cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water Photooxidation by TiSi2-TiO2 Nanotubes

A composite photocatalyst comprised of self-assembled titania (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) coupled with titanium disilicide (TiSi2) nanoparticles has been synthesized, characterized, and tested for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. The TiO2 NT array is prepared by a sonoelectrochemical anodization method using ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride, and disodium salt of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (Na2[H2EDTA]). TiSi2 nanoparticles are produced from commercial bulk particles by a multiple ball milling followed by an ultrasonication process. The coupled catalyst is prepared by impregnating TiSi2 nanoparticles into the TiO2 nanotubes by multiple soaking processes, which leads to a noble structure with TiSi2 nanorods inside the TiO2 nanotubes. The heterostructural composite photoanode exhibited an enhanced photocurrent density of 3.49 mA/cm2 at 0.2 VAg/Ag/Cl compared to TiO2 nanotubes alone (0.9 mA/cm2) and can be considered as a potential possible candidate for the water splitting reaction using visible ...
Genetic Behavior of Purple-leaf Characteristics of Rice CMS Line Xianhong A and It's Application Prospect

In order to study the genetic behavior of the purple-leaf characteristics,a new purple-leaf marker rice CMS line Xianhong A(B) was crossed and backcrossed with different types of indica and japonica lines with normal green leaves.The results showed that the purple leaf color of Xianhong A(B) was controlled by one pair of purple genes,and there were 1 to 2 pair of inhibitory genes could regulate the purple genes expres-sion in normal green color lines.The purple leaf color characteristics of Xianhong A(B) and the green leaf col-or characteristics of F1 combinations were stable in different environment and cultivation conditions.The pur-ple-leaf characteristics of Xianhong A was the best available seedling marker for hybrid rice seed purity identi-fication and anti-contamination and purity preserving in production.Among the hybrids derived from Xianhong A,both good plant type and strong heterosis combinations in grain yield all could be selected,and xianhong A had good application prospect in rice seed production.
Predictive Value of c--erb-B2 for Endocrine Therapy and Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

c-erb-B2, also designated HER-2/neu or c-neu, is a tyrosine kinase proto-oncogene that may be overexpressed or amplified in 20–40% of breast tumors. Data reported to date suggest that the proto-oncogene may be a predictive factor of response to several therapies that are commonly used to treat breast cancer. Tumors that are both hormone receptors and c-erb-B2 positive may be associated with a relative resistance to tamoxifen. Preliminary data suggest that aromatase inhibitors may be more effective in such tumors. Available data suggest that women with c-erb-B2-positive tumors may have a preferential response to anthracycline-containing regimens compared to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF)-like regimens. Anthracycline-based therapy should be recommended to women with c-erb-B2-positive breast cancer unless there is a contraindication to the administration of this group of agents. However, other regimens should not be withheld from women who cannot receive an anthracyline. Current clinical data also suggest a possible sensitivity to taxane-based therapy, especially when combined with an anthracycline. Trastuzumab-based therapy should be considered as first line therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer with c-erb-B2-positive disease who are hormone receptor negative, or those with hormone receptor-positive disease who have progressed on endocrine treatments. Adjuvant trastuzumab should be considered in women with high-risk primary breast cancer.
Comparison of calculation methods for diagnostic trials under different sample size

To discuss the calculation methods under different sample size, used for diagnostic trials. The purpose of the diagnostic trial was to demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of the new method. Equations and results were directly compared. Monte Carlo random simulation was used to validate the results. Sample size obtained from the sampling method was always smaller than from the target value method. Results from simulation showed that the target value method could offer more and larger power. The two sample size determination method showed essential differences of the results, suggesting that the investigator should choose appropriate method in accordance with the study design. If the hypothesis of study was to demonstrate the new diagnostic method which could meet the clinical requirements, only if the target value method provides enough statistical power. Key words: Diagnostic trial; Sample size calculation; Monte Carlo random simulation
Experiencing meaning in life: Optimal functioning at the nexus of well-being, psychopathology, and spirituality.

Plato observed that humans are beings in search of meaning; people automatically coax meaning from their experiences, including the experience of life itself. Meaning is the web of connections, understandings, and interpretations that help us comprehend our experience and formulate plans directing our energies to the achievement of our desired future. Meaning provides us with the sense that our lives matter, that they make sense, and that they are more than the sum of our seconds, days, and years. Comprehending our experience in this way builds the cognitive component of meaning in life. e cognitive component of meaning in life thus refers to the understandings that we develop of who we are, what the world is like, and how we t in with and relate to the grand scheme of things (Heine, Proulx, & Vohs, 2006; Steger, 2009).
Seismically Excited Liquid Waves in Storage Tanks

Seismic excitation of an elastic vertical axis cylindrical liquid storage tank leads to finite amplitude waves on the liquid surface. An analysis is presented to indicate wave amplitude corresponding to specified horizontal excitation of the base. Elastic behavior of the tank is assumed and the liquid is taken to be inviscid and incompressible. The analysis is based on an iterative approach involving successive solutions of uncoupled equations for the liquid and the shell wall.
Results of Local and/or Systemic Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Pathological Stage C or D1 Prostate Cancer Following Radical Prostatectomy

AbstractBetween 1976 and 1984, 47 of 108 patients (44%) who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for clinical stage A2 or B adenocarcinoma of the prostate were found to have pathological stage C or D1 disease. A total of 31 consecutive patients with pathological stage C disease received 45 to 55Gy. adjuvant external beam radiation postoperatively. Actuarial 5 and 10-year survival rates free of disease were 92%, with a local recurrence rate of 3% and a distant recurrence rate of 6% at a mean followup of 5 years. Sixteen consecutive pathological stage D1 cancer patients received 45 to 60Gy. adjuvant external beam radiation alone (4), adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy alone with cyclophosphamide (5) or combined adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy (7). Actuarial 5 and 10-year survival rates free of disease were 86% with no local recurrences and a distant recurrence rate of 12% at a mean followup of 5 years. These results provide further evidence to support the use of adjuvant ex...
Neo-Piagetian Classification of Reasoning Ability and Mental Simulation in Microsoft's Kodu Game Lab

Over the past five years, there has been a major push to develop the computational thinking skills of K-12 students. Tools such as Scratch, Alice, and Kodu have been developed to engage students in learning to program through the creation of computational artifacts (e.g., games, animations, and stories). However, less is known about how elementary and middle school children reason about program behavior. Such skills are useful for reading and adapting others programs, locating possible sources of bugs, and predicting program behavior given code snippets (i.e., mental simulation). The goal of this poster is to measure and track the development of students' ability to reason about programs using Teague & Lister's Neo-Piagetian classification of novice programmers: Sensorimotor, Preoperational Thinkers, and Concrete Operational Thinkers. We operationalize Teague and Lister's category descriptions by creating a criterion for each category. This classification has helped us characterize students' mastery of strategies for reasoning about the lawful behavior of programs using a Kodu curriculum. In particular, this categorization was used to differentiate students' reasoning styles using data from two studies having 20 and 19 students each. We found strong consistency in the results across both studies. Through analysis and categorization of student responses, most students fall into the preoperational thinker category. Within this category, we found a diversity of mastery patterns that help us understand where students face challenges in reasoning about programs.
Novel optical fibers for space division multiplexed transmission systems in data centers

We review novel optical fibers for space division multiplexed short-reach transmission systems in data center applications. Both linear array multicore fibers and elliptical core few mode fibers are discussed and transmission results are presented.
TCIRG1 Mutations As a Cause for Chronic Neutropenia

Background: Heterozygous mutations in TCIRG1 are recently associated with congenital neutropenia. [Makaryan et al, Human Mutation, 2014] Recent large scale population study revealed statistically significant association between absolute neutrophil count and variations in TCIRG1 gene. [Rosenthal et al, Genetic Epidemiology, 2016] Aims: To investigate frequency and reveal possible asymptomatic cases of TCIRG1 associated neutropenia. Methods: The Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR) enrolled and followed 2 multigenerational families with genetic neutropenia of unknown etiology with a clear autosome dominant inheritance. Exome sequencing of selected affected members from these families revealed two previously reported heterozygous single point mutations in TCIRG1. Confirmatory Sanger sequencing ratifies exome sequencing results. Results: Family 1: P161L (c.482C>T) single point substitution detected in 3 members of this family. This variant is very rare in population and has relatively low minor allele frequency (MAF) score: 0.08. Proline residue at this position is highly conserved and has a high genomic evolutionary rate profiling (GERP) score: 3.46. PolyPhen-2 analysis suggests this substitution as possibly damaging. Family 2: I721N (c.2162T>A) single point substitution detected in 3 members of this family. This variant is also very rare in population and has MAF score: 0.07. Isoleucine at this position is relatively conserved and has GERP score: 2.73. PolyPhen-2 analysis suggests this substitution as probably damaging. Summary/Conclusion: Understanding the genetic, epidemiological and biological basis of TCIRG1 associated neutropenia is critical for improving the diagnosis and treatment of this form of hereditary neutropenia. The pathological mechanisms for TCIRG1-associated neutropenia are not yet known. In our original report [Makaryan et al, Human Mutation, 2014] of the large family with TCIRG1-associated neutropenia, all carriers of the pathogenic variant had neutropenia, with variable severity. Some members have severe neutropenia and associated infections whereas others are mildly affected. The report of these two new variants in these families suggests that there may be other patients and families with neutropenia caused by variants in TCIRG1. Disclosures Dale: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.
Safe harbor: Personality and the acceptance of online piracy

Abstract Online piracy causes significant monetary losses to many industries. Perceptions of victimization (who is hurt) and physicality (is the product physical or digital) drive attitudes regarding the moral superiority of online versus offline piracy. We investigate whether personality predicts the adoption of those perceptions. Participants completed two personality scales, disclosed whether they believed offline and online piracy were morally different, and justified their belief. Reduced empathy, perspective-taking, and preference for order predicted viewing online piracy as morally superior. Moreover, high empathy participants who perceived online piracy as morally superior to offline piracy made justifications denying victimization. Results suggest increasing empathy and clarifying victimization may reduce online piracy.
Customizable Ultrasound Career Ladder: A Preliminary Report:

PurposeIn 2005, Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections for diagnostic medical sonographers were 27% during the next 5 years and recent surveys by the American Heart Association state that na...
Formation of Organosulfur Compounds through Transition Metal Ion-Catalyzed Aqueous Phase Reactions

Organosulfur compounds, particularly organosulfates, are considered as important tracers of secondary organic aerosol formation. However, the mechanistic pathways for the formation of these compounds in the atmosphere are still not well understood. In this study, we show for the first time that C2–C4 organosulfur compounds, as well as their oligomers, can form in the aqueous phase from reactions of unsaturated carbonyl compounds, i.e., methacrolein (MACR) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), with the bisulfite anion (HSO3–) in the presence of Fe3+. The mechanism for product formation in the presence of Fe3+ involves sulfite and sulfate ion radicals. As shown here, the formation of specific organosulfur compounds depends on the concentrations of MVK and MACR and the solution pH. Our findings provide new insights into pathways for forming organosulfur compounds in the atmosphere and the role that transition metal ions, such as Fe3+, play in catalyzing these reactions.
Graph-Density Applied to Semigroup Commutation Relations

In this chapter, Laplace inversion techniques of HilleYosida type are used to transform the C1-vector invariance and commutation properties of resolvents (obtained in Chapter 5) into comparable results for semigroups and groups. Modulo the last section, we thus obtain equivalence of infinitesimal ‘zero-deficiency’ graph-density conditions with the property that the (semi-)groups {V(t,A)} restrict to C0 (semi-)groups {V1(t,A)} acting upon the C1-vector Banach space (D1,‖ · ‖ 1) · The results obtained here are applied both in constructing globally invariant C∞ domains in Chapter 7 and in obtaining the graph-density exponentiation Theorem 9.2 in Chapter 9.
Disentangling the contribution of head shadow, loudness summation, and binaural unmasking to spatial release from masking in children

Segregating target speech from noise is crucial for children’s ability to communicate effectively in everyday environments. Past research clearly shows that when target sources are spatially separated from maskers, compared with target-masker being co-located, children as young as 2–3 years old demonstrate improved speech understanding. This effect is known as spatial release from masking (SRM). Generally, studies have used free-field or dichotic listening; hence, the contributions of head shadow, loudness summation, and binaural unmasking to SRM are unknown in children. This study aimed to quantify these factors in virtual auditory space. By varying the target-masker spatial configurations (co-located versus separated) and ear conditions (monaural versus binaural), speech understanding benefit was defined as improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio to achieve an accuracy of 50%. Results from 29 children with normal hearing (6–15 years old) show that head shadow cues are dominant in providing benefit, followed by binaural unmasking. Loudness summation, through increased intensity by listening with both ears, provided little to no benefit. No age effects were found. Results also suggest a re-balancing between cues depending on listening strategies adopted by children. For example, children who relied more on binaural unmasking received less benefit for speech understanding from head shadow. [Work supported by NIH-NIDCD.]
Dynamic Failure of Pure Tungsten Carbide Under Simultaneous Compression and Shear Plate Impact Loading

In this paper, we present the results from a series of plate impact experiments designed to study dynamic response of commercial 99.6% purity tungsten carbide (WC) under simultaneous compression-and-shear stress wave loading. The symmetric oblique plate-impact experiments are conducted using progressively increasing angles of inclination (5°, 10°, and 22°). The longitudinal and transverse components of the measured particle velocity history at the free surface of the target plate in experiments with inclination angles of up to 10° and impact velocities ~100 m/s coincide well with their corresponding elastic particle velocity predictions. However, the normal particle velocity profiles for experiments conducted at an oblique impact angle of 22° are markedly different and exhibit a sudden increase in particle velocity from their plateau levels reminiscent of failure waves observed by other investigators in soda lime glass and silicon carbide (SIC-B). The increase in normal particle velocity (recompression/re-acceleration signal) in the shocked state of the target and the relatively large undulations present in the measured transverse particle velocity profiles are indicative of heterogeneous dynamic brittle failure processes in WC under the simple-shear state of stress, and are used to provide estimates for the critical range of pure-shear (tensile) loading that can initiate catastrophic failure in pure WC.
Fine-Grained Energy Efficiency Using Per-Core DVFS with an Adaptive Runtime System

Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is a well-known technique to reduce the power and/or energy consumption of various applications. While most processors provide chip-level DVFS, where the frequency and voltage of the cores in a chip can only be changed all together; core-level DVFS, where each core can be controlled independently, requires core-level voltage regulators in hardware and only is supported in production in Haswell generation among Intel processors. The finer grained control that per-core DVFS provides can lead to higher energy efficiency compared to chip-level DVFS especially for the unsynchronized, unstructured parallel applications when carefully applied. Ability to do per-core DVFS opens up new doors for different optimizations within runtime systems. We implement an intelligent energy efficient runtime module which uses a fine-grained function level per-core DVFS approach. Our module finds the energy-optimal frequency for each phase/function/kernel of the application over the first few iterations and applies the optimal frequency for each function. We test our implementation on Haswell processors and show that our algorithm enables 4% to 35% energy reduction over chip-level DVFS with as much as performance.
Identification of Secondary Metabolites from Aspergillus pachycristatus by Untargeted UPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS and Genome Mining

Aspergillus pachycristatus is an industrially important fungus for the production of the antifungal echinocandin B and is closely related to model organism A. nidulans. Its secondary metabolism is largely unknown except for the production of echinocandin B and sterigmatocystin. We constructed mutants for three genes that regulate secondary metabolism in A. pachycristatus NRRL 11440, and evaluated the secondary metabolites produced by wild type and mutants strains. The secondary metabolism was explored by metabolic networking of UPLC-HRMS/MS data. The genes and metabolites of A. pachycristatus were compared to those of A. nidulans FGSC A4 as a reference to identify compounds and link them to their encoding genes. Major differences in chromatographic profiles were observable among the mutants. At least 28 molecules were identified in crude extracts that corresponded to nine characterized gene clusters. Moreover, metabolic networking revealed the presence of a yet unexplored array of secondary metabolites, including several undescribed fellutamides derivatives. Comparative reference to its sister species, A. nidulans, was an efficient way to dereplicate known compounds, whereas metabolic networking provided information that allowed prioritization of unknown compounds for further metabolic exploration. The mutation of global regulator genes proved to be a useful tool for expanding the expression of metabolic diversity in A. pachycristatus.
Influence of Poultry Litter Amendment Type and Irrigation Events on Survival and Persistence of Salmonella Newport.

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport is a bacterial foodborne pathogen isolated from several environmental reservoirs on the Delmarva Peninsula and has been associated with several produce-related outbreaks. However, little is known about specific interactions between Salmonella Newport and soil amendments used as fertilizers. The purpose of this study was to determine Salmonella Newport persistence and resuscitation in raw poultry litter (PLR), a common biological soil amendment, and in soils containing poultry litter-based (heat-treated poultry pellets [HTPP]) or chemical fertilizer (urea [U]) amendments to provide equivalent levels of nitrogen to the soil. Inoculated samples were stored in a growth chamber and irrigated regularly over 4 weeks. Soil samples were collected every week for 4 weeks to determine moisture content and surviving Salmonella Newport populations (log CFU per gram dry weight). Data were analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance and Student's t test. The PLR supported significantly higher (5.07 log CFU/g dry weight [gdw]) populations of Salmonella Newport than HTPP only (1.70 log CFU/gdw). However, PLR-amended (PRLA) soil (2.5 log CFU/gdw) samples had significantly (P < 0.05) lower Salmonella Newport populations compared with HTPP-amended (4.5 log CFU/gdw) and U-amended (4.0 log CFU/gdw) soil samples. The effect of irrigation on Salmonella Newport population levels in PRLA soils was significant, and in a comparative study, the overall increase in the pathogen levels in U-amended soil (mean = 1.12 log CFU/gdw) was significantly greater than that in PLRA soil (mean = 0.54 log CFU/gdw), whereas that in HTPP-amended soil (0.80 log CFU/gdw) was not significantly different from PLRA soil. HIGHLIGHTS
Serine 319 phosphorylation is necessary and sufficient to induce a Cx37 conformation that leads to arrested cell cycling

Connexin 37 (Cx37; protein product of GJA4) expression profoundly suppresses proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells in a manner dependent on gap junction channel (GJCh) functionality and the presence and phosphorylation status of its C-terminus (CT). In Rin cells, growth is arrested upon induced Cx37 expression and serine 319 (S319) is frequently phosphorylated. Here, we show that preventing phosphorylation at this site (alanine substitution; S319A) relieved Cx37 of its growth-suppressive effect whereas mimicking phosphorylation at this site (aspartate substitution; S319D) enhanced the growth-suppressive properties of Cx37. Like wild-type Cx37 (Cx37-WT), Cx37-S319D GJChs and hemichannels (HChs) preferred the closed state, rarely opening fully, and gated slowly. In contrast, Cx37-S319A channels preferred open states, opened fully and gated rapidly. These data indicate that phosphorylation-dependent conformational differences in Cx37 protein and channel function underlie Cx37-induced growth arrest versus growth-permissive phenotypes. That the closed state of Cx37-WT and Cx37-S319D GJChs and HChs favors growth arrest suggests that rather than specific permeants mediating cell cycle arrest, the closed conformation instead supports interaction of Cx37 with growth regulatory proteins that result in growth arrest.
Neonatal Fibrin Scaffolds Promote Enhanced Cell Adhesion, Migration, and Wound Healing In Vivo Compared to Adult Fibrin Scaffolds

Fibrin scaffolds are often utilized to treat chronic wounds. The monomer fibrinogen used to create such scaffolds is typically derived from adult human or porcine plasma. However, our previous studies have identified extensive differences in fibrin network properties between adults and neonates, including higher fiber alignment in neonatal networks. Wound healing outcomes have been linked to fibrin matrix structure, including fiber alignment, which can affect the binding and migration of cells. We hypothesized that fibrin scaffolds derived from neonatal fibrin would enhance wound healing outcomes compared to adult fibrin scaffolds. Fibrin scaffolds were formed from purified adult or neonatal fibrinogen and thrombin then structural analysis was conducted via confocal microscopy. Human neonatal dermal fibroblast attachment, migration, and morphology on fibrin scaffolds were assessed. A murine full thickness injury model was used to compare healing in vivo in the presence of neonatal fibrin, adult fibrin, or saline. Distinct fibrin architectures were observed between adult and neonatal scaffolds. Significantly higher fibroblast attachment and migration was observed on neonatal scaffolds compared to adults. Cell morphology on neonatal scaffolds exhibited higher spreading compared to adult scaffolds. In vivo significantly smaller wound areas and greater epidermal thickness were observed when wounds were treated with neonatal fibrin compared to adult fibrin or a saline control. Distinctions in neonatal and adult fibrin scaffold properties influence cellular behavior and wound healing. These studies indicate that fibrin scaffolds sourced from neonatal plasma could improve healing outcomes compared to scaffolds sourced from adult plasma.
Mobile Sensing for Wind Field Estimation in Wind Farms

This paper introduces a novel approach for estimating the wind field over an entire wind farm using a mobile sensor to collect limited amounts of data. The proposed method estimates the boundary conditions of a simplified turbine wake model by computing the model sensitivity matrix and using a recursive least-squares algorithm to recover the model parameters from the wind field measurements. To address the fact that it is not practical to take measurements across the entire wind farm, the proposed method classifies each area on the map based on its sensitivity to parameter variations. This classification is then used to generate a suitable path for a mobile sensor, which is charged with collecting data for the recursive least-squares algorithm. The proposed framework can successfully estimate the model boundary conditions using just the measurements collected along the path of the mobile sensor. This preliminary result paves the way for using real-time wind field estimates for the coordinated control of all the turbines within a wind farm.
Harmonic Functions on Compactly Generated Groups

A compactly generated group is noncompact if and only if it admits a nonconstant Lipschitz harmonic function (for some, equivalently for every, reasonable measure). This generalizes the known fact that a finitely generated group is infinite if and only if it admits a nonconstant harmonic function (for some, equivalently every, reasonable measure).
How the Guardianship System Can Help Address Gun Violence.

This article shows how state guardianship law can provide a mechanism for courts to reduce gun violence by removing the right to possess firearms from individuals found, after hearing and due proce...
RegData: A numerical database on industry-specific regulations for all United States industries and federal regulations, 1997–2012

We introduce RegData, formerly known as the Industry-specific Regulatory Constraint Database. RegData annually quantifies federal regulations by industry and regulatory agency for all federal regulations from 1997–2012. The quantification of regulations at the industry level for all industries is without precedent. RegData measures regulation for industries at the two, three, and four-digit levels of the North American Industry Classification System. We created this database using text analysis to count binding constraints in the wording of regulations, as codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, and to measure the applicability of regulatory text to different industries. We validate our measures of regulation by examining known episodes of regulatory growth and deregulation, as well as by comparing our measures to an existing, cross-sectional measure of regulation. Researchers can use this database to study the determinants of industry regulations and to study regulations’ effects on a massive array of dependent variables, both across industries and time.
Investigation of Surrogate Performance Related Tests for Fatigue Cracking of Asphalt Pavements

This paper studies the relationship between laboratory measurements of fatigue performance and fracture performance of conventional asphalt mixtures, asphalt mixtures with reclaimed asphalt pavemen...
Leistungsintensität und Medizinischer Leistungsstandard — Erkennbare Grenzen der Leistungsarten- und -Häufigkeitsanalyse

Ausgehend von der datenmasigen Abbildung des gesamten Leistungsgeschehens wird auf mogliche und bereits beobachtbare Fehlentwicklungen hingewiesen, die sich aus einer zu einseitigen und vor allem zu engen Definition des Begriffes „medizinische Leistung“ im Sinne zahl- und tarifierbarer „Aktionen“ ergeben konnen, insbesonders dann, wenn diese zum dominierenden Element von Wirtschaftlichkeitsuntersuchungen und Kosten- und Leistungsrechnungen erhoben werden.
Usual intakes of nutrients among children 2-5 years in Hays County, Texas reveal nutritional risk

Nationally, usual intakes of young children meet or exceed dietary reference intakes (DRI). Regional studies are needed to assess diets in high-risk communities, such as San Marcos, TX in Hays Coun...
Abstract MP10: Traditional Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation in Individuals with Normal Left Atrial Size: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: Traditional risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) likely contribute to the pathogenesis of AF through their effects on left atrial (LA) enlargement. However, little is known about risk factors for AF in individuals with normal LA size. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the risk factors for AF differ between individuals with normal and enlarged LA. Methods: LA diameter was measured by cardiac echocardiography in participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study during 2011 - 13. AF was defined by ECGs and/or hospital discharge ICD-9 codes. Gender-specific cut points (3.9 cm for females and 4.1 cm for males were used to dichotomize the sample into normal and enlarged LA. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, race, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol use (>1 drink/day), height, weight, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and exercise (>1 day per week) were used to evaluate risk factors for AF among ARIC participants with and withou...
Overview of the MVP sensor planning system for robotic vision tasks

In this paper, we present an overview of the MVP sensor planning system that we have developed. MVP automatically determines viewpoints for a robotic vision system so that object features of interest are simultaneously visible, inside the field-of-view, in-focus and magnified as required. We have analytically characterized the domain of admissible camera locations, orientations and optical settings for which each of the above feature detectability requirements is satisfied separately. In addition, we have posed the problem in an optimization setting in order to determine viewpoints that satisfy all requirements simultaneously and with a margin. Experimental results are shown of this technique when all the above feature detectability constraints are included. Camera views are taken from the computed viewpoints by a robot vision system that is positioned and its lens is set according to the results of this method.
“You can't build your way out of congestion.” – Or can you?

The phenomenon of induced traffic was recognized (if rarely measured) even before the automotive age. Its existence calls into question the effectiveness of road construction as a solution to traffic congestion. Why, then, has it rarely been factored into highway investment decisions? An examination of references to induced traffic suggests that it posed an inconvenient complication to a consensus that had emerged by the 1920s. That consensus endorsed automotive mobility along with a commitment to keep building road space as long as traffic grew to fill it. Recent research challenges the factual assumptions underlying that consensus, but has not yet overturned the deeper beliefs upon which it rests.
Episodic evolution of pyrin in primates: human mutations recapitulate ancestral amino acid states.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF; MIM 249100) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever with synovial, pleural or peritoneal inflammation1. The disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the pyrin protein2,3,4. Human population studies have revealed extremely high allele frequencies for several different pyrin mutations, leading to the conclusion that the mutant alleles confer a selective advantage5,6,7. Here we examine the ret finger protein (rfp) domain (which contains most of the disease-causing mutations) of pyrin during primate evolution. Amino acids that cause human disease are often present as wild type in other species. This is true at positions 653 (a novel mutation), 680, 681, 726, 744 and 761. For several of these human mutations, the mutant represents the reappearance of an ancestral amino acid state. Examination of lineage-specific dN/dS ratios revealed a pattern consistent with the signature of episodic positive selection. Our data, together with previous human population studies, indicate that selective pressures may have caused functional evolution of pyrin in humans and other primates.
Wertheimer, Max (1880–1943)

Max Wertheimer's father Wilhelm directed a private business college for many years; his mother was an accomplished amateur violinist. A competent violinist and pianist himself, Wertheimer was educated at a Catholic school in Prague and then studied at Charles University in Prague, first law and then philosophy and psychology. He was particularly impressed by the teachings of the philosopher-psychologist Christian von Ehrenfels, who in 1890 had published an important paper on form qualities. In 1902, Wertheimer transferred to the University of Berlin, where he studied primarily philosophy and psychology with a number of notable members of the faculty, especially Carl Stumpf. In 1904, he moved to the University of Wurzburg, where he completed his PhD in psychology the same year, under Oswald Kulpe, with a dissertation on the use of the word-association method for the detection of criminal guilt.
Myofibrillar protein synthesis in young and old human subjects after three months of resistance training

Muscle protein synthesis is slower in healthy older men and women than in young adults, but whether this results from relative disuse rather than aging is unclear. The present study was done to examine rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis before and after a 3-mo progressive resistance exercise program in young and old men and women. Protein synthesis was determined by incorporation of the tracer L-[1-13C]leucine into myofibrillar proteins obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle by needle biopsy. Before exercise, mean fractional myofibrillar synthesis was 33% slower (P < 0.01) in nine older subjects (62-72 yr old, 5 men and 4 women) than in 9 young subjects (22-31 yr old, 5 men and 4 women). Initial strength, as determined by three-repetition-maximum tests, was significantly less in the older group. Strength and training weights increased similarly in young and old groups, when expressed in relation to baseline values. Posttraining myofibrillar synthesis was determined on the day after the final training session. There was not a significant change in fractional myofibrillar synthesis in either the young or the old group after training, and the rate in the older group remained 27% slower (P < 0.05). Whole body protein turnover increased approximately 10% only in the younger group, and 24-h urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion (an index of myofibrillar proteolysis) was not significantly affected by training. These data suggest that the slower myofibrillar synthesis rate in older subjects cannot be explained by disuse.
Trans‐3′‐hydroxycotinine: Disposition kinetics, effects and plasma levels during cigarette smoking

Aims (3′R,5′S)-trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3-HC) is a major metabolite of nicotine. The aim of this study was to characterize the disposition kinetics of 3-HC in healthy smokers, including metabolism to (3′R,5′S)-trans-3′-hydroxycotinine glucuronide (3-HC-Gluc). We also studied pharmacologic responses to 3-HC and plasma levels of 3-HC in a group of smokers. Methods Eight cigarette smokers were studied on a clinical research ward. After 5 days of supervised nonsmoking, each subject received an intravenous infusion of 3-HC, 4 µg kg−1 min−1 for 60 min. Plasma and urine levels of 3-HC and 3-HC-Gluc and cardiovascular and subjective responses were examined. Plasma levels of 3-HC, nicotine, and cotinine were measured in 62 smokers on up to three occasions. Results The total plasma clearance of 3-HC averaged 1.3 ml min−1 kg−1, of which 63% was renal excretion of unchanged drug. An average of 29% of the dose was excreted as 3-HC-Gluc. 3-HC did not have nicotine-like cardiovascular effects. Conclusions These findings extend our understanding of the quantitative nature of nicotine metabolism. Such data may be of use in quantitating human exposure to nicotine from tobacco and in studying individual variability in nicotine metabolism.
King Arthur Confronts TwIqy Pleading

In the voluminous literature on the Supreme Court's recent forays into pleading, Arthur R. Miller's "From Conley to Twombly to Iqbal: A Double Play on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," 60 Duke L.J. 1 (2010), stands out. He throws down the gauntlet, challenging the members of the Civil Rules Advisory Committee to "determine whether they will reassert their role as independent architects of the Federal Rules, accept that an aspect of their responsibility now may be to codify the Court's Federal Rule decisions, or simply remain silent and defer to case development." Id. at 87. This article is a contribution to a symposium dedicated to Professor Miller. In short statement, it explores the considerations that bear on whether -- and if so, when -- the Civil Rules might be amended to respond to the Court's decisions. One way of viewing the decisions is that the Court believes that the balance between pleading and discovery is not quite right, and, uncertain as to what might be done to improve the situation, has extended an invitation to the lower courts to work through the problem in a common-law process building out of tens of thousands of cases. The process is still playing out, and empirical inquiries continue. Without suggesting that the time has yet come to begin work on specific rules changes, the final part collects illustrations of draft amendments that run the full range. The pleading drafts run from very relaxed standards to standards higher than any suggested by the Court; note the possibility of substancespecific rules; and explore the opportunities for case-specific guidance by the court. Discovery in aid of pleading also is addressed.
Scanning electron microscopy investigation of surface deformation features on α-brass single crystals exposed to cavitation attack

Abstract Two α-brass (99 wt.% Cu and 1 wt.% Zn) single crystals (A and B) were subjected to cavitation attack in a viscous mineral oil using a 20 kHz ultrasonic oscillator. Crystal A had the cube-face (001) plane exposed to cavitation, while crystal B had the (110) dodecahedral plane exposed to cavitation. The deformation and cracking pattern with increased cavitation attack were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The investigation showed that the deformation, the cracking and the resulting erosion were dependent on the orientation of the crystal.
Stability analysis of a tethered airfoil

The stability analysis of a tethered airfoil system is presented and conditions required for the existence of stable equilibrium points are derived. Two cases are investigated: a case where the tether is assumed to be straight; and a second, more general case, where the tether is assumed to take a catenary geometry. For each case, the relevant equations of motion are derived and simulation results are used to validate the mathematical models. Specifically, for the straight tether case, the analytical conditions for stability are derived and simulated. For the catenary case, simulations were performed to investigate how the equilibrium point moves as operating conditions are varied.
Isolation and identification of clara cells from rabbit lung

A procedure has been developed for the isolation of nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells (Clara cells) from rabbit lung. Following pulmonary lavage to eliminate macrosphages, cells (5% Clara cells) were released by digestion with 0.1% Protease I in HEPES-buffered balanced salt solution containing 0.5 mM ethylene glycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid instilled through the trachea. These cells were then separated on the basis of size using the Beckman JE-6 elutriator rotor. The fourth fraction collected from the elutriator contained about 30% Clara cells. This fraction was then layered on a two-polymer aqueous phase system consisting of 5% dextran T500 (DT) and 3.8% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) in sodium phosphate buffer. A cell fraction was obtained from the PEG phase, which included approximately 70% Clara cells. These cells were found to be greater than 90% viable by trypan blue dye exclusion.
Leadership, Individual Differences, and Work-related Attitudes: A Cross-Culture Investigation

This study builds on previous exploratory research (Walumbwa & Lawler, 2003) that examined allocentrism as a moderator of transformational leadership—work-related attitudes and behaviors. Based on survey data collected from 825 employees from China (n= 213), India (n= 210), Kenya (n= 159), and the US (n= 243), we found that individual differences moderated the relationships between leadership and followers’ work-related attitudes. Specifically, allocentrics reacted more positively when they viewed their managers as being more transformational. Idiocentrics reacted more positively when they rated their managers as displaying more transactional contingent reward leadership. The pattern of results was stronger for transformational leadership in more collectivistic cultures among allocentrics and stronger among idiocentrics in individualistic cultures for transactional contingent reward leadership. Implications of these findings for practice and research are discussed. Cette recherche se situe dans le prolongement de travaux exploratoires anterieurs (Walumbwa & Lawler, 2003) qui ont etudie l’allocentrisme comme regulateur de la relation entre le leadership transformationnel et les conduites et attitudes relevant du travail. Nous avons constate, a partir de donnees d’enquete recueillies aupres de 825 salaries chinois (n= 213), indiens (n= 210) kenyens (n= 159) et americains (n= 243), que les differences individuelles regulaient les relations entre le leader et les attitudes des suiveurs liees au travail. Plus particulierement, les allocentriques reagissaient plus positivement quand ils percevaient leurs managers comme etant plutot transformationnel. Les egocentriques reagissaient plus positivement quand ils trouvaient que leurs managers presentaient plutot un leadership transactionnel offrant des recompenses appropriees. La configuration des resultats parle en faveur du leadership transformationnel pour les allocentriques dans les cultures a tendance communautaire et en faveur du leadership transactionnel pour les egocentriques dans les cultures individualistes. On reflechit aux implications de ces resultats pour la recherche et la pratique.
Dynamic contribution to hemispheric mean temperature trends

On the basis of land station data from the Northern Hemisphere, it was determined that roughly half of the temporal variance of monthly mean hemispheric mean anomalies in surface air temperature during the period from 1900 through 1990 were linearly related to the amplitude of a distinctive spatial pattern in which the oceans are anomalously cold and the continents are anomalously warm poleward of 40 degrees north when the hemisphere is warm. Apart from an upward trend since 1975, to which El Nino has contributed, the amplitude time series associated with this pattern resembles seasonally dependent white noise. It is argued that the variability associated with this pattern is dynamically induced and is not necessarily an integral part of the fingerprint of global warming.
Analysis of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacogenomics Data Sets Using VizStruct, A Novel Multidimensional Visualization Technique

Purpose. Data visualization techniques for the pharmaceutical sciences have not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of VizStruct, a multidimensional visualization tool, for applications in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics.
Effects of Daily Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Patterns on Flow and VOC Transport to Groundwater along a Watershed Flow Path

MTBE and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widely observed in shallow groundwater in the United States, especially in urban areas. Previous studies suggest that the atmosphere and/or nonpoint surficial sources could be responsible for some of those VOCs, especially in areas where there is net recharge to groundwater. However, in semi-arid locations where annual potential evapotranspiration can exceed annual precipitation, VOC detections in groundwater can be frequent. VOC transport to groundwater under net discharge conditions has not previously been examined. A numerical model is used here to demonstrate that daily precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET) patterns can have a significant effect on recharge to groundwater, water table elevations, and VOC transport. Ten-year precipitation/ET scenarios from six sites in the United States are examined using both actual daily observed values and average pulsed precipitation. MTBE and tetrachloroethylene transport, including gas-phase diffusion, are considered. The effects of the precipitation/ET scenarios on net recharge and groundwater flow are significant and complicated, especially under low-precipitation conditions when pulsed precipitation can significantly underestimate transport to groundwater. In addition to precipitation and evapotranspiration effects, location of VOC entry into the subsurface within the watershed is important for transport in groundwater. This is caused by groundwater hydraulics at the watershed scale as well as variations in ET within the watershed. The model results indicate that it is important to consider both daily precipitation/ET patterns and location within the watershed in order to interpret VOC occurrence in groundwater, especially in low-precipitation settings.