cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Removal of electroanalytical interferences using thermodynamic and kinetic effects induced by in situ electrogeneration of protons

Abstract This articles describes a new method to resolve overlapped voltammetric peaks by selectively shifting the redox potential E °′ of a target species in a mixture. The shift is due to a combined kinetic and thermodynamic effect induced by H + electrogenerated in situ. The H + are produced from a sacrificial source which is present in solution and could be the solvent or an added reagent. The principle implemented in this work, relies on the notion whereby the Δ G ° or E °′ of a reaction can be favorably shifted through stabilization of a product by a subsequent reaction that contributes with negative Δ G ° (in this case the protonation of a base produced in the electrochemical step). The selectivity in the redox shift occurs due to a significant difference in the rates at which H + stabilizes the formation of protonated products for the electrochemical reactions in the mixture. Literature and estimated values of rate constants support the conclusion that the kinetics of the subsequent protonation reaction is what determines the appearance of the shift. A magnitude difference of about 10 10 in the rate constants for the protonation reactions was found for the two model compounds considered for this proof of concept.
Effect of obesity on recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone absorption: subcutaneous versus intramuscular administration

Abstract Objective To determine whether recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) should be administered intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC) to obese women. Design Randomized, single-center, two-way crossover study. Setting Academic clinical research center. Subject(s) Nineteen healthy women of reproductive age with body mass indices of 19.9 kg/m 2 –42.8 kg/m 2 . Intervention(s) Leuprolide acetate 3.75 mg IM to achieve pituitary down-regulation as determined by serum E 2 levels. Subjects were then given a single dose of 300 IU rFSH either IM or SC. Multiple blood sampling was performed over the next two weeks, and after retreatment with leuprolide, a second 300 IU rFSH dose was given via the other administration route. Main outcome measure(s) Serum samples were analyzed in duplicate for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) using a standard radioimmunoassay in a single run. Maximum concentrations (C max ), times to C max (T max ), and extent of absorption (area under curve [AUC]) with IM vs. SC administration were compared using paired analysis. Result(s) Maximal concentrations were achieved within 24 hours with both SC and IM routes. No significant differences were found in C max , T max , or AUC with SC vs. IM administration. A decline of AUC occurred among subjects of higher body mass index (BMI) with rFSH given either SC or IM. Subcutaneous administration achieved AUCs comparable to IM administration in both normal-weight and obese subjects. Conclusion(s) Our data indicate that the SC administration of rFSH is appropriate for women regardless of body mass.
Full convergence of sequential local regularization methods for Volterra inverse problems

Local regularization methods for ill-posed linear Volterra equations have been shown to be efficient regularization procedures preserving the causal structure of the Volterra problem and allowing for sequential solution methods. However questions posed recently in Ring and Prix (2000 Inverse Problems 16 619–34) raise doubts as to whether such methods are convergent for problems which are more than just mildly ill-posed. In this paper we address these questions by reformulating the local regularization method via the use of signed Borel measures instead of the positive Borel measures used in earlier approaches. The result is a new theory for the local regularization of ν-smoothing Volterra problems for which stability and convergence is assured for all ν = 1, 2, .... In this paper we discuss this new local regularization theory for general finitely smoothing Volterra problems and demonstrate convergence and stability of the resulting method. In addition we indicate why using signed Borel measures instead of positive measures makes sense in the context of the Volterra problem and also has connections to the theory of mollification and approximate inverses (Louis A K 1996 Inverse Problems 12 175–90). Finally we include numerical examples which illustrate the improvement which comes from using signed measures instead of positive measures and which facilitates an examination of the role played by the regularization parameter.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ADIPOSE TISSUE MODEL USING LOW SHEAR BIOREACTORS

Presented here are techniques developed to culture and analyze three-dimensional (3-D) adipose-like tissues as a means to bridge the gap between current limitations in culturing preadipocytes (PAs) and that of providing clinically relevant volumes of adipose tissue useful for soft tissue engineering strategies in reconstructive surgery. Pilot studies were performed to determine techniques to visualize and analyze 3-D PA-like tissues as well as to develop successful strategies to culture 3T3-L1 cells in a high aspect ratio vessel rotating-wall bioreactor both with and without microcarriers. Next, a series of cultures were accessed to verify these techniques as well as to compare the culture of the cells with and without microcarriers. Finally, a perfused rotating-wall bioreactor was used to further investigate the nature of the aggregates or tissues being generated. The aggregates that formed in the perfused system were analyzed via histology and in vivo animal studies. PA-like tissues as large as 4-5 mm in diameter without microcarriers that were capable of lipid-loading and composed of viable cells were achieved. We have successfully demonstrated that large tissue aggregates can be grown in bioreactor culture systems.
Cutaneous manifestation of internal malignancies (I). Acanthosis nigricans.

: Skin changes may be the first clue to a neoplastic process at a stage when it still is treatable (Such as the development of Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) in an otherwise, healthy adult). Ninety percent of the neoplasms responsible for the development of AN originate in the abdomen. The tumor, even in a subclinical state, seems to possess unidentified properties that activate the dermatosis.
Sounds English: Transnational Popular Music

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Nabeel Zuberi Year: 2001 Pages: viii + 276 Publisher: University of Illinois Press Prices: $34.95 US
Differential regulation of the foraging gene associated with task behaviors in harvester ants

Background The division of labor in social insect colonies involves transitions by workers from one task to another and is critical to the organization and ecological success of colonies. The differential regulation of genetic pathways is likely to be a key mechanism involved in plasticity of social insect task behavior. One of the few pathways implicated in social organization involves the cGMP-activated protein kinase gene, foraging, a gene associated with foraging behavior in social insect species. The association of the foraging gene with behavior is conserved across diverse species, but the observed expression patterns and proposed functions of this gene vary across taxa. We compared the protein sequence of foraging across social insects and explored whether the differential regulation of this gene is associated with task behaviors in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis.
A geo-logical solution to the lottery paradox, with applications to conditional logic

We defend a set of acceptance rules that avoids the lottery paradox, that is closed under classical entailment, and that accepts uncertain propositions without ad hoc restrictions. We show that the rules we recommend provide a semantics that validates exactly Adams’ conditional logic and are exactly the rules that preserve a natural, logical structure over probabilistic credal states that we call probalogic. To motivate probalogic, we first expand classical logic to geo-logic, which fills the entire unit cube, and then we project the upper surfaces of the geo-logical cube onto the plane of probabilistic credal states by means of standard, linear perspective, which may be interpreted as an extension of the classical principle of indifference. Finally, we apply the geometrical/logical methods developed in the paper to prove a series of trivialization theorems against question-invariance as a constraint on acceptance rules and against rational monotonicity as an axiom of conditional logic in situations of uncertainty.
Time-varying high-gain trajectory linearization observer design

In this paper, we extend the previous results on trajectory linearization observer (TLO) for SISO to MIMO nonlinear time-varying (NLTV) systems, and extend the highgain observer theory for linear time-invariant (LTI) observer error dynamics to linear time-varying (LTV) observer error dynamics, using the (time-varying) PD-eigenvalue assignment method. In addition, the time-varying high gain TLO alleviates the slowly varying restriction, and relaxes the restriction of existing time-invariant nonlinear high gain observer to affine nonlinear systems to allow for any linearizable NLTV system.
LINE-1 (L1) Lineages in the Mouse

Recently, a rapidly amplifying family of mouse LINE-1 (L1) has been identified and named T(F). The evolutionary context surrounding the derivation of the T(F) family was examined through phylogenetic analysis of sequences in the 3' portion of the repeat. The Mus musculus domesticus T(F) family was found to be the terminal subfamily of the previously identified L1Md4 lineage. The L1Md4 lineage joins the other prototypical mouse LINE-1 lineage (the L1MdA2 lineage) approximately 1 MYA at about the time of the common ancestor of M. m. domesticus, Mus spicilegus, and Mus spretus. However, the T(F) family from M. m. domesticus was found to join to the previously reported M. spretus Ms475 and Ms7024 LINE-1 families at just 0.5 MYA, indicating horizontal transfer. The T(F) family from M. m. domesticus was then found to be even more recently related to LINE-1's from another species, M. spicilegus. A separate spretus A2 lineage was found through a directed search of a PCR library. This lineage, in contrast to the spretus T(F) lineage, does join domesticus at about 1 MYA, as would be expected in the absence of horizontal transfer. A third major family was also found that splits off from the L1Md4 lineage shortly after its departure from the L1MdA2 lineage. The new family, named the Z family, was found to contain the de novo LINE-1 inserts causing the beige and med mutations. Whether the split with the Z family was before or after the recombination that introduced the F-type promoters and defined the inception of T(F) as a lineage is unclear. In enumerating copies of the various LINE-1 families, we found that T(F) 3' ends were not much more numerous than the reported number of 5' ends, suggesting that T(F) may not be subjected to the 90% truncation pattern typical of LINE-1 as a whole.
Efficient Monte Carlo Procedures for Generating Points Uniformly Distributed over Bounded Regions

We consider the Monte Carlo problem of generating points uniformly distributed within an arbitrary bounded measurable region. The class of Markovian methods considered generate points asymptotically uniformly distributed within the region. Computational experience suggests the methods are potentially superior to conventional rejection techniques for large dimensional regions.
Strategies to Support Spirituality in Health Care Communication A Home Hospice Cancer Caregiver Case Study

Background: Although there is growing recognition of the importance of integrating spirituality within health care, there is little evidence to guide clinicians in how to best communicate with patients and family about their spiritual or existential concerns. Methods: Using an audio-recorded home hospice nurse visit immediately following the death of a patient as a case-study, we identify spiritually-sensitive communication strategies. Results: The nurse incorporates spirituality in her support of the family by 1) creating space to allow for the expression of emotions and spiritual beliefs and 2) encouraging meaning-based coping, including emphasizing the caregivers’ strengths and reframing negative experiences. Discussion: Hospice provides an excellent venue for modeling successful examples of spiritual communication. Health care professionals can learn these techniques to support patients and families in their own holistic practice. Implications for Practice: All health care professionals benefit from p...
A knowledge-based environment for modeling and simulating software engineering processes

The design and representation schemes used in constructing a prototype computational environment for modeling and simulating multiagent software engineering processes are described. This environment is called the articulator. An overview of the articulator's architecture identifying five principal components is provided. Three of the components, the knowledge metamodel, the software process behavior simulator, and a knowledge base querying mechanism, are detailed and examples are included. The conclusion reiterates what is unique to this approach in applying knowledge engineering techniques to the problems of understanding the statics and dynamics of complex software engineering processes. >
Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of an iodo Co(I) tripodal phosphine complex.

Reaction of the tripodal phosphine ligand 1,1,1-tris((diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ethane (PhP3) with CoI2 spontaneously generates a one-electron reduced complex, [(PhP3)CoI(I)] (1). The crystal structure of 1 reveals a distorted tetrahedral environment, with an apical Co–I bond distance of ∼2.52 A. CoII/I redox occurs at an unusually high potential (+0.38 V vs. SCE). The electronic absorption spectrum of 1 exhibits an MLCT peak at 320 nm (e = 8790 M−1 cm−1) and a d–d feature at 850 nm (e = 840 M−1 cm−1). Two more d–d bands are observed in the NIR region, 8650 (e = 450) and 7950 cm−1 (e = 430 M−1 cm−1). Temperature dependent magnetic measurements (SQUID) on 1 (solid state, 20–300 K) give μeff = 2.99(6) μB, consistent with an S = 1 ground state. Magnetic susceptibilities below 20 K are consistent with a zero field splitting (zfs) |D| = 8 cm−1. DFT calculations also support a spin-triplet ground state for 1, as optimized (6-31G*/PW91) geometries (S = 1) closely match the X-ray structure. EPR measurements performed in parallel mode (X-band; 0–15 000 G, 15 K) on polycrystalline 1 or frozen solutions of 1 (THF/toluene) exhibit a feature at g ≈ 4 that arises from a (Δm = 2) transition within the MS = manifold. Below 10 K, the EPR signal decreases significantly, consistent with a solution zfs parameter (|D| ≈ 8 cm−1) similar to that obtained from SQUID measurements. Our work provides an EPR signature for high-spin CoI in trigonal ligation.
THE INFLUENCE OF RUPTURE INCOHERENCE ON SEISMIC DIRECTIVITY

Abstract As has long been recognized in teleseismic studies, smooth rupture propagation significantly modifies the azimuthal variation in elastic wave radiation and introduces a dependence of peak motion on the ratio of rupture velocity to wave propagation velocity. Rupture propagation also has a first-order effect on the ground motions close to faults as calculated from models of coherent rupture. For engineering purposes, it is important to know whether the effect occurs only with coherent ruptures, or whether it is a more general phenomena of propagating faults. This question was examined by both analytical and Monte Carlo studies of models of nonuniform ruptures. The principal models were defined by ruptures moving continuously in time along the fault with random variations in rupture velocity or in slip amplitude. These models were richer in high frequencies than the corresponding smooth ruptures. The randomness introduced a new corner into the spectrum at a frequency that is simply related to the coherence length of the random variations and to the azimuth between the fault and station. The lower frequency corner due to the overall rupture was preserved. For the model with varying rupture velocity the azimuthal variation in spectral amplitude was enhanced over that for the smooth rupture. For the model with varying slip the azimuthal variation was the same as for a smooth rupture. These models showed directivity effects as strong or stronger than the corresponding smooth rupture, providing that the average rupture velocity was the same. Monte Carlo simulations with statistical models gave peak amplitudes with the same general dependence on rupture velocity as the peak amplitudes from smooth ruptures although in the mean the peak motions were enhanced in the incoherent model. An analytic expression was also derived for the mean spectrum of an extreme model in which rupture occurred in little patches distributed with complete randomness over the fault surface and in time. Even this model showed some effects of directivity. The results of our study are consistent with the interpretation that rupture propagation produces destructive interference in the radiated motion; incoherence reduces this interference and in general leads to higher peak motions and spectral levels.
Specifying and Exploiting Advice-Execution Ordering using Dependency State Machines

In this paper we present Dependency State Machines, an annotation language that extends AspectJ with finite-state machines that define the order in which pieces of advice must execute to have a visible effect. Dependency State Machines facilitate the automatic verification and optimization of aspects, but also program understanding. In this work we present the syntax and semantics of Dependency State Machines and one possible use case of Dependency State Machines: program understanding. We explain how a set of three static program analyses can exploit the information that Dependency State Machines carry to remove advice-dispatch code from program locations at which dispatching the advice would have no effect. Dependency State Machines hereby help to abstract from the concrete implementation of the aspect, making the approach compatible with a wide range of aspect-generating monitoring tools. Our extensive evaluation using the DaCapo benchmark suite shows that our approach can pinpoint to the user exactly the program locations at which the aspect’s execution matters in many cases. This is particularly useful when the aspect’s purpose is to identify erroneous execution sequences: in these cases, the program locations that our analysis pinpoints resemble possible points of program failure.
Multi-element analysis of road-deposited sediment in an urban drainage basin, Honolulu, Hawaii

Road-deposited sediment (RDS) and its associated contaminant load play a critical role in degrading receiving water bodies. Few quantitative multi-element RDS studies exist, and there are none from Hawaii. This lack of baseline data combined with concerns with high concentrations of Pb and Cu in fish and enrichment of Cu, Pb and Zn in bed sediments from Manoa Stream, Hawaii, lead to a detailed characterization of RDSs in Manoa basin. Data for a total analysis of 23 elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis and 16 elements using a 0.5 M HCl partial leach are presented for RDSs and background soils. Concentration data, comparisons with environmental guidelines, and concentration enrichment ratios (CERs) all indicate that RDS in Manoa has a significant degree of anthropogenic pollution. The most environmentally important elements were Pb, Sb and Zn. Concentrations of these elements, primarily vehicle contributed, compare favorably with those from other studies of RDS. The high mean concentration of Pb (151 mg/kg) compared to background soils (13 mg/kg) indicates remobilization of Pb previously stored in soils and transported to road surfaces by water erosion processes. The higher Pb CERTotal in RDSs compared to bed sediments from Manoa Stream suggests a potential link via ubiquitous storm drains and subsequent dilution with less contaminated fluvial sediments. Data from the HCl leach also support Pb and Zn as having significant anthropogenic signals, and Cu having a moderate signal. These data indicate that RDSs in Manoa basin are generally contaminated with certain potentially toxic elements and the legacy of past use of leaded gasoline is still a concern in this urban drainage system.
Inhibition of aflatoxin B1-induced initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat by green tea.

Several studies have demonstrated that green tea (GT) inhibits various chemically induced cancers in experimental animals. In the present study, effect of GT has been examined on the initiation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Young male Fischer rats were given AIN-76A diet with or without 0.5% instant GT powder in their drinking water for 2 or 4 weeks. Initiation was examined by hepatic AFB1-DNA binding in vivo, AFB1 metabolism in vitro and by the appearance of AFB1-induced glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive hepatocytes detected by immunohis-tochemical method. There was no influence of GT feeding on microsome-mediated AFB1 binding to exogenous DNA. However, GT feeding enhanced microsome-mediated formation of non-toxic hydroxylated metabolites of AFB1 by 2–3-fold. Hepatic nuclear AFB1-DNA binding in vivo was significantly inhibited by about 20–30% in animals pretreated with GT. AFB1-induced GST-P positive single hepatocytes were inhibited significantly by 60–70% in rats pretreated with GT. These results suggest that feeding of GT inhibits initiation of AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat by modulation of AFB1 metabolism, thereby inhibiting AFB1-DNA binding and AFB1induced GST-P-positive hepatocytes.
Modeling the information-processing aspect of organizational functions

Information is essential to the performance, control, and coordination of an organization's functions. Yet, although an increasingly broad variety of models is used for the analysis and evaluation of organizational processes and functions, their information-processing aspects are only rarely considered in these models. In this paper I present an approach to the abstraction and description of information-processing aspects of organizational functions. The descriptions so obtained can then be translated into simulation models that, interfaced with suitable models of the organizational functions they support; can be used for the design and analysis of organizational functions as well as for the development of their supporting information systems.
EFFECTS OF FREE-AIR CO2 ENRICHMENT (FACE) ON BELOWGROUND PROCESSES IN A PINUS TAEDA FOREST

Terrestrial vegetation and soils may act as important carbon sinks if rising atmospheric CO2 stimulates plant production. We used free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) technology to expose three 30 m diameter plots of a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest to elevated CO2 at 200 FLL/L above ambient levels, while three control plots were outfitted with FACE apparatus but were fumigated with ambient air. We quantified litterfall mass and chemistry, fine root biomass increment and turnover, CO2 efflux from soils, 83C in soil C02, soil CO2, soil microbial biomass C and N, and potential net N mineralization. After two growing seasons, elevated CO2 caused significant increases in loblolly pine litterfall mass and fine root increment. Within the first year of FACE treatment, the con- centration of CO2 in soil had increased, and soil surface CO2 efflux was generally higher at elevated C02, but this difference was not statistically significant. Loblolly pine litter C:N ratio, fine root turnover, microbial biomass C and N, and potential net N mineralization were not significantly affected by elevated CO2. Our results suggest that elevated atmo- spheric CO2 may accelerate inputs of organic matter to soil C pools in loblolly pine forests, but it may also accelerate losses of C from belowground by stimulating soil respiration.
On my mind: thoughts about salience, context and figurative language from a second language perspective

This article discusses three claims of the Graded Salience Hypothesis presented in Rachel Giora’s book On our mind. It is argued that these claims may give second language researchers the chance to revise the way they think about word meaning, the literal meaning-figurative meaning dichotomy and the role of context in language processing. Giora’s arguments are related to recent second language research and their relevance is explained through examples. There are also several suggestions made for further research.
Smart body contact for SOI MOSFETs

Summary form only given. SOI MOSFETs exhibit various floating-body effects due to the lack of a contact to the channel region. These effects can show up as a kink in the saturation region of I/sub DS/-V/sub DS/ characteristics (higher drive current) and an improvement of the subthreshold slope, or can be as severe as latch-up of the SOI MOSFET at large drain biases. The easiest was to eliminate floating-body effects is to provide a contact to the channel region to deep it at or below the source potential. One problem with providing a body contact is that the increased transistor drive current due to the floating-body effects is lost even in the saturation region, where it may be desirable for high-speed circuit operation. Here, a scheme for providing a smart body contact is presented. This contact acts as a low-resistance channel contact at low gate voltages to keep the transistor off and avoid latch-up. At high-gate voltages, the resistance of this body contact becomes very high and allows the MOSFET channel to float, which increases the drain current due to both MOS body effect and bipolar action. >
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Amino Acid- and Peptide-Derived Chloramines

An isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method is reported for the analysis of amino acidand peptide-derived chloramines (these are important intermediates in two very different processes: destruction of microbes by the neutrophil and disinfection of water with chlorine). Specifically, results are reported for the chloramines derived from the following amino acids and dipeptides: taurine, Ala, Gly, Ser, Thr, Phe, Val, AlaGly, GlyGly, PheGly, SerGly, and ValGly. Analyses are performed on a 250×4.6-mm C 18 column using a buffered water-acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase. For samples containing hydrophilic chloramines, an ion-pairing agent is added to the mobile phase. Two detection methods are used: direct ultraviolet (UV) detection of the chloramine at 254 nm and indirect UV detection of I3– at 350 nm
Lipid class and alkane distributon in settling particles of the upper Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract Sediment traps were deployed at up to 6 depths at seven stations in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron for 2 months during the summer of 1984. Total organic carbon, total lipid, lipid classes, and alkanes were measured in the collected material to gain information on the composition, sources, and fate of particulate organic matter in the Great Lakes. Total aliphatic hydrocarbon was a large component of all samples, accounting for more than 15% of the extractable lipids. Particles collected at 10-m depth in Lake Huron had especially high relative contributions(more than 65% of total lipids) of total aliphatic hydrocarbons at the three stations eamined. The high proportion of aliphatic hydrocarbon appears not to have originated from customary pollution sources. The alkane distribution was strongly dominated by even-numbered carbon chains of unknown origin. Algae are a possible source for the unsaturated hydrocarbons that were present at relatively elevated levels in settiing particles. Botryococcus braunti, sampled from Lake Michigan had as much as 80% of its lipids in the form of hydrocarbons.Wax and sterol estersconstituted less than 10% of the lipids in trap material except in samples from mid-depths in Lake Huron where high levels of these compounds may have resulted from elevated amounts of calanoid capepod debris or swimmers entering the traps.
Introductory Survey: Quasigroups, Loopuscular Geometry and Nonlinear Geometric Algebra

The aim of this brief survey is to expound the up to date methods, ideas and results of the new branches of mathematics that have proved to be useful for applications in mathematical physics. These branches may be called loopuscular geometry and nonlinear geometric algebra.
Breast-Dedicated Radionuclide Imaging Systems

Breast-dedicated radionuclide imaging systems show promise for increasing clinical sensitivity for breast cancer while minimizing patient dose and cost. We present several breast-dedicated coincidence-photon and single-photon camera designs that have been described in the literature and examine their intrinsic performance, clinical relevance, and impact. Recent tracer development is mentioned, results from recent clinical tests are summarized, and potential areas for improvement are highlighted.
The hidden role of racial bias in support for policies related to inequality and crime

Since the Jim Crow era, overtly racist attitudes toward African-Americans have decreased. During this same period, however, racial inequalities have persisted and the approach to addressing such in...
Overproduction and purification of the ω subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

Abstract This paper reports the construction of plasmids which direct the overproduction of the w subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and the subsequent purification of ω. Useful overproduction is achieved only if the natural ribosomal binding site region of rpoZ is replaced with the ribosomal binding site region of bacteriophage T7 gene 10. Overproduction is directed by T7 RNA polymerase which is provided on a separate plasmid. ω is purified by three column steps either from the insoluble inclusion body fraction or from the soluble fractions of lysates. The final yield is approximately 2 mg ω per 10 g cells wet wt. Additionally, we found that recombinant ω is readily cleaved by an endogenous protease. Sequence analysis of the most prevalent proteolytic fragment suggested that the protease responsible was the product of the ompT gene. Cleavage of ω is greatly reduced in ompT− strains.
A Potential Enstrophy and Energy Conserving Scheme for the Shallow-Water Equations Extended to Generalized Curvilinear Coordinates

AbstractAn energy and potential enstrophy conserving finite-difference scheme for the shallow-water equations is derived in generalized curvilinear coordinates. This is an extension of a scheme formulated by Arakawa and Lamb for orthogonal coordinate systems. The starting point for the present scheme is the shallow-water equations cast in generalized curvilinear coordinates, and tensor analysis is used to derive the invariant conservation properties. Preliminary tests on a flat plane with doubly periodic boundary conditions are presented. The scheme is shown to possess similar order-of-convergence error characteristics using a nonorthogonal coordinate compared to Cartesian coordinates for a nonlinear test of flow over an isolated mountain. A linear normal mode analysis shows that the discrete form of the Coriolis term provides stationary geostrophically balanced modes for the nonorthogonal coordinate and no unphysical computational modes are introduced. The scheme uses centered differences and averages, w...
Herrmann’s Beautiful Theorem on Computable Partial Orderings

We give an exposition of Herrmann’s proof that there is an infinite computable partial ordering with no infinite \(\Sigma ^0_2\) chains or antichains.
CoLUA: Automatically Predicting Configuration Bug Reports and Extracting Configuration Options

Configuration bugs are among the dominant causes of software failures. Software organizations often use bug tracking systems to manage bug reports collected from developers and users. In order for software developers to understand and reproduce configuration bugs, it is vital for them to know whether a bug in the bug report is related to configuration issues, this is not often easily discerned due to a lack of easy to spot terminology in the bug reports. In addition, to locate and fix a configuration bug, a developer needs to know which configuration options are associated with the bug. To address these two problems, we introduce CoLUA, a two-step automated approach that combines natural language processing, information retrieval, and machine learning. In the first step, CoLUA selects features from the textual information in the bug reports, and uses various machine learning techniques to build classification models, developers can use these models to label a bug report as either a configuration bug report or a non-configuration bug report. In the second step, CoLUA identifies which configuration options are involved in the labeled configuration bug reports. We evaluate CoLUA on 900 bug reports from three large open source software systems. The results show that CoLUA predicts configuration bug reports with high accuracy and that it effectively identifies the root causes of configuration options.
562: Trends in invasive prenatal diagnosis from 2002-2011: a population-based evaluation

population-based evaluation Adeeb Khalifeh, Stuart Weiner, Dhanya Mackeen, Andrew Gerson, Donnenfeld Alan Lankenau Medical Center, Obstericcs and Gynecology, Wynnewood, PA, Thomas Jefferson University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA OBJECTIVE: To examine population-based trends in chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis utilization and advanced maternal age (AMA) as an indication for invasive prenatal diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of all pregnancies that have undergone invasive prenatal diagnostic testing, including CVS or amniocentesis, between June 2002 and December 2011 in the Mainline Health System Hospitals in Pennsylvania. Sequential screening was first offered to all patients in November 2006. We divided the study period into two groups representing two time periods: Group I from June 2002 to October 2006, and Group II from November 2006 to December 2011. Main outcome measures were trends in CVS and amniocentesis utilization and AMA as an indication for invasive testing. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. A p value 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were 69,844 deliveries and 4,697 invasive procedures during the study period. Group I had 31,277 deliveries, compared with 38,567 in Group II (p NS). There were 2,755 procedures in Group I, and 2,758 in Group II (p 0.01), with a mean maternal age of 36 and 36.2 years, respectively (p NS). In Group I, there were 1,990 cases of amniocentesis versus 1,610 in Group II (p 0.01). There were also 765 cases of CVS in Group I, compared to 1,148 in Group II (p 0.01). Among the women in the study, 1,953 from Group I and 1,486 from Group II were referred for the sole indication of AMA (p 0.01). Group I had 172 abnormal results, while Group II had 245 (p NS). Among those, the number of fetuses of any trisomy was 92 (4.6%) and 102 (6.8%) for each group, respectively (p NS). CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in the incidence of invasive prenatal testing over the study period, as well as AMA as an indication for testing. There was a change in the pattern of invasive testing over time with a reduction in amniocentesis procedures and an increase in CVS uptake. This is likely due to the ability to obtain first trimester results with sequential screening.
Woman to Woman (W2W): Adapting an HIV risk reduction intervention for older women

Woman to Woman (W2W) is a novel adaptation of the Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS (SISTA) HIV prevention program. This article describes the process of adapting and piloting W2W based on recommendations from existing HIV prevention research. Six older women, all of whom had histories of homelessness and the majority of whom identified as African American, enrolled in the study, which piloted the adapted intervention and materials, evaluated the acceptability of the program, and assessed the measures related to the intervention. Participants described satisfaction with the program and had high rates of attendance; observations regarding the measures suggest the need to further develop assessments of HIV knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, and risk behaviors in this context.
Simulating the Effect of Charge State on Reactive Landing of a Cyclic Tetrapeptide on Chemically Modified Alkylthiolate Self-Assembled Monolayer Surfaces

Previous simulations have provided insight into reactive landing (RL) of protonated peptides on chemically modified organic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces. However, they have been limited to small diglycine peptides with a single binding site on the surface. Here we present results of QM/MM direct dynamics simulations of c(-GGKG-), a small cyclic, lysine-containing peptide in both a protonated and deprotonated state colliding with a surface that includes nine binding sites. We find that when the peptide is deprotonated, RL efficiency is increased and preferential to the nitrogen of the lysine side chain. Qualitatively similar RL efficiency is seen in the present study and the experimental work of Laskin and co-workers.
Generation of hot electrons in GaN HEMTs under RF Class A and AB PAs

AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of high-power and high frequency operation. However, reliability concerns constitute one of the limiting factors preventing the fully exploitation of this technology. In particular, hot electron generation has been consistently reported as one of the main mechanisms for device degradation, since high energy carriers can create electrically active traps that reduce performance [1]. Many studies of hot electron concentration have been performed on DC operation only, and those done in RF do not provide an accurate, quantitative carrier energy distribution [2]. In this work, we present a comparative study of the hot carrier generation under RF operation in Class A and Class AB power amplifier (PA) topologies. This is done in terms of the accurate simulation of the electron energy distribution function (EDF) under RF conditions, by means of our full band cellular Monte Carlo device simulator (CMC) [3], self-consistently coupled to a harmonic balance (HB) circuit solver based on the load line technique [4]. Within this framework it can be simultaneously captured the highly-non-linear, out of equilibrium carrier dynamics of the device under large signal operation, along with the full complexity of the external circuitry necessary for adequate power amplifier performance.
Using Self-Determination Theory to build communities of support to aid in the retention of women in engineering

ABSTRACTDiverse perspectives are required to address the technological problems facing our world. Although women perform as well as their male counterparts in math and science prior to entering college, the numbers of women students entering and completing engineering programmes are far below their representation in the workforce. This paper reports on a qualitative, multiyear study of the experiences of women students in an Engineering Technology programme. The project addressed some of the unique, fundamental challenges that female students face within their programmes, and the authors describe a programmatic framework based on Self-Determination Theory as an intervention for the recruitment and retention of female engineering students. Data from focus groups and interviews show how students were supported in their undergraduate experiences and how inclusive learning environments are needed to further improve outcomes. Conceptual issues and methodological considerations of our outcomes are presented.
New infinite family of regular edge-isoperimetric graphs

Abstract We introduce a new infinite family of regular graphs admitting nested solutions in the edge-isoperimetric problem for all their Cartesian powers. The obtained results include as special cases most of previously known results in this area.
Stent Design Affects Femoropopliteal Artery Deformation.

Background:Poor durability of femoropopliteal artery (FPA) stenting is multifactorial, and severe FPA deformations occurring with limb flexion are likely involved. Different stent designs result in dissimilar stent–artery interactions, but the degree of these effects in the FPA is insufficiently und
Multi-robot coverage with dynamic coverage information compression

We consider the problem of distributed terrain or area coverage of an initially unknown environment using a set of mobile robots. We describe a distributed algorithm that is able to solve the distributed coverage problem without having each robot exchange its complete coverage map with other robots. The central part of our technique is a compression algorithm used by a robot to approximate the regions that have been previously covered and a fitness function that calculates the degree of accuracy of the approximated coverage information. The operation of our coverage algorithm is evaluated through experiments on simulated as well as physical Corobot robots. We have quantified the extent of overhead introduced by our coverage algorithm to prevent robots from performing repeated coverage. Overall, our results show that the robots are able to cover the environment within different environment settings while significantly reducing the amount of coverage information communicated between different robots.
Rapid detection of West Nile Virus in birds using the VecTest WNV Antigen Assay.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the VecTest™ West Nile Virus Antigen Assay (for testing mosquitoes) could be adapted to detect West Nile virus (WNV) rapidly and accurately in birds for screening purposes. DESIGN: Cloacal swabs and tissue (kidney and spleen) were harvested from 40 fresh dead birds. The VecTest was used for each swab specimen for detection of WNV; PCR was used for each tissue specimen for confirmation of WNV. SETTING: Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) in Jackson Mississippi and College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University (CVM-MSU) in Starkville Mississippi. SPECIMENS/SUBJECTS: Forty birds of the Corvid family (31 blue jays and 9 American crows) were included in the study. Fresh dead birds that died from no obvious cause were submitted for testing. RESULTS: VecTest results were 35 positives and 5 negatives. PCR results were 35 positives and 5 negatives. CONCLUSION: The VecTest showed 100% accuracy. ABBREVIATIONS:CVM-MSU = College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University; MVDL = Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; PCR = polymerase chain reaction; PFU = plaque forming unit; RT-PCR = reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction; SLE = St Louis encephalitis; VI = virus isolation; WNV = West Nile virus.
The Structure of Political Competition: Dimensions of Candidate and Group Evaluation Revisited

In this paper, we take a fresh look at the structure of sociopolitical conflict through confirmatory factor analyses of survey data gathered in Florida during the presidential campaign of 1996. Our analysis shows both stability and change in the electorate. In line with prior research, a single bipolar partisan dimension underlies the mass public's evaluations ofpolitical leaders,though national figures fit more comfortably on this continuum than do those at the state level. Citizens' evaluations of keysociopolitical groupsreflect orthogonal cultural disputes, class divisions, and conflicts relating to issues of social control. While all three of these dimensions impinge to some degree on voters' conceptions of party and ideology, our findings point to the leading role that cultural issues now play in shaping ideological images and identities.
Hypothalamic–Pituitary Unit

The hypothalamic–pituitary unit is an anatomic and functional unit constituting the point of convergence between two regulatory systems, the nervous and the endocrine systems, which are largely responsible for the regulation of the activities that sustain homeostasis.
Simulated green turtle grazing affects benthic infauna abundance and community composition but not diversity in a Thalassia testudinum seagrass meadow

Abstract Seagrass meadows host diverse invertebrate faunal communities. Infaunal organisms residing in the sediments of meadows play important roles in the functioning of these ecosystems, such as the breakdown of organic matter. Disturbance to the benthic environment through grazing by megaherbivores, such as dugongs (Dugong dugon), can reduce infauna abundance within localized areas in a meadow. However, it is not known how removal of the aboveground canopy of a meadow without severe physical disturbance to the benthic habitat, such as through grazing by green turtles (Chelonia mydas), affects seagrass meadow infaunal communities. Increasing green turtle abundance will likely lead to greater areas of grazed seagrass with implications for the invertebrate infaunal communities within meadows. We experimentally simulated green turtle grazing for 16 months in a Thalassia testudinum seagrass meadow in The Bahamas to test effects of grazing on meadow infaunal communities. Total abundance of the infaunal community was reduced by 59% within six months of simulated grazing and thereafter remained lower throughout the experiment. Six out of eleven individual infaunal groups present (e.g. nematodes) also decreased in abundance following simulated grazing, but temporal abundance dynamics varied among groups. Simulated grazing had no effect on Simpson's Diversity Index of the infaunal community inhabiting the meadow at any point during the 16-month experiment. Though diversity was not affected, relative abundance of individual groups varied over time, and simulated grazing led to a significant change in infaunal community composition. These results demonstrate how green turtle grazing may affect the infaunal communities of shallow seagrass meadows with potential implications for the ecosystem services provided by these important habitats.
Operative Times in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Can We Predict the Future Based on Contemporary Nationwide Data.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its decision to review "potentially misvalued" Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, including those for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). CPT 27447 is being reevaluated to determine contemporary relative value units for work value, with operative time considered a primary factor in this revaluation. Despite broader indications for TKA, including extension of the procedure to more complex patient populations, it is unknown whether operative times may remain stable in the future. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to specifically evaluate future trends in TKA operative times across a large sample from a national database. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017 to identify 286,816 TKAs using the CPT code 27447. Our final analysis included 140,890 TKAs. Autoregressive integrated moving average forecasting models were built to predict 2- and 10-year operative times. While operative times were significantly different between American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes 1 and 2 (p = 0.035), there were not enough patients in ASA class 1 to perform rigorous inference. Additionally, operative times were not significantly different between ASA classes 3 and the combined ASA classes 4 and 5 cohort (p = 0.95). Therefore, we were only able to perform forecasts for ASA classes 2 and 3. Operative time was found to be nonstationary for both ASA class 2 (p = 0.08269) and class 3 (p = 0.2385). As a whole, the projection models indicated that operative time will remain within 2 minutes of the present operative time, up to the year 2027. Our projections indicate that operative times will remain stable over the next decade. This suggests that there is a lack of evidence for reducing the valuation of CPT code 27477 based on intraservice time for TKA. Further study should examine operative time trends in the setting of evolving alternative payment models, increasing patient complexity, and governmental restrictions.