cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cold cataract formation in fish lenses.

Abstract Cold cataract formation in fish lenses occurs at temperatures, 10 to 40°C below that for mammals. It is partially an irreversible cataract: while the cortex and nucleus become transparent upon warming, a spherical layer at the interface between these two regions remains turbid. On the basis of light scattering and isoelectric focusing data, it is concluded that cold cataract formation in fish lenses is not due to any specific lens protein alone but to the specific supermolecular organization of lens protein in the different parts of the lens.
Predicting computer programming skill

Abstract Most people who teach programming believe that an aptitude for programming is closely related to an aptitude for mathematics. As a result, we have developed a structure for our curricula which uses mathematics almost exclusively as a base. Recently, however, individuals have begun to claim that programming skill is associated with language aptitude. This, in turn, has caused some to reflect on the relative merits of the two philosophies. In that spirit, this study was undertaken to assess the relative roles of mathematical aptitude and language aptitude in the development and enhancement of programming skill. It was found that both types of aptitudes are associated with programming skill: mathematical aptitude was associated with an ability to learn rules of logic and language aptitude was associated with an ability to team syntatic rules. Implications for the teaching of programming are discussed.
Mapping lakes for winter liquid water availability using SAR on the North Slope of Alaska

Abstract Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data were used to map late winter liquid water presence below ice for lakes within a 168,000 km 2 study area on the North Slope coastal plain of Alaska. Automated digital processing techniques were used to preprocess and classify 36 ERS-2 images acquired during April 2009. Lakes within the study area were extracted from the imagery and classified to produce frozen (no liquid water present) and unfrozen (liquid water present under ice) classes. Bathymetric data from 105 lakes were compiled from existing sources and were used as validation for the classification results based on an expected maximum ice depth of 1.6 m. Lake locations with a depth of less than 1.6 m were considered to be frozen while those greater than 1.6 m were considered unfrozen. Bathymetric locations that were classified as frozen were found to be less than 1.6 m in depth at 94% of the sample locations. Classification error within the unfrozen class was typically greatest within 50 m of the frozen/unfrozen class boundary. Bathymetric locations that were greater than 1.6 m in depth and which were more than 50 m from the frozen/unfrozen class boundary were correctly identified as unfrozen at 98% of the verification locations. Shallow areas less 1.6 m in depth were sometimes misclassified as unfrozen areas resulting in an overall classification accuracy of 89%. Three sources of classification error were considered; spatial mis-registration, ice depth variation, and talik presence. Mapping winter liquid water content within lakes on the North Slope coastal plain provides a useful tool for the evaluation of individual lakes during development planning and also provides a broad regional description of lake morphology that is relevant to landscape level physical and ecological interpretation.
The spleen in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

The differential diagnosis of massive splenomegaly, operationally defined as a palpable spleen that extends below the transumbilical line, includes myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), chronic myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly, kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), Gaucher disease, splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and sarcoidosis. In MMM, splenomegaly is secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis. Progressive splenomegaly in MMM is associated with mechanical discomfort, early satiety, episodes of severe left upper quadrant pain from splenic infarcts, profound cachexia, increased red blood cell transfusion requirement, thrombocytopenia, and complications of portal hypertension. Spleen-directed management in MMM includes chemotherapy (initial choice), surgical removal of the spleen (in drug-resistant cases), and splenic irradiation (in poor surgical candidates). In a retrospective study of 223 consecutive splenectomies in MMM, the median spleen mass was 2700 g (range, 380-7735 g). Splenectomy in MMM does not alter the natural history of the disease but benefits a proportion of patients with the aforementioned spleenrelated symptoms.
Antifungal and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of 1‐(3′,4′,5′‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐2‐nitro‐ethylene

Summary. The antifungal and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-nitro-ethylene (TMPN) were examined. TMPN was fungicidal for the majority of 132 reference strains and clinical isolates tested, including those resistant to fluconazole, ketoconazole, amphotericin B or flucytosine. Minimum fungicidal concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration (MFC/MIC) ratios were ≤2 for 96% of Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates and 71% of Candida albicans clinical isolates. TMPN was fungicidal for a variety of other basidiomycetes, endomycetes and hyphomycetes, and its activity was unaffected by alterations in media pH. The frequency of occurrence of fungal spontaneous mutations to resistance was <10−6. Kill-curve analyses confirmed the fungicidal action of TMPN, and demonstrated that killing was concentration- and time-dependent. At sub-MIC exposure to TMPN, C. albicans did not exhibit yeast/hyphae switching. TMPN was slightly cytotoxic for murine and human cancer cell lines (GI50=1–4 µg ml−1), and weakly inhibited mammalian tubulin polymerization (IC50=0.60 µg ml−1). Zusammenfassung. Die antimyzetische und krebszellhemmende Aktivitat von 1-(3′,4′, 5′-Trimethoxyphenyl)-2-Nitro-Ethylen (TMPN) wurde untersucht. TMPN war fur den Grossteil der 132 getesteten Referenzstamme und klinischen Isolate, einschliesslich Fluconazol-, Ketoconazol-, Amphotericin B- und Flucytosin-resistenter Stamme, fungizid. Das Verhaltnis Minimale Fungizide Konzentration/Minimale Hemmkonzentration (MFK/MHK) war fur 96% der klinischen Cryptococcus neoformans-Isolate und fur 71% der klinischen Candida albicans-Isolate ≤2. TMPN zeigte sich fur eine Auswahl weiterer Basidiomyceten, Endomyceten und Hyphomyceten fungizid, und pH-Veranderungen im Medium beeinflussten diese Aktivitat nicht. Die Haufigkeit spontaner, zu TMPN-Resistenz fuhrender Mutationen bei Pilzen war < 10−6. Killkurven-Analysen bestatigten die fungizide Wirkung von TMPN und demonstrierten, dass das Killen konzentrations- und zeitabhangig war. Bei TMPN-Konzentrationen unterhalb der MHK zeigte C. albicans keinen Hefe/Hyphen-Wechsel. TMPN zeigte sich in Mause- und Mensch-Krebszellinien leicht cytotoxisch (GI50=1–4 µg ml−1) und demonstrierte eine schwache Hemmung der Sauger-Tubulinpolymerisation (IC50=0.60 µg ml−1).
Effects of Postharvest Elevated-Temperature Exposure on Rice Quality and Functionality

ABSTRACT Rapid drying with high-temperature air has gained interest in the rice industry, but the effects of elevated-temperature exposure on physicochemical properties of rice are of concern. This study investigated the effects of exposing rough rice to elevated temperatures for various durations without removing moisture. Physicochemical property response was evaluated in terms of head rice yield (HRY), germination rate (GR), milled-rice yellowing, pasting properties, and gelatinization temperatures. Two long-grain cultivars (pure-line Wells and hybrid CL XL729) at initial moisture contents (IMCs) of 17.9 and 18.6%, respectively, and dried moisture content (DMC) of 12.5%, were hermetically sealed and exposed to 40, 60, and 80°C for various durations. Exposure to 80°C of IMC samples of Wells and CL XL729 resulted in a significant (2.3–2.5 percentage point) reduction in the HRYs. A 2 hr exposure of both cultivars at IMC level to 60°C completely inhibited GR, and exposure to 80°C of the cultivars at both m...
Flow and mass transfer near an enclosed rotating disk: Experiment

Abstract The flow near a disk rotating in a cylinder of water was studied by using dye tracers and by taking time exposure photographs of neutrally bouyant beads. The rotational Reynolds number was large so that boundary layers formed on all surfaces. The rate of dissolution of cinnamic acid from the disk face was measured in order to determine the effect of the enclosure on mass transfer. There is no effect of the ratio of cylinder radius to disk radius on mass transfer within experimental accuracy; there is no effect of cylinder height for ReH > 50 (approximately) where ReH is the rotational Reynolds number based on the axial distance from the disk to the cylinder bottom. A mass transfer analysis is presented.
A simple model of elastic-plastic plates

Abstract The elastic-plastic plate is modelled by a sandwich of four layers and by two-dimensional quadrilateral elements. Piecewise constant approximations of the stresses within subregions provide a mechanism for the stepwise progression of yielding.
Protein turnover in adipose tissue from fasted or diabetic rats.

Protein synthesis and degradation in vitro were compared in epididymal fat pads from animals deprived of food for 48 h or treated 6 or 12 days prior with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Although both fasting and diabetes led to depressed (-24 to -57 percent) protein synthesis, the diminution in protein degradation (-63 to -72 percent) was even greater, so that net in vitro protein balance improved dramatically. Insulin failed to inhibit protein degradation in fat pads of these rats as it does for fed animals. Although insulin stimulated protein synthesis in fat pads of fasted and 12 day diabetic rats, the absolute change was much smaller than that seen in the fed state. The inhibition of protein degradation by leucine also seems to be less in fasted animals, probably because leucine catabolism is slower in fasting. These results show that fasting and diabetes may improve protein balance in adipose tissue but diminish the regulatory effects of insulin.
Dispersion analysis of numerical approximations to plane wave motions in an isotropic elastic solid

It is well known that isotropic, nondispersive continuous hyperbolic problems become dispersive and anisotropic upon discretization. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a dispersion analysis of the nondissipative numerical approximations to plane wave motions in isotropic elastic solids. The discrete formulations considered are: an explicit, second-order accurate finite difference scheme, a consistent mass matrix formulation with linear quadrilateral elements and the corresponding lumped mass matrix formulation. Dispersion relation is derived for each of these formulations. In the context of the finite difference scheme, expressions for group velocity for both the shear and longitudinal waves are derived and the effect of using meshes of unequal size in x and y directions is studied. Results from numerical experiments confirming the predictions of analysis are also presented.
Macroscopic phase separation of Se-rich ( x< 1/3) ternary Agy(GexSe1−x)1−y glasses

Temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry measurements on Ag y (Ge x Se 1-x ) 1-y glasses provide evidence for bimodal glass transition temperatures in Se-rich glasses (x < 1/3). At x = 0.20 and 0.25, thermal measurements performed as a function of Ag content in the 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.25 range reveal that the additive (Ag) segregates into an Ag 2 Se-rich glass phase, possessing a characteristic glass transition temperature T a g = 230 °C, while the remaining base glass displays a second glass transition temperature T b g that systematically increases as its Se content is depleted. The present thermal results are in harmony with Raman scattering, neutron diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy and optical microscopy measurements and suggest that Se-rich glasses in the Ag-Ge-Se ternary system intrinsically phase separate on a macroscopic scale.
Comparing heterogeneous consumption in U.S. and Japanese meat and fish demand

This article uses national, quarterly data to conduct an empirical analysis of pre-committed meat and fish demand by U.S. and Japanese households using the generalized almost ideal demand system (GAIDS). Pre-committed demand represents the component of demand that is insensitive to both income and price adjustments. U.S. consumers are found to hold significant positive pre-committed demand for beef and pork, while Japanese consumers appear to possess significant, positive pre-committed demand for beef and fish. This provides evidence to partially explain observed differences in Japanese and U.S. consumer reactions to nonprice and nonincome effects in beef, pork, poultry, and fish. In addition, based on inand out-of-sample performance, the more general GAIDS is preferred to the almost ideal demand system (AIDS) for both the U.S. and Japanese demand systems. Results lend to improved demand modeling efforts and more complete understanding of true market forces at hand in meat and fish markets for these culturally diverse consumer groups.
Rates and mechanisms of Mesoarchean magmatic arc construction, eastern Kaapvaal craton, Swaziland

The mechanisms and time scales of magmatism and deformation during orogenesis are important for developing models of lithospheric growth. We summarize the first detailed study of a well-preserved Mesoarchean crustal section from the oldest portion of the Kaapvaal craton, southern Africa, which records the complex interactions between deformation and magmatism during craton assembly ca. 3.3–3.2 Ga. We use chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) U-Pb zircon geochronology and apatite thermochronology in conjunction with geological mapping to show that the tonalitic to granitic Usutu magmatic suite intruded into the ca. 3.66–3.45 Ga Ancient gneiss complex over a period of ∼16 Ma ca. 3236–3220 Ma as discrete pulses of magma with variable intrusive styles. Usutu rocks retain magmatic fabrics that preserve a history of NW-SE regional shortening, consistent with synchronous deformation recorded in the adjacent Barberton greenstone belt. U-Pb zircon dates of ca. 3.28–3.23 Ga and apatite cooling dates from the Nhlangano gneiss SE of the Ancient gneiss complex reveal that they represent an older, largely undocumented period of crustal growth and modification. Synchronicity in magmatism and similarity in kinematics of deformation north and south of a previously suggested continental suture in the Barberton greenstone belt lead us to propose doubly vergent subduction zones that were active from at least ca. 3.28 to 3.22 Ga. Geochemistry of the Usutu suite reveals differences in magma sources from north to south, which, when combined with Nd isotopic signatures, are consistent with their production in a subduction zone. The combination of <1 Ma precision on crystallization dates with field observations and geochemistry allows us to track the evolution of this magmatic system with temporal resolution unprecedented for Archean rocks.
Nonlinear Perturbation Control for Magnetic Transducers

Stringent performance criteria often required in many smart material applications necessitates the need for robust control designs. Moderate to large field inputs typically introduce nonlinear, hysteretic constitutive behavior which degrades performance when linear control theory is implemented. In this paper, a hybrid nonlinear optimal control design is numerically implemented on a Terfenol-D magnetostrictive actuator to track a reference trajectory in operating regimes where nonlinear, hysteretic constitutive behavior is present. The control design incorporates perturbation feedback around an optimal open loop trajectory. The optimal open loop trajectory is computed off-line using a homogenized energy model to predict nonlinear and hysteretic constitutive behavior. The perturbation feedback is implemented using classic Proportional-Integral (PI) control to improve robustness to operating uncertainties. The hybrid nonlinear control design is compared to classic PI control to illustrate where improvements are achieved.
Parenting Stress and Childhood Psychopathology: An Examination of Specificity to Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms

The purpose of this study was to examine if specificity exists between three factors of parenting stress (i.e., parental distress, parent–child (PC) dysfunctional interactions, and difficult child) and childhood internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The incremental validity of parenting stress beyond parental psychopathology was also examined. The sample was drawn from families of children aged 5–17 (N = 300), who sought treatment for their child from a community mental health clinic. Results indicated that the PC dysfunctional interactions factor showed specificity to internalizing symptoms when controlling for parental psychopathology. Parental distress did not show specificity or incremental validity and the difficult child factor was associated with both internalizing and externalizing symptoms when controlling for parental psychopathology. The influence of age, gender, and ethnicity on these associations is also presented, and findings are discussed in terms of how the results add to understanding the specific relations between parenting stress and child and adolescent symptoms.
Empirically Supported Treatments and General Therapy Guidelines for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Mental health counselors are facing increased demand to treat both adolescents and adults who present with repetitive non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, yet there are few empirically supported treatments or general treatment guidelines available. I will review the research on problem-solving and dialectical behavior therapy, two cognitive-behavioral treatments that have the most empirical support for reducing self-injurious behavior. I conclude by providing specific treatment recommendations drawn from the literature that can be of use to mental health counselors working with individuals who self-injure.
UFT Plus Oral Leucovorin: A New Oral Treatment for Colorectal Cancer.

UFT is an oral antineoplastic agent that combines the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug tegafur with uracil in a 1:4 molar ratio. Uracil is added because it competitively inhibits the degradation of 5-FU, resulting in increased plasma and tumor 5-FU concentrations. Although UFT has been available in Japan since 1984, it has only recently been in clinical development in the United States. Beginning in 1991, phase I/II trials of UFT have been conducted in the United States to establish a maximum tolerated dose, evaluate its pharmacokinetics, and assess its efficacy and safety in advanced colorectal cancer. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that UFT 300 mg/m 2 /day administered in divided doses every 8 h for 28 days provides an effective oral method of delivering a prolonged exposure to 5-FU. UFT plus oral leucovorin is well tolerated, with diarrhea as the dose-limiting toxicity. Unlike i.v. administered 5-FU, UFT is not associated with significant myelosuppression, mucositis, hand-foot syndrome, or alopecia, and patients have a decreased risk of toxicityrelated hospitalization. In a phase II trial in advanced colorectal cancer, UFT plus oral leucovorin produced an objective response rate of 42%, with survival similar to weekly i.v. 5-FU plus leucovorin. The reduced toxicity, efficacy comparable to i.v. 5-FU, and the convenience and cost savings of an orally administered regimen have potential pharmacoeconomic advantages. The Oncologist 1998;3:155-164
My Reference Is Prejudiced: David Lamelas's Publication

This article addresses David Lamelas's 1970 work Publication, arguing that it represents a subtle critique of the internationalization of conceptual art by a recent entrant into the West European milieu. Exhibited at Nigel Greenwood Gallery in London after the artist's 1968 relocation from Argentina, Publication consists of thirteen written responses to three statements about the possible use of “language as an Art Form” that were sent by Lamelas to international figures in conceptual art such Daniel Buren, Gilbert and George, Lucy Lippard, and Lawrence Wiener. A close reading of this and others of Lamelas's experiments works leading up to this moment reveals affinities with earlier artistic experiments in Buenos Aires, the artist's original context, that have anything but membership in a preexisting movement or the adoption of an established genre as their goal. Between the years 1965 and 1968, Lamelas was part of a group of artists associated with the Torcuato di Tella Institute and the writer Oscar Mas...
Color-Coded Digital Subtraction Angiography: The End of a Monochromatic Era?

In 1927, Egaz Moniz[1][1],[2][2] introduced cerebral angiography by using the x-ray absorption of intravascular contrast. During the following 83 years, this way of studying the cerebral blood circulation has not significantly changed. In 2010, we still visualize the neurovascular system by
Throughput improvements for FH/SSMA system using variable rate coding with interference estimates

To this paper we consider the potential throughput gains of a FHMA system using variable rate coding. The throughput gains are based on the assumption that the exact number of users in the system, m, is exactly known at any time as opposed to just accurate statistics of the user population mean, /spl lambda/, which is Poisson distributed. We present theoretical bounds for throughput gains that can be achieved when coding at capacity and show the throughput gains due to variable rate coding in synchronous and asynchronous hopping systems using Reed-Solomon (RS) coding with and without accurate statistics of the user population mean.
Evidence of Salt‐Water Intrusion in Southeastern Long Island

A preexisting network of 124 wells used for fire protection in the Town of Southampton, Long Island, New York, was monitored during a one-year period for groundwater levels and chloride concentrations. Water from 26 wells had chloride concentrations of 50 mg/l or greater and in 17 wells the chloride concentration exceeded 200 mg/l. Most of these wells are located in two densely populated areas. The possibility of widespread intrusion in one of these areas has not been previously documented. In addition, detailed water-table contour maps are presented for selected areas within the Town.
Effects of Single Parenthood on Educational Aspiration and Student Disengagement in Korea

The recent rapid increase in divorce along with its distinctive cultural and welfare environments for single-parent families makes Korea an interesting case for examining effects of single parenthood on childrens education. Using data from Korean 9th and 12th graders I compare the levels of educational aspiration and student disengagement between students with two parents and those with a single parent distinguishing divorced single fathers widowed single fathers divorced single mothers and widowed single mothers. Logistic regression analyses show that students with a divorced single parent regardless of gender of the parent are much less likely to aspire to four-year university education and more likely to be disengaged than their counterparts with two parents. The effects of widowhood disappear once control variables are held constant. Lower household income among single-parent families explains in part the poorer educational outcomes of their children. Parent-child interaction is another important mediating factor for the effect of single fatherhood but not for single motherhood. The relevance of the extended family system and distinctive features of post-divorce living arrangements in Korea is discussed to understand the effects of single parenthood. (authors)
Social Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Korean American Older Adults: The Conditioning Role of Acculturation

Objective: This study examined the independent and interactive effects of acculturation and social activity on depressive symptoms. Method: Using a sample of community-dwelling Korean American older adults (N = 675), hierarchical regression models of depressive symptoms were estimated with an array of predictors: (a) demographic variables, (b) health-related variables, (c) acculturation, (d) social activity, and (e) an interaction between acculturation and social activity. Results: After controlling for the effects of demographic and health-related variables, both acculturation and social activity were identified as significant predictors. Moreover, their interaction was significant (β = .09, p < .05). Further analysis showed that the beneficial effect of social activity on mental health was particularly strong among those with lower levels of acculturation. Discussion: Our findings suggest that enhancing opportunities for social engagement may serve to protect and promote the mental health of vulnerable ...
Interactions between host attributes and wasp size: a laboratory evaluation of Trichogramma platneri as an augmentative biological control agent for two avocado pests

We compared egg parasitization of two sporadic pests of avocado, Persea americana Miller, by Trichogramma platneri Nagarkatti reared on Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver) (=smaller parasitoids) with those reared on Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (= larger parasitoids) in the laboratory. Large T. platneri females invested less time than smaller parasitoids in obtaining offspring from eggs of either Amorbia cuneana Walsingham or Sabulodes aegrotata (Guenee). Furthermore, large T. platneri invested substantially more time (ca. 3-fold) in obtaining offspring from S. aegrotata than A. cuneana eggs. These investment times positively correlated with percentage egg-load retained by a female after it had ceased exploiting a host species. This occurred even though the offspring produced by a parasitoid from either host species manifested the same size and fecundity (= quality). Host species utilization in the laboratory mirrored that observed in the avocado groves of southern California following augmentative release of commercially produced T. platneri (Oatman & Platner, 1985). Explanations for these differences in host utilization are discussed along with their implications for augmentative biological control.
Maximum performance efficiency approaches for estimating best practice costs

Data mining is increasingly being used to gain competitive advantage. In this chapter, we propose a principle of maximum performance efficiency (MPE) as a contribution to the data-mining toolkit. This principle seeks to estimate optimal or boundary behavior, in contrast to techniques like regression analysis that predict average behavior. This MPE principle is explained in the context of activity-based costing situation. Specifically, we consider the activity-based costing situation in which multiple activities generate a common cost pool. Individual cost drivers are assigned to the respective activities, but allocation of the cost pool to the individual activities is regarded as impractical or expensive. Our study focuses on published data from a set of property tax collection offices, called Rates Departments, for the London metropolitan area. We define what may be called benchmark or most efficient average costs per unit of driver. The MPE principle is then used to estimate the best practice cost rates. A validation approach for this estimation method is developed in terms of what we call normal-like-or-better performance effectiveness. Extensions to time-series data on a single unit, and marginal cost-oriented basic cost models are also briefly described. In conclusion, we discuss potential data-mining applications and considerations.
Family decision‐making theory: An overview and assessment

Because the majority of the American population presently lives within family structures, this area is one of vital concern to marketers. The purpose of this article is to review the present state of research in family decision making and to provide suggestions for future research. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of wheelchair design on metabolic and heart rate responses during propulsion by persons with paraplegia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the metabolic and heart rate (HR) responses of individuals with paraplegia to propulsion in wheelchairs of different design. Eight male and one female wheelchair-bound adults with paraplegia were studied. Each subject propelled a conventional wheelchair and a sports wheelchair on a level wooden surface at four velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m/sec. Steady-rate oxygen consumption (VO2) and immediate postexercise HR measurements were obtained. A linear regression analysis of VO2 (L/min) as a function of velocity (m/sec) revealed a slope and correlation coefficient of 0.614 and .93, respectively, for the conventional chair, and 0.510 and .96, respectively, for the sports chair. The intercepts of these relationships did not differ between wheelchair designs. The data analysis revealed no difference between chair designs in the relationship between velocity and work rate. Thus, the energy cost of propelling the sports chair at a specific velocity was 17% less than that of the conventional chair. The greater efficiency of the sports chair is attributed to differences in wheelchair design, rather than to the total mass of the device.
Accelerometer-determined physical activity and mortality in a national prospective cohort study: Considerations by visual acuity.

Abstract Background Previous research demonstrates that visual impairment (VI) is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk and is also associated with reduced physical activity participation. Although physical activity is reduced among those with VI, no studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and all-cause mortality across different visual function statuses, which is noteworthy of investigation as physical activity is linked with greater survival. Methods Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES were employed, with physical activity assessed via accelerometry and visual function assessed using the ARK-760 autorefractor. Results For those with normal vision, and after adjustments, for every 60 min increase in physical activity, normal-sighted adults had an 18% (HR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72–0.93) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Similarly, after adjustments and for every 60 min increase in physical activity for those with uncorrected refractive error and VI, respectively, there was a 15% (HR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72–1.00) and 35% (HR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43–0.98) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Among all three visual status groups, sedentary behavior was not associated with mortality status. Conclusion Among those with varying degrees of visual loss, sedentary behavior was not associated with mortality, but physical activity demonstrated survival benefits.
A level-set method for imaging salt structures using gravity data

ABSTRACTWe have developed a level-set method for the inverse gravimetry problem of imaging salt structures with density contrast reversal. Under such a circumstance, a part of the salt structure contributes two completely opposite anomalies that counteract with each other, making it unobservable to the gravity data. As a consequence, this amplifies the inherent nonuniqueness of the inverse gravimetry problem so that it is much more challenging to recover the whole salt structure from the gravity data. To alleviate the severe nonuniqueness, it is reasonable to assume that the density contrast between the salt structure and the surrounding sedimentary host depends upon the depth only and is known a priori. Consequently, the original inverse gravity problem reduces to a domain inverse problem, where the supporting domain of the salt body becomes the only unknown. We have used a level-set function to parametrize the boundary of the salt body so that we reformulated the domain inverse problem into a nonlinear ...
Undocumented Immigrants Face a Unique Set of Risks from Tuberculosis Treatment: Is This Just?

Undocumented immigrants treated with isoniazid (INH) for latent tuberculosis infection should be covered for transplant for INH-related liver failure.
Being Kind to Your Future Self: Probability Discounting of Health Decision-Making

Nearly 50 % of patients with chronic medical illness exhibit poor treatment adherence. When making treatment decisions, these patients must balance the probability of current side effects against the probability of long-term benefits. This study examines if the behavioral economic construct of probability discounting can be used to explain treatment decisions in chronic disease. Thirty-eight nonadherent and 39 adherent patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) completed a series of hypothetical treatment scenarios with varied risk and benefit probabilities. As described by a hyperbolic probability discounting model, all patients reported decreased medication initiation as the probability of treatment efficacy decreased and the probability of treatment side effects increased. When compared to adherent patients, nonadherent patients significantly devalued treatment efficacy and inflated treatment risk. The methods in this study can be used to identify optimal risk/benefit ratios for treatment development and inform the process by which patients make treatment decisions.
Propeller Performance Data at Low Reynolds Numbers

While much research has been carried out on propellers for full-scale aircraft, not much data exists on propellers applicable to the ever growing number of UAVs. Many of these UAVs use propellers that must operate in the low Reynolds number range of 50,000 to 100,000 based on the propeller chord at the 75% propeller-blade station. Tests were performed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to quantify the propeller efficiency at these conditions. In total, 79 propellers were tested and the majority fit in the 9- to 11-in diameter range. During the tests, the propeller speed (RPM) was fixed while changing the wind-tunnel speed to sweep over a range of advance ratios until reaching the windmill state (zero thrust). To examine Reynolds number effects, typically four RPM’s were tested in the range 1,500 to 7,500 RPM depending on the propeller diameter. Propeller efficiencies varied greatly from a peak near 0.65 (for an efficient pr opeller) to near 0.28 (for an exceptionally poor propeller). Thus, these results indicate that proper propeller selection for UAVs can have a dramatic effect on aircraft performance.
Isolation and Preliminary Biological Studies of the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone of Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

A potent sex pheromone produced by females of the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), has been isolated, primarily by means of gradient elution liquid chromatography and a new, efficient, bioassay technique. About 50 ng of pheromone were recovered from each female. Extracts prepared from different aged females elicited equal male responses. The optimum time for maximum male response was between 4 and 8 hr after the initiation of a 10-hr dark period. Males were responsive to hexalure (a sex pheromone mimic) but about 1000 times more than the natural pheromone was required to elicit the same magnitude of response.
C-13β-ACYLOXYMILBEMYCINS, A NEW FAMILY OF MACROLIDES

A family of novel milbemycins possessing C-13β-acyloxy substitution was produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC 53718. These compounds were detected by HPLC diode array analysis and possess anthelmintic and ectoparasiticidal activity. The origin of the oxygen atom at C-13 is discussed.
Effect of Certain Antihistaminic and Steroid Compounds on Appendical Peritonitis.

ConclusionBenadryl, an antihistamine and three steroids, cortone, allopregnane and pregnenalone do not affect the course of experimental apppendical peritonitis in dogs.
Análisis de los instrumentos de promoción de inversiones: El caso de Uruguay

Este documento presenta una recopilacion y analisis de los principales instrumentos que Uruguay utiliza para la promocion de las inversiones, aplicando una vision critica de su diseno y aplicacion segun las mejores practicas internacionales y considerando propuestas de mejora, cuando corresponda.
Optimizing scheduling of long-term highway work zone projects

Abstract The impacts of work zone activities can be summarized into the following types: safety impact (on both motorists and workers), mobility impact, economic considerations, environmental concerns, user cost as well as contractor’s maintenance cost. Various interest subjects may focus on different aspects of the six areas identified above. In this study, the impacts of scheduling long-term work zone activities are analyzed from the perspective of traffic agencies and jurisdictions. A bi-level genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimization model is formulated to determine the optimal starting date of each work zone project. The upper-level subprogram minimizes the total travel time over the entire planning horizon, while the lower-level subprogram is a user equilibrium (UE) problem where all users try to find the route that minimizes their own travel time. The demand, and the number of work zones as well as their durations are assumed to be fixed and given a priori. The proposed GA model is applied to the Sioux Falls network, which has 76 links and 24 origin–destination (O–D) pairs. The results of the numerical example indicate that the proposed model can effectively identify the near-optimal solution of the long-term work zone scheduling problem.
Co-adaptive Kalman filtering in a naive rat cortical control task

Control of prosthetic devices is possible via extra-cellular recordings from cortical neurons. Many of the current cortical control paradigms consist of analyzing the relationship between cortical activity and measured arm movements, and then using this known relationship to map cortical activity to similar prosthetic arm movements. However, measured arm movements are not feasible for amputees or patients with mobility limitations hindering their ability to perform such movements. Here we explore an alternative approach using a rat model in which subjects learn prosthesis control via an adaptive decoding filter that adjusts to the modulation patterns recorded from neurons in the motor cortex. Our methodology takes into account the ability of a subject to learn an effective response strategy in conjunction with online filter adaptation. A modified Kalman filter is demonstrated to "co-adapt" by training on past periods of significant modulation during expected prosthetic device movement. Feedback pertinent to completing the cortical task is given to aid the animal in adopting a response strategy maximizing reward. One subject was able to perform the task consistently above chance after 2 days (4 sessions) of training.
Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate MRI‐identifiable injury, protect white matter, and improve long‐term functional outcomes after neonatal focal stroke in rats

Cell therapy has emerged as a potential treatment for many neurodegenerative diseases including stroke and neonatal ischemic brain injury. Delayed intranasal administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after experimental hypoxia-ischemia and after a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in neonatal rats has shown improvement in long-term functional outcomes, but the effects of MSCs on white matter injury (WMI) are insufficiently understood. In this study we used longitudinal T2-weighted (T2W) and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterize chronic injury after tMCAO induced in postnatal day 10 (P10) rats and examined the effects of delayed MSC administration on WMI, axonal coverage, and long-term somatosensory function. We show unilateral injury- and region-dependent changes in diffusion fraction anisotropy 1 and 2 weeks after tMCAO that correspond to accumulation of degraded myelin basic protein, astrocytosis, and decreased axonal coverage. With the use of stringent T2W-based injury criteria at 72 hr after tMCAO to randomize neonatal rats to receive intranasal MSCs or vehicle, we show that a single MSC administration attenuates WMI and enhances somatosensory function 28 days after stroke. A positive correlation was found between MSC-enhanced white matter integrity and functional performance in injured neonatal rats. Collectively, these data indicate that the damage induced by tMCAO progresses over time and is halted by administration of MSCs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evidence‐Based Interventions for Depressed Mothers and Their Young Children

Depression in mothers is a significant risk factor for the development of maladjustment in children. This article focuses on modifiable risk processes linking depression in mothers and adaptation in their young children (i.e., infancy through preschool age). First, the authors present evidence of the efficacy of interventions for reducing the primary source of risk: maternal depression. Second, they describe a central mechanism—parenting behaviors—underlying the relation between maternal depression and children's adjustment. Third, the authors recommend two different integrated interventions that successfully treat mothers’ depression and enhance parenting skills with infants and young children. Finally, the authors note the possible need for supplementary interventions to address severity and comorbidity of mothers’ depression, barriers to engaging in treatment, and the sustainability of program benefits.
Modulating laser intensity profile ellipticity for microstructural control during metal additive manufacturing

Abstract Additively manufactured (AM) metals are often highly textured, containing large columnar grains that initiate epitaxially under steep temperature gradients and rapid solidification conditions. These unique microstructures partially account for the massive property disparity existing between AM and conventionally processed alloys. Although equiaxed grains are desirable for isotropic mechanical behavior, the columnar-to-equiaxed transition remains difficult to predict for conventional solidification processes, and much more so for AM. In this study, the effects of laser intensity profile ellipticity on melt track macrostructures and microstructures were studied in 316L stainless steel. Experimental results were supported by temperature gradients and melt velocities simulated using the ALE3D multi-physics code. As a general trend, columnar grains preferentially formed with increasing laser power and scan speed for all beam profiles. However, when conduction mode laser heating occurs, scan parameters that result in coarse columnar microstructures using Gaussian profiles produce equiaxed or mixed equiaxed-columnar microstructures using elliptical profiles. By modulating spatial laser intensity profiles on the fly, site-specific microstructures and properties can be directly engineered into additively manufactured parts.
CD49d associates with nodal presentation and subsequent development of lymphadenopathy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CD49d is a surface integrin that is expressed on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells, and strongly correlates with more aggressive disease. Given its association with cell-cell adhesion and leucocyte trafficking, we hypothesized that patients with high CD49d expression would experience a clinical course dominated by lymphadenopathy. CD49d expression was measured by flow cytometry and considered positive if expressed by ≥30% of CLL cells. The study included 797 newly diagnosed CLL/small lymphocytic leukaemia patients; 279 (35%) were CD49d positive. CD49d-positive patients were more likely to present with lymphadenopathy (P < 0·001); a finding that persisted after adjusting for fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and IGHV mutation status [odds ratio (OR) 2·51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·64-3·83; P < 0·001]. Among CLL Rai 0 patients, CD49d positivity was associated with shorter time to development of lymphadenopathy (3·2 years vs not reached, P < 0·01). This association was maintained after adjusting for either FISH [hazard ratio (HR) 2·18; 95% CI 1·25-3·81; P = 0·006) or IGHV status (HR 2·02; 95% CI 1·11-3·69; P = 0·02) individually, but was attenuated when adjusting by both (HR 1·72; 95% CI 0·88-3·38; P = 0·11).These data demonstrate that CD49d-positive CLL patients experience a disease course dominated by lymphadenopathy. These findings could have implications for therapy selection and disease monitoring.
3D Printed High Frequency Coaxial Transmission Line Based Circuits

This work presents a coaxial transmission line constructed with additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies. The coaxial structure is primarily air dielectric and, thus, is relatively low loss and is capable of high frequency transmission, demonstrating good transmission above 10~GHz. Additionally, a first order band-pass filter is demonstrated along with a comparison to an equivalent planar (microstrip) filter. This process provides a template for designing coaxial interconnects which is far cheaper and flexible for the designer than traditional methodologies. The loss of the completed design is measured to be 0.78~dB in a 50~mm long section at 10~GHz (0.16~dB/cm). Simulated and measured results are shown.
Brief Report: Improving Social Outcomes for Students with Autism at Recess Through Peer-Mediated Pivotal Response Training

Many students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) struggle to appropriately interact and play with their peers at recess. In this pilot feasibility study, we tested the efficacy of practitioner-implemented, peer-mediated Pivotal Response Training (PRT) with 11 elementary and middle school students with ASD. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. We measured outcomes at multiple time points, and analyzed data using multi-level modeling with time nested within student. We demonstrated large and statistically significant increases in peer interaction (d = 1.13). Appropriate play with peers also increased substantially (d = 0.89). Practitioners and students provided positive feedback. These findings suggest school staff can feasibly facilitate peer-implemented PRT that improves social outcomes for students with ASD at recess.
Stance Classification using Dialogic Properties of Persuasion

Public debate functions as a forum for both expressing and forming opinions, an important aspect of public life. We present results for automatically classifying posts in online debate as to the position, or stance that the speaker takes on an issue, such as Pro or Con. We show that representing the dialogic structure of the debates in terms of agreement relations between speakers, greatly improves performance for stance classification, over models that operate on post content and parent-post context alone.
A microfeature based approach towards metaphor interpretation

This paper advocates a microfeature based approach towards developing computational models for metaphor interpretation. It is argued that the existing models based on semantic networks and mappings of complex symbolic structures are insufficient and inappropriate for modeling metaphors. A connectionist model of metaphor interpretation based on microfeatures is presented, which tries to take into account some important issues, such as accurate capturing of similarity, automatic formation of features, contextual effects, elimination of long paths in conceptual hierarchies, salience imbalance, and feature enhancement. Some of these issues have broad implications in cognitive modeling.