cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk-consistent calibration of load factors for the design of reinforced concrete bridges under the combined effects of earthquake and scour hazards

Abstract Current bridge design specifications deal with various extreme hazards independently, which may lead to less economic design and construction practices, and may also underestimate failure probabilities. Therefore, a multi-hazard bridge design framework is required to guide the future design of new bridges or the retrofit of existing ones. This paper lays the foundation toward a risk-based design approach to combine earthquake and scour hazards. First, the development of a new multi-hazard probabilistic seismic demand model is proposed, which is the basis for calculating a combined fragility surface as a function of earthquake and scour hazards. Then, the joint failure probability of the bridge can be obtained by convolving the combined bridge fragility surface with the earthquake and scour hazard curves at a given site. Load combination factors for design are then determined by comparing the joint failure probability and the failure probability of the bridge for a certain scour depth. Results for the case studies considered suggest the use of a scour load factor equal to 0.59 to combine with the earthquake hazard. This risk-consistent multi-hazard bridge design framework provides a basis for exploring combinations of earthquake and scour loads for additional bridge types and geometries, while being consistent with the practical load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methodology.
Transforming radiology's workplace: Roentgen marries up with the digital world of IT and the Internet

Abstract Driven by technological developments in both medical imaging and information technology (IT), various institutional, demographic, and economic factors are making the teleradiology model increasingly attractive relative to the traditional radiology model that has been in place for the most part since medical imaging began. The emergence of teleradiology in the medical imaging industry is transforming the way radiologists do their work, and this paper shows why and how this is occurring. It further identifies a variety of issues that have arisen or are arising and their possible resolutions as radiologists engage in integrating their professional work with the new and novel settings (including radiology on-line) that recent developments in combining imaging and information technologies are creating.
Search and Rescue

I want to first talk about search and rescue as it occurred in Mexico City; secondly, about what we learned in Mexico City; where are we going from there; what are some of the things that are happening and should be happening in major disaster management, especially as it deals with search and rescue.There are four main phases in search and rescue. Those four phases are: First, you have to locate the victims; second, you have to reach the victims; third, you need to stabilize those victims; and fourth, you need to evacuate them. I'm going to deal primarily with locating the victims because that was my main responsibility, coordinating the search aspect in Mexico City.
Family history of type 2 diabetes: A population-based screening tool for prevention?

Purpose: To evaluate the use of self-reported family medical history as a potential screening tool to identify people at-risk for diabetes. Methods: The HealthStyles 2004 mail survey comprises 4345 US adults who completed a questionnaire to ascertain personal and family history of diabetes, perceived risk of diabetes, and practice of risk-reducing behaviors. Using number and type of affected relatives, respondents were ranked into three familial risk levels. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were obtained to evaluate associations between familial risk and prevalent diabetes, perceived risk of disease, and risk-reducing behaviors. Validity of family history as a screening tool was examined by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Results: Compared to those of average risk, people with moderate and high familial risk of diabetes were more likely to report a diagnosis of diabetes (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.8, 4.7; OR: 7.6, 95% CI: 5.9, 9.8, respectively), a higher perceived risk of diabetes (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 3.7, 5.7; OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 6.6, 17.7, respectively), and making lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.8, 2.7; OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 3.6, 5.6, respectively). A positive familial risk of diabetes identified 73% of all respondents with diabetes and correctly predicted prevalent diabetes in 21.5% of respondents. Conclusion: Family history of diabetes is not only a risk factor for the disease but is also positively associated with risk awareness and risk-reducing behaviors. It may provide a useful screening tool for detection and prevention of diabetes.
Electromagnetic transition form-factors of light mesons

We study selected meson transition processes and associated form factors within a model of QCD based on the Dyson-Schwinger equations truncated to the ladder-rainbow level. The infrared structure of the ladder-rainbow kernel is described by two parameters, the ultraviolet behavior is fixed by the one-loop renormalization group behavior of QCD. The work is restricted to the u and d quark sector and allows a Poincar\'e-covariant study of the radiative decays $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma},$ $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma},$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}.$ Particular attention is paid to the form factors for the associated transitions ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma},$ ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*},$ ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}\ensuremath{\rho},$ and ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\pi}.$ The latter two processes are of interest as contributors to meson electroproduction from hadronic targets away from the s-channel resonance region. We use the present QCD model to explore limitations to the assumption that coupling to a t-channel virtual $\overline{q}q$ correlation can be modeled as meson exchange.
Comparison of tails of distributions in models for estimating safe doses

Heaviness of tail of distributions is compared each other analytically and systematically. Distributions under the study are the lognormal, loglogistic, Weibull, gamma, exponential-polynomial distributions. The beta loglogistic, which covers some of these distributions as its limits, is also discussed. Heaviness of tail is an important notion in life-test, robust estimation and rank test. Here the notion is studied to examine models for estimating safe doses. Some results about heaviness of tail are given, and a new notion of heaviness of tail at the origin is defined and discussed.
Entry and Learning

This paper shows the difficulties associated with discerning the impact of learning and pressures of competitive entry on the price and cost of production in commodity markets. It shows that the patterns of price and cost movements over time will be dramatically affected by the entry of new competitors. If firms possess U-shaped average cost curves, entry alone can generate price and cost declines which look like learning induced reductions. Alternatively, cost increases may occur even when learning is quite strong. This research has dramatic managerial and empirical implications. Managers, operating in highly competitive environments subject to rapid entry, must put more emphasis on the role of their own day-to-day decisions in affecting cost. The fact that costs have declined may have nothing to do with learning but may be driven by their reactions to competitive pressures. Investigators empirically estimating learning curves must also be cognizant of the role entry plays in affecting cost. Simple compa...
User-friendly method for tuning fuzzy logic controllers

Design of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is generally based on trail-and-error because no standard method exists for developing the rule base of an FLC directly from human knowledge. Consequently, the performance of an initial design attempt will, in general, not be satisfactory in terms of certain design criteria such as steady state error and/or oscillatory behavior of the system. In this paper, a method to tune the rule base of such an initial design attempt is presented. The method is based on a novel formulation of an objective function which can then be used in a conventional optimization algorithm. Results of two experiments are reported.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The fragile X-associated disorders: time to order fragile X DNA testing.

i t T a h D i a o i p The fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMRP) is a master protein regulating the transport and subsequent translation of hundreds of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) into proteins mportant for synaptic plasticity that impacts intelligence and emotion 1). FMRP is missing in males with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and someimes deficient in carriers and females with FXS. Through evolution the GG repeat at the 5’ end of FMR1 at Xq27.3 has expanded, leading to ncreased production of FMRP, which has enhanced intelligence and motional functioning in the evolution of humans. The study of fragile X mutations including both the full mutation more than 200 CGG repeats) that causes FXS and the premutation 55–200 CGG repeats), the carrier state, has led to a greater undertanding of the causes of autism, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), earning disabilities, anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperacivity disorder, and intellectual impairment. When FMRP is deficient, here is a dramatic dysregulation of a number of other pathways ncluding those of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1 and 5), -aminobutyric acid A and B pathways, phosphaidylinositol 3-kinase, and mammalian target of rapamycin pathays that negatively impact social and intellectual functioning (1). In FXS there is dramatic up-regulation of protein production mportant for synaptic function because FMRP usually inhibits ranslation of these proteins. There is a close association between XS and autism or ASD because approximately a third of all of the roteins known to be mutated in autism including neuroligins, eurorexins, SHANK, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted rom chromosome 10, and postsynaptic density-95 are regulated y FMRP and dysregulated in FXS (1). Autism occurs in approxiately 30% of those with FXS and PDDNOS occurs in an additional 0% (2), whereas anxiety disorders are seen in up to 80%. It has been nown for many years that intelligence quotient declines in FXS, nd this decline begins in childhood and increases significantly in dolescence, although those who are mosaic with greater than 50% f normal levels of FMRP can maintain a higher intelligence quoient than those with lower levels of FMRP (3). The study by Bray et al. (4) reported in this issue is the first to emonstrate longitudinal changes in the adolescent brain of those ith FXS. They studied 59 individuals with FXS and 83 controls aged –22 years, and a subset were studied longitudinally up to 5 years. hey found consistent differences from controls in the large caudate olumes, which Hazlett et al. (5) had demonstrated in toddlers with XS. They also found aberrant maturation of the prefrontal cortex, and easures of verbal fluency and visual spatial relations were also aberant in their dramatically lowered trajectory over this period in FXS ompared with controls. Both gray matter and white matter volume rajectories were similar between FXS and controls, but the frontal egions including the orbital frontal gyrus and the superior/middle
Preparation and use of liposomes in the treatment of microbial infections.

(1988). Preparation and use of Liposomes in the Treatment of Microbial Infections. CRC Critical Reviews in Microbiology: Vol. 15, No. sup1, pp. S1-S31.
Compact single-level and multilevel folded-line RF power dividers

6. CONCLUSION The integrated macromodeling method proposed in this paper is an accurate approach to address the high-speed interconnect problem, which is based on a rational function approximation of the Y-parameter transfer function from the full-wave FDTD sim- ulation and equivalent circuit approach in the context of a SPICE simulator. The VFM employed for rational function approximation in this paper provides a considerably accurate way to construct the macromodel of the interconnect subnetwork. Conversion of the interconnect macromodel to an equivalent circuit can facilitate the signal integrity analysis, involving both distributed interconnect and linear/nonlinear circuit components, by using SPICE circuit simulation. Signal integrity analysis of large hybrid interconnect and circuit problems using this approach will be further studied in the future. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors wish to express their thanks to Dr. Yuan Weiliang of the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) for his useful discussion and suggestions. This work is jointly supported by the IHPC and National University of Singapore. ABSTRACT: A new design methodology for compact single-level and multilevel folded-line radio frequency (RF) power dividers is presented. Simple design equations are developed for compact 3-dB Wilkinson power dividers with single and cascaded folded-line C-sections. The new topologies show a reduction in footprint area to less than 40% of the conventional topology for single-level compact designs and to less than 17% of the conventional topology for a multilevel compact design. The new compact designs are validated by full-wave electromagnetic simula- tion as well as measurements. Excellent agreement is reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 187-189, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11164
The relationship between the number of expanded and developing leaves in shoot apices of palms

The number of developing leaves was compared to the number of mature expanded leaves in the crowns of 42 species of palms representing 28 genera. One species had fewer developing vs. mature leaves. Ten species had approximately the same number of developing and mature leaves. Eighteen species had approximately 1.5 times the number of developing leaves vs. mature leaves. Eleven species had approximately twice as many developing leaves vs. mature leaves. Two species (Copernicia gigas and Gastrococos crispa) had approximately three times the number of developing vs. mature leaves. Additional data from the literature and previously unpublished observations for 19 species are also presented. The 1:1 ratio between the number of developing leaves vs. mature leaves, as hypothesized by earlier authors, was not found in most species of palms.
Effect of induced thrombocytopenia on experimental circulatory shock.

Abstract Thrombocytopenia (i.e., a circulating platelet count of 20% of normal) was induced in dogs by glass contact perfusion. Splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) shock was then induced in thrombocytopenic as well as in sham-thrombocytopenic dogs. Thrombocytopenia significantly attenuated the early postrelease increase in SFP, an observation indicative of a reduced formation of platelet aggregates in response to the shock state. However, thrombocytopenia did not significantly alter the heart rate, superior mesenteric artery flow, or portal venous pressure response to SAO shock. Mean arterial blood pressure was transiently higher in the thrombocytopenic dogs (i.e., 5 min after release) but this difference soon disappeared. Plasma accumulation of prostaglandin E and F 2α ; the lysosomal protease; cathepsin D; and the toxic factor, MDF, were not modified by thrombocytopenia in shock dogs. These data suggest that neither platelet release of humoral substances nor platelet aggregation are primary mechanisms in the development of the shock state. The data also indicate that removal of a large number of circulating platelets does not confer protection during SAO shock. These findings, however, do not rule out a secondary role of platelets in the pathophysiology of SAO shock.
TIME DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON THE FREQUENCY OF N-METHYL-N'-NITRO-N-NITROSOGUANIDINE-INDUCED MUTATION IN CHINESE HAMSTER CELLS IN VITRO

Effect of caffeine on the frequency of 8-azaguanine (8AG) resistant mutation in Chinese hamster cells (V79 cells) treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), was investigated. The results showed that the effects of caffeine appeared to be different in manner depending on the time and duration of caffeine exposure after MNNG treatment. (1) When the cells were exposed to caffeine during the first half of mutation expression time (0-24h after MNNG treatment), the mutation frequency was slightly enhanced compared with MNNG treatment alone. (2) On the contrary, mutation frequency was reduced if caffeine was present during the latter half of expression time (24-48h after MNNG treatment). (3) Caffeine drastically reduced the frequency of mutation if the cells were exposed to caffeine for the whole mutation selection period from 48 to 240h after MNNG treatment.
Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and dopamine deficiency.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a severe neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder. Gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate deficiency have been reported with CLN1, CLN3, and CLN6. Isolated biopterin/neopterin without dopamine deficiency has been reported in 1 patient with a CLN2 mutation. This report describes a patient with a CLN2 mutation with symptomatic biopterin and dopamine deficiency. A 4-year-old boy presented with intractable epilepsy and developmental regression starting 1 year previously. His exam showed retinopathy, scanning speech, dysmetria, and ataxic fenestrating gait with stooped posture. Electroencephalogram showed generalized spikes with occipital spikes on slow photic stimulation. Brain magnetic resonance images 1 year apart showed significant diffuse atrophy. CLN2 gene sequencing showed pathogenic compound heterozygous mutations. Cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitters showed low homovanillic acid and tetrahydrobiopterin. Levodopa-carbidopa resulted in dramatic improvement of gait. ...
A three-dimensional FDTD subgridding method with separate spatial and temporal subgridding interfaces

The idea of separating the spatial and temporal subgridding interfaces is introduced in this paper. Based on this idea, the spatial and temporal subgridding algorithms can be developed and analyzed separately. The spatial algorithm was given in the previous paper. In this paper, the temporal subgridding algorithm is described and the stability is illustrated by the analytical formulation of a one-dimensional model. An FDTD code that combines the spatial and temporal subgridding algorithms is implemented. Numerical test models are calculated to show the stability and accuracy of the proposed method
Excitation energy deposition from neutron multiplicity distributions for reactions induced with 30 A MeV 14N, 20Ne, 63Cu and 55 A MeV 4He

Abstract Inclusive neutron multiplicity distributions have been measured for 30 A MeV 14 N, 20 Ne, 63 Cu and 55 A MeV 4 He beams incident on targets ranging from 12 C to 238 U. For the lightest targets, the distributions decrease approximately exponentially with increasing multiplicity. The heavier targets display an additional Gaussian component peaked at higher multiplicities, which is attributable to central collisions. In the latter cases, the most probable multiplicities, M n ∗ , have been extracted by fitting the data with a simple functional form. These multiplicities are compared to the predictions of the statistical model codes GEMINI and CASCADE using a massive transfer scenario to define the initial conditions. Reasonable agreement is obtained for systems with estimated excitation energies ≈ 100 MeV, but the calculations consistently overpredict the most probable multiplicities for more highly excited systems. Good agreement is observed between the experimental M n ∗ values and the predictions of the code EUGENE. However, this code gives M n ∗ values that are consistently lower than those predicted by other statistical model calculations. An alternative procedure is utilized to extract the amount of excitation energy of the composite system. In this approach, the input excitation energy in a standard model code is varied until the predicted M n ∗ value matches the experimental value. The resulting excitation energies follow systematic trends with the estimated momentum transfer and the N Z of the system. These patterns are also observed in reactions induced with other projectiles.
Biodegradable electroactive polymers for electrochemically-triggered drug delivery

We report biodegradable electroactive polymer (EAP)-based materials and their application as drug delivery devices. Copolymers composed of oligoaniline-based electroactive blocks linked to either polyethylene glycol or polycaprolactone blocks via ester bonds were synthesized in three steps from commercially available starting materials and isolated without the need for column chromatography. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the polymers were characterized with a variety of techniques. The ability of the polymers to deliver the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone phosphate on the application of electrochemical stimuli was studied spectroscopically. Films of the polymers were shown to be degradable and cell adhesive in vitro. Such EAP-based materials have prospects for integration in implantable fully biodegradable/bioerodible EAP-based drug delivery devices that are capable of controlling the chronopharmacology of drugs for future clinical application.
What Speech-Language Pathologists and Caregivers Can Do to Encourage the Eating Process

Abstract This article highlights key factors individuals with dysphagia face on a daily basis and discusses ways in which speech-language pathologists, other health care professionals, and family members can encourage these individuals to eat and drink. The present focus is on those patients who are partially or totally eating and drinking orally. They may or may not be feeding themselves and may reside in a variety of settings, including: their home, with family members, at various levels within the hospital system, in a rehabilitation facility, and/or in a nursing home. Various proactive strategies are provided that will benefit caregivers assisting individuals with dysphagia.
Can animal models help us select specific compounds for cancer prevention trials

Animal models provide unparalleled mechanistic insights into cancer development and potential opportunity for cancer prevention. Nevertheless, species differ markedly with regard to dietary exposures, cancer development, drug effects, and toxicity thresholds; therefore, testing in a single animal system may not predict human responses. Although replication of human cancer in animal models remains inexact, more than two decades of research have clearly yielded significant gains, as is evident in agents tested--and in certain cases, approved--for the prevention of epithelial cancers. Research efficiencies achievable through preliminary testing in genetically engineered and carcinogen-induced animal models enable us to probe genetic and signaling pathways that drive normal and neoplastic processes, and thereby figure prominently in decision trees for agent development.
Exciton dynamics reveal aggregates with intermolecular order at hidden interfaces in solution-cast organic semiconducting films

Large-scale organic electronics manufacturing requires solution processing. For small-molecule organic semiconductors, solution processing results in crystalline domains with high charge mobility, but the interfaces between these domains impede charge transport, degrading device performance. Although understanding these interfaces is essential to improve device performance, their intermolecular and electronic structure is unknown: they are smaller than the diffraction limit, are hidden from surface probe techniques, and their nanoscale heterogeneity is not typically resolved using X-ray methods. Here we use transient absorption microscopy to isolate a unique signature of a hidden interface in a TIPS-pentacene thin film, exposing its exciton dynamics and intermolecular structure. Surprisingly, instead of finding an abrupt grain boundary, we reveal that the interface can be composed of nanoscale crystallites interleaved by a web of interfaces that compound decreases in charge mobility. Our novel approach provides critical missing information on interface morphology necessary to correlate solution-processing methods to optimal device performance.
Examining the Use of Ceftaroline in the Treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis with Reference to Human Cathelicidin LL-37

Five cases of bacterial meningitis treated with ceftaroline (4 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 1 Staphylococcus aureus) are summarized here. The pharmacodynamics of human cathelicidin LL-37 and ceftaroline were evaluated against S. pneumoniae. Patients who received ceftaroline 600 mg every 8 h (q8h) (1 S. aureus and 3 S. pneumoniae) were successfully treated; treatment failed in 1 patient with S. pneumoniae who received 600 mg q12h. Ceftaroline increased the negative surface charge and sensitized S. pneumoniae to killing by LL-37, a peptide implicated in blood-brain barrier defense.
The Residential Continuum From Home to Nursing Home: Size, Characteristics and Unmet Needs of Older Adults

Objectives. Older adults with care needs live in a variety of settings—from traditional community housing to nursing homes. This analysis provides new estimates of the size and characteristics of the older population across settings and examines unmet needs for assistance.
Plasmid-based target protectors allow specific blockade of miRNA silencing activity in mammalian developmental systems

Over the past decade, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as essential posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. Though a great deal has been discovered about miRNA genomics, biogenesis, mechanisms and functions, the challenge of attributing phenotypes of altered miRNA expression to specific targets still remains. Here, we apply the existing target protector concept of blocking miRNA action at a single binding site in the 3’untranslated region (3’UTR) of its target to a plasmid-based approach. We optimize and demonstrate target protector efficacy in vitro, where it blocks repression of a luciferase construct and an endogenous protein. Using the developing mouse cortex as a model, we validate that target protectors are effective in vivo, where protectors for the miR-19a binding sites in the Pten 3’UTR alter proliferation and specification of neural progenitors, phenocopying Pten ectopic expression phenotypes. Our study introduces a new tool for analyzing specific miRNA:target interactions across mammalian developmental systems, facilitating further miRNA functional discoveries.
Parental mediation of children's television viewing in low-income families

Studies of parental mediation of children's television viewing have included samples of mostly middle- and upper-class Caucasian parents. These studies have only begun to examine mediation in the context of parent-child relationships. This study of 306 low-income, predominately African American mothers assesses macro- and microlevel influences on viewing mediation using Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory of child development. It was hypothesized that factors outside the home (e.g., work hours) influence parents' involvement with children, which, in turn, was predicted to influence viewing mediation. Results supported this model for coviewing and instructive mediation, but not for viewing restrictions.
Dark brown is the more virulent of the switch phenotypes of Candida glabrata

Candida glabrata undergoes reversible, high-frequency core switching between phenotypes that include dark brown (DB), light brown (LB) and white (Wh). These phenotypes in turn can switch to the irregular wrinkle (IWr) phenotype. Natural isolates, however, express predominantly the DB phenotype, leading to the hypothesis that it has a colonization advantage over the other switch phenotypes. Using the mouse model of systemic infection, results are presented which support this hypothesis. DB has an advantage over other switch phenotypes in colonizing the two major target organs in the mouse model, the spleen and liver. A time-course study reveals that colonization of the major target organs occurs very rapidly (within 2 h) after host injection, and that the DB advantage for spleen and liver colonization is immediate. The DB advantage is maintained during clearing from spleen, liver and kidneys, and during delayed transient brain colonization. These results demonstrate that DB has a colonization advantage over other switch phenotypes, and that the switch phenotype expressed by a colonizing population therefore plays a fundamental role in virulence. It is therefore essential that switching be considered in both in vivo and in vitro studies of C. glabrata virulence.
Multiscale entropy analysis of complex heart rate dynamics: discrimination of age and heart failure effects

Quantifying the complexity of physiologic time series has been of considerable interest. Several entropy-based measures have been proposed, although there is no straightforward correspondence between entropy and complexity. These traditional algorithms may generate misleading results because an increase in system entropy is not always associated with an increase in its complexity, and because the algorithms are based on single time scales. Recently, we introduced a new method, multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis, to calculate entropy over a wide range of scales. In this study, we sought to determine whether loss of complexity due to aging could be distinguished from that due to major cardiac pathology. We analyzed RR time series from young subjects (n = 26), elderly subjects (n = 46) and subjects with congestive heart failure (n = 43). The mean MSE measures of each of the three groups revealed characteristic curves, suggesting that they capture fundamental changes in the heart rate dynamics due to age and disease. We used Fisher's linear discriminant to evaluate the use of MSE features for classification. In discriminant tests on the training data, we found that MSE features could separate elderly, young and heart failure subjects with 92% accuracy and that older healthy subjects (mean age = 65.9) could be separated from subjects with heart failure (mean age = 55.5) with 94% accuracy. Also, we discriminated data from heart failure subjects and elderly healthy subjects with a positive predictivity of 76% and a specificity of 83% using only the MSE features. Larger databases will be needed to confirm if automatic classification results can match separation results. We conclude that MSE features capture differences in complexity due to aging and heart failure. These differences have implications for modeling neuroautonomic perturbations in health and disease.
System Engineering in an Industrial Environment

Characteristics of advanced industrial system transactions are described, using specific examples of development activity, project organization and scheduling, user liason, and typical problem areas. Recommendations are included.
First-principles homogenization theory for periodic metamaterials

We derive from first principles an accurate homogenized description of periodic metamaterials made of magnetodielectric inclusions, highlighting and overcoming relevant limitations of standard homogenization methods. We obtain closed-form expressions for the effective constitutive parameters, pointing out the relevance of inherent spatial dispersion effects, present even in the long-wavelength limit. Our results clarify the limitations of quasistatic homogenization models, restore the physical meaning of homogenized metamaterial parameters, and outline the reasons behind magnetoelectric coupling effects that may arise also in the case of centersymmetric inclusions.
Fluid Inclusions in Bedded Permian Halite, Palo Duro Basin, Texas: Evidence for Modification of Seawater in Evaporite Brine-Pools and Subsequent Early Diagenesis

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of fluid inclusions trapped within the marine-dominated Permian evaporite sequence of the Palo Duro Basin, Texas, departs significantly from that expected in the evolution of seawater through evaporative concentration and mineral precipitation. The origin of these fluids is evaluated in the context of the sedimentary and diagenetic environments in which the halites evolved. The petrography and fabric show that many of the halites escaped advanced recrystallization, suggesting that the fluids entrapped in such samples are original brines. The seawater-derived brine-pool and diagenetic brines from which the halites precipitated were modified as a result of fluctuations in water level on an evaporite flat and of a complex hydrological system through which seawate was fed into the basin and refluxed. The ionic ratios between Ca, Mg and SO4 are influenced by dolomitization and associated reactions of interstitial brines with carbonates adjacent to the halite beds. Formation and subsequent dissolution of efflorescent evaporite crusts that are not in equilibrium with subaqueously precipitated evaporites shift the ratios of Mg, Na, K, and Cl to Br away from the expected path of evaporative seawater concentration. Syndepositional alteration of clay and feldspar minerals probably also occurred, but these effects cannot be evaluated from the present data. The variability and complexity of brine evolution within an uncomplicated evaporite setting, such as that of the Palo Duro Basin, has important implications for interpretation of the origin and history of evaporite-influenced brines in other basins. Laboratory evaporation experiments and analyses of salt pan brines only serve as a basic reference for the evaporation path of seawater; they ignore the early diagenetic processes, and hence taken alone are inadequate analogs for ancient marine evaporite environments.
Radiolabeling of ginkgolide B with 18F

Ginkgolide B, a terpene trilactone constituent of Gingko biloba extracts and an antagonist for the platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor, was radiolabeled with the positron emitter 18F for visualizing its in vivo behavior using positron emission tomography (PET). The 7-[18F]fluoro analog of ginkgolide B (7-18FGB) was synthesized via nucleophilic displacement of the triflate group at C7 with [18F]fluoride. The reaction was complete in 5–10 min, affording 7-18FGB in an average radiochemical yield of approximately 16% (decay corrected). The average specific activity at E.O.S. was approximately 40 GBq/µmol, and the radiochemical and chemical purity was greater than 95%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Loss of H2B Ubiquitylation without Corresponding Changes in H3K4 Trimethylation during Myogenic Differentiation

Ubiquitylation of H2B on lysine 120 (H2Bub) is associated with active transcriptional elongation. H2Bub has been implicated in histone cross talk and is generally regarded to be a prerequisite for trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and H3K79 in both yeast and mammalian cells. We performed a genome-wide analysis of epigenetic marks during muscle differentiation, and strikingly, we observed a near-complete loss of H2Bub in the differentiated state. We examined the basis for global loss of this mark and found that the H2B ubiquitin E3 ligase, RNF20, was depleted from chromatin in differentiated myotubes, indicating that recruitment of this protein to genes substantially decreases upon differentiation. Remarkably, during the course of myogenic differentiation, we observed retention and acquisition of H3K4 trimethylation on a large number of genes in the absence of detectable H2Bub. The Set1 H3K4 trimethylase complex was efficiently recruited to a subset of genes in myotubes in the absence of detectable H2Bub, accounting in part for H3K4 trimethylation in myotubes. Our studies suggest that H3K4me3 deposition in the absence of detectable H2Bub in myotubes is mediated via Set1 and, perhaps, MLL complexes, whose recruitment does not require H2Bub. Thus, muscle cells represent a novel setting in which to explore mechanisms that regulate histone cross talk.
Performance Evaluation of Link Quality Estimation Metrics for Static Multihop Wireless Sensor Networks

The lossy nature of wireless communication leads to many challenges while designing multihop networks. As an integral part of reliable communication in wireless networks, effective link estimation is essential for routing protocols. Recent studies have shown that link reliability-based metrics like ETX have better performance than traditional metrics such as hop count or latency. Usually, such metrics employ techniques like blacklisting, involving thresholds during the link estimation process. In this paper, we conduct a detailed performance analysis of three commonly used link-quality metrics in wireless sensor networks: ETX, 4Bit, and RNP. We study the interplay between these metrics and CTP, a tree-based routing protocol provided by TinyOS. The objectives of our experiment are two fold. First, by applying different link-quality metrics to the same routing protocol, we provide extensive evaluation on ETX, 4Bit and RNP with insights on their performance under different criteria. Second, we study the impact of the presence or absence of a blacklisting policy when using these link quality estimation metrics. As to our knowledge, this paper is the first to compare the performance between these link quality based metrics with networks of different qualities under realistic conditions.
Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Link Hyperinsulinemia to Hepatic Insulin Resistance

Insulin signaling in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is critical to maintain endothelial function but also to mediate insulin action on peripheral glucose disposal. However, gene knockout studies have reached disparate conclusions. Thus, insulin receptor inactivation in ECs does not impair insulin action, whereas inactivation of Irs2 does. Previously, we have shown that endothelial ablation of the three Foxo genes protects mice from atherosclerosis. Interestingly, here we show that mice lacking FoxO isoforms in ECs develop hepatic insulin resistance through excessive generation of nitric oxide (NO) that impairs insulin action in hepatocytes via tyrosine nitration of insulin receptors. Coculture experiments demonstrate that NO produced in liver sinusoidal ECs impairs insulin’s ability to suppress glucose production in hepatocytes. The effects of liver sinusoidal ECs can be mimicked by NO donors and can be reversed by NO inhibitors in vivo and ex vivo. The findings are consistent with a model in which excessive, rather than reduced, insulin signaling in ECs predisposes to systemic insulin resistance, prompting a reevaluation of current approaches to insulin sensitization.
Atropine as an adjunct to supine bicycle stress echocardiography: an alternative strategy to achieve target heart rate or rate pressure product

Aims To investigate the use of atropine to achieve target heart rate (THR) and rate pressure product (RPP) during supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography (SBESE) to increase the number of diagnostic stress tests. Methods and results Forty-four patients that were unable to achieve THR or RPP during SBESE performed to evaluate ischaemia were given 0.4–1.2 mg of atropine to augment THR and RPP. After atropine (0.7 ± 0.3 mg) the maximum heart rate (HR) achieved was 133 (±16) bpm, mean THR was 82% (±8%), and average RPP was 22 716 (±4915) b/min × mmHg. Of the patients with a non-diagnostic SBESE, with the use of atropine 80% of those patients achieved a diagnostic test. There were no major adverse affects from the administration of atropine. Conclusion The use of atropine to augment the HR or RPP during SBESE (i) is safe; (ii) enables the assessment of ischaemia at peak effort; and (iii) allows assessment of exercise haemodynamics in patients with sub-maximal exercise capacity and chronotropic incompetence.
Grassroots to Grassroots: Why Forest Preservation was Rapid at Loma Alta, Ecuador

Abstract What social arrangements stop deforestation? This paper chronicles the sociological factors underlying the rapid establishment, in 14 months, of a community-owned protected forest in Ecuador. Methods developed by the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) research program provide a stakeholder analysis related to trends in deforestation. Interviews, community meetings, and informal discussions provide data on attitudes of local people during and after establishment of the forest preserve. Knowledge and resources external to the community motivated local people to preserve a cloud forest, but local institutions and communal land tenure were critical for the rapid establishment of the protected area.
Reperfusion seizures after innominate endarterectomy

Seizures occurring after carotid revascularization are an uncommon complication that has received increasing recognition. The development of postoperative seizures has been estimated to occur in 0.4% to 1.0% of all carotid endarterectomies. Patients with high-grade carotid arterial stenoses appear to be at highest risk for postoperative seizures, which are thought to be due to cortical hyperperfusion states. We report two cases of focal motor seizures occurring after innominate endarterectomy, demonstrating that this complication is not limited to carotid arterial surgery.
Flow-induced spatial non-uniformity and anisotropy in electrically conductive adhesives

Electrically conductive adhesives (ECA) are popular solutions for joining relatively large (≫ 500 μm) electrical interfaces or when lower-temperature requirements preclude soldering or brazing. When assembled by squeezing between two flat, rectangular surfaces, the flow dynamics of the conductive filler and matrix can induce variations in local electrical conductance. This becomes significant as the area of the interface (bond pad) becomes comparable to the bondline thickness (BLT) of the adhesive. We observe order-ofmagnitude local variations in electrical conductance and strong anisotropy in the direction of flow in ECAs with silver (Ag) flakes. We discuss the influence of these electrical results on heat diffusion across the interface and consider how fabricating microchannels in the interface could reduce the non-uniformities. Both electrical and thermal aspects are analyzed in light of ever-shrinking dimensions and 3-D stacking trends in thermally-critical electronics packages.
Study of leakage current mechanisms in ballistic deflection transistors

In this paper, the Ballistic Deflection Transistor (BDT) is reviewed for variations in performance of the device including leakage with respect to geometry modifications. Monte Carlo and Silvaco modeling tools are used to study current leakage mechanism in BDT. Low power selection criteria and theory behind position of deflector in the device are examined. Since ballistic conduction is not dissipative, power loss should be low. Leakage can be reduced by placing deflector at about 25% of its own length lower than the exact centre of the device. Current leakages that occurred during device operation are compared with each other and with the output current. It is observed that magnitude of leakage current is distinct at different ports of the device. For a specific set of parameters, leakage is comparable to the output which essentially motivates to choose optimum device architecture.
Kruskal-Wallis Test: Basic†

The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test is an extension of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. The null hypothesis is that the k populations sampled have the same average (median). The alternative hypothesis is that at least one sample is from a distribution with a different average (median). This test is an alternative to the parametric one-way analysis of variance F test. Keywords: k-sample tests; one-way ANOVA; Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test
A study of factors affecting electronic meeting participation

Why do some group members participate in meetings while others do not? This article investigates several influences upon electronic meeting participation including peer pressure, the desire to persuade others, past history with electronic chat rooms, etc. A study using three groups of students (sizes 10, 26 and 34) using electronic gallery writing showed that, surprisingly, there were differences among the groups in the participants' attitude toward the meeting process, preference for reading comments and perceived ability to persuade others during a meeting. Those who liked expressing their thoughts tended to generate more relevant and overall comments. Students who typed comments for entertainment purposes generated more overall comments, but they were generally not relevant to the topic.
Entropy-Based Measures for Quantifying Sleep-Stage Transition Dynamics: Relationship to Sleep Fragmentation and Daytime Sleepiness

We present two novel entropy-based measures that quantify sleep-stage transition dynamics (sleep structure) from polysomnogram derived hypnograms: Walsh spectral entropy (WSE) and Haar spectral entropy (HSE). These measures quantify patterns of temporal regularity of a categorical time series without requiring numerical encoding (scaling) of the (categorical) sleep stages. Additionally, we show that conditional entropy (CE) is well suited for quantifying predictability of the hypnogram. The relationship of those measures with traditional sleep fragmentation indices (arousal index, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency) is explored for a 394 participant sample of the Cleveland Family Study, an epidemiologic study in which standardized single-night polysomnogram data were collected. The new entropy-based sleep structure measures (WSE, HSE, and CE) are positively correlated (moderate to weak) with the traditional sleep fragmentation indices. Because the sleep structure measures developed in this paper provide direct information related to temporal patterns of sleep that is not contained in traditional sleep fragmentation measures, the correlation between these new alternative sleep structure measures and the traditional sleep fragmentation measures is less important. Our goal is not to develop alternative measures that correlate highly with traditional measures of sleep fragmentation, but rather to provide methods to quantify sleep structure by examining other (e.g., dynamic sleep-stage transition) properties of the hypnogram. Additionally, the relationship of the new entropy-based and traditional measures with daytime sleepiness as quantified by the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is investigated. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that WSE has a stronger relationship with ESS than the traditional measures, even after both are adjusted for common confounders (age, race, gender, and body mass index). This further suggests that the entropy-based measures, especially WSE, are capturing additional temporal patterns of sleep not captured in the traditional sleep fragmentation measures, and have a relationship with daytime sleepiness.