cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rasmussen's S-R-K 30 Years Later: Is Human Factors Best in 3's?:

2009 is the 30th anniversary of the original publication of Jens Rasmussen's Skill-Rule-Knowledge (S-R-K) framework in a technical report from Riso National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark (Rasmussen, 1979a). Given the influence of this work, it is timely to have a panel discussion that examines the impact of this paper and its current status. Since S-R-K is a three level heuristic, the panelists were also asked to address the questions: Can Human Factors be boiled down to just 3 levels? What are the 3 levels that capture the essentials of people at work?
MEMS disk resonator gyroscope with integrated analog front-end

We present a 2 mm diameter, 35 μm thick disk resonator gyro (DRG) fabricated in silicon with integrated 0.35 μm CMOS analog front-end circuits in the Invensense NF process. This process incorporates a wafer-level vacuum seal, yielding a quality factor (Q) of 2800 at the DRG's 78 kHz resonance frequency. After performing electrostatic tuning to enable mode-matched operation, this DRG achieves a 63 μV/°/s sensitivity. Resonator vibration in the sense and drive axes is sensed using capacitive transduction, and amplified using a low-noise, on-chip integrated circuit. This allows the DRG to achieve Brownian noise-limited performance. The angle random walk (ARW) is measured to be 0.01 (*/sec)/√Hz and the bias instability is 30 °/hr.
Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Deconvolution

To solve the problem of estimating an unknown input function to a linear time invariant system we propose an adaptive non-parametric method based on reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC). We use piecewise polynomial functions (splines) to represent the input function. The RJMCMC algorithm allows the exploration of a large space of competing models, in our case the collection of splines corresponding to alternative positions of breakpoints, and it is based on the specification of transition probabilities between the models. RJMCMC determines: the number and the position of the breakpoints, and the coefficients determining the shape of the spline, as well as the corresponding posterior distribution of breakpoints, number of breakpoints, coefficients and arbitrary statistics of interest associated with the estimation problem. Simulation studies show that the RJMCMC method can obtain accurate reconstructions of complex input functions, and obtains better results compared with standard non-parametric deconvolution methods. Applications to real data are also reported.
The residential segregation patterns of whites by socioeconomic status, 2000-2011.

In light of increasing racial and ethnic diversity, a recent housing crisis, and deep economic recession, arguments pertaining to the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in shaping patterns of racial/ethnic segregation remain salient. Using data from the 2000 decennial census and the 2007–2011 American Community Survey, we provide new evidence on the residential segregation patterns of whites from minorities by SES (income, education, and poverty). Results from our comprehensive analyses indicate that SES matters for the segregation patterns of whites from minorities. In particular, we find that whites as a whole are less segregated from higher-SES minority group members than lower-SES ones. Among whites, those of higher SES are more segregated from blacks and Hispanics as a whole and less segregated from Asians, indicating the importance of SES differentials across racial/ethnic groups in shaping residential patterns. We also find that during the 2000s, white–black segregation remained stable or declined, while whites became more segregated from Hispanics and Asians by all SES indicators. Fixed-effects models indicate that increasing white-minority SES segregation was fueled in part by increases in a metropolitan area’s immigrant and elderly populations, minority poverty rate, and home values, while declining segregation was associated with rising education levels and new housing construction.
Sodium-phosphate transport in the kidney and intestine of the hypophosphatemic mouse.

X-linked hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets is the most common inherited form of vitamin D-resistant rickets in man. The current studies were designed to characterize the defect in the sodium (Na+)-phosphate transporter in the (Hyp) mouse model. The slope of initial rate of phosphate uptake was significantly decreased in the kidney but not in intestinal brush border membranes of the (Hyp) mice compared with genetically matched controls. Phosphate uptake by the basolateral membranes of the intestine and kidney was similar in the (Hyp) and control mice. Kinetic analysis of phosphate uptake by renal brush border membranes showed aV max of 0.32±0.06 and 1.6±0.1 nmol/mg protein per 15 s (P<0.01) andK m of 0.07±0.06 and 0.39±0.05 mM in (Hyp) and control mice respectively (P<0.05).V max andK max of jejunal uptake of phosphate were similar in (Hyp) and control mice. To confirm these findings, we expressed the Na+-phosphate transporter inXenopus laevis oocytes. Na+-dependent phosphate uptake in the oocytes was expressed 6 days after renal and intestinal poly(A)+ RNA injection, however, uptake values were significantly lower in oocytes injected with renal poly(A)+ RNA from the (Hyp) mice compared with controls (P<0.01). No differences were noted in phosphate uptake by oocytes injected with poly(A)+ RNA from the jejunum of the (Hyp) or control mice. These studies suggest that the defect in the (Hyp) mice is localized to the kidney and is secondary to diminished activity and/or function of the Na+-phosphate transporter.
Potential for two isoforms of the A1 ribonucleoprotein in Xenopus laevis

Abstract We have identified the Xenopus cognates for the RNA-binding protein A1. This protein has previously been shown to be one of the components of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) complex in rat and human cells. We have isolated several Xenopus clones from oocyte, tailbud embryo, and leg muscle cDNA libraries and determined their nucleotide sequences. Potentially, two different A1 isoforms are expressed in Xenopus; they have been termed XA1a and XA1b. Besides insertions and deletions, the XA1a protein sequence is 92% identical to the rat protein and suggests very similar secondary structures. There are two segments in the COOH-terminal domain where deletions or insertions are apparent: the rat protein does not have a 48-residue sequence that is present in the frog protein, and the frog protein does not have a 12-residue sequence that is present in the rat protein. We have confirmed that the XA1a protein is larger than rat A1 by in vitro transcription, translation, and gel electrophoresis. The second isoform, XA1b, is very similar to the XA1a isoform, except it has a different COOH terminus due to the absence of a 73-nucleotide region from its cDNA clones. Transcripts representing both isoforms have been detected in various Xenopus RNA preparations by polymerase chain reaction experiments with A1-specific oligonucleotides. Our findings suggest that the isoforms are encoded by one or two genes and are the result of alternative splicing. We discuss the biological implications of having two forms of the A1 component of hnRNP particles.
Fuzzy classifier design using genetic algorithms

A new method for design of a fuzzy-rule-based classifier using genetic algorithms (GAs) is discussed. The optimal parameters of the fuzzy classifier including fuzzy membership functions and the size and structure of fuzzy rules are extracted from the training data using GAs. This is done by introducing new representation schemes for fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy rules. An effectiveness measure for fuzzy rules is developed that allows for systematic addition or deletion of rules during the GA optimization process. A clustering method is utilized for generating new rules to be added when additions are required. The performance of the classifier is tested on two real-world databases (Iris and Wine) and a simulated Gaussian database. The results indicate that highly accurate classifiers could be designed with relatively few fuzzy rules. The performance is also compared to other fuzzy classifiers tested on the same databases.
Block-based scalable wavelet image codec

This paper presents a high performance block-based wavelet image coder which is designed to be of very low implementational complexity yet with rich features. In this image coder, the Dual-Sliding Wavelet Transform (DSWT) is first applied to image data to generate wavelet coefficients in fixed-size blocks. Here, a block only consists of wavelet coefficients from a single subband. The coefficient blocks are directly coded with the Low Complexity Binary Description (LCBiD) coefficient coding algorithm. Each block is encoded using binary context-based bitplane coding. No parent-child correlation is exploited in the coding process. There is also no intermediate buffering needed in between DSWT and LCBiD. The compressed bit stream generated by the proposed coder is both SNR and resolution scalable, as well as highly resilient to transmission errors. Both DSWT and LCBiD process the data in blocks whose size is independent of the size of the original image. This gives more flexibility in the implementation. The codec has a very good coding performance even the block size is (16,16).© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cycling degradation of an automotive LiFePO4 lithium-ion battery

Abstract Degradation of a high capacity prismatic LiFePO 4 cell with deep cycling at elevated temperature of 50 °C is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as capacity and power fading characterization at different test temperatures (45, 25, 0 and −10 °C). Capacity fade after 600 cycles is 14.3% at 45 °C and 25.8% at −10 °C. There is little power fade at 45 °C after 600 cycles, whereas the power fade after 600 cycles is 61.6% and 77.2%, respectively, at 0 and −10 °C. The capacity and power fade evidently becomes more severe at lower temperature. In particular, the power fade at low temperatures (e.g., 0 and −10 °C) rather than capacity loss is a major limitation of the LiFePO 4 cell. The primary mechanism for capacity fade is loss of cyclable lithium in the cell resulting from lithium-consuming solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer growth and side reactions. The increased interfacial resistance ( R w ) due to the catalytic growth of SEI layer on the graphite anode and increased electrolyte resistance are the main sources for power fade.
The Concept of Public Space and Its Democratic Manifestations

The term public space has multiple meanings depending on the scholarly discipline. One aim ofthis article is to develop a unified concept of public space that draws on varied pertinent literatures, while at the same time expanding the idea’s coverage to incorporate the impacts oftele vision and information technology. A second objective is to utilize the concept to explore empirically the practical possibilities for making public space more democratic, using for this purpose several photographs of actual public spaces.
Estimating normal tail probabilities

The estimation problem of normal tail probabilities is considered. The form of generalized Bayes estimators is derived and the asymptotic behavior of the mean square errors is studied. This study shows that the best unbiased estimator, a formula for which is given, is superior to the maximum likelihoood estimator or to a class of generalized Bayes procedures for large parametric values, but can be significantly improved for moderate values of the parameter.
TU‐A‐213CD‐03: Information Source Mapping in Prior‐0Image‐Based Reconstruction

Purpose: While reconstruction methods that include prior images can provide spectacular results on highly under sampled and noisy CT data, the reliability of features in volume estimates remains a major question. Specifically, how can one determine whether a specific feature arises from the measurements or the prior image? We present a first step toward answering this question using a novel decomposition of prior‐image‐based reconstructions that traces the contribution of information from each source (i.e., from the current measurement data and from the prior image).Methods: We have developed a novel analytic framework for decomposing prior‐image‐based reconstructions, such as those formed by prior‐image‐ constrained compressive sensing (PICCS) or prior‐image penalized likelihood estimation (PI‐PLE) reconstructions. Two terms arise ‐ one a function of the measurement data and the other a function of the prior image. Each term also represents an image volume that can be used to form an ‘information source map’ (ISM), illustrating the spatially varying contribution of information and the source of specific features in the reconstruction.Results: We apply the analytic decomposition and ISM approach to a simulated lung nodule surveillance scenario where a prior image (without a lung nodule) is incorporated into both PICCS and PI‐PLE reconstructions of sparse tomographic data (in which a lung nodule appears). Information source maps correctly identify the measurement data as the source of the nodule feature and quantify the how various adjustable PICCS and PI‐PLE parameters increase the reliance on the prior image when larger prior‐image parameter strengths are selected.Conclusion: The proposed ISManalysis allows one to visualize the propagation of information from the prior image and the current measurement data into resulting reconstructions. These maps quantify and provide confidence that specific features arise from the current data (and not the prior image), identify regions of change, and guide selection of reconstruction parameters. This work supported in part by NIH grant 2R01‐CA‐112163.
Codependency: characteristics, risks, progression, and strategies for healing.

Codependency and caring are issues concerning nurses practicing in the 1990s. Questions about "caring" and "caring too much" at one's own expense are examined. Characteristics, roles, and risk factors for codependency are identified. Strategies for healing are suggested for nurses who "care too much."
Trade Liberalization, Antidumping, and Safeguards: Evidence from India's Tariff Reform

Abstract This paper is the first to use product-level data to examine empirically whether countries use antidumping and safeguard exceptions to unwind commitments to lower tariffs in the face of domestic political–economic pressure. We focus on the case of India, a country that underwent a major exogenous tariff reform program in the early 1990s and subsequently initiated substantial use of safeguard and antidumping import restrictions. We first estimate structural determinants of India's import protection using the Grossman and Helpman (1994) model and provide evidence from its pre-reform tariff data of 1990 that is consistent with the theory. We then re-estimate the model on the Indian tariff data after the trade liberalization is complete and find that the model no longer fits, a result consistent with theory and evidence provided in other settings that India's 1991–1992 IMF arrangement can be interpreted as resulting in an exogenous shock to India's tariff policy. However, when we re-estimate the model on data from 2000–2002 that more completely reflects India's cross-product variation in import protection by including both its post-reform tariffs and its additional non-tariff barriers of antidumping and safeguard import protection, the significance of the Grossman and Helpman model determinant estimates is restored. We interpret these combined results as evidence that India unwound its commitment to reduce tariffs through use of antidumping and safeguard protection in the face of political-economic pressure. The estimates are also economically important and provide one explanation for separate results in the literature that the magnitude of import reduction associated with India's use of antidumping is similar to the initial import expansion associated with its tariff reform. Finally, we interpret the implications of our results for the burgeoning research literature examining the effects of liberalization on India's micro-level development.
A new CT architecture with stationary x-ray sources

Current cardiac computed tomography (CT) is not fast enough for high or irregular heart rates, and the high radiation dose from cardiac CT scans remains a public concern. The primary cause of those unsatisfactory performances is the current CT architecture, in which one or two x-ray tubes need to be mechanically spun around an object to collect projection images, and x-ray beams need to be wide enough to cover the entire transaxial extent of an object without truncation. Here we present a new cardiac CT architecture. The new architecture features three distributed x-ray sources and three x-ray detectors. The three sources are stationary, with each containing an array of about 100 x-ray beams. The three detectors are rotating, and simultaneously acquire truncated projection data for the same interior region-of-interest. In synchrony with the rotating detectors, the three source arrays are electronically activated to simulate the spinning of three traditional single-beam x-ray sources. By estimate, the new architecture is expected to provide ≤50ms temporal resolution and ≤1mSv radiation dose.
Quest for ideal weight: costs and consequences.

The quest to achieve the ideal weight comes with notable costs. Dieting carries the financial costs of professional consulting, low-calorie foods, books and materials, and diet programming. Club memberships, clothing, equipment, and time all contribute to the cost of exercise. Cosmetic surgery to achieve the desired physique carries a significant financial, and sometimes psychological, burden. Women often pursue thinner bodies despite already being at a healthy weight. This pursuit is motivated primarily to enhance appearance. The ideal body portrayed in the media has stabilized in thinness, but it is becoming increasingly tubular, i.e., taller with slimmer hips and thicker waist. This ideal is presented to adult and adolescent women in their popular magazines, and to little girls with their dolls. Exercise is promoted as an optimal means to achieve the ideal physique. Young American women tend to idealize an athletic body shape, especially with upper-body muscularity. This shape can be attained only through sustained exercise and upper-body strength training. High-level exercise may be a precursor to eating disorders. Women who exercise to excess, who are highly preoccupied with weight, and who are characterized by perfectionism and an obsessive compulsive personality are at risk for eating disorders. When body weight and shape are kept in perspective and realistic goals are set, the physical, psychological, and financial costs of achieving or maintaining a healthy weight may be minimized.
Talk among yourselves: RNA sponges mediate cross talk between functionally related messenger RNAs.

When Francis Crick first proposed the central dogma, he predicted that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA and finally to proteins. By this classical concept, the sole purpose of mRNA is to serve as a template for translation. Recent work has expanded our understanding of the function of mRNA well beyond this singular definition. A paper published in this issue sheds more light on the myriad roles mRNAs can play in genetic regulation. Miyakoshi et al (2015a) report an intriguing scenario in Salmonella where a small RNA molecule derived from a larger polycistronic mRNA promotes cross talk between physically unlinked mRNAs via controlling turnover of a global small RNA repressor.
Pathogenicity island integrase cross-talk: a potential new tool for virulence modulation.

Instability and excision of pathogenicity islands (PAIs) have already been described in Escherichia coli 536. In this edition of Molecular Microbiology, Bianca Hochhut and colleagues from the University of Wurzburg in Germany have shown that the instability of four of the E. coli 536 PAIs is mediated by a P4-type integrase encoded within the specific PAI by a site-specific recombination mechanism. The integrase encoded on PAI II(536) is able to mediate excision and integration of both PAI II(536), and also PAI V(536). The att sites of both these PAIs have a region of sequence similarity, which is also found in several other PAIs and in tRNA genes in several bacterial species. The cross-PAI activity of this integrase (Int(PAI II)) suggests that it plays an important role in both genome evolution and horizontal transfer of pathogenicity elements, possibly even across species barriers. Deletion of PAIs that carry genes for adhesins and other traits might lead to a phase variation-like phenomenon. Differential regulation of integrase activity or production might add a further level of fine-tuning during bacterial infection.
Mechanism of plastein formation.

Abstract The formation by chymotypsin of plastein from concentration peptic hydrolyzates of egg albumin has been investigated in detail. Some properties of plastein are described. Free [14C]amino acids are not incorporated into plastein to an appreciable degree. However, 14C-labeled phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, leucine and isoleucine, and histidine are incorporated into plastein when their ethyl esters and chymotrypsin are added to the concentration digest. No incorporation of [14C]glycine, alanine, serine, cystine, proline and lysine was observed. Attempts by various methods to remove the incorporated radioactivity all failed; it is presumed that the labeled amino acids are bound in peptide linkage. Since the α-amino nitrogen remains unchanged during plastein formation, it is concluded that transpeptidation reactions are primarily responsible for plastein synthesis by chymotrypsin.
Lamb wave dispersion compensation in piezoelectric wafer active sensor phased-array applications

Lamb-wave testing for structural health monitoring is complicated by the dispersion nature of the wave modes. The dispersion effect will result in a propagated wave with longer time duration, deformed envelop shape as compared to its excitation counterpart, and hard to be interpreted. This paper first reviews the dispersion compensation and removal algorithms. Second, it compares these two methods by applying them to two widely used low-frequency Lamb wave modes: S0 and A0. Numerical simulations are compared in parallel with experimental results. Finally, the dispersion compensation algorithm is applied to 1-D PWAS phased array and demonstrated to improve the phase array's spatial resolution.
What was the evolutionary synthesis

Abstract There has not been another scientific revolution that caused as much turmoil and dissension as the darwinian one. For almost 80 years it was again and again pronounced to be a failure and to be totally refuted, and at least three major alternatives were proposed to replace it. Yet, in the 1930s–1940s the opposing views were quickly and decisively refuted and a largely unified evolutionary theory emerged. Why and how this happened, however, is still rather controversial.
The green hydrogen paradigm shift: Energy generation for stations to vehicles

Abstract The change from a global economy dependent upon fossil fuels to renewable fuels for the hydrogen economy is occurring now. Not in 50–60 years, but the hydrogen economy exists today. This is a “paradigm shift” of such significance and so dramatic as to underlie the making of the Third Industrial Revolution. And more importantly, the Third Industrial Revolution includes three “pillars”: distributed as on-site renewable energy generation, “green” hydrogen and advanced storage devices. Each of these pillars is not an adjustment or economic cycle or business bubble. Indeed, the hydrogen economy is global with the European Union and the nation-state of California taking the lead toward sustainable energy infrastructures. This paper addresses that paradigm shift, but also the immediate economic and business development for any region or nation-state. More significantly, when the production of hydrogen is derived from renewable energy resources, not only are there societal benefits (no pollution and atmospheric impact), but also sustainable economic development and job growth. Some of the immediate evidence can be seen in California where “civic markets” are indeed working, but also with the combination of infrastructures into hybrid systems. Herein the combination of hydrogen for stationary power with transportation fuel needs is expediting the paradigm change into sustainable economic feasibility today, not in 50 years or the next century.
Digitizing error from period and frequency counting techniques

Abstract Digitization of a frequency modulated signal by either a period or frequency counting technique results in a maximum uncertainty or error of ±1 digitizing interval, twice that of an ideal analog-to-digital conversion. The variance of the error is | frsol |1/6 the digitizing inter al squared and the distribution with frequency is uniform (the spectrum is white). This variance is twice that of the ideal analog-to-digital conversion.
Home Hemodialysis: Associations with Modality Failure

Purpose: To determine risk factors for home hemodialysis (HH) failure. Methods: We conducted a prospective study from 12/2000 to 9/2002 using data from the 1709 patients who received renal replacement therapy at the Northwest Kidney Centers (NWKC). Prevalent and incident Home Hemodialysis (HH) patients were included in the analysis. Baseline demographics, date of entry and date of exit from HH were ascertained for all patients. Differences among groups were assessed by independent t-test for continuous variables and by chi-squared test for categorical variables. Risk of HH failure was assessed with logistic regression. Results: Of the 116 patients who initiated training in the NWKC HH program (6.8%), 77.7% remained in the HH program, 10.3% received a transplant and 10.3% returned to in-center dialysis. Compared to patients who received a transplant or returned to in-center dialysis, HH patients were more likely to be older (65 vs. 54 yrs, P < .05) and were on dialysis longer (3.8 ± 4.7 vs. 2.3 ± 3.0 yrs, p < 0.05). Ethnicity, gender, primary renal disease and helper status were similar between groups, and were not associated with increased risk of HH failure. Unadjusted 3-year mortality was 31.7% for HH patients. HH patients who died were more likely to be older (p < 0.05) and to have diabetes (P < 0.01) than those who returned to in-center dialysis or who received a transplant. Conclusions: In HH patients, older age but not ethnicity, gender or helper status was associated with treatment failure. Older age and diabetes remain risk factors for mortality in the HH population.
Noncontingent positive reinforcers retard later escape/avoidance learning in rats

Rats reared in an environment where the occurrence of food, water, and lighting were response independent acquired an escape/avoidance response in a shuttlebox more slowly than rats reared in an environment where these same events were response dependent. The results were discussed in terms of the effects of uncontrollable environmental events on adaptive behavior.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection and drainage.

Abstract The clinical, diagnostic and pathophysiologic features of 5 different types of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection and drainage seen in 6 adult patients are presented. This distinct anatomic entity is perhaps more commonly prevalent than has been previously believed. It may be associated with other cardiac and pulmonary anomalies and also with acquired rheumatic valve disease.
Overview of Implementation of Probabilistic-Risk-Assessment-Based Seismic Margin Analyses in Design Certification and Combined License Applications

The licensing process for new reactors in the United States was established in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52, “Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants,” which provides requirements for early site permit (ESP), standard design certification (DC), and combined license (COL) applications. In this process, an application for a COL may incorporate by reference a DC, an ESP, both, or neither. This approach allows for the early resolution of safety and environmental issues. The safety issues resolved by the DC and ESP processes are not reconsidered during a COL review. However, a COL application that incorporates a DC by reference must demonstrate that pertinent site-specific characteristics are confined within the envelopes established by the DC’s site parameters. This paper provides an overview of the implementation of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) based seismic margin analyses in DC and COL applications. In addressing the severe accident preventions and mitigations for new reactors, 10 CFR 52.47(a)(27) requires that the final safety analysis report for a DC application describe the design-specific PRA and its results. Regulatory Guide 1.206, “Combined License Applications for Nuclear Power Plants (LWR Edition),” issued June 2007, further states that the scope of this assessment should be a Level 1 and Level 2 PRA that includes internal and external hazards and addresses all plant operating modes. However, the staff recognized that it is not practical for a DC applicant to perform a seismic PRA because a DC application would not contain site-specific seismic hazard information. As an alternative approach to a seismic PRA, the staff proposed a PRA-based seismic margin analysis in SECY-93-087, “Policy, Technical, and Licensing Issues Pertaining to Evolutionary and Advanced Light-Water Reactor (ALWR) Designs,” dated April 2, 1993, and the Commission approved it in the corresponding staff requirements memorandum, dated July 21, 1993. This analysis preserves key elements of a seismic PRA to the maximum extent possible and estimates the design-specific plant seismic capacity in terms of sequence-level high confidence of low probability of failure capacities and fragility for all sequences leading to core damage or containment failures up to approximately 1.67 times the ground motion acceleration of the design-basis safe-shutdown earthquake. Using this approach, the analysis can demonstrate acceptably low seismic risk for a DC. This paper discusses the implementation aspects of PRA-based seismic margin analyses in support of a DC application and post-DC updating activities, including COL updates to incorporate site- and plant-specific features and post-COL verifications.
On the formation of atmospheric inhomogeneities in the solar terminator region

Abstract The present work is a systematic review cum report on theoretical and experimental investigations of the Solar Terminator (ST) as a physical, permanent, and global source of waves in near-Earth space (NES). From the founding work by Beer (1973) Nature242, 34–35 and Somsikov and Troitskii (1975) Geomagn. and Aeron., 15, 856–860, up to the present, twenty years of theoretical and experimental investigations on the effectiveness of wave generation in various geophysical situations have been considered. Linear mechanisms of atmospheric inhomogeneity formation are considered for the case of a moving discontinuity in some of the atmospheric parameters, whereas nonlinear mechanisms are characterized by various instabilities caused by the gradient in solar radiation absorption. Numerical simulations of an ST model and the pressure wave field generated by it are discussed.
Assessing Preoperative Frailty Utilizing Validated Geriatric Mortality Calculators and Their Association With Postoperative Hip Fracture Mortality Risk

Introduction:End-of-life surgical care is a major concern with a significant number of operations performed within the last year of life; surgery for hip fractures is a prime example. Unfortunately, no simple objective tool exists to assess life expectancy in the postoperative period. The goal of our study was to analyze 2 simple geriatric life expectancy calculators to compare with the current Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) postoperative 30-day mortality calculator.Methods:This retrospective study assessed the utility of 3 validated calculators in 47 hip fracture repairs from July 2009 to May 2011. The tools included: 30-day VASQIP mortality calculator, 6-month Minimum Data Set Mortality Risk Index-Revised (MMRI-R), and Four-Year Mortality Index. The VASQIP calculator requires chart review, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and laboratory analysis, whereas the mortality risk indices require simple patient questioning if prospective or simple chart review if retro...
A retrospective on the solution of the ideal model of chromatography

In an attempt to clarify the difficulties encountered in finding solutions of the ideal model of chromatography and to justify these solutions, the history of the theoretical work performed on this model is reviewed. The publications of Wilson, DeVault, Glueckauf, Helfferich, Klein, Rhee, Aris and Amundson are analyzed, the efforts and successes of these authors are discussed and the rationale for this endeavor is explained.
Distribution of postpartum amenorrhea in rural Bangladeshi women.

Previous studies of postpartum amenorrhea (PPA) demonstrated distinct subgroups of women with short and long durations of amenorrhea. This phenomenon was attributed to cases where breastfeeding is absent because of pregnancy loss or infant death, or confusion of postpartum bleeding with resumption of menses. We explored these ideas using data from an 11-month prospective study in Bangladesh in which 858 women provided twice-weekly interviews and urine specimens for up to 9 months; 300 women were observed while experiencing PPA. The resulting exact, interval-censored, or right-censored durations were used to estimate parameters of two-component mixture models. A mixture of two Weibull distributions provided the best fit to the observations. The long-duration subgroup made up 84% (±4% SE) of the population, with a mean duration of 457 (±31) days. The short-duration subgroup had a mean duration of 94 (±17) days. Three covariates were associated with the duration of PPA: women whose husbands had high-wage employment had a greater probability of falling in the short-duration subgroup; women in the long-duration subgroup whose husbands seasonally migrated had shorter periods of PPA within the subgroup; and mothers in the short-duration subgroup who gave birth during the monsoon season experienced a shortened duration of PPA within the subgroup. We conclude that the bimodal distribution of PPA reflects biological or behavioral heterogeneity rather than shortcomings of data collection. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Endoscopic molecular imaging of cancer

White light endoscopy has proven to be a very powerful tool in oncology. There is still, however, a need for better endoscopic techniques to overcome the current limitations of white light optics. New technologies that allow higher sensitivity, improved microanatomy and molecular characterization have been available for in vitro microscopy and are now being translated into in vivo endoscopy. Endoscopic molecular imaging is still in its infancy but holds the promise for enhancing sensitivity for early lesions, thus allowing earlier diagnosis and enabling early image-guided endoscopic intervention. A key feature of endoscopic molecular imaging is its increased sensitivity and specificity, which will be illustrated in this article, as well as describing perspectives on its future use in oncologic surgery.
Language style and sex bias in the courtroom: The effects of male and female use of hedges and intensifiers on impression information

Recent work on legal communication has emphasized the importance of language style in forming impressions of witnesses and defendants. This study looked at two aspects of linguistic style which have been associated with legal communication—hedges and intensifies. This study also investigated whether the sex of the subject and the sex of the witness were related to subjects’ evaluations of a person's credibility, attractiveness, and blameworthiness. The results revealed that the sex of the witness was related to subjects’ evaluations of his/her credibility and attractiveness when using hedges and when using intensifies. The sex of the subject did not produce any significant effects. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for sex differences in the courtroom.
DNA-induced conformational changes in type II restriction endonucleases: the structure of unliganded HincII.

The 2.1 A crystal structure of the unliganded type II restriction endonuclease, HincII, is described. Although the asymmetric unit contains only a single monomer, crystal lattice contacts bring two monomers together to form a dimer very similar to that found in the DNA bound form. Comparison with the published DNA bound structure reveals that the DNA binding pocket is expanded in the unliganded structure. Comparison of the unliganded and DNA liganded structures reveals a simple rotation of subunits by 11° each, or 22° total, to a more closed structure around the bound DNA. Comparison of this conformational change to that observed in the other type II restriction endonucleases where DNA bound and unliganded forms have both been characterized, shows considerable variation in the types of conformational changes that can occur. The conformational changes in three can be described by a simple rotation of subunits, while in two others both rotation and translation of subunits relative to one another occurs. In addition, the endonucleases having subunits that undergo the greatest amount of rotation upon DNA binding are found to be those that distort the bound DNA the least, suggesting that DNA bending may be less facile in dimers possessing greater flexibility.
What price water speed improvements of amphibians

INTRODUCTION THE DESIRABILITY to have military vehicles move unimpeded through any type of terrain including bodies of water has long been established. The problem of floating and propelling such vehicles, being primarily land vehicles, has always been approached with a particular mission in mind. Once designed though, the vehicles often then are used for a wide variety of applications. The basic vehicle mobility specifications have never been categorized in a quantitative manner, therefore no really satisfactory compromise between land and water performance has ever been found. This paper is designed to present a brief review of the problems encountered in the design of amphibious craft. It is not intended as a design guide, but more a presentation of observation and conclusions gained from my experience of over 10 years' testing of full scale and model amphibious vehicles. It discusses the more important basic hydrodynamic fundamentals applicable to conventionally designed amphibious vehicles, the reasoning underlying these fundamentals, and the basic advantages and disadvantages of various approaches. Any vehicle design is a grouping of many compromises. Most land vehicles are relatively short and wide, with a length-width ratio of about 1.5-2. This ratio has developed from a reasonable compromise between vehicle control and ability to negotiate obstacles. Vehicle height is limited for sideslope stability, but good ground clearance dictates a high body floor. Wheels and/or tracks are located such as to give good break angles and angles of approach and departure. Their size and construction has to be sufficient for good mobility but not so large as to make the vehicle unwieldy or, conversely to consume excessive space at the expense of useful load. Any shape which becomes excessively long must be divided into several sections, such as articulated or trained vehicles. Compromises are no less present in amphibious vehicles, for all conflicting problems inherent in the design of land vehicles are present, plus the additional requirements required to float and propel itself adequately in water. Any shape, immersed in water, will float only after it has displaced its own weight in water. Most land vehicles are too dense to float. Special measures, therefore, must be taken to decrease their density (weight/volume) or increase their water displacement. In order to provide floatation, usually hulls or external displacement bodies are added to a basic land vehicle. More often than not these floatation devices, even an integral hull, are an impediment to land travel. To reduce this impediment some vehicles use detachable floatation devices. These, however, are usually bulky and awkward to stow on the vehicle. The user is then faced with the dilemma of carrying the floatation kit the life of the vehicle for the small percentage of the time that it is
Microarray-Based Genetic Screen Defines SAW1, a Gene Required for Rad1/Rad10-Dependent Processing of Recombination Intermediates

Elimination of a double-strand break (DSB) flanked by direct repeat sequences is mediated by single-strand annealing (SSA), which relies on a distinct set of gene products involving recombination, mismatch repair, and nucleotide excision repair. Here, we screened for yeast mutants defective in SSA with a plasmid-based SSA assay coupled to a barcode microarray readout. The screen identified Yal027Wp/Saw1 (single-strand annealing weakened 1) and Slx4 besides other known SSA proteins. Saw1 interacts physically with Rad1/Rad10, Msh2/Msh3, and Rad52 proteins, and cells lacking SLX4 or SAW1 accumulate recombination intermediates blocked at the Rad1/Rad10-dependent 3' flap cleavage step. Slx4 and Saw1 also contribute to the integrity of ribosomal DNA arrays. Saw1 mutants that fail to interact with Rad1, but retain interaction with Rad52 and Msh2, are defective in 3' flap removal and SSA repair. Deletion of SAW1 abolished association of Rad1 at SSA intermediates in vivo. We propose that Saw1 targets Rad1/Rad10 to Rad52-coated recombination intermediates.
Plasma Renin Testing to Guide Antihypertensive Therapy

Plasma renin activity (PRA)-guided therapy has been proposed as a strategy for selecting antihypertensive medications matched to the patient’s underlying pathophysiology. To date, there are only a few studies that have sought to compare a PRA-guided strategy to usual care. In one trial of 363 untreated patients, based on home blood pressure (BP) averages, PRA was predictive of responses to beta-blocker and thiazide diuretic as monotherapy and add-on therapy. In another trial of 77 treated but uncontrolled patients, a PRA-guided strategy was superior to clinical hypertension specialist care for guiding add-on or subtraction (stopping an agent that might cause a paradoxical pressor response) therapy. In the ValVET study, PRA-guided therapy was not superior to fixed-dose therapy consisting of an angiotensin receptor blocker and hydrochlorothiazide. One modeling study found a PRA-guided strategy may be cost-effective compared to standard care for younger patients and those with a greater number of cardiovascular risk factors. We conclude that additional, well-designed randomized trials with sufficient sample sizes comparing PRA-guided management to usual care are needed to clarify whether this strategy should be adopted broadly.
The Energy Function and Homogeneous Harmonic Maps

For equivariant maps from a compact homogeneous space into an adjoint orbit of a compact Lie group, it is shown that the energy function is the restriction of a quadratic function on the Lie algebra, providing the orbit has the metric induced from the Lie algebra. One obtains a simple version of the harmonic map equation, and an identity relating the energy and the square of the norm of the moment map. Several applications are given, including an example which illustrates how a change of metric in a flag manifold affects the harmonicity of equivariant maps from the two-sphere to the flag manifold
Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent females. Dysmenorrhea in adolescents is usually primary, and is associated with normal ovulatory cycles and with no pelvic pathology. In approximately 10% of adolescents with severe dysmenorrheic symptoms, pelvic abnormalities such as endometriosis or uterine anomalies may be found. Potent prostaglandins and leukotrienes play an important role in generating the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmacologic treatment for dysmenorrhea. A loading dose of NSAIDs (typically twice the regular dose) should be used as initial treatment for dysmenorrhea in adolescents, followed by a regular dose until symptoms abate. Adolescents with symptoms that do not respond to treatment with NSAIDs for three menstrual periods should be offered hormonal treatment such as combined estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive pills for three menstrual cycles. Adolescents with dysmenorrhea who do not respond to this treatment should be evaluated for secondary causes of dysmenorrhea. The adolescent care provider's role is to explain the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea to every adolescent female, address any concern that the patient has about her menstrual period, and review effective treatment options for dysmenorrhea with the patient.
Vorticity Control in Fish-like Propulsion and Maneuvering

Vorticity control is employed by marine animals to enhance performance in maneuvering and propulsion. Studies on fish-like robots and experimental apparatus modelling rigid and flexible fins provide some of the basic mechanisms employed for controlling vorticity.
Comparisons of Sensitivity Improvement Techniques for Linear Optimal Control Systems

It is well known that there are several ways to define a sensitivity function in the time domain. The results are reported of a study in which these definitions are compared. Controllers designed on the basis of these sensitivity functions are related to each other and conclusions are drawn about their usefulness in control system design.
Identification of BACE2 as an avid ß-amyloid-degrading protease

Proteases that degrade the amyloid s-protein (As) have emerged as key players in the etiology and potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but it is unlikely that all such proteases have been identified. To discover new As-degrading proteases (AsDPs), we conducted an unbiased, genome-scale, functional cDNA screen designed to identify proteases capable of lowering net As levels produced by cells, which were subsequently characterized for As-degrading activity using an array of downstream assays. The top hit emerging from the screen was s-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 2 (BACE2), a rather unexpected finding given the well-established role of its close homolog, BACE1, in the production of As. BACE2 is known to be capable of lowering As levels via non-amyloidogenic processing of APP. However, in vitro, BACE2 was also found to be a particularly avid AsDP, with a catalytic efficiency exceeding all known AsDPs except insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). BACE1 was also found to degrade As, albeit ~150-fold less efficiently than BACE2. As is cleaved by BACE2 at three peptide bonds—Phe19-Phe20, Phe20-Ala21, and Leu34-Met35—with the latter cleavage site being the initial and principal one. BACE2 overexpression in cultured cells was found to lower net As levels to a greater extent than multiple, well-established AsDPs, including neprilysin (NEP) and endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1), while showing comparable effectiveness to IDE. This study identifies a new functional role for BACE2 as a potent AsDP. Based on its high catalytic efficiency, its ability to degrade As intracellularly, and other characteristics, BACE2 represents a particulary strong therapeutic candidate for the treatment or prevention of AD.