cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and modeling of the acoustic field generated by a curved ultrasound transducer for non-contact structural excitation

Abstract Conventional excitation techniques typically use an impact hammer, piezoelectric actuator, or mechanical shaker excitation for experimental modal testing. However, the use of these devices may be challenging if accurate high-frequency dynamic measurements on small or lightweight structural parts have to be performed. To overcome these problems, the high-frequency radiation force generated by focused ultrasonic transducers (FUTs) can be used. This approach has shown potential to be used as a non-contact method for modal excitation of small-sized or flexible structures such as MEMS devices, small turbine blades, integral blade rotors (IBR), and biological structures. However, the sound radiation in the air of these ultrasonic transducers and the resulting radiation force imparted onto a structure is not well understood and critically crucial for performing accurate modal analysis and system identification. In this research, the technical development of ultrasound radiation pressure mapping and simulation is presented. Starting from the calibrated sound pressure fields generated by the spherically FUT, driven by amplitude modulated signals, the dynamic focused ultrasound radiation force is modeled and estimated. The acoustic pressure field of a FUT operating in the air is measured and used for validating the accuracy of a new numerical boundary element method (BEM) model in predicting the direct acoustic force generated in the high-frequency range (i.e., 300–400 kHz). The results show that an excellent agreement is found regarding both the pressure profile and amplitude. Pressure fields up to 1200 Pa can be generated as the transducer is driven at 400 kHz. Experiments also prove that the FUT is capable of creating a focal spot size of nearly 3 mm in diameter. To finish, the FUT's dynamic focused ultrasound radiation force is quantified and could be used to quantify a force-response relationship for experimental modal analysis purposes.
Cognition in older patients with multiple sclerosis compared to patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults.

Objective Progress in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has resulted in larger numbers of patients living to an advanced age, but little is known about the cognitive status of these individuals. The primary purpose of this study was to identify differences in the cognitive performance between elderly individuals with MS and those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Method Three groups ranging in age from 60 to 80 were compared: patients with MS (n = 64), patients with aMCI (n = 58), and healthy adults (n = 70). All participants completed a standard neuropsychological test battery that evaluated domains of attention, processing speed, executive function, memory, language, and visual spatial function. Results Compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls, elderly MS patients exhibited a pattern of cognitive impairment centering on information processing speed and memory that was consistent with the deficits observed in other studies of MS patients regardless of age. Compared to aMCI patients, the MS patients exhibited worse performance on measures of processing speed, but better performance on a measure of memory under cued conditions (Selective Reminding Test), a nonspeeded measure of language (Boston Naming Test), and measures of executive function with processing speed statistically controlled (Trail Making Test, Stroop Test). Conclusions Differences on neuropsychological measures can serve to distinguish aMCI from MS-related cognitive impairment in older patients, but it is essential that these measures control for the deficit in processing speed that is such a primary feature of MS. (PsycINFO Database Record
The Morris Hepatomas as Models for Studies of Gene Expression in Neoplasia

It would be difficult to exaggerate the impact of the Morris hepatomas on contemporary cancer research. For nearly two decades this series of chemically-induced, transplantable rat liver neoplasms has been a favored experimental model system for a wide range of approaches to the understanding of the neoplastic process. The large volume of research publications, reviews and symposia that have focused on the Morris hepatomas (48, 49, 50, 54, 81, 83) attest to their importance for large segments of cancer biology. One area in particular, that of tumor enzymology and metabolism, has exploited the Morris hepatomas to great advantage.
The Evidence for Neural Networks

A quantitative and practical Bayesian framework is described for learning of mappings in feedforward networks. The framework makes possible: (1) objective comparisons between solutions using alternative network architectures; (2) objective stopping rules for network pruning or growing procedures; (3) objective choice of magnitude and type of weight decay terms or additive regularisers (for penalising large weights, etc.); (4) a measure of the effective number of well-determined parameters in a model; (5) quantified estimates of the error bars on network parameters and on network output; (6) objective comparisons with alternative learning and interpolation models such as splines and radial basis functions. The Bayesian ‘evidence’ automatically embodies ‘Occam’s razor,’ penalising over-flexible and over-complex models. The Bayesian approach helps detect poor underlying assumptions in learning models. For learning models well matched to a problem, a good correlation between generalisation ability and the Bayesian evidence is obtained.
The Development of a Cellulosic Material Based Method for Heparin Therapy Monitoring

We have developed a non-clotting based heparin assay. It is established by the attachment of protamine (a heparin antidote) to a porous filter paper strip; and the subsequent migration of heparin sample through the filter paper in an ascending or descending manner. The area of paper to which heparin adsorbed will be proportional to the heparin level in the sample. This region is visualized by spraying methylene blue NNX (a dye that interacts with heparin and the interaction causes a metachromatic shift of the dye’s absorption maximum from blue to purple) solution onto the paper strip upon the exhaustion of the sample reservoir. This approach has proven to be capable of detecting and differentiating plasma heparin level within clinical range in a relatively time efficient and accurate manner.
Multibarrier Storage of Savannah River Plant Waste

The Savannah River Plant (SRP), operated by Du Pont for the U.S. Department of Energy, has produced nuclear materials for national defense programs since 1953. Acidic waste from the fuel reprocessing facilities on the plant site are neutralized and made alkaline for storage in large carbon steel tanks. Most fission products and waste actinides along with large amounts of nonradioactive waste (Fe, Mn, Al, etc.) precipitate from the alkaline solution to form an insoluble sludge on the bottom of the waste tanks. Supernatant liquid is evaporated to form salt cake and residual liquor that are also stored in the waste tanks. About 20 million gallons of waste are now stored at SRP. To provide for long term management of this waste, a conceptual process for incorporating waste in borosilicate glass is being developed at the Savannah River Laboratory. Solidified waste will be shipped to a federal repository.
Survival of, and genetic transfer by, genetically engineered bacteria in natural environments.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the studies that have evaluated the survival of bacterial hosts and cloning vectors (e.g., phages) and the transfer of genetic information, by the processes of conjugation, transduction, and transformation, in aquatic and terrestrial environments and on plants. Mention is also made of selected in vivo studies (i.e., in human beings and other animals), as the environmental factors that affect survival and genetic transfer in vivo have similarity to those that affect survival and genetic transfer in situ (i.e., in natural environments). The lack of substantial data on the survival, establishment, and growth of, and on the transfer of genetic information by, genetically engineered bacteria in natural environments has hindered the assessment of the risk to the biosphere of the release, either accidental or planned, of these organisms. Some observations indicate that the acquisition of a plasmid can result in a spectrum of unrelated, unanticipated, and nonpredicted biochemical. Other physiological alterations in the recipient bacteria-suggest that studies designed to evaluate the survival of, and gene transfer by, genetically engineered bacteria in natural habitats be alert for such unanticipated and nonpredicted alterations and that the current wisdom may be erroneous.
The triptan formulations : how to match patients and products.

The 5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists (the ‘triptans’) are migraine-specific agents that have revolutionised the treatment of migraine. They are usually the drugs of choice to treat a migraine attack in progress. Different triptans are available in various strengths and formulations, including oral tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, nasal sprays and subcutaneous injections. In Europe, sumatriptan is also available as a suppository. Specific differences among the triptans exist, as evidenced by different pharmacological profiles including half-life, time to peak plasma concentrations, peak plasma concentrations, area under the concentration-time curve, metabolism and drug-drug interaction profiles. How or whether these differences translate to clinical efficacy and tolerability advantages for one agent over another is not well differentiated. However, delivery systems may play an important role in onset of action. Given that the clinical distinctions among these agents are subtle, identification of the most appropriate triptan for an individual patient requires consideration of the specific characteristics of the patient and knowledge of patient preference, an accurate history of the efficacy of previous acute-care medications and individual features of the drug being considered. The selection of an acute antimigraine drug also depends upon the stratification of the patient’s migraine attack by peak intensity, time to peak intensity, level of associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, time to associated symptoms, comorbid diseases and concomitant treatments that might cause drug-drug interactions. Individual patient response to the triptans seems to be idiosyncratic and possibly genetically determined. Therefore, a set of specific questions can be used to determine whether a currently used triptan is optimally effective, whether the dose needs to be increased or whether another triptan should be tried. The clinician has in his/her armamentarium an ever-expanding variety of triptans, available in multiple formulations and dosages, which have good safety and tolerability profiles. Continued clinical use will yield familiarity with the various triptans, and it should become possible for the interested physician to match individual patient needs with the specific characteristics of a triptan to optimise therapeutic benefit. Use of the methods outlined in this review in choosing a triptan for an individual patient is probably more likely to lead to migraine relief than making an educated guess as to which triptan is most appropriate.
Selected highlights from clinical anesthesia and pain management.

Abstract Study objective To review research highlights of manuscripts published in 2017 that pertain to all aspects of the clinical practice of anesthesiology. Design Narrative review. Setting N/A. Materials The major themes addressed in this review include recent studies examining airway management, obstetrical and gynecological anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, regional analgesia and pain management. Interventions N/A. Main results N/A. Conclusions This review will highlight and inform anesthesiologists of the developing trends in clinical anesthesia and will also pose new challenges for further studies.
Plant-Based Diets in Hispanic/Latino Adult Adventists in the United States and Their Association With Body Mass Index.

Purpose:To characterize plant-based dietary practices and examine their relationship with body mass index (BMI) in Hispanic/Latino Seventh-day Adventists (SDA).Design:Cross-sectional analyses of da...
Synthesis and characterization of 3-O-esters of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine derivatives as organogelators

Carbohydrate derived low molecular weight organogelators are interesting compounds with many potential applications. Selective functionalization of the different hydroxyl substituents on D-glucose and D-glucosamine resulted in small molecular gelators. Previously we have found that the C-2 acylated derivatives including esters and carbamates of 4,6-O-benzylidene protected glucose and glucosamine derivatives have shown remarkable applications as molecular gelators. In this research, in order to probe the structural influence of sugar derivatives on molecular self-assembly, we introduced acylation functional groups to the 3-hydroxyl group of 4,6-O-benzylidene acetal protected N-acetyl glucosamine derivatives. A library of fourteen ester derivatives was synthesized and characterized. The ester derivatives typically formed gels in pump oil and aqueous mixtures of dimethyl sulfoxide or ethanol. The resulting gels were characterized using optical microscopy, and rheology, etc. All alkyl ester derivatives were gelators for pump oil. A short chain ester derivative was able to form gels in a few different oils and the corresponding oil water mixtures phase selectively. The compound was also used to trap naproxen sodium and formed a stable co-gel. The controlled release of the drug from the gel to the aqueous phase was analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy. These results show that the functionalization at the 3-OH position of the N-acetyl glucosamine derivative is a feasible strategy in designing new classes of organogelators.
Critical thickness of hexagonal GaBN/BN heterostructures

We report the growth of hexagonal boron gallium nitride alloys, h-GaxB1−xN, on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) templates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and the observation of the critical thickness (LC) phenomenon in the h-GaBN/BN heterostructure system. It was observed that GaxB1−xN alloys in a pure hexagonal phase can be obtained when the film thickness is below LC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) θ–2θ measurement results revealed the formation of separate wurtzite (w)-GaN domains within the h-GaBN matrix when the film thickness is beyond LC. XRD results were supported by photoluminescence spectroscopy which revealed the absence of the band edge emission of w-GaN near 3.4 eV in very thin layers, but an increase in the w-GaN band edge emission with an increase in the h-GaxB1−xN layer thickness beyond LC. Despite the fact that layered structured materials generally possess a weak interlayer interaction, our results revealed that phase separation still occurs in layered h-GaxB1−xN alloys and the critical thickness depends on the Ga composition. The present study also provided insights into possible ways to synthesize layered GaBN/BN heterostructures and quantum wells in the pure hexagonal phase with tunable bandgaps and optical properties, which would open up many new applications.
Bilingualism and the Measurement of Intelligence and Verbal Learning Ability

This study analyzed some of the problems of measuring intelligence and verbal learning ability among Mexican-American preschoolers. These bilingual children encountered greater difficulty in correctly identifying verbal noun concepts on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Structural and idiomatic differences between the English and Spanish languages were thought to be the source of the difficulty. The study emphasized the dangers of reliance upon methods of evaluation and prediction which are not analogous to the context of the particular learning handicap.
Congenital microcephaly hospitalizations in California infants: 1999–2013

INTRODUCTION Population-level changes in microcephaly incidence risk (IR) could signal circulation of neurotropic pathogens or potential emerging teratogen exposure. METHODS In this retrospective population cohort study, we estimated the IR of hospitalizations with a microcephaly ICD-9-CM discharge diagnosis code among infants ≤1 year over a 15-year period (1999-2013) using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) database from all hospital discharges in California from the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) database. We calculated the overall and yearly IRs per 10,000 live births (LBs) and per 10,000 hospitalizations in infants ≤1 year, and explored the impact in the IR estimates when children with microcephaly associated comorbidities were excluded or not. RESULTS Among 8,860,153 hospital discharges of infants ≤1 year in the OSHPD database over this 15 year period, we identified 6,004 hospitalizations with a microcephaly discharge diagnosis code; 3,526 of those were in neonates ≤30 days. The IR of microcephaly hospitalizations for infants ≤1 year was 7.70/10,000 LB (for neonates it was 4.52/10,000 LB) and 6.78 per 10,000 hospitalizations ≤1 year. There was large heterogeneity in the yearly microcephaly IRs (I2 = 66.6%). DISCUSSION EHR collected data could be used as a complementary approach to track epidemiologic changes in microcephaly IRs. However, standardization in the use of microcephaly discharge diagnosis code and harmonization in the types of additional comorbidities to be excluded across analyses is mandatory to allow for prompt identification of true changes in microcephaly rates over time.
A dynamic model of quality assurance in primary healthcare in developing countries

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of investments in Quality Assurance (QA) within the primary healthcare industry in developing countries using a dynamic economic model.Study design: T...
Development of simulations for a mesh-based x-ray phase imaging system

X-ray images of low-density materials, such as soft tissue, provide inherently low contrast due to their subtle attenuation differences. However, differences in phase imparted to x rays can be substantial, giving significantly improved contrast. The barrier to widespread implementation of x-ray phase imaging is that most phase techniques require high spatial coherence of the x-ray beam. We have previously demonstrated that employing structured illumination produced by a stainless steel wire mesh can significantly loosen this coherence requirement. We present a computational model utilizing ray tracing that allows us to explore its design space and to optimize our phase reconstruction algorithms.
Global market shocks and poverty in Vietnam: the case of rice

World food prices have experienced dramatic increases in recent years. These “shocks” affect food importers and exporters alike. Vietnam is a major exporter of rice, and rice is also a key item in domestic production, employment and consumption. Accordingly, rice price shocks from the world market have general equilibrium impacts and as such, their implications for household welfare are not known ex ante. In this paper we first present a simple framework for understanding the direct and indirect welfare effects of a global market shock of this kind. Second, we quantify the transmission of the price shock from global indicator prices to domestic markets. Third, we then we use an applied general equilibrium (AGE) model to simulate the effects of domestic price changes in more detail. Fourth, a recursive mapping to a large nationally representative living standards survey permits us to identify in detail the ceteris paribus effects of the shock on household incomes and welfare. In this analysis, interregional and intersectoral adjustments in the labor market emerge as key channels transmitting the effects of global price shocks across sectors and among households.
Phenotyping aldehyde metabolism in humans uncovers novel genetic mutations in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2

Abstract Aldehydes are toxic chemicals rapidly metabolized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Nearly 8% of the world population carry an ALDH2 genetic variant rs671 (E504K) causing inefficient aldehyde metabolism recognized by facial flushing after alcohol consumption. Importantly, rs671 carriers have a several-fold increased risk of cancer, neurodegenerative, and heart disease attributed to inefficient aldehyde metabolism. Although rs671 is common, it is unlikely rs671 is the only inactivating ALDH2 mutation in humans. By recruiting human volunteers reporting facial flushing after alcohol consumption, we identified previously uncharacterized ALDH2 point mutations including rs747096195 (R101G), rs190764869 (R114W), and rs4646777 (G>A). Using ALDH2 recombinant enzyme, we determined R101G and R114W have a reduced efficiency in acetaldehyde metabolism unique to E504K (Vmax/Km, 1.95±0.01+ and 2.77±0.02+ relative to 0.93±0.03, respectively n=3/group, +P When subjecting human volunteers to an alcohol challenge (0.25g/kg), acetaldehyde levels increased 9-fold for rs671 (E504K), 2-fold for rs747096195 (R101G) and rs190764869 (R114W) and was no different for rs4646777 (G>A) relative to volunteers carrying wild type ALDH2. Further, for volunteers tested, heart rate changes after alcohol strongly correlated with decreased acetaldehyde metabolism (r=0.90, n=26) as opposed to facial flushing. Taken together, we identified novel inactivating ALDH2 point mutations and developed a non-invasive diagnostic test to phenotype aldehyde metabolism in humans. Identifying ALDH2 genetic differences and their phenotype in response to alcohol can provide more precise individual recommendations regarding the health risks of aldehyde exposure.
Horror Memes and Digital Culture

The internet has emerged as an important space for the creation and dissemination of gothic and horror media, particularly in the form of memes. Located at the intersection of digital culture and folklore, some horror memes remain relatively isolated within particular online communities, while others have attained greater attention in mainstream media. This chapter provides an overview of several exemplary memes (the Rake, Jeff the Killer, the SCP Foundation, Smile.jpg, the Russian Sleep Experiment, and Slender Man) and discusses how these memes reveal significant characteristics of digital culture and space.
Structure-based design of prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spikes

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to accelerated efforts to develop therapeutics and vaccines. A key target of these efforts is the spike (S) protein, which is metastable and difficult to produce recombinantly. We characterized 100 structure-guided spike designs and identified 26 individual substitutions that increased protein yields and stability. Testing combinations of beneficial substitutions resulted in the identification of HexaPro, a variant with six beneficial proline substitutions exhibiting higher expression than its parental construct (by a factor of 10) as well as the ability to withstand heat stress, storage at room temperature, and three freeze-thaw cycles. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of HexaPro at a resolution of 3.2 angstroms confirmed that it retains the prefusion spike conformation. High-yield production of a stabilized prefusion spike protein will accelerate the development of vaccines and serological diagnostics for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Survival of patients with cystic fibrosis on ECMO: analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry

Progressive respiratory failure is a common cause of death in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although this may be related to the disease process itself, acute infectious problems may lead to respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Given the progressive nature of the disorder, some have suggested that the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is contraindicated. The current study retrospectively reviewed the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry to evaluate the outcomes following the use of ECMO in patients with CF. A total of 73 ECMO runs were identified in CF patients. There were 33 who received VV ECMO, 32 on VA ECMO, and 8 who received combined VA and VA ECMO. The overall survival rate for the cohort was 52% (38 of 73 patients). There was no difference in survival when comparing VA and VV ECMO. We noted an increasing trend for VV ECMO for this patient population over this time period. These data further support the need for a prospective study to evaluate outcomes following ECMO in this population with standardization of care across multiple centers.
δ13C of marine organic matter and ocean pH

The stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of organic matter from the deep sea sediments shows an increase of 1 to 2‰ during glacial periods relative to inter glacial periods (Muller et al., 1983; Fontugne and Duplessy, 1986; Sackett, 1986; Sarkar et al., 1993). This has been variously explained as due to (1) change in the relative mixing proportions of the marine (δ13C = -20‰) and terrestrial (δ13C = -26‰) organic matter; (2) reduction in the pCO2 of the surface oceans accompanying that in the atmosphere (Rau et al., 1991) and (3) change in the oxic/anoxic conditions in the deep sea environment induced by changes in the surface ocean productivity. While these interpretations may have some merit, we suggest an alternative possibility, viz., a reduced availability of dissolved CO2 in the surface ocean for photosynthesis during glacial times due to (a) a reduction in the atmospheric CO2 concentration (Barnola et al., 1987) and (b) enhanced rates of photosynthesis due to a more vigorous atmospheric circulation in some regions (e.g., Pacific, Pedersen, 1983) or (c) reduced rates of air-sea exchange of CO2 due to the failure of monsoons in the northern Indian Ocean (Duplessy, 1982; Prell, 1984; Sarkar et al., 1990; Krishnamurthy, 1990). These would result in an increased use of dissolved bicarbonate (Hayes, 1993)-enriched in 13C by 9‰ relative to dissolved CO2, thereby enriching the glacial organic matter in 13C and causing an increase in oceanic pH. Using data reported for the northern Indian Ocean, we calculate such pH changes to be in the range of 0.01 to 0.13, consistent with recent estimates based on boron isotope analysis (Sanyal et al., 1995).
CaBLAM for chiropraxis in cryoEM, UnDowser to rethink “waters”, and NGL Viewer to recapture online 3D graphics in MolProbity validation

Abstract The MolProbity web service provides macromolecular model validation to help correct local errors, for the structural biology community worldwide. Here we highlight new validation features, and also describe how we are fighting back against recent outside changes that degrade or endanger that mission. Sophisticated hacking of the MolProbity server has required continual monitoring and various security measures short of restricting user access. Refinement software now increasingly restrains validation criteria in order to supplement the sparser experimental data at 3-4A resolutions typical of modern cryoEM. But unfortunately the broad density allows optimization without fixing underlying problems, which means these structures often score much better than they really are. CaBLAM, our first new tool designed for this regime, was described in the previous Tools issue, and here we demonstrate its effectiveness in diagnosing local errors even when other validation outliers have been artificially removed. The deprecation of Java applets now prevents KiNG interactive online display of outliers on the 3D model during a MolProbity run, but that important functionality is now recaptured with a modified version of the Javascript NGL Viewer. Other new changes are more straightforwardly good. We are moving to the Neo4j database (graphical rather than relational), and will soon have cleaner as well as much larger reference datasets. In addition to several minor new features, we have developed a tool called UnDowser that analyzes the properties and context of modeled but clashing HOH “waters” to diagnose what they might actually represent. A dozen distinct scenarios are illustrated and described.
Advancing lake and reservoir water quality management with near-term, iterative ecological forecasting

Near-term, iterative ecological forecasts with quantified uncertainty have great potential for improving lake and reservoir management. For example, if managers received a forecast indicating a hig...
A Virtual Curriculum to Prepare Medical Students to Achieve Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Level-1 Milestones in Orthopaedic Surgery

As a part of the American healthcare system's response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that medical schools temporarily remove students from clinical settings and transition to an entirely online learning environment. This posed an unprecedented challenge to students in the clinical years of their medical education. To address this unexpected shift, we modified an in-person workshop to teach orthopaedic trauma basics to 5-week virtual course for third year medical students from several schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We focused on moving students toward the Level-1 milestones for basic fracture care with a combination of weekly lectures and virtual interactive small group sessions, all conducted via WebEx and proctored by an orthopaedic attending or resident. The course was well received by students. Participation in the course was completely voluntary and did not count for credit at any institution. The course was valuable to students because the students who registered chose to fully complete the 5-week course and no student missed more than one small group session. On a postcourse survey, 100% of students said they would be highly likely to recommend the course to a future student, and the average rating for educational value of the course was 4.98 of 5. Given the current limitations in clinical education because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our course provides a reasonable alternative to clinical experience and prepares students with the knowledge and many of the skills that are required to succeed as orthopaedic interns. Furthermore, the success of our course this year suggests that similar programing may be a useful adjunct to clinical experiences even when it is safe to return to more traditional medical school scheduling.
The Relationship Between Cognition Function and Three Factors Based on Big Data and ANOVA Text

The factors which affected cognitive function, especially in the elderly, attracted people’s attention. Since many possible factors have an influence on the cognitive impairment, the goal of the research is to investigate whether diabetes, glucose level, and cholesterol would affect people’s cognitive function. For this research, using NHAES cognitive function questionnaire and some basic body test lab data from 2013-2014 and conducting the ANOVA test and the linear regression helped to conclude that diabetes’ cognitive function performance is worse than healthy people’s cognitive function performance and no apparent linear regression is proved. The explanation of the relationship between diabetes and cognitive function is APOE s4 allele, which is a factor related to both diabetes and cognitive function. So, it is essential to prevent diabetes to improve cognitive function. For future studies, more answers of the cognitive function test should be collected with less no responded answer, and the mechanisms about the glucose and the cholesterol affect the cognitive function would be investigated.
pQCD vs. AdS/CFT Tested by Heavy Quark Energy Loss

We predict the charm and bottom quark nuclear modification factors using weakly coupled pQCD and strongly coupled AdS/CFT drag methods. The log(pT/M_Q)/pT dependence of pQCD loss and the momentum independence of drag loss lead to different momentum dependencies for the R_{AA} predictions. This difference is enhanced by examining a new experimental observable, the double ratio of charm to bottom nuclear modification factors, R^{cb}=R^c_{AA}/R^b_{AA}. At LHC the weakly coupled theory predicts R^{cb} goes to 1; whereas the strongly coupled theory predicts R^{cb} .2 independent of pT. At RHIC the differences are less dramatic, as the production spectra are harder, but the drag formula is applicable to higher momenta, due to the lower temperature.
How library and information science faculty perceive and engage with open access

This paper presents the inferential analysis of a systematic survey of North American library and information science LIS faculty awareness of, attitudes towards and experience with open-access scholarly publishing. The study reveals that engagement with open access is related to faculty rank and perceptions about tenure and promotion committee assessments of open-access publications. The perceived constraints of the tenure and promotion system within the academy impact LIS faculty engagement with open-access publishing in ways found in other academic disciplines. However, those who themselves engage with open access tend to assess publications in such venues more favourably than those without such publishing experience and are similarly more predisposed to believe that tenure and promotion committees would evaluate such publications favourably. Nonetheless, while in general it is clear that experience with open access reduces some of the concerns about the effects of this type of scholarly publishing on career opportunities, there remains a substantial amount of equivocacy among LIS faculty about open access.
Pathology of Gastric Cancer

Gastric carcinoma represents a group of heterogeneous diseases from its epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, pathologic phenotype, and genotype. Management of individual patients with gastric cancer requires the knowledge of all aspects of the disease. This chapter intends to address issues related to pathogenesis, pathobiology, classification and staging, specific diagnostic challenges, and the pathologic assessment post neoadjuvant therapy of gastric carcinoma. Furthermore, recent advances in molecular classification of gastric cancer have served as a valuable adjunct to clinical and pathologic phenotype of the disease. The combined clinical, pathologic, and genetic effort in understanding the disease will certainly facilitate personalized treatment and ultimately improve survival from gastric cancer.
Berkeley Studies of Faint Stars at High Latitudes

Several Lick 3-m prime-focus plates of Selected Areas 57, 68, and 51 (taken by I. King) in B, V, and R have been measured for stellar magnitudes down to the plate limit by L. Hinrichs and King, and are currently being measured by Chiu for proper motions (several hundred stars per plate) with the Berkeley PDS microdensitometer. Prime-focus plates are also available from the Hale 5-m and Mayall 4-m telescopes, giving an overall baseline of 20 years. Work so far indicates that on the Lick plates stars brighter then V = 19 can be measured to within one micron standard error; the error becomes unacceptably large for stars fainter than V = 20. A large number of stars bluer than B−V =0.4 show proper motion and are therefore excellent candidates for white dwarfs. For 0.4 ≤ B−V ≤ 0.8, the proper motion stars are expected to be predominantly subdwarfs.
Thermal Analysis and Design of Multi-Layer Insulation for Re-Entry Aerodynamic Heating

The combined radiation/conduction heat transfer in high-temperature multi-layer insulations was modeled using a finite volume numerical model. The numerical model was validated by comparison with steady-state effective thermal conductivity measurements, and by transient thermal tests simulating re-entry aerodynamic heating conditions. A design of experiments technique was used to investigate optimum design of multi-layer insulations for re-entry aerodynamic heating. It was found that use of 2 mm foil spacing and locating the foils near the hot boundary with the top foil 2 mm away from the hot boundary resulted in the most effective insulation design. A 76.2 mm thick multi-layer insulation using 1, 4, or 16 foils resulted in 2.9, 7.2 or 22.2 percent mass per unit area savings compared to a fibrous insulation sample at the same thickness, respectively.
Children's emotion regulation across and within nations: A comparison of Ghanaian, Kenyan, and American youth

This research examined national, regional, developmental, and gender differences in children's reported management of anger and sadness. Participants (8-15 years) were 103 Ghanaian children from a village setting, 142 Ghanaian children from a middle-class urban context, 106 Kenyan children from an impoverished urban context, and 170 children from the United States in lower to middle-class urban areas (58.8% Caucasian). Children completed the Children's Anger and Sadness Management Scales (Zeman, Shipman, & Penza-Clyve, 2001) to assess emotion management (i.e., effortful control, over control, under control). Comparisons across nations indicated that Ghanaian youth reported more overt anger expression than youth from Kenya and the United States and less anger inhibition than Kenyan youth. U.S. children reported less overt expression and more constraint over sadness than Kenyan and Ghanaian children, although Kenyans reported being calmer when experiencing sadness than Ghanaian and American youth. Comparing Ghanaian regional contexts, village children reported more anger control than urban children. Regardless of nationality, boys reported more control over sadness than girls who reported more under control of sadness and more over control of anger than boys. Future research is needed to build on these descriptive, preliminary findings examining under-studied cross-national contexts.
The use of transcription-based amplification systems in the diagnosis of HIV-1 infections

The advances in nucleic acid sequencing and detection by hybridization have opened new approaches to the diagnosis of human pathogens. While nucleic acid hybridization made detection of target sequences highly specific and/or relatively rapid in comparison to standardized immunological or culture-based assays, the methodology was slow in being adapted to clinical settings for two major reasons. First, the most sensitive nucleic acid hybridization techniques requires the use of radiolabeled probes making everyday utilization and waste management problematic. Secondly, even using radioactivity, nucleic acid hybridization is unable to detect targets below approximately 104 molecules (Chou and Merigan, 1982). This limitation in sensitivity poses a major stumbling block for the use of probes especially in viral diagnostics since several clinically important viruses such as human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and 2), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and especially human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) frequently are present clinical samples well below the level of sensitivity achievable by most nucleic acid-based hybridization assays (Landry, 1990). A major breakthrough in the utility of nucleic acid hybridization as a diagnostic tool occurred with the introduction of in vitro nucleic acid target amplification. The development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1985 (Saiki et al.,1985) permitted the amplification of target nucleic acid sequences over a million-fold, thereby allowing a single copy of a target molecule to be detected in a clinical sample. The only other diagnostic tool comparable in sensitivity is the in vitro propagation by culturing of the pathogen.
The Value and Challenges of Using Learning Technologies to Support Students in Learning Science

Tools help us perform difficult tasks, both physical and intellectual. We use a variety of tools such as hammers, shovels, and screwdrivers to help us perform physical tasks. Cognitively, we use graphs to see patterns in data and visual diagrams to summarise information. In schools, teachers use concept maps to help students see and make connections between concepts. New computer-based technology tools can also serve as cognitive tools. The World Wide Web allows scientists in remote locations to share information and communicate new developments rapidly and efficiently. New imagery tools enable doctors to probe the structures of the body. Three-dimensional graphs help scientists to visualize and interpret data in new ways. There is little doubt that technology tools have changed the way we do work.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in a 6-Week-Old Child

Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate is approved for use of life-threatening bleeding secondary to vitamin K antagonism in adults. We describe the use of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for hemostasis in a 6-week-old child with life-threatening vitamin K dependent-bleeding who never received vitamin K prophylaxis at birth.
Reduced airway expression of cytoprotective CC10 in COPD patients and mice exposed to cigarette smoke

Background: Clara cell protein (CC10) is the major secretory protein of Clara and is crucial for maintenance of airway epithelium in health. CC10 plasma levels are reduced in COPD patients, but the underlying reasons are unclear. We tested whether there is a blunted expression of CC10 in the airways of human and mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) which may contribute to impaired repair of airway epithelial injury in smoke-exposed animals. Methods: Immunostaining and image analysis software were used to measure CC10 expression in airways in lung sections from 6 healthy controls vs. 6 patients with mild to moderately severe (M-M) COPD (Gold I-II) or severe to very severe (S-VS) COPD (Gold III-IV). We also immunostained lung sections from C57BL/6 WT mice exposed to air vs. CS for 1, 3, or 6 months. Results: CC10 expression in airway epithelium was lower in all COPD patients vs. healthy human subjects (median=724.2X103 vs. 2806.4x103 FL Units/pixel2, respectively p Conclusions: CC10 expression is reduced in airway epithelium in COPD patients including patients with mild disease. In addition, exposing the airways of mice to CS for 3-6 months reduces their CC10 expression. These results indicate that CC10 expression in airway epithelia may be a rapid and sensitive marker of smoke-induced airway injury.
Off the Roadmap? Family Medicine’s Grant Funding and Committee Representation at NIH

PURPOSE Family medicine is challenged to develop its own research infrastruc- ture and to inform and contribute to a national translational-research agenda. Toward these ends, understanding family medicine's engagement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is important. METHODS We descriptively analyzed NIH grants to family medicine from 2002 through 2006 and the current NIH advisory committee memberships. RESULTS Grants (and dollars) awarded to departments of family medicine increased from 89 ($25.6 million) in 2002, to 154 ($44.6 million) in 2006. These values represented only 0.20% (0.15% for dollars) and 0.33% (0.22% for dol- lars), respectively, of total NIH awards. Nearly 75% of family medicine grants came from just 6 of NIH's grant-funding 24 institutes and centers. Although having disproportionately fewer grant continuations (62% vs 72%) and R awards (68% vs 74%)—particularly R01 awards (53% vs 84%)—relative to NIH grantees overall, family medicine earned proportionately more new (28% vs 21%) and K awards (25% vs 9%) and had more physician principal investigators (52% vs 15%). Ten of the nation's 132 departments of family medicine (7.6%) earned almost 50% of all family medicine awards. Representatives from family medicine were on 6.4% of NIH advisory committees (0.38% of all members); family physi- cians were on 2.7% (0.16% of members). CONCLUSIONS Departments of family medicine, and family physicians in particu- lar, receive a miniscule proportion of NIH grant funding and have correspond- ingly minimal representation on standing NIH advisory committees. Family medicine's engagement at the NIH remains near well-documented historic lows, undermining family medicine's potential for translating medical knowledge into community practice, and advancing knowledge to improve health care and health for the US population as a whole.
Laser flow cytometry and cancer chemotherapy: detection of intracellular anthracyclines by flow cytometry.

The intracellular distribution of important chemotherapeutic antibiotics belonging to the anthracycline group (e.g. adriamycin) can be detected by laser flow cytometry. The indirect method is based on the interference of these compounds with the binding of propidium iodide to the nuclear DNA. While in the direct method, the intracellular fluorescence of these antibiotics is excited and detected with a laser beam in a flow system. The present report demonstrates the use of these two methods for intracellular detection and quantitation of a number of important anthracyclines.
Parallel Programming and the Poker Programming Environment

Abstract : Parallel programming is described as the conversion of an abstract, machine independent algorithm to a form, called a program, suitable for execution on a particular computer. The conversion activity is simplified where the form of the abstraction is close to the form required of the programming system. Fine mechanisms are identified as commonly occurring in algorithms specification. The Poker Parallel Programming Environment is known to support these five mechanisms conveniently; thus the conversion is easy and the parallel programming is simple. The Poker environment is described and examples are provided. An analysis of the efficiency of the programming facilities provided by Poker is given and they all seem to be very efficient. (Author)
Kimball Young on Social Psychology, Rural Sociology, and Anthropology at Wisconsin, 1926–1940

In 1968, former president of the American Sociological Association Kimball Young (1893–1972) gave a seminar at Arizona State University that was attended by both editors. The sessions were taped, for it was Young's intention to organize the tapes into a book that would document his life as a sociologist/social psychologist, a book to be called Man in Transition. The present article is the fourth in a series emerging from Young's tapes and subsequent notes.
The Single Group with Nearly Equivalent Tests (SiGNET) Design for Equating Very Small Volume Multiple-Choice Tests

The single group with nearly equivalent tests (SiGNET) design proposed here was developed to address the problem of equating scores on multiple-choice test forms with very small single-administration samples. In this design, the majority of items in each new test form consist of items from the previous form, and the new items that were administered as unscored items in the previous form. Each form is equated using data from examinees who took the previous form. As the equating is a single-group design, with the 2 forms having a large number of overlapping items, the size of the equating sample can be much smaller than in other designs.
USEPA/paper industry cooperative dioxin study : the 104 mill study

Abstract This paper summarizes the distribution of concentrations of 2378 substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in bleached kraft and sulfite mill pulps, wastewater sludges, and treated effluents in the U.S. in mid-1988.
FlowerPower: clustering proteins into domain architecture classes for phylogenomic inference of protein function

Background Function prediction by transfer of annotation from the top database hit in a homology search has been shown to be prone to systematic error. Phylogenomic analysis reduces these errors by inferring protein function within the evolutionary context of the entire family. However, accuracy of function prediction for multi-domain proteins depends on all members having the same overall domain structure. By contrast, most common homolog detection methods are optimized for retrieving local homologs, and do not address this requirement.