cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D and inflammatory diseases

Beyond its critical function in calcium homeostasis, vitamin D has recently been found to play an important role in the modulation of the immune/inflammation system via regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the proliferation of proinflammatory cells, both of which are crucial for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Several studies have associated lower vitamin D status with increased risk and unfavorable outcome of acute infections. Vitamin D supplementation bolsters clinical responses to acute infection. Moreover, chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and others, tend to have lower vitamin D status, which may play a pleiotropic role in the pathogenesis of the diseases. In this article, we review recent epidemiological and interventional studies of vitamin D in various inflammatory diseases. The potential mechanisms of vitamin D in regulating immune/inflammatory responses in inflammatory diseases are also discussed.
Language evolution and information theory.

This paper places models of language evolution within the framework of information theory. We study how signals become associated with meaning. If there is a probability of mistaking signals for each other, then evolution leads to an error limit: increasing the number of signals does not increase the fitness of a language beyond a certain limit. This error limit can be overcome by word formation: a linear increase of the word length leads to an exponential increase of the maximum fitness. We develop a general model of word formation and demonstrate the connection between the error limit and Shannon's noisy coding theorem.
A trophic cascade in a diverse arthropod community caused by a generalist arthropod predator

We tested the hypothesis that a generalist arthropod predator, Tenodera sinensis Saussure, could trigger a trophic cascade in an old-field ecosystem. These mantids had relatively weak effects on abundance and biomass of other carnivorous arthropods as a group. The effect of mantids on herbivores was stronger than on carnivores, mainly concentrated in Homoptera and Diptera. Herbivore load was reduced by mantids with the consequence that overall plant biomass (mainly grasses) was increased. Percapita interaction strengths between mantids and other arthropod taxa were, for the most part, weakly negative. Our study demonstrates that a significant trophic cascade can be triggered by a generalist predator even within the framework of a diverse community with relatively diffuse interactions.
Computational study on aerodynamic mitigation of wind-induced, large-amplitude vibrations of stay cables with strakes

Abstract Modifications of circular cylinder surfaces, such as strakes and helical wires, effectively mitigate Karman vortex-induced vibrations normal to flow and have been applied to the reduction of large-amplitude vibrations of stay cables in bridges, which occur under wind oblique to a cable with or without rainfall. This aerodynamic control method cannot be fully effective without understanding the behavior of the flow around and the associated forces on oblique cables. To address this issue, flow around a yawed cylinder with various strake patterns was studied using three-dimensional detached eddy simulation (DES) at Reynolds number of 1.4×10 5 . Results demonstrated that strake patterns strongly influence the development of flow structures around a yawed cylinder and therefore the associated forces on the cylinder. The results suggest that particular strake patterns can mitigate large-amplitude and low-frequency vibrations of stay cables induced by oblique wind.
Prevalence of oral lichen planus in patients with diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lichen planus in a population of patients with diabetes mellitus compared with a control population and to determine if patient medications had any influence on the presence of such lesions. Two hundred seventy-three patients with diabetes and an identical number of age-, gender- and race-matched controls were examined for clinical evidence of oral lichen planus. Patient medication histories were also obtained from each group. Eleven diabetic patients (4%) and eight control patients (3%) had clinical evidence of oral lichen planus. Ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with the presence of oral lichen planus lesions in six patients. There was no apparent association of diabetes and oral lichen planus in this population, and the ingestion of medications known to cause lichenoid mucosal reactions had no influence per se on the presence of oral lichen planus lesions (p > 0.05). However, the type of medication ingested by those patients who had oral lichen planus lesions was either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, which was a significant association (p < 0.00).
Robust Neurocontrollers for Systems with Model Uncertainties: A Helicopter Application

A two-neural network approach to solving nonlinear optimal control problems is described. This approach, called the adaptive critic method, consists of one neural network, called the supervisor or the critic, and a second network, called an action network or a controller. The inputs to both these networks are the current states of the system to be controlled. Targets for each network updates are obtained with outputs of the other network, state propagation equations, and the conditions for optimal control. When their outputs are mutually consistent, the controller network output is optimal. The optimality is, however, limited by the underlying system model. Hence, a Lyapunov theory-based analysis for robust stability of the system under model uncertainties is developed and an extra control is developed. This extra control added with the basic control effort from the adaptive critic method guarantees good system performance and stablity under model uncertainties. This approach is demonstrated through a helicopter problem.
Complications of endoscopic sinus surgery in a residency training program

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is now taught in most otolaryngology residency programs in the United States. However, this is techically challenging surgery and concerns exist regarding patient safety early in the surgeon's learning curve. The authors reviewed 193 cases of ESS performed by residents, under faculty supervision at our program, between 1987 and 1992. Sixty-seven percent of patients underwent bilateral anterior ethmoidectomy, 40% had bilateral total ethmoidectomy, and 44% had bilateral middle turbinate reduction. The overall complication rate was 22% and included one major complication. Synechiae accounted for 50% of minor complications. There was no correlation between middle or inferior turbinate reduction and the formation of synechiae. Posterior ethmoidectomy was not associated with a significant increase in complications. We conclude that ESS can be safely performed by otolaryngology residents in carefully structured and supervised training programs.
Use of Chemical and Isotopic Tracers to Characterize the Interactions Between Ground Water and Surface Water in Mantled Karst

In the mantled karst terrane of northern Florida, the water quality of the Upper Floridan aquifer is influenced by the degree of connectivity between the aquifer and the surface. Chemical and isotopic analyses [{sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ({delta}{sup 18}O), {sup 2}H/{sup 1}H ({delta}D), {sup 13}C/{sup 12}C ({delta}{sup 13}C), tritium ({sup 3}H), and strontium-87/strontium-86 ({sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr)] along with geochemical mass-balance modeling were used to identify the dominant hydrochemical processes that control the composition of ground water as it evolves downgradient in two systems. In one system, surface water enters the Upper Florida aquifer through a sinkhole located in the Northern Highlands physiographic unit. In the other system, surface water enters the aquifer through a sinkhole lake (Lake Bradford) in the Woodville Karst Plain. Differences in the composition of water isotopes ({delta}{sup 18}O and {delta}D) in rainfall, ground water, and surface water were used to develop mixing models of surface water (leakage of water to the Upper Floridan aquifer from a sinkhole lake and a sinkhole) and ground water. Using mass-balance calculations, based on differences in {delta}{sup 18}O and {delta}D, the proportion of lake water that mixed with meteoric water ranged from 7 to 86% in water from wells located in closemore » proximity to lake Bradford. In deeper parts of the Upper Floridan aquifer, water enriched in {sup 18}O and D from five of 12 samples municipal wells indicated that recharge from a sinkhole (1 to 24%) and surface water with an evaporated isotopic signature (2 to 32%) was mixing with ground water. The solute isotopes, {delta}{sup 13}C and {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr, were used to test the sensitivity of binary and ternary mixing models, and to estimate the amount of mass transfer of carbon and other dissolved species in geochemical reactions.« less
Smad‐mediated regulation of microRNA biosynthesis

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs conserved in metazoans. Depletion of miRNAs results in embryonic lethality, suggesting they are essential for embryogenesis. Similarly, pathways induced by growth factors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily control cell growth, differentiation, and development. Recently Smad proteins, the signal transducers of the TGF-β pathway, were found to regulate miRNA expression, which, in turn, affects expression of numerous proteins. Smads modulate miRNA expression through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms illustrating the complexity of gene regulation by TGF-β. In this chapter we summarize the current knowledge of mechanisms underlying Smad-mediated regulation of miRNA biogenesis.
Specific DNA binding by the homeodomain Nkx2.5(C56S): detection of impaired DNA or unfolded protein by isothermal titration calorimetry.

Titrations of specific 18-bp duplex DNA with the cardiac-specific homeodomain Nkx2.5(C56S) have utilized an ultrasensitive isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC). As the free DNA nears depletion, we observe large apparent decreases in the binding enthalpy when the DNA is impaired or when the temperature is sufficiently high to produce some unfolding of the free protein. Either effect can be attributed to refolding of the biopolymer that occurs as a result of stabilization due to the large favorable change in free energy on the homeodomain binding to DNA (−49.4 kJ/mol at 298 K). In either case, thermodynamic parameters obtained in such ITC experiments are unreliable. By using a lower temperature (85 vs. 95°C) during the annealing of complementary DNA strands, damage of the 18-bp duplex DNA (Tm = 72°C) is avoided, and titrations with the homeodomain are normal at temperatures from 10 to 40°C when >95% of the protein is folded. Under the latter conditions, the heat capacity plot is linear with a ΔCp value of −0.80 ± 0.03 kJ K−1 mol−1, which is more negative than that calculated from the burial of solvent accessible surface areas (−0.64 ± 0.05 kJ K−1 mol−1), consistent with water structures being at the protein–DNA interfaces. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Blood Lead, Hearing Thresholds, and Neurobehavioral Development in Children and Youth

Abstract NHANES II audiometry data were used to confirm a previously observed link between blood lead (PbB) level and hearing threshold. Other indicators of neurological development, such as age at which a child first sat up, walked, and spoke, and the presence of speech difficulties and hyperactivity were also examined to determine if they were significantly related to lead exposure. The probability of elevated hearing thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz increased significantly (p < .0001) with increasing PbB for both ears. PbB levels were also significantly related to delays in the age at which children first sat up, walked, and spoke and to the probability that a child was hyperactive. Lead was not related to the probability of a child having a previously diagnosed speech impairment.
On the overall elastic moduli of composites with spherical coated fillers

Abstract A micromechanical approach is presented to estimate the overall linear elastic moduli of three phase composites consisting of two phase coated spherical particles randomly dispersed in a homogeneous isotropic matrix. The theoretical method is based on Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method and its recent extension by Shodja and Sarvestani [J. Appl. Mech. 68 (2001) 3] to evaluate the local field variables in case of double (multi) inhomogeneities. Using Tanaka–Mori theorem [J. Elasticity 2 (1972) 199] and a decomposition of Green’s function integral equation, the pair-wise average phase values of stress and strain in two interacting coated particles are estimated. Following Ju and Chen [Acta Mech. 103 (1994) 103; Acta Mech. 103 (1994) 123] the ensemble phase volume average of stress and strain fields can be evaluated within a representative volume element containing a finite number of coated particles. Comparisons with classical bounds are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the proposed method.
Sodium and chloride transport across the molluscan gut

1. Na+ absorption across Aplysia gut was mediated by a Na+/K+-ATPase located in the enterocyte basolateral membrane. 2. In the absence of Na+ in the bathing medium, net Cl- absorption across Aplysia gut wall was identical to the SCC. 3. Intracellular Cl- was at a lower electrochemical potential in Aplysia enterocytes than in either the mucosal or serosal medium. 4. Cl--stimulated ATPase activity was localized in the basolateral membrane of Aplysia enterocytes. 5. ATP-dependent Cl- transport was localized in the basolateral membrane of Aplysia enterocytes. 6. In Aplysia gut primary active transport systems for both Na+ and Cl- are postulated based on the evidence presented.
High resolution method for calculating spectra of solids — III

Abstract The integrals involved in the method proposed by Gilat and co-workers for calculating the real and imaginary parts of the spectrum of solids are discussed and various inter-relationships between the integrals derived. Explicit formulae for an integral required in the application of the method to trigonal systems are also given.
Extending the length and time scales of Gram-Schmidt Lyapunov vector computations

Abstract Lyapunov vectors have found growing interest recently due to their ability to characterize systems out of thermodynamic equilibrium. The computation of orthogonal Gram–Schmidt vectors requires multiplication and QR decomposition of large matrices, which grow as N 2 (with the particle count). This expense has limited such calculations to relatively small systems and short time scales. Here, we detail two implementations of an algorithm for computing Gram–Schmidt vectors. The first is a distributed-memory message-passing method using Scalapack. The second uses the newly-released MAGMA library for GPUs. We compare the performance of both codes for Lennard–Jones fluids from N = 100 to 1300 between Intel Nahalem/Infiniband DDR and NVIDIA C2050 architectures. To our best knowledge, these are the largest systems for which the Gram–Schmidt Lyapunov vectors have been computed, and the first time their calculation has been GPU-accelerated. We conclude that Lyapunov vector calculations can be significantly extended in length and time by leveraging the power of GPU-accelerated linear algebra.
Ensemble Models of Nucleosome Arrays Constrained by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering

Chromatin conformation and dynamics remains unsolved despite the fundamental role of the chromatin in genetic functions such as transcription, replication, and repair. At the molecular level, chromatin can be viewed as a linear array of nucleosomes, each consisting of 147 base pairs (bp) of dsDNA wrapped around a protein core and connected by 10 to 90 bp of linker dsDNA. Using small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), we have investigated how the conformations of model nucleosome arrays in solution are modulated by ionic condition as well as the effect of linker histone proteins. To facilitate ensemble modelling of these SAXS measurements, we have developed a DNA Monte Carlo move module that significantly extends the functionality of SASSIE, a program to study intrinsically disordered biological molecules. Our SAXS measurements of various nucleosome arrays together with the SASSIE generated models provide valuable solution structure information and clearly demonstrate the importance of linker histone in the formation of well-defined chromatin conformations. Additionally, the added capability of SASSIE provides a valuable tool for generating atomistic molecular structures of DNA and DNA-protein systems based on experimental scattering measurements.
Anti-tumour agents on antibody-forming cells in vitro☆

Abstract Studies were conducted on the effective concentrations of five anti-tumor agents to alter the production of antibody-producing cells in vitro . The Mishell-Dutton technique was used to obtain hemolysin plaque-forming cells arising from dissociated spleen cells of normal LAF 1 mice immunized to sheep erythrocytes in vitro . The doses required to obtain 50 per cent inhibition of antibody-producing cells were the following: amethopterin, 2·5 × 10 −6 M; 6-mercaptopurine, 0·06 × 10 −6 M; 5-fluorouracil, 0·1 × 10 −6 M; vinblastine, 0·007 × 10 −6 M; and mechlorethamine, 0·2 × 10 −6 M. The drugs were classified into two groups on the basis of drug concentration ranges required to inhibit the formation of hemolysin plaque-forming cells from 50 per cent to less than 10 per cent of control values. Vinblastine and mechlorethamine required a narrow range (2- to 3-fold), whereas amethopterin, 6-mercaptopurine and 5-fluorouracil required a wide dose range (100- to 400-fold).
Vision Loss and Hearing Loss in Painting and Musical Composition

This article considers the impact of vision and hearing loss on great painters and musical composers. The visual work of Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edgar Degas, and Claude Monet all showed alterations as their vision failed. In contrast, Gabriel Faure, Bedřich Smetana, and Ludwig von Beethoven wrote many of their best compositions while totally deaf, and Georg Friedrich Handel and Frederick Delius struggled to compose late in life when they lost their vision (although their hearing remained excellent). There are 2 major distinctions between the role of vision and hearing for these artistic disciplines. First, there is a surrogate means of "hearing" music, through the musical score, which allows composers to write and edit music while totally deaf. The greatest problem with deafness for a skilled composer is interference from internal noise (tinnitus). There is no surrogate for vision to allow a painter to work when the subject is a blur or the colors on the canvas cannot be distinguished. Second, although the appreciation of art is visual and that of music is auditory, the transcription of both art and musical composition is visual. Thus, visual loss does pose a problem for a composer accustomed to working with good sight, because it disrupts habitual methods of writing and editing music.
Examples of Powers of Ordered Sets with the Fixed Point Property

This note presents examples of non-dismantlable ordered sets P with the fixed point property such that PA with A an arbitrary antichain and PC with C being a four crown have the fixed point property.
Chromosome Segregation in Maize Translocations in Relation to Crossing Over in Interstitial Segments

In maize, the second meiotic division in the microsporocytes results in a quartet of four microspores in which it is possible to distinguish the two division planes. In normal material, the prominent feature of these spores, as revealed by acetocarmine smears, is the single nucleolus. In translocations involving chromosome 6 which carries a nucleolar organizer region, non-disjunction may result in spores with two nucleolar organizers (potentially two nucleoli), or with no organizer (nucleolar material remains scattered or diffuse) in the same quartet. By this method, McClintock [4] established the fact that the chromosomes which crossover in an interstitial segment (between the centromere and the translocation break) pass to opposite poles. A further relation between chromosome segregation in such maize translocations and the frequency of crossing over in an interstitial segment has been reported in abstracts [1,2]. This is a report of additional studies of chromosome segregation in maize translocations involving chromosome 6, the detailed data to be published elsewhere. The ultimate objective is to determine why chromosome segregation is directed (i.e., largely alternate) in certain species and not in others.
Flood hazard assessment of Atrato River in Colombia

The flood hazard caused by Atrato River in Quibdo, northwest of Colombia is assessed using statistical modeling techniques (Gumbel and GRADEX), hydraulic modeling with HEC-RAS and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Three flood hazard maps for return periods of 10, 20 and 50 years are generated. The flood hazard modeling reveals that the flooded zone is more significant out of the left (West) bank than out of the right (East) bank of Atrato River. For the three return periods the maximum depth of water reached by the river and extent of flooding are estimated. Sensitivity analysis on roughness coefficient and peak discharge is performed. For 50 year return period (Q =3054 m3/s), water depth on the left and right bank of Atrato River is 3.7 m and 3.1 m, respectively. This information is useful in defining the minimum height of flood protection structures such as dikes to protect the area from flooding. The results can be useful for evacuation planning, estimation of damages and post flood recovery efforts.
Unlicensed Health Care Personnel and Patient Outcomes.

In this issue of JGIM, Balaban et al. report on a hospital readmission program within Cambridge Health Alliance, a high-performing safety-net health system in Massachusetts.1 In contrast to most interventions to reduce unnecessary readmissions, this one utilized unlicensed community health workers. For years, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) has employed community health workers whose job title is “patient navigator.” Their role is “a bridge between patients and the health care system.” They help patients navigate through doctors, clinics, hospitals, insurance, support services, and other components of the health care system. The patient navigators are also trained in health coaching, utilizing motivational interviewing and action planning to assist patients in self-managing their chronic conditions. In addition, trilingual CHA patient navigators coordinate care, provide support, and help patients navigate the complexities of modern cancer treatment. In this randomized controlled trial, the intervention consisted of patient navigators conducting one in-patient visit and three post-discharge phone calls to help patients arrange appointments, understand their care plans, improve medication adherence, and better self-manage their conditions. The results showed a reduction in readmissions for patients over the age of 60, but not for those under 60 years of age. This result is important, because reducing readmissions is not only a cost outcome but is also a clinical quality and quality-of-life outcome; patients who are readmitted are in poor control of their disease, and admission to the hospital denotes poor quality of life. What can we learn from this study? First, how do we understand the study results? Second, is there evidence that unlicensed health care personnel—for example, patient navigators—can improve care?
Cloning of chemically synthesized lactose operators.

Abstract Recombinant DNA molecules, constructed from the ColE1-Mk5 hybrid plasmid PMB9 and a chemically synthesized wild-type lactose operator segment, have been used to transform Echerichia coli . Up to 10% of the transformants (selected for the tetracycline-resistance property of PMB9) are partially constitutive for the lactose operon enzyme β-galactosidase. In vitro studies demonstrate that these partially constitutive transformants contain plasmid DNA molecules which carry one or more lactose operators, and which will bind purified lactose repressor. Preliminary results with some modified operator sequences are also presented.
Antibody response to GD3 ganglioside is independent of NKT cells.

BackgroundNKT cells recognize glycolipids presented by CD1d on antigen-presenting cells (APC) and have been largely characterized by their ability to be activated by α-galactosylceramide, a glycolipid not expressed on mammalian cells. We have shown previously that GD3 can be cross-presented by CD1d to NKT cells and is the first tumor-derived glycolipid recognized by NKT cells. But the ability of NKT cells to modulate B-cell responses to tumor glycolipids that are themselves recognized by NKT cells has not been explored.MethodsWe tested whether NKT cells are required for antibody (Ab) responses to GD3. We immunized wild-type mice, mice deficient in invariant chain NKT cells (iNKT cells) and mice deficient in total NKT cells against GD3. Ab titer against GD3 was measured by ELISA.ResultsWe found the IgM and IgG responses against GD3 were similar among the three strains of mice, including the IgG isotypes induced. Pre-expanded NKT cells to GD3 did not affect the anti-GD3 Ab response.DiscussionWe conclude tha...
The portable friend: Peer group membership and radio usage

(1974). The portable friend: Peer group membership and radio usage. Journal of Broadcasting: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 161-170.
Integrated metal-semiconductor-relaxor microstrip lines for application up to 1 GHz

Multilayer ferrite-high-K microstrip lines are investigated as small-sized, package-compatible low pass filters for applications up to 1 GHz. The results demonstrate that their frequency response can be tuned by adjusting the layer thickness ratio, the resistivity of the semiconductor layer, and the difference between the permittivity-permeability product of each layer. >
Regulation of phospholipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by zinc.

Zinc is an essential nutrient required for the growth and metabolism of eukaryotic cells. In this work, we examined the effects of zinc depletion on the regulation of phospholipid synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Zinc depletion resulted in a decrease in the activity levels of the CDP-diacylglycerol pathway enzymes phosphatidylserine synthase, phosphatidylserine decarboxylase, phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, and phospholipid methyltransferase. In contrast, the activity of phosphatidylinositol synthase was elevated in response to zinc depletion. The level of Aut7p, a marker for the induction of autophagy, was also elevated in zinc-depleted cells. For the CHO1-encoded phosphatidylserine synthase, the reduction in activity in response to zinc depletion was controlled at the level of transcription. This regulation was mediated through the UASINO element and by the transcription factors Ino2p, Ino4p, and Opi1p that are responsible for the inositol-mediated regulation of UASINO-containing genes involved in phospholipid synthesis. Analysis of the cellular composition of the major membrane phospholipids showed that zinc depletion resulted in a 66% decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine and a 29% increase in phosphatidylinositol. A zrt1Δ zrt2Δ mutant (defective in the plasma membrane zinc transporters Zrt1p and Zrt2p) grown in the presence of zinc exhibited a phospholipid composition similar to that of wild type cells depleted for zinc. These results indicated that a decrease in the cytoplasmic levels of zinc was responsible for the alterations in phospholipid composition.
Normal and Variant Anatomy of the Shoulder on MRI

New developments in musculoskeletal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, including improved spatial resolution and MR arthrography, have led to an increasing frequency in the performance of shoulder MR imaging. As a result, radiologists' understanding of the normal and variant anatomy of the shoulder visible on MR imaging has also become more important. In this article, the authors review the normal arrangement and appearance of osseous and soft-tissue structures in the shoulder, as well as nonpathologic osseous and nonosseous variants that should be recognized.
Modification of LAMPF's magnet-mapping code for offsets of center coordinates

One of the magnet measurements performed at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) is the determination of the cylindrical harmonics of a quadrupole magnet using a rotating coil. The data are analyzed with the code HARMAL to derive the amplitudes of the harmonics. Initially, the origin of the polar coordinate system is the axis of the rotating coil. A new coordinate system is found by a simple translation of the old system such that the dipole moment in the new system is zero. The origin of this translated system is referred to as the magnetic center. Given this translation, the code calculated the coefficients of the cylindrical harmonics in the new system. The code has been modified to use an analytical calculation to determine these new coefficients. The method of calculation is described and some implications of this formulation are presented. This transformation has been tested with a few simple cases and has been found to be correct in these cases. >
The design of a spatial diversity model to mitigate narrowband and broadband interference in DSSS ad hoc networks

Spatial diversity has been gaining significant momentum in cellular systems due to its ability to improve radio links in mobile wireless channels. Techniques of spatial diversity have been expanded to build foundations for advanced antenna array technology, to increase capacity in mobile wireless communication systems due to radiation patterns that direct energy only in the intended direction, thereby greatly reducing interference. Similar benefits may be gained in DSSS ad hoc networks, though work in this area has been limiter. To exploit spatial processing in future ad hoc networks, accurate array designs that embed spatial characteristics of the channel and radiation patterns are necessary to quantify the performance benefits. Therefore, in this study we designed a spatial diversity model and using simulation examined the performance benefits attained when configured in a DSSS as hoc network, subject to channels with narrowband and broadband interference.
Social and economic disparities in health: thoughts about intervention.

It is now well established that inequalities in income lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. Certain explanations for this phenomenon are explored: (1) Instead of income inequalities causing disease, the inequalities are determined by powerful cultural forces. (2) The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. (3) Wealthier people can buy the means to protect their health. (4) Poorer people suffer not from poverty, but from relative deprivation. (5) Those with the weakest genes drift into the lower income groups. It is difficult to develop interventions directed to these possibilities. The concept of “control and destiny” is a possible explanation for the relation between inequalities and disease; unlike the other explanations, this idea is amenable to intervention.
Atorvastatin increases human serum levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has gained attention as a key regulator of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. This novel protease causes the degradation of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors. In humans, gain-of-function mutations in PCSK9 cause a form of familial hypercholesterolemia, whereas loss-of-function mutations result in significantly decreased LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have demonstrated that statins upregulate PCSK9 mRNA expression in cultured cells and animal models. In light of these observations, we studied the effect of atorvastatin on circulating PCSK9 protein levels in humans using a sandwich ELISA to quantitate serum PCSK9 levels in patients treated with atorvastatin or placebo for 16 weeks. We observed that atorvastatin (40 mg/day) significantly increased circulating PCSK9 levels by 34% compared with baseline and placebo and decreased LDL-C levels by 42%. These results suggest that the addition of a PCSK9 inhibitor to statin therapy may result in even further LDL-C decreases.
What proportion of failure to complete secondary school in the US population is attributable to adolescent psychiatric disorder

Using information available from the longitudinal Children in Community Study, population-attributable risk percentage was calculated to estimate the amount of failure to complete secondary school in the United States that is associated with adolescent psychiatric disorder. Over half the adolescents in the United States who fail to complete their secondary education have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. The proportion of failure to complete school that is attributable to psychiatric disorder is estimated to be 46%. School failure among young persons with psychiatric disorder exacts a large toll from individuals and society.
Dynamic cache reconfiguration and partitioning for energy optimization in real-time multi-core systems

Multicore architectures, especially chip multi-processors, have been widely acknowledged as a successful design paradigm. Existing approaches primarily target application-driven partitioning of the shared cache to alleviate inter-core cache interference so that both performance and energy efficiency are improved. Dynamic cache reconfiguration is a promising technique in reducing energy consumption of the cache subsystem for uniprocessor systems. In this paper, we present a novel energy optimization technique which employs both dynamic reconfiguration of private caches and partitioning of the shared cache for multicore systems with real-time tasks. Our static profiling based algorithm is designed to judiciously find beneficial cache configurations (of private caches) for each task as well as partition factors (of the shared cache) for each core so that the energy consumption is minimized while task deadline is satisfied. Experimental results using real benchmarks demonstrate that our approach can achieve 29.29% energy saving on average compared to systems employing only cache partitioning.
Analytical and Numerical Investigation of Two-Dimensional Katabatic Flow Resulting from Local Surface Cooling

The analysis of katabatic flows is often complicated by heterogeneity in surface characteristics. This study focuses on an idealized type of katabatic flow driven by a simple form of inhomogeneous surface forcing: a buoyancy or buoyancy flux that varies down the slope as a top-hat profile (cold strip). We consider the two-dimensional Boussinesq system of governing flow equations with the slope angle, Brunt–Vaisala frequency, and coefficients of eddy viscosity and diffusivity treated as constants. The steady-state problem is solved analytically in a linearized boundary-layer framework. Key flow structures are a primary katabatic jet (essentially the classical one-dimensional Prandtl jet), a rotor-like feature straddling the upslope end of the strip, and two nearly horizontal jets: an inward jet of environmental air feeding into the primary jet on the upslope end of the strip and an outward jet resulting from the intrusion of the primary katabatic jet into the environment on the downslope end of the strip. Next, the corresponding nonlinear initial value problem is solved numerically until a steady state is reached at low levels. The main features of the linear solution are seen in the numerical results, but with some notable differences: (i) the primary jet in the numerical simulation requires a longer distance to attain a one-dimensional boundary-layer structure and extends further downslope off the strip before intruding into the environment; (ii) the numerically simulated outward environmental jet is narrower and more intense than the inward jet, and has a pronounced wave-like structure.
Adaptive fuzzy logic depth controller for variable buoyancy system of autonomous underwater vehicles

This paper presents an adaptive fuzzy logic controller for the variable buoyancy system (VBS) of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The control structure includes a fuzzy large range depth controller (LRDC) and a fuzzy small range depth controller (SRDC). The depth controllers bring the AUV to a desired depth by decreasing buoyancy, then descending to the desired depth and then restoring neutral buoyancy. Fuzzy rules adaptively determine the critical depth points for ballast adjustment based on a key parameter of the AUV dynamic model. This paper gives an explanation of the fuzzy rule base for the LRDC and presents preliminary simulation results of the LRDC. >
Porosity of 3D biomaterial scaffolds and osteogenesis.

Porosity andpore size of biomaterial scaffolds play a critical role in bone formation in vitro andin vivo. This review explores the state of knowledge regarding the relationship between porosity and pore size of biomaterials used for bone regeneration. The effect of these morphological features on osteogenesis in vitro andin vivo, as well as relationships to mechanical properties of the scaffolds, are addressed. In vitro, lower porosity stimulates osteogenesis by suppressing cell proliferation and forcing cell aggregation. In contrast, in vivo, higher porosity andpore size result in greater bone ingrowth, a conclusion that is supportedby the absence of reports that show enhancedosteogenic outcomes for scaffold s with low voidvolumes. However, this trendresults in diminished mechanical properties, thereby setting an upper functional limit for pore size and porosity. Thus, a balance must be reached depending on the repair, rate of remodeling and rate of degradation of the scaffold material. Based on early studies, the minimum requirement for pore size is considered to be � 100mm due to cell size, migration requirements and transport. However, pore sizes 4300mm are recommended, due to enhanced new bone formation and the formation of capillaries. Because of vasculariziation, pore size has been shown to affect the progression of osteogenesis. Small pores favoredhypoxic cond itions and induced osteochondral formation before osteogenesis, while large pores, that are well-vascularized, lead to direct osteogenesis (without preceding cartilage formation). Gradients in pore sizes are recommended for future studies focused on the formation of multiple tissues andtissue interfaces. New fabrication techniques, such as solid -free form fabrication, can potentially be used to generate scaffolds with morphological and mechanical properties more selectively designed to meet the specificity of bonerepair needs. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Validity of the Interest- and Deprivation-type epistemic curiosity distinction in non-students

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the validity of the Interest (I) and Deprivation (D) type epistemic curiosity (EC) distinction in non-students. In Study 1 (N = 263), responses to two EC measures, the Epistemic Curiosity Scale (ECS; Litman & Spielberger, 2003) and the Curiosity as a Feeling-of-Deprivation Scale (CFDS; Litman & Jimerson, 2004) were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis. A 2-factor model comprising the 10 items previously identified by Litman (2008) had the best fit as compared to several competing models. In Study 2 (N = 202), correlations between 5-item I- and D-type EC scales and intrinsic and extrinsic work-related motives were evaluated. As hypothesized, I-type EC correlated with intrinsic motivation, whereas D-type EC was related to both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
SystemC opportunities in chip design flow

Moore's law predicts that the number of transistors in a system will double every 18 months. However, in order to take advantage of the chip technology progress, the same progress needs to be made in the chip design process. The paper focuses on the benefit of SystemC technology in order to close this gap. We present research done in the Intel Development Center (IDC) with Tel-Aviv University (TAU) and Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT). The research explores different usages of SystemC in design and verification flow, which includes soft system verification (early in the design flows), architecture tradeoffs and a flow of SystemC to gate-level flow.
Measuring software dependability by robustness benchmarking

Inability to identify weaknesses or to quantify advancements in software system robustness frequently hinders the development of robust software systems. Efforts have been made to develop benchmarks of software robustness to address this problem, but they all suffer from significant shortcomings. The paper presents the various features that are desirable in a benchmark of system robustness, and evaluates some existing benchmarks according to these features. A new hierarchically structured approach to building robustness benchmarks, which overcomes many deficiencies of past efforts, is also presented. This approach has been applied to building a hierarchically structured benchmark that tests part of the Unix file and virtual memory systems. The resultant benchmark has successfully been used to identify new response class structures that were not detected in a similar situation by other less organized techniques.
Approximate Bayesian Inference in Conditionally Independent Hierarchical Models (Parametric Empirical Bayes Models)

Abstract We consider two-stage models of the kind used in parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) methodology, calling them conditionally independent hierarchical models. We suppose that there are k “units,” which may be experimental subjects, cities, study centers, etcetera. At the first stage, the observation vectors Yi for units i = 1, …, k are independently distributed with densities p(yi | θi ), or more generally, p(yi | θi, λ). At the second stage, the unit-specific parameter vectors θi are iid with densities p(θi | λ). The PEB approach proceeds by regarding the second-stage distribution as a prior and noting that, if λ were known, inference about θ could be based on its posterior. Since λ is not known, the simplest PEB methods estimate the parameter λ by maximum likelihood or some variant, and then treat λ as if it were known to be equal to this estimate. Although this procedure is sometimes satisfactory, a well-known defect is that it neglects the uncertainty due to the estimation of λ. In this article w...
Molecular weight distribution of humic and fulvic acids of sediments from a north Florida estuary

Abstract The molecular weight distribution of the humic and fulvic acid fractions of two sediments was determined using Amicon ultrafiltrat ion techniques. All fractions of humic substances had a molecular weight range of less than 500 to greater than 300,000. The largest component of humic acids was in the greater than 300,000 molecular weight range, whereas, the largest percentages of fulvic acids were in the less than 500 molecular weight range and the 100,000–300,000 molecular weight range. From this preliminary investigation there appears to be a qualitative relationship between the molecular weight composition of the humic substances in the sediment and the salinity of the overlying water within an estuarine environment.
A VLSI architecture for adaptive signal processing

A VLSI architecture for direct parallel implementation of N-tap LMS (least mean square) adaptive filters is presented which uses N multiplier-accumulators and N-1 parallel adders. It will take two multiply delays and log/sub 2/ N add delays for each sampled datum. A prototype VLSI processor which can implement 16-tap adaptive filters on a single chip was also developed. The processor has very good architectural features, such as modularity, regularity, and cascadability. By cascading the processors, a very-high-order adaptive filter can be implemented in real time with a several-megahertz sampling rate. >
Empirical Validation of Reading Proficiency Guidelines

Thevalidationofabilityscalesdescribingmultidimensionalskillsisalways challenging, but not impossible. This study applies a multistage, criterion-referenced approach that uses a framework of aligned texts and reading tasks to explore the validity of the ACTFL and related reading proficiency guidelines. Rasch measurement and statistical analyses of data generated in three separate language studies confirm a significant difference in reading difficulty between the proficiency levels tested.
DRUG-PROTEIN BINDING DURING CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIAL YSIS

This study of drug-protein binding in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) measured the serum and dialysate binding of cefamandole -an acidic, cephalosporin antibiot...
Fitness Effects of Ems-Induced Mutations on the X Chromosome of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. II. Hemizygous Fitness Effects

X chromosomes mutagenized with EMS were tested for their effects on the fitness of hemizygous carriers. The tests were carried out in populations in which treated and untreated X chromosomes segregated from matings between males and attached-X females; the populations were maintained for several generations, during which time changes in the frequencies of the treated and untreated chromosomes were observed. From the rates at which the frequencies changed, the fitness effects of the treated chromosomes were determined. It was found that flies hemizygous for a mutagenized chromosome were 1.7% less fit per mm EMS treatment than those hemizygous for an untreated chromosome. Since the same flies were only 0.5% per m m less viable than their untreated counterparts, the total fitness effect of an X chromosome carrying EMS-induced mutants is three to four times greater than its viability effect. By comparing the heterozygous effect of a mutagenized X chromosome on fitness with the corresponding hemizygous effect, the dominance value for the chromosome is estimated to be about 0.25.
Cyclooxygenase in the treatment of glioma: its complex role in signal transduction

Background High-grade glioma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Recent studies in oncology have identified a role of the ubiquitous enzyme, cyclooxygenase (Cox), especially cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cell proliferation, and its inhibition in cancer control, apoptosis, as well as synergy with other forms of therapy. The inhibitors of the Cox enzyme are well known as members of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class of pharmaceuticals. Methods In vitro and in vivo studies of different cancers expressing COX-2, including glioma studies, along with the few clinical trials that have been reported are reviewed to specifically identify the actions of these agents. Results The anticancer effect of the COX-2 inhibitors may occur irrelevant of COX-2 expression, and it appears to be drug-specific, as well as dose-specific in different cancers. In combination with chemotherapeutic agents, the COX-2 inhibitors may have an additive, synergistic, or inhibitory effect on tumor growth. Conclusions As evaluations of this class of drugs begin in glioma, in vitro and in vivo data should be acquired to accurately predict which compounds will have an effect in controlling tumor growth and at which doses these should be used. The actual expression and inhibition of COX-2 may not always be relevant to the effects on tumor growth.