cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Severe von Willebrand disease due to a defect at the level of von Willebrand factor mRNA expression: detection by exonic PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Abstract von Willebrand disease (vWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder in humans, results from abnormalities in the plasma clotting protein von Willebrand factor (vWF). Severe (type III) vWD is autosomal recessive in inheritance and is associated with extremely low or undetectable vWF levels. We report a method designed to distinguish mRNA expression from the two vWF alleles by PCR analysis of peripheral blood platelet RNA using DNA sequence polymorphisms located within exons of the vWF gene. This approach was applied to a severe-vWD pedigree in which three of eight siblings are affected and the parents and additional siblings are clinically normal. Each parent was shown to carry a vWF allele that is silent at the mRNA level. Family members inheriting both abnormal alleles are affected with severe vWD, whereas individuals with only one abnormal allele are asymptomatic. The maternal and paternal silent alleles are identical at two coding sequence polymorphisms as well as an intron 40 variable number tandem repeat, suggesting a possible common origin. Given the frequencies of the two exon polymorphisms reported here, this analysis should be applicable to approximately 70% of type I and type III vWD patients. This comparative DNA and RNA PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism approach may also prove useful in identifying defects at the level of gene expression associated with other genetic disorders.
Chylous ascites after abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy: successful management with a peritoneovenous shunt.

Abstract Postoperative chylous ascites is a rare complication of aortic aneurysmectomy. Although increasing numbers of abdominal aortic aneurysms are being resected annually, there have been only eight previously reported cases of chylous ascites after this operation. This article describes the ninth case of postoperative chylous ascites after abdominal aortic aneurysm resection and emphasizes the value of management with peritoneovenous shunting. (J VASC SURG 1987;6:403-7.)
Structural and electronic properties of an ordered alloy surface : rippling and bonding in c(2×2)-Sn/Ni(001)

By using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the c(2 × 2)-SnNi(001) surface alloy system have been determined. Interestingly, the presence of Sn atoms drastically reduces th of the density of states at EF and almost completely removes the magnetic moment of the topmost Ni atom. Thus the magnetic and chemical properties of the alloyed Ni(001) surface should be strongly altered. We found that the Sn atoms ripple by 0.36 A over the Ni atoms in the surface plane, which agrees well with the measured value, 0.44±0.05 A.
When is a tax neutral

Abstract A proportional income tax is said to be neutral if variations in the tax rate do not affect the optimal composition of the consumption commodities of a utility maximizing consumer. It is shown that neutrality obtains if and only if the indirect utility function of the consumer is groupwise homothetic. If the income tax rates on labor and property incomes are allowed to differ, then neutrality obtains if and only if the indirect utility function of the consumer is homothetically separable. If, in addition, it is required that the proportional income tax be neutral with respect to not only consumption commodities but also to leisure, then 'the indirect utility function must have the form: V = V(f(w)+H ∗ (p)) , where w and p are the normalized prices of leisure and consumption respectively, and H ∗ (p) is homogeneous of degree one in p .
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-independent effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on softshell clam (Mya arenaria) reproductive tissue

A high prevalence of germinomas has been observed in certain populations of Mya arenaria from eastern Maine. The etiology of these tumors is unknown. We are investigating the hypothesis that exposure to environmental contaminants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) contributes to gonadal carcinogenesis. Clams were exposed to TCDD with or without the initiating compound diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in an attempt to induce germinomas. A TCDD-dependent alteration in gametogenesis was observed in which 32.5+/-6.5% of individuals exhibited undifferentiated gonads. Analyses of AhR and p53 expression were carried out to identify similarities between naturally occurring neoplastic and TCDD (+/-DEN)-altered reproductive tissues. Neoplastic tissues had significantly less p53 protein than matched controls, whereas TCDD-induced undifferentiated samples exhibited no difference in p53 protein levels compared to controls. No gender-specific differences were observed in AhR mRNA, but there were significant differences in protein levels. AhR was undetectable in male gonadal tissue whereas females exhibited a significant positive relationship between AhR protein levels and stage of ovogenesis. Despite exhibiting some morphological similarity, we conclude the TCDD-induced pathology is not a germinoma. We further suggest the change in reproductive tissue is due to inhibition of cell differentiation and/or development by an AhR-independent mechanism.
Neonatal Closure of a Large Coronary‐Cameral Fistula in a Case of Single Coronary Artery: The Utility of Intraoperative Angiography

Isolated coronary artery fistula in the newborn is a very rare congenital anomaly. When symptomatic, treatment options include surgical management with ligation and/or patch closure or transcatheter coil embolization. We describe the case of a newborn with symptomatic left coronary-right ventricular fistula, which was managed operatively with off-pump ligation and on-table angiogram for confirmation of fistula obliteration and normal distribution of flow in the coronary artery. We point out the advantages of on-table angiography to evaluate and potentially treat residual structural pathology after cardiac surgery.
Changes in zygomatic arch position following experimental lateral displacement.

Summary In order to obtain information about the stability of augmentation procedures in the area of the zygomatic arch, the zygomatic arch on one side was displaced laterally in eight rhesus monkeys by an osteotomy of the anterior portion of the arch and placement of an 8 mm bone graft obtained from the supraorbital ridge. The other side served as a control. The post-operative changes were studied on submento-vertex head films during a 24 month follow-up period. Three months post-operatively the amount of lateral displacement was reduced by 55 %. During the next 9 months of follow-up only small changes occurred in the individual animals, and the mean values remained predominantly unchanged. Between 12 and 24 months the distance from the zygomatic arch to the midline increased with growth. On the control side this distance increased from three months on. At 24 months only 18 % of the difference in width that was created by the surgical repositioning remained.
Determinants of Marathon running success.

Metabolic responses during submaximal and maximal treadmill running were measured for a world champion marathon runner. Oxygen consumption, heart rates and lactic acid were recorded during a series of 8 submaximal and 2 maximal trials. One 30 min run was performed at a pace which equaled the runner's best world performance (328 m/min). His maximal oxygen consumption (max\(\dot V_{\operatorname{o} _2 } \)) was 5.091/min (69.7 ml/kg-min) with a maximal heart rate of 188 beats/min. During the 30 min run he utilized 86% of his aerobic capacity with a heart rate of 167 beats/min. When compared with other marathon runners this subject demonstrated little superiority with respect to either aerobic capacity or the energy requirements at various running speeds. The findings of this research suggest that marathon running success is dependent upon running economy and the ability to utilize a large fraction of a well developed aerobic capacity.
Algorithm design and experimental analysis for hybrid PSO based on VDGRASP

The intensification mechanism and diversification mechanism of Basic Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) algorithm were analyzed, and the precision problem of BPSO was discussed. Then a new hybrid PSO algorithm was set up, and the Variable Dimension Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure (VDGRASP) was designed to combine with BPSO. Two parameters of the hybrid PSO, SubDNum and PerturbScope, were analyzed through experiments, and the adaptive variations were designed for them. Three benchmarks were tested and show that the new algorithm is better than the BPSO with precision.
Metaphors for social relationships in 3d virtual worlds

A number of conceptual metaphors have been previously suggested for identity management, including, for example, theatre stage, onion layers, and identity segments. Based on an analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with Second Life residents, we examine the extent to which these metaphors can be used to explain experiences of social relationships in and across virtual and material worlds. The data suggest that these metaphors are relevant to social interactions in and across virtual and material environments: individuals perform on a stage to and with others, they gradually reveal layers of themselves, and they distinguish between segments of their identity in different social situations. At the same time, these metaphors do not explain all experiences, pointing to future research on virtual environments, social relationships, and identity management.
Performance estimation of semirandom data transfer within direct hypercube interconnection network

A useful theoretical model for the transfer of data inside a hypercube multiprocessing network is developed. This model defines a statistical parameters lambda which can be interpreted both as an average distance travelled by data within the network and as a measurement of how much memory sharing occurs within the network during the execution of a program. A simple model for the node in a distributed memory hypercube is derived to show data flow. Methods of estimating the time required for data transfer are also developed. A simulation for the data flow model is included. >
Sema4D, the Ligand for Plexin B1, Suppresses c-Met Activation and Migration and Promotes Melanocyte Survival and Growth

Semaphorins are secreted and membrane-bound proteins involved in neural pathfinding, organogenesis, and tumor progression, through Plexin and neuropilin receptors. We recently reported that Plexin B1, the Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) receptor, is a tumor-suppressor protein for melanoma, which functions, in part, through inhibition of the oncogenic c-Met tyrosine kinase receptor. In this report, we show that Sema4D is a protective paracrine factor for normal human melanocyte survival in response to UV irradiation, and that it stimulates proliferation and regulates the activity of the c-Met receptor. c-Met receptor signaling stimulates melanocyte migration, partly through downregulation of the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Sema4D suppressed activation of c-Met in response to its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and partially blocked the suppressive effects of HGF on E-cadherin expression in melanocytes and HGF-dependent migration. These data demonstrate a role for Plexin B1 in maintenance of melanocyte survival and proliferation in the skin, and suggest that Sema4D and Plexin B1 act cooperatively with HGF and c-Met to regulate c-Met-dependent effects in human melanocytes. Because our data show that Plexin B1 is profoundly downregulated by UVB in melanocytes, loss of Plexin B1 may accentuate HGF-dependent effects on melanocytes, including melanocyte migration.
Grounding Early Intervention: Physical Therapy Cannot Just Be About Motor Skills Anymore

This perspective article provides support for 4 interrelated tenets: grounded perceptual-motor experience within cultural and social contexts forms cognition; exploration through early behaviors, such as object interaction, sitting, and locomotion, broadly facilitates development; infants and children with limited exploration are at risk for global developmental impairments; and early interventions targeting exploratory behaviors may be feasible and effective at advancing a range of abilities across developmental domains and time. These tenets emphasize that through the promotion of early perceptual-motor behaviors, broader, more global developmental advancements can be facilitated and future delays can be minimized across domains for infants and children with special needs. Researchers, educators, and clinicians should build on these tenets to further demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted early interventions. The goals of these interventions should be not only to advance targeted perceptual-motor skills in the moment but also to more broadly advance future abilities and meet the early intervention goal of maximizing children's learning potential.
Capacity and energy cost of information in biological and silicon photoreceptors

We outline a theoretical framework to analyze information processing in biological sensory organs and in engineered microsystems. We employ the mathematical tools of communication theory and model natural or synthetic physical structures as microscale communication networks, studying them under physical constraints at two different levels of abstraction. At the functional level, we examine the operational and task specification, while at the physical level, we examine the material specification and realization. Both levels of abstraction are characterized by Shannon's channel capacity, as determined by the channel bandwidth, the signal power, and the noise power. The link between the functional level and the physical level of abstraction is established through models for transformations on the signal, physical constraints on the system, and noise that degrades the signal. As a specific example, we present a comparative study of information capacity (in bits per second) versus energy cost of information (in joules per bit) in a biological and in a silicon adaptive photoreceptor. The communication channel model for each of the two systems is a cascade of linear bandlimiting sections followed by additive noise. We model the filters and the noise from first principles whenever possible and phenomenologically otherwise. The parameters for the blowfly model are determined from biophysical data available in the literature, and the parameters of the silicon model are determined from our experimental data. This comparative study is a first step toward a fundamental and quantitative understanding of the tradeoffs between system performance and associated costs such as size, reliability, and energy requirements for natural and engineered sensory microsystems.
Graphene Field-Effect Transistors Based on Boron–Nitride Dielectrics

Two-dimensional atomic sheets of graphene represent a new class of nanoscale materials with potential applications in electronics. However, exploiting the intrinsic characteristics of graphene devices has been problematic due to impurities and disorder in the surrounding dielectric and graphene/dielectric interfaces. Recent advancements in fabricating graphene heterostructures by alternately layering graphene with crystalline hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), its insulating isomorph, have led to an order of magnitude improvement in graphene device quality. Here, recent developments in graphene devices utilizing boron-nitride dielectrics are reviewed. Field-effect transistor (FET) characteristics of these systems at high bias are examined. Additionally, existing challenges in material synthesis and fabrication and the potential of graphene/BN heterostructures for novel electronic applications are discussed.
Cognitive and noncognitive symptoms in dementia patients: relationship to cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone.

We investigated the relationship between basal cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and impairment in different cognitive and noncognitive measures and the possible interaction of DHEA with hypercortisolemia in dementia in 27 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There were 17 men and 10 women. Patients were mildly to moderately cognitively impaired at the time of the initial cortisol measures. Patients were administered the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) and Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at approximately 6-month intervals. Cortisol and DHEA were determined using conventional 125I radioimmunoassay procedures. Pearson product-moment correlations among cortisol and DHEA measures and both initial and longitudinal clinical measures were calculated. There was a relationship between baseline 8 a.m. cortisol levels and cognitive function at the initial testing as measured by the ADAS cognitive measure, with higher cortisol levels being associated with a greater level of impairment. We did not document a relationship between cortisol or DHEA levels and noncognitive measures. There was a significant correlation between both the initial MMSE and ADAS cognitive measures and initial DHEA level, with lower DHEA levels unexpectedly being associated with better performance on these measures. The initial DHEA levels did not predict decline in cognitive function over time. These findings bring into question the potential usefulness of DHEA as a therapeutic agent.
A New Methodology for Adjustment of Iron Scattering Cross Sections Using Time-of-Flight Spectroscopy

Monte Carlo analysis of a time-of-flight experiment was performed to investigate the iron scattering cross section. Experimental data were utilized to build a Monte Carlo source for simulation of a time-of-flight (ToF) experiment with a spherical iron shell, different source spectra, and different angular beam source alignments. For this study, two pointwise cross section libraries, ENDF/B-VI and JEFF 3.0 are examined. Comparison of calculation and experimental results indicates differences that are larger than experimental and calculation errors. To reduce the observed discrepancy, pointwise data in the ENDF/B-VI iron scattering cross section file were adjusted at a few energy intervals using a utility code developed for this purpose. Adjusted cross sections resulted in closer agreement of calculated results with the experimental Time-of-Flight data. Multigroup cross sections were generated with the adjusted cross sections and results indicate pressure vessel fluence may be underestimated.
Function and Protective Capacity of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum Glycerophosphodiester Phosphodiesterase

Infectious syphilis, caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, remains a public health concern worldwide. The immune-response evasion mechanisms employed by T. pallidum are poorly understood, and prior attempts to identify immunoprotective antigens for subsequent vaccine design have been unsuccessful. Previous investigations conducted in our laboratory identified the T. pallidum glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase as a potential immunoprotective antigen by using a differential immunologic expression library screen. In studies reported here, heterologous expression of the T. pallidum glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase in Escherichia coli yielded a full-length, enzymatically active protein. Characterization of the recombinant molecule showed it to be bifunctional, in that it exhibited specific binding to human immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgD, and IgG in addition to possessing enzymatic activity. IgG fractionation studies revealed specific binding of the recombinant enzyme to the Fc fragment of human IgG, a characteristic that may play a role in enabling the syphilis spirochete to evade the host immune response. In further investigations, immunization with the recombinant enzyme significantly protected rabbits from subsequent T. pallidum challenge, altering lesion development at the sites of challenge. In all cases, animals immunized with the recombinant molecule developed atypical pale, flat, slightly indurated, and nonulcerative reactions at the challenge sites that resolved before lesions appeared in the control animals. Although protection in the immunized rabbits was incomplete, as demonstrated by the presence of T. pallidum in the rabbit infectivity test, glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase nevertheless represents a significantly immunoprotective T. pallidum antigen and thus may be useful for inclusion in an antigen cocktail vaccine for syphilis.
Disparities in the Use of Sacral Neuromodulation among Medicare Beneficiaries

Purpose: Sacral neuromodulation with the InterStim® has been done to treat urinary and bowel control. There are limited data in the literature on use trends of sacral neuromodulation. We explored disparities in use among Medicare beneficiaries.Materials and Methods: We queried a 5% national random sample of Medicare claims for 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. All patients with an ICD-9 diagnosis code representing a potential urological indication for sacral neuromodulation were included. Patients who underwent device implantation were identified using CPT-4 codes. Statistical analysis was done with the chi-square and Fisher tests, and multivariate logistic regression using software.Results: A total of 2,322,060 patients were identified with a diagnosis that could potentially be treated with sacral neuromodulation. During the 10-year study period the percent of these patients who ultimately underwent implantation increased from 0.03% to 0.91% (p <0.0001) for a total of 13,360 (0.58%). On logistic regression anal...
Sensing of semi-rough targets embedded in atmospheric turbulence by means of stochastic electromagnetic beams

Abstract An active bistatic LIDAR system operating through atmospheric turbulence is considered. Illumination field is assumed to be an electromagnetic Gaussian–Schell model beam. Target surface is modeled as a combination of isotropic phase screen governed by Gaussian statistics, to account for its roughness, and a Gaussian lens to account for its size and radius of curvature. With the help of a recently developed tensor method for propagation of stochastic electromagnetic beams through ABCD systems and random media we examine the evolution of states of coherence and polarization of the beam. In the case of unresolved flat (planar) target we show that by comparing coherence and polarization properties of the illumination beam and of the return beam it is possible to predict the typical roughness of the target surface.
Long-time evolution of models of aeolian sand dune fields: Influence of dune formation and collision

Abstract Theoretical models which approximate individual sand dunes as particles that move and interact via simple rules are currently the only viable method for examining whether large dune fields will evolve into a patterned structure. We find that these types of simulations are sensitive to the influx condition and interaction function, and are not necessarily robust under common assumptions. In this paper, we review continuum dune models and how they connect to models of dune fields that approximate dunes as interacting particles with collision and coalescence dynamics. This type of simple dune field model is examined under different boundary and initial conditions. We identify different long-term behaviors depending on model parameters as well as the way in which dunes are initialized and collide. A “rule” for predicting the end state of a modelled dune field is derived, based on the statistics of a uniform influx dune size distribution and the interaction function. Possible future adjustments to the multiscale model, such as the use of a Gaussian influx dune size distribution, and their effect on the prediction rule are also discussed.
In vivo optical coherence tomography detection of differences in regional large airway smoke inhalation induced injury in a rabbit model

Smoke inhalation injury causes acute airway injury that may result in airway compromise with significant morbidity and mortality. We investigate the ability of high resolution endobronchial optical coherence tomography (OCT) to obtain real-time images for quantitatively assessing regional differences between upper tracheal versus lower tracheal and bronchial airway injury responses to smoke inhalation in vivo using a prototype spectral domain (SLD)-OCT system we constructed, and flexible fiber optic probes. 33 New Zealand White rabbits are intubated and mechanically ventilated. The treatment groups are exposed to inhaled smoke. The OCT probe is introduced through the endotracheal tube and maintained in place for 5 to 6 h. Images of airway mucosa and submucosa are obtained at baseline and at specified intervals postexposure. Starting within less than 15 min after smoke inhalation, there is significant airway thickening in the smoke-exposed animals. This is maintained over 5 h of imaging studies. The lower tracheal airway changes, correlating closely with carboxyhemoglobin levels, are much greater than upper tracheal changes. Significant differences are seen in lower trachea and bronchi after acute smoke inhalation compared to upper trachea as measured in vivo by minimally invasive OCT. OCT is capable of quantitatively detecting regional changes in airway swelling following inhalation injury.
Systemic Free Fatty Acid Disposal Into Very Low-Density Lipoprotein Triglycerides

We measured the incorporation of systemic free fatty acids (FFA) into circulating very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL-TGs) under postabsorptive, postprandial, and walking conditions in humans. Fifty-five men and 85 premenopausal women with BMI 18–24 (lean) and 27–36 kg/m2 (overweight/obese) received an intravenous bolus injection of [1,1,2,3,3-2H5]glycerol (to measure VLDL-TG kinetics) and either [1-14C]palmitate or [9,10-3H]palmitate to determine the proportion of systemic FFA that is converted to VLDL-TG. Experiments started at 0630 h after a 12-h overnight fast. In the postabsorptive protocol, participants rested and remained fasted until 1330 h. In the postprandial protocol, volunteers ingested frequent portions of a fat-free smoothie. In the walking protocol, participants walked on a treadmill for 5.5 h at ∼3× resting energy expenditure. Approximately 7% of circulating FFA was converted into VLDL-TG. VLDL-TG secretion rates (SRs) were not statistically different among protocols. Visceral fat mass was the only independent predictor of VLDL-TG secretion, explaining 33–57% of the variance. The small proportion of systemic FFA that is converted to VLDL-TG can confound the expected relationship between plasma FFA concentration and VLDL-TG SRs. Regulation of VLDL-TG secretion is complex in that, despite a broad spectrum of physiological FFA concentrations, VLDL-TG SRs did not vary based on different acute substrate availability.
Negative Affects Deriving From the Behavioral Approach System

Does the behavioral approach system (BAS) relate to the experience of any negative affects, or are all negative affects tied to the behavioral inhibition system (BIS)? In Study 1, self-reported Fun Seeking predicted reports of greater frustration and sadness after frustrative nonreward. In Study 2, self-reported Reward Responsiveness predicted reports of greater anger in response to scenarios. In Study 3, self-reported Drive predicted reports of greater anger after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In no case did BIS sensitivity contribute uniquely to these affects, though BIS predicted nervousness in Study 2 and fear in Study 3. Discussion focuses on the role of frustration and anger in effortful pursuit of goals and depressed affect in disengagement from goals.
Time-expanded decision networks: A framework for designing evolvable complex systems

This paper describes the concept of Time-Expanded Decision Networks (TDNs), a new methodology to design and analyze flexibility in large-scale complex systems. This includes a preliminary application of the methodology to the design of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles for NASA's space exploration initiative. Synthesizing concepts from Decision Theory, Real Options Analysis, Network Optimization, and Scenario Planning, TDN provides a holistic framework to quantify the value of system flexibility, analyze development and operational paths, and identify designs that can allow managers and systems engineers to react more easily to exogenous uncertainty. TDN consists of five principle steps, which can be implemented as a software tool: (1) Design a set of potential system configurations; (2) quantify switching costs to create a “static network” that captures the difficulty of switching among these configurations; (3) create a time-expanded decision network by expanding the static network in time, including chance and decision nodes; (4) evaluate minimum cost paths through the network under plausible operating scenarios; and (5) modify the set of initial design configurations to exploit high-leverage switches and repeat the process to convergence. Results can inform decisions about how and where to embed flexibility in order to enable system evolution along various development and operational paths. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 167–186, 2007 An earlier version of this paper was published and presented as follows: M. Silver and O. de Weck, Time-expanded decision network methodology for designing evolvable systems, AIAA-2006-6964, 11th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis Optim Conf, Portsmouth, VA, September 6–8, 2006.
Adaptive control of hypersonic vehicles in presence of aerodynamic and center of gravity uncertainties

The paper proposes a new class of adaptive controllers that are suited for command tracking in hypersonic vehicles (HSV) in the presence of aerodynamic and center of gravity (CG) uncertainties under cruise conditions. This class pertains to linear plants whose states are accessible with a partially known input matrix B. It is well known that standard multivariable adaptive controllers only yield local stability when the input matrix is completely unknown. In this paper, it is shown that when additional information regarding the structure of B is available, this difficulty can be overcome using the proposed class of controllers. In addition, a nonlinear damping term is added to the adaptive law to further improve the stability characteristics. The proposed adaptive controller is shown to be applicable for command following in HSV when subjected to a class of aerodynamic and center of gravity uncertainties. A model that accurately captures the effect of CG shifts on the longitudinal dynamics of a HSV is derived from first principles. Performance improvements are shown using simulation studies carried out on a full scale nonlinear model of the HSV. It is shown that the adaptive controller can tolerate larger CG shifts as compared to a fixed gain controller while tracking reference commands in velocity and altitude.
Current Nonpharmacologic Management of Coronary Artery Disease: Focus on External Counterpulsation.

The basic principle of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is diastolic augmentation of arterial pressure, lowering of systolic arterial pressure along with increasing venous return. EECP is a noninvasive procedure involving sequential inflation and rapid deflation of compressive cuffs wrapped around the patient’s calves, thighs, and lower abdomen, timed to the cardiac cycle using the electrocardiogram. Theoretically, this should result in decreased myocardial oxygen demand and an increased coronary blood flow. Long-term benefits may be the result of the opening of dormant coronary collateral circulation, but this is theory and not proven. Extracardiac factors, such as peripheral arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and elevated myocardial oxygen demand, are also the therapeutic targets for EECP. There is some evidence that long-term benefits may be the result of a training effect due to 35 1-hour diastolic inflations at 300 mm Hg and systolic deflations of the compressive cuffs. To date, the extracardiac effects of EECP have received little attention and peripheral vascular adaptations to EECP have not been investigated. EECP, by promoting lower-extremity arterial “run-off” and intermittent reactive hyperemia in the legs with each inflation/deflation cycle of the compressive cuffs, may improve peripheral vascular function, thus inducing changes in peripheral vascular biology that will reduce ventricular work and myocardial oxygen demand in patients with coronary artery disease similar to that of exercise. At the University of Florida, this therapy is used for patients with chronic stable angina who are refractory to medical therapy and are not candidates for a revascularization procedure. The treatment does take time (35 once-a-day 1-hour treatments), and not all patients are candidates for the procedure. For example, patients with severe peripheral vascular disease, severe hypertension, thrombophlebitis, markedly irregular heart rhythm, and severe aorta insufficiency are excluded. Approximately 75% of patients report improvement (ie, a decrease in symptoms and an increase in exercise duration). Our results are such that this management strategy does deserve consideration in patients with persistent chronic stable angina on maximum medical therapy who are not candidates for revascularization and are unhappy with their lifestyle.
La bioética actual: las interrogantes de Heidegger

Bioethics was born not only as an aftermath of medical technological advance but also from underlying philosophical conceptions about man, that determine scientific research. Analyzing occidental ethics, Heidegger showed that animalism was the only human dimension considered and thereby the domain of measurable objectiveness. He postulated that the essence of human existence as being-in-the-world is ethical and revealed through an original consciousness. Unlike moral conscience, original conscience calls to authenticity, to hear his constitutive nihilism as a "Being-referred-to-death". The founding ground of bioethics may be to listen to this primary being-guilty prior to the derived guilts, e.g. faults, deficiencies and shortcomings of specific daily actions.
"I'll Take Commas for $200": An Instructional Intervention Using Games to Help Students Master Grammar Skills.

Effective writing requires mastering grammar. For journalists, this mastery is critical because research shows poor grammar erodes media credibility. College writing instructors say students do not understand basic grammar concepts, and greater numbers of students are enrolling in remedial writing classes. This quasi-experimental mixed methods study examines whether using games to teach basic grammar skills helps college students understand and retain grammar concepts. It also examines student perceptions of learning.
Steroid contraceptives in non-human primates (I). Metabolic fate of synthetic estrogens in the baboon before exposure to oral contraceptives

Abstract The metabolic fate of isotopically labelled ethynylestradiol (EE) and its 3-methyl ether, mestranol (MEE), was investigated in three baboons who were receiving a norethindrone-mestranol combination oral contraceptive (C.O.C.) and the results compared to those previously obtained from the same baboons before receiving the C.O.C. The mean urinary excretion of radioactivity within 6 days following the administration of 3 H-EE and 14 C-MEE ranged from 38.3 to 40.8% and 17.8 to 19.8% of the dose, respectively. The plasma levels of 3 H-EE at various time intervals during the first-half of the cycle, corresponding to the follicular phase, did not appear to differ significantly from those during the second-half of the cycle, corresponding to the luteal phase. The plasma 3 H-EE levels at the end of 24 hours remained more than 7% of the dose, a value several times higher than that observed during the same time interval before the baboons received the C.O.C. The 14 C-MEE levels, however, circulating at the end of 24 hours appears to be almost the same whether or not the baboons received the C.O.C. These observations suggest that orally administered MEE is demethylated to EE in primates.
Application of 3D VAR Kalman Filter in a Three-Dimensional Subsurface Contaminant Transport Model for a Continuous Pollutant Source

Modeling of contaminant transport in a subsurface environment by a deterministic model deviates from the real world environment with time because of the highly heterogeneous nature of the subsurface environment. In this study, an optimized stochastic approach coupled with the deterministic model has been applied to predict the contaminant transport in a subsurface environment. A three-dimensional contaminant transport model for a continuous pollutant source has been developed for this purpose. A forward time center space (FTCS) model has been used as a numerical approach to solve the classical advection dispersion flow equation and the Kalman Filter (KF) coupled with 3D variational analysis has been used for data assimilation purpose. The Kalman Filter is a recursive-based algorithm consists of a set of mathematical equations, which takes a prior estimation and observation measurements into consideration to compute the best prediction for a state variable. The 3D variational analysis uses a cost function to find out an optimal solution for an analysis using the KF simulated state as its background. The analysis for 3D VAR is found iteratively minimizing the cost function. A Root Mean Square (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) profile were used to evaluate the efficiency of the analysis. The investigation shows that state prediction to be good for both the background (KF) and analysis (3D VAR KF) steps compared to the deterministic solution whereas the 3D VAR analysis over the background (KF) found to be effective in reduction of the error significantly. An overall improvement of 15.3 % error reduction on RMSE and 14.6 % reduction on MAE over the background is achieved using this new approach.
Antenna Design for Ultra-wideband Passive RFID Systems

ntennas are one of the key components of all RF wireless communication and radar systems, including RFIDs, as they are responsible for the transmission and reception of free-space or through-barrier weak electromagnetic (EM) signals. The optimal design of antennas for a wideband EM wavefield continues to be an area of important research, one that is rapidly growing in many different fronts. For ­example, recent interest in the use of meta-materials materials with unusual dielectric properties, for designing the radiation pattern of antennas to reduce the size and cost of wireless components could lead to important antenna breakthroughs for RFID tags.
Correlates of Marijuana Drugged Driving and Openness to Driving While High: Evidence from Colorado and Washington

AIMS: A potential unintended consequence of legalizing recreational marijuana is increased marijuana-related driving impairment. Some states where recreational marijuana is legal have begun implementing interventions to mitigate driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana, including media campaigns to increase knowledge about DUI laws. However, little is known about the associations between knowledge of DUI laws and marijuana DUI behavior. In this study, we provide new data from a survey of marijuana users in Colorado and Washington to examine associations between marijuana drugged driving and two potential behavioral precursors of marijuana DUI. We also explore other factors that may influence marijuana DUI. METHODS: Data are from an online survey of marijuana users in Colorado and Washington. Respondents who reported any marijuana use in the past 30 days (n = 865) served as the analytic sample. We examined prevalence of two behavioral outcomes: (1) any driving of a motor vehicle while high in the past year and (2) driving a motor vehicle within 1 hour of using marijuana 5 or more times in the past month. Additional outcomes measuring willingness to drive while high were also assessed. Logistic regressions were used to estimate each outcome as a function of two multi-item scales measuring knowledge of the legal consequences of driving high and perceptions that driving while high is not safe. Additional covariates for potential confounders were included in each model. RESULTS: Prevalence of past-year driving while under the influence of marijuana was 43.6% among respondents. The prevalence of driving within 1 hour of using marijuana at least 5 times in the past month was 23.9%. Increased perception that driving high is unsafe was associated with lower odds of past-year marijuana DUI (OR = 0.31, P CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent interventions targeting public awareness of the legal consequences of marijuana DUI, our results suggest that knowledge of these laws is a weaker predictor of DUI behavior than perceptions that driving high is unsafe. In addition, safety perceptions predict decreased openness to driving high while knowledge of DUI laws was not associated with openness. These findings suggest that interventions for reducing the incidence of marijuana DUI are likely to be more successful by targeting safety perceptions related to marijuana DUI rather than knowledge of DUI laws. We caution that because these data are limited to an online convenience sample, results may not be generalizable beyond our sample. Language: en
The Relationship between Students' Performance on Conventional Standardized Mathematics Assessments and Complex Mathematical Modeling Problems.

Critical to many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career paths is mathematical modeling—specifically, the creation and adaptation of mathematical models to solve problems in complex settings. Conventional standardized measures of mathematics achievement are not structured to directly assess this type of mathematical modeling. Therefore, a major question is whether a conventional standardized test can serve as a reliable predictor of students’ potential to mathematical modeling performance. To investigate this question, a study was designed to find the relation between students’ conventional standardized measures of mathematics achievement and their performance on mathematical modeling problems. Students’ (N=1656) SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) mathematics scores were used as a conventional standardized measure of achievement and students’ scores on two model-creation problems based on complex settings were used to capture mathematical modeling performance to answer the question whether standardized achievement tests function well in predicting their mathematical modeling performance.
Analyzing Activities in Videos Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Granger Causality

We propose an unsupervised method for analyzing motion activities from videos. Our method combines Latent Dirichlet Allocation with Granger Causality to discover the main motions composing the activity as well as to detect how these motions relate to one another in time and space. We tested our method on synthetic and real-world datasets. Our method compares favorably with state-of-the-art methods.
Factors predicting pregnancy smoking in Southern Appalachia.

OBJECTIVE To examine sociodemographic, medical, and substance use factors associated with smoking continuation during pregnancy. METHODS Data from 221 consecutive prenatal patients were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 67% who were pre-pregnancy smokers (n=148), 27% quit during pregnancy, whereas another 43% reduced by > 1/4 pack/day. Women who continued to smoke had lower incomes, more prior pregnancies, were less likely to have adequate prenatal care, and smoked more and for more years than did women who quit during pregnancy. CONCLUSION Several characteristics predicted pregnancy smoking in this sample. Results suggest ways to more effectively target pregnant women for successful smoking cessation.
Response of swine to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection.

Mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine offers a useful and economically significant model to study many aspects of chronic mycoplasmal pneumonia. Although the available information is very meager about areas of this disease, there are some very interesting aspects to this model. Infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is common in swine. From 35% to 60% of so-called normal market swine have gross lesions typical of this disease. Such surveys conducted at packing plants do not answer the question of whether a very high percentage of certain herds and a very low percentage of others are infected, or if from 35% to 60% of almost every swine herd is infected. Limited field observations indicate that the
Molecular Transformations Accompanying the Aging of Laboratory Secondary Organic Aerosol

The aging of fresh secondary organic aerosol (SOA), formed in a flow tube reactor by α-pinene ozonolysis, was studied by passing the fresh SOA into a second chamber for reaction with high levels of the hydroxyl radical. Two types of experiments were performed: (1) injection of a short plug of fresh SOA into the second chamber, where the particle mass and average O/C mole ratio were measured as a function of time after injection, and (2) injection of a continuous stream of fresh SOA into the second chamber, where particles were collected on a filter over a period of time for off line analysis by high performance mass spectrometry. These setups allowed the chemistry of SOA aging to be elucidated. The particle mass decreased and average O/C ratio increased with increasing aging time. Aged SOA showed an oligomer distribution shifted to lower molecular weight (fragmentation) and molecular formulas with higher O/C and lower H/C ratios (functionalization). Carbon oxidation states of individual molecules were hig...
Epidemiology of MdSGHV in Musca Domestica

Musca domestica salivary gland hypertrophy virus (MdSGHV) is a disease that enlarges the salivary glands of Musca domestica (the common house fly), as well as causes infertility in female house flies. An infected female fly will no longer produce or lay eggs and will refuse a male’s mating attempts. Collaborating with the University of Florida’s Entomology and Nematology Department, we have hypothesized that the virus is primarily transmitted through male-male interactions. The constant interaction between males causes damage to the flies’ cuticle. When the virus is present on the cuticle, this damage allows the virus entry into the hemocoel, which subsequently infects the internal organs and in particular the salivary glands. The virus adheres to the fly cuticle at contaminated resting sites and contaminated feeding sites. Infection per os is another possible mode of transmission but insu cient to sustain the virus in the fly population. For females, MdSGHV seems to be transmitted largely per os with random occurrences of cuticular damage that take place at the contaminated food and resting sites. There is no evidence that females exhibit aggressive behavior, or that mating causes cuticular damage. Vertical transmission does not seem to be a mode of transmission. We developed a system of di↵erential equations to model the transmission of MdSGHV for a population of Musca domestica at Florida dairy farms. The model is based on the above understanding of the transmission of the virus together with some other simplifying
Data Driven Prognostics With Lack of Training Data Sets

Data-driven prognostics typically requires sufficient offline training data sets for accurate remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of engineering products. This paper investigates performances of typical data-driven methodologies when the amount of training data sets is insufficient. The purpose is to better understand these methodologies especially when offline training datasets are insufficient. The neural network, similarity-based approach, and copula-based sampling approach were investigated when only three run-to-failure training units were available. The example of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery capacity degradation was employed for the demonstration.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Serum protein change in response to positive tuberculin skin test in humans.

SummaryIndividuals who are highly sensitive to tuberculin PPD develop a statistically significant elevation in serum alpha-1 globulin during their response to a PPD skin test. The implication of this finding with respect to the mechanism involved in tuberculin hypersensitivity is discussed.