cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating yeast biosensors into paper-based analytical tools for pharmaceutical analysis

Paper-based devices serve to address many analytical questions both inside and outside of the laboratory setting. For the first time, yeast is used to construct a whole-cell, paper-based biosensor device. This biologically based paper analytical device (BioPAD) is sensitive to antibiotics in the tetracycline family, and it could potentially address questions of pharmaceutical quality as well as antibiotic contamination in liquids. Our BioPAD can qualitatively discriminate the presence/absence of doxycycline over a range of 30–10,000 μg/mL. In an analysis of a doxycycline dosage form (tablet) commonly used for malaria prophylaxis, BioPADs identified the presence of antibiotic with 92 and 95 % sensitivity, evaluated by eye and computer-assisted image analysis, respectively, with no false positives by either method. BioPADs were found to remain viable for at least 415 days when stored at 4 °C. This research demonstrates the utility of whole yeast cells in paper-based pharmaceutical testing, and it highlights the potential for the development of yeast-based BioPADs to address a range of qualitative analytical questions, especially in low resource settings.
Don Quixote and the remembrance of things medieval

It is usually thought that the medieval world that Don Quixote ‘remembered’ and tried to reestablish was one that existed only in his own warped mind. This essay builds on Foucault’s judgment to the contrary in his The Order of Things: the knight correctly understood the episteme that governed the medieval mind; we do learn something about the Middle Ages by reading Cervantes’s masterpiece. Also, the errors about the medieval world that Quixote does make are similar to the errors made by medieval thinkers themselves. Quixote’s neomedieval ideas and values, in all their absurdity and hilarity, are very similar to the neomedieval religious beliefs that most of Cervantes’s contemporaries accepted. Quixote was no more ‘mad’ than his readers.
OSCILLATORY EFFECTS OF REPEATED MORPHINE ON SHOCK-INDUCED HYPOALGESIA AND BETA -ENDORPHIN

Recent research indicates that the sensitization that results from repeated drug or non-drug stress exposure may develop into a pattern of alternating increases and decreases (i.e., oscillation) in response to each subsequent stressor exposure. Oscillation, with or without prior sensitization, has been observed for a number of drug and non-drug stressors, and for various neurochemical and endocrine endpoints. The present studies investigated whether oscillation also occurs in the behavioral and endocrine effects of repeated morphine treatment and if a drug that normalizes the mood swings of bipolar disorder in humans will also attenuate drug oscillation in this animal model. In the first experiment, rats were given 1-5 pretreatments with morphine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), separated by 1-week intervals with the last injection occurring 1 hour prior to being tested for stressor-induced (i.e., 5 seconds, 2-mA electric footshock) hypoalgesia, as measured by latency to paw-lift or jump from a hot-plate. Plasma beta-endorphin also was measured. The second experiment replicated the behavioral findings of the first study and, in addition, assessed the effect of continuous lithium chloride, in the drinking water, on morphine-induced oscillation. Caffeine was used as a partial control for the lithium. The results were that one injection of morphine enhanced stress-induced hypoalgesia and subsequent morphine administrations resulted in oscillation. Beta-endorphin exhibited sensitization but not oscillation, suggesting that it did not mediate oscillation of the behavioral response. In addition, lithium, but not caffeine, eliminated oscillations of the behavioral response without affecting its initial enhancement.
New Japanesse private international law: the 1990 Horei

CHIN KIM is Board of Editors and Professor of Law, California Western School of Law, San Diego, California. 1. For an analysis of the 1947 Constitution, and its English text, see McNelly, "Present Constitution," 2 Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan 3-7, 9-13 (1983). Kodansha, id. at 1-3, 7-9, undertakes an analysis of the 1868 Meiji Constitution and presents its English text. This may serve as a comparison of the Meiji Constitution and the New Democratic Constitution of 1947. 2. A. Oppler, "The Reform of Japan's Legal and Judicial System Under Allied Occupation," 24 Wash. L. Rev. 290 (1949); A. Oppler, Legal Reform In Occupied Japan (1976); Arthur von Mehren, ed., Law In Japan (1963); L.H. Redford, ed., The Occupation of Japan: Impact of Legal Reform (1977); Upham, Law and Social C7hange in Postwar Japan (1987). 3. The literal English translation of "Horei" would be "Laws Illustrated" or "Illustrated Laws". It refers to a statute dealing with Choice-of-Law-Rules. When Germany deliberated the codification of its Civil Code in the 1880s and 1890s, the issue surfaced on how to treat Private International Law (Choice-of-Law-Rules) whether to have a separate statute or to incorporate into the Civil Code. The latter approach was adopted as it became the Introductory Law to the Civil Code (Das EGBGB Das Einfiihrungsgesetz zum Burgerlichen Gesetsbuche). As to the legislative history of German Private International Law, see Kegel, Internationales Privatrecht 97 (4th ed. 1977); Horn, Kotz and Leser, German Private and Commercial Law: An Introduction, Chap. 12 (1982). On the other hand, Japan used one of the legislative drafts on Choice-of-Law rules as its model by using a separate statutory format known as Horei. The English text of the old Horei Law No. 10, June 21, 1898, appears in Ehrenzweig, Ikehara & Jensen, American-Japanese Private International Law 115-7 (1974), although some revisions, as discussed elsewhere, have been made since it was printed. Another English text of the old Horei, which reflects amendments made up until June 12, 1986, under the title, Law Concerning the Application of Laws in General (Horei), appears in Eibun-Horei-Sha, Inc. 1 EHS Law Bulletin Series Japan, AB (1979-), (hereafter EHS). For a discussion of Japanese Horei rules, see Ehrenzweig, Ikehara & Jensen, supra, and Danaher, "Private International Law," in 6 Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan 250-2 (1963). As to the Japanese text of the old Horei, see Suzuki & Tanaka, et al., ed., Roppo Zensho (Complete Six Codes) 61-62 (1979) (hereafter Suzuki & Tanaka). As to the Japanese text of the new Horei and implementing special laws of two Hague Conventions on the Conflicts of Laws Relating to the Form of Testamentary Dispositions and on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations which Japan ratified, see Ohsumi, et al., ed., Mohan Roppo (Model Six Codes) 49-53 (1991) (hereafter Ohsumi). These two special
Cutting Computation Time and Mastering the Underlying Science of Introductory Thermodynamics

Traditionally, the teaching and learning of introductory undergraduate Thermodynamics in Mechanical Engineering programs stressed the manipulation of formulas and the use of property tables. At present, the use of computer-based instruction is becoming more common in the classroom and it is proving to be a valuable tool for enhancing the educational experience of students. In teaching Thermodynamics, for example, much of the tedious manipulative and computational work encountered while solving problems can now be effectively and quickly executed by computer software. This approach leaves ample time for instructors to emphasize concepts and principles instead of procedures, and to foster an environment that helps students to master the underlying science of the discipline while minimizing computational burden. A comparative study between teaching introductory Thermodynamics using a traditional approach versus using the software EES (acronym for Engineering Equation Solver) as a computational tool is presented in this paper. A statistical comparison of academic performance in introductory Thermodynamics between two groups of engineering students of comparable academic level and capability but enrolled in different schools is also part of this study. Qualitative and quantitative results suggest that students can achieve a clearer understanding of concepts, definitions and principles of introductory Thermodynamics when using computer software as a tool in their learning process.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Computational study of the US stock market evolution: a rank correlation-based network model

This paper presents a computational study of global characteristics of the US stock market using a network-based model referred to as the market graph. The market graph reflects similarity patterns between stock return fluctuations via linking pairs of stocks that exhibit “coordinated” behavior over a specified period of time. We utilized Spearman rank correlation as a measure of similarity between stocks and considered the evolution of the market graph over the recent decade between 2001–2011. The observed market graph characteristics reveal interesting trends in the stock market over time, as well as allow one to use this model to identify cohesive clusters of stocks in the market.
On the internal structure of the major satellites of the outer planets

The structures and thermal evolutions of the large icy-satellites of the outer solar system are considered. It is shown (for bodies comparable in size and mass to the Galilean satellites, having sizeable mass fraction of H2O, and with meteoritic abundances of radioactive materials contained within their silicate fractions) that the crust of solid ice over a liquid mantle predicted by conductive heat-transfer calculations is unstable to large-scale solid-state convection. For appropriate material parameters, convective heat-transfer rates are sufficient to freeze a large liquid mantle on a time scale that is short compared to the lifetime of the body. It is also concluded that the ice layer is convecting at the present time. A reevaluation of previous work, using improved values for material parameters and boundary conditions, reverses earlier conclusions and implies a rigid outer crust with resulting long-term stability of surface features to creep deformation. The combination of a rigid crust with active internal convection presents the additional possibility of surface features that are produced and maintained by dynamic internal processes.
3α-Hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one exposure reduces GABAA receptor α4 subunit mRNA levels

Abstract To examine the direct effects of neurosteroids on γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptor expression, we exposed developing neuronal cells (P19) in vitro to 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone). Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in GABA A receptor α4 subunit mRNA expression that reversed 24 h after steroid withdrawal. These data suggest that variations in neurosteroid levels regulate the pattern of GABA A receptor subunit expression and may alter the trophic effects of GABA.
Behavioral implications of the learning curve for production capacity analysis

Abstract Learning curves traditionally have been an important assumption in production capacity analysis. The slope of a learning curve for an operation is generally assumed to vary as a function of the complexity of the product and the process. Yet, many other factors can also affect the slope. Several personal and situational variables can influence the properties of the traditional learning curve. A hypothetical production system is simulated using different workers with different levels of personal factors when two different situational levels are present. The results of the simulation are compared to the traditional log curve, and the impact on capacity planning is demonstrated.
Engineering the Chemistry and Nanostructure of Porous Silicon Fabry-Pérot Films for Loading and Release of a Steroid

A method for engineering the surface chemistry and pore dimensions in porous Si films for the purpose of controlling the loading and release of a hydrophobic drug is described. Loading of the steroid dexamethasone is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the release rates are characterized by observation of the appearance of the drug in solution (UV−vis absorption spectroscopy) and by measurement of the Fabry-Perot fringes in the optical reflectivity spectrum of the porous Si film. Optical reflectivity changes provide a measure of the release rate of the drug that is amenable to in-vivo diagnostic applications. Fresh porous Si films are prepared by electrochemical etch and subsequently modified by hydrosilylation with 1-dodecene. The dodecene-modified samples are more robust in aqueous environments and exhibit slower release rates of the drug relative to freshly etched porous Si. Whereas the relatively large dexamethasone molecule is found to infiltrate the freshly etched samples, it d...
Flanking Gestures: Gender and Emotion in Fieldwork

Fieldwork is wrought with challenges and emotional obstacles. Techniques of dealing with these logistical challenges are well discussed in the literature; however, rarely are the emotions involved in fieldwork explored, nor are the specific techniques for dealing with this emotional fallout. In this paper, I explore not only the emotions of fieldwork, specifically as a woman in a male dominated research setting, but actual tactics for dealing with these feelings - tactics I call 'flanking gestures.' Flanking gestures are techniques that allow the researcher to blur and stretch their gender, which I suggest provides a certain amount of emotional relief in the field.
Maximizing lifetime sequences of wireless sensor networks powered by renewable energy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate conditional and unconditional lifetime sequence of wireless sensor networks (WSN) that have many important practical applications. A significant limitation for WSN is its short lifetime due to the limited capacity of the battery. Renewable energy can significantly extend the lifetime of WSN. In this paper, we investigate the whole sequence of lifetimes of every sensor in WSN, as different application scenarios have different requirement on how many sensors can die until the WSN is no longer functional. Design/methodology/approach – Linear programming formulation was used to investigate both the conditional and unconditional lifetime sequence of WSN. The lifetime sequences of WSN without and with differ levels of solar power were studied. Findings – This investigation of lifetime sequences discovered three interesting phenomena: the sensors that die first are on the peripheral of the network, rather close to the base station; multiple sensors tend to di...
Comparing Normative, Anecdotal, and Statistical Risk Evidence to Discourage Tanning Bed Use

This study compared the efficacy of normative messages to other traditional persuasive messages using anecdotal or statistical risk evidence. Messages were compared regarding their impact on beliefs, attitudes, and normative perceptions regarding tanning bed use. Undergraduate students (N = 744) at a large Northeastern university were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 message conditions: normative, anecdotal, statistical risk, or no-message control. Results from this study indicate that, although evidence types do not directly influence behavioral intention, some do impact message perceptions, normative perceptions, severity, and health beliefs about the safety of tanning beds and their negative consequences. Normative evidence was superior to other evidence types in influencing normative perceptions of other college students’ and friends’ beliefs that tanning beds are safe, some messages ratings, and beliefs about health protection and consequences of tanning beds. Anecdotal messages were best at altering seve...
Children's Family Relationships Between Two and Five: Developmental Changes and Individual Differences

Developmental changes in children's relationships with their mothers and older siblings between 33 and 69 months of age were investigated in a longitudinal study of 47 families, through an examination of family conversations and affect expressed during unstructured home observations. Mother-child interaction decreased and sibling interaction increased markedly over the period. The prominence of reflective commentary in children's discourse increased while self-interested moves decreased with both partners; however differences in emotional expression and in patterns of change in the two relationships were marked, with more positive and negative emotion and play with siblings. Individual differences in the trajectory of these changes were correlated with early differences in social understanding, and with SES. The association between children's developing social understanding and these changes in relationships is discussed.
Complementary Trace Element Abundances in Meteoritic SiC Grains and Carbon Star Atmospheres

Equilibrium condensation calculations successfully explain the complementary trace element abundance patterns observed in carbon star atmospheres and circumstellar SiC grains found in meteorites. Fractional trace element condensation into SiC depletes the gas in refractory trace elements, while more volatile elements remain in the gas. The observed complementary patterns imply that dust forms relatively close to the star, possibly during the minimum light phase in stellar variability cycles. Once the gas falls back onto the star during stellar contraction, photospheric abundances become relatively enriched in more volatile elements. The complementary trace element abundances link circumstellar SiC grains from meteorites to carbon star atmospheres.
Deposit formation in liquid fuels. 2. The effect of selected compounds on the storage stability of Jet A turbine fuel

The influence of substituted pyridines, pyrroles, indoles, and quinolines on the storage stability of conventional Jet A turbine fuel is evaluated. Significant increases in the amount of deposit formed in accelerated storage tests are found upon addition of these compounds at levels as low as one ppm nitrogen. While the effect is correlated with basicity of the nitrogen compound within a given compound class, the correlation does not hold between classes (pyridines, quinolines, etc.). Steric hindrance at the nitrogen atom greatly inhibits deposit promotion. The characteristics, but not the elemental composition, of deposits vary with the identity of the added nitrogen compound and with deposition temperature.
Analysis of Hardened Depth Variability, Process Potential, and Measurement Error in Case Carburized Components

Hardened depth (effective case depth) measurement is one of the most commonly used methods for carburizing performance evaluation. Variation in direct hardened depth measurements is routinely assumed to represent the heat treat process variation without properly correcting for the large uncertainty frequently observed in industrial laboratory measurements. These measurement uncertainties may also invalidate application of statistical control requirements on hardened depth. Gage R&R studies were conducted at three different laboratories on shallow and deep case carburized components. The primary objectives were to understand the magnitude of the measurement uncertainty and heat treat process variability, and to evaluate practical applicability of statistical control methods to metallurgical quality assessment. It was found that ~75% of the overall hardened depth variation is attributed to the measurement error resulting from the accuracy limitation of microhardness equipment and the linear interpolation technique. The measurement error was found to be proportional to the hardened depth magnitude and may reach ~0.2 mm uncertainty at 1.3 mm nominal depth and ~0.8 mm uncertainty at 3.2mm depth. A case study was discussed to explain a methodology for analyzing a large body of hardened depth information, determination of the measurement error, and calculation of the true heat treat process variation.
Knowledge of words, knowledge about words: Dimensions of vocabulary in first and second language learners in sixth grade

Despite acknowledging the complex nature of vocabulary knowledge, researchers have rarely investigated the dimensionality of this construct empirically. This study was designed to test a multi-dimensional model of English vocabulary knowledge for sixth-grade students from linguistically diverse backgrounds (n = 584). Participants included language minority students learning English as a second language (L2) and students who learned English as a first language (L1). Students were assessed on 13 reading-based measures tapping various aspects of vocabulary knowledge. Using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis, we found that vocabulary was comprised of three highly related, but distinct dimensions—breadth, contextual sensitivity, and morphological awareness. This three-dimensional model was found to hold for L2 learners as well as L1 speakers. Although the L2 learners were statistically significantly lower than the L1 students on all three dimensions, the magnitude of the difference for morphological awareness (d = .37) was somewhat smaller than that for vocabulary breadth (d = .52) and contextual sensitivity (d = .49). Results were similar for a subsample of Spanish-speaking L2 learners and for the full sample of L2 learners from various home language groups. Findings support a distinction between word-specific and word-general knowledge in understanding individual and group differences in vocabulary.
Cohesion, communication burden, and response adequacy in adolescent conversations

Discourse measures of cohesion, communication burden, and response adequacy were studied in adolescent conversational dyads. Participants were 50 typically developing African American and Caucasian adolescents (25 males and 25 females), ages 13 to 21 years. The effects of age, race, and gender of the speaker on the discourse measures were explored. No significant effects of these factors were found; however, the results indicated that most adolescents had high cohesion, shared the burden of conversation equally, and provided adequate responses. The results are discussed in terms of application to clinical populations.
Shock tube study of the reaction between hydrogen cyanide and atomic oxygen

Mixtures of hydrogen cyanide and nitrous oxide diluted in argon were shock-heated to determine the rate coefficient of the reaction HCN+O→NH+CO (7) and to infer an upper bound on the rate coefficient for: HCN+O→CN+OH. (6) CN broad-band absorption near 388 nm and NH broad-band absorption near 336 nm were used in a quantitative manner to infer absolute concentration time-profiles of CN and NH. Laser absorption by the NH molecule at 303.361 nm was used to validate the calibration of the NH broad-band absorption diagnostic. A detailed kinetic analysis of the NH and CN concentration time-histories led to the following values for the rate coefficients: k 7 =2.2×10 13 exp(−7740/T) cm 3 /mol-s (−30%, +40%) in the temperature range 1800–2600 K, and k 6 13 exp(−11000/T) cm 3 /mol-s between 2000 and 2500 K.
Computational probability applications

There is a boundary separating analytic methodology and simulation methodology. If a problem involves the flipping of coins or the rolling of dice, for example, analytic methods are generally employed. If a problem involves a complex series of queues with a nonstationary arrival stream, discrete-event simulation methods are generally employed. This tutorial considers problems that are near the boundary between analytic methods and simulation methods. We use the Maple-based APPL (A Probability Programming Language) to perform operations on random variables to address these problems. The problems considered are the infinite bootstrap, the probability distribution of the Kolmogorov--Smirnov test statistic, the distribution of the time to complete a stochastic activity network, finding a lower bound on system reliability, Benford's law, finding the probability distribution and variance--covariance matrix of sojourn times in a queueing model, probability distribution relationships, testing random numbers, bivariate transformations, and autoregressive moving average time series models.
Improved synthesis of HN(SPPh2)(SePPh2) and some coordination chemistry of [N(SPPh2)(SePPh2)]−

Abstract The compound HN(SPPh2)(SePPh2) (1) has been synthesized in good yield from the reaction of Ph2P(S)NH2 with Ph2P(Se)Cl in the presence of NaH in THF. With the corresponding metal salts the anion [N(SPPh2)(SePPh2]−, generated in situ from compound 1 in the presence of KOtBu, readily forms a series of stable bis-chelate complexes [M{N(SPPh2)(SePPh2)}2] (M=Co, 2; Zn, 3; Sn, 4) as well as the tris-chelate complex [Bi{N(SPPh2)(SePPh2)}3] (5). These compounds have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 is isostructural with HN(SPPh2)2 and HN(SePPh2)2 and shows S/Se disorder as do compounds 2–5 where the metal center is coordinated by two or three similar [N(SPPh2)(SePPh2)]− anions. NMR data (δ ppm): 1 — 31P{1H}: 56.9, 52.5 (1JPSe=790 Hz); 77Se{1H}: −160.2 (d, 1JSeP=790 Hz; 2JPP=4.6 Hz). 3 — 31P{1H}: 41.6, 28.2 (1JPSe=525 Hz); 77Se{1H}: −113.1 (d, 1JSeP=524 Hz). 4 — 31P{1H}: 41.7, 28.4 (1JPSe=531 Hz); 77Se{1H}: 14.6 (d, 1JSeP=521 Hz). 5 — 31P{1H}: 38.3, 24.4 (1JPSe=555 Hz); 77Se{1H}: 27.0 (d, 1JSeP=559 Hz).
Disk Scrubbing Versus Intradisk Redundancy for RAID Storage Systems

Two schemes proposed to cope with unrecoverable or latent media errors and enhance the reliability of RAID systems are examined. The first scheme is the established, widely used, disk scrubbing scheme, which operates by periodically accessing disk drives to detect media-related unrecoverable errors. These errors are subsequently corrected by rebuilding the sectors affected. The second scheme is the recently proposed intradisk redundancy scheme, which uses a further level of redundancy inside each disk, in addition to the RAID redundancy across multiple disks. A new model is developed to evaluate the extent to which disk scrubbing reduces the unrecoverable sector errors. The probability of encountering unrecoverable sector errors is derived analytically under very general conditions regarding the characteristics of the read/write process of uniformly distributed random workloads and for a broad spectrum of disk scrubbing schemes, which includes the deterministic and random scrubbing schemes. We show that the deterministic scrubbing scheme is the most efficient one. We also derive closed-form expressions for the percentage of unrecoverable sector errors that the scrubbing scheme detects and corrects, the throughput performance, and the minimum scrubbing period achievable under operation with random, uniformly distributed I/O requests. Our results demonstrate that the reliability improvement due to disk scrubbing depends on the scrubbing frequency and the load of the system, and, for heavy-write workloads, may not reach the reliability level achieved by a simple interleaved parity-check (IPC)-based intradisk redundancy scheme, which is insensitive to the load. In fact, for small unrecoverable sector error probabilities, the IPC-based intradisk redundancy scheme achieves essentially the same reliability as that of a system operating without unrecoverable sector errors. For heavy loads, the reliability achieved by the scrubbing scheme can be orders of magnitude less than that of the intradisk redundancy scheme. Finally, the I/O and throughput performances are evaluated by means of analysis and event-driven simulation.
Optimizing top-k document retrieval strategies for block-max indexes

Large web search engines use significant hardware and energy resources to process hundreds of millions of queries each day, and a lot of research has focused on how to improve query processing efficiency. One general class of optimizations called early termination techniques is used in all major engines, and essentially involves computing top results without an exhaustive traversal and scoring of all potentially relevant index entries. Recent work in [9,7] proposed several early termination algorithms for disjunctive top-k query processing, based on a new augmented index structure called Block-Max Index that enables aggressive skipping in the index.In this paper, we build on this work by studying new algorithms and optimizations for Block-Max indexes that achieve significant performance gains over the work in [9,7]. We start by implementing and comparing Block-Max oriented algorithms based on the well-known Maxscore and WAND approaches. Then we study how to build better Block-Max index structures and design better index-traversal strategies, resulting in new algorithms that achieve a factor of 2 speed-up over the best results in [9] with acceptable space overheads. We also describe and evaluate a hierarchical algorithm for a new recursive Block-Max index structure.
Quality of life of breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

Abstract Background: Quality of life has increasingly become an important issue in breast cancer treatment. One of the impetuses for sentinel lymph node biopsy or selective axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is the assumed decreased incidence of lymphedema compared with standard ALND. This is based on the assumption that ALND is associated with a clinically significant incidence of lymphedema and that this lymphedema decreases the quality of life of these patients. However, few data exist on this issue. This study attempts to define the incidence and effect on quality of life of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Methods: To determine the incidence of postoperative lymphedema, the Breast Cancer Registry at Henry Ford Hospital was accessed to obtain information on all patients who underwent ALND in the management of breast cancer over a 7-year period. The registry is a prospectively gathered data base to include the development of various complications, such as lymphedema. To determine the effects of lymphedema on quality of life , 101 consecutive, unselected patients who underwent breast surgery were asked to complete the SF-36, a generic quality of life instrument. The SF-36 measures eight domains of quality of life. Patients were then divided into three groups: (1) breast surgery without ALND (-ALND), (2) breast surgery with ALND but no lymphedema (-LE), and (3) breast surgery with ALND and lymphedema (+LE). Results: In all, 827 patients with ALND were identified in the registry. Of these, 8.3% developed clinically apparent lymphedema. Patients in -ALND and -LE groups had similar scores in all domains of the SF-36. However, patients in the +LE group had significantly lower scores in the domains of role-emotional and bodily pain. A significantly higher percentage of patients in the +LE group had scores below one standard deviation compared with national norms in the domains of bodily pain ( P = 0.005), mental health ( P = 0.01), and general health ( P = 0.04). Conclusions: Although postoperative lymphedema occurs in a minority of patients, when it does occur it can produce demonstrable diminutions in quality of life. Therefore, efforts to reduce the incidence of lymphedema, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy or selective ALND, would benefit breast cancer patients.
HVAC systems for the fire protection engineer

Engineers concerned with smoke control often specify the use of the building HVAC system in a special mode of operation for controlling smoke. However, depending on the type of system and its set of components and controls, HVAC systems may be easy or difficult to adapt for use in controlling smoke. The various types of HVAC systems such as multizone systems, induction unit systems, fan coil systems, VAV, etc. are described relative to their ease of adaptability for controlling smoke. Also, the role of system components and controls in HVAC system operation and adaptability of the system as a smoke control system are described.
Linear Response Breakdown in Solvation Dynamics Induced by Atomic Electron-Transfer Reactions

The linear response (LR) approximation, which predicts identical relaxation rates from all nonequilibrium initial conditions that relax to the same equilibrium state, underlies dominant models of how solvation influences chemical reactivity. We experimentally tested the validity of LR for the solvation that accompanies partial electron transfer to and from a monatomic solute in solution. We photochemically prepared the species with stoichiometry Na 0 in liquid tetrahydrofuran by both adding an electron to Na + and removing an electron from Na – . Because atoms lack nuclear degrees of freedom, ultrafast changes in the Na 0 absorption spectrum reflected the solvation that began from our two initial nonequilibrium conditions. We found that the solvation of Na 0 occurs more rapidly from Na + than Na – , constituting a breakdown of LR. This indicates that Marcus theory would fail to describe electron-transfer processes for this and related chemical systems.
Why do so many lymphocytes respond to major histocompatibility antigens

Abstract A large fraction of T lymphocytes respond to allogeneic cells. Products of the major histocompatibility (H) complex influence the antigenicity of other cell surface components. We propose that lymphocytes responding to cells that differ genetically only at the major H locus recognize not only the major H difference, but also a multitude of other surface components in combination with the major H antigens. The large frequency of lymphocytes responding to allogeneic cells, then, becomes a function of the number of complex antigens they are recognizing on the foreign cells.
Techniques for solving industrial nonlinear data reconciliation problems

Abstract The focus of this short note is to highlight several techniques to solve industrial nonlinear data reconciliation problems. The main areas of discussion are starting value generation, row and column scaling, regularization of the kernel matrix, using different and independent unconstrained solving methods such as ridge regression, matrix projection, Newton’s method and singular value decomposition and infeasibility handling. These techniques are usually necessary to arrive at solutions to nonlinear reconciliation problems which are poorly initiated, ill-conditioned and even inconsistent. A relatively large and well-studied numerical example is solved taken from the mining process industry which demonstrates some of the techniques discussed.
The fine structure of human hemoglobinuric kidney cells with particular reference to hyalin droplets and iron micelle localization.

Two human kidney biopsy specimens were obtained by needle biopsy from a patient with classical clinical and laboratory evidence of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Iron, in the form of hemosiderin granules and iron micelles 50–60 A in size was found at all levels of the nephron. The visceral and parietal epithelial cells of Bowman's capsule contained individual 50–60 A iron micelles, and membrane-limited masses of closely packed iron micelles (hemosiderin granules). The proximal convoluted tubule cells contained hyalin droplets, hemosiderin granules, and 50–60 A iron micelles. The hyalin droplets were membrane-limited, spheroid, structures which contained peripherally located electron-dense masses. The hemosiderin granules, sometimes membrane-limited, consisted of tightly packed 50–60 A iron micelles. Iron micelles were also observed in the basement membranes underlying parietal epithelial cells, proximal convoluted tubule cells, and in the peritubular capillary endothelium and lumen. The iron micelles were similar in sub-unit structure throughout all regions of the kidney, consisting of sub-units 15–20 A in size spaced 15–20 A apart, and indistinguishable from the iron micelles of ferritin. A comparison is made between the morphology of the hyalin droplets, and hemosiderin granules observed here and elsewhere, and the localization of iron micelles is discussed with respect to ferritin transport.
Minimum-sized influential node set selection for social networks under the independent cascade model

Social networks are important mediums for communication,information dissemination, and influence spreading. Most of existing works focus on understanding the characteristics of social networks or spreading information through the 'word of mouth' effect of social networks. However, motivated by applications of alleviating social problems, such as drinking, smoking, addicting to gaming, and influence spreading problems, such as promoting new products, we propose a new optimization problem named the Minimum-sized Influential Node Set (MINS) selection problem, which is to identify the minimum-sized set of influential nodes, such that every node in the network could be influenced by these selected nodes no less than a threshold. Our contributions are threefold. First, we prove that, under the independent cascade model, MINS is NP-hard. Subsequently, we present a greedy approximation algorithm to address the MINS selection problem. Moreover, the performance ratio of the greedy algorithm is analyzed. Finally, to validate the proposed greedy algorithm, extensive experiments and simulations are conducted both on real world coauthor data sets and random graphs.
On the formation of the Kuroshio meander and its relationship to the large-scale ocean circulation

The Kuroshio meander south of Japan exists for a period of years, disappears for other years, and then reappears suddenly for another period. Observations indicate that it is present when the baroclinic transport of the Kuroshio is weak( 40 × 106 m2 s−1). When present, the wavelength of the meander is directly related to the magnitude of the transport. The meander can be modeled as a Rossby lee wave phenomenon induced by passing a zonal baroclinic inertial jet past a coastal perturbation scaled to represent Kyushu Island. The model is run for four cases, where the upstream transport is varied over a range of values similar to those observed. It yields a stationary meander in the Kuroshio downstream from the Kyushu perturbation that has the observed amplitude. An increase in the upstream transport of the jet dees not effect the amplitude of the meander, but it does shift it downstream a distance linearly related to the transport, as observed. The disappearance of the meander at large transport may result from an interaction of a lengthened Rossby lee wave with the Izu Ridge, approximately 1000 km downstream from Kyushu. For a transport greater than 40 × 106m3s−1 (0/100 db) the lee wave intersects the Izu Ridge in such a way that the Kuroshio is forced from its meander path to flow through a narrow coastal channel in the ridge. When this occurs the meander disappears.
Automatic bus macro placement for partially reconfigurable FPGA designs

Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration of FPGAs partitions the configurable logic fabric into static and reconfigurable regions. The reconfigurable regions' functionality changes at run time while the static regions continue unperturbed. The reconfigurable and static regions interface via fixed connection points ("bus macros"). We introduce the notion of a fitness score as the measure of how well the combined designs meet their timing constraints, subject to a given bus macro placement. We present a tool that uses design-space exploration to obtain automatic, near-optimal placements. The tool achieves 76% better fitness scores over manual placements. The location of the bus macros around a region has a noticeable impact on the timings, and we found that this is accurately reflected on our fitness score. We also found that following the accepted best design practices leads to quantifiably sub-optimal placements, underscoring the need for such a tool.
Maternal serum homocysteine and risk for neural tube defects in a Texas-Mexico border population.

BACKGROUND: To better understand the neural tube defect (NTD) causal pathway, the authors measured homocysteine, an indicator of tissue micronutrient deficiencies. The authors examined independent and joint associations of serum homocysteine, B12, and folate and red blood cell (RBC) folate with NTD-affected pregnancies. METHODS: Case women in this population-based study had NTD-affected pregnancies and resided and delivered in one of the 14 Texas-Mexico border counties from 1995 through 2000. Control women were study area residents delivering normal live births during the same period. The authors measured homocysteine levels using tandem mass spectroscopy; competitive binding was used for other biomarkers. RESULTS: Homocysteine testing was done on 103 cases and 139 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) were increased in all upper homocysteine quintiles compared to the lowest quintile (1.7, 1.3, 2.8, 2.4). Women with high homocysteine values had increased ORs regardless of high versus low levels for B12 (OR = 3.5, 4.8, respectively) or RBC folate (OR = 2.9, 3.5, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High serum homocysteine levels are associated with NTD-affected pregnancies. Moreover, high homocysteine levels have a detrimental effect on NTD-risk even when serum B12 or RBC folate levels are high. Excess homocysteine might play an independent role in the development of NTDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The steady streaming generated by a vibrating plate parallel to a fixed plate

A viscous fluid is sandwiched between two parallel plates. The top plate performs both normal and lateral small translatory oscillations. The unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are solved using perturbations. The nonlinear Reynolds stress causes a secondary steady streaming. It is found that the normal oscillations induce a steady lift while the interaction between normal and lateral oscillations causes a directional net flux. The system thus operates as a valveless pump with rigid walls.
Animal Models for Investigating Benign Essential Blepharospasm

The focal dystonia benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) affects as many as 40,000 individuals in the United States. This dystonia is characterized by trigeminal hyperexcitability, photophobia, and most disabling of the symptoms, involuntary spasms of lid closure that can produce functional blindness. Like many focal dystonias, BEB appears to develop from the interaction between a predisposing condition and an environmental trigger. The primary treatment for blepharospasm is to weaken the eyelid-closing orbicularis oculi muscle to reduce lid spasms. There are several animal models of blepharospasm that recreate the spasms of lid closure in order to investigate pharmacological treatments to prevent spasms of lid closure. One animal model attempts to mimic the predisposing condition and environmental trigger that give rise to BEB. This model indicates that abnormal interactions among trigeminal blink circuits, basal ganglia, and the cerebellum are the neural basis for BEB.
THE SYNTHESIS, STORAGE, AND EXCRETION OF CREATINE, CREATININE, AND GLYCOCYAMINE IN PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY AND THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN HORMONES ON THESE PROCESSES

The diminished excretion of creatinine in progressive muscular dystrophy is a more striking and specific phenomenon than the excess excretion of creatine, marked though this is. While creatinuria is invariably encountered in all cases of long-standing dystrophy, the extent to which the excretion of creatinine is decreased provides a more reliable indication of the severity of the disease since an excess output of creatine may occur physiologically in normal human subjects and in many pathological conditions not known to be associated with muscle disease. In progressive muscular dystrophy the residual muscle mass, as inferred from the excretion of creatinine, provides a useful index of the state of the disease at any given time. Although there is excessive creatinuria in progressive muscular dystrophy, there is no evidence that a deprivation of methyl stores occurs through a loss of urinary creatine. The loss of methyl groups contained in the excess creatine is, under ordinary conditions of diet, almost exactly compensated for by a drop in the excretion of methyl groups in the urinary creatinine. Testosterone propionate, administered over variable periods of time, resulted in the retention of creatine both in normal male children and in male children with progressive muscular dystrophy, as shown in the normal subjects by a diminution in creatine output, and in both by an excess creatinuria for variable periods of time following withdrawal of the hormone. An increase in the excretion of creatine in progressive muscular dystrophy occurred following the administration of methyl testosterone. Neither testosterone propionate nor methyl testosterone appeared to effect any consistent change in the output or urinary creatinine. No effects on the excretion of creatine and creatinine were observed following the prolonged administration of concentrate of gonadotropic and thyrotropic principles of the hypophysis, or from the administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate to patients with progressive muscular dystrophy. Except in one case, in which marked improvement was observed following the administration of testosterone propionate, no effects on the clinical course of the patients with progressive muscular dystrophy were observed as a result of treatment by any of the various hormones employed in this study.
Topics in Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

This brief description of some fluid dynamical problems of astrophysical interest focuses on two effects that are characteristic of the subject: self-gravity and radiative forces. Self-gravity is important in determining the basic structures of cosmic bodies as well as producing some intriguing instabilities. Radiation, by which we observe these bodies, produces forces that may be disruptive to their basic structures and be a source of vigorous fluid dynamical activity in the form of photon bubbles and radiatively driven vortices.
Binding to PKC-3, but not to PAR-3 or to a conventional PDZ domain ligand, is required for PAR-6 function in C. elegans.

PAR-6 is a conserved protein important for establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in a variety of metazoans. PAR-6 proteins function together with PAR-3, aPKC and CDC-42. Mechanistic details of their interactions, however, are not fully understood. We studied the biochemical interactions between C. elegans PAR-6 and its binding partners and tested the requirements of these interactions in living worms. We show that PB1 domain-mediated binding of PAR-6 to PKC-3 is necessary for polarity establishment and PAR-6 cortical localization in C. elegans embryos. We also show that binding of PAR-6 and PAR-3 is mediated in vitro by a novel type of PDZ-PDZ interaction; the βC strand of PAR-6 PDZ binds the βD strand of PAR-3 PDZ1. However, this interaction is dispensable in vivo for PAR-6 function throughout the life of C. elegans. Mutations that specifically abolish conventional ligand binding to the PAR-6 PDZ domain also failed to affect PAR-6 function in vivo. We conclude that PAR-6 binding to PKC-3, but not to PAR-3 nor to a conventional PDZ ligand, is required for PAR-6 cortical localization and function in C. elegans.
Pharmacokinetics of Tobramycin in Patients with Stable Renal Impairment, Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis, and Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

The pharmacokinetics of tobramycin were studied in five patients with stable renal impairment, four patients requiring peritoneal dialysis, and four patients on chronic hemodialysis. The half-life of the drug varied with the level of the serum creatinine in the first group of patients, and the average volume of distribution was 15 liters. Only 49% of the administered dose of tobramycin was recovered during 36 h of peritoneal dialysis. The average clearance of tobramycin during hemodialysis was 49.1 ml/min, and 51.5% of the administered dose was recovered during a 6-h dialysis.