cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinematic Data Analysis for Post-Stroke Patients Following Bilateral Versus Unilateral Rehabilitation With an Upper Limb Wearable Robotic System

Robot-assisted stroke rehabilitation has become popular as one approach to helping patients recover function post-stroke. Robotic rehabilitation requires four important elements to match the robot to the patient: realistic biomechanical robotic elements, an assistive control scheme enabled through the human-robot interface, a task oriented rehabilitation program based on the principles of plasticity, and objective assessment tools to monitor change. This paper reports on a randomized clinical trial utilizing a complete robot-assisted rehabilitation system for the recovery of upper limb function in patients post-stroke. In this study, a seven degree-of-freedom (DOF) upper limb exoskeleton robot (UL-EXO7) is applied in a rehabilitation clinical trial for patients stable post-stroke (greater than six months). Patients had a Fugl-Meyer Score between 16-39, were mentally alert (19 on the VA Mini Mental Status Exam) and were between 27 and 70 years of age. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups: bilateral robotic training, unilateral robotic training, and usual care. This study is concerned with the changes in kinematics in the two robotic groups. Both patient groups played eight therapeutic video games over 12 sessions (90 min, two times a week). In each session, patients intensively played the different combination of video games that directly interacted with UL-EXO7 under the supervision of research assistant. At each session, all of the joint angle data was recorded for the evaluation of therapeutic effects. A new assessment metric is reported along with conventional metrics. The experimental result shows that both groups of patients showed consistent improvement with respect to the proposed and conventional metrics.
Protein fishing with chiral molecular baits.

Chirality plays a central role in various biological recognition processes. Here a methodology was developed to utilize chiral recognition processes for the selective biotinylation of proteins in crude cell lysates. Two pairs of diastereomeric probes containing benzophenone and biotin were prepared through solid-phase synthesis. Protein-binding selectivity of each probe was examined by photo-cross-linking of cell lysates, followed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The study revealed that our approach permits selective labeling of benzophenone-binding proteins in complex proteomes. In addition, it was found that the selectivity depends largely on a single chiral center and substitutions in the vicinity of benzophenone. Taken together, the current work demonstrates that chiral recognition process can be employed to selectively label proteins in complex proteomes. Thus the study opens up the possibility to expand the scope of chemical proteomics research for various applications, including biomarker discovery, drug screening and development. Chirality 17:332–337, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identification of intestinal-type Barrett's metaplasia by using the intestine-specific protein villin and esophageal brush cytology.

Villin is an actin-binding cytoskeletal protein required for brush-border formation in the normal small intestinal and renal proximal tubule epithelium. Villin is a marker of cell differentiation in small intestinal and renal cell lineages, and recent studies have shown villin to be highly expressed in 100% of intestinal-type Barrett’s metaplasias. This epithelium is the single greatest risk factor for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma and arises when the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced by a small intestine‐like columnar epithelium after damage by chronic gastroesophageal reflux. In intestinal-type Barrett’s metaplasia, the villin protein exhibits a highly characteristic staining pattern in which strong apical, brush-border staining of columnar epithelial cells is observed. In this study, the ability to identify intestinal metaplastic cells by using this distinct villin staining pattern was examined in endoscopic esophageal brushings from patients with confirmed Barrett’s metaplasia. Esophageal brushings from 81% (17 of 21) of patients with Barrett’s metaplasia demonstrated individual columnar cells with the characteristic villin staining pattern, whereas all normal esophageal squamous cells, blood cells, and gastric columnar cells were negative for villin expression. Northern blot analysis demonstrated villin mRNA expression in Barrett’s metaplasia but not in the normal squamous esophagus or gastric mucosa from the same patients. The combined use of villin immunohistochemical analysis and esophageal brush cytology may provide a simple and effective method of detecting intestinal-type Barrett’s metaplasia in patients at higher risk for developing this epithelium, such as those experiencing chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Mol. Carcinog. 24:137‐143, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How international arbitration bridges global markets in transition economies

The five feature articles discuss current principles that are essential for business ADR practice regardless of where it is taking place. Lucy V. Katz of Fairfield, Conn., leads off at right with insights into how arbitration practice is helping open up markets in China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam—not traditionally hospitable markets for Western companies, to put it mildly.
Experimental Calibration and Validation of Fault Diagnosis and Prognosis Algorithms for Automotive Electric Power Generation and Storage System

This paper is a continuation of the work on the model-based fault diagnosis for the automotive electric power generation system (EPGS) presented in [5]. Based on the previous work on the subject, a new and optimized fault diagnosis algorithm for the EPGS system is developed. In this paper, the thresholds for the diagnosis algorithm are selected and calibrated based on experimental data. The test bench used for the calibration and validation process is discussed. Finally the effectiveness of the fault diagnosis algorithm and threshold selection is validated using experimental data collected from the test bench.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A Bounded Variable Approach to the Optimum Slider Bearing

Contemporary methods for treating inequality constraints in the calculus of variations are employed to determine the maximum load-capacity one-dimensional slider bearing using a lubricant with pressure-dependent viscosity. A lower bound on the minimum film thickness is put into equational form to facilitate the use of the Euler-Lagrange equations, the corner conditions, and the Weierstrass E-function. It is found that, for typical lubricants, the slider bearing contains only one step separting two values of the film thickness. It is shown also that there exist cases for which a solution cannot be obtained to describe a real situation.
Sequential gradient-restoration algorithm for optimal control problems with general boundary conditions

This paper considers the numerical solution of two classes of optimal control problems, called Problem P1 and Problem P2 for easy identification. Problem P1 involves a functionalI subject to differential constraints and general boundary conditions. It consists of finding the statex(t), the controlu(t), and the parameter π so that the functionalI is minimized, while the constraints and the boundary conditions are satisfied to a predetermined accuracy. Problem P2 extends Problem P1 to include nondifferential constraints to be satisfied everywhere along the interval of integration. Algorithms are developed for both Problem P1 and Problem P2. The approach taken is a sequence of two-phase cycles, composed of a gradient phase and a restoration phase. The gradient phase involves one iteration and is designed to decrease the value of the functional, while the constraints are satisfied to first order. The restoration phase involves one or more iterations and is designed to force constraint satisfaction to a predetermined accuracy, while the norm squared of the variations of the control, the parameter, and the missing components of the initial state is minimized. The principal property of both algorithms is that they produce a sequence of feasible suboptimal solutions: the functions obtained at the end of each cycle satisfy the constraints to a predetermined accuracy. Therefore, the values of the functionalI corresponding to any two elements of the sequence are comparable. The stepsize of the gradient phase is determined by a one-dimensional search on the augmented functionalJ, while the stepsize of the restoration phase is obtained by a one-dimensional search on the constraint errorP. The gradient stepsize and the restoration stepsize are chosen so that the restoration phase preserves the descent property of the gradient phase. Therefore, the value of the functionalI at the end of any complete gradient-restoration cycle is smaller than the value of the same functional at the beginning of that cycle. The algorithms presented here differ from those of Refs. 1 and 2, in that it is not required that the state vector be given at the initial point. Instead, the initial conditions can be absolutely general. In analogy with Refs. 1 and 2, the present algorithms are capable of handling general final conditions; therefore, they are suited for the solution of optimal control problems with general boundary conditions. Their importance lies in the fact that many optimal control problems involve initial conditions of the type considered here. Six numerical examples are presented in order to illustrate the performance of the algorithms associated with Problem P1 and Problem P2. The numerical results show the feasibility as well as the convergence characteristics of these algorithms.
Vibration Control of Piezoelectric Actuator by Implementation of Optical Positioning Sensor

PZT bimorph actuator is used to design mini-sized vibratory feeder applied in the micro-medical industry. Since the vibration trajectory of PZT bimorph actuator will be controlled to obtain desired parts feeding, optical positioning sensor is used to provide non-contact measurement with precise displacement. Because the torsional vibration causes the rotary motion of the actuator, the angle between the optical sensor and the PZT plate is subjected to change during the vibration procedure. Optical loss due to a varying reflection angle is compensated by multiple-segment micrometer calibration. Satisfactory hysteresis suppression and good waveform tracking is obtained with implementation of optical sensor in piezo-actuating system.
"An Old Sailor's Lament": Herman Melville, the Stone Fleet, and the Judgment of History

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the blockade of southern ports. A fleet of aged whale ships loaded with stone was sent to Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, and sunk at the mouths of the harbors in an unsuccessful attempt to block them. Melville’s poem, “The Stone Fleet,” written in the voice of an old sailor, mourns the loss of the vessels. Its embittered final words damn those who ordered the death of the ships and pronounce the entire enterprise an utter failure. Melville’s note to the poem states: “All accounts seem to agree that the object proposed was not accomplished. The channel is even said to have become ultimately benefited by the means employed to obstruct it.” The following examines the accuracy of Melville’s assessment and investigates the conception and execution of the plan. It considers the strategic results and monetary and diplomatic costs. Concurrently it reveals Melville’s ties to several of the ships and his interest in their fate. 1 The sinking of the Stone Fleet is a brief episode in a long conflict, so why did it resonate so profoundly for Melville? Perhaps Melville saw himself in the old ships sunk and lost, “And all for naught” (31).
World Grant Universities: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century

Keeping core land-grant values relevant to society's changing needs fuels greater societal prosperity—prosperity that is sustainable, prosperity that is anchored in the common good, prosperity that...
Design and characterization of sulfobetaine-containing terpolymer biomaterials

A methacrylic terpolymer system with non-fouling interfacial properties was synthesized by the random copolymerization of hexyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate and sulfobetaine methacrylate (a monomer bearing a zwitterionic pendant group). Polymers were synthesized from feeds containing 0-15 mol.% of the zwitterion-containing methacrylate. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance verified the incorporation of sulfobetaine methacrylate into the polymer structure. Water absorption studies illustrate that the hydrophilicity of the material increases with increasing zwitterion concentration. The biological properties of the polymer were probed by fibrinogen adsorption, human umbilical vein endothelial cell adhesion and growth, and platelet adhesion. Strong resistance to protein adsorption and cell and platelet attachment was observed on materials synthesized from 15 mol.% sulfobetaine methacrylate. Results were compared to the non-fouling behavior of a PEGylated terpolymer formulation and it was observed that the poly(ethylene glycol)-containing materials were slightly more effective at resisting human umbilical vein endothelial cell adhesion and growth over a 7 day incubation period, but the zwitterion-containing materials were equally effective at resisting fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion. The zwitterion-containing materials were electrospun into three-dimensional random fiber scaffolds. Materials synthesized from 15 mol.% of the zwitterion-containing monomer retained their non-fouling character after fabrication into scaffolds.
Food procurement and transport by human and non-human predators

Abstract This study investigates food procurement and transport habits of a variety of large social predators in order to develop reliable criteria for identifying hunting and scavenging strategies of hominids from Pleistocene archaeofaunas. The study is concerned with ungulates in the intermediate body size range and focuses upon anatomical composition of bone accumulations in natural shelters. The comparisons document strong links between predator strategies, assemblage size and anatomical content, and some spatial characteristics of food supply. By using non-human predator behaviours as an independent source of measurement, the study demonstrates significant niche separation between Middle and Upper Paleolithic hominids in Mediterranean Europe. Implications for actualistic studies of food transport by modern humans are discussed in light of these findings.
A Light Source for the Primary Standard of Wave-Length*

A light source for the red cadmium line, 6438.4696 IA, was developed in which the important objections against the cadmium lamp of Michelson type were eliminated. The intensity of the standard line was strong as shown by the short exposure time required to produce an interferometer spectrogram. The effective light-emitting area was 50 × 2.5 mm2 which was large enough to cover most spectrograph slits. The cadmium standard line was narrow as shown by the interferometer spectrograms. The Doppler-effect broadening was reduced by means of observing the light in a direction perpendicular to that of the discharge current.
Effects of tributary debris on the longitudinal profile of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon

[1] The Colorado River in Grand Canyon has long been known as a “rapids-and-pools” river, with the rapids owing their existence primarily to tributary debris flows. The debris flows deposit subaerial debris fans that constrict the channel laterally and, when they enter the river, raise the bed elevation. The rapids are short-wavelength (∼0.1 to ∼1 km), small-amplitude (≤ ∼5 m) convexities in the river's longitudinal profile, arising from the shallow gradient in the upstream pool and the steep gradient through the rapid itself. Analysis of the entire longitudinal profile through Grand Canyon reveals two long-wavelength (∼100 km), large-amplitude (15–30 m) river profile convexities: the eastern canyon convexity between river mile (RM) 30 and RM 80 and the western canyon convexity between RM 150 and RM 250. Convexities of intermediate scale are also identified in the longitudinal profile. These longer-wavelength, larger-amplitude convexities have strong spatial correlations with high rates of debris flow occurrence, high densities of Holocene debris fans, the largest debris fans along the river, and alluvial thicknesses of 10 m or more. River profile convexities are unstable and require an active and powerful geologic process to maintain them, in this case the abundant, frequent, and voluminous Holocene debris flow activity in Grand Canyon. At all wavelengths the most likely cause for these river profile convexities is Holocene aggradation of the riverbed beneath them, driven by the coarse particles of tributary debris flows. Large enough debris flows will slow river flow for kilometers upstream, causing it to drop much of its suspended load. Integrated over time and all of the tributary point source contributions, this process will build short-wavelength convexities into long-wavelength convexities. For most if not all of the Holocene the Colorado River has been dissipating most of its energy in the rapids and expending the remainder in transporting fine sediment through Grand Canyon, with little or no regional incision of bedrock.
Food appropriateness measures as an adjunct to consumer preference/acceptability evaluation

Abstract Twenty-nine laboratory taste tests were conducted, each with from 27 to 38 consumers. During each test, one or more food products were tested for preference/acceptability and then rated for their appropriateness in 10 different use situations. Additional tests were conducted to assess any biasing effect of collecting the appropriateness data on the obtained acceptance ratings and the applicability of appropriateness scaling to conceptual products. Results indicated that: (1) appropriateness ratings had very similar patterns for products that varied little in basic physical properties that might influence use; (2) there were significant differences among products in their appropriateness ratings for certain use situations, enabling useful distinction of the products; (3) products that did not differ in preference/acceptability had significant differences in their appropriateness for certain food use situations; (4) the testing procedure was equally effective for use with actual and conceptual products; and (5) there was no evidence of a preference-appropriateness interaction effect. It is concluded that appropriateness ratings can be obtained in taste tests without jeopardizing the validity of preference/ acceptability judgments. In addition, appropriateness judgments obtained as part of routine sensory evaluation can provide valuable information to guide product development and to maximize product utility in the intended use situation.
Facilitated Transport of the Neurotoxin, β-N-Methylamino-l-Alanine, Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

beta-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxic plant amino acid that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the high incidence amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related parkinsonism dementia of the western Pacific. Previous studies have demonstrated that BMAA is taken up into brain following intravenous or oral administration. To examine the kinetics and mechanism of brain transfer, BMAA influx across the blood-brain barrier was measured in rats using an in situ brain perfusion technique. BMAA influx was found to be saturable with a maximal transfer rate (Vmax) of 1.6 +/- 0.3 x 10(-3) mumol/s/g and a half-saturation constant (Km) of 2.9 +/- 0.7 mM based on total perfusate BMAA concentration. Uptake was sodium independent and inhibitable by excess L-leucine, but not by L-lysine, L-glutamate, or methylaminoisobutyric acid, indicative of transfer by the cerebrovascular large neutral amino acid carrier. L-BMAA competitively reduced brain influx of L-[14C]leucine, as expected for cross-inhibition. The results demonstrate that BMAA is taken up into brain by the large neutral amino acid carrier of the blood-brain barrier and suggest that uptake may be sensitive to the same factors that affect neutral amino acid transport, such as diet, metabolism, disease, and age.
Transmission line analysis of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures

This paper presents transmission line analysis of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures, using ABCD matrices, and derives the required condition for the EBG resonance. This analysis can be applied to both regular uniform EBG structures and stacked EBG structures. The analysis assumes normal plane wave incidence and uses transmission line theory to calculate the surface impedance of the EBG structure and calculates the required condition.
Perception of Equine Practitioners Regarding the Occurrence of Selected Equine Neurologic Diseases in the Northeast Over a 10-Year Period

A survey was developed to examine the perception of equine practitioners regarding the occurrence of five equine neurologic diseases in the northeastern United States over the 10-year period between June 1, 1997 and June 1, 2007. This information was then compared with trends at Cornell University’s Equine Hospital duringthesametimespan,whichingeneralagreedwithpractitioners’ opinions. Equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) neurologic disease, equine motor neuron disease (EMND),andequineprotozoalmyelitis(EPM)havehistoric and current relevance. Results showed that the frequency of EMND and EPM has remained relatively stationary ordecreasedsomewhat,whereasthe frequency of the neurologic strain of EHV-1 may have increased slightly over the last decade. Less historical information on clinical disease associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection (Lyme disease) and Parelaphostrongylus tenuis exists;however,resultssuggestthatP.tenuisintheequine is presently emergent. Opinions regarding the existence and rate of occurrence of clinical borreliosis in horses appear divided. A better understanding of the frequency withwhich these diseases occur, aswell aspossibleassociatedpositiveriskfactors,willaidtheequinepractitionerin making an appropriate diagnosis in cases of neurologic disease in their equine patients.
The eight-minute halting problem

After years of presumed emphasis of CS theory in the curriculum, it is currently in vogue to downplay, if not disparage, a significant role for theoretical issues. This is being done with such vigor, however, that some are advocating an abandonment of even such topics as unsolvability as being no longer fundamental to a well-educated computing professional. An appeal is made, using the universal acknowledgment of the importance of the liberal arts to any well-educated person, to assert that certain theoretical topics are part of our liberal arts heritage. Moreover, students find even a brief presentation of these topics to be very illuminating.
U.S. Higher Education Regional Accreditation Commission Standards and the Centrality of Engagement

This study addressed the research question “How do regional accrediting standards apply to the central role of community engagement in U.S. institutions of higher education?” Using descriptive and qualitative methods, two sources were analyzed: published standards of the 6 regional accrediting commissions in the United States and the transcript of a panel discussion in which leaders from 4 of these 6 commissions shared their views on “engagement and regional accreditation.” From these analyses, 4 themes emerged: (1) the institutional determination of community engagement mission and goals, (2) community engagement in educational programs and student learning, (3) institutional effectiveness and community engagement, and (4) faculty scholarship relating to community engagement. The article concludes with recommendations for institutional practices and supporting evidence to submit to regional accreditation commissions indicating the centrality of engagement in institutional missions. Recommendations are also made regarding peer evaluator training, faculty scholarship, and civic democracy.
Engineering Policies for Secure Interorganizational Information Flow

Information flow between organizations has increased tremendously in recent years, for example in information federations of closely cooperating partners in a value chain. With this intensified exchange, information security becomes a major issue. In particular, coordinated access control policies must be derived by multiple organizations in a systematic fashion. However, current access-control modeling methodologies do not sufficiently address interorganizational information flow. In order to close this gap, we provide a methodology for engineering access control policies between multiple organizations, which is motivated and exemplified by a case study on information federation in the industrial service sector. Furthermore, we present a tool-supported approach for semi-automatic generation of interorganizational role-based access control policies derived from graphical business process models.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus arthritis in adults: case report and review of the literature

Objective Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septic arthritis has emerged over the past 25 years as an increasingly prevalent and serious infection. We sought to characterize the clinical features of MRSA septic arthritis in adult patients. Methods We report a case of community-acquired fatal MRSA septic arthritis of the hip and analyze the clinical features of 56 additional adult patients with native-joint MRSA septic arthritis identified through a systematic literature review. Results Among 56 previously reported cases of MRSA native-joint septic arthritis, 42 were men, 14 had polyarticular infections, 5 were previously healthy individuals with community-acquired infections, and 8 had a fatal outcome. The most frequent predisposing factor was a preexisting rheumatologic condition. The knees and shoulders were most commonly affected. Conclusions MRSA native-joint septic arthritis is a predominantly male disease that is usually nosocomial in origin but can occur rarely in health care–naive patients. A preexisting rheumatic disease is the most common predisposition. Community-acquired MRSA septic arthritis can be fatal. Cultures should be performed promptly, to identify potential antibiotic resistance. Patients presenting with both community-acquired and nosocomial septic arthritis should receive initial antibiotic treatment that includes coverage for MRSA.
Leaf absorptance of photosynthetically active radiation in relation to chlorophyll meter estimates among woody plant species

Abstract The quantum yield of photosystem II, determined by chlorophyll fluorescence and the quantum yield of CO 2 uptake, determined from gas exchange, are two physiologically important measurements in clarifying the response to environmental stress. Both measurements, however, require an accurate assessment of leaf light absorption in the photosynthetically active radiation wavelength range (400–700 nm). To date, integrating sphere and field-portable spectroradiometer measurements of leaf reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance are time consuming, costly, and cumbersome. It is therefore desirable to determine if SPAD meter chlorophyll concentration estimates could be used in lieu of an integrating sphere and field-portable spectroradiometer for determining leaf reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance in woody plant species. An integrating sphere and field-portable spectroradiometer were used to measure reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance of leaf samples at 2 nm intervals between 400 and 700 nm. A paired SPAD 502 hand-held chlorophyll estimate was also determined for each sample. Regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between the SPAD estimate and leaf transmittance and absorptance. The reflectance relationship, although still present, was not as accurate. The study indicates that the SPAD meter could be used to provide a rapid estimate of leaf absorbance and transmittance in the 400–700 nm wavelength range in woody plant species.
Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection treated with prosthesis removal and delayed reimplantation arthroplasty.

Objective To estimate in patients with Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) the microorganism-specific cumulative probability of treatment failure after prosthesis removal and delayed reimplantation arthroplasty. Patients and Methods All patients with S aureus THA or TKA infection, according to a strict case definition, who were treated with prosthesis removal and delayed reimplantation arthroplasty at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1980 and 1991 were identified. The study group comprised patients who were free of infection at the time of reimplantation arthroplasty. This cohort was followed up until treatment failure, infection with another organism, prosthesis removal, death, or loss to follow-up occurred. The Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of treatment failure. Results Among 120 S aureus prosthetic joint infections treated with prosthesis removal during the study period, 38 episodes (22 THA, 16 TKA) in 36 patients met the study inclusion criteria. After a median of 7.4 years (range, 0.9 year-16.4 years) of follow-up, treatment failure occurred in 1 (2.6 %) of 38 episodes 1.4 years after reimplantation arthroplasty. The 5-year cumulative probability of treatment failure was 2.8% (95% confidence interval, 0%-8.2%). Conclusions These data suggest that prosthesis removal and delayed reimplantation arthroplasty is an effective treatment to limit the recurrence of S aureus prosthetic joint infection, provided there is no evidence of infection at the time of reimplantation arthroplasty.
A computational method for optimal control of hybrid systems using differential transformation

A computational method based on differential transformation is proposed for optimal control of hybrid systems with a predefined switching sequence. Using differential transformation, the optimality conditions of hybrid systems are transformed into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. The numerical optimal solution is computed in the form of a finite-term series of a chosen basis system. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated through a numerical example. The error of the numerical solution is also discussed.
Analysis of Fluid Flows via Spectral Properties of the Koopman Operator

This article reviews theory and applications of Koopman modes in fluid mechanics. Koopman mode decomposition is based on the surprising fact, discovered in Mezic (2005), that normal modes of linear oscillations have their natural analogs—Koopman modes—in the context of nonlinear dynamics. To pursue this analogy, one must change the representation of the system from the state-space representation to the dynamics governed by the linear Koopman operator on an infinite-dimensional space of observables. Whereas Koopman in his original paper dealt only with measure-preserving transformations, the discussion here is predominantly on dissipative systems arising from Navier-Stokes evolution. The analysis is based on spectral properties of the Koopman operator. Aspects of point and continuous parts of the spectrum are discussed. The point spectrum corresponds to isolated frequencies of oscillation present in the fluid flow, and also to growth rates of stable and unstable modes. The continuous part of the spectrum c...
Wireless in the enterprise: requirements, solutions and research directions

In the last few years, wireless networking has seen considerable interest among service providers, users, vendors and content developers. Significant advances have been made in devices, applications, middleware and networking infrastructure. With wireless becoming such a mainstream technology, there is a growing interest in increasing its usage in the enterprise environment. Before wireless solutions can be deployed widely, the requirements of the enterprise environment and capabilities and limitations of wireless technologies must be addressed. In this study, we analyse and discuss the enterprise requirements and how such requirements can be met by the current and emerging wireless infrastructure. In particular, the major requirements are dependability, security, coverage, ease-of-use, devices, network interoperability and cost. Some of these requirements are addressed in the paper, and we also present a dependable, secure and scalable solution for the emerging wireless enterprise. Since this is an emerging area, we present several possible approaches to conduct research in wireless enterprise.
Changes in Photosynthate Unloading from Perfused Seed Coats of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Induced by Osmoticum and Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA)

Photosynthate unloading in Phaseolus vulgaris L. seed coats was studied by treating perfused seed coats with differing concentrations of an osmoticum and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). Large changes in osmoticum concentration typically produced rapid changes in efflux of unlabelled sugar and steady-state-labelled l4C-photosynthat e. Osmoticum-ind uced changes in photosynthate efflux were caused by phloem import stimulation at low cell turgor and net efflux stimulation by high cell turgor. Even though rapid changes in sugar and tracer efflux were often induced by osmoticum treatments, the specific activity of sugar released from seed coats was not greatly affected by these treatments and was similar to the specific activity of sugar remaining in the seed coat after perfusion. Thus, tracer was transported from the phloem throughout the seed coat sugar pool before it was released to the apoplast. This result is most consistent with symplastic phloem unloading throughout perfused seed coats, because apoplastic transport between cells within the seed coat was blocked by perfusion. Photosynthate efflux was stimulated by simultaneous treatment of seed coats with EDTA and different concentrations of an osmoticum; loss of photosynthate from seed coats did not appear to be tissue-specific.
Complications and Functional Results after Ileoanal Pouch Formation in Obese Patients

Ileoanal pouch formation (IPAA) can be technically challenging in obese patients, and there is little data evaluating results after the procedure in these patients. We compare outcomes for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 undergoing IPAA when compared with those for patients with BMI <30. Retrospective analysis of prospectively accrued data for patients with BMI ≥30 undergoing IPAA. Patient and disease-related characteristics, complications, long-term function, and quality of life (QOL) using the Cleveland Global Quality of Life scale (CGQL) were determined for this group of patients (group B) and compared with those for patients with BMI <30 (group A). Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare quantitative or ordinal data and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables. Long-term mortality and complication rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method with group comparisons performed using log rank tests. There were 345 patients (median BMI 32.7) in group B and 1,671 patients in group A. When the cumulative risk of complications over 15 years was compared, group B patients had a significantly higher chance of getting a complication (94.9% vs 88%, p = 0.006). The rates of pelvic sepsis (6.7% vs 5.3%, p = 0.3), pouchitis (58.1 vs 54.4%, p = 0.9), pouch failure (6% vs 4.5%, p = 0.9), and hemorrhage (5.6% vs 4.8%, p = 0.7) were similar for group B and group A. Group B patients, however, had a significantly higher risk of the development of wound infection (18.8% vs 8.1%, p < 0.001) and anastomotic separation (10.4% vs 5.4%, p < 0.001), whereas group A patients had a higher rate of development of obstruction over time (26.7% vs 22.3%, p = 0.02). Long-term outcome including QOL and function after 15 years was comparable between groups. Although technically demanding, IPAA can be undertaken in obese patients with acceptable morbidity. Good long-term functional results and QOL that is comparable to nonobese patients may be anticipated.
Optimizing Noncovalent Interactions Between Lignin and Synthetic Polymers to Develop Effective Compatibilizers

Experiments are designed and completed to identify an effective polymeric compatibilizer for lignin–polystyrene blends. Copolymers of styrene and vinylphenol are chosen as the structure of the compatibilizer as the VPh unit can readily form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the lignin molecule. Electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and neutron reflectivity results demonstrate that among these compatibilizers, a copolymer of styrene and VPh with ≈20%–30% VPh most readily forms intermolecular interactions with the lignin molecule and results in the most well-dispersed blends with lignin. This behavior is explained by invoking the competition of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and functional group accessibility in forming intermolecular interactions.
Effects of contextual factors on image searching on the Web

This research examined college students' image searching processes on the Web. The study's objective was to collect empirical data on students' search needs and identify what contextual factors had a significant influence on their image searching tactics. While confirming common search behaviors such as Google-dominant use, short queries, rare use of advanced search options, and checking few search result pages, the findings also revealed a significantly different effect of contextual factors on the tactics of querying and navigating, performance, and relevance judgment. In particular, interaction activities were differentiated by task goals, level of searching expertise, and work task stages. The results suggested that context-sensitive services and interface features would better suit Web users' actual needs and enhance their searching experience. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Potential role for CA-SP in nucleating retroviral capsid maturation

During virion maturation, the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) capsid protein is cleaved from the Gag protein as the proteolytic intermediate CA-SP. Further trimming at two C-terminal sites removes the spacer peptide (SP), producing the mature capsid proteins CA and CA-S. Abundant genetic and structural evidence shows that the SP plays a critical role in stabilizing hexameric Gag interactions that form immature particles. Freeing of CA-SP from Gag breaks immature interfaces and initiates the formation of mature capsids. The transient persistence of CA-SP in maturing virions and the identification of second-site mutations in SP that restore infectivity to maturation-defective mutant viruses led us to hypothesize that SP may play an important role in promoting the assembly of mature capsids. This study presents a biophysical and biochemical characterization of CA-SP and its assembly behavior. Our results confirm cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures reported previously by Keller et al. (J. Virol. 87:13655–13664, 2013, doi:10.1128/JVI.01408-13) showing that monomeric CA-SP is fully capable of assembling into capsid-like structures identical to those formed by CA. Furthermore, SP confers aggressive assembly kinetics, which is suggestive of higher-affinity CA-SP interactions than observed with either of the mature capsid proteins. This aggressive assembly is largely independent of the SP amino acid sequence, but the formation of well-ordered particles is sensitive to the presence of the N-terminal β-hairpin. Additionally, CA-SP can nucleate the assembly of CA and CA-S. These results suggest a model in which CA-SP, once separated from the Gag lattice, can actively promote the interactions that form mature capsids and provide a nucleation point for mature capsid assembly. IMPORTANCE The spacer peptide is a documented target for antiretroviral therapy. This study examines the biochemical and biophysical properties of CA-SP, an intermediate form of the retrovirus capsid protein. The results demonstrate a previously unrecognized activity of SP in promoting capsid assembly during maturation.
Synergistic tumor promoter effects of estrone and progesterone in methylnitrosourea-induced rat mammary cancer.

Abstract Tumor promoter effects of steroid hormones were tested in ovariectomized rats treated with the tumor initiator, methylnitrosourea. Continuous treatment with low doses of estrone induced tumor in 55% of experimental animals while intact control animals had a 96–100% incidence. Although progesterone alone produced no tumors in ovariectomized, methylnitrosourea-treated animals, estrone and progesterone acted synergistically, inducing tumorigenesis in 88% of treated rats. These results point to an important interaction between estrogens and progestins in promoting mammary tumorigenesis.
Changes in Attitudes Toward Cesarean Birth

Objective To compare the findings of three studies of women's responses to planned and unplanned cesarean birth. Design Descriptive. Setting Private obstetric practices, childbirth education classes, and hospital postpartum units. Participants Study 1: 24 women who had cesarean deliveries between 1973 and 1980; Study 2: 15 women who delivered in 1981–82; Study 3: 173 women who delivered in 1989–90. Main outcome measure Qualitative data were obtained by an investigator‐developed open‐ended questionnaire that was mailed to participants after cesarean delivery. Results The findings from the three studies indicate that the dominant responses to cesarean birth are happiness and excitement about the newborn, accompanied by disappointment about having to have a cesarean delivery. The women in Study 1 expressed the highest proportion of ineffective responses and the lowest proportion of adaptive responses (p = .0003), whereas the women in Studies 2 and 3 expressed approximately equal percentages of adaptive and ineffective responses. Women who had unplanned cesarean deliveries had a lower percentage of adaptive responses and a higher percentage of ineffective responses than those who had planned cesarean deliveries (p l .05). Women who had regional anesthesia had more adaptive responses than those who had general anesthesia (p = . 0217). Conclusion The findings suggest that women who deliver‐by cesarean section require continued attention and sensitive care that takes into account their special needs for information, for the presence of their partners throughout the birth experience, and for sustained contact with their newborn.
Formation of Carbamate Anions by the Gas-phase Reaction of Anilide Ions with CO2

The anilide anion (m/z 92) generated directly from aniline, or indirectly as a fragmentation product of deprotonated acetanilide, captures CO2 readily to form the carbamate anion (m/z 136) in the collision cell, when CO2 is used as the collision gas in a tandem-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The gas-phase affinity of the anilide ion to CO2 is significantly higher than that of the phenoxide anion (m/z 93), which adds to CO2 only very sluggishly. Our results suggest that the efficacy of CO2 capture depends on the natural charge density on the nitrogen atom, and relative nucleophilicity of the anilide anion. Generally, conjugate bases generated from aniline derivatives with proton affinities (PA) less than 350 kcal/mol do not tend to add CO2 to form gaseous carbamate ions. For example, the anion generated from p-methoxyaniline (PA = 367 kcal/mol) reacts significantly faster than that obtained from p-nitroaniline (PA = 343 kcal/mol). Although deprotonated p-aminobenzoic acid adds very poorly because the negative charge is now located primarily on the carboxylate group, it reacts more efficiently with CO2 if the carboxyl group is esterified. Moreover, mixture of CO2 and He as the collision gas was found to afford more efficient adduct formation than CO2 alone, or as mixtures made with nitrogen or argon, because helium acts as an effective “cooling” gas and reduces the internal energy of reactant ions.
Sinonasal small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a systematic review of 80 patients

Background The objective of this study was to review the published literature related to sinonasal small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SCNECs). Clinical presentation, demographics, treatment, and outcomes of this uncommon disease are reported. Methods A systematic review of studies for sinonasal SCNECs in PubMed and Ovid databases from 1970 to 2014 was conducted. Bibliographies of selected articles were also examined. Articles were examined for patient data that reported disease outcome. Results Thirty-four articles were included in this analysis, comprising a total of 80 cases. The mean age of presentation was 53.0 years. Nasal obstruction (53.8%) and epistaxis (48.8%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The nasal cavity and septum (32.5%) was the most common site of involvement. Seventy percent of patients presented with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IV disease. Combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy was the most common treatment modality, used in 21 cases (26.3%). The second and third most common treatment modalities was combination surgery and chemoradiation therapy (21.3%), and surgery alone (18.8%), respectively. A total of 37 patients (46.3%) were alive after a mean follow-up of 30.8 months (median 15.5 months), independent of treatment modality. Of the treatment modalities, multimodality therapy remained the most common therapy. Conclusion This review contains the largest pool of sinonasal SCNEC patients to date. Sinonasal SCNEC is a rare and aggressive neoplasm, and there is currently no standard of care for treatment. Various treatment modalities have been employed. Our systematic review suggests that multimodality therapy remains the most common treatment of sinonasal SCNEC.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the efficacy of leuprolide acetate depot in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata.

Thirty-eight premenopausal women with uterine leiomyomata were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of depot leuprolide acetate (LA), a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, in decreasing uterine volume. Eighteen women received intramuscular (IM) depot LA 3.75mg every 4weeks for 24weeks (group A); 20 women received IM placebo with the same injection schedule (group B). Group A patients had a mean reduction in pretreatment uterine volume from 505±93 cu cm (mean±standard error of the mean) to 305±57 cu cm after 12weeks ( P P P
Are there interregional differences in the response of cigarette smoking to state cigarette excise taxes in the USA? Exploratory analysis

Within the context of the period fixed-effects model, this study uses a 2002–2009 state-level panel data set of the USA to investigate the relative impact of state cigarette excise taxation across the nation in reducing cigarette smoking. In particular, by focusing upon the state cigarette excise taxation levels within each of the nine US Census Divisions, this study investigates whether there are inter-regional differences in the rate of responsiveness of cigarette consumption to increased state cigarette taxes. The initial empirical estimates reveal that although the per capita number of packs of cigarettes smoked annually is a decreasing function of the state cigarette excise tax in all nine Census Regions, the relative response of cigarette smoking to state cigarette tax increases varies considerably from one region to the next. Reinforcing this conclusion, in one specification of the model, the number of packs of cigarettes smoked in response to a higher state cigarette tax is statistically significa...