cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Race and Gender in Nutrition Habits and Self-Efficacy: Results from the Young Adult Weight Loss Study.

Overweight and obesity are a massive public health problem and young adults are at high risk for gaining weight once they enter a college. This study sought to examine gender and race as they relate to nutrition habits and self-efficacy in a population of diverse young adults from the Young Adult Weight Loss Study. Participants were 29% males, 38.7% white, 33.8% Asian, and 12.9% African American. Males had lower self-efficacy for healthy eating (mean score = 92.5, SD = 17.1) compared to females (mean = 102.3, SD = 13.7, ). Males had higher consumption of sodium compared to females (4308 versus 3239 milligrams/day, ). There were no significant differences across racial subgroups in self-efficacy for healthy eating ( ) or self-efficacy for exercise ( ). Higher self-efficacy scores for healthy eating were significantly associated with less total sodium ( , ), greater fruit consumption, and less saturated fat. Our results indicate that weight loss interventions should be individualized and that there may be specific areas to target that are different for men and women. Additional larger studies should be conducted to confirm if racial differences exist across nutrition habits and self-efficacy and to confirm gender differences noted in this study.
Steganography With Multiple JPEG Images of the Same Scene

It is widely recognized that incorporating side-information at the sender can significantly improve steganographic security in practice. Currently, most side-informed schemes utilize a high-quality “precover” image that is subsequently processed and then jointly quantized and embedded with a secret. In this paper, we investigate an alternative form of side-information—a set of multiple JPEG images of the same scene—for applications when the sender does not have access to a precover. The additional JPEG images are used to determine the preferred polarity of embedding changes to modulate the costs of changing individual DCT coefficients in an existing embedding scheme. Tests on real images with synthesized acquisition noise and on real multiple acquisitions obtained with a tripod-mounted and hand-held digital camera show a rather significant improvement in empirical security with respect to steganography utilizing a single JPEG image. The proposed empirically determined modulation of embedding costs is justified using Monte–Carlo simulations by showing that qualitatively the same modulation minimizes the Bhattacharyya distance between a quantized generalized Gaussian model of cover and stego DCT coefficients corrupted by AWG acquisition noise.
No!: Not Another Deep Learning Framework

In recent years, deep learning has pervaded many areas of computing due to the confluence of an explosive growth of large-scale computing capabilities, availability of datasets, and advances in learning techniques. While this rapid growth has resulted in diverse deep learning frameworks, it has also led to inefficiencies for both the users and developers of these frameworks. Specifically, adopting useful techniques across frameworks -- both to perform learning tasks and to optimize performance -- involves significant repetitions and reinventions.In this paper, we observe that despite their diverse origins, many of these frameworks share architectural similarities. We argue that by introducing a common representation of learning tasks and a hardware abstraction model to capture compute heterogeneity, we might be able to relieve machine learning researchers from dealing with low-level systems issues and systems researchers from being tied to any specific framework. We expect this decoupling to accelerate progress in both domains.
Impact of Student vs Faculty Facilitators on Motivational Interviewing Student Outcomes

Objective. To determine the impact of student or faculty facilitation on student self-assessed attitudes, confidence, and competence in motivational interviewing (MI) skills; actual competence; and evaluation of facilitator performance.Methods. Second-year pharmacy (P2) students were randomly assigned to a student or faculty facilitator for a four-hour, small-group practice of MI skills. MI skills were assessed in a simulated patient encounter with the mMITI (modified Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity) tool. Students completed a pre-post, 6-point, Likert-type assessment addressing the research objectives. Differences were assessed using a Mann-Whitney U test.Results. Student (N=44) post-test attitudes, confidence, perceived or actual competence, and evaluations of facilitator performance were not different for faculty- and student-facilitated groups.Conclusion. Using pharmacy students as small-group facilitators did not affect student performance and were viewed as equally favorable. Using pha...
Kinematic and Dynamic Factors in the Coordination of Prehension Movements

Publisher Summary The kinematic features of grasp depend primarily on the shape and orientation of the object. Preparation for grasp is initiated during transport and preshapes the hand to the contours of the object before reaching it. Taken as a whole, analyses of hand trajectories and reaching errors in humans support the idea that planning takes place in a neural representation that preserves the spatial relationships of hand and target, as well as the location of potential obstacles that could constrain hand path. In controlling the motions of a multiarticulated limb, however, muscle contraction acts in concert with additional forces, which vary during movement in still more complex ways. At rotating joints, the actions of these forces are expressed as torques. The chapter elaborates the regulation of distal joint angles in preparation for target entry and grasping and suggests that the loads imposed by interaction torques during reaching might be countered automatically, simply by stiffness of the joints, as the hand traverses a planned equilibrium trajectory.
Synthesis of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Applications for Infrastructures

AbstractThis paper is intended to provide the state-of-the-art and of-the-practice on visual inspection, monitoring, and analysis of infrastructure using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Several re...
Snyder v. Phelps: A Slice of the Facts and Half an Opinion

In Snyder v. Phelps, the Supreme Court reviewed only the picketing aspect of the case, and found that the First Amendment precluded tort liability. The Court declined to consider whether tort liability for the online "epic" that targeted the Snyders personally was constitutional. Snyder v. Phelps is a very narrow opinion and adds little to the debate about whether tort liability for invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress arising from speech is constitutional.
ANALYSIS-BASED LEARNING IN HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION

A model based on recent advances in machine learning can shed light on how people learn about unfamiliar systems from demonstrations. The model uses simple heuristics to assign causal roles to user actions in a demonstration, and then forms new procedures for related goals using this analysis. Empirical studies have provided support for the general framework of the model, though many important specifics are unresolved. The model and supporting results provide some guidance for the design of systems that will be easy to learn from demonstrations.
Corotational Tomography of Heliospheric Features Using Global Thomson Scattering Data

The Air Force/NASA Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) will provide two-dimensional images of the sky in visible light with high (0.1%) photometric precision, and unprecedented sky coverage and cadence. To optimize the information available from these images they must be interpreted in three dimensions. We have developed a Computer Assisted Tomography (CAT) technique that fits a three-dimensional kinematic heliospheric model to remotely-sensed Thomson scattering observations. This technique is designed specifically to determine the corotating background solar wind component from data provided by instruments like SMEI. Here, we present results from this technique applied to the Helios spacecraft photometer observations. The tomography program iterates to a least-squares solution of observed brightnesses using solar rotation, spacecraft motion and solar wind outflow to provide perspective views of each point in space covered by the observations. The corotational tomography described here is essentially the same as used by Jackson et al. (1998) for the analysis of interplanetary scintillation (IPS) observations. While IPS observations are related indirectly to the solar wind density through an assumed (and uncertain) relationship between small-scale density fluctuations and density, Thomson scattering physics is more straightforward, i.e., the observed brightness depends linearly on the solar wind density everywhere in the heliosphere. Consequently, Thomson scattering tomography can use a more direct density-convergence criterion to match observed Helios photometer brightness to brightness calculated from the model density. The general similarities between results based on IPS and Thomson scattering tomography validate both techniques and confirm that both observe the same type of solar wind structures. We show results for Carrington rotation 1653 near solar minimum. We find that longitudinally segmented dense structures corotate with the Sun and emanate from near the solar equator. We discuss the locations of these dense structures with respect to the heliospheric current sheet and regions of activity on the solar surface.
Adjustments in Torque Steadiness During Fatiguing Contractions Are Inversely Correlated With IQ in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. When exposed to a physical or cognitive challenge, individuals with MS tend to exhibit greater declines in task performance (performance fatigability) and increased levels of self-reported fatigue (perceived fatigability), but these effects may be attenuated by greater intellectual capacity. The purpose of our study was to examine the influence of intelligence on fatigability in persons with MS. We hypothesized that greater intellectual capacity confers some protection against heightened levels of fatigue and fatigability associated with MS. Twelve adults with relapsing-remitting MS were compared with 12 control (CO) subjects who were matched for age, sex, and premorbid intellectual capacity. Performance fatigability was measured as the decline in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque after 60 isometric contractions (10 s contraction at 25% MVC, 5 s rest) performed with the knee extensor muscles. Perceived fatigability was assessed with the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS) questionnaire (trait fatigability) and the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE, state fatigability). Persons with MS reported greater MFIS scores (MS: 43 ± 14; CO: 11 ± 8, P ≤ 0.001). Initial MVC torque for the knee extensors did not differ between the groups (MS: 112 ± 38 N⋅m; CO: 107 ± 44 N⋅m) and the decline (performance fatigability) was similar for both groups (MS: -16 ± 19 N⋅m; CO: -13 ± 16 N⋅m). RPE increased during the fatiguing contraction for both groups (P < 0.001) but was significantly greater in magnitude (main effect for group, P = 0.03) and increased more for the MS group (group × time interaction, P = 0.05). Torque steadiness declined during the fatiguing contractions (main effect for time, P = 0.05) and was less steady for the MS group (main effect for group, P = 0.02). Performance and full-4 IQ was correlated with the decline in torque steadiness for the MS group (r = -0.63, P < 0.05; r = -0.64, P < 0.05). Intellectual capacity was not associated with fatigability in persons with MS but was associated with adjustments in muscle activation during the fatiguing contractions.
Postpartum reproduction in protein restricted beef cows: effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

The influence of dietary CP on circulating LH and anterior pituitary and hypothalamic function was examined. In Exp. 1, 28 cows were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: adequate CP (ADQ; .96 kg/d) or deficient CP (DEF; .32 kg/d) beginning at 90, 60 and 30 d before parturition and continued at a 33% increase in feed consumption after parturition. Cows were bled at 15-min intervals for 8 h on d 20, 40 and 60 after parturition. Pituitaries were collected on d 62 to analyze GnRH receptor numbers and gonadotropin content. Frequency of pulsatile LH release increased (P less than .05) from 20 to 60 d in ADQ cows. Basal and mean LH were not affected (P greater than .10) by CP restriction or by days after parturition. Crude protein did not affect pituitary GnRH receptors (P greater than .10), but it did affect pituitary LH content, FSH content and FSH concentration (P less than .05). In Exp. 2, 28 cows were assigned to treatment groups as in Exp. 1. All cows were challenged with GnRH (.22 micrograms/kg BW) at 20, 40 and 60 d after parturition and were bled every 30 min for 6 h. Responsiveness to GnRH increased with increased time after parturition (P less than .07). Deficient CP decreased GnRH-induced LH release (P less than .05). In Exp. 3, 12 cows were randomly assigned to ADQ or DEF CP beginning 120 d before parturition. All cows received 1 mg estradiol-17 beta (E2) on d 19, 39 and 59 after parturition and were bled every 30 min for 14 h beginning 14 h following E2. Response to E2 was unaffected by CP restriction (P greater than .10), whereas time to E2-induced LH peak decreased as time after parturition increased in ADQ cows (P less than .05). Results suggest that delayed return to estrus in CP-deficient postpartum beef cows might be due to reduced gonadotropin release from the anterior pituitary and decreased anterior pituitary responsiveness to GnRH.
Scalable diagnostics for global atmospheric chemistry using Ristretto library (version 1.0)

Abstract. We introduce a new set of algorithmic tools capable of producing scalable, low-rank decompositions of global spatiotemporal atmospheric chemistry data. By exploiting emerging randomized linear algebra algorithms, a suite of decompositions are proposed that extract the dominant features from big data sets (i.e., global atmospheric chemistry at longitude, latitude, and elevation) with improved interpretability. Importantly, our proposed algorithms scale with the intrinsic rank of the global chemistry space rather than the ever increasing spatiotemporal measurement space, thus allowing for the efficient representation and compression of the data. In addition to scalability, two additional innovations are proposed for improved interpretability: (i) a nonnegative decomposition of the data for improved interpretability by constraining the chemical space to have only positive expression values (unlike PCA analysis); and (ii) sparse matrix decompositions, which threshold small weights to zero, thus highlighting the dominant, localized spatial activity (again unlike PCA analysis). Our methods are demonstrated on a full year of global chemistry dynamics data, showing the significant improvement in computational speed and interpretability. We show that the decomposition methods presented here successfully extract known major features of atmospheric chemistry, such as summertime surface pollution and biomass burning activities.
Acute Kidney Injury: Diagnosis and Management

Pediatric medicine is growing in complexity and an increasing number of children with co-morbidities are exposed to potential renal damage. Initially ill-defined and thought to be mostly a transient phenomenon in children, acute kidney injury (AKI) has now emerged as a complex clinical syndrome independently associated with increased mortality and morbidity, including the development of chronic renal sequelae. Recent advances in molecular nephrology have better elucidated the early phase of AKI, where evidence of renal tissue damage is associated with adverse outcomes even without decrease in glomerular filtration rate, illustrating the flaws of the old paradigm based solely on an insensitive filtration marker, the serum creatinine. Prevention, prompt evaluation and early interventions are of essence to decrease AKI incidence and severity. Emerging data reveal that AKI is commonly encountered in hospitalized children, especially critically ill ones, hence the importance for all clinicians to be able to identify high risk patients, recognize AKI early and be comfortable with the initial medical management. In recent years, significant advances have been made in AKI definition and prediction, allowing early preventive measures in high risk children that are now proven to reduce AKI incidence. This review covers recent advances in the diagnosis, risk stratification, prevention and management of AKI in children.
Evidence-based practice in the social services: implications for organizational change

Evidence-based practice integrates individual practitioner expertise with the best available evidence while also considering the values and expectations of clients. Research can be categorized into two broad areas: primary (experiments, clinical trials, and surveys) and secondary research (overviews of major studies, practice guidelines, and decision and economic analyses). One of the major challenges to incorporating research evidence into organizational life is the absence of an evidence-based organizational culture within human service agencies. This article identifies multiple strategies and case examples for creating such an organizational culture. Three major implications emerge from this analysis: (a) agency- university partnerships to identify the data to support evidence-based practice, (b) staff training (in the agencies and on campuses) that features problem-based learning approaches to support the introduction and utilization of evidence-based practice, and (c) the modification of agency cultures to support and sustain evidence- based practice.
Validation of Methods for Determining Elements in Solid Waste by Microwave Digestion

The techniques which are typically used to prepare RCRA wastes for analysis for metals and other elements are generally relatively time consuming, requiring several hours to several days to complete. They also often involve the use of acid digestions and thermal decomposition steps which may result in analyte losses, incomplete recoveries, or sample contamination. These limitations are well known to the analytical community and to the end users of these data in EPA, States, and industry. The resulting inefficiency of these techniques reduces laboratory sample throughput, drives up the cost of analytical testing, and impedes decision making. Given these concerns, the OSW Methods Section is interested in developing cost effective sample preparation techniques for metals and other elements in environmental and process waste samples. Once developed, these techniques can then be written as methods for inclusion in Test Methods for Evaluation of Solid Waste SW-846 and made available to the user community. This paper reports on the evaluation of a microwave assisted sample preparation method for determining elements in solid waste. The Method was evaluated for microwave digestion of sediments, sludges, soils, and oils.
Cardiogenetics: a primer for the clinical cardiologist

### Learning objectives Over the past decade, there has been increased recognition of genetic causes for many types of cardiovascular disease, with significant implications for patient management depending on the specific genetic condition. Although polygenetic associations with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have long been known, a number of inherited single-gene variants resulting in unique cardiovascular phenotypes has been recognised only more recently. Previously, it was difficult to make a genetic diagnosis because testing was expensive and rarely available. The current era of massively parallel DNA sequencing and large volume commercial labs has resulted in wider availability of gene panels and even exome and genome sequencing for use in cardiovascular genetics. Dozens to hundreds of genes of interest can be sequenced at lower cost, far more rapidly than a decade ago, making clinical testing more accessible than ever before. Many cardiology practice guidelines now incorporate genetic data in recommendations for diagnosis and personalised clinical management. Thus, clinical cardiologists need to understand the basic principles of cardiovascular genetics, recognise which patients might have an underlying genetic condition and refer patients for genetic testing when appropriate. Patients and families with inherited cardiovascular conditions also will expect their physicians to engage in informed shared decision making about clinical management. In this review article, we summarise basic principles of medical genetics and provide a practical approach to clinical genetic testing focusing on three categories of cardiovascular diseases: aortopathies, cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. Genetic variations in patients are broadly divided into two categories: benign common nucleotide variations versus …
Evaluation of The Electrochemo-Mechanically Induced Stress in All-Solid-State Li-Ion Batteries

The mechanical degradation of all-solid-state Li-ion batteries (ASSLBs) is expected to be more severe than that in traditional Li-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes due to the additional mechanical constraints imposed by the solid electrolyte on the deformation of electrodes. Cracks and fractures could occur both inside the solid electrolyte (SE) and at the SE/electrode interfaces. A coupled electrochemical-mechanical model was developed and solved by the Finite Element Method (FEM) to evaluate the stress development in ASSLBs. Two sources of volume change were considered, namely the expansion/shrinkage of electrodes due to lithium concentration change and the interphase formation at the SE/electrode interface due to the decomposition of SEs. The most plausible SE decomposition reactions and their associated volume change were predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the stress associated with a volume change due to SE decomposition can be much more significant than that of electrode volumetric changes associated with Li insertion/extraction. This model can be used to design 3D ASSLB architectures to minimize their internal stress generation.
Curious case of FTD-ALS.

The frontotemporal dementias (FTDs) are a group of disorders linked by presentation features combining executive, language and behavioural dysfunction. FTD includes three main clinical syndromes: behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), semantic dementia and progressive agrammatic/non-fluent aphasia. Over the past two decades there have been significant advancements in our understanding of the biology, genetics and molecular pathology of FTD. One such advancement was the identification of TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in the brains of FTD patients.1 Another was the discovery that FTD can be associated with expansions in the C9ORF72 gene.2 What is intriguing is that both TDP-43 and C9ORF72 mutations are also strongly linked to another neurodegenerative disease, …
Sea Voyages in Medieval Romances: Symbolic Trails through Existential Experiences and Female Suffering on the Water

In a considerable number of medieval narratives we encounter the shared theme of sea voyage, either undertaken for the purpose of marriage, or imposed on the suffering female protagonist who is persecuted by evil-minded people. Considering that most medieval audiences were not that much familiar with travel across big bodies of water, the literary motif emerges as highly significant because the voyage itself, mostly without any crew of sailors, carried out almost automatically, with the protagonist all by her/himself, transforms the traveler and has also a major impact on the countries or people where the ship arrives. The voyage emerges as an enterprise brought upon by God, who helps the individual to survive this most dangerous experience, which then brings about significant change in the people who live in the new country. At the same time, this theme also represents a kind of horizontal catabasis and regularly has a deep transformative impact on everyone involved.
Frequency of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Documentation After Electronic Medical Record Modification

Abstract Study Objective Documentation of sexual orientation (SO) and gender identity (GI) is crucial to identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and perform meaningful research to improve health disparities in this community. As a result, some electronic medical records (EMRs) have incorporated SO and GI into part of the provider's workflow for documentation. We aimed to evaluate the effect this modification has had on the frequency of SO and GI documentation. Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures This was a retrospective chart review of patient encounters from an outpatient pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinical practice. The rate of documentation of SO and GI were compared between encounters that took place before the implementation of the EMR modification and those that took place after. Additionally, we examined rates of GI and SO documentation according to visit type and patient race. Results A statistically significant increase in the frequency of SO and GI documentation after the EMR modification was detected. The documentation rate of SO increased from 10/73 (13.7%) to 32/73 (45.1%) (P Conclusion Including a specific tab for SO and GI in the EMR significantly increased the frequency of SO and GI documentation. Despite this increase, frequency of documentation remained at less than 50%, emphasizing the need for further improvement.
The Law and Science of Climate Change Attribution

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of lawsuits seeking to hold governments and private actors accountable for failure to take action on climate change. Climate change attribution science – the ability to detect environmental changes and attribute these to increases in greenhouse gas emissions – plays a central role in many of these lawsuits. Attribution science is rapidly evolving, both in regards to attributing extreme events to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions to particular actors – and so too is its role in the courtroom and in policymaking. Armed with a growing body of evidence linking increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to specific harmful impacts, plaintiffs are pursuing more ambitious claims against governments and emitters for their contribution to, or failure to take action on, climate change. This article examines how attribution science is used in litigation and in policymaking, and how litigation and policymaking might influence current and future directions in attribution science. In so doing, the Article indicates where current research factors into various types of climate litigation, and where further work may be most impactful. After a brief Introduction, Part II defines and describes the state of the art in attribution science, articulating core concepts and crafting a vocabulary for law-and-policy audiences to comprehend its methodologies and salience. Part III describes the role that attribution science has played in recent litigation as well as policy-making and planning activities, focusing primarily on examples from the United States but also drawing on international examples. Part IV discusses future directions in the law and science of climate change attribution, addressing questions such as how attribution science can better inform policy-making, planning and litigation; how parties can best utilize attribution science in climate change litigation; and how courts can respond to the realities and limitations of climate attribution science.
Pancreas divisum

We offer endoscopic therapy for pancreas divisum only in patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, based on studies delineated in this article, which results in response rates of 80% and 50% respectively. We do not offer endoscopic therapy for patients with chronic abdominal pain in the absence of morphologic abnormalities in the pancreatic duct or parenchyma or normal laboratory study results. It has been our experience that the success rate for endoscopic cannulation and therapy directed at the minor papilla in patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum is improved when the procedure is performed with primary intent to treat in patients who have a pre-existing diagnosis of pancreas divisum, as opposed to patients who undergo diagnostic ERCP for idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis and are diagnosed with pancreas divisum during the procedure. We cannulate the minor papilla with ultratapered 3-F catheters and 0.018-in soft wires. It is our opinion that minor papilla sphincterotomy offers advantages over chronic stent therapy in treating patients with pancreas divisum. Although both techniques have proven efficacy, chronic stenting requires repeated procedures and results in a high incidence of stent-induced chronic duct changes, both of which can be avoided by performing a minor papillotomy. We use an ultratapered papillotome with a 20-mm monofilament cutting wire and typically use blended current. The papillotomy is extended to ablate the mucosal mound of the minor papilla typically in a 2-o’clock direction for a distance between 4 and 8 mm, depending on the patient’s anatomy. Following minor papillotomy, we place temporary 5-F pancreatic duct stents to reduce the incidence of postprocedural pancreatitis, which has been demonstrated in pancreatic duct sphincterotomy of the major papilla. These stents usually migrate out after 24 to 72 hours following the procedure. We offer surgical sphincteroplasty to patients in whom minor papillotomy cannot be performed or whose disease relapses after successful endoscopic therapy.
Racial Differences of Pediatric Hypertension in Relation to Birth Weight and Body Size in the United States.

Background The prevalence of hypertension is known to differ by racial group in adults in the United States (US), but findings in children are scarce and inconsistent. The objective of this study was to assess the racial differences in pediatric hypertension and to explore whether these differences, if any, can be explained by low birth weight (LBW) and obesity.
Effects of atropine on acid secretion by isolated frog gastric mucosa.

Inhibition of acid secretion by atropine was studied in isolated bullfrog gastric mucosa. The dose of atropine required to inhibit acetylcholine-stimulated secretion was of the same order of magnitude as that required in the in vivo dog. Inhibition was competitive in nature. Secretion stimulated by gastrin, pentagastrin, or histamine was much less sensitive to inhibition by atropine. We infer that basal cholinergic stimulation, normally serving to potentiate the secretory response to gastrin or histamine, is absent in this preparation.
A Thermal Balancing Act

Heat is constantly transported from Earth9s core through the mantle to the crust, where it results, for example, in volcanic eruptions. The heat transport depends on the thermal conductivity of the different materials in the core and the mantle, but for many years the numbers did not add up, and the power could not be balanced between the core and the mantle. Anderson now shows that a reevaluation of the thermal conductivity of the mantle by Hofmeister may balance the power.
A Relaxed Mismatch Criterion for Reducing Conservatism in a Lyapunov Stability Analysis

We consider a system whose linear mathematical model includes uncertainties in the system state matrix and, possibly, the input connection matrix A quadratic matching condition is introduced in order to establish a new relaxed mismatch criterion, the satisfaction of which may be used to guarantee quadratic stabilizability via linear state feedback control. We show the relaxed mismatch criterion to generally be less conservative than either the measure of mismatch or the quadratic bound criteria.
Pion production in strong magnetic fields: A model for gamma-ray emission from accreting X-ray pulsars

Hadrons accelerated to high energies in the accretion column of a binary X-ray pulsar can produce pions in collisions with accreting protons and ions. The pions decay promptly into charged particles and photons, giving rise to an electromagnetic cascade through pair and photon production processes in the strong magnetic field of the neutron star. We give a simplified analysis of this system for teragauss magnetic fields in the optically-thin limit, assuming that nonlinear interactions between the produced pairs and photons are small, and calculate photon spectra in the MeV range. The calculated spectra are found to depend strongly on energy and angle, and are exponentially truncated at energies determined by the γ — B pair production threshold, which is a function of the magnetic field strength and viewing angle with respect to the magnetic axis.
A dusty pinwheel nebula around the massive star WR104

Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are luminous, massive blue stars thought to be the immediate precursors to some supernovae. The existence of dust shells around such stars has been enigmatic since their discovery about 30 years ago, as the intense ultraviolet radiation from the star should be inimical to dust survival1. Although dust creation models, including those involving interacting stellar winds2, have been put forward to explain these dust shells, the high-resolution observations needed to distinguish between the models have hitherto been lacking. Here we present images of the dust outflow around WR104, obtained using a technique that allows us to resolve detail on scales of about 40 auat the distance of the star. Our images—taken at two epochs—show that the dust forms a spatially confined stream that follows precisely a linear (or archimedian) spiral trajectory with a rotation period of 220 ± 30 days. These results prove that, in this case, a binary companion is responsible for the creation of the circumstellar dust. Moreover, the spiral plume makes WR104 the prototype of a new class of circumstellar nebulae, which are unique to systems with interacting winds.
Mummies, Disease and Ancient Cultures.

Mummies, Disease and Ancient Cultures. Aidan Cockburn. Eve Cockburn. and Theodore A. Reyman. eds. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. 402 pp.
WT1 suppresses synthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor and induces apoptosis.

Abstract The Wilms tumor suppressor gene WT1 encodes a developmentally regulated transcription factor that is mutated in a subset of embryonal tumors. To test its functional properties, we developed osteosarcoma cell lines expressing WT1 under an inducible tetracycline-regulated promoter. Induction of WT1 resulted in programmed cell death. This effect, which was differentially mediated by the alternative splicing variants of WT1, was independent of p53. WT1-mediated apoptosis was associated with reduced synthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but not of other postulated WT1-target genes, and it was abrogated by constitutive expression of EGFR. WT1 repressed transcription from the EGFR promoter, binding to two TC-rich repeat sequences. In the developing kidney, EGFR expression in renal precursor cells declined with the onset of WT1 expression. Repression of EGFR and induction of apoptosis by mechanism that may contribute to its critical role in normal kidney development and to the immortalization of tumor cells with inactivated WT1 alleles.
Mutational response of Habrobracon oocytes in metaphase and prophase to ethyl methanesulfonate and nitrogen mustard.

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and nitrogen mustard were used to induce dominant and recessive lethal mutations in the oocytes of the parasitic wasp Habrobracon. Oocytes in the first meiotic metaphase were found to be much more sensitive to EMS and nitrogen mustard than oocytes in first meiotic prophase when dominant lethality was the criterion. In this respect, the action of the chemical mutagens resembles that of x radiation. With recessive lethality as criterion, metaphase I and prophase I oocytes respond differently to x radiation and chemical mutagens. A 20-fold difference prevails after x radiation, with metaphase I being the more sensitive stage. With nitrogen mustard, metaphase I is three to five times more sensitive than prophase I, and with EMS, no significant difference was found between metaphase I and prophase I. (auth)
The Effects of Insertions on Mammalian Intrachromosomal Recombination

We examined the effects of insertion mutations on intrachromosomal recombination. A series of mouse L cell lines carrying mutant herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) heteroalleles was generated; these lines differed in the nature of their insertion mutations. In direct repeat lines with different large insertions in each gene, there was a 20-fold drop in gene conversion rate and only a five-fold drop in crossover rate relative to the analogous rates in lines with small insertions in each gene. Surprisingly, in direct repeat lines carrying the same large insertion in each gene, there was a larger drop in both types of recombination. When intrachromosomal recombination between inverted repeat tk genes with different large insertions was examined, we found that the rate of gene conversion dropped five-fold relative to small insertions, while the rate of crossing over was unaffected. The differential effects on conversion and crossing over imply that gene conversion is more sensitive to insertion mutation size. Finally, the fraction of gene conversions associated with a crossover increased from 2% for inverted repeats with small insertions to 18% for inverted repeats with large insertions. One interpretation of this finding is that during intrachromosomal recombination in mouse cells long conversion tracts are more often associated with crossing over.
Photophysics in solution and Langmuir-Blodgett film and vapochromic behavior of the Pt(II) 2,6-bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine complexes with different alkyl chains and counter anions.

A systematic photophysical study, i.e. electronic absorption and emission study, on platinum(II) 2,6-bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2′-yl)pyridine complexes with different alkyl chains and different anions were performed in solutions and in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films. Electronic absorption in solution shows high-energy bands that are assigned to π,π* transitions within the ligand and a moderately intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (1MLCT) band above 400 nm. All the complexes are emissive at room temperature and at 77 K. When low-polarity solvent, such as hexane was added to the CHCl3 solutions of these complexes, solvent-induced aggregation occurred, which was evident by the appearance of a broad metal–metal-to-ligand charge transfer (1MMLCT) band between 500 and 600 nm in their UV-vis spectra and a new emission band appearing around 670 nm, which is attributed to the 3MMLCT state. The degree of aggregation is affected drastically by the nature of the counter anion, with complexes 5b, 5c and 5d that contain PF6−, ClO4− and BF4− anion, respectively, appearing to more readily aggregate. In contrast, the length of the alkyl chain shows a negligible effect on the degree of aggregation. The emission lifetime measurements further confirm the formation of aggregates. These complexes exhibited selective vapochromic response when exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Both the alkyl chain length and the counter anion affect the vapochromic effect. Moreover, LB films were fabricated using these amphiphilic platinum complexes and most of the films displayed 3MMLCT emission. The emission energy and the lifetime in LB films are influenced significantly by the counter anions. Complex 5f mainly emits from a ligand–ligand π–π interacted excited state, and 5a–5e exhibit a 3MMLCT emission. Although no simple systematic correlation could be made between the nature of the counter ion and the electronic absorption and/or emission properties of these platinum complexes in solution and in LB films, we believe that the salient counter ion effects are most likely related to the size and shape of the counter ions.
Dynamic Development and Mature Autonomy

This paper proposes a neo-Piagetian structural model of adult development. It is argued that propositional logic may fail as a device for regulating affect and action, and only prefigures rather than embodies mature structures of self-regulation. Three adult stages of logic are proposed: intrasystemic (formal realism), intersystemic (contextual relativism), and autonomy. These stages can serve as a broad organizational device for understanding a wide array of adult developmental phenomena, including cognitive, affective, ego, and interpersonal development.
Adjuvant chemotherapy with external beamradiation therapy for high-grade, node-positive endometrial cancer.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for women with node-positive, high-grade adenocarcinoma of the uterus. Methods Database review identified 73 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIIC 1/2 grade 3 endometrial cancer diagnosed from 1995 to 2009. Study inclusion required total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and negative chest imaging. Histologic subtypes were endometrioid (22, 30%), papillary serous (20, 27%), clear cell (9, 12%), mixed (21, 29%), and undifferentiated (1, 1%). Adjuvant treatment was chemotherapy with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in 55 patients (75%), EBRT alone in 14 (19%), chemotherapy in 2 (3%), and no adjuvant therapy in 2 (3%). Results With a median follow-up of 50 months, DFS/OS rates at 5 years were 44%/53%, respectively. Intraperitoneal relapse was more common in patients with positive cytology (30% vs 6%, P = 0.02) and nonendometrioid histology (16% vs 4%, P = 0.3). By histologic subtype, 5-year DFS/OS rates were 59%/82% for grade 3 endometrioid, 25%/30% for serous, 22%/17% for clear cell, and 50%/51% for mixed histology (P = 0.1/P Conclusions For node-positive, high-grade endometrial cancer, patients with endometrioid and mixed histologic subtypes had better clinical outcomes than did those with serous and clear cell cancers. Distinct patterns of relapse were observed with a greater risk of intraperitoneal failure for nonendometrioid histologic subtypes. Future studies are needed to define the optimal chemotherapy regimen and radiation fields.
Economic order quantities and inflation

This paper addresses the inventory control problem of determining economic order quantities during inflation. A simple average annual cost model is constructed for which a closed-form solution is found. The solutions thus generated arc then compared with the optimal solutions to a ‘theoretically correct’ model whose objective is to minimize the discounted sum of all future costs. An exhaustive sensitivity analysis shows the simple closed-form solution to compare favourably with the minimum discounted cost solution over a wide range of problem parameters.
Noise and Spreading of Subsonic Coannular Jets—Comparison with Single Equivalent Jet

The issue of scaling of noise as well as spreading of subsonic coannular jets is revisited. Far-field noise and centerline Pitot-static pressure surveys are conducted with concentric, circular nozzles having an outer-to-inner diameter ratio of 1.42. Both the inner nozzle and the outer annular passage are convergent. Outer-to-inner Mach number ratio (R) is varied over a large range from 0 to approximately 10. Results are examined on the basis of single equivalent jet parameters calculated by satisfying continuity, momentum and energy equations. The results confirm that coannular jets with normal velocity profiles are noisier than the single equivalent jet. Jets with "inverted" velocity profiles are also found to be noisier except in a narrow R-range of 1-1.5. In the latter range, contrasting the inference in previous studies of IVP jets, the present data do not exhibit a clear noise reduction. When normalized with equivalent jet parameters the asymptotic Mach number decay rate, as well as potential core length, are found to be comparable to those of a single jet. However, an abrupt shift in the virtual origin is noted across R=1.
Methyl Parathion: A Review of Health Effects

Methyl parathion is an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide with insecticidal properties derived from acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition; this same property is also the root of its toxicity in humans. Poisoning with methyl parathion leads to cholinergic overstimulation with signs of toxicity including sweating, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and, in extreme cases, death. Reports of methyl parathion intoxication, usually seen only in field pesticide applicators, have increased throughout the United States as a result of unauthorized application of methyl parathion inside homes. The health concerns of the use of methyl parathion have resulted in cancellation of its use in most food crops in the United States. This review examines the well-documented neurotoxicity of methyl parathion as well as effects on other organ systems.
The leech product saratin is a potent inhibitor of platelet integrin α2β1 and von Willebrand factor binding to collagen

Subendothelial collagen plays an important role, via both direct and indirect mechanisms, in the initiation of thrombus formation at sites of vascular injury. Collagen binds plasma von Willebrand factor, which mediates platelet recruitment to collagen under high shear. Subsequently, the direct binding of the platelet receptors glycoprotein VI and α2β1 to collagen is critical for platelet activation and stable adhesion. Leeches, have evolved a number of inhibitors directed towards platelet–collagen interactions so as to prevent hemostasis in the host during hematophagy. In this article, we describe the molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of the leech product saratin to inhibit platelet binding to collagen. In the presence of inhibitors of ADP and thromboxane A2, both saratin and 6F1, a blocking α2β1 mAb, abrogated platelet adhesion to fibrillar and soluble collagen. Additionally, saratin eliminated α2β1-dependent platelet adhesion to soluble collagen in the presence of an Src kinase inhibitor. Moreover, saratin prevented platelet-rich plasma adhesion to fibrillar collagen, a process dependent upon both α2β1 and von Willebrand factor binding to collagen. Furthermore, saratin specifically inhibited the binding of the α2 integrin subunit I domain to collagen, and prevented platelet adhesion to collagen under flow to the same extent as observed in the presence of a combination of mAbs to glycoprotein Ib and α2β1. These results demonstrate that saratin interferes with integrin α2β1 binding to collagen in addition to inhibiting von Willebrand factor–collagen binding, presumably by binding to an overlapping epitope on collagen. This has significant implications for the use of saratin as a tool to inhibit platelet–collagen interactions.
Acrylamide quenching of fluorescence in micellar environments

Abstract Acrylamide is a hydropholic fluorescence quencher that nonetheless readily enters the hydrophobic interior of detergent micelles in aqueous solution. No such movement in observed between bulk aqueous and organic phases. Bimolecular quenching constants in both normal and reverse micelles indicate that quenching of micellized pyrene fluorescence by acrylamide is a diffusional process. Considerations of energy transfer from donor micelles to a solubilized pyrene acceptor, I 1 / I 3 ratios of the probe, and comparison with quenching by bromide ions suggest that the hydrocarbon extremity of acrylamide has the ability to penetrate across the polarity boundary of normal micelles and quench the fluorescence of a probe located just inside it.