cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal-Energy Distribution of Molecular Ions in Drift Tubes

The nonreactive motion of trace amounts of a single ion species through a dilute gas in a drift tube is influenced by the gas temperature, T, by the ratio, E/N, of the electric field strength to the gas number density, and by the details of the ion-neutral collisions. On the macroscopic level, this motion is described in terms of the gaseous ion transport coefficients such as the standard mobility, Ko, and the diffusion coefficients, D║ and D┴, parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the electric field. On the microscopic level, this motion is described in terms of the position, velocity and internal-energy state of each ion and neutral as a function of time, since quantum-mechanical effects are completely negligible except for electrons and for very light ions at extremely low values of T and E/N. The connection between these levels of description is through the distribution function fi (r,v,t) for ions in internal state i at position r with velocity v at time t, and through the similar distribution functions for each neutral species.
An enzyme from Streptococcus mutans forms branches on dextran in the absence of sucrose.

Abstract An enzyme in glucosyltransferase preparations from Streptococcus mutans catalyzed the transfer of [14C]glucopyranoside from purified isomaltosaccharides, each containing [14C]glucopyranoside at its non-reducing terminus, to acceptor dextran, in the absence of sucrose. Half of the radioactivity present in the resulting [14C]dextrans was resistant to hydrolysis by amylo-1,6-glucosidase. Treatment of the [14C]dextrans with endodextranase resulted in extensive hydrolysis and produced [14C]-labeled limit oligosaccharides containing branch sites. Acetolysis of the [14C]-labeled limit oligosaccharides yielded [14C]nigerose, thus indicating the formation of branch sites on dextran in the absence of sucrose. The enzyme catalyzing this reaction has not been identified but appears to be independent of the major extracellular glucosyltransferases of S. mutans .
Early adolescent nicotine exposure affects later-life hippocampal mu-opioid receptors activity and morphine reward but not physical dependence in male mice.

Abstract Rationale There is extensive literature regarding nicotine-opioid functional interactions. The possibility that use of nicotine products during adolescence might increase the risk of substance abuse such as morphine later in adulthood is particularly relevant to the current opioid crisis. Objectives To investigate the effects of nicotine exposure for seven days during adolescence in mice on morphine reward as well as morphine physical dependence later in adulthood. Methods Mice were exposed to nicotine in either early or late adolescence then evaluated for morphine reward and withdrawal symptoms in adulthood. A separate group of mice was exposed to nicotine during adolescent and tissue was evaluated for changes in MOR-mediated G-protein activity using [35S]GTPγS binding assays. Results We report that a 7-day exposure to a low dose of nicotine during early adolescence significantly enhanced morphine preference in the CPP test in adult mice. In contrast, the same treatment with nicotine had no effect on expression of somatic withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent adult mice. MOR-mediated G-protein activity in hippocampus, but not thalamus and striatum of adult mice, was significantly altered by adolescent nicotine treatment. Conclusions Adolescence is a unique developmental stage during which nicotine has long-term effects on future drug-taking behavior. Further studies are needed to identify the neurotransmitters and mechanisms involved in increased vulnerability to drug abuse.
Exploring the intersections of religious attachment, meaning, and culture

Religious Beliefs, Evolutionary Psychiatry, and Mental Health in America (2017) broadly explains the philosophical underpinnings, development, and current literature regarding the theory of the Evo...
Comparative analysis of reduced-order spectral models and grouping strategies for non-equilibrium radiation

Abstract Radiative transfer calculations in complex three-dimensional domains are plagued by computational bottlenecks due to the combined cost of resolving spectral, angular, and spatial dependence. The current work presents a systematic study into the efficacy of three commonly used reduced-order wide-band models, Planck-averaging, and statistics-based k-distribution and theory of homogenization, for modeling non-equilibrium radiation. A reinterpretation of Planck-averaging based on the maximum entropy principle combined with the commonly used multi-band opacity binning allows a direct equivalence to be drawn with the two statistics-based approaches. Additionally, the three seemingly distinct methods are shown to be strictly derived only for local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions which limits their accuracy when simulating non-equilibrium radiation. This shortcoming is addressed through the development of a novel grouping strategy for defining larger groups of individual frequencies from detailed radiation databases (based on line-by-line or narrow-band models) while accounting for variation in all radiative properties under non-equilibrium. Radiative transfer calculations for different Earth and Jupiter entry problems are performed using the different spectral models. Conventional reduced-order wide-band approaches converge slowly to the solution obtained using detailed spectral models. However, the new non-equilibrium grouping strategy allows both total quantities-of-interest and their detailed spectral variation to be predicted accurately while employing fewer reduced-order groups. The current model-reduction methodology provides nearly two orders-of-magnitude decrease in required spectral evaluations along a given line-of-sight with respect to narrow-band methods (and three to four orders with respect to original LBL databases) and is ideal for coupled flow-radiation calculations.
A cocktail of polyclonal affinity enriched antibodies against melanoma mutations increases binding and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract Background Antibodies that target a single tumor antigen fail to cure stage IV cancer patients due to tumor heterogeneity and variable expression of antigen. Tumor cells with insufficient binding of antibody will not undergo antibody induced cytotoxicity. We describe targeting multiple tumor-specific antigens that resulted in homogeneous dense binding to mouse melanoma cells and significant tumor growth inhibition. Methods Surface-related tumor-specific mutations on B16-F10 cells were identified. Peptides containing the single amino acid mutation were synthesized for 9 different neoantigens. Rabbits were vaccinated with each of these peptides and high affinity polyclonal antibodies to each peptide were obtained. The 9 antibodies were combined as a cocktail and mice with implanted B16-F10 cells were treated with and without PD1 inhibitor. Results Even a single dose of the antibody cocktail inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival. PD1 inhibitor alone had little effect on tumor growth. The antibody cocktail plus PD1 inhibition increased tumor response and 4 doses of the cocktail completely prevented tumor growth in 50% of the mice. Complete responses were durable. The complete responders were highly resistant to tumor re-challenge at 6 months. No adverse events were identified in the antibody treated mice. Conclusions Multiple tumor-specific cell surface-related neoantigens were abundant in B16-F10 cells. Antibodies to 9 of these neoantigens had variable binding but when combined had dense homogeneous binding. Even one dose of this cocktail of 9 antibodies improved survival and when multiple doses were combined with PD1 inhibition 50% of the mice were rendered permanently tumor free.
Challenges in the Diagnosis of Diabetes Type in Pediatrics

The incidence of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, is increasing. Health outcomes in pediatric diabetes are currently poor, with trends indicating that they are worsening. Minority racial/ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by suboptimal glucose control and have a higher risk of acute and chronic complications of diabetes. Correct clinical management starts with timely and accurate classification of diabetes, but in children this is becoming increasingly challenging due to high prevalence of obesity and shifting demographic composition. The growing obesity epidemic complicates classification by obesity's effects on diabetes. Since the prevalence and clinical characteristics of diabetes vary among racial/ethnic groups, migration between countries leads to changes in the distribution of diabetes types in a certain geographical area, challenging the clinician's ability to classify diabetes. These challenges must be addressed to correctly classify diabetes and establish an appropriate treatment strategy early in the course of disease for all. This may be the first step in improving diabetes outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. This review will discuss the pitfalls in the current diabetes classification scheme that is leading to increasing overlap between diabetes types and heterogeneity within each type. It will also present proposed alternative classification schemes and approaches to understanding diabetes type that may improve the timely and accurate classification of pediatric diabetes type.
Seeking Justification: How Expert Reviewers Validate Empirical Claims with Data Annotations

We investigate the use of data annotations to increase transparency and data access in social science research. We present preliminary findings from a study that asked experts to re-view a research paper and judge the validity of empirical claims made - first without data and then with author supplied annotations that provide access to underlying data.We demonstrate that in domains where there is an emergent culture of data sharing reviewer expectations about what material should be shared are met, but this does not necessarily influence trust in an author's claims. Reviewers describe ways that shared materials aide validation tasks, but that these materials just as often sharpen their critique and introduce new lines of questioning. We believe that these findings hold important implications for scholarly communications and digital repository development, in particular as these two communities engage in developing policies to guide authors on how to prepare data for review, supporting reviewers with linked repository systems, and for the design of peer-review processes more generally.
Clinical Performance of Mycobacterial Immunohistochemistry in Anatomic Pathology Specimens

OBJECTIVES Diagnosis of mycobacterial infections poses significant challenges in anatomic pathology. We recently described the use of antimycobacteria immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a sensitive, efficient diagnostic tool and now report the clinical performance of this assay among general, noninfectious disease pathology-trained anatomic pathologists. METHODS Over a 2-year period, all cases were retrospectively identified in which mycobacterial IHC was performed during routine diagnostic workup. RESULTS From October 2017 to September 2019, mycobacterial IHC was evaluated for 267 cases, resulting in 58 (22%) positive stains. Compared with culture and molecular results, the sensitivity and specificity of IHC were 52% and 80%, respectively. IHC performed significantly better than acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining (Ziehl-Neelsen) (P < .0001; sensitivity 21%, specificity 92%) but similarly to modified AFB staining (mAFB; Fite-Faraco) (P = .9; sensitivity 61%, specificity 84%). In cases with discordant IHC and mAFB staining, there were no differences in rates of culture or polymerase chain reaction-confirmed positivity. CONCLUSIONS Mycobacterial IHC was well adopted with superior clinical performance to AFB and comparable performance to mAFB. These results support the use of IHC as an adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections and suggests its potential role as a rapid screening test for molecular testing.
An Overview of COVID 19’s Impact on English Language University Admissions and Placement Tests

The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid innovation among language assessment developers who had to adapt their testing processes to address various restrictions from governments and institutions. This o...
Reaching people with disabilities to learn about their experiences of social connection and loneliness

Abstract Background People with disabilities experience higher rates of social isolation and loneliness than people without disabilities, but there is limited information about how these conditions are manifested in people with specific types of disabilities. Objectives Using data collected as part of the second administration of the National Survey on Health and Disability (n = 2,132), our objectives were to determine if disability type and recruitment method added explanatory power to observed levels of social connectedness, after controlling for socio-demographic and environmental indicators. Methods We used hierarchical regression to evaluate how socio-demographic, disability, environmental, and recruitment type explained four outcome variables for different dimensions of social connectedness, including satisfaction with social activity, quantity of social connections, quality of social connections, and loneliness. Results Across all models, employment status (not employed), having mental illness/psychiatric disability, lack of transportation for social needs, and recruitment type (MTurk) significantly predicted lower levels of social connectedness. Conclusions The study provides evidence that using alternative methods, such as MTurk, to complement conventional recruitment strategies can improve understanding of social isolation and feelings of loneliness among people with disabilities, particularly those with mental illnesses and/or psychiatric disorders who are less likely to be accessed through group affiliations, but who are at greater risk for experiencing social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
Using Covariance Structure Analysis to Model Change over Time

Publisher Summary Innovative methodologists have shown how the individual growth modeling approach can be mapped onto the general covariance structure model, providing a flexible new tool for investigating change over time called “latent growth modeling.” The chapter illustrates how individual growth modeling can be accommodated within the general framework of covariance structure analysis. The chapter explores links between these two formerly distinct conceptual arenas, laying out the mapping of one onto the other, and showing how the new approach provides a convenient way of addressing research questions about individual change. This innovative application of covariance structure analysis offers many flexible data-analytic opportunities. First, the method can accommodate any number of waves of longitudinal data. Second, the occasions of measurement need not be equally spaced. Third, individual change can be either a straight line or curvilinear. Finally, the flexibility of the general LISREL model permits extension of the analysis of change in substantively interesting ways.
Risks to Health Care Workers from Nano-Enabled Medical Products

Nanotechnology is rapidly expanding into the health care industry. However, occupational safety and health risks of nano-enabled medical products have not been thoroughly assessed. This manuscript highlights occupational risk mitigation practices for nano-enabled medical products throughout their life cycle for all major workplace settings including (1) medical research laboratories, (2) pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, (3) clinical dispensing pharmacies, (4) health care delivery facilities, (5) home health care, (6) health care support, and (7) medical waste management. It further identifies critical research needs for ensuring worker protection in the health care industry.
Improvement of efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by reduction of internal resistance

In order to elevate conversion efficiency, the series-internal resistance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was investigated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement based on an equivalent circuit of DSCs. It was found that series-internal resistance correlates negatively with the roughness factor of the platinum counter electrode and positively with the thickness of the electrolyte layer. A cell sensitized with a black dye with series-internal resistance of 1.8 /spl Omega/cm/sup 2/ was fabricated and showed conversion efficiency of 10.2%, which was confirmed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, Japan).
Privacy in the Digital Age: Fact or Fiction?

This paper examines the history, drivers, issues, and various legal approaches to protecting privacy (unified and sector) with a focus on the United States, and to a large degree on data privacy. A determination is made whether either approach affords the individual privacy in the digital age. The paper examines specific risks as well as fundamental challenges facing the privacy paradigm.
Role of Amyloid‐β in Alzheimer's Disease

Irrespective of whether one comes from a diagnostic, a genetic or a pathologic perspective, amyloid-β is both at the forefront and in the centre of the minds of those involved in the study of Alzheimer's disease. The ‘Amyloid-β Cascade Hypothesis’ is the dominant theory touted currently as being responsible for pathogenesis of the disease. However, as with any theory, the role of amyloid-β is not without its detractors. To encapsulate the arguments from both sides in this issue of the International Journal of Experimental Pathology, we have been fortunate to garnish reviews from some of the foremost thought leaders in the field. It is, we hope, clearly evident from the scholarly contributions from these authors that this topic has attracted some of the most innovative of research groups internationally. Their work is much in demand, and therefore as editors, we are privileged that these investigators have agreed to participate in the special issue. We are also grateful to the Editor-in-Chief, Professor David Katz, for facilitating the opportunity to publish the series of papers in the International Journal of Experimental Pathology.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Proarrhythmia: Weathering the Storm

In patients with significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and congestive heart failure despite optimal medical therapy, implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) devices has been shown to improve symptoms and diminish ventricular tachyarrhythmia susceptibility. We describe the case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy who developed ventricular tachycardia storm (VTS) one month after the implantation of a CRT-D device. VTS was initially controlled with pharmacotherapy, allowing the patient to continue with biventricular pacing. Two months later the patient was readmitted due to multiple episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. VTS was refractory to various intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs and it was finally controlled only when LV pacing was turned off. In patients with heart failure treated with CRT-D, VTS can occur and is best managed by turning off LV pacing. Our report raises an important and concerning issue of biventricular pacing causing ‘proarrhythmia’ in rare instances.
The many causes of headache. Migraine, vascular, drug-induced, and more.

Accurate diagnosis of headache can be challenging when the pain pattern and the source are not immediately recognized. The most common types of headache are primary (i.e., migraine, tension-type, and cluster). In addition, many secondary causes of head pain have been identified. Dr Levin reviews the major types of headache as categorized by the International Headache Society and provides a list of red flags that may signal a secondary headache.
MISINCORPORATION AND MISPAIRED PRIMER EXTENSION BY HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE

Abstract Pre-steady-state methods were used to study the fidelity of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase. Fidelity of DNA-directed DNA synthesis can be attributed to a 1-2 order of magnitude reduction in affinity for noncomplementary dNTPs, and a 1-4 order of magnitude reduction in the rate of the conformational change that limits the rate of nucleotide addition. Affinities of reverse transcriptase for paired or mispaired primer termini are similar. Discrimination against a mispaired primer is due to reduction in affinity for the next dNTP and reduction in rate of extension. Extension of mispaired termini proceeds 20-700-fold faster than the rate of dissociation of reverse transcriptase from the primer-template and is 2-3 orders of magnitude more frequent than nucleotide misincorporation. The rate-limiting step for extension of a mispaired terminus occurs at the conformational change or chemical step, depending on the nature of the mispair. Presence of a mismatch at the 3' penultimate position reduces pyrophosphorolysis of the primer by a factor of 10(3), indicating that mispairs 5' to the site of chemistry can also affect catalysis.
Compressive optical imaging using wavelength dependent scattering

We demonstrate 2D compressive image reconstruction from wavelength-defined illumination patterns generated by wavelength-dependent scattering from a single-mode fiber with a TiO 2 -tip.
Collaborative Approach to Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Care

SUMMARY The cost of treating breast cancer patients continues to riseand is especially evident when treating advanced stages ofdisease. Outcomes are improving and even patients withdisseminated disease are living longer (Elder et al. , 2006).However, too many women still die of breast cancer everyyear – greater than 40000 in the United States alone (Smigal SurgeryRadiationChemotherapyHormone therapyTargeted therapies Figure 5 Breast cancer treatment involves multiple strategies and, there-fore, relies on continued, effective communication between multiple medicalspecialities. et al. , 2006). This emphasizes the need for early detectionand treatment. By gathering specialists involved in allaspects of breast cancer from surgery to psycho-social, andunifying them with an outcome-based, data-driven, qualityimprovement model with the patient as the central focus,multidisciplinary management will be able to transcend thelimitations imposed by traditional decentralized care. Adynamic infrastructure is required to support such a systemthat expects open communication between all team members.Integral to its success will be tools such as multidisciplinarytumour board, translational research, clinical trials, shareddecision-making, and data collection for improving outcomesand quality. Furthermore, multidisciplinary management isimportant for teaching students, physicians, administrators,patients, and community members throughout the process.
Development of piezoelectric bending actuators with embedded piezoelectric sensors for micromechanical flapping mechanisms

This paper presents the fabrication and the testing of piezoelectric unimorph actuators with embedded piezoelectric sensors which are meant to be used for the actuation of the Micromechanical Flying Insect (MFI). First the fabrication process of a piezoelectric bending actuator comprising a standard unimorph and a rigid extension is described together with the advantages of adding such an extension. Then the convenience of obtaining an embedded piezoelectric sensor by a simple and inexpensive variation of the fabrication process is pointed out. A model for the sensor embedded into a unimorph actuator with rigid extension is derived together with its flat response band limits. Calibration steps are also outlined which allow, despite residual parasitic actuator-sensor coupling, the use of the actuator with the embedded sensor for measuring position and inertial forces when external mechanical structures are driven. An experiment is carried out which validates the model for the actuator/sensor device under desired operating conditions. Preliminary application of the fabricated device to the MFI is also presented where the mechanical power fed into the wing is estimated.
Issues associated with assessing nuclear localization of N-terminally unphosphorylated β-catenin with monoclonal antibody 8E7

Background β-catenin is a dual function adhesion/transcriptional co-activator protein, and both functions are critical for normal tissue homeostasis. Since the transcriptional functions of β-catenin are more often implicated in various disease processes, there is much interest in the development and use of reagents to interrogate spatial and temporal evidence of β-catenin nuclear signaling in cells and tissues. An important study demonstrated that the signaling form of β-catenin is specifically unphosphorylated at residues S37 and T41, and suggested that this form exhibits a propensity for cytosolic/nuclear accumulation relative to the total pool of β-catenin.
Glycosylation of the major polar tube protein of Encephalitozoon cuniculi

To infect their host cells the Microsporidia use a unique invasion organelle, the polar tube complex. During infection, the organism is injected into the host cell through the hollow polar tube formed during spore germination. Currently, three proteins, PTP1, PTP2, and PTP3 have been identified by immunological and molecular techniques as being components of this structure. Genomic data suggests that Microsporidia are capable of O-linked, but not N-linked glycosylation as a post-translational protein modification. Cells were infected with Encephalitozoon cunicuili, labeled with radioactive mannose or glucosamine, and the polar tube proteins were examined for glycosylation. PTP1 was clearly demonstrated to be mannosylated consistent with 0-glycosylation. In addition, it was evident that several other proteins were mannosylated, but no labeling was seen with glucosamine. The observed post-translational mannosylation of PTP1 may be involved in the functional properties of the polar tube, including its adherence to host cells during penetration.
Translating heart failure guidelines into clinical practice: Clinical science and the art of medicine

The rapid growth of medical knowledge during the past few decades has created many potential advances in the therapeutics of chronic disease, and cardiovascular disease has been at the center of this phenomenon. Translation of these advances into everyday care of patients with chronic disease continues to be problematic. Guideline development has emerged as a major strategy to improve utilization of new and existing therapeutic modalities of proven benefit. To be effective, practice guidelines must not only clearly delineate which therapies are efficacious, but also consider the many practical aspects necessary for implementation of specific therapeutics in the actual care of patients. In this way, both the art and the science of medicine can be employed to obtain better patient outcomes in cardiovascular diseases long associated with severe mortality, morbidity, and poor quality of life. This review examines the difficulties inherent in translating new advances into standards of care. The recent guideline process for a specific chronic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, is used for illustration of the translation process.
Effect of the Nucleation Conditions on the Polarity of AlN and GaN Films Grown on C-face 6H–SiC

The metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of AlN and GaN on C-face 6H–SiC was investigated. Similar to the procedure on Si-face SiC, GaN films were fabricated in a two-step process, where first a thin AlN base layer was deposited prior to the growth of the main GaN layer. Polarity conversion from the expected N-polar AlN and GaN to Al-polar AlN and Ga-polar GaN films was observed when the AlN base layers were deposited using a low ammonia to trimethylaluminum ratio of 250 during growth. The properties of the resulting Ga-face GaN-films were similar to those grown on Si-face SiC. Hexagonal surface features were seen on the N-polar AlN and GaN films obtained with a high V/III-ratio during AlN growth.
Association of human chromosome 14 with a ts defect in G1 of Chinese hamster K12 cells.

Abstract Somatic cell hybrids between human lymphoblastoid cells (Raji) and temperature-sensitive Chinese hamster cells (K12) were selected from monolayer cultures in MEM at 40 °C. A total of 21 hybrid clones were isolated and karyotyped. All clones contained a near complete set of Chinese hamster chromosomes and 1 to 5 human chromosomes. Human chromosome 14 was present in the hybrid cells of all clones; and was the only human chromosome retained in 10 clones. The presence of human chromosome 14 in hybrids was further confirmed by the demonstration of human nucleoside phosphorylase activity in the hybrid cells. Only one hybrid clone was positive for EBNA, the Epstein-Barr virus antigen present in Raji cells. These findings indicate that human chromosome 14 contains the necessary information for the K12 cells to overcome their G1 defect in the cell cycle and grow at non-permissive temperature. The present study lends strong support to the possibility that different steps in the G1 phase of the cell cycle are controlled by genes located on different chromosomes.
Diurnal variations in planetary boundary-layer winds over land

Windsonde data gathered over a nine-year period at three stations in the Southeast U.S. are stratified by season and by time of observation to provide average profiles depicting the diurnal variations in low-level winds. Significant variations are found (especially during the summer months) in wind speed, angle between wind direction and isobars, and the various terms of the kinetic energy budget equation.
Leo Strauss and the Defense of Western Civilization

Abstract To Father Ernest Fortin: [The] highest achievement … of theology's handmaiden is to show that the arguments leveled against divine revelation are not compelling or demonstrably true.1 To the extent that we are now in the midst of the so-called “clash of civilizations,” it may be noteworthy that a major controversy—scholarly and journalistic––has emerged over the bearing of Leo Strauss on the defense of the West. This article explores the roots of the controversy as found in his “The Mutual Influence of Theology and Philosophy,” which raises and answers two questions: what is Western Civilization and is it worthy of defense? It is claimed that the very foundation of Western Civilization is constituted at its core by the twin pillars of revelation and Socratic philosophizing; and that the West merits life only if both of its pillars are defendable by reason against rational attack. In what follows, I attempt to trace Strauss's dialectical defense of the West by means of his demonstration of the irr...
Caregiver Symptom Burden: The Risk of Caring for an Underserved Patient With Advanced Cancer

BACKGROUND: The growing diversity of the population of the United States and the high burden of cancer-related symptoms reflect the need for caregiver research within underserved groups. In this longitudinal study, the authors assessed changes in symptom severity in caregivers and underserved minority patients diagnosed with advanced solid tumors who were being treated at public hospitals. METHODS: A total of 85 matched patient-caregiver dyads completed the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory 3 times during 20 weeks of chemotherapy. At each time point, symptom severity and interference with daily activities were assessed. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to classify caregivers into high-symptom or low-symptom burden groups. RESULTS: Sadness and distress were more prevalent among caregivers (P = .005). Symptom burden remained stable among caregivers in the high-symptom group (40%), whereas the low-symptom group (60%) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease over time. Multivariate analysis found being a family-member caregiver (adjusted odds ratio [ADJ-OR], 4.1; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.4-11.6) and caring for a highly symptomatic patient (ADJ-OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 1.5-41.4), rather than race, ethnicity, or sociodemographic characteristics, were significant predictors of the caregiver's membership in the high-symptom burden group. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 40% of the caregivers in the current study were found to be at an increased risk for moderate to severe sadness and distress, which remained severe throughout the patient's treatment course at public hospitals. To the authors' knowledge, this study marks the first time that the concept of symptom burden has been used to measure caregiver burden, and the first time that symptom burden has been measured and documented in dyads of caregivers and underserved minority patients. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The complete multi-ζ electric dipole moment matrix of π-(C6H6) Cr(CO)3 and tests of semi-empirical MO models

First, we evaluated the complete electric dipole moment matrixeZ using a multi-ζ AO basis on Cr, C, and O centers fortheimportant, parent organometallic molecule π-C6H6Cr(CO)3. Second, we generated ground state LCAO-MO eigenvectors employing five commonly used semi-empirical procedures for molecules of this size which contain transition metals. Transformation of operator matrixeZ into the MO space of each of the five methods then leads us to conclude that the empirical input of Basch, Viste and Gray is most suitable. Finally, we compare the merits of several single-ζ basis orbitals with the multi-ζ metal orbitals.[/p]
The US Bureau of Reclamation's research programs in water treatment and desalting technologies

Abstract This paper discusses a brief history of desalting research within the Department of the Interior, Office of Saline Water and the Office of Water Research and Technology, as well as the current desalting research programs within the Bureau of Reclamation. An overview is provided on the research that has been accomplished under Reclamation's Yuma Desalting Research Program over the past 12 years, as well as its Water Treatment Technology Program over the past 2 years. Information is also presented on specific on-going desalting research projects. These include a report published on “National Desalting and Water Treatment Needs Survey”, an RO pilot plant being tested to recover groundwater while using the reject flow for a wetlands project; cost-shared studies on improved performance and cost of membranes, membrane fouling, biocides, desalting cogeneration systems, nanofiltration systems, freeze desalination, an improved RO pumping and energy recovery system, a mobile water treatment pilot plant, as well as a “Desalting and Water Treatment Membrane Manual” that has been published on the latest state-of-the-art membranes.
The distribution of subsidized agricultural credit in Brazil: do interest groups matter?

This article examines the unequal distribution of credit and credit subsidies in the Brazilian agricultural sector from 1969 to 1990. Total credit subsidies exceeded US$ 40 billion in this period. The distribution across crops is studied econometrically. After controlling for area, the crops that benefited most had superior access to credit institutions, were tradeable, had high prices, and were not perennials. Proxies for collective action by crop were an unimportant determinant of credit policy, while a bias in favour of large producers was evident. Alternative explanations for this bias are discussed, including collective action by farm size and transaction costs in lending.
Caching techniques for rapid provisioning of virtual servers in cloud environment

Provisioning a virtual server instance in cloud goes through an elaborate workflow, characterized by user request submission, search for the requested image template in image repository, transfer of the template file to compute hosts, followed by expansion and boot up. Optimizing any step in this workflow is crucial in reducing the service time. In this work, we focus on reducing average service time by masking the template file transfer time from repository, and preparing a VM instance beforehand to service a request instantaneously. We use a strategy of pre-provisioning multiple VM instances from different templates. The instances to be pre-provisioned are determined based on request history. We show the benefits of our method using request trace from an enterprise grade cloud environment. Simulation results show more than 50% improvement in reducing average service time while delivering a server instance.
Temporal and Spectral Cues for Musical Timbre Perception in Electric Hearing

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate musical timbre perception in cochlear-implant (CI) listeners using a multidimensional scaling technique to derive a timbre space. Methods Sixtee...
High-Speed VLSI Digital Filtering

K.S. Arun and D.R. WagnerUniversity of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign, Coordinated Science Laboratory1101 W. Springfield Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801ABSTRACTThis paper is a study of block structures for high -throughput digital filtering. These structures achieve high throughputrates by using a large number of processors working in parallel. In this paper, we investigate their finite -precision behavior,and show how finite wordlength errors can make a nominally time -invariant filter into a time -varying system. To avoid thisproblem, we develop a new high -throughput structure that does not suffer from the time -varying behavior normally induced inblock structures as a result of parameter quantization.1. INTRODUCTIONBlock structures for recursive (or IIR) digital filters have been around for some time. They were developed as early as1971 by Burrus [1], and a complete round -off noise analysis was presented by Barnes and Shinnaka in 1980 [2]. As a result ofthe big strides made in in the last decade in integrated circuit technology, and the accompanying reduction in cost and physicalsize of hardware, there has been a resurgence of interest in these high -speed filter structures [3]. Another factor motivating thisrenewed interest is the tremendous growth in the size and complexity of today's signal processing problems and algorithms.VLSI has made block structures technologically feasible, and modern signal and image processing has made them necessary.
Small angle X-ray scattering measurement of porosity in wood following pyrolysis

Changes in the submicroscopic porosity in southern pine latewood resulting from pyrolysis at temperatures through 600°C were measured using small-angle X-ray scattering. Two types of scattering curves were observed: the first was obtained for wood and for less intense heat treatment; and the second, for samples heated above 300°C. This change was found to be associated with the thermal degradation of crystalline cellulose in the sample. Specific surfaces and the average dimensions of macropores and micropores were calculated from the second type of scattering curve. The specific surface was found to increase from 1.2 to 2.3 m2/gm as the temperature and heating time increased. The average dimensions of the macropores calculated from the scattering curves was about 15 nm. The first effect of heating sufficiently to decompose the crystalline cellulose was found to be the production of micropores with average diameters of about 0.7 nm. Micropore volume increased from 0.06 cm3/gm for the lower heating temperatures to about 0.13 cm3/gm for samples heated to 600°C. The average micropore dimension increased as the temperature was raised and the samples were heated for longer times.
Cyclic Lean Reduction of NO by CO in Excess H2O on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al2O3: Elucidating Mechanistic Features and Catalyst Performance

This study provides insight into the mechanistic and performance features of the cyclic reduction of NOx by CO in the presence and absence of excess water on a Pt–Rh/Ba/Al2O3 NOx storage and reduction catalyst. At low temperatures (150–200 °C), CO is ineffective in reducing NOx due to self-inhibition while at temperatures exceeding 200 °C, CO effectively reduces NOx to main product N2 (selectivity >70 %) and byproduct N2O. The addition of H2O at these temperatures has a significant promoting effect on NOx conversion while leading to a slight drop in the CO conversion, indicating a more efficient and selective lean reduction process. The appearance of NH3 as a product is attributed either to isocyanate (NCO) hydrolysis and/or reduction of NOx by H2 formed by the water gas shift chemistry. After the switch from the rich to lean phase, second maxima are observed in the N2O and CO2 concentrations versus time, in addition to the maxima observed during the rich phase. These and other product evolution trends provide evidence for the involvement of NCOs as important intermediates, formed during the CO reduction of NO on the precious metal components, followed by their spillover to the storage component. The reversible storage of the NCOs on the Al2O3 and BaO and their reactivity appears to be an important pathway during cyclic operation on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al2O3 catalyst. In the absence of water the NCOs are not completely reacted away during the rich phase, which leads to their reaction with NO and O2 upon switching to the subsequent lean phase, as evidenced by the evolution of N2, N2O and CO2. In contrast, negligible product evolution is observed during the lean phase in the presence of water. This is consistent with a rapid hydrolysis of NCOs to NH3, which results in a deeper regeneration of the catalyst due in part to the reaction of the NH3 with stored NOx. The data reveal more efficient utilization of CO for reducing NOx in the presence of water which further underscores the NCO mechanism. Phenomenological pathways based on the data are proposed that describes the cyclic reduction of NOx by CO under dry and wet conditions.
Calcium oxalate stone morphology: fine tuning our therapeutic distinctions.

AbstractPurpose: We determined specific radiographic morphological patterns of crystallographically analyzed pure and mixed calcium oxalate dihydrate and calcium oxalate monohydrate urinary calculi.Materials and Methods: A total of 86 greater than 1 cm. calculi crystallographically analyzed as pure calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate or admixtures of the 2 types was studied to determine whether various forms of calcium oxalate differed in radiographic morphology.Results: Four distinct radiographic patterns could be identified by plain film roentgenography: group 1--14 patients with smooth edged, homogeneously dense calculi, some with dentate shapes (12 had pure calcium oxalate monohydrate stones), group 2--33 with multinodular calculi with irregular edges and variegated areas of more and less radiodensity (32 had greater than 60 percent calcium oxalate monohydrate), group 3--33 with a uniform, stippled pattern, often with identifiable radial striations, and with a larger amount of calci...
Examining the relationship between routine activities theory and social disorganization: An analysis of property crime victimization

A property crime victimization survey was conducted of households in both high and tow crime neighborhoods in one southern city. A response rate of 68.5% was obtained. The study tested the premises of both the routine activities and social disorganization theories as they contribute to the likelihood of property crime victimization at the individual level. It was found that routine activities theory explained 28% of the property crime variance in the socially disorganized area (high crime) while only explaining 11% of the same variance in the low crime area. Separate measurements were used to establish the level of social disorganization in the two geographical areas. The beta coefficients reveal that in the high crime area, those most likely to be property crime victims are white, single homeowners who are not at home from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., who have relatives living in their neighborhoods, and who interact with their neighbors. These findings lend marginal support to the routine activities model.
Synovial membrane microarthroscopy of the equine midcarpal joint.

Objective— To evaluate the value of microarthroscopy in the equine midcarpal joint using the vital stains methylene blue, trypan blue, neutral red, and Janus green B to observe components of the synovial lamina propria, vascular architecture, and synoviocytes. Study design— Experimental. Animals— Ten horses. Methods— Microarthroscopy of left and right midcarpal joints was performed with and without vital staining of the synovium. Four vital stains (methylene blue, trypan blue, neutral red, and Janus green B) were evaluated, with each stain used in 5 joints. Synovial biopsy specimens were collected from the dorsomedial and dorsolateral aspects of the joint. Results— All dyes were biocompatible. At × 60 without vital staining, synovial surface topography, vascular network, and translucency were observed. Intra-articular vital dyes improved evaluation of synovial surface topography. At × 150 with vital staining, individual synoviocytes were clearly identified with all dyes, except neutral red. Although methylene blue provided the best in vivo microscopic differentiation of the structure of the intima, trypan blue had superior retention in conventionally processed synovial biopsies. Conclusions— Methylene blue, trypan blue, neutral red, and Janus green B stains can be used safely for microarthroscopy. Good visualization of cells and vascular network can be obtained by microarthroscopy, and microarthroscopic evaluation of the synovium compares favorably with conventional histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens. Clinical relevance— Microarthroscopy may be beneficial in both research and clinical diagnosis of equine articular diseases.
The evaluation of classification techniques

The paper aims to provide objective standards for assessing classification techniques. The numerical coefficientw is developed to assess the fidelity with which one classification reproduces another. Four techniques are studied by means of a factorial experiment based onw. A non-hierarchic method is rated best of the four, whilst single linkage is judged by far the worst.
Importance of physical and hydraulic characteristics to unionid mussels: A retrospective analysis in a reach of large river

Interest in understanding physical and hydraulic factors that might drive distribution and abundance of freshwater mussels has been increasing due to their decline throughout North America. We assessed whether the spatial distribution of unionid mussels could be predicted from physical and hydraulic variables in a reach of the Upper Mississippi River. Classification and regression tree (CART) models were constructed using mussel data compiled from various sources and explanatory variables derived from GIS coverages. Prediction success of CART models for presence–absence of mussels ranged from 71 to 76% across three gears (brail, sled-dredge, and dive-quadrat) and 51% of the deviance in abundance. Models were largely driven by shear stress and substrate stability variables, but interactions with simple physical variables, especially slope, were also important. Geospatial models, which were based on tree model results, predicted few mussels in poorly connected backwater areas (e.g., floodplain lakes) and the navigation channel, whereas main channel border areas with high geomorphic complexity (e.g., river bends, islands, side channel entrances) and small side channels were typically favorable to mussels. Moreover, bootstrap aggregation of discharge-specific regression tree models of dive-quadrat data indicated that variables measured at low discharge were about 25% more predictive (PMSE = 14.8) than variables measured at median discharge (PMSE = 20.4) with high discharge (PMSE = 17.1) variables intermediate. This result suggests that episodic events such as droughts and floods were important in structuring mussel distributions. Although the substantial mussel and ancillary data in our study reach is unusual, our approach to develop exploratory statistical and geospatial models should be useful even when data are more limited.