cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential developmental toxicity of naphthoic acid isomers in medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread persistent pollutants that readily undergo biotic and abiotic conversion to numerous transformation products in rivers, lakes and estuarine sediments. Here we characterize the developmental toxicity of four PAH transformation products each structural isomers of hydroxynaphthoic acid: 1H2NA, 2H1NA, 2H3NA, and 6H2NA. Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) embryos and eleutheroembryos were used to determine toxicity. A 96-well micro-plate format was used to establish a robust, statistically significant platform for assessment of early life stages. Individual naphthoic acid isomers demonstrated a rank order of toxicity with 1H2NA > 2H1NA > 2H3NA > 6H2NA being more toxic. Abnormalities of circulatory system were most pronounced including pericardial edema and tube heart. To determine if HNA isomers were AhR ligands, spatial-temporal expression and activity of CYP1A was measured via in vivo EROD assessments. qPCR measurement of CYP1A induction proved different between isomers dosed at respective concentrations affecting 50% of exposed individuals (EC50s). In vitro, all ANH isomers transactivated mouse AhR using a medaka CYP1A promoter specific reporter assay. Circulatory abnormalities followed P450 induction and response was consistent with PAH toxicity. A 96-well micro-plates proved suitable as exposure chambers and provided statistically sound evaluations as well as efficient toxicity screens. Our results demonstrate the use of medaka embryos for toxicity analysis thereby achieving REACH objectives for the reduction of adult animal testing in toxicity evaluations.
Servo Control of Atrial and/or Arterial Blood Pressures in Experimental Animals

A control system employing two adjustable reservoirs for the independent regulation of atrial and/or arterial blood pressures simultaneously at both sides of the heart is described. Two servo-motors position these reservoirs and thereby automatically regulate atrial filling and hence ventricular output to produce various controlled pressure wave forms.
Gypsy and the Birth of the SCAN Domain

SCAN is a protein domain frequently found at the N termini of proteins encoded by mammalian tandem zinc finger (ZF) genes, whose structure is known to be similar to that of retroviral gag capsid domains and whose multimerization has been proposed as a model for retroviral assembly. We report that the SCAN domain is derived from the C-terminal portion of the gag capsid (CA) protein from the Gmr1-like family of Gypsy/Ty3-like retrotransposons. On the basis of sequence alignments and phylogenetic distributions, we show that the ancestral host SCAN domain (ESCAN for extended SCAN) was exapted from a full-length CA gene from a Gmr1-like retrotransposon at or near the root of the tetrapod animal branch. A truncated variant of ESCAN that corresponds to the annotated SCAN domain arose shortly thereafter and appears to be the only form extant in mammals. The Anolis lizard has a large number of tandem ZF genes with N-terminal ESCAN or SCAN domains. We predict DNA binding sites for all Anolis ESCAN-ZF and SCAN-ZF proteins and demonstrate several highly significant matches to Anolis Gmr1-like sequences, suggesting that at least some of these proteins target retroelements. SCAN is known to mediate protein dimerization, and the CA protein multimerizes to form the core retroviral and retrotransposon capsid structure. We speculate that the SCAN domain originally functioned to target host ZF proteins to retroelement capsids.
CRT-114 Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Predicts In-hospital Heart Failure in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a well-known predictor of heart failure in the general population. However, its clinical significance in the setting of acute coronary syndrome has not been well established. We aimed to determine the predictive value of echocardiographic LVH for in-hospital
A Markov service policy with application to the queueing study of a DQDB station

Abstract In this paper, a queueing system is formulated, analyzed and applied for the study of the queueing behavior of a DQDB station. At first, an appropriate process is defined to capture the station's perception of the state of the distributed global queue (DQDB network) and a queueing model is formulated. In the sequel, a general queueing system is considered; the packet service time requirement is assumed to depend on the state of an underlying Markov chain at the time when the packet is forwarded to the head of the queue. Finally, the process which captures the state of the global distributed queue is approximated and the resulting queueing model for the DQDB station is related to the general queueing system and analyzed. Results for the queue occupancy distribution of the DQDB station are derived and compared with simulations.
On the deterministic performance of uncertain dynamical systems

We consider linear dynamical systems containing uncertain elements owing to imperfect knowledge about the model, the input and, sometimes, the state as well. Subject to these uncertainties, we seek controllers that guarantee that all possible responses of the system behave in a desired fashion. The results are illustrated by two examples.
Dynamic interactions between cell wall polymers, extracellular proteases and autolytic enzymes.

Abstract A sporulation mutant of Bacillus , subtilis 168 contains three autolytic activities with pH optima at 5.5, 8.0 and 9.5. Reducing groups and N-terminal groups are liberated during autolysis at pH 5.5 and 8.0, but only N-terminal groups are liberated at pH 9.5. The enzyme activity is constant during growth, but the substrate is variable. Two of the enzymes (pH 5.5 and 8.0) are sensitive to proteases whereas one (pH 9.5) is not. The presence of multiple autolytic activities might explain why sporulation mutants lyse more rapidly than the parent strain.
SU-FF-T-190: Daily Quality Assurance (QA) Procedure of On-Board Imager (OBI)

Purpose: Developed a daily QA procedure for checking; 1) the accuracy of the imager isocenter and 2) the auto couch motion accuracy of the On-Board Imager (OBI) device developed by Varian. This QA procedure will assure that the imager isocenter matches the mechanical isocenter and that the positional difference detected by the imager software can be reliably transferred to couch motion. Method and Materials: The Cube Isocenter Phantom provided by Varian was used for this daily QA procedure. Two sets of bb were used to define 2 separate spatial locations (points.) In each set, one bb is on the anterior side (AP bb) and the other (Lat bb) is on the lateral side of the phantom. The first set defines the isocenter (at the phantom center) and the second set defines a point 1.5 cm anterior, inferior, and lateral from the isocenter. An axial CT scan was acquired with a slice thickness of 2 mm. A plan with an AP MV and a Lat KV fields was created in Eclipse with the corresponding DRRs attached. The QA procedure starts with setting up the phantom center at the mechanical isocenter and taking AP MV and Lat KV images. The locations of the central bbs were first checked to get the accuracy of the imager isocenter. If that accuracy is acceptable, the central bbs in the KV/MV images were then manually moved to overlay to the off-axis bbs in the DRR images. The shifts obtained will be applied to remotely move the couch. All data will be recorded. Results: This OBI QA procedure is simple and easy to implement. It usually takes 10–15 min to do the QA. The_accuracy the procedure can detect is better than 2mm. Conclusion: The suggested QA procedure is clinically robust and reliable.
Galvanic corrosion between SiC monofilament and magnesium in NaCl, Na2SO4 and NaNO3 solutions for application to metal-matrix composites

Abstract Galvanic corrosion of SiC monofilament (MF) coupled to pure Mg and ZE41A Mg alloy was studied using the potentiodynamic polarization technique in concert with the mixed-potential theory. Corrosion penetration rates of Mg were generally equal to 1 cm year −1 in de-aerated and oxygenated 3.15% NaCl, 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 and 0.5 M NaNO 3 solutions. Galvanic corrosion penetration rates varied from 0.046 to 7.3 cm year −1 , depending on solution oxygenation and the exposed region of SiC MFs. NaF was very effective in reducing galvanic corrosion rates in de-aerated 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 and 0.5 M NaNO 3 , modestly effective in oxygenated 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 and 0.5 M NaNO 3 and ineffective in 3.15% NaCl.
The natural history of retinal degeneration in association with cobalamin C (cbl C) disease.

Purpose: To describe the association between retinal degeneration and cobalamin C (cblC) disease and to review previously published ophthalmic data regarding cblC disease. Methods: Descriptive case series of three patients and compilation of all previously reported cases of cblC disease in the ophthalmic literature. Results: All three new cases presented with macular pigmentary changes and showed attenuation of electroretinographic responses. Sequential ERG (electroretinogram) testing in Case 1 demonstrated ERGs that began at the lower limits of normal and became progressively attenuated over time. Conclusions: Cobalamin C disease results in progressive retinal degeneration with its onset in the first few months of life and progressing rapidly over the first few years of life.
Immunoglobulin from systemic lupus erythematosus serum induces interferon release by normal mononuclear cells

Ig fractions from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were tested with cultured normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells for induction of interferon release. Lymphocyte eluates, euglobulins containing IgG and IgM, and IgG or IgM from DEAE or sucrose gradients all induced interferon production. Lymphocytotoxic antibody in SLE sera showed a high correlation with capacity of isolated Ig fractions to induce interferon. Most interferon produced was of the gamma type. Monoclonal SLE IgM antilymphocyte antibody induced interferon synthesis.
True background calibration technique for pipelined ADC

A digital background calibration technique for a pipelined analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is presented. The calibration technique involves the use of a slow, but accurate, ADC in conjunction with a least-mean squares (LMS) algorithm to find the parameters, which correct for residue errors such as finite opamp gain error, capacitor ratio mismatch and charge injection error in a nonideal pipeline stage, resulting in a significant improvement in the INL and the DNL of the ADC.
Reliability evaluation and decision problems in extra stage Shuffle-exchange MINs

A multistage interconnection network (MIN) uses switching elements for interconnecting processors to memory or processors. This paper first considers a stochastic model of a shuffle exchange network (of size N) with an extra stage and develops terminal, broadcast, and K-terminal reliability evaluation algorithms that run in time O(log log N), O(log N), and O(k log N), respectively, where k = |K|. Second, a deterministic model for the MIN is considered and decision problems in which one is interested in evaluating whether a network can effect a specified set of connections with a given set of failures are solved. We develop a set of approaches for the SENE for the terminal decision, broadcast decision, and network decision problems and for the general S, T decision problem for an input set S and output set T. Each algorithm runs within time polynomial in the size of the SENE and the number of faults and, in some cases, logarithmic in the size of the SENE and polynomial in the number of faults. These approaches are based on either testing for the existence of an appropriate pathset or testing for the nonexistence of an appropriate cutset. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Diet for Fructose Malabsorbers, An Increasing Complaint

Abstract In the past several decades, the intake of starch has decreased in relation to the increased intake of simple sugars. In the United States more than half of simple sugar intake is due to added sugars, with the remainder coming from naturally occurring sugar in fruit and their products and milk. Much of the added simple sugar has come from the substitution of economically beneficial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for the sucrose in soda and many processed foods. Malabsorption of fructose and other carbohydrates has been the suspected cause of pronounced gastrointestinal distress among certain patients. A fructose restricted diet for fructose malabsorbing patients has been developed and has shown success in decreasing gastrointestinal symptoms.
α-Proton chemical shifts and secondary structure in proteins

Abstract Statistical analyses have been performed on 1H chemical-shift distributions in 32 polypeptides and proteins (ranging from 27 to 129 amino acid residues in length) for which reliable assignments (primarily from analyses of their spectra by 2D NMR methods) and secondary structure information were both available. On the basis of two independent statistical tests, significant differences were found between aH chemical shifts of aliphatic amino acid residues, Ala, Ile, Leu, Lys, and Val, in helical and β-sheet structures. Residues in regular helices have their αH atoms shifted upfield by −0.4 ppm, on average, and those in regular β-sheet structures are shifted downfield by +0.4 ppm with respect to the random coil value.
Biological assay challenges from compound solubility: strategies for bioassay optimization

Compound solubility in buffers and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has emerged as an important issue. Many discovery compounds have low solubility but are potentially valuable as leads. Unfortunately, low solubility affects bioassays by causing underestimated activity, reduced HTS-hit rates, variable data, inaccurate SAR, discrepancies between enzyme and cell assays and inaccurate in vitro ADME-Tox testing. Strategies for optimizing bioassays include: considering solubility in HTS-library design; early screening for solubility; improving storage and handling of DMSO stocks; optimizing dilution protocols; and ensuring that low-solubility compounds are fully solubilized in bioassays. These approaches allow for adequate assessments of valuable pharmacophores for which solubility can be chemically optimized at a later date.
Observation of the Mössbauer effect in 232Th following Coulomb excitation

Abstract The Mossbauer effect of 232Th has been observed following Coulomb excitation. A lower limit for the life-time was found of 0.33 ± 0.01 ns. No isomer shift greater than 0.5 mm/s was detected.
In vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection split: an insemination method to prevent fertilization failure.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the performance of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in cases of unexplained infertility and of borderline semen parameters can prevent fertilization failure. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Hospital-based assisted reproductive technology program. Patient(s): Sixty couples with unexplained infertility (group 1) and 50 couples with borderline semen (group 2). Intervention(s): Conventional IVF and ICSI were performed on sibling oocyte cumulus complexes. Main Outcome Measure(s): Rate of fertilization according to patient diagnosis. Result(s): The fertilization rate per oocyte cumulus complex in couples with unexplained infertility (group 1) was significantly higher with ICSI (65.3%) compared with IVF insemination (48.1%). Fertilization rates per OCC in couples with borderline semen (group 2) were not significantly different between ICSI (58.1%) and IVF (56.7%). In group 1, failure of fertilization after IVF insemination occurred in 10 of the 60 couples (16.7%) and in none with ICSI. In group 2, 2 of 50 couples (4.0%) failed fertilization by IVF, and 1 (2.0%) failed with ICSI. No couple in group 2 failed both IVF insemination and ICSI. Conclusion(s): In couples with unexplained infertility, a higher fertilization rate was achieved through ICSI compared with conventional IVF. No such benefit could be demonstrated for couples with borderline semen parameters. The use of ICSI rescued 12 of 110 cycles (10.9%) where IVF failed. Adoption of the ICSI-IVF insemination split in cases of unexplained infertility may help eliminate fertilization failures.
As-cast microstructures in U-Pu-Zr alloy fuel pins with 5-8 wt.% minor actinides and 0- 1.5 wt% rare-earth elements

Abstract The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is investigating U–Pu–Zr alloys with low concentrations of minor actinides (Np and Am) and rare-earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) as possible nuclear fuels to be used to transmute minor actinides. Alloys with compositions 60U–20Pu–3Am–2Np–15Zr, 42U–30Pu–5Am–3Np–20Zr, 59U–20Pu–3Am–2Np–1RE–15Zr, 58.5U–20Pu–3Am–2Np–1.5RE–15Zr, 41U–30Pu–5Am–3Np–1RE–20Zr, and 40.5U–30Pu–5Am–3Np–1.5RE–20Zr (where numbers represent weight percents of each element and RE is a rare-earth alloy consisting of 6% La, 16% Pr, 25% Ce, and 53% Nd by weight) were arc-melted and vacuum cast as fuel pins approximately 4 mm in diameter. The as-cast pins were sectioned, polished, and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Each alloy contains high-Zr inclusions surrounded by a high-actinide matrix. Alloys with rare-earth elements also contain inclusions that are high in these elements. Within the matrix, concentrations of U and Zr vary inversely, while concentrations of Np and Pu appear approximately constant. Am occurs in the matrix and with some high-rare-earth inclusions, and occasionally as high-Am inclusions in samples without rare-earth elements.
Control of pH during denitrification using an encapsulated phosphate buffer

Acidic phosphate granules encapsulated within a pH-sensitive wall were used to demonstrate pH control during denitrification. Characterization of the distribution of microcapsule mass and percent potassium content of the core showed that the wall was an average of 30.3% of the total microcapsule mass. A stochastic model using Monte Carlo methods was developed describing the kinetics of release of the microcapsule core in solution. The model satisfactorily predicted the pH drop and potassium release as a function of time for experiments performed at various pH values in the absence of biological activity. Although the model only fairly predicted the actual values of pH and potassium released during the denitrification experiments, the model predicted the pH trends quite well as shown by the similar predictions in the increase and decrease in pH. The experimental data demonstrate that pH control using the microcapsules was effective because the pH rise caused by denitrification was counteracted by the release of the acidic microcapsule core.
Intersectoral efficiency between agriculture and industry in six C.M.E.A. countries: Introducing a simple equilibrium model

The purposes of this paper is to show how the long-run preferences for industry and agriculture of the planning bodies in six C.M.E.A. countries can be analyzed by using data on factor allocations in these sectors. Indicative results describing these preferences are obtained and existing inefficiencies in labor allocation and the relative domestic prices of industrial and agricultural goods are discussed. The conclusions suggest that the preferences of the planning bodies have stayed completely constant over 1950–1980 only in the case of the GDR, and that allocations of labor and domestic price ratios have mostly been far from optimal over that period in the countries that were analyzed.
The reactions of nitrogen oxides with SO2 in aqueous aerosols

Abstract We have studied the kinetics of oxidation of aqueous sulfur dioxide species to sulfate and bisulfate by aqueous NO, NO2−, and NO3−. The rates of reaction of NO and NO3− are too slow to measure over the pH range studied (0.6–3.2) (k ≤ 0.01 l mol−1 s−1) but the reaction of NO2− is rapid ( k = 142(H + ) 1 2 l 3 2 mol −3 2 s −1 ). The product of the NO2− reaction at low pH is nitrous oxide, N2O. Preliminary estimates indicate that the oxidation of SO2 by nitrous acid in aerosols will not be a major pathway, and the source strength of N2O from this reaction will be less than 0.1 Tg y−1. Nevertheless, nitrite may be an important intermediate in the nitrogen cycle because of its high reactivity.
Dimensions of cusp forms for Γ0(p) in degree two and small weights

We investigate degree two Siegel cusp forms of small weight for Γ0(p). Using the Restriction Technique we compute some dimensions and verify the conjectures ofHashimoto in some examples of weights three and four. For weight two we determine the dimension for primesp ≤ 41 and find only lifts. We explain in general how to compute spaces of Siegel cusp forms for subgroups of finite index in Γ n .
Engaging and Informing Citizens with Household Indicators

Urban simulation systems can be a powerful tool for helping to understand the complex, long-term consequences of urban planning decisions. Simulation results are summarized and reported using indicators: aggregate measures such as population density or total minutes of vehicle delay. To citizens without expertise in urban planning, such indicators may be abstract and unfamiliar; they are difficult to compare to experiences of the city today. Household Indicators address this gap by presenting a personalized, household-level view on simulation results through a web-based interface. This paper discusses the design of a Household Indicators tool, employing the Value Sensitive Design theory and methodology.
Cancer therapy design based on pathway logic

Motivation: Cancer encompasses various diseases associated with loss of cell cycle control, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and/or reduced apoptosis. Cancer is usually caused by malfunction(s) in the cellular signaling pathways. Malfunctions occur in different ways and at different locations in a pathway. Consequently, therapy design should first identify the location and type of malfunction to arrive at a suitable drug combination. Results: We consider the growth factor (GF) signaling pathways, widely studied in the context of cancer. Interactions between different pathway components are modeled using Boolean logic gates. All possible single malfunctions in the resulting circuit are enumerated and responses of the different malfunctioning circuits to a ‘test’ input are used to group the malfunctions into classes. Effects of different drugs, targeting different parts of the Boolean circuit, are taken into account in deciding drug efficacy, thereby mapping each malfunction to an appropriate set of drugs. Contact: edward@ece.tamu.edu
KPSpotter: a flexible information gain-based keyphrase extraction system

To tackle the issue of information overload, we present an Information Gain-based KeyPhrase Extraction System, called KPSpotter. KPSpotter is a flexible web-enabled keyphrase extraction system, capable of processing various formats of input data, including web data, and generating the extraction model as well as the list of keyphrases in XML. In KPSpotter, the following two features were selected for training and extracting keyphrases: 1) TF*IDF and 2) Distance from First Occurrence. Input training and testing collections were processed in three stages: 1) Data Cleaning, 2) Data Tokenizing, and 3) Data Discretizing. To measure the system performance, the keyphrases extracted by KPSpotter are compared with the ones that the authors assigned. Our experiments show that the performance of KPSpotter was evaluated to be equivalent to KEA, a well-known keyphrase extraction system. KPSpotter, however, is differentiated from other extraction systems in the followings: First, KPSpotter employs a new keyphrase extraction technique that combines the Information Gain data mining measure and several Natural Language Processing techniques such as stemming and case-folding. Second, KPSpotter is able to process various types of input data such as XML, HTML, and unstructured text data and generate XML output. Third, the user can provide input data and execute KPSpotter through the Internet. Fourth, for efficiency and performance reason, KPSpotter stores candidate keyphrases and its related information such as frequency and stemmed form into an embedded database management system.
Profiling-based Adaptive Contention Management for Software Transactional Memory

In software transactional memory (STM) systems, the contention management (CM) policy decides what action to take when a conflict occurs. CM is crucial to the performance of STM systems. However, the performance of existing CMs is sensitive to transaction workload and system platforms. A static policy is therefore unsatisfactory. In this paper, we argue that adaptive contention management is necessary and feasible. We further present a profiling-based method that can choose a suitable CM for a given workload and system platform during run-time. We also propose to use logic-time (transactional commit or abort events) to measure the profiling length and compare it with the traditional physical-time-based method. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed adaptive contention manager (ACM) outperforms static CMs across benchmarks and platforms. In particular, the ACM that uses the number of aborts for the profiling length performs better than others.
Building an electronic health record integrated quality of life outcomes registry for spine surgery

OBJECT Demonstrating the value of spine care requires adequate outcomes assessment. Long-term outcomes are best measured as overall improvement in quality of life (QOL) after surgical intervention. Present registries often require parallel data entry, introducing inefficiencies and limiting compliance. The authors detail the methodology of constructing an integrated electronic health record (EHR) system to collect QOL metrics and demonstrate the effect of data collection on routine clinical workflow. A streamlined approach to collecting QOL data can capture patient data without requiring dual data entry and without increasing clinic visit times. METHODS Through extensive literature review, a combination of QOL assessments was selected, consisting of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and -9, Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index, and visual analog scale for pain. These metrics were used to provide assessment of QOL following spine surgery and were incorporated into standard clinic workflow by a...
Combining project based learning with exercises in problem solving in order to train analytical mathematical skills

This paper presents the contents and the teaching methods used in the fourth semester course - REG4E - an important subject in engineering, namely Control Theory and Dynamical Systems. Control Theory courses in engineering education are usually related to exercises in the laboratory or to projects. However, in order to understand complexity of control systems, the students need to possess an analytical understanding of abstract mathematical problems. Our main goal is to illustrate the theory through the robot project, but at the same time we force our students to train their analytical skills by mandatory exercises including problems of abstract mathematics. This paper describes our effort to motivate students to work with the theory. We conclude with our and students' own opinion on their work during the semester. Ideas for future development of this course are presented.
The flow of a dusty gas through an infinitely long pipe

Abstract The following paper studies several boundary value problems arising from Saffman's formulation of the equations of two-dimensional flow for dusty gases. The first, second, and third Sections derive a set of linear partial differential equations representing two-dimensional flow and obtain solutions to these equations for rectangular and circular geometries. Both steady-state and transient cases are examined. The fourth Section presents, symbolically, the general solution for two-dimensional flow through arbitrary cross-sections in terms of eigenfunction expansions for the geometry of these cross-sections. In Section five, estimates for the average velocities are obtained in terms of readily computable parameters.
Comparison of two maximal ratio combining techniques in antenna arraying

When signals from a user (fixed or mobile) are received at multiple antennas, the signals can be arrayed to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal. This article describes two maximal ratio combining techniques referred to as full spectrum combining (FSC) and complex symbol combining (CSC), and then compares them in terms of the achievable arraying gain. Although the performance of these techniques is derived for the case of binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signalling in an additive white Gaussian noise channel, the analytical techniques here are applicable to other modulations and channels. The paper also addresses the use of symbol SNR degradation and symbol SNR loss as system performance measures. It is shown that degradation and loss are equal at weak signal levels but degradation is a lower bound for loss when the signal is strong. The telemetry arraying techniques described are applicable to any phase modulated signal. We assess the deep space communication channel performance scenario where the weakest signals ever are detected.
‘‘What makes life good?’’ Developing a culturally grounded quality of life measure for Alaska Native college students

Background. Alaska Native (AN) college students experience higher attrition rates than their non-Native peers. Understanding the factors that contribute to quality of life (‘‘what makes life good’’) for AN students will help inform supportive programs that are congruent with their culture and college life experiences. Objectives. Co-develop a conceptual model and a measure of quality of life (QOL) that reflects the experiences of AN college students. Methods. Six focus groups were conducted with 26 AN college students. Within a communityacademic partnership, interactive data collection activities, co-analysis workgroup sessions and an interactive findings forum ensured a participant-driven research process. Findings. Students identified and operationally defined eight QOL domains (values, culture and traditions, spirituality, relationships, basic needs, health, learning and leisure). The metaphor of a tree visually illustrates how the domains values, culture and traditions and spirituality form the roots to the other domains that appear to branch out as students navigate the dual worldviews of Native and Western ways of living. Conclusions. The eight QOL domains and their items identified during focus groups were integrated into a visual model and an objective QOL measure. The hope is to provide a useful tool for developing and evaluating university-based programs and services aimed toward promoting a positive QOL and academic success for AN students. Keywords: quality of life; Alaska Native; college students; community-based participatory research (Published: 5 August 2013) This paper is part of Supplement 1, 2013, ICCH15 Proceedings . More papers from this Supplement can be found here . Citation: Int J Circumpolar Health 2013, 72 : 21180 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21180
Vaccinia Virus Uracil DNA Glycosylase Has an Essential Role in DNA Synthesis That Is Independent of Its Glycosylase Activity: Catalytic Site Mutations Reduce Virulence but Not Virus Replication in Cultured Cells

Previous findings that the vaccinia virus uracil DNA glycosylase is required for virus DNA replication, coupled with an inability to isolate a mutant with an active site substitution in the glycosylase gene, were surprising, as such enzymes function in DNA repair and bacterial, yeast, and mammalian null mutants are viable. To further study the role of the viral protein, we constructed recombinant vaccinia viruses with single or double mutations (D68N and H181L) in the uracil DNA glycosylase conserved catalytic site by using a complementing cell line that constitutively expresses the viral enzyme. Although these mutations abolished uracil DNA glycosylase activity, they did not prevent viral DNA replication or propagation on a variety of noncomplementing cell lines or human primary skin fibroblasts. In contrast, replication of a uracil DNA glycosylase deletion mutant occurred only in the complementing cell line. Therefore, the uracil DNA glycosylase has an essential role in DNA replication that is independent of its glycosylase activity. Nevertheless, the conservation of the catalytic site in all poxvirus orthologs suggested an important role in vivo. This idea was confirmed by the decreased virulence of catalytic-site mutants when administered by the intranasal route to mice.
Virtual tree coherence: Leveraging regions and in-network multicast trees for scalable cache coherence

Scalable cache coherence solutions are imperative to drive the many-core revolution forward. To fully realize the massive computation power of these many-core architectures, the communication substrate must be carefully examined and streamlined. There is tension between the need for an ordered interconnect to simplify coherence and the need for an unordered interconnect to provide scalable communication. In this work, we propose a coherence protocol, virtual tree coherence (VTC), that relies on a virtually ordered interconnect. Our virtual ordering can be overlaid on any unordered interconnect to provide scalable, high-bandwidth communication. Specifically, VTC keeps track of sharers of a coarse-grained region, and multicasts requests to them through a virtual tree, employing properties of the virtual tree to enforce ordering amongst coherence requests. We compare VTC against a commonly used directory-based protocol and a greedy-order protocol extended onto an unordered interconnect. VTC outperforms both of these by averages of 25% and 11% in execution time respectively across a suite of scientific and commercial applications on 16 cores. For a 64-core system running server consolidation workloads, VTC outperforms directory and greedy protocols with average runtime improvements of 31% and 12%.
Primary Mesenchymal Cells Isolated from SPARC-null Mice Exhibit Altered Morphology and Rates of Proliferation

SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine)/BM 40/osteonectin is a matricellular protein shown to function as a counteradhesive factor that induces cell rounding and as an inhibitor of cell proliferation. These activities have been defined in cell culture, in which interpretation has been complicated by the presence of endogenous SPARC. We therefore sought to determine whether cell shape and proliferation would be affected by the absence of SPARC. Mesangial cells, fibroblasts, and aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated from SPARC-null and age-matched, wild-type mice. In contrast to wild-type cells, SPARC-null mesangial cells exhibited a flat morphology and an altered actin cytoskeleton. In addition, vinculin-containing focal adhesions were distributed over the center of SPARC-null cells, whereas in wild-type cells, the number of focal adhesions was reduced, and these structures were restricted largely to the cell periphery. Although the SPARC-null fibroblasts did not display overt differences in cell morphology, the cells responded to exogenous recombinant SPARC by rounding up in a manner similar to that of wild-type fibroblasts. Thus, the expression of endogenous SPARC is not required for the response of cells to SPARC. Additionally, SPARC-null mesangial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells proliferated faster than their respective wild-type counterparts. Null cells also showed a greater sensitivity to the inhibition of cell cycle progression by the addition of recombinant SPARC. The increased proliferation rate of SPARC-null cells appeared to be mediated, at least in part, by an increase in the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin A. We conclude that the expression of SPARC influences the cellular architecture of mesangial cells and that SPARC plays a role in the regulation of cell cycle in mesangial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells.
Nonverbal Cues: Clues to the Detection of Foreign Language Anxiety

Abstract: This observation study examined the nonverbal behavior of anxious and nonanxious foreign language learners during a videotaped oral foreign language exam. Focusing primarily on the kinesic signals found in facial expressions, gazing behavior, body movement and gesture, and posture, it was discovered that anxious learners manifested limited facial activity including brow behavior and smiling; maintained less eye contact with the teacher; were more rigid and closed with their posture; and, although they self-touched and manipulated objects more than the nonanxious, they used fewer illustrative and regulatory gestures. Although significant differences were found, limitations for using nonverbal observation for detecting anxiety are discussed.
NBBS network management

Network management for Networking BroadBand Services (NBBS), a general-purpose, multiprotocol, high-speed transport backbone is discussed. The paper begins with the objectives and the key choices made in the development of the network management solution. The managed environment for high-speed transport networks and some features of the NBBS architecture that have influenced the network management solution are described, along with the relationship between the network manager and the managed target system agent, the actual communication environment for the Nways™ Switch Manager. The relationship between the Network Management Workstation and an NBBS node acting as a network management agent is presented. The use of managed object classes to provide a Management Information Base (MIB) that may be accessed by a manager using the Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) to manage NBBS networks is then discussed. Management application models for accounting, configuration, topology, performance, and fa ult management for NBBS are illustrated, showing how they relate to the NBBS managed objects. The paper concludes with a look at future directions for the NBBS management solution.
Review of measurement instruments in clinical and research ethics, 1999–2003

Every field of practice has the responsibility to evaluate its outcomes and to test its theories. Evidence of the underdevelopment of measurement instruments in bioethics suggests that attending to strengthening existing instruments and developing new ones will facilitate the interpretation of accumulating bodies of research as well as the making of clinical judgements. A review of 65 instruments reported in the published literature showed 10 with even a minimal level of psychometric data. Two newly developed instruments provide examples of the full use of psychometric and ethical theory. Bioethicists use a wide range of methods for knowledge development and verification; each method should meet stringent standards of quality.
Central Venous Catheterization

Central venous catheterization is frequently required in critically ill patients to facilitate fluid resuscitation; to administer vasoactive agents, sedative agents, antibiotics as well as myriad other medications; as well as to provide access for various dialytic approaches. The most common sites of venous access are the subclavian, internal jugular, and femoral veins. Central venous catheterization is not a benign procedure and may be associated with potentially lifethreatening complications. Femoral venous catheterization is probably associated with the lowest incidence of periprocedural complications in the inexperienced operator. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the incidence of catheter-associated sepsis and thromboembolic complications may not be higher with femoral catheters. Femoral catheters, however, should be avoided in patients nursed in a chair or ambulating patients. The presence of a coagulopathy is not a contraindication to central vein catheterization; the rate of complications is related to the expertise of the operator rather than the ability of the patient’s blood to clot. In the hands of the inexperienced, femoral vein catheterization is recommended in the coagulopathic patient. Catheter-associated sepsis is a serious complication in critically ill patients (see Chapter 44); central venous catheters should therefore be inserted under strict aseptic conditions; hand washing, gloves, gown, and extended drapes are mandatory. While the risk of infection is related to the number of ports and manipulations, triple- lumen catheters may limit the number of catheters required (and infections) and are therefore generally recommended. Furthermore, antibiotic-coated catheters and reduce the risk of infection are therefore recommended.
Sexual sterilization of screw-worm flies by N,N'-tetramethylenebis (1-aziridinecarboxamide): influence of route of administration.

Screw-worm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), treated at different stages of the life cycle with N,N′ -tetramethylenebis (l-aziridinecarboxamide), could not be sexually sterilized by incorporating the chemosterilant in the larval medium or by immersing prepuce in a solution however, screw-worm flies were sterilized successfully by immersing pupae, and sterility was induced in adults be all routes of administration: topical application, oral treatment, tarsal contact with a residual film, and injection. Oral administration to adults reduced the survival of treated flies at least half; the other routes had no adverse effects on survival. Topically sterilized males were at least fully competitive sexually, but males sterilized by tarsal contact or intrathoracic inoculation were less competitive than normal males.
Flow and Heat Transfer Study in an Autoclave for Hydrothermal Crystal Growth With a Three-Dimensional Conjugate Heat Transfer Model

Numerical modeling becomes an important technique to study hydrothermal crystal growth since experimental measurements in hydrothermal autoclaves are extremely difficult due to the high pressure and high temperature growth conditions. In all existing models for hydrothermal growth, isothermal boundary conditions are assumed, although electric heaters are employed around the outside surface of the thick autoclave wall in practice. In this paper, a conjugate heat transfer model based on an industry size autoclave is developed to investigate the validity of such an assumption. The model includes not only turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer of the solution but also the heat conduction in the thick wall. The outside surfaces of the wall are under constant heat flux conditions, simulating electric resistance heating used in practice. Non-uniformity of the heat flux in the circumferential direction is also introduced in the model. The results indicate that the temperature at the solution/wall interface is far away from uniform. The isothermal wall boundary condition in previous efforts is questionable. Predictions of the isothermal wall model are analyzed. Parametric studies with the conjugate model show that total heat supply rate does not affect vertical uniformity dramatically. Heat loss can be lowered without affecting the flow and temperature fields if heaters are put half diameter or further away from the middle height (baffle) plane.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Revealing contemporary constructions of femininity: Expression and sexuality in strip club legislation:

This case study of Las Vegas strip club business laws explores the construction of feminine sexuality in legal discourse. Grounding textual analysis in contemporary sexuality theories, the article explores expression-based regulations that construct erotic dance as detrimental to social welfare and health, and other laws that normalize erotic dance labor as the sale of desire. I argue that expression-based ordinances stigmatize public displays of women’s (semi-) nude bodies and construct workers’ sexuality as potentially dangerous and uncontrollable. Alternatively, laws that classify erotic dance as labor construct femininity as fluid and work appropriate, regulating the work(er), not the erotic dancer as a person.
The BSpace Algorithm - A Statistical Model of Satellite Constellation Performance

This paper describes a statistical algorithm that predicts the best possible collection performance that may be achieved by a large constellation of imaging satellites collecting against a very large target deck. Our model includes an ideal tasking algorithm for cooperative collection. Tasking algorithms are one of the most difficult parts of a collection simulation to model, particularly for cooperative collection in a constellation. We were able to produce midto high-fidelity results for a simulation of half a dozen satellites collecting against approximately 100,000 targets, with a run-time of only 15 minutes. The algorithm is easily implemented in the C programming language on an ordinary workstation.
Dynamics and control of slew maneuver of large flexible spacecraft

In this paper, the dynamics and control of slewing maneuvers of a large flexible spacecraft namely. NASASpacecraft Control L aboratory Experiment (SCOLE) test article are studied. The dynamical equations o btained for slewing maneuvers are highly nonlinear and coupled. The maneuver is expressed in terms of four Euler parameters and is specified a s the angular displacement about an arbitrary axis. The slew maneuver control problem is developed in terms of rigid-body slewing and suppression of two elastic modes is analyzed using the method of nonlinear decoupling. Nomenclature: Position v ector of mass element on the beam from the point of attachment Position v ector from the point of attachment to the mass center Displacement vector of mass element i n the body- fixed frame Force applied at the orbiter mass center Force applied at the reflector mass center Moment applied about the orbiter mass center Hass moment of inertia matrix of the shuttle Mass moment of inertia matrix of the ref lector The length of the beam Total mass of the f lexible beam Iass of the orbiter Mass of the r eflector
SSC Collider Dipole Cryostat

The Superconducting SuperCollider (SSC) project required almost 8000 dipole magnet cryostats. These cryostats had design requirements that included low heat leak, structural stability and cost minimization. Detailed designs were developed and numerous prototype magnets were built and tested. While the SSC project did not continue, many aspects of the SSC dipole magnet cryostats were used in later projects such as the LHC and ILC. This chapter describes the SSC dipole magnet cryostat design including design criteria, thermal insulation systems, structural supports and interconnects. Test results from prototypes, particularly in the area of heat leak are also presented.
Voices of the Dead

The use of electronic devices for communicating with spirits is called instrumental transcommunication. Radios, televisions, fax machines, and computers are used to collect hidden messages that are purportedly of a paranormal nature. Audio recordings are the most common types of communication, known specifically as electronic voice phenomena (EVPs). These are said to be voice recordings of the dead, but recorded after the person has died. EVPs are believed by some to be evidence for the existence of life after death. Alternatively, they are held to be the voices of spirits, demons, angels, or aliens.
Determination of Sorbic Acid and Benzoic Acid in Foods Using Multi-sample Simultaneous Extraction-gas Chromatography

A novel method for determination of sorbic acid and benzoic acid in food was developed using multi-sample simultaneous extraction-gas chromatography.The samples and standard series solution were extracted simultaneously,with a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane(1+1) as extraction solvent.The contents of sorbic acid and benzoic acid were measured by SE-30 wide caliber capillary.In the selected conditions,the detection limit for sorbic acid and benzoic acid was 1 mg/kg,the linear range was 25-500 mg/kg,the recoveries was 93.2-102.4% and the RSD was 1.9-4.1%.The method was simple,rapid,easy control and low-cost.It can be used for the rapid quantitative analysis of batch sample.