cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antifungal drugs and the risk of selected birth defects.

Objective This study examined whether first-trimester antifungal drug use was associated with the risk of selected birth defects. Study Design Subjects were participants in a case-control study, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, with singleton deliveries from 1997 to 2003. Based on maternal interviews, first-trimester antifungal drug use was compared between 7047 cases with isolated defects and 4774 nonmalformed controls using unconditional logistic regression. Results Risk was elevated for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.04, 5.06) but not for other cardiovascular defects. An increased risk of 1.88 was observed for diaphragmatic hernia but was not statistically significant. Estimates approximated unity for neural tube defects, oral clefts, anorectal atresia, hypospadias, and craniosynostosis. Conclusion First-trimester antifungal drug exposure was not strongly associated with the risk of most birth defects, but further studies should examine the preliminary results of an association with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Wave equation velocity analysis

Velocity sensitive (wide propagation angle) seismic data do not comply with the rms small propagation angle approximation. A hyperbolic velocity spectrum and Dix’s equation cannot use wide‐angle arrivals to estimate interval velocity accurately. The linear moveout method measures interval velocity exactly in stratified media. Snell midpoint coordinates are constructed to image the data before velocity estimation. Energy focuses at the arrival coordinates of a fixed reference Snell wavefront as required by the linear moveout method. The image of a common‐midpoint seismic gather in Snell midpoint coordinates, for a nonvertical reference Snell wave, defines the wave‐equation velocity spectrum. Two important properties of the velocity spectrum are locality, where energy is a local function of velocity; and linearity, that is invertible using linear transformations. Velocity sensitivity of wave equation extrapolation operators increases with angle of propagation. In Snell midpoint coordinates, angles are measu...
Star cluster formation in turbulent, magnetized dense clumps with radiative and outflow feedback

We present three Orion simulations of star cluster formation in a 1000 Msun, turbulent molecular cloud clump, including the effects of radiative transfer, protostellar outflows, and magnetic fields. Our simulations all use self-consistent turbulent initial conditions and vary the mean mass-to-flux ratio relative to the critical value over 2, 10, and infinity to gauge the influence of magnetic fields on star cluster formation. We find, in good agreement with previous studies, that magnetic fields of typically observed strengths lower the star formation rate by a factor of 2.4 and reduce the amount of fragmentation by a factor of 2 relative to the zero-field case. We also find that the field increases the characteristic sink particle mass, again by a factor of 2.4. The magnetic field also increases the degree of clustering in our simulations, such that the maximum stellar densities in the strong field case are higher than the others by again a factor of 2. This clustering tends to encourage the formation of multiple systems, which are more common in the rad-MHD runs than the rad-hydro run. The companion frequency in our simulations is consistent with observations of multiplicity in Class I sources, particularly for the strong field case. Finally, we find evidence of primordial mass segregation in our simulations reminiscent of that observed in star clusters like the Orion Nebula Cluster.
Effects of epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor I on the levels of mRNA encoding aromatase cytochrome P-450 of human ovarian granulosa cells.

Abstract The effects of growth factors to regulate the activity of aromatase, as well as the synthesis of aromatase cytochrome P-450 (P-450AROM) have been studied in human ovarian granulosa cells obtained from women undergoing oocyte retrieval. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) increased aromatase activity as well as the synthesis of P-450AROM, in a concentration-dependent fashion. The levels of hybridizable mRNA species encoding cytochrome P-450AROM were also increased with IGF-I treatment. By contrast, epidermal growth factor (EGF) had no effect on these parameters when added alone, but markedly inhibited the action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate aromatase activity, and the synthesis of cytochrome P-450AROM as well as lts ability to increase the levels of mRNA encoding the enzyme. It is concluded that these growth factors have opposite effects on aromatase activity, and that these actions reflect, in part, changes in the synthesis of cytochrome P-450AROM which in turn are the consequence of changes in the levels of mRNA encoding this enzyme.
Droplet sie distribution effects in spray combustion

The effect of the initial droplet-size distribution (DSD) on spray combustion processes has been studied experimentally. Suitable flames were produced by igniting ethanol sprays issuing from a pipe into a coannular air stream. Three different DSDs were examined for their effect on spray combustion processes, while the initial Sauter mean diameter (SMD or D 32 ), mixture ratio, and gas/liquid velocities were held constant. Variations in spray/flame structure resulting from changes in the DSD were determined by measuring droplet sizes and velocities, and gas temperature and composition, within the reacting spray field. The results show that more complete combustion occurs in sprays possessing narrower DSDs, even with the SMD held constant. Reductions in the burning efficiency of sprays with wider DSDs is attributed primarily to their greater relative population of large fuel droplets and to droplete-size-segregating effects occurring at the spray periphery, which affect mixing rates. The results establish the DSD as an important indicator of atomization quality and an independent parameter regarding spray combustion processes.
Renal phosphate clearance in fetal lambs.

The renal clearance of phosphate (P) was studied in 4 groups of fetal lambs. In group I, acute extracellular fluid (ECF) expansion was done in 4 fetuses by infusing Ringer's lactate without Ca++. In group II, ECF expansion with added Ca++ was done in 3 animals. In group III, the effect of exogenous bovine parathyroid harmone (PTH) was studied in 5 fetuses. In group IV, the response to endogenous fetal PTH was studied by infusing EDTA into 5 fetuses to produce hypocalcemia. In group I, plasma Ca++ (PCa) decreased by 10%. Fractional clearance of P (FCp) increased 3-fold (P .05). These studies demonstrate that acute ECF expansion in the fetus results in an increased FCP independent of PCa++ and iPTH but related to CNa. Fetal hypbcalcemia stimulates production of fetal PTH and the fetal renal tubule is responsive to endogenous as well as exogenous PTH.
Training Agricultural Economists for the Private Sector: Are We Meeting Their Needs?

The objective is to determine occupational factors associated with price and market research analysts who have graduate degrees and are employed in private sector agribusiness firms. USDA publications and data are the primary source of information. Regression analysis, benefit/cost analysis, and present value/rate of return analysis are skills desired for either type of analyst position. Market research analysts require skills for identifying groups with similar buying habits and preparing marketing plans. Price analyst positions require traditional economics and econometrics skills such as supply and demand analysis and price forecasting. Information on salary ranges for analysts is described. Three important catalysts of change in agriculture include recent changes in U.S. and global farm policy, better information regarding consumer needs, and
Distribution of Cs 134 in Andropogon Scoparius Michx. Clones in Two Native Habitats

Cesium—134 distribution in native Andropogon scoparius clones and in single tillers indicates that each clone consists of a group of tillers each acting as individual plants. Two zones of concentration occur: the upper 5 cm of the roots and the inflorescence, including the florets. Cesium transport from the foliage to the upper portion of the roots occurs with fall dormancy. With the initiation of spring growth the mineral is exported from the roots to the expanding leaf blades. Cesium activity within the plants growing on the Heiden—Hunt clay soil decreases more with time than in plants growing on Tabor fine sandy loam.
Family history of alcohol abuse moderates effectiveness of a group motivational enhancement intervention in college women

This study examined whether a self-reported family history of alcohol abuse (FH+) moderated the effects of a female-specific group motivational enhancement intervention with first-year college women. First-year college women (N=287) completed an initial questionnaire and attended an intervention (n=161) or control (n=126) group session, of which 118 reported FH+. Repeated measures ANCOVA models were estimated to investigate whether the effectiveness of the intervention varied as a function of one's reported family history of alcohol abuse. Results revealed that family history of alcohol abuse moderated intervention efficacy. Although the intervention was effective in producing less risky drinking relative to controls, among those participants who received the intervention, FH+ women drank less across five weeks of follow-up than FH- women. The current findings provide preliminary support for the differential effectiveness of motivational enhancement interventions with FH+ women.
Examining Mexican-Heritage Children's Representations of Relationships with Mothers and Teachers in Preschool.

Using narrative story-completion tasks with a sample of 97 preschool-age Mexican-heritage children from a large urban area, the authors examined differences in children's representations about their mothers and teachers. The authors also looked at teachers' perceptions to determine whether teachers viewed children in the same way as children viewed them. Results indicate that children do sometimes portray different attachment relationships when it comes to their mothers and teachers. Stories about teachers have higher scores on the deactivation dimension and lower scores on the hyperactivation dimension than stories about mothers, suggesting a cultural element of the teacher as an authority figure to be respected coming into play with this population. Findings for child-teacher representations were corroborated by teacher self-reports of their relationships with children; higher levels of hyperactivation were associated with higher levels of teacher-reported conflict. Given the supportive and/or compensat...
Continuously tunable smectic A* liquid-crystal color filter

A new continuously tunable color filter, which uses smectic A(*) liquid-crystal half-wave plates, is described and experimentally demonstrated. Multiple-stage Lyot filters with broad tunability and high finesse can be constructed with this design. The transmission characteristics of a single-stage filter, which is continuously tuned over 115 nm of the visible spectrum, are presented. Experimental results are compared with computer simulations, and they show excellent agreement. The advantages of the smectic A(*) liquid-crystal tunable filter over existing filter structures include low switching voltages (+/-30 V), rapid tunability (10 MHz), potentially high transmission, wide field of view, and large aperture.
Residual metastatic axillary lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy predict disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced breast cancer

Abstract Background: This study was performed to validate the prognostic significance of residual axillary lymph node metastases in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to analyze other clinicopathologic factors that might be independent predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) in an attempt to identify patients in whom axillary dissection might be omitted. Methods: One hundred sixty-five assessable patients with LABC were treated in a prospective trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilizing four cycles of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Responding patients were treated with segmental mastectomy and axillary dissection or modified radical mastectomy. Patients subsequently received additional chemotherapy followed by irradiation of the breast or chest wall and draining lymphatics. The median follow-up was 35 months. Results: Clinical tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.046) and the number of residual metastatic axillary lymph nodes found at axillary dissection (P = 0.05) were the only independent predictors of DFS. Patients with a complete clinical response had a predictably excellent DFS and those with no change or progressive disease had a poor DFS. In patients with a partial response, the number of residual metastatic lymph nodes further stratified patients with respect to DFS (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Clinical response and residual metastatic axillary lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy are important predictors of DFS. Patients with a clinically positive axilla following neoadjuvant chemotherapy should undergo axillary dissection to ensure local control. However, the benefit of axillary dissection in patients with a clinically negative axilla may be minimal if the axilla will be irradiated, and histologic staging does not affect subsequent systemic treatment. A prospective randomized trial of axillary dissection versus axillary radiotherapy in patients with a clinically negative axilla following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is presently under way to evaluate this hypothesis.
Finite-temperature effects on the Gaussian effective potential

We derive the finite-temperature Gaussian effective potential (FTGEP) from first principles, resolving some confusions arising in earlier treatments. The advantages of the FTGEP approach over the conventional loop expansion, even for high temperatures, are illustrated in a quantum-mechanical example. Results are presented for phi/sup 6/ theory in two and three dimensions and for the ''autonomous'' version of lambdaphi/sup 4/ theory in four dimensions.
Final Reply to Professor Schweickart

Since Schweickart asserts that I have not addressed his main argument, let me consider briefly the four claims he advances at the beginning of his second reply. Regarding 1: To argue, as I have, that there would be a strong tendency for market socialism to degenerate into capitalism, it is necessary to spell out carefully what capitalism is . Following Marx, I defined capitalism as a system in which the workers do not control the means of production and the workers sell their labor power as a commodity. As G.A. Cohen has pointed out (Cohen, 1978, pp. 219–23), this definition can be given a rechtsfrei characterization in terms of effective powers over means of production and labor power. Actual legal arrangements are not the issue. In my original paper, I never said that the workers would sell the means of production. Thus 1 is irrelevant. The real questions are: (a) Who effectively controls the means of production? (b) Who effectively gets the profits? If the answer to both of these questions is, “Not the workers,” it follows that the workers are effectively proletarians and the system is a form of capitalism.
The formation of caudal hematomas in trypan blue-treated chick embryos as a function of morphological stage at treatment.

A number of investigations related to trypan blue-induced hematomas in chick embryos employed variations in the amount of dye injected, route of administration, and length of incubation time before treatment. the present study was done to standardize and further define the teratogenic system to facilitate the design and interpretation of subsequent physiological experiments with trypan blue-treated embryos. Embryos at Hamburger-Hamilton stages 11–15 were treated with 20 μl of 1% (w/v) trypan blue solution dissolved in 0.85% NaCl, and were observed at 12 and 24 hours after treatment for evidence of caudal hematomas and death. In this way the population of treated embryos was assessed in terms of malformation and death frequency according to the developmental stage at treatment. The highest incidence of hematomas was found 24 hours after treating embryos at stage 13 (59%), and the highest incidence of death was found 24 hours after treating embryos at stage 11 (75%). These data indicate that stages 13 and 11 exhibit the maximum response to dye treatment in terms of hematoma formation and death. No significant differences (P >0.05) were found between stages 13 and 14 for hematoma or death frequency at 12 or 24 hours after treatment. We suggest that the optimum procedure for subsequent experiments with this teratogenic system would consist of choosing stage 13 and 14 embryos for trypan blue treatment.
Convergence of continuous linear functionals and their level sets

The origin in both X and X* will be denoted by 0 in the sequel. Corresponding to each y a X* and each c~ a R, we denote the level set {x a X : y(x) = c~} by L(y; e). A natural question to ask is this: can either strong (norm) or weak * convergence of a sequence in X* to a nonzero limit be described in terms of the convergence of the level sets of the linear functionals? We show that when X is complete, weak* convergence of a sequence {Yn: n a/g+} in X* to y 4= 0 is equivalent to the Kuratowski convergence of {L(y,; c0: n e/g + } to L(y; ~) for each real c~. If X is not complete, then weak * convergence does not ensure Kuratowski convergence of level sets. On the other hand, without completeness, strong convergence in X* means convergence of the distance functions for the level sets with respect to the (metrizable) topology of uniform convergence on bounded subsets of X. Most surprisingly, we show that if X is reflexive, then strong convergence in X* is equivalent to the Mosco convergence of level sets. 2. A notational convention. To avoid excessive double subscripting in the sequel, we find it convenient to introduce alternative notation for sequences and their limits (see, e.g., [19]). Suppose N is a cofinal (infinite) subset of the positive integers 2~ +. The notation {x.: n a N} will denote the infinite sequence
Microorganisms influence the composition of honeydew produced by the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii

Abstract Sugars in the honeydew produced by the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii , and in fermentation of sucrose using homogenates of these insects were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Results suggest that the unusual disaccharide, trehalulose, found in large quantity in honeydew of B. argentifolii , is produced by obligate intracellular microorganisms residing in this insect's mycetomes. Some larger oligosaccharides in this honeydew may be produced by certain Bacillus spp. residing in or on the insects but these bacteria are not involved in an obligate relationship with the whitefly.
A pyrimidine dimer–DNA glycosylase activity associated with the v gene product of bacteriophage T4

Mutations in the v gene of bacteriophage T4 are associated with a marked increase in sensitivity to killing by UV radiation at 254 nm, but not to a variety of other forms of base damage to DNA1–4. Early studies from this laboratory provided evidence for a role of the v gene in the excision of pyrimidine dimers (PD) from DNA. Specifically, it was shown that extracts of T4v+-infected Esherichia coli catalyse the formation of single-strand breaks (nicks) and/or alkali-labile sites in UV-irradiated duplex DNA5. Comparable hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds is not observed with extracts of E. coli infected with the mutant T4v1, (ref. 5). The product of the v gene has been extensively purified in a number of laboratories6–9; however, convincing evidence of purification to physical homogeneity has not yet been presented.
Gastrointestinal Mantle Cell Lymphoma: incidental finding on routine CT scan following pneumothorax.

Gastric mantle cell lymphoma is a rare form of gastrointestinal tumor and represents 2.5–7% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. A 69-year-old maleadmitted with spontaneous pneumothorax was found to have a gastric masson CT scan. Results of histopathological,immunohistochemical and genetic analysis were consistent with mantle cell lymphoma(MCL).Patient responded well to intensive chemotherapy and subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and remains in complete remission.We would like to emphasize that a gastric mass, as in this case can occur as a rare presentation of MCL involving the gastrointestinal tract without any other overt signs and symptoms. Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):24-26 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7635
A polynomial adaptive estimator for nonlinearly parameterized systems

We propose a new polynomial adaptive estimator (PAE) algorithm to estimate parameters that occur nonlinearly. The estimator is based on a polynomial nonlinearity in the Lyapunov function, which is chosen so as to guarantee stability and parameter convergence in systems with polynomial nonlinearity in the unknown parameters. We further extend the PAE algorithm to discretized-parameter polynomial adaptive estimator (DPAE) to achieve stability in general Lipschitz continuous nonlinear functions. We establish the nonlinear persistent excitation (NLPE) condition for parameter convergence using both the PAE and the DPAE.
A pilot study of the efficacy and safety of empiric daptomycin therapy in oncology patients with fever and severe neutropenia

Objectives:Patients with extended periods of time spent with low or absent absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) are at risk for bacterial infections. Febrile neutropenia is a complication in this pati...
Growing pains: the challenges of managing congenital heart disease after childhood.

With advances in the management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), the number of adults with CHD has grown substantially. In the decade after the first intracardiac repair of a congenital heart defect in 1952, congenital heart surgery was associated with short-term mortality rates of 60% to 70%. 1 In the current era, mortality for even the most complex defects is 10% or less in high-volume congenital heart centers. 2 As a result of both improved surgical care and advances in medical management, more than 80% of patients born with CHD can expect to live into adulthood.3 By 2020, it is projected that the majority of patients with CHD will be 18 years of age. 4 Article p 2345 In this context, it is important to consider where and by whom these patients should be treated. Historically, CHD has been the domain of children’s hospitals with specialized resources for managing these conditions. At such centers, pediatric cardiologists, congenital heart surgeons, and anesthesiologists are arguably most familiar with the complex anatomy and physiology associated with CHD, as well as the most current treatment advances. Specialized intensive care units, nursing staffs, and radiology services are additional advantages of pediatric congenital heart centers. On the other hand, as patients with CHD move into adulthood, they acquire other medical conditions less familiar to physicians and staff at children’s hospitals, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lung disease. Effective management of such comorbidities may be equally important to enhancing patient longevity and quality of life and may be better entrusted to physicians and systems used to treating adults. In this issue of Circulation, Karamlou et al5 help inform one crucial component of this broader debate: which types of surgeons should be operating on adults with CHD. The
Abstract A21: Thrombin-processed Ecrg4 recruits myeloid cells and induces anti-tumorigenic inflammation

Myeloid cells regulate tumor angiogenesis and promote tumor invasion, yet few strategies exist to exploit their presence to reverse the overall immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Based on bioinformatic mining of sentinel genes encoding biologically active peptides, we have recently identified Ecrg4 (Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene 4), as a novel secreted pro-inflammatory mediator of macrophage activation. While higher Ecrg4 expression levels correlate with improved survival in cancers of the esophagus, prostate and breast, indicating a role as a candidate tumor suppressor gene, we have demonstrated that the biological activity of Ecrg4 in cancer functions through a paracrine mechanism, in which Ecrg4 regulates myeloid cells in brain tumors. Moreover, mutational analysis reveals that the biological activity of Ecrg4 is dependent on a thrombin-processing site at the C-terminus, inducing monocyte invasion in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating its role as a novel chemoattractant. Here we establish Ecrg4 as a thrombin-processed chemoattractant using subcutaneous tumor models. Ecrg4 gene delivery or Ecrg4 (133-148) peptide administration to tumor reduced melanoma progression through mobilization and activation of myeloid cells to tumor site. Furthermore, in Ecrg4-knockout mice, myeloid cell recruitment is impaired, leading to increased tumor burden. Together, these results identify Ecrg4 as a paracrine factor that is chemotactic for monocytes, with translational potential as an anti-tumor therapeutic. Citation Format: Jisook Lee, Alexandra Borboa, Andrew Baird, Brian Eliceiri. Thrombin-processed Ecrg4 recruits myeloid cells and induces anti-tumorigenic inflammation. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A21. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-A21
Outcome of Functional Constipation in Childhood: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Objectives To assess the outcome of patients presenting with functional constipation in childhood during a 10-year period and to determine any risk factors for developing persistent constipation throughout adolescence and adulthood.Patients and Methods 72 children (mean age 4 years; 40 boys) referred for constipation were included in a longitudinal set of observations. Initial workup included segmental colonic transit time and anorectal manometry; 45 of the 72 patients could be reevaluated 10 to 12 years later.Results 21 of 45 patients (46%; 95% confidence interval 29% to 67%) remained constipated at follow-up. Encopresis and recurrent abdominal pain were present in 25% and 56% of patients, respectively. Patients with anorectal dyssynergia remained more frequently constipated at follow-up than the others: 61% versus 29% (P < .05).Conclusion Almost 50% of patients presenting with constipation during childhood remained constipated on long-term follow-up. Anorectal dyssynergia is associated with a worse prog...
Single heartbeat cardiac tagging for the evaluation of transient phenomena.

Many cardiac abnormalities are of a transient nature, creating a beat-to-beat variation in myocardial function. This work presents the cardiac imaging technique for the measurement of regional function during transient cardiac phenomena. All information necessary for the reconstruction of a cine loop is acquired within a single heartbeat, avoiding the temporal blurring introduced by segmented imaging due to the assumption of cardiac cycle periodicity. This method incorporates a gradient-optimized, high-efficiency EPI-SSFP sequence and TSENSE parallel imaging. For acquisitions with readout resolutions of 128,160, 192, and 256 points, the technique produced images with average temporal resolution of 35, 39, 43, and 52 ms and average spatial resolutions of 2.65, 2.12, 1.77, and 1.32 mm in the readout direction, respectively, and 2.88 and 2.08 mm in the phase encode direction for acceleration rates of 3 and 4, respectively. Local apparent strains in the single slice and measurements of ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic areas were used as quantitative measures to validate the single heartbeat technique. To demonstrate the utility of the sequence, movie loops were acquired for multiple heartbeats in non-breath-held acquisitions as well as during a Valsalva maneuver. A heartbeat-interleaved acquisition allowed for the reconstruction of nonaccelerated images from R contiguous heartbeats. Images reconstructed from such data displayed tag blurring and reduced tag persistence due to motion and interheartbeat variability. Images acquired during the Valsalva maneuver demonstrated apparent beat-to-beat variability, visible both in the images and as changing strain patterns and ventricular volumes.
Citizenship and Management in Public Administration: Integrating Behavioral Theories and Managerial Thinking

Eran Vigoda-Gadot and Aarib Cohen (eds) Citizenship and Management in Public Administration: Integrating Behavioral Theories and Managerial Thinking Cheltenham, UK & Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar I...
Considering the Directionality Factor in ASCE 7

The directionality factor (Kd) used in the ASCE 7 wind load provisions for components and cladding is a load reduction factor intended to take into account the less than 100% probability that the design event wind direction aligns with the worst case building aerodynamics. There is concern that in hurricane prone regions the current value of Kd underestimates the real vulnerability of the building system. A two part study is underway to evaluate the efficacy of the current incarnation of the Kd factor for hurricane prone regions. This paper presents part one of the study, consisting of a review of the initial development of the Kd concept, as well as a comparison of how wind directionality is addressed in building standards from around the world.
A fast approximation scheme for fractional covering problems with variable upper bounds

We present the first combinatorial approximation scheme for mixed positive packing and covering linear programs that yields a pure approximation guarantee. Our algorithm returns solutions that simultaneously satisfy general positive covering constraints and packing constraints that are variable upper bounds. The returned solution has positive linear objective function value at most 1 + e times the optimal value.Our approximation scheme is based on Lagrangian-relaxation methods. Previous such approximation schemes for mixed packing and covering problems does not simultaneously satisfy packing and covering constraints exactly. We show how to exactly satisfy general positive covering constraints simultaneously with variable upper bounds.A natural set of problems that our work addresses are linear programs for various network design problems: generalized Steiner network, vertex connectivity, directed connectivity, capacitated network design, group Steiner forest. These are all NP-hard problems for which there are approximation algorithms that round the solution to the corresponding linear program. Solving the linear program is often the computational bottleneck in these problems, and thus a fast approximation scheme for the LP relaxation means faster approximation algorithms.For the special case of survivable network design, we introduce a new modification of the push-relabel maximum flow algorithm that allows us to perform each iteration in amortized O(m + n log n) time, instead of one maximum flow per iteration that is implied by the straight forward adaptation of our general algorithm. (m is the number of edges and n is the number of vertices in the network.) In conjunction with an observation that reduces the number of iterations to {log n for f0} constraint matrices, the modification allows us to obtain an algorithm that is faster than existing exact or approximate algorithms by a factor of at least O(m) and by a factor of O(m log n) if the number of demand pairs is Ω(n).
Observations on the effects of gamma-radiation on eggs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsk)

It has been suggested that nuclear radiation might be used for locust control, but insufficient knowledge has hitherto been available to decide whether such a measure is feasible. In this paper, the results of some laboratory experiments on the effect of γ-radiation on eggs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsk.), are described.After a single dose of γ-radiation, the resulting mortality among the eggs was correlated with the size of the dose received and the age of the egg at the time of irradiation. The dose of radiation required to kill the older eggs was 40 times greater than that required to kill young eggs; thus, a dose of 144 rads caused almost complete inviability among eggs deposited one or two days before irradiation, but a dose in excess of 5,500 rads was required to kill eggs deposited eleven days earlier. For comparison, the lethal dose of γ-radiation for humans is estimated to be 400–700 rad.When the irradiation dose was applied in three small fractions, with intervals between them, the percentage of eggs killed was less than when the same total dose was given in one exposure. This difference was presumably due to tissue recovery during the inter-radiation periods. The temperature to which the eggs were exposed during the inter-radiation periods also affected survival, recovery being greater at higher temperatures.The possibility of using γ-radiation to control locust egg-fields, the cost of the equipment needed and the hazards involved are discussed. It is concluded that control by this method not only offers no advantage in terms of cost, effectiveness or convenience as compared with conventional insecticide treatment but would be very impractical and dangerous to operators and the inhabitants, human and domestic animal, of the treated area. It is possible that other control techniques utilising radiation, such as sterile-male release or attractant traps treated with a sterilant, may be useful against certain species of locusts after further work on the development of chemical attractants has been carried out.
Live birth from a frozen-thawed pronuclear stage embryo almost 20 years after its cryopreservation.

Objective To report a live birth after transfer of cryopreserved pronuclear embryos in cryostorage for almost 20 years. Design Case report. Setting Academic IVF center. Patient(s) A 42-year-old female patient with low ovarian reserve receiving donated embryos. These embryos were the result of an anonymous donation from an infertile couple who had conceived during her IVF treatment. Intervention(s) Cryopreservation (slow-freeze method) and thawing of pronuclear stage embryos, and ultrasound-guided uterine ET. Main Outcome Measure(s) Live birth. Result(s) Five pronuclear embryos were thawed; two embryos survived, cleaved, and were transferred on day 2. A singleton term pregnancy was achieved with the delivery of a healthy boy. Conclusion(s) A healthy live birth was documented after uterine transfer of pronuclear stage cryopreserved (slow freeze)–thawed embryos that were in storage for 19 years and 7 months. To our knowledge this case represents the "oldest" cryopreserved human embryos resulting in a live birth to date.
Interspecific and Intraspecific Differences in Foraging Preferences of Container-Dwelling Mosquitoes

Feeding preferences of larval container-dwelling mosquitoes are not well understood. Primary production is often absent in container systems and external inputs of animal and plant detritus supply the energy base of container food webs by supporting microorganism prey for mosquitoes. We quantified the feeding preferences of Aedes albopictus (Skuse), a non-native invasive mosquito, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Say), a native mosquito, when given a choice of animal and plant detritus. We tested for interpopulational (Illinois versus Florida) differences in feeding preferences, and quantified each species’ performance on these two detritus types. When given a choice, both species spent significantly more time feeding at an animal detritus patch. The Illinois populations of both species spent more time feeding at animal detritus patches than did the Florida populations, which spent more time feeding at leaf detritus than did Illinois populations. Both species reached a later instar and had higher survival when reared with animal versus leaf detritus. Ae. albopictus spent more time feeding at animal detritus and had higher survival when reared on either detritus type compared with Oc. triseriatus. Greater preference for and better performance exhibited by Ae. albopictus in high-quality food (animal detritus) may result in preemption of high quality food and may contribute to the superior competitive ability of Ae. albopictus relative to Oc. triseriatus.
Requirement of the FATC domain of protein kinase Tel1 for localization to DNA ends and target protein recognition

Two large phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs), ATM and ATR, play a central role in the DNA damage response pathway. PIKKs contain a highly conserved extreme C-terminus called the FRAP-ATM-TRRAP-C-terminal (FATC) domain. In budding yeast, ATM and ATR correspond to Tel1 and Mec1, respectively. In this study, we characterized functions of the FATC domain of Tel1 by introducing substitution or truncation mutations. One substitution mutation, termed tel1-21, and a truncation mutation, called tel1-ΔC, did not significantly affect the expression level. The tel1-21 mutation impaired the cellular response to DNA damage and conferred moderate telomere maintenance defect. In contrast, the tel1-ΔC mutation behaved like a null mutation, conferring defects in both DNA damage response and telomere maintenance. Tel1-21 protein localized to DNA ends as effectively as wild-type Tel1 protein, whereas Tel1-ΔC protein failed. Introduction of a hyperactive TEL1-hy mutation suppressed the tel1-21 mutation but not the tel1-ΔC mutation. In vitro analyses revealed that both Tel1-21 and Tel1-ΔC proteins undergo efficient autophosphorylation but exhibit decreased kinase activities toward the exogenous substrate protein, Rad53. Our results show that the FATC domain of Tel1 mediates localization to DNA ends and contributes to phosphorylation of target proteins.
Rapid in Vitro Evolution of Human Cytomegalovirus UL56 Mutations that Confer Letermovir Resistance

Letermovir (LMV) is an experimental cytomegalovirus terminase inhibitor undergoing phase 3 clinical trials. Viral mutations have been described at UL56 codons 231 to 369 that confer widely variable levels of LMV resistance. In this study, 15 independent experiments propagating an exonuclease mutant viral strain in escalating LMV concentrations replicated 6 of the 7 published UL56 mutations and commonly elicited additional resistance-conferring mutations at UL56 codons 231, 236, 237, 244, 257, 261, 325, and 329. Mutations were first detected earlier in LMV (median, 3 passages) than in 8 parallel experiments with foscarnet (median, 15 passages). As LMV concentrations increased, the typical initial UL56 change F261L, which confers low-grade resistance, combined or was replaced with mutations conferring higher-grade resistance, eventually enabling normal viral growth in 30 μM LMV (>5,000-fold the 50% effective concentration [EC50] for the wild type). At high LMV concentrations, the UL56 changes C325F/R were commonly detected, as well as a combination of changes at codons 236, 257, 329, and/or 369. Recombinant viruses containing individual UL56 mutations and combinations were constructed to confirm their resistance phenotypes and normal growth in cell culture. Several double and triple mutants showed much higher LMV resistance than the respective single mutants, particularly those including changes at both codons 236 and 257. The multiplicity of pathways to high-grade LMV resistance with minimal viral growth impact suggests a low viral genetic barrier and the need for close monitoring during treatment of active infection.
Professional responsibilities versus familial responsibilities: An examination of role conflict among first responders during the Hurricane Katrina disaster

In the event of a human-caused or natural disaster, the police are essential front-line first responders. The ability of police departments to provide adequate services is contingent upon critical response personnel working and functioning in an efficient manner. Currently, it is assumed that first responders will continue to work in the event of a disaster, even if they are personally impacted by the disaster to which they are expected to respond. This study examines role conflict among police officers who served as first responders during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Contradictory Evidence for the Role of Temperature and Particle Size in Nanofluid Thermal Conductivity

The prospects for increased cooling capacity from the use of nanofluid coolants has created a tremendous amount of interest. However, in the years since the initial thermal conductivity measurements of nanoparticle suspensions were reported, there has been much inconsistency in data published in the literature. The International Nanofluids Benchmarking Exercise was a significant step towards creating a reliable set of data on the thermal conductivity enhancement of stable nanofluids, however there remain many unanswered questions. Most significant, perhaps, is the contradictory results on the effects of particle size and temperature. In the past year alone it is possible to find published reports on nominally identical samples claiming precisely opposing trends in thermal conductivity with decreasing particle size at room temperature. Some studies also claim an increasing enhancement at higher temperatures, sometimes linking this to small particle sizes. In this work we review the literature claims for particle size and temperature results, the theories used to support those claims, as well as presenting new data with the aim of resolving the dispute and identifying the origins of the evidence for contradictory claims.
Generalized wavefront reconstruction algorithm for slope data: Iterative linear equation approach

Reconstructing wavefront from slope data is a basic technique in optical testing and in media turbulence characterization. A popular approach today is to reconstruct the wavefront from slope data based on the linear least squares method. A frequent problem encountered in practice is the need to establish a different reconstruction matrix for each pupil shape under test, and setting up a reconstruction matrix maybe laborious and time-consuming. In 2000[1], Zou proposed a generalized algorithm based on linear least-squares method, which can be applied for irregular-shape pupils. This algorithm is efficient, but the wavefront reconstructed with this algorithm leads to more than 4-λ deviation errors (peak-to-valley) from the original. Now we propose a iterative process to reduce this deviation errors.
A Low-Frequency Instability/Oscillation near the Airfoil Leading-Edge at Low Reynolds Numbers and Moderate Incidences

Numerical simulations of the low-Reynolds number (܀܍ ൌ�૚૙ ૝ �~�૚૙ ૞ �) flows over a SD7003 airfoil at moderate incidences (൏ ૚૙° ) are performed in the current paper. A lowfrequency convective instability is observed to dominate the spectrum near the leading edge and be responsible for the growth of the disturbance in the attached boundary layer. The characteristic frequency, the growth rate and the wave shape are investigated based on the numerical results. The growth of the low-frequency instability is not in agreement with parallel flow stability theory, nor with leading edge receptivity theory. And it has a higher growth rate than the Tollmien-Schlichting (T-S) wave. The effects of the angle-of-attack (ۯܗۯ ), the Reynolds number and the airfoil geometry on the low-frequency instability are investigated and discussed. Nomenclature� AoA = angle of attack α୰ = wave number of the disturbances in x direction in linear stability theory α୧ = growth rate of the disturbances in linear stability theory β = wave number of the disturbances in z direction in linear stability theory c = chord length
A New Species of Fahrenholzia (Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from Texas, with a Key to the Species of the Genus and a List of Their Known Hosts

Including the new species F. boleni (type-host, Perognathus merriami merriami), the genus now includes 12 species. All of these are ectoparasites on sciuromorph rodents of the family Heteromyidae, and only very rarely have stragglers been found on other rodents, such as Cricetidae.
New diallyl phthalate resins for low pressure molding encapsulation of electronic components

The allylic resins are well known among thermosets for their excellent electrical characteristics and in particular for their ability to retain these properties under adverse environmental conditions. Properties are little affected on prolonged exposure to high temperatures, moisture and aqueous and organic chemical media. Allylic resins are supplied commercially as prepolymers which, when filled with appropriate minerals and reinforcing fibers, serve as the basis for a series of molding compounds. They are also used as electrical, structural and decorative laminates.
The Case | An 80-year-old kidney transplant recipient with malaise and early allograft dysfunction.

Correspondence: Ibrahim Batal, Renal Pathology, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 W 168th Street, VC14-238, New York, New York 02115, USA. E-mail: ib2349@columbia.edu Kidney International (2016) 90, 455–456; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2016.01.035 Copyright a 2016, International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Second-Order Parabolic Differential Equations

This chapter discusses the second-order parabolic differential equations. It presents the solution of the Cauchy problem for the one-dimensional heat equation. The solution u ( x , t ) of the heat equation is differentiate with respect to the variables x and t independently of the function φ ( x ). u ( x , t ) > 0 for arbitrary x and t , a fact that physically means that the heat transfer is instantaneous, contrary to the case of the wave equation. The function F ( x, t; ξ ) represents the distribution of temperature due to an instantaneous point source of heat located at ξ. The uniqueness of the solution follows general maximum and minimum principle for parabolic operators.
Entropy for Actions of Amenable Groups

While the Koopman representation can be used to distinguish many types of p.m.p. actions, it cannot distinguish nontrivial Bernoulli actions over an infinite group, as one always gets infinitely many copies of the left regular representation, along with a copy of the trivial representation (see Section 1.3).
Origin of unusual thermoelectric transport behaviors in carbon nanotube filled polymer composites after solvent/acid treatments

Abstract Composites made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and carbon nanotube (CNT) have shown unchanged or even increased thermopower when electrical conductivity was raised by altering the concentration of CNT and/or treating the composites with a polar solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or an acid, formic acid (FA). Unlike typical adversely correlated thermopower and electrical conductivity, remarkable increases in electrical conductivity by the treatment did not decrease thermopower. Furthermore, it is necessary to use an optimum CNT concentration to maximize thermopower and the power factor. In this study, an intermediate CNT concentration of 6.7 wt% showed the highest thermopower and power factor unlike other reports with typical organic composites. The origin of the unusual transport properties was suggested by studying changes in the relative ratio of conducting PEDOT core and insulating PSS, morphology, and carrier concentration and mobility. Our results indicate that the PSS removal by DMSO and FA could alter the carrier transport barrier, and CNT-PEDOT:PSS-CNT junctions could increase thermopower for composites with a low CNT concentration by avoiding direct contacts between CNTs.