cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of full-range-of-motion unilateral and bilateral knee flexion and extension torque ratios

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the reliability and variability of repeated measurements of isometric knee flexion and extension strength, to quantify the extent of measurement error that may occur due to gravity, and to quantify isometric knee flexion/ extension torque ratios at multiple angles through a full range of motion. Design: Reliability assessment. Setting: A university exercise center. Participants: Seventy-seven healthy men and women recruited from a university and surrounding community. Intervention: Isometric knee flexion and extension strength tests. Main Outcome Measures: Knee flexion/extension strength was measured at 6°, 24°, 42°, 60°, 78°, 96°, and 108° of knee flexion. Before each contraction, subjects were instructed to completely relax the limbs to measure the mass of the lower leg. Torque values obtained during relaxation at each angle were added to or subtracted from "Total Torque" (TTQ) at peak exertion. The adjusted value was recorded as "Net Muscular Torque" (NMT). Results: Reliability for the unilateral and bilateral tests was high ( r = .88 to r = .98) and measurement variability low (SEM% = 5.1% to 12.6%). There was a statistically significant difference at each angle of measurement between the TTQ and NMT values for both knee flexion and extension. Knee flexion/extension ratios were highly dependent on the angle tested, ranging from 1.30 (at 6°) to .31 (at 108°). Conclusions: Isometric testing, using standardized angles, can reliably quantify knee flexion/extension strength. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the importance of correcting for the mass of the lower leg when assessing muscle function. Angle-specific knee flexion/extension torque ratios should provide clinicians with a more precise method of evaluating muscular balance (imbalance) throughout the range of motion.
Rates of adrenal cholesterol formation by the hamster, sheep, guinea pig, and rat from labeled pyruvate, in vitro.

Adrenal glands of different animals may be clearly typed as “fatty” or “non-fatty” (total lipid). Adrenal cholesterol concentrations in the two types also diverge, paralleling the total lipid content. This study compares the in vitro formation of cholesterol by adrenal tissues from the hamster, sheep (both the nonfatty type), guinea pig, and rat (both the fatty type). The micromoles of 14C from pyruvate-14C incorporated into adrenal cholesterol (micromoles/g/2 hr) were: hamster, 1.58; sheep, 0.69; guinea pig, 0.05; and rat, 0. Thus, adrenal cholesterol was apparently synthesized more rapidly in the nonfatty type. If similar rates prevail in vivo, they may compensate for differences in the quantity of the cholesterol stores which serve as precursors of the corticosteroids.
Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 Regulates Spreading and Migration of Eosinophils after β2-Integrin Adhesion

We examined the role of proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk) 2 in the spreading and migration of human blood eosinophils after β2-integrin ligation. Western blot analysis showed that Pyk2 was activated by phosphorylation at Y402 after eosinophil adhesion to BSA-coated plates after activation with IL-5, platelet-activating factor (PAF), formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP), or Mn2+. To determine the role of Pyk2 in regulating eosinophil migration, we used a transducable dominant-negative inhibitor of Pyk2, TAT-mediated protein transduction of dominant-negative C-terminal Pyk2 (TAT-Pyk2-CT), a fusion protein in which TAT peptide was fused to the C-terminal Pyk2. TAT-Pyk2-CT blocked tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 caused by β2-integrin adhesion, but did not block adhesion of eosinophils to plated BSA. TAT-Pyk2-CT also blocked subsequent spreading and migration of eosinophils caused by IL-5, PAF, or fMLP. Spreading eosinophils stained with FITC-conjugated phalloidin showed elongation and formation of multiple fillopodia ...
Paleontology, paleoclimatology and paleoecology of the late middle Miocene Musselshell Creek flora, Clearwater County, Idaho; a preliminary study of a new fossil flora

The Musselshell Creek flora (12.0-10.5 Ma) of northern Idaho is used to reconstruct paleoclimatic and paleoecologic parameters of the Pacific Northwest during the late Middle Miocene. Other megafossil and microfossil floral records spanning 12.0-6.4 Ma are unknown from this region. The Musselshell Creek fossil flora, previously undescribed, is preserved in lacustrine clays and sediments that accumulated in a narrow valley surrounded by rugged terrain. Dominant taxa include dicotyledons and conifers. Most of the leaves are preserved as impressions or compressions. Some fossil leaves retained their original pigmentation, cellular anatomy, and organic constituents. Other fossils include excellent remains of pollen and spores, dispersed leaf cuticle, pyritized wood, and disarticulated fish bones. A destructive statistical analysis of one block of sediment, approximately 30 cm x 45 cm (1.5 sq. ft) recovered 14 orders, 23 families, and 34 genera of spermatophyte plant fossils. These floral elements are compared with two other earlier Miocene floras which were similarly sampled. Common megafossil genera include Quercus, Zizyphoides, Taxodium, Alnus, Castanea, Magnolia, Acer, Exbucklandia, Sequoia, Populus, and Betula. The rare occurrence of Ginkgo leaves is a first record of this taxon in the Idaho Miocene. Additional plant taxa are represented by palynomorphs. Common pollen taxa are Pinus, Abies, Carya, Quercus, and Tilia. Most of the megafossil and microfossil flora assemblage is characteristic of a streambank to floodplain environment that existed in a warm to cool temperate climate similar to the modern Mid-Atlantic coast of the United States.
Animal analogues of ostracism: Biological mechanisms and social consequences

Abstract Utilizing a behavioral-biological perspective, this article examines the functions, causes, and costs of ostracism in nonhuman primates. Among nonhuman primates, ostracism may serve many functions other than promoting the cohesiveness of the group from which an individual is excluded. These functions include range extension, population regulation, outbreeding, and the diffusion of learned traditions. A variety of behavioral and biological processes contribute to the genesis and expression of ostracism. Behaviorally, female choice and the ability to form effective alliances seem to be critical for an adult male monkey to avoid being ostracized. Biologically, the integrity of the frontal lobes and adequate functioning of serotonergic neurotransmitter systems are essential to escape forced exile from the group. There is evidence that indicates that ostracism exacts a substancial physiological cost, including altered immune function, decrements in information processing, and changes in the metabolism of drugs. Moreover, recent studies suggest that several biological indices, including low concentrations of whole blood serotonin, may be markers that can be used to identify individual at risk for ostracism.
Organically modified montmorillonites in UV curable urethane acrylate films

UV curable films were reinforced with an organically modified montmorillonite (MMT). The organically modified MMTs were prepared by an ion exchange process, in which sodium ions were replaced by alkyl ammonium ions. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMA) modified clays gave rise to better intercalated clay morphology. The microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Physical properties were examined by real time infrared spectroscopy (RTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), photo-DSC, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Some tensile properties were also reported. Thermal and mechanical properties were generally improved with nanoclay reinforcements. The effects of nanoclays on the properties of UV curable films are critically evaluated in this paper.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Recent Advances in Web Services

We have collected five papers describing different aspects of web services and cloud computing. Cloud computing is the next stage of application interoperability and it is a logical extension of web services, both approaches being a variety of Service-Oriented Architecture. The papers cover security, migration, certification, and application development. Together, these papers provide a useful panorama of some of the issues of these two technologies.
Outcomes after cataract extraction in young children with radiation-induced cataracts and retinoblastoma.

Background An expected side effect of external beam radiation therapy for retinoblastoma is cataract formation, which impairs a child's visual development and an ophthalmologist's ability to examine the eye. When surgery is indicated, the potential complications can be vision-or life-threatening. Here we report the results of cataract extraction with intraocular lens placement in young children with retinoblastoma. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital who had undergone external beam radiation therapy for retinoblastoma during a 25-year period was performed. Patients who required cataract extraction with IOL placement were included. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and ocular complications were recorded. Results The chart review identified 40 patients (53 eyes) with cataracts, of whom 15 (19 eyes) had surgery. Of the 19 eyes, 2 (10.5%) developed a vitreous hemorrhage (one of which was subsequently enucleated secondary to phthisis, whereas the other resolved without further complications). A total of 12 eyes (63.2%) required Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies (mean, 3.6 months; range, 1-7 months). None developed recurrence or spread of disease. Thirteen eyes (68.4%) had improved visual acuity after cataract extraction and intraocular lens placement, 4 of which (30.8%) subsequently lost vision as the result of other complications of retinoblastoma treatment. Visual acuity outcomes were 20/20 to 20/60 in 3 eyes (15.8%); 20/70 to 20/200 in 4 (21.1%); and 20/400 or less in 10 (52.6%). One patient (5.2%) required enucleation. Conclusions Patients who underwent cataract extraction after treatment for retinoblastoma had few postoperative adverse outcomes, and visual acuity improved in most patients immediately after surgery. However, some patients who showed initial improvement subsequently lost vision as the result of other complications from retinoblastoma treatment.
Functional differentiation of the chick endocrine pancreas: insulin storage and secretion.

A radioimmunoassay for insulin, together with ultrastructural observations of the endocrine pancreas, were utilized to investigate developmental aspects of insulin storage and secretion in the chick embryo. Immunoreactive insulin was detected from the fifth embryonic day onwards, in both the pancreas and blood plasma. In addition, margination of well-developed beta granules, and emiocytotic events were observed as early as the fifth embryonic day. The initial appearance of insulin, together with its subsequent developmental profile, correlate well with major metabolic events occurring in the embryonic chick, and are discussed in relation to a functionally responding system, the developing liver. The present data show that the chick endocrine pancreas has the potential for activity very early in development, and that insulin may be secreted at earlier embryonic stages than hitherto accepted.
Investigation into the intestinal metabolism of [D-Ala1] peptide T amide: implication for oral drug delivery.

Abstract The anti-AIDS drug, [ d -Ala 1 ] Peptide T amide ( d -ASTTTNYT · NH 2 ) is an octapeptide which competitively inhibits the attachment of HIV to the receptor CD4 molecule on the T-lymphocyte. The objective of the study is to investigate the degradative process of this peptide and its effective enzyme inhibitors. The metabolites of [ d -Ala 1 ] Peptide T amide in rabbit brush-border membrane vesicles at pH 6.5 are ASTT, ASTTTN, YT and Y. The sequential time-course study of each metabolite reveals that enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11) plays an important role in the hydrolysis of [ d -Ala 1 ] Peptide T amide to ASTT. With the addition of an enkephalinase inhibitor, thiorphan, 85% of degradation was inhibited. Aminopeptidase is also involved in its degradative process and 25% of inhibition was observed by amastatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor. The results show that no significant difference was observed between the in situ and chronical loop perfusion studies and enzyme activities are somewhat inhibited under acidic conditions in both methods. Approx. 90% of the parent peptide remained when rats were perfused with pH 4.0 peptide solution at a flow rate of 0.123 ml/min, while only 60% was recovered when pH 6.5 peptide solution was applied. The addition of amastatin made a quadrupled increase in the amount of parent peptide recovered. A 117-fold increment was observed when thiorphan was added. The dimensionless wall permeability of this peptide was 1.19 ± 0.16 when pH 4.0 peptide solution was used during chronical loop perfusion study. Therefore, this study suggests that [ d -Ala 1 ] Peptide T amide could be absorbed via small intestine where enzymatic degradation is a rate-limiting step for the absorption of this peptide.
Evaluation of diffusion barrier and electrical properties of tantalum oxynitride thin films for silver metallization

Abstract The thermal stability and the diffusion barrier properties of DC reactively sputtered tantalum oxynitride (Ta-O-N) thin films, between silver (Ag) and silicon (Si) p + n diodes were investigated. Both materials characterization (X-ray diffraction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Auger depth profiling) and electrical measurements (reverse-biased junction leakage current-density) were used to evaluate diffusion barrier properties of the thin films. The leakage current density of p + n diodes with the barrier (Ta-O-N) was approximately four orders of magnitude lower than those without barriers after a 30 min, 400 °C back contact anneal. The Ta-O-N barriers were stable up to 500 °C, 30 min anneals. However, this was not the case for the 600 °C anneal. RBS spectra and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of as-deposited and vacuum annealed samples of Ag/barrier (Ta-O-N)/Si indicate the absence of any interfacial interaction between the barrier and substrate (silicon). The failure of the Ta-O-N barriers has been attributed to thermally induced stresses, which cause the thin film to crack at elevated temperatures.
Architecting Efficient Interconnects for Large Caches with CACTI 6.0

Interconnects play an increasingly important role in determining the power and performance characteristics of modern processors. an enhanced version of the popular CACTI tool primarily focuses on interconnect design for large scalable caches. the new version can help evaluate novel interconnection networks for cache access and accurately estimate the delay, power, and area of large caches with uniform and nonuniform access times.
Mechanistic Modeling of Lubricant Degradation. 2. The Autoxidation of Decane and Octane

Automated mechanism generation was used to study the condensed-phase oxidation of decane and octane as a means to gain insights into the degradation of lubricating oils. Part 1 of this series established a library of structure−reactivity relationships that enables the estimation of all kinetic data required for solving large reaction mechanisms that model lubricant degradation. Specific reaction rules are proposed that enable automated mechanism generation to be used, for the first time, to study condensed-phase free-radical oxidation of large substrates. Models of decane oxidation were generated, and good agreement with available experimental data was achieved. The optimized parameters were then used to generate predictive models of octane autoxidation.
Religion and Alcohol Use among College Students: Exploring the Role of Domain-Specific Religious Salience:

A growing body of work examines links between religious involvement and alcohol use patterns. Most studies in this vein have relied upon generic measures of religion such as affiliation, service attendance, or overall salience. This study contributes to the literature by developing refined measures of domain-specific religious salience, and exploring their links with the frequency of alcohol use in a diverse sample of college students. Results confirm the importance of domain-specific religious salience in shaping alcohol choices, but at the same time, also show that overall levels of such salience in this sample are relatively low, indicating that other influences (e.g., peers, parents) are also important. The effects of other religious variables (e.g., religious tradition, attendance, prayer) on drinking frequency are largely indirect, serving primarily to heighten the salience of religious convictions in the domain of alcohol behavior. Implications, study limitations, and directions for future research...
Five genes determining intersterility in Heterobasidion annosum.

Previous studies of Heterobasidion annosum have shown the existence of two intersterility groups (biological species) designated "S" and "P." Nearly complete intersterility exists between Finnish representatives of the two groups; however, a significant degree of interfertility exists between North American "S" and "P" groups. Analyses of progeny from laboratory crosses of North American rep? resentatives of the "S" and "P" groups identified five genes that specify intersterile and interfertile mating reactions. Segregation of alleles was observed for four of the five genes, linkage analysis was performed, and a model for the interaction of these genes is proposed. The genetic basis of biological species in higher fungi is discussed.
Predictors of Alcohol Abuse Behaviors of Undergraduates

A representative sample of 713 Mary Washington College undergraduates responded to questions about alcohol effects, their own alcohol use, and their beliefs about the risks associated with alcohol use for college students in general and for themselves in particular. Item correlations suggested four indexes: personal risk of abuse, personal risk of alcohol-related misfortune, alcohol consumption, and alcohol abuse. Knowledge did not predict reduced use or abuse patterns, nor did perceived risk of abuse for students in general. Abuse, consumption and personal risk of abuse were all positively intercorrelated. However, personal risk of alcohol-related misfortune was negatively correlated with all other indexes. These findings have important implications for programs to reduce alcohol abuse among young people.
Risk of Death and Need for Transplantation in Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract Background Echo-Doppler parameters that exemplify right ventricular (RV) outflow dynamics and measures of annular tissue Doppler imaging to assess left ventricular (LV) and RV diastolic function, known to be affected in chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH), have never been studied to determine if they could be predictive of mortality or need for transplantation 1-year after follow-up. Methods Numerous echo-Doppler parameters of RV and LV performance were recorded from 120 patients. This patient population was divided into 3 groups. Group I had no PH, group II had cPH but no documented death or need for either lung or heart transplantation, at 1-year follow-up after their initial echocardiogram whereas group III had cPH and patients had either died or required heart and/or lung transplantation during the same time period. Results Analysis of variance was first used to identify which echo-Doppler variables were significant among the studied groups. A logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify predictive variables of the occurrence death and need for transplantation. Finally, a multiple regression analysis was used between groups II and III to identify which echo-Doppler variables were most useful in identifying severe cPH patients at risk of the prespecified events. Conclusions Even though older patients with worse RV fractional area change might be considered at risk of worse prognosis in patients with severe cPH, only a low mitral annular early diastolic velocity was useful in identifying which of those individuals were at highest risk of death or in need of transplantation.
Bearing capacity of reinforced sand subgrades

Laboratory bearing capacity model tests were performed on both reinforced and unreinforced sand loaded by a strip footing. The effects of soil density and reinforcing strip length were investigated. The tests show that a significant increase in bearing capacity can be achieved at relative densities between 51 and 90% by the use of metal reinforcing strips. Bearing capacity of reinforced sand is a strong function of the length of the reinforcing strips only until the strip length reaches approximately seven times the footing width; additional length does not significantly increase bearing capacity. For those tests on unreinforced sand where a distinct peak in the load-bearing pressure curve occurs (general shear failure), the failure of the corresponding reinforced sand occurs at a larger settlement. A comparison of test results with an analytical method of predicting bearing capacity of reinforced sand shows the importance of the soil-reinforcing strip friction coefficient.
Contributions of modern measurement theory to measuring executive function in early childhood: An empirical demonstration

This study demonstrates the merits of evaluating a newly developed battery of executive function tasks, designed for use in early childhood, from the perspective of item response theory (IRT). The battery was included in the 48-month assessment of the Family Life Project, a prospective longitudinal study of 1292 children oversampled from low-income and African American families. IRT models were applied to a select set of tasks to demonstrate empirically (a) a principled method for item evaluation, including the utility of item characteristic curves; (b) how to explicitly test whether the measurement properties of executive function tasks are invariant across mutually exclusive subgroups of youths; (c) how the precision of measurement of a given task can vary according to underlying child ability; and (d) the utility of using IRT-based versus percentage correct scores. Results are discussed with respect to the importance of developing psychometrically sound and scalable instruments that facilitate the measurement of interindividual differences in intraindividual change of executive function across the early childhood period.
Circaritmos de actividad diarios y anuales en el lobo marino común Otaria flavescens (Carnivora: Otariidae) en la zona central de Chile

En otaridos se han estudiado la presencia de circaritmos de actividad sobre la base de cambios en las densidades poblacionales en las loberas. En este trabajo, se estudiaron los ritmos circadiano (24 h) y circanual (1 ano) del lobo marino comun Otaria flavescens en las loberas de Cochoa y Punta Curaumilla en Chile Central. El ritmo circadiano fue estudiado en ambas loberas. En cada una de ellas se realizaron censos cada 45 min durante 3 dias de observacion continuos (72 h). Los resultados demuestran que se produce un aumento del numero de animales en tierra en horarios diurnos y una disminucion en los nocturnos. Dichas fluctuaciones estan asociadas a un ciclo de 24 h, y demuestran la existencia de un ritmo circadiano en estas loberas. El ritmo circanual fue estudiado en la lobera de Cochoa. Para ello se realizaron 145 observaciones durante 3 anos consecutivos (1995-1998). Los resultados muestran un aumento de la poblacion en los meses de otono a primavera, y una disminucion brusca en el verano. Estas fluctuaciones se asocian a un ciclo de un ano, y demuestran la existencia de un ritmo circanual en esta especie.
CP violation and modular symmetries

We reconsider the origin of $\mathrm{CP}$ violation in fundamental theory. Existing string models of spontaneous $\mathrm{CP}$ violation make ambiguous predictions, due to the arbitrariness of $\mathrm{CP}$ transformation and the apparent noninvariance of the results under duality. We find a modular$\mathrm{CP}$ invariance condition, applicable to any predictive model of spontaneous $\mathrm{CP}$ violation, which circumvents these problems; it strongly constrains $\mathrm{CP}$ violation by heterotic string moduli. The dilaton is also evaluated as a source of $\mathrm{CP}$ violation, but is likely experimentally excluded. We consider the prospects for explaining $\mathrm{CP}$ violation in strongly coupled strings and brane worlds.
Training Tales: U. S. Medical Autobiography

This article explores aspects of the social history of physician autobiography in the United States. I am concerned, as well, with what one might call the structure and poetics of medical autobiography as a form of narrative that has contributed to the constitution of medicine as a set of social practices and cultural values. I examine a recent genre of U.S. physician autobiography, the training narrative, to explore these issues. This genre has come to dominate physician autobiography in the United States over the last 15 years or so. Particular works focus on medical school (e.g., Klass 1987; Klein 1981; LeBaron 1981; Reilly 1987), a single year of medical school (e.g., MacNab 1971; Konner 1987), the postgraduate medical internship (e.g., Marion 1989), and residency training (e.g., Harrison 1982; Klass 1992; Laing 1985; Rainer 1987). There are several interesting features of this variety of U.S. medical autobiography. First, its appearance is relatively recent. The first physician autobiography to focus specifically and exclusively on medical training was published only in 1965, after nearly 200 years of U.S. physician autobiography and memoir. Though the growth of the form was slow, by the mid-1980s there was a virtual epidemic, one might say, of training tales. Training tales thus represent a significant shift in focus from earlier forms of physician autobiography in the United States, which in this century have tended to celebrate the advancements of medical science or the careers of famous physicians and scientists. It is not immediately evident why the U.S. reading public would be interested in stories about the education and training of new and young physicians, or why these physicians would wish to tell them or feel authorized to do so. A consideration of these questions leads to speculation on the social and cultural location and production of such texts. For example, physician training tales tend to be critical of medicine, of its depersonalized, institutionalized, mechanized, bureaucratized nature, and the recent production and consumption of such critical perspectives surely represents some shift in both physician and public understandings of the nature and practice of medicine.
STUDIES ON REGENERATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE : II. THE INFLUENCE OF OXYGEN UPON THE BEHAVIOR OF BACILLUS COLI TOWARDS LYTIC PRINCIPLE.

The investigations of the influence of oxygen on the bacteriophage phenomenon recorded in this paper show that this factor plays an important role which is due exclusively to its ability to induce certain changes in the behavior of bacterial cells towards lytic principle. At certain H ion concentrations both aerobic and anaerobic cultures can be made resistant in the absence of lytic principle. The resistance thus acquired is of a stable nature under suitable conditions. If the lytic principle is added to aerobic or anaerobic types of resistant strains the cultures are able to regenerate it to a certain extent. However they do not undergo any visible lysis themselves even under the action of lytic principles which were passed through several generations of these types. The principles regenerated by both types of resistant cultures are identical in action with each other as well as with the stock lytic principle. These experiments suggest a new method of investigation into the hitherto unexplained nature of resistance of bacteria towards bacteriophage.
FXR Deficiency Causes Reduced Atherosclerosis in Ldlr−/− Mice

Objective— Based on the observation that Fxr −/− mice exhibit a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile, we investigated the role of FXR in the development of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— Administration of a western diet to Fxr −/− mice or wild-type mice does not result in the development of significant atherosclerotic lesions. Consequently we generated Fxr −/− Ldlr −/− (DKO) mice and compared lesion development with Ldlr −/− mice. After 16 weeks on a Western diet, en face analysis of the aorta indicated that the male DKO mice had reduced atherosclerotic lesions as compared with Ldlr −/− mice. Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced by 40% to 50%, whereas triglyceride levels increased 4-fold in the male DKO mice. Finally, peritoneal macrophages freshly isolated from male DKO mice had reduced expression of CD36 mRNA and decreased neutral lipid accumulation, as compared with Ldlr −/− mice. Conclusions— FXR deficiency in male, but not female, Ldlr −/− mice results in a reduction in the size of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. The reduction in atherosclerosis may result from a decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, coupled with reduced expression of CD36 in macrophages of DKO mice.
Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess

A 74-year-old male with medical history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and lung cancer, visited our emergency department (ED) because of fever and decreased consciousness level. At the ED, vital signs were normal except tachycardia (134 beats/min), physical examination revealed mild right-upper quadrant tenderness. Laboratory data showed increased leukocyte count (13 010/μl), glucose (919 mg/dl), serum …
An experimental survey of energy management across the stack

Modern demand for energy-efficient computation has spurred research at all levels of the stack, from devices to microarchitecture, operating systems, compilers, and languages. Unfortunately, this breadth has resulted in a disjointed space, with technologies at different levels of the system stack rarely compared, let alone coordinated. This work begins to remedy the problem, conducting an experimental survey of the present state of energy management across the stack. Focusing on settings that are exposed to software, we measure the total energy, average power, and execution time of 41 benchmark applications in 220 configurations, across a total of 200,000 program executions. Some of the more important findings of the survey include that effective parallelization and compiler optimizations have the potential to save far more energy than Linux's frequency tuning algorithms; that certain non-complementary energy strategies can undercut each other's savings by half when combined; and that while the power impacts of most strategies remain constant across applications, the runtime impacts vary, resulting in inconsistent energy impacts.
Frequency-hopped network diversity multiple access for semi-ad-hoc wireless networks

We consider a wireless data network setup that provides scalability and robustness to node failures, while achieving high throughput and low mean delay. A semi-ad-hoc frequency-hopped (FH) network diversity multiple access (NDMA) scheme is proposed. In this scheme, nodes are dynamically organized into clusters, where each cluster operates under NDMA random access protocol with FH on a per packet slot basis using a cell-specific FH pattern. In a moderately loaded system, collisions between packets from different clusters are not negligible. In order to guard against such collisions, we propose NDMA with a fixed retransmission margin of M slots. For this system, we derive a sufficient condition for stability using a deterministic fluid arrivals model. We also analyze the steady-state, and obtain useful formulas for approximating mean packet delay.
Molecular profiling and computational network analysis of TAZ-mediated mammary tumorigenesis identifies actionable therapeutic targets.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15–20% of all breast cancer (BC) cases and contributes disproportionately to BC mortality. TAZ, a key transducer of the Hippo pathway, has recently been demonstrated to confer breast cancer stem cell (CSC) traits. However, TAZ target genes and the underlying transcriptional regulatory pathways responsible for the CSC phenomenon remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the oncogenic activity of TAZ is essential for propagation of the malignant phenotype. We further show that constitutively active TAZ tumor-derived cells exhibit unique tumor-initiating properties, including increased self-renewal and metastatic seeding potential, acquired chemotherapy resistance and the ability to efficiently regenerate tumor formation in vivo. Combined digital RNA expression analysis and computational network approaches identify several signaling pathways that distinguish breast cancer tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) from bulk tumor cells. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by repositioning the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Dasatinib, which selectively targets T-ICs and inhibits TNBC growth in vivo.
Is Kim Jong‐il like Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler? A personality disorder evaluation

A psychological profile was developed on North Korean leader Kim Jong‐il based on a South Korean psychiatrist’s evaluation of 14 personality disorders in DSM‐IV‐TR and of schizophrenic and psychoti...
An all-digital, highly scalable architecture for measurement of spatial variation in digital circuits

Increased variation in CMOS processes due to scaling results in greater reliance on accurate variation models in developing circuit methods to mitigate variation. This paper investigates specific variation parameters and their measurement approach for use in such models, leading to critical considerations in aggressive voltage scaling systems. We describe a test-chip in 90 nm CMOS containing all-digital measurement circuits capable of extracting accurate variation data. Specifically, we use replicated 64-bit Kogge-Stone adders, ring-oscillators (ROs) of varying gate type and stage length and an all-digital, sub-picosecond resolution delay measurement circuit to provide spatial variation data for digital circuits. Measurement data from the test-chips indicate that 1) relative variation is significantly larger in low-voltage domains, 2) within-die variation is spatially uncorrelated, and 3) die-to-die (or global) variation is strongly correlated, but degrades toward uncorrelated as the power-supply voltage is lowered.
A bijective proof of a theorem of knuth

The line graph G of a directed graph G has a vertex for every edge of G and an edge for every path of length 2 in G. In 1967, Knuth used the Matrix Tree Theorem to prove a formula for the number of spanning trees of G, and he asked for a bijective proof [6]. In this paper, we give a bijective proof of Knuth's formula. As a result of this proof, we find a bijection between binary de Bruijn sequences of degree n and binary sequences of length 2n−1. Finally, we determine the critical groups of all the Kautz graphs and de Bruijn graphs, generalizing a result of Levine [7].
The scientific exploration of saliva in the post-proteomic era: from database back to basic function.

The proteome of human saliva can be considered as being essentially completed. Diagnostic markers for a number of diseases have been identified among salivary proteins and peptides, taking advantage of saliva as an easy-to-obtain biological fluid. Yet, the majority of disease markers identified so far are serum components and not intrinsic proteins produced by the salivary glands. Furthermore, despite the fact that saliva is essential for protecting the oral integuments and dentition, little progress has been made in finding risk predictors in the salivary proteome for dental caries or periodontal disease. Since salivary proteins, and in particular the attached glycans, play an important role in interactions with the microbial world, the salivary glycoproteome and other post-translational modifications of salivary proteins need to be studied. Risk markers for microbial diseases, including dental caries, are likely to be discovered among the highly glycosylated major protein species in saliva. This review ...
Interobserver agreement in retrospective chart reviews for factors associated with cervical spine injuries in children.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to describe the interobserver agreement between trained chart reviewers and physician reviewers in a multicenter retrospective chart review study of children with cervical spine injuries (CSIs). METHODS: Medical records of children younger than 16 years old with cervical spine radiography from 17 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) hospitals from years 2000 through 2004 were abstracted by trained reviewers for a study aimed to identify predictors of CSIs in children. Independent physician-reviewers abstracted patient history and clinical findings from a random sample of study patient medical records at each hospital. Interobserver agreement was assessed using percent agreement and the weighted kappa (κ) statistic, with lower 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Moderate or better agreement (κ > 0.4) was achieved for most candidate CSI predictors, including altered mental status (κ = 0.87); focal neurologic findings (κ = 0.74); posterior midline neck tenderness (κ = 0.74); any neck tenderness (κ = 0.89); torticollis (κ = 0.79); complaint of neck pain (κ = 0.83); history of loss of consciousness (κ = 0.89); nonambulatory status (κ = 0.74); and substantial injuries to the head (κ = 0.50), torso/trunk (κ = 0.48), and extremities (κ = 0.59). High-risk mechanisms showed near-perfect agreement (diving, κ = 1.0; struck by car, κ = 0.93; other motorized vehicle crash, κ = 0.93; fall, κ = 0.92; high-risk motor vehicle collision, κ = 0.89; hanging, κ = 0.80). Fair agreement was found for clotheslining mechanisms (κ = 0.36) and substantial face injuries (κ = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Most retrospectively assessed variables thought to be predictive of CSIs in blunt trauma-injured children had at least moderate interobserver agreement, suggesting that these data are sufficiently valid for use in identifying potential predictors of CSI. Language: en
Classification of Live Moths Combining Texture, Color and Shape Primitives

Each year, insect-borne diseases kill more than one million people, and harmful insects destroy tens of billions of dollars worth of crops and livestock. At the same time, beneficial insects pollinate three-quarters of all food consumed by humans. Given the extraordinary impact of insects on human life, it is somewhat surprising that machine learning has made very little impact on understanding (and hence, controlling) insects. In this work we discuss why this is the case, and argue that a confluence of facts make the time ripe for machine learning research to reach out to the entomological community and help them solve some important problems. As a concrete example, we show how we can solve an important classification problem in commercial entomology by leveraging off recent progress in shape, color and texture measures.
MODELING THE EFFECT OF ABIOTIC FACTORS ON TOBACCO-SPECIFIC NITROSAMINES

Minimization of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) is a focus for many involved in burley tobacco research and production. Environmental factors in curing barns during the 2-week physical transformation from yellowing to browning affect concentrations of TSNAs in cured tobacco. The objective of this study was to develop mathematical models for TSNA accumulation on the basis of temperature and relative humidity. Temperature and relative humidity were measured continuously in 20 burley tobacco barns located in Tennessee during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. The environmental data were analyzed by creating thresholds of temperature ( 70°F) and relative humidity (>80%, >85%, >90%). For each barn during weeks 3 through 5 of curing, total hours that temperature and relative humidity (RH) satisfied these thresholds were defined as Th 70, RHh>80, RHh>85, or RHh>90. From these threshold counts we developed various models on the basis of regression analysis. Models were linear, interaction, ...
Opportunities and challenges in professional education-related faculty development in the US

The authors outline important opportunities and challenges relating to formal education-related faculty development on a large scale. Questions explored are: What major opportunities exist regarding moving towards educational professional qualification for US higher Education institutions, their faculty and students, industry, and society as a whole? How can resources be synergistically integrated to support such an effort? What are the major challenges or barriers present that must be overcome in order to create such a system? In response to these questions, a concept map is presented to explore how faculty educational development could support and greatly enhance an entire system revolving around faculty development in teaching and learning. Utilizing and reflecting upon the literature, major issues considered that relate to the questions above include various roles in the higher education engineering community; relationships between educational research, student learning outcomes, and engineering faculty; resources supporting engineering education, and the implication of different faculty reward structures. Analysis indicates that pieces already in place offer great potential to create the Engineering Education of 2020 for ldquoThe Engineer of 2020rdquo if key barriers are addressed.
3D conflict avoidance under uncertainties

This paper presents a 3D conflict avoidance algorithm in the presence of uncertainty. The objective of the algorithm is to ensure the safety of the airspace in the event of a failure in the communication, navigation or surveillance systems. The algorithm minimizes the number of maneuvers required to maintain the safety of the airspace under degraded conditions. Uncertainties are modeled as an increase in the required separation distance between aircraft. A single maneuver for each aircraft is chosen to maintain safe separation. Maneuvers include heading change, speed change and flight level change. Maneuvers are simple to execute and guarantee a conflict-free configuration after execution. Their feasibility is constrained by weather avoidance, sector boundaries and aircraft performance. A Mixed Integer Program is used to determine the set of maneuvers to be executed.
Medial Forebrain Bundle Lesions Fail to Structurally and Functionally Disconnect the Ventral Tegmental Area from Many Ipsilateral Forebrain Nuclei: Implications for the Neural Substrate of Brain Stimulation Reward

Lesions in the medial forebrain bundle rostral to a stimulating electrode have variable effects on the rewarding efficacy of self-stimulation. We attempted to account for this variability by measuring the anatomical and functional effects of electrolytic lesions at the level of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and by correlating these effects to postlesion changes in threshold pulse frequency (pps) for self-stimulation in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We implanted True Blue in the VTA and compared cell labeling patterns in forebrain regions of intact and lesioned animals. We also compared stimulation-induced regional [14C]deoxyglucose (DG) accumulation patterns in the forebrains of intact and lesioned animals. As expected, postlesion threshold shifts varied: threshold pps remained the same or decreased in eight animals, increased by small but significant amounts in three rats, and increased substantially in six subjects. Unexpectedly, LH lesions did not anatomically or functionally disconnect all forebrain nuclei from the VTA. Most septal and preoptic regions contained equivalent levels of True Blue label in intact and lesioned animals. In both intact and lesioned groups, VTA stimulation increased metabolic activity in the fundus of the striatum (FS), the nucleus of the diagonal band, and the medial preoptic area. On the other hand, True Blue labeling demonstrated anatomical disconnection of the accumbens, FS, substantia innominata/magnocellular preoptic nucleus (SI/MA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. [14C]DG autoradiography indicated functional disconnection of the lateral preoptic area and SI/MA. Correlations between patterns of True Blue labeling or [14C]deoxyglucose accumulation and postlesion shifts in threshold pulse frequency were weak and generally negative. These direct measures of connectivity concord with the behavioral measures in suggesting a diffuse net-like connection between forebrain nuclei and the VTA.
New Ants from Ohio and Indiana, Formica Prociliata, F. Querquetulana, F. Postoculata and F. Lecontei, (Formicidae: Hymenoptera)

The senior author with various graduate students has been actively interested in Ohio ants since 1929. The subject has presented two grave difficulties, the “variability” of the material and the use by myrmecologists of relative terms in practically all published descriptions. A phase of the latter is the apparent distaste of many students of ants for the laborious task of making illustrations. In the following pages we have attempted, where it appeared to be especially needed, a more exact statement of spacial relations, of pubescence, hairs, etc. Contours and outlines we have figured. Our last description is a comparison, but with the second commonest North American ant, available to all American students.
Biochemical Characterization of a β-Galactosidase with a Low Temperature Optimum Obtained from an Antarctic Arthrobacter Isolate

A psychrophilic gram-positive isolate was obtained from Antarctic Dry Valley soil. It utilized lactose, had a rod-coccus cycle, and contained lysine as the diamino acid in its cell wall. Consistent with these physiological traits, the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence showed that it was phylogenetically related to other Arthrobacter species. A gene (bgaS) encoding a family 2 beta-galactosidase was cloned from this organism into an Escherichia coli host. Preliminary results showed that the enzyme was cold active (optimal activity at 18 degrees C and 50% activity remaining at 0 degrees C) and heat labile (inactivated within 10 min at 37 degrees C). To enable rapid purification, vectors were constructed adding histidine residues to the BgaS enzyme and its E. coli LacZ counterpart, which was purified for comparison. The His tag additions reduced the specific activities of both beta-galactosidases but did not alter the other characteristics of the enzymes. Kinetic studies using o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside showed that BgaS with and without a His tag had greater catalytic activity at and below 20 degrees C than the comparable LacZ beta-galactosidases. The BgaS heat lability was investigated by ultracentrifugation, where the active enzyme was a homotetramer at 4 degrees C but dissociated into inactive monomers at 25 degrees C. Comparisons of family 2 beta-galactosidase amino acid compositions and modeling studies with the LacZ structure did not mimic suggested trends for conferring enzyme flexibility at low temperatures, consistent with the changes affecting thermal adaptation being localized and subtle. Mutation studies of the BgaS enzyme should aid our understanding of such specific, localized changes affecting enzyme thermal properties.