cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Well-placement optimization using a derivative-free method

Abstract A new well-placement optimization algorithm for the estimation of the trajectory of directional wells is introduced to maximize the life-cycle net-present-value (NPV) of production from a reservoir. A directional well is considered as a straight line in 3D. The well-placement problem is formulated in terms of six continuous variables which define the trajectory of a well. The trajectory parameters are the x w , y w and z w coordinates of the center point of the well, the length of the well, l w , and θ w and φ w which are the orientation angles of the well in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. The life-cycle NPV functional of production from the reservoir is defined as a function of these six continuous well trajectory parameters ( x w , y w , z w , l w , θ w , φ w ) . The smoothness of the NPV functional is promoted by distributing the rate of the well among “gridblock perforations” which are “close” to the trajectory of the well. The NPV functional is efficiently maximized using a Bound Optimization BY Quadratic Approximation, BOBYQA, algorithm. In order to improve the performance of BOBYQA for the well-placement optimization problem, we use a transformation of the control variables. Application of a derivative-free optimization algorithm makes our well-placement method easy to apply using any reservoir simulator because no gradient computation is required. We illustrate the applicability of our well-placement method for a set of problems.
Formic Acid Content of Milk Heated to High Temperatures as Determined by the Distillation Procedure

Summary Formic acid determinations by the distillation method were made on milk to which known amounts of formic acid were added and on milk which had been heated for one and two hour periods at 116° C. From 60 to 71 percent of the added formic acid was recovered by the method used with an average recovery of 66.5 per cent. Milk heated for one hour averaged 9.9 mg. of formic acid per 100 ml. of milk when the retention correction was used. This represented approximately 49 percent of the total titrable acidity increase. In contrast, milk heated for two hours contained a corrected average of 21.8 mg. formic acid per 100 ml. of milk, or an amount equivalent to approximately 57 percent of the total titrable acidity increase.
Regulation of an unexploited brown trout population in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the annual variations in the density of an unexploited population of lotic brown trout Salmo trutta that has been censused annually for 19 years and to explore the importance of density-independent and density-dependent processes in regulating population size. Brown trout density and indices of stream discharge and water temperature were related to annual variations in natural mortality, recruitment, and growth. Annual mortality of age-1 and older (age-1+) brown trout ranged from 0.30 to 0.75 and was best explained by discharge during spring and by brown trout density. Recruitment to age 1 varied fivefold. Density of age-1 brown trout was inversely related to spawner density and positively related to discharge during the fall spawning period. The median length of age-1 brown trout was positively related to discharge during summer and fall. Relative weight was inversely related to the density of age-2+ brown trout. The interactive effects of discharge and b...
There is more to fluid intelligence than working memory capacity and executive function

Although working memory capacity and executive function contribute to human intelligence, we question whether there is an equivalence between them and fluid intelligence. We contend that any satisfactory neurobiological explanation of fluid intelligence needs to include abstraction as an important computational component of brain processing.
Theoretical Investigation Of Millimeter Wave Propagation Through A Clear Atmosphere-II

A general model that describes beam wave propagation through a dispersing and absorbing, clear, turbulent, heterogeneous atmosphere is extended and related to common experimental quantities, viz, intensity covariances, angle-of-arrival, and the mutual coherence function. These experimental quantities are assumed to be measured via parabolic reflector antennas; aperture averaging is taken into account. Explicit expressions for the second and fourth order coherence functions for a general beam wave are derived; it is found that log-amplitude! Phase correlations play an important part in the derivation of these two auantities. A brief review of reflector antenna theory is given. Three experimental situations are considered: the quasi-optical method; intensity covariance via two reflector antennas; the long base-line interferometric method.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Emergency Evaluation for Pulmonary Embolism, Part 2: Diagnostic Approach

, Abstract—Background: In part 1 of this two-part review, we discussed which risk factors, historical features, and physical findings increase risk for pulmonary embolism (PE) in symptomatic emergency department (ED) patients. Objectives: Use published evidence to describe criteria that a reasonable and prudent clinician can use to initiate and guide the process of excluding and diagnosing PE. Discussion: Thecarefulanddiligentemergencyphysiciancanuse clinical criteria to safely obviate a formal evaluation of PE, including the use of gestalt reasoning and the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule, Table 2, part 1). We present published clinical and radiographic features of patients with PE who eluded diagnosis in the ED. D-dimer can be used to exclude PE in many patients, and employing agebased adjustments to the threshold to define an abnormal value can further reduce patient exposure to pulmonary vascular imaging. Moreover, we discuss benefits, limitations, and potential harms of computed tomographic pulmonary vascularimagingrelevanttopatientsandthepracticeofemergency care. We present algorithms to guide exclusion and diagnosis ofPEinpatientswithsuspected PE, includingthose who are pregnant. Conclusions: Reasonable and prudent emergency clinicians can exclude PE in symptomatic ED patients on clinical grounds alone in many patients, and many more can have PE ruled out by use of the D-dimer. 2015 Elsevier Inc.
Comparative pulmonary absorption, distribution, and toxicity of copper gallium diselenide, copper indium diselenide, and cadmium telluride in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Abstract Copper gallium diselenide (CGS), copper indium diselenide (CIS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe) are novel compounds used in the photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. This study was conducted to characterize the relative toxicities of these compounds and to evaluate the pulmonary absorption and distribution after intratracheal instillation. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were administered a single equimolar dose (70 m m ) of CGS (21 mg/kg), CIS (24 mg/kg), CdTe (17 mg/kg), or saline by intratracheal instillation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, fibronectin, inflammatory cells, lung hydroxyproline, and tissue distribution were measured 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after instillation. Relative lung weights were significantly increased in CIS- and CdTe-treated rats at most time points. Inflammatory lesions in the lungs consisting of an influx of macrophages, lymphocytes, and PMNs were most severe in CdTe-treated rats, intermediate in CIS-treated rats, and minimal in rats receiving CGS. Hyperplasia of alveolar type 2 cells was present in CIS- and CdTe-treated rats and was greatest in CdTe-treated rats. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis was observed in CdTe-treated rats at all time points. All three compounds caused marked increases in total BALF cell numbers, with the greatest increase observed in CIS-treated rats. BALF protein, fibronectin, and lung hydroxyproline were significantly increased in all treated animals and were highest in CdTe-treated animals. There was no apparent pulmonary absorption or tissue distribution of CGS. Indium levels increased in extrapulmonary tissues of CIS-treated rats, although Cu and Se levels remained unchanged. CdTe was absorbed from the lung to a greater extent than CGS and CIS. Cd and Te levels decreased in the lung and increased in extrapulmonary tissues. Of these compounds CdTe presents the greatest potential health risk because it causes severe pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and because it is readily absorbed from the lung may potentially cause extrapulmonary toxicity.
Contribution of Haar wavelets and MPEG-7 textural features for false positive reduction in a CAD system for the detection of masses in mammograms

The study investigates the significance of wavelet-based and MPEG-7 homogeneous textural features in an attempt to improve the specificity of an in-house CAD system for the detection of masses in screening mammograms. The detection scheme has been presented before and it relies on the concept of morphologic concentric layer (MCL) analysis to identify suspicious locations in a mammogram. The locations were deemed suspicious due to their morphology; especially an increased activity of iso-intensity layers around these locations. On a set of 270 mammographic images, the MCL detection scheme achieved 93% (131/141) mass detection rate with 4.8 FPs/image (1,296/270). In the present study, the textural signature of the detected location is analyzed for possible false positive reduction. For texture analysis, HAAR wavelet and MPEG-7 HTD textural features were extracted. In addition, the contribution of directional neighborhood (DN) features was studied as well. The extracted features were combined with a back-propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) to discriminate true masses from false positives. Using a database of 1,427 suspicious seeds (131 true masses and 1,296 FPs) and a 5-fold cross-validation sampling scheme, the ROC area index of the BPNN using the different sets of features were as follows: A z (HAAR)=0.87±0.01, A z (HTD)=0.91±0.02, A z (DN)=0.84±0.01. Averaging the scores of the three BPANNs resulted in statistically significantly better performance A z (ALL)=0.94±0.01. At 95% sensitivity, the FP rate was reduced by 77.5%. The overall performance of the system after incorporation of textural and directional features was 87.9% sensitivity for malignant masses at 1.1 FPs/image.
A new titrimetric analysis for ethylene oxide condensates

A critical review of the literature was made in search of suitable methods for analyzing ethylene oxide condensates. These studies led to the development of a rapid empirical titrimetric method for measuring nonionic hydrophobicity based on a water titration of a condensate dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) and benzene. The end-point is identified by a definite solution turbidity. Calibration curves were prepared from known condensates. This method should be useful for analysis of adducts in plant quality control and also for nonionics with known hydrophobes. Ether type adducts can not. (Ethylene oxide in esters can be calculated from their saponification values.) Examples of adducts which can be identified by the titrimetric method are those based on fatty alcohols and alkylphenols. Proprietary nonionics analyzed by the DMF method had ethylene oxide values in agreement with those claimed by the manufacturers. DMF data also compare favorably with that by hydriodic acid cleavage.
Breaking a tetrahedral molecular ion with electrons: study of NH+4

We apply a general theoretical model to study the dissociative recombination of the polyatomic ion NH+4. The high symmetry of the molecule, represented by the tetrahedral group, leads to complex vibronic couplings responsible for dissociative recombination. By applying multi-channel quantum defect theory and using symmetry considerations, we treat the doubly and triply degenerate modes and electronic states of NH+4 to calculate a theoretical cross section. The cross section agrees well with existing experimental data.
On Zhang Yimou's Hero: Counter-response

AbstractZhang Yimou's film Hero is an investigation into culturalism, or the demand, embedded in the nation-state form, that all nations represent themselves through a unique and readily recognizable culture. Hero implies that this demand is a trap, and that the only way to global recognition among the ‘family of nations’ is through more direct cultivation of political, economic, and military power.
Ischaemic Colitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors: An Analysis of Reports to the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors are immunosuppressants, approved for the treatment and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunosuppression has been shown to induce ischaemic colitis (IC) in an animal model; however, a relationship between TNF inhibitors and IC has rarely been reported in the published literature. The aim of this study was to better characterize the association between TNF-α inhibitors with IC in RA patients, by analysing adverse event reports submitted to the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) and the published literature. The FDA AERS database was searched and we identified all reports between January 2003 and June 2011. The search was limited to an indication of RA, a ‘primary suspect’ drug of TNF-α inhibitors and a reaction of IC. Full-length reports were obtained and analysed utilizing the Freedom of Information Act. The cases were organized by age, sex, type of TNF-α inhibitor, concomitant drugs and medical co-morbidities. Cases were labelled as definite, probable, possible or doubtful drug-induced adverse events based on the Naranjo Scale. A PubMed search was performed to obtain published literature documenting events of anti-TNF-associated IC. Twelve cases were eliminated because of more likely causes for IC. Thirty-five primary suspect reports of TNF-α inhibitors associated with IC in RA patients were identified in the FDA AERS. Thirteen cases were reported with infliximab, 12 with adalimumab, 7 with etanercept and 3 with certolizumab. The majority of the cases were in females (29/35) and those between the ages of 50 and 65 years (18/35). Use of the Naranjo Scale revealed 17 probable and 18 possible cases of anti-TNF-induced IC. In the literature, one report of IC associated with adalimumab was identified. TNF-α inhibitors may be initiating factors or co-factors in the development of IC in RA patients, and further research to determine the mechanism of this association is warranted.
Genetics in relation to cardiovascular diseases

(1958). Genetics in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Eugenics Quarterly: Vol. 5, Heredity Counseling Symposium, pp. 30-36.
Regulation of specific genes during the cell cycle. Utilization of homologous cDNAs and cloned sequences for studying histone gene expression in human cells

Evidence for differential gene expression during the cell cycle and approaches for studying cell-cycle-stage specific gene expression are summarized. Attention is focused on regulation of histone gene expression during the cell cycle of continuously dividing cells and after stimulation of nondividing cells to proliferate. The level(s) at which control of histone gene expression occurs and the possible involvement of chromosomal proteins in the regulation of histone gene expression are discussed. The preparation of cloned human histone sequences and their use in studying the structural and functional properties of human histone genes are presented. Index Entries: Cell cycle, gene regulation during; gene regulation, during the cell cycle; regulation of specific genes, during the cell cycle; DNAs, homologous, and histone gene expression; cloned DNAs, and histone gene expression; histone gene expression; gene expression, histone; cloned human histone sequences.
In-service day care training programs: A review and analysis

Fourteen in-service day care training programs for child day care workers are reviewed in this paper. The objectives, training strategies, teaching methods, content evaluation procedures, funding sources and sponsors of the various programs are summarized. An analysis is made of the common features, program differences and general trends. The emergent issues and trends which have implication for the training of child day care workers are discussed.
Sensitivity Analysis of a Comprehensive Model for a Miniature-Scale Linear Compressor for Electronics Cooling

A comprehensive model of a linear compressor for electronics cooling was previously presented by Bradshaw et al. (2011). The current study expands upon this work by first developing methods for predicting the resonant frequency of a linear compressor and for controlling its piston stroke. Key parameters governing compressor performance – leakage gap, eccentricity, and piston geometry – are explored using a sensitivity analysis. It is demonstrated that for optimum performance, the leakage gap and frictional parameters should be minimized. In addition, the ratio of piston stroke to diameter should not exceed a value of one to minimize friction and leakage losses, but should be large enough to preclude the need for an oversized motor. An improved linear compressor design is proposed for an electronics cooling application, with a predicted cooling capacity of 200 W a cylindrical compressor package size of diameter 50.3 mm and length 102 mm.
Two-dimensional quasi-optical power-combining arrays using strongly coupled oscillators

Two-dimensional quasi-optical power-combining arrays are designed by using strongly coupled oscillators. The oscillators are connected by a microstrip coupling line for strong coupling. Two types of connections are discussed. One is the line-structure and the other is the loop-structure. The oscillation modes of the coupled oscillators for these two types of configurations are analyzed and compared. The experimental results for circuits with different configurations are compared to the theoretical results. The application of these two types of connections in the two-dimensional array is discussed. A multilayer (3-D) structure is employed in the circuit design to accommodate the complex layout of the two-dimensional arrays. A 4/spl times/4 power-combining array in multilayer structure is demonstrated. >
Birth Volume and the Quality of Obstetric Care in Rural Hospitals

Background Childbirth is the most common reason for hospitalization in the United States. Assessing obstetric care quality is critically important for patients, clinicians, and hospitals in rural areas. Methods The study used hospital discharge data from the Statewide Inpatient Databases, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, for 9 states (Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin) to identify all births in rural hospitals with 10 or more births/year in 2002 (N = 94,356) and 2010 (N = 103,880). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between hospital annual birth volume, measured as low (10-110), medium (111-240), medium-high (241-460) or high (>460), and 3 measures of obstetric care quality (low-risk cesarean rates for term, vertex, and singleton pregnancies with no prior cesarean; nonindicated cesarean; and nonindicated induction) and 2 patient safety measures (episiotomy and perineal laceration). Results The odds of low-risk and nonindicated cesarean were lower in medium-high and high-volume rural hospitals compared with low-volume hospitals after controlling for maternal demographic and clinical factors. In low-volume hospitals, odds of labor induction without medical indication were higher than in medium-volume hospitals, but not significantly different from medium-high or high-volume hospitals. Odds of episiotomy were greater in medium-high or high-volume hospitals than in low-volume hospitals. The likelihood of perineal laceration did not differ significantly by birth volume. Conclusions Obstetric quality and safety outcomes vary significantly across rural hospitals by birth volume. Better performance is not consistently associated with either lower or higher volume facilities.
The impact of perfusionist education programme characteristics on programme directors' responsibilities

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of four programme characteristics (curriculum design, type of degree offered, length of programme and number of students per class) on perfusionist education programme directors (PDs) in the USA in terms of the number of hours worked per week, number of cases pumped per year and workload mix. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed on the responses to questionnaires sent to all perfusionist programmes between March 1993 and April 1994. PDs reported working an average of 51.8 h/week and pumping an average of 68.8 cases per year. All but one respondent reported spending more than 50% of his/her time (mean 74.5% +/- 19%) on programme-related issues such as administration, classroom teaching and clinical instruction. This level of commitment, as well as the total number of hours worked per week, were not found to be influenced by the programme's length, duration, class size or type of degree awarded. However, PDs of baccalaureate programmes, and programmes with more than nine students spent a significantly greater proportion of their time on administrative issues than their colleagues in other types of programmes. The bureaucratic demands of baccalaureate and large programmes require PDs to devote an average of 39.5% of their time to administration, compared to 27.2% in the other programmes. The results of this study show that the operation of all perfusionist education programmes requires a major commitment of time on the part of the individual designated as PD.
Measurement of Latin American Political Change

Social scientists are finding an increasingly useful and stimulating tool in the application of statistical techniques to their problems. As in the employment of any new tool, both the utility and the limitations of this one must be learned. It seems beyond reasonable doubt, however, that quantification of data in the social sciences will become a more widely used and rewarding procedure as time goes on.Prudence dictates that stress be laid on its limitations. The enthusiasm with which a new tool—toy, some would say—is adopted should not blind the user to dangers which may be implicit in its overuse. One cannot squeeze more juice from an orange than the orange contains, no matter how modern the squeezer. Care must be exercised, too, lest the bitter essence of the rind become mixed with the nourishing juice of the fruit itself.The present analysis is an attempt, in not too complex a fashion, to make use of such techniques to organize and validate data which might otherwise permit only the broadest sort of generalizations by way of conclusion, conclusions unsatisfactory roughly in proportion to their breadth. The senior author of this article has for more than a decade and a half been interested in the problem of objective measurement of certain aspects of political change in Latin America with particular respect to the sum total of phenomena falling under the rubric of “democracy.” On four occasions, 1945, 1950, 1955, and 1960, he conducted a survey among groups of specialists on Latin America to elicit evaluations which then, with the help of such statistical procedures as seemed useful, were summarized and analyzed.
Roving Sources, Simulation and Reciprocity

Detailed herein is a post-processing method for modeling the fields of a roving source in an inhomogeneous environment. The method invokes the reciprocity theorem and employs the concept of calibration length and area for the antennas of the problem space. Because the reciprocity theorem is a statement about projections, we show why six simulations are needed to obtain the six components of the electromagnetic field. Detailed FDTD simulations are conducted and validated by measured data, as obtained from several experiments conducted at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA. Other numerical methods (i.e., finite element, Sommerfeld full-wave, quasi-electrostatic) are also considered to provide additional validation. The problem is germane to naval applications, which justifies the use of extremely low frequencies in the experiment and simulations.
Bipedal modeling and decoupled optimal control design of biomechanical sit-to-stand transfer

We present the development of a 3D bipedal robotic model with thirteen generalized coordinates, and decoupled optimal controller design for the control of biomechanical sit-to-stand (STS) transfer. The non-linear model developed in Maple DynaFlexPro environment has three frontal and seven sagittal degrees of freedom (DOF). Three holonomic constraints ensure stationary foot placement during performance of the STS task. The controller design proceeds by decoupling the constrained and unconstrained DOF. We propose H2 and Hinfin optimal control designs for feedback control of joint torques in the constrained and unconstrained planes, respectively. We provide analytical and computer simulation results to show the applicability and performance of the decoupling controller for the control of STS task.
Displacement risk and asset returns

We study asset-pricing implications of innovation in a general-equilibrium overlapping-generations economy. Innovation increases the competitive pressure on existing firms and workers, reducing the profits of existing firms and eroding the human capital of older workers. Due to the lack of inter-generational risk sharing, innovation creates a systematic risk factor, which we call “displacement risk.” This risk helps explain several empirical patterns, including the existence of the growth-value factor in returns, the value premium, and the high equity premium. We assess the magnitude of displacement risk using estimates of inter-cohort consumption differences across households and find support for the model.
Structural Mechanism of the Bromodomain of the Coactivator CBP in p53 Transcriptional Activation

Lysine acetylation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 in response to a wide variety of cellular stress signals is required for its activation as a transcription factor that regulates cell cycle arrest, senescence, or apoptosis. Here, we report that the conserved bromo-domain of the transcriptional coactivator CBP (CREB binding protein) binds specifically to p53 at the C-terminal acetylated lysine 382. This bromodomain/acetyl-lysine binding is responsible for p53 acetylation-dependent coactivator recruitment after DNA damage, a step essential for p53-induced transcriptional activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in G1 cell cycle arrest. We further present the three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the CBP bromodomain in complex with a lysine 382-acetylated p53 peptide. Using structural and biochemical analyses, we define the molecular determinants for the specificity of this molecular recognition.
Teacher Reports of Student Health and Its Influence on Students' School Performance.

Physical health may be an important variable that influences students’ behavioral and academic performance in school settings. Poor health status is hypothesized to negatively influence student performance even in the presence of evidence-based practices. In this study, teachers reported their perceptions of students’ health status as well as their perceptions of the relation of health status to classroom performance and programming considerations for a sample (N = 217) of elementary and middle school students identified as exhibiting problem behaviors. Results indicated inconsistencies between teachers’ perceptions of student health and school programming considerations. Limitations are presented along with implications for future research and practice.
Moist Baroclinic Instability in the Presence of Surface–Atmosphere Coupling

Abstract The influence of convective heating on baroclinic instability in the presence of surface sensible heat and moisture fluxes is investigated. Following previous numerical work, a two-dimensional continuous model on an f plane incorporates diabatic heating effects due to cumulus convection and surface sensible heat flux using parameterizations based on a wave-induced unstable boundary layer and associated moist convective destabilization. The temperature-damping effect of surface sensible heat flux is assumed to decrease exponentially with height, and the vertical distribution of convective heating uses a prescribed profile. The atmosphere is assumed to overlie an oceanic surface. In this configuration, convective heating occurs in the wave’s cold sector. General forms of the dispersion relation and eigenfunction are derived analytically. Results show that the most unstable wave is modified by the effect of convective latent heating. With weak convection, the wave’s structure does not change much, w...
Placenta Growth Factor-induced Early Growth Response 1 (Egr-1) Regulates Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) in Endothelial Cells

Leukotrienes, the lipid inflammatory products derived from arachidonic acid, are involved in the pathogenesis of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and reactive airway disease in sickle cell disease. Placenta growth factor (PlGF), elaborated from erythroid cells, increased the mRNA expression of 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. PlGF-induced both promoter activity and mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which was abrogated by early growth response-1 (EGR-1) small interfering RNA. PlGF showed a temporal reciprocal relationship in the mRNA levels of EGR-1 and NAB2, the latter a repressor of Egr-1. Moreover, Nab2, but not mutant Nab2, significantly reduced promoter activity and mRNA expression of HIF-1α and also reduced expression of the HIF-1α target gene FLAP. Furthermore, overexpression of Egr-1 led to increased promoter activities for both HIF-1α and FLAP in the absence of PlGF. Additionally, the Egr-1-mediated induction of HIF-1α and FLAP promoters was reduced to basal levels by EGR-1 small interfering RNA. The binding of Egr-1 to HIF-1α promoter was corroborated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, which showed increased Egr-1 binding to the HIF-1α promoter in response to PlGF stimulation. These studies provide a novel mechanism for PlGF-mediated regulation of HIF-1α via Egr-1, which results in increased FLAP expression. This study provides a new therapeutic target, namely Egr-1, for attenuation of elevated leukotriene levels in patients with sickle cell disease and other inflammatory diseases.
Genome-Wide Association Studies Will Unlock the Genetic Basis of Hypertension Con Side of the Argument

Abstract—Over the past few years, it has been asserted that genome-wide association studies would open the door to identifying primary genetic mechanisms underlying a variety of common clinical disorders, including essential hypertension. Great hope was expressed that such research would ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes by facilitating the discovery of novel targets for therapy and by spawning a new era of personalized medicine in which the results of genetic tests would be useful for guiding customized risk assessment and individual patient management. In this Controversies in Hypertension series, I contend that genome-wide association studies have failed, and will continue to fail, to unlock the genetic basis of essential hypertension and the research dollars being devoted to genome-wide association studies should be shifted to other strategies and technologies that may hold greater chance for advancing our understanding of the genetic factors that influence population variation in blood pressure and risk for hypertension. The proponents of genome-wide association (GWA) studies assert that such research has already provided initial insights into the genetic basis of hypertension and that larger genome-wide studies are warranted in the future.1,2 I disagree with both assertions. To see that we have learned very little about the genetic basis of hypertension from the large genome-wide association studies conducted to date, it is helpful to consider what the results of GWA studies have actually shown so far and what was known about the genetic architecture of hypertension before the advent of GWA studies. I then discuss why little is expected to be gained by more GWA studies of hypertension in the future. Recently, the results of several large GWA studies relevant to hypertension have been reported, including 2 that each involved analysis of 2.5 million genetic markers in ≈30 000 individuals.1,2 In both cases, only a few …
Salt-gradient Solar Ponds for Solar Energy Utilization

Salt-gradient solar ponds function as systems to collect and store solar energy. The upper zone of the pond is rendered non-convective by the salt gradient and serves as a partially transparent insulator, permitting some of the incident solar energy to penetrate to the bottom and heat the lower zone to a temperature as high as 95°C. A pond 3 m deep and 150 m2 in area is expected to provide all of the winter heat required by a house of the same area in Columbus, Ohio.Solar ponds occur in Nature. Research on artificial solar ponds was first begun in Israel in 1958 and some research has since been done in other countries. Recent results obtained by the author and collaborators indicate that solar ponds will be simple to operate and will provide low-temperature heat at a cost of perhaps $0.010 per kW-hr thermal. Experiments to obtain more definitive cost information are now in progress.
State Secrets & Executive Accountability

This essay, part of a symposium on executive power, examines use of the state secrets privilege in the Obama administration. Specifically, it views the Obama administration’s approach to the state secrets privilege through the lens of “explanatory accountability” – i.e., the notion that executive officials must explain and justify their decisions or face negative consequences. Although President Obama entered office criticizing the Bush administration’s overly broad assertions of the state secrets privilege, Obama officials nevertheless continued the Bush administration’s actions in various lawsuits. In response to sharp criticism, however, the Obama administration eventually revealed a new policy promising greater accountability and individualized decision-making regarding assertions of the state secrets privilege. In other words, the Obama administration embraced the notion of explanatory accountability by adopting the new policy. While the Obama policy shows promise and moves toward greater accountability regarding assertions of the privilege – at least on paper – it is simply too vague to serve as an adequate mechanism of explanatory accountability. Furthermore, nothing in the policy requires Obama officials to justify their actions outside of the executive branch, thus allowing them to continue the Bush administration’s trend of broadly asserting the state secrets privilege with little or no justification. Such actions will continue unless the state secrets privilege is substantially altered to give courts the tools to serve as adequate accountability mechanisms. Pending congressional legislation may provide courts with such tools.
Effect of Bradykinin on Submandibular Salivary Gland Permeability

Previous reports from our laboratories have shown that electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve supply to the dog’s mandibular canine tooth causes a release of a bradykinin-like polypeptide within the tooth pulp (Weatherred et al., 1963a; Weatherred and Kroeger, 1965). This kinin release is associated with a vasodilator response within the tooth pulp (Weatherred et al., 1963b). This information coupled with the fact that similar nerve stimulation of the rat’s incisor caused a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential of these odontoblasts (Kroeger, 1962) suggested the possibility that a kinin-like polypeptide might be involved in altering the excitability and permeability of these cells within the tooth.
Mutations of the PKD2 Gene in Taiwanese Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background: Mutation analysis in the context of clinical phenotypes helps clarify the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Over 78 PKD2 gene mutations have been reported in the literature, but few have been described from an Asian population. This study attempted to characterize PKD2 mutations and their clinical implications among Taiwanese. Methods: Twenty unrelated ADPKD patients with uncharacterized genotypes were screened for mutations in the PKD2 gene via single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) of PCR products from genomic DNA, using previously reported PCR conditions and primers. Results: This study identified two novel mutations (C681A and 2136-2137delG) and one mutation (C2407T) previously reported in a Cypriot family. Overall, we found PKD2 mutations in 15% (three out of 20) of the ADPKD patients screened. The mutations included two nonsense mutations (Y227X and R803X) and one frameshift mutation (712-715X) that could all lead to premature termination of tr...
Interpersonal dependence and major depression: aetiological inter-relationship and gender differences.

Background. Although prior research has demonstrated a strong association between interpersonal dependency (IPD) levels and risk for major depression (MD), the possible aetiological explanations of this association as well as any gender differences in the IPD–MD relationship need further clarification. Method. Population-based twin samples ( N =7174) were interviewed in multiple waves to assess IPD and MD as part of a larger twin study. IPD levels were assessed using the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory while MD diagnoses were derived from the SCID. Cox proportional hazard models and multiple regression techniques were utilized. Results. IPD was strongly associated with a risk for lifetime MD. Pre-morbid IPD scores were predictive of future onsets of MD while experiencing a MD episode was also associated with a significant rise in IPD levels. While females had higher IPD scores, IPD scores were more significantly associated with risk for lifetime MD in males. Controlling for the level of IPD substantially reduced the observed association between gender and risk for MD. Conclusion. The strong association observed between IPD and risk for MD results largely from IPD being a risk factor for MD, but state effects of MD on IPD also contribute. IPD scores in males were more predictive of lifetime MD than for females. The higher levels of IPD in women than in men may contribute meaningfully to the sex differences in risk for MD.
The Detection of Radiated Modes From Ducted Fan Engines

The bypass duct of an aircraft engine is a low-pass filter allowing some spinning modes to radiate outside the duct. The knowledge of the radiated modes can help in noise reduction, as well as the diagnosis of noise generation mechanisms inside the duct. We propose a nonintrusive technique using a circular microphone array outside the engine measuring the complex noise spectrum on an arc of a circle. The array is placed at various axial distances from the inlet or the exhaust of the engine. Using a model of noise radiation from the duct, an overdetermined system of linear equations is constructed for the complex amplitudes of the radial modes for a fixed circumferential mode. This system of linear equation is generally singular, indicating that the problem is ill-posed. Tikhonov regularization is employed to solve this system of equations for the unknown amplitudes of the radiated modes. An application of our mode detection technique using measured acoustic data from a circular microphone array is presented. We show that this technique can reliably detect radiated modes with the possible exception of modes very close to cut-off.
Absorption of organic compounds by the injured gallbladder

Abstract Studies were performed with the isolated, in situ guinea pig gallbladder to determine the effects of gallbladder injury on absorption of organic onions. Spontaneous cholelithiasis with chronic cholecystitis was accompanied by a decrease in absorption of all compounds studied. Spontaneous acute cholecystitis caused markedly increased absorption of taurocholate, sulfobromophthalein, and iodipamide but did not affect absorption of unconjugated bilirubin. Mucosal injury, ranging from epithelial flattening to acute mucosal inflammation to hemorrhagic mucosal necrosis, was produced experimentally by solutions of pure bile salts. The grade of injury, increased with time of exposure and bile salt concentration, was more severe with unconjugated than conjugated bile salts and was diminished by addition of bilirubin to the bile salt solution. The mucosal inflammatory lesion, which resembled spontaneous acute cholecystitis, similarly markedly increased absorption of taurocholate but left bilirubin absorption unchanged. Mucosal damage by bile salts and a consequent selective increase in bile salt absorption might play a role in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones.
Changes in Information Content with Physiological History in Peptidergic Secretory Systems

This review seeks to focus attention on the potential complexity of the information conveyed by the release of chemicals during the synaptic or secretory activity of neurons. The importance of peptides in the control of neural function is underscored by the growing research in four different areas: (a) co-localization of peptides with classical neurotransmitters (Lundberg and Hokfelt 1983; Lloyd et al. 1987); (b) demonstration of peptidergic neurons in all parts of the central nervous systems of vertebrate and invertebrate species by immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches (e.g., Swanson and Sawchenko 1983; Siwicki et al. 1987; Kaldany et al. 1985); (c) cases of classical neurosecretory cells (e.g., those of the vertebrate hypothalamus, Swanson and Kuypers 1980) which do not have their processes restricted to neurohemal organs (e.g., the neurohypophysis), but participate in widespread interactions within the central nervous system; and (d) a spectrum of activities ranging from neurotransmitter to neurohormonal processes and their involvement in complex behaviors (Koob and Bloom 1982). Further, in all known instances, those neurons known to secrete peptides as either the major or a co-localized product never secrete a single peptide, but rather a mixture of peptides.
On the Constitutive Relations for Damaged Elastoplastic Materials Coupling Anisotropic Damage and Plasticity

The objective of this paper is to propose the constitutive relations for damaged elastoplastic materials, which are capable of coupling anisotropic damage, damage hardening, plastic anisotropy, and isotropic/kinematic hardening. Some fundamentals of continuum damage mechanics and thermodynamics are briefed, and the conventional damage tensors are modified to be of more concise forms and clearer physical meanings. The constitutive relations in the undamaged configuration, the damage evolution law, and the constitutive relations in the damaged configuration are subsequently derived. The applicability and power of the proposed constitutive relations are validated using examples such as predicting the stress-strain and damage factor-strain curves of damaged elastoplastic materials of various material properties. More sophisticated material properties can be incorporated.
The Mating System and Some Other Cultural Aspects of Veluticeps Berkeleyi

Veluticeps berkeleyi Cke. ex Pat., a wood-rotting hymenomycete in the family Stereaceae (Aphyllophorales), was found to be heterothallic and tetrapolar. This type of mating system in combination with the negative oxidase reactions and brown cubical rot of V. berkeleyi is unusual. Three different isolates collected in southern Arizona were completely interfertile, indicating that V. berkeleyi has multiple alleles for incompatibility. The Arizona isolates fruited in culture and the hymenial structures were examined and compared with those produced in nature. Monokaryotic isolates from Arizona specimens were mated with dikaryons from British Honduras and dikaryotization of the monokaryons occurred. This supports previous conclusions based on morphology of basidiocarps and vegetative cultures that a single species is widely distributed from the Caribbean region northward through the range of ponderosa pine in the United States.
An Approach to Empirical Logic

(1970). An Approach to Empirical Logic. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 77, No. 4, pp. 363-374.
Insoluble Synthetic Polypeptide Mats from Aqueous Solution by Electrospinning

Water-insoluble nanofiber mats of synthetic polypeptides of defined composition have been prepared by a process involving electrospinning from aqueous solution. l-ornithine is a physiological amino acid. Fibers of poly(l-ornithine) (PLO) were produced at feedstock concentrations above 20% w/v. Applied voltage and needle-to-collector distance were crucial for nanofiber formation. Attractive fibers were obtained at 35−40% w/v. Fiber diameter and mat morphology have been characterized by electron microscopy. Polymer cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GTA) vapor rendered fiber mats water-insoluble. The study has yielded two advances on previous work in the area: avoidance of an animal source of peptides and avoidance of inorganic solvent.
Personal Health Record Heterogeneous Resources Federated Search Crawler Technology

The present construction and Suggestions of RHIP at home and abroad,use the crawler technological ideas to solve personal health records data center of heterogeneous resources unity access problems,in numerous of heterogeneous resources effectively personal health information retrieval,a large number of reducing data center huge resource consumption,and can simplify the application of health records.
What they bring: Baseline psychological distress differentially predicts neural response in social exclusion by children’s friends and strangers in best friend dyads

Friendships play a major role in cognitive, emotional and social development in middle childhood. We employed the online Cyberball social exclusion paradigm to understand the neural correlates of dyadic social exclusion among best friends assessed simultaneously. Each child played with their friend and an unfamiliar player. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were assessed via electroencephalogram during exclusion by friend and unfamiliar peer. Data were analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling to account for nesting of children within friendship dyads. Results showed that stranger rejection was associated with larger P2 and positive slow wave ERP responses compared to exclusion by a friend. Psychological distress differentially moderated the effects of friend and stranger exclusion such that children with greater psychological distress were observed to have larger neural responses (larger P2 and slow wave) to exclusion by a stranger compared to exclusion by a friend. Conversely, children with lower levels of psychological distress had larger neural responses for exclusion by a friend than by a stranger. Psychological distress within the dyad differentially predicted the P2 and slow wave response. Findings highlight the prominent, but differential role of individual and dyadic psychological distress levels in moderating responses to social exclusion in middle childhood.
High Tide and EBB Tide, 1969–1975

The New Left’s high tide corresponded with Nixon’s presidency. He was its worst adversary, and activists of all stripes were united by their opposition to him and to the war he insisted on prolonging. For a few years, roughly 1969 to 1971, a host of new movements surged forward, inspired by the third world. It seemed as if the United States might be on the verge of revolution. All the “invisible” people—African Americans, Chicanos, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Asian Americans, gay liberationists, and radical and lesbian feminists—demanded power.