cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recognition and Processing of Ubiquitin-Protein Conjugates by the Proteasome

The proteasome is an intricate molecular machine, which serves to degrade proteins following their conjugation to ubiquitin. Substrates dock onto the proteasome at its 19-subunit regulatory particle via a diverse set of ubiquitin receptors and are then translocated into an internal chamber within the 28-subunit proteolytic core particle (CP), where they are hydrolyzed. Substrate is threaded into the CP through a narrow gated channel, and thus translocation requires unfolding of the substrate. Six distinct ATPases in the regulatory particle appear to form a ring complex and to drive unfolding as well as translocation. ATP-dependent, degradation-coupled deubiquitination of the substrate is required both for efficient substrate degradation and for preventing the degradation of the ubiquitin tag. However, the proteasome also contains deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that can remove ubiquitin before substrate degradation initiates, thus allowing some substrates to dissociate from the proteasome and escape degradation. Here we examine the key elements of this molecular machine and how they cooperate in the processing of proteolytic substrates.
Target detection in sensor network using a Zamboni and scan statistics

In this article we introduce a sequential procedure for detecting a target using distributed sensors in a two dimensional region. The detection is carried out in a mobile fusion center (in a way familiar to hockey fans, we envision this as a Zamboni machine) which successively counts the number of binary decisions reported by local sensors lying inside its field of view. The proposed sequential detection procedure is based on a two-dimensional scan statistic - this is an emerging tool from the statistics field that has been applied to a variety of anomaly detection problems such as of epidemics or computer intrusion; but that seem to be unfamiliar within the signal processing community. Analytical and simulation results are presented for system-level detection.
Determination of gatifloxacin in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Gatifloxacin is an advanced-generation, 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone that is active against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including antiobiotic resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Development of a rapid, sensitive and selective method for the determination of gatifloxacin in human plasma is essential for understanding the pharmacokinetics of the drug when administered orally or intravenously. Solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB was used to extract gatifloxacin and the internal standard ciprofloxacin from plasma. A method based on liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was developed and validated to quantitate gatifloxacin in human plasma. The precursor and major product ions of the analyte were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Mechanisms for the formation of collision-induced dissociation products of gatifloxacin are proposed. Linear calibration curves were generated from 10--1000 ng/mL with coefficients of determination greater than 0.99. The interday and intraday precision (%RSD) was less than 6.0% and accuracy (%error) was less than 5.4% for gatifloxacin. The limit of detection (LOD) for the method was 500 pg/mL based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.
Preliminary data from multi-center study using cryogen first option uterine cryoblation therapy in women with abnormal uterine bleeding

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the First Option Uterine Cryoblation Therapy in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Methods: A multicenter study is underway to evaluate uterine cryoblation under ultrasound guidance for women with AUB, compared with electrosurgical ablation. All patients are pre-menopausal, are menorrhagic with a diary score greater than 150, have failed medical therapy, have a uterine volume of 300 or less with a uterine sound of 10 or less, and are free of endometrial pathology on ultrasonography, biopsy, and hysteroscopy. Intramural fibroids did not exclude patients from participation unless they were greater than 2 cm in diameter. Results: Data on 87 patients at 6 months shows an amenorrhea/staining outcome of 54%. Overall success as measured by diary score of 75 or less is 90%. Sixty-three percent of the electrosurgery patients were given general anesthesia, compared with 29% of the cryoblation patients. Thirty-five percent of the cryoblation patients received as paracervical block and conscious sedation, compared with only 1% of the electrosurgery group. The procedure has been done successfully in the operating room, procedure room, or office with no major complications to date. Conclusions: Preliminary data indicates that uterine cryoblation is a safe and effective treatment for AUB.
Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Release Are Independent of Core Lysine Ubiquitination

Ubiquitin conjugation to lysine residues regulates a variety of protein functions, including endosomal trafficking and degradation. While ubiquitin plays an important role in the release of many viruses, the requirement for direct ubiquitin conjugation to viral structural proteins is less well understood. Some viral structural proteins require ubiquitin ligase activity, but not ubiquitin conjugation, for efficient release. Recent evidence has shown that, like other viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires a ubiquitin ligase for release from the infected cell. The HBV core protein contains two lysine residues (K7 and K96), and K96 has been suggested to function as a potential ubiquitin acceptor site based on the fact that previous studies have shown that mutation of this amino acid to alanine blocks HBV release. We therefore reexamined the potential connection between core lysine ubiquitination and HBV replication, protein trafficking, and virion release. In contrast to alanine substitution, we found that mutation of K96 to arginine, which compared to alanine is more conserved but also cannot mediate ubiquitin conjugation, does not affect either virus replication or virion release. We also found that the core lysine mutants display wild-type sensitivity to the antiviral activity of interferon, which demonstrates that ubiquitination of core lysines does not mediate the interferon-induced disruption of HBV capsids. However, mutation of K96 to arginine alters the nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution of core, leading to an accumulation in the nucleolus. In summary, these studies demonstrate that although ubiquitin may regulate the HBV replication cycle, these mechanisms function independently of direct lysine ubiquitination of core protein.
Comprehensive mechanical property classification of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber/vinyl ester nanocomposites using support vector machines

In the context of data mining and knowledge discovery, a large dataset of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF)/vinyl ester (VE) nanocomposites was thoroughly analyzed and classified using support vector machines (SVMs) into ten classes of desired mechanical properties. These classes are high true ultimate strength, high true yield strength, high engineering elastic modulus, high engineering ultimate strength, high flexural modulus, high flexural strength, high impact strength, high storage modulus, high loss modulus, and high tan delta. Resubstitution and 3-folds cross validation techniques were applied and different sets of confusion matrices were used to compare and analyze the classifier’s resulting classification performance. The designed SVMs model is resourceful for materials scientists and engineers, because it can be used to qualitatively assess different nanocomposite mechanical responses associated with different combinations of the formulation, processing, and environmental conditions. In addition, the lead time required to develop VGCNF/VE nanocomposites for particular engineering application will be significantly reduced using the designed SVMs classifier. This work specifically present a framework for a fast and reliable classification of a large material dataset with respect to desired mechanical properties, and can be used for all materials within the context of materials science and engineering.
TDDB lifetime of asymmetric patterns and its comprehension from percolation theory

TDDB-lifetime distribution of asymmetric pattern (perpendicular-faced comb) was estimated using a 3-dimensional electrostatic model calculation and its statistical treatment based on the percolation theory. Nanometer-size small cells which represent the minimum unit of electric isolation are placed along the perimeter of an asymmetric pattern. In the model, a dielectric breakdown occurs when a series of defective cells form a path through the potential barrier. The local electric field near the cathode dictates the percolation-path length (tunneling distance). The model suggests that a negative bias at the pattern tips provides a shorter percolation path due to steep gradient of potential, resulting in a shorter lifetime. However, in contrast to the model predictions the experimental data do show only a small difference between positive and negative biases. Therefore, the theoretical estimation from the ideal electric field leads us too much shorter lifetime than the real case.
Practical parallel simulation applied to aviation modeling

This paper analyzes the Detailed Policy Assessment Tool (DPAT) as an example of a practical real-world aviation simulation that uses optimistic simulation technology. We present a review of analyses that have used DPAT results to support their conclusions, and discuss the design and performance of the system in the context of parallel simulation. The thrust of this paper is to explain how DPAT avoids some of the problems associated with optimistic simulation, while exploiting its strengths. A key conclusion is that parallel simulation technology, particularly optimistic synchronization, needs to be built into the product from its conceptual design through implementation, as opposed to adding it afterwards.
Monetary policy and bank portfolios

Abstract This paper examines the existence of the bank lending channel for monetary policy over the period 1973:1–1994:11. The results are consistent with a bank lending channel when the Bernanke-Blinder model is extended to include commercial paper and the spread between the loan and commercial paper rates. The results are robust to alternative monetary policy measures. However, stability tests indicate instability over the nonborrowed reserves operating regime. When the estimates excluded data for this period, there was little evidence of systematic movement in bank loans in the direction predicted by the bank lending channel.
Concept Learning in Preschool Children: Effects of a Short-Term Logo Experience

The ability of kindergarten children to solve rule-learning problems following five weeks of LOGO computer experience was compared with that of children not having such experience. Fifteen children were randomly assigned either to a LOGO experience condition or a wait-list control condition. A single-keystroke LOGO was gradually introduced to the children in the LOGO condition. All children were subsequently tested on affirmative and conjunctive rule-learning tasks. Children receiving LOGO instruction had a significantly higher proportion of correct responses on two problem-solving tasks than children in the control condition (p .10). The kindergarten children adapted easily to the use of the computer and the single-keystroke LOGO. Suggestions for future research are presented.
Distinct component profiles and high risk among African Americans with metabolic syndrome: the Jackson Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE —Health of African Americans is seriously threatened by unremitting epidemics of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the role of metabolic syndrome in the African-American population has not been investigated widely. This study examined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and assessed its cross-sectional relationship to CVD in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —A total of 5,302 participants aged ≥21 years who were recruited at baseline during 2000–2004 were analyzed for this study. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated in a logistic regression analysis for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBD) in those with and without coexisting metabolic syndrome. Diabetic participants were excluded. RESULTS —Among those aged 35–84 years, metabolic syndrome prevalence was 43.3% in women and 32.7% in men. Elevated blood pressure (70.4%), abdominal obesity (64.6%), and low HDL cholesterol (37.2%) were highly prevalent among those with metabolic syndrome. Prevalence rates for CVD, CHD, and CBD were 12.8, 8.7, and 5.8%, respectively. After adjustment for age and sex, metabolic syndrome was associated with increased age- and sex-adjusted ORs for CVD (OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.4–2.1]), CHD (1.7 [1.4–2.2]), and CBD (1.7 [1.3–2.3]) compared with those without CVD, CHD, or CBD. CONCLUSION —Metabolic syndrome prevalence in the JHS is among the highest reported for population-based cohorts worldwide and is significantly associated with increased ORs for CVD, CHD, and CBD. Abdominal obesity, increased blood pressure, and low HDL cholesterol (without triglyceride elevation) are surprisingly prominent. A high prevalence of low HDL emerges as a leading contributor to metabolic syndrome among African Americans in this large African-American cohort.
Inverse design of multiholed internally cooled turbine blades

A methodology is described for the inverse design and/or analysis of coolant flow passage shapes in multiholed internally cooled turbine blades. The user of this technique may specify the temperature (or heat flux) distribution along the aerofoil outer surface. In addition, the temperature on the surface of each of interior coolant flow passages (holes) may be specified. The numerical solution of the outer hot gas flow field determines the remaining unspecified aerofoil outer surface quantity—surface heat flux if temperature was originally specified or vice versa. The position and shape of each turbine blade coolant hole is then found iteratively by solving the heat conduction problem within the solid portions of the blade. This solution procedure involves satisfying the dual Dirichlet and Neumann specified boundary conditions of temperature and heat flux on the outer boundary of the aerofoil. The inner hole geometry is then modified using an optimization procedure in such a way as to minimize the error in satisfying the specified Dirichlet temperature boundary condition on the surface of each of the evolving interior holes. Results are shown for single-hole and double-hole configurations that have analytic solutions and for a realistic turbine blade design problem.
A systematic review of gender differences in mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions.

Summary Gender differences exist in outcomes, particularly early mortality, for percutaneous interventions (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Better understanding of this issue may target areas for improvement for all patients undergoing revascularization. Therefore, we summarized the evidence on gender differences in PCI and CABG outcomes, particularly early mortality, and mediators of this difference. Using the key terms “women” or “gender,” “revascularization,” “coronary artery bypass,” “angioplasty,” “stent,” and “coronary intervention,” we searched MEDLINE from 1985 to 2005 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registries reporting outcomes by gender. Bibliographies and the Web sites of cardiology conferences were also reviewed. The literature was examined to identify gender differences in outcomes and mediators of these differences. We identified 23 studies reporting outcomes by gender for CABG and 48 studies reporting outcomes by gender for PCI. The majority of studies noted greater in-hospital mortality in women than in men, with mortality differences resolving with longer followup. Early mortality differences were reduced but not consistently eliminated after adjustment for comorbidities, procedural characteristics, and body habitus. Power to detect gender differences after multivariate adjustment was limited by declining mortality rates and small sample size. Gender was an independent risk factor for complications after both CABG and PCI. Women experience greater complications and early mortality after revascularization. Future exploration is needed of gender differences in quality of care and benefit from combinations of stenting and antiplatelet, and anticoagulant medications in order to optimize treatment.
Drug therapy trials for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: current and future targets.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), cur-rently the most common chronic respi-ratory disease in infants, is a multifacto-rial disease secondary to genetic (1) andenvironmental factors (chief among thembeing exposure to invasive mechanical ven-tilation, ante- and postnatal infections,and hyperoxia) (2, 3). It is estimated thatapproximately 10,000–15,000 new cases ofBPD occur each year in the United States,of which 97% occur in infants with birthweights <1250g (3). Over the last decade,the incidence of BPD has been reportedvariably to have decreased (4), remainedthe same (5), or even increased slightly(3, 6, 7). However, there is uniform agree-ment that BPD is associated with signif-icant resource utilization and increasedcosts (4,8).While studies assessing the eco-nomic burden of BPD are mostly restrictedto their initial hospitalization in neona-tal intensive care units (4, 8), this is achronic lung disease with signiﬁcant pul-monary and neurodevelopmental seque-lae (3, 9, 10) that impacts healthcare costsinto the pediatric age group (11, 12) andwouldbeexpectedtocontinuetodosointoadulthood (13).Given the above data, novel effectivedrug therapies for the prevention of BPDwould potentially make a signiﬁcant dif-ference in the health and costs for pre-maturely born children. A recent work-shop conducted under the auspices of theNational Heart Lung and Blood Instituteof the National Institutes of Health onthe primary prevention of chronic lungdiseases focused on BPD (14). In termsof “promising near-term opportunities forprimary BPD prevention research,” specif-ically, “clinical research priorities and spe-ciﬁc clinical trials for BPD prevention,” itwas disappointing to note that only twospeciﬁc drugs were named: caffeine andinhaled nitric oxide (iNO).While caffeine has been associated withimprovementinBPD(15)andneurodevel-opmental outcomes (16) [unfortunately,not sustained at 5years of age (17)], stud-ies ﬁne-tuning the timing of initiation andduration of use of this drug would beuseful. This is important given the factthat the mechanism of action in termsof the pulmonary effects in the develop-ing lung is not currently understood andtoxicity concerns have been raised in ananimal study (18). Despite a large num-ber of infants being studied in random-ized clinical trials (RCTs), iNO has notbeen consistently found to be beneﬁcial inpreventing BPD and is currently not rec-ommended for such treatment (19, 20).It is therefore critical that for both caf-feine and iNO, given past experience, sub-group targeted therapy (21) should betested in future RCTs. Such targeted sub-groups could be on the basis of genotypeor phenotype (for e.g., small for gesta-tional age infants) criteria. Assessment ofgenotypes would be a useful technique toidentify speciﬁc populations most likelyto beneﬁt from such a targeted approach,which would incorporate the not insignif-icant effects of the genetic contribution toBPD (1, 22–24).On searching the
Extension of RESURF principle to dielectrically isolated power devices

The RESURF (reduced surface field) principle has been extended to dielectrically isolated power devices including the effect of the formation of an inversion layer under the isolating oxide. Two device structures that allow high voltage operation have been investigated. Extensive two-dimensional simulations have been performed to relate the breakdown voltage to the doping and length of the drift region, and the thicknesses of the silicon layer and isolating oxide. It has been shown that lateral devices with breakdown voltages up to 600 V can be obtained. >
Evaluation of cardiac performance in exercise

Abstract The limit of oxygen transport (VO2) and aerobic work capacity is essentially determined by blood flow (cardiac output [CO]), so that maximal VO2 has been used for evaluating cardiac performance. Increase of heart rate is the principal mechanism for increase of cardiac output in exercise and has been used for predicting VO2, with an age correction. There is a nearly linear increase of arteriovenous oxygen difference (ΔA-VO2) with the heart rate or percent of maximal VO2, which is steeper in patients with valvular heart disease, so that the increase of ΔA-VO2 with work load is a valuable index for cardiac compensation-decompensation. As a potentially valuable qualitative criterion, determination of cardiac mechanical efficiency (η) is suggested by the ratio cardiac work (CW = CO × mean aortic pressure ) myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO 2 ) There is a high correlation between MVO2/100 g left ventricular weight and the product heart rate × peak systolic aortic (or brachial artery) pressure × 10-2. Other qualitative criteria are inability to maintain a steady state of VO2, pulmonary ventilation, blood pressure and heart rate in aerobic work, and decrease of utilization of respiratory oxygen. The most important criterion for the inadequacy of myocardial oxygen supply in exercise is the ischemic depression in the S-T segment.
A semi-Lagrangian view of ozone production tendency in North American outflow in the summers of 2009 and 2010

Abstract. The Pico Mountain Observatory, located at 2225 m a.s.l. in the Azores Islands, was established in 2001 to observe long-range transport from North America to the central North Atlantic. In previous research conducted at the observatory, ozone enhancement (> 55 ppbv) in North American outflows was observed, and efficient ozone production in these outflows was postulated. This study is focused on determining the causes for high d[O3] / d[CO] values (~1 ppbv ppbv−1) observed in the summers of 2009 and 2010. The folded retroplume technique, developed by Owen and Honrath (2009), was applied to combine upwind FLEXPART transport pathways with GEOS-Chem chemical fields. The folded result provides a semi-Lagrangian view of polluted North American outflow in terms of physical properties and chemical processes, including production/loss rate of ozone and NOx produced by lightning and thermal decomposition of peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN). Two transport events from North America were identified for detailed analysis. High d[O3] / d[CO] was observed in both events, but due to differing transport mechanisms, ozone production tendency differed between the two. A layer of net ozone production was found at 2 km a.s.l. over the Azores in the first event plume, apparently driven by PAN decomposition during subsidence of air mass in the Azores–Bermuda High. In the second event, net ozone loss occurred during transport in the lower free troposphere, yet observed d[O3] / d[CO] was high. We estimate that in both events, CO loss through oxidation contributed significantly to d[O3] / d[CO] enhancement. Thus, it is not appropriate to use CO as a passive tracer of pollution in these events. In general, use of d[O3] / d[CO] as an indicator of net ozone production/loss may be invalid for any situation in which oxidants are elevated. Based on our analysis, use of d[O3] / d[CO] to diagnose ozone enhancement without verifying the assumption of negligible CO loss is not advisable.
Reduced nicotine content cigarettes: effects on toxicant exposure, dependence and cessation

Aims To examine the effects of reduced nicotine cigarettes on smoking behavior, toxicant exposure, dependence andabstinence.Design Randomized,parallelarm,semi-blindedstudy.Setting Universityof MinnesotaTobaccoUse Research Center.Interventions Six weeks of: (i) 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes; (ii) 0.3 mg nicotine yield cigarettes; or (iii) 4 mg nicotine lozenge; 6 weeks of follow-up. Measurements Compensatory smoking behavior, biomarkers of exposure, tobacco dependence, tobacco withdrawal and abstinence rate. Findings Unlike the 0.3 mg cigarettes, 0.05 mg cigarettes were not associated with compensatory smoking behaviors. Furthermore, the 0.05 mg cigarettes and nicotine lozenge were associated with reduced carcinogen exposure, nicotine dependence and product withdrawal scores. The 0.05 mg cigarette was associated with greater relief of withdrawal from usual brand cigarettes than the nicotine lozenge. The 0.05 mg cigarette led to a significantly higher rate of cessation than the 0.3 mg cigarette and a similar rate as nicotine lozenge. Conclusion The 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes may be a tobacco product that can facilitate cessation; however, future research is clearly needed to support these preliminary findings.
Characterization of iron speciation in urban and rural single particles using XANES spectroscopy and micro X-ray fluorescence measurements: investigating the relationship between speciation and fractional iron solubility

Abstract. Soluble iron in fine atmospheric particles has been identified as a public health concern by participating in reactions that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mineralogy and oxidation state (speciation) of iron have been shown to influence fractional iron solubility (soluble iron/total iron). In this study, iron speciation was determined in single particles at urban and rural sites in Georgia USA using synchrotron-based techniques, such as X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy and microscopic X-ray fluorescence measurements. Soluble and total iron content (soluble + insoluble iron) of these samples was measured using spectrophotometry and synchrotron-based techniques, respectively. These bulk measurements were combined with synchrotron-based measurements to investigate the relationship between iron speciation and fractional iron solubility in ambient aerosols. XANES measurements indicate that iron in the single particles was present as a mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III), with Fe(II) content generally between 5 and 35% (mean: ~25%). XANES and elemental analyses (e.g. elemental molar ratios of single particles based on microscopic X-ray fluorescence measurements) indicate that a majority (74%) of iron-containing particles are best characterized as Al-substituted Fe-oxides, with a Fe/Al molar ratio of 4.9. The next most abundant group of particles (12%) was Fe-aluminosilicates, with Si/Al molar ratio of 1.4. No correlation was found between fractional iron solubility (soluble iron/total iron) and the abundance of Al-substituted Fe-oxides and Fe-aluminosilicates present in single particles at any of the sites during different seasons, suggesting solubility largely depended on factors other than differences in major iron phases.
Modeling Prosecutors' Charging Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases

Relatively little research explaining prosecutors'charging decisions in criminal cases is available. Even less has focused on charging decisions in domestic violence cases. Past studies have also relied on restrictive definitions of domestic violence, notablycases with male offenders and female victims, and they have not considered prosecutors'decisions to pursue misdemeanor instead of felony charges—or vice versa. In response to these limitations, the authors collected data on prosecutors'charging decisions in 245 domestic violence cases filed by police officers in a Southern California city. They then examined the effects of victim, offender, and case characteristics on prosecutors' charging decisions. The authors found that (a) arrest and serious victim injuries were associated with prosecutors'charging decisions, (b) criminal charges were more likely in cases with male suspects, and (c) victim preference for prosecution was likely to result in felony rather than misdemeanor charges.
The National Nursing Assistant Survey: Improving the Evidence Base for Policy Initiatives to Strengthen the Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce

PURPOSE: This study introduces the first National Nursing Assistant Survey (NNAS), a major advance in the data available about certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and a rich resource for evidence-based policy, practice, and applied research initiatives. We highlight potential uses of this new survey using select population estimates as examples of how the NNAS can be used to inform new policy directions. Design and Methods: The NNAS is a nationally representative survey of 3,017 CNAs working in nursing homes, who were interviewed by phone in 2004-2005. Key survey components are recruitment; education; training and licensure; job history; family life; management and supervision; client relations; organizational commitment and job satisfaction; workplace environment; work-related injuries; and demographics. RESULTS: One in three CNAs received some kind of means-tested public assistance. More than half of CNAs incurred at least 1 work-related injury within the past year and almost one quarter were unable to work for at least 1 day due to the injury. Forty-two percent of uninsured CNAs cite not participating in their employer-sponsored insurance plan because they could not afford the plan. Years of experience do not translate into higher wages; CNAs with 10 or more years of experience averaged just $2/hr more than aides who started working in the field less than 1 year ago. Implications: This survey can be used to understand CNA workforce issues and challenges and to plan for sustainable solutions to stabilize this workforce. The NNAS can be linked to other existing data sets to examine more comprehensive and complex relationships among CNA, facility, resident, and community characteristics, thereby expanding its usefulness. Language: en
Individual, Subscriber Population Independent Metrics for User and Traffic Characterization of Wi-Fi Hotspot Networks

The current characterization methodology for Wi-Fi hotspot networks analyzes parameters related to the entire subscriber population. It does not consider the impact of the fluctuating number of subscribers. In this paper we develop a methodology to characterize user specific, population independent parameters of a Wi-Fi hotspot network and apply it to data gathered from a nationwide commercial network operator. We discover interesting new facets of the data and find the proposed methodology a useful tool in comparing different networks.
Human and Vehicle-Driver Drowsiness Detection by Facial Expression

This paper presents the drowsiness detection method for using in vehicles. Our method is executed according to the following flow: taking a driver's facial image, tracing the facial features by image processing, and classifying the driver's drowsiness level by pattern classification. We found that facial expression had the highest linear correlation with brain waves as the general index of drowsiness during monotonous driving. We determined 17 feature points on face for detecting driver drowsiness, according to the facial muscle activities. Especially, we discovered that eyebrows rise caused by contraction of frontal is muscle was important feature to detect drowsiness during driving. A camera set on a dashboard recorded the driver's facial image. We applied Active Appearance Model (AAM) for measuring the 3-dimensional coordinates of the feature points on the facial image. In order to classify drowsiness into 6 levels, we applied k-Nearest-Neighbor method. As a result, the average Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) among 13 participants was less than 1.0 level. We added smile and speaking detection to our method as the first step of emotion detection.
Environmental Uncertainty and Market Attractiveness: Do Regions Matter?

International trade patterns reveal that most international business is conducted within home regions and not globally. This regionalism, or semi-globalization, refers to incomplete economic integration between regions, nations, and markets. Our research adds to the body of internationalization knowledge in two ways: first, it considers the impact of regional factors on national retail markets. Further, we do so with a more fine-grained approach, considering ten regions which encompass a larger portion of the world’s markets than do previous studies. Secondly, we examine for the first time how a country’s retail market attractiveness is affected by the region within which it is located. A country’s market attractiveness is a key determinant in a retailer’s decision to expand to that country. The current model is unique in that it shifts focus from firm or industry attributes to explore how much regional factors matter in explaining variation between countries.
String theory

String theory connects the microscopic quantum world of elementary particles to the macroscopic world of gravity and geometry. Physicists believe that it may have the potential to achieve two very ambitious goals: (1) to give a complete mathematical description of the microscopic laws that determine the properties of elementary particles and the forces that act on them and (2) to explain the origin and evolution of the Universe. Much has been achieved, but string theory is still a work in progress. This talk will give a historical overview of the subject and discuss (without technical details) some of the problems that remain to be overcome.
Toluene PLIF Thermometry in Supersonic Flows

Toluene PLIF has been applied to image temperature in supersonic flows generated in an expansion tube. Toluene has high fluorescence quantum yield and high temperature sensitivity compared to similar aromatic tracers, and these qualities of toluene make it ideal for imaging supersonic flows where large temperature gradients can exist. Toluene fluorescence exhibits a red shift with increasing temperature, enabling temperature imaging through a single-excitation, two-camera imaging strategy. A single pulse of 266 nm laser light excites the tracer, and two cameras with different optical filters simultaneously image different spectral regions of toluene fluorescence; the ratio of these images is converted to temperature. In this work, the design of the diagnostic is described, the diagnostic is validated through imaging of flow behind incident shockwaves, and the technique is demonstrated on two canonical flowfields, M =2 .3 flow of toluene-seeded nitrogen over a wedge and cylinder.
Effect of high expression of recombinant trichosanthin on p73 methylation and mechanism research in Caski cell

Aim To study the effects of high expression of recombinant trichosanthin(rTCS) on p73 methylation and mechanism research in Caski cell.Methods RT-PCR,QT-PCR,Western blot were used to determine DNMT1 expression.The methylation status of p73 promoter was detected by Methylation PCR.Results DNMT1 expression in mRNA and protein levels was lower in the rTCS high expression cells than in the control cells,with a 0.56-fold decrease for mRNA(P 0.01).The methylation level of p73 promoter in the experimental group was lower than the control cells.p73 expression in the experimental group was higher than the control cells in mRNA level.Conclusion The high expression of rTCS inhibits Caski cell proliferation through suppressing the expression of DNMT1,which results in demethylation of p73 promoter and p73's re-expression.
Clinical, morphologic, and cytogenetic characteristics of 26 patients with acute erythroblastic leukemia.

We have performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical, morphologic, and cytogenetic findings in 26 patients diagnosed between January 1969 and September 1991 with acute erythroblastic leukemia de novo (EL or AML-M6). Clonal chromosomal abnormalities were found in 20 (77%) patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 61% to 93%). Loss of all or part of the long arm (q) of chromosomes 5 and/or 7 was observed in 17 (65%) patients (95% CI, 47% to 83%). In addition, the karyotypes were often complex, with multiple abnormalities and subclones. Among the remaining nine patients, six had a normal karyotype and one each had trisomy 8, t(3;3), or t(3;5). The overall frequency of abnormalities of chromosomes 5 and/or 7 observed in our M6 patients is similar to that observed in our patients with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML; 99 of 129 patients, 77%), but substantially higher than that noted in our other patients with AML de novo (French-American-British [FAB] subtypes M1-M5: 52 of 334 patients, 16%). Our M6 patients with abnormalities of chromosomes 5 and/or 7 were older and had a shorter median survival (16 v 77 weeks [P = .005]) than did the M6 patients without these abnormalities. We found no correlation between morphologic features and either cytogenetic abnormalities or clinical outcome. Of note was the finding that the percentage of myeloblasts, which may account for only a small fraction of the total marrow elements when the revised FAB criteria are applied, had no bearing on prognosis. We conclude that acute erythroblastic leukemia, when defined by morphologic criteria, consists of two distinctive subgroups: one group tends to be older, has complex cytogenetic abnormalities, especially of chromosomes 5 and/or 7, and shares biologic and clinical features with t-AML; the other group, with simple or no detectable cytogenetic abnormalities, has a more favorable prognosis when treated with intensive chemotherapy.
Identification of a 185-kDa band 3-related polypeptide in oxyntic cells

Polyclonal antibodies to the purified mouse erythrocyte anion exchange protein (band 3) and to a conserved COOH-terminal peptide of mouse band 3 (alpha-Ct) recognized a single major 185-kDa polypeptide in immunoblots of a membrane fraction prepared from rabbit gastric glands. Competition studies revealed that the epitopes shared between the rabbit gastric 185-kDa antigen and the approximately 100-kDa mouse erythrocyte band 3 protein are restricted to the COOH-terminal domain of band 3, which is known to contain the catalytic site for anion exchange activity. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to demonstrate that this band 3-related polypeptide is associated with the plasma membrane in a subpopulation of gastric gland cells composed exclusively of oxyntic cells, as judged by the coincidence of immunofluorescence with alpha-Ct and with a monoclonal antibody to the gastric H+-K+-ATPase. This alpha-Ct-reactive antigen was further localized to the cytoplasmic face of the basolateral membrane of oxyntic cells, which correlates well with the physiologically determined site of anion exchange activity. These data demonstrate the presence in gastric oxyntic cells of a novel member of the family of proteins related to the erythrocyte anion exchanger. The possibility that the 185-kDa polypeptide is an anion exchanger is discussed.
Fibroid embolization and high intensity focused U/S

In this time of therapeutic innovation for women with fibroids and their ob/gyns, two experts discuss the pros and cons of these minimally invasive options.
High aspect ratio patterning of photosensitive polyimide with low thermal expansion coefficient and low dielectric constant

A photosensitive polyimide system based on amine catalyzed imidization of a precursor poly(amic ester) is described. The material is based on the meta ethyl ester of pyromellitic dianhydride and 2,2’ bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine. It acts as a negative tone resist when formulated with a photobase generator. The material exhibits a dielectric constant of 3.0 in the gigahertz range, a coefficient of thermal expansion of 6±2 ppm/K, and can be patterned to aspect ratios of >2 when formulated with a highly quantum efficient cinnamide type photobase generator.
Discounting a Surgical Risk: Data, Understanding, and Gist

When explaining risk of harm to patients, gist representations are more helpful in informed consent and decision making than specific probabilities. Whether doctors should disclose risk percentages depends on whether doing so can help patients form accurate and effective gist representations.
Use of Natural Language Processing to Discover Evidence of Systems Thinking

In prior work, we proposed elements of a generalized core language for systems thinking that characterizes a systems approach. We developed this foundational language through the relationship between critical thought and systems in the definition of systems thinking. We submitted our interpretation of this language, i.e., the Dimensions of Systems Thinking (DST), to the systems community for further development. Assuming that the DST provides a basis in language to express systems thought in a systems design or analysis, our objective in this phase is to present a strategy for discovering objective statistical evidence of systems thinking based on the linguistic elements of the DST in an unread corpus of documents. With that goal, we consider statistical semantic characterization of systems thought through a process of supervised learning, term frequency and inverse document frequency (tf–idf), cosine similarity, and naive Bayes classifiers, specifically Rocchio classifiers and quadratic discriminant classification. Finding evidence of systems thinking in unread text through natural language processing establishes a foundation for computationally assessing systems thinking quality in a document or corpus of design-related documents without having to read the subject document or corpus. Once demonstrated, the method can be applied to systems thinking fluency in design-focused documents across a range of application areas, such as transportation, healthcare, and environmental policy. This study demonstrates that capability with a high degree of selectivity. Our approach establishes correlation and allows us to assess the systems thinking quality of a corpus of unread analysis and design studies on life cycle assessment. We show that assigning a prior probability improves that assessment. We posit that quantitative relations between the specific dimensions of systems thinking and a document would be useful for recognizing good systems thinking and improving the quality of systems analyses.
PERIODIC AND NONPERIODIC MOTIONS OF HOMOGENEOUS TURBULENCE

Publisher Summary This chapter describes periodic and nonperiodic motions of homogeneous turbulence. In the absence of mean flow, the Navier–Stokes equations can be reduced to an infinite set of ordinary differential equations by Fourier analyzing the velocity field. As in classical statistical mechanics, the theory of homogeneous turbulence is based on the assumption that the Navier–Stokes dynamical system would exhibit the stochastic behavior necessary for ergodicity and mixing. Although this assumption has not yet been examined in detail, the predictability problem in numerical weather forecasting has a direct bearing on it. The chapter discusses the general framework of analysis, highlighting how periodic and nonperiodic motions can emerge from the Navier–Stokes equations. It also presents the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations.
A method to assess significance of differences in RNA expression levels among specific groups of genes

Genome-wide molecular gene expression studies generally compare expression values for each gene across multiple conditions followed by cluster and gene set enrichment analysis to determine whether differentially expressed genes are enriched in specific biochemical pathways, cellular components, biological processes, and/or molecular functions, etc. This approach to analyzing differences in gene expression enables discovery of gene function, but is not useful to determine whether pre-defined groups of genes share or diverge in their expression patterns in response to treatments nor to assess the correctness of pre-defined gene set groupings. Here we present a simple method that changes the dimension of comparison by treating genes as variable traits, to directly assess significance of differences in expression levels among pre-defined gene groups. Because expression distributions are typically skewed (thus unfit for direct assessment using Gaussian statistical methods) our method involves transforming expression data to approximate a normal distribution followed by dividing the genes into groups, then applying Gaussian parametric methods to assess significance of observed differences. This method enables the assessment of differences in gene expression distributions within and across samples, enabling hypothesis-based comparison among groups of genes. We demonstrate this method and its caveats by assessing the significance of specific gene groups9 differential response to heat stress conditions in maize.
Thermodynamic Studies, by Mass Spectrometry, of Molten Mixed Halide Systems

The solid and liquid states of mixed halide systems have received considerable continued attention over the past 50 years.(1) Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies have indicated that many halides interact strongly on mixing to form new solid compounds(2) and very nonideal molten salt mixtures.(3) However, until more recently the vapor state of halide and mixed halide systems was believed to be ideal in that no chemical interaction occurred between the monomers. The expectation appeared to be that, at the elevated temperatures and low pressures used, the entropy contribution to free energy would be significant and would naturally favor the dissociation of complex or polymeric species.
Zebra Tail Amplification: Accelerated Detection of Apoptotic Blunt-Ended DNA Breaks by In Situ Ligation.

In situ ligation (ISL) is a simple and specific technique for apoptosis labeling in tissue sections. In its most economical version ISL uses ordinary PCR-labeled DNA fragments as probes. In tissue sections these makeshift probes are ligated to apoptotic DNA breaks by T4 DNA ligase. The approach can selectively label 5'PO4 DNA breaks with blunt ends, and is the histological equivalent of electrophoretic apoptotic ladder detection. The main drawback of this technique is its low speed, as it requires 18 h-incubation for efficient labeling. Here, we describe an easy modification of ISL which reduces the incubation time to 1 h and converts ISL into a rapid detection method taking ~3 h overall. Signal enhancement is achieved by a new type of isothermal amplification reaction which generates "zebra tails"- long and labeled extensions of the probes attached to DNA breaks.