cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract ED02-03: Gaining epidemiologic insights from ancestry associations with cancer risk factors.

The ability to estimate ancestry using genetic markers brings the potential for deeper understandings of the biological basis for cancer health disparities but also presents challenges regarding how best to incorporate this information into epidemiologic studies. New insights can be gained by evaluating the association between ancestry and established cancer risk factors. Using an example of African ancestry, strong associations between the level of African ancestry and various cancer-related biomarkers may provide compelling new information that leads to a better understanding of genetic underpinnings of excess cancer burden in the African American population. African ancestry also has the potential, however, to be correlated with sociodemographic, geographic, and/or behavioral factors. Investigators should be cognizant of these potential correlations to avoid misinterpretation of ancestry-related findings. Citation Format: Lisa B. Signorello. Gaining epidemiologic insights from ancestry associations with cancer risk factors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr ED02-03.
Submersible Observations in the Straits of Florida: Geology and Bottom Currents

The submarine slopes that border the Straits of Florida off Miami and Bimini were traversed by the submersible Aluminaut, in August and September of 1967. The Bimini escarpment is characterized by a three-part zonation consisting of relatively strong northerly bottom currents in both deep and shallow zones, and an intermediate zone of low northerly bottom current velocities. From 538 m (the bottom of the traverse) to 222 m, there is a sloping, smooth, rock surface veneered with sand, ripple-marked by northward bottom currents of 50 cm/sec or more. The middle, low velocity zone, from 222 m to 76 m, exhibits a muddy slope of largely bank-derived material. The sediment surface exhibits tracks, burrows and mounds, which indicates that currents here are never as strong as in the rippled zones above and below. Observed current velocities in the middle zone were only 5 to 10 cm/sec. Above 76 m, a steep, vertical to overhanging cliff with large talus blocks at its base rises to a crest at 30 m. Currents in the upper zone are northward at 50 to 150 cm/sec. The inverted situation of higher energy bottom current conditions and associated sedimentary features and textures existing in the same area, but at a greater depth than low energy surface features and fine sediments, is of significance to the stratigraphic interpretation of ancient rocks. On the western side of the Straits, at the base of the Miami Terrace, is an elongate trough 825 m deep. The bottom here is characterized by ridges and mounds of muddy sand capped by thickets of living deep-water branching coral. The eastward-facing escarpment of the Miami Terrace exhibits ledge-like outcroppings of dark phosphatic limestone from depths of 719 m to the crest at 457 m where the traverse ended. An interesting finding of the dives in the Straits of Florida is the observation, based on both current measurements and sedimentary structures, that the bottom current on the western side of the Straits flows southward at observed velocities of 2 to 50 cm/sec. This southerly bottom flow is opposite to either the northerly Florida Current above or to the bottom current on the Bahama side of the Straits. The nature and orientation of the sedimentary structures, plus the combined observations of several Aluminaut dives in the same area, indicate that the southward bottom counterflow is persistent and not a temporary tidal reversal. An extensive sedimentary anticline in the west-central sector of the Straits may have been built by this bottom counter current bringing material from the north.
Modernity, sexuality, and gender in pramoedya Ananta Toer's This Earth of Mankind (1980)

This essay looks at the construction of the “modern” in the novel This Earth of Mankind (1980) by the Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1925–2006). When the novel's protagonist, Minke, a Native Indonesian living on Java around 1900, is introduced to the idea of the “modern” by Dutch teachers and friends, he gradually discovers the inconsistencies underlying Western conceptualizations of the “modern,” in particular regarding sexuality and gender. The novel argues for a reconsideration of the “modern” from a non-Western perspective that, instead of defending one homogenous vision of modernity with roots in the West, allows for multiple trajectories for modernity. Such alternative ways of conceptualizing the “modern” seek to capitalize on the increased mobility that accompanied Western colonialism, using this mobility as a chance to come to a multilateral understanding of what it means to be “modern” that includes a reorientation toward Native culture.
The Teal Ruby Experiment: A Potpourri Of Advanced Technology

The new technologies embodied in the Teal Ruby Experiment are surveyed to illustrate how the sensor represents much more than a new detector art. It is indicated that, as in all such multidimensional advances, much accommodation is inevitable among the competing design elements, requiring continuing systems engineering attention. The Teal Ruby Experiment is emerging as a significant benchmark in sensor design (see Figure 1).© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Temperature-dependent deacylation of molecular species of phosphatidylcholine by microsomal phospholipase A2 of thermally acclimated rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Using the ratios of kinetic parameters, V/Km, the deacylation of different molecular species of 1-palmitoyl,2-acyl phosphatidylcholine via microsomal phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was studied in liver tissue of thermally acclimated rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). In general, PLA2 from fish acclimated to cold temperatures showed an order of preference for the acyl moieties of 18∶1>18∶1>18∶2>18∶0. Trout acclimated to warm temperatures generally preferred 18∶0 PC, but the actual order of preference depended on the temperature of the assays and the presence of endogenous lipids in the enzyme preparation. At 5 C, the particulate (microsomal) enzyme preferred 18∶0>18∶2>18∶1, but a lipid-free preparation of the enzyme preferred 18∶2>18∶0>18∶1. At 20 C, particulate enzyme preferred 18∶1>18∶0>18∶2 but purified enzyme preferred 18∶0>18∶2>18∶1. Thus, assay temperature and the presence of microsomal lipids had a greater effect on PLA2 from fish acclimated to warm temperatures than fish acclimated to cold temperatures. The substrate preference of PLA2 is discussed with reference to the previously observed changes in membrane fatty acid composition that occur with thermal acclimation in rainbow trout.
Changes in growth factor expression in normal aging of the rat retina

Abstract Although much is known about the growth factor changes in ocular tissues during various diseases, little is known about normal aging of the retina. In order to further understand normal aging in the retina, we characterized age-related changes of growth factor expression in three different ages of rat retina. Real time PCR and protein analysis was conducted to investigate steady state mRNA expression and protein levels of VEGF, VEGFR2, PEDF, Ang-1, Tie-2, EphB4 and ephrinB2 in the retina of 8-, 22-, and 32-month-old Brown Norway X Fischer 344 F1 hybrid rats. An increase of VEGF protein levels was found at 32 months compared to 8 and 22 months of age. VEGFR2 protein was found to be increased at 22 and 32 months compared to 8 months. PEDF protein levels were reduced at 22 and 32 months. Tie-2 levels were found to be significantly decreased by 32 months compared to 8 months of age, while ephrinB2 was found to be significantly lower at both 22 and 32 months compared to 8 months of age. The increases found in VEGF and its receptor VEGFR2, with the simultaneous decrease of PEDF protein levels, may stimulate an environment that is well suited for neovascularization in the normal aging retina. Overall, these results suggest that normal aging produces substantial changes in gene expression and protein levels.
Saturation Kinetics of the Velocity of Stomatal Closing in Response to CO2

Stomatal closing movements in response to changes from CO(2)-free to CO(2)-containing air were recorded in leaf sections of Zea mays using air flow porometers. The response to CO(2) was fast; the shortest lag between the application of 300 microliters CO(2) per liter of air and the beginning of a stomatal response was 3 seconds. The velocity of stomatal closing increased with CO(2) concentration and approached its maximal value between 10(3) and 10(4) microliters CO(2) per liter of air. The CO(2) concentration at which the closing velocity reached half its maximal value was approximately 200 microliters CO(2) per liter of air, both in the light and in darkness. This indicates that the mechanism of stomatal responses to CO(2) is the same in both light regimes and that the range of stomatal sensitivity to changes in CO(2) concentration coincides with the range of CO(2) concentrations known to occur in the intercellular spaces of illuminated leaves.
Diets higher in protein predict lower high blood pressure risk in Framingham Offspring Study adults.

High blood pressure (HBP) is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and renal failure.1 Evidence from recent reviews2,3 and meta-analyses4,5 suggests that dietary protein consumption may benefit BP. Both of these meta-analyses of short-term clinical trials concluded that compared with carbohydrates, higher dietary protein led to modest BP reductions. In the Rebholtz meta-analysis, both animal and plant proteins were found to have similar short-term effects on BP.5 Observational studies, which have been largely cross-sectional, have shown weak beneficial effects of plant proteins, in particular on BP.2 Few observational studies (and no clinical trials) have addressed the long-term effects of animal and plant proteins on BP, and results are conflicting.6–8 The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) studies have documented the importance of diet patterns to BP.9 The greatest reductions in BP in the DASH trials have been seen with higher intakes of fruits and vegetables (FV) plus higher intakes of low-fat dairy products (an important source of dietary protein). In general, the effects of FV alone are modest.10 Higher dietary fiber intakes have also been associated with a BP-lowering effect, particularly among hypertensive individuals.11 Combined effects of dietary protein and fiber intakes on BP are less clear, although at least 1 review suggests that they may be additive.12 Our goal in this study was to evaluate the longitudinal effects of the amount and type of dietary protein on mean BP and the risk of incident HBP among middle-aged adults in the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS). The interactive effects of dietary protein with FV and dietary fiber were also examined.
Astrometric and photometric data fusion for inactive space object mass and area estimation

Abstract This paper presents a new method to determine the mass of an inactive space object from the fusion of photometric and astrometric data. Typically, the effect of solar radiation pressure is used to determine area-to-mass ratio for space objects from angles observations. The area-to-mass ratio of a space object can greatly affect its orbital dynamics. As a consequence, angles data are sensitive to this quantity. On the other hand, photometric data is not sensitive to mass but is a strong function of the albedo-area and the rotational dynamics of the space object. The albedo-area can be used to determine the amount of energy reflected from solar radiation. Since these two data types are sensitive to albedo-area and area-to-mass, then through fusion of photometric data with angles data it is possible to determine the area and mass of a space object. This work employs an unscented Kalman filter to estimate rotational and translational states, area and mass of an inactive space object. Mass is not observable with only angles data or only photometric data alone, but it is shown in this work that with the two combined data types mass can be recovered. Recovery of space object characteristics and attitude and orbit trajectories with sufficient accuracy is demonstrated in this paper via simulation.
A survey of oncologists regarding sperm cryopreservation and assisted reproductive techniques for male cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The authors surveyed the current knowledge, opinions, and clinical practices of oncologists regarding pretherapy cryopreservation of semen from male cancer patients since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS A survey was sent to all members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Minnesota. RESULTS Forty-six of 165 oncologists (28%) responded. Factors considered important in how strongly to recommend cryopreservation were patient age at the time of diagnosis (94%), type of treatment (83%), type of cancer (65%), urgency to initiate treatment (63%), and preexisting infertility (57%). Oncologists perceived patients to be significantly more concerned about cryopreservation than they were themselves during pretherapy counseling (P = 0.0005). Oncologists estimated that 27% of their patients chose to cryopreserve sperm. However, only 26% of the oncologists knew about ICSI. The cancers perceived to warrant cryopreservation the most were lymphomas, leukemias, and testicular carcinomas. The treatment modalities perceived to warrant cryopreservation the most were distributed among various chemotherapy and radiation regimens. A majority of respondents to the survey knew where patients could go to cryopreserve sperm (89%), but less than half of the respondents gave accurate information about the cost. CONCLUSIONS Most of the oncologists surveyed were unaware of recent advances in reproductive technology in which only a few sperm are needed for successful in vitro fertilization with ICSI. This lack of awareness may be contributing to underutilization of sperm cryopreservation by male cancer patients. Currently, all male cancer patients of reproductive age who will have treatment that may affect testicular function and who may desire children in the future should cryopreserve sperm before the initiation of therapy. Cancer 1999;86:1812–7. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Relationship Between Universal Health Outcome Priorities and Willingness to Take Medication for Primary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: To determine how well universal health outcome priorities represent individuals' preferences in specific clinical situations. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Community. Participants: Community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (N = 357). Measurements: Participants used three tools assessing universal health outcome priorities related to two common trade-offs: quality versus quantity of life and future health versus present inconveniences and burdens of treatment. The tools' ability to identify participants who were unwilling to take a medication that reduced the risk of myocardial infarction but caused dizziness and fatigue was analyzed. Results: There were consistent and significant associations between unwillingness to take the medication and prioritizing quality of life or future health for all three tools in the expected direction (P < .05). Despite these associations, the positive (PPV) and negative predictive values for the tools were generally modest (0.49–0.83). The tool with the most specific statements resembling the medication scenario had the best specificity (0.97) and PPV (0.83). Conclusion: Universal health outcome priorities only modestly identified older persons who would be unwilling to take a medication for primary prevention of myocardial infarction that causes adverse effects. Although tools that are the most general in their assessment of priorities have the benefit of being applicable across the widest range of scenarios, tools with greater specificity may be necessary to inform individual treatment decisions.
Prepatellar septic bursitis: a case report of skin necrosis associated with open bursectomy.

ABSTRACTPatients with prepatellar septic bursitis are typically successfully managed nonoperatively with rest, compression, immobilization, aspiration, and antibiotics. Rarely, surgical excision of the bursa may be required for recalcitrant cases. Prepatellar bursectomy, however, has been associated with considerable risk of surgical-site morbidity. Although skin necrosis is frequently cited as a complication of open bursectomy, there is limited information in the medical literature on the etiology and management of this rare but serious complication.
Anchoring, attributions, and self-efficacy: An examination of interactions

This study addresses gaps in the current literature by examining hypotheses based on the integration of self-efficacy, anchoring, and attribution theory. A novel anchor, attributional feedback, was utilized after an initial performance episode, and its influence on self-efficacy judgments was examined. This study also tested the previously ignored mediating influence of attributional analysis on the relationship between performance and self-efficacy as well as the influence of different attributions on self-efficacy under conditions of both successful and unsuccessful performance. Findings of this research indicate that carefully structured feedback is crucial when discussing an individual's performance, as this feedback may influence the causal attributions that are made; moreover, it is through this attributional analysis that past performance affects judgments of self-efficacy.
Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) for Precipitating Clay Turbidity from Fish Ponds

Abstract Alum was more effective than ferric sulfate, hydrated lime, or gypsum in removing clay turbidity from laboratory suspensions of clay. A simple alum-requirement test was developed to determine the amount of alum needed to floc clay particles in pond water. Alum applied to seven ponds at rates determined by this test removed 84 to 97% of the turbidity within 48 hours. Alum-requirement values ranged from 10 to 30 mg/liter for 23 samples of pond waters containing clay turbidity. Each mg/liter of alum destroyed approximately 0.5 mg/liter of total alkalinity, and depressed pH. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were unharmed by 10–30 mg/liter alum if the total alkalinity was initially above 20 mg/liter, and were unharmed by floc resulting from alum treatment. In waters with total alkalinity below 20 mg/liter, hydrated lime or agricultural limestone may be applied to prevent severe depression of alkalinity and pH that would otherwise be caused by alum.
Coronary arteriovenous fistula with patent ductus arteriosus.

Abstract The first case is reported of coexisting coronary arteriovenous fistula and patent ductus arteriosus in which both lesions were preoperatively diagnosed and successfully corrected during a single operation. An attempt is made to outline the consequences of, and practical approach to, coronary A-V fistula, based on the experience of the present case and a review of the pertinent literature. The problems inherent in the recognition of a patent ductus arteriosus in the presence of a hemodynamically dominant coronary A-V fistula are discussed.
Incumbency and the Probability of Reelection in State Legislative Elections

We build on work estimating and explaining the incumbency advantage in state legislative elections. Our work makes advances in three ways. First, our model measures the effect of incumbency on the probability of reelection, rather than on candidate vote share or margin of victory. Second, we accommodate both multimember district (MMD) elections that are excluded from most previous studies and uncontested and partially contested (MMD) races. Third, we use an improved method of controlling for the underlying partisan makeup of districts. We calculate incumbency advantage using data from elections in 96 legislative chambers across 49 states in the 1992-1994 electoral cycle. We then model relative incumbency advantage across the states as a function of institutional characteristics. We find that district type, term length, and electoral formula have substantial effects on incumbent safety; incumbents in multimember post and free-for-all districts are more vulnerable than those in traditional SMDs, as are thos...
Sibling interactions and children's communicative competency

Abstract Eighty-six sibling dyads were observed interacting on two tasks in a laboratory setting. Their behaviors were examined in relation to relative ordinal position, communicative status, and verbal and nonverbal competencies of the children. Approximately half of the dyads included a 5- to 7-year-old target child who was diagnosed as communication handicapped (CH). The remaining target children were not handicapped (NH). Behaviors of target children varied with communicative status and ordinal position of the target child relative to the sibling. For example, target children who were born earlier relative to their siblings were less likely than later-born children to engage in reciprocal cooperative interchanges with siblings or comply with strategies for problem solving that were proposed by their siblings. For some behaviors, earlier-born CH target children resembled the younger, later-born children in the nonhandicapped dyads more than they did their own NH peers.
Preoperative assessment and perioperative care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery

The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United States and worldwide is increasing at an alarming rate. The number of bariatric surgical procedures also has steadily increased during the past decade. This article reviews the published literature and current practice trends for preoperative workup and assessment of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
The Next Step: Research on How Dispute System Design Affects Function

Despite claims that ADR offers "better" solutions than traditional approaches (such as the courts), the field of dispute resolution has trouble proving its case. The reason is that we lack baseline data on the effectiveness of both traditional and nontraditional dispute resolution methods. Practitioners and researchers of dispute resolution should work together and in collaboration with public and private sector institutions to incorporate systemized data collection and evaluation into ADR practice. The growing subfield of dispute system design offers particularly rich ground for such collaboration between the research and practice communities.
Revisiting the entropic force between fluctuating biological membranes

The complex interplay between the various attractive and repulsive forces that mediate between biological membranes governs an astounding array of biological functions: cell adhesion, membrane fusion, self-assembly, binding-unbinding transition among others. In this work, the entropic repulsive force between membranes—which originates due to thermally excited fluctuations—is critically reexamined both analytically and through systematic Monte Carlo simulations. A recent work by Freund (2013) has questioned the validity of a well-accepted result derived by Helfrich (1978). We find that, in agreement with Freund, for small inter-membrane separations (d), the entropic pressure scales as p � 1=d, in contrast to Helfrich's result: p � 1=d 3
Multicomponent diffusion and convection in capillary structures

A previously developed method (Sotirchos and Burganos, 1988) for studying isobaric multicomponent diffusion in a class of capillary networks is extended for application to the problem of convection and diffusion of gaseous mixtures in porous media. The method is used to develop flux models for nonisobaric transport in capillary structures, which are then compared with corresponding [open quotes]three-parameter[close quotes] dusty-gas models. Results for discrete and continuous pore size distributions show that the predictions of the developed flux models depend strongly, both qualitatively, and quantitatively, on the procedure used to average the dusty-gas model equations for a single pore over the pore-size distribution.
Quasi-phase matching in nonlinear metamaterials

We employ nonlinear metamaterials to demonstrate alternative quasi-phase matching (QPM) methods not feasible in natural materials. Additionally, we propose a method for dynamic QPM via resonance tuning, allowing for a tunable frequency of operation.
Exploring empowerment in settings: mapping distributions of network power.

This paper brings together two trends in the empowerment literature—understanding empowerment in settings and understanding empowerment as relational—by examining what makes settings empowering from a social network perspective. Specifically, extending Neal and Neal’s (Am J Community Psychol 48(3/4):157–167, 2011) conception of network power, an empowering setting is defined as one in which (1) actors have existing relationships that allow for the exchange of resources and (2) the distribution of network power among actors in the setting is roughly equal. The paper includes a description of how researchers can examine distributions of network power in settings. Next, this process is illustrated in both an abstract example and using empirical data on early adolescents’ peer relationships in urban classrooms. Finally, implications for theory, methods, and intervention related to understanding empowering settings are explored.
A Multi-Year Data Set of Cloud Properties Derived for CERES from Aqua, Terra, and TRMM

The clouds and Earth's radiant energy system (CERES) project is producing a suite of cloud properties from high-resolution imagers on several satellites and matching them precisely with broadband radiance data to study the influence of clouds and radiation on climate. The cloud properties generally compare well with independent validation sources. Distinct differences are found between the CERES cloud properties and those derived with other algorithms from the same imager data. CERES products will be updated beginning in late 2006.
THE IMPACT OF SAGITTAL PLANE HIP POSITION ON ISOMETRIC FORCE OF HIP EXTERNAL ROTATOR AND INTERNAL ROTATOR MUSCLES IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Purpose/Background: Hip external rotator (ER) and internal rotator (IR) muscle weakness is theorized to be associated with lower extremity injury in athletes including knee ligament tears and patellofemoral pain. Previous studies investigating hip musculature strength have utilized various sagittal plane hip positions for testing. The relationship between results at these different positions is unknown. Methods: Eighty healthy, pain-free young adults participated in the study: 40 female, mean age 22.90 (± 2.32) years, and 40 male, mean age 23.50 (± 2.15) years. Peak isometric torque of bilateral hip ER and IR were tested at 90 and 0 of hip flexion with an instrumented dynamometer. Peak muscle forces were calculated. Peak forces were normalized by body mass. Mean normalized force was calculated for dominant and non-dominant limbs for ER and IR in both positions. Male and female data were analyzed separately with paired t-tests (2-tailed). Reference values for average muscle force and torque were calculated for dominant and non-dominant limbs for both hip positions. Results: Hip IR normalized peak force was greater at 90 compared to 0 flexion position bilaterally in both genders (p < .01). Hip ER normalized peak force was greater at 90 compared to 0 flexion in dominant limbs of both genders and in non-dominant limbs of males (p < .01). Non-dominant hip ER normalized force in females was greater at 90 versus 0 flexion; however, it was not significant (p = .092). Post hoc analysis of normalized average force (average over 5-second contraction) yielded similar results. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers should use consistent positioning for testing of hip ER and IR strength. This will improve certainty of determining if a patient’s strength has changed or if differences between groups are present. Reference values reported will be useful in order to determine if weakness is present and to set goals, particularly in cases of bilateral involvement.
Calculating CO2 and H2O eddy covariance fluxes from an enclosed gas analyzer using an instantaneous mixing ratio

Eddy covariance flux research has relied on open- or closed-path gas analyzers for producing estimates of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The two instruments have had different challenges that have led to development of an enclosed design that is intended to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses of both traditional designs. Similar to the closed-path analyzer, the enclosed design leads to minimal data loss during precipitation events and icing, and it does not have surface heating issues. Similar to the open-path design, the enclosed design has good frequency response due to small flux attenuation loss in the short intake tube, does not need frequent calibration, has minimal maintenance requirements, and can be used in a very low power configuration. Another important feature of such a design is the ability to output instantaneous mixing ratio, or dry mole fraction, so that instantaneous thermal and pressure-related expansion and contraction, and water dilution of the sampled air have been accounted for. Thus, no density corrections should be required to compute fluxes during postprocessing. Calculations of CO2 and H2O fluxes via instantaneous mixing ratio from the new enclosed CO2/H2O gas analyzer were tested in nine field experiments during 2009–2010 in a wide range of ecosystems and setups. Fluxes computed via a mixing ratio output from the instrument without applying density corrections were compared to those computed the traditional way using density corrections. The results suggest that with proper temperature, water vapor, and pressure measurements in the cell, gas fluxes can be computed confidently from raw covariance of mixing ratio and vertical wind speed, multiplied by a frequency response correction. This has important implications for future flux measurements, because avoiding hourly density corrections could have the advantages of increasing flux measurement quality and temporal resolution, reducing the magnitude of minimum detectable flux, unifying data processing steps, and assuring better intercomparison between different sites and networks.
Dynamics of water in and around proteins characterized by 1H-spin-lattice relaxometry

Abstract Nuclear magnetic spin-lattice relaxation rate constants measured as a function of the magnetic field strength over wide ranges of Larmor frequency map the noise spectrum that drives spin relaxation. For water in and around protein systems, the spin relaxation reports on the average local translational mobility at the interface which is reduced by approximately factor of three from the bulk and there is anisotropy induced in the motions caused by the excluded volume created by the presence of the protein. Water also penetrates the protein and relatively few bound water sites provide a strong coupling between the protein dynamics and the water-proton-spin relaxation.
Susceptibility and resistance emergence studies with macrolides

An extended elimination half-life and good tissue penetration enable oral azithromycin to attain high and prolonged concentrations in infected tissues, yielding high antibacterial activity in vivo. It has been suggested, however, that prolonged subinhibitory concentrations of azithromycin from 2 to 4 weeks after therapy may lead to the emergence of azithromycin resistance in vivo, compared with other macrolide antibiotics. Data from two types of in vitro susceptibility studies, an animal tissue infection model, and a clinical pediatric study demonstrate that prolonged tissue concentrations of azithromycin are unlikely to lead to the emergence of resistance in the clinical setting. Further, data from in vitro susceptibility studies indicate that resistance to macrolides, and azithromycin in particular, is significantly over-estimated for bacterial strains incubated in the presence of CO2.
Large scale parallel solution of incompressible flow problems using Uintah and hypre

The Uintah Software framework was developed to provide an environment for solving fluid-structure interaction problems on structured adaptive grids on large-scale, long-running, data-intensive problems. Uintah uses a combination of fluid-flow solvers and particle-based methods for solids together with a novel asynchronous task-based approach with fully automated load balancing. As Uintah is often used to solve incompressible flow problems in combustion applications it is important to have a scalable linear solver. While there are many such solvers available, the scalability of those codes varies greatly. The hypre software offers a range of solvers and preconditioners for different types of grids. The weak scalability of Uintah and hypre is addressed for particular examples of both packages when applied to a number of incompressible flow problems. After careful software engineering to reduce startup costs, much better than expected weak scalability is seen for up to 100K cores on NSFs Kraken architecture and up to 260K cpu cores, on DOEs new Titan machine. The scalability is found to depend in a crtitical way on the choice of algorithm used by hypre for a realistic application problem.
Two-port to three-port noise-wave transformation for CAD applications

A two-port-to-three-port noise wave transformation is presented that complements the similar transformation for S-parameters. Others have shown that transistor two-port S-parameters can be converted to three-port S-parameters when the common terminal is used as the third port. This paper shows how to calculate the three-port noise waves and noise temperatures from the two-port noise waves and temperatures. The transformation considers the general case where the common terminal of the three-port is not perfectly grounded. The formulation is then extended to the general case of a (n-1)-port-to-n-port transformation. >
New York State: Comparison of Treatment Outcomes for Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Using an Instrumental Variable Analysis

Background There is wide regional variation in the predominant treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms. We investigated the association of elective surgical clipping and endovascular coiling with mortality, readmission rate, length of stay, and discharge to rehabilitation. Methods and Results We performed a cohort study involving patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms, who underwent surgical clipping or endovascular coiling from 2009 to 2013 and were registered in the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. An instrumental variable analysis was used to investigate the association of treatment technique with outcomes. Of the 4643 patients undergoing treatment, 3190 (68.7%) underwent coiling, and 1453 (31.3%) underwent clipping. Using an instrumental variable analysis, we did not identify a difference in inpatient mortality (marginal effect, 0.13; 95% CI, −0.30, 0.57), or the rate of 30‐day readmission (marginal effect, −1.84; 95% CI −4.06, −0.37) between the 2 treatment techniques for patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Clipping was associated with a higher rate of discharge to rehabilitation (marginal effect, 2.31; 95% CI 0.21, 4.41), and longer length of stay (β, 2.01; 95% CI 0.85, 3.04). In sensitivity analysis, mixed‐effect regression, and propensity score, adjusted regression models demonstrated identical results. Conclusions Using a comprehensive all‐payer cohort of patients in New York State with unruptured cerebral aneurysms, we did not identify an association of treatment method with mortality or 30‐day readmission. Clipping was associated with a higher rate of discharge to rehabilitation and longer length of stay.
Decentralized Feedback Structures of a Vapor Compression Cycle System

In vapor compression cycle (VCC) systems, it is desirable to effectively control the thermodynamic cycle. By controlling the thermodynamic states of the refrigerant with an inner-loop, supervisory algorithms can manage critical objectives such as maintaining superheat and maximizing the coefficient of performance, etc. In the HVAC industry, it is generally preferred to tune multiple single-input-single-output (SISO) control inner-loops rather than a single multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) control inner-loop. This paper presents a process by which a simplified feedback control structure amenable to a decoupled SISO control loop design may be identified. In particular, the many possible candidate input-output pairs for decentralized control are sorted via a decoupling metric, the relative gain array number. From a reduced set of promising candidate input-output pairs, engineering insight is applied to arrive at the final pairings successfully verified on a refrigeration test stand.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Educational Strategies for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV

During the past few years, an impressive array of educational materials and programs have been produced with the aim of preventing further spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, due to the immediacy and gravity of the epidemic threat, many educational interventions have been initiated without adequate attention to their likely specific impact and without proper means of evaluating their effectiveness. This type of response may be justified by legitimate immediate concern with human life and suffering. However, it is imperative that preventive educational programs be carefully assessed for their actual impact on HIV transmission, as well as more proximate effects on knowledge, attitudes, or specific behavior.
Evaluating a Fee Structure for a Not-for-Profit Community Foundation: A Case Study on Activity Based Costing

A case is presented focusing on a not-for-profit organization offering multiple services while having a costing base which is essentially fixed. At issue is determining a fee structure for the services provided. The organization is a community foundation acting as custodian and disburser of several endowments designated for differing purposes. To assist in determining an appropriate fee structure, an activity based costing (ABC) analysis is employed to allocate costs to the community foundation’s eight products. ABC provides an approach for allocating costs to products when costs are not directly or easily traceable to the products. This case illustrates an approach for allocation of indirect costs to cost objects. In turn, the measures of this resource allocation may be used in determining an appropriate fee structure. As noted by Warren (2015, 399), “many service companies are now using activity-based costing for determining the cost of providing services to customers.” The principles do, however, apply to other types of organizations which attempt to assign indirect/overhead costs more accurately to products. For all types of organizations, service or manufacturing, activity based costing techniques can be and are used to allocate overhead and indirect costs to products.
Comparison of Controlled Infestations of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Corn

Root damage, plant height, and growth stages of corn were used to compare effects of the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, and the northern corn rootworm (NCR), D. barheri Smith & Lawrence, in controlled infestations. With each species, root damage ratings increased linearly as infestations increased. Although this trend was similar for both species (regression slopes were equal), NCR did not cause as much damage as did WCR. Likewise, in plots infested with WCR, plant height was reduced at lower infestation rates than with NCR. No differences were found among treatments for plant-growth stages. Since no differences were found in egg viability or for adult emergence between species with each controlled egg-infestation rate, it was apparent that a given population of WCR produced greater damage to corn than the same-size population of NCR.
FRETTING FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF TI-6Al-4V UNDER DISPLACEMENT CONTROL OF PAD

The present study was conducted to elucidate the effects of independent pad displacement on fretting fatigue behavior of Ti-6Al-4V. The pad movement was controlled by a dual actuator system. Tests were conducted at two normal forces but at constant stress amplitude. At both normal forces, the fretting fatigue life decreased initially as the applied pad displacement increased. A minimum fretting fatigue life was observed at a slip range of 50~60 μm, and then it increased with the increase of slip range. When the slip range was greater than 60 μm, the gross sliding occurred and the specimen did not fail. The tangential force-slip loop was used to identify the fretting regime. For lower values of slip range, the fretting condition was stick-slip. The mixed fretting of stick-slip was observed at higher relative slip range, where the tangential force increased and decreased alternatively during early stage of cycling and finally stabilized to a higher value leading to gross slip condition. At the very high relative slip amplitudes, the gross slipping resulted where a significant material loss occurred and it did not cause the specimen failure.
Consideration of Manufacturing Processes and the Supply Chain in Product Design

As efforts continue to incorporate environmental sustainability into product design, struggles persist to concurrently consider the environmental impacts resulting from transportation planning and supply chain network design. In fact, the transportation sector is the second largest contributor to direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, following electricity generation. To address these concerns and consider environmental issues more holistically during the development of products, Design for X (X: manufacturing, environment, etc.) methods, such as environmentally benign manufacturing (EBM) and life cycle assessment (LCA) continue to be advanced through research. In spite of improving environmental performance through design, supply chain related impacts are not well understood and can be impacted by decisions made during product design. Thus, the aim of this research is to explore how changes to the design of a product affect manufacturing supply chain configurations and, in turn, influence product environmental sustainability. The environmental impacts for producing several three-ring binder design variations are predicted by assuming a given set of suppliers that provide materials and components to the manufacturer. Supply chain transportation impacts are also accounted for in the analysis. Transportation impacts are found to be minor compared to materials and manufacturing impacts.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Ovine Prostaglandin F 2α Receptor: Steroid Influence on Steady-State Levels of Luteal mRNA

Expression of the receptor for prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is decreased in the ovine corpus luteum during regression and increased in early pregnancy. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of progesterone and/or 17β-estradiol (E2) on this regulation. Circulating progesterone (functional regression) and luteal PGF receptor mRNA decreased (p<0.05) within 8 h of PGF2α-induced luteal regression in midluteal phase (day 10; d 10) ewes; however, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (structural regression) was not yet increased. Additionally, luteal PGF receptor mRNA and circulating progesterone were greater (p<0.05) in pregnant than in nonpregnant ewes on d 14, but not on d 12. Twelve hours following injection of d 10 ewes with E2, steady-state levels of mRNA for PGF receptor were decreased (p<0.05), although circulating progesterone and DNA laddering were unchanged. Conversely, luteal mRNA for PGF receptor was increased (p<0.05) by E2 treatment in hysterectomized ewes. These results provide evidence that (1) luteal PGF receptor expression parallels circulating progesterone levels during functional regression and in early pregnancy, but (2) expression of PGF receptor can be dissociated from alterations in circulating progesterone by injection with E2. Additionally, decreased PGF receptor expression initiated by E2 is uterine-dependent, whereas the direct luteal effect (hysterectomized ewes) of E2 is a stimulation of PGF receptor expression. These results collectively support the belief that the apparent downregulation of PGF receptor during luteal regression is associated with uterine-derived PGF2α and its intracellular effects rather than with alterations in ovarian steroid production.
Mississippian clinoform; lithologic and paleoecologic diversity amid slopes, slides and mounds

On February 26-29, twenty-three paleontologists, stratigraphers, and sedimentologists participated in a field workshop on the paleoecology and sedimentation of the Mississippian Fort Payne Formation in southcentral Kentucky and adjacent Tennessee. The group stayed at Sulphur Creek Resort on an arm of Dale Hollow Reservoir and examined Fort Payne outcrops in the Cumberland Saddle region from Columbia, Kentucky, to Celina, Tennessee, 45 miles to the south. South-central Kentucky and adjacent Tennessee lie in the Cumberland Saddle, so named for the Cumberland River, which flows to the west and southwest through the gentle structural sag between the Lexington and Nashville Domes each exposing Middle and Upper Ordovician strata (Fig. 1). In the Cumberland Saddle itself, however, a thin section of deepwater Devonian Chattanooga Shale caps these rocks and above it lies a very well exposed Lower to Middle Mississippian section including the Fort Payne Formation (lowest), Warsaw Formation, St. Louis Formation, and the St. Genevieve (Monteagle) Limestone, capped on the margins of the saddle by basal Pennsylvanian sandstones and shales. The most widespread and best exposed of these units are the Fort Payne and Warsaw Formations, largely because the PlioPleistocene entrenchment of the Cumberland River has produced sharp, local relief of 150 to almost 300 feet with a dense pattern of dendritic drainage so that outcrops abound. Here one can see exceptionally well in a small area a complex marine clinoform, commonly 250-290 feet thick, that contains diverse terrigenous and carbonate facies (Fig. 2). Although the Cumberland Saddle itself covers more than eight counties, it is small in comparison to all the Fort Payne, which extends from the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama through Tennessee and Kentucky into the Illinois Basin. In Kentucky and adjacent states Fort Payne deposition occurred after and to the southwest of the fine-grained sandstones, siltstones, and shales of the Borden Formation, which also has a clinoform structure. The two are separated by a widespread glauconite, the Floyds Knob Glauconite, which can be traced up the clinoform onto shelf beds. Plentiful shallow wells and complete geologic quadrangle mapping add to the attractions of the Cumberland Saddle as a field laboratory. From the viewpoint of paleoecology the Fort Payne Formation has special interest, because it is a marine clinoform (Fig. 2) rich in diverse lithologies: at least three types of shales (black silty shale, medium, dark gray, silty dolomitic shale, and fossiliferous green shale) plus a diverse array of limestones most of which have a predominant pelmatozoan echino-
MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE MITRAL STENOSIS IN PREGNANCY

Mitral stenosis (MS) remains a problem in the developing world. Pregnancy increases cardiac output and the diastolic mitral gradient. Management has implications for both the mother and fetus. A 24 week pregnant Pakistani woman presented in superventricular tachycardia (SVT) at 220 bpm. ECG post-