cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An approach to distributed parametric learning with streaming data

This paper presents an approach to solve a class of distributed parametric learning problems in a multi-agent network. Each agent acquires its private streaming data to establish a local learning model. The goal is for each agent to converge to a common global learning model, defined as the average of all local ones, by communicating only with its neighbors. Neighbor relationships are described by a time-dependent undirected graph whose vertices correspond to agents and whose edges depict neighbor relationships. It is shown that for any sequence of repeatedly jointly connected graphs, the approach leads all agents to asymptotically converge to the common global learning model, and the worst-case convergence rate is determined by the speed of local learning. A distributed linear regression problem and a distributed belief averaging problem are presented as illustrative examples.
An Automated Model to Classify Barrier Island Geomorphology Using Lidar Data

Limited research has studied the use of Lidar in mapping coastal geomorphology. The purpose of this project was to build on existing research and develop an automated modeling approach to classify the coastal geomorphology of barrier islands and test this at four sites in North Carolina. Barrier islands are shaped by natural coastal processes, such as storms and longshore sediment transport, as well as by human influences, such as beach nourishment and urban development. An automated geomorphic classification model was developed to classify Lidar data into 10 geomorphic types over four time-steps from 1998 to 2014. Tropical storms and hurricanes had the most influence on change and movement. On the developed islands, there was less influence of storms, owing to the inability of features to move because of coastal infrastructure. Beach nourishment was the dominant influence on developed beaches, because this activity ameliorated the natural tendency of an island to erode. Understanding how natural and anthropogenic processes influence barrier island geomorphology is critical to predicting an island’s future response to changing environmental factors such as sea-level rise. The development of an automated model equips policy makers and coastal managers with information to make development and conservation decisions, and the model can be implemented at other barrier islands.
The epidemiology of emergency department thoracotomy in a statewide trauma system: Does center volume matter?

Background The relationship between high volume and improved outcomes has been described for a host of elective high-impact, low-frequency procedures, but there are little data to support such a relationship in high-impact low-frequency procedures in trauma. Using emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) as a model, we hypothesized that patients presenting to centers with higher institutional volumes of EDT would have improved survival referent to those presenting to lower volume institutions. Methods We queried the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study registry from 2007 to 2015 for all EDTs performed at Level I and II centers identified by ICD-9 procedure codes and a location stamp indicating the emergency department. We examined patient-level risk factors for survival in univariate regression and multivariable regression models. Centers were divided into tertiles of mean annual EDT volume, and the association between mean annual EDT volume and patient survival was examined using logistic regression after controlling for patient factors. Results 1,399 EDTs were performed at 28 centers. Overall survival was 6.8%. After controlling for patient age, mechanism of injury, signs of life, and injury severity, patients presenting to centers in the highest tertile of volume had significantly higher odds of survival compared with patients presenting to centers in the lowest tertile of volume (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.43-14.50). Conclusions Patients presenting to centers with higher mean annual volume of EDTs have improved survival compared with those presenting to institutions with lower mean annual EDT volume. Efforts to understand the etiology of this finding may lead to interventions to improve outcomes at lower-volume centers. Level of evidence Prognostic/Epidemiological, level III; Therapeutic, level IV.
TMTC2 variant associated with sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder in a family dyad.

Background Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common form of hearing loss that can be inherited or triggered by environmental insults; auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a SNHL subtype with unique diagnostic criteria. The genetic factors associated with these impairments are vast and diverse, but causal genetic factors are rarely characterized. Methods A family dyad, both cochlear implant recipients, presented with a hearing history of bilateral, progressive SNHL, and ANSD. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify coding sequence variants shared by both family members, and screened against genes relevant to hearing loss and variants known to be associated with SNHL and ANSD. Results Both family members are successful cochlear implant users, demonstrating effective auditory nerve stimulation with their devices. Genetic analyses revealed a mutation (rs35725509) in the TMTC2 gene, which has been reported previously as a likely genetic cause of SNHL in another family of Northern European descent. Conclusion This study represents the first confirmation of the rs35725509 variant in an independent family as a likely cause for the complex hearing loss phenotype (SNHL and ANSD) observed in this family dyad.
Lower DHEA-S levels predict disease and worse outcomes in post-menopausal women with idiopathic, connective tissue disease- and congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

High oestradiol (E2) and low dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels are risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in men, but whether sex hormones are related to PAH in women is unknown. Post-menopausal women aged ≥55 years with PAH were matched by age and body mass index to women without cardiovascular disease. Plasma sex hormone levels were measured by immunoassay. Lower levels of DHEA-S (p High E2 and low DHEA-S levels are associated with the risk and severity of PAH in post-menopausal women. Hormonal modulation should be studied as a treatment strategy in PAH.
Tumbling down the rabbit hole: exploring the idiosyncrasies of botmaster systems in a multi-tier botnet infrastructure

In this study, we advance the understanding of botmaster-owned systems in an advanced botnet, Waledac, through the analysis of file-system and network trace data from the upper-tiers in its architecture. The functionality and existence of these systems has to-date only been postulated as existing knowledge has generally been limited to behavioral observations from hosts infected by bot binaries. We describe our new findings for this botnet relating to botmaster interaction, topological nuances, provided services, and malicious output, providing a more complete view of the botnet infrastructure and insight into the motivations and methods of sophisticated botnet deployment. The exposure of these explicit details of Waledac reveals and clarifies overall trends in the construction of advanced botnets with tiered architectures, both past, such as the Storm botnet which featured a highly similar architecture, and future. Implications of our findings are discussed, addressing how the botnet's auditing activities, authenticated spam dispersion technique, repacking method, and tier utilization affect remediation and challenge current notions of botnet configuration and behavior.
Field Line Topology and Rapid Reconnection

Consider a magnetic field extending through an infinitely conducting fluid between end plates z = 0, z = L, with arbitrary interlacing of the field lines throughout. The field is fixed in both endplates and is allowed to relax to an equilibrium described by the force-free equilibrium equation ∇ ×B = αB. The divergence of this field equation yields ∇ ⋅α = 0, requiring that the torsion coefficient α be constant along each individual field line, and showing that the field lines represent a family of real characteristics of the equilibrium field equation. So the field line topology plays a direct role in determining the nature of the equilibrium field. For an arbitrarily prescribed interlacing field line topology a continuous field generally cannot provide an α that is constant along field lines. Yet with the field fixed at both ends it is obvious that every topology has an equilibrium. So there must be a mathematical solution to the field equation for each and every topology. This dilemma is resolved by the fact that the field lines represent a family of real characteristics, so that surfaces of discontinuity (current sheets) can form along the flux surfaces. In almost all field line topologies, then, the continuous field is cut up by surfaces of tangential discontinuity between regions of continuous field.
Score Test: Historical Review and Recent Developments

The three asymptotic tests, Neyman and Pearson Likelihood Ratio (LR), Wald’s statistic (W) and Rao’s score (RS)are referred to in statistical literature on testing of hypotheses as the Holy Trinity. All these tests are equivalent to the first-order of asymptotics, but differ to some extent in the second-order properties. Some of the merits and defects of these tests are presented.
Giant somatotrophinoma without acromegalic features: more "quiet" than "silent": case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Silent somatotrophinomas are very rare, typically large pituitary adenomas that present with mild or no acromegalic features despite positive immunostaining for growth hormone and autonomous (nonglucose-suppressible) growth hormone secretion. Because of this, they may be amenable to treatment with somatostatin analogues. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a giant somatotrophinoma (7 cm in maximal diameter) in a young woman with 6 years of amenorrhea who had no clinical features of acromegaly despite frankly elevated serum insulin-like growth factor 1 level at the time of diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed focal strong positive staining for growth hormone in only 10% of the surgical specimen. Mutations in exons 8 or 9 of GNAS1, which are present in 40% of somatotrophinomas, were absent in the surgical specimen. The patient's clinical, biochemical, and radiological presentation is described and is compared with previously reported cases of silent somatotrophinomas. INTERVENTION: ABecause of the size and visual symptomatology, partial resection was performed via a transcranial approach. External adjuvant beam radiotherapy was used. As insulin-like growth factor 1 levels remained elevated, treatment with somatostatin analogue is being pursued. CONCLUSION: This case represents one of the largest somatotrophinomas described to date, and it demonstrates that serum insulin-like growth factor 1 should be measured even in the absence of acromegalic features in patients presenting with apparently nonsecreting macroadenomas. In addition to surgery and radiotherapy, somatostatin analogues may play an important role in controlling tumor growth.
Treatment planning dose accuracy improvement in the presence of dental implants.

Abstract Streaking artifacts in computed tomography (CT) scans caused by metallic dental implants (MDIs) can lead to inaccuracies in dose calculations. This study quantifies and compares the effect of MDIs on dose distributions using the collapsed cone convolution superposition (CCCS) and Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms, with and without correcting for the density of the MDIs. Ion chamber measurements were taken to test the ability of the algorithms in Pinnacle3 and Monaco to calculate dose near high-Z materials. Nine previously treated patients with head and neck cancer were included in this study. The MDI and the streaking artifacts on the CT images were carefully contoured. For each patient, a plan was optimized and calculated using the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system (TPS). Two dose calculations were performed for each patient: one with overridden densities of the MDI and CT artifacts and one without overridden densities of the MDI and CT artifacts. The plans were then exported to the Monaco TPS and recalculated for the same number of monitor units (MUs) using its MC dose calculation algorithm. The changes in dose to the planning target volume (PTV) and surrounding healthy tissues were examined between all the plans using VelocityAI. For the ion chamber measurements, when correct density information was used, Monaco was within 3% of the measured values, whereas the doses calculated in Pinnacle3 varied up to 7%. The CCCS algorithm in Pinnacle3 calculated only a significant decrease in PTV coverage for 1 patient when the densities were overridden. The MC algorithm in Monaco was able to calculate a significant change in PTV coverage for five of the patients when the density was overridden. Additionally, when healthy tissues affected by streaking artifacts were assigned the correct density, cumulative (from all the fractions) point doses increased up to 46.2 Gy. Not properly accounting for MDIs can impact both the high-dose regions (PTVs) and surrounding healthy tissues. This study demonstrates that if MDIs and the artifacts are not appropriately accounted for by contouring and assigning to them the correct density, there is a potential risk of compromising the quality of the plan regarding PTV coverage and dose to healthy tissues.
Elucidating biochemical transformations of Fe and S in an innovative Fe(II)-dosed anaerobic wastewater treatment process using spectroscopic and phylogenetic analyses

Abstract An innovative process consisting of Fe(II)-dosed anaerobic bioreactors and an oxidizing basin was used to continuously treat a synthetic wastewater (COD/sulfate mass ratio 2:1 and Fe/S molar ratio 1:1). Sludge recycling effects were evaluated on ten occasions, in which anaerobic sludge was collected, biochemically oxidized with mechanical aeration in the oxidizing basin before being mixed with the wastewater influent. The sludge recycling resulted in better effluent quality compared to the baseline operation without recycling. More Fe and S were retained as sludge in the bioreactors with sludge recycling (Fe 94%, S 91%) than those when the bioreactors were operated without sludge recycling (Fe 76%, S 86%). Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that bacterial cells and iron sulfide intermixed in the anaerobic sludge and the presence of microbial exopolymeric substances. X-ray spectroscopic analyses showed amorphous FeS formed from the dosed ferrous iron and biogenic bisulfide, and suggested long-term conversion of the amorphous FeS to more stable crystalline FeS and FeS2 in the anaerobic bioreactors. In the oxidizing basin, oxidation of iron sulfides was of both chemical and biological nature, and their oxidized forms including amorphous FeO/Fe2O3 mixture and partially/fully oxidized sulfurs. Experimental results also indicated amorphous FeS was more readily oxidized than FeS2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed microorganisms related to Desulfomonile tiedjei (sulfur reducing) and Alkaliphilus metalliredigens (iron reducing) in the anaerobic bioreactors, and Thiobacter subterraneus (sulfur oxidizing) and Rubrivivax gelatinosus (iron oxidizing) related microorganisms in the oxidizing basin.
Editorial Commentary: Don't Be Superficial in Life or When It Comes to Delaminated Rotator Cuff Tear Repair.

Abstract All rotator cuff tears are not created equal, and when it comes to delaminated tears, it is vital to identify, reduce, and anatomically repair the articular side. Regardless of technique, repair of the articular layer of the cuff is crucial to a tension-free construct anatomic reduction of the articular side of the cuff, and its associated superior capsule is the ultimate "biologic" superior capsular reconstruction.
The recruitment and acceptability of a project ECHO® eating disorders clinic: a pilot study of telementoring for primary medical and behavioral health care practitioners

Early identification and intervention are critical to prevent physical and mental health complications, chronicity, and premature death associated with eating disorders. However, primary medical and behavioral health care clinicians often do not feel confident or competent to diagnose and manage patients with eating disorders. This pilot study describes an innovative telementoring project (Project ECHO® Eating Disorders) that builds a geographically defined collaborative learning community to bridge the knowledge gap between eating disorder specialists located in eating disorder service sites and community-based practitioners, often living in remote areas. We describe the program and recruitment strategies and review baseline participant evaluation findings. Continuing Medical Education (CME) evaluation findings are presented as a measure of practitioner acceptability and satisfaction. Content analysis of CME participant evaluation comments provides an understanding of the impact of the program on participant knowledge and intended practice changes. We end with implications for training, practice, and research.
Sports Makes You Type Faster: The Entire World of Sports by One of America’s Most Famous Sportswriters

It is estimated that the Dallas Cowboys are worth several billion dollars. Sporting events have reached iconic status and now transcend cultural norms to tout cancer awareness, advance the military...
Towards a generalized competency model of collaborative problem solving

Abstract Collaborative problem solving (CPS) is an essential skill in the 21st century. There is a need for an appropriate framework and operationalization of CPS to guide its assessment and support and across multiple domains. Accordingly, we synthesized prior research on CPS to construct a generalized CPS competency model (i.e., skills and abilities) consisting of the following core facets: constructing shared knowledge, negotiation/coordination, and maintaining team function. Each facet has two sub-facets, which in turn, have multiple verbal and nonverbal indicators. We validated our model in two empirical studies involving triadic CPS, but in very different contexts – middle-school students playing an educational game in a 3-h, face-to-face session vs. college students engaging in a visual programming task for 20 min via videoconferencing. We used principal component analysis to investigate whether the empirical data aligned with our theorized model. Correlational analyses provided evidence on the orthogonality of the facets and their independence to individual differences in prior knowledge, intelligence and personality and regression analyses indicated that the facets predicted both subjective and objective outcome measures controlling for several covariates. Thus we provide initial evidence for the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of our model by using two different CPS contexts and student populations. This shows promise towards generalizing across various human-human CPS interactive environments.
Double negative T cells, a potential biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is a challenge to diagnose and treat. There is an urgent need for biomarkers to help define organ involvement, and more effective therapies. A unique population of T cells, the CD3+CD4-CD8- (DNeg) cells, is significantly increased in lupus patients. Twenty-seven cases (53%) of pediatric SLE patients had elevated DNeg cells in their peripheral blood, which correlated with kidney function (R2 = 0.54). Significant infiltration of DNeg cells was observed in both adult and pediatric lupus kidneys by immunofluorescence. For the first time, this study provides direct evidence that DNeg cells facilitate kidney injury in preclinical 8-week-old MRL/lpr lupus mice. In lupus mice, the increase in DNeg cells tracked with worsening disease and correlated with kidney function (R2 = 0.85). Our results show that DNeg cells per se can cause kidney dysfunction, increase in number with increase in disease pathology, and could serve as a potential biomarker.
Pharmacokinetics and Immunological Effects of Romidepsin in Rhesus Macaques.

HIV/SIV persistence in latent reservoirs requires lifelong antiretroviral treatment and calls for effective cure strategies. Romidepsin (RMD), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, was reported to reactivate HIV/SIV from reservoirs in virus-suppressed individuals. We characterized in detail the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of RMD in three SIV-naive rhesus macaques which received two rounds of treatment. In plasma, RMD mean terminal half-life was 15.3 hours. In comparison, RMD mean terminal half-life was much longer in tissues: 110 hours in the lymph nodes (LNs) and 28 hours in gastrointestinal tract. RMD administration was accompanied by transient liver and systemic toxicity. Isoflurane anesthesia induced near-immediate transient lymphopenia, which was further exacerbated and extended with the extensive immune modifications by RMD. The effect of RMD on circulating immune cells was complex: (i) slight increase in lymphocyte death rates; (ii) transient, robust increase in neutrophils; (iii) massive downregulation of lymphocyte surface markers; (iv) important migration of CD3+ T cells to the gut and LNs; and (v) hindrance to CD8+ T cell functionality, yet without reaching significance. Our results show that, in contrast to transient plasma concentrations, RMD has a long-term presence in tissues, with multiple immunomodulatory effects and minimal to moderate kidney, liver, and lymphocyte toxicities. As such, we concluded that RMD can be used for “shock and kill" approaches, preferentially in combination with other latency reversal agents or cytotoxic T lymphocyte boosting strategies with consideration taken for adverse effects.
Defining and Exploring Chemical Spaces

Designing functional molecules with desirable properties is often a challenging, multi-objective optimization. For decades, there have been computational approaches to facilitate this process through the simulation of physical processes, the prediction of molecular properties using structure–property relationships, and the selection or generation of molecular structures. This review provides an overview of some algorithmic approaches to defining and exploring chemical spaces that have the potential to operationalize the process of molecular discovery. We emphasize the potential roles of machine learning and the consideration of synthetic feasibility, which is a prerequisite to ‘closing the loop’. We conclude by summarizing important directions for the future development and evaluation of these methods.
New Insights in Advertising Strategy

This issue of the Journal of Advertising Research ( JAR ) contains ten studies that range across a wide variety of topics, from an overview of key marketing-research topics through a bibliographic study of 60 years of the JAR to the effectiveness of television advertising, and a number of indices of
Synergistic antihyperalgesic and antinociceptive effects of morphine and methyl 8-ethynyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepine-3-carboxylate (MP-III-024): a positive allosteric modulator at α2GABAA and α3GABAA receptors

Opioid and GABAA receptors are both located in central nociceptive pathways, and compounds that activate these receptors have pain-relieving properties. To date, the interactive effects of concurrent administration of these compounds in preclinical models of pain-like behaviors have not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive effects of the μ-opioid agonist morphine and the α2GABAA and α3GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator methyl 8-ethynyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepine-3-carboxylate (MP-III-024) in preclinical models of mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal nociception. The antihyperalgesic and antinociceptive effects of morphine and MP-III-024 administered alone were assessed initially, followed by fixed-ratio mixtures of MP-III-024/morphine combinations. Drug interaction data were analyzed using isobolographic and dose-addition analyses. All studies were conducted in male CD-1 mice. In the assay of mechanical hyperalgesia, each compound produced dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects, whereas only morphine was effective on thermal nociception. Fixed-ratio mixtures of MP-III-024/morphine were also dose-dependently effective in both procedures. These drug combination studies revealed that morphine and MP-III-024 produced supra-additive (synergistic) effects in both assays, depending on their relative proportions. These results demonstrate an interaction between α2GABAA and α3GABAA receptor- and μ-opioid receptor-mediated signals and suggest that combination therapy may be useful for the treatment of pain-related disorders.
Magnetically Programmable Cuboids for 2D Locomotion and Collaborative Assembly

The modular assembly and actuation of 3D printed milliscale cuboid robots using a globally applied magnetic field is presented. Cuboids are composed of a rectangular resin shell embedded with two spherical permanent magnets that can independently align with any applied magnetic field. Placing cuboids within short distances of each other allows for modular assembly and disassembly by changing magnetic field direction. Assembled cuboids are demonstrated to stably self-propel under sequential field inputs allowing for both rolling and pivot walking motion modes. Swarms of cuboids could be actuated within the working space and exhibit near identical behavior. Specialized ‘trap robots’ were developed to capture objects, transport them within the working space, and subsequently release the payload in a new location. Cuboids with male and female connectors were developed to exhibit the selective mating between cuboids. The results show that cuboids are a diverse and adaptable platform that has the potential to be scaled down to the sub-millimeter regime for use in medical or small-scale assembly applications.
Increasing the Strategy Planning Quotient

A CEO adds the most value by enabling senior executives develop a strategy that focuses, sequences, and prioritizes their time and work, the company’s initiatives, and the employees’ efforts. Strategic CEOs do not devolve into project managers, or counselors-in-chief for their senior executives, or firefight every battle facing the company. Like the CEOs of Exterior, ABCO, and FACILITYCO, they create customer value and increase sales by developing and implementing a robust strategy process. The chapter outlines specific steps that CEOs, senior executives, and companies can take to strengthen their strategy process. It concludes with a robust strategy planning framework consisting of five repeatable and predictable milestones that occur in a company’s strategy planning journey. Board members, CEOs and senior executives can use them to improve their strategy planning quotient and measure the success of their company’s strategy planning journey.
CT of Postoperative Repair of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch.

The diagnostic radiologist has a pivotal role in evaluation and management of patients after proximal aortic repair, and a structured approach that identifies key CT findings allows detailed unders...
Human selenium binding protein hSP56, a putative chemopreventive protein, binds selenium by a novel mechanism

4054 Human selenium binding protein hSP56, a putative chemopreventive protein, binds selenium by a novel mechanism. Cumulative and comprehensive data from both clinical and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of selenium as a nutritional supplement in reducing the risk of developing several forms of cancer including prostate cancer. A variety of selenium compounds have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth or induce apoptosis in culture. However, the molecular targets and mechanisms of this anti-tumor activity of selenium compounds remain largely unknown. We have previously identified genes expressed differentially in human prostate cancer cells with different phenotypes in term of metastatic potential and hormone sensitivity. One of the genes, which encodes human selenium binding protein (hSP56), the human homologue of a rodent gene implicated in chemoresistance, is highly expressed in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells but not in androgen-insensitive PC-3 cells. This expression in LNCaP cells is reversibly down-regulated by androgen in vitro (Yang, M. and A. J. Sytkowski, Cancer Research, 1998. 58:3150). hSP56 has been proposed to mediate the growth inhibitory action of selenium toward prostate cancer cells (Venkateswaran, V., L.H. Klotz, and N.E. Fleshner Cancer Research, 2002. 62:540). In the present study, we show that human selenium binding protein is synthesized by LNCaP cells as a 56 kDa polypeptide. This hSP56 protein contains selenium as covalently attached component. We demonstrated this by culturing LNCaP cells in the presence of radioactive 75Se and subsequently immunoprecipitating the labeled hSP56 protein with antibodies against hSP56 followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. However, hSP56 is not a selenocysteine-containing protein. Although there is nucleotide sequence in the 3’ untranslated region of the hSP56 gene with suggestive of a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) characteristic of selenoproteins, we determined that it is not functional in directing selenocysteine insertion. In addition, we have developed an effective method combining isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting and have demonstrated the existence of two isoforms of hSP56 protein isolated from LNCaP cells. The data indicate that hSP56 protein employs a novel mechanism to bind selenium. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of selenium binding and of the function of hSP56 protein will provide important insights into the chemopreventive action of selenium.
Role of nasal vestibule morphological variations on olfactory airflow dynamics.

Abstract Background The conductive mechanisms of olfaction are typically given little priority in the evaluation of olfactory function. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of nasal vestibule morphological variations on airflow volume at the olfactory recess in healthy subjects. Methods Anatomically realistic three-dimensional nasal airway models were constructed from computed tomography scans in five subjects. Each individual's unilateral nasal cavity (10 total) was classified according to the shape of their nasal vestibule: Standard, Notched, or Elongated. Nasal airflow simulations were performed using computational fluid dynamics modeling at two inspiratory flow rates (15 L/min and 30 L/min) to reflect resting and moderate breathing rates. Olfactory airflow volume and cross-sectional flow resistance were computed. Findings Average olfactory airflow volumes (and percent airflow in olfactory) were: 0.25 L/min to 0.64 L/min (3.0%–7.7%; 15 L/min simulations) and 0.53 L/min to 1.30 L/min (3.2%–7.8%; 30 L/min simulations) for Standard; 0.13 L/min – 0.47 L/min (2.0%–6.8%; 15 L/min simulations) and 0.06 L/min – 0.82 L/min (1.7%–6.1%; 30 L/min simulations) for Notched; and 0.07 L/min – 0.39 L/min (1.2%–5.4%; 15 L/min simulations) and 0.30 L/min – 0.99 L/min (2.1%–6.7%; 30 L/min simulations) for Elongated. On average, relative difference in olfactory resistance between left and right sides was 141.5% for patients with different unilateral phenotypes and 82.2% for patients with identical unilateral phenotype. Interpretation Olfactory cleft airflow volume was highest in the Standard nasal vestibule phenotype, followed by Notched phenotype for 15 L/min simulations and Elongated phenotype for 30 L/min simulations. Further, intra-patient variation in olfactory cleft airflow resistance differs greatly for patients with different unilateral phenotypes compared to patients with identical unilateral phenotype.
A comparative study of xanthine dehydrogenase regulator proteins in Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Streptomyces coelicolor (946.3)

A. tumefaciens and S. coelicolor are among the most studied bacteria with the former being the 3rd most important plant pathogen. The transcription factor XdhR of S. coelicolor (ScXdhR) regulates its own gene expression along with the divergently oriented xanthine dehydrogenase ABC (xdh) gene cluster. A similar genomic locus was observed in A. tumefaciens. Xanthine dehydrogenase converts hypoxanthine and xanthine to urate. Based on elecrophoretic mobility shift assays we show that ScXdhR and XdhR of A. tumefaciens (AtXdhR) bound to their respective intergenic regions specifically but with different binding affinities. The ligands GMP, rGTP and xanthine compromised the DNA-XdhR binding in both cases. The ScXdhR-DNA complex also dissociated upon addition of H2O2, cumene hydroperoxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, whereas DNA binding by AtXdhR was unaffected. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that ScXdhR dimerized upon addition of these oxidants, whereas AtXdhR did not. AtXdhR dimerized in the presence of Co2+ wher...
Bioassay of plasma cholecystokinin in rats: Effects of food, trypsin inhibitor, and alcohol

Abstract We report herein a specific, sensitive, and rapid bioassay for measuring plasma cholecystokinin in rats. Plasma was first passed through octadecylsilylsilica cartridges and the extracts were then tested for their content of cholecystokinin, based on their ability to stimulate amylase release from isolated rat pancreatic acini. Plasma levels of cholecystokininoctapeptide as low as 0.18 pM were detectable. Gastrin, in contrast, reacted only weakly in this system. Cholecystokinin bioactivity was inhibited by the antagonist dibutyryl cyclic guanosine monophosphate and was eliminated by immunoadsorption with an antibody directed against the carboxyl terminus of cholecystokinin. Plasma cholecystokinin levels in fasting rats as cholecystokinin-octapeptide equivalents were 0.31 ± 0.05 pM (mean ± SE) and rose to 6.2 ± 1.8 pM after feeding. Plasma cholecystokinin levels also increased 30-fold after intragastric instillation of soybean trypsin inhibitor and 15-fold after ethanol instillation. After column chromatography of plasma, two different forms of cholecystokinin were identifiable; one eluted with the octapeptide of cholecystokinin whereas the other most abundant form was intermediate in size between cholecystokinin-33 and cholecystokininoctapeptide.
Thermoelectric properties of solution-synthesized n-type Bi 2 Te 3 nanocomposites modulated by Se: An experimental and theoretical study

We report the investigation of the thermoelectric properties of large-scale solution-synthesized Bi2Te3 nanocomposites prepared from nanowires hotpressed into bulk pellets. A third element, Se, is introduced to tune the carrier concentration of the nanocomposites. Due to the Se doping, the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of the nanocomposites is significantly enhanced due to the increased power factor and reduced thermal conductivity. We also find that thermal transport in our hot-pressed pellets is anisotropic, which results in different thermal conductivities along the in-plane and cross-plane directions. Theoretical calculations for both electronic and thermal transport are carried out to establish fundamental understanding of the material system and provide directions for further ZT optimization with adjustments to carrier concentration and mobility.
Dislocation/precipitate interactions during coarsening of a plastically strained high-misfit nickel-base superalloy

The effects of dislocations on the coarsening of γ’ precipitates have been studied in INCONEL* X-750. Using a thermomechanical treatment that includes solution treatment, the addition of approximately 3 pct plastic strain at room temperature, followed by aging at 845 °C for 100 hours, a unique banded microstructure is obtained. The plastic strain results in the formation of intense planar slip bands, and the dislocations in these bands act as preferred coarsening sites by relieving γ’ misfit strains. Precipitates grow on only one side of a slip band, and hexagonal arrays of mixed a/2〈110〉 dislocations form on the precipitate faces in the plane of the slip band. The resulting microstructure consists of interconnected networks of dislocations and precipitates, separated by bands of the γ matrix phase that are relatively free of γ’. The equilibrium dislocation structure has been determined for the γ/γ’ interface by an O-lattice construction. Comparisons with experimental results have been made and interphase boundary dislocation reactions analyzed. A model has also been proposed by which matrix dislocations are incorporated into the hexagonal networks of mixed character. Some fundamental insight into the probable role of dislocations in stress coarsening can be gained from the study.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis: a disease of target populations in Houston, Texas.

Summary Objectives To analyse the traditional and molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) in Houston and Harris County, Texas in the setting of decreasing disease incidence. Methods Case–control study of 193 patients with DRTB and 1977 patients with drug-susceptible TB (DSTB) identified from a population-based surveillance, 1995–2001. Results In a multivariate logistic regression, the following risk factors were found to be predictors of having DRTB ( P ≤0.05): human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity, Hispanic ethnicity, Asian ethnicity, history of past TB; whereas being foreign born, having a history of past TB, and younger age were predictors of MDRTB. There were 15 patients who acquired drug resistance while on therapy, and they were significantly more likely than controls to be HIV-seropositive, be of Asian ethnicity, have smear-positive pulmonary disease and present with pleural effusion on chest radiograph. No difference in 6-month mortality between DRTB and DSTB cases was found. During the study period, the incidence of DRTB remained constant. Conclusions In Houston, there is a steady, low-level, incidence of DRTB which disproportionately affects specific subpopulations, with no evidence of increased mortality at 6 months.
Nitrosoarene and nitrosoalkane insertion reactions of titanacyclobutenes

Abstract Titanacyclobutenes react with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane and nitrosoarenes to afford products of insertion into the TiCH 2 bond of the metallacycle. Structural confirmation was obtained through single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the insertion product of the diphenyltitanacyclobutene and 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane: C 29 H 31 NOTi, monoclinic, P 2 1 / n , a =7.984(2), b =20.383(8), c =15.005(4) A, β=100.55(2)°, V =2400(2) A 3 , Z =4. The insertion products display dynamic NMR behavior consistent with pyramidal inversion at nitrogen, with activation barriers of c . 14 kcal mol −1 . Hydrolysis of the insertion products affords the corresponding hydroxylamines, while treatment of them or of the titanacyclobutenes with excess nitrosoarene results in metallacycle degradation and formation of azoxyarene.
Equilibrium properties of the fluxoid lattice in single-crystal niobium. II. Small-angle neutron-diffraction measurements

A small-angle neutron-diffraction technique has been used to measure several properties of the flux-line lattice (FLL) in a single-crystal sphere of pure niobium. For applied fields parallel to several crystallographic directions in the (100) and (110) planes, the low-field mixed state and intermediate mixed state were investigated. From these results, the orientation dependence of the low-field critical parameters H/sub c/1 and B/sub 0/ are deduced. The consistency of these results is verified by comparison with direct measurements of the equilibrium misalignment angle between the applied-field direction and the fluxoid axes. In addition, results are reported which extend the available information concerning correlations between the FLL and crystal lattice (CL) symmetry properties.
The Yes We Can Urban Asthma Partnership: A Medical/Social Model for Childhood Asthma Management

Pediatric asthma programs have struggled to integrate children's medical and social needs. We developed and piloted an integrated team model for asthma care for low-income children through the Yes We Can Urban Asthma Partnership. Program evaluation demonstrated increases in prescribing controller medications (p <0.05), use of action plans (p<0.001), and the use of mattress covers (p<0.001); and decrease in asthma symptoms (p<0.01). Additional changes occurred within the local system of asthma care to support ongoing efforts to improve asthma management. We conclude that pediatric asthma programs can effectively target the social and medical needs of children in a sustainable manner.
Optimally work-competitive scheduling for cooperative computing with merging groups

The problem of cooperatively performing a set of N tasks in a decentralized setting where the computing medium is subject to failures is one of the fundamental problems in distributed computing. This problem is normally abstracted in terms of a set of N tasks that need to be performed in the distributed environment consisting of P processors, where the environment is prone to processor and/or communication failures. Algorithmic solutions for this problem are evaluated according to their computational effectiveness that measures the number of computation steps taken in performing the tasks. This measure is called work .
Non-negative definite solutions of certain differential and functional equations

Problems in probability theory or mathematical statistics are frequently stated in terms of r andom variables or distribution functions. Since there exists a one-to-one correspondence between distribution functions and their Fourier-Stieltjes transforms (called in probabilistic terminology characteristic functions) it is often possible to reformulate problems in probability theory or mathematical statistics so that they involve only characteristic functions. The original problem takes then the form of a differential equation or of a functional equation which the characteristic function (or functions) must satisfy. However, it is not enough to solve this equation since the solutions of the equation will in general contain also functions which are not characteristic functions. It is known (BocnNER'S theorem) that a func t ionf i s a characteristic function if, and only if, it is non-negative definite e) and f ( 0 ) = 1. The main difficulty in the above mentioned problems is often the task of determining those solutions of a differential or of a functional equation which are nonnegative definite. No systematic study of this question seems to be available at present. The purpose of this paper is to give a survey of some of the isolated results which are scattered in the literature. It is hoped that this exposition might stimulate further research in this area. In section 2 we discuss certain functional equations, section 3 deals with questions concerning differential equations. We indicate also as far as possible the probabilistic motivation which led to the study of these equations.
A Gale-Berlekamp permutation-switching problem

In the spirit of the light switching game of Gale and Berlekamp, we define a light switching game based on permutations. We consider the game over the integers modulo k , that is, with light bulbs in an n × n formation, having k different intensities cyclically switching from 0 (off) to ( k - 1 ) (highest intensity) and then back to 0 (off). Under permutation switching, that is, adding a permutation matrix modulo k , given a particular initial pattern, we investigate both the smallest number R n , k of on-lights (the covering radius of the code generated) and the smallest total intensity I n , k that can be attained. We obtain an explicit formula for I n , k when n is a multiple of k . We also determine R n , k when k equals 2 and 3. In general, we obtain some bounds for R n , k and I n , k .
Blurring Livelihoods and Lives: The Social Uses of Mobile Phones and Socioeconomic Development

tos you might have set to appear as caller ID, the ringtone you have chosen, and the bookmarks or applets you may use to check everything from sports scores to movie times. But mainly, just think of the basic flow of incoming and outgoing calls; chances are, you may have used your handset to call a colleague one moment and your mother the next. Even if you haven’t made any calls today, your phone is probably on, waiting patiently to connect you to the office, to students, to friends, or to family. As technologies go, mobile phones are quite flexible. GSM and CDMA networks provide coverage to homes, to workplaces, even to the wilderness. People carry handsets with them as they move from place to place and between social situations. By enabling and strengthening social and economic relationships at a distance, mobiles shift time and place, and complicate contexts and roles to an even greater degree than the landlines that preceded them. Carrying a mobile invites consideration or even reconfiguration of being “at work,”“in transit,”“at home,” or “at play.” 1 Mobiles blur the lines between livelihoods and lives, and not just among smartphone-wielding information workers. Rather, this blurring can be experienced by almost anyone engaged with work. Around the world, farmers and fishermen, artisans and day laborers, community health workers and primary school teachers are carrying handsets and using them for both productive and personal uses throughout their daily routines. This paper focuses on how this intermingling of lives and livelihoods, as mediated by the mobile phone, figures into the micro-processes of economic development. It neither broadly elaborates the core contributions of mobile phone use to economic development (synchronizing prices, expanding markets, reducing transport costs, etc.), nor suggests that one kind of mobile use is more important than another. Instead, it argues simply for a perspective on work and on livelihoods that is broad enough to account for (and perhaps even take advantage of) the social processes surrounding these activities. Analysts, policymakers, and technologists
Rationing in urologic oncology: Lessons from sipuleucel-T for advanced prostate cancer

Abstract Objectives As complex novel cancer drugs are developed, supply may transiently fail to meet demand as production capacity established for research purposes is scaled up to meet anticipated clinical volume. There are no clear guidelines for how clinicians and medical centers should allocate scarce cancer care resources among patients who may benefit from the intervention. Materials and methods We describe a recent scenario in which demand exceeded supply for a novel immunotherapy, sipuleucel-T, that was newly approved by the FDA for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Production of this autologous cellular therapy was initially limited to one facility with supply projected to serve only 2,000 out of approximately 30,000 potentially eligible patients in the United States. Results and conclusions We propose basic guidelines that should be followed when allocating scarce cancer therapies and highlight ongoing challenges that must be resolved both with regard to rationing cancer care and with regard to access to high cost novel interventions in oncology in general.
CT scanner selection and specification for radiation therapy.

The underlying considerations necessary for selecting a CT scanner for radiation therapytreatment planning are analyzed and discussed. To obtain best value for funds expended it is desirable to compare CT scanner mechanical characteristics, data quality, and data handling capabilities. Specifications can be written to ensure prompt delivery of a unit containing all essential features without adding to the cost or complexity of the unit.