cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Connotations of Carcinogen Hazard Classifications: Analysis of Survey Data for Anchoring Effects

A study was undertaken to test for anchoring effects when numerical probabilities were elicited for carcinogen hazard designations. Subjects were asked to assign probabilities to both probable and possible. The sequence was randomly varied so that half of the subjects evaluated probable first and half evaluated possible first. While there was no consensus on the numerical probabilistic meanings assigned to these verbal expressions, in general, probable was assigned a higher probability than possible and there were specific values that were assigned frequently, indicating some consistency in interpretation. There appeared to be a fairly constant scaling factor between the probabilities assigned to the designations. Anchoring was manifested in two ways: a smaller difference between the designations when they were evaluated in sequence than when they were evaluated in isolation, and assignment of readily accessible "benchmark" values such as 50% and 75%.
Methyl Parathion Increases Neuronal Activities in the Rat Locus Coeruleus

Exposure to organophosphate insecticides induces undesirable behavioral changes in humans, including anxiety and irritability, depression, cognitive disturbances and sleep disorders. Little information currently exists concerning the neural mechanisms underlying such behavioral changes. The brain stem locus coeruleus (LC) could be a mediator of organophosphate insecticide-induced behavioral toxicities since it contains high levels of acetylcholinesterase and is involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, attention, arousal, memory, and pathological processes, including anxiety and depression. In the present study, using a multi-wire recording technique, we examined the effects of methyl parathion, a commonly used organophosphate insecticide, on the firing patterns of LC neurons in rats. Systemic administration of a single dose of methyl parathion (1 mg/kg, i.v.) increased the spontaneous firing rates of LC neurons by 240% but did not change the temporal relationships among the activities of multiple LC neurons. This dose of methyl parathion induced a 50% decrease in blood acetylcholinesterase activity and a 48% decrease in LC acetylcholinesterase activity. The methyl parathion-induced excitation of LC neurons was reversed by administration of atropine sulfate, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, indicating an involvement of muscarinic receptors. The methyl parathion-induced increase in LC neuronal activity returned to normal within 30 min while the blood acetylcholinesterase activity remained inhibited for over 1 h. These data indicate that methyl parathion treatment can elicit excitation of LC neurons. Such excitation could contribute to the neuronal basis of organophosphate insecticide-induced behavioral changes in human.
Paraoxonase protects against chlorpyrifos toxicity in mice

Paraoxonase can hydrolyze paraoxon (PO), chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) and other organophosphates. Previous studies have indicated that the levels of serum paraoxonase can influence the toxicity of PO and CPO. In the present study we have investigated whether exogenous paraoxonase administered to mice would offer protection toward the acute toxicity of a phosphorothioate, chlorpyrifos (CPS). Paraoxonase was purified from rabbit serum and injected i.v., or i.v. plus i.p., in mice. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain, diaphragm, plasma and red blood cells was measured as an index of CPS (100 mg/kg) toxicity. Administration of paraoxonase 30 min before CPS increased plasma enzyme activity toward CPO by 35-fold, and protected against its toxicity; protection was still present at 24 h, when enzyme activity was still 20-fold over basal. When paraoxonase was given 30 min after CPS, a significant protection against CPS toxicity was still observed, while after 3 h the protective effect was decreased. To mimic conditions of severe acute poisoning, a higher dose of CPS (150 mg/kg) was also administered. Administration of paraoxonase 30 min after this exposure abolished cholinergic signs and significantly protected against AChE inhibition. These results indicate that exogenous paraoxonase offers significant protection against CPS toxicity when administered both before and after the organophosphate, suggesting that it may be considered as a potential additional treatment of organophosphate poisoning.
Oxygen-18 variations in sulfate ions in sea water and saline lakes

A new method measures the oxygen-isotopic composition of dissolved sulfate ions and barium sulfate. Sulfate ions in the oceans are enriched in oxygen-18 by 9.5 per mille relative to mean ocean water and show only minor variations, probably because the exchange rate with water is slow enough to prevent local equilibrium with surface waters. Sulfate ions in saline lakes and brines have oxygen-18 enrichment of from 7 to 23 per mille relative to mean ocean water;the value of the highest enrichment observed is about the same as that of atmospheric oxygen.
Replacement of the Movable Span of the Thames River Bridge: How 19th Century Technology Impacted 21st Century Construction

The replacement of the Thames River Railroad Bridge between Groton and New London, Connecticut, was a challenging task on many levels, some of them anticipated, some of them not. The effort culmina...
On implicit integration of bounding surface plasticity models

Abstract The bounding surface plasticity has become one of the most widely used frameworks of plasticity for modeling constitutive behavior of metals and soils, especially in cyclic loading. Due to special ingredients of the bounding surface plasticity, application of new integration techniques, generally devised for classical plasticity models, requires certain modifications. This paper describes the details of such modifications which are derived directly from the main equations underlying the bounding surface concept. Specifically the equation of flow rule is modified and a differential equation is derived to represent the evolution of a key factor, i.e. the ratio between the image stress and the current stress quantities. An implicit integration method is then used to integrate the full set of rate equations. Numerical simulations demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed integration procedure in an application to a simple bounding surface version of the modified Cam clay model.
Array CGH as a first-tier test for neonates with congenital heart disease

Objective Efficient diagnosis of an underlying genetic aetiology in a patient with congenital heart disease is essential to optimising clinical care. Copy number variants are one aetiology of congenital heart disease; the majority are identifiable by targeted fluorescence in situ hybridisation or array comparative genomic hybridisation, not by classical cytogenetic analysis. This study assessed the utility of array comparative genomic hybridisation as a first-tier diagnostic test for neonates with congenital heart disease. Study design A prospective chart review of neonates with congenital heart disease in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC was performed. Patients were tested by array comparative genomic hybridisation and classical cytogenetic analysis simultaneously. Data collected included all chromosome abnormalities detected, physical examination findings, and imaging results. McNemar’s test was used to compare detection of array comparative genomic hybridisation and classical cytogenetic analysis. Results Of 45 patients, three (6.7%) had an abnormality detected by classical cytogenetic analysis and an additional 10 (22.2%) had a copy number variant detected by array comparative genomic hybridisation, highlighting an increased detection rate (p=0.008). Several of these copy number variants had unclear clinical significance, requiring additional investigation. The prevalence of dysmorphology and/or comorbidity in this population was 72%. Identification of dysmorphic features was greater when assessed by a geneticist than by providers of different subspecialties. Conclusions Array comparative genomic hybridisation has significant clinical utility as a first-tier test in this population, but it carries the potential for incidental findings and results of uncertain clinical significance. Collaboration between cardiologists and medical geneticists is essential to providing optimal clinical care.
Gatekeeping the 2012 Olympic Games: Did #NBCfail the Social Media Audience?

Due to rising consumer interactions with televised events through social media, NBC proclaimed that the 2012 Olympics would be the “social Games.” The economically motivated gatekeeping decisions made by the network, however, generated a social media backlash as viewers demanded to see the Games broadcast live. This case study presents a content analysis of all news items posted online regarding NBC’s 2012 Olympic coverage during the three-week period surrounding the Games. Findings illustrate the growing tension between mass media producers, who seek to maximize economic returns, and audiences, who increasingly expect transparency and participation in the digital age.
Wartime electrical engineering

THE ELECTRICAL engineer has been preparing for this war for 20 years or more, although he may not have been aware of it. He has been rapidly gaining knowledge in practically every branch of electrical engineering since World War I; and as this knowledge accumulated through research, experiment, and analysis, he has interpreted it into machines, devices, systems, and practices for peacetime or civilian use. Since early in the emergency period preceding the present war, his efforts have been shifted to the adaptation and application of this knowledge to war machines and practices.
Canine cerebral metabolism and blood flow during hypoxemia and normoxic recovery from hypoxemia.

There are conflicting reports regarding the effects of hypoxemia on the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2). Accordingly, we examined the changes in CMRO2 during normoxia, progressive hypoxia (PaO2 of 37, 27, and 23 mm Hg), and normoxic recovery from hypoxia, Measurements were made in dogs anesthetized with nitrous oxide (60–70%) and halothane (<0.1%) in oxygen. Arterial-cerebral venous blood oxygen content differences and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were measured simultaneously, the latter by a technique (collection of sagittal sinus outflow) previously validated for conditions of near-maximal CBF, The duration of each of the three hypoxic exposures was approximately 10 min. CMRO2 was significantly decreased (14%) only when the arterial blood oxygen tension was reduced to 23 mm Hg. CBF increased progressively to a maximum of 153% of control. Posthypoxemic brain biopsy values for cerebral metabolites obtained 40 min after normoxemia had been restored were normal. These results, in conjunction with an...
Are the electroencephalograms mainly rhythmic? Assessment of periodicity in wide-band time series.

To test the hypotheses that (i). electroencephalograms (EEGs) are largely made up of oscillations at many frequencies and (ii). that the peaks in the power spectra represent oscillations, we applied a new method, called the period specific average (PSA) to a wide sample of EEGs. Both hypotheses can be rejected. Although the principal peaks in the two spectra agree most of the time, quite often a peak in the power spectrum accompanies no periodicity peak and some periodicity peaks have no power spectral peak. The Fourier spectrum is not a reliable indication of rhythms. EEG samples from patients during waking, sleeping and seizure states, and volunteer healthy subjects doing cognitive tasks quite often show no significant rhythms, on an arbitrary, common sense definition. When clear rhythms are seen, they involve one or two, rarely up to four or five simultaneous non-harmonically related frequencies. Rhythms are special cases; most of the power spectrum most of the time is nonrhythmic. "Good" rhythms usually have quite narrow peaks, with frequency modulation of 2.5 up to >10 times the expectation from chance, and they often show fine structure by being quite local and brief. Most rhythms are quasisinusoidal but others are sharp-cornered recurrent events with <50% duty cycle. In the face of wide variability, we do not report any systematic differences in periodicity among EEGs from different parts of the brain or different brain states or species; it will take many more exemplars of each state, species or brain part to establish characteristic features. The PSA method may be the best so far proposed to demonstrate and quantify periodicity in wide-band time series with noise, but it has serious limitations. Discussion leads to the conclusion that it is time for a new paradigm or metaphor for brain waves.
Utilization of oxygen, glucose, and carbon dioxide by Echinorhynchus gadi

Abstract Specimens of the acanthocephalan, Echinorhynchus gadi , were taken from the gut of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus , caught by commercial fishermen off Point Judith, Rhode Island. In November, 18 of 32 fish examined contained parasites, and in March, 91 of 232. The worms were larger and more numerous in the fall. When first isolated, E. gadi consumed oxygen at 9.65 μmoles/g-hr at 25 C, and during 10 days of survival outside the host (at 5 C) the rate diminished to less than half the initial rate. Respiratory quotient, initially 0.78, rose in 2 days to near 1.0, and remained there. Oxygen consumption was unaffected by 0.002–0.200 m glucose, 0.120 m succinate, or 0.150 m alanine. Under nitrogen, the worms produced acid, which was measured as carbon dioxide released from a medium containing bicarbonate; the rate was 6.12 μmoles CO 2 /g-hr. Addition of glucose (0.035 m ) increased acid production 40%. Glucose- 14 C at 0.32 m m was taken up at an initial rate of 3.79 μmoles/g-hr; the label appeared in lactic acid, and in all six of the citric acid cycle intermediates examined. After incubation with glucose- 14 C for 3 hr, worms that were kept 12 hr. in aerated medium excreted labeled lactic acid almost exclusively, while those kept anaerobically produced nearly equal amounts of labeled succinic and lactic acids. Carbon dioxide fixation into succinic and other acids was demonstrated with labeled bicarbonate. Carbon dioxide fixation rates increased with total bicarbonate concentration of the medium, to a maximum of 1.20 μmoles CO 2 /g-hr at 14.7 m m bicarbonate, or 12.5% of the O 2 consumption rate of freshly isolated worms. No uptake of aspartic acid was detected in 4 hr.
Comparative in vivo analysis of the nsp15 endoribonuclease of murine, porcine and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses

The purpose of this study was to compare the biochemical and biological properties of nonstructural protein (nsp) 15 among mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in virus-infected and ectopically expressed cells. In virus-infected cells, MHV nsp15 distributed unevenly throughout the cytoplasm but predominantly in the perinuclear region. When expressed as N-terminal enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) fusion, it predominantly formed speckles in the cytoplasm. In contrast, SARS-CoV and TGEV EGFP-nsp15s distributed smoothly in the whole cell and did not form speckles. Deletion mapping experiments identified two domains responsible for the speckle formation in MHV EGFP-nsp15: Domain I (aa101-150) and Domain III (aa301-374). Interestingly, Domain II (aa151-250) had an inhibitory effect on Domain III- but not on Domain I-mediated speckle formation. Expression of a small (35aa) sequence in Domain III alone was sufficient to form speckles for all 3 viral nsp15s. However, addition of surrounding sequences in Domain III abolished the speckle formation for TGEV nsp15 but not for MHV and SARS-CoV nsp15s. Further domain swapping experiments uncovered additional speckle-inducing and -suppressive elements in nsp15s of SARS-CoV and TGEV. Homotypic interaction involving Domain III of MHV nsp15 was further demonstrated biochemically. Moreover, the biological functions of the expressed nsp15s were assessed in MHV-infected cells. It was found that the effects of EGFP-nsp15s on MHV replication were both virus species- and nsp15 domain-dependent. Collectively these results thus underscore the differential biochemical and biological functions among the nsp15s of MHV, TGEV and SARS-CoV in host cells.
Evaluation of NAQFC model performance in forecasting surface ozone during the 2011 DISCOVER-AQ campaign

The National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) and an experimental version of the NAQFC (NAQFC-β) provided flight decision support during the July 2011 NASA DISCOVER-AQ field campaign around Baltimore, Maryland. Ozone forecasts from the NAQFC and NAQFC-β were compared to surface observations at six air quality monitoring stations in the DISCOVER-AQ domain. A bootstrap algorithm was used to test for significant bias and error in the forecasts from each model. Both models produce significant positively biased forecasts in the morning while generally becoming insignificantly biased in the afternoon during peak ozone hours. The NAQFC-β produces higher forecast bias, higher forecast error, and lower correlations than the NAQFC. Forecasts from the two models were also compared to each other to determine the spatial and temporal extent of significant differences in forecasted ozone using a bootstrap algorithm. The NAQFC-β tends to produce an average background ozone mixing ratio of at least 3.51 ppbv greater than the NAQFC throughout the domain at 95 % significance. The difference between the two models is significant during the overnight and early morning hours likely due to the way the Carbon Bond 5 mechanism in the NAQFC-β handles reactive nitrogen recycling and organic peroxide species. The value of information each model provides was tested using a static cost-loss ratio model. By standard measures of forecast skill, the NAQFC generally outperforms the NAQFC-β; however, the NAQFC-β provides greater value of information. This is because standard measures of forecast skill often hide the sensitivity of end users’ needs to forecast error.
PHYLOGENY OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION III. IMMUNOGLOBULINS OF THE CHICKEN

Chicken 7.1S immunoglobulin was purified from whole chicken serum by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The macroglobulin was purified by a combination of salt precipitation and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Both immunoglobulin molecules yielded 75% heavy (H) chains and 25% light (L) chains when subjected to extensive reduction and alkylation followed by gel filtration in 5 M guanidine-HCl. Antigenically reactive H and L chains were obtained by partial reduction and alkylation followed by gel filtration in 5 M guanidine-HCl. The 7.1S and 16.7S immunoglobulin H chains were antigenically unrelated to each other, whereas the L chains were antigenically indistinguishable from one another. The 16.7S H chains were found to have a mass of ∼70,000, and the 7.1S H chains had a mass of 67,500. The mass of the L chains was ∼22,000. Sedimentation equilibrium studies of the 7.1S immunoglobulin molecule gave a mol wt of ∼170,000 which is in good agreement with the 179,000 predicted on the basis of 2 H and 2 L polypeptide chains. The 16.7S molecule was shown to have a mol wt of ∼890,000. A reductive subunit that has a mol wt of ∼174,000 has been isolated from the 16.7S molecule. These values are consistent with the chicken macroglobulin having five subunits, each of which has 2 H and 2 L chains. The hexose contents of the chicken 7.1S and 16.7S immunoglobulins are 2.2% and 2.6%, respectively. The extinction coefficients of the 7.1S and 16.7S immunoglobulins were 13.18 ± 0.04 and 12.72 ± 0.77, respectively, when measured in 0.3 M KCl. Based upon physical-chemical and antigenic characteristics, the 16.7S immunoglobulin most closely resembles IgM of mammals. The 7.1S immunoglobulin definitely belongs to a different class than the 16,7S immunoglobulin, but it does not align itself very well with any of the mammalian immunoglobulins. We propose that this molecule be designated as IgY. Furthermore, this designation would be useful for the immunoglobulins of other species for which there is insufficient correlation with any of the known human immunoglobulins.
A full waveguide band MMIC tripler for 75-110 GHz

Design and test data for a full waveguide band MMIC tripler using anti-parallel Schottky diodes are reported in this paper. The circuit outputs between -3.7 dBm and +2.0 dBm from 75 to 110 GHz. When tuned for power flatness, the output is between -4.6 dBm and -1.3 dBm across the band. The conversion efficiency is about 1.5% in both cases. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported MMIC frequency tripler to cover the entire W-band.
Word verification in the Hearsay II speech understanding system

A key problem for speech understanding systems is the verification of word hypotheses generated by various knowledge sources in the system. In this paper we will discuss the general problem of word verification in speech understanding systems. A description of our matching algorithm for word verification which is based on that used in the HARPY system, a general connected speech recognition system (Lowerre, 1976), is given. An example of the verification of a word hypothesis using this algorithm is presented. Problems which arose in applying this technique to verification of individual words in a connected speech understanding system and their solutions are discussed. A performance analysis of the verifier in terms of accuracy and speed is given and directions for future work are indicated.
Airway wall mechanics.

▪ Abstract The dimensions, composition, and stiffness of the airway wall are important determinants of airway cross-sectional area during dynamic collapse in a forced expiration or when airway smooth muscle is constricted. Under these circumstances, airway caliber is determined by an interaction between the forces acting to open the airway (parenchymal tension and wall stiffness) and those acting to close it (smooth-muscle force and surface tension at the inner gas-liquid interface). Experimental measurements and theoretical models of the airway tube law (relationship between cross-sectional area and transmural pressure) are presented. Data are presented for the elastic properties of the wall tissue. Simulations of airway constriction in normal and asthmatic airways are discussed. To the extent possible, comparisons are presented between the various models and existing experimental data.
Simple universal permeation apparatus

A number of methods and commercial apparatuses for measuring the permeability of polymeric films and sheet materials have been successfully developed. Generally, the equipment is complex, expensive and specific to certain permeants, but all operate on similar basic principles. Because of our interest in a wide range of permeants, including fixed gases and organic vapours, we have built an inexpensive apparatus that can measure permeation to gas, moisture and organic vapours. We also require outputs that can provide not only permeability data but also proved solubility and diffusion coefficients. The apparatus is built around a commercially available thermal conductivity detector. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of TSC measurement and data analysis system

A computerized TSC (thermally stimulated current) measurement and data analysis system is described. The computer not only eliminates the X-Y recorder, but also allows data averaging, data storage, comparison with other data, and data processing for a variety of purposes. Computerization makes the data as reproducible as possible, speeds up data processing, provides accurate analysis, and allows mass data filing. System software and hardware are discussed, and data display and analysis are described. >
Syncretic Subjects and Body Politics: Doubleness, Personhood, and Aymara Catechists

Missionaries describe the Aymara catechists with whom they work as "divided in two"—part "Aymara" and part "Christian." This characterization of partial cultural merging links a dualizing paradigm of embodiment with a dualizing approach to conjunctural settings familiar from much of the Andean ethnographic literature and casts Aymara as passive indices of colonial and postcolonial history. Drawing upon contrasting approaches to embodiment and identity, and illustrating these with data from the Aymara case, I examine the positioned practices by which catechists realize such composite settings as coherent lived worlds. [Aymara, Bolivia, embodiment, identity, missionization, personhood, syncretism]
Antifungal Therapy of Experimental Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Due to Cladophialophora bantiana

Cladophialophora bantiana is associated with central nervous system infection and a poor outcome. C. bantiana tends to be resistant to amphotericin B. Accordingly, we evaluated amphotericin B and three triazoles--posaconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole--for treatment of C. bantiana infection in mice. In immunosuppressed ICR mice infected intravenously, posaconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B prolonged survival. This improvement in survival corresponded with a reduction in brain fungal concentrations for mice which were given itraconazole and posaconazole, but not amphotericin B. In nonimmunosuppressed BALB/c mice infected intracerebrally, posaconazole showed dose-dependent responses in survival and reduction of brain tissue counts. These responses were observed for short, delayed, and prolonged therapy. Although posaconazole prolonged the survival of mice with reductions in brain fungal counts, it did not sterilize brain tissue with continuous therapy for 8 weeks. We concluded that posaconazole shows promise for the treatment of C. bantiana brain infections.
The Development of Agrarian Capitalism in Post‐Soviet Russia

A core set of criteria have been met, so that it is accurate to speak of an agrarian capitalist system in Russia. The development of agrarian capitalism carries with it increased stratification, which is analysed along five dimensions: earned income, land expansion, use of credit, income from food sales and income from household enterprise. The paper demonstrates increasing differentiation between households, between professional cohorts and within professional cohorts. The data showing stratification within professions suggest that intra-cohort stratification is driving most of the inter-cohort stratification. The Russian model of agrarian capitalism and its processes of stratification have yielded a bifurcated countryside in which a thin stratum of ‘super winners’ has emerged. Economic processes have developed beyond simple stratification and have created the basis from which a rudimentary class structure appears to be forming.
A model for comparing rate adaptation algorithms

Rate adaptation algorithms are critical to improving the throughput performance of WLANs. While previous studies have examined the performance of different algorithms in some detail using numerous measurements and simulations, there is a lack of a theory that would allow comparison across different channel conditions. This paper is a first step towards developing an abstract model that can allow us to (a) estimate or predict the performance of different algorithms and (b) allow us to make general statements about which algorithms would perform better, under what channel conditions. Our work is empirical in nature and uses three rate algorithms available in the Madwifi driver to examine the problem. We identify two key metrics, the speed of adaptation and the quality of adaptation, that taken together nicely encapsulate an algorithm's performance. We then show how these metrics predict the throughput behavior of the three rate algorithms considered with an accuracy of over 70%. Furthermore, we show that these metrics can be used to make very general statements comparing the behavior of any pair of algorithms over a wide range of channels.
Selected M-Related Dissertations Bibliography

The following are citations selected by title and abstract as being related to AI, resulting from a computer search, using BRS Information Technologies, of the Dissertation Abstracts Online database produced by University Microfilms International (UMI).The online file includes abstracts, which are not published in this listing, but the citations below do include reference to the published Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI), which contains the abstracts. Other elements of the citation are author; university, degree, and, if available, number of pages; title; UMI order number and year-month of DAI; and one or more DAI subject descriptors chosen by the author of the dissertation. The listing may include masters abstracts, denoted by MAI (Masters Abstracts International) instead of DAI. References are sorted by subject descriptor; in the event that there is more than one descriptor, the first is used. Within each descriptor, entries are sorted by author.Unless otherwise specified, paper or microform copies of dissertations may be ordered from University Microfilms International, Dissertation Copies, Post Office Box 1764, Ann Arbor, MI 48106; telephone for U.S. (except Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska): 1-800-521-3042, for Canada: 1-800-268-6090. Price lists and other ordering and shipping information are in the introduction to the published DAI. Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife
Pepsinogens I and II: Purification from gastric mucosa and radioimmunoassay in serum

Pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II were purified from gastric mucosa and used to develop a radioimmunoassay for pepsinogen II and an improved radioimmunoassay for pepsinogen I. Each immunochemically homogeneous preparation contained only its characteristic components by radioelectophoretic analysis, and migrated as a singly band in polyacrylamide gel. The mean (+/- SD) level of serum pepsinogen II in 42 healthy control subjects was 10,8 +/- 3.8 ng/ml, significantly less (p less than 0.001) than the level of pepsinogen I, which was 62.9 +/- 22.2 ng/ml. The correlation between serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II was highly significant (r = 0.700, p less than 0.001) in these subjects. In 20 patients with pernicious anemia the mean serum pepsinogen II level was 10.6 +/- 2.5 ng/ml, not different from normal, but significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than the level of pepsinogen I which was 5.9 +/- 4.7 ng/ml. IN 10 patients with total gastrectomy, serum pepsinogen I was 3.9 +/- 3.1 ng/ml and serum pepsinogen II was 3.2 +/- 3.1 ng/ml; both values were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the corresponding levels in pernicious anemia. The predominance of pepsinogen I in the serum of healthy control subjects suggests that either the gastric chief cell normally releases more pepsinogen I than pepsinogen II into the circulation or that pepsinogen I has longer metabolic clearance rate than pepsinogen II. The marked decrease in serum pepsinogen I in patients with pernicious anemia is best explained by a loss of gastric chief cells due to severe atropic gastritis of te fundic glands. The normal distribution of serum pepsinogen II levels in these patients may reflect an increased number of pyloric glands due to pyloric gland metaplasia of the proximal stomach.
Failure rate prediction and prevention of die cracking in over molded plastic packages

Package designs in RF applications usually require large exposed ground pad in order to obtain sufficient RF grounding. But this design also leads to risks of die cracking during the molding process. In this paper we discuss the observed die cracking failures on land grid array (LGA) packages due to transfer molding process and also propose a method to predict the failure rates and to create design rules to control the failure rate. In practice, the stress on the die and the die strength determines the failure rates. Die strength depends on the processes used for backside grinding and dicing. Three point bending test was used to obtain the die strength distribution. Several package designs with different solder mask openings and die sizes were tested and the failure rates due to die cracking were recorded. Finite element modeling (FEM) was used to evaluate the die stresses on these package designs. The stress levels from FEM were used along with the die strength distribution to predict the failure rates. These results were then used to create design rules to control the die cracking failure rate well below the allowable limits.
Sorting the Role of SORLA in Alzheimer’s Disease

Cell culture and mouse models unravel how the SORLA receptor negatively regulates β-amyloid (Caglayan et al.).
Numerical solution for multivariable idle speed control of a lean burn natural gas engine

This paper proposes a numerical solution to the idle speed and air-fuel ratio control of a lean-burn natural gas engine. Since more than one variable is involved (speed and air-fuel ratio), multivariable control techniques are used. A new gain tuning method is devised for the control gain tuning of a multivariable non-decoupling PI controller. For a disturbance rejection problem, this type of controller improves the performance of one variable by compromising the other. The proposed tuning method also makes it possible for the designer to choose between the amount and type of trade offs in performance between variables. The proposed method uses an expert systems approach to numerically find the optimum control gains needed for the closed loop system to meet the specified performance level.
Approaches to the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract The treatment of RA is generally empirical. While there are many effective agents available, there are no agents that are curative. Progressive disease is frequently seen even in patients who are responsive to current therapies. Newer, more effective therapies are needed. The most promising area for new treatments appears to be specific biologic approaches with monoclonal antibodies or stimulants or inhibitors of lymphocytokines.
Understanding touch selection accuracy on flat and hemispherical deformable surfaces

Touch technology is rapidly evolving, and soon deformable, movable and malleable touch interfaces may be part of everyday computing. While there has been a lot of work on understanding touch interactions on flat surfaces, as well as recent work about pointing on curved surfaces, little is known about how surface deformation affects touch interactions. This paper presents the study of how different features of deformable surfaces affect touch selection accuracy, both in terms of position and control of the deformation distance, which refers to the distance traveled by the finger when deforming the surface. We conducted three separate user studies, investigating how touch interactions on a deformable surface are affected not only by the compliant force feedback generated by the elastic surface, but also by the use of visual feedback, the use of a tactile delimiter to indicate the maximum deformation distance, and the use of hemispherical surface shape. The results indicate that, when provided with visual feedback, users can achieve sub-millimeter precision for deformation distance. In addition, without visual feedback, users tend to overestimate deformation distance especially in conditions that require less deformation and therefore provide less surface tension. While the use of a tactile delimiter to indicate maximum deformation improves the distance estimation accuracy, it does not eliminate overestimation. Finally, the shape of the surface also affects touch selection accuracy for both touch position and deformation distance.
Radiative lifetimes of Dy i and Dy ii

Radiative lifetime measurements based on time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence are reported for 107 odd-parity and 168 even-parity levels of Dy i and 130-odd parity and 35 even-parity levels of Dy ii. The Dy i levels range in energy from 15 000 to 46 000 cm-1, and the Dy ii levels range in energy from 20 000 to 50 000 cm-1. These lifetimes, with a few exceptions, are accurate to ±5%.
7 I Believe, Therefore I Can: Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Memory Aging

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the self-efficacy beliefs in memory aging. It reviews theory and research relating to self-efficacy. It showed that several other constructs related to self-efficacy are also useful, and that all of them are necessary in order to understand metamemory. Unfortunately, as the review of the methodological literature showed, few researchers have developed strong indexes of self-efficacy, and even fewer have attempted to build theoretical frameworks incorporating the empirical work. Much remains to be done. It is believe that there is much to be gained by examining how self-efficacy has been applied to other content areas. In this way, one may be able to avoid some of the pitfalls and make important advances in the near future. It is convinced that self-efficacy and its related constructs prove to be the key to understanding memory performance in the elderly.
Characteristics of novel psychoactive substance exposures reported to New York City Poison Center, 2011-2014

ABSTRACTBackground: Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging at an unprecedented rate. Likewise, prevalence of use and poisonings has increased in recent years. Objective: To compare characteristics of NPS exposures and non-NPS-drug-related exposures and to examine whether there are differences between exposures involving synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) and other NPS. Methods: Poison control center data from the five counties of New York City and Long Island were examined from 2011–2014. We examined prevalence and characteristics of NPS exposures (classified as intentional abuse) and compared characteristics of cases involving SCRAs and other NPS. Results: Prevalence of NPS exposures was 7.1% in 2011, rising to 12.6% in 2014. Most exposures (82.3%) involved SCRA use. The second and third most prevalent classes were phenethylamines/synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”; 10.2%) and psychedelic phenethylamines (4.3%). Compared to other drug-related exposures (i.e. involving licit and ill...
Host Plants for Laboratory Rearing of the Melon Aphid

Kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus L., proved to be the best host for rearing the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, under laboratory conditions for subsequent transfer to citrus in tristeza-transmission studies. An air-conditioned room maintained at 25.56°C and 52–80% relative humidity with Gro-Lux® and cool white fluorescent illumination provided the best environment for aphids and plant material. The best method found for transferring aphids from one plant to another was by either clipping infested leaves from plants and placing them on uninfested plants or by hand picking individual aphids with a moistened artist’s brush.
Apneas, hypopneas, and respiratory effort-related arousals: moving closer to a standard.

The spectrum of sleep disordered breathing ranges from intermittent snoring to the obesity hypoventilation syndrome with the obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome fitting somewhere in between. Recently, improved definitions and monitoring techniques are allowing for clearer differentiation of the syndromes within this spectrum. These new standards have also produced better understanding of the prognosis and treatment options for patients fitting into different points within this spectrum. Furthermore, effective communication of current definitions and techniques has resulted in improved reimbursement for the treatments of patients with sleep disordered breathing.
InPhaDel: integrative shotgun and proximity-ligation sequencing to phase deletions with single nucleotide polymorphisms

Phasing of single nucleotide (SNV), and structural variations into chromosome-wide haplotypes in humans has been challenging, and required either trio sequencing or restricting phasing to population-based haplotypes. Selvaraj et al demonstrated single individual SNV phasing is possible with proximity ligated (HiC) sequencing. Here, we demonstrate HiC can phase structural variants into phased scaffolds of SNVs. Since HiC data is noisy, and SV calling is challenging, we applied a range of supervised classification techniques, including Support Vector Machines and Random Forest, to phase deletions. Our approach was demonstrated on deletion calls and phasings on the NA12878 human genome. We used three NA12878 chromosomes and simulated chromosomes to train model parameters. The remaining NA12878 chromosomes withheld from training were used to evaluate phasing accuracy. Random Forest had the highest accuracy and correctly phased 86% of the deletions with allele-specific read evidence. Allele-specific read evidence was found for 76% of the deletions. HiC provides significant read evidence for accurately phasing 33% of the deletions. Also, eight of eight top ranked deletions phased by only HiC were validated using long range polymerase chain reaction and Sanger. Thus, deletions from a single individual can be accurately phased using a combination of shotgun and proximity ligation sequencing. InPhaDel software is available at: http://l337x911.github.io/inphadel/.
Efficient Sulfide Assimilation in Methanosarcina acetivorans is Mediated by the MA1715 Protein

ABSTRACT Conserved genes essential to sulfur assimilation and trafficking in aerobic organisms are missing in many methanogens, most of which inhabit highly sulfidic, anaerobic environmental niches. This suggests that methanogens possess distinct pathways for the synthesis of key metabolites and intermediates, including cysteine, homocysteine, and protein persulfide groups. Prior work identified a novel tRNA-dependent two-step pathway for cysteine biosynthesis and a new metabolic transformation by which sulfur is inserted into aspartate semialdehyde to produce homocysteine. Homocysteine biosynthesis requires two of the three proteins previously identified in our laboratory by a comprehensive bioinformatics approach. Here, we show that the third protein identified in silico , the ApbE-like protein COG2122, facilitates sulfide assimilation in Methanosarcina acetivorans. Knockout strains lacking the gene encoding COG2122 are severely impaired for growth when sulfide is provided as the sole sulfur source. However, rapid growth is recovered upon supplementation with cysteine, homocysteine, or cystathionine, suggesting that COG2122 is required for efficient biosynthesis of both cysteine and homocysteine. Deletion of the gene encoding COG2122 does not influence the extent of sulfur modifications in tRNA or the prevalence of iron-sulfur clusters, indicating that the function of COG2122 could be limited to sulfide assimilation for cysteine and homocysteine biosynthesis alone. IMPORTANCE We have found that the conserved M. acetivorans ma1715 gene, which encodes an ApbE-like protein, is required for optimal growth with sulfide as the sole sulfur source and supports both cysteine and homocysteine biosynthesis in vivo . Together with related functional-genomics studies in methanogens, these findings make a key contribution to elucidating the novel pathways of sulfide assimilation and sulfur trafficking in anaerobic microorganisms that existed before the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis. The data suggest that the MA1715 protein is particularly important to sustaining robust physiological function when ambient sulfide concentrations are low. Phylogenetic analysis shows that MA1715 and other recently discovered methanogen sulfur-trafficking proteins share an evolutionary history with enzymes in the methanogenesis pathway. The newly characterized genes thus likely formed an essential part of the core metabolic machinery of the ancestral euryarchaeote.
Near Elderly Differ from Other Age Cohorts in Health Insurance Coverage

EBRI tabulations of the March 1995 Current Population Survey (CPS) reveal that 86.1 percent of the near elderly population, consisting of persons aged 55-64, reported having health insurance in 1994. Almost 76 percent reported having private insurance, and 18.4 percent reported having publicly provided coverage. Almost 14 percent of the near elderly population was uninsured in 1994, compared with 15.6 percent of the U.S. population aged 18 and over and 15.3 percent of the total population. The near elderly differ from other age groups in their labor force participation rates, marital status, and income levels. Consequently, they differ from other cohorts in their access to, and sources of, health insurance coverage. Adding significance to these differences is the projected growth in the proportion of individuals belonging to this age group. In 1990, the near elderly represented approximately 9 percent of the total U.S. population. By 2020, this cohort is projected to rise to almost 14 percent of the total population.
Scaled Model Test on Lightning Stroke Performance of UHV Double-Circuit Transmission Lines in Plain and Mountain Areas

Lightning stroke is one of the main reasons that cause faults in transmission lines. To study the effect of topography on the lightning performance of UHV transmission lines, with negative 80/2 500 μs switching impulse voltage, large-sized model of the SZ322 tower with the ratio of 1:12.5 for 1 000 k V UHV transmission lines was used to conduct the simulation tests in plain and mountain areas in this paper, besides, test results were qualitatively analyzed by simulation of space electric field. The test and simulation results show that the selectivity of discharge path in mountain area is obviously different from that in plain area. When lightning happens near the transmission lines, compared with the lines on flat ground, the electric field intensity of lines on hillside is stronger and the strongest part of electric field intensity around lightning leader is much closer to the transmission lines, thus, shielding failure rate of transmission lines in mountain area is higher and shielding effect of ground is poor. When discharge gap distance is increased, the conclusion remains valid and disparity of shielding failure rate of transmission lines in the two areas widens, but shielding failure rate of transmission lines in both areas decreases and shielding effect of ground strengthens. The obtained results may provide reference to lightning protection for UHV transmission lines.
Clinical applications of magnetic susceptibility-weighted imaging in central nervous system

Susceptibility-weig hted imaging (SWI) consists of using both mag nitude and phase images from a high-resolution, three-dimensional, fully velo city compensated gradient echo sequence. It is very sensitive to venous and the p roducts of blood. This article introduces the basis of the SWI technique and des cribes its clinical application in central nervous system including vascular mal formations, cerebral vascular diseases, brain neoplasms, neurological trauma a nd neurodegenerative diseases.
A Three-layer Modeling Method of New Energy Sources in Power Monitoring Systems

A three-layer modeling method from collection points to device containers then to industrial applications is developed to access more and more new-type device data to the power monitoring system.Firstly,collection point models in different collection types are set up.Then,the incidence relations between relative devices and collection points are set up.Finally,the industrial model of data according to industrial application requirements are set up and the unification with the common information model(CIM) is realized.The efficiency and security of the data model is ensured using a special storage and checkout method.With this method,there is no need of model modification when accessing new-type device data for the power monitoring system of new energy sources,improving the adaptability and expansibility of the system.