cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of low back pain, seeking medical care, and lost time due to low back pain among manual material handling workers in the United States

Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem throughout the United States. To achieve a greater understanding of the occupational risk factors, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) funded a low back health effects consortium, which performed several surveillance studies throughout the United States. This study combines data from the consortium research groups resulting in a data set with nearly 2000 workers in various regions of the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine prevalence and personal risk factors of low back health effects among these workers. There were three common questions regarding history of low back health effects in the past 12 months including 1) have you had LBP lasting 7 days, 2) have you sought medical care for LBP, and 3) have you taken time off work due to LBP. The questionnaire included demographic questions. There were five data collections institutions or sites including NIOSH, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Texas A&M University, and University of Utah. The 12-month period prevalence of low back pain lasting 7 days, seeking medical care, and lost time due to LBP were 25, 14 and 10%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age or weight between cases and non-cases for any prevalence measure. The height of workers was significantly greater in the cases compared to non-cases for all three prevalence definitions. There were significant differences among the sites on the prevalence of seeking medical care for LBP and lost time due to LBP. The Ohio State University had significantly higher prevalence rates for seeking medical care and lost time due to LBP than University of Wisconsin, University of Utah, or Texas A&M University. LBP, the least severe low back health effect studied, had the highest prevalence (25%) and lost time due to LBP, the most severe low back health effect studied, had the lowest prevalence (10%) among nearly 2000 US manual material handling workers. There was a significant site or regional influence in prevalence rates for seeking medical care and lost time due to LBP.
Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum: A Survey of Practicing Georgia Obstetrician Gynecologists.

OBGYNs help patients plan families, conceive, and deliver children, however the personal reproductive history and goals, infertility experiences, and birth outcomes of OBGYNs are not well studied. We aim to characterize female OBGYN reproductive experiences with a particular focus on infertility, reproductive life planning (methods of pregnancy prevention, reasons why pregnancy is/was delayed), birth outcomes (mode of delivery, delivery timing), and the postpartum period (breastfeeding, maternity leave, postpartum depression). An anonymous email survey was distributed to female members of Georgia OBGYN Society and Emory University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Descriptive statistics and bivariable analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel and OpenEpi. Of 352 surveys, 204 of 269 women who opened the survey agreed to participate (75.8% per opened email, 58.0% per sent email). Mean age of first childbirth was 30.7 (SD ± 4.2) years. Most pregnancies were intended (77%). Fertility treatments were used in 13% of pregnancies. Resident mothers compared to mothers who gave birth before or after residency were more likely to report postpartum depression [26% vs. 16%, OR 1.8 (95% CI 0.93–3.58)] and shorter maternity leave < 6 weeks [57% vs. 29%, OR 2.57 (CI 1.56–5.00)]; exclusive breastfeeding rates ≥ 6 months were similar [38% residents vs. 41% non-residents, OR 0.80 (CI 0.44–1.43)]. Among those not finished with childbearing, 68% worried about infertility, 29% were considering oocyte/embryo cryopreservation, and 5% had already cryopreserved oocytes. Compared to the general population, the average age of first childbirth among Georgia OBGYNs was 4 years higher (30.7) with a greater proportion of pregnancies planned. Use of fertility services and obstetric course matched national rates, however postpartum depression was more prevalent among Georgia OBGYNs. Awareness of increased postpartum depression among residents may allow for improved counseling and treatment.
Constructing Human Proteoform Families Using Intact-Mass and Top-Down Proteomics with a Multi-Protease Global Post-Translational Modification Discovery Database

Complex human biomolecular processes are made possible by the diversity of human proteoforms. Constructing proteoform families, groups of proteoforms derived from the same gene, is one way to represent this diversity. Comprehensive, high-confidence identification of human proteoforms remains a central challenge in mass spectrometry-based proteomics. We have previously reported a strategy for proteoform identification using intact-mass measurements, and we have since improved that strategy by mass calibration based on search results, the use of a global post-translational modification discovery database, and the integration of top-down proteomics results with intact-mass analysis. In the present study, we combine these strategies for enhanced proteoform identification in total cell lysate from the Jurkat human T lymphocyte cell line. We collected, processed, and integrated three types of proteomics data (NeuCode-labeled intact-mass, label-free top-down, and multi-protease bottom-up) to maximize the number of confident proteoform identifications. The integrated analysis revealed 5950 unique experimentally observed proteoforms, which were assembled into 848 proteoform families. Twenty percent of the observed proteoforms were confidently identified at a 3.9% false discovery rate, representing 1207 unique proteoforms derived from 484 genes.
Noisemakers! Putting the Analog in Digital Humanities

Noisefest! is an interactive, multisensory experience centered around a small Maine town and rooted in the sounds and noise of its streets. Comprising a Virtual Reality tour, soundwalks and remixes, a 2D laser cut geographical map with Arduino controllers, and a Futuristic noise intoner, one of the objectives of this collaborative, transdisciplinary, and theory-based project is to create concrete opportunities for students to participate in the “real” world and engage with the materiality of noise and its manifestations by interacting with the soundscape through novel, interactive, and multisensory practices. Noisefest! is also an example of how one can creatively and artistically extend the reach of the digital humanities beyond the borders of academia and into the public realm.
Design and out-of-pile testing of a novel irradiation experiment vehicle to support qualification of nuclear thermal propulsion components

Abstract Fission power systems have demonstrated higher thermal energy density per unit mass than chemical systems. High mass specific energy density offers advantages in space thermal propulsion applications. In the 1960s, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) development included the ROVER/NERVA program, in which full-scale prototype reactors were tested on the ground using hydrogen as the reactor coolant and propellant. NTP systems are being revisited, with expectations of improved performance resulting from improved fuel materials, allowing propellant temperatures near 2,800 K and over 20 thermal propulsion cycles. An apparatus has been developed to test NTP fuel materials in a research reactor at temperature and in a radiation environment typical of the NTP application. This paper presents the design constraints, preliminary scoping thermal analysis, and basic thermal qualification testing for the out-of-pile experiment set apparatus, or OUTSET.
Cancer's role in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

e24064Background: For the constellation of neurological disorders known as chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, mechanistic understanding, and treatment remain deficient. This might be due to the fact ...
A Conceptual Framework to Describe Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Interactions

Energy efficiency (EE) and demand response (DR) resources provide important utility systems and ratepayer benefits. At the same time, the rapid change in the amount and type of variable renewable energy, like solar and wind, is reshaping the role and economic value of EE and DR, and will likely affect the time-dependent valuation of EE and DR measures. Utilities are increasingly interested in integrating EE and DR measures as a strategic approach to improve their collective cost-effectiveness and performance. We develop a framework to identify the EE and DR attributes, system conditions, and technological factors that are likely to drive interactions between EE and DR. We apply the framework to example measures with different technology specifics in the context of different utility system conditions. We find that EE and DR interactions are likely driven by changes in discretionary load, the addition of controls or other capabilities to shift loads, and the coincidence of savings with system peak or load building periods. Our analysis suggests increasing complexity in evaluating EE and DR interactions when moving from standalone equipment to integrated systems. The framework can be applied to research on integrated building systems by grouping measures into portfolios with different likely implications for EE and DR interactions.
Clinical Feasibility and Airway Deposition of Nebulized Voriconazole in Healthy Horses.

Abstract Voriconazole (VRC) is a potential treatment for pneumomycosis in horses. The objectives of this study were to determine if the delivery of Vfend using a Flexineb nebulizer produced clinically significant [VRC] in lower airways. The hypothesis was that [VRC] after delivery by nebulization would be greater in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid than plasma. A secondary objective was to determine [VRC] in upper airways through the collection of nasopharyngeal wash (NPW) samples. Voriconazole solution [Vfend-6.25 mg/mL, 100 (n = 2), 200 (n = 3), 500 (n = 1) mg] was nebulized once in 6 healthy geldings. Clinical responses, duration of nebulization, and [VRC] at various time points (up to 8 hours) in plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant and cell pellet, and NPW samples were recorded. Voriconazole (Vfend-6.25 mg/mL, 200 mg) was nebulized in 5 additional, healthy geldings, and [VRC] was measured in NPW samples pre- and postnebulization at time points up to 8 hours. The antifungal activity of BALF and NPW samples was determined using agar disk diffusion. Concentrations of voriconazole were below detection in plasma, BALF supernatant, and cell pellets for all time points and doses except the BALF cell pellet (0.4 μg/g) immediately after nebulization of 500 mg. For 5 horses, administered 200 mg of Vfend, mean [VCR] in NPW at the end of nebulization and 1, 6, and 8 hours postnebulization were: 30.8 ± 29, 1.0 ± 0.84, 0.2 ± 0.19, and 0.34 ± 0.67 μg/mL, respectively. Only NPW samples obtained immediately postnebulization showed antifungal activity. A nebulized Vfend solution is not recommended for the treatment of pneumomycosis in horses.
Agonist-antagonist myoneural interface amputation preserves proprioceptive sensorimotor neurophysiology in lower limbs

The brain undergoes marked changes in function and functional connectivity after limb amputation. The agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) amputation is a procedure that restores physiological agonist-antagonist muscle relationships responsible for proprioceptive sensory feedback to enable greater motor control. We compared results from the functional neuroimaging of individuals (n = 29) with AMI amputation, traditional amputation, and no amputation. Individuals with traditional amputation demonstrated a significant decrease in proprioceptive activity, measured by activation of Brodmann area 3a, whereas functional activation in individuals with AMIs was not significantly different from controls with no amputation (P < 0.05). The degree of proprioceptive activity in the brain strongly correlated with fascicle activity in the peripheral muscles and performance on motor tasks (P < 0.05), supporting the mechanistic basis of the AMI procedure. These results suggest that surgical techniques designed to restore proprioceptive peripheral neuromuscular constructs result in desirable central sensorimotor plasticity.
Social Network Predicts Exposure to Respiratory Infection in a Wild Chimpanzee Group

Respiratory pathogens are expected to spread through social contacts, but outbreaks often occur quickly and unpredictably, making it challenging to simultaneously record social contact and disease incidence data, especially in wildlife. Thus, the role of social contacts in the spread of infectious disease is often treated as an assumption in disease simulation studies, and few studies have empirically demonstrated how pathogens spread through social networks. In July–August 2015, an outbreak of respiratory disease was observed in a wild chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda, during an ongoing behavioral study of male chimpanzees, offering a rare opportunity to evaluate how social behavior affects individual exposure to socially transmissible diseases. From May to August 2015, we identified adult and adolescent male chimpanzees displaying coughs and rhinorrhea and recorded 5-m proximity data on males (N = 40). Using the network k-test, we found significant relationships between male network connectivity and the distribution of cases within the network, supporting the importance of short-distance contacts for the spread of the respiratory outbreak. Additionally, chimpanzees central to the network were more likely to display clinical signs than those with fewer connections. Although our analyses were limited to male chimpanzees, these findings underscore the value of social connectivity data in predicting disease outcomes and elucidate a potential evolutionary cost of being social.
A gauge-fixing procedure for spherical fluid membranes and application to computations

Abstract A distinguishing feature of lipid (bilayer) membranes is their in-plane fluidity caused by free-flowing lipid molecules on the membrane surface. In continuum models for lipid membranes (e.g., the Helfrich–Canham model), fluidity manifests as invariance of the free energy to change in parametrization of the reference surface; a property termed reparametrization invariance. Two different parametric equations of the surface, related through a reparametrization, have identical equilibrium and stability properties. They can therefore be considered equivalent representations of the same surface. Since there are infinitely many ways to parametrize a surface, there are infinitely many equivalent representations for the surface. This highly redundant representation for a surface poses significant challenges to computations. For example, in computational studies using finite element analysis, extreme mesh distortion and spurious zero-energy modes are reported (Feng and Klug, 2006; Ma and Klug, 2008). In this work, by viewing reparametrization invariance as a form of gauge symmetry, we propose a gauge-fixing procedure for the case of topologically spherical membranes. We show that this procedure breaks gauge symmetry and tames the extreme redundancy of the system. We also demonstrate that this procedure is suitable for efficient numerical computations. We obtain accurate equilibrium configurations for the Helfrich–Canham model while circumventing computational issues noted above.
Challenges and Opportunities of Targeted Behavioral Interventions for Groups at Risk for Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a serious autoimmune disease which causes painful, swollen joints and can impact quality of life and increase morbidity and mortality. There are several preclinical stages of RA that correspond to at-risk groups that include: genetic risk, risk from behaviors, elevation of RA-related autoantibodies, and early clinical disease manifestations such as undifferentiated arthritis. Early interventions are crucial to slowing progression to and potentially preventing RA onset. Modification of behaviors among at-risk individuals may decrease RA risk. There are several challenges and opportunities in implementing preventative behavioral interventions, which may vary within different at-risk groups. Methods: We performed a narrative review of the literature, including meta-analyses focused on RA risk-related behaviors as well as publications investigating the potential efficacy of behavioral modifications on RA risk. Results: There are multiple behavioral risk factors associated with RA, including smoking, obesity, low physical activity, low quality diet, and poor dental hygiene, which may contribute to progression to clinical RA. Meta-analyses have been performed for smoking, excess body weight, and physical activity. Likelihood of adopting behavioral modifications may increase as RA risk increases. Conclusions: Clinicians may be able to tailor preventative approaches to various RA at-risk groups to help reduce RA risk, but further research is needed. A better understanding of the relationship of behaviors with RA risk and optimized approaches to implementing behavioral changes may allow for clinicians to tailor their preventative approaches for at-risk individuals.
Diagnosis and Management of the Critically Ill Adult Patient with Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State.

Abstract Background Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is important for emergency physicians to be aware of this unique diagnosis and treatment considerations. Objective This manuscript reviews the emergency department evaluation and management of the adult patient with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Discussion Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state is diagnosed by an elevated glucose, elevated serum osmolality, minimal or absent ketones, and a neurologic abnormality, most commonly altered mental status. Treatment involves fluid resuscitation and correction of electrolyte abnormalities. It is important to monitor these patients closely to avoid overcorrection of osmolality, sodium, and other electrolytes. These patients are critically ill and generally require admission to an intensive care unit. Conclusions Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis, management, and disposition of these patients.
High Temperature Properties and Thermal Decomposition of Inorganic Salts with Oxyanions

INTRODUCTION General Equilibrium Calculations Phase Transitions Density Kinetics of Thermal Decomposition CARBONATES Introduction CO, CO2, and O2 The Individual Carbonates References Tables Figure Captions SULFITES General Individual Sulfites References Tables Figure Captions SULFATES General Decomposition Equilibria Individual Sulfates References Tables Figure Captions NITRITES AND NITRATES Gaseous Equilibria in the N-O System The Nitrites The Nitrates Individual Nitrites and Nitrates References Tables Figure Captions OXYSALTS OF THE HALOGENS General Phase Transitions Density Chemistry of the Halogen-Oxysalts References Tables Figure Captions OXYSALTS OF CHLORINE General Classes of Oxychlorine Salts Individual Salts References Tables Figure Captions OXYSALTS OF BROMINE General Classes of Oxybromine Salts Individual Salts References Tables Figure Captions OXYSALTS OF IODINE General Classes of Oxyiodine Salts Individual Salts References Tables Figure Captions
The CyberKnife in clinical use: current roles, future expectations.

The CyberKnife system deploys a linac mounted on an agile robot and directed under image guidance for stereotactic radiotherapy using nonisocentric beam delivery. A design advantage of the CyberKnife
Guiding Distributed Systems Synthesis with Language-Based Security Policies

The distributed information systems we use every day are becoming more complex and interconnected. Can we trust them with our information? Currently there is no good way to check that distributed software uses information securely, even if we have the source code. Many mechanisms are available, but are error-prone: for example, encryption, various cryptographic protocols, access control, and replication. But it is hard to know when we are using these mechanisms in a way that correctly enforces application security requirements. This talk describes a higher-level approach to programming secure systems. Instead of using security mechanisms directly, the programming language incorporates explicit security policies specifying the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The compiler then automatically transforms the source code to run securely on the available host machines, and uses a variety of security mechanisms in order to satisfy security policies. The result is systems that are secure by construction. We look at two applications of this approach: building secure web applications using partitioning beween clients and servers, and building more general secure systems by synthesizing fault-tolerance protocols for availability. Joint work with Steve Chong, Jed Liu, Nate Nystrom, Xin Qi, K. Vikram, Steve Zdancewic, Lantian Zheng, and Xin Zheng.
Photopolarimetry of Planets

Polarimetry is reviewed in a new book of which I am the editor (Gehrels 1974) while detailed papers of our group in Arizona continue to appear in a series ‘The Wavelength Dependence of Polarization’ in the Astronomical Journal.
An Overview of Gene Identification: Approaches, Strategies, and Considerations

Modern biology is on the verge of officially ushering in a new era in science with the completion of the sequencing of the human genome in April 2003. While often erroneously called the "post-genome era", this will actually truly mark the beginning of the "genome era," a time in which the availability of sequence data for many genomes will have a significant effect on how science is performed in the 21st century. This unit offers an overview of many of the gene prediction methods that are currently available and offers a general assessment of how well the methods work for various problems.
Effects of submicrometer sulfuric acid aerosols on mucociliary transport and respiratory mechanics in asymptomatic asthmatics

The effects of a 1-hr inhalation of submicrometer sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosols via nasal mask on tracheobronchial mucociliary particle clearance and respiratory mechanics were studied in ten subjects with asthmatic histories. A brief inhalation of monodisperse 3.9-μm99mTc-tagged Fe2O3 aerosol preceded the 1-hr H2SO4 (at 100, 300, and 1000 μg/m3 or a sham exposure. Thoracic retention of the γ-tagged Fe2O3 was measured using external radiation detectors. Respiratory function was measured before, and 15 min and 3 hr after the H2SO4 or sham exposure. After exposure to 1000 μg/m3 of H2SO4, the six subjects not on routine medication exhibited a transient slowing of mucociliary clearance and also decrements in sGaw, FEV1/FVC, MMEF, and V25 (P & 0.05), in both sets of measurements. The four asthmatics on daily medication exhibited stepwise mucociliary clearance that was too variable to allow detection of any H2SO4 effect on clearance. The 1000 μg/m3 of H2SO4 did produce decrements in V25 (P < 0.05), but the variability of the other respiratory parameters in this small group was too great to permit detection of changes. Mucociliary clearance rates in both groups in the sham exposure tests were significantly slower than those of healthy nonsmokers studied previously using the same protocols. The extent of mucociliary clearance slowing following the 1000 μg/m3 exposure in the nonmedicated subjects was similar to that in the healthy nonsmokers. This similar change, from a reduced baseline rate of clearance, together with the significant change in respiratory function, indicate that asymptomatic asthmatics may respond to H2SO4 exposures with functional changes of greater potential health significance than do healthy nonsmokers.
Elastic properties of the respiratory system in infants with cystic fibrosis.

Respiratory system compliance (Crs) in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported as decreased or not different compared with healthy control subjects; however, the reported measurements of Crs were “quasi-static” or by the single-breath occlusion technique, with all measurements limited to tidal lung volume, as well as using inspiratory rather than expiratory pressures. We compared the passive elastic properties of the respiratory system of sleeping infants with CF (n = 10) and healthy control subjects (n = 34) by measuring static deflation pressure–volume (PV) curves from a lung volume at 30 cm H2O (V30) to FRC. There was no significant difference between the groups for Crs, which was measured as the slope between airway relaxation pressures of 5 and 15 cm H2O, the linear portion of the deflation PV curve. In addition, when PV curves were normalized to V30, there were no differences between the infants with CF and healthy control subjects in the fractional volumes at any airway pressure. The in...
Functional differential equations

It is shown that if an entire function f along with a finite number of its derivatives satisfies a seemingly very weak type of functional equation, then fsatisfies an algebraic differential equation. The proof involves linear algebra and Nevanlinna theory. There are no assumptions concerning the growth of f (the proof given is for transcendental functions f but, clearly, this is the only case in which a proof is needed). Also, there are no assumptions concerning the distribution of values of f.
A monoclonal antibody equivalent to anti-rat neural antigen-1 as a marker for schwann cells

Abstract The monoclonal antibody 217c, raised by Peng et al . [(1982) Science, Wash . 215, 1102–1104 in mice against the rat glioma cell line C6, can be used as a marker for normal Schwann cells. In mixed cultures of Schwann cells and fibroblasts from neonatal rat sciatic nerve, this monoclonal antibody, detected by indirect immunofiuorescence, bound to the surface of cells with the same elongated morphology as those that express a previously described surface antigen, rat neural antigen-1 (Ran-1), defined by polyclonal mouse antisera. In these experiments Ran-1 and the antigenic determinant recognized by monoclonal 217c were both found on normal rat Schwann cells and on the rat glial tumor cell lines C6, 33B and 21A and the pheochromocytoma PC 12. Neither ami-Ran-1 nor the monoclonal antibody bound to neurons, fibroblasts or glial cells in newborn rat cerebellum cultures, the rat muscle cell line L6, the transformed rat fibroblast cell line Rat 1, the rat brain tumor cell line B28 or the mouse Schwannoma cell line TR6B. Thus the monoclonal 217c behaved as if it were detecting Ran-1 by binding to normal rat Schwann cells and to those tumor cells that have this antigen. Our data show that this monoclonal antibody is a reliable and convenient marker for rat Schwann cells in culture.
Equilibrium between η2-(o-ethynylbenzoyl)rhenium complexes and rhenium isobenzofuryl carbene complexes and subsequent reactions of isobenzofuryl carbene complexes

Thermal rearrangements of η2-(o-ethynylbenzoyl)-Re complexes 2 produced isobenzofuryl-Re carbene complexes 3. This reaction might proceed via nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl oxygen on the Re-bo...
Hybridization effects and metallicity in small radius carbon nanotubes.

Hybridization of the ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ states of the graphene network is shown to be as important as band-folding effects in determining the metallicity of small radius carbon nanotubes. Using detailed plane-wave ab initio pseudopotential local density functional (LDA) calculations, we find that the electronic properties of small tubes are significantly altered from those obtained in previous tight-binding calculations. Strongly modified low-lying conduction band states are introduced into the band gap of insulating tubes because of strong ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ hybridization. As a result, the LDA gaps of some tubes are lowered by more than 50%, and a tube previously predicted to be semiconducting is shown to be metallic.
Age-dependent effects of lead on [3H]MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor-gated ionophore: in vitro and in vivo studies

Lead (Pb2+) is a more potent inhibitor of [3H]MK-801 binding to rat neuronal membranes than Zn2+ and Mg2+. The inhibitory effects of Pb2+ appeared to be age-dependent since the IC50 was significantly lower in cortical membranes prepared from neonatal than from adult rats. The results also indicate that the hippocampus is more sensitive than the cerebral cortex since the Pb2+ IC50 was significantly lower in the hippocampus. These findings suggest developmental and regional brain heterogeneity to the inhibitory action of lead of [3H]MK-801 binding. Chronic in vivo exposure to Pb2+ resulted in the loss of [3H]MK-801 binding sites in the cerebral cortex of neonatal but not of adult rats. These lead-induced changes may influence developmental processes requiring NMDA receptor activation.
The convergence of HPC and embedded systems in our heterogeneous computing future

Recently we have seen two exciting trends that have been flooding the market: 1) the movement of graphics processing units into mainstream general-purpose platforms, and 2) the movement of multi-core embedded systems into tablet computing and smartphone spaces. These trends are forcing application developers to rethink how they are going to best utilize these many-core and multi-core heterogeneous platforms to provide new levels of cost/performance/power in a range of emerging application domains.
Reduced power consumption in AMLCDs through dynamic power management

— A strategy is presented for reducing the power consumed by the fluorescent backlight in an active-matrix liquid-crystal display (AMLCD). This strategy centers on dynamically minimizing the backlight intensity, based on the content of the images being displayed. Implementation of this dynamic power-management strategy requires very little additional logic in the video controller.
Microscopic in-situ studies of the solvent-induced swelling of thin sections of coal

Abstract The swelling of thin sections of a high-volatile bituminous coal in certain solvents, studied in situ using transmitted light microscopy, was strikingly different from the highly destructive swelling normally observed with lump coal. Roughly a doubling of the volume occurred, with relatively few sizable cracks, and the shapes of the swollen samples closely resembled the original shapes, though there was more swelling perpendicular to the bedding plane. The regularity of swelling of thin sections demonstrates that the destructive swelling of lump coal is not caused by chemical breakdown of the coal structure but rather by mechanical stresses during swelling and shrinking. Repetition of swelling in n -propylamine vapour followed by drying in air gave samples which were extremely close replicas of the preceding swollen or shrunken samples. This high degree of reversibility is significant in relation to the application of thermodynamics to the swelling of coals. The rapid shrinkage on drying showed that the solvent was highly mobile within the coal structure and that most of the swelling was not caused by strong bonding of the liquid to the coal structure. Swollen samples were found to be substantially more flexible than the untreated or redried samples, indicating much greater macromolecular chain mobility and much lower ‘effective’ crosslink density, and suggesting that the elasticity of the solvent-swollen coal may be predominantly rubber-like.
Nervous system physiology regulated by membrane estrogen receptors.

The importance of steroid hormones in the regulation of nervous system function cannot be overstated. Estrogens, in particular, have profound effects on a variety of neurological systems. The most obvious actions include those that are related to sexual differentiation of the brain (Gorski, 1985) and the central control of reproduction (Pfaff et al., 2000). More recently, estradiol has been shown to be critical in a number of cellular events, such as neuronal growth and restructuring, that impact cognition, long-term potentiation, neuroprotection and mood (Belcredito et al., 2001; Lee and McEwen, 2001; Smith and McMahon, 2005). While the impact of estrogens on these behaviors has been well characterized, the underlying mechanism(s) through which the steroid acts to affect many of these processes remains to be elucidated. It was once accepted that the only mechanism of estrogen action was through the binding of intracellular receptors that act as transcription factors. An important finding that has enhanced our understanding of estradiol action was the realization that estradiol can also act on estrogen receptors (ERs) localized at the cellular membrane surface. This is in distinction to the classical actions of estrogens, which typically have long time courses and involve gene transcription and protein translation. Classic actions are mediated by estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and estrogen receptor-β (ERβ). Upon steroid binding, these receptors dimerize, allowing them to functionally interact with specific parts of the genome known as estrogen response elements (EREs) to regulate gene expression. Activated estrogen receptors can also regulate transcription through the stabilization of other DNA binding proteins such as those that interact with activator protein 1 (AP-1) (Kushner et al., 2000; Paech et al., 1997; Webb et al., 1999).
Electron attachment to sulphur hexafluoride: Formation of stable SF6− at low pressure

Electron attachment to SF6 has been studied at low pressure in the gas phase by ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) spectroscopy, Formation of stable SF6− under collision-free conditions is rationalized on the basis of radiative relaxation by (SF6−)*. The utility of ICR for investigating electron attachment at extremely low pressures is noted.
Interpreting laser ablation using cross sections

Abstract Laser etching occurs by several processes depending on the surface and on the laser's power density (P), wavelength and pulse length (∼10 ns here). Important channels for vaporizing monolayers are thermal vaporization, photochemical dissociation and plasma breakdown. Because the plasma-vapor interaction can be viewed as a partial local equilibrium, collisional or reaction cross sections provide a detailed understanding of which reactions will be in equilibrium on a nanosecond time scale. Furthermore, laser ablation is more predictable the nearer the system is to equilibrium rather than acting as separate sub-systems. One important cross section is inverse bremsstrahlung, IB, which controls the local energy deposition of laser energy, and is promoted at P ≳ 109 W/cm2 and > 1019 ions (and electrons)/cm3. (Inverse bremsstrahlung is the scattering (dephasing away from pure dielectric response) of free electrons as they respond to the laser's electric field. The result is a loss component being added to the dielectric response.) In the vapor phase the above range of densities furnish an IB cross section of ≳ 10−19 cm2 in the UV. Alternately this cross section may be produced by a dense, ≳ 3 × 1020 cm−3, cloud of neutral species just over the surface. Using the above cross section one sees that a 10 J/cm2 (10 ns at 109W/cm2) pulse will supply ∼ 5 eV to each free electron; hence further ionization is rapid. While multiphoton ionization furnishes a finite number of free electrons to trigger the IB their density is not sufficient to represent a dominant energy pathway in the case of Cu. Ionization energy is primarily transferred to the plasma cloud by three body recombination as hot atoms are a direct product. This process operates on a nanosecond time scale because of the near atmospheric densities. In the case of copper, we have also shown that the breakup of diatomics provides subsidiary evidence for the concept of IB furnishing an average of > 2 eV/ electron; (the original 5 eV/electron is diminished by the above coupling into the nuclear motion). Less energy than this would not have dissociated the diatomics at the observed rate. These results connect smoothly with fusion results at P 1011 W/cm2 and thus form one conceptual area. Furthermore, the present densities and cross sections are essentially material independent and hence of broad applicability.
The Propeptide Is Nonessential for the Expression of Human Cathepsin D

When the 44-amino acid propeptide of human procathepsin D was deleted by mutagenesis in vitro, the mature protein was stably expressed and secreted from transfected mammalian cells. The secreted protein was correctly folded as judged by its binding to pepstatinyl-agarose. We were unable to detect lysosomal targeting of the propeptide-deleted protein, and targeting was not restored by the substitution of the propeptides from pepsin or renin. We conclude that its propeptide is not essential for the folding of nascent cathepsin D. Efficient lysosomal targeting in mammalian cells appears to require the precursor form of the molecule.
Classically Conditioned Blood Pressure Decreases Induced by Electrical Stimulation of Posterior Lateral Hypothalamus in Rabbits

An experimental group of 5 rabbits received 5 acquisition sessions during which repeated presentation of a 550 Hz tone for 10 sec as the conditioned stimulus (CS) was always followed immediately by 25 pulse per sec, 10 sec train-duration stimulation of the posterior lateral hypothalamus as the unconditioned stimulus (US). A control group of 5 rabbits received random presentations of the CS and US. The unconditioned responses (URs) to intracranial stimulation consisted of tachycardia and a depressor response; conditioned responses (CRs) consisted of depressor responses unaccompanied by systematic changes in heart rate. Neither systematic heart rate nor blood pressure responses occurred to the CS in the control group. The present results contrast with those of previous studies in rabbits in which higher frequency, shorter pulse-train hypothalamic stimulation as US induced a pressor response and reflexive bradycardia as URs, and bradycardia unaccompanied by blood pressure changes as CRs. It is concluded that hypothalamic stimulation as US permits more than one cardiovascular response pattern to be studied under controlled conditions during classical conditioning.
A backfire helical feed

A novel backfire helical feed for a paraboloidal reflector is described. The antenna requirements were a 20 percent bandwidth at L - band, right-hand circular polarization, a maximum voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) of 2.0, and a peak power capability of 200 kW unpressurized. The feed consists basically of a 3.5-turn helix wound around a 1\frac{5}{8} -in rigid coaxial transmission line. The 50 \Omega transmission line is coupled to the helix through a two-stage transformer within the coax followed by a half-wave coax to two-wire (unequal diameters) balun.
Apodization for maximum Strehl criterion and specified Sparrow limit of resolution for incoherent illumination

We solve the apodization problem of determining the diffraction pattern, for a circular aperture, that has a specified Sparrow limit of resolution for coherent illumination and the maximum possible ratio of the central maximum irradiance to the overall transmittance (i.e., maximum possible Strehl criterion). Our analysis uses a mathematical description of the Sparrow limit that is correct, even for complex-valued pupil functions. Earlier work of Barakat, and of the author, on this problem used a mathematical description of the Sparrow limit that we show here to be conceptually inadequate, even for real-valued pupil functions. In spite of this inadequacy, we find the conclusions of the earlier work are valid for the correctly stated problem, provided that the specified Sparrow limit does not exceed the value it would have for the classical Airy-type objective.
Longevity and Attractivity to Male Lesser Peachtree Borer of E,Z-Odda Evaporated from Various Dispensers

Leather dispensers, rubber septa (stopper), a polyethylene vial, polyurethane foam (2 pore sizes), and a hollow fiber dispenser, each charged with (E,Z) -3, 13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate (EZ-ODDA), the sex pheromone of the lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes (Grote & Robinson), were evaluated for longevity of attractiveness in field tests in north central Florida in 1978–79. Except for traps baited with hollow fiber dispensers charged with 16 mg of EZ-ODDA, more males were captured in traps with a leather dispenser charged with 500 μg than in traps with other dispensers similarly charged. Traps with the leather dispenser (charged once) captured 1.8–2.4× more males in 3 tests in 1978, an 8-wk period, and 1.3 – 2.3× more males in 2 tests in 1979, also for 8 wk, than traps with rubber stoppers charged every 3 wk.
Identification, characterization, and isolation of a common progenitor for osteoclasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells from murine bone marrow and periphery

Osteoclasts are specialized bone-resorbing cells that derive from monocyte precursors. We have identified three populations of cells with high osteoclastogenic potential in murine bone marrow, which expressed the phenotype B220(-) CD3(-) CD11b(-/low) CD115(+) and either CD117(hi), CD117(intermediate), or CD117(low). We have evaluated these populations for their ability to also generate macrophages and dendritic cells. At a single-cell level, the population expressing higher CD117 levels was able to generate bone-resorbing osteoclasts, phagocytic macrophages, and antigen-presenting dendritic cells in vitro with efficiencies of more than 90%, indicating that there exists a common developmental pathway for these cell types. Cells with osteoclastogenic potential also exist in blood and peripheral hematopoietic organs. Their functional meaning and/or their relationship with bone marrow progenitors is not well established. Hence, we characterized murine peripheral cell populations for their ability to form osteoclasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells in vitro. The spleen and peripheral blood monocyte progenitors share phenotypic markers with bone marrow progenitors but differ in their expression of CD11b, which was low in bone marrow but high in periphery. We propose that circulating monocyte progenitors are derived from a common bone marrow osteoclasts/macrophage/dendritic cell progenitor (OcMDC), which we have now characterized at a clonal level. However, the lineage relationship between the bone marrow and peripheral monocyte progenitors has yet to be defined.
Contextual factors influencing the eating behaviours of African American women: a focus group investigation.

Objectives: African American women suffer disproportionately from many chronic diseases, and it is well acknowledged that eating patterns and habits are important contributory factors. Our goal was to describe and understand how personal and contextual factors among African American women contribute to food choices that increase the risk for chronic disease. Design: Focus groups were conducted with 40 African American women. Two experimenters abstracted and categorized statements about eating attitudes, beliefs and behaviours from the focus group transcripts. Results: A total of 139 statements were sorted into 10 major categories: (1) specific meals, (2) planning, (3) family/social, (4) snacking, (5) food preferences, (6) health awareness, (7) shopping, (8) food preparation, (9) eating out and (10) emotional. These categories were subdivided into 49 sub-categories to reveal more specific patterns of behaviour. Conclusion: African American women showed considerable variability in how they approached planni...
Suppression by the sumatriptan analogue, CP-122,288 of c-fos immunoreactivity in trigeminal nucleus caudalis induced by intracisternal capsaicin.

1. The effects of an intravenously administered sumatriptan analogue were examined on c-fos-like immunoreactivity (c-fos-LI), a marker of neuronal activation, evoked within trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and other brain stem regions 2 h after intracisternal injection of the irritant, capsaicin (0.1 ml, 0.1 mM), in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized Hartley guinea-pigs. 2. C-fos-LI was assessed in eighteen serial sections (50 microns) using a polyclonal antiserum. A weighted average, reflecting total expression within lamina I, IIo of TNC was obtained from three representative levels (i.e., at -0.225 mm, -2.475 mm and -6.975 mm.). 3. Capsaicin caused significant labelling within lamina I, IIo, a region containing axonal terminations of small unmyelinated C-fibres, as well as within the nucleus of the solitary tract, area postrema and medial reticular nucleus. A similar distribution of positive cells was reported previously after intracisternal injection of other chemical irritants such as autologous blood or carrageenin. 4. Pretreatment with a conformationally restricted sumatriptan analogue (with some selectivity for 5-HT1B and 5-HTID receptor subtypes) CP-122,288, reduced the weighted average by approximately 50-60% (P or = 100 pmol kg-1, i.v., but did not decrease cell number within area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract or medial reticular nucleus. A similar pattern was reported previously following sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine or CP-93,129 administration after noxious meningeal stimulation. 5. We conclude that modifications at the amino-ethyl side chain of sumatriptan dramatically enhance the suppression of c-fos expression within TNC, a finding consistent with its remarkable potency against neurogenic plasma protein extravasation within dura mater. CP-122,288 and related analogues may serve as an important prototype for drug development in migraine and related headaches.