cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Abstraction Functions For Reasoning About Concurrency

Hoare introduced abstraction functions for reasoning about abstract data types in 1972 [1]. What happens in the presence of concurrency? Reasoning about objects in a concurrent system necessitates extending the notion of abstraction functions in order to model the system’s inherent nondeterminisitic behavior. My talk presented in detail the extensions required to reason about lock-free concurrent objects, used to build linearizable systems. It also discussed briefly a different extension required to reason about atomic objects, used to build fault-tolerant distributed systems.
Control of perennial weed species as seedlings with soil-applied herbicides.

Herbicides from several chemical families were evaluated in the greenhouse for preemer- gence control of perennial weed species emerging from seeds. Weed species were bermudagrass, johnsongrass, Canada thistle, common milkweed, common pokeweed, hemp dogbane, and horsenet- tle. Atrazine, cloransulam, chlorimuron, clomazone, flumetsulam, imazaquin, linuron, metolachlor, metribuzin, pendimethalin, and sulfentrazone were used representing common preemergence herbi- cide families used in the mid-Atlantic region for corn and soybean in a sandy loam soil. Hemp dogbane and common pokeweed were controlled (greater than 85%) by eight of the 11 herbicides in this study, indicating they may be the two most susceptible species in the trial. Metolachlor and pendimethalin provided control of only bermudagrass, and linuron controlled only Canada thistle. Cloransulam controlled all species except bermudagrass. Clomazone provided greater than 80% con- trol of all species except horsenettle. Metribuzin alone or in combination with chlorimuron provided the broadest spectrum and highest level of control. Metribuzin provided greater than 85% control of all species except johnsongrass. Soil-applied herbicides can limit the establishment of perennial spe- cies from seeds. Nomenclature: Atrazine, 6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(l-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine; cloransu- lam, 3-chloro-2-(((5-ethoxy-7-fluoro( 1 ,2,4)triazolo( 1 ,5-c)pyrimidin-2yl)sulfonyl)amino)benzoic acid; chlorimuron, 2-(((((4-chloro-6-methoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino)carbonyl)amino)sulfonyl)benzoic acid; clomazone, 2-((2-chlorophenyl)methyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone; flumetsulam, N-(2,6-difluo- rophenyl)-5-methyl( 1,2,4)triazolo( 1,5-cx)pyrimidine-2-sulfonamide; imazaquin, 2-(4,5-dihydro-4- methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo- lH-imidazol-2-yl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid; linuron, N'-(3,4-di- chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea; metolachlor, 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2- methoxy- l-methylethyl)acetamide; metribuzin, 4-amino-6-( 1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)- 1,2,4- triazin-5(4H)-one; pendimethalin, N-( 1 -ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine; sulfentrazone, N-(2,4-dichloro-5-(4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo- 1H- 1 ,2,4-triazol- 1- yl)phenyl)methanesulfonamide; bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. #3 CYNDA; Canada this- tle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. # CIRAR; common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca L. # ASCSY; com- mon pokeweed, Phytolacca americana L. # PHYAM; hemp dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum L. # APCCA; horsenettle, Solanum carolinense L. # SOLCA; johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers # SORHA; corn, Zea mays L.; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Hip pain while using lower extremity joints and sleep disturbances in elderly white women: Results from a cross-sectional analysis

Objective To evaluate sleep quality in women with hip pain due to daily activities involving the lower extremity joints. Methods We evaluated the association of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) hip pain severity score with objective sleep measures obtained by wrist actigraphy in 2,225 white women ≥65 years of age enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Results Women had an increased odds of spending ≥90 minutes awake after sleep onset (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.11–1.50) for every 5-point increase in hip pain score after adjustment for all covariates. Hip pain when sitting or lying was the strongest predictor of sleep fragmentation (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.47–2.73); however, standing pain was associated with a higher number of awake minutes in bed scored from sleep onset to the end of the last sleep episode, independent of pain while in bed (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.07–2.01). Sleep disturbances increased significantly after the first 2 hours of sleep in women with severe hip pain compared to those without hip pain (mean ± SD 1.4 ± 0.47 minutes per hour of sleep; P 5 minutes. There were no associations between daytime napping, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and total sleep minutes and WOMAC hip pain. Conclusion Fragmented sleep was greater in women with hip pain compared to those without hip pain; however, fragmented sleep in women with severe hip pain compared to those without hip pain was unchanged until after the first 2 hours of sleep. Further investigations into pain medications wearing off over time or the prolonged periods of inactivity decreasing the pain threshold are warranted.
A Combinatory Logic Approach to Higher-order E-unification (Extended Abstract)

Let E be a first-order equational theory. A translation of higher-order E-unification problems into a combinatory logic framework is presented and justified. The case in which E admits presentation as a convergent term rewriting system is treated in detail: in this situation, a modification of ordinary narrowing is shown to be a complete method for enumerating higher-order E-unifiers. In fact, we treat a more general problem, in which the types of terms contain type variables.
Altered Phenytoin Pharmacokinetics in Children with Severe, Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

The purpose of this study was to determine if phenytoin protein binding and metabolism were altered in prepubescent pediatric patients within the first 10 days following severe, acute traumatic brain injury. Patients (n = 10) received phenytoin loading doses (15-20 mg/kg) followed by a maintenance regimen (7 mg/kg/day) initiated within 12 hours of the loading dose. Phenytoin serum concentrations were measured serially on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 at 1, 6, and 12 hours. Time-invariant and time-variant Michaelis-Menten pharmacokinetic models were fit to the unbound phenytoin concentration-time data (ADAPT II ) . Albumin concentrations significantly decreased over time (p < 0.001) and were predictive of the phenytoin binding ratio (r 2 = 0.373, p < 0.0001). The time-variant model provided a superior fit of the data in 7 patients with no difference between models in 3 patients. Rapid inhibition of metabolism (Vmax baseline = 2.82 ± 2.35 mg/kg/day) was observed initially following injury. This was followed by induction of metabolism as reflected by a Vmax induced of 20.79±13.71 mg/kg/day, which was approximately twofold higher than reported values for nonstressed children. Children with severe, acute neurotrauma were found to have markedly altered protein binding and phenytoin metabolism.
Second-line chemotherapy for recurrent carcinoma of the ovary.

Despite relatively high response rates to chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma, most patients eventually will have progressive disease that will require additional therapy. Most efforts to study such second-line or «salvage» chemotherapy have been single-arm trials of small numbers of patients, which report widely variable response rates, relatively short response durations, and short survival times. Only recently have certain critical patient characteristics been recognized as important in determining appropriate therapy as follows: (1) the extent and volume of disease at recurrence and (2) the type and duration of response to prior chemotherapy
Transitions 2.0: The Internet, Political Culture and Autocracy in Central Asia

In Central Asia the theories and prescriptions of the transitions literature have not borne fruit. The region today is more autocratic than it was eighteen years ago at the time of the Soviet collapse. The goal of this paper is to understand why - why Transitions 1.0 failed - and to investigate the potential for a Transitions 2.0. The answer to Central Asia's autocratic persistence, this study suggests, lies in the elite incentive structures of the region's institutional continuity. Despite this tenacity of Soviet-era patronage politics, I illustrate democratic openings may yet come. Survey research reveals that the use of new ICTs, most notably Internet use, holds the potential to transform Central Asian political culture and, with it, Central Asian politics.
2. Shaping Worldviews: Contextualizing Roman Science

Daryn Lehoux’s comprehensive and thoughtful work, What did the Romans Know? An Inquiry into Science and Worldmaking (2012) emphasizes just how difficult the task of studying a world so foreign to our own can be for the historian. In addressing the question raised in his title, Lehoux describes the social, political, and religious context in which scientific ideas were developed in the Roman world between the first century BCE and the second century CE. With a sound understanding of Roman natural philosophy and a touch of humor, Lehoux’s work investigates ideas fundamental to the history and philosophy of science. While the Romans are at the heart of this study, the questions examined by Lehoux extend beyond the geographical and chronological parameters of the book, making it a welcome contribution to the history of science. It is only by stepping out of our modern way of seeing the world, Lehoux argues, that we can begin to understand how the ancients approached, comprehended, and rationalized the world around them. Roman science – complete with divination, astrology, and numerology – appears strange, but Lehoux contends that while these concepts are foreign, “their difficulty lies not in their weirdness but in the ancient claims as to how good the evidence for them is” (Lehoux 2012, 14). The importance of understanding the context in which scientific ideas flourish is imperative for all historians of science, and Lehoux demonstrates that ideas about the physical world around us, which modern readers might take for granted, cannot be assumed about the ancient scientist. Lehoux’s work is marked by judicious use of evidence and a careful analysis of his subject. Organizing his ideas thematically, he begins by addressing the relationship between nature and laws in chapters two and three. Lehoux explores the Romans’ understanding of the role of gods in the physical world and the interrelation between judicial laws and nature. Taking Cicero as a case study, Lehoux demonstrates how Cicero’s view of the natural world influenced his understanding of law: Cicero argues that just social interactions between people are natural and that these types of interactions form the basis for civil law (Lehoux 2012, 31). Alternatively, the Romans’ understanding of law influenced the way they viewed the natural world. Lehoux uses as another example Ptolemy’s findings on planetary stations – the point at which a planet, beginning or ending a retrograde pass, appears to stop in the sky – to illustrate a law ascribed to the natural world. This demonstrates that laws of nature do not make their first appearance in early modern science as is often assumed, but that they can be found in ancient science. In chapter four, “Epistemology and Judicial Rhetoric,” Lehoux explores the concept of the observer as a judicial witness. Viewing the scientific observer in this light raised questions for Roman natural philosophers about the credibility of the witness, who counts as a witness, and the use of the reader as a witness.
Power density maximization of the brushless DC generator

This paper presents an advanced control technique for power density maximization of the brushless DC (BLDC) generator by using linear tracking method. In a generator of given rating, the weight and size of the system affect the fuel consumption directly therefore, power density is one of the most important issues in a stand-alone generator. The optimal current waveform for maximizing power density and minimizing machine size and weight in a nonsinusoidal power supply system has been proposed and verified by simulation and experiment. Also, a new simple algebraic method has been proposed to accomplish the proposed control without a FFT which is time consuming and complicated.
The Demand for Police

This paper is concerned with the estimation of a demand schedule for a public service–police protection. The paper's object is to determine the wage elasticity of demand for policemen, since if pol...
Matrix isolation investigation of the reaction of (CH3)3Al with O2

Abstract The matrix isolation technique has been employed to isolate and characterize the initial intermediate in the reaction of (CH3)3Al with O2. Using a flow gas reactor system immediately prior to matrix deposition, evidence of reaction was noted only when a constricted nozzle was employed. Under these conditions, four product bands that can be assigned to a single product species were formed. Oxygen isotopic labeling and comparison with literature spectra identified the product species as monomeric (CH3)2AlOCH3. Experimental and theoretical evidence are also presented to support the conclusion that (CH3)3AlOO is not the initial product of this reaction. Heating the deposition line to as high as 350°C destroyed the initial bands and led to the formation of one or more secondary species. These could not be conclusively identified; the well-known dimer [(CH3)2AlOCH3]2 is the most likely candidate. The fact that the reaction only occurred with a constricted nozzle suggests that O2 is reacting with the trimethylaluminum dimer, across the four-membered ring to form two molecules of (CH3)2AlOCH3.
Phallological Museum (Sigurjón Baldur Hafsteinsson)

This work is a book review considering the title Phallological Museum by Sigurjon Baldur Hafsteinsson.
Location, transcript analysis, and partial nucleotide sequence of the cytomegalovirus gene encoding an early DNA-binding protein with similarities to ICP8 of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Abstract The results presented here locate the gene encoding an early, nonvirion, single-stranded DNA-binding protein of human and simian strains of cytomegalovirus (CMV) [HCMV(Towne) DB140 and SCMV(Colburn) DB129, respectively] and provide additional evidence that this protein is the CMV homolog of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) major DNA-binding protein (ICP8), as proposed earlier (D. G. Anders, A. Irmiere, and W. Gibson, J. Virol. 58:253-262). The ICP8 gene was used as a probe in Southern analyses done at moderate stringency as an approach to locating similar sequences in the CMV genome. The BamHI K and EcoRI V fragments from the center of the long unique segment of HCMV(Towne) hybridized with the ICP8 probe and were in turn used to identify corresponding sequences in the EcoRI D fragment of SCMV(Colburn). RNA prepared from SCMV(Colburn)-infected cells directed the in vitro synthesis of DB129. If the RNA was first hybridized with the cloned 12.5-kilobase EcoRI D fragment, in vitro synthesis of DB129 was specifically inhibited. Additional hybrid-arrested in vitro translation experiments with subclones spanning the EcoRI D fragment demonstrated that the DB129 gene is located in the left half of that fragment, approximately bisected by a SalI site. RNA analyses identified 3.9-, 8.9-, and 10.0-kilobase RNA species expressed from this region. A partial nucleotide sequence of the Colburn region mapping within the boundaries of the 3.9-kilobase transcript, suspected to be the primary coding species, showed significant sequence similarity to the major DNA-binding protein gene homolog identified in B95-8 Epstein-Barr virus.
On pro-unipotent groups satisfying the Golod–Shafarevich condition

We prove that a pro-unipotent group satisfying the Golod-Shafarevich condition contains a free non-abelian pro-unipotent group. Together with the result of A. Magid this implies that such a group is not linear.
Isolation of carrier free rhodium from ruthenium targets

The process used included (a) solution of the ruthenium metal in a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids under pressure at 200°–220° in sealed tubes (b) distillation of ruthenium oxide from perchloric acid solution (c) conversion of the perchloric acid solution of rhodium to hydrochloric acid solution (d) removal of copper-64 and zinc-65 from the chloride solution by adsorption of the zinc and copper ions on filter paper (e) removal of potassium-42 by adsorption of rhodium ions on paper from perchlorate solution and (f) recovery of the rhodium from the filter paper by solution in hydrochloric acid. This procedure resulted in a yield of 85 per cent of the total rhodium free from ruthenium, contaminants and rhodium carrier. The time required for the separation and preparation of samples for the β-spectrometer is about 10 hr.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Dysphagia Management in the Schools.

Purpose Although provision of dysphagia services is within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), little is known about the perspectives of school-based SLPs in relation to t...
Strategic decision making in shipping

In seeking an understanding of the complex decision process involved in managing a major shipping company, analysis can proceed along two complementary lines. How decisions are made by shipping executives can be interpreted, and conversely the structure of shipping decisions can be studied. Considering the structure of shipping decision, a start could be made by constructing a model of the shipping firm by defining the principal classes of business decisions, with particular reference to strategic decisions, and relating them to various inputs, outputs and the overall objectives of the firm. Shipping firms can usually be distinguished by their economic objectives and the measure of success, which is usually profit. The basic premiss is that the problem in shipping management is to structure decisions regarding resource application or use so as to optimize attainment of the business objective, in other words so as to maximize profit. As in all other businesses, decisions in major shipping firms, both liner and bulk, can conveniently be divided into strategic, administrative and operating decisions. Strategic decisions relate to or are affected by external or longer-range problems of the firm; operating decisions to resource application; while administrative decisions are concerned with the structure of the shipping firm, including its organization and internal lines of authority. All these classes of decisions interact while distinct decisions within these classes are interdependent and complementary. Strategic problems are the most difficult to recognize and, as a result, strategic decisions are the most likely to be ignored, or are often made belatedly when their usefulness or effect is greatly diminished. A proper management environment and administrative structure must provide a good balance of management attention to the different decision classes and requirements because international shipping is in many ways subject to greater competitive and environmental pressure than other firms.
In-vivo kinematic analysis of forearm rotation using helical axis analysis.

Abstract Background Controversy still exists regarding the location and nature (static or dynamic) of the forearm joint axis. This might be due to inconsistent results from in-vitro data and less precise methods of analysis. We present the first in-vivo kinematic analysis of normal forearm joint rotation described by helical axis analysis. Methods Data obtained from computed tomography images of both forearms of five healthy volunteers was used to calculate finite helical axis parameters from transformation matrices. Four positions were analyzed: maximum pronation, maximum supination, 60° pronation, and 60° supination. Kinematic analysis focused on the motion of the radius around the ulna. Findings The forearm axis as defined by finite helical axis extended from the radial head between its kinematic center and the proximal radioulnar joint, to the dorsal region of the ulnar head at the distal radioulnar joint. The axis was found to be variable. Interpretations Helical axis analysis has precisely defined the nature and location of the forearm axis. This new information of forearm kinematics defined by finite helical analysis, may be useful in implant design, and in guiding surgeons in their reconstruction of instabilities of the distal and proximal radioulnar joint.
Range estimation by optical differentiation

We describe a novel formulation of the range recovery problem based on computation of the differential variation in image intensities with respect to changes in camera position (or aperture size). This method uses a single stationary camera and a pair of calibrated optical masks to directly measure this differential quantity. The subsequent computation of the range image involves simple arithmetic combinations, and is suitable for real-time implementation. Both the theoretical and practical implications of this formulation are addressed.
Variability in three morphologic features of the permanent maxillary central incisor

Variability in tooth morphology can play a significant role in appliance design and the achievable results of orthodontic treatment. This investigation was undertaken to determine quantitatively the variation in three anatomic features of the maxillary central incisor. The three features are the crown-root angulation in a labiolingual direction, the angle formed by a tangent to the middle of the labial surface of the crown and the long axis of the crown from a proximal view, and the lingual curvature of the crown from a proximal view. Tracings of maxillary central incisors were made from two different sources. The first source consisted of radiograms of 98 extracted central incisors, and the second source was a group of 100 cephalometric radiograms which were part of pretreatment records of patients in the Orthodontic Department. The cephalometric radiograms included 25 Angle Class I, 25 Class II, Division 1, 25 Class II, Division 2, and 25 Class III malocclusions. The first measurement taken was the angle formed by the long axis of the crown and the long axis of the root. The second measurement was the angle formed by the long axis of the crown and a tangent to the midpoint of the labial surface of the crown. For the third measurement, the lingual curvature of the crown was described by a mathematical equation whose parameters were used for comparisons. The results revealed a wide range of variation in the three features measured. The mean crown-root angle for Class II, Division 2 malocclusions differed significantly from that for Class II, Division 1 and Class III malocclusions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effectiveness of postmilking teat dips.

Abstract Two experimental approaches were used to estimate the relative efficacy of three germicidal preparations as postmilking teat dips. In successive trials of 17 and 7 months, chlorhexidine (.2%) and a commercial iodophor (1% available iodine) each reduced the overall new intramammary infection to 4 to 5 per hundred cows per month. Compared to the incidence among control cows, reductions due to teat dipping were 81 and 90% for staphylococci, 80 and 0% for streptococci (chiefly S. uberis ), and 0% for coliforms and Pseudomonas species. In short trials of the chlorhexidine, the iodophor, a hypochlorite (4% available chlorine), and tap water, we evaluated change in magnitude of the natural staphylococcal population recoverable from apical teat skin by swabbing. Reductions of 95, 87, and 67% were achieved with the respective germicides. Results from tap water were erratic but indicated a small reduction in microflora. Efficacy was examined in relation to the number of cows previously dipped with the portion of dip solution during a single milking. There was no evidence of a reduction in germicidal activity through use of chlorhexidine on 22 cows, iodophor on 19 cows, or hypochlorite on 11 cows.
Chondrogenesis, joint formation, and articular cartilage regeneration.

The repair of joint surface defects remains a clinical challenge, as articular cartilage has a limited healing response. Despite this, articular cartilage does have the capacity to grow and remodel extensively during pre- and post-natal development. As such, the elucidation of developmental mechanisms, particularly those in post-natal animals, may shed valuable light on processes that could be harnessed to develop novel approaches for articular cartilage tissue engineering and/or regeneration to treat injuries or degeneration in adult joints. Much has been learned through mouse genetics regarding the embryonic development of joints. This knowledge, as well as the less extensive available information regarding post-natal joint development is reviewed here and discussed in relation to their possible relevance to future directions in cartilage tissue repair and regeneration. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 383–392, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A computer assisted decision strategy for evaluating new satellite hub sites for a local utility provider

Abstract “Satellite” is a geographic information system designed to aid a local public utility in siting hub facilities and for describing field work activity. Such activity is one of the most important influences on the morphology of the urban built environment. “Satellite” is illustrated using 16 megabytes of data of utility work-orders from the three divisions of Gainesville Regional Utilities: water, wastewater, and electricity. Field activities in these three divisions are subdivided into 24 different job categories. Choropleth maps of job activities, transportation costs, and the allotment of city sections among the possible sites are generated. Percentage savings in transportation cost from adding satellite hub facilities is calculated. “Satellite” is used to determine the least transportation cost location for a utility hub.
Laparoscopic Live Donor Nephrectomy: Outcomes Equivalent to Open Surgery

ABSTRACT A shortage of kidney donors has contributed to the interest in laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy. Three transperitoneal ports are used, as is an AESOP robot. To maintain urine flow, the donor is kept volume expanded during the procedure, and the pneumoperitoneum pressure is minimized. The most critical and hazardous part of the surgery is dissection of the renal artery and vein. Abundant periureteral tissue should be left to protect the blood supply. Harvest of the right kidney is more difficult. Placing the extraction incision in the right upper quadrant and using a Satinsky clamp instead of a stapling device at the origin of the renal vein will provide maximum venous length and help prevent postoperative thrombosis of the allograft. In the first 175 laparoscopic renal harvest procedures at Johns Hopkins, the complication rate was 14%, the rate of open conversion was 2%, and 3% of the patients required transfusions. These rates improved with experience. There was no significant difference in t...
Agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor cause pathophysiologic characteristics of preeclampsia.

Abstract Background Preeclampsia (PE), new-onset hypertension with proteinuria during pregnancy, is associated with increased reactive oxygen species, the vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1), T and B lymphocytes, soluble antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 and sEndoglin (sFlt-1 and sEng), and agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA). Objectives One important area of investigation for our laboratory was to determine what role AT1-AA plays in the pathophysiology associated with PE. Methods To achieve this goal, we examined the effect of AT1-AA suppression on hypertension in response to placental ischemia as well as the effect of AT1-AA on increased blood pressure, ET-1, reactive oxygen species, and sFlt-1 in normal pregnant rats (NP). Results We demonstrated reductions in uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) to be a stimulus for AT1-AA during pregnancy. We utilized the technique of B-cell depletion to suppress circulating AT1-AA in RUPP rats and found that AT1-AA suppression in RUPP rats was associated with lower blood pressure and ET-1 activation. To determine a role for AT1-AA to mediate hypertension during pregnancy, we infused purified rat AT1-AA (1:50) into NP rats, and analyzed blood pressure and soluble factors. We consistently found that AT1-AA infused rats had significantly increased AT1-AA and blood pressure above NP rats. This hypertension was associated with significantly increased ET-1 in renal cortices (11-fold) and placenta (4-fold), and there was an approximately 2- to 3-fold increase in placental oxidative stress. Furthermore, antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 and sEng were significantly increased in the AT1-AA induced hypertensive group compared with the NP controls. Conclusions Collectively, these data indicated an important role for AT1-AA stimulated in response to placental ischemia that caused hypertension during pregnancy.
A SIMULATION MODEL FOR OCCUPATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS TRANSMISSION

A simulation model of tuberculosis (TB) transmission among hospital employees is described. A hypothetical cohort of 1000 workers was divided into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. The number of TB patients admitted daily was treated as a Poisson random variable. A patient imparted a daily infection risk that was identical for all workers within a risk group but that varied between risk groups. In some scenarios, infected employees were assigned a daily risk of developing TB disease. If disease developed, the individual remained on the job for 3 calendar weeks and imparted a substantial infection risk to 25 close contacts. Simulations were run over 5-year intervals. Cumulative infection incidence increased over time and with more TB patients admitted. Given a scenario in which there were 600, 300, and 100 susceptibles in the low-, medium-, and high risk groups, respectively, 50 TB patients admitted annually and accounting for disease among infected employees, at 5 years there were approximately 100 primary infections (due to infection by patients), 40 secondary infections (due to infection by diseased coworkers), five primary disease cases, and two secondary disease cases. The input parameter values and simulation outcomes were reasonably consistent with the sparse information reported in the literature.
Identification of transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA in virgin and pregnant rat uteri by in situ hybridization

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has major effects on hematopoietic cell proliferation, migration and function. In an effort to learn whether or not TGF-beta 1 might be among the cytokines that influence uterine, placental and embryonic hematopoietic cells, in situ hybridization was used to map expression of the TGF-beta 1 gene through gestation in the rat. In cycling uteri, hybridization signals with a biotinylated TGF-beta 1 antisense RNA probe were comparatively weak and were restricted to myometrium. During pregnancy, TGF-beta 1 mRNA appeared in specific cell lineages in an ordered temporal sequence. In early post-implantation tissues (g.d. 5-8), TGF-beta 1 transcripts were prominent in uterine epithelial cells, muscle and decidual cells. At g.d. 15, hybridization signals were particularly strong in uterine epithelial cells, muscle and placental trophoblast cells. At this stage, TGF-beta 1 mRNA was also present in uterine cells resembling macrophages and in natural killer-like (GMG) cells. Steady state levels of specific message in uteri and placentas declined at late stages of gestation (g.d. 18, 21). In rat embryos, specific transcripts were identified at g.d. 9 and were prominently displayed in various types of embryonic cells from mid-gestation onwards. The results of this study are consistent with the postulate that throughout pregnancy in the rat, TGF-beta 1 may, in addition to its other functions, influence the proportions, patterns of distribution and activities of maternal and fetal hematopoietic cells.
Visual Loss Caused by Choroidal Ischemia Preceding Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Giant Cell Arteritis

Three patients with visual loss and normal fundi were discovered to have choroidal ischemia on fluorescein angiography. Each patient had a markedly increased Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate, but only one described symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, neck pain, and jaw claudication. Biopsy of the temporal artery confirmed giant cell arteritis in the two patients without constitutional symptoms. In one patient, typical anterior ischemic optic neuropathy developed the following day, whereas in the other two, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy later occurred despite the prompt administration of intravenous high-dose corticosteroids. Choroidal ischemia may be the first sign of giant cell arteritis in elderly patients with visual loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory in an attempt to forestall the development of anterior or posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or central retinal artery occlusion in the affected or fellow eye.
Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Two Tropical Forests: Ecosystem-Level Patterns and Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization

Humid tropical forests are often characterized by large nitrogen (N) pools, and are known to have large potential N losses. Although rarely measured, tropical forests likely maintain considerable biological N fixation (BNF) to balance N losses. We estimated inputs of N via BNF by free-living microbes for two tropical forests in Puerto Rico, and assessed the response to increased N availability using an on-going N fertilization experiment. Nitrogenase activity was measured across forest strata, including the soil, forest floor, mosses, canopy epiphylls, and lichens using acetylene (C2H2) reduction assays. BNF varied significantly among ecosystem compartments in both forests. Mosses had the highest rates of nitrogenase activity per gram of sample, with 11 ± 6 nmol C2H2 reduced/g dry weight/h (mean ± SE) in a lower elevation forest, and 6 ± 1 nmol C2H2/g/h in an upper elevation forest. We calculated potential N fluxes via BNF to each forest compartment using surveys of standing stocks. Soils and mosses provided the largest potential inputs of N via BNF to these ecosystems. Summing all components, total background BNF inputs were 120 ± 29 μg N/m2/h in the lower elevation forest, and 95 ± 15 μg N/m2/h in the upper elevation forest, with added N significantly suppressing BNF in soils and forest floor. Moisture content was significantly positively correlated with BNF rates for soils and the forest floor. We conclude that BNF is an active biological process across forest strata for these tropical forests, and is likely to be sensitive to increases in N deposition in tropical regions.
Classification of non-time-locked rapid serial visual presentation events for brain-computer interaction using deep learning

Abstract : Deep learning solutions based on deep neural networks (DNN) and deep stack networks (DSN) were investigated for classifying target images in a non-time-Iocked rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) image target identification task using EEG. Several feature extraction methods associated with this task were implemented and tested for deep learning, where a sliding window method using the trained classifier was used to predict the occurrence of target events in a non-time-locked fashion.. The deep learning algorithms explored based on deep stacking networks were able to improve the error rate by about 5% over existing algorithms such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for this task. Initial test results also showed that this method based on deep stacking networks for non-time-Iocked classification can produce an error rate close to that achieved for time-locked classification, thus illustrating the power of deep learning for complex feature spaces.
Immunological cross-reactivity among α-zeins of maize (Zea mays L.)

Polyclonal antisera were produced against four different α-zein polypeptides representing M r -23800, -25000 and -26700 size classes, respectively, as well as a truncated M r -26700 polypeptide whose size was similar to M r -23800 polypeptides. Both SDS-denatured and ‘native’ forms of polypeptides were used for immunization. Seven different antisera to intact α-zein polypeptides and one to a synthetic peptide were reacted with each of the different α-zein polypeptides used for immunization and whole α-zein fraction from a maize inbred (K55) in ELISA. The same antisera were used to immunostain whole α-zein blots after SDS-PAGE of inbreds K55 and W64A and also whole zein blots after IEF. The results indicated extensive immunological cross-reactivity among α-zein polypeptides when antisera to denatured immunogens were used in assays, whereas antisera to native immunogens yielded varying degrees of reduced cross-reactivity. Antisera to native immunogens showed little or no reactivity towards some α-zein charge components in IEF blots belonging presumably to a size class different from that of the homologous antigen. The results indicated also that the M r -25000 α-zein size class was immunologically related more to M r -26700 than M r -23800 polypeptides. Likewise, a M r -23800 α-zein polypeptide from inbred K55 was shown to be a tr M r -26700 polypeptide by polyclonal, monoclonal and anti-synthetic peptide antibodies. It is concluded that polyclonal antisera to intact α-zein polypeptides could be used to distinguish polypeptides from different homology classes, but they would be of limited use, if any, in discriminating individual polypeptides within a homology class. Thus, monoclonal antibodies to intact α-zein polypeptides and polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to synthetic peptides corresponding to sites unique to individual α-zein polypeptides show a greater promise of studying structural relationships among different α-zeins by immunological probes.
Current Practices in Testing and Assessment: What Is Driving the Changes?

The increased popularity of such practices as portfolio and performance assessment reflect fundamental changes in curriculum and instruction. Changes in beliefs about what students should learn and how they can best be taught are influencing the way many students are assessed.
Spectral Emissivities and Integrated Intensities of the 2.7- μ CO 2 Band between 1200° and 1800°K*

Spectral emissivities have been obtained for the 2ν2+ν3 and ν3+ν1 carbon dioxide combination bands between 3100 and 3800 cm−1 at 1200°, 1500°, and 1800°K. Heated CO2 was produced in a 150-lb-thrust rocket burner burning gaseous carbon monoxide and oxygen. Emission measurements were made on the expanded exhaust gas of the burner where the composition, total pressure, and temperature could be defined. The spectral emissivities were determined from a calibrated emission spectrum and a spectroscopic determination of the temperature of the test gas. The hot CO2 samples were observed at a total pressure of 1 atm in the optically thin region where the highest spectral emissivities at 3700 cm−1 were about 0.1. The spectral emissivity curves were used to obtain the integrated intensity of the 2.7-μ CO2 band at the high temperatures. The variations of the spectral emissivities and integrated intensities with temperature agree with previous predictions.
Marine natural products: dactylol, a new sesquiterpene alcohol from a sea hare

Abstract A new sesquiterpene alcohol, dactylol, having an uncommon bicyclo [6.3.0] undecane skeleton has been isolated from the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela. Chemical degradation and NMR studies using a shift reagent established the structure and relative stereochemistry. The absolute configuration was derived from ORD/CD data of a substituted cyclopentanone degradation product.
Evaluation of a hybrid method for refrigerant flow balancing in multi-circuit evaporators

A companion paper [Kim, J.-H., Braun, J.E., Groll, E.A., 2009. A hybrid method for refrigerant flow balancing in multi-circuit evaporators: upstream versus downstream control. International Journal of Refrigeration doi:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2009.01.013 presented a hybrid approach for providing control of refrigerant flow distribution in evaporators that involves the use of small balancing valves in each circuit along with a primary expansion device to control the overall superheat from the evaporator. Furthermore, the companion paper demonstrated that the flow balancing valves should be located upstream rather than downstream of the evaporator in order to realize significant benefits. The current paper utilizes the model presented in the companion paper to more fully evaluate the effects of uneven air and refrigerant flow distributions and the benefits of upstream hybrid control in response to these effects.
Global Distribution of Midnight Lightning: September 1977 to August 1978

A detailed study is reported of the distribution of global midnight lightning from 60 deg S to 60 deg N for 365 consecutive days. The period covered is from September 1, 1977, to August 31, 1978. More than 32,000 lightning locations obtained from DMSP photographic data are plotted with an accuracy of 100 km. The locations are in good agreement with features of the general circulation. Land-ocean lightning ratios vary from 2.2 (September) to 4.2 (July) with a mean of 3.2. If these values are corrected for the earth's land-ocean area ratio of 1/2.4, the land-ocean lightning ratios range from 5.3 (September) to 10 (July) with a mean of 7.7.
Resolution enhancement in Raman spectra of biological macromolecules by Fourier deconvolution: applications to single-stranded DNA and RNA viruses

Abstract The application of a constrained, iterative Fourier deconvolution method to Raman spectra of viruses permits separation of overlapped vibrational bands assigned to viral protein and nucleic acid constituents. The intrinsically broad and extensively overlapped Raman lines, which cannot be resolved by instrumental methods, are sufficiently well separated in the deconvoluted spectra so that band areas may be measured with sufficient accuracy to allow conclusions about the secondary structures and hydrogen bonding interactions of viral molecular components. Deconvolution of Raman scattering in the region 1500–1750 cm −1 of filamentous bacteriophages resolves the contributions of(i)amide I modes ofalpha-helix and beta-strand conformations of the viral coat proteins, (ii) aromatic ring modes of tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine side chains and (iii) purine ring modes of the coated DNA molecule. The results show that among six filamentous viruses the amount of alpha-helix in coat protein subunits decreases in the following order: Pfl (100%) > IKe (93%) > fd (92%) > Ifl (90%) > Pf3 (82%) > Xf (71%). In an application to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), the complex band in the 800–850 cm −1 region is deconvoluted to resolve contributions from the encapsidated RNA genome at 813 and 822 cm −1 , which indicate at least two distinct nucleoside conformers and a contribution from the tyrosine rings of protein subunits at 831 cm −1 . Integrated intensity measurements suggest that at least two-thirds of the nucleosides do not contain the usual C3′-endo ring pucker and anti orientation of the glycosidic bond normally associated with nucleoside residues of single-stranded RNA.
Variations in the Prevalence and Extent of Periodontitis

A national survey of employed adults showed a decrease in the extent and severity of periodontal disease in comparison with findings from earlier studies. Using data from that survey, this report evaluates the association of socioeconomic factors--race, education, income and dental insurance, as well as most recent dental visit--with the prevalence and extent of periodontal disease. Periodontitis was more prevalent and usually more extensive in persons who are black, have less education or had not seen a dentist in three or more years. Having dental insurance was not associated with better periodontal health.
EPR study of internal field distribution, local order and dynamics in klt and KTN

A review is given of the experimental and theoretical study of the effect of off-center Li and Nb ions in mixed ferroelectric crystals K1-xLixTaO3 and KTa1-yNbyO3. EPR line broadening is analyzed in detail for paramagnetic centers which show a linear or a quadratic Stark effect in an external electric field. It is shown that a body of experiments on axial and cubic centers Fe3+ are consistent with the model of ferroelectric phase transition driven by off-center ions induced polar nanoregions above Tc. The size of these nanoregions as well as their reorientational frequency and effective dipole moment of off-center ions are obtained from the EPR data.
Selective computed tomographic angiography in traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a pilot study.

Abstract Background Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) tends to be overused in patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) to rule out intracranial aneurysmal disease. We hypothesized that there are two exclusive subsets of patients with tSAH that maybe at increased risk for aneurysm and thus should undergo CTA, those “found down” with an unknown mechanism of injury and those with “central subarachnoid hemorrhage” (CSH, in the subarachnoid cisterns and Sylvian fissures). This pilot study was performed to provide more information on the validity of our hypothesis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on trauma patients with tSAH who underwent CTA of the brain. Patients presented to a level I trauma center from January 2008–December 2012. Our principal outcome was the diagnosis of an intracranial aneurysm. Student t -test, chi-squared test, Mann–Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis, with significance set at alpha = 0.05. Results Of 617 total patients with tSAH, 186 patients underwent CTA. Majority of patients were male (64%), with median age of 56 y. Median Glasgow coma scale on presentation was 15, and the median injury severity score was 16. Thirteen patients (6.99%) had an aneurysm on the follow-up CTA. Of those, 8 of 13 (61.5%) were felt to have presented with a ruptured aneurysm. Among those, 5 of 8 (62.5%) sustained a fall and 3 of 8 (37.5%) resulted from a motor vehicle crash. Among the 14 patients (7.5%) “found down”, none had an aneurysm. All eight patients with a ruptured aneurysm (100%) had CSH, whereas none of the five patients with unruptured aneurysm had CSH. On multivariate analysis, suprasellar cistern hemorrhage was the most predictive noncontrast computed tomographic finding with regard to aneurysm presence (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–17.1). Patients with an aneurysmal disease had a significantly higher mean arterial pressure on presentation (median, 115 mm Hg) than those without an aneurysm (median, 96 mm Hg, P Conclusions These preliminary data support a more selective approach to screening CTAs in patients with tSAH. CTA should be used in those patients with CSH regardless of mechanism of injury. A more restrictive approach should be used in patients with only peripheral subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Incidence of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse 10 years following primary surgical management: a retrospective cohort study

We conducted this study to estimate the rate of, and identify risk factors for, recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) following primary surgical repair. The study consisted of a retrospective cohort study of 142 women who underwent primary surgical management of POP in 1993 and were followed up to 10 years. Prolapse severity was graded using an established classification system of clinical descriptors. Hazard ratios (HR) for recurrent POP were determined using Cox regression. 36 recurrent cases were identified (recurrence rate: 3.7 per 100 woman-years). A cystocele was the most frequent element of primary (87%) and recurrent (72%) prolapse. No predictors of the likelihood of recurrence were identified, though recurrence was somewhat more common among women with a history of two or fewer vaginal deliveries vs three or more (HR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval = 0.81-3.3). Recurrent POP following surgical management is common. Our ability to predict recurrence is limited.