cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life and health service use among older adults with osteoarthritis

Objective To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health service use among older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Subjects were 9,043 Medicare-enrolled survey respondents with a prior International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code for OA. Analyses examined the relationship of 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HRQOL items (general health, mental health, pain, activity limitation, and sleep) to physician visits, prescription analgesic or antiinflammatory use, and arthroplasty during 1 year of followup. Results In analyses controlling for demographic and health-related variables, greater pain frequency was associated with increased odds of visiting a physician, using analgesic or antiinflammatory drugs, and having arthroplasty (P < 0.001). Poorer general health was associated with increased odds of analgesic or antiinflammatory use but decreased odds of arthroplasty (P < 0.01). More days of activity limitation and poor mental health were associated with decreased odds of analgesic or antiinflammatory use (P < 0.01). Conclusion These HRQOL variables, especially pain frequency, can be valuable tools for estimating future health care use among older adults with OA.
A New Neutron Small-Angle Diffraction Instrument at the Brookhaven High Flux Beam Reactor

The construction of a reentrant cold source at the Brookhaven High Flux Beam Reactor over the past few years, and its sucessful operation since 1981, have made available an intense long wavelength neutron source that is ideally suited for the investigation of complex biological structures (1). This development and the more recent increase in reactor power to 60 MW encouraged the construction of a new small-angle neutron diffraction instrument.
Effect of a Managed Care Carve Out on Substance Abuse Treatment in Massachusetts: The Provider's Perspective

As part of a study of Medicaid managed care, we surveyed a stratified random sample of 36 (out of 104) substance abuse in-patient and outpatient service providers about the Massachusetts Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program (MH/SAP), a carve out of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Despite patient advocate's fears at the start of the MH/SAP, the survey found that after four years of operation there were no significant changes in quality or outcomes compared to pre-MH/SAP. Integration between mental health and substance abuse services, effort towards quality management, the share of counselors with formal credentials, and administrative burdens on providers all increased under the program compared to the fee-for-service period. The 1996 survey, conducted just three months after the MH/SAP installed a different managed care organization as the administrator, showed that more time was needed to build confidence in the new administrator. Provider's opinions provide an informed and balance...
Topological evolution of surfaces

This paper presents a framework for generating smoothlooking transformations between pairs of surfaces that may differ in topology. The user controls the transformation by specifying a sparse control mesh on each surface and by associating each face in one control mesh with a corresponding face in the other. The algorithm builds a transformation from this information in two steps. The first step constructs a series of shapes and meshes (according the theory of topological surgery) that describes how topological changes should occur at critical points during the transformation. This makes possible the second step, which establishes smooth transformations by combining intermediate shapes in this series. Control meshes allow the user precise but intuitive control of the morph, while the 3D surfaces that result can be used for rendering or keyframing.
Integrated planning, scheduling, and dynamic optimization for sequential batch processes

We solve the challenging problem of integrated planning, scheduling, and dynamic optimization for sequential batch processes with fixed batch sizes. The integrated problem is first formulated into a complicated mixed-integer nonlinear programing (MINLP) problem. There are a planning model, multiple scheduling models in planning periods, and a number of dynamic models describing task execution processes. To efficiently solve the complex MINLP problem, we develop an efficient method which separates the subproblems using metamodels to represent the linking functions. Compared to the direct solution approach, the proposed method significantly reduces the computational time.
Algorithmic Game Theory: Incentives and Pricing in Communications Networks

This chapter studies the problem of decentralized resource allocation among competing users in communication networks. The growth in the scale of communication networks and the newly emerging interactions between administrative domains and end-users with different needs and quality of service requirements necessitate new approaches to the modeling and control of communication networks that recognize the difficulty of formulating and implementing centralized control protocols for resource allocation. The current research in this area has developed a range of such approaches. Central to most of these approaches is the modeling of end-users and sometimes also of service providers as self-interested agents that make decentralized and selfish decisions. This research has two important implications:
Labile Coat: Reason for Noninfectious Cell-free Varicella-Zoster Virus in Culture

Experiments designed to determine why cell-free varicella-zoster virus replicated in cell culture is noninfectious were performed. Electron micrographs in which varicella-zoster virus (a herpesvirus) was compared to herpes simplex virus in primary human amnion cell cultures showed that the viruses were morphologically indistinguishable inside the nucleus. However, extranuclear varicella-zoster viruses were distinguished from herpes simplex virus by the presence of pleomorphism, incomplete coats, and a resultant loss of central dense cores. This result indicates that varicella-zoster virus possesses a labile coat which is degraded outside the nucleus. It is suggested that the labile coat is a principal reason for the lack of cell-free infectious virus in this system.
The Efficient Design of Option Contracts: Principles and Applications

The law of contracts has often treated options quite differently from other contractual transactions; for example, the characterization of a transaction as an option contract calls forth specially required formalities, but on the other hand often has the effect of releasing parties from doctrinal limitations on their contractual freedom, such as the duty to mitigate damages or the rule that holds excessively high liquidated damages void as penalties. Such differential treatment is challenging to explain from a functional viewpoint, in part because all contracts resemble options to the extent they are enforceable in terms of monetary damages, and in part because contracts that are nominally structured as explicit options can be close economic substitutes for contracts that are nominally structured as unconditional. This essay sets out a theoretical account of the efficient design of option contracts - one that explains how contracting parties should strike the balance among option premium, option life, and exercise price, in order to maximize the expected surplus from their transaction. It shows that the tradeoffs between these various aspects of option contracts can affect the parties incentives to acquire and disclose information, to invest in relation-specific investments, and to take efficient precautions against the event of breach. It then goes on to develop an organizing framework for private parties choosing whether and how to structure their contractual arrangements as options, and for policymakers choosing whether or how to regulate such private choices. In short, the appropriate balance between option premium, option life, and exercise price will depend on the relative importance that the one attaches to these various dimensions of incentives.
ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING SEQUENCES IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL DEVICE SECTORS

Organisations engage in various activities designed to foster effective learning. Three forms of learning with important implications for the innovation process are experiential (whereby firms gain relevant insights through direct experience with patterns of action), vicarious (observation of external activities, with inference and other attributions being employed to reconstruct the underlying processes) and inter-organisational (direct contact with outside entities). This paper examines the influence of these forms of learning throughout the process of technological innovation. Using interview and archival data from 11 innovation projects in biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, I uncover evidence of three distinct learning sequences: (1) intensive-externalising (IE); (2) intensive-internalising (II); and (3) expansive-internalising (EI). The sequences vary both in the breadth of learning forms utilised and in the degree to which resultant knowledge is internalised as subsequent innovations are pursue...
Fruit and Vegetable Attitudes, Norms, and Intake in Low-Income Youth:

Fruit and vegetable (FV) attitudes and norms have been shown to influence intake in youth; yet research with low-income youth and studies supplementing self-report with objective measures of intake are lacking. Cross-sectional survey data on self-rated FV intake, FV attitudes, and FV norms were collected in a sample of 116 youth attending a residential summer camp serving low-income families. FV intake also was estimated by direct observation. Differences between self-rated and observed FV intake, perceived and observed peer intake, and perceived and peer-reported attitudes toward eating FVs were assessed with paired samples t tests. The role of FV attitudes, descriptive norms (perceived peer FV intake), injunctive norms (perceived peer attitudes toward eating FVs), and actual norms (observed peer FV intake and peer-reported FV attitudes) in predicting FV intake also was examined with multiple regression analysis. Youth misperceived their own and their peers' FV intake (i.e., overestimated intake of fruit and underestimated intake of vegetables) and believed that peers held less favorable attitudes toward eating FVs than was the case. The models predicting self-rated intake were significant, accounting for 34% of the variance in fruit intake and 28% of the variance in vegetable intake. Attitudes and descriptive norms were positively associated with FV intake, and observed peer fruit intake was negatively associated with fruit intake. Findings suggest that in low-income youth, FV attitudes, descriptive norms, and normative peer behavior predict perceived but not actual intake. Youth may benefit from intervention to promote favorable FV attitudes and norms. A focus on descriptive norms holds promise for improving self-rated intake in this population.
Luminol assay for superoxide dismutase.

Abstract Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) has been assayed by a method utilizing reduction in the chemiluminescence of luminol. This method avoids artifacts introduced in crude tissue preparations by the presence of nonsuperoxide sources of reduction of other substrates; luminol is specific for superoxide. This improvement in assay technique has allowed the compilation of a table of superoxide dismutase levels in bovine ocular subfractions which shows a generally uniform activity throughout the eye. This assay is the first suitable for physiologic experiments on crude preparations.
Large spontaneous emission enhancement in plasmonic nanocavities

Researchers demonstrate spontaneous emission enhancements approaching 1,000 for emitters coupled to the gap between a metal wire and a metal substrate. The enhanced emission rate of plasmons in the structures is shown to yield a high internal quantum efficiency, despite the close proximity of lossy metal surfaces.
Prostate cancer: a new look at prostate cancer treatment complications.

A recent population-based analysis from Nam and coauthors found high complication rates occurring within 5 years of prostatectomy or radiation therapy interventions for prostate cancer. These findings emphasize that treatments should be reserved for men at significant risk of disease progression, and perhaps further concentrated into higher-volume centres of excellence.
Cladistics of the Spermatophyta

A cladistic interpretation of seed plant phylogeny is presented that supports the traditional morphological hypothesis: [Cycadales-(Ginkgoales-(Coniferales-(Gnetales-Angiosperms)))]. Gnetales and Angiosperms are supported as sister groups of theAnaspermae. A sister-group relationship between Coniferales and Ginkgoales represents a paraphyletic group, because Coniferales and Anaspermae share a common ancestry (Mesospermae). Ginkgoales and Mesospermae are sister groups of theCladospermae. Cycadales are supported as the most archaic Spermatophyta.A posteriori consideration of fossil taxa supports the conclusion that data from the fossil record are useful for confirming plesiomorphies of extant taxa. Fossil taxa with apomorphic character states are discussed as biasing for superficial accelerated transformations, which are probably unacceptable from the standpoint of morphological homology.
Phase analysis and its application in step-scan FTIR photoacoustic depth profiling

A new type of step-scan FT-IR spectrometer that allows multiple-frequency phase modulation or sample modulation is reported. Multiplexed photoacoustic and rheo-optical modulation spectra are also reported.
Multicompartment diffusion and reaction modeling system applied to transmitter-mediated photoreception.

Abstract An integrated system of programs has been developed with broad applicability to the numerical solution of models with parabolic partial differential equations coupled to ordinary differential equations, as arise, for example, in diffusive transport bulk- or surface-limited by reaction rate processes. The programs have been designed to run optimally in various minicomputer environments and to be as portable as possible. The difference scheme for the parabolic equations is new, and competes favorably with several commonly used implicit schemes. Convergence is proved, and conditions on stability are given. To solve the two sets of coupled diffusion + reaction equations, a new numerical method is developed which digitally filters the second space differences of the diffusion difference equations, making the simple, explicit difference scheme convergent for arbitrary time step size. The method competes favorably with the Cranl-Nicolson scheme in speed and accuracy. The modeling system is applied to certain photoresponsive cells of the Aplysia californica (R2 giant neuron and the ventral photoresponsive neuron) which hyperpolarize when illuminated, due to an increase of membrane potassium permeability. It has been hypothesized that light releases an internal transmitter from cytoplasmic granules. Three model compartments parallel cellular morphology: the first represents the granule component with bulk-limited diffusion; the second corresponds to the cytoplasm and involves simple diffusion; and the third is situated near the plasma membrane where the transmitter concentration is directly related to membrane conductance. The bimolecular binding succesfully predicts the dynamic non-linearity.
Assessment Portfolios as Opportunities for Teacher Learning

This article is an analysis of the role of assessment portfolios in teacher learning. Over 18 months, 23 science teachers developed, implemented, and evaluated assessments to track student learning, supported by portfolio tasks and resources, grade-level colleagues, and team facilitators. Evidence of teacher learning included (a) portfolios of a sample of 10 teachers and (b) the cohort's self-reports in surveys and focus groups. Teachers gained understanding of assessment planning, tasks and scoring guides, methods of analyzing patterns and trends, and use of evidence to guide instruction. Teachers made uneven progress with technical aspects of assessment and curriculum-specific assessment. Research is needed on ways to integrate the benefits of a generic portfolio with strategies to strengthen specific areas of assessment expertise.
Flexible, low-density polymer crosslinked silica aerogels

Abstract Polymerization of a di-isocyanate with the amine-modified surface of a sol–gel derived mesoporous silica network crosslinks the nanoparticles of the silica skeleton, and reinforces the otherwise fragile framework. Systematically adjusting the processing variables affecting density produce aerogels whose macroscopic properties could be controlled, and are attributed to changing nanoscale morphology. Aerogels crosslinked using the smallest amount of silica studied exhibit as much as a 40-fold increase in strength over the corresponding non-crosslinked framework, and are flexible.
Bis-SNP: Combined DNA methylation and SNP calling for Bisulfite-seq data

Bisulfite treatment of DNA followed by high-throughput sequencing (Bisulfite-seq) is an important method for studying DNA methylation and epigenetic gene regulation, yet current software tools do not adequately address single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Identifying SNPs is important for accurate quantification of methylation levels and for identification of allele-specific epigenetic events such as imprinting. We have developed a model-based bisulfite SNP caller, Bis-SNP, that results in substantially better SNP calls than existing methods, thereby improving methylation estimates. At an average 30× genomic coverage, Bis-SNP correctly identified 96% of SNPs using the default high-stringency settings. The open-source package is available at http://epigenome.usc.edu/publicationdata/bissnp2011.
The occurrence of Graves disease (autoimmune thyrotoxicosis) in endocrinologists at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City from 1954 to 2011.

ABSTRACT Objective: We report on the unique occurrence of Graves disease (thyrotoxicosis) in 7 male endocrinologists at the Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) in New York City, New York between 1954 and 2011. Methods: We followed the endocrinologists and fellows assigned to the division over a period of 57 years by survey and personal contact. In the statistical studies, we assumed that the number of cases had a Poisson distribution and computed the exact probability based on the expected values. Results: Seven male endocrinologists had proven thyrotoxicosis during or following their service in the Endocrine Division at MSH. Six had a family history of thyrotoxicosis. None had known iodine 131 (131-I) thyroid contamination. Conclusion: The incidence of thyrotoxicosis greatly exceeds the rate predicted. Postulated factors in the causation of this unique occurrence are discussed. Abbreviations: 131-I = iodine 131 MSH = Mount Sinai Hospital RAI = radioactive iodine TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone
The Role of Angiotensin II Receptors in Stroke Protection

The hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II) might have a stroke-protective role was first proposed by Brown and Brown about 25 years ago. Their hypothesis was generated from the results of the first Medical Research Council trial in patients with mild to moderate hypertension, which showed that patients treated with the diuretic bendrofluazide had a 70% decrease in strokes compared with those treated with the β-blocker propranolol for similar blood pressure reduction. This hypothesis, which remained dormant for many years, was recently resurrected by several experimental studies that showed that the brain possesses its own renin-angiotensin system (RAS) similar to the one existing in the systemic circulation. These studies also showed that the brain RAS plays an important role in stroke prevention and neuronal protection through its active peptide Ang II. In addition, these studies demonstrated that the beneficial effects of Ang II are mediated through stimulation of its subtype 2 receptors, and possibly through stimulation of the subtype 4 receptors by Ang IV, a metabolite of Ang II. Drugs that selectively block the Ang II subtype 1 receptors, such as the angiotensin receptor blockers, have shown superior protection against strokes and neuronal damage than drugs that decrease the generation of Ang II, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers. In this review, the role of the Ang II receptors and their mechanism of action regarding stroke prevention are discussed in view of the evidence from experimental and clinical studies.
Mitosis stimulation in the thyroid gland induced by thiouracil.

ADMINISTRATION of.thiouracil to normal rats produces a two-fold effect on the thyroid gland: (1) inhibition of the formation of thyroid hormone and (2) stimulation of growth of the gland. The latter occurs in response to excessive secretion of thyrotrophic hormone resulting from decreased secretion of thyroid hormone (Mackenzie and Mackenzie, 1943; Astwood et al., 1943). The morphological changes in the thyroid consist in enlargement (hypertrophy) and multiplication (hyperplasia) of the acinar cells, and are characterized by increased size and weight of the gland, increased height and papillary folding of the acinar epithelium and loss of follicular colloid. The experiments reported here represent an attempt to investigate the time of occurrence and extent of the hyperplastic component of this phenomenon. The colchicine technic was employed for this purpose. Seventy adult rats were employed in this study; all received a stock diet of purina dog chow with lettuce added twice weekly.
Examining the effects of healthcare technology on US hospitals' operational cost

The cost of healthcare in the USA is ever increasing. Healthcare providers and other stakeholders have noted the effects of information technology (IT) on cost reductions of operations in other industries and have championed a move to more IT investment in the healthcare industry. This study examines some early IT investments by single system US hospitals to determine if integrated IT applications help reduce cost relative to hospitals that have not made such investments. The finding shows that, thus far, investments in IT have actually increased costs in hospitals.
Processing of Apparel Advertisements: Application and Extension of Elaboration Likelihood Model:

This is an investigation of how consumers use the elements of an apparel advertisement to develop their attitudes toward an advertised product. It examined whether participants' involvement level (...
Radiotherapy alone and chemoradiation for nonmetastatic

Sixty-five patients with nonmetastatic (Stages I, II, and III) esophageal cancer (EC) were treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone (56.00 to 61.00 Gy in 6 to 7 weeks) or synchronous combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RT-CT). RT-CT consisted of 41.40 to 50.40 Gy in 4.5 to 8 weeks with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil 5-FU (1000 mg/m2/d for 4 days in weeks 1, 4, and 8), mitomycin C (10 mg/m2 intravenously [IV] in weeks 1 and 8), cisplatin (75 mg/m2 IV in week 4). Maintenance CT consisted of methotrexate (200 mg/m2 IV), leucovorin (10 mg/m2 orally every 6 hours for 5 doses), and 5-FU (600 mg/m2 IV) in weeks 10, 12, and 14. Thirty-five patients treated by RT alone (Group A) were comparable in terms of age, sex, AJC staging, histologic condition, and location of primary with 30 patients treated by RT-CT (Group B). In Group A (range, 2- to 144+ months), two patients (42 and 144 months) are alive and well. In Group B (range, 2- to 59+ months), 12 patients (7 to 59 months) are alive and well. Median survival in Group A is 8 months, compared with 15 months for patients achieving a complete response (CR) in Group B. Patients in Group B achieved a 77% CR rate by endoscopy-biopsy, whereas 30% of the patients in Group A achieved a CR (P = 0.0001). The recurrence rates at the primary site/regional nodes were 77% and 27% in Groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.0001). The incidences of distant metastases were 29% and 20%, respectively (P = 0.423). In Group A, the 1-year and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 27% and 13%, respectively. In Group B, the cumulative survival rates were 53% at 1 year and 29% at 2 years (P = 0.023). Aside from reversible myelotoxicity, the incidences of pulmonary fibrosis, esophagitis, and fistulae formation were less frequent in the combined technique treatment group. A compilation of reported chemoradiation protocols for EC indicates consistently improved 1-year and 2-year survival rates, compared with surgical and RT series. The key to further improvement in the treatment of EC appears to lie in increasing the biologic response (RT fractionation and endocavitary RT) and optimal use of multiple effective CT agents with nonadditive toxicities.
Crash analysis and evaluation of cable median barriers on sloped medians using an efficient finite element model

Abstract Perpetual high traffic volumes on U.S. highways have raised more public concern than ever about transportation safety. Over the years, various traffic barrier systems, including cable median barriers (CMBs), have been developed to reduce the number and severity of vehicle crashes. Despite their general effectiveness, there remains room for improvement, especially when CMBs are installed on unlevelled terrains such as sloped medians. The destructive nature of crashes imposes significant challenges to barrier design using full-scale physical testing; numerical simulations thus become a viable means to support crash analysis, performance evaluation, and barrier designs. In this study, validated vehicle and CMB models were used to perform full-scale simulations of vehicle-CMB impacts. Several CMB designs, including the currently used one, were evaluated under vehicular impacts at different velocities and angles. To address the challenge of modeling slender members such as cables and hook-bolts in contact analyses, an efficient beam-element contact model was employed in the analysis. Different design options of cable height and spacing under various impact velocities and angles were investigated in this study.
Model Predictive Control Tuning Methods: A Review

This paper provides a review of the available tuning guidelines for model predictive control, from theoretical and practical perspectives. It covers both popular dynamic matrix control and generalized predictive control implementations, along with the more general state-space representation of model predictive control and other more specialized types, such as max-plus-linear model predictive control. Additionally, a section on state estimation and Kalman filtering is included along with auto (self) tuning. Tuning methods covered range from equations derived from simulation/approximation of the process dynamics to bounds on the region of acceptable tuning parameter values.
The two faces of regulatory T cells in cancer

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) that expand in human colon cancer express retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and exert potent T-cell suppressive functions while mediating pro-inflammatory effects. Similar Tregs expand and drive a vicious cycle of inflammation in murine polyposis. Targeting RORγt in Tregs interrupts such a cycle and protects mice against polyposis, suggesting that a similar intervention may provide therapeutic benefits to colon cancer patients.
The Effects of Childhood SNAP Use and Neighborhood Conditions on Adult Body Mass Index

The disproportionate number of individuals who are obese or overweight in the low-income U.S. population has raised interest in the influence of neighborhood conditions and public assistance programs on weight and health. Generally, neighborhood effects and program participation effects have been explored in separate studies. We unite these two areas of inquiry, using the 1968–2005 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) to examine the long-term effects of childhood Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, neighborhood conditions, and the interaction of these two, on adult body mass index (BMI). Using sibling fixed-effects models to account for selection bias, we find that relative to children in other low-income families, children in SNAP-recipient households have higher average adult BMI values. However, the effects of childhood SNAP usage are sensitive to both residential neighborhood and age at receipt. For those growing up in advantaged neighborhoods, projected adult BMI is higher for children in SNAP-recipient households than for children in low-income, nonrecipient households. In contrast, for those growing up in less-advantaged areas, adult BMI differences between children in SNAP-recipient and those in low-income, nonrecipient households are small. SNAP usage during preschool years (0 to 4) has no impact on adult BMI scores. However, at later childhood ages, the time elapsed receiving SNAP income increases adult BMI values relative to a condition of low-income nonreceipt.
Kant's Organicism: Epigenesis and the Development of Critical Philosophy

Mensch's Kant's Organicism follows a high tide of reinvigorated interest in Kant's philosophy of biology.11Some other most recent books on the topic include Ina Goy and Eric Watkins, eds. Kant's Th...
Drosophila Piwi functions downstream of piRNA production mediating a chromatin-based transposon silencing mechanism in female germ line.

Transposon control is a critical process during reproduction. The PIWI family proteins can play a key role, using a piRNA-mediated slicing mechanism to suppress transposon activity posttranscriptionally. In Drosophila melanogaster, Piwi is predominantly localized in the nucleus and has been implicated in heterochromatin formation. Here, we use female germ-line–specific depletion to study Piwi function. This depletion of Piwi leads to infertility and to axis specification defects in the developing egg chambers; correspondingly, widespread loss of transposon silencing is observed. Germ-line Piwi does not appear to be required for piRNA production. Instead, Piwi requires Aubergine (and presumably secondary piRNA) for proper localization. A subset of transposons that show significant overexpression in germ-line Piwi-depleted ovaries exhibit a corresponding loss of HP1a and H3K9me2. Germ-line HP1a depletion also leads to a loss of transposon silencing, demonstrating the functional requirement for HP1a enrichment at these loci. Considering our results and those of others, we infer that germ-line Piwi functions downstream of piRNA production to promote silencing of some transposons via recruitment of HP1a. Thus, in addition to its better-known function in posttranscriptional silencing, piRNA also appears to function in a targeting mechanism for heterochromatin formation mediated by Piwi.
Infrared imaging enhances retinal crystals in Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy

Infrared imaging dramatically increased the number of crystalline deposits visualized compared with clinical examination, standard color fundus photography, and red free imaging in patients with Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy. We believe that this imaging modality significantly improves the sensitivity with which these lesions are detected, facilitating earlier diagnosis and may potentially serve as a prognostic indicator when examined over time.
Changes in 24-h area-under-the-curve ghrelin values following diet-induced weight loss are associated with loss of fat-free mass, but not with changes in fat mass, insulin levels or insulin sensitivity.

Changes in 24-h area-under-the-curve ghrelin values following diet-induced weight loss are associated with loss of fat-free mass, but not with changes in fat mass, insulin levels or insulin sensitivity
An Application of the Information Theory Approach to Failure Diagnosis

Brule, Johnson, and Kletsky1 have developed a technique based on information theory which leads to highly efficient procedures for diagnosing equipment failures. This paper demonstrates by means of a practical example the validity of this technique. In addition, the feasibility of the approach is shown and the procedure to be used in its implementation is outlined in detail. The paper concludes with a general discussion including comments on the generality of the technique, the possibility of machine computation, and possible areas of application.
Assaying all of the nitrogen oxides in breath modifies the interpretation of exhaled nitric oxide

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) assays measure the quantity of NO that emanates from the airway, not the amount of NO that is formed. Consumptive processes-including oxidation reactions-decrease the amount of gas phase NO available for exhalation. Higher oxides of nitrogen (HiNO(x)) are resulting reaction products, and are easily measured in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). We performed concurrent sampling of exhaled breath for gas phase NO and EBC HiNO(x) in controls and stable asthmatics. We identified that, mole for mole, asthma patients hourly exhale more HiNO(x) than they do NO, with a HiNO(x)/NO ratio of 1.21 (0.54-3.4). This is the reverse of the ratio found in controls, in whom the HiNO(x)/NO ratio was 0.75 (0.44-0.93), p=0.04. The sum of the hourly molar exhalation of NO and HiNO(x) was significantly higher in asthmatics (333 nmol/h (221-543) than controls (179 (138-231), p<0.001). We conclude that exhaled oxides of nitrogen are more informative when measured together as opposed to in isolation. We suggest that inflammation can be better evaluated with HiNO(x) and NO measured concurrently, and that the level of oxidation in the lung can be evaluated by comparing the easily measured ratios of HiNO(x) to NO in the exhaled breath.
French Absolutism and Agricultural Capitalism: A Comment on Henry Heller’s Essays

Abstract This intervention takes up the depiction of agriculture in Henry Heller’s essays on ancien regime France. The argument of this intervention is that rural social relations did not evolve according to a capitalist logic. Rather, given market opportunities, landlords, both noble and bourgeois, sought to enhance their power over the peasantry, extract additional labour from the families of smallholders, and gain profit for the purpose of adding to their political authority.
Creep Behavior of Bi-Containing Lead-Free Solder Alloys

The creep behavior of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305), Sn-3.4Ag-1.0Cu-3.3Bi (SAC-Bi), and Sn-3.4Ag-4.8Bi (SnAg-Bi, all wt.%) was studied in constant-stress creep tests from room temperature to 125°C. The alloys were tested in two microstructural conditions. As-cast alloys had a composite eutectic-primary Sn structure, while in aged alloys the eutectic regions were replaced by a continuous Sn matrix with coarsened intermetallic (Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn) particles. After aging, Bi in SAC-Bi and SnAg-Bi was found as precipitates at grain boundaries and grain interiors. The creep resistance of of-cast SAC305 was higher than that of as-cast Bi-containing alloys, but after aging the SAC305 had the lowest creep resistance. The creep strain rates in SAC-Bi and SnAg-Bi were much less affected by aging. The apparent activation energy for creep was also changed more for SAC305 than for the other two alloys. The creep behavior of SAC-Bi and SnAg-Bi can be understood by considering the solubility of Bi in Sn. The difference in creep behavior between as-cast and aged SAC-Bi is greatly reduced when room-temperature test results are excluded from analysis. This suggests that the strongest influence on creep in these alloys is due to Bi solute interaction with moving dislocations during deformation.
Rate of Decay of a Passive Scalar in a Micro-Mixer and the Frequency of the Advecting Velocity Fields

In the current work, the mixing of a diffusive passive-scalar, e.g., thermal energy or species concentration, driven by electro-osmotic fluid motion being induced by an applied potential across a micro-channel is studied numerically. Secondary time-dependent periodic or random electric fields, orthogonal to the main stream, are applied to generate cross-sectional mixing. This investigation focuses on the mixing dynamics and its dependence on the frequency (period) of the driving mechanism. For periodic flows, the probability density function (PDF) of the scaled passive scalar (i.e., concentration), settles into a self-similar curve showing spatially repeating patterns. In contrast, for random flows there is a lack of self-similarity in the PDF for the interval of time considered in this investigation. The present study confirms an exponential decay of the variance of the concentration for the periodic and random flows.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Assessing Uncertainties of Theoretical Atomic Transition Probabilities with Monte Carlo Random Trials

This paper suggests a method of evaluation of uncertainties in calculated transition probabilities by randomly varying parameters of an atomic code and comparing the results. A control code has been written to randomly vary the input parameters with a normal statistical distribution around initial values with a certain standard deviation. For this particular implementation, Cowan's suite of atomic codes (R.D. Cowan, The Theory of Atomic Structure and Spectra, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1981) was used to calculate radiative rates of magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transitions within the ground configuration of titanium-like iron, Fe V. The Slater parameters used in the calculations were adjusted to fit experimental energy levels with Cowan's least-squares fitting program, RCE. The standard deviations of the fitted parameters were used as input of the control code providing the distribution widths of random trials for these parameters. Propagation of errors through the matrix diagonalization and summation of basis state expansions leads to significant variations in the resulting transition rates. These variations vastly differ in their magnitude for different transitions, depending on their sensitivity to errors in parameters. With this method, the rate uncertainty can be individually assessed for each calculated transition.
Using predetermined partial solutions for solving a heterogeneous truck fleet distribution model

This paper makes use of partial solutions to solve a two–echelon heterogeneous truck fleet distribution model with single–sourced distribution centres. The partial solutions are predetermined using an algorithmic procedure that determines the mix of trucks to deploy to a demand point by relating the required shipment volume to the cost and capacity of each truck type. The partial solutions reduce the feasible region of the associated mixed–integer programming model, which is then solved to obtain the complete solution. A computational study demonstrates that solutions for prototypical two–echelon distribution scenarios with up to 32 distribution centres and 1,600 demand points can be obtained within a few seconds of computation time.
Infra-red behaviour of the wave function renormalization constant in covariant gauges

The techniques developed in a previous paper (1), for treating soft photons in quantum electrodynamics by coupling them to an equivalent classical current, are used to study the infra-red behaviour of Z2. When the photon’s Green’s function is of the form {ie1644-01}, it is found that the second-order infra-red divergence of Z2 exponentiates in such a way that, so far as infra-red effects are concerned, Z2 is zero for λ - 2.
Direct measurement of potential steps at grain boundaries in the presence of current flow.

We have used a new technique to measure simultaneously the surface topography and surface potential of current-carrying polycrystalline Au/sub 60/Pd/sub 40/ thin films using a scanning tunneling microscope. The variations of the gradients of the surface potential from a macroscopically constant value which are associated with scattering from grain boundaries in these films are observed. We find that the local potential changes abruptly at the boundaries between the grains.
On risk-averse maximum weighted subgraph problems

In this work, we consider a class of risk-averse maximum weighted subgraph problems (R-MWSP). Namely, assuming that each vertex of the graph is associated with a stochastic weight, such that the joint distribution is known, the goal is to obtain a subgraph of minimum risk satisfying a given hereditary property. We employ a stochastic programming framework that is based on the formalism of modern theory of risk measures in order to find minimum-risk hereditary structures in graphs with stochastic vertex weights. The introduced form of risk function for measuring the risk of subgraphs ensures that optimal solutions of R-MWS problems represent maximal subgraphs. A graph-based branch-and-bound (BnB) algorithm for solving the proposed problems is developed and illustrated on a special case of risk-averse maximum weighted clique problem. Numerical experiments on randomly generated Erdos-Renyi graphs demonstrate the computational performance of the developed BnB.
Radioimmunoassay for Triiodothyronine (T3): I. Affinity and Specificity of the Antibody for T3*

ABSTRACT The free acid form of L-triiodothyronine was coupled to HSA, BSA or RSA using carbodiimide. The conjugates contained 11–17 moles of T3 per mole of protein. Rabbits were immunized separately with each conjugate. Antibodies against T3 were obtained in all animals after 6 weeks of immunization. One antiserum prepared with T3-HSA was studied in detail using a radioimmunoassay procedure. It was useful in a final dilution of 1:1000 to 1:4000 and was sufficiently sensitive to measure 50 pg of unlabeled T3 per assay tube. The ability of 30 tyrosine and thyronine derivatives to compete with T3 for binding to antibody were investigated to assess the specificity of the assay. Antibody recognition involved the following structural requirements: two phenolic rings; a 3′ iodine; 4′ hydroxyl group and a 5′ hydrogen. Alterations in the alanine side chain reduced antibody recognition, but to a much smaller extent than changes in the structure of the phenolic rings. Thus, the antiserum is highly specific for L-T3 ...
Radiation exposure - how do CT scans for appendicitis compare between a free standing children's hospital and non-dedicated pediatric facilities?

Abstract Background We compare the amount of radiation children receive from CT scans performed at non-dedicated pediatric facilities (OH) versus those at a dedicated children's hospital (CH). Methods Using a retrospective chart review, all children undergoing CT scanning for appendicitis at an OH were compared to children undergoing CT imaging for appendicitis at a CH between January 2011 and November 2012. Results One hundred sixty-three children underwent CT scans at 42 different OH. Body mass index was similar between the two groups (21.00±6.49kg/m 2 , 19.58±5.18kg/m 2 , P=0.07). Dose length product (DLP) was 620±540.3 at OH and 253.78±211.08 at CH (P vol was recorded in 65 patients with subset analysis showing CTDI vol of 16.98±15.58 and 4.89±2.64, a DLP of 586.25±521.59 and 143.54±41.19, and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) of 26.71±23.1 and 3.81±2.02 at OH and CH, respectively (P Conclusion Using SSDE as a marker for radiation exposure, children received 86% less radiation and had improved diagnostic accuracy when CT scans are performed at a CH.
The Irvine-Minnesota inventory to measure built environments: reliability tests.

Background Inter-rater reliability is an important element of environmental audit tools. This paper presents results of reliability tests of the Irvine–Minnesota Inventory, an extensive audit tool aimed at measuring a broad range of built environment features that may be linked to active living. Methods Inter-rater reliability was measured by percentage agreement between observers. Reliability was tested on a broad range of sites in both California and Minnesota. Results For the variables that remained in the inventory, in tests conducted at the University of California–Irvine, 76.8% of the variables had >80% agreement among the three raters. In tests conducted at the University of Minnesota, 99.2% of the variables had >80% agreement among the two raters. Conclusions Reliability was high for most items. The inventory was modified to eliminate items with low reliability. Differences in the use of the inventory and the goals of the research led to generally higher reliability in Minnesota. Those differences, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Epidemiology and significance of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, affecting an estimated 2.2 million adults in the United States. The median age of people with AF is 75, and it affects 8.8% of the US population >80 years of age. Prevalence data from other countries are presented. Direct comparisons are limited by study design, but rough comparisons suggest that the prevalence of AF in Europe is similar to the prevalence in the United States, whereas the prevalence in Asia may be lower. The limited comparative data underscore our lack of understanding of AF risk factors and complications in racial subgroups and in developing countries. AF increases stroke risk 5-fold. The clinical features that predict higher risk of stroke in AF are prior stroke, hypertension, advancing age, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Predicting which patients with atrial fibrillation are at the highest risk of stroke remains a challenge. Echocardiographic findings have been investigated to assist in the risk stratification of patients with AF. Despite evidence from clinical trials that anticoagulation with warfarin reduces stroke incidence and even mortality, anticoagulation remains underutilized, especially in the elderly. Improvement in the rate of anticoagulation in patients with AF at risk of stroke can be expected to decrease the complications and mortality of AF.
Theoretical Studies of Spin Dependent Scatterings of Electrons from Ferromagnetic Surfaces and Ultra Thin Films

We summarize results of our recent theoretical studies of spin dependent scattering of electrons from ferromagnetic surfaces. We obtain an excellent account of both the energy and angle variation of the exchange asymmetry reported by Waller and Gradmann in their SPLEED study of the Fe(110) surface, and of spin dependent asymmetries in the transmission of photoelectrons through an ultra thin film of Fe on Cu(100). Potentials supplied by Fu and Freeman enable us to account for the data, with use of ground state potentials generated by ab initio methods.
Differential requirements for proliferation of CD4+ and γδ+ T cells to spirochetal antigens

Abstract αβ+ and γδ+ T cells have different mechanisms of epitope recognition and are stimulated by antigens of different chemical nature. An immunization model with antigens from the spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was used to examine the requirements for proliferation of circulating porcine CD4+ and γδ+ T cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures. CD4+ T cells only responded to stimulation with B. hyodysenteriae antigens, whereas γδ+ T cells proliferated when cultures were stimulated with either spirochetal antigens or interleukin-2 (IL-2). T cells that had proliferated expressed high levels of IL-2-receptor-α (IL-2Rα). Furthermore, neutralization of IL-2 at the beginning of the culture period was more efficient in blocking γδ+ than CD4+ T cell proliferation. Immunization induced interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by CD4+ T cells, whereas only a small fraction of the antigen-stimulated γδ+ T cells produced this cytokine. Our results indicate that, under the same environmental conditions, CD4+ T cell functions are more tightly regulated when compared to γδ+ T cells. We conclude that these differences are due, in part, to the enhanced γδ+ T cell responsiveness to IL-2.