cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODELING FOR MACHINE CONDITION MONITORING THROUGH MICROCONTROLLER-BASED DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

Machine condition monitoring plays an important role in machining performance. A machine condition monitoring system will provide significant economic benefits when applied to machine tools and machining processes. By applying Taguchi design method, real-time pilot experimental study was conducted on a CNC machining center for monitoring the end mill cutting operations through the vibration data collection via a microcontroller-based data acquisition system. Featured machining signals were identified through data analyses and regression models were established that incorporates different combinations of featured machining signals and machining parameters in using logistic regression modeling approach. The onsite tests show that the developed logistic models including the featured machining signals can correctly distinguish worn and new cutting tools. Therefore, they can help construct decision-making mechanism for machine condition monitoring.
1473 EFFECTS OF SUCTIONING TECHNIQUES ON AIRWAY PRESSURES AND TcpO 2

Endotracheal (ET) suctioning is used for the removal of pulmonary secretions and to maintain the patency of airways and ET tubes. Although suctioning is essential for pulmonary toilet, a substantial drop in TcpO2 during these procedures has previously been shown. Using our routine ET suction protocol (AJDC 134:250, 1980) and double lumen ET tubes, pressures at the proximal and distal ends of the ET tube, TcpO2, and heart rates were measured in intubated infants. When negative pressure generated by the suction system (Regu-gauge® suction system) was 50 mmHg, and suction catheter diameter was 8F, pressure within the trachea dropped to -53±5 cm H2O and TcpO2 dropped a x 23±6%. Using a 5F suction catheter the intratracheal pressure did not change during suction, and TcpO2 dropped by 12±2% (p<0.01) and similar volumes of pulmonary secretions were obtained. Heart rate dropped 16±8% and 8±5% respectively (NS). Our data indicate that ET tube suctioning requires consideration of the suction pressure and the ET tube lumen/suction catheter diameter ratio. Use of reduced suction pressures and a decreased catheter to ET lumen ratios are required to prevent precipitous drops in airway pressure and TcpO2. (Supp. by HD-13279)
The model for optical properties of PPP-type polymers.

Abstract The recently successful model [1, 2] for optical properties of PPV based polymers is applied to the PPP family. More progress is available thanks to analytical results covering not only spectra but also the oscillator strength. We conclude similar assignments and emphasize the delocalized nature of basic features. We demonstrate the existence of different types of Coulomb excitons and their roles in the optical absorption. An important and intriguing difference compared with PPV based polymers is the level inversion for the more strongly localized interband exciton. Comparison is made to available optical and EELS data [3, 4, 5]. Our conclusions are suggestive for the future light — polarized experiments.
Wholly aromatic polymeric ketones from bis-(α-aminonitrile)s via soluble poly(bisaminonitrile)s

Condensation of the dianion of the bisaminonitrile α,α′-dicyano-α,α′-bis(dimethylamino)-m-xylene (8) with bis[p-(p-fluorobenzoyl)phenyl] ether (9) and 2,6-dibromopyridine (12) yielded the corresponding new poly(bisaminonitrile)s poly{oxy-p-phenylenecarbonyl-p-phenylene-[α,α′-dicyano-α,α′-bis(dimethylamino)-m-xylyl]-p-phenylenecarbonyl-p-phenylene} (10) and poly[α,α′-dicyano-α,α′-bis(dimethylamino)-m-xylyl-2,6-pyridinediyl] (13), respectively. Acidic hydrolysis of the readily soluble poly(bisaminonitrile)s 10 and 13 deprotected the carbonyl groups and afforded the new polyketones poly(oxy-p-phenylenecarbonyl-p-phenylenecarbonyl-m-phenylenecarbonyl-p-phenylenecarbonyl-p-phenylene) (PEKKKK, 11) and poly(carbonyl-m-phenylenecarbonyl-2,6-pyridinediyl) (14), respectively. PEKKKK 11 is insoluble in organic solvents, but polyketopyridine 14 is soluble in acidic aqueous media.
Carbonic anhydrase catalyzed oxygen-18 exchange between bicarbonate and water☆

Oxygen-18 exchange techniques were applied to the dehydration of bicarbonate catalyzed by human carbonic anhydrase C. The rates of depletion of oxygen-18 from labeled bicarbonate were measured for both the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions at pH 9.4 and 25 °C. The equilibrium dissociation constant of the enzyme-substrate complex K is 0.321 ± 0.040 m and kenz = k2Km is (8.3 ± 1.9) × 105m−1 sec−1 under these conditions. On the basis of these results it is demonstrated that the oxygen-18 exchange technique is capable of measuring K and kenz for the carbonic anhydrase catalyzed dehydration of bicarbonate at a high pH range in which other kinetic techniques are not effective. It was also shown that the oxygen-18 exchange technique is an effective micromethod for the determination of carbonic anhydrase. Rates of isotopic depletion of labeled bicarbonate (in solutions of the enzyme) which fall outside the limits of error for the uncatalyzed rate of depletion demonstrate that this technique can detect concentrations of human carbonic anhydrase C as low as 5 × 10−11m.
APL pi designing an APL type font

APL is probably best known for its unusual set of graphic symbols. The symbols used to write in APL are very important to understanding the concepts of programs. Some terminals currently in use produce such poor graphic images of APL symbols that the meaning of displayed statements is not clear. In addition, the usefulness of published material depends a great deal on its appearance. The current technology for producing high quality printed material is phototypesetting. This paper is a collection of notes resulting from the author's investigation of the problems involved in designing an APL type font for a phototypesetter.
Dynamics of nitrate and chloride during storm events in agricultural catchments with different subsurface drainage intensity (Indiana, USA)

Summary Drainage tiles buried beneath many naturally poorly drained agricultural fields in the Midwestern U.S. are believed to “short circuit” pools of NO 3 - -laden soil water and shallow groundwater directly into streams that eventually discharge to the Mississippi River. Although much is known about the mechanisms controlling this regionally pervasive practice of artificial drainage at the field-plot scale, an integrative assessment of the effect of drainage density (i.e., the number of tile drains per unit area) on the transport of nutrients and solutes in streams at the catchment scale is lacking. In this study, we quantified the flux and hydrological pathways of agricultural NO 3 - and road-salt Cl− from catchments lying within the Wabash River Basin, a major source of NO 3 - to the Mississippi River. The paired catchments differ primarily in drainage density (70% vs. 31%, by catchment area), with essentially all other agricultural management, land use, and soil drainage characteristics remaining equal. Our study revealed two significant hydrological responses to increased drainage density: (1) more near-surface storm event water (dilute in both NO 3 - and Cl - ) was transported early in the storm and (2) higher transport of Cl−-laden pre-event soil water relative to shallow groundwater elevated in NO 3 - occurred later in the storm. These patterns are consistent with a proposed conceptual model in which increased drainage density results in (1) greater transport of soil water to streams and (2) a delayed rise in the water table. With respect to nutrient management implications, these results indicate that increased drainage density impacts subsurface pools of Cl− and NO 3 - differently, a finding that we propose is linked to soil/ground water dynamics in artificially drained agricultural catchments.
A convenient assay for γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase

Abstract A facile technique is reported for separating succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) from γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) in a commercially available mixture of the two enzymes. The dehydrogenase isolated is a suitable coupling enzyme for the spectrophotometric assay of GABA-T from various sources. To obtain SSADH, the enzyme mixture was first passed through a gel filtration column in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, to remove interfering ions. The filtrate was then adsorbed onto an affinity column of commercially obtainable β-NADP-agarose. GABA-T was removed with 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2. SSADH was then specifically desorbed with 10 mM NADP in the same buffer. A 76% yield was obtained. Contamination by GABA-T and NADPH oxidase was determined to be 0.2 and 0.04%, respectively. The enzyme so prepared was stable, e.g. retaining up to 89% of its activity after 24 days, when stored in concentrated form in the presence of glycerol plus bovine serum albumin or egg yolk lysolecithin. GABA-T activity determined by the coupled spectrophotometric assay was compared to that obtained in a direct radioisotopic method.
Increased susceptibility to Candida infection following cecal ligation and puncture

Secondary infection following septic insult represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Sepsis induced immunosuppression is a major factor in the host's susceptibility to nosocomial infections and Candida albicans accounts for a growing number of these. Given the importance of improving our understanding of the immune response to sepsis and the increasing rates of C. albicans infections, we sought to develop a murine model of double injury consisting of primary peritonitis, i.e., cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), followed by a secondary challenge of C. albicans. As observed in previous work, after primary injury the immune profile of the host changes over time. Therefore, while keeping the mortality rates from the respective individual injuries low, we altered the timing of the secondary injury between two post-CLP time points, day two and day four. Mice subjected to C. albicans infection following CLP have significantly different survival rates dependent upon timing of secondary injury. Animals challenged with C. albicans at two days post CLP had 91% mortality whereas animals challenged at four days had 47% mortality. This improvement in survival at four days was associated with restoration of innate cell populations and as evidenced by stimulated splenocytes, increases in certain inflammatory cytokines. In addition, we show that susceptibility to C. albicans infection following CLP is dependent upon the depth of immunosuppression. Although at four days post-CLP there is a partial reconstitution of the immune system, these animals remain more susceptible to infection compared to their single injury (C. albicans alone) counterparts. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that immunosuppression following initial septic insult changes over time. This novel, two hit model of CLP followed by Candida provides additional insight into the immune compromised state created by primary peritonitis, and thereby opens up another avenue of investigation into the causes and possible cures of an emerging clinical problem.
Re-evaluation of the evidence for the importation of red foxes from Europe to colonial America: Origins of the southeastern red fox (Vulpes vulpes fulva)

It is widely accepted that the red fox subspecies of southeastern North America (Vulpes vulpes fulva) is descended from red foxes imported from Europe to the American colonies for sport hunting. Thus, V. v. fulva is considered an exotic invasive organism that has apparently expanded its range to occupy much of the contiguous United States, with exception of the range of relict native populations in the western mountains and Sacramento Valley. I examined the evidence for importations and found that all claims of introduction stemmed to just two literature sources that were based on vague second-hand information. Together with results of morphological and genetic studies, this information indicates that V. v. fulva is native to North America. Thus, historical shifts in distribution and abundance of V. v. fulva and current management approaches should be re-evaluated in light of native status. Evaluating original sources of information can curtail the proliferation of inaccurate information and conclusions that influence conservation decisions.
Numerical Simulation of Probe Measurements in a Non- equilibrium Plasma, Using a Detailed Model Electron Fluid

This study investigates the axisymmetric plasma flow field near a Faraday probe. A hybrid fluid PIC computational code simulates heavy particles with a Particle In Cell (PIC) model, and electrons with a detailed model derived from conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. These simulations show significant departures from the planar Bohm sheath solution and from previous simulations using the Boltzmann model electron fluid. In the current work, the sheaths extend three to six Debye lengths from the probe depending on the properties of the ion distribution. This is significantly more compact than seen in the Bohm sheath solution and previous simulations, which show sheaths that extend twice as far from the probe. Simulated measurements of ion current at the probe surface do not change as much, only increasing by 1% over Bohm sheath solution values. Variation in the conductivity of the plasma is believed to be the main source of the discrepancies.
Anaerobic biotransformation of organoarsenical pesticides monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid

Monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) are extensively utilized as pesticides, introducing large quantities of arsenic into the environment. Once released into the environment, these organoarsenicals are subject to microbial reactions. Aerobic biodegradation of MMAV and DMAV has been evaluated, but little is known about their fate in anaerobic environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biotransformation of MMAV and DMAV in anaerobic sludge. Biologically mediated conversion occurred under methanogenic or sulfate-reducing conditions but not in the presence of nitrate. Monomethylarsonous acid (MMAIII) was consistently observed as an important metabolite of MMAV degradation, and it was recovered in molar yields ranging from 5 to 47%. The main biotransformation product identified from DMAV metabolism was MMAV, which was recovered in molar yields ranging from 8 to 65%. The metabolites indicate that reduction and demethylation are important steps in the anaerobic bioconversion of MMAV and DMAV, respectively.
Review of Some of the Experimental Evidence for the Novel Wetting of Helium on Alkali Metals

We review some of the experimental evidence for the novel wetting and the behavior of helium on alkali metal substrates. We begin with a brief summary of the essential theoretical predictions, describe the initial confirmation experiments and then discuss some of the more detailed recent measurements which document the behavior of helium on these weak binding substrates.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Outcomes of End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Placed in Nursing Homes

Abstract We prospectively surveyed the 156 dialysis centers in Network 5 (MD, VA, WV, DC) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients admitted to or begun on dialysis in nursing homes during a 21-month period (April 1, 1990 to December 31, 1991). In addition to this incidence data, information on patient demographics, social characteristics, pre-existent illnesses, and functional capacity (measured by activity of daily living [ADL] scores) was obtained. One hundred thirty-two centers (close to 90% of Network 5's approximately 9,000 patients) responded to the survey. Outcome data were gathered throughout the 21-month period and the subsequent 5 months. Seventy-three centers dialyzed 228 such patients during the 18-month period. Five centers that were located in the same building as a nursing home cared for 67 patients. The 228 patients, aged 17 to 101 years, were older (65.50 years ± 14.2 [SD] v 53.7 ± 16.4 years), and disproportionately female (62.2% v 48.3%), white (46.5% v 37.4%), and diabetic (57.9% v 29%) compared with the general network ESRD population ( P P
Concussions, professional sports, and conflicts of interest: why the National Football League's current policies are bad for its (players') health

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Daniel Goldberg, J.D., Ph.D.(c)., Fellow, Chronic Disease Prevention & Control Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1709 Dryden, Suite 1025, Houston, Texas 77030; email: danielg@bcm.tmc.edu. Concussions, Professional Sports, and Conflicts of Interest: Why the National Football League’s Current Policies are Bad for Its (Players’) Health
Adsorption and Dissociation of O2 on Gold Surfaces: Effect of Steps and Strain

The activation of dioxygen via dissociation on strained and stepped gold surfaces has been studied using periodic self-consistent (GGA-PW91) density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Although we find that molecular oxygen does not adsorb on Au(111), it does bind, albeit weakly, to an Au(111) surface stretched by 10% as well as to Au(211) surfaces both stretched and unstretched. The most stable molecular states on all three surfaces have the top−bridge−top configuration and carry about half of the magnetic moment of gas-phase O2. On 10%-stretched Au(111), unstretched Au(211), and 10%-stretched Au(211), the binding energies of O2 are −0.08, −0.15, and −0.26 eV, respectively, and the activation energies of O2 dissociation are 1.37, 1.12, and 0.63 eV. Both steps and tensile strain enhance the adsorption of atomic and molecular oxygen. A comparison between unstretched and stretched Au(211) indicates that the enhancing effect of tensile strain is less pronounced on the step edge than on the flat terrace. Th...
Amoeboid olivine aggregates in the Allende meteorite

Greyish-brown irregularly-shaped aggregates composed predominantly of olivine make up nearly 2% of the Allende meteorite by volume. Many of the aggregates are constructed of subspherical lumps of micron-sized crystals of olivine, pyroxene, nepheline and sodalite surrounded by coarser-grained olivine. Rarely, anorthite, spinel and perovskite are also present. The olivine ranges in composition from Fo64 to Fo99. Pyroxenes range from aluminous diopside to hedenbergite to very Al-rich and Ti-Al-rich varieties. The nepheline contains 1.6-2.4% K2O and 1.6-5.2% CaO but the sodalite is significantly poorer in these elements. The spinel contains 2.1-13.4% FeO. Textural information and oxygen isotopic data suggest that the aggregates are composed of primary, solid condensates from the solar nebula. The perovskite, spinel and Ti-Al-rich pyroxenes are the remains of high-temperature condensates, but the olivine compositions and the presence of feldspathoids indicate that some of the grains continued to react with the solar nebular vapor in the temperature range 500-900 K.
Characteristics of Children Referred for Evaluation of School Difficulties Who Have Adequate Academic Achievement Scores

Forty children (7 to 11 years old) referred for evaluation of learning problems, who had scores within the normal range on standardized measures of academic achievement, were compared to 81 similarly referred children who had scored low (< 90) on at least one measure of academic achievement. We tested the hypothesis that children with normal achievement scores who are referred for evaluation of learning problems show neuropsychological profiles comparable to those of children with low achievement. Referral problems, school history, IQ, academic achievement, and neuropsychological function were evaluated. Referred children with normal achievement scores came from more advantaged backgrounds and had less intensive academic interventions, higher IQs, and better decoding skills. Nonetheless, the two groups showed similar neuropsychological profiles. Vulnerability to complexity and decreased automaticity were prominent. Normal-range achievement test scores among children referred for evaluation should not be regarded as indicating absence of neurodevelopmental vulnerability.
Analysis of Load Pulse Durations for Marquette Interchange Instrumentation Project

The loading frequency is an important input for determining the stiffness of asphalt materials on the basis of their dynamic modulus data. This stiffness relationship is used in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) to calculate a pavement's structural response to loading. This response—typically maximum horizontal strain and vertical pressure—is then used to estimate the number of load repetitions to failure. The Marquette Interchange Perpetual Pavement Instrumentation Project is a research effort carried out by the Transportation Research Center at Marquette University. The project implemented different pavement sensors to provide researchers with a complete set of pavement response data for calibration of local design variables and to provide insight into the structural behavior of a perpetual pavement opened to live urban freeway traffic. An analysis of the strain and pressure data recorded from the project was conducted to measure the length of strain and pressure pulse durations. T...
Homogenization processes in silicic magma chambers by stirring and mushification (latent heat buffering)

Abstract Heterogeneities in crustal magma chambers are generated by incomplete mixing of different batches of magmas, precipitation or remelting of solids ~ 10–20% denser than surrounding liquids at cooling/heating boundaries, and by liquid extraction from more dense crystalline residues. Volcanic eruptions commonly sample that heterogeneity as many deposits from large explosive events show gradients in composition, crystallinity and temperature. However, some of the most viscous of all magmas – crystal-rich rhyolites–dacites and large silicic plutons – are, in contrast, strikingly homogeneous. This observation is in stark contradiction to the common assumption that the main homogenizing process in magma chambers is mechanical mixing by convection. The timescale for convective stirring is governed by flow velocities. The faster the convective currents, the more rapidly mixing occurs. However, it is the total amount of strain that determines whether homogeneity can be attained. Here, we show that convectiving magma body needs 5–10 overturns following the introduction of heterogeneities to be homogenized to lengthscales at which diffusion is effective, irrespective of the vigor of the convection. For heterogeneities that are discrete in time and space and mechanically passive (such as patches of magmas with slightly different characteristics), the threshold of 5–10 overturns can potentially be reached if enough time is allowed for the system to convect. For heterogeneities that are continuously re-established or introduced by the convective process itself (such as density instabilities generated by crystallization at the cooling boundaries of magma chambers), convective stirring is unable to produce complete homogeneity. Therefore, to explain the low variability in major element whole-rock composition in crystal-rich dacitic/rhyolitic ignimbrites and silicic plutons, we propose that another mechanism of homogenization acts to decrease thermal, and related crystallinity variability at high crystal fraction (> 50 vol.%). It is induced by latent heat buffering of silicic magmas close to the haplogranitic eutectic, and leads to the rapid equilibration of temperature (and crystal fraction) throughout the magma reservoir. As this process drives the magma body towards a uniformly high crystallinity (“crystal mush”), we refer to it as “mushification”. Nevertheless, the homogeneity of both large crystal-rich silicic ignimbrites and granites also require (1) incremental growth dominated by addition of magma batches that are compositionally similar to reach the observed large sizes without inducing unmixable chemical heterogeneities and (2) some late convective stirring at high crystallinity to explain the dispersal of externally derived crystalline material, e.g. xenocrysts and antecrysts. Late mechanical mixing mostly occurs at high crystallinity (~ 30–50 vol.% crystals) following the intrusion of hotter magmas (and gas) from below, triggering whole-reservoir convective overturn without introducing new significant gradients.
A continental-scale mosaic of the Amazon basin using JERS-1 SAR

A methodology, example and accuracy assessment are given for a continental-scale mosaic of the Amazon River basin at 100 m resolution using the JERS-1 satellite. This unprecedented resource of L-band SAR data collected by JERS-1 during the low-flood season of the river amounts to a collection of 57 orbits of the satellite and a total of some 1500 1 k/spl times/1 kB images. Interscene overlap both in the along-track and cross-track directions allows common reference points to be used to correct individual scene geolocation inaccuracies that have been derived from the satellite ephemeris. The set of common reference points is assembled into a matrix formulation that is used to solve for individual scene geometric offsets. By correcting for these offsets, each scene is placed within a global coordinate system, which can then be used as the basis for creating a final, visually seamless mosaic. The methodology employed in this approach allows for a mathematical foundation to be applied to the mosaicking process as well as providing a unique, traceable solution for correctly geolocating satellite imagery.
AAC technologies for young children with complex communication needs: State of the science and future research directions

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies offer the potential to provide children who have complex communication needs with access to the magic and power of communication. This paper is intended to (a) summarize the research related to AAC technologies for young children who have complex communication needs; and (b) define priorities for future research to improve AAC technologies and interventions for children with complex communication needs. With the realization of improved AAC technologies, young children with complex communication needs will have better tools to maximize their development of communication, language, and literacy skills, and attain their full potential.
Giving TB wheels: Public transportation as a risk factor for tuberculosis transmission

Previous geospatial analysis of the well-defined Houston Tuberculosis Initiative (HTI) database identified an association between the use of city-bus transportation (inclusive of time onboard) and Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Houston/Harris County census tracts (paper submitted). This paper is an extension of those findings. Contact investigations on school buses have reported a high rate of positive tuberculin skin tests in the persons traveling with the index case and have shown an association with bus ride duration. In Houston, city bus routes are veins connecting even the most diverse of populations within the metropolitan area. Among HTI participants, TB patients who reported weekly bus use were more likely to have demographic and social risk factors associated with poverty, immune suppression and health disparities. An equal proportion of bus riders and non-bus riders were cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), yet 75% of bus riders were clustered with a mean cluster size of 50.14, indicating recent transmission, compared to 56% of non-bus riders (OR = 2.4, p < 0.001) with a mean cluster size of 28.9 (p < 0.01). Individual bus routes, including one route servicing the local hospitals, were found to be risk factors for endemic MTB clustered strains and the routes themselves geographically connect the census tracts previously identified as having endemic TB.
Association of two clones allows for optimal detection of human FOXP3.

FOXP3 is a key transcription factor expressed by regulatory T cells (Treg cells). However, differences in staining and analysis protocols have led to conflicting results. Moreover, the transient upregulation of FOXP3 that follows activation in non-Treg cells renders the interpretation of FOXP3 data more difficult in humans than in mice. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated CD25− or CD25+CD4+ T cells were stained with three different anti-FOXP3 clones (PCH101, 206D, and 259D) alone or in combination, and using different permeabilization methods. FOXP3 expression was evaluated following T cell activation by several pathways. Gating based on a population that did not express FOXP3 (such as CD3−CD4− T cells) allowed for the optimal characterization of Treg cells. The 206D clone detected a lower percentage of cells than PCH101 or 259D. In contrast, 259D stained a population of activated T cells that PCH101 did not. Staining with two clones together consistently increased the proportion of FOXP3+ cells. However, it is likely that only the double positive cells are Treg cells, as they expressed the highest CD25 and lowest CD127 levels. Our results emphasize that the choice of staining protocol leads to very different results concerning the frequency of Treg cells in humans. A more consistent identification of these cells will improve the knowledge of their biology, particularly during disease processes. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Use of strain in a stereospecific catalytic mechanism: crystal structures of Escherichia coli thymidylate synthase bound to FdUMP and methylenetetrahydrofolate.

Two crystal structures for E. coli thymidylate synthase (TS) bound to the mechanism-based inhibitor 5-fluoro-dUMP (FdUMP) and methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2THF) have been determined to 2.6 and 2.2 A nominal resolutions, with crystallographic R factors of 0.180 and 0.178, respectively. The inhibitor and cofactor are well ordered in both structures and display covalent links to each other and to Cys 146 in the TS active site. The structures are in general agreement with a previous report for this complex (D. A. Matthews et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 214, 937−948), but differ in two key respects: (i) the methylene bridge linking FdUMP and CH2THF is rotated about 60° to a different position and (ii) the electron density for C6 of FdUMP, which is covalently linked to Cys 146, is more diffuse than for the other atoms in the pyrimidine ring. The ligand arrangement observed in the previous structure led the authors to propose that a large conformational change in ligand geometry must occur in order to facilitate c...
Elite Parties and Poor Voters: Theory and Evidence from India

Why do poor people often vote against their material interests? This article extends the study of this global paradox to the non-Western world by considering how it manifests within India, the world's biggest democracy. Arguments derived from studies of advanced democracies (such as values voting) or of poor polities (such as patronage and ethnic appeals) fail to explain this important phenomenon. Instead, I outline a novel strategy predicated on an electoral division of labor enabling elite parties to recruit the poor while retaining the rich. Recruitment is outsourced to nonparty affiliates that provide basic services to appeal to poor communities. Such outsourcing permits the party to maintain programmatic linkages to its elite core. Empirically, I test this argument with qualitative and quantitative evidence, including a survey of more than 9,000 voters. Theoretically, I argue that this approach is best suited to elite parties with thick organizations, typically those linked to religious social movements.
Rivaroxaban Versus Enoxaparin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis after Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

The oral Factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (Xarelto) has been the pharmacologic agent used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after primary hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) at our institution since February 2012. The purpose of our study was to compare rates of VTE and major bleeding between rivaroxaban and our previous protocol of enoxaparin after THA/TKA. A retrospective cohort study was performed including 2406 consecutive patients at our institution between 1/1/11 and 9/30/13. Patients who did not have unilateral primary THA/TKA or who received other anticoagulants were excluded. Of the 1762 patients included, 1113 patients (63.2%) received enoxaparin and 649 patients (36.8%) received rivaroxaban. This study found no demonstrable differences between these two anticoagulants in rates of VTE, infection, reoperation, transfusion, or major bleeding. Therapeutic, Retrospective comparative study, Level III.
Frameless, real-time, surface imaging-guided radiosurgery: update on clinical outcomes for brain metastases

Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for intracranial brain metastases can provide more comfortable treatment setup than rigid frame-based immobilization with equivalent accuracy. The aim of this study is to report the UCSD SRS experience and update the clinical outcomes using a novel real-time, frameless, surface imaging-guided (SIG-RS) technique in the treatment of brain metastases. Data were retrospectively examined for 163 patients totaling 490 lesions and 45 post-operative cavities treated with SIGRS in a median delivery of 1 fraction (range, 1-5 fraction) and to a median dose of 22 Gy (range, 12-30 Gy). Local control and overall survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up for all patients was 6.7 months (range, 0.5-45.1 months), with 119 of 163 (73%) deceased at the time of analysis. The 134 patients (82%) with follow-up imaging studies totaling 378 lesions and 39 post-operative cavities were evaluated for local control. The actuarial 6- and 12-month local control was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 84-94%] and 79% (95% CI, 71-86%), respectively. The actuarial 6- and 12-month overall survival was 80% (95% CI, 74-85%) and 56% (95% CI, 49-63%), respectively. There is no significant difference in local control between treatment to post-operative cavities or intact lesions. Consistent with our earlier report of 44 patients, SIG-RS for treatment of intracranial metastases can produce outcomes comparable to those with conventional frame-based and frameless SRS techniques while providing greater patient comfort with an open-faced mask and fast treatment time.
Male field crickets that provide reproductive benefits to females incur higher costs

Females often select mates based on signals correlated with the quality of the direct benefits that males will provide to them. A male's quality as a mate and the structure of his mating signals may covary because both traits are energetically expensive for males to produce and because both traits are affected by short-term changes in nutritional condition. 2. In the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps, previous work has shown that females receive reproductive benefits from males that produce higher chirp rates and lifespan benefits from males that produce longer chirp durations, even when they only receive the sperm and seminal fluid contained in male spermatophores. Higher chirp rates are energetically expensive for males to produce, and chirp rate is strongly affected by diet quality, whereas longer chirp durations do not appear to be expensive for males to produce, and chirp duration does not appear to be affected by male diet quality. In this study two hypotheses were tested about the energetic costs of spermatophore production: (1) that spermatophores are expen- sive for males to produce and (2) that males providing greater direct benefits to females incur higher costs of spermatophore production. 3. Males that were provided with a lower quality diet took longer to produce a new spermatophore. This result suggests that spermatophores are costly for males to produce. 4. Males that produced higher chirp rates took longer to produce a new spermatophore. This result suggests that male chirp rate and female reproductive benefits may covary because both traits are energetically expensive for males to produce and thus are affected by male nutritional condition. There was no association, however, between male chirp duration and spermatophore produc- tion time.
Human biogeography and climate change in Siberia and Arctic North America in the fourth and fifth millennia BP

This paper explores the relation between the geographic shifts in prehistoric hunting populations and changes in climate between 4500 and 3000 before present (BP) within the polar regions from the Yenisei River in Siberia to Greenland. We have chosen this time period because major human geographic changes occurred over much of northeastern Asia and northern North America, and because these changes appear to be linked, at least in part, to a palaeoclimatic fluctuations. The cultures under consideration have been termed the Early and Middle Neolithic (Syalakh and Bel'kachi) in Siberia and the Arctic Small Tool Tradition (with such local variants as Denbigh, Independence I, Pre-Dorset, and Sarqaq) in North America. Despite these terminological differences, these groups shared such a close similarity in their technology and adaptive patterns that they must have once shared a direct historical relation.
Unsteady Adjoint Method for the Optimal Control of Advection and Burger's Equations using High-Order Spectral Difference Method

In this study, we investigate the method for adjoint-based optimal control of linear and non-linear equations. In particular, we are interested in the formulation of the unsteady adjoint method based on the high-order spectral difference method. For the linear equation, we consider the simple 1D advection equation. For the non-linear equation, we consider the 1D viscous Burger’s equation. In both cases, the inverse design of the target solution is achieved through control of the initial condition. The focus of the study is the formulation of the unsteady adjoint method using the high-order spectral difference method. The paper demonstrates that the minimal numerical dissipation inherent in the high order method is very beneficial for adjoint type problem where backward integration in time is involved. The combination of adjoint approach and high order method will lead to an useful tool for optimization in the field of aeroacoustic simulation and design. I. Introduction While much work has been done in the field of steady adjoint approach for optimal control and inverse design problems using traditional CFD methods 1–4 such as finite volume methods, the current trend and demand for more time-accurate and spatial-accurate methods entail further development of the adjoint-based approach. Recent research has seen the combination of the unsteady adjoint method with the high order methods such as the Discontinous Galerkin (DG) method. 5–7 Method of this type can be a significant aid to the field of aeroacoustic design and optimization, since the capture of acoustic signiture often requires the time-accuracy and spatial-accuracy of the high order methods which have very small numerical dissipations. In this study, we investigate the formulation of unsteady adjoint approach based on high-order spectral difference (SD) method, and explore methods that can lead to better computational and optimization efficiency. We consider the problems of the optimal control of the advection and Burger’s equations, by treating the initial conditions as the control inputs, and matching the final solutions with design target profiles.
Freeway-traffic data processing

Two basic data processing problems associated with freeway traffic are formulated: estimation of traffic variables (section mean speed and density) and detection of occurrence of an incident or accident within a given section of the road. The existing traffic sensors and the current estimation techniques and their shortcomings are reviewed. Stochastic models for traffic variables are developed and used to design optimum recursive estimators. The incident detection problem is introduced as a potential area where many interesting research topics exist.
Genetic and environmental influences on juvenile antisocial behaviour assessed on two occasions

Background. There is conflicting evidence concerning the magnitude of genetic and shared environmental influences on juvenile antisocial behaviour (AB). The use of more than one assessment of AB may yield more accurate estimates of these influences.Methods. Retrospective reports of antisocial behaviour prior to age 18 were obtained on two occasions from a population-based sample of 3522 adult males from male–male twin pairs: phone interviews (wave 1) and self-report questionnaires obtained 19 months later (wave 2). Structural equation modelling estimated the genetic and environmental influences on reliably-measured AB. Factors related to participation of co-twin at wave 1, attrition between waves 1 and 2, and reliability of wave 1 and wave 2 assessments were also investigated.Results. Twin analyses revealed that genetic, shared environmental, and non-shared environmental influences accounted for approximately 33% (95% CI = 9–57%), 31% (95% CI = 10–51%) and 36% (95% CI = 29–44%) of the variance of reliably measured AB, respectively. We also found significant occasion-specific genetic influences on wave 1 AB. Wave 1 AB did not predict wave 1 participation of co-twin or attrition, but was related to reliability. Co-twins of MZ twins and younger twins were more likely to participate at wave 1; attrition was predicted by being a DZ twin, lack of initial participation of co-twin, fewer years of education, and fewer children. Being older, being unmarried, and having less psychopathology were associated with greater reliability.Conclusions. When measurement error is taken into account, both genetic and shared environmental factors are significant influences on juvenile AB, accounting for approximately one- third of variation. The origin of the specific genetic influences on wave 1 AB is unclear, but may be due to factors related to measurement.
Utilization, Spending, and Price Trends for Benzodiazepines in the US Medicaid Program: 1991-2009

Background:Although it is well-known that drug costs in the US have risen precipitously over the last 25 years, what is much less appreciated is how this rise in cost has occurred across so many seemingly distinct drug markets.Objective:To describe trends in the utilization, spending, and average per-prescription cost of benzodiazepines individually, in subgroups, and overall, in the Medicaid program. Medicaid has been the primary public payer for benzodiazepines over the past 2 decades.Methods:A retrospective, descriptive analysis was performed for the years 1991-2009 using the publicly available national Summary Files from the Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Quarterly prescription counts and reimbursement amounts were calculated for all benzodiazepines reimbursed by Medicaid. Average per-prescription spending as a proxy for drug price was found by dividing reimbursement by the number of prescriptions.Results:Prescriptions for benzodiazepin...
Live Lecture versus Slide-Tape Method of Instruction for a Health Unit of Physical Fitness

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine if differences existed between groups of subjects who were exposed to a lecture format of instruction as opposed to slide-tape instruction for a unit of study on physical fitness. The lecture group was instructed by the traditional lecture method at a regularly scheduled time while the other group attended preprogramed slide-tape lectures at their own convenience. During the four-week study 12 different lectures were presented to each of the 99 subjects. Data were treated using an ANCOVA. There was no statistically significant difference between group means, though both groups showed increased physical fitness knowledge after being exposed to the varying treatments. It was concluded that both the lecture and slide-tape methods of instruction were efficient teaching modes, though neither method was statistically more effective than the other. Innovation in education is directed toward qualitative and quantitative improvements of the learning proce...
Niche Shifts: The Primary Driver of Novelty within Angiosperm Genera

A central tenet of evolutionary biology is that environmental change is the prime driving force behind speciation and the genesis of evolutionary novelty. While gradual, long-term environmental change may be an important stimulus for speciation, it is not clear that such change would generate highly divergent phenotypic, physiological, and life history attributes, and disparate ecological tolerances, as described in numerous angiosperm genera. I propose that niche shifts rather than long-term environmental change are the primary drivers of evolutionary novelty within genera. This argument is based on the differences in the dynamics of speciation through gradual change and in the dynamics of speciation through niche transitions. Ecological speciation is a prospective process that involves the invasions of new niches in space. Geographical or vicariant speciation is a responsive process involving changes dictated selectively or randomly by environmental gradients in time. Niche conservatism may limit major adaptive shifts in time.
Antimicrobial Activity of Polyphenols Mediates Plant-Herbivore Interactions

The view that polyphenols have as their main function defending plants against herbivores has only equivocal experimental support. Polyphenol action against plant pathogenic microbes, however, is well substantiated in the literature, and this substantiation extends to nonpathogenic microbes as well. It is not surprising then that polyphenols are being shown to have significant activity against microbes that are either symbionts or pathogens of insect herbivores. We suggest that any influence of plant polyphenols on herbivores may often arise indirectly via action on herbivore-associated microbes, rather than by acting directly on the herbivore.
Following declining human chorionic gonadotropin values in pregnancies of unknown location: When is it safe to stop?

Objective To determine if the pattern of decline in hCG curves can discriminate spontaneous abortion (SAB) from ectopic pregnancy (EP). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University hospitals. Patient(s) A total of 1,551 women with symptomatic pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and decreasing hCG values. Intervention(S) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Percentage change in hCG; days and visits to final diagnosis. Result(s) Of the 1,551 women with a PUL and declining hCG, 146 were ultimately diagnosed with EP and 1,405 with SAB. An 85% hCG drop within 4 days or a 95% hCG drop within 7 days both ruled out an EP 100% of the time. Applying the 4-day cutoff to this population would have saved 16% of the SAB population (229/1,405) a total of 2,841 person-days and 277 clinical visits. Applying the 7-day cutoff would have saved 9% of the SAB population (126/1,405) a total of 1,294 person-days and 182 clinical visits. These cutoffs were separately validated on a group of 179 EPs collected from three university clinical centers. In that population, each cutoff separately ruled out EP 100% of the time. Conclusion(s) The decline in serum hCG is slower in EPs than in SAB and can be used to aid clinicians in the frequency and duration of follow-up. Costs and patient time may be saved by allowing women who meet one of these criteria to be followed less frequently.