cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meeting information needs in health policy and public health: Priorities for the national library of medicine and the national network of libraries of medicine

Those seeking information in health policy and public health are not as well served as those seeking clinical information. Problems inhibiting access to health policy and public health information include the heterogeneity of professionals seeking the information, the distribution of relevant information across disciplines and information sources, scarcity of synthesized information useful to practitioners, lack of awareness of available services or training in their use, and lack of access to information technology or to knowledgeable librarians and information specialists. Since 1990, the National Library of Medicine and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine have been working to enhance information services in health policy and public health through expanding the coverage of the NLM collection, building new databases, and engaging in targeted outreach and training initiatives directed toward segments of the health policy and public health communities. Progress has been made, but more remains to be done. Recommendations arising from the meeting,Accessing Useful Information: Challenges in Health Policy and Public Health, will help NLM and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to establish priorities and action plans for the next several years.
Experimental herpetic keratitis in the guinea pig

A model of herpetic keratitis with type 1 Herpesvirus hominis was established in the guinea pig. The administration of 10 mg triamcinolone acetonide subconjunctivally in both eyes resulted in an amelioration of the clinical course of the disease process, whereas 40 mg injected peritoneally did not. The possible pathophysiology of these responses is discussed.
Oral fluid nicotine markers to assess smoking status and recency of use.

Oral fluid collection is non-invasive and easily observed making it an attractive matrix for objectively determining smoking status. Despite large inter-subject variability, cotinine oral fluid concentrations correlate with cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Few studies, however, assessed nicotine markers in oral fluid other than cotinine; other markers might improve smoking status assessment and/or time of last cigarette. Materials and Methods Smoking histories and oral fluid specimens were collected from non-treatment-seeking light (1–10 CPD) and heavy smokers (>10 CPD), and from environmentally exposed and nonexposed nonsmokers who provided written informed consent for this Institutional Review Board-approved study. Nicotine, cotinine, hydroxycotinine (OH-cotinine) and norcotinine oral fluid concentrations were quantified via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS).
Inflammatory Bowel Disease — Live Transmission

Experiments on genetically engineered mice indicate that perimucosal tumor necrosis factor α influences the development of microflora associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Pure Point Spectrum of the Laplacians on Fractal Graphs

Abstract We establish the pure point spectrum of the Laplacians on two point self-similar fractal graphs. All eigenvalues have infinite multiplicity and a countable system of orthonormal eigenfunctions with compact support is complete in the corresponding Hilbert space.
Processing Foreign Turfgrass Germplasm through Federal Quarantine

Foreign germplasm will continue to be an important component of turfgrass breeding programs. Hundreds of alien pathogens overseas are not found in the USA, and some are responsible for major economically devastating losses. Vegetative propagules, but not imported seeds of turfgrass genera, are quarantined on arrival in the USA. They are closely observed for insects and diseases, and are tested for some 50 viruses reported worldwide to infect grasses. Two virus-indexing tests are conducted in duplicate under quarantine control 6 to 12 mo apart. They are (i) mechanical transmission of viruses in extracted sap to eight genera of monocots (herbaceous test) such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.), each of which is sensitive to one or more viruses, and (ii) sap examination under the electron microscope (EM) for the presence of virus particles. More than 95% of the accessions are released from quarantine after completion of 12 to 18 mo of virus testing. Status of quarantined germplasm is maintained in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), which any U.S. scientist can access via computer. Processing turfgrass germplasm through quarantine will continue to be an important component of the Federal program of safeguarding exotic germplasm introduction and eventual introgression
Comparison of lisdexamfetamine and dextroamphetamine exposures reported to U.S. poison centers

AbstractContext. Lisdexamfetamine is a pro-drug stimulant that requires the enzymatic hydrolysis of lysine from dexamphetamine for pharmacologic effects. There is limited information comparing non-therapeutic lisdexamfetamine and dextroamphetamine exposures. Objective. The objective was to compare lisdexamfetamine exposures with dextroamphetamine/amphetamine extended release and dextroamphetamine/amphetamine immediate release. Methods. A retrospective observational case series of single-substance exposures to lisdexamfetamine, dextroamphetamine/amphetamine extended release, or dextroamphetamine/amphetamine immediate release reported to the National Poison Data System from 2007 to 2012 was performed. Data were analyzed for demographics, reason, clinical effects, management site, and outcomes. Results. There were 23,553 exposures: lisdexamfetamine (7,113), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine extended release (6,245), and dextroamphetamine/amphetamine immediate release (10,195). The most frequent clinical effects ...
Rotational and vibrational effects in photoionization: Bridging the gap from microvolts to kilovolts

We present measurements on photoion rotational and vibrational branching ratios following 2σu−1 photoionization of N2 and 4σ−1 photoionization of CO. The strategy employed in these studies, detecting dispersed fluorescence from electronically excited photoions, extends the accessible range by orders of magnitude as even the rotationally resolved data have been obtained at electron kinetic energies exceeding 230 eV. We find that both shape resonances and Cooper minima exert dramatic influence on the photoion internal degrees of freedom, even at the highest measurable energies.
Using semi-parametric clustering applied to electronic health record time series data

We describe a exible framework for biomedical time series clustering that aims to facilitate the use of temporal information derived from EHRs in a meaningful way. As a case study, we use a dataset indicating the presence of physician ordered glucose tests for a population of hospitalized patients and aim to group individuals with similar disease status. Our approach pairs Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to abstract variable length temporal information, with non-parametric spectral clustering to reveal inherent group structure. We focus on systematically comparing the performance of our approach with two alternative clustering methods that use various time series statistics instead of HMM based temporal features. Intrinsic evaluation of cluster quality shows a dramatic improvement using the HMM based feature set, generating clusters that indicate more than 90% of patients are similar to members of their own cluster, and distinct from patients in neighboring clusters.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Quantitative Structure−Activity Relationship Analysis of New Schiff Bases of Hydroxysemicarbazide as Potential Antitumor Agents†

Thirty Schiff bases of hydroxysemicarbazide (Ar−CHNNHCONHOH) have been synthesized and tested against L1210 murine leukemia cells. The IC50 values were found to be in a range from 2.7 × 10-6 to 9.4 × 10-4 M. A total of 17 out of the 30 compounds had higher inhibitory activities than hydroxyurea (an anticancer drug currently used for the treatment of melanoma, leukemia, and ovarian cancer) against L1210 cells. Six compounds with IC50 values in micromolar range were 11- to 30-fold more potent than hydroxyurea (IC50 = 8.2 × 10-5 M). The partition coefficient (log P) and ionization constants (pKa) of a model compound [1-(3-trifluoromethylbenzylidene)-4-hydroxysemicarbazide, 1] were measured by the shake-flask method, and the measured log P was used to derive Hansch−Fujita π constant of −CHNNHCONHOH. On the basis of the newly derived π and those of other moieties, the partition coefficients (SlogP) of the other 29 compounds were calculated by the summation of π values. Quantitative structure−activity relations...
Effects of varying amounts of assertive training on level of assertiveness and anxiety reduction in women.

This outcome investigation compared the relative efficacy of two assertive training groups for self-report indices of assertiveness and anxiety. 36 female subjects were assigned to one of four expe...
Can avatars pass the Turing test? Intelligent agent perception in a 3D virtual environment

Abstract The current study involved the first natural language, modified Turing Test in a 3D virtual environment. One hundred participants were given an avatar-guided tour of a virtual clothing store housed in the 3D world of Second Life. In half of the cases, a human research assistant controlled the avatar-guide; in the other half, the avatar-guide was a visually indistinguishable virtual agent or “bot” that employed a chat engine called Discourse, a more robust variant of Artificial Intelligence Markup Language (AIML). Both participants and the human research assistant were blind to variations in the controlling agency of the guide. The results indicated that 78% of participants in the artificial intelligence condition incorrectly judged the bot to be human, significantly exceeding the 50% rate that one would expect by chance alone that is used as the criterion for passage of a modified Turing Test. An analysis of participants׳ decision-making criteria revealed that agency judgments were impacted by both the quality of the AI engine and a number of psychological and contextual factors, including the naivety of participants regarding the possible presence of an intelligent agent, the duration of the trial period, the specificity and structure of the test situation, and the anthropomorphic form and movements of the agent. Thus, passage of the Turing Test is best viewed not as the sole product of advances in artificial intelligence or the operation of psychological and contextual variables, but as a complex process of human–computer interaction.
Psychological factors in women choosing radiation therapy for breast cancer

Abstract A relatively new non-disfiguring radiotherapeutic treatment for early breast cancer appears to be as effective as mastectomy. Fifty-one women who chose this alternative were studied. The vast majority were more concerned about insult to their personal body image than they were about how they would appear to others, and most believed that they would have a great deal of difficulty adjusting emotionally to a mastectomy. In patients with suicidal ideation directly related to fears of mastectomy, these thoughts disappeared or diminished when they learned about the alternative treatment.
Finding Their Way: How Public Library Users Wayfind

Abstract A multi-method case study research design, guided by Passini's conceptual framework of wayfinding, was employed to investigate library user wayfinding behavior within the entry area of a medium-sized public library facility. The case study research design included document review of the library's wayfinding information system; unobtrusive observation of library user wayfinding behavior; intensive interviews with library users to discuss their views on wayfinding in the library; and an expert review with library staff and a library wayfinding and signage expert to validate research findings. Overall, the study found library users' wayfinding behavior to be generally inconsistent over time, but that there are users who stick to predominant segments (those segments used heavily to connect two particular nodes, or stops). Those segments tend to be the straightest or most direct segments connecting two given nodes. Also, users appear to employ Passini's wayfinding styles more often than his wayfinding strategies, but additional research is needed that delves more deeply into these cognitive processes.
Avara: a system to improve user experience in web and virtual world

3D virtual world software is becoming a popular medium for entertainment, social interaction and commerce. To the best of our knowledge, there is no system available to facilitate the bridging between Web applications and virtual world systems in the form of information sharing, data collection and control propagation. As a result, user experience in a Web interface is not sensitive to state changes of virtual world avatars or objects. Similarly, a virtual world environment does not provide Web context-rich user experience. We address this issue and propose a bridging and context sharing architecture between the Web and virtual world applications such that Web applications can control, monitor and collect information from artifacts in the virtual worlds, and vice versa. We also implemented this architecture using existing Web and virtual world technologies. Based on this implementation, we illustrate some novel applications and present a user study to illustrate the value of the system.
Falling generation costs, environmental externalities and the economics of electricity conservation

Abstract The decline in electricity production costs and the movement toward electric utility industry restructuring raise questions about the future of electric utility conservation programs. Estimates of conservation costs in the late 1980s and early 1990s were incomplete and optimistic. Better accounting suggests that conservation costs may not be lower than generation costs — which have fallen dramatically since 1981. This study uses utility plant data reported in annual regulatory filings to estimate marginal production costs since 1980 for nine utilities in California, Massachusetts and New York. The study also examines projected costs of new generating capacity, including environmental externality costs. Comparing conservation costs to generation costs, the study finds that only 12%–37% of conservation potential now appears cost-effective without externality costs. Median estimates of externality costs for combined cycle gas plants make 35%–73% of conservation potential cost-effective. The study demonstrates that, due to lower fuel and plant construction costs, the economics of conservation are much more dependent on the valuation of environmental externalities than they were in 1980.
Three-dimensional streamlined finite elements: Design of extrusion dies

SUMMARY A method to determine three-dimensional die shapes from extrudate swell and vice versa is presented using a three-dimensional Galerkin finite element method based on a streamlined formulation with the fluid velocities and pressures represented by triquadratic and trilinear basis functions respectively. The threedimensional streamlined method, an extension of the two-dimensional formulation, uses successive streamsurfaces to form a boundary-conforming co-ordinate system. This produces a fixed computational domain leaving the spatial location of the elements as unknowns to be determined with the standard primary variables (u, u, w, p). The extrudate produced by a die of a given shape is considered for moderate Reynolds numbers. Finally, the method is extended to address the problem of die design, where a die profile is sought to produce a target extrudate shape.
Cortical Magnification within Human Primary Visual Cortex Correlates with Acuity Thresholds

We measured linear cortical magnification factors in V1 with fMRI, and we measured visual acuity (Vernier and grating) in the same observers. The cortical representation of both Vernier and grating acuity thresholds in V1 was found to be roughly constant across all eccentricities. We also found a within-observer correlation between cortical magnification and Vernier acuity, further supporting claims that Vernier acuity is limited by cortical magnification in V1.
Comparative yields of soot from premixed hydrocarbon flames

Ethylene and acetylene gave eight times more soot when burnt with nitrous oxide than when burnt with oxygen. The comparison was made in flames having the same temperature, and about the same peak concentrations of species from which the soot is supposed to grow (hydrocarbon radicals, acetylene and polyacetylenes). We suggest that more effective oxidation of the soot aggregates, particularly during their early stages of growth, occurred in oxygen flames, and this decreased the yield. Hydrogen chloride added to acetylene-oxygen flames increased the yield of soot without increasing the concentrations of polyacetylenes. Here too, the yield may have been altered mainly by changes in the oxidation of the early soot aggregates.
GABAB Receptor Inhibition of P-type Ca2+ Channels in Central Neurons

P-type Ca2+ channels in cerebellar Purkinje neurons were inhibited by GABA and the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen. Inhibition of P-type Ca2+ channel current involved changes in voltage dependence and kinetics. Baclofen induced a slow phase of activation and altered tail current kinetics, and inhibition could be partly overcome by large depolarizations. These effects were mimicked by internal application of GTP gamma S, which also made the action of baclofen irreversible. In spinal cord neurons, use of selective channel blockers showed that baclofen inhibited both P-type and N-type Ca2+ channels, but not L-type Ca2+ channels; a high threshold current resistant to blockers of P-type, N-type, and L-type channels was also modulated by baclofen. These results show that stimulation of GABAB receptors in central neurons can modulate P-type Ca2+ channels through a G protein-mediated mechanism similar to the one linked to N-type Ca2+ channels.
Distinct Proton and Water Reduction Behavior with a Cobalt(III) Electrocatalyst Based on Pentadentate Oximes.

A new pentadentate oxime has been designed to drive the preferential coordination favored by CoI in catalysts used for proton/water reduction. The ligand incorporates water upon metal coordination and is water soluble. This CoIII species is doubly reduced to CoI and exhibits H+ reduction activity in the presence of weak acids in MeCN and evolves H2 upon protonation suggesting that the ligand design increases catalyst effectiveness. Superior catalysis is observed in water with a turnover number (TON) of 5700 over 18 h. However, the catalyst yields Co-based nanoparticles, indicating that the solvent media may dictate the nature of the catalyst.
Power and priorities: the growing pains of global health Comment on "Knowledge, moral claims and the exercise of power in global health"

Shiffman has argued that some actors have a great deal of power in global health, and that more reflection is needed on whether such forms of power are legitimate. Global health is a new and evolving field that builds upon the historical fields of public and international health, but is more multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary in nature. This article argues that the distribution of power in some global health institutions may be limiting the contributions of all researchers in the field.
Humanin: a potential peptide for neuroprotective therapy against Alzheimer's disease

Neuronal cell death is a pathologic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. To understand the cytotoxic mechanism underlying AD pathogenesis, a functional screen termed the 'disease-based death trap' has been used. This method was developed to identify antagonistic genes against neuronal cell death caused by an AD-associated insult. Among several antagonistic genes obtained, a cDNA was found that encodes a novel 24-residue peptide, which was later designated humanin (HN). The synthetic HN peptide suppresses neuronal cell death induced by all AD-related insults so far examined, including amyloid β in vitro. A highly potent HN derivative ameliorates amnesia in an AD mouse model, suggesting that therapy involving HN effectively targets neuronal death in AD.
Prostate Carcinoma Presentation, Diagnosis, and Staging An Update from the National Cancer Data Base

BACKGROUND Based on the 1998 Patient Care Evaluation (PCE) from the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), the authors described contemporary nationwide patterns of prostate carcinoma presentation, diagnosis, and staging. METHODS The authors reviewed 54,212 cases from the 1998 PCE. Demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, tumor characteristics, prostate biopsy techniques, and use of staging modalities were evaluated. RESULTS The mean age of patients in the sample was 68 years. Among patients with available data, 87.5% had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of 4 ng/mL or higher, 83.1% had American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage I–II lesions, 80.2% had well or moderately differentiated cancers, and 68.7% of newly diagnosed patients were asymptomatic. Compared with symptomatic patients, asymptomatic patients were more likely to have localized disease (84.6% vs. 78.2%, P 10 ng/mL and/or high-grade tumors) versus patients at lower risk (PSA ≤ 10 and low to moderate-grade tumors) for metastatic disease (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Most newly diagnosed patients with prostate carcinoma are asymptomatic and have moderately differentiated and organ-confined disease. Compared with symptomatic patients, tumors in asymptomatic men are associated with lower pretreatment PSA levels, AJCC stage, and tumor grade. Selective use of staging evaluations, based on risk of metastatic disease, may be relatively uncommon. The NCDB remains a unique and rich source of novel patient care information and serves as a national point of reference for prostate carcinoma presentation, diagnosis, and staging. Cancer 2003;98:1169–78. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11635
Delay upper bounds for a finite user random-access system with bursty arrivals

The authors study the effect of burstiness of packet arrivals on the performance of a buffered finite-user random-access system. Primarily, they formulate and analyze a protocol that exploits the burstiness of arrivals and the presence of buffers. In addition, it is shown that the boundary of the region in which infinite user models best approximate a finite-user system is dependent on the burstiness of the arrival process. They also show that an accurate comparison between time-division multiaccess (TDMA) and random-access schemes depends crucially on the number of users in the system. >
Structure and design of linear model following systems

This paper investigates the problem of designing a compensating control for a linear multivariable system so that the impulse response matrix of the resulting closed-loop system coincides with the impulse response matrix of a prespecified linear model; this is the model following problem. A new formulation of the problem is developed, and necessary and sufficient conditions for a solution to exist are given. An upper bound is determined for the number of integrators needed to construct the compensating control and, if the open-loop plant in question possesses a left-invertible transfer matrix, this bound is shown to be as small as possible. The relationship between the internal structure of a model following system and the model being followed is explained, and a description is given of the possible distributions of system eigenvalues which can be achieved while maintaining a model following configuration. This leads to a statement of necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution to the problem which results in a stable compensated system.
Pulse And Microwave Characterization Of A Fiber-Optic Transmission Link

Experiments at the Nevada Test Site require high-bandwidth recording systems with wide dynamic range. A 1300-nm fiber-optic transmission link is being investigated for this application. This system performs with a bandwidth of 3 GHz and a dynamic range of 100. To gain a better understanding of the large-signal response of semiconductor laser diodes, an analysis of large-signal vs small-signal response has been conducted using pulse and microwave techniques.
Site fidelity of spawning sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka W.) in the presence and absence of olfactory cues

– We examined the site fidelity of spawning adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) by tagging and releasing fish in the same stream reach (controls) and displacing them among different but nearby sites (c. 50 m away). Three sites – two above a stream junction (‘upper’ reach and ‘pond’) and one below (‘lower’ reach) – allowed us to compare the behavior of salmon in the presence and absence of olfactory cues and habitat similarity. Most controls of both sexes (90%) remained in the immediate vicinity of the tagging and release site. When displaced downstream, where the odors of both the upper reach and the pond were detectable, most salmon returned to their former site (65%). Displaced sockeye were more likely to return to the pond from the lower reach than from the upper one (P = 0.05), consistent with olfactory orientation and the hypothesis that salmon prefer certain habitats. Salmon displaced from the upper to the lower reach were much more likely to return than those displaced to the pond (P < 0.01), consistent with the role of odors in orientation and inconsistent with the habitat choice hypothesis. Resumen 1 Realizamos experimentos para analizar la fidelidad al sitio en reproductores adultos del Salmon del Pacifico Oncorhyncus nerka, y detectar los factores que determinan la tendencia a volver a los lugares previamente ocupados. Marcamos y soltamos peces en el mismo sitio (i.e. control) y los movimos entre localidades diferentes pero cercanas (i.e. 50 metros), para analizar las hipotesis: (1) el movimiento esta mas influenciado por la preferencia a un sitio similar al propio y (2) los movimientos deben reflejar la disponibilidad de olores que emanan de un sitio previamente ocupado. Con este fin, tres sitios, dos de ellos justo por encima de la union de un rio (localidad superior y localidad pozo) y uno por debajo de la confluencia de la localidad superior y el pozo (localidad inferior), permitieron comparaciones del comportamiento en presencia y ausencia de senales olfativas (Fig. 1). 2 La mayor parte de los individuos-control de ambos sexos (90%) permanecieron en las cercanias inmediatas a los sitios de marcado y suelta (Tabla 1). Al ser desplazados aguas abajo donde los olores de localidad superior y de la localidad pozo eran detectables, la mayor parte de los salmones volvieron a la localidad original (Tabla 2). Encontramos mas probable que los individuos desplazados volvieran a la localidad pozo desde lugares aguas abajo que desde lugares aguas arriba (P = 0.05), consistente con la hipotesis de que estos salmones prefieren ciertos habitats (Fig. 3). Alternativamente, la localidad pozo podria proveer un olor mas discreto o ser incluso la localidad natal. Ademas, los salmones desplazados de la localidad superior hacia la inferior fueron mas probables de volver que los desplazados a la localidad pozo (P < 0.01), consistente con el papel que juegan los olores en la orientacion e inconsistente con la hipotesis de seleccion de habitat (Fig. 3).
Plant functional group responses to fire frequency and tree canopy cover gradients in oak savannas and woodlands

Abstract Questions: How do fire frequency, tree canopy cover, and their interactions influence cover of grasses, forbs and understorey woody plants in oak savannas and woodlands? Location: Minnesota, USA. Methods: We measured plant functional group cover and tree canopy cover on permanent plots within a long-term prescribed fire frequency experiment and used hierarchical linear modeling to assess plant functional group responses to fire frequency and tree canopy cover. Results: Understorey woody plant cover was highest in unburned woodlands and was negatively correlated with fire frequency. C4-grass cover was positively correlated with fire frequency and negatively correlated with tree canopy cover. C3-grass cover was highest at 40% tree canopy cover on unburned sites and at 60% tree canopy cover on frequently burned sites. Total forb cover was maximized at fire frequencies of 4–7 fires per decade, but was not significantly influenced by tree canopy cover. Cover of N-fixing forbs was highest in shaded are...
Turnout and Representation in Presidential Primary Elections

This paper provides a partial test of the widely-held assumption that preference primaries are the most representative element of the presidential nominating system. It notes that the average voting turnout in presidential primaries is only 39 per cent, compared with 69 per cent in the same states' ensuing general elections. The representative quality of these electorates is examined with data from sample surveys of the 1968 New Hampshire and Wisconsin primaries. A comparison of the primary participants with non-participants among each party's identifiers shows, first, that presidential primary electorates are demographically unrepresentative of their nonvoting fellow partisans in age, education, income, and social status. Second, primary participants have no more intense party identifications than do non-participants. Third, participants hold issue positions more strongly than nonparticipants do, and on some issues they even hold positions contrary to those of nonparticipants. Finally, both of the Democratic primaries overrepresented Johnson sentiment and underrepresented McCarthy and Kennedy sentiment. The author concludes that the preference primaries' claim to be the most representative element of the presidential nominating system may not be warranted, especially if and when the national conventions are reformed along lines such as those laid down by the McGovern-Fraser Commission. In any case, 1972 offers a unique opportunity to study the comparative representativeness of local, state, and national party conventions and the preference primaries.
Biologically inspired mobility models for energy conservation in sensor networks

This paper presents a mechanism for extending network life by introducing energy-aware mobility in wireless sensor networks. The concept of mobility for energy saving has been motivated by a natural grouping behavior that is observed in Emperor penguin communities in the Antarctic region. In this paper, we first draw a parallel between the heat loss of a penguin at the group periphery, and the routing energy burden of a sensor node near base stations. Then we develop a distributed mobility algorithm that works based on local energy information and makes sure that the energy load across sensor nodes in a network are evenly distributed for collective extension of the network life. We evaluate the protocol, and compare it with the performance upper bound derived from a centralized version of the algorithm. The results demonstrate that using the distributed algorithm for controlled node mobility it is possible to significantly extend the network life. It is also shown that this holds in situations where the energy cost of physical node mobility is modeled up to four orders of magnitude larger than the energy cost for packet communication.
Trehalose: A Cryoprotectant That Enhances Recovery and Preserves Function of Human Pancreatic Islets After Long-Term Storage

The scarcity of available tissue for transplantation in diabetes and the need for multiple donors make it mandatory to use an optimal cryopreservation method that allows maximal recovery and preservation of beta-cell function. We have developed a method to cryopreserve islets with excellent survival of endocrine cells. Current methods use DMSO as cryoprotectant. Our method involves introducing both DMSO and the disaccharide trehalose into the cells during cooling. Uptake and release of trehalose occurred during the thermotropic lipid-phase transition measured in pancreatic endocrine cells between 5 degrees and 9 degrees C, using [14C]trehalose. Recovery of adult islets after cryopreservation with 300 mmol/l trehalose was 92 vs. 58% using DMSO alone. In vitro function, in terms of insulin content and release in response to secretagogues, was indistinguishable from fresh islets. Grafts from islets cryopreserved with trehalose contained 14-fold more insulin than grafts from islets cryopreserved without trehalose. Results with human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were more pronounced: recovery from cryopreservation was 94%, compared with 42% without trehalose. Complete functionality of fetal cells was also restored; tritiated thymidine incorporation and insulin content and release were similar to fresh tissue. After transplantation in nude mice, there was a 15-fold increase in insulin content of grafts from ICCs cryopreserved with trehalose compared with ICCs cryopreserved without trehalose. Thus, the addition of trehalose to cryopreservation protocols leads to previously unobtainable survival rates of human pancreatic endocrine tissue.
Is myelodysplastic related acute myelogenous leukemia a distinct entity from de novo acute myelogenous leukemia? Potential for targeted therapies.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) can be separated by whether the presentation was proceeded by a myelodysplastic (MDS related AML) or developed de novo (dAML). Clinically, MDS related AML (mAML) has been considered to have a worse prognosis that dAML. The objective of this literature review was to identify unique biologic features of mAML. Compared to dAML, mAML is characterized by an altered immunophenotype (increased frequency of CD34, CD11b and CD25), lack of leukemic progenitor cell suppression due to TGFβ1, increased bcl-2 expression, presence of inducible nitric oxide synthase, lower levels or mrp transcripts and increased expression of p53. Possible interpretations of these differences between mAML and dAML are presented. Implications for mAML directed therapy are discussed.
Lentic Green Sunfish Populations in Nebraska Sandhill Lakes

Abstract The green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) is common throughout Midwestern streams and rivers. However, relatively little is known about lentic populations. Our objective was to relate population characteristics of green sunfish to the fish and invertebrate community as well as the physical and chemical habitat of natural lakes in the Nebraska Sandhills. Green sunfish were collected in 10 of 30 lakes sampled in 1998 and 1999 with trap nets. The number of stock (i.e., 8 cm) and longer green sunfish per trap net (catch-per-unit-effort; CPUE) was variable, ranging from 0.2 to 1,429, but was positively related to yellow perch (Perca flavescens) CPUE. However, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and green sunfish CPUE were not related, likely because only five lakes contained both species. Green sunfish condition, indexed with relative weight [Wr, stock to quality length (8–15 cm)], was positively related to yellow perch Wr [stock to quality length (13–20 cm)]. Green sunfish CPUE was lower in lakes containing l...
Voluntary running improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in female spontaneously hypertensive rats

We evaluated the effects of voluntary exercise training on glucose metabolism and measures of insulin sensitivity in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were used as normotensive controls. Exercising SHR were housed in running wheels for 8 weeks (SHRx8) or 16 weeks (SHRx16). At 22 weeks of age, we measured systolic blood pressure, performed oral glucose tolerance tests, and determined hexokinase activity and glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 content in skeletal muscle to assess intracellular glucose metabolism. Blood pressure was lower in WKY (139+/-12 mm Hg) than untrained SHR (216+/-13 mm Hg). Exercise training caused a reduction in blood pressure (-18 mm Hg) for SHRx8. After a brief (5-h) fast, serum glucose was lower in SHR that exercised compared with sedentary SHR, whereas insulin concentrations were identical between all SHR and WKY. Corresponding free fatty acids (FFA) were twofold higher in SHR than in WKY. In response to glucose, SHR demonstrated higher glucose and FFA responses, with exercise decreasing the glucose values in a dose-dependent manner. Although the insulin response was comparable in all groups, the glucose-to-insulin ratio was higher in SHR, indicating a relative insulin resistance for both glucose disposal and suppression of free fatty acids. Hexokinase activity and GLUT4 content were elevated 1.4- and 2.8-fold, respectively, in plantaris muscle of SHRx16, suggesting an improvement in the capacity for glucose transport and phosphorylation with exercise. These results provide evidence that voluntary running in female SHR lowers blood pressure and selectively increases glucose uptake and insulin action, but not suppression of FFA.
Free-space daylight single-photon communications over 1.6 km

Summary form only given. The QKD transmitter, Alice, consists of three diode lasers (a timing laser and two data lasers: one data laser transmits vertical polarized photons, while the other transmits 45 degree polarized photons, two matching interference filters (IF), two optical attenuators, two linear polarizers, two non-polarizing beamsplitters, a 27/spl times/ beam expander, and a single-photon detector (SPD). The two data-laser (dimpulse) wavelengths are temperature controlled and constrained by the IF to 773/spl plusmn/0.5 nm, while the timing-laser (bright-pulse) transmitted wavelength is temperature controlled to /spl sim/768 nm. The data-lasers are configured to emit dim-light pulses of /spl sim/1 ns duration, and the SPD measures the average photon number per transmitted dim-pulse. This system uses the B92 QKD protocol, but could be easily adapted to the BB84 QKD protocol. The transmitter incorporates no active polarization switching.
Performance Evaluation of Variable-Rate Polynomial Phase Modulation

A variable rate modulation format is proposed in which polynomial functions of time phase modulate a carrier waveform. The rate of transmission can be varied by changing the coefficient alphabet or by changing the order of the polynomial phase function. The receiver uses a single iterative algorithm to decode the information for all coefficient alphabets and polynomial orders. An increase in spectral efficiency is observed with increase in the order of the polynomial and/or an increase in the size of the coefficient alphabet. Evaluation of the error performance using two proposed decision rules show gains compared to conventional modulation formats over white Gaussian and fading channels. This format is suitable for multimedia communications systems that require variable rate transmission.
Discovery and characteristics of the Kuiper belt binary 2003QY90

Abstract We present photometric and astrometric results from four epochs of ground-based observations at the Magellan telescopes of the Kuiper belt binary 2003QY90. Resolved observations show both components to be highly variable and often of nearly equal brightness, causing difficulty in distinguishing between the primary and secondary components for observations spaced widely in time. Resolved lightcurve observations on one night show one component to have a single-peaked rotation period of 3.4 ± 1.1 h and a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.34 ± 0.12 mag . The other component exhibits a less constrained lightcurve, with a single-peaked rotation period of 7.1 ± 2.9 h and a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.90 ± 0.36 mag . Under the assumption of equal albedos, the diameter ratio is 1.25 ± 0.11 in the Sloan i ′ filter. While we cannot determine an orbit from our four distinct epochs of observation (due to ambiguity in component identification), we place limits on the orbital period of the system of 300–600 days, we find a minimum semi-major axis of 13,092 km for a circular orbit and a system mass range of ( 2.3 – 18.0 ) × 10 17 kg depending on the identification of components in our observations.
Molecular packing of amphiphiles with crown polar heads at the air-water interface

An amphiphilic compound containing a benzyl-15-crown-5 focal point, azobenzene spacer, and a dodecyl tail as a peripheral group has been investigated at the air−water interface. X-ray reflectivity ...
An authentication framework for hierarchical ad hoc sensor networks

Recent results indicate scalability problems for flat ad hoc networks. To address the issue of scalability, self-organizing hierarchical ad hoc architectures are being investigated. In this paper, we explore the task of providing data and entity authentication for hierarchical ad hoc sensor networks. Our sensor network consists of three tiers of devices with varying levels of computational and communication capabilities. Our lowest tier consists of compute-constrained sensors that are unable to perform public key cryptography. To address this resource constraint, we present a new type of certificate, called a TESLA certificate, that can be used by low-powered nodes to perform entity authentication. Our framework authenticates incoming nodes, maintains trust relationships during topology changes through an efficient handoff scheme, and provides data origin authentication for sensor data. Further, our framework assigns authentication tasks to nodes according to their computational resources, with resource-abundant access points performing digital signatures and maintaining most of the security parameters. We conclude by providing an initial performance evaluation and security analysis for our framework.
Process Evaluation of DuPont™ GreenTape™ 9k7 LTCC

GreenTape™ 9K7 low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) is a low loss glass ceramic dielectric tape for high frequency applications. The low loss is mainly achieved via glass-derived and glass-reacted crystallizations that occur during the sintering stage. This paper reports on the impact of one critical process parameter, the ramp rate from the binder burnout to the sintering temperature (530 – 850°C), which affects the shrinkage behavior, dielectric properties and strip line (SL) resonator characteristics of 9K7. At slow ramp rates crystallization occurs before densification, increasing glass viscosity, and thus inhibiting 9k7 from reaching full density. The sintering of 9k7 can be optimized using ramp rates that allow densification prior to crystallization.
When More is Not More: Consumption and Consumerism within the Neoliberal Early Childhood Assemblage(s):

In this article, Deleuzoguattarian perspectives are utilized to conceptualize how capitalism shifts and warps the desire to become into the desire to have. The author argues that a more advanced form of autonomic enslavement has replaced capitalism and uses new technologies to bypass subjectivities and attach itself directly to the body and the subconscious. This article aims to make some of these technologies visible within the context of the marketing practices and discourses that groom children and parents as consumers within the US neoliberal assemblage(s). Implications for research and activism are discussed with the aim to move us towards becoming-other in a post-consumer society.
Second Generation Airbag Landing System for the Orion Crew Module

In support of NASA Langley Research Center’s (LaRC) second phase of development of the Orion land landing system, ILC Dover has designed and built an impact attenuating airbag landing system. This system incorporates lessons learned from the first generation design and testing. Full-scale drop tests using a test article representative of the Orion Crew Module (CM) were performed to investigate the landing system dynamics. The ILC Dover second generation design used six impact attenuation airbag sets placed around the base of the CM. Each airbag set consisted of an outer main bag and an inner anti-bottoming (AB) bag. The primary design change from the first generation airbag landing system was a shift to a design where the airbag set is not directly attached to the crew module. Instead, the bags are held in position by a webbing restraint assembly. This paper will present the overall design of ILC Dover’s second generation impact attenuating airbag system and a summary of preliminary drop test results.
Term Limits and Collaboration Across the Aisle: An Analysis of Bipartisan Cosponsorship in Term Limited and Non-Term Limited State Legislatures

As members of democratic institutions, state legislators must frequently collaborate with each other to achieve their varied goals. Given the increased attention to questions of polarization and gr...
Effect of Instrument Precision on Leakage Detection

This paper introduces a mathematic model of real-time leakage detection method that is widely used in the world, and analyses the effect of precisions of gas pipeline instruments on leakage alarm and leakage locating. It is shown that the variation of instrument systematic error along with transient flow period can induce the shift of calculated leakage location. It can be eliminated by the mean error algorithm.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Interventional Trials Conducted Exclusively in Elderly Persons: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Registered Clinical Trials.

Background Elderly patients represent the greatest consumers of healthcare per capita but have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. It is unknown how many trials are designed to focus exclusively on elderly patients. Objective To define the prevalence of interventional trials that study exclusively elderly persons and describe the characteristics of these trials, including their distribution across conditions most prevalent in the elderly. Design All interventional clinical trials enrolling exclusively elderly patients (≥65 years), conducted primarily in high-income countries, and initiated between 2006 and 2014, identified through ClincialTrials.gov. Main Measures Trials were identified and characterized according to design features and disease categories studied. Across disease categories we examined the burden of disease in the elderly in high-income countries (measured in disability-adjusted life years [DALYs]) and compared to the number of trials conducted exclusively in the elderly. Results Among 80,965 interventional trials, 1,112 (1.4%) focused on elderly patients. Diverse types of interventions were studied in these trials (medications 33%, behavioral interventions 18%, and dietary supplements 10%) and the majority was funded by non-profit organizations (81%). Studies tended to be small (median sample size 122 participants [IQR 58, 305]), single-center studies (67%). Only 43% of 126 disease categories affecting elderly persons were studied in trials focused on the elderly. Among these disease categories, there was a 5162-fold range in the ratio of DALYs per trial. Across 5 conditions where over 80% of DALYs are in the elderly, there were a total of only 117 trials done exclusively in the elderly. Conclusions Very few and mostly small studies are conducted exclusively in elderly persons, even for conditions that affect almost exclusively the elderly.