cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting and identifying system changes in the cloud via discovery by example

Discovering and identifying system changes caused by events such as software installation and updates, configuration changes, and security patches are important functionalities for change management, security, compliance and problem diagnosis in emerging cloud platforms. Currently, most discovery tools use manually written rules, which require specific knowledge of software and systems. Approaches based on manually written rules are often fragile and require constant maintenance in this era of continuous integration. In this paper, we propose a novel “discovery by example” approach to autonomously search for and identify system changes. Our approach learns characteristic features of system changes automatically, without requiring any explicit rule definitions or specific knowledge of the underlying software or systems. In this approach, given a system change, our method searches a repository that contains previous stored system changes and returns those that are similar to it. We further explore the use of various forms of “fingerprints” to represent system changes efficiently and faithfully in a compact manner. We propose and evaluate two types of fingerprints: the “basename fingerprint” and the “1-D histogram fingerprint”. We show that both fingerprints exhibit different efficiency and accuracy trade-offs, and they can be effectively employed in different use cases. We evaluate the performance of our approach with both techniques and further present an application of it in system real-time streaming monitoring.
Effects of infusion of human methemoglobin solution following hydrogen sulfide poisoning

Rationale. We have recently reported that infusion of a solution containing methemoglobin (MetHb) during exposure to hydrogen sulfide results in a rapid and large decrease in the concentration of t...
Speculative Policy Making in the Environmental Arena

: The development of policy in the American political system has been characterized by incremental change, creation of support, bargaining, compromise, pluralistic group interplay, development of social support and political support, technical input, review and consideration. Incrementalism, as it is called, allows policy to develop in tandem with technical knowledge, legislative and executive support, political advantage, and presumably greater certainty concerning the impact of a particular choice. Environmental policy development, one scholar has hypothesized, followed this basic pattern until the late 1960's when policy aspirations began to escalate much faster than the knowledge, organizational arrangements and political support upon which policy implementation depends. This “escalation” hypothesis is examined in this paper, with particular attention given to policy development in West Virginia.
(E)-(1-Oxoindan-2-ylidene)acetic acid: catemeric hydrogen bonding in an unsaturated γ-keto acid

The title compound, C11H8O3, displays catemeric aggregation, involving hydrogen bonds progressing from the carboxyl of one mol­ecule to the ketone of a glide-related neighbor [O⋯O = 2.6952 (12) A and O—H⋯O = 177.7 (16)°]. The mol­ecule is highly planar and inherently achiral, but a slight conformational enanti­omerism generated by the packing creates alternating conformational chirality in the chain units. Hydrogen-bonding chains, all aligned in the a-axis direction, occur in parallel counter-directional pairs related by centrosymmetry. Significant overlap of the aromatic rings occurs in the mol­ecular stacking, at an average distance of 3.354 A. Two C—H⋯O=C close contacts exist.
Kinetics, product analysis and mechanism of the reduction of chlorate by chloride and phenol in aqueous acidic solution

Abstract A detailed study of the kinetics and product analysis of the reaction between chlorate and chloride in the range of 1.00–3.00 M hydrogen and chloride ion at 3.00 M ionic strength in the presence of varying amounts of phenol in aqueous solution at 25.0°C is reported. A linear set of rate parameters, each parameter being first order in chlorate, is proposed as representing three parallel paths for the reduction of chlorate. Evidence presented indicates that phenol acts to scavenge reactive intermediates formed from the acid-dependent interaction between chlorate and chloride ion and also enters into a direct rate determining bimolecular reductive step of chlorate. Both o - and p -chlorophenols have been semi-quantitatively determined as reaction products along with the qualitative determination of oxidation products with phenol. An increase in the direct interaction between phenol and chlorate results in the oxidized phenolic compounds, whereas the chloride interaction results in the formation of chlorine intermediates that produce chloro-phenolic compounds. An increase in the direct interaction between phenol and chlorate results in increased formation of oxidized phenolic compounds. Increased formation of chlorophenolic compounds parallels an increase in the generation of chlorine containing intermediates such as dichlorine dioxide.
Design of a compact ultra wideband antenna fed by microstrip 180 degree phase shifter

Although the recently presented Double Rhombus antenna is small in size, it is still large compared to the half wavelength at the higher operating frequencies. Therefore, we proposed a modified version of the antenna to decrease its size to be close to half wavelength at the highest usable frequency, to be used in phased array applications and other wireless communications where compact size and wide bandwidth are required. The new antenna is obtained by bending part of the long dipole. In addition, a compact microstrip 180o phase shifter is also designed to be used with the new antenna.
Studies of Variation in Initial Quality of Chicken Eggs 3. Interior Quality Decline under Various Storabe Conditions as Related to Initial Quality

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE extent to which the interior quality of any lot of eggs will decline under various storage conditions is still an important factor in the current marketing situation for shell eggs. The time lapse from producer to retail outlet for at least a portion of the market is apparently decreasing as contractual agreements develop directly between large scale producers and retail outlets. In spite of this trend there are still the variable holding conditions related to turnover time in the retail store and time of ultimate use by the consumer as well as during intermediate handling for eggs marketed more indirectly. Differences in rate of decline as related to strain effect have received the chief interest in current years with variable conclusions being reached. May et al. (1957), Kyle and Mitchell (1958), King et al. (1961), and Fry et al. (1965) concluded that strain did influence quality decline. . . .
Race, Culture, and Researcher Positionality: Working Through Dangers Seen, Unseen, and Unforeseen

This author introduces a framework to guide researchers into a process of racial and cultural awareness, consciousness, and positionality as they conduct education research. The premise of the argument is that dangers seen, unseen, and unforeseen can emerge for researchers when they do not pay careful attention to their own and others’ racialized and cultural systems of coming to know, knowing, and experiencing the world. Education research is used as an analytic site for discussion throughout this article, but the framework may be transferable to other academic disciplines. After a review of literature on race and culture in education and an outline of central tenets of critical race theory, a nonlinear framework is introduced that focuses on several interrelated qualities: researching the self, researching the self in relation to others, engaged reflection and representation, and shifting from the self to system.
Regulation of TH2 responses by the pulmonary Clara cell secretory 10-kd protein.

Abstract Background Pulmonary Clara cell secretory 10-kd protein (CC10) is a steroid-inducible and potentially anti-inflammatory cytokine, but its direct involvement in the regulation of T-cell responses remains unknown. Objective The role of CC10 in the regulation of T H 2 cytokine expression was investigated. Methods The levels of cytokine and GATA-3 expression were determined by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts were also determined by using a standard protocol. CC10 expression in vivo was determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Results In vitro , a significant, dose-dependent suppressive effect of CC10 was found on T H 2 cytokine expression, but not IFN-γ, in splenocytes of antigen-sensitized mice. A similar suppressive effect was also noted in polarized CD4 + T H 2 cells, but not in naive CD4 + T cells. In contrast, CC10 was able to induce IFN-γ expression in naive CD4 + T cells, but not in polarized T H 1 cells. Furthermore, the suppression of T H 2 cytokine expression was concomitant with reduction of a critical transcription factor, GATA-3. Of significance was the finding that although no significant change was found in the decay kinetics of T H 2 cytokine transcripts, a significant decrease in mRNA stability of GATA-3 was seen in CC10-treated cells. In vivo , reconstitution of the CC10 gene in CC10-deficient mice resulted in significantly lower levels of T H 2 cytokines, concomitant with a decrease in GATA-3 expression, after challenge with Ag compared with those seen in mock-transduced mice, which are associated with reduced levels of pulmonary eosinophilia. Conclusion These results demonstrate, that CC10 plays a direct role in the regulation of T-cell–mediated inflammatory responses.
A Reliable Control Design for Discrete-Time Systems

This paper presents results on the design of reliable control systems which are characterized by the ability to withstand the outage of any sensor in a predefined subset or of any actuator in a predefined subset of control loops.
THE PEPTIDOGLYCAN-DEGRADING PROPERTY OF LYSOZYME IS NOT REQUIRED FOR BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY, IN VIVO

Lysozyme is an abundant, cationic antimicrobial protein that plays an important role in pulmonary host defense. Increased concentration of lysozyme in the airspaces of transgenic mice enhanced bacterial killing whereas lysozyme deficiency resulted in increased bacterial burden and morbidity. Lysozyme degrades peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall leading to rapid killing of Gram-positive organisms; however, this mechanism cannot account for the protective effect of lysozyme against Gram-negative bacteria. The current study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that the catalytic activity (muramidase activity) of lysozyme is not required for bacterial killing in vivo. Substitution of serine for aspartic acid at position 53 (D53S) in mouse lysozyme M completely ablated muramidase activity. Muramidase-deficient recombinant lysozyme (LysM(D53S)) killed both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Targeted expression of LysM(D53S) in the respiratory epithelium of wild-type (LysM(+/+)/LysM(D53S)) or lysozyme M(null) mice (LysM(-/-)/LysM(D53S)) resulted in significantly elevated lysozyme protein in the airspaces without any increase in muramidase activity. Intratracheal challenge of transgenic mice with Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria resulted in a significant increase in bacterial burden in LysM(-/-) mice that was completely reversed by targeted expression of LysM(D53S). These results indicate that the muramidase activity of lysozyme is not required for bacterial killing in vitro or in vivo.
Normal IgG Downregulates the Intracellular Superoxide Level and Attenuates Migration and Permeability in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells Isolated From a Hypertensive Patient

The normal IgG, a circulating antibody, is maintained at a constant level in humans. However, little is known regarding whether normal IgG has effects on the function of vascular endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether IgG affects superoxide (O 2 .− ) generation and cell permeability in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) isolated from a hypertensive patient. The effect of normal human IgG on endothelial cell function was investigated in cultured HAECs isolated from a hypertensive patient who died of stroke. The results demonstrated, for the first time, that normal IgG attenuated the intracellular O 2 .− level and decreased cell migration, cell permeability, and stress fiber formation in HAECs. IgG significantly decreased Rac1 activity and NADPH oxidase activity but upregulated Mn superoxide dismutase expression in HAECs, which may contribute to the IgG-induced decrease in O 2 .− level. It is noted that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated by IgG, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of AMPK. Interestingly, inhibition of AMPK by an AMPK inhibitor abolished IgG-induced decreases in Rac1 and NADPH oxidase activities and IgG-induced increases in Mn superoxide dismutase expression, suggesting that AMPK is an important mediator of the IgG-induced regulation of these enzymes. Importantly, inhibition of AMPK activity also prevented the IgG-induced decrease in O 2 .− levels, cell migration, cell permeability, and stress fiber formation. Therefore, normal human IgG may protect HAECs via activation of AMPK and subsequent decreases in intracellular O 2 .− . These findings reveal a previously unidentified role of normal IgG in regulating AMPK and endothelial cell function.
Needle decompression of acute orbital emphysema: case report with video

Commentary on: Chak G, Joseph JM, Tao JP, et al. Needle decompression of acute orbital emphysema: case report with video. Br J Ophthalmol 2012. Orbital emphysema is caused by a communication of air from the paranasal sinuses into the orbit along a pressure gradient. Small orbital fractures may form a one-way valve that allows air inflow and prohibits air outflow, causing progressively increasing intraorbital pressure that leads to an acute orbital compartment syndrome. This presentation is also known as progressive orbital emphysema.1 Differentiating benign orbital emphysema from progressive orbital emphysema is critical because benign orbital emphysema, without compartment syndrome, spontaneously regresses without adverse sequelae. Progressive emphysema, however, often requires urgent decompression of the trapped air and acute orbital compartment syndrome. Irreversible vision loss may ensue due to vascular compromise or mechanical stretching of the optic nerve. We describe a case and—for the first time to the authors’ knowledge—provide video documentation of successful bedside needle decompression of the orbit. A 51-year-old Hispanic man presented with acute right eye pain and diplopia. He had experienced blunt trauma to the right side of his face hours before presentation. The eye pain worsened acutely after blowing his nose hours after injury. In addition, he developed nausea and felt heavy ‘pressure’ upon the right eye. The patient had a 3-year history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus but was otherwise healthy with no ophthalmic history. On examination, pinhole visual acuity was 20/60 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left …
Functional analysis of genetic variants in the human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 (CNT3; SLC28A3).

The human concentrative nucleoside transporter, CNT3 (SLC28A3), plays an important role in mediating the cellular entry of a broad array of physiological nucleosides and synthetic anticancer nucleoside analog drugs. As a first step toward understanding the genetic basis for interindividual differences in the disposition and response to antileukemic nucleoside analogs, we examined the genetic and functional diversity of CNT3. In all, 56 variable sites in the exons and flanking intronic region of SLC28A3 were identified in a collection of 270 DNA samples from US populations (80 African-Americans, 80 European-Americans, 60 Asian-Americans, and 50 Mexican-Americans). Of the 16 coding region variants, 12 had not been previously reported. Also, 10 resulted in amino-acid changes and three of these had total allele frequencies of ≥1%. Nucleotide diversity (π) at nonsynonymous and synonymous sites was estimated to be 1.81 × 104 and 18.13 × 104, respectively, suggesting that SLC28A3 is under negative selection. All nonsynonymous variants, constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, transported purine and pyrimidine model substrates, except for c. 1099G>A (p. Gly367Arg). This rare variant alters an evolutionarily conserved site in the putative substrate recognition domain of CNT3. The presence of three additional evolutionarily conserved glycine residues in the vicinity of p. Gly367Arg that are also conserved in human paralogs suggest that these glycine residues are critical in the function of the concentrative nucleoside transporter family. The genetic analysis and functional characterization of CNT3 variants suggest that this transporter does not tolerate nonsynonymous changes and is important for human fitness.
Effect of flutamide and flutamide plus castraton on prostate size in patients with previously untreated prostate cancer

Abstract Objectives. Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was used in previously untreated men with prostate cancer undergoing hormonal therapy to provide objective observations on the decrease in prostate size and to assess the usefulness of prostate size in estimating treatment response. Methods. In this retrospecive study, 31 patients with previously untreated prostate cancer (Stage T1c to D2) who received hormonal therapy (flutamide, n = 18; flutamide plus castration, n = 13) were followed with serial estimations of prostate size by TRUS and by serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Results. In both treatment groups, the major decreases in prostate size were noted within the first 6 months of therapy, whereas further follow-up examinations failed to show statistically significant changes. Prostate size decreased by 48% in men treated with flutamide, whereas those treated with flutamide plus castration showed a statistically significant greater decrease, mean of 56% ( P ≤0.01). Six patients (33%) in the flutamide group and 5 (38%) men in the total androgen deprivation group ultimately failed therapy as indicated by a rising PSA level. Only 55% (n = 6) of the patients who progressed showed an increase in prostate size. Conclusions. Total androgen deprivation in comparison to flutamide alone caused a larger reduction in prostate size. As a marker of hormonal failure, a rising PSA was more sensitive than an increase in prostate size.
Cloning and characterization of human ORNT2: a second mitochondrial ornithine transporter that can rescue a defective ORNT1 in patients with the hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome, a urea cycle disorder.

Abstract We recently characterized the mitochondrial ornithine transporter (ORNT1), the gene defective in the hyperornithinemia–hyperammonemia–homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome, a urea cycle disorder. Despite the apparent functional ablation of ORNT1 in 10 French-Canadian probands with the ORNT1-F188Δ allele, these patients are mildly affected when compared to patients with other urea cycle disorders such as deficiency of ornithine transcarbamylase. Given that the inner mitochondrial membrane is impermeable to solutes, we hypothesize that other unidentified carriers have some degree of functional redundancy with ORNT1. Using conserved sequences of mammalian and fungal mitochondrial ornithine transporters, we screened the Expressed Sequence Tag database for additional transporters belonging to the ORNT subfamily. Here we identify a new intronless gene, ORNT2, located on chromosome 5. The gene product of ORNT2 is 88% identical to ORNT1, targets to the mitochondria and is expressed in human liver, pancreas, kidney, and cultured fibroblasts from control and HHH patients. When ORNT2 is overexpressed transiently in cultured fibroblasts from HHH patients, it rescues the deficient ornithine metabolism in these cells. Our results suggest that ORNT2 may in part be responsible for the milder phenotype in HHH patients secondary to a gene redundancy effect. We believe ORNT2 arose from a retrotransposition event. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a functional retroposon (ORNT2) that can rescue the disease phenotype of the gene it arose from, ORNT1. As such, ORNT2 may eventually become a candidate for pharmacological-based approaches to correct a urea cycle disorder.
Control-theoretic Synthesis of Hierarchical Dynamics for Embodied Cognition in Autonomous Robots

We consider the design of a continuous hierarchical dynamic system architecture to endow cognition in an autonomous mobile robot with bounded resources. The hierarchy is decomposed on the basis of behavior with lower levels being concerned with motion control, and upper levels being concerned with ensuring overall progress. Our architecture consists of a composition of regulators, all of which have access to sensor data and which control problems relating to the agent's motion in the world (i.e., its velocity, position, and path); it hence realizes a physically embodied cognitive system. To synthesize the regulators, we employ a plant-controller co-design methodology; after constructing a plant that models the salient features of the environment relevant to the behavioral level under consideration, we apply rigorous nonlinear control-theoretic toolsets to synthesize a corresponding controller. An interesting side-effect of our synthesis is the emergence of normalized and unnormalized radial basis functions in our control law. Simulation results and animations illustrating the life-like behavior of the system are provided. We highlight the emergence of satisficing intelligent behavior by our cognitive architecture and show how this satisfies Bedau's definition of weak emergence
Measurements and performance of a microstrip beam probe system

Microstrip probes and associated processing electronics have been designed and used to measure charged-beam position, angle, intensity, output phase, and energy. The authors describe the system that uses the probes and discuss typical beam-cavity interaction data, measurement errors, and system performance. As a bunched, charged beam periodically passes through a microstrip probe, a bipolar signal proportional to the beam's current and position is induced into each of the probe's four axial symmetric lobes. Processing electronics and computer algorithms transform two probe signals into beam intensity and into centroids of the six-dimensional, phase-space beam distributions. These beam centroids can then be plotted with cavity data so that output beam characteristics can be expressed as a function of cavity power and phase. >
Unsedated small-caliber upper endoscopy: an emerging diagnostic and therapeutic technology.

Although conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy has become widespread in its applications and availability, it is constrained by the requirement for patient sedation. This requirement contributes to morbidity, time lost from work, and additional resource utilization in personnel and facilities. Small-caliber endoscopy is an emerging technology that enables transnasal evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract in a unsedated patient. This procedure can be performed in a wider range of settings, including the clinic setting where a dedicated conscious sedation suite is not available and can be incorporated into the office visit. The applications of small-caliber endoscopy include general diagnostic upper endoscopy, screening and surveillance of Barrett esophagus, and intraoperative diagnostics or postoperative evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Therapeutic applications include the placement of nasoduodenal feeding tubes, esophageal pH catheters, and impedance catheters. When used in the se...
Consequences of homeothermic capacity of nestlings on parental care in the european starling

The homeothermic capacity of chicks varied as a function of brood size, age, and air temperature. Commitment to brooding by parents also varied as a function of brood size, age of the young brooded, and prevailing air temperature. It was experimentally determined that parents altered their brooding commitment in direct response to the achieved mean homeothermic capacity of the brood rather than energy demands of the brood per se. Because larger broods achieved a given level of homeothermic capacity earlier than smaller broods, parents spent less time brooding larger broods. This “freed” time represented an increase in potential foraging time by the parents. However, there was no evidence that parents used this potential increased foraging time to elevate the energy return to the nestlings. Other possible advantages of a facultative brooding response by parents are discussed.
Extraction of carrier transport and electronic parameters of submicrometer gate-length MODFET's on InP and GaAs substrates

The transport and electronic parameters of 0.25- mu m and 0.15- mu m-gate-length MODFETs based on InP and GaAs material systems extracted through a systematic measurement technique are discussed. The maximum intrinsic sheet carrier concentrations, n/sub 2DEG/, for 0.25- mu m and 0.15- mu m gate-length InP-based lattice-matched (In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As/In/sub 0.53+x/Ga/sub 0.47-x/As/ In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As, with x=0) and strained channel (x=0.16) MODFETs are experimentally determined to be 0.55, 0.30, and 0.50*10/sup 12/ cm/sup -2/, respectively, whereas the values of the same parameter in GaAs-based pseudomorphic MODFETs are found to be 1.20 and 0.57*10/sup 12/ cm/sup -2/, for 0.25- mu m and 0.15- mu m gate-length devices, respectively. The extracted effective carrier average velocities for the former three devices are 4.0, 6.9, and 8.2*10/sup 7/ cm/s, and those for the latter two devices are 2.9 and 5.7*10/sup 7/ cm/s, respectively. >
Raising the sideways scale

Extended hypercolor theories have been plagued with inherent flavor-changing effects occurring above experimental levels. The problem may be alleviated in a scenario in which hyper-color interactions are not asymptotically free. Then the scale of broken gauged family symmetry may be higher than before. The masses of the pseudo-Goldstone bosons of hypercolor may also be increased.
Law Enforcement Use of Drones & Privacy Rights in the United States

Professor Burkoff discusses the constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law applicable to domestic law enforcement agents’ use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) in the United States. The use of drones by private citizens and law enforcement agencies has been increasing dramatically, raising the specter of unconstrained and unregulated invasions of individual privacy from the sky. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates airspace in the U.S. and currently has adopted very strict constraints on the use of drones, except for their use by private hobbyists at low levels and away from heavily populated areas or airports. However, these FAA regulations are in the process of changing to be much more permissive and, in any event, they are ineffectively enforced. Some states, moreover, concerned about privacy issues, have recently enacted statutes restricting the use of drones by law enforcement agencies except in prescribed circumstances, e.g. after obtaining a warrant based upon probable cause. Many more states are considering the enactment of similar legislation.The important question remains whether or not the Fourth Amendment, the constitutional provision creating constraints on governmental searches and seizures, applies to law enforcement’s use of drones. If it does not, then – absent any other applicable state or FAA prohibition – police agencies would be permitted to use drones whenever they wanted and for whatever purpose they desired, without any restrictions at all on their use. Analyzing the current and changing state of Fourth Amendment doctrine, Professor Burkoff argues that the Fourth Amendment does apply to law enforcement usage of drones in many circumstances. The precise nature of that application remains to be determined, e.g. whether a warrant is required prior to such usage and whether the applicable antecedent justification required is probable cause or reasonable suspicion that the person or place to be observed is engaged in criminal activity. But Burkoff explains that law enforcement officers cannot, in any event, use drones – as a matter of federal constitutional law – when they: (1) are flown outside of navigable airspace; (2) create undue noise, wind, dust, or threat of injury; or (3) obtain any information in an effectively physically intrusive manner from a constitutionally protected area.
Ontogeny of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in rat kidney

We recently cloned extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptors (CaRs) from bovine parathyroid and rat kidney that play key roles in Ca2+ homeostasis. Inactivating mutations of the CaR in the inherited human disorder, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, cause reduced responsiveness of the parathyroid to extracellular Ca2+ (Cao2+), as well as abnormally avid renal tubular reabsorption of both Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the distal tubule, suggesting an important role for the CaR in regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and renal handling of divalent cations. High Cao2+ also inhibits vasopressinstimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) and water reabsorption in the collecting duct (CD) and modulates various other aspects of renal function. The relevance of the CaR to these processes, however, is uncertain. Reduced responsiveness of vasopressin-and PTH-mediated actions on the kidney have been described in the newborn that could potentially reflect effects of the CaR on these aspects of renal function. To define further the role of the CaR in regulating renal function, including the above-mentioned changes during the perinatal period, therefore, we have studied its ontogeny in rat kidney. Northern and Western blot analyses, as well as immunohistochemistry with CaR-specific probes, demonstrate that there is little prenatal expression of the extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor, except in large tubules and branching ureteric buds of developing nephrons. Postnatally, CaR mRNA and protein increase markedly during the 1st wk, related principally to expression of the receptor in the developing TAL and, to a lesser extent, in the CD. The level of expression of the receptor remains nearly constant after postnatal day 14. These results demonstrate that the perinatal increases in expression of CaR mRNA and protein parallel its tissue-specific renal expression. Furthermore, it is possible that some of the previously described changes in renal handling of divalent cations and water in the perinatal and immediate postnatal period are related, in part, to the increasing levels of expression of the CaR and resultant inhibitory effects on the actions of PTH and antidiuretic hormone on the developing nephron.
Prevalence and Predictors of Recent Skin Examination in a Population-Based Twin Cohort

Background: The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide. Guidelines for clinical skin exam for improving early diagnosis of melanoma remain inconsistent, and current data on factors associated with regular skin screening on a population basis are limited. Methods: We used self-reported data from 50,044 members of the California Twin Program, a population-based cohort of twins born in California between 1908 and 1982, to identify prevalence and determinants of recent clinical screening for skin cancer. Results: Prevalence of skin examination was higher than national estimates, with 32% of respondents of all ages reporting ever having skin examination. Sociodemographic and constitutional risk factors including white race, educational attainment, marital status, and number of large moles were strongly associated with recent screening, as were individual and family history of skin cancer. Lower socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minority status, and paradoxically, frequent UV-related risk behaviors in adulthood were associated with a lower likelihood of recent screening. Conclusions: As the evidence concerning the efficacy of skin examination continues to evolve, attention should be paid to motivators and barriers of screening, particularly in high-risk subgroups where lack of screening may contribute to disparate rates of thicker melanomas and lower survival. Impact: Our results demonstrate the need for prevention strategies targeted to specific at-risk groups to increase earlier detection leading to improved outcomes. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1–9. ©2015 AACR.
Challenges of Integrating an Evidence-based Intervention in Health Departments to Prevent Excessive Gestational Weight Gain among Low-income Women

Objective To examine health departments' (HD) capacity to adapt and implement an intervention to prevent excessive gestational weight gain. Design and Sample Seventy-seven stakeholders (nurses, nutritionists, social workers, health educators, health directors, and multilingual service providers) in nine HDs participated. A descriptive mixed methods approach was used to collect data at workshops held onsite to introduce the evidence-based intervention (EBI) and discuss its adaptation. Measures A survey was administered to assess the intervention's fit with the HDs context. Generalized logit mixed models were used to analyze the survey data. The discussions of adaptation were audiotaped and thematically analyzed to identify factors influencing implementation. Results The majority of stakeholders desired to participate in the training portion of the EBI, but they were reluctant to adopt it, and noted a lack of adequate resources. From the audiotaped narratives, three themes emerged: (1) Patient needs and resources, (2) Perception about adaptability of the EBI, and (3) The complexity of the EBI for pregnant populations. Conclusion Although the EBI was effective for low-income nonpregnant populations in southeastern regions, pregnancy and complex antenatal services make this intervention unrealistic to be adapted as a part of prenatal care at HDs.
Magnetoresistance of Co-Ag Films Deposited in a Magnetic Field by Magnetron Sputtering.

The magnetoresistive Co-Ag thin films were deposited on glass substrates in a magnetic field at room temperature by an rf magnetron sputtering system. The magnetoresistive properties of the as-deposited samples was investigated in relation to the intensity of the bias magnetic field applied parallel or perpendicular to the film surface during deposition. Samples deposited in a bias magnetic field showed larger responses in magnetoresistance than that of samples prepared by the conventional sputtering. The magnetoresistive response of the samples deposited in a bias magnetic field increased with increasing intensity of the magnetic field, whereas no saturation of the trend was observed in the range of 9 mT for parallel and 150 mT for perpendicular configurations.
Diruthenium(III,III) Ethynyl-phenyleneimine Molecular Wires: Preparation via On-Complex Schiff Base Condensation

The diruthenium compound trans-Ru2(DMBA)4(C≡C–C6H4-4-CHO)2 (1; DMBA is N,N′-dimethylbenzamidinate) was prepared from the reaction between Ru2(DMBA)4(NO3)2 and HC≡C–C6H4-4-CHO under the weak base conditions. The aldehyde groups of 1 undergo a condensation reaction with NH2C6H4-4-Y (Y = H and NH2) to afford new compounds trans-Ru2(DMBA)4(C≡C–C6H4-4-CH═N–C6H4-4′-Y)2 (Y = H (2) and NH2 (3)). A related compound, Ru2(DMBA)4(C≡C–C6H4-4-N═C(Me)Fc)2 (4), was also prepared from the reaction between Ru2(DMBA)4(NO3)2 and HC≡C–C6H4–N═C(Me)Fc. X-ray structural studies of compounds 1 and 2 revealed significant deviation from an idealized D4h geometry in the coordination sphere of the Ru2 core. Voltammetric measurements revealed four one electron redox processes for compounds 1–3: the Ru2 centered oxidation and reduction, and a pair of reductions of the imine or aldehyde groups. Compound 4 displays an additional oxidation attributed to the Fc groups. DFT calculations were performed on model compounds to gain a more thoro...
Intestinal and Hepatic Cholesterol Synthesis in the Alloxan Diabetic Rat

AbstractThe effects of alloxan diabetes and insulin treatment upon rat 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was studied. In diabetes, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase specific and whole organ activities were reduced 85 and 89%, respectively, during the diurnal high period of enzyme activity. In contrast, whole small intestinal HMG-CoA reductase activity was increased twofold in diabetic rats during this period. The diabetic rats' whole gut HMG-CoA reductase activity approximated the entire liver's. Chronic insulin therapy markedly stimulated hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity in diabetes rats but did not increase gut enzyme activity. Thus in alloxan diabetes, the intestine may be as important a source of endogenous cholesterol as the liver.
Masquerading Orbital Sarcoidosis with Isolated Extraocular Muscle Involvement

Two patients, previously diagnosed and treated for euthyroid, autoantibody-negative thyroid eye disease, presented with active orbitopathy. An atypical disease course and presentation prompted orbital biopsy. Extraocular muscle histopathology demonstrated noncaseating granulomatous inflammation consistent with presumed orbital sarcoidosis involving multiple extraocular muscles, including the inferior oblique in one of the cases. These two cases emphasize the importance of a broad differential diagnosis and the utility of an orbital biopsy in the context of an unusual disease presentation or poor treatment response. The patients' clinical course is discussed alongside important clinical signs, imaging findings, and biopsy results that support a diagnosis of isolated orbital sarcoidosis.
Turning Time-Domain Simulation Based on Numerical Integration

A single degree of freedom dynamic model in z direction for turning machine system was established. The frequency response function of the tool holder of CJ0625 turning machine was obtained through the hammer test,with the dynamic parameters identified. The time-domain simulation was conducted using a variable stepsize method that can dynamically adjust the stepsize according to the spindle speed and thus ensure the algorithm convergence and required accuracy.The software for the time-domain simulation of the turning process was designed and written based on the Matlab platform. The time-domain solution method was compared with the frequency domain flutter prediction method( stability lobe diagram),and the displacement vs time history curves of vibration were given under the conditions of stable cutting,critical stable cutting and unstable cutting. The results show that the errors of absolute stable cutting widths determined using these two methods are both below 6. 07%.
Field Debugging of Relocatable Static Var Compensator in Jiangxi Province

According to the project experience of the first relocatable static var compensator application in Jiangxi China,a series of testing methods have been described.Field debugging test result data have been presented in detailed for subsystem testing and system commissioning.Some key principles and attentions are also drawn from it.The conclusions obtained in this paper will be benefit for the application of SVC in China power grid.
A Hybrid Markov Random Field/Marked Point Process Model for Analysis of Materials Images

Both Markov random field (MRF) and marked point process (MPP) models have some limitations for image analysis. While the MRF is useful for imposing local constraints, global constraints are not easily modeled. On the contrary, it is convenient to model global constraints, such as geometric shape and object interactions, within the MPP framework, but such an object-based MPP model has limited capability for imposing local constraints such as pixel-wise interactions. In this paper, we propose a combined model that incorporates both local and global constraints within a single energy function. Optimization using our model is performed using simulation schemes, including reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo and multiple birth and death algorithms. We also present results using iterated conditional modes for optimization. Although our model should be useful for any application that requires both global information and precise boundary localization, we consider the analysis of microscope images of materials in this paper. We present experimental results to compare our model to the MPP model for object detection and the MRF model for segmentation.
Physiological growth hormone replacement and rate of recurrence of craniopharyngioma: the Genentech National Cooperative Growth Study

OBJECTIVE The object of this study was to establish recurrence rates in patients with craniopharyngioma postoperatively treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as a basis for determining the risk of rhGH therapy in the development of recurrent tumor. METHODS The study included 739 pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma who were naive to GH upon entering the Genentech National Cooperative Growth Study (NCGS) for treatment. Reoperation for tumor recurrence was documented as an adverse event. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were developed for time to recurrence, using age as the outcome and enrollment date as the predictor. Patients without recurrence were treated as censored. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the incidence of recurrence with adjustment for the amount of time at risk. RESULTS Fifty recurrences in these 739 surgically treated patients were recorded. The overall craniopharyngioma recurrence rate in the NCGS was 6.8%, with a median follow-up time of 4.3 years (range 0.7-6.4 years.). Age at the time of study enrollment was statistically significant according to both Cox (p = 0.0032) and logistic (p < 0.001) models, with patients under 9 years of age more likely to suffer recurrence (30 patients [11.8%], 0.025 recurrences/yr of observation, p = 0.0097) than those ages 9-13 years (17 patients [6.0%], 0.17 recurrences/yr of observation) and children older than 13 years (3 patients [1.5%], 0.005 recurrences/yr of observation). CONCLUSIONS Physiological doses of GH do not appear to increase the recurrence rate of craniopharyngioma after surgery in children, but long-term follow-up of GH-treated patients is required to establish a true natural history in the GH treatment era.
Scalable Pattern Sharing on Event Streams

Complex Event Processing (CEP) has emerged as a technology of choice for high performance event analytics in time-critical decision-making applications. Yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to support high-performance event processing due to the rising number and complexity of event pattern queries and the increasingly high velocity of event streams. In this work we design the SPASS framework that successfully tackles these demanding CEP workloads. Our SPASS optimizer identifies opportunities for effective shared processing among CEP queries by leveraging time-based event correlations among queries. The problem of pattern sharing is shown to be NP-hard by reducing the Minimum Substring Cover problem to our CEP pattern sharing problem. The SPASS optimizer is designed that finds a shared pattern plan in polynomial-time covering all sequence patterns while still guaranteeing an optimality bound. To execute this shared pattern plan, the SPASS runtime employs stream transactions that assure concurrent shared maintenance and re-use of sub-patterns across queries. Our experimental study confirms that the SPASS framework achieves over 16 fold performance improvement for a wide range of experiments compared to the state-of-the-art solution.
Carotid Endarterectomy in the Southern California Vascular Outcomes Improvement Collaborative

Background The objective of this study was to examine the variation in practice patterns and associated outcomes for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) within the Southern California Vascular Outcomes Improvement Collaborative (So Cal VOICe), a regional quality group of the Vascular Quality Initiative. Methods All cases entered in the CEA registry by the So Cal VOICe were included in the study. Results From September 2010 through September 2015, 1,110 CEA cases were entered by 9 centers in the So Cal VOICe. Six hundred seventy-seven patients (61%) were male with mean age of 73 years. Nine hundred eighty-eight (89%) were hypertensive, 655 (59%) were prior or current smokers, 389 (35%) were diabetics, and 233 (21%) had coronary artery disease. Eight hundred twenty-one (74%) patients were asymptomatic (no history of ipsilateral neurologic event). The percentage of asymptomatic patients varied across the 9 centers from 57% to 91%. Preoperatively, 344 (31%) underwent cardiac stress test, center variation 13–75%, 500 (45%) underwent only duplex, center variation 11–72%. Intraoperatively, 600 (54%) underwent routine shunting, whereas 67 (6%) were shunted for an indication, and 444 (40%) were not shunted. Wound drainage was used in 422 (38%) cases, center variation 2–98%. Completion imaging by duplex and/or angiogram was performed in 766 (69%) cases, center variation 0–100%. Postoperatively, 11 (1%) patients had a new ipsilateral postoperative neurologic event, center variation 0–1.3%, 6 (0.5%) had a postoperative myocardial infarction, center variation 0–1.3%, and 8 (0.7%) required return to operating room for bleeding, center variation 0–1.3%. Conclusions Despite wide variation in practice patterns surrounding CEA in the So Cal VOICe, postoperative complications were uniformly low. Further work will focus on identifying practices that can be modified to improve cost-effectiveness while maintaining excellent outcomes.