cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gas phase photolysis of acetone in the far ultra-violet

Abstract The photolysis of acetone (pressure: 2 to 25 Torr, T : 300 K) was investigated at 147 nm (8.4 eV), 123.6 nm (10 eV) and 106.7-104.8 nm (11.6–11.8 eV). The quantum yields of the products H 2 , CO, CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 2 , C 3 H 8 , C 3 H 6 , C 3 H 4 , and CH 3 COC 2 H 5 were measured both in the presence and absence of free radical scavengers (C 2 H 4 or NO). These data, in conjunction with the results of deuterium-labelling experiments, demonstrated the occurrence of the following primary processes: It is also suggested that the primary process: occurs with a quantum yield of ≈ 0.02. The quantum yield of “molecular” methane (process d) is 0.02 (147 nm), 0.028 (123.6 nm) and 0.043 (104.8–106.7 nm). The quantum of “molecular” hydrogen is 0.03 (147 nm) 0.26 (123.6 nm) and 0.28 (104.8–106.7 nm). The quantum yield of process (a) is 0.7 ± 0.1 at 147 nm. At shorter wavelengths the quantum yield of the latter process could not be estimated because of the uncertain fate of the cations [Φ(CH 3 COCH 3 + ) = 0.25 at 123.6 nm and 0.21 at 104.8–106.7 nm] and the extensive dissociation of the internally excited species formed in the primary processes.
Molecular basis for barbed end uncapping by CARMIL homology domain 3 of mouse CARMIL-1.

Abstract Capping protein (CP) is a ubiquitously expressed, 62-kDa heterodimer that binds the barbed end of the actin filament with ∼0.1 nm affinity to prevent further monomer addition. CARMIL is a multidomain protein, present from protozoa to mammals, that binds CP and is important for normal actin dynamics in vivo. The CARMIL CP binding site resides in its CAH3 domain (CARMIL homology domain 3) located at or near the protein's C terminus. CAH3 binds CP with ∼1 nm affinity, resulting in a complex with weak capping activity (30–200 nm). Solution assays and single-molecule imaging show that CAH3 binds CP already present on the barbed end, causing a 300-fold increase in the dissociation rate of CP from the end (i.e. uncapping). Here we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to define the molecular interaction between the minimal CAH3 domain (CAH3a/b) of mouse CARMIL-1 and CP. Specifically, we show that the highly basic CAH3a subdomain is required for the high affinity interaction of CAH3 with a complementary “acidic groove” on CP opposite its actin-binding surface. This CAH3a-CP interaction orients the CAH3b subdomain, which we show is also required for potent anti-CP activity, directly adjacent to the basic patch of CP, shown previously to be required for CP association to and high affinity interaction with the barbed end. The importance of specific residue interactions between CP and CAH3a/b was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis of both proteins. Together, these results offer a mechanistic explanation for the barbed end uncapping activity of CARMIL, and they identify the basic patch on CP as a crucial regulatory site.
Software fault prediction

Abstract Cost-effective and timely software development methods are essential today as software costs and backlogs escalate while applications are developed in rapidly changing environments. Focusing testing efforts on those portions of the code with the largest number of faults can reduce development costs and time, but requires prediction of the potential location of faults. This study is an attempt to determine whether these predictions can be made by applying neural networks to predict faults in several National Aeronautics and Space Administration software development projects. We found that neither code size nor subjective factors describing the problem, schedule, personnel, process, product, and development environment provided enough information with which to predict the total number of faults in highly fault-prone modules. However, if faults tend to cluster, then identification of fault-prone modules through initial testing could guide subsequent testing efforts that focus on these modules.
A commissioning procedure for breast intracavitary electronic brachytherapy systems.

In this work, we report a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) process for the commissioning of an Electronic Brachytherapy (EB) system at one of the first U.S. sites to apply the device clinically. Thus far, EB systems have been released only for intracavitary breast treatments. As such, EB as an Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) treatment modality is relatively unstudied and is unfamiliar to many medical physicists. We present our documented experience as a guide for other institutions’ EB commissioning process. Our tests included eight elements: A) well-chamber constancy, B) beam stability, C) source positional accuracy, D) output stability, E) timer linearity, F) dummy marker/source position coincidence, G) controller functionality and safety interlocks and H) treatment planning data verification following the AAPM TG43 recommendations. Together with TG43, our methodology provides a comprehensive EB system check for medical physicists commissioning such a device.
Morphosis of the Julia set of the real parameter family of complex quadratic maps

Abstract The present note explores the structure of the interior of Julia sets and of the Mandelbrot set of quadratic maps. These sets usually appear as ‘dark’ regions in the computer generated graphics of iterations of the quadratic map. Two different ways of coloring and probing into these sets are provided.
Control of chicken body, shaft, and wing lice on laying hens by self-treatment with insecticide dusts and granules.

The chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus (Nitzsch) shaft louse, Menopon gallinae (L.); and wing louse, Lipeurus caponis (L.), on hens were markedly reduced when granules or dusts of 7 toxicants were applied to litter or when 2 toxicants were placed in dust-bath boxes, except for a dust-bath treatment of 1% Dowco 175 (2,4-dichlorophenyl propyl methylphosphoramidate). Treatment with 4.4% granules of Zytron® ( O -2,4-dichlorophenyl 0 -methyl isopropylphosphoramidothioate), 2% dust of Imidan® ( O,O -dimethyl S-phthalimidomethyl phosphorodithioate), and 2% dust of carbophenothion gave 100% control in 10 days or less when the toxicants were applied to litter at the rate of 50 g/m2. A 5% dust of Shell SD-8447 (2-chloro-l-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate), applied at the same rate, was only slightly less effective. However, 5% granules of ronnel, 2% granules of bromophos, and 2% dust of dimetilan, applied at the same rate, never entirely eliminated lice from the birds.
Photoperiodic regulation of the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) cold acclimation pathway and freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

The CBF (C-repeat binding factor) pathway has a major role in plant cold acclimation, the process whereby certain plants increase in freezing tolerance in response to low nonfreezing temperatures. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the pathway is characterized by rapid cold induction of CBF1, CBF2, and CBF3, which encode transcriptional activators, followed by induction of CBF-targeted genes that impart freezing tolerance. At warm temperatures, CBF transcript levels are low, but oscillate due to circadian regulation with peak expression occurring at 8 h after dawn (zeitgeber time 8; ZT8). Here, we establish that the CBF pathway is also regulated by photoperiod at warm temperatures. At ZT8, CBF transcript levels in short-day (SD; 8-h photoperiod) plants were three- to fivefold higher than in long-day plants (LD; 16-h photoperiod). Moreover, the freezing tolerance of SD plants was greater than that of LD plants. Genetic analysis indicated that phytochrome B (PHYB) and two phytochrome-interacting factors, PIF4 and PIF7, act to down-regulate the CBF pathway and freezing tolerance under LD conditions. Down-regulation of the CBF pathway in LD plants correlated with higher PIF4 and PIF7 transcript levels and greater stability of the PIF4 and PIF7 proteins under LD conditions. Our results indicate that during the warm LD growing season, the CBF pathway is actively repressed by PHYB, PIF4, and PIF7, thus mitigating allocation of energy and nutrient resources toward unneeded frost protection. This repression is relieved by shortening day length resulting in up-regulation of the CBF pathway and increased freezing tolerance in preparation for coming cold temperatures.
The stable rank of pullbacks

Abstract We prove that the stable rank of any pullback (fibre product) does not exceed the stable ranks of factors. We obtain also another result bounding the stable rank of a ring by the stable ranks of its factor rings.
NASA Quiet, Clean General Aviation Turbofan (QCGAT) Program Status

The suitability of large engine technology to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel consumption of small turbine engines and develop new technology where required is determined. The design, fabrication, assembly, test, and delivery of the experimental engines to NASA are discussed.
Controller tuning by a least‐squares method

Description d'une methode basee sur la methode des moindres carres pour determiner les parametres optimaux d'accords de frequence des regulateurs PID
Content Validity Does Matter for the Criterion-Related Validity of Personality Tests

In Murphy’s (2009) focal article, ‘‘Content Validation Is Useful for Many Things, but Validity Isn’t One of Them,’’ he focuses primarily on tests of knowledge, skills, and abilities, and whether content validity leads to criterion-related validity for such characteristics. With respect to personality testing, however, he notes that the ‘‘jury is still out over the question of whether content validity makes any real differences in contexts such as . . . personality tests’’ (p. 462). However, we believe that research on the frame-of-reference effect in personality testing clearly indicates that increased content validity of personality tests enhances their criterion-related validity. Several studies thus far have investigated the frame-of-reference effect in personality (e.g., Bing, Whanger, Davison, & VanHook, 2004; Lievens, DeCorte, & Schollaert, 2008; Schmit, Ryan, Stierwalt, & Powell, 1995). The fundamental idea underlying the frameof-reference effect is that contextualizing self-report personality test items to specific situations (e.g., academic, work), and thus improving their content validity, can facilitate more accurate self-presentations
Mortality and Reproduction of Ephestia cautella and Plodia interpunctella Exposed as Pupae to High Temperatures

Pupae of Ephestia cautella (Walker) and Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) were brief1y exposed to temperatures of 40, 45, or 50°C, and the effects on adult eclosion, mating, fecundity and fertility were determined. All males and females of both species were killed by a 2-h exposure to 50°C, but E. cautella was significantly more tolerant of exposure to 40 and 45°C than P. interpunctella . The median lethal time for exposure to 45°C was 7- to 8-fold longer in E. cautella than in P. interpunctella . Generally, exposure of male or female pupae of either species to high temperature caused some failure to mate and reduced the fecundity of mated females but did not reduce hatchability of the eggs laid. The percentage of mating failure depended to some extent on which sex was exposed and increased with temperature and length of exposure. Loss of fecundity was usually more severe when females rather than males were exposed.
Fractional ARIMA with stable innovations

Abstract We develop the theory of fractionally differenced ARIMA time series with stable infinite variance innovations establishing conditions for existence and invertibility. We analyze their asymptotic dependence structure by means of the codifference and the covariation, measures of dependence which are extensions of the covariance and are applicable to stochastic processes with infinite variance.
Lauriston S. Taylor Lecture: the quest for therapeutic actinide chelators.

Abstract—All of the actinides are radioactive. Taken into the body, they damage and induce cancer in bone and liver, and in the lungs if inhaled, and U(VI) is a chemical kidney poison. Containment of radionuclides is fundamental to radiation protection, but if it is breached accidentally or delibera
From Program Director to ALS Patient

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, at the age of 51. The symptoms had come on slowly: muscle spasms, fatigue, weakness in my left leg and my hands. Once down, I could not get up from the floor.
Corona Formation and Heat Loss on Venus by Coupled Upwelling and Delamination

Coronae are volcanotectonic features that are unique to Venus and are interpreted to be small-scale upwellings. A model in which upwelling causes delamination at the edge of the plume head, along with deformation of a pre-existing depleted mantel Layer, can produce the full range of topographic forms of coronae. If half of the coronae are active, delamination of the lower lithosphere could account for about 10% of venus's heat loss, with another 15% due to upwelling. Delamination may occur in other geologic enviroment and could help account for 'Venus' heat loss 'deficit'.
An algorithm for estimation of frequencies of biological signals using adaptive IIR line enhancers

An estimator using an adaptive IIR filter form was used to estimate the frequencies of a biological signal. This signal was the instantaneous ventricular diameter of a dog's heart. This method was found to be more accurate in determining frequency than traditional FFT and periodogram methods. Its high speed of estimation makes it useful as a real time process. >
On multipath routing using widest pair of disjoint paths

Multipath and disjoint path routing schemes have received a considerable amount of attention in the networking research community in recent years due to many of advantages offered by such schemes. Delay, delay-jitter, bandwidth, are often used as parameters to specify quality-of-service. One of the most important parameters is the bandwidth of the route used for data transmission. A path from a source node s to a destination node t is known as the widest path if the bandwidth of this path is the largest among all paths between s to t. Algorithms for computing a widest path between a source-destination node pair is well-known. In this paper, we consider two problems where the notions of multipath, disjoint path and widest path are combined. In one version, we address the problem of finding a pair of disjoint paths between a source-destination node pair, such that the combined bandwidth of this path-pair is the maximum over all such pairs. In the other version, we want to find a pair of disjoint paths, such that the bandwidth of the first path is at least X/sub 1/ and the bandwidth of the second path is at least X/sub 2/, for some pre-specified values X/sub 1/ and X/sub 2/. We prove that both versions of the problem are NP-complete. We provide exact and approximate solutions for both versions of the problem. We show that our approximate solutions provide near-optimal solutions for almost all the instances of the problem.
Effect of epinephrine on permeability to sugar and on the production of free glucose in skeletal muscle.

Abstract Epinephrine increases the permeability of isolated frog sartorius muscles to 3-O-methyl-d-glucose. This effect resembles the action of insulin in that, at 19°, there is an absolute lag of 30 min preceding a rise in permeability, while at 0° no alteration of permeability is seen during several hours of incubation. The delayed effect of epinephrine on permeability contrasts with its prompt glycogenolytic effect at 19°; the hormone also causes a distinct rise in the concentration of glucose 6-phosphate at 0°. The effect of epinephrine on permeability can be prevented completely by the addition of pronethalol, an adrenergic β-receptor blocking agent, to the medium. Moreover, when muscles that have been incubated with epinephrine are subsequently incubated with pronethalol, the hormonal effect on permeability is readily reversed. Adrenochrome does not affect permeability of sartorius muscles to sugar. Of the concentrations of epinephrine tested, the lowest one that causes a change in permeability is 10-7 m. A supramaximal concentration, 10-5 m, produces an increase in permeability that is equivalent to that of a submaximal concentration of insulin, 50 µunits per ml. The effects of supramaximal concentrations of epinephrine and insulin on permeability are not additive; thus, the two hormones appear to act on the same transport system for sugar. However, epinephrine causes the formation of free glucose within the cells, and this glucose in turn induces counterflow transport when the movement of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose across the cell membrane is studied. The fact that epinephrine accelerates the formation of free glucose in muscle cells should be taken into consideration when the effects of epinephrine on utilization of sugars in muscle are evaluated.
Finite numbers of sources, particle correlations and the Color Glass Condensate

Abstract We show that for a finite number of emitting sources, the Color Glass Condensate produces substantial elliptic azimuthal anisotropy, characterized by v 2 , for two and four particle correlations for momentum greater than or of the order of the saturation momentum. The flow produced has the correct semi-quantitative features to describe flow seen in the LHC experiments with p–Pb and pp collisions. This flow is induced by quantum mechanical interference between the waves of produced particles, and the flow itself is coupled to fluctuations in the positions of emitting sources. We shortly discuss generalizing these results to odd v n , to correlations involving larger number of particles, and to transverse momentum scales Λ QCD ≪ p T ≪ Q sat .
Myocardial Infarction Classification on Outcomes in Nonemergent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background Although patients with ST elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) are known to have worse outcomes than patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMIs), such differences are not well described in the subset of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to compare postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing nonemergent coronary artery bypass grafting within 1 week after an STEMI versus NSTEMI. Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days from an MI from 2008 to 2012. Postoperative outcomes, including mortality and composite postoperative morbidity for patients with STEMI versus NSTEMI, were compared within each group. Results Of the 446 patients undergoing nonemergent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after an MI, 122 patients (27.3%) had an STEMI. The STEMI cohort was younger with less incidence of hypertension than the NSTEMI cohort. However, aside from having a lower incidence of congestive heart failure, STEMI patients had an overall poorer cardiac status than NSTEMI patients. No differences were found in mortality, rates of major complication, length of intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay between STEMI and NSTEMI patients. Conclusion Despite differences in preoperative characteristics and pathophysiology of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after NSTEMI versus STEMI, no difference was found in early surgical outcome. The classification of MI should therefore not influence surgical decision making in such patients.
Latina/o adolescents in an emerging immigrant community: A qualitative exploration of their future goals.

Although immigrant adolescents typically have high hopes for their futures, educational and career outcomes often do not match aspirations. The future aspirations of 17 Latina/o adolescents in an emerging immigrant community were explored. Qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed using consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR). Interviews focused on goals for education/career and supports and barriers to reaching those goals. Overall, students expressed high aspirations but were unclear on how to achieve them. Family members and school personnel were seen as supportive, but with limitations. Barriers mentioned by most participants included early pregnancy, finances, and circumstances beyond their control; they declined to endorse other barriers when prompted. Students also held less optimistic views of the educational and career possibilities of an “average” Latina/o/a as compared to their own goals, which is framed in terms of stereotypes. A clear theme emerged where students placed the primary responsibility for their success or failure on themselves without acknowledging many barriers in the environment. Findings are discussed from a social justice point of view with implications that pertain to provision of college planning information, context for applying it, affective support, and systemic advocacy.
New Methods of Census Record Linking.

Abstract The Minnesota Population Center (MPC) has released linked data sets through its North Atlantic Population Project and Integrated Public Use Microdata System, making them readily accessible to researchers. Before the availability of complete-count census microdata from the MPC, researchers applied various forms of record-linking software. This article describes the techniques used in the MPC's linking program and briefly compares this technique with those used by other researchers. The key feature of the MPC linking method is the construction of cumulative name-similarity scores, based on approximately 2.5 billion record comparisons; it also uses support vector mechanics to classify potential links. In this article, the authors explain modifications made for the final linked data sets and include a discussion of the role of weighting variables when using linked data.
The auditory sensitivity of the Lemur

A single-lever shock avoidance conditioning technique was used to generate auditory behavioral thresholds for Lemur catta over the frequency range 100 Hz to 75 kHz. The results indicate a sensitivity of at least 60 dB below one dyne/cm2 from 1 kHz to 32 kHz and, throughout the entire frequency range, appear to be compatible with other available prosimian data. A contrast between anthropoids and prosimians indicates a loss in high frequency sensitivity for the former group, but a greater sensitivity for lower frequency stimuli. Analysis of lemur vocalizations indicates a preponderance of relatively low frequency components. Descriptions of the conditioning technique, threshold criteria, and procedures of sound measurement are included.
Microwave Synthesis of SAPO‐11 and AlPO‐11: Aspects of Reactor Engineering

AlPO-11 and SAPO-11 are synthesized using microwave heating. The effects of precursor volume, reaction temperature, reactor geometry, stirring, applicator type and frequency on the microwave synthesis of SAPO-11 and AlPO-11 are studied. The nucleation time and crystallization rate are determined from crystallization curves for SAPO-11 (and/or AlPO-11), for the various parameters investigated. Increasing volume of the reacting material decreases the reaction rate of SAPO-11 at 160 degrees C. In particular, the nucleation time increases with increase in the reaction volume. Increasing the reaction temperature increases the crystallization rate and decreases the nucleation time, however it decreases the particle size. Nucleation of SAPO-11 and AlPO-11 under microwave heating is strongly dependant on the reaction temperature. Using wider geometry vessel (33 mm compared to 11 mm diameter) enhances the reaction rate, producing larger crystals in the same reaction time, even though the crystallization rate is decreased. The crystallization rate is enhanced by applicator type in the following order CEM MARS-5 oven>CEM Discover "focused" system>monomode waveguide. Stirring the reacting solution during heating affects primarily the nucleation time. The effect of microwave frequency on the nucleation and growth of SAPO-11 shows a dependence on the applicator type more than the specific frequency, for the frequency range 2.45-10.5 GHz. The difference between the crystallization rate observed at higher frequencies and that at 2.45 GHz maybe due to the multimode nature of the waveguide at frequencies above 2.45 GHz. Sweeping the microwave frequency linearly between 8.7 and 10.5 GHz at rates of 10 min(-1) and 100 min(-1) shows an intermediate crystallization curve to that for fixed frequencies of 2.45 GHz and that for 5.8, 8.7 and 10.5 GHz.
Effects of Habitat Disturbance on Survival Rates of Softshell Turtles (Apalone spinifera) in an Urban Stream

We monitored Spiny Softshell Turtles (Apalone spinifera) using mark-recapture during 1994- 2005 in Gin Creek, Searcy, Arkansas. In 1997-2000 the creek bed and riparian zone were bulldozed in an effort to remove debris and improve water flow. This disturbance appeared to reduce the quantity and quality of turtle habitat. We tested for the potential effect of this habitat disturbance on the survival rates of marked turtles. We estimated annual survival rates for the population using models that allowed for variation in survival by state of maturation, year, and effects of the disturbance; we evaluated two different models of the disturbance impact. The first disturbance model incorporated a single change in survival rates, following the disturbance, whereas the second disturbance model incorporated three survival rates: pre- and postdisturbance, as well as a short-term decline during the disturbance. We used a state-transition model for our mark-recapture analysis, as softshells transition from juveniles to adults in a variable period of time. Our analysis indicated that survival varied by maturation state and was independent of a time trend or the disturbance. Annual survival rates were lower for juveniles (S ˆ = 0.717, SE = 0.039) than for adults (S ˆ = 0.836, SE = 0.025). Despite the dramatic habitat disturbance, we found no negative effects on survival rates. Our results demonstrate that, like a few other freshwater turtle species known to thrive in urban environments, populations of A. spinifera are resilient and can persist in urban environments despite periodic habitat disturbances.
Narcissistic rage revisited

Narcissists are thought to exhibit "narcissistic rage," an explosive mix of anger and hostility arising from threats to narcissists' fractured sense of self. Building on clinical views of narcissism, we present empirical evidence on the nature and sources of narcissistic rage. Findings from 4 studies reveal narcissistic vulnerability (but not grandiosity) as a powerful driver of rage, hostility, and aggressive behavior, fueled by suspiciousness, dejection, and angry rumination. Consistent with theorizing about narcissistic rage, Study 1 showed that vulnerable (but not grandiose) narcissism predicted more anger internalization and externalization, as well as poorer anger control. Study 2 revealed vulnerable narcissism as a stronger indicator of shame and aggressiveness, especially hostility and anger. Study 3 identified distrust of others and angry rumination as key factors accounting for vulnerable narcissists' reactive and displaced aggression. Study 4 provided behavioral evidence that vulnerable (but not grandiose) narcissism amplifies reactive and displaced aggression in the face of provocation. Taken together, the findings not only establish narcissistic vulnerability as a key source of narcissistic rage but also reveal an important pathway to narcissistic aggression that does not involve competitiveness or exploitativeness. In addition, the results support clinical views of narcissistic aggression and implicate deficient self-esteem as an important driver of aggressive behavior.
Development and use of methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting opioid antagonist, to treat side effects related to opioid use

Opioid medications are used extensively as potent analgesics for treating moderate to severe pain. Although opioids offer reliable pain relief, their use is associated with a number of adverse effects, especially constipation. Conventional measures for ameliorating opioid-induced adverse effects are often insufficient. Thus, reducing the severity of these adverse effects is of utmost importance for patients who require the benefits of opioid analgesics. Since opioids mediate pain-relieving and adverse effects through the same classes of receptors, i.e., mu, delta, and kappa, it has been challenging to dissociate beneficial effects from detrimental ones. Methylnaltrexone is the first peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist to receive FDA approval. This compound offers the therapeutic potential to block or reverse the undesired side effects of opioids that are mediated by receptors located in the periphery (e.g., in the gastrointestinal tract), without affecting analgesia or precipitating opioid withdrawal symptoms, which are mediated predominantly by receptors in the central nervous system. This review provides a history of the development of methylnaltrexone, discusses studies that relate to opioid bowel dysfunction, and explores other uses of this compound. Drug Dev Res, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An integrated approach to prognosis using protein microarrays and nonparametric methods

Over the past several years, multivariate approaches have been developed that address the problem of disease diagnosis. Here, we report an integrated approach to the problem of prognosis that uses protein microarrays to measure a focused set of molecular markers and non-parametric methods to reveal non-linear relationships among these markers, clinical variables, and patient outcome. As proof-of-concept, we applied our approach to the prediction of early mortality in patients initiating kidney dialysis. We found that molecular markers are not uniformly prognostic, but instead vary in their value depending on a combination of clinical variables. This may explain why reports in this area aiming to identify prognostic markers, without taking into account clinical variables, are either conflicting or show that markers have marginal prognostic value. Just as treatments are now being tailored to specific subsets of patients, our results show that prognosis can also benefit from a ‘personalized' approach.
Characterization of Size-Specific Particulate Matter Emission Rates for a Simulated Medical Laser Procedure—A Pilot Study

Prior investigation on medical laser interaction with tissue has suggested device operational parameter settings influence laser generated air contaminant emission, but this has not been systematically explored. A laboratory-based simulated medical laser procedure was designed and pilot tested to determine the effect of laser operational parameters on the size-specific mass emission rate of laser generated particulate matter. Porcine tissue was lased in an emission chamber using two medical laser systems (CO2, λ = 10,600 nm; Ho:YAG, λ = 2100 nm) in a fractional factorial study design by varying three operational parameters (beam diameter, pulse repetition frequency, and power) between two levels (high and low) and the resultant plume was measured using two real-time size-selective particle counters. Particle count concentrations were converted to mass emission rates before an analysis of variance was used to determine the influence of operational parameter settings on size-specific mass emission rate. Particle shape and diameter were described for a limited number of samples by collecting particles on polycarbonate filters, and photographed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine method of particle formation. An increase in power and decrease in beam diameter led to an increase in mass emission for the Ho:YAG laser at all size ranges. For the CO2 laser, emission rates were dependent on particle size and were not statistically significant for particle ranges between 5 and 10 µm. When any parameter level was increased, emission rate of the smallest particle size range also increased. Beam diameter was the most influential variable for both lasers, and the operational parameters tested explained the most variability at the smallest particle size range. Particle shape was variable and some particles observed by SEM were likely created from mechanical methods. This study provides a foundation for future investigations to better estimate size-specific mass emission rates and particle characteristics for additional laser operational parameters in order to estimate occupational exposure, and to inform control strategies.
The Power of Natural Selection: A Guided Investigation of Three Case Studies

I describe a quantitative approach to three case studies in evolution that can be used to challenge college freshmen to explore the power of natural selection and ask questions that foster a deeper understanding of its operation and relevance. Hemochromatosis, the peppered moth, and hominid cranial capacity are investigated with a common algebraic formula that illustrates the application of mathematics in biology.
ROP is still dangerous: breaking modern defenses

Return Oriented Programming (ROP) has become the exploitation technique of choice for modern memory-safety vulnerability attacks. Recently, there have been multiple attempts at defenses to prevent ROP attacks. In this paper, we introduce three new attack methods that break many existing ROP defenses. Then we show how to break kBouncer and ROPecker, two recent low-overhead defenses that can be applied to legacy software on existing hardware. We examine several recent ROP attacks seen in the wild and demonstrate that our techniques successfully cloak them so they are not detected by these defenses. Our attacks apply to many CFI-based defenses which we argue are weaker than previously thought. Future defenses will need to take our attacks into account.
Dynamics analysis of a cable-driven parallel manipulator for hardware-in-the-loop dynamic simulation

This paper describes a preliminary study of the dynamics of a 6-DOF cable-driven parallel manipulator for a potential application in a ground-based hardware-in-the-loop simulator of microgravity dynamics and contact-dynamics of spacecraft or robotic systems. Two basic dynamics problems are studied. One is the inverse dynamics problem and the other is the rigidity and vibration problem. The study results support the feasibility of using such a cable-driven manipulator for hardware-in-the-loop simulation of contact dynamics
Joint Product Signals of Quality

The relationship between product quality, signals, and the firm's optimal pricing policy has been given much attention in economics. The literature is extended in this paper by considering the signaling problem of a firm that jointly produces two commodities—one of known quality to consumers (a search good) and one of unknown quality (an experience good). The model presented employs a stylized reputation function, a linear cost structure, and linear demand schedules to produce two interesting insights. First, the search good's price can potentially be used as a signal of the quality of the experience good. Second, the price of a search good will depend upon whether it is jointly produced with another search good or an experience good or whether it is produced in isolation by a single product firm. Furthermore, evidence from a paper on gasoline pricing seems to support this contention.
Assessment of genotoxicity of inorganic mercury in rats in vivo using both chromosomal aberration and comet assays

The major objective of the present investigation was to assess the genotoxic effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2), an inorganic mercury (Hg), in rats (Rattus norvegicus) using two different genetic endpoints, namely, chromosomal aberration (CA) and comet assays following both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) exposures. The study showed that the acute exposures to HgCl2 at 2 and 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) induced nonsignificant effects. HgCl2 at 10 and 12 mg/kg b.w. was significantly toxic and is exhibited by the induction of different types of CAs like chromatid breaks, chromosomal breaks, clumps and damaged cells and types of comets. HgCl2 at 15 mg/kg b.w. was found to be highly toxic, as mitostatic condition of cells were observed in CA assay. Chronic exposure to the lowest dose (2 mg/kg b.w.) of HgCl2 for 15 consecutive days produced a significant genotoxicity. Although Hg was found to induce both DNA strand breakage and chromosomal breaks in a dose-dependent manner, the results of the presen...
Design Optimization of Hierarchically Decomposed Multilevel Systems Under Uncertainty

This paper presents a methodology for design optimization of hierarchically decomposed systems under uncertainty. We propose an extended, probabilistic version of the deterministic analytical target cascading (ATC) formulation by treating uncertain quantities as random variables and posing probabilistic design constraints. A bottom-to-top coordination strategy is used for the ATC process. Given that first-order approximations may introduce un-acceptably large errors, we use a technique based on the advanced mean value method to estimate uncertainty propagation through the multilevel hierarchy of elements that comprise the decomposed system. A simple yet illustrative hierarchical bilevel engine design problem is used to demonstrate the proposed methodology. The results confirm the applicability of the proposed probabilistic ATC formulation and the accuracy of the uncertainty propagation technique.
Assessing Advertising Portrayals of Women: Toward Equality but Still Sexist

Some shortcomings of prior research on the depiction of women and men in advertising are identified. A research project is proposed as a step towards overcoming these shortcomings, focusing on the development of a content analysis code scheme. The code scheme is presented and discussed in terms of the variables that are being measured and problems encountered in variable identification.
A Joint Source-Channel Adaptive Scheme for Wireless H.264/AVC Video Authentication

Authentication has become an emerging issue for video streaming over lossy networks. Although the advanced video coding standards, such as H.264/AVC, efficiently reduce the amount of data to be transmitted, the coding dependency brings new challenges in designing efficient stream authentication scheme. In this paper, we propose a novel joint-designed-layered source–channel adaptive scheme that integrates authentication into source and channel coding components to sufficiently use the related information to efficiently address the coding dependency and to design the optimal rate allocation scheme for the sake of end-to-end video quality. The proposed layered framework is able to minimize end-to-end quality degradation incurred by both the wireless channel noise and the authentication failure. In particular, the competing requirements of high verification probability and low authentication overhead are concurrently satisfied by the elegant design of layered hash appending with efficient adaptation to the H.264 source coding and channel conditions. A joint source–channel-authentication rate allocation scheme is then developed to achieve optimal end-to-end video quality. The experimental results on H.264 video sequences confirm the efficacy of this joint adaptive scheme and demonstrate that it indeed outperforms the state-of-the-art graph-based authentication algorithms.
Loss of Sleep Affects the Ultrastructure of Pyramidal Neurons in the Adolescent Mouse Frontal Cortex

Study objective The adolescent brain may be uniquely affected by acute sleep deprivation (ASD) and chronic sleep restriction (CSR), but direct evidence is lacking. We used electron microscopy to examine how ASD and CSR affect pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex of adolescent mice, focusing on mitochondria, endosomes, and lysosomes that together perform most basic cellular functions, from nutrient intake to prevention of cellular stress. Methods Adolescent (1-mo-old) mice slept (S) or were sleep deprived (ASD, with novel objects and running wheels) during the first 6-8 h of the light period, chronically sleep restricted (CSR) for > 4 days (using novel objects, running wheels, social interaction, forced locomotion, caffeinated water), or allowed to recover sleep (RS) for ∼32 h after CSR. Ultrastructural analysis of 350 pyramidal neurons was performed (S = 82; ASD = 86; CSR = 103; RS = 79; 4 to 5 mice/group). Results Several ultrastructural parameters differed in S versus ASD, S versus CSR, CSR versus RS, and S versus RS, although the different methods used to enforce wake may have contributed to some of the differences between short and long sleep loss. Differences included larger cytoplasmic area occupied by mitochondria in CSR versus S, and higher number of secondary lysosomes in CSR versus S and RS. We also found that sleep loss may unmask interindividual differences not obvious during baseline sleep. Moreover, using a combination of 11 ultrastructural parameters, we could predict in up to 80% of cases whether sleep or wake occurred at the single cell level. Conclusions Ultrastructural analysis may be a powerful tool to identify which cellular organelles, and thus which cellular functions, are most affected by sleep and sleep loss.
‘Spurious egocentricity’ and the first person

I here adapt some ideas of Prior’s 1967 paper ‘On spurious egocentricity’ in the interest of seeing how much sense can be made of the doctrine that ‘I’ is not a referring-expression. I suggest how an account of ‘I’ might draw upon both Prior’s treatment of the operator ‘I believe that’ and of operators like ‘it is true that’ and ‘it is now the case that’, which Prior argues are logically very different from ‘I believe that’. In the final section I present some objections to Prior’s account of ‘now’, and try to give a more adequate account of the analogy between ‘now’ and ‘I’.
Rethinking a universal framework in the psychiatric symptom-disorder relationship.

Research on disparities in health and services should include a critical examination of how social, cultural, and contextual factors affect the connection between symptoms and psychiatric disorders. Systematic differences in this connection by these factors will mean that clinicians using a universalist approach to disorders may make more diagnostic errors for certain patients (e.g., ethnic minorities, the poor). Based on the literature on normative clinical decision-making, this study tests for whether the effect of specific psychiatric disorders on key symptoms is the same for certain groups of the population. The data come from the National Comorbidity Survey. Conditional probabilities of disorders and symptoms, the elements feeding into clinical decision-making, are calculated and tested for equivalence across various racial/ethnic, educational, income, and gender groups. We find some significant differences in the relation of key symptoms to disorders across groups. These findings should encourage testing relativistic frameworks in diagnostic nosology as a step to improve clinical decision-making and reduce diagnostic and treatment disparities in mental health services.
Correlation of Drug Substance Particle Size Distribution with Other Bulk Properties to Predict Critical Quality Attributes

The purpose of this study was to correlate the particle size distribution (PSD) of a development molecule (1) with other bulk properties such as surface area and powder flow, to enable prediction of critical quality attributes (CQA) of the drug substance to support a roller compaction formulation process. Dry dispersion laser diffraction, wet dispersion laser diffraction, and wet dispersion image analysis PSD methods were developed for 1. Twenty eight (28) process batches were characterized by all three methods, and the resulting data were correlated to other bulk properties to determine if these correlations could be used to predict CQA values for future process batches. PSD metrics measured with wet dispersion laser diffraction and wet dispersion image analysis methods were found to have significantly better correlation to other bulk properties when compared to the metrics measured using the dry dispersion laser diffraction method. The correlations generated were found to be useful to predict resulting ...
Political Instability as a Determinant of Direct Foreign Investment in Marketing

This empirical study of the relationship between national political stability and the direct investment by United States firms in marketing activities questions the results of much of the previous ...
Explosion of Drops Impacting Non-Wetting Rigid Surfaces

More than 100 years ago Worthington [1,2] reported his observations on drops exploding on impacting rigid surfaces they did not wet. Mercury was his favorite fluid, since mercury does not wet most solids. For water drops he had to especially “smoke” his surfaces to make them non-wetting. In his day high speed photography had not been developed, but he had learned to “stop” his falling drops by spark illumination. His drops had radii of typically 1 mm, fell from a height of ~10 cm and ejected always an even number of spikes, typically ~24. These spikes would shoot out from the impacted area at velocities several times higher than the impact velocity.
Cardiovascular Physiology and Disease in Youth

The two articles in the area of cardiovascular physiology and disease in youth were chosen for commentary because of their exploration of new approaches to the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular derangements in young persons. The first, by Hinds et al., describes the potential clinical importance of detection of cardiovascular changes during exercise testing in adolescent athletes following concussions. This approach might prove useful in establishing safe return-to-play guidelines. The second, a review article by Van De Schoor et al, evaluates the frequency of myocardial scarring in athletes, some of adolescent age, which is a recognized risk factor for sudden cardiac death. These findings support other evidence indicating that sports participation per se might rarely increase the risk of such tragedies. Clearly more research is indicated by the information raised in both of these articles, but their importance to clinical medicine is obvious.
Pregabalin for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Data Sources: A search of the MEDLINE database (1956-February 2016) and EMBASE (1957-February 2016) was conducted, using the terms pregabalin and restless legs syndrome. In addition, a manual review of the references cited in each publication identified from the database search was conducted to identify relevant articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language, peer-reviewed publications were evaluated for relevance. From an initial review of 285 articles, 5 clinical trials were included in the final analysis. Data Synthesis: Pregabalin is an analog of γ-aminobutyric acid that exhibits antinociceptive and anticonvulsant activity by binding to voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system. Studies of pregabalin have demonstrated efficacy through significant reductions in mean International RLS Scale scores and wake after sleep onset scores, and it had a lower rat...
Can DFT be Correct by Construction

The IC design process converts ideas into products. When the ideas have progressed into register-transfer level (RTL) instructions, IC implementation can begin. RTL is synthesized into logic gates, these are placed and routed, and masks are generated from the resulting artwork. This implementation phase is where design-for-testability (DFT) circuitry is typically added. In an ideal world, DFT insertion would occur at a single point in the flow and would work flawlessly. The search for an ideal world has been in progress for some time and shows no sign of stopping soon [1] [2].
Pressure breathing in surgery.

SUMMARY Pressure breathing, as fostered by surgeons, is a vital adjunct to present-day surgery and anesthesia. Its tremendous benefits may often be offset by some of its deleterious effects. These effects must be anticipated, recognized, and treated. To obtain maximum advantage of pressure breathing with a minimum of harmful effects will require the utmost cooperation between the surgeon and the anesthetist. Please consider this presentation my personal plea to this end.