cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Renal function after release of ureteral obstruction: Role of endothelin and the renal artery endothelium

Renal function after release of ureteral obstruction: Role of endothelin and the renal artery endothelium. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) are decreased and mean arterial pressure (MAP) is increased after unilateral release of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO). An imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilator substances may explain the hemodynamic alterations seen in this setting. The present study examines the role of endothelin-1 in such alterations. Rats with BUO (N = 10) had significantly lower GFR and ERPF (ml/min/kg body wt) than sham-operated rats (SOR, N=9) (1.40 ± 0.14 vs. 6.20 ± 0.38 and 5.12 ± 0.68 vs. 20.2 ± 2.20, respectively) and significantly higher MAP (mm Hg) than SOR (154.9 ± 3.2 vs. 120.6 ± 1.7). Rats with BUO given a specific antiendothelin antibody (N = 8) had significantly higher GFR (2.10 ± 0.12) and ERPF (7.46 ± 0.95) than BUO control rats, but there were no significant changes in MAP (159.5 ± 5.8). In SOR (N = 6), mechanical denudation of the main renal artery endothelium did not significantly affect renal function when compared to renal function in control SOR. However, the same maneuver significantly lowered GFR (0.64 ± 0.17) and ERPF (1.67 ± 0.36) in BUO rats (N = 5) when compared to BUO control rats. We conclude that: (1) endothelin-1 has a significant vasoconstrictor role in rats with BUO of 24 hours duration and accounts for a portion of the decrease in glomerular filtration rate seen in rats after unilateral release of bilateral ureteral obstruction, and (2) in the BUO setting, the net role of the renal artery endothelium is vasodilatory.
Theory of Polynomial Near-Rings

Abstract Fundamental structures of polynomial near-rings including the concepts of degree, least degree, and symbolically zero polynomials are investigated. Extensions of the notion of symbolically zero polynomials are obtained. The notion of linear expressions for near-ring polynomials is introduced. Mechanisms are provided to compute the degree of a near-ring polynomial. Results related to the degree, least degree, and symbolically zero polynomials are obtained. The collection of all polynomials with least degree greater than or equal to k is shown to be the ideal generated by the element x k . The theory of linear expressions reveals the tight connection among the concepts of degree, least degree, and symbolically zero polynomials.
Nonlinear response of the photorefractive phase conjugator: a perturbation analysis

Using perturbation theory, an examination is made of the fidelity of the photorefractive degenerate four-wave mixing phase conjugator. The general case is considered in which the probe is spatially varying (a beam) and temporally varying (a pulse), and the pumps are allowed to deplete. The probe wave is expanded as a sum of monochromatic plane-wave components. Carrying out the perturbation procedure up to the third order, the authors found that the components of the probe interact in pairs, so that the reflectance of each component of the conjugate wave is a combination of a linear term, a self-nonlinear term, and a term representing crosstalk with all other components of the probe. The crosstalk effect as a function of the frequency difference exhibits resonance behavior. >
Growth of three wetland plant species under single and multi-pollutant wastewater conditions

Abstract Constructed wetlands are increasingly being used to treat wastewater, yet most remediation studies only focus on single pollutants (e.g. nitrogen [N] or phosphorus [P]) or pollutant classes (e.g. nutrients). For wetland remediation to be useful in urban systems, where storm generated wastewater often contains many different pollutant types (e.g. nutrients and metals), wetlands must be able to both tolerate and remediate these pollutant cocktails. Since plants are often integral to this treatment ability, the objective of our study was to evaluate the growth of three common wetland plants ( Glyceria grandis , Typha latifolia and Sagittaria latifolia ) treated with single and multi-pollutant wastewater types. We planted six replicate blocks within the research greenhouse at Binghamton University located in Binghamton, NY, USA. Each block contained 12 five-gallon pots filled with homogenized wetland sediment collected from a natural wetland on campus. Four pots were planted with G. grandis , four with T. latifolia and four with S. latifolia . Plants from each of the three species were assigned with one of four treatment solutions (dionized water [control], nitrate [NO 3 − ], metal mixture [Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd], or nitrate and metal mixture), and watered weekly for a total of seven weeks. Effluent was collected weekly and analyzed to determine weekly NO 3 –N efflux. At peak standing biomass, all roots and shoots were harvested to determine total aboveground and belowground biomass and N and P accumulation. Sediment was also collected to determine net N mineralization rates. We found that the NO 3 − treatment, metal treatment and the combined NO 3 − and metal treatment had no negative effect on plant growth and nutrient (N and P) content. However, G. grandis produced a greater amount of aboveground biomass (33.09 ± 0.72 g) and had a greater amount of N (450.9 ± 25.3 mg) in the aboveground biomass than T. latifolia (22.25 ± 1.54 g; 300.0 ± 21.8 mg) and S. latifolia (24.30 ± 1.53 g; 297.1 ± 21.3 mg). While S. latifolia sequestered a greater amount of P (181.6 ± 11.1 mg) than G. grandis (127.6 ± 8.6 mg) and T. latifolia (97.1 ± 8.9 mg). In addition, efflux NO 3 –N was substantially reduced by both plants and sediment, but plant presence caused a significantly greater NO 3 –N reduction than sediment alone. These findings indicate that wetland plants can grow well under single and multi-pollutant conditions, like those commonly found in urban systems, and that optimal ecosystem function would more likely occur in systems with multiple plant species assemblages.
A Comparative Study of Star-forming and Quiescent Dwarf Galaxies

We present the results from a comparative study of the atomic hydrogen (H I) and optical properties of a sample of 16 dwarf galaxies, chosen to investigate the effects of star formation on the properties of low-mass systems. The violent star formation bursts believed to occur in these low-mass systems suggest a possible connection between the actively star-forming blue compact dwarfs (BCDs), and the quiescent low surface brightness dwarfs (LSBDs). It has been suggested that LSBDs, upon undergoing a burst of star formation, will evolve into BCDs and then back into LSBDs when the star formation slows or stops as the H I column density falls below the critical threshold necessary to support it. We have examined the location and kinematics of H I in eight BCDs and eight LSBDs of similar H I masses and a range of color indices to investigate this evolutionary sequence. The starburst episodes in these low-mass galaxies should lead to (1) a dispersal/depletion of the H I seen in the eight LSB dwarfs and (2) more centrally concentrated and agitated H I in the eight BCDs. The results of this project indicate that the quiescent LSBD galaxies have more diffuse H I distributions and often show a ringlike structure, while the active galaxies have more highly centrally concentrated H I reservoirs. The bluer, more recently active systems of both types also have higher internal H I velocity dispersions, indicating that energy has been pumped into the interstellar medium of these galaxies. These observations are consistent with an evolutionary scheme wherein the H I reservoirs in these galaxies take on different characteristics depending upon their star formation histories.
Sorption of metals and metalloids from reverse osmosis concentrate on drinking water treatment solids

Abstract Drinking water treatment solids (DWTS) from coagulation processes could be a low-cost sorbent for selective removal of certain metals and metalloids from brine. In this study, continuous-flow sorption processes and factors affecting sorption of boron (III), copper (II), chromium (VI), lead (II), and selenium (VI) from reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate were investigated using different types of iron-derived DWTS. DWTS was demonstrated to be very effective in removal of copper and lead from RO concentrate, attributed to formation of strong inner-sphere complexes between the metal cations and Fe/Al oxide surface sites in the DWTS, as well as attractive electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged DWTS surface. Sorption of boron and selenium on the DWTS was lower. Boron exists primarily as nonionic boric acid at operating pH of 5.5–7.8, while selenate is a weakly bonding anion typically assumed to form outer-sphere surface complexes with Fe/Al oxides, both resulting in low removal. Sorption of the metals and metalloids was affected by their speciation and electrostatic interactions with DWTS. Higher influent pH increased boron and copper sorption but inhibited removal of chromium. Water temperature, solid moisture content, and loading rate did not have significant impact on sorption to the DWTS.
Occupational health and safety experience of day laborers in Seattle, WA.

Background Day Labor is a growing part of the informal economy in the US, and in Seattle, and may entail a high risk of injury and illness at work. Methods We surveyed 180-day laborers, at two worker centers and an unregulated “Street” location concerning their job-specific exposures and injury experience. Results Exposures to both health and safety hazards were common at all three sites. After controlling for type of work, immigrant workers were 1.5–2 times more likely than non-immigrant day laborers to report exposure to hazardous conditions. Among the 180 participants 34 reported injuries were classified as “recordable.” We estimated an injury rate of 31 recordable injuries per 100 full time employees. The three hiring locations had differing job experiences and exposures. Those hired through worker centers had a lower risk of exposures, while the Street workers were more likely to refuse hazardous work. Conclusions Day laborers are exposed to numerous hazards at work, resulting in high injury rates. Multiple approaches including community based organizations which may provide some employment stability and social support for protection at work are needed to reduce occupational injury and illness risk among these vulnerable populations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:399–406, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interdisciplinary death education in a nursing school

Abstract An undergraduate elective course in death, dying, and bereavement was developed in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing in 1973. It has been offered eight times since that year, with over 400 students having completed it. The evolution of the course is described along with the development of objectives, selection of content, sequence of presentation of materials, identification of suitable instructional methods, and methods of evaluation. The value of a weekend workshop within the context of the course is discussed in detail. The content chosen for emphasis included dealing with death, ethical and legal issues, postdeath activities, grief and survivorship, and community resources. Course assignments and expectations, along with a variety of instructional aides, are described. Evaluations at the end of the course were generally positive about the course content and the weekend workshop. A follow-up questionnaire based on the 13 objectives of the course identified three objective...
Why so negative about negative theology? The search for a plantinga-proof apophaticism

In his warranted christian belief, Alvin Plantinga launches a forceful attack on apophaticism, the view that God is in some sense or other beyond description. This paper explores his attack before searching for a Plantinga-proof formulation of apophaticism.
On the order discrimination of linear systems with noisy observations

The problem considered is the order discrimination of a linear system with noisy observations. The order discrimination problem is viewed as a sequence of hypothesis tests; at the nth step, a choice is made between models of order n and (n+1). The sequence is terminated the first time that the lower order hypothesis is preferable. A series of detailed digital computer studies were performed to determine the effectiveness of the proposed order discrimination scheme.
Evolving Tenure Rights and Agricultural Intensification in Southwestern Burkina Faso

Popular and official representations of the environment in Burkina Faso present soils as fragile and potentially subject to catastrophic collapse in fertility. In the cotton growing zone of southwestern Burkina Faso, researchers and policy makers attribute changes in land cover and land quality to population growth. This paper presents evidence questioning the dominant "population-degradation narrative" as applied to Burkina. We find that farmers are intensifying their production systems. While population has led to land scarcity, farmers are responding to both the resulting uncertainty in land rights and reductions in soil quality by intensifying the production process. Investments are used both as a soil-building and a tenure-building strategy.But instead of producing an optimistic intensification counter-narrative, we contend that intensification is a process with social costs. A more complex intensification narrative should encompass elements of changing asset distribution, expropriation, and conflict in the process whereby individuals and social groups vie for land rights and invest in intensified production processes.
The microenvironment and resistance to personalized cancer therapy.

We read with great interest the Perspectives article by Funda Meric-Bernstam and Gordon Mills (Overcoming implementation challenges of personalized cancer therapy. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. 9, 542–548; 2012),1 in which the authors mainly focused on the intrinsic characteristics of the tumour for the design of personalized therapy for patients with cancer. However, three important papers recently published in Nature2, 3 and Nature Medicine4 clearly demonstrate that, in addition to cell-autonomous factors (that is, intrinsic tumour characteristics), non-cell-autonomous determinants (that is, the tumour microenvironment) contribute to drug resistance in cancer therapy.
Vibrational Energy Relaxation and Spectral Diffusion in Water and Deuterated Water

In the broad water stretching band (2900−3700 cm-1), frequency-dependent vibrational energy relaxation (VER), and spectral diffusion both occur on the time scale of a few picoseconds. Ultrafast IR−Raman spectroscopy of water is used to study both processes. VER is also studied in solutions of HDO in D2O (HDO/D2O). The OH stretch (νOH) lifetime for water and HDO is ∼1 ps. The OD stretch (νOD) lifetime for D2O is ∼2 ps. Stretch decay generates substantial excitation of the bending modes. The lifetimes of bending vibrations (δ) in H2O, HDO, and D2O can be estimated to be in the 0.6 ps ≤ T1 ≤ 1.2 ps range. νOH decay in water produces δH2O with a quantum yield 1.0 ≤ φ ≤ 2.0. In HDO/D2O solutions, νOH(HDO) decay generates νOD(D2O), δHDO, and δD2O. The quantum yield for generating νOD(D2O) is φ ≈ 0.1. The quantum yield for generating both δHDO and δD2O is φ ≥ 0.6. Thus, each νOH(HDO) decay generates at minimum 1.2 quanta of bending excitation. After narrow-band pumping, the distribution of excitations within the...
Conformations of phenylalanine in the tripeptides AFA and GFG probed by combining MD simulations with NMR, FTIR, polarized Raman, and VCD spectroscopy.

Conformational properties of small, flexible peptides are a matter of ongoing interest since they can be considered as models for unfolded proteins. However, the investigation of the conformations of small peptides is challenging as they are ensembles of rapidly interconverting conformers; moreover, the different methods used are prone to different approximations and errors. In order to obtain more reliable results, it is prudent to combine different techniques; here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations together with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transform IR (FTIR), polarized Raman, and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements were used to study the conformational propensity of phenylalanine in the tripeptides AFA and GFG, motivated by the relevance of phenylalanine for the self-aggregation of peptides. The results of this analysis indicate that the F residue predominantly populates the β-strand (β) and polyproline II (PPII) conformations in both AFA and GFG. However, while phenylala...
Art and science of history taking in the patient with difficulty swallowing

History taking is the first step in the evaluation of a patient. An analysis of the information obtained provides the basis for the choice and order of diagnostic tests. In addition, it provides the clinician with the necessary information to determine the relevance of “abnormal tests” to the patient's problem. Dysphagia is a reliable symptom that indicates an abnormality in the swallowing mechanism. The history should contain a detailed description of the symptoms associated with dysphagia from the onset. Especially relevant are questions to determine if dysphagia is experienced every day or intermittently, with solid food or liquids or both, as well as presence and timing of associated symptoms such as, choking, coughing and regurgitation, changes in speech, heartburn and chest pain. It is clinically useful to divide swallowing into three phases: oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. Oral dysphagia is usually due to a neurologic disorder, decreased salivary flow or painful oropharyngeal lesions. Pharyngeal dysphagia is most frequently caused by neuromuscular disorders and less frequently by a Zenker's diverticulum, neoplasm or a mucosal web. Esophageal dysphagia is caused by a structural narrowing, such as produced by a peptic stricture, neoplasm or a Schatzki's ring or by a primary motility abnormality, such as achalasia or diffuse esophageal spasm or by motility abnormalities produced by inflammation caused by gastroesophageal reflux, medication-induced esophageal ulceration or infectious esophagitis.
Eight-Channel Data Set for Clinical EEG Transmission Over Dial-Up Telephone Network

Telephone telemetry is becoming increasingly more applicable to health care delivery. Technical characteristics and results of field testing of a new eight-channel constant-bandwidth (CBW) frequency-modulated data set are described in this communication. These tests have shown that eight channels of quality EEG can now be successfully transmitted simultaneously over one conventional telephone line. Economic considerations and other applications are discussed.
After College—What?

In the recently completed survey of the dairy manufacturing graduate situation in the dairy industry by H. B. Henderson of the University of Georgia, the need for industry training programs was stressed more than any other single item. Only about 46 out of 284 graduates reported that they were included in a program they would rate as "good." The main criticisms of the programs in use were a lack of organization, insufficient information on company policy, incomplete records of the trainec's progress, and a lack of reports required of trainees. Other industries have taken the lead in developing training programs for the college graduates in their organizations. An American Management Association study, completed in 1954, showed that in some industries from 35 to 50% of the companies had extensive training programs. The United States Steel Corp., Armstrong Cork Co., General Motors, SearsRoebuck, General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, Eastman Kodak, and many others have training programs that last from 9 months to several years and may cost the companies as much as $10,000 a year for each trainee. These organizations believe that developing good management is as important as developing a good product. Although a few companies apparently look for business "geniuses" to direct their activities, many more are concerned about the desirability of a strong, well coordinated management team. To this end the development of good management has become a major activity in these organizations. Many college placement directors are recommending that their most capable graduates go with organizations having training programs, for it is their belief that such a program is the best insurance for developing a young man's full potential. Graduates are anxious to become associated with companies having training programs because they know they are less likely to become lost in such an organization. They learn while doing and are less likely to experience the "after-college slump," which so often occurs when there is no organized training program. A superior training program can be an important factor in attracting and keeping the most capable college graduates. As has been said, "A company is known by the men it keeps." The better a man is, the more he recognizes the value of t raining; it is the weak man who is most likely to resist the idea. A company training program supplies two types of knowledge: (a) that which is gained by actual performance of work and (b) that which comes from the discussion of ideas and experiences. This combination of knowledge sources enables an individual to develop rapidly. H. I t . Judson of the Consolidated Edison Co. cited the following objectives of a worth-while executive development program:
Natural language querying of databases

Natural language (NL) interfaces for database (DB) query formulation have always been recognized as a much-needed enhancement for DB end-users. NL systems, however, have shortcomings that have led some DB researchers to question their practicality. The drawbacks stem primarily from their weak interpretative power. This weakness is, to a large extent, due to their inability to deal with the nuances in human use of natural language. Some studies, however, show that NL database systems are practical and useful in narrow domains like DB querying. One way of addressing the difficulty with NL database query languages (DBQLs) is to combine concept-based DBQL paradigms with NL approaches to enhance the overall ease-of-use of the query interface. In this study, the conceptual query language-with-natural language (CQL/NL) is proposed. CQL/NL uses information extraction methods to filter NL query statements for search predicates that are derived from constructs on conceptual schemas. In this way, it avoids the computational difficulty with full-fledged NL parsing. In the main, we draw on certain concepts in natural language processing and computational linguistics to develop CQL/NL.
Effect of Atrial and Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia on Carbohydrate Metabolism of the Heart

Changes in the ratio phosphorylase a/total phosphorylase in heart muscle, as well as the myocardial concentrations of glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P), lactate, pyruvate, fructose-l,6-diphosphate (FDP), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), were followed during artificially induced ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation, and atrial fibrillation.These experiments were carried out with and without support of the coronary circulation. When coronary circulation was not maintained, active phosphorylase increased, then diminished in heart muscle during ventricular and atrial fibrillation and during ventricular tachycardia. The myocardial concentration of lactate and glucose-6-phosphate rose, while that of glycogen dim inished. No appreciable changes occurred in the concentration of fructose-1,6-diphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and pyruvate. These changes were similar to those reported on skeletal muscle. When coronary circulation was maintained, no changes in carbohydrate intermediates or in phosphorylase a activity were recorded. These results demonstrate that the metabolic changes encountered in heart muscle during these arrhythrnias are the result of anoxia.
The alignment distance on Spaces of Linear Dynamical Systems

We introduce a family of group action induced distances on spaces of Linear Dynamical Systems (LDSs) of fixed size and order. The distance between two LDSs is computed by finding the change of basis that best aligns the state-space realizations of the two LDSs, hence the name alignment distance. This distance can be computed efficiently, hence it is particularly suitable for applications in modern dynamic data analysis (e.g., video sequence classification and clustering), where a large number of high-dimensional LDSs may need to be compared. Based on the alignment distance, we also define a notion of average between LDSs of the same size and order with the property that the order and in some cases stability are naturally preserved. Various extensions to the basic notion of alignment distance are also proposed.
Equilibrium 2H/1H fractionations in organic molecules. II: Linear alkanes, alkenes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols and ethers

Equilibrium ^2H/^1H fractionation factors (α_(eq)) for various H positions in alkanes, alkenes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols, and ethers were calculated between 0 and 100 °C using vibrational frequencies from ab initio QM calculations (B3LYP/6-311G**). Results were then corrected using a temperature-dependent linear calibration curve based on experimental data for H_α in ketones (Wang et al., 2009). The total uncertainty in reported α_(eq) values is estimated at 10–20‰. The effects of functional groups were found to increase the value of α_(eq) for H next to electron-donating groups, e.g. -OR, -OH or -O(CO)R, and to decrease the value of α_(eq) for H next to electron-withdrawing groups, e.g. -(C=O)R or -(C=O)OR. Smaller but significant functional group effects are also observed for H_β and sometimes H_γ. By summing over individual H positions, we estimate the equilibrium fractionation relative to water to be −90‰ to −70‰ for n-alkanes and around −100‰ for pristane and phytane. The temperature dependence of these fractionations is very weak between 0 and 100 °C. Our estimates of α_(eq) agree well with field data for thermally mature hydrocarbons (δ^2H values between −80‰ and −110‰ relative to water). Therefore the observed δ2H increase of individual hydrocarbons and the disappearance of the biosynthetic δ^2H offset between n-alkyl and linear isoprenoid lipids during maturation of organic matter can be confidently attributed to H exchange towards an equilibrium state. Our results also indicate that many n-alkyl lipids are biosynthesized with δ^2H values that are close to equilibrium with water. In these cases, constant down-core δ^2H values for n-alkyl lipids cannot be reliably used to infer a lack of isotopic exchange.
International professional service firms: how do they affect government policy?

Professional services firms (PSFs) engaged in international operations present a unique challenge for governments. They directly and indirectly affect governmental policies and the agencies that enforce these policies through policy development, problem solving, and implementation. Yet, governments that seek to advance rational, forward thinking public policy have little, if any, regulatory control over the input and influence of these professional experts. International professional service firms face an increasingly competitive marketplace and complex challenges that demand skill sets that are markedly different from those characteristically required of consumer service companies. This study identifies the qualities of the best performing PSFs that engage clients worldwide. Implications are discussed for governments to ensure the greater public good.
Evaluation of Bosch-Based Systems Using Non-Traditional Catalysts at Reduced Temperatures

Oxygen and water resupply make open loop atmosphere revitalization (AR) systems unfavorable for long-term missions beyond low Earth orbit. Crucial to closing the AR loop are carbon dioxide reduction systems with low mass and volume, minimal power requirements, and minimal consumables. For this purpose, NASA is exploring using Bosch-based systems. The Bosch process is favorable over state-of-the-art Sabatier-based processes due to complete loop closure. However, traditional operation of the Bosch required high reaction temperatures, high recycle rates, and significant consumables in the form of catalyst resupply due to carbon fouling. A number of configurations have been proposed for next-generation Bosch systems. First, alternative catalysts (catalysts other than steel wool) can be used in a traditional single-stage Bosch reactor to improve reaction kinetics and increase carbon packing density. Second, the Bosch reactor may be split into separate stages wherein the first reactor stage is dedicated to carbon monoxide and water formation via the reverse water-gas shift reaction and the second reactor stage is dedicated to carbon formation. A series system will enable maximum efficiency of both steps of the Bosch reaction, resulting in optimized operation and maximum carbon formation rate. This paper details the results of testing of both single-stage and two-stage Bosch systems with alternative catalysts at reduced temperatures. These results are compared to a traditional Bosch system operated with a steel wool catalyst.
Circadian Locomotor Activity and Core-Body Temperature Rhythms in Alzheimer's Disease

Sleep-wake cycle disturbances suggest that circadian rhythms may be disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we examined the circadian rhythms of core-body temperature and locomotor activity in 28 patients with probable AD and 10 healthy controls. AD patients had higher percent nocturnal activity than controls, corresponding to the clinical picture of fragmented sleep. The amplitude of the activity cycle in the AD patients was lower than that of controls and the acrophase of this cycle in AD patients was 4.5 h later. There was no difference in the amplitude of the core-body temperature circadian rhythm, but AD patients had delayed temperature acrophases. A subgroup of AD patients with large mean time differences between the acrophases of their activity and temperature cycles had lower temperature amplitudes and greater activity during the night. These findings suggest that a subgroup of AD patients with impaired endogenous pacemaker function may have a diminished capacity to synchronize the rhythm of core-body temperature with the circadian cycle of rest-activity. This circadian rhythm dysfunction may partly explain the fragmented nocturnal sleep exhibited by these patients.
Baseball’s Last Great Scout: The Life of Hugh Alexander. By Dan Austin.

As a baseball fan, I just finished watching the 2014 World Series. I also just finished reading Baseball’s Last Great Scout: The Life of Hugh Alexander. I found both to be quite enjoyable. Since th...
Students as Consumers: Programming for Brand Loyalty

Identifying factors of first-semester programming that lead to student satisfaction can provide the basis for an increase in brand loyalty or student retention. This research uses a case study approach at a public liberal arts college in the northeastern United States. The results show that introducing students to the social and academic life of the campus, as well as building a relationship with an instructor and the freshman class community, increases their satisfaction. Significant outside employment decreases satisfaction. Administrators can improve student satisfaction, and thus brand loyalty and student retention, by incorporating particular services marketing elements in first-semester programming.
Validation of a historical physical activity questionnaire in middle-aged women.

Background: Historical physical activity (PA) questionnaires assess relationships between past PA and chronic diseases. The 4-Corner’s Historical Physical Activity Questionnaire (HPAQ) was validated in 78 middle-age women. Methods: In 1996 and 1998, women kept PA records (PAR) for four consecutive days while wearing Caltrac accelerometers. In 2001, the same women recalled their past PA levels using the HPAQ. PA levels from the HPAQ were compared to PARs and the Caltrac. Race-adjusted Spearman correlations determined validity. Results: Low to modest correlations existed between PA (min/wk and MET-min/wk) from the HPAQ and PARs for moderate (r = 0.16 and 0.14, respectively), vigorous PA (r = 0.26 and 0.27, respectively; P < 0.05) and moderate-vigorous PA (r = 0.20 and 0.17, respectively). Moderate and moderate-vigorous, but not vigorous PA was positively related to energy expenditure expressed as kilocalories (r = 0.23, P < 0.05 and 0.22, –0.03, respectively) or PA volume (MET-min/wk) (r = 0.29, 0.29, P < 0.05 and 0.10, respectively). Conclusion: The HPAQ can produce valid estimates of women’s past moderate and vigorous PA levels.
The Locus of Enterocyte Effacement-Encoded Effector Proteins All Promote Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Pathogenicity in Infant Rabbits

The genes encoding the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) type III secretion system (TTSS) and five effector proteins secreted by the TTSS are located on the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. Deletion of tir, which encodes one of these effector proteins, results in a profound reduction (∼10,000-fold) in EHEC colonization of the infant rabbit intestine, but the in vivo phenotypes of other LEE genes are unknown. Here, we constructed in-frame deletions in escN, the putative ATPase component of the TTSS, and the genes encoding the four other LEE-encoded effector proteins, EspH, Map, EspF, and EspG, to investigate the contributions of the TTSS and the translocated effector proteins to EHEC pathogenicity in infant rabbits. We found that the TTSS is required for EHEC colonization and attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion formation in the rabbit intestine. Deletion of escN reduced EHEC recovery from the rabbit intestine by ∼10,000-fold. Although EspH, Map, EspF, and EspG were not required for A/E lesion formation in the rabbit intestine or in HeLa cells, these effector proteins promote EHEC colonization. Colonization by the espH and espF mutants was reduced throughout the intestine. In contrast, colonization by the map and espG mutants was reduced only in the small intestine, indicating that Map and EspG have organ-specific effects. EspF appears to down-regulate the host response to EHEC, since we observed increased accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the colonic mucosa of rabbits infected with the EHEC espF mutant. Thus, all the known LEE-encoded effector proteins influence EHEC pathogenicity.
357: Augmentation of Type 1 immune response cytokines/chemokines is associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension

sample by an investigator blinded to the clinical data and were cultured in multiwell dishes. EPCs were counted with flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies to CD34, KDR, and CD133. Colony forming units (CFUs) were counted after 5 days. Viability of ex-vivo expanded EPCs was assessed by Guava ViaCount after 5 days. Mean ( SEM) values were compared with the t-test. Results: The systolic PA pressure, mean PA pressure, and PVR were 76.8 17.9 mm Hg, 47.4 11 mm Hg, and 8.0 1.4 Wood units. Patients had 53% fewer CD133 cells, 74% fewer KDR cells, and 87% fewer CD133 /KDR cells vs. controls, p .01 for all (Fig). CFUs were 87% lower (p .003, Fig). EPC viability was modestly reduced (82.16 1.19% vs. 90.81 0.18%, p .038). Conclusions: EPC number and function are reduced in PAH. Further studies are required to determine if EPC number and function relate to PAH severity and treatment response.
Independent Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo integration is a rough and ready technique for calculating high-dimensional integrals and dealing with nonsmooth integrands [4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. Although quadrature methods can be extended to multiple dimensions, these deterministic techniques are almost invariably defeated by the curse of dimensionality. For example, if a quadrature method relies on n quadrature points in one dimension, then its product extension to d dimensions relies on n d quadrature points. Even in one dimension, quadrature methods perform best for smooth functions. Both Romberg acceleration and Gaussian quadrature certainly exploit smoothness.
Wrangler's user environment: A software framework for management of data-intensive computing system

The growth in the capacity and capability of NAND Flash based storage systems have changed the face of data oriented computational systems. These systems have become both more capable and flexible in how they are used. With these changes comes both increased potential and user complexity. While many systems attempt to hide this complexity through the addition of more layers of storage caches, the design of the Wrangler system went a different route, choosing instead to build a simple yet flexible web based interface to allow users to easily configure this complex data computing system based on their service and software needs. This allows users to work in the environments best suited to their workflows while optimally utilizing the systems high performance and high capacity storage systems. This interface also allows users to schedule long term periods of reserved capacity, "data campaigns", for projects. Finally, the system has been designed to support the data storage and sharing capacities of the system to enable these key aspects of data research. We discuss the capabilities with respect to three already existing workflows on the system to highlight the diversity and flexibility provided by this environment to data researchers.
Psychological effects of amputation in osteosarcoma.

Amputations have been performed for centuries to treat a variety of disorders including cancer. Historically amputees often are geriatric patients with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, or those receiving injuries as a result of an accident or war [1, 2, 3]. In fact, in 1866 after the Civil War in the United States, one-fifth of the entire revenue of the State of Mississippi was spent on artificial limbs for amputees [4]. Nevertheless, the full impact of amputation, or the more modern version of it; i.e., limb-salvage operation, has not been fully explored.
Ventricular Tachycardia in Congenital Pulmonary Stenosis

With modern surgical techniques, there is significantly increased life expectancy for those with congenital heart disease. Although congenital pulmonary valve stenosis is not as complex as tetralogy of Fallot, there are many similarities between the 2 lesions, such that patients with either of these conditions are at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Those patients who have undergone surgical palliation for congenital pulmonary stenosis are at an increased risk for development of ventricular arrhythmias and may benefit from a more aggressive evaluation for symptoms of palpitations or syncope.
High Energy Theory Workshops and Visitors at the Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics FY16

The String theory workshop was held from March 4-7, 2015 on the University of Michigan campus. Local organizers were Gordon Kane and Aaron Pierce. Piyush Kumar (Yale), Jim Halverson (KITP), Bobby Acharya (ICTP) and Sven Krippendorf (Oxford) served as external organizers.The meeting focused on the status of work to project 10 or 11 dimensional string/M theories onto our 4 spacetime dimensions (compactification). The workshop had 31 participants, half from outside the U.S. Participants were encouraged to focus on predictions for recent and forthcoming data, particularly for Higgs physics and LHC and dark matter, rather than on the traditional approach of embedding the Standard Model particles and forces. The Higgs boson sympoosium was locally organized by James Wells (chair), Aaron Pierce and Jianming Qian. Additional input in the early stages by Stefan Pokorski (Warsaw) who was unable to attend in the end. The workshop consistent of 22 talks from experts around the world, both theoretical and experimental. Experimentalists summarized the current state of knowledge of the Higgs boson and its varients. The theory talks ranged from technical calculations of Standard Model processes to speculative novel ideas. The YHET visitor program invited weekly young visitors to the University of Michigan campus tomore » present their work. This year 24 participants came under the program, with 17 of them receiving at least partial support for their visits.« less
Economic Espionage as Reality or Rhetoric: Equating Trade Secrecy with National Security

In the last few years, the Economic Espionage Act (EEA), a 1996 statute that criminalizes trade secrecy misappropriation, was amended twice, once to increase the penalties and once to expand the definition of trade secrets and the types of behaviors that are illegal. Recent developments also reveal a pattern of expansion in investigation, indictments, and convictions under the EEA as well as the devotion of large resources by the FBI and other agencies to warn private industry against the global threats of trade secret theft. At the international level, the United States government has been advocating enhanced levels of trade secrecy protection in new regional trade agreements This article asks about the effects these developments on innovation. The article examines the rhetoric the government is using to promote its trade secrecy agenda, uncovering that the argument for greater protection appears to derive at least some of its power from xenophobia, and most importantly, from a conflation of private economic interests with national security concerns, interjecting a new dimension to the moral component of innovation policy debates. Analyzing recent empirical research about innovation policy, we ask about the effects of these recent trends on university research and on private market innovation, including entrepreneurship, information flows and job mobility. We argue that, paradoxically, the effort to protect valuable information and retain the United States’ leadership position could disrupt information flows, interfere with collaborative efforts, and ultimately undermine the inventive capacity of American innovators. The article offers suggestions for reconciling legitimate concerns about national security with the balance intellectual property law traditionally seeks to strike between incentivizing innovation and ensuring the vibrancy of the creative environment. We conclude that a legal regime aimed at protecting incumbency is not one that can also optimally foster innovation.
Effect of Vocal vs Non-Vocal Music on Visual Recall

20 male and 20 female college students were given a detailed photograph as well as a 20-item questionnaire pertaining to the photograph. In quiet surroundings one group listened to a non-vocal reco...
Introduction to Special Issue on Community Psychology and the Hermeneutics of Love

In this introduction to the special issue on humanistic community psychology and the hermeneutics of love, a context is provided for the emergence of a community psychology founded on a hermeneutic...
MODULATIONS OF SINH-GORDON AND SINE-GORDON WAVETRAINS.

An invariant representation of the modulation equations for the sinh- and sine-Gordon wavetrains is derived. A simple derivation of the representation which makes fundamental use of squared eigenfunctions is presented. This representation is used to place the modulation equations in Riemann invariant form and to cast them in a Hamiltonian form. The multiphase sinh-Gordon study is complete, while the sine-Gordon theory for more than one phase possesses technical difficulties which are described in the text. Explicit results on real two-phase sine-Gordon waves are included in Section VI.
Relationships of Calcium to Skeletal Health and Potential Adverse Effects

Recent reports have suggested that calcium supplements have not been effective in reducing skeletal fractures in older adults. In addition, several other current articles have not been able to demonstrate that calcium supplements or high total calcium intakes are related to coronary artery calcification, although other reports disagree. Yet, other manuscripts have linked high calcium intakes to renal stones, and no disagreement exists about this rather rare finding. The objective of this commentary is to review these issues by citing major publications over the last few years.
WE‐DE‐BRA‐05: Monte Carlo Simulation of a Novel Multi‐Layer MV Imager

Purpose: To develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of a novel multi-layer imager (MLI) for megavolt (MV) energy beams. The MC model will enable performance optimization of the MLI design for clinical applications including patient setup verification, tumor tracking and MVCBCT. Methods: The MLI is composed of four layers of converter, scintillator and light detector, each layer similar to the current clinical AS1200 detector (Varian Medical Systems, Inc). The MLI model was constructed using the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE v7.1) and includes interactions for x-ray photons, charged particles and optical photons. Computational experiments were performed to assess Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) and Noise Power Spectrum normalized by photon fluence and average detector signal (qNNPS). Results were compared with experimental measurements. The current work incorporates, in one model, the complete chain of events occurring in the imager; i.e. starting from x-ray interaction to charged particle transport and energy deposition to subsequent generation, interactions and detection of optical photons. Results: There is good agreement between measured and simulated MTF, qNNPS and DQE values. Normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) between measured and simulated values over all four layers was 2.18%, 2.43% and 6.05% for MTF, qNNPS and DQE respectively. The relative difference between simulated and measured values for qNNPS(0) was 1.68% and 1.57% for DQE(0). Current results were obtained using a 6MV Varian Truebeam™ spectrum. Conclusion: A comprehensive Monte Carlo model of the MLI prototype was developed to allow optimization of detector components. The model was assessed in terms of imaging performance using standard metrics (i.e. MTF, qNNPS, DQE). Good agreement was found between simulated and measured values. The model will be used to assess alternative detector constructions to facilitate advanced clinical imaging applications including MV-CBCT and tumor tracking. The project was supported, partially, by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and Award No. R01CA188446-01 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
The Anthropic Principle in Cosmology and Theology

The “anthropic principle” has grown from scientific and philosophical reflection on the unlikely combination of circumstances needed, from the moment of the Big Bang through evolutionary history, to produce human life as we know it. This article describes the anthropic principle, in its “strong” and “weak” forms. It concludes with some thoughts on the possible theological implications of the anthropic discussion. From a theological perspective, the anthropic principle can be seen as part of the ongoing human effort to employ myth in the construction of a cosmology. It suggests both a sense of the design of the universe as well a the possible need for a Designer with some purpose and overall plan.