cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the efficiency of demand-responsive paratransit services

State agencies responsible for ADA-eligible paratransit services are increasingly under pressure to contain costs and maximize service quality. Many do not operate vehicles themselves; instead, they contract out the provision of services. Contractors are paid for each hour of service. They are responsible for hiring crew, forming routes, dispatching, and operating and maintaining agency-owned vehicles. In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Metro Mobility, the agency responsible for providing paratransit services, requires contractors to use agency-approved software for booking trips dynamically and sets parameters that guide contractors' practices. Customer trips booked in this fashion may not utilize capacity in the most efficient manner. Therefore, beginning with the daily trip schedules generated by the software, this paper proposes two approaches for improving the efficiency of paratransit operations and estimates the benefit of using these approaches via experiments that utilize Metro Mobility data. The first approach re-optimizes routes developed at the end of each day. The second approach evaluates the benefit to state agencies of selectively using non-dedicated service providers such as taxis. Both approaches are tested on actual data obtained from Metro Mobility. The study shows that a conservative estimate of savings from re-optimization would be approximately 5% of Metro Mobility's operating costs. Savings from the use of taxis are smaller and in the range of hundreds of dollars per day.
Preparation and Properties of RMgN< Compounds Having Coordinating Oxygen Atoms in the Amino Component

Compounds of composition RMgN(CH 2 CH 2 OMe) 2 and RMg(N15C5) were prepared (HN15C5 = 1,4,7,-10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane). Crystal structures of the compounds in which R is ethyl showed the solids to have dimeric structures with four-membered rings formed by two nitrogen and two magnesium atoms, and molecular weight measurements found RMgN(CH 2 CH 2 OMe) 2 (R = ethyl or neopentyl) to be dimeric in benzene solutions. A crystal structure was determined of a compound of composition (Et 2 -Mg) 2 EtOMg(N15C5) that was obtained as a minor and accidental component.
Tubular control of renin synthesis and secretion

The intratubular composition of fluid at the tubulovascular contact site of the juxtaglomerular apparatus serves as regulatory input for secretion and synthesis of renin. Experimental evidence, mostly from in vitro perfused preparations, indicates an inverse relation between luminal NaCl concentration and renin secretion. The cellular transduction mechanism is initiated by concentration-dependent NaCl uptake through the Na–K–2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) with activation of NKCC2 causing inhibition and deactivation of NKCC2 causing stimulation of renin release. Changes in NKCC2 activity are coupled to alterations in the generation of paracrine factors that interact with granular cells. Among these factors, generation of PGE2 in a COX-2-dependent fashion appears to play a dominant role in the stimulatory arm of tubular control of renin release. [NaCl] is a determinant of local PG release over an appropriate concentration range, and blockade of COX-2 activity interferes with the NaCl dependency of renin secretion. The complex array of local paracrine controls also includes nNOS-mediated synthesis of nitric oxide, with NO playing the role of a modifier of the intracellular signaling pathway. A role of adenosine may be particularly important when [NaCl] is increased, and at least some of the available evidence is consistent with an important suppressive effect of adenosine at higher salt concentrations.
The Use of Small Personal Ultrasound Devices by Internists Without Formal Training in Echocardiography

Aims: Hand-held ultrasound devices will probably be used for bedside cardiac diagnoses by internists without formal training in echocardiography. We compared the accuracy of hand-held ultrasound devices studies performed by expert echocardiographers vs internal medicine residents with brief training in echocardiography. Methods and Results: Three internal medicine residents participated in an organized training program in echocardiographic principles, image acquisition, and interpretation. Subsequently, these residents and three echocardiographers imaged 300 patients with a hand-held ultrasound device. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for internist- and echocardiographer-performed studies for the detection of cardiac abnormalities were compared using a full-featured exam as the gold standard. Resident- and echocardiographer-performed scans had similar overall sensitivity and specificity. There was a higher positive predictive value for the echocardiographer-performed scans. For clinically important findings (likely to affect patient care), sensitivity was slightly but significantly higher for the echocardiographer-performed scans. Clinically important findings most often missed by residents included regional wall motion abnormalities, intra-cardiac thrombus, right ventricular dysfunction and non-trivial pericardial effusions. Conclusion: Hand-held ultrasound devices provide useful screening tools for cardiac disease but should not replace a standard platform study. Training guidelines and competency evaluation are needed if these devices are to be used by non-echocardiographers for clinical decision-making. Copyright 2002 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Human lymphocyte subpopulations identified by bacterial adherence are functionally different.

Abstract Previously, two B (B1 and B2)- and four T (T1, T2, T3, T4)-lymphocyte subpopulations have been identified in human blood smears by bacterial adherence. Here, to study the functional differences between these subpopulations the T1T2 cells were separated from T3T4 cells by selective adherence to Escherichia coli-2 4 monolayers. The adherent cells (T1T2 cells) responded well to concanavalin A in 3-day cultures and in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) in 6-day cultures and developed into cells specifically cytotoxic for allogeneic lymphocytes. The nonadherent cells (T3T4 cells) cultured for the same length of time were poorly responsive to concanavalin A, variably responsive in MLC, and poorly active in specific cytotoxicity. The T3T4 cells were naturally cytotoxic for allogeneic lymphocytes and for a normal lymphoblastoid cell line. We concluded that the T cells that bind E. coli-2 (T1T2 cells) are functionally different from those that do not bind (T3T4 cells).
An implicitly restarted bidiagonal Lanczos Method forLarge-scale singular value problems

Low rank approximation of large and/or sparse rectangular matrices is a very import ant topic in many application problems and is closely related to the sin- gular value decomposition of the matrices. In this paper, we propose an implicit restart scheme for the bidiagonal Lanczos algorithm to compute a subset of the dominating singular triplets. We also illustrate the connection of the method with inverse eigenvalue problems. In the Lanczos process, we use the so-called one-sided reorthogonalization strategy to maintain the orthogonality level of the Lanczos vec- tors. The efficiency and the applicability of our algorithm are illustrated by some numerical examples from information retrieval applications.
AN INVENTORY MODEL WITH GENERALIZED TYPE DEMAND, DETERIORATION AND BACKORDER RATES

Abstract This study is motivated by the paper of Skouri et al. [Skouri, Konstantaras, Papachristos, Ganas, European Journal of Operational Research 192 (1) (2009) 79–92]. We extend their inventory model from ramp type demand rate and Weibull deterioration rate to arbitrary demand rate and arbitrary deterioration rate in the consideration of partial backorder. We demonstrate that the optimal solution is actually independent of demand. That is, for a finite time horizon, any attempt at tackling targeted inventory models under ramp type or any other types of the demand becomes redundant. Our analytical approach dramatically simplifies the solution procedure.
The Mouse t Complex Gene Tsga2, Encoding Polypeptides Located in the Sperm Tail and Anterior Acrosome, Maps to a Locus Associated with Sperm Motility and Sperm-Egg Interaction Abnormalities

Abstract Previous studies of sperm from mice heterozygous for a t haplotype (t) and heterospecific combinations of the t complex identified two tightly linked genetic factors responsible for t/t male sterility related to expression of the flagellar waveform aberration, curlicue. Dnahc8, an axonemal dynein heavy chain gene, is a strong candidate for the proximal factor, Ccua, but the identity of the distal factor, Ccub, is unknown. In the present study, we employ motility assays of sperm from males heterozygous for t and novel heterospecific combinations of the t complex to demonstrate that Ccub is a composite of at least two synergic elements, Ccub1, positioned within a genomic interval spanning ∼0.6 Mb immediately distal to Dnahc8, and Ccub2, situated in a region ∼4–7 Mb distal to Ccub1. We also show that Tsga2, a testis-restricted gene, fulfills many of the prerequisites required to make it a strong candidate for Ccub1. These include: 1) its location within the aforementioned genomic interval; 2) a high...
Comparative Migration History by the Numbers (and the Letters)

Donald Harmon Akenson of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, has capped a career of migra- tion scholarship with an ambitious interpretation of Irish and Swedish migration, particularly their em...
The use of brilliant green in ion-pair chromatography

Brilliant Green is used as the stationary phase in the ion-pair chromatography of butanoic, pentanoic, octanoic and lauric acids, with hexane-dichloromethane as eluent.
The limitations of impedance plethysmography in the diagnosis of acute deep venous thrombosis

We reviewed our experience with impedance plethysmography (IPG) and duplex scanning in the diagnosis of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) to determine their respective accuracy and current role in our noninvasive vascular laboratory. During a recent 22-month period 1776 patients were evaluated in our laboratory for DVT. Sixty patients (64 limbs) underwent ascending venography within 48 hours of testing (49 limbs were evaluated by all three modalities). With the venograms used as the reference standard, B-mode scanning correctly identified the presence of acute thrombus in 24 of 27 limbs (88.8%) and the absence of thrombus in 31 of 34 limbs (91.2%), for an overall accuracy of 90.6%. IPG alone was less sensitive (75%) and less specific (44.8%), with an overall accuracy of only 57.1%. Twenty-eight IPGs were performed on patients with negative venous scans. Two positive IPGs were the result of chronic venous occlusion and two others detected clinically significant isolated iliac vein thrombi, but 13 patients had false positive IPGs. One false negative IPG occurred. The difference in the sensitivity of scan alone vs scan plus IPG was not significant (chi 2 = 0.045; difference not significant), but the decrease in specificity was chi 2 = 17.3; p less than 0.001). The rarity of isolated iliac vein thrombosis and the high false positive rate for IPG do not justify its continued use if B-mode venous scanning is available. Although positive scan results may be used confidently to institute therapy without the need for venography, in high-risk patients with a strong clinical suspicion of proximal DVT despite a negative scan venography should be obtained before withholding anticoagulation.
Chemical ionization mass spectrometry using ammonia reagent gas. Selective protonation of conjugated ketones

Studies using ammonia as a selective reagent gas in chemical ionization mass spectrometry were extended to conjugated ketones. Their proton affinities were in the range of most nitrogen-containing compounds (> 207 ± 3 kcal/mole), thereby permitting proton transfer from [NH4]+-, leading to well stabilized protonated molecular ions as the most abundant ion products.
Studies on the binding of phenylalanyl transfer RNA to rat-liver ribosomes

Abstract When rat-liver ribosomes, free of peptidyl-tRNA and mRNA, are incubated with [ 14 C]phenylalanyl-tRNA in relatively low MgCl 2 -containing solutions, polyphenylalanine is synthesized in the presence of purified transferase I (aminoacyl-tRNA-binding factor), transferase II (translocation factor), GTP and poly U. N -Acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA has no effect, and high MgCl 2 concentrations markedly inhibit polyphenylalanine synthesis. At low Mg 2+ concentrations, binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes stringently requires transferase I and GTP. At high Mg 2+ concentrations, binding occurs in the absence of the factor or the nucleotide. Both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic binding reactions are codon-specific interactions. Most of the ribosome-bound product is amino acid; negligible amounts of dipeptide are detected. This finding indicates that only the aminoacyl site on rat-liver ribosomes is receptive to aminoacyl-tRNA, and differs somewhat from those obtained with Escherichia coli ribosomes in certain respects: polyphenylalanine synthesis from aminoacyl-tRNA occurs at low MgCl 2 concentrations in the absence of additional initiators; aminoacyl-tRNA binding is specific for the aminoacyl site; the peptidyl site can be filled only as the results of translocation.
Alcohol drinking problems among New York city residents after the September 11 terrorist attacks

Recent studies have shown an increase in alcohol use in New York City in the months after the September 11 terrorist attacks; thus far there have been no studies documenting changes in drinking problems. In 2002, a random digit dial phone survey was conducted of residents of New York City. This study provided us with estimates of the prevalence of alcohol drinking problems among residents of New York City 6 months after September 11 compared with the 6 months before September 11. Among 1,570 adults, the prevalence of drinking problems was 3.7% in the 6 months before September 11 and 4.2% in the 6 months after September 11. The incidence of drinking problems among those without drinking problems before September 11 was 2.2%. Persons with incident drinking problems were more likely than those without to report symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder (17.4% vs. 0.4% in those without drinking problems and 1.4% in nondrinkers), and depression (23.5% vs 5.6% vs. 4.9%, respectively) after Septembe...
Fabrication and measurement of low-stress membrane mirrors for adaptive optics.

We have fabricated low-stress membranes from single-crystal silicon for use as deformable mirrors in adaptive optics. These membranes have lower stress than membranes made from silicon nitride or other materials and therefore are capable of greater deformation than previously used membrane mirrors. Membranes were assembled into devices by flip chip bonding to electrode chips with either 256 or 1024 electrodes. We have characterized devices with static and dynamic tests and compared their performance with an analytical model. We tracked the evolution of strain in the membrane during the device’s fabrication and assembly and identified sources of stress and strain in this process. We identified boron dopant concentration as a critical determinant of intrinsic stress in the membrane.
Clinical experience with topiramate dosing and serum levels in children 12 years or under with epilepsy.

Only a limited topiramate dosing range (5-9 mg/kg/day) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We reviewed our topiramate dosing (mg/kg/d) and corresponding serum levels (microg/mL) (n = 77) in 41 children who were treated to clinical response or tolerability. The patients were divided into older (6-12 years [n = 21]) and younger (< or = 5 years [n = 20]) groups. Topiramate was given as monotherapy (n = 9), with an enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug (n = 16) (phebarbital, phenytoin, or carbamazepine), or as polytherapy (n =17) (another antiepileptic drug). In the older children, there was a good dosage to serum level correspondence. However, younger children on topiramate monotherapy or cotherapy with an enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug had relatively lower serum levels, but the serum level was increased if they were on polytherapy without an enzyme-inducing drug. This study supports a wider dosing range (7-22 mg/kg/day) of topiramate and dosage escalation beyond the approved range. Serum levels are useful in guiding topiramate dosing, especially in young children.
A rare case of congenital heart disease, with interventricular septal defect, atretic pulmonary artery, dextroposition of the aorta, bicuspid right atrioventricular valve and superimposed subacute vegetative endocarditis

Abstract Cases of complete atresia of the pulmonary artery, although rare, have been reported previously. 1–4 In one case the patient lived to be 33 years of age. 1 However, we have been unable to find any cases of bieuspid right atrioventricular valve in the literature. In the case presented in this paper there were not only complete atresia of the pulmonary artery, an interventricular septal defect, and dextroposition of the aorta, but also a bicuspid atrioventricular valve on which was super-imposed a subacute vegetative endocarditis. We believe this combination is unique.
Processing Considerations for Salicylic Acid-Based Polymers

This paper describes some of the processing issues for extruding salicylic acid-based polymer prodrugs into fibers for medical devices. Polymeric prodrugs, in which a drug is polymerized in a degradable polymer that delivers controlled quantity of the drug to a targeted site in the body as the device degrades, are a new approach to controlled release. Hollow fibers were produced by solution spinning. Solid fibers were formed by melt processing. The salicylic acid polymers exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The viscosity exhibited pronounced temperature dependence.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Installation of Electron-Donating Protective Groups, a Strategy for Glycosylating Unreactive Thioglycosyl Acceptors using the Preactivation-Based Glycosylation Method

The pre-activation based chemoselective glycosylation is a powerful strategy for oligosaccharide synthesis with its successful application in assemblies of many complex oligosaccharides. However, difficulties were encountered in reactions where glycosyl donors bearing multiple electron withdrawing groups failed to glycosylate hindered unreactive acceptors. In order to overcome this problem, it was discovered that the introduction of electron donating protective groups onto the glycosyl donors can considerably enhance their glycosylating power, leading to productive glycosylations even with unreactive acceptors. This observation is quite general, which can be extended to a wide range of glycosylation reactions, including one-pot syntheses of chondroitin and heparin trisaccharides. The structures of the reactive intermediates formed upon pre-activation were determined through low temperature NMR studies. It was found that for a donor with multiple electron withdrawing groups, the glycosyl triflate was formed following pre-activation, while the dioxalenium ion was the major intermediate with a donor bearing electron donating protective groups. As donors were all cleanly pre-activated prior to the addition of the acceptors, the observed reactivity difference between these donors was not due to selective activation encountered in the traditional armed-disarmed strategy. Rather, it was rationalized by the inherent internal energy difference between the reactive intermediates and associated oxacarbenium ion like transition states during nucleophilic attack by the acceptor.
Association of fructosamine to indices of dyslipidemia in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Aims To evaluate the association of serum fructosamine values to lipid profiles and to other indices of glycemia both at baseline and over time in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods Forty adults aged 45 or older with T2DM, not taking insulin, and an HbA1c of 6–10% were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial regarding the effects of an 8-week yoga program on glycemia and related cardiovascular disease risk indices in adults with T2DM. Fasting blood was drawn to assess glycemia (HbA1c, glucose, and fructosamine) and dyslipidemia (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, cholesterol:HDL ratio, LDL:HDL ratio, and triglycerides) pre and post-intervention. Because the relation of fructosamine to other indices of glycemia and to lipid profiles did not differ between treatment groups either at baseline or over time, groups were pooled for analysis. Results Baseline fructosamine values were significantly correlated with HbA1c ( r = 0.77, P r = 0.72, P r = 0.46, P = 0.01), cholesterol:HDL ratio ( r = 0.55, P = 0.002), and triglycerides ( r = 0.39, P = 0.032), but not to other lipid indices at baseline. Change in fructosamine over 8 weeks was significantly correlated with change in HbA1c ( r = 0.63, P = 0.0001), glucose ( r = 0.39, P = 0.029), cholesterol ( r = 0.65, P r = 0.55, P = 0.001), LDL:HDL ratio ( r = 0.53, P = 0.003), and cholesterol:HDL ratio ( r = 0.52, P = 0.002), and was more strongly related to change in lipid values than were other indices of glycemia. Conclusions Fructosamine was significantly correlated with measures of dyslipidemia and glycemia both at baseline and over time, and may represent a relatively sensitive and low cost index of short to medium term change in both glycemia and certain lipid profiles. However, findings from this small pilot study should be interpreted with caution, and warrant replication in larger prospective studies.
Immunoglobulin E-mediated anaphylaxis with inhaled cromolyn sodium

Abstract Adverse reactions to cromolyn sodium inhalation are rare and evidence to document IgE mediation is meager. We report a case of a 7-yr-old, timothy-sensitive, asthmatic girl with severe anaphylaxis after inhaled cromolyn sodium. After 1 wk of attempted cromolyn sodium inhalation, a demonstration dose was administered in the physician's office. Within 1 min of a single inhalation, the patient became cyanotic, hypotensive, and suffered cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation successfully revived the patient, who remained in status asthmaticus requiring intravenous therapy for 36 hr. Sera obtained at anaphylaxis and 3 mo later were negative for IgG anti-cromolyn sodium antibodies by the Farr technique. IgE involvement was investigated by passive transfer of the patient's 2-mo serum to the mother; 48 hr after transfer, both passively sensitized and nonsensitized skin sites were challenged intradermally with 0.02 ml of 1% aqueous cromolyn sodium, 1% lactose solution, and 100 PNU/ml timothy extract. Markedly positive reactions occurred to cromolyn sodium (44/110 mm 2 , wheal/flare area) and timothy (44/80 mm 2 ) at sensitized sites, with negative reactions in nonsensitized areas. Challenge with 1% cromolyn sodium solution at a site sensitized with heat-inactivated patient serum (56° C, 3 hr) produced mild induration (5 mm 2 ), and lactose induced a small area of induration without flare. In vitro studies with the patient's basophils, obtained 11 mo after the systemic reaction, failed to demonstrate enhanced histamine release in the presence of cromolyn sodium. This case represents the worst reported adverse reaction to cromolyn and suggests that the mechanism was the result of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. Physicians using this medication should be aware that clinically significant immune sensitization to cromolyn can occur.
Mutagenesis evidence that the partial reactions of firefly bioluminescence are catalyzed by different conformations of the luciferase C-terminal domain.

Firefly luciferase catalyzes two sequential partial reactions resulting in the emission of light. The enzyme first catalyzes the adenylation of substrate luciferin with Mg-ATP followed by the multistep oxidation of the adenylate to form the light emitter oxyluciferin in an electronically excited state. The beetle luciferases are members of a large superfamily, mainly comprised of nonbioluminescent enzymes that activate carboxylic acid substrates to form acyl-adenylate intermediates. Recently, the crystal structure of a member of this adenylate-forming family, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, was determined in complex with an unreactive analogue of its acyl-adenylate and CoA [Gulick, A. M., Starai, V. J., Horswill, A. R., Homick, K. M., and Escalante-Semerena, J. C. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 2866−2873]. This structure presented a new conformation for this enzyme family, in which a significant rotation of the C-terminal domain brings residues of a conserved β-hairpin motif to interact with the active site....
Projection-based optimal mode scheduling

This paper develops an iterative optimization technique that can be applied to mode scheduling. The algorithm provides both a mode schedule and timing of that mode schedule with convergence guarantees. Moreover, the algorithm takes advantage of a line search, and the number of iterations in the line search is bounded. There are two key ingredients in the algorithm. First, a projection operation is used that takes arbitrary curves and maps them to feasible switching controls. Second, a descent direction that incorporates the projection is calculated using the mode insertion gradient. Similar to derivative-based finite dimensional optimization, the convergence guarantees and sufficient decrease criteria follow from a local approximation of the cost in the direction of the search direction, but this local approximation is not the standard quadratic approximation. An example demonstrates the steps to implement the optimization algorithm and illustrates convergence.
Motif‐Research in Irenaeus, Thomas Aquinas, and Luther

(1971). Motif‐Research in Irenaeus, Thomas Aquinas, and Luther. Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 133-159.
Prospective Trial of Catheter Irrigation and Muscle Flaps for Sternal Wound Infection

Background. Sternal wound infection is a relatively rare but potentially devastating complication of open heart operations. The most common treatments after debridement are rewiring with antibiotic irrigation and muscle flaps. Here we present the results of a prospective trial to determine the appropriate roles of closed-chest catheter irrigation and muscle flap closure for sternotomy infection and to assess the effect of internal mammary artery bypass grafting on the outcome of each treatment modality. Methods. Between 1990 and 1994, 5,658 sternotomies were performed at the University of Washington Medical Center. Sternal dehiscence occurred in 43 patients, 25 of whom had infection (overall incidence, 0.44%). Because of the infrequency of this complication, a prospective, randomized trial was developed in which the initial approach to sternal dehiscence was rewiring and catheter irrigation. Muscle flaps were used as the primary treatment if the sternum could not be restabilized or as secondary treatment if catheter irrigation failed. Wound resolution, length of hospital stay, and complications were evaluated. Results. Sterile dehiscences were successfully closed with irrigation in 17 of 18 patients; the other patient required flap closure. Of the 25 patients with infection, 19 had irrigation and 6, closure with flaps primarily. In the group of infected patients, 17 of the 19 who received irrigation also had internal mammary artery bypass grafting. Irrigation failed in 15 (88.2%) of these 17 patients, and salvage was accomplished with muscle flap closure. All 6 patients with infection who were closed primarily with muscle flaps had a successful outcome. Hospitalization averaged 10.2 days when muscle flaps were used primarily and 14.3 additional days for unsuccessful irrigation. When irrigation was successful, the hospital stay averaged 11.2 days. Conclusions. Catheter irrigation should be reserved for patients without infection or patients with infection but without internal mammary artery bypass grafts in whom dehiscence occurs less than 1 month after sternotomy. All others should have closure with muscle flaps.
Use of continuous pressure shockwaves apparatus in rapeseed oil processing

The aim of this study was to increase the efficiency of rapeseed oil recovery by pressure shockwaves and to asses the changes related to energetical utilization of the seedcake obtained. Mass balances and several design parameters (along with their manifestations on the seedcake) were analyzed to allow further optimization of the technology. It was found that the use of pressure shockwaves, in combination with the mechanical expeller, may increase oil yields up to the theoretical 100 % maximum, or alternatively reduce expeller energy requirements while maintaining the same oil yield. Decreased amounts of oil in the seedcake correlate with reduced amounts of volatile matter, which means lower quantities of hazardous fumes generated during direct combustion. In addition, higher levels of seedcake disintegration accelerated the biogas production.
Factors affecting the difference between morning and evening home blood pressure: The Finn-Home study

AbstractObjective. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of home morning and evening blood pressure (BP) differences in general population. Methods. We studied a representative sample of the general Finnish adult population with 1919 study subjects, aged 41–74 years. Study subjects underwent a clinical interview, clinical examination and home BP measurement (28 measurements performed twice in the morning and in the evening during 7 consecutive days). Results. In untreated hypertensive subjects, systolic home BP was lower in the morning than in the evening while no difference was detected for diastolic home BP (137.7/85.1 vs 141.5/85.2 mmHg, p < 0.001/0.64). In treated hypertensive subjects, the difference between systolic morning and evening BP was smaller (136.2 vs 137.1 mmHg, p = 0.023) and diastolic morning BP was even higher than evening BP (83.3 vs 82.1 mmHg, p < 0.001). In the univariate analysis, higher home BP and higher body mass index were associated with relatively higher morning...
Freshwater and saltwater flooding response for woody species common to barrier island swales

Flood sensitivity of five woody species common to barrier island swale habitats was quantified in a glasshouse study to examine potential mechanisms affecting observed small-scale distribution patterns. Differential response to short-term (30 d duration) freshwater and saltwater flooding occurred among the five species. OnlyBaccharis halimifolia was sensitive to freshwater flooding. At both low (2 and 5 g L−1) and mid-range (10 g L−1) salinity,Myrica cerifera, Pinus taeda, andB. halimifolia were more sensitive thanJuniperus virginiana orIva frutescens. At low salinity, stomatal conductance was significantly reduced forM. cerifera, P. taeda, andB. halimifolia, although recovery occurred and there was no mortality. At midrange salinity, all five species showed reduced stomatal conductance, but recovery differed. Mortality was highest forM. cerifera andB. halimifolia (60%), followed byP. taeda (40%),I. frutescens (25%), andJ. virginiana (20%). In contrast, 100% mortality occurred for all species in high salinity treatments of 20 and 30 g L−1. Interspecific differences in response to flooding may be a mechanism affecting small-scale distribution patterns of woody species in barrier island swales.
Automation Effects in a Multiloop Manual Control System

An experimental and analytical study was undertaken to investigate human interaction with a simple multiloop manual control system in which the human's activity was systematically varied by changing the level of automation. The system simulated was the longitudinal dynamics of a hovering helicopter. The automation-systems-stabilized vehicle responses from attitude to velocity to position and also provided for display automation in the form of a flight director. The control-loop structure resulting from the task definition can be considered a simple stereotype of a hierarchical control system. The experimental study was complemented by an analytical modeling effort which utilized simple crossover models of the human operator. It was shown that such models can be extended to the description of multiloop tasks involving preview and precognitive human operator behavior. The existence of time optimal manual control behavior was established for these tasks and the role which internal models may play in establishing human-machine performance was discussed.
Pattern development for vessel accidents: a comparison of statistical and neural computing techniques

Abstract This paper describes a sample of over 900 vessel accidents that occurred on the lower Mississippi River. Two different techniques, one statistical and the other based on a neural network model, were used to build logical groups of accidents. The objective in building the groups was to maximize between-group variation and minimize within-group variation. The result was groups whose records were as homogenous as possible. A clustering algorithm (i.e., a non-inferential statistical technique) generated sets of three, four and five groups. A Kohenen neural network model (i.e., a self-organizing map) also generated sets of three, four and five groups. The two sets of parallel groups were radically different as to the relative number of records in each group. In other words, when the two sets of groups were constructed by the respective techniques, the membership of each comparable group within the two different sets was substantially different. Not only was the respective record count in each group substantially different, so were the descriptive statistics describing each comparable set of groups. These results have significant implications for marine policy makers. Important policy variables include safety factors such as weather, speed of current, time of operation, and location of accidents, but mandatory utilization of a voluntary vessel tracking service may be subject to debate.
Nanotopographic Substrates of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Do Not Strongly Influence the Osteogenic Phenotype of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro

The chemical, mechanical, and topographical features of the extracellular matrix (ECM) have all been documented to influence cell adhesion, gene expression, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Topography plays a key role in the architecture and functionality of various tissues in vivo, thus raising the possibility that topographic cues can be instructive when incorporated into biomaterials for regenerative applications. In the literature, there are discrepancies regarding the potential roles of nanotopography to enhance the osteogenic phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In this study, we used thin film substrates of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with nanoscale gratings to investigate the influence of nanotopography on the osteogenic phenotype of MSCs, focusing in particular on their ability to produce mineral similar to native bone. Topography influenced focal adhesion size and MSC alignment, and enhanced MSC proliferation after 14 days of culture. However, the osteogenic phenotype was minimally influenced by surface topography. Specifically, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression was not increased on nanotopographic films, nor was calcium deposition improved after 21 days in culture. Ca: P ratios were similar to native mouse bone on films with gratings of 415 nm width and 200 nm depth (G415) and 303 nm width and 190 nm depth (G303). Notably, all surfaces had Ca∶P ratios significantly lower than G415 films. Collectively, these data suggest that, PMMA films with nanogratings are poor drivers of an osteogenic phenotype.
Macrophage Models of Gaucher Disease for Evaluating Disease Pathogenesis and Candidate Drugs

Gaucher disease is caused by an inherited deficiency of glucocerebrosidase that manifests with storage of glycolipids in lysosomes, particularly in macrophages. Available cell lines modeling Gaucher disease do not demonstrate lysosomal storage of glycolipids; therefore, we set out to develop two macrophage models of Gaucher disease that exhibit appropriate substrate accumulation. We used these cellular models both to investigate altered macrophage biology in Gaucher disease and to evaluate candidate drugs for its treatment. We generated and characterized monocyte-derived macrophages from 20 patients carrying different Gaucher disease mutations. In addition, we created induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived macrophages from five fibroblast lines taken from patients with type 1 or type 2 Gaucher disease. Macrophages derived from patient monocytes or iPSCs showed reduced glucocerebrosidase activity and increased storage of glucocerebroside and glucosylsphingosine in lysosomes. These macrophages showed efficient phagocytosis of bacteria but reduced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and impaired chemotaxis. The disease phenotype was reversed with a noninhibitory small-molecule chaperone drug that enhanced glucocerebrosidase activity in the macrophages, reduced glycolipid storage, and normalized chemotaxis and production of reactive oxygen species. Macrophages differentiated from patient monocytes or patient-derived iPSCs provide cellular models that can be used to investigate disease pathogenesis and facilitate drug development.
Synthetic data generation for the internet of things

The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly moving from a vision to being pervasive in our everyday lives. This can be observed in the integration of connected sensors from a multitude of devices such as mobile phones, healthcare equipment, and vehicles. There is a need for the development of infrastructure support and analytical tools to handle IoT data, which are naturally big and complex. But, research on IoT data can be constrained by concerns about the release of privately owned data. In this paper, we present the design and implementation results of a synthetic IoT data generation framework. The framework enables research on synthetic data that exhibit the complex characteristics of original data without compromising proprietary information and personal privacy.
Characterization of surface hydrophobicity of engineered nanoparticles

The surface chemistry of nanoparticles, including their hydrophobicity, is a key determinant of their fate, transport and toxicity. Engineered NPs often have surface coatings that control the surface chemistry of NPs and may dominate the effects of the nanoparticle core. Suitable characterization methods for surface hydrophobicity at the nano-scale are needed. Three types of methods, surface adsorption, affinity coefficient and contact angle, were investigated in this study with seven carbon and metal based NPs with and without coatings. The adsorption of hydrophobic molecules, Rose Bengal dye and naphthalene, on NPs was used as one measure of hydrophobicity and was compared with the relative affinity of NPs for octanol or water phases, analogous to the determination of octanol-water partition coefficients for organic molecules. The sessile drop method was adapted for measuring contact angle of a thin film of NPs. Results for these three methods were qualitatively in agreement. Aqueous-nC(60) and tetrahydrofuran-nC(60) were observed to be more hydrophobic than nano-Ag coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone or gum arabic, followed by nano-Ag or nano-Au with citrate-functionalized surfaces. Fullerol was shown to be the least hydrophobic of seven NPs tested. The advantages and limitations of each method were also discussed.
Child comorbidity, maternal mood disorder, and perceptions of family functioning among bipolar youth.

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the association between youth comorbid psychiatric disorders, maternal mood disorder, and perceptions of family cohesion and conflict among youth diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). Method: Three hundred eighty-nine bipolar youths and their parents completed a diagnostic interview and instruments assessing family psychiatric history and functioning. Family functioning was assessed with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales-II and the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire. Results: The presence of a maternal mood disorder was associated with lower family cohesion. The presence of a youth externalizing disorder with or without a co-occurring anxiety disorder was also associated with lower family cohesion as well as higher family conflict. Furthermore, the negative relationship between maternal mood disorder and family functioning was stronger in the presence of a youth externalizing disorder. Conclusions: Youth comorbidity and maternal mood disorders appear to be associated with worse family functioning among bipolar youths. Family-based treatments with bipolar youths may need to integrate treatment of youth comorbidity and address maternal mood disorder for optimal results.
Growth Modulation of the Scoliotic Spine: Where Are We Now?

Recent developments suggest that it may be not only practical but also feasible to modulate growth of the spine and effectively reverse scoliosis in appropriately selected children. Based on the concept of the Hueter–Volkmann principle, anterolateral vertebral body tethering has now been explored both in animal models and in clinical practice. Early clinical experience has demonstrated powerful proof-of-concept for this exciting new approach, which may in fact overturn our traditional concepts regarding treatment of the skeletally immature child with scoliosis. At the same time, much work is needed to further refine the technology, indications, and limitations, as well as long-term outcomes, of tethering treatment options.
Effectiveness of amitriptyline in the prophylactic management of childhood headaches.

Objective.—To study the effectiveness of a standardized dose of amitriptyline, 1 mg/kg, for childhood headaches. Background.—Amitriptyline has been shown to be effective for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults. Studies in children, however, have been quite limited. In adults, the suggested effective dose range is 10 to 150 mg. In children, a standardized dosage is often not used, resulting in a dosage range in clinical practice that often varies from a very low dose to a dose equivalent to that used in adults. Methods.—Children with more than three headaches per month were treated with amitriptyline, slowly increasing the dose to 1 mg/kg per day. The frequency, severity, and duration of their headaches were initially evaluated and subsequently measured at each follow-up evaluation. Two hundred seventy-nine children had headaches occurring frequently enough to indicate prophylactic treatment. Of these children, 192 (68.8%) were treated with amitriptyline. The average age at presentation was 12.0 (± 3.0) years. The ratio of boys to girls was 1:1.74. The average frequency of headaches was 17.1 (± 10.1) days per month. The average severity was 6.84 (± 1.67) on a 10-point pain scale. The average duration was 11.5 (± 15.0) hours. The most frequent diagnoses using International Headache Society criteria were migraine (60.6%), migraine with aura (7.9%), and tension-type headache (10.4%). Of these children, 146 have been seen for at least one follow-up examination, occurring on average 67.3 (± 32.3) days after beginning prophylactic treatment. Results.—A total of 84.2% of the children reported an overall perception of being better, while 11.6% reported being the same. The frequency of headaches improved to 9.2 (± 10.0) days per month. The average severity was reduced to 5.1 (± 2.1), and the average duration was reduced to 6.3 (± 11.1) hours. If daily or continuous headaches were excluded, the improvements were more marked. Minimal side effects were reported from these children and their families. Long-term evaluation (156 to 415 days) showed continued sustained improvement. Conclusions.—Amitriptyline is an effective prophylactic medication for children with frequent headaches. A standardized dosing regimen results in a significant number of children responding with minimal side effects. The children are able to tolerate this dosing scheme and demonstrate good adherence to a dosing schedule of once a day.
Justifying Coercion through Religion and Psychiatry

Before the Enlightenment, religious "truth" was generally regarded as a legitimate justification for coercion; since then, psychiatric "truth" is generally so regarded. In this article, I try to reconstruct the bygone mind-set that saw the controlling of deviants as a way to do good in God's name, and I compare it with the contemporary mind-set that sees controlling deviants as doing good in the name of mental health. I conclude that "we in the West have long repudiated the legitimacy of violence in the name of God. So long as we do not similarly repudiate the legitimacy of violence in the name of Mental Health, the very term 'psychiatric help' will carry an impossible load of ambivalence, rendering it useless, if not obscene."
Structural Restatements: I

The series of papers of which this is the first will attempt to restate in summary fashion the grammatical structures of a number of American Indian languages. The languages to be treated are those presented in Harry Hoijer and others, Linguistic Structures of Native America, New York 1946.1 These restatements are not based on new field work, but on the contributions in this volume and on the chief published treatments of the languages in question, as well as on limited manuscript material. While the other publications and manuscript material have been consulted for additional details and for purposes of checking results, the chief basis for each restatement is the corresponding contribution in LSNA (to which the reader is referred throughout), since a major purpose in the present series is comparability with these contributions.
Hybrid Boundary Integral-Generalized (Partition of Unity) Finite-Element Solvers for the Scalar Helmholtz Equation

Finite-element-based techniques are one of the most popular methods used to model electromagnetic field behavior, but rely on the underlying tesselation to construct the ansatz space. Recently, Babuska and his colleagues developed the generalized finite-element method (GFEM), which overcomes this constraint and admits a larger class of basis functions. Application of this technique has been largely restricted to Poisson systems. In this paper, we explore the applicability of this technique to two-dimensional Helmholtz systems. We investigate methods necessary to impose various boundary conditions. We use this analysis to build the framework for hybridizing boundary integral techniques with GFEM, thus imposing an exact boundary condition to truncate the computational domain. We validate the results against analytical data for canonical geometries, and we demonstrate h and p convergence of this technique. Finally, to further validate the proposed approach for complex scatterers, we augment GFEM with perfectly matched layers, and compare it against the results obtained by using boundary integral GFEM