cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeled and experimental results of an omnidirectional free-space optical receiver architecture

Free-space optical (FSO) communications provide point-to-point connectivity while offering many advantages in size, weight, and power as compared to radio frequency. It has the potential to provide fiber-optic data rates without the need for lengthy fiber cables. Omnidirectional FSO, also known as O-FSO systems, provide a non-line-of-sight option for data communications. They are gaining popularity in short-distance networks. Most existing O-FSO links range from 1 to 100 m and present experimental/simulated data rates ranging between 5 kb/s and 1 Mb/s. A 2.5-Gb/s O-FSO system was recently reported with a range of 25 cm. This paper employs a fiber bundle as an O-FSO receiver. The energy collected by the receiver is related to the acceptance cone of each fiber. The fiber bundle integrates the optical power gathered by the individual fibers and couples it to the photodetector. Experimental data rates approaching 100 kb/s over a meter long system are presented, whereas simulated results support a data rate up to 52 Mb/s for distances approaching a kilometer. Theoretical and experimental optical power versus range is also presented for the proposed O-FSO architecture, using on-off keying.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Advances in medical and surgical care over the past few decades have dramatically improved the survival rate of the adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). This population presents unique challenges for clinical management, often made difficult by limitations of standard 2-dimensional imaging techniques. Cardiac 3D printing is a powerful imaging application that offers several advantages to patient care in the ACHD population. 3D models enable in-depth understanding of complex anatomy, precise pre-surgical planning, and are useful tools for patient counseling, trainee education, and simulation. In the ACHD population, these distinct advantages add value to conventional imaging techniques and offer promise for improving clinical outcomes for a complex and growing population.
Boarding ICU patients: Are our rounding practices subpar?

Abstract Introduction Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) patients “boarding” in ICUs other than the designated home unit have been shown to suffer increased rates of complications. We hypothesized that ICU rounding practices are different when SICU patients are housed in home vs. boarding ICUs. Material and methods SICU rounds were observed at an academic quaternary medical center. Individual patient rounding time and order seen on rounds along with patient data and demographics were recorded. Multivariable regression analysis was used for comparison between patients. Results Non-boarders were older, observed on a later post ICU admission day and were more likely to be mechanically ventilated. Boarded patients were often seen at the end of rounds and for less time. Not being a boarder, age, APACHE II score on admission, vasopressor use, and positive pressure ventilation all predicted increased rounding time. Conclusions Surgical ICU patients boarding in non-preferred units are often seen at the end of rounds, result in a greater reliance upon telephone communication, and receive less bedside attention from ICU provider teams.
Reducing stereotype threat in urban schools

Research suggests student performance may be negatively influenced by stereotype threat, “being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one’s group” (Steele and Aronson in J Personal Soc Psychol 69(5):797, 1995). However, studies have also found that educating students about stereotype threat and the nature of intelligence can attenuate its effects. This paper explored whether a brief intervention could improve performance and attitudes for 109 at-risk students in a large urban school. Results found the intervention did not result in statistically significant differences in grades, or increases in student beliefs about their ability to succeed in school. Educational implications are discussed.
A Deep Learning-Based Method for Similar Patient Question Retrieval in Chinese.

The online patient question and answering (Q&A) system, either as a website or a mobile application, attracts an increasing number of users in China. Patients will post their questions and the registered doctors then provide the corresponding answers. A large amount of questions with answers from doctors are accumulated. Instead of awaiting the response from a doctor, the newly posted question could be quickly answered by finding a semantically equivalent question from the Q&A achive. In this study, we investigated a novel deep learning based method to retrieve the similar patient question in Chinese. An unsupervised learning algorithm using deep neural network is performed on the corpus to generate the word embedding. The word embedding was then used as the input to a supervised learning algorithm using a designed deep neural network, i.e. the supervised neural attention model (SNA), to predict the similarity between two questions. The experimental results showed that our SNA method achieved P@1 = 77% and P@5 = 84%, which outperformed all other compared methods.
Adult Competencies and Employment Outcomes Among Older Workers in the United States: An Analysis of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies:

A growing segment of the U.S. workforce—older workers—face challenges such as a greater chance of being unemployed for a longer period of time than younger workers and skill obsolescence in contemp...
A Survey of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Curricula in Primary Care Residency Training

The development over the past decade of residency training programs in primary care medicine has highlighted issues involving teaching psychiatric and behavioral science skills. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent of psychiatric involvement in primary care medicine residencies. We carried out a structured telephone interview of the directors of the psychiatry/behavioral sciences curriculum of 43 programs. The interview questionnaire consisted of informational items about faculty, financial support, curriculum content, teaching activities and attitudes. The results raise serious issues concerning perceptions and role of psychiatry in internal medicine training.
Protection by a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody to pandemic Influenza requires selective Fc receptor engagement (P4216)

Neutralizing Abs against influenza viruses have traditionally been thought to provide protection by interfering with virus entry and/or fusion with host cells, events that rely solely on Ab variable region binding to viral spike proteins. However, the contributions of in vivo mechanisms conferred by Fc-Fc receptor (FcγR) interactions during protection by Ab remain unclear. We assessed the role of FcγRs during influenza virus neutralization in mice using mAbs directed to the HA antigen. We found that a broadly neutralizing mAb (bNAb) targeting the conserved stem region of HA confers protection to mice from lethal viral challenge, and required Fc-FcγR interactions for in vivo activity against both laboratory virus strains as well as the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus. By contrast, a strain-specific mAb to the variable head domain of HA was equally protective both in the presence or absence of FcγR interactions. We then generated a chimeric human IgG1 Fc version of the anti-stem bNAb, modified to selectively enhance human activating FcγR engagement. We utilized FcγR-humanized mice, which express all human FcγRs on a genetic background lacking mouse FcγRs, to demonstrate augmented protection by the modified bNAb compared to wild type bNAb. Thus, Fc-FcγR interactions are required for bNAb-mediated protection and can be manipulated for optimal protection in vivo. These findings represent a general approach towards enhancing bNAb-mediated protection and warrant clinical investigation.
Recent and Future Changes in the Meteorology of the Pacific Arctic

The meteorology of the Pacific Arctic (the Bering Sea through the Chukchi and southern Beaufort Seas) represents the transition zone between the moist and relatively warm maritime air mass of the Pacific Ocean to the cold and relatively dry air mass of the Arctic. The annual cycle is the dominant feature shifting from near total darkness with extensive sea ice cover in winter to solar heating in summer that is equal to that of sub-tropical latitudes. Strong north-south gradients in air temperatures and sea level pressure are typical over the Pacific Arctic giving rise to climatological polar easterly winds (blowing from the east) throughout the year. Localized storms (regions of low sea level pressure) can propagate into the region from the south but high pressure regions are typical, connected to either northeastern Siberia or the southern Beaufort Sea. The northern portion of the Pacific Arctic has participated in the general Arctic-wide warming in all seasons over the last decade while the southern Bering Sea turned to near record cold temperatures after 2006. Future climate changes in the Pacific Arctic will come from shifts in the timing and extent of seasonal sea ice. Based on climate model projections, cold and dark conditions will still dominate over a climate warming scenario in the Bering Sea of +2 °C by 2050. The northern Bering Sea will continue to have extensive sea ice January through April, while the southern shelf will have on average less sea ice than currently observed but with large interannual variability. The largest change has the southern Chukchi Sea shifting from being sea ice free in September and October at present to becoming sea ice free for 5 months from July through November within a decade or two, impacting shipping, oil exploration, and ecosystems.
Outcomes of patients with AL amyloidosis and low serum free light chain levels at diagnosis.

AbstractSerum free light chains (sFLC) are independent prognostic markers of disease in light chain (AL) amyloidosis, and are used in the haematologic response criteria for treatment. However, up to 20% of patients have low sFLCs at diagnosis, with a difference between involved and uninvolved free light chains (dFLC) of less than 50 mg/L, making responses to treatment difficult to evaluate. In order to characterize this distinct subgroup of patients, we retrospectively analyzed 123 AL amyloidosis patients with dFLC <50 mg/L who were diagnosed between 2002 and 2013. The majority (n = 117) were treated for their AL amyloidosis, with over half (n = 68) receiving high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation as first-line therapy. Overall they had a prolonged median survival of 9.2 years with less cardiac involvement (30%) and more renal involvement (76%). We also evaluated the newly proposed low dFLC partial response (PR) criteria, defined as a dFLC <10 mg/L if the initial dFLC 20–50 mg/L. The...
Susceptibility to organophosphate insecticides in larval Aedes albopictus

Larvae of 26 strains of Aedes albopictus were tested for susceptibility to 5 organophosphate insecticides. The recently collected geographic strains included 13 from the USA, 5 from Brazil, 3 from Southeast Asia and 5 from Japan. The greatest amount of variability was seen among U.S. populations, ranging from quite susceptible to potentially resistant. Brazilian samples were generally quite susceptible to all insecticides tested. Three Japanese strains showed tolerance or low level resistance to fenitrothion (2X, 3X and 8X), as did 2 U.S. strains (3X and 5X). Two U.S. strains showed tolerance to malathion (3X and 4X), while one strain from Chicago, Illinois, showed low level resistance (22X). Selection for resistance to malathion in a laboratory strain composed of multiple U.S. geographic strains resulted in a resistance ratio of 21X after 6 generations of selection.
New Targeted Therapies for Uncontrolled Asthma.

Mechanistic studies have improved our understanding of molecular and cellular components involved in asthma and our ability to treat severe patients. An mAb directed against IgE (omalizumab) has become an established add-on therapy for patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma and mAbs specific for IL-5 (reslizumab, mepolizumab), IL-5R (benralizumab), and IL-4R (dupilumab) have been approved as add-on treatments for uncontrolled eosinophilic (type 2) asthma. While these medications have proven highly effective, some patients with severe allergic and/or eosinophilic asthma, as well as most patients with severe non–type-2 disease, have poorly controlled disease. Agents that have recently been evaluated in clinical trials include an antibody directed against thymic stromal lymphopoietin, small molecule antagonists to the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on TH2 cells (CRTH2) and the receptor for stem cell factor on mast cells (KIT), and a DNA enzyme directed at GATA3. Antibodies to IL-33 and its receptor, ST2, are being evaluated in ongoing clinical studies. In addition, a number of antagonists directed against other potential targets are under consideration for future trials, including IL-25, IL-6, TNF-like ligand 1A, CD6, and activated cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM). Clinical data from ongoing and future trials will be important in determining whether these new medications will offer benefits in place of or in addition to existing therapies for asthma.
Improving bone mineral density screening in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a quality improvement report

The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is estimated between 17% and 41%, partly due to repeat courses of glucocorticoids which enhance the risk for bone disease. Multiple gastroenterological and endocrine societies have established guidelines for bone mineral density (BMD) screening in patients with IBD, with estimates suggesting providers vary in their adherence. We aimed to improve the rate of BMD screening in patients with IBD in a large academic outpatient practice. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, we first conducted a retrospective review and determined that only 10.8% of patients with IBD in our practice were adequately undergoing BMD screening. Over the course of five PDSA cycles, we conducted three interventions focusing on education and provider reminders. Through an informative lecture, a flyer and an electronic medical record-based prompt, we were able to increase our rate of BMD screening to 81.8%. Current rates of BMD screening in patients with IBD are not adequate. We demonstrate a simple quality improvement initiative that successfully improved our adherence to standards of practice.
Mucus plugging on CT and mortality in smokers

Background: Mucus dysfunction, a key pathophysiologic feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by increased mucus production and plug formation in the airways leading to airflow obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) has been recently used to identify mucus plugs, providing an alternative way to assess mucus dysfunction. We aimed to test whether mucus plugging on CT is associated with mortality in smokers. Methods: We identified and scored mucus plugging in the intra-parenchymal airways on CT scans from 500 smokers with and without COPD from the COPDGene Study. We used a score based on the number of bronchopulmonary segments with mucus plugs. The score ranges from 0 to 18, with higher values indicating greater burden of mucus plugging on CT. We used Cox regression multivariable models to test the association between mortality and mucus plugging. Results: Ninety-eight subjects (20%) had mucus plugging on CT, with a median score of 2 (range, 1-13). During a follow-up of 7.5 years, 140 (28%) subjects died. After adjusting for age, gender, race, body mass index, current smoking status, pack-years, CT measures of emphysema, and COPD status, a higher mucus plugging score was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (per 1-point increase, Hazard Ratio 1.18, 95% Confidence Interval 1.07-1.30) (Figure 1). Conclusion: CT-identified mucus plugging has a prognostic value in smokers. Mucus plugging might be a distinct imaging phenotype.
Trading Restrictions, Exchange Traded Funds, and Regulatory Arbitrage

As of January 2012, there were 1,155 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with $1.134 trillion in assets and daily dollar trading volume exceeding 35% of total exchange trading. Academics and regulatory agencies are increasingly beginning to investigate the market impacts of traditional, leveraged, and inverse ETFs. The extraordinary growth and innovation in ETFs and a recent spike ETF delistings and liquidations should be of concern to financial market participants. This paper studies the current market for ETFs and specifically examines whether investors substitute ETFs and inverse ETFs for short positions in individual financial securities while short sale trading restrictions are in place. Even though ETFs are the preferred vehicle among short sellers, no studies are known to have examined whether ETF’s are a viable substitute. I find large declines in ETF trading volume (-51%) and large declines in ETF short interest (-46%) suggesting there are impediments to circumventing the ban with ETFs. This suggests trading restrictions in conventional securities had negative spillover effects to ETF markets and adds further evidence in support of constrained short selling, limits to arbitrage, and overvaluation.
Simulation Analysis of AC Withstand Voltage Test Method for GIS Based on Same-frequency Same-phase Principle

The newly-built GIS and the original part are isolated only by the bus bar isolating switch. If the conventional frequency-modulated series resonance voltage withstand test method is used in the AC voltage withstand test of the newly-built GIS while the original part is charged, there must exists a moment at which the testing voltage and the running voltage overlaps to make the break voltage get maximum， resulting the isolating switch breakdown and GIS equipment in danger. To solve the problem, Based on the analysis of the fracture voltage of the isolating switch during the electrification test, a field AC withstand voltage test method based on the principle of the same frequency and same phase is proposed, and the simulation model is further improved. The voltage and current surges of various parts in the GIS are analyzed. Based on the simulation, it is proposed to reduce the voltage and current surge by changing the resistance in the loop. Based on the principle of the same-frequency phase-in-phase AC withstand voltage test method, it is possible to carry out the AC withstand voltage test in the expansion part, improve the reliability of power supply, and have very significant economic and social benefits.
PEG-LEG ARTERIOLES: AN ADAPTATION TO CHRONIC RETINAL HYPOPERFUSION.

Purpose To describe a heretofore unreported retinal vascular sign related to chronic retinal hypoperfusion. Methods A case report of a 42-year-old woman who was found to have a novel pattern of retinal vascular remodeling in the setting of severe bilateral occlusive disease of the carotid and vertebral arteries. Results The patient had a childhood history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated with external beam radiation. At age 35, she suffered bilateral occipital infarctions. A cerebral angiogram showed complete occlusion of both common carotid arteries and complete occlusion of the proximal segments of both vertebral arteries. Seven years after her stroke, examination of her fundus revealed a remarkable pattern of vascular remodeling that involved nearly all of the major retinal arterioles in both eyes. In each vessel, a narrowed proximal segment abruptly dilated to a larger-than-normal caliber at a distance of 1 to 2 disk diameters from the optic disk. The abnormally increased caliber extended into the retinal periphery. Conclusion Chronic severe retinal hypoperfusion due to profound carotid occlusive disease can lead to adaptive remodeling of the retinal vasculature in a pattern that closely resembles the iconic image of a pirate's peg leg.
Three Dimensionally Printed Interactive Training Model for Kidney Transplantation.

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe the development of a low-cost, reusable, interactive 3D-printed model to simulate vascular anastomoses in kidney transplantation. Design We used a de-identified high-resolution abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scan and computer-aided design software to create a model to simulate vascular anastomoses in kidney transplantation. Surgical residents were asked to tie anastomoses and complete a survey regarding the effectiveness of the model. Setting University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)—academic, tertiary care center. Participants University of Michigan general, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgery residents participated in this study (n = 12). Results After using the model, all 12 residents reported having a better understanding of how to set up and sew the renal artery and vein anastomoses. All 12 residents found the model to be an effective teaching tool. Conclusions Surgical trainees find this low-cost, reusable, interactive 3D-printed model to be an effective way to develop the technical skills necessary for vascular anastomoses in kidney transplantation.
Emanations and Relations

This chapter provides an overview of late medieval theories of the divine emanations and relations. It begins with an analysis of the generation of the Son, looking at several models of generation that were normative in the thirteenth century. Following this discussion it shifts to the procession of the Holy Spirit, treating the question of whether or not the Spirit proceeds from the essence or the Father. The second half of the chapter turns to the divine relations and examines the Augustinian distinction between terms predicated of God according to substance and those predicated according to relation. Building upon this section, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the late thirteenth-century debate regarding disparate and opposed relations.
Digital Forensics Education Modules for Judicial Officials.

As our lives become more dependent on digital technology, cyber crime is increasing in our society. There is now an ever-increasing need to counter cyber crime through digital forensics investigations. With rapid developments in technology such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and mobile computing, it is vital to ensure proper training of law enforcement personnel and judges in the theory and practice of digital forensics. In this paper, we describe our methods and approach to create curricula, educational materials, and courses for training law enforcement and judicial personnel in digital forensics. We partnered with legal experts to design a series of modules/courses on digital forensics to educate the actual target demographics. Training materials have been designed to be not only scalable to nationwide law enforcement and judicial professionals, but also amenable to regular updates to respond to rapidly changing attacks and forensic techniques.
Jaw Pain and Profound Bradycardia – An Atypical Presentation of Lyme Carditis

In 2018, 23,558 confirmed cases and 10,108 probable cases of Lyme disease were reported in the United States, with 96% of all cases coming from 14 states. Lyme carditis is well described, occurring in less than 1% of Lyme disease. High-grade heart block is uncommon in early disseminated Lyme disease. In Lyme carditis due to sinus node dysfunction and/or high grade atrioventricular block, the pulse rates are significantly lower which can lead to syncope. This can happen in the setting of an unstable ventricular escape rhythm with pulse rates ranging around 30 beats per minute or lower. In patients with low cardiovascular reserve, high-degree AV block can cause sudden death. Here we describe a rare case of profound bradycardia in disseminated Lyme disease. The patient's only two symptoms are bradycardia and jaw pain. He lacks erythema migrans, neurological symptoms or syncope - despite having high-degree AV block. Initially prescribed doxycycline 100mg BID, his PR interval begins to normalize, but once a Lyme titre was positive for IgM (p41, p39, p23) and IgG (p66, p45, p41, p39, p23, p18), the patient was switched to 2g ceftriaxone IV Q 24h, per Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines. After several days he feels better and was discharged home to complete antibiotics and wear a cardiac event monitor. Lyme disease has three distinct stages that include early localized infection, early disseminated disease, and late infection. At the time of Lyme carditis diagnosis, common symptoms include erythema migrans, malaise, polyarthritis, Bell's palsy and other neurological symptoms - all of which were lacking in our patient. The prognosis for Lyme carditis is generally good, despite disagreement over the incidence of persistent B. burgdorferi infection. This patient's unique presentation of Lyme carditis is further evidence of variability in cardiac symptoms depending on one's immunological and physiological ability to combat acute spirochete infection.
Quantifying erosion and retention of silicon carbide due to D plasma irradiation in a high-flux linear plasma device

Abstract Silicon carbide (SiC) may be a viable option for future plasma-facing components (PFCs) due to its low hydrogenic diffusivity, high temperature strength, and mechanical resilience to neutron damage (Causey et al., 1978). The erosion and retention properties of SiC were quantified via deuterium plasma exposures in the PISCES-E RF plasma source on SiC-coated graphite samples at impact energies between 20 eV and 90 eV, surface temperatures of 500 K and 950 K, and fluences between 0.4 and 1.0 × 1024 m−2. The chemical sputtering yield of carbon from SiC was estimated by optical spectroscopy, varying between 0.0012 and 0.0083 depending on the deuterium impact energy. Chemical sputtering yields from graphite were 4× higher, on average, than yields from SiC and were largely consistent with previous analytic formulations. Chemical erosion of silicon atoms from SiC was not detected from the SiD molecular band, but the lack of Si surface enrichment at low Ei suggests that a non-collisional Si erosion source may be present. The retention of implanted deuterium in SiC was ~2× higher than that in tungsten at 500 K. Most D retained in SiC was desorbed at a peak temperature ~1000 K, and the desorption rate only varied slightly with impact energy and surface temperature. Fundamental differences in desorption behavior between Si, graphite, and SiC samples suggested that the SiC cubic lattice possessed unique trapping sites that cannot solely be attributed to Si-D or C-D bonds. New questions regarding preferential erosion and uncharacterized defects motivate expanded testing in linear and toroidal devices.
Cognitive Sinks & the Bermuda Triangle of fMRI Cognitive Studies

FMRI was obtained at baseline on each subject, along with the Neurostat psychological/intelligence battery These findings have implications for understanding brain physiology, as well as for the interpretation of fMRI 12 13 EN COMMENTARY Cognitive Sinks & the Bermuda Triangle of fMRI Cognitive Studies JOSEPH H FRIEDMAN, MD (POSTER PRESENTATION, 2021 WORLD CONGRESS OF SPECIAL HONORED GUESTS: INVITED, HELD VIRTUALLY DUE TO COVID-19 ) [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Rhode Island Medical Journal is the property of Rhode Island Medical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Electronic Teen Dating Violence Curves by Age.

Electronic dating violence is a form of violence perpetrated through electronics between dating partners and is associated with worse mental health, greater risk of substance use, and increased risk of in-person forms of dating violence. Though prevalent and seeming to increase in occurrence across adolescence, little is known about trajectories of electronic dating violence throughout adolescence and both risk and protective factors predicting a given trajectory. Latent growth models were used to evaluate change over time in three specific domains of electronic dating violence: harassment, coercion, and monitoring. Data are drawn from two cohorts who were surveyed annually for four years (2013-2017) from age 12 to 15 (n = 543; 48.3% female) and 15 to 18 (n = 597, 46.6% female), respectively. For all three domains of electronic dating violence, a quadratic model fit best. In general, electronic dating violence increased from early adolescence until a peak around age 16 or 17, and then leveled off. Threat-based adverse childhood experiences (i.e., exposure to physical child abuse, parental intimate partner violence, etc.) and earlier engagement in dating behaviors increased long-term risk for both age cohorts. Protective factors such as parental monitoring decreased risk but seemed to only have protective influence at developmentally-specific periods (i.e., during the developmental period of early adolescence). A better understanding of the risk and protective factors that affect the increase of electronic dating violence during adolescence is necessary to develop effective age-appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for youth.
Mutation to Erythromycin Dependence in Escherichia coli K-12

A nitrosoguanidine-induced mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 strain JC12 was absolutely dependent on erythromycin or related macrolide antibiotics for growth. The only other drugs which permitted growth (lincomycin and chloramphenicol) are, like the macrolides, inhibitors of the 50S ribosome. The order of relative effectiveness of these drugs was macrolides > lincomycin > chloramphenicol. Rates of growth with all drugs were concentration dependent. Erythromycin starvation was followed by normal rates of increase in cell mass and macromolecular synthesis for approximately one mass-doubling time, after which macromolecular synthesis abruptly ceased and cell lysis and death occurred. The dependent mutant gave rise spontaneously to revertants to independence with very high frequency (10(-4)). The gene (mac) for macrolide dependence is located near minute 25 on the E. coli chromosome; it does not result in increased resistance to these drugs. A separate gene for erythromycin resistance (eryA) is located in the cluster of ribosomal structural genes near spc, close to minute 63. Dependence on macrolides was most clearly evident in strains carrying mutations at both eryA and mac.
Generating Intergenerational Workplace Discussions Among Human Service Professionals

The Maui Training Collaborative (MTC) is a group of human service professionals in Maui County, Hawaii, who meet regularly to identify, develop, and implement timely training opportunities for thei...
Multidimensional Modeling of Fuel Composition Effects on Combustion and Cold-starting in Diesel Engines

Abstract : A computer model developed for describing multicomponent fuel vaporization, and ignition in diesel engines has been applied in this study to understand cold-starting and the parameters that are of significant influence on this phenomena. This research utilizes recent improvements in spray vaporization and combustion models that have been implemented in the KIVA-II CFD code. Typical engine fuels are blends of various fuels species, i.e., multicomponent. Thus, the original single component fuel vaporization model in KIVA-II was replaced by a multicomponent fuel vaporization model (based on the model suggested by Jin and Borman). The model has been extended to model diesel sprays under typical diesel conditions, including the effect of fuel cetane number variation. Necessary modifications were carried out in the atomization and collision sub-models. The ignition model was also modified to account for fuel composition effects by modifying the Shell ignition model. The improved model was applied to simulate diesel engine cold-starting. The effect of fuel residual from previous cycles was studied and was found to be important. Other injection parameters, such as injection timing and duration were also studied. Another factor that was investigated was engine geometry and how it can be modified to improve on cold-starting in diesel engines. Cold-starting was found to be enhanced by the presence of a small fuel vapor residual and by a shorter injection duration, while engine geometry modifications were found to be helpful in selecting an optimum location on the cylinder head for an ignition aid.
A system for surveying power quality

The author describes a system that is designed to survey power disturbances at representative sites across the continental USA. Disturbance data gathered from remote power monitors are transmitted over telephone lines to a central personal computer to be processed and saved in a database for further analysis and study. A summary of the system architecture is given, and special features of programs and data are discussed. >
Statewide Longitudinal Hospital Use and Charges for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients With Cancer

The authors found that children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in 2014 in the United States will incur over $800 million more in hospital charges than individuals without cancer by 2024.
Craniosynostosis-associated gene nell-1 is regulated by runx2.

We studied the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, a craniosynostosis-related gene. We identitifed three OSE2 elements in the NELL-1 promoter that are directly bound and transactivated by Runx2. Forced expression of Runx2 induces NELL-1 expression in rat calvarial cells. Introduction: We previously reported the upregulation of NELL-1 in human craniosynostosis and the overexpression of Nell-1 in transgenic animals that induced premature suture closure associated with increased osteoblast differentiation. To study the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, we analyzed the 5′ flanking region of the human NELL-1 gene. We identified three osteoblast specific binding elements 2 (OSE2) sites (A, B, and C) within 2.2 kb upstream of the transcription start site and further studied the functionality of these sites. Materials and Methods: An area of 2.2 kb and a truncated 325 bp, which lacked the three OSE sites, were cloned into a luciferase reporter gene, and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid. The three OSE2 sites were individually mutated and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid into Saos2 cells. Gel shifts and supershifts with Runx2 antibodies were used to determine specific binding to OSE2 sites. CHIP assays were used to study in vivo binding of Runx2 to the Nell-1 promoter. Runx2 expression plasmid was transfected into wildtype and Runx2−/− calvarial cells. Nell-1, osteocalcin, and Runx2 expression levels were measured using RT-PCR. Results: Addition of Runx2 dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in the human NELL-1 promoter-luciferase p2213. The p325 truncated NELL-1 construct showed significantly lower basal level of activity. Nuclear extract from Saos2 cells formed complexes with site A, B, and C probes and were supershifted with Runx2 antibody. Mutation of sites A, B, and C significantly decreased basal promoter activity. Furthermore, mutation of sites B and C had a blunted response to Runx2, whereas mutation of site A had a lesser effect. Runx2 bound to NELL-1 promoter in vivo. Transfection of Runx2 in rat osteoblasts upregulated Nell-1 and Ocn expression, and in Runx2 null calvarial cells, both Nell-1 and Ocn expression were rescued. Conclusions: Runx2 directly binds to the OSE2 elements and transactivates the human NELL-1 promoter. These results suggest that Nell-1 is likely a downstream target of Runx2. These findings may also extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis.
Characterization of a B-cell immunodominant epitope of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) envelope gp46

The immune response elicited by a synthetic peptide derived from an immunodominant external envelope region (Env-5, amino acids 242-257) of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) was tested in a rabbit model of HTLV-I infection. The synthetic peptide elicited a strong antibody response to the HTLV-I envelope protein gp46; however, these antibodies failed to inhibit HTLV-I-mediated cell fusion. Immunized rabbits were not protected from HTLV-I infection as determined by seroconversion to viral core proteins by immunoblot, HTLV-I p24 antigen detection in lymphocyte cultures and polymerase chain reaction for the HTLV-I provirus in lymphocyte DNA. Env-5 peptide immunization failed to induce T-cell lymphocyte proliferative responses in rabbits, but induced antibody responses in T-cell deficient Balb c nu/nu mice suggesting that the antigenic determinant represented by the Env-5 peptide is primarily a B-cell epitope. These results further define an immunodominant epitope of the HTLV-I envelope protein and suggest that potential synthetic peptide vaccines against HTLV-I infection must contain multiple antigens that induce both humoral and cellular immune reactivity.
Estimating and Understanding the Jewish Population in the United States: A Program of Research

It is inherently difficult to conduct socio-demographic studies of the Jewish population in the United States. This paper describes a multi-stage program of research that addresses the methodological and substantive challenges of providing valid socio-demographic data on the contemporary American Jewish population. The premise is that no single study or approach, and no single dataset, provides sufficient empirical support to understand a complex, ever-changing population. The program of research relies on multiple ways to integrate data sources and uses them in conjunction with one another to develop estimates of the size of the population and its characteristics. It includes data synthesis, targeted surveys, use of data synthesis in weighting of targeted surveys and triangulation. Examples of the application and utility of these methods are provided. It is estimated that as of 2010, there are a total of 6.5 million Jews in the United States. This includes 4.22 million adults who identify as Jewish by religion, and 975,000 Jews who identify as Jewish but do not consider it their religion; in addition, it incorporates 1.3 million children (under 18 years of age) who are being raised exclusively as Jewish. The proposed methods help to overcome many of the limitations and threats to validity that have plagued single studies of the population and, although imperfect, enhance our understanding of the American Jewish population.
Comparison of algorithms of testing for use in automated evaluation of sensation.

Estimates of vibratory detection threshold may be used to detect, characterize, and follow the course of sensory abnormality in neurologic disease. The approach is especially useful in epidemiologic and controlled clinical trials. We studied which algorithm of testing and finding threshold should be used in automatic systems by comparing among algorithms and stimulus conditions for the index finger of healthy subjects and for the great toe of patients with mild neuropathy. Appearance thresholds obtained by linear ramps increasing at a rate less than 4.15 μm/sec provided accurate and repeatable thresholds compared with thresholds obtained by forced-choice testing. These rates would be acceptable if only sensitive sites were studied, but they were too slow for use in automatic testing of insensitive parts. Appearance thresholds obtained by fast linear rates (4.15 or 16.6 μm/sec) overestimated threshold, especially for sensitive parts. Use of the mean of appearance and disappearance thresholds, with the stimulus increasing exponentially at rates of 0.5 or 1.0 just noticeable difference (JND) units per second, and interspersion of null stimuli, Bekesy with null stimuli, provided accurate, repeatable, and fast estimates of threshold for sensitive parts. Despite the good performance of Bekesy testing, we prefer forced choice for evaluation of the sensation of patients with neuropathy.
Expression and detection of estrus in dairy cows: the role of new technologies

Despite the widespread adoption of hormonal synchronization protocols that allow for timed artificial insemination (AI), detection of estrus plays an important role in the reproductive management program on most dairies in the United States. Increased physical activity is a secondary sign of estrus in dairy cattle, and a new generation of electronic systems that continuously monitor physical activity to predict timing of AI have been developed and marketed to the dairy industry. A variety of management and physiologic challenges inhibit detection of behavioral estrus on farms, but the prevalence of anouvular cows near the end of the voluntary waiting period is particularly problematic. Only 70% of lactating Holstein cows were detected in estrus when using an activity monitoring system, with the remaining 20% of cows classified as anovular and 10% ovulating without showing signs of activity. Mean time of AI in relation to ovulation based on the activity monitoring system was acceptable for most of the cows with increased activity, however, variability in the duration of estrus and timing of AI in relation to ovulation could result in poor pregnancy outcomes in some cows. Use of a Presynch–Ovsynch protocol for submission of cows for first AI has been widely adopted by dairies in the United States, and a combined approach in which AI based on activity is followed by submission of cows not detected with activity to timed AI after synchronization of ovulation may be an effective strategy for submission of cows to first AI. Based on a field trial on a large commercial dairy in the United States, the activity monitoring system detected 70% of cows with increased activity after the second PGF2α injection of a Presynch–Ovsynch protocol, however, cows inseminated to increased activity had fewer pregnancies per AI (P/AI) compared with cows with increased activity after the second PGF2α injection that received timed AI after completing the Presynch–Ovsynch protocol. Based on an economic model comparing reproductive management programs with varying levels of AI to estrus v. timed AI, the rate of estrus detection and the P/AI to inseminations based on AI to detected estrus v. timed AI affected the decision to inseminate based on activity v. timed AI. In conclusion, an activity monitoring system detected increased activity in about 70% of lactating Holstein cows on a large commercial dairy in the United States, however, synchronization of ovulation and timed AI was beneficial to inseminate cows not detected with increased activity by the activity monitoring system.
Distributed processing of time-constrained queries in CASE-DB

We design, develop and experimentally evaluate a prototype real-time distributed relational database system. This database management system (DBMS) permits the specification of time constraints for relational algebra queries and evaluates queries in parallel over distributed sites in a completely replicated data environment. Iterative distributed query evaluation techniques are developed, implemented and evaluated on multiple server sites. The risk of overspending the time constraint at each iteration is controlled using a probabilistic risk control technique. The query execution plan is designed to restructure a query into an equivalent, easy-to-parallelize form, and distributed execution is achieved through multi-threaded processes and RPC calls. Agile manufacturing systems can benefit significantly from a database support and more specifically from real-time database systems. This thesis describes AMDB, an agile manufacturing database system designed for capturing and manipulating the operational data of a manufacturing cell. AMDB is a continuous data gathering, real-time DBMS, and it can be logged either locally or remotely and can be used for off-line analysis as well. The temporal operational data obtained is used for performance and reliability analysis, high-level summary report generation, real-time monitoring and active interaction. This thesis describes the overview of AMDB, its real-time features.
A Mercury-drop synchronization device

Abstract A simple solid-state oscillator has been developed for triggering electromechanical drop-dislodgement devices. The simplicity, versatility and reproducibility of the device recommend it for use in any polarographic laboratory. It should encourage the use of the valuable differential method.
On the dynamics of strait flows: an ocean model study of the Aleutian passages and the Bering Strait

A high-resolution numerical ocean circulation model of the Bering Sea (BS) is used to study the natural variability of the BS straits. Three distinct categories of strait dynamics have been identified: (1) Shallow passages such as the Bering Strait and the Unimak Passage have northward, near barotropic flow with periodic pulses of larger transports; (2) wide passages such as Near Straits, Amukta Pass, and Buldir Pass have complex flow patterns driven by the passage of mesoscale eddies across the strait; and (3) deep passages such as Amchitka Pass and Kamchatka Strait have persistent deep return flows opposite in direction to major surface currents; the deep flows persist independent of the local wind. Empirical orthogonal function analyses reveal the spatial structure and the temporal variability of strait flows and demonstrate how mesoscale variations in the Aleutian passages influence the Bering Strait flow toward the Arctic Ocean. The study suggests a general relation between the barotropic and baroclinic Rossby radii of deformations in each strait, and the level of flow variability through the strait, independent of geographical location. The mesoscale variability in the BS seems to originate from two different sources: a remote origin from variability in the Alaskan Stream that enters the BS through the Aleutian passages and a local origin from the interaction of currents with the Bowers Ridge in the Aleutian Basin. Comparisons between the flow in the Aleutian passages and flow in other straits, such as the Yucatan Channel and the Faroe Bank Channel, suggest some universal topographically induced dynamics in strait flows.
Co-operative education at the undergraduate level

Co-operative education has proved to be a major element in preparing engineering students for their professional careers. In essence, it is a plan whereby students alternate periods of study in school with periods of activity in industry. Recent developments in operation indicate even greater interest, and consequently new work areas, for the future.
Maxwell’s demon revisited

The problem of velocity selection by Maxwell’s demon in a many-particle gas, as distinct from a one-particle gas, is addressed. For such a situation it is shown that it is impossible to effect a separation of the molecules into two separate partitions so as to bring about an overall decrease in entropy unless information entropy is made available to the system. The validity of this conclusion is discussed in terms of the Gibbs paradox and the principle of quantum indistinguishability of identical particles.