cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with completing comprehensive traumatic brain injury evaluation

AbstractThis study examined factors associated with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans following up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comprehensive traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluation after a positive first-level VA TBI screen. Participants included 465 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans at one VA Medical Center and its five affiliated community-based outpatient clinics, with a positive initial TBI screen between April 1, 2007 and June 1, 2010. We found that 75% of Veterans completed the comprehensive TBI evaluation. Women were three times less likely to complete the comprehensive TBI evaluation than men, and those who endorsed post-traumatic stress disorder avoidance symptoms were nearly two times less likely to complete the comprehensive TBI evaluation. In contrast, headaches, Hispanic ethnicity, and the season of the initial TBI screen (summer vs. winter) were positively associated with completing a comprehensive TBI evaluation. A substantial minority of Veterans who screen positive on the VA init...
Risk of suicide attempt in asthmatic children and young adults prescribed leukotriene-modifying agents: A nested case-control study

Background The US Food and Drug Administration has issued safety alerts about leukotriene receptor–modifying agents and suicidality/suicide, but because these were based on case reports, there is controversy about the association. Objective We conducted a nested case-control study to determine the association between leukotriene-modifying agents (LTMAs) and attempted suicide among asthmatic children and young adults. Methods Cases and control subjects were from a cohort of asthmatic patients aged 5 to 24 years who were new users of LTMAs or other asthma medications. Data were from an insurance claims database. Cases were defined as those with a suicide attempt (SA) occurring after exposure to asthma medication. Control subjects were persons at risk and were selected by using incidence density sampling in a 10:1 match. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine the association between LTMA exposure and the risk of attempted suicide adjusted for important covariates. Results We identified 344 cases and 3438 matched control subjects. Cases were more likely than control subjects to have risk factors for suicide. We found that current use of any LTMA was not associated with increased risk of an SA; in fact, the direction of effect was the opposite (adjusted odd ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.36-1.39). Conclusion In this analysis we found that use of LTMAs was not associated with an increased risk of SAs in children, adolescents, and young adults with asthma. Further research needs to be conducted to more fully understand the association between LTMAs and suicide, particularly in subpopulations.
Validity and Reliability of a Scale to Measure Genital Body Image

Women's body image dissatisfaction extends to body parts usually hidden from view—their genitals. Ability to measure genital body image is limited by lack of valid and reliable questionnaires. We subjected a previously developed questionnaire, the Genital Self Image Scale (GSIS) to psychometric testing using a variety of methods. Methods: Five experts determined the content validity of the scale. Then using four participant groups, factor analysis was performed to determine construct validity and to identify factors. Further construct validity was established using the contrasting groups approach. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was determined. Results: Twenty one of 29 items were considered content valid. Two items were added based on expert suggestions. Factor analysis was undertaken resulting in four factors, identified as Genital Confidence, Appeal, Function, and Comfort. The revised scale (GSIS-20) included 20 items explaining 59.4% of the variance. Women indicating an interest in ge...
Effect of compound plate composition on measurement of hERG current IC50 using PatchXpress

Inhibition of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel by pharmaceutical agents can lead to acquired long QT syndrome and the generation of potentially lethal arrhythmias. Higher throughput automated patch clamp systems, such as PatchXpress, can greatly increase the speed and capacity of evaluation of pharmaceutical compounds for hERG blocking activity. A factor that may affect the IC(50) value of a compound measured in this system is the composition of the multi-well compound plate. Hydrophobic compounds may adsorb to the surfaces of multi-well plates resulting in a reduction in the effective concentration of the compound delivered to the cell and altered IC(50) values. In the present study, we investigated the effects of four different compound plates--glass vials, non-binding polystyrene, hydrophilic polystyrene, and polystyrene--on determination of IC(50)s for four compounds--sotalol, dofetilide, cisapride, and bepridil--which ranged in hydrophobicity. In addition, we investigated the effects of incubation time in the compound plate on determination of IC(50)s. hERG currents were measured using the PatchXpress 7000A Automated Parallel Patch Clamp System (Molecular Devices Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA) and hERG channels stably expressed in HEK293 cells. The results suggest that more hydrophobic compounds may adsorb to non-binding polystyrene, hydrophilic, and polystyrene compound plates versus glass plates, especially with increasing time on the plates, resulting in altered IC(50) values.
POLYMER-SUPPORTED REAGENTS FOR MOLECULAR SEPARATIONS

ABSTRACT A Hammett study of the complexing abilities of various polymer-supported reagents for phenols, anilines, and benzoic acids is described. For each polymeric reagent, the percent absorbed of each family of compounds is correlated with the Hammett substituent constants. A carboxylic acid resin shows no interaction with phenols and benzoic acids; only a weak interaction with anilines is found since 25% of each is absorbed regardless of the substituent present on the aromatic ring. This contrasts with the strong interaction displayed by the sulfonic resin and the moderate interaction of the phosphinic resin. Phosphonic and phosphonate monoester resins absorb increasing amounts of anilines as their basicity increases. The purely coordinating- phosphonate diester resin absorbs uniformly low levels of the three families of compounds with no substituent effect on the percent absorbed. The sulfonic resin quantitatively absorbs the anilines within the temperature range 6 to 40 C while the phosphinic resin a...
Crowding and Satisfaction in a Banking Environment, an Ethological Approach

Ethology essentially involves the study of living organisms in their natural habitats. This study sought to determine reliable behavioral and situational correlates of satisfaction for customers in a banking environment. Those who have studied proxemics (communication through space) have isolated the need each individual has for personal space. Any invasion of this space constitutes a potential threat to the individual and can create anxiety (Mehrabian, 1969; Sornrner, 1967). As indicated by Fast (1970) reasons for the anxiety one experiences are largely unconscious. The following hypotheses were made: the more customers in the bank look around per unit of time as opposed to looking at their own matexial the less satisfied they will be; females will be less satisfied than males and will look around more (Gray & Buffety, 1971). A random selection of 86 customers (53 males and 33 females) entering the bank participated in the study. Seven subjects who were observed refused to participate and their data were not included. There were two observers; one remained behind a teller's window with a tape recorder; the other was stationed near the front door. Four types of looking responses were recorded: (1) looks around, (2) looks at customers, (3) looks at own material, and (4) looks at teller. Both the number of looks and time for each look were recorded. The observer making the recording was not naive with regard to the hypothesis. Records were also kept of the number of other cuscomers in the bank, the number of companions accompanying the subject and the subject's sex. The subjects were approached before leaving and asked to indicate their satisfaction with the previous transaction on a 9-point scale. A Pearson correlational analysis was performed with the following 14 variables: satisfaction; regulwity of visitation; total time (in minutes) spent in bank; percentage of total time spent in the bank looking at customers, looking at own material, looking around, and looking at the teller both separately and combined; number of looks around, at own material, at customers, at the 'This research was supported by rhe Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co., Buffalo, N.Y.
Elevated maternal cortisol leads to relative maternal hyperglycemia and increased stillbirth in ovine pregnancy

In normal pregnancy, cortisol increases; however, further pathological increases in cortisol are associated with maternal and fetal morbidities. These experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that increased maternal cortisol would increase maternal glucose concentrations, suppress fetal growth, and impair neonatal glucose homeostasis. Ewes were infused with cortisol (1 mg·kg−1·day−1) from day 115 of gestation to term; maternal glucose, insulin, ovine placental lactogen, estrone, progesterone, nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and electrolytes were measured. Infusion of cortisol increased maternal glucose concentration and slowed the glucose disappearance after injection of glucose; maternal infusion of cortisol also increased the incidence of fetal death at or near parturition. The design of the study was altered to terminate the study prior to delivery, and post hoc analysis of the data was performed to test the hypothesis that maternal metabolic factors predict the fetal outcome. In cortisol-infused ewes that had stillborn lambs, plasma insulin was increased relative to control ewes or cortisol-infused ewes with live lambs. Maternal cortisol infusion did not alter maternal food intake or plasma NEFA, BHB, estrone, progesterone or placental lactogen concentrations, and it did not alter fetal body weight, ponderal index, or fetal organ weights. Our study suggests that the adverse effect of elevated maternal cortisol on pregnancy outcome may be related to the effects of cortisol on maternal glucose homeostasis, and that chronic maternal stress or adrenal hypersecretion of cortisol may create fetal pathophysiology paralleling some aspects of maternal gestational diabetes.
Arizona State University: Student Tracking in a University System.

At Arizona State University, longitudinal files have changed the way institutional researchers can look at students to answer management questions.
Sequence analyses of presenilin mutations linked to familial Alzheimer’s disease

Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD)-linked presenilin (PS) mutations show gain-of-toxic-function characteristics. These FAD PS mutations are scattered throughout the PS molecule, reminiscent of the distribution of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and p53 mutations. Because of the scattered distribution of PS mutations, it is difficult to infer mechanistic insights about how these mutations cause the disease similarly. Recent careful reexamination of γ-secretase activity indicates that some PS mutations decrease the proteolytic activity of γ-secretase, suggesting a loss-of-function nature of PS mutations. To extend this observation to all known PS mutations, a large number of PS mutations were evaluated using bioinformatic tools. The analyses reveal that as many as one third of PS1 residues are highly conserved, that about 75% of FAD mutations are located to the highly conserved residues, and that most PS mutations likely damage the activity of PS. These results are consistent with the idea that the majority of PS mutations lower the activity of PS/γ-secretase.
MO-E-I-609-01: Evaluation of Scattered Radiation Effect On Breast Cone-Beam CT Image: A Phantom Study

Purpose: To quantify the impact of scattered radiation on CTimage reconstruction.Method and Materials: A 14 cm diameter cylindrical 50/50 (50% glandular/50% adipose) tissue equivalent phantom was used to assess CT scatter conditions in a custom build cone‐beam breast CT scanner. The amount of scatter was varied by controlling the vertical dimension of the collimator opening (in the cone angle direction), which ranged from 16.8 to 100.2 mm at isocenter. Four data sets were acquired for each collimation, two with a 50/50 tissue equivalent rod and two with a 100% glandular tissue equivalent rod at the center of the phantom, with a scan technique of 80 kVp, 5 mA and 16.6 s (500 views). The images were reconstructed at the exact location for all the different collimated images, and the CNR was used to assess the image quality as a function of scatter to primary ratio (SPR). Results: As the amount of scatter (collimator gap) increases, the cupping artifact in the reconstructed image increases slightly. The CNR dropped from 2.6 at 16.8 mm collimation to 2.0 at 22.5 mm collimation, and remained at about 2.0 with further increases in the gap's width. Conclusion: Based on the preliminary results presented here, the scatter radiation increased the cupping artifact in the reconstructed image and reduced the CNR. However, the reduction in CNR appears to occur most dramatically at lower SPR and does not worsen significantly as the scatter increases from moderate (SPR = 0.1) to high (SPR = 0.5) levels.
Quantum imaging and the uncertainty principle

One of the most surprising consequences of quantum mechanics is the entanglement of two or more distant particles. Even though there are still open questions regarding some fundamental issues related to entangled systems, quantum entanglement has started to play important roles in practical applications. Quantum imaging is one of the hot topics. Quantum imaging has many interesting features which are useful for different applications. For example, quantum imaging can be nonlocal, which is useful for secure two-dimensional information transfer. Quantum imaging can reach a much higher spatial resolution compared with classical imaging, even beyond the diffraction limit. This is useful for lithography and other microsystems fabrication technology. The super-resolution does not represent a violation of the uncertainty principle, it is just a quantum multi-particle phenomenon. Can quantum imaging be simulated classically? This question is closely related to the concerns of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen of 1935. An attempted answer is given based on the analysis of a recent experiment of biphoton imaging-interference/diffraction.
Flexure of layered cranial bone.

Abstract The present study is an important step in understanding the brain case as a structure. Beams taken from the layered regions of embalmed calvaria were repeatedly tested in three-point bending at various span lengths to determine the resistance of layered cranial bone to bending and shearing deflection. These beams were also strain gaged and loaded to failure in four-point bending to study the failure response of layered cranial bone. The layered beam theory used in this study was found to provide a valid relationship between the constituent material properties and structural geometry of layered cranial bone and its flexural response.
Urinary macromolecules and renal lithiasis

Summary Intensive investigation into the structure of calcigerous urinary calculi have revealed an inner macrospherular network of concentric fibrous laminations with adherent apatite particles and interdigitating radial striations that surrounds an amorphous matrix containing microspherules and possibly infective organisms. The outer surface encrustation is composed of assorted crystals and laminated microspherules. These constituents are not as organized in other types of urinary stones, though they are present to varying degrees. The connection between structure and pathogenesis of stones may lie with the matrix, the structural base, which is composed mostly of protein but contains some sugar, bound water, calcium and phosphorus. Its antigenic component, matrix substance A, is found abundantly in the urine of stone formers as well as in that of more non-specific renal injuries and infections. Uromucoid, another urinary macromolecule, has not only been shown to be a promotor of crystallization but a structural analogue of matrix as well. Another family of urinary macromolecules, glycosaminoglycans, are repeating disacharides that are present in the urine of normal patients. They are quite ubiquitous and usually found in normal tissues as proteoglycans; that is, groups of glycosaminoglycans are linked to a single protein backbone. While their main function is thought to be structural, providing toughness and flexibility in connective tissues, they also seem to play intrinsic roles in many biological processes such as differentiation, morphogenesis, growth, maturation, aging, normal physiology and pathology. There is laboratory evidence for their action as potent inhibitors of crystal growth and aggregation and possibly nucleation as well. Since most studies so far have not shown any significant difference in the amounts found in the urines of normal and stone forming patients, their clinical significance may very well lie in qualitative differences or the increased presence of other substances in urine (such as sulfate or uric acid) that might enhance their inhibitory powers. Though the etiology of stone formation remains elusive, a deeper understanding of the physical characteristics of the calculus as well as the molecular interactions that contribute to its formation is certain to be highly significant in future clinical practice.
Preparation of prostatic plasma membranes distribution of (Na+, K+)-ATPase AND Mg2+-ATPase in the rat ventral prostate

Abstract 1. 1. A method is described for the isolation of a plasma membrane fraction from rat ventral prostate. This fraction is greatly enriched in (Na + , K + )-ATPase but also contains a small amount of Mg 2+ -ATPase and 5′-nucleotidase activities. 2. 2. The activity ratio ( Mg 2+ + Na + + K + Mg 2+ or Mg + + Na + ) of the plasma membrane (Na + , K + )-ATPase was 1.7. The enzyme system specifically requires ATP as substrate and is inhibited by Ca 2+ or ouabain.
Multiscale carbon monoxide and aerosol correlations from satellite measurements and the GOCART model: Implication for emissions and atmospheric evolution

[1] Regional correlations of CO and aerosol on different time scales provide information on their sources, lifetimes, and transport pathways. We examine regional and global column CO and fine-mode aerosol optical depth (AODf) correlations from daily to seasonal scales using 7 years (2000–2006) of satellite observations from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and model simulations from the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiative Transport model. Our analyses indicate that, globally, column CO and AODf have similar spatial distributions due to their common source locations, although CO is more spatially dispersed because of its longer lifetime. However, temporal CO-AODf correlations differ substantially over different timescales and different regions. On daily to synoptic scales CO and AODf have a positive correlation over the industrial and biomass burning source regions owing to the covariance of emissions and coherent dynamic transport. No such correlation is seen in remote regions because of the diverging influence of mixing and chemical processes during longer-range transport. On the seasonal scale in the Northern Hemisphere, CO and AODf are out of phase by 2–4 months. This phase lag is caused by photochemical production of sulfate, which is the major component of fine-mode aerosol in the Northern Hemisphere, and photochemical destruction of CO in reaction with OH (both at maximum in the summer and at minimum in the winter), together with the seasonality of fine-mode dust, which peaks in the boreal spring season. In the Southern Hemisphere tropics and subtropics, however, CO and AODf are generally in-phase because the variability is dominated by direct release from biomass burning emissions.
On the use of organic extraction in the spin-trapping technique as applied to biological systems

A back-extraction methodology is presented which involves extraction of a spin adduct from an organic medium into an aqueous medium where its spectral parameters are well established. This technique should prove very useful in properly identifying spin adducts formed in organic media. Some of the hazards of extracting spin adducts into organic solvents for study are pointed out.
Role of body temperature in diagnosing bacterial infection in nursing home residents.

Objectives: To provide empirically based recommendations for incorporating body temperature into clinical decision-making regarding diagnosing infection in nursing home (NH) residents. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Twelve North Carolina NHs. Participants: NH residents (N = 1,007) with 1,858 randomly selected antibiotic prescribing episodes. Measurements: Maximum prescription-day temperature plus the three most recent nonillness temperatures were recorded for each prescribing episode. Two empirically based definitions of fever were developed: population-based (population mean nonillness temperature plus 2 population standard deviations (SDs)) and individualized (individual mean nonillness temperature plus 2 population SDs). These definitions were used along with previously published fever criteria and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria to determine how often each prescribing episode was associated with a �fever� according to each definition. Results: Mean population nonillness temperature was 97.7 ± 0.5oF. If �normal� were defined as less than 2 SDs above the mean, fever would be defined as any temperature above 98.7oF, and the previously published fever cut-points and the IDSA criteria are 4.8 SDs above this mean. Between 30% and 32% of the 1,858 prescribing episodes examined were associated with temperatures more than 2 SDs above the population mean nonillness temperature, whereas only 10% to 11% of episodes met the previously published and IDSA fever definitions. Conclusion: Clinicians should apply empirically based definitions to assess fever in NH residents. Furthermore, low fever prevalence in residents treated with antibiotics according to all definitions suggests that some prescribing may not be associated with acute bacterial infection.
Beyond FRAX: it's time to consider "sarco-osteopenia".

A dictionary definition of ‘‘frail’’ includes easily broken, fragile, and physically weak, the descriptors often used to explain osteoporotic bone. However, physicians recognize that it is not simply bone abnormalities, but rather the simultaneous presence of muscle and bone weakness, often associated with overall frailty, which contributes to high fracture risk in their older patients. How can clinicians optimally identify which patients are at highest risk for fracture? Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has been a key advance in care for patients at risk for fragility fracture. Although DXA-measured BMD is excellent at identifying those at higher risk, its use alone is not optimal and including clinical factors improves fracture risk estimation. To this end, the World Health Organization (WHO) FRAX tool improves targeting of pharmacologic therapy by combining clinical risk factors and estimating 10-yr fracture probability. Clearly, fracture risk increases dramatically with advancing age (1); that this risk markedly increases at the same BMD is easily quantified using FRAX (depicted in Fig. 1). We recognize the major contribution of FRAX to patient care and further suggest, in addition to using FRAX , that the time has come for clinicians to consciously recognize muscle weakness as a
Prostaglandin E2 receptor in the myometrium: distribution in subcellular fractions.

Abstract [ 3 H]Prostaglandin (PG) E 2 bound specifically to several subcellular fractions from bovine myometrium. The binding was temperature dependent, rapid, and reversible. PGE 2 and PGE 1 competed for the [ 3 H]PGE 2 binding site. The PGs inhibited in the following decreasing order: PGE 2 = PGE 1 ⪢ PGF 2α > PGA 2 > PGF 1β > PGB 2 . No competitive effect could be found for oxytocin. Scatchard analysis of the binding data were interpreted as showing a single high-affinity binding constant. There was no difference in the binding constant between the various fractions. The average molar dissociation constant was 2.74 ± 0.14 × 10 −9 . Quantitative differences in the maximum number of binding sites were observed between fractions. One plasma membrane fraction contained 21.4 ± 2.3 × 10 −11 and the sarcoplasmic reticulum contained 11.2 ± 0.8 × 10 −11 mol binding sites/g. The results suggest that there is a high-affinity PGE 2 receptor present in both plasma membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum.
A synthesis methodology for application-specific logic-in-memory designs

For deeply scaled digital integrated systems, the power required for transporting data between memory and logic can exceed the power needed for computation, thereby limiting the efficacy of synthesizing logic and compiling memory independently. Logic-in-Memory (LiM) architectures address this challenge by embedding logic within the memory block to perform basic operations on data locally for specific functions. While custom smart memories have been successfully constructed for various applications, a fully automated LiM synthesis flow enables architectural exploration that has heretofore not been possible. In this paper we present a tool and design methodology for LiM physical synthesis that performs co-design of algorithms and architectures to explore system level trade-offs. The resulting layouts and timing models can be incorporated within any physical synthesis tool. Silicon results shown in this paper demonstrate a 250x performance improvement and 310x energy savings for a data-intensive application example.
Distribution of peripheral blood T and B lymphocyte markers in atopic children and changes during immunotherapy

Abstract Peripheral blood lymphocytes from children undergoing evaluation for allergic disease were examined for T and B lymphocyte markers. Patients were evaluated at intervals to determine differences in these markers between atopic and nonatopic children and relative changes during immunotherapy. T lymphocytes were identified by the sheep RBC rosette technique. Surface immunoglobulin was detected by immunofluorescence following incubation with fluorescein-labeled anithuman IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE. At initial examination, atopic patients differed from controls only in the increased percentage of lymphocytes bearing surface IgM. There were no differences between patient and control values in T lymphocyte distribution or in cells bearing surface IgG, IgA, or IgE at any point in the study. The increased percentage of IgM-bearing lymphocytes is reduced to the control level after four months of immunotherapy but remains elevated in the untreated atopic group. Serum IgM levels remained constant. This study shows that the distribution of lymphocyte markers may be altered in atopic children. Patients treated with immunotherapy demonstrated a return to control values of IgM-bearing lymphocytes. The elevated serum IgE seen in atopy was not reflected in an elevated percentage of IgE-bearing lymphocytes.
Kienböck's disease--update on silicone replacement arthroplasty

In a previous paper, early lunate silicone replacement arthroplasty (SRA) for Kienbock's disease was advocated because of poor results obtained in stage III disease. Since then, an additional 16 patients have been operated on. Thirteen had stage III disease, and 12 underwent successful SRA. This result is attributed to the modification in anatomical configuration and the improvement in the physical characteristics of the new high-performance silicone lunate implant. Because SRA gives good results in a high percentage of patients in stage III disease, alternative modes of therapy may be considered in stage I or stage II disease without jeopardizing the ultimate result from SRA in stage III disease.
Evaluation of MOS devices as mechanical stress sensors

The influence of mechanical stress on metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices has been studied and analyzed for their applicability as in-situ sensors that are capable of measuring packaging induced and/or externally applied stress. Either compressive or tensile stress would alter the electrical characteristics of MOS devices in a regular pattern and that can be explained by substrate piezoresistivity. The regularity of electrical parameter variation of MOSFETs and the high sensitivity in correspondence with mechanical stress have made them very attractive as stress sensors since they may provide accurate and localized stress-state measurements. Through careful analysis, appropriate MOSFET-based sensors may be designed for proper on-site stress measurement in packaging and other stress detection applications. In addition, the mechanical stress also cause MOS devices to exhibit shorter lifetime that can be attributed to the occurrence of stress-induced charge-trapping sites in gate oxide. For MOSFETs utilized as stress sensors, the reliability issue related to mechanical stress has to be accounted and certain modification of stress-state extraction procedure will be needed to maintain valid stress measurement.
Development of Alluvial Stream Channels: A Five-Stage Model

Pools, riffles, and point bars are common bed forms in straight and meandering channels. Inflections in meandering channels correspond to riffles in straight channels. Both of these forms are shoals that are symmetrical across the channel for a short distance. Pool-riffle spacing appears to be independent of channel pattern, and as straight reaches merge with meandering reaches no change occurs in the spacing, form, or symmetry of the pools and riffles. Meandering processes which result in increasing channel length may result in the addition of new pools o t keep spacing constant. A five-stage model is proposed to explain the development of alluvial channels. The model is based upon channel morphology, channel morphometry, and qualitative conclusions based on numerous field observations.
The phylogeny and classification of Scaphopoda (Mollusca): an assessment of current resolution and cladistic reanalysis

The first cladistic analysis of phylogeny in the class Scaphopoda (Steiner 1992a,1996) examined relationships among family and selected sub-family taxa using morphological data. A preferred/ consensus tree of relationships illustrated monophyly of the orders Dentaliida and Gadilida, partial resolution among dentaliid families, and complete resolution among gadilid taxa. However, several alternative replications of the analysis, including use of a revised data matrix, did not produce the reported tree number or level of resolution; in all cases, monophyly of the Dentaliida was not supported by strict consensus of resultant parsimonious trees. Reanalysis, using unordered characters and outgroup rooting, only clearly resolves monophyly of the Gadilida and the sister relationship of the Entalinidae with the remaining gadilid families. These analyses emphasize the need for more comparative data and thorough parsimony analysis in scaphopod cladistic phylogenetics, as relationships in this class are still some way from resolution.
Diagnostic and Detection Fault Collapsing for Multiple Output Circuits

We discuss fault equivalence and dominance relations for multiple output combinational circuits. The conventional definition for equivalence says that "two faults are equivalent if and only if the corresponding faulty circuits have identical output functions". This definition, which is based on indistinguishability of the faults, is extended for multiple output circuits as "two faults of a Boolean circuit are equivalent if and only if the pair of the output functions is identical at each output of the circuit". This is termed as diagnostic equivalence in this paper. "If all tests that detect a fault also detect another fault, not necessarily on the same output, then the two faults are called detection equivalent". Two detection equivalent faults need not be indistinguishable. The definitions for fault dominance follow on similar lines. A novel algorithm based on redundancy identification has been proposed to find the equivalence and dominance collapsed sets based on diagnostic and detection collapsing. Applying the algorithm to a 4-bit ALU would collapse the total fault set of 502 faults to 253 and 155, respectively, according to diagnostic equivalence and dominance. The collapsed sets have 234 and 92 faults, respectively, for detection equivalence and dominance. In comparison, the traditional structural equivalence and dominance collapsing results in 301 and 248 faults, respectively. Finally, we use library-based functional collapsing in a hierarchical system and find that smaller fault sets are obtained with an order of magnitude reduction in CPU time for very large circuits.
Agonist Induced Constitutive Receptor Activation as a Novel Regulatory Mechanism

We propose the hypothesis that certain G protein coupled receptors can become constitutively activated during agonist stimulation so that the receptor remains active even after the agonist is removed. This new paradigm of receptor regulation may account for some long term effects of neurotransmitters and hormones. We have tested the hypothesis that constitutive µ receptor activation represents a crucial step driving narcotic tolerance and dependence. Our results indeed support the conversion of µ to a constitutively acitve state, µ*, observed in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y tissue culture, in U293 cells transfected with theµ receptor gene, and in vivo. Constitutive p activation may result from receptor phosphorylation to yield µ*, and further, in vivo studies indicate that formation of µ* could account for narcotic tolerance and dependence.
Conscientiousness and Health Across the Life Course

This article provides an overview of the role conscientiousness plays in the health process over the life course. The authors describe their research on the underlying structure of conscientiousness and how conscientiousness predicts social environmental factors and health behaviors that have a known relationship to health and longevity. The authors then show that conscientiousness continues to develop in young adulthood, midlife, and even potentially in old age. Finally, they show that the life paths and health behaviors that are associated with health are also associated with changes in conscientiousness across the life course. Our journey begins at the intersection of two seemingly unrelated research findings concerning the trait of conscientiousness, which is defined as the propensity to follow socially prescribed norms and rules regarding impulse control and to be goal directed, planful, and able to delay gratification (John & Srivastava, 1999). The first finding is deceptively simple: Conscientiousness predicts longevity (Friedman et al., 1993). Specifically, it has been shown that people tend to live longer if, as 8-year-olds, they were rated as more conscientious by parents and teachers. Moreover, the impact of conscientiousness has been shown to be equivalent to the effect of cardiovascular disease. The second finding, also relatively simple, is that conscientiousness, despite being a trait, continues to show changes well into middle age (Helson & Kwan, 2000). Specifically, people tend to increase in conscientiousness in young adulthood (Robins, Fraley, Roberts, & Trzesniewski, 2001), middle age (Helson & Wink, 1992), and even into old age (Dudek & Hall, 1991). The juxtaposition of these two findings raises a number of provocative questions. Why does conscientiousness predict longevity? Why do people become more conscientious with age? Are the reasons why conscientious people live longer related to the reasons why people become more conscientious? If people increase in conscientiousness as they age, will they add years to their life? In this overview of our current research on conscientiousness, we provide preliminary answers to some of these questions. We examine (a) the content domain of the construct of conscientiousness, as this dictates, in part, subsequent examination of the role of conscientiousness in health; (b) some of the reasons why conscientiousness predicts longevity; and (c) how and why conscientiousness increases with age.
Mechanical Force Between Electric Circuits

A general equation is developed for the mechanical force exerted by a system of n electric circuits, upon any part of that system. The electric circuits are assumed to contain resistances, and the reluctance of the several magnetic circuits is assumed to be a function of both the currents and the relative positions of the circuits. The equation is therefore applicable to circuits involving saturated iron. Special cases of a single circuit and of n circuits are treated, in which a method of graphical solution is given. Also an approximation is made, which results in fairly simple analytical expressions for the force in the case of circuits involving saturated iron. The results are preliminary to an investigation of the forces existing in synchronous machines under the condition of short circuit, which subject will be treated in a forthcoming paper.
Di-μ-methoxido-κ4O:O-bis­[bis­(3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-κN2)copper(II)] bis­(perchlorate)

In the title complex, [Cu(CH3O)2(C40H40N8)](ClO4)2, two copper ions are bridged by two methoxide O atoms. Each CuII is further coordinated by two neutral 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole ligands and adopts a distorted square-planar geometry. The two perchlorate anions lie on opposite sides of the Cu2O2 plane and there is evidence for inter­action between two of the O atoms from each perchlorate anion with the CuII centers.
LDPC codes for rank modulation in flash memories

An LDPC code is proposed for flash memories based on rank modulation. In contrast to previous approaches, this enables the use of long ECCs with fixed-length modulation codes. For ECC design, the rank modulation scheme is treated as part of an equivalent channel. A probabilistic model of the equivalent channel is derived and a simple high-SNR approximation is given. LDPC codes over integer rings and finite fields are designed for the approximate channel and a low-complexity symbol-flipping verification-based (SFVB) message-passing decoding algorithm is proposed to take advantage of the channel structure. Density evolution (DE) is used to calculate decoding thresholds and simulations are used to compare the low-complexity decoder with sum-product decoding.
Yang—Baxter Relation

Throughout the previous chapters, we have seen the close relationship between conformal field theory and two-dimensional statistical mechanics. In fact, at criticality, the detailed behavior of a statistical mechanical system gets washed out, and universality sets in. Since we have a complete classification of certain classes of conformal field theories, we should be able to catalog the models of statistical mechanics at criticality according to known representations of conformal field theories.
A two-zone control oriented SI-HCCI hybrid combustion model for the HIL engine simulation

To make HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) combustion feasible in a SI (Spark Ignition) engine, it is necessary to have the smooth mode transition between SI and HCCI combustions. The SI-HCCI hybrid combustion studied in this paper describes the combustion mode that starts with SI and ends with HCCI combustions. The main motivation of studying the hybrid combustion mode is that the percentage of the HCCI combustion is a good indicator for combustion mode transition control when the hybrid combustion mode is used during the transition. This paper presents a control oriented model for the SI-HCCI hybrid combustion mode, where the SI combustion phase is modeled under a two-zone assumption and the HCCI combustion phase under a one-zone one. Note that SI and HCCI combustions are special cases in this model. The developed model is capable of simulating the entire engine operating range, and it was validated in a HIL (Hardware-In-the-Loop) simulation environment. The simulation results were compared with those of the corresponding GT-Power model, and good correlations were found for both SI and HCCI combustions.
Precise multipass Herriott cell design: Derivation of controlling design equations

Multipass Herriott cells are often designed using the thin lens approximation, which results in approximate dimensions or imperfect patterns due to both spherical aberration and the finite width of the optic. We derive the design equations for exact solutions to the Herriott cell problem. We also show that Herriott cells using spherical mirrors cannot be designed such that multiple concentric beam patterns all meet their reentrant condition. We derive a solution for elliptical mirrors that allows this condition to be met simultaneously for many beams.
Sublethal effects of cadmium on physiological responses in the pocketbook mussel, Lampsilis ventricosa

Recent studies indicate that the density and diversity of freshwater mussels are declining in many large river systems, possibly from low-level chemical contamination. Exposure of Lam-psilis ventricosa (Barnes, 1823) to 0, 22, 111, and 305 μg/L of cadmium for 28 d in a proportional diluter resulted in a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in respiration rate as cadmium concentration increased. Although variations in cadmium concentrations did not significantly affect food clearance rates or ammonia excretion rates, mussels exposed to 305 μg cadmium per liter showed a decrease in ammonia excretion rates and a decrease in food clearance rates over the 28-d study. Assimilation efficiencies increased during the test in all treatments. Oxygen-to-nitrogen ratios were significantly increased in mussels exposed to either 111 or 305 μg cadmium per liter by day 28. Tissue condition index (TCI) values were significantly lower in mussels in the toxicity test than those in a field sample. The significant change in respiration rate after only a 28-d exposure to cadmium suggests that freshwater mussels may be sensitive indicators of sublethal contaminant exposure. However, the large variability in other physiological responses indicates that the study of contaminant effects requires careful selection of appropriate physiological indicators.
A Multivariate Analysis Of Evoked Sets As A Marketing Universal

This research explores evoked sets in two cultures. The purpose is to determine if evoked sets are used in both to the extent that they could be considered a marketing universal. Previous studies have examined marketing universals in terms of price and product quality signals. Our findings support the status of evoked sets as a marketing universal. We found, via multivariate analysis, that evoked set sizes are statistically equal for matched samples when using two operational definitions of an evoked set.
Jailing Journalists: Providing an Effective Journalist’s Privilege in Government Leak Cases

When is it acceptable to chill the flow of information in the name of national security? I argue that current analysis of journalist’s privilege claims are inadequate at providing actual protection where a government leak is at issue.Some government leaks provide the public with important information. Some leaks harm national security. Balancing these two interests requires a pliable test. The prosecution of leaking information involves unique circumstances that current journalist’s privilege analysis does not account for. I suggest that courts also evaluate the newsworthiness of the information and harm caused by the leak. By looking towards Supreme Court jurisprudence in other areas of First Amendment law, courts can fashion standards to balance these two competing interests.
Experimental Study Of Thyrotoxic Serum

It is well known that complete removal of the thyroid gland is followed by a typical group of symptoms, terminating in death. More recently it has been shown by a number of observers that the acute symptoms, simulating tetany, and the rapid fatal termination follow the removal of the parathyroid bodies, even though the entire thyroid is left in situ. On the other hand, the removal of the thyroid, leaving the parathyroids untouched, is followed by chronic symptoms, such as myxedema, cretinism, and cachexia. The present work was begun in the hope that it might be possible to produce similar clinical pictures by means of specific cytotoxins, selective in their action on the thyroid and parathyroid cells.
Geographic Disparities in the Etiology of Bacterial and Fungal Keratitis in the United States of America

Infectious keratitis is a serious cause of vision loss. Proper treatment of infectious keratitis requires antimicrobials that target the organism responsible for a patient's ulcer. The frequency of infection by a given organism varies by location. We examined the literature to determine geographic disparities in the etiology of bacterial and fungal keratitis in the United States of America. Bacterial keratitis makes up a greater proportion of cases in northern locations, and fungal keratitis increases in prevalence in southern locations. Gram-negative organisms make up a greater proportion of bacterial keratitis in southern locations when compared to northern locations.
Construction of human SET gene RNA interference recombinant plasmid vector and its expression in L-02 liver cells

Objective To construct human patient SE transloction(SET) gene RNA interference recombinant plasmid vector and investigate SET protein's expression in the liver cells.The aim of this study was to lay a good basis for the further study of effect of SET protein on trichloroethylene-induced liver cells.Methods The 2 pairs of short hair-pin RNA oligonucleotides targeting human SET gene were designed and synthesized.After annealing,these double-strand DNA were cloned to eukaryotic expression plasmid Vector psiRNA-hH1 neo to form the shRNA recombinant plasmid vector,and they were confirmed to be correctly constructed by digestion and sequencing,and then were used to transfect into L-02 liver cells.48 h after the transfection,the liver cells were harvested,and the expression of SET protein in the liver cells after RNAi was detected by western blotting.Results The digestion and sequencing results confirmed that the recombinant plasmid vectors were correctly constructed,and Western Blotting results showed that transfection of recombinant plasmid psiRNA1 significantly down-regulated SET protein expression in L-02 liver cells,with the inhibition ratio of approximately 60%,P0.05,which showed significant difference from the normal control group.Conclusion The human SET gene RNA interference recombinant plasmid vector was successfully constructed,which inhibited SET protein expression effectively,indicating that it laid the groundwork for the study of investigating the role of SET protein in the process of trichloroethylene-induced liver cells.
Macroeconomic Impacts of Third-World Arms Production

The rational justification for military effort is that it adds to the external and internal security of the body politic. Common sense suggests, however, that security can only be obtained subject to decreasing returns — each extra dollar devoted to the military will buy so much less extra defence. Within a country, resources directed toward civilian uses must be cut by increasing amounts as security rises.