cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ruthenium-Crosslinked Hydrogels with Rapid, Visible-Light Degradation.

Incorporation of photoresponsive molecules within soft materials can provide spatiotemporal control over bulk properties and address challenges in targeted delivery and mechanical variability. However, the kinetics of in situ photochemical reactions are often slow and typically employ ultraviolet wavelengths. Here, we present a novel photoactive crosslinker Ru(bipyridine)2 (3-pyridinaldehyde)2 (RuAldehyde), which was reacted with hydrazide-functionalized hyaluronic acid to form hydrogels capable of encapsulating protein cargo. Visible light irradiation (400-500 nm) initiated rapid ligand exchange on the ruthenium center, which degraded the hydrogel within seconds to minutes, depending on gel thickness. An exemplar enzyme cargo, TEM1 β-lactamase, was loaded into and photoreleased from the Ru-hydrogel. To expand their applications, Ru-hydrogels were also processed into microgels using a microfluidic platform.
Geriatric psychopharmacology. Management of late-life depression and the noncognitive behavioral disturbances of Alzheimer's disease.

As the proportion of elderly persons in the population continues to grow, the management of the behavioral disorders of later life will become an increasingly important part of clinical practice. Although psychotropic medications are prescribed widely to older persons, the data base derived from well-designed clinical psychopharmaco-logic trials in elderly patients is surprisingly small. This article reviews the psychopharmacologic management of the two most prevalent categories of behavioral disorders of later life: late-life depression and the noncognitive behavioral disturbances that complicate Alzheimer’s disease. Because diagnostic and epidemiologic issues are pertinent to the psychopharmacologic management of both categories of disorders, these issues also are discussed.
microRNA Function and Dysregulation in Depression and Suicide

Major depressive disorder and suicide are major public health concerns. Thus, there is a desperate need for identifying risk factors and noninvasive, reliable biomarkers that can be used for early detection of depression, suicidality, and treatment response. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as an important class of small noncoding RNAs that by binding to 3′UTR of mRNAs, suppress the translation and/or stability of specific target genes. Since miRNAs show a highly regulated expression, they contribute in the development and maintenance of a specific transcriptome and thus have the unique ability to influence a wide range of physiological and disease phenotypes. Recent studies demonstrating involvement of miRNAs in several aspects of neural plasticity, stress response, and more direct studies in human postmortem brain and peripheral blood cells provide strong evidence that miRNAs not only can play a critical role in major depression and suicide pathogenesis but can also open new avenues for the development of therapeutic targets. In this chapter, these aspects have been discussed in a comprehensive manner.
Shoulder Morphology in Early Hominin Evolution

Among the enduring debates about the earliest stages of human evolution is whether or not the early hominin upper limb continued to serve a locomotor function following the adoption of bipedal habits. While the morphology of the entire upper limb is relevant to this debate, the shoulder is a region of primate anatomy that past studies have shown strongly reflects the differing functional demands imposed by differences in locomotor modes and posture. This study, therefore, reviews what is currently known about the pectoral girdle and proximal humerus of early hominins. This morphology is compared to that of humans and extant apes to attempt to establish what the last common ancestor of the African ape/human clade might have looked like, and to determine to what degree early hominins depart from, or have retained that primitive condition. Available information regarding the functional interpretation of traits is also reviewed to help shed light on how the upper limb of early hominins was actually used. The results of this review indicate that the early hominin shoulder retained many features of the presumed ancestral condition. These include a dorsal scapula positioned high on the thorax, a well-developed supraspinatus muscle, a relatively short, oblique clavicle, and a low to modest degree of humeral torsion. While most of these features would have been compatible with a limb that either continued to serve a locomotor role or was completely freed from it, possession of modest humeral torsion seems counterproductive for a limb involved only in manipulation. Since this characteristic displays some developmental plasticity, maintenance of modest torsion implies continued functional importance. A persisting role in arboreal locomotion would seem the most likely selective force resisting the development of high humeral torsion as came to characterize later hominin evolution.
Tracking using motion patterns for very crowded scenes

This paper proposes Motion Structure Tracker (MST) to solve the problem of tracking in very crowded structured scenes. It combines visual tracking, motion pattern learning and multi-target tracking. Tracking in crowded scenes is very challenging due to hundreds of similar objects, cluttered background, small object size, and occlusions. However, structured crowded scenes exhibit clear motion pattern(s), which provides rich prior information. In MST, tracking and detection are performed jointly, and motion pattern information is integrated in both steps to enforce scene structure constraint. MST is initially used to track a single target, and further extended to solve a simplified version of the multi-target tracking problem. Experiments are performed on real-world challenging sequences, and MST gives promising results. Our method significantly outperforms several state-of-the-art methods both in terms of track ratio and accuracy.
Beyond Diagnostic Criteria

In the previous chapter, we focused on considerations of patient assessment particularly important for diagnosis. A medical framework emphasizes diagnostic and prognostic implications of the patient’s symptoms, signs, and other clinical characteristics; but beyond these basic considerations, a broad range of the patient’s experiences of schizophrenia require careful attention. Detailed interest in these experiences may reward the concerned clinician or investigator with important clues to the nature of schizophrenia and to factors central in pathogenesis and recovery.
Improving regression testing in continuous integration development environments (keynote)

In continuous integration development environments, software engineers frequently integrate new or changed code with the mainline codebase. Merged code is then regression tested to help ensure that the codebase remains stable and that continuing engineering efforts can be performed more reliably. Continuous integration is advantageous because it can reduce the amount of code rework that is needed in later phases of development, and speed up overall development time. From a testing standpoint, however, continuous integration raises several challenges. Chief among these challenges are the costs, in terms and time and resources, associated with handling a constant flow of requests to execute tests. To help with this, organizations often utilize farms of servers to run tests in parallel, or execute tests "in the cloud", but even then, test suites tend to expand to utilize all available resources, and then continue to expand beyond that. We have been investigating strategies for applying regression testing in continuous integration development environments more cost-effectively. Our strategies are based on two well-researched techniques for improving the cost-effectiveness of regression testing – regression test selection (RTS) and test case prioritization (TCP). In the continuous integration context, however, traditional RTS and TCP techniques are difficult to apply, because these techniques rely on instrumentation and analyses that cannot easily be applied to fast-arriving streams of test suites. We have thus created new forms of RTS and TCP techniques that utilize relatively lightweight analyses, that can cope with the volume of test requests. To evaluate our techniques, we have conducted an empirical study on several large data sets. In this talk, I describe our techniques and the empirical results we have obtained in studying them.
Deliberate Practice for Psychotherapists: A Guide to Improving Clinical Effectiveness

This text explores how psychotherapists can use deliberate practice to improve their clinical effectiveness. By sourcing through decades of research on how experts in diverse fields achieve skill mastery, the author proposes it is possible for any therapist to dramatically improve their effectiveness. However, achieving expertise isn’t easy. To improve, therapists must focus on clinical challenges and reconsider century-old methods of clinical training from the ground up. This volume presents a step-by-step program to engage readers in deliberate practice to improve clinical effectiveness across the therapists’ entire career span, from beginning training for graduate students to continuing education for licensed and advanced clinicians.
Myocardial Mechanics in Patients With Normal LVEF and Diastolic Dysfunction

Highlights •HFpEF is a complex clinical entity that is poorly understood yet is present in up to 5.5% of the general population. •Assessment of myocardial mechanics provides unique insight into the pattern of the myocardial dysfunction observed during disease progression through preclinical and clinical HFpEF. •Novel phenotyping methods, including machine learning, can integrate these myocardial mechanics into clinical groups used to advise and treat patients.
“You Don’t Need Nobody Else Knocking you Down”: Survivor-Mothers’ Experiences of Surveillance in Domestic Violence Shelters

For survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), the act of seeking help from a domestic violence (DV) shelter can incur enormous costs. One cost is what we refer to as “parenting surveillance:” that is, DV advocates can monitor, evaluate, and sometimes control survivors’ parenting—activities given weight through their mandated reporter role. Although surveillance has long been a feature of state intervention into family life, particularly for low-income women of color, it is largely unexplored in the DV shelter system. This is a striking gap: Though most DV programs are committed to supporting survivors’ autonomy and empowerment, the surveillance of parenting may echo abusive dynamics from which survivors are attempting to escape. This qualitative-descriptive study aimed to explore survivor-mothers’ experiences of parenting surveillance among 12 residents of four shelters. Qualitative content analysis yielded five clusters: Survivor-mothers (1) experience and witness parenting surveillance in their programs even as they also find support, (2) describe negative psychological responses to surveillance, (3) report effects on parenting from surveillance, (4) cope with and resist surveillance, and (5) offer recommendations that minimize or diminish surveillance. Although surveillance is a structural phenomenon, baked into the policies and practices of DV shelters, participants’ experiences of it vary based on their personal identities and histories and their relationships with advocates. Despite these variations, however, the costs of surveillance for mothers is significant. For advocates, addressing this phenomenon requires pragmatic and relational shifts grounded in empathy for survivor-mothers’ subjective experience of parenting in challenging conditions.
Abstract WP263: Feasibility and Utility Of EEG for Estimating Infarct Volume During ER Assessment of Suspected Acute Stroke--A Pilot Study

Introduction: Endovascular therapy (EVT) improves outcomes in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in a time-dependent manner, highlighting the need for improved methods to rapidly identify e...
Comparative Study on Decoupling Synchronous Current Proportional-Plus-Integral Regulator Design in High Speed PMSM Drives

High speed permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive systems are widely used owing to their high power density, high efficiency. An emerging area for such systems is the electrified aircraft propulsion where high specific power machines are in demand. However, robust control of high speed motors has been a challenging task. This paper presents a comparative study on synchronous current regulation in high speed PMSM drive systems. The coupling between q- and d-axis is a core issue in regulating the machine’s electrical dynamics. Several ways to reduce the cross-axis coupling are compared. The effects of inherent system delay on stability and gain tuning is also presented.
Long-term outcomes of anastomotic urethroplasty for radiation-induced strictures

To present our experience with excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) of radiation-induced urethral strictures (RUS) in men, including risk factors for stricture recurrence and long-term recurrence rates. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent EPA of RUS between 2007 and 2018 at a single tertiary referral center. Demographic information, stricture location and length, complications, and stricture recurrence were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify variables impacting recurrence. EPA was performed in 116 patients with RUS. The majority of patients (86.2%, 100/116) underwent at least one prior urologic intervention. Mean stricture length was 2.3 cm. Stricture recurrence occurred in 19.0% (22/116) at a mean of 8.6 months. For patients with at least 1 year of postoperative follow-up (mean 30.7 months), stricture recurrence significantly increased to 36.6% (15/41; p = 0.03). On univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative complications were associated with stricture recurrence (p < 0.001). EPA remains a viable option for men with RUS. Nearly two-thirds of RUS patients remain recurrence-free with long-term follow-up following EPA.
Reframing school-based restorative justice as a structural population health intervention

School-based restorative justice has gained national prominence as an effective approach to interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. Remarkably, despite its simultaneous positive association with academic success, school safety, and school connectedness, most scholars and practitioners do not associate restorative justice with health. Using ecosocial theory, we conceptualize school-based restorative justice as a structural population health intervention. Our findings indicate that students attending schools using restorative justice have lower odds of missing school due to adverse health and better academic outcomes compared to students who do not. Restorative justice shows promise as a structural intervention that can contribute to improving population health.
Personalized Nutrition in Food Allergy: Tips for Clinical Practice

Nowadays, food allergies are considered as a wide spectrum of disorders that need different approaches. The "one size fits all" approach is giving way to a "targeted approach," based on the identification of the patient's phenotype. Thus, the approach of nutritional management of food allergy has moved on from simply being "yes or no" to "how much?", "in which form?" and "for which patients?" Different factors should be considered in order to make a patient-tailored nutritional plan in clinical practice. Tailored nutritional plans may help to reduce the nutritional, social and economic burden of food allergy.
Quantifying the effect of nano-TiO2 on the toxicity of lead on C. dubia using a two-compartment modeling approach.

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) can significantly influence toxicity imposed by toxic metals. However, this impact has not been quantified. In this research, we investigated the effect of nano-TiO2 on lead (Pb) accumulation and the resultant toxicity using water flea Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia) as the testing organism. We used a two-compartment modeling approach, which included a two-compartment accumulation model and a toxicodynamic model, on the basis of Pb body tissue accumulation, to quantify the impact of nano-TiO2 on Pb toxicity. The effect of algae on the combined toxicity of Pb and nano-TiO2 was also quantified. The two-compartment accumulation model could well quantify Pb accumulation kinetics in two-compartments of C. dubia, the gut and the rest of the body tissue in the presence of nano-TiO2. Modeling results suggested that the gut quickly accumulates Pb through active uptake from the mouth, but the rest of the body tissue slowly accumulates Pb from the gut. The predicted Pb distribution within C. dubia was verified by depuration modeling results from an independent depuration test. The survivorship of C. dubia as a function of Pb accumulated in the body tissue and exposure time can be well described using a toxicodynamic model. The effects of algae on Pb accumulation in different compartments of C. dubia and the toxicity in the presence of nano-TiO2 were also well described using the two-compartment modeling approach. Therefore, the novel two-compartment modeling approach provides a useful tool for assessing the effect of NPs on aquatic ecosystems where toxic metals are present.
Chromatin Structure and Function in Neurospora crassa

Eukaryotic DNA is packaged with histones and nonhistone proteins to form a heterogeneous protein-DNA complex called chromatin. Regulation of chromatin structure plays a central role in nearly all DNA-based processes in the nucleus—including transcription, DNA replication, DNA repair, and chromosome segregation. Regulation of chromatin structure is achieved through multiple interrelated mechanisms including modification of DNA and histones, binding of nonhistone proteins, ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling, and higher-order compaction and folding of the chromatin fiber. These mechanisms work in concert to partition the genome into structurally and functionally distinct chromatin environments. Euchromatin is generally decondensed and transcriptionally active, whereas heterochromatin is highly condensed and transcriptionally silent. Work in the model fungus Neurospora crassa has been of particular importance for elucidating relationships between chromatin structure and function, serving as a model for other fungi and for eukaryotes in general. This chapter summarizes our current understanding of chromatin structure and function in N. crassa.
Vaccine acceptance among college students in South Carolina: Do information sources and trust in information make a difference?

Abstract Background To control the COVID-19 pandemic, governments need to ensure a successful large-scale administration of COVID-19 vaccines when safe and efficacious vaccines become available. Vaccine acceptance could be a critical factor influencing vaccine uptake. Health information has been associated with vaccine acceptance. For college students who are embracing a digital era and being exposed to multimedia, the sources of COVID-19 vaccine information and their trust in these sources may play an important role in shaping their acceptance of vaccine uptake. Methods In September 2020, we conducted an online survey among 1062 college students in South Carolina to understand their perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. Descriptive analysis and linear regression analysis were used to investigate vaccine information sources among college students and examine how COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was associated with information source and trust level in each source. Results The top three sources of COVID-19 vaccine information were health agencies (57.7%), mass media (49.5%), and personal social networks (40.5%). About 83.1% of the participants largely or always trusted scientists, 73.9% trusted healthcare providers, and 70.2% trusted health agencies. After controlling for key demographics, vaccine acceptance was positively associated with scientists as information sources but negatively associated with pharmaceutical companies as sources. Higher trust levels in mass media, health agencies, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies was significantly associated with higher COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. However, trust in social media was negatively associated with vaccine acceptance. Discussion College students use multiple sources to learn about upcoming COVID-19 vaccines including health agencies, personal networks, and social media. The level of trust in these information sources play a critical role in predicting vaccine acceptance. Trust in health authorities and scientists rather than social media is related to higher level vaccine acceptance. Our findings echo the call for restoring trust in government, healthcare system, scientists, and pharmaceutical industries in the COVID-19 era and highlight the urgency to dispel misinformation in social media. Effective strategies are needed to disseminate accurate information about COVID-19 vaccine from health authorities and scientific research to improve vaccine communication to the public and promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
The RAD51D c.82G>A (p.Val28Met) variant disrupts normal splicing and is associated with hereditary ovarian cancer

Mutations in RAD51D are associated with a predisposition to primary ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma. Our study aims to characterize a RAD51D missense variant in a hereditary ovarian cancer family. The effects of the RAD51D c.82G>A (p.Val28Met) variant on mRNA splicing were evaluated and characterized using RT-PCR, cloning and DNA sequencing. This variant completely disrupts normal splicing and results in the loss of 3′end of 5′UTR and the entire exon 1 (c.-86_c.82), which presumably leads to loss of the RAD51D protein. The RAD51D c.82G>A (p.Val28Met) variant is clinically significant and classified as likely pathogenic. Our results indicate that the RAD51D c.82G>A (p.Val28Met) variant contributes to cancer predisposition through disruption of normal mRNA splicing. The identification of this variant in an individual affected with high-grade serous fallopian tube cancer suggests that the RAD51D variant may contribute to predisposition to the ovarian cancer in this family.
Combinatorial Merging

Three algorithms are given to construct a weighted r-ary tree with a given set of integer weighted leaves in which the weight of a parent node is 1 + max of its sons. Two goals are of interest; to minimize 1) the weight of the root of the tree, and 2) the number of internal nodes.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Pain Sensitivity and Unpleasantness in People with Vascular Dementia.

Objective Advanced age holds higher risk of both pain and dementia, with many studies finding dementia often heightens sensitivity to pain. VaD is the second most common type of dementia. Only a few observational or retrospective studies have examined pain responsiveness in VaD, suggesting it may increase pain unpleasantness (i.e., pain affect). This study compared thermal pain psychophysics between a cohort of vascular dementia (VaD) patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Design Single center, cross-sectional, between-subjects design. Subjects Verbally communicative, probable VaD patients (N = 23) and age- and sex-matched HC (N = 23). Methods A thermal psychophysics protocol assessed "mild pain" and "moderate pain" thresholds (oC temperature) and associated unpleasantness ratings (0-20 scale) in both VaD and HC groups. Psychophysics were compared between groups by way of a mixed-effects analysis, controlling for depressive symptoms. Results There were no significant differences between groups for pain thresholds (main effect p = 0.086, Cohen's d: mild = 0.55, moderate = 0.27). However, unpleasantness ratings were higher in the VaD group compared to HC (main effect p = 0.003; mild pain p = 0.022, Cohen's d = 0.79; moderate pain p = 0.057, Cohen's d = 0.6). Conclusions These results are consistent with prior observational findings suggesting VaD may make patients more susceptible to pain, particularly its affective component.
Lipid biomarkers and compound specific δ13C analysis indicate early development of a dual-economic system for the Arctic Small Tool tradition in northern Alaska

Abstract Analysis of preserved lipids from archaeological sites in northwest Alaska indicates hunters exploited marine animal resources as early as 4500 years ago. Bone preservation at early prehistoric sites in northern Alaska is generally poor, contributing to uncertainty about the economic orientation of the earliest Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) hunters. We used lipid analysis and compound specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of burned, cemented sand and organic residue features to detect the use of marine versus terrestrial animals at several coastal sites in northwest Alaska. Though the sample size for this initial study was small (n = 5), comparisons among samples from early ASTt, and later Norton and Thule sites indicate all three groups made use of marine animals for food and/or fuel. Recently obtained radiocarbon dates suggest ASTt hunters settled coastal regions of Alaska prior to moving inland to exploit terrestrial habitats. Our results provide empirical evidence that suggests the economy of the early ASTt population included a maritime component. In Arctic settings where bone preservation is poor, lipid analysis of cemented sand and organic residue features can provide an effective alternative for detecting the use and processing of marine versus terrestrial animals.
Immunochemical studies on blood groups: Fractionation, heterogeneity, and chemical and immunochemical properties of a blood group substance with B, I, and i activities purified from human ovarian cyst fluid☆☆☆★

Abstract Blood group substance was isolated from ovarian cyst fluid of a Nigerian, Tij, by digestion with pepsin, precipitation by ethanol, solution in 90% phenol, and fractional precipitation with ethanol from phenol. There was a progressive decrease in fucose and galactose and in B activity and an increase in I activity of group 3 (anti-I Step) and i activity in fractions requiring more ethanol for precipitation from phenol, indicating that the carbohydrate chains were becoming smaller. I activity of group 1 (anti-I Ma) tended to be higher in the fractions precipitated at lower concentrations of ethanol. One of the fractions showed high reactivity toward concanavalin A.
A hybrid neuro-fuzzy approach for spinal force evaluation in manual materials handling tasks

Evaluation of the spinal forces from kinematics data is very complicated because it involves the handling of relationship between kinematic variables and electromyography (EMG) responses, as well as the relationship between EMG responses and the forces. A recurrent fuzzy neural network (RFNN) model is proposed to establish the kinematics-EMG-force relationship and model the dynamics of muscular activities. The EMG signals are used as an intermediate output and are fed back to the input layer. Since the EMG signal is a direct reflection of muscular activities, the feedback of this model has a physical meaning. It expresses the dynamics of muscular activities in a straightforward way and takes advantage from the recurrent property. The trained model can then have the forces predicted directly from kinematic variables while bypassing the procedure of measuring EMG signals and avoiding the use of biomechanics model. A learning algorithm is derived for the RFNN.
New cell extraction procedure applied to deep subsurface sediments

A new method is presented for the separation of cells from a marine sediment matrix. Different methods and reagents were tested for detaching microbial cells from sediment particles; the highest yields were achieved in a solution of EDTA, Tween 80, sodium-pyrophosphate, and methanol plus gentle ultrasonic treatment, followed by density centrifugation through a cushion of Nycodenz. If present, carbonates were dissolved before extraction. Comparison with untreated sediments and pure cultures verified that this technique minimizes cell lysis. The new procedure was tested on seafloor sediment from several locations and water depths ( 4000 m) and subseafloor sediment from the Arctic Ocean (IODP Expedition 302). Cell extraction efficiency was relatively high (65% to 100%) and consistent for each sediment type, with significantly (P < 0.01) lower variability of counts of separated cells compared with conventional counts on slurried sediments. Concentrating cells before enumeration allows for a much lower minimum detection limit and lower uncertainty than the conventional approach of simply slurrying sediment. Resolving relatively small differences in the distribution of microorganisms will allow for comparisons to other parameters (porewater chemistry, lithology, etc). Additionally, this method has potential for the use of molecular techniques that were previously difficult owing to coelution of interfering compounds from the sediment matrix.
Approximate H∞ loop shaping in PID parameter adaptation

SUMMARY This paper discusses the use of H-infinity approximation for the online adaptation of PID controller parameters. For a frequency loop-shaping control objective, it is possible to adapt the PID parameters directly with linear model estimation algorithms. Standard least squares algorithms are common solutions for this problem, but their estimates exhibit a well-known strong dependence on the properties of the excitation. This drawback becomes more pronounced for systems where the modeling mismatch is large, as is frequently the case in PID control. In an alternative formulation of the estimation problem, we use a filter-bank to decompose the error signal to different components and minimize approximately the H-infinity norm of the sensitivity-weighted error operator. This approach results in a more consistent estimate of the optimal PID parameters, at the expense of higher excitation requirements. It also allows for the computation of a ‘health indicator’ to describe the confidence in the estimated parameters. The practical implication of this observation is that PIDs can be tuned more reliably, even in cases of large mismatch between the target and the feasible loop shapes. It also suggests a general theme where a min–max optimization of an operator error provides an advantage over signal error optimization. The key aspects of the algorithm are illustrated by numerical examples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra-wide band fiber pairs with accurate slope compensation over an extended wavelength range

A novel transmission fiber has been designed for ultra-wide band applications from 1260-1625 nm. When combined with a matching compensation fiber, the dispersion tolerance across the C- and extended L-bands is less than 0.025 ps/nm/km
What is an Infinite Regress Argument

I describe the general structure of most infinite regress arguments; introduce some basic vocabulary; present a working hypothesis of the nature and derivation of an infinite regress; apply this working hypothesis to various infinite regress arguments to explain why they fail to entail an infinite regress; describe a common mistake in attempting to derive certain infinite regresses; and examine how infinite regresses function as a premise.
Dense Trivalent Graphs for Processor Interconnection

This paper presents a new family of undirected graphs that allows N processors to be connected in a network of diameter 3/2 log2 N + O(1), while only requiring that each processor be connected to three neighbors. The best trivalent graphs previously proposed require a diameter of 2 log 2 N + O(1).
An Expert System for Performance-based Direct Delivery of Published Clinical Evidence

A b S t I’ a C t Objective: To develop a system for clinical performance improvement through rule-based analysis of medical practice patterns and individualized distribution of published scientific evidence. Methods: The Quality Feedback Expert System (QFES) was developed by applying a Level-5 expert system shell to generate clinical direct reports for performance improvement. The system comprises three data and knowledge bases: 1) a knowledge base of measurable clinical practice parameters; 2) a practice pattern database of provider-specific numbers of patients and clinical activities; and 3) a management rule base comprising “redline rules” that identify providers whose practice styles vary significantly. Clinical direct reports consist of a table of practice data highlighting individual utilization vs recommendation and selected pertinent statements from medical literature. Results: The QFES supports integration of recommendations from several guidelines into a comprehensive and measurable quality improvement plan, analysis of actual practice patterns and comparison with accepted recommendations, and generation of a confidential individualized direct report to those who significantly deviate from clinical recommendations. The feasibility of the practice pattern analysis by the QFES was demonstrated in a sample of 182 urinary tract infection cases from a primary care clinic. In a set of clinical activities, four questions/procedures were associated with significant (p < 0.001) and unexplained variation. Conclusion: The QFES provides a flexible tool for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in diverse and changing clinical areas without the need for special program development. Preliminary studies indicate utility in the analysis of clinical practice variation and deviations. Using data obtained through a retrospective chart audit, the QFES was able to detect overutilization, and to identify nonrandom differences in practice patterns.
Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Chronic Kidney Disease in Mexican Americans

Objectives To analyze the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Mexican Americans and to determine whether there is a blood-based proteomic profile linking CKD to MCI. Design Retrospective analysis of cohort study. Setting Health and Aging Brain among Latino Elders study. Participants Mexican Americans (N = 437, 105 men, 332 women). Measurements Data were analyzed to examine the link between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and detailed neuropsychological functioning. Serum proteomic markers were also examined. Results Lower eGFR levels were associated with significantly poorer neuropsychological functioning across multiple domains. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and diabetes mellitus, participants with an eGFR less than 45 mL/min per 1.73 m2 performed significantly worse than those with an eGFR from 45 to 59 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and higher in processing speed (F = 14.1, P < .001), executive functioning (F = 4.5, P = .01), visuospatial skills (F = 4.8, P = .009), and global cognitive functioning (F = 6.2, P = .002). Participants with an eGFR less than 45 mL/min per 1.73 m2 also performed significantly worse than those with an eGFR of 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or greater on delayed memory (F = 3.8, P = .02). There was a trend toward lower eGFR levels being associated with greater risk of MCI (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91–6.1, P = .07), which was stronger for men (OR = 9.6, 95% CI = 1.3–74.3, P = .03). A serum proteomic profile consisting of Factor VII, interleukin-10, C-reactive protein, and fatty acid binding protein was 93% accurate in detecting CKD-related MCI. Conclusion Lower eGFR was associated with significantly poorer neuropsychological functioning in Mexican Americans. A blood-based profile was generated that was highly accurate in detecting CKD-related MCI. A blood profile capable of predicting CKD-related cognitive impairment would be of benefit for the design of clinical interventions.
The application of transistors to phase-comparison carrier protection

The paper shows the potentialities of the junction transistor when applied to phase-comparison carrier protection, and the flexibility of transistor circuits for the effective performance of a number of different relaying functions. High-frequency high-power transistors, which are now available, make it possible to obtain the required level of carrier output power. The paper also deals with the general aspects of a phase-comparison carrier system of protection, some appraisal being necessary because of the speed of operation and general performance of the equipment described. The most important of these aspects are the choice of the relaying quantities, and the effect of load current on the phase representing quantity, with its consequent effect on the minimum possible settings for earth faults. A sequence network is also described which produces all the relaying quantities simultaneously, using only three main current transformers. This sequence network has two important advantages: first, it does not impose any limitations on the relaying impedance, and secondly, means are provided for very easy variation of the proportions of the combined positive- and negative-sequence component output. The effect on the relaying system of a d.c. transient component in the fault current is analysed; a filter network is used to eliminate the d.c. transient and harmonic components, thereby producing uniform performance under differing fault conditions. Two successive equipments have been built and tested under steadystate and transient conditions. The transient test results of the final equipment are given. Since the transistor is a temperature-sensitive device, exhaustive temperature tests have been carried out, and the results are summarized.
Further comments on the appropriateness of stacking fault energy - to - mechanical property correlations

Abstract Since most of the work of constricting an extended dislocation is done near the final separation, changes in the required separation (or core width) for reaction will cause large changes in the total work of constriction. This effect may distort any correlation between mechanical properties and stacking fault energy. Atomistic modeling of the appropriate processes is probably the most effective method for the determination of the work of constriction, which is the parameter of fundamental importance for dislocation glide processes. Stacking fault energy or partial separation distance should be regarded as merely qualitative parameters in this regard.
Diurnal Periodicity and Plaut Growth

The experiments were carried out to investigate whether other plant species, in addition to tomato plants, show injury symptoms when grown for 2 to 4 weeks in an aperiodic environment and to obtain information about physiological mechanisms involved in the response to the absence of environmental periodicity. The growth of seedlings of pea, peanut, and soybean, exposed to different daylengths at constant temperature, increased with Increasing length of the light period up to 16 to 20 hours, defending on the species. Further lengthening of the photoperiod did not result in significant increases in dry matter accumulated. The absence of environmental periodicity did not cause injury in these three species. Tomato plants responded in an entirety different manner. The optimal photoperiod for dry matter production by tomato plants was 18 hours and photoperiods longer than 20 hours caused interveinal chlorosis. Thus, tomato plants have an absolute requirement for a daily periodicity, white the other species do not in short-term experiments. Under conditions of constant temperature development of chlorosis by tomato plants may be prevented by a daily dark period of 4 hours or longer or by a daily period of drastically lowered tight intensity. Complete darkness is not essential, however. This suggests that development of chlorosis is not mediated through a photoperiodic response system. Involvement of a circadian oscillation may also be excluded. Aperiodic environmental conditions appear to affect the physiology of the tomato plant in a direct manner, possibly by influencing chlorophyll synthesis or degradation.
Parallel computational methods for 3D simulation of a parafoil with prescribed shape changes

Abstract In this paper we describe parallel computational methods for 3D simulation of the dynamics and fluid dynamics of a parafoil with prescribed, time-dependent shape changes. The mathematical model is based on the time-dependent, 3D Navier-Stokes equations governing the incompressible flow around the parafoil and Newton's law of motion governing the dynamics of the parafoil, with the aerodynamic forces acting on the parafoil calculated from the flow field. The computational methods developed for these 3D simulations include a stabilized space-time finite element formulation to accommodate for the shape changes, special mesh generation and mesh moving strategies developed for this purpose, iterative solution techniques for the large, coupled nonlinear equation systems involved, and parallel implementation of all these methods on scalable computing systems such as the Thinking Machines CM-5. As an example, we report 3D simulation of a flare maneuver in which the parafoil velocity is reduced by pulling down the flaps. This simulation requires solution of over 3.6 million coupled, nonlinear equations at every time step of the simulation.
Does optic nerve head surface topography change prior to loss of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness: a test of the site of injury hypothesis in experimental glaucoma.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that optic nerve head (ONH) deformation manifesting as changes in its mean surface height precedes thinning of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in experimental glaucoma (EG).
Power-constrained CMOS scaling limits

The scaling of CMOS technology has progressed rapidly for three decades, but may soon come to an end because of power-dissipation constraints. The primary problem is static power dissipation, which is caused by leakage currents arising from quantum tunneling and thermal excitations. The details of these effects, along with other scaling issues, are discussed in the context of their dependence on application. On the basis of these considerations, the limits of CMOS scaling are estimated for various application scenarios.
Brain wave feedback experiments and the concept of mental mechanisms

Abstract Research has demonstrated that S s show increased EEG alpha activity when presented with a signal indicating the presence of alpha waves. This has revived interest in the relationship between brain and reported inner experience. Stoyva and Kamiya have suggested that this may provide a reliable tool for studying consciousness and allow self-control of aspects of mental functioning. However, a review of alpha control experiments by Lynch and Paskewitz indicates that increased alpha during feedback training may represent disinhibition of blocking effects produced by the experimental task rather than learned self-control. Quotations from leading alpha researchers suggest that the basic assumptions of investigators are a contemporary version of Cartesian mind-body dualism. The assertion that brain wave manipulation affords a new strategy for measuring mental events and making them scientifically accessible is criticized from a behaviorist perspective.
A somewhat unusual desad peak observed with the protein-solubilizing detergent chaps

Etude des possibilites de dosage du N-[cholylamino-3 propyl] N,N-dimethyl ammoniopropanesulfonate a l'aide des pics de desorption-adsorption
Comments on the paper 'A novel 3D wavelet-based filter for visualizing features in noisy biological data', by Moss et al.

Moss et al.(2005) describe, in a recent paper, a filter thatthey use to detect lines. We noticed that the wavelet on which thisfilter is based is a difference of uniform filters. This filter is anapproximation to the second derivative operator, which is commonlyimplemented as the Laplace of Gaussian (or Marr-Hildreth) operator (MarrH Jahne, 2002), Figure 1. We have compared Moss'filter with 1) the Laplace of Gaussian operator, 2) an approximation ofthe Laplace of Gaussian using uniform filters, and 3) a few common noisereduction filters. The Laplace-like operators detect lines by suppressingimage features both larger and smaller than the filter size. The noisereduction filters only suppress image features smaller than the filtersize. By estimating the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and mean squaredifference (MSD) of the filtered results, we found that the filterproposed by Moss et al. does not outperform the Laplace of Gaussianoperator. We also found that for images with extreme noise content, linedetection filters perform better than the noise reduction filters whentrying to enhance line structures. In less extreme cases of noise, thestandard noise reduction filters perform significantly better than boththe Laplace of Gaussian and Moss' filter.
Religiosity and adolescent substance use in central Mexico: exploring the influence of internal and external religiosity on cigarette and alcohol use.

This study explores the multidimensional nature of religiosity on substance use among adolescents living in central Mexico. From a social capital perspective, this article investigates how external church attendance and internal religious importance interact to create differential pathways for adolescents, and how these pathways exert both risk and protective influences on Mexican youth. The data come from 506 self-identified Roman Catholic youth (ages 14–17) living in a semi-rural area in the central state of Guanajuato, Mexico, and attending alternative secondary schools. Findings indicate that adolescents who have higher church attendance coupled with higher religious importance have lower odds of using alcohol, while cigarette use is lower among adolescents who have lower church attendance and lower religious importance. Adolescents are most at risk using alcohol and cigarettes when church attendance is higher but religious importance is lower. In conclusion, incongruence between internal religious beliefs and external church attendance places Mexican youth at greater risk of alcohol and cigarette use. This study not only contributes to understandings of the impact of religiosity on substance use in Mexico, but highlights the importance of understanding religiosity as a multidimensional phenomenon which can lead to differential substance use patterns.