cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity analysis for the asymmetric network equilibrium problem

We consider the asymmetric continuous traffic equilibrium network model with fixed demands where the travel cost on each link of the transportation network may depend on the flow on this as well as other links of the network and we perform stability and sensitivity analysis. Assuming that the travel cost functions are monotone we first show that the traffic equlibrium pattern depends continuously upon the assigned travel demands and travel cost functions. We then focus on the delicate question of predicting the direction of the change in the traffic pattern and the incurred travel costs resulting from changes in the travel cost functions and travel demands and attempt to elucidate certain counter intuitive phenomena such as ‘Braess' paradox’. Our analysis depends crucially on the fact that the governing equilibrium conditions can be formulated as a variational inequality.
Albumin fractions in the determination of human sperm.

Abstract Forty examinations of human semen were carried out with the aim of watching the behaviour of the albumin fractions in relation to the time elapsed after ejaculation. Seminal fluid, dried semen and seminal stains on linen and on Whatman No. 3 chromatography paper were investigated. The material under examination was subjected to starchgel electrophoresis; the number of albumin fractions was estimated and their behaviour in electrophoretograms noted. When examining seminal fluid, the best results (6 fractions in the electrophoretogram) were obtained 48–72 hours after the moment of ejaculation. In strins dried on linen and on paper, the greatest number of fractions was observed after 8–10 days from the appearance of the stains, after which a gradual vanishing of the albumin fractions occurs.
Ultra-sensitive detector for Silicon Photonics; a photodiode incorporating integrated bipolar gain

Phototransistors built this way offer a low-capacitance, high-speed integrated solution for receivers, with decoupled absorption and amplification regions. Having the first stage of gain directly integrated with the absorption region of the transistor means that the sensitivity of the device can be greatly increased, thanks to it's low capacitance and high gain. Furthermore the fabrication of such a device requires little change to the process required to make electrical bipolar transistors, and much of the knowledge can be reused for phototransistors. If fabricated in Germanium, one could easily imagine using these devices for high speed data communications applications at 1550 or 1310 nm, either as standalone detectors or integrated within a Silicon Photonics process.
Asymmetric oxygenation of a ruthenium dithiolate mimics the mixed sulfenato/sulfinato donor sets of nitrile hydratase and thiocyanate hydrolase.

The dithiolate complex (bmmp-TASN)RuPPh3 reacts with O2 under limiting conditions to yield the mixed sulfenato/sulfinato product (bmmp-O3-TASN)RuPPh3 in 82% yield. Isotopic labeling studies confirm O2 as the sole source of O atoms in the product complex. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal decreases in the Ru−S bond distances of 0.026(1) and 0.151(1) A for the sulfenato and sulfinato donors, respectively, and a 0.088(1) A increase in the Ru−PPh3 bond distance upon oxygenation.
Induction of CD4 T cell proliferation and in vitro Th1-like cytokine responses to measles virus.

Summary Mechanisms that lead to induction of life-long immunity to measles virus (MV) are poorly understood. In the present study, we have assessed the activation, proliferation and cytokine secreting function of peripheral blood T cells from MV immune individuals. Expression of cell blastogenesis markers, such as increased forward light scatter and CD38 expression, peaked 5–7 days after infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with the live attenuated Edmonston strain of MV. Subset analysis revealed that both CD3– and CD3+ cells expressed activation markers but that the CD3+ T cells predominated late in the culture period corresponding to maximal proliferation and cell recovery. The majority of CD3+ T cells consisted of CD4+CD8– cells. IFN-γ and IL-4 production similarly showed optimal production late in culture. Depletion of CD4 cells prior to culture and MV stimulation completely abrogated both IFN-γ and IL-4 production, whereas depletion of CD8 cells did not diminish production, suggesting that CD4+CD8– T cells were principally involved in production of these cytokines. Finally, optimal IFN-γ production was elicited at high MV doses and IL-4 at much lower doses. These results suggest that among MV immune individuals, in vitro responses to measles are dominated by CD4+ T cells that, depending on antigen dose, primarily produce a Th1-like and, to a lesser extent, a Th1/Th2-mixed pattern of cytokine release.
A new fractal model for anisotropic surfaces

Abstract A new fractal-based functional model for anisotropic rough surfaces is used to devise and test two methods for the approximate computation of the fractal dimension of surfaces, and as an instrument for simulating the topography of engineering surfaces. A certain type of statistical self-affinity is proved for the model, and this property serves as the basis for one of the methods of approximating fractal dimension. The other technique for calculating fractal dimension is derived from a Holder type condition satisfied by the model. Algorithms for implementing both of these new schemes for computing a proximate values of fractal dimension are developed and compared with standard procedures. Both the functional model and its corresponding modified Gaussian height distribution are used for simulating fractal surfaces and several examples are adduced that strongly resemble some common anisotropic engineering surfaces.
Identification of several clades of novel single-stranded circular DNA viruses with conserved stem-loop structures in pig feces

Metagenomic analysis of fecal samples collected from diarrheal swine detected sequences encoding a replication initiator protein (Rep). The genomes of ten novel single-stranded DNA viruses were determined, and they exhibited a similar genome organization. The two putative open reading frames (ORFs) encoding Rep and the capsid protein are bidirectionally transcribed and separated by two intergenic regions. Stem-loop structure(s) typical of genomes that undergo the rolling-circle DNA replication mechanism were observed. Phylogenetically, these ten genomes are in a monophyletic clade with the previously described porcine stool-associated virus (PoSCV) but are divergent enough to be further classified into to six distinct virus clades.
Fixed Order Positive Real Control Using Genetic Algorithms

In this paper, we present a case study of several examples involving optimal positive real control design for positive real plants. Specifically, we apply genetic algorithms to obtain low order optimal control designs with and without the strict positive real constraint on the compensator. This study shows that genetic search strategy is an effective approach for designing low order optimal controllers with complex constraints such as strict positive realness of the compensator. Furthermore, the examples studied also shed some new light on optimal positive real control problems.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A Factor Analytic Inquiry into the Multidimensionality of Death Anxiety

The multidimensionality of the concept of death anxiety is highlighted and previous attempts to clarify the concept are reviewed. Advantages of the factor analytic method of concept elaboration are...
ColoSeq Provides Comprehensive Lynch and Polyposis Syndrome Mutational Analysis Using Massively Parallel Sequencing

Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer) and adenomatous polyposis syndromes frequently have overlapping clinical features. Current approaches for molecular genetic testing are often stepwise, taking a best-candidate gene approach with testing of additional genes if initial results are negative. We report a comprehensive assay called ColoSeq that detects all classes of mutations in Lynch and polyposis syndrome genes using targeted capture and massively parallel next-generation sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq2000 instrument. In blinded specimens and colon cancer cell lines with defined mutations, ColoSeq correctly identified 28/28 (100%) pathogenic mutations in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, APC, and MUTYH, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions and deletions, and large copy number variants. There was 100% reproducibility of mutation detection between independent runs. The assay correctly identified 222 of 224 heterozygous SNVs (99.4%) in HapMap samples, demonstrating high sensitivity of calling all variants across each captured gene. Average coverage was greater than 320 reads per base pair when the maximum of 96 index samples with barcodes were pooled. In a specificity study of 19 control patients without cancer from different ethnic backgrounds, we did not find any pathogenic mutations but detected two variants of uncertain significance. ColoSeq offers a powerful, cost-effective means of genetic testing for Lynch and polyposis syndromes that eliminates the need for stepwise testing and multiple follow-up clinical visits.
Assessing the benefits and harms of statin treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease

Assessing the benefits and harms of statin treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease
Why 4-Motor Multiple-Unit Car Equipments?

The amount and quality of railroad suburban commuter service will probably increase, rather than decrease, in the future. On electrified roads, multiple-unit trains with all axles motored are coming into use. In contrast with conventional equipment, having about one-half the weight on drivers, these new trains have design and operating features which especially suit them to fill present needs and anticipate future requirements. These qualities are enumerated, and the resulting benefits discussed in their relation to both the passenger and the railroad.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Glomeromycota by partial β-tubulin gene sequences

The 3’ end of the β-tubulin gene was amplified from 50 isolates of 45 species in Glomeromycota. The analyses included a representative selection of all families except Pacisporaceae and Geosiphonaceae. Phylogenetic analyses excluded three intron regions at the same relative positions in all species due to sequence and length polymorphisms. The β-tubulin gene phylogeny was similar to the 18S rRNA gene phylogeny at the family and species level, but it was not concordant at the order level. Species in Gigasporaceae and Glomeraceae grouped together but without statistical support. Paralogous sequences in Glomus species likely contributed to phylogenetic ambiguity. Trees generated using different fungal phyla as out-groups yielded a concordant topology. Family relationships within the Glomeromycota did not change regardless if the third codon position was included or excluded from the analysis. Multiple clones from three isolates of Scutellospora heterogama yielded divergent sequences. However, phylogenetic patterns suggested that only a single copy of the β-tubulin gene was present, with variation attributed to intraspecific sequence divergence.
The DePaul Values Project: An Ongoing Assessment of Students' Perceptions of a Private University's Core Mission and Values.

Findings from a universitywide values research project connects students' attitudes and behaviors about institutional mission and values to their perceived impact.
Chemotherapy of Prostate Cancer by Targeted Nanoparticles Trackable by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the commonest diagnosed malignancy and the second main cause of cancer mortality in males in the United States. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel drug delivery systems to improve the chemotherapy option for CaP patients. The goal of this paper is to describe novel moleculary guided nanoscale drug delivery system with dual functionality for treatment and MR imaging of CaP. We describe the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) which are then coated with carboxyl-ended amphiphilic polymer. We present the protocol for tethering of the CaP targeting protein, human amino terminal fragment (hATF) to the terminal carboxyls of the IONPs. We describe the drug loading and release and the methods for measuring of the internalization of the hATF-guided IONPs into CaP cells. We also describe the methods for usages of IONPs are MR imaging contrast agent and successful targeted drug carriers.
The role of exocentric reference frames in the perception of visual direction.

Abstract One classic piece of evidence for an efference copy signal of eye position is that a small, positive afterimage viewed in darkness is perceived to move with the eye. When a small stationary reference point is visible the afterimage appears to move relative to the reference point. However, this is true only when the afterimage is localized to a small area. We have observed that when an extended afterimage of a complex scene is generated by a brief, bright flash it does not appear to move, even with large changes in eye position. When subjects were instructed to maintain their direction of gaze, we observed small saccades (typically
Beyond the Advocacy Coalition Framework in Policy Process

Abstract Since the introduction of the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) as a public policy framework in the 1980s, much ACF literature has tried to develop policy-process theories by demonstrating how policy-network approaches can be combined with policy-process theories and by reviewing how group dynamics can influence policy outcomes. However, the limitations of previous ACF literature demand the need for this study to develop some conceptual steps for moving beyond the previous ACF approaches to produce better policy-process theories. This study focuses on three issues: (1) unit of analysis, (2) collective action in developing policy-process theories, and (3) the role of macro-level factors in applying policy-process theories to various cultural configurations.
The Evolution of the Tetrapod Middle Ear in the Rhipidistian-Amphibian Transition

Synopsis: From a survey of the structure of the skull in rhipidistian fishes and early labyrinthodont Amphibia and of the mechanism of hearing in these two groups, an account of the evolution of the tetrapod middle ear is presented. The overall modification of the otic region of the skull during the rhipidistian-amphibian transition is analyzed in terms of changes in different organ systems in response to different selective pressures (affecting, for example, the feeding, respiratory, and locomotory mechanisms). These changes are seen to occur in a completely integrated pattern. Considerations of the different requirements for sound reception under water and in air, in connection with this correlated progression of evolutionary change in the otic region of the head, reveal the manner in which the hyoman? dibular, spiracular diverticulum, and operculum of rhipidistian fishes became modified to form the stapes, the tympanic cavity, and the outer portion of the tympanum, respectively, of tetrapods. The ear in vertebrates consists of two principal portions. The sensory structures of the inner ear associated with the brain and enclosed within the cranial cavity are essentially comparable in all vertebrates, although developed and modified to vary?
Contributions of dynamic venous blood volume versus oxygenation level changes to BOLD fMRI.

Abstract Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI has contributions from venous oxygenation and venous cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes. To examine the relative contribution of venous CBV change (ΔCBV v ) to BOLD fMRI, BOLD and arterial CBV changes (ΔCBV a ) to a 40-s forepaw stimulation in six α-chloralose anesthetized rats were measured using a magnetization transfer-varied fMRI technique, while total CBV change (ΔCBV t ) was measured with injection of iron oxide nanoparticles. ΔCBV v was obtained by subtracting ΔCBV a from ΔCBV t . We observed a fast ΔCBV a response with a time constant of 2.9 ± 2.3 s and a slower ΔCBV v response with a time constant of 13.5 ± 5.7 s and an onset delay of 6.1 ± 3.3 s. These results are consistent with earlier studies under different anesthesia and stimulus, supporting that fast CBV a and slow CBV v responses are generalizable. Assuming the observed post-stimulus BOLD undershoot is at least partly explained by the ΔCBV v contribution, the relative contribution of the ΔCBV v - and oxygenation-change-related components to the BOLD response was estimated. The relative ΔCBV v contribution increases with time during stimulation; whereby it is
Rate of change in adiposity and its relationship to concomitant changes in cardiovascular risk variables among biracial (black-white) children and young adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

To assess the annual rate of change in adiposity and its relationship to concomitant changes in cardiovascular risk variables during childhood and young adulthood, serial data on black and white children (n = 3,459; initial and follow-up mean age, 8.1 and 14.4 years) and young adults (n = 1,263; initial and follow-up mean age, 22.5 and 30.9 years) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study were examined. Body mass index (BMI) and sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds were used as indicators of adiposity. In addition, measurements were made of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose. Annualized rate of change for each variable was estimated. The rate of increase in adiposity was significantly more pronounced during childhood versus adulthood. Race difference (blacks > whites) in the rate of increase in adiposity was seen only among females. Females, black females in particular, displayed greater rate of increase in adiposity than males. In a multivariate analysis, the rate of increase in adiposity was related independently of baseline age and baseline adiposity to adverse changes in measured cardiovascular risk variables, except glucose. Many of these associations were modulated significantly by race, sex, and age group. The impact was relatively greater for blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in adults and for triglycerides in children. The changes in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were greater in whites, while the rate of increase in insulin was greater in blacks. Females displayed greater changes in blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and insulin. On the other hand, the rate of increase in triglycerides was greater in males. These results indicate that increases in adiposity regardless of initial status of body fatness alter cardiovascular risk variables towards increased risk beginning in childhood, and that this deleterious trend underscores the importance of weight control early in life.
The electrical resistivity of liquid lithium

Abstract The electrical resistivity of liquid lithium has been measured from its melting point up to 550 °C. The results fall in the middle of the range of values previously reported in the literature. A critical review of the previous studies and a discussion of the importance of various sources of error are presented. Data from both the literature and this study were combined and analyzed. The data were found to fit the equation ρ = 0.1891 + 3.680 × 10−4T − 1.639 × 10−7T2 + 7.507 × 10−11T3 where ρ is the electrical resistivity of liquid lithium given in microohm meters and T is the temperature in degrees Celsius. This equation should be valid up to 1000 °C with an accuracy to better than ±5%.
Folate receptor expression in carcinomas and normal tissues determined by a quantitative radioligand binding assay

The folate receptor (FR) is a valuable therapeutic target that is highly expressed on a variety of cancers. The current development of folate-targeted cancer therapies has created the need for quantitating functional FRs in clinical specimens. In this article, we report on the creation of a highly sensitive radioactive binding method for quantitatively measuring FR expression in frozen tissue homogenates. Expression was positive in approximately 89% of human ovarian carcinomas but was negligible in both mucinous ovarian carcinomas and normal ovary. Expression was also significant in carcinomas of the kidney, endometrium, lung, breast, bladder, and pancreas. Normal tissues from humans and six different laboratory species were also analyzed; surprisingly, some interspecies variability in FR expression (especially in kidney, spleen, and lung tissue) was found. Interestingly, normal human lung tissue displayed high expression levels, whereas expression in normal lung of the other species was negligible. However, considering that folate-drug conjugates fail to accumulate in the lungs of patients, the consequence of this finding was not considered to be of clinical concern. Overall, this new methodology is reliable for determining functional FR expression levels in tissues, and it could possibly be a useful clinical test to determine patient candidacy for FR-targeted therapeutics.
Phase Transitions and Equations of State of Alkaline Earth Fluorides CaF2 SrF2 and BaF2 to Mbar Pressures

Phase transitions and equations of state of the alkaline earth fluorides ${\text{CaF}}_{2}$, ${\text{SrF}}_{2}$, and ${\text{BaF}}_{2}$ were examined by static compression to pressures as high as 146 GPa. Angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction experiments were performed on polycrystalline samples in the laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. We confirmed that at pressures less than 10 GPa all three materials undergo a phase transition from the cubic $(Fm\overline{3}m)$ fluorite structure to the orthorhombic $(Pnam)$ cotunnite-type structure. This work has characterized an additional phase transition in ${\text{CaF}}_{2}$ and ${\text{SrF}}_{2}$: these materials were observed to transform to a hexagonal $(P{6}_{3}/mmc)$ ${\text{Ni}}_{2}\text{In}$-type structure between 63--79 GPa and 28--29 GPa, respectively, upon laser heating. For ${\text{SrF}}_{2}$, the ${\text{Ni}}_{2}\text{In}$-type phase was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. Volumes were determined as a function of pressure for all high-pressure phases and fit to the third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. For ${\text{CaF}}_{2}$ and ${\text{SrF}}_{2}$, the fluorite-cotunnite transition results in a volume decrease of $8--10\text{ }\mathrm{%}$, while the bulk modulus of the cotunnite-type phase is the same or less than that of the fluorite phase within uncertainty. For all three fluorides, the volume reduction associated with the further transition to the ${\text{Ni}}_{2}\text{In}$-type phase is $\ensuremath{\sim}5\mathrm{%}$. The percentage increase in the bulk modulus $(\ensuremath{\Delta}K)$ across the transition is greater when the cation is smaller. While for ${\text{BaF}}_{2}$, $\ensuremath{\Delta}K$ is $10--30\text{ }\mathrm{%}$, $\ensuremath{\Delta}K$ values for ${\text{SrF}}_{2}$ and ${\text{CaF}}_{2}$ are $45--65\text{ }\mathrm{%}$ and $20--40\text{ }\mathrm{%}$. Although shock data for ${\text{CaF}}_{2}$ have been interpreted to show a transition to a highly incompressible phase above 100 GPa, this is not consistent with our static equation of state data.
Understanding fatigue in major depressive disorder and other medical disorders.

Background Although fatigue is a common symptom that occurs in many psychiatric and other medical disorders, the pathophysiological mechanisms of fatigue are still unclear. Objective The goal of this review is to assess the state of knowledge about fatigue in depression and other disorders and identify new avenues for research in the study of fatigue. Method The author reviewed some 50 articles in the field. Conclusion An approach that emphasizes the similarities between fatigue and depression may improve the understanding of these complex syndromes. As more is learned about the neuropathology of the heterogeneous syndrome of depression, the etiology of many of the symptoms domains associated with depression, including fatigue, may become clearer.
MobiCom 2011 poster: contact rule-based decision for mobile social networking testbed

We propose contact rule-based decision criteria to embed on autonomous mobile nodes to mimic mobile users' community contact pattern. To evaluate the closeness to real-world contact pattern, we compare the simulation results to the contact trace of WLAN users from the University of Florida. Our results show that the contact rule-based decision with overlapping community information matches real-world data in terms of contact duration and the periodical contact pattern.
Energy savings and cost-effectiveness of heat exchanger use as an indoor air quality mitigation measure in the BPA weatherization program

Abstract The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has proposed a ten year program to encourage the weatherization of electrically heated homes in the Pacific Northwest. The purpose of this program is to reduce residential electrical energy demand for space heating. If air infiltration rates are reduced by employing house tightening measures, indoor air quality mitigation measures may be required in residences with significant sources of indoor air contaminants. The use of residential air-to-air heat exchangers has been proposed as a possible strategy to assure that indoor air quality is not substantially degraded by house tightening. We examine the energy impact and cost effectiveness of heat exchanger utilization in tightened homes in the BPA region. Significant energy savings are predicted if homes are tightened and heat exchangers are utilized. From the homeowner's perspective, the results of our economic analysis indicate that, at the relatively low residential electric rates in the BPA region, the use of heat exchangers in existing homes that are tightened is not economically viable. On the other hand, from the utility perspective, it may be cost effective to use heat exchangers in the weatherization program if the marginal cost to the utility is compared with the cost of conserved energy.
Credibility assessment: a collaborative evaluation environment for credibility assessment of modeling and simulation applications

Credibility assessment of modeling and simulation (M&S) applications is becoming increasingly more important as M&S applications are used more and more for complex system design evaluation, M&S-based acquisition, problem solving, military training, and critical decision making. M&S credibility assessment is a very complex process, involves the measurement and evaluation of hundreds of qualitative and quantitative elements, mandates subject matter expert evaluation, and requires the integration of disparate measurements and evaluations. Planning and managing such measurements and evaluations require a unifying methodology and should not be performed in an ad hoc manner. We have developed such a methodology, which can be used for credibility assessment of any kind of M&S application. To provide computer-aided assistance in applying our methodology and to enable collaborative evaluations by geographically dispersed people, we have developed a Web-based client/server software system. This tutorial introduces our software system, which can be used at or .
Dragmacidin E Synthesis Studies. Preparation of a Model Cycloheptannelated Indole Fragment

The conversion of N-2,2-dichloropropionyl indole methyl ester into a tetracyclic cycloheptannelated indole model compound for the synthesis of dragmacidin E was accomplished in 10 steps. Key reactions include a Witkop cyclization to fashion a C−C bond at C(4) of the indole nucleus and a subsequent Dieckmann cyclization to deliver the desired cycloheptanoid ring.
Frequency of acute myocardial infarction in valve repairs versus valve replacement for pure mitral regurgitation

Three hundred thirty-five consecutive isolated mitral valve operations for mitral regurgitation in patients with no significant coronary artery disease were reviewed over a 26-month period for the presence of a perioperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Of 224 patients undergoing mitral valve repair 12 (5.4%) had electrocardiographic and cardiac enzyme evidence of perioperative AMI develop. Of 111 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement none had perioperative AMI develop as determined by electrocardiographic and enzyme criteria (p = 0.01). All 12 infarctions after valve repair involved the inferior wall by electrocardiographic or echocardiographic criteria. Although no patient had significant clinical difficulty in recovery, 7 of the 12 patients (58%) were left with Q waves upon hospital discharge. The etiology of the AMI is believed to be air emboli introduced at the time of testing valve competence during left ventricular insufflation under pressure. Changes in surgical technique may reduce or eliminate this complication.
Confinement patterns in the Milwaukee County House of Correction: 1907–1965

Abstract This study examined the patterns of confinement within the Milwaukee County House of Correction for a sixty year period. The data represent summary statistics from annual reports for the years 1907 to 1965. The variables explored were: age, race, term of commitment, ethnicity, previous commitment, offense, and admissions to the House of Correction. The results indicated changes in the inmate population over time, with increases in the number of inmates, a trend toward older inmates, trends in both shorter and longer sentences, increases in the percentage of inmates committed for drunkenness, and increases in the percentage of nonwhites. Finally, the data revealed a sharp decrease in the number of foreign born commitments with a corresponding increase in the number of black inmates.
Attitudes towards vaccination against seasonal influenza of health-care workers in primary health-care settings in Greece

Vaccination of health-care workers (HCWs) against seasonal influenza has been consistently recommended worldwide in order to prevent nosocomial transmission and ensure delivery of health-care services during outbreaks. We describe the effects of a nationwide campaign to promote influenza vaccination among HCWs working in primary health-care centers in Greece. During 2008-2009 the mean vaccination rate among HCWs in primary health-care centers was 22.8% (range: 0-100%), with a considerable variability among Health Districts (range: 12.66-54.68%). Logistic regression showed that history of previous influenza vaccination, influenza vaccination the previous season, being a physician and a larger number of employees were associated with increased vaccination rates. Main reason for vaccination was self-protection (75.90%), while main reasons for refusing vaccination were belief that they are not at risk for contracting influenza (44.5%), doubts about vaccine effectiveness (20.79%), and fear of vaccine adverse effects (20.33%).
Failure analysis of the total knee prosthesis anchored with PMMA

Abstract Stress and failure analysis of the bone/cement/metal prosthesis of the femorotibial joint are made. The system is modelled by the finite element method in two dimensions while the strain energy density (SED) criterion is applied to locate the potential medial and lateral failure sites in the PMMA for five different prosthesis positions. Examined also is the influence of the PMMA cement that may or may not completely fill the ligament between the stems of the femoral prosthetic component. According to the SED criterion, the cement next to the base of the femoral component systems is the weakest, particularly when the implant is tilted locally resulting in an uneven spread of the cement lining. A 10° local misalignment of the metal implant with reference to the mechanical axis of the femur is more detrimental than the 20° valgus or 20° varus position. The precise locations of possible failure sites on the cement are predicted even though the overall structural integrity of the total knee prosthesis system is found to be adequate for the ideal case investigated. Loadings of a dynamic nature combined with imperfections such as voids and defects in the cement are additional factors that can enhance failure initiation.
Mean-field theory of a plastic network of integrate-and-fire neurons

We consider a noise-driven network of integrate-and-fire neurons. The network evolves as result of the activities of the neurons following spike-timing-dependent plasticity rules. We apply a self-consistent mean-field theory to the system to obtain the mean activity level for the system as a function of the mean synaptic weight, which predicts a first-order transition and hysteresis between a noise-dominated regime and a regime of persistent neural activity. Assuming Poisson firing statistics for the neurons, the plasticity dynamics of a synapse under the influence of the mean-field environment can be mapped to the dynamics of an asymmetric random walk in synaptic-weight space. Using a master equation for small steps, we predict a narrow distribution of synaptic weights that scales with the square root of the plasticity rate for the stationary state of the system given plausible physiological parameter values describing neural transmission and plasticity. The dependence of the distribution on the synaptic weight of the mean-field environment allows us to determine the mean synaptic weight self-consistently. The effect of fluctuations in the total synaptic conductance and plasticity step sizes are also considered. Such fluctuations result in a smoothing of the first-order transition for low number of afferent synapses per neuron and a broadening of the synaptic-weight distribution, respectively.
Protein and free amino acids in field-grown cowpea seeds as affected by water stress at various growth stages

This study was undertaken to evaluate water stress effects during vegetative, flowering, and podfilling stages of cowpea plants (Vigna unguiculata L.) grown under natural field conditions in southern California on seed yield and protein and free amino acid content of the cowpea seeds. The lowest concentration of N was found in the seeds of the control treatment plants while the seed yield from these treatments was the highest as compared with the N concentration and yield of seeds from plants subjected to water stress during flowering and podfilling stages. The concentration of N in the seeds was inversely related to the seed dry weight yield. Protein arginine,-threonine,-serine,-cystine,-valine,-methionine, and-isoleucine were significantly affected by water stress at the three growth stages. There was no consistent pattern in the effect of water stress on the individual amino acids. The sum of protein amino acids in the cowpea seeds was not significantly influenced by the various treatments since some of the protein amino acids increased and others decreased producing an averaging effect on the figures comprising the sums of the amino acids. Water stress during the flowering and pod-filling stages increased the free amino acid pool, and at the same time, inhibited incorporation of the amino acids into the protein chain-thus lowering the protein amino acid fraction simultaneously. With the exception of methionine plus cystine, the essential amino acids in the seeds were present at concentrations equal to or greater than recommended by the World Health Organization and FAO. It is of particular importance to note that the concentration of lysine in the cowpeas was substantially higher than that found in wheat grain. It is also important to note that the amount of essential amino acids per gram of protein was not measurably affected by the water stress treatments during any of the growth stages.
The Survival Motor Neuron Protein in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The 38 kDa survival motor neuron (SMN) protein is encoded by two ubiquitously expressed genes: telomeric SMN (SMN(T)) and centromeric SMN (SMN(C)). Mutations in SMN(T), but not SMN(C), cause proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive disorder that results in loss of motor neurons. SMN is found in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The nuclear form is located in structures termed gems. Using a panel of anti-SMN antibodies, we demonstrate that the SMN protein is expressed from both the SMN(T) and SMN(C) genes. Western blot analysis of fibroblasts from SMA patients with various clinical severities of SMA showed a moderate reduction in the amount of SMN protein, particularly in type I (most severe) patients. Immunocytochemical analysis of SMA patient fibroblasts indicates a significant reduction in the number of gems in type I SMA patients and a correlation of the number of gems with clinical severity. This correlation to phenotype using primary fibroblasts may serve as a useful diagnostic tool in an easily accessible tissue. SMN is expressed at high levels in brain, kidney and liver, moderate levels in skeletal and cardiac muscle, and low levels in fibroblasts and lymphocytes. In SMA patients, the SMN level was moderately reduced in muscle and lymphoblasts. In contrast, SMN was expressed at high levels in spinal cord from normals and non-SMA disease controls, but was reduced 100-fold in spinal cord from type I patients. The marked reduction of SMN in type I SMA spinal cords is consistent with the features of this motor neuron disease. We suggest that disruption of SMN(T) in type I patients results in loss of SMN from motor neurons, resulting in the degeneration of these neurons.
Hepatitis A Virus Attachment to Cultured Cell Lines

Identification of a hepatitis A virus (HAV) receptor is important for understanding HAV tissue tropism and replication sites and in the design of vaccines and antiviral therapy. The attachment of HAV to cultured cell lines was evaluated: Calcium-dependent specific attachment of four HAV strains to permissive cells occurred, whereas binding to nonpermissive cells did not. Investigation of HAV antigenic variant strains (neutralization escape mutants) demonstrated identical attachment properties with neutralization-susceptible strains, suggesting that the immunodominant neutralization antigenic site of HAV is not directly involved in cell attachment. Unlike foot-and-mouth-disease virus, a related picornavirus, RGD peptides (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) were unable to interfere with HAV attachment. These studies demonstrate that HAV has a calcium-dependent receptor on cultured cell lines and suggest that the HAV binding region does not involve an RGD sequence or the HAV immunodominant neutralization site.
Genetic screening of patients with medullary thyroid cancer in a referral center in Greece during the past two decades

Objective: Mutations in the RET gene are responsible for hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and may vary between ethnic groups. We report the spectrum of mutations detected in patients with MTC in a referral center in Greece. Patients and methods: Screening for RET mutations was performed in 313 subjects from 188 unrelated families: 51 patients had clinical suspicion for familial disease, 133 were apparently sporadic, four patients had only C cell hyperplasia, and 125 were family members. Exons 8, 10, 11, and 13–16 were screened. Results: A total of 58 individuals (30.85%) were RET mutations carriers, 120 (63.8%) were finally classified as sporadic, 13 apparently sporadic cases (9.8%) were identified with RET mutation: ten carried the exon 8 at codon 533 mutation (previously reported), two the exon 14 at codon 804 mutation, and one the exon 13 at codon 768 mutation. Six patients (3.19%) with clinical features of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and negative for RET mutations were classified as ‘unknown cause’. The mutations of hereditary cases were as follows: 21 cases (36.2%) in exon 8 codon 533, 19 (32.8%) in exon 11 codon 634, nine (15.5%) in exon 10, five (8.6%) in exon 16, three (5.2%) in exon 14 codon 804, and one in exon 13 codon 768 (1.7%). Conclusion: The spectrum of RET mutations in Greece differs from that in other populations and the prevalence of familial cases is higher. The exon 8 (Gly533Cys) mutation was the most prevalent in familial cases unlike other series, followed by exon 11 (codon 634) mutations which are the most frequent elsewhere. The wide application of genetic screening in MTC reveals new molecular defects and helps to characterize the spectrum of mutations in each ethnic group.
A systolic architecture for discrete wavelet transforms

We present an integrated systolic architecture for computation of the one-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (DWT) of signals. This integrated architecture is useful for both decomposition (forward DWT) and reconstruction (inverse DWT) of signals. The architecture has been designed based on an efficient systolic algorithm suitable for high speed VLSI implementation. This integrated systolic architecture is very unique in the sense that the same architecture is used for forward DWT and inverse DWT by selecting some suitable control signals and this systolic architecture yields 100% utilization unlike many other existing architectures in the literature. The two-dimensional DWT architecture can easily be designed by extending this one-dimensional solution.
Variance maintained by stochastic forcing of non-normal dynamical systems associated with linearly stable shear flows

The level of variance maintained in a stochastically forced asymptotically stable linear dynamical system with a non-normal dynamical operator cannot be fully characterized by the decay rate of its normal modes, in contrast to the case of normal dynamical systems. The nonorthogonality of modes in a non-normal system may lead to transient growth which supports variance far in excess of that anticipated from the decay rate given by the eigenvalues of the operator. As an example, the variance maintained by stochastic forcing in a canonical shear flow is examined in this work and found to increase with a power of the Reynolds number between 1.5 and 3. This great amplification of variance suggests a fundamentally linear mechanism underlying shear flow turbulence.
Plasma free H2S levels are elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background-—Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been implicated in regulating cardiovascular pathophysiology in experimental models. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the levels of H2S in health and cardiovascular disease. In this study we examine the levels of H2S in patients with cardiovascular disease as well as bioavailability of nitric oxide and inflammatory indicators. Methods and Results-—Patients over the age of 40 undergoing coronary or peripheral angiography were enrolled in the study. Ankle brachial index (ABI) measurement, measurement of plasma-free H2S and total nitric oxide (NO), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels were performed. Patients with either coronary artery disease alone (n=66), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) alone (n=13), or any vascular disease (n=140) had higher plasma-free H2S levels compared to patients without vascular disease (n=53). Plasma-free H2S did not distinguish between disease in different vascular beds; however, total NO levels were significantly reduced in PAD patients and the ratio of plasma free H2S to NO was significantly greater in patients with PAD. Lastly, plasma IL-6, ICAM-1, and TSP-1 levels did not correlate with H2 So r NO bioavailability in either vascular disease condition. Conclusions-—Findings reported in this study reveal that plasma-free H2S levels are significantly elevated in vascular disease and identify a novel inverse relationship with NO bioavailability in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Clinical Trial Registration-—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01407172. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2: e000387 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.113.000387)
Direct numerical simulation of lock-exchange density currents over the rough wall in slumping phase

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to simulate lock-exchange flow to understand density currents over rough surfaces. This work is one of the first DNS to simulate density currents over rough walls. The simulations are performed at a Grashof number of 1.6×107. The non-dimensional height of the roughness elements with respect to the half-height of the channel is 0.12. Roughness reduces the speed of the front. Furthermore, the instabilities are significantly enhanced resulting in secondary instabilities that arise much earlier in time. Roughness introduces an additional vorticity generation mechanism which is comparable to the vorticity generated from Kelvin–Helmholtz and lobe–cleft type of instabilities. Flow exhibits significant differences near the leading edge or the nose of the front of the density currents due to roughness.
A globally optimal minimax solution for spectral overbounding and factorization

In this paper, an algorithm is introduced to find a minimum phase transfer function of specified order whose magnitude "tightly" overbounds a specified real-valued nonparametric function of frequency. This method has direct application to transforming nonparametric uncertainty bounds (available from system identification experiments and/or plant modeling) into parametric representations required for modern robust control design software (i.e., a minimum-phase transfer function multiplied by a norm-bounded perturbation). >
BMP4 rescues a non-cell-autonomous function of Msx1 in tooth development

The development of many organs depends on sequential epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and the developing tooth germ provides a powerful model for elucidating the nature of these inductive tissue interactions. In Msx1-deficient mice, tooth development arrests at the bud stage when Msx1 is required for the expression of Bmp4 and Fgf3 in the dental mesenchyme (Bei, M. and Maas, R. (1998) Development 125, 4325–4333). To define the tissue requirements for Msx1 function, we performed tissue recombinations between wild-type and Msx1 mutant dental epithelium and mesenchyme. We show that through the E14.5 cap stage of tooth development, Msx1 is required in the dental mesenchyme for tooth formation. After the cap stage, however, tooth development becomes Msx1 independent, although our experiments identify a further late function of Msx1 in odontoblast and dental pulp survival. These results suggest that prior to the cap stage, the dental epithelium receives an Msx1-dependent signal from the dental mesenchyme that is necessary for tooth formation. To further test this hypothesis, Msx1 mutant tooth germs were first cultured with either BMP4 or with various FGFs for two days in vitro and then grown under the kidney capsule of syngeneic mice to permit completion of organogenesis and terminal differentiation. Previously, using an in vitro culture system, we showed that BMP4 stimulated the growth of Msx1 mutant dental epithelium (Chen, Y., Bei, M. Woo, I., Satokata, I. and Maas, R. (1996). Development 122, 3035–3044). Using the more powerful kidney capsule grafting procedure, we now show that when added to explanted Msx1-deficient tooth germs prior to grafting, BMP4 rescues Msx1 mutant tooth germs all the way to definitive stages of enamel and dentin formation. Collectively, these results establish a transient functional requirement for Msx1 in the dental mesenchyme that is almost fully supplied by BMP4 alone, and not by FGFs. In addition, they formally prove the postulated downstream relationship of BMP4 with respect to Msx1, establish the non-cell-autonomous nature of Msx1 during odontogenesis, and disclose an additional late survival function for Msx1 in odontoblasts and dental pulp.