cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image Registration for Multimodal Inspection of Mechanical Parts

Image registration is the process of aligning the corresponding features of images in the same coordinate system. Multimodal registration has been widely used in medical imaging and geographic imaging. However, it has not been broadly applied in the inspection imaging of mechanical parts. Multimodal registration can improve inspection accuracy and quality by combining complementary inspection data from different inspection methods, or “modalities”. The research focus of this work is to develop a computational algorithm to register a CMM point cloud with a CT image in the 2-D (planar) domain. Dealing with outliers is the major concern for achieving required registration accuracy. Targeting solving this problem, a new registration metric is proposed in this work, which makes application of the traditional ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm robust, by optimizing the search for closest points.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Pretreatment Tumor Size is Associated with Pathologic Complete Response to Preoperative Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma

with T1/T2 and 75 with T3/T4 disease (94.9%). Ten patients (12.7%) had N0, 65 (82.3%) had N1, 2 (2.5%) had N3, and 1 (1.3%) had NX disease. Twelve patients (15.2%) had stage II and 67 (84.8%) had stage III disease. Four patients (5.1%) had well, 48 (60.8%) had moderately, 5 (6.3%) had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and 22 (27.8%) had unknown tumor grade. Median pre-treatment tumor size was 4.7 cm (1.4 - 12cm). Twenty-three (29.1%) patients had circumferential tumors. Median distance from the anal vergewas 6 cm (0-20cm). Median pre-CRT CEAwas 2.8 (0.4 - 133.4). Median post-CRT CEAwas 1.7 (0.6 - 18.1). Median duration of radiation was 39 days (32-50). 71 patients (89.9%) received concurrent 5FU or capecitabine alone; 8 patients (10.1%) received 5FU + other agents. In total, 16 of 79 patients (20.2%) experienced a pCR. On univariate analysis, only pretreatment tumor size was of borderline significance ( p= 0.08) in predicting pCR. No other clinical variables were statistically significant. With a median follow-up of 30 months (4-61), 2 patients developed local recurrences (crude rate: 2.5%), while 7 patients developed distant metastases (crude rate: 7.6%). None of the 16 patients with a pCR developed recurrence. Conclusions:pCR rates of.20% are achievable. In ourcohort of 79 patients, pretreatment tumor sizewas found to be borderline significantly associated with pCR.
Parallelization of the Volterra algorithm for linear optimal open loop control

If and when the time variation of optimal controls of a linear system subject to known forces is required, they can be obtained by the computationally advantageous open loop Volterra formulation (as opposed to the costlier Riccati formulation). For the computation, the Volterra equation is discretized in the time domain via such schemes as trapezoidal integration or SIMPSON's rule and the resulting linear system is solved to obtain the control vector values at discrete time points within the control timeT. In the case of very large order systems (degrees of freedom ∼ 5000) a parallel technique is absolutely neccessary, and this paper enunciates an efficient parallel stratagem with efficiencies in the range of 80% and 100%. The algorithm uses ‘s + 1’ processors, ‘s’ being the number of intervals within the control timeT, and typically each processor characterizes one time point.
Restricted Boltzmann Machines for Classification of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Multiple antigen miniarrays can provide accurate tools for cancer detection and diagnosis. These miniarrays can be validated by examining their operating characteristics in classifying individuals as either cancer patients or normal (non-cancer) subjects. We describe the use of restricted Boltzmann machines for this classification problem, relative to diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this setting, we find that its operating characteristics are similar to a logistic regression standard and suggest that restricted Boltzmann machines merit further consideration for classification problems.
Theory and the new comparativism, old and new

From infancy human beings are by necessity engaged in the act of compar ison This fact is not only a matter of common sense but of sophisticated theoretical work Psychologists engaged in research on cognitive structure and development are increasingly discovering the very complex cognitive resources which human beings possess from the earliest moments of life For example, not only does the very young child have the cognitive equipment which enables her to know the difference between animate and inanimate
Performance Study of Storage-Type Domestic Electrical Water-Heaters with Wedged Inlet: Unsteady Water Discharge Rate

The unsteady water discharge rate on performance of storage-type domestic electrical water-heaters with wedged inlet was studied by computer fluid dynamics simulation (CFD). The results were compared with those of conventional design EWHs having the same tank size. The heater performance is characterized the discharge efficiency, extraction efficiency and fraction of heat recoverable. The water draw-off temperature profile of steady and unsteady water discharge rate has nothing difference for wedged inlet structure, both curve was overlapped. The almost the same energy utility efficiency was gotten both steady and unsteady discharge rate for wedged inlet structure. The obviously difference of water draw-off temperature profile was shown for conventional inlet structure. Water draw-off temperature profile of unsteady discharge rate was decreased faster than steady discharge rate. The energy utility efficiency of unsteady discharge rate was also lower than steady discharge rate. The results were shown that the wedged inlet structure heater has excellent performance for energy utility efficiency under unsteady discharge rate.
Case study: Chemical approval at HADCO Corporation

This case study is the second in a four-part series profiling environmental decision making at leading companies. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Epidermal inclusion cyst of phalanx: a case report and review of the literature

Epidermal cyst within a toe phalanx is an extremely rare condition. It is important to differentiate this benign lesion, which can be easily treated by curettage, from other benign and malignant lesions of the bone with a similar clinical presentation, and which may require amputation of the toe. This report describes one such lesion in the mid-phalanx of the fourth toe in a 48-year-old woman, and which was successfully identified by intra-operative frozen diagnosis and treated by curettage.
Initial rate of polymerization of styrene

The initial rate of polymerization of highly purified styrene in bulk has been measured dilatometrically at 38.4, 56.4 and 70.1°C. For conversions up to one per cent a well-reproducible rate was observed for samples handled in complete absence of atmospheric gases. For samples saturated with air an equally reproducible, though higher rate, was observed initially. The duration of this higher rate decreases with increasing length of storage between saturation and measurement. After polymerization at higher rate, the sample continues to polymerize at the rate observed for the air-free samples.
Intrinsic foot muscle deterioration is associated with metatarsophalangeal joint angle in people with diabetes and neuropathy

Abstract Background Metatarsophalangeal joint deformity is associated with skin breakdown and amputation. The aims of this study were to compare intrinsic foot muscle deterioration ratios (ratio of adipose to muscle volume), and physical performance in subjects with diabetic neuropathy to controls, and determine their associations with 1) metatarsophalangeal joint angle and 2) history of foot ulcer. Methods 23 diabetic, neuropathic subjects [59 (SD 10) years] and 12 age-matched controls [57 (SD 14) years] were studied. Radiographs and MRI were used to measure metatarsophalangeal joint angle and intrinsic foot muscle deterioration through tissue segmentation by image signal intensity. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure evaluated physical performance. Findings The diabetic, neuropathic group had a higher muscle deterioration ratio [1.6 (SD 1.2) vs. 0.3 (SD 0.2), P P P = 0.01) for all diabetic, neuropathic subjects, but increased to r = − 0.81 ( P 1.0 were included. Muscle deterioration ratios in individuals with diabetic neuropathy were higher for those with a history of ulcers. Interpretation Individuals with diabetic neuropathy had increased intrinsic foot muscle deterioration, which was associated with second metatarsophalangeal joint angle and history of ulceration. Additional research is required to understand how foot muscle deterioration interacts with other impairments leading to forefoot deformity and skin breakdown.
Myxofibrosarcoma of soft tissues: Cytomorphologic analysis of a series

Within the English literature, myxofibrosarcoma is a recently described entity. Although the histopathologic features have been reported, the cytomorphologic spectrum of myxofibrosarcoma has been far less documented. The cytologic findings of six fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens (five primaries, one local recurrence) from six patients are described. The patients' ages ranged from 26-77 yr; there were four women and two men. The aspiration biopsy specimens ranged from slightly to markedly cellular. Although a myxoid granular to filamentous background was observed at least focally in all cases, the volume of the myxoid material was inversely proportional to the cellularity and grade of the tumor. Individual tumor cells were round to spindled, often displaying a wide range of cell shapes and sizes. Nuclei were generally large, pleomorphic, and hyperchromatic, frequently containing prominent nucleoli. Cytoplasm ranged from scant to dense and tapering. Multinucleated tumor giant cells were occasionally observed. In general, low- and intermediate-grade myxofibrosarcomas were more easily recognized in cytologic preparations. In contrast, high-grade myxofibrosarcoma was more difficult to specifically subtype and not easily distinguished from other adult pleomorphic sarcomas.
Early Developments of a Parallelly Actuated Humanoid, SAFFiR

This paper presents the design of our new 33 degree of freedom full size humanoid robot, SAFFiR (Shipboard Autonomous Fire Fighting Robot). The goal of this research project is to realize a high performance mixed force and position controlled robot with parallel actuation. The robot has two 6 DOF legs and arms, a waist, neck, and 3 DOF hands/fingers. The design is characterized by a central lightweight skeleton actuated with modular ballscrew driven force controllable linear actuators arranged in a parallel fashion around the joints. Sensory feedback on board the robot includes an inertial measurement unit, force and position output of each actuator, as well as 6 axis force/torque measurements from the feet. The lower body of the robot has been fabricated and a rudimentary walking algorithm implemented while the upper body fabrication is completed. Preliminary walking experiments show that parallel actuation successfully minimizes the loads through individual actuators.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Automated shearography for nondestructive evaluation and strain measurement

Shearography is equivalent to a full-field strain gage which reveals flaws in materials by looking at flaw-induced strain anomalies which are translated into anomalies in the fringe pattern. This paper presents a technique that allows the phase distribution in shearographic fringe patterns to be automatically and precisely determined, thus eliminating the human interpretation of fringe patterns. Applications of the technique for automated nondestructive evaluation and strain measurement are demonstrated.
Integrating Asthma Prevention and Control: The Roles of the Coalition

Activities addressing pediatric asthma are often fragmented. Allies coalitions promoted integration, the alignment of concurrent asthma control activities across and within sectors. Systems integration describes activities from an organizational perspective. Activities included developing a shared vision, promoting consistency in asthma education and self-management support, improving adherence to clinical guidelines, advocating jointly for policy change, and seeking funds collaboratively. Service integration describes activities focused on ensuring seamless, comprehensive services through coordination within and across organizations. Activities included use of community health workers (CHWs) and nurses for care coordination, program cross-referral, and clinical quality improvement. Integration is a sustainable role for coalitions as it requires fewer resources than service delivery and results in institutionalization of system changes. Organizations that seek integration of asthma control may benefit.
Isoshowacene, A C31 hydrocarbon from Botryococcus braunii var. showa

Abstract -Two C 31 acyclic hydrocarbons, showacene and isoshowacene, were obtained from a 16-day-old air-lift culture of Botryococcus braunii var. showa . The compounds were isolated as a 17:10 mixture by reversed-phase HPLC. Upon analysis by GC-MS and by 1 H and 13 C NMR, the compounds were found to be 1′–3 fused triterpenes of the botryococcene type bearing a single additional methyl at opposite ends of the isoprenoid chains.
A GIS-based Approach to Identify and Map Playa Wetlands on the High Plains, Kansas, USA

Geographically and hydrologically isolated, ephemeral playa wetlands are ubiquitous features of the High Plains. Although playas are important landscape elements, few systematic inventories have been conducted, particularly on the Northern and Central High Plains. A comprehensive Geographic Information Systems database was created using versatile inventory techniques applicable for a variety of regions and wetland mapping projects. Utilizing several geospatial data sources, including high-resolution aerial imagery, digital raster graphics, and SSURGO soils data, 22,045 playas were identified in Kansas—more than doubling previous estimates. Playa surface area ranges from 0.03 ha to 188 ha, with a mean area of 1.65 ha. More than 80% are smaller than 2 ha and only about 400 playas (1.8%) are larger than 10 ha. Results indicate that previous playa inventories failed to identify most small playas, particularly those less than 2 ha because data sources were not of sufficient resolution. Additionally, playa identification criteria have not been consistent for previous playa inventories conducted throughout the High Plains. It is essential that criteria to identify playas are consistently applied in all playa studies to facilitate comparison and to establish trends for various playa attributes across the entire High Plains.
Subjugated Knowledge in Gender-Integrated Social Work Education: Call for a Dialogue:

If social work education is truly committed to social justice and self-determination, it will have to liberate the knowledge of groups with which it works. To do so, it is necessary to recognize the unique role of practitioners in discovering and interpreting subjugated knowledge, which requires that academicians, practitioners, and consumers of services have opportunities to dialogue. Four strategies for freeing subjugated knowledge are proposed in this article. Dialogue that results from these strategies allows academicians and practitioners to focus on gaps between the practice theories they teach and the work they have to do and can contribute to curricular reformation.
The creation of the Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium Pharmacodynamic Core: Infrastructure for a virtual laboratory

The National Cancer Institute–Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium (NCI–COTC) aims to inform the development path of novel drugs and biologicals for human cancer patients through their evaluation in dogs with neoplasia. The advent of sophisticated clinical trials in veterinary medicine requires additional infrastructure to evaluate tissue and fluid end-points vital to questions relating to drug activity, targeting and toxicity. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic end-points necessitate a centralized laboratory for quality controlled assay development and execution. Establishing the COTC Pharmacodynamic Core (PD Core) has addressed the need for uniform end-point analysis by serving as a virtual laboratory that capitalizes on the expertise of the COTC community of investigators. Veterinary biomarker validation is a secondary benefit of these efforts. The PD Core exemplifies the construction of a successful infrastructure within the veterinary research community in line with advances in technology and focused on improving the health and quality of life of both human and animal cancer patients.
The two-ness of rural life and the ends of rural scholarship

I analyze the current return of academic rural doubt in the US in terms of an old intellectual quandary: what is the rural? I argue that scholars have two dominant epistemologies of the rural, what I term first rural and second rural, and correspondingly different political visions. By first rural I mean the material moment of the rural, to which we typically grant priority. By second rural I mean the ideal moment of the rural, which we typically regard as secondary, even when we argue that it is the only remaining rural. I analyze the origin of this priority of the rural in terms of the modernist/postmodernist divide, which I trace through the current American emphasis on first rural and the current European and Antipodean emphasis on second rural, noting how each emphasis often develops to the exclusion of the other. I trace as well the association of first rural with a modernist politics of defense of the rural boundary, and of second rural with a postmodernist politics of discourse that engages by deconstructing the rural. I argue for a rural plural vision that embraces first rural and second rural equally, stimulates a correspondingly more inclusive and practical politics of the rural, and keeps our understanding of the rural forever moving on.
Nitrogen and hydrogen CARS temperature measurements in a hydrogen/air flame using a near-adiabatic flat-flame burner

Abstract Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of diatomic nitrogen and hydrogen was used to measure flame temperatures in hydrogen/air flames produced using a nonpremixed, near-adiabatic, flat-flame Hencken burner. The CARS temperature measurements are compared with adiabatic flame temperatures calculated by the NASA-Lewis equilibrium code for equivalence ratios from 0.5–2.5. The nitrogen CARS temperatures are in excellent agreement with the equilibrium code calculations. Comparison of nitrogen CARS data and the equilibrium code calculations confirms that for sufficiently high flow rates the Hencken burner produces nearly adiabatic flames. Hydrogen CARS temperature measurements are compared to both nitrogen CARS temperature measurements and equilibrium code predictions in order to evaluate and improve the accuracy of hydrogen CARS as a temperature diagnostic tool. Hydrogen CARS temperatures for fuel-rich flames are on average 70 K (∼ 3%) above the equilibrium code predictions and nitrogen CARS temperatures. The difference between temperatures measured using hydrogen and nitrogen CARS is probably due primarily to uncertainties in hydrogen linewidths and line-broadening mechanisms at these conditions.
19F MRS assessment of siRNA delivery to vascular cells via perfluorocarbon nanoparticles

Methods To design a synthetic vehicle to serve as both an siRNA delivery agent and an imaging agent, perfluorocarbon nanoparticles (PFC-NP) were loaded with the cationic lipid 1, 2-Dioleoyl-3-Trimethylammonium-Propane (DOTAP) in the lipid monolayer to form transfection complexes with siRNA to the VCAM-1 gene. siRNA loading onto nanoparticles was measured via PAGE gel. Mouse 2F2B endothelial cells were incubated with transfection complexes (PFC-NP/siRNA) for 4 h. 19F MR spectroscopy was performed at 11.7 T to determine the number of NP bound to each cell. mRNA levels were measured 48 h after transfection to determine knockdown.
Emerging and continuing trends in vaccine opposition website content.

Abstract Context Anti-vaccination websites appeal to persons searching the Internet for vaccine information that reinforces their predilection to avoid vaccination for themselves or their children. Few published studies have systematically examined these sites. Objectives The aim of this study was to employ content analysis as a useful tool for examining and comparing anti-vaccination websites for recurring and changing emphases in content, design, and credibility themes since earlier anti-vaccination website content analyses were conducted. Methods Between February and May 2010, using a commonly available search engine followed by a deep web search, 25 websites that contained anti-vaccination content were reviewed and analyzed for 24 content, 14 design, and 13 credibility attributes. Results Although several content claims remained similar to earlier analyses, two new themes emerged: (1) the 2009 H1N1 epidemic threat was “manufactured,” and (2) the increasing presence of so-called “expert” testimony in opposing vaccination. Conclusion Anti-vaccination websites are constantly changing in response to the trends in public health and the success of vaccination. Monitoring the changes can permit public health workers to mount programs more quickly to counter the opposition arguments. Additionally, opposition claims commonly appeal to emotions whereas the supporting claims appeal to reason. Effective vaccine support may be better served by including more emotionally compelling content.
Dielectric Determination of Bound Water of Bone

The dielectric constant ' and dielectric loss of human cortical bone have been measured for frequencies of 1, 10, 50 and 100 kc and for hydrations (h) from 0 to 65 mg-H2O/g-bone. The absorption isotherm has also been determined. Curves of ' and vs h are found to alter sharply at a particular value of the hydration, hc, defining the ` critical hydration ' of bone. The quantity hc, ranges from 37 to 48 mg-H2O/g-bone, depending on the density of the sample. It is interpreted as the amount of water necessary to occupy the primary absorption sites in bone, i.e., as the bound water of the system. The relationship of hc with previously reported values of the bound water in hide collagen and synthetic hydroxyapatite is discussed.
A ribonuclease zymogen activated by the NS3 protease of the hepatitis C virus

Translating proteases as inactive precursors, or zymogens, protects cells from the potentially lethal action of unregulated proteolytic activity. Here, we impose this strategy on bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) by creating a zymogen in which quiescent ribonucleolytic activity is activated by the NS3 protease of the hepatitis C virus. Connecting the N-terminus and C-terminus of RNase A with a 14-residue linker was found to diminish its ribonucleolytic activity by both occluding an RNA substrate and dislocating active-site residues, which are devices used by natural zymogens. After cleavage of the linker by the NS3 protease, the ribonucleolytic activity of the RNase A zymogen increased 105-fold. Both before and after activation, the RNase A zymogen displayed high conformational stability and evasion of the endogenous ribonuclease inhibitor protein of the mammalian cytosol. Thus, the creation of ribonuclease zymogens provides a means to control ribonucleolytic activity and has the potential to provide a new class of antiviral chemotherapeutic agents.
Factors Influencing MSW Students' Interest in Public Child Welfare

ABSTRACT Public child welfare agencies have long been perceived as key training and employment settings for professional social workers in the United States. Nonetheless, within the last 30 years, concern has been raised with respect to the perceived “de-professionalization” of many public social service jobs, making a large portion of social work positions in public child welfare unappealing to the professionally educated. In California, popular support for increasing the numbers of MSWs in public child welfare led to the creation of the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) in 1990. Using survey data collected between 1992 and 1998 from a complete population sample of all entering and exiting students in accredited graduate programs of social work in California (n = 5,793), this study examines the influence of a plethora of variables (socio-demographic variables, professional motivations, past practice experiences, and school/program attended) upon the likelihood that MSW students will be in...
In-frame overlapping genes: the challenges for regulating gene expression.

Summary In-frame overlapping genes in phage, plasmid and bacterial genomes permit synthesis of more than one form of protein from the same gene. Having one gene entirely within another rather than two separate genes presumably precludes recombination events between the identical sequences. However, studies of such gene pairs indicate that the overlapping arrangement can make regulation of the genes more difficult. Here, we extend studies of in-frame overlapping genes II and X from filamentous phage f1 to determine if translational controls are required to regulate the gene properly. These genes encode proteins (pII and pX) with essential but opposing roles in phage DNA replication. They must be tightly regulated to maintain production of the proteins at relative steady state levels that permit continuous replication without killing the host. To determine why little or no pX appears to be made on the gene II/X mRNA, gene II translation was lowered by progressively deleting into the gene II initiator region. Increased pX translation resulted, suggesting that elongating ribosomes on the gene II mRNA interfere with internal initiation on the gene X ribosome binding site and limit gene X translation. As judged from systematically lowering the efficiency of suppression at a gene II amber codon upstream from the gene X start, the already modest level of gene II translation would have to be reduced by more than twofold to relieve all interference with internal initiation. Further downregulation of gene X expression proved to be required to maintain pX at levels relative to pII that are tolerated by the cell. Site-directed mutagenesis and nuclease mapping revealed that the gene X initiation site is sequestered in an extended RNA secondary structure that lowers gene X translation on the two mRNAs encoding it. The more general implications of the results for expression of in-frame overlapping genes are discussed.
Expression of thymidylate synthetase activity in Bacillus subtilis upon integration of a cloned gene from Escherichia coli.

Abstract The gene from Escherichia coli encoding thymidylate synthetase was cloned in the plasmid pBR322. The resulting chimeric plasmid, pER2, was effective in transforming both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis to thymine prototrophy. Uncloned linear E. coli chromosomal DNA was unable to transform thymine-requiring strains of B. subtilis to thymine independence. Linearization of the chimeric plasmid, pER2, with restriction enzymes markedly diminished its ability to transform B. subtilis auxotrophs. The Thy + transformants derived from the transformation of B. subtilis with pER2 DNA did not contain detectable extrachromosomal DNA as demonstrated by Southern hybridization patterns and centrifugation in CsCl gradients of DNA isolated from B. subtilis colonies transformed with the chimeric plasmid. We conclude that the DNA from the chimeric plasmid was integrated into the chromosome of B. subtilis , demonstrating that extensive homology is not required for the integration of foreign DNA. This is the first reported case of a gene from a Gram-negative bacterium functioning in a Grampositive organism.
Activation of calcium (Ca)-dependent protein kinase C in aged mesenteric lymph node T and B cells

We studied the effects of aging on the activities and translocation of Ca-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) in resting mesenteric lymph node (MLN) T and B cells during the activation process induced by T and B cell mitogens and B cell-stimulatory interleukins, including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6. The activation process in senescent, resting (high density (HD)) MLN T cells is impaired, when these cells are stimulated with T cell mitogen, Con A. The defect in activation is associated with a reduction in both the new production of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) (an indicator for the production of intracellular free Ca) and the induction of Ca-dependent PKC. In contrast, the activation of the aged B cells with LPS plus/minus interleukins (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6) is not impaired, being at least associated with a Ca-independent pathway of PKC activation. The elevated IP3 content and total (cytosol plus membrane) PKC activity in both resting T and B cells from aged MLN along with the greater difference in T cells than in B cells suggest that the in vivo Go cell cycle status of these cells may differ from that of the young, involving more in T cells. Finally, the MLN and splenic T cell Ca-dependent and B cell Ca-independent PKC activation do not differ between both age groups.
Relating Economic Conditions to Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal Frequencies: a Multi-Institutional Study

Purpose: It was theorized that the use of permanent contraceptive methods may vary with economic conditions. We evaluated the relationship between vasectomy/vasectomy reversal frequencies at several large referral centers and national economic indicators during 2 recessions spanning 2001 to 2011.Materials and Methods: We performed an institutional review board approved, retrospective chart review to identify the number of vasectomies/vasectomy reversals per month at several large referral centers from January 2001 to July 2011. The rates of these procedures were pooled, correlated with national economic data and analyzed in a multivariate linear regression model.Results: A total of 4,599 vasectomies and 1,549 vasectomy reversals were performed at our institutions during the study period. The number of vasectomies per month positively correlated with the unemployment rate (r = 0.556, p <0.001) and personal income per capita (r = 0.276, p = 0.002). The number of reversals per month negatively correlated wit...
Median-centered dietary indices do not accurately classify exposure to the Mediterranean diet.

Median-centered dietary indices do not accurately classify exposure to the Mediterranean diet
Ozone and the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in vivo

Two experiments were carried out to determine whether ozone causes significant oxidation of pulmonary polyunsaturated fatty acids in vivo. These involved ad libitum and pair-feeding. In the first experiment, rats were fed fat-free diets and exposed to ozone for 0, 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Lung and liver fatty acids were analyzed to determine if the rats exposed to ozone lost essential fatty acids more rapidly than those exposed to filtered air. In the second experiment, rats were divided into four groups. Two of these groups were fed fat-free diets, and two were fed diets containing essential fatty acids. Rats from the two diet groups (one of each type) were exposed to ozone, while the remaining two groups were exposed to filtered air. In the second experiment, rats were pair-fed. The amounts of lung and liver fatty acids were relatively uninfluenced by breathing ozone. Results from these experiments demonstrate that in the lung, the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, appear to be oxidized by filtered air and ozone at essentially the same rate.
Evaluation of several finishes on severely weathered wood

Alkyd-, oil-modified-latex-, and latex-based finishes were applied to severely weathered western redcedar and redwood boards that did not have any surface treatment to ameliorate the weathered surface prior to painting. Six finishes were evaluated annually for 11 years for cracking, flaking, erosion, mildew growth, discoloration, and general appearance. Lowsolids-content latex finishes that contained about 10% raw linseed oil and 11% acrylic resin (i.e., the oil-modified latex finishes) performed better on badly weathered wood than did the alkyd and the other latex finish, even after 11 years. Latex finishes that contained raw linseed oil probably stabilized the weathered surface and plasticized the finish. The stabilization of the wood surface and the flexibility of the finish throughout its service life are the important factors in finish performance on these weathered substrates.
Men's pathways to risky sexual behavior: role of co-occurring childhood sexual abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression histories

Recent reports of sexually transmitted infection-rate increases among men indicate the need for renewed study of male sexual risk behavior to aid development of updated and novel risk reduction interventions. Men who have childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories consistently report frequent sexual risk behavior. The objective of this sturdy is to explore whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are moderators and/or mediators of the association between CSA and sexual risk in adult men. A cross-sectional survey study employing random digit dial recruitment was administered to men aged 18–49 years from Philadelphia County. Two bundred ninety eight men were recruited and screened for CSA history, administered items from the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression (CES-D), and asked to estimate their number of lifetime sexual partners (LSPs). Effects of sociodemographic characteristics, CSA, PTSD, and depression on the number of LSPs were modeled using Poisson regression. Results show that 197 (66%) men participated; 43 (22%) had CSA histories. CSA was significantly associated with PTSD/depression (P=.03). Four sociodemographic variables (age, race, sexual identity, and education), CSA (incidence rate ratio, IRR=1.47, P<.001), PTSD (IRR=1.19, P=.04), depression (IRR=1.29, P=.001), all 2-way interactions, and the 3-way CSA/PTSD/depression interaction (IRR=11.00, P<.001) were associated with the number of LSPs (R2=0.27). In conclusion, sexual partnership patterns unique to men with CSA histories and comorbid PTSD/depression appear to lead to substantially higher numbers of LSPs. Estimates of this relationship may have been biased toward the null by underreporting that can occur with phone surveys. Cross-sectional studies do not support causal inferences; however, the identification of a moderating and mediating influence of PTSD/depression on the relationship between CSA and sexual risk behavior is important and suggests the need for future studies with larger samples that examine trajectories for CSA, psychiatric illness, and sexual partnerships.
Axial convergence fronts in a barotropic tidal inlet—sand shoal inlet,VA

Abstract An axial convergence front system in Sand Shoal Inlet, VA, is analyzed. The fronts, which are parallel to the main channel and mostly within the channel, occur during different tidal stages within a 13-h observation period. A 25-ft boat is used to tow an acoustic Doppler current profiler to measure velocity profiles along an hour-glass shaped ship track. Salinity and temperature are measured using conductivity–temperature–depth sensors. A harmonic-statistic analysis is used to analyze the tide, tidal velocity, and mean velocity. The transverse convergence and divergence of velocity are calculated. The rms errors of the harmonic-statistic analysis of the elevation and velocity are about 0.28 m and 0.13 m/s (with a maximum velocity of over 2 m/s ), respectively. On average, about 83%, 95%, and 70% of the variabilities of the elevation, longitudinal and transverse velocities, respectively, can be explained by the M2 tidal and subtidal constituents. Strong transverse velocity convergences are identified by the analysis and are generally consistent with the observed front positions. The analysis shows that the front system is apparently generated by a combination of several mechanisms including (1) differential rotation of the tidal ellipses and spatial variations of the major axes of the tidal ellipses, owing to the strong bottom friction, and (2) a strong geometric convergence at the inlet. Density effect is found to be negligible and the planetary vorticity tilt effect is also unimportant because of a much higher relative vorticity. The observed front system is distinguished from the conventional estuarine axial convergence fronts which require a strong along channel density gradient. Therefore, in estuaries and coastal embayment where both tides and density gradients are important and where cross-channel bathymetry change is present, the frontal genesis can be a combination of several processes including the tidal convergence discussed here.
Preparation of Brush Border Membrane Vesicles from Fresh and Frozen Bovine Intestine for Nutrient Uptake Studies

Purified brush border membranes were obtained from homogenized jejunal epithelial cells of cattle by divalent cation aggregation of nonbrush border membranes and differential centrifugation. Membrane marker enzyme assays determined effectiveness of the fractionation procedure. Compared with cellular homogenate, maltase and sodium+-potassium+-adenosine triphosphatase specific activities in the membrane fraction isolated from the interface of discontinuous (35 and 45% wt/wt) sucrose gradients increased 14.5- and 1.9-fold whereas enzyme recoveries averaged 20.2 and 2.4%. These data indicate significant enrichment in brush border membranes with minimal basolateral membrane contamination. Vesicles formed from this membrane fraction had a predominately (93%) luminal side out orientation. After incubating vesicles with radiolabeled substrates, vesicles and accumulated substrates were separated from the incubation buffer by filtration and substrate uptake quantified by liquid scintillation counting. Observed uptake was the result of substrate accumulation within an osmotically active intravesicular space and was not due to nonspecific binding of the substrate to vesicular membranes. Vesicles exhibited sodium-dependent and independent substrate uptake pathways and were able to discriminate between substrate stereoisomers for uptake. Major differences were not detected between results obtained with vesicles prepared from fresh or frozen intestines. These vesicles can be utilized to investigate nutrient uptake by the bovine small intestine.
Covalently bonded organosilicon and organoaluminium dispersants for silicon carbide

Covalently bonded organosilicon and organoaluminium compounds were used as dispersants for SiC powder and whiskers in hexane. The improved dispersion resulted in a threefold increase in whisker packing density in sedimented compacts. Comparison experiments with organosilanes having the formulas RSi (OCH3)3 and RSiCl3 showed that the chlorosilanes were much more effective than their alkoxy counterparts in dispersing SiC powder. The aluminium alkoxy carboxylate aluminiumsec-butoxide stearate was also a much more effective dispersant for SiC than the alkoxysilanes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state13C nuclear magnetic resonance were used to characterize the organometallic dispersants grafted to the surface of the SiC.
When does abuse become abuse

Edited by Jacquelyn H. Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAANSchool of Nursing, University of California—Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USAReported rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) have a wide ran...
Believe it or not: Understanding the credibility and effectiveness of radio Sawa in the UAE

As part of an overall strategy to influence public opinion in the Muslim world, the US government implemented two new international broadcasting tools — Radio Sawa and Alhurra (a satellite televisi...
Can lab data be used to reduce abdominal computed tomography (CT) usage in young adults presenting to the emergency department with nontraumatic abdominal pain

We sought to determine whether laboratory parameters could be found, predictive of a negative abdominal CT scan in young adults with nontraumatic abdominal pain. Following institutional review board approval, we evaluated CT reports of 522 patients, aged 21-35 years old, who presented to the Emergency Department with nontraumatic abdominal pain. Bivariate analyses relating ten laboratory parameters to whether the CT detected a cause for abdominal pain were conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model was then derived, with all variables in the final model significant at p < 0.05. Variables were dichotomized to yield odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Of the 522 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 45% had a cause for pain demonstrated by CT. Predictors of a negative CT in men were normal hematocrit and negative urine blood (p = 0.045, p = 0.016, respectively), and in women normal hematocrit, granulocyte percent, and alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.023, p = 0.039, p < 0.0001, respectively). When standard normal values were used to calculate descriptive statistics, only granulocyte percent in women had a significant confidence interval (odds ratio 2.5, confidence interval 1.6-4.0). Among the 208 women with normal granulocyte percent, the final clinical diagnosis was appendicitis, cholecystitis, and diverticulitis, in three, three, and two cases, respectively (4% combined). In summary, no laboratory test was sufficient to offer reassurance that a CT is not necessary in a young adult patient with nontraumatic abdominal pain. Alternative strategies should be considered to decrease the use of CT, and its associated radiation exposure, in young adults with nontraumatic abdominal pain.
Clone detection and refactoring

The area of clone detection (i.e., searching for duplicate fragments of source code) has received wide interest recently as indicated by numerous efforts in clone detection tool development. Additionally, some work has been done in the area of selecting and refactoring the detected clones. However, the actual refactoring of clones is typically separated from the initial clone detection and subsequent selection of clones, because the task is delegated to a refactoring tool. This research abstract describes an investigation that will bridge the gap between clone detection and refactoring by researching and developing a comprehensive clone detection and refactoring process that begins with the detection of clones and ends with their refactoring.
Cabana: a cross-platform mobile development system

Mobile application development is a hot topic in computer science education, and debate rages over which platform to develop on and what software to use for development. Cabana is a web-based application designed to enable development on multiple mobile platforms and to make application development easier. It uses an approach to application programming based on a wiring diagram that is supplemented with the ability to program directly using JavaScript. It is an ideal choice for application development in introductory computer science courses and for upper-level courses where the focus is on application design and not application programming. This paper introduces Cabana and describes its use in two different computer science courses.
Gene expression as a drug discovery tool

After establishing a pattern of gene expression that identifies a desired drug effect in leukemia cells (e.g., differentiation), post-treatment gene expression can be used to screen candidate compounds for their ability to induce the target phenotype.
Low temperature formation of numerous phases in Pb/Si(111)

Abstract The formation of numerous (∼15) phases within a narrow coverage range 6/5 θ T ∼120 K which indicates an unusual pathway of low temperature self-organization.
Developing modules for an inverted classroom project in cost estimating

The need to serve increasingly diverse learning communities requires a curriculum that not only recognizes alternative modes of thinking but also helps students develop the complex thinking skills required by industry. Classroom inversion or “flipping” can provide a useful framework for this new paradigm by pre-engaging students with the material. The classroom lecture can then be replaced with collaborative problem solving exercises or model eliciting activities. While the most common methods used for pre-engagement include streamed lectures or podcasts, these techniques are subject to some of the same concerns associated with passive lectures or assigned readings. In this paper we present an approach for classroom inversion that is based on three premises: pre-engagement occurs through online interactive modules, classroom lectures are replaced with group problem solving activities, and homework assignments incorporate open ended problems or model eliciting activities. Examples of online interactive modules in accounting and cost estimating are presented. We follow with a discussion of the resultant transformation of the classroom learning environment along with some samples incorporating open-ended problem solving exercises. Preliminary assessments indicating gains in student learning along with future directions and implications for a broader approach to innovation and entrepreneurship is discussed.
An apparent Correlation between the Feeding Habits of certain Pteromalids and the Condition of their ovarian Follicles (Pteromalidae, Hymenoptera).

During the past two years the Citrus Experiment Station, in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology of the United States Department of Agriculture, has introduced into California from Europe several species of Hymenoptera parasitic on the alfalfa weevil, Phytonomus variabilis . Chamberlin (1924) lists eight important species. These are able to live under a rather large range of climatic conditions and most of them have at some time been introduced and colonized in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Only two species are known to be established, although the introduction work began twenty-three years ago.
Assessing a Spectroelectrochemical Sensor's Performance for Detecting [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in Natural and Treated Water

A spectroelectrochemical sensor that combines three modes of selectivity in a single device was evaluated in natural and treated water samples using tris-(2,2’-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) dichloride hexahydrate, [Ru(bpy)3]2+, as a model analyte. The sensor was an optically transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode coated with a thin film of partially sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene (SSEBS). As the potential of the ITO electrode was cycled from +0.7 to +1.3 V, the analyte changed from the colored [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complex to colorless [Ru(bpy)3]3+ complex and the change in absorbance at 450 nm was used as the optical signal for quantification. Calibration curves were obtained for [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in natural well water, river water and treated tap water with detection limits of 108, 139 and 264 nM, respectively. A standard addition method was developed to determine an *unknown* spike addition concentration of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in well water. The spectroelectrochemical sensor determined the concentration of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ spiked into a sample of Hanford well water to be 0.39*0.03 mM versus the actual concentration of 0.40 mM.