cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negotiating Health-Related Uncertainties: Biomedical and Religious Sources of Information and Support

This article explores how people experience health-related uncertainties and how they look to biomedical and religious sources of information in response. Data were gathered in a larger project focused on spirituality in everyday life. Respondents were not asked any direct questions about their health or health care, but almost all of the 95 participants brought up the topics in response to other questions. About one-third spoke of being uncertain about some aspect of their health or healthcare. We explore the health-related topics about which people were uncertain and how they looked to biomedical and religious sources of information, most often seeing the religious as a support for the biomedical. We outline the range of ways they experienced God in this process pointing to the multiple complex ways they make sense of health-related uncertainties.
Shape memory polymers based on uniform aliphatic urethane networks

Aliphatic urethane polymers have been synthesized and characterized, using monomers with high molecular symmetry, in order to form amorphous networks with very uniform supermolecular structures which can be used as photo-thermally actuable shape memory polymers (SMPs). The monomers used include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), trimethylhexamethylenediamine (TMHDI), N,N,N{prime},N{prime}-tetrakis(hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine (HPED), triethanolamine (TEA), and 1,3-butanediol (BD). The new polymers were characterized by solvent extraction, NMR, XPS, UV/VIS, DSC, DMTA, and tensile testing. The resulting polymers were found to be single phase amorphous networks with very high gel fraction, excellent optical clarity, and extremely sharp single glass transitions in the range of 34 to 153 C. Thermomechanical testing of these materials confirms their excellent shape memory behavior, high recovery force, and low mechanical hysteresis (especially on multiple cycles), effectively behaving as ideal elastomers above T{sub g}. We believe these materials represent a new and potentially important class of SMPs, and should be especially useful in applications such as biomedical microdevices.
A method for handling free cells through critical point drying.

SUMMARY A method is described in which free cells were dehydrated in suspension, put on double-coated tape attached to a specimen stub and dried from CO2. The method provides a simple, fast means of handling free cells when using the critical point method of drying.
Development of a hand-held computer platform for real-time behavioral assessment of physicians and nurses

We developed a hand-held data collection tool to facilitate real-time collection of data on the factors that affect hospital staff performance. To assure high-yield of data from busy clinicians, the design objectives included low response burden, the ability to collect complex real-time data in dynamic work environments, and automated data integration. Iterative user-centered design of custom interfaces resulted in a dynamic intuitive platform where branching logic was applied to present a series of survey questions dependent on the participant's responses. Over a 12-month period, 304 inpatient physicians and nurses completed (with minimal initial training) a total of 11,381 survey responses. For randomly timed repeated survey prompts, complete (73%) or partial (12%) responses were obtained in a median time of 96s.
Irradiated homograft cartilage in laryngotracheal reconstruction : A preliminary experience

Summary Objective To determine the suitability of irradiated homograft cartilage in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). Methods Retrospective case series at a tertiary care children's hospital. Pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis who had LTRs performed using irradiated homograft costal cartilage. Data was collected on postoperative complications, findings at subsequent endoscopic examinations and final outcome. Results Minor degrees of graft resorption were observed that did not affect eventual decannulation. Conclusion Irradiated homograft costal cartilage can serve as a successful alternative to the traditional autologous costal cartilage in lower grades of laryngotracheal stenosis.
Lateral-field-effect optoelectronic waveguide devices employing multiquantum wells

Lateral carrier transport has been used to enhance the recovery time of bandgap resonant nonlinear transmission changes in multiple quantum well waveguide structures. Recovery times on the order of 90 ps have been measured in our samples. Such technique is applicable to all-optical and optoelectronic integrated optic switches.
Shear Localization and Comminution of Granular and Fragmented Silicon Carbide

Des echantillons de carbure de silicium pre-fragmentes et granulaires ont ete soumis a des hautes deformations a hautes vitesses par l'implosion symetrique d'un cylindre a parois epaisses. La formation de bandes de cisaillement a ete observee, indiquant que la deformation est inhomogene. Le cisaillement dans les bandes, la distance entre les bandes et l'epaisseur des bandes etaient plus faibles pour le carbure de silicium granule. Une distribution de taille de poudre bimodale a ete observee dans les bandes pour les deux materiaux. La formation de bandes de cisaillement a ete produite principalement par la fragmentation des poudres et la reorganisation des particules pulverisees. Les bandes de cisaillement dans le materiau pre-fissure sont formees par l'addition de fragments a partir des interfaces de la bande de cisaillement et par l'erosion des fragments a l'interieur de la bande de cisaillement.
Development of safety metrics using ASDE-X surveillance data for evaluation of ground collision risk

Presents a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. • Rates discounting construction provide the most accurate rate of risk of ground collision during normal operations • Second part of the study analyzed the likelihood of an airborne collision • Results delivered in November 2011 • Analysis represents an example of growing application of large scale data systems in providing quantitative support to the SRM process
Using the online catalog as a publishing source in an academic institution

SUMMARY This article reports on the Digital Library Project in 1995 a! the Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, New York. The project's goal was to deliver electronic information generated by faculty and/or university organizations through the online catalog, by providing a seamless link from a bibliographic record in the OPAC to the electronic item via the Internet. Catalysts for the project included the faculty's need to share and distribute electronic information and the library's need to reduce traffic at the Service Desk, where course materials were kept. Student can now access course-related material remotely, eliminating long lines at the Service Desk, and faculty can exchange electronic information on a secure network.
A search for centimetric wavelength emission from UV Ceti stars

Simultaneous radio and optical observations were obtained on three UV Cet flare stars: YZ CMi, AD Leo, and Wolf 424. The total simultaneous monitoring time was 33.9 hours during which time 41 optical flares were detected. Two enhancements were detected at 1420 MHz in close temporal association with optical flares, but are of uncertain validity. The results presented indicate that 1420 MHz emission during a typical stellar flare is less than 0.10 Jy.
A dynamic void growth model governed by dislocation kinetics

Abstract Here we examine the role of dislocation kinetics and substructure evolution on the dynamic growth of voids under very high strain rates, and develop a methodology for accounting for these effects in a computationally efficient manner. In particular, we account for the combined effects of relativistic dislocation drag and an evolving mobile dislocation density on the dynamics of void growth. We compare these effects to the constraints imposed by micro-inertia and discuss the conditions under which each mechanism governs the rate of void growth. The consequences of these constraints may be seen in a number of experimental observations associated with dynamic tensile failure, including the extreme rate-sensitivity of spall strength observed in laser shock experiments, an apparent anomalous temperate dependence of spall strength, and some particular features of void size distributions on spall surfaces.
Neoclassical Growth with Fixed Factor Proportions

We analyze in this paper a completely aggregated model of production in which output is produced by inputs of homogeneous labor and heterogeneous capital goods, and allocated either to consumption or to use as capital goods. Allocations are irreversible: capital goods can never be directly consumed. Fixed coefficients rule: any concrete unit of capital has a given output capacity and requires a given complement of labor. Technological progress continuously differentiates new capital goods from old. But we assume that the “ latest model ” in capital goods has no smaller capacity and no higher labor requirement than any older-model capital goods with the same reproduction cost. Thus each instant’s gross investment will take the form of the latest-model capital. There is no problem of the optimal “ depth ” of capital. The main effect of an increase in gross investment is to modernize the capital stock in use.
Computation of the theoretical autocovariance function for a vector arma process

The theoretical autocovariance function of a vector ARMA process arises in maximum likelihood estimation and forecasting of vector processes, and in the determination of the distributions of parameter estimators and residual autocorrelations in both vector and scalar processes. An algorithm for computing the theoretical autocovariances is presented, together with suggestions for its efficient implementation.
Asymmetric bending of circular plates using the finite element method

Abstract The asymmetric bending of circular plates using the finite element method is discussed. The plate bending model consists of one-dimensional circular and annular ring segments using a Fourier series approach to model the problem asymmetries. Using displacement functions which are the exact solutions of the plate bending equation, the stiffness coefficients corresponding to the 0th, 1st, and n th harmonics are presented in closed form. These stiffness coefficients, which can be readily coded into any special or general purpose structural analysis computer program, represent the exact solution to any structural model consisting of nodal displacements and forces. An example indicating the technique is presented.
Quantitative liquid jet instability measurement system using asymmetric magnification and digital image processing

A new technique for measuring the growth of instabilities on the surface of liquid jets flowing into gas is demonstrated. A collimated beam of white light illuminates the jet from behind, forming a shadow image. A pair of cylindrical lenses are arranged to provide different magnifications in the streamwise and cross-stream directions. A number of streamwise diameters and one cross-stream diameter are thus captured with maximum resolution in a single image on a charge-coupled device (CCD) electronic camera. A short-duration spark is used to freeze the jet motion. A mask representing the theoretical edge-response of the imaging system is digitally convolved with the cross-stream gray scale data to obtain sub-pixel resolution of the jet edge profile. The method is demonstrated using the well-known capillary jet instability and a ratio of streamwise to cross-stream magnifications of 40. Well-resolved single images show the development of the instability from small perturbations through the formation of the first drop. The system forms an accurate automated method of measuring the development of liquid jet instabilities. It can readily be applied to practical problems including liquid jet atomization.
Gastrocolic fistula in a 7 week old: A rare complication after gastric perforation

There are few reports of gastrocolic fistula in infancy. Our observations on the clinical course of this condition are presented. The diagnostic possibilities and surgical procedure are discussed.
Three-Dimensional Shape Recognition By Moire Correlation

This paper presents a new method for pattern recognition of 3-dimensional objects. Three dimensional objects are recognized by means of a moire contour difference technique. The technique utilizes the projection of a grating upon the object. The grating is perturbed according to the topography of the object surface; thus the perturbed grating acts as information carrier about the surface topography. The image of a master part which has been illuminated with a projected grating is stored in a negative photographic transparency, and it is used as a transmission filter when inspecting other parts. The transmitted image contains the correlation information of the part under inspection with the master part. If the two parts are identical, an autocorrelation occurs which results in a minimum level of light transmitted. If the inspected part is different from the reference part, a cross-correlation occurs which results in the presence of moire fringes and causes more light to be transmitted. Missing parts are detected by identifying the presence of moire fringes or simply detection of the level of the transmitted light and decision can be made automatically. The feasibility of the method was verified by a laboratory demonstration.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Convergent assembly of highly potent analogues of bryostatin 1 via pyran annulation: bryostatin look-alikes that mimic phorbol ester function.

Highly potent bryostatin analogues which contain the complete bryostatin core structure have been synthesized using a pyran annulation approach as a key strategic element. The A ring pyran was assembled using a pyran annulation reaction between a C1−C8 hydroxy allylsilane and an aldehyde comprising C9−C13. This pyran was transformed to a new hydroxy allylsilane and then coupled with a preformed C ring aldehyde subunit in a second pyran annulation, with concomitant formation of the B ring. This tricyclic intermediate was elaborated to bryostatin analogues which displayed nanomolar to subnanomolar affinity for PKC, but displayed properties indistinguishable from a phorbol ester in a proliferation/attachment assay.
PET of c-Met in Cancer with 64Cu-Labeled Hepatocyte Growth Factor

The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, c-Met, are actively involved in tumor progression and metastasis and are closely associated with a poor prognostic outcome for cancer patients. Thus, the development of PET agents that can assess c-Met expression would be extremely useful for diagnosing cancer and subsequently monitoring response to c-Met–targeted therapies. Here, we report the characterization of recombinant human HGF (rh-HGF) as a PET tracer for detection of c-Met expression in vivo. Methods: rh-HGF was expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. The concentrated rh-HGF was conjugated to 2-S-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid and labeled with 64Cu. c-Met binding evaluation by flow cytometry was performed on both U87MG and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, which have a high level and a low level, respectively, of c-Met. PET imaging and biodistribution studies were performed on nude mice bearing U87MG and MDA-MB-231 xenografted tumors. Results: The rh-HGF expression yield was 150–200 μg of protein per 5 × 106 cells after a 48-h transfection, with purity of approximately 85%–90%. Flow cytometry examination confirmed that rh-HGF had a strong and specific capacity to bind to c-Met. After 64Cu labeling, PET imaging revealed specific and prominent uptake of 64Cu-NOTA-rh-HGF in c-Met–positive U87MG tumors (percentage injected dose per gram, 6.8 ± 1.8 at 9 h after injection) and significantly lower uptake in c-Met–negative MDA-MB-231 tumors (percentage injected dose per gram, 1.8 ± 0.6 at 9 h after injection). The fact that sonication-denatured rh-HGF had significantly lower uptake in U87MG tumors, along with histology analysis, confirmed the c-Met specificity of 64Cu-NOTA-rh-HGF. Conclusion: This study provided initial evidence that 64Cu-NOTA-rh-HGF visualizes c-Met expression in vivo, an application that may prove useful for c-Met–targeted cancer therapy.
Determination of the hydrogen diffusion coefficient in metal hydrides by impedance spectroscopy

Cobalt coatings on metal hydrides give rise to an additional capacity due to the cobalt on the surface of the alloy. In such a case, the galvanostatic discharge technique cannot be used to measure the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the alloy. We present here an analytical impedance model of the metal hydride electrode. This simple model is used to calculate the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the metal alloy. The impedance response of cobalt microencapsulated LaNi4.27Sn0.24 electrode was measured at different hydrogen contents. From the slope of the Nyquist plot in the transition region the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen was calculated at various states of charge (SOC). It is seen that the diffusion coefficient increases with the hydrogen content in the alloy. The technique applied for cobalt encapsulated LaNi4.27Sn0.24 could however be used for any hydrogen storage alloy.
Data Center Resilience Evaluation Test-bed: Design and Implementation

Operational continuity of data centers faces challenges by experienced cyber attackers and occasional natural disasters. Assessment of a data center's resilience for complex and realistic scenarios is very important for various reasons such as: system specification, design and enhancement. Yet data center resilience evaluation is a demanding process because of the complexity of its systems and the multidimensional aspects required for a resilient system. This paper illustrates data center resilience evaluation test-bed and its monitoring system. This test-bed can provide a realistic testing environment and capable to implement multiple operating and attacking scenarios.
A sparse coding model of V1 produces surround suppression effects in response to natural scenes

While many neural coding models have been proposed for V1, it remains an open question as to which model best describes the diversity of observed response properties. For instance, the canonical linear-nonlinear model (LN) partially explains some fundamental mechanistic and phenomenological properties of V1, but is unable to explain many nonlinear response properties that are likely associated with the keys to efficient and robust human vision. For example, surround suppression is one such nonlinear response property in which visual stimuli extending beyond the classical receptive field (CRF) selectively diminish neural responses. This property has been studied through electrophysiology experiments with synthetic stimuli (e.g., gratings). Surprisingly, high level sparse coding models implemented in a biologically plausible dynamical system have been shown to produce surround suppression effects that match individual and population observed responses [3]. More recently, surround suppression has been investigated experimentally using natural stimuli, and these experiments have shown an increase in the sparsity of measured responses [1,2]. Despite these findings, it remains unclear whether a functional sparse coding model is sufficient to produce the types of surround suppression observed with natural stimuli. In this abstract, we demonstrate that the surround suppression effects recently observed with natural stimuli are also emergent properties of a sparse coding model (Figure 1).
Midterm follow-up of penetrating ulcer and intramural hematoma of the aorta

Abstract Objective: Most studies on variant forms of aortic dissection—penetrating ulcer and intramural hematoma—have focused on the initial presenting episode, with scant follow-up. This investigation provides midterm follow-up of penetrating ulcer and intramural hematoma to determine whether the aorta shows healing according to radiography, goes on to dilate, or tends to rupture during later follow-up. Methods: Forty-five patients with penetrating ulcers (n = 26) or intramural hematomas (n = 19) were treated at our institution. Ten patients with penetrating ulcers were male and 16 were female, and their ages ranged from 54 to 87 years (mean 72 years). Eight patients with intramural hematomas were male and 11 were female, and their ages ranged from 54 to 88 years (mean 74 years). These patients all had symptoms of aortic disease. Patients with incidental imaging findings were not considered. Results: In the group with penetrating ulcers, rupture occurred during the initial admission in 10 (38%) cases, 17 patients (65%) underwent surgery, and 22 patients (85%) survived to hospital discharge. Among those with intramural hematomas, rupture occurred during the initial admission in 5 cases (26%), 7 patients (37%) underwent surgery, and 16 patients (84%) survived to hospital discharge. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 12.5 years (mean 3.4 years). No ischemic vascular complications occurred. Imaging follow-up was available for 26 of the 45 patients. Of these, 19% of lesions showed resolution, 23% had worsened, 39% had progressed to typical dissection, and 19% were unchanged. Six late deaths were known to be caused by rupture. In the group with penetrating ulcers, aortic diameter increased from 4.8 to 5.1 cm during the course of 14 months. In the group with intramural hematomas, aortic diameter increased from 5.3 to 5.9 cm during the course of 21 months. Overall survivals were 80% at 1 year, 73% at 3 years, and 66% at 5 years. Conclusions: Intramural hematoma and penetrating ulcer are lesions associated with advanced age. Women predominate. Penetrating ulcer and intramural hematoma rupture both early and late. Radiographically documented worsening, improvement, or frank dissection may occur with time. Aortic growth does occur (0.2 cm per year for penetrating ulcer and 0.4 cm per year for intramural hematoma). Vascular ischemic complications do not occur. Because of the high early rupture rate, the frequency of radiographic worsening, and the documented occurrence of late rupture, we now recommend surgical replacement of the aorta for these virulent vascular lesions as long as the patient's comorbidities do not preclude surgical intervention. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:1051-9
Toward a New Paradigm for Psychiatric Diagnoses and Clinical Research in Sexology

The growing acceptance of a biopsychiatric model for women's sexual health issues and the dramatic increase of pharmaceutical industry research funding over the last decade have both contributed to ethical and professional crises in sexology and psychiatry. Although conflict of interest (COI) policies deal with some of these issues, public trust is compromised in such an industry-dominated climate. This article describes why the lack of transparency in diagnostic and clinical guidelines is an important public health issue for women, presents data about financial associations between expert members of diagnostic guidelines panels and `Big Pharma', and relates the discussion to concepts of biopower and biopolitics. One element in these developments — the overuse of diagnostic checklists — undermines an appreciation for the diversity of women's sexualities, reinforces the authority of only certain kinds of research, and privileges biomedical interventions. The authors emphasize the need for a paradigm shift,...
Close pair queries in moving object databases

Databases of moving objects are important for air traffic control, ground traffic, and battlefield configurations. We introduce the (historical and spatial) range close-pair query for moving objects as an important problem for such databases. The purpose of a range close-pair query for moving objects is to find pairs of objects that were closer than e during time interval $I$ and within spatial range R, where e, I and R are user-specified parameters.This paper solves the range close-pair query using two components: the retrieval component and the close-pair identification component. The retrieval component breaks up long trajectories into trajectory segments, which are produced in increasing time order, without the need for sorting. The retrieval component takes advantage of a new index mechanism, the Multiple TSB-tree. The segments are then pipelined to the close-pair identification component. The identification component introduces a novel spatial sweep that sweeps by time and one spatial dimension at the same time. Extensive experimental results are provided, demonstrating the advantages of the new approach when considering close pairs.
Optimal Replacement for Shock Models with General Failure Rate

A device is subject to a series of shocks which arrive as a semi-Markov process. Shocks cause damage and eventually failure will occur at the time of arrival of one of the shocks. The device must be replaced upon failure at some cost but it also can be replaced before failure at a lower cost. We consider the general case where the failure rate need not be increasing and replacement can be made at any time. The form of the optimal replacement policy is found and conditions are determined for which a control limit policy is optimal.
Lower Extremity Paralysis in a Male Preadolescent

A 12-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with bilateral lower leg sensory loss and inability to walk. The initial work-up revealed no significant abnormalities on physical examination other than bilateral paralysis and no laboratory abnormalities. The inpatient work-up included neurologic, psychiatric, and psycho-logic evaluations. The patient was diagnosed with a conversion disorder, and treatment included relaxation exercises and guided imagery as well as antidepressants. Upon discharge, the patient was walking without assistance. Follow-up therapy was initiated for stress and behavior management. No further episodes have occurred. Diagnosis, therapy options, and outcomes of conversion disorder are further discussed as they relate to treatment by general pediatricians.
Death Anxiety in a National Sample of United States Funeral Directors and its Relationship with Death Exposure, Age, and Sex:

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the level of death anxiety among a national sample of United States funeral directors with varying levels of death exposure, age, an...
Globalization and Protest Expansion

Evidence of protest expansion both in the United States and abroad has stimulated theoretical discussion of a “movement society,” with some arguing that protest activities are becoming a standard feature of democratic politics. In advancing this claim, many have highlighted the role of domestic factors—for example, generational change or economic affluence—without fully accounting for the possibility that international dynamics may play an important role as well. The lack of work is surprising not only because the trend in protest is international in scope, but also because work in comparative sociology suggests globalization may make an important contribution. This study addresses the empirical gap by examining how political globalization (as measured by memberships in international organizations) and economic globalization (as measured by trade activity and foreign investment) influence trends in protest participation. Using data from World Values Surveys of 37,716 respondents in 17 advanced democracies merged with data on several national and international indicators, this study examines how the probability of participating in protest has changed over time as a result of these two forms of globalization. The results of multivariate, multilevel analysis combined with simulations indicate that trends in political globalization have expanded protest activity, while trends in economic globalization have limited that expansion. These results suggest that social movement scholarship should continue to examine the implications of globalization for protest behavior and other social movement dynamics.
Advances in plasma skin regeneration

Plasma skin regeneration (PSR) is a novel method of resurfacing that uses plasma energy to create a thermal effect on the skin. PSR is different from lasers, light sources, and ablative lasers in that it is not chromophore dependent and does not vaporize tissue, but leaves a layer of intact, desiccated epidermis that acts as a natural biologic dressing and promotes wound healing and rapid recovery. Histological studies performed on plasma resurfacing patients have confirmed continued collagen production, reduction of elastosis, and progressive skin rejuvenation beyond 1 year after treatment. PSR has received US Food and Drug Administration 510 (k) clearance for treatment of rhytides of the body, superficial skin lesions, actinic keratoses, viral papillomata, and seborrheic keratoses. PSR also has beneficial effects in the treatment of other conditions including dyschromias, photoaging, skin laxity, and acne scars. The safety profile of PSR is excellent, and there have been no reports of demarcation lines in perioral, periorbital, or jawline areas, as can sometimes be observed following CO2 resurfacing. PSR is effective in improving facial and periorbital rhytides and can be used on nonfacial sites, including the hands, neck, and chest. Numerous treatment protocols with variable energy settings allow for individualized treatments and provide the operator with fine control over the degree of injury and length of subsequent recovery time.
Alcaligin Siderophore Production by Bordetella bronchiseptica Strain RB50 Is Not Repressed by the BvgAS Virulence Control System

A previous study found that alcaligin siderophore production by Bordetella bronchiseptica strain RB50 is Bvg repressed. In contrast, we report that alcaligin production by RB50 does not require Bvg phenotypic phase modulation and that isogenic Bvg(Con) and Bvg(-) phase-locked mutants both produce alcaligin in response to iron starvation.
Exploring biological network structure using exponential random graph models

Motivation: The functioning of biological networks depends in large part on their complex underlying structure. When studying their systemic nature many modeling approaches focus on identifying simple, but prominent, structural components, as such components are easier to understand, and, once identified, can be used as building blocks to succinctly describe the network. Results: In recent social network studies, exponential random graph models have been used extensively to model global social network structure as a function of their ‘local features’. Starting from those studies, we describe the exponential random graph models and demonstrate their utility in modeling the architecture of biological networks as a function of the prominence of local features. We argue that the flexibility, in terms of the number of available local feature choices, and scalability, in terms of the network sizes, make this approach ideal for statistical modeling of biological networks. We illustrate the modeling on both genetic and metabolic networks and provide a novel way of classifying biological networks based on the prevalence of their local features. Contact: saul@cs.ucdavis.edu
Prevalence and treatment patterns of psoriatic arthritis in the UK

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of PsA in The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a large population-based medical records database in the UK, to examine factors associated with prevalent PsA among patients with psoriasis and to describe the use of DMARDs in patients with PsA. METHODS: Two cohorts were derived from THIN to examine the prevalence of PsA in a cross-sectional study among all patients aged 18-90 years and among a subcohort of 4900 psoriasis patients aged 45-65 years. Prescription codes were used to describe therapies after the diagnosis of PsA. Associations for prevalent PsA among psoriasis patients were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 4.8 million patients in THIN between the ages of 18 and 90 years, 9045 patients had at least one medical code for PsA, giving an overall prevalence of 0.19% (95% CI 0.19%, 0.19%). Of those patients, 45.9% with PsA have been prescribed DMARDs. Among the 4064 confirmed psoriasis patients, the prevalence of PsA was 8.6% (95% CI 7.7%, 9.5%). PsA was more prevalent among patients with severe psoriasis [odds ratio (OR) 3.34; 95% CI 2.40, 4.65], obesity (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.30, 2.41) and duration of psoriasis for ≥10 years (OR 7.42; 95% CI 3.86, 14.25) in the fully adjusted model. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PsA in THIN is consistent with previous population-based estimates. Limitations include a definition of PsA based on a diagnostic code rather than Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. Given the large population of PsA patients, THIN is an important resource for the study of PsA.
Identification of a potent herbal molecule for the treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BCa)-related mortality still remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Patients with BCa have increasingly shown resistance and high toxicity to current chemotherapeutic drugs for which identification of novel targeted therapies are required. To determine the effect of PDBD on BCa cells, estrogen-receptor positive (ER+)-MCF-7 and estrogen-receptor negative (ER-)-MDA 231 cells were treated with PDBD and the cell viability, apoptotic, cell cycle, Western blot and Promoter assays were performed. PDBD inhibits cell viability of ER+ and ER- BCa cells by inducing apoptosis without causing significant toxicity in normal breast epithelial cells. While dissecting the mechanism of action of PDBD on BCa, we found that PDBD inhibits Akt signaling and its downstream targets such as NF-κB activation, IAP proteins and Bcl-2 expression. On the other hand, activation of JNK/p38 MAPK-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling was observed in both ER+ and ER- BCa cells. These findings suggest that PDBD may have wide therapeutic application in the treatment of BCa.
A hierarchical method for aligning warped meshes

Current alignment algorithms for registering range data captured from a 3D scanner assume that the range data depicts identical geometry taken from different views. However, in the presence of scanner calibration errors, the data will be slightly warped. These warps often cause current alignment algorithms to converge slowly, find the wrong alignment, or even diverge. We present a method for aligning warped range data represented by polygon meshes. Our strategy can be characterized as a coarse-to-fine hierarchical approach, where we assume that since the warp is global, we can compensate for it by treating each mesh as a collection of smaller piecewise rigid sections, which can translate and rotate with respect to each other. We split the meshes subject to several constraints, in order to ensure that the resulting sections converge reliably.
Regularity in Sensor Networks

We motivate the need for a metric to characterize the regularity of node placement in sensor networks. Practical metrics are proposed and evaluated for different stationary point process models
Effects of dietary supplementation of rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid in dairy cows during established lactation.

Abstract Short-term studies ( trans -10, cis -12 CLA have demonstrated that supplements of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) reduce milk fat synthesis during established lactation in dairy cows. Our objective was to assess longer term effects of supplementation during established lactation using a dietary supplement of rumen-protected CLA. Thirty Holstein cows were blocked by parity and received a dietary fat supplement of either Ca-salts of palm oil fatty acids (control) or a mixture of Ca-salts of palm oil fatty acids plus Ca-salts of CLA (CLA treatment). Supplements provided about 90 g/d of fatty acids and were topdressed on the TMR. The CLA supplement provided 30.4 g/d of CLA in which the predominant isomers were: trans -8, cis -10 (9.2%), cis -9, trans -11 (25.1%), trans -10, cis -12 (28.9%), and cis -11, trans -13 (16.1%). All cows were pregnant; treatments were initiated on d 79 of pregnancy (∼ 200 d prepartum) and continued for 140 d until dry off. Twenty-three cows completed the study; those receiving CLA supplement had a lower milk fat test (2.90 versus 3.80%) and a 23% reduction in milk fat yield (927 versus 1201 g/d). Intake of DM, milk yield, and the yield and content of true protein and lactose in milk were unaffected by treatment. Milk fat analysis indicated that the CLA supplement reduced the secretion of fatty acids of all chain lengths. However, effects were proportionally greater on short and medium chain fatty acids, thereby causing a shift in the milk fatty acid composition to a greater content of longer-chain fatty acids. Changes in body weight gain, body condition score, and net energy balance were not significant and imply no differences in cows fed the CLA supplement in replenishment of body reserves in late lactation. Likewise, maintenance of pregnancy, gestation length, and calf birth weight were unaffected by treatment. Overall, feeding a dietary supplement of rumen-protected CLA to pregnant cows over the last 140 d of the lactation cycle resulted in a marked reduction in milk fat content and yield, and a shift in milk fatty acid composition, but other milk components, DMI, maintenance of pregnancy, and cow well-being were unaffected.
Linear and Quadratic Associations of Plasma Oxytocin With Depressive Symptoms in Ethnic Minority Women Living With HIV

The current study examines both linear and curvilinear relationships between oxytocin (OT) and depressive symptoms over time in ethnic minority women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; WLWH). Participants were 70 WLWH aged 20-49 (86% African-American or Caribbean). OT was measured at baseline via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoassay procedures. Depressive symptoms were measured at both baseline and 10-week post-baseline via the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Multiple regression analyses revealed marginal linear and significant quadratic OT terms to be predictors of T2 BDI scores. Results indicate that to a point, OT may have salutary effects on depressive symptoms in ethnic minority WLWH. However, extremely high OT levels may be related to greater depressive symptoms.
The fission yeast cdc19 + gene encodes a member of the MCM family of replication proteins

We have cloned and characterized the fission yeast cdc19+ gene. We demonstrate that it encodes a structural homologue of the budding yeast MCM2 protein. In fission yeast, the cdc19+ gene is constitutively expressed, and essential for viability. Deletion delays progression through S phase, and cells arrest in the first cycle with an apparent 2C DNA content, with their checkpoint control intact. The temperature-sensitive cdc19-P1 mutation is synthetically lethal with cdc21-M68. In addition, we show by classical and molecular genetics that cdc19+ is allelic to the nda1+ locus. We conclude that cdc19p plays a potentially conserved role in S phase.
Predicting perceived police effectiveness in public housing: police contact, police trust, and police responsiveness

ABSTRACTPublic housing authorities have implemented banishment policies giving police the authority to ban non-residents from public housing and arrest them for trespassing upon violating the ban. Scholars argue that banishment expands police powers because authorities need little reason to ban non-residents, are beyond judicial review, and can lead to racially disparate enforcement. However, it is unclear whether community policing may be able to mediate the negative effects of banishment, by building police trust, and still allow residents to perceive the police and banishment as effective. This study presents survey data from 221 public housing households in a Southeastern US city policed under banishment and community policing strategies. Regression analysis is used to test whether police contact, police trust, or police responsiveness can predict whether residents view the police as effective even in neighbourhoods where banishment is a commonly used policing tactic. Results indicate police trust and...
Bias and accuracy in judging sexism in mixed-gender social interactions

This research examined bias and accuracy in judging hostile and benevolent sexism during mixed-gender interactions. Bias is defined as underestimation or overestimation of a partner’s sexism. Accur...
Electroencephalographic α-band and β-band correlates of perspective-taking and personal distress.

Perspective-taking and personal distress are argued to play contrasting roles in empathic processing, with perspective-taking promoting empathic concern and personal distress promoting egoistic motivations. Previous research has shown that emotionally negative valence imagery induced a and b power changes relative to neutral imagery and that a activity relates inversely to empathy. We therefore investigated the hypothesis that enhanced b is associated with personal distress and is accompanied by a correlation between a and perspective-taking. Participants viewed negative and neutral valence images from the International Affective Picture System and made judgments about their levels of concern for humans in each image. As predicted, greater b enhancement was associated with higher personal distress, whereas greater a-band suppression was associated with lower perspective-taking abilities. We suggest that these data support Batson’s Empathy–Altruism hypothesis in which failure to adopt another person’s perspective is related to greater personal distress. NeuroReport 22:744–748 c 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. NeuroReport 2011, 22:744–748
Black Justice Under White Law: Criminal Prosecutions of Blacks in Antebellum South Carolina

1HESE two observers of antebellum South Carolina society held sharply contrasting views of the position of blacks accused of crimes. James Henry Hammond represented the planter-aristocracy, satisfied with nothing less than total dominance over the servile class, confident that fairness and compassion resided more in the slaveholder than in the judiciary. James Stirling trusted the emotionless rigidity of law and lamented its unequal application. The relationship of the slave and free black to the criminal law raises questions. Were blacks protected by it? Was plantation justice the dominant mode of dealing with slave criminality? And, what sort of fate awaited the black defendant who did end up in court, particularly if that institution were indeed no sanctuary? The position of the black defendant in South Carolina cannot be understood apart from the state's legal system. Justice for whites was mixed at best. The combination of archaic laws, penalties far in excess of popular
Simulation of the continuous parametric identification of an accelerating aeroelastic system

The influence of longitudinal acceleration on the characteristics of an aeroelastic system are investigated in this paper. Using numerical simulation for a typical wing section, we show that for longitudinal accelerations that are typically achieved by aircraft, the aeroelastic characteristics in accelerated flight are comparable to those in stabilized flight conditions. This suggests that flutter testing could be performed in accelerated flight, thereby reducing the cost and risk involved in determining the aeroelastic behavior of aircraft.
Cell Cycle Kinetics in Rat Prostatic Epithelia: Nuclear Migration During G2 Phase

Proliferative events in luminal epithelial cells of the rat ventral prostate were studied in 2 experiments. In experiment 1 a longitudinal survey of the rat prostate was conducted between 22 and 88 days of age. The pattern of temporal changes in the weight of the ventral prostate paralleled that of the testis, an observation consistent with the knowledge that the prostate is an androgen target organ. However, the total number of mitotic cells per prostate showed a biphasic pattern of distribution. The count was high (82 per prostate) in the prostate of 22-day-old rats and it decreased to a low value (25 per prostate) by age 30 days, a period corresponding to the onset of puberty in rats. The total mitotic count per prostate increased gradually and reached a peak (85 per prostate) around age 60 days when it started to decline gradually despite a continuous increase in prostatic weight. In experiment 2 cell cycle parameters of these cells were determined in young adult rats (age 70 days or 250 gm. body weight) by an in vivo 3H-thymidine pulse-chase approach. The apparent duration of various phases of the cell cycle was estimated as G1--11.5 hours, S--6.5 hours, G2--3.0 hours, M--2.0 hours and total cell cycle--23 hours. The fraction of cells in the S phase was 2.1%, which was extrapolated to give rise to a total growth fraction of 7.4%. In addition, it was noted that there was a migration of the nucleus from the base toward the apex of the epithelial cells during the G2 phase of the cell cycle in preparation for cell mitosis. Following mitosis nuclei of the 2 daughter cells returned to the usual basal position. These parameters will be used as basis of our future kinetic studies in the rat prostate.
Using statistical learning to close two-fluid multiphase flow equations for bubbly flows in vertical channels

Abstract Data generated by direct numerical simulations (DNS) of bubbly up-flow in a periodic vertical channel is used to generate closure relationships for a simplified two-fluid model for the average flow. Nearly spherical bubbles, initially placed in a fully developed parabolic flow, are driven relatively quickly to the walls, where they increase drag and slowly reduce the flow rate. Once the flow rate has been decreased enough, some of the bubbles move back into the channel interior and the void fraction there approaches the value needed to balance the weight of the mixture and the imposed pressure gradient. A database is generated by averaging the DNS results over planes parallel to the walls, and a Model Averaging Neural Network (MANN) is used to find the relationships between unknown closure terms in a simple model equations for the average flow and the resolved variables. The closure relations are then tested, by following the evolution of different initial conditions, and it is found that the model predictions are in reasonably good agreement with DNS results.
Implementing Molecular Logic Gates, Circuits, and Cascades Using DNAzymes

The programmable nature of DNA chemistry makes it an attractive framework for the implementation of unconventional computing systems. Our early work in this area was among the first to use oligonucleotide-based logic gates to perform computations in a bulk solution. In this chapter we chart the development of this technology over the course of almost 15 years. We review our work on the implementation of DNA-based logic gates and circuits, which we have used to demonstrate digital logic circuits, autonomous game-playing automata, trainable systems and, more recently, decision-making circuits with potential diagnostic applications.
Dr. What-Info II: An Intelligent Mobile Information Consultation and Sharing Multi-agent System with Universal Application Interfaces Based on Open Data of Taiwan Government

Based on multiple practical progresses in the development and implementation of Dr. What-Info prototype system, this paper continues probing into the expanded system Dr. What-Info II, the UAI technology for different data formats is analyzed, designed and researched with WIAS support, so as to explore how to intercept the construction of network service system APIs of suitable corresponding information with the support of OpenData@Taiwan/Taipei and domain ontology. The preliminary system effectiveness analysis and validation results show the feasibility of the techniques and corresponding architecture of the proposed system.