cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of a food benefit program that includes financial incentives for the purchase of fruits and vegetables and restrictions on the purchase of foods high in added sugar

OBJECTIVE To report perspectives of participants in a food benefit programme that includes foods high in added sugar (FAS) restrictions and FAS restrictions paired with fruits and vegetables (F/V) incentives. DESIGN Randomised experimental trial in which participant perspectives were an exploratory study outcome. SETTING Participants were randomised into one of three Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-like food benefit programme groups: (1) restriction: not allowed to buy FAS with benefits; (2) restriction paired with incentive: not allowed to buy FAS with benefits and 30 % financial incentive on eligible F/V purchased using benefits; or (3) control: same food purchasing rules as SNAP. Participants were asked questions to assess programme satisfaction. PARTICIPANTS Adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN metropolitan area, eligible for but not currently participating in SNAP who completed baseline and follow-up study measures (n 254). RESULTS Among remaining households in each group, most found the programme helpful in buying nutritious foods (88·2 %-95·7 %) and were satisfied with the programme (89·1 %-93·0 %). Sensitivity analysis results indicate that reported helpfulness and satisfaction with the programme may in some instances be lower among the restriction and the restrictions paired with incentive groups in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS A food benefit programme that includes restriction on purchase of FAS or restriction paired with a financial incentive for F/V purchases may be acceptable to most SNAP-eligible households with children.
Home Tobacco Use Policies and Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke: Findings from Waves 1 through 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

Background: The 2006 Surgeon General’s Report recommended the elimination of smoking in homes as an effective protective measure against the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure. This study aims to examine trends in the prevalence and levels of the adoption of home tobacco use policies specifically for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and the relationships between home tobacco use policies and self-reported exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. Methods: This study utilizes data from Wave 1 (2013–2014) through Wave 4 (2016–2018) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a large prospective cohort study of youths and adults in the United States which collected information about both smoke-free and tobacco-free home policies. We present the weighted, population-based, self-reported prevalence of home tobacco use policies overall and by product, and the average number of self-reported hours of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure by levels of home tobacco policy and by survey wave. In addition, we examine the characteristics of those who adopted (by yes or no) a home tobacco use ban between survey waves. Results: We found a high prevalence of completely tobacco-free home policies (69.5%). However, 10.6% of adults allow the use of any type of tobacco product inside their homes, and 19.8% have a policy allowing the use of some types of tobacco products and banning the use of others. Adults with a complete tobacco use ban inside their homes were more likely to be nonusers of tobacco (79.9%); living with children in the home (71.8%); at or above the poverty level (70.8%); non-white (76.0%); Hispanic (82.7%); and aged 45 or older (71.9%). The adoption of 100% tobacco-free home policies is associated with a 64% decrease in secondhand smoke exposure among youths and a 69% decrease in exposure among adults. Conclusions: Most US adults have implemented tobacco-free home policies; however, there is still exposure to SHS in the home, for both adults and children, particularly in the homes of tobacco users. Additional research should investigate tobacco-free home policies for different types of products and what effect they have on future tobacco use behaviors.
Genetic ancestry and the search for personalized genetic histories.

Public demand and the development of large public and private databases of genetic information across human populations has encouraged the development of the new and rapidly growing field of genetic ancestry testing. Both the promise of the science that underlies this field and a lack of a full understanding of its limitations have fuelled the increased public interest in genetic ancestry testing.
Polymer-fullerene photovoltaics with concentration gradients induced by thermally-controlled interdiffusion

The morphology of organic photovoltaic composites containing a semiconducting polymer and fullerene is controlled by thermally-inducing interdiffusion in an initial bilayer structure. The resultant concentration gradient structure yields efficient charge transfer and charge transport.
Low-charge, hard x-ray free electron laser driven with an X -band injector and accelerator

After the successful operation of the Free Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), soft and hard x-ray free electron lasers (FELs) are being built, designed, or proposed at many accelerator laboratories. Acceleration employing lower frequency rf cavities, ranging from $L$-band to $C$-band, is usually adopted in these designs. In the first stage bunch compression, higher-frequency harmonic rf system is employed to linearize the beam's longitudinal phase space, which is nonlinearly chirped during the lower frequency rf acceleration process. In this paper, a hard x-ray FEL design using an all $X$-band accelerator at 11.424 GHz (from photocathode rf gun to linac end) is presented, without the assistance of any harmonic rf linearization. It achieves LCLS-like performance at low charge using $X$-band linac drivers, which is more versatile, efficient, and compact than ones using $S$-band or $C$-band rf technology. It employs initially 42 microns long (rms), low-charge (10 pC) electron bunches from an $X$-band photoinjector. An overall bunch compression ratio of roughly 100 times is proposed in a two stage bunch compressor system. The start-to-end macroparticle 3D simulation employing several computer codes is presented in this paper, where space charge, wakefields, and incoherent and coherent synchrotron radiation effects are included. Employing an undulator with a short period of 1.5 cm, a Genesis FEL simulation shows successful lasing at a wavelength of 0.15 nm with a pulse length of 2 fs and a power saturation length as short as 20 meters, which is equivalent to LCLS low-charge mode. Its overall length of both accelerators and undulators is 180 meters (much shorter than the effective LCLS overall length of 1230 meters, including an accelerator length of 1100 meters and an undulator length of 130 meters), which makes it possible to be built in places where only limited space is available.
Evidence for two superfluid transitions in 3He-4He films.

Two superfluid phase transitions in $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$^{4}\mathrm{He}$ films have been observed. Both transitions, $A$ and $B$, possess Kosterlitz-Thouless characteristics, but phase $B$ has a much less pronounced onset signal. At constant $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ coverage the transition temperature of $A$ decreases while that of $B$ increases upon addition of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$. We discuss possible interpretations of these results based on existing theories and connections with other measurements.
Searching for ν μ →ν τ oscillations with extragalactic neutrinos

We propose a novel approach for studying ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ oscillations with extragalactic neutrinos. Active galactic nuclei and gamma ray bursts are believed to be sources of ultrahigh energy muon neutrinos. With distances of 100 Mpc or more, they provide an unusually long baseline for possible detection of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ with mixing parameters $\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}^{2}$ down to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{eV}}^{2},$ many orders of magnitude below the current accelerator experiments. By solving the coupled transport equations, we show that high-energy ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}\mathrm{'}\mathrm{s},$ as they propagate through the Earth, cascade down in energy, producing the enhancement of the incoming ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ flux in the low energy region, in contrast with the high-energy ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}'\mathrm{s},$ which get absorbed. For an AGN quasar model we find the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ flux to be a factor of 2 to 2.5 larger than the incoming flux in the energy range between ${10}^{2}$ GeV and ${10}^{4}$ GeV, while for a GRB fireball model, the enhancement is 10--27 % in the same energy range and for zero nadir angle. This enhancement decreases with larger nadir angle, thus providing a novel way to search for ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ appearance by measuring the angular dependence of the muons. To illustrate how the cascade effect and the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ final flux depend on the steepness of the incoming ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}},$ we show the energy and angular distributions for several generic cases of the incoming tau neutrino flux, ${F}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{0}\ensuremath{\sim}{E}^{\ensuremath{-}n}$ for $n=1,$ 2 and $3.6.$ We show that for the incoming flux that is not too steep, the signal for the appearance of high-energy ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ is the enhanced production of lower energy $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and their distinctive angular dependence, due to the contribution from the $\ensuremath{\tau}$ decay into $\ensuremath{\mu}$ just below the detector.
A new isolated multilevel inverter based on cascaded three-phase converter blocks

This paper presents a new topology of an isolated multilevel inverter that can be used for high voltage and high power applications such as integrating battery storage systems and alternative energy sources to power grid. With reduced number of components the proposed cascaded multilevel inverter requires only one dc source by cascading high frequency transformers. The core building blocks in the multilevel inverter are the six-switch three-phase converters that are controlled using PWM phase-shifted scheme for harmonic reduction. Discussions have been given to compare the proposed cascaded multilevel inverter with typical existing cascaded inverters. Simulation and comparison studies have been carried out to verify the performance of the proposed multilevel inverter.
The Savings and Loan Debacle: A Perspective from the Early Twenty-First Century

The savings and loan debacle remains as an important event in U.S. financial history, and is likely to remain so for many decades to come. It was a costly experience, but an educational one as well. Depository regulation is substantially improved today as compared with two decades ago.
The Coming Downsizing of Real Estate: Implications of Technology

Executive Summary. Currently there is explosive growth in the availability of databases that may be merged to create “user friendly” real estate-related market information and services. A reduction...
Evaluation of i-STAT portable clinical analyzer in a hemodialysis unit

Abstract Objective : To evaluate a hand held portable i-STAT analyzer used for point-of-care testing in a hemodialysis unit. Design and Methods : Imprecision and comparison studies. Assays by nonlaboratory personnel. Results : Study of both quality control solutions and hemodialysis patients' duplicate blood specimens with 6+, E3+, EC6+, and EC8+ cartridges both gave CVs for sodium, potassium, chloride, pH, and ionized calcium of 0 to 2.2%. CVs for hematocrit, glucose and pCO 2 for whole blood duplicates were 4.6, 3.5, and 4.0%. The mean differences between i-STAT and central laboratory values for the above compounds and urea, when expressed as a % of mean central laboratory values were 0.2 and 3.1 % except for an ionized calcium value of 4.3% (for which there is an explanation) and for glucose (11 %) that were both higher for i-STAT. Preliminary data suggest that sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, and pH can be assayed in the aqueous dialysate fluid used for hemodialysis. Conclusions : We confirm previous reports that i-STAT cartridges give simple, rapid, and reliable values for sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, glucose, and hematocrit that are clinically acceptable when performed by nonlaboratorians, but also suggest the same conclusions apply to ionized calcium, pH, and p co 2 The hemodialysis unit may prove to be one of several hospital units where the analyzer has considerable value.
Satiation for social reinforcers: The effects of contingency, vicarious experience, and ambiguous situations

Abstract The relative satiation effect, an inverse relationship between the frequency of prior social reinforcement (the word “good”) and the later effectiveness of the social reinforcer in controlling behavior, was studied. In Experiment 1, a discrimination task in which social reinforcement was given for correct responses was administered to first- to fourth-grade children (6 to 10 years of age), who had during a preexposure phase performed a preliminary task or observed another child performing. During the preexposure phase, the experimenter delivered frequent or infrequent social reinforcement that was either contingent or noncontingent. Only performers and observers who had experienced frequent noncontingent reinforcement showed the satiation effect during the discrimination task phase. The results were interpreted as inconsistent with J. L. Gewirtz' ( Developmental Psychology , 1969 , 1 , 2–13) social drive formulation but supportive of an informational analysis in which the children are seen as responding appropriately to unambiguous evidence concerning the reliability of contingency information. In Experiment 2, seating arrangements were varied so that information concerning the direction of reinforcement was made ambiguous. Performers were less responsive during the discrimination phase after experiencing frequent noncontingent reinforcement when seated alone or opposite an observer than when seated next to an observer. The results are interpreted as indicating trust of the reliability of the contingency under ambiguous conditions.
Increased pulmonary blood flow does not alter surfactant protein gene expression in lambs within the first week of life

Neonates and infants with congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow suffer morbidity from poor oxygenation and decreased lung compliance. In a previous experiment involving 4-wk-old lambs with pulmonary hypertension secondary to increased pulmonary blood flow following an in utero placement of an aortopulmonary vascular graft, we found a decrease in surfactant protein (SP)-A gene expression as well as a decrease in SP-A and SP-B protein contents. To determine the timing of these changes, the objective of the present study was to characterize the effect of increased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary hypertension on SP-A, -B, and -C gene expressions and protein contents within the first week of life. Of eight fetal lambs that underwent the in utero placement of the shunt, there was no difference in the expression of SP-A, -B, and -C mRNA levels or SP-A and -B protein contents compared with age-matched controls. The results showed that, in this model of congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary blood flow, the effect of the shunt on SP gene expression and protein content was not apparent within the first week of life.
Measurement of viscosity in living cells by a fluorescence method.

Abstract Yeast and Euglena gracilis take up fluorescein diacetate and hydrolyze it to fluorescein in the cells. Fluorescence polarization of fluorescein in cells can be measured accurately in cell suspensions and related to intracellular viscosity. For yeast at 15°C and 27°C, internal viscosities of 14 cp and 10 cp are found and for Euglena values of 6.3 cp and 5.2 cp are found.
What Is Public Health Practice Telling Us about Diabetes

Many infectious diseases are recognized as a public health problem. If one were to apply the criteria for designating an infectious disease as a public health problem to diabetes mellitus, how would diabetes rate? The evidence that justifies referring to diabetes as a public health problem includes the burden on society caused by the number of complications and premature mortality, the growth in the number of people diagnosed with the disease since the early 1990s, and the growing public concern. Because diabetes is a public health problem, it warrants public health solutions. This review examines selected components of a framework that provides a useful way to examine what the public health community is doing to combat this growing epidemic.
Hemorrhagic lymphangioma mimicking hemoperitoneum: MR imaging diagnosis.

Omental cystic lymphangioma is an uncommon malformation that occurs in children. The authors report the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in a case of hemorrhagic cystic abdominal lymphangioma, which clinically mimicked a recurrent hemoperitoneum. They demonstrate the superiority of MR imaging relative to computed tomography and ultrasound in diagnosing large hemorrhagic cystic masses and differentiating them from free intraperitoneal fluid with multi-planar imaging and fluid characterization. This enables precise tumor localization and extension, aiding surgical resection.
Sodium balance following soave iloe-endorectal pull-through

Abstract Five children with ileostomies established in the neonatal period and modified Soave ileo-endorectal pull-throughs done at 7–14 mo of age have been followed. Episodes of salt and water depletion occurred both pre- and post-pull-through. Following the Soave procedures, all patients experienced recurrent episodes of abdominal distention with diarrhea, hypovolemia, and hyponatremia. Treatment included oral and intravenous sodium supplementation, as required. Sodium balance studies done (in three of the five) when the children were 5–9 yr of age suggested that although they appear well, the patients are in tenuous sodium balance. One hundred meq of dietary sodium were provided for 7 days followed by 7 meq sodium/day for 5 days. The children tolerated the sodium restriction poorly in spite of maximal renal sodium conservation. The response of the gastrointestinal tract to sodium restriction was a reduction of mean daily sodium output from 55 meq to 17 meq. This limited adaptation, which was not observed until the third day of restriction, was inadequate. The children lost weight and developed the signs and symptoms of salt and water depletion. Presumably renal and gastrointestinal sodium conservation was a response to circulating aldosterone which rose to levels 15–90 times those observed in normal children.
Using derivative regularization to solve inverse heat conduction problems

A common approach in dealing with inverse heat conduction problems is to use regularization in an attempt to smooth the estimated heat flux as a function of time. If the unknown heat flux is known to be a series of discrete pulses, however, smoothing is undesirable. In dealing with cases such as these, any reduction in the ill-posed composition of the problem is extremely helpful. The present research, utilizing the method of derivative regularization, employs the principle of matrix pre-multiplication to reduce the ill-conditioned nature of the matrix structure. The use of a pre-conditioning method is fairly straightforward; however, the difficult and most critical aspect of this method is the development of the pre-conditioning matrices for the specific type of problem. As the name implies, derivative regularization employs the time derivatives of the sensitivity coefficients, and of the measured data, in developing a pre-conditioning matrix to reduce the ill-posed nature of the inverse heat conduction ...
The Search for the Theology of the Fourth Evangelist

HE search for the theology of the Fourth Evangelist opens many doors into that complex labyrinth known as "the Johannine problem." Yet in spite of the intense explorations of researchers it cannot be said that its corridors have been fully lighted, that the end of the quest has been reached. This article calls attention to several of these darkened passages that have attracted the most interest during the last quarter century; evaluates some of the findings; and suggests how the effort of many scholars may advance our understanding. Whatever misgivings are shared concerning the present position of "biblical theology" as a scholarly discipline, few would doubt that among the books of the New Testament the Gospel of John especially invites theological explanation. This statement does not mean only that the Gospel is capable of theological explication, or that it contains material essential to the construction of a Christian theology. John's witness to Jesus Christ is itself a theological explanation - or at least the beginning of one. The Fourth Evangelist has a theology in the proper sense of the term.' A fundamental assumption of modern Johannine scholarship is that a careful examination and articulation of the theology of the Fourth Gospel is required, on the basis of the historical situation and standpoint of the Evangelist. The understanding of the Fourth Evangelist must be re-exhibited in contemporary
The relative increase in skin temperature after stellate ganglion block is predictive of a complete sympathectomy of the hand

Abstract Background and Objectives. Although an increase in skin temperature of the hand implies sympathetic block after stellate ganglion block (SGB), it does not indicate complete sympathetic block unless accompanied by an absence of sweating because skin temperature may increase even with a partial sympathetic block. This study examined the efficacy of the SGB to block sweating in the hand and to determine if the magnitude of temperature change in the hand is predictive of a negative sweat test. Methods. Fifty-nine SGBs were performed in 30 patients (15 women and 15 men) for diagnostic or therapeutic indications. Stellate ganglion block was performed via an anterior paratracheal approach at C6 using 15 mL 0.25% bupivacaine. Skin temperature was measured bilaterally on the index finger. A cobalt blue sweat test was performed bilaterally pre-and post-SGB on the middle finger. Successful sympathetic block after SGB was considered present when: (a) (change in ipsilateral temperature (postblock-preblock)] (Di)-[change in contralateral temperature] (Dc) ≥ 1.5°C; (b) Horner's syndrome present; and (c) sweat test changed from positive to negative. Logistical regression was applied to determine what value of Di − Dc could be used to predict a negative sweat test. Results. Thirty-six percent ( 21 59 ) of blocks met all three criteria. Of the blocks where Di − Dc ≥ 1.5°C, 72% ( 21 29 ) had a negative sweat test post-SGB. Of the blocks where Di − Dc 11 30 ) had a negative sweat test postblock. If Di − Dc ≥ 2.0°C, a negative sweat test could be predicted with 69 ± 12% sensitivity and 85 ± 10% specificity. Conclusions. Stellate ganglion block often fails to increase skin temperature in the ipsilateral more than the contralateral hand. A value of Di − Dc ≥ 2.0°C was a good predictor of a sympathetic block, but was not sufficient to guarantee a complete sympathetic block of the hand after SGB in all cases. An apparently successful SGB as measured by “usual” clinical criteria may not result in a complete sympathectomy of the hand as is often assumed. Therefore, if obtaining a sympathectomy is important for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, performing a sweat test provides important confirmatory evidence of the genuine success of the sympathetic block.
Suitability of Native or Naturalized Plants as Long-Term Hosts of the Citrus Blackfly

The survivorship of populations of citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, on 5 species of native or naturalized plants ( Myrsine guianensis (Aublet) Kuntze, Ardisia escallonioides Schlecht and Chamisso, Ardisia solanacea Roxburgh, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sargent) was studied in groups with and without a citrus tree. Plant groups without a citrus tree were unable to support a population of citrus blackfly beyond 3 generations. Poor ovipositional attractiveness (e.g. Ardisia solanacea ) and/or low survivorship of immature instars (e.g. Ardisia escallonioides) may account for the results. It appears that field populations of citrus blackfly cannot be sustained on these plant species for more than 3 generations unless an infested citrus is nearby.
Multistep Photochemical Charge Separation in Rod-like Molecules Based on Aromatic Imides and Diimides

A series of intramolecular triads with linear, rod-like structures has been developed that undergo very efficient two-step electron transfer following direct excitation of a chromophore possessing a charge transfer (CT) excited state. The CT state of 4-aminonaphthalene-1,8-imide (ANI), produced by direct excitation of the chromophore, has about 70% of a negative charge transferred from the amine to the imide. Attachment of aniline (An) and p-methoxyaniline (MeOAn) donors to ANI by means of a piperazine bridge results in linear dyads, An-ANI and MeOAn-ANI, that undergo rapid electron transfer in about 10-11 s to give a >99% yield of the ion pairs, An+-ANI- and MeOAn+-ANI-, in which the charges are separated by 7.7 A. The formation and decay of these ion pairs can be monitored directly by transient absorption spectroscopy. Further attachment of a 1,8:4,5-naphthalenediimide (NI) electron acceptor to the imide group of ANI using a 2,5-dimethylphenyl spacer results in triads An-ANI-NI and MeOAn-ANI-NI. Excitat...
New expressions for mutual impedance of nonplanar-skew sinusoidal monopoles

Previously published expressions for monopole-monopole impedance to two nonplanar-skew sinusoidal current filaments are nonreciprocal. A novel version of the monopole-monopole impedance is obtained. This version is not only reciprocal but also contains fewer exponential integral terms. The new expressions can be used to save computer time in the thin wire program developed by J.H. Richmond (1974). >
Electrical characteristics and chemical stability of non-oxidized, methyl-terminated silicon nanowires.

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) modified by covalent Si−CH3 functionality, with no intervening oxide, show atmospheric stability, high conductance values, low surface defect levels, and allow for the formation of air-stable Si NW Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) having on−off ratios in excess of 105 over a relatively small gate voltage swing (±2 V).
The Logical Incompatibility Thesis and Rules: A Reconsideration of Formalism as an Account of Games

(1987). The Logical Incompatibility Thesis and Rules: A Reconsideration of Formalism as an Account of Games. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 1-20.
Evaluation of Ultrafiltration for the Free‐Fraction Determination of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Radiotracers: β‐CIT, IBF, and Iomazenil

An ultrafiltration system was evaluated for the free-fraction measurement of SPECT radiotracers (beta-CIT, IBF, and iomazenil) used in functional brain imaging. The effect of temperature, storage, centrifugal force, tracer concentration, and percentage filtered demonstrated a relative error of < 9%. As a result of the minimal temperature effect, 25 degrees C was employed for all measurements. A comparison of the ultrafiltration system with equilibrium dialysis revealed < 5% difference for beta-CIT and iomazenil, but 16% for IBF. Additionally, the time and ease of operation considerably favored the ultrafiltration system. The precision quantitated by repetition was < 6% for between-run and within-run variability. In conclusion, ultrafiltration provided rapid results, demonstrated minor analytical errors, revealed generally good correlation with equilibrium dialysis, and allowed excellent precision.
Diurnal Periodicity in Epiphyseal Growth Cartilage

IN order to utilize radiotracers effectively, in an examination of bone cells, it became desirable to determine if the mitotic event was subject to the same diurnal changes observed for many other tissues1. The young proliferating cartilage epiphyseal plate served as a model since: (a) the zones in which mitotic activity occur are well defined; (b) the tissue homogeneity obviates problems of cell identification which obtain in metaphyseal bone. Two ‘spot-checks’ of serially independent groups of animals were made during a single 24-hr. period utilizing the colchicine method.
Knowledge Discovery in Multiple Spatial Databases

In this paper, a new approach for centralised and distributed learning from spatial heterogeneous databases is proposed. The centralised algorithm consists of a spatial clustering followed by local regression aimed at learning relationships between driving attributes and the target variable inside each region identified through clustering. For distributed learning, similar regions in multiple databases are first discovered by applying a spatial clustering algorithm independently on all sites, and then identifying corresponding clusters on participating sites. Local regression models are built on identified clusters and transferred among the sites for combining the models responsible for identified regions. Extensive experiments on spatial data sets with missing and irrelevant attributes, and with different levels of noise, resulted in a higher prediction accuracy of both centralised and distributed methods, as compared to using global models. In addition, experiments performed indicate that both methods are computationally more efficient than the global approach, due to the smaller data sets used for learning. Furthermore, the accuracy of the distributed method was comparable to the centralised approach, thus providing a viable alternative to moving all data to a central location.
Proton pump inhibitors in pediatrics : mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have become some of the most frequently prescribed medications for treatment of adults and children. Their effectiveness for treatment of peptic conditions in the pediatric population, including gastric ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Helicobacter pylori infections has been established for children older than 1 year. Studies of the preverbal population of neonates and infants have identified doses that inhibit acid production, but the effectiveness of PPIs in the treatment of GERD has not been established except for the recent approval of esomeprazole treatment of erosive esophagitis in infants. Reasons that have been proposed for this are complex, ranging from GERD not occurring in this population to a lack of histologic identification of esophagitis related to GERD to questions about the validity of symptom scoring systems to identify esophagitis when it occurs in infants. The effectiveness of PPIs relates to their structures, which must undergo acidic activation within the parietal cell to allow the PPI to be ionized and form covalent disulfide bonds with cysteines of the H+–K+-adenosine triphosphatase (H+–K+-ATPase). Once the PPI binds to the proton pump, the pump is inactivated. Some PPIs, such as omeprazole and rabeprazole bind to cysteines that are exposed, and their binding can be reversed. After irreversible chemical inhibition of the proton pump, such as occurs with pantoprazole, the recovery of the protein of the pump has a half-life of around 50 h. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 and to a lesser degree CYP3A4 clear the PPIs metabolically. These enzymes are immature at birth and reach adult levels of activity by 5–6 months after birth. This parallels studies of the maturation of CYP2C19 to adult levels by roughly the same age after birth. Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP2C19 reduce clearance proportionally and increase exposure and prolong proton pump inhibition. Prolonged treatment of pediatric patients with PPIs has not caused cancer or significant abnormalities.
A Permanent Mounting Procedure for Bacteria

Bacterial preparations, stained by the DeLamater (1951) method, are mounted in a fluid medium (Jensen, 1921) which consists of 75 parts heavy mineral oil and 25 parts alphabromonaphthalene. In these permanent preparations the bacteria appear to be undistorted and the nuclei can be seen clearly and in detail.
Cellular transcription factor YY1 mediates the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IE62 transcriptional activation

Several cellular transcription factors have been shown to be involved in IE62-mediated activation. The YY1 cellular transcription factor has activating and repressive effects on gene transcription. Analysis of the VZV genome revealed 19 postulated YY1 binding sites located within putative promoters of 16 VZV genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) confirmed the binding of YY1 to ORF10, ORF28/29 and gI promoters and the mutation of these binding sites inhibited YY1 binding and the promoter activation by IE62 alone or following VZV infection. Mutation of the ORF28/29 YY1 site in the VZV genome displayed insignificant influence on virus growth in melanoma cells; but it inhibited the virus replication significantly at day 5 and 6 post infection in HELF cells. This work suggests a novel role for the cellular factor YY1 in VZV replication through the mediation of IE62 activation of viral gene expression.
Modeling complex decay profiles of hepatitis B virus during antiviral therapy

Typically, hepatitis B virus (HBV) decays in patients under therapy in a biphasic manner. However, more complex decay profiles of HBV DNA (e.g., flat partial response, triphasic, and stepwise), for which we have no clear understanding, have also been observed in some treated patients. We recently introduced the notion of a critical drug efficacy, ϵc, such that if overall drug efficacy, ϵtot, is higher than the critical drug efficacy (i.e., ϵtot > ϵc) then viral levels will continually decline on therapy, while if ϵtot < ϵc, then viral loads will initially decline but will ultimately stabilize at a new set point, as seen in flat partial responders. Using the idea of critical efficacy and including hepatocyte proliferation in a viral kinetic model, we can account for these complex HBV DNA decay profiles. The model predicts that complex profiles such as those exhibiting a plateau or shoulder phase, as well as a class of stepwise declines, occur only in patients in whom the majority of hepatocytes are infected before therapy. Conclusion: We show via kinetic modeling how a variety of HBV DNA decay profiles can arise in treated patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:32-38.)
The mineralogy and crystal chemistry of deep-sea manganese nodules, a polymetallic resource of the twenty-first century

The relatively high concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and copper in deep-sea manganese nodules, such as those occurring on the sea-bed beneath the north equatorial Pacific Ocean, indicate that these marine sediments are potential ore deposits. In order to explain the strong enrichments of Ni, Cu, and Co in the nodules, the crystal chemistries and structures of the host manganese oxide minerals must be understood. Over twenty manganese(IV) oxide minerals are known, but only three predominate in manganese nodules. They are todorokite, birnessite, and delta-MnO$\_{2}$. All Mn$^{\text{IV}}$ oxides contain edge-shared MnO$\_{6}$ octahedra linked in diverse ways, leading to a hierarchy of structure-types somewhat resembling the classification of silicates. Todorokite is deduced to contain chains of edge-shared MnO$\_{6}$ octahedra enclosing huge tunnels, thus resembling hollandite and psilomelane. Birnessite has a layered structure with essential vacancies in the sheets of edge-shared MnO$\_{6}$ octahedra, while $\delta $-MnO$\_{2}$ is a disordered birnessite. The uptake of Co into manganese nodules involves replacement of low-spin Co$^{3+}$ for Mn$^{4+}$ ions in the structures, whereas Ni$^{2+}$ and Cu$^{2+}$ substitute for Mn$^{2+}$ ions in octahedra located in the chains or between layers of edge-shared MnO$\_{6}$ octahedra.
Internal Benchmarking for Institutional Effectiveness

This chapter discusses the application of benchmarking processes within higher education institutions.
Cardiovascular Risk with Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Clinical Implications

In February 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened an advisory committee meeting to discuss the accumulated data relating to the cardiovascular risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the potential implications on the class prescription labeling. The committee recommended, though not unanimously, that (1) the current data does not support the conclusion that naproxen has a lower risk of thrombotic events than other NSAIDs; (2) there is no latency period for the risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events; (3) there are some patient populations at increased risk for events; and (4) equipoise remains in the major ongoing trial designed to address these issues further. The clinical implications of the FDA deliberations as well as the recently published meta-analyses and observational studies are discussed. With the information available today, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that there are significant differences between the approved NSAIDs with regard to the potential for cardiovascular events. An approach for balancing the major risks associated with NSAIDs is suggested. Clinicians should continue to use the current FDA NSAID labeling language to guide their decision making for individual patients until such time as the FDA makes changes.
Mesh adaption for efficient multiscale implementation of one-dimensional turbulence

One-Dimensional Turbulence (ODT) is a stochastic model for turbulent flow simulation. In an atmospheric context, it is analogous to single-column modeling (SCM) in that it lives on a 1D spatial domain, but different in that it time advances individual flow realizations rather than ensemble-averaged quantities. The lack of averaging enables a physically sound multiscale treatment, which is useful for resolving sporadic localized phenomena, as seen in stably stratified regimes, and sharp interfaces, as observed where a convective layer encounters a stable overlying zone. In such flows, the relevant scale range is so large that it is beneficial to enhance model performance by introducing an adaptive mesh. An adaptive-mesh algorithm that provides the desired performance characteristics is described and demonstrated, and its implications for the ODT advancement scheme are explained.
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics use of digitalis glycosides.

Digitalis glycosides remain the principal drug utilised in the management of congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias.
Bridging noninvasive and interventional electroanatomical imaging: role of magnetocardiography

Abstract New “magnetic” technologies for intracardiac three-dimensional electroanatomical imaging (3D-EAI) have been recently developed, which have proven useful to localize the arrhythmogenic targets, to improve the outcome of ablation procedures and to reduce patient irradiation. However their 3D imaging capability cannot be used for preoperative localization of arrhythmogenic substrates. Magnetocardiographic mapping (MCG) is a more feasible and reproducible method to provide non-invasive 3D-EAI of cardiac sources. MCG detection and 3D study of arrhythmias can be enhanced by simultaneous electrophysiologic study with trans-esophageal atrial pacing and by combining MCG with minimally invasive single-catheter, multiple monophasic action potential recording, which provides a better understanding of local arrhythmogenic mechanisms underlying abnormal MCG patterns. MCG is also feasible for non-fluoroscopic imaging of amagnetic catheters in the heart. Furthermore providing 3D numerical coordinates of arrythmogenic targets, MCG could be used to program robotic magnetic navigation and to automatically guide ablation catheters or aimed endomyocardial biopsy.
Mechanical Forces in Transformers

In this paper a method of calculating the mechanical forces in transformers, based on mutual reactance between coils, is presented. A formula for the mutual inductance between coaxial solenoids is developed and from this expression the formula for the mechanical force between concentric cylindrical transformer coils is derived. The same method is followed to obtain the formula giving the mechanical force between individual coaxial coils. The method is checked by calculations of reactance of complicated arrangements of coils. Tables are given to facilitate calculations.
The Influences of Ambient Particle Composition and Size on Particle Infiltration in Los Angeles, CA, Residences

Particle infiltration is a key determinant of the indoor concentrations of ambient particles. Few studies have examined the influence of particle composition on infiltration, particularly in areas with high concentrations of volatile particles, such as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). A comprehensive indoor monitoring study was conducted in 17 Los Angeles-area homes. As part of this study, indoor/outdoor concentration ratios during overnight (nonindoor source) periods were used to estimate the fraction of ambient particles remaining airborne indoors, or the particle infiltration factor (FINF), for fine particles (PM2.5), its nonvolatile (i.e., black carbon [BC]) and volatile (i.e., nitrate [NO3-]) components, and particle sizes ranging between 0.02 and 10 microm. FINF was highest for BC (median = 0.84) and lowest for NO3- (median = 0.18). The low FINF for NO3- was likely because of volatilization of NO3- particles once indoors, in addition to depositional losses upon building entry. The FINF for PM2.5 (median = 0.48) fell between those for BC and NO3-, reflecting the contributions of both particle components to PM25. FINF varied with particle size, air-exchange rate, and outdoor NO3- concentrations. The FINF for particles between 0.7 and 2 microm in size was considerably lower during periods of high as compared with low outdoor NO3- concentrations, suggesting that outdoor NO3- particles were of this size. This study demonstrates that infiltration of PM2.5 varies by particle component and is lowest for volatile species, such as NH4NO3. Our results suggest that volatile particle components may influence the ability for outdoor PM concentrations to represent indoor and, thus, personal exposures to particles of ambient origin, because volatilization of these particles causes the composition of PM2.5 to differ indoors and outdoors. Consequently, particle composition likely influences observed epidemiologic relationships based on outdoor PM concentrations, especially in areas with high concentrations of NH4NO3 and other volatile particles.
Local melting in the subfragment-2 region of myosin in activated muscle and its correlation with contractile force.

Abstract Local melting within the subfragment-2 region of activated rabbit skeletal glycerinated muscle fibers has been investigated over the temperature range 5 to 37 °C, using an enzyme (chymotrypsin)-probe method. The cleavage rates were determined from the time-course of formation of digestion products by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing polyacrylamide gels. We found the cleavage sites to be localized in a restricted region M r = 64,000 to 90,000/polypeptide chain, measured from the C terminus of the myosin rod (the subfragment-2 hinge domain). The cleavage rate constant for activated muscle fibers in the presence of an ATP-regenerating system was about 100 times larger at each temperature than that for rigor or for relaxed muscle fibers and showed a marked increase in magnitude with increasing temperature. Comparative plots of the apparent rate-constant for cleavage within the subfragment-2 hinge domain and the isometric force generated by active fibers versus MgATP concentration gave closely similar profiles suggesting a strong positive correlation. Thus, there appears to be a close coupling between the conformational transition within the subfragment-2 hinge domain and contractile force when the cross-bridges undergo cycling.
The importance of implementation models in ALGOL 68: or how to discover the concept of necessary environment

The need for implementation models in understanding languages, Algol 68 in particular, is stressed. The model is used to demonstrate the new concept of necessary environment of a procedure.
Spin transfer between laser-polarized 129Xe nuclei and surface protons

We have demonstrated a large polarization transfer from highly polarized gaseous 129Xe to protons in a silicone surface coating. The proton polarization enhancement of ∼ 104–105 over the thermal equilibrium polarization at 0.2 T makes possible the detection of the previously unobservable resonance. We expect that this technique may allow high-resolution NMR to become a viable tool in the study of surfaces.
Dynamic 3-dimensional structure of thin zooplankton layers is impacted by foraging fish

The potential attraction of fish to thin layers of zooplankton and the role of predation by fish in the formation and persistence of these layers were assessed using 3-dimensional sonar obser- vations. Zooplankton were found in intense layers with vertical scales of 0.2 to 4.6 m with a mode of 2.2 m. These thin zooplankton layers had complex 3-dimensional structure with significant, though gradual, undulations in their depth, thickness, and intensity. Fish spent significantly more time within zooplankton layers than expected, modifying their usual surface-coupled behavior when layers were present. Sonar tracks of individual fish showed them diving down through a zooplankton layer before spiraling slowly upwards through the layer. The upward portion of this behavior was correlated with a dramatic decrease in the intensity of zooplankton scattering at the scale of 1 m 2 , resulting in the appearance of holes in the layer. Continued observation of layers revealed that these holes slowly filled in with zooplankton an average of 4.3 min after the fish's departure. Survey results show that when more fish were observed, more holes were observed, and when larger fish were observed, larger holes were observed, so that a total of up to 5% of a layer's area could be comprised of holes. The thickness of layers was not affected by fish presence. Fish were attracted to zooplankton thin lay- ers, showing that thin layers in natural systems can have significant ecological effects; however, despite fish-associated changes to the structure of layers, the layers were resilient over time to the apparent foraging fish.