cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and precision of the volume–concentration method for urban stormwater modeling

Land use based models have been widely used to estimate stormwater pollutant loads for establishing standards and selecting best management practices. Land use information is required to assign imperviousness or runoff coefficients and event mean concentrations for selected pollutants to the areas of the watersheds. This approach is useful to estimate the total mass discharges, but is dependent on various assumptions for parameters, which have rarely been validated with full-scale field data. This paper compares the assumptions, methodologies and predictions of six independent modeling efforts using literature and local data, and shows the variability of the different approaches and methodologies for the Upper Ballona Creek Watershed in Los Angeles CA. Differences in land use definitions among the six studies produced up to 14 % differences in average load predictions for TSS. Differences in runoff coefficient and EMC assumptions produced -70 to 124% differences in average TSS load. The combined effects of all assumptions produced differences in the estimated TSS mass loads by -68 to 118%. The most inaccurate estimates were based on the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program data, which were far too high. These results underscore the need for additional data collection and model validation, and provide error bounds for the use of this modeling approach for regulation and best management practice selection.
NRLA & MOD-Metric Models as Aids in Design Decisions

This paper reports partial results and extensions of a study at Clemson University from 1980 December to 1982 May. The purpose was to develop an integrated model set to aid in evaluating design alternatives on the availability and logistic support requirements of major weapon systems. The model set includes the Network Repair Level Analysis (NRLA) and MOD-Metric models. System design decisions concern the nominal reliability of components, the extent to which components are hierarchially designed, the accessibility of components, and whether the component will be repaired or discarded when it fails. System design includes the design of the logistic support system and its relation to the hardware. Design alternatives should be carefully investigated to determine the effects that each would have on ownership costs, performance, and availability. This model set was applied to the components of the air refueling boom of the KC-135A tanker aircraft. The 2-echelon, 2-indenture inventory system used at times by the US Air Force is assumed. In particular we report: 1) the effects of component reliability on spare stock levels and spare parts costs, and 2) the impact of component reliability on the level at which repair takes place. The models have similar data requirements and they yield useful conclusions. However, there are some difficulties. The spares decisions from MOD-Metric are not necessarily compatible with NRLA because the MOD-Metric analysis is far more sophisticated.
Use of 3-Azabicyclo[3.2.2.]nonane in the Mannich Reaction I: Substituted β-Amino Ketones

A group of Mannich bases, indicated as types I, II, and III, have been prepared utilizing 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2.]nonane as the amine component. These β-aminoketones are to be screened for possible pharmacodynamic activity.
Preliminary study on pretreatment of poplar wood for biofuel production

Background: The literature does not contain any systematic study on the effects of operating variables in dilute acid pretreatment of poplar wood. Results & discussion: This article reports experimental-determined effects of operating variables on energy consumption, water usage, sugar yield and pretreatment energy efficiency (PEE) in dilute acid pretreatment of poplar wood. As pretreatment time increased, energy consumption, water usage and sugar yield increased; PEE first increased and then decreased. As pretreatment temperature increased, energy consumption and water usage increased; sugar yield and PPE first increased and then became constant or decreased. As acid concentration increased, energy consumption and water usage did not change noticeably; sugar yield and PEE first increased and then decreased. Conclusion: Pretreatment conditions resulting in higher sugar yield in hydrolysis normally consumed more electric power in pretreatment.
Prostaglandin biosynthesis by lapine articular chondrocytes in culture.

Abstract Secondary monolayer and spinner cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes released into the culture medium prostaglandins the synthesis of which was inhibited by sodium meclofenamate. The prostaglandins measured by radioimmunoassay were, in order of decreasing abundance, prostaglandin E 2 , 6-oxoprostaglandin F 1α , (the stable metabolite of prostacyclin) and prostaglandin F 2α . Several lines of evidence indicated that chondrocytes synthesize little if any thromboxane B 2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A 2 ). The presence of prostaglandins was confirmed by radiometric thin-layer chromatography of extracts of culture media incubated with [ 3 H]arachidonic acid-labeled cells. In monolayer culture, chondrocytes synthesized immunoreactive prostaglandins in serum-free as well as serum-containing medium. Monolayer chondrocytes produced higher levels of prostaglandin E 2 relative to 6-oxo-prostaglandin F 1α than did spinner cells, but the latter synthesized more total prostaglandins. The identity of endogenous prostaglandins as well as those synthesized in short-term culture by rabbit cartilage slices was compared to those produced by chondrocytes in long-term culture. Chondrocytes synthesized all of the prosta-glandins found in articular cartilage. Minimal quantities of thromboxane B 2 were detected in cartilage. A higher percentage of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F 1α relative to other prostaglandins was found in cartilage than in either monolayer or spinner chondrocyte cultures. These results demonstrate that articular chondrocytes synthesize prostaglandins and prostacyclin. These prostaglandins may exert significant physiological effects on cartilage, since exogenous prosta-glandins depress chondrocyte sulfated-proteoglycan synthesis and may even promote proteoglycan degradation.
Diabetic gastrointestinal motility disorders and the role of enteric nervous system: current status and future directions.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes are common and a source of significant discomfort and disability. Diabetes affects almost every part of gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum and causes a variety of symptoms including heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of diabetic gastroenteropathy is important to guide development of therapies for this common problem. Over recent years, the data regarding the pathophysiology of diabetic gastroenteropathy is expanding. In addition to autonomic neuropathy causing gastrointestinal disturbances the role of enteric nervous system is becoming more evident. In this review, we summarize the reported alterations in enteric nervous system including enteric neurons, interstitial cells of Cajal and neurotransmission in diabetic animal models and patients. We also review the possible underlying mechanisms of these alterations, with focus on oxidative stress, growth factors and diabetes induced changes in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Finally, we will discuss recent advances and potential areas for future research related to diabetes and the ENS such as gut microbiota, micro-RNAs and changes in the microvasculature and endothelial dysfunction.
Metagenome-Wide Association of Microbial Determinants of Host Phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT Animal-associated bacteria (microbiota) affect host behaviors and physiological traits. To identify bacterial genetic determinants of microbiota-responsive host traits, we employed a metagenome-wide association (MGWA) approach in two steps. First, we measured two microbiota-responsive host traits, development time and triglyceride (TAG) content, in Drosophila melanogaster flies monoassociated with each of 41 bacterial strains. The effects of monoassociation on host traits were not confined to particular taxonomic groups. Second, we clustered protein-coding sequences of the bacteria by sequence similarity de novo and statistically associated the magnitude of the host trait with the bacterial gene contents. The animals had been monoassociated with genome-sequenced bacteria, so the metagenome content was unambiguous. This analysis showed significant effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis genes on development time, confirming the results of a published transposon mutagenesis screen, thereby validating the MGWA; it also identified multiple genes predicted to affect host TAG content, including extracellular glucose oxidation pathway components. To test the validity of the statistical associations, we expressed candidate genes in a strain that lacks them. Monoassociation with bacteria that ectopically expressed a predicted oxidoreductase or gluconate dehydrogenase conferred reduced Drosophila TAG contents relative to the TAG contents in empty vector controls. Consistent with the prediction that glucose oxidation pathway gene expression increased bacterial glucose utilization, the glucose content of the host diet was reduced when flies were exposed to these strains. Our findings indicate that microbiota affect host nutritional status through modulation of nutrient acquisition. Together, these findings demonstrate the utility of MGWA for identifying bacterial determinants of host traits and provide mechanistic insight into how gut microbiota modulate the nutritional status of a model host. IMPORTANCE To understand how certain gut bacteria promote the health of their animal hosts, we need to identify the bacterial genes that drive these beneficial relationships. This task is challenging because the bacterial communities can vary widely among different host individuals. To overcome this difficulty, we quantified how well each of 41 bacterial species protected Drosophila fruit flies from high fat content. The genomes of the chosen bacterial strains were previously sequenced, so we could statistically associate specific bacterial genes with bacterially mediated reduction in host fat content. Bacterial genes that promote glucose utilization were strongly represented in the association, and introducing these genes into the gut bacteria was sufficient to lower the animal’s fat content. Our method is applicable to the study of many other host-microbe interactions as a way to uncover microbial genes important for host health.
A Cloud Point Study on the Micellar Growth of an Amphiphilic Drug in the Presence of Alcohol and Ionic Surfactant

Cloud point (CP) measurements have been performed to investigate the influence of alcohols (C2−C10OH) on the micellar growth of amphiphilic drug amitriptyline (AMT) in the presence of salt and surf...
The design of reduced order equalizers

The use of Kalman filtering for designing equalizers for communication channels with intersymbol interference is addressed. If the finite impulse response model describing the intersymbol interference is many samples long, then the order of the state vector must be high. The high dimensionality of the corresponding Kalman filter would make it unacceptable for high speed operation due to the number of required calculations. A reduced-order option which requires far fewer calculations than, but may have performance almost as good as, the full order Kalman filter is provided. >
Entropy generation in an asymmetrically cooled slab with temperature-dependent internal heat generation

The paper presents an entropy generation analysis for steady conduction in a slab with temperature-dependent volumetric internal heat generation. The slab experiences asymmetric convective cooling on its two faces. The exact analytical solution for the temperature distribution is used to compute dimensionless local and total entropy generation rates in the slab. The total entropy generation rate depends on five dimensionless parameters: reference heat generation temperature Q, the heat generation–temperature variation parameter a, the temperature asymmetry parameter λ, and Biot numbers Bi1 and Bi2. Graphs illustrating the effect of these five parameters on the local and total entropy generation rates are presented and discussed. It is found that the total entropy generation in the slab can be minimized with a suitable choice of the cooling parameters. The paper corrects the flawed entropy results published recently. The present results for the special case of uniform internal heat generation confirm the results presented in a 2003 paper. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20404
Propensity to Work Among Chronically Unemployed Adult Drug Users

Analyses were conducted to compare rates of employment before, during, and after employment at the therapeutic workplace, which is a novel employment-based treatment for drug misuse. Participants in two clinical trials attended the therapeutic workplace at higher rates than they worked before intake and six months after discharge. These data suggest that unemployed chronic drug misusers will attend work at higher rates at the therapeutic workplace than in the community when paid modest wages, and that the failure of chronic drug misusers to obtain employment in the community may not result from lack of interest in work.
Electrostatic Energy-Harvesting and Battery-Charging CMOS System Prototype

The self-powering, long-lasting, and functional features of embedded wireless microsensors appeal to an ever-expanding application space in monitoring, control, and diagnosis for military, commercial, industrial, space, and biomedical applications. Extended operational life, however, is difficult to achieve when power-intensive functions like telemetry draw whatever little energy is available from energy-storage microdevices like thin-film lithium-ion batteries and/or microscale fuel cells. Harvesting ambient energy overcomes this deficit by continually replenishing the energy reservoir and indefinitely extending system lifetime. In this paper, a prototyped circuit that precharges, detects, and synchronizes to a variable voltage-constrained capacitor verifies experimentally that harvesting energy electrostatically from vibrations is possible. Experimental results show that, on average (excluding gate-drive and control losses), the system harvests 9.7 nJ/cycle by investing 1.7 nJ/cycle, yielding a net energy gain of approximately 8 nJ/cycle at an average of 1.6 ?W (in typical applications) for every 200 pF variation. Projecting and including reasonable gate-drive and controller losses reduces the net energy gain to 6.9 nJ/cycle at 1.38 ?W.
Is DVT Prophylaxis Overemphasized? A Randomized Prospective Study

This study was designed to prospectively evaluate a previously published prognostic index for predicting deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in general surgical patients with conventional prophylaxis. Patients undergoing procedures of at least 1 hr duration (abdominal, thoracic, head and neck, inguinal) requiring general or spinal anesthetic were prospectively randomized into the following groups: Group 1, sequential pneumatic compression devices during surgery and 2 days postoperatively; Group 2, subcutaneous heparin (5000 U q 12 hr) starting 1 hr before surgery and for 7 days postop; Group 3, control group. All patients underwent duplex evaluation of bilateral lower extremity deep venous systems preoperatively and on postoperative Days 1, 3, and 30. In addition, a previously developed predictive DVT incidence indicator, the prognostic index (PI), was calculated for each patient. A total of 137 patients were entered into the study with 29 removed for patient/staff reasons. There were no differences in PI among the three groups at the 0.05 level (ANOVA). The distribution of risk factors for DVT including increased age, body size, hemoglobin (Hb), and colorectal procedures were distributed evenly among the groups. Additional factors such as diabetes, COPD, PVD, immobilization, and cancer were also evenly distributed among the groups. The PI predicted a 20% incidence of DVT. For Groups 1 (n = 25), 2 (n = 38), and 3 (n = 45) no DVTs were detected over the 30 days of study. During the study period, 8 DVTs were detected by duplex evaluation in general surgical patients not in the study (1.5%). In conclusion, in a prospective randomized study using sequential pneumatic compression devices, subcutaneous heparin or no prophylaxis in matched general surgical patients at moderate to high risk for thromboembolism, no DVTs occurred for up to 30 days. Furthermore, neither a PI nor other factors associated with DVT accurately predicted the incidence of DVT in this patient population.
Pineal Melatonin: Cell Biology of Its Synthesis and of Its Physiological Interactions*

I. Introduction UNTIL 35 yr ago, most scientists did not take research on the pineal gland seriously. The decade beginning in 1956, however, provided several discoveries that laid the foundation for what has become a very active area of investigation. These important early observations included the findings that, 1), the physiological activity of the pineal is influenced by the photoperiodic environment (1–5); 2), the gland contains a substance, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine or melatonin, which has obvious endocrine capabilities (6, 7); 3), the function of the reproductive system in photoperiodically dependent rodents is inextricably linked to the physiology of the pineal gland (5, 8, 9); 4), the sympathetic innervation to the pineal is required for the gland to maintain its biosynthetic and endocrine activities (10, 11); and 5), the pineal gland can be rapidly removed from rodents with minimal damage to adjacent neural structures using a specially designed trephine (12). Since the mid 1960s, research on t...
Scalable Light-Induced Metal to Semiconductor Conversion of Carbon Nanotubes

Coexistence of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes in as-grown samples sets important limits to their application in high-performance electronics. We present the metal-to-semiconductor conversion of carbon nanotubes for field-effect transistors based on both aligned nanotubes and individual nanotube devices. The conversion process is induced by light irradiation, scalable to wafer-size scales and capable of yielding improvements in the channel-current on/off ratio up to 5 orders of magnitude in nanotube-based field-effect transistors. Inactivation of metallic nanotubes in the channels was achieved as a consequence of a diameter-dependent photochemical process that led to a controlled oxidation of the nanotube sidewall and, hence, stronger localization of π-electrons. Optimization of irradiation conditions yields nearly 90% of depletable nanotube field-effect transistors.
AmBisome: liposomal formulation, structure, mechanism of action and pre-clinical experience

Amphotericin B is the treatment of choice for life-threatening systemic fungal infections such as candidosis and aspergillosis. To improve this drug's efficacy and reduce its acute and chronic toxicities, several lipid formulations of the drug have been developed, including AmBisome, a liposomal formulation of amphotericin B. The liposome is composed of high transition temperature phospholipids and cholesterol, designed to incorporate amphotericin B securely into the liposomal bilayer. AmBisome can bind to fungal cell walls, where the liposome is disrupted. The amphotericin B, after being released from the liposomes, is thought to transfer through the cell wall and bind to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane. This mechanism of action of AmBisome results in its potent in vitro fungicidal activity while the integrity of the liposome is maintained in the presence of mammalian cells, for which it has minimal toxicity. In animal models, AmBisome is effective in treating both intracellular (leishmaniasis and histoplasmosis) and extracellular (candidosis and aspergillosis) systemic infections. Because of its low toxicity at the organ level, intravenous AmBisome can be safely delivered at markedly high doses of amphotericin B (1-30 mg/kg) for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. AmBisome has a circulating half-life of 5-24 h in animals, and in animal models appears to localize at sites of infection in the brain (cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, coccidioidomycosis), lungs (blastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, aspergillosis) and kidneys (candidosis), delivering amphotericin B that remains bioavailable in tissues for several weeks following treatment.
Combination of Fisher scores and appearance based features for face recognition

A novel feature generation scheme which combines multiclass mapping of Fisher scores and appearance based features for face recognition (FR) is proposed in this paper. Multi-class mapping of Fisher scores is based on partial derivative analysis of parameters of hidden Markov model (HMM), and appearance based features are obtained directed from face images. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is used to analyze the feature vectors generated under this scheme. Recognition performance improvement is observed over stand-alone HMM method as well as Fisherface method, which also uses appearance based feature vectors. Moreover, by reducing the number of models involved in the training and testing stages, the proposed feature generation scheme can maintain very high discriminative power at much lower computational complexity comparing to that of the traditional HMM based FR system. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the viability of this scheme for face recognition.
On being part of population geography's future: population–environment relationships and inter-science initiatives

Looking to the future, why not err on the adventurous side? Accordingly, I would like to promote two ‘geographies of population relations’, which can be framed as post-disciplinary, inter-science initiatives: namely, population–environment relationships, and migration–development–environment interactions and relationships. Population geographers may therefore need to reposition themselves to become involved in inter-science research and participate with environmental, natural and physical scientists and GIS specialists in an evolving realm that is ‘post-disciplinary’ rather than within our longstanding (and quite comfortable) subdiscipline. And, we can embark on team efforts and such post-disciplinary projects in the firm knowledge that the global scientific community has at last recognised the central importance of population study in the pursuit of answers to how we might make today's and tomorrow's world more sustainable and healthy. Finding paths to human and environmental sustainability must be one of our academic missions, because it is public health that is under threat, not just environmental deterioration. Population–environment geographers, therefore, have common cause with medical geographers and those in the public health sphere, as well as environmental scientists, development geographers and political ecologists, among others. Population–environment–development interactions and interrelationships are an ‘inter-science’, effort, and tomorrow's population geographers should be encouraged to join. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of gate-to-body tunneling current on pass-transistor based PD/SOI CMOS circuits

The gate-to-body tunneling current (I/sub gb/) in PD/SOI devices resulting from the electron tunneling from the valence band has been shown to charge/discharge the floating-body, thus changing the body voltage and V/sub T/ and affecting circuit operations. The authors present a detailed study on the effect of gate-to-body tunneling current on pass-transistor-based PD/SOI CMOS circuits in a 1.2 V, 0.13 /spl mu/m PD/SOI technology with L/sub poly/= 0.075 /spl mu/m, physical t/sub OX/ = 1.5 nm, t/sub Si/ = 120 nm, and t/sub BOX/ = 145 nm.
Impact on house staff evaluation scores when changing from a Dreyfus- to a Milestone-based evaluation model: one internal medicine residency program’s findings

Purpose : As graduate medical education (GME) moves into the Next Accreditation System (NAS), programs must take a critical look at their current models of evaluation and assess how well they align with reporting outcomes. Our objective was to assess the impact on house staff evaluation scores when transitioning from a Dreyfus-based model of evaluation to a Milestone-based model of evaluation. Milestones are a key component of the NAS. Method : We analyzed all end of rotation evaluations of house staff completed by faculty for academic years 2010–2011 (pre-Dreyfus model) and 2011–2012 (post-Milestone model) in one large university-based internal medicine residency training program. Main measures included change in PGY-level average score; slope, range, and separation of average scores across all six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies. Results : Transitioning from a Dreyfus-based model to a Milestone-based model resulted in a larger separation in the scores between our three post-graduate year classes, a steeper progression of scores in the PGY-1 class, a wider use of the 5-point scale on our global end of rotation evaluation form, and a downward shift in the PGY-1 scores and an upward shift in the PGY-3 scores. Conclusions : For faculty trained in both models of assessment, the Milestone-based model had greater discriminatory ability as evidenced by the larger separation in the scores for all the classes, in particular the PGY-1 class. Keywords: Medical Education-Graduate; Medical Education-assessment methods; Milestones; Next Accreditation System; ACGME core competencies (Published: 24 November 2014) Citation: Med Educ Online 2014, 19 : 25185 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v19.25185
A Wearable and Wireless Sensor System for Real-Time Monitoring of Toxic Environmental Volatile Organic Compounds

An integrated volatile organic toxicants sensor with a Bluetooth device interface has been developed. The device is based on novel tuning fork sensor platform along with a wireless communication/interface technology taken in an integrated system approach. It features high sensitivity and selectivity. The sensitivity and selectivity are accomplished through the use of novel tuning fork sensor modified by design (molecularly imprinted) polymers and selective filtering. Experiments have shown that the device can detect toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under high concentrations of common interferents from flavors and fragrances. Applications of the device for detection of BTEX in real-world situations such as outdoor and gas station VOCs have also been demonstrated. All these features make the device a promising candidate to be deployed in real-world applications, particularly in environmental health and air pollution studies.
Infertility is a symptom, not a disease.

Just as the symptoms chronic headache, chronic stomach pain, and chronic chest pain may be caused by underlying disease, so may infertility be caused by underlying disease. Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, benign ovarian tumors, and pelvic adhesive disease are causes of infertility that can be treated by laparoscopy, if detected early, but may require more extensive surgery later if they remain undiagnosed. Anovulation may be due to insulin resistance that can result in diabetes or cardiovascular disease later in life (2) or any of a number of other endocrine disorders with lifelong effects. A 1991 study from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) found that the lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer was increased not only in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome but also in infertile patients with hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis (3). Infertile women with any of these conditions who conceived a term pregnancy did not have an increased risk of endometrial cancer. A major obstacle to the treatment of infertility as a symptom by the Health Insurance Industry is the way it is characterized in the International Classification of Diseases, Volume 9 (ICD). In the ICD, female infertility (Code 628.0) and male infertility (606.0) are classified as diseases but are clearly treated as symptoms. Female infertility is listed as “associated with,” “due to,” or “having its origin in” 30 other conditions. Similarly, male infertility is listed as “due to” 12 other conditions. Anovulation is given the same diagnostic code number as female infertility (628.0) and is not classified further as to its underlying causes. Health insurers have taken advantage of this to deny coverage for endocrine evaluation of patients with anovulation on the basis that it is synonymous with infertility.
Revealing the key variables and states in optimal control of quantum dynamics

Sensitivity analysis of the wavefunction is shown to be useful for identifying the key variables and states in optimal control calculations. The analysis calls for little extra effort beyond that of performing the original control calculation. An application of the analysis to a model multilevel control problem is presented.
Porous Media Model Formulations by the Theory of Mixtures

As the title of this work states, the structure of the Theory of Mixtures is utilized here to formulate mathematical models of porous materials. This first chapter is concerned with the essential aspects of the Theory of Mixtures. Most modern presentations of this subject have their origins in the work of TRUESDELL (1). TRUESDELL’S method of presenting the theory of mixtures can also be found in TRUESDELL & TOUPIN (2) and BOWEN (3).
A Pilot Study of the Tolerability and Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) on Pain Perception

Several brain stimulation technologies are beginning to evidence promise as pain treat- ments. However, traditional versions of 1 specific technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), stimulate broad regions of cortex with poor spatial precision. A new tDCS design, called high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS), allows for focal delivery of the charge to discrete regions of the cor- tex. We sought to preliminarily test the safety and tolerability of the HD-tDCS technique as well as to evaluate whether HD-tDCS over the motor cortex would decrease pain and sensory experience. Twenty-four healthy adult volunteers underwent quantitative sensory testing before and after 20 minutes of real (n = 13) or sham (n = 11) 2 mA HD-tDCS over the motor cortex. No adverse events occurred and no side effects were reported. Real HD-tDCS was associated with significantly decreased heat and cold sensory thresholds, decreased thermal wind-up pain, and a marginal analgesic effect for cold pain thresholds. No significant effects were observed for mechanical pain thresholds or heat pain thresholds. HD-tDCS appears well tolerated, and produced changes in underlying cortex that are associated with changes in pain perception. Future studies are warranted to investigate HD-tDCS in other applications, and to examine further its potential to affect pain perception. Perspective: This article presents preliminary tolerability and efficacy data for a new focal brain stimulation technique called high definition transcranial direct current stimulation. This technique may have applications in the management of pain.
Insight: in-situ online service failure path inference in production computing infrastructures

Online service failures in production computing environments are notoriously difficult to debug. When those failures occur, the software developer often has little information for debugging. In this paper, we present Insight, a system that reproduces the execution path of a failed service request onsite immediately after a failure is detected. Upon a request failure is detected, Insight dynamically creates a shadow copy of the production server and performs guided binary execution exploration in the shadow node to gain useful knowledge on how the failure occurs. Insight leverages both environment data (e.g., input logs, configuration files, states of interacting components) and runtime outputs (e.g., console logs, system calls) to guide the failure path finding. Insight does not require source code access or any special system recording during normal production run. We have implemented Insight and evaluated it using 13 failures from a production cloud management system and 8 open source software systems. The experimental results show that Insight can successfully find high fidelity failure paths within a few minutes. Insight is light-weight and unobtrusive, making it practical for online service failure inference in the production computing environment.
Metabolism of 99mpertechnetate by the thyroid gland of the rat.

The thyroidal metabolism of 99mpertechnetate (TcO4−) was studied after administration of the isotope to rats in vivo or after incubation of excised rat thyroids with the isotope in vitro. In both types of experiment, thyroids actively concentrated TcO4−. Electrophoretic and chromatographic analyses of homogenates prepared from thyroids after exposure to the isotope revealed both free TcO4− identical n i mobility to the original isotope, and a new immobile form of the isotope which remained at the origin (origin material, OM). Formation of OM was not inhibited by conventional doses of inhibitors of the organification of iodide, and OM often comprised as much as 70% of total accumulated technetium (Tc). OM was resistant to digestion by Pronase and 6n HCl; exposure to 2n NaOH resulted only in the release of free TcO4−. Thyroid/medium (T/M) and thyroid/serum (T/S) concentration ratios for free TcO4− were increased by feeding low iodine diets or by chronic administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) in Purina Cho...
Machupo Virus Expressing GPC of the Candid#1 Vaccine Strain of Junin Virus Is Highly Attenuated and Immunogenic

ABSTRACT Machupo virus (MACV) is the causative agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever. Our previous study demonstrated that a MACV strain with a single amino acid substitution (F438I) in the transmembrane domain of glycoprotein is attenuated but genetically unstable in mice. MACV is closely related to Junin virus (JUNV), the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Others and our group have identified the glycoprotein to be the major viral factor determining JUNV attenuation. In this study, we tested the compatibility of the glycoprotein of the Candid#1 live-attenuated vaccine strain of JUNV in MACV replication and its ability to attenuate MACV in vivo . Recombinant MACV with the Candid#1 glycoprotein (rMACV/Cd#1-GPC) exhibited growth properties similar to those of Candid#1 and was genetically stable in vitro . In a mouse model of lethal infection, rMACV/Cd#1-GPC was fully attenuated, more immunogenic than Candid#1, and fully protective against MACV infection. Therefore, the MACV strain expressing the glycoprotein of Candid#1 is safe, genetically stable, and highly protective against MACV infection in a mouse model. IMPORTANCE Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines and/or treatments for Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, which is a fatal human disease caused by MACV. The development of antiviral strategies to combat viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, is one of the top priorities of the Implementation Plan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that MACV expressing glycoprotein of Candid#1 is a safe, genetically stable, highly immunogenic, and protective vaccine candidate against Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.
Content and the Subtle Extensionality of ‘ — Explains … ’

L'A. defend les theories evolutionnistes du contenu, selon lesquelles certains faits de l'explication causale sont anterieurs aux etats de choses expliques et a leur representation. L'A. montre que ces theories evolutionnistes impliquent une conception limitee de l'extensionnalite des contextes linguistiques du type - explique causalement que...
A Study of the Boundary Layer Development, Skin Friction, and Wake on a non-Body of Revolution Ellipsoidal Model

*† The surface flow and wake from a non-body of revolution ellipsoidal model is studied. The model is mounted in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel and tested over a range of Reynolds numbers. With the model in a straight-and-level configuration with the oncoming flow, boundary layer profiles are measured in axial lines running along thirteen different circumferent ial locations with a rake of pressure probes set on the model surface. The prof iles show a uniform, weakly 3-D flow over the model surface. The skin friction is calculated from the boundary layer profiles using the Ludwieg-Tillmann equation; results show a relatively flat variation of the skin friction coefficient over the model mid-body between values of 0.003 and 0.004 for Reynolds numbers between 1.6 and 3.1 million. Two dimensional wake surveys are taken with a seven-hole probe one chord-length behind the model. The profile, induced, and total drag and lift are calculated from integral momentum equations for the model mounted at both a zero and ten degree angle-of-attack. Wake and secondary flow profiles clearly show the development of counter-rotating vortices formed from cross-flow se paration when the model is elevated at a ten degree angle-of-attack. The effe ct of adding flow trip strips to the model does not appear to significantly change the l ift or drag results.
A Readily Accessible Platform for Detailed Combustion Emissions Calculations

This paper explores the modeling and simulation of combustion processes in a gas turbine combustor both with and without water injection for NOx control. The combustor can be modeled as a series and/or parallel combinations of perfectly stirred reactors (PSRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs). Kinetics models require solution of non-linear and stiff ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The CVODE code from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory can be used for the solution of these ODEs. Here we show that a reduced kinetics set coupled with an Excel callable version of CVODE (as a dynamic link library (dll)) can be used to predict emission trends in combustors. Student use is promoted by using Excel as the pre- and post-processor.
Study of the formation and quick growth of thick oxide films using platinum nanoelectrodes as a model electrocatalyst.

We report a study of the formation and quick growth of thick films of platinum oxide on platinum nanoelectrodes at low anodic potentials. Here, structurally well-defined platinum nanoelectrodes are used as a model platform for nanoscale platinum electrocatalysts. Platinum films are formed on the surface of the nanoelectrode upon application of a constant anodic potential in an acidic environment for an extended time period. A current spike is initially observed, which is attributed to capacitance charging, the oxidation of water, and the initial oxidation of the platinum surface. A finite residual current follows the initial current spike, which is composed of both water oxidation and the oxidation of platinum metal concealed beneath the growing oxide layer. These films are observed to be structurally irreversible, grow to be relatively thick, and protrude out of the glass insulating material encasing the nanoelectrode due to the added volume of the oxygen incorporated into the growing platinum oxide film...
Effect Research Progress of Trace Element Selenium on Rice

Selenium has many kinds of biological function.It has important significance in animal and plants’ growth development and human heath.In the paper,the effect of trace element selenium on rice growth,yield and quality,selenium-concentration ability of rice,interaction between selenium and other element,selenium-enriched rice breeding,inheritance of selenium contents and QTL detection were introduced so as to provide reference for selenium-enriching rice breeding.
The influence of luteinizing hormone and insulin on sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin in the polycystic ovarian syndrome

Objective To examine the relationship between hyperinsulinemia, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and body mass index (BMI) on LH-induced hyperandrogenemia in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Design Insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed in 25 consecutive women with PCOS and 20 control women matched for BMI. Insulin responses and sensitivity (S I ) were also determined using a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Setting The clinical research center at a university medical center. Main Outcome Measures Serum LH, S I , and basal, peak, and area under the curve (AUC-insulin responses) were determined and correlated with SHBG, androstenedione (A), T, and free T concentrations. Results Compared with controls, the AUC-insulin response during OGTT was greater in PCOS, with an average increase of 44%. During IVGTT, AUC-insulin response was also significantly higher in PCOS versus controls, with an average increase of 53%. In addition, S I was reduced in PCOS versus controls with an average decrease of 53%. The average differences in oral- and intravenous-glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia and in insulin sensitivity between PCOS and controls were relatively constant across the entire physiological range of BMI. In PCOS, baseline LH showed strong positive correlations with baseline A and T. However, there were no significant correlations between either basal, peak, or AUC-insulin response during OGTT and IVGTT with basal T or A concentrations or between insulin and androgen levels measured at 30-minute intervals throughout the OGTT. However, basal, peak, and AUC-insulin responses during OGTT were strongly correlated with fasting SHBG binding capacity. Conclusions These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia in PCOS influences the biologically active component of T by lowering SHBG concentrations while having little apparent impact on LH-induced secretion of androgens in vivo.
Immunobiology of histiocytosis-X.

On the possibility that histiocytosis-X has an immunologic basis, two major avenues of investigation have been pursued. These are studies of the immunologic and immuno-histochemical characteristics of the Langerhans cells found in the pathologic tissue of patients with histiocytosis-X and immunologic testing of such patients. Our understanding of the immunobiology of histiocytosis-X is derived from the results of these studies and current concepts of the mononuclear phagocytic system. These form the basis of this discussion.
An Internet-Wide Analysis of Traffic Policing

Large flows like videos consume significant bandwidth. Some ISPs actively manage these high volume flows with techniques like policing, which enforces a flow rate by dropping excess traffic. While the existence of policing is well known, our contribution is an Internet-wide study quantifying its prevalence and impact on video quality metrics. We developed a heuristic to identify policing from server-side traces and built a pipeline to deploy it at scale on traces from a large online content provider, collected from hundreds of servers worldwide. Using a dataset of 270 billion packets served to 28,400 client ASes, we find that, depending on region, up to 7% of lossy transfers are policed. Loss rates are on average six times higher when a trace is policed, and it impacts video playback quality. We show that alternatives to policing, like pacing and shaping, can achieve traffic management goals while avoiding the deleterious effects of policing.
Stability of a bi-resonant klynac

We have built the first-ever klynac, consisting of a klystron and linac combined into a single integrated structure using a single electron beam. This device has two resonant circuits, one for the klystron input and gain section, and one for the klystron output cavity and linac section. Here we describe this device's stability properties driven by its resonant properties.
Survey and Chart Review to Estimate Medicare Cost Savings for Home Health as an Alternative to Hospital Admission Following Emergency Department Treatment.

Abstract Background Almost 70% of hospital admissions for Medicare beneficiaries originate in the emergency department (ED). Research suggests that some of these patients' needs may be better met through home-based care options after evaluation and treatment in the ED. Objective We sought to estimate Medicare cost savings resulting from using the Home Health benefit to provide treatment, when appropriate, as an alternative to inpatient admission from the ED. Methods This is a prospective study of patients admitted from the ED. A survey tool was used to query both emergency physicians (EPs) and patient medical record data to identify potential candidates and treatments for home-based care alternatives. Patient preferences were also surveyed. Cost savings were estimated by developing a model of Medicare Home Health to serve as a counterpart to the actual hospital-based care. Results EPs identified 40% of the admitted patients included in the study as candidates for home-based care. The top three major diagnostic categories included diseases and disorders of the respiratory system, digestive system, and skin. Services included intravenous hydration, intravenous antibiotics, and laboratory testing. The average estimated cost savings between the Medicare inpatient reimbursement and the Home Health counterpart was approximately $4000. Of the candidate patients surveyed, 79% indicated a preference for home-based care after treatment in the ED. Conclusions Some Medicare beneficiaries could be referred to Home Health from the ED with a concomitant reduction in Medicare expenditures. Additional studies are needed to compare outcomes, develop the logistical pathways, and analyze infrastructure costs and incentives to enable Medicare Home Health options from the ED.
Response to varying the nicotine content of cigarettes in vulnerable populations: an initial experimental examination of acute effects

Rationale The purpose of this study was to begin researching the effects of very low nicotine content cigarettes in smokers especially vulnerable to dependence to assess their potential as a less dependence-producing alternative to current commercial cigarettes.
“Home and beautiful things”: Aspirational politics in dance bars in India:

This article examines the controversy surrounding women’s sexual labor of dancing in the city of Mumbai in the western state of Maharashtra, India. Whereas much of the debate around the dance bars focuses on bar dancers’ livelihood and right to work, I turn the discussion to the realm of desire and consumption to show how intimate labor is connected to class aspirations. Using legal, media and cultural sources, I suggest that the intimate labor in dance bars produces new aspirations for bar dancers. These aspirations are made possible by the specific labor and exchange conditions and relational possibilities that are specific to the bars, illustrating what I call the aspirational politics of sex, where sexual labor acts as a site for individual existential pursuits such as social mobility and a sense of well-being. Dance bars offer young women from marginalized communities the opportunity for livelihood and social mobility as well as access to middle-class lifestyles through involvement in new consumer cu...