cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dyspnea assessment and pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis: utility of the University of California, San Diego, Shortness of Breath Questionnaire.

Objective The University of California in San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ) has been used to assess dyspnea-related activity limitation in patients with airway and parenchymal lung disease. We sought to assess the construct validity and responsiveness of the UCSD SOBQ in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) patients with incident pulmonary hypertension (PH) and those at high risk of developing PH. Methods We used data from 179 patients enrolled in the Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Recognition of Outcomes in Scleroderma Registry with pre-PH (defined by criteria on pulmonary function tests and/or echocardiogram) or definite PH with mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mm Hg by right-sided heart catheterization within 6 months of enrollment. For this analysis, we included those subjects with complete data for self-reported measures at baseline and at 12 months. Results At baseline, the UCSD SOBQ had strong correlations in the expected direction with the disability index (DI) of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001), dyspnea assessment by visual analog scale (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey physical component summary (PCS) score (r = −0.77, P < 0.0001), as well as a moderate correlation with the 6-minute walk test distance (r = −0.33, P < 0.0001), Borg dyspnea score (r = 0.47, P < 0.0001), and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (r = −0.33, P < 0.0001). Change in the UCSD SOBQ at 12 months correlated in the expected direction with change in the HAQ DI (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001) and change in the SF-36 PCS (r = −0.44, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, and race identified male sex as a significant predictor of death (odds ratio [OR] 7.00, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.55–31.76), while the UCSD SOBQ showed a strong trend toward significance (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.97–3.41). Conclusions The UCSD SOBQ demonstrates good construct validity and responsiveness to change in SSc patients with pulmonary vascular disease.
A multi-stream flow technique to obtain isotropic texture in extruded thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer melts

In this article, we present a simple method toward achieving global orientation isotropy in a capillary-extruded thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (TLCP), that is, a random copolyester of 73 mol% hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 27 mol% hydroxynaphthoic acid (HNA), by passing it through porous, flow altering metal foam inserts placed in the pathway of extrusion. TLCP melt flow through foam metal inserts causes a rapid creation of large number of small streams of varying cross-section that subjects all regions of the flowing body to intense shearing leading to high orientation in individual streams. These individual streams of varying velocity and direction interact to form a structure similar to a woven rope. As a direct result of this randomization effect of these small streams, the extruded liquid crystal polymer tends toward isotropic macro properties. The degree of orientation anisotropy is evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro beam wide angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques and contrasted in samples extruded with and without the presence metal foam inserts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
How do L-Type Calcium Current Kinetics Contribute to Early After Depolarizations in Cardiac Myocytes?

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are transient reversals of repolarization that are known triggers for fatal cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. Our previous work, using dynamic clamp, demonstrated that EADs are very sensitive to the steady-state biophysical properties of ICa,L, which determine its “window current” features. The dynamic clamp is a technique that integrates mathematical modeling and electrophysiology in real time, allowing the injection of current with time- and voltage-dependent properties determined by tunable parameters. Using this approach, we sought to understand the relevance of ICa,L kinetics in EAD formation and suppression. Upon inducing EADs with 0.6 mM H2O2, we blocked the native ICa,L with 20 μM nifedipine and replaced it with a dynamically-generated ICa,L in dissociated rabbit ventricular myocytes and reconstituted EADs in >70% of action potentials (APs). We then altered the time constants of ICa,L activation and inactivation. We found that increasing or decreasing the rate of activation by up to 10-fold had a modest effect on EAD suppression, but EAD amplitude decreased as the activation rate was increased. Conversely, increasing the rate of inactivation exacerbated EAD occurrence, such that 85% of APs exhibited EADs and a dramatically prolonged APD90, to 2446±193 ms. Reducing the inactivation rate by half, suppressed EAD occurrence such that <30% of APs showed EADs, although APD90 remained slightly prolonged at 713±68 ms. Interestingly, in the same cell both EAD occurrence and APD90 appear more sensitive to small changes in the voltage-dependence properties of ICa,L such that EADs were completely abolished and APD90 was restored to 257±9 ms. Thus, while ICa,L kinetics play a role in EAD genesis, the steady-state biophysical properties of ICa,L are a more effective therapeutic target for EAD suppression. Supported by AHA & NIH/NHLBI.
Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances. 2. 15N NMR Studies of Nucleophilic Addition Reactions

Aromatic amines are known to undergo covalent binding with humic substances in the environment. Although previous studies have examined reaction conditions and proposed mechanisms, there has been no direct spectroscopic evidence for the covalent binding of the amines to the functional groups in humic substances. In order to further elucidate the reaction mechanisms, the Suwannee River and IHSS soil fulvic and humic acids were reacted with 15N-labeled aniline at pH 6 and analyzed using 15N NMR spectrometry. Aniline underwent nucleophilic addition reactions with the quinone and other carbonyl groups in the samples and became incorporated in the form of anilinohydroquinone, anilinoquinone, anilide, imine, and heterocyclic nitrogen, the latter comprising 50% or more of the bound amine. The anilide and anilinohydroquinone nitrogens were determined to be susceptible to chemical exchange by ammonia. In the case of Suwannee River fulvic acid, reaction under anoxic conditions and pretreatment with sodium borohydri...
Cardiac Troponin I Gene Knockout A Mouse Model of Myocardial Troponin I Deficiency

Abstract —Troponin I is a subunit of the thin filament–associated troponin-tropomyosin complex involved in calcium regulation of skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction. We deleted the cardiac isoform of troponin I by using gene targeting in murine embryonic stem cells to determine the developmental and physiological effects of the absence of this regulatory protein. Mice lacking cardiac troponin I were born healthy, with normal heart and body weight, because a fetal troponin I isoform (identical to slow skeletal troponin I) compensated for the absence of cardiac troponin I. Compensation was only temporary, however, as 15 days after birth slow skeletal troponin I expression began a steady decline, giving rise to a troponin I deficiency. Mice died of acute heart failure on day 18, demonstrating that some form of troponin I is required for normal cardiac function and survival. Ventricular myocytes isolated from these troponin I–depleted hearts displayed shortened sarcomeres and elevated resting tension measured under relaxing conditions and had a reduced myofilament Ca sensitivity under activating conditions. The results show that (1) developmental downregulation of slow skeletal troponin I occurs even in the absence of cardiac troponin I and (2) the resultant troponin I depletion alters specific mechanical properties of myocardium and can lead to a lethal form of acute heart failure.
Penetration electric fields driving main phase Dst

[1] On the basis of three selection criteria we have analyzed the main phase electrodynamics of 17 magnetic storms that occurred between 1999 and mid-2005: (1) the availability of solar wind measurements from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite, (2) a minimum Dst ≤ −100 nT, and (3) no significant recovery episode between the beginning and maximum epoch of the main phase (dDst/dt > 0). We combined the Volland-Stern and Siscoe-Hill models to estimate the intensities of electric fields (EVS) in the equatorial plane as the polar cap potential divided by the width of the magnetosphere along the dawn-dusk axis. A survey of provisional Dst and EVS traces over the 5.5 years of interest shows that all sustained excursions of EVS above quiet time levels of 0.22 ± 0.08 mV/m were closely tied to the main phases of storms. In every instance, EVS returned to background at or near the beginning of the recovery phase. The data indicate very high correlations between Dst and IVS = ∫EVSdt during the main phase of all selected storms.
FROM E = K TO SCEPTICISM?

In a recent article Dylan Dodd has argued that anyone who holds that all knowledge is evidence must concede that we know next to nothing about the external world. The argument is intended to show that any infallibilist account of knowledge is committed to scepticism, and that anyone who identifies our evidence with the propositions we know is committed to infallibilism. I shall offer some reasons for thinking Dodd's argument is unsound, and explain where his argument goes wrong.
A PRINCIPAL AXIS SHIFT IN THE AMERICAN SPATIAL ECONOMY

Gottmann in his classic Megalopolis attributes the dominance of the Northeast to its function as the hinge region of the United States. In this paper, we show, via statistics on maritime trade and interregional freight traffic by rail, that Megalopolis is no longer the dominant “hinge” region. We present evidence that the Gulf region may be supplanting it in this function. Finally, we speculate on some of the reasons for the Gulf's rather sudden assumption of this role and its implications for the economic geography of the U.S.
Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and intraocular pressure.

Purpose To analyze the incidence of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation following intravitreal triamcinolone injection. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods Charts of patients undergoing intravitreal triamcinolone injection in one clinical practice were reviewed. A pressure elevation was defined as a pressure of 24 mm Hg or higher during follow-up. Results There were 89 patients with a mean age of 76.4 years. The mean baseline IOP was 14.9 mm Hg with a mean change of 8.0 mm Hg. Thirty-six patients (40.4%) experienced a pressure elevation to 24 mm Hg or higher at a mean of 100.6 days (SD = 83.1 day) after treatment. Of nonglaucomatous patients with baseline IOP of 15 mm Hg or above, 60.0% experienced a pressure elevation, compared with only 22.7% of those with baseline pressures below 15 mm Hg (relative risk=2.1, P Conclusions IOP elevation after intravitreal triamcinolone injection is common and may take an extended period of time to manifest. The proportion of patients who developed a pressure elevation to at least 24 mm Hg was much higher for those with baseline IOP 15 mm Hg or greater.
Measurement of the exponent mu in the low-temperature phase of YBa 2Cu 3O 7-delta films in a magnetic field: Direct evidence for a vortex-glass phase

Current-voltage ({ital I}-{ital V}) characteristics were measured for YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} thin films in high magnetic fields and at temperatures well below the superconducting transition temperature. The functional form of the {ital I}-{ital V} curves is described by {ital E}/{ital J}{proportional to}exp({minus}({ital J}{sub 0}/{ital J}){sup {mu}}), with {ital E} the electric field and {ital J} the current density. The exponent {mu} is 0.19{plus minus}0.05 for low values of current density and {mu}=0.94{plus minus}0.1 at high values. The results at low current density are characteristic of a vortex glass and constitute the first direct evidence that the low-temperature phase of a disordered superconductor is a vortex glass.
Photometry of resolved galaxies. V - NGC 6822

Three-color CCD frames of the local group irregular galaxy NGC 6822 have been reduced to GRI photometry for 3475 stars using RICHFLD point-spread function fitting techniques. The data are compared with earlier work on this galaxy, particularly with Kayser (1966) on a star-by-star basis. Color-magnitude diagrams are constructed from the data and compared with both theoretical stellar model tracks and the expected foreground star contamination. A luminosity function for the blue stars is derived; comparison of this luminosity function with those of 10 other irregular galaxies indicates that NGC 6822 has a typical young star population. The stellar birthrate and initial mass function are estimated for this galaxy. The slope at the bright end of the mass function looks similar to recent results for the Galaxy, the Magellanic Clouds, and the irregular galaxy Sextans A. NGC 6822 appears to be presently forming stars at a slower rate for its mass than Sextans A or the Magellanic Clouds.
Retrofitting models of inflation

Abstract I use the method of retrofitting, developed by Dine, Feng and Silverstein, to generate the scale of inflation dynamically, allowing it to be naturally small. This is a general procedure that may be performed on existing models of supersymmetric inflation. I illustrate this idea on two such models, one an example of F -term inflation and the other an example of D -term inflation.
AGENT BASED STUDY OF SURPRISE ATTACKS: ROLES OF SURVEILLANCE, PROMPT REACTION AND INTELLIGENCE

Defending a confined territory from a surprise attack is seldom possible. We use molecular dynamics and statistical physics inspired agent-based simulations to explore the evolution and outcome of such attacks. The study suggests robust emergent behavior, which emphasizes the importance of accurate surveillance, automated and powerful attack response, building layout, and sheds light on the role of communication restrictions in defending such territories.
Notes on male rhytidectomy

Measurements of 100 preauricular hairline distances were done, and a normal average was established. The joined male rhytidectomy and the “frontal alternating fusiform” excisions are described.
Distinct roles of processes modulated by histone deacetylases Rpd3p, Hda1p, and Sir2p in life extension by caloric restriction in yeast

Caloric restriction has been demonstrated to extend life span and postpone aging in a variety of species. The recent extension of the caloric restriction paradigm to yeast places the emphasis of the search for the longevity effectors at the cellular level. To narrow the range of potential effectors of the caloric restriction response, we have examined the effects of the histone deacetylases Rpd3p, Hda1p, and Sir2p, which have distinguishable but partially overlapping influences on global patterns of gene expression, on the life extension afforded by caloric restriction. Deletion of the RPD3 gene extended life span, and there was no additive effect of caloric restriction. Deletion of HDA1 had no effect of its own on longevity but acted synergistically with caloric restriction to increase life span. SIR2 deletion shortened life span but did not prevent extension of life span by caloric restriction. The results suggest that Rpd3p affects both processes that play an obligate and those that play a synergistic role in life extension by caloric restriction, while Hda1p and Sir2p affect processes that are not the obligate longevity effectors of caloric restriction but instead synergize with them, although in opposite directions. From the known patterns of gene expression elicited by rpd3Δ, hda1Δ, and sir2Δ, we propose that the major longevity effectors of caloric restriction in yeast involve carbohydrate/energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.
Rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta, know what others can and cannot hear

Animals from numerous taxa use auditory information to functionally deceive other individuals, either by producing or withholding various vocal signals. However, little empirical evidence has demonstrated that any nonhuman species recognizes how manipulating auditory information can alter the knowledge state of other individuals. We explored whether one monkey species, the rhesus macaque, understands the connection between hearing and knowing. Monkeys were presented with the opportunity to take grapes from a human competitor who was looking away. One of two grapes was placed inside a silent container, and the other was placed inside a noisy container. We predicted that subjects would selectively choose the silent container over the noisy container, because the noisy container might alert the human competitor to the subject's actions. As predicted, subjects reliably took the grape from inside the silent container when the competitor was not looking. In contrast, subjects chose randomly when the competitor was looking and therefore already knew about the subject's approach. These results demonstrate that monkeys preferentially attempted to obtain food silently only in conditions in which silence was relevant to obtaining food undetected.
Power disturbance identification through pattern recognition system

This paper presents an artificial intelligent system to identify and classify the power disturbance waveforms that are obtained from the monitoring system in a power control station. The pattern recognition technique used in this paper is a combination of Bayes' linear classifier and artificial neural network (ANN). Simulated disturbance waveforms are transformed by the fast Fourier transformation and the feature vector is extracted. The weight matrix for ANN is generated by the linear classifier and fed into ANN. The product of the test sample and the weight matrix will be the input of the ANN. The system can identify the power disturbance and it can provide the power surge frequency as well.
Realignment Theory and the Modern American Presidency: A Reformulation

Realignment theory must be adapted to take account of changes that have occurred in the nature of the American presidency. The modern presidency is characterized by a direct, near-exclusive relationship with the public, through use of the mass media. This relationship has fundamentally altered the President's relationship with other political institutions and distanced presidential politics from congressional and local politics. The American party system, in other words, now encompasses a number of separate political processes that need to be approached as distinct theoretical problems. Realignment theory successfully explains much of what has taken place in one of those processes, presidential politics, over the last twenty years. But, given the immediacy of the modern President's relationship with the voting public, we should no longer expect broad shifts in the character of presidential electoral coalitions to be reflected at other levels of the American party system.
Impact of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Pneumococcal Meningitis in US Children

Background The impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal meningitis (PM) in US children is unknown. We compared the serotype distribution, antibiotic susceptibility, hospital course, and outcomes of children with PM 3 years before and 3 years after the introduction of PCV13. Methods We identified patients ≤ 18 years of age with PM at 8 children's hospitals in the United States. Pneumococcal isolates were collected prospectively. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility were performed in a central laboratory. Clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups: pre-PCV13 (2007-2009), transitional year (2010), and post-PCV13 (2011-2013). Categorical variables were analyzed by the χ(2) test and continuous variables by the Mann--Whitney U test. Results During the study period, 173 of 1207 episodes (14%) of invasive pneumococcal disease were identified as PM; 76 of 645 (12%) were during 2007-2009 and 69 of 394 (18%) during 2011-2013 (50% increase; P = .03). The proportion of PCV13 serotype cases decreased from 54% in 2007-2009 to 27% in 2011-2013 (P = .001). Non-PCV13 serotype cases represented 73% of the isolates in 2011-2013. Isolates with ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentration ≥ 1 µg/mL decreased (13% to 3%) from 2007-2009 to 2011-2013 (P = .03). No significant differences were identified for hospital course or outcome, with the exception that a greater proportion of patients had subdural empyema and hemiparesis in 2011-2013. Conclusions After the introduction of PCV13, the number of cases of PM in children remained unchanged compared with 2007-2009, although the proportion of PCV13 serotypes decreased significantly. Serotype 19A continued to be the most common serotype in 2011-2013. Antibiotic resistance decreased significantly. Morbidity and case-fatality rate due to PM remain substantial.
Optimal H ∞ sampled-data control in continuous time systems

A direct solution for the standard H∞ problem is derived in a setting where a digital (discrete-time) controller has to be designed for a continuous-time system. Our Riccati equation based results include feasibility criteria and parameterization of all compensators with a specified performance. They also feature a characterization of the lowest sampling frequency needed to assure a desired level of performance. We consider both cases where the A/D and D/A elements are pre specified and cases where either or both these components are left as part of the design problem.
Artifacts of the Presence Era: Using Information Visualization to Create an Evocative Souvenir

We present Artifacts of the Presence Era, a digital installation that uses a geological metaphor to visualize the events in a physical space over time. The piece captures video and audio from a museum and constructs an impressionistic visualization of the evolving history in the space. Instead of creating a visualization tool for data analysis, we chose to produce a piece that functions as a souvenir of a particular time and place. We describe the design choices we made in creating this installation, the visualization techniques we developed, and the reactions we observed from users and the media. We suggest that the same approach can be applied to a more general set of visualization contexts, ranging from email archives to newsgroups conversations
Optimizing large star-schema queries with snowflakes via heuristic-based query rewriting

User queries have been becoming increasingly complex (e.g., involving a large number of joins) as database technology is applied to some application domains such as data warehouses and life sciences. Query optimizers in existing database management systems often suffer from intolerably long optimization time and/or poor optimization results when optimizing large join queries. One possible solution to tackle these problems is to rewrite a user-specified complex query into another form that can better utilize the capability of the underlying query optimizer, based on some heuristic rules, before sending the query to the next query optimization stage. We focus on studying a special type of complex query possessing a star-schema structure with snowflakes, simply called the snow-schema query. The key idea is to split a given snow-schema query into several levels of small query blocks at the query rewriting stage. The query optimizer then optimizes the query blocks and integrates their results into the final query result. A set of heuristic rules on how to divide the query is introduced. A query rewriting framework adopting these heuristics is presented. Experimental results demonstrate that this heuristic-based query rewriting technique is quite promising in optimizing large snow-schema queries.
Antigen-Specific Production of RANTES, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β In Vitro Is a Correlate of Reduced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Burden In Vivo

RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and MIP-1beta are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppressor factors by virtue of their ability to compete with HIV for access to cell surface R5. Their ability to block HIV infection in vitro is unequivocal; however, their role as HIV suppressor factors in vivo is not firmly established. We therefore conducted a study to test the hypothesis that production of these factors in vitro was a correlate of decreased virus burden in vivo. Moreover, we asked whether higher beta chemokine production could be demonstrated with cells from people who are R5D32 heterozygotes, compared with people who are R5 wild-type homozygotes. Our data support the thesis that RANTES, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta production is associated with decreased in vivo virus load. Moreover, enhanced production of these factors may be explained in part by the genetic background of the host.
Ex-situ and in-situ selenization of copper-indium and copper-boron thin films

It has recently been established that the ideal bandgap for terrestrial photovoltaics is 1.37 eV and the bandgap for CuInSe 2 is only around 1.04 eV. Thus, a larger bandgap is needed. However, neither the substitution of Ga nor of Al has made a high efficiency solar cell absorber with a band gap of 1.37 eV possible. B, an even smaller atom, should require less atomic substitution than either Ga or Al to achieve a wider bandgap. In order to fabricate a thin film of CuIn x B 1-x Se 2 (CIBS), Cu, In and B were deposited from a variety of sputtering targets which were pure Cu, In, and B; a Cu .45 In .55 ; and a Cu 3 B 2 target. Films were deposited simultaneously and sequentially. After deposition these films were post selenized in another vacuum chamber. Analysis of these films was accomplished using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). With the difficulties encountered, materials were also deposited in a selenium atmosphere.
Determination of vegetation height from SAR interferometry: a theoretical study

In this paper the theoretical aspects of estimating vegetation parameters from SAR interferometry is presented. In conventional applications of interferometric SAR (INSAR), the phase of the interferogram is used to retrieve the location of the scattering phase center of the target. Although the location of scattering phase center for point targets can be determined very accurately, for a distributed target such as a forest canopy this is not the case. For distributed targets the phase of the interferogram is a random variable which in general is a function of the system and target attributes. To relate the statistics of the interferogram phase to the target attributes, first an equivalence relationship between the two-antenna interferometer system and an equivalent /spl Delta/k radar system is established. This equivalence relationship is needed to related the frequency correlation function of distributed targets, which can conveniently be obtained experimentally, analytically, or numerically, to the phase statistics of the interferogram. It is shown that the frequency correlation function of distributed targets which in turn is a function of scattering mechanisms and system parameters determines the accuracy with which canopy height can be estimated. It is also shown that for a uniform closed canopy the extinction and the physical height of the canopy top can be estimated very accurately. Some analytical and numerical simulations are demonstrated.
On the Microgenesis of Illusory Figures: A Failure to Replicate

Reynolds found in 1981 that with increased viewing time of a pattern which may or may not produce illusory contours there were: first, reports of the pattern without an illusory figure; then, at longer exposures, an increase in the frequency with which illusory figures were reported; and then, with still longer exposures, a decrease in such reports if the pattern contained elements which tended to contradict the possibility of such a figure. Unfortunately, however, three attempts to replicate these potentially very important findings--with the aid of substantially improved methodology--consistently failed to do so. It is suggested that this failure, although it is disappointing to those who subscribe to a 'problem solving' explanation of illusory contours, may not constitute a strong refutation of such a theory. Regardless, the purpose in the report is to clarify and rectify the published record concerning this part of the evidential underpinnings of that theory.
Adaptive Fuzzy Collaborative Task Assignment for Heterogeneous Multirobot Systems

Heterogeneity in robot model mix is advantageous in emerging and future robotic applications. For instance, in a fully automated industrial package loading and unloading scenario, a variety uncertain types of packages need to be continuously sorted and loaded onto designated trucks. To handle the variation of tasks, multiple types of robots, or heterogeneous robots, are designed in the system. However, in such a collaborative system consisting of heterogeneous robots, ineffective task assignments often lead to bad collaboration and thus poor efficiency. To improve the robot collaboration, we herein define the collaborative task assignment problem and develop a fuzzy collaborative intelligence based algorithm to optimize the assignment plans. Specifically, the collaboration type, the collaboration matrix, and the assignment matrix are defined and the new algorithm for adaptive fuzzy collaborative task assignment relies on intuitionistic fuzzy set theory. An unsorted package loading and unloading tasks by heterogeneous robots is used as a case example to validate the new algorithm. Experiments indicate with statistical significance that the new approach shortens total completion time by 21%, reduces total energy consumption by 23%, and increases loading accuracy by 31%, compared with the traditional static task assignment method commonly practiced. The developed approach can be applied to different emerging collaborative systems to improve systems' collaborative intelligence.
Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia without periorbital involvement—a case report

Abstract Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is an uncommon granulomatous disease involving the skin and extracutaneous tissues. It is characterized by indurated, yellow-red plaques and nodules, involving primarily the face and less frequently the trunk and extremities. The disease has a strong association with paraproteinemia and other hematologic or lym-phoproliferative disorders. Histologically, the dermal part shows xanthogranulomatous change with extensive necrobiosis and many Touton and foreign-body giant cells. Here, we describe a case of a 46-year-old man with a 1-year history of multiple cutaneous lesions over the trunk and thighs. Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma was diagnosed by histology and clinically associated with paraproteinemia. This case is also unusual in that there was no periorbital involvement, which is believed to be a typical feature of this disease.
A web server for inferring the human N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) enzymatic phenotype from NAT2 genotype

Summary:N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the acetylation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens. Individuals in human populations are divided into three NAT2 acetylator phenotypes: slow, rapid and intermediate. NAT2PRED is a web server that implements a supervised pattern recognition method to infer NAT2 phenotype from SNPs found in NAT2 gene positions 282, 341, 481, 590, 803 and 857. The web server can be used for a fast determination of NAT2 phenotypes in genetic screens. Availability:Freely available at http://nat2pred.rit.albany.edu Contact:ikuznetsov@albany.edu; rmoslehi@albany.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Critical reflective inquiry for knowledge development in nursing practice

This paper presents a method of inquiry which uses nurses' situated, individual instances of nursing practice as the basis for developing knowledge for nursing and improving practice. This method of inquiry is founded upon the ideas in action science and reflective practice, and critical philosophy. Nursing practice is viewed as a rich source of new knowledge as practitioners are engaged in creating as well as modifying knowledge to respond to specific clinical situations. At the same time, practitioners may be in practice without recognizing deficiencies or ineffectiveness. As a method to tap these two aspects of practice, the inquiry is designed to encompass three phases, i.e. descriptive, reflective and critical/emancipatory, and is oriented to provide understanding to practitioners of the nature and meaning of their own practice, to correct and improve practice through self-reflection and critique, and to generate models of 'good' practice and theories of application as well as to discover processes of practice as played out in clinical situations. This method of inquiry can be used by nurses and nursing students in collaboration with researches or mentors to develop nursing knowledge about practice, improve individual practice, and engage in shared learning.
The Timing of Remediation and Compensation Rehabilitation Programs for Individuals With Acquired Brain Injuries: Opening the Conversation

Abstract This article describes the timing of AAC in the rehabilitation of individuals with acquired cognitive-linguistic deficits. Core concepts surrounding the timing of remediation and compensatory rehabilitation programs are explored including mutual exclusion, the perception of “giving up,” acceptance, fear of permanency, and the definition of compensation. A hybrid approach to rehabilitation, which encompasses both remediation and compensation, is proposed.
Faulty bone morphogenetic protein signaling in esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Background: The organogenesis of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula remains unclear. We have previously demonstrated that the fistula tract develops from a trifurcation of the embryonic lung bud and displays pulmonary lineage traits. Unlike the lung, the fistula grows without branching. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are known to be important in lung branching. We studied possible BMP signaling defects as a potential cause for the absence of branching in the fistula tract. Methods: Adriamycin was administered to pregnant rats on days 6-9 of gestation to induce tracheoesophageal fistula. Microdissection was performed at E13 and E17 isolating the foregut. Tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry for BMP ligand (BMP2, BMP4, BMP7) and receptor (BMPRIA, BMPRIB, BMPRII) expression. Results: Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of all 3 BMP ligands at E13, localized specifically to the esophageal mucosa but absent in the fistula and lung. At E17, the ligands were again present in the esophageal mucosa, and additionally in the fistula tract mucosa, but remained absent in the lung. At E17, all of the BMP receptors were also localized to the luminal surface of esophagus and fistula. However, in the lung epithelium, only BMPRII was found, whereas BMPRIA and BMPRIB remained absent. Conclusions: The normal expression pattern of BMP4 was increased at the branch tips and low between branches. Among other results, we show here a constant expression level of BMP ligands throughout the entire epithelium of the fistula tract. This diffuse expression suggests defective BMP signaling in the fistula tract and explains its nonbranching phenotype.
Expression of glutamatergic genes in healthy humans across 16 brain regions; altered expression in the hippocampus after chronic exposure to alcohol or cocaine.

We analyzed global patterns of expression in genes related to glutamatergic neurotransmission (glutamatergic genes) in healthy human adult brain before determining the effects of chronic alcohol and cocaine exposure on gene expression in the hippocampus. RNA-Seq data from ‘BrainSpan’ was obtained across 16 brain regions from nine control adults. We also generated RNA-Seq data from postmortem hippocampus from eight alcoholics, eight cocaine addicts and eight controls. Expression analyses were undertaken of 28 genes encoding glutamate ionotropic (AMPA, kainate, NMDA) and metabotropic receptor subunits, together with glutamate transporters. The expression of each gene was fairly consistent across the brain with the exception of the cerebellum, the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus and the striatum. GRIN1, encoding the essential NMDA subunit, had the highest expression across all brain regions. Six factors accounted for 84% of the variance in global gene expression. GRIN2B (encoding GluN2B), was up-regulated in both alcoholics and cocaine addicts (FDR corrected p = 0.008). Alcoholics showed up-regulation of three genes relative to controls and cocaine addicts: GRIA4 (encoding GluA4), GRIK3 (GluR7) and GRM4 (mGluR4). Expression of both GRM3 (mGluR3) and GRIN2D (GluN2D) was up-regulated in alcoholics and down-regulated in cocaine addicts relative to controls. Glutamatergic genes are moderately to highly expressed throughout the brain. Six factors explain nearly all the variance in global gene expression. At least in the hippocampus, chronic alcohol use largely up-regulates glutamatergic genes. The NMDA GluN2B receptor subunit might be implicated in a common pathway to addiction, possibly in conjunction with the GABAB1 receptor subunit.
Fathers and Brethren

“Prayer was offered by Father A. D. Merrill.…Letters were read from Fathers Tucker, Crandall, and Cox.”“I assisted Father Craig at a communion there in the spring of 1836.…”
Characterization of a Novel Mammalian Groucho Isoform and Its Role in Transcriptional Regulation

The Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf pathway serves important functions in embryonic development and is constitutively activated in human colorectal cancer. The nuclear output of Wnt signaling is mediated by a complex between DNA-binding proteins of the TCF family and the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin. Groucho proteins act to repress transcriptional activation by β-catenin-Tcf complexes, probably by interacting directly with Tcf transcription factors. We have identified several splice forms of the mouse GrouchoGrg1 gene expressed in the developing intestine. Prominent among these is a novel and abundant isoform, Grg1-S, which we characterize in this report. Grg1-S has highest homology with the TLE family of large Groucho proteins but features only the amino-terminal Q and glycine- and proline-rich domains typical of the Groucho/AES subfamily. Grg1-S is expressed in development and in several adult mouse tissues. Expression in the adult small intestine is highest at the base of the crypts of Lieberkuhn. Grg1-S acts to antagonize β-catenin activity in Xenopus axis duplication and luciferase reporter assays in mammalian cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that Grg1-S may operate in conjunction with β-catenin and Tcf factors to regulate vertebrate gut epithelial cell differentiation.
Weighted explanations in history

Weighted explanations, whereby some causes are deemed more important than others, are ubiquitous in historical studies. Drawing from influential recent work on causation, I develop a definition of causal-explanatory strength. This makes clear exactly which aspects of explanatory weighting are subjective and which objective. It also sheds new light on several traditional issues, showing for instance that: underlying causes need not be more important than proximate ones; several different causes can each be responsible for most of an effect; small causes need not be less important than big ones; and non-additive interactive effects between causes present no particular difficulty.
EFFECTIVENESS OF CALL-BROADCAST SURVEYS FOR MONITORING MARSH BIRDS

Abstract Many species of marsh birds (e.g. rails and bitterns) are believed to be declining in North America, yet we lack an effective monitoring program to estimate their population trends. Broadcast of prerecorded calls to elicit vocalizations is a commonly used method in surveys of marsh birds, but whether gains in detection and index precision outweigh the drawbacks of call-broadcast is unclear. To evaluate the effectiveness of call-broadcast surveys, we pooled marsh-bird survey data from 8,047 point-count surveys contributed by 11 cooperators and compared numbers of birds detected and variation in numbers detected between call-broadcast and passive surveys. For most rails (particularly Virginia Rails [Rallus limicola]), call-broadcast surveys were effective at increasing the detection probability (e.g. average number of Virginia Rails detected per occupied point was 1.25 for call-broadcast surveys and 0.17 for passive surveys). The proportion of points at which no birds were detected was high for all...
Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Experiences and Perspectives on the Acceptability and Feasibility of Copackaged Medicine for Antenatal Care and PMTCT in Lesotho

Objective. To improve PMTCT and antenatal care-related service delivery, a pack with centrally prepackaged medicine was rolled out to all pregnant women in Lesotho in 2011. This study assessed acceptability and feasibility of this copackaging mechanism for drug delivery among pregnant and postpartum women. Methods. Acceptability and feasibility were assessed in a mixed method, cross-sectional study through structured interviews (SI) and semistructured interviews (SSI) conducted in 2012 and 2013. Results. 290 HIV-negative women and 437 HIV-positive women (n = 727) participated. Nearly all SI participants found prepackaged medicines acceptable, though modifications such as size reduction of the pack were suggested. Positive experiences included that the pack helped women take pills as instructed and contents promoted healthy pregnancies. Negative experiences included inadvertent pregnancy disclosure and discomfort carrying the pack in communities. Implementation was also feasible; 85.2% of SI participants reported adequate counseling time, though 37.8% felt pack use caused clinic delays. SSI participants reported improvement in service quality following pack introduction, due to more comprehensive counseling. Conclusions. A prepackaged drug delivery mechanism for ANC/PMTCT medicines was acceptable and feasible. Findings support continued use of this approach in Lesotho with improved design modifications to reflect the current PMTCT program of lifelong treatment for all HIV-positive pregnant women.
STATE DEPENDENT DIFFERENTIAL RICCATI EQUATION FOR NONLINEAR ESTIMATION AND CONTROL

Abstract State-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) methods for designing control algorithms and observers for nonlinear processes entail the use of algebraic Riccati equations. These methods have yielded a number of impressive results, however, they can be computationally quite intensive and thus far they have not yielded to those attempting to assess their stability. This paper explores an alternative, the use of state dependent differential Riccati equations and numerical integration to propagate their solutions forward in time. Stability is examined and examples illustrating the use of these methods are given.
Temperature Response of White Mice to Implants of Brown Fat

Brown adipose tissue from axillary, scapular or thoracic depots in 13-lined and Franklin ground squirrels, and including active and hibernating animals between November and April, was implanted under the mid-dorsal skin of 84 white mice. No depression in body temperature was observed either within a few hours or over the succeeding 30 days. Accordingly, in the genus Citellus these tissues did not show the hypothermic action reported for brown adipose tissue from the European hedgehog.
Universal Algebra and Euler's Officer Problem

(1979). Universal Algebra and Euler's Officer Problem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 86, No. 6, pp. 466-473.
Probing the Surface Hydration of Nonfouling Zwitterionic and Poly(ethylene glycol) Materials with Isotopic Dilution Spectroscopy

Understanding the surface hydration of nonfouling materials such as zwitterionic polymers and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aids in the design of new and effective nonfouling materials. Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful technique used to probe water structures at solid/liquid interfaces. However, SFG signals of H2O consisting of symmetric and asymmetric stretches and Fermi resonance overlap heavily, which complicates the interpretation of the spectra and leads to controversy. In this work, isotopically diluted water was used instead of H2O to study the surface hydration of three zwitterionic polymers and a PEG coating. Because the water signal contains only an O–H stretch, strongly and weakly hydrogen-bonded water structures were easily distinguished. SFG results showed a majority of strongly hydrogen-bonded water molecules at the nonfouling polymer surfaces. For comparison, the water spectra at the surfaces of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) su...
Guided wave imaging for detection and evaluation of impact-induced delamination in composites

In this paper, guided wavefield interactions with delamination damage in laminated composite panels are investigated. The frequency–wavenumber representations of the guided wavefields show that different wavenumbers are present in the delaminated plate, compared to a pristine case. The wavenumbers are correlated to trapped waves in the delamination region. Novel approaches for imaging the composite panels using guided waves are discussed and demonstrated for quantitative evaluation of the delamination damage. A filter reconstruction imaging method is shown to provide a rapid technique to locate delamination damage by showing where guided wave energy is trapped. A spatial wavenumber-based imaging algorithm is applied to calculate wavenumber values at each spatial location and highlights the delamination damage as regions with larger wavenumber values. The imaging approaches are demonstrated using experimental data from a plate with a simulated delamination (teflon insert) and from a plate containing impact-induced delamination damage. The methods are also applied to a multiple mode guided wave case to demonstrate application to complex wave cases.