cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Echo combination to reduce proton resonance frequency (PRF) thermometry errors from fat.

Purpose To validate echo combination as a means to reduce errors caused by fat in temperature measurements with the proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift method. Materials and Methods Computer simulations were performed to study the behavior of temperature measurement errors introduced by fat as a function of echo time. Error reduction by combining temperature images acquired at different echo times was investigated. For experimental verification, three echoes were acquired in a refocused gradient echo acquisition. Temperature images were reconstructed with the PRF shift method for the three echoes and then combined in a weighted average. Temperature measurement errors in the combined image and the individual echoes were compared for pure water and different fractions of fat in a computer simulation and for a phantom containing a homogenous mixture with 20% fat in an MR experiment. Results In both simulation and MR measurement, the presence of fat caused severe temperature underestimation or overestimation in the individual echoes. The errors were substantially reduced after echo combination. Residual errors were about 0.3°C for 10% fat and 1°C for 20% fat. Conclusion Echo combination substantially reduces temperature measurement errors caused by small fractions of fat. This technique then eliminates the need for fat suppression in tissues such as the liver. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Implementing multi-step chemical kinetics models in opposed-flow flame spread over cellulose and a comparison to single-step chemistry

Multi-step, gas-phase chemical kinetics are introduced into flame spread modeling efforts. An unsteady multi-step, gas-phase kinetics model both with and without steady-state species assumptions, and including nonunit Lewis number, is compared with a model including a single, finite-rate gas-phase reaction, which has been the usual approach in flame spread modeling. Laminar diffusion flames over a thin fuel in an opposing O2 / N2 flow are considered with the solution in two-dimensional space of momentum, energy, and 12 gas-phase species. Results for the multi-step models show detailed flame structure in terms of species and heat release distributions throughout the flame and the role of chemical kinetics as a controlling mechanism in flame spread. Of particular interest is the potential of multi-step chemical kinetics in solutions at near-extinction limit conditions. While the incorporation of nonunit Le alone affords more detailed species transport, in high opposing flows it was found to give only minor structural differences from the single-step unit Le model. The multi-step chemistry allows for the gas kinetics to be self-adjusting to environmental conditions. As a result, the distribution of endothermicity and exothermicity throughout the flame and for particular reversible reactions is found to be a function of the flow environment, which overcomes a major drawback of single-step models, namely a fixed heat of combustion independent of environmental conditions, or one that must be determined separately from the model itself.
Kantian moral humility: between Aristotle and Paul

At first glance, the idea of a Kantian ethics of humility looks like a nonstarter. For Kant does not discuss humility much, and when he does discuss it, most of his remarks are reserved for various forms of false humility (see, e.g., Rel 6: 184n., MdS 6: 420, 435-436). Also, his most sustained discussion of humility occurs in a lecture entitled "Of Proper Self-Esteem." Proper self-esteem, he stresses, "includes, on the one hand, humility; but on the other, true noble pride" {Collins Moralphilosophic, 27: 348). In relegating humility to a secondary role as a component of the more important virtue of proper self-esteem, Kant signals his opposition to traditional religious conceptions of humility. Another reason for wariness regarding a Kantian ethics of humility is that Kant, like Hume, is no friend of the monkish virtues. The false humility of servility is merely "a monk's virtue, and this is completely unnatural" {Collins 27: 349; cf. MdS 6: 485, Anth 7: 282). Furthermore, he definitely defends pride as a necessary part of moral virtue. Pride is "love of honor" {MdS 6: 465), and "love of honor is the constant companion of virtue" {Anth 7: 257; cf. Collins 27: 409, MdS 6: 420). However, traditional religious defenses of humility always involve steadfast criticisms of pride. Paul, for instance, exhorts his readers as follows: "You must humbly reckon others better than yourselves" {Philippians 2: 3). We should be like Christ, "who made himself nothing, assuming the nature of a slave" (2: 7-8). Similarly, Aquinas argues that "pride is a sin" {Summa Theologice 2sl2x. 162, 1), and that "pride is directly contrary to humility" (162, 1 ad3; cf. 162, 6). Finally, while our nature as sensible rational beings who can only have knowledge of objects by being affected by them provides strong support for the attitude of epistemic humility (as Rae Langton puts it,
Effect of daylength and temperature on the larval diapause of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum

Abstract The effect of daylength and temperature on the regulation of the larval diapause of a central Missouri population of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum, was examined. Fully grown fourth-instar larvae exhibit a facultative diapause. Measurements of the effect of photoperiod on diapause induction revealed critical photoperiods of about 13 h 30 min light/day at 20°C, and between 11 h 45 min and 12 h light/day at 23°C. Third and fourth-instar larvae were shown to be the main sensitive stages for diapause determination. Daylength was also shown to be an important regulator of the rate of diapause development. A short day of LD 10:14 h permitted only a low rate of diapause development, whereas long days of LD 14:10 h and LD 16:8 h accelerated diapause development at 25 and 30°C. When long days were alternated with short days at 30°C the accelerating effect of long days on diapause development was not found. Systematic transfers of chilled diapausing larvae revealed an accelerated diapause development in groups transferred from 10 to 30°C LD 10:14 h, but diapause development was not accelerated in groups transferred from 10 to 30°C LD 16:8 h.
Education and Experience with Breast Health Maintenance and Breast Cancer Care: A Study of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the United States. A survey regarding the practice, training, and knowledge of breast health maintenance and cancer screening was conducted with a response rate of 59%. Most respondents reported adequate knowledge and that continuing educational efforts were at least adequate. Most recognize the importance of family history and incorporate patient inquiry and referral to genetics practitioners into their practice. A considerable portion does not inquire about hereditary risk factors and feel “not qualified” to manage genetic counseling and screening. Continued training is needed about hereditary predisposition to breast disease.
The utility of preliminary surveys to detect the cause of acute metalworking fluid hazards

This paper describes preliminary studies undertaken to optimize a later epidemiologic study, the aim of which was to identify a causative agent of adverse respiratory effects and dermatitis among production machinists. Two methods were used to rate coolant system hazards. The results of a voluntary plantwide questionnaire with an 18% participation rate showed that both dermatologic and respiratory symptoms were higher among machine operators than among maintenance or assembly workers, that symptoms were not more prevalent early in the week, and that dermatitis may be associated with smoking status; however, the questionnaire was not helpful in rating individual coolant system hazards. The hazard ratings provided by an in-plant expert panel were strongly associated with particular synthetic coolant containing an ethoxylated phenol; however, the resulting design for a later epidemiologic study could not be implemented due to changes in coolants used at the plant.
Mechanisms for the Hypotriglyceridemic Effect of Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A mechanism to explain the hypotriglyceridemic effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids in humans has not been clarified. A working model can be developed at the gene transcriptional level, which involves ≥4 metabolic nuclear receptors. These include liver X receptor, hepatocyte nuclear factor–4α (HNF-4α), farnesol X receptor, and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs). Each of these receptors is regulated by sterol receptor element binding protein–1c (SREBP-1c), the main genetic switch controlling lipogenesis. Omega-3 fatty acids elicit hypotriglyceridemic effects by coordinately suppressing hepatic lipogenesis through reducing levels of SREBP-1c, upregulating fatty oxidation in the liver and skeletal muscle through PPAR activation, and enhancing flux of glucose to glycogen through downregulation of HNF-4α. The net result is the repartitioning of metabolic fuel from triglyceride storage toward oxidation, thereby reducing the substrate available for very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) synthesis. By simultaneously downregulating genes encoding proteins that stimulate lipid synthesis and upregulating genes encoding proteins that stimulate fatty acid oxidation, omega-3 fatty acids are more potent hypotriglyceridemic agents than are omega-6 fatty acids, on a carbon-for-carbon basis. Additionally, peroxidation of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce VLDL secretion through stimulating apolipoprotein B degradation. Omega-3 fatty acids may act by enhancing postprandial chylomicron clearance through reduced VLDL secretion and by directly stimulating lipoprotein lipase activity. These combined effects support the use of omega-3 fatty acids as a valuable clinical tool for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.
Application of the DTC control in the photovoltaic pumping system

Abstract We aim to find a better control and optimization among the different functions of a solar pumping system. The photovoltaic panel can provide a maximum power only for defined output voltage and current. In addition, the operation to get the maximum power depends on the terminals of load, mostly a non-linear load like induction motor. In this work, we propose an intelligent control method for the maximum power point tracking of a photovoltaic system under variable temperature and irradiance conditions. The system was tested without maximum power point tracking, with the use of Scalar-Based control motor, but we cannot maintain the speed optimal. Next, we developed several methods for the control. Finally, we have chosen the Direct Torque Control.
Modeling and simulation of the dynamics of a submersible propelled by a fluttering fluid-conveying tail

Abstract A submersible consisting of a flexible fluid-conveying tail affixed to a rigid head is described and equations which account for all accelerations and rotations of the submersible within a plane are derived. Solution of these equations with a finite-difference method provides evidence that this type of submersible can produce thrust in excess of a fixed jet; a conclusion which is corroborated by preliminary experimental results. An extension of the dynamic model which uses a time-varying velocity of the conveyed fluid has been provided, and simulations have been performed which show that the submersible can be maneuvered by properly choosing the functional description of this velocity.
Magnetic resonance findings in skeletal muscle tears

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of skeletal muscle tears can clearly delineate the severity of muscle injury. Although MR imaging is seldom necessary in patients with acute muscle trauma, it can be helpful in deciding on clinical management. The two major MR findings in acute muscle tears are deformity of the muscle and the presence of abnormal signal reflecting hemorrhage and edema. In acute tears, methemoglobin within the extravascular blood causes high-signal areas on both T1- and T2-weighted images. With partial tears, the blood may dissect in a distinctive linear pattern along the muscle bundles and fibers. As healing begins, the muscle signal diminishes, first on the T1-weighted images and then on the T2-weighted images. When there is residual abnormal signal on images obtained more than several months after the injury, it is presumed to represent hemorrhage from recurrent tears. In patients with a questionable history of a remote injury, the clinical presentation may be that of persistent pain or a soft tissue mass. In these cases MR imaging may identify the cause of the pain and can exclude a neoplasm by proving that the mass is a hypertrophied or retracted muscle. Thus, MR imaging has a limited, but occasionally important role in selected patients with skeletal muscle tears.
Filtering high-resolution hyperspectral imagery in a maximum noise fraction transform domain using wavelet-based de-striping

The filtering methods are evaluated through visual and quantitative assessments. Quantitative assessment is performed by analysing the autocorrelation coefficient and signal-to-noise-ratio. The results show that images filtered in the MNF domain are superior in reducing stripes and noise while retaining the image information and without introducing distortions. The technique is computationally effective through filtering fewer bands, which reduces the need for filtering parameter determination and fine tuning. Visual and quantitative assessments also show that adaptive filtering of wavelet components is better than eliminating entire components due to the retention of image content.
Calcium-dependent interaction of calcineurin with Bcl-2 in neuronal tissue

Abstract Calcineurin, a calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, regulates transcription and possibly apoptosis. Previous studies demonstrated that in baby hamster kidney-21 cells after co-transfection calcineurin interacts with Bcl-2, thereby altering transcription and apoptosis. Using co-immunoprecipitation and subcellular fractionation techniques, we observed that calcineurin occurred as a complex with Bcl-2 in various regions of rat and mouse brain. The calcineurin–Bcl-2 complex was identified in mitochondrial, nuclear, microsomal and cytosol fractions. In vitro induction of hypoxia and aglycia or N -methyl- d- aspartate treatment markedly altered both extent of complex formation and its subcellular localization. These observations suggest that Bcl-2 either sequesters calcineurin, that calcineurin dephosphorylates Bcl-2, or that Bcl-2 shuttles calcineurin to specific substrates. Calcineurin also co-immunoprecipitated with the inositol-tris-phosphate receptor. This interaction increased after in vitro hypoxia/aglycia. In Bcl-2 (−/−) mice, interactions between calcineurin- and inositol-tris-phosphate receptor occurred less frequently than in wild-type mice under both control and hypoxic conditions. Experiments involving cell-free systems, as well as brain slices treated with thapsigargin or with N -methyl- d- aspartate suggested that calcium and calmodulin activation of calcineurin leads to interactions between calcineurin and Bcl-2. These data indicate that during times of cellular stress and damage, Bcl-2 targets activated calcineurin to specific compartments and substrates.
Static and cyclic performance evaluation of sensors for human interface pressure measurement

Researchers and clinicians often desire to monitor pressure distributions on soft tissues at interfaces to mechanical devices such as prosthetics, orthotics or shoes. The most common type of sensor used for this type of applications is a Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) as these are convenient to use and inexpensive. Several other types of sensors exist that may have superior sensing performance but are less ubiquitous or more expensive, such as optical or capacitive sensors. We tested five sensors (two FSRs, one optical, one capacitive and one fluid pressure) in a static drift and cyclic loading configuration. The results show that relative to the important performance characteristics for soft tissue pressure monitoring (i.e. hysteresis, drift), many of the sensors tested have significant limitations. The FSRs exhibited hysteresis, drift and loss of sensitivity under cyclic loading. The capacitive sensor had substantial drift. The optical sensor had some hysteresis and temperature-related drift. The fluid pressure sensor performed well in these tests but is not as flat as the other sensors and is not commercially available. Researchers and clinicians should carefully consider the convenience and performance trade-offs when choosing a sensor for soft-tissue pressure monitoring.
Development of a microreactor-based parallel catalyst analysis system for synthesis gas conversion

Abstract This paper presents the development of a microreactor-based parallel-analysis system for fast catalyst development. The method is based on the deployment of multiple, microfabricated chemical reactors which consume little energy or chemicals, are safe and environmentally compatible in operation, and which yield relevant reaction data for catalyst evaluation. The approach is a general one, applicable to various heterogeneous catalysis technologies. The aim of this research is to ultimately apply the method to Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) and other syntheses related to the production of non-petroleum based fuels and chemicals. Because of the large gains in experimental efficiency, the method has the ability to advance catalyst technology at an unprecedented pace. We begin by describing our previous work involving the fabrication of silicon micromachined microreactors and the mechanical and electrical setup for the experimental characterization of microreactors. We then present the results of a model reaction system (hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of cyclohexene) and preliminary results of methanation reactions performed with this setup. Finally, the parallel-analysis system, which is currently under development, is discussed.
Regulation of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 by GSH: a new insight to the role of oxidative stress in aging-associated inflammation

Oxidative stress and inflammation are fundamental for the onset of aging and appear to be causatively linked. Previously, we reported that hepatocytes from aged rats, compared with young rats, are hyperresponsive to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulation and exhibit more potent c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and attenuated interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1) degradation. An age-related increase in the activity of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSMase-2), a plasma membrane enzyme, was found to be responsible for the IL-1beta hyperresponsiveness. The results reported here show that increased NSMase activity during aging is caused by a 60-70% decrease in hepatocyte GSH levels. GSH, at concentrations typically found in hepatocytes from young animals, inhibits NSMase activity in a biphasic dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of GSH synthesis in young hepatocytes activates NSMase, causing increased JNK activation and IRAK-1 stabilization in response to IL-1beta, mimicking the hyperresponsiveness typical for aged hepatocytes. Vice versa, increased GSH content in hepatocytes from aged animals by treatment with N-acetylcysteine inhibits NSMase activity and restores normal IL-1beta response. Importantly, the GSH decline, NSMase activation, and IL-1beta hyperresponsiveness are not observed in aged, calorie-restricted rats. In summary, this report demonstrates that depletion of cellular GSH during aging plays an important role in regulating the hepatic response to IL-1beta by inducing NSMase-2 activity.
Efficient glueball simulations on anisotropic lattices

Monte Carlo results for the low-lying glueball spectrum using an improved, anisotropic action are presented. Ten simulations at lattice spacings ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 fm and two different anisotropies have been performed in order to demonstrate the advantages of using coarse, anisotropic lattices to calculate glueball masses. Our determinations of the tensor ${(2}^{++})$ and pseudovector ${(1}^{+\ensuremath{-}})$ glueball masses are more accurate than previous Wilson action calculations.
Increased renal tubular cell excretion by patients receiving chronic therapy with gold and with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs

Using rheumatoid arthritis patients who were receiving gold as models, we evaluated the renal effects of the chronic administration of very low doses of a nephrotoxic drug. The heavy metal gold has been shown to increase urinary enzyme excretion when it is given in usual doses for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is not clear whether the increased urine enzyme excretion caused by long-term drug therapy represents injury to the kidney or whether it is merely an effect of the drug. Urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and renal tubular cell excretion rates were measured in 19 patients who were receiving chronic treatment with gold and with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, in 10 patients who were receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and in 8 healthy control subjects. No subjects showed evidence of kidney disease. Both renal tubular cell and enzyme excretion rates were elevated in the gold-treated group. This showed that there was increased renal tubular cell turnover in this group, which suggests low level renal tubular injury and not merely an effect of the usual dose of gold. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1989) 46, 51–55; doi:10.1038/clpt.1989.106
Cryo-cooled sapphire oscillator for the Cassini Ka-band experiment

We present design aspects of a cryogenic sapphire oscillator which is being developed for ultra-high short term stability and low phase noise in support of the Cassini Ka-band Radio Science experiment. With cooling provided by a commercial cryocooler instead of liquid helium, this standard is designed to operate continuously for periods of a year or more. Performance targets are a stability of 3/spl times/10/sup -15/ (1 second/spl les//spl tau//spl les/100 seconds) and a phase noise of -73 dB/Hz @ 1 Hz measured at 34 GHz. Test results are reported for several subsystems; including cryocooler, vibration isolation system, and ruby compensating element.
Tissue-Restricted Expression of the Cardiac α-Myosin Heavy Chain Gene Is Controlled by a Downstream Repressor Element Containing a Palindrome of Two Ets-Binding Sites

The expression of the α-myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene is restricted primarily to cardiac myocytes. To date, several positive regulatory elements and their binding factors involved in α-MHC gene regulation have been identified; however, the mechanism restricting the expression of this gene to cardiac myocytes has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we have identified by using sequential deletion mutants of the rat cardiac α-MHC gene a 30-bp purine-rich negative regulatory (PNR) element located in the first intronic region that appeared to be essential for the tissue-specific expression of the α-MHC gene. Removal of this element alone elevated (20- to 30-fold) the expression of the α-MHC gene in cardiac myocyte cultures and in heart muscle directly injected with plasmid DNA. Surprisingly, this deletion also allowed a significant expression of the α-MHC gene in HeLa and other nonmuscle cells, where it is normally inactive. The PNR element required upstream sequences of the α-MHC gene for negative gene regulation. By DNase I footprint analysis of the PNR element, a palindrome of two high-affinity Ets-binding sites (CTTCCCTGGAAG) was identified. Furthermore, by analyses of site-specific base-pair mutation, mobility gel shift competition, and UV cross-linking, two different Ets-like proteins from cardiac and HeLa cell nuclear extracts were found to bind to the PNR motif. Moreover, the activity of the PNR-binding factor was found to be increased two- to threefold in adult rat hearts subjected to pressure overload hypertrophy, where the α-MHC gene is usually suppressed. These data demonstrate that the PNR element plays a dual role, both downregulating the expression of the α-MHC gene in cardiac myocytes and silencing the muscle gene activity in nonmuscle cells. Similar palindromic Ets-binding motifs are found conserved in the α-MHC genes from different species and in other cardiac myocyte-restricted genes. These results are the first to reveal a role of the Ets class of proteins in controlling the tissue-specific expression of a cardiac muscle gene.
Problems and possibilities for learning in an introductory chemistry course from a conceptual change perspective

Based on research on the effect of preinstructional knowledge on students' learning of chemical phenomena, this study explores individual learning processes in an introductory chemistry course (ninth grade of the German Gymnasium). The study focuses on four common everyday conceptions about two basic chemistry concepts: changes of substances and the particle model of matter. The question is how learning of these concepts is influenced and hindered by students' everyday conceptions about chemical phenomena. Questionnaire data were collected in four classes over one school year at six time points. The questionnaire items were tasks pertaining mostly to everyday problems. Data analysis of these items is based on five categories of answers including “everyday description” and “scientific explanation.” Results show some erosion of students' everyday conceptions in favor of scientific concepts, especially in their understanding of changes of properties of a substance as an indication that a new substance has been created. At the same time, some students' notions can be described as a mixture of everyday descriptions and scientific explanations. These students are “on the way” to the scientific concept but have not fully understood and accepted it during the project. Conclusions for teaching are as follows: a chemical concept needs to be taught in different contexts. Each new context gives students different opportunities to practice the new concept on similar tasks as well as to apply it to everyday phenomena. Second, knowledge of students' “mixed” conceptions allows teachers to develop more individual learning environments and also gives students an opportunity to understand their current location in their learning process. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed85:158–179, 2001.
Self-dual Quantum Electrodynamics as Boundary State of the three dimensional Bosonic Topological Insulator

Inspired by recent developments in constructing novel Dirac liquid boundary states of a three-dimensional (3D) topological insulator, we propose one possible two-dimensional boundary state of a 3D bosonic symmetry protected topological state with $U{(1)}_{e}\ensuremath{\rtimes}{Z}_{2}^{T}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U{(1)}_{s}$ symmetry. This boundary theory is described by a $(2+1)$-dimensional quantum electrodynamics $({\mathrm{QED}}_{3})$ with two flavors of Dirac fermions $({N}_{f}=2)$ coupled with a noncompact U(1) gauge field, $\mathcal{L}={\ensuremath{\sum}}_{j=1}^{2}{\overline{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{j}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}({\ensuremath{\partial}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{-}i{a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}){\ensuremath{\psi}}_{j}\ensuremath{-}i{A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{s}\overline{{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{i}}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{ij}^{z}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{j}+\frac{i}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}}{a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\partial}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}{A}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{e}$, where ${a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ is the internal noncompact U(1) gauge field, and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{s}$ and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{e}$ are two external gauge fields that couple to $U{(1)}_{s}$ and $U{(1)}_{e}$ global symmetries, respectively. We demonstrate that this theory has a ``self-dual'' structure, which is a fermionic analog of the self-duality of the noncompact ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ theory with easy plane anisotropy. Under the self-duality, the boundary action takes exactly the same form except for an exchange between ${A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{s}$ and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{e}$. The self-duality may still hold after we break one of the U(1) symmetries (which makes the system a bosonic topological insulator), with some subtleties that will be discussed.
63.3: Best Practices in Strength Testing of LCD Glass

This paper provides general guidelines and watch outs while conducting strength testing on LCD glass. Importance of failure modes, large deflections, membrane stresses, failure locations, device design, fatigue, fractography and strain gauging are discussed in this paper. It also gives an example on why panels cannot be treated as monolithic glass when calculating the strength.
College students' exposure to secondhand smoke.

Introduction: Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is associated with morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, and other illnesses. Although substantial numbers of college students smoke, little is known about their exposure to SHS. This paper provides data on self-reported exposure of college students to SHS. Methods: A Web-based survey of a random sample of undergraduate students at 10 universities (eight public and two private) in North Carolina was conducted ( N = 4,223). Results: A total of 83% of students reported any exposure in the 7 days preceding the survey. Exposure in a restaurant or bar was the most common (reported by 65% of students), followed by exposure at home or in the same room as a smoker (55%) and in a car (38%). Being a daily or nondaily smoker, binge drinking, being a fraternity or sorority member or pledge, female gender, White race, and higher parental education levels were associated with exposure in one or more contexts. Students younger than 21 years were less likely to report exposure in a bar or restaurant and more likely to report exposure in cars or at home. The overall campus smoking rate was positively associated with reported exposure in cars, at home or in someone’s room, and in any location.
A Review of “Brief Couples Therapy Homework Planner”

The Brief Couples Therapy Homework Planner consists of 60 “copier ready” homework assignments designed to assist with raising awareness of problem behavior, breaking destructive habit patterns, and...
Condições térmicas ambientais e desempenho de aves criadas em aviários com e sem o uso de forro

This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design, factorial arrangement 2x2, to evaluate the effect of period of year and type polyethylene liming on thermal and humidity of aviaries and performance of broiler. Four aviaries were divided in four boxes to house 200 chickens each. The recorded performance traits were body weight, weight gain feed intake, feed:weght gain ratio and mortality from hatch to 42 days of age. Better thermal conditions and higher chicken performance were observed in the polyethylene liming aviaries.
Frequency mixing and synchronous demodulation of dynamic chemical signals with switched-flow microfluidic chips

We demonstrate a microfluidic system for dynamic chemical signal discrimination using a spectral separation technique based on nonlinear frequency mixing and synchronous demodulation. By interrupting the input flow with a set valves pulsed at a specific frequency, the synchronous demodulator generates an output containing mostly the spectral component of the input chemical signal at the demodulation frequency. Testing demodulator chips have been fabricated using a two-level PDMS process to show the applicability of this concept. By utilizing a series of such demodulators, one could further separate the input signal spectra into its frequency domain components.
Correction of the first order beam transport of the SLC Arcs

Correction of the first order transport of the SLC (Stanford Linear Collider) Arcs has been made possible by a technique which allows the full 4*4 transport matrix across any section of Arc to be experimentally determined. By the introduction of small closed bumps into each achromat it is possible to substantially correct first order optical errors, and notably the cross plane coupling at the exit of the Arcs. The careful analysis of the errors of the 4*4 matrix reconstruction allows correction of the Arc R matrix to an accuracy equivalent to 10 mu m random magnet misalignments. >
Determining the unknown cooling condition and contact heat transfer coefficient during solidification of alloys

A method is developed in this paper to calculate the unknown boundary cooling condition and contact heat transfer coefficient for solidification of alloys. In this method, an objective functional is constructed based on a least squares approach and the difference between measured and estimated temperatures. This functional is minimized to obtain the boundary cooling condition and the contact heat transfer coefficient. The estimated temperatures are calculated by solving the corresponding direct problem. Beck's future time method and a regularization method are used to stabilize the numerical algorithm. A moving finite element method is used to solve the direct problem, where the velocities of the solid/mush and mush/liquid interfaces are primary variables and both interfaces are tracked continuously. In the procedure of solving the direct alloy solidification problem, complete solute mixing with no mass diffusion is assumed and the relationship between the solid fraction and the temperature in the mushy r...
Search Engine Query Clustering Using Top-k Search Results

Clustering of search engine queries has attracted significant attention in recent years. Many search engine applications such as query recommendation require query clustering as a pre-requisite to function properly. Indeed, clustering is necessary to unlock the true value of query logs. However, clustering search queries effectively is quite challenging, due to the high diversity and arbitrary input by users. Search queries are usually short and ambiguous in terms of user requirements. Many different queries may refer to a single concept, while a single query may cover many concepts. Existing prevalent clustering methods, such as K-Means or DBSCAN cannot assure good results in such a diverse environment. Agglomerative clustering gives good results but is computationally quite expensive. This paper presents a novel clustering approach based on a key insight -- search engine results might themselves be used to identify query similarity. We propose a novel similarity metric for diverse queries based on the ranked URL results returned by a search engine for queries. This is used to develop a very efficient and accurate algorithm for clustering queries. Our experimental results demonstrate more accurate clustering performance, better scalability and robustness of our approach against known baselines.
Crack Formation in Uranium

(1961). Crack Formation in Uranium. Nuclear Science and Engineering: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 413-414.
Comparative Genomics Reveals Chd1 as a Determinant of Nucleosome Spacing in Vivo.

Packaging of genomic DNA into nucleosomes is nearly universally conserved in eukaryotes, and many features of the nucleosome landscape are quite conserved. Nonetheless, quantitative aspects of nucleosome packaging differ between species because, for example, the average length of linker DNA between nucleosomes can differ significantly even between closely related species. We recently showed that the difference in nucleosome spacing between two Hemiascomycete species—Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis—is established by trans-acting factors rather than being encoded in cis in the DNA sequence. Here, we generated several S. cerevisiae strains in which endogenous copies of candidate nucleosome spacing factors are deleted and replaced with the orthologous factors from K. lactis. We find no change in nucleosome spacing in such strains in which H1 or Isw1 complexes are swapped. In contrast, the K. lactis gene encoding the ATP-dependent remodeler Chd1 was found to direct longer internucleosomal spacing in S. cerevisiae, establishing that this remodeler is partially responsible for the relatively long internucleosomal spacing observed in K. lactis. By analyzing several chimeric proteins, we find that sequence differences that contribute to the spacing activity of this remodeler are dispersed throughout the coding sequence, but that the strongest spacing effect is linked to the understudied N-terminal end of Chd1. Taken together, our data find a role for sequence evolution of a chromatin remodeler in establishing quantitative aspects of the chromatin landscape in a species-specific manner.
Liebeskind-Srogl coupling

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling between thioesters and organoboronic acids to afford ketones.
An Experimental Evaluation of a Proposed Corrective Advertising Remedy

An experimental examination was undertaken of a corrective advertising message which had been ordered by an FTC administrative law judge. Results indicate that the corrective advertisement had a su...
Cooperative Aircraft Defense from an Attacking Missile using Proportional Navigation

A three-agent pursuit-evasion scenario where an Attacker missile using Proportional Navigation guidance pursues a Target aircraft is considered in this paper. The Target is aided by a Defender missile which is launched by a wingman and aims at intercepting the Attacker before it reaches the aircraft. An optimal control problem is posed which captures the goal of the Target-Defender team, namely, to maximize the separation between Target and Attacker at the instant of capture of the Attacker by the Defender. The optimal control law provides the heading angles for the Target and the Defender team.
Sex difference in neutrophils.

6demonstrated a sex difference in the nuclear structure of the human polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocyte. In routine differential smears of peripheral blood stained by the Giemsa technic they found, in the female, a characteristic "drumstick" (Fig. 1) consisting of a solitary chromatin mass attached to one of the main lobes of the nucleus by a fine chro­ matin thread. The chromatin mass, a sharply delineated, round, solid, homo­ geneous structure approximately 1.5 microns in diameter, was readily visible at a magnification of 90. The simplicity of this method for determination of gen­ etic sex, as compared with skin biopsy advocated earlier by Barr and his associ­ ates 1, 4 ' 9 led us to undertake the following study in an attempt to confirm the findings of Davidson and Smith. METHOD Routine blood films stained by Wright's method were collected from 100 adults by a technician who recorded the sex of the patient. In no instance was the sex of the patient known to the authors until after examination of the blood smear. A brief preliminary survey of each smear under low-power magnification (.160) resulted in the rejection of 6 smears because of leukopenia, lymphocytosis, or poor staining. The remaining 94 smears (46 from males and 48 from females) were subjected to a scrutiny of at least 300 neutrophils and designated as male or female in origin. An additional 28 smears (14 from males and 14 from females) were prepared from blood of the umbilical cord and subjected to a similar examination.
From lysosomes into the cytosol: the intracellular pathway of Trypanosoma cruzi.

The protozoan parasite Trypanasoma cruzi invades a wide variety of vertebrate cells, by a mechanism distinct from phagocytosis. No pseudopods or other host cell surface alterations are observed during trypanosome entry, and invasion is enhanced after actin filaments are disrupted with cytochalasin D. These observations created a puzzle: what is the origin of the membrane required to form the intracellular vacuoles, if it is not originated from the host cell plasma membrane? Recent observations provided the answer: during cell invasion T. cruzi recruits host lysosomes, which gradually fuse with the plasma membrane at the site of parasite entry. The membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole is, therefore,very similar if not identical to the membrane of lysosomes
Alterations in gastrointestinal functioning during sleep.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the data related to how various gastrointestinal (GI) functions are altered during sleep and how these changes impact the pathogenesis of GI diseases. The chapter attempts to intergrate GI functioning with regard to its relationship to sleep and highlights how this interaction may lead to complaints of sleep disorders, as well as the pathogenesis of some GI disorders. Considerable data have been presented to support the notion that sleep-related Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is an important factor in the development of esophagitis and in respiratory complications of GER. The relationship of GER to disturbed sleep as objectively determined by polysomnographic (PSG) has been described, and it has been shown that sleep-related GER can alter the perception of sleep and affect subsequent daytime functioning. Although sensory functioning is markedly altered during sleep with regard to most standard sensory functions (i.e., auditory), there appears to be an enhancement of some visceral sensation during sleep that would appear to protect the tracheobronchial tree from aspiration of gastric content reflux during sleep.
Use of Intra-aortic- Balloon Pump Counterpulsation in Patients with Symptomatic Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Neurogenic Stress Cardiomyopathy.

Introduction Intra-aortic counterpulsation balloon pumps (IABPs) have been widely used to augment hemodynamics in critically ill patients with cardiogenic shock and have recently been proposed as a management strategy for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients with neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy (NSC). Prior case series have described the use of IABP as a means to manage cardiogenic shock in this patient population; however, we sought to describe our experience with IABP as a means to wean vasopressor requirement while augmenting hemodynamics and maintaining pressures at goal.
CE-16 The prevention, screening, and treatment of congenital heart block from neonatal lupus: a survey of provider practices

Background There are presently no official guidelines about the prevention, screening, and treatment of congenital heart block (CHB) due to maternal Ro antibodies. The objective of this study was to survey an international sample of providers to determine their current practices. Materials and methods A survey was designed by the organising committee of the 9th International Conference of Reproduction, Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases. It was sent to 330 people who were prior or current attendees of the conference or authors of recent publications or abstracts at ACR 2012, 2013, or 2014 on rheumatic diseases and pregnancy. Missing demographic information led to exclusion from analysis (n = 11). Results There were 48 respondents. Most (55%) follow >15 pregnancies in rheumatic patients per year, and 33% were practicing rheumatologists for >15 years. Most were university-based physicians (88%) and from North America (42%) or Europe (42%). Screening In anti-Ro/SSA positive women, 80% recommended serial fetal ECHOs, with most starting at gestational week 16 (59%) and stopping at week 28 (25%), although the time to stop varied widely. For women without a prior infant with neonatal lupus, respondents recommend every other week (44%) or weekly (28%) fetal ECHOs. For women with a prior infant with neonatal lupus, 80% recommend weekly fetal ECHOs. Prevention Hydroxychloroquine was recommended by 67% of respondents to prevent CHB and most would start pre-pregnancy (62%). Treatment Respondents were asked about medications for varying degrees of CHB in a 20-week pregnant, anti-Ro and La positive SLE patient. Respondents recommended dexamethasone (53%) or HCQ (43%) for 1 st degree HB; dexamethasone (88%) for 2 nd degree HB; and dexamethasone (55%), IVIg (33%), or no therapy (27%) for complete HB. When dexamethasone was started for 2nd degree CHB, 58% would stop dexamethasone if it progressed to complete heart block, 47% would stop if heart block disappeared, and 24% would stop if the 2nd degree CHB remained. Conclusions Despite the absence of official guidelines, many physicians with a clinical focus on pregnancy and rheumatic disease have developed similar patterns in the screening, prevention, and treatment of CHB. These include serial fetal ECHOs, preventive HCQ, and treatment of early heart block with dexamethasone. These practices are not uniform, however, and have not been formally tested in prospective trials. The next step in this field must include testing of these approaches to identify the most cost effective and efficacious plan for these pregnancies.
Factors affecting survival of adult female white-tailed deer after coyote establishment in South Carolina

Recent evidence from the southeastern United States of high predation rates by coyotes (Canis latrans) on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns combined with reports of predation on adult female deer have prompted concern among wildlife managers and hunters regarding the effects on deer populations. We examined survival rates and causes of mortality among 138 radiocollared adult female deer over 7 years at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, 2006–2013. Our model-averaged prediction of annual survival was 0.871 (95% CI = 0.839–0.902) and did not vary among years. The best model describing survival patterns included only month, with survival being lowest during November–December, which coincided with hunting season. Models assessing the effects of harvest and distance from a primary road also received support (ΔAICc < 2.0), but effects of these variables were weak. Although harvest rates were low, harvest was the most frequent cause of mortality (13 of 30; 43%), followed by deer–vehicle collision (8 of 30; 27%). We did not detect predation as a cause of death among our sample; although cause of death for 7 (23%) mortalities was unknown. Even if all unknown mortalities were caused by predation, the overall effect of these mortalities on annual survival was low. Therefore, we conclude that predation by coyotes on adult females was not important in the SRS deer population demography. Managers of southern deer populations wishing to increase population growth by limiting antlerless harvest should be aware that adult female survival may already be high, so limited increases in survival may be expected, particularly if antlerless harvest already is limited. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools: Legal Precedents, Current Practices, and Future Policy by Elizabeth T. Gershoff, Kelly M. Purtell, & Igor Holas

Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools by Elizabeth T. Gershoff, Kelly M. Purtell, and Igor Holas is a monograph that describes current practices, legal precedents, and future policies regardin...
Predictive model of yaw error in a wind turbine

Abstract The yaw position of a wind turbine is adjusted in response to the changing wind direction for maximum energy extraction. A data-mining approach is proposed to predict wind direction. To accommodate the full range of yaw motion, the wind direction data is transformed into two time series (sine value and cosine values). Parameters of the time series are selected for predictive modeling. Four data-mining algorithms are applied to build prediction models. Industrial data is used to develop, validate, and test the proposed models. Computational experience with data representing four seasons and four sampling frequencies is reported in this paper.
Erratum: Organotransition-metal metallacarboranes. 10. π-Complexation of nido-(PhCH2)2C2B4H6 at the C2B3 and C6 rings. Synthesis and crystal structures of nido-2,3-[(CO)3Cr(η6-C6H 5)CH2]2-2,3-C ...

(PhCH 2 ) 4 C 4 B 8 H 8 cristallise dans le systeme monoclinique, groupe d'espace P2 1 /c et sa structure est affinee jusqu'a R=0,053. (CO) 6 Cr 2 (PhCH 2 ) 2 C 2 B 4 H 6 cristallise dans le systeme orthorhombique, groupe d'espace Pnam avec R=0,044