cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 1-, 2-, and 3-Parameter IRT Models

This module discusses the 1-, 2-, and 3-parameter logistic item response theory models. Mathematical formulas are given for each model, and comparisons among the three models are made. Figures are included to illustrate the effects of changing the a, b, or c parameter, and a single data set is used to illustrate the effects of estimating parameter values (as opposed to the true parameter values) and to compare parameter estimates achieved though applying the different models. The estimation procedure itself is discussed briefly. Discussions of model assumptions, such as dimensionality and local independence, can be found in many of the annotated references (e.g., Hambleton, 1988).
CLEANING UP WITH GENOMICS: APPLYING MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TO BIOREMEDIATION

Bioremediation has the potential to restore contaminated environments inexpensively yet effectively, but a lack of information about the factors controlling the growth and metabolism of microorganisms in polluted environments often limits its implementation. However, rapid advances in the understanding of bioremediation are on the horizon. Researchers now have the ability to culture microorganisms that are important in bioremediation and can evaluate their physiology using a combination of genome-enabled experimental and modelling techniques. In addition, new environmental genomic techniques offer the possibility for similar studies on as-yet-uncultured organisms. Combining models that can predict the activity of microorganisms that are involved in bioremediation with existing geochemical and hydrological models should transform bioremediation from a largely empirical practice into a science.
Oncogenesis in utero: fetal death due to acute myelogenous leukaemia with an MLL translocation

The incidence of translocations involving the 11q23 gene MLL is markedly increased in leukaemias that occur in infants <1 year of age. Epidemiological and molecular data have demonstrated that at least some of these translocations occur in utero. In this report we describe a case of fetal death at 36 weeks of gestation. At autopsy the fetus was found to have widely disseminated acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), FAB subtype M5. Molecular cytogenetic studies of nuclei recovered from paraffin-embedded tissue sections demonstrated that the leukaemic cells contained an MLL translocation. This is the first detailed report, to our knowledge, of fetal death due to acute leukaemia, and directly demonstrates oncogenesis in utero.
Histological comparison of two different fractional photothermolysis devices operating at 1,550 nm.

Background There are a wide variety of fractional resurfacing devices that are available and it is important to understand the tissue effect of different devices at different parameters to ensure a well-controlled treatment. Thus, we have chosen to characterize and compare two different fractional laser devices, the Fraxel SR750 and SR1500 (re:store™) (Solta Medical, Hayward, CA). While the SR750 has a fixed focus spot diameter, the SR1500 features an internally controlled zoom optic allowing for an adjustable spot size. Materials and Methods Exposures were performed in vitro on human skin samples at 37°C. The exposures were performed for the SR750 at pulse energies between 6 and 40 mJ at 125 MTZ/cm2 with up to 20 passes, and for the SR1500 between 6 and 100 mJ, at Treatment Level 7 and 8 passes. The skin samples then were processed for serial frozen sectioning, stained with Nitro-Blue-Tetrazolium-Chloride (NBTC) and lesion depth and width was determined. Results Mean lesion depth was significantly greater for lesions treated with the SR1500 laser compared to the SR750 at pulse energies of 6, 10, 30, and 40 mJ (P<0.001) with a borderline difference at 20 mJ. Mean lesion width was comparable for energies up to 20 mJ and relatively increased for the SR1500 for higher energies. The depth-to-width ratio (DWR) was in general higher for the SR1500, reaching significance at 6, 10, and 40 mJ. Conclusion We have characterized the lesion depth and width for the for two different Fractional Photothermolysis devices (SR750 vs. SR1500). The device with the adjustable spot size (SR1500 or Fraxel re:store™) provides generally deeper lesions at the same energy level. It remains to be shown whether increased lesion depth improves efficacy for certain clinical applications. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:32–37, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Variations in Speciated Emissions from Spark-Ignition and Compression-Ignition Motor Vehicles in California’s South Coast Air Basin

The U.S. Department of Energy Gasoline/Diesel PM Split Study examined the sources of uncertainties in using an organic compound-based chemical mass balance receptor model to quantify the contributions of spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engine exhaust to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This paper presents the chemical composition profiles of SI and CI engine exhaust from the vehicle-testing portion of the study. Chemical analysis of source samples consisted of gravimetric mass, elements, ions, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) by the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) and Speciation Trends Network (STN) thermal/optical methods, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hopanes, steranes, alkanes, and polar organic compounds. More than half of the mass of carbonaceous particles emitted by heavy-duty diesel trucks was EC (IMPROVE) and emissions from SI vehicles contained predominantly OC. Although total carbon (TC) by the IMPROVE and STN protocols agreed well for all of the samples, the STN/IMPROVE ratios for EC from SI exhaust decreased with decreasing sample loading. SI vehicles, whether low or high emitters, emitted greater amounts of high-molecular-weight particulate PAHs (benzo[ghi]perylene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and coronene) than did CI vehicles. Diesel emissions contained higher abundances of two- to four-ring semivolatile PAHs. Diacids were emitted by CI vehicles but are also prevalent in secondary organic aerosols, so they cannot be considered unique tracers. Hopanes and steranes were present in lubricating oil with similar composition for both gasoline and diesel vehicles and were negligible in gasoline or diesel fuels. CI vehicles emitted greater total amounts of hopanes and steranes on a mass per mile basis, but abundances were comparable to SI exhaust normalized to TC emissions within measurement uncertainty. The combustion-produced high-molecular-weight PAHs were found in used gasoline motor oil but not in fresh oil and are negligible in used diesel engine oil. The contributions of lubrication oils to abundances of these PAHs in the exhaust were large in some cases and were variable with the age and consumption rate of the oil. These factors contributed to the observed variations in their abundances to total carbon or PM2.5 among the SI composition profiles.
Styrene Hydroformylation in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Rate and Selectivity Control

Supercritical fluids have the unique characteristic of density-tuned physicochemical properties that can affect reaction rates and selectivities. We have studied homogeneously catalyzed styrene hydroformylation in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and have shown that the reaction rate and the regioselectivity can be varied by changes in pressure at constant temperature. This rate and selectivity change is explained in terms of the transition state theory. We have determined the partial molar volumes of the reaction products based on the Peng−Robinson equation of state for an infinite-dilution solution model, a real solution model, and a real solution model with regressed interaction coefficients. Then, the estimated partial molar volumes were used to predict the experimentally observed selectivity behavior. Through these simulations, an understanding of the reaction rate and selectivity control by adjustment of the pressure was developed.
Pride in Production: The Jubilee Exhibition of 1891 and Economic Competition between Czechs and Germans in Bohemia

Adistinctive Feature of nineteenth-century Czech nationalism was its consistent promotion of Czech business and economic interests. Since the 1850s, Czech national leaders had argued that economic prosperity was a prerequisite for eventual political power and provincial autonomy within the Habsburg monarchy. They demanded equality for Czechs and for the Czech language not just in schools, courts, and the bureaucracy, but also in the business world, and they gradually established a wide network of cooperatives and voluntary associations to support Czech business.
SU‐FF‐T‐69: An Inter‐Fraction Adaptive Strategy for High‐Dose Rate Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric impact of interfraction organ‐catheter displacements and settle on an adaptive strategy to maintain the quality of the implant. Methods & Material: 10 patients received HDR prostate implants on Day‐1 with CT‐based dose plan optimized with the inverse planning tool IPSA to deliver the first of two fractions of 9.5 Gy. On Day‐2 before the second fraction, a CBCT was acquired and fused with the Day‐1 CT. Initial prostate and urethra contours were transferred to CBCTimages. Bladder and rectum contours were drawn and catheters digitized on the CBCT. Day‐1 dwell times were applied to the CBCT dataset. The plan was also re‐optimized with IPSA using the volumes from CT, catheters from CBCT, and the same constraints as Day‐1. The same physician re‐contoured the prostate and urethra on CBCT, and two new plans were obtained as above. Four adaptive scenarios per patient were thus created with the CBCTimages, using initial/new contours with initial/new plannings. For each strategy, the prostate V100 and V150, urethra V120, bladder and rectum V75 from Day‐2 were compared to Day‐1. Results: Relative organ‐to‐catheter displacements on Day‐2 cause prostate V100 to decrease and dose to other organs to increase as compared to Day‐1. Relative organ‐catheter displacements of more than 6 mm can be used to trigger a replanning. Among adaptive strategies, re‐optimizing the plan with the catheters defined on the CBCT was found sufficient to maintain the quality of the implant, while minimizing workload increase. Conclusion: Visual inspection of catheters on fused CBCT‐CT allows for an accurate and rapid evaluation of the integrity of the implant. When replanning is required, dwell times can be reoptimized using the catheters defined on CBCT, insuring that all dosimetric indices are within required values at each delivered fraction. This work is supported in part by Nucletron.
Products and substrate/template usage of vaccinia virus DNA primase

Vaccinia virus encodes a 90-kDa protein conserved in all poxviruses, with DNA primase and nucleoside triphosphatase activities. DNA primase products, synthesized with a single stranded varphiX174 DNA template, were resolved as dinucleotides and long RNAs on denaturing polyacrylamide and agarose gels. Following phosphatase treatment, the dinucleotides GpC and ApC in a 4:1 ratio were identified by nearest neighbor analysis in which (32)P was transferred from [alpha-(32)P]CTP to initiating purine nucleotides. Differences in the nucleotide binding sites for initiation and elongation were suggested by the absence of CpC and UpC dinucleotides as well as the inability of deoxynucleotides to mediate primer synthesis despite their incorporation into mixed RNA/DNA primers. Strong primase activity was detected with an oligo(dC) template. However, there was only weak activity with an oligo(dT) template and none with oligo(dA) or oligo(dG). The absence of stringent template specificity is consistent with a role for the enzyme in priming DNA synthesis at the replication fork.
The Smart-Seller Challenge: Exploring the Determinants of Privatizing Public Nursing Homes

This study investigates the determinants of local governments' decisions to privatize public nursing homes. According to the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting (OSCAR) 2004 data, more than 100 counties in the United States have recently divested their nursing facilities through change of ownership to nonprofit or for profit or through termination. The theoretical model used in this study proposes four broad categories of antecedents of the privatization decision: market failure, government failure, and monetary and institutional factors. County governments are viewed as rational actors, affected by a range of external and internal pressures and striving to maximize the attainment of their complex missions. The data used in this study come from the OSCAR 2004 file and several other sources. Using logistic regression analysis, the baseline (1998-2000) measures of all independent variables for 622 county-owned homes were regressed on the dummy dependent variable, indicating whether the nursing home was privatized by 2003 or not. Quantitative analysis was supplemented with two exploratory case studies. Local market competition, occupancy level, condition of the physical plant, staffing, the prevalence of privatization in the neighboring counties, and the proportion of elderly in the county were found to be significantly associated with the likelihood of nursing home divestment. The analysis supports the idea of a complex framework of managerial decision making: counties appear to be smart sellers by divesting when occupancy declines, when the physical environment deteriorates, and when private markets are relatively more competitive. They are also found to be smart owners by sustaining public ownership of thriving public facilities surrounded by failing private markets.
Biblical models in pastoral counseling

This paper contributes to current discussions regarding the development of Biblically-informed methods of pastoral counseling. It identifies three Biblical models of pastoral counseling and shows that each has its own particular understanding of the process of personal change and each invites a different understanding of the counseling task. The paper further contends that two of these models (called thepsalmic andproverbic) are favored by the pastoral counseling approaches that have dominated the field for some years. It argues, therefore, for greater attention to the third model (theparabolic).
Bayesian sample size calculations for hypothesis testing

A Bayesian approach to sample size calculation in hypothesis testing problems is developed. The sample size is chosen to make it a priori probable that the Bayes factor is greater than a given cut-off of prespecified size. Two methods for choosing a cut-off are given: an absolute criterion and a relative criterion. Calculations can be done using either exact algebraic manipulation or through simulation. The approach permits the propagation of uncertainty in quantities which are unknown and permits the computation of power and type I error rates either conditionally or unconditionally on particular values of the parameter of interest. A graphical tool is given for assessing the sensitivity of the predicted outcomes to model and sample size specification. The approach is illustrated for a one-sided and for a two-sided alternative hypothesis for continuous data with a normal prior.
Lateral and oblique gene transfer

Sequence information from complete genomes, and from multiple loci of strains within species, is transforming the way that we investigate the evolution of bacteria. Such large-scale assessments of bacterial genomes have provided evidence of extensive gene transfer and exchange. Except in rare cases, these two processes do not seem to be coupled: certain species, such as Escherichia coli, undergo relatively low levels of gene exchange; but the emergence of pathogenic strains is associated with the acquisition of numerous virulence factors by lateral gene transfer.
Toward a theory to study the use of collaborative product commerce for product development

Collaborative product commerce (CPC) solutions span software and services which permit individuals to share product data to improve the design, development, and management of products throughout the product development lifecycle. Drawing upon prior developments in adaptive structuration theory (AST) and media richness theory, I develop a theoretical framework to better understand the role of CPC in enabling collaboration in a product development environment. I study the impact of CPC on product design and development processes using a cross-sectional survey of 36 firms. The study reveals that CPC usage varies across different phases of the product development lifecycle. Preliminary results indicate that CPC has enabled firms to collaborate effectively with external stakeholders, which has resulted in tangible business benefits. I conclude by developing several research propositions which provide a roadmap for conducting future empirical research to measure the impact of CPC on product development, and highlight potential research topics that can be explored.
COMPUTATIONAL ISSUES IN INCREASING SPATIAL PRECISION OF TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENTS

The practical feasibility is demonstrated of a traffic assignment method, dubbed area-spread assignment, that incorporates information on the spatial relationships between nodes, links, and zone boundaries. Tests of area-spread assignment were performed on networks from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Racine, Wisconsin. To eliminate the effect of errors from other model steps in the tests, comparisons were made with a detailed network in Fredericton that contained all streets in the city and extremely small zones. The tests indicated that there is a substantial difference between area-spread assignment and a traditional assignment using centroid connectors. Area-spread assignment did a better job of replicating volumes on the detailed network, although computation times were much longer.
Development and significance of cysteamine and propionitrile models of duodenal ulcer.

Cysteamine is widely used in rodents to induce duodenal ulcer. Herein, the pathogenesis of duodenal ulceration in its earliest stages was reviewed using findings from cysteamine-and propionitrile-i...
Predictive modeling of lung motion over the entire respiratory cycle using measured pressure-volume data, 4DCT images, and finite-element analysis

Purpose: Predicting complex patterns of respiration can benefit the management of the respiratory motion for radiation therapy of lungcancer. The purpose of the present work was to develop a patient-specific, physiologically relevant respiratory motion model which is capable of predicting lungtumor motion over a complete normal breathing cycle. Methods: Currently employed techniques for generating the lung geometry from four-dimensional computed tomography data tend to lose details of mesh topology due to excessive surface smoothening. Some of the existing models apply displacement boundary conditions instead of the intrapleural pressure as the actual motive force for respiration, while others ignore the nonlinearity of lungtissues or the mechanics of pleural sliding. An intermediate nonuniform rational basis spline surface representation is used to avoid multiple geometric smoothing procedures used in the computational mesh preparation. Measured chest pressure-volume relationships are used to simulate pressure loading on the surface of the model for a given lung volume, as in actual breathing. A hyperelastic model, developed from experimental observations, has been used to model the lungtissue material. Pleural sliding on the inside of the ribcage has also been considered. Results: The finite-element model has been validated using landmarks from four patient CT data sets over 34 breathing phases. The average differences of end-inspiration in position between the landmarks and those predicted by the model are observed to be 0.450 ± 0.330 cm for Patient P1, 0.387 ± 0.169 cm for Patient P2, 0.319 ± 0.186 cm for Patient P3, and 0.204 ± 0.102 cm for Patient P4 in the magnitude of error vector, respectively. The average errors of prediction at landmarks over multiple breathing phases in superior-inferior direction are less than 3 mm. Conclusions: The prediction capability of pressure-volume curve driven nonlinear finite-element model is consistent over the entire breathing cycle. The biomechanical parameters in the model are physiologically measurable, so that the results can be extended to other patients and additional neighboring organs affected by respiratory motion.
Induced structure of a helical switch as a mechanism to regulate enzymatic activity

Herpesviruses encode a protease that is activated by homodimerization at high enzyme concentrations during lytic replication. The homodimer contains two active sites, which are distal from the dimer interface. Assignment of backbone NMR resonances and engineering of a redox switch show that two helices position a loop containing catalytic residues within each active site.
Technological change and stable deterrence

the argument to show that the hopes of a stable military environment are illusory and that the arms race is the only feasible alternative. On the other hand, those who find any danger of nuclear war unacceptable use the argument to prove that disarmament is the only solution; that "arms control only" is untenable, since stable deterrence is at best a temporary and fragile palliative or perhaps a first step toward real disarmament. Proponents of arms control generally grant that technological change is destabilizing, but they argue that stabilized deterrence is desirable as long as it lasts. The argument itself is rarely questioned. If one gives one's imagination free rein, it is obvious that technological change can be destabilizing. I will present here a case
A Sector Magnet for a 10-50 MeV Soc

A full-scale prototype magnet sector of a 12-sector, 10-50 MeV separated orbit cyclotron has been built and tested. Eleven pairs of alternating-gradient pole tips are mounted on a yoke structure which provides a common magnetic return path. The pole tips are all excited by a single pair of coils which surround the pole tip mounting bases at the upper and lower yoke faces. The pole tips combine both the negative- and positive-gradient sections in a single unit; the magnetic field gradients are about 800 gauss/in. The pole tips are 4.5 in. wide and have a mean gap of 1.75 in. They were machined by the numeric controlled milling process. Special edge contours were developed to achieve a useful radial aperture of 3 inches. Experience with the prototype magnet demonstrates that magnets for separated orbit cyclotrons present no special difficulty in design, construction, or alignment.
It's Not About Winning, it's About Sending a Message: Hiding information in games

New information hiding techniques use online games to transmit secrets covertly. The technique is simple, but the problem of detecting these covert channels is far from solved.
GASP IV can broaden your modeling perspective

Simulation modeling can be constrained by the simulation language with which you are familiar. GASP IV eliminates many constraints by combining discrete and continuous concepts into one language.
Collaborative learning: a case study for CS1 at Grinnell College and Austin

Since Fall, 1992, the author has used techniques of collaborative learning in his sections of CS1 at both Grinnell College and The University of Texas at Austin. These experiments have been successful by various measures: drop rates are very low, students perform well on tests, student motivation and enthusiasm are very high, and the class covers about 20% more material during the semester. This paper describes the approach that has evolved through several iterations of this course.
Local atomic structure of Fontainebleau sandstone: Evidence for an amorphous phase?

[1] Rocks are traditionally viewed as crystallite aggregates; in general the treatment of the composition and mechanical properties never includes solid non-crystalline components. Such glass-like materials are difficult to detect in small quantities by standard techniques (e.g., thin-section polarimetry, x-ray diffraction) but if they exist at critical locations (i.e. grain contacts) they could affect the behavior of rocks considerably. Neutron scattering measurements on a solid sample of Fontainebleau sandstone have shown clear evidence for the presence of an unexpected glass-like component. Atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis shows significant local structural deviations from pure quartz. These deviations appear as an excess of 5–10% of nearest neighbor (NN) Si-O and O-O bonds, which is consistent with a 5–10% volume fraction of vitreous silica. These measurements may provide significant information about the still-unexplained causes for the peculiar mechanics and dynamics of sedimentary rocks.
Luminogenic cytochrome P450 assays.

Luminogenic cytochrome P450 (CYP) assays couple CYP enzyme activity to firefly luciferase luminescence in a technology called P450-GloTM (Promega). Luminogenic substrates are used in assays of human CYP1A1, -1A2, -1B1, -2C8, -2C9, -2C19, -2D6, -2J2, -3A4, -3A7, -4A11, -4F3B, -4F12 and -19. The assays detect dose-dependent CYP inhibition by test compounds against recombinant CYP enzymes or liver microsomes. Induction or inhibition of CYP activities in cultured hepatocytes is measured in a nonlytic approach that leaves cells intact for additional analysis. Luminogenic CYP assays offer advantages of speed and safety over HPLC and radiochemical-based methods. Compared with fluorogenic methods the approach offers advantages of improved sensitivity and decreased interference between optical properties of test compound and CYP substrate. These homogenous assays are sensitive and robust tools for high-throughput CYP screening in early drug discovery.
Arterial Endothelium-Specific Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 Expression Suggests Its Role in Arterialization and Vascular Remodeling

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder characterized by epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectases, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Two genes are linked to HHT: endoglin ( ENG ) in HHT1 and activin receptor-like kinase 1 ( ACVRL1 ; ALK1 ) in HHT2. Although both genes are involved in the transforming growth factor β signaling pathways, the pathogenetic mechanisms for HHT remain elusive. It was shown that mutations in the Alk1 gene in mice and zebrafish resulted in an embryonic lethal phenotype due to severe dilation of blood vessels. We created a novel null mutant mouse line for Alk1 ( Alk1 lacZ ) by replacing its exons, including the one that encodes the transmembrane domain, with the β-galactosidase gene. Using Alk1 lacZ mice, we show that Alk1 is predominantly expressed in developing arterial endothelium. Alk1 expression is greatly diminished in adult arteries, but is induced in preexisting feeding arteries and newly forming arterial vessels during wound healing and tumor angiogenesis. We also show that hemodynamic changes, which require vascular remodeling, may regulate Alk1 expression. Our studies suggest the role of Alk1 signaling in arterialization and remodeling of arteries. Contrary to the current view of HHT as venous disease, our findings suggest that the arterioles rather than the venules are the primary vessels affected by the loss of an Alk1 allele, and that blood vessels with reduction in Alk1 expression may harbor defects in responding to demands for vascular remodeling.
Mie scattering analysis of spherical Bragg "onion" resonators.

Combining the Mie scattering theory and a transfer matrix method, we investigate in detail the scattering of light by spherical Bragg “onion” resonators. We classify the resonator modes into two classes, the core modes that are confined by Bragg reflection, and the cladding modes that are confined by total internal reflection. We demonstrate that these two types of modes lead to significantly different scattering behaviors.
A Canonical Multicore Architecture for Network Routers

There has been a significant increase in the Internet dynamics in the past decade. This has put tremendous pressure on the performance of routing protocols as they need to keep updating their routing information with every network change across the globe. With the growth of Internet, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) has become a critical routing application. Good performance of BGP on network processors directly translates to better convergence time for route changes on the Internet, leading to reduced data loss on the network. BGP is the ubiquitous routing protocol on the Internet core, and hence analyzing its performance and exploring avenues for speeding it up can greatly help in improving the responsiveness and reliability of the Internet. In this paper, we investigate the use of multicore as the compute platform for routing protocols using BGP as a representative application. We discuss two different schemes for parallelizing BGP and analyze the performance of both serial and parallel BGP implementations on a fully configurable multicore simulation environment. Subsequently, we analyze the architectural bottlenecks in the conventional multicore systems which limit the speedup that can be achieved by software parallelism alone, and propose a canonical multicore architecture for routing protocols, which can be used for future routing processor designs. The analysis and proposed schemes in this paper would greatly help in understanding the behavior of BGP, thereby assisting in design and development of next generation network processors.
Classification of and search for online laboratory resources using a coding approach

Numerous resources for online laboratories have been and continue to be developed by many educational institutions around the world. These resources include both remote laboratories, which are based on actual experimental devices accessed remotely, as well as virtual laboratories, which represent software simulations of experiments. While the operation of online laboratories is very effective compared with traditional, on-site laboratories, their development demands vast financial, temporal and personnel resources. In this context, there is an increasing need for a unified method for describing, aggregating and presenting such online laboratory resources in order to allow potential users to easily and efficiently search for them and ultimately use them. In this paper, a coding approach for online laboratory resources is proposed. The coding allows the capturing of the salient attributes of the online laboratory resources and forms the basis for developing highly efficient search algorithms, which can be used to identify appropriate resources for a given set of user requirements. Furthermore, this paper describes a prototype implementation of such a coding approach for online laboratory resources and demonstrates the performance of this prototype system using the online laboratory resources developed and implemented by the authors.
Association of Health Professional Shortage Areas and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence, Awareness, and Control in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND- Individuals living in primary care health professional shortage areas (PC-HPSA), often have difficulty obtaining medical care; however, no previous studies have examined association of pc-hpsa residence with prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS- To examine this question, the authors used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis baseline examination (2000-2002). Outcomes included the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity as well as the awareness and control of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Multivariable Poisson models were used to examine the independent association of PC-HPSA residence with each outcome. Models were sequentially adjusted for demographics, acculturation, socioeconomic status, access to health care, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Similar to the national average, 16.7% of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants lived in a PC-HPSA. In unadjusted analyses, prevalence rates of diabetes (14.8% versus 11.0%), hypertension (48.2% versus 43.1%), obesity (35.7% versus 31.1%), and smoking (15.5% versus 12.1%) were significantly higher among residents of PC-HPSAs. There were no significant differences in the awareness or control of diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. After adjustment, residence in a PC-HPSA was not independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk factor prevalence, awareness, or control. CONCLUSIONS- This study suggests that increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in PC-HPSAs are explained by the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of their residents. Future interventions aimed at increasing the number of primary care physicians may not improve cardiovascular risk without first addressing other factors underlying health care disparities.
Inhibition of nuclear factor κB by IκB superrepressor gene transfer ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury after experimental lung transplantation

Objectives Ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB is central to the 2 important pathways that characterize ischemia-reperfusion injury, namely the inflammatory response and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nuclear factor κB inhibition on experimental lung transplant ischemia-reperfusion injury with gene transfer of the nuclear factor κB inhibitor IκB in a superrepressor form (IκBSR). Methods An orthotopic left lung transplant model in isogeneic rats was used, with 18 hours of prolonged cold storage of donor lung grafts used to create severe ischemia-reperfusion injury. Donor rats underwent endobronchial gene transfection with saline alone or adenovirus encoding either β-galactosidase control or IκBSR 48 hours before harvest. The function of transplanted lung grafts was assessed on the basis of isolated graft oxygenation, wet/dry lung weight ratio, and myeloperoxidase activity. Nuclear factor κB activation was assessed by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptotic cell death was assessed by evaluating the levels of histone-associated DNA fragments and caspase-3 activity. Results Treatment of donor lung grafts with IκBSR resulted in significantly improved oxygenation compared with that seen in control tissue 24 hours after transplantation. IκBSR-treated lungs also demonstrated less pulmonary edema and reduced neutrophil infiltration 24 hours after reperfusion. Nuclear factor κB activation and apoptotic cell death induction 2 hours after transplantation was significantly reduced in IκBSR-treated lungs compared with in control lungs. Conclusions Inhibition of nuclear factor κB activation by IκBSR gene transfer improves transplanted lung graft oxygenation, decreases pulmonary edema and neutrophil sequestration, and reduces apoptotic cell death after experimental lung transplantation.
Application of the Simple Saddlepoint Approximation to Estimate Probability Distributions in Wildlife Research

ABSTRACT The simple saddlepoint approximation (SSA) uses the mean, variance, and skewness (a measure of the asymmetry of the distribution) of a data set to algebraically approximate the probability density function of a selected variable. We compared habitat-suitability bounds estimated with SSAs and continuous selection functions. Habitat-suitability bounds for bobwhite nesting based on the SSA method were biologically comparable to the results of the method based on continuous selection functions. The SSA approach allows habitat-suitability bounds to be estimated using algebra and can be calculated in computer spreadsheets.
Kriging metamodeling in seismic risk assessment based on stochastic ground motion models

Summary An efficient computational framework is presented for seismic risk assessment within a modeling approach that utilizes stochastic ground motion models to describe the seismic hazard. The framework is based on the use of a kriging surrogate model (metamodel) to provide an approximate relationship between the structural response and the structural and ground motion parameters that are considered as uncertain. The stochastic character of the excitation is addressed by assuming that under the influence of the white noise (used within the ground motion model) the response follows a lognormal distribution. Once the surrogate model is established, a task that involves the formulation of an initial database to inform the metamodel development, it is then directly used for all response evaluations required to estimate seismic risk. The model prediction error stemming from the metamodel is directly incorporated within the seismic risk quantification and assessment, whereas an adaptive approach is developed to refine the database that informs the metamodel development. The ability to efficiently obtain derivative information through the kriging metamodel and its utility for various tasks within the probabilistic seismic risk assessment is also discussed. As an illustrative example, the assessment of seismic risk for a benchmark four-story concrete office building is presented. The potential that ground motions include near-fault characteristics is explicitly addressed within the context of this example. The implementation of the framework for the same structure equipped with fluid viscous dampers is also demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Territorial areas and shapes in the two species of village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus and P. nigerrimus)

Summary Sixteen territories of the black-headed village weaver and twenty of the chestnut-and-black weaver were quantitatively assessed for areas and shapes at three colonies on the University of Ife campus, Nigeria. The shapes of the territories were classified as elipsoid (E-type), triangular (T-type) and quadrilateral (Q-type) from observations of the activities of the males. The territorial areas of the black-headed were larger than those of the chestnut-and-black weaver in sparse and dense colonies. The mean distance between the nests also varied, being greater in the former than in the latter colonies. The number of nests per territory, however, was higher in the black-headed than in the chestnut-and-black weaver. The rainfall Zeitgeber increased territorial aggressiveness and in one male chestnut-and-black weaver resulted in expansion of its territorial area. Site tenacity in the males was considered to be of a temporary nature, lasting about three breeding seasons. Resume Seize territoires de tisserin gendarme et vingt de tisserins noir de Vieillot furent evalues sur base de leur forme et de leur surface, dans trois colonies du campus de l'Universite de Ife, Nigeria. Les formes des territoires furent classees comme ellipsoides (type E), triangulaire (type T) et quadrilatere (type Q) d'apres l'observation des activites des mâles. Les surfaces territoriales du tisserin gendarme sont plus grandes que celle du tisserin noir de Vieillot dans les colonies laches ou denses. La distance moyenne entre nids varie aussi, plus grande dans les colonies du premier que dans celles du second. Le nombre de nids par territoire est cependant plus eleve chez le tisserin gendarme que chez le tisserin noir de Vieillot. Les chutes de pluies Zeitgeber augmentent l'agressivite territoriale et ont resulte, dans le cas d'un mâle de tisserin noir de Vieillot, en l'expansion de sa surface territoriale. La tenacite au site chez les mâles est consideree comme temporaire, ne durant qu'environ trois saisons de reproduction.
Reducing Surgical Site Infections in Breast Reduction Patients: Multiple Interventions, Significant Results

METHODS: An unmatched case-control study was initiated. The study time period was January –October 2004. Two cases for each control were chosen using a random number table. A data sheet was made incorporating known risk factors and possible risk factors gleaned from literature review. Data was analyzed using t-test for equality of means, chi-squares, and logistic regression. Additionally, observation in the OR provided valuable information.
ACCURACY OF RADIATION FIELD ALIGNMENT IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

We present an analysis of simulator and portal films of 71 patients. Twenty-five were analyzed retrospectively, 39 prospectively, but without changing routine filming practice, and 7 had daily portal films taken. Treatment-to-treatment variations in anatomy with respect to the field were determined by comparing sequential portal films. The standard deviation of the variations was approximately normally distributed with an average value of 3 mm independent of site and field shaping technique. Discrepancies between the portal and simulator films were greater and depended on the site of treatment. The mean worst-case discrepancy averaged over all sites was 7.7 mm; the lowest value was 3.5 mm in the head and neck region; the highest value was 9.2 mm in the thorax.
Staff Nurses as Patient Educators

Most staff nurses were hesitant to initiate diabetes teach ing because they lacked clear expectations and were un comfortable about their knowledge and ability. The dia betes educator, using a problem-solving approach, pro vided clear guidelines for teaching, revised the Diabetes Chart Form, lengthened the monthly inservice meeting to include methods and expectations for staff teaching, and initiated a one-to-one Diabetes Orientation Day for each of 20 staff nurses. One year later an audit showed a mean of 95 % score in four areas of teaching compared to a mean of 61 % five years earlier.
The role of transesophageal echocardiography in the acute onset of paraplegia

Acute paraplegia must be investigated promptly to exclude reversible causes. In this report we illustrate the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in identifying the vascular etiologies of acute paraplegia.Two patients presented with acute paraplegia, one spontaneously and the other after removal of an intra-aortic balloon pump catheter. Through the use of transesophageal echocardiography, we excluded aortic dissection and identified protruding atherosclerotic plaques in the descending thoracic aorta of each patient. Embolization of atheromatous material from the thoracic aorta was considered the most likely etiology of paraplegia in both cases.Embolization from atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta may be an underestimated cause of acute paraplegia. Transesophageal echocardiography provides a safe, rapid, and reliable tool for investigating a vascular etiology of acute paraplegia.
A novel surface-induced dissociation instrument for ion mobility-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract A surface-normal surface-induced dissociation (SID) configuration specifically designed for coupling ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and orthogonal time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer is described. The instrument configuration and the effects of various operating parameters are critically evaluated using ion trajectory calculations (SIMION) and SID spectra of a series of model peptides. The utility of the instrument configuration for simultaneous acquisition of MS and MS–MS spectra in both data-dependent and non-data-dependent modes are also discussed.
Sclerodermatous chronic GVHD in patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Sclerodermatous chronic GVHD in patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Headache in Children and Adolescents

This chapter touches on historical aspects of pediatric headache, guides the reader through its epidemiology, and reviews the clinical approach with emphasis on childhood development and approaches to the family as a unit. It concludes with thoughts about what happens to childhood headache sufferers, and conjecture about the future of pediatric headache.
Modeling and Analysis of Transformerless High Gain Buck-boost DC-DC Converters

This paper proposes a transfomerless switched capacitor buck boost converter model, which provides higher voltage gain and higher efficiency when compared to the conventional buck boost converter. The averaged model based on state-space description is analyzed in the paper. The simulation results are presented to confirm the capability of the converter to generate high voltage ratios. The comparison between the proposed model and the traditional model is also provided to reveal the improvement. The proposed converter is suitable for for a wide application which requires high step-up DC-DC converters such as DC micro-grids and solar electrical energy.
Latent open testing of electronic packaging

Alternating and direct electric currents are applied through the metal interconnections in electronic packaging to detect potential electrical opens, such as line narrowings, notches, nicks, cracks, weak connections, and interface contaminations. Due to the nonlinear relationship between the voltage across and current through the metal conductor, distorted signals are generated by the defect region as well as the good conductor. The signal generated from a latent open defect can be detected by comparing the defect signal phase with the reference phase produced by the good conductor. Application of this technique to electronic packaging development and manufacturing can improve product reliability and reduce cost by early detection of latent open defects. >
Home Literacy Environments and Foundational Literacy Skills for Struggling and Nonstruggling Readers in Rural Early Elementary Schools

Factors such as weak early literacy skills and living in poverty may put young students at risk for reading disabilities. While home literacy activities and access to literacy materials have been associated with positive reading outcomes for urban and suburban students, little is known about home literacy environments of rural early elementary school students living in poverty and their relationship to foundational reading skills for struggling and nonstruggling readers. This study examined how home literacy environments might relate to rural kindergarten and first grade students’ reading performance. Parents of 1,108 kindergarten and first grade students in the rural Southeast completed questionnaires on the frequency of home literacy activities and access to literacy materials. Multilevel model analyses revealed that home literacy activities and access to literacy materials were positively related to basic word reading skills, passage comprehension, and spelling. Implications for families and educators are discussed.
High‐yield secretion of recombinant proteins expressed in tobacco cell culture with a designer glycopeptide tag: Process development

Low-yield protein production remains the most significant economic hurdle with plant cell culture technology. Fusions of recombinant proteins with hydroxyproline-O-glycosylated designer glycopeptide tags have consistently boosted secreted protein yields. This prompted us to study the process development of this technology aiming to achieve productivity levels necessary for commercial viability. We used a tobacco BY-2 cell culture expressing EGFP as fusion with a glycopeptide tag comprised of 32 repeat of "Ser-Pro" dipeptide, or (SP)32 , to study cell growth and protein secretion, culture scale-up, and establishment of perfusion cultures for continuous production. The BY-2 cells accumulated low levels of cell biomass (~7.5 g DW/L) in Schenk & Hildebrandt medium, but secreted high yields of (SP)32 -tagged EGFP (125 mg/L). Protein productivity of the cell culture has been stable for 6.0 years. The BY-2 cells cultured in a 5-L bioreactor similarly produced high secreted protein yield at 131 mg/L. Successful operation of a cell perfusion culture for 30 days was achieved under the perfusion rate of 0.25 and 0.5 day(-1) , generating a protein volumetric productivity of 17.6 and 28.9 mg/day/L, respectively. This research demonstrates the great potential of the designer glycopeptide technology for use in commercial production of valuable proteins with plant cell cultures.