cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian model updating with summarized statistical and reliability data

Abstract The accuracy of model-based reliability analysis is affected by the uncertainty regarding the model parameters used to predict the behavior of the engineering system. The uncertainty in the model parameters can be reduced by combining prior knowledge about the parameters with observed data regarding system inputs and outputs. In some cases, the information about the observations is only available as abstracted data, where the original raw data have been reduced to a summarized representation. Common forms of abstracted data include summary statistics, such as the mean and variance for continuous variables and observed frequencies for discrete variables. In the context of reliability analysis, a common form of available information is summarized reliability data for various mechanical components (e.g., failure rates or failure probabilities) instead of detailed actual test data. This paper presents a methodology for updating the model parameters using these abstracted data forms through a Bayesian network. First, the concept of a statistics function is developed and linked to the abstracted data forms. The concept of arc reversal is then exploited to transform the Bayesian network to a form that can be used to incorporate the statistics function and thereby enable the updating of the model parameters. Several numerical examples are used to demonstrate the applicability and generality of the proposed method for several different forms of abstracted data.
A Prospective Study of Patient-reported Pain After Bulbar Urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVE:To understand the prevalence of chronic perineal pain, activity limitations, and patient satisfaction after urethroplasty. METHODS:From 2014 to 2016, we prospectively enrolled men undergoing urethroplasty for bulbar urethral strictures. Patients, before and after surgery, completed questions from the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score assessing pain frequency in the bladder and penis or urethra, as well as nonvalidated questions assessing perineal pain. Overall satisfaction with their current urinary condition and pain-related activity limitations at home, work, or during exercise were also measured. Patients with <3 months of follow-up were excluded. Pre-and postoperative scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS:Thirty-five men were included in the study. Mean age and body mass index were 44.6 years and 30.9 kg/m2, respectively. Urethroplasties were anastomotic in 24 (69%) and were single-stage buccal graft substitution in 11 (31%). Median follow-up after surgery was 483 days (range: 90-810 days). A total of 10 patients (29%) reported worsening perineal pain intensity after surgery, whereas 8 (23%) reported improvement and 17 (48%) reported no change. Overall, pain frequency in the bladder, penis or urethra, and perineum improved. Home and exercise pain-related activity restrictions improved significantly after surgery. Satisfaction with current urinary condition also improved with 91% reporting feeling "delighted," "pleased," or "mostly satisfied" with their current condition. CONCLUSION:Patients are highly satisfied with their urinary condition after urethroplasty. Pain frequency in the bladder and the urethra significantly improves after urethroplasty; however, perineal pain intensity can worsen and become chronic after surgery in some patients.
The Limitations and Successes of Concurrent Dynamic Multiscale Modeling Methods at the Mesoscale

Dynamic concurrent multiscale modeling methods are reviewed and then analyzed based on their governing equations in terms of consistency in material descriptions between different scales, wave propagation across the numerical interfaces between the different descriptions, and advances in describing defects in the coarse-grained domain. The analysis finds that most methods suffer from the consequences of inconsistent materials descriptions between representations at different scales; a few methods such as Concurrent Atomistic Continuum (CAC), Coupled Atomistic Discrete Dislocation (CADD), and the coupled Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) are capable of simulating moving defects in the coarse-scale domain to improve practicality and prediction. Application of multiscale simulation to coupled thermal and mechanical problems is showing promise. Mesoscale evolution of defects, largely beyond the reach of conventional atomistic methods, is still beyond the reach of many concurrent multiscale methods.
Percutaneous Myoblast Transplantation: Steps In Translational Research

Early results of endoventricular cell transplantation demonstrate that this approach is feasible and safe in the models tested. The procedure is likely to have application in a majority of patients with previous myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure as the risks associated with a minimally invasive endoventricular injection are potentially lower than those linked with direct epicardial injection. The use of 3-D guidance appears to be key in accurately targeting areas that need to be treated, and catheters and cell preparations to be used in humans should be pretested for biocompatibility and safety. While catheter injection of cells is a relatively new innovation, the ability to access the heart without having to perform a median sternotomy will certainly encourage further evaluation of its potential for delivering many therapeutic biologic agents.
SPECIES OF THE FAMILY LEPTOPODIDAE (HETEROPTERA) IN SERBIA

Erianotus lanosus (Dufour, 1834) was collected for the first time in Serbia. Leptopus marmoratus (Goeze, 1778) is the other species from the Leptopodidae family that has been found in Serbia to date. In Europe, four species of the family Leptopodidae are distributed: Erianotus lanosus (Dufour), Leptopus hispanus Rambur and Leptopus marmoratus (Goeze) and Patapius spinosus (Rossi).
Abstract TMP51: Pre-existing Atherosclerotic Risk Factors Increase Short-Term Ischemic Stroke Risk After Traumatic Head or Neck Injury

Introduction: Trauma is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke in the young. We speculated that atherosclerotic disease, increasingly prevalent at younger ages, could predispose to dissecti...
The price effects of cross-market mergers: theory and evidence from the hospital industry

We consider the effect of mergers between firms whose products are not viewed as direct substitutes for the same good or service, but are bundled by a common intermediary. Focusing on hospital mergers across distinct geographic markets, we show that such combinations can reduce competition among merging hospitals for inclusion in insurers' networks, leading to higher prices (or lower‐quality care). Using data on hospital mergers from 1996–2012, we find support that this mechanism operates within state boundaries: cross‐market, within‐state hospital mergers yield price increases of 7%–9 % for acquiring hospitals, whereas out‐of‐state acquisitions do not yield significant increases.
Abstract 13: Targeting the PERK Pathway of ER Stress Response for Endothelium Protection and Restenosis Prevention: A Paradigm for Developing Anti-thrombogenic Stents

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the US. Reconstructions often fail due to the recurrent lumen narrowing, or restenosis. Stents eluting rapamy...
Transient uterine hypercontractility causes oxidative stress in the fetal brain, sex-dependent mitochondrial abnormalities, and altered social behavior of adolescent male rat offspring

The neurodevelopmental impact of transient ischemic-hypoxemic insults is poorly understood. Here, we simulated placental ischemia-hypoxemia via oxytocin-induced uterine hypercontractility to show a profound decrease in placental perfusion/oxygenation, oxidative stress in the fetal brain, sex-dependent differences in gene expression mediating oxidative stress, and persistent upregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation proteins in the anterior cingulate cortex along with social behavioral impairment especially in male offspring.
Emeriti Faculty as Mentors: The Benefits and Rewards of Mentoring the Next Generation.

ABSTRACTThis holistic single-case study reports on the benefits mentors derived from participating in the Increasing Minority Presence within Academia through Continuous Training (IMPACT) mentoring...
Two different geometric orientations for aortic neoroot creation in bicuspid aortic valve repair with root reimplantation.

Abstract Objective Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) represents two cusps oriented along a spectrum of equal (180°/180°) or unequal (150°/210°) leaflet surface area distribution along the aortic annular plane. We have taken the approach of respecting the native geometric orientation of the repaired BAV leaflets when creating the aortic neoroot during valve sparing root reimplantation (VSRR) procedure. We investigated midterm outcomes with this two-prong approach for VSRR in BAV syndrome. Methods Of 72 patients in a prospectively maintained BAV repair database, 68 met inclusion criteria: 36 patients had 180°/180° neoroot geometry and 32 patients had 150°/210° orientation. A multivariate ordinal logistic mixed effects model was performed to study parameters associated with recurrent AI>2+. Results Preoperative parameters were similar between 180°/180° versus 150°/210° groups, except for greater incidence of AI 4+ in the latter [50.0% (n=16) vs. 8.3% (n=3); p > 3+ (odds ratio 0.4; p=0.46), or the geometric orientation of the aortic neoroot (odds ratio 3.8; p=0.25) were not significantly associated with recurrence of AI>2+. Conclusions Respecting the BAV geometry for VSRR neoroot creation yields excellent midterm outcomes, and this approach may minimize conjoint cusp leaflet stress that may occur in “forcing” a 150°/210° oriented type I BAV into a 180°/180° neoroot.
Bayesian Model Selection in Fisheries Management and Ecology

Abstract Researchers often test ecological hypotheses relating to a myriad of questions ranging from assemblage structure, population dynamics, demography, abundance, growth rate, and more using ma...
Outreach and Connection to Care for Chronic Kidney Disease in a Workplace Wellness Setting: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) is underdiagnosed, many patients do not receive care that could slow or prevent progression. Potential CKD patients can be identified during employee wellness e...
Labor Market Consequences for Non-Implicated CFOs in Fraud Firms: Investigating Relative Blame and Nuanced Contagion Effects

We explore labor market consequences for CFOs employed by fraud firms, focusing on contagion effects of blame for CFOs who are not implicated, i.e., not publicly blamed by the SEC for committing the fraud. Studying these individuals is important because they are associated with the fraud, so it is legitimate to question the quality of their governance oversight, and there may exist a lingering suspicion of potential involvement. Further, the labor market serves as a complementary oversight mechanism to ensure the integrity of the capital markets, so understanding how that market operates is important. We compare these non-implicated CFOs to two control samples: CFOs who are implicated and CFOs at non-fraud firms. Using hand-collected social media data, we track consequences for these groups from the fraud event through 2015. We find evidence consistent with the organizational disequilibrium hypothesis, whereby the vast majority of implicated CFOs exit their respective firms following the fraud, but about two-thirds of non-implicated CFOs still experience turnover. Only half of the non-implicated CFOs obtain employment in positions of comparable status in their subsequent three roles. To investigate the nuances of this contagion, we compare the employment status of non-implicated CFOs to that of non-fraud firm CFOs. We find that only about half of the CFOs from both groups achieve comparable employment status in the long run. Taken together, our results reveal close scrutiny of all CFOs who display labor market movements across firms regardless of the underlying reason for their turnover.
Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Immunotherapy Rechallenge in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Importance Several immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for use in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), but the efficacy and safety of ICI rechallenge in mRCC is unknown. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ICI rechallenge in patients with mRCC. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with mRCC from 9 institutions in the US who received at least 2 separate lines of ICI (ICI-1, ICI-2) between January 2012 and December 2019. Exposure Receipt of an ICI (anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, anti–programmed cell death protein 1, or anti–programmed cell death ligand 1), alone or in combination with other therapies, in at least 2 separate lines of therapy for mRCC. Main Outcomes and Measures Investigator-assessed best overall response and immune-related adverse events. Results A total of 69 patients were included. Median (range) age at diagnosis of mRCC was 61 (36-86) years. Of these, 50 were men and 19 were women. The most common therapies received at ICI-1 were single-agent ICI (n = 27 [39%]) or ICI in combination with targeted therapy (n = 29 [42%]), while at ICI-2, the most common therapies were single-agent ICI (n = 26 [38%]) or dual ICI (n = 22 [32%]). Most patients discontinued ICI-1 owing to disease progression (n = 50 [72%]) or toxic effects (n = 16 [23%]). The overall response rates at ICI-1 and ICI-2 were 37% and 23%, respectively. The likelihood of a response at ICI-2 was greatest among patients who had previously responded to ICI-1 (7 of 24 [29%]), although responses at ICI-2 were seen in those who had progressive disease as their best response following ICI-1 (3 of 14 [21%]) as well as in those who received single-agent ICI at ICI-2 (7 of 23 [30%]). Grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events were seen in 18 patients (26%) and 11 patients (16%) at ICI-1 and ICI-2, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this multicenter cohort study suggest that ICI rechallenge in patients with mRCC may be safe and reasonably efficacious, with an overall response rate of 23%. Data from prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and determine the role of sequential ICI regimens in treatment of mRCC.
Estimating the accuracy of word-initial consonant clusters in child speech data

Children have difficulty in producing consonant clusters in adult-like manner. A widely used measure for the proximity of consonant clusters is the proportion of accurately produced clusters to int...
Post-transplant survey to assess patient experiences with donor-derived HCV infection.

Background Despite increased utilization of hepatitis C virus-infected (HCV+) organs for transplantation into HCV-uninfected recipients, there is lack of standardization in HCV-related patient education/consent and limited data on financial and social impact on patients. Methods We conducted a survey on patients with donor-derived HCV infection at our center transplanted between 4/1/2017 and 11/1/2019 to assess: why patients chose to accept HCV+ organ(s), the adequacy of their pre-transplant HCV education and informed consent process, financial issues related to copays after discharge, and social challenges they faced. Results Among 49 patients surveyed, transplanted organs included heart (n = 19), lung (n = 9), kidney (n = 11), liver (n = 4), heart/kidney (n = 4), and liver/kidney (n = 2). Many recipients accepted an HCV-viremic (HCV-V) organ due to perceived reduction in waitlist time (n = 33) and/or trust in their physician's recommendation (n = 29). Almost all (n = 47) felt that pre-transplant education and consent was appropriate. Thirty patients had no copay for direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV, including 21 with household income $1000. Two patients reported feeling isolated due to HCV infection and eight reported higher than anticipated medication costs. Patients' biggest concern was potential HCV transmission to partners (n = 18) and family/friends (n = 15). Overall almost all (n = 47) patients reported a positive experience with HCV-V organ transplantation. Conclusion We demonstrate that real-world patient experiences surrounding HCV-V organ transplantation have been favorable. Almost all patients report comprehensive HCV-related pre-transplant consent and education. Additionally, medication costs and social isolation/exclusion were not barriers to the use of these organs.
Chronic prescription opioid use in pregnancy in the United States.

Purpose To evaluate chronic opioid utilization patterns during pregnancy using nationwide data from publicly and commercially insured women. Methods Pregnancy cohorts were identified using data from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract 2008-2014 and the IBM Health MarketScan Research Database 2008-2015. Opioid dispensing was evaluated using claims from filled prescriptions. Two different definitions of chronic opioid use were employed: ≥90 days' supply and ≥ 180 days' supply of prescription opioids during pregnancy. Patient characteristics were assessed and variations in the prevalence of chronic opioid therapy were described by geographic region and over time. Results 1.50% of 975 169 Medicaid-insured and 0.32% of 1 037 599 commercially insured beneficiaries filled opioid prescriptions for ≥90 days' supply; 0.78% (Medicaid) and 0.17% (commercially insured) filled prescriptions for ≥180 days' supply. Prevalence approximately doubled in Medicaid beneficiaries during the study period, while it remained relatively stable for commercial insurance beneficiaries. The most commonly prescribed opioid for chronic therapy was hydrocodone, followed by oxycodone and tramadol. Indications commonly associated with chronic use were back/neck pain, abdominal/pelvic pain, musculoskeletal pain and migraine/headache. Substantial regional variation was observed, with several states reporting a frequency of ≥90 days' supply in excess of 3% in Medicaid-insured patients. Conclusions Despite growing awareness of the risks associated with chronic opioid use and emphasis on improving opioid prescription patterns, prevalence of chronic use in pregnancy among publicly insured women nearly doubled from 2008-2014 and was 5-fold more common when compared to commercially insured women. Findings call for the development of guidelines on chronic pain management during pregnancy.
The Changing Consequences of Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Using nationally representative data files from 1970s and 1990s college attendees, we find that in the 1970s matriculation at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) was associated with higher wages and an increased probability of graduation, relative to attending a traditionally white institution. By the 1990s, there is a wage penalty resulting in a 20 percent decline in the relative wages of HBCU graduates between the two decades. There is modest support for the possibility that the relative decline in wages associated with HBCU matriculation is partially due to improvements in TWIs' effectiveness at educating blacks.
Safe and rapid radial hemostasis achieved using a novel topical hemostatic patch: Results of a first-in-human pilot study using hydrophobically modified polysaccharide-chitosan.

Background The transradial approach (TRA) for catheter interventions decreases vascular complications and bleeding versus transfemoral approach. Reducing time to hemostasis and preventing radial artery occlusion (RAO) following TRA are important and incompletely realized aspirations. Objectives This first-in-human study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel, topically applied compound (hydrophobically modified polysaccharide-chitosan, hm-P) plus minimal required pneumatic compression, to achieve rapid radial arterial hemostasis in post-TRA procedures compared with de facto standards. Materials and methods About 50 adult patients undergoing 6 French diagnostic TRA procedures were prospectively enrolled. At procedure completion, a topical hm-P impregnated patch was placed over the dermotomy and TR Band (TRB) compression was applied to the access site. This patch was used as part of a novel rapid deflation protocol with a primary outcome of time to hemostasis. Photographic and vascular ultrasound evaluation of the radial artery was performed to evaluate the procedural site. Results Time to hemostasis was 40.5 min (IQR: 38-50 min) with the majority of patients (n = 39, 78%) not requiring reinflation. Patients with bleeding requiring TRB reinflation were more likely to have low body weight and liver dysfunction, with absence of hypertension and LV dysfunction. The rate of RAO was 0% with predischarge radial artery patency documented in all patients using vascular ultrasound. One superficial hematoma was noted. No late bleeding events or cutaneous reactions were reported in the study follow-up. Conclusions Topical application of hm-P in conjunction with pneumatic compression was safe and resulted in rapid and predictable hemostasis at the arterial puncture site.
Integrated Design of Low Complexity RSS Based Visible Light Indoor Positioning and Power-Line Communication System for Smart Hospitals

Future healthcare systems require smart hospitals with system-wide wireless communications and positioning functions, which cannot be facilitated by existing radio-frequency (RF) technologies. We present an integrated design of a novel low-complexity received signal strength (RSS) based hybrid visible light communication (VLC) and positioning (VLP) system. This tracking system consists of host optical transceivers embedded in existing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and user-end optical tags, which interface with the existing power wiring in a building. This hybrid VLC/PLC tracking system was validated by simulation and experiment. This VLC tracking system will enable smart hospital operations to modernize next-generation intelligent healthcare systems.
A Brucella effector modulates the Arf6-Rab8a GTPase cascade to promote intravacuolar replication

Remodeling of host cellular membrane transport pathways is a common pathogenic trait of many intracellular microbes that is essential to their intravacuolar life cycle and proliferation. The bacterium Brucella abortus generates a host endoplasmic reticulum-derived vacuole (rBCV) that supports its intracellular growth, via VirB Type IV secretion system-mediated delivery of effector proteins, whose functions and mode of action are mostly unknown. Here, we show that the effector BspF specifically promotes Brucella replication within rBCVs by interfering with vesicular transport between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling endocytic compartment. BspF targeted the recycling endosome, inhibited retrograde traffic to the TGN, and interacted with the Arf6 GTPase-activating Protein (GAP) ACAP1 to dysregulate Arf6-/Rab8a-dependent transport within the recycling endosome, which resulted in accretion of TGN-associated vesicles by rBCVs and enhanced bacterial growth. Altogether, these findings provide mechanistic insight into bacterial modulation of membrane transport used to promote their own proliferation within intracellular vacuoles.
The Origins of the Global Currency Power of the US Dollar

This chapter focuses on the historical foundation of the global currency power of the dollar that was first recognized in the Bretton Woods Agreement which established the International Monetary Fund in 1944. The operations and functions of the IMF are briefly discussed, as well as a number of efforts made by the advanced countries during the 1960s to maintain the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates pegged to the dollar in the face of threats arising from instabilities in the US economy. The transition to the current post-Bretton Woods era during the mid-1970s is then discussed, in which the dollar has continued to function as the de facto central reserve currency up until the present day.
Recreational Therapists Consider Leisure Motivation when Evaluating Virtual Reality Games

Virtual reality (VR) interventions can be motivating for clients when presented as treatment in healthcare settings. Researchers know little, however, about the elements of specific VR games that contribute to this motivation. This study aimed to describe differences among a sample of commercially available VR games using the four subscales of the Leisure Motivation Scale (LMS). The research team used a mixed-methods design, and compiled an expert panel of recreational therapists (N = 5) who evaluated eight VR games using Q-sort methodology. Semi-structured interviews generated additional data for the evaluation. Results indicated participants viewed certain VR games as containing elements more closely aligned with each of the LMS subscales of intellectual, social, competence-mastery, and stimulus avoidance than others. These findings represent a critical step in developing guidelines for the purposeful selection of VR games as treatment interventions in recreational therapy practice based on a client’s leisure motivation. Subscribe to TRJ
Multi-model selection of integrated mechanistic-empirical models describing T-cell response

This paper explores the use of information and computational learning theory for the multi-model comparison of hybrid modeling frameworks describing cellular response to environmental cues. The hybrid framework consists of a mechanistic sub-model (describing early intracellular signaling mechanisms) that is used to inform a downstream empirical sub-model. Since the exclusive consideration of a mechanistic model describing intracellular signaling dynamics is often insufficient to predict downstream cell behaviors, an empirical model is incorporated in the framework to fill the gap. We propose a methodology for the selection of a particular integrated multi-scale mechanistic-empirical model based on the tradeoff between linear correlation and agreement with beliefs about the underlying true process. First, experimental input conditions are used in a mechanistic sub-model to stochastically generate an intermediate signaling dataset; effectively augmenting the input data space. Then the most appropriate mechanistic sub-model is selected from various candidates based on its ability to explain the output response data under the appropriate precision. We develop a methodology using the Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient as a metric for comparison. In addition, the distribution of the correlation coefficient is compared against the distribution asserted using beliefs about the underlying process. We apply the approach to a T-Cell immune response problem.
Modeling intention to participate in face-to-face and online lung cancer support groups.

Background Lung cancer patients and survivors are significantly less likely to use support groups than those with other cancers. In this study, we evaluated the utility and specificity of the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations for modeling intention to participate in face-to-face (F2F) and online lung cancer support groups. Methods Adults diagnosed with lung cancer (n = 230) completed measures assessing predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with intention to use support services. Results Intention to join a F2F support group (found among 36.4% of survivors) was associated with positive attitude about F2F support groups, fewer perceived time constraints, less travel time from the clinic, and not having enough social support. Intention to join an online support group (34% of survivors) was associated with having more positive attitudes about online support, greater use of avoidance coping strategies, more comfort using computers, and fewer perceived time constraints. Demographics, medical history, health status, and psychological status were not associated with intention to join either type of group. Conclusions Reducing barriers to participation and addressing attitudes about support services may be the most effective ways to increase utilization of lung cancer support services. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid fuzzy ellipsoidal learning

Desribes a hybrid system which combines supervised and unsupervised learning to find and tune the fuzzy-rule ellipsoids. Supervised learning tunes the ellipsoids to improve the approximation. Unsupervised competitive learning finds the statistics of data clusters. The covariance matrix of each synaptic quantization vector defines an ellipsoid centered at the quantizing vector or centroid of the data cluster. Tightly clustered data gives smaller ellipsoids or more certain rules. Sparse data gives larger ellipsoids or less certain rules. The supervised neural system learns with gradient descent to find the ellipsoidal fuzzy patches. It locally minimizes the mean-squared error of the fuzzy approximation. The hybrid system gives a more accurate approximation than either the supervised or unsupervised system.
STUDIES OF ENERGY METABOLISM IN HUMAN SUBJECTS USING CARBON 14-LABELED COMPOUNDS. I. EFFECT OF SEX, STATE OF NUTRITION AND BODY WEIGHT.

Abstract Employing isotope equipment which produces a continuous record of C 14 O 2 specific activity in expired air, the patterns of oxidation of a variety of intravenously administered C 14 -labeled compounds were studied in obese, malnourished and normal weight subjects of both sexes. C 14 O 2 specific activity curves derived from palmitate-1, acetate-1 and glucose-6-C 14 oxidation were similar in male and female control subjects; the rate and magnitude of glucose-1-C 14 oxidation, however, was considerably augmented in women with active ovarian function, when compared to the male or postmenopausal female patterns. Oxidation of all substrates to C 14 O 2 was markedly increased in malnourished patients while a significant suppression of glucose-6 and acetate-1-C 14 oxidation was noted in the majority of obese individuals. Attempts to correlate the respiratory data with various metabolic parameters were largely unsuccessful, except for a significant correlation between surface area and the magnitude of C 14 -acetate oxidation. The potential advantages and pitfalls of this method of studying intermediary energy metabolism in human subjects is discussed.
International Folkloristics: Classic Contributions by the Founders of Folklore

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 1999 Pages: v + 257 Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers ISBN: 0847695158 Prices: $26.95
How Does It Feel to Be a Star

Over the past three decades, research on the social dimensions of emotions has grown exponentially, particularly in the area of “emotion management.” In this project, we will attempt to add to this body of research by studying the social aspects of labeling or “instantiating” feelings. The data for the project come from televised red-carpet interviews conducted with celebrities immediately prior to awards ceremonies. By focusing on the generic aspects of the emotional claims-making put forth by interviewers and interviewees, we demonstrate how the labeling of emotions is an interpretive, interactive task.
Effect of calcium deficiency on survival time of young chickens acutely exposed to high temperature.

A study concerning the effect of calcium and phosphorus nutrition on the tolerance of young chickens acutely exposed to high tem perature was conducted. Fasted (24 hours) chicks previously fed a low- phosphorus (LP), adequate-calcium (AC) diet exhibited reduced survival time (ST) to heat exposure when compared to chicks fed an adequate- phosphorus ( AP ) and AC diet. Survival time increased markedly as a result of feeding low dietary calcium. In chicks fed low-calcium diets, the level of dietary phosphorus did not influence heat tolerance. An additional ex periment showed that ST of fasted chicks was inversely proportional to the level of dietary calcium fed. With respect to nonfasted chicks, diet had no effect on ST to heat exposure despite differences in plasma phosphate ( Pi ) and calcium ( Ca ). Plasma phosphate and Ca of fasted chicks were, on the other hand, not indicative of previous diet. The concentration of Ca and Pi of chicks prior to fasting was highly correlated ( P < 0.001 ) with sub sequent heat tolerance. We suggested that the effects of diet on ST of fasted chicks may be related to nutritional alterations in Ca and Pi prior to fasting. Heat-induced changes in Ca and Pi were not related consistently to the occurrence of heat exhaustion. This suggested that changes in Ca and Pi may not be associated with heat tolerance. We concluded that previous calcium and phosphorus nutrition were dependent factors which influence markedly the survival of fasted chickens acutely exposed to high temperature. J. Nutr. 110: 837-850, 1980.
Leading Indicators of the June War: A Micro Analysis of the Conflict Cycle

Predictions of all sorts preceded the June War of 1967, some by the governments themselves, others by newspapermen and academics, many containing a substantial burden of error, others possessing an impressive degree of accuracy and insight. Analysts making these judgments read daily news accounts, noted official government statements, assessed rumors and intelligence leaks, observed levels of military activity, and then tried to estimate whether, when, and with what consequences war might occur.
The Problem of the Noble and the Practicality of Platonic Political Philosophy

A crucial dimension of Platonic political philosophy is the investigation of eros for to kalon, the desire for beauty or nobility that is at the core of heroic and political virtue. Socrates' "turn" to the investigation of "the human things" is due in part to his discovery that his ostensibly apolitical eros for the beauty of the ideas is based on problematic opinions about noble virtue, justice, and the gods. His inquiry into these matters is practical for Socrates as it teaches him how to live and is useful for politics insofar as it helps us scrutinize political opinions and gives us a model of deliberation that is helpful for politics.
Changes in Heart Rate Variability Are Correlated to Hemodynamic Improvement With Chronic CARVEDILOL Therapy in Heart Failure

Abstract Background Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to predict mortality in heart failure (CHF). The relationship between improved cardiac function and improvement in HRV has not been previously studied. Methods and Results This was substudy of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial of carvedilol of four months duration. Analysis of HRV was performed on 24-hour Holter monitors obtained at baseline and completion of study. All subjects had symptomatic CHF and an left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Conclusion Carvedilol therapy in patients with CHF significantly increased HRV. Change in HRV correlates to improved hemodynamics. This suggests that carvedilol therapy partially normalizes autonomic modulation of heart rate in patients with CHF.
Oral contraceptives and cardiovascular disease

A variety of types of cardiovascular disease have been reported to be associated with the use of oral contraception (OC). The relationship between OC use and the cardiovascular complications of venous thromboembolism hypertension cerebrovascular accidents and myocardial infarction are examined. The actual incidence of each of the cardiovascular complications of OC is small yet in their aggregate they assume major importance. The excess mortality attributable to OCs as determined by the Royal College of General Practitioners was 20/100000 users/year. Analysis of the epidemiological studies of OCs and pathophysiology of the various cardiovascular complications indicates that it can be determined which women are at risk of each of these complications. The majority of the excess deaths due to OCs are due to cerebrovascular accidents and myocardial infarction. Most of these excess deaths occur in women over age 35 years or who smoke or are hypertensive. It is probable that these deaths could be prevented if these women did not use OCs. The increased risk of morbidity due to venous thromboembolism hypertension and thrombotic stroke could be decreased by noting the specific risk factors for each of these complications. The risk of venous thromboembolism could be decreased if OCs were not used by women who are predisposed to venous thrombosis because of heart disease or other chronic disease leading to immobility obesity or who have a history of venous thromboembolism. The incidence of thrombotic stroke could be decreased if women with hypertension or a history of migraine did not use OCs. The incidence of myocardial infarction could be decreased if OCs were not given to women who are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease: women over age 35 smokers women with hypertension diabetes or hypercholesterolemia or a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
``Migration energy'' for impurity diffusion in crystalline solids: A closer look

Point defect mediated diffusion of impurities in crystalline materials involves a sequence of several processes, which are repeated in varying combinations a multiple number of times. The concept of “activation energy” has been borrowed from simple chemical reactions, where the reactants are postulated to form an activated complex before decomposing into products. While ideas such as the smallest rate (or the rates of a select few “important” processes) being the rate determining step and hence the overall activation energy may be applicable in the case of chemical reactions that are sequential, such ideas are shown to be too simplistic to be applicable to describe diffusion in the crystalline phase. In this paper, we present a systematic scheme to arrive at the macroscopic activation energy in terms of the energy barriers for the constituent microscopic processes. We apply this scheme to the case of vacancy mediated diffusion of impurities in a diamond lattice. We present results of numerical verification of the scheme performed by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations based on the energy barriers obtained using the density functional theory within the local density approximation. We then present observations on the dependence of the macroscopic “migration energy” on the energy barriers for the constituent microscopic processes. As an illustration of how the energy barriers for the microscopic processes can be affected, we present first principles calculation of the effect of biaxial strain on these energy barriers.
Non-invasive detection of candidate pregnancy protein biomarkers in the feces of captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

Abstract Currently, there is no method of accurately and non-invasively diagnosing pregnancy in polar bears. Specific proteins may exhibit altered profiles in the feces of pregnant bears, but predicting appropriate candidate proteins to investigate is speculative at best. The objective of this study was to identify potential pregnancy biomarker proteins based on their increased abundance in the feces of pregnant polar bears compared to pseudopregnant females (controls) using two-dimensional in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and mass spectrometry (MS). Three 2D-DIGE gels were performed to evaluate fecal protein profiles from controls (n = 3) and pregnant polar bears (n = 3). There were 2224.67 ± 52.39 (mean ± SEM) spots resolved per gel. Of these, only five proteins were elevated in the pregnant group (P 99.9% confidence interval. The 11 spots represented seven distinct proteins, five of which were significantly more abundant in the pregnant group: IgGFc-binding protein, filamin-C, carboxypeptidase B, transthyretin, and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region. To our knowledge, this was the first study that employed 2D-DIGE to identify differentially expressed proteins in fecal samples to characterize a physiological condition other than those related to gastrointestinal disorders. These promising results provided a strong foundation for ensuing efforts to develop a non-invasive pregnancy assay for use in both captive and wild polar bears.
Ca2+ channel inhibition induced by nitric oxide in rat insulinoma RINm5F cells

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) donors on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in insulin-secreting RINm5F cells was investigated using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 2–400 µM) induced a dose-dependent reduction in Ba2+ currents with maximal inhibition of 58%. The IC50 for SNP was 45 µM. A different NO donor, (±)S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 500 µM), also produced a 50% decrease in current amplitude. When 200 µM SNP was administered together with the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidozoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, 300 µM), the Ba2+ current inhibition was lowered to 7%. Administration of 500 µM 8-bromoguanosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt (8-Br-cGMP) mimicked the effects of SNP, causing a comparable decrease (56%) in peak-current amplitude. When soluble guanylyl cyclase was blocked by 10 µM 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), the inhibitory effect of 200 µM SNP was reduced from 39% to 15%. The SNP-induced current decrease was 36% of controls after the blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels and 30% in the presence of 2.5 µM ω-conotoxin-MVIIC. These data indicate that NO inhibits both L-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels in RINm5F cells, probably by an increase in the intracellular levels of cGMP. NO may then significantly influence the Ca2+-dependent release of hormones from secretory cells as well as that of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals.
Theoretical social mobility models and congruence with comparative findings: An analysis of Raymond Boudon's works

This paper has taken the position that the work of Boudon, which attempts to explain the important relationships of societal and educational inequality, has laid important foundations for additional work in the area of social mobility, educational outcomes and stratification theory. By the way of example, certain parts of Boudon's basic model were re-analyzed to test whether his conclusions would be substantiated. This re-analysis included the computation of specific mobility rates and measures of association (Gammas) between the variables under conditions in which only one of the independent variables was allowed to vary. The results substantiated Boudon's major conclusions. In addition, rates of upward, downward and stable mobility were computed under varying conditions. The evidence here was generally supportive of the mobility patterns described in several well-known studies. Boudon's model can also serve as a useful pedogogical tool in that it integrates some of the major problems, issues, and findings in the area of social mobility.
Electrical Properties of Near-Degenerate Boron-Doped Silicon

Measurements of extrinsic resistivity and Hall effect have been carried out for a group of single crystals of silicon containing a wide range of boron concentration, with particular stress on samples in the near-degenerate range, ${10}^{18}$ to ${10}^{19}$ boron atoms per ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. The anomalous Hall mobility effect previously observed by Morin and Maita in silicon was studied in finer detail over the temperature range 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. For degenerate samples the 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K Hall mobility is approximately 46 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt sec.
Observation of Synapse Rotation of Engineered Recombinase HIN-H107Y

Site-specific recombination promotes integration, excision or inversion of DNA strands during gene transcription and chromosome replication. The recombination process generally involves the formation of synaptic complexes, DNA cleavage and rejoining, though the specific mechanism of each enzyme varies. The Hin recombinase is a member of the serine recombinase family which has an active serine residue that can catalyze the DNA cleavage and re-ligating. Hin functions to invert a 900 bp DNA segment between two hin-binding (hix) sites within the Salmonella chromosome that contains a promoter for downstream flagellar genes. The inversion requires the auxiliary protein Fis and two Fis-binding sites on the targeted DNA segment, which assemble together with hix sites and Hin to form an invertasome structure. The assembly is stimulated by the protein HU. A class of engineered Hin mutants Hin-H107Y (H107Y) is able to assemble oligonucleotide substrates containing hix sites into stable synaptic complexes that catalyze recombination without Fis and HU. Structural data suggest that Hin share with gamma-delta resolvase a similar helix-turn-helix domain at the 40-50 amino acid residues. We hypothesized that H107Y could act like resolvase to form four subunits synapse, cleave both strands of DNA within the center of hix site, rotate and rejoin. We therefore used single DNA assays to analyze the dynamics associated with H107Y catalyzed strand exchange.Enzyme-DNA binding and synapse formation was observed with a single DNA containing two hix sites. We further obtained data for subunits rotation and re-ligation from a braiding assay which consisted of double DNAs each having a single hix site, indicating that the rotation strand exchange mechanism observed recently for Bxb1 Int is also possessed by Hin.
Design of ILEDR for brackish groundwater: A literature review approach

A literature review was done in details in desalination by using electrodialysis reversal (EDR). All available data — source of water entered into pretreatment and/or directly into EDR, physicochemical characteristics of water, targeted pollutants, methods and the reasons for the pretreatments, specifications used of EDRs, developments/improvements in EDR, fouling causing compounds and methods to control fouling, membrane types, membrane assembly, spacer, and concentrate management, method, and recovering of ions were searched and summarized in Tables 1–3. From the tables, the concentrations profiles of the targeted pollutants were observed in different sub-processes (i.e., pretreatment, ERD dilute and concentrate streams). The percentage removals of individual ion from different literatures were compared. The concentrations of fouling causing compounds (for examples, CaSO4 and MgSO4) in concentrated streams were eliminated by individual separation process with the specific different types of permselectiv...
Derivatization of unprotected polynucleotides

A simple and efficient method for attaching amines to the terminal 5'-phosphate of unprotected oligonucleotides or nucleic acids in aqueous solution is described. The method is applicable to low molecular-weight amines, polypeptides, or proteins. The terminal 5'-phosphate of an oligonucleotide or nucleic acid reacts with a water-soluble carbodiimide in imidazole buffer at pH 6 to give good yields of the 5'-phosphorimidazolide. Exposure of the phosphorimidazolide to amine-containing molecules in aqueous solution results in the production of a wide range of stable phosphoramidates in high yield. The exposure of polynucleotides to carbodiimide does not result in significant breakage of phosphodiester bonds or damage to nucleoside bases. The biological activity of a drug resistant plasmid is not affected. The direct condensation of polynucleotides with amines in 1-methylimidazole buffer is also possible. However, it is not a satisfactory preparative method if the ligand is sensitive to carbodiimide.