cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safe Execution of a Large-Scale Ozonolysis: Preparation of the Bisulfite Adduct of 2-Hydroxyindan-2-carboxaldehyde and Its Utility in a Reductive Amination

Several routes to bisulfite adduct 2 were explored, the most efficient of which involved vinyl Grignard addition to 2-indanone followed by ozonolysis and workup with aqueous NaHSO3 to effect reduction and bisulfite formation in a single pot. The safety and calorimetry of this ozonolysis reaction was studied, and the safe scale-up to 3 kg of olefin is described. The utility of bisulfite adduct 2 as an aldehyde surrogate in a reductive amination reaction is also described.
Dysregulated Mineral Metabolism in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury and Risk of Adverse Outcomes

SummaryObjective Numerous studies have evaluated the prevalence and importance of vitamin D deficiency among patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease; however, little is known about vitamin D levels in acute kidney injury (AKI). We evaluated the association between vitamin D metabolites and clinical outcomes among patients with AKI. Design Prospective cohort study. Patients A total of 30 participants with AKI and 30 controls from general hospital wards and intensive care units at a tertiary care hospital were recruited for the study. Measurements Plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) were measured within 24 hours of AKI onset and 5 days later. Bioavailable 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels, defined as the sum of free- and albumin-bound 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D, were estimated using equations. Results Compared to controls, participants with AKI had lower levels of 1,25(OH)2D [17 (10–22) vs 25 (15–35) pg/ml, P = 0·01], lower levels of VDBP [23 (15-31) vs 29 (25–36) mg/dl, P = 0·003] and similar levels of bioavailable 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D at enrolment. Levels of bioavailable 25(OH)D were inversely associated with severity of sepsis in the overall sample (P < 0·001). Among participants with AKI, bioavailable 25(OH)D, but not other vitamin D metabolites, was significantly associated with mortality after adjusting for age and serum creatinine (adjusted odds ratio per 1 SD ln [bioavailable 25(OH)D] = 0·16, 95% confidence interval = 0·03–0·85). Conclusions Bioavailable 25(OH)D could have a role as a biomarker or mediator of adverse outcomes among patients with established AKI.
Marginal Actors? The Role of Bedouin in the Ottoman Administration of Animals as Property in the District of Salt, 1870-1912

This article examines the roles of Bedouin in the implementation of late Ottoman regulations that aimed to create an intrusive system for managing animals as property. Using material of the central archives, the article outlines relevant regulations and amendments, showing how communications between central officials and provincial bureaucrats in regions with nomadic populations contributed to the process of lawmaking. It then presents an analysis of sharīʿa court records from the district of Salt, in southeastern Syria, arguing that Bedouin both participated in implementing this system at the district level and challenged its parameters, especially with regard to taxation of their livestock property.
Developing and using an in-house plugin for easy social network programming (abstract only)

Incorporating social networks in the curriculum to better engage students has gained a lot of attention as a result of the popularity of social networks with college students. We introduce EasySocial, a social network plugin for Eclipse, written by a CS educator, the second author of this poster. The goal of the plugin is for students to be able to easily write code using their own personal data, e.g. on their Facebook or Twitter account, with minimal knowledge of the specific social network API. The EasySocial plugin has several features which makes it useful in our CS classes: it seamlessly embeds the process for authenticating with Facebook; it abstracts the process for making HTTP requests and parsing various data formats, such as JavaScript Object Notation (JSON); it integrates Gephi functionality, so that students can access Gephi's powerful functions for network analysis and visualization in their Java programs. We used the plugin in our Fall 2013 Data Mining course for CS undergraduate students in order to quickly introduce them to social data visualization and social network analysis concepts such as community detection. The students easily wrote Java code to visualize their network graph and detect communities. We received a very positive response, and several students expressed enthusiasm about the programming aspect as well as the application topic. Future plans include further employing EasySocial in other courses, for example to help students in entry-level courses understand programming concepts, such as arrays and loops.
Evaluation of extended light path capillaries for use in capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Abstract An interesting development in improved capillary electrophoresis (CE) detection sensitivity is the Hewlett-Packard extended light path capillary (ELP). These capillaries have a “bubble” in the flow path at the detection zone which provides an increased optical path length. Although well characterized for use in absorbance detection, they have not been adequately assessed in the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection mode. Similar advantages (e.g., improved detectability) are expected with LIF, in addition to simplifying the optical alignment. Therefore, experiments were conducted to make comparisons between conventional and ELP capillary formats. First, the detection sensitivity was compared with both formats by adjusting the background level (via fluorescence emission slit width adjustments) to a constant value. The larger dimensions of the ELP capillary allowed efficient rejection of the background with a wider slit setting, improving signal transmission several-fold. Second, alignment of the ELP capillary with the excitation beam and collection optics was significantly simplified. Clean transmission of the excitation beam was easily accomplished with both 50 and 25 μm I.D. ELP capillaries, representing a significant improvement in ease of alignment over the conventional case. To illustrate this feature further, profiles of capillary wall scatter/fluorescence were generated by linear translation of the photomultiplier assembly at a constant slit width. These profiles clearly illustrate the improved spatial characteristics relative to conventional capillaries. The rapid, high-sensitivity separation of the metabolic enzyme markers 7-ethoxycoumarin and its metabolites in a liver slice incubate is shown as a practical application.
Global Control of Robotic Highway Safety Markers: A Real-time Solution

This paper presents the design and implementation of a real-time solution for the global control of robotic highway safety markers. Problems addressed in the system are: (1) poor scalability and predictability as the number of markers increases, (2) jerky movement of markers, and (3) misidentification of safety markers caused by objects in the environment. An extensive analysis of the system and two solutions are offered: a basic solution and an enhanced solution. They are built respectively upon two task models: the periodic task model and the variable rate execution (VRE) task model. The former is characterized by four static parameters: phase, period, worst case execution time and relative deadline. The latter has similar parameters, but the parameter values are allowed to change at arbitrary times. The use of real-time tasks and scheduling techniques solve the first two problems. The third problem is solved using a refined Hough transform algorithm and a horizon scanning window. The approach decreases the time complexity of traditional implementations of the Hough transform with only slightly increased storage requirements.
Polymer-Induced Liquid-Precursor (PILP) Process in the Non-Calcium Based Systems of Barium and Strontium Carbonate

Barium and strontium carbonate with various nonequilibrium morphologies were grown in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) sodium salt to induce the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) process. Previously, the PILP process had only been demonstrated for calcium carbonate but with indirect evidence suggesting it can be induced in calcium phosphate and barium carbonate. In this report, further evidence to suggest a similar liquid-phase amorphous precursor can be generated for both barium and strontium carbonate is presented, and these phases were used to synthesize various unique morphologies in the transformed crystals, including films, fibers, and cones. On the basis of the nanogranular texture of the fibers, a new mechanism for fiber formation is proposed, which combines a permutation of our former solution−precursor−solid (SPS) mechanism with mesocrystal assembly. This hypothesis includes an autocatalytic assembly of nanodroplets/nanoparticles at high energy surface protrusions as a means for generati...
Methods of quantifying change in multiple risk factor interventions.

Abstract Objective . Risky behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, and poor diet are detrimental to health, costly, and often co-occur. Greater efforts are being targeted at changing multiple risk behaviors to more comprehensively address the health needs of individuals and populations. With increased interest in multiple risk factor interventions, the field will need ways to conceptualize the issue of overall behavior change. Method . Analyzing data from over 8000 participants in four multibehavioral interventions, we present five different methods for quantifying and reporting changes in multiple risk behaviors. Results . The methods are: (a) the traditional approach of reporting changes in individual risk behaviors; (b) creating a combined statistical index of overall behavior change, standardizing scores across behaviors on different metrics; (c) using a behavioral index; (d) calculating an overall impact factor; and (e) using overarching outcome measures such as quality of life, related biometrics, or cost outcomes. We discuss the methods' interpretations, strengths, and limitations. Conclusion . Given the lack of consensus in the field on how to examine change in multiple risk behaviors, we recommend researchers employ and compare multiple methods in their publications. A dialogue is needed to work toward developing a consensus for optimal ways of conceptualizing and reporting changes in multibehavioral interventions.
Traceable Calibration, Performance Metrics, and Uncertainty Estimates of Minirhizotron Digital Imagery for Fine-Root Measurements

Even though fine-root turnover is a highly studied topic, it is often poorly understood as a result of uncertainties inherent in its sampling, e.g., quantifying spatial and temporal variability. While many methods exist to quantify fine-root turnover, use of minirhizotrons has increased over the last two decades, making sensor errors another source of uncertainty. Currently, no standardized methodology exists to test and compare minirhizotron camera capability, imagery, and performance. This paper presents a reproducible, laboratory-based method by which minirhizotron cameras can be tested and validated in a traceable manner. The performance of camera characteristics was identified and test criteria were developed: we quantified the precision of camera location for successive images, estimated the trueness and precision of each camera's ability to quantify root diameter and root color, and also assessed the influence of heat dissipation introduced by the minirhizotron cameras and electrical components. We report detailed and defensible metrology analyses that examine the performance of two commercially available minirhizotron cameras. These cameras performed differently with regard to the various test criteria and uncertainty analyses. We recommend a defensible metrology approach to quantify the performance of minirhizotron camera characteristics and determine sensor-related measurement uncertainties prior to field use. This approach is also extensible to other digital imagery technologies. In turn, these approaches facilitate a greater understanding of measurement uncertainties (signal-to-noise ratio) inherent in the camera performance and allow such uncertainties to be quantified and mitigated so that estimates of fine-root turnover can be more confidently quantified.
The relationship between canonical correlation analysis and multivariate multiple regression

The similarities between multivariate multiple regression and canonical correlation analysis have been inconsistently acknowledged in the literature. The present article shows that, although the stated objectives of these two analyses seem different, aspects of the analyses themselves are mathematically equivalent. A multivariate multiple regression analysis that incorporates discriminant analysis as part of its post hoc investigation will produce identically the same results as a canonical correlation analysis in terms of omnibus significance testing, variable weighting schemes, and dimension reduction analysis. A numerical example is provided.
All Iris Filters are Not Created Equal

Previous research has assumed that all parts of an iris code are equally valuable. Alternatively, some researchers claim that parts of the iris are more valuable, but they still use the same portions of the iris for all subjects. Our research, presented originally, is the first and only work to show experimentally that some bits in the iris code are less reliable than others, and these patterns of fragile bits vary on a subject by subject basis. This paper extends the work presented, answering questions such as "how does a different filter affect the patterns of fragile bits?" and "what causes outliers in these distributions?" We present a modification to our iris biometric system that masks fragile bits and significantly shifts the match distribution away from the non-match distribution.
Two Pilot Tests of IT-Enabled Collaboration in Emergency Healthcare: Evaluating Relational Feasibility and System Acceptance

"Relational feasibility" refers to potential participants' readiness to engage in IT-enabled collaboration, apart from (but interacting with) their organizations' technical or operational readiness. This paper examines two pilot tests that evaluated prototype systems for IT-enabled collaboration in emergency healthcare: 1) a system that allowed clinicians to draw on multiple data sources to reveal a patient's prescription drug history and 2) a tele-trauma system by which specially trained physicians guided emergency medical technicians (EMT's) as they "cared" for smart-mannequin "patients" in an ambulance en route to a tertiary-care hospital. We illustrate what pilot tests can reveal about relational feasibility issues such as interpersonal trust, and its interaction with system acceptance issues. We discuss the implications for the management of pilot tests of emerging IT systems, and offer suggestions for further research on managing pilot test projects in healthcare and other domains.
Use of genetics and transcriptomics in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease.

Correspondence: J. E. Freedman, MD Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W507 Boston, MA 02118. United States E-mail: freedmaj@bu.edu Cardiovascular disease is a multifactorial, polygenic, complex disease with a substantial environmental component. This makes risk prediction and stratification on an individual level highly challenging. Technological advances and availability of larger, well-conducted studies have resulted in substantial progress defining the impact of common genetic variation on cardiovascular disease progression. The discovery of common genetic variants, including the chromosome 9p21.3 locus as the strongest and most highly replicated independent genetic coronary disease risk factor, has further stimulated interest in genetic testing for cardiac-associated risk variants. Adding to the understanding of the genetics of cardiovascular disease is the growing information available on the role of transcripts or gene expression. Likely, the combination of DNA, RNA, and clinical data will help clarify many of the complexities seen in cardiovascular disease.
Determination of Hydroxy-Testos-Terones by Isocratic, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Internal Standard

Abstract A simple, isocratic, reverse-phase HPLC method to separate nine oxidative metabolites of testosterone is described. An internal standard, adrenosterone, was used to quantltate metabolites by the peak height method. An application of this method to the metabolism of testosterone by rat lung microsomes is presented.
Valproic acid and chromatin remodeling in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Preliminary results from a clinical population

Levels of acetylated Histone 3 and 4 proteins are strongly predictive of a chromatin structure that is conducive to gene expression. In cell and animal studies, valproic acid is a potent inhibitor of histone deactylating enzymes, and consequently results in increased levels of acetylated Histone 3 (acH3) and acetylated Histone 4 proteins (acH4). To examine this effect in a clinical setting, 14 schizophrenic and bipolar patients were treated with valproic acid (Depakote ER®), either as monotherapy or in combination with antipsychotics, over a period of 4 weeks. AcH3 and acH4 levels from lymphocyte nuclear protein extracts were measured by Western Blot. Treatment with Depakote ER resulted in a significant increase of acH3 and a trend-level increase of acH4. Levels of valproic acid were positively and significantly correlated with percent increase in acH3 but not acH4. Schizophrenia patients were significantly less likely to increase their acH3 and acH4 levels after 4 weeks on Depakote ER. The authors consider these results in the context of future application of HDAC inhibitors to the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Role of cardiopulmonary dysfunction and left atrial remodeling in development of acute decompensated heart failure in chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Summary Background The presence of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is increasingly recognized. However, prognostic factors for HFPEF remain unclear. Methods and results The data were derived from Shinken Database 2004–2010, a prospective cohort study ( n = 15,227). We examined 301 consecutive HFPEF patients (New York Heart Association Class II or greater) and tracked them for an average 3.5 years. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), blood exams, and ultrasound cardiogram (UCG) were performed at the first medical examination. Acute decompensated HF (ADHF) admission was observed in 19 patients (6.3%). CPX showed that the anaerobic threshold was lower (7.3 ± 4.8 mL/min/kg vs. 9.7 ± 4.3 mL/min/kg, p = 0.02) and slope of the increase in ventilation to the increase in CO 2 output (VE-VCO 2 slope) was higher (40.6 ± 8.5 vs. 34.6 ± 7.9, p p = 0.01) in patients with ADHF admission than those without. Multivariate analysis showed that higher VE-VCO 2 slope and greater LA dimension were independent determinants of ADHF admission. Conclusion An aggravated CPX parameter and LA dilatation were associated with ADHF admission in patients with symptomatic HFPEF, suggesting the prognostic role of cardiopulmonary dysfunction during exercise and LA remodeling in the pathogenesis of decompensated HF development in HFPEF.
Field evaluation of two colorimetric coliphage detection methods.

Two new methods for coliphage detection, a colorimetric agar-based (CAB) method and a liquid colorimetric presence-absence (LCPA) method, were compared to the coliphage method proposed by the American Public Health Association (APHA; Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C., 1992). Both new methods are based on the induction of beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli and the release of the enzyme through a lytic cell infection. The released enzyme then cleaves a chromogenic substrate which produces a colored reaction product. Ninety split water samples from four different sources were tested. A total of 52 samples were positive by the CAB method, 52 were positive by the LCPA method, and 53 were positive by the APHA method. Results indicated that (i) the CAB and LCPA methods were as sensitive in coliphage detection as the APHA method, (ii) both the CAB and LCPA methods were easier to read and interpret than the APHA method, and (iii) the CAB method detected more coliphages in a positive sample than the APHA method in two of the four types of water sources. Importantly, the rapid and simple LCPA method was as reliable and sensitive as either of the two agar-based methods in coliphage detection.
Scheduling and Timetabling in Sports and Entertainment

The previous chapter covered the basics of interval scheduling and timetabling. The models considered were relatively simple and their main goal was to provide some insights. In practice, there are many, more complicated applications of interval scheduling and timetabling. For example, there are important applications in sports as well as in entertainment, e.g., the scheduling of games in tournaments and the scheduling of commercials on network television.
Association of genetic factors with selected measures of physical performance.

In the last 30 years, the field of genetics has proven to be a highly influential component of nearly all aspects of research and clinical science. Numerous important and interesting discoveries have been made since the Human Genome Project was launched. Among the first accomplishments were the identification of the genes responsible for cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, Marfan syndrome, and xeroderma pigmentosum.1 Several fields of medicine, such as psychiatry, embryology, and pulmonology, already have incorporated the use of genetics into their practices.2–4 An individual’s genetic makeup may predispose him or her to a specific pathology, such as Alzheimer disease, cystic fibrosis, or diabetes, and influence the response to treatment.5–7 The possible implications of the use of genetics in physical therapy are profound, and there are many examples in recent literature of genetic markers that are associated with performance and exercise intolerance.8 Recently, several studies identified an association between the presence of a specific allele of the gene encoding the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and an individual’s endurance or strength capacity.9–12 Interestingly, some studies have refuted the relationship between the enzyme and increased endurance or strength.13–15 Understanding the role of the ACE gene and other genes with respect to physical performance and how these genes may alter the ability of subjects to respond to therapeutic exercise may have important implications in designing studies for testing therapeutic interventions, which will in turn have an effect on clinical practice. Each cell in the human body contains 2 copies of each of 23 chromosomes. Chromosomes are tightly packed structures of individual deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) and several proteins that help each chromosome maintain its tightly coiled arrangement.16 Each chromosome is made up of many different genes. A gene is simply a specific …
Trends in the Risk for Coronary Heart Disease Among Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes in the U.S.: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2008

OBJECTIVE Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of mortality among people with diabetes. The objective of this study was to examine the trend in an estimated 10-year risk for developing CHD among adults with diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from 1,977 adults, aged 30–79 years, with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999–2000 to 2007–2008 were used. Estimated risk was calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, and the Framingham Heart Study. RESULTS Significant improvements in mean HbA 1c concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol occurred. No significant linear trend for current smoking status was observed. The estimated UKPDS 10-year risk for CHD was 21.1% in 1999–2000 and 16.4% in 2007–2008 ( P linear trend CONCLUSIONS The estimated 10-year risk for CHD among adults with diabetes has improved significantly from 1999–2000 to 2007–2008. Sustained efforts in improving risk factors should further benefit the cardiovascular health of people with diabetes.
Value, rareness, competitive advantage, and performance: a conceptual‐level empirical investigation of the resource‐based view of the firm

The resource-based view of the firm (RBV) hypothesizes that the exploitation of valuable, rare resources and capabilities contributes to a firm's competitive advantage, which in turn contributes to its performance. Despite this notion, few empirical studies test these hypotheses at the conceptual level. In response to this gap, this study empirically examines the relationships between value, rareness, competitive advantage, and performance. The results suggest that value and rareness are related to competitive advantage, that competitive advantage is related to performance, and that competitive advantage mediates the rareness-performance relationship. These findings have important academic and practitioner implications which are then discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerase chain reaction detection of 8 putative periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque of gingivitis and advanced periodontitis lesions

A 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method was used to determine the prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia. Prevotella nigrescens and Treponema denticola in subgingival specimens of 50 advanced periodontitis, 50 adult gingivitis and 50 pediatric gingivitis subjects. The optimal PCR conditions were determined for each study species. Agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products from each study species revealed a single band of the predicted size. Restriction enzyme digestion of amplicons confirmed the specificity of the amplification. PCR detection limits were in the range of 25-100 cells. No cross-reactivity with other oral micro-organisms or nonspecific amplification was observed. The prevalence by PCR in advanced periodontitis, adult gingivitis and pediatric gingivitis subjects was 30%, 14% and 14% for A. actinomycetemcomitans, 86%, 18% and 8% for B. forsythus, 74%, 52% and 78% for C. rectus, 80%, 70% and 66% for E. corrodens, 70%, 10% and 14% for P. gingivalis, 58%, 12% and 18% for P. intermedia, 52%, 20% and 22% for P. nigrescens, and 54%, 16% and 16% for T. denticola, respectively. The prevalence was higher in the advanced periodontitis group than in both adult gingivitis and pediatric gingivitis for A. actinomycetemcomitans, B. forsythus, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, P. nigrescens and T. denticola at P < 0.01, and for E. corrodens at P < 0.05. The prevalence of C. rectus was significantly higher in the advanced periodontitis group than in the adult gingivitis group at P < 0.01. Matching results between PCR and culture occurred in 28% (B. forsythus) to 71% (A. actinomycetemcomitans) of the samples; the major discrepancy occurred in the PCR-positive/culture-negative category. Matching results between PCR and DNA probe methods were found in 84% of the subjects (B. forsythus) and 70% (P. gingivalis). Odds ratio analysis revealed statistically significant positive associations between 17 of the 28 possible combinations (P < 0.01). This study demonstrated the utility of a 16S rRNA-based PCR detection method for identifying important subgingival microorganisms. The results indicated a strong association between the study species and periodontitis. Several previously unreported symbiotic relationships were found between the 8 species tested.
Doing a Culturally Sensitive Spiritual Assessment: Recognizing Spiritual Themes and Using the HOPE Questions.

Physicians should use a practice tool to make a culturally sensitive spiritual assessment in order to address the spiritual needs of patients. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Active vibration control of a PZT actuated suspension in hard disk drives

This paper presents the design and testing results of active vibration control for a PZT actuated suspension. One PZT strip on the suspension is used as a vibration sensor, and the other as an actuator. A state space model for the PZT actuated suspension was established based on curve-fitted transfer functions, and a feedback damping controller was designed, using the H/sub /spl infin// controller design method to minimize the peak magnitude of the closed loop transfer function frequency response. An experimental verification of the control scheme was performed. In the experiment, the r.m.s. value of off-track motion due to air-flow excited suspension vibration in the 4-16 kHz range was reduced from 6.0 nm to 3.5 nm for 7200 r.p.m. spindle rotation speed (42% reduction), and from 9.8 nm to 5.9 nm for 10K r.p.m. spindle rotation speed (40% reduction).
The Pristine Myth: The Landscape of the Americas in 1492

The myth persists that in 1492 the Americas were a sparsely populated wilder- ness, "a world of barely perceptible human disturbance." There is substantial evidence, however, that the Native American landscape of the early sixteenth century was a humanized landscape almost everywhere. Populations were large. Forest composition had been modified, grasslands had been created, wild- life disrupted, and erosion was severe in places. Earthworks, roads, fields, and settle- ments were ubiquitous. With Indian depopu- lation in the wake of Old World disease, the environment recovered in many areas. A good argument can be made that the human pres- ence was less visible in 1750 than it was in 1492.
Important Links between Child Abuse, Neglect, and Delinquency

Many studies over the last 40 years have suggested links between child maltreatment and later delinquency. However, these studies have frequently been methodologically weak. The present study investigated the linkage between child abuse and delinquency using a randomly selected sample of children from a cohort who attended schools in West Central Florida. This study found a significant relationship between abuse and delinquency.
Root cause analysis for tissue viability incidents.

Introduction The terms untoward incident, adverse event, serious untoward incident, critical incident and patient safety incident are all used by different agencies and individuals with slightly differing emphasis and definition. In England and Wales, the National Patient Safety Agency [NPSA) defines a patient safety incident as 'any unintended or unexpected incident which could have, or did, harm a patient ... ". In tissue viability fields, examples of patient safety incidents could include pressure ulcers, wound infections, skin tears caused by handling, rashes caused by medication, and unexpected deterioration of leg ulcers.
Oxidative stress is associated with increased apoptosis leading to spermatozoa DNA damage in patients with male factor infertility.

Abstract Objective To evaluate ejaculated spermatozoa from patients with male factor infertility for the role of cytochrome c and caspases 9 and 3 (the proteins known to mediate apoptosis) and to examine association between semen quality and apoptosis in the presence of oxidative stress. Design Prospective study. Setting Male infertility clinic at a tertiary health care center. Patient(s) Semen specimens from 35 patients with idiopathic infertility and 8 normal healthy donors. Main outcome measure(s) Levels of ROS, cytochrome c, and caspases 9 and 3 and semen variables. Result(s) Compared with normal donors, infertile patients had significantly higher levels (expressed as median [25 th and 75 th percentiles]) of ROS (4.15 × 10 6 counted photons per minute [cpm] [0.26, 40.16 × 10 6 cpm] vs. 0.06 × 10 6 cpm [0.02, 0.29 × 10 6 cpm]; P P P P P r =.43; P r =.56; P r =.65; P Conclusion(s) Infertile men have decreased sperm variables induced by higher ROS levels in semen. A positive relationship exists between increased sperm damage by ROS and higher levels of cytochrome c and caspases 9 and 3, which indicate positive apoptosis in patients with male factor infertility.
Colour and colour terminology

The continuous gradation of colour which exists in nature is represented in language by a series of discrete categories. Athough there is no such thing as a natural division of the spectrum, every language has colour words by which its speakers categorize and structure the colour continuum. The number of colour words and the manner in which different languages classify the colour continuum differ. Bassa, a language of Liberia, has only two terms for classifying colours; hui and ziza (Gleason, 1955: 5). Hui corresponds roughly to the cool end of the spectrum (black, violet, blue, and green) and ziza corresponds to the warm end of the spectrum (white, yellow, orange and red); in Bambara, one of the languages of the Congo area, there are three fundamental colour words: dyema, blema and fima (Zahan, 1951: 52). Dyema includes white, beige, and natural (cotton) colour; blema denotes reddish, brownish shades; and finally fima includes dark green, indigo and black. Maerz and Paul (1930) list over 3000 colour names in English, but generally it is considered to have eight basic names: black, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
Harmonic analysis for star graphs and the spherical coordinate trapezoidal rule

Novel ideas in harmonic analysis are used to analyze the trapezoidal rule integration for two spheres. Sampling in spherical coordinates links three levels of harmonic analysis. Eigenfunctions of a nonstandard manifold Laplacian descend by restriction, first to a differential graph Laplacian, and then to difference operators. Trapezoidal rule integration with appropriate sampling is exact on eigenspaces of the manifold Laplacian, a fact which leads to trapezoidal rule error estimates on Sobolev-style spaces of functions. Singular functions with accurate trapezoidal rule integrals are identified, and a simplified analysis of smooth function numerical integration is provided.
Using Ranking and Selection to Clean Up after Simulation Optimization

In this paper we address the problem of finding the simulated system with the best (maximum or minimum) expected performance when the number of systems is large and initial samples from each system have already been taken. This problem may be encountered when a heuristic search procedure--perhaps one originally designed for use in a deterministic environment--has been applied in a simulation-optimization context. Because of stochastic variation, the system with the best sample mean at the end of the search procedure may not coincide with the true best system encountered during the search. This paper develops statistical procedures that return the best system encountered by the search (or one near the best) with a prespecified probability. We approach this problem using combinations of statistical subset selection and indifference-zone ranking procedures. The subset-selection procedures, which use only the data already collected, screen out the obviously inferior systems, while the indifference-zone procedures, which require additional simulation effort, distinguish the best from the less obviously inferior systems.
Query enhancement through the practical application of ontology: the IEDB and OBI

Ontologies categorize entities, express relationships between them, and provide standardized definitions. Thus, they can be used to present and enforce the specific relationships between database components. The Immune Epitope Database (IEDB, http://www.iedb.org) utilizes the Ontology for Biomedical Investigations (OBI) and several additional ontologies to represent immune epitope mapping experiments. Here, we describe our experiences utilizing this representation in order to provide enhanced database search functionality. We applied a simple approach to incorporate the benefits of the information captured in a formal ontology directly into the user web interface, resulting in an improved user experience with minimal changes to the database itself. The integration is easy to maintain, provides standardized terms and definitions, and allows for subsumption queries. In addition to these immediate benefits, our long-term goal is to enable true semantic integration of data and knowledge in the biomedical domain. We describe our progress towards that goal and what we perceive as the main obstacles.
Absolute and attributable risks of cardiovascular disease incidence in relation to optimal and borderline risk factors: Comparison of African American with white subjects - Atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Background Among white Americans, a large proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events is explained by borderline or any elevated CVD risk factor levels. The degree to which this is true among African American subjects is unclear. Methods The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study included 14 162 middle-aged adults who were free of recognized stroke or coronary heart disease and had baseline information on risk factors. Based on national guidelines, we categorized risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and smoking) into 3 categories, ie, optimal, borderline, and elevated. Incidence of CVD (composite of stroke and coronary heart disease) (n = 1492) and CVD mortality (n = 612) were identified for a 13-year period. Results The proportion of subjects with all optimal risk factor levels was lower in African American (3.8%) than in white (7.5%) subjects. Conversely, the proportion of subjects with at least 1 elevated risk factor was higher in African American (approximately 80%) than in white (approximately 60%) subjects. After adjustment for these risk factor differences and education level, African American and white subjects had virtually identical rates of CVD (relative hazard for African American subjects, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.14). The proportion of CVD events explained by elevated risk factors was high in African American subjects (approximately 90%) compared with approximately 65% in white subjects. Conclusions The higher CVD incidence rate in African American than in white subjects seems largely attributable to a high frequency of elevated CVD risk factors in African American subjects. Primary prevention of elevated CVD risk factors in African American subjects might greatly reduce CVD occurrence as much as it has for white subjects.
A System-of-Systems Approach To Enhance Information Exchange For The Mars Science Laboratory Mission

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission set to launch in 2011 is a highly advanced and fission-powered version of the successful and long lasting Mars Exploration Rover, or MER-class of rovers. It will have the ability to conduct surface operations for longer periods of time compared to its predecessors with enhanced functionality among its science payload and the ability to traverse and operate without restrictions of being a solar power vehicle. These newfound capabilities will increase the turnaround time of the human decisionmaking agents (vehicle operators, scientists, engineers) due to the need to have completed science and engineering instructions transmitted to the MSL rover in a small window of time; concurrently with the requirement that the commands transmitted take full advantage of the payload and time allotted to complete its tasks. The consequences of operating this advanced rover with the infrastructure and operational scheme of the MER mission would result in an incomplete utilization of science resources in addition to not being able to make the best use of surface operations time. In order to capture the greatest return on investment from the science payload we have to extract the dependencies and interactions that belong to the networks between the desired level of Mars surface operations and the feasible capacity of Earth-based ground operations. The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize the findings of this research that will assist in the creation of solution architectures for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Temperature Dependence in Locomotion of the Parasitoid Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from Geographical Regions with Different Climates

In biological control, introduction of insect agents from regions with similar climatic conditions to those of the target host habitat have been an important consideration for successful implementation. Yet, there is little documentation of genetic variation in response to climate among natural enemy populations. In experiments on Aphelinus asychis Walker collected from China, France, and Morocco for release against Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) in North America, the relationship between locomotion (i.e., mean and maximum walking speeds and proportion of time walking) and temperature did not differ among geographical regions with different climates. Mean and maximum walking speeds increased with temperature from 8.5 to 28.5°C. Mean walking speed increased with hind tibia length, and because hind tibia length varied among geographical regions, it was used as a covariate in analyses comparing regions. Our results suggest that although locomotion depended on temperature, this dependence has not led to selection for adaptation to different temperature regimes. Thus, for mean and maximum walking speeds and proportion of time walking, insects collected from all 3 geographical areas were suited to the same climate.
Peritoneal Equilibration Test and Patient Outcomes

Background and objectives Although a peritoneal equilibration test yields data on three parameters (4-hour dialysate/plasma creatinine, 4- to 0-hour dialysate glucose, and 4-hour ultrafiltration volume), all studies have focused on the prognostic value of dialysate/plasma creatinine for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Because dialysate 4- to 0-hour glucose and ultrafiltration volume may be superior in predicting daily ultrafiltration, the likely mechanism for the association of peritoneal equilibration test results with outcomes, we hypothesized that they are superior to dialysate/plasma creatinine for risk prediction. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We examined unadjusted and adjusted associations of three peritoneal equilibration test parameters with all-cause mortality, technique failure, and hospitalization rate in 10,142 patients on peritoneal dialysis treated between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 in 764 dialysis facilities operated by a single large dialysis organization in the United States, with a median follow–up period of 15.8 months; 87% were treated with automated peritoneal dialysis. Results Demographic and clinical parameters explained only 8% of the variability in dialysate/plasma creatinine. There was a linear association between dialysate/plasma creatinine and mortality (adjusted hazards ratio per 0.1 unit higher, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.13) and hospitalization rate (adjusted incidence rate ratio per 0.1 unit higher, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.06). Dialysate/plasma creatinine and dialysate glucose were highly correlated ( r =−0.84) and yielded similar risk prediction. Ultrafiltration volume was inversely related with hospitalization rate but not with all-cause mortality. None of the parameters were associated with technique failure. Adding 4- to 0-hour dialysate glucose, ultrafiltration volume, or both did not result in any improvement in risk prediction with dialysate/plasma creatinine alone. Conclusions This analysis from a large contemporary cohort treated primarily with automated peritoneal dialysis validates dialysate/plasma creatinine as a robust predictor of outcomes in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis.
Methylphenidate for Appetite Stimulation in Older Patients

Many different pharmacologic agents are available to increase lean body mass and improve nutritional status. A clear understanding of each patient's malnourished state and the underlying cause of poor intake must be identified so the root of the problem can be addressed with an appropriate specific treatment. Depression must be considered as a potential cause of poor nutritional intake, and antidepressants may be more appropriate treatment options than traditional appetite or lean body mass-enhancing therapy. Conventional antidepressants, however, pose significant problems for older patients. A review of the use of methylphenidate as an antidepressant in the elderly revealed that it is a safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive agent that may be an alternative for nutrition support clinicians who are attempting to increase oral intake in malnourished older patients.
Domesday Book and the law: The inquest and the mechanics of justice

For over thirty years scholarly attention has been fixed on those shadowy written records lurking behind Domesday Book. V. H. Galbraith, Peter Sawyer, Sally Harvey, H. B. Clarke, and David Roffe have brought to light the mass of written evidence used in the making of Domesday; and their investigations have sharpened our understanding of the workings of eleventhcentury government and clarified our thinking about the ways in which the survey's mass of detail was collected and compiled in a single year. Less attention, however, has been paid to oral testimony, the great survey's other source of information. The verbal pronouncements of individuals and groups, so commonplace in Domesday, represent intelligence gathered during the inquest itself, and are the places we can hear most clearly the voices of eleventh-century men speaking about the laws and customs of their world. Because the identity of witness-bearing assemblies and individuals can often be discerned, it is also possible to stitch together the political, social, and legal context for the 1086 inquest, for the assemblies that were convened, and for the jurors who gave sworn testimony. By studying both those who bore witness and the pronouncements they made, the continuities of law and legal customs in England are illuminated, as are the many ways in which 1086 stands at one of the great fault lines of English legal history. Jurors and the inquest During the great inquest of 1086 large numbers of men gathered, swore oaths, and gave testimony, and some made judgments as well.