cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antiviral gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis: role of IKKepsilon and interferon regulatory factor 3.

Objective The rheumatoid synovium displays characteristics of Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation and antiviral gene expression, including production of RANTES and interferon-beta (IFNbeta). The mechanism of this activation in rheumatoid synovial tissue is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of the IKK-related kinase IKKepsilon and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) in the activation of antiviral genes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Kinase assay and immunostaining were performed on synovial tissue. Dominant-negative (DN) IKKepsilon adenoviral infection of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was followed by poly(I-C) stimulation and Western blotting. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on DN IKKepsilon-infected FLS and IKKepsilon(-/-) and IKKepsilon(+/+) mouse FLS. Results Western blotting showed that IKKepsilon phosphorylation was significantly greater in RA synovium compared with osteoarthritis synovium. Kinase assay confirmed that IKKepsilon was activated in RA synovium, and immunostaining showed localization of pIKKepsilon to the intimal lining. Western blot analysis demonstrated that activation of IRF-3 was also increased in RA synovium. Poly(I-C), lipopolysaccharide, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) activated phosphorylation of IKKepsilon and IRF-3 in FLS. DN IKKepsilon inhibited IRF-3 phosphorylation as well as RANTES and IFNbeta protein production in synoviocytes. Antiviral gene expression was also reduced in FLS from IKKepsilon(-/-) mice compared with IKKepsilon(+/+) mice. Conclusion Antiviral gene expression in RA, especially due to TLR ligands and TNFalpha, is dependent on IKKepsilon and IRF-3, and this pathway plays a key role in the production of type I IFNs and chemokines such as RANTES. These findings indicate that the IKKepsilon pathway may have potential as a therapeutic target in RA.
Analytical parametric analysis of the contact problem of human buttocks and negative Poisson's ratio foam cushions

Abstract Analytical investigations on the contact problems between two homogeneous and isotropic soft bodies were performed to simulate the contact of human buttocks and seat cushions. The cushion materials' Poisson's ratio were allowed to be negative. The human buttocks were modeled as an ideal sphere with radius 15 cm, and assumed to have a low Young's modulus and a Poisson's ratio close to 0.5. These parameters were held constant during our analysis. Peak contact pressure was reduced by adjusting the contour curvature of cushions according to Hertz theory, as expected. Moreover, analysis by both the Hertz model and a finite thickness 3D elasticity model showed that using negative Poisson's ratio cushions could further reduce the pressure. Negative Poisson's ratio cushions may be beneficial in the prevention of pressure sores or ulcers in the sick and in reduction of pressure-induced discomfort in seated people.
Incremental Cost-Effectiveness of Two Zidovudine Regimens to Prevent Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States

Abstract Background. Recently concluded clinical trials in Thailand have demonstrated that a short course of zidovudine therapy administered to human immunodeficiency virus-infected women during late pregnancy and labor can substantially reduce the likelihood of perinatal transmission of HIV. This regimen is both less expensive and less effective than the full course of therapy recommended for use in the United States by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). The objective of the current study is to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of the full-course zidovudine regimen in comparison to the short-course regimen that was tested in Thailand and to determine conditions under which the PHS-recommended regimen produces a net savings in societal resource utilization, relative to the shorter regimen. Methods. We used standard methods of incremental cost-effectiveness analysis and derived cost and effectiveness estimates from published studies. The main outcome measure is the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, which is the additional cost per additional case of perinatal HIV infection averted by the full course of therapy. Results. Full-course zidovudine therapy costs an additional $21,337 per additional case of HIV infection averted, relative to the shorter regimen; this is much less than the cost of treating a case of pediatric HIV infection. Conclusions. Economic and clinical findings both favor full-course zidovudine therapy over short-course therapy to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV in the United States.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors in rat kidney cytosol.

Abstract Rat kidney cytosol contains a 3.3 S high affinity binding component for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 as detected by DNA-cellulose chromatography and subsequent sucrose gradient analysis. The semipurified aporeceptor demonstrates specificity for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and an apparent dissociation constant for this sterol-hormone of 3.4 × 10 −10 M at 25°C. The physicochemical properties of this binding component are in agreement with those observed for the chick intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 receptor, suggesting that this component may function as a specific receptor for the hormone in the kidney.
Effects of shipping and storage conditions of fecal samples on viability of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

Johne's disease is characterized by chronic granulomatous enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection. Early diagnosis of infected animals is necessary to reduce contamination of the environment and to control disease spread through feces ([3][1], [6][2]). About 75% of
Capturing the Ephemeral: Using Digital Tools to Record Sites of Participatory Memory

Throughout the world, every day people are participating in sanctioned and unsanctioned memory making activities in public spaces. Due to their ever-changing status, sites of public memory are difficult to capture and archive. This poster brief focuses on determining methods for successfully recording the changes in these spaces using various digital platforms. By exploring and testing these platforms, we hope to discover which space offers the best way to discuss and record a site. The findings of this research will offer insight on how best to capture and discuss spaces that undergo frequent change.
Meta-analysis of treatment of cattle with bovine respiratory disease with tulathromycin

The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of tulathromycin at resolving bovine respiratory disease in North American feedlot cattle. This study was a systematic review of published literature. A search was conducted to identify all manuscripts relating to antibiotic treatment of cattle with respiratory disease. Relevant studies reported treatment with tulathromycin of naturally occurring respiratory disease in beef cattle in North America. Studies which failed to use randomization to minimize bias were excluded from the review. The relative risk of retreatment for bovine respiratory disease was calculated for each study included in the final review. Initially, 782 potential manuscripts were identified. After relevance screening and quality assessment, 21 high quality manuscripts were available for analysis. Two peer reviewed publications and two technical reports describing 14 trials compared tulathramycin with tilmicosin or florfenicol. In the meta-analysis of studies comparing tilmicosin with tulathromycin, the summary Mantel-Haenszel relative risk was 0.51 (95% confidence interval 0.45-0.57). It was not possible to calculate a summary Mantel-Haenszel relative risk comparing florfenicol with tulathromycin as the only three studies reported this comparison. When using a meta-analysis to combined data from randomized clinical trials reporting treatment with tulathromycin or either florfenicol or tilmicosin, tulathromycin was associated with an approximately 50% reduction in the risk of re-treatment for bovine respiratory disease compared with treatment with tilmicosin.
Jets in strongly-coupled N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory

We study jets of massless particles in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory using the AdS/conformal field theory correspondence both at zero and finite temperature. We set up an initial state corresponding to a highly energetic quark/antiquark pair and follow its time evolution into two jets. At finite temperature the jets stop after traveling a finite distance, whereas at zero temperature they travel and spread forever. We map out the corresponding baryon number charge density and identify the generic late-time behavior of the jets as well as features that depend crucially on the initial conditions.
Application of total internal reflection microscopy for laser damage studies on fused silica

Damage studies show that the majority of damage on UV grade fused silica initiates at the front or rear surface. The grinding and polishing processes used to produce the optical surfaces of transparent optics play a key role in the development of defects which can ultimately initiate damage. These defects can be on or breaking through the surface or can be sub-surface and surface defects in transparent materials. Images taken which compare both total internal reflection microscopy and atomic force microscopy show that the observed defects can be less than one micron in size. Total internal reflection microscopy has the added benefit of being able to observe large areas with sub-micron detection. Both off-line and in- situ systems have been applied in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's damage laboratory in order to understand defects in the surface and subsurface of polished fused silica. There is a preliminary indication that TIRM quality can be related to the damage resistance. The in-situ microscope is coupled into a 355 nm, 7.5 ns, 10 Hz Nd:YAG laser system in order to study damage occurring at localized scatter sites revealed with the total internal reflection microscopy method. The tests indicate damage initiating at observed artifacts which have many different morphologies and damage behaviors. Some of the scatter sites and damage morphologies revealed have been related back to the finishing process.
Development of a burst model for speech transmission with cell losses in an ATM network

Speech quality, with cell losses in an ATM network, has been evaluated previously using random cell loss rates. However, it has been shown that cell loss behavior for speech transmission in ATM is more appropriately described by the burst model due to the burstiness properties of the aggregate voice cell arrival process. A mathematical model, called the burst model for cell loss behavior in an ATM network, has been developed. The burst model predicts cell loss behavior very accurately as link capacity increases. According to the burst model, it has been calculated that SNRseg decreases by 1.5 dB at the link load of 98% for the STS-3C link.
A Multiple-Level, Comprehensive Approach to the Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Other Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

A comprehensive program for the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD) must consider multiple approaches and utilize knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines. Issues related to culture, society, behavior, belief systems, and medicine must all be considered for both etiology and solutions. A broad paradigm such as a public health model integrates various elements of approach. Because FAS and other levels of ARBD form a spectrum, from severe to negligible damage, a variety of drinking patterns with various characteristics and etiologies have to be addressed. This paper describes a multiple-level, comprehensive program with primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention components. Practical recommendations are proposed for addressing ARBD in a variety of arenas. While secondary and tertiary prevention hold promise for short-term reduction of FAS and ARBD prevalence, comprehensive prevention serves both short- and long-term effects. Multiple level prevention efforts are well served by clear and compelling vision and mission statements, and require careful evaluation.
Concurrent Validity of the Quick Test

Summa~y.-27 Ss in a diagnostic clinic for mental retardation were administered the QT and the WISC. The intercorrelations between the QT individual and combination forms were exuemely high. Significant rs were obtained between the QT and Picture Arrangement, Coding, Performance Scale scores, and Full Scale scores. The magnitude of the ss, the speed and ease of administration, suggests the QT can be used for deriving an IQ and screening patients in mencal retardation facilities. The Quick Test (Ammons & Ammons, 1962) is a verbal perceptual test of intelligence for children and adults, requiring recognition of word meaning. The Quick Tesc (QT) has three published forms and is easily and rapidly administered. The individual forms can be combined into four additional forms. The provisional manual ( Ammons & Ammons, 1962) provided concurrent validity estimates ranging from .13 to .97 for varied measures. Ogilvie (1965) reported validities ranging from .38 to .83 when correlating the QT and various WAIS subtests. Stewart, et al. (1967) investigated the relationships between the QT and the WAIS and reported correlations ranging from .21 to .97. Mednick (1967, 1969) reported correlations between various ability measures and the QT ranging from .19 to .54. No studies have focussed on correlations of QT and WISC scores for Level I AAMD Ss. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the QT employing a mildly mentally retarded sample.
Sociolinguistic Behavior in a Detroit Inner-City Black Neighborhood.

The integration of 66 black Detroit inner-city residents (33 males and 33 females) into their neighborhood is measured quantitatively by a Vernacular Culture Index (VCI) constructed from the respondents' responses to 10 statements, each with values ranging from 1 to 4. The speech behaviors of these respondents with respect to variants of six linguistic variables (each with a black English [BE] and a colloquial Standard English variant) are quantified and the statistical relationships between the VCI scores and linguistic behavior are determined. The results of the study reveal that respondents in the older age groups (40–59, 60+) are more likely to choose BE variants than respondents in the younger age groups (18–25, 26–39), and that there are consistent statistically significant correlations between high scores on the VCI and the choice of BE variants of the linguistic variables. This is taken to support the proposal that the Social Network Theory approach, of which the VCI concept is a part, is capable of explaining intracommunity linguistic variation in socioeconomically homogeneous areas such as the black community studied. (Sociolinguistics, sociolinguistic theory, black English)
Culturally Sensitive Health Care and Counseling Psychology: An Overview

This article introduces the Major Contribution, which focuses on counseling psychologists' roles in addressing health disparities through culturally sensitive health care research and interventions. First, the authors provide a rationale for conducting research focused on culturally sensitive health care and then offer definitions of patient-centered culturally sensitive health care and related terms, drawing from both the health care and counseling psychology literatures. In addition, the authors address the broader question of how factors such as culturally sensitive health care influence health outcomes through an analysis of psychosocial mechanisms of health. Finally, the authors outline how counseling psychologists' expertise in a variety of areas can be applied to the medical field, and they briefly summarize progress that the field of counseling psychology has already made to this end.
The effects of suspended residual solids on the rheology of coal-derived liquids

Abstract The rheology of the products of coal liquefaction was investigated using a Weissenberg Rheogoniometer, Model R-16, modified to allow total-normal-force measurements. Solvent extracted oils and asphaltene fractions were tested separately and when in combination with the preasphaltene fraction and residual solids. The solids-free fractions showed slight shear thinning and very little viscoelasticity. Solids-free liquids containing asphaltenes showed positive first-normal-stress differences and negative second-normal-stress differences, both varying with approximately the first power of shear rate. The addition of residual solids to the coal-derived liquids caused a dramatic change in rheology for H-Coal liquefaction material. Pronounced shear thinning was observed for solids concentrations greater than 15 wt.% in a mixture of H-Coal oils, asphaltenes and preasphaltenes. Time—temperature superposition of viscosity isotherms indicated finite zero-shear viscosities. The addition of solids enhanced the viscoelasticity, giving dynamic rigidities which increased weakly with increasing frequency. The presence of suspended residual solids also altered the shear rate dependence of the normal stress differences. The first-normal-stress difference was positive and varied with approximately the second power of shear rate. The second-normal-stress difference was negative, varying with approximately the 0.7 power of shear rate. The effects of shear rate history on the transient behavior at the onset of steady shearing support the conclusion that residual solids in coal-derived liquids can form loose flocs. It is further concluded that these flocs immobilize significant amounts of liquid giving large zero-shear viscosities. The floc network imparts an elastic character to the coal-derived material and the breakdown of this floc with increasing shear rate gives the observed shear thinning.
An intelligent assistant for interactive workflow composition

Complex applications in many areas, including scientific computations and business-related web services, are created from collections of components to form computational workflows. In many cases end users have requirements and preferences that depend on how the workflow unfolds, and that cannot be specified beforehand. Workflow editors enable users to formulate workflows, but the editors need to be augmented with intelligent assistance in order to help users in several key aspects of the task, namely: 1) keeping track of detailed constraints across selected components and their connections; 2) specifying the workflow flexibly, e.g., top-down, bottom-up, from requirements, or from available data; and 3) taking partial or incomplete descriptions of workflows and understanding the steps needed for their completion. We present an approach that combines knowledge bases (that have rich representations of components) together with planning techniques (that can track the relations and constraints among individual steps). We illustrate the approach with an implemented system called CAT (Composition Analysis Tool) that analyzes workflows and generates error messages and suggestions in order to help users compose complete and consistent workflows.
Stateful aspects: the case for aspect-oriented modeling

In this position paper, the authors argue that Aspect-Oriented Modeling (AOM) technologies have the potential to simplify the deployment and the ability to reason about a category of crosscutting concerns that have been categorized in the literature as stateful aspects. Stateful aspects trigger on a sequence of join points instead of on a single join point. Their trigger condition is history sensitive. We identify three properties of Aspect-Oriented Modeling languages that enable them to provide more natural solutions to the stateful aspect problem. The first factor is the ability of modeling languages to support different system decompositions paradigms. This ability allows a system to be decomposed according to the paradigm that fits the nature of the problem the best. Second, these decompositions allow AOM languages to capture and reason about pointcut descriptors at a higher level of abstraction. Finally, the system decomposition mechanisms can be exploited to advance the compositional expressiveness of aspects defined in AOM languages. The paper concludes with an invitation to our colleagues in the "general purpose" programming community to embrace modeling technologies in the context of automatic code generation.
The Effect of Graft Height Mismatch on Contact Pressure following Osteochondral Grafting: A Biomechanical Study

HypothesisIncongruity of the articular cartilage following osteochondral transplantation affects surface contact pressure.Study DesignAn 80 N load was applied for 120 seconds to the femoral condyles of 10 swine knees. Contact pressures were measured using Fuji prescale film. Seven conditions were tested: (1) intact articular surface; (2) 4.5-mm diameter defect; (3) grafted with 4.5-mm diameter plug elevated 1 mm above adjacent cartilage; (4) plug elevated 0.5 mm; (5) plug flush; (6) plug sunk 0.5 mm below surface; and (7) sunk 1.0 mm.ConclusionsPeak contact pressures were significantly (P< .001) elevated by ~20% after defect creation and were reduced to normal when plugs were flush. There were large and significant (P< .001) increases in pressure with plugs elevated 1 and 0.5 mm. Contact pressures with plugs sunk 0.5 and 1 mm were significantly (P< .01) higher than intact cartilage but were significantly (P < .01) lower than an empty defect.Clinical RelevanceNormal contact pressures and patterns can be du...
CAD/simulation for dynamic environments

The architecture and working of a flexible multiple mobile robot system (MMRS) are described. The use of a path network to define allowed paths for the mobile robots is proposed. This greatly simplifies the detection of possible collisions between the robots and the problem of replanning the motion. The MMRS is divided into three main components standard pattern, central controller, and individual mobile robot. The architecture of the proposed MMRS is presented and its operation discussed in detail. Efficient control algorithms for both the central controller and individual mobile robots are developed and presented. A CAD/simulation system for the design and evaluation of the MMRS is developed. Simulation results to emphasize the validity of the system are presented. >
Tukey smoothers as preprocessors for positive ar(1) parameter estimation in the presence of additive contamination

An ordinary least squares estimator of a parameter φ has minimum mean squared error among all unbiased linear estimators of φ but can be drastically affected by outliers in the data. A robust approach, based on using Tukey smoothers as data preprocessors, is proposed for estimating positive parameters φ of AR(1) time series. For series with additive contamination, the proposed procedure, suitably applied, is shown to achieve substantially smaller mean squared error in estimating φ than does ordinary least squares estimation.
Pragmatic approach to systolic design

Limitations of current systolic designs are pointed out and new constraints are imposed to make systolic solutions practical. Matrix multiplication is used as an illustration, and a simple but very high performance systolic architecture, the supercoprocessor for matrix problems (S-MP), which satisfies these constraints is presented. Implementation alternatives for the linear systolic array for matrix-vector multiplication, which forms the core of the S-MP, are also described.
A Bayesian Analysis (Gaussian Process Model) for Air Traffic Demand Forecast at a Commercial Airport

Inaccurate air traffic demand forecasts complicate the task of transformation and modernization. The large time requirement to construct facilities and implement procedures for increasing airport capacity necessitates better forecasts. In the past, approaches have been developed using a regression model which requires predictive values for the economic state, demographics, flight preferences, the number of routes to or from an airport, and so on. However, a larger number of predictors increases the model uncertainty. Therefore finding only the highly correlated parameters is essential for model accuracy. In this study, three parameters were considered to predict future air traffic demand at a commercial airport through Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling simulation: number of passengers, average aircraft load factor, and average seats per aircraft. The model requires the future values of these parameters to form the forecast. The proposed forecast problem solution method uses a Gaussian Process (GP) model, one of the well-known Bayesian analyses. The GP model allows quantification of uncertainties for the three input parameters so that the predicted air traffic demand and its distribution can be determined.
FIRE: Infrastructure for Experience-based Systems with Common Sense

We believe that the flexibility and robustness of common sense reasoning comes from analogical reasoning, learning, and generalization operating over massive amounts of experience. Million-fact knowledge bases are a good starting point, but are likely to be orders of magnitude smaller, in terms of ground facts, than will be needed to achieve human-like common sense reasoning. This paper describes the FIRE reasoning engine which we have built to experiment with this approach. We discuss its knowledge base organization, including coarse-coding via mentions and a persistent TMS to achieve efficient retrieval while respecting the logical environment formed by contexts and their relationships in the KB. We describe its stratified reasoning organization, which supports both reflexive reasoning (Ask, Query) and deliberative reasoning (Solve, HTN planner). Analogical reasoning, learning, and generalization are supported as part of reflexive reasoning. To show the utility of these ideas, we describe how they are used in the Companion cognitive architecture, which has been used in a variety of reasoning and learning experiments.
Dietary Acid Load is Associated With Serum Bicarbonate but not Insulin Sensitivity in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective In chronic kidney disease (CKD), dietary acid may promote metabolic acidosis and insulin resistance, which in turn may contribute to adverse clinical health outcomes. We examined associations between dietary acid load, serum bicarbonate, and insulin sensitivity in CKD. Design In a cross-sectional study, we collected 3-day prospective food diaries to quantify dietary acid load as net endogenous acid production (NEAP, the nonvolatile acid load produced by the diet's acid balance) and potential renal acid load (PRAL). We measured urine net acid excretion (NAE) in 24-hour urine samples. Insulin sensitivity was measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Subjects Forty-two patients with CKD Stages 3 to 5 attending nephrology clinics in the Pacific Northwest and 21 control subjects (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 ). Main Outcome Measures Serum bicarbonate and insulin sensitivity (SI clamp ). Results Mean age was 60.8 ± 13.6 years, and 54% of participants were men. Mean eGFR and serum bicarbonate concentrations were 34.4 ± 13.1 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 and 24.1 ± 2.9 mEq/L for participants with CKD and 88.6 ± 14.5 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 and 26.3 ± 1.8 mEq/L for control subjects, respectively. Mean NEAP, PRAL, and NAE were 58.2 ± 24.3, 9.7 ± 18.4, and 32.1 ± 19.8 mEq/day, respectively. Considering all participants, dietary acid load was significantly, inversely associated with serum bicarbonate, adjusting for age, gender, race, eGFR, body mass index, and diuretic use: −1.2 mEq/L per standard deviation (SD) NEAP (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.8 to −0.6, P P = .0005); −0.7 mEq/L bicarbonate per SD NAE (95% CI −1.2 to −0.1, P = .01). These associations were similar in participants with and without CKD. However, neither NEAP and PRAL nor NAE was significantly associated with SI clamp . Serum bicarbonate was also not significantly associated with SI clamp . Conclusions In CKD, dietary acid load is associated with serum bicarbonate, suggesting that acidosis may be improved by dietary changes, but not with insulin sensitivity.
Chitosan Microgels and Nanoparticles via Electrofluidodynamic Techniques for Biomedical Applications

Electrofluidodynamics techniques (EFDTs) are emerging methodologies based on liquid atomization induced by electrical forces to obtain a fine suspension of particles from hundreds of micrometers down to nanometer size. As a function of the characteristic size, these particles are interesting for a wide variety of applications, due to the high scalability of chemical and physical properties in comparison to the bulk form. Here, we propose the optimization of EFDT techniques to design chitosan systems in the form of microgels or nanoparticles for several biomedical applications. Different microscopy techniques (Optical, SEM, TEM) have been used to investigate the morphology of chitosan systems at multiple size scale. The proposed study confirms the high versatility and feasibility of EFDTs for creating micro and nano-sized carriers for cells and drug species.
Cost-Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Investments

Open image in new window This chapter shows how the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has utilized public funds to close the global energy efficiency gap. It provides an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the 49 completed energy efficiency projects and compares levels of mobilized co-finance by sub-area; the length of project preparation period by sub-area, implementing Agency, and country; and the cost of GHG mitigation. A list of these 49 projects is presented in the appendix. On average, one dollar of GEF investment in energy efficiency was matched with approximately 8.2 dollars of co-finance. Heating projects generated the highest co-finance ratio. Appliances and equipment projects achieved the lowest unit abatement costs: US$0.24 per metric ton of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions (In this book, GHG emissions reductions refers to direct emissions reductions if they are not specifically indicated as “indirect emissions reductions”) with GEF resources, and US$0.96 per metric ton with total funds (GEF resources and co-finance). The unit abatement cost for all 49 projects, which collectively mitigated approximately 600 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (MMTCO2e) emissions, was approximately US$0.53 per metric ton with GEF funds and US$4.87 per metric ton with total funds. Six of the 10 sub-areas had below-average preparation period lengths. The average time used for preparation was approximately 4 months less than that estimated in the project preparation guidelines, signifying efficient project preparation. Both tangible and intangible technological investments can significantly mitigate GHG emissions if the investments are appropriate. Tangible investments can lead to visible or measurable GHG emissions reductions, and intangible investments are essential to completing market transformations for energy efficient technologies. Tangible investments in the 49 analyzed projects realized not only hardware acquisition, but also the transfer of 49 technology patents, the training of more than 1.3 million people, and the creation of 12 energy efficiency standards and codes, 21 financial instruments, and 29 market-based mechanisms for energy efficiency development.
Positioning Technique for Abdominal Strengthening

The purpose of this article is to describe a positioning technique that allows patients with spinal cord injuries to strengthen the abdominal musculature that has retained its innervation and, thereby, improve sitting balance and trunk control. Patients with other disabilities may also benefit from this technique. Strengthening abdominal muscles and improving sitting balance make all transfers safer and permit a range of activities that require good static and dynamic sitting balance. The usual method, beginning from the supine position, requires more strength than the severely involved patient has and, therefore, is utterly frustrating. By eliminating the most difficult first 60 degrees of the movement, we are not only providing the patient with the feeling of accomplishing the task but also with a method of increasing his strength in small, manageable amounts as the wedge is repositioned downward. My positioning technique uses standard clinic equipment in an unusual way.…
Optimal Capital Investment Policies Under Information Asymmetry

This paper models the capital investment setting as a game between a principal and an agent who is perfectly informed about project returns. Contracting involves how capital investment decisions will be made and how funds will be apportioned between the parties. Results indicate that capital investment decisions are generally not optimal in this setting and that the agent may earn information rents. The optimal contract involves some combination of capital rationing and an overhead charge imposed on the agent.
Callosobruchus maculatus: Observations of Attack on Cowpeas in Iran

The high protein content of pulse crops makes them an important staple for human nutrition in developing nations (Aykroyd and Doughty 1964). Cowpeas, Vigna sinensis (L.) Savi ex Hassk., are one such important pulse mostly cultivated in Northern Iran (Kaiser et al. 1968) and can be damaged both in stomge and field by larvae of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Prevett 1961). To better understand the insect-host relationship, studies were begun to determine at what specific stage field-grown cowpea pods are most susceptible to attack from this bruchid and to investigate its biology in storage.
Analyzing Single Giant Unilamellar Vesicles With a Slotline-Based RF Nanometer Sensor

Novel techniques that enable reagent free detection and analysis of single cells are of great interest for the development of biological and medical sciences, as well as point-of-care health service technologies. Highly sensitive and broadband RF sensors are promising candidates for such a technique. In this work, we present a highly sensitive and tunable RF sensor, which is based on interference processes and built with a 100-nm slotline structure. The highly concentrated RF fields, up to $\sim {\hbox{1.76}}\times {\hbox{10}}^{7} ~{\hbox{V}}/{\hbox{m}}$ , enable strong interactions between giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and fields for high-sensitivity operations. We also provide two modeling approaches to extract cell dielectric properties from measured scattering parameters. GUVs of different molecular compositions are synthesized and analyzed with the RF sensor at $\sim$ 2, $\sim$ 2.5, and $\sim {\hbox{2.8 GHz}}$ with an initial $\vert S _{21} \vert _{\min}$ of $\sim -{\hbox{100 dB}}$ . Corresponding GUV dielectric properties are obtained. A one-dimensional scanning of single GUV is also demonstrated.
Contemporary And Practical Uses Of Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the evolution and current applications of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring along with a detailed description of intraoperative protocol and assay methodology. Methods Review of the literature regarding the role of intraoperative PTH monitoring in parathyroidectomy, controversies associated with its use in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism, and outcomes using this operative approach. The technologies currently available for “quick” PTH measurement are summarized. Results Since its inception, intraoperative PTH monitoring has become an essential tool in the endocrine surgeon’s armamentarium for treatment of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Intraoperative PTH monitoring changed the operative approach to this disease from bilateral neck exploration with identification of all parathyroid glands and excision based on size, to a highly successful procedure achieved with a limited dissection and gland excision guided by hormone hypersecretion instead of morphologic characteristics. Intraoperative PTH monitoring accuracy is directly associated with the intraoperative criteria used. Although controversy exists regarding the best intraoperative PTH monitoring criteria to be used, most specialized centers have shown excellent results with this intraoperative guidance. Currently, most parathyroid surgeons use intraoperative PTH monitoring, selectively or routinely, during parathyroidectomy. Conclusion Parathyroidectomy guided by intraoperative PTH monitoring to treat sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism is a highly successful and less-invasive approach associated with lower risks than bilateral neck exploration, and it has become the surgical treatment of choice for this disease. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17[Suppl 1]:44-53)
NIOSH AutoROPS 3rd Generation Static Testing and Human Interaction Element

To address the need for rollover protective structures (ROPS) on farm tractors that are easily adapted to low overhead clearance situations, the Division of Safety Research (DSR), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), developed an automatically deploying, telescoping ROPS (AutoROPS). The NIOSH AutoROPS at the present is in the third generation design and static testing phase, and the first phase of human subject (human operator) testing and manufacturing. The static testing is based on the SAE J2194 standard for testing ROPS for agricultural tractor use. The nature of the NIOSH AutoROPS is to be in a retracted position until an overturn is determined to be imminent. It is during the deployment time period that potential safety hazards exist that are not present in a traditional fixed ROPS and not addressed in the standards. Human interaction is a key ingredient in refining the design to be both functional and desirable while considering possible hazards. Feedback from farmers who have operated a tractor with the NIOSH AutoROPS installed and in the ready state will enhance the design and acceptability. NIOSH’s goal is to reduce the number of fatal agricultural overturns by increasing the percentage of tractors with ROPS and seatbelts which operate in low clearance environments. This design has met laboratory static testing criteria of the SAE J2194 standard for ROPS on agricultural tractors. Field evaluation of the AutoROPS use by poultry farmers (N=32) in eastern West Virginia showed favorable results and a preference for wanting to purchase and use the NIOSH AutoROPS compared with a currently available manually foldable ROPS. This paper discusses the overall performance of the NIOSH AutoROPS as subjected to the SAE J2194 standard and human interaction/feedback of operating an agricultural tractor with this added safety device.© 2003 ASME
Studies on the mechanism of antagonism by Aerobacter strains.

Received for publication April 2, 1951. * Present address: State Dept. of Health Laboratories, Oklahoma City, Okla. t Present address: Dept. of Exper. Path., Univ. of Tex. M. D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research, Houston, Tex. 1. Wynne, E. S. 1947, Antagonism by Aerobacter strains. J. Bact. 53: 469-478. 2. Neufeld, F. and Kuhn, H. 1934, Untersuchungen ueber "direkten" Bakterienantagonismus. Ztschr. f. Hyg. u. Infektionsk. 116: 95-110. University of Nebraska. The remainder were isolated from the following sources: A. aerogenes 8 and 9 from human feces, A. aerogenes 10 and 11 from lake water, and A. aerogenes 12 and 16 from sewage. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of all strains were found to conform to those listed in Bergey's Manual.8 The species against which the Aerobacter strains were tested were from the stock culture collection
Management of childhood lymphomas - Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Hodgkin's disease can be cured in greater than 70% of the children diagnosed. Overall 5-year survival rates now approach 90% and approximotely 80% for 10-year survival. Combination chemotherapy along with irradiation has decreased the relapse rate in all stages of Hodgkin's disease. Intensive chemotherapy and irradiation therapy is associated with long-term complications including development of second malignant tumors. Optimum therapy is the minimum therapy associated with uncomplicated care. In 80 to 90% of children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the disease is widerspread when obvious clinically at diagnosis, and the first site of relapse is commonly the bone marrow or central nervous system (CNS). Combined chemotherapy, irradiation and CNS prophylaxis has resulted in 50% to 80% 3-year, disease-free survival. Patients with mediast'nal or extensive intrabdominal disease have a poor prognosis.
Quantification of myocyte chemotaxis: a role for FAK in regulating directional motility.

Formation of a fully functional four-chambered heart involves an intricate and complex series of events that includes precise spatial–temporal regulation of cell specification, proliferation, and migration. The formation of the ventricular septum during mid-gestation ensures the unidirectional flow of blood, and is necessary for postnatal viability. Notably, a majority of all congenital malformations of the cardiovascular system in humans involve septal abnormalities which afflict 1 out of 100 newborn children in the United States. Thus, a clear understanding of the precise mechanisms involved in this morphogenetic event will undoubtedly reveal important therapeutic targets. The final step in valvuloseptal morphogenesis occurs, in part, by directed movement of flanking myocytes into the cushion mesenchyme. In order to identify the molecular mechanisms that regulate this critical myocyte function, we have developed two in vitro methodologies; a transwell assay to assess population changes in motility and a single-cell tracking assay to identify signals that drive the coordinated movement of these cells. These methods have proven effective to identify focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as an intracellular component that is critical for myocyte chemotaxis.
Suspension of Extensible Rods Model of Extensional Flows of Polymer Solutions

A simple mechanistic model of a polymer solution in strong elongational flow is studied. A polymeric molecule is modeled by an uniform slender rod of incompressible rubber-like elastic material imbedded into a coaxial cylindrical cell filled with a viscous fluid (solvent). The objective is to estimate effect of strong hydrodynamic interaction between molecules in moderately concentrated solutions upon rheological behavior in elongational flow. It is assumed that the polymer solution can be treated as a regular lattice of identical individual cells aligned along the extension direction. So only dynamics of an individual cell is studied. Under these assumptions the cell deforms affinely with the bulk flow and the shear stress vanishes at the cell boundary.
Visualization of Information Flows: Virtual Reality as an Organizational Modeling Technique

Publisher Summary This chapter reports the results of developing a dynamic modeling process based on the cybernetics theory of J. W. Forrester and the metaphysics of John Bennett. A software model of organizational functioning based on the pattern of information flows within the organization is detailed and presented as a methodology for surfacing and verifying assumptions about organizational effectiveness such as productivity and investment in training. Visualization of organizational functioning is a very promising application of virtual reality technologies because it fits with how people cognitively process complex information. The model used in the chapter is designed to indicate visually the development of pathologies within the living organizational system. The results of the application point to the value of using model development in an interactive, iterative structured process as a management decision-aiding tool. Computer-based visual simulation techniques can be a valuable part of a methodology to design information environments that characterize organizational functioning.
Workup of the Patient with Metabolic Acidosis and Massive Ketosis

Massive ketosis in a neonate or young infant is a key to the diagnosis of a classic organic aciduria. The initial episode may begin with vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy, but progresses rapidly to life-threatening acidosis, dehydration, coma, and apnea. A clinical clue to the diagnosis is metabolic acidosis with vomiting. Some infants with organic aciduria have been thought to have pyloric stenosis; similarly these infants are often thought to have sepsis. Septic infants can certainly be acidotic, but they are not ketotic. Testing of the urine for ketones is a must in all ill infants. Routine clinical chemistry reveals low pH, low bicarbonate, and an increased anion gap. The urine pH is low. Hyperchloremic acidosis and a normal anion gap mean intestinal losses or a renal tubular acidosis from other causes, the former with acidic urine and the latter with alkaline urine. Quantitative organic acid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is essential in differential diagnosis which may be faster achieved by acylcarnitine (MS/MS) analysis.
Genetic correlations with climate variables suggest Caenorhabditis elegans natural niche preferences

Species inhabit a variety of environmental niches, and the adaptation to a particular niche is often controlled by genetic factors, including gene-by-environment interactions. The genes that vary to regulate the ability to colonize a niche are often difficult to identify, especially in the context of complex ecological systems and in experimentally uncontrolled natural environments. Quantitative genetic approaches provide an opportunity to investigate correlations between genetic factors and environmental parameters that might define a niche. Previously, we have shown how a collection of 152 whole-genome sequenced wild Caenorhabditis elegans can facilitate association mapping approaches. To correlate climate parameters with the variation found in this collection of wild strains, we used geographic data to exhaustively curate daily weather measurements in short-term (three month), middle-term (one year), and long-term (three year) durations surrounding the data of strain isolation. These climate parameters were used as quantitative traits in the mapping approaches. We identified 10 QTL underlying variation in five unique traits: elevation, three-month relative humidity, one-year relative humidity, three-year relative humidity, and three-year average temperature. We then performed statistical analyses to further narrow the genomic interval of interest to identify gene candidates with variants potentially underlying phenotypic differences. Additionally, we performed two-strain competition assays at high and low temperatures to validate a QTL for temperature preference and found suggestive evidence that genotypes might be adapted to particular temperatures.