cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient and Regional Ischemia Related to Continuous Saline Solution Infusion during Radial Artery Access

Abstract This case series illustrates a radial access complication seen in 7 of 9 consecutive patients (age range, 44–53 y) undergoing uterine artery embolization in May and June 2017. Demonstrative images and videos identify a transient and clinically consequential skin ischemia caused by intraprocedural saline solution infusion through the occlusive radial artery sheath. All complications documented were classified as mild adverse events (class A) according to Society of Interventional Radiology criteria. Complication severity ranged from transient blanching to ischemic necrosis of the skin. Operator cognizance of this phenomenon with appropriate adjustment of saline solution infusion rates will prevent tissue ischemia and necrosis in radial access cases.
EVALUATION OF HIV-ASSOCIATED DYSPNEA USING CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE TESTING (CMR-CPET)

Dyspnea and exercise intolerance are common symptoms among patients with HIV. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has emerged as a versatile tool in the evaluation of cardiovascular disorders including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We sought to determine the utility of a novel
Testing the light:nutrient hypothesis: Insights into biofilm structure and function using metatranscriptomics

Aquatic biofilms are hotspots of biogeochemical activity due to concentrated microbial biomass (Battin, Kaplan, Newbold, & Hansen, ). However, biofilms are often considered a single entity when their role in biogeochemical transformations is assessed, even though these biofilms harbour functionally diverse microbial communities (Battin, Besemer, Bengtsson, Romani, & Packmann, ; Veach, Stegen, Brown, Dodds, & Jumpponen, ). Often overlooked are the biotic interactions among biofilm components that can affect ecosystem-scale processes such as primary production and nutrient cycling. These interactions are likely to be especially important under resource limitation. Light is a primary resource mediating algal photosynthesis and both phototrophic and heterotrophic production due to bacterial reliance on C-rich algal exudates (Cole, ). However, current understanding of function-structure linkages in streams has yet to unravel the relative degree of these microbial feedbacks under resource availability gradients. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Bengtsson, Wagner, Schwab, Urich, and Battin () studied stream biofilm responses to light availability to understand its impact across three domains of life. By integrating biogeochemical rate estimation and metatranscriptomics within a microcosm experiment, they were able to link primary production and nutrient uptake rates to algal and bacterial metabolic processes and specify what taxa contributed to gene expression. Under low light, diatoms and cyanobacteria upregulated photosynthetic machinery and diatom-specific chloroplast rRNA suggesting heightened transcriptional activity under light limitation to maintain phototrophic energy demands. Under high light, heterotrophic bacteria upregulated mRNAs related to phosphorous (P) metabolism while biofilm P uptake increased indicating high bacterial-specific P demand when algal biomass was high. Together, these results indicate that biogeochemical function is mediated by complex microbial interactions across trophic levels.
Das Innere-Punkte-Verfahren von Karmarkar

Narendra Karmarkar [32] hat im Jahre 1984 einen Algorithmus zur Losung linearer Programme entwickelt, der nicht nur theoretisch polynomial ist, sondern auch in der Praxis bei vielen Problemen schneller als das Simplexverfahren arbeitet. Dies ist ein iteratives Verfahren, das die optimale Losung so genau annahert, dass bei der anschliesenden Rundung auf eine Ecke ein Irrtum ausgeschlossen werden kann. Man benutzt also einen Approximationsalgorithmus, kann dann jedoch die exakte Losung bestimmen.
Why Is the SSA Triangle-Congruence Theorem Not Included in Textbooks?.

An SSA congruence theorem does exist. The theorem has been the subject of two articles in the Mathematics Teacher since 1981 (Litwiller and Duncan [1981] and Yeshurun and Kay [1983]). These articles, it appears, have had no effect on geometry textbooks. Although current textbooks cor rectly point out that SSA in its most general form is not enough to prove triangles con gruent (Hirsch et al. 1987; Jurgensen, Brown, and Jurgensen 1988; Nichols et al. 1986; Travers et al. 1987; Sobel et al., 1986), the SSA theorem discussed in these articles can be used to prove triangles congruent. The theorem has been stated in two forms, the less general of which is as follows:
Laparoscopy and Operative Laparoscopy

The widespread use of laparoscopy in infertility diagnosis and treatment represents one of the most significant advances in the management of the infertile couple.
Jaguar and puma captivity and trade among the Maya: Stable isotope data from Copan, Honduras.

From Moctezuma’s zoo to animals kept in captivity at Teotihuacan, there is increasing evidence that Mesoamericans managed wild animals for a myriad of purposes. The present study situates ritualized animal management of highly symbolic fauna in the broader context of Classic Mesoamerica by examining another core site, the Maya center of Copan, Honduras (A.D. 426–822). In this study, we identify two animal populations among the faunal remains from public and private rituals spanning the Copan dynasty. One population, with diets heavily composed of atypically sourced C4 inputs indicative of artificial feeding, corresponds with the felids interred in Altar Q and Motmot caches. The second population is composed of felids and felid products bearing a predominance of C3 signatures indicative of a more natural dietary regime. As with Copan deer, species-specific δ18O variations within these felid populations further substantiates the postulation that an expansive faunal trade network operated throughout the greater Copan Valley and beyond. Animals routed from sites of capture into the mesh of this network would have been processed into pelts, venison and other secondary goods or delivered alive to centers of state power for ritual usage and display. Our data reveal that at Copan, wild animals were routinely brought into intimate contact with human settlements to be managed and physically manipulated in a variety of ways in order to fulfill ritual and symbolic purposes.
Fundamental causes of barriers to participation in Alzheimer’s clinical research among African Americans

Objectives: African Americans have a significantly higher risk than Whites for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but show lower participation in AD clinical trials. Studies of African Americans' involvement in clinical research have identified fear and mistrust of research as barriers to participation. Historical occurrences of unethical research practices are often cited as the source of these attitudes, but underlying factors such as African Americans' experiences of racism and discrimination remain unexplored. The goal of this study was to examine the roles of race and culture in the attitudes and beliefs of African Americans about participating in clinical research.Design: Five focus groups were conducted with 44 African American men and women (aged 50 and over) in a western U.S. state. Participants were asked scripted questions regarding their knowledge and beliefs about AD and their feelings about participating in clinical research. A taxonomy was created to organize results based on participant responses.Results: Four major thematic clusters emerged that influence African Americans beliefs about and participation in clinical research: (a) experiences of unequal treatment and racism, (b) cultural trauma due to historical events and contemporary experiences, (c) racial identity and cultural norms, and (d) the importance of cultural competency and racial congruence in recruitment and research studies.Conclusions: Understanding, acknowledging, and addressing the factors that underlie mistrust and fear of research is important to build trust and to develop culturally appropriate outreach, education, and recruitment strategies that will increase African Americans' participation in clinical research.
A Practical Guide to Treatment of Childhood Absence Epilepsy

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is a common pediatric epilepsy syndrome with distinct seizure semiology, electroencephalography (EEG) features, and treatment. A diagnosis of CAE can be obtained during an office visit with a careful history, physical exam including prolonged hyperventilation, and a routine EEG. The treatment of choice for CAE with absence seizures only is ethosuximide. Valproic acid and lamotrigine are also effective treatments for many patients, but when compared to ethosuximide, valproic acid has more adverse effects and lamotrigine is less effective. Attention to predictors of response to treatment, including clinical, electrographic, and genetic factors, is increasing. Refractory CAE occurs in fewer than half of patients, and treatment strategies are available, though efficacy data are lacking. Careful assessment and treatment of psychosocial comorbidities is essential in caring for patients with CAE.
Comparison of the Genetic Structure of North and South American Populations of a Clonal Aquatic Plant

The dioecious plant Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae), indigenous to fresh water habitats in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, has been introduced to many temperate habitats throughout the world where it propagates clonally and often becomes a serious weed. Representatives from populations in Oregon (USA) and southern Chile were tested for genetic variability by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting. Little genetic variability among samples was found despite the extreme geographical distance between the two introduced populations. These results suggest that similar bottlenecking events impacted both introductions or that there is low genetic diversity within the native source populations. Surveys of the genetic diversity of plants within the native range and more widespread and descriptive surveys of introduced populations are necessary to clarify the significance of the genetic similarity of these two widely separated populations.
"TEACHING TABLE:" Judging the Substance of Student Case Presentations

Core Issue: Communication and interpersonal skills is the number one attribute recruiters look for while hiring business graduates (The Wall Street Journal, 2004). To improve their communication skills further, business students routinely make in-class case presentations. These presentations are typically evaluated by faculty based on their style and substance for a course grade. Judging the substance of a presentation is probably more difficult than judging its style. The purpose of this session is to go into the nuances of evaluating the substance of a case presentation. This will be demonstrated by evaluating the substance of some actual undergraduate student presentations. A rubric that has been used within the management department at the School of Management will be utilized. I will have a one-page summary of a case and some actual student presentations (6 slides-per-page PowerPoint format). While the session focuses on a case presentation, participants in the session will be able to apply the material to a variety of student presentations. At a broad level, theparticipants will: 1) Learn about the rubric that has been used to judge student presentations. It is adapted from the one developed at the university level to assess critical thinking. It is attached to this proposal as a pdf file.2) Develop an awareness of the kind of mistakes undergraduate students make in their casepresentations.3) Learn about the authorâ€™s â€œtop tenâ€ list of flaws in the substance of student case presentations.4) Improve their ability to give constructive feedback to their undergraduate student presenters.
Methodological Rigor in Mixed Methods: An Application in Management Studies:

As mixed methods continues to grow as a discipline, work to define what constitutes quality mixed methods research has become an emergent conversation. While progress has been made in this area, th...
Is 10 Better than 1? The Effect of Speaker Variability on Children's Cross-situational Word Learning.

The current study examined the effect of speaker variability on children’s cross-situational word learning (XSWL). The study also examined the role of bilingual experience and sustained attention. ...
Non-line-of-sight imaging with picosecond optical-gated single photon detection

We demonstrated a non-line-of-sight imaging and tracking system with picosecond optical-gated single photon detection. It sees through obscureness while achiev-ing high resolution NLOS 3D imaging and position retrieval.
Hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals induces rapid changes in the hepatic proteome.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antivirals usually eradicates infection, but liver fibrosis does not resolve concurrently. In patients who develop cirrhosis prior to hepatitis C virus treatment, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma can still occur after viral elimination due to residual fibrosis. We hypothesized the liver proteome would exhibit meaningful changes in inflammatory and fibrinogenic pathways change upon hepatitis C virus eradication, which could impact subsequent fibrosis regression. We analysed the liver proteome and phosphoproteome of paired liver biopsies obtained from 8 hepatitis C virus-infected patients before or immediately after treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Proteins in interferon signalling and antiviral pathways decreased concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment, consistent with prior transcriptomic analyses. Expression of extracellular matrix proteins associated with liver fibrosis did not change with treatment, but the phosphorylation pattern of proteins present within signalling pathways implicated in hepatic fibrinogenesis, including the ERK1/2 pathway, was altered concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment. Hepatitis C virus treatment leads to reduced expression of hepatic proteins involved in interferon and antiviral signalling. Additionally, changes in fibrosis signalling pathways are detectable before alteration in extracellular matrix proteins, identifying a putative chronology for the dynamic processes involved in fibrosis reversal.
Regulation of Chromatin Structure and Function by PARP-1 and ADP-Ribosylation

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an abundant nuclear enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose units from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to a variety of target proteins to regulate their activities and functions. Numerous studies over the past three decades have uncovered a close functional relationship between PARP-1 and chromatin during gene regulation and DNA repair. Recent studies have begun to reveal the underlying mechanisms of this functional interplay, including the role of DNA structures, histone modifications and variants, the chromatin-regulating machinery, cellular signaling pathways, and specific features of PARP-1 itself. The picture of PARP-1 that has emerged is of a multifunctional chromatin regulatory protein that can serve as an interface between external and internal cues, and the fundamental processes that control the biology of the genome. These studies have increased our understanding of the roles of PARP-1 in physiological and pathological processes from stress responses and inflammation to metabolism and apoptosis. In this chapter, we discuss how PARP-1 and ADP-ribosylation regulate chromatin structure and function to control a variety of nuclear processes, as well as downstream biological responses.
Silicon interposer and TSV signaling

Silicon interposers and through silicon vias are new technologies that are currently being readied for production. This research examines the electrical and timing models to predict how fast this technology will scale. We show that the metrics first introduced by W.C. Elmore to the delay and bandwidth calculations of cascaded low pass elements provide excellent predictions for the interconnect signal integrity. By applying a simple transmit equalizer we show that 6 mm links will scale to over 6 Gb/s. To support the scaling calculations we review the timing jitter model that is used to calculate the timing budget at the receiver to achieve a 0 bit error rate. This technology requires such a detailed model because the geometry is too small to allow direct measurements, it must be guaranteed by design and confirmed by margin testing.
MW: A Software Framework for Combinatorial Optimization on Computational Grids

Branch and bound is the backbone of many algorithms for solving combinatorial optimization problems, dating at least as far back as the work of Little, Murty, Sweeney, and Karel in solving the traveling salesman problem [18]. Branch and bound and similar tree-search techniques have been implemented on a variety of parallel computing platforms dating back to the advent of multiprocessor machines. See Gendron and Crainic [14] for a survey of parallel branch-and-bound algorithms, including references to early works. Our goal in this paper is to demonstrate that branch-and-bound algorithms for combinatorial optimization can be effectively implemented on a relatively new type of multiprocessor platform known as a computational grid [12]. A computational grid consists of collections of loosely-coupled, non-dedicated, heterogeneous computing resources. Computational grids can be quite powerful, consisting of a large number of processors, but they can be difficult to use effectively. We will argue that to easily and effectively harness the power of computational grids for branch-and-bound algorithms, the master-worker paradigm should be used to control the algorithm. While recognizing that the master-worker paradigm is inherently not scalable, we will also show that the manner in which the tree search is performed can have a significant impact on the resulting parallel branch-and-bound algorithm’s scalability and efficiency. Many of these ideas were (implicitly) present in the branch-and-bound implementation of Anstreicher et al. [4], used to solve a number of quadratic assignment problems to optimality. In this work we show that these ideas equally well apply to more general branch-and-bound implementations. We will also briefly describe a software framework MW that can ease an application developer’s burden when implementing masterworker based parallel algorithms on computational grids. We will focus specifically on features of MW that are of the most utility to users wishing to implement branch-and-bound algorithms. To illustrate the impact of the issues we discuss, the paper ends with a case study implementation of a branch-and-bound solver to solve the 0-1 knapsack problem running on a wide-area computational grid of hundreds of processors.
Characteristics of Field‐Aligned Currents Near the Auroral Acceleration Region: Fast Observations

A pilot statistical study of field-aligned currents (FACs), using an automated FAC-finding technique, has been performed on the magnetometer data from the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) spacecraft. The strategy of this survey is to eliminate all intervals during which the magnetometer data are not consistent with flight through a stationary sheet-like current flowing parallel to the geomagnetic field, and then examine the statistical properties of those data that remain. This survey is sensitive to currents with thicknesses from roughly 10- 1000 km, over an altitude range of 300- 4300 km, with densities of greater than 0.1 μA/m 2 . We are able to reproduce the familiar statistical location and polarity pattern of large-scale currents, but we emphasize its high variability. The net current (that part which closes along the auroral zone or across the polar cap) comprises not only the large-scale currents, but the more numerous, finely-structured currents as well, implying that the fine structure is, in fact, an integral part of the global current system. FACs show a marked tendency to align themselves with the statistical auroral zone, and an even greater tendency, on each pass, to align themselves with each other, as expected for a population of sheet-like auroral currents. The scale sizes of currents are found to be symmetric with respect to current polarity, but downward currents contain larger spatial gradients of current density, particularly at low values of Kp. The likelihood of finding an intense upgoing electron beam within a downward FAC is found to be well correlated with the amount of time its magnetic footpoint has spent in darkness, suggesting suppression of the beams by ionospheric photoelectrons.
A molecular and isotopic study of the macromolecular organic matter of the ungrouped C2 WIS 91600 and its relationship to Tagish Lake and PCA 91008

Abstract–Insight into the chemical history of an ungrouped type 2 carbonaceous chondritemeteorite, Wisconsin Range (WIS) 91600, is gained through molecular analyses of insolubleorganic matter (IOM) using solid-state 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (pyr-GC⁄MS), and our previous bulkelemental and isotopic data. The IOM from WIS 91600 exhibits similarities in itsabundance and bulk d 15 N value with IOM from another ungrouped carbonaceous chondriteTagish Lake, while it exhibits H⁄C, d 13 C, and dD values that are more similar to IOM fromthe heated CM, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91008. The 13 C NMR spectra of IOM of WIS91600 and Tagish Lake are similar, except for a greater abundance of CH x O species in thelatter and sharper carbonyl absorption in the former. Unusual cross-polarization (CP)dynamics is observed for WIS 91600 that indicate the presence of two physically distinctorganic domains, in which the degrees of aromatic condensation are distinctly different. Thepresence of two different organic domains in WIS 91600 is consistent with its brecciatednature. The formation of more condensed aromatics is the likely result of short durationthermal excursions during impacts. The fact that both WIS 91600 and PCA 91008 weresubjected to short duration heating that is distinct from the thermal history of type 3chondrites is conﬁrmed by Carbon-XANES. Finally, after being brieﬂy heated (400 C for10 s), the pyrolysis behavior of Tagish Lake IOM is similar to that of WIS 91600 and PCA91008. We conclude that WIS 91600 experienced very moderate, short duration heating atlow temperatures (<500 C) after an episode of aqueous alteration under conditions thatwere similar to those experienced by Tagish Lake.INTRODUCTIONThe Wisconsin Range (WIS) 91600 meteorite is acarbonaceous chondrite with unique physical andinorganic characteristics. The meteorite was ﬁrstclassiﬁed as a CM2 based on its petrology (Birjukovand Ulyanov 1996). However, the matrix of thismeteorite is textually and mineralogically distinct fromtypical CMs in that it contains abundant framboidalmagnetite and phyllosilicates, tochilinite appears to beabsent, and carbonates are rare (Brearley 2004). Hiroiet al. (2005) noted that, like Tagish Lake, the visible-near-infrared reﬂectance (VNIR) spectrum of WIS91600 resembles those of D- or T-type asteroids, andthe matrix reﬂectivity of WIS 91600 closely resemblesthat of Orgueil (Hiroi et al. 2005). The oxygen isotopiccompositions of WIS 91600 and Tagish Lake are alsosimilar (Clayton and Mayeda 2003), supporting the
Productivity and Product Quality Measures for Chippers and Grinders on Operational Southern US Timber Harvests

Growth in bioenergy interests in the southeastern United States has created a need for cost-effective woody biomass harvesting systems. We evaluated three operational systems for their potential production and cost: horizontal grinders fed with residue from roundwood harvests, horizontal grinders fed with residue from clean chipping harvests, and whole tree chippers fed with entire stems. We evaluated three contractors operating each of the three system types over the course of approximately one working week each. Utilization rates for chippers and grinders were 44% and 38% respectively. Hourly production ranged between 22 – 30 metric green tonnes (gt)/SMH and 64 – 70 gt/PMH and did not differ significantly between the three systems. Delivered costs per gt of material were also very similar for the three systems and ranged between $22.68 and $23.81.
Introduction to Ecosystem Models

The idea of a community matrix was introduced in 1968 by R. Levins [L]. If a model has n compartments, then the community matrix is an n×n matrix of functions of time A(t). As in the previous chapter, A(t) is defined relative to a special trajectory \({\rm{\hat x}}\)(t), a trajectory of observed, “normal,” or, on the basis of experience, predicted compartment values. Recall the definition of A(t): $${{A}_{{ij}}}(t) = \frac{{\partial {{f}_{i}}}}{{\partial {{x}_{j}}}}\left( {\hat{x}(t),t} \right)$$ where \({\hat{x}}\)(t) is a trajectory of the ecosystem model (dynamical system) $${{{\dot{x}}}_{i}} = {{f}_{i}}\left( {x,t} \right)$$ In the very special and unrealistic case that A(t) is actually a matrix of constants, certain mathematical tests (the Hurwitz tests of the previous chapter) can be performed on A which indicate the qualitative nature of nearby trajectories, namely, whether or not relative to nearby trajectories \({\hat{x}}\)(t) is an attractor trajectory.
Numerical Simulation of Transition in a Decelerating Boundary Layer

Transition in a decelerating flat-plate boundary layer is numerically simulated up to the beginning of three-dimensional breakdown, and the results are compared with an experiment. The adverse pressure gradient induced by deceleration increases the growth rate of disturbances and allows transition at lower Reynolds numbers. The primary instability is characterized by a wave packet, which undergoes 3D distortion. A vortices are locally observed, but they are not aligned with respect to the flow direction.
Intraspecific Larval Competition in the Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Olive fruit flies [Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin)] occur at densities in California that can result in intraspecific larval competition within infested fruit. Larval B. oleae densities tracked in the field at six location were found to be highly variable and related to the proportion of fruit infested and adult densities. Egg and larval distribution within the field was generally aggregated early in the season and trended toward random and uniform as the season progressed. To determine whether B. oleae experienced fitness consequences at a range of larval densities observed in the field, olive fruits were infested with one, two, four, and six eggs, and larval and pupal developmental time, pupal weight, and pupal yield were compared. At the highest egg density, all measures of performance were negatively impacted, resulting in fewer and lighter pupae that took longer to pupate and emerge as adults, and even when only two larvae was present per olive, resulting pupae were significantly smaller. Density did not impact the sex ratio of the resulting flies or survive to adults. As field surveys showed, larval densities ranged from 1 to 11 B. oleae per fruit at some sites, and our results suggest that, at high densities, B. oleae do experience competition for larval resources. The impact of intraspecific larval competition North American in field populations of B. oleae is unknown, but the potential for competition is present.
Performance analysis of eigenstructure based DOA estimators employing conjugate symmetric beamformers

If one employs conjugate centro-symmetric beamforming weight vectors in conjunction with a uniformly-spaced linear array, the noise eigenvectors in Beamspace MUSIC may be computed as the 'smallest' eigenvectors of the real part of the beamspace sample covariance matrix. Through theoretical performance analysis and verification via Monte Carlo simulations, this paper shows that taking the real part offers significant performance gains in addition to computational gains, particularly for correlated sources. >
Efficient palladium-catalyzed N-arylation of a sulfoximine with aryl chlorides.

The efficient N-arylation of a sulfoximine with aryl chlorides was developed by using Pd2(dba)3 as a catalyst and various ligands. The reactions using RuPhos as a ligand afforded the coupled products in fair to excellent yields.
A short form of PARI to assess authoritarian attitudes toward child rearing.

The Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) was revised and shortened in an attempt to assess authoritarianism and warmth. A factor analysis demonstrated the logic of combining the scales into these two factors. The relationship between these factors and authoritarianism was explored by testing 46 college students with the PARI short form and both forms of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) steropathy scales. Both PARI factors were significantly related to authoritarianism measured as a cluster of attitudes (Form I of the SSRC) but not as a personality variable (Form P of the SSRC). The over-all pattern of results suggests that the new short-form PARI is a useful technique for assessing authoritarian attitudes toward childrearing.
On super-resolved coded aperture spectral imaging

Coded Aperture Snapshot Spectral Imager (CASSI) senses three-dimensional scenes using a single focal plane array (FPA) snapshot. CASSI measurements are random projections of the underlying scene which can be recovered using the theory of compressive sensing (CS). This work generalizes the CASSI architecture which permits to sense high resolution hyper-spectral scenes using low resolution FPAs. We present a multiple-shot extension of CASSI where spectral super-resolution can be attained. In the proposed system, a second highresolution coded aperture is introduced in CASSI to encode both spatial and spectral dimensions of the data cube. This approach allows the reconstruction of super-resolved hyper-spectral data cubes, where the number of spectral bands is significantly increased. Simulations show an improvement of up to 6 dB in PSNR image reconstruction, and a four-fold increase in spectral resolution.
A New Convenient Method for Determining Arsenic(+3) in Natural Waters

Abstract A convenient method for the determination of arsenic(+3) in natural waters based on a simple modification of the silver diethyldithiocarbamate “Standard Method” for inorganic arsenic has been developed. In practice the technique was found to detect an average of 96% of the As(+3) present in samples. Less than 1% of any As (+5) present was analyzed as As (+3) by the method. The analytical procedure was used successfully to investigate surface waters, ground waters, and simulated reservoir waters. In combination with the current “Standard Method”, the newly developed procedure allows an easy sorting of the inorganic arsenic in the waters into As(+3), arsenite, and As(+5), arsenate.
Fracture mechanics of shape memory alloys: review and perspectives

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are intermetallic alloys displaying recoverable strains that can be an order of magnitude greater than in traditional alloys due to their capacity to undergo a thermal and/or stress-induced martensitic phase transformation. Since their discovery, the SMA industry has been dominated by products for biomedical applications with geometrically small feature sizes, especially endovascular stents. For such products the technological importance of fracture mechanics is limited, with the emphasis being placed on preventing crack nucleation rather than controlling crack growth. However, the successful integration of SMAs into commercial actuation, energy absorption, and vibration damping applications requires understanding and practice of fracture mechanics concepts in SMAs. The fracture response of SMAs is rather complex owing to the reversibility of phase transformation, detwinning and reorientation of martensitic variants, the possibility of dislocation and transformation-induced plasticity, and the strong thermomechanical coupling. Large-scale phase transformation under actuation loading paths, i.e., combined thermo-mechanical loading, and the associated configuration dependence complicate the phenomenon even further and question the applicability of single parameter fracture mechanics theories. Here, the existing knowledge base on the fracture mechanics of SMAs under mechanical loading is reviewed and recent developments in actuation-induced SMA fracture are presented, in terms of the micro-mechanisms of fracture, near-tip fracture environments, fracture criteria, and fracture toughness properties.
Problems in the assessment of self-esteem

Validation of instruments is clearly the most pressing of the problems enumerated here. Efforts to determine the adequacy of measures of self-esteem must proceed apace if the construct is to be as useful as its proponents seem to believe it is. In order to make instructive inferences, it is necessary that measures be as technically excellent as knowledge and technology permit.
Growth and Structure of Carbide Nanorods

Recent research on the growth and structure of carbide nanorods is reviewed. Carbide nanorods have been prepared by reacting carbon nanotubes with volatile transition metal and main group oxides and halides. Using this approach it has been possible to obtain solid carbide nanorods of TiC, SiC, NbC, Fe{sub 3}C, and BC{sub x} having diameters between 2 and 30 nm and lengths up to 20 {micro}m. Structural studies of single crystal TiC nanorods obtained through reactions of TiO with carbon nanotubes show that the nanorods grow along both [110] and [111] directions, and that the rods can exhibit either smooth or saw-tooth morphologies. Crystalline SiC nanorods have been produced from reactions of carbon nanotubes with SiO and Si-iodine reactants. The preferred growth direction of these nanorods is [111], although at low reaction temperatures rods with [100] growth axes are also observed. The growth mechanisms leading to these novel nanomaterials have also been addressed. Temperature dependent growth studies of TiC nanorods produced using a Ti-iodine reactant have provided definitive proof for a template or topotactic growth mechanism, and furthermore, have yielded new TiC nanotube materials. Investigations of the growth of SiC nanorods show that in some cases a catalytic mechanism may alsomore » be operable. Future research directions and applications of these new carbide nanorod materials are discussed.« less
Geometric design techniques for observers in singular systems

Abstract We present geometric design techniques for observer design in generalized state-space or singular systems. The unknown-input-conditioned invariant subspaces are defined for singular systems, and are related to the solution of a generalized Lyapunov equation. The approach emphasizes solution procedures based on the Lyapunov equation and a singular system structure algorithm. This paper extends the singular system observer theory both by providing a geometric basis for it and showing the best that may be accomplished if the system is not observable.
The effect of heavy metals and other pollutants on the sediments of Onondaga Lake

Physical and chemical characterization of the recent sediments of Onondaga Lake indicate significant pollution based alterations to the system.210Pb data depict an extremely high sedimentation rate within the consolidated layers (5 to 9 cm yr−1), that has resulted largely from the loading of the Lake with industrially derived Ca. A further alteration of the sedimentary system is the very extensive flocculent layer (up to 2.5 m deep) between the overlaying water and the consolidated sediments. The chemistry of the sediments, though not unusual in dominant component makeup for a hardwater lake, is characterized by very severe heavy metal and Fe contamination that has resulted from culturally derived loadings. Heavy metals and P are concentrated within the upper flocculent strata. Indirect evidence is presented for the upward vertical migration of heavy metals within the sedimentary system.
Push or pull? Toward optimal content delivery using cloud storage

Cloud computing and 'Storage As A Service' (SaaS) are experiencing a momentous popularity increase due to its flexible, and scalable access to resources. Especially, cloud storage is becoming an economical alternative to traditional content delivery networks (CDNs) such as Akamai and Limelight Networks for moderate-size content providers. Previous research on content distribution mainly focuses on reducing latency experienced by content customers. A few recent studies address the issue of bandwidth usage in CDNs, as the bandwidth consumption is an important issue due to its relevance to the cost of content providers. However, few researches consider both bandwidth consumption and delay performance for the content providers that use cloud storages with limited budgets, which is the focus of this paper. We develop an efficient light-weight approximation algorithm toward the joint optimization problem of content placement. We also conduct the analysis of its theoretical complexities. The performance bound of the proposed approximation algorithm exhibits a much better worst case than those in previous studies. We further extend the approximate algorithm into a distributed version that allows it to promptly react to dynamic changes in users' interests. The extensive results from both simulations and Planetlab experiments exhibit that the performance is near optimal for most of the practical conditions.
Stability of a class of stochastic differential systems

On etudie la stabilite entree-sortie d'un systeme non lineaire stochastique, par des methodes frequentielles
Human Milk Fortifier Alters the Transforming Growth Factor-alpha (TGF|[alpha]|) Isoform Profile of Human Milk |[dagger]| 603

Human milk fortifier (HMF) is routinely added to human milk feedings to augment nutrient and caloric delivery to premature infants. We previously reported that the TGFα immunoreactive concentration in the fat, but not the aqueous compartment, of human milk is decreased with the addition of HMF[Ped Res 1997; 41(4):515A]. TGFα is detectable in HMF when reconstituted in sterile water (concentration 2 pg/mL), but not in commercially available formulas. It is unknown if HMF alters the biochemical properties, including the TGFα isoform profile, of human milk. To address this question, the TGFα isoform profiles of whole milk and its fractions were compared with the same fractions with a commercially available powered HMF (Mead-Johnson). Fifteen whole milk samples were collected from 12 mothers on postpartum days 4 through 90; gestational age of the infants ranged from 26-40 weeks. These samples were divided into 2 aliquots of 25 mL; 1 packet of HMF (0.96 g) was added to the first aliquot. Two cc of whole milk were retained for later analysis. The remainder of each sample was centrifuged at 1000 X g for 20 min at 4°C to achieve separation of the fat and aqueous fractions. Sodium taurocholate, a bile salt, was added 1:1 (v/v) to the fat for emulsion. Western blot analysis of the samples was performed with a monoclonal TGFα antibody (0.5 μg/mL; RDI) and a polyclonal secondary antibody (1:20,000; Pierce) using 15% SDS-PAGE electrophoresis- semi-dry transfer method. Isoform bands were visualized by enhanced chemilluminescence(Amersham). TGFα isoforms were detected in whole milk and its separated fractions at 6.5, 12-16, 22, 26, and 30 kD. HMF alone and HMF with sodium taurocholate had a single detectable band at 18 kD. While whole and aqueous milk samples with HMF present also showed the 18 kD band, the fat fraction samples with HMF did not have the 18 kD band. It appears that HMF differentially alters the biochemical profile of human milk with regard to TGFα concentration and the immunodetection of TGFα isoforms. What effect this alteration in human milk biochemistry has on neonatal gut function remains unknown.
The extended Simon Newcomb Problem

Abstract The generating function for an extended Simon Newcomb Problem is given as the inverse of an associated matrix. Particular cases of the Simon Newcomb Problem, such as the refined Simon Newcomb Problem, are then obtained by calculation of the associated matrix.
Experiences of nursing students in caring for patients with behaviors suggestive of low health literacy: a qualitative analysis

Background: Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information in order to take appropriate health actions. Low health literacy is associated with poor health knowledge and self-management of chronic disease, inadequate utilization of preventive services, and increased hospital admissions. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends that nursing schools incorporate health literacy into curricula. Little, however, has been reported about what nursing students have learned and done about health literacy in clinical. This study explored undergraduate nursing students’ experiences in caring for patients with low health literacy. Methods: A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze 59 narratives written by undergraduate nursing students. Results: Three themes were uncovered: sensing low health literacy by behavioral cues, promoting health literacy with multiple strategies, and closing the health information loop with positive and negative feelings. Noncompliance, knowledge deficits, anxiety/concerns, and language barriers were behavioral cues indicating low health literacy, and these cues triggered the students’ information support actions. Students promoted patient understanding and utilization of information by using many interventions: simplifying information, reinforcing information, giving written information, and demonstration/teach-back. Many students felt good about being able to help increase knowledge and self-care skills of their patients. Some were frustrated because they were unable to promote lifestyle modifications of the patients with complicated chronic diseases. Students, however, did not employ standardized tools to assess the health literacy of the patient or the patient’s knowledge of specific diseases, nor did they assess readability of patient education materials or provide patient empowerment interventions to encourage active information-seeking and participation in self-care. Conclusions: Nursing students could identify behavioral cues suggestive of low health literacy and provide solutions to increase the patient’s health literacy. To enhance student practice, nursing curricula, however, can integrate relevant health literacy assessment tools and empowerment interventions.
The analysis of perfume fixatives by simultaneous TG–DTA studies

Abstract In this study, the coefficient of evaporation values, activation energies and pre-exponential factors were determined for two fixatives, namely benzophenone and cinnamic acid. Simultaneous TG–DTA data and rising temperature kinetics were used for this purpose. The coefficient of evaporation values at different temperatures were determined using rising temperature data obtained from DTG plots. These were then used to calculate the activation energy for the endothermic process of evaporation, on the basis that the rate mechanism is of zero order. The pre-exponential factors were obtained from corresponding kinetic plots. The results show that the activation energy for this evaporation process approaches the enthalpy of vaporization, which is in agreement with the simple relationship between these two for any given endothermic process.
Integrative discovery of epigenetically derepressed cancer testis antigens in NSCLC.

Background: Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) were first discovered as immunogenic targets normally expressed in germline cells, but differentially expressed in a variety of human cancers. In this study, we used an integrative epigenetic screening approach to identify coordinately expressed genes in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose transcription is driven by promoter demethylation. Methodology/Principal Findings: Our screening approach found 290 significant genes from the over 47,000 transcripts incorporated in the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 expression array. Of the top 55 candidates, 10 showed both differential overexpression and promoter region hypomethylation in NSCLC. Surprisingly, 6 of the 10 genes discovered by this approach were CTAs. Using a separate cohort of primary tumor and normal tissue, we validated NSCLC promoter hypomethylation and increased expression by quantitative RT-PCR for all 10 genes. We noted significant, coordinated coexpression of multiple target genes, as well as coordinated promoter demethylation, in a large set of individual tumors that was associated with the SCC subtype of NSCLC. In addition, we identified 2 novel target genes that exhibited growth- promoting effects in multiple cell lines. Conclusions/Significance: Coordinated promoter demethylation in NSCLC is associated with aberrant expression of CTAs and potential, novel candidate protooncogenes that can be identified using integrative discovery techniques. These findings have significant implications for discovery of novel CTAs and CT antigen directed immunotherapy. © 2009 Glazer et al.
Effect of Prednisone on the Pharmacokinetics of the Integrase Inhibitor Dolutegravir

Prednisone, a corticosteroid frequently used to treat common AIDS-related illnesses and comorbidities, has been shown to induce drug metabolism. This study was performed to determine whether prednisone coadministration affected the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir (DTG). In this open-label, repeat-dose study, 12 healthy subjects were administered DTG at 50 mg daily alone for 5 days and then with concomitant prednisone for 10 days (prednisone at 60 mg daily for 5 days, followed by a 5-day taper). Serial blood sampling and safety assessments were performed during the trial. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental methods and geometric least-square mean ratios, and 90% confidence intervals were generated. Coadministration of DTG and 5-day high-dose prednisone with a 5-day taper had a modest effect on DTG exposure. The area under the DTG plasma concentration-time curve, maximum observed DTG concentration, and 24-hour postdose DTG concentration were increased by 11%, 6%, and 17%, respectively, on day 10 of the combination. Similar results were observed after 5 days of DTG and prednisone. Dolutegravir and prednisone coadministration was well tolerated. The changes in plasma exposures of DTG in healthy individuals as a result of prednisone dosing were not clinically significant. No dose adjustment is required for DTG coadministered with prednisone. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01425099.).
Pressure-induced insulator-metal transitions in solid xenon and hydrogen: A first-principles quasiparticle study.

We report a quasiparticle study of the pressure-induced isostructural insulator-metal transition in solids by the mechanism of band-gap closure. Two examples are investigated: solid Xe and molecular solid hydrogen. The band gaps are calculated with a first-principles quasiparticle approach, in which the electron self-energy operator is expanded to first order in the screened Coulomb interaction, viz., the GW approximation. For the case of solid xenon, the crystal structure has been experimentally established to be hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) in the vicinity of the observed metallization pressure of 132(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5) GPa. Our calculation for solid xenon yields a metallization pressure of 128 GPa, in good agreement with experiment. The theoretical results further quantitatively explain all the salient features observed in the experimental optical spectra at metallization. For molecular solid hydrogen the structure has yet to be determined definitively. Our calculations are carried out for structures in which hydrogen molecules assume an hcp arrangement. The quasiparticle results are compared with those from Hartree-Fock (HF) and local-density approximation (LDA) calculations.