cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure predictions in repairable multi-component systems

Abstract Multi-component repairable systems cannot be modeled by continuous distributions, such as the Weibull. Failures occurring in repairable systems are examples of a series of descrete events which occur randomly in a continuum. These situations which are stochastic point processes are analyzed using the statistics of event series. The Crow model [1], or power law nonhomogenous Poisson process, is recognized by the reliability community as being one of the best models for repairable systems. In this research, failure data from multiple versions of certain mechanical systems are modelled by Crow's nonhomogenous Poisson process, NHPP. The expected number of failures predicted for the respective system by the Crow model are compared to predictions using a Monte Carlo simulation that utilizes Weibull parameters of the major components of the system. The objective is to prove that a simulation based on Weibull parameters of the major component failure modes is able to duplicate the overall system prediction that the Crow NHPP model gives. The simulations, based on fitting component failure data to a continuous distribution such as the Weibull, are more valuable in that they give failure prediction results that can be traced to individual components. The advantage here is that only the major component failure modes will need to be included in the simulation and the NHPP model can be utilized as a gauge to determine when the simulation has the appropriate component failure modes included. The uniqueness in this research lies in the use of the simulation approach in conjunction with the Crow NHPP model so that the failure modes can be identified. The Crow model predicts when the overall system will be down and then the simulation predicts the number of failures from each of the included components. The simulation can identify a finite number of parts that contribute to the overall system downtime. This information can be used to design an optimum preventive maintenance program or guide research into more reliable components.
Ezrin and moesin expression within the developing human cerebrum and tuberous sclerosis-associated cortical tubers

The ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) proteins belong to the band-4.1 superfamily of membrane-cytoskeleton-linking proteins which bind to the actin cytoskeleton via their C-terminal sequences and bind ERM binding membrane proteins (ERMBMPs). We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of two of the ERM proteins (ezrin and moesin) in developing human cerebral cortex and in cortical tubers from patients with tuberous sclerosis (TSC), to assess possible consequences of TSC gene product malfunction or inactivation in the developing brain in relation to ERM protein expression. Ezrin is abundantly expressed within radial glia and migrating cells in the intermediate zone in the prenatal human cerebrum, while moesin is primarily expressed in vascular endothelial cells in developing and adult human brain and scattered microglia in adult brain. In addition, both ezrin and moesin are abundantly co-expressed with hamartin and tuberin within a population of abnormal cells in TSC-associated cortical tubers. The expression of these two proteins – primarily ezrin – suggests that they are developmentally regulated and abundantly expressed in germinal matrix and/or migrating cells during cerebral cortical development. In TSC-associated cortical tubers, both proteins appeared to be up-regulated and are co-localized within a population of abnormal neuroglial cells typical of those seen in tubers. Expression of these proteins and their co-localization with tuberin and hamartin in these cells may suggest a compensatory up-regulation in response to TSC gene mutation.
American Puppet Modernism: Essays on the Material World in Performance

John Bell, American Puppet Modernism: Essays on the Material World in Performance. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. 292 pp. John Bell's American Puppet Modernism (APM), published in 2008 by Palg...
Hemoglobin Cheverly: an Unstable Hemoglobin Associated with Chronic Mild Anemia

The evaluation of a family with chronic mild anemia led to the identification of a new unstable hemoglobin (Hemoglobin Cheverly). Modest anemia and reticulocytosis, normal to slightly increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and normal mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were present in the affected family members. Electrophoresis of blood samples on cellulose acetate and on citrate agar revealed normal patterns. Globin chain analysis and isoelectric focusing data were also normal. After incubation for 3 h at 41 degrees C, Heinz bodies were detected in 95-100% of erythrocytes from affected individuals. Positive heat and isopropanol tests confirmed the initial observation of the Heinz body preparation and indicated that an unstable hemoglobin was present. Structural analysis showed an amino acid substitution of Phe-Ser at position 45 (CD4) in the beta chain. Hemoglobin Cheverly has a reduced affinity for oxygen and a reduced Bohr effect, properties that can be rationalized on the basis of the x-ray crystallographic structure of normal hemoglobin. Despite structural and functional similarities between Hb Cheverly and Hb Hammersmith, beta 42 (CD1) Phe-Ser, the clinical manifestations of Hb Cheverly are mild in contrast to the severe disease observed with Hb Hammersmith. Reasons for the apparently silent clinical expression of Hb Cheverly are not known. We discuss the implications of unstable hemoglobins in the evaluation of chronic anemia in pediatric patients.
Understanding and Teaching Complex Texts

Teachers in today's classrooms struggle every day to design instructional interventions that would build students' reading skills and strategies in order to ensure their comprehension of complex texts. Text complexity can be determined in both qualitative and quantitative ways. In this article, the authors describe various innovative professional development efforts and collaborative conversations around the use of qualitative measures for determining text complexity. Such innovative approaches can enhance teachers' ability to plan for their instruction more effectively and take on the roles of decision-maker and collaborator.
Integrity of prostatic tissue for molecular analysis after robotic-assisted laparoscopic and open prostatectomy.

Objectives The warm ischemia time of tissue before fixation for pathologic analysis has been linked to changes in cell morphology and nucleic acid and protein integrity. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) results in longer warm ischemia times than open radical retropubic prostatectomy. To assess the effect of longer ischemia times on biomolecular integrity, we analyzed DNA, RNA and protein collected from robotic and open prostatectomy specimens. Methods We examined 22 consecutive RALP (n = 11) and open radical retropubic prostatectomy (n = 11) specimens after hematoxylin-eosin staining by light microscopy. To assess protein integrity, immunohistochemical staining for p63, E-cadherin, and AE1/AE3 was performed. DNA was assessed by gel analysis. An RNA integrity score was determined by microfluidic capillary electrophoresis and calculated according to the electropherogram findings and simulated gel view. Finally, epithelial cells were cultured on collagen-coated plates. Results No differences in clinicopathologic characteristics were found between the two groups, with the exception of a significantly longer warm ischemia time during RALP (82 ± 23 minutes) compared with open radical retropubic prostatectomy (23 ± 2 minutes; P Conclusions RALP, although it involves additional exposure to warm ischemia, does not significantly affect the histopathologic characteristics or biomolecular integrity of the specimen. Provided a rapid response occurs for tissue banking after specimen removal, molecular research studies using prostatic tissue harvested by way of RALP appear feasible.
19F Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in superconducting and normal tungsten fluoroxide bronzes

Abstract Tungsten fluoroxide bronzes are compounds of the general formula MxWO3−yFy. For this investigation M is K, Rb, or Cs and y = x. 19F nuclear spin-lattice relaxation experiments were performed on seven samples, over the temperature range 1.4 to 4.8 K. The Cs fluoroxide bronzes with x = 0.10 and 0.15 exhibited the characteristic decrease in T1 for temperatures immediately below Tc. Cs0.20WO2.80F0.20 also became superconducting, but the dip in T1 for T
Abstract 4250: DNA methylation portraits of breast cancer in a population-based cohort.

Genome scale molecular profiling methods have had a major impact on the classification, diagnosis, and management of breast cancer. However, the biological basis and fundamental consequences of differential DNA methylation across molecular breast cancer subtypes is incompletely understood. In this study, we used gene expression and DNA methylation data from 208 unselected breast cancer samples obtained from a Polish population-based study. We used a network biology approach to identify gene co-methylation modules - sets of highly correlated DNA methylation probes. We found two gene co-methylation modules strongly correlated with Basal (hypermethylated in Basal) and Luminal B (hypermethylated in Luminal B) breast cancer subtypes. Functional analysis of the Basal gene co-methylation module shows that it significantly overlaps with genes silenced during epithelial to mesenchymal transition. The Luminal B gene co-methylation module significantly overlaps with gene targets of the Polycomb repression complex 2. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed poor prognosis associated with hypermethylation of the Luminal B gene co-methylation module. This study offers new biological perspectives of the vital role of DNA methylation in breast cancer. Citation Format: Yevgeniy Gindin, Sean Davis, Robert L. Walker, Yuelin J. Zhu, Sven Bilke, Mark E. Sherman, Jonine Figueroa, Paul S. Meltzer. DNA methylation portraits of breast cancer in a population-based cohort. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4250. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4250
CATC — A Computer Aided Tolerance Control system

Abstract Computer utilization in manufacturing systems is increasing at a rapid rate. Developments thus far have been disjointed. Much work needs to be done in the area of integrating computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Tolerance control is an important component in the integration of CAD and CAM. Selection of design tolerances affects the build-ability of a product. The selection of manufacturing processes and sequence of processes affects process tolerance stacking. Unexamined process tolerance stacking leads to scrap and rework. A computer aided tolerance control (CATC) system is presented in this paper. This system is based on the tolerance chart technique. The CATC system is interactive and uses computer graphics for information display. The system can be used for computer aided process planning (CAPP) and for CAD/CAM integration.
Molecular dynamic simulation of graphene reinforced nanocomposites for evaluating elastic constants

Abstract The mechanical properties of graphene/cellulose (GC) nanocomposites have been investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The influence of graphene concentrations and agglomeration on elastic constants is studied. A polymer consistent force field (pcff) is used in the analysis. An efficient time integration scheme was implied in calculating the force in each time step from the corresponding position and velocity of the atom. The GC nanocomposites system undergoes NVT (constant number of atoms, volume and temperature) and NPT (constant number of atoms, pressure and temperature) ensemble with an applied uniform strain during MD simulation. The stress-strain responses were evaluated for GC unit cell in order to study the effects of graphene concentrations and agglomeration on Young's modulus. The results show significant improvement in Young's modulus for the GC nanocomposites compared to neat cellulose. The MD simulation results show reasonable agreement with the micromechanics based model and available experimental data.
Modifying gravity: you cannot always get what you want

The combination of general relativity (GR) and the Standard Model of particle physics disagrees with numerous observations on scales from our Solar System up. In the canonical concordance model of ...
Gallbladder Cancer Incidence and Mortality, United States 1999–2011

Background: Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer with unusual distribution, and few population-based estimates for the United States have been published. Methods: Using population-based cancer incidence and mortality data, we examined U.S. gallbladder cancer incidence and death rates for 2007–2011 and trends for 1999–2011. Results: During 2007 to 2011, approximately 3,700 persons were diagnosed with primary gallbladder cancer (rate = 1.13 cases per 100,000) and 2,000 died from the disease (rate = 0.62 deaths per 100,000) each year in the United States. Two thirds of gallbladder cancer cases and deaths occurred among women. Gallbladder cancer incidence and death rates were three times higher among American Indian and Alaska Native persons than non-Hispanic white persons. By state, gallbladder cancer incidence and death rates ranged by about 2-fold. During 1999 to 2011, gallbladder cancer incidence rates decreased among women but remained level among men; death rates declined among women but stabilized among men after declining from 1999 to 2006. Gallbladder cancer incidence rates increased in some subgroups, notably among black persons, those aged <45 years, and for endocrine tumors. Conclusions: Data from U.S. population-based cancer registries confirm that gallbladder cancer incidence and death rates are higher among women than men, highest among American Indian and Alaska Native persons, and differ by region. While overall incidence and death rates decreased during 1999 to 2011, incidence rates increased among some small subgroups. Impact: Surveillance of gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality, particularly to monitor increases in subgroups, may provide clues to etiology and stimulate further research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1319–26. ©2015 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 1299][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/24/1299?iss=9
A homomorphic approach to companding

The procedure of first COMpressing and then exPANDing a signal is known as "companding". In pulse code modulation systems, commonly used in telephone switching networks, samples of an analog speech waveform are encoded as binary words and transmitted. Large dynamic range speech is most efficiently encoded and transmitted if the amplitude of the waveform is compressed before transmission and then expanded at the receiver. The paper describes a homomorphic approach to companding. It reviews and illustrates how these signals are processed and used in speech processing and communication networks. >
Crystal structure of the cytosolic C2A-C2B domains of synaptotagmin III. Implications for Ca(+2)-independent snare complex interaction.

Synaptotagmins are synaptic vesicle-associated, phospholipid-binding proteins most commonly associated with Ca+2-dependent exocytotic and Ca+2- independent endocytotic events. Synaptotagmin III is a 63.2-kD member of the synaptotagmin homology group; one of its characteristic properties is the ability to bind divalent cations and accessory proteins promiscuously. In the cytosolic portion of this protein, a flexible seven–amino acid linker joins two homologous C2 domains. The C2A domain binds to phospholipid membranes and other accessory proteins in a divalent cation-dependent fashion. The C2B domain promotes binding to other C2B domains, as well as accessory proteins independent of divalent cations. The 3.2 A crystal structure of synaptotagmin III, residues 295–566, which includes the C2A and C2B domains, exhibits differences in the shape of the Ca+2-binding pocket, the electrostatic surface potential, and the stoichiometry of bound divalent cations for the two domains. These observations may explain the disparate binding properties of the two domains. The C2A and the C2B domains do not interact; synaptotagmin, therefore, covalently links two independent C2 domains, each with potentially different binding partners. A model of synaptotagmin's involvement in Ca+2-dependent regulation of membrane fusion through its interaction with the SNARE complex is presented.
Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of the medium RNA of Iris yellow spot virus from the United States

Iris yellow spot tospovirus (IYSV) of the family Bunyaviridae causes a serious disease in onion in the USA and other parts of the world. Inspite of its economic importance, the complete genomic sequence of IYSV from the USA is not available. The genome structure and organization of the medium (M) RNA of a Washington (WA) isolate of IYSV were determined and compared to the corresponding region of two isolates previously described from Brazil and The Netherlands. Sequence analysis showed that the M-RNA was 4,817 nucleotides long and potentially coded for the movement protein (NSm) in the viral sense and the glycoprotein precursor (Gn and Gc) in the viral complementary sense. The predicted sizes of NSm and Gn/Gc precursor were 34.7 and 128.84 kDa, respectively. The two open reading frames are separated by a 380 nucleotide intergenic region. Phylogenetic analysis of the NSm and Gn/Gc genes from the WA isolate showed grouping that reflected their respective serogroups. The WA isolate formed a close cluster with the two previously reported IYSV isolates and the IYSV cluster was distinguishable from other tospovirus species. This is the first report of complete genomic sequence of the M-RNA of IYSV from the US.
Computational Methods for Verification of Stochastic Hybrid Systems

Stochastic hybrid system (SHS) models can be used to analyze and design complex embedded systems that operate in the presence of uncertainty and variability. Verification of reachability properties for such systems is a critical problem. Developing sound computational methods for verification is challenging because of the interaction between the discrete and the continuous stochastic dynamics. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic method for verification of SHSs based on discrete approximations focusing on reachability and safety problems. We show that reachability and safety can be characterized as a viscosity solution of a system of coupled Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. We present a numerical algorithm for computing the solution based on discrete approximations that are derived using finite-difference methods. An advantage of the method is that the solution converges to the one for the original system as the discretization becomes finer. We also prove that the algorithm is polynomial in the number of states of the discrete approximation. Finally, we illustrate the approach with two benchmarks: a navigation and a room heater example, which have been proposed for hybrid system verification.
Polyethylene glycolated recombinant TNF receptor I improves insulitis and reduces incidence of spontaneous and cyclophosphamide-accelerated diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice.

We have conducted three studies to examine the role of TNFα in islet destruction in female nonobese diabetic mouse (NOD) mice, a model of human autoimmune diabetes, using polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated) soluble TNF receptor type I (PEG sTNF-RI) as TNFα antagonist. PEG sTNF-RI (3 mg/kg, sc) was given every other day to NOD mice from age wk 8 for 12 wk (study 1), from age wk 12 for 8 wk (study 2), or from age wk 8 for 3 wk, with cyclophosphamide (6 mg/mouse) injected at wk 9 to accelerate the onset of diabetes (study 3). Diabetic incidence was reduced (control vs. PEG sTNF-RI) from 68.7% (11 of 16) to 18.3% (3 of 16) in study 1, from 84.6% (11 of 13) to 28.5% (4 of 14) in study 2, and from 66.6% (8 of 12) to 23.1% (3 of 13) in study 3, respectively. The incidence of insulitis was also reduced from 91.6% (11 of 12) to 12.5% (2 of 16) in study 1 and from 100% (7 of 7) to 16.6% (2 of 12) in study 2 by PEG sTNF-RI. PEG sTNF-RI also largely preserved islet insulin content, reduced mRNA of inducible nitric ox...
EFFICIENT ESTIMATION FOR AN ACCELERATED FAILURE TIME MODEL WITH A CURE FRACTION.

We study the accelerated failure time model with a cure fraction via kernel-based nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation. An EM algorithm is developed to calculate the estimates for both the regression parameters and the unknown error density, in which a kernel-smoothed conditional profile likelihood is maximized in the M-step. We show that with a proper choice of the kernel band- width parameter, the resulting estimates are consistent and asymptotically normal. The asymptotic covariance matrix can be consistently estimated by inverting the empirical Fisher information matrix obtained from the profile likelihood using the EM algorithm. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the finite-sample perfor- mance of the proposed estimates.
Changes in saccade kinematics associated with the value and novelty of a stimulus

The kinematics of elementary movements such as saccadic eye movements are highly regular across repeated movements and across individuals. Historically, saccades have been viewed as following a fixed kinematic pattern with a characteristic peak velocity and duration that varies only with the amplitude of movement. Here we show experimentally in humans that saccade peak velocity and duration can be modulated through presenting stimuli of differing intrinsic value, and that repetition of the same stimulus leads to a decline in saccade speed which we interpret as a decline in the value of that stimulus. Surprisingly, we find that, among saccades of comparable amplitude, faster movement is associated with lower variability - contradicting the idea of a speed-accuracy tradeoff. We consider these results in the context of theoretical models that attempt to account for saccade durations through balancing costs that penalize accuracy with costs that penalize movement duration.
Structural perfection of laterally overgrown GaN layers grown in polar- and non-polar directions

The structural quality of GaN overgrown layers was evaluated using Transmission Electron Microscopy methods. Growth on polar and non-polar substrates was compared. Independent from growth polarity much better structural quality of the overgrown areas compared to the seed areas was obtained, but overgrowth on non-polar substrates is more difficult. For the latest samples, two wings on the opposite sites of the seed area grow in two different polar directions with different growth rates. Wings grown with Ga polarity are much wider than wings grown with N-polarity making coalescence of these layers difficult. Defects formed in the overgrown wings were characterized and their density was compared. It is shown that two-step growth (using two different temperatures) lead to much smaller misorientation between the wings than one step growth
Synthesis of minimum-area folded architectures for rectangular multidimensional multirate DSP systems

In this paper, we formalize a novel multirate multidimensional folding (MMF) transformation, which is a tool used to systematically synthesize control circuits for pipelined very large scale integrated (VLSI) architectures that implement a restricted but immensely practical class, namely, rectangular decimators/expandors with line-by-line scan, of multirate multidimensional algorithms. Although multirate multidimensional algorithms contain decimators and expanders that change the effective sample rate of a discrete-time signal, it is possible using MMF to time multiplex the algorithm to hardware in such a manner that the resulting synchronous architecture requires only a single-clock signal. MMF constraints are derived, and these constraints are used to address two related issues. The first issue is memory requirements in the folded architectures. We derive expressions for the minimum number of memory units required by a folded architecture that implements a multirate multidimensional algorithm. The second issue is retiming. Based on the noble identities of multirate signal processing, we derive retiming for folding constraints that indicate how a multirate multidimensional data flow graph must be retimed for a given schedule to be feasible. The techniques introduced in this paper can be used to synthesize architectures for a wide variety of DSP applications that are based on multirate multidimensional algorithms, such as signal analysis and coding based on subband decompositions and wavelet transforms. Many design examples are considered to demonstrate the viability of MMF. It is shown that MMF is able to save 18-25% area for 1-4 level two-dimensional (2-D) discrete wavelet transforms (DWTs). A tradeoff between computational and storage area is highlighted by our study of a 2064/spl times/2064 4-level 2-D DWT. We also present a few 2-D IIR filter designs, where we are able to exploit the throughput bottleneck of these filters to derive extremely low area designs.
Modality Properties and Inhibitory Receptive Fields of Dorsal Horn Neurons in Cats with Dorsolateral Funiculus Lesions

As the contributions to this volume attest, much of the recent interest in the superficial dorsal horn is due to its apparent role in nociception. In a recent report concerning the effects of dorsolateral funiculus lesions on the response properties of dorsal horn neurons (Pubols et al, 1987) we described a number of findings that relate to the role of the dorsal horn in nociceptive transmission. The present paper focusses upon this aspect of the study, and discusses it in the context of previous work on the processing of nociceptive information in the dorsal horn.
Crop Nitrogen and Phosphorus Utilization following Application of Slurry from Swine Fed Traditional or Low Phytate Corn Diets

Field application of swine (Sus scrofa) slurry provides essential nutrients for crop production. The N to P ratio for slurry is lower than needed by most crops resulting in P accumulation when applied at N rates required for crop growth. Low phytate corn (Zea mays L.) (LPC) contains similar amounts of total P but less phytate P than traditional corn (TC) resulting in improved P bioavailability and reduced P excretion by monogastric animals. While manure from swine-fed LPC diets has a higher N to P ratio than that from TC diets, field studies comparing crop utilization of nutrients from LPC manure have not been conducted. A field study was conducted to compare N and P utilization by no-tillage rainfed sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] receiving three annual surface applications of nutrients (inorganic fertilizer, LPC slurry, and TC slurry) and by irrigated corn receiving one incorporated application of nutrients. Sorghum grain and total dry matter N utilization exhibited a year by treatment interaction but total dry matter N utilization was similar for both manure types in all years (61.2 ± 2.6% for TC and 53.8 ± 2.6% for LPC). Grain P utilization was similar for inorganic fertilizer and manure but differed among years (44.4 ± 7.0% in 1999, 25.1 ± 1.4% in 2000, and 57.0 ± 2.2% in 2001). Corn grain N and P utilization did not differ among nutrient sources in the year of application (50.7 ± 2.4% for N and 40.4 ±3.0 for P) and increased little in the year following application (62.2 ± 3.0% for N and 50.2 ± 4.5% for P). Crop N and P utilization from LPC manure and TC manure was similar and nutrient guidelines developed for TC swine slurry should also apply for LPC slurry.
AquaSAXS: a web server for computation and fitting of SAXS profiles with non-uniformally hydrated atomic models

Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) techniques are becoming more and more useful for structural biologists and biochemists, thanks to better access to dedicated synchrotron beamlines, better detectors and the relative easiness of sample preparation. The ability to compute the theoretical SAXS profile of a given structural model, and to compare this profile with the measured scattering intensity, yields crucial structural informations about the macromolecule under study and/or its complexes in solution. An important contribution to the profile, besides the macromolecule itself and its solvent-excluded volume, is the excess density due to the hydration layer. AquaSAXS takes advantage of recently developed methods, such as AquaSol, that give the equilibrium solvent density map around macromolecules, to compute an accurate SAXS/WAXS profile of a given structure and to compare it to the experimental one. Here, we describe the interface architecture and capabilities of the AquaSAXS web server (http://lorentz.dynstr.pasteur.fr/aquasaxs.php).
Reliability assessment of frequency regulation service provided by V2G

A framework to quantify reliability of frequency regulation service offered by V2G using Markov reliability models. The framework incorporates key features of V2G aggregation and the requirements of the ISO on regulation resources. The approach is particularly useful to analytically determine the number of EVs required to meet the ISO performance requirements on regulation resources. The paper also computes the sensitivity of the reliability of the service to the duration for which EVs are available to provide the service, also termed as “availability” of EVs. Through the sensitivity analysis, the effect of parameter uncertainty on the reliability can be estimated. The proposed approach is illustrated using a sample aggregation described in the paper that offers regulation capacity in the PJM ancillary services market.
An Examination of Power and Type I Errors for Two Differential Item Functioning Indices Using the Graded Response Model

This study examined two methods for detecting differential item functioning (DIF): Raju, van der Linden, and Fleer’s 1995 differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) procedure and Thissen, Steinberg, and Wainer’s 1988 likelihood ratio test (LRT). The major research questions concerned which test provides the best balance of Type I errors and power and if the tests differ in terms of detecting different types of DIF. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to address these questions. Equal and unequal sample size conditions were fully crossed with test lengths of 10 and 20 items. In addition, α and β parameters were manipulated in order to simulate DIF. Findings indicate that DFIT and LRT both had acceptable Type I error rates when sample sizes were equal but that DFIT produced too many Type I errors when sample sizes were unequal. Overall, the LRT exhibited greater power to detect both α and β parameter DIF than did DFIT. However, DFIT was more powerful than LRT when the last two β parameters had DI...
Hereditary orotic aciduria, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, and xeroderma pigmentosum probed by herpes simplex virus: 125I-iododeoxycytidine incorporation as an assay for viral growth.

125I-Iododeoxycytidine (125IdC) incorporation into acid-insoluble material was a sensitive, rapid, and quantitative assay for the growth of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in human fibroblasts. Cellular utilization of the isotope was 10 to 25% of the incorporation by infected cells and could be 80% inhibited by tetrahydrouridine (THU). Viral utilization was inhibited by acycloguanosine, thioguanine (TG), and cytosine arabinoside. Isotope was incorporated equally well by growing or quiescent infected cells. HSV-1 was used to probe the metabolic capabilities of three mutant human fibroblast strains. 125IdC incorporation quantitatively measured the ability of the virus to grow in these cells. Viral 125IdC incorporation was sensitive to TG in normal fibroblasts but showed a 8- to 10-fold greater resistance to TG in fibroblasts derived from patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LN). Similarly, the growth of ultraviolet irradiated HSV-1 in normal fibroblasts, as judged by 125IdC incorporation, was 5-fold greater than in fibroblasts derived from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. In fibroblasts derived from patients with hereditary orotic aciduria, viral 125IdC incorporation was sensitive to adenosine (AD) at concentrations which were slightly stimulatory in normal fibroblasts. This was a 2-fold difference in AD sensitivity, which the radioassay reliably and quantitatively documented. Previous attempts to quantify and characterize this difference by immunofluorescence were unsuccessful. HSV-1 infected cells could be individually identified by their incorporated 125IdC; such cells had blackened nuclei in autoradiograms prepared 12 hr after infection. Normal cells infected in the presence of TG had many fewer labeled nuclei than LN cells similarly infected in the presence of the drug. Thus, this viral assay can be a rapid and accurate probe of cellular function and has potential for the identification of mutant cells in amniocentesis samples or tumor speciments. Towards this end, we determined that the AD and TC dose responses of infected amniotic fluid cells closely paralleled that of the normal human fibroblasts.
The IBM 2006 Gale Arabic ASR System

This paper describes the advances made in IBM's Arabic broadcast news transcription system which was fielded in the 2006 GALE ASR and machine translation evaluation. These advances were instrumental in lowering the word error rate by 42% relative over the course of one year and include: training on additional LDC data, large-scale discriminative training on 1800 hours of unsupervised data, automatic vowelization using a flat-start approach, use of a large vocabulary with 617K words and 2 million pronunciations and lastly, a system architecture based on cross-adaptation between unvowelized and vowelized acoustic models.
Radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction results from p53-dependent apoptosis.

Purpose Radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer causes adverse secondary side effects in the salivary glands and results in diminished quality of life for the patient. A previous in vivo study in parotid salivary glands demonstrated that targeted head-and-neck irradiation resulted in marked increases in phosphorylated p53 (serine 18 ) and apoptosis, which was suppressed in transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active mutant of Akt1 (myr-Akt1). Methods and Materials Transgenic and knockout mouse models were exposed to irradiation, and p53-mediated transcription, apoptosis, and salivary gland dysfunction were analyzed. Results The proapoptotic p53 target genes PUMA and Bax were induced in parotid salivary glands of mice at early time points after therapeutic radiation. This dose-dependent induction requires expression of p53 because no radiation-induced expression of PUMA and Bax was observed in p53-/- mice. Radiation also induced apoptosis in the parotid gland in a dose-dependent manner, which was p53 dependent. Furthermore, expression of p53 was required for the acute and chronic loss of salivary function after irradiation. In contrast, apoptosis was not induced in p53-/- mice, and their salivary function was preserved after radiation exposure. Conclusions Apoptosis in the salivary glands after therapeutic head-and-neck irradiation is mediated by p53 and corresponds to salivary gland dysfunction in vivo .
Massive Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage as a Complication of the Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System

Use of the Flexi-Seal fecal management system, a safe and effective means of fecal diversion in patients with fecal incontinence and diarrhea, can be associated with rare, life-threatening complications. For example, a critically ill patient had 2 episodes of massive rectal bleeding associated with use of the system that required transfusion of blood products. Hemorrhage was controlled during the first episode by angiography with selective coil embolization; the second required colonoscopy with suture ligation of the affected lesion. A literature review revealed 9 other cases that were managed endoscopically, surgically, or with angiography. Although none of the patients died, they experienced obvious complications that required transfusion of blood products, endoscopy, surgery, use of conscious sedation or general anesthesia, angiography, and exposure to intravenous contrast material. Patients receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulation and antiplatelet drugs, which may precipitate or aggravate hemorrhaging, are particularly at risk for complications with the Flexi-Seal system.
Stable Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Have a High Alveolar Burden of Bacteria

Introduction: In patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), quantitative bronchoscopic culture has not been validated for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Objective: To measure the alveolar burden of bacteria in patients receiving PMV. Setting: Respiratory care units of a university hospital and a long-term care facility. Patients: Fourteen patients requiring PMV without clinical evidence of pneumonia. Measurements: Quantitative culture of BAL from the right middle lobe and lingula. Results: In 29 of 32 lobes, there was growth of at least one organism at > 10 4 cfu/mL. Most lobes had polymicrobial growth. Conclusions: Stable patients receiving PMV without clinical pneumonia have a high alveolar burden of bacteria. The bacterial burden in most patients exceeds the commonly accepted threshold for diagnosing VAP. The utility of quantitative bronchoscopic culture in the diagnosis of VAP in this patient population requires further study. (CHEST 2005; 127:1353–1357)
Gazella subgutturosa (Persian gazelle)

Lymphocytes, grown with poke weed stimulant, furnished the karyotype of the male, fibroblasts from skin biopsy those of the female, the latter culture is frozen and available. The animals come from the San Diego Zoo. The male karyotype is prepared with ASG, in C-banding the Y1 and Xp are heterochromatic. Y2, an autosome, corresponds to the distal portion of Xq.
Study of Cu(II) Chemisorption Mechanisms on Modified Carbon Nanotubes Based on Isotherms, Column Experiments, and FTIR First Derivative Analysis

The objective of this study was to investigate the chemisorption mechanisms of Cu(II) on alcohol functionalized carbon nanotubes (OH-CNT) compared to granulated activated carbon (F-400). Two different sizes of OH-CNT were used on both adsorption isotherm experiments and continuous-flow fixed-bed columns. The experiments were conducted as a function of adsorbent type with fixed bed height (5 cm), fixed flow rate (0.035 mL/min), and one initial Cu(II) concentration (10 mg/L) at pH 5.1 and room temperature. Isotherm curves follow Freundlich model with better adsorption capacity for OH-CNT (6.3 and 15.7 mg/g) compared to F-400 (6.0 mg/g). Breakthrough curves for all adsorbents were typical, while OH-CNT showed higher capacity to treat water per amount of adsorbent than F-400. After 5 days of desorption, there was very little Cu(II) leached from the OH-CNT column as compared to F-400 that slowly desorbed 85 % of Cu(II). These results indicated chemisorption process on OH-CNT with low residual release of Cu(II) from adsorbent after reaching saturation. A systematic correlation method using converted FTIR absorbance curves (first derivative analysis) of as-received and hybrid OH-CNT identified new peaks on the spectra for Cu(II) chemisorbed on CNT surface, showing that Cu(II) target acidic functional groups during adsorption.
Design for the Developing World: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Engineers face many challenges when designing for the developing world, which are not typically encountered in other design circumstances, such as a lack of understanding of language, culture, and context. These challenges often prevent engineers from having a sustained impact as they design for resource-poor individuals. In this paper, reports from 41 engineering projects in the developing world were analyzed, and common pitfalls were identified. The data came from Failure Reports from Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Canada and from the authors' own field reports. After the pitfalls are described, the authors present a visual tool called the Design for the Developing World Canvas to help design teams that are developing manufactured products to avoid these common pitfalls. This canvas can be used throughout the product development process as part of regular design reviews to help the team evaluate their progress in advancing the design while avoiding the pitfalls that engineers commonly face.
Athletics for All

(1916). Athletics for All. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 220-224.
Thermochemical property estimation of hydrogenated silicon clusters

The thermochemical properties for selected hydrogenated silicon clusters (Si(x)H(y), x = 3-13, y = 0-18) were calculated using quantum chemical calculations and statistical thermodynamics. Standard enthalpy of formation at 298 K and standard entropy and constant pressure heat capacity at various temperatures, i.e., 298-6000 K, were calculated for 162 hydrogenated silicon clusters using G3//B3LYP. The hydrogenated silicon clusters contained ten to twenty fused Si-Si bonds, i.e., bonds participating in more than one three- to six-membered ring. The hydrogenated silicon clusters in this study involved different degrees of hydrogenation, i.e., the ratio of hydrogen to silicon atoms varied widely depending on the size of the cluster and/or degree of multifunctionality. A group additivity database composed of atom-centered groups and ring corrections, as well as bond-centered groups, was created to predict thermochemical properties most accurately. For the training set molecules, the average absolute deviation (AAD) comparing the G3//B3LYP values to the values obtained from the revised group additivity database for standard enthalpy of formation and entropy at 298 K and constant pressure heat capacity at 500, 1000, and 1500 K were 3.2%, 1.9%, 0.40%, 0.43%, and 0.53%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of the revised group additivity parameter database revealed that the group parameters were able to predict the thermochemical properties of molecules that were not used in the training set within an AAD of 3.8% for standard enthalpy of formation at 298 K.
Modulated Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Altering the Driving Force of the Reactions of Cytochrome c: Marcus' Theory in Vitro and in Vivo

According to Marcus' theory, rates of electron transfer reactions depend parabolically on the free energy of reaction. Amino acid replacements in the electron transport protein cytochrome c produced a series of proteins which changed the free energy of reaction for cytochrome c in oxidative phosphorylation. This study shows that Marcus' theory of electron transfer can be applied to the reactions of redox-altered cytochromes c with cytochrome c1 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, isolation of physiologically relevant partners of cytochrome c suggests that a change in the free energy of reaction of cytochrome c changes the rate of electron transfer with the cytochrome bc1 complex as would be predicted by Marcus' theory of electron transfer. Furthermore, the reactivity pattern observed in vitro is paralleled in in vivo studies. In vivo the rates of growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which these alterations have been incorporated, also are consistent with the change in free energy of the reactions of cy...
cAMP inhibits bud growth in a yeast strain compromised for Ca2+ influx into the Golgi.

Biochemical and physiological studies have implicated cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in a plethora of essential cellular processes. Here we show that yeast cells partially depleted of PKA activity (due to atpk w mutation) and bearing a lesion in a Golgi-localized Ca2+ pump (Pmr1), arrest division with a small bud. The bud morphology of the arrestedtpk1 w pmr1 mutant cells is characteristic of cells in S phase; however, the terminal phenotype of processes such as DNA replication and nuclear division suggests arrest at the G2/M boundary. This small bud, G2-arrest phenotype is similar to that of strains with a defect in cell wall biosynthesis (pkc1) or membrane biogenesis (och1); however, the biochemical defect may be different since thetpk1 w pmr1 double mutants retain viability. The growth defect of thetpk1 w pmr1 mutant can be alleviated by preventing the increase in cellular cAMP levels that is known to be associated with a decrease in PKA activity, or by supplementing the medium with millimolar amounts of Ca2+. Although the biochemical consequences of this increase in cAMP concentration are not known, the small-bud phenotype of the double mutant and the known protein processing defect of thepmr1 lesion suggest that the localization or function of some membrane component might be compromised and susceptible to perturbations in cellular cAMP levels. One candidate for such a protein is the cAMP-binding membrane ectoprotein recently described in yeast.
Usual source of care and unmet health care needs: interaction of disability with race and ethnicity.

Background: Having a usual source of care (USC) and having unmet health care needs have been found to vary in relation to sociodemographic differences in the US population, including race, ethnicity, and disability status. People in underserved racial and ethnic groups who also have a disability may experience a complex mix of health care advantages and disparities. However, little is known about this intersection. Objective: To determine how disability status, combined with membership in an underserved racial or ethnic group, is associated with having a USC and unmet health care needs. Methods: We conducted multivariate regression analyses of 2002–2010 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, focused on working age adults (18–64 y). Results: Although most racial and ethnic groups were less likely to have a USC than non-Hispanic whites, people with disabilities were more likely to have a USC; Hispanics with basic activity limitations were the only disability group with elevated odds of lacking a USC. Conversely, disability was strongly associated with unmet health care needs, but we did not find inflated impacts of both having a disability and belonging to an underserved racial or ethnic group. Conclusions: We found limited evidence of interaction or additive effects of disability and race/ethnicity but did confirm separate disparities for each. Ongoing research is needed to track both disability-related and racial/ethnic disparities, to determine whether increased insurance coverage, provider training, care coordination, and other efforts under the Affordable Care Act lead to reductions in disparities.
The stability of phospholipids in amniotic fluid

A systematic study of amniotic fluid phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine (PC, lecithin), saturated phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylglycerol was undertaken to evaluate the stability of these surfactant indices as a function of temperature and time. The purpose of the study was to determine optimum conditions for storage and for transport of specimens to centralized laboratories performing comprehensive analyses of amniotic fluid phospholipids for improved assessment of fetal lung development. Remarkable stability was found for the above phospholipids, as well as for the more commonly employed ratio of lecithin to sphingomyelin. We determined that room temperature more commonly employed ratio of lecithin to sphingomyelin. We determined that room temperature storage is acceptable for periods up to 24 hours; however, when longer delays before lipid extraction are anticipated, it is essential that specimens be frozen or that refrigeration or wet-ice storage (4 degrees C) be employed. Results of this study indicate that when amniotic fluid samples are stored frozen and strict quality control is maintained in analytic procedures, only minimal changes occur in phospholipid concentrations over 12 months.