cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loneliness and the health of older people.

Background The intense focus on major psychiatric disorders in both contemporary psychiatric research and clinical practice has resulted in the relative neglect of less definable constructs such as loneliness and how such entities might impact on health outcomes. The purpose of this review is to raise awareness among physicians and psychiatrists of the medical impact and biological effects of loneliness as well as making the argument that loneliness should be a legitimate therepeutic target. Methods Using Pubmed we searched the literature for research and review papers looking at loneliness as a construct, how it is measured and its health effects. We reviewed the relevant papers and have summarized their main findings. Results Loneliness has strong associations with depression and may in fact be an independent risk factor for depression. Furthermore loneliness appears to have a significant impact on physical health being linked detrimentally to higher blood pressure, worse sleep, immune stress responses and worse cognition over time in the elderly. There is a relative deficiency in adequate evidence based treatments for loneliness. Conclusion Loneliness is common in older people an is associated with adverse health consequences both from a mental and physical health point of view. There needs to be an increased focus on initiating intervention strategies targeting loneliness to determine if decreasing loneliness can improve quality of life and functioning in the elderly. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Rising Influx of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli into a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background. The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among gram-negative bacilli is rapidly increasing. Quantification of the prevalence and the common antimicrobial coresistance patterns of MDR gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) isolates recovered from patients at hospital admission, as well as identification of patients with a high risk of harboring MDR-GNB, would have important implications for patient care.Methods. Over a 6-year period, patients who harbored MDR-GNB (i.e., patients who had MDR-GNB isolates recovered from clinical cultures within the first 48 h after hospital admission) were identified. “MDR-GNB isolates” were defined asPseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, andKlebsiella species isolates with resistance to at least 3 antimicrobial groups. A case-control study was performed to determine the independent risk factors for harboring MDR-GNB at hospital admission.Results. Between 1998 and 2003, the prevalence of MDR-GNB isolates recovered from patients at hospital admission increased significantly for all isolate species (P < .001), with the exception ofP. aeruginosa (P = .09). Of 464 MDR-GNB isolates, 12%, 35%, and 53% of isolates were coresistant to 5, 4, and 3 antimicrobial groups, respectively. Multivariable analysis identified age ⩾65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–7.4;P < .04), prior exposure to antibiotics for ⩾14 days (OR, 8.7; 95% CI, 2.5 –30;P < .001), and prior residence in a long-term care facility (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3–9.4;P < .01) as independent risk factors for harboring MDR-GNB at hospital admission.Conclusion. A substantial number of patients harbor MDR-GNB at hospital admission. Identification of common coresistance patterns among MDR-GNB isolates may assist in the selection of empirical antimicrobial therapy for patients with a high risk of harboring MDR-GNB.
The structure and amorphization of germanane

Germanane, a direct band gap, high electron mobility germanium graphane analogue, has attracted considerable interest for optoelectronics. Here, temperature dependent pair distribution function analysis shows, upon annealing, the two-dimensional germanane framework begins to amorphize. The amorphization onset is independent of the existence of halogens or other impurities.
Classification transitions under expansion of inputs and outputs in data envelopment analysis

An exchange between Thomas R. Nunamaker and T. Ahn, A. Charnes and W. W. Cooper which revolves around possible behavior of the DEA efficiency measure. In particular, Ahn, Charnes and Cooper provide a counterexample to Nunamaker's assertion that adding inputs to a DMU (Decision Making Unit) which had previously attained an efficiency of 0* = 1 with fewer inputs would never alter this value, no matter how inefficient the use of the additional inputs. Here we want to add additional insight by showing the condition under which Nunamaker's proposition is true. Using the notation and concepts from Charnes, Cooper and Thrall, we shall see that this proposition is true if and only if the previously attained 0* = 1 is uniquely optimal.
Communication around home-energy monitoring devices: connecting stakeholders in low-income communities

Prior research results show that comparison as a feedback technique can encourage additional savings; however, a limited number of home-energy studies explore social communication around feedback devices. We will develop a system that supports comparison and cross-household communication, and provides energy-use information. We will then deploy our system across 50 mixed-income renters. Our expected contributions include an interactive system for supporting comparison and collaboration; a better understanding of the conditions that motivate or discourage energy conservative behaviors for individuals that pay and do not pay for their electricity; and design recommendations for visualizations that allow comparison and collaboration across households.
Home-based primary care and the risk of ambulatory care-sensitive condition hospitalization among older veterans with diabetes mellitus.

Importance Primary care services based at home have the potential to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization among older adults with multiple chronic diseases. Objective To characterize the association between enrollment in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), a national home care program operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and hospitalizations owing to an ambulatory care–sensitive condition among older veterans with diabetes mellitus. Design and Setting Retrospective cohort study. Patients admitted to VA and non-VA hospitals were followed up from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2010. Participants Veterans 67 years or older who were fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries, were diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus and at least 1 other chronic disease, and had at least 1 admission to a VA or non-VA hospital in 2005 or 2006. Exposures Enrollment in HBPC, defined as a minimum of 2 HBPC encounters during the study period. Main Outcomes and Measures Admission to VA and non-VA hospitals owing to an ambulatory care–sensitive condition, as measured by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Prevention Quality Indicators in VA medical records and Medicare claims. Outcomes were analyzed using distance from the veteran’s residence to a VA facility that provides HBPC as an instrumental variable. Results Among 56 608 veterans, 1978 enrolled in HBPC. These patients were older (mean age, 79.1 vs 77.1 years) and had more chronic diseases (eg, 59.2% vs 53.5% had congestive heart failure). Multivariable predictors for HBPC enrollment included paralysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.11; 95% CI, 1.63-2.74), depression (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.70-2.34), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.17-1.58), and distance from the nearest HBPC-providing VA facility (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.50-0.70 for >10-30 vs Conclusions and Relevance Home-Based Primary Care is associated with a decreased probability of ambulatory care–sensitive condition hospitalization among elderly veterans with diabetes mellitus. In accountable care models, HBPC may have an important role in the management of older adults with multiple chronic diseases.
A groundwater–soil–plant–atmosphere continuum approach for modelling water stress, uptake, and hydraulic redistribution in phreatophytic vegetation

Modelling groundwater uptake provides a powerful tool for examining the tight linkage of phreatophytic vegetation with spatial and temporal variations in groundwater and soil moisture. Here, a physically based modelling framework was developed to simulate groundwater uptake and hydraulic redistribution (HR), as driven by the potential gradients along the groundwater–soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. A new water stress function, based on the ‘vulnerability curve’ theory, was introduced; it integrates the influence of both soil water and groundwater on transpiration. The model was then implemented using a system dynamics approach and applied to simulate groundwater uptake of Quercus douglasii (blue oak) in a California savanna. It showed good agreement with the measured evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and leaf water potential data. The model results indicated that the dominant water source for blue oaks switched from soil water in the wet season to groundwater in the dry season. During the dry period, cavitation led to a hydraulic conductivity loss of approximately 85% in the shallow roots, and groundwater uptake contributed over 80% of transpiration. The dry, shallow soil layers received water from groundwater and deep soil layers at night through HR. The new water stress function performed well when simulating daily transpiration (r2 = 0·69). The model indicated that blue oaks maintained only a small portion of deep roots (15% of the total) to uptake groundwater and mitigate the impacts of drought. The proposed model framework can be incorporated into coupled climate, hydrological, and ecological models to improve their performance when studying ecohydrological process and climate feedbacks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using ferrite as a fast switch for improving rise time of IPNS extraction kicker

The Kicker system is used to extract beam from the Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS). The Kicker consists of four identical pulse circuits, each providing over 3.8 kA to each magnet winding. The magnet length is restricted to the space between vacuum bellows attached to the ring magnets. This leaves 0.89 m for the magnet. To keep the voltage low the magnet conductor is broke up into 4, 1/4-turn magnet windings. Each pulse circuit consists of a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) that is charged to 50 KV. The PFN is discharged through a thyratron into a 6.3-ohm transmission line to one of the magnet windings. Our system has always had marginal rise time of around 100 ns. Although the thyratron switching time is much faster than this, losses in the transmission lines cause the slower response. By using ferrite to make a fast switch between the transmission lines and the magnet, the rise time in the magnet can be reduced. To make a fast ferrite switch, the saturation point must carefully be chosen. Parameters related to choosing the proper ferrite to provide fast saturation, at the correct current will be discussed.
Availability and Affordability: Household Adaptation to a Housing Squeeze

This current research extends in 2 ways an earlier work which examined the effects of housing construction on household composition among black and Hispanic minorities in the US. It presents a similar analysis for Anglos for 1980 and extends results for 1970 and compares them with similar results for 1980 a year in which the housing market was tighter as a whole. The comparison of the relationship between metrololitan housing constraint and household complexity of Anglos to this same relationship for the black and Spanish origin populations leads to an important hypothesis: the effects of housing constraints on household complexity should be weaker for Anglos than for the 2 minority populations. Given the changes in the housing market that occured during the 1970s the results of an analysis of 1980 data are expected to reflect a tighter housing market overall. It is hypothesized that the relationship between housing constriction and household complexity has strengthened during this time period because of the increase in housing constraints that have occurred over the decade. The validity of this hypothesis is assessed by comparing the 1970 results for blacks and Hispanics to corresponding results using 1980 data. The current analysis uses 1980 census data and the sample consists of standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSA) in which at least 1% of the total population consists of the minority being examined for both the black and Spanish original analyses. The findings support the hypotheses. The model was very effective in explaining Anglo complexity rates across SMSAs in 1980. The results suggest that it is at least as effective for the majority group as for black and Hispanic minorities. The 1980 results are as strong as the 1970 results for blacks and substantially stronger for Hispanics. The findings lend support to a structural interpretation of household composition. The levels of household complexity among black and Spanish origin minirities while higher than those among Anglos do not appear to be solely a function of cultural norms or preferances. Similar housing-related factors play a role in determining the aggregate levels of household complecity for all 3 groups and in both decades examined.
Multi-Agent Management of Joint Schedules

In this paper, we describe an incremental scheduling framework designed to support joint management of inter-dependent schedules by multiple executing agents. We assume an uncertain execution environment and a distributed representation of the overall problem and schedule such that no single agent has a complete view. Hence as unexpected execution events force changes to individual agent schedules, agents must recognize inter-dependencies and coordinate to revise schedules in a way that continues to maximize the quality of their joint activities. Our approach combines an underlying e xible-times representation of the schedule, which exploits temporal e xibility to absorb executional uncertainty and insulate dependencies across agent schedules, with an incremental approach to schedule revision, which promotes solution stability and tends to minimize the ripple effect of change across agent schedules. We summarize basic mechanisms for constructing and revising schedules, for integrating scheduling with execution and for generating options to focus coordination with other agents. Our framework is being developed and applied within the DARPA Coordinators program.
Gene identification in a complex chromosomal continuum by local genomic cross-referencing.

Summary Most higher plants have complex genomes containing large quantities of repetitive DNA interspersed with low-copy-number sequences. Many of these repetitive DNAs are mobile and have homology to RNAs in various cell types. This can make it difficult to identify the genes in a long chromosomal continuum. It was decided to use genic sequence conservation and grass genome co-linearity as tools for gene identification. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing sorghum genomic DNA was selected using a maize Adh1 probe. The 165 kb sorghum BAC was tested for hybridization to a set of clones representing the contiguous 280 kb of DNA flanking maize Adh1. None of the repetitive maize DNAs hybridized, but most of the low-copy-number sequences did. A low-copy-number sequence that did cross-hybridize was found to be a gene, while one that did not was found to be a low-copy-number retrotransposon that was named Reina. Regions of cross-hybridization were co-linear between the two genomes, but closer together in the smaller sorghum genome. These results indicate that local genomic cross-referencing by hybridization of orthologous clones can be an efficient and rapid technique for gene identification and studies of genome organization.
A novel division algorithm for the residue number system

A novel general algorithm for signed number division in the residue number system (RNS) is presented. The parity checking technique used for sign and overflow detection in this algorithm is more efficient and practical than conventional methods. Sign magnitude arithmetic division is implemented using binary search. There is no restriction to the dividend and the divisor (except zero divisor), and no quotient estimation is necessary before the division is executed. Only simple operations are needed to accomplish this RBS division. All these characteristics have made the algorithm simple, efficient, and practical for implementation on a real RNS divider. >
Bayesian inference in modeling recreation demand

McFadden's (1981) hypothesis of random utility maximization (RUM) has been a workhorse for researchers in different fields of economics to study household choices among competing goods. The RUM hypothesis speculates that maximization of utility is the driving force behind individual agents decision to choose among available alternatives and thus individual preference distribution is a consequence of choices made by the whole population. This conjectures makes the RUM model appealing to theorists and practitioners alike.The focus of this dissertation is to add to the existing literature on applying RUM models to recreation demand by consistently estimating and evaluating the demand for and welfare derived from recreational sites. The models proposed in this dissertation allows the Random Utility Maximization (RUM) model to be robust to issues such as: limitations in the information available to researchers; relaxing the assumption of constant marginal utility of income and, incorporating model uncertainty in the estimation process.For example, the first paper, looks at re-specifying the RUM model to incorporate unobserved site characteristics by the introduction of alternative specific constants with the ability to recover parameters of the observed site characteristics that is of interest for policy scenario simulations. Ignoring this issues, I will argue, will lead to inconsistent estimates of the parameters that determine the demand for recreational site and consequently lead to mistaken inference and policy recommendations. The second paper relaxes the assumption of constant marginal utility of income. The assumption, though convenient, is a restrictive formulation of individual preferences and choice behavior. a generalized formulation of the Random Utility Maximization (RUM) model that allows the data to dictate the relationship between preferences and income and prices is proposed. The third paper on the other hand proposes a model that draws on the Bayesian paradigm to integrate the variable selection process into the model and reflect the accompanying uncertainty about which is the ``best'' specification used for counter-factual predictions.
Relating stream physical habitat condition and concordance of biotic productivity across multiple taxa

To explore the potential of assessments of stream geomorphic condition and habitat quality in evaluating lotic productivity, we investigated concordance of stream biotic productivity (aquatic macroinvertebrates, crayfish, fish, and belted kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon)) and their physical habitat correlates in 18 streams in the Champlain Valley, Vermont, USA. Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant concordance between macroinvertebrate density and fish biomass (r = 0.76), between the density of macroinvertebrates in the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera and fish bi- omass (r = 0.81), and between fish biomass and kingfisher brood weight (r = 0.54). We used principal component analysis followed by linear regression to investigate relationships between physical habitat condition and biotic productivity and to identify key components of physical habitat condition assessments. Our analysis supported the combined use of geomor- phic and habitat assessments as a comprehensive indicator of stream physical habitat condition. We found relationships be- tween habitat assessment scores and productivity measures of all taxa except crayfish, suggesting similar responses to physical condition across trophic levels. Our results encourage the use of additional taxa, in addition to widely used macroinvertebrate metrics, as indicators of the composite effects of physical habitat impairment in stream ecosystems.
An Accurate Method for Inferring Relatedness in Large Datasets of Unphased Genotypes via an Embedded Likelihood-Ratio Test

Studies that map disease genes rely on accurate annotations that indicate whether individuals in the studied cohorts are related to each other or not. For example, in genome-wide association studies, the cohort members are assumed to be unrelated to one another. Investigators can correct for individuals in a cohort with previously-unknown shared familial descent by detecting genomic segments that are shared between them, which are considered to be identical by descent (IBD). Alternatively, elevated frequencies of IBD segments near a particular locus among affected individuals can be indicative of a disease-associated gene. As genotyping studies grow to use increasingly large sample sizes and meta-analyses begin to include many data sets, accurate and efficient detection of hidden relatedness becomes a challenge. To enable disease-mapping studies of increasingly large cohorts, a fast and accurate method to detect IBD segments is required.
The Dispersed Neuroendocrine Cells: The Structure, Function, Regulation and Effects of Xenobiotics on this System

Cells which express morphological and functional markers originally described in neurons and neural crest-derived endocrine cells are now known to originate from both ectodermal and endodermal progenitors. These cells are organized to secrete peptides, amines, and other regulatory products in response to neurogenic or chemical stimulation. Individual products may function in endocrine, paracrine, neurotransmitter, or neuromodulatory roles. Multiple products are often produced by individual cells and stored in the same secretory granules. The hormonal profiles of particular types of neuroendocrine cells can, to varying degrees, be changed by environmental signals during development or in adult life. These changes are caused both by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Hormonal profiles are also altered during the development and progression of neoplasia. Signals which stimulate hormone secretion produce a number of ancillary effects, including activation and induction of enzymes which replenish hormone stores, activation of cellular oncogenes, and stimulation of cell proliferation. The effects of environmental signals on neuroendocrine cells are mediated by intracellular transduction pathways which involve cyclic AMP, phosphatidylinositol, calcium, and receptor protein kinase activity. These effects can be potentiated, inhibited, or qualitatively altered by exogenous agents.
Severe premature coronary artery disease with protease inhibitors

which subsided quickly. No child developed autisticspectrum disorder. Hyperornithaemic gyrate atrophy, an autosomal recessive disease, was diagnosed in one girl (patient 14) 8 years after vaccination. A boy developed H influenzae meningitis, and a girl meningococcal meningitis 1 day and 7 days after vaccination, respectively. It is noteworthy that, besides gastrointestinal complaints, many children had similar symptoms and signs (fever, rash, seizure) as those in London. Presumably, some patients with symptoms or signs not far from those listed in the table were not reported to us. We do not deem this shortcoming to be of a major concern because illness in all our 31 patients was mild, and probably sometimes caused by concomitant infection. Over a decade’s effort to detect all severe adverse events associated with MMR vaccine could find no data supporting the hypothesis that it would cause pervasive developmental disorder or inflammatory bowel disease.
Runtime analysis of atomicity for multithreaded programs

Atomicity is a correctness condition for concurrent systems. Informally, atomicity is the property that every concurrent execution of a set of transactions is equivalent to some serial execution of the same transactions. In multithreaded programs, executions of procedures (or methods) can be regarded as transactions. Correctness in the presence of concurrency typically requires atomicity of these transactions. Tools that automatically detect atomicity violations can uncover subtle errors that are hard to find with traditional debugging and testing techniques. This paper describes two algorithms for runtime detection of atomicity violations and compares their cost and effectiveness. The reduction-based algorithm checks atomicity based on commutativity properties of events in a trace; the block-based algorithm efficiently represents the relevant information about a trace as a set of blocks (i.e., pairs of events plus associated synchronizations) and checks atomicity by comparing each block with other blocks. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of both algorithms, we incorporate a multilockset algorithm for checking data races, dynamic escape analysis, and happen-before analysis. Experiments show that both algorithms are effective in finding atomicity violations. The block-based algorithm is more accurate but more expensive than the reduction-based algorithm.
Parallel Loopback Test of Mixed-Signal Circuits

Parallel testing of mixed-signal circuits has been considered a difficult task due to the limited resources in generating and analyzing multiple analog signals. A number of methods have been proposed to perform parallel testing of mixed-signal circuits using built-in test circuitry; however, these techniques are vulnerable to fault masking issues which may degrade the test accuracy. This paper presents an efficient parallel test algorithm for mixed-signal circuits based on a loopback test method. Multiple DUTs (devices under test) are loopbacked externally on a loadboard which is loaded with a simple analog adder and an RMS detector. The performance parameters of each DUT are calculated separately from the composite responses, while removing the effect of fault masking. Parallelism is increased by sharing common test equipment and a DUT loadboard among the multiple DUTs. The mathematical theory and simulation results are presented to validate our algorithm.
Assessment of the NASA AMSR-E SWE Product

Since the launch of the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) in 1978, several studies have demonstrated the capability of spaceborne passive microwave sensors for mapping global snow water equivalent (SWE). Currently, SWE values are estimated operationally from microwave brightness temperatures measured by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) and distributed through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). In this study, we report results regarding the comparison between AMSR-E SWE and SWE/snow depth values distributed by the Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) product of the NOAA's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center and snow depth measured by automatic weather stations of the World Meteorological Organization. Generally, we found poor correlation between the AMSR-E and SNODAS SWE/snow depth values. The algorithm performance improves when considering WMO data, though the number of samples used for the analysis might play a role in this sense. We discuss algorithm-related sources of error and uncertainties, such as vegetation and grain size. Moreover, we report results aimed at evaluating whether replacing the linear approach with a nonlinear one and not using the brightness temperatures and ancillary data sets combined as in the current approach but taken separately as inputs to the algorithm might improve the performance of the algorithm.
Hearing Loss and Cognition Among Older Adults in the United States

sample of older adults. Methods. We analyzed data from the 1999 to 2002 cycles of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey during which participants aged 60–69 years (n = 605) underwent both audiometric and cognitive testing. Hearing loss was defined by a pure tone average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in the better hearing ear. Cognitive testing consisted of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a nonverbal test that assesses executive function and psychomotor processing. Data on hearing aid use, demographics, and medical history were obtained from interviews. Regression models were used to examine the association between hearing loss and cognition while adjusting for confounders. Analyses incorporated sampling weights to yield results that are generalizable to the U.S. population. Results. Greater hearing loss was significantly associated with lower scores on the DSST after adjustment for demo graphic factors and medical history (DSST score difference of −1.5 [95% confidence interval : −2.9 to −0.23] per 10 dB of hearing loss). Hearing aid use was positively associated with cognitive functioning (DSST score difference of 7.4 [95% confidence interval : −0.62 to 15.4]). The reduction in cognitive performance associated with a 25 dB hearing loss was equivalent to the reduction associated with an age difference of 7 years. Conclusions. Hearing loss is independently associated with lower scores on the DSST. Further research is needed to determine whether hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor or an early marker of cognitive decline.
Increased respiratory symptoms following surgery in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) via parental smoking (ETS+) developed more respiratory symptoms resulting in longer recovery times following surgical outpatient procedures compared with children of nonsmoking parents (ETS)). Methods: One hundred and forty six children (4.9 ± 3 years) undergoing inguinal hernia repair were prospectively studied. Parental smoking behaviour was determined by survey and urine analysis. Seven respiratory symptoms were evaluated during induction and emergence from anaesthesia and during the recovery room (RR) stay. Results: Fifty-seven (39%) families admitted a smoking history while 89 (61%) denied it. This strongly correlated with the cotinine/ creatinine ratio (Pearson correlation coefficient ¼ 0.76; P ¼ 0.01). ETS exposure was associated with an increased frequency of RR symptoms (ETS+: 56%; ETS) :3 1%; P ¼ 0.007). Conclusions: In children undergoing general anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair, ETS exposure was associated with an increased frequency of respiratory symptoms during emergence from anaesthesia and during postoperative recovery.
Comparison of Power and Telecommunications Dependencies and Interdependencies in the 2011 Tohoku and 2010 Maule Earthquakes

AbstractThis paper compares dependencies and interdependencies between power and telecommunication infrastructures during the 2011 MW 9.0 Tohoku earthquake in Japan with those in the 2010 MW 8.8 Maule offshore earthquake in Chile. This comparison is important to assess the extent to which particular failure modes and restoration processes are prevalent in two different cases, especially when quantification of infrastructure coupling is still in its infancy. These comparative observations are also relevant for the design and improvement of critical infrastructure and associated resilience. The analysis is conducted by comparing time series of power and telecommunication system damage, outages, and service restoration as field-collected in the regions affected by the respective earthquakes. The metrics used for the comparison, namely the dependence predominance and the restoration delay index, are based on cross-correlation functions and a measure of dependence predominance based on the peak cumulative cros...
Research on the Polymorphism of HIV Infection-Related Gene CCR5Δ32 in HIV Highly-Infected Uygur Population in Yili Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Objective:To do research on genetic mutation frequency and polymorphism of HIV infection-related gene CCR5Δ32 in HIV highly-infected Uygur population in Yili Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Method:The research took 470 examples of the Uygur Population as its object,including 246 HIV positives and 224 negatives.Then we extracted genomic DNA.The DNA fragment which includes mutation points CCR5Δ32 was amplified by PCR and genotyped by using genetic chip.Result:The result shows that there are 38 heterozygotes of CCR5Δ32 and 2 examples of mutation of CCR5Δ32 hoterozygotes;the mutation frequency of CCR5Δ32 in the population is 4.47%.There is no statistical significance in distribution difference between HIV positives and HIV negatives(P0.05)and between males and females of the population(P0.05).However,there is statistic significance in distribution difference in this population with different contact types(P0.05).Conclusion:The mutation frequency of CCR5Δ32 in HIV highly-infected Uygur population in Yili,Xinjiang is remarkably higher than that of Han(Chinese) people in China and high exposure environment is the main reason for the high prevalence of AIDS in Xinjiang.
High muscle blood flow in man: is maximal O2 extraction compromised?

During conventional cycle ergometry, as work rate (WR) is increased toward maximum, O2 extraction increases hyperbolically, typically achieving values of 80–90% at peak O2 uptake (VO2). In contrast...
The Pacific Production Game A Multidimensional Teaching Tool Using Lego® Bricks

There are many exercises available to instructors that illustrate concepts in general management, leadership, teams, and negotiation. In this article, we describe a Lego® building activity that can...
Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine and Pediatric Rhinosinusitis

■ Pediatric sinusitis in the otherwise healthy child is primarily a medical disease and surgery should be reserved for patients who are refractory to medical treatment.
Metabolism of Organic Acids as Related to Bacteroid Differentiation and Function in the RhizobiumMeliloti-Alfalfa Symbiosis

Succinate and malate are abundant organic acids within legume root nodules, and Rhizobium mutant strains defective in their uptake and metabolism are ineffective in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the host plant (Ronson et al. 1981; Gardiol et al. 1982). The role of succinate and malate in bacteroid differentiation and function was investigated with a wild type strain H. meliloti L5–30, a succinate-dehydrogenase mutant strain UR6, and a spontaneous revertant strain UR7.
Randomized trial of a clinic-based weight loss intervention in cancer survivors.

This trial examined the efficacy of a clinic-based weight loss intervention in cancer survivors. This single-center phase II trial randomized survivors of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies to a 15-week group-based weight loss intervention that included caloric restriction and physical activity (n = 30) or a wait-list control intervention (n = 30). The primary study outcome was body mass. Secondary study outcomes included body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, physical fitness using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and concentrations of serum biomarkers. Participants in the intervention group lost 5.6 ± 4.4% of baseline weight (4.6 ± 3.9 kg), whereas participants in the control group gained 0.2 ± 2.4% of baseline weight (0.2 ± 2.0 kg); intervention effect − 5.8% (95% CI − 7.8, − 3.8); − 4.8 kg (95% CI − 6.6, − 3.0); P = 0.0001. A larger proportion of participants in the intervention group lost ≥ 5% of baseline weight compared to the control group (43 vs 0%; P < 0.0001). The intervention led to reductions in fat mass (− 3.2 ± 0.7 kg; P < 0.0001), improvements in physical fitness (an increase of 22.6 ± 10.8 m on 6MWT; P = 0.03), and reductions in concentrations of insulin (− 7.7 ± 3.5 μU/mL; P = 0.004) and leptin (− 7.3 ± 4.0 ng/mL; P = 0.04). A 15-week clinic-based weight loss intervention resulted in significant weight loss and improvements in body composition, physical fitness, and concentrations of serum biomarkers in cancer survivors. Weight loss programs provide a number of benefits for cancer survivors; survivors should inquire about the availability of lifestyle programs offered at their cancer center and within their local communities.
Aspirin before coronary artery surgery

Myles and colleagues recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine the results from their Aspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery (ATACAS) study (1). This was a multicenter trial evaluating the effects of aspirin in patients undergoing coronary surgery. This study found no difference in the rates of bleeding complications or thromboembolic events, which contradict previous studies (2,3).
Now we're cooking

From the very first oven to the foamed foods of modernist cuisine, physics has played a dominant role in food throughout history. But now physics has the potential to solve a major global cooking issue, says Sidney Perkowitz.
Communicating local relevance of ocean observations: Integrating real-time ocean sensor data visualizations, online communications, and ocean issues to engage public audiences

As we routinely face information overload in our daily lives, infographics have become an intuitive, relatable way to communicate both online and in print. Mainstream newspapers and magazines now employ staff who are specifically dedicated to data mining and telling stories with data through data visualizations and infographics. In addition to infographics, online ‘story telling’ is another trending approach to distilling information and finding ways to make data and information relevant to target audiences. The geospatial data community is keenly aware of this trend and has developed communications tools like ESRI Story Maps that allow map makers to combine map-based data with stories creating place-based communications tools. Members of the ocean technology community are already benefiting from these new tools and are using them to communicate their research to funding agencies and the public. When presented with the opportunity to build an interface for communicating the relevance of our ocean observing data to the public in the context of El Nino, the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) set out to combine effective infographic and story map communication tools with real-time data, essentially creating an online, dynamic map-based real-time data infographic. In this paper, we will discuss our design process, data analysis, data visualization and story integration methods. Our goal was to create a simple interface for non-science users, designed to get people exploring, spark curiosity, and encourage learning more through links to online El Nino education and communication resources. We will present the challenges associated with transforming raw data into relevant easy to understand information geared towards a public audience. With our modest example, we aim to demonstrate to other data collectors how they can use emerging data visualization and web technologies to engage audiences and communicate the relevance of their monitoring programs and sensors.
Fine-scale genetic structure in female mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus )

Abstract. Fine-scale genetic structure in animal populations can have important consequences for evolutionary processes and can influence conservation and management decisions. Cervids often live in matrilineal social groups, and this spatial grouping can create fine-scale genetic structure among females. We used DNA and radio-location data at Fort Carson Military Reservation in south central Colorado, USA, to determine whether female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) living in close proximity were more likely to be related. Spatial data were obtained over an 18-month period using data transmitted from GPS collars. Average positions for each animal were correlated with relatedness estimates calculated using 7 microsatellite loci. We found significant spatial autocorrelation for females at distances ≤1000 m, which suggests that females were frequently philopatric. In addition, females appeared to occasionally disperse over relatively longer distances, as we found evidence of related females separated by dist...
Abstract 353: Mechanical (or “Gravitational”) Unloading Reduces Inflammatory and Cell Adhesion Molecule Gene Expression in Human Endothelial Cells

Objectives: Mechanical forces including gravity affect mechanotransduction and subsequent cell function. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of mechanical unloading (MU) and loading (ML) of endothelial cells (ECs) with microgravity and hypergravity respectively, with the hypothesis that MU alters expression of inflammatory and adhesion molecule gene expression and these changes are reversed by ML. Methods: Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) grown to confluency were studied. A desktop random positioning machine and a gravitational cell-loading apparatus provided MU and ML conditions, respectively. The experimental conditions included: 1) controls exposed to 1-gravity environment for 24 h (CL), 2) MU for 24 hours, 3) MU for 24 hours with three 30-minutes periods of ML of 12-gravity (MU/ML). Gene expression was studied with reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). Results: MU led to a significant decrease in gene expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-Selectin, as well as TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF. In contrast, NOS-3, Caveolin-1 and -2 were significantly increased with MU. The changes observed in gene expression with MU were reversed by gravitational mechanical loading (MU/ML). Conclusions: Gravitational MU decreases inflammatory and adhesion molecule gene expression and these changes are reversed by short periods of ML. This points towards the importance of gravitational loading in ECs function and cellular interactions.
Novel Lipoprotein(a) Catabolism Pathway via Apolipoprotein(a) Recycling: Adding the Plasminogen Receptor PlgRKT to the List.

Since its first description in 1963, significant advances in lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] biology have taken place. Lp(a) is composed of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–like particle where apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) is covalently attached to the hydrophilic, glycosylated apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)]. Our understanding of Lp(a)’s pathophysiology has been enhanced by epidemiology studies, meta-analyses, and genetic instrumental variable analyses that suggest Lp(a) is a causal mediator, and not merely a risk marker, of cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve stenosis.1 Elevated plasma Lp(a) levels, >30 to 50 mg/dL or >≈75 to 125 nmol/L, are present in 20% to 30% of the general population and in even higher percentages in patients with established cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve stenosis. However, one area of Lp(a) biology that remains incompletely understood and in need of further clarification is defining the mechanisms regulating its catabolism. Article, see p 1091 In this issue of the Circulation Research , Sharma et al2 elegantly extend our understanding of hepatic Lp(a) catabolism. Using confocal microscopy to study exogenously added Lp(a) to cultured hepatocytes and fibroblasts, the authors describe different intracellular fates of the lipid components of Lp(a) and of the protein apo(a). After initial binding and uptake, the lipid components leave the Rab5+ early endosomes and undergo lysosomal degradation. In contrast, apo(a) dissociates from apoB and traffics to the Golgi network and ultimately traffics to Rab11+ endosomes and is secreted back into the media (Figure). Via this process, the authors suggest that ≈30% of apo(a) recycles back to the extracellular space over a 24-hour period. The fate of any such free apo(a) is unknown, but it could bind to LDL in the extracellular space or circulate free until it binds LDL to generate Lp(a) (Figure), be cleared by other receptors, enter the vessel wall or kidney, or be …
Determination of Quark-Gluon-Plasma Parameters from a Global Bayesian Analysis

Abstract The quality of data taken at RHIC and LHC as well as the success and sophistication of computational models for the description of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions have advanced to a level that allows for the quantitative extraction of the transport properties of the Quark-Gluon-Plasma. However, the complexity of this task as well as the computational effort associated with it can only be overcome by developing novel methodologies: in this paper we outline such an analysis based on Bayesian Statistics and systematically compare an event-by-event heavy-ion collision model to data from the Large Hadron Collider. We simultaneously probe multiple model parameters including fundamental quark-gluon plasma properties such as the temperature-dependence of the specific shear viscosity η / s , calibrate the model to optimally reproduce experimental data, and extract quantitative constraints for all parameters simultaneously. The method is universal and easily extensible to other data and collision models.
Integrating Landsat TM imagery and See5 decision-tree software for identifying croplands: a case study in Shunyi district, Beijing

As an important natural resource, cropland plays a key role in ensuring food safety. In this study, an integral method combining Landsat TM imagery and See5 decision-tree software was developed to identify croplands by taking Shunyi District, Beijing as the study area. Considering the specific topographic conditions, vegetation types and variable climate environment as well as growth period of the study area, texture variables, band ratios, digital elevation model (DEM) and its derived slope and aspect were added into decision tree classification. Finally, the cropland distribution map of Shunyi District was derived combining See5 decision tree classification software and NLCD mapping tools integrated in the ERDAS environment. An accuracy evaluation shows that the overall accuracy is 88.48% and 91.85% using GPS sample points and statistical data, separately. The result shows that it is feasible to identify croplands using See5 decision-tree classification tool based on the Landsat TM imagery.
Toward Molecularly Driven Precision Medicine in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Assessing the benefit of routine panel-based genomic sequencing of tumor tissue remains a critical need in clinical oncology. Jordan and coauthors report on 860 patients with metastatic or recurrent lung adenocarcinoma from a single institution with prospectively sequenced tumors using a targeted gene panel of >300 genes to guide therapy. Their results suggest that early prospective tumor sequencing, including non-standard-of-care predictive biomarkers combined with careful clinical annotation, can guide therapy, improve clinical outcomes, and accelerate the development of biomarkers and drugs. Cancer Discov; 7(6); 555-7. ©2017 AACRSee related article by Jordan et al., p. 596.
Results of Immune Complex Detection in Human Glomerular Diseases

Techniques for detection of soluble immune complexes (IC) in serum have become a subject of considerable scientific interest and potential clinical importance. The bulk of human glomerulonephritis probably is due to IC deposition (Wilson and Dixon, 1974, 1976). There is hope that IC detection might serve as a tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and management. This chapter will summarize the results of IC detection in patients with glomerular diseases and will indicate what the future holds for such investigations.