cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PNPLA3 Gene Polymorphisms in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Individuals

The patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene has been associated with the development of alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Using a newly developed and validated assay for PNPLA3, we explored the prevalence of gene polymorphisms in a cohort of HCV/HIV-coinfected individuals to determine whether there was an association with insulin resistance or hepatic fibrosis. A high-resolution melting point (HRM) assay was developed and validated. The assay was used to evaluate samples obtained in the context of a clinical trial performed at ACTG sites across the USA in HIV-infected patients. Clinical features and treatment outcomes were assessed in relation to the PNPLA3 genotype. The HRM methodology demonstrated 100% concordance with results obtained by Sanger sequencing. Among 241 participants tested, 66.0% had the wild-type allele (CC) and the remainder had the aberrant PNPLA3 gene polymorphism in the homozygotic (GG) or heterozygotic (CG) form. Race and ethnicity were associated with PNPLA3 genotype but fibrosis stage, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, and HCV treatment outcome were not. The HRM method is an effective, rapid technique for characterizing PNPLA3 genotype. In those with HCV/HIV infection, nearly 40% carry gene polymorphisms associated with the development of NASH or ASH. Prospective studies should focus on this group to determine whether they represent a subset of HIV-infected persons at increased risk of fibrotic progression.
Abstract WMP86: Less Than Ideal: Trends in Cardiovascular Health Among US Stroke Survivors

Background: The American Heart Association defines ideal cardiovascular health through the achievement of seven medical and behavioral metrics, dubbed “Life’s Simple 7s” (LS7): abstaining from smoking; maintaining regular physical activity, normal body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, and total cholesterol levels, and eating a healthy diet. We previously reported poor cardiovascular health among US stroke survivors; however, recent prevalence and predictors of cardiovascular health remain unknown. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, pattern, and predictors of ideal LS7 among stroke survivors in the United States. Design/Methods: We analyzed prevalence and predictors of achieving ideal LS7 goals in a nationally representative sample of 1,597 US adults (≥18 years) with self-reported stroke, who participated in NHANES from 1988 through 2014. We assessed odds of low (0-1) vs. high (4+) LS7 scores according to sex, race, poverty income ratio (PIR), and education level, before and after adjusting for k...
FOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer patients age 75 years or older.

362Background: Although FOLFIRINOX (5-Fluorouracil + leucovorin + irinotecan + oxaliplatin) is now the standard of care for patients (pts) with metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) based on the 2011 s...
A 0.5 V, 9-GHz Sub-Integer Frequency Synthesizer Using Multi-Phase Injection-Locked Prescaler for Phase-Switching-Based Programmable Division With Automatic Injection-Lock Calibration in 45-nm CMOS

A 9-GHz sub-integer frequency synthesizer incorporates a multi-phase injection-locked ring-oscillator-based prescaler for operation at an ultra-low supply voltage of 0.5 V, phase-switching-based programmable division for sub-integer frequency synthesis, and automatic calibration to ensure injection lock. The synthesizer consumes 3.5 mW of power at 9.12 GHz and 0.05 mm2 of area, while showing an output phase noise of −100 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset and RMS jitter of 325 fs; it achieves a net FOMA of −186.5 in a 45-nm SOI CMOS process.
Language Clearly Matters; Methods Matter Too

Over two decades ago, the "30-million-word" gap rose to prominence after work by Hart & Risley (1995) suggested that children from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) heard fewer words than their peers from families with higher SES during their first 4 years of life. Recent research challenges the magnitude and even existence of this gap. However, due to methodological limitations, we know very little about the presence, magnitude, and settings in which there may be a word gap. Moreover, causal evidence is also limited. I highlight why it is critical for the field to have a more precise understanding of the nature of the word gap (or lack thereof) and potential avenues for better evaluating this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Modeling and Control of Robot-Structure Coupling During In-Space Structure Assembly

This paper considers the problem of robot-structure coupling dynamics during in-space robotic assembly of large flexible structures. A two-legged walking robot is used as a construction agent, whose primary goal is to stably walking on the flexible structure while carrying a substructure component to a designated location. The reaction forces inserted by the structure to the walking robot are treated as bounded disturbance inputs, and a trajectory tracking robotic controller is proposed that combines the standard full state feedback motion controller and an adaptive controller to account for the disturbance inputs. In this study, a reduced-order Euler-Bernoulli beam structure model is adapted, and a finite number of co-located sensors and actuators are distributed along the span of the beam structure. The robot-structure coupling forces are treated as a bounded external forcing function to the structure, and hence an output covariance constraint problem can be formulated, in terms of linear matrix inequality, for optimal structure control by utilizing the direct output feedback controllers. The numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed robot-structure modeling and control methodology.
Molecular Engineering of Nanostructures in Disordered Block Polymers

A series of symmetric poly(methyl methacrylate-stat-styrene)-block-polylactide (P(MMA-s-S)-b-PLA) diblock terpolymers with nearly constant molar masses yet varying block interaction parameters were...
Characterizing Hygroscopic Materials via Droplet Evaporation

Hygroscopic materials are widely used as desiccants for applications including food production, packaging, anti-icing, and gas storage. Current techniques for quantifying the hygroscopicity of materials, such as the use of a tandem differential mobility analyzer or a gravimetric vapor sorption analyzer, require complex and expensive setups. Here, we show that the hygroscopicity of any bulk material can be simply characterized by suspending it above a deposited droplet and measuring the droplet's evaporation rate. By controlling the temperature of the droplet to correspond to the dew point, we ensured that any evaporation was directly correlated with diffusive transport into the low-pressure hygroscopic material. Using Fick's law, the effective water vapor concentration of each material was extracted and nondimensionalized by the saturation concentration to obtain a hygroscopic index. This nondimensional index ranges from 0 (no hygroscopicity) to 1 (null vapor pressure) and can also be conceptualized as 1 - aw, where aw is the material's water activity.
Synphilin-1 Interacts with AMPK and Increases AMPK Phosphorylation

A role for the cytoplasmic protein synphilin-1 in regulating energy balance has been demonstrated recently. Expression of synphilin-1 increases ATP levels in cultured cells. However, the mechanism by which synphilin-1 alters cellular energy status is unknown. Here, we used cell models and biochemical approaches to investigate the cellular functions of synphilin-1 on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, which may affect energy balance. Overexpression of synphilin-1 increased AMPK phosphorylation (activation). Moreover, synphilin-1 interacted with AMPK by co-immunoprecipitation and GST (glutathione S-transferase) pull-down assays. Knockdown of synphilin-1 reduced AMPK phosphorylation. Overexpression of synphilin-1 also altered AMPK downstream signaling, i.e., a decrease in acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, and an increase in p70S6K phosphorylation. Treatment of compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) reduced synphilin-1 binding with AMPK. In addition, compound C diminished synphilin-1-induced AMPK phosphorylation, and the increase in cellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels. Our results demonstrated that synphilin-1 couples with AMPK, and they exert mutual effects on each other to regulate cellular energy status. These findings not only identify novel cellular actions of synphilin-1, but also provide new insights into the roles of synphilin-1 in regulating energy currency, ATP.
The relationship between platelet indices and patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), one of the most common disorders in newborns, is associated with many complications in premature infants such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is still an ongoing debate. The relationship between platelet parameters and hsPDA has been explored in many studies over the last decade, but there is still no definite conclusion. We aim to explain the relationship between platelet parameters and hsPDA through this meta-analysis. Therefore, we used PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases as well as the Google Scholar to search for studies up to May 2020. Three reviewers independently screened the articles, evaluated the quality of the articles, and collected the data. The random-effects model and fixed-effects model were used to evaluate pooled results. We used the I-square (I2) test to examine heterogeneity and the funnel plot; Egger’s test and meta-regression analysis were used to test for publication bias. Influence analysis was also carried out in this study. Stata version 12.0 software was used for data analysis. Fourteen studies, which included 3330 newborns, were extracted from 986 studies. The weighted mean difference (WMD) of the platelet count was − 17.98 (p < 0.001), the platelet distribution width (PDW) was 0.27 (p = 0.266), the mean platelet volume (MPV) was 0.01 (p = 0.958), the plateletcrit (PCT) was − 0.03 (p < 0.001), and the platelet mass was − 150.10 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Platelet count, PCT, and platelet mass of the first 3 days of life are potentially helpful in identifying premature infants at risk of hsPDA. More prospective studies on the relationship between different degrees of thrombocytopenia and platelet function and hsPDA should be conducted.
Secukinumab for the Treatment of Inflammatory Skin and Joint Disease

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by thick, erythematous, scaly plaques commonly found on the extensor surfaces, scalp, and trunk. While the etiology of this skin condition has not been fully elucidated, research has unequivocally shown that psoriasis represents a bona fide T cell-mediated disease that involves the skin, joints, and a myriad of other organs/tissues. The recent discovery of a set of pathogenic T cells that produce high levels of interleukin-17 in response to interleukin-23 led to a major paradigm shift in the pathogenic model for this condition resulting in numerous novel targeted immune therapies. The robust phase 3 clinical trial program for anti-interleukin-17A via secukinumab (sold under the brand Cosentyx®) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis provides a solid foundation supporting the high clinical efficacy and safety of this medication in dermatology and rheumatology. While the exact roles of interleukin-17 in the development of inflammatory diseases is not entirely clear, ongoing research and clinical studies are expanding our knowledge base and leading to the development of new treatments that can improve clinical outcomes for patients affected by these conditions.
The Effect of Dental and Occlusal Anomalies on Articulation in Individuals With Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate

Purpose Dental and occlusal anomalies are common in individuals with cleft lip and palate, placing them at risk for speech sound distortions. Speech-language pathologists and dental practitioners f...
Psychometric properties of Copenhagen Burnout Inventory among nurses.

Worldwide, nurses have been reporting high levels of burnout. Given the high prevalence of nurse burnout, measurements of burnout need to be carefully considered for their validity and reliability. Our research team used a relatively new instrument to measure burnout among nurses: the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). This 19-item instrument measures burnout in three dimensions: Personal, Work-related, and Client-related Burnout. However, the psychometric properties of the CBI have not been examined in nurses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the CBI in a state-wide survey of inpatient staff nurses. A total of 928 registered nurses working in Alabama-area hospitals (N = 42 hospitals) participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in an adequate fit to the data and supported construct validity. As evidence of convergent validity, the CBI was moderately to highly correlated with measures of the overall work environment, job satisfaction, and intent to leave, in the anticipated directions. The Cronbach's alphas for Personal Burnout, Work-related Burnout, and Client-related Burnout were 0.91, 0.89, and 0.92, respectively, demonstrating excellent internal consistency reliability for the subscales. Based on our data, the CBI demonstrates adequate validity and reliability for measuring burnout among frontline nurses. As nurses provide care to the most vulnerable patients in healthcare systems, their psychological well-being is important due to the impact on quality of care on patient outcomes. The availability of the CBI on its website allows nurses, nurse managers, and researchers to evaluate burnout in a variety of nursing populations with no licensing costs.
EMG Signal Classification Using Reflection Coefficients and Extreme Value Machine.

Electromyography is a promising approach to the gesture recognition of humans if an efficient classifier with high accuracy is available. In this paper, we propose to utilize Extreme Value Machine (EVM) as a high-performance algorithm for the classification of EMG signals. We employ reflection coefficients obtained from an Autoregressive (AR) model to train a set of classifiers. Our experimental results indicate that EVM has better accuracy in comparison to the conventional classifiers approved in the literature based on K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM).
Frequency and prediction of persistent urinary tract dilation in the third trimester and postnatal urinary tract dilation in the infant following diagnosis in the second trimester.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency, associated characteristics, and predictive value of current risk stratification of persistent prenatal urinary tract dilation (UTD) in the third trimester and subsequent postnatal UTD in the infant, following diagnosis in the second trimester using the 2014 UTD consensus classification system. METHODS We conducted a single institution retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral UTD in the second trimester (<28 weeks) with follow-up in the third trimester (≥28 weeks) between 2017 to 2019. The primary outcomes included persistent prenatal UTD in the third trimester and postnatal UTD in the infant through 6 months of age. In multivariable analysis, we assessed whether patient and diagnostic characteristics (laterality, non-pelvic dilation and abnormalities [ureter, bladder, parenchymal and/or calyces], degree of pelvic dilation [in millimeters]) affected study outcomes. We assessed the predictive value of current risk stratification (grade A1 vs. A2-3) in the second and third trimester by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Of 26,620 with second trimester ultrasound assessments, 347 patients (1%) had prenatal UTD diagnosed in the second trimester, of which 43% (150/347, 95% CI: 38 to 49%) had persistent UTD in the third trimester. Among 81% (282/347) with postnatal follow-up, the frequency of postnatal UTD was 17% (49/282, 95% CI: 13% to 22%), and among the subset with persistent prenatal UTD, the frequency of postnatal UTD was 45% (46/102, 95% CI: 35% to 55%). The most frequent postnatal diagnosis was transient UTD (76%), followed by duplicated collecting system (10%). Of infants originally diagnosed with UTD, 2% required surgery, or among the 49 infants with postnatal UTD, 14% required surgery. At second trimester diagnosis and also at third trimester follow-up, predictors of both persistent prenatal and postnatal UTD included presence of non-pelvic dilation, larger mean pelvic measurement, and higher grade A2-3. Second trimester grade A2-3 UTD had satisfactory discrimination for predicting persistent prenatal UTD (AUC: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.58 to 0.70) and postnatal UTD (AUC: 0.72; 95%CI: 0.63 to 0.81), as did third trimester grade A2-3 UTD for postnatal UTD (AUC: 0.66; 95%CI: 0.56 to 0.76). CONCLUSIONS Most cases of prenatal UTD did not result in postnatal UTD, few of which required surgery. Repeat third trimester assessment after a second trimester diagnosis is warranted. Current risk stratification by grade using the 2014 UTD consensus classification can be used to predict postnatal UTD. Further research is needed to determine whether predictive performance can be improved with additional risk factors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Expanding Discrimination Research: Beyond Ethnicity and to the Web*

Objective. This article aims to expand research about perceptions of discrimination both substantively and methodologically beyond the domains of race and ethnicity, relying partly on web-based surveys. Methods. We conducted parallel surveys over the telephone and the World-Wide Web, using standard random-digit dial (RDD) techniques for the former, and a large volunteer panel for the latter. Results. Both modes, phone and web, revealed that respondents consider discrimination based on physical appearance and economic status to be more prevalent than discrimination based on ethnicity. Respondents also reported that they themselves have been victimized more by physical appearance and economic-status discrimination than by ethnic discrimination. Significant differences emerged between the phone and web respondent pools, even after controlling for such independent variables as age, race, education level, and gender. Conclusions. People perceive discrimination across many aspects of social life, and appear more willing to reveal knowledge about controversial social phenomena on the web than on the phone.
A Bayesian Network Modeling Approach to Forecasting the 21st Century Worldwide Status of Polar Bears

To inform the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision, whether or not to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), we projected the status of the world's polar bears (Ursus maritimus) for decades centered on future years 2025, 2050, 2075, and 2095. We defined four ecoregions based on current and projected sea ice conditions: seasonal ice, Canadian Archipelago, polar basin divergent, and polar basin convergent ecoregions. We incorporated general circulation model projections of future sea ice into a Bayesian network (BN) model structured around the factors considered in ESA decisions. This first-generation BN model combined empirical data, interpretations of data, and professional judgments of one polar bear expert into a probabilistic framework that identifies causal links between environmental stressors and polar bear responses. We provide guidance regarding steps necessary to refine the model, including adding inputs from other experts. The BN model projected extirpation of polar bears from the seasonal ice and polar basin divergent ecoregions, where ≈2/3 of the world's polar bears currently occur, by mid century. Projections were less dire in other ecoregions. Decline in ice habitat was the overriding factor driving the model outcomes. Although this is a first-generation model, the dependence of polar bears on sea ice is universally accepted, and the observed sea ice decline is faster than models suggest. Therefore, incorporating judgments of multiple experts in a final model is not expected to fundamentally alter the outlook for polar bears described here.
Higgs masses and the weinberg angle

Diophantine quantization is applied to the Weinberg angle and to the supersymmetric two-Higgs-doublet mass relations, yielding three sets of solutions for Higgs masses. The lowest (neutral scalar) mass has a value of about 44 GeV in all three cases; it may be interpreted as the angle opposite θw in a right triangle with the other two sides equal to the masses of W and Z. The masses of the charged scalars are equal to the mass of the heavier neutral scalar in all three cases; the preferred solution gives 136 GeV for these values and 109 GeV for the neutral pseudoscalar.
Farming for spare body parts: silk purse or sow's ear.

The field of xenotransplantation has been catapulted into international prominence recently not only due to the dire shortage ofhuman organs (3) but also because of successes using the potentially unlimited supply of genetically-engineered animal organs (4). Instead of presenting the usual graphs illustrating the ever-increasing number of individuals on transplant waiting lists, two media events may better illustrate the problem. One was the recent illegal attempt to sell on E-Bay body parts including kidneys and half-livers. The bidding for the kidney quickly reached $7 million. A second is a short skit from "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" entitled "Live Organ Transplants". In this skit, a down-and-out Londoner's liver, lungs, spleen, heart, and kidneys are removed on the spot by organ cops, after, of course, checking to be sure his organ donor card was up-to-date. This organ procurement crew next moved on to extirpate the same organs from his female companion. The history of xenotransplantation has been at best a rocky road (5,6). Of the few attempts reported between 1900 and 1960, none were successful. Rejection occurred within a few minutes and therefore the use of non-primate organs was abandoned by transplant immunologists and surgeons, although not by charlatans. Perhaps the most widely performed but never reported series (approximately 10,00030,000 operations) was the transplantation of goat testes into the inguinal region of midwestern men to both treat and prevent prostatism and declining potency'. Because of repeated failures and a sordid history, transplant surgeons and experimentalists turned to organs from primates. Utilizing heavy doses of the available immunosuppressive drugs, there were a
Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations: Meal Patterns

The Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations study examined several eating behaviors for children and adults using 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) data. The measures provide a baseline to monitor eating behaviors of Americans, focusing on the low-income population.
Abstract 20600: Visualization of Flow and Movement of Lymphatic Valves in Biological Pumps Made From Engineered Heart Tissue

Introduction: At present, the arsenal of approaches to treat lymphedema is very limited and new therapies to improve lymph drainage are critically needed. We aim to address this need using newly available tools of tissue engineering. Specifically, we propose to create a regularly contracting layer of cardiomyocytes around thoracic duct and other major lymphatic vessels creating tissue engineered lymph heart. Methods: Tissue engineered cardiac fibers were made of rat neonatal cardiac myocytes mixed with fibrin hydrogel and seeded in rectangular agarose molds. The fibers ranged from 100 to 200 micron diameter and 1-2 cm in length and were amendable to surgical manipulation. Lymphatic system was visualized using tissue injection of indocyanine green dye and infrared sensitive CCD-camera. Movement of lymphatic valves was observed using Zeiss LSM 510 confocal imaging system using fluorescent membrane dyes. Results: Excised segments of rat and rabbit thoracic duct with and without valves were wrapped with engineered cardiac fibers creating coil-like structures. The latter exhibited spontaneous contractions and were paceable using external electrodes. Contractions caused recordable movements of lymphatic valve leaflets and associated changes in flow. Conclusions: Our data show the feasibility of surrounding segments of major lymphatic conduits, including thoracic duct, with rhythmically beating sheaths of cardiac muscle. Clinically, such biological pumps can be made from cardiomyocytes derived from patient’s own stem cells.
Multi-attribute Exchange Market: Theory and Experiments

The Internet has opened opportunities for efficient on-line trading, and researchers have developed algorithms for various auctions, as well as exchanges for standardized commodities; however, they have done little work on exchanges for complex nonstandard goods. We propose a formal model for trading complex goods, present an exchange system that allows traders to describe purchases and sales by multiple attributes, and give the results of applying it to a used-car market and corporate-bond market.
Frugivory and Seed Dispersal by Crocodilians: An Overlooked Form of Saurochory?

Saurochory (seed dispersal by reptiles) among crocodilians has largely been ignored, probably because these reptiles are generally assumed to be obligate carnivores incapable of digesting vegetable proteins and polysaccharides. Herein we review the literature on crocodilian diet, foraging ecology, digestive physiology and movement patterns, and provide additional empirical data from recent dietary studies of Alligator mississippiensis. We found evidence of frugivory in 13 of 18 (72.2%) species for which dietary information was available, indicating this behavior is widespread among the Crocodylia. Thirty-four families and 46 genera of plants were consumed by crocodilians. Fruit types consumed by crocodilians varied widely; over half (52.1%) were fleshy fruits. Some fruits are consumed as gastroliths or ingested incidental to prey capture; however, there is little doubt that on occasion, fruit is deliberately consumed, often in large quantities. Sensory cues involved in crocodilian frugivory are poorly understood, although airborne and waterborne cues as well as surface disturbances seem important. Crocodilians likely accrue nutritional benefits from frugivory and there are no a priori reasons to assume otherwise. Ingested seeds are regurgitated, retained in the stomach for indefinite and often lengthy periods, or passed through the digestive tract and excreted in feces. Chemical and mechanical scarification of seeds probably occurs in the stomach, but what effects these processes have on seed viability remain unknown. Because crocodilians have large territories and undertake lengthy movements, seeds are likely transported well beyond the parent plant before being voided. Little is known about the ultimate fate of seeds ingested by crocodilians; however, deposition sites could prove suitable for seed germination. Although there is no evidence for a crocodilian-specific dispersal syndrome similar to that described for other reptiles, our review strongly suggests that crocodilians function as effective agents of seed dispersal. Crocodilian saurochory offers a fertile ground for future research.
Term limits and legislative representation: The electoral disconnection?

How does eliminating the prospect of reelection affect legislative representation? The question is relevant for two reasons – one topical, the other theoretical. First, it is directly applicable to the current, heated debate in the United States over whether the tenure of legislators at both the state and national level should be constitutionally limited. Reformers have scored sweeping victories, and so far endured remarkably few setbacks, among voters and in the courts, in their efforts to pass legislative term limits. Academics have been significantly less enthusiastic than voters about term limits, but there has been little rigorous analysis of their impact. The second reason for this study's relevance is precisely the lack of both empirical evidence and theoretical firepower in the term limits debate. The problem is that theories of legislative behavior are firmly rooted in the assumption that legislators' primary motivation is reelection. As a result, political science is currently ill-equipped to offer insights about legislators for whom the electoral connection has been severed. This study aims to provide such insights. Until recently, political scientists have rarely questioned the assumption that reelection incentives drive legislative behavior, largely because tenure is limited in so few legislatures worldwide. In the United States, political scientists and pundits have scrambled since 1990 to predict the impact of the term limit measures adopted in 22 states, directed at both state legislatures and Congress. But none of these limits has taken effect yet.
Polynomial Algorithms for Totally Dual Integral Systems and Extensions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses integer (linear) programs that have the property that for every integral right-hand side vector for which the linear program (obtained by dropping the integrality requirement) has an optimal value for the objective function, the optimal value of the integer program differs from that for the linear program by at most a fraction. This class properly includes totally dual integral (TDI) systems, along with many other cases. In addition, the chapter provides a unified basis for algorithms that involve the solving of one linear program for TDI systems. Set packing problems are also reviewed in the chapter.
Chapter 1 – Overview

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a strategy for designing and managing the complexity of physically based computer graphics models to increase understanding, generality, reusability, and communication of the models. The strategy spans the entire activity of model creation, from specifying an initial concept down through computer programming details. Because the strategy takes advantage of known principles and methodologies of structured programming and mathematical modeling, one calls it structured modeling. The chapter focuses on physically based modeling, in which the behavior of objects is determined via simulations of physical laws. It focuses on the development of a foundation through an analysis of modeling in general, and then it embeds physically based computer graphics modeling within that context.
Characterization of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites Among Custodians

Phthalates, a ubiquitous class of chemicals found in consumer, personal care, and cleaning products, have been linked to adverse health effects. Our goal was to characterize urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and to identify work and nonwork sources among custodians using traditional cleaning chemicals and 'green' or environmentally preferable products (EPP). Sixty-eight custodians provided four urine samples on a workday (first void, before shift, end of shift, and before bedtime) and trained observers recorded cleaning tasks and types of products used (traditional, EPP, or disinfectant) hourly over the work shifts. Questionnaires were used to assess personal care product use. Four different phthalate metabolites [monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monomethyl phthalate (MMP), mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP)] were quantified using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for creatinine-adjusted urinary phthalate concentrations. Mixed effects univariate and multivariate modeling, using a random intercept for each individual, was performed to identify predictors of phthalate metabolites including demographics, workplace factors, and personal care product use. Creatinine-adjusted urinary concentrations [GM (95% CI)] of MEP, MMP, MEHP, and MBzP were 107 (91.0-126), 2.69 (2.18-3.30), 6.93 (6.00-7.99), 8.79 (7.84-9.86) µg g(-1), respectively. An increasing trend in phthalate concentrations from before to after shift was not observed. Creatinine-adjusted urinary MEP was significantly associated with frequency of traditional cleaning chemical intensity in the multivariate model after adjusting for potential confounding by demographics, workplace factors, and personal care product use. While numerous demographics, workplace factors, and personal care products were statistically significant univariate predictors of MMP, MEHP, and MBzP, few associations persisted in multivariate models. In summary, among this population of custodians, we identified both occupational and nonoccupational predictors of phthalate exposures. Identification of phthalates as ingredients in cleaning chemicals and consumer products would allow workers and consumers to avoid phthalate exposure.
Adolescent Girls' Involvement in Disability Sport: A Comparison of Social Support Mechanisms

Women and girls with disabilities are historically disenfranchised from physical recreation due to the "double whammy" of being female and having a disability. The literature suggests that challenges to participation likely include lack of social support for girls with disabilities to participate in sport. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine differences in social support received by girls with disabilities who did and did not participate in organized wheelchair sport programs. In addition, the relationship between social support and outcomes tied to wheelchair sport participation were investigated. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using constant comparison techniques. Utilizing a model of social support as a framework, the findings illustrate multiple differences in social support mechanisms for girls who are and who are not involved in wheelchair sport programs.
Isoprene production in Synechocystis under alkaline and saline growth conditions

Photosynthesis for the generation of isoprene in cyanobacteria was demonstrated with Synechocystis, entailing a process where a single host microorganism acts as both photocatalyst and processor, photosynthesizing and emitting isoprene hydrocarbons. A practical aspect of the commercial exploitation of this process in mass culture is the need to prevent invading microorganisms that might cause a culture to crash, and to provide an alternative to freshwater in scale-up applications. Growth media poised at alkaline pH are desirable in this respect, as high pH might favor the growth of the cyanobacteria, while at the same time discouraging the growth of invading predatory microbes and grazers. In addition, demonstration of salinity tolerance would enable the use of seawater for cyanobacteria cultivations. However, it is not known if Synechocystis growth and the isoprene-producing metabolism can be retained under such theoretically non-physiological conditions. We applied the gaseous/aqueous two-phase photobioreactor system with Synechocystis transformed with the isoprene synthase gene (SkIspS) of Pueraria montana (kudzu). Rates of growth and isoprene production are reported under control, and a combination of alkalinity and salinity conditions. The results showed that alkalinity and salinity do not exert a negative effect on either cell growth or isoprene production rate and yield in Synechocystis. The work points to a practical approach in the design of cyanobacterial growth media for applications in commercial scale-up and isoprene production.
A General Methodology to Predict Fatigue Life in Lead-Free Solder Alloy Interconnects

The ubiquitous eutectic tin-lead (Sn-Pb) solder alloys are soon to be replaced with lead-free alternatives. In light of this transition, new computational tools for predicting the fatigue life of lead-free solders are required. A fatigue life prediction methodology was developed, based on stress-strain, creep, and isothermal fatigue data; the latter generated using a double lap-shear (DLS) test assembly. The proposed fatigue life prediction methodology builds on current practices in fatigue prediction for solder alloys, particularly the concepts of unpartitioned energy methods in finite element analysis (FEA) and continuum damage mechanics. As such, the current state of these fields is briefly discussed. Next, the global and local FEA simulations of the DLS test assembly are detailed. A correlation is then made between the empirical data and the FEA simulations. A general fatigue life prediction methodology is next described in detail. Finally, this methodology is tested and verified against the empirical data.
Fugard's Master Harold…and the Boys

(2001). Fugard's “Master Harold”… and the Boys. The Explicator: Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 109-111.
The operation of pattern separation and pattern completion processes associated with different attributes or domains of memory

Pattern separation and pattern completion processes are central to how the brain processes information in an efficient manner. Research into these processes is escalating and deficient pattern separation is being implicated in a wide array of genetic disorders as well as in neurocognitive aging. Despite the quantity of research, there remains a controversy as to precisely which behavioral paradigms should be used to best tap into pattern separation and pattern completion processes, as well as to what constitute legitimate outcome measures reflecting impairments in pattern separation and pattern completion. This review will discuss a theory based on multiple memory systems that provides a framework upon which behavioral tasks can be designed and their results interpreted. Furthermore, this review will discuss the nature of pattern separation and pattern completion and extend these processes outside the hippocampus and across all domains of information processing. After these discussions, an optimal strategy for designing behavioral paradigms to evaluate pattern separation and pattern completion processes will be provided.
The Rev. Herbert Danby (1889–1953): Hebrew Scholar, Zionist, Christian Missionary

The Balfour Declaration of 1917 presented a challenge to both the hierarchy and laity of the Anglican Church. Some Anglicans were supportive of Jewish aspirations for ‘‘the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people;’’ others were troubled by them. The Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, the Rt. Rev. Rennie Miles MacInnes, charged with revitalizing Anglican life in the Holy City, was an opponent of Zionism. His sympathies lay with the Arabs of Palestine, and more particularly with the Christians among them. For the Zionist movement, the Balfour Declaration, and General Allenby’s entry into Jerusalem later in the same year, were momentous occasions. These events revitalized the worldwide Zionist movement and allowed the renewed growth of the Yishuv. British victory affirmed the view articulated in 1914 by Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann that the future of Zionism was entwined with the fortunes of the British Empire. Both the empire and Jewish nationalism would benefit from the relationship. Weizmann wrote that ‘‘England which would be instrumental in the redemption of Israel would derive an enormous benefit from it . . .’’ During the first years of the British occupation of Palestine Bishop MacInnes, of St. Georges Cathedral, the Anglican seat in Jerusalem, often expressed his opposition to Zionism. This opposition was noted in the Jewish newspapers of Palestine and was the cause of considerable tension between the Zionist rank and file and the clergy and laity of the Anglican Church. In 1919, faced with the complexities of inter-communal relations in the Holy City, MacInnes sought to employ an Anglican cleric who was familiar with the Jewish tradition and who could serve as a much-needed interlocutor with the city’s various Jewish communities.
A Case-Based Approach to Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) has revolutionized the concept of mechanical ventilation with the major benefit of avoiding invasive mechanical ventilation in specific situations, thereby preventing associated complications. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has emerged as the first line of management of hypercapnic respiratory failure (due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and neuromuscular weakness) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema in addition to standard therapy in the acute setting. There is improvement in gas exchange, relief of respiratory muscle fatigue, and clinical outcome with reduced morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, contraindications and failures need to be identified early, as delaying endotracheal intubation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite overwhelming evidence to support its use, NIPPV is underused. Residents and hospitalists need to identify NIPPV as a treatment option in acute respiratory failure.
Interjoint coordination during handwriting-like movements

The present study investigates intrinsic preferences and tendencies in coordination of the wrist and finger movements during handwriting-like tasks. Movement of the inkless pen tip in nine right-handed subjects was registered with a digitizer. One circle-drawing task and four line-drawing tasks were included in the experiment. The line-drawing task included: (1) drawing with the wrist only, (2) drawing with the fingers only, (3) an equivalent pattern consisting of the simultaneous flexion/extension of the wrist and fingers, and (4) a nonequivalent pattern in which wrist flexion was accompanied by finger extension and wrist extension was accompanied by finger flexion. Both the line and circle drawing were performed repetitively at four speed levels, ranging from slow to "as fast as possible" movements. The analysis of the line drawing revealed differential variability and temporal characteristics across the four movement patterns. While the equivalent pattern had characteristics of performance similar to those observed in the wrist-only and fingers-only pattern, the nonequivalent pattern was more variable and was executed slower when as fast as possible movement was required, compared to the other three patterns. The circle-drawing task also revealed intrinsic tendencies in coordination of the wrist and fingers. These tendencies were manifested by a spontaneous transition of the circular path of the pen tip to a tilted oval with increases in movement speed. The transition to the oval shape was accompanied by decreases in relative phase between the wrist and finger movements, whereas amplitudes of these movements were not affected by movement speed manipulations. The results suggest that subjects did not display a tendency to decrease the number of joints involved when executing the patterns that required simultaneous wrist and finger movements. Instead, there were preferences during these patterns to integrate wrist and finger movements with low relative phase. The findings are interpreted in terms of biomechanical constraints imposed on the wrist-finger linkage. This interpretation was further examined by testing two left-handed subjects. The data obtained showed symmetrical preferences in joint coordination. Collectively, the findings support a supposition that the shape of cursive letters may have been adjusted to the biomechanical structure of the hand to facilitate the motor act of handwriting.
Engineering a memory with LTD and LTP

It has been proposed that memories are encoded by modification of synaptic strengths through cellular mechanisms such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). However, the causal link between these synaptic processes and memory has been difficult to demonstrate. Here we show that fear conditioning, a type of associative memory, can be inactivated and reactivated by LTD and LTP, respectively. We began by conditioning an animal to associate a foot shock with optogenetic stimulation of auditory inputs targeting the amygdala, a brain region known to be essential for fear conditioning. Subsequent optogenetic delivery of LTD conditioning to the auditory input inactivates memory of the shock. Then subsequent optogenetic delivery of LTP conditioning to the auditory input reactivates memory of the shock. Thus, we have engineered inactivation and reactivation of a memory using LTD and LTP, supporting a causal link between these synaptic processes and memory.
New Galvanometer for Strong Currents

I OBSERVE in NATURE (vol. xviii. p. 707) an article on a new galvanometer for strong currents by Mr. Eugen Obach. I published a paper on the same form of galvanometer seven years ago, and inclose a copy of my paper which was published in the American Journal of Arts and Sciences, vol. ii., August, 1871.
Power output, mechanomyographic, and electromyographic responses to maximal, concentric, isokinetic muscle actions in men and women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of peak torque (PT), mean power output (MP), mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes, and mean power frequencies (MPFs) of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) in men and women during dynamic muscle actions. Twelve women (mean +/- SD age = 22 +/- 3 years) and 11 men (22 +/- 3 years) performed maximal, concentric, isokinetic leg extensions at velocities of 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degrees x s(-1) on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Piezoelectric MMG-recording sensors and bipolar surface EMG electrodes were placed over the VL, RF, and VM muscles. No sex-related differences were found among the velocity-related patterns for PT, MP, MMG amplitude, MMG MPF, or EMG MPF. There were, however, sex-related differences in the patterns of EMG amplitude across velocity. The results indicated similar velocity-related patterns of increase of MP and MMG amplitude for all 3 muscles and of EMG amplitude for the VL and VM in the women. Velocity-related decreases (p 0.05) across velocity. MMG MPF increased (p < or = 0.05) only between 240 and 300 degrees x s(-1). Overall, these findings suggested that there were sex- and muscle-specific, velocity-related differences in the associations among motor unit activation strategies (EMG amplitude and MPF) and the mechanical aspects of muscular activity (MMG amplitude and MPF). With additional examination and validation, however, MMG may prove useful to practitioners for monitoring training-induced changes in muscle power output.
Compact Models of Terrain Surfaces

Terrain topology is the principal source of vertical excitation to the vehicle system and must be accurately represented in order to correctly predict the vehicle response. It is desirable to evaluate vehicle models and tire models over a wide range of terrain types, but it is computationally impractical to simulate long distances of every terrain variation. This work seeks to study the terrain surface, rather than the terrain profile, to maximize the information available to the tire model (i.e. wheel path data). A method to decompose the terrain surface as a combination of deterministic and stochastic components is presented. If some, or all, of the components of the terrain surface are considered to be stochastic, then the sequence can be modeled as a stochastic process. These stochastic representations of terrain surfaces can then be implemented in tire and vehicle models to predict chassis loads.Copyright © 2010 by ASME