cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Ferromagnetic Resonance Shift in Screen-Printed Barium Ferrite/Samarium Cobalt Composites

This paper explores a method for incorporating samarium cobalt (both Sm2Co17 and SmCo4) inclusions into screen-printed barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) films in order to tune the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). Using an all-low-temperature screen-printing process, >140- $\mu \text{m}$ -thick composite films are fabricated using heterogeneous mixtures of magnetic particles in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) binder. RF characterization is performed using two-port S-parameter measurements on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) with external magnetic bias fields. The films exhibit a self-biased FMR response that ranges from 41 to 53 GHz (12-GHz span) by varying the relative ratio of the hexaferrite and Sm-Co particles. These effects are attributed to the embedded Sm-Co particles providing additional internal field bias acting on the barium ferrite.
Pembrolizumab-induced pseudoepitheliomatous eruption consistent with hypertrophic lichen planus.

Pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody preparation, has been shown to induce various dermatologic adverse events which may present with delayed onset or even after discontinuation of therapy. We report a 78-year-old female patient with a stage II lung adenocarcinoma treated with pembrolizumab, who developed lichenoid eruptions and multiple cutaneous plaque/nodular eruptions as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, during and up to 2 months after discontinuation of pembrolizumab therapy. Multiple skin biopsies revealed epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, diffuse to patchy lichenoid lymphocyte infiltrate with scattered eosinophils and neutrophils, confluent to scant dyskeratosis of the lower epidermis, minimal to overt invagination, and cystic proliferation of squamous epithelium to papillomatosis with hypergranulosis and keratosis. Overall, multiple patterns were present with similarities to lichenoid drug eruption, lichen planus, early invasive squamous cell carcinoma, early keratoacanthoma, and verruca. However, the findings ultimately supported a diagnosis of hypertrophic lichen planus. All the lesions resolved with oral prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and topical triamcinolone acetonide ointment 0.1%. In summary, our case shows that pembrolizumab can induce lichenoid eruption with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, and these lesions can clinically and pathologically mimic early invasive squamous cell carcinomas or keratoacanthomas.
Racialized Compensatory Cultivation: Centering Race in Parental Educational Engagement and Enrichment:

In this study, we examine the intersections and divergences of class- and race-based parenting motivations and practices as they connect to education through an exploration of the purposeful, race-...
Power-efficient combinatorial optimization using intrinsic noise in memristor Hopfield neural networks

To tackle important combinatorial optimization problems, a variety of annealing-inspired computing accelerators, based on several different technology platforms, have been proposed, including quantum-, optical- and electronics-based approaches. However, to be of use in industrial applications, further improvements in speed and energy efficiency are necessary. Here, we report a memristor-based annealing system that uses an energy-efficient neuromorphic architecture based on a Hopfield neural network. Our analogue–digital computing approach creates an optimization solver in which massively parallel operations are performed in a dense crossbar array that can inject the needed computational noise through the analogue array and device errors, amplified or dampened by using a novel feedback algorithm. We experimentally show that the approach can solve non-deterministic polynomial-time (NP)-hard max-cut problems by harnessing the intrinsic hardware noise. We also use experimentally grounded simulations to explore scalability with problem size, which suggest that our memristor-based approach can offer a solution throughput over four orders of magnitude higher per power consumption relative to current quantum, optical and fully digital approaches. A memristor-based annealing system that uses an analogue neuromorphic architecture based on a Hopfield neural network can solve non-deterministic polynomial (NP)-hard max-cut problems in an approach that is potentially more efficient than current quantum, optical and digital approaches.
Identification of 1H-NMR Spectra of Xyloglucan Oligosaccharides: A Comparative Study of Artificial Neural Networks and Bayesian Classification Using Nonparametric Density Estimation

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) is a widely used tool for chemical structural analysis. However, 1H-NMR spectra suffer from natural aberrations that render computer-assisted automated identification of these spectra difficult, and at times impossible. Previous efforts have successfully implemented instrument dependent or conditional identification of these spectra. In this paper, we report the first instrument independent computer-assisted automated identification system for a group of complex carbohydrates known as the xyloglucan oligosaccharides. The developed system is also implemented on the world wide web (this http URL) as part of an identification package called the CCRC-Net and is intended to recognize any submitted 1H-NMR spectrum of these structures with reasonable signal-to-noise ratio, recorded on any 500 MHz NMR instrument. The system uses Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) technology and is insensitive to the instrument and environment-dependent variations in 1H-NMR spectroscopy. In this paper, comparative results of the ANN engine versus a multidimensional Bayes' classifier is also presented.
Evaluation of Patient Perceptions With Orthopedic Oncology Telehealth: A Pilot Project:

Telehealth has been used for decades to improve access to care for rural and underserved patients. The adoption of telehealth in orthopedic oncology is novel and expected to positively impact patie...
Resynchronizing Right and Left Ventricles With Right Bundle Branch Block in the Congenital Heart Disease Population

Abstract Objectives This study describes a single center experience with the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in a difficult patient population, including single systemic right ventri...
Strong Calcium Emission Indicates that the Ultraviolet-flashing SN Ia 2019yvq Was the Result of a Sub-Chandrasekar-mass Double-detonation Explosion

We present nebular spectra of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2019yvq, which had a bright flash of blue and ultraviolet light after exploding, followed by a rise similar to other SNe Ia. Although SN 2019yvq displayed several other rare characteristics, such as persistent high ejecta velocity near peak brightness, it was not especially peculiar, and if the early "excess" emission were not observed, it would likely be included in cosmological samples. The excess flux can be explained by several different physical models linked to the details of the progenitor system and explosion mechanism. Each has unique predictions for the optically thin emission at late times. In our nebular spectra, we detect strong [Ca ii] λλ7291, 7324 and Ca near-IR triplet emission, consistent with a double-detonation explosion. We do not detect H, He, or [O i] emission, predictions for some single-degenerate progenitor systems and violent white dwarf mergers. The amount of swept-up H or He is < 2.8 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.4 × 10⁻⁴ M_⊙, respectively. Aside from strong Ca emission, the SN 2019yvq nebular spectrum is similar to those of typical SNe Ia with the same light-curve shape. Comparing to double-detonation models, we find that the Ca emission is consistent with a model with a total progenitor mass of 1.15 M_⊙. However, we note that a lower progenitor mass better explains the early light-curve and peak luminosity. The unique properties of SN 2019yvq suggest that thick He-shell double detonations only account for 1.1_(-1.1)^(+2.1)% of the total "normal" SN Ia rate. The SN 2019yvq is one of the best examples yet that multiple progenitor channels appear necessary to reproduce the full diversity of "normal" SNe Ia.
The Dairy Industry at the Turn of the Century

Numerous factors have shaped the dairy industry in the past. Many of these same factors continue, in one form or another, to affect it today. Some new factors are exerting new influences. This paper attempts to discuss factors that may be important in shaping the dairy sector as we approach the 21st Century.
80. COVID-19 Testing, Characteristics, and Outcomes Among People Living with HIV in an Integrated Health System

Background: Understanding attributes of COVID-19 clinical severity among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) is critical for risk stratification and treatment strategies, but data among this population are limited Methods: We conducted a retrospective study among health plan members at Kaiser Permanente Southern California We identified PLWH aged ≥ 18 years with a positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic test or COVID-19 diagnosis and compared COVID-19 outcomes to HIV-negative cases Chart review was conducted to examine HIV viral suppression, most recent CD4+ counts, and antiretroviral regimens in the year prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, as well as COVID-19 clinical presentation and outcomes Results: Between 3/1/20 and 5/31/20, 590 PLWH were tested for SARS-CoV-2, of which 47 (8 0%) were positive An additional 14 patients had a clinical COVID-19 diagnosis, for a total of 61 cases identified among the population of 10,702 PLWH Of these, 10 (16 4%) were hospitalized, 4 (6 6%) were admitted to ICU, 3 (6 4%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 1 (1 6%) died from COVID-19 In comparison, of the 12,921 HIV-negative individuals with COVID-19, 1975 (15 3%) were hospitalized, 494 (3 8%) were admitted to ICU, 444 (3 4%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 300 (2 3%) died from COVID-19 For 42 PLWH for whom chart review was complete (cases through 5/7/20), 52% were aged ≥ 50 years, and 98% were male In the year prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, 98% were virally suppressed (HIV RNA < 40 copies/mL) Most recent mean CD4+ count was 600 cells/mm3, and 4 8% had CD4+ ≤ 200 cells/mm3 Median CD4 count was similar between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients Antiretroviral regimens included NRTIs (98% of patients), NNRTIs (31%), PIs (26%), INSTIs (57%), and CCR5 inhibitors (2 3%) The most common presenting symptoms were cough (76% of patients), fever (71%), and shortness of breath (48%) Conclusion: In this population of patients with well-controlled HIV, risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes were similar to HIV-negative individuals, although sample sizes of PLWH with COVID-19 were small Analyses adjusted for demographics and comorbidities are needed to assess risk of severe COVID-19 among PLWH and to determine clinical predictors in this population (Table Presented)
A Comprehensive Data Sampling Analysis Applied to the Classification of Rare IoT Network Intrusion Types

With the rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) network intrusion attacks, there is a critical need for sophisticated and comprehensive intrusion detection systems (IDSs). Classifying infrequent intrusion types such as root-to-local (R2L) and user-to-root (U2R) attacks is a reoccurring problem for IDSs. In this study, various data sampling and class balancing techniques-Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based oversampling, k-nearest-neighbor (kNN) oversampling, NearMiss-1 undersampling, and class weights-were used to resolve the severe class imbalance affecting U2R and R2L attacks in the NSL-KDD intrusion detection dataset. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were trained on the adjusted datasets, and their performances were evaluated with a multitude of classification metrics. Here, we show that using no data sampling technique (baseline), GAN-based oversampling, and NearMiss-l undersampling, all with class weights, displayed high performances in identifying R2L and U2R attacks. Of these, the baseline with class weights had the highest overall performance with an F1-score of 0.11 and 0.22 for the identification of U2R and R2L attacks, respectively.
The Regenerating Skeletal Muscle Niche Guides Muscle Stem Cell Self-Renewal

Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are essential for muscle regeneration and maintenance. While MuSCs typically are quiescent and reside in an asymmetric niche between the basal lamina and myofiber membrane: to repair or maintain muscle, MuSCs activate, proliferate and differentiate to repair injured tissue, and self-renew to replenish MuSCs. Little is known about the timing of MuSC self-renewal during muscle regeneration and the cellular processes that direct MuSC self-renewal fate decisions. Using DNA-based lineage tracing, we find that during muscle regeneration most MuSCs self-renew from 5-7 days post-injury, following fusion of myogenic cells to regenerate myofibers. Single cell sequencing of the myogenic cells in regenerating muscle reveals that non-cell autonomous signaling networks regulate MuSC self-renewal allowing identification of asymmetrically distributed proteins in self-renewing MuSCs. Cell transplantation experiments verified that the regenerating environment signals MuSC self-renewal. Our results define the critical window for MuSC self-renewal emphasizing the temporal contribution of the regenerative muscle environment on MuSC fate, establishing a new paradigm for restoring the MuSC pool during muscle regeneration.
Incorporation of knowledge in genetic recombination

Genetic algorithms (GA's) evolve sets of solutions to an optimization problem into better sets of solutions. GA's are robust and flexible since they use genetic recombination methods to help evolve new solutions. We have devised a general class of genetic recombination operators called Dynamic Knowledge-Based Nonuniform Crossover that enhances the performance of GA's. This class of recombination operators uses problem-specific information embodied in good solutions to bias the recombination of genetic material. These recombination techniques constitute a widely applicable problem specific technique that can be combined with other modifications to the traditional GA. To demonstrate our approach, we have drawn on optimization problems from a wide domain, including graph partitioning, soft-decision decoding of linear block codes, and the traveling-salesperson problem. Additionally, our methods adapt themselves to learn about the environment, progressively improving in performance. This means that our recombination techniques are capable of improving upon solutions to optimization problems obtained via fast heuristics.
Synoptic Doppler Imaging and Photometry of Spotted Chromospherically Active Stars

We present an observational program for studying stellar surface features on chromospherically active (CA) late-type stars. Synoptic observations are currently conducted for the RS CVn binary HD 26337 = EI Eri. Other stars will be added in the near future. Our first photospheric Doppler maps show a polar spot. Our broad-band photometry detected a long-term variability of the mean light level, occasional rapid light curve changes on a time scale of only a few rotation cycles (approximately a week), and some evidence for differential rotation ten times smaller than on the Sun. Phase-dependent variations in the Mg II k line profiles will be used to map the chromospheric structure as well.
Calculation of the flow field in supersonic inlets using a bicharacteristics method with shock wave fitting

The results of weakly viscous flow analysis are presented. The flow field, including molecular transport, is computed with the aid of a bicharacteristic method. The bow shock wave and the internal shock wave are computed with the aid of a three-dimensional shock wave fitting procedure. Characteristic equations are presented, and numerical integration procedure is discussed. Here, an inverse marching scheme is employed in which the solution is obtained on space-like planes of constant x and on space curves defined by the intersections of the internal shock wave with the solid boundaries. The distance between solution planes is arrived at by the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy stability criterion.
Bayesian Spectral Analysis of Metal Abandance Deficient Stars

Metallicity can be measured by analyzing the spectra in the X-ray region and comparing the flux in spectral lines to the flux in the underlying Bremsstrahlung continuum. In this paper we propose new Bayesian methods which directly model the Poisson nature of the data and thus are expected to exhibit improved sampling properties. Our model also accounts for the Poisson nature of background contamination of the observations, image blurring due to instrument response, and the absorption of photons in space. The resulting highly structured hierarchical model is fit using the Gibbs sampler, data augmentation and Metropolis-Hasting. We demonstrate our methods with the X-ray spectral analysis of several "Metal Abundance Deficient" stars. The model is designed to summarize the relative frequency of the energy of photons (X-ray or gamma-ray) arriving at a detector. Independent Poisson distributions are more appropriate to model the counts than the commonly used normal approximation. We model the high energy tail of the ASCA spectrum of each of the stars as a combination of a Bremsstrahlung continuum and ten narrow emission lines, included at positions of known strong lines. Statistical analysis is based on two source observations and one background observation. We use sequential Bayesian analysis for the two source observations; the posterior distribution from the first analysis is used to construct a prior for the second. Sensitivity of the final results to the choise of prior is investigated by altering the prior.
Erythroid cell-specific determinants of alpha-globin mRNA stability

Although globin mRNAs are considered prototypes of highly stable messages, the mechanisms responsible for their longevity remain largely undefined. As an initial step in identifying potential cis-acting elements or structures which contribute to their stability, we analyzed the defect in expression of a naturally occurring alpha 2-globin mutant, alpha Constant Spring (CS). The CS mutation is a single-base change in the translation termination codon (UAA-->CAA) that allows the ribosome to read through into the 3' nontranslated region (NTR). The presence of CS mRNA in transcriptionally active erythroid precursors and its absence (relative to normal alpha-globin mRNA) in the more differentiated transcriptionally silent erythrocytes suggest that this mutation disrupts some feature of the alpha-globin mRNA required for its stability. Using a transient transfection system, we demonstrate that in murine erythroleukemia cells the CS mRNA is unstable compared with the normal alpha 2-globin mRNA. The analyses of several other naturally occurring and site-directed mutant alpha-globin genes in murine erythroleukemia cells indicate that entry of a translating ribosome into the 3' NTR targets the message for accelerated degradation in erythroid cells. In contrast, both the CS and alpha 2-globin mRNAs are stable in several nonerythroid cell lines. These results suggest that translational readthrough disrupts a determinant associated with the alpha 2-globin 3' NTR which is required for mRNA stability in erythroid cells.
Undergraduate Consent Form Reading in Relation to Conscientiousness, Procrastination, and the Point-of-Time Effect

Informed consent is central to conducting ethical research with human participants. The present study investigated differences in consent form reading in relation to conscientiousness, procrastination, and the point-of-time (PT) effect among undergraduate participants at a U.S. university. As hypothesized, conscientious participants and those who signed up to participate in a research study more days in advance and for earlier sessions (PT effect) read the consent form more thoroughly. However, procrastination was not related to consent form reading. Most importantly, consent form reading in general was poor, with 80% of participants demonstrating that they had not read the consent form. Conscientious participants were more likely to self-report reading the consent form, irrespective of their measured consent form reading. The article closes with suggestions to improve the process of obtaining informed consent with undergraduate participants.
Isolation of a gene encoding a Chlamydia sp. strain TWAR protein that is recognized during infection of humans.

Chlamydia sp. strain TWAR is a unique Chlamydia sp. that causes acute respiratory disease. A gene bank consisting of TWAR isolate AR-39 DNA in pUC19 was screened with anti-AR-39 rabbit immune sera. Two positive clones were isolated that contained 7.3-kilobase (pLC1) and 14.9-kilobase (pLC2) plasmids. Restriction mapping and hybridization studies showed that both pLC1 and pLC2 contained a common 4.2-kilobase PstI fragment. Plasmids were used as templates of in vitro transcription-translation. All three plasmids had a novel protein product of ca. 75 kilodaltons not found in the vector alone. Western blots showed that this protein reacted with anti-TWAR rabbit immune sera and with human immune serum from an individual who had proven TWAR infection. Whole-cell lysates of TWAR demonstrated a protein having the same molecular weight and immunoreactivity as the recombinant gene product. This protein was also recognized by rabbit immune serum against Chlamydia psittaci or Chlamydia trachomatis. Southern hybridizations with the cloned fragment as a probe of digests of other Chlamydia spp. showed weakly hybridizing fragments. These results suggest that we have isolated a gene encoding a protein recognized during human TWAR infection that contains some sequences shared among Chlamydia spp. Images
Effects of paraquat on Escherichia coli: differences between B and K-12 strains

Escherichia coli B and K-12 are equally susceptible to the bacteriostatic effects of aerobic paraquat, but they differed strikingly when the lethality of paraquat was evaluated. E. coli B suffered an apparent loss of viability when briefly exposed to paraquat, whereas E. coli K-12 did not. This difference depended on the ability of the B strain, but not the K-12 strain, to retain internalized paraquat; the B strain was killed on aerobic tryptic soy-yeast extract plates during the incubation which preceded the counting of colonies. This difference in retention of paraquat between strains was demonstrated by delayed loss of viability, by growth inhibition, and by cyanide-resistant respiration after brief exposure to paraquat, washing, and testing in fresh medium. This difference was also shown by using [14C]paraquat. This previously unrecognized difference between E. coli B and K-12 has been the cause of apparently contradictory reports and should lead to some reevaluation of the pertinent literature.
The enthalpy of dilution of aqueous sodium chloride to 673 K using a new heat-flow and liquid-flow microcalorimeter. Excess thermodynamic properties and their pressure coefficients

Abstract A new heat-flow and liquid-flow calorimeter utilizing a Calvet microcalorimeter is described; it can be used to measure excess enthalpies of liquids at temperatures and pressures up to 700 K and 50 MPa. The sensitivity of the calorimetric apparatus permits observations to be made on sufficiently dilute solutions to allow good extrapolations to infinite dilution required for derivation of excess thermodynamic properties as well as standard-state quantities. The enthalpies of dilution of aqueous solutions of NaCl from 0.1 to 5 mol·kg −1 at temperatures from 323 to 673 K have been measured. Isobaric observations were made at two different pressures at each experimental temperature which permitted derivation of pressure coefficients for the first time. The following excess thermodynamic properties have been calculated from the results from 0.1 to 5 mol·kg −1 at the saturation vapor pressure of water and from 373 K to the temperature indicated: apparent relative molar enthalpy L φ (623 K), activity coefficient λ(623 K), osmotic coefficient φ(623 K), relative partial molar enthalpy L 2 (623 K), and excess molar heat capacity C p , m E (523 K). Pressure coefficients of these excess properties have been calculated from the results. No values of the excess thermodynamic properties for any electrolyte have been previously available above 573 K. In addition, all these excess properties except C p , m E have been calculated to the supercritical temperature 673 K and 41.5 MPa. Comparisons with values in the literature demonstrate that the calorimeter is capable of precise enthalpy measurements which lead to accurate thermodynamic properties and their pressure coefficients at high temperatures and pressures.
Association of Olpidium brassicae and Tobacco Necrosis Virus

TOBACCO necrosis virus infects the roots of many plants, usually without symptoms. The virus is soil-borne1–3, but the conditions necessary for natural infection have not been determined. Attempts to obtain artificial infection of roots by adding virus suspensions to roots of plants grown in sterilized soil commonly fail.
Quantitative fundus autofluorescence distinguishes ABCA4-associated and non-ABCA4-associated bull's-eye maculopathy.

Purpose Quantitative fundus autofluorescence (qAF) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) were performed in patients with bull's-eye maculopathy (BEM) to identify phenotypic markers that can aid in the differentiation of ABCA4 -associated and non– ABCA4 -associated disease. Design Prospective cross-sectional study at an academic referral center. Subjects Thirty-seven BEM patients (age range, 8–60 years) were studied. All patients exhibited a localized macular lesion exhibiting a smooth contour and qualitatively normal-appearing surrounding retina without flecks. Control values consisted of previously published data from 277 healthy subjects (374 eyes; age range, 5–60 years) without a family history of retinal dystrophy. Methods Autofluorescence (AF) images (30°, 488-nm excitation) were acquired with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope equipped with an internal fluorescent reference to account for variable laser power and detector sensitivity. The grey levels (GLs) from 8 circularly arranged segments positioned at an eccentricity of approximately 7° to 9° in each image were calibrated to the reference (0 GL), magnification, and normative optical media density to yield qAF. In addition, horizontal SD OCT images through the fovea were obtained. All patients were screened for ABCA4 mutations using the ABCR600 microarray, next-generation sequencing, or both. Main Outcome Measures Quantitative AF, correlations between AF and SD OCT, and genotyping for ABCA4 variants. Results ABCA4 mutations were identified in 22 patients, who tended to be younger (mean age, 21.9±8.3 years) than patients without ABCA4 mutations (mean age, 42.1±14.9 years). Whereas phenotypic differences were not obvious on the basis of qualitative fundus AF and SD OCT imaging, with qAF, the 2 groups of patients were clearly distinguishable. In the ABCA4 -positive group, 37 of 41 eyes (19 of 22 patients) had qAF 8 of more than the 95% confidence interval for age. Conversely, in the ABCA4 -negative group, 22 of 26 eyes (13 of 15 patients) had qAF 8 within the normal range. Conclusions The qAF method can differentiate between ABCA4 -associated and non– ABCA4 -associated BEM and may guide clinical diagnosis and genetic testing.
Public perception of dermatologists and comparison with other medical specialties: results from a national survey.

Background The public's perception of dermatologists in the United States is unknown. Objective We sought to determine the US public's perception of how dermatologists spend time professionally and to compare the public's perception of dermatologists with physicians from other medical specialties. Methods We administered a telephone survey to the US public using the validated random digit dialing method. Results We made 2353 telephone calls to randomly selected active numbers from 10 US area codes. A total of 800 adults (34%) completed the telephone survey. Overall, 46% of participants perceived that dermatologists spend a majority of their time managing skin cancer. Of respondents, 27% perceived that dermatologists spend a majority of their time performing cosmetic procedures. Compared with dermatologists, primary care physicians were perceived to have a more critical profession by 63% of participants, a more difficult job by 54% of respondents, and work longer hours by 92% of those surveyed. Similar findings were observed when dermatologists were compared with cardiologists. The public perceived dermatologists to earn more than primary care physicians but less than cardiologists or plastic surgeons. Limitations Potential differences may exist between responders and nonresponders. Conclusions Educational efforts are necessary to better inform public understanding and perception of dermatologists' expertise.
Self-reported body mass index and health-related quality of life: findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Objective: To examine the relationship between self-reported body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life in the general adult population in the United States. Research Methods and Procedures: Using data from 109,076 respondents in the 1996 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we examined how self-reported BMI is associated with five health-related quality of life measures developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for population health surveillance. Results: After adjusting for age, gender, race or ethnicity, educational attainment, employment status, smoking status, and physical activity status, participants with a self-reported BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 and participants with a self-reported BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 reported impaired quality of life. Compared with persons with a self-reported BMI of 18.5 to <25 kg/m2, odds ratios (ORs) of poor or fair self-rated health increased among persons with self-reported BMIs of <18.5 (1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31 to 1.89), 25 to <30 kg/m2 (1.12, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.20), 30 to <35 kg/m2 (1.65, 95% CI: 1.50 to 1.81), 35 to <40 kg/m2 (2.58, 95% CI: 2.21 to 3.00), and ≥40 kg/m2 (3.23, 95% CI: 2.63 to 3.95); ORs for reporting ≥14 days of poor physical health during the previous 30 days were 1.44 (95% CI: 1.21 to 1.72), 1.04 (95% CI: 0.96 to 1.14), 1.32 (95% CI: 1.19 to 1.47), 1.80 (95% CI: 1.52 to 2.13), and 2.37 (95% CI: 1.90 to 2.94), respectively; ORs for having ≥14 days of poor mental health during the previous 30 days were 1.18 (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.42), 1.02 (95% CI: 0.95 to 1.11), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.36), 1.68 (95% CI: 1.42 to 1.98), and 1.66 (95% CI: 1.32 to 2.09), respectively. Discussion: In the largest study to date, low and increased self-reported BMI significantly impaired health-related quality of life. Particularly, deviations from normal BMI affected physical functioning more strongly than mental functioning.
FACTORS AFFECTING COWORKERS‘ PROCEDURAL JUSTICE INFERENCES OF THE WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS OF EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES

We examine coworkers' procedural justice inferences about the accommodation of another employee when they believe it is for disability-related reasons. Legal constraints that prevent the release of information about the accommodation process may lead to negative inferences about fairness. However, we argue that other factors can help to make inferences about procedural justice more positive. We present a model of the process through which coworkers engage in making inferences about the procedural justice of accommodating a coworker with a disability and the individual and organizational level factors likely to influence those inferences. Consequently, we present propositions to be studied in future empirical research and suggestions to managers who desire to reduce negative coworker reactions to accommodating individuals with disabilities.
Human breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) show caveolin-1 downregulation and RB tumor suppressor functional inactivation: Implications for the response to hormonal therapy

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in human breast cancer onset and progression. Therefore, we isolated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from human breast cancer lesions and studied their properties, as compared with normal mammary fibroblasts (NFs) isolated from the same patient. Here, we demonstrate that 8 out of 11 CAFs show dramatic downregulation of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) protein expression; Cav-1 is a well-established marker that is normally decreased during the oncogenic transformation of fibroblasts. Next, we performed gene expression profiling studies (DNA microarray) and established a CAF gene expression signature. Interestingly, the expression signature associated with CAFs encompasses a large number of genes that are regulated via the RB-pathway. The CAF gene signature is also predictive of poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients that were treated with tamoxifen mono-therapy, indicating that CAFs may be useful for predicting the response to hormonal therapy. Finally, we show that replacement of Cav-1 expression in CAFs (using a cell-permeable peptide approach) is sufficient to revert their hyper-proliferative phenotype and prevent RB hyper-phosphorylation. Taken together, these studies highlight the critical role of Cav-1 downregulation in maintaining the abnormal phenotype of human breast cancer-associated fibroblasts.
Preoperative Imaging Features are Associated with Surgical Complications Following Carotid Body Tumor Resection.

Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for carotid body tumors (CBTs). Although perioperative complications such as carotid artery injury and neurological deficits occur infrequently, they can be devastating. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clinical factors or preoperative imaging findings can accurately predict perioperative complications. Twenty CBTs were resected from 19 patients. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck were used to measure the degree of circumferential involvement of the CBT to the internal carotid artery (ICA), carotid artery narrowing, tumor length, tumor volume, and the distance from the tip of the C2 dens to the superior aspect of the CBT (dens-CBT). Operative reports and Shamblin classification (I–III) of each tumor were independently reviewed. Preoperative imaging features were compared to perioperative cranial nerve injury (CNI), rates of carotid artery injury, and major carotid artery repairs, as well as Shamblin classifications ≥II. CNI was associated with a high-lying CBT (dens-CBT = 1.8 vs. 2.9 cm, p < 0.01). All four patients with CNI had a dens-CBT of <3 cm. Neither tumor length and tumor volume nor the involvement of the ICA (≥180° as measured by CT or MRI) was associated with CNI, carotid artery injury, major carotid artery repair, or Shamblin II or III classification. No carotid artery narrowing was observed in any of the cases. Preoperative measurement of the dens-CBT is helpful in identifying CBTs at risk for CNI after surgical resection.
Optical second harmonic generation from a catalytically active molybdenum electrode

Second harmonic generation (SHG) from an electrochemically controlled Mo surface is detected by using 7 ns laser pulses at a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. When this electrode is used as a catalytic support for hydrogen evolution, the optical signal shows a correlation with the reaction current. Considerations of surface kinetics indicate that this observed correlation is a result of free electron-mediated changes in surface conditions. The results of this work reinforce the currently recognized utility of SHG as a probe of reactive metal surfaces. These new data for Mo also contribute to the expansion of the presently known domain of SHG studies of electrochemical systems.
A concurrency simulator designed for sophomore-level instruction

The Concurrency Simulator is used in a sophomore-level course to introduce students to parallel computing. This simulator is unique since it integrates a graphical topology into the programming environment. This makes algorithms much easier to express and, combined with a context-sensitive editor, makes it easy for students to enter their algorithms without becoming bogged down in the details of language syntax. We provide detailed examples for the semaphore, rendezvous and monitor paradigms. We briefly describe the development process for this Java 1.1 program and then describe our classroom experiences with students at this level.
Human Population Differentiation Is Strongly Correlated with Local Recombination Rate

Allele frequency differences across populations can provide valuable information both for studying population structure and for identifying loci that have been targets of natural selection. Here, we examine the relationship between recombination rate and population differentiation in humans by analyzing two uniformly-ascertained, whole-genome data sets. We find that population differentiation as assessed by inter-continental F(ST) shows negative correlation with recombination rate, with F(ST) reduced by 10% in the tenth of the genome with the highest recombination rate compared with the tenth of the genome with the lowest recombination rate (P<<10(-12)). This pattern cannot be explained by the mutagenic properties of recombination and instead must reflect the impact of selection in the last 100,000 years since human continental populations split. The correlation between recombination rate and F(ST) has a qualitatively different relationship for F(ST) between African and non-African populations and for F(ST) between European and East Asian populations, suggesting varying levels or types of selection in different epochs of human history.
Qualitative data analysis for health services research: developing taxonomy, themes, and theory.

Qualitative research is increasingly common in health services research (Shortell 1999; Sofaer 1999). Qualitative studies have been used, for example, to study culture change (Marshall et al. 2003; Craigie and Hobbs 2004), physician–patient relationships and primary care (Flocke, Miller, and Crabtree 2002; Gallagher et al. 2003; Sobo, Seid, and Reyes Gelhard 2006), diffusion of innovations and quality improvement strategies (Bradley et al. 2005; Crosson et al. 2005), novel interventions to improve care (Koops and Lindley 2002; Stapleton, Kirkham, and Thomas 2002; Dy et al. 2005), and managed care market trends (Scanlon et al. 2001; Devers et al. 2003). Despite substantial methodological papers and seminal texts (Glaser and Strauss 1967; Miles and Huberman 1994; Mays and Pope 1995; Strauss and Corbin 1998; Crabtree and Miller 1999; Devers 1999; Patton 1999; Devers and Frankel 2000; Giacomini and Cook 2000; Morse and Richards 2002) about designing qualitative projects and collecting qualitative data, less attention has been paid to the data analysis aspects of qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to offer practical strategies for the analysis of qualitative data that may be generated from in-depth interviewing, focus groups, field observations, primary or secondary qualitative data (e.g., diaries, meeting minutes, annual reports), or a combination of these data collection approaches.
Protein Kinase A-mediated Gating of Neuregulin-dependent ErbB2-ErbB3 Activation Underlies the Synergistic Action of cAMP on Schwann Cell Proliferation

In Schwann cells (SCs), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) enhances the action of neuregulin, the most potent known mitogen for SCs, by synergistically increasing the activation of two crucial signaling pathways: ERK and Akt. However, the underlying mechanism of cross-talk between neuregulin and cAMP signaling remains mostly undefined. Here, we report that the activation of protein kinase A (PKA), but not that of exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC), enhances S-phase entry of SCs by synergistically enhancing the ligand-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation/activation of the neuregulin co-receptor, ErbB2-ErbB3. The role of PKA in neuregulin-ErbB signaling was confirmed using PKA inhibitors, pathway-selective cAMP analogs, and natural ligands stimulating PKA activity in SCs, such as adenosine and epinephrine. Two basic observations defined the synergistic action of PKA as "gating" for neuregulin-ErbB signaling: 1) the activation of PKA was not sufficient to induce S-phase entry or the activation of either ErbB2 or ErbB3; and 2) the presence of neuregulin was strictly required to ignite ErbB activation and thereby ERK and Akt signaling. However, PKA directly phosphorylated ErbB2 on Thr-686, a highly conserved intracellular regulatory site that was required for the PKA-mediated synergistic enhancement of neuregulin-induced ErbB2-ErbB3 activation and proliferation in SCs. The gating action of PKA on neuregulin-induced ErbB2-ErbB3 activation has important biological significance, because it insures signal amplification into the ERK and Akt pathways without compromising either the neuregulin dependence or the high specificity of ErbB signaling pathways.
On the symmetry properties of the matrix Riccati equation

It is shown that the symmetry properties of the matrix Riccati differential equation are determined by the structure of the centralizer in the orthogonal group of an associated n × n matrix.
The Adaptation of CNC Helical Guide Technology to the Gear Shaping Process

The Gear shaping process, like all gear manufacturing processes, has been enhanced by the application of CNC Technology. In the case of the gear shaping process the “partial” application of CNC Technology first occurred in 1982. While virtually all gear cutting and grinding machines have had their axes of motions converted to CNC, the development of a CNC electronic helical guide for the gear shaping process was delayed for technological reasons. The following questions will be discussed and answered: • Why is a helical guide necessary in the gear shaping process? • What had delayed CNC technology from being applied to the helical guide principle in the gear shaping process? • How has the addition of the electronic guide CNC Technology impacted the gear shaping process? • Have lead quality and productivity rates been aversely affected by the addition of the electronic guide feature? • How might this increase in flexibility, by using an electronic guide in the shaping process, be applied to real life applications?Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Processed Vg1 protein is an axial mesoderm inducer in Xenopus

Summary Vg1 is a TGFβ-related growth factor encoded by a maternal mRNA localized to vegetal blastomeres in Xenopus embryos. Vg1 precursor protein is abundant in vegetal cells, but the processed mature form has not been readily detected and no activity has been demonstrated for the putative Vg1 mature protein. We have engineered a BMP2-Vg1 fusion (BVg1) that promotes formation of mature Vg1 protein in vivo. Injection of BVg1 mRNA induces dorsal mesoderm in animal cap cells, and BVg1 expression in ultraviolet-ventralized embryos fully restores a normal dorsal axis. Blastomeres expressing BVg1 act as a Nieuwkoop center, the region that induces the Spemann organizer. Our results lead us to suggest that localized posttranslational processing of Vg1 precursor protein on the future dorsal side of the embryo is a key step in generating dorsal mesoderm and the body axis in Xenopus.
Correlation of the findings of thallium-201 chloride scans with those of other imaging modalities and histology following therapy in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the imaging potential of thallium-201 as compared with other imaging modalities in differentiating residual/re-current tumors from post-therapy changes in patients with musculoskeletal sarcomas.201TI scans, magnetic resonance imaging (17), X-ray computed tomography (6) or contrast angiography (6) studies in 29 patients previously treated for musculoskeletal sarcomas were correlated with either histopathologic findings (26 patients) or 2-year clinical follow-up (three patients). All imaging studies were acquired within 2 weeks. Ratios of201T1 tumor uptake to the contralateral (28 patients) or adjacent region of interest were calculated. When qualitative interpretation was in doubt, only those cases with a ratio of 1.5 or more were considered suggestive of recurrent or residual viable tumor tissue. Residual or recurrent tumor tissue was verified in 21 patients by biopsy. All had true-positive201Tl scans while the other imaging modalities were true-positive in 20 and equivocal in one. In eight patients, there was no evidence of viable tumor tissue as proven by biopsy in five and long-term clinical follow-up in three.201Tl scan was false-positive (ratio 1.5) in one patient and true-negative in seven while the other' imaging modalities had four false-positives. The average201T1 ratios were 3.8±1.1 in the true-positive cases and 1.3±0.3 in the true-negative cases. The percentage sensitivities, specificities, and accuracy for201T1 were 100%, 87.5%, and 96.5% versus 95%, 50%, and 82.7% respectively for other imaging modalities These results indicate that201T1 scintigraphy is more accurate than other imaging modalities in differentiating residual/recurrent musculoskeletal sarcomas from post-therapy changes.
Optimal Load Balancing and Its Heuristic Implementation in a Heterogeneous Relay Network

Heterogeneous networks utilizing relay nodes with low transmission power becomes an important deployment scenario in 4G cellular standards. It can offer high data rate delivery as well as ubiquitous end-user experience. For such a network, an efficient mobile association and load balancing scheme is critical to achieve high system capacity and satisfactory user experience. In this paper, the main challenges for mobile association and load balancing in a heterogeneous network with relay nodes are discussed and addressed. An optimal framework that aims to maximize system capacity is presented. It considers both the relay backhaul resource usage and wireless access link resource availability. A heuristic algorithm that enables the practical implementation is proposed and evaluated. Simulation results show that the proposed mobile association and load balancing scheme outperforms the conventional schemes in a heterogeneous environment.
The excretion of formiminoglutamic acid by the rat. Influence of dietary ethionine and fat.

Abstract Dietary ethionine blocks the metabolism of histidine in the rat at the level of urocanic acid and induces the urinary excretion of this metabolite. High concentrations of dietary fat tend to lower the folic acid and vitamin B 12 concentrations of the liver; consequently, the excretion of formiminoglutamic acid is increased.