cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using new media to reach Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors.

In the USA, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and premature death among the Hispanic/Latino population. It is estimated that one in two Hispanic men and one in three Hispanic women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime (American Cancer Society 2010). Despite this significant cancer burden, few innovative strategies for communication and outreach to this population currently exist. In 2009, LIVESTRONG launched a national outreach campaign, which utilized social marketing, specifically targeting Hispanics with the goal of increasing awareness and usage of LIVESTRONG’s Spanish-language cancer navigation resources. This campaign, one of the first undertaken by a national cancer-related organization, led to increased awareness and utilization of resources, including a 238% increase in traffic over traditional marketing campaigns which focused on radio alone. The success of this campaign highlights the use of social media as a cost-effective method to raise awareness of cancer resources among Hispanics.
Retail patronage intentions: the relative importance of perceived prices and salesperson service attributes

Abstract This paper uses conjoint analysis to investigate the relative importance to consumers of prices and selected salesperson service attributes when shopping in consumer electronics stores. The findings indicate that, with all salesperson attributes tested, there is a larger difference between responses to the low and middle levels of the attributes than to those between the high and middle levels. Thus, regardless of price, a retailer should avoid poor service levels on any attribute, and a retailer who charges higher than average prices does not need to provide the highest service levels on all attributes.
Local and global strains and strain ratios in shape memory alloys using digital imagecorrelation

Abstract Local and global strain field maps of Nickel Titanium (NiTi) were examined during stress-induced phase transformation using digital image correlation (DIC). 2-D strain field maps of the sample surface during tensile deformation were correlated to the recoverable superelastic phase transformation. Localized stress concentrations were examined by machining a 500 μm diameter hole in the center of the gage section. Axial and transverse strain measurements from DIC were used to calculate a localized strain ratio as a function of global strain. This strain ratio includes both the elastic and inelastic transformation strain contributions. It can be readily compared to typical modeling assumptions, which input Poisson's ratio as constant values for transforming NiTi and elastically deformingNiTi. The recoverable superelastic phase transformation was found to initiate at the gripped ends and propagate towards the middle of the tensile sample. With the added stress concentration, transformation was initiated at the hole, followed by secondary nucleation at the gripped ends and elsewhere. Localized strain ratios, which include contributions from inelastic strain, were found to increase with local transformation, plateauing at 0.45 at 4.7% global strain. Deformation at the granular length scale was compared to finite element modeling of a circular hole in a NiTi plate. Discrepancies between the observed DIC strain field and the modeled strain field are due to intergranular stresses disturbing the strain field, which cannot be captured with continuum modeling techniques.
Spatiotemporal lighting load disaggregation using light intensity signal

Abstract Lighting systems in commercial buildings are major contributors to the electricity consumption while occupants of these buildings are usually not aware of the effect of their energy-related behavior on the electricity consumption. A non-intrusive load disaggregation approach for lighting systems in office buildings was proposed and evaluated to provide high granularity spatiotemporal load monitoring. In our approach, we proposed a process for artificial light event detection and power consumption estimation using light intensity signals and rooms’ contextual information (i.e. room area and number of possible states for lighting fixtures). Three event detection algorithms: generalized likelihood ratio test, signal-shape driven event detection, and enhanced naive event detection were proposed and evaluated. The signal-shape driven event detection algorithm outperformed on data collected in rooms where the natural light was used in conjunction with artificial light source. The correlation between the illuminance in a room and power consumption associated with that level of illuminance was used for power consumption estimation. The evaluations in rooms (with and without natural light) showed the feasibility of accurate power estimation when the sensor is installed closer to the floor and the estimation is informed by the possible operating states of lighting fixtures.
Cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid in psychiatric patients

Abstract Levels of 5HIAA and HVA have been measured in the lumbar CSF of psychiatric patients. Pre-treatment values for CSF 5HIAA were lower in a combined group of psychiatric patients age matched with neurologic patients as controls. CSF 5HIAA was lower than in age matched neurologic controls in each psychiatric diagnostic sub-group; however, these differences were significant prior to treatment in the schizophrenic group only. Depressives treated with amitriptyline showed significant decreases in CSF 5HIAA. There were no significant correlations between degree of improvement in depression (as rated with the BPRS) and CSF 5HIAA levels while patients were improved and continuing on the drug. Further, no correlations were noted between values or changes in either CSF amine metabolite and initial ratings or changes in BPRS ratings as a result of treatment. Values for HVA tended to be higher in schizophrenics and lower in manics and depressives than for a combined psychiatric group, although this difference was significant only for depressives vs. schizophrenics while on drug therapy. Groups of patients scoring above the median on total sleep ratings were also found to have significantly above median HVA scores prior to treatment.
Light scattering from patterned surfaces and particles on surfaces

In this paper, we investigate coherent light scattering from patterned surfaces, patterned surfaces with defects, spherical particles, and nonspherical particles. Experimental and theoretical results are compared quantitatively to verify the model accuracy. Experimentation involves the usage of the Arizona State University/Semiconductor Research Corporation die and particles deposited on bare silicon wafers. This die contains numerous 3D structures of varying sizes representative of current and future design geometries. Polystyrene particles are deposited on the die and their position is verified with the aid of an optical microscope. The sample is then scanned using the ASU test apparatus which allows angle resolved data collection for the surface structures and the structure with the particles. Comparison between the two data sets are made to determine experimentally the particle/pattern interaction. Collected data is also quantitatively compared to theoretically determined values to verify model accuracy. Light scattering and SEM photographs are acquired for the same individual particles to allow accurate modeling.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DOUBLE STEREODIFFERENTIATING ALDOL REACTIONS OF (E) AND (Z) LITHIUM ENOLATES. MODEL REACTIONS FOR POLYPROPIONATE ASSEMBLAGE

Abstract A systematic investigation of the double stereodifferentiating aldol reactions of ( E ) and ( Z ) lithium enolates is described. Those reactant pairs that afford aldol adducts inaccessible through other enolate-based aldol reactions are highlighted.
Multiple criteria and nearly optimal solutions in greenhouse management

Abstract A linear programming model of greenhouse decisions based on expected profit maximization is solved and these results are compared with two other sets of results. One set is the generation of non-inferior solutions based on labor savings and expected profit considerations. The other is a set of nearly optimal solutions generated by the HSJ procedure. It is argued that for greenhouse operators typical of Massachusetts, the information contained in the nearly optimal and non-inferior solutions may be worth much more than the ‘optimal’ solution alone.
Evolution of porosity during thin plate rolling of powder-based porous aluminum

Abstract The evolution of porosity during hot rolling of powder-based porous aluminum plates is analyzed by using a pressure dependent constitutive model and a finite element based rolling process model. The constitutive model, which is capable of describing both matrix and densification hardening, consists of two state variables: matrix strength and volume fraction of porosity. The matrix strength is represented by an internal state variable constitutive relationship whose parameters were evaluated by a uniaxial stress compression test at various strain rates and elevated temperatures. The rolling process model uses a Eulerian, velocity-based, finite element formulation. A quasi-three-dimensional nature arises because normal strain rates are independent of through-thickness position. Only one element is taken through a half-thickness rolling plate. Variations are permitted across the width of the plate. High purity aluminum powders were used to fabricate porous thin plates for rolling experiments. Plates with uniform initial porosity underwent various reductions on a bench scale rolling mill at 400°C. Experimental results were compared with numerical solutions generated from the rolling model and the agreement was very good. Experimental results consistently showed that a variation of porosity exists from the center to the edge of plate during the void healing process. The pressure also varies along the width which contributes to the porosity variation. However, the internal state variable which represents the hardness of the matrix does not vary much across the width.
SU-E-J-222: An Analysis of the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) Treatment Delivery Uncertainties

Purpose: Depends on how stable the patient can hold her breath during beam on time, there are always some degrees of uncertainties associated with the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) delivery. We herein analyze 1) how much motion patients have during delivery; 2) how much dosimetric uncertainties are resulted due to motion. Methods: The data from three tangential‐field DIBH breast patients were studied. AlignRT (Vision RT Ltd., London, UK), a 3D surface matching‐based system was used for the DIBH clinical implementation. AlignRT calculated and recorded, in realtime, the differences between the treatment surface and planned surface, including 3 translational and 3 rotational displacements (RTDs). We programmed our in‐house TPS to read RTDs and calculate the final dose distribution and DVHs patients have received. The received dose and DVHs were compared with the planned ones. We also calculated the mean (m) and standard deviation (σ) of the RTDs, trying to correlate them to the delivery uncertainties. Results: All patients had <0.2mm and 0.7° σ. Patient A had m_A = (−0.02mm, −0.05mm, 0.02mm, 1.11°, −0.36°, 0.45°). Her delivered dose distribution is slightly different than the plan with 3D max dose difference of 0.4%. No noticeable differences on the DVHs. Patients B and C had larger rotational displacement with m_B = (−0.07mm, 0.01mm, 0.12mm, 1.80°, 2.17°, 1.06°) and m_C = (−0.04mm, −0.04mm, −0.04mm, 2.09°, −0.22°, 0.97°). The resulted 3D max dose differences are both 1%. Although dose distributions in the center treatment regions are as planned, there are different hot spots and cold spots in the peripheral areas. Both patients had slightly lower received heart, lung, and target DVHs. Conclusion: No significant translational motion was observed, and its impact to the delivery uncertainties seems small. Larger rotational displacements seem to cause some dosimetric uncertainties. More data need to be collected for quantitative results.
Evaluation and Imaging of a Thyroid Nodule

The approach to the thyroid nodule has been incrementally modified over the past decade. The widespread adoption of fine needle aspiration in the 1980s, coupled with increased use of serial ultrasound monitoring, arguably led to the biggest changes in recommendations for surgical intervention during the past 50 years. For the office-based practitioner, thyroid nodule presentation patterns are changing with discoveries of more thyroid "incidentalomas" and with new risk assessment challenges associated with small (<1 cm) nodules. At the same time, improved primary evaluation techniques, most notably the increasing use of small, portable ultrasound imaging units, are making many clinicians more comfortable in recommending less invasive follow-up.
Reactions of the Dirhenium(II) Complexes Re2X4(μ-dppm)2 (X = Cl, Br; dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2) with Isocyanides. 13.1 Identification of a New Structural Isomer of the Dirhenium Cation [Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl)2]+ and Its Isomerization Behavior. Structural Characterization of (XylNC)ClRe(μ-Cl)(μ-CNXyl)(μ-dppm)2ReCl(CO)

A yellow form of the dirhenium salts of the type [Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl)2]Y (Y = Cl, O3SCF3, PF6, ReO4) has been shown to have the μ-CNXyl-bridged structure [(XylNC)ClRe(μ-Cl)(μ-CNXyl)(μ-dppm)2ReCl(CO)]+ on the basis of an X-ray crystal structure determination of its neutral paramagnetic congener. The Re−Re bond length in the structure of Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl)2 is 2.7155(9) A, in accord with the presence of a formal Re−Re bond order of 1.5. This particular cation constitutes the fourth isomer of [Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl)2]+ to have been structurally characterized.
Neutron Induced Permanent Damage in Josephson Junctions

14 MeV neutron induced permanent changes in the critical current density of Josephson junctions due to displacement damage in the junction barrier are estimated using a worst case model and the binary collision simulation code MARLOWE. No likelihood of single event hard upsets is found in this model. It is estimated that a fluence of 1018-1019 neutrons/cm2 are required to change the critical current density by 5%.
Stable liquid glucagon formulations for rescue treatment and bi-hormonal closed-loop pancreas

Small doses of glucagon given subcutaneously in the research setting by an automated system prevent most cases of hypoglycemia in persons with diabetes. However, glucagon is very unstable and cannot be kept in a portable pump. Glucagon rapidly forms amyloid fibrils, even within the first day after reconstitution. Aggregation eventually leads to insoluble gels, which occlude pump catheters. Fibrillation occurs rapidly at acid pH, but is absent or minimal at alkaline pH values of ~10. Glucagon also degrades over time; this problem is greater at alkaline pH. Several studies suggest that its primary degradative pathway is deamidation, which results in a conversion of asparagine to aspartic acid. A cell-based assay for glucagon bioactivity that assesses glucagon receptor (GluR) activation can screen promising glucagon formulations. However, mammalian hepatocytes are usually problematic as they can lose GluR expression during culture. Assays for cyclic AMP (cAMP) or its downstream effector, protein kinase A (PKA), in engineered cell systems, are more reliable and suitable for inexpensive, high-throughput assessment of bioactivity.
Longevity and lack of senescence in the red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus.

The red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus is a long-lived species and may live in excess of 100 years based on tagging studies in the field and corroboration from radiocarbon analyses as reported in the literature. Size-specific survival estimates reported here show no change in annual survival probability across the 6 largest 0.5 cm size classes from 14.6 to 18.1 cm. In addition to no change in survival probability there is no reduction in reproductive capacity with size. Red sea urchins show no evidence of senescence and so do not fit well within the context of the disposable soma theory of the evolution of longevity.
Origin of metalliferous sediments from the East Pacific Rise

Abstract The distribution of several metals in East Pacific Rise sediments, when normalized to Al2O3, exhibit stronger maxima near the rise crest than when simply plotted on a carbonate-free basis. The similarity (1) between the distribution of metals in ridge sediments and previously measured mean heat flow values and (2) between the composition of crestal sediments and terrestrial ore bodies associated with greenstone belts, strongly supports a hydrothermal origin for rise crest sediments.
A Critical Need for Increased Understanding of the Use of Human Tissues in Biomedical Research

The recent statement, “only a small fraction of the samples being submitted (for the Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA] project) were of suitable quality for research,” in an article in Genome Technology [1] caught my attention because it is an example of a general lack of understanding of specific issues regarding the provision of human tissues to support biomedical research [2]. The implication of this statement is that because tissues do not meet very demanding requirements, the tissues were of poor quality. I will use this statement to present examples of problems in understanding the use of human tissues in research. In this case, “quality” was confused with “availability” – one among several common misconceptions among investigators.
Plate motion and structure of the continental asthenosphere: A realistic model of the upper mantle

A one-dimensional shear flow model of the upper mantle beneath continents is presented. The model includes a two-layer crust with values of thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat production distinct from those of the underlying mantle, in which the conductivity is generally a function of temperature and depth. Temperature, velocity, effective viscosity, and volumetric heat generation profiles are determined, accounting for viscous dissipation and using a temperature and pressure dependent nonlinear mantle rheology in which the rate of strain is directly proportional to a power n of the shear stress (n = 3 is generally assumed, although the Newtonian case is investigated). The solutions provide the values of lower crustal radiogenic heat production and shear stress, which are a priori unknown. The boundary conditions on the model are the values of velocity, temperature, and heat flux at the surface and the vanishing of velocity with a prescribed upward heat flux at great depth. The models produce a shear zone (asthenosphere), the region where the geotherm bends over, the velocity drops rapidly to zero, the viscosity has a minimum value, and the shear stress heating has a maximum value. The thickness and depth of the shear zone, the value of viscosity therein, the associated shear stress, the lower crustal radioactivity, and other characteristics of the model depend on parameters such as the activation energy and volume of the constitutive stress-rate of strain equation, plate velocity, mantle radioactivity, and heat influx from the lower mantle. These dependences are explicitly demonstrated through the presentation of a series of numerical calculations. A realistic model of the mantle beneath stable continental regions is found which satisfies the additional constraints of the temperature at and the depth to the shear zone inferred from the petrology of peridotite xenoliths in kimberlites from South Africa, the seismic shear wave structure beneath shields, and the value of radioactivity in gabbroic rocks likely to represent the lower crust. The activation volume V* is the most important constitutive parameter controlling the depth of the shear zone. The model for stable continental regions predicts that V* is perhaps twice as large as would be appropriate for diffusion of O− − ions. Viscous dissipation contributes about 0.1 HFU (μcal cm−2 s−1) to the continental surface heat flux. Through thermal feedback as a result of the pressure and temperature dependence of the viscosity, shear stress heating leads to the formation of an asthenosphere decoupling the plates from the underlying mantle.
Countervailing Agency: A Strategy of Principaled Regulation under Managed Competition

Despite the failure of recent attempts to reform health care, strategies of managed competition remain the dominant prescription for government oversight of managed care. A number of assumptions and prescriptions in the conventional managed competition model are challenged. More specifically, externalities in the costs and benefits associated with health care and asymmetric information between providers and patients make it unlikely that a managed care system designed to be responsive to consumers will, in practice, produce socially desirable outcomes. An alternative approach for the regulation of managed care more explicitly protects the role of health care professionals as agents for their patients while defining the appropriate role of managed care as the agent for broader societal interests. This strategy of “countervailing agency”acknowledges that oversight of managed care inevitably involves value-laden choices. It is based on institutional arrangements and regulatory strategies that are intended to balance competing interests and values.
Small Angle Scattering of Fibrinogen Polymerization Kinetics and of Alpha1 Antitrypsin Interactions with Lipid Membranes

Fibrinogen and Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) are plasma glycoproteins with different, but specific functions. A1AT has been shown to have protective roles of lung cells against emphysema, a disease characterized by lung tissue destruction [1], while fibrinogen is a major factor in the blood clotting process. Most known glycoproteins have been shown to play a role in cellular interactions but the exact role of the glycan chains is still under investigation. Previous electrophysiological measurements show that A1AT has a strong affinity to lipid bilayers perturbing the function of ion channels present in the membrane. This study was designed to investigate how protein-membrane and protein-protein interactions affect the native conformation of the protein and membrane in question. Two different glycoproteins were used for comparison purposes. For A1AT, we performed contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments to study the structural changes of the glycosylated form of A1AT in the presence of three different lipid membranes: POPC, POPS and DLPC. For fibrinogen, we performed dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements to find a suitable protein concentration that would yield the reaction rate needed for a time resolved SANS study of the structural evolution of fibrinogen polymerization in solution. Guinier fits were used as a first approximation to obtain the radius of gyration (Rg) of A1AT, fibrinogen and fibrin. Pair distribution functions were used to monitor the shifts in structural parameters and Bragg peaks were used to study the structural changes of lipid vesicles. We observed that the A1AT interacts with unilamellar vesicles and that fibrin structure is affected by its polymerization rate. [1] Petrusca, et al., JBC 2010.
BATHROOM SCALDS IN CHILDHOOD

Bathroom scalds, caused by hot water in bathtubs, sinks and showers are less frequent (48 patients, 26% of all acute scald patients at the SBI), but are signif icantly more severe than “kitchen scalds.” This comparison of severity can be made in terms of extent of burn (29% BSA vs. 15% BSA); depth of burn (50% had some 3° vs. 33% had some 3°); length of hospital stay (44 days vs. 34 days); and mortality (3/48 vs. 1/138). Forty percent of these children were between twelve and twenty-four months old, and contrary to burn patterns overall, the majority were female. The bathroom fixture was identified in 40 cases: bathtub (32), sink (6), shower (2). It is possible to group these accidents into five behavioral categories: a) Momentary Lack of Supervision (17); b) Child Abuse/Neglect (12); c) Sibling interaction (8); d) Caretaker Misjudgement (6); e) Product/System Failure (5). The low level of public awareness about the severity of such scalds is evident when, in a telephone survey (1976) one half the respondents disagreed with the statement: “Water from a faucet can cause a burn serious enough to hospitalize a person for a month.” A public education campaign should include information about water temperature and exposure times which cause severe burns: (111.6°F for 20-25 minutes; 127.4°F for 30 seconds; 140.0°F for 3-5 seconds), proper safe settings for domestic hot water heaters as related to housing, water distribution, use and washing appliances, as well as proper parental precautions for bathroom safety of young children.
Examination of the Family Involvement Questionnaire-Early Childhood (FIQ-EC) with Low-Income, Latino Families of Young Children.

Given the growing numbers of Latino children entering the U.S. educational system, there is a need to understand the ways Latino parents support their children's early education. However, tools used to measure family engagement have been developed primarily with middle-income, English-speaking European American families in the United States. The present study builds upon prior empirical work with the Family Involvement Questionnaire-Early Childhood (FIQ-EC), a multidimensional scale developed for use with culturally diverse low-income families of young children. With a cross-site sample of 450 Latino parents of children in preschool through first grade, construct validity of the FIQ-EC was examined using Rasch methods and expert panel review. Results from Rasch analyses provided further support for the reliability of the factors comprising the FIQ-EC, as well as provided nuanced information regarding item and person functioning for this Latino sample. These results, in combination with expert panel review...
Recent developments in the therapy of gout.

: The management of acute gouty arthritis is outlined, with special attention to the use of colchicine, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, ACTH, indomethacin, the uricosuric drugs (probenecid and sulfinpyrazone) and the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol. The prevention as well as the treatment of acute attacks, tophaceous deposits and renal calculi is discussed. Also discussed is the knotty problem of what to do about the incidental finding of hyperuricemia in apparently healthy persons. Since hyperuricemia does not of itself predetermine the occurrence of renal lesions, it would seem best to wait for the first objective evidence of tophaceous deposit (usually a period of ten or fifteen years, if ever) before starting treatment to lower the concentration of uric acid.
Laser link performance improvements with wideband microwave impedance matching

The wideband microwave performance of a laser link was improved using a lossless microwave impedance-matching network. Matching has been achieved from 3 to 9.5 GHz, which is more than one octave with a 5 dB associated improvement in both throughput loss and noise figure for the optical link. The improved noise figure makes it possible to use the laser link with lower-gain amplifiers in front of the laser, and the improved throughput loss reduces the gain needed after the link. It is concluded that impedance matching not only improves the performance but also reduces power consumption in the whole system.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Signaling intermediates required for NF-κB activation and IL-8 expression in CF bronchial epithelial cells

Ligation of the asialoGM1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa pilin receptor has been demonstrated to induce IL-8 expression in airway epithelial cells via an NF-kappaB-dependent pathway. We examined the signaling pathways required for asialoGM1-mediated NF-kappaB activation in IB3 cells, a human bronchial epithelial cell line derived from a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient, and C-38 cells, the rescued cell line that expresses a functional CF transmembrane regulator. Ligation of the asialoGM1 receptor with specific antibody induced greater IL-8 expression in IB3 cells than C-38 cells, consistent with the greater density of asialoGM1 receptors in CF phenotype cells. AsialoGM1-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, IkappaB kinase (IKK), and ERK was also greater in IB3 cells. With the use of genetic inhibitors, we found that IKK-beta and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase are required for maximal NF-kappaB transactivation and transcription from the IL-8 promoter. Finally, although ERK activation was required for maximal asialoGM1-mediated IL-8 expression, inhibition of ERK signaling had no effect on IKK or NF-kappaB activation, suggesting that ERK regulates IL-8 expression in an NF-kappaB-independent manner.
Distonic Ion·CH2CH2SCH+2 and the Isomeric Trimethylene and Propylene Sulfide Radical Cations. Assessment of Structures and Reactivities via Decomposition and Redox Reactions

The distonic radical ion ·CH2CH2SCH+2 (1+·), generated by dissociative electron ionization of 1,4-dithiane or 1,4-thioxane, is identified in the gas phase by its collisionally activated dissociation (CAD), neutralization-reionization (+NR+) and charge-reversal (+CR−) mass spectra. The unimolecular chemistry of 1+· is shown to be substantially different from that of the isomeric, ring-closed, trimethylene sulfide ion (2+·). Hence, a substantial isomerization barrier must separate 1+· from the thermodynamically more stable 2+·. Charge permutation (i.e. charge-stripping, +NR+ and +CR−) are far superior, compared to collision-induced fragmentation, for distinguishing 1+· from 2+·, mainly because the oxidized (1++ and 2++) and reduced forms (1 and 2 as well as 1−· and 2−·) of these cations have much lower tendencies for isomerization than 1+· and 2+· themselves. The diradical ·CH2CH2SCH
Plasma effects on atomic reaction rates in hydrogen plasmas.

The perturbative effects of plasma electrons and ions on the effective capture and ionization rates in hydrogen plasma are analyzed. A simple model of hydrogen plasma is constructed to extract the salient features of the system, which is assumed to be in local thermal equilibrium. The interplay between the collisional and radiative processes as functions of the electron temperature and density is explicitly demonstrated. A large increase in the collisional radiative recombination rates at high density and low temperature is caused by (i) the shift in the dominant capture mechanism from the radiative to collisional cascade, and (ii) the presence of upper states in Saha equilibrium which act as a reservoir of population flux. Different sets of effective rates which reflect the approximate structure of the rate equations are evaluated, stressing the relationship between the rate coefficients and the rate equations. When the angular-momentum sublevels are averaged over, because of rapid [ital l]-changing collisions, the ion field distortion effect is shown to be negligible, in the lowest order approximation.
The Forward Rate of Binding of Surface-Tethered Reactants: Effect of Relative Motion between Two Surfaces

The reaction of molecules confined to two dimensions is of interest in cell adhesion, specifically for the reaction between cell surface receptors and substrate-bound ligand. We have developed a model to describe the overall rate of reaction of species that are bound to surfaces under relative motion, such that the Peclet number is order one or greater. The encounter rate between reactive species is calculated from solution of the two-dimensional convection-diffusion equation. The probability that each encounter will lead to binding depends on the intrinsic rate of reaction and the encounter duration. The encounter duration is obtained from the theory of first passage times. We find that the binding rate increases with relative velocity between the two surfaces, then reaches a plateau. This plateau indicates that the increase in the encounter rate is counterbalanced by the decrease in the encounter duration as the relative velocity increases. The binding rate is fully described by two dimensionless parameters, the Peclet number and the Damkohler number. We use this model to explain data from the cell adhesion literature by incorporating these rate laws into "adhesive dynamics" simulations to model the binding of a cell to a surface under flow. Leukocytes are known to display a "shear threshold effect" when binding selectin-coated surfaces under shear flow, defined as an increase in bind rate with shear; this effect, as calculated here, is due to an increase in collisions between receptor and ligand with increasing shear. The model can be used to explain other published data on the effect of wall shear rate on the binding of cells to surfaces, specifically the mild decrease in binding within a fixed area with increasing shear rate.
Motivational characteristics of smokers at the workplace: a public health challenge.

Background. Few studies have focused on the motivational characteristics of smokers who do not volunteer for cessation. This study examined the relationship between demographic and selected psychosocial factors and motivation and intention to quit smoking among employed smokers at five worksites. In addition, the distributions of smokers who are at different stages of readiness to change their smoking behavior are presented. Results. Results indicate that, overall, less than 8% of employed smokers are currently ready to quit smoking and that blue-collar workers are lower in motivation than white-collar workers. Predictors of higher levels of motivation to quit smoking included higher socioeconomic status, maleness, lower levels of self-reported nicotine dependence, and stronger perceptions that smoking was against the social norms of the workplace. Conclusion. Implications for intervention, evaluation, and policy are discussed in the context of the challenge of making a public health impact on reducing overall smoking prevalence.
Accurate power grid analysis with behavioral transistor network modeling

In this paper, we propose fast and efficient techniques to analyze the power grid with accurate modeling of the transistor network. The solution techniques currently available for power grid analysis rely on a model of representing the transistor network as a current source. The disadvantage of the above model is that the drain capacitance of the PMOS transistors which are already on is not modeled. The drain capacitance of the PMOS transistors which are on, act much like a decoupling capacitance in the power grid. By ignoring the drain capacitance, the voltage drop predicted is pessimistic. This implies that a designer is likely to overestimate the amount of decoupling capacitance needed. In our proposed model, we model the transistor network as a simple switch in series with a RC circuit. The presence of switches leads to a non-constant conductance matrix. So, the switch is modeled behaviorally to make the conductance matrix a constant in presence of switches. The resulting conductance matrix is a M-matrix thus making it amenable to linear algebraic methods presented in the literature. The proposed model is nearly as accurate as the SPICE model in predicting the voltage drop. We demonstrate that the current source model of the transistor network has an error of about 10% in predicting the voltage drop. The proposed model offers the middle ground between the accuracy of SPICE simulation and the speed of the current source model. The proposed model is 20--30x faster than SPICE. It also reduces the size of the decoupling capacitance by 2--10x in comparison with the methods presented in the literature.
Rapid and accurate timing simulation of radiation-hardened digital microelectronics using VHDL

The development of a fast, yet accurate, timing simulation capability based on VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) without the use of back annotation of timing delay information is presented. This simulator is intended, primarily, for use with radiation-hardened microelectronic circuits in simulating timing of circuit operation in the pre-radiation and post-radiation environment. Additionally, this simulator works well, using simplified models, for conducting timing estimates of circuit operation in cases where radiation effects are not a concern. Development of the timing models used in the VHDL timing simulator are presented. The timing models are based on a gate output drive capability being represented as an equivalent drive resistance. The loads of the driving gate and the input gates are correspondingly represented by equivalent capacitance values. The resultant gate delays are calculated from the drive resistance and the combined load capacitances. The implementation of the timing models are incorporated into a VHDL library composed of logic gates, latches, and flip-flops. Simulations of circuits were run in SPICE and VHDL to assess the timing accuracy and simulation run time of the VHDL-based timing simulator versus SPICE, and results are presented. Final evaluation of the simulator included testing of a microprocessor control unit. In all cases, the VHDL-based simulation runs over two orders of magnitude quicker than the equivalent SPICE simulation. In the pre- and post-radiation environment, accuracy estimates are usually within five percent and always within 12 percent. >
Geography Matters: International Trade Patterns and the Indirect Land Use Effects of Biofuels

This article investigates the relationship between international trade patterns and the global distribution of coarse grain production responses to market developments in the United States. Our null hypothesis is that world markets are fully integrated, rendering the geographic persistence of bilateral trade flows irrelevant in the global production response to a change in US prices. The alternative hypothesis allows price transmission to vary along with the intensity of competition among countries in specific markets. Using data from 1975 to 2002, we reject the null hypothesis. Our work has direct implications for the analysis of the global land use impacts of biofuel mandates.
Effect of blood pressure lowering and antihypertensive drug class on progression of hypertensive kidney disease: Results from the AASK trial

ContextHypertension is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States, with no known treatment to prevent progressive declines leading to ESRD.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of 2 levels of blood pressure (BP) control and 3 antihypertensive drug classes on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline in hypertension.DesignRandomized 3 × 2 factorial trial with enrollment from February 1995 to September 1998.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 1094 African Americans aged 18 to 70 years with hypertensive renal disease (GFR, 20-65 mL/min per 1.73 m2) were recruited from 21 clinical centers throughout the United States and followed up for 3 to 6.4 years.InterventionsParticipants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 mean arterial pressure goals, 102 to 107 mm Hg (usual; n = 554) or 92 mm Hg or less (lower; n = 540), and to initial treatment with either a β-blocker (metoprolol 50-200 mg/d; n = 441), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril 2.5-10 mg/d; n = 436) or a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, (amlodipine 5-10 mg/d; n = 217). Open-label agents were added to achieve the assigned BP goals.Main Outcome MeasuresRate of change in GFR (GFR slope); clinical composite outcome of reduction in GFR by 50% or more (or ≥25 mL/min per 1.73 m2) from baseline, ESRD, or death. Three primary treatment comparisons were specified: lower vs usual BP goal; ramipril vs metoprolol; and amlodipine vs metoprolol.ResultsAchieved BP averaged (SD) 128/78 (12/8) mm Hg in the lower BP group and 141/85 (12/7) mm Hg in the usual BP group. The mean (SE) GFR slope from baseline through 4 years did not differ significantly between the lower BP group (−2.21 [0.17] mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year) and the usual BP group (−1.95 [0.17] mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year; P = .24), and the lower BP goal did not significantly reduce the rate of the clinical composite outcome (risk reduction for lower BP group = 2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −22% to 21%; P = .85). None of the drug group comparisons showed consistent significant differences in the GFR slope. However, compared with the metoprolol and amlodipine groups, the ramipril group manifested risk reductions in the clinical composite outcome of 22% (95% CI, 1%-38%; P = .04) and 38% (95% CI, 14%-56%; P = .004), respectively. There was no significant difference in the clinical composite outcome between the amlodipine and metoprolol groups.ConclusionsNo additional benefit of slowing progression of hypertensive nephrosclerosis was observed with the lower BP goal. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors appear to be more effective than β-blockers or dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in slowing GFR decline.
Adaptive Thresholding for Improving Sensitivity in Single-Trial Simultaneous EEG/fMRI

A common approach used to fuse simultaneously recorded EEG and fMRI is to correlate trial-by-trial variability in the EEG, or variability of components derived therefrom, with the BOLD response. When this correlation is done using the conventional univariate approach, for example with the general linear model (GLM), there is the usual problem of correcting the statistics for multiple comparisons. Cluster thresholding is often used as the correction of choice, though in many cases it is utilized in an ad hoc way, for example by employing the same cluster thresholds for both traditional regressors (stimulus or behaviorally derived) and EEG-derived regressors. In this paper we describe a resampling procedure that takes into account the a priori statistics of the trial-to-trial variability of the EEG-derived regressors in a way that trades off cluster size and maximum voxel z-score to properly correct for multiple comparisons. We show that this data adaptive procedure improves sensitivity for smaller clusters of activation, without sacrificing the specificity of the results. Our results suggest that extra care is needed in correcting statistics when the regressor model is derived from noisy and/or uncertain measurements, as is the case for regressors constructed from single-trial variations in the EEG.
Quasi-Monte Carlo strategies for stochastic optimization

In this paper we discuss the issue of solving stochastic optimization problems using sampling methods. Numerical results have shown that using variance reduction techniques from statistics can result in significant improvements over Monte Carlo sampling in terms of the number of samples needed for convergence of the optimal objective value and optimal solution to a stochastic optimization problem. Among these techniques are stratified sampling and Quasi-Monte Carlo sampling. However, for problems in high dimension, it may be computationally inefficient to calculate Quasi-Monte Carlo point sets in the full dimension. Rather, we wish to identify which dimensions are most important to the convergence and implement a Quasi-Monte Carlo sampling scheme with padding, where the important dimensions are sampled via Quasi-Monte Carlo sampling and the remaining dimensions with Monte Carlo sampling. We then incorporate this sampling scheme into an external sampling algorithm (ES-QMCP) to solve stochastic optimization problems.
Dysfunctional HDL as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target

The atheroprotective effects of HDL are mediated by several mechanisms, including its role in reverse cholesterol transport and via its antiinflammatory properties. However, not all HDL is functionally similar. HDL and apolipoprotein A-I may become dysfunctional or even proinflammatory and thus promote atherosclerosis. ApoAI posttranslational modification can have a large impact on its function. Myeloperoxidase modification of apoAI impairs its function as a cholesterol acceptor, and the molecular changes induced by myeloperoxidase have been studied in detail. These studies provide the basis for the development of an oxidant-resistant form of apoAI and clinical measures of HDL modification and dysfunction, which may be useful as a treatment criterion.
The hybrid‐stress model for thin plates

The assumed-stress hybrid finite element model is examined for application to the bending analysis of thin plates. A hybrid-stress functional is defined by using a Mindlin-type displacement assumption and including all components of stress. The Euler equations and matrix formulation corresponding to this functional are examined to assess the effects of plate thickness, and a rationale is presented for the selection of stress assumptions so that locking is avoided in the thin plate limit. To illustrate these concepts, a series of linear displacement quadrilateral elements are derived and tested, and the best of these elements is identified for suggested implementation in general-purpose computer programs.
Host life-history variation in response to parasitism

Over half of all living species of plants and animals are parasitic, which by definition involves intimate association with and unfavourable impact on hosts (Price, 1980). This paper will only consider parasites whose ‘unfavourable impact’ adversely affects the birth and/or mortality rates of their hosts (Anderson, 1978). Most organisms are potential hosts and must deal with the problem of parasitism. The probability of parasitic infection of a host is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Traditionally it was assumed that a host was either resistant or susceptible to a particular parasite and therefore the interaction between a parasite and potential host had only two possible outcomes: either the resistant host rebuffed the parasitic attack and remained uninfected or the parasite successfully invaded and significantly reduced the reproductive success of the susceptible host. This approach, however, ignored the intraspecific genetic variation present within both host and parasite populations (Wakelin, 1978). Since the outcome is determined by the interaction of a finite set of host genes and parasite genes, genetic variation in host susceptibility and parasite infectivity (Richards, 1976; Wakelin, 1978) suggests that more than two outcomes are possible. Variation in host and parasite genomes does not begin and end at the susceptibility/infectivity loci. Other genes may also influence the outcome of host–parasite interactions by altering the life-history patterns of hosts and parasites, and lead to a variety of outcomes.