cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A frame-based design for the TIMS and CAMS metadata for a Stennis Information Management System

Abstract The satellite platforms of the Earth Observing System that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to launch in the late 1990s has required that the automatic cataloguing and archiving of data be studied. Because of the tremendous volume of data, use of artificial intelligence techniques and tools is required. The data that is to be archived must be evaluated and a metadata design created for the efficient access of the archived data. This article discusses a frame-based metadata design. In this approach, the relationships between the data objects and the data components are represented using a semantic network and frames. Previous object-oriented designs have only been able to represent hierarchical relationships, but this frame-based design allows for a more complete definition of data and the objects' relationships.
Presurgical evaluation for partial epilepsy Relative contributions of chronic depth‐electrode recordings versus FDG‐PET and scalp‐sphenoidal ictal EEG

One hundred fifty-three patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy underwent chronic stereotactic depth-electrode EEG (SEEG) evaluations after being studied by positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and scalp-sphenoidal EEG telemetry. We carried out retrospective standardized reviews of local cerebral metabolism and scalp-sphenoidal ictal onsets to determine when SEEG recordings revealed additional useful information. FDG-PET localization was misleading in only 3 patients with temporal lobe SEEG ictal onsets for whom extratemporal or contralateral hypometabolism could be attributed to obvious nonepileptic structural defects. Two patients with predominantly temporal hypometabolism may have had frontal epileptogenic regions, but ultimate localization remains uncertain. Scalp-sphenoidal ictal onsets were misleading in 5 patients. For 37 patients with congruent focal scalp-sphenoidal ictal onsets and temporal hypometabolic zones, SEEG recordings never demonstrated extratemporal or contralateral epileptogenic regions; however, 3 of these patients had nondiagnostic SEEG evaluations. The results of subsequent subdural grid recordings indicated that at least 1 of these patients may have been denied beneficial surgery as a result of an equivocal SEEG evaluation. Weighing risks and benefits, it is concluded that anterior temporal lobectomy is justified without chronic intracranial recording when specific criteria for focal scalp-sphenoidal ictal EEG onsets are met, localized hypometabolism predominantly involves the same temporal lobe, and no other conflicting information has been obtained from additional tests of focal functional deficit, structural imaging, or seizure semiology.
Some intermediates in the Reaction between Vanadium(IV) and Vanadium(V)

Vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) react in acid media forming green intermediates whose compositions depend upon the concentrations of the reactants, pH of the media, and time of reaction. Two solid intermediates separated from mixtures of vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate solutions more than a year ago appear stable at room temperature even to this date.
A Modification of Lee's Path Connection Algorithm

It is shown that a set of diagnostic tests designed for a redundant circuit under the single-fault assumption is not necessarily a valid test set if a fault occurrence is preceded by the occurrence of some ( undetectable) redundant faults. This is an additional reason ( besides economy) for trying to eliminate certain kinds of redundancy from the circuit. However, single-fault analysis may remain valid for some types of redundancy which serve a useful purpose, such as the elimination of logic hazards in two-level circuits.
Control of Film Growth in Lithium Ion Battery Packs via Switches

Recent advances in lithium ion battery modeling suggest degradation may be reduced by permitting unequal but controlled charging of individual cells. Hence, this paper compares anode-side film formation for a standard equalization scheme versus unequal charging through switches controlled by deterministic dynamic programming (DDP) and DDP-inspired algorithms. A static map for film growth rate is derived from a first-principles battery model adopted from the electrochemical engineering literature. Using this map, we consider two cells connected in parallel via relay switches. The key results we demonstrate are: (1) Enabling unequal charging indeed reduces film buildup; (2) A near optimal control method can be implemented using heuristic rules designed from the DDP solution and convexity properties of film growth rate. Simulation results indicate that the heuristic rules achieve near optimal performance relative to the DDP solution, with significant reduction in film growth compared to charging both cells equally.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Localized radon transform for ship wake detection in SAR imagery

The radon transform is commonly used in algorithms for detecting linear features in an image. However, it can have difficulty detecting line segments that are significantly shorter than the image dimensions, and has no capability of providing information about the positions of the endpoints of these shorter line segments, or on line length. These problems are magnified when the transform is applied to an image with a high level of noise. Our localization of the radon transform reduces the spatial extent of the image intensity integration, to improve the detection and localization of short line segments. This localized radon transform forms the basis of a linear feature detection algorithm that is demonstrated on several synthetic images containing various levels of random noise and on actual images containing linear features. Our experimental results demonstrate the ability of this approach to successfully detect the linear components of ship wakes visible in SAR ocean imagery.
Luminescence, structural, and bonding trends upon varying the halogen in isostructural aurophilic dimers

The preparation of three isonitrile complexes (p-tosyl)CH2NCAuIX (X = Cl, Br, and I) along with their structural, spectral, and computational characterization are reported. X-Ray crystallography reveals that these complexes all crystallize in the same space group, C2/c, and have closely related supramolecular structures. The three complexes exhibit crossed-dimer structures with short Au⋯Au aurophilic distances of 3.0634(4) A, 3.1044(7) A, and 3.1083(5) A, for X = Cl, Br, and I, respectively. These distances are among the shortest ligand-unassisted Au⋯Au interactions reported. While RNCAuX complexes that we reported earlier associate as anti-parallel, one-dimensional aurophilic polymers with long Au⋯Au distances (∼3.6 A) and exhibit orange–red phosphorescence, the analogous aurophilic dimers herein show seemingly counter-intuitive blue–green emissions despite having much shorter Au⋯Au distances. DFT computations are used to augment experiment and study the T1 phosphorescent excited state of [RNCAuX]n in parallel, anti-parallel, and staggered conformations. Excimeric bonding and large Stokes shifts are predicted for all models, the extent of which is sensitive to both “n” and conformation with trends commensurate with experimental luminescence data. Calculations for the three [MeNCAuX]2 dimeric complexes reveal blue–green phosphorescence with a red shift as a function of increasing halide softness, consistent with experimental data for (p-tosyl)CH2NCAuIX (Cl > Br > I). The overall experimental and theoretical work signifies the central role of ground-state aurophilic bonding and excited-state excimeric bonding on the electronic structure, hence facilitating development of structure–luminescence relations that may assist in the rational design of novel optoelectronic devices.
24/7/365 in-house radiologist coverage: effect on resident education.

Rationale and Objectives To compare programs with and without 24-hour/7 days a week/365 days a year (24/7/365) in-house radiologist coverage regarding resident perceptions of their on-call experience, volume of resident dictations on call, and report turnaround time. Materials and Methods Residents from six academic radiology departments were invited to participate in an 11-item online survey. Survey items were related to workload, level of autonomy, faculty feedback, comfort level, faculty supervision, and overall educational experience while on call from 8 pm to 8 am . Each site provided data on imaging volume, radiologist coverage, volume of examinations dictated by residents, number of residents on call, and report turnaround time from 8 pm to 8 am . F-ratios and eta-squares were calculated to determine the relationships between dependent and independent variables. A P value Results A total of 146 (67%) of 217 residents responded. Residents in programs with 24/7/365 in-house radiologist coverage dictated a lower percentage of examinations (46%) compared with other residents (81%) and rated faculty feedback more positively (mean 3.8 vs. 3.3) but rated their level of autonomy (mean 3.6 vs. 4.5) and educational experience (mean 3.6 vs. 4.2) more negatively (all P Conclusion More rapid report turnaround time related to 24/7/365 coverage may come at the expense of resident education.
Bertrand without fudge

Abstract This paper reexamines Bertrand competition with homogeneous products and different marginal costs. It is shown that the conventional outcome is supported by an equilibrium in the original game under the standard rationing rule.
Chi-square unbiased risk estimate for denoising magnitude MR images

In this article we develop Stein-type results for unbiased estimation of the risk associated with parametric estimators of the noncentrality parameter of chi-squared random variables on two degrees of freedom. These results allow for estimator adaptivity, and thus can be used to optimize the parameters of a broad class of typical denoising functions, subject only to weak smoothness assumptions. We show how to apply these results to the problem of enhancing magnitude magnetic resonance images, which are known to be corrupted by Rician noise. As an example, we propose a transform-domain point-wise estimator based on linear expansion of thresholds. Finally, we apply this estimator to synthetic and real image data in conjunction with the undecimated Haar wavelet transform, and conclude that it is able to outperform previous wavelet-based techniques and compares favorably with a more recent approach based on non-local means.
Evidence that a cell-type-specific efflux pump regulates cell differentiation in Dictyostelium.

We have identified a cellular efflux pump, RhT, with the properties of an MDR transporter—a type of ATP-binding cassette transporter whose substrates include small hydrophobic molecules. RhT transports rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and is inhibited by low temperature, energy poisons, and several MDR transport inhibitors, such as verapamil. All vegetative cells have RhT activity, but during development prestalk cells lose RhT activity while prespore cells retain it. We also identified several RhT inhibitors. The most effective inhibitor is the stalk cell-inducing chlorinated alkyl phenone, DIF-1. The RhT inhibitors disrupted development, to varying degrees, and induced stalk cell formation in submerged culture. The inhibitors displayed the same rank order of pharmacological efficacy for stalk cell induction as they did for Rh123 transport inhibition. We also found that cerulenin, a specific inhibitor of DIF-1 biosynthesis (R. R. Kay, 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273, 2669–2675), abolished the induction of stalk cells by each of the RhT inhibitors, and this effect could be reversed by DIF-1. Thus, DIF-1 synthesis appears to be required for the induction of stalk cells by the RhT inhibitors. Since DIF-1 is the most potent inhibitor of RhT activity, and thus a likely transport substrate itself, we propose that RhT inhibitors induce stalk cell differentiation by blocking DIF-1 export, causing DIF-1 to build up within cells. Our results provide evidence for a prespore-specific efflux pump that regulates cell fate determination, perhaps by regulating the cellular concentration of DIF-1.
SiO Emission in a Jetlike Molecular Outflow toward L1157

We report interferometric observations of the SiO (2-1) and CO (1-0) lines toward the blueshifted lobe of the L1157 bipolar outflow. These observations reveal clumpy SiO emission aligned with highly collimated CO emission. The SiO emission is enhanced in two prominent condensations, similar to those seen in VLA images of the NH3(3, 3) line. The SiO condensation closer to the outflow source peaks within 10'' of a bright knot of the 2.1 μm H2 line emission and shows blueshifted emission extending more than 17 km s-1 from the cloud velocity. The close association between the SiO and H2 emission suggests that the SiO emission is excited in the accelerated postshock regions near the head of an underlying jet. The SiO condensation farther downstream shows a smaller velocity extent and no apparent associated H2 emission. We suggest that the two condensations result from separate interactions of an episodic jet with the surrounding cloud core. In this scenario, the emission region farther downstream results from an older event. Both SiO condensations appear to lead the high-velocity CO emission, consistent with the idea that SiO emission is excited close to the head of the jet and the CO accelerated in the oblique outer wings of the bow shock.
Remote sensing of the xanthophyll cycle and chlorophyll fluorescence in sunflower leaves and canopies

Sudden illumination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. CGL 208) leaves and canopies led to excess absorbed PFD and induced apparent reflectance changes in the green, red and near-infrared detectable with a remote spectroradiometer. The green shift, centered near 531 nm, was caused by reflectance changes associated with the de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin via antheraxanthin and with the chloroplast thylakoid pH gradient. The red (685 nm) and near-infrared (738 nm) signals were due to quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Remote sensing of shifts in these spectral regions provides non-destructive information on in situ photosynthetic performance and could lead to improved techniques for remote sensing of canopy photosynthesis.
Line scan versus flash thermography: comparative study on reinforced carbon-carbon

Thermographic inspection techniques fundamentally vary by method of heat deposition. Some systems use a short burst of energy from a flash lamp while others control the motion of a quartz lamp over the material. Both techniques have had a history of successful inspections on aircraft and boiler tubes, for example. Historically, the system used for inspections was determined by the thermographic equipment available to the researcher. This paper will compare the flash and line scan thermographic systems on Reinforced Carbon-Carbon. Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) is a brittle composite material that is found on the Space Shuttle’s nose section, wing leading edges, and chin panel. It is used to protect the orbiter’s aluminum frame from superheated air during flight. In the time since the Columbia accident, impact tests on RCC panels have been ongoing. Flash thermography has been successfully used to scan the impact site for delaminations. While the system has proven effective, it is not without limitations. A single scan yields only that section of material that is in the field of view of the infrared camera. Additionally, delaminations deep within the material may not be resolved as well as with quartz heating. A comparative study was conducted using a RCC panel with flat-bottom holes varying in diameter and depth. The panel was scanned with the Thermal Line Scanner, the Thermal Photocopier, and the Echotherm from Thermal Wave Imaging. Signal to noise ratios were calculated for the defects and used to compare the three systems. This paper will discuss the details of the study and show the results obtained from each of the three systems.
A Service-Learning Project to Eliminate Barriers to Oral Care for Children With Special Health Care Needs

Children with special health care needs face many barriers to oral care and are at high risk for oral disease. School nurses are in a unique position to promote oral wellness in this vulnerable population. Collaboration between school nurses and dental hygiene faculty resulted in the formation of a partnership between a university-based dental hygiene program and two special education districts in rural southern Illinois. Senior dental hygiene students participated in a school-based service-learning project that provided dental examinations, preventive services, and education to children with special health care needs. Evidence-based behavioral interventions were used to teach children to comply with oral procedures. School nurses mentored dental hygiene students in behavior management of children. Dental exams were provided to 234 children from four special education schools with the majority receiving cleanings and fluoride.
High-Energy Pickup Reactions and Nuclear Correlations

A calculation of the forward-angle differential cross section for the reaction $p+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(A\ensuremath{-}2)+p+d$ indicates that processes involving nucleons which are uncorrelated when the projectile initially interacts with the target are as significant as those processes involving correlated nucleons.
Characterization of Cyanobacterial Biliverdin Reductase: CONVERSION OF BILIVERDIN TO BILIRUBIN IS IMPORTANT FOR NORMAL PHYCOBILIPROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS *

The Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 gene (bvdR) encoding biliverdin reductase was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli as the native form and as a 6-histidine-tagged amino-terminal fusion. The latter form of the enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography and shown to have the appropriate molecular weight by electrospray mass spectrometry. Both forms of the enzyme reduced biliverdin IXalpha using NADPH or NADH, with NADPH as the preferred reductant. The His-tagged enzyme has a Km for biliverdin of 1.3 microM. The pH optimum for the NADPH-dependent activity is 5.8, whereas that for rat biliverdin reductase is at pH 8.7. Absorbance spectra and high performance liquid chromatography retention times of the reaction product reaction match those of authentic bilirubin, the product of the reduction of biliverdin by the mammalian enzymes. These results provide the first evidence for the formation of bilirubin in bacteria. Fully segregated Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 bvdR interposon mutants produce approximately 85% of the normal amount of phycobilisome cores containing allophycocyanin and other phycocyanobilin-bearing core polypeptides, but no detectable phycocyanin. Thus, surprisingly, the blockage of the conversion of biliverdin to bilirubin interferes with normal phycobiliprotein biosynthesis in cyanobacteria. Possible interpretations of this finding are presented.
Separation and purification of xylose oligomers using centrifugal partition chromatography

Xylose oligomers, which have a prebiotic effect, have been used as additives to human and animal food. These oligomers are also the primary intermediate in hemicellulose degradation during the pretreatment of biomass. Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was used in this study to separate and purify xylan-derived oligomers from birchwood xylan. The xylan was partially hydrolyzed to achieve varying degrees of polymerization at 130°C using 0.98% aqueous sulfuric acid for 20 min with a 2.5% solid loading. The CPC solvent system consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and water in a 1:6:3 volumetric ratio was used because of its ability to dissolve xylose oligomers of different degrees of polymerization. The CPC was operated in the ascending mode with the water- and DMSO-rich bottom phase acting as the stationary phase, while the THF-rich top phase was the eluent. This paper delineates a method for the production and purification of xylose monomer and xylose oligomers (up to xylopentaose) using CPC. The amount and purity of compounds collected from the CPC fractionation based on 1 g of birchwood xylan were 25.26 mg of xylose at 91.86% purity, 10.71 mg of xylobiose at 85.07% purity, 4.15 mg of xylotriose at 54.71% purity, 5.03 mg of xylotetraose at 38.33% purity and 3.31 mg of xylopentaose at 30.43% purity.
Reduced density matrix equations and functionals for correlation energy

Colle and Salvetti have proposed a two-body functional for the calculation of correlation energies and have obtained excellent numerical results when applied to small molecules. To derive the functional they took a particular form for the second-order density matrix and used the constraining equation between the second- and first-order density matrices. We have derived an equation for the functional by imposing Schrodinger's equation via the quantum density matrix hierarchy equations. We have solved the equation for the simple case of helium and have obtained the same functional form as Colle and Salvetti.
Earthquakes: Risk, damage and recovery

Abstract This paper identifies earthquake risk, damage and recovery plans; stresses the vulnerability of the electric power system and its disruption impact on society; and puts forward some general guidelines to minimize earthquake damage.
Recharging the batteries.

Parachuting into someone else's life for a few days does not, on the whole, yield anything very deep in the way of experience. But it offers glimpses, hints, possibilities. The turned door handle admits a crack of light, and you can always return later to open it wide, step inside, and take up serious residence in the room you spotted on that flying visit. Thousands of British doctors spent electives in underprivileged countries, and some may be asked about their experience at interviews many years later. I say this because every job interview I have had since 1986 has been defined by questions about Tibetan Buddhism. This stems partly from an article that I wrote in 1985 about my two months in a Tibetan refugee camp on southern India.2 It became a merit badge and a career asset. It gave me an edge, and perhaps allowed the transfer of attributes to me that I knew I no longer deserved. To redress this imbalance my wife, a paediatric nephrologist, and 1, an interventional neuroradiologist, took our year's vacation and returned to the monastery. In a world filled with refugees it is fortunate for the Tibetans that they are a marketable minority. Tibet has always been intriguing with its Buddhist philosophy that enchants with the hope of enlightenment and calm. Austine Waddell, a Buddhist scholar and member of a British expedition to Tibet in 1910, wrote in his book, Lhasa and its Mysteries: “Wreathed in the romance of centuries the secret citadel of the “undying” Grand Lama has stood shrouded in impenetrable mystery on the roof of the world, alluring yet defying our most adventurous travellers to enter her closed gates with all the fascination of an unsolved enigma, the mysterious city has held the imagination captive, as one of the …
The Effect of Flooding Oil Sands with Alkaline Solutions

This paper gives the results of a series of experiments on the flooding of oil sands with ordinary water and solutions of various kinds and concentrations. The most satisfactory results were obtained by the use of dilute alkaline solutions of salts of the weak acids and strong bases, normal sodium carbonate being the most effective of all. Several types of apparatus were employed, including in one series of experiments blocks of Dakota sandstone, which, after being charged with oil under pressure, were subjected to flooding tests.
A comparison of in-class and online quizzes on student exam performance

THIS STUDY evaluated the use of Web-based assessment in the instruction of students enrolled in a Theories of Personality class. During 1999, we compared 297 undergraduates who took online quizzes with 291 undergraduates who took traditional paper-and-pencil quizzes. All online quizzes were generated and maintained by the class instructor using Mallard (an asynchronous Web-based assessment program), which allowed students to choose when, where, and how long to work on their quizzes. Mallard students performed significantly better on achievement criteria (four inclass exams) than non-Mallard students. Survey data indicated that most students reported being “very satisfied” with Mallard. These findings followed similar trends in other forms of computer-assisted instruction. Future research and potential pedagogical applications of Web-based assessment are discussed. Despite the initial time investment required to generate online quizzes with Mallard, student and instructor experiences with the program suggest that it is a promising technology for enhancing instruction in higher education.
Acquisitions of bankrupt assets

Buyers of bankrupt assets could be penalized because of uncertainty about the value of such assets given their poor performance, and the absence of a guarantee offered by bankrupt estates. On the other hand, they could be rewarded if imperfections in the market for bankrupt assets result in deep discounts. In this paper, we assess 314 acquisitions of bankrupt assets over the period 1985–2006. We find that firms that acquire bankrupt assets experience significant positive valuation effects, suggesting that the market for bankrupt assets is imperfect. Second, the valuation effects are especially favorable when the acquisition is only of selected assets, and when the buyer is in the same industry as the bankrupt firm. No evidence of long run abnormal returns (above and beyond the initial valuation effects) is found for firms that acquire bankrupt assets.
Simulated effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on a solitary mustelid predator

Brine spills associated with petroleum extraction can reduce the amount of suitable habitat and increase habitat fragmentation for many terrestrial animals. We conducted a simulation study to quantify the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on a solitary mammal predator. To provide focus, we adopted biological attributes of the American badger (Taxidea taxus) and environmental attributes of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma. We simulated badger activities on landscapes with different degrees of habitat loss and fragmentation using a spatially explicit and individual-based population model. Both habitat loss and fragmentation increased the incidence of habitat-related mortality and decreased the proportion of eligible females that mated, which decreased final population sizes and the likelihood of persistence. Parameter exploration suggested that steep, threshold-like, responses to habitat loss occurred when animals included high-risk habitat in their territories. Badger populations showed a steeper decline with increasing habitat loss on landscapes fragmented by spills than on less fragmented landscapes. Habitat fragmentation made it difficult for badgers to form high-quality territories, and exposed individuals to higher risk while seeking to establish a territory. Our simulations also suggest that an inability to find mates (an Allee effect) becomes increasingly important for landscapes that support a sparse distribution of territories. Thus, the presence of unmated females with territories may foreshadow population decline in solitary species that do not normally tolerate marginal adults.
Globalizing Central Asia: geopolitics and the challenges of economic development

Globalizing Central Asia is an impressively wide-ranging treatment of contemporary geopolitical and economic affairs in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The book is...
Health consequences of pregnancy and childbirth as perceived by women and clinicians

Abstract Objective: To develop patient-centered outcome measures for clinical research by characterizing the effects of pregnancy and childbirth on functioning. Methods: Five focus groups of mothers (n = 33) and three focus groups of clinicians (midwives [n = 8], obstetricians [n = 4], and family practitioners [n = 7]) were convened. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. Major narrative themes were identified by using two independent readers and were confirmed by participants and additional clinicians. Results: Themes were grouped into four outcome domains: physical, psychologic, sexual, and social. Themes identified included lack of knowledge about postpartum health, emotional lability, sexual satisfaction, depression, parenting skills, body image, fatigue, and incontinence. Lack of knowledge about typical postpartum health was the dominant theme for mothers and clinicians. Mothers felt unprepared for the health consequences of pregnancy and delivery. Clinicians lamented that paucity of data made counseling and treating patients difficult. Decreased functioning months after delivery was reported. Differences between mother and clinician concerns surfaced, particularly in emphasis. Mothers wanted more information about their health; providers emphasized newborn care. Mothers reported inspiration to improve their economic circumstances; clinicians emphasized improving maternal health. Mothers wanted control during labor, whereas clinicians believed control was not always possible. Conclusion: Women often felt poorly prepared for the postpartum period in part because functional health consequences are not well understood. This study suggests maternal functional health may be decreased for months after delivery, even among uncomplicated patients. This study identified new maternal outcome measures, which are being incorporated into an outcomes questionnaire.
Interpolation for nonlinear BVP in circular membrane with known upper and lower solutions

A successive nonextrapolatory linear interpolation is described to solve a singular two-point boundary value problem arising in circular membrane theory. The problem is associated with a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation for which the upper and lower bounds of the solution is analytically established/known. The importance and the scope of these bounds in solving the problem is stressed. Also depicted graphically are the lower and upper solutions as well as the true and iterated solutions. In addition, discussed are the reasons why linear interpolation, and not nonlinear interpolation or bisection which are possible procedures, has been employed.
The association of state legal mandates for data submission of central line-associated bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units with process and outcome measures.

Objective To determine the association between state legal mandates for data submission of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) with process and outcome measures. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants. National sample of level II/III and III NICUs participating in National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance. Methods State mandates for data submission of CLABSIs in NICUs in place by 2011 were compiled and verified with state healthcare-associated infection coordinators. A web-based survey of infection control departments in October 2011 assessed CLABSI prevention practices, ie, compliance with checklist/bundle components (process measures) in ICUs including NICUs. Corresponding 2011 NHSN NICU CLABSI rates (outcome measures) were used to calculate standardized infection ratios (SIRs). Association between mandates and process and outcome measures was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 190 study NICUs, 107 (56.3%) were located in states with mandates, with mandates in place >3 years in 52 (49%). More NICUs in states with mandates reported ≥95% compliance to at least 1 CLABSI prevention practice (52.3%–66.4%) than NICUs in states without mandates (28.9%–48.2%). Mandates were predictors of ≥95% compliance with all practices (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–6.1). NICUs in states with mandates reported lower mean CLABSI rates in the ≤750-g birth weight group (2.4 vs 5.7 CLABSIs/1,000 central line–days) but not in others. Mandates were not associated with SIR <1. Conclusions State mandates for NICU CLABSI data submission were significantly associated with ≥95% compliance with CLABSI prevention practices, which declined with the duration of mandate but not with lower CLABSI rates. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(9):1133-1139
In Vitro Fluorescence Anisotropy Analysis of the Interaction of Full-length SRC1a with Estrogen Receptors α and β Supports an Active Displacement Model for Coregulator Utilization

Binding of full-length P160 coactivators to hormone response element-steroid receptor complexes has been difficult to investigate in vitro. Here, we report a new application of our recently described fluorescence anisotropy microplate assay to investigate binding and dissociation of full-length steroid receptor coactivator-1a (SRC1a) from full-length estrogen receptor α (ERα) or estrogen receptor β (ERβ) bound to a fluorescein-labeled (fl) estrogen response element (ERE). SRC1a exhibited slightly higher affinity binding to flERE·ERβ than to flERE·ERα. Binding of SRC1a to flERE·ERα and to flERE·ERβ was 17β-estradiol (E2)-dependent and was nearly absent when ICI 182,780, raloxifene, or 4-hydroxytamoxifen were bound to the ERs. SRC1a binds to flERE·E2-ERα and flERE·E2-ERβ complexes with a t½ of 15–20 s. Short LXXLL-containing nuclear receptor (NR) box peptides from P160 coactivators competed much better for SRC1a binding to flERE·E2-ER than an NR box peptide from TRAP220. However, ∼40–250-fold molar excess of the P160 NR box peptides was required to inhibit SRC1a binding by 50%. This suggests that whereas the NR box region is a primary site of interaction between SRC1a and ERE·E2-ER, additional contacts between the coactivator and the ligand-receptor-DNA complex make substantial contributions to overall affinity. Increasing amounts of NR box peptides greatly enhanced the rate of dissociation of SRC1a from preformed flERE·E2-ER complexes. The data support a model in which coactivator exchange is facilitated by active displacement and is not simply the result of passive dissociation and replacement. It also shows that an isolated coactivator exhibits an inherent capacity for rapid exchange.
Improved reflectivity and velocity model for aluminum gratings on YZ LiNbO 3

Lithium niobate has recently been used for SAW tags and temperature sensors because of its high coupling coefficient and high reflectivity. To increase the device operating frequency for a given electrode line resolution, harmonic operation of the reflector is a very attractive option. When used in conjunction with harmonically operated transducers, the device operating frequency can be increased for a given photolithographic line width resolution. To design and accurately predict the behavior of these devices, it is necessary to model the electrode reflectivity and velocity for both fundamental and second-harmonic operation. The coupling of modes (COM) model has been used to model these devices, however the COM model uses empirically determined coefficients to model reflectivity. In this paper, the reflectivity and velocity of aluminum electrodes is extracted experimentally for fundamental and second-harmonic operation versus metalization ratios ranging from 0.2 to 0.9 and versus normalized metal thickness ranging from 0.4% to 4%. A least-squares fit is then performed on the data using physical terms in the transmission line model to yield equations that can be used in the COM model to predict device behavior over varying metallization ratios and normalized metal thicknesses. Orthogonal frequency-coded (OFC) SAW tags were designed and fabricated and experimentally obtained data are compared with the COM modeled responses for the tags at fundamental and second-harmonic operation to verify the predictions.
Velvetweaving today: A worldwide overview

Velvet is a luxury cloth. In Fashion it dresses the Elite. In Interiors, it covers palace walls and upholsters elegant furniture. In every culture throughout its history velvet`s sumptuous surfaces denotes luxury, status, power, privilege and wealth. My humble aim is to reveal the artisan in the art-to comprehend the mastery of weaving techniques, to understand the design principles, to study the everyday practice of the weavers at work. In the few ateliers that still weave silk velvet by hand, I have documented their processes and now want to share this knowledge with the broader textile community in hopes of expanding the appreciation of their art. I approach as a fellow weaver striving to learn the mechanics, the practical aspects that guide the work from initial idea to finished cloth. I leave the difficulties of establishing provenance and other important analyses to my more learned textile historian colleagues.
A comparison of alcohol and drug use patterns of homosexual and heterosexual men: The San Francisco Men's Health Study

Very high prevalence rates for problem drinking and/or alcoholism have been estimated for homosexual male populations. Populations characterized by high prevalence rates for problematic drug or alcohol use are of special interest since study of such groups may help to provide insights regarding the processes associated with problematic substance use. However, prevalence estimates for problematic substance use within gay male populations have most typically relied on convenience samples and generally contain an over-representation of bar patrons. This study reports data from a large scale random household sample of homosexual and heterosexual men who live in an urban district of San Francisco, California. Few differences were noted in the drinking patterns of these men, although important differences were found in the prevalence of drug use over a 6-month period. Differences in the prevalence of at least weekly drug use were comparatively minor, however. Health policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Quinine and chloroquine differentially perturb heme monomer-dimer equilibrium.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of magnetic susceptibility have been utilized to study the equilibrium between two forms (high-spin monomer vs the antiferromagnetically coupled μ-oxo dimer) of ferriprotoporphyrin(IX) as a function of pH. The pH dependence of this equilibrium is significantly altered by the addition of either chloroquine or quinine. Chloroquine promotes the μ-oxo dimer whereas quinine promotes the monomer.
A human cadaveric circulation model

Although endovascular techniques have achieved widespread acceptance, a suitable model for device development and physician training has not been available. Plastic models of the arterial tree and live animal models have significant limitations. Arterial-to-arterial flow is established in fresh frozen human cadavers after a simple thrombolytic process to achieve a more realistic model for endovascular device testing and training. Circulation can be established through most of the arterial system, including the cerebral, aortoiliac, and extremity vessels. This model offers antegrade flow in human arterial anatomy and has been used successfully for physician training and device development.
Physio-associative temporal sensor integration

The paper describes the physio-associative temporal sensors integration algorithm which is motivated by the observed function of the thalamus and utilizes signals theory mathematics to model how a human efficiently perceives information in the environment. The algorithm is consistent with that of an aircraft pilot; namely, to estimate, filter, and predict sensed afferent signals and produce efferent controls under dynamic flight conditions. Dynamic sensor integration under uncertainty requires feature selection which can be formulated as an associative-learning problem in which sensed states are represented as current situational beliefs, and the information either excites or inhibits long-term memory associations. The objective of the learner/observer is to (1) abstract salient signals from the environment, (2) integrate the signal for real-time beliefs, and (3) compare beliefs to learned associations. Biologically, the paper models these processes from the biological systems of the eye, thalamus, and association-cortex; respectively. By selecting the optimal set of mutually non-exclusive sensors and comparing the integrated signal to learned associations, the physio-associative temporal algorithm maximizes the identification of targets in a simulated dynamic flight situation.
Importance of Proper Return Paths for the HDI Boards

As the electronic industry continues to push the envelope of extreme miniaturization, product development teams are being forced further into the realm of high density interconnect and micro via technology. Design techniques labeled exotic only a few years ago are now considered mainstream. In particular, build-up substrates usage has grown dramatically, and is now found in a large percentage of high end production electronic products. With this transition from the LDI to the HDI boards, there is a threat posed to the continuity of the return paths for the densely routed signals on the PCB which are routed by changing the different layers. This paper is a caveat to one such observation with simulated data to backup the experiment.
Prosper Mérimée's Federigo, or How to Cheat God and Beat Pascal

Prosper Merimee wrote “Federigo” in 1829 and republished it in his 1833 collection Mosaique. The story’s protagonist, thanks to a rigged deck of cards, is able to defeat Death, the devil, and to ultimately cheat and gamble his way into heaven. With very few exceptions, scholars have either dismissed the story as derivative or have ignored it entirely. In this article I theorize an explanation for some of the differences between Merimee’s story and its folk-tale antecedents, consider why Merimee selected this story to begin with, study the original details he added, and suggest why he added them. By combining faith, gambling, and a can’t-lose wager, “Federigo” calls to mind a fixture of the French philosophical tradition, namely Blaise Pascal’s Pensees. Ultimately I argue that in “Federigo” Merimee creates a narrative that can be read as an attempt to undermine Blaise Pascal and his famous celestial wager.
Hume on the Dignity of Pride

In including a well-regulated pride among the virtues that are both useful and agreeable to oneself, Hume challenges not only theological, but also secular accounts that view pride as a vice. I examine Hume's evolving views on pride in relation to the secular view that regards pride as vicious. I suggest Hume's account of pride in his later moral philosophy has a new emphasis on dignity, and reflects a distinctively modern outlook on the role of humanity in evaluating virtue and vice.
Critical Residues for Ligand Binding in an I Domain-like Structure of the Integrin β1 Subunit

Several integrin α subunits have an inserted sequence of about 200 residues (the I or A domain) that is critical for ligand interactions. The presence of an I domain-like structure within the integrin β subunit has been proposed based on the similarity of the hydropathy profiles and the homology of sequences between the α and β subunits. This study was designed to determine whether the region of the β1 subunit that includes residues 101-335 has the characteristics of an I domain. We found novel critical residues for ligand binding (Ser-132, Asn-224, Asp-226, Glu-229, Asp-233, Asp-267, and Asp-295, in addition to the previously reported Asp-130) using site-directed mutagenesis. The critical residues for ligand binding are located in several of loop structures of the region (or in a potential loop between an α helix and a β strand), which have been predicted using multiple secondary structure prediction methods. The data suggest that the β subunit has multiple disrupted critical oxygenated residues for ligand binding similar to those found in the α I domain.
Origin of the Asymmetrical Contact between lac Repressor and lac Operator DNA

Abstract The Escherichia coli lac operator DNA contains two sequence repeats related by a pseudo-dyad axis. Deviations from symmetry, in the central 21 bp sequence, occur at two pairs of symmetrically related sites (+15/+7, +13/+9) and at the central base-pair +11. Mutational analysis and DNA protection studies have suggested asymmetric interactions of lac repressor along this sequence. Previous biophysical studies on the lac repressor-operator system have typically employed symmetrized operator sequences to simplify analysis. As a result, it has remained difficult to assess the importance of the naturally occurring sequence deviations from symmetry. Here, 19 F-NMR is used to determine if the wild-type E. coli lac operator DNA sequence itself specifies a pair of distinct half-site interactions with lac repressor DNA binding domains. To observe protein interactions simultaneously at operator half-sites using 19 F-NMR, three pairs of naturally occurring, symmetry related thymine residues (at +6/+16, +8/+14 and +1/+21) were substituted pair wise by 5-fluoro-deoxyuridines (5-FdU). Two polypeptides corresponding to the N-terminal DNA binding domain of lac repressor "headpiece", residues 1 to 56 and 1 to 64, were employed to remove the steric constraints of subunit interaction in the wild-type tetramer. Spectral changes associated with headpiece binding to left side DNA sequences differ from those caused by binding to equivalent sequences on the right half-site. These results are similar to non-symmetric intact tetramer repressor interactions specified by the DNA sequence. Three mutant lac operator sequences with increased symmetry, bearing FdU substitutions were used to identify the relative importance of the three naturally asymmetric positions. Symmetrizing one pair of these sites alone or in addition to removing the central base-pair failed to produce identical NMR signal changes characteristic of symmetric headpiece—DNA complexes. However, symmetrizing both asymmetric pairs gave chemical shift changes expected from symmetric protein—DNA complexes. We propose that key interactions with the left side +9 (G · C) are altered at the symmetrically related right side +13 (A · T). The data show that the DNA sequence at +13 influences interactions three base-pairs away.
Dopamine receptor binding enhancement accompanies lesion-induced behavioral supersensitivity

The binding of [3H]haloperidol to rat striatal dopamine receptors increases after lesion (made by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine) of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway in those rats which are behaviorally supersensitive, as reflected by apomorphine-induced contralateral rotations. The enhanced binding is associated with an increased number of receptor sites with no change in their affinity.
LINE1 and Alu repetitive element DNA methylation in tumors and white blood cells from epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Objective We determined whether DNA methylation of repetitive elements (RE) is altered in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patient tumors and white blood cells (WBC), compared to normal tissue controls.
Revision of the Hoplolaiminae (Nematoda) Iii. Scutellonema Andrassy, 1958 1)

The generic diagnosis of Scutellonema is emended and four nominal species redescribed from type material. S. blaberum and S. dioscorea are synonymized with S. bradys. Seven new species are proposed. Scutellonema christiei is excluded from this genus.