cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of nedocromil sodium on the bronchomotor response to sulfur dioxide in asthmatic patients

Abstract It is known that cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium share similar antiallergic properties. This study examined whether nedocromil sodium, a pyranoquinoline dicar☐ylic acid, could inhibit sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner in 10 men with mild asthma. Previous studies have shown that cromolyn sodium produces such inhibition in allergic monkeys and asthmatic subjects. Subjects in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study were nonsmoking men between the ages of 23 and 40 years (mean age, 30.7 years). The study took place over 5 days within a 3-week period. On the first of 5 days, each subject had a history taken and physical examination, SO 2 baseline test, laboratory testing, and a methacholine dose-response test. On each of 4 test days, the subjects received pretreatment with either placebo or a 2, 4, or 8 mg dose of nedocromil sodium in a randomized, double-blind sequence, followed after 30 minutes by an SO 2 dose-response test. Results showed that maximum bronchoconstriction response to SO 2 was significantly attenuated ( p 2 -induced bronchospasm at dose levels as low as 2 mg.
The composition and origin of the Iapetus dark material

In order to investigate the composition of the Iapetus dark material and the reasons for its peculiar distribution, telescopic observations, laboratory simulations, and photogeological studies are conducted. New telescopic spectra of superior accuracy and wavelength coverage for leading and trailing hemispheres are obtained over the range 0.3-2.6 microns. A mixing model is used to correct the leading-hemisphere spectra for the presence of polarcaps. It is shown that the spectral curve of pure Iapetus dark material is highly reddened in the visible, but gradually flattens near 2.0 microns. Structures along the bright-dark boundary, visible in Voyager 2 images, are inconsistent with an eruptive origin for the dark material; this zone is probably the region of grazing impacts of dust spiraling from Phoebe and the dark material is probably a minor component of the ice-dominated surface concentrated in the upper regolith produced by Phoebe-dust bombardment. An Iapetus-like bombardment regime may account for the hemispheric dichotomy of regolith properties on Callisto.
Recognition, replication and extrabiotic chemistry

Abstract The subject is how molecules fit together - molecular recognition - and the intriguing specific issue is why molecules fit together. Complementarity and selfcomplementarity are central to these problems, and by complementarity is meant that of molecular size, shape, and charge that gives rise to the reciprocal, weak intermolecular forces that bind host and guest, however temporarily, to one another. One of the unexpected dividends from the study of forces is concerned with ‘extrabiotic’1 chemistry. This term is intended to define chemical or other systems which show properties reminiscent2 of living systems, yet have little or no structural relationship to what is regarded as biological. In our own research hydrogen bonding and aryl stacking interactions have provided the intermolecular forces of recognition. Self-replicating systems appear to be an inevitable consequence of such forces.3
Novel high efficiency vertical to in-plane optical coupler

We propose a novel vertical optical coupler using subwavelength high contrast grating. The surface normal incidence light can be coupled into the in-plane waveguide with peak efficiency of 92% over a broad wavelength range. Such structure can be also designed as the in-plane reflector or in-plane to vertical coupler. The reflectivity for waveguide propagation mode is 97.5% and the coupling efficiency is 96%, respectively.
Learning and social change: The formal and the hidden curriculum

This article reviews the learning process and ways in which it can hinder or contribute to intellectual development, the development of “critical consciousness” (as defined by Paulo Freire), and social change. Interviews with students illustrate that Freire's concepts are applicable to understanding the process students describe as they extrapolate the hidden curriculum, examine the effect on their learning process, and struggle to free themselves from this socialization process. In conclusion, questions are raised about the relationship between alternative educational programs and social change.
Overall and minority-focused recruitment strategies in the PREMIER multicenter trial of lifestyle interventions for blood pressure control.

Abstract Recruitment strategies employed by four clinical centers across the US and a coordinating center were examined to identify successful overall and minority-focused recruitment strategies for the PREMIER multicenter trial of lifestyle changes for blood pressure control. The goal was to recruit 800 adults (40% African Americans) with systolic blood pressure of 120–159 mmHg and diastolic of 80–95 mmHg, not taking antihypertensive medication. Clinical centers used combinations of mass distribution of brochures, mass media, email distribution lists, screening events, and a national website. Culturally appropriate strategies for African Americans were designed by a Minority Implementation (MI) committee. Diversity training was provided for study staff, and African Americans were included in the study design process. Main recruitment outcomes were number overall and number of African Americans recruited by each strategy. Of the 810 randomized PREMIER participants, 279 (34%) were African American with site-specific percentages of 56%, 46%, 27%, and 8%. Of African Americans recruited, 151 (54%) were from mass distribution of brochures (mailed letter, flyer included in Val-Pak coupons, or other), 66 (24%) from mass media (printed article, radio, TV story or ads, 52 (19%) from word of mouth, and 10 (3%) from email/website and screening events combined. Yields for Non-Hispanic Whites were 364 (69%) from brochures, 71 (13%) from mass media, 49 (9%) from word of mouth and 47 (9%) from email/website and screening events. Mass distribution of brochures was relatively more effective with Non-Hispanic Whites, while African Americans responded relatively better to other recruitment strategies.
Embedding Large Complete Binary Trees in Hypercubes with Load Balancing

This paper presents two methods for embedding arbitrarily large complete binary trees in fixed size hypercubes. The ability to embed arbitrarily large graphs in smaller graphs has important applications in massively parallel computing. The presented embedding methods are optimized mainly for balancing the processor loads, while minimizing dilation and congestion as far as possible.
Properties of Fluorenyl Silanes in Organic Light Emitting Diodes

Multifluorenyl silanes have been studied as potential hosts for organic light emitting diodes. Four molecules, (9,9′-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)nSi(phenyl)4-n (SiFln, n = 1, 2, 3, and 4), with an increasing number of fluorene units have been synthesized and investigated. These compounds possess high triplet energies (2.9 eV), large HOMO−LUMO gaps (∼5.2 eV), and high glass transition temperatures. Their glass transition and sublimation temperatures increase linearly as the fluorene ratio increases, but there are only small changes in their electrochemical or photophysical properties. These studies suggest that the Si center helps maintain the high singlet and triplet energy levels of these molecules. These materials exhibit ambipolar transport characteristics in undoped OLED devices, and the charge conductivity of the devices was enhanced by increasing the fluorene ratios in the host molecules. Compared with phenylsilanes, the fluorenylsilanes show better hole injecting and charge transporting abilities. SiFl4 w...
Temporal variability in the chemical weathering of Ca2 +-bearing phases in the Loch Vale watershed, Colorado, USA: A mass-balance approach

Abstract The contributions of Ca 2 + -bearing minerals to the solute budgets of the subalpine to alpine Loch Vale watershed located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA, are investigated. Previously published mass-balance models of chemical weathering in Loch Vale used the Ca 2 + -phases oligoclase and calcite. However, hexagonal dissolution voids in detrital stream-sediment grains provide evidence that apatite is also dissolving, which is further supported by an absence of any apatite in stream sediments. The Ca 2 + in stream waters attributable to the weathering of oligoclase, calcite, and apatite was studied using solute-based watershed geochemical mass-balance methods. Mineral weathering rates were calculated for eight triennia in the 24-year period from 1984 to 2008. For all mass-balance calculations, oligoclase must be weathered in order to balance the Na + , Ca 2 + , and HCO 3 − . Over the 24-year period of study, oligoclase contributes 25% of the Ca 2 + in the stream waters. Depending on the proportion of chemical weathering attributable to sulfuric acid weathering, calcite contributes 40–65% of the Ca 2 + in the stream waters, and apatite 10–35%. Apatite is the primary source of phosphorous to the Loch Vale ecosystem, with algal activity and lake-bottom sediments likely serving as intrawatershed phosphate sinks. The results of this study indicate that mineral weathering in the Loch Vale watershed is temporally variable. The weathering of calcite and apatite may be discontinuous through time, but ultimately experiencing complete dissolution within the watershed. The temporal variability of mineral weathering likely reflects changes in the mineral assemblages that are exposed to weathering agents as mechanical processes operate in the high elevation watershed. In addition, physical weathering is capable of influencing hydrologic flow paths, which in turn may determine the minerals interacting with weathering solutions. These observations underscore the importance of multi-decadal hydrogeochemical data sets for subalpine to alpine watersheds.
Abstract Data Type Specification in the Affirm System

This paper describes the data type definition facilities of the AFFIRM system for program specification and verification. Following an overview of the system, we review the rewrite rule concepts that form the theoretical basis for its data type facilities. The main emphasis is on methods of ensuring convergence (finite and unique termination) of sets of rewrite rules and on the relation of this property to the equational and inductive proof theories of data types.
The calcium channel mucolipin-3 is a novel regulator of trafficking along the endosomal pathway.

The varitint-waddler phenotype in mice is caused by gain-of-function mutations in mucolipin-3 (MCOLN3), a member of the mucolipin family of ion channels. These mice are characterized by defects in pigmentation, hearing loss and vestibular defects, suggesting that MCOLN3 might play a role in melanosome trafficking and hair cell maturation. Recent evidence has shown that MCOLN3 is a Ca2+–permeable channel and its activity is regulated by pH. Here we show that MCOLN3 primarily localizes to early and late endosomes in human epithelial cells. This distribution at the less acidic portions of the endocytic pathway is consistent with the reported inactivation of the channel by low pH. Furthermore, overexpression of MCOLN3 causes dramatic alterations in the endosomal pathway, including enlargement of Hrs-positive endosomes, delayed degradation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR) and defective autophagosome maturation, whereas depletion of endogenous MCOLN3 enhances EGFR degradation. Finally, we found that endosomal pH is higher in cells overexpressing MCOLN3 and propose a model in which Ca2+ release from endosomes mediated by MCOLN3 might be important for efficient endosomal acidification. Therefore, MCOLN3 is a novel Ca2+ channel that plays a crucial role in the regulation of cargo trafficking along the endosomal pathway.
Adsorption of borate ions on passive iron: An in-situ SNIFTIRS-FTIRRAS study

Abstract Borate adsorption on passive iron has been investigated with in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It is shown that borate ions adsorb on passive iron in borate buffer solutions, and that their presence at the interface is of fundamental importance in stabilizing the passive film in these solutions. Borate ions are probably strongly bound to the surface, thus impeding the diffusion of Fe2+ ions through the film, and reducing the anodic ion dissolution current to a very low value. Co-adsorption of borate and phosphate was observed. Sulphate ions, however, displace borate from the interphase, breaking down the passive film.
NMR spectroscopy of benzocyclobutene and biphenylene

Abstract NMR parameters were determined for benzocyclobutene, six substituted benzocyclobutenes and biphenylene. Values calculated for the dihedral angles between the benzylic CH bonds of benzocyclobutene indicate that the four-membered ring is skewed. Analysis of the NMR spectrum of biphenylene shows the presence of two (and not three) ring currents.
Simultaneous binding of two peptidyl ligands by a SRC homology 2 domain.

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains mediate protein–protein interactions by recognizing phosphotyrosine (pY)-containing sequences of target proteins. In all of the SH2 domain–pY peptide interactions described to date, the SH2 domain binds to a single pY peptide. Here, determination of the cocrystal structure of the N-terminal SH2 domain of phosphatase SHP-2 bound to a class IV peptide (VIpYFVP) revealed a noncanonical 1:2 (protein–peptide) complex. The first peptide binds in a canonical manner with its pY side chain inserted in the usual binding pocket, while the second pairs up with the first to form two antiparallel β-strands that extend the central β-sheet of the SH2 domain. This unprecedented binding mode was confirmed in the solution phase by NMR experiments and shown to be adopted by pY peptides derived from cellular proteins. Site-directed mutagenesis and surface plasmon resonance studies revealed that the binding of the first peptide is pY-dependent, but phosphorylation is not required for the second pep...
Fire jumpers: description of burns and traumatic injuries from a spontaneous mass gathering and celebratory riot.

Background: On April 3 and 5 of 2005, approximately 52,000 people gathered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to celebrate the National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four victories of the University of North Carolina men's basketball team. As crowds rejoiced and intensified into a celebratory riot, many participants lit dozens of bonfires and expressed themselves by jumping through the flames. Objective: To describe the interesting injury mechanism of celebratory fire jumping and to describe the injuries associated with two celebratory riots. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and hospital reports of injuries associated with each gathering. We used a standardized data collection instrument to record descriptive information on all patients with celebration-associated complaints and noted their treatment and disposition. For analysis, we abstracted data and generated basic descriptive statistics and comparisons of groups. Results: A total of 58 celebrants received medical care, including 27 patients first evaluated by EMS and 49 patients subsequently evaluated in the Emergency Department. Most were young (average age = 23.8 years), male (65%, 32/49), had complaints associated with alcohol (65%, 32/49), and were not admitted to the hospital (92%, 45/49). Of those presenting for hospital evaluation, 30% (15/49) had burns associated with fire-jumping. Conclusions: Most patients from these gatherings had relatively minor injuries or medical complaints. However, burns associated with fire-jumping represented a substantial proportion of more serious injuries and hospitalizations. These cases are presented to increase awareness of the burn injuries associated with this type of celebratory mass gathering.
Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Qatar

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and related death rates vary worldwide. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, causes and outcome of TBI in Qatar. Method: A retrospective review of all TBIs admitted to the trauma center between January 2008 and December 2011 was performed. Patients' demographics, mechanism of injury, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. Results: A total of 1665 patients with TBI were admitted, the majority were males (92%) with a mean age of 28±16 years. The common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crashes (MVCs)and falls from height (51% and 35%, respectively). TBI was incidentally higher in young adults (34%) and middle age group (21%). The most frequent injuries were brain contusion (40%) followed with subarachnoid (25%), subdural (24%), and epidural hemorrhage (18%). The mortality rate was 11% among TBI patients. Mortality rates were 8% and 12% among adolescents and young adults, respectively. The highest mortality rate was observed in elderly patients (35%). Head AIS, ISS and age were independent predictors for mortality. Conclusion: In Qatar,TBI is reported in around 27% of all the trauma admissions;mostly due to MVCs and is associated with high mortality. Elderly are the most vulnerable group. particularly in the older group. Public awareness and injury prevention campaigns should target young population.
Academic nursing clinic: Impact on health and cost outcomes for vulnerable populations***

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine selected health and cost outcomes of clients who used an academic nursing clinic (ANC) located in a high-rise public housing facility for low-income citizens. Service use, health promotion and screening, quality of care, satisfaction and costs were examined. Health outcomes were improved. Estimated cost savings were about $36,000 during the first year with reduced paramedic and police calls, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits. Findings show that advanced practice nurses can positively influence health outcomes by providing cost-effective quality health care. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Antitumor necrosis factor-α therapy and potential cancer inhibition

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, mainly in the context of chronic inflammation. Recent publications, however, have reported an increased risk of lymphoma in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with immunomodulatory TNF-alpha blockers. To assess the role of TNF-alpha in neoplasia, a review of TNF-alpha effects on experimental and human cancer and the influence of anti-TNF-alpha therapy on cancer development was conducted. TNF-alpha produces a variety of cellular responses which, with sustained increased levels of activity, could either facilitate or inhibit tumorigenesis. In experimental models, most evidence supports the potential enhancement of neoplasia by TNF-alpha. The increased frequency of lymphoma that has been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-TNF-alpha therapy may reflect the severity of the disease, which could be associated with greater TNF-alpha activity. Skin cancer is also reported to be increased in some studies. Other findings, to the contrary, suggest that TNF-alpha inhibition could impede tumorigenesis. It is concluded that the presently available data do not permit a robust conclusion on the potential effects of anti-TNF-alpha therapy on the risk of human neoplasia, but reduction in neoplasia seems probable. Further investigation of this important topic is clearly warranted.
Oxidant production and immune response after stretch injury in skeletal muscle.

BRICKSON, S., J. HOLLANDER, D. T. CORR, L. L. JI, and T. M. BEST. Oxidant production and immune response after stretch injury in skeletal muscle. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 12, 2001, pp. 2010–2015.PurposeThis study investigated oxidant production and associated immune response after acute
The role of the home health care nurse in mental health assessment of the elderly

With factors such as chronic illness, change in social contacts, and the death of a spouse or close friend, the elderly patient may have a depression that could be overlooked. The symptoms may be thought to be part of the normal aging process. The author's suggestions will be helpful in dealing with the elderly on any level of health care delivery.
Effects of swelling pressure and hydraulic permeability on dynamic compressive behavior of lumbar annulus fibrosus.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of swelling pressure and hydraulic permeability on the dynamic behavior of intervertebral disk tissue in confined compression. Normal (served as a control) and trypsin-treated, axial annulus fibrosus (AF) specimens from the porcine lumbar disks were tested and their swelling strain, swelling pressure, equilibrium compressive modulus (HA, dynamic modulus, and hydraulic permeability (k) were determined at 30% and 40% swelling strain levels. The proteoglycan depletion due to trypsin treatment resulted in significantly lower values of the free swelling strain, swelling pressure, equilibrium modulus, dynamic modulus, and higher value of hydraulic permeability for trypsin-treated group, comparing to those for the control group. At the 30% swelling strain level, the equilibrium moduli were 51.84±14.53 kPa (n=8) for the control group and 15.11±5.67 kPa (n=8) for the trypsin-treated group; and the hydraulic permeabilities were 4.50E-15±1.60E-15 m4/Ns and 8.43E-15±4.29E-15 m4/Ns for control and trypsin-treated groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference in wet tissue density or dry tissue density was found between control and trypsin-treated groups. There was a significant correlation between swelling pressure and compressive (aggregate) modulus (R2=0.824, m=22). The decrease in measured dynamic modulus for trypsin-treated group was attributed to the reduced swelling pressure (or modulus HA and increased hydraulic permeability (k) due to PG depletion. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Airfoil Lift Augmentation at Low Reynolds Number

A low-speed wind-tunnel investigation was undertaken to explore the behavior of trailing-edge flow effectors on the performance of a S8036 airfoil. Gurney flaps, as well as conventional trailing-edge flaps, were explored at Re = 40, 000,60,000, and 80,000. The effects of Gurney flap length, as well as trailing-edge flap length and deflection angle, were studied. Performance characterization encompassed force balance and pressure measurements. Examination of the results showed that both types of flaps are capable of significantly increasing not only the maximum lift coefficient, but also the range and endurance parameters. For the geometries explored, both the Gurney and trailing-edge flap showed similar levels of lift augmentation; however, the trailing-edge flaps generally showed larger relative increments in the lift-to-drag ratio and endurance parameter than the Gurney flaps.
Counterconditioning of memory in rats

Two experiments examined the counterconditioning of an aversively motivated response in rats. Presentation of a highly palatable sugar solution (maltose in Experiment 1; sucrose in Experi­ ment 2) to thirsty rats was used as the counterconditioning treatment. In Experiment 1, the coun­ terconditioning procedure was found to be effective in modifying both a newly acquired and a cue-reactivated fear memory. In Experiment 2, the counterconditioning effect was shown to oc­ cur when the fear memory was reactivated with a noncontingent exposure to the unconditioned stimulus rather than the conditioned stimulus. This outcome supports the interpretation of coun­ terconditioning as a modification of some central representation of the original training memory, rather than the acquisition of a competing peripheral response. The methodological implications of the present approach to counterconditioning are considered. The goal of many behavioral studies is to alter the hedonic value of some stimulus. One procedure for producing such change is counterconditioning, in which a subject's response to a stimulus of one affective value is modified by presenting that stimulus in conjunction with one having different (i.e., opposite) emotional sig­ nificance. Traditionally, there have been two very dis­ tinct types of counterconditioning paradigms, depending upon whether the target stimulus was the unconditioned stimulus (US) or the conditioned stimulus (CS). An ex­ ample of a counterconditioning experiment directed at al­ tering the US value is provided by Pearce and Dickinson (1975). These investigators found that rats given repeated shock-food pairings showed less suppression of an on­ going operant behavior to a light subsequently paired with
Polymerization of 1‐methylene‐4‐vinylcyclohexane by a cyclic polymerization mechanism,

1-Methylene-4-vinylcyclohexane was prepared by the following reaction sequence: (1) conversion of 4-methylene-cyclohexane methanol to the tosylate, (2) oxidation of the tosylate to 4-methylenecyclohexane carboaldehyde by the method of Kornblum, and (3) reaction of the aldehyde with the ylide from triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide in a Wittig reaction to produce the diene. Polymerization of 1-methylene-4-vinylcyclohexane was attempted with the use of free radical, anionic, cationic, and Ziegler-type initiators. Polymers were obtained from the cationic (boron trifluoride) and Ziegler (titanium tetrachloride and triethylaluminum complex)-initiated reactions. The polymer obtained by polymerization of this monomer with gaseous boron trifluoride as the initiator led to a solid polymer which was soluble in a number of organic solvents and had a softening temperature of 150°C. The infrared spectrum of this polymer gave absorption bands for terminal unsaturation. NMR analysis indicated that the unsaturation ratio was one double bond per two monomer units. The NMR analysis also indicated that this unsaturation was due to vinyl rather than methylene groups. Polymerization of this monomer by use of a Ziegler catalyst (titanium tetrachloride and triethylaluminum) led to a solid polymer of which 10% was soluble in a number of organic solvents. Although the infrared spectrum of this polymer indicated the presence of some terminal unsaturation, an NMR analysis indicated only an extremely small amount of residual unsaturation. The essential absence of unsaturation in this linear polymer supports an intramolecular interaction in this monomer, since Ziegler-type initiators do not ordinarily initiate polymerization of the isobutylene type. These results can be interpreted as additional evidence for the nonbonded interaction concept as a driving force to cyclic polymer.
Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a Staphylococcus aureus gene encoding a branched-chain-amino-acid transporter

ABSTRACT We recently characterized a transposon-induced NaCl-sensitive mutant of Staphylococcus aureus (U. Vijaranakul, M. J. Nadakavukaren, D. O. Bayles, B. J. Wilkinson, and R. K. Jayaswal, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:1889–1897, 1997). To further characterize this mutant, we determined the nucleotide sequence at the insertion site of the transposon on the S. aureuschromosome. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a 1,326-bp open reading frame (ORF442) encoding a hydrophobic 442-amino-acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 49,058 Da. The hydrophilicity profile of the gene product revealed the existence of 12 hydrophobic domains predicted to form membrane-associated α-helices. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of ORF442 with amino acid sequences in the GenBank database showed extensive homology with the branched-chain-amino-acid transport genes of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This is the first brnQ gene in staphylococci to be described.
Concept-based Web Search using Domain Prediction and Parallel Query Expansion

We address the problem of irrelevant results for short queries on Web search engines using latent semantic indexing in the WordSpace model and query expansion. First, we predict the potential concept topics, which are the domains for the search terms. Next, we expand the search terms in each of the predicted domains in parallel. We then submit separate queries, specialized for each domain, to a general-purpose search engine. The user is presented with categorized search results under the predicted domains. We prepared a categorized text collection (corpus) using Web directory listing to build word association models. We compare the results obtained using this corpus with those using Reuters corpus. User evaluations indicate that our approach helps the users avoid having to examine irrelevant Web search results, especially with short queries.
Mathematical Approaches to Understanding and Imaging Atrial Fibrillation Significance for Mechanisms and Management

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in humans. The mechanisms that govern AF initiation and persistence are highly complex, of dynamic nature, and involve interactions across multiple temporal and spatial scales in the atria. This article aims to review the mathematical modeling and computer simulation approaches to understanding AF mechanisms and aiding in its management. Various atrial modeling approaches are presented, with descriptions of the methodological basis and advancements in both lower-dimensional and realistic geometry models. A review of the most significant mechanistic insights made by atrial simulations is provided. The article showcases the contributions that atrial modeling and simulation have made not only to our understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial arrhythmias, but also to the development of AF management approaches. A summary of the future developments envisioned for the field of atrial simulation and modeling is also presented. The review contends that computational models of the atria assembled with data from clinical imaging modalities that incorporate electrophysiological and structural remodeling could become a first line of screening for new AF therapies and approaches, new diagnostic developments, and new methods for arrhythmia prevention.
A Highly Efficient Protocol of Generating and Analyzing VZV ORF Deletion Mutants Based on a Newly Developed Luciferase VZV BAC System

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is the causative agent for both varicella (chicken pox) and herpes zoster (shingles). As a member of the human herpesvirus family, VZV contains a large DNA genome, encoding 70 unique open reading frames (ORFs). The functions of the majority of these ORFs remain unknown. Recently, the full-length VZV (P-Oka strain) genome was cloned as a VZV bacteria artificial chromosome (BAC) and additionally a firefly luciferase cassette was inserted to generate a novel luciferase VZV BAC. In this study, a highly efficient protocol has been developed exploiting the new luciferase VZV BAC system to rapidly isolate and characterize VZV ORF deletion mutants by growth curve analysis in cell culture.
Optimal Guidance Command Generation and Tracking for Reusable Launch Vehicle Reentry

Abstract : The objective of this work is to develop a robust guidance and control architecture for autonomous reusable launch vehicles that incorporates elements of recent advances in the areas of optimal trajectory generation and reconfigurable control. This work integrates three separately developed methods to form a coherent architecture with the potential to manage control effector failures, vehicle structural/aerodynamic degradation, uncertainty, and external disturbances. Outer-loop guidance commands in the form of body-frame angular rates (roll, pitch, and yaw) are generated from an optimal reference trajectory that is computed off-line with a direct pseudospectral method and then tracked by a reconfigurable inner-loop control law. The appropriate open-loop state histories from the pseudo-four-degree-of-freedom reference trajectory are converted using a modified backstepping approach that complements the inner-loop control law in a six-degree-of-freedom simulation. The inner-loop control law is capable of reacting and compensating for off-nominal conditions by employing nonlinear reconfigurable control allocation, dynamic inversion, and model-following/anti-windup prefilters. The results show that the inner loop control can adequately track the desired optimal guidance commands; thus, confirming that applicability of this control architecture for future development involving on-line, optimal trajectory generation and high-fidelity guidance and control for reentry vehicles.
CENTERED GRAPHS AND THE STRUCTURE OF EGO NETWORKS

Abstract A way of comparing ego networks through examining patterns among their ties is introduced. It is derived from graph-theoretic ideas about centered graphs. An illustration using data from a computer conference is provided.
A simulation based analysis of naming schemes for distributed systems

As the Internet grows in size and number of users, the way in which resources are identified and accessed becomes increasingly important. This implies the need for an efficient naming service. A naming service is a facility that enables clients to name objects, and subsequently use these names to locate these objects. Developing a naming facility and choosing the naming conventions involves a tradeoff between performance, user friendliness, object mobility, availability of naming information, individual autonomy, storage space requirement, and the cost of maintaining data consistency. The purpose of this paper is to analyze three different naming schemes in a wide area network, and study the impact of design parameters such as transmission capabilities, cache hit ratio, and servers' rate of failure on the performance of a naming facility. >
Level spacing distribution of critical random matrix ensembles

We consider unitary invariant random matrix ensembles that obey spectral statistics different from the Wigner-Dyson statistics, including unitary ensembles with slowly $(\ensuremath{\sim}{\mathrm{log}}^{2}x)$ growing potentials and the finite-temperature Fermi gas model. If the deformation parameters in these matrix ensembles are small, the asymptotically translational-invariant region in the spectral bulk is universally governed by a one-parameter generalization of the sine kernel. We provide an analytic expression for the distribution of the eigenvalue spacings of this universal asymptotic kernel, which is a hybrid of the Wigner-Dyson and the Poisson distributions, by determining the Fredholm determinant of the universal kernel in terms of a Painlev\'e VI transcendental function.
College Aspirations and Limitations The Role of Educational Ideologies and Funds of Knowledge in Mexican American Families

Using a qualitative multiple-case-study design, this study explored how funds of knowledge in Mexican American families contributed to the development of educational ideologies. Findings illustrated the following ways in which families are involved in their children’s education: the formation of both helpful and limiting educational ideologies, which highlighted beliefs regarding college-going processes; college information drawn from social networks and academic symbols found in families’ everyday lives; and the development of college-going realities. Unique to this study is the extension of funds of knowledge beyond traditional K–12 discussions and the incorporation of outreach literature into this framework when studying issues of college access.
In-Droplet Magnetic Beads Concentration and Separation for Digital Microfluidics

This paper describes highly efficient in-droplet particle concentrations/separations (over 91% in efficiency), where magnetic particles are concentrated/separated within a droplet by applying a magnetic field and a subsequent EWOD (electro wetting-on-dielectric) actuation physically splits a magnetic particle-rich region into an individual droplet. This in-droplet method will provide a new functionality of separation/concentration for digital (droplet-based) microfluidics, possibly allowing use of many magnetic-particles-based bio assays in digital microfluidics.
Anonymous Service Usage and Payment in Service-Based Systems

Computing services, such as web services and cloud services, for various applications have rapidly increased. One of the major concerns in using such service-based systems (SBS) is how to protect users' private and confidential information in the systems. Anonymization of users' identities and their transactions, which means anonymous service usage, is an effective way to provide such protection in SBS. Many approaches to anonymous service usage in various SBS have been introduced, but they have the problem that service providers cannot charge users properly or account for the service usage of users if the real identities of the users are hidden from the service providers. In this paper, an approach is presented to anonymous service usage in SBS and supporting users to pay their service usage without revealing their real identities.
α-Defensin as a predictor of periprosthetic shoulder infection

Background: Diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in revision shoulder arthroplasty can be challenging because of the indolent nature of the common offending organisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of synovial fluid a-defensin levels in identifying PJI of the shoulder. Methods: Thirty patients evaluated for painful shoulder arthroplasty were prospectively enrolled and underwentrevisionsurgery(n ¼33cases).Caseswerecategorizedintoinfection(n ¼11)andno-infection(n ¼22) groupsonthebasisofpreoperativeandintraoperativefindings.Synovialfluidwasobtainedfrompreoperative aspirations or intraoperative aspiration before arthrotomy. a-Defensin was tested by the Synovasure (CD Diagnostics, Wynnewood, PA, USA) test for joint infection. Synovial fluid was also obtained intraoperatively fromacontrolgroupundergoingarthroscopicrotatorcuffrepair(n ¼16)forbaselinedataonnormala-defensinlevelsintheshoulder.Areceiveroperatingcharacteristiccurvewasusedtodeterminethediagnosticutility of synovial fluid a-defensin. Results: Synovial a-defensin had an area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of 0.78, 63%, 95%, 12.1, and 0.38, respectively. There was a significant difference in a-defensin levels between the infection (median, 3.2 S/CO [signal to cutoff ratio]) and no-infection groups (median, 0.21 S/CO; P ¼.006). Synovial a-defensin was elevated in the presence of a culture positive for Propionibacterium acnes (median, 1.33 S/CO; P ¼.03) and showed moderate correlation with the number of positive cultures. Conclusion: Synovial fluid a-defensin was more effective than current diagnostic testing in predicting positive cultures and may be an effective adjunct in the workup of shoulder PJI. Level of evidence: Level III, Diagnostic Study. 2015 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees.
What Do We Know about Natural Resources and Civil War

Since the late 1990s, there has been a flood of research on natural resources and civil war. This article reviews 14 recent cross-national econometric studies, and many qualitative studies, that cast light on the relationship between natural resources and civil war. It suggests that collectively they imply four underlying regularities: first, oil increases the likelihood of conflict, particularly separatist conflict; second, ‘lootable’ commodities like gemstones and drugs do not make conflict more likely to begin, but they tend to lengthen existing conflicts; third, there is no apparent link between legal agricultural commodities and civil war; and finally, the association between primary commodities - a broad category that includes both oil and agricultural goods - and the onset of civil war is not robust. The first section discusses the evidence for these four regularities and examines some theoretical arguments that could explain them. The second section suggests that some of the remaining inconsistenc...
A new bonding technology using gold and tin multilayer composite structures

A bonding technology which utilizes chromium, gold, and tin and gold deposited directly on the backside of a device die to form a multilayer composite is reported. The substrate accepting the die is coated with chromium and gold layers. The die and the substrate are brought into contact and heated to 310-320 degrees C. Due to the unique feature of the gold-tin alloy system, the tin layer melts first and dissolves the gold layers of the composite to produce a solution mixed with solid, which in turn would dissolve a portion of the gold layer on the substrate to develop a near eutectic bonding. In the composite, since the tin layer is protected by an outer gold layer in the same vacuum cycle, tin oxidation, which is a major cause of difficulty in achieving quality bondings, is reduced. This technology thus eliminates the requirement of preforms, prevents tin oxidation, and provides precise control of the bonding thickness. Results of bonding 4-mm by 4-mm GaAs dice on alumina substrates show that high-quality bondings are obtained as determined by a scanning acoustic microscope (SAM). >
Facilitating Asian Students' Critical Thinking in Online Discussions.

The purpose of the study reported here is to illustrate how an approach based on a culturally appropriate ‘shepherd metaphor’ has helped Asian students to cross cultural boundaries and to engage in critical thinking online. Asian students are under different levels of influence from the Confucian Heritage Culture, which cultivates students to revere authority, maintain harmony and avoid conflicts in public. This has a significant impact on Asian students' cultural readiness to verbalise critical thinking. This paper partially reports research undertaken in a large English as a Foreign Language reading class in Taiwan, in which ‘shepherd leadership’ was practised. Shepherd leadership involves knowing students individually, offering cognitive modelling, exercising leadership and discipleship, encouraging student leadership and calling on silent students personally to get them to participate. This approach, concentrating on Asian students' affective needs, cognitive modelling, passing leadership to students and reaching out to silent ones, was found effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Gastrointestinal Tract Disease and Zinc Absorption: Cecal Coccidiosis

Abstract IT HAS generally been assumed that diseases of the intestinal tract interfere with nutrient absorption. Quantitative data have been lacking on the amount of absorptive impairment or the periods during the disease cycle when it occurred. Stafseth (1931) observed that rickets appeared more frequently or was more severe in birds suffering from coccidiosis. Erasmus et al. (1960) demonstrated decreased liver storage of vitamin A in chicks suffering from coccidiosis caused by a combination of E. tenella and E. acervulina. The decrease was particularly marked 1 week after the administration of the oocysts. These two reports suggest the occurrence of either absorptive impairment or excessive nutrient excretion in birds having coccidiosis. However, several groups (Edgar, 1958; McLoughlin et al., 1960; and Panda and Combs, 1964) have noted periods of increased rate of weight gain during recovery from coccidiosis. Panda and Combs (1964) suggested that this growth rate increase was due to …
Keynote speech: abstraction and the c++ machine model

C++ was designed to be a systems programming language and has been used for embedded systems programming and other resource-constrained types of programming since the earliest days. This paper will briefly discuss how C++'s basic model of computation and data supports time and space performance, hardware access, and predictability. If that was all we wanted, we could write assembler or C, so I show how these basic features interact with abstraction mechanisms (such as classes, inheritance, and templates) to control system complexity and improve correctness while retaining the desired predictability and performance.
Why Expecting Conflict Is Good

To understand whether young women's expectations of marriage-career role conflict may lead to strategic plans for combining roles and more successful role combination, data were analyzed from 117 women, primarily Caucasian, completing surveys in the Women's Life Paths Study in 1967 as college seniors and again in 1981. Seniors who wanted careers but anticipated conflict more often combined marriage and full-time career in 1981 than did those who wanted careers but expected no conflict. The latter combined marriage and career even less often than did those not initially wanting careers. Those who expected conflict asserted their career intentions with spouses, postponed childbearing, and had fewer children by 1981. Women not combining roles in 1981 most often reported conflict. Women with supportive partners less often reported conflict.
T33 : Blood-based biomarkers for lung cancer

Blood-derived biomarkers, such as circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), are a valuable source of molecular genetic data for tumours they spring from. In translational cancer research, the “liquid biopsy” concept has been put forward to denote the detection and molecular characterization of these biomarkers. The idea of liquid biopsy is based on a hypothesis that profiles of somatic mutations in CTCs and ctDNA are identical to those in the original tumour. Therefore, the mutation status of the source tumour can be revealed through the molecular analysis of the CTCs and ctDNA obtained from the blood. The major advantages of liquid biopsy are an essentially decreased invasiveness (no need for tissue biopsy, surgery or bronchoscopy) and an ability to carry out the analysis at patient’s follow up (e.g. to monitor for residual disease). However, both the CTCs and ctDNA are not abundant in the bloodstream and their capture is technically challenging. Also, due to tumour heterogeneity, the CTCs may not fully represent the entire tumour, while ctDNA is naturally fragmented and degraded, so its utility for genetic analysis may be limited. Finally, the DNA extracted from CTCs and, especially, ctDNA are “contaminated” by DNA from non-tumour cells from the bloodstream raising a challenge of detecting mutant DNA among significantly prevailing wild-type DNA. Some of these issues can be overcome by using such advanced techniques as BEAMing, digital PCR or ultra-deep sequencing, but their use in standard clinical settings is limited by the need for special equipment and associated costs. Inexpensive and less sophisticated, but still highly sensitive and specific, approaches, such as COLD-PCR or wild-type blocking PCR, are also available to detect “druggable” mutations in CTCs and ctDNA. Application of these approaches of liquid biopsy in clinical practice may be highly beneficial for personalized care of lung cancer patients.
Comparison of substance-use prevalence among Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospital Emergency Department patients to state and national general population prevalence estimates.

OBJECTIVES: Compare the prevalence of recent alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among patients from two Rhode Island emergency departments (EDs) to Rhode Island state and United States national general population estimates between 2010 and 2012. METHODS: Secondary analysis of ED patient data and the National Survey of Drug Use and Health. RESULTS: Alcohol was the most commonly reported substance, and prevalence of its use was higher among ED patients than those in the national, but not the Rhode Island, general population. Drug use was higher among ED patients than in the state and national general population. For ED patients, tobacco and opioid use was highest among 26–34 year-olds, alcohol and marijuana highest among 18–25 years-olds, and cocaine highest among 35–49 years-olds.