cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of plant uptake of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from soil and potential influences of bioavailability

Volatilization of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from soil and resorption on foliage represents a significant route of contamination. Some studies indicate low-level uptake, translocation from roots to foliage and transpiration from foliage, while one shows more than 95% of 2,3,7,8-TCDD associated with edible fruits and with tubers is found in peels. Differences in bioavailability from different soils might account for some inconsistencies between existing studies, suggesting additional information useful in reporting future work.
Millimeter Wave Atmospheric Turbulence Measurements: Preliminary Results And Instrumentation For Future Measurements

Increasing emphasis is being placed on the study of the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of millimeter and submillimeter waves because of the potential usefulness of these frequency bands in both military and civilian applications. The characterization of millimeter wave turbulence effects is more complicated than that of the optical propagation case because of a strong dependence on the humidity structure parameter CO2, as well as on the temperature structure parameter Gr2. In addition, there is a dependence on the cross-correlation of these two parameters, denoted by CI-0. Measured results on the effects of atmospheric turbulence on millimeter wave propagation, which include both amplitude and phase fluctuations, are very limited and have generally been obtained incidental to other propagation measurements. However, comparison of these limited experimental results with theory has shown good agreement. This paper compares scattered results measured at 35, 94,140, and 220 GHz to theory, and shows that agreement in most cases is plausible. A future experiment specifically designed to characterize millimeter wave turbulence, with special emphasis on measurement of the pertinent atmospheric parameters, is also described.
Cognitive spatial-motor processes - 5. Specification of the direction of visually guided isometric forces in two-dimensional space: time course of information transmitted and effect of constant force bias

The effects of an external constant force bias on the information transmitted (Ti) by the direction of isometric force exerted in 2-dimensional (2-D) space by human subjects were studied using an isometric manipulandum and random dot stereograms generated in a color display (Massey et al. 1988, Massey et al. 1990). Subjects exerted force on the manipulandum such that a visual force-feedback cursor would move in the direction of a visually defined stimulus in the stereo display. The time course of force development and the gain of directional information during increasing force intensity were also studied. We found the following. (a) When no bias force was applied, the force exerted by the subject increased from near zero to greater than 200 gram-force at the end of a trial and was close to the visually defined direction. When a constant bias force of 110 gram-force was applied in various directions in blocks of trials, the force exerted by the subject increased in time, as above; however, its direction also changed in time so that the instantaneous vector sum of the bias force and the force exerted by the subject pointed close to the visually defined direction. The Ti and the reaction time (RT) did not differ significantly in the two experimental conditions. These results suggest that the directional control of isometric forces is very efficient, especially in relation to visuomotor coordination. (b) The Ti was calculated at various levels of force intensity, as the latter increased from approximately 50 gram-force to 200 gram-force.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Language: en
Response to the Letter to the Editor from Professor James Timmons

One of the fundamental ideas underpinning our paper (‘Ten Questions about Systems Biology’; Joyner & Pedersen, 2011) is that the various flavours of omics, molecular medicine, and the associated analytical approaches have struggled because they have often lacked a physiological context. We considered these issues under the collective heading of ‘systems biology’ because this phrase seems to be the most recent descriptor used by many to describe this part of the scientific landscape. One major purpose of our paper was to be provocative and also to bring out into the open a number of questions that have been the subject of muted discussion in the physiology community. The Timmons letter is evidence that we have achieved this goal. In response, we would make the following points: Systems Biology remains a poorly defined concept. At least to us it is unclear if this is a new branch of science or a collection of analytical tools and approaches. How it does or does not differ from physiology, which has long sought to understand the behaviour of systems using multiple tools including mathematical and other statistical approaches, seems unclear as well. Individualized medicine is a long way away. Even if highly predictive biological markers emerge, coupling them with high resolution phenotyping will be challenging and require major re-engineering of how health care is delivered. However, as we pointed out, pharmacogenomics is one area that has shown promising results. Identifying potential targets for drug therapy is important, but actually developing drugs that can reach targets and act selectively with minimal toxicity is a much bigger long term challenge. Potential targets and druggable targets are not necessarily the same. From our perspective many of the points raised by Professor Timmons reinforce ideas covered in our paper. While early expectations from the ‘omics’ fields may have been inflated, perhaps the broader issue is to advocate a more holistic approach to biomedical research, therapeutic interventions and public health, all areas where physiology has and continues to play a critical role.
Morishima elasticities of substitution with nested production functions

Abstract Nested, multi-stage, production technologies are distinguished by two distinct types of substitution: intraprocess and interprocess. This paper develops Morishima elasticity measures for each, shows the relation between the Morishima and Allen-Uzawa substitution elasticities, and applies the analysis to domestic content protection.
High glucose inhibits human epidermal keratinocyte proliferation for cellular studies on diabetes mellitus

In order to more clarify the delayed wound healing in diabetes mellitus, we cultured the human epidermal keratinocytes in both 6 mM (control group) and 12 mM glucose (high-glucose group) of "complete" MCDB 153 medium. Hyperglycaemia slowed the rate of their proliferation and inhibited their DNA synthesis and the production of total proteins. By 1 month after primary seeding in high-glucose group, the cells ceased their proliferation, whereas the cells in control group grew for more than 40 days. Mean population doublings in high-glucose group was 5.27 (vs. 7.25 in control, P = 0.001), and mean population doubling time during 1 month in high glucose group was 5.43 days (vs. 3.65 days in control, P = 0.02). They indicate that prolonged exposure to high glucose decreases the replicative life span of human epidermal keratinocytes in vitro. Furthermore, analysis of fatty acid contents in membrane phospholipids with thin-layer and gas chromatography showed no difference between the cultured keratinocytes in both conditions. Immunocytochemical staining of glucose transporter 1 shows that 28.1% of cells in high-glucose group were almost twice positive of those in control group (13.2%, P = 0.008). The mechanism of the ill effects of high glucose on epidermal keratinocytes is not so far clear, but it indicates the possibility of any direct effect of hyperglycaemia on glucose metabolism without changing lipid metabolism on cell membrane. The high-glucose group presented in this report can be available as an in vitro valuable study model of skin epidermal condition on diabetes mellitus.
The inactivation of acetylcholinesterase by alpha-terthienyl and ultraviolet light Studies in vitro and in larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) was inactivated photochemically in solution, in the presence of dissolved terthiophene sensitizers. Alpha-terthienyl (2,2':5,2"-terthiophene) and its isomers 3,2':5',2"- and 3,2':5',3"-terthiophenes showed very similar sensitizing properties. With all three terthiophenes, the photosensitization was completely suppressed under anaerobic conditions, and therefore the inactivation process required the presence of oxygen. The enzyme was inactivated in vivo when fourth instar larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were treated with alpha-terthienyl in the presence of long-wavelength ultraviolet light. No inactivation was observed when the organisms were treated with the ultraviolet light alone, with the chemical alone, or with a previously irradiated sample of the chemical. This paper represents the first example of acetylcholinesterase inactivation in vivo by a photoactive insecticide.
Feline leukemia virus infections: the significance of chronic viremia.

Cats that became naturally infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were examined for levels of virus excretion in saliva and duration of induction period before disease development. Viremia persisted for periods of up to 52 months before disease development. Cats that developed non-neoplastic diseases had persistent viremia for a mean period of at least 2 y, while cats that developed leukemia or lymphoma maintained viremia for a mean period of at least 17 months. Healthy viremic cats excreted a mean of about 2 × 105 infectious units of FeLV/ml saliva while infected leukemic cats excreted a mean of 4 × 104 infectious virus/ml saliva. An epidemiologic model for the distribution of FeLV in the cat population is proposed.
1 kW microstripline TRAPATT oscillator

A microstripline-oscillator circuit capable of operation with one or several stacked TRAPATT diodes is described. Peak power of 1 kW at 1 GHz has been achieved from four diodes operated in series. Experiments have shown the importance of a short-circuited resonant transmission line and a high pulser output impedance for efficient, stable operation of the TRAPATT diode stack.
The Lunar Theories of Tycho Brahe and Christian Longomontanus in the Progymnasmata and Astronomia Danica

Tycho Brahe’s lunar theory, mostly the work of his assistant Christian Longomontanus, published in the Progymnasmata (1602), was the most advanced and accurate lunar theory yet developed. Its principal innovations are: the introduction of equant motion for the first inequality in order to separate the determination of direction and distance; a more accurate limit for the second inequality although requiring a more complex calculation; additional inequalities of the variation and, in place of the annual inequality in Tycho’s earlier theory, a reduction in the equation of time; in the latitude theory a variation of the inclination of the orbital plane and an inequality of the motion of the nodes; a reduction in the range of variation of distance, parallax, and apparent diameter. Some of these were already present in Tycho’s earlier lunar theory (1599), but all were changed in notable ways. Twenty years later Longomontanus published a modified version of the lunar theory in Astronomia Danica (1622), for the purpose of facilitating the calculation through new correction tables, and also explained his reasons for parts of the theory in the Progymnasmata. This paper is a technical study of both lunar theories.
Public entry into emergency medical services systems

The problems of public access to emergency medical services systems can decrease the effectiveness of emergency care. Much of the public is unable to recognize signs of serious illness, such as myocardial infarction, and does not know how to obtain emergency medical help. In addition, emergency facilities and personnel are used for more non-emergency care than true emergency cases. Suggestions for the improvement of public access to emergency care include the use of telephones for triage and for providing information; ambulatory centers for non-emergency care; physician extenders such as paramedics or midwives, and improved systems of alerting emergency personnel that an emergency exists.
A catalyst mounting technique for close temperature control

A novel technique for mounting the Cambron-McKim silver catalyst has been developed which provides a highly conducting metal path between the catalyst and the temperature control medium. Its effectiveness as a means of maintaining control over a highly exothermic reaction has been demonstrated in a small pilot plant for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. Une nouvelle technique est developpee pour le montage du catalyseur d'argent Cambron-McKim qui permet une forte conduction entre le medium de contrǒle de temperature et le catalyseur. On a demontre son efficacite pour maintenir le contrǒle d'une reaction tres exothermique, soit l'oxydation de l'ethylene en oxyde d'ethylene.
`White privilege': A mild critique1:

White privilege analysis has been influential in philosophy of education. I offer some mild criticisms of this largely salutary direction — its inadequate exploration of its own normative foundatio...
Toxicokinetics and structure-activity relationships of nine para-substituted phenols in rat embryos in vitro

The purpose of this study was to examine the toxicokinetics of embryo uptake following exposure to a variety of chemically related phenols in rat embryo culture. The uptake of nine radiolabeled para-substituted phenols by day 10(9–13 somite stage) rat embryos in vitro was determined from 1 to 42 hrs after being placed in culture media containing various phenols. Uptake was rapid, having a half-life of 3 hr or less, with 7 of the nine compounds having uptake half-times of less than one hour. The equilibrium concentration in the embryo ranged from 53 to 136% of the media concentration, indicating only a factor of 2 in maximum discrimination against the compound for any of the phenols studied. The fraction of radioactivity remaining unbound in the media decreased with increasing log P (octanol/water partition coefficient). The binding was calculated to be 50% for log P = 1.77 from the fitted regression equation and decreased by a factor of 5.9 for every decade increase in P. When hepatocytes were also present in the media the equilibrium concentration in the embryos was less than when hepatocytes were absent. With the limited data, four of the phenols appeared to have no (i.e., zero) equilibrium level when hepatocytes were present. Thus the metabolites produced by the hepatocytes appeared to have less affinity for the embryo than the parent phenol. Toxicodynamic information as given by the effective concentration of the phenol in the embryo to cause somite or tail teratological effects was best predicted by the measured unbound fraction. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Under-Utilisation of b-Blockers After Acute Myocardial Infarction

We reviewed the literature on the efficacy and effectiveness of b-blocker therapy and examined the economic consequences of under-utilisation. Despite the literature documenting the value of b-blockers, the therapy is not prescribed at the appropriate rates. Approximately half of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors who are eligible for the therapy do not receive it. There are 3 sources of costs that may arise from such under-utilisation: (i) increased morbidity and mortality associated with under-use; (ii) increased demand for related medical resources when the health state following an AMI is suboptimal due to under-use of b-blocker therapy; and (iii) increased cost due to substitution of higher cost and/or less effective treatments for b-blockers. For the first category, there is evidence suggesting that around 2900 to 5000 lives are lost in the US in the first year following an AMI due to underprescription. There is very little evidence on the second category of costs; 1 recent study does address this issue and indicates that b-blocker therapy can lead to a 22% relative risk reduction for hospital readmission during the first year. Several studies also show a decrease in reinfarction. There is no information that addresses the third category of costs adequately (though 1 study does present evidence of substitution of calcium channel-blockers for b-blockers). We conclude that there is a dearth of evidence on the economic consequences of the under-utilisation of b-blocker therapy. What does exist suggests that the net costs to society may be substantial.
Fiber optics can improve borehole measurements

Fluid flow in boreholes can give scientists important information about hydrogeological processes deep beneath the surface. Most studies measure flow using heat pulse, electromagnetic, and impeller flowmeters, but these methods are time-consuming and can actually obstruct the fluid being measured.
On the reduction of n-fold tensor product representations of noncompact groups

The reduction ofn-fold tensor products of induced unitary representations of noncompact groups into irreducible constituents is shown. Clebsch-Gordon coefficients are then calculated. The technique is applied to then-fold tensor products of the positive mass representations of the Poincare group.
Gender differences in the relationship between attention problems and expressive language and emerging academic skills in preschool‐aged children

This study examined the relationship between attention problems and expressive language and academic readiness skills in preschool‐aged children from middle‐class families. Forty‐three children (44% female) were assessed individually for expressive language skills and knowledge of basic academic concepts (e.g. colours, letters and numbers). The primary caregiver of each child provided information regarding the child’s attention problems, using the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½–5 (CBCL/1½–5). Correlational analyses revealed that for boys, attention problems were related to less well‐developed expressive language skills. For girls, there was a trend for attention problems to be related to lower performance on the academic skills measure. Screening for attention problems before children enter kindergarten is recommended, to identify those children likely to be in need of additional assistance in the early school grades.
Chaotic mixing as a renormalization-group fixed point.

A renormalization-group fixed point is found, corresponding to chaotic mixing in the Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem. The outer envelope of the mixing region, adjacent to the heavy fluid, is dominated by a merger of unstable modes ( bubbles of light fluid) and dynamically changing length scales. A statistical model is introduced as an approximation to the full two-fluid Euler equation to describe the mixing envelope. Molecular-chaos and continuous-time approximations to this model define an approximate renormalization-group equation, which is shown to have a nontrivial fixed point.
A summary of the Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on the Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of Aging Bregenz, Austria, July 25–30, 2010

Abstract A summary of the Thirteenth International Symposium on the Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of Aging that was held July 17–22, 2016 in Bregenz, Austria, is presented. Nineteen of the speakers that presented at the conference submitted review papers covering the topic of their presentation as well as an overview of their respective fields and are included in this special issue. The abstracts from each poster presentation as well as twenty-two of the speaker abstracts are also included at the end of the preface to the special issue.
Toothpick Perforation of the Intestines Presenting as Recurrent Abdominal Pain: Possible Roles of Abdominal Ultrasound and MRI

We report the case of a middle-aged man admitted for five months of unexplained left lower quadrant pain. He had been hospitalized on two prior occasions and treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. His clinical presentation was suggestive peritoneal irritation with severe, focal pain on abdominal palpation. Computed tomography scans showed non-specific inflammation in the left lower abdomen with adjacent small bowel wall thickening. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were unremarkable on prior admission. Given the severity and focality of the patient’s recurrent abdominal pain he underwent laparoscopy and was found to have a wooden toothpick perforation of the small bowel thirty centimeters from the ileocecal valve requiring partial small bowel resection. The patient did well post-operatively. On retrospective questioning he may have eaten a cabbage roll or bacon wrapped shrimp pierced with a toothpick weeks before the onset of symptoms. Toothpick perforation should be a consideration in edentulous persons with focal, severe abdominal pain and trans-abdominal ultrasound or MRI may be a better choice for detecting wooden foreign objects.
Adsorption of Moisture and Organic Contaminants on Hafnium Oxide, Zirconium Oxide, and Silicon Oxide Gate Dielectrics

Hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) are two high-K materials having the potential to replace silicon oxide (SiO 2 ) as the gate dielectric. Atmospheric molecular contamination can affect the quality of the new gate dielectric film in a manner similar to SiO 2 . Characterization of contaminant adsorption behavior of these high-K films should assist in deciding their potential for successful integration in silicon metal oxide semiconductor technology. The interaction of moisture and organics (in particular, isopropanol, IPA) as common interfacial contaminants with a 5 nm HfO 2 film deposited by atomic layer chemical vapor deposition (ALCVD), which is a trademark of ASM International) is investigated using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (APIMS); the kinetics and mechanism are compared to that of ZrO 2 and SiO 2 . HfO 2 and ZrO 2 have similar moisture adsorption loading, but are significantly higher than that of SiO 2 . However, almost all the adsorbed moisture can he removed from SiO 2 and HfO 2 after a 300°C bake under nitrogen purge, whereas ZrO 2 surfaces retain 20-30% of the adsorbed moisture. Experiments with IPA show that the adsorption loading on the three surfaces has the following order: ZrO 2 > HfO 2 > SiO 2 . A multilayer model for adsorption of water and IPA is developed to understand the mechanism of interactions of contaminants with the three surfaces. Results from the application of this multilayer model to the experimental data indicate that ZrO 2 forms the strongest surface-hydroxyl (X-OH) bond.
An Approach to User Specification of Interactive Display Interfaces

Forms have become widely used as a user interface for database systems. By analyzing the components of forms, a unified treatment of aggregation operators, headings, subheadings, and internal logic of a form is possible. In this paper we present a theory and a system based on that theory which allows users to easily specify displays. Displays are composed of components and the user can specify geometry of the components and grouping relationships between the components which allow for the generation of the desired display.
Social dominance and stress-induced hypertension: Strain differences in inbred mice

Abstract Agonistic encounters in socially unstable dominance hierarchies have been assumed to produce stress-induced hypertension in mice. Studies of this phenomenon have used the CBA mouse strain. Given the possible strain specificity of the social behavior-hypertension relationship, the present study investigated DBA/2j and C57BL/6j strains. Systolic blood pressures were obtained before and after preisolated males were either group housed or isolated. The body and adrenal weights, tail wounds and territory patrol measurements were also taken. The DBA/2j strain replicated the previous findings for CBA mice. However, the C57BL/6j strain did not show evidence of social dominance or hypertension. The C57BL/6j mice were apparently genetically predisposed to respond differently to the experimental conditions. Hypertension was correlated with dominance interaction rather than social instability.
Bile acids activate fibroblast growth factor 19 signaling in human hepatocytes to inhibit cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene expression

Mouse fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) and human ortholog FGF19 have been identified as the bile acid-induced intestinal factors that mediate bile acid feedback inhibition of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene transcription in mouse liver. The mechanism underlying FGF15/FGF19 inhibition of bile acid synthesis in hepatocytes remains unclear. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and a farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-specific agonist GW4064 strongly induced FGF19 but inhibited CYP7A1 mRNA levels in primary human hepatocytes. FGF19 strongly and rapidly repressed CYP7A1 but not small heterodimer partner (SHP) mRNA levels. Kinase inhibition and phosphorylation assays revealed that the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway played a major role in mediating FGF19 inhibition of CYP7A1. However, siRNA knockdown of SHP did not affect FGF19 inhibition of CYP7A1. Interestingly, CDCA stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the FGF receptor 4 (FGFR4) in hepatocytes. FGF19 antibody and siRNA specific to FGFR4 abrogated GW4064 inhibition of CYP7A1. These results suggest that bile acid-activated FXR is able to induce FGF19 in hepatocytes to inhibit CYP7A1 by an autocrine/paracrine mechanism. We conclude that the hepatic FGF19/FGFR4/ERK1/2 pathway may inhibit CYP7A1 independent of SHP. In addition to inducing FGF19 in the intestine, bile acids in hepatocytes may activate the liver FGF19/FGFR4 signaling pathway to inhibit bile acid synthesis and prevent accumulation of toxic bile acid in human livers.
Multiple Loops of the Dihydropyridine Receptor Pore Subunit Are Required for Full-Scale Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscle

Understanding which cytosolic domains of the dihydropyridine receptor participate in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling is critical to validate current structural models. Here we quantified the contribution to skeletal-type EC coupling of the α1S (CaV1.1) II-III loop when alone or in combination with the rest of the cytosolic domains of α1S. Chimeras consisting of α1C (CaV1.2) with α1S substitutions at each of the interrepeat loops (I-II, II-III, and III-IV loops) and N- and C-terminal domains were evaluated in dysgenic (α1S-null) myotubes for phenotypic expression of skeletal-type EC coupling. Myotubes were voltage-clamped, and Ca2+ transients were measured by confocal line-scan imaging of fluo-4 fluorescence. In agreement with previous results, the α1C/α1S II-III loop chimera, but none of the other single-loop chimeras, recovered a sigmoidal fluorescence-voltage curve indicative of skeletal-type EC coupling. To quantify Ca2+ transients in the absence of inward Ca2+ current, but without changing the external solution, a mutation, E736K, was introduced into the P-loop of repeat II of α1C. The Ca2+ transients expressed by the α1C(E736K)/α1S II-III loop chimera were ∼70% smaller than those expressed by the Ca2+-conducting α1C/α1S II-III variant. The low skeletal-type EC coupling expressed by the α1C/α1S II-III loop chimera was confirmed in the Ca2+-conducting α1C/α1S II-III loop variant using Cd2+ (10−4 M) as the Ca2+ current blocker. In contrast to the behavior of the II-III loop chimera, Ca2+ transients expressed by an α1C/α1S chimera carrying all tested skeletal α1S domains (all α1S interrepeat loops, N- and C-terminus) were similar in shape and amplitude to wild-type α1S, and did not change in the presence of the E736K mutation or in the presence of 10−4 M Cd2+. Controls indicated that similar dihydropyridine receptor charge movements were expressed by the non-Ca2+ permeant α1S(E1014K) variant, the α1C(E736K)/α1S II-III loop chimera, and the α1C(E736K)/α1S chimera carrying all tested α1S domains. The data indicate that the functional recovery produced by the α1S II-III loop is incomplete and that multiple cytosolic domains of α1S are necessary for a quantitative recovery of the EC-coupling phenotype of skeletal myotubes. Thus, despite the importance of the II-III loop there may be other critical determinants in α1S that influence the efficiency of EC coupling.
Impact of a comprehensive smoke-free law following a partial smoke-free law on incidence of heart attacks at a rural community hospital.

Introduction: Se condhand smoking (passive smoking) is associated with many negative health effects, primarily respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Approximately, 46,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease are associated with secondhand smoke exposure annually in the United States, which is roughly 150 deaths in North Dakota. Studies show that passage of smokefree laws at the community level can reduce the incidence of heart attack. Methods: We co nducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients admitted for heart attacks 4 months prior (April 15, 2010 through August 14, 2010) to implementation of the smoke-free ordinance and 4 months following (August 15, 2010 through December 14, 2010) implementation of the comprehensive smoke-free ordinance in Grand Forks, ND, United States. Results: We f ound an association between the heart attack rate and implementation of the comprehensive smoke-free law. The heart attack rate prior to the ban was 0.5% (83/16,702) compared with 0.3% (63/18,513) after the ban (p = .023). Thus, the rate of heart attacks decreased 30.6% and number of heart attack admissions decreased 24.1%, from 83 to 63, after implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free law. Conclusions: We f ound an implementation of the comprehensive smoke-free law was associated with a decrease in the heart attack rate. The heart attack rate decreased 30.6%. Our finding was similar to previous community level smoke-free law implementation studies and notable for the change going from a partial smoke-free law to a comprehensive smokefree law.
Pulmonary morbidity improves after autologous stem cell transplantation in POEMS syndrome.

Summary Background POEMS syndrome is a plasma cell disorder manifested by Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes. Pulmonary morbidity includes restriction, decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), respiratory muscle weakness, abnormal imaging, and pulmonary hypertension. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (aPBSCT) is an effective treatment for POEMS syndrome. It is unknown if aPBSCT improves pulmonary morbidity. We hypothesize pulmonary morbidity will improve following aPBSCT. Methods Retrospective cohort study of POEMS syndrome aPBSCT recipients from 2000 to 2010. Demographic, pulmonary function test (PFT), echocardiogram, cytokine, and imaging data at baseline and after aPBSCT were abstracted. Pre- and post-transplant data were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar's tests. Results 53 patients met criteria. Median improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and total lung capacity (TLC) after transplant were 180, 315 and 350 ml respectively (median follow-up of 1.1 years). DLCO, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) improved by a median of 11, 12.5 and 10% predicted respectively. RVSP and chest imaging also improved. Vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-6 decreased by a median of 334 and 2 pg/ml respectively. All comparisons were statistically significant. Longitudinal data demonstrated stability in FEV 1 , MEP, and TLC and continued improvement in FVC, MIP and DLCO on subsequent PFTs (median follow-up 26.5 months). Conclusion Patients with POEMS syndrome treated with aPBSCT have significant improvement in PFTs, respiratory muscle strength, imaging, and post-transplant IL-6. The improvement in PFTs persists during long-term follow-up.
The role of air nicotine in explaining racial differences in cotinine among tobacco-exposed children

Abstract Objective: African-American children have higher rates of tobacco-associated morbidity. Few studies have objectively measured racial differences in the exposure of children to tobacco smoke. The objective of this study was to test whether African-American children have higher levels of cotinine compared to white children while accounting for ambient measures of tobacco smoke. Setting: Community-based sample of asthmatic children (n = 220) enrolled in an environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) reduction trial. Participants: A biracial sample (55% African American) of children with asthma aged 5 to 12 years who were routinely exposed to ETS. Measurements: We measured cotinine levels in serum and hair samples at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. We measured the level of ETS exposure over a 6-month period by placing air nicotine dosimeters in the homes of the children at baseline and at 6-month study visits. Results: African-American children had significantly higher levels of cotinine at all time points in the study. At the 12-month visit, African-American children had higher levels of serum cotinine (1.39 μg/dL vs 0.80 μg/dL, p = 0.001) and hair cotinine (0.28 ng/mg vs 0.08 ng/mg, p Conclusions: Among children with asthma, African-American children have higher levels of serum and hair cotinine compared with white children.
Constitutive modelling and numerical simulation of multivariant phase transformation in superelastic shape‐memory alloys

This work concerns the micromechanical constitutive modelling, algorithmic implementation and numerical simulation of polycrystalline superelastic alloys under multiaxial loading. The model is formulated in finite deformations and incorporates the effect of texture. The numerical implementation is based on the constrained minimization of the Helmholtz free energy with dissipation. Simulations are conducted for thin tubes of Nitinol under tension-torsion, as well as for a simplified model of a biomedical stent.
A computer system for the measurement of cell and nuclear sizes.

SUMMARY A semi-automated system has been developed for the measurement of cell (perikaryal), nuclear and nucleolar areas. The system consists essentially of a Graf/Pen data tablet (with its associated acoustical stylus and tablet electronics), an optical input system such as a camera lucida, and a small digital computer. The perikaryal, nuclear and nucleolar outlines are traced in sequence with the stylus which, on contacting the tablet surface, emits a high frequency acoustic wave that is sensed by X and Y strip microphones along the left and upper edges of the tablet. The acoustic signal is converted by a simple program into a series of X and Y coordinates which are sampled at several points around the perimeter of the profile. When the stylus tip re-enters a 1 mm stationary window set up around the starting point, the measurement is automatically terminated and the data for this profile is printed out and stored in memory for subsequent statistical analysis. The system has an overall accuracy of about 1% and in practice it has been possible to measure objects at least ten times more rapidly than by any of the other currently available methods. The hardware and software features of the system are detailed and a number of additional uses for the system are described.
A carbon nanotube capacitor

We introduce a vertical carbon nanotube capacitor with high capacitance per unit area. Using an electrical model of single-walled, metallic carbon nanotubes and the extracted capacitance values of a carbon nanotube bundle network, we develop an electrical model for the capacitor. The device can exhibit a capacitance greater than 175fF/µm2.
Evaluation of Reorientation Techniques and Distractors for Walking in Large Virtual Environments

Virtual environments (VEs) that use a real-walking locomotion interface have typically been restricted in size to the area of the tracked lab space. Techniques proposed to lift this size constraint, enabling real walking in VEs that are larger than the tracked lab space, all require reorientation techniques (ROTs) in the worst-case situation-when a user is close to walking out of the tracked space. We propose a new ROT using visual and audial distractors-objects in the VE that the user focuses on while the VE rotates-and compare our method to current ROTs through three user studies. ROTs using distractors were preferred and ranked more natural by users. Our findings also suggest that improving visual realism and adding sound increased a user's feeling of presence. Users were also less aware of the rotating VE when ROTs with distractors were used.
An effective compressed sparse preconditioner for large scale biomolecular simulations

The natural preconditioner defined by local potentials is effective in the truncated Newton method for minimizing large scale biomolecular potential energy functions. This paper extends its definition, and proposes an algorithm for generating the sparse pattern of the preconditioner from the primary structure of a molecular system with N atoms. It shows that the implementation of the new compressed sparse preconditioner requires only a linear order of N memory locations.
Etiology of Azoospermia in a Military Population

Purpose: Male infertility is commonly seen at urology clinics and 10% to 20% of infertile males are found to be azoospermic. Azoospermia is classically categorized as nonobstructive or obstructive. This classification tailors the evaluation, diagnosis and proper treatment. We performed a retrospective study to provide an updated etiology of azoospermia in patients in the United States in a universal health care model.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of men with azoospermia who presented to our institution between 2004 and 2012. Laboratory data were analyzed, included semen analysis, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, semen fructose and genetic studies. Patients underwent scrotal exploration as indicated for testis biopsy and sperm extraction.Results: We reviewed 139 outpatient records. Nonobstructive azoospermia was diagnosed in 99 men (71%), including 33 (34%) identified with Sertoli-cell only syndrome. Other etiologies included an idiopathic ca...
CpNifS-dependent iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis in chloroplasts.

Summary Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are important prosthetic groups in all organisms. The biosynthesis of Fe-S clusters has been studied extensively in bacteria and yeast. By contrast, much remains to be discovered about Fe-S cluster biogenesis in higher plants. Plant plastids are known to make their own Fe-S clusters. Plastid Fe-S proteins are involved in essential metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis, nitrogen and sulfur assimilation, protein import, and chlorophyll transformation. This review aims to summarize the roles of Fe-S proteins in essential metabolic pathways and to give an overview of the latest findings on plastidic Fe-S assembly. The plastidic Fe-S biosynthetic machinery contains many homologues of bacterial mobilization of sulfur (SUF) proteins, but there are additional components and properties that may be plant-specific. These additional features could make the plastidic machinery more suitable for assembling Fe-S clusters in the presence of oxygen, and may enable it to be regulated in response to oxidative stress, iron status and light.
The Development of Infants' Reaches for Stationary and Moving Targets

The organization of infants' reaching skill for stationary and moving targets was examined. While 58 term, healthy infants at 5.5, 8.5, and 11.5 months of age reached for and grasped a cloth-covered dowel, their reaches were videotaped for later slow-motion analysis. Analyses addressed infants' anticipatory adjustment of hand alignment, use of information from spinning and oscillating targets to update ongoing reaches, and ability to capture targets moving in depth. Infants at all ages made anticipatory adjustments of hand alignment, although the effectiveness of these adjustments improved with age. Regardless of age, infants also used dynamic information from spinning and oscillating targets to update ongoing reaches, but the way infants used this information was related to age. Developmental constancy characterized infants' reaches for approaching targets. By observing infants' reaches for stationary, spinning, and approaching targets, the study expands the range of conditions under which adaptive reaching skill has been examined and provides insight into the roles of anticipation and updating in the development of early manual skill.
Influence of carbonation on leaching of cementitious wasteforms

The presented work represents a combined experimental and modeling approach to evaluate the role of carbon dioxide in the long-term performance of cementitious wasteforms. Small wasteforms were cast with Portland cement and synthetic wastewater containing known amounts of dissolved metals and nitrate as a tracer. A series of wasteforms was exposed to a control (C02-free) and an accelerated environment for carbon­ ation (50% CO2), The samples were subjected to dynamic leaching tests, and the results were fit to the two­ dimensional diffusional release equation. Comparison of results for carbonated and noncarbonated samples in­ dicated that both physical and chemical properties controlling release were altered by carbonation. Carbonation slowed the diffusional release of strontium and increased the release of nitrate, calcium, cadmium, lead, and cobalt. Comparison of the leaching rate of each metal relative to calcium was used to indicate solid solution in calcium hydroxide (cadmium) and calcium carbonate (cadmium and strontium). Leaching of cadmium and strontium appears to be heavily influenced by solid solution in calcium bearing phases.
Genetic Basis of a Violation of Dollo's law: Re-evolution of Rotating Sex Combs in Drosophila bipectinata

Phylogenetic analyses suggest that violations of “Dollo’s law”—that is, re-evolution of lost complex structures—do occur, albeit infrequently. However, the genetic basis of such reversals has not been examined. Here, we address this question using the Drosophila sex comb, a recently evolved, male-specific morphological structure composed of modified bristles. In some species, sex comb development involves only the modification of individual bristles, while other species have more complex “rotated” sex combs that are shaped by coordinated migration of epithelial tissues. Rotated sex combs were lost in the ananassae species subgroup and subsequently re-evolved, ∼12 million years later, in Drosophila bipectinata and its sibling species. We examine the genetic basis of the differences in sex comb morphology between D. bipectinata and D. malerkotliana, a closely related species with a much simpler sex comb representing the ancestral condition. QTL mapping reveals that >50% of this difference is controlled by one chromosomal inversion that covers ∼5% of the genome. Several other, larger inversions do not contribute appreciably to the phenotype. This genetic architecture suggests that rotating sex combs may have re-evolved through changes in relatively few genes. We discuss potential developmental mechanisms that may allow lost complex structures to be regained.
Testing Optimization for Mission-Critical, Complex, Distributed Systems

The goal of the research was to optimize the regression testing of the software application to address the identified problem of a missing, unclear or even contradictory requirement. The approach was mainly aimed at regression test prioritization and selection of regression test cases per test campaigns. A combination of subjective data based on expert knowledge and objective historical data were the inputs to the model where the output was determining the quality of test selection. Proposed model is aimed at finding newly introduced defects, and it could be extremely useful when the system is in the state of cleaning up or ordering requirements.
An Approach to Building Emotional Intelligence in Artifacts

Artificial emotional intelligence is vital for integration of future robots into the human society. This work introduces one possible approach to representation and processing of emotional mental states and attitudes (appraisals) in a cognitive architecture. The developed framework will allow for implementation of emotional intelligence in artifacts, including emotionally informed behavior and selfregulation, recognition of emotional motives in actions of other agents, and natural emergence of social emotional attitudes, interpreted here as higher-order appraisals. The proposed validation is based on a simulation of emergence of emotional relationships in a small group of agents.
Human judgments in hiring decisions based on online social network profiles

Online social networks have changed the ways in which people communicate and interact, and have also impacted the business landscape. One recent trend is firms using online social networks as a part of the job hiring process. Firms scrutinize potential employees using their social network profiles, sometimes even seeking access to restricted parts of the profile, for example by demanding applicants to hand over their passwords. We explore the key criteria and profile components that affect perceptions about a user. Our results are based on datasets consisting of reports of participants who actually took part in a task of evaluating candidates. Participants volunteered their Facebook profiles and CVs, to be examined by other participants who provided a detailed report about their job-suitability. We find that in screening based on social network profiles, a profile owner's education and demographic traits correlate with their job-suitability rating. Many profile components, including textual posts, pictures, likes, and even the friend list, relate to an applicant's perceived job-suitability. Further, diverse criteria play a role in forming job-suitability perceptions, including education and skills, personality, offensive content, physical appearance, interests and age, gender, family status or other demographic traits. Thus screening based on social networking websites is very different from CV based screening, where we find that the dominant criterion is education and skills, with personality being a remote second.
e-Business and Supply Chain Integration

e-Business has emerged as a key enabler to drive supply chain integration. Businesses can use the Internet to gain global visibility across their extended network of trading partners and help them respond quickly to changing customer demand captured over the Internet. The impact of e-business on supply chain integration can be described along the dimensions of information integration, synchronized planning, coordinated workflow, and new business models. As a result, many of the core supply chain principles and concepts can now be put into practice much more effectively using e-business. Significant value can be created by e-business enabled supply chain integration.