cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) isolation from bone marrow: HHV-6-associated bone marrow suppression in bone marrow transplant patients.

These studies tested the hypothesis that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can cause posttransplant bone marrow (BM) suppression in BM transplant (BMT) patients. Fifteen adult patients who received T-lymphocyte-depleted, allogeneic BM transplants and who developed posttransplant BM suppression were studied. Detailed chart reviews were used to divide the patients into two groups: (1) those with diagnosed BM suppression (DBMS) and (2) those with idiopathic BM suppression (IBMS). BM aspirates obtained from the patients at the onset of BM suppression were subjected to an HHV-6 isolation procedure using mitogen-stimulated blood mononuclear cells. BM specimens obtained from another population of BMT patients solely to document engraftment irrespective of their BM function were also subjected to the HHV-6 isolation procedure as controls. HHV-6 was isolated from 6 of 15 BM samples from BMT patients with BM suppression. BM samples from patients with IBMS were more likely to be positive for HHV-6 than those from patients with DBMS (P < .01). Also, HHV-6-positive BM were significantly more likely (P < .05) to come from patients with suppression of more than one BM lineage than HHV-6-negative BM. Finally, samples of BM from an unselected series of BMT patients studied without regard to their BM function were less likely (P < .01) to be positive for HHV-6 than patients with IBMS.
APOL1 Sends Its REGARDS to Cardiovascular Disease.

See Article by Gutierrez and Irvin et al In recent years, our understanding of chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in patients of African ancestry has dramatically increased with the identification of common high-risk variants in the APOL1 gene.1,2 Although CKD is known to be a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD),3 whether APOL1 nephropathy risk variants also influence cardiovascular outcomes remains unclear as previous data are conflicting. In this analysis of the REGARDS ( RE asons for G eographic A nd R acial D ifferences in S troke) study, Gutierrez et al4 report that APOL1 high-risk genotypes are not associated with ASCVD risk in the overall cohort but may have significant associations with ASCVD in nondiabetic individuals, as well as in those without CKD. APOL1 is a gene located on the long arm of chromosome 22 encoding primate-specific APOL1 (apolipoprotein L1), which lyses the parasite Trypanosoma brucei that causes African sleeping sickness.1 Two evolutionarily recent APOL1 variants (G1 and G2) have allowed humans to keep up in the arms race against T. brucei and its subspecies that had developed resistance against APOL1.1,2 The G1 and G2 alleles, which were introduced into the human genome after European ancestors are thought to have left Africa, have conferred a survival advantage in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for either the G1 or G2 allele and thus have become prevalent among native Africans and blacks.3 This phenomenon has come at a cost: human genetic studies have shown that individuals who are homozygous or compound heterozygotes for the risk alleles (high-risk genotype) are at significantly higher risk of developing CKD, particularly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and HIV-associated nephropathy.5,6 Recent work suggests that APOL1 …
Accessing Differential Measures with a Conjugate Coil-Pair for Wireless Resistive Analog Passive (WRAP) ECG Sensors

Wearable devices and mobile-based biomedical applications have increased the demand of finding an alternative easy-to-use method for monitoring body signals. One approach towards this challenge is a zero power (battery-less), fully-passive electronic patch sensors that can be attached to the body. We have previously reported a novel technique for Wireless Resistive Analog Passive (WRAP) sensors for various body signals such as core body temperature, heart rate, etc. This passive sensor consists of a loop antenna, a tuning capacitor, and resistive-based biopotential transducer. The wireless scanner transmits an RF signal at frequency 8.37 MHz, which is amplitude modulated based on the resistive changes by a transducer at the WRAP sensor. The envelope of the modulated signal represents the body signal to be captured and can be analyzed on the scanner or downstream on the user's smartphone. In this work, we first demonstrate the capability for differential signal capture, such as electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) using a novel conjugate coil pair technique. The WRAP sensor uses a dual-gate MOSFET (depletion mode) to convert the biopotential signal to the correlated resistive variation of the source to drain resistance. These two circuits power the conjugate coil pair, which cancels common mode signal and only transmits differential mode signals (viz. ECG). The results show that connecting a pair of sensors in this way could allow accurate measurement of a differential biopotential. This work demonstrates voltage sensitivity down to $40\ \boldsymbol{\mu} \mathbf{V}$ towards realizing a battery-less, body-worn WRAP ECG sensor for monitoring ECG signals.
The Diffusion of the Alphabet in the Second Millennium BCE: On the Movements of Scribal Ideas from Egypt to the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Yemen

The non-impact of the alphabet has garnered a lot of attention recently: how could an invention so revolutionary do so little? Researchers have been led to wonder whether the alphabet may not have been as revolutionary as had been thought, or perhaps that it was not invented as early as had been thought. Recent discoveries, however, coupled with a re-evaluation of data that has been long known, lead to a different conclusion: the alphabet did spread across the entire Near East, from Egypt, through Syria, into southern Mesopotamia, within a few centuries of its invention. The exact chronology differed from place to place, but the transmission is always seen to follow the opening of trade routes. Interestingly, the alphabetic script is typically seen in the hands of scribes, not formerly illiterate people. Thus the alphabet’s revolutionary impact was limited by class structures, not geography.
Early Alcohol and Smoking Initiation: A Contributor to Sexual Minority Disparities in Adult Use

Introduction Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults report higher rates of smoking and alcohol use than heterosexual peers. Prior studies have not examined whether potential disparities in early initiation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth may contribute to adult disparities. Methods Data on 126,463 adults (including 8,241 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults) were from the 2015–2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rates of reported early alcohol and smoking initiation (before age 15 years) among both lesbian/gay and bisexual adults were examined relative to same-gender heterosexual adults. Mediation analyses were used to assess whether early initiation differences contribute to disparities in adult heavy episodic drinking, alcohol use disorder, current smoking, and nicotine dependence for each subgroup. Analyses were conducted in 2018–2019. Results For both lesbian/gay and bisexual women, early alcohol initiation rates were elevated and explained 21%–38% of their observed disparities in adult heavy episodic drinking and alcohol use disorder. Similarly, early smoking initiation rates were elevated among both lesbian/gay and bisexual women and explained 22%–29% of their disparities in adult smoking and nicotine dependence. By contrast, no evidence was observed that early initiation mediated adult disparities for gay or bisexual men. Conclusions A significant proportion of alcohol and smoking disparities among lesbian/gay and bisexual women in adulthood appear attributable to early initiation, indicating the need for enhanced early prevention efforts for these groups. Making routine adolescent screening for substance use, brief intervention, and referral to treatment more culturally sensitive to lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth may also be an important step in reducing adult disparities for lesbian, gay, and bisexual women.
Assessing the blood meal hosts of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes taeniorhynchus in Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Blood meal host selection by mosquito vectors is an important component in understanding disease dynamics of pathogens that threaten endemic fauna in isolated islands such as Galapagos. Research on the feeding behavior of mosquitoes can provide clues to the hosts and vectors involved in disease transmission. This information is particularly critical for endemic wildlife fauna in island systems that have evolved without resistance to novel diseases such as avian malaria. The aims of this study were to determine the blood-feeding patterns of two species of mosquitoes found in Galapagos and discuss how their feeding behavior may influence the transmission of pathogens such as avian malaria. In the summer of 2015, we sampled two mosquito species (Aedes taeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus) across 18 different sites on Isla Santa Cruz, which is the second largest island in Galapagos and has the largest human population. We trapped mosquitoes using CDC light traps and CDC gravid traps and identified sources of blood meals for engorged mosquitoes by sequencing a portion of the vertebrate mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Out of 947 female mosquitoes captured, 320 were blood-fed, and PCR amplifications were successful for 301 of the blood meals. Results revealed that both Aedes taeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus feed from a variety of vertebrate taxa, numerically dominated by humans on Isla Santa Cruz. The high proportion of mammalian blood meals could represent locally available and abundant hosts on Santa Cruz. However, host surveys and estimates of relative abundances of vertebrate species will need to accompany mosquito trapping studies on non-inhabited and inhabited islands in Galapagos to further validate this.
ZnO Nanostructured Interphase for Multifunctional and Lightweight Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials under Various Loading Conditions

The optimal mechanical performance of glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites typically relies on the suitability of its interfacial properties to the applied loading conditions. The contras...
Multi-Image Summarization: Textual Summary from a Set of Cohesive Images

Multi-sentence summarization is a well studied problem in NLP, while generating image descriptions for a single image is a well studied problem in Computer Vision. However, for applications such as image cluster labeling or web page summarization, summarizing a set of images is also a useful and challenging task. This paper proposes the new task of multi-image summarization, which aims to generate a concise and descriptive textual summary given a coherent set of input images. We propose a model that extends the image-captioning Transformer-based architecture for single image to multi-image. A dense average image feature aggregation network allows the model to focus on a coherent subset of attributes across the input images. We explore various input representations to the Transformer network and empirically show that aggregated image features are superior to individual image embeddings. We additionally show that the performance of the model is further improved by pretraining the model parameters on a single-image captioning task, which appears to be particularly effective in eliminating hallucinations in the output.
Operation of a high-hartonic gyrotron

The operation of a millimeter-wave harmonic gyrotron is described in which the interaction is between axis-encircling electrons and cylindrical cavity TE nll modes. Gyrotron cavities operating on this principle are well matched to low current, moderate energy, rfaccelerated electron beams. Efficiencies up to 15% have been measured for moderate harmonic interactions, multi-kW power levels have been attained at the eleventh harmonic of the cyclotron frequency, and 65 GHz waves have been produced. The concept allows the magnetic field of the gyrotron to be reduced by an order of magnitude, thereby making a submillimeter-wave gyrotron feasible. However, mode competition problems must be considered for high-harmonic, sub-millimeter wave operation, We have been successful in suppressing mode competition by destroying unwanted modes.
Food and Drug Administration insights on clinical study of weight-loss devices intended for adolescent patients.

BACKGROUND Medical devices intended for weight loss may provide clinically meaningful benefit to children who are overweight and have obesity; however, no device has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in patients below 18 years of age. Encouragingly, FDA regularly sees new device designs because the field of weight-loss devices is advancing rapidly. As more devices for weight loss are in development, their use in adolescent populations is expected to follow, but supporting data are needed. OBJECTIVES This report describes efforts that FDA has taken to understand the unmet clinical need, understand how pediatric patients might benefit from a weight-loss device, and provide considerations for how to best design weight-loss device clinical studies considering device-specific patient risk for adolescents. METHODS We review the recommendations provided to the FDA in 2005 via a Pediatric Advisory Committee meeting and discuss feedback received in 2018 through our Network of Experts programme. RESULTS FDA encourages weight-loss device manufacturers and academic researchers to collect data through properly controlled trials so that more treatment options can be accessible to pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS FDA remains open to considering risk-based clinical study designs incorporating pediatric patients and will continue to take into account the risk to adolescent study participants when determining whether the benefit-risk evidence supports initiation of an adolescent weight-loss device study.
Molecular beam epitaxy growth of low-bandgap material thick films using a molybdenum disilicide coated backing plate for substrate temperature control

Molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) deposition allows for the epitaxial growth of materials requiring atomically precise control of nanometer thick layers. A key concern with the growth of smaller bandgap materials on larger bandgap substrates via MBE is the radiative coupling of the deposited layer with the heater, which can lead to uncontrolled increases in temperature if not properly accommodated for. In this work, we demonstrate the ability to decouple the radiative component of the heater with the substrate and layer deposition through the incorporation of a molybdenum disilicide coated molybdenum backing plate. We demonstrate that the novel coating allows for highly efficient coupling with the heater while providing improved temperature control at the growth surface, leading to stable growth conditions. We demonstrate the stable growth and film characteristics through the growth of germanium telluride thin films on (100) gallium arsenide substrates.
Formal and Informal Institutions

Mythologies of discontinuity in state structures form the heart of the ‘dark ages’ narrative of the mid-seventh through early ninth centuries. We start by examining how recent scholarship has greatly revised our understanding of the nature and pace of structural reform in this period, isolating ninth-century mythologizing from earlier historical fact. We also explore how paideia (elite education) provided a common set of cultural reference points which bridged the myriad local variations of identity which such a diverse empire contained. Finally, we turn to the personal nature of Roman bureaucratic rule. Personal and familial networks formed practical connections which linked centralized institutions of the Roman world with the spatial, temporal, or social periphery.
High frequency impedance characteristics of a tunable microplasma device

Computational studies on high frequency impedance characteristics of a microplasma device are reported. While microplasma is ignited using a primary excitation signal, frequency response of plasma impedance is determined by a secondary high frequency probe signal with significantly lower voltage amplitude such that it does not influence the plasma parameters. The computational model utilizing the drift–diffusion approximation is first validated by comparing with experimental data for microplasmas ignited at pressures ranging from 1 to 5 Torr. In spite of quantitative discrepancies, good overall agreement is obtained between the measured frequency response of impedance of the discharge. Comparisons are also presented for various plasma parameters including mean electron number density, sheath thickness, mean electron temperature, and collision frequency that were inferred from the impedance measurements. The computational model is then used to perform simulations of near-atmospheric pressure microplasmas with the probe signal frequency ranging from 3 to 20 GHz. The simulations demonstrate the presence of a resonance frequency at which the impedance vanishes. More importantly, it is shown that this resonant frequency can be tuned effectively by suitably modifying the operating parameters (gap size, pressure, and excitation voltage). The simulated impedance characteristics are used to determine the effective plasma inductance and capacitance using a non-linear fitting approach, thereby showing the dependence of these electrical parameters on the plasma operating conditions.
Exposure to Civilian Casualties Is Related to Guilt and Suicidality in Post 9/11 Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

The nature of America’s Post 9/11 wars has often placed service members in close proximity to not only enemy and friendly forces, but also civilian noncombatants. The unique psychological consequen...
On the Estimation of POD and LOD of Qualitative Microbiological Assays from a Multi-laboratory Validation Study.

BACKGROUND Jarvis et al. (J. AOAC Int. 102: 1617-1623) estimated the mean laboratory effect (µ), standard deviation of laboratory effects (σ), probability of detection (POD), and level of detection (LOD) from a multi-laboratory validation study of qualitative microbiological assays using a random intercept complementary log-log model. Their approach estimated σ based on a Laplace approximation to the likelihood function of the model but estimated µ from a fixed effect model. OBJECTIVE We compared the estimates of µ and σ from three approaches (the Laplace approximation that estimates µ and σ simultaneously from the random intercept model, adaptive Gauss-Hermite quadrature (AGHQ), and the method of Jarvis et al.) and introduced a R Shiny app to implement the AGHQ using the widely used "lme4" R package. METHODS We conducted a simulation study to compare accuracy of the estimates of µ and σ from the three approaches and compared the estimates of µ, σ, LOD, etc. between the R Shiny app and the spreadsheet calculation tool developed by Jarvis et al. for an example dataset. RESULTS Our simulation study shows that, while the three approaches produce a similar estimate of σ, the AGHQ has generally the best performance for estimating µ (and hence mean POD and LOD). The differences in the estimates between the R Shiny app and the spreadsheet were demonstrated using the example dataset. CONCLUSIONS The AGHQ is the best method for estimating µ, POD, and LOD. HIGHLIGHTS The user-friendly R Shiny app provides a better alternative to the spreadsheet.
Multiple Configuration Analysis Via Mixed Method

Recent study in the field of optimum design of frame and truss-type structures has shown that changes in geometry can have a pronounced effect on weight reduction. This technical note presents a simple approximate reanalysis technique for variable configuration. The technique is based on the mixed method of analysis in which the fundamental unknowns consist of both member forces and joint displacements. To test and evaluate this technique, a large number of space truss problems were solved, and the results for a typical problem are presented. The examples demonstrated the high accuracy of the predictions of the proposed reanalysis technique.
The Cytogenetic Effects of an Inhibition of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a ubiquitous enzyme found in high concentrations in the nuclei of most eukaryotic cells. DNA is an essential cofactor for enzyme activity. When cells are exposed to agents that result in DNA damage that can be expressed as direct or enzyme-induced DNA breaks, poly(ADP-ribose) is rapidly synthesized from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Polymer synthesis and its subsequent covalent binding results in the modification of a large number of intracellular proteins. In general, all enzymes whose functions have been analyzed after poly(ADP- ribosyl)ation appear to be inhibited (1). Although poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis occurs extensively in the vicinity of DNA breaks, its physiological significance for chromatin structure and function, and its possible role in break repair, have not yet been demonstrated.
Crop and Soil Responses to Rates of Lime

Introduction Soil pH is one of the most important soil characteristics of crop production. The pH is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity of a soil. For each unit increase in pH, there is a 10 times change in acidity. A pH of 5 is 10 times more acid than a pH of 6, and 100 times more acid than a pH of 7. A soil pH greater than 7 is called alkaline or basic. A soil pH less than 7 is called acidic.
TH-F-304-01: Dosimeters and Phantoms for Measuring Non-Target Photon, Electron, and Neutron Doses

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non-target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external-beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non-target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG-158. The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non-target doses. Learning Objectives: 1. To highlight major concerns with non-target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice. 2. To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations. 3. To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non-target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
An Evaluation of Health Practices in Interscholastic Athletics for Boys in Illinois

(1944). An Evaluation of Health Practices in Interscholastic Athletics for Boys in Illinois. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 303-309.
Characterization of a Cold-Sensitive hisW Mutant of Salmonella typhimurium

A cold-sensitive mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 that grows at 37 C but not at 20 C has altered repression regulation in at least two amino acid biosynthetic pathways (histidine and isoleucine). The lesion conferring cold sensitivity that is linked with hisW is recessive. Assays for the acceptance of some amino acids by transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) reveal a decreased ability of the mutant tRNA to accept arginine, phenylalanine, and histidine. A mutation in a gene for tRNA maturation is a likely possibility for the mutation producing these effects on growth, regulation, and amino acid acceptance.
Basic Matrix Algebra with Algorithms and Applications

SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND THEIR SOLUTION Recognizing Linear Systems and Solutions Matrices, Equivalence and Row Operations Echelon Forms and Gaussian Elimination Free Variables and General Solutions The Vector Form of the General Solution Geometric Vectors and Linear Functions Polynomial Interpolation MATRIX NUMBER SYSTEMS Complex Numbers Matrix Multiplication Auxiliary Matrices and Matrix Inverses Symmetric Projectors, Resolving Vectors Least Squares Approximation Changing Plane Coordinates The Fast Fourier Transform and the Euclidean Algorithm. DIAGONALIZABLE MATRICES Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues The Minimal Polynomial Algorithm Linear Recurrence Relations Properties of the Minimal Polynomial The Sequence {Ak} Discrete dynamical systems Matrix compression with components DETERMINANTS Area and Composition of Linear Functions Computing Determinants Fundamental Properties of Determinants Further Applications Appendix: The abstract setting Selected practice problem answers Index
Temporal sequence compression by an integrate-and-fire model of hippocampal area CA3.

Cells in the rat hippocampus fire as a function of the animal's location in space. Thus, a rat moving through the world produces a statistically reproducible sequence of “place cell” firings. With this perspective, spatial navigation can be viewed as a sequence learning problem for the hippocampus. That is, learning entails associating the relationships among a sequence of places that are represented by a sequence of place cell firing. Recent experiments by McNaughton and colleagues suggest the hippocampus can recall a sequence of place cell firings at a faster rate than it was experienced. This speedup, which occurs during slow-wave sleep, is called temporal compression. Here, we show that a simplified model of hippocampal area CA3, based on integrate-and-fire cells and unsupervised Hebbian learning, reproduces this temporal compression. The amount of compression is proportional to the activity level during recall and to the relative timespan of associativity during learning. Compression seems to arise from an alteration of network dynamics between learning and recall. During learning, the dynamics are paced by external input and slowed by a low overall level of activity. During recall, however, external input is absent, and the dynamics are controlled by intrinsic network properties. Raising the activity level by lowering inhibition increases the rate at which the network can transition between previously learned states and thereby produces temporal compression. The tendency for speeding up future activations, however, is limited by the temporal range of associations that were present during learning.
Experience-Based Routing in Call Center Environments

In this paper we examine some assumptions commonly made in modeling call centers. In particular, we evaluate the assumption that agents are homogeneous, statistically equivalent servers. We examine empirical data to highlight the issues that create heterogeneity between agents. We explore a call center environment where agents increase their productivity over time, but eventually leave the organization. We consider the implication of this heterogeneity and explore a routing policy that attempts to exploit this heterogeneity and improve long-term call center performance. We consider the application of experience-based routing; that is, routing to agents based on their availability and experience relative to other available agents. We examine policies where calls are routed to the most experienced agents when the call center is busy, to facilitate efficiency, and to the least experienced agent when the call center is slow, to facilitate learning. We investigate the potential improvement in performance that can be achieved by considering agent experience when making routing decisions and characterize the conditions under which the improvement is most significant. We find that routing to agents based on experience can yield substantial improvements over a wide range of conditions.
Localized oscillators and heat conduction in clathrate hydrates

The glassy behaviour of the thermal conductivities of structure I xenon and structure II hydrate at high temperature are found to be described surprisingly well by a localized oscillator model. This observation leads to the suggestion of strong coupling between the localized vibrations of the guest with the lattice acoustic phonons. This conjecture is confirmed by a phenomenological calculation using the Anderson-Fano resonant scattering model.
Dependence of oxygen uptake on ambient PO2 in isolated perfused frog skin.

Rates of O2 uptake across isolated perfused skin of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were measured in relation to blood flow at three levels of ambient O2 tension: normoxia (O2 tension=152 torr), hypoxia (12% O2, 87 torr) and hyperoxia (42% O2, 306 torr). At bulk perfusion rates ranging from 3.4 to 10.1 μl·cm-2·min-1, O2 uptake was positively correlated with hemoglobin delivery rate in both normoxia and hyperoxia, but was independent of delivery rate in hypoxia. Mean O2 uptake in normoxia was 3.8 nmol O2·cm-2·min-1 at a delivery rate of 9.8 nmol·cm-2·min-1 and 6.5 nmol O2·cm-2·min-1 at a delivery rate of 28.3 nmol·cm-2·min-1. At any given bulk perfusion rate, oxygen uptake averaged about 49% lower in hypoxia than in normoxia, decreasing in proportion to the reduction of O2 tension difference between medium and blood. In hyperoxia, O2 uptake did not increase proportionally with the difference in O2 tension between blood and medium, averaging only 50% higher at a 2.4-fold greater O2 tension difference. Cutaneous diffusing capacity for O2 averaged 0.041 nmol O2·cm-2·torr-1·min-1 during the first hour of perfusion in normoxia, and was not affected by reduction of ambient O2 tension. The results indicate that cutaneous O2 uptake in hypoxia is highly diffusion limited, and consequently, increases in cutaneous perfusion can not effectively compensate for reduction of ambient O2 tension. In hyperoxia, O2 uptake may be substantially perfusion limited because of reduced blood O2 capacitance at high O2 saturations.
A formal approach to schema design for engineering databases

Abstract With the continued use of databases in engineering applications and the continued proliferation of engineering data, the importance of proper database design needs increasing attention. This paper introduces a new data modeling methodology called Nijssen's Information Analysis Methodology (NIAM). NIAM is a graphical modeling language used to design conceptual schemas that can be mapped onto any database model such as the relational and hierarchical data models. The paper describes a procedure, called the Optimal Normal Form algorithm, for mapping a NIAM conceptual schema onto a fifth normal form relational data model. An example from the construction management domain is used to describe the principles and concepts of the NIAM modeling methodology.
The effect of prior sphincterotomy on the secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (s-MRCP).

Rationale and Objectives A lack of pancreatic duct compliance and decreased duodenal filling on secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (s-MRCP) has been noted in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Whether endoscopic sphincterotomy can affect pancreatic duct compliance and duodenal filling on diagnostic s-MRCP is unknown. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of patients referred to the authors' clinic from December 2006 to December 2007 was performed. Those patients with no evidence of chronic pancreatitis who underwent s-MRCP were studied. Findings on s-MRCP were analyzed, specifically noting change in pancreatic duct diameter size from baseline to maximum dilation and duodenal filling after secretin administration (0.2 μg/kg intravenous dose of human secretin). Results Of the 34 patients studied, 12 underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy, and 22 had intact sphincters of Oddi. In the sphincterotomy group, there was a mean change of 0.2 cm (range, 0.0–0.4 cm), while in the nonsphincterotomy group, the mean change was 0.9 cm (range, 0.3–2.0 cm) after secretin administration. The difference was significant ( P Conclusion Endoscopic sphincterotomy significantly decreases pancreatic duct dilation in response to secretin on s-MRCP. However, further studies are required to determine the effect sphincterotomy has on the amount of duodenal filling and the rate at which duodenal filling occurs.
Antibiotic treatment of adults with sore throat by community primary care physicians: a national survey, 1989-1999

ContextMost sore throats are due to viral upper respiratory tract infections. Group A β-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS), the only common cause of sore throat warranting antibiotics, is cultured in 5% to 17% of adults with sore throat. The frequency of antibiotic use for pharyngitis has greatly exceeded the prevalence of GABHS, but less is known about specific classes of antibiotics used. Only penicillin and erythromycin are recommended as first-line antibiotics against GABHS.ObjectivesTo measure trends in antibiotic use for adults with sore throat and to determine predictors of antibiotic use and nonrecommended antibiotic use.Design, Setting, and SubjectsRetrospective analysis of 2244 visits to primary care physicians in office-based practices in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 1989-1999, by adults with a chief complaint of sore throat.Main Outcome MeasuresTreatment with antibiotics and treatment with nonrecommended antibiotics, extrapolated to US annual national rates.ResultsThere were an estimated 6.7 million annual visits in the United States by adults with sore throat between 1989 and 1999. Antibiotics were used in 73% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70%-76%) of visits. Patients treated with antibiotics were given nonrecommended antibiotics in 68% (95% CI, 64%-72%) of visits. From 1989 to 1999, there was a significant decrease in use of penicillin and erythromycin and an increase in use of nonrecommended antibiotics, especially extended-spectrum macrolides and extended-spectrum fluoroquinolones (P<.001 for all trends). In multivariable modeling, increasing patient age (odds ratio [OR], 0.86 per decade; 95% CI, 0.79-0.94) and general practice specialty (OR, 1.54 compared with family practice specialty; 95% CI, 1.10-2.14) were independent predictors of antibiotic use. Among patients receiving antibiotics, nonrecommended antibiotic use became more frequent over time (OR, 1.17 per year; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24).ConclusionsMore than half of adults are treated with antibiotics for sore throat by community primary care physicians. Use of nonrecommended, more expensive, broader-spectrum antibiotics is frequent.
Comments and recommendations regarding the hypothesis testing controversy

Hypothesis tests are routinely misinterpreted in scientific research. Specifically, the failure to reject a null hypothesis is often interpreted as support for the null hypothesis while the rejection of a null hypothesis is often interpreted as evidence of an important finding. Many of the most frequently used hypothesis tests are “non-informative” because the null hypothesis is known to be false prior to hypothesis testing. We discuss the limitations of non-informative hypothesis tests and explain why confidence intervals should be used in their place. Several examples illustrate the use and interpretation of confidence intervals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual Assault Cases in the Legal System: Police, Prosecutor, and Victim Perspectives

The purposes of this study were to assess (a) the extent of attrition in the processing of sexual assault cases in the legal systems, (b) factors associated with attrition at various stages in the process, and (c) victims' experiences in the legal system and the relations between these experiences and recovery. Our results suggest that substantial attrition continues to occur in the prosecution of rape cases, that more severe assaults are prosecuted more vigorously, that victims are generally satisfied with the police (but not with the legal system in general), and that neither attitudes nor case outcomes are associated with victims' postrape recovery. Research and policy implications are discussed.
The effect of x irradiation on the progress of strain U-12 fibroblasts through the mitotic cycle.

The effect of irradiation on Strain U-12 fibroblasts was studied. The administration of 500 r inhibited mitosis almost immediately, whereas the specific activity of DNA and the number of cells synthesizing DNA were not reduced markedly until 18 to 24 hr following the irradiation. RNA synthesis was not reduced at any interval observed. Twelve hours after irradiation mitotic figures again appeared and increased in frequency to above the normal level 18 to 20 hr after irradiation. The increase in mitotic index was found to be caused both by an increase in the cells entering and by a decrease in cells leaving mitosis. The cells entering mitosis 12 or more hr after irradiation appeared to consist of cells that had accumulated in the G/sub 2/ period 6 to 12 hr after irradiation and cells coming from the synthetic period that were able to pass through the G/sub 2/ period without delay 12 hr after irradiation. Cells entering mitosis 12 or more hr after irradiation were found to spend long periods trying to divide but were most often unsuccessful and, in many cases, they produced a multinuclear giant instead of two normal daughter cells. (auth)
Heuristic-based part-of-speech tagging of source code identifiers and comments

An approach for using heuristics and static program analysis information to markup part-of-speech for program identifiers is presented. It does not use a natural language part-ofspeech tagger for identifiers within the code. A set of heuristics is defined akin to natural language usage of identifiers usage in code. Additionally, method stereotype information, which is automatically derived, is used in the tagging process. The approach is built using the srcML infrastructure and adds part-of-speech information directly into the srcML markup.
CASE-BASED SOFTWARE QUALITY PREDICTION

Highly reliable software is becoming an essential ingredient in many systems. However, assuring reliability often entails time-consuming costly development processes. One cost-effective strategy is to target reliability-enhancement activities to those modules that are likely to have the most problems. Software quality prediction models can predict the number of faults expected in each module early enough for reliability enhancement to be effective. This paper introduces a case-based reasoning technique for the prediction of software quality factors. Case-based reasoning is a technique that seeks to answer new problems by identifying similar "cases" from the past. A case-based reasoning system can function as a software quality prediction model. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use case-based reasoning systems for predicting quantitative measures of software quality. A case study applied case-based reasoning to software quality modeling of a family of full-scale industrial software systems. The case-based reasoning system's accuracy was much better than a corresponding multiple linear regression model in predicting the number of design faults. When predicting faults in code, its accuracy was significantly better than a corresponding multiple linear regression model for two of three test data sets and statistically equivalent for the third.
What price politics? Scientists and political controversy

There is a long tradition within scientific communities that encourages governments, patrons and citizens to enlist scientific expertise in the service of the public good. However, since the 17th century, scientists who have engaged in public political controversy have often been judged harshly by scientific colleagues, as well as by political adversaries. Some prominent scientists were politically active in Germany, France and England during the 1920s and 1930s; controversial stands were taken by the British physicist P.M.S. Blackett and the American chemist Linus C. Pauling against their countries' nuclear weapons policy following the Second World War.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF EPIMYSIAL ACID-SOLUBLE COLLAGEN FROM MEATS OF VARYING TENDERNESS

SUMMARY: Components of the molecular structure of epimysial acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from meats of varying tenderness were studied by several methods. The ASC was studied since it contains an appreciable amount of intramolecular cross-links but is still soluble. Though the amount of total collagen in epimysial tissue was found to have no correlation with meat tenderness, the molecular studies indicated some correlation of the type of epimysial ASC with meat tenderness. Sucrose density-gradient ultracentrifugation analyses of denatured epimysial ASC suggested that this type of collagen contains a lesser degree of cross-links when obtained from tender meat samples. Viscosity measurements were found to be correlated to tenderness of meat in a manner similar to the results obtained by ultracentrifugation, in that the intrinsic viscosity of epimysial ASC from tender meat was lower than that from tough meat, indicating differences among the relative sizes of the collagen molecules from the different samples. Partial amino acid analyses of the epimysial ASC samples via gas chromatography showed no differences in the levels of aspartic, serine or hydroxyproline, amino acids which may be involved in the ester type of cross-links. Results of chemical estimation of the ester type of cross-links indicated that the proportions of esters in the various ASC samples were similar. The amount of lysine was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in epimysial ASC from tough meat compared to tender meat, suggesting an increased potential of the aldehydic-type of cross-link, which is formed via an aldol condensation of two aldehydes derived biosynthetically from lysine. This was strengthened by the results obtained in the chemical estimation of the aldehydic-type of cross-link, in that the epimysial ASC of tough meat contained significantly more aldehyde than did that of tender meat (P<0.05).
Gill circulation: regulation of perfusion distribution and metabolism of regulatory molecules.

The fish gill is the primary regulatory interface between internal and external milieu and a variety of neurocrine, endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signals coordinate and control gill functions. Many of these messengers also affect gill vascular resistance, and they, in turn, may be inactivated (or activated) by branchial vessels. Few studies have critically addressed how flow is distributed within the gill filament, the physiological consequences thereof, or the impact of gill hormone metabolism on gill and systemic homeostasis. In most fish, the entire cardiac output perfuses the arterioarterial pathway, and this network probably accounts for the majority of passive- and stimulus-induced changes in vascular resistance. The in-series arrangement of the extensive gill microcirculation with systemic vessels is also indicative of a high capacity for metabolism of plasma-borne messengers as well as xenobiotics. Adenosine, arginine vasotocin (AVT), and endothelin (ET) are the most potent gill constrictors identified to date, and all decrease lamellar perfusion. Perhaps not surprising, they are also inactivated by gill vessels. Acetylcholine favors perfusion of the alamellar filamental vasculature, although the physiological relevance of acetylcholine-mediated responses remains unclear. Angiotensin, bradykinin, urotensin, natriuretic peptides, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide are vasoactive to varying degrees, but their effects on intrafilamental blood flow are unknown. If form befits function, then the complex vascular anatomy of the gill suggests a level of regulatory sophistication unparalleled in other vertebrate organs. Resolution of these issues will be technically challenging but unquestionably rewarding.
Laser transceivers for future NASA missions

NASA is currently developing several Earth science laser missions that were recommended by the US National Research Council (NRC) Earth Science Decadal Report. The Ice Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) will carry the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) is scheduled for launch in 2016. The Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission and will measure column atmospheric CO2 concentrations from space globally. The Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) Follow-On (GRACEFO) and GRACE-2 missions measure the spatially resolved seasonal variability in the Earth's gravitational field. The objective of the Lidar Surface Topography (LIST) mission is to globally map the topography of the Earth's solid surface with 5 m spatial resolution and 10 cm vertical precision, as well as the height of overlying covers of vegetation, water, snow, and ice. This paper gives an overview of the laser transmitter and receiver approaches and technologies for several future missions that are being investigated by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Recurrent ovarian tumor with low malignant potential and cardiac metastasis.

Background : Up to 20% of ovarian epithelial tumors are classified as being of low malignant potential. Most of these low malignant potential tumors are detected at an early stage and have an excellent prognosis. This is a report of a woman with cardiac metastasis from an ovarian low malignant potential tumor. Case : This case describes a 53-year-old woman who presented with congestive heart failure and was found to have a recurrent stage III ovarian tumor of low malignant potential. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed compression of the inferior vena cava and a mass encompassing the right atrium. Findings at autopsy confirmed a low malignant potential ovarian tumor thrombus involving the inferior vena cava and right atrium. Conclusion : Ovarian low malignant potential tumors can metastasize in an aggressive manner. A transesophageal echocardiogram may be useful when the diagnosis of cardiac tumor thrombus is considered.
Cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in immunocompromised adults.

Objective Pneumococcal disease is a significant problem in immunocompromised persons, particularly in HIV-infected individuals. The CDC recently updated pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for immunocompromised adults, adding the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to the previously recommended 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). This analysis estimates the cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination strategies in HIV-infected individuals and in the broader immunocompromised adult group.
Stability of diluted adenosine solutions in polyolefin infusion bags.

Background: Intravenous or intracoronary adenosine is used in the cardiac catherization lab to achieve maximal coronary blood flow and determine fractional flow reserve.Objective: To determine the stability of adenosine 10 and 50 μg/mL in either 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection in polyolefin infusion bags stored at 2 temperatures, refrigeration (2°C-8°C) or controlled room temperature (20°C-25°C).Methods: Adenosine 10 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL solutions were prepared in 50 mL polyolefin infusion bags containing 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection and stored at controlled room temperature or under refrigeration. Each combination of concentration, diluent, and storage was prepared in triplicate. Samples were assayed using stability-indicating, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography immediately at time 0 and at 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, and 14 days. Stability was defined as retaining 90% to 110% of the initial adenosine concentration. The samples were also...