cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
QoS-aware Relay node Placement for connecting disjoint segments in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) often operate in severe surroundings and may suffer simultaneous failure of multiple nodes which gets the network partitioned into distinct segments. Restoring connectivity among these segments is crucial in order to prevent the negative effects on the application. This paper investigates effective approaches for recovering from the failure for scenarios where the distance between pairs of segments is longer than twice the communication range of a node and inter-segment quality of service (QoS) requirements have to be met. We model the deployment area as a grid. The optimization problem is then mapped to selecting the fewest cell count to populate relay nodes such that all segments are connected and their QoS requirements are fulfilled. Finding the optimal number and position of relay nodes with respect to length and QoS between segments is NP-hard and heuristics are thus pursued. We present a QoS-aware Relay node Placement (QRP) algorithm and validate the performance of QRP through extensive simulation experiments.
Black Heroes and Afrocentric Values in Theatre.

Heroes and the standards of heroism that a culture projects are important techniques for informing a society of behavioral ideals and expectations. One of the most important characteristics of heroism is identification by the members of a culture that produce a particular hero. They must be able to connect their own identities to that of the hero in a manner that is consistent with the values of their culture. People seek to emulate the behavior and incorporate the values of their heroes. The values and behaviors of the hero are reinforced as worthwhile goals. People who belong to the group for which the character is heroic must believe that they have a vested interest in the hero's actions and their outcomes. Linking or transferring one's personal identity to another is closely associated with the concept of empathy. However, this concept of identity bonding is much broader in scope than the emotional connections associated with the Eurocentric concept of empathy. This bonding of identities is simultaneously emotional and cognitive. It can operate on a personal level, a nationalistic level, or on a number of other subnationalistic levels.
Kinetics of inhibition of Aeromonas aminopeptidase by leucine methyl ketone derivatives

Abstract A number of methyl ketones have been prepared from l -leucine and found to be competitive inhibitors of Aeromonas aminopeptidase. These inhibitors were leucine methyl ketone (K i 18 μ m ), leucine chloromethyl ketone (K i 0.67 μ m ), and leucine bromomethyl ketone (K i 0.20 μ m ), and the corresponding succinimido derivative (K i 170 μ m ), succinamic acid derivative (K i 6.9 μ m ) and phthalimido derivative (K i 140 μ m ). Reversible inhibition was observed for all of the inhibitors tested, indicating that the active site of this enzyme is not alkylated or acylated by the nucleophile-sensitive components of some of the inhibitors. The chloromethyl ketones derived from l -leucine and l -phenylalanine were found to have the same relative binding constants as the substrates, l -leucinamide and l -phenylalaninamide.
Proceedings of the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM)

The Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM) is dedicated to promoting excellence in teaching internal medicine to students in allopathic medical schools in the United States and Canada. Wit...
OREGON'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Oregon community colleges were established by legislative statute in 1961, enabling local citizens to form districts that would be comprehensive and community based. Locally elected boards were empowered to ensure flexible quality education and services to meet the changing needs of the districts. In the 1960s and 1970s, state resources, combined with local taxes and private initiatives, supported campus development. The initial comprehensive mission of the colleges served well to the present. Recent enhancements in mission statements have expanded comprehensiveness responsive to community need. Each college has developed distinguishing characteristics widely recognized and appreciated. Local boards are supported by the Oregon State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and the Office of Community College Services. The Oregon Community College Association and the Oregon Presidents' Council develop statewide leadership for the college network. State legislation on education reform and workforce ...
Behavior Rule Based Intrusion Detection for Supporting Secure Medical Cyber Physical Systems

In this paper we propose a behavior-rule specification-based intrusion detection (BSID) technique of medical devices (sensors or actuators) embedded in a medical cyber physical system (MCPS) in which the patient's safety is of the utmost importance. We investigate the impact of attacker behaviors on the effectiveness of our malware detection technique. Using vital sign monitor medical devices as an example, we demonstrate that our intrusion detection technique can effectively trade false positives for a high detection probability to cope with more sophisticated and hidden attackers to support ultra safe and secure MCPS applications.
Generation of IL1-like activity in response to biomedical polymer implants: a comparison of in vitro and in vivo models

Of the many factors determining host biocompatibility responses to implanted biomedical polymers, the cellular interactions at the tissue/material interface have been recognized to be some of the most important. The present study has combined results both from an in vitro cell culture system and from an in vivo animal model to examine this host response. In vitro results suggest that a variety of polymer materials can differentially activate human monocytes to produce a protein(s) having different biological activities. The polymers tested induce the production of the regulatory inflammatory protein interleukin 1 as well as a factor that enhances fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. The observed activities of these factors appear to be related but not identical, and are dependent upon the specific polymer. Evaluation of exudate and tissue responses to these same polymer materials in an in vivo model are also presented. Both in vitro and in vivo results support the hypothesis that monocyte/macrophage activation with subsequent synthesis of regulatory factors such as interleukin 1 plays a significant role in determining the host response to biomedical polymer implants.
The Redundancy of Mouse Carcinogenicity Bioassays

Abstract Testing of chemicals for carcinogenic potential usually involves studies in rats and mice. The approaches followed in recent years often were limited to assessing tumor incidences and rarely viewed such information from the perspective of other kinds of toxicity. This practice supports the notion that certain chemicals possess the inherent characteristic of carcinogenic activity, which once identified in one species must be regarded as potential oncogenic hazard to all, including man. As long as public policy is based upon that premise, the classification of chemicals depends upon the worst results obtained in any species. It is not obvious why substances must be tested in both rats and mice when confirmatory or contradictory responses have little impact. Recent experience was examined to build a basis for an alternate approach. Review of oncogenicity information obtained for 273 chemicals fed to rats and mice shows that both species responded similarly to the majority of the substances tested. This “redundancy” probably would be higher had modern protocols been used. In view of the high cost in scientific resources of chronic studies, tests in only one rodent would be more cost effective. Reasons are presented for favoring the rat as the species to be used. Some of the savings thus achieved should be expended to improve the design of the experiments to yield toxicology data more comprehensive than mere tumor counts, so that the proper perspective can be obtained on the results.
The highest priority: what microbial genomes are telling us about immunity

Study of microbial genomes has provided new insight into the functions that pathogens require for survival in the animal host. Small genome bacterial pathogens, defined as those < or = 1/3 the size of Escherichia coli, include chlamydiae, rickettsiae and ehrlichiae, mycoplasmas, and spirochetes. The small genome size is believed to result from reductive evolution, a process of initial mutation with loss of function followed by progressive accumulation of mutations and eventual gene deletion. This is most notable in the 1.1 Mb genome of Rickettsia prowazekki in which 24% of the genome is non-coding, as compared to approximately 10% in the 4.4 Mb E. coli. Consequently, these pathogens are thus presumed to retain only the most important functions for survival and propagation. There is consistent evidence from small genomes that the genetic deletion is primarily related to the loss of metabolic function and especially reduction of multiple overlapping pathways and duplicated genes. Thus, these pathogens undergo progressive reduction in their genomes yet maintain the ability to infect, survive within, and cause disease in animals. In the face of this reductive process, what genes and associated functions are maintained? Strikingly, these pathogens devote a high percentage of their genomes to paralogous families of polymorphic surface molecules. This retention suggests that evasion of the immune response is the highest priority of obligate microbial pathogens and provides a strategy for identifying protective antigens for vaccine development to control disease.
Small-angle X-ray scattering study of intramuscular fish bone: collagen fibril superstructure determined from equidistant meridional reflections

New insights into the bone collagen fibril superstructure have been obtained by novel small-angle X-ray scattering analysis. The analysis was carried out on the small-angle equidistant meridional reflections resulting from the periodic structure of collagen fibrils in their axial direction. Conventional two-dimensional analysis is difficult because of the large discrepancy of longitudinal and lateral length scales for individual fibrils, as well as their preferred orientation. The new approach represents an unapproximated analysis of the equidistant meridional reflections, which takes the exact separation of preferred orientation and fibril size effects into account. The analytical results (e.g. axial period, fibril diameter etc.) agree well with the parameters obtained from transmission electron microscopy.
Optimization of MOCVD-diffused p-InP for planar avalanche photodiodes

Abstract We investigate the materials properties and dark currents of planar InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in which the p-dopant, Zn, is introduced by diffusion in an MOCVD reactor using dimethylzinc (DMZn) as the source. APD dark currents are compared with low-temperature photoluminescence (PL), electrochemical capacitance–voltage (ECV) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) measurements of layers diffused under the same set of conditions. Device dark currents exhibit both surface-related and bulk contributions, with the bulk contribution appearing as a step increase in the current near the punch-through voltage. The bulk dark current contribution depends on the diffusion process parameters and is correlated with the total Zn incorporation and the intensities of the InP and InGaAs PL peaks. A variation of three orders of magnitude is observed in the bulk dark current contribution as diffusion conditions are varied.
Biochemical evidence that Patched is the Hedgehog receptor

The protein Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is essential for a variety of patterning events during development. It is the signal from the notochord that induces ventral cell fate in the neural tube and somites, and is the polarizing signal for patterning of the anterior-posterior axis of the developing limb bud. Because of these and other inductive functions of Shh, it is important to understand how the Hedgehog (Hh) signal is received by the target cells. Here we describe binding studies using labelled Shh that strongly suggest that the Hh receptor is encoded by patched (ptc), a gene first identified in genetic screens in Drosophila.
Quantitative Habitat Associations of Small Mammals along an Elevational Transect in Temperate Rainforests of Chile

Distribution and abundance of small mammals in temperate Andean rainforests are correlated with elevation. To interpret such patterns, we examined elevational variation in habitats and habitat use by small mammals. Elevation accounts for significant variation in 22 of 24 habitat metrics, reflecting the diminishing stature and more open canopies of higher-elevation rainforests. Principal-components analysis of habitat shows significant multivariate effects of elevation. Mammal species differ significantly in use of about half of the habitat variables, in ways generally consistent with morphology, behavior, and diet. Abundant species appear to occupy typical habitats along the transect, whereas rarer species are associated with more distinctive habitat types. Species overlap substantially in their use of habitats, but analyses of trap captures indicate that species are segregated at finer spatial scales. Spatial segregation at this scale may contribute to the coexistence of abundant species and congeners. Elevational variation in habitat and specific habitat associations provide a plausible explanation for correlations of mammalian distribution and abundance with elevation.
Optical spectra of some octahedral transition metal fluorides as calculated by multiple scattering method

Abstract The electronic spectra of the octahedral clusters TiF 3− 6 , CrF 3− 6 , MnF 2− 6 , NiF 2− 6 , and NiF 4− 6 are calculated using the multiple-scattering model with statistical exchange. The agreement is satisfactory, indicating that this simple method can be used for detailed investigations of the electronic structure of transition metal complexes.
Application of cross-conjugated heteroaromatic betaines to the synthesis of the schizozygane alkaloid (+/-)-strempeliopine.

An efficient stereocontrolled route to the isoschizozygane alkaloid core has been developed utilizing an intramolecular 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition of a cross-conjugated heteroaromatic betaine. The resulting cycloadduct undergoes loss of COS, and further reduction delivers a 5a-azaacenaphthylene intermediate that was transformed into the isoschizozygane skeleton upon treatment with acid. A variation of this tactic was then employed for a synthesis of the hexacyclic framework of the shizozygane alkaloid (±)-strempeliopine. The key step of the synthesis corresponds to an intramolecular 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition of a heteroaromatic betaine across a tethered 4-((2-nitrophenyl)but-3-enyl) side chain. Catalytic reduction of the nitro group followed by reaction with NBS resulted in the formation of the required pentacyclic indoline framework of the target alkaloid. Closure of the final ring of the shizozygane skeleton was carried using an oxidative cyclization.
Temporal and spatial variability of the bottom nepheloid layer over a deep-sea fan

Abstract Analysis of 121 in-situ nephelometer profiles recorded in the waters above Nitinat Deep-Sea Fan during three cruises between 1971 and 1974 reveals a substantial degree of correlation between fan topography and the vertical distribution of suspended particulate matter within 150 m of the sea floor. Profiles recorded above different topographic provinces may be generalized into two structural classes which have retained their characteristic features throughout the 4-year observation period: the levee type, in which a thin bottom nepheloid layer consists of a single steep scattering gradient sharply capped by the overlying clearer water; and the fan-valley type, in which a bottom nepheloid layer of variable thickness and prominent internal layering dissipates only gradually into the overlying clearer water. Although the source of the particles which form the bottom nepheloid layer has not yet been definitely identified, the multi-year stability of scattering intensity, thickness, and internal structure imply that it is maintained by some combination of continually operative processes, rather than by infusions of material from episodic events such as turbidity currents.
A method for determining the average precipitation between curved isohyets

A method is presented to enable the hydrologist to make more accurate computations, based on the isohyetal method, of precipitation volume over an area. Essentially, the method is concerned with determining the average precipitation value in areas between curved isohyets. The technique is developed for circular concentric isohyets but is extended to other cases. An overlay-nomogram is utilized for the computations.
BS Seeker: precise mapping for bisulfite sequencing

Bisulfite sequencing using next generation sequencers yields genome-wide measurements of DNA methylation at single nucleotide resolution. Traditional aligners are not designed for mapping bisulfite-treated reads, where the unmethylated Cs are converted to Ts. We have developed BS Seeker, an approach that converts the genome to a three-letter alphabet and uses Bowtie to align bisulfite-treated reads to a reference genome. It uses sequence tags to reduce mapping ambiguity. Post-processing of the alignments removes non-unique and low-quality mappings. We tested our aligner on synthetic data, a bisulfite-converted Arabidopsis library, and human libraries generated from two different experimental protocols. We evaluated the performance of our approach and compared it to other bisulfite aligners. The results demonstrate that among the aligners tested, BS Seeker is more versatile and faster. When mapping to the human genome, BS Seeker generates alignments significantly faster than RMAP and BSMAP. Furthermore, BS Seeker is the only alignment tool that can explicitly account for tags which are generated by certain library construction protocols. BS Seeker provides fast and accurate mapping of bisulfite-converted reads. It can work with BS reads generated from the two different experimental protocols, and is able to efficiently map reads to large mammalian genomes. The Python program is freely available at http://pellegrini.mcdb.ucla.edu/BS_Seeker/BS_Seeker.html .
Perception of simple figures drawn upon the body surface.

The study examined 103 Ss' perceptions of finger drawings on the forehead and back of the head. The purpose was to test a hypothesized sex difference and the effect of locus in the degree of congruence with the Frontal Plane Hypothesis (FPH): “Symbols drawn upon anterior or posterior surfaces of the body are perceived as if they were drawn and viewed by S upon one common, transparent two-dimensional surface projected out in front of S” (Duke, 1966, p. 305). Four symbols (⌈,⌉, ⊂, ⊃) were traced on the foreheads and backs of heads of 103 Ss. The results indicate that the FPH does account for a majority of perceptions of finger drawings. No significant sex difference was obtained, but there was significantly greater congruence in the posterior locus.
The end results of health care: Ernest Codman's contribution to quality assessment and beyond.

E.A. Codman's conception and development of the "end result idea" in the 1910s are unduly neglected in the history of health care assessment. The "idea" entailed following patients long enough to determine if treatments proved successful and taking comprehensive measures to prevent new failures if outcomes were undesirable. Codman's work anticipated contemporary approaches to quality monitoring and assurance, establishing accountability, and allocating and managing resources efficiently, among other assessment features. Complexity and ambiguity in health care objectives, decision making, and role responsibilities as well as costs today hinder full application of his vision, but refinement of these factors proceeds in the directions Codman set forth.
Experimental Layer-Wound Mock-Up Coil for HTS MRI Magnet Using BSCCO Tape

Typical coils with BSCCO tape are wound in a pancake or double-pancake style to minimize the strain in the tape by reducing or eliminating the edge-wise bending. Stainless steel reinforced tapes are frequently used in the winding process to increase the strength and reduce the strain due to winding tension and handling. However, an MRI magnet requires high current density in the winding pack. This high current density in the winding pack gives a higher field in the imaging volume and also allows for a reduction in the overall magnet size. Layer winding was preferred for a better tolerance control and for a reduction in the number of joints, which are known sources of resistance and therefore locations of instability in the coil. A mock-up coil was wound using a high-current-density type of BSCCO tape without the typical stainless steel reinforcement. The coil was layer-wound which involved a few inline lap joints embedded in the winding pack. The test of the coil reveals a few issues that need to be addressed. Investigations and analysis lead to a better understanding of the issues. This paper discusses the lessons learned and solutions for using non-reinforced tape in a layer-wound coil, while controlling insulation dimensions within the build.
Gene transcription is coordinated with, but not dependent on, cell divisions during C. elegans embryonic fate specification

Cell differentiation and proliferation are coordinated during animal development, but the link between them remains uncharacterized. To examine this relationship, we combined single-molecule RNA imaging with time-lapse microscopy to generate high-resolution measurements of transcriptional dynamics in Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis. We found that globally slowing the overall development rate of the embryo by altering temperature or by mutation resulted in cell proliferation and transcription slowing, but maintaining, their relative timings, suggesting that cell division may directly control transcription. However, using mutants with specific defects in cell cycle pathways that lead to abnormal lineages, we found that the order between cell divisions and expression onset can switch, showing that expression of developmental regulators is not strictly dependent on cell division. Delaying cell divisions resulted in only slight changes in absolute expression time, suggesting that expression and proliferation are independently entrained to a separate clock-like process. These changes in relative timing can change the number of cells expressing a gene at a given time, suggesting that timing may help determine which cells adopt particular transcriptional patterns. Our results place limits on the types of mechanisms that are used during normal development to ensure that division timing and fate specification occur at appropriate times.
Cessation and persistence of wife assault: A longitudinal analysis.

Patterns of wife assault, rates of cessation, and the effect of cessation on psychological aggression were evaluated in a three-year longitudinal study of 772 couples. More than one-third of the men who had been violent in the year prior to the initial survey ceased or interrupted their violence and showed significant reductions in their psychological aggression during the course of the study. Implications for the conceptualization and further study of wife assault are discussed.
Pre- and post-bronchodilator lung function as predictors of mortality in the Lung Health Study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is supposed to be classified on the basis of postbronchodilator lung function. Most longitudinal studies of COPD, though, do not have post-bronchodilator lung function available. We used pre-and post bronchodilator lung function data from the Lung Health Study to determine whether these measures differ in their ability to predict mortality. Methods: We limited our analysis to subjects who were of black or white race, on whom we had complete data, and who participated at either the 1 year or the 5 year follow-up visit. We classified subjects based on their baseline lung function, according to COPD Classification criteria using both pre- and post-bronchodilator lung function. We conducted a survival analysis and logistic regression predicting death and controlling for age, sex, race, treatment group, smoking status, and measures of lung function (either pre- or post-bronchodilator. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and also calculated area under the curve for the logistic regression models. Results: By year 15 of the study, 721 of the original 5,887 study subjects had died. In the year 1 sample survival models, a higher FEV1 % predicted lower mortality in both the pre-bronchodilator (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81, 0.94 per 10% increase) and post-bronchodilator (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77, 0.90) models. The area under the curve for the respective models was 69.2% and 69.4%. Similarly, using categories, when compared to people with “normal” lung function, subjects with Stage 3 or 4 disease had similar mortality in both the pre- (HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.75, 3.03) and post-bronchodilator (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.41, 5.15) models. In the year 5 sample, when a larger proportion of subjects had Stage 3 or 4 disease (6.4% in the pre-bronchodilator group), mortality was significantly increased in both the pre- (HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.51, 4.75) and post-bronchodilator (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.63, 3.73) models. Conclusions: Both pre- and post-bronchodilator lung function predicted mortality in this analysis with a similar degree of accuracy. Post-bronchodilator lung function may not be needed in population studies that predict longterm outcomes.
The Context Interchange mediator prototype

The Context Interchange strategy presents a novel approach for mediated data access in which semantic conflicts among heterogeneous systems are not identified a priori, but are detected and reconciled by a context mediator through comparison of contexts. This paper reports on the implementation of a Context Interchange Prototype which provides a concrete demonstration of the features and benefits of this integration strategy.
Hydrological alteration along the Missouri River Basin: A time series approach

Human alteration of large rivers is common- place, often resulting in significant changes in flow char- acteristics. We used a time series approach to examine daily mean flow data from locations throughout the main- stem Missouri River. Data from a pre-alteration period (1925-1948) were compared with a post-alteration pe- riod (1967-1996), with separate analyses conducted us- ing either data from the entire year or restricted to the spring fish spawning period (1 April - 30 June). Daily mean flows were significantly higher during the post-al- teration period at all locations. Flow variability was markedly reduced during the post-alteration period as a probable result of flow regulation and climatological shifts. Daily mean flow during the spring fish spawning period was significantly lower during the post-alteration period at the most highly altered locations in the middle portion of the river, but unchanged at the least altered lo- cations in the upper and lower portions of the river. Our data also corroborate other analyses, using alternate sta- tistical approaches, that suggest similar changes to the Missouri River system. Our results suggest human alter- ations on the Missouri River, particularly in the middle portion most strongly affected by impoundments and channelization, have resulted in changes to the natural flow regime.
Dipolar Measurements of Hydrogen in Amorphous Silicon

The dipolar interaction of hydrogen (~ 10 at. %) in boron-doped amorphous silicon has been studied using the Jeener-Broekaert pulse sequence. The sample was prepared on an Al foil substrate at a temperature of 230°C using a standard glow discharge system (operating at 1 W rf power). The diborane/silane ration was 10-4. The same sample was removed from the Al substrate using dilute hydrochloric acid. The Jeener-Broekaert pulse sequence consists of three pulses: τ2|xχ - τ1 - τ4|yχ - τ2| - τ4|yχ - echo. We measured T1D, the dipolar spin lattice relaxation time, for τ1 = 82 μs, τ1 = 100 μ and τ1 = 50 μ at 299°K. The value of τ1D was found to be independent of τ1. At 335°K we found τ1D to be much longer than at room temperature. The values of τ1D at 299 K, 314 K and 335 K are, respectively, 0.7 ms, 1.2 ms and 1.8 ms. From the data we estimate an activation energy for microscopic motion to be ~ 0.2 eV.
Single-agent CEP-701, a novel FLT3 inhibitor, shows biologic and clinical activity in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Activating mutations of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) are present in approximately 30% of patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with lower cure rates from standard chemotherapy-based treatment. Targeting the mutation by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of FLT3 is cytotoxic to cell lines and primary AML cells harboring FLT3 mutations. Successful FLT3 inhibition can also improve survival in mouse models of FLT3-activated leukemia. CEP-701 is an orally available, novel, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits FLT3 autophosphorylation. We undertook a phase 1/2 trial to determine the in vivo hematologic effects of single-agent CEP-701 as salvage treatment for patients with refractory, relapsed, or poor-risk AML expressing FLT3-activating mutations. Fourteen heavily pretreated AML patients were treated with CEP-701 at an initial dose of 60 mg orally twice daily. CEP-701-related toxicities were minimal. Five patients had clinical evidence of biologic activity and measurable clinical response, including significant reductions in bone marrow and peripheral blood blasts. Laboratory data confirmed that clinical responses correlated with sustained FLT3 inhibition to CEP-701. Our results show that FLT3 inhibition is associated with clinical activity in AML patients harboring FLT3-activating mutations and indicate that CEP-701 holds promise as a novel, molecularly targeted therapy for this disease.
Television viewing and hypertension in obese children.

Background Television viewing is strongly associated with an increased risk of childhood and adolescent obesity. However, the association between TV viewing and hypertension in children is unknown. This study aimed to identify whether TV watching is associated with hypertension in obese children. Methods Children seen for obesity, aged 4 to 17 years, were evaluated at three pediatric centers from 2003 to 2005. In 2006–2007, a logistic regression model estimated the odds of hypertension for hours of daily TV time controlling for race, site, and body mass index (BMI) z-score. Results A total of 546 subjects, with a mean age of 12 years, were evaluated. The children had a mean BMI of 35.5±9.3 kg/m 2 (98.7th±0.8 percentile, z-score 2.54±0.4). TV time was positively correlated with the severity of obesity. After controlling for race, site, and BMI z-score, both the severity of obesity and daily TV time were significant independent predictors of the presence of hypertension. Children watching 2 to 4 hours of TV had 2.5 times the odds of hypertension compared with children watching 0 to Conclusions In obese children, the amount of time spent watching TV is associated with both hypertension and the severity of obesity. Thus, TV viewing is a potential target for addressing hypertension in obese children.
Integrating best-effort scheduling into a real-time system

Demand for real-time capability in general-purpose systems is rising and as systems are retrofitted with scheduling features they become increasingly complex. To counter this trend we present the best-effort bandwidth server (BEBS), an aperiodic server for flexible and efficient support of best-effort applications in a real-time system. Recognizing that the responsiveness of a server depends on its period, and that not every best-effort task requires equal responsiveness, the algorithm adjusts its period based on run-time behavior of tasks. We created a prototype implementation of the system to demonstrate that it performs suitably as a general-purpose scheduler in comparison to Linux, and outperforms a common type of hierarchy used in existing general-purpose systems. The result is a system that integrates real-time scheduling with best-effort support, both simple and powerful enough to be used as the only scheduler in a general-purpose operating system.
Increased endogenous H2S generation by CBS, CSE, and 3MST gene therapy improves ex vivo renovascular relaxation in hyperhomocysteinemia

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently been identified as a regulator of various physiological events, including vasodilation, angiogenesis, antiapoptotic, and cellular signaling. Endogenously, H2S is produced as a metabolite of homocysteine (Hcy) by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST). Although Hcy is recognized as vascular risk factor at an elevated level [hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)] and contributes to vascular injury leading to renovascular dysfunction, the exact mechanism is unclear. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether conversion of Hcy to H2S improves renovascular function. Ex vivo renal artery culture with CBS, CSE, and 3MST triple gene therapy generated more H2S in the presence of Hcy, and these arteries were more responsive to endothelial-dependent vasodilation compared with nontransfected arteries treated with high Hcy. Cross section of triple gene-delivered renal arteries immunostaining suggested increased expression of CD31 and VEGF and diminished expression of the antiangiogenic factor endostatin. In vitro endothelial cell culture demonstrated increased mitophagy during high levels of Hcy and was mitigated by triple gene delivery. Also, dephosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated FoxO3 in HHcy were reversed by H2S or triple gene delivery. Upregulated matrix metalloproteinases-13 and downregulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in HHcy were normalized by overexpression of triple genes. Together, these results suggest that H2S plays a key role in renovasculopathy during HHcy and is mediated through Akt/FoxO3 pathways. We conclude that conversion of Hcy to H2S by CBS, CSE, or 3MST triple gene therapy improves renovascular function in HHcy.
Eliminating Design Alternatives Based on Imprecise Information

This paper was presented at the SAE 2006 World Congress, 2006. Reprinted with permission from SAE paper 2006-01-0272 © 2006 SAE International.
The common ancestry of life.

Background It is common belief that all cellular life forms on earth have a common origin. This view is supported by the universality of the genetic code and the universal conservation of multiple genes, particularly those that encode key components of the translation system. A remarkable recent study claims to provide a formal, homology independent test of the Universal Common Ancestry hypothesis by comparing the ability of a common-ancestry model and a multiple-ancestry model to predict sequences of universally conserved proteins.
Towards Civilian Supremacy: Civil-Military Relations in Taiwan's Democratization

While Taiwan has rapidly democratized, civil-military relations have never been viewed as an independent variable that explains this success. Adopting Aguero's notion of civilian supremacy over the military, this article examines Taiwan's progress in the arenas of political neutrality, democratic control, and social impartiality of the armed forces. As the article demonstrates, Taiwan has made considerable progress toward achieving civilian supremacy since 1987. Active military officers no longer serve in positions in the civilian government, while the armed forces no longer oversee internal security or other aspects of domestic policy. The passage of the National Defense Law in 2000 and the growing oversight role of the Legislative Yuan have strengthened the institutions of democratic control. Reconciliation efforts for past abuses by the armed forces and the elimination of mandatory military education programs have increased social impartiality. I argue that four factors explain the progress that Taiwan...
Disruption of Renal Tubular Mitochondrial Quality Control by Myo-Inositol Oxygenase in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury. Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX), a tubular-specific enzyme, modulates redox imbalance and apoptosis in tubular cells in diabetes, but these mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the role of MIOX in perturbation of mitochondrial quality control, including mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy/mitophagy, under high-glucose (HG) ambience or a diabetic state. HK-2 or LLC-PK1 cells subjected to HG exhibited an upregulation of MIOX accompanied by mitochondrial fragmentation and depolarization, inhibition of autophagy/mitophagy, and altered expression of mitochondrial dynamic and mitophagic proteins. Furthermore, dysfunctional mitochondria accumulated in the cytoplasm, which coincided with increased reactive oxygen species generation, Bax activation, cytochrome C release, and apoptosis. Overexpression of MIOX in LLC-PK1 cells enhanced the effects of HG, whereas MIOX siRNA or d-glucarate, an inhibitor of MIOX, partially reversed these perturbations. Moreover, decreasing the expression of MIOX under HG ambience increased PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 expression and the dependent mitofusin-2-Parkin interaction. In tubules of diabetic mice, increased MIOX expression and mitochondrial fragmentation and defective autophagy were observed. Dietary supplementation of d-glucarate in diabetic mice decreased MIOX expression, attenuated tubular damage, and improved renal functions. Notably, d-glucarate administration also partially attenuated mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and restored autophagy/mitophagy in the tubular cells of these mice. These results suggest a novel mechanism linking MIOX to impaired mitochondrial quality control during tubular injury in the pathogenesis of DKD and suggest d-glucarate as a potential therapeutic agent for the amelioration of DKD.
Racing under uncertainty: Boundary value problem approach

Abstract This paper explores the continuous time and continuous space model of racing under uncertainty put forward by Budd, Harris, and Vickers [4] and allows for potentially asymmetric players. To prove the existence of Markov perfect equilibria, I use a boundary value problem formulation which is novel to the dynamic competition literature. In addition, by providing a new and intuitive definition of the pivot of an equilibrium, I show that equilibrium strategies exhibit the discouragement effect similar to that of Harris and Vickers [10] but under a more general class of the cost functions.
Length of Stay and Survival after Intensive Care for Severe Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia: A Prospective Study

Survival rates for persons receiving intensive care for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia have improved. However, the utility of prolonged intensive care for patients who do not show initial improvement remains unclear. We assessed survival in a nested cohort study of patients receiving intensive care while participating in a randomized trial of early adjunctive corticosteroids for Pneumocystis pneumonia. Twenty-eight of 251 (11 percent) participants were admitted to an intensive care unit. Fourteen (50 percent) of these were discharged alive from the intensive care unit and 11 (39 percent) were discharged alive from the hospital. Survivors and nonsurvivors were similar demographically and with respect to treatment received but differed in the mean days of intensive care received (4.5 vs 8.6 [p = 0.02]). The conditional probability surviving to hospital discharge after intensive care dropped steadily from 39 percent at intensive care unit admission to 17 percent after one week and to 0 percent after two weeks.
The phase diagram of the system Li2CrO4K2CrO4

Abstract The Li 2 CrO 4 K 2 CrO 4 phase diagram was determined by using differential thermal analyses with confirmation by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. The outstanding features are the formation of a eutectic composition of ∼22.5 mole% K 2 CrO 4 between Li 2 CrO 4 and the double salt, δ-Li 2 CrO 4 · K 2 CrO 4 , at 390°C; the formation of a congruently melting double salt Li 2 CrO 4 · K 2 CrO 4 with three solid state allotropic forms, γ, δ, and e, the d spacings and colors of which are given; and the formation of a eutectic composition at ∼54 mole% K 2 CrO 4 between αK 2 CrO 4 and the double salt, γ-Li 2 CrO 4 · K 2 CrO 4 , at 525°C.
Elasticity of Product Bias

When entering the U.S. market, every foreign producer faces certain tangible barriers such as quotas and tariffs. In addition, foreign sellers may face serious intangible barriers like consumer bias based on product origin [3]. Eventually unwarranted biases may disappear, and goods may come to be judged on the basis
A Monté Carlo Comparison of Factor Analytic Methods

Three factor analytic procedures, principal components analysis, image analysis, and alpha factor analysis, are compared by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation allows systematic tests...
Optimization of Push Back Time Windows That Ensure Conflict Free Ramp Area Aircraft Trajectories

The scheduling and execution of ramp area operations is a challenging task. Unlike aircraft maneuvers on taxiways, ramp area aircraft maneuvers are typically not conned to well-dened trajectories. The stochastic nature can force ramp area aircraft to slow down or stop along routes to the taxiway spot to avoid a loss of separation. To address this, we provide a tool for ramp controllers to help meet the assigned taxiway spot times. We formulate a mixed integer linear program model to compute the optimal push back windows that ensure conict free trajectories. Initiating the push back within the optimal window ensures each departing aircraft can proceed along the route to the taxiway spot without having to slow down or stop for other trac.
Postural effects on cerebral blood flow and autoregulation.

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is thought to maintain relatively constant cerebral blood flow (CBF) across normal blood pressures. To determine if postural changes alter CA, we measured cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in the middle cerebral arteries, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), cardiac output (Q), and end‐tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO 2) in 18 healthy individuals (11 female and seven male; 26 ± 9 years) during repeated periods of supine and seated rest. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the influence of PETCO 2, MABP, Q, and hydrostatic pressure on CBFv. Static CA was assessed by evaluating absolute changes in steady‐state CBFv. Dynamic CA was assessed by transfer function analysis of the CBFv response to spontaneous oscillations in MABP. In the seated versus supine posture, MABP (67.2 ± 7.2 vs. 84.2 ± 12.1 mmHg; P < 0.001), CBFv (55.2 ± 9.1 vs. 63.6 ± 10.6 cm/sec; P < 0.001) and PETCO 2 (29.1 ± 2.6 vs. 30.9 ± 2.3 mmHg; P < 0.001) were reduced. Changes in CBFv were not explained by variance in PETCO 2, MABP, Q, or hydrostatic pressure. A reduction in MABP to CBFv transfer function gain while seated (P < 0.01) was explained by changes in the power spectrum of MABP, not CBFv. Our findings suggest that changes in steady‐state cerebral hemodynamics between postures do not appear to have a large functional consequence on the dynamic regulation of CBF.
Evaluation of esophageal distensibility in eosinophilic esophagitis: an update and comparison of functional lumen imaging probe analytic methods.

Background Distensibility evaluation of the esophageal body using the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) offers an objective measure to characterize patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), though this analysis may be limited by unrecognized catheter movement and esophageal contractility. The aims of this study were to report novel FLIP analytic methods of esophageal distensibility measurement in EoE and to assess the effect of contractility. Methods Nine healthy controls (six female; ages 20–49) and 20 EoE patients (four female; ages 19–64; grouped by degree of distension-mediated contractility identified on FLIP) were evaluated with a 16-cm FLIP device during step-wise balloon distension during upper endoscopy. A distensibility plateau (DP) was generated using multiple methods to identify the narrowest esophageal body diameter: (i) wavelet decomposition (WD), (ii) maximal diameter (MD), and (iii) FLIP Analytics software. Key Results Distensibility was reduced in EoE patients compared with controls using the WD (p = 0.002) and MD (p = 0.001) methods; a trend was detected using the FLIP Analytics method (p = 0.055). Significant intra-subject differences were detected between methods among both patients and controls (p-values <0.001 to 0.025); the difference was more pronounced among subjects with a greater degree of contractility. DP was <19 mm among 7/9 controls with FLIP Analytics, 6/9 controls with WD, and 0/9 controls using the MD method. Conclusions & Inferences Distension-mediated contractility affects distensibility measurement with the FLIP. Using software-based algorithms, particularly with a method that identifies the maximal-achieved diameters (MD), may improve objective distensibility measurement for clinical research and practice.
Prognostic Implication of Strain Analysis in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: One More Evidence for Ever-Debatable Topic.

REFER TO THE PAGE 128-134 "What is essential is invisible to the eye" - the Little Prince - Despite recent advances in management, patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are still at increased risk for adverse outcomes, even after a timely revascularization.1),2) Therefore, early risk stratification for such patients is of clinical importance. STEMI involves remodeling of the left ventricle (LV); and diseased LV is associated with future adverse outcomes. In this issue of the Journal, Na et al.,3) in their research using 2-dimensional strain technique, demonstrated that global longitudinal strain (GLS) can predict adverse remodeling in patients with STEMI; GLS value, along with left ventricular end-diastolic volume, deceleration time of mitral inflow, and CK-MB level, independently predicted adverse remodeling of the LV, whereas global circumferential strain, net twist, and twist/untwist rate did not. Many studies have reported on the prognostic power of GLS.4),5),6) A strongpoint of this study is the relatively large (n = 208) and homogenous study sample (acute STEMI patients who were treated with a timely successful reperfusion therapy and underwent echocardiographic evaluation for strain analysis within 24 hrs after treatment). In addition, the authors' hypothetical explanation for the data (i.e., GLC, but not global circumferential strain, is a predictor for LV remodeling) in the discussion section of the article seems reasonable. However, this study should not be regarded as the final answer to the many questions and there is skepticism regarding the eye-catching echocardiographic technique. In routine clinical practice, we still resort to mainly visual assessment of myocardial wall motion based on two-dimensional echocardiography when assessing LV performance. Strain analysis is "supposed" to be objective, however there are many obstacles to its wide application in clinical practice, including the issue of reproducibility, time-consuming off-line analysis, good quality echo-images, which are not always easy to obtain, as well as issues regarding vendor-specific differences: reproducibility issues.6) Despite these limitations, there are copious research data supporting the unique strongpoints of strain analysis, and the current research by Na et al.3) sheds light on strain analysis for early prediction of adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients and would at least provide a robust background for further investigation to determine the clinical usefulness of the ever-developing echocardiographic technique.