cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigations on the light scattering of colloidal spheres. II. Sources of error in turbidity measurements

Abstract The most important sources of error in turbidity measurements are discussed and their quantitative effect is studied by suitable experiments. Particular attention is paid to the effect of scattered straylight, of the “corona” at the exit of the scattering cell, and of the solid angle of scattered light reaching the photocell. Relatively simple precautions are described by means of which the two former effects can be eliminated, and a relatively simple procedure is proposed which allows one to obtain turbidity values pertinent to zero solid angle. It is shown that errors as large as 30 % may result if instruments which are perfectly suitable for ordinary absorption measurements are used for turbidity measurements without proper modifications and precautions.
Outcome Based Assessment and Continuous Improvement Model for Engineering Technology Programs

Assessment and continuous improvement are essential and critical processes for higher education. Development and implementation of such processes are not only required by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as part of the accreditation process but are also necessary for the maturation and development of any engineering technology program. The assessment and continuous improvement plan discussed here was developed at Old Dominion University (ODU) and implemented during the last accreditation cycle within the Engineering Technology Department. The plan is based on two cycles of assessment and evaluation, a short cycle of one year and a long term cycle of three years. The plan includes a variety of assessment methods and tools. In addition to assessing the achievement of program outcomes, the plan allows assessment of program objectives and goals. A method for individual course assessment is also presented. Issues related to institutionalization of the assessment process are also discussed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Pictorial and motion-based information for depth perception.

When computer-generated objects approached the viewpoint in midair, a large far object appeared to be nearer than a small near object and appeared to hit the viewpoint before the small object, which was specified by time-to-contact information to arrive sooner. These judgements were consistent with relative size and occurred even when motion-based information was potentially above threshold. The effects of relative size persisted with higher resolution animated films of approaching objects, were weakened by ground-intercept information, and were not as robust with laterally translating objects. Although it is often asserted that the kinds of information that have traditionally been called static depth cues are superseded by motion-based depth information, this article attempts to show that the reverse also can occur in distance perception, as has been shown in form perception. Language: en
Methylphenidate hydrochloride (ritalin) in obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Eleven experiments were carried out in seven patients with bronchial asthma. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) was given intravenously in a dosage of 2.5 to 10 mg., and the lung volumes, ventilation, and certain cardiovascular effects were measured before and after the administration of the drug. In general, Ritalin increased the vital capacity and the maximal expiratory flow rate and actively stimulated both the depth and the rate of respiration. Th effect of Ritalin on the cardiovascular apparatus was inconstant and, for the most part, moderate and transient.
Enzyme-digestible swelling hydrogels as platforms for long-term oral drug delivery: synthesis and characterization

A method was developed for synthesizing enzyme-digestible swelling hydrogels. Albumin molecules were modified using glycidyl acrylate to introduce vinyl groups. The functionalized albumin molecules participated as cross-linkers in the polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as acrylic acid or acrylamide. The extent of chemical modification of albumin was an important variable in controlling the cross-linking ability. The albumin in the synthesized hydrogels retained its property of enzymatic digestion by proteolytic enzymes. The kinetics of swelling and enzymatic digestion of the hydrogels were examined using various enzyme concentrations. It was observed that the digestion kinetics were largely determined by the relative concentrations of albumin and enzyme. The potential application of the enzyme-digestible swelling hydrogels as platforms for long-term oral drug delivery is discussed.
HIV-1 Membrane Fusion Targets of Opportunity

The AIDS pandemic is spreading unchecked in many parts of the world. Currently available anti-viral regimens are plagued by their high cost, by serious side effects in a significant minority of recipients, and by the increasing problems of drug-resistant HIV variants. Fortunately, rapid advances in
Patient-centered prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

In this Review, Kathryn Taubert, Nathaniel Clark and Robert Smith explore the common features and risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes—disease which together are responsible for more than 25 million deaths in the world each year. They examine the important role of cardiology health-care providers with regards to risks for other chronic conditions and occult disease. Collectively, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for more than 25 million deaths in the world each year, and millions more live with one or more of these diseases. Much of this disease burden could be prevented, however, by controlling the modifiable risk factors. Although this Review focuses primarily on health-care providers caring for patients with cardiovascular disease, we stress the importance of considering the totality of patients' health. We discuss the common features and risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, and how best to implement practices aimed at prevention. The shared risk factors of tobacco use, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, and poor nutrition, and their management are discussed. General risk-factor screening recommendations are also outlined and specific screening strategies for the disease states are given. Finally, we discuss the appropriate role of cardiology health-care providers with respect to risks for other chronic conditions and occult disease.
Natural History, Natural Theology, and Social Order: John Ray and the "Newtonian Ideology"

The close association of natural theology and natural history in British thought has been a source of chagrin, if not of actual embarrassment, to many historians. The shade of Archdeacon William Paley haunts the imaginations of these scholars. His notorious logical ineptitude has presented them with a problem to which there would seem to be no ready solution. How could so many capable naturalists allow themselves to be persuaded by such feeble philosophy? ' Admirers of John Ray, Robert Boyle, and others have felt it necessary to explain away or, at least, to justify this unbecoming enthusiasm. Others have simply brushed the whole issue of natural theology impatiently or amusedly aside as merely another British eccentricity: a manifestation of national character, religious piety, or cultural uniqueness. Partly, of course, such reactions stem from a residual whiggish or positivistic indignation at the improper mixing of science and religion. As we have moved away from the presuppositions of whiggery and positivism, historians have attempted to find explanations for the striking prominence of natural theology in British intellectual culture. Its importance as an organizing principle in scientific work has often been pointed out, as has its role as an instrument of acculturation and social control. But much of this discussion, while more insightful than the whiggish dismissal, has continued to treat natural theology as a more or less normal feature of the British intellectual landscape as something "there," which, after its toadstool-like emergence in the seventeenth century, lacked significant development or history thereafter; as something that is essentially the same in whatever writer or in whatever era one finds it. I wish to suggest here a more specific historical explanation of when and why the close
Tactile graphics with a voice demonstration

Textbook images are converted into tactile graphics to be made accessible to blind and low vision students. The text labels on these graphics are an important part of the image and must be made accessible as well. The graphics usually have the labels embossed in Braille. However, there are some blind and low vision students who cannot read Braille and need to be able to access the labels in a different manner. We present Tactile Graphics with a Voice, a system that encodes the labels in QR codes, which can be read aloud using the application, TGV, we developed. TGV provides feedback to support the user in scanning the QR code and allows the user to select which QR code to scan when multiple are close together.
Laser Based Flexible Fabrication of Functionally Graded Mould Inserts

A CO 2 laser-based freeform fabrication process with emphasis on difficult-to-shape and functionally effective materials was investigated with regard to fabrication of dies and moulds. Square and circular moulds were built by use of a material additive process of layers of TiC and Ni-alloy composite. The effects of laser processing on the quality, microstructures, and hardness of the moulds were determined. Additionally, the mould performance was evaluated in die-casting, injection moulding, and in a thermal fatigue environment. The TiC core-Ni-alloy shell mould outperformed moulds made of hardened H13 die steel, 304 stainless steel, and TiC-coated stainless steel in withstanding stresses and in retaining dimensional stability at elevated temperatures.
New Results from Fundamental-Physics Tests at Berkeley: Atomic Parity Violation, Searches for Variation of α and Bose-Einstein-Statistics Violation by Photons

The status of experiments on parity violation in atomic ytterbium, variation of alpha with radio-frequency transitions in dysprosium, and testing Bose-Einstein-statistics for photons will be presented.
Bounded-call broadcasting

Abstract Broadcasting is the information dissemination task whereby a message from one site of a network (the sender) is transmitted to all other sites (receivers). In this paper, we initiate the study of broadcasting under operational protocols that bound the number of calls made by any site to be less than or equal to a predetermined constant, c . Specifically, we (i) investigate the c -call broadcast time function, being the minimum possible time required to inform all vertices in a network when the number of calls made by each site is bounded by c ; (ii) define a general class of sparse minimum-time c -call broadcast graphs and an associated broadcast protocol; (iii) characterize the structure of minimum broadcast trees with call bound c ; (iv) discuss the complexity of the recognition problem for minimum-time c -call broadcast graphs, and (v) present a catalog of minimum 2-call broadcast graphs for small values of n .
Ocular melanoma with retinal detachment: double density sign on CT.

Abstract A CT examination of a woman with an intraocular melanoma revealed a high density mass lesion with an adjacent retinal detachment of slightly lower density. The “double density” identified in this case can serve as a useful sign in distinguishing melanomatous lesions with accompanying retinal tears.
The influence of cholesterol and fat in maternal diet of rats on the development of hepatic cholesterol metabolism in the offspring

Abstract The influence of a high cholesterol-high fat (HC-HF) diet on the hepatic synthesis and catabolism of cholesterol in the offspring was investigated at various stages of growth and development in the rat. Pregnant rats were fed HC-HF or the control diet throughout the period of pregnancy and newborn pups were suckled by mothers fed either the control or experimental diet throughout the period of lactation. The animals were killed at birth, weaning or at maturity for the determination of serum cholesterol, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, and microsomal cholesterol accumulation. Feeding HC-HF diet to pregnant or lactating animals caused a 34% inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase in newborn pups and an inhibition of over 75% in suckling and mature animals. Hepatic 7α-hydroxylase in the newborn from mothers on the experimental diet rose progressively when compared to those from the control group which remained unaffected. Microsomal cholesterol in newborn pups was not influenced by maternal diet. Weanlings nursed by mothers fed the HC-HF diet showed a 66% reduction in HMG-CoA reductase activity and 150% increase in cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase when compared to those nursed by animals on the control diet. The results are compatible with the thesis that exposure to high dietary cholesterol and fat in gestation has a significant influence on the development of enzymes regulating cholesterol metabolism at weaning.
The development of a model to predict drinking behavior from attitudes in university students.

The major purposes of the study were: a) to examine the relationship between attitudes and self-reported levels of drinking; and b) to develop a stable prediction equation that included attitudes as a predictor of drinking behavior. A Likert-type survey was developed to measure college student's attitudes toward alcohol. The survey was administered to a sample of college students (n=1049). The coefficient alpha reliability estimate was found to be .91. Stepwise multiple regression procedures were used to ascertain the relationships between attitudes and other psychosocial constructs of drinking. The dependent variable was an alcohol consumption index. The analysis revealed that the seven variable model was the most parsimonious (R 2 =.46), and attitudes toward drinking was the strongest predictor of self-reported drinking behavior. A double cross-validation of the regression model indicated that the model was very stable, and therefore could be generalized to similar samples. The substantive findings related to students' self-reported drinking practices are also reported.
Prospective Study of the Natural History of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract Background . The decision whether or not to recommend resection of moderately large descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms requires weighing the relatively high mortality and significant risk of paraplegia associated with operation against the likelihood that the aneurysm will rupture spontaneously, with an almost invariably fatal outcome. To better define the risk of aneurysm rupture, we undertook a prospective study of patients who had not had operation on their moderately large descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms. Methods . Patients were enrolled at the time of their second computed tomographic scans: three-dimensional computer-generated reconstructions allowed determination of several dimensional parameters for each study, including diameters and cross-sectional areas at the site of maximal dilatation in the descending aorta and in the abdomen as well as total thoracoabdominal surface area. Comparisons of serial studies permitted calculation of yearly rates of change in these dimensions. Results . Of 114 patients, 8 died of causes unrelated to the aneurysm, 26 died of rupture, 20 met previously determined criteria for operation, and 60 survived without operation or rupture. Multivariate regression analysis identified maximal diameter in the descending and in the abdominal aorta as independent risk factors for rupture, as well as older age, the presence of even uncharacteristic pain, and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A piecewise exponential model enabled construction of an equation allowing calculation of rate of rupture in patients in whom the values of the risk factors are known, and also of the probability of rupture in a given individual over a specified time interval. Conclusions . Because using this equation—based on easily determined risk factors (age, pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, maximal thoracic and maximal abdominal aortic diameter)—allows the risk of aneurysm rupture within a given interval to be estimated fairly accurately for each individual patient, it is our current practice to recommend operation when the calculated risk of rupture within 1 year exceeds the anticipated mortality of elective operation, rather than relying on general operative guidelines based almost exclusively on aneurysm size. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1533–45)
Factors Determining the Need for Thyroidectomy During Laryngectomy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Figure 1. CT images. (A) Subglottic extension and (B) thyroid cartilage invasion by SCCA larynx. Objective: To evaluate predictors for thyroid gland invasion in patients undergoing laryngectomy for SCCA of the larynx. Study Design: Retrospective chart review of a single tertiary care hospital. Methods: One-hundred forty-one charts were reviewed. Ninety patients underwent total laryngectomy for laryngeal SCCA between January 1993 and February 2009. Subjects were assessed based on tumor stage, preoperative evaluation (direct laryngoscopy and CT scan), and pathologic analysis. Outcomes included factors suggesting need for thyroidectomy. Results: Thyroidectomy was performed in 36/90 (40%) of patients and thyroid gland invasion by SCCA occurred in 7/36 (19%) cases undergoing thyroidectomy. In those specimens with thyroid gland invasion, 5/7 (71%) demonstrated both subglottic extension and thyroid cartilage invasion. Direct laryngoscopy had high specificity in identifying subglottic extension (p < 0.0001, 100% specificity), but poor sensitivity (60%). Computed tomography proved to be highly sensitive (100% sensitivity) in predicting subglottic extension (p = 0.01), thyroid cartilage invasion, and thyroid gland invasion, but was limited by its specificity (34%, 41%, and 36% respectively). Conclusions: Routine thyroidectomy in conjunction with laryngeal SCCA is unnecessary. Findings of both subglottic extension and thyroid cartilage invasion correlate positively with thyroid gland invasion, and suggest the need for thyroidectomy. However, preoperative prediction of these findings can be difficult. Abstract
Voting and Contacting: Two Forms of Political Participation in a Suburban Community

This study examines voting and contacting public officials as two forms of local political participation in the suburban community of Garland, Texas. Voting and contacting are positively, but not v...
On the convex layers of a planar set

Let S be a set of n points in the Euclidean plane. The convex layers of S are the convex polygons obtained by iterating on the following procedure: compute the convex hull of S and remove its vertices from S . This process of peeling a planar point set is central in the study of robust estimators in statistics. It also provides valuable information on the morphology of a set of sites and has proven to be an efficient preconditioning for range search problems. An optimal algorithm is described for computing the convex layers of S. The algorithm runs in 0 (n \log n) time and requires O(n) space. Also addressed is the problem of determining the depth of a query point within the convex layers of S , i.e., the number of layers that enclose the query point. This is essentially a planar point location problem, for which optimal solutions are therefore known. Taking advantage of structural properties of the problem, however, a much simpler optimal solution is derived.
Laterality effects in response to the offset of visual stimuli

Abstract In a study of simple reaction time to visual stimuli it was found that the offset (or termination) of stimuli presented in the right visual field elicits significantly later responses than does the offset of stimuli presented in the left visual field. No such differences was observed for the responses to stimulus onset. A similar effect has been reported for responses to tonal stimuli. The results do not support the view that hemispheric asymmetries arise at higher stages of information processing than those which mediate simple reaction time.
Experimental investigation of flow turbulence effects on premixed methane-air flames

An experimental assessment of a novel technique for measuring turbulent flame speeds was conducted. Unconfined, V-shaped, methane-air flames stabilized in grid turbulence were investigated. Local flame speeds were measured employing hot film and laser anemometry and fine wire thermocouples. The measurement instrumentation was extended to provide mean and fluctuating temperature information about turbulent flames. The flames in grid turbulence exhibited an increase in flame speed with increased length scale and velocity fluctuations. At high combustor velocities, stabilizer wake turbulence dominated the flame properties.
Analytical Determination of Distribution Uniformity for Microirrigation Tapered Laterals Laid on Uphill and Horizontal Slopes

AbstractThe uniform distribution of water delivered through microirrigation emitters on a lateral line is an important objective that greatly affects a system’s efficiency. Among the various uniformity parameters, distribution uniformity (DU) is one of the most frequently used indexes in industry. In this study, an easy-to-use analytical method for directly calculating the DU of tapered microirrigation laterals laid on horizontal or uphill slopes is developed. The proposed equations are derived assuming that the system’s hydraulic characteristics and the ground slope are the only factors affecting the DU. A comparison test with a numerical stepwise solution indicates that the proposed analytical method is reasonably accurate and can be used to evaluate the system uniformity. The results also show that the accuracy of the method increases as the total number of outlets increases or the value of the emitter exponent approaches unity.
Evaluation of the Surface Climatology over the Conterminous United States in the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program Hindcast Experiment Using a Regional Climate Model Evaluation System

AbstractSurface air temperature, precipitation, and insolation over the conterminous United States region from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) regional climate model (RCM) hindcast study are evaluated using the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Regional Climate Model Evaluation System (RCMES). All RCMs reasonably simulate the observed climatology of these variables. RCM skill varies more widely for the magnitude of spatial variability than the pattern. The multimodel ensemble is among the best performers for all these variables. Systematic biases occur across these RCMs for the annual means, with warm biases over the Great Plains (GP) and cold biases in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico (GM) coastal regions. Wet biases in the Pacific Northwest and dry biases in the GM/southern Great Plains also occur in most RCMs. All RCMs suffer problems in simulating summer rainfall in the Arizona–New Mexico region. RCMs generally overestimate surface insolation, especially in the...
Asymmetrical ocular pursuit with posterior fossa tumors

We report two patients with posterior fossa neoplasms who demonstrated asymmetrically impaired horizontal ocular pursuit documented with electrooculography. One patient had impaired pursuit contralateral to a pontomedullary lesion, whereas the second patient had impaired pursuit ipsilateral to a pontocerebellar lesion. These patients demonstrate that posterior fossa lesions may impair ocular pursuit either contralaterally or ipsilaterally unlike cerebral hemispheric lesions, which impair ocular pursuit ipsilaterally or bilaterally.
Hepato-pancreato-biliary training in general surgery residency: is it enough for the real world?

Abstract Background Advanced training in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery is available at select centers. No approved fellowships have yet been established. Objective To determine the level of training in HPB surgery during general surgery residency and to assess the need for additional training. Method All general surgical residency programs in the United States were surveyed. Resident Review Committee (RRC) and International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) requirements were compared to Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) data. Results Eighty of 250 general surgical residency programs (32%) responded to the survey. Eighty percent felt their graduating residents had sufficient HPB training. The average number of pancreatic cases per graduating resident was 10.2 ± 7.3. The average number of hepatic resections was 8.6 ± 5.1, and for complex biliary cases, 5.3 ± 1.3. Conclusions A significant portion of HPB surgery is performed at transplant centers or by HPB surgeons. Guidelines must be established to assure adequate training. When HPB surgery is the main focus of the future practice, residents should seek additional training.
Loop-based leakage control for branch predictors

Leakage energy consumption is becoming an important design consideration with the scaling of technology. Besides caches, branch predictors are among the largest on-chip array structures and consume non-trivial leakage energy. This paper proposes two loop-based strategies to reduce the branch predictor leakage without impacting prediction accuracy, which is crucial for achieving high performance. The loop-based approaches exploit the fact that loops usually only contain a small number of instructions and hence fewer branch instructions. Consequently, all the non-active entries of branch predictors can be placed into the low leakage mode during the loop execution for leakage energy savings. Compilers can annotate this information and pass it to the processor for reducing leakage at runtime. Compared to the recently-proposed decay-based approach, our experimental results show that the loop-based approach can extract 16.2% more branch predictor idleness on average, leading to more leakage energy savings without impacting the branch prediction accuracy and performance.
Cardiac electrophysiologic interactions of bepridil, a new calcium antagonist, with enflurane, halothane, and isoflurane.

Abstract Bepridil is an investigational calcium antagonist that also has fast sodium channel blocking and antidysrhythmic properties. In the present study, the potential interactions of bepridil with volatile anesthetics on cardiac electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated ] in open-chest dogs. Twenty-four dogs anesthetized with enflurane (n = 6), halothane (n = 6), isoflurane (n = 6), or chloralose (n = 6) received 2.5 mg/kg of bepridil intravenously (IV). Twenty-five additional dogs anesthetized with enflurane (n = 7), halothane (n = 6), isoflurane (n = 6), or chloralose (n = 6), received bepridil, 5.0 mg/kg, IV. Dogs anesthetized with cloralose served as controls. Cardiac electrophysiologic parameters were measured after the dogs were anesthetized and were repeated 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after bepridil infusion. Plasma bepridil concentrations were also determined at the above time points. Synergy between bepridil and enflurane was demonstrated in the following cardiac electrophysiologic parameters: depression of sinus node function as evidenced by severe depression of sinus node automaticity and conduction; depression of atrioventricular function as evidenced by prolongation of the atrial—His bundle interval and the Wenckebach R-R interval; and, prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period. No synergy was demonstrated between bepridil and halothane or isoflurane when compared to bepridil's effects during chloralose anesthesia. It is concluded that significant synergistic cardiac electrophysiologic effects exist between bepridil and enflurane in dogs. It is recommended that caution be used when anesthetizing patients receiving bepridil with enflurane until human data on the use of this combination of pharmacologic agents is available.
Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in the Congenital Long QT Syndrome

We surveyed the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was used primarily in high-risk persons and appeared safe and effective over a mean 31-month follow-up.
Wow, this is Great!

’ve been on the job as the JALA editor-in-chief for I almost a year already, and one of the most satisfying things about it is how often I hear praise and surprise from colleagues to whom I introduce the journal. My day job takes me around the globe regularly, and regardless of whether I’m working with graduate students in our laboratory at Northwestern University, dining with colleagues at Taiwan University, making a presentation to scholars in St. Petersburg, Russia, connecting with nanodiamond specialists in Los Angeles, meeting dignitaries at the University of Beijing, or struggling with 100-degree heat and unreliable Internet connections in Singapore, I am always aware of the ‘‘other hat’’ that sits figuratively on my headdthat of being JALA editor-in-chief. With this other hat comes the duties of ambassador, ombudsman, and cheerleader. This is where things become fun. Almost without fail, when I introduce colleagues and other business associates to JALA, they are impressed and excited to discover such a unique and valuable resource. They eagerly seize its value, because they recognize that the integrative field of laboratory automation is continually evolving and influencing innovation throughout fundamental/basic/translational domains (academia and government) and being applied in the marketplace and in commercial practice (industry). With this in focus, JALA has no equal.
Development of a Modulation Strategy for a PWM Inverter Drive

When induction motors are driven by electronic inverters, the applied voltage waveforms are quite nonsinusoidal. The fundamental component of the current is controlled by the load. The harmonic currents are limited principally by the motor leakage inductance and are independent of load. These harmonic currents can lead to increased motor heating and to increased peak currents. In addition, the modulation technique can give rise to problems in the control. An analysis method was developed to predict the performance of an induction motor in response to inverter waveforms. The correctness of the method was verified by comparison to measurements made on an operating system. This tool was then used to aid in the development of a modulation strategy, to accurately evaluate the motor heating problem and to analyze a new method of transitioning from pulsewidth modulation to square wave operation.
Application of Genetic Algorithms to Observer Kalman Filter Identification

In this paper several applications of genetic algorithm (GA) as an aid to the system identification process are presented. First, GAs are used in a set of covariance-based optimum input signal algorithms using a proposed architecture suitable for online system identification. The optimal signals are computed recursively using a predictive filter. The efficiency of these algorithms are compared based on a set of simulations. Second, a novel input design for a two-step identification scheme is presented. Constraint systems, such as commonly found in structural and biomedical engineering applications, are considered for the input design algorithm. This paper presents a novel approach that induces a learning scheme into the input design computation and allows for considerations of the given constraints of the system. The optimization of the new input signal is accomplished using a simple elitism based genetic algorithm. Simulation results indicate the proposed piecewise adaptive input design algorithm perform...
RNAi validation of resistance genes and their interactions in the highly DDT-resistant 91-R strain of Drosophila melanogaster.

4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has been re-recommended by the World Health Organization for malaria mosquito control. Previous DDT use has resulted in resistance, and with continued use resistance will increase in terms of level and extent. Drosophila melanogaster is a model dipteran that has many available genetic tools, numerous studies done on insecticide resistance mechanisms, and is related to malaria mosquitoes allowing for extrapolation. The 91-R strain of D. melanogaster is highly resistant to DDT (>1500-fold), however, there is no mechanistic scheme that accounts for this level of resistance. Recently, reduced penetration, increased detoxification, and direct excretion have been identified as resistance mechanisms in the 91-R strain. Their interactions, however, remain unclear. Use of UAS-RNAi transgenic lines of D. melanogaster allowed for the targeted knockdown of genes putatively involved in DDT resistance and has validated the role of several cuticular proteins (Cyp4g1 and Lcp1), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (Cyp6g1 and Cyp12d1), and ATP binding cassette transporters (Mdr50, Mdr65, and Mrp1) involved in DDT resistance. Further, increased sensitivity to DDT in the 91-R strain after intra-abdominal dsRNA injection for Mdr50, Mdr65, and Mrp1 was determined by a DDT contact bioassay, directly implicating these genes in DDT efflux and resistance.
Performance of Repair Welds on Service-Aged 2-1/4Cr-1Mo Girth Weldments

This paper discusses the results of evaluations performed on service-aged piping using both conventional postweld heat treatments and temperbead repair techniques. The two repair weldments were accomplished on two 2-1/4Cr-1Mo pipe girth weldments which were removed from a utility hot reheat piping system in the fall of 1992 after 161,000 h of operation at 1,000 F (538 C). Each repair was performed around one-half of the diameter of a pipe girth weldment, while the remaining half of the girth weldment was left in the service-aged condition. Post-repair metallurgical and mechanical test results indicated that both weld repairs produced improved remaining lives when compared to the service-aged girth weldments. Since the two ex-service weldments that were utilized in weld repairs exhibited different stress rupture strengths to start with, the performance of temper bead and postweld heat-treated (PWHT) repair could not be compared directly. It was clear, however, that life extension periods exceeding 30 yr could be achieved by temperbead repairs, with improved toughness and with no loss of stress rupture ductility, tensile strength, or yield strength. The temperbead repair improved the toughness of the service-aged weldment, while the postweld heat-treated repair lowered the HAZ toughness.
Cognitive behavior therapy manual for depressed inpatients: A treatment protocol outline *

In this report we present a brief treatment manual for the use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as an inpatient treatment of nonpsychotic major depression. The manual was developed primarily for use by experiencenced therapists working on general, shortstay psychiatric inpatient units. Inpatient CBT differs from outpatient therapy in terms of the frequency of sessions, a relatively greater emphasis on behavioral strategies early in the course of treatment, and the need to integrate therapy within respect to a broader multidisciplinary treatment plan.
Irradiation and Manual Navigation

Minimal angle of resolution /MAR/ between point and extended circular source and between point source and simulated horizon, studying irradiation effects on manual navigation
Greater Number of Narcotic Analgesic Prescriptions for Osteoarthritis Is Associated with Falls and Fractures in Elderly Adults

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in types of medications prescribed for pain before and after withdrawal of certain selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors in 2004 and to determine whether there was an association with fall events in elderly adults with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: A nested case-control design using electronic medical records compiled between 2001 and 2009. SETTING: Electronic medical records for care provided in an integrated health system in rural Pennsylvania over a 9-year period (2001-09), the midpoint of which rofecoxib and valdecoxib were pulled from the market. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen thousand three hundred fifty-four individuals aged 65 to 89 with a diagnosis of OA. MEASUREMENTS: The incidence of falls and fractures was examined in relation to analgesics prescribed: narcotics, COX-2 inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The comparison sample of individuals who did not fall was matched 3:1 with those who fell according to age, sex, and comorbidity. RESULTS: Narcotic analgesic prescriptions were associated with a significantly greater risk of falls and fractures. The likelihood of experiencing a fall/fracture was higher in participants prescribed narcotic analgesics than those prescribed a COX-2 inhibitor (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5-4.3) or NSAID (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.7-4.5). CONCLUSION: Use of narcotic analgesics is associated with risk of falls and fractures in elderly adults with OA, an observation that suggests that the current guidelines for the treatment of pain, which include first-line prescription of narcotics, should be reevaluated. Language: en
Fracture protection provided by long-term estrogen treatment

The objective of the study was to determine the incidence rate of osteoporotic fractures among elderly women who had long-term postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and to compare this with the incidence rate in women who had not used estrogen. In a previous retrospective cohort study based on medical record review in 1982, we showed that long-term ERT was associated with lower incidence of wrist and vertebral fractures. We have extended our follow-up of 490 women by adding a mean 8 years to the observation period, which more than triples the number of osteoporotic fractures. At the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco, a large health maintenance organization, a review of computer pharmacy records from 1968 through 1971 identified 245 postmenopausal women; all had begun estrogen within 3 years of menopause and had used estrogen for at least 5 years. From the same pharmacy records, 245 age-matched postmenopausal non-users were identified. Among estrogen users, mean length of use was 17.0 years, mean follow-up after treatment was 7.3 years and mean dose of conjugated oral estrogen was 0.9 mg daily. We found statistically significant reduction in the incidence of wrist and vertebral fractures in users compared with non-users. The age-adjusted incidence ratios (95% confidence intervals for wrist fractures were 0.55 (0.32–0.92) and for vertebral fractures were 0.57 (0.41 –0.80). These results were not statistically significantly altered after adjustment for age of menopause, body mass index and smoking. It is concluded that long-term ERT confers statistically significant protection against wrist and vertebral fractures.
A simple test for distinguishing between internal reference price theories

A large literature demonstrates the empirical importance of internal reference price effects. There are several theories regarding how and why these effects arise. We offer a simple test that distinguishes between the two leading theories based on economically rational behavior: price as a signal of quality and price as a predictor of future prices. Our test builds on differences in how past consumer purchases interact with internal reference prices. We first validate the reliability of our test by applying it to synthetic data. We then apply our test to purchases of ketchup and diapers and find: (1) quality signaling is the dominant mechanism behind reference price effects in both categories; (2) consistent with the quality-signaling theory, reference price effects diminish as various measures of consumer experience increase; but (3) in both categories there are many individuals for whom price-prediction effects dominate quality-signaling effects.
Modeling microwave devices: a symbolic approach

A symbolic computation technique, which automatically converts an equivalent circuit model of an electron device into a set of closed-form S-parameter equations, is presented. It is shown how these equations are used to customize a computer-aided model generation process. Significant improvement has been observed in the computational efficiency of a modeling process utilizing these closed-form equations. >
Immunotoxicant Screening and Prioritization in the Twenty-first Century:

Current immunotoxicity testing guidance for drugs, high production–volume chemicals, and pesticides specifies the use of animal models to assess potential biomarkers of immune system effects (e.g., lymphoid organ and bone marrow indices, histopathology) or actual measures of immune function (e.g., responses to challenge with antigens or pathogens). These assays are resource intensive and often require special training or experience to ensure reliable results. Alternative in vitro assays to detect immunosuppression and allergic hypersensitivity have the potential to reduce animal use and testing costs and increase immunotoxicity screening and prioritization efforts. Alternative models to detect immunosuppression tend to address broad modes of action because suppression may be caused by a wide variety of events; current in vitro models access the supply of innate and adaptive immune system cells as well as cellular markers associated with function, including gene expression, protein synthesis, and prolifera...
How religiosity shapes health perceptions and behaviors of Latina immigrants: is it an enabling or prohibitive factor?

The study examines how religiosity shapes the health perceptions and health-related behaviors of 50 Latina immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Bolivia. Between May and August 2011, focus groups were conducted with participants representing each country of origin. Qualitative content analysis was the analytic strategy adopted in the study. The meta-theme, Religiosity Contributes to Positive Perceptions of Health and Health-Promoting Behaviors, is associated with six emerging themes: (1) Religiosity promotes a sense of personal responsibility for one’s health; (2) Religiosity promotes a holistic view of health; (3) Religiosity promotes the view that health is a priority; (4) Religiosity promotes the view that health enables one to perform necessary tasks; (5) Religiosity promotes health-seeking behavior; and (6) Religiosity provides intrinsic health benefits. Findings do not follow the clear-cut dichotomy of the health locus of control model and challenge simplified notions that Latinas hold ...
Genistein supplementation increases bone turnover but does not prevent alcohol-induced bone loss in male mice.

Chronic alcohol consumption results in bone loss through increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation. These effects can be reversed by estradiol (E2) supplementation. Soy diets are suggested to have protective effects on bone loss in men and women, as a result of the presence of soy protein-associated phytoestrogens such as genistein (GEN). In this study, male mice were pair-fed (PF), a control diet, an ethanol (EtOH) diet, or EtOH diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg of GEN for 8 weeks to test if GEN protects against bone loss associated with chronic drinking. Interestingly, alcohol consumption reduced cortical area and thickness and trabecular bone volume in both EtOH and EtOH/GEN groups when compared to the corresponding PF and PF/GEN controls, P < 0.05. However, in the trabecular bone compartment, we observed a significant increase in overall trabecular bone density in the PF/GEN group compared to the PF controls. Bone loss in the EtOH-treated mice was associated with the inhibition of osteobla...
The Human Microbiome and Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children

This project explores the nature of the human intestinal microbiome in healthy children and children with recurrent abdominal pain. The overall goal is to obtain a robust knowledge base of the intestinal microbiome in children without evidence of pain or gastrointestinal disease and in those with recurrent abdominal pain (functional abdominal pain (FAP) and FAP associated with changes in bowel habits, i.e., irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Specific aims include: 1. Characterize the composition of the gut microbiome in healthy children by DNA sequencing. 2. Determine the presence of disease-specific organism signatures of variable gut microbiomes in children with recurrent abdominal pain. 3. Perform functional gut metagenomics by evaluation of whole community gene expression profiles and discovery of disease-specific pathway signatures. Multiple strategies have been deployed to navigate and understand the nature of the intestinal microbiome in childhood. These strategies included 454 pyrosequencing-based strategies to sequence 16S rRNA genes and understand the detailed composition of microbes in healthy and disease groups. Microarray-based hybridization with the PhyloChip and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) probes were applied as complementary strategies to gain an understanding of the intestinal microbiome from various perspectives. Data collected and analyzed during the HMP UH2 Demo project, from a set of healthy and IBS children (7-12 yo) may enable the identification of core microbiomes in children, in addition to variable components that may distinguish healthy from diseased pediatric states. Twenty-two children with IBS and twenty-two healthy children were enrolled and analyzed in the UH2 phase of this study. The planned enrollment targets for the UH2/3 phases include 50 healthy children, 50 children with FAP and 50 children with IBS (minimum of 3 time points per child). We are currently analyzing the dataset for the presence of disease-specific signatures in the human microbiome, and correlating these microbial signatures with pediatric health or IBS disease status in addition to IBS subtype (e.g., diarrhea-vs constipation-predominant). In the next phase, whole genome shotgun sequencing and metatranscriptomics will be performed with a subset of children in each group. This study explores the nature of core and variable human microbiome in pre-adolescent healthy children and children with IBS.
Location incentives in the low-income housing tax credit: Are qualified census tracts necessary?

Abstract The low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) is the largest project-based housing subsidy in the United States. Within the program, private developers receive a subsidy in exchange for constructing apartment units that rent for a predetermined affordable rate. Because the subsidy requires apartment buildings to charge a lower rental rate, the opportunity cost of developing subsidized housing in a location is the market rent that a developer could have charged if he had not received the subsidy. This study characterizes how profit incentives motivate location decisions within the LIHTC program by showing that opportunity cost causes more LIHTC development in locations with low market rent. This result implies that additional financial incentives, like the qualified census tract, may not be necessary to promote construction of subsidized housing in low-rent areas.
Immigration and the Imagined Community in Europe and the United States

Both Europe and the United States are confronting the challenges of economic and cultural integration posed by immigration. This article uses the ESS and CID surveys to compare transatlantic public opinion about immigrants and immigration. We find more tolerance for cultural diversity in the United States, but we also find that Americans, like Europeans, tend to overestimate the number of immigrants in their countries and tend to favor lower levels of immigration. The underpinnings of individual attitudes are similar in all countries and immigration attitudes are surprisingly unrelated to country-level differences in GDP, unemployment and the number and composition of the foreign born. An implication of these findings is that acceptance of higher levels of immigration, deemed by many to be an economic need, will require both more selective immigration policies and an emphasis on the cultural assimilation of newcomers.