cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
X-ray structural characterization of [Et4N+]3[BiFe4(CO)163−]

Abstract Sodium bismuthate has previously been reported to react with Fe(CO) 5 in methanolic KOH, producing the [BiFe 4 (CO) 16 3− ] anion. [Et 4 N + ] 3 [BiFe 4 (CO) 16 3− ] crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P 2 1 / n with a 13.497(2), b 19.765(3), c 19.275(3) A, β 91.086(13)°, V 5141.0(15) A 3 , Z = 4. Diffraction data (2θ = 4.5–45.0°, using Mo- K α radiation) were collected with a Syntex P2 1 automated four-circle diffractometer and the structure was refined to R F 7.5% and R wF 6.1% for those 4306 reflections with | F o | > 3σ(| F o |). The [BiFe 4 (CO) 16 3− ] anion contains a central bismuth tetrahedrally surrounded by Fe(CO) 4 units, with an average Bi—Fe distance of 2.750(2) A. Each iron atom is in a trigonal-bipyramidal environment. The three Et 4 N + cations are all disordered.
Leadership in a Long-Term Leaderless Women'S Group

Leaderless groups are found in a variety of settintgs, from self-help organizations to peer-supervision groups. Relatively little has been written about leaderless group dynamics, and most of the l...
New technique for determining mechanical property of polymer/metal interface

A new experimental technique for determining mechanical properties of the polymer-metal interface was developed by replacing conventional mechanical testing machine with a piezoelectric actuator. Using this technique, fatigue crack growth behavior of epoxy/aluminum interface was studied as a function of electric field, crack length and cyclic frequency. The crack growth rate was found to depend on the magnitude of the applied electric field and decrease with testing frequency.
On the compound negative multinomial distribution and correlations among inversely sampled pollen counts

INTRODUCTION In the generalization of Bernoulli trials where we have k possible outcomes of each trial, k let the probability of the ith outcome in each trial be pi (i = 1,...,k) where Pi= 1. i=l For a fixed number of trials (n), the probability of exactly x1 occurrences of outcome 1, x2 of 2, ..., Xk of k is given by the multinomial distribution. If, however, the number of trials is not fixed in advance, but we continue to consider new trials until exactly r occurrences of the kth outcome (say) have been noted, then the probability of exactly xl occurrences of outcome 1, x2 of 2, ..., Xk1 of k 1, is given by the negative multinomial distribution. This latter procedure we shall refer to as 'inverse sampling' (cf. Tweedie, 1952). The negative multinomial distribution is clearly a generalization of the negative binomial. Just as this latter can be deduced from widely different models, so also can the negative multinomial. Thus Bates & Neyman (1952) arrive at this distribution (their multivariate negative binomial distribution) by considering the joint distribution of kIc-1 independent Poisson variables Xi (i = il ..., Ik-i) each with mean ai A. The parameter A is in turn regarded as a random variable A having a y(or type III) distribution. Integrating the joint frequency function of the X's and A with respect to the latter reveals that the marginal frequency function of the X's is that of the negative multinomial. (Using this approach r (r > 0) is the parameter of a y-distribution and is not restricted to integer values as in the model considered here.) Wishart (1949, p. 48) uses the term 'Pascal multinomial' for the case where r is an integer. The terms of the negative multinomial distribution are readily obtained as the coefficients k-1 of II t in the expansion of k-1 ]
Electron dynamics of shocked polyethylene crystal

Electron force field (eFF) wave-packet molecular-dynamics simulations of the single shock Hugoniot are reported for a crystalline polyethylene (PE) model. The eFF results are in good agreement with previous density-functional theories and experimental data, which are available up to 80 GPa. We predict shock Hugoniots for PE up to 350 GPa. In addition, we analyze the structural transformations that occur due to heating. Our analysis includes ionization fraction, molecular decomposition, and electrical conductivity during isotropic compression. We find that above a compression of 2.4 g/cm^3, the PE structure transforms into an atomic fluid, leading to a sharp increase in electron ionization and a significant increase in system conductivity. eFF accurately reproduces shock pressures and temperatures for PE along the single shock Hugoniot.
Abstract 664: Menthol cigarettes in relation to breast cancer incidence in African American women

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee has found that smokers of menthol cigarettes have an earlier age at smoking initiation, less success in smoking cessation, and are more likely to be African American than smokers of non-menthol cigarettes. However, whether menthol cigarettes are associated with higher cancer risk relative to non-menthol cigarettes is unclear. Recent studies of smoking and breast cancer suggest that long-term smoking may associated with a small increase in risk, but no data are available on type of cigarette. We assessed the relative effects of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes on incidence of breast cancer in a large prospective cohort of African American women. The Black Women's Health Study has followed approximately 59,000 women with biennial questionnaires since enrollment in 1995. Beginning in 2003, data has been collected on whether cigarettes smoked were menthol or non-menthol; menthol cigarettes were reported by 64.7% of smokers who provided information. During follow-up from 2003 through 2010, 739 incident breast cancer cases occurred. In proportional hazard models that controlled for age and numerous breast cancer risk factors, hazard ratios (HR) were computed for categories of pack-years of smoking of the two types of cigarettes relative to a reference group of never-smokers who reported no regular exposure to second-hand smoke. The HR for β20 pack-years of smoking non-menthol cigarettes was 1.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.76); for β20 pack-years of smoking menthol cigarettes, the HR was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.72-1.82). Our findings suggest that, to the extent that higher pack-years of smoking may be associated with breast cancer, smoking menthol cigarettes is not more harmful than smoking non-menthol cigarettes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 664. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-664
Rapidly renewable polishing lap

Textured laps can be created by 'slumping' uniform thin films of appropriate materials over textured substrates that have been generated to the required figure. The film can easily be replaced and the lap shape is invariant since the lap substrate never contacts the workpiece nor the polishing compound. Thus extremely repeatable lapping and polishing processes are obtained. This paper introduces this approach to lap construction and presents preliminary results.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Implications of sustainable agriculture for the world food situation

Abstract World population growth rate has slowed since the early 1970s, but growth in world grain production has slowed further. As a result, per capita grain production has declined since 1983. Conventional farming practices that use heavy chemical applications and high‐yielding varieties have resulted in soil erosion, depletion of natural resources, contamination of the environment, and reduced biodiversity; and threaten to diminish the world's ability to sustain life of all kinds. If these trends persist, the earth may not sustain an adequate level of food production. Transition to sustainable agricultural practices could presumably prevent most of this degradation but may not produce adequate supplies of food to meet the growing demand. Although yields from sustainable agricultural farms can be as high as those from conventional farms, food production per acre of rotation generally declines because sustainable farms need to incorporate green manure crops and forage legumes into their rotations. Theref...
Regression analysis for constraining free parameters in electrophysiological models of cardiac cells.

A major challenge in computational biology is constraining free parameters in mathematical models. Adjusting a parameter to make a given model output more realistic sometimes has unexpected and undesirable effects on other model behaviors. Here, we extend a regression-based method for parameter sensitivity analysis and show that a straightforward procedure can uniquely define most ionic conductances in a well-known model of the human ventricular myocyte. The model's parameter sensitivity was analyzed by randomizing ionic conductances, running repeated simulations to measure physiological outputs, then collecting the randomized parameters and simulation results as “input” and “output” matrices, respectively. Multivariable regression derived a matrix whose elements indicate how changes in conductances influence model outputs. We show here that if the number of linearly-independent outputs equals the number of inputs, the regression matrix can be inverted. This is significant, because it implies that the inverted matrix can specify the ionic conductances that are required to generate a particular combination of model outputs. Applying this idea to the myocyte model tested, we found that most ionic conductances could be specified with precision (R2 > 0.77 for 12 out of 16 parameters). We also applied this method to a test case of changes in electrophysiology caused by heart failure and found that changes in most parameters could be well predicted. We complemented our findings using a Bayesian approach to demonstrate that model parameters cannot be specified using limited outputs, but they can be successfully constrained if multiple outputs are considered. Our results place on a solid mathematical footing the intuition-based procedure simultaneously matching a model's output to several data sets. More generally, this method shows promise as a tool to define model parameters, in electrophysiology and in other biological fields.
Thermal interactions in nanoscale fluid flow : molecular dynamics simulations with solid-liquid interfaces

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of nano-scale flows typically utilize fixed lattice crystal interactions between the fluid and stationary wall molecules. This approach cannot properly model interactions and thermal exchange at the wall–fluid interface. We present a new interactive thermal wall model that can properly simulate the flow and heat transfer in nano-scale channels. The new model utilizes fluid molecules freely interacting with the thermally oscillating wall molecules, which are connected to the lattice positions with “bonds”. Thermostats are applied separately to each layer of the walls to keep the wall temperature constant, while temperature of the fluid is sustained without the application of a thermostat. Two-dimensional MD simulation results for shear driven nano-channel flow shows parabolic temperature distribution within the domain, induced by viscous heating due to a constant shear rate. As a result of the Kapitza resistance, temperature profiles exhibit jumps at the fluid–wall interface. Time dependent simulation results for freezing of liquid argon in a nano-channel are also presented.
Optimizing energy harvest in wastewater treatment by combining anaerobic hydrogen producing biofermentor (HPB) and microbial fuel cell (MFC)

Abstract This study focused on the optimization of energy harvest from wastewater treatment by integrating two novel biotechnologies: anaerobic hydrogen production and microbial fuel cell (MFC). The simultaneous production of hydrogen and electricity from wastewater was examined at continuous flow at different organic loading rates (OLR) by changing chemical oxygen demand (COD) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The experimental results showed that the specific hydrogen yield (SHY, mole H 2 /mole glucose) increased with the decrease in OLR, and reached at the maximum value of 2.72 mol H 2 /mole glucose at the lowest OLR of 4 g/L.d. The effluent from hydrogen producing biofermentor (HPB) was fed to a single chamber MFC (SCMFC), obtaining the highest power density and coulombic efficiency (CE) of 4200 mW/m 3 and 5.3%, respectively. The energy conversion efficiency (ECE) increased with OLR and reached the peak value of 4.24% at the OLR of 2.35 g/L.d, but decreased with higher OLR. It was demonstrated that the combination of HPB and MFC improved the ECE and COD removal with the maximum total ECE of 29% and COD removal of 71%. The kinetic analysis was conducted for the HPB-MFC hybrid system. The maximum hydrogen production was projected to be 2.85 mol H 2 /mole glucose. The maximum energy recovery and COD removal efficiency from MFC were projected to be 559 J/L and 97%, respectively.
Transforming growth factor beta-1 and beta-2 in human tear fluid

Purpose. To evaluate human tear fluid for transforming growth factor beta isoforms 1 and 2 (TGF-β 1 and TGF-β2).Methods. To accomplish this, human tears were evaluated for TGF-βs by quantitative antibody sandwich ELISA (sELISA), mink lung epithelial cell (MLEC) growth inhibition bioassay and western blotting. Various physical and chemical treatments were used to activate TGF-β in these assays.Results. TGF-βs could not be detected in untreated or heated tears by sELISA; however, mean TGF-βl concentrations of 38.5 ng/ml and TGF-β2 concentrations of 2.32 ng/ml were detected in acid-activated tears by sELISA. Furthermore, 10.54 ng/ml of TGF-β1 and 3.98 ng/ml of TGF-β2 were detected in tears treated with the mucolytic agent, acetylcysteine. Total TGF-β bioactivity in human tears measured by the MLEC assay was found to be 13.04 ng/ml in untreated tears and 24.85 ng/ml in acid-activated tears. Approximately one-half TGF-β in tear specimens was biologically active (mean = 52%, range 39–71%). Total tear TGF-β bioa...
Raman Scattering Cross Section for N2O4

The Raman scattering cross section for N2O4 at a Raman shift of 1360 cm−1 is measured by using a Q‐switched ruby laser as an excitation source. The cross section for N2 at a Raman shift of 2330 cm−1 has also been measured and is compared with a previous measurement.
Cicada Prey of New World Cicada Killers, Sphecius spp. (Dahlbom, 1843) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

As part of a comprehensive study of cicada-killer wasps (Sphecius spp.), we investigated the species and sex of their cicada prey. The 5 New World Sphecius species capture a total of 8 genera (Diceroprocta, Magicicada, Neocicada, Pacarina, Quesada, Tettigades, Tibicen, Uhleroides) and 38 species/subspecies of cicadas in the U.S.A., Cuba and Argentina. S. speciosus, the best-studied species, captures cicadas of 5 genera (Diceroprocta, Magicicada, Neocicada, Quesada, Tibicen,) and 30 species/subspecies, showing no significant overall prey sex bias. At specific sites where more than 50 cicada prey were recorded, the male:female ratio of 6 species brought to nests by Sphecius females varied between 0.524 and 2.259; Chi-square analysis revealed a significant male bias in overall Sphecius spp. prey sex ratios at these sites. The reported significant local variations in prey sex ratios are likely to be due to temporal variations in sex ratios of cicadas available to these opportunistic wasps.
Phosphates and phosphatases in preosseous cartilage

Abstract Calf-scapula cartilage with its ossifying and resting zones was used to investigate some of the biochemical changes which take place in the tissue at two stages of its development prior to bone formation. In the ossifying zone there is a loss of organic matrix components, increased water content, swelling, and increased accumulation of inorganic matter. Phosphorus was found to accumulate in the ossifying zone largely in the form of acid soluble phosphates. Phosphoproteins, with alkali labile phosphate groups, were not detected in either resting or ossifying cartilage. However, the amounts of residual, tightly-bound, alkali-stable phosphates were found to increase several fold in the ossifying zone. The spontaneous release of inorganic orthophosphate from intact cartilage strips occurs primarily in the acidic regions with a sharp peak at pH 4.4 which corresponds to the optimal pH for the removal of matrix components suggesting a simultaneous participation of lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and cathepsins) in the degradation of matrix and the hydrolysis of phosphates. Both acid and alkaline phosphatases were detected in soluble cartilage preparations and were found to increase several fold in the ossifying zone of scapular cartilage. The possibility that the activities towards ATP, ADP, AMP, sodium pyrophosphate, and p-nitrophenylphosphate as substrates in the alkaline region may be due to a single enzyme has been considered. It is suggested that the increased activities of phosphatases in the ossifying zone may have a multiple function: (a) to produce local accumulation of phosphate ions for use in mineralization, (b) to produce inorganic orthophosphate for reutilization in energy-producing reactions, (c) to limit the accumulation of calcification inhibitors (inorganic pyrosphate and nucleotide pyrophosphates, TP and ADP) in the zone of active mineralization.
A quality-based semantic service broker using reachability indexes

Cloud computing based on the loosely coupled service-oriented architecture facilitates the process of application integration from existing software. As there is a growing demand for cloud computing techniques and applications across a wide range of domains; selecting the best from many services which provide similar functionality remains an elusive task. In this paper, we propose a quality-based semantic service broker using reachability indexes. This broker uses semantic concepts to model services in a conceptual aggregation graph. In addition, the broker also creates reachability labels for each vertex in the conceptual aggregation graph to speed up composition discovery. During the service discovery and composition, all possible solutions are found and ranked by the service consumer's quality requirements. Even if no solution matches the quality requirements, a suggested solution from the similarity distance relaxation is provided.
DIFFERENTIAL ELASTIC SCATTERING CROSS SECTION FOR NEUTRONS ON NITROGEN

Two independent methods were used to measure the angular distribution for elastic scattering of neutrons from nitrogen in the neutron energy range from 0.80 to 2.36 Mev. The scattered neutrons were counted directly in order to obtain the absolute differential cross section at four neutron energies. These curves provide information on the potential scattering for energies below 1.54 Mev. The second technique, which observed the recoil nitrogen nuclei, allowed a study of scattering at the resonances. In this manner parities were established for levels in ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ as follows: The 1.120, 1.401, 1.595, and 2.25-Mev levels have odd parity; the 1.779-Mev level has even parity and a tentative assignment of even parity was made for the 1.350-Mev level. $J$-values associated with resonances at 1.12 and 2.25 Mev were each assigned to be $\frac{3}{2}$ rather than the values favored in the literature.
Intracranial organizing hematoma with papillary endothelial hyperplasia features after resection and involved field radiotherapy for cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma

This article describes a case of organizing hematoma with features of papillary endothelial hyperplasia arising at the site of a right cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma previously treated with surgery and involved-field radiation therapy. CTA demonstrated a mass with abnormal vascularity in the treatment bed. MRI demonstrated the evolution of the lesion from a cystic mass with a heterogeneously enhancing nodule with blood products into a nearly solid-enhancing mass with abundant areas of susceptibility effect and surrounding vasogenic edema. These imaging features warrant considering papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the differential diagnosis for a mass that develops after radiotherapy.
GRK5 Gln41Leu polymorphism is not associated with sensitivity to β1-adrenergic blockade in humans

Aims: A common, functionally significant polymorphism in GRK5 (Gln41Leu) encodes a gain-of-function enzyme that enhances desensitization of the β1-adrenergic receptor. GRK5 Leu41 has been postulated to confer endogenous ‘genetic β-blockade’ and contribute to an attenuated response to β-blockers in black subjects. The effects of this GRK5 variant on sensitivity to a β-blocker have not been studied in humans. We hypothesized that the GRK5 Gln41Leu variant contributes to interindividual variability in response to β-blockade and to the ethnic difference in sensitivity between black and Caucasian individuals. Materials & methods: We measured the heart rate at rest and during a graded incremental exercise in 154 healthy subjects (85 white and 69 black) before and after an oral administration of 25 mg atenolol. We determined the genotypes of GRK5 (Gln41Leu), β1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1 Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly) genotypes and plasma atenolol concentrations. The effects of genotype and covariates on sensitivity to...
Phase change nanocomposites with tunable melting temperature and thermal energy storage density

Size-dependent melting decouples melting temperature from chemical composition and provides a new design variable for phase change material applications. To demonstrate this potential, we create nanocomposites that exhibit stable and tunable melting temperatures through numerous melt–freeze cycles. These composites consist of a monodisperse ensemble of Bi nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a polyimide (PI) resin matrix. The Bi NPs operate as the phase change component whereas the PI resin matrix prevents nanoparticle coalescence during melt–freeze cycles. We tune melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion in these composites by varying the NP diameter. Adjusting the NP volume fraction also controls the composite's thermal energy storage density. Hence it is possible to leverage size effects to tune phase change temperature and energy density in phase change materials.
The Origin of Red Blood Cell Biopterin

Data are presented to support the hypothesis that the biopterin content of red blood cells arises during erythropoiesis. Only when the plasma concentration rises above the erythrocyte concentration of biopterin is there likely to be diffusion into the cell.
Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth of AlN/GaN Multiple Quantum Wells

AlN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were grown on sapphire substrates by plasmaassisted molecular beam epitaxy. Growth temperature, III/V ratio, growth rate, and other growth parameters were optimized for the buffer layer and the MQWs, separately. The growth of AlN buffer was kept as Al-rich as possible while the formation of Al droplets was avoided. A GaN buffer layer was also tried but proved to be inferior to AlN buffer probably due to its larger surface roughness, higher dislocation density, and larger lattice mismatch with the AlN barrier layers in the MQWs. Very flat surfaces with a RMS roughness of 0.7nm were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) on the samples with both AlN buffer layer and 20 MQWs deposited under the optimized growth conditions. Abrupt interfaces and excellent periodicities of the MQWs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and reflectivity measurements with MQWs’ satellite peaks clearly visible up to the 10th order. Room-temperature intense ultraviolet (UV) photoluminescence (PL) emission with wavelength in the range of 320-350nm was also observed from the MQWs with well width ranging from 1.0 to 1.5nm. These MQW structures can potentially be used for UV light emitters and quantum cascade lasers.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac reserve: How you climb a staircase may alter its steepness

One of the primary mechanisms by which a heart can increase its pump performance is beating more frequently. Elevating heart rate enhances net cardiac output by the simple algebra of having more stroke volumes ejected per minute but also by an intrinsic effect of stimulation frequency on contractility. The latter, known as the force-frequency relation (FFR), relates to rate-dependent increases in calcium entry into a myocyte (more action potentials and thus Ca2+ channel openings per minute) coupled with greater Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.1–3 The net effect is an increase in calcium released to the myofilaments with each stimulation, resulting in a “positive staircase” as heart rate rises from normal basal levels to fast physiological rates (&180 bpm in normal humans). This process has a limit, as calcium becomes effectively trapped within the sarcoplasmic reticulum when heart rate is faster than the kinetics of Ca2+ cycling can accommodate, leading to a “negative staircase” at more rapid rates.1,3 Article p 953 The FFR plays an important role in normal contractile reserve under stress, yielding a near 100% rise in cardiac chamber contractility in healthy adults when heart rate is varied from 60 to 150 bpm.4 As with many features of contractile regulation, however, the FFR becomes abnormal in the failing heart, characterized by both blunting of the peak response and a shift to a lower heart rate at which the maximal response is observed.1,5–7 In a patient with heart failure, this could result in a flat or even negative response, as heart rate varies over the physiological range. A number of factors are thought responsible for this, including downregulation of adrenergic responsiveness,8 depression, and/or reduced activation of critical proteins involved with excitation-contraction coupling, such the sarcoplasmic reticular ATPase, phospholamban,9–11 sodium/calcium exchanger, …
Global dynamics of neural nets with infinite gain

Abstract We consider a model of neural and gene networks where the nonlinearities in the system of differential equations are discontinuous and piecewise constant. We develop a framework for study of such systems. As a first step, we associate to the system a graph G on a hypercube and show how the collection of strongly connected components of G relates to the dynamics of the flow on the set of rays through the origin. In the second step, we discuss the relationship between the invariant sets of the ray flow and the invariant sets of the original flow. We provide a sufficient condition for a one-to-one correspondence between these sets. Finally, we study the class of binary networks within this framework. Under certain conditions, we can determine the structure of an invariant set corresponding to the lowest strongly connected component of the hypercube graph.
Mandarin flavor and aroma volatile composition are strongly influenced by holding temperature

a b s t r a c t Mandarin flavor quality often declines during storage but the respective contributions to the flavor dis- order of warm versus cold temperature during storage were unknown. To determine this 'W. Murcott Afourer' mandarins were stored for either 6 weeks at a continuous 5 ◦
Mobility properties of the Hermes transposable element in transgenic lines of Aedes aegypti

The Hermes transposable element has been used to genetically transform a wide range of insect species, including the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a vector of several important human pathogens. Hermes integrations into the mosquito germline are characterized by the non-canonical integration of the transposon and flanking plasmid and, once integrated, Hermes is stable in the presence of its transposase. In an effort to improve the post-integration mobility of Hermes in the germline of Ae. aegypti, a transgenic helper Mos1 construct expressing Hermes transposase under the control of a testis-specific promoter was crossed to a separate transgenic strain containing a target Hermes transposon. In less than 1% of the approximately 1,500 progeny from jumpstarter lines analyzed, evidence of putative Hermes germline remobilizations were detected. These recovered transposition events occur through an aberrant mechanism and provide insight into the non-canonical cut-and-paste transposition of Hermes in the germ line of Ae. aegypti.
Coronary heart disease in ethnically diverse women: risk perception and communication.

OBJECTIVES To assess perceived vs calculated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), preferred methods of communicating risk, and the effect of brief educational intervention to improve accurate perceptions of personal risk. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Of 1858 women who underwent screening mammography between April and September 2003 at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, NY, we assessed 125 women with no history of cardiovascular disease who participated in a risk factor screening and education program. Demographic variables were evaluated by interviewer-assisted standardized questionnaires. Absolute 10-year CHD risk was calculated using the Framingham global risk assessment. Perceived 10-year risk and preferred method of communicating risk were evaluated systematically. RESULTS Among 110 research participants who were eligible for risk estimation, 59% had a 10-year risk of less than 10%. However, only half of those women accurately perceived their risk as low. After a brief educational intervention, the women's ability to correctly categorize their personal CHD risk improved significantly. Preferred methods to communicate risk varied by level of education and age. Older women (=65 years) and those with a high school education or less were more likely to prefer simple methods of having CHD risk communicated compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS These data underscore the need to determine preferences for providing risk information and to test various formats for communicating CHD risk to improve awareness and management of CHD risk factors, especially among women of different age groups and education levels.
The Circadian Activity Rhythm of Mammals: A Comparison of Models and Experiments

A classic volume on the mechanisms, models, and significance of oscillations in biological systems is “Biological Clocks” [1], the proceedings of a 1960 Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology. Articles in that collection study important aspects of circadian rhythms at levels ranging from the biochemical to the ecological. In particular, Pittendrigh [2] and Aschoff [3], considering the activity patterns of free-running animals, describe split rhythms [2], after-effects [2], Aschoff’s rule [3], and the circadian rule [3]. The rich parametric data base which has grown out of the study of these behavioral phenomena now provides critical tests with which to access models of circadian activity rhythms. Two classes of models of mammalian circadian rhythms, and the relationship between these models and experimentally observed free-running activity patterns, will be considered in this article.
Accessible cell phone design: development and application of a needs analysis framework

Purpose: This research describes the development and use of the Needs Analysis and Requirements Acquisition (NARA) framework to elicit and construct user requirements for the design of cell phones (which are a type of assistive technology) that are both usable and accessible to persons with disabilities. Method: Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were used to elicit information and a systematic approach was used to translation information into requirements (construct). Elicitation and construction are the first two stages of NARA. Results: Requirements for general and feature-specific phone attributes were identified, and several requirements were found to match six of the seven universal design principles. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that NARA is both a straight-forward and cost-effective method to develop user requirements and can be used throughout the development cycle.
Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm midpiece volume in mammals

Sperm competition occurs when the gametes of two, or more, males compete for opportunities to fertilize a given set of ova. This study examined whether mammalian sperm morphology could be affected by sexual selection. Comparisons were made of linear and volumetric measurements of the sperm head, midpiece and flagellum for 123 species representing 71 genera of mammals having either single partner mating systems or multiple partner mating systems. Sperm midpiece volume was found to be significantly larger in those species were females mate with more than one male during a single peri-ovulatory period. A positive correlation was also found between relative testes sizes and sperm midpiece volumes, while no relationship was found with any other sperm measure. These results indicate that, within mammals, the evolution of sperm midpiece volume has been affected by selection pressures resulting from sperm competition. The significance of these findings may relate to the density of mitochondria within the sperm midpiece. The mitochondria provide the energy required for sperm motility, in the absence of glycolytic support. A higher mitochondrial loading may therefore be associated with enhanced sperm motility.
Volumes and Sound Speeds of Two Gun Propellants at high pressure

Gun propellants are subjected to a variety of high stress states during the ballistic cycle. Attempts by constitutive modelers to describe the response of the propellant during the cycle are hampered by an almost complete lack of well-characterized experimental data at high pressures. We present quasistatic, hydrostatic pressure-volume, and compression and shear-wave-speed data on two formulations of a low porosity propellant. The hydrostat shows three distinct regions at pressures to 200 MPa. Below about 60 MPa, the response is elastic, with an effective compressibility controlled by the porosity; from ∼60 Mpa to 140 MPa the porous matrix fails and the material softens as the porosity distribution is crushed; above ∼140 MPa, the bulk modulus continues to increase to the value for the matrix. Both the hydrostat and sound speed data show significant time-dependent effects with characteristic times of ∼103 s and > 104 s.
The extended j omega -axis eigenstructure of a Hamiltonian matrix pencil

The eigenstructure on the extended j omega -axis of the Hamiltonian matrix pencil associated with H/sup 2/ and H/sup infinity / problems is examined and is shown to have a symmetry sufficient for the extension of the Hamiltonian/generalized eigenspace method onto the extended j omega -axis. The results are hence of some significance to the computational solution of singular H/sup 2/ and H/sup infinity / control problems. >
Transportable programs for parallel and heterogeneous systems

Changes in the nature and availability of parallel systems have led to increasing demand for programming languages and tools that support portability across multiple parallel platforms. In particular, users now look for support in migrating existing codes to new or different platforms, in transporting codes among a variety of systems without sacrificing performance, and in taking advantage of multiple systems for their program development activities. This paper reviews the requirements for multi-platform languages and tools. It describes the levels at which transportable parallelism can be supported and suggests criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of that support. >
Effect of hepatocyte proliferation and cellular DNA synthesis on hepatitis B virus replication

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interrelationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and the stage of hepatocyte proliferation and differentiation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HBV infection. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hepatocyte proliferation and/or cell arrest on HBV replication. METHODS: Hepatoblastoma cells transfected with HBV were subjected to serum deprivation or treatment with aphidicolin or camptothecin. Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry, and cellular DNA synthesis was analysed by assessing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Distribution of episomal HBV DNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in liver specimens was assessed by simultaneous in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Serum deprivation inhibited cellular DNA synthesis and increased levels of HBV messenger RNA (mRNA). Aphidicolin treatment resulted in cell arrest in C1, with concomitant increases in levels of HBV mRNA and viral DNA. Cell entry into S phase inhibited expression of HBV mRNA. Camptothecin induced G2 cell arrest and inhibited cellular DNA synthesis with increased amounts of viral replication and levels of HBV mRNA. In vivo studies showed an inverse correlation between expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and presence of episomal HBV DNA in individual hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: HBV replication is cell cycle dependent, supporting the concept of enhanced viral replication in quiescent hepatocytes. The results may explain the mechanism of viral elimination during cell regeneration. (Gastroenterology 1996 May;110(5):1519-28)
Generalized Stress and Motions

In 1987 Kalai presented a new proof of the Lower Bound Theorem for simplicial convex d-polytopes by linking the problem to results in rigidity and stress. He suggested that if higher-dimensional analogues of stress and rigidity were developed, they might lead to other combinatorial results on polytopes, and in particular another proof of the g-Theorem. Here we discuss such a generalization of stress and its relationship to face rings, h-vectors, shellings, bistellar operations, spheres, and simplicial polytopes. In particular, stress plays a role in McMullen’s recent new geometric proof of the g-Theorem using his polytope algebra.
Poisoning from accidental ingestion of mushrooms

Poisoning from the accidental ingestion of mushrooms is an uncommon cause of morbidity within Australia and unlike many other countries no deaths have yet been recorded. This review seeks to draw attention to the various syndromes associated with mushroom poisoning and their management, thereby helping to keep our good record intact. Although the number of toxic species is relatively small, the collection and ingestion of field varieties should be left to those absolutely certain of their quest. In cases of poisoning, identification of the offending mushroom is of paramount importance in the management. In suspected or known amatoxin poisoning prompt treatment favourably influences outcome. Language: en
"Curing" Wolbachia infections in Culex pipiens.

All Culex pipiens (wide sense) thus far examined have been infected with a rickettsia-like symbiote, Wolbachia pipientis (Hertig, 1936, Parasitology 28 : 453–86), except for 2 Australian strains which were infected instead by virus (Irving-Bell, 1974, Life Sciences 14 : 1149–51). Yen & Barr (1971, Nature, Lond. 232 : 657–58) suggested that Wolbachia might be the cause of cytoplasmic incompatibility since this factor is inherited through the female as are the Wolbachia . These workers later (1973, Invert. Pathol. 22 : 242–50) demonstrated that males “cured” of their Wolbachia infections no longer manifested incompatibility. The present note confirms this finding and presents additional information on the “curing” process.
Leadership and quality in nutritional care: our role in today's world.

Dietitians are members of the only profession whose sole concern is the nutritional health of people.
Transitioning an adolescent dialysis patient to adult health care.

B.H. eventually met the outcome goals and made the transition into an adult facility. Throughout the process, the dialysis staff discussed ideas and plans for the future with B.H. and encouraged increased self-determination, however, the time frame was not adequate to allow each step of the process to be carried out. No concerted effort was made on the part of the entire multidisciplinary team to enable the patient to make a successful transition. A step-driven protocol sensitive to the patient's developmental, cognitive, and social situation must be implemented into the standards of care. In this way, independence can be fostered at an early stage and continued as the patient matures.
Transmitted multidrug resistant HIV-1: new and investigational therapeutic approaches.

The increasing prevalence of transmitted drug-resistant HIV-1 has highlighted the challenging issue of the optimal management of antiretroviral-naive, newly infected patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. This review discusses current trends in the evolution and transmission of HIV-1 with reduced susceptibility to multiple antiretroviral agents. In most cases, clinical strategies for the management of such patients with stable virological and immunological parameters involve deferment of therapy until clinically indicated. When a decision is made to initiate therapy, the process of selecting a regimen should consider baseline viral genotype and phenotype results, as well as the inclusion of novel agents with diverse mechanisms of action, in order to achieve a more complete suppression of viral replication. A summary of established and investigational antiretroviral agents is presented in this review, together with novel therapeutic approaches to decrease the burden of viral replication and maintain immunological status in cases of transmitted multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection.
Cachexia in children with chronic kidney disease: challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of review Although cachexia is highly prevalent in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is understudied and less well characterized in children. Recent evidence suggests that cachexia is also prevalent in children with CKD but presents challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Recent findings A study from the CKD in children cohort showed that CKD cachexia or protein-energy wasting, using modified pediatric diagnostic criteria, such as lack of expected weight gain instead of weight loss and BMI for height age, had a prevalence of 7-20%. When growth indices such as height SD score (SDS)/height velocity SDS was included in the criteria, cachexia or PEW correlated with the morbidity outcome of increased hospitalization risk in children with CKD. Conversely, aggressive nutritional supplementation in children with advanced CKD, with nasogastric or gastric tube feeding, led to prevalence of obesity over that of cachexia. Body habitus of underweight and obesity have been shown to be associated with the worst clinical outcomes in both adults and children with CKD. Summary Optimal nutritional therapy remains the mainstay of treatment of cachexia in CKD children with therapeutic goals of maintaining BMI as well as linear growth within the normal range.
Combining Ability of Sweetpotato Germplasm for Yield, Dry Matter Content, and Anthocyanin Production

Interest in the potential of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) for the production of industrial products is increasing. As part of an effort to evaluate the potential of sweetpotatoes for starch and anthocyanin production in the southeastern United States, a 5 x 5 North Carolina mating design II (NCII mating design) was developed to estimate the relative importance of general and specific combining abilities for dry matter (DM) content, total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) concentration, fresh yield, and total DM and anthocyanin yields. All five traits had significant general combining abilities (GCA). Yield and DM yield had significant specific combining abilities. Significant differences among parents were observed for all traits. Yield, DM content, DM yield, and TMA yield were significantly impacted by spatial gradients within the field, but TMA concentration was not. Many trait-pairs of interest had either genotypic and/or phenotypic correlations. Phenotypic and family mean correlations among yield, DM content, and DM yield; as well as among yield, TMA, and TMA yield suggested that improving one trait will not negatively impact other traits of importance.
Physiological Measures of Arousal During Soldier-Relevant Tasks Performed in a Simulated Environment

Deployed United States Army Soldiers operate in dynamic situations, yet there is little known about how to most effectively train Soldier combat skills in a stress-inducing environment prior to deployment. In order to best simulate the experiences of Soldiers in theater, a training environment must be immersive, creating the illusion of "being there," thus providing a heightened level of arousal and encouraging the desire to perform well within the training. A 300-degree immersive simulator was used to examine the potential effectiveness of such a training environment. Participants performed a Shoot-Don't-Shoot task with two types of performance feedback, shock and lifebar loss Levels of arousal were continuously measured through heart rate variability HRV; psychophysiological measures have been linked to psychological stress and cognitive function. HRV was measured through interbeat interval IBI, or the peak-to-peak interval of heartbeats, which is linked to cognitive arousal. Higher levels of arousal were seen in the Shock condition compared to the Life Bar condition. IBI was additionally examined in a Baseline session as well as Post-Shock and Post-Life Bar sessions, and results showed that IBI returned to near Baseline levels after both conditions, indicating a recovery from arousal induced during the scenarios. These results show the value of objectively measuring physiology to assess heightened arousal during Soldier-relevant tasks in a simulated environment. Examining the extent to which Soldiers experience arousal, which can often be a proxy for stress, can indicate how immersive or stressful an environment is, and therefore its potential effectiveness as a realistic pre-deployment training environment.
Clinical Significance of Commensal Gram-Positive Rods Routinely Isolated from Patient Samples.

ABSTRACT Commensal bacteria from the skin and mucosal surfaces are routinely isolated from patient samples and considered contaminants. The majority of these isolates are catalase-positive Gram-positive rods from multiple genera routinely classified as diphtheroids. These organisms can be seen upon Gram staining of clinical specimens or can be isolated as the predominant or pure species in culture, raising a priori suspicion of a possible involvement in infection. With the development and adoption of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), suspicious isolates are now routinely identified to the species level. In this study, we performed a retrospective data review (2012 to 2015) and utilized site-specific laboratory criteria and chart reviews to identify species within the diphtheroid classification representative of true infection versus contamination. Our data set included 762 isolates from 13 genera constituting 41 bacterial species. Only 18% represented true infection, and 82% were deemed contaminants. Clinically significant isolates were identified in anaerobic wounds (18%), aerobic wounds (30%), blood (5.5%), urine (22%), cerebrospinal fluid (24%), ophthalmologic cultures (8%), and sterile sites (20%). Organisms deemed clinically significant included multiple Actinomyces species in wounds, Propionibacterium species in joints and cerebrospinal fluid associated with central nervous system hardware, Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii (100%) in breast, and Corynebacterium striatum in multiple sites. Novel findings include clinically significant urinary tract infections by Actinomyces neuii (21%) and Corynebacterium aurimucosum (21%). Taken together, these findings indicate that species-level identification of diphtheroids isolated with a priori suspicion of infection is essential to accurately determine whether an isolate belongs to a species associated with specific types of infection.