4 peptides in 250 ng of whole cell lysate when the instrument was operated by detecting the peptide masses in the Orbitrap and the fragment masses in the ion trap (FTIT mode). In contrast, when the peptides and fragments were both detected in the Orbitrap on either the ...
Assessment of electron thermodynamic and fluid approximations for collisionless plasma expansion into a wake

A commonly used assumption for modeling electrons in the collisionless plasma expansion into a wake is that the electrons are an ideal gas following a thermodynamic process governed by the polytropic law. The validity and accuracy of this assumption are assessed through a direct comparison between hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) and fully kinetic PIC simulations. The electron thermal energy transfer along with the expansion process is analyzed. It is shown that a collisionless plasma wake can be divided into a fluid-like expansion region and a kinetic expansion region based on the local equilibrium degree of the electrons. In the fluid-like expansion region, the electrons are near equilibrium and almost isothermal, and the accuracy of hybrid PIC in that region can be improved by properly tuning the polytropic coefficient. In the kinetic expansion region, the electrons are strongly nonequilibrium, and the accuracy of hybrid PIC is always poor. Consequently, a fluid model with a polytropic thermodynamic law for electrons is meaningless in that region.A commonly used assumption for modeling electrons in the collisionless plasma expansion into a wake is that the electrons are an ideal gas following a thermodynamic process governed by the polytropic law. The validity and accuracy of this assumption are assessed through a direct comparison between hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) and fully kinetic PIC simulations. The electron thermal energy transfer along with the expansion process is analyzed. It is shown that a collisionless plasma wake can be divided into a fluid-like expansion region and a kinetic expansion region based on the local equilibrium degree of the electrons. In the fluid-like expansion region, the electrons are near equilibrium and almost isothermal, and the accuracy of hybrid PIC in that region can be improved by properly tuning the polytropic coefficient. In the kinetic expansion region, the electrons are strongly nonequilibrium, and the accuracy of hybrid PIC is always poor. Consequently, a fluid model with a polytropic thermodynamic law f...
Abstract 681: Enhanced Notch3 Signaling Contributes to Pulmonary Emphysema in a Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a heritable disorder of connective tissue, caused by mutations in fibrillin-1 gene. Pulmonary emphysema is one of the most common manifestations in MFS. However, the pathog...
Assessment of second-line VEGF-inhibitor therapy in radioiodine-refractory (RAIR) differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

e17064 Background: Multiple small molecule kinase inhibitors that target VEGF are NCCN compendium approved for treatment of recurrent/metastatic RAIR DTC. After first-line therapy that includes VEG...
Complications of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Initial Medical Management and Role of Endoscopy

The two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). UC only involves the colon, while CD can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. UC is frequently complicated by severe colitis and at times fulminant colitis or toxic megacolon. Complications of CD include severe colitis, fibro-stenotic or inflammatory intestinal obstruction, and penetrating diseases of intra-abdominal abscess, fistula, and perianal disease. Medical therapy including corticosteroids and biologic therapies have limited effectiveness, and surgical intervention is frequently indicated. Successful management of these complex IBD complications requires a carefully planned multidisciplinary approach.
Critical infrastructure location under supporting station dependencies considerations

Abstract This paper develops a framework to locate critical infrastructure (CI) facilities to most fully capitalize on the supporting stations (SSs) they depend on for normal operation. CI facilities include health services, transportation and electricity; agencies that impact the national economy, security and the public's health and wellbeing. SSs are facilities that provide essential services for the regular operation of a CI. For instance, the power service, communication services and water supply services are SSs for Hospitals. In this paper SSs are independent from the CIs that they service and have a heterogeneous probability of failure that will cripple the dependent CI. The proposed framework ranks the SS according to its cost of providing service such that the rank-1 SS is the primary service provider and incorporates the probability of failure for the SS. The CI will be served from secondary SS if the primary fails due to a disaster. This formulation insures the continuous service to the CI from SS and determines both the optimal location of the CI and the optimal number of demands served. A mixed integer linear programming approach is applied to develop a Reliable Facility Location Problem considering Supporting Stations (RFLP-SS) to identify the optimal location to build a critical facility. In addition to that, The RFLP-SS determines the capacity of the optimally located facility and its allocated demands. This research highlights the importance of considering dependencies among the SSs that service CI. The paper presents a case study in Puerto Rico to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework. The case study investigates the status of health services in Puerto Rico, and identifies the optimal locations to establish new hospitals. The paper recommends 11 locations for new hospitals so that the people of Puerto Rico will be better served than they are currently.
Diversity in optical coherence tomography normative databases: moving beyond race.

Normative databases of optical coherence tomography (OCT) metrics, such as retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness, are critical to clinical use of OCT imaging. In order to accurately represent the range of normal variation in patient populations, these normative databases must themselves be adequately diverse. Thus far, diversity in OCT normative databases has largely been defined as racial diversity. However, this has largely been based on self-reported “race,” which is inconsistent and generally not scientifically rigorous as a form of categorization. Moreover, there is a great deal of variation even within any single racial group, suggesting that other drivers of variation, such as geography or socioeconomic status, may be more important metrics for diversity. Finally, race itself is a proxy for the biological variation that must be represented in such samples, and as such racial diversity does not itself inherently equate to adequate biologic diversity. As clinical use of OCT continues to grow, including to international settings, it is increasingly important that normative databases built into OCT systems accurately represent the populations to which they are applied. Race is not an ideal sole or even primary means of assessing sample diversity in this context. In future normative OCT database construction, other forms of diversity should be considered.
The Taney Court, 1836-1864: The Jurisprudence of Slavery and the Crisis of the Union

Roger Brooke Taney served as Chief Justice to the United States Supreme Court from 1836 until 1864. In this article, Professor Finkelman discusses the controversial Justice and the impact he had on history. Finkelman argues that “however much we may admire Taney’s personal grace, his clever opinions, and his sometimes brilliant analysis of constitutional issues, his racism, proslavery dogmatism, and secessionist sentiments will remain his legacy.”
“We talked about our hookups”: A diary study of sexual communication among U.S. college women:

For many young women, college is a time of major changes in sexual behavior and attitudes, driven in part by their social environment. Yet little is known about how young women actually talk about ...
With Anchors Aweigh, Synchronous Instruction Preferred by Naval Academy Instructors in Small Undergraduate Chemistry Classes

The U.S. Naval Academy matriculates ∼1,100 new undergraduate students each year, all of whom are required to complete two semesters of introductory chemistry, regardless of major selection. Thus, e...
Editorial: What are the "Doses," Timing, and Treatment of Childhood Depression That Impact Adulthood?

Depression creates more burden globally than nearly any other physical or mental disorder, yet surprisingly, little is known about what can be done to prevent its onset and, as Duarte et al.,1 in this issue of JAACAP, address, what the long-term outcomes of youth depression are. The existing medical literature on outcomes of child and adolescent depression is large enough for 2 recent reviews,2,3 which point out the key gaps in our understanding. Does childhood depression actually worsen adult outcomes, or is the driver really all the associated childhood adversity and comorbidity? Although we know women suffer disproportionately from depression, are childhood predictors specific to girls or boys? Is it worse to have many episodes of depression in one's youth than a few? Do subthreshold depressive symptoms impact adulthood too? Finally, is it important, in adulthood, whether depression began in childhood or adolescence?
Risk Factor Identification in Heterogeneous Disease Progression with L1-Regularized Multi-state Models

Multi-state model (MSM) is a useful tool to analyze longitudinal data for modeling disease progression at multiple time points. While the regularization approaches to variable selection have been widely used, extending them to MSM remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we have developed the L1-regularized multi-state model (L1MSTATE) framework that enables parameter estimation and variable selection simultaneously. The regularized optimization problem was solved by deriving a one-step coordinate descent algorithm with great computational efficiency. The L1MSTATE approach was evaluated using extensive simulation studies, and it showed that L1MSTATE outperformed existing regularized multi-state models in terms of the accurate identification of risk factors. It also outperformed the un-regularized multi-state models (MSTATE) in terms of identifying the important risk factors in situations with small sample sizes. The power of L1MSTATE in predicting the transition probabilities comparing with MSTATE was demonstrated using the Europe Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) dataset. The L1MSTATE was implemented in the open-access R package ‘L1mstate’.
A Suite of Transgenic Driver and Reporter Mouse Lines with Enhanced Brain Cell Type Targeting and Functionality

Modern genetic approaches are powerful in providing access to diverse types of neurons within the mammalian brain and greatly facilitating the study of their function. We here report a large set of driver and reporter transgenic mouse lines, including 23 new driver lines targeting a variety of cortical and subcortical cell populations and 26 new reporter lines expressing an array of molecular tools. In particular, we describe the TIGRE2.0 transgenic platform and introduce Cre-dependent reporter lines that enable optical physiology, optogenetics, and sparse labeling of genetically-defined cell populations. TIGRE2.0 reporters broke the barrier in transgene expression level of single-copy targeted-insertion transgenesis in a wide range of neuronal types, along with additional advantage of a simplified breeding strategy compared to our first generation TIGRE lines. These novel transgenic lines greatly expand the repertoire of highprecision genetic tools available to effectively identify, monitor, and manipulate distinct cell types in the mouse brain.
Rapid Deployment of an Algorithm to Triage Dental Emergencies During COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 quickly immobilized healthcare systems in the United States during the early stages of the outbreak. While much of the ensuing response focused on supporting the medical infrastructure, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine pursued a solution to triage and safely treat patients with dental emergencies amidst the pandemic. Considering rapidly changing guidelines from governing bodies, dental infection control protocols and our clinical faculty's expertise, we modeled, built, and implemented a screening algorithm, which provides decision support as well as insight into COVID-19 status and clinical comorbidities, within a newly integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR). Once operationalized, we analyzed the data and outcomes of its utilization and found that it had effectively guided providers in triaging patient needs in a standardized methodology. This article describes the algorithm's rapid development to assist faculty providers in identifying patients with the most urgent needs, thus prioritizing treatment of dental emergencies during the pandemic.
Frailty Measurement and Implications for Cerebrovascular Disease Management in a Veteran Based Population.

Background Rapid and objective preoperative assessment of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains difficult and variable. The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) is a validated medical record-based assessment of frailty that has been used to predict clinical outcomes for patients undergoing surgical procedures including CEA. We applied RAI to a veteran population following CEA for asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease and examined the factors related to post-operative morbidity and mortality. Methods After obtaining IRB approval, Veteran Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program data was queried for CEA procedures from 2002 to 2015 for ICD-9 codes indicating asymptomatic patients. RAI was then calculated based on Veteran Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program variable medical record extraction. Three groupings of patients were undertaken including non-frail (RAI Results Between 2002 and 2015, 37,873 asymptomatic patients underwent CEA. Over 98% (37,266) of the patients were male with an average age of 68.3 ± 8.55 years. The cohorts contained 82.8% (n = 31,362), 12.4% (n = 4,678), and 4.8% (n = 1,833) for the non-frail, frail and very frail groups respectively. Frailty was associated with increased rates of post-operative stroke, MI, any complication, death, and longer hospital length of stay (P Increasing frailty was associated with having one or more complications (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.50–1.90 for frail and OR 2.79, 95% CI 2.41–3.24 for very frail, (P Conclusion Increasing frailty as determined by RAI was associated with worse post-operative outcomes in asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA. Higher RAI score cohorts were associated with higher rates of postoperative stroke, MI, complications, and death. We recommend the use of this frailty index as a screening tool to guide risk discussions with asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA.
Topics in Finite and Discrete Mathematics

Written for a broad audience of students in mathematics, computer science, operations research, statistics, and engineering, this textbook presents a short, lively survey of several fascinating non-calculus topics in modern applied mathematics. Coverage includes probability, mathematical finance, graphs, linear programming, statistics, computer science algorithms, and groups. A key feature is the abundance of interesting examples not normally found in standard finite mathematics courses, such as options pricing and arbitrage, tournaments, and counting formulas. The author assumes a level of mathematical sophistication at the beginning calculus level, that is, students should have had at least a course in pre-calculus, and the added sophistication attained from studying calculus would be useful.
A rigorous full-wave analysis of electrical interconnects for VLSI packages

A rigorous analysis of electrical interconnects of VLSI packages using the planar generalized Yee-algorithm is presented. The highly efficient algorithm is based on the discretization of the time-dependent Maxwell's equations using unstructured grids, and is demonstrated as being capable of accurately modeling large interconnect networks with complex geometries.
PRMT1 methylates the single Argonaute of Toxoplasma gondii and is important for the recruitment of Tudor nuclease for target RNA cleavage by antisense guide RNA

Argonaute (Ago) plays a central role in RNA interference in metazoans, but its status in lower organisms remains ill-defined. We report on the Ago complex of the unicellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii (Tg), an obligatory pathogen of mammalian hosts. The PIWI-like domain of TgAgo lacked the canonical DDE/H catalytic triad, explaining its weak target RNA cleavage activity. However, TgAgo associated with a stronger RNA slicer, a Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (TSN), and with a protein Arg methyl transferase, PRMT1. Mutational analysis suggested that the N-terminal RGG-repeat domain of TgAgo was methylated by PRMT1, correlating with the recruitment of TSN. The slicer activity of TgAgo was Mg(2+)-dependent and required perfect complementarity between the guide RNA and the target. In contrast, the TSN activity was Ca(2+) -dependent and required an imperfectly paired guide RNA. Ago knockout parasites showed essentially normal growth, but in contrast, the PRMT1 knockouts grew abnormally. Chemical inhibition of Arg-methylation also had an anti-parasitic effect. These results suggest that the parasitic PRMT1 plays multiple roles, and its loss affects the recruitment of a more potent second slicer to the parasitic RNA silencing complex, the exact mechanism of which remains to be determined.
The effect of hull emergence angle on the near field formulation of added resistance

The added resistance of a ship is an important hydrodynamic parameter which affects the performance of a vessel traveling through ocean waves. A numerical method for estimating the added resistance is developed based on the near field pressure integration method which is then improved to include the effect of the hull flare angle at the mean water surface. The three dimensional free surface Green function source distribution method is used to solve the radiation–diffraction problem within the potential flow assumptions. The developed theory is then applied to develop a new efficient computer program. The validity of the developed code is established through comparison with available numerical and experimental results for a range of structures. This includes comparison with Rankine source based near field and far field methods and recent experimental results. The key finding of the present research is the effect of the hull emergence angle on added resistance which is often ignored in many present numerical methods. Significant differences in predicted added resistance and drift forces are found for a Ro–Ro ship with a non-wall sided hull form.
Guide for flanking sound transmission in wood framed construction: Issues for impact noise

This paper provides a terse overview of how experimental characterization of the direct and flanking sound transmission paths in wood-framed construction leads to a manageable set of path transmission terms to represent the effect of specific design tradeoffs. By combining the energy transmitted via all paths, estimates of the Apparent-IIC for typical constructions can be derived. Results are presented in a design g uide for many common constructions.
Convergent protein signaling in cerebral cavernous malformations (685.5)

Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCMs) are vascular brain lesions affecting 0.5% of humans. Late stage lesions are clusters of grossly dilated capillaries lacking smooth muscle cell or pericyte support, and can cause hemorrhagic stroke. No treatment exists other than surgical removal of symptomatic lesions. CCMs occur sporadically through spontaneous mutations, or by familial autosomal dominant transmission of mutations in three genes : KRIT1, CCM2 or CCM3 (PDCD10). Our lab’s previous work showed that KRIT1 and CCM2 normally regulate endothelial permeability through regulation of RhoA and ROCK1/2. We now used proteomics and CHO cell co-immunoprecipitations to identify a signalosome consisting of a unique brain microvascular endothelial cell-specific splice variant of Rap1-interacting junctional protein MAGI, “MAGI1C-beta2”, that binds to KRIT1 and CCM2 through a PDZ domain to mediate translocation of two CCM proteins to endothelial junctions, and is required to maintain barrier function. We further ident...
Games and Motivation to Learn Science: Personal Identity, Applicability, Relevance and Meaningfulness

Game-based learning and designing has become a hot topic in educational technology. It is believed that video gaming is one way to get students engaged in learning complex and illstructured material, holistic learning, and preparing learners for 21st century jobs. However, beyond engagement, games may also be used for learning and developing personal inter est in science by utilizing the affordances for personal identi ty, applicability beyond the school setting and for a personal agenda, and relevance and meaningfulness of scientific prac tices and ideas. This article, based on the synthesis of infor mation from the games, science education, and motivational research literatures present a focused view on how games for learning (serious games) can be designed and used for learn ing and developing an interest in science. The article also points in the direction of much needed research to assess the claims about games for learning. Science is often taught in ways that make the information irrelevant,
Transportation sector technology energy use and GHG emissions

Concerns about air pollution, environmental degradation, and petroleum consumption have prompted policy makers in many countries to seek advanced transportation alternatives. In response to such societal needs, automobile manufacturers have developed vehicles which either replace the internal combustion engine with an electric motor or which provide a hybrid configuration with a combination of an IC engine and an electric motor. In some concepts, fuel cells replace the IC engine in a hybrid vehicle configuration. Several of these technologies have been brought to market by auto manufacturers, with initial product offerings. In other cases, advanced concept cars are being developed to further these technologies. In response to these same concerns, research and development projects are underway to make the ICE vehicles more efficient. These projects have involved both improvements in engine/drive train efficiency as well as more efficient heating-cooling systems. This paper provides an overview of the transportation sector usage patterns, energy consumption, and emissions, and discusses the societal issues which impact decisions on transportation issues. The article then provides an overview of the electrotechnological advances which are being developed to address transportation energy use and emissions issues, and discusses the potential for emissions reduction through the successful deployment of these and competing technologies. The article concludes that reduction in transportation sector carbon emissions are achievable.
C. elegans unc-105 mutations affect muscle and are suppressed by other mutations that affect muscle.

Certain mutations in the unc-105 II gene of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have dominant effects on morphology and behavior: animals become small, severely hypercontracted and paralyzed. These unc-105 mutants revert both spontaneously and with mutagens at high frequencies to a wild-type phenotype. Most of the reversion events are intragenic, apparently because the null (loss-of-function) phenotype of unc-105 is wild type. One revertant defined an extragenic suppressor locus, sup-20 X. Such suppressor alleles of sup-20 are rare, and the apparent null phenotype of sup-20 is embryonic lethality. By constructing animals genetically mosaic for sup-20, we have shown that the primary effect of sup-20 is in muscle cells. In addition to mutations in sup-20 , other mutations causing muscle defects, such as unc-54 and unc-22 mutations, suppress the hypercontracted phenotype of unc-105 . The ease of identifying nonhypercontracted revertants of unc-105 mutants greatly facilitates the isolation of new mutants defective in muscle structure and function.
Blood pressure variability and the type a behavior pattern in adolescence

The present investigation assessed the relationship between Type A behavior and blood pressure variability in a sample of 211 adolescents. Consistent with the adult literature, analyses revealed an association between Type A behavior and both systolic blood pressure variability and peak systolic pressure. The measures of diastolic blood pressure, however, were unrelated to Pattern A. The association with systolic variability remained when controlling for initial blood pressure level, sex, weight, and age. Subsidiary analyses of the components of Pattern A showed that high systolic variability teenagers are characterized by Type A speech characteristics (quick response latencies) and high levels of hostility. These findings support the validity of the Type A construct in adolescence.
Mast cells promote atherosclerosis by releasing proinflammatory cytokines

Mast cells contribute importantly to allergic and innate immune responses by releasing various preformed and newly synthesized mediators. Previous studies have shown mast cell accumulation in human atherosclerotic lesions. This report establishes the direct participation of mast cells in atherogenesis in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr(-/-)) mice. Atheromata from compound mutant Ldlr(-/-) Kit(W-sh)(/W-sh) mice showed decreased lesion size, lipid deposition, T-cell and macrophage numbers, cell proliferation and apoptosis, but increased collagen content and fibrous cap development. In vivo, adoptive transfer of syngeneic wild-type or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-deficient mast cells restored atherogenesis to Ldlr(-/-)Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice. Notably, neither interleukin (IL)-6- nor interferon (IFN)-gamma-deficient mast cells did so, indicating that the inhibition of atherogenesis in Ldlr(-/-)Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice resulted from the absence of mast cells and mast cell-derived IL-6 and IFN-gamma. Compared with wild-type or TNF-alpha-deficient mast cells, those lacking IL-6 or IFN-gamma did not induce expression of proatherogenic cysteine proteinase cathepsins from vascular cells in vitro or affect cathepsin and matrix metalloproteinase activities in atherosclerotic lesions, implying that mast cell-derived IL-6 and IFN-gamma promote atherogenesis by augmenting the expression of matrix-degrading proteases. These observations establish direct participation of mast cells and mast cell-derived IL-6 and IFN-gamma in mouse atherogenesis and provide new mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of this common disease.
Deformation behavior during blind thrust translation as a function of fault strength

Deformation partitioning between translation and distortion for a thrust sheet and for the roof sequence above a moving thrust horse were analyzed in terms of the role of fault strength using finite element models. Greater frictional resistance on the thrust decollement decreased fault translation, increased distortion of the thrust sheet and roof sequence, and increased the ratio of backthrusting to forethrusting for the roof sequence. In all models with weak decollements (μ<0.35), the ratio of tip-line propagation to thrust displacement is very high during initial thrust movement, but decreases significantly during later fault motion. This observation supports interpretations in natural thrust systems where thrust faults propagate large distances before accumulating significant displacements. The tip lines for weak decollements also propagated into the foreland well in advance of the distortion front in the overlying thrust sheet or roof sequence. This result does not support interpretations from natural systems for the existence of `ductile beads' in front of propagating thrusts, but rather suggests that recent models for fault-arrest or displacement-gradient folds may be mechanically valid. In addition, no model for roof sequences yielded a simple end member response of only backthrusting or forethrusting, suggesting that the many blind thrust belts where only one response has been interpreted, may need to be re-examined. Finally, in those cases where more than one thrust flat moves simultaneously in the models, partitioning of displacement and distortion in space and time changes significantly. This result supports interpretations from natural systems where more than one thrust is thought to move at once.
Communication theory perspective on antenna selection for compact transceivers

Traditional antenna selection applied to MIMO systems ignores the presence of unselected (or inactive) antennas. However, compact arrays offer a unique advantage in that mutual coupling can be exploited to improve the system performance. Previous studies on selection with coupling have not considered the effects of the inactive-antenna terminations and lack detailed transceiver modeling. In this work, we present a communication-theoretic analysis and design of antenna selection systems for compact transceivers. We also propose a simple parasitic antenna selection technique that can significantly outperform traditional selection when coupling is present.
The large apparent work capability of the blood‐brain barrier: A study of the mitochondrial content of capillary endothelial cells in brain and other tissues of the rat

Volumes of mitochondria in capillary endothelial cells were determined stereologically from electron micrographs of rat cerebellum, cerebral cortex, spinal cord, cauda equina, choroid plexus, anterior pituitary, median eminence of the hypothalamus, renal proximal tubules, skin, cardiac and skeletal muscle, lung, and renal glomerulus. The capillaries of the first four of these tissue types exhibit blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics of permeability and capillary ultrastructure and were found to have mitochondrial contents amounting to 8 to 11% of the endothelial cytoplasmic volume. Tissues from non-BBB regions were determined to have mitochondrial volumes of 2 to 5% of their respective cytoplasmic volumes, with a variety of capillary ultrastructures. The apparent excess metabloic work capability of the BBB suggested by this greater number of mitochondria may be related to maintenance of ion differentials between blood plasma and brain extracellular fluid, to extrachoroidal cerebrospinal fluid formation, or to maintaining the unique structural characteristics of central nervous system capillaries.
Four Brief Studies of Relations Between Postformal Thought and Non-Cognitive Factors: Personality, Concepts of God, Political Opinions, and Social Attitudes

This is a report of four studies extending research on Complex Postformal Thought using the Postformal Thought Scale (PTS) (Sinnott 1998a, b). In Study I PTS was studied in relation to personality as conceptualized in the NEO Five Factor Model. Data from 82 participants indicated that PTS is significantly related to the Openness to Experience and the Conscientiousness factors of the NEO. In Study II PTS was examined in relation to the Concept of God Scale to answer the question whether postformal and non-postformal respondents were likely to hold different god concepts. Data from 50 participants indicated no relationship between the two measures. In Study III PTS was examined in relation to political opinions using the newly created Political Opinion Survey. Data from 50 participants demonstrated no relation between the two tests. In Study IV PTS was studied in relation to the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale. Data from 112 participants indicated that PTS was related to positive attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Current conceptualizations of PTS development are used to interpret these findings.
Fluorinated diketones from nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and subsequent reactions yielding novel heterocyclic compounds

Abstract Our research has shown that (CH3)3SiCF3 can be employed to generate tertiary alkoxides and alcohols by nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of a variety of fluoroketones and acid fluorides in the presence of metal fluorides. In an effort to extend the usefulness of this chemistry the reaction of (CH3)3SiCF3 with diacyl fluorides was investigated. Our goal was to prepare new fluorinated diols of various chain lengths which would have useful solvent properties; however, we observed the formation of fluorinated diketones, via a cyclic alkoxide intermediate. While the chemistry of highly fluorinated ketones has been reviewed, we have found unusual reactivity with a variety of nucleophiles to give compounds with novel cyclic structures. The preparation, properties and reactivity of these new diketones will be discussed.
Size- and Structure-lnsensitivity of the Thermophoretic Transport of Aggregated “Soot” Particles in Gases

Abstract There is now convincing theoretical and experimental evidence, assembled and discussed here, for the remarkable insensitivity of the orientation-averaged thermophoretic properties of aggregated particles to aggregate size and structure (morphology), as well as the nature of gas/surface scattering. Indeed, theoretical consideration of straight chains, and uniformly “packed” quasi-spherical agglomerates, as well as recent experimental data on soot aggregate transport in/from laminar flames at atmospheric pressure, indicates that the orientation-averaged thermophoretic diffusivity, (αTD)n, of an aggregate containing N primary particles is usually within about 8% of the (αTD)i,-value for a single “primary” sphere in the free-molecule regime and within about 21 % in the continuum limit. Among other things, this implies that, especially in the free-molecule regime, thermophoretically-dominated transport rates can be adequately predicted without a detailed knowledge of the size and morphology (-distribu...
A numerical approach for modeling the fire induced restraint effects in reinforced concrete beams

In this paper, a model to predict the influence of fire induced restraints on the fire resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is presented. The three stages, associated with the fire growth, thermal and structural analysis, for the calculation of fire resistance of the RC beams are explained. A simplified approach to account for spalling under fire conditions is incorporated into the model. The validity of the numerical model is established by comparing the predictions from the computer program with results from full-scale fire resistance tests. The program is used to conduct two case studies to investigate the influence of both the rotational and the axial restraint on the fire response of the RC beams. Through these case studies, it is shown that the restraint, both rotational and axial, has significant influence on the fire resistance of the RC beams.
Non-invasive analysis of sleep patterns via multimodal sensor input

The monitoring of sleep patterns is of major importance for various reasons such as the detection and treatment of sleep disorders, the assessment of the effect of different medical conditions or medications on the sleep quality, and the assessment of mortality risks associated with sleeping patterns in adults and children. Sleep monitoring by itself is a difficult problem due to both privacy and technical considerations. The proposed system uses a combination of non-invasive sensors to assess and report sleep patterns: a contact-based pressure mattress and a non-contact 3D image acquisition device, which can complement each other. To evaluate our system, we used real data collected in Heracleia Lab's assistive living apartment. Our system uses Machine Learning techniques to automatically analyze the collected data and recognize sleep patterns. It is non-invasive, as it does not disrupt the user's usual sleeping behavior and it can be used both at the clinic and at home with minimal cost.
Recombination events during integration of transfected DNA into normal human cells

The mechanisms of recombination responsible for random integration of transfected DNA into the genome of normal human cells have been investigated by analysis of plasmid-cell DNA junctions. Cell clones containing integrated plasmid sequences were selected by morphological transformation of primary human fibroblasts after transfection with a plasmid containing simian virus 40 sequences. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the plasmid-cell DNA junctions was performed on cloned DNA fragments containing the integration sites from two of these cell clones. Polymerase chain reaction was then performed with human cell DNA from primary fibroblasts to isolate the cell DNA from the same sites before plasmid integration. Comparison of the sequences at the plasmid-cell DNA junctions with those of both the original plasmid and the cell DNA demonstrated short sequence similarities and additional nucleotides, typical of nonhomologous recombination. Evidence of short deletions in the cell DNA at the plasmid integration sites suggests that integration occurred by a mechanism similar to that used for repair of spontaneous or gamma ray-induced strand breaks. Plasmid integration occurred within nonrepetitive cell DNA with no major rearrangements, although rearrangements of the cell DNA at the integration site occurred in one of the clones after integration.
Atmospheric contribution of gas emissions from Augustine volcano, Alaska during the 2006 eruption

[1] Airborne surveillance of gas emissions from Augustine for SO2, CO2 and H2S showed no evidence of anomalous degassing from 1990 through May 2005. By December 20, 2005, Augustine was degassing 660 td−1 of SO2, and ten times that by January 4, 2006. The highest SO2 emission rate measured during the 2006 eruption was 8650 td−1 (March 1); for CO2, 13000 td−1 (March 9), and H2S, 8 td−1 (January 19). Thirty-four SO2 measurements were made from December 2005 through 2006, with 9 each for CO2 and H2S. Augustine released 1 × 106 tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere during 2006, a level similar to the output of a medium-sized natural gas-fired power plant, and thus was not a significant contributor of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere compared to anthropogenic sources. Augustine released about 5 × 105 tonnes of SO2 during 2006, similar to that released in 1976 and 1986.
Analysis of sugar derivatives by chemical-ionization mass-spectrometry☆

Abstract D -Glucose diethyl dithioacetal ( 1 ), its penta- O -acetyl derivative ( 2 ), penta- O -acetyl- aldehydo - D -glucose ( 3 ), L - xylo -hexulose phenylosotriazole ( 4 ), 1,2:5,6-di- O -isopropylidene- D -mannitol ( 5 ), 1,2:4,5-di- O -isopropylidene-β- D -fructopyranose ( 6 ), 1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- D -glucofuranose ( 7 ) and its triacetate ( 8 ), 1,6-anhydro-β- D -galactopyranose ( 9 ) and its triacetate ( 10 ), D -glucopyranose ( 11 ), methyl β- D -glucopyranoside tetraacetate ( 12 ), 1-thio-β- D -glucopyranose pentaacetate ( 13 ), β- D -fructofuranose pentaacetate ( 14 ), and raffinose hendecaacetate ( 15 ) have been examined by chemical-ionization mass-spectrometry with both isobutane and ammonia as ionizing intermediates. Extreme simplicity characterizes these spectra, and, in most instances, molecular-weight data are available from intact, protonor NH 4 + capture ions; the limited fragmentation that occurs corresponds in large measure to simple dehydration or substituent-cleavage processes, and is strongly dependent upon the groups present, so that considerable information about the substituent groups in the sugar molecule may be inferred.
Intentions: a game for classifying search query intent

Knowing the intent of a search query allows for more intelligent ways of retrieving relevant search results. Most of the recent work on automatic detection of query intent uses supervised learning methods that require a substantial amount of labeled data; manually collecting such data is often time-consuming and costly. Human computation is an active research area that includes studies of how to build online games that people enjoy playing, while in the process providing the system with useful data. In this work, we present the design principles behind a new game called Intentions, which aims to collect data about the intent behind search queries.
Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: echocardiography, pathophysiology, and the continuing evolution of surgery for obstruction

Our understanding of the pathophysiology of obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has evolved since initial descriptions in the late 1950s. This review addresses the cause of obstruction, from early ideas that a muscular outflow tract sphincter was the cause, through the discovery of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, to current understanding that flow drag, the pushing force of flow, is the dominant hydrodynamic mechanism for SAM. The continuing redesign and modification of surgical procedures to relieve outflow obstruction have corresponded to ideas about the cause of this condition. In this review we discuss the evolution of surgical procedures to relieve obstruction and review modern surgical approaches. Medical and nonsurgical methods for reducing obstruction are reviewed, as well as efforts to prevent sudden arrhythmic cardiac death. Echocardiography has become central to understanding this complex phenomenon, and for clinical diagnosis, operative planning and intraoperative management.