cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical activity levels among the general US adult population and in adults with and without arthritis.

The health effects of regular physical activity (PA) are well established and include decreased mortality and morbidity related to several common chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as contributing to improved mental health, physical functioning, and weight control (1–3). Despite this, US adults continue to get inadequate PA (4). In fact, physical inactivity was felt to be such a large public health problem that in 1996 the US Surgeon General released the landmark report Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (3). This report, as well as an earlier joint report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine (CDCACSM) recommend all US adults participate in regular, moderate-intensity, leisure-time PA (2). The CDC-ACSM recommendation specifically states “Every US adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.” Details of these and other (5) public health recommendations and guidelines for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness are summarized in Table 1. Monitoring national PA levels is important to define the extent of and to identify trends in physical inactivity, evaluate national health objectives, and to identify subpopulations where interventions should be targeted (6). Populations known to be at risk for physical inactivity include women, ethnic/racial minorities, older persons, disabled persons, overweight/obese persons, and persons with chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis (2,3,6,7). The high prevalence of arthritis in the US (43 million) makes persons with arthritis a large part of the population targeted for PA improvements (8). Participation in PA delays the onset of functional limitation (9,10), prevents obesity (11), and is essential for normal joint health (12,13). In addition, PA has been shown to reduce pain and disability among persons with arthritis and increase their physical performance and self efficacy (14,15). Yet, persons with arthritis often resist PA messages because activity may initially increase pain or because they were told, inappropriately, not to be physically active. The purposes of this study are to 1) describe the sources of data used for surveillance and special studies of PA among persons with arthritis, 2) compare levels of physical inactivity between 3 national health surveys, 3) report the prevalence of PA levels among the general US adult population and among adults with and without self-reported arthritis using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and 4) identify areas for future research regarding physical activity and arthritis.
Action information from classification learning.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois Much of our learning comes from interacting with objects. Two experiments investigated whether or not arbitrary actions used during category learning with objects might be incorporated into object representations and influence later recognition judgments. In a virtual-reality chamber, participants used distinct arm movements to make different classification responses. During a recognition test phase, these same objects required arm movements that were consistent or inconsistent with the classification movement. In both experiments, consistent movements were facilitated relative to inconsistent movements, suggesting that arbitrary action information is incorporated into the representations.
Comparison of C-reactive protein and metabolic syndrome as cardiovascular risk factors in African-Americans and European-Americans.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) with the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD) in African Americans and European Americans. MS was defined using revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria in 224 African Americans and 304 European Americans who underwent coronary angiography; CAD was defined as ≥50% stenosis in any segment or as a composite cardiovascular score (0 to 75). The relative frequencies of MS and CAD were significantly higher in African Americans with high (≥3 mg/L) versus low ( 2 = 0.533, p
The clinical significance and anatomic distribution of parathyroid double adenomas.

Abstract Background Parathyroid double adenomas are reported to occur in 3% to 12% of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism, but the very existence of double adenomas has been controversial. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical significance and anatomic distribution of parathyroid double adenomas. Study design The medical records of 384 consecutive patients who underwent operation for primary hyperparathyroidism were reviewed. Results A total of 27 patients (7%) were found to have double parathyroid adenomas. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured in each case. Two enlarged hypercellular parathyroid glands were identified in 6 possible configurations: 10 both superior, 3 both inferior, 5 both right, 3 both left, 5 right superior and left inferior, and 1 left superior and right inferior. There was preferential distribution to the bilateral superior position (p = 0.008). In all patients intraoperative PTH levels dropped by at least 50% from baseline and into the normal range after removal of both abnormal parathyroid glands. All patients remain normocalcemic 1 to 26 months postoperatively. Two patients have persistently elevated PTH values with normal serum calcium levels. Conclusions The drop in intraoperative PTH levels and maintenance of normocalcemia postoperatively confirm previous reports that double adenomas do exist and are not simply missed cases of four-gland hyperplasia. Their incidence is more than would be expected by chance alone. The preferential occurrence of bilateral superior double adenomas suggests the possibility that these may represent hyperplasia of parathyroids arising from the fourth branchial pouch rather than isolated neoplastic events.
Separation of cations in buffered 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride-aluminum chloride ionic liquids by ion chromatography

Abstract Ion chromatography was used to separate sodium and 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium cations in the buffered 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride—aluminum chloride room-temperature molten salt system. The calibration curves for the two species were linear over three decades and the accuracy of the method was ±2.8% relative error.
Semilinear evolution equations in Banach spaces

Abstract We study the evolution equation u′(t) = Au(t) + J(u(t)), t ⩾ 0, where etA is a C0 semi-group on a Banach space E, and J is a “singular” non-linear mapping defined on a subset of E. In Sections 1 and 2 of the paper we suppress the map J and instead consider maps Kt: E → E, t > 0, which heuristically are just etAJ. Under certain integrability conditions on the Kt we prove existence and uniqueness of local solutions to the integral equation u(t) = etA φ + ∝0t Kt − s(u(s)) ds for all φ in E, and investigate the regularity of the solutions. Conditions which insure existence of global solutions are given. In Section 3 we recover the map J from the maps Kt, and show that the generator of the semi-flow on E induced by the integral equation has dense domain. Finally, we apply these results to a large class of examples which includes polynomial perturbations to elliptic operators on a domain in Rn.
Assessing college student perceptions of instructor customer service via the Quality of Instructor Service to Students (QISS) Questionnaire

This study presents the results of a three‐step project designed to: (1) identify what students perceive to be quality service as offered by instructors, (2) relate the dimensions identified to an appropriate survey instrument (the QISS) and pilot‐test the instrument, and (3) survey a stratified representative sample of the undergraduate population with the instrument. A stratified sample of students (N=457) were surveyed using the QISS questionnaire in the spring semester of 2004. The QISS is a modified SERVQUAL questionnaire. Results indicate that students consistently identify Reliability and Responsiveness as the most important dimensions of instructor service to students. Female students consistently report that their experiences with instructors do not meet their expectations. The same holds true for males but to a lesser degree. Information provided from this kind of assessment provides a means of identifying areas where student satisfaction is already strong and areas where it can be improved.
Factors Influencing Retention of Visible Implant Tags by Westslope Cutthroat Trout Inhabiting Headwater Streams of Montana

Abstract Retention of visible implant (VI) tags by westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi inhabiting 20 reaches of 13 isolated headwater tributary drainages in Montana was evaluated during 1993 and 1994. In 1993, 2,071 VI tags were implanted in westslope cutthroat trout (100–324 mm fork length) and adipose fins were removed as a secondary mark to evaluate tag retention. Of 348 westslope cutthroat trout recaptured during the year they were tagged, 201 (58%) had retained their tags. Of 616 westslope cutthroat trout recaptured the year after tagging, 355 (58%) had retained their tags. Logistic regression analyses indicated that fish length was the most significant variable that positively influenced tag retention. Other significant variables were wetted width and channel gradient of the stream in which fish were tagged and quality of tag insertion (rated at time of tagging). Fish condition did not significantly improve deviance performance of logistic regression models that included fork length...
Spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the oral region in domestic animals: a review and consideration of their relevance to human research

Spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the oral region in domestic animals have the potential of providing additional information about the pathology of oral cancer and may be useful in therapeutic research. Moreover, they exhibit definite advantages over chemically induced tumors in rodents. This article provides background information on spontaneous oral squamous cell carcinomas in dogs, cats, cattle, horses and sheep and then discusses the use in research of such tumors in dogs and cats. These two species are potentially the most useful because they are numerous, suffer quite commonly from squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oro-pharynx, and are usually allowed to live approximately normal life spans. Moreover, they are being treated routinely in veterinary hospitals.
Practical Large-Scale Optimization for Max-norm Regularization

The max-norm was proposed as a convex matrix regularizer in [1] and was shown to be empirically superior to the trace-norm for collaborative filtering problems. Although the max-norm can be computed in polynomial time, there are currently no practical algorithms for solving large-scale optimization problems that incorporate the max-norm. The present work uses a factorization technique of Burer and Monteiro [2] to devise scalable first-order algorithms for convex programs involving the max-norm. These algorithms are applied to solve huge collaborative filtering, graph cut, and clustering problems. Empirically, the new methods outperform mature techniques from all three areas.
PeerReview re-evaluation for accountability in distributed systems or networks

Accountability implies that any entity shall be held responsible for its own specific actions and behaviour, so that the entity is part of a larger chain of accountability. PeerReview (Haeberlen et al., 2007) is a software library that provides accountability for distributed systems suffering from Byzantine failure. A key assumption in PeerReview is that a message sent from one correct node to another will be eventually received. In real world environment, however, message loss is commonplace and unavoidable due to the dynamics and uncertainties of the current Internet and it prevents a message from always reaching its destination. Beginning with this point, we have comprehensively analysed the behaviour of PeerReview with the assumption that, eventually, a message will be lost (i.e., never reach the destination). We have demonstrated that PeerReview would be unable to maintain its completeness and accuracy under such circumstantial conditions. Therefore, there is a presentation of six possible errors and the corresponding causes from which they originate. We also propose Message loss Tolerant PeerReview (MLT-PR), which gives a second chance for the falsely indicated nodes to clarify themselves. We re-evaluated PeerReview and MLT-PR with two newly defined metrics, node accountability and system accountability, which are employed to assess the degree of system accountability. Simulation results show that message loss decreases the performance of PeerReview in terms of both metrics and that on average; MLTPR outperforms PeerReview by 31.9% in terms of System Accountability.
An improved methodology for determining temperature dependent moduli of underfill encapsulants

Finite element analyses (FEAs) have been widely used to preventively predict the reliability issues of flip-chip (FC) packages. The validity of the simulation results strongly depends on the inputs of the involved material properties. For FC packages Young's modulus-temperature relationship is a critical material property in predicting of the package reliability during -55/spl deg/C to 125/spl deg/C thermal cycling. Traditional tensile tests can obtain the modulus at selected temperatures, but are tedious, expensive, and unable to accurately predict the Young's modulus-temperature relationship within a wide temperature range. Thus, this paper is targeted to provide a simple but relatively accurate methodology to obtain the Young's modulus-temperature relationship. In this paper, three commercial silica filled underfill materials were studied. A simple specimen (based on ASTM D638M) preparation method was established using a Teflon mold. A dynamic-mechanical analyzer (DMA) was used to obtain the stress-strain relationship under controlled force mode, storage and loss modulus under multi-frequency mode, and stress relaxation under stress relaxation mode. A simple viscoelastic model was used and an empirical methodology for obtaining Young's modulus-temperature relationship was established.
Periodic automorphisms of the two-generator free group

Let F 2 = 〈a, b〉 be the free group of rank 2 . We show that Aut F 2 has four conjugacy classes of elements of order 2 and one conjugacy class each of elements of order 3 and 4 . Implicit in the proof of these statements is an algorithm for deciding in which conjugacy class a periodic element belongs. From an analysis of GL(2, Z) ≅ Aut F 2/Inn F 2 , the orders of periodic elements are restricted to 2, 3, 4 and 6 , but Aut F 2 has no element of order 6 .
Estimating salinity to complement observed temperature: 1. Gulf of Mexico

Abstract This paper and its companion [Thacker, W.C., Sindlinger, L., 2007-this issue. Estimating salinity to complement observed temperature: 2. Northwestern Atlantic. Journal of Marine Systems. doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2005.06.007 .] document initial efforts in a project with the goal of developing capability for estimating salinity on a region-by-region basis for the world oceans. The primary motivation for this project is to provide information for correcting salinity, and thus density, when assimilating expendable-bathythermograph (XBT) data into numerical simulations of oceanic circulation, while a secondary motivation is to provide information for calibrating salinity from autonomous profiling floats. Empirical relationships between salinity and temperature, which can be identified from archived conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) data, provide the basis for the salinity estimates. The Gulf of Mexico was chosen as the first region to explore for several reasons: (1) It's geographical separation from the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean makes it a “small ocean” characterised by a deep central basin surrounded by a substantial continental shelf. (2) The archives contain a relatively large number of CTD data that can be used to establish empirical relationships. (3) The sharp fronts associated with the Loop Current and its rings, which separate water with different thermal and haline characteristics, pose a challenge for estimating salinity. In spite of the shelf and the fronts, the relationship between salinity and temperature was found to be sufficiently regular that a single empirical model could be used to estimate salinity on each pressure surface for the entire Gulf for all seasons. In and below the thermocline, root-mean-square estimation errors are small — less than 0.02 psu for pressures greater than 400 dbar, corresponding to potential density errors of less than 0.015 kg/m3. Errors for estimates nearer to the surface can be an order of magnitude larger.
Mobile phones carry the personal microbiome of their owners

Most people on the planet own mobile phones, and these devices are increasingly being utilized to gather data relevant to our personal health, behavior, and environment. During an educational workshop, we investigated the utility of mobile phones to gather data about the personal microbiome - the collection of microorganisms associated with the personal effects of an individual. We characterized microbial communities on smartphone touchscreens to determine whether there was significant overlap with the skin microbiome sampled directly from their owners. We found that about 22% of the bacterial taxa on participants' fingers were also present on their own phones, as compared to 17% they shared on average with other people's phones. When considered as a group, bacterial communities on men's phones were significantly different from those on their fingers, while women's were not. Yet when considered on an individual level, men and women both shared significantly more of their bacterial communities with their own phones than with anyone else's. In fact, 82% of the OTUs were shared between a person's index and phone when considering the dominant taxa (OTUs with more than 0.1% of the sequences in an individual's dataset). Our results suggest that mobile phones hold untapped potential as personal microbiome sensors.
A Method for Measuring Growth in Living Barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

A buoyant-weight method is described for the non-destructive estimation of fresh weight, total dry weight, shell weight and dry weight of organic matter in living barnacles Balanus amphitrite amphitrite Darwin. The method involves developing regression equations relating weight in air of these parameters to the buoyant weight of living barnacles in sea water. Buoyant weights of barnacles can then be used with the regression equations to obtain the weight in air of these consitituents, making possible the measurement of rates of shell growth and growth in dry weight without disturbance to the living animal. The method has been developed for the analysis of groups of juvenile barnacles cultured on coverslips, ranging in total dry weight from 1 to 60 mg, and for single mature individuals from 75 to 800 mg total dry weight. The buoyant-weight method has been used to measure shell growth of 2–3 mg d-1 in barnacles of 48 mg mean initial total dry weight cultured at 28°C.
Current Trials in the Treatment of Respiratory Failure in Preterm Infants

The end of the 20th century brought significant improvements in the outcome of extremely low-birth-weight infants related to the increased use of antenatal corticosteroids and the introduction of postnatal surfactant to prevent or treat respiratory distress syndrome. As we complete the first decade of the 21st century, less progress in improving clinical outcome in this population has been accomplished. Newer modes of ventilation and the use of inhaled nitric oxide have made few demonstrable improvements in outcome. Surprisingly, the greatest hope for improvement may come from the refinement of currently available care including less invasive respiratory support and the combining of various known therapies (such as continuous positive airway pressure and surfactant).
Pulsed Modulator for an IEC Neutron Source

Summary form only given. A pulse modulator for an inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) neutron source is currently under development at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Using a pulsed voltage modulator to power the neutron source offers many benefits including compact size, efficiency, reliability, and variable output control. The neutron source requires a pulsed electrical potential of 120 kV and a current of 10 A. The pulse width is required to be variable between 50 mus and 1 ms at a duty factor of 5%, resulting in a pulse repetition frequency ranging from 1 kHz to 50 Hz, respectively. The design of the pulsed high-voltage source is based on a solid-state Marx architecture. This architecture offers the pulse to pulse control over the pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, and pulse waveshape. Additional features include built in overcurrent protection through emitter feedback and fault isolation through stage fusing. This paper describes the design, construction, and test results of a scaled prototype modulator for the IEC neutron source. The modulator prototype is scaled to 1/10th the output voltage of the final design to allow air insulated operation of the prototype.
Brain catecholamine content during the estrous cycle and in steroid-primed rats

Abstract Norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels were measured in several estrogen concentrating brain regions over the estrous cycle and in steroid-primed ovariectomized rats under experimental conditions used to study sexual receptivity. Norepinephrine content in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), lateral septum (LS) and medial preoptic area (POA) varied during the estrous cycle. The highest NE levels were found during metestrus in these brain regions. In the ovariectomized rat, NE levels were increased in the POA and LS 12 hours (hr) after the injection of 3 μg of estradiol benzoate (65% and 33%, respectively). Norepinephrine content in the POA and LS remained elevated 24 hr and 48 hr (0.5 mg progesterone at 42 hr) after treatment but were not different from control levels at 96 hr. Dopamine concentrations were not significantly altered over the estrous cycle or by the administration of estradiol benzoate in any of the brain regions studied. These results suggest that estrogen may selectively alter noradrenergic activity in brain regions that are implicated in the control of sexual receptivity and/or ovulation.
Welcoming the Undesirables: Brazil and the Jewish Question

Jeffrey Lesser's invaluable book tells the poignant and puzzling story of how earlier this century, in spite of the power of anti-Semitic politicians and intellectuals, Jews made their exodus to Brazil, "the land of the future." What motivated the Brazilian government, he asks, to create a secret ban on Jewish entry in 1937 just as Jews desperately sought refuge from Nazism? And why, just one year later, did more Jews enter Brazil legally than ever before? The answers lie in the Brazilian elite's radically contradictory images of Jews and the profound effect of these images on Brazilian national identity and immigration policy. Lesser's work reveals the convoluted workings of Brazil's wartime immigration policy as well as the attempts of desperate refugees to twist the prejudices on which it was based to their advantage. His subtle analysis and telling anecdotes shed light on such pressing issues as race, ethnicity, nativism, and nationalism in postcolonial societies at a time when "ethnic cleansing" in Europe is once again driving increasing numbers of refugees from their homelands.
Dynamic face appearance modeling and sight direction estimation based on local region tracking and scale-space topo-represention

Dynamic modeling of facial appearances and sight directions are demanded for HCI and multimedia applications. Traditional approaches for face tracking and eye tracking from 2D videos do not involve explicit facial modeling. In this paper, we propose to use an explicit 3D model to model the dynamic facial appearance as well as the eye shape to estimate the viewing direction. We apply active appearance models for local region tracking, and use a scale-space topographic representation for frame model instantiation. The individualized 3D models across video sequences allow us to estimate the iris viewing orientation dynamically. The proposed framework has been realized and tested in a person-independent fashion for AAM tracking and model instantiation using a single camera.
Preparation and Characterization of Structurally Graded Poly(urethane urea) Elastomers

Poly(urethane urea) elastomers with graded structure in the thickness direction were prepared using gradient temperature molding. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the gradual change of structures within the elastomers. The degree of microphase separation in prepared samples would increase gradually with the increase of the curing temperature. Moreover, the interfaces between hard and soft segments also exhibit gradual changing trend, becoming more significant along the same direction. Effect of chain extender content and magnitude of temperature gradient on structure gradient was investigated. Mechanical properties of graded poly(urethane urea) elastomers were also studied.
Exit-Site Location Does Not Influence Peritoneal Catheter Infection Rate

Peritoneal catheter infections are a cause of peritonitis, catheter loss, and permanent transfer of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPO) patients to hemodialysis. Risk factors for cathe...
Role of fluids in the tectonic evolution of Titan

Abstract Detailed analyses of slopes and arcuate planform morphologies of Titan’s equatorial mountain ridge belts are consistent with formation by contractional tectonism. However, contractional structures in ice require large stresses (4–10 MPa), the sources of which are not likely to exist on Titan. Cassini spacecraft imagery reveals a methane-based hydrological cycle on Titan that likely includes movement of fluids through the subsurface. These crustal liquids may enable contractional tectonic features to form as groundwater has for thrust belts on Earth. In this study, we show that liquid hydrocarbons in Titan’s near subsurface can lead to fluid overpressures that facilitate contractional deformation at smaller stresses (
Basic Research on the F wave of Normal Subject at Static Condition

For obtaining the scientific grounds of therapeutic tool of physical therapy, we have investigated the F wave of thirteen normal subjects (six males and seven females average age 21.9±2.7 years old) at static condition. The F wave was obtained by stimulating the right median nerve at the wrist. Each average result of F responses was as follows: degree of the wave appearance; 66.8±18.9%, peak to peak amplitude; 0.27±0.19mV, F/M ratio of the amplitude; 1.81±0.81%, onset latency; 25.20±1.38msec, duration; 9.40±1.04msec, conduction velocity; 61.1±2.90m/sec, and phase; 3.67±0.08. Our results were in well accord with those of other investigators, leaving a few problems in measuring methods for F/M ratio of the amplitude and duration. Those results indicated no significant difference between the sexes.
Enhanced hydrogen storage performance of reduced graphene oxide hybrids with nickel or its metallic mixtures based on spillover mechanism

Abstract In this work, as a fascinating 2-dimensional carbon material, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been decorated with Ni, Ni/Pd, and Ni/Ag/Pd nanoparticles on its surface to enhance its hydrogen storage performance based on the spillover mechanism. First, graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated from graphite by a modified Hummer method. Next the GO was dispersed in water and mixed with nickel chloride, palladium chloride, and/or silver nitrate to synthesize parental Ni(OH)2/GO, Ni(OH)2/Pd(OH)2/GO, and Ni(OH)2/Pd(OH)2/AgOH/GO hybrids through hydrothermal treatment with HMTA as a capping and precipitation agent. After in situ reduction of these parental hybrids with hydrogen flow and heat treatment at 350 °C, nanostructured Ni/rGO, Ni/Pd/rGO, and Ni/Ag/Pd/rGO hybrids were obtained. These Ni (Ni/Pd, or Ni/Ag/Pd)/rGO hybrids show great potential in hydrogen storage at ambient environment, as measured at room temperature (293.15 K) and 800 mmHg, 0.007, 0.13, and 0.055 wt% hydrogen adsorption capacity was obtained from the Ni/rGO, Ni/Pd/rGO, and Ni/Ag/Pd/rGO hybrids, respectively.
Cultural and Intellectual Openness Differentially Relate to Social Judgments of Potential Work Partners.

Objective This study investigates the differential functioning of cultural and intellectual openness (the two aspects of Openness to Experience) in relation to social cognitive processes by examining how they influence people's perceptions and interpretations of social information when deciding to initiate working relationships. Method Using a policy-capturing design, 681 adult participants were asked to rate their similarity to and preference to work with potential work partners characterized by varying nationalities and levels of work-related competence. Multilevel moderated mediation was conducted to simultaneously evaluate whether the indirect effects of potential work partners’ characteristics (i.e., nationalities and levels of work-related competence) on work partner preference through perceived similarity were moderated by cultural and intellectual openness. Results Perceived similarity mediated the relationships between work partner nationality and work-related competence and participants’ work partner preferences. Furthermore, the negative indirect effect of work partner nationality on work partner preference via perceived similarity was attenuated by cultural openness, and the positive indirect effect of work partner work-related competence on work partner preference via perceived similarity was strengthened by intellectual openness. Conclusions Cultural and intellectual openness may have distinct functions that influence how people perceive, evaluate, and appreciate social information when making social judgments.
Suppressing Singularities When Computing Critical Points Using Multigrid Methods

Nonlinear systems typically exhibit critical points of instability and bifurcation, which create difficulties for computational models. When analyzing structural problems using the finite element method, the tangent stiffness matrix becomes ill-conditioned and numerical accuracy is reduced near these critical points. This paper describes a method for accurately solving an ill-conditioned, or singular, symmetric system of linear equations, and demonstrates the use of this method when studying critical states using multigrid methods.
POSITIONING AND IMMOBILIZATION DEVICE FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING RADIATION THERAPY FOR CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

Abstract Careful treatment planning and dose calculation, combined with effective positioning and immobilization, may improve the probability of tumor control. Modern radiation therapy equipment has had a significant impact on the accuracy of dose calculation and delivery. However, the problems of patient repositioning and immobilization, which may represent the area of the greatest variance in precise treatment delivery, still need much improvement. On this premise, many site specific repositioning and immobilizing devices have been developed in our institution for radiation therapy. † Alpha Cradles® have been used for positioning of patients undergoing irradiation for carcinoma of the breast at our institution for several years but did not provide adequate support for the arm. A modification of an Alpha Cradle® was developed specifically for breast treatments and is described in this report. The modification, which is easily made, consists of a mold which conforms tightly to the arm and allows minimal variation in repositioning of the arm. A handle, built into the device, offers the patient a comfortable resting place for the hand and also fixes the orientation of the hand during the treatments. This device offers a very comfortable support for the elevated arm and greatly improves the accuracy of repositioning the patient.
Tree Partitioning Compression of Piecewise Polynomial Functions

In this paper compression of piecewise polynomial functions is considered. The importance of this class of functions is due to the fact that most of the signals observed in the nature are piecewise smooth and piecewise polynomials provide an efficient model for representing piecewise smooth signals. We compute the e-entropy of the class of piecewise polynomials and show that the rate-distortion behavior of the traditional compression algorithms is far from optimum. Then we will discuss the binary partitioning algorithm, and will demonstrate that with a simple modification of this algorithm, it is possible to get close to the optimal performance. Moreover, this modification will retain all the advantages of the binary tree algorithms such as simplicity, automatic parameter selection and extension to higher dimensions.
Application of Hybrid Genetic Algorithm Routine in Optimizing Food and Bioengineering Processes

Optimization is a crucial step in the analysis of experimental results. Deterministic methods only converge on local optimums and require exponentially more time as dimensionality increases. Stochastic algorithms are capable of efficiently searching the domain space; however convergence is not guaranteed. This article demonstrates the novelty of the hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA), which combines both stochastic and deterministic routines for improved optimization results. The new hybrid genetic algorithm developed is applied to the Ackley benchmark function as well as case studies in food, biofuel, and biotechnology processes. For each case study, the hybrid genetic algorithm found a better optimum candidate than reported by the sources. In the case of food processing, the hybrid genetic algorithm improved the anthocyanin yield by 6.44%. Optimization of bio-oil production using HGA resulted in a 5.06% higher yield. In the enzyme production process, HGA predicted a 0.39% higher xylanase yield. Hybridization of the genetic algorithm with a deterministic algorithm resulted in an improved optimum compared to statistical methods.
Tricuspid regurgitation repair with a MitraClip device: the pivotal role of 3D transoesophageal echocardiography.

A 77-year-old male presented with congestive heart failure (NYHA class IV) despite maximal medical therapy. Right sided features were predominant; transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) ( Panel A : 1: 3D TEE; 2. 2D TEE, 3. Colour Doppler; see Supplementary data online, video 1 ) without leaflet coaptation (white asterisk). Due to prohibitive surgical risk, …
Insights on Amorphization of Lithium Aluminate from Atomistic Simulation

We simulated amorphization of lithium aluminate by atomic displacement using molecular dynamics to understand the effect of defects on fast lithium ion transport in disordered ceramics. We analyzed the evolution of the AlO4, LiO4, and OLi2Al2 tetrahedral clusters as a function of damage dose calculated in displacements per atom (dpa). The amorphization was associated with the loss of long-range ordering in the network of AlO4 tetrahedra, even though each AlO4 cluster remained tetrahedrally coordinated. The crystalline–amorphous transition occurred gradually within a dose range from 0.1 to 0.2 dpa. The structural damage also induced chemical composition separation, resulting in (Al + O)-rich and Li-rich regions. As a result of the disorder, the Li diffusion coefficient was found to increase to the order of 10–6 cm2/s.
WimNet: Vision Search for Web Logs

With the growing popularity of mobile devices, user web logs are more heterogeneous than ever, across an increased number of devices and websites. As a result, identifying users with similar usage patterns within these large sets of web logs is increasingly challenging and critical for personalization and user experience in many areas, from recommender systems to digital marketing. In this work, we explore the use of visual search for top-k user retrieval based on similar user behavior. We introduce a convolution neural network (WimNet) that learns latent representation from a set of web logs represented as images. Specifically, it contains two convolution layers take row- and column-wise convolutions to capture user behavior across multiple devices and websites and learns latent representation and reconstructs a transition matrix between user activities of given web logs. To evaluate our method, we conduct conventional top-k retrieval task on the simulated dataset, and the preliminary analysis results suggest that our method produces more accurate and robust results regardless of the complexity of query log.
On the Validation of Finite Element Models — an Industrial Perspective

Some observations are made about current practices for validating finite element models of safety critical structures and several recent initiatives to promote increased reliability are reviewed (including the SAFESA project). Terminology is identified as a difficulty: The meaning of terms such as verification, calibration and qualification is explored and an attempt is made to distinguish between error and uncertainty and how their consequences should be addressed.
Automatic Determination of Filter Efficiency in Recirculating Systems

Abstract The efficiency of a biological filter is easily measured by determining the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria biomass in the filter. Monitoring oxygen consumption under various loading regimes provides insight into the operational capabilities of a given filter configuration and provides a rational basis for designing intensive culture systems. A configuration for continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen in submerged rock filters used in recirculating systems is presented. Reliability of dissolved oxygen measurements is assured by using a centralized probe location and a standards tank. Functional relationships, derived from the monitoring data, are used to assist in filter design.
Abstract 5486: Oxidative stress and selective protein carbonylation in human breast cancer tissue

Protein carbonylation is an irreversible modification to the side chain of amino acid residues induced by severe oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced under normal as well as stress-induced conditions, and play a role in both cancer progression and cancer suppression. Tumor tissue are known to have higher ROS levels compared to surrounding healthy tissue but ROS-induced specific protein carbonylation and its unique role in cancer progression/suppression are poorly understood. In this study we compared the relative total and specific protein carbonylation in flash frozen human breast cancer and matched adjacent normal tissue using ELISA, two-color western blot, mass spectrometry, and immunoprecipitation approaches. To understand antioxidant capacity in tumor tissue, we analyzed superoxide dismutase (SOD) for its antioxidant activity and protein level. Our results indicate that tumor tissue has greater total protein carbonylation, lower SOD activity, lower SOD protein levels, and elevated levels of autophagy compared to matched adjacent healthy tissue. We also identified three specific proteins that showed higher level of carbonylation selectively in tumor tissue compared to adjacent normal tissue. Our findings were further confirmed using the immortalized MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and MCF-12A noncancerous normal human epithelial breast cell. Identification of selectively carbonylated proteins in cancer tissue, and understanding their specific role in cancer progression may promote the development of targeted therapeutic approaches to mitigate or enhance oxidative damage of such proteins selectively in tumor tissue. Citation Format: Baikuntha P. Aryal, Ashutosh Rao. Oxidative stress and selective protein carbonylation in human breast cancer tissue [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5486. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5486
DEVELOPMENT OF A ROBUST QUASI-POLOIDAL COMPACT STELLARATOR

A compact quasi-poloidally symmetric stellarator (QPS) plasma and coil configuration is described that has desirable physics properties and engineering feasibility with a very low aspect ratio plas...
ABSENCE OF RESPONSE TO SELECTION FOR RESISTANCE TO NUCLEOPOLYHEDROSIS VIRUS IN HELIOTHIS VIRESCENS (F.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

A laboratory culture of Heliothis virescens was exposed to infection by a single embedded nucleopolyhedrosis virus (Baculovirus heliothis) at a selection pressure of about 80 to 90% mortality for 1...
Cardiovascular Risk and Matrix Metalloproteinase Polymorphisms: Not Just a Simple Substitution

Cardiovascular remodeling is a process by which structural changes occur within the vascular compartment and the myocardium and are hallmark events in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. This remodeling process is multifactorial entailing biological shifts in molecular, cellular, and extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and function. The ECM, for example, plays a critical role in maintaining normal vascular and myocardial architecture, and proteolytic turnover of the ECM, driven in large part by the induction and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is a major determinant of ECM structure and function. The MMPs are tightly regulated by transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational checkpoints. Transcriptional regulation of MMPs is primarily determined by upstream gene promoter activity, whereby several intracellular signaling factors bind to specific sequences within the MMP promoter sequence. As such, there has been considerable interest in nucleic acid substitutions (ie, polymorphisms) that occur within the MMP promoter regions and relation to overall MMP levels, and most importantly, relation to cardiovascular outcomes.1,2 See Article by Salminen et al There have been several MMP polymorphisms identified in key MMP types, which include the collagenases (MMP-1, -8), the gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), and stromelysins (MMP-3). A brief synopsis of MMP polymorphisms with respect to cardiovascular remodeling processes and selected citations is provided in Table.2–19 This summary table is by no means exhaustive but underscores the fact that several polymorphisms, primarily within the MMP promoter regions, have been identified and associated with subsets of patients at risk for cardiovascular events. Several of the …
Investigating Snow Cover and Hydrometeorological Trends in Contrasting Hydrological Regimes of the Upper Indus Basin

The Upper Indus basin (UIB) is characterized by contrasting hydrometeorological behaviors; therefore, it has become pertinent to understand hydrometeorological trends at the sub-watershed level. Many studies have investigated the snow cover and hydrometeorological modeling at basin level but none have reported the spatial variability of trends and their magnitude at a sub-basin level. This study was conducted to analyze the trends in the contrasting hydrological regimes of the snow and glacier-fed river catchments of the Hunza and Astore sub-basins of the UIB. Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope methods were used to study the main trends and their magnitude using MODIS snow cover information (2001–2015) and hydrometeorological data. The results showed that in the Hunza basin, the river discharge and temperature were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with a Sen’s slope value of −2.541 m3·s−1·year−1 and −0.034 °C·year−1, respectively, while precipitation data showed a non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) increasing trend with a Sen’s slope value of 0.023 mm·year−1. In the Astore basin, the river discharge and precipitation are increasing significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with a Sen’s slope value of 1.039 m3·s−1·year−1 and 0.192 mm·year−1, respectively. The snow cover analysis results suggest that the Western Himalayas (the Astore basin) had a stable trend with a Sen’s slope of 0.07% year−1 and the Central Karakoram region (the Hunza River basin) shows a slightly increasing trend with a Sen’s slope of 0.394% year−1. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that since both sub-basins are influenced by different climatological systems (monsoon and westerly), the results of those studies that treat the Upper Indus basin as one unit in hydrometeorological modeling should be used with caution. Furthermore, it is suggested that similar studies at the sub-basin level of the UIB will help in a better understanding of the Karakoram anomaly.
Early postnatal interactions between Sertoli and germ cells

The foundation for spermatogenesis is provided by the actions of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population that consists of stem cell and progenitor pools. The spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool is a reservoir from which cohorts of progenitor spermatogonia arise that transiently amplify in number prior to committing to a pathway of terminal differentiation. A primary undifferentiated spermatogonial population is established from quiescent gonocyte precursors during early postnatal development, and interaction with Sertoli cells is crucial for this process. Emerging evidence suggests that during neonatal development, contributions from Sertoli cells influence the resumption of mitotic cell cycle progression in gonocytes and guide gonocyte migration from the center of seminiferous cords to the basement membrane. Continued Sertoli cell contributions provide the cues required for establishment of an SSC pool and formation of initial progenitor spermatogonia. In addition, an initial population of differentiating spermatogonia arises directly from a subset of gonocytes to constitute the first round of spermatogenesis. This process is known to occur in the testes of rodents, and an evolving model indicates that Sertoli cell secreted retinoic acid is the major inducer. Miscues in Sertoli cell interaction with gonocytes and newly formed subsets of spermatogonia can have dire consequences for male fertility. Impaired formation of the SSC pool leads to loss of the germ line, and infertility ensues.
The Response of a Low Solidity Symmetric Airfoil Cascade to Compressor Wake and Linear Theory Gusts

Linear theory and compressor-type wake generated gusts and the resulting unsteady aerodynamic response of a low solidity airfoil cascade are investigated experimentally by means of a series of experiments performed in the Purdue Annular Cascade Research Facility. The linear theory gust is generated by a rotating row of perforated plates, with the compressor wake forcing functions associated with a rotor blade row. When the forcing function exhibits the characteristics of a linear-theory gust, as is the case for the perforated-plate wake generators, the resulting response on the low solidity downstream stator row is in excellent agreement with the linear-theory models. In contrast, when the forcing function does not exhibit linear-theory gust characteristics, i.e., for the compressor rotor blades, the resulting unsteady aerodynamic response of the downstream stator row is much more complex and correlates poorly with the linear-theory gust predictions.
Best Possible Results on the Density of Sumsets

Mann and Kneser obtained lower bounds for the Shnirel’man density and lower asymptotic density of the sum of a finite number of sequences of non-negative integers. In this paper, special integer sequences are constructed to prove that these results are best possible.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) for multiple myeloma (MM): The Mount Sinai experience.

e19520Background: Allo-SCT has been used as a curative treatment for MM, particularly for refractory patients (pts), but outcomes across institutions have shown varying results. In this study, we e...