cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of family relationships associated with depressive symptomatology in mothers of young children

Although mothers of young children have a higher incidence of depressive symptomatology than do either women who are not mothers or men, very little is known about the psychological nature of this phenomenon. This study examines the way in which psychological dimensions of family relationships are associated with or contribute to this increased risk in married Caucasian mothers raising first-born children. The relationships between maternal depressive symptomatology and recollections of parental relationships during childhood, marital satisfaction, and maternal separation anxiety were examined. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that these three factors explained 35.5% of the variance in maternal depressive symptomatology. These results, in addition to significant zero-order correlations, are discussed in light of the existing psychological literature.
Potentially serious drug-drug interactions among community-dwelling older adult dental patients.

Objectives Reducing adverse drug events, including those resulting from drug-drug interactions, will be a health safety issue of increasing importance for dental practitioners in the coming decades as greater numbers of older adults seek oral health care. The purpose of this study was to identify prescription drugs with the potential for serious interactions and estimate prevalent use among older adults visiting the dentist. Study design The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey is an ongoing series of nationally representative surveys of Medicare beneficiaries. Potentially serious drug interactions were selected with the use of published work by Partnership to Prevent Drug-Drug Interactions. Drug interactions were identified and prevalence estimates made for community-dwelling older adults visiting the dentist. Analyses were completed to test associations between sociodemographic and health-related variables and the use of prescription drugs with the potential for serious interactions. Results Overall, 3.4% of those visiting the dentist were estimated to have been prescribed drugs with the potential for a serious drug interaction. Drugs commonly prescribed in dentistry with the potential for serious interactions include the benzodiazepines, macrolide antibiotics, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory analgesics. Conclusions Understanding potentially harmful drug combinations, their clinical consequences, and the frequency with which implicated drugs are being prescribed will assist practitioners in clinically managing patients and avoiding inappropriate prescribing.
Multi-element adjustable transducer arrays for the ultrasonic scanning of aging aircraft

As a part of an aircraft inspection, characterization of fatigue cracks and corrosion spots is a vital task to ensure airworthiness of airplane structures. Conventional techniques for crack or corrosion characterization are based on either echo-amplitude measurements or time-of-flight evaluation. Application of more advanced imaging or scanning techniques significantly improves the accuracy and resolution of ultrasonic measurements. However, these techniques usually require high-cost instrumentation and training. A novel adjustable transducer array for an ultrasonic scanning using low-cost portable data acquisition units has been developed at Northwestern University. The array is utilized to detect and characterize small incipient fatigue cracks and corrosion spots, as well as to monitor the sealant quality in the multi-layered airplane structures. The arrays are suitable for rapid adjustments of elements with different parameters over a wide range of spatial orientations based on the configuration of the aircraft structure, type of the flaw to be detected, and the inspection procedure. The adjustable transducer arrays will replace currently used single element transducer assemblies that are custom-made for each particular application. The new arrays require minimal time to be readjusted from one application to another. The arrays are compatible with the commercially available portable ultrasonic units.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A temperature study of diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine vesicles.

Abstract Dispersions of the diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine, DC 8,9 PC, undergo a change from vesicles to hollow tubes on cooling. We report here a light scattering and multinuclear NMR study of the lipid vesicles over the temperature range 0–50°C. The ‘splitting’ of the N + (CH 3 ) 3 resonance increases with decreasing temperature, consistent with the light scattering measurements which show a decrease in vesicle size with decreasing temperature. The NMR spectrum remains well-resolved over this temperature range, even at temperatures as low as 3°C. Phosphorus NMR also indicates that the ‘bilayer structure’ is maintained over this temperature range. The various proton resonances and the phosphorous signal from the lipid vesicles broaden as the temperature is lowered. These results will be helpful in developing a model for the tubule-forming ability of DC 8,9 PC.
A modified Soxhlet extractor for histological and histochemical use.

If the standard Soxhlet continuous-extraction apparatus is modified by the addition of a water jacket around thextraction chamber, the temperature of tissue undergoing extraction can be kept safely below damaging limits. Subsequent routine processing and examination of tissues after the cool extraction showed that they were less friable and had fewer structural distortions than those extracted with the uncooled, standard type c apparatus.
Multipole (E1, M1, E2, M2, E3, M3) transition wavelengths and rates between 3l−15l′ excited and ground states in nickel-like ions

A relativistic many-body method is used to calculate energy and transition rates for multipole transitions in many-electron ions. This method is based on relativistic many-body perturbation theory (RMBPT), agrees with MCDF calculations in lowest order, includes all second-order correlation corrections and includes corrections from negative energy states. Reduced matrix elements, oscillator strengths and transition rates are calculated for electric-multipole (dipole (E1), quadrupole (E2) and octupole (E3)) and magnetic-multipole (dipole (M1), quadrupole (M2) and octupole (M3)) transitions between 3l−15l' excited and ground states in Ni-like ions with nuclear charges ranging from Z = 30 to 100. The calculations start from a 1s22s22p63s23p63d10 Dirac–Fock potential. First-order perturbation theory is used to obtain intermediate-coupling coefficients, and second-order RMBPT is used to determine the matrix elements. A detailed discussion of the various contributions to the dipole matrix elements and energy levels is given for nickel-like tungsten (Z = 74). The contributions from negative-energy states are included in the second-order E1, M1, E2 M2, E3 and M3 matrix elements. The resulting transition energies and transition rates are compared with experimental values and with results from other recent calculations. These atomic data are important in modelling of M-shell radiation spectra of heavy ions generated in electron beam ion trap experiments and in M-shell diagnostics of plasmas.
The development of a constructivist socio cultural model of professional development from 1970s to 2011

SCI-LINK: A Model of Professional Development had its earliest beginnings in the mid-1970s. A brief overview of this constructivist, socio-cultural model is described, as referenced through many papers written as the model ‘expanded’ over time and incorporated other programs. SCI-LINK is a fluid model. Certain of its various projects and component parts have been addressed in publications spanning 1978 to the present. These components have focused on information requested by teachers about new environmental topics such as acid rain, air quality, water quality, harmful algal blooms, mosquito borne diseases, urbanization; on new technology applications such as geographic information systems (GIS), the Internet, use of computers in classrooms; or on personal development such as What is a leader? What exemplifies a good teacher? How can I take charge of my own growth and development? The SCI-LINK model is ‘based on a conceptualization of professional development as the empowerment of individuals through a process in which they are given the tools and the opportunity to construct their own knowledge and meaning in a supportive social context.” Howe & Stubbs, 1996, p. 179).
A general method of site-specific mutagenesis using a modification of the Thermus aquaticus polymerase chain reaction

Abstract A specific mutagenic change in the cDNA of human protein S was introduced by a modification of the polymerase chain reaction that permits the introduction of a mutation at any position in a double-stranded DNA molecule. The method employed four synthetic oligonucleotide primers. One oligonucleotide contained a single-base mismatch to direct the mutagenesis; the other three oligonucleotides were designed to allow selective amplification of the mutated sequence with Thermus aquaticus polymerase. The mutagenized cDNA was cloned into a plasmid vector and transformed into Escherichia coli RR1 cells for characterization. The desired cytosine to guanine change in the target cDNA was confirmed by the predicted appearance of an AluI restriction site and by dideoxynucleotide sequencing. No other sequence changes were detected within the amplified region. This method of site-specific mutagenesis can be applied to any linear double-stranded DNA large enough for primer annealing and obviates specialized cloning vectors, DNA constructs, and selection techniques. It has the advantage over a recently published PCR technique ( R. Higuchi, B. Krummel, and R. Saki (1988 ) Nucleic Acids Res. 16, 7351–7367) in requiring no diafiltration to remove primers between steps and in requiring only a single mutagenic oligonucleotide to be synthesized for each mutant construct made after the initial one.
Symptomatic outcomes and perceived satisfaction levels of chiropractic patients with a primary diagnosis involving acute neck pain.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which a group of patients with acute neck pain managed with chiropractic manipulative therapy benefited from chiropractic care and the degree to which they were subsequently satisfied. Methods A two-part retrospective survey, each composed of 14 questions. One part was completed by practicing doctors of chiropractic concerning various aspects of their treatment for patients with former acute neck pain. In the second part, these same patients responded to a telephone survey to measure pre- and posttreatment pain levels and their level of satisfaction with the treatment they received. Chiropractic manipulative therapy was the primary independent variable, although other therapies were used, such as physical therapy, nutritional advice, and exercise. Results A total of 115 patients were contacted, of whom 94 became study participants, resulting in 60 women (64%) and 34 men. The mean age was 39.6 years (SD, 15.7). The mean number of visits was 24.5 (SD, 21.2). Pain levels improved significantly from a mean of 7.6 (median, 8.0) before treatment to 1.9 (median, 2.0) after treatment ( P Conclusion Patients with acute neck pain involved in this study seemed to be satisfied with chiropractic treatment and reported reductions in associated pain levels and activity restrictions. However, because of the study's design and limitations, care must be taken before drawing firm conclusions from the data presented.
Karl Polanyi's and Karl William Kapp's Substantive Economics: Important Insights from the Kapp–Polanyi Correspondence

Abstract Based on the unpublished Kapp-Polanyi correspondence, the paper analyzes the relationship between the two economists, as well as the meaning and origin of substantive economics, i.e. one of the key concepts of institutional economics with distinctly European roots. The correspondence shows how both economists influenced each other in their similar understanding of the substantive economy, and reveals that these similarities and the mutual influence date back to the ‘planning debate’ of the 1920s and 1930s. The documents also evidence the importance of Carl Menger's definition of substantive economics in the posthumous and untranslated second edition of the Grundsatze der Volkswirtschaftslehre (Principles of Economics) (1923). As a result, Kapp's political economy, i.e. his social minima approach appears in new light. The latter actualizes the full potential of substantive economics for a modern political economy by integrating insights from Polanyi's substantive economics, Menger's differentiatio...
Experience with a Simplified Technique for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Over a 9-year period a simple procedure for the correction of stress urinary incontinence was performed in 86 consecutive patients, 31 of whom had failed a previous anti-incontinence procedure. Success was achieved in 81 cases (94%). Of the 5 failures, 2 were successfully treated with a repeat procedure. Operative time ranged from 14 to 49 min (median 27). The average hospital stay was 2 days. Because of its simplicity and reliability, this technique is recommended for the surgical correction of female stress urinary incontinence.
Spectroscopic and photochemical properties of Malachite Green noncovalently bound to bovine serum albumin

Abstract The noncovalent binding of the cationic triarylmethane dye Malachite Green (MG + ) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results indicate that the BSA binding sites are very effective in hindering fast nonradiative relaxation processes that occur via rotational motion of the aromatic rings of this triarylmethane. As a result, pronounced increases in both fluorescence yield and dye photoreactivity were observed upon protein binding. The 532 nm laser-induced photobleaching of protein-bound MG + yields leuco malachite green and 4-dimethylaminobenzophenone as major reaction photoproducts. Based on the nature of these products, the first step of the bleaching process is postulated to be an electron or hydrogen atom transfer from the protein to the dye moiety.
Oxidation of Propane at Elevated Pressures: Experiments and Modelling

Abstract The oxidation of propane in air at elevated pressure was investigated in a chemical flow reactor and modelled with a comprehensive chemical kinetic model. Results are presented for pressures of 3.6. and 10 atmospheres, temperatures near 850 and 900 K, and equivalence ratio of 0.3. Gas samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with aldehydes additionally sampled using a dinitrophenylhydrazine/acetoni-trile(DNPH/ACN) procedure. Major product species observed include C3H6, C2H5. and CO: trace amounts of CH4 and C02 were detected, as well as H2 and oxygenated species including CH2O, CH3CHO, C3H60, and C2H5CHO, Fuel conversion was increased with increased pressure and temperature, and the product distribution was significantly shifted in favor of C3H6 over C2H4 with increased pressure and decreased temperature. Comparison between modelling and measured results for ethylene concentrations supported the use of Tsang's recent values for the rate of propyl radical decomposition. The model compared we...
Toward parathyroid hormone minimization: conformational studies of cyclic PTH(1-14) analogues.

The N-terminal fragment of PTH(1−34) is critical for PTH1 receptor activation. Various modifications of PTH(1−14) have been shown to result in a considerable increase in signaling potency [Shimizu et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 21836−21843]. Our structural investigations revealed an unusually stable helical structure of the signaling domain (1−14), where residues 6 (Gln) and 10 (Gln or Asn) were located on the same face of the α-helix. To test whether a stable N-terminal α-helix is required for productive interaction with PTH1 receptor, we designed two conformationally restricted PTH(1−14) analogues, each containing a lactam bridge at positions 6 and 10. Specifically, substitutions Gln6 → Glu6 and Asn10 → Lys10 were introduced into the most potent [Ala1,3,12,Gln10,Har11,Trp14]PTH(1−14)NH2 agonist. Both the Glu6−Lys10 and Lys6−Glu10 lactam-bridged analogues were characterized to examine the importance of orientation of the lactam. According to biological studies [Shimizu et al. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 2...
The Effect of Photospheric Granulation on the Determination of the Lithium Abundance in Solar-Type Stars

I investigate non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) formation of the 670.6 nm Li I resonance doublet in the presence of convective surface inhomogeneities in solar-type stars. This doublet is widely used for lithium abundance determination in stars. It has been suggested that the presence of hot and cool elements in a stellar atmosphere due to convective heat transport might lead to an underestimate of lithium abundance by as much as a factor of 10 when the equivalent width of the doublet is analyzed in terms of a one-dimensional plane-parallel model atmosphere. To explore this possibility, I solved the two-dimensional non-LTE radiative transfer equations for a sufficiently large lithium model atom in a hydrodynamic simulation snapshot of the solar granulation. This was done for different values of the lithium abundance ranging from ALi = 0.0 to 3.3. In all cases the effects of the inhomogeneities in the atmosphere on lithium line strength are small, never amounting to more than 0.1 dex in the derived abundance. This occurs mainly for three reasons. First, because of the exponential decrease of density with height in the gravitationally stratified stellar atmosphere, radiation escapes mostly vertically with little horizontal exchange. Some lateral transfer does occur at the boundaries between hot and cold elements, but the effect of this exchange on the spatially averaged line strength cancels out. It leads to a smoothing over the surface rather than to a diminishing overall strength of the doublet. Second, the sharp drop in temperature over hot upwelling material, in contrast to the much shallower gradient over the dark intergranular lanes, causes the 670.6 nm doublet to be deeper and narrower in the former and broader in the latter. Consequently, the contrast of equivalent line width between profiles emerging over hot upflows and cold downflows is small. Finally, because of its small abundance the opacity scale in lithium ionizing continua is mostly set by H- bound-free processes. Optical depth unity at the photoionization edges, therefore, follows the contours of electron temperature, moderating contrast in the ionizing radiation field.
Effectiveness of some simple pricing strategies under varying expectations of competitor behavior

A firm needs to tailor its pricing strategy to the particular competitive setting it faces. We show how a firm can select a pricing strategy that yields higher expected profit than other simple pricing strategies for the competitive conditions encountered. We show that no one strategy yields the highest expected profit for all competitive settings. In particular, we find that a more aggressive pricing strategy is needed for those markets that are either very cooperative or very competitive, while a more cooperative pricing strategy is preferred for markets which have a moderate degree of competition. We also find that a more aggressive pricing strategy is needed as the number of competitors increases. Our results suggest how to choose the pricing strategy that yields the highest expected profit given the likely behavior of a firm's competitors.
Mathematical studies in rigorous grating theory

We consider the diffraction of a time-harmonic wave incident upon a grating (or periodic) structure. We study mathematical issues that arise in the direct modeling, inverse, and optimal design problems. Particular attention is paid to the variational approach and to finite-element methods. For the direct problem various results on existence, uniqueness, and numerical approximations of solutions are presented. Convergence properties of the variational method and sensitivity to TM polarization are examined. Our recent research on inverse diffraction problems and optimal design problems is also discussed.
Down-regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone GRP78/BiP by vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol).

Abstract The mechanisms by which trichothecene mycotoxins cause immunological effects in leukocytes such as cytokine up-regulation, aberrant IgA production, or apoptotic cell death are not fully understood. In the present study, mRNA differential display analysis was used to evaluate changes in gene expression induced by the trichothecene vomitoxin (VT or deoxynivalenol) in a T-cell model, the murine EL-4 thymoma, that was stimulated with phorbol 12–myristate 13–acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (ION). Ten differentially expressed fragments of cDNA were isolated and sequenced and three of these were identified as the known genes GRP78/BiP, P58IPK, and RAD17. Most notably, expression of GRP78/BiP (a 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein), a stress-response gene induced by agents or conditions that adversely affect endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, was found to decrease in VT-exposed cells. Competitive RT-PCR analysis revealed that 250 ng/ml VT decreased GRP78/BiP mRNA expression in both unstimulated and PMA/ION-stimulated EL-4 cells at 6 and 24 h after VT treatment. Western blotting confirmed that VT (50 to 1000 ng/ml) also significantly diminished GRP/BiP protein levels in a dose-response manner in PMA/ION-stimulated cells. GRP78/BiP has been shown to play a role in regulation of protein folding and secretion, and to protect cells from apoptosis. When PMA/ION-stimulated cells were incubated with 50 to 1000 ng/ml VT for 24 h, 200-bp DNA laddering, a hallmark of apoptosis, increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition to GRP78, mRNA expression of the cochaperone P58IPK, which is the 58-kDa cellular inhibitor of the double-stranded RNA-regulated protein kinase (PKR), was also shown to be suppressed by VT-treatment. GRP78 and P58IPK are critical for maintenance of cell homeostasis and prevention of apoptosis. The down-regulation of these molecular chaperones by VT represent a novel observation and has the potential to impact immune function at multiple levels.
3 Rs: rituximab, remission, relapse.

The use of rituximab in the treatment of acquired autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has increased, becoming a standard of care for patients with relapsed TTP or patients who do not achieve a stable remission with plasma exchange therapy (PEX) plus steroids. In this issue of Blood
Ethacrynic Acid Effect on the Composition of Cochlear Fluids

Ethacrynic acid, when administered to six dogs, caused a fall in the concentration of potassium in endolymph from 145 to 21 milliequivalents per liter and a rise in the concentration of sodium from 5.9 to 146 milliequivalents per liter. The composition of perilymph is unaffected. Perilymph and endolymph are slightly hypertonic as compared to plasma.
Evaluating the success in international sourcing of information technology projects: The need for a relational client-vendor approach

This article investigates the differences across and the need to consider both the client and vendor perspective in evaluating international sourcing (offshoring) success and highlights the need fo...
Detection of several types of the E′ center by the ESR double-modulation spectrum method

Abstract The ESR double-modulation spectrum signal from the E′ center in an X-ray irradiated fused quartz was studied as a function of frequency and phase angle of the first modulation and shown to consist of four components. This result suggested that the center was a mixture of several slightly different types, which the other current ESR techniques can differentiate only with difficulty.
Calibration of an optical particle counter by particle doppler shift spectrometry in the 4–8 μm range

Abstract The particle Doppler shift spectrometer (PDSS) can be used to make an internally calibrated size measurement of aerosol particles. For low number concentrations of spherical particles, an accurate size distribution can be determined for particles from 3–30 μm diameter. In this work the PDSS is used to calibrate a commercial optical particle counter. Test aerosol samples with a very narrow size distribution are generated by a Berglund—Liu particle generator. The particle size as predicted by the particle generator parameters and the size measured by the optical particle counter are compared to the size determined by the PDSS.
The informational basis of social judgments: Memory for integrated and nonintegrated trait descriptions

The representation of trait descriptions in memory depends not only on the properties of this information (e.g., whether it is consistent) but also on the operations performed on it (e.g., whether it has been integrated). If a set of traits merely has to be comprehended without being integrated (called a discrere judgment), then an inconsistent set is processed just as readily as a consistent one. However, if integration is required, that is, a coherent impression must be formed (called an integrative judgmenr), consistent trait descriptions are processed more rapidly than inconsistent ones. The effect of such differences in processing on the representation was shown in recognition memory performance: First, following integrative judgment a trait description was more accessible than following a discrete judgment. Second, under integrative judgment, memory for a consistent trait description was no greater than that for an inconsistent description, whereas under discrete judgment, memory for the former was superior to that for the latter. This suggests that when an impression is formed, namely, under integrative judgment, the traits describing a person are associated with each other via prior knowledge, and thus are represented as a unified structure; otherwise each trait is stored as a separate piece of information.
Oligotyping reveals community level habitat selection within the genus Vibrio

The genus Vibrio is a metabolically diverse group of facultative anaerobic bacteria, common in aquatic environments and marine hosts. The genus contains several species of importance to human health and aquaculture, including the causative agents of human cholera and fish vibriosis. Vibrios display a wide variety of known life histories, from opportunistic pathogens to long-standing symbionts with individual host species. Studying Vibrio ecology has been challenging as individual species often display a wide range of habitat preferences, and groups of vibrios can act as socially cohesive groups. Although strong associations with salinity, temperature and other environmental variables have been established, the degree of habitat or host specificity at both the individual and community levels is unknown. Here we use oligotyping analyses in combination with a large collection of existing Vibrio 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence data to reveal patterns of Vibrio ecology across a wide range of environmental, host, and abiotic substrate associated habitats. Our data show that individual taxa often display a wide range of habitat preferences yet tend to be highly abundant in either substrate-associated or free-living environments. Our analyses show that Vibrio communities share considerable overlap between two distinct hosts (i.e., sponge and fish), yet are distinct from the abiotic plastic substrates. Lastly, evidence for habitat specificity at the community level exists in some habitats, despite considerable stochasticity in others. In addition to providing insights into Vibrio ecology across a broad range of habitats, our study shows the utility of oligotyping as a facile, high-throughput and unbiased method for large-scale analyses of publically available sequence data repositories and suggests its wide application could greatly extend the range of possibilities to explore microbial ecology.
Lateral interactions within color mechanism in simultaneous induced contrast

The perceived color of a region of visual space is a function not only of the spectral composition of the light incident from it, but also depends on the light incident from surrounding regions. The color contrast induced into a region is a result of lateral interactions between neural mechanisms. These interactions were studied by measuring the induced effect of circularly symmetric spatial sine-waves on a circular central test region. The phase of the surrounding sine-waves was changed uniformly in time, inducing a modulation in the appearance of the test. Observers adjusted the amplitude of real sinusoidal modulation in the test in order to null the induced modulation, and the nulling modulation was used as a measure of the induced effect. Spatial additivity was tested by using pairs of sine-waves of distinct spatial frequencies. The results showed that brightness induction can be characterized as a linear spatial process, i.e. the effects of parts of the surround at different distances from the test are summed, after the effect of each part is weighted by a negative exponential as a function of distance from the test. The magnitude of pure chromatic induction, however, is a result of nonlinear spatial interactions. Thus, these results have implications for the connections between visual mechanisms that process brightness and chromatic contrast.
Karl Schmitz-Moormann: Our Intellectual Legacy From a Great Mind

Karl Schmitz-Moormann's thought as expressed in his last book exemplifies Catholic theology based on realism, flow, evolution, and free will. Categories of creation are reviewed: from nothing, continuous, called forth, informed, and free.
On the stability of recommendation algorithms

The paper introduces stability as a new measure of the recommender systems performance. In general, we define a recommendation algorithm to be "stable" if its predictions for the same items are consistent over a period of time, assuming that any new ratings that have been submitted to the recommender system over the same period of time are in complete agreement with system's prior predictions. In this paper, we advocate that stability should be a desired property of recommendation algorithms, because unstable recommendations can lead to user confusion and, therefore, reduce trust in recommender systems. Furthermore, we empirically evaluate stability of several popular recommendation algorithms. Our results suggest that model-based recommendation techniques demonstrate higher stability than memory-based collaborative filtering heuristics. We also find that the stability measure for recommendation techniques is influenced by many factors, including the sparsity of the initial rating data, the number of new incoming ratings (representing the length of the time period over which the stability is being measured), the distribution of the newly added rating values, and the rating normalization procedures employed by the recommendation algorithms.
The mechanism of the amyloidogenic conversion of T7 endonuclease I

Amyloid fibrils are associated with a range of human disorders. Understanding the conversion of amyloidogenic proteins from their soluble forms to amyloid fibrils is critical for developing effective therapeutics. Previously we showed that T7 endonuclease I forms amyloid-like fibrils. Here we study the mechanism of the amyloidogenic conversion of T7 endonuclease I. We show that T7 endonuclease I forms fibrils at pH 6.8, but not at pH 6.0 or 8.0. The amyloidogenicity at pH 6.8 is not correlated with thermodynamic stability, unfolding cooperativity, or solubility. Thermal melting experiments at various pH values show that the protein has a distinctive thermal transition at pH 6.8. The transition at pH 6.8 has a lower transition temperature than the unfolding transitions observed at pH 6.0 and 8.0 and leads to a β-rich conformation instead of an unfolded state. Electron microscopy shows that the thermal transition at pH 6.8 results in fibril formation. The thermal transition at pH 6.8 leads to a protein state that is not accessible at pH 6.0 or 8.0, showing that the existence of the amyloidogenic conformation of T7 endonuclease I depends sensitively on solution conditions. Therefore, we propose that fibrillizing proteins need to be "prepared" for fibrillization. Preparation may consist of amino acid replacements or changing solution conditions and may require retention of some aspects of native structure. In this model, some amyloid-enhancing mutations decrease protein stability, whereas others have little effect.
Generalized access control strategies for token passing systems

A very large class of access control strategies is proposed and studied for token passing systems, generalized from the timer-based approach. The idea is to assign transmission quotas dependent on past service times to control the token cycles dynamically while utilizing the token channel efficiently. The dynamics inherent in the control scheme are identified as an important issue and, under heavy load and a few other assumptions, it is shown that the proposed strategies have stable dynamics. Furthermore, the ability of the proposed strategies to control the token cycles is demonstrated. Theoretical results are derived, followed by a thorough discussion on the crucial properties of the new strategies. >
Methodology for Conducting Discrete-Event Simulation Studies in Construction Engineering and Management

This paper suggests the methodology to follow when conducting discrete-event simulation (DES) studies in construction engineering and management research. Emphasis is made on the steps that, due to the uniqueness of the construction environment, are particularly important yet are not discussed extensively in the general DES literature. Guidelines are provided to determine what aspects of a DES study demand a rigorous application of the theory depending on the purpose of the study. The paper concludes with the importance of properly understanding the probabilistic concepts upon which DES relies and on coupling this understanding with engineering judgment as a key for successful use of DES in construction research.
The Politics of Recognition in Culturally Appropriate Care

Over the last 20 years, the concept of culturally appropriate health care has been gradually gaining popularity in medicine and public health. In calling for health care that is culturally appropriate, minority groups seek political recognition of often racialized constructions of cultural difference as they intervene in health care planning and organization. Based on interview narratives from people involved in community organizing to establish a federally funded community health center in a mid-size New England city, I chart the emergence of a language of "culturally appropriate health care" in language used to justify the need for a health center. An identity model of recognition underlies the call for ethnic resemblance between patient and provider seen in many culturally appropriate care programs. I contrast this model of health care with earlier calls for community access and control by activists in the 1970s and explore the practical and theoretical implications of each approach.
Photofission cross sections of 232Th and 236U from threshold to 8 MeV

Abstract Measurements of the photofission cross sections of 232 Th and 236 U for an energy range of 5.0 to 8.0 MeV are reported. The Compton scattering facility at the Ames Laboratory Research Reactor was used for these measurements. Resonance structure at γ-ray energies of 6.3 and 7.6 MeV is observed in 232 Th and at 5.3, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.5 MeV in 236 U. The present results are compared with other photofission experiments and particle-induced fission studies. Suggestions for the interpretation of the resonances are given on the basis of Bohr's fission-channel theory and the existence of a double-humped fission barrier.
Toward improved CVTs: theoretical and experimental results

Revolute-jointed cobots depend on continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). CVTs constrain the speed ratio between two shafts to a particular value within a continuous range. The spherical CVT is well suited to cobots, but like other point contact transmissions, achieving good performance is challenging. We have studied the contact mechanics of the spherical CVT under certain simplifying assumptions. Results of the calculations are compared to experimental measurements of an instrumented CVT. Improved CVT performance may require better control of compliance and contact forces in the CVT. Results for the contact forces under load conditions are shown. We conclude with a discussion of design implications for improved CVTs.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Studies on Hemagglutination by Rubella Virus.

SummaryThe hemagglutinin (HA) of rubella virus can be released from serum inhibitor by binding divalent cations with EDTA. The HA is associated with the viral particle. HA can also be obtained by Tween-ether treatment of infected tissue culture fluids, in which case it is released from the intact whole virus. The attachment between red cells and HA is dependent on divalent cations, and removal of the latter from the environment of agglutinated red cells results in elution of HA.
Hebbian learning based blind adaptive multiuser detection in DS-CDMA systems

Nonlinear Hebbian learning rules have been instrumental in independent component analysis (ICA) and blind source separation (BSS) problems. We show that in a CDMA system, where the users can be assumed independent, application of these rules give accurate estimates of user signature codes and data from the observations alone. However, the solutions are obtained within a sign and permutation ambiguity. A novel method is then proposed for the resolution of these ambiguities. It is shown via numerical examples that this technique is robust in near-far situations and can be used to estimate various other parameters such as user amplitudes and cross-correlation values. Computer simulations indicate improvements in terms of reduced error probability in detection and increased signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Convergence of the proposed detector is also comparable to that of the blind minimum output energy (MOE) detector
Synthesis, assembly, and cross-linking of polymer amphiphiles in situ: polyurethane–polylactide core–shell particles

Core–shell polymeric particles consisting of biodegradable polylactide (PLA) arms emanating from a crosslinked polyurethane (PU) core were prepared in situ by a polymerization induced phase separation strategy. Sub-micron sized particles were spawned in dilute solution during polyurethane formation with simultaneous incorporation of end-functional PLA macromonomers. The inherent incompatibility of PU with PLA was shown to induce micelle formation during core-crosslinking. The versatility of this method with respect to size characteristics was demonstrated by employing a variety of PLA–PU ratios. Electron microscopy was used to visualize the particle dispersions in organic solvents. The average size characteristics were measured by dynamic light scattering. Collectively, the initial ratio of PU precursor to PLA as well as the PLA chain length were shown to influence the resulting particle size characteristics. This simple preparation method combined with a biodegradable, biocompatible shell should be amenable to further functionalization and it carries the potential to encapsulate components intended for drug delivery, for example.
Multi-armed bandits with simple arms

An exact solution to certain multi-armed bandit problems with independent and simple arms is presented. An arm is simple if the observations associated with the arm have one of two distributions conditional on the value of an unknown dichotomous parameter. This solution is obtained relating Gittins indices for the arms to ladder variables for associated random walks.
Latency in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: no easy answers.

In summary, HIV-1 latency represents a formidable therapeutic challenge for which there are no easy answers. As a result of viral tropism for activated CD4+ T cells and the reversion of some of these cells to a profoundly quiescent and long-lived memory state, the virus can persist through the same mechanisms responsible for the most fundamental characteristic of the immune system, immunologic memory. The dependence of viral gene expression on host factors that are inactive in resting T cells means that viral gene expression can be largely or completely extinguished in latently infected cells. In the absence of virus gene expression, latently infected cells will differ from their uninfected counterparts by only the presence of 10 kb of viral DNA integrated into a host cell chromosome. In this case, the virus is persisting as genetic information in a stably integrated form in rare memory cells that cannot be distinguished from their uninfected counterparts. It is difficult to envision any targeting mechanism that will allow specific elimination of this reservoir. Optimism stems from the fact that antiretroviral drugs come very close to stopping the active replication of the virus, with its attendant damage to the immune system. In some patients on HAART, the evolution of drug-resistant viruses, which is the principal cause of treatment failure, is largely halted. The development of nontoxic, convenient, and affordable combinations of antiretroviral drugs may allow infected individuals to live a normal life despite the indefinite persistence of latent HIV-1 in resting memory CD4+ T cells.
Time-weighted Averaging for Nitrous OxideAn Automated Method

An automated method of obtaining a time-weighted average of nitrous oxide levels in an operating room was compared with a standard method. The automated method consisted of electronic integration of the voltage output of a nitrous oxide analyzer using a multimeter-microprocessor. The standard method utilized a bag and pump to collect a room air sample, which was subsequently analyzed with a nitrous oxide analyzer. There was a high degree of correlation (r = 0.99) between the two methods. It is concluded that the automated method is an accurate alternative and offers institutions a simple, cost-effective method of monitoring and documenting results of pollution control programs in anesthetizing locations.
Segmenting global markets by generational cohorts: determining motivations by age

Marketing has long rested on the use of market segmentation. While birth age has been a useful way to create groups, it describes segments but in itself does not help to understand segment motivations. Environmental events experienced during one's coming-of-age years, however, create values that remain relatively unchanged throughout one's life. Such values provide a common bond for those in that age group, or cohort. Segmenting by ‘coming-of-age’ age provides a richer segmentation approach than birth age. This approach, known to work in America, is used in this paper to create generational cohorts in Russia and in Brazil. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications Ltd.
Thyroid testing during pregnancy at an academic Boston Area Medical Center.

Context: Gestational hypothyroidism leads to adverse obstetric outcomes and intellectual impairment in offspring. Pregnancy thyroid screening is controversial. Objective: Our objective was to determine thyroid function testing and thyroid dysfunction rates in pregnant women at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 1000 pregnant women aged 18–46 yr seen in BMC's Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) or Family Medicine (FM) Clinics for their initial prenatal visit during 2008. Age, race, insurance, gestational age (GA), medical history (thyroid or other autoimmune disorders), obstetric history, and thyroid function tests were ascertained. Results: A total of 983 women were included (17 excluded for coding error). Median maternal age was 28 yr and GA 9.4 wk. Thyroid testing rates were similar in the 918 (93%) followed by OB/GYN and 65 (7%) followed by FM (84 vs. 86%). Thirty-nine women had previous thyroid disease, of whom 19 took thyroid medications. Four had type 1 diabetes, and nine h...
Automated knowledge generation in support of Shuttle ground operations

A system is described that performs automated knowledge generation (AKG) using structural databases to create semantic knowledge bases. The approach, borrowed from machine vision, uses relaxation labeling to propagate constraints through the system. A prototype system has been developed which accesses an Intergraph CAD database, 'processes' the information contained therein, and generates a frame-based knowledge base usable by NASA's Knowledge-based Autonomous Test Engineer (KATE) diagnostic system. The authors present a summary of work to date and discuss some of the obstacles found by the research group during the development of the AKG system. >
Cooperation, Commandeering, or Crowding Out? : Federal Intervention and State Choices in Health Care Policy

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) substantially alters the respective roles of the federal and state governments in health care policy. Beyond the individual mandate, the ACA presents many questions of federalism, both constitutional and policy-related. This paper, prepared for a symposium sponsored by the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, addresses some of these federalism issues. After outlining some of the policy considerations for determining the proper federal and state balance in health care policy, it identifies constitutional limitations on the federal government’s ability to direct or even influence state policy choices, before discussing how federal policy decisions can influence state policy choices and potentially retard positive reform efforts at the state level.
Point-of-Care Focused Cardiac Ultrasound for Prediction of Pulmonary Embolism Adverse Outcomes

Abstract Background In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), right ventricular strain (RVS) on transthoracic echocardiography by Cardiology has been shown to be an independent predictor of 30-day adverse outcomes. However, it is not known how emergency practitioner-performed point-of-care focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) with assessment for RVS compares with other prognostic methods in the Emergency Department (ED). Objectives To determine whether RVS on FOCUS is a significant predictor of in-hospital adverse outcomes when compared to other risk factors and scoring systems. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients who were diagnosed with PE and had a FOCUS examination during January 1, 2007 through January 1, 2011 in an urban, academic center with a well-developed ultrasound program. Adverse outcomes were defined as shock, respiratory failure requiring intubation, death, recurrent venous thromboembolism, transition to higher level of care, or major bleeding during hospital admission. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate analysis to assess for prognostic significance. Results One hundred sixty-one patients were included in the final analysis. A total of 25 (16%) patients had an adverse outcome during hospitalization. On univariate analysis, only the presence of altered mental status conferred a higher positive likelihood ratio (6.4 vs. 4.0) than RVS, whereas absence of RVS had the lowest negative likelihood ratio (0.45). On multivariate analysis, RVS and cardiopulmonary disease were the only predictors of adverse outcomes that achieved statistical significance, with odds ratio of 9.2 and 3.4, respectively. Conclusion In this retrospective chart review, a FOCUS examination for RVS performed by emergency care practitioners of varying experience level was a significant predictor of in-hospital adverse outcomes among patients diagnosed with PE in the ED. Future research should be directed at exploring ways to incorporate RVS assessment into ED prognostic models for pulmonary embolism.