cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of pain properties in fibromyalgia patients and rheumatoid arthritis patients

Pain properties of 50 fibromyalgia patients were examined and compared with pain properties of 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients. In both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, pain was bilateral, involved multiple sites, and was of equal intensity (60.8 versus 58.7, respectively, on a scale of 100). Fibromyalgia pain, however, was less localized to the joints and suggested greater spatial diffusion. It involved more kinds of pain experiences (radiating, steady, spreading, spasms, gnawing, unlocalized, pricking, crushing, shooting, pressing, splitting, cramping, nagging, and pins and needles), and was dispersed over larger areas of the body. The anatomic sites best for discrimination between patients with fibromyalgia and patients with rheumatoid arthritis were the lower back, thigh, abdomen, head, and hips for fibromyalgia, and wrist, foot, and fingers for rheumatoid arthritis. The traditional clinical description of aching and stiffness does not appear to accurately describe the complexity of the fibromyalgia pain syndrome.
Systematic first-principles study of impurity hybridization in NiAl

We have performed a systematic first-principles computational study of the effects of impurity atoms (boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosporus, and sulfur) on the orbital hybridization and bonding properties in the intermetallic alloy NiAl using a full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method. The matrix elements in momentum space were used to calculate real-space properties: onsite parameters, partial densities of states, and local charges. In impurity atoms that are empirically known to be embrittler (N and O) we found that the $2s$ orbital is bound to the impurity and therefore does not participate in the covalent bonding. In contrast, the corresponding $2s$ orbital is found to be delocalized in the cohesion enhancers (B and C). Each of these impurity atoms is found to acquire a net negative local charge in NiAl irrespective of whether they sit in the Ni or Al site. The embrittler therefore reduces the total number of electrons available for covalent bonding by removing some of the electrons from the neighboring Ni or Al atoms and localizing them at the impurity site. We show that these correlations also hold for silicon, phosporus, and sulfur.
Corneal endothelial precipitates in HIV- and CMV- positive patients without concomitant ocular disease

Corneal endothelial precipitates in HIV- and CMV- positive patients without concomitant ocular disease
Ligation-induced acute pancreatitis in rats and opossums: a comparative morphologic study of the early phase.

Abstract Bile and pancreatic duct ligation (BPDL) in rats does not induce severe acute pancreatitis but only mild inflammation, which is self-limiting and eventually leads to pancreatic atrophy. However, BPDL in opossums induces severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis which uniformly leads to death within 14 days. We compared pancreatic morphologic changes after 24 hr of BPDL in rats and opossums. Pancreatitis histology score and acinar cell ultrastructural changes were evaluated. In both species, BPDL was associated with significant increases in histology score compared to sham controls (5.0 ± 0.3 vs 1.5 ± 0.3 in rats, 5.3 ± 0.4 vs 1.1 ± 0.1 in opossums; mean ± SEM, ANOVA, P
TCRBV 12 genes are polymorphic but the protein products encoded by each gene are conserved

The human TCRBV gene complex contains three BV12 genes and all are polymorphic. There are two alleles of BV12S4; one allele contains a stop codon in the coding region which precludes its expression. There are four alleles of BV12S2 and two alleles of BV12S3 genes; however, the substitutions present in both genes are conservative. Although allelic variants exist for each of the three BV12 genes, only one protein product is encoded by each gene.
Disposition of intra-amniotically administered estriol-16-C14 and estrone-16-C14 sulfate by women.

Estriol-16-C14 (7 cases) and sodium estrone-16-C14 sulfate (6 cases) were administered intra-amniotically to pregnant women in their 12th to 20th weeks of gestation. Forty-five to 50 min later pregnancy was interrupted surgically. Various fetal tissues, the placenta and maternal urine were analyzed for radioactivity. An average of 6.6 % of the radioactivity administered as estriol appeared in the maternal urine within 72 hr as compared with 0.6% following the injection of sodium estrone sulfate. The fetal tissues contained approximately 10 times more radioactivity when estriol was administered than when sodium estrone sulfate was given. In both series, of the fetal tissues studied, the skin contained the highest concentration of radioactivity, the bulk of which was in a conjugated form, most probably as estriol-3-sulfate. However, in both series most of the radioactivity in the placenta and fetal membranes was present in an unconjugated form.
Studies on the partial isolation of human renin

Abstract Studies on the partial isolation of human renin have been described. We have observed that: 1. 1. Thorough disruption of the cell membranes by an all glass homogenizer increases the yield of enzyme eluted from renal tissue. 2. 2. QAE-Sephadex and calcium gel cellulose chromatography are valuable tools for the purification of renin. Gradient elution is superior in ion exchange chromatography of human renin. The properties of the final preparation obtained (Fraction 9) are: mol. wt. 42 000; isoelectric point pH 5.25; A280 mμ:A260 mμ = 2.1; pH optimum for human substrate 5.5; hog substrate 7.5–8.5; and tetradecapeptide renin substrate 5.5. Specific activity 8.4 Goldblatt units per mg protein (by bioassay in the dog). 3. 3. Evidence was obtained for the existence of considerable amounts of angiotensin I converting enzyme in human kidneys. Problems concerning the standardisation of human renin have been discussed.
Heterotypic piRNA Ping-Pong Requires Qin, a Protein with Both E3 Ligase and Tudor Domains

Summary piRNAs guide PIWI proteins to silence transposons in animal germ cells. Reciprocal cycles of piRNA-directed RNA cleavage—catalyzed by the PIWI proteins Aubergine (Aub) and Argonaute3 (Ago3) in Drosophila melanogaster —expand the population of antisense piRNAs in response to transposon expression, a process called the Ping-Pong cycle. Heterotypic Ping-Pong between Aub and Ago3 ensures that antisense piRNAs predominate. We show that qin , a piRNA pathway gene whose protein product contains both E3 ligase and Tudor domains, colocalizes with Aub and Ago3 in nuage, a perinuclear structure implicated in transposon silencing. In qin mutants, less Ago3 binds Aub, futile Aub:Aub homotypic Ping-Pong prevails, antisense piRNAs decrease, many families of mobile genetic elements are reactivated, and DNA damage accumulates in nurse cells and oocytes. We propose that Qin enforces heterotypic Ping-Pong between Aub and Ago3, ensuring that transposons are silenced and maintaining the integrity of the germline genome.
The methylbenzenes II. Fundamental vibrational shifts, statistical thermodynamic functions, and properties of formation☆

Abstract Molecular vibrational analysis of benzene, its isotopic analogs, and methyl derivatives was carried out to establish consistent vibrational assignments. A 46-parameter modified valence force field was determined. The average error between the 736 observed and calculated wavenumbers was 6.59 cm−1 or 0.90 per cent. The observed wavenumbers were obtained from vapor-phase Raman and infrared spectra and provide the basis for the vibrational contributions to the thermodynamic functions and properties of formation to 1500 K for each of the isomers of the methylbenzenes. Thermodynamically important liquid (or solid)-to-vapor vibrational shifts are listed for each isomer.
Postinjury scopolamine administration in experimental traumatic brain injury.

A single bolus dose of scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg) or saline (equal volume) was injected (i.p.) at 15, 30 or 60 min after fluid percussion traumatic brain injury in the rat. Scopolamine administered at 15 min postinjury significantly reduced beam walking deficits and body weight loss assessed for 5 days after injury. Scopolamine treatment at 30 or 60 min postinjury had no effect on behavioral outcome assessed for 5 days after injury. Plasma concentrations of scopolamine were measured with a radioreceptor assay. The plasma half-life for scopolamine was 21.6 min in injured rats and 17.3 min in normal rats (P less than 0.05). These results, along with evidence from previous studies, suggest that a brief period of excessive neuronal excitation can produce relatively long-lasting behavioral deficits. The temporal effectiveness of receptor antagonist intervention in this process appears to be brief.
The Economics of Teams among Technicians

This paper examines the economic logic of organizing field technicians into self‐managed teams, an approach to work organization that shifts the division of labour from a hierarchical to horizontal one. Economic efficiencies arise through the integration of direct and indirect labour tasks and the alignment of'the organizational structure with the occupational logic of communities of practice among technicians. Self‐managed teams absorb the monitoring and co‐ordination tasks of supervisors, substantially reducing indirect labour costs but without adversely affecting objective measures of quality and labour productivity. For technicians, team membership means longer work hours, but higher wages through overtime pay.
Mood moderates the relationship between impulsiveness and delay discounting

Abstract Impulsiveness and gender have been inconsistently related to delay discounting. One explanation for this inconsistency is that mood moderates the relationship between these variables and discount rate. To investigate this proposal, mood was assessed in 192 female and male undergraduates with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), impulsiveness with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and delay discounting with the Monetary Choice Questionnaire. Results supported the proposal. The relationship of discount rate to the nonplanning impulsiveness (NPI) and motor impulsiveness (MI) subscales of the BIS-11 was stronger depending on the type of affect reported. The relationship between NPI and delay discounting was stronger for individuals with high positive affect (PA) than for those with low PA; the relationship between MI and discounting was stronger for individuals with high negative affect (NA) than for those with low NA. Mood also moderated the relationship between gender and delay discounting. Men, but not women, who were high in NA had high discount rates. Only NPI and NA were directly related to delay discounting. Results agree with other findings that impulsiveness, gender and delay discounting are interrelated, but extend this work by demonstrating that these interrelationships are moderated by mood.
Movements of Hudson River Striped Bass

Abstract The movements of age-II and older striped bass (Morone saxatilis), tagged during 1976 and 1977 within a 70-km section of the lower Hudson River, were determined from recaptures of fish within and outside the river. Movements within the river prior to and during the spawning period are related to maturity, age, and sex. During March and April, mature and immature fish coexist downriver from the principal spawning grounds. By late April, immature fish tend to migrate downriver and mature fish upriver. Males precede females to the spawning grounds. Following spawning, most striped bass leave the Hudson River and move generally northeast-ward in Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, but the majority are restricted to within 50 km of the river mouth. There is no correlation between distance moved and fish size, sex, or age. The migratory patterns of striped bass within the Hudson River system contrast markedly with those in the Chesapeake Bay system.
The structural evolution of central Crete: insight into the tectonic evolution of the south Aegean (Greece)

Abstract The recognition of crustal extension as a major mechanism of deformation of Crete and south Aegean region during Late Alpine times greatly clarifies the tectonic evolution of the area. Detailed structural analyses of the nappes of central Crete have enabled the tectonic evolution of the island, during Late Alpine times, to be reconstructed. Structural analyses of the upper nappes of Crete, which are similar to those of the Cyclades islands and were metamorphosed in pre-Oligocene time, also allows the tectonic evolution of Crete to be correlated with the better-known tectonic evolution of the Cyclades area. This history can be summarised as follows: In the Palaeocene–Eocene, ophiolites and the previously metamorphosed and deformed in the Late Cretaceous (D 1u ) Asteroussia nappe constituted the hangingwall plate during subduction and the formation of HP rocks in the Cyclades. During the Late Eocene–Early Oligocene, possibly during the early extension of the Cyclades, crustal masses extruded toward the outer area of Crete probably accelerated the westward stacking (D 2u ) of the developing nappes. In the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene, compression in the area of Crete became southward-directed (D 3 ), causing the subduction of the lower nappes and the southward stacking of the upper nappes. In the Cyclades, extension and southward escape of crustal masses continued. In the Miocene, crustal extension in Crete (D 4 ) caused the exhumation and uplift of the lower HP–LT metamorphosed nappes, while compression migrated southward to an external area, probably forming the Active Hellenic Subduction Zone (AHSZ). Finally, a Late Miocene–Early Pliocene (D 5 ) compression affected Crete, probably because of the lateral convergence of the European and African plates and initiation of the escape of the Turkish plate. Thus, the intensity and duration of deformation in the Cyclades area controlled and governed the structural evolution of Crete.
On Dynamic Reconfiguration of a Large-Scale Battery System

Electric vehicles powered with large-scale battery packs are gaining popularity as gasoline price soars. Large-scale battery packs usually consist of an estimated 12,000 battery cells connected in series and parallel, which are susceptible to battery-cell failures. Unfortunately, current battery-management systems are unable to handlethe inevitable battery-cell failures very well. To address this problem, we propose a dynamic reconfiguration framework that monitors, reconfigures, and controls large-scale battery packs online. The framework is built upon a syntactic bypassing mechanism that provides a set of rules for changing the battery-pack configuration, and a semantic bypassing mechanism by which the battery-cell connectivity is reconfigured to recover from a battery-cell failure. In particular, the semantic bypassing mechanism is dictated by constant-voltage-keeping and dynamic-voltage-allowing policies. The former policy is effective in preventing unavoidable voltage drops during the battery discharge, while the latter policy is effective in supplying different amounts of power to meet a wide-range of application requirements. Our experimental evaluation has shown the proposed framework to enable the battery packs to be 9 times as fault-tolerant as a legacy scheme.
Murine Liver Allograft Transplantation: Tolerance and Donor Cell Chimerism

Nonarterialized orthotopic liver transplantation with no immunosuppression was performed in 13 mouse-strain combinations. Two strain combinations with major histocompatibility complex class I and class II and minor histocompatibility complex disparity had 20% and 33% survival of more than 100 days, but the other 11 combinations, including four that were fully allogeneic and all with only class I, class II or minor disparities, yielded 45% to 100% survival of more than 100 days. Long-living recipients permanently accepted donor-strain heterotopic hearts transplanted on the same day or donor-strain skin 3 mo after liver transplantation, in spite of detectable antidonor in vitro activity with mixed lymphocyte reaction and cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity testing (split tolerance). In further donor-specific experiments, liver grafts were not rejected by presensitized major histocompatibility complex class I–disparate recipients and they protected donor-strain skin grafts from second set (or any) rejection. Less frequently, liver transplantation rescued rejecting skin grafts placed 1 wk earlier in major histocompatibility complex class I, class II and minor histocompatibility complex, class II or minor histocompatibility complex–disparate strain combinations. Donor-derived leukocyte migration to the central lymphoid organs occurred within 1 to 2 hr after liver transplantation in all animals examined, persisted in the surviving animals until they were killed (> 375 days), and was demonstrated with double-immunolabeling to be multilineage. The relation of these findings to so-called hepatic tolerogenicity and to tolerance in general is discussed.
Integration of Arabidopsis thaliana stress-related transcript profiles, promoter structures, and cell-specific expression

Arabidopsis thaliana transcript profiles indicate effects of abiotic and biotic stresses and tissue-specific and cell-specific gene expression. Organizing these datasets could reveal the structure and mechanisms of responses and crosstalk between pathways, and in which cells the plants perceive, signal, respond to, and integrate environmental inputs. We clustered Arabidopsis transcript profiles for various treatments, including abiotic, biotic, and chemical stresses. Ubiquitous stress responses in Arabidopsis, similar to those of fungi and animals, employ genes in pathways related to mitogen-activated protein kinases, Snf1-related kinases, vesicle transport, mitochondrial functions, and the transcription machinery. Induced responses to stresses are attributed to genes whose promoters are characterized by a small number of regulatory motifs, although secondary motifs were also apparent. Most genes that are downregulated by stresses exhibited distinct tissue-specific expression patterns and appear to be under developmental regulation. The abscisic acid-dependent transcriptome is delineated in the cluster structure, whereas functions that are dependent on reactive oxygen species are widely distributed, indicating that evolutionary pressures confer distinct responses to different stresses in time and space. Cell lineages in roots express stress-responsive genes at different levels. Intersections of stress-responsive and cell-specific profiles identified cell lineages affected by abiotic stress. By analyzing the stress-dependent expression profile, we define a common stress transcriptome that apparently represents universal cell-level stress responses. Combining stress-dependent and tissue-specific and cell-specific expression profiles, and Arabidopsis 5'-regulatory DNA sequences, we confirm known stress-related 5' cis-elements on a genome-wide scale, identify secondary motifs, and place the stress response within the context of tissues and cell lineages in the Arabidopsis root.
A Nonintrusive Efficiency Estimation Method for In-Service Motor Testing using a Modified Induction Motor Equivalent Circuit

On average, industrial motors operate at no more than 60% of their rated load, and thus at reduced efficiency which results in wasted energy. Motor efficiency evaluation enables the energy savings in industry. However, because of the uninterrupted characteristic of industrial processes, traditional methods defined in IEEE Std-112 cannot be used for these in-service motors. This paper proposes a novel nonintrusive method for in-service motor efficiency estimation based on a modified induction motor equivalent circuit using only motor terminal quantities and nameplate information. Rotor speed and stator resistance are extracted from stator voltages and currents. No load test is eliminated by using empirical values instead. Rotor stray-load loss is considered in the equivalent circuit by adding an equivalent resistor in series with the rotor circuit, and its value is derived from the assumed stray-load loss suggested in IEEE Std-112. The parameters of the equivalent circuit are solved using only stator voltage and current phasors and motor nameplate data. Three numerical root finding methods are adopted to guarantee the solution of the parameters under any situations. Finally, the proposed method is verified by testing a 7.5 hp TEFC induction motor. Experimental results are presented and analyzed.
Projecting the future of overhead projection

The future of presentation technology is discussed, concentrating on needed hardware and software breakthroughs to bring about such innovations as practical animation. Conjectures are made as to how tomorrow's audio-visual aids might be best applied to educating tomorrow's post-MTV preliterate students. It is concluded that the overhead projector and projection pad already provide a very inexpensive and portable alternative to the large-screen monochrome video monitor, and soon will have affordable color capabilities. There is a long list of advantages to using the projection pad over conventional transparencies, and lower cost will soon be added to the list. Potential solutions exist for the technical problems of slow speed, and heat intolerance. Current presentation software has extensive word-processing features, and should be more powerful and less expensive in the future. >
Microenvironment generated during EGFR targeted killing of pancreatic tumor cells by ATC inhibits myeloid-derived suppressor cells through COX2 and PGE2 dependent pathway

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are one of the major components of the immune-suppressive network, play key roles in tumor progression and limit therapeutic responses. Recently, we reported that tumor spheres formed by breast cancer cell lines were visibly smaller in a Th1 enriched microenvironment with significantly reduced differentiation of MDSC populations in 3D culture. In this study, we investigated the mechanism(s) of bispecific antibody armed ATC mediated inhibition of MDSC in the presence or absence of Th1 microenvironment. We used 3D co-culture model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with pancreatic cancer cells MiaPaCa-2 [MiaE] and gemcitabine resistant MiaPaCa-GR [MiaM] cells to generate MDSC in the presence or absence of Th1 cytokines and EGFRBi armed ATC (aATC). We show significantly decreased differentiation of MDSC (MiaE, p<0.005; MiaM, p<0.05) in the presence of aATC with or without Th1 cytokines. MDSC recovered from control cultures (without aATC) showed potent ability to suppress T cell functions compared to those recovered from aATC containing co-cultures. Reduced accumulation of MDSC was accompanied by significantly lower levels of COX2 (p<0.0048), PGE2 (p<0.03), and their downstream effector molecule Arginase-1 (p<0.01), and significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-12 and chemokines CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 under aATC induced Th1 cytokine enriched microenvironment. These data suggest aATC can suppress MDSC differentiation and attenuation of their suppressive activity through down regulation of COX2, PGE2 and ARG1 pathway that is potentiated in presence of Th1 cytokines, suggesting that Th1 enriching immunotherapy may be beneficial in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Failure of thymopoietin, ubiquitin and synthetic serum thymic factor to restore immunocompetence in T-cell deficient mice.

AbstractThymopoietin, ubiquitin, and serum thymic factor, all of which induce T cell markers on lymphocytes, have been evaluated for their capacity to induce thymus-de-pendent activities in vivo. Multiple treatments over a period of weeks failed to restore either resistance to line lb leukemia or responses to T cell mitogens in T cell-deficient C58 mice. The findings suggest that these substances are ineffective in inducing thymus-dependent im-munocompetence that is meaningful in the intact animal.
Salt‐marsh processes: A Review

Salt marshes are found between the high tide and the near-shore sublittoral zones along the coasts and up estuaries of continents, primarily in the temperate zone. They flourish in regions where much silt is carried to the coastal regions by rivers or where geological processes favor erosion and suspension of silt. Salt marshes have multiple ecological and economic values. They have a high rate of primary productivity; provide habitats for many marine species (including commercially important organisms); assist in flood and erosion control; lessen the effects of stormwater surges; and improve water quality by filtering pollutants, excess nutrients, and disease-causing microorganisms. In addition, this habitat is used for recreational and educational purposes by millions of people who spend millions of dollars. Although the myriad functions and uses of this habitat attest to its tremendous importance, legal protection of salt marshes varies significantly throughout the world. Salt-marsh processes are governed by the interactions between “natural” physical, chemical, geological, and biological factors. Of importance to ecotoxicologists and other scientists is understanding the intimate interaction between these various abiotic and biotic factors. This paper reviews the functional processes of salt marshes and discusses recent research advances under the following major headings: (a) physical, geological, and chemical factors; (b) biotic factors (including productivity of vascular plants, phytoplankton, epibenthic algae, and attached macrophytes; secondary production of primary and secondary consumers; and decomposition; (c) material cycling, biogeo-chemical cycling, and nutrients; (d) long-term changes; and (e) interaction with adjacent ecosystems.
Family Educational Involvement and Child Achievement in Early Elementary School for American-Born and Immigrant Families.

As the foreign-born population in the United States grows, the achievement of immigrant children is a pressing concern. We examined family educational involvement in early elementary school as a potential source of support for the academic success of children in immigrant families. Using a nationally representative sample, we examined rates of educational involvement at first and third grade, as well as associations between involvement and math and reading achievement at these times. With regard to rates, the domain of greatest difference between U.S.-born White parents and both U.S.-born and immigrant parents of color (Asian, Black, and Latino) was for school-based involvement. In addition, several variations in the associations between involvement and child achievement were evident across immigrant and race/ethnicity groups, with children in U.S.-born White, Black, and Asian families as well as children in Latino immigrant families most consistently demonstrating positive associations between family educational involvement and achievement.
Prices and Exchange Rates: A Theory of Disconnect

I present a sticky-wage model of exchange rate pass-through with heterogeneous producers and endogenous markups. The model shows that low levels of exchange rate pass-through to firm- and aggregate-level import prices coexist with large movements in trade flows. After an exchange rate shock, aggregate import prices are subject to a composition bias due to changes in the extensive margin of trade (the number of goods traded between countries). At the firm level, each producer adjusts its markups depending on its own productivity and the change in the competitive environment generated by the exchange rate movement. Firm-level price responses are asymmetric—different for appreciations and depreciations—and adjustments in the intensive margin of trade (firm-level exports) are substantial. In general equilibrium, the model shows that firm reallocations increase the persistence of exogenous shocks.
Identification of a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell aggregation in d. discoideum

Abstract Analysis of the composition of cell surface-associated glycoproteins of D. discoideum by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination, followed by isolation by Con A-Sepharose chromatography, revealed that the developmentally regulated cell surface expression of a certain glycoprotein (gp150) parallels the onset of mutual cellular cohesiveness (Geltosky, Siu and Lerner, 1976). We have purified gp150 and raised specific antibodies to it. Through utilization of the specific antibody and a fluorescence-activated cell sorter, the expression of gp150 on the cell surface has been studied. Starting from a low level in noncohesive (vegetative) cells, there is a rapid accumulation of gp150 on the surfaces of aggregating cells. A peak level of expression is achieved by 10 hr and maintained at least until the steps of terminal differentiation. Most significantly, monovalent Fab' derived from anti-gp150, when added to aggregation-competent cells, blocks the cells' ability to reaggregate. Fab's derived from antisera with different specificities were ineffective inhibitors of cell aggregation. These results suggest that gp150 serves an intimate role in cell adhesion.
Thermoresponsive hydrogels in biomedical applications A seven-year update

Thermally responsive hydrogels modulate their gelation behavior upon temperature change. Aqueous solutions solidify into hydrogels when a critical temperature is reached. In biomedical applications, the change from ambient temperature to physiological temperature can be employed. Their potential as in situ forming biomaterials has rendered these hydrogels very attractive. Advances in drug delivery, tissue engineering and cell sheet engineering have been made in recent years with the use of thermoresponsive hydrogels. The scope of this article is to review the literature on thermosensitive hydrogels published over the past seven years. The article concentrates on natural polymers as well as synthetic polymers, including systems based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-biodegradable polyester copolymers, poly(organophosphazenes) and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA).
A numerical investigation of premixed combustion in wave rotors

Wave rotor cycles which utilize premixed combustion processes within the passages are examined numerically using a one-dimensional CFD-based simulation. Internal-combustion wave rotors are envisioned for use as pressure-gain combustors in gas turbine engines. The simulation methodology is described, including a presentation of the assumed governing equations for the flow and reaction in the channels, the numerical integration method used, and the modeling of external components such as recirculation ducts. A number of cycle simulations are then presented which illustrate both turbulent-deflagration and detonation modes of combustion. Estimates of performance and rotor wall temperatures for the various cycles are made, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed.
African swine fever.

Publisher Summary African swine fever (ASF) is a tickborne and contagious disease of swine, caused by a large icosahedral cytoplasmic DNA virus, which has been tentatively classified as an Iridouirus. ASF was first described in a comprehensive report by Montgomery in 1921. In this report he described the outbreaks of the disease in Kenya between 1909 and 1915 where 1352 (98.9%) of 1366 infected pigs died. In addition, he reported that the disease was caused by a virus, and reported the results of studies on transmission, virus survival in the environment, and host range, including the possible role of wild pigs in maintaining the virus in nature. He believed that the disease was caused by a serologic variant of the hog cholera virus (classical swine fever)a conclusion that was repeated in recent times when ASF was introduced into a previously uninfected area. Subsequent to Montgomery's report, ASF was diagnosed in many areas of southern Africa. In 1933, in an outbreak in South Africa, 8% of 11,000 infected pigs survived.
Optical Properties of the Skin and Eyes

The first law of photochemistry (Grotthus-Draper law) states that no photochemical (or subsequent photobiologic) reactions can occur unless radiation is absorbed. The biologic effects and microscopic alterations observed after absorption of UV radiation result from a complex sequence of biochemical reactions and cellular responses, some of which may be distant from the site of absorption. These chains of events must begin, however, with the excitation of important molecules to reactive states by the absorption of photons of certain wavelengths.
Coupled Damage Precursor Detection

This conceptual research focuses on identifying damage precursors in carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates. By coupling integrated in situ sensing elements (magnetostrictive particles) and multi-scale ultrasonic inspection (Quantitative Ultrasonic Imaging) with minimum hardware the authors are able to capture and gain an understanding of damage precursors. Preliminary damage precursors can be identified and quantified and correlated to a particular failure mode(s) and/or fabrication process accelerating the need for a sensing/repair strategy that could be implemented to capture the specific precursor prior to the onset of cracks. Capturing and mitigating damage precursors ahead of micro-crack formulation will slow the evolution of the damage precursors to micro-cracks, mitigate adverse loading environment, and develop techniques to reduce stress and loading below the endurance limit to keep it from being fatigued.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
de Haas-van Alphen Effect and the Specific Heat of an Electron Gas

A model electron gas is studied in order to provide a microscopic justification of the Shoenberg conjecture that the harmonic content of the de Haas-van Alpen oscillations of the magnetization $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{M}$ can properly be explained by replacing the applied field $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{H}$ in the elementary expression for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{M}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{H})$ by the total induction $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{B}=\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{H}+\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{M}$. The model contains a current-current interaction between the electrons; and it is shown that the unscreened long-range nature of this interaction leads to a term in the low-temperature specific heat proportional to $T \mathrm{ln}T$. For a gas with terrestrial densities the coefficient of this anomalous term is very small and probably beyond detection.
The Costs of and Returns to Farm Policy: A United States-Canadian Comparison

T TIE purpose of this paper is to examine the costs and the differential effects on factor returns of the Canadian and United States farm policies in the northern Great Plains. This region includes the three Canadian provinces, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and the two states, Montana and North Dakota. Specifically, I will (a) explore the differential effects of the programs on farm prices, (b) compare the governmental costs of the farm programs of the two countries in the study area, and (c) determine as far as possible the effects of the programs on the returns to the resources in the farm sectors. Since most of the differences in policy between the two countries occurred in the postwar years, the period of comparison will be 1945-1957, with 1926-1929 used as a base period for some purposes.
Evaluation of a Pest Advisory for Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infestations in Soybean

Larval surveys of second-generation corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie). taken in field corn in mid-July from 1976 to 1989 were used in a pest advisory program to predict potential for later infestations in Virginia soybeans. Estimates of statewide soybean. Glycine max (L.) Merrill. acreage treated for corn earworm were used to evaluate survey predictions. Blacklight-trap and pheromone-trap moth catches from 1983 to 1989 were plotted to study trends in moth activity around soybean fields and to evaluate their use in the pest advisory. Total soybean acreage treated for corn earworm increased linearly with an increase in percent corn ears infested with corn earworm. Generally, 35% infestation resulted in ≈50% or more acreage treated. Corn earworm moth activity around soybean fields increased in late July to early August, peaked one time each season from 15 to 24 August. and ceased by mid- to late September. Pheromone traps provided timely detection of moths in individual fields; however. blacklight-trap catch was a better area-wide indicator of corn earworm infestation severity in soybeans.
Test-retest reliability of a complex human immunodeficiency virus research questionnaire administered by an Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing system.

Objectives To evaluate the test-retest reliability of a complex questionnaire administered by Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing to recently diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. Methods Thirty-seven English-speaking and 32 Spanish-speaking participants completed both test and retest interviews. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and kappa (kappa) and weighted kappa (kappa) statistics were obtained for individual questions. From these, overall kappa and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated across all variables and for groups of questions. Results Overall measures of reliability were kappa = 0.767, r = 0.728. Some variation in reliability existed for different response formats, question content groups, and languages of the participants. Differences in overall reliability by Spanish compared with English participants were small and not statistically significant. Conclusions Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing provides reliable measures for items assessed in the Antiretroviral Treatment and Access Study baseline questionnaire. Some differences exist as a result of question content, interview language, and response format, requiring assessment in future studies and consideration in designing Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing systems and questionnaires.
College Athletics Spending: Principals and Agents v. Arms Race

It is widely held that collegiate athletic directors are trapped in an expenditure arms race. But the arms race explanation completely omits the actual consideration of the university budgeting process. In its place, the arms race logic imposes strained assumptions about the cooperative setting and the naivete of university administrators, along with a curious distinction of one type of revenue to reach its conclusions. And the interpretation of the data on spending and benefits from college sports has not been done particularly well in the past. This paper presents an alternative principal-agent explanation that is based on the observed actual financial (budget) relationship between university administrators and their athletic department and consistent with the entirety of the aggregate-level data on college athletics finance. Empirically discerning between the two models is crucial since each generates decidedly different policy implications.
Design of FPGA-based Substation of Safety Monitoring and Control System of Coal Mine

In view of poor real-time performance of safety monitoring and control system of coal mine because sub stations collect sensors' data by use of single microprocessor,a design scheme of FPGA-based substation was put forward and designs of the substation's software and hardware were introduced in details.A3PE600 series of FPGA was used in the substation to accomplish acquisition of sensors' data,and ARM was used to accomplish tasks of communication with the FPGA and the host computer,control of power-off and alarming according to configuration information and sensors'data and human-computer interaction.The substation has good real-time performance and can connect various of sensors and be used in different safety monitoring and control systems with different transmission interfaces.
Apply Fuzzy Clustering Approach in Construct the Evaluation Index System of Core Competence of Corporation

The evaluation index system of core competence of corporation scientific constructed is the precondition of objectively evaluates the core competence of corporation.According to certain principle to select the index and construct the system,and apply fuzzy clustering approach to deal with the index and clustering process concretely.On the base of clustering,analysis the index system by m group classify idea of set and relating degree of gray theory,check up the index system constructed further,which indicated the construction idea is scientific and maneuverable.
Prevalence and Correlates of Snoring and Observed Apneas in 5,201 Older Adults

The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of snoring, observed apneas, and daytime sleepiness in older men and women, and to describe the relationships of these sleep disturbances to health status and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A cross-sectional design was employed to study sleep problems, CVD, general health, psychosocial factors, and medication use. The subjects were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study, which included 5,201 adults, aged 65 and older, who were recruited from a random sample of Medicare enrollees in four U.S. communities. Study measures employed were sleep questions, echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, resting electrocardiogram, cognitive function, cardiopulmonary symptoms and diseases, depression, independent activities of daily living (IADLs), and benzodiazepine use. Thirty-three percent of the men and 19% of the women reported loud snoring, which was less frequent in those over age 75. Snoring was positively associated with younger age, marital status, and alcohol use in men, and obesity, diabetes, and arthritis in women. Snoring was not associated, however, with cardiovascular risk factors or clinical CVD in men or women. Observed apneas were reported much less frequently (13% of men and 4% of women) than snoring, and they were associated with alcohol use, chronic bronchitis, and marital status in men. Observed apneas were associated with depression and diabetes in women. In both men and women, daytime sleepiness was associated with poor health, advanced age, and IADL limitations. The conclusions of the study were that loud snoring, observed apneas, and daytime sleepiness are not associated cross-sectionally with hypertension or prevalent CVD in elderly persons.
Parathyroidectomy Outcomes and Pathology in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Complications related to parathyroid surgery are rare but most commonly include recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hematoma formation, and hypocalcemia. In highly experience centers, >95 % of patients are normocalcemic postoperatively. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the other hand remains elevated in a significant number of patients with normocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is due to a single parathyroid adenoma in most patients, with a chief cell adenoma being the most common pathologic variant. However, oxyphil adenomas, lipoadenomas, clear cell adenomas, and atypical parathyroid adenomas can also be seen. Parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis are other pathologic entities that should be considered in persistent and recurrent PHPT. Parathyroid hyperplasia is the cause of PHPT in approximately 15 % of patients and is seen in familial parathyroid disorders such as MEN1, MEN2A, MEN4, hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome, and familial isolated PHPT.
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF VERY HIGH SPEED FLAT SHIP THEORY

This paper uses an asymptotic procedure to generate analytic solutions to the low-aspect-ratio problem of flat ship theory, in the limit for a very fast ship. The first two terms of the solution are worked out for hulls of parabolic planform and with 20 arbitrary constants in the expression for the draft. Optimizations are then performed for lift and drag on a smaller class of hulls. Analytic solutions were found by using symbolic computation, and the results are discussed. Optimal hulls are presented
WiKiSpiro: non-contact respiration volume monitoring during sleep

Respiration volume has been widely used as an important indication for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases and other health care related issues such as critically ill patients neonatal ventilation, post-operative monitoring and various others. Most of existing technologies for respiration volume monitoring require physical contact with the human body. While wireless-based approaches have also been discussed in the literature, there are still limitations in terms of estimation accuracy and time efficiency preventing these approaches from being realized in practice. In this paper, we present an automated, wireless-based, vision-supervised system, called WiKiSpiro, for monitoring an individual's respiration volume. In particular, we present a system design encompassing a wireless device, motion tracking and control system, and a set of methods to accurately derive breathing volume from the reflected signal and to address challenges caused by body movement and posture changes. We present our preliminary results of WikiSpiro, and identify possible challenges for future research and development.
The Many-Faced God: A Clinical Review of IgG4-Related Disease

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a complex fibroinflammatory disease first identified in 2003. It has been described in every organ. Type- 2 helper T cell immune-mediated responses are thought to be pathogenic. Serum IgG4 levels are not always elevated and immunohistochemical analysis is the gold standard for diagnosis. When available, histopathology typically reveals lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, fibrosis, and abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells.Here, we review clinically salient features of IgG4-related disease including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and emerging treatment strategies.
Label-free sensing of intrinsic biomarkers related to medical device performance employing a noninvasive fingerprint infrared spectroscopy method

An advanced sensing methodology based on a noninvasive label-free fingerprint infrared spectroscopy approach for detecting and identifying intrinsic biomarkers related to the safety and efficacy of optical diagnostics and therapeutics technologies and devices is presented.
Modeling of the dynamic flow propagation of multiple units of information under vehicle-to-vehicle communications based advanced traveler information systems

ABSTRACTIn a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications-based advanced traveler information system (ATIS), the dynamic flow propagation of multiple units of information depends on the interactions between the traffic and inter-vehicle communication characteristics and constraints, and the consequent dynamics. This study models the dynamic flow propagation of multiple units of information using a multi-layer framework that captures the dynamics of the three interacting layers: physical traffic flow, inter-vehicle communication, and information flow. The traffic flow dynamics are captured using a cell transmission model in the physical traffic flow layer. The inter-vehicle communication layer uses the time-dependent locations of vehicles in the traffic flow layer and inter-vehicle communication-related constraints to determine the occurrences of inter-vehicle communication. The information flow layer depicts the flow of multiple units of information as a network. Thereby, the proposed framework describes how t...