cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear economies are “gross substitute” systems

Abstract The uniqueness of the equilibrium price in linear exchange economies is proved by exploiting their “gross substitute” properties. A necessary and sufficient condition for the uniqueness is that no equilibrium price decomposes the economy. By a familiar mathematical tool — restriction and projection, the demand correspondence becomes a smooth function. We can then apply properties of the Jacobian matrix, which always has a dominant or quasi-dominant diagonal. The combination of convex and differential analysis can be used in piecewise linear economies. The uniqueness of the equilibrium price is a special case of the equilibrium index formula for regular piecewise linear economies.
Large-Scale Dynamic Optimization Using the Directional Second-Order Adjoint Method

Truncated-Newton methods provide an effective way to solve large-scale optimization problems by achieving savings in computation and storage. For dynamic optimization, the Hessian−vector products r...
Preferences and aversions for stimuli paired with ethanol in hungry rats

Two experiments explored the reinforcing effect of ethanol on conditioned location and flavor preferences in hungry rats. In Experiment 1, rats were administered ethanol (.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg, ig) prior to confinement in one side of a shuttlebox with access to a flavored solution. On control trials, H2O was administered prior to confinement to the opposite side with a different flavored solution. Location choice tests revealed an overall aversion for the ethanol-associated side that was largest at the 2.0-g/kg dose. Flavor choice tests revealed an aversion for the ethanol-associated flavor at the 2.0-g/kg dose, no reliable difference at the 1.0-g/kg dose, and, of particular interest, a preference at the .5-g/kg dose. The results of Experiment 2 suggest that caloric restoration served as the reinforcing mechanism for the conditioned flavor preference. An isocaloric glucose solution conditioned a flavor preference of the same magnitude as that obtained with ethanol. Moreover, when ethanol provided no caloric advantage, the associated flavor was less preferred than a flavor associated with an isocaloric glucose solution.
Application of remote sensing and geographic information systems to the delineation and analysis of riparian buffer zones

Abstract Non-point source pollution has a significant impact on the quality of water resources. Studies have revealed that agricultural activities are often major contributors to non-point source pollution of aquatic environments. A common means of reducing the threat of non-point source pollution is through the establishment of riparian vegetation strips (or buffers) along those areas of stream channels that would be most susceptible to the threat. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) offer a means by which ‘critical’ areas can be identified, so that subsequent action toward the establishment of riparian zones can be taken. This research focuses on the development and analysis of riparian buffer zones for a portion of the Iowa River basin. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data were used to characterize the land cover for the study area. An updated hydrology data layer was developed by integrating the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Digital Line Graph (DLG) data base with the TM-derived classification of surface water bodies. Spatial distance search tools were applied to develop the buffer zones around all surface hydrologic features. The buffer zones were integrated with the remotely sensed classification data to identify ‘critical’ areas for the establishment of riparian vegetation strips. Results indicated that while most of the main channel of the Iowa River was protected by natural vegetation, more than 44% (or 1008 ha) of the area along its tributaries lack any protective cover from non-point source pollution. As these ‘critical’ areas are adjacent to agricultural fields it is important that water resources management strategies focus on the establishment of riparian zones in order to minimize the impact of non-point source pollution.
Intracellular mediators of insulin action.

Insulin is the key anabolic hormone regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, especially in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. This regulation is brought about by changes in membrane events that occur within seconds, in various intracellular processes that occur within minutes, and in nuclear functions involved in growth that occur within hours. The initial event responsible for these metabolic alterations results from the interaction of insulin with its receptor on the plasma membrane of responsive cells. Yet, the molecular events that occur subsequent to the hormone—receptor interaction and which lead to the metabolic alterations are unknown. A number of compounds, including cyclic nucleotides, calcium, a fragment of insulin, and hydrogen peroxide, have been suggested to be the second messenger or intracellular mediator of insulin action. None of these candidates has been demonstrated to mimic all the metabolic actions of insulin and to work in vivo as well as in vitro. Therefore, they are unlikely to be insulin mediators. This subject has been reviewed extensively in recent years.(1–8)
Arithmetic progressions that consist only of primes

Abstract Let Nm(x) be the number of arithmetic progressions that consist of m terms, all primes and not larger than x, and set F m (x) = C m x 2 log m x (Cm explicitly given). It is shown that Hardy and Littlewood's prime k-tuple conjecture implies that Nm(x) = Fm(x){1 + Σj=1N ajlog−j x + O((log x)−N−1)}, (here the bracket represents an asymptotic series with explicitly computable coefficients). This formula holds rather trivially for m = 1 and m = 2. It is proved here for m = 3, by the Vinogradov version of the Hardy-Ramanujan-Littlewood circle method.
Patient participation and physical activity during rehabilitation and future functional outcomes in patients after hip fracture.

Abstract Talkowski JB, Lenze EJ, Munin MC, Harrison C, Brach JS. Patient participation and physical activity during rehabilitation and future functional outcomes in patients after hip fracture. Objective To examine the association between physical activity recorded by actigraphy during therapy sessions (therapy) with therapist-rated patient participation and self-reported future functional outcomes. We hypothesized those participants who were more active during rehabilitation would have higher participation scores and better functional outcomes after hip fracture compared with those who were less active. Design Longitudinal study with a 3- and 6-month follow-up. Setting Participants were recruited from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). Participants Participants included 18 community-dwelling older adults admitted to SNFs or IRFs facilities after hip fracture. Participants were included if they were 60 years of age or older and ambulatory with or without assistance from a device or another person. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Physical activity was quantified during participants' rehabiliation by using the actigraph accelerometer worn consecutively over 5 days. The Pittsburgh Participation Rating Scale was used to quantify patient participation during their inpatient therapy sessions. Self-reported functional outcomes were measured by the Hip Fracture Functional Recovery Scale at baseline and 3 and 6 months after fracture. Results Participants with higher actigraphy counts during rehabilitation were ranked by their therapists as having excellent participation compared with those who were less active. Participants who were more active reported better functional abilities at both the 3- and 6-month time points and achieved 78% and 91% recovery of self-reported prefracture function compared with those who were less active achieving 64% and 73% recovery. Conclusions Actigraphy provides an objective measure of physical activity exhibiting predictive validity for future functional outcomes and concurrent validity against patient participation in patients after hip fracture.
Survival after resection of stage II non-small cell lung cancer

From 1973 to 1989, 214 patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer were treated by resection and complete mediastinal lymph node dissection. There were 116 adenocarcinomas and 98 squamous cancers. There were 35 T1 N1 and 179 T2 N1 tumors. Whereas T1 tumors were mainly adenocarcinomas (83%), this difference was not apparent in T2 lesions. Regardless of histology, half of the patients had a single involved N1 lymph node. Lobectomy was performed in 68% of the patients, pneumonectomy in 31%, and wedge resection or segmentectomy in 1%. Lobectomy was sufficient to encompass all disease in 34 of 35 T1 N1 tumors. Only 48 patients (22%) received postoperative external irradiation and 11 patients (5%) received chemotherapy. The overall 5-year disease-free survival was 39%. The best survival rates were in patients who had a single node involved and tumors 3 cm or less in diameter (48%). The pattern of recurrence differed by histology. Local or regional recurrence was more frequent in patients with squamous carcinoma whereas distant metastases were more commonly seen in adenocarcinomas (87%) with brain as the most frequent site (adenocarcinoma, 52%; squamous, 34%). It is concluded that in stage II carcinomas, resection remains the treatment of choice, that mediastinal lymph node dissection provides the most accurate staging, and that the best adjuvant treatment to improve survival is yet to be determined.
Ischemic acute renal failure: an inflammatory disease?

Ischemic acute renal failure: An inflammatory disease? Inflammation plays a major role in the pathophysiology of acute renal failure resulting from ischemia. In this review, we discuss the contribution of endothelial and epithelial cells and leukocytes to this inflammatory response. The roles of cytokines/chemokines in the injury and recovery phase are reviewed. The ability of the mouse kidney to be protected by prior exposure to ischemia or urinary tract obstruction is discussed as a potential model to emulate as we search for pharmacologic agents that will serve to protect the kidney against injury. Understanding the inflammatory response prevalent in ischemic kidney injury will facilitate identification of molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
Effect of harvest on sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus populations: what can we learn from the current data?

Abstract Understanding the impact of human harvest is fundamental to the effective management of many wildlife populations. Such understanding has been elusive because harvest mortality may compensate for other sources of mortality when the mortality process is density dependent. This problem is exacerbated by the ubiquitous positive correlation between harvest regulations and population size: more harvest is allowed when populations are larger. Connelly et al. (2003) studied the impact of harvest regulations on sage-grouse Centrocercus uropha-sianus using three sets of regulations: closed season, 1-bird bag and seven-day season, 2-bird bag and 23-day season. Connelly et al. (2003) reported a generally negative correlation between harvest regulations and increase in number of males on leks for harvest regulations that ranged from a hunting closure to a 23-day season with a 2-bird bag. Because lek sizes were smaller where hunting was closed there was confounding between harvest and population density, maki...
Improving Comprehension of Expository Text in Students With LD A Research Synthesis

This article summarizes the findings of research studies designed to improve the comprehension of expository text for students with learning disabilities. Twenty-nine studies were located that met the inclusion criteria. Interventions gleaned from the review were categorized as content enhancement (i.e., advance and graphic organizers, visual displays, mnemonic illustrations, and computer-assisted instruction) or cognitive strategy instruction (i.e., text structure, main idea identification, summarization, questioning, cognitive mapping, reciprocal teaching). Treatment outcomes are discussed in relation to the various instructional approaches, student characteristics (e.g., grade, IQ), instructional features (e.g., materials, treatment length), methodological features, strategy maintenance, and generalization components. Implications for classroom practice and future research directions are provided.
Rocking chair therapy for dementia patients: Its effect on psychosocial well-being and balance:

The use of platform style rocking chairs to improve psychological well-being and balance of nursing home residents with dementia was studied. Despite significant cognitive impairment, most medicall...
A variational principle for scattering from rough surfaces

A variational principle is developed for scattering of waves by rough surfaces. It provides a prescription for improving the results of other methods and also provides a quantitative measure of their accuracy. This makes it possible not only to select the best available analytical treatment for any given application, but also to improve its accuracy.
Integrated Design Studies at Bishop Wordworth's School: New approaches in curriculum and resources

Identify your problem, analyse it , formulate your design brief , realise your design and evaluate it; or if you will, state your aim, carry out the necessary inves t igations, propose your solutions, optimise, implement your design and test . Whether you next change the environment, improve your solution i f necessary or pose further problems for investigation, might indeed necessitate its own problem i denti f icat i on for those proposing to change their teaching techn i ques. Cal l it the Design Process if you will or the Process of Techno l ogy, or if you like Caldwell Cook type terminology, simply 'problem solving' . One thing agreed upon by all of the contri b utors to the continuing debate in Design Education. is that the last five years have seen an impetus in the change of approach to teaching methods in that part of Education which I naturally regard as being one of the essential parts of a full educational curriculum . Careful, or I shall add the word 'development ' and perhaps start a whole new train of debate - or would it now be a dialogue (meaningful of course)? I hard l y dare mention a title for the area of which I speak, or something akin to the chorus of a Greek tragedy w i ll begin with asserting 'It is Crafts ', 'That is Art ' , 'It is Technology', ' This is Applied Science ' . . . and a thunderous echo, 'It is Design' . .. Voice of educa t ionalist offstage, 'Excuse me , but have you read Bloom's Taxonomy ... ? :
Platelet Antiaggregants in Stroke Prevention

Antiplatelet agents are one of the main interventions for recurrent ischemic stroke prevention. Their time of use, dosage, and combination of therapy have different effects in terms of stroke risk reduction and adverse effects. This review provides an evidence-based update of the latest on antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention.
Pulsatile Secretion of Luteinizing Hormone: Differential Suppression by Ovarian Steroids

In sheep, physiological levels of estradiol and progesterone each suppress the pulses of LH characteristic of tonic LH secretion, but do so by completely different mechanisms. Estradiol treatment decreases LH pulse amplitude but not frequency and also inhibits the height of the LH peak resulting from the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In contrast, progesterone decreases the frequency of LH pulses without reducing their amplitude or the response to exogenous GnRH. This suggests that progesterone suppresses tonic LH secretion by acting in the brain to decrease the frequency of GnRH pulses, while estradiol may suppress the response of the pituitary to GnRH and thereby decrease LH pulse amplitude.
Building on basic metagenomics with complementary technologies

Metagenomics, the application of random shotgun sequencing to environmental samples, is a powerful approach for characterizing microbial communities. However, this method only represents the cornerstone of what can be achieved using a range of complementary technologies such as transcriptomics, proteomics, cell sorting and microfluidics. Together, these approaches hold great promise for the study of microbial ecology and evolution.
Determining the fiber coupling efficiency of a semiconductor optical amplifier without direct optical measurement

The fiber or waveguide coupling efficiency of a packaged semiconductor optical amplifier can be quantified using thermal profiling in conjunction with a finite element total energy balance model. This technique does not rely on characterization prior to packaging, and is also appropriate for amplifiers integrated in photonic circuits.
Axon degeneration and PGC-1α-mediated protection in a zebrafish model of α-synuclein toxicity

α-synuclein (aSyn) expression is implicated in neurodegenerative processes, including Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In animal models of these diseases, axon pathology often precedes cell death, raising the question of whether aSyn has compartment-specific toxic effects that could require early and/or independent therapeutic intervention. The relevance of axonal pathology to degeneration can only be addressed through longitudinal, in vivo monitoring of different neuronal compartments. With current imaging methods, dopaminergic neurons do not readily lend themselves to such a task in any vertebrate system. We therefore expressed human wild-type aSyn in zebrafish peripheral sensory neurons, which project elaborate superficial axons that can be continuously imaged in vivo. Axonal outgrowth was normal in these neurons but, by 2 days post-fertilization (dpf), many aSyn-expressing axons became dystrophic, with focal varicosities or diffuse beading. Approximately 20% of aSyn-expressing cells died by 3 dpf. Time-lapse imaging revealed that focal axonal swelling, but not overt fragmentation, usually preceded cell death. Co-expressing aSyn with a mitochondrial reporter revealed deficits in mitochondrial transport and morphology even when axons appeared overtly normal. The axon-protective protein Wallerian degeneration slow (WldS) delayed axon degeneration but not cell death caused by aSyn. By contrast, the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α, which has roles in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and reactive-oxygen-species detoxification, abrogated aSyn toxicity in both the axon and the cell body. The rapid onset of axonal pathology in this system, and the relatively moderate degree of cell death, provide a new model for the study of aSyn toxicity and protection. Moreover, the accessibility of peripheral sensory axons will allow effects of aSyn to be studied in different neuronal compartments and might have utility in screening for novel disease-modifying compounds.
Texture of cooked potato: III.—Intercellular adhesion of chemically treated tuber sections

It was found, using chelating agents and protein denaturants to reduce intercellular adhesion of raw tuber sections, that protein and heavy metals are not important to the integrity of the intercellular cement of mature tubers of the variety Majestic. Using similar techniques, interactions, which might occur during cooking between the intercellular cement and other tuber constituents, were investigated. It was concluded that in addition to calcium and magnesium, other multivalent actions, and also the amylose fraction of starch, might be important in influencing intercellular adhesion in the cooked potato.
ISS Protection Process for the COLA Gap After Launch

For launch missions in general, a collision avoidance (COLA) gap exists between the end of the time interval covered by standard launch COLA screening and the time that other spacecraft can clear a collision with the launched objects. To address this issue for the International Space Station (ISS), a protection analysis process has been developed. The first part of the process, nodal separation analysis, identifies launch dates and launch window points when the orbit traces of a launched object and the ISS could cross during the COLA gap. The second part of the analysis process, in-track screening, is performed closer to the launch dates of concern to reopen some of the launch window points that would be closed by nodal separation analysis alone. This ISS protection analysis is currently performed for all United States Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle missions that leave launched objects on orbits that cross the ISS altitude range.
bNEAT: a Bayesian network method for detecting epistatic interactions in genome-wide association studies

Detecting epistatic interactions plays a significant role in improving pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of complex human diseases. A recent study in automatic detection of epistatic interactions shows that Markov Blanket-based methods are capable of finding genetic variants strongly associated with common diseases and reducing false positives when the number of instances is large. Unfortunately, a typical dataset from genome-wide association studies consists of very limited number of examples, where current methods including Markov Blanket-based method may perform poorly. To address small sample problems, we propose a Bayesian network-based approach (bNEAT) to detect epistatic interactions. The proposed method also employs a Branch-and-Bound technique for learning. We apply the proposed method to simulated datasets based on four disease models and a real dataset. Experimental results show that our method outperforms Markov Blanket-based methods and other commonly-used methods, especially when the number of samples is small. Our results show bNEAT can obtain a strong power regardless of the number of samples and is especially suitable for detecting epistatic interactions with slight or no marginal effects. The merits of the proposed approach lie in two aspects: a suitable score for Bayesian network structure learning that can reflect higher-order epistatic interactions and a heuristic Bayesian network structure learning method.
Mechanical properties of polypropylene reinforced with short graphite fibers.

The me2hanical properties of injection molded and compression molded graphite fiber-reinforced polypropylenes are discussed. In general, the tensile properties of polypropylene are significantly improved by reinforcement with graphite fibers and to a greater extent than achieved by glass fiber reinforcement. The failure mechanism of these materials involved a combination of matrix fracture and debonding of the fiber-polymer interface. The use temperature of these materials is shcwn to increase with increasing fiber content and the notch sensitivity is reduced.
Eigenvector-like measures of centrality for asymmetric relations

Abstract Eigenvectors of adjacency matrices are useful as measures of centrality or of status. However, they are misapplied to asymmetric networks in which some positions are unchosen. For these networks, an alternative measure of centrality is suggested that equals an eigenvector when eigenvectors can be used and provides meaningfully comparable results when they cannot.
A phase I study of gemcitabine given via intrahepatic pump for primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies

To determine the maximum tolerated dose and duration of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) gemcitabine in patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer or primary hepatic malignancies. Patients received weekly gemcitabine via the side-port of an implantable HAI pump for 3 weeks in a 28-day cycle. During the dose escalation phase, increasing doses of HAI gemcitabine (800, 1,000, 1,200, and 1,500 mg/m2) were given at a fixed dose-rate of 10 mg/(m2 min). This was followed by the infusion duration escalation (IDE) phase, in which HAI gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 was given over increasing lengths of time (200, 300, and 400 min). To estimate hepatic drug extraction, the pharmacokinetics of HAI gemcitabine was compared with those of intravenous gemcitabine given at the same dose-rate to the same patient in the IDE phase. Twenty-eight of 30 patients were evaluable. HAI gemcitabine was well tolerated up to 1,500 mg/m2 given at 10 mg/(m2 min) and up to 1,000 mg/m2 infused over 400 min. There were no protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicities. One patient with cholangiocarcinoma had a partial response. Hepatic extraction of gemcitabine seems highly variable among patients and does not correlate with the length of HAI infusion. Hepatic arterial infusion of gemcitabine given at doses higher or longer than the recommended systemic dose of 1,000 mg/m2 over 30 min is well tolerated. For future studies, we recommend an infusion of 1,500 mg/m2 at a fixed dose-rate of 10 mg/(m2 min).
Effect of supplemental energy source and frequency on growing calf performance

Crossbred heifers (n = 120; 265 kg, SD = 37) were fed individually (84 d) to determine the ef- fect of supplement type, concentration, and frequency on intake and performance and to estimate the energy value of dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) in a high-forage diet. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial, with 3 supplements, 2 concentrations, and 2 frequencies of supplementation. Supplements includ- ing dry-rolled corn (DRC), DRC with corn gluten meal (DRC + CGM), and DDGS were fed at 0.21% (LOW) or 0.81% (HIGH) of BW daily and were provided daily (DAILY) or 3 times weekly (ALT). Heifers were fed to consume grass hay (8.7% CP) ad libitum. Individual DMI, diet composition, BW, and ADG were used to calculate energy values for DDGS and DRC. Supple- ment type, concentration, frequency, and interactions were tested using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with BW included as a covariate. Supplement × concentra- tion interactions for gain (P = 0.01) and G:F (P < 0.01) were detected. At the LOW concentration, heifers supplemented with DDGS gained more and were more efficient (P ≤ 0.03) than those supplemented with DRC or DRC + CGM. No performance differences were ob- served (P ≥ 0.22) between DDGS and DRC + CGM in HIGH treatments, although both improved (P ≤ 0.01) gain and G:F relative to DRC. Calculated TDN content of DDGS was 18 to 30% greater than DRC. Gain and G:F were improved (P < 0.01) in heifers fed HIGH vs. LOW. Total intake was greater (P < 0.01) for HIGH than LOW, but LOW heifers consumed more hay (P < 0.01) than HIGH. The DAILY heifers consumed more (P < 0.01) hay and total DM than the ALT heifers. The DAILY heifers gained more (P < 0.01) than ALT, but G:F was not affected (P = 0.85) by supplementa- tion frequency. In a high-forage diet, DDGS has greater energy value than corn.
Ultrastructure of in situ hybridization.

Techniques for the ultrastructural localization of structures identified by in situ hybridization are being developed for both preembedding labeling and labeling on thin sections (postembedding). Successful labeling of both RNA and DNA sequences has been reported in recent years. Biotinylated nucleic acid probes are becoming increasing available. Colloidal gold is the only successful ultrastructural label with meaningful spatial localization, and the best results have been obtained with small (20–5 nm) gold particles. The link between biotinylated nucleic acid probes and gold has been protein A, antibiotin, or avidin binding. The size of the target nucleotide sequence, the size of the probe, and the number of gold particles attached to the labeling protein must be understood before there can be meaningful interpretation of micrographs. In addition, the spatial considerations depend on whether preembedding or postembedding is used.
The use of a neonatal mouse model to study respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most significant cause of viral death in infants worldwide. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with this disease underscores the urgent need for the development of an RSV vaccine. The development of an RSV vaccine has been hampered by our limited understanding of the human host immune system, which plays a significant role in RSV pathogenesis, susceptibility and vaccine efficacy. As a result, animal models have been developed to better understand the mechanisms by which RSV causes disease. Within the past few years, a revolutionary variation on these animal models has emerged – age at time of initial infection – and early studies in neonatal mice (aged <7 days at time of initial infection) indicate the validity of this model to understand RSV infection in infants. This article reviews available information on current murine and emerging neonatal mouse RSV models.
The Efficacy of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis From Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Objectives We sought to determine the usefulness of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements to differentiate constrictive pericarditis (CP) from restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCMP). Background The differentiation of CP from RCMP may be clinically difficult and often requires hemodynamic assessment. No laboratory marker has been shown to differentiate the two conditions. Methods We measured BNP levels in 11 patients suspected of having either CP or RCMP. All patients had hemodynamic assessment the day of BNP measurements. Results Six patients had CP and five patients had RCMP based on established hemodynamic criteria. Both CP and RCMP patients had similar elevation in intracardiac pressures. Despite similar pressures, the mean plasma BNP levels were significantly higher in RCMP compared to CP (825.8 ± 172.2 pg/ml vs. 128.0 ± 52.7 pg/ml, p Conclusions The BNP levels are significantly elevated in RCMP compared to CP patients; BNP may prove to be a useful noninvasive marker for the differentiation of the two conditions.
High-reliability, high-performance RF micromachined switch using liquid metal

Existing mechanical relays have reliability-related issues including unstable contact resistance and limited cycle life. These problems are caused by mechanical fatigue and wearing of the contact surfaces. In the liquid metal micro switch (LiMMS), we employ a liquid-liquid contact to address these issues. The switching operation is achieved by forming a gap in the liquid metal using gas expansion. Our prototype has a microchannel on a glass substrate to hold a tiny amount of mercury, 0.15 mm in width and 0.1 mm in height, and TaN thin-film heaters on a ceramic substrate to expand the operating gas by heating. The substrates are bonded together and the total size of the device is 5/spl times/5/spl times/1.4 mm. We successfully demonstrated 70-m/spl Omega/ on-resistance, 1 ms-switching speed, the ability to handle up to 1 A of dc current and over 1/spl times/10/sup 8/ cycle operation. LiMMS also has good RF performance, better than 1 dB insertion loss, and better than 20 dB isolation up to 18 GHz.
Novel variations in the adiponectin gene ( ADIPOQ ) may affect distribution of oligomeric complexes

Adiponectin is an obesity related protein that mediates the risk of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals with its anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. To date, five functional variations have been identified in the adiponectin gene. However, these variations are rare, and fail to fully explain adiponectin variability, suggesting unidentified causal variations exist. Thus, our objective was to identify novel, potentially functional amino acid-changing variations in ADIPOQ exonic regions and relate them to oligomeric forms of adiponectin in serum. We sequenced ADIPOQ exons in 30 adolescents chosen from a school-based cohort based on serum adiponectin and insulin levels. Four coding region changes were identified: a methionine initiation skip (MIS), P32L, R55C, and Y111H, of which R55C and Y111H have been previously identified. Individuals with the novel variations and R55C had low levels of adiponectin and decreased adiponectin oligomerization compared to adolescents with similar body mass index and insulin levels. Further, bioinformatic analysis predicted putative functionality of these variations. In our study, Y111H was unrelated to total circulating adiponectin or adiponectin oligomerization. Given the disruption of adiponectin oligomerization in the individuals with MIS, P32L, and R55C coding changes, these variations may lead to increased metabolic disease risk and warrant further examination in larger cohorts.
Associations of Relative Handgrip Strength and Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in U.S. Adults, 2011–2012

Introduction Although decline in muscle mass and quality and resulting declines in muscle strength are associated with aging, more research is needed in general populations to assess the utility of handgrip strength as an indicator of muscle strength and cardiovascular disease risk. Methods Data from 4,221 participants aged ≥20 years in the 2011–2012 cycle of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed during 2014–2015. Standing isometric relative handgrip strength (calculated as maximal absolute handgrip strength from both hands divided by BMI) was used to predict cardiovascular biomarkers, including blood pressure (measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure); serum lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides); and plasma insulin and glucose. Results Results from regression analyses showed that higher relative grip strength was significantly associated with lower systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and plasma insulin and glucose, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in male and female participants ( p Conclusions Results suggest that increased relative handgrip strength may be associated with a better profile of cardiovascular health biomarkers among U.S. adults. Relative grip strength, which both adjusts for the confounding of mass and assesses concomitant health risks of increased body size and low muscle strength, may be a useful public health measure of muscle strength.
Assessment of Distribution of Stroke Volume from the Aortic Root Echocardiogram

This investigation was designed to determine whether the distribution of stroke volume in the first and second half of systole could be assessed by analysing the aortic root echocardiogram. Simultaneous ascending aortic blood velocity measurement using an electromagnetic catheter tip velocity probe, and aortic root echocardiograms, were performed on five patients with coronary artery disease. The recordings were made at a paper speed of 50mm/sec.
Lipids and Cerebrovascular Disease: Research and Practice

The relationship between lipids and stroke is complex. In most epidemiological cohorts, there is a direct relationship between cholesterol levels and ischemic stroke. The relationship of lipids to ischemic stroke, however, varies by stroke subtype, with associations strongest for atherosclerotic subtypes. Conversely, there is an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at low cholesterol levels, and there is evidence that small vessel disease may share a similar profile of inverse association with lipid levels. The associations also depend on the specific lipid component considered, with the data strongest for total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Given the availability of increasingly potent lipid-lowering agents, understanding the relationship between dyslipidemia and stroke may improve primary and secondary stroke prevention strategies. Here, we review the literature on the relationship between dyslipidemia and stroke, with a focus on lipid screening recommendations and evidence-based approaches to management. ### Total and LDL-C In most, but not all, observational studies, there is an association between higher total and LDL-C levels and increased ischemic stroke risk (Table 1).1–12 View this table: Table 1. Lipid Profile Component and Ischemic Stroke Risk In addition, most observational studies also found an association between lower TC and LDL-C levels and increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (Table 2).2,13–17 A recent meta-analysis of 23 studies showed an inverse dose–response association between TC and hemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.85 per 1 mmol/L increment; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.80–0.91).18 The mechanism of this association remains unclear. Some studies, however, have shown low serum LDL-C levels in patients with liver disease19 and hematologic malignancies20 who are at a higher risk of ICH. This hypothesis can be tested in large population-based cohorts. View this table: Table 2. Lipid Profile Component and Hemorrhagic Stroke Risk Overall, epidemiological studies suggest competing stroke risk related to TC levels in …
Aristotle Writing Science: An Application of His Theory

Aristotle’s science writing serves as an instance of a classical science writer at work. Applying his theory of writing found in his Rhetoric, Poetics, Posterior Analytics, and Categories treatises...
The relationship of child acuity, maternal responses, nurse attitudes and contextual factors in the bone marrow transplant unit

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the relationships between maternal perceptions of an acutely ill child, nurse caregivers and contextual factors in a pediatric critical care unit. METHODS: Subjects were mothers of 20 children who had had their first bone marrow transplant and the primary nurse of each child. The study was conducted on a bone marrow transplant unit. Variables included the acuity of the child, maternal satisfaction with nursing care, maternal vigilance as measured by the time spent at the child's bedside, nurses' attitudes toward family involvement with care, nursing experience and bone marrow transplant unit variables (census, unit acuity and staffing deficit). RESULTS: Positive associations were observed between the child's acuity and maternal satisfaction with nursing care, and between maternal vigilance and staffing deficit. There was an inverse relationship between maternal vigilance and length of nursing experience of the primary nurse and between positive attitudes of nurses toward family participation and years of nursing experience. CONCLUSION: These results show the complex nature of parental perceptions and involvement in the hospitalized child's care. They suggest that maternal attitudes about caregiving are associated with the child's acuity and that maternal vigilance is related to nursing and environmental factors, principally critical care experience of the primary nurse.
The Marketing/Engineering Interface within Academia: A Study of Student Perceptions and Stereotypes

Seniors in marketing and engineering were surveyed to assess perceptions of their discipline’s importance and stereotypes of themselves and the other discipline. Results suggest there are perceptual differences regarding importance and discipline stereotypes. Analysis tentatively suggests taking a course in the other discipline may lead to greater awareness and appreciation of the other discipline. Tentative recommendations are offered to direct future research and marketing education endeavors.
Comparative Analysis of Eugene, Oregon, Elementary School Children Using the Kraus-Weber Test of Minimum Muscular Fitness

Abstract In this study, 1,195 elementary school children were tested with the Kraus-Weber test of Minimum Muscular Fitness and compared with other geographical surveys. The Eugene group yielded a 38.1 per cent test failure. They were, by sex and age, superior to those in other published American studies. At no time, however, did any American sample score lower than the European youth. Of the 455 Eugene children who failed the Test, 78.7 per cent failed only one item. The flexibility item not only accounted for the greatest number of these failures, but at every age level caused the girls to appear more “muscularly fit” than the boys.
Wind-Generated Wave Diffraction by Breakwater Gap

A number of hydraulic laboratory experiments were made of the diffraction of wind-generated waves by a breakwater gap. The directional spectra of the incident wave was used together with the water wave diffraction theory of Penny and Price for a breakwater gap to predict the energy spectra of the diffracted waves. The difference between the predicted values of the energy spectral density and the measured values demonstrated the limits of using the above techniques. It is likely that this is due to the inadequacy of the diffraction theory of Penny and Price for a breakwater gap for certain ranges of B/L.
Research report: Comparative coverage of the January, 1989, Overton and liberty city riots in two Miami newspapers

Analysis of two Miami newspapers (one daily, one weekly) reveals that both relied heavily on individuals rather than institutions as news sources in the aftermath of civil disturbances during January, 1989. While the daily used relatively similar proportions of commercial and nongovernment personnel, more than a third of the weekly paper's sources were either residents or administrative personnel and staff in government agencies. Of the 181 different sources identified, the two papers shared 27. Most of the papers’ reporter information channels were through interviews. Suggestions are made regarding further analysis of both newspapers’ stake in the business community and maintenance of the area's economic status quo.
Evaluation of the methods applied for the detection of Bacillus anthracis in anthrax outbreak

Objective To analyze and summarize the experience and problems in emergent detection of Bacillus anthracis in anthrax outbreak for providing a basis for anthrax prevention and control.Methods The study collected lesions exudates and blood samples from suspected cases, as well as related animal samples and soil samples. The lesions were collected by slides and sterile cotton swabs. Smear microscopy, direct culture and broth enrichment were used to isolate and foster virulence genes. The virulence genes were amplified by PCR for detection of pathogens.Results Fifty-seven specimens were collected. 91.23% of the specimens came fromB. anthraciscases and the other 8.77% came from cattle and soil. The time window between disease outbreak and collection of case specimens was 1 day at least and 23 days at most, with an average of 6.62 days. 16 (55.17%) of 29 suspected cases had received antibiotic treatment before their specimens were collected while 4 (13.79%) suspected cases had never received any antibiotic treatment.B. anthraciswas isolated from lesions of 2 suspected cases who did not receive antibiotic treatment and 1 dead cattle, with 5.26% of positive isolation rate. Lesions from 1 patient had positive result under smear microscopy. All the specimens were tested negative after PCR amplification.Conclusion Low detection rate of B. anthracis is closely associated with the methods and time window of sample collection. Therefore, we should enhance interdepartmental communication and coordination and public education for early reporting, diagnosis and control of the pandemic.
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of varicella in Panyu District(2005-2011)

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of varicella in Panyu district in 2005-2011,and provide basis for varicella control.Methods The data of varicella cases and outbreaks reported during 2005-2011 in Panyu were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology.Results A total of 22 534 varicella cases were reported in 2005-2011,including 1 death.The average incidence of varicella during 2005-2011 was 194.37 per 100 000.Cases occurred in the whole year,and peak season was in winter,late spring and early summer.The incidence of varicella had 2 obvious seasonal peaks.Varicella cases mainly occurred in students at school,children in kindergartens and scattered areas(88.33%).All of the 26 outbreaks of varicella were in schools and kindergarten.Conclusions Children were high-risk population.Surveillance should be strengthened in kindergartens and elementary schools.It is of great importance to isolate varicella case timely,and promote vaccine coverage so as to reduce the incidence and outbreak for varicella control.
SPECIAL ENZYMATIC MECHANISMS OF COLD ADAPTATION

A coverage of all aspects of biochemical adaptation to cold is beyond the scope of this discussion. Therefore, comments will be limited to two general areas. The first might be referred to as Strategies of Studying Cold Acclimation and the second is Hibernation. The intent is not to review the literature in either of these areas, but rather to mention some examples of the kinds of work that have been done and to point out a number of the unanswered questions in cold acclimation and hibernation.
Mixed Extensions of Games and the Saint Petersburg Paradox

The expected utility approach to the Saint Petersburg Paradox is extended to strategic games in normal form with a finite set of players.
Introduction and Generalities

Child abuse radiology includes both suspecting abuse when pertinent and considering other reasons for suspicious findings. A radiographic survey should include at least one view of all bones, on separate images as detailed. Multiple reading and appropriate magnification may be helpful.
Production of Isotopes

The rapid development and increasing interest in the use of metabolic imaging techniques has created a steady demand for on-site or regional production of radioisotopes. This chapter presents some basic concepts associated with radioisotope production, in particular, those aspects related to cyclotron production of positron-emitting radionuclide.
Asymmetrically localized proteins stabilize basal bodies against ciliary beating forces

Basal bodies are radially symmetric, microtubule-rich structures that nucleate and anchor motile cilia. Ciliary beating produces asymmetric mechanical forces that are resisted by basal bodies. To resist these forces, distinct regions within the basal body ultrastructure and the microtubules themselves must be stable. However, the molecular components that stabilize basal bodies remain poorly defined. Here, we determine that Fop1 functionally interacts with the established basal body stability components Bld10 and Poc1. We find that Fop1 and microtubule glutamylation incorporate into basal bodies at distinct stages of assembly, culminating in their asymmetric enrichment at specific triplet microtubule regions that are predicted to experience the greatest mechanical force from ciliary beating. Both Fop1 and microtubule glutamylation are required to stabilize basal bodies against ciliary beating forces. Our studies reveal that microtubule glutamylation and Bld10, Poc1, and Fop1 stabilize basal bodies against the forces produced by ciliary beating via distinct yet interdependent mechanisms.