cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost effectiveness of residential carbon monoxide alarms.

BACKGROUND While residential carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are now required in a majority of states, the cost effectiveness of the devices is unknown. This analysis was performed to determine the degree of prevention efficacy necessary from home carbon monoxide alarms for their expense to be cost-effective. METHODS Data regarding numbers of individuals affected in the United States annually from accidental, non-fire, residential non-fatal and fatal carbon monoxide poisoning were obtained from published literature. Federal governmental estimates of societal costs associated with medical care, lost wages and earnings, value of pain and suffering, and value of a statistical life were applied. The cost of uniform residential carbon monoxide alarm installation was compared to those societal costs in order to calculate what degree of efficiency makes alarms cost-effective. RESULTS Societal costs for accidental, non-fire, residential CO poisoning are approximately $3.47 billion annually. With an estimated cost of $348 million annually for alarms, prevention of greater than 10% of residential CO poisoning costs must be achieved in order for alarms to be cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS While the true effectiveness of residential carbon monoxide alarms has yet to be determined, current state legislation requiring residential installation of CO alarms is probably cost-effective. .
Ethics, Justice, and the Province of American Medicine: A Discussion of the Politicalization of the Duty to Care for Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients Who Are in the Country Illegally

In what follows, I offer philosophical analyses of the cases of Maria Bueso and Jesica Santillan for the purpose of investigating the providence of American medicine and morality in cases where law and justice are in conflict. First, I consider the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate the Deferred Medical Action Program. I argue that, while the Administration’s decision is legal, and will likely be upheld in court, it runs afoul of the moral standards of both Christian and Enlightenment ethics. Secondly, I investigate whether or not there are sound reasons for restricting the access of immigrants to organ transplants and other scarce medical resources. Ultimately, I determine that such restrictions are only justified in limited circumstances. More than this, I argue that all people have a human right to life and that U.S. politicians have recognized this human right in political and legal documents like the Declaration of Independence, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Emergency Medical and Treatment Labor Act. For these reasons, I conclude that, while politicians may pass laws and issue edicts that restrict immigrants’ access to healthcare, it is almost always unjust for them to do so.
Investigation of Factors Affecting Distresses on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement using Ground Penetrating Radar

AbstractThe utilization of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) has been widely used throughout the United States during the construction of interstate highways since the 1930s. The ess...
A Realistic Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

The contemporary debate between scientific realism and anti-realism prominently presents the question whether or not a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics (q.m., afterwards) can be given adequately when it is reflected in concrete scientific theories. Scientific realism generally demands that a scientific theory aims to be a true or approximately true description of entities, properties, structures, processes, etc. that exist in an objective world independently of our observation and consciousness. All classical physical theories satisfy the demand. However, the Copenhagen interpretation, as the orthodox interpretation of q. m., is usually regarded as an instrumentalist interpretation with an epistemological meaning alone. It avoids answering the ontological questions such as whether the quantum theory really describes the microworld. Just as Bohr wrote: “The entire formalism is to be considered as a tool for deriving predictions, of definite or statistical character, as regards information obtainable under experimental condition described in classical terms” [1]. It is obvious that this interpretation is in accordance with the anti-realist doctrine of Van Fraassen, which holds that “science aims to give us theories which are empirically adequate, and acceptance of a theory involves a belief only that it is empirically adequate” [2].
Genetic Variant in CHRNA5 and Response to Varenicline and Combination Nicotine Replacement in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

It is unclear if genetic variants affect smoking cessation treatment response. This study tested whether variants in the cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 5 subunit (CHRNA5) predict response to smoking cessation medication by directly comparing the two most effective smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. In this genotype-stratified randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (May 2015-August 2019 in St Louis, Missouri), smokers were randomized by genotype in blocks of six (1:1:1 ratio) to three conditions: 12 weeks of placebo (n = 273), combination nicotine patch and lozenge (combination nicotine replacement therapy, cNRT, n = 275), or varenicline (n = 274). All participants received counseling and were followed for 12 months. The primary end point was biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment (EOT, week 12). Trial registration and eligibility criteria are on clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) (NCT02351167). We conducted the genetic analyses separately for 516 European ancestry (EA) smokers and 306 non-EA smokers (including 270 African American smokers). In African American smokers, there was a genotype-by-treatment interaction for EOT abstinence (χ2 = 10.7, degrees of freedom = 2. P = 0.0049): specifically, cNRT was more effective in smokers with rs16969968 GG genotype than was placebo, while varenicline was more effective in smokers of GA/AA genotypes. In EA ancestry smokers, there was no significant genotype-by-treatment interaction. In the whole sample, although both were effective at EOT, only varenicline, and not cNRT, was significantly effective relative to placebo at 6-month follow-up. Importantly, this study suggests that genetic information can further enhance smoking cessation treatment effectiveness.
Considerations for Facilitating Refugee Acculturation through Groups

Globally, there are 70.8 million forcibly displaced people made up of 41.3 million internally displaced, 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers. Refugees have significant mental heal...
Peripheral nerve injury promotes morphine-seeking behavior in rats during extinction.

Chronic neuropathic pain and prescription opioid abuse represent highly interconnected societal problems. We used a rat model of spared nerve injury (SNI) and an intravenous drug self-administration paradigm to investigate the impact of a neuropathic pain state on morphine-seeking behavior in extinction (i.e. when morphine is withheld). SNI, sham-operated and naive groups exhibited similar levels of active lever presses for morphine infusions on a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) schedule. Self-administration of morphine, but not vehicle, attenuated nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia in SNI rats. Under these same conditions, mechanical paw withdrawal thresholds in sham-operated and naive groups were largely unaltered. However, SNI rats showed higher levels of morphine-seeking behavior compared to sham-operated or naive groups in extinction (i.e. when vehicle was substituted for morphine). Interestingly, the perseveration of morphine-seeking behavior observed during extinction was only present in the SNI group despite the fact that all groups had a similar history of morphine self-administration intake. Our results suggest that different motivational states associated with neuropathic pain promote morphine-seeking behavior in extinction. Drug self-administration paradigms may be useful for evaluating analgesic efficacy and motivational properties associated with opioid reinforcers in pathological pain states.
Recent Advances in the Roles of Autophagy and Autophagy Proteins in Host Cells During Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Potential Therapeutic Implications

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that can cause encephalitis and retinitis in humans. The success of T. gondii as a pathogen depends in part on its ability to form an intracellular niche (parasitophorous vacuole) that allows protection from lysosomal degradation and parasite replication. The parasitophorous vacuole can be targeted by autophagy or by autophagosome-independent processes triggered by autophagy proteins. However, T. gondii has developed many strategies to preserve the integrity of the parasitophorous vacuole. Here, we review the interaction between T. gondii, autophagy, and autophagy proteins and expand on recent advances in the field, including the importance of autophagy in the regulation of invasion of the brain and retina by the parasite. We discuss studies that have begun to explore the potential therapeutic applications of the knowledge gained thus far.
Performance Prediction of 100 Gb/s PAM4 Optical Systems Using a Frequency Dependent Nonlinear Model

A frequency-dependent nonlinear model has been proposed and experimentally verified at 100 Gb/s using PAM4. This universal model simply requires adjusting two sets of polynomials based on the THD data and is modulation format agnostic.
Factors Affecting Transformation of Micrococcus lysodeikticus

Abstract Relatively high transfo mation frequencies were obtained with Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells, previou[ill]sly grown in defined broth, with a tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane-glutamate b uffer containing Mg++, Ca++, Ba++, or Sr++.
Development of PrimeTime-Real-Time PCR for Species Identification of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, 1952) in North Carolina

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is an obligate, sedentary parasite that is a major pathogen of soybean and accounts for an estimated 1 billion dollars in production losses annually in the United States of America. This paper describes the development of a real-time PCR method for rapid, sensitive, species-specific and accurate identification of SCN alone or on mixed populations with other nematodes in North Carolina. The 83-bp DNA fragment of PrimeTime-real-time PCR was designed based on a 477-bp-SCN-SCAR marker previously proved to be SCN-specific. A total of 44 populations including cyst forming nematodes (Heterodera glycines, H. fici, H. schachtii, H. trifolii, Cactodera weissi, Globodera tabacum, Meloidodera floridensis and other unidentified cyst nematodes) and non-cyst forming nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci, Meloidogyne incognita and Xiphinema chambersi ) were tested in this study, all SCN populations are tested positive and non-SCN populations negative. This assay for the detection and identification has been successfully applied for testing a single SCN cyst, a 2nd-stage-SCN juvenile, a single SCN egg, up to ten SCN cysts, a 10-fold dilution of a single 2nd-stage-SCN juvenile and 20-fold dilution of one SCN cyst. The assay is not SCN-race specific. It gave an accurate positive result when SCN is mixed with other cyst species. Also, nematode universal primers/probes for real-time PCR amplification as a nematode endogenous control to detect the presence of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were employed in this assay, so that a SCN-negative sample can be tested to exclude false negative. This method will be very useful for a broad range of research programs as well as the regulatory response and management of SCN in North Carolina and other region of the southeastern U.S.A.
A stereo multi-bit /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ D/A with asynchronous master-clock interface

An oversampling DAC that generates low-jitter, synchronous and oversampled clock internally uses an on-chip digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) and a digital sample-rate converter to decouple the DAC conversion rate from the audio sample rate. This allows the DAC to be driven by an independent low-jitter clock source that minimizes jitter-induced amplitude errors. The DAC uses a second-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator in combination with a 17-level quantizer to achieve greater than 110 dB theoretical SNR and reduced out-of-band noise relative to higher-order 1b modulators. The problem of severe element matching in multi-bit DACs is addressed by applying a data-directed scrambling technique on the thermometer-decoded modulator output that modulates DAC element mismatch errors out of band.
Collaborative development of the Arrowsmith two node search interface designed for laboratory investigators

Arrowsmith is a unique computer-assisted strategy designed to assist investigators in detecting biologically-relevant connections between two disparate sets of articles in Medline. This paper describes how an inter-institutional consortium of neuroscientists used the UIC Arrowsmith web interface http://arrowsmith.psych.uic.edu in their daily work and guided the development, refinement and expansion of the system into a suite of tools intended for use by the wider scientific community.
Pathophysiology of Vascular Disease

Vascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western civilization. Its manifestations include heart attacks, strokes, lower extremity occlusive disease, and aneurysmal disease, and its predominant underlying cause is atherosclerosis. Although atherosclerosis is a generalized disorder of the arterial tree associated with well-known risk factors—including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus—its clinical expression tends to be focal. Not all individuals with extensive risk factors develop atherosclerotic plaques, and many patients with extensive atherosclerotic plaques have no recognized risk factors. Moreover, morbidity and mortality usually result from localized plaque deposition at certain vulnerable sites in the arterial tree rather than from diffuse disease.
196 Prevalence of cataracts in a population of cystic fibrosis patients homozygous for the F508del mutation

Background Literature suggests that CF may be associated with developing cataracts; however, the true prevalence of cataracts in CF patients is unknown since a cataract may remain undetected until vision is impaired. This analysis characterizes cataract frequency in patients homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. Methods Analyses focused on CF patients aged ≥12 y and homozygous for the F508del mutation who were screened for participation in the lumacaftor/ivacaftor phase 3 TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT studies, and who underwent comprehensive slit lamp lens examinations by a licensed ophthalmologist at screening. Frequency and characteristics (type and location) of cataracts were assessed, and risk factors for cataracts were evaluated in a multivariate analysis. Results In total, 1302 patients underwent a slit lamp exam, of whom 101 (7.8%; 95% CI: 6.3–9.2) had a cataract detected. Among patients with cataracts, 91.1% were newly diagnosed, 69.3% had bilateral cataracts, and the most common cataract location was cortical (42.6%). Approximately 11% of all cataract findings were consistent with congenital lens opacity morphology. Cataract frequency was 6.1% in the youngest age group (12–18 y; n=407); patients ±46 y had the highest frequency (24.1%; n=54). In the multivariate analyses including age, sex, and medical history variables, older age was the only independent predictor of cataracts. Conclusion This analysis revealed a 7.8% prevalence of cataracts in CF patients ≥12 y undergoing comprehensive eye exams; most cataracts were previously undetected. While frequency was highest in patients who were older in age, cataracts were also diagnosed in patients
Enzyme Motions Inside and Out

In one enzyme, short-range thermal motions are sufficient to explain the transfer of a hydrogen by tunneling--a transition through a classically forbidden energy state.
Are autistic and catatonic regression related? A few working hypotheses involving gaba, Purkinje cell survival, neurogenesis, and ECT.

Autistic regression seems to occur in about a quarter of children with autism. Its cause is unknown. Late‐onset autistic regression, that is, after 2 years of age, shares some features with catatonic regression. A working hypothesis is developed that some children with autistic regression suffer from early‐onset catatonic regression. This hypothesis cannot be answered from current data and is difficult to address in clinical studies in the absence of definite markers of autistic and catatonic regression. Treatment implications are theoretical and involve the potential use of anticatatonic treatments for autistic regression. Focus is on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—an established but controversial treatment that is viewed by many, but not all, as the most effective treatment for severe, life‐threatening catatonic regression. Clinical trials of ECT in early‐ or late‐onset autistic regression in children have not been done yet. The effects of electroconvulsive seizures—the experimental analogue of ECT—should also be tested in gamma‐aminobutyric acid‐ergic animal models of autistic regression, autism, catatonia, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Purkinje cell survival and neurogenesis are putative outcome measures in these models.
iterative eigenfilter method for designing optimum overdecimated orthonormal FIR compaction filter banks

Much attention has recently been given to the construction of signal-adapted orthonormal filter banks designed to optimize a particular objective function such as coding gain or a multiresolution criterion. For certain classes of filter banks, the optimum solution is a principal component filter bank (PCFB), which is simultaneously optimal for several objectives including the ones mentioned above. However, for the class of finite impulse response (FIR) filter banks, a PCFB in general does not exist. For this case, numerical techniques must be employed to find an optimum filter bank for a particular objective. In this paper, we present an iterative method for designing an overdecimated FIR filter bank optimized for energy compaction. The proposed algorithm is an eigenfilter method that is low in computational complexity. Simulation results show the merit of the proposed method, in that as the filter order increases, the filters designed behave more and more like those of the infinite order PCFB.
Nonoperative Management of Splenic Trauma in Children: A Report of Six Consecutive Cases

Postsplenectomy sepsis, although infrequent, is real and hazardous. We have taken a nonoperative approach to the child with a ruptured spleen who is in stable condition. Six consecutive patients with a diagnosis confirmed by angiography or scan were treated without surgery. The results suggest the usefulness of this approach in the child who is not bleeding massively.
Distributed Computing in Opportunistic Environments

Opportunistic networks have evolved from mobile ad hoc networking and the delayed tolerant networking paradigms and have quickly gained popularity in research and industry. In opportunistic networking, when pairs of devices come within each others communication range, opportunistically, short-lived links (or opportunistic links) are created. Opportunistic computing exploits the opportunistic links created by pair-wise contacts, to share information content, resources and services, leading to a wide variety of applications. In this talk we discuss the research challenges and issues in exploiting opportunistic contacts to create a delay tolerant distributed computing environment. Further more, the impact of social computing and networking paradigms for such problems as synchronization and trust will be investigated. Results of ongoing research work on information dissemination, collaboration and trust will be presented. The research work is supported through an NSF grant.
Energy and protein metabolism in ewes as influenced by age and dietary protein-calorie ratio.

A 2 X 2 X 2 fractorial design of treatments was used to study effects of age (20 months or 10 years), dietary energy density (3.0 or 3.5 kcal DE/g) and protein level (8 or 16% crude protein) on energy and nitrogen metabolism in two groups of ewes, with emphasis on efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization. Plasma glucose concentrations were the same for sheep in each age group, regardless of diet; plasma lactate was higher (P less than .03) in plasma of old ewes and decreased (P less than .01) in concentration when dietary energy density was increased. Plasma urea nitrogen was higher (P less than .0001) in ewes fed diets containing 16 vs 8% protein, and plasma ammonia concentrations were higher (P less than .02) in old ewes Dietary energy and protein levels affected digestible and metabolizable energy, but no age-related effects were observed. Nitrogen retention was increased when either energy (P less than .0001) or protein (P less than .003) intake increased. Oxygen consumption was the same for sheep of either age (expressed per kilogram metabolic body weight), while estimated maintenance requirement and heat production were higher for old ewes. Metabolizable energy utilization was lower (P less than .05) in old ewes fed the lower energy density diets than in those fed the higher energy diets. Increasing dietary energy density increased (P less than .05) efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization in old ewes to a level comparable to that observed in young ewes.
Interferon induction by poly (I): poly (C) enclosed in phospholipid particles

Liposomes were prepared with phospholipids (sphingomyelin, lecithin, and phosphatidylethanolamine) in combination with cholesterol and charged lipids (dicetyl phosphate and stearylamine) and contained either poly(I):poly(C) or poly(I). Neutral and positively charged liposomes attached much better to L-929 cells in tissue culture than did negatively charged particles. Liposomes were toxic to L cells at relatively low concentrations, making the determination of antiviral activity induced by particles containing poly(I):poly(C) difficult to measure by the plaque reduction assay. When injected into mice, all of the liposomes containing poly(I):poly(C), except phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes, greatly potentiated and extended the serum interferon response of poly(I):poly(C). Lecithin and sphingomyelin liposomes given intravenously were ten times more effective than free poly(I):poly(C) in stimulating production of serum interferon. Sphingomyelin liposomes containing [(14)C]poly(I):poly(C) were 88% cleared from the bloodstream of mice by 3 min after intravenous injection. Most of the radioactivity (70%) was captured by the liver and remained there for at least 4 h. By 2 h, 7% of the radioactivity could be found in the spleen. Five percent of the radioactivity was found in the lungs at 30 min, with decreasing amounts thereafter. Small amounts of radioactivity were found in the muscle and kidneys. The spleen was shown to contain appreciable levels of interferon at 4 h, and low levels were found in the liver. Radioactivity accumulated slowly in the liver following an intraperitoneal injection of sphingomyelin liposomes containing [(14)C]poly(I):poly(C). By 4 h, 26% of the dose was recovered from the liver and 4.9% from the spleen, with small amounts in the lung, kidney, and omentum.
Alcohol acceptance, preference, and sensitivity in mice. I: Quantitative genetic analysis using BXD recombinant inbred strains

Although the recombinant inbred strain method was designed for molecular genetic analysis of linkage, it also provides powerful quantitative genetic analyses of heritability and genetic correlations. Measures of alcohol acceptance, alcohol preference, and hypnotic dose sensitivity (HDS) were assessed in 21 strains of mice from the BXD RI series. Sex differences were found to be significant at a phenotypic level. However, heritability estimates for acceptance, preference, and HDS are similar in males and females. Heritability estimates for the three measures are approximately 0.20 for acceptance and preference, and 0.10 for HDS. Analyses of genetic correlations reveal that acceptance and preference share some degree of genetic influence, although they mostly operate under different genetically mediated mechanisms. HDS did not show a significant genetic relationship to either acceptance or preference. Strong correlations were obtained when acceptance, preference, and HDS strain means were correlated across male and female recombinant inbreds, suggesting substantial genetic similarity across sexes.
Fractional Flow Reserve for the Evaluation of Tandem and Bifurcation Lesions, Left Main, and Acute Coronary Syndromes

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a well-established invasive tool to assess the physiologic significance of a coronary stenosis. Several randomized trials proved the safety of deferring revascularization based on FFR in subjects with stable coronary artery disease with single or multivessel disease. Subjects with tandem or bifurcations lesions, left main disease, and acute coronary syndromes were not included in these trials. Unique hemodynamic changes occur in each of these situations, making the measurement and interpretation of FFR challenging. This article reviews the technical aspects of assessing FFR and literature supporting FFR-guided revascularization in each of these situations.
Voltage drift mechanism in modular multilevel converter

The capacitor voltage drift problem in Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) system has been widely discussed in the past. It is well known that sometimes the capacitor voltages are balanced, without any active controls. However, due to the uncertainty and lack of theoretical explanations, active capacitor voltage controls are typically preferred for real applications, and the voltage balancing/drift mechanism of MMC topology did not draw much attention in the past. This paper covers this gap: it is explored that the cell voltage drift effect is caused by the sideband overlap effect. Moreover, the requirements of voltage drift effect are discussed systematically. The conclusion is that for high-power applications with limited switching frequencies, low but non-integer carrier ratios are highly preferred to avoid the intrinsic voltage drift between MMC cells. By doing this, active voltage balancing algorithms are only needed as backup.
Quantum-Chemistry-Based Force Field for Simulations of Dimethylnitramine

The molecular geometries and conformational energies of nitramide and dimethylnitramine (DMNA), determined from high-level quantum chemistry calculations, have been used in parametrization of a classical potential function suitable for simulations of DMNA. A thorough investigation of basis set size and electron correlation effects on the geometry and conformational energies of nitramide, for which accurate experimental data exist, has allowed us to establish the level of theory required to obtain accurate geometries and energies for nitramine compounds. These investigations revealed the importance of electron correlation for both the geometries and relative conformational energies in nitramines. The quantum-chemistry-based force field for DMNA was validated by comparing gas- and liquid-phase properties obtained from molecular dynamics simulations with available experimental data. The gas-phase radial distribution function obtained from simulation is in good agreement with that obtained from electron diffr...
Immune mechanisms in medium and large-vessel vasculitis

Vasculitis of the medium and large arteries, most often presenting as giant cell arteritis (GCA), is an infrequent, but potentially fatal, type of immune-mediated vascular disease. The site of the aberrant immune reaction, the mural layers of the artery, is strictly defined by vascular dendritic cells, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, which engage in an interaction with T cells and macrophages to, ultimately, cause luminal stenosis or aneurysmal wall damage of the vessel. A multitude of effector cytokines, all known as critical mediators in host-protective immunity, have been identified in vasculitic lesions. Two dominant cytokine clusters--the IL-6-IL-17 axis and the IL-12-IFN-γ axis--have been linked to disease activity. These two clusters seem to serve different roles in the vasculitic process. The IL-6-IL-17 cluster is highly responsive to standard corticosteroid therapy, whereas the IL-12-IFN-γ cluster is resistant to steroid-mediated immunosuppression. The information exchange between vascular and immune cells and stabilization of the vasculitic process involves members of the Notch receptor and ligand family. Focusing on elements in the tissue context of GCA, instead of broadly suppressing host immunity, might enable a more tailored therapeutic approach that avoids unwanted adverse effects of aggressive immunosuppression.
Seasonal Phase-Locking of Peak Events in the Eastern Indian Ocean

The sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly of the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) exhibits cold anomalies in the boreal summer or fall during El Nino development years and warm anomalies in winter or spring following the El Nino events. There also tend to be warm anomalies in the boreal summer or fall during La Nina development years and cold anomalies in winter or spring following the La Nina events. The seasonal phase-locking of SST change in the EIO associated with El Nino/Southern Oscillation is linked to the variability of convection over the maritime continent, which induces an atmospheric Rossby wave over the EIO. Local air-sea interaction exerts different effects on SST anomalies, depending on the relationship between the Rossby wave and the mean flow related to the seasonal migration of the buffer zone, which shifts across the equator between summer and winter.
Investigating how to effectively combine static concern location techniques

As software systems continue to grow and evolve, locating code for maintenance tasks becomes increasingly difficult. Studies have shown that combining static global concern location techniques like search with more structure-based local techniques can improve effectiveness. However, no studies have yet investigated why this occurs. In this paper, we investigate why combining global and local techniques improves effectiveness, and under what conditions. We explore such questions as: "What are the limits of lexical information in locating concerns?", "How far away does a local technique have to go to locate the remaining relevant elements?", and "How sensitive are these results to the query or scoring thresholds of the techniques?". The results of our study can inform design decisions to maximize effective global and local combinations in future concern location techniques.
Linearized Theory of Laser-Induced Instabilities in Liquids and Gases

A macroscopic linearized instability theory is developed to describe a class of instabilities resulting from optical-acoustic coupling of a laser beam in fluids and gases. A phenomenon of particular interest is the initial phase in the development of the high-intensity optical filaments which are observed when an intense laser beam propagates through certain fluids. It is suggested that for certain laser cell geometries and a sufficiently high power flux density, filament formation may be preceded by a breakdown in the mode structure of the incident laser beam as a result of coupling to the eigenmodes of the medium. The interaction mechanisms considered are stimulated Raman scattering, electrostriction, the high-frequency Kerr effect, and thermal-energy deposition, while the response of the laser-fluid system is described by Maxwell's equations combined with the appropriately modified conservation equations from hydrodynamics. On the basis of this model, it is proposed that inhomogeneities in the laser intensity, or in the density and temperature of the fluid, act as sources of instability growth for the induced waves which are generated when the primary and scattered optical waves interfere. The dispersion relation for the problem is derived and a procedure for calculating the growth rates of this instability is outlined. The method is illustrated by detailed computations on carbon disulfide covering a range of laser intensities, and it is shown that the laser-Stokes coupling terms do not significantly affect the initial growth rates. In the case of gases, where the electrostrictive effect can be ignored, analytic expressions for the spatial and temporal gains are derived. Under the assumption that the first-order contributions in the linear theory become important after they have undergone several $e$ foldings, these results indicate\char22{}for a power flux density, optical-absorption coefficient product of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ MW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$\char22{}that mode degeneration is expected to occur in a laser beam which has propagated a distance of the order of a few kilometers through air at a pressure of 1 atm or which has a pulse length of several microseconds.
Self-administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for interstitial cystitis

Ten patients with biopsy-proved interstitial cystitis were treated with a program of self-administered dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using the technique of intermittent self-catheterization. Nine of the 10 patients responded favorably to the treatment and are on a maintenance program. The technique was well tolerated and without complications.
Bio-controlled thermostasis involving the sulfur cycle

The Gaia hypothesis proposed by Lovelock and Margulis presumes the existence of an unspecified biological means of ameliorating climate that has operated since the emergence of life 3500 Myr ago: Recently it was suggested that the mechanism of thermostasis may involve biospheric cycling of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Nonsolvable Groups All of Whose Character Degrees are Odd-Square-Free

A finite group G is odd-square-free if no irreducible complex character of G has degree divisible by the square of an odd prime. We determine all odd-square-free groups G satisfying S ≤ G ≤ Aut(S) for a finite simple group S. More generally, we show that if G is any nonsolvable odd-square-free group, then G has at most two nonabelian chief factors and these must be simple odd-square-free groups. If the alternating group A 7 is involved in G, the structure of G can be further restricted.
Comparison of losses in imperfect surface-diffused and buried optical waveguides

Theoretical expressions for the scattering losses caused by surface imperfections in both buried guiding layers with a cosh(-2) (x/d) index distribution and surface-diffused waveguides with an exponential profile are presented. Theoretical comparison of radiation losses in buried, surface-diffused, and uniform abrupt guides indicates that, in general, buried layers have lower losses, in agreement with experimental evidence.
What attracts customers to online stores, and what keeps them coming back?

Many businesses on the Internet in the late 1990s spent wildly, doing whatever it might take to attract customers to their sites. It soon became clear that the challenge was not simply to bring the customers in the door but also to retain these customers for future purchases. The quest was on to discover what tactics had the most appeal to Internet shoppers. This study reveals survey and behavioral data drawn from Internet customers that reflect what was most important to the Internet shoppers and compare the factors for attraction versus retention. Since many have viewed the Internet as creating more perfect information for the buyer, the question arises as to how important price will be in the purchase process. What becomes clear from the analysis is that what attracts customers to the site are not the same dimensions critical in retaining customers on a longer term basis.
Electric field distribution and their impact on transmission line composite insulators

The electric field (E-field) distribution on transmission line composite insulators is one of the primary factors impacting its long term performance. This panel session paper will present the expected E-field distributions on composite insulators in-service as well as the resulting aging and degradation modes if the E-field exceeds threshold levels.
SU-FF-I-20: Visibility of Simulated Microcalcifications with An ASi/aSe Flat Panel Detector Based Cone Beam CT System

Purpose: To investigate the visibility of microcalcifications (MCs) with an aSi/aSe flat panel detector (FPD14, Anrad Corporation) based cone beam CT(CBCT)system.Method and materials: A bench top experimental CBCTsystem was configured for breast imaging and used to image a breast phantom with embedded simulated MCs of various sizes. A paraffin cylinder with a diameter of 135 mm and a height of 40 mm was used to simulate a 100% adipose breast. Calcium carbonate grains, ranging from 125 to 425 μm in size, were used to simulate the microcalcifications. 25 MCs from same size group were arranged into a 5 × 5 cluster and embedded at the center of a 15 mm diameter paraffin rod to make an MC insert, which may be inserted into a hole at the center of the breast phantom for imaging. The breast phantom with MCs was scanned at various exposure levels. 300 projection images were acquired over 360° and reconstructed with Feldkamp's backprojection algorithm using a ramp filter. The images were reviewed by 6 readers. The ratios of visible MCs, averaged over all readers, were plotted as the function of the square root of measured dose level and image signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR).Results: It was found that 90% visibility was achieved for 224 – 250 μm calcifications at an SNR of 16.8 or an isocenter dose of 5.2 mGys. 70% visibility was achieved for 224 – 250, 212 – 224, 200 – 212, 180 – 200, 160 – 180, 150 – 160 and 124 – 140 μm calcifications at an SNR of 16.8, 16.8, 25.1, 25.1, 44.5, 44.5 and 52.6, respectively. Conclusions: Percentage of visible MCs increased with the imageSNR and isocenter dose. Higher SNRs and isocenter dose are required for imaging smaller MCs.
Transient disappearance of Q waves of previous myocardial infarction due to exercise-induced ischemia of the contralateral noninfarcted myocardium

The electrocardiogram (ECG) of a 40-year-old woman with an old inferolateral myocardial infarction revealed, in the course of an exercise treadmill/thallium test, gradual disappearance of infarctional Q waves, which reappeared gradually during recovery from exercise. The patient had evidence of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia both by the ECG and by thallium-201 perfusion scintigraphy involving several myocardial regions. The temporal association of transient disappearance of Q waves with the occurrence of reversible ischemia suggested that the latter was instrumental in producing this phenomenon, through a transient failure of the ischemic anterior wall to shift the initial depolarization forces away from the infarcted inferolateral territory. Further evidence for this concept was provided by the case of another patient, a 49-year-old man who also had an old inferolateral myocardial infarction and whose ECG in the course of an exercise treadmill/thallium test did not reveal any changes in the infarctional Q waves. In this patient, thallium images showed mild, reversible inferolateral myocardial ischemia but a well perfused anterior wall, which provided for early depolarization forces (thus Q waves) directed opposite to the region of infarcted myocardium.
Land use regulation and intraregional population–employment interaction

Land use regulations often delay residential development processes and increase the development costs, although they contribute to addressing market failures and realizing a well-organized urban spatial structure. Raising barriers to development can prevent households from moving in response to either job relocations or job growth at certain locations in a timely manner through restrictions in the local housing supply. This situation may also result in longer commuting distances, times, and costs, as well as greater spatial mismatches. To examine the possible adverse effects of the regulations, this study analyzes how intraregional population–employment interactions vary across metropolitan areas that substantially differ in the restrictiveness of land use regulations. First, an exploratory correlation analysis of 40 large U.S. metropolitan areas reveals that highly regulated regions, particularly those with lengthy approval processes, are likely to show a lower correlation between census tract-level population and employment changes and an increase in mean commuting time between 1990 and 2000. Secondly, regression analysis suggests that the lower correlation in highly regulated metropolitan areas could be attributed to the limited responsiveness of the population to employment redistribution within the regions.
Promoter Demethylation and Chromatin Remodeling by Green Tea Polyphenols Leads to Re-expression of GSTP1 in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Epigenetic silencing of gluthathione-S-transferase pi (GSTP1) is recognized as being a molecular hallmark of human prostate cancer. We investigated the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on GSTP1 re-expression and further elucidated its mechanism of action and long-term safety, compared with nucleoside-analog inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine. Exposure of human prostate cancer LNCaP cells to 1-10 microg/ml of GTP for 1-7 days caused a concentration- and time-dependent re-expression of GSTP1, which correlated with DNMT1 inhibition. Methyl-specific-PCR and sequencing revealed extensive demethylation in the proximal GSTP1 promoter and regions distal to the transcription factor binding sites. GTP exposure in a time-dependent fashion diminished the mRNA and protein levels of MBD1, MBD4 and MeCP2; HDAC 1-3 and increased the levels of acetylated histone H3 (LysH9/18) and H4. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that cells treated with GTP have reduced MBD2 association with accessible Sp1 binding sites leading to increased binding and transcriptional activation of the GSTP1 gene. Exposure of cells to GTP did not result in global hypomethylation, as demonstrated by methyl-specific PCR for LINE-1 promoter; rather GTP promotes maintenance of genomic integrity. Furthermore, exposure of cells to GTP did not cause activation of the prometaststic gene S100P, a reverse response noted after exposure of cells to 5-aza-2'deoxycitidine. Our results, for the first time, demonstrate that GTP has dual potential to alter DNA methylation and chromatin modeling, the 2 global epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and their lack of toxicity makes them excellent candidates for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer.
Voltec – Das Antriebssystem für Chevrolet Volt und Opel Ampera

Chevrolet Volt und Opel Ampera sind Elektrofahrzeuge mit verlaengerter Reichweite. Solange die Batterie genuegend Ladung aus dem Stromnetz enthaelt, werden sie genau wie batterieelektrische Fahrzeuge betrieben. Im Gegensatz zu den batterieelektrischen Fahrzeugen bleiben sie jedoch nicht stehen, wenn die Batterie leer ist. Volt und Ampera koennen dann mit Hilfe eines Verbrennungsmotors und eines Generators weiter betrieben werden. (A)
Medicatie van invloed op urineverlies

Jannie Janssense (76)* komt bij de huisarts voor controle van haar depressie. Haar man is een half jaar geleden overleden waarna ze toenemend somber is geworden. Het voorgeschreven antidepressivum amitryptinine 75mg werkt goed. Ze vertelt opgelucht dat het beter gaat. Op het moment dat de huisarts het consult wil beeindigen, vertelt ze dat ze in toenemende mate last heeft van urineverlies en ze vraagt of ze geen recept kan krijgen voor incontinentiemateriaal.
Control of the Size and Distribution of Gold Nanoparticles by Unmodified Cyclodextrins

We report and discuss how gold nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) trihydrate by sodium citrate in the presence of unmodified α-cyclodextrin (CD), β-CD, and γ-CD. Gold nanoparticles were immobilized on poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) modified glass slides to enable AFM measurements. The particle size was dependent upon the type and concentration of cyclodextrin used as well as the sodium citrate concentration. An increase in the cyclodextrin concentration effected a shift of the particle size range from 12−15 to 4−6 nm with uniform particle size distribution. The homogeneity of the synthesized gold nanoparticles was also evident from transmission electron micrographs (TEMs). Synthesis of gold nanoparticles by the reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) trihydrate by sodium borohydride in the presence of cyclodextrins also reduced the particle size from 6−8 to 2−4 nm. The consecutive particle growth due to the mutual coalescence between nano...
Helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon in gas emanations from Yellowstone and Lassen volcanic National Parks

Abstract The abundance of helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon were measured in gas emanations from thermal springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Lassen National Park, California. The determinations were made using an isotope dilution procedure. The isotopic composition of argon and the relative abundances of argon, neon, krypton and xenon indicate that these gases originated from the atmosphere through dissolution in ground water. Helium was found to be in marked excess, which is attributed to the contribution of juvenile helium from radioactive decay.
Androgen regulation of β-amyloid protein and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Advancing age is the most significant risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however the age-related changes that underlie this effect remain unclear. In men, one normal consequence of aging is a robust decline in circulating and brain levels of the sex steroid hormone testosterone. Testosterone depletion leads to functional impairments and increased risk of disease in androgen-responsive tissues throughout the body, including brain. In this review we discuss the relationship between age-related testosterone depletion and the development of AD. Specifically, we focus on androgen regulation of β-amyloid protein (Aβ), the accumulation of which is a key initiating factor in AD pathogenesis. Emerging data suggest that the regulatory actions of androgens on both Aβ and the development of AD support consideration of androgen therapy for the prevention and treatment of AD.
The effects of nonstationarities on performance in call markets

Abstract This experiment investigates the responsiveness of laboratory call markets to repetitive, systematic shocks in underlying demand or supply conditions. Results of nine call markets conducted under three treatment conditions are compared with nine previously reported double auctions. The informationally sparse call auctions perform no worse than the double auctions. Allocative efficiency is similar across institutions, and call markets appear to track underlying equilibrium price movements more accurately than double auctions.