cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-Mrna Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 IGG Concentrations and Surrogate Virus Neutralization Response Compared by HIV Status and Type of Vaccine: A Matched Case-Control Observational Study

Background: Limited data is available on whether there are differences in the humoral response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination by HIV status. We compared surrogate virus neutralization tests (sVNT) and anti-receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG concentrations by HIV status, as well as if responses differed by mRNA vaccine type. Methods: Remnant serum samples were collected during the month of May 2021 from all people living with HIV (PLWH) undergoing outpatient laboratory testing in a U.S. municipal health-care system. Samples from 100 PLWH were then matched on the same number of days following second mRNA vaccination, age (+/- 5 years), birth sex, and type of mRNA vaccine to samples from 100 adults receiving care for chronic conditions at the same hospital. Antibody responses were measured using a previously validated sVNT and anti-RBD IgG, with non-response defined as the limit of detection at <10 reciprocal titer and <10 relative fluorescent units respectively. Responses were compared by HIV status using mixed-effects models. Findings: In each matched group there were 13 women; 25 received the mRNA-1273 vaccine and 75 received the BNT162b2 vaccine. There were 2.43-fold higher odds of sVNT non-response among PLWH [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09-5.39]. Although few individuals did not mount an anti-RBD IgG response (12 among PLWH vs. 5; p=0.08), continuous anti-RBD concentrations were 43% lower among PLWH (GMR 0.57; 95% CI=0.36-0.88). After adjusting for age, sex, and days post-second-vaccination, receipt of the BNT162b2 vs. mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with 77% lower sVNT titers, each 100-cell increase in CD4+ T-cell count was associated with 22% higher titers (GMR 1.22; 95% CI=1.09-1.37), while unsuppressed RNA>200 copies/mL was associated with 89% lower titers (GMR 0.11; 95% CI=0.01-0.84). Interpretation: PLWH had lower than expected response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, particularly among those with low CD4+ T-cell counts, unsuppressed HIV RNA, and those who received the BNT162b2 vaccine. Funding: This research was supported by U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) R01AI158013 (M.A.S. and M.G.), and U.S. NIAID P30AI027763 (M.G.) Declaration of Interest: DVG reports personal fees from Gilead Sciences outside the submitted work. All other authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: As only remnant samples were used, the University of California, San Francisco IRB did not require informed consent for study participation. The UCSF IRB # is 20-30387.
A Demographic Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in the Era of COVID-19

Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Objective:The challenges of COVID-19 could magnify socioeconomic vulnerability for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma. This study compares subjects who present...
CHAPTER 18 – Optical Thermometry

A critical comparison of optical probes for real-time measurements depends on many factors: the specific application, the current state of development of each probe, competitive nonoptical probes, probe adaptability to tools, and the cost of implementation and operation. Another factor is how the probe would be accepted by industry; although this is a somewhat nebulous consideration, it is vital to assess the likelihood of acceptance. Some of these factors are rapidly changing due to new breakthroughs in technology and newly recognized needs, while others are highly subjective. Most thin film processes involve thermally activated steps. In many of these processes, the rate-limiting step is determined by kinetics rather than mass transport; it is therefore controlled by temperature. Since this dependence is usually exponential, as in the Arrhenius form k r = A exp , small changes in temperaturecan significantly affect the rate of the process. This is particularly true in deposition processes, such as CVD (chemical vapor deposition), and in rapid, high-temperature processes, such as RTP (rapid thermal processing).
Investor Uncertainty and the Superior Performance of Value Stocks

Several empirical studies show that investment strategies that favor the purchase of stocks with low prices relative to dividends, earnings, book values or other measures of value yield higher returns. Some of these studies imply that investors are too optimistic about (glamour) stocks that have had good performance in the recent past and too pessimistic about (value) stocks had had performed poorly. Others argue that value strategies are fundamentally riskier. In this paper we examine whether value stocks are riskier than glamour stocks over the 1976-1998 period. Consistent with Fama and French (1992, 1996), our findings suggest that the return advantage of value strategies reflects compensation for bearing risk. We find this risk to be associated with investor uncertainly, manifested in security analysts' divergence of opinion about the future growth in earnings of value stocks. Multifactor asset pricing tests show that investor uncertainty risk is important in explaining the superior return of value stocks. The results also suggest that the uncertainty risk factor is a state variable that predicts economic growth.
Dental implications of thumb-sucking.

Controversy continues to exist over the problem of thumb-sucking, not only as to its cause and implications, but as to the best method and time of treatment. Pediatricians to whom concerned parents bring their children with this problem may find it difficult to decide what are the implications and just what he should advise the parents from both the medical and dental point of view. HABIT AND PSYCHOLOGIC DISTURBANCE Although originally considered to be a symptom of deeper psychologic import, the idea that undesirable sequelae will result from punitive restrictions on thumb-sucking derives from Freudian concepts of psychopathology. However, this theory has not been supported by recent research, and nonnutritive sucking is now considered to be simply learned behavior.1-3 There is no evidence to substantiate the theory that prolonged sucking habits result from emotional disturbances.4 No relationship has been found between prolonged sucking habits and the child9s place in line of siblings.5 The habit is to be expected to occur in a large percentage of infants but can only be considered pathological, associated as it is with deformity of teeth and related structures, when prolonged beyond infancy. INCIDENCE Age is a very important determinant in assessing the incidence of the habit. Thumb-sucking, including various types of finger sucking, is frequent in infants. Traisman and Traisman2 found that 45.6% of American children under the age of 4 years thumb-sucked with no significant differences between the sexes. Baalack and Frisk6 in a retrospective study of Swedish children found that 30.7% had been, or still were, thumb-sucking at the time of the study.
A processor interface model for fast system simulations

The author presents an alternative technique for performing board level simulations of designs involving processors. This technique requires only a standard C compiler and a few simulation library functions to perform accurate board level simulations. This method is currently being used to simulate the IBM 1750A based GVSC inter-subassembly bus (ISB) and ASICs that are being developed for the Cassini spacecraft. This method is superior to the conventional processor modeling techniques, which involve the use of detailed hardware modeling or extensive behavioral models. >
Identifying the free riders: A simple algorithm for determining who will contribute to a public good

Abstract When a heterogeneous group of people provide themselves with a pure public good the resulting Nash equilibrium outcome will divide the group into contributors and free riders. This paper proposes a general algorithm for discovering which individuals in the group fall into which of these two classes. The algorithm is based on identifying, for each individual, how much of the public good must be provided by others to drive that individual's contribution to zero.
Some remarks on the place of logic in knowledge representation

What is the place of logic in knowledge representation? It is argued that the answer to this question depends on what one means by logic. Various alternative conceptions are briefly scouted, with an eye to separating out what are. in fact, separate issues.
Más allá de la hibridad: los medios televisivos y la producción de identidades indígenas en Oaxaca, México

Esta breve y parcial historia del video indigena y de Radio y Video Tamix, demuestra que el proceso de articular identidades indigenas "en casa" y dentro de los circuitos discursivos fuera de la comunidad, es algo complejo y que debemos mantener esa complejidad y pluralidad en nuestra comprension de tales procesos sociales tan dinamicos.
Mean-square error calculations for the subband adaptive filter system

In this paper we develop theoretical equations for calculating the reconstructed mean-square error (MSE), E[|e/sup 2/|] for the subband adaptive filter system under zero mean, unit variance white Gaussian input. These systems are seeing increased use in acoustic echo cancellation applications and by performing the calculations, we are potentially able to evaluate and compare performance for various design parameters and various modifications to the basic design.
Overview on applications for bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriocins.

Improvements in the production, manufacture, and/or storage of foods by both the food industry and the consumer have significantly diminished, but not eliminated, the likelihood of food-related illness and product spoilage. Several highly publicized and very costly outbreaks and recalls due to contamination of foods with pathogenic bacteria have resulted in greater awareness of food safety for consumers, producers, processors, and regulators. In the United States alone, food borne illness is responsible for about 9,000 deaths each year, with yearly incidences ranging from 24 to 81 million cases and yearly costs ranging from about $5 to $25 billion. In Europe, morbidity from food borne illness is second only to respiratory diseases, with estimates of 50,000 to 300,000 cases of acute gastro-enteritis per million population per year. Coupled with an enhanced awareness of food safety, more interest and research has also been directed toward developing alternatives to antibiotics in animal feeds, particularly throughout Europe. As an alternative to antibiotics, information about the contributions of the LAB to animal health and feed safety are the subject of much debate due, in part, to a paucity of scientifically-controlled studies, particularly studies evaluating their performance in feeds. For these reasons, there remains a critical need to develop, implement, and optimize strategies to better control undesirable microbes in foods both pre-and post-harvest, as well as in animals targeted for human consumption.
Biomechanics of Tackling

The fabric of American football is blocking and tackling. There are many different types of tackling scenarios depending on position played, placement on the field (e.g., closed space or open space), type of situation (e.g., open field tackle, converge tackle, sideline tackle). Nevertheless, there are some basic, fundamental tackling principles and techniques.
Predetection filter design for practical digital communication systems

A recent approach by P. Galko and S. Pasopathy (see IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, vol.34, p.77-92, Jan. 1988) to filter design for linear receivers allows the calculation of the asymptotically optimal predetection filter for most modulation methods and sources of distortion that may affect signals during transmission. Here, a technique that overcomes some of the practical difficulties encountered in applying the approach to realistic signals is presented. The methods are illustrated by determining the asymptotically optimal filters for bandlimited duobinary MSK and for duobinary MSK in the presence of an adjacent channel interferer. For the cases studied, asymptotic gains as high as 4.6 dB are observed for adjacent channel interference, and 1.12 dB for bandlimiting. >
The pulse of inflammation: heart rate variability, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and implications for therapy

Biological therapeutics targeting TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 are widely used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and a growing list of other syndromes, often with remarkable success. Now advances in neuroscience have collided with this therapeutic approach, perhaps rendering possible the development of nerve stimulators to inhibit cytokines. Action potentials transmitted in the vagus nerve culminate in the release of acetylcholine that blocks cytokine production by cells expressing acetylcholine receptors. The molecular mechanism of this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is attributable to signal transduction by the nicotinic alpha 7 acetylcholine receptor subunit, a regulator of the intracellular signals that control cytokine transcription and translation. Favourable preclinical data support the possibility that nerve stimulators may be added to the future therapeutic armamentarium, possibly replacing some drugs to inhibit cytokines.
Two aspects of consumption: using an exergy-based measure of degradation to advance the theory and implementation of industrial ecology

Abstract The theory of industrial ecology (IE) and the implementation of IE strategies are both hindered by inadequate definitions of consumption and recycling. In this paper, we introduce a definition of consumption that separates the consumptive process into two independent, quantifiable phenomena: throughput and degradation. We propose that exergy removal be used to provide a non-resource specific measure of material degradation. We also introduce an exergy-based definition of material cycling — cycling of material exergy (CME) — and describe how it quantifies the differences among three distinct categories of material re-use: upgrading, recirculation, and cascading. Finally, we use a simple, quantitative example involving three methanol-water waste streams to demonstrate exergy-based measures of consumption and material cycling.
Abstract 944: The effect of endogenous peroxidase activity on cell culture-based drug activity screening.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to play an intrinsic role in mediating the cancer cell killing of many commonly employed anticancer agents. In many cases this is due to direct production of ROS via interaction with cellular components. This evidence is based partly on observations that ROS-scavenging agents such as N-acetylcysteine or catalase reverse killing in cancer cells. Catalase enzymatically degrades hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into dioxygen and water. We examined the effect of catalase (5,000 U/mL) supplemented in growth media on the efficacy of ∼800 cytotoxic small molecules. Strong reversal of toxicity was found for 34 compounds with diverse mechanisms, including tubilin-interacting drugs. This implies that cytotoxins may have diminished efficacy in vivo due to the high activity of catalase in blood (∼100,000 U/mL). Surprisingly, we found that assays conducted with supplementation of catalase in media at levels greater than >20,000 U/mL, intended to replicate the endogenous environment, were highly toxic to cells. This phenomenon has been replicated in a number of cell lines from various tissue origins. One implication of this funding is that cancer cell lines require baseline ROS levels for cell survival proliferation, consistent with the cancer ROS addiction theory. Given that cell culture medium lacks peroxidase activity we conclude that the precise cell culture environment is a critical determinant of the results obtained when screening drugs for toxicity to cancer cells. Citation Format: Joshua Bakhsheshian, Alexandra D.T. Kwit, Kyle R. Brimacombe, Matthew D. Hall, Michael M. Gottesman. The effect of endogenous peroxidase activity on cell culture-based drug activity screening. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 944. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-944
Mixtures of regressions with predictor-dependent mixing proportions

We extend the standard mixture of linear regressions model by allowing the mixing proportions to be modeled nonparametrically as a function of the predictors. This framework allows for more flexibility in the modeling of the mixing proportions than the fully parametric mixture of experts model, which we also discuss. We present an EM-like algorithm for estimation of the new model. We also provide simulations demonstrating that our nonparametric approach can provide a better fit than the parametric approach in some instances and can serve to validate and thus reinforce the parametric approach in others. We also analyze and interpret two real data sets using the new method.
Complete V-A block (without impairment of forward conduction) produced by propranolol

Abstract Refractory ventricular tachycardia with retrograde conduction to the atria was treated with propranolol. This drug induced retrograde ventriculoatrial (V-A) block without impairing forward (A-V) conduction. The electrocardiographic findings are presented, and the mechanism of action of the drug are discussed.
A central role for adenosine in the hypotension elicited by hypoxia in anesthetized rats.

Abstract Brief inhalation of an oxygen-deficient (5%) gas mixture evoked a rapidly developing, profound hypotension in anesthetized rats. Recovery upon reoxygenation was also rapid. A potential involvement of adenosine in the genesis of this hypotension was evaluated with various peripherally administered adenosine antagonists. Caffeine (10 mg/kg), which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, significantly attenuated the hypoxia-evoked hypotension. 8-p-Sulphophen-yltheophylline and xanthine amine congener, which do not readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, had little effect on the magnitude of the hypotension. The data suggests that hypoxia-elicited hypotension in anesthetized rats results from the activation of central adenosine receptors.
Fracture of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints on Cu Substrates. II: Fracture Mechanism Map

A methodology to construct fracture mechanism maps for Sn-3.8%Ag-0.7%Cu (SAC387) solder joints attached to Cu substrates has been developed. The map, which delineates the operative mechanisms of fracture along with corresponding joint fracture toughness values, is plotted in a space described by two microstructure-dependent parameters, with the abscissa describing the interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) and the ordinate representing the strain-rate-dependent solder yield strength. The plot space encompasses the three major mechanisms by which joints fail, namely (i) cohesive fracture of solder, (ii) cleavage fracture of interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMC), and (iii) fracture of the solder–IMC interface. Line contours of constant fracture toughness values, as well as constant fraction of each of the above mechanisms, are indicated on the plots. The plots are generated by experimentally quantifying the dependence of the operative fracture mechanism(s) on the two microstructure-dependent parameters (IMC geometry and solder yield strength) as functions of strain rate, reflow parameters, and post-reflow aging. Separate maps are presented for nominally mode I and equi-mixed mode loading conditions (loading angle ϕ = 0° and 45°, respectively). The maps allow rapid assessment of the operative fracture mechanism(s) along with estimation of the expected joint fracture toughness value for a given loading condition (strain rate and loading angle) and joint microstructure without conducting actual tests, and may serve as a tool for both prediction and microstructure design.
The Euro and world inflation

This paper uses a three-region framework to examine the effects of European currency unification on EMU and US inflation rates. It considers ways in which increased participation in the EMU might influence inflation choices in Europe and the United States. It also considers how alternative monetary policies and parameter values might influence the extent of participation in the EMU.
Rearticulating Organizational Identity Exploring Corporate Images and Employee Identification

Managers have often tried to enact a 'preferred' organizational experience on others through business concepts such as corporate philosophies, values, vision and mission statements either to create...
Calretinin is largely localized to a unique population of striatal interneurons in rats

Abstract Previous studies have reported the presence of the calcium binding protein calretinin in neurons in the striatal part of the basal ganglia in rats and primates. In the present study, immunofluoroscence double-labeling techniques and immunofluorescence combined with retrograde labeling were used in rats to determine whether calretinin is found in any of the known types of striatal neurons. The results showed that a small fraction of the calretinin-containing neurons (
Coexistence of a gonadoblastoma and mixed germ cell-sex cord stroma tumor.

Summary A 46 XY woman with a dysgerminoma and gonadoblastoma is described. Both dysgerminoma-gonadoblastoma and mixed germ cell-sex cord stromal tissue was present upon microscopic examination. This case exemplifies the transition that can exist between these two distinctly separate tumors.
Multiple diversity–stability mechanisms enhance population and community stability in aquatic food webs

Biodiversity has been shown to increase the temporal stability of community and ecosystem attributes through multiple mechanisms, but these same mechanisms make less consistent predictions about the effects of richness on population stability. The overall effects of biodiversity on population and community stability will therefore depend on the dominant mechanisms that are likely to vary with the nature of biodiversity loss and the degree of environmental variability. We conducted a mesocosm experiment in which we generated a gradient in zooplankton species richness by directly manipulating dominant species and by allowing/preventing immigration from a metacommunity. The mesocosms were maintained under either constant or variable nutrient environments. Population, community, and ecosystem data were collected for five months. We found that zooplankton population and community stability is enhanced in species-rich communities in both constant and variable environments. Species richness increased primarily through the addition of species with low abundance. The communities that were connected to a metacommunity via immigration were the most diverse and the most stable, indicating the importance of both metacommunity dynamics and rare species for stability. We found little evidence for selection effects or overyielding as stabilizing forces. We did find support for asynchronous dynamics and statistical averaging, both of which predict destabilizing effects at the population level. We also found support for weak interactions, which predicts that both populations and communities will become more stable as richness increases. In order to understand the effects of biodiversity loss on stability, we will need to understand when different stabilizing mechanisms tend to operate but also how multiple mechanisms interact.
Miniaturized fiber optic 3D mapping system

3D mapping has many applications including robot navigation, medical diagnosis and industrial inspection. However, many applications remain unfilled due to the large size and complex nature of typical 3D mapping systems. This paper describes a 3D mapping system being developed by the Photonics Laboratory at Virginia Polytechnic Institute which uses a fiber optic coupler as a fringe generator or grid projector-in essence forming a Young's Double Pinhole interferometer. Two significant benefits are derived from this arrangement. First, the fringe projector is much smaller than what is currently used allowing this system to be used where others cannot. Second, the laser source can be remotely located from the fringe generator, hence further reducing the size of the sensor head without loss of optical power. The system design, mathematical model, calibration procedures and initial results are presented.
A phantom study of the geometric accuracy of computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging stereotactic localization with the Leksell stereotactic system.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the spatial accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomographic stereotactic localization with the Leksell stereotactic system. METHODS: The phantom was constructed in the shape of a box, 164 mm in each dimension, with three perpendicular arrays of solid acrylic rod, 5 mm in diameter and spaced 30 mm apart within the phantom. In this study, images from two different MRI scanners and a computed tomographic scanner were obtained using the same Leksell (Elekta Instruments, Stockholm, Sweden) head frame placement. The coordinates of the rod images in the three principal planes were measured by using a tool provided with Leksell GammaPlan software (Elekta Instruments, Norcross, GA) and were compared with the physical phantom measurements. RESULTS: The greatest distortion was found around the periphery, and the least distortion (<1.5 mm) was present in the middle and most other areas of the phantom. In the phantom study using computed tomography, the mean values of the maximum errors for the x, y, and z axes were 1.0 mm (range, 0.2-1.3 mm), 0.4 mm (range, 0.1-0.8 mm), and 3.8 mm (range, 1.9-5.1 mm), respectively. The mean values of the maximum errors when using the Philips MRI scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Shelton, CT) were 0.9 mm (range, 0.4-1.7 mm), 0.2 mm (range, 0.0-0.7 mm), and 1.9 mm (range, 1.3-2.3 mm), respectively. Using the Siemens MRI scanner (Siemens Medical Systems, New York, NY), these values were 0.4 mm (range, 0.0-0.7 mm), 0.6 mm (range, 0.0-1.0 mm), and 1.6 mm (range, 0.8-2.0 mm), respectively. The geometric accuracy of the MRI scans when using the Siemens scanner was greatly improved after the implementation of a new software patch provided by the manufacturer. The accuracy also varied with the direction of phase encoding. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of target localization for most intracranial lesions during stereotactic radiosurgery can be achieved within the size of a voxel, especially by using the Siemens MRI scanner at current specifications and with a new software patch. However, caution is warranted when imaging peripheral lesions, where the distortion is greatest.
Gain and laser characteristics of InGaN quantum wells on ternary InGaN substrates

Optical gain properties of InGaN quantum wells on ternary substrates are analyzed for visible lasers. Larger optical gains are obtained by employing ternary substrates, which indicate its potential for green-emitting diode lasers.
Viscosity: Reduced-state correlation for the inert gases

A reduced-state viscosity correlation has been constructed from the available data of the inert gases. For the development of this correlation, the fragmentary experimental data for argon were utilized along the lines proposed for thermal conductivities by Owens and Thodos (21) in order to determine the effect of pressure on viscosity. In addition, the only available low-pressure viscosity data for neon and helium have been incorporated in this correlation to produce for the first time the effect of subatmospheric pressures. This correlation covers the range of pressures included between PR = 40 and PR = 0.015 × 10−4 and extends up to temperatures of TR = 100. It has been found that the effect of subatmospheric pressures on viscosity does not become significant above pressures of 1 mm. of mercury. However, at lower pressures, viscosity is found to decrease rapidly, particularly in the regions below absolute pressures of 0.01 mm. of mercury. Viscosities calculated with the reduced state correlation produce an average over-all deviation of 0.93% for neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. In these comparisons the available viscosity data for the gaseous and liquid states of these substances have been included. Deviations of the same order of magnitude are produced for helium in the gaseous state; however, these deviations become excessive for viscosities of helium in the liquid state. The application of the final reduced state correlation has been extended to a number of diatomic and polyatomic gases and found to apply well to the diatomic gases only.
Modeling and Sensing for Penetration Control of the SAW Process in the Presence of Welding Perturbations

A study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using a point infrared sensor to monitor and control the penetration during the Submerged Arc welding (SAW) process. The SAW process, using small tractor welding units, is extensively used in the ship building industry because of the high deposition rates that may be achieved. Typical problems encountered by these welding units include seam gap variations, plate offset, changes in thickness, tracking misalignment, plate inclinations and heat sinks such as stiffeners, chill blocks and temporary buckling restraints. Each of these perturbations causes a change in the temperature distribution that may be identified using infrared sensors. A simple numerical heat transfer model using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) package ALGOR was constructed to predict the heat flow patterns and thermal distributions that occur in the presence of step changes in thickness and heat sink perturbations. Bead-on-plate welding trials were then done on A-36 carbon steel and monitored using an infrared sensor to compare predictions with experiment. Good agreement was observed when predictions were compared with experiments. The measured changes in infrared signal corresponded well with the predicted results both in terms of time of occurrence and relative magnitude of signal. The results of the experiments suggest that infrared sensors may be used to identify and control process perturbations that occur during the SAW process. Future experiments will utilize the signals from IR sensors to control welding current and provide automatic control to obtain constant penetration during the SAW process.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Neighborhood socioeconomic status, maternal race and preterm delivery: a case-control study.

Abstract PURPOSE: To explore associations between neighborhood socioeconomic context and preterm delivery, independent of maternal and family socioeconomic status, in African-American and white women. METHODS: A case-control study of African-American ( n = 417) and white ( n = 1244) women delivering infants at the University of California, San Francisco's Moffitt Hospital, between 1980 and 1990. RESULTS: Neighborhood socioeconomic contexts were associated with preterm delivery but associations were non-linear and varied with race/ethnicity. For African-American women, living in a neighborhood with either high or low median household income was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery, as was living in a neighborhood with large increases or decreases in the proportion of African-American residents during the study decade. Residence in neighborhoods with high and low rates of male unemployment was associated with a decreased risk of preterm delivery. Among white women only large positive and negative changes in neighborhood male unemployment were associated with risk of preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood factors and changes in neighborhoods over time are related to preterm delivery, although the mechanisms linking local environments to maternal risk remain to be specified.
On equivariance and invariance of standard errors in three exploratory factor models

Current practice in factor analysis typically involves analysis of correlation rather than covariance matrices. We study whether the standardz-statistic that evaluates whether a factor loading is statistically necessary is correctly applied in such situations and more generally when the variables being analyzed are arbitrarily rescaled. Effects of rescaling on estimated standard errors of factor loading estimates, and the consequent effect onz-statistics, are studied in three variants of the classical exploratory factor model under canonical, raw varimax, and normal varimax solutions. For models with analytical solutions we find that some of the standard errors as well as their estimates are scale equivariant, while others are invariant. For a model in which an analytical solution does not exist, we use an example to illustrate that neither the factor loading estimates nor the standard error estimates possess scale equivariance or invariance, implying that different conclusions could be obtained with different scalings. Together with the prior findings on parameter estimates, these results provide new guidance for a key statistical aspect of factor analysis.
Double‐stranded RNA signals antiviral and inflammatory programs and dysfunctional glutamate transport in TLR3‐expressing astrocytes

Astrocyte inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and dysfunction form a common denominator shared by all the major neurodegenerative disorders. Viral infections are emerging as important events in the etiology of CNS damage involving astrocytes, but molecular understanding is incomplete. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a byproduct of viral replication and serves as the signature molecule for viral infection via Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) largely restricted to circulating peripheral dendritic cells. However, astrocytes are strategically located at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and throughout brain tissues, making these cells ideal candidates as innate immunity sentinels within the CNS. We hypothesized that extracellular dsRNA, mimicked by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C); PIC), initiates signaling of the double-edged sword of antiviral plus pathophysiological events in astrocytes. Using Western blot analysis and real-time qPCR, we determined that neonatal rat astrocyte cultures constitutively express TLR3 mRNA and protein, and that PIC dsRNA induced phosphorylation of eIF2alpha, as well as mRNA type I interferon (alpha/beta IFN)-response genes Mx1, PKR, and TLR3. Astrocyte TLR3 protein was downregulated after PIC treatment, however. PIC signaled degradation of IkappaBalpha with the consequence of upregulating iNOS, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta mRNAs and proteins. In addition to antiviral protection events, dsRNA induced astrocyte dysfunction, evidenced by inhibiting EAAT1/GLAST transporter gene expression and attenuating L-glutamate uptake via sodium-dependent transport system X(AG)-, as well as inducing cytotoxicity. Anti-TLR3 blocking antibody attenuated PIC upregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA and iNOS activity. Extracellular PIC-induced events were prevented by 2-aminopurine, implicating PKR as an important downstream player in astrocyte dsRNA sensing pathways. The effects of plasma membrane impermeable poly(I:C) were dose-dependent (0-50 microM). In concert, these data provide evidence that dsRNA/TLR3-activated astrocytes initiate a battery of rapid innate pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) immune responses that are important for mounting antiviral defense in the CNS, yet also lead to pathophysiological events associated with the glutamate neurotoxicity of neurodegenerative diseases.
The thermal expansion coefficient as a key design parameter for thermoelectric materials and its relationship to processing-dependent bloating

The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is a key design parameter for thermoelectric (TE) materials, especially in energy harvesting applications since stresses generated by CTE mismatch, thermal gradients, and thermal transients scale with the CTE of the TE material. For the PbTe–PbS-based TE material (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)0.92(PbS)0.08—0.055 % PbI2 over the temperature ranges of 293–543 and 293–773 K, a CTE, αavg, of 21.4 ± 0.3 × 10−6 K−1 was measured using (1) dilatometry and (2) high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) for powder and bulk specimens. The CTE values measured via dilatometry and HT-XRD are similar to the literature values for other Pb-based chalcogenides. However, the processing technique was found to impact the thermal expansion such that bloating (which leads to a hysteresis in thermal expansion) occurred for hot pressed billets heated to temperatures >603 K while specimens fabricated by pulsed electric current sintering and as-cast specimens did not show a bloating-modified thermal expansion even for temperatures up to 663 K. The relationship of bloating to the processing techniques is discussed, along with a possible mechanism for inhibiting bloating in powder processed specimens.
Diffusion of Ge in SiGe alloys

Germanium diffusion was measured in SiGe alloys of 100/0, 77.6/22.4, 69.2/30.8, 44.6/55.4, and 22.3/77.7 silicon to germanium atomic-percent ratios by the use of the radioisotope $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$ and a thin-sectioning technique. As expected from the calculated, small, strain-energy contributions from the $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$ impurities, the diffusion is similar to silicon self-diffusion for the silicon end member. Since the results fit an Arrhenius plot for the compositions and temperature ranges studied, activation energies and pre-exponentials were determined. These diffusion parameters indicate that the $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$ diffusion is compatible with the monovacancy mechanism up to 70-at.% silicon in the SiGe alloys. For more silicon-rich material, the diffusion is quite analogous to the extended-defect mechanism previously suggested for high-temperature silicon self-diffusion.
Self-selection and Its Impact on Team Diversity and Performance

: Increased diversity in the workforce brings several benefits. However, organizations may also face challenges as they seek to embrace diversity within team-based work environments. In this paper, we attempt to gauge the magnitude of this challenge by examining the level of diversity that results when individuals self-select their own team members. We describe a quasi-experimental field study in which we examine the ways individuals select project team members and how the resulting group composition is connected to the success or failure of those teams. We find that teams are most likely to form through prior acquaintance and/or demographic similarities. Linking composition to group process and performance, we find that ethnic diversity decreased similarity of work values but did not affect group performance, which is primarily predicted by satisfaction and conflict. We discuss the results in terms of the challenges and opportunities organizations face with a diverse workforce and a team-based work environment.
Stability of discrete model reference adaptive control-revisited

Abstract We demonstrate that the model reference adaptive controller is robust with respect to small model/plant mismatch. The sign and a lower bound on the high frequency gain are known and the control parameters are constrained to belong to a compact set which contains the parameters of a stabilizing controller. Data normalization and deadzones do not play a role in the analysis. A constructive proof is used to develop bounds for the allowable gain of the model mismatch. When the algorithm state is far from equilibrium the signals are measured by a decaying exponential. The rate of convergence is estimated. An expression which can be used to calculate the size of an overbounding set is developed. Its size scales uniformly with respect to the external disturbances, the inverse of the adaptive gain and the reference. The ideal case is obtained as these tend to zero. This result holds true even when there is a model mismatch.
A Framework for the Design and Implementation of Service-learning Courses

Within the fields of kinesiology and physical education teacher education, there is a growing number of courses and curricula that utilize service-learning as a pedagogical strategy. However, these courses and curricula are often constructed, implemented, and evaluated without a strong framework based on literature in the field, which has led to questions about whether we are maximizing the benefits to participating students, faculty, institutions, and community partners and members. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it presents a framework that was developed based on literature in the field of service-learning to provide a foundation for maximizing the benefits to all individuals involved. Second, it describes a specific physical activity program that serves as the community-service component for a university-based service-learning course. Detailed descriptions of the practical strategies implemented by the university professor are included, along with how the course addresses each component...
A TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF CORYDALINE

Abstract A total synthesis of (±)-corydaline 1 is described in which the condensation of 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline 10 with 3,4-dimethoxyhomophthalic anhydride 9 is utilized as the convergent step. A new procedure for the preparation of 9 is also described. The Beckmann rearrangement of an α-ketooxime 4 with phosphorus pentachloride in chloroform is shown to afford the 3-chloro-1-(2H)isoquinolone 5 by a fragmentation-recombination type mechanism.
Role of Calcium and PKC in Salivary Mucous Cell Exocrine Secretion

Fluid and exocrine secretion of mucins by salivary mucous glands is regulated predominantly by parasympathetic activation of muscarinic receptors. A direct role for subsequent putative signaling steps, phospholipase C (PLC), increased intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), and isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating muscarinic exocrine secretion has not been elucidated, and these are potential therapeutic targets to enhance mucin secretion in hyposalivary patients. We found that muscarinic-induced mucin secretion by rat sublingual tubulo-acini was dependent upon PLC activation and the subsequent increase in [Ca(2+)](i), and further identified a transient PKC-independent component of secretion dependent upon Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores, whereas sustained secretion required entry of extracellular Ca(2+). Interactions among carbachol, PKC inhibitors, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and thapsigargin to modulate [Ca(2+)](i) implicated conventional PKC isoforms in mediating sustained secretion. With increasing times during carbachol perfusion of glands, in situ, PKC-α redistributed across glandular membrane compartments and underwent a rapid and persistent accumulation near the luminal borders of mucous cells. PKC-β1 displayed transient localization near luminal borders, whereas the novel PKCs, PKC-δ or PKC-e, displayed little or no redistribution in mucous cells. Collective results implicate synergistic interactions between diacylglycerol (DAG) and increasing [Ca(2+)](i) levels to activate cPKCs in mediating sustained muscarinic-induced secretion.
On the development of an osseo-ligamentous finite element model of the human ankle joint

Abstract A three-dimensional finite element model of the human ankle joint has been developed to study the mechanisms of impact injury to the major bones of the foot. The model is based on anatomically realistic bone geometry obtained from medical imaging and includes the major ligaments of the ankle. Careful consideration was given to model the soft tissues of the plantar surface of the foot. The model was used to simulate axial impulsive loading applied at the plantar surface of the foot. The stability of the ankle joint was achieved in the model strictly by the intrinsic anatomical geometry and the ligamenteous structure. The time history response of input/output accelerations and forces compared reasonably well with experimental data. Results indicate that the calcaneus experiences the highest stresses followed by the tibia and talus. This is in agreement with several experimental data on calcaneal fracture in axial dynamic loading. Also, the model gives stress localization in the lateral–collateral ligaments that agrees with injury observations for that region. The significance of the model lies in its potential uses as a research tool for understanding the mechanical response of the ankle related to injury and degenerative disease.
Investigations of Hypnosis Utilizing Induction by Video Tape

• Hypnosis is a valuable adjunctive medical technique, although it is not, as some have proposed, a system of medicine or cure-all treatment. It has been used in psychiatry, where its appropriate application in selected cases can expedite and shorten the process of psychotherapy. We have defined hypnotizability as the ability to accept uncritically and to act upon a verbal or nonverbal suggestion given either directly or indirectly, either deliberately or inadvertently;. This is an intrinsic characteristic of the human mind which is present in all individuals to a variable degree and operative more or less all of the time. The induction procedure of the hypnotic trance is the very "art" of hypnosis itself, and there are probably as many varieties of induction techniques as there are hypnotists and as many subvarieties as there are subjects. Trance induction has long been viewed as a highly subjective phenomenon, dependent upon an intimate personal relationship that develops between the hypnotist and his subject, or the doctor and the patient, and hence it has not often been subjected to objective investigation. Although mechanical aids, such as metronomes, pendulums, and the like may
Formation and chemistry of nanocrystalline phases formed during deformation in aluminum-rich metallic glasses

Abstract A chemical analysis has been made of nanocrystals formed through mechanical deformation. Experimental results demonstrate that when metallic glasses form nanocrystals within deformation bands in Al 90 Fe 5 Gd 5 metallic glasses chemical segregation occurs. Previous work by Chen et al showed that there is deformation induced nanocrystal formation in shear bands in this alloy. This work reveals that the nanocrystals formed have an approximate composition of 95 at% Al, 2 at% Gd and 2 at% Fe. Comparison with nanocrystals formed by isothermal heat treatment in the same alloy revealed nearly identical chemical profiles.
Equilibrium gas flow computations. I - Accurate and efficient calculation of equilibrium gas properties

This paper treats the accurate and efficient calculation of thermodynamic properties of arbitrary gas mixtures for equilibrium flow computations. New improvements in the Stupochenko-Jaffe model for the calculation of thermodynamic properties of diatomic molecules are presented. A unified formulation of equilibrium calculations for gas mixtures in terms of irreversible entropy is given. Using a highly accurate thermo-chemical data base, a new, efficient and vectorizable search algorithm is used to construct piecewise interpolation procedures with generate accurate thermodynamic variable and their derivatives required by modern computational algorithms. Results are presented for equilibrium air, and compared with those given by the Srinivasan program.
On the grain growth exponent of pure iron

Abstract Grain growth data on zone-refined iron were reanalyzed quantitatively to take into account the initial grain size and specimen thickness effect. The deviations from parabolic growth noted in an earlier analysis [Can. Metall. Q.13, 275 (1974)] are attributed to the use of the approximate Beck formula (λ ⋟ K · t n ) for grain growth kinetics which does not take these two important factors into account. Based on the new analysis, grain growth in zone-refined iron over the entire range of temperatures studied can be understood in terms of a single, thermally-activated rate process with an activation energy approximately the same as that for lattice self-diffusion. Furthermore, it is not necessary to invoke a non-linear velocity/driving force relationship to understand the kinetics. The high activation energy may be caused by an unknown impurity present in the iron which gave rise to an impurity drag effect.