cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of solvent properties of methyl soyate by inverse gas chromatography and solubility parameters.

A study on the physicochemical properties of methyl soyate (or soybean oil fatty acid methyl esters) is very important for its use as a substitute solvent in liquid–liquid separations. Towards this end, the Hildebrand solubility parameter of methyl soyate was determined using an inverse gas chromatographic technique (IGC). Solute specific retention volumes of 19 solutes (varying in solubility parameter) were determined using methyl soyate as the stationary phase. Flory–Huggins interaction parameters between the solvent (methyl soyate) and the solutes, calculated using the solute retention data, were then used in studying the miscibility of the solute in the solvent at infinite dilution. The Hildebrand solubility parameters of methyl soyate varied from 8.03 to 7.49 cal1/2cm−3/2 at temperatures from 50–85 °C. The solubility parameter of methyl soyate at room temperature conditions extrapolated from the experimental data was found to be 8.49 cal1/2cm−3/2. This value is consistent with those obtained using group contribution methods for model methyl esters of C18 fatty acids found predominantly in methyl soyate. Hansen solubility spheres were plotted using the literature data (including this study) for the interactions of methyl soyate with 41 solutes to determine the three dimensional solubility parameter of methyl soyate at room temperature. These calculated solubility parameter values were consistent with those determined experimentally viaIGC.
MEASURING TRADEOFFS IN CARPOOL DRIVING ARRANGEMENT PREFERENCES

In each of two experiments evaluations were obtained of alternative carpooling situations varying in driving arrangement, size of carpool, distance traveled, and amount of time to pick up and deliver passengers. College students in Experiment I rated each situation in terms of comfort, economy, convenience and overall desirability. Shared driving emerged as the most desirable driving arrangement, and results suggested that this was due to a tradeoff of the perceived economic advantages of being the driver and the perceived greater comfort and convenience of being a rider. Driving all the time was the least preferred arrangement for females, and riding all the time was the least preferred arrangement for males. Desirability ratings decreased as carpool size increased, and this was interpreted to indicate that perceived economic advantages of large pools were outweighed by large perceived decreases in comfort and convenience. The major results of Experiment I were replicated in Experiment II, using university employees who were either currently in carpools or seeking to find carpools. Results are discussed in terms of the practical implications of the findings concerning driving arrangement and carpool size preferences, and in terms of the usefulness of controlled experimental designs for understanding the processes-underlying ride-sharing attitudes and behavior.
Evidence for post-furnace formation of PCDDs and PCDFs—Implications for control

Abstract Data from recent North American municipal waste incinerator tests is presented to show the importance of low temperature PCDD and PCDF formation downstream from the furnace. Several strategies are proposed for the reduction or elimination of this source of these toxins in stack emissions.
An Investigation of Adaptive Expertise and Transfer of Design Process Knowledge

Transfer of knowledge is a common and ongoing area of investigation in many education studies. The topic is of central importance to the education community because it enables educators to understand how knowledge learned in one context can apply, or transfer, to new contexts. This is particularly important in the context of technological innovation and design education. That is, design often requires the generation of solutions that do not already exist. Generating unique solutions requires the ability to recognize when previous knowledge or learning is appropriate, and then to accurately apply previous learning to novel situations. Furthermore, focusing on transfer of knowledge brings a learner-centered approach to education such that learning experiences are designed to reinforce and to build on students' prior knowledge. This paper presents results from a study that measured the type of design process knowledge that gets transferred into and out of design-focused courses. The study included approximately 100 students in three different courses: one freshman and two upper-level design courses. Results from this study shed light on the nature of students' design process knowledge, as novice (freshman) as well as more experienced (junior and senior) student designers. In addition, study results show significant increases in pre- and post-measures of design process knowledge as students advance in the curriculum. Finally, we describe our findings in the context of an emerging framework for instruction and assessment: adaptive expertise. The concept of adaptive expertise is relevant to design education since it presents a model that guides the educational experience to have a balance of gaining technical proficiency with opportunities for applying one's knowledge in innovative ways.
Combining ondansetron and naltrexone treats biological alcoholics: corroboration of self-reported drinking by serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin, a biomarker.

Background: Recently, we showed by using self-report that combining ondansetron (4 μg/kg twice a day) and naltrexone (25 mg twice a day) was effective at reducing drinking and increasing abstinence among early-onset alcoholics (EOAs), who are characterized by a range of antisocial behaviors and high biological and familial disease predisposition. Here, we investigated whether the self-reported differences in drinking would be corroborated by measurements of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) level, a sensitive, reliable, and well-validated marker of transient alcohol consumption. Method: An 8-week double-blind clinical trial was performed in which 20 EOAs were randomized to receive ondansetron (4 μg/kg twice a day) and naltrexone (25 mg twice a day) or placebo as an adjunct to weekly standardized cognitive behavioral therapy. Serum CDT was assessed at weeks 0 (baseline), 4, and 8. Results: Log serum CDT was significantly lower in the ondansetron and naltrexone group (group mean, 1.44 ± 0.076) compared with the placebo group (group mean, 1.82 ± 0.113), as evidenced by a main effect of group [F (1,15) = 7.2, p= 0.017; effect size = 0.32], visit [F (1,16) = 11.2, p= 0.004; effect size = 0.41], and an interaction between group and visit [F (1,16) = 27.54, p < 0.001; effect size = 0.63]. Conclusions: The combination of ondansetron plus naltrexone was superior to placebo at reducing serum CDT. This corroborated our self-reported drinking data and demonstrated that the medication combination is an effective treatment for EOAs.
Testing a provisional model of scene brightness with and without objects of different colours

A provisional model of brightness perception for illuminated outdoor scenes was recently proposed based upon a combination of photopic and short-wavelength cone spectral sensitivities, where short-wavelength cone sensitivity increases with radiance. An experiment was undertaken to determine whether coloured objects within the illuminated scenes affected overall scene brightness perception and, in so doing, to provide a test of the provisional model. The results suggest that overall scene brightness perceptions are, for the range of light sources and light levels selected, consistent with the provisional model and that scene brightness perception is independent of object colours within the illuminated scenes.
Isolation of a Serogroup I-Specific Antigen from Legionella pneumophila

Outer membrane material was extracted from a serogroup 1 strain of Legionella pneumophila using ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Ferritin-conjugated antiserum reacted only at the surface of the organism, as seen by electron microscopy. Outer membrane material was fractionated into five peaks by molecular sieve chromatography using a gel that had been equilibrated in a buffer containing sodium deoxycholate. One resolved peak (approximately 4x10(4) daltons) was highly active serologically. When rechromatographed in the absence of sodium deoxycholate, material from this peak reaggregated to approximately 10(6) daltons. Ther serologic activity of this antigen was restricted to L. pneumophila serogroup 2, although minor cross-reactions with strains of serogroups 2 and 4 were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antigen was less than 10% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 1.1% phosphate, and the remainder lipid of unknown composition. Neither 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate nor heptose was detected, and the antigen did not induce a Shwartzman reaction. Only one band was seen on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Normal, benign, preneoplastic, and malignant prostate cells have distinct protein expression profiles resolved by surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to discover protein biomarkers thatdifferentiate malignant from nonmalignant cell populations, especially early protein alterations that signal the initiation of a developing cancer. We hypothesized that Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry-assisted protein profiling could detect these protein alterations. Experimental Design: Epithelial cell populations [benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and prostate cancer (PCA)] were procured from nine prostatectomy specimens using laser capture microdissection. Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry analysis was performed on cell lysates, and the relative intensity levels of each protein or peptide in the mass spectra was calculated and compared for each cell type. Results: Several small molecular mass peptides or proteins (3000–5000 Da) were found in greater abundance in PIN and PCA cell lysates. Another peak, with an average mass of 5666 Da, was observed to be up-regulated in 86% of the BPH cell lysates. Higher levels of this same peak were found in only 22% of the PIN lysates and none of the PCA lysates. Expression differences were also found for intracellular levels of prostate-specific antigen, which were reduced in PIN and PCA cells when compared with matched normals. Although no single protein alteration was observed in all PIN/PCA samples, combining two or more of the markers was effective in distinguishing the benign cell types (normal/BPH) from diseased cell types (PIN/PCA). Logistic regression analysis using seven differentially expressed proteins resulted in a predictive equation that correctly distinguished the diseased lysates with a sensitivity and specificity of 93.3 and 93.8%, respectively. Conclusions: We have shown that the protein profiles from prostate cells with different disease states have discriminating differences. These differentially regulated proteins are potential markers for early detection and/or risk factors for development of prostate cancer. Studies are under way to identify these protein/peptides, with the goal of developing a diagnostic test for the early detection of prostate cancer.
An integrated magnetic isolated two-inductor boost converter: analysis, design and experimentation

This paper presents an integrated magnetic isolated two-inductor boost converter. Patent pending: USPTO/Worldwide filing number 60/444821. All magnetic components are integrated into one magnetic assembly. Two inductor windings are intrinsically coupled to allow input current to increase only when both primary switches are closed. The operation principle, start-up, and protection mechanisms are detailed. A prototype converter has been built. Experimental and simulation results verify the analysis.
Effects of Cold Stress on Gastric Myoelectric Activity

Cold stress inhibits gastric motor activity. The purpose of this study was to use the surface-recorded electrogastrogram (EGG) to determine what characteristics of the gastric myoelectric activity accompany this decrease in gastric motor activity. Thirty fasted healthy male volunteers participated in the study. Twelve remained fasted and placed their hands in 4°C ice water (cold stress), 12 ate a meal and then underwent cold stress, and 6 control subjects ate and then put their hands in 30°C water. EGGs were recorded continuously during the 65-minute session: 15 minutes of baseline, 20 minutes of cold stress, and 30 minutes of recovery. Cold stress significantly decreased the power of normal 3 cpm EGG activity in the fed subjects, whereas fasted subjects showed great variability in their responses including paradoxical increases in power. Control subjects showed no EGG responses to putting their hands in room-temperature water. No subjects showed gastric tachyarrhythmia during cold stress. In conclusion, cold stress, a painful stimulus, but one not usually accompanied by nausea, attenuates the amplitude of normal 3 cpm gastric myoelectric activity in fed subjects, but does not provoke tachyarrhythmia.
Is Higher Volume of Postacute Care Patients Associated With a Lower Rehospitalization Rate in Skilled Nursing Facilities

This study determined whether higher patient volume of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care was associated with a lower hospital transfer rate. Using the nursing home Minimum Data Set and the On-line Survey, Certification, and Reporting file, we assembled a national cohort of Medicare SNF post-acute care admissions between January and September of 2008. Multivariable analyses based on Cox proportional hazards models found that patients admitted to high-volume SNFs (annual number of admissions in the top tertile group) showed an approximately 15% reduced risk for 30-day rehospitalization and an approximately 25% reduced risk for 90-day rehospitalization, compared to patients admitted to low-volume SNFs (annual number of admissions in the bottom tertile group, or<45). Similar patterns of volume-outcome associations were found for hospital-based and freestanding facilities separately. The inverse volume-outcome association in post-acute SNF care may reflect a “practice makes perfect” effect, a “selective referral” effect, or both.
Biophysical Neural Spiking, Bursting, and Excitability Dynamics in Reconfigurable Analog VLSI

We study a range of neural dynamics under variations in biophysical parameters underlying extended Morris-Lecar and Hodgkin-Huxley models in three gating variables. The extended models are implemented in NeuroDyn, a four neuron, twelve synapse continuous-time analog VLSI programmable neural emulation platform with generalized channel kinetics and biophysical membrane dynamics. The dynamics exhibit a wide range of time scales extending beyond 100 ms neglected in typical silicon models of tonic spiking neurons. Circuit simulations and measurements show transition from tonic spiking to tonic bursting dynamics through variation of a single conductance parameter governing calcium recovery. We similarly demonstrate transition from graded to all-or-none neural excitability in the onset of spiking dynamics through the variation of channel kinetic parameters governing the speed of potassium activation. Other combinations of variations in conductance and channel kinetic parameters give rise to phasic spiking and spike frequency adaptation dynamics. The NeuroDyn chip consumes 1.29 mW and occupies 3 mm × 3 mm in 0.5 μm CMOS, supporting emerging developments in neuromorphic silicon-neuron interfaces.
Building an innovative model for personalized healthcare.

Personalized healthcare is the tailoring of medical management and patient care to the individual characteristics of each patient. This is achieved by incorporating the genetic and genomic makeup of an individual and his or her family medical history, environment, health-related behaviors, culture, and values into a complete health picture that can be used to customize care. Another level of personalization, often called personalized medicine, involves the selection of drug therapy through the use of tests to determine the genes and gene interactions that can reliably predict an individual’s response to a given therapy. This white paper focuses largely on the use of personalized healthcare as a risk prediction tool. 
A distributed token based h-out of-k Mutual Exclusion protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

This paper describes a new distributed token based h-out of-k Mutual Exclusion (h-k-ME) protocol for mobile ad hoc networks. This protocol uses neither the routing layer nor a logical structure and agrees requests based on their distances to the token, their ages and their resources numbers. A request is sent within a dynamical radius computed so as to reach a part of nodes. The protocol is fault tolerant and manages one token with k resources in each partition. The mobility has little effect on the protocol's performances especially for medium and heavy loads.
Ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging and quantitative tractography of the rat spinal cord during long-term recovery from moderate spinal contusion.

Purpose To characterize DTI metric changes throughout the length of the entire spinal cord from the acute through chronic stages of spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and Methods Ex vivo DTI was performed at 9.4 Tesla to examine changes in water diffusion throughout the entire spinal cord (7-cm) up to 25 weeks after injury in a rat model of contusive SCI. Animals were grouped according to recovery times after injury (2, 5, 15, 20, or 25 weeks), and various DTI metrics were evaluated including transverse and longitudinal apparent diffusion coefficient (tADC and lADC), mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA). Results An overall decrease in lADC throughout the cord and decreases in MD remote from the lesion site were observed, along with an increase in tADC within fiber tracts throughout the recovery period. These trends were statistically significant at P < 0.05 and were found in both white and gray matter regions. tADC and lADC distributions in fiber bundles extracted using DTI tractography were well fit by an exponential model (R = 0.998) with time constants of 4.6 and 3.3 days, respectively. Conclusion Results from the current study support the hypothesis that the spinal cord undergoes continual changes during recovery from SCI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1068–1079. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fundamental-limit perspectives on ultrawideband antennas

[1] The fundamental-limit theory of antennas provides a theoretical limit to assist in the evaluation of antenna performance in terms of antenna size, fractional impedance bandwidth, and gain. The limit is very useful in practice, giving a basis for restricting the design search to a class of realizable antennas based on size and performance. Previous research on the limit theory focused on electrically small, resonant antennas. In this paper, we discuss how the classical fundamental-limit theory can be interpreted for ultrawideband antennas. The frequency response of Chu's equivalent circuit model for spherical modes suggests the concept of an ideal antenna. The transfer function of the ideal antenna, showing ultrawideband antenna characteristics, simply has an entire function and two complex poles. In this paper, an antenna design strategy is developed based on observations of ideal antenna characteristics. A process is presented for evaluating how well an ultrawideband antenna can approach the theoretical size limit based on the 3-dB cutoff frequencies of spherical modes.
Two methods for determining geophone orientations from VSP data

Vertical seismic profile (VSP) data are usually acquired with three-component geophones of unknown azimuthal orientation. The geophone orientation must be estimated from the recorded data as a prerequisite to processing such as P- and S-wave separation, calculation of wave-incident directions, and 3D migration. We compare and combine two methods for estimating azimuthal orientation by least-squares fitting over a large number of shots. Combining the two methods can be done in an automated manner, which provides more accurate estimates of the geophone orientations than previous methods. In the polarization-plane method, we calculate the polarization plane of the first P-wave arrival. Then we subtract the source azimuth to determine the geophone orientation, independently for each geophone, with an angular uncertainty of π , and with no accumulated errors. In the relative-angle method, we obtain relative angles between adjacent geophone pairs using trace crosscorrelations, and operate on all coherent signal...
Using Systems Design to Solve Complex Problems: Case Studies from Iraq

As the first decade of the new millennium demonstrated, the majority of the challenges and threats that America now faces are of a complex nature. There has been much academic thought regarding the nature of complex problems and that has produced many noteworthy attempts in both public and private sectors to develop methodologies for understanding and confronting complexity. Despite these efforts, global leaders still struggle to confront the complex challenges of the twenty-first Century: AIDS, cancer, obesity, climate change, over-population, crime, terror, poverty and an unstable and turbulent economy are just a few. This paper provides some practical ideas and methodology for approaching complex problems. While complex problems rarely have a solution, there are both good and bad approaches to solving them. Identifying optimal solution sets is critical to success.
Contemporary Review of Injectable Facial Fillers

Perhaps the most significant change in facial rejuvenation in the last 10 years has been the introduction of nonsurgical treatments for the relaxation of facial wrinkles and for the restoration of lost volume. Fillers such as paraffin and silicone have been used in the past for volume restoration, but only recently have new fillers been developed whose safety and efficacy have been supported by clinical research. The introduction of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in 2003 began the filler revolution and paved the way for development of biostimulatory and permanent materials. There is an abundance of high-level evidence-based studies comparing the HA fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly(methyl methacrylate) with collagen and other HA formulations, but there is only limited high-level data evaluating poly-L-lactic acid.
Edited Volumes on Corpus Linguistics

Corpus Linguistics in North America offers concrete, diverse samples of corpus-based scholarship to readers desiring a well-rounded introduction to corpus linguistics. This book, which presents selected papers from a 1999 symposium (the first corpus linguistics symposium in North America), is particularly useful to readers who are considering using corpus linguistics as a tool in their research. However, language teachers who are interested in using corpus-based materials or methods in their classrooms will also find the book relevant.
Using path analysis to develop and evaluate program theory and impact

Path analysis is an effective causal modeling approach for explicating and testing both program theory and program impact.
Annual and seasonal changes in diets of martens: evidence from stable isotope analysis

Theory predicts that generalist predators will switch to alternative prey when preferred foods are not readily available. Studies on the feeding ecology of the American marten (Martes americana) throughout North America suggest that this mustelid is a generalist predator feeding largely on voles (Microtus sp.; Cle- thrionomys sp.). We investigated seasonal and annual changes in diets of martens in response to the changing abundance of small rodents (Peromyscus keeni, and Microtus longicaudus) on Chichagof Island, Southeast Alaska, using stable isotope analysis. We hypothesized that martens would feed primarily on small rodents during years with high abundance of these prey species, whereas during years of low abundance of prey, martens would switch to feed primarily on the seasonally avail- able carcasses of salmon. We also hypothesized that home-range location on the landscape (i.e., access to salmon streams) would determine the type of food consumed by martens, and martens feeding on preferred prey would exhibit better body condition than those feeding on other foods. We live-captured 75 martens repeatedly, from mid-February to mid-December 1992- 1994. We also obtained marten carcasses from trappers during late autumn 1991 and 1992, from which we randomly sub-sampled 165 individuals. Using stable isotope ratios and a multiple-source mixing model, we inferred that salmon carcasses composed a large portion of the diet of martens in autumn during years of low abundance of rodents (1991 and 1992). When small ro- dents were available in high numbers (1993 and 1994), they composed the bulk of the diet of martens in au- tumn, despite salmon carcasses being equally available in all years. Selection for small rodents occurred only in seasons in which abundance of small rodents was low. Logistic regression revealed that individuals with access to salmon streams were more likely to incorporate salmon carcasses in their diet during years of low abundance of small rodents. Using stable isotope anal- ysis on repeated samples from the same individuals, we explored some of the factors underlying feeding habits of individuals under variable ecological conditions. We were unable to demonstrate that body weights of live- captured male and female martens diAered significantly between individuals feeding on marine-derived or ter- restrial diets. Therefore, martens, as true generalist predators, switched to alternative prey when their prin- cipal food was not readily available on a seasonal or annual basis. Although salmon carcasses were not a preferred food for martens, they provided a suitable alternative to maintain body condition during years when small rodents were not readily available.
Screening emergency room patients with atypical chest pain for depression and panic disorder

In response to recent reports relating atypical chest pain to normal coronary arteries and to various types of psychopathology, we developed a pilot study to investigate 1) the prevalence of depres...
Processing Landsat TM data using complex valued neural networks

Neural networks are massively parallel arrays of simple processing units that can be used for computationally complicated tasks such as image processing. This paper develops an efficient method for processing remote-sensing satellite data using complex valued artificial neurons as an approach to the problems associated with computer vision-region identification and classification-as they are applied to satellite data. Because of the amount of data to be processed and complexity of the tasks required, problems using ANNs arise, specifically, the very long training time required for large ANNs using conventional computers. These problems effectively prevent an average person from performing his own analysis. The solution presented here uses a recently developed complex valued artificial neuron model in this real-world problem. This model was then coded, run and verified on personal computers. Results show the CVN to be an accurate and computationally efficient model.
Efficient oblivious branching programs for threshold functions

In his survey paper on branching programs, A.A. Razborov (1991) asked the following question: Does every rectifier-switching network computing the majority of n bits have size n/sup 1+/spl Omega/(1/)? We answer this question in the negative by constructing a simple oblivious branching program of size O(n log/sup 3/ n/log log n log log log n) for computing any threshold function. This improves the previously best known upper bound of O(n/sup 3/2/) due to O.B. Lupanov (1965). >
Teaching Instructional Design: An Apprenticeship Model

Several cognitive psychologists have written about the importance of placing instruction within “authentic” contexts that mirror real-life situations. They argue that knowledge learned in academic settings does not necessarily transfer to non-academic settings. Whether preparing performance technologists or instructional designers, educators must strive to create meaningful problem-solving contexts that enable students to define, and subsequently solve, real-world problems. In an attempt to address this issue we have modified the way we teach instructional design. This paper discusses a cognitive apprenticeship approach to teaching design, which incorporates elements of modeling, coaching, reflection, articulation, and exploration. We describe how these features are embedded within three phases (orientation, situated training/learning, and exploration) of an introductory instructional design course designed to move our novice designers along a continuum of expertise as they develop and refine their own professional design skills. Although the apprenticeship model described here specifically addresses concerns within the context of preparing instructional designers, we believe that this model can be adapted to address similar issues in the education of performance technologists.
Compiler validation via equivalence modulo inputs

We introduce equivalence modulo inputs (EMI), a simple, widely applicable methodology for validating optimizing compilers. Our key insight is to exploit the close interplay between (1) dynamically executing a program on some test inputs and (2) statically compiling the program to work on all possible inputs. Indeed, the test inputs induce a natural collection of the original program's EMI variants, which can help differentially test any compiler and specifically target the difficult-to-find miscompilations. To create a practical implementation of EMI for validating C compilers, we profile a program's test executions and stochastically prune its unexecuted code. Our extensive testing in eleven months has led to 147 confirmed, unique bug reports for GCC and LLVM alone. The majority of those bugs are miscompilations, and more than 100 have already been fixed. Beyond testing compilers, EMI can be adapted to validate program transformation and analysis systems in general. This work opens up this exciting, new direction.
Modeling context in haptic perception, rendering and visualization

Haptic perception refers to the human ability to perceive spatial properties through tactile and haptic sensations. Humans have an uncanny ability to analyze objects based only on sparse information from haptic stimuli. Contextual clues about material of an object, its overall shape, size and weight configurations perceived by individuals, lead to recognition of an object and its spatial features. In this paper, we present strategies and algorithms to model context in haptic applications that allow user to explore objects in virtual reality/augmented reality, haptically. Our methodology is based on modeling user's cognitive and motor strategy of haptic exploration. Additionally we also model physiological arrangement of tactile sensors in the human hand. These models provide the context to adapt haptic displays to a user's style of haptic perception and exploration and the present state of the user's exploration. We designed a tactile cueing paradigm to test the validity of the contextual models. Initial results show improvement in accuracy and efficiency of haptic perception when compared to the conventional approaches that do not model context in haptic rendering.
A Multiple Time Interval Finite State Projection Algorithm for the Solution to the Chemical Master Equation

At the mesoscopic scale, chemical processes have probability distributions that evolve according to an infinite set of linear ordinary differential equations known as the chemical master equation (CME). Although only a few classes of CME problems are known to have exact and computationally tractable analytical solutions, the recently proposed finite state projection (FSP) technique provides a systematic reduction of the CME with guaranteed accuracy bounds. For many non-trivial systems, the original FSP technique has been shown to yield accurate approximations to the CME solution. Other systems may require a projection that is still too large to be solved efficiently; for these, the linearity of the FSP allows for many model reductions and computational techniques, which can increase the efficiency of the FSP method with little or no loss in accuracy. In this paper, we present a new approach for choosing and expanding the projection for the original FSP algorithm. Based upon this approach, we develop a new algorithm that exploits the linearity property of super-position. The new algorithm retains the full accuracy guarantees of the original FSP approach, but with significantly increased efficiency for some problems and a greater range of applicability. We illustrate the benefits of this algorithm on a simplified model of the heat shock mechanism in Escherichia coli.
Mothers for Germany: a look at the ideal woman in Nazi propaganda

This thesis examines the Nazi Party’s ideals regarding women in Germany from 1933-1945. It looks at how propaganda was used to foster a desire in women for the continuation of separate spheres, and motherhood as the ultimate expression of womanhood. The goal is to show how the ideal woman, according to propaganda of the Nazi Party, had three stages of life in which she would remain, as best as possible, in the private sphere. These stages are, childhood, single adulthood, and finally, motherhood. This paper studies these stages in reverse order. It starts by examining the pedestal that mothers were put on in Nazi Germany before looking at who the ideal woman would have been to be a German mother, and finally how girls were prepared even in childhood to grow up to be the ideal Nazi woman and mother. To gain an insight into how the party viewed women, this thesis examines many primary sources, including speeches, and posters, but focuses much of its attention on the Nazi women’s magazine Frauen Warte as well as looking at scholarship already done in the field.
Compartmental analysis of zinc kinetics in mature male rats

A compartmental model of zinc kinetics in mature male rats was developed. The model was based on zinc and radioisotopic zinc measured in samples of plasma, skeletal muscle, kidneys, testes, spleen, bone, and intestinal segments collected at various times for up to 4 days after 65Zn was injected intravenously. Zinc intake, excretion of zinc and 65Zn in urine and feces, and the whole body retention of 65Zn were also determined. Other data used to develop the model included published information on zinc concentration and zinc kinetics in tissues that were not sampled. In the model, the intestinal tract was represented by five compartments. Plasma, spleen, kidneys, and testes were each represented by an individual compartment. In contrast, two compartments each were used to represent exchangeable zinc in liver, bone, skeletal muscle, skin, and red blood cells. The present model extends earlier models of zinc kinetics, describes the distribution of zinc in the whole body, and may provide a means to evaluate the influence of either pathophysiological conditions or dietary extremes on the metabolism of zinc.
Accelerating fiber optic and photonic device technology transition via pre-qualification reliability and packaging durability testing

AIR 6318 is expected to define a subset of full qualification test procedures for discrete and packaged photonic devices. The test procedures will be aimed at establishing program management confidence in emerging photonic devices prior to Milestone B for subsequent acceptance into EMD.
Stimuli-responsive side chains for new function from conjugated materials

Abstract This article describes several projects in our laboratory relating to stimuli-responsive conjugated materials using functional side chain moieties. Although side chain engineering has become increasingly important in controlling the packing of conjugated materials, these groups have typically been reserved for imparting solubility to otherwise insoluble materials. By incorporating solubilizing side chains through photocleavable nitrobenzyl linkers, new conjugated polymers behave as negative photoresists upon exposure to ultraviolet light with minimal photobleaching. Our approach enables photopatterning and solution-based fabrication of multilayer conjugated polymer films without the use of orthogonally soluble materials. Work to understand the electronic effects of the aromatic side chain substituents in these materials led to the subsequent discovery of aromatic interactions between side chains and main chains that control the conformations of solid-state phenylene-ethynylene oligomers, including highly twisted conjugated backbones. Such materials, when appropriately substituted, display reversible piezochromic and mechanofluorochromic behavior.
National Standards for the Design of Visual Display Terminals

Issue is taken with the absence of adequate scientific effort in the setting of national standards. Two German regulations concerning visual display terminals are discussed in particular to illustrate their implementation without appropriate scientific human factors justification. That is briefly contrasted to the scientific effort employed by industry aimed at providing products based on as thorough human factors evaluations as possible.
P.5.19 Fhl1 W122S knock-in mice manifest late-onset mild myopathy

FHL1 is a member of the four-and-a half-LIM (FHL) domain protein family and it is highly expressed in adult human skeletal muscle. It is believed to participate in sarcomere assembly, muscle growth and differentiation, and in the biomechanical stress responses. Mutations in FHL1 gene have been associated with different myopathies, including reducing body myopathy, scapuloperoneal (SP) myopathy, X-linked myopathy with postural muscle atrophy, rigid spine syndrome (RSS), and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. In 2008, we identified a missense mutation in the second LIM domain of FHL1 (c.365 G > C, p.W122S) in a family with SP myopathy. We have generated a knock-in mouse model harboring the c.365 G > C Fhl1 mutation and have investigated the effects of this mutation at pre-symptomatic, phenotypic-onset, and late-stage of the disease, in hemizygous males and heterozygous females mice. Survival was comparable in mutant and wild-type animals. Adult hemizygous males mice showed a slowly progressive phenotype similar to human patients with relatively late-onset muscle weakness. In particular, we observed reduced forelimb strength and exercise capacity. Western blot analysis showed absence of FHL1 protein in muscle of hemizygous males at advanced stages. This animal model may help to elucidate the role of FHL1 in skeletal muscle and the pathomechanism of FHL1 mutations in X-linked dominant scapuloperoneal myopathy.
Army Suicides: “Knowns” and an Interpretative Framework for Future Directions

Studies have yielded consistent variables associated with military suicides: age (17 to 30 years), gender (male), race (white), and previous mental health conditions. Military experience variables ...
Serial propagation in vitro of agents producing inclusion bodies derived from varicella and herpes zoster.

SummaryThe inoculation of roller tube tissue cultures of human tissues with vesicle fluid derived from patients with varicella has resulted in the isolation of six cytopathogenic agents. Two of the strains have been maintained for 10 tissue culture passages by employing tissue suspensions as the passage material. Histologically the lesions produced consist of focal accumulations of cells which become swollen, and then degenerate; characteristically, such cells contain intranuclear inclusion bodies. From the eruptive lesions of two cases of herpes zoster, cytopathogenic agents of a similar nature have been isolated and have been propagated serially in cultures of human tissue.
Identifying Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Search Terminology: A Systematic Review of Health Systematic Reviews

Research on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations can provide important information to address existing health inequalities. Finding existing research in LGBT health can prove challenging due to the plethora of terminology used. We sought to describe existing search strategies and to identify more comprehensive LGBT search terminology. We iteratively created a search string to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses about LGBT health and implemented it in Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases on May 28-29, 2015. We hand-searched the journal LGBT Health. Inclusion criteria were: systematic reviews and meta-analyses that addressed LGBT health, used systematic searching, and used independent coders for inclusion. The published search terminology in each record and search strings provided by authors on request were cross-referenced with our original search to identify additional terminology. Our search process identified 19 systematic reviews meeting inclusion criteria. The number of search terms used to identify LGBT-related records ranged from 1 to 31. From the included studies, we identified 46 new search terms related to LGBT health. We removed five search terms as inappropriate and added five search terms used in the field. The resulting search string included 82 terms. There is room to improve the quality of searching and reporting in LGBT health systematic reviews. Future work should attempt to enhance the positive predictive value of LGBT health searches. Our findings can assist LGBT health reviewers in capturing the diversity of LGBT terminology when searching.
Results of a Pilot Trial of Fludarabine, Mitoxantrone and Rituxan in Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive B cell tumor, with a median survival of approximately 3 years, despite treatment. While intensive therapy may be curative in some patients, the median age at diagnosis is in the 60’s, and such therapy is not always feasible. We developed a regimen of fludarabine, mitoxantrone and rituximab, comprised of fludarabine, 25 mg/m 2 , IV on days 1–3; mitoxantrone, 10mg/m 2 , IV on day 1, every 28 days for 6 cycles, along with rituximab, 375 mg/m 2 given on day 1, of cycles 2 through 6, and then given alone for 3 weekly doses as cycle 7. To date, 14 male and 7 female patients with a median age of 60 years (range 41–87) have been accrued. Five patients (24 %) relapsed from prior systemic chemotherapy including stem cell transplantation in 1. All but 1 patient had either stage III (n=2) or stage IV disease (n=20). Sites of extranodal disease included bone marrow in 15 (71%), pleural effusions in 5 (24 %), and GI tract involvement in 3 (14 %) patients. Eight patients (38 %) had an intermediate or high IPI score. B symptoms were present in 7. On pathologic assessment, no patient had blastoid morphology. Cyclin D1 was expressed in 19 of 21 tissues tested. Treatment has been well tolerated; the most common side effect was transient grade 3 or 4 neutropenia reported in 17 (81 %) patients; transient grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 3 patients; and anemia observed in 6 patients. No grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicity has been reported. Of 20 evaluable patients, complete remissions (CR) have been documented in 18 (90 %). The median duration of complete remission is 17.4 months (range 1.1–29.9). Thirteen patients have relapsed after 1.1 to 29.9 months in CR. All 20 of the evaluable patients remain alive after a median follow-up of 16.4+ mos (range 1.0–39.6+). Combination therapy with fludarabine, mitoxantrone, and rituxan is a well tolerated regimen and is highly active in patients with both newly diagnosed and relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. While relapse is seen in the majority, the regimen is capable of inducing CR in 90 % and can be used safely in elderly patients and those who have relapsed or are not eligible for stem cell transplant.
CCL11 (Eotaxin-1) Levels Predict Long-Term Functional Outcomes in Patients Following Ischemic Stroke.

Circulating levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine C-C motif chemokine 11 (CCL11, also known as eotaxin-1) are increased in several animal models of neuroinflammation, including traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease. Increased levels of CCL11 have also been linked to decreased neurogenesis in mice. We hypothesized that circulating CCL11 levels would increase following ischemic stroke in mice and humans, and that higher CCL11 levels would correlate with poor long-term recovery in patients. As predicted, circulating levels of CCL11 in both young and aged mice increased significantly 24 h after experimental stroke. However, ischemic stroke patients showed decreased CCL11 levels compared to controls 24 h after stroke. Interestingly, lower post-stroke CCL11 levels were predictive of increased stroke severity and independently predictive of poorer functional outcomes in patients 12 months after ischemic stroke. These results illustrate important differences in the peripheral inflammatory response to ischemic stroke between mice and human patients. In addition, it suggests CCL11 as a candidate biomarker for the prediction of acute and long-term functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.
Response Force Distributions within A Fixed-Interval Schedule

4 pigeons were trained to respond under a fixed-interval schedule for food reinforcement. Both response rate and mean peak response force were positively accelerated from start of interval to reinforcement. Alternating periods of houselight-on (SD) and houselight-off (SΔ) were then superimposed upon the interval component. As before, mean peak response force and rate under these conditions tended to increase with time in the interval but were higher in SD than in SΔ periods. It was suggested that both response rate and response force are equally affected by the determinants of fixed-interval responding.
Atrophy of gluteus maximus among women with a history of chronic low back pain.

Background Although the relationship between low back pain (LBP) and the size of certain trunk muscles has been extensively studied, the relationship between gluteus maximus (GM) size and LBP has been only minimally examined. Determining whether such a relationship exists would help improve our understanding of the etiology of LBP, and possibly provide a rationale for the use of therapeutic exercise interventions targeting GM with LBP patients. The objective of this study was to compare gluteus maximus cross-sectional area in individuals with chronic LBP, and in a group of individuals without LBP. Our hypothesis was that individuals with LBP would have greater atrophy in their gluteus maximus muscles than our control group. Materials and methods For this case-control study, we analyzed medical history and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans for 36 female patients with a history of chronic LBP, and 32 female patients without a history of LBP. Muscle cross-sectional area of gluteus maximus was measured from axial CT scans using OsiriX MD software, then was normalized to patient height, and used to compare the two groups. The number of back pain-related medical visits was also correlated with gluteus maximus cross-sectional area. Results Mean normalized cross-sectional area was significantly smaller in the LBP group than in the control group, with t = 2.439 and P<0.05. The number of back pain-related visits was found to be significantly correlated with normalized cross-sectional area, with r = -0.270 and P<0.05. The atrophy seen in the present research may reflect incidental disuse atrophy seen with LBP, which is present in many muscle groups after prolonged immobilization or with a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions This research demonstrated a previously only minimally explored relationship between gluteus maximus cross-sectional area and LBP in women. Further research is indicated in individuals with varying age, sex, and LBP diagnoses.