cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silsesquioxane Barrier Materials

Cubic octameric silsesquioxanes, because of their octahedral structures and nanometer size, represent potentially very useful nanoconstruction sites. Here we report the reaction of octaaminophenylsilsesquioxane (OAPS) with a variety of epoxides and dianhydrides and their subsequent heat treatment to form nanocomposite films with exceptional oxygen barrier properties. While solution-cast films give relatively low oxygen transmission rates (OTR), casting followed by warm-pressing lowers the OTR to values competitive with commercially available high-performance barrier films. The lowest OTR measured was obtained with a warm-pressed bilayer films consisting of OAPS/tetraglycidyl-m-xylenediamine and OAPS/2,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate with OTRs 500 °C when fully cured), making them ideal for electronics packaging and encapsulation applications.
Disavowing Social Identities: What it Means When Women Say, “I'm not a Feminist, But …”:

Many women, even as they embrace feminist principles, are loath to be labeled feminists. This study presents a measure of feminist identity that accounts for beliefs and behaviors of self-identified feminists and nonfeminists, and for a third group, egalitarians, who endorse liberal feminist beliefs but reject the feminist label. In a sample of 272 college-educated women, a MANOVA showed egalitarians had levels of feminist consciousness between nonfeminists and feminists. Egalitarians did not differ from nonfeminists on favorable conditions for feminist identity or on feminist activism, but both groups scored lower on these measures than feminists. In a hierarchical multiple regression, feminist identity was a significant predictor of feminist activism, above and beyond favorable conditions and barriers. The importance of self-labeling for invisible and stigmatized social identities is discussed.
Baseline plasma adiponectin levels as a predictor of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients referred for coronary angiography.

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between plasma adiponectin and left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Baseline plasma adiponectin was measured in 389 patients undergoing coronary angiography for a variety of indications at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Detailed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data were available for patients. LV systolic function was assessed using ventriculography, and patients were grouped into those with normal or mild dysfunction (ejection fraction ≥45%) versus those with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction
Capacity level modeling of mobile device bandwidth requirements employing high utilization mobile applications

Abstract Mobile network providers face an ever-increasing number of mobile devices requesting similarly increasing amounts of data. In this article, we present a two-step approach to modeling and simulating the amounts of data produced by mobile devices based on applications that are highly utilized on the network. In the first step, we separate the applications on a mobile device into highly utilized and background ones for the overall population to be modeled. With the identified overall application groups, we employ a four-state Hidden Markov Model to capture the characteristics of the high utilization applications as aggregates per device; the characteristics of the background applications are matched to four states, dependent on the high utilization aggregates’ states. Utilizing the Exponential distribution for both, we closely match their original user-based characteristics. The suitability of our model is lastly corroborated through simulation-based comparisons of estimations for the bandwidth requirements of the individual users; or our model’s estimates are typically within ten percent of the original values.
An experimental investigation of incomplete combustion of gaseous fuels of a heavy-duty diesel engine supplemented with hydrogen and natural gas

This paper investigates the emissions of the unburned gaseous fuels of a heavy-duty diesel engine converted to operate under natural gas (NG)-diesel and hydrogen (H2)-diesel dual fuel combustion mode. The detailed effects of the addition of H2, NG, engine load, and engine speed on the exhaust emissions of the unburned H2, methane (CH4), and carbon monoxide (CO) were experimentally investigated. The combustion efficiencies of CH4 and H2 supplemented were also examined and compared. The emissions of the unburned gaseous fuels and their combustion efficiency were affected by the engine load, the amount of gaseous fuel added, and the engine speed. Among these, the engine load was recognized as the main factor dominating the emissions and combustion efficiency of the gaseous fuels especially when added at a small amount. The maximum emissions of H2 or CH4 were observed when the volumetric concentration of H2 or NG in the intake mixture reached 4% or 3%, respectively. Increasing the addition of H2 or NG over 4% or 3% started to dramatically improve the combustion efficiency of gaseous fuels with the maximum combustion efficiency of H2 and CH4 observed with the maximum addition of gaseous fuels. Although having significantly different combustion characteristics, the combustion efficiencies of H2 and CH4 of H2-diesel and NG-diesel dual fuel engines were comparable especially at high load operation. When added at a small amount, the combustion efficiency of CH4 was comparable but always slightly lower than that of H2. This was due to the increased CO emissions of the NG-diesel dual fuel engine. The CO emissions originating from diesel fuel also contributed to this difference.
Mine detection via generalized Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney classification

This paper presents a nonparametric classification procedure based on a generalization of classical rank-based statistics and a preliminary investigation of the method's applicability to mine detection. The classifier is particularly relevant to high-dimensional applications and can improve performance characteristics such as discriminatory power. The common practice of considering ranked interpoint distances is generalized to point-to-subset distances and a recurrence for the exact distribution of this generalized Wilcoxon-Mann- Whitney (GWMW) test statistic is available. From a classification standpoint, GWMW represents a class of generalized weighted (k,l)-nearest neighbor rules. The GWMW classifier is applied to multispectral minefield data collected under the The Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) Program. A truthed detection map obtained from the multispectral image set and provided by NSWC Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Florida, contains both true mines and false positives. The GWMW classifier is compared to classical classification methods on this data via cross- validation. The preliminary experimental results indicate that GWMW yields a significant improvement in discriminatory power for this important practical application.
Complexation of single- and double-chain surfactants by cyclomalto-oligosaccharides

Complexation de cycloheptaamylose et de cyclohexaamylose avec differents agents de surface (ethyl-1 palmityl-1' bipyridylium-1,1'; dipalmitylphosphate; dimethyl distearyl ammonium). Etude par spectrometrie RMN
[Comment on “Should Memphis build for California's earthquakes?”] from S.E. Hough

The recent article by Seth Stein, Joseph Tomasello, and Andrew Newman raised thought-provoking questions about one of the most vexing open issues in hazard assessment in the United States: the hazard posed by ostensibly infrequent, large, mid-continental earthquakes. Many of the technical issues raised by this article are addressed by A. D. Frankel in the accompanying comment. I concur with this, and will only address and/or elaborate on a few additional issues here: (1) Detailed paleoseismic investigations have shown that the New Madrid region experienced sequences of large earthquakes around 900 and 1450 A.D.in addition to the historic events in 1811–1812. With a repeat time on the order of 400–500 years, these cannot be considered infrequent events. Paleoseismic investigations also reveal evidence that the prehistoric “events” were also sequences of two to three large earthquakes with a similar overall distribution of liquefaction in the greater New Madrid region as produced by the 1811–1812 sequence [Tuttle et al., 2002]. And if, as evidence suggests, the zone produces characteristic earthquakes, one will not see a commensurate rate of moderate events, as would be the case if seismicity followed the Gutenburg-Richter distribution.
The Effect of Nozzle Trailing Edge Thickness on Jet Noise

The effect of nozzle trailing edge thickness on broadband acoustic radiation and the production of tones is investigated for coannular nozzles. Experiments were performed for a core nozzle trailing edge thickness between 0.38 mm and 3.17 mm. The on-set of discrete tones was found to be predominantly affected by the velocity ratio, the ratio of the fan velocity to the core velocity, although some dependency on trailing edge thickness was also noted. For a core nozzle trailing edge thickness greater than or equal to 0.89 mm, tones were produced for velocity ratios between 0.91 and 1.61. For a constant nozzle trailing edge thickness, the frequency varied almost linearly with the core velocity. The Strouhal number based on the core velocity changed with nozzle trailing edge thickness and varied between 0.16 and 0.2 for the core nozzles used in the experiments. Increases in broadband noise with increasing trailing edge thickness were observed for tone producing and non-tone producing conditions. A variable thickness trailing edge (crenellated) nozzle resulted in no tonal production and a reduction of the broadband trailing edge noise relative to that of the corresponding constant thickness trailing edge.
Rationality to Ritual: The Multiple Roles of Evaluation in Governmental Processes

The disillusion with social science evaluation can be partly attributed to an overly narrow view of the function of evaluation. In the accepted model, evaluation functions to provide information needed by rational decision-makers for discrete decisions. But evaluations often cannot perform this function. However, evaluation often does serve other functions. In one such function, it acts as a means for managing conflict and promoting social change. It often also stimulates program staff to critically examine their assumptions and behavior. Consideration of these additional functions leads to suggestions for changes in recruitment of evaluators and in the definition of the evaluators' role. Finally, one can view evaluation as a societal ritual whose function is to calm the citizenry and to perpetuate an image of government rationality.
Nitric Oxide Improves Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Atheroma using Targeted Echogenic Immunoliposomes

Abstract Objective This study aimed to demonstrate whether pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) loaded into echogenic immunoliposomes (ELIP) plus ultrasound, applied before injection of molecularly targeted ELIP can promote penetration of the targeted contrast agent and improve visualization of atheroma components. Methods ELIP were prepared using the pressurization-freeze method. Atherosclerosis was induced in Yucatan miniswine by balloon denudation and a hyperlipidemic diet. The animals were randomized to receive anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) ELIP or immunoglobulin (IgG)-ELIP, and were subdivided to receive pretreatment with standard ELIP plus ultrasound, NO-loaded ELIP, or NO-loaded ELIP plus ultrasound. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data were collected before and after treatment. Results Pretreatment with standard ELIP plus ultrasound or NO-loaded ELIP without ultrasound resulted in 9.2 ± 0.7% and 9.2 ± 0.8% increase in mean gray scale values, respectively, compared to baseline ( p further increase in highlighting with a change in mean gray scale value to 14.7 ± 1.0% compared to baseline ( p p p Conclusion NO-loaded ELIP plus ultrasound activation can facilitate anti-ICAM-1 conjugated ELIP delivery to inflammatory components in the arterial wall. This NO pretreatment strategy has potential to improve targeted molecular imaging of atheroma for eventual true tailored and personalized management of cardiovascular diseases.
Stirred culture of peripheral and cord blood hematopoietic cells offers advantages over traditional static systems for clinically relevant applications

The ability to culture hematopoietic cells in readily characterizable and scalable stirred systems, combined with the capability to utilize serum-free medium, will aid the development of clinically attractive bioreactor systems for transplantation therapies. We thus examined the proliferation and differentiation characteristics of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC), cord blood (CB) MNC, and PB CD34(+) cells in spinner flasks and (control) T-flask cultures in both serum-containing and serum-free media. Hematopoietic cultures initiated from all sources examined (PB MNC, CB MNC, and PB CD34(+) cells) grew well in spinner vessels with either serum-containing or serum-free medium. Culture proliferation in spinner flasks was dependent on both agitator design and RPM as well as on the establishment of critical inoculum densities (ID) in both serum-containing (2 x 10(5) MNC/mL) and serum-free (3 x 10(5) MNC/mL) media. Spinner flask culture of PB MNC in serum-containing medium provided superior expansion of total cells and colony-forming cells (CFC) at high ID (1.2 x 10(6) cells/mL) as compared to T-flask controls. Serum-free spinner culture was comparable, if not superior, to that observed in serum-containing medium. This is the first report of stirred culture of PB or CB MNC, as well as the first report of stirred CD34(+) cell culture. Additionally, this is the first account of serum-free stirred culture of hematopoietic cells from any source.
Distinction between malignant and normal breast tissue based on endogenous mediators of estradiol binding.

Abstract A component of human breast tumors, isolated by chromatographing the cytosol on hydroxylapatite, increased specific estradiol binding by the cytosolic proteins ( 23 24 ) while a similarly isolated component of normal sections of the cancerous breasts inhibited sharply the binding ( 17 17 ). Using the same procedures, a component isolated from rat uteri excised at proestrus acted like the one from human breast tumors and a component isolated from uteri at the other phases of the cycle acted like the one from normal breast tissue. The described hormone binding differences are revealed in incubations at 37°C with divalent copper present in the incubation mixture.
Effects of Cotyledon Excision on the Flowering of Five Varieties of Pisum sativum

10. OHMAN, J. H., R. G. LAMBERT, AND T. KOMMEDAHL. 1960. Effect of quackgrass and quackgrass residues on minerals available to alfalfa. Proc. N. Central Weed Control Conf. 17: 106. 11. SMITH, D., H. J. LoWE, A. M. STROMMEN, AND G. N. BROOKS. 1954. Establishment of legumes as influenced by the rate of sowing the oat companion crop. Agron. J. 46: 449-51. 12. STARKEY, R. L. 1958. Interrelations between microorganisms and plant roots in the rhizosphere. Bacteriol. Rev. 22: 154-72. 13. WALKER, T. W., A. F. R. ADAMS, AND H. D. ORCHISTON. 1956. Fate of labeled nitrate and ammonium nitrogen when applied to grass and clover grown separately and together. Soil Sci. 81: 33951. 14. WOODs, F. W. 1960. Biological antagonisms due to phytotoxic root exudates. Botan. Rev. 26: 546-69. 15. WOODS, J. E., A. L. HAFENRICHTER, J. L. SCHWENDIMAN, AND A. G. LAW. 1953. The effect of grasses on yield of forage and production of roots by alfalfagrass mixtures with special reference to soil conservations. Agron. J. 45: 590-95.
Enteral nutrients alter enterocyte function within an in vitro model similar to an acute in vivo rat model during hypoxia

BACKGROUND: Early enteral nutrition in patients following traumatic injury is an important intervention. However, after shock-resuscitation, intestinal hypoperfusion persists despite adequate systemic resuscitation. Our previous in vivo rat studies indicate that hypoperfusion impairs mucosal function in the small intestine. Therefore, the current study sought to improve previous in vitro models by the following means: (1) We used Caco-2 monolayers stably transfected with the brush-border sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT-1); and (2) we created an environment that mimicked the physiologic enterocyte environment. We hypothesized that hypoxic alterations of epithelial function in an in vitro model are comparable to those of an in vivo rat model. METHODS: After 21 days, monolayers were randomized to receive 24 hours of incubation in a normoxic or hypoxic environment. Cells were further randomized to receive 1 of 4 nutrient treatments: mannitol (an osmotic control), glucose (uses SGLT-1 and is metabolized), ...
Ganesh Temple at Tasgaon: Apotheosis of Maratha Temple Architecture

Maratha temples, built between the mid-seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries in Maharashtra (Western India), were influenced by the preceding traditions of Hindu temple architecture of the Yadavas and the religious and secular buildings of Deccani Sultanates and Mughals. The Ganesh temple complex at Tasgaon in southwest Maharashtra is representative of the high point that the Maratha temple tradition had attained in the late-eighteenth century. The temple was constructed in a period that coincides with Maratha political ascendancy and economic prosperity, and its form and composition represents the fullest development of the Maratha architectural style. The roof spires over the temple's five shrine sanctuary and the gopura tower over the entrance gateway represent an interplay of preceding architectural traditions, economic prosperity, eclectic architectural influences, and the lifestyle aspirations of the patron. The temple brings to attention the hybrid sophistications of a lesser-known, understudi...
The integration of molecular dynamics simulations with imposed temperature and stress

Abstract Nonlinear molecular dynamics equations for the simulation of crystals under the conditions of imposed temperature and tensorial pressure are summarized. The physical effects included in these equations, but absent from previous linear and nonlinear theories, is the elastic response of the material being modeled. The physical effect is expressed through satisfaction of the nonlinear tensorial virial theorem. We transform these equations in Hamiltonian form to an equivalent set of Lagrangian equations, and present an algorithm for their numerical integration. The method uses a combination of Verlet and leap-frog algorithms to integrate the atomic positions and velocities as scaled by dynamical lattice vectors of the crystal, the elements of deformation gradient and its velocity, and the Nose-Hoover time scale and generalized friction. A consistent error analysis is performed for the combined integration of each degree of freedom. A symmetrization procedure to eliminate rigid rotations of the crystal is introduced. Molecular dynamics simulations of a Martensitic tranformation are presented that demonstrate the validity of the nonlinear tensorial virial theorem throughout the transformation; complementary Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations verify that the correct distribution is sampled.
Racial differences in Norplant use in the United States

The introduction of the contraceptive implant Norplant has focused attention on how social factors may affect contraceptive use. In the United States, race is a central category of social organization which may impact Norplant use. I use data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth to answer three main questions. (1) Are women of color more likely to use Norplant? (2) To what extent can racial differences in Norplant use be explained by a structural bias in the provision of medical care? (3) To what extent can racial differences in Norplant use be explained by life circumstances which may affect individual women's contraceptive decisions? I find that African American and Native American women are more likely than white or Asian American women to be recent Norplant users. There are no differences in recent use by Hispanic origin. Both a structural bias in the provision of care and differences in life circumstances account for the disparity in Norplant use between African Americans and whites. However, none of the factors examined here explain Native American women's high rate of use. Concerns about health risks for Norplant use are also discussed. These findings point out the importance of examining structural, individual and health status factors in studies of the use of health services.
Luteinizing hormone —Releasing hormone (LH-RH) pathway of the rat hypothalamus revealed by the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method

Utilizing the unlabeled antibody enzyme method, we report the distribution of hypothalamic elements immunoreactive with antibodies to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in the rat. Immunostained elements, resembling neural processes, were distributed along a pathway corresponding to the tuberoinfundibular tract which appeared to terminate near vascular elements in the external layer of the preand post-infundibular median eminence. No cell bodies stained specifically for LH-RH. Similar topographic arrangements were noted (in coronal and sagittal sections) in diestrous females, ovariectomized females and a hypophysectomized male. The same results were obtained with three different preparations of antisera to LH-RH. Our studies agree with those of other investigators using immunohistochemical techniques as well as with localization studies of LH-RH in the hypothalamus using bioassay and radioimmunoassay. Our results suggest that the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique will have unique value for identifying and tracing fiber systems related to specific functions within the hypothalamus.
Biomechanical Aspects of the Muscle-Bone Interaction

There is growing interest in the interaction between skeletal muscle and bone, particularly at the genetic and molecular levels. However, the genetic and molecular linkages between muscle and bone are achieved only within the context of the essential mechanical coupling of the tissues. This biomechanical and physiological linkage is readily evident as muscles attach to bone and induce exposure to varied mechanical stimuli via functional activity. The responsiveness of bone cells to mechanical stimuli, or their absence, is well established. However, questions remain regarding how muscle forces applied to bone serve to modulate bone homeostasis and adaptation. Similarly, the contributions of varied, but unique, stimuli generated by muscle to bone (such as low-magnitude, high-frequency stimuli) remains to be established. The current article focuses upon the mechanical relationship between muscle and bone. In doing so, we explore the stimuli that muscle imparts upon bone, models that enable investigation of this relationship, and recent data generated by these models.
Jesus the Revelation of God in the Fourth Gospel

Is God experienced by people only in the uplifting moments of life, in mysticism and in an ecstasy of prayer, or also in the very depths of human pain? How can the image of God as Father help a generation so conscious of gender? The author of the Fourth Gospel responds to both questions. God is present and revealed in the very crucifixion of Jesus. God is also the loving parent, the Father of the Lord Jesus, and the image has value even for this gender-conscious generation.
Detection and classification of buried dielectric anomalies by means of the bispectrum method and neural networks

The development of a neural network-based system for detection and classification of buried landmines is the main focus of this paper. Shape-dependent features are extracted by means of the bispectrum method. These features are then applied to the neural network. A multilayer back-propagation-type neural network is trained and tested on the feature sets extracted from equally spaced radial slices of image windows. Simulation results obtained for two types of targets indicated good detection and classification rates. >
Research of Self-Learning of Plate Deformation Resistance Based on Genetic Algorithm

The model parameters value of deformation resistance determines the prediction accuracy of rolling force model during the plate rolling. According to the influencing factors analysis of rolling force calculation error, the genetic algorithm was introduced into the self-learning method of deformation resistance, and searches the optimal value of deformation resistance on the basic of space exploration and optimization ability of genetic algorithm. The decision variable selection, the coding and decoding, the fitness evaluation and the terminal conditions process were implemented during development process of self-learning system. The results show that the optimization speed and accuracy can meet production requirement.
Tighter Relaxations for MAP-MRF Inference: A Local Primal-Dual Gap based Separation Algorithm

We propose an efficient and adaptive method for MAP-MRF inference that provides increasingly tighter upper and lower bounds on the optimal objective. Similar to Sontag et al. (2008b), our method starts by solving the first-order LOCAL(G) linear programming relaxation. This is followed by an adaptive tightening of the relaxation where we incrementally add higher-order interactions to enforce proper marginalization over groups of variables. Computing the best interaction to add is an NP-hard problem. We show good solutions to this problem can be readily obtained from “local primal-dual gaps” given the current primal solution and a dual reparameterization vector. This is not only extremely efficient, but in contrast to previous approaches, also allows us to search over prohibitively large sets of candidate interactions to add. We demonstrate the superiority of our approach on MAP-MRF inference problems encountered in computer vision.
The Influence of Phosphoric Acid Etching on Retention of Acrylic Resin to Bovine Enamel

A study was made to determine whether bonding of a direct filling resin to bovine enamel surfaces was increased by pretreating the surfaces with a 50% phosphoric acid solution for 60 seconds. Tensile strength tests were used to measure the bond strength of the resin to the enamel surface. Results indicated that the pretreatment with the 50% phosphoric acid significantly increased the bonding of the direct filling resin, and the use of a cavity sealer in conjunction with the acid etching enhanced the retention of the resin to the enamel surface. Further laboratory tests in which stress is applied to restorations, and a well-controlled clinical evaluation are needed to substantiate the findings in this study.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Pediatric Overweight

Although the development of overweight is a chronic disease that is influenced by genetic, metabolic, and physiological factors, there are environmental and psychological factors that contribute to overweight and therefore can be the focus of prevention and treatment efforts. The purpose of the Special Issue of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology on pediatric overweight is to focus on the environmental, familial, psychological, and health factors associated with pediatric overweight, with an ultimate goal of informing prevention and treatment.
Identifying functional mimetics of histone deacetylase using isothermal titration calorimetry (LB242)

Inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) is known to induce tumor cell death, making it a promising approach for the treatment of cancer. To determine the energetic contribution of the active-site Zn2+ to HDAC interaction with inhibitors as superoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), we have explored Zn2+ chelators as functional mimetics of HDAC as an alternative to HDAC enzyme. Our goal was to first identify Zn2+ chelators that are capable of forming tight 1:1 (Zn2+:chelator) binary complex and then to determine the energetics of inhibitor binding to the binary complex. One chelator, N-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyL)iminodiacetic acid (DA2Im), was synthesized and three others, Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) and Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN), were purchased from commercial sources. Their Zn2+ binding stoichiometry and thermodynamic parameters were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in either a NEM buffer (pH 6.8) or a methanol:buffer mixture (pH 6.8) with t...
Real-time physiologic biomarker for prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence, stroke, and mortality after electrical cardioversion: A prospective observational study.

Background Left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity (LAAEV) depends largely on left atrioventricular compliance and may play a role in mediating the perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF-related outcomes. Methods We identified 3,251 consecutive patients with sustained AF undergoing first-time successful transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided electrical cardioversion who were enrolled in a prospective registry between May 2000 and March 2012. Left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity was stratified into quartiles: ≤20.2, 20.3-33.9, 34-49.9, and ≥50 cm/s. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify independent predictors of AF recurrence, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. Results The mean (SD) age was 69 (12.6) years and 67% were men. Compared with the fourth quartile, patients in the first-third quartiles were significantly older, had higher CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke/transient ischemic attack [TIA], vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) scores, greater frequency of atrial spontaneous echo contrast, and AF of longer duration. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a decreased probability of event-free survival with decreasing quartiles of LAAEV. Five-year cumulative event rates across first-fourth quartiles were 83%, 80%, 73%, and 73% ( P P = .01); and 31.3%, 26.1%, 24.1%, and 19.4%, for mortality ( P P P P = .03, and P = .04, respectively), and of the first quartile with mortality ( P = .003). Conclusions Patients with decreased LAAEV have an increased risk of AF recurrence, stroke, and mortality after successful electrical cardioversion. Real-time measurement of LAAEV by TEE may be a useful physiologic biomarker for individualizing treatment decisions in patients with AF.
Stimulating collaboration and discussion in online learning environments

It is my belief from years as a student and an instructor, that online learning environments (OLEs) provide many advantages over conventional classrooms. The OLE software makes distance education possible for students who cannot attend or choose not to attend typical face-to-face classes and has many advantages to both the instructor and the student. OLEs are not without new challenges. One of the most difficult problems to overcome in this environment is the silent, uncooperative class. Collaboration and discussion are advantageous in OLEs because they make the student more central to the learning process. In this paper, the author presents methods to stimulate collaboration and discussion in OLEs.
Non-degradative dissolution and acetylation of ball-milled plant cell walls: high-resolution solution-state NMR.

Summary Two solvent systems for fully dissolving, and optionally derivatizing, finely ground plant cell wall material at room temperature are described: dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) or N-methylimidazole (NMI). In situ acetylation produces acetylated cell walls (Ac-CWs) that are fully soluble in chloroform. Lignin structures tested remain fully intact. The dispersion of 13C–1H correlations afforded by two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments reveals the major lignin units, allowing the whole lignin fraction to be analyzed by high-resolution solution-state NMR methods for the first time. Non-degradative cell wall dissolution offers the potential to analyze polysaccharide components, and improve current cell wall analytical methods by using standard homogeneous solution-state chemistry.
Interconnection and optimization issues of multijunction solar cells — A new mitigation approach using switching power converters

A multijunction solar cell can extract higher solar energy compared to a single junction solar cell using the spectrum splitting technique. Extensive research on efficiency enhancement of the solar cells to achieve near theoretical limit is in place. However, there are limited research activities to identify the optimum interconnection methods and necessary power electronics solutions for multijunction solar cell systems. A detailed study to identify the optimum interconnection method for various multijunction solar cells is revealed in this paper. The authors believe that the conducted research in this area is very limited and an effective power electronics solution could substantially improve the efficiency and utilization of a PV power system constructed from multijunction solar cells. A multiple input dc-to-dc boost converter has been used to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed interconnection technique. Both Simulation and experimental results have been attached to show the practicality and the potential benefit of the proposed concept.
Inference of haplotype effects in case-control studies using unphased genotype and environmental data.

A retrospective likelihood-based approach was proposed to test and estimate the effect of haplotype on disease risk using unphased genotype data with adjustment for environmental covariates. The proposed method was also extended to handle the data in which the haplotype and environmental covariates are not independent. Likelihood ratio tests were constructed to test the effects of haplotype and gene-environment interaction. The model parameters such as haplotype effect size was estimated using an Expectation Conditional-Maximization (ECM) algorithm developed by Meng and Rubin (1993). Model-based variance estimates were derived using the observed information matrix. Simulation studies were conducted for three different genetic effect models, including dominant effect, recessive effect, and additive effect. The results showed that the proposed method generated unbiased parameter estimates, proper type I error, and true β coverage probabilities. The model performed well with small or large sample sizes, as well as short or long haplotypes. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Corrections to “Analysis of Hybrid Electrothermomechanical Microactuators With Integrated Electrothermal and Electrostatic Actuation” [Oct 09 1126-1136]

In the above titled paper (ibid., vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 1126-1136, Oct. 09), there is a typographical error in (5). The correct equation is presented here.
Advanced osteoarthritis in humans is associated with altered collagen VI expression and upregulation of ER-stress markers Grp78 and bag-1.

To test the hypothesis that a perturbation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function is involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), articular cartilage was isolated from non-OA patients secondary to resection of osteo- or chondrosarcomas. Intra-joint samples of minimal and advanced osteoarthritic cartilage were isolated from patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and scored for disease severity. Glucose-regulated protein-78 (grp78) and bcl-2–associated athanogene-1 (bag-1) were detected via immunofluorescence as markers of non-homeostatic ER function. Additionally, the expression of type VI collagen and its integrin receptor, NG2, was determined to examine cartilage matrix health and turnover. There was an upregulation of grp78 in advanced OA, and variable expression in minimal OA. Non-OA cartilage was consistently grp78 negative. The downstream regulator bag-1 was also upregulated in OA compared with normal cartilage. Collagen VI was mainly cell-associated in non-OA cartilage, with a more widespread distribution observed in OA cartilage along with increased intracellular staining intensity. The collagen VI integral membrane proteoglycan receptor NG2 was downregulated in advanced OA compared with its patient-matched minimally involved cartilage sample. These results suggest that chondrocytes exhibit ER stress during OA, in association with upregulation of a large secreted molecule, type VI collagen. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:923–931, 2009)
Inspectability and control in social recommenders

Users of social recommender systems may want to inspect and control how their social relationships influence the recommendations they receive, especially since recommendations of social recommenders are based on friends rather than anonymous "nearest neighbors". We performed an online user experiment (N=267) with a Facebook music recommender system that gives users control over the recommendations, and explains how they came about. The results show that inspectability and control indeed increase users' perceived understanding of and control over the system, their rating of the recommendation quality, and their satisfaction with the system.
Feature Exploration for Mining Coronal Loops from Solar Images

Coronal loops are especially important in analyzing some important phenomena related to the Sun such as the controversial coronal heating problem. The analysis requires astrophysicists to manually sift through thousands of images in order to acquire images containing coronal loops. Thus, the motivation to detect these loops automatically. Since coronal loops do not have a perfect shape and are easy to confuse with other solar events, feature selection to learn characteristics of loops requires special care. In this study, we explore standard image features as well as specialized image features considering coronal loop characteristics. Our experiments confirm the success of our explored features in coronal loop detection.
Influence of copper crystal surface on the CVD growth of large area monolayer graphene

Abstract We study the influence of the surface structure of copper single crystals on the growth of large area monolayer graphene by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). Using atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we find that graphene grows primarily in registry with the underlying copper lattice for both Cu(111) and Cu(100). The graphene has a hexagonal superstructure on Cu(111) with a significant electronic component,whereas it has a linear superstructure on Cu(100). Graphene on Cu(111) forms a microscopically uniform sheet, the quality of which is determined by the presence of grain boundaries where graphene grains with different orientations meet. Graphene grown on Cu(100) under similar conditions does not form a uniform sheet and instead displays exposed nanoscale edges. Our results indicate the importance of the copper crystal structure on the microstructure of graphene films produced by CVD.
Differences and implications in biogeochemistry from maximizing entropy production locally versus globally

Abstract. In this manuscript we investigate the use of the maximum entropy production (MEP) principle for modeling biogeochemical processes that are catalyzed by living systems. Because of novelties introduced by the MEP approach, many questions need to be answered and techniques developed in the application of MEP to describe biological systems that are responsible for energy and mass transformations on a planetary scale. In previous work we introduce the importance of integrating entropy production over time to distinguish abiotic from biotic processes under transient conditions. Here we investigate the ramifications of modeling biological systems involving one or more spatial dimensions. When modeling systems over space, entropy production can be maximized either locally at each point in space asynchronously or globally over the system domain synchronously. We use a simple two-box model inspired by two-layer ocean models to illustrate the differences in local versus global entropy maximization. Synthesis and oxidation of biological structure is modeled using two autocatalytic reactions that account for changes in community kinetics using a single parameter each. Our results show that entropy production can be increased if maximized over the system domain rather than locally, which has important implications regarding how biological systems organize and supports the hypothesis for multiple levels of selection and cooperation in biology for the dissipation of free energy.
Forced convection and sedimentation past a flat plate

The steady laminar flow of a well-mixed suspension of monodisperse solid spheres, convected steadily past a horizontal flat plate and sedimenting under the action of gravity, is examined. It is shown that, in the limit as Re approaches infinity and epsilon approaches 0, where Re is the bulk Reynolds number and epsilon is the ratio of the particle radius a to the characteristic length scale L, the analysis for determining the particle concentration profile has several aspects in common with that of obtaining the temperature profile in forced-convection heat transfer from a wall to a fluid stream moving at high Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. Specifically, it is found that the particle concentration remains uniform throughout the O(Re(exp -1/2)) thick Blasius boundary layer except for two O(epsilon(exp 2/3)) thin regions on either side of the plate, where the concentration profile becomes non-uniform owing to the presence of shear-induced particle diffusion which balances the particle flux due to convection and sedimentation. The system of equations within this concentration boundary layer admits a similarity solution near the leading edge of the plate, according to which the particle concentration along the top surface of the plate increases from its value in the free stream by an amount proportional to X(exp 5/6), with X measuring the distance along the plate, and decreases in a similar fashion along the underside. But, unlike the case of gravity settling on an inclined plate in the absence of a bulk flow at infinity considered earlier, here the concentration profile remains continuous everywhere. For values of X beyond the region near the leading edge, the particle concentration profile is obtained through the numerical solution of the relevant equations. It is found that, as predicted from the similarity solution, there exists a value of X at which the particle concentration along the top side of the plate attains its maximum value phi(sub m) and that, beyond this point, a stagnant sediment layer will form that grows steadily in time. This critical value of X is computed as a function of phi(sub s), the particle volume fraction in the free stream. In contrast, but again in conformity with the similarity solution, for values of X sufficiently far removed from the leading edge along the underside of the plate, a particle-free region is predicted to form adjacent to the plate. This model, with minor modifications, can be used to describe particle migration in other shear flows, as, for example, in the case of crossflow microfiltration.
Trends in the Use of Nonstatin Lipid-Lowering Therapy Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the Medicare Population 2007 to 2011.

AbstractBackground: Nonstatin lipid-lowering therapy is adjunctive therapy for high-risk individuals on statins or monotherapy among those who cannot tolerate statins.Objectives: This study determi...
Decreased normal NK-cells is a characteristic of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia and is strongly associated with cytopenia.

T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL) is a cytotoxic lymphocyte disorder with distinctive clinicopathological features. While patients typically experience an indolent clinical course,...
In Response to: Poisonings with Suicidal Intent Aged 0-21 Years Reported to Poison Centers 2003-12.

To the Editor: It was with great interest that we read the paper by Sheikh et al. that attempted to use Poison Control Center (PCC) data to explore the clinical features of self-poisonings with suicidal intent in children. Understanding the features of youth-attempted suicide by poisoning is necessary to effectively identify and treat those patients at highest risk for serious outcomes. The study was able to characterize several clinical features of the 52.2% of subjects in the 15–18 year old age group. We question why the authors performed a subgroup analysis on children <10 years of age, since this group represented <1% of the study patients. It seems that an in-depth analysis of the 15–18 year old age group would have yielded a more useful conclusion. As clinicians, we view the most clinically significant population as those who attempted and ultimately completed suicide. The data provided to readers in this regard were incomplete. Details regarding the exact age, substance ingested and details surrounding the cause of death would be useful in determining risk factors of the population and how the substance may have contributed to mortality. Given the relatively small number of deaths, this information could have easily been provided for a more complete assessment. Finally, the authors conclude that undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predisposes pediatric patients to self-harming behaviors. This conclusion is completed unsupported by any data. No information about medical history is mentioned and readers cannot assume that patients that overdosed on ADHD medications did so because they had the diagnosis themselves. Medications may be from siblings, friends or any other number of possibilities. Furthermore ADHD medications have a variety of clinical applications outside of treatment for ADHD. This study was further hindered by the inherent limitations of analyzing PCC data. We suggest that it could have been strengthened by focusing on the group that is at highest risk, providing past medical history and prescribed medications, and focusing on mortality as a more significant outcome. Providing readers with this information would have strengthened the conclusions and enabled further interpretation of the data.
Inflammation, Tumor Progression, and Immune Suppression

Solid tumors consist of tumor cells and a heterogeneous mixture of host cells of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origin. Although some of the host cells have anti-tumor activity, many have been co-opted by tumor-secreted factors and are immune suppressive. Two populations of cells of myeloid origin, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and M2-type macrophages, are potent immune suppressive cells that are particularly prevalent in solid tumors. MDSC and M2 macrophages use multiple mechanisms to individually promote immune suppression and amplify their effects through cross-talk. This chapter will summarize the characteristics of these two myeloid cell populations and then focus on the role of tumor-associated inflammation in inducing MDSC and M2 macrophage development and function.
Twenty-Five Years after “Did Plato Coin Rhêtorikê?”: An Episodic Memoir

Edward Schiappa published a series of articles and a book in 1990 and 1991 that, collectively, challenged the dominant narrative concerning the Older Sophists and early Greek Rhetorical Theory as well as calling into question certain revisionist historical accounts. In this essay the author provides a narrative about those projects and the responses they elicited in the hope that it provides insights about the production of those publications, as well as an opportunity to revisit certain theoretical and methodological concerns that continue to be relevant to historians of rhetoric and philosophy.
Do maternal characteristics influence maternal–fetal medicine physicians’ willingness to intervene when managing periviable deliveries?

Do maternal characteristics influence maternal–fetal medicine physicians’ willingness to intervene when managing periviable deliveries?