cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiplex detection of disease marker proteins with arrayed imaging reflectometry

Arrayed Imaging Reflectometry, or "AIR", is a new label-free optical technique for detecting proteins. AIR relies on binding-induced changes in the response of an antireflective coating on the surface of a silicon chip. Thus far, we have demonstrated the use of AIR for the detection of pathogenic E. coli , and for multiplex detection of a broad range of proteins in human serum. Creation of the near-perfect antireflective coating on the surface of silicon requires careful control over preparation of the chip surface prior to probe molecule immobilization. We present methods for highly reproducible, solution-phase silanization and glutaraldehyde functionalization of silicon chips carrying a layer of thermal oxide. Following functionalization with antibodies and passivation of remaining reactive groups, these surfaces provide exceptional performance in the AIR assay.
U-FF-T-325: TVLs for Co-60 and 4, 6, 10, 15 and 18 MV X-Rays in Concrete for Beams of Cone Angle Between 0° and 14° Calculated by Monte Carlo

Purpose: IMRT is becoming an increasingly important radiation therapy modality. For a linac dedicated to IMRT-based therapy, the shielding parameters would differ from those for one treating with conventional techniques. Published tenth value layers (TVLs) for shielding materials are for broad beam transmission and are therefore too conservative for these very small fields. Thus, a linac room designed exclusively for IMRT use would require lower TVLs for determining the required wall thicknesses for the primary barriers and would need narrower barrier widths. Method and Materials: The attenuation of 60Co gamma ray and photons of 4, 6, 10, 15, and 18 MV x-ray beams by concrete has been studied using the Monte Carlo technique for beams of different half-opening angles between 0° and 14°. TVLs were determined to the 3rd TVL in each case. Transmission factors were calculated at distances of 30, 100 and 200 cm from the exterior wall of the concrete barrier Results: The transmission plots at 30 cm show the effect of build-up (BU) for angles >3° for all megavoltage beams. However, at 100, and 200 cm the build-up effect is greatly lessened because little of the scattered radiation from the barrier reaches the detector. For 100 cm, BU occurs for angles >9° and for 200 cm only for the largest angle. For Co60, there is BU for all angles at 30 and 100 cm and at 200 cm for angles >3°. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd TVLs all decrease with decreasing angle, the greatest drop being for the 1st TVL. When normalized to the TVL at 14°, the first TVL is almost independent of energy with values at 0° of 0.53±0.02 (30 cm), 0.59±0.01 (100 cm) and 0.67±0.02 (200 cm). Conclusion: TVLs for small IMRT fields are, as expected, substantially lowetr than those for large fields.
Morphological Evolution of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) during Equal Channel Angular Extrusion Process

Highly textured semicrystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) prepared through an equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process was studied using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), optical microscopy (OM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and annealing tests. OM results indicate that the original spherulites are highly elongated after ECAE. SAXS and TEM results indicate that, after one ECAE pass, two types of lamellar orientations are induced: one with the lamellar normal perpendicular to the flow direction and the other tilted at an angle of approximately 45° counterclockwise away from the flow direction. Annealing tests suggest that interlamellar compression is the dominant mechanism for the deformation of the amorphous phase.
On-line estimation of probabilities for distributed Bayesian detection

Abstract A learning distributed detection system is investigated. It is comprised of a bank of local detectors and a data fusion center (DFC). Each local detector chooses one of two hypotheses on the basis of collected measurements to minimize a local Bayesian cost. The data fusion center combines the local decisions into a central decision with the objective of minimizing a centralized Bayesian cost. The optimal decision rules require that the local detectors and the DFC know the a priori probabilities of the hypotheses. The DFC should also know the probabilities of false alarm and missed detection for each local detector. These, however, are often unknown. In this study recursive estimators are developed that approximate the probabilities on line. The estimators are based on the evaluation of the unconditional and conditional means of the local and central decisions (conditioned on the hypothesis). Bias correction is applied to the estimates to account partially for the fact that all decision-makers in the system are occasionally erroneous. For ‘ignorant’ distributed detection systems in low signal-to-noise ratios, the bias reduction is shown to significantly improve the overall detection performance.
Modeling xylan solubilization during autohydrolysis of sugar maple and aspen wood chips: Reaction kinetics and mass transfer

Abstract A mathematical description is presented for xylan solubilization during hydrothermal pretreatment of sugar maple and aspen wood chips. It assumes first-order kinetics with Arrhenius-type temperature dependence of the reaction rate constants and includes limitations on the transport of reaction products formed in the wood pores to the bulk liquor. The model is calibrated with experimentally measured yields of residual xylan, xylooligomers, and xylose obtained in the autohydrolysis of sugar maple wood chips under pretreatment conditions of 152−175 °C, reaction times of 0−6 h, and liquor to solid ratio of 6:1 in a batch digester. It is validated against experimental data obtained from the autohydrolysis of aspen wood chips at 160 °C under similar experimental conditions as those used for sugar maple. The model can also satisfactorily correlate data of deacetylation of xylan and formation of products (free acetyl groups and acetyl groups attached to xylooligomers in the hydrolyzate) in the autohydrolysis of sugar maple and aspen wood chips with fair accuracy.
STUDIES OF DIOXOURANIUM(V) IN DIMETHYLSULPHOXIDE.

Abstract By carrying out controlled potential electrolysis on very dryethylsulphoxide solutions of UO 2 2+ nitrate under an argon atmosphere, sufficient quantities of UO 2 ++ could be prepared for electronic spectral investigation. Disproportionation of this stable species into UO 2 2+ and UO 2 occurred, but the half-life of about one hr for UO 2 2+ gave sufficient time for measurement to be made. In the region 6100–20,000 cm −1 three maxima were observed. The main peak occurred at 6620 cm −1 ( ϵ ≈ 87) and the other two maxima of roughly one-tenth the intensity were observed at 12,940 cm −1 and 15,080 cm −1 . The main peak is assignable as the 2 F 5 2 → 2 F 7 2 transition.
Information assurance in the undergraduate curriculum

Information assurance and systems security are important topics that compel the attention of future computer scientists. Typically, undergraduate students in computer science programs today are exposed to these concepts at the end of their education in stand-alone courses on information security. As information assurance (IA) educators, we perceive the need to incorporate IA topics throughout the undergraduate CS curriculum. In this panel, we will first present the goals, challenges, and current state of progress made at our respective institutions. Then we will solicit feedback and suggestions from the audience for better integrating IA topics across the undergraduate curriculum.
Analysis of Spaceborne VHF Incidental Noise over the Western Hemisphere

Computations of the incidental man-made radio noise power existing at geostationary satellite altitudes over the Western Hemisphere have been performed by summing the emissions from those metropolitan areas lying within the intercept pattern of a spaceborne antenna. Area representations of surface man-made radio noise data and the radiation field integral for the observed power at altitude h were used to extend earlier calculations of incidental noise power at aircraft altitudes to Earth-satellite altitudes. Three cases of VHF band coverage from a geostationary satellite positioned over the Western Hemisphere have been analyzed: a) Western Hemisphere coverage by a dipole antenna; b) Western Hemisphere intercept by an Earth-coverage, moderate-gain antenna; and c) North American coverage by a shaped-beam high-gain antenna. It was determined that the increase in antenna noise temperature for frequencies 243 to 260 MHz, attributable to metropolitan incidental man-made radio noise, varied from 1 K for Case A to 54 K for Case C. Analysis of data derived from the LES-5 and -6 satellite test program fixes an upper limit of < 22 K on the Western Hemisphere VHF band incidental man-made noise contribution to satellite-antenna noise temperature during the late evening hours.
Sensitivity and robust stability of nonlinear input-output systems consisting of finitely many blocks

We construct a general model of a nonlinear input-output system consisting of finitely many blocks whose variables are in extended spaces. This model encompasses all configurations used in control which have several feedback and feedforward loops. We show that such a system is essentially the traditional MI-MO feedback system. Moreover, assuming that one block of the system is a plant affected by perturbations, we derive conditions guaranteeing linear insensitivity and/or robust stability of the whole system. In particular, we consider systems whose variables are continuous, vector-valued functions on [0, ?), and whose blocks are described by nonlinear Volterra operators. The applications of the results are illustrated by several examples of feedback-feedforward systems.
The extracellular matrix between the optic vesicle and presumptive lens during lens morphogenesis in an anophthalmic strain of mice.

Abstract Extracellular matrix material present during early lens morphogenesis in anophthalmic strain ZRDCT-Ch mice was studied histochemically by the Alcian blue 8GX pH 2.5, Alcian blue 8GX pH 2.5/periodic acid-Schiff combined, high iron diamine, and Van Gieson methods. Observed staining patterns were compared with results from an analysis of a normal strain of mice (E. H. Webster, Jr., A. F. Silver, and N. I. Gonsalves, 1983, Develop. Biol. 100, 147–157) . No differences in constituents were found between the strains in staining patterns of the ectodermal basal lamina. However, the optic vesicle basal lamina in the anophthalmic strain was found to have a relatively lower staining intensity for sulfated glycosaminoglycan associated with it than was observed in the normal strain, although these mutant optic vesicles were morphologically normal. Results from this and the earlier study on normal mice indicate that one function of sulfated glycosaminoglycan in early lens morphogenesis may be to serve as a cementing medium between the optic and lens rudiments. This sulfated glycosaminoglycan deficiency on the anophthalmic optic vesicle basal lamina is temporally correlated with and may be causally related to precocious lens cup formation and frequently observed separation of the normally adherent eye rudiments. Conclusions drawn from this study are consistent with the speculation of H. B. Chase and E. B. Chase (1941, J. Morphol. 68, 279–301) that there may be abnormal contact between the optic vesicle and presumptive lens ectoderm in the mutant strain, although there is a differing view on the cause of the abnormal contact.
Pharyngeal injury caused by ingestion of glass chipped from baby-food container.

Summary A case of injury to the pharynx in an infant, due to the ingestion of glasschipped from a baby-food container, is reported. A favorable outcome was apparently due to the relatively small size of the ingested glass. It is suggested that attention be given to the proper method of opening the food container, and to the careful inspection of the opened container to be certain that the glass container is intact.
A Fully Synthetic Route to the Neurotrophic Illicinones: Syntheses of Tricycloillicinone and Bicycloillicinone Aldehyde

Tricycloillicinone (1) and bicycloillicinone asaronacetal (2) were both isolated from extracts of the wood of Illicium tashiroi. These compounds were found to enhance the action of choline acetyltransferase, which catalyzes the synthesis of acetylcholine from its precursor. Since one of the characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease involves degeneration of cholinergic neurons, resulting in markedly reduced levels of acetylcholine, compounds with the properties of 1 or 2 could well serve as agents in the treatment of such disorders. In this paper, we report the total synthesis of 1 and the construction of the core structure 3 of 2. The tricycloillicinone synthesis employed a novel strategy to control the regiochemistry of two ortho Claisen rearrangements. A sulfonyl group introduced at C2 of an allyl group effectively suppressed its unwanted rearrangement to the para position (23 → 24). Subsequently, ortho Claisen rearrangement was conducted using a reverse O-prenylated derivative 31 to furnish the de...
Applicability Study of RPL with Local Repair in Smart Grid Substation Networks

In this paper, a performance evaluation of the Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks (RPL) in a typical outdoor Smart Grid Substation Network is presented. Detailed simulations are carried out to produce several routing performance metrics using real-life scenarios. The real outdoor network was reproduced in simulation with the help of topology and link quality data gathered from the network over the time. Behaviors of such a network in presence of RPL and local repair mechanism, and potential areas of further study/improvement are pointed out. This study shows, RPL has the desired advantages of bounding control overhead and low delay. It also provides quick repair of local outage of link to root node and path quality fairly close to an optimized shortest path for an outdoor deployment.
Isolation and determination of riboflavin produced by tubercle bacilli in culture media.

SummaryRiboflavin was isolated from Sauton medium on which R, tubercle bacilli had grown and the amount of riboflavin produced by 4 different strains of tubercle bacilli was determined by a method of fluorescence spectrography described in the paper.
Membrane Fluidity Is a Key Modulator of Membrane Binding, Insertion, and Activity of 5-Lipoxygenase

Mammalian 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) catalyzes conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotrienes, potent mediators of inflammation and allergy. Upon cell stimulation, 5-LO selectively binds to nuclear membranes and becomes activated, yet the mechanism of recruitment of 5-LO to nuclear membranes and the mode of 5-LO-membrane interactions are poorly understood. Here we show that membrane fluidity is an important determinant of membrane binding strength of 5-LO, penetration into the membrane hydrophobic core, and activity of the enzyme. The membrane binding strength and activity of 5-LO increase with the degree of lipid acyl chain cis-unsaturation and reach a plateau with 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonolyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC). A fraction of tryptophans of 5-LO penetrate into the hydrocarbon region of fluid PAPC membranes, but not into solid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine membranes. Our data lead to a novel concept of membrane binding and activation of 5-LO, suggesting that arachidonic-acid-containing lipids, which are present in nuclear membranes at higher fractions than in other cellular membranes, may facilitate preferential membrane binding and insertion of 5-LO through increased membrane fluidity and may thereby modulate the activity of the enzyme. The data presented in this article and earlier data allow construction of a model for membrane-bound 5-LO, including the angular orientation and membrane insertion of the protein.
Before the onset of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, the presence of multiple non-bladder syndromes is strongly associated with a history of multiple surgeries.

Abstract Objective Certain functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome are accompanied by diffuse pain amplification. Women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) have numerous FSSs, as well as other non-bladder syndromes (NBSs) that are linked to the FSSs. They also report multiple surgeries. Since pain is a common indication for surgery, we tested the hypothesis that NBSs were associated with surgeries. Methods We interviewed 312 incident IC/BPS cases and controls on NBSs and number of surgeries before the index date (for cases, IC/BPS onset date). Poisson and logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, race, educational level, and menopause. Results Number of surgeries increased with number of NBSs in both cases and controls whether chronic pelvic pain (CPP), the only NBS generally accepted as an indication for surgery, was present or not. Logistic regression analysis showed that among cases CPP was the only individual NBS associated with a history of multiple surgeries, and then only modestly [odds ratio (OR) 1.9, confidence intervals (CI) 1.06, 3.2]. By far the strongest association was the number of NBSs. The OR for multiple surgeries increased with number of NBSs: for cases with 4–5 NBSs the OR was 14.1 (1.8, 113) and with 6–9 NBSs, 33.1 (3.9, 279). Controls had fewer syndromes and fewer surgeries and this linkage was less prominent. Conclusion Among IC/BPS cases, the number of NBSs was strongly correlated with the number of surgeries. Understanding temporal relationships will be necessary to explore causal linkages and may modify surgical practice.
Depository library service expectations and the superintendent of documents, government printing office

The depository library program is one of cooperation between the United States Government Printing Office and member libraries. The GPO oversees the receipt and printing, bibliographic organization. In a broad sense, the agency ensures that the public has access to these collections and services and that the libraries comply with the expectations stated in documentation.
A novel role for visual perspective cues in the neural computation of depth

Extraretinal signals such as efference copy are generally thought to be critical for discounting visual image motion caused by eye movements. However, theoretical work suggests that eye rotations could be estimated directly from optic flow. Here the authors show that MT neurons use such ‘dynamic perspective’ cues to disambiguate depth.
When Were the Good Old Days? Revisiting Perceptions of Marketing Students’ Prior Preparation

This study determines whether marketing professors’ perceptions of the preparedness of marketing majors have improved during the last decade. In 1985, Budden concluded that marketing professors perceived marketing majors as inadequately prepared to effectively pursue marketing curricula. This study reexamines those perceptions. The same questionnaire was administered to 600 marketing faculty members, and the results are very similar to the earlier study: communication and quantitative skills of marketing majors continue to be regarded as deficient by marketing faculty. Rankings by both groups of respondents of 10 high school subject areas in order of their importance to effectively prepare students for the marketing curriculum were also compared.
Strength-Based RTI: Developing Gifted Potential in Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners.

This article proposes a strength-based response to intervention (RTI) model for developing and identifying gifted potential in English language learners (ELLs). In the recent years, much has been written about RTI; however, the potential of RTI for meeting the needs of gifted ELLs has not yet been explored. This article seeks to address this void by proposing a multi-tiered system of supports designed to meet the unique learning needs of gifted, Spanish-speaking ELLs.
In situ potential for rehabilitation of sites dominated by blackberry (Rubus polyanthemos Lindeb.)

Summary Soil samples were taken along transects cut through thickets of Rubus polyanthemos at three sites, the seeds were extracted by flotation, and the viability of filled seeds of R. polyanthemos determined by staining with tetrazolium chloride. Exotic annual species were the dominant component of the soil flora at two sites formerly undercultivation and a change in seed bank composition, both in number of individuals and numberof species, was evident from the exterior to the interior of the thickets. This was not observed in a relatively undisturbed native community. The apparent absence of suitable replacement species in the seed bank at all three sites means that they must be introduced if the sites are to be rehabilitated after the thickets are removed. Viable seeds of R. polyanthemos were present in relatively low numbers (mean 179 m−2:), so that loss of viability appears to be fairly rapid. Resume Possibilites de recuperation de surfaces envahies pur la ranee (Rubus polyanthemos Lindeb.) Des echantillons de sol ont ete preleves le long d'une coupe dans un roncier dans trois endroits differents; les graines ont ete extraites par flottation et leur viabilite determtnee par colorimetrie avec du chlorure de tetrazolium. Des especes annuelles exotiques representaient la majorite des graines trouvees dans le sol de 2 sites precedemment cultives et une evolution dans le stock de semences (nature et nombre) etait manifeste de l'exterieur vers I'interieur du taillis, Ce caractere n'etait pas observe dans les communautes d'origine. L'absence apparente d'especes susceptibles de fournir un remplacement de valeur dans les 3 sites observes signifie qu'il est obligatoire de lesintroduire dans les endroits que I'on veut recuperer apres 1′elimination des taillis. Le nombre degraines viables de Rubus polyanthemos etait retativement faible (179 par m2), ce qui semble indiquerque la perte de viabilite est rapide. Zusammenfassung Moglichkeit der Wiedernutzbarmachung von Flachen, die mit Rubus polyanthemos (Lindeb.) verseucht sind An drei Standorten mit Dickichten von Rubus polyanthemos wurden Schneisen geschnitten und Bodenproben entnommen. Die darin enthaltenen Samen wurden ausgewaschen und die Lebensfahigkeit der gefullten Samen von R. polyanthemos durch Farben mit Tetrazoliumchlorid bestimmt. An zwei Standorten, die fruher kultiviert waren, dominierten einjahrige Arten. Die am Rand bzw. in der Mitte der Dickichte gezogenen Probenzeigten eine veranderte Zusammensetzung der Samenbank sowohl bezuglich der Gesamtzahl als auch der Arten. In einem relativ ungestorten naturlichen Bestand war dies nicht feststellbar. Da solche Arten, die R. polyanthemos ersetzen konnten in der Samenbank aller drei Standorte fehlten, mussten sie nach der Beseitigung der Dickichte erst eingebracht werden. Die Zahl lebensfahiger Samen von R. polyanthemos war mit durchschnittlich 179 Samen je m2 verhaltnismassig niedrig, so dass angenommen werden muss, dass sie ihre Lebensfahigkeit ziemlich rasch verlieren.
Catalase Mediates Acetaldehyde Formation from Ethanol in Fetal and Neonatal Rat Brain

Fetal ethanol (E) exposure has well documented deleterious effects on brain development, yet it is uncertain if the neurotoxicity of maternal E consumption is generated by E itself, by its primary metabolite acetaldehyde (AcHO), or both. The current studies present evidence that homogenates of immature rat brains can generate AcHO via a catalase (CAT)-mediated reaction and that AcHO may be produced in vivo by this system. Homogenates of day 19 fetal rat brain were incubated with E (50 mM). When incubated with CAT inhibitors (sodium azide or 3-aminotriazole), AcHO formation was blocked, whereas neither the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, 4-methylpyrazole, nor P-450 inhibitors decreased AcHO production. Three hours after one oral dose of E (4 g/kg) to a pregnant dam (gestation day 19), AcHO levels in fetal brain increased to 14.28 +/- 1.82 nM/g tissue. Baseline CAT activity in day 19 fetal brains was 4.5 times adult values (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis determined that CAT protein level in the day 19 fetal brain exceeded that in adult brain by 2.5 times. One hour after a single dose of E, CAT activity in day 19 fetal brain increased by 8.2 units/mg protein. In 5-day-old neonatal brains during the "third trimester" brain growth spurt, baseline CAT activity was twice the adult values (p < 0.05) and a 2-day in vivo E regimen increased AcHO levels to four times the control values, with a concomitant 1.7-fold increase in CAT activity. This was prevented by administration of a CAT inhibitor (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole). Immunohistochemical staining of neonatal brains exposed to E illustrated the presence of acetaldehyde-protein adducts. We conclude that AcHO is likely produced in rat fetal and neonatal brain via CAT-mediated oxidation of E. This phenomenon may be an important factor in the neurotoxic effects of in utero E exposure.
Diagnosing Present and Future Permafrost from Climate Models

AbstractPermafrost is a characteristic aspect of the terrestrial Arctic and the fate of near-surface permafrost over the next century is likely to exert strong controls on Arctic hydrology and biogeochemistry. Using output from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), the authors assess its ability to simulate present-day and future permafrost. Permafrost extent diagnosed directly from each climate model's soil temperature is a function of the modeled surface climate as well as the ability of the land surface model to represent permafrost physics. For each CMIP5 model these two effects are separated by using indirect estimators of permafrost driven by climatic indices and compared to permafrost extent directly diagnosed via soil temperatures. Several robust conclusions can be drawn from this analysis. Significant air temperature and snow depth biases exist in some model's climates, which degrade both directly and indirectly diagnosed permafrost conditions. The range of directl...
Management of Malignant Fungating Wounds in Advanced Cancer

Objective To review the pathophysiology and assessment of malignant wounds and management techniques aimed at controlling pain, odor, exudate, and local bleeding. Data Sources Current research and published literature. Conclusion Assessment of malignant wounds, selection of appropriate dressings, related symptom management, and patient and family support are vital aspects of cutaneous wound management in advanced cancer. Implications for Nursing Practice A thorough understanding of the care of malignant wounds will assist oncology nurses achieving palliative goals of care including optimal symptom management, odor and drainage control, and emotional support.
Speculation on the Meaning of Cerebral Metabolic Hypofrontality in Schizophrenia

Cerebral metabolic hypofrontality in schizophrenia is a controversial research finding. In this article we discuss some of the issues that fuel this controversy, and we speculate on the neural mechanisms that may be responsible for the finding. Most regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) studies using radioactive xenon have found hypofrontality; the results of positron emission tomography (PET) studies have been less consistent. Several technical factors are discussed that might contribute to the inconsistencies, including airway artifacts with xenon, limitations of tomography in studying the cortex, and approaches to data analysis. The possibility that hypofrontality is a result of medication is also critically examined. The medication factor is still unclear, but most studies of patients before and after neuroleptic medication find that cerebral metabolism goes up, not down, after treatment. The role of patient behavior and experience during an rCBF or PET procedure is an important variable that has not been adequately controlled in most studies. We suggest that this has been the most important variable in interpreting cerebral metabolic data in schizophrenia. Studies of patients examined during a behavior that normally activates prefrontal cortex have consistently found hypofrontality. One theoretical mechanism that could account for hypofrontality as well as many clinical and research findings in schizophrenia is dysfunction of dopaminergic neural transmission at the level of the prefrontal cortex.
Cost and Utility Analysis of a Store-and-Forward Teledermatology Referral System: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance The costs and utility of teledermatology are important features of implementation. Such an analysis requires a description of the perspective of the entity that will bear the cost. Objective To assess the costs and utility of a store-and-forward teledermatology referral process compared with a conventional referral process from the perspectives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and society. Design, Setting, and Participants Three hundred ninety-one randomized participants were referred from remote sites of primary care to the dermatology services of 2 VA medical facilities for ambulatory skin conditions from December 2008 through June 2010, and follow-up was completed in March 2011. The time trade-off utility measures and costs were collected during a 9-month period among participants in a 2-site parallel group randomized clinical trial. The perspectives of the VA and society were evaluated. The multiple imputation procedure or weighted means were used for missing data elements. Data were analyzed from January to July 2014. Interventions Referrals were managed using store-and-forward teledermatology or a conventional text-based referral process. Main Outcomes and Measures Total costs from the perspectives of the VA and society incurred during the 9-month follow-up were used to derive per-participant costs. Utility, using the time trade-off method, was the measure of effectiveness. Results From the VA perspective, the total cost for conventional referrals was $66 145 (minimum, $58 697; maximum, $71 635), or $338 (SD, $291) per participant (196 participants); the total cost for teledermatology referrals was $59 917 (mimimum, $51 794; maximum, $70 398), or $308 (SD, $298) per participant (195 participants). The $30 difference in per-participant cost was not statistically significant (95% CI, −$79 to $20). From the societal perspective, the total cost for conventional referrals was $106 194 (minimum, $98 746; maximum, $111 684), or $542 (SD, $403) per participant (196 participants); the total cost for teledermatology referrals was $89 523 (minimum, $81 400; maximum, $100 400) or $460 (SD, $428) per participant. This $82 difference in per-participant cost was statistically significant (95% CI, −$12 to −$152). From baseline to the 9-month follow-up, the time trade-off utility value improved by 0.02 in the conventional referral group and 0.03 in the teledermatology group. This difference was not statistically significant ( P = .50). Conclusions and Relevance Compared with conventional referrals, store-and-forward teledermatology referrals were performed at a comparable cost (VA perspective) or at a lower cost (societal perspective) with no evidence of a difference in utility as measured by the time trade-off method. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00488293
Precision Alignment Using a System of Large Rectangular Fresnel Lenses

A system of large rectangular Fresnel lenses has been used in the laser alignment system for the SLAC two-mile accelerator. The alignment system consists of a He–Ne laser light source, a photoelectric detector, and the lenses, one of which is located at each of 297 points which are to be aligned. Each lens has the proper focal length to focus the laser to a point image at the detector. When the alignment at a certain point is to be checked, the image from that lens is scanned by the detector. The image is found to be displaced from its normal position by an amount equal to the product of the position error and the magnification of the lens. The alignment sensitivity is ±0.0025 mm. The targets are enclosed in a 60-cm diam evacuated light pipe to avoid atmospheric disturbances.
Measuring the Accuracy of Information Retrieval Based Bug Localization Techniques

Bug localization involves using information about a bug to locate affected code sections. Several automated bug localization techniques based on information retrieval (IR) models have been constructed recently. The "gold standard" of measuring an IR technique's accuracy considers the technique's ability to locate a "first relevant method." However, the question remains -- does finding this single method enable the location of a complete set of affected methods? Previous arguments assume this to be true, however, few analyses of this assumption have been performed. In this paper, we perform a case study to test the reliability of this "gold standard" assumption. To further measure IR accuracy in the context of bug localization, we analyze the relevance of the IR model's "first method returned." We use various structural analysis techniques to extend relevant methods located by IR techniques and determine accuracy and reliability of these assumptions.
Reevaluating electric power system harmonic distortion limits for shipboard systems

The advent of high power, high voltage semiconductor technology is transforming the naval electric power shipboard design. Navy ships will feature an integrated electric power system and all-electric drives in order to accomplish goals like improved maneuverability, advance high electric power weapon capability, reduced manpower and maintenance, higher flexibility, and improved fight-through capabilities. The future electric naval ships will demand a much higher power and energy density than commercial ships. Therefore, traditional electric system design criteria are unlikely to be fully applicable for the design and operation of NAVY all-electric ships with adequate power quality and reliability. This paper investigates key design electrical interface criteria subject to possible alterations and proposes a novel approach to harmonic limits in standards. It concludes, that such the proposed flexible limits will better meet all the complex system requirements associated with future of all-electric navy ships.
Women experience lower postprandial oxidative stress compared to men.

Background Women have enhanced triglyceride (TAG) removal from the circulation following consumption of high-fat loads, potentially leading to decreased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generation. This may have implications related to long-term health outcomes. We examined the oxidative stress response to high-fat feeding between men and women to determine if women are less prone to postprandial oxidative stress as compared to men.
Matrix Metalloproteinases: Regulation and Dysregulation in the Failing Heart

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes responsible for myocardial extracellular protein degradation. Several MMP species identified within the human myocardium may be dysregulated in congestive heart failure (CHF). For example, MMPs that are expressed at very low levels in normal myocardium, such as collagenase-3 (MMP-13) and the membrane-type-1 MMPs, are substantially upregulated in CHF. However, MMP species are not uniformly increased in patients with end-stage CHF, suggesting that a specific portfolio of MMPs are expressed in the failing myocardium. With the use of animal models of CHF, a mechanistic relationship has been demonstrated with respect to myocardial MMP expression and the left ventricular (LV) remodeling process. The tissue inhibitors of the MMPs (TIMPs) are locally synthesized proteins that bind to active MMPs and thereby regulate net proteolytic activity. However, there does not appear to be a concomitant increase in myocardial TIMPs during the LV remodeling process and progression to CHF. This disparity between MMP and TIMP levels favors a persistent MMP activation state within the myocardium and likely contributes to the LV remodeling process in the setting of developing CHF. The elucidation of upstream signaling mechanisms that contribute to the selective induction of MMP species within the myocardium as well as strategies to normalize the balance between MMPs and TIMPs may yield some therapeutic strategies by which to control myocardial extracellular remodeling and thereby slow the progression of the CHF process.
Nonlinear Programming Methods with Linear Least Squares Subproblems

This paper presents the results of an extensive comparative study of nonlinear optimization algorithms, cf. [8]. This study indicates that quadratic approximation methods,which are characterized by solving a sequence of quadratic subproblems recursively, belong to the most efficient and reliable nonlinear programming algorithms available at present. The purpose of the paper is to investigate their numerical performance in more detail. In particular, the dependence of the overall performance on alternative quadratic subproblem strategies is tested. The paper indicates how the efficiency of quadratic approximate methods can be improved.
Involvement of NH2 terminus of PKC-δ in binding to F-actin during activation of Calu-3 airway epithelial NKCC1

Direct binding of nonmuscle F-actin and the C2-like domain of PKC-δ (δC2-like domain) is involved in hormone-mediated activation of epithelial Na-K-2Cl cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) in a Calu-3 a...
Robust Color Image Enhancement of Digitized Books

We present a spatially variant framework for correcting uneven illumination and color cast, problems commonly associated with digitized books. The core of our method is a color image segmentation algorithm based on watershed transform and noise thresholding. We propose a threshold estimation method using the histogram of the gradient magnitude. The critical parameters of the segmentation are further constrained by statistical analysis of multiple book pages conducted in a bootstrap pass. We demonstrate the consistent performance of the proposed method on books with wide-ranging content and image quality.
Gender Differences in Impulsivity

Criminological theories have often stressed the importance of impulsivity in the etiology of delinquency. Whether this construct is termed impulsivity, self-control, or low constraint/ negative emotionality, the theoretical importance of impulsivity is clear. What is also clear is that boys and girls differ significantly on impulsivity; however, research is ambiguous on why this occurs. Some researchers suggest that socialization and parenting create different levels of impulsivity, whereas others suggest that cognitive and/or motor deficits early in life may be the source. Using longitudinal National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79)–Child data and variables derived from past research on impulsivity, the authors investigate whether biological, structural, and familial predictors of impulsivity differ by gender. Through multiple group path analysis, the authors find that the relationships between discipline and impulsivity and attachment and impulsivity differ significantly by gender. The authors disc...
Dense heterogeneous integration for InP Bi-CMOS technology

InP Bi-CMOS technology capable of wafer-scale device-level heterogeneous integration (HI) of InP HBTs and CMOS has been developed. With this technology, full simultaneous utilization of III–V device speed and CMOS circuit complexity is possible. Simple ICs and test structures have been fabricated, showing no significant CMOS or HBT degradation and high heterogeneous interconnect yield. The heterogeneously integrated differential amplifiers with record performance and HBTs with f T =400GHz were obtained. Thermal vias to the Si substrate provide sufficient heat path to lower HI HBT thermal resistances close to on-InP values. Resulting circuits maintain maximum CMOS integration density and HBT performance, while keeping the heterogeneous interconnect length below 5µm.
Crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis: `working the night shift'

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) can be traced from Roman times through persons who noted a morning acid taste of some common house plants. From India in 1815, Benjamin-Heyne described a ‘daily acid taste cycle’ with some succulent garden plants. Recent work has shown that the nocturnally formed acid is decarboxylated during the day to become the CO2 for photosynthesis. Thus, CAM photosynthesis extends over a 24-hour day using several daily interlocking cycles. To understand CAM photosynthesis, several landmark discoveries were made at the following times: daily reciprocal acid and carbohydrate cycles were found during 1870 to 1887; their precise identification, as malic acid and starch, and accurate quantification occurred from 1940 to 1954; diffusive gas resistance methods were introduced in the early 1960s that led to understanding the powerful stomatal control of daily gas exchanges; C4 photosynthesis in two different types of cells was discovered from 1965 to ∼1974 and the resultant information was used to elucidate the day and night portions of CAM photosynthesis in one cell; and exceptionally high internal green tissue CO2 levels, 0.2 to 2.5%, upon the daytime decarboxylation of malic acid, were discovered in 1979. These discoveries then were combined with related information from C3 and C4 photosynthesis, carbon biochemistry, cellular anatomy, and ecological physiology. Therefore by ∼1980, CAM photosynthesis finally was rigorously outlined. In a nutshell, 24-hour CAM occurs by phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) carboxylase fixing CO2(HCO3 −) over the night to form malic acid that is stored in plant cell vacuoles. While stomata are tightly closed the following day, malic acid is decarboxylated releasing CO2 for C3 photosynthesis via ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco). The CO2 acceptor, PEP, is formed via glycolysis at night from starch or other stored carbohydrates and after decarboxylation the three carbons are restored each day. In mid to late afternoon the stomata can open and mostly C3 photosynthesis occurs until darkness. CAM photosynthesis can be both inducible and constitutive and is known in 33 families with an estimated 15 to 20 000 species. CAM plants express the most plastic and tenacious photosynthesis known in that they can switch photosynthesis pathways and they can live and conduct photosynthesis for years even in the virtual absence of external H2O and CO2, i.e., CAM tenaciously protects its photosynthesis from both H2O and CO2 stresses.
Cued recall in anterograde amnesia.

Abstract After a single presentation of a word list, normal subjects exhibited better retention when prompted with semantic cues than with rhyme or letter cues. Alcoholic Korsakoff patients, patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and the patient N.A. exhibited impaired retention and, unlike control subjects, did not exhibit an advantage of semantic cues over letter and rhyme cues. Two experimental manipulations designed to equate the level of performance of amnesics and controls indicated that these amnesias could be understood as a reflection of weak memory strength that results from deficiencies in initial learning and retention. In addition, alcoholic Korsakoff patients appeared to have greater difficulty utilizing semantic cues than patients receiving ECT or patient N.A.
SINGLE BOOK REVIEWS

Fear of Small Numbers: An Essay on the Geography of Anger. Arjun Appadurai. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2006. 153 pp.
Whose Bay Street? Competing Narratives of Nassau's City Center in the 20th Century

Abstract: Bay Street has always been at the centre of commercial, cultural and political life in the Bahama Islands. It also acts as a gateway for millions of tourists who come to Nassau, the Bahamian capital, via cruise ships every year. Not surprisingly, Bahamians and non-Bahamians have widely divergent impressions of Bay Street. The need to accommodate the tourists who are critical to the Bahamian economy has meant that Bay Street, despite its deep social significance for Bahamians, has increasingly become a tourist space. With reference to the ‘sense of place’ and place attachment literature, this paper traces the transformation of Bay Street and attempts to tease out the most obvious tensions between the Bay Street that Bahamians experience and Bay Street as a port of call.
Comparison Queries for Uncertain Graphs

Extending graph models to incorporate uncertainty is important for many applications, including disease transmission networks, where edges may have a disease transmission probability associated with them, and social networks, where nodes may have an existence probability associated with them. Analysts need tools that support analysis and comparison of these uncertain graphs. To this end, we have developed a prototype SQL-like graph query language with emphasis on operators for uncertain graph comparison. In order to facilitate adding new operators and to enable developers to use existing operators as building blocks for more complex ones, we have implemented a query engine with an extensible system architecture. The utility of our query language and operators in analyzing uncertain graph data is illustrated using two real world data sets: a dolphin observation network and a citation network. Our approach serves as an example for developing simple query languages that enables users to write their own ad-hoc uncertain graph comparison queries without extensive programming knowledge.
Nuclear Energy Levels in C 13 , N 13 , N 14 , N 15 , O 15 , and F 18 from He 3 Induced Reactions

The Rice Institute 5.5-Mev Van de Graaff accelerator and a magnetic spectrograph have been used to study reaction products produced by ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ bombardment of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$, ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$, and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$. $Q$ values of 9.5, 9.3, 6.31, 5.68, 5.63, 5.49, 4.31, 3.67, and 3.29 Mev were observed for the ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, p){\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ reaction, corresponding to excitations of from 3.7 to 9.90 Mev in ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$. The energy levels at 7.69 and 8.87 Mev in ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$, for which the $Q$ values were 5.49 and 4.31 Mev, were determined to have widths of approximately 75 and 175 kev, respectively. For the ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, p){\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ reaction the observed $Q$ values were 5.38, 4.33, 3.50, 3.36, 3.09, 2.35, 2.09, 1.61 and 1.50 Mev. The ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, p){\mathrm{F}}^{18}$ reaction revealed the existence of twelve states below 3.9 Mev of excitation in ${\mathrm{F}}^{18}$. These states occur at 0.943, 1.047, 1.089, 1.128, 1.708, 2.102, 2.521, 3.058, 3.130, 3.355, 3.724, and 3.843 Mev of excitation. The ground-state $Q$ values of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, d){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ reactions were determined to be 4.91 and 1.80 Mev, respectively, and the first excited state of ${\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ was observed at 5.17 Mev by means of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, p){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ reaction.
Marx: A Guide for the Perplexed. By John Seed

Marx: A Guide for the Perplexed. By John Seed (London: Continuum, 2010), viii + 191 pp. $19.95 paper. Continuum's A Guide for the Perplexed series comprises dozens of titles of introductory texts o...