cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endotoxin Associated Proteins and Their Polyclonal and Adjuvant Activities

The study and analysis of the structure and function of gram-negative bacterial outer membrane proteins in recent years has attracted increasing attention. This interest has developed because of two reasons. First, in the case of several pathogenic organisms, some of these proteins may act as antigens which induce protective immune responses in the host and, second many of the major proteins act as matrix components, ion channels or receptors of various types, all of which are essential to the life of these organisms. Of additional interest is the more recent finding that certain outer membrane proteins have been found to be immunobiologically active in ways other than as specific antigens. This discovery was the outgrowth of experiments on the lymphocytes of the C3H/HeJ mouse which genetically is hyporesponsive to the pathophysiological effects of the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS). The lymphocytes of these mice are deficient in their response to the polyclonal activation of LPS; however, the stimulation of such lymphocytes by selected outer membrane proteins, which are closely associated with but nevertheless separable from the LPS, is essentially normal (18).
TINY KEYS TO UNLOCKING THE KELLWASSER EVENTS: DETAILED CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIC WALLED MICROFOSSILS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTINCTION IN WESTERN NEW YORK STATE

Globally, Upper Devonian sedimentary successions are characterized by multiple organic-rich strata associated with dysoxic to anoxic conditions and biological turnover of varying magnitude, including the Lower and Upper Kellwasser intervals. The cause or causes of the Kellwasser extinction and their relationship to coeval environmental conditions remains actively debated. Here we show that organic-walled microfossils (OWMs) are preserved within the Kellwasser intervals at two localities in western New York State that are otherwise devoid of macrofossils. While OWMs are significantly more abundant within the Upper Kellwasser interval, the assemblages are slightly more diverse within the Lower Kellwasser interval, including two distinct smooth-walled leiosphere populations based on size and, in the more proximal locality, acanthomorphic (spinose) forms. Mo and U concentrations at these localities range from 1–86 ppm and 2–14 ppm respectively, and support oxygen stress, but not persistent anoxia or euxinia, through these events. Notably the Lower Kellwasser exhibits both greater OWM variability and more evidence of anoxic conditions, while the Upper Kellwasser exhibits relatively consistent OWM assemblages and more dysoxic conditions. We interpret OWM abundance, especially large leiosphere forms, as a possible signal of algal blooms potentially associated with eutrophication. Our results suggest that eutrophication may have played a larger role during the Lower Kellwasser event than during the Upper Kellwasser event and demonstrate how OWMs can provide an important link between primary productivity, eutrophication, and the deposition of organic rich-strata.
Genome Sequences of 20 Georeferenced Aspergillus flavus Isolates.

ABSTRACT Several agricultural commodities can be infected by Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that can produce the carcinogen aflatoxin. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences for 20 georeferenced isolates collected from soil and corn under field conditions. This information contributes to an understanding of A. flavus population structure and dynamics in a field environment.
The fight for fair housing: Causes, consequences, and future implications of the 1968 Federal Fair Housing Act

This volume edited by Gregory Squires is one of the best of the many compilations that have marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The writing is uniformly good and accessible, the ch...
Adaptation of voicing: effects of ear presentation and acoustic energy variables

Abstract: Although empirical evidence from the selective adaptation paradigm supports peripheral and central processes of phonetic variables, little research exists on levels of perceptual processing of acoustic energy variables. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of ear presentation, intensity, and number of repetitions of adaptors varying in voice onset time (VOT) on changes in stimulus rating of boundary and non-boundary stimuli. Subjects rated stimuli varying in VOT between 15–45 ms before and after periods of stimulus repetition. The number of stimulus repetitions during each of 28 trials was either 4, 16, or 85, and the intensity of the stimulus was either 50 or 70 dB SPL. The major findings were as follows: (1) evidence of a strong monaural component for intensity and ear effect was obtained for only the voiced stimulus; (2) monaural effects of the voiced stimulus appeared for both boundary and non-boundary stimuli; and (3) the repetition effect supported a higher level process in adaptation to voicing. The monaural effects of the voiced stimulus support a fatigue model; whereas the effects of number of stimulus repetitions and the asymmetries of acoustic energy variables for the voiced and voiceless adaptors suggest a more complicated process in adaptation to speech than that accounted for in models of feature detection and response contrast.
Western Prisoners of War Tried by Court Martial for Insults to the Führer and Criticism of Nazi Germany

The fact that the Geneva Convention of 1929 placed prisoners of war (POWs) under the laws in effect in the army of the detaining state meant that western POWs in Nazi Germany were exposed to the ex...
OSCAR: an optical stochastic computing accelerator for polynomial functions

Approximate computing allows improving design energy efficiency at the cost of computing accuracy. Stochastic computing is an approximate computing technique, where numbers are represented as probabilities using stochastic bit streams. The serial processing of the bit streams leads to reduced hardware complexity but induces high processing latency. Silicon photonics has the potential to overcome this limitation thanks to high propagation speed of signals and high bandwidth. However, the technology remains costly, which calls for optical accelerators capable to adapt to application-specific requirements. In this paper, we propose a reconfigurable optical accelerator capable to adapt to computing accuracy, energy efficiency, and throughput objectives. The architecture can be configured to execute i) 4th order function for high accuracy processing or ii) 2nd order function for high-energy efficiency or high throughput purposes. Evaluations are carried out using image processing Gamma correction application. Compared to a static architecture for which accuracy is defined at design time, the proposed architecture leads to 36.8% energy overhead but increases the range of reachable accuracy by 65%.
From researcher to farmer: The use of extension programs to transfer biological control technology in developed countries

Afin d'utiliser au mieux la lutte biologique, tout responsable doit connaitre la biologie des nuisibles et celle de leurs ennemis naturels, ainsi que leurs interactions avec l'environnement et les pratiques agronomiques. Les compagnies fournissent, certes, des informations concernant des produits comme les pesticides microbiens ou les arthropodes entomophages mis en oeuvre dans le cadre de la lutte biologique augmentative. Lorsqu'il s'agit de procedures plus complexes, comme la lutte biologique classique (importations) ou la conservation d'ennemis naturels, les informations adequates ne sont en revanche pas souvent mises a disposition des cultivateurs. Les programmes gouvernementaux de vulgarisation representent un bon moyen pour vehiculer des informations pratiques en matiere de lutte biologique, mais leur degre de developpement varie considerablement entre les pays industrialises. Des exemples de transfert organise d'informations en lutte biologique sont decrits tels qu'ils existent en Nouvelle-Zelande, Australie et Canada. Aux Etats-Unis, le Service de Vulgarisation du Departement Americain de l'Agriculture (USDA) finance et coordonne en partie des programmes de formation en gestion des populations de nuisibles aux niveaux national, regional, d'un etat, voire local. Dans 12 etats de la region centre-nord des Etats-Unis, les entomologistes responsables de la vulgarisation et de la recherche universitaires ont developpe un programme coordonne de formation en matiere d'utilisation de la lutte biologique dans la gestion des nuisibles s'adressant aux responsables de la vulgarisation dans les comtes, aux cultivateurs et aux consultants prives. Ce programme modele est decrit en detail. En conclusion, les contraintes qui doivent etre surmontees en termes de formation afin d'augmenter de maniere significative l'adoption de la lutte biologique sont discutees.
Political polarization in US residents' COVID-19 risk perceptions, policy preferences, and protective behaviors.

When the novel coronavirus entered the US, most US states implemented lockdown measures. In April–May 2020, state governments started political discussions about whether it would be worth the risk to reduce protective measures. In a highly politicized environment, risk perceptions and preferences for risk mitigation may vary by political inclinations. In April–May 2020, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 5517 members of the University of Southern California’s Understanding America Study. Of those, 37% identified as Democrats, 32% as Republican, and 31% as Third Party/Independent. Overall, Democrats perceived more risk associated with COVID-19 than Republicans, including for getting infected, being hospitalized and dying if infected, as well as running out of money as a result of the pandemic. Democrats were also more likely than Republicans to express concerns that states would lift economic restrictions too quickly, and to report mask use and social distancing. Generally, participants who identified as Third Party/Independent fell in between. Democrats were more likely to report watching MSNBC or CNN (vs. not), while Republicans were more likely to report watching Fox News (vs. not), and Third Party/Independents tended to watch neither. However, political inclinations predicted reported policy preferences, mask use, and social distancing, in analyses that accounted for differences in use of media sources, risk perceptions, and demographic background. In these analyses, participants’ reported media use added to the partisan divide in preferences for the timing of lifting economic restrictions and reported protective behaviors. Implications for risk communication are discussed.
Typhlitis: A Rare Appendicitis Mimic in a Young Healthy Female.

Typhlitis, also known as neutropenic enterocolitis, is a rare but serious condition characterized by inflammation of the cecum causing right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain and fever. It typically affects immunocompromised patients with neutropenia, hematologic malignancies, AIDS, or those on immunosuppressive therapy. This is an entity that should be considered in any differential for a patient with febrile RLQ pain, not just those with obvious immunosuppression.
Nutritional and prognostic significance of abdominal wall thickness measured during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in older individuals with dysphagia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The significance of abdominal wall thickness (AWT) for nutritional assessment remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and prognostic significance of AWT measured during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in older patients with dysphagia. METHODS This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled older adults with dysphagia who underwent PEG for enteral nutrition using the introducer technique between February 2010 and January 2019. We examined the association between AWT measured during PEG and nutritional status items, including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (Alb), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total cholesterol (TC), hemoglobin (Hb), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The shaft length of the PEG tube inserted, which is an approximation value of the AWT, was used for statistical analysis. Patients were divided into three groups: low-AWT group (shaft length ≤2.5 cm), medium-AWT group (shaft length 3.0-3.5 cm), and high-AWT group (shaft length ≥4.0 cm). We performed the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple linear regression analysis with multiple imputation. We performed survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 520 patients were identified: 115, 258, and 147 patients in the low-AWT, medium-AWT, and high-AWT groups, respectively. Higher AWT was significantly associated with higher BMI, Alb, TLC, TC, Hb, and lower CRP levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMI and TLC were significant predictors of AWT (BMI: coefficient 1.16E-01, 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.77E-02-1.33E-01, P < 0.001; TLC: coefficient 1.18E-04, 95% CI, 2.72E-05-2.09E-04, P = 0.011). The median survival time was the longest in the high-AWT group (low-AWT, 359 days; medium-AWT, 851 days; high-AWT, 1662 days; P < 0.001). The hazard ratio for the high-AWT group relative to the medium-AWT group was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.41-0.85, P = 0.004), and that relative to the low-AWT group was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.24-0.51, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Higher AWT was associated with better nutritional status and survival. AWT may help assess nutritional status and predict survival in older dysphagic patients with PEG.
RNA-seq analysis of lung adenocarcinomas reveals different gene expression profiles between smoking and nonsmoking patients.

Lung adenocarcinoma is caused by the combination of genetic and environmental effects, and smoking plays an important role in the disease development. Exploring the gene expression profile and identifying genes that are shared or vary between smokers and nonsmokers with lung adenocarcinoma will provide insights into the etiology of this complex cancer. We obtained RNA-seq data from paired normal and tumor tissues from 34 nonsmoking and 34 smoking patients with lung adenocarcinoma (GEO: GSE40419). R Bioconductor, edgeR, was adopted to conduct differential gene expression analysis between paired normal and tumor tissues. A generalized linear model was applied to identify genes that were differentially expressed in nonsmoker and smoker patients as well as genes that varied between these two groups. We identified 2273 genes that showed differential expression with FDR 1 in nonsmoker tumor versus normal tissues; 3030 genes in the smoking group; and 1967 genes were common to both groups. Sixty-eight and 70 % of the identified genes were downregulated in nonsmoking and smoking groups, respectively. The 20 genes such as SPP1, SPINK1, and FAM83A with largest fold changes in smokers also showed similar large and highly significant fold changes in nonsmokers and vice versa, showing commonalities in expression changes for adenocarcinomas in both smokers and nonsmokers for these genes. We also identified 175 genes that were significantly differently expressed between tumor samples from nonsmoker and smoker patients. Gene expression profile varied substantially between smoker and nonsmoker patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Smoking patients overall showed far more complicated disease mechanism and have more dysregulation in their gene expression profiles. Our study reveals pathogenetic differences in smoking and nonsmoking patients with lung adenocarcinoma from transcriptome analysis. We provided a list of candidate genes for further study for disease detection and treatment in both smoking and nonsmoking patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
Nonmonotonic reasoning in LDL

Deductive database systems have made major advances on efficient support for nonmonotonic reasoning. A first generation of deductive database systems supported the notion of stratification for programs with negation and set aggregates. Stratification is simple to understand and efficient to implement but it is too restrictive; therefore, a second generation of systems seeks efficient support for more powerful semantics based on notions such as well-founded models and stable models. In this respect, a particularly powerful set of constructs is provided by the recently enhanced LDL++ system that supports (i) monotonic user-defined aggregates, (ii) XY-stratified programs, and (iii) the nondeterministic choice constructs under stable model semantics. This integrated set of primitives supports a terse formulation and efficient implementation for complex computations, such as greedy algorithms and data mining functions, yielding levels of expressive power unmatched by other deductive database systems.
An Automated Method for Velocity Field Analysis

This contribution concerns velocity fields of galaxies and other objects in which the kinematics can be described by a rotating disk with radial symmetry around the center. It should be emphasized, however, that the method presented here is probably also applicable in a number of different astronomical situations, but it was primarily developed for disk-like spiral galaxies.
Hybrid systems—and everything else

Hybrid systems are at the core of most embedded and many other kinds of systems; formal methods for analysis of hybrid systems have made remarkable progress in the last decade and thus provide a strong foundation for assurance in the system core. But there are many systems issues that interact with the hybrid systems core and complicate the overall system design and its assurance case. These include real time and fault tolerance, interaction with human operators, and the relationship between verification and certification. For example, fault tolerance demands multiple redundant sensors, which are themselves prone to faults and inaccuracy, and whose precision degrades as real time progresses from the moment when the sample was taken to that when it is used. Fault tolerance generally also requires multiple independent channels of computation and this raises issues of their synchronization and coordination. There are two broad classes of methods for dealing with these combined issues: one uses architectural means to separate them, so we can reason separately about hybrid control and fault tolerance, for example; the other integrates them, so that a single method is used to reason, for example, about real time and fault tolerance. I decribe some of these methods and sketch some topics for further research. In the larger systems context, the embedded core may be managed by a planning and execution system that uses AI techniques, and/or by a human operator. Both of these may have an imperfect model of the system and incomplete knowledge of its internal state. I outline these topics and some of the interesting research opportunities therein. Finally, many of the systems we consider have the potential to do harm, and thus raise concern for informal or regulated certification. I outline recent developments in this area and their connection to verification. The rich relationship between hybrid systems and everything else suggests a need to reason cooperatively across multiple domains. I sketch a proposal for “an evidential tool bus” to facilitate this.
Chaperone-assisted self-assembly of pili independent of cellular energy.

Abstract Assembly of P pili on the surface of pyelonephritic Escherichia coli proceeds from periplasmic chaperone-subunit complexes. The outer membrane protein PapC, which has been termed a molecular usher, is thought to be the site of assembly, where the chaperone dissociates from the subunits as they are incorporated into the pilus across the outer membrane. The kinetics of assembly and the energy requirements of the "secretion" events at the outer membrane were investigated using a pulse-chase analysis in which preformed labeled periplasmic chaperone-subunit complexes were assembled into pili in synchrony by the induction of PapC. Provided that a sufficient amount of PapC was present and functional in the outer membrane, the incorporation of the major PapA subunit into pili was shown to be completed in less than 5 min. Our results also indicated that the targeting of PapC to the outer membrane may be a rate-limiting factor for pilus assembly. Following the arrival of PapC, the formation of pili seemed to proceed spontaneously and was not sensitive to a pH shift or an inhibitor of the electrochemical gradient across the cytoplasmic membrane. We suggest that the secretion of pili across the outer membrane may be independent of cellular energy and thermodynamically driven.
Lupeol modulates NF-κB and PI3K/Akt pathways and inhibits skin cancer in CD-1 mice

Chemoprevention has become an effective cancer control modality; however, the search for novel agent(s) for the armamentarium of cancer chemoprevention continues. We argue that agents capable for inhibition of promotion stage of tumorigenesis with the ability to intervene at several critical pathways in the tumorigenesis process will have greater advantage over other single-target agents. Lupeol, a triterpene, is the principal constituent of common fruit plants such as olive, mango, fig and medicinal herbs that have been used to treat skin aliments. Lupeol has been reported to possess a wide range of medicinal properties that include strong antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects. In the present study, we show that Lupeol possesses antitumor-promoting effects in a mouse skin tumorigenesis model. We first determined the effect of topical application of Lupeol to CD-1 mouse against 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced conventional markers and other novel markers of skin tumor promotion. We found that topical application of Lupeol (1–2 mg/mouse) 30 min prior to TPA (3.2 nmol/mouse) application onto the skin of CD-1 mice afforded significant inhibition, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, against TPA-mediated increase in (i) skin edema and hyperplasia, (ii) epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, and (iii) protein expression of ODC, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase. As of the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling in tumor promotion, we next determined the effect of topical application of Lupeol to mouse skin against these signaling pathways. We found that Lupeol treatment to mouse skin resulted in the inhibition of TPA-induced (i) activation of PI3K, (ii) phosphorylation of Akt at Thr308, (iii) activation of NF-κB and IKKα, and (iv) degradation and phosphorylation of IκBα. The animals pretreated with Lupeol showed significantly reduced tumor incidence, lower tumor body burden and a significant delay in the latency period for tumor appearance. At the termination of the experiment at 28 weeks, 100% of the animals in TPA-treated group exhibited seven to eight tumors/mouse, whereas only 53% of the mice receiving Lupeol prior to TPA treatment exhibited one to three tumors/mouse. These results for the first time provide evidence that Lupeol possesses antiskin tumor-promoting effects in CD-1 mouse and inhibits conventional as well as novel biomarkers of tumor promotion. We suggest that Lupeol is an attractive antitumor-promoting agent that must be evaluated in tumor models other than skin carcinogenesis.
Impairment and restoration of the energized state in membrane vesicles of a mutant of Escherichia coli lacking adenosine triphosphatase.

Abstract We have studied a mutant of Escherichia coli, DL-54, which lacks Ca2+, Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity and cannot use ATP as an energy source for active transport and other work functions. The purpose of the investigation was to explain the unexpected observation that vesicles of this mutant were also defective in coupling respiration to nutrient accumulation. In vesicles of mutant DL-54, unlike those of the wild type, oxidation of d-lactate did not support accumulation of amino acids, rubidium (in presence of valinomycin), or the lipid-soluble dibenzyldimethylammonium ion. All these functions were restored by treating the vesicles with N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), an inhibitor of the ATPase complex. Accumulation of amino acids in response to an artificial electrical potential (imposed by valinomycin-mediated K+ efflux) was also deficient in the mutant but was restored by DCCD. We infer that DCCD restores the capacity of mutant vesicles to establish an electrical potential across the membrane which, in turn, may be the immediate driving force for active transport and other work functions. Extrusion of protons by the respiratory chain is a possible mechanism for the generation of a membrane potential. Vesicles of DL-54, unlike those of the parent, exhibit no proton pulse unless they have been first treated with DCCD. A plausible basis for all these phenomena was found in the observation that the permeability of the membrane to protons was far higher in DL-54 than in the parent strain. Treatment with DCCD reduced the proton permeability to the low level characteristic of the wild type and thus prevented dissipation of the electrical potential.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever in Relation to Host Immunologic Response and Virus Serotype, Puerto Rico, 1990–1991

The authors investigated the role of secondary immunologic response, virus serotype, age, and sex on the clinical manifestations of dengue fever in Puerto Rico. From surveillance data for 1990 and 1991, this study identified 3,926 laboratory-positive cases, including 889 for whom dengue immunologic status and symptoms could be ascertained. Of those, 622 cases were virologically confirmed, and 267 cases were serologically confirmed. More than 50% of all positive patients reported fever, chills, headache, eye pain, body pains, joint pains, nausea, vomiting, or skin rash. The frequency of reporting signs, symptoms, and hospitalization was significantly higher among persons with secondary infections diagnosed by serological methods. Only rash was more common among those with primary infections. Symptom reporting increased with age; body pains, joint pains, and rash were significantly more frequently reported by female patients. No significant difference in symptom frequency was found among the virologically confirmed cases, comparing primary and secondary cases or infections due to different serotypes. The data for serologically confirmed cases suggest that in Puerto Rico the manifestations of dengue fever are, as with dengue hemorrhagic fever in Asia, more prominent among those who are experiencing secondary infections, and this effect may be more marked in the younger age groups.
Trends of Concurrent Ankle Arthroscopy at the Time of Operative Treatment of Ankle Fracture: A National Database Review

Background. The purpose of this study was to report trends associated with concurrent ankle arthroscopy at the time of operative treatment of ankle fracture. Method. The current procedural terminol...
Use of cardiac implantable electronic devices in older adults with cognitive impairment.

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia have cardiac comorbidities, making them eligible for device-based therapy for cardiac rhythm abnormalities.1-3 The risks and benefits of device implantation should be weighed carefully by pa tients with cognitive impairment, family members, and clinicians given the potential of these devices to have an impact on the quantity and quality of life. This study describes the epidemiology of cardiac implantable electronic devices among a population-based sample of older adults with and without cognitive impairment.
Extreme inundation flows during the Hokkaido‐Nansei‐Oki Tsunami

The tsunami generated by the July 12, 1993 Hokkaido-Nansei-Oki Mw=7.8 earthquake produced in Japan the worst local tsunami-related death toll in fifty years, with estimated 10–18m/sec overland flow velocities and 30m runup. These extreme values are the largest recorded in Japan this century and are among the highest ever documented for non-landslide generated tsunamis. We model this event to confirm the estimated overland flow velocities, and we find that, given reasonable ground deformation data, current state-of-the-art shallow-water wave models can predict tsunami inundation correctly including extreme runup, current velocities and overland flow. We find that even small local topographic structures affect the runup to first-order, and that the resolution of the bathymetric data is more important than the grid resolution. Our results qualitatively suggest that—for this event—coastal inundation is more correlated with inundation velocities than with inundation heights, explaining also why threshold-type modeling has substantially underpredicted coastal inundation for this and other recent events.
Evidence for direct hydrogen transfer during glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase catalysis.

Abstract An irreversible one-turnover reaction between 1- 3 H-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and the lobster muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TPD) coenzyme complex has been carried out. Analysis of the products of this reaction has shown that DPN 3 H is formed and tritium is not incorporated into the enzyme. These results suggest that hydrogen is transferred directly from the reduced substrate to the coenzyme during TPD catalysis.
Risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related low back disorders in an industrial population.

Study design An observational longitudinal design. Objectives To characterize the rate of and risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related low back disorder in industrial workers. Summary of background data Little data exist on risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related low back disorders in employed persons. Methods A total of 352 active hourly union employees who were diagnosed with a recent work-related low back disorder and who had at least one follow-up visit within 12 months enrolled for participation in a rehabilitation intervention study at the workplace. Information on clinical and job factors was obtained at each study visit. Job risk for low back disorder was quantified using the Lumbar Motion Monitor. The main outcome measure, recurrence of work-related low back pain, was derived from a computerized file of administrative records of visits to the plant's medical department. Results The rate of repeated episodes was 24.4%; an additional episode occurred in 2.3%. Adjusting for age, gender, health status and job exposures, lower levels of physical health, increasing back pain disability, spinal deformity, high stress, and increasing number of different jobs worked at the same plant were risk factors for a recurrent episodes of low back pain. Conclusions Early identification of risk factors for a work-related low back disorder may signal the need for early and intense rehabilitation to prevent recurrent episodes. Because these findings were based on jobs with medium risk of low back disorders, other factors may be significant in higher risk jobs.
Women 55 Years and Older: Part II. Overall Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction with the Fit of Ready-to-Wear

Using the data collected through interview questions, Part II of this nationwide study on women 55 years and older examined factors which might be related to older women's overall satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear. In general, 70% (n = 4,086) of the respondents indicated dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear, while 31% (n = 1,826) indicated satisfaction. By using chi-square analyses, these two groups were then compared on demographics, clothing buying practices, and self-reported clothing problem locations. The majority of variables significantly differentiated the satisfied and the dissatisfied group. More dissatisfied consumers tended: (a) to be younger (e.g., 55-to-65 age category); (b) to be in the higher income category; (c) to be Caucasian; (d) to buy clothes mostly at discount/off-price stores, at department stores and through mail-order/catalog as compared to at specialty store/boutique or by custom-made/home sewing; (e) to live in the west coast area; and (f) ...
Modeling of Non-Equilibrium Homogeneous Turbulence in Rapidly Compressed Flows

The response of homogeneous turbulence to rapid mean-flow compression in idealized internal combustion engines and rapid compression machines is examined using a hierarchy of closure models for the Reynolds stress anisotropy. This hierarchy is based on a Reynolds stress anisotropy transport equation that is modeled from the exact transport equation for the anisotropy. The hierarchy of models includes a recently-developed non-equilibrium model, which is shown to be in good agreement with more computationally-complex fully differential models. Using this hierarchical approach, the flow physics addressed by each closure is identified and closure accuracy is shown to depend on the degree to which non-equilibrium turbulent flow effects are captured. We examine the evolution of the turbulence kinetic energy, Reynolds stresses, and anisotropy as a function of the degree of non-equilibrium in the flow, which is parameterized by the ratio of characteristic turbulence and mean-flow deformation time scales. By comparing model results to results obtained from rapid distortion theory and higher level closures, prescriptions are provided for the applicability of different closure models based on the magnitude of the non-equilibrium parameter. The theoretical analysis is complemented by comparisons of simulation results with previously established direct numerical simulations for a one-dimensional compression. Finally, we connect these prescriptions with experimental measurements of turbulent and mean-flow time scales for internal combustion engines operating at realistic conditions.
Using the Natives against the Natives: Indigenes as ‘Counterinsurgents’ in the British Atlantic, 1500–1800

A key component of most modern counterinsurgency efforts (hereafter, COIN) is not merely to pacify or appease a local population, but to actively use the locals as part of the solution. 1 Large por...
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy versus conventional radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in patients with anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy by either intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or conventional radiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: Forty-six patients who received definitive chemoradiotherapy from January 1993 to August 2009 were included. Forty-five patients received 5-fluorouracil with mitomycin C (n = 39) or cisplatin (n = 6). Seventeen (37%) were treated with CRT and 29 (63%) with IMRT. The median dose was 54 Gy in both groups. Median follow-up was 26 months (CRT) and 32 months (IMRT). T3-T4 stage (P = .18) and lymph node-positive disease (P = .6) were similar between groups. RESULTS: The CRT group required longer treatment duration (57 days vs 40 days, P 2 nonhematologic toxicity compared with 6 (21%) patients in the IMRT group (P = .003). The 3-year overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and progression-free survival were 87.8%, 91.9%, and 84.2%, respectively, for the IMRT groups and 51.8%, 56.7%, and 56.7%, respectively, for the CRT group (all P < .01). On multivariate analysis, T stage, use of IMRT, and treatment duration were associated with OS, and T stage and use of IMRT were associated with LRC. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IMRT was associated with less toxicity, reduced need for treatment breaks, and excellent LRC and OS compared with CRT in patients with SCCA of the anal canal. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Smart Grid, Safe Grid

The existing power delivery system is vulnerable to both natural disasters and intentional attack. A successful terrorist attempt to disrupt the power delivery system could have adverse effects on national security, the economy, and the lives of every citizen. Secure and reliable operation of the electric system is fundamental to national and international economic systems, security, and quality of life.
State-constrained optimal spatial field control for controlled release in tissue engineering

Distributed parameter control problems involving manipulation within the spatial domain arise in a variety of applications including vibration control, active noise reduction, epidemiology, tissue engineering, and cancer treatment. A state-constrained spatial field control problem motivated by a biomedical application is solved in which the manipulation occurs over a spatial field and the state field is constrained both in spatial frequency and by a partial differential equation (PDE) that effects the manipulation. An optimization algorithm combines three-dimensional Fourier series, which are truncated to satisfy the spatial frequency constraints, with exploitation of structural characteristics of the PDEs. The computational efficiency and performance of the optimization algorithm are demonstrated in a numerical example, for which the spatial tracking error is almost entirely due to the limitation on the spatial frequency of the manipulated field. The numerical results suggest that optimal control approaches have promise for controlling the release of macromolecules in tissue engineering applications.
Engineering Oriented Gases: The Mechanism of Dyeing Potassium Sulfate

Abstract Potassium sulfate was crystallized from solutions containing mM quantities of a variety of sulfonated dye molecules that became encapsulated within particular growth sectors. Linear dichroism measurements of the crystals coupled with a knowledge of the absorption anisotropy of the dyes obtained from semi-empirical molecular orbital theory, enabled the determination of the orientation of at least one dye molecule within each of the principal growth sectors ({010}, {021}, {110}, {001}, {111}) of K2SO4. The ensemble of orientations suggested a general mechanism of mixed crystal formation in which the dye's sulfonate groups matched the separation between sulfate ions in the lattice. The corresponding experiments with K2SO4 isomorphs as well as the habit modification accompanying dye inclusion crystal (DIC) formation are discussed. We further demonstrate how sector specific recognition enables growing crystals to separate molecules from complex solutions.
A Model of Voluntary Turnover in State Government

While many researchers have examined turnover in private sector firms, only a few studies have focused on quit rates in the public sector organization This article develops and tests a conceptual model of voluntary turnover in state government. The most significant finding is that state employees are less likely to quit in states with on-site childcare State governments that allow greater internal opportunity for movement are also more successful at retaining employ ees. In addition, state employees who are represented by unions and are better paid are less likely to quit.
Fluidization of a multi-sized group B sand at reduced pressure

Abstract The fluidized bed pyrolysis of oil sand produces a spent sand which contains 1–2 wt.% carbonaceous residue. The rapid bitumen pyrolysis reactions indicate that the fluidized bed inventory is essentially spent sand. This spent sand has been shown to be a Group B sand according to the classification scheme of Geldart. A multi-sized Group B sand was smoothly fluidized with air by reducing the pressure above the surface of the bed to less than the pressure at the inlet of the distributor. Beds of sand with heights up to four times the reactor diameter were taken from the slugging regime to smooth fluidization by changing the effective distributor pressure drop while the reactor was operating at reduced pressure above the bed. The characteristics of reactor pressure drop versus superficial gas velocity were determined for the multi-sized particles under reduced pressure and compared to the fluidization behavior of multi-sized particles in the more common positive gas pressure systems. The shapes of fluidizing and defluidizing curves caused by pulling air from the reactor top were similar but not the same as curves obtained at atmospheric pressure by pushing air through the distributor. An ‘interpreted’ minimum fluidization velocity definition for multi-sized particles fluidized at reduced pressures is proposed and shown to be consistent with predictive correlations.
Spanning subset sums for finite Abelian groups

Abstract We survey the state of research to determine the maximum size of a nonspanning subset of a finite abelian group G of order n. The smallest prime factor of n, denote it here by p, plays a crucial role. For prime order, G= Z p , this is essentially an old problem of Erdős and Heilbronn, which can be solved using a result of Dias da Silva and Hamidoune. We provide a simple new proof for the solution when n is even (p=2). For composite odd n, we deduce the solution, for n⩾2p2, from results obtained years ago by Diderrich and, recently, by Gao and Hamidoune. Only a small family of cases remains unsettled.
Scalar potential model of redshift and discrete redshift

Abstract On the galactic scale the universe is inhomogeneous and redshift z is occasionally less than zero. A scalar potential model (SPM) that links the galaxy scale z to the cosmological scale z of the Hubble Law is postulated. Several differences among galaxy types suggest that spiral galaxies are Sources and that early type, lenticular, and irregular galaxies are Sinks of a scalar potential field. The morphology-radius and the intragalactic medium cluster observations support the movement of matter from Source galaxies to Sink galaxies. A cell structure of galaxy groups and clusters is proposed to resolve a paradox concerning the scalar potential like the Olber’s paradox concerning light. For the sample galaxies, the ratio of the luminosity of Source galaxies to the luminosity of Sink galaxies approaches 2.7 ± 0.1. An equation is derived from sample data, which is anisotropic and inhomogeneous, relating z of and the distance D to galaxies. The calculated z has a correlation coefficient of 0.88 with the measured z for a sample of 32 spiral galaxies with D calculated using Cepheid variable stars. The equation is consistent with z
Tissue Doppler imaging in Maine Coon cats with a mutation of myosin binding protein C with or without hypertrophy.

Background: The cardiac myosin binding protein C gene is mutated in Maine Coon (MC) cats with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypotheses: Early diastolic mitral annular velocity is incrementally reduced from normal cats to MC cats with only an abnormal genotype to MC cats with abnormal genotype and hypertrophy. Animals:Group 1 consisted of 6 normal domestic shorthair cats, group 2 of 6 MC cats with abnormal genotype but no hypertrophy, and group 3 of 15 MC cats with hypertrophy and abnormal genotype. Methods:The genotype and echocardiographic phenotype of cats were determined, and the cats were divided into the 3 groups. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the lateral mitral annulus from the left apical 4-chamber view was performed. Five nonconsecutive measurements of early diastolic mitral annular velocity (EM) or summated early and late diastolic velocity (EAsum) and heart rate were averaged. Results:There was an ordered reduction in Em-EAsum as group number increased (group 1, range 9.7–14.7 cm/s; group 2, range 7.5–13.2 cm/s; group 3, range 4.5–14.1 cm/s; P= .001). Using the lower prediction limit for normal Em-EAsum, the proportion of cats with normal Em-EAsum decreased as the group number increased (P= .001). However, Em-EAsum was reduced in only 3 of 6 cats in group 2. Conclusion: The incremental reduction of Em-EAsum as group severity increased indicates that diastolic dysfunction is an early abnormality that occurs before hypertrophy development. TDI measurement of Em or EAsum of the lateral mitral annulus is an insensitive screening test for identification of phenotypically normal, genotypically affected cats.
Deterministically generated noise amplification in the period-doubling bifurcations of an additive-pulse mode-locked laser

Abstract We examine the noise behavior of an additive-pulse mode-locked (APM) laser as it undergoes a period-one/period-two pitchfork bifurcation. We find evidence of noise amplification, “wiggly” bifurcation phenomena, and frequency shifting of the signal within the noise background. The total amount of frequency tuning is about 5.5% of the fundamental frequency.
How are T H 2-type immune responses initiated and amplified?

CD4+ T helper (TH) cells have crucial roles in orchestrating adaptive immune responses. TH2 cells control immunity to extracellular parasites and all forms of allergic inflammatory responses. Although we understand the initiation of the TH2-type response in tissue culture in great detail, much less is known about TH2 cell induction in vivo. Here we discuss the involvement of allergen- and parasite product-mediated activation of epithelial cells, basophils and dendritic cells and the functions of the cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the initiation and amplification of TH2-type immune responses in vivo.
Combinatorial algorithms for process synthesis

Abstract Analysis of the combinatorial properties of process synthesis has been carried out in the present work. Such analysis has given rise to some efficient combinatorial algorithms. Algorithm MSG generates the maximal structure (super-structure) of a process synthesis problem; it can also be the basic algorithm in generating a mathematical programming model for this problem. Algorithm MSG is effective in synthesizing a large industrial process since its complexity grows merely polynomially with the size of the synthesized process. Another algorithm, algorithm SSG, generates the set of feasible process structures from the maximal structure; it leads to additional combinatorial algorithms of process synthesis including those for decomposition and for accelerating branch and bound search. These algorithms have also proved themselves to be efficient in solving large industrial synthesis problems.
New Lines in the Spectra of Zirconium

Two-hundred and twenty-four new atomic zirconium lines are found in the region between 6100 and 6500 A. Fifty-four are attributed to transitions between previously determined terms of neutral zirconium, Zr i. One is attributed to known terms of singly ionized zirconium, Zr ii.
Preretinal Arterial Loops and Retinal Arterial Occlusion

A 19-year-old man had bilateral congenital preretinal arterial loops emerging from the optic disk into the vitreous cavity. The loop in the right eye was associated with an inferior papillary arterial occlusion. Extensive examination to determine a systemic cause of the occlusion was negative; twisting or kinking of the loop may have had a role. The major arterial blood supply in each eye was cilioretinal in origin and in the left eye, the inferior preretinal arterial loop supplied blood to both the retina and the choroid. In three previous cases and our case of preretinal arterial loops associated with branch retinal arterial occlusion, none had emboli or associated systemic factors. All involved solely arterial supply to the inferior retina. The ages of three of the four patients ranged from 19 to 22 years.