cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Dissections: Noniatrogenic Traumatic Lesions

• Noniatrogenic traumatic extracranial internal carotid artery dissections were encountered in six patients (five men and one woman) 31 to 62 years old. All but one had overt cerebral ischemia manifest by paresis (three), sensory deficits (three), aphasia (three), or amaurosis fugax (two). One patient had an asymptomatic carotid artery bruit. Cerebral arteriography established the diagnosis in all cases. Internal carotid artery impingement between the mandible and transverse processes of the second and third cervical vertebrae, or undue stretching over these vertebral structures, were the most likely primary mechanisms of injury. Secondary complications, a result of distal thromboembolism, were evident in two patients. Direct cerebral revascularization, staged internal carotid artery constriction and ligation, as well as intensive nonoperative therapy were valid therapeutic options. There were no deaths. Treatment relieved transient ischemic symptoms or arrested progression of established neurologic deficits in each case. In select patients, early surgical intervention may lessen attending neurologic sequelae. ( Arch Surg 1982;117:425-432)
Ultrabright fluorescent mesoporous silica particles

Recent self-assembly of ultra-bright fluorescent colloidal mesoporous (nanoporous) silica particles is highlighted. The particles can be up to two others of magnitude brighter than polymeric particles of comparable size assembled with quantum dots. Comparing with the maximum fluorescence of free dye in the same volume, the particles can show fluorescence which is higher by more than three orders of magnitude. We discuss the nature of the high brightness of these particles, existing problems, potential applications and prospects.
Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol upon progesterone secretion by porcine granulosa cells in tissue culture.

Porcine granulosa cells from small (1–2 mm), medium (3–5 mm), or large (6–12 mm) follicles were exposed to highly purified human FSH (LER 1801–3) and 17β-estradiol in tissue culture. The cells were grown in TC 199 plus 4% pig serum, and progesterone secreted into the culture medium was measured by RIA. Granulosa cells obtained from follicles at all three stages of development were stimulated by FSH to secrete progesterone. The stimulation was dependent on the concentration of FSH and the stage of follicular development. In the absence of any added hormones, the granulosa cells from small, medium, or large follicles in six experiments secreted (between days 2–4) 1.5 ± 0.1, 60 ± 3, and 152 ± 5 pg of progesterone/100 cells, respectively. Addition of 0.1 μg/ml FSH led to a 553%, 292%, and 171% stimulation of progesterone secretion by cells from small, medium, and large follicles, respectively. The granulosa cells from small follicles secreted progesterone at a steady rate throughout the 12-day culture period....
Single and Multiple Relay Selection Schemes and their Diversity Orders

This paper is on relay selection (RS) schemes for wireless relay networks. First, we derive the diversity of many single RS schemes in the literature. Then, we generalize the idea of RS by allowing more than one relay to cooperate. Several multiple RS schemes are proposed, which are proved to achieve full diversity. Simulation results show that they perform much better than the corresponding single RS methods and very close to the optimal multiple RS scheme. However, the computational complexity of the suboptimal schemes are linear in the number of relays, far superior to the optimal selection, which has exponential complexity. In addition, when the number of relays is large, the multiple RS schemes require the same amount of feedback bits from the receiver as single RS schemes.
Prevention of tolerance to hemodynamic effects of nitrates with concomitant use of hydralazine in patients with chronic heart failure

Objectives. This study was designed to determine the effect of oral hydralazine on the development of nitrate tolerance in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Background. Early development of nitrate tolerance with either continuous administration of intravenous or topical nitrate preparations or frequent dosing of oral nitrates leads to significant attenuation of nitrate-mediated hemodynamic and anti-ischemic effects. In recent animal experiments, prevention of nitroglycerin-induced hemodynamic tolerance with a concomitant use of hydralazine was demonstrated. This finding may have important clinical relevance. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction were randomized to receive either a continuous infusion (24 h) of nitroglycerin alone (group I, 14 patients) or concomitantly with oral hydralazine (75 mg four times a day [group II, 14 patients]). The effect of nitroglycerin in each group was evaluated by analysis of variance for repeated measures. The power of the analysis to detect a 5.4-mm Hg (20%) change in mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure was 90%. Results. Baseline hemodynamic variables as well as the initial hemodynamic response to nitroglycerin were comparable in both groups. Compared with the initial response to nitroglycerin, a significant attenuation of effect was found in group I at 24 h in mean (±SE) pulmonary artery pressure (27 ± 4% vs. 10 ± 3%, p Conclusions. In patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the concomitant use of oral hydralazine prevents early development of nitrate tolerance and results in a persistent nitrate-mediated hemodynamic effect on systemic and pulmonary artery and left ventricular filling pressures. These data may support the concurrent use of hydralazine in patients with heart failure treated with organic nitrates.
Contrasting single-wafer and batch processing for memory devices

Single-wafer technology has been shown to improve memory device performance and ultimately improve product yield for several front-end-of-line (FEOL) processes. Single-wafer processes that are reviewed include silicon nitride for word-line cap, flash oxide-nitride-oxide dielectric, cell dielectric re-oxidation, and selective oxidation.
Joint torque control by a direct feedback for industrial robots

Based on the experimental findings of Wu and Paul [17], two joints of an industrial robot have been redesigned and fabricated to include torque sensing capability by means of strain gauges. The resulting control systems reduced the effective frictional torques of the joints from 1072 oz.in to 33.5 oz.in. The stability of the closed-loop systems was analyzed by means of the describing function for limit cycles exhibited in the system, which can be removed by an insertion of phased-lead series compensating networks.
Targeted Disruption of the PDZK1 Gene by Homologous Recombination

Proteins containing PDZ domains are involved in a large number of biological functions, including protein scaffolding, organization of ion channels, and signal transduction. We recently identified a novel PDZ domain-containing protein, PDZK1, that is selectively expressed in normal tissues, where it is associated and colocalized with MAP17, a small 17-kDa membrane-associated protein; cMOAT, an organic anion transporter implicated in multidrug resistance; and the type IIa Na/Pi cotransporter. The protein cluster formed by PDZK1, MAP17, and cMOAT is upregulated in a significant number of human carcinomas originating in the colon, breast, lung, and kidney. In order to better define the function of PDZK1 in the protein cluster and its potential role in the organization of ion channels, we generated a PDZK1 knockout mouse. While PDZK1-deficient mice developed normally, did not display any gross phenotypic abnormalities, and were fecund, lack of PDZK1 resulted in modulation of expression of selective ion channels in the kidney, as well as increased serum cholesterol levels. However, no significant redistribution of proteins known to interact with PDZK1, such as MAP17, cMOAT, and the type IIa Na/Pi cotransporter, was observed. The absence of a more significant phenotype in PDZK1-deficient mice may be due to functional compensation by other PDZ domain-containing proteins, which could be instrumental in determining the location of interacting proteins such as ion channels and other membrane-associated proteins in defined areas of the plasma membrane.
Toxicity of indocyanine green (ICG) in combination with light on retinal pigment epithelial cells and neurosensory retinal cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the toxicity of indocyanine green (ICG) in combination with light. Methods: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and rat neurosensory retinal cells (R28) were treated with four different concentrations of ICG in combination with light exposure. Cell viability, mitochondrial function, and DNA synthesis were measured. Results: All concentrations of ICG with 10 min of light exposure caused a significant decrease in mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity in R28 and ARPE-19 cells. ICG without light exposure did not decrease mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. In both cell lines, [3H]thymidine incorporation was increased when treated with ICG with or without light. R28 cells did not show any significant decrease in cell viability. Conclusions: The duration of light was a significant factor in ICG toxicity. ICG needs to be used with caution as it decreases the mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity and increases the DNA synthesis in retinal cells, markers for cell toxicity and dysf...
Genetic and infectious prion diseases.

Enriching fractions from Syrian hamster (SHa) brain for scrapie prion infectivity led to the discovery of the prion protein (PrP). Prion diseases include scrapie of sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy of cattle as well as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) of humans. Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing both SHa and mouse (Mo) PrP genes were used to probe the molecular basis of the species barrier and the mechanism of scrapie prion replication. Bioassays of brain extracts from two scrapie-infected Tg lines showed that the prion inoculum determines that prions are synthesized de novo, even though the cells express both PrP genes. Studies with artificial prions produced from chimeric Mo/SHaPrP transgenes underscore the concept that inoculated prion dictates which prion will be replicated. Discovery of mutations in the PrP genes of humans with GSS and familial CJD established that prion diseases are both genetic and infectious. Transgenic mice expressing high levels of MoPrP-P101L, corresponding to the GSS point mutation (P102L) in human PrP, spontaneously develop neurologic dysfunction, spongiform degeneration, and astrocytic gliosis. Inoculation of brain extracts prepared from these Tg (MoPrP-P101L) mice produced neurodegeneration in recipient animals after prolonged incubation times. These results are in accord with those of other studies and argue that prions are devoid of foreign nucleic acid. Structural investigations of cellular prion protein (PrPC) and prion protein scrapie (PrPSc) suggest that the difference may be conformational. Conditions that diminished the beta-sheet content of PrPSc were the same as those identified previously that inactivate prion infectivity. Whether prion diversity as reflected by distinct "strains" producing different patterns of PrPSc accumulation is due to different conformers of PrPSc remains to be established. Advances in the purification and characterization of both PrPC and PrPSc seem to have identified the central event in PrPSc synthesis and prion propagation, ie, the unfolding of PrPC followed by its refolding into PrPSc. These findings underscore the fundamental features of prion structure and propagation that differentiate prions from other transmissible pathogens.
Secretome of obligate intracellular Rickettsia

The genus Rickettsia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales, Rickettsiaceae) is comprised of obligate intracellular parasites, with virulent species of interest both as causes of emerging infectious diseases and for their potential deployment as bioterrorism agents. Currently, there are no effective commercially available vaccines, with treatment limited primarily to tetracycline antibiotics, although others (e.g. josamycin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and azithromycin) are also effective. Much of the recent research geared toward understanding mechanisms underlying rickettsial pathogenicity has centered on characterization of secreted proteins that directly engage eukaryotic cells. Herein, we review all aspects of the Rickettsia secretome, including six secretion systems, 19 characterized secretory proteins, and potential moonlighting proteins identified on surfaces of multiple Rickettsia species. Employing bioinformatics and phylogenomics, we present novel structural and functional insight on each secretion system. Unexpectedly, our investigation revealed that the majority of characterized secretory proteins have not been assigned to their cognate secretion pathways. Furthermore, for most secretion pathways, the requisite signal sequences mediating translocation are poorly understood. As a blueprint for all known routes of protein translocation into host cells, this resource will assist research aimed at uniting characterized secreted proteins with their apposite secretion pathways. Furthermore, our work will help in the identification of novel secreted proteins involved in rickettsial ‘life on the inside’.
Is negative affectivity associated with oral quality of life

Objectives The personality trait of negative affectivity (NA) is associated with reports of worse physical health, more symptoms and worse health-related quality of life but its associations with oral quality of life (OQOL) are unexplored. In this study we examined the association of NA with OQOL. Methods We drew on data from two samples of older men: The VA Dental Longitudinal Study (DLS; n=177) and the Veterans Health Study (VHS; n=514), which included three measures of oral quality of life: the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Measure (OHQOL), the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Instrument (GOHAI). For each OQOL measure, and the GOHAI and OHIP subscales, two regression models were estimated to examine the marginal change in variance due to NA: the first model included age, number of teeth, and self-rated oral health, and the second added NA. Results In both bivariate and multivariate analyses, higher NA was consistently associated with worse scores on the OQOL measures. In the regression analyses, NA explained an additional.01 to 18% of the variance in OQOL, explaining the most variance in the OHIP and the least in the OHQOL. The addition of NA explained more variance in the more subjective, psychologically oriented GOHAI and OHIP subscales than it did in the more objective, physical function oriented subscales. Conclusions Psychosocial factors such as personality are significantly associated with quality of life ratings. Such associations should be taken into account when OQOL measurements are used and interpreted.
Architecture for resource allocation services supporting interactive remote desktop sessions in utility grids

Emerging large scale utility computing systems like Grids promise computing and storage to be provided to end users as a utility. System management services deployed in the middleware are a key to enabling this vision. Utility Grids provide a challenge in terms of scale, dynamism, and heterogeneity of resources and workloads. In this paper, we present a model based architecture for resource allocation services for Utility Grids. The proposed service is built in the context of interactive remote desktop session workloads and takes application performance QoS models into consideration. The key design guidelines are hierarchical request structure, application performance models, remote desktop session performance models, site admission control, multi-variable resource assignment system, and runtime session admission control. We have also built a simulation toolkit that can handle mixed batch and remote desktop session requests, and have implemented our proposed resource allocation service into the toolkit. We present some results from experiments done using the toolkit. Our proposed architecture for resource allocation services addresses the needs of emerging utility computing systems and captures the key concepts and guidelines for building such services in these environments.
The signature of an unbalanced earthquake cycle in Himalayan topography

Fifty percent of the relative motion between the Indian and Asian plates is accommodated by active convergence at the Himalayan Range Front (HRF). Earthquake cycle processes on shallowly dipping HRF thrust faults generate large earthquakes (MW ≥ 7) and contribute to the growth of HRF topography. Interseismic rock uplift rates reach a maximum north of the active Main Frontal Thrust and have been suggested to significantly influence the collocated convex bulge in HRF topography. Using geodetically constrained models of interseismic rock uplift rates and simple channel erosion rate laws, we show that convex channel profiles are predicted when interseismic deformation outpaces coseismic deformation. Applying this model to the observed elevation profiles of 20 HRF-spanning channels in Nepal yields a minimum mean residual elevation (72 m) if interseismic deformation has outpaced coseismic deformation by a factor of four. The long-term earthquake deficit required for the application of this model is consistent with some estimates of historical moment imbalance but requires temporally variable fault system activity. The spatial correlation between nominally interseismic rock uplift and the HRF topographic bulge may be explained by (1) a noncausal geometric coincidence, (2) geodetic observations of significant deformation not directly related to earthquake cycle processes, or (3) an unbalanced earthquake cycle at the HRF.
Redundancy Mining for Soft Error Detection in Multicore Processors

The trends in technology scaling and the reduction in supply voltages have significantly improved the performance and energy consumption in modern microprocessors. Microprocessors are being built with higher degrees of spatial parallelism and deeper pipelines to improve performance, which, however, makes them more susceptible to transient faults. Radiation causes "transient faults” or "single-event transients” in logic, which, once propagated and latched, become full cycle errors or soft errors. If radiation hits memory elements, this is usually called an "single-event upset” or "soft error” as it can further propagate as a full cycle error. The problem of soft errors is further exacerbated in large multiprocessors employed in servers in which reliability is a key concern. In the past, the technique of lockstep execution of the original and the duplicate instructions has been used for error detection in multiprocessors. However, the execution of redundant threads in the on-chip multiprocessor (CMP) provides error detection at lower overheads, since the branch outcomes of the leading thread can be exploited during the execution of the trailing thread, and also because the interprocessor communication latency is a key concern for lockstepping. In this paper, we show that by mining various redundancies inherent within a single core, the interprocessor communication can be brought down to a minimum. Toward this, we propose techniques based on 1) temporal redundancy, 2) data value redundancy, and 3) information redundancy for error detection in multicore designs. We exploit temporal redundancy by using the "latency slack cycles” (LSC) of an instruction, which we define as the number of cycles before the computed result from the instruction becomes the source operand of a subsequent instruction. The value-based detection technique is explored by exploiting the width of the operands with small data values and information redundancy is exploited by the generation of residue code check bits for the source operands. We show that with a clustered core multiprocessor, the interprocessor communication overhead can be significantly reduced. In our proposed multicore design, when a soft error is detected, error correction is achieved by rolling back the execution to a previous checkpoint state and re-executing the instructions. The proposed techniques have been implemented on the RSIM simulation framework and validated using the SPLASH benchmarks. Experimental results indicate that the soft error detection schemes proposed in this work, can be implemented, on the average, with less than 10 percent increase in CPI on modern multicore designs.
Wide bandwidth, high average power EIKs drive new radar concepts

Millimeter wave radar and communications capability can be significantly enhanced using improvements to the extended interaction klystron (EIK). This presentation describes the performance resulting from various programs undertaken at CPI (Communications & Power Industries) to increase the bandwidth and power capability of the EIK. This presentation describes the design simulation and corresponding performance results at various frequencies from 27 GHz to 220 GHz.
Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State

Approaching the politics of the Lone Star State from historical, developmental, and analytical perspectives, Cal Jillson's text avoids partisanship, ideology, and gimmicks to provide the most comprehensive, readable, and accurate brief description of Texas politics available today.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION AND THE EVOLUTION OF REPRODUCTIVE ALLOCATION IN THE PITCHER-PLANT MOSQUITO, WYEOMYIA SMITHII

We measured the egg size of six geographic populations of the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, from Florida (30°N) to Ontario (49°N). Populations from northern latitudes produced larger eggs than populations from southern latitudes. Egg size increased with increasing latitude more rapidly when larvae were reared under low rather than high density. One southern (30°N) and one northern (49°N) population of W. smithii that persisted through 10 generations of selection for increased persistence under conditions of chronic thermal- and nutrient-limiting stress (conditions similar to southern rather than northern habitats) produced smaller eggs more rapidly than unselected control lines. However, there were no differences in lifetime fecundity or fertility between control and selected lines. Thus, laboratory evolution in an environment representative of extreme southern latitudes caused evolutionary changes consistent with geographic patterns of egg size. These results implicate temperature as a selective factor influencing the geographic variation of egg size in W. smithii, and demonstrate a novel trade-off in reproductive allocation between egg size and egg maturation time.
Simulated Convective Lines with Leading Precipitation. Part I: Governing Dynamics

This article, the first of two describing a study in which the authors used idealized numerical simulations to investigate convective lines with leading precipitation, addresses the dynamics governing the systems’ structures and individual air parcels’ accelerations within them. It appears that, although unconventional, systems with inflow passing through their line-leading precipitation can be stable and long lived. Lower-tropospheric inflowing air in the simulations ascends, overturns in deep updrafts, and subsequently carries its water content forward from the convective line, where it gives rise to the leading precipitation region. Although relatively strong wind shear in the middle and upper troposphere accounts for a component of the downshear acceleration, and hence overturning, of air parcels in the simulated updrafts, a mature system with leading precipitation also renders both persistent and periodic pressure anomalies that contribute just as much. Many of these accelerations, which govern the overall system structure, are largely transient and are lost when averaged over multiple convective cycles. This article explains the dynamics that govern the transient updrafts and downdrafts within the systems, including a precipitation cutoff mechanism that governs their multicellular periods.
Lifestyle Interventions to Reduce Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Children

Diseases once associated with older adulthood, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are increasingly diagnosed in children and adolescents. Interventions designed to assist adults in modifying dietary and physical activity habits have been shown to help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults. Given the unfortunate rise in both of these diseases in pediatric populations, it is increasingly important to begin prevention efforts in childhood or prenatally. There is strong empirical support for utilizing lifestyle interventions to prevent these diseases in adults; it is not clear whether the same holds true for pediatric populations. The present review examines lifestyle management efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in children across socioecological levels. Recommendations are made for expanding the traditional focus of lifestyle interventions from dietary and physical activity behaviors to target additional risks for these diseases such as smoking and depression in youth.
Health Care Disparities in Emergency Medicine

The Institute of Medicine's landmark report, "Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care," documents the pervasiveness of racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. health care delivery system, and provides several recommendations to address them. It is clear from research data, such as those demonstrating racial and ethnic disparities in emergency department (ED) pain management, that emergency medicine (EM) is not immune to this problem. The IOM authors describe two strategies that can reduce disparities in EM. First, workforce diversity is likely to result in a community of emergency physicians who are better prepared to understand, learn from, and collaborate with persons from other racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, whether these be patients, fellow clinicians, or the larger medical and scientific community. Given the ethical and practical advantages of a more diverse EM workforce, continued and expanded initiatives to increase diversity within EM should be undertaken. Second, the specialty's educational programs should produce emergency physicians with the skills and knowledge needed to serve an increasingly diverse population. This cultural competence should include an awareness of existing racial and ethnic health disparities, recognition of the risks of stereotyping and biased treatment, and knowledge of the incidence and prevalence of health conditions among diverse populations. Culturally competent emergency care providers also possess the skills to identify and manage racial and ethnic differences in health values, beliefs, and behaviors with the ultimate goal of delivering quality health services to all patients cared for in EDs.
Simulated Natural Encounters of the Insecticides, Chlorpyrifos and Carbaryl, by Western Pine Beetle Predators Enoclerus lecontei and E. sphegeus (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

Laboratory tests are described, using residual film and topical application methods to evaluate the toxicity of aqueous formulations of chlorpyrifos and carbaryl to two coleopterous predators, Enoclerus lecontei and E. sphegeus . The insecticide-impregnated filter paper discs simulated predators walking on sprayed substrates, and topical application evaluated intrinsic susceptibility. Chlorpyrifos was equally toxic to both species in both tests, whereas carbaryl showed very limited toxicity to both species. These tests indicate that carbaryl, a chemical which provides extensive protection of ponderosa pine trees from attack by western pine beetles, has minimal effect on the important predators of the western pine beetle
An analysis of the unsteady wake behind a circular cylinder using lagrangian coherent structures

The unsteady wake behind a circular cylinder was experimentally measured and compared with numerical results. The location and evolution of coherent structures, or vortices, in the flow were analyzed to facilitate the understanding of the complex vortex shedding physics in the near wake region. Two-dimensional phase averaged velocity data was collected using a 2D DPIV measurement system for multiple Reynolds numbers and cylinder diameters. The Eulerian Q-criterion , along with a Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) analysis, was applied to the numerical and experimental data to determine the properties of the wake. An FTLE strain restriction was applied to the LCS to filter out ridges that identify regions of shear instead of hyperbolic separation. The strain restriction exposes the loss of hyperbolicity of the LCS, causing a break in the material line, as a new vortex begins to form behind the cylinder.
Certain Groups of Orthonormal Step Functions

It was first pointed out by Fine (2), that the Walsh functions are essentially the characters of a certain compact abelian group, namely the countable direct product of groups of order two. Later Chrestenson (1) considered characters of the direct product of cyclic groups of order α (α = 2, 3, …). In general, his results show that the analytic properties of these generalized Walsh functions are basically the same as those of the ordinary Walsh functions.
Effects of Olfactory Cues on Artificial-Nest Experiments

We examined the effects of two potential olfactory cues on the outcome of experiments using artificial nests to assay predation on open-cup nesting songbirds. In two experiments lasting 15 days each and replicated two times at three sites, bamboo nests baited with Japanese Quail (Corturnix japonica) eggs were placed on the ground in a 5 x 4 grid array with 50 m between adjacent nests. Egg survivorship was monitored every five days, and remote cameras were used to take photographs of animals removing bait eggs from nests. One experiment consisted of four treatments that varied the type and amount of olfactory information provided by the investigator: (1) human scent; (2) "no scent"; (3) "deer scent"; and (4) perfume. Artificial scents were applied to shoes, clothing, and skin during the ex- periment set-up and monitoring. For the first experiment, rates of nest loss were greater for the human-scent treatment than deer-scent and/or no-scent treatments in one-half of the spatial/temporal replicates. Rain appears to have complicated the effects of the scent treat- ments in some of the spatial/temporal replicates. Final levels of nest loss, however, were greater for perfume and human-scent treatments than deer-scent and no-scent treatments regardless of spatial/temporal replicate. The second experiment consisted of two treatments, one in which eggs were replaced periodically, and the other in which eggs were not replaced for the duration of the experiment. Both treatments had similar rates and final levels of nest loss. Approximately 90% of 51 photographs were of olfactory-searching, predominantly noc- turnal mammals. We conclude that olfactory-searching predators can cue on human odors left in the area of artificial nests, but that either rain or scents (e.g. the deer scent) can be used to decrease this potential bias. In contrast, changing egg qualities over the time scale
Role of chemokines in the biology of natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) cells participate in innate and adaptive immune responses to obligate intracellular pathogens and malignant tumors. Two major NK cell subsets have been identified in humans: CD56(dim) CD16+ and CD56(bright) CD16-. Resting CD56(dim) CD16+ NK cells express CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CX3CR1 but no detectable levels of CC chemokine receptors on the cell surface. They migrate vigorously in response to CXCL12 and CXC3L1. In contrast, resting CD56(bright) CD16- NK cells express little CXCR1, CXCR2, and CXC3R1 but high levels of CCR5 and CCR7. Chemotaxis of CD56(bright) CD16- NK cells is stimulated most potently by CCL19, CCL21, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL12. Following activation, NK cells can migrate in response to additional CC and CXC chemokines. Cytolytic activity of NK cells is augmented by CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL10, and CXC3L1. Moreover, proliferation of CD56(dim) CD16+ NK cells is costimulated by CCL19 and CCL21. Activated NK cells produce XCL1, CCL1, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL22, and CXCL8. Chemokines secreted by NK cells may recruit other effector cells during immune responses. Furthermore, CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5 produced by NK cells can inhibit in vitro replication of HIV. CCL3 and CXL10 expression appear to be required for protective NK cell responses in vivo to murine cytomegalovirus or Leishmania major, respectively. Moreover, NK cells participate in the in vivo rejection of transduced tumor cells that produce CCL19 or CCL21. Thus, chemokines appear to play an important role in afferent and efferent NK cell responses to infected and neoplastic cells.
Legionella pneumophila antibody level in city employees cleaning air conditioning

Objective To understand Legionella antibody level in workers cleaning central air-condition.Methods 44 employees'serum were randomly collected in two central air conditioning cleaning companies,samples of serum antibody were detected for Legionella pneumophila by colloidal gold method,micro-agglutination test for Legionella pneumophila infection in antibody-positive serum samples for detection of bacterial type.Results 4 serum samples were positive for Legionella pneumophila,antibody positive rate was 9.1%(4 / 44).In the four positive samples,the antibody positive rate of type LP6 was 75.0%(3 / 4),antibody positive rate of type LP3 was 25.0%(1 / 4).Antibody positive rates of type LP6 were not statistically significant(P 0.05) in different age groups,work groups and work experience.Conclusion A few of employees have been infected by Legionella pneumophila.Air conditioning cleaning work is still at risk of infection,so it should be strengthened the health management of central air conditioning and air conditioning cleaning profession of protection.
Clinical Problem Solving Series Strategies of Information Gathering.

EDITORS’ PREFACEOur goal in this exercise is to consider aneglected aspect of diagnostic problem solving,namely the strategies that physicians useto gather data as they confront a diagnosticdilemma. In the first part, we will analyze therationale for individual questions and for the sequence of questions that a general internistused when taking the history from a previouslyill physician. In the second part, we willreview some of the studies that bear on the experimentalapproach to information gathering.
A*-Connect: Bounded suboptimal bidirectional heuristic search

The benefits of bidirectional planning over the unidirectional version are well established for motion planning in high-dimensional configuration spaces. While bidirectional approaches have been employed with great success in the context of sampling-based planners such as in RRT-Connect, they have not enjoyed popularity amongst search-based methods such as A*. The systematic nature of search-based algorithms, which often leads to consistent and high-quality paths, also enforces strict conditions for the connection of forward and backward searches. Admissible heuristics for the connection of forward and backward searches have been developed, but their computational complexity is a deterrent. In this work, we leverage recent advances in search with inadmissible heuristics to develop an algorithm called A*-Connect, much in the spirit of RRT-Connect. A*-Connect uses a fast approximation of the classic front-to-front heuristic from literature to lead the forward and backward searches towards each other, while retaining theoretical guarantees on completeness and bounded suboptimality. We validate A*-Connect on manipulation as well as navigation domains, comparing with popular sampling-based methods as well as state-of-the-art bidirectional search algorithms. Our results indicate that A*-Connect can provide several times speedup over unidirectional search while maintaining high solution quality.
10 Observations Concerning International Tax Policy

This is a slightly revised version of a lunch talk that the author gave at the National Tax Association’s 46th Annual Spring Symposium on May 12. It addresses, among other topics, why there is so little consensus regarding international tax policy, and what lessons we learn from the recent wave of inversions by U.S. companies
Principles of rigor for assessing evidence in “qualitative”; communication research

(1994). Principles of rigor for assessing evidence in “qualitative”; communication research. Western Journal of Communication: Vol. 58, The Dialogue of Evidence: A Topic Revisited, pp. 44-50.
Effects of H-Reflex Operant Conditioning in Humans

Operant conditioning of a spinal reflex can modify specific spinal cord pathways and can thereby affect behaviors that use these pathways. We have shown that down-conditioning the soleus H-reflex during standing can improve walking in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI); after successful conditioning people walked faster and more symmetrically with better locomotor EMG activity [1]. Based on this success, we are currently testing the hypothesis that locomotor reflex activity can be further improved toward a more normal pattern by reducing the soleus H-reflex size during the swing phase of the gait cycle, where the H-reflex is very small or absent in normal subjects but abnormally large in people with spasticity due to chronic SCI.
Assessing the Usefulness and Legitimacy of CAS

Disqualified athletes and their nationalistic supporters tend to be highly critical of the regime of sanctions for violations of the international law of sports, and specifically of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The author maintains that CAS promotes public policy and favours fair competition, not the opposite, and that those who condemn CAS tend to be unacquainted with the facts and irresponsible in failing to explain how they would propose to remedy the chaos which would ensue if CAS were suddenly to disappear.
Myeloid Leukemia Factor Acts in a Chaperone Complex to Regulate Transcription Factor Stability and Gene Expression

Mutations that affect myelodysplasia/myeloid leukemia factor (MLF) proteins are associated with leukemia and several other cancers. However, with no strong homology to other proteins of known function, the role of MLF proteins in the cell has remained elusive. Here, we describe a proteomics approach that identifies MLF as a member of a nuclear chaperone complex containing a DnaJ protein, BCL2-associated anthanogene 2, and Hsc70. This complex associates with chromatin and regulates the expression of target genes. The MLF complex is bound to sites of nucleosome depletion and sites containing active chromatin marks (e.g., H3K4me3 and H3K4me1). Hence, MLF binding is enriched at promoters and enhancers. Additionally, the MLF-chaperone complex functions to regulate transcription factor stability, including the RUNX transcription factor involved in hematopoiesis. Although Hsc70 and other co-chaperones have been shown to play a role in nuclear translocation of a variety of proteins including transcription factors, our findings suggest that MLF and the associated co-chaperones play a direct role in modulating gene transcription.
Constant and Variable Time Delays of Synchrony of Facial Expressions in Dyadic Conversations.

Face models (combined appearance models, Cootes, Edwards & Taylor, 2001) were used to study synchrony in the facial expressions of several pairs of people in previously recorded 2- to 4-minute dyad...
The Arterial Trees

Performing experimental research in conjunction with theoretical analysis is like sailing hazardous waters with an experienced pilot.
Literature in psychology viewed from the elementary text

A method of exploring the current status of literature in psychology was conducted by classifying all references cited in a sample of five elementary psychology texts. The categories used were (a) extent of agreement among text authors on references included (b) journals most frequently drawn upon for elementary text data and (c) percentage of references taken from a given decade in recent history. Results indicated that a very small percentage of the total number of references were cited in common by all authors. The journals most often used seemed to create an image of psychology as biological science. Finally, most references used in the elementary texts were taken from the most recent decade of psychological history. The approach used in gathering the data, as well as the data itself, is discussed.
An Information-Processing-Based Conceptual Framework of the Effects of Unproctored Internet-Based Testing Devices on Scores on Employment-Related Assessments and Tests

The widespread use of unproctored Internet-based testing (UIT) in employment-related assessments has resulted in a burgeoning use of mobile devices to complete these assessments. Coupled with this is a concomitant interest in UIT-device-type effects, specifically, differences or lack thereof between assessments completed on “mobile” versus “nonmobile” devices. However, there is limited theoretical or conceptual work that seeks to explain the observed effects of UIT device type on test scores. Consequently, this article first presents a review of the extant empirical literature and then, on the basis of that, presents a framework—the structural characteristics/information processing framework—for psychologically conceptualizing the effect of UIT device types on test and assessment scores. The framework is used to explain previous findings and advance testable propositions for future research.
Sputter-Deposited Oxides for Interface Passivation of CdTe Photovoltaics

Commercial CdTe PV modules have polycrystalline thin films deposited on glass, and devices made in this format have exceeded 22% efficiency. Devices made by the authors with a magnesium zinc oxide window layer and tellurium back contact have achieved efficiency over 18%, but these cells still suffer from an open-circuit voltage far below ideal values. Oxide passivation layers made by sputter deposition have the potential to increase voltage by reducing interface recombination. CdTe devices with these passivation layers were studied with photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) to detect an increase in minority carrier lifetime. Because these oxide materials exhibit barriers to carrier collection, micropatterning was used to expose small point contacts while still allowing interface passivation. TRPL decay lifetimes have been greatly enhanced for thin polycrystalline absorber films with interface passivation. Device performance was measured and current collection was mapped spatially by light-beam-induced current.
Morphine Pharmacokinetics in Children With Down Syndrome Following Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives To assess if morphine pharmacokinetics are different in children with Down syndrome when compared with children without Down syndrome. Design Prospective single-center study including subjects with Down syndrome undergoing cardiac surgery (neonate to 18 yr old) matched by age and cardiac lesion with non-Down syndrome controls. Subjects were placed on a postoperative morphine infusion that was adjusted as clinically necessary, and blood was sampled to measure morphine and its metabolites concentrations. Morphine bolus dosing was used as needed, and total dose was tracked. Infusions were continued for 24 hours or until patients were extubated, whichever came first. Postinfusion, blood samples were continued for 24 hours for further evaluation of kinetics. If patients continued to require opioid, a nonmorphine alternative was used. Morphine concentrations were determined using a unique validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry assay using dried blood spotting as opposed to large whole blood samples. Morphine concentration versus time data was modeled using population pharmacokinetics. Setting A 16-bed cardiac ICU at an university-affiliated hospital. Patients Forty-two patients (20 Down syndrome, 22 controls) were enrolled. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The pharmacokinetics of morphine in pediatric patients with and without Down syndrome following cardiac surgery were analyzed. No significant difference was found in the patient characteristics or variables assessed including morphine total dose or time on infusion. Time mechanically ventilated was longer in children with Down syndrome, and regarding morphine pharmacokinetics, the covariates analyzed were age, weight, presence of Down syndrome, and gender. Only age was found to be significant. Conclusions This study did not detect a significant difference in morphine pharmacokinetics between Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome children with congenital heart disease.
Applying a machine learning model using a locally preserving projection based feature regeneration algorithm to predict breast cancer risk

Both conventional and deep machine learning has been used to develop decision-support tools applied in medical imaging informatics. In order to take advantages of both conventional and deep learning approach, this study aims to investigate feasibility of applying a locally preserving projection (LPP) based feature regeneration algorithm to build a new machine learning classifier model to predict short-term breast cancer risk. First, a computer-aided image processing scheme was used to segment and quantify breast fibro-glandular tissue volume. Next, initially computed 44 image features related to the bilateral mammographic tissue density asymmetry were extracted. Then, an LLP-based feature combination method was applied to regenerate a new operational feature vector using a maximal variance approach. Last, a k-nearest neighborhood (KNN) algorithm based machine learning classifier using the LPP-generated new feature vectors was developed to predict breast cancer risk. A testing dataset involving negative mammograms acquired from 500 women was used. Among them, 250 were positive and 250 remained negative in the next subsequent mammography screening. Applying to this dataset, LLP-generated feature vector reduced the number of features from 44 to 4. Using a leave-onecase-out validation method, area under ROC curve produced by the KNN classifier significantly increased from 0.62 to 0.68 (p < 0.05) and odds ratio was 4.60 with a 95% confidence interval of [3.16, 6.70]. Study demonstrated that this new LPP-based feature regeneration approach enabled to produce an optimal feature vector and yield improved performance in assisting to predict risk of women having breast cancer detected in the next subsequent mammography screening.
Black hole mechanics for massive gravitons

It has been argued that black hole solutions become unavoidably time-dependent when the graviton has a mass. In this work we show that, if the apparent horizon of the black hole is a null surface with respect to a fiducial Minkowski reference metric, then there is a natural sense in which the location of the horizon is necessarily time-independent, despite the dynamical metric possessing no time-like Killing vector. We derive a second law of black hole mechanics for these black holes and determine their surface gravity. An additional assumption establishes a zeroth and a first law of black hole mechanics. These results are nonperturbative and model-independent. We apply these results to the specific model of dRGT ghost-free massive gravity and show that consistent solutions exist which obey the required assumptions. We determine the time-dependent scalar curvature at the horizon of these black holes.