cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current trends in asymptotics: some problems and some solutions

Abstract I discuss five topics of current interest in asymptotic analysis: the use of probabilistic methods to estimate the growth of combinatorial sequences, asymptotic methods in the theory of random walks, the asymptotic estimation of solutions of difference equations, asymptotic expansions in generalized scales, and the computation by asymptotic methods of distributions whose moments are known. I give a number of examples and mention some outstanding unsolved problems.
Corn (Zea mays L.) root exudates and their impact on 14C-pyrene mineralization

Abstract Corn ( Zea mays L.) root exudates were flushed from a hydrophobic system that allowed the aseptic separation of soluble exudates from the intact plant root. Plants were grown for 90 d, during which time root exudates flowed from the hydroponic setup directly onto columns containing soil previously contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Mineralization of the PAH, pyrene, was then determined in soil removed from columns. In addition, exudated samples were directly taken from the hydroponic system for estimation of total organic carbon release and for use in microbial studies. In soil from columns that received root exudates from a planted (versus an unplanted) apparatus, there was a significant increase in 14 C-pyrene mineralization. The extent of stimulation was comparable to that measured in rhizosphere soil isolated from plants growing in the same soil. Soil from columns that received solution from apparatuses that were not planted showed no stimulation of 14 C-pyrene mineralization. Separate studies confirmed that some members of the soil microbial community were able to utilize these soluble plant compounds. This indicates that root exudates have the potential to increase the degradation of xenobiotics by the growth of soil microorganisms. Separating the chemical impact of the root exudates from any root surface phenomena is an important step in isolating a potential mechanism of phytoremediation. Many studies have speculated on the involvement of root exudates in rhizosphere degradation of organic contaminants, but very few studies go beyond adding simple carbon substrates in short pulses. This study employed a system that exposed the microbial community to real root exudates in the concentrations and over a time period that mimicked actual conditions.
A quantitatively scored cancer-risk assessment tool: its development and use.

Abstract Achievement of NIH and ACS goals for reduction in cancer mortality will require increased efforts directed at risk reduction and early detection in the general population. Primary care providers will play a major role. This paper describes the development and use of a quantitative cancer‐risk appraisal tool designed to promote cancer prevention and screening and provide a framework for advancing education on these critical issues at all levels of medical training, to assist physicians in risk identification and patient counseling. The risk assessment questionnaire is close‐ended and easily completed by the patient within 10 to 15 minutes. The IBM‐compatible format permits easy quantitation by laser scanning and computer analysis. This program quantitates risks arising from interacting independent factors and estimates the effects of primary prevention interventions. Program output includes age‐ and sex‐specific ACS screening guidelines and discussion of intensified screening measures in high‐risk...
Ionospheric plasma temperatures during 1976–2001 over Millstone Hill

Abstract Incoherent scatter measurements have been made since the 1960s over Millstone Hill. Zenith antenna data since 1976 and steerable antenna data since 1980 are now available through the WWW-based Madrigal database system. By analyzing this large volume of data in a systematic way, this paper provides an updated climatology of the ionospheric temperature over Millstone Hill, including diurnal variations, solar activity dependences, and the electron density Ne and electron temperature Te relationship. The daytime Te in the F2-layer is found to increase with the increasing solar activity in summer, and to decrease in winter. The inverse correlation between Ne and Te prevails in winter and equinox but is much less pronounced or even disappears in summer. Based on the database, Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar models are established, and compared with the latest International Reference Model.
Gas-phase ion dynamics in a periodic-focusing DC ion guide (Part II): Discrete transport modes

Abstract The purpose of this work is to expand on the theory presented by Silveira et al. [ Silveira et al., International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 296 ( 2010 ) 36–42 ], to include a detailed discussion of discrete ion transport properties in the periodic-focusing DC ion guide (PDC IG) that result in radial ion focusing and ion mobility. We previously noted that although the PDC IG utilizes only electrostatic fields, ions are subjected to an effective RF as they traverse the device in the axial ( z ) direction. Here, the radial electric field ( E r ) oscillations generating the effective RF are investigated in detail. Equations of motion are derived to explain ion movement in the radial ( r ) direction. The results suggest that a collisionally dampened effective potential ( V *) model can explain the observed radial ion confinement. Furthermore, a mathematical explanation regarding the effects of the non-uniform axial electric field and periodic collisional cooling phenomena generated in the PDC IG is presented in the context of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Included is a detailed discussion of the ion mobility coefficient ( K ), ion mobility resolution ( R ), and subsequent determination of the ion-neutral collision cross section ( Ω ) using the PDC IG. The results indicate that the PDC IG affords straightforward and accurate determination of K and Ω via incorporation of a mobility damping coefficient ( α ) which is easily derived based upon the operating conditions and the electrode geometry.
A kinetic study of the hydrolysis of the hexamminecobalt(III) ion in strongly basic media

Abstract The rate of disappearance of the hexamminecobalt(III) ion has been determined at 61·8°C in sodium hydroxide solutions over the range [OH − ] = 0·122 M to [OH − ] = 2·1 M. Above a hydroxide ion concentration of 0·50 M the rate is essentially independent of hydroxide ion concentration and reaches a limiting value of about 2·8 × 10 −4 sec −1 . The rate data alone do not provide sufficient information to distinguish between an S N 1 CB and an S N 1IP mechanism for this reaction. The absorption spectrum of the hexamminecobalt(III) ion in strongly basic media, however, provides no support for an S N 1 CB mechanism of the usual sort. The failure of the complex to undergo a reaction with any ion other than hydroxide under comparable conditions of concentration and temperature indicates that a simple S N 1 IP mechanism is also unlikely. A mechanism combining features of both of these is proposed in order to have an overall process consistent with all available data.
Socioeconomic Factors in Bilingualism in Two Guatemalan Indian Communities

Problems of effectiveness of programs of bilingual education point to the need for understanding factors outside the educational system that can determine the impact of such programs. This study presents data from two Guatemalan Indian communities that show the effect of different types of marketing on the incidence and degree of bilingualism among women. Four factors are isolated that influence the amount and kind of interaction that takes place between Indian women and non-Indians. The influence of these patterns of interaction on bilingualism is examined. BILINGUALISM, MARKETING, CULTURE CHANGE, CAKCHIQUEL.
The Validity and Reliability of the Reflux Finding Score (RFS)

Background The evaluation of medical and surgical outcomes relies on methods of accurately quantifying treatment results. Currently, there is no validated instrument whose purpose is to document the physical findings and severity of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Objective To evaluate the validity and reliability of the reflux finding score (RFS). Methods Forty patients with LPR confirmed by double-probe pH monitoring were evaluated pretreatment and 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment. The RFS was documented for each patient at each visit. For test-retest intraobserver reliability assessment, a blinded laryngologist determined the RFS on two separate occasions. To evaluate interobserver reliability, the RFS was determined by two different blinded laryngologists. Results The mean age of the cohort was 50 years (+/- 12 standard deviation [SD]). Seventy-three percent were women. The RFS at entry was 11.5 (+/- 5.2 SD). This score improved to 9.3 (+/- 4.7 SD) at 2 months, 7.3 (+/- 5.5 SD) at 4 months, and 6.1 (+/- 5.2 SD) at 6 months of treatment (P Conclusions The RFS accurately documents treatment efficacy in patients with LPR. It demonstrates excellent inter- and intraobserver reproducibility.
Engineering students designing a statistical procedure for quantifying variability

Abstract The study examined first-year engineering students’ responses to a statistics task that asked them to generate a procedure for quantifying variability in a data set from an engineering context. Teams used technological tools to perform computations, and their final product was a ranking procedure. The students could use any statistical measures, and they needed to explain their ranking procedure in detail. The responses were first categorized by the statistical measures used. The responses were categorized using a cyclic model development perspective moving from primitive to more sophisticated responses. The modeling cycle framework provided a developmental view of students’ responses and use of statistics. The study raised questions related to the measurement of variability, the application of statistics, and the process teams go through when designing an analysis procedure.
Measuring online information seeking context, Part 1: Background and method

Context is one of the most important concepts in information seeking and retrieval research. However, the challenges of studying context are great; thus, it is more common for researchers to use context as a post hoc explanatory factor, rather than as a concept that drives inquiry. The purposes of this study were to develop a method for collecting data about information seeking context in natural online environments, and identify which aspects of context should be considered when studying online information seeking. The study is reported in two parts. In this, the first part, the background and method are presented. Results and implications of this research are presented in Part 2 (Kelly, in press). Part 1 discusses previous literature on information seeking context and behavior and situates the current work within this literature. This part further describes the naturalistic, longitudinal research design that was used to examine and measure the online information seeking contexts of users during a 14-week period. In this design, information seeking context was characterized by a user's self-identified tasks and topics, and several attributes of these, such as the length of time the user expected to work on a task and the user's familiarity with a topic. At weekly intervals, users evaluated the usefulness of the documents that they viewed, and classified these documents according to their tasks and topics. At the end of the study, users provided feedback about the study method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combining agreement and frequency rating scales to optimize psychometrics in measuring behavioral health functioning

Abstract Objective The goal of this article was to investigate optimal functioning of using frequency vs. agreement rating scales in two subdomains of the newly developed Work Disability Functional Assessment Battery: the Mood & Emotions and Behavioral Control scales. Study Design and Setting A psychometric study comparing rating scale performance embedded in a cross-sectional survey used for developing a new instrument to measure behavioral health functioning among adults applying for disability benefits in the United States was performed. Results Within the sample of 1,017 respondents, the range of response category endorsement was similar for both frequency and agreement item types for both scales. There were fewer missing values in the frequency items than the agreement items. Both frequency and agreement items showed acceptable reliability. The frequency items demonstrated optimal effectiveness around the mean ± 1–2 standard deviation score range; the agreement items performed better at the extreme score ranges. Conclusion Findings suggest an optimal response format requires a mix of both agreement-based and frequency-based items. Frequency items perform better in the normal range of responses, capturing specific behaviors, reactions, or situations that may elicit a specific response. Agreement items do better for those whose scores are more extreme and capture subjective content related to general attitudes, behaviors, or feelings of work-related behavioral health functioning.
Biodehalogenation: Rapid metabolism of Vinyl Chloride by a soil Pseudomonas sp. Direct hydrolysis of a vinyl C ? Cl bond

Resting cell suspensions of a soil Pseudomonas sp readily metabolize vinyl chloride Studies with a combination of 13C and 14C labeled vinyl chloride and metabolites establish that the initial dehalogenation step formally entails a direct hydroxylation of the CCl bond to produce acetaldehyde This substance undergoes biochemical oxidation at both the carbonyl and the methyl carbons to produce acetic acid and hydroxyacetaldehyde These are both further oxidized by the organism to hydroxyacetic acid (glycolic acid), and the latter is converted to carbon dioxide The rate of Cl liberation from vinyl chloride is a function of growth conditions Cells grown on 3 chloropropanol carry out the dehalogenation of vinyl chloride with a t1/2 of 1 3 h at a cell density of 0 1 g/ml
New Approximation Method for Stress Constraints in Structural Synthesis

A new approximation method for dealing with stress constraints in structural synthesis is presented. The finite element nodal forces are approximated and these are used to create an explicit, but often nonlinear, approximation to the original problem. The principal motivation is to create the best approximation possible, in order to reduce the number of detailed finite element analyses needed to reach the optimum. Examples are offered and compared with published results, to demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the proposed method.
Treatment of Bowler's Neuroma with Digital Nerve Translocation

Bowler’s thumb presents as paresthesias or a neuroma involving the ulnar digital nerve of the thumb. Over 95 million people enjoy bowling worldwide with nearly 3 million certified league bowlers in the United States. While the incidence of Bowler’s thumb is unknown, it is an unrelenting nuisance for bowlers, and symptoms can be severe enough to prevent further sport participation. The condition can be managed nonoperatively with rest and splinting, but successful nonoperative treatment frequently requires discontinuation of bowling. The pressure on athletes to resume sports participation sooner and the possibility of nonoperative treatment failure mandate the need for development of a dependable surgical procedure for this condition. We present a case report of a successful surgical treatment by transposing the ulnar digital nerve dorsal to the adductor pollicis. The patient returned to manual labor and resumed bowling and is symptom free 3 years postsurgery.
Rejecting the Binary Opposition Between Alternative and Mainstream Media

Harcup, T. (2013). Alternative journalism, alternative voices. New York, NY: Routledge. 186 pp., 39.95 (Pbk). Media scholars usually analyze alternative and mainstream media in their binary opposit...
Accurate ab initio scf energy curves for the lowest electronic states of co2/co−2

Abstract Accurate ab imtio SCF calculations show that CO − 2 is metastable, with an electron affinity that is significantly larger in magnitude than previously calculated. C 2v group vibrational frequencies and a barrier height for autodetachment are determined for CO − 2 . Agreement with experiment is good.
CAAD BLASTP 2.0: NCBI BLASTP accelerated with pipelined filters

BLAST is a central application in bioinformatics and so has been the subject of numerous acceleration studies. The de facto standard version of this code, NCBI BLAST, uses complex heuristics which make it challenging to simultaneously achieve both high performance and exact agreement with the original output. In previous work, we have used novel FPGA-based filters that reduce the input database by over 99.99% without loss of sensitivity. In the present work there are two primary contributions. The first is a new mechanism to couple two of the filters in such a way that promising alignments can be found in a fraction of the previous time. The second is the pipelining of the three filters. This is a challenging load balancing problem since the work per filter drops by 5× – 10× at both of the interfaces. Pipelining the filters has two benefits: it removes the need to reconfigure between passes and it reduces the off-chip bandwidth requirement. Together, these two enhancements more than double the performance over the previous best implementation. We currently have CAAD BLASTP working on Virtex-6 and Stratix-IV FPGAs with speed-ups of 9× and 15×, respectively, over the multithreaded original code running on an 8-core PC. We discuss FPGA features that cause this performance disparity. CAAD BLASTP scales easily and is appropriate for use in large FPGA-based servers.
Evidence for a plasma membrane proton pump in phloem cells of higher plants

Metabolic energy is required for the loading of sucrose into the phloem and translocation of sugars throughout the plant. The proton electrochemical gradient generated by a plasma membrane proton pump (H(+)-ATPase) is thought to provide energy for these processes. The plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase is encoded by a multigene family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we characterize the expression of isoform AHA3 (Arabidopsis H(+)-ATPase isoform 3). The AHA3 mRNA start site was mapped and 464 bp of the putative upstream regulatory region sequenced. A translational fusion of AHA3 to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was constructed and used to generate transgenic Nicotiana and Arabidopsis plants. Using a histochemical stain, expression of the AHA3/GUS fusion was found predominantly in phloem cells of leaves, stems, roots, and flowers. Biochemical measurements of GUS activity in pith and vascular explants confirmed the histochemical localization. Our results support the hypothesis that a proton pump is present in phloem cells, possibly providing energy to drive plasma membrane cotransport systems required for phloem loading and translocation of photosynthates. In addition to AHA3/GUS expression in phloem, expression was observed in pollen and regions of the ovule, tissues whose physiological functions correlate with a requirement for high levels of solute transport.
Surface tension helps a tongue grab liquid

Capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the surface tension of aqueous liquids against air shows natural selection at its most creative. The paper in PNAS by Rico-Guevara and Rubega (1) describes how protruded hummingbird tongues curl lengthwise into a pair of tubes containing nectar. As a tongue contacts nectar on its lower surface or is withdrawn from full submersion, the surface tension of the residual air–nectar interface draws the sides of the tubes up into nearly complete cylinders. Together with the hydrophilic surface of the tongue, lengthwise stiffening rods ensure proper reshaping with no need for muscular activity. After retraction, subsequent protrusion through a tighter bill aperture strips the tongue of the fluid. Neither capillarity nor active pumping needs to take place, and therefore, the high viscosity from the concentrated sugar in the nectar does not present a problem. Viscosity may minimize lengthwise leakage from the cylinders, while viscosity rises steeply with increasing concentrations of sugar, and therefore, surface tension changes much less.
Non-linear random vibration of filamentary composites

Abstract The method of equivalent linearization in conjunction with finite element modeling is used to perform non-linear random vibration analysis of filamentary composite plates loaded in extension. An approximate representation of the non-linear shear stress-strain law in terms of a power series results in a tractable formulation that is sufficiently accurate for practical purposes. The solution is performed iteratively, using linear random vibration analysis during each iteration. Techniques for parallelizing the computations are briefly discussed.
Extremely High-Frequency Holographic Radar Imaging of Personnel and Mail

The awareness of terrorists covertly transporting chemical warfare (CW) and biological warfare (BW) agents into government, military, and civilian facilities to harm the occupants has increased dramatically since the attacks of 9/11. Government and civilian security personnel have a need for innovative surveillance technology that can rapidly detect these lethal agents, even when they are hidden away in sealed containers and concealed either under clothing or in hand-carried items such as mailed packages or handbags. Sensor technology that detects BW and CW agents in mail or sealed containers carried under the clothing are under development. One promising sensor technology presently under development to detect these threats is active millimeter-wave holographic radar imaging, which can readily image concealed items behind paper, cardboard, and clothing. Feasibility imaging studies at frequencies greater than 40 GHz have been conducted to determine whether simulated biological or chemical agents concealed in mail packages or under clothing could be detected using this extremely high-frequency imaging technique. The results of this imaging study will be presented in this paper.
Glyceroglucolipids of the mucous barrier of dog stomach

Distribution of glyceroglucolipids in the mucous barrier of dog stomach fundus, body and antrum was investigated. Surface mucus lining and preformed intracellular mucus were obtained by instillation of the ligated stomach compartments with 2 M NaCl. Lipids were extracted from the dialyzed and lyophilized samples, and the glycolipids were separated into neutral and acidic fractions. The glyceroglucolipids contained in each fraction were purified into individual components by thin-layer chromatography and were quantified. The content of glyceroglucolipids (mumol glucose/g protein) in the antral portion of the stomach was 2.1 times greater than that of the fundus and 3.4 times greater than that of the body. All three areas of the stomach contained neutral and sulfated glyceroglucolipids. However, the level of sulfated glycerolglucolipids (mumol glucose/g protein) was three times higher in the antrum as compared to the fundus and four times higher as compared to the body. The neutral and sulfated glyceroglucolipids were present in a molar ratio of 1.0 : 0.7 in the fundus, 1.0 : 1.1 in the body and 1.0 : 1.5 in the antrum.
Paludal environments of the Mary Lee coal zone, Pottsville formation, Alabama: stacked clastic swamps and peat mires

Abstract The Blue Creek and Mary Lee coals in the lower part of the Mary Lee coal zone, Upper Pottsville Formation, northwestern Alabama, record deposition in peat-accumulating environments or mires. Intervening strata contain a series of stacked clastic swamps (forested wetlands which grew on a classtic sediment substrate, rather than a peat soil). These clastic swamp horizons are identified on the basis of: (1) autochthonous, erect, lycophyte and Calamites trunks; (2) mud-cast, prostrate, hypoautochthonous lycophyte and Calamites trunks; (3) compression-impression assemblages of autochthonous to hypoautochthonous pteridosperm and lycophyte foliage, branches, and reproductive structures; (4) autochthonous axes and appendages of Stigmaria , and Pinnularia ; and (5) siderite nodules associated with “rooting” structures and other plant material. Sedimentological and biostratinomic features of the Mary Lee coal to Blue Creek coal interval are used as the basis for the interpretation that sediment loading and compaction of buried peat controlled the alternation between peat mires and clastic swamps, and the stacking of the clastic swamps.
Exploring parabolic equation models for improved underwater network simulations

Researchers often use simulators to evaluate protocols developed for underwater networked systems. However, the underwater communication channel is complex and physical layer models used in these simulation tools are often simplified. This can lead to inaccuracies in performance results. In this paper, we explore the use of a parabolic equation (PE) model known as Monterey-Miami (MMPE) for integration into the physical layer of an existing underwater network simulator known as Aqua-Sim. PE models are used to consider more realistic environmental effects on signal properties and could help generate more accurate network simulations. We discuss our channel framework for Aqua-Sim and the challenges associated with integrating complex models such as MMPE. We then compare the transmission loss and network performance results of the MMPE model to that of existing attenuation models used in underwater network simulators.
LOSS AND ABANDONMENT OF CLEARED FARM LAND IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES1

ABSTRACT The loss and abandonment of agricultural land in thirty-one states of the eastern United States has been more widespread than is commonly recognized. Changes in the acreage of cleared farm land provide a better indication of farm land loss and abandonment than changes in the total acreage of farm land, because of geographical and historical variations in the acreage of farm woodland. Eight areas in the East experienced especially heavy losses of cleared farm land between 1910 and 1959. No single statistical indicator provides a satisfactory explanation of the complex geographical patterns of loss and abandonment. Although urban expansion is a major cause for the permanent loss of cleared farm land, and despite its importance on the fringes of metropolitan areas, it is but one of many factors which influence loss and abandonment. Strip mining and the loss of a locally dominant crop have been important factors in certain areas. The Soil Bank program has had its greatest impact upon land of intermed...
Coherent raman spectroscopy of HCN complexes

Abstract Photoacoustic Raman spectroscopy (PARS) is shown to be a sensitive technique for obtaining Raman spectra of hydrogen-bonded complexes in the gas phase. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) provides analogous spectra in supersonic expansions. The effective resolution is higher in the latter case due to the cooling and collision-free conditions in the jet. The ability to “tune” complex size by changing expansion conditions is demonstrated in the case of HCN.
Gender Boot Camp for Korean Immigrant Patriarchs Father School and the New Father Conversion Process

This paper explores the “new father” conversion process undertaken by participants of the worldwide, South Korean–inspired Father School movement. Focusing on first-generation Korean immigrant men living in the United States, men pursue an alternative Western paradigm of fatherhood emphasizing an emotionally expressive and caring “new father” ideal at odds with the distant and domineering fatherhood style that traditionally characterizes much of this population. Based on the ethnographic study of multiday seminars and content analyses of movement rhetoric and men’s personal letters, I assess how immigrant fatherhood is reconstituted within the stew of intensive interaction and affective bonding. The gender conversion process undertaken by these men involves five core elements: (1) trying participation, (2) defining fatherhood models, (3) following organizational roles and guidelines, (4) confessing fatherhood transgressions, and (5) projecting new fatherhood. This study extends conversion theory by explic...
Complement Can Neutralize HIV-1 Plasma Virus by a C5-Independent Mechanism

Abstract A previous study showed a portion of HIV-1 plasma virus was lysed by the addition of exogenous human AB + seronegative complement. The current study was performed to determine whether infectious plasma virus was inactivated by complement. Incubation of plasma virus with AB + -seronegative serum resulted in substantial decreases in infectious titers, demonstrating that infectious plasma virus is susceptible to complement-mediated inactivation. Although complement also induced some lysis of plasma virus samples, virus was neutralized to a significantly higher degree, suggesting neutralization did not occur solely by lysis. Additionally, C5-deficient complement substantially neutralized virus, indicating coating of virus by early complement components was an important mechanism of neutralization. A portion of some freshly isolated plasma virus samples bound to complement receptor 2 in the absence of exogenous complement, indicating that early complement components bound virus in vivo . Furthermore, plasma virus samples that had less C3 deposited on their surface in vivo had higher infectious titers than samples with a larger fraction with surface C3. These findings suggest that complement can neutralize HIV-1 plasma virus in vivo by coating with complement proteins. This is the first study to provide evidence that coating by complement leads to functional inactivation of a virus in vivo .
Olfactory Dysfunction Predicts 5-Year Mortality in Older Adults

Prediction of mortality has focused on disease and frailty, although antecedent biomarkers may herald broad physiological decline. Olfaction, an ancestral chemical system, is a strong candidate biomarker because it is linked to diverse physiological processes. We sought to determine if olfactory dysfunction is a harbinger of 5-year mortality in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project [NSHAP], a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults. 3,005 community-dwelling adults aged 57–85 were studied in 2005–6 (Wave 1) and their mortality determined in 2010–11 (Wave 2). Olfactory dysfunction, determined objectively at Wave 1, was used to estimate the odds of 5-year, all cause mortality via logistic regression, controlling for demographics and health factors. Mortality for anosmic older adults was four times that of normosmic individuals while hyposmic individuals had intermediate mortality (p<0.001), a “dose-dependent” effect present across the age range. In a comprehensive model that included potential confounding factors, anosmic older adults had over three times the odds of death compared to normosmic individuals (OR, 3.37 [95%CI 2.04, 5.57]), higher than and independent of known leading causes of death, and did not result from the following mechanisms: nutrition, cognitive function, mental health, smoking and alcohol abuse or frailty. Olfactory function is thus one of the strongest predictors of 5-year mortality and may serve as a bellwether for slowed cellular regeneration or as a marker of cumulative toxic environmental exposures. This finding provides clues for pinpointing an underlying mechanism related to a fundamental component of the aging process.
A channelized digital receiver design for UWB systems in a multi-path indoor environment

Due to the very wide bandwidth of UWB system, it is hard if not impossible to design high speed and high resolution ADCs with today's technology. This problem can be solved if the received UWB signal is split into a number of subbands by power splitters, analog low-pass filters, mixers and digital filters. By doing this, each of subbands can be sampled at a fraction of effective sampling frequency. In this paper, we present a simpler channelized receiver architecture for UWB systems than previously published work. Moreover, we present a new, though more complex, channelized receiver design for UWB systems in a multipath propagation environment. We also show through simulation that this new receiver achieves very good BER performance.
NEW ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS. DOPANT AND ARCHITECTURAL EFFECTS ON THE COLLECTIVE PROPERTIES OF COFACIALLY JOINED METALLOPHTHALOCYANINES.

An integrated chemical and physicochemical investigation of the cofacially joined metallomacrocyclic polymers [M(Pc)O]n (M = Si, Ge, Si) and the halogen-doped, electrically conductive derivatives {[M(Pc)O]Xy}n (X = I; M = Si, Ge; X = Br; M = Si) is reported. The structures of these polymers have been studied by X-ray diffraction, resonance Raman, transmission infrared, transmission optical, 13C CP-MAS NMR, and EPR spectroscopy. The picture which emerges is that of inhomogeneously doped, mixed-valent arrays of predominantly ligand-oxidized (π radical cation) metallomacrocycles. Magnetic susceptibility and optical reflectivity measurements reveal a progressive increase in tight-binding bandwidths with decreasing interplanar (ring-ring) spacing. Studies of dc electrical conductivity as a function of dopant level and temperature suggest that transport in these heterogeneously doped materials can be satisfactorily described with percolation theory and fluctuation-induced carrier tunneling. The conductivity is a sensitive function of the ring-ring stacking separations; evidence is presented for “metal-like” (dσ/dt < O) conductivity in the {[Si(Pc)O]I1.12}n stacking direction with σ ≈ 100 Ω−1 cm−1.
Abstract 1984: A novel logistic regression model for microRNA microarray normalization

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC MicroRNA (miRNA) is a set of newly discovered non-coding small RNA molecules. It regulates gene expression at the translational level through binding to the 3′-UTR of the target gene. Its significant effects have contributed to a number of critical biological events including cell proliferation, apoptosis, development as well as tumorigenesis. High throughput genomic discovery platforms (e.g. microarray) have been employed to evaluate the important roles of miRNAs by analyzing their expression profiling. However, because of the small total number of miRNAs and the absence of well known endorse controls, the traditional normalization methods for messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling analysis could not offer a suitable normalization solution for miRNA analysis. The establishment of new adaptive normalization methods has come to the forefront. In this study, Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) based miRNA array was employed to profile miRNAs using colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 under different drug treatments (5FU, CPT-11, and oxaliplatin). We randomly selected approximate 10% of total microRNAs from the microarray (37 miRNAs) and determined their expression patterns using quantitive real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), which has become the gold standard for relative gene expression analysis and one of the major validation methods after high throughput discovery. Then, a logistic regression model was built to normalize the miRNA expression data from miRNA array, by utilizing the results from qRT-PCR and some auxiliary variables. Twenty additional miRNAs were selected to validate the predicted results by the novel model. The result shows that the consistency between the qRT-PCR and array results was significantly improved with the new normalization method. Compared to other popularly used normalization methods, the logistic regression model efficiently calibrates the variance across arrays and improves miRNA microarray discovery accuracy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1984.
Characterization of gastrointestinal absorption of digoxin involving influx and efflux transporter in rats: application of mdr1a knockout (-/-) rats into absorption study of multiple transporter substrate.

Abstract1. This study was aimed to characterize gastrointestinal absorption of digoxin using wild-type (WT) and multidrug resistance protein 1a [mdr1a; P-glycoprotein (P-gp)] knockout (−/−) rats.2. In WT rats, the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) of oral digoxin increased after oral pretreatment with quinidine at 30 mg/kg compared with non-treatment, but the increasing ratio tended to decrease at a high dose of 100 mg/kg. In mdr1a (−/−) rats, however, quinidine pretreatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in the AUC.3. Quinidine pretreatment did not alter the hepatic availability of digoxin, indicating that the changes in the digoxin AUC were attributable to inhibition of the absorption process by quinidine; i.e. inhibition of influx by quinidine in mdr1a (−/−) rats and inhibition of efflux and influx by quinidine in WT rats.4. An in situ rat intestinal closed loop study using naringin implied that organic anion transporting peptide (Oatp) 1a5 may be a responsible transporter in the a...
Migration arrest in glioma cells is dependent on the αv integrin subunit

Local invasion is a hallmark of gliomas. Infiltrating tumor cells establish sites of persistent and recurrent lesions that ultimately prove fatal. Determinants of glioma cell migration include integrins and their ligands within the matrix. In contrast to the response to other matrix proteins, glioma cells migrating on tenascin do not follow a characteristic dose-dependent pattern. For two of four glioma cell lines tested, tenascin acts as both a permissive and a nonpermissive motility substrate, i.e., low densities of tenascin are permissive substrates, whereas high densities are nonpermissive. Specific antisense oligonucleotides directed at the αv integrin subunit effectively suppress the anti-migratory phenotype of glioma cells at high tenascin densities. The two cell lines that fail to demonstrate this unusual biphasic pattern do not endogenously express the αv subunit, whereas the cell lines for which high densities of tenascin are anti-migratory are found to express αv. We conclude that loss of the αv integrin subunit may be associated with the invasive behavior of gliomas, along vascular channels that express tenascin. GLIA 24:236–243, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ROBOCRANE CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed conceptual designs, laboratory scale models, and computer simulations/animation of several configurations of remotely operated cranes to assemble highway bridges. NIST's designs have been patented and trademarked as “RoboCrane.” Major opportunities exist to develop fullscale cranes and demonstrate construction of temporary bridges, causeways across wetlands, and overpasses for traffic management over repair sites. Remotely operated, mobile, lightweight cranes can put modular bridge sections in place and provide better control of loads. This could result in faster assembly and less environmental disturbance. RoboCrane configurations that are well suited for bridge assembly and their potential savings in time and cost are discussed.
Prevalence, correlates, and efficacy of selective avoidance as a sexually transmitted disease prevention strategy among African American adolescent females.

Objectives To identify the prevalence and correlates of selective avoidance (SA) of sexual intercourse among African American adolescent females at risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD) acquisition and transmission. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Health clinics. Participants African American females (N = 715) between the ages of 15 and 21 years. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported sexual behaviors and laboratory-confirmed STDs. Results Among the participants, 35.4% used SA as a strategy to prevent STD acquisition; 25.7% used SA to prevent STD transmission. Use of SA was not associated with current STD status. In multivariable analyses, adolescents who had sexual intercourse with 2 or more partners in the past 60 days, those who had high fear related to condom use negotiation, and those who discussed STD prevention with their sexual partners were 2.05 times more likely (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-3.20), 1.55 times more likely (95% CI, 1.09-2.19), and 2.00 times more likely (95% CI, 1.38-2.90), respectively, to use SA to prevent STD acquisition, and the same groups were 2.62 times more likely (95% CI, 1.62-4.24), 1.60 times more likely (95% CI, 1.10-2.32), and 2.13 times more likely (95% CI, 1.39-3.26), respectively, to use SA to prevent STD transmission. Conclusions This study provides initial evidence suggesting that SA as a risk-reduction strategy specifically used to prevent STD acquisition and/or transmission may be common among African American adolescent females. Based on a lack of differences in STD prevalence, we recommend that clinicians and prevention programs discourage the use of SA as an STD prevention strategy and encourage adolescent females to use condoms consistently and correctly with all male sexual partners.
Conceptual and Design Issues in Instrument Development for Research with Bereaved Parents

Many childhood deaths in the United States occur in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and parents have special needs in this death context. As an interdisciplinary research team, we discuss conceptual and design issues encountered in creating a new instrument, the Bereaved Parent Needs Assessment-PICU, for assessing parents' needs in this setting. Using a qualitative approach, our team previously explored how the culture and related ways of providing care in one urban Midwestern children's hospital PICU affected parents' bereavement needs and experiences. We describe using this qualitative foundation in the development of a new quantitative instrument to more widely validate and measure bereaved parents' needs around the time of a child's death across multiple PICUs. We highlight a series of issues that warrant consideration in designing a research instrument for this vulnerable population including setting and context, format and content, temporality, recruitment, and content expertise.
Sensitivity functions for single-input linear time-invariant systems

Abstract Frequency domain techniques are utilized to establish general symmetry and simultaneity properties for sensitivity functions of the phase canonical form of a single-input, linear, time-invariant nth order controllable system. It is demonstrated that the computation of the lth sensitivity function, defined by the (l + 1)th tensor: β≜ ∂ l z i ∂α jl ∂α ... jl-1 ∂α j 2 ∂α j 1 ∣ α=α 0 for i = 1,2,…,n, jk = 1,2,…,n, k = 1,2,…,l, can be performed iteratively and requires only one nth-order model in addition to the (l - 1)th sensititvity function. This Complete Simultaneity Property is further shown to apply to the generation of sensitivity functions of arbitrary nth-order, single-input systems. Implementation of this general result needs only (l + 1)n integrators. Hence, it provides a marked improvement over sensitivity point analysis which employs [n + Σlk=1nk] integrators for an nth order system represented in phase-canonical form. The application of the technique to general single-input, linear, time-invariant systems is indicated and the extension of the approach to multi-input, linear, time-invariant systems is mentioned. A scheme is provided which can be implemented on an analog or digital computer to study and evaluate the sensitivity of single-input, linear, time-invariant systems. Examples illustrate both the key ideas and application of the results.
Approximation Formulas for the Equilibrium Size of an Aerosol Particle as a Function of Its Dry Size and Composition and the Ambient Relative Humidity

Abstract Approximations to the exact equations describing the variation with relative humidity of the equilibrium size of aqueous solution droplets are developed. For relative humidities between 81 and 99.5%, and for droplets formed by particles composed of greater than 60% by mass of any one of nine common electrolytes and having a dry radius in the range of 0.05 to 3.0 μm, the approximation formulas presented are accurate to within 5%. Using these formulas, an expression is obtained for the size distribution of a chemically homogeneous aerosol as a function of relative humidity.
A note on the relationship between the expression and the automatic detection of parallelism in programs

A certain balance between language features and compiler complexity is required to achieve reasonable speedups and machine efficiency on multiprocessors. This short note contains one picture and about a thousand words discussing this relationship between the explicit expression and the automatic detection of parallelism in programs.
Synthesis and thermal reaction of 2-/4-/4-ethynylphenoxy/phenylene/-3-phenyl quinoxaline

2-[4-(4-Ethynylphenoxy)phenylene]-3-phenylquinoxaline was prepared by two routes and was thermally reacted at various temperatures. The intermediate reactants, the acetylene containing phenylquinoxaline, and its thermally induced reaction product were characterized by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. The principal component in the 350° reaction product was a dimer from addition of an acetylene group to another.
Repair of aortic transection associated with ductal diverticular aneurysm

A 14-year-old girl involved in a motor vehicle accident sustained an acute traumatic aortic transection at the site of a congenital ductal diverticular aneurysm. Aortic transection is a lethal injury that is uncommon in children. A ductal diverticular aneurysm is a rare congenital lesion, formed when the ductus arteriosus fails to close with aneurysmal formation at the aortic isthmus. Diagnosis, management, and pathophysiology of both lesions are discussed.
An accessibility study of state legislative Web sites

Abstract On-line state legislative information should be equally accessible to all citizens. While state Web sites have been praised for aesthetic design and innovative services, access has rarely been examined despite the legal activity regarding Web site accessibility on the federal level. This study examined selected Web pages for each of the fifty states using a program that determined the number and type of barriers posed to users of assistive technology. Although some states have clearly made an effort to provide equal access to all, there were a number of examples of inaccessible Web sites. Even states that meet the minimum requirements for accessibility have not chosen to follow the full guidelines. As the amount of on-line information continues to increase, adopting accessibility guidelines will become even more crucial.
Hyperspectral microscopy imaging to analyze pathology samples with multicolors reduces time and cost

By taking advantage of the continuous spectrum collected for each image pixel by the Hyperspectral Microscopy Imaging (HMI) system, the data spectra can be de-convolved into a set of standard spectra coefficients for each pixel. The coefficients are calculated by the analysis program and indicate the relative amounts of each standard necessary to reproduce the data spectra for each image pixel. Images of a single color or composite images of two or more colors can be produced for visual analysis. The HMI system is composed of an Olympus inverted microscope, imaging spectrograph, CCD camera, motorized X-Y stage and illumination sources. This system has been used to scan and analyze pathology tissue samples which have been stained with 4 standard fluorochromes (not including the dynamic background spectrum) attached to specific antibodies. The typical wavelength range is 420nm to 785nm with the longest wavelength markers emitting in the spectral region where the human eye is not sensitive. Quantitative values are recorded and can be compared to the visual interpretations.