cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mean arterial pressure in concordant and discordant triplets during the first week of life.

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively determine mean arterial pressure (MAP) for stable concordant and discordant triplets during the first 7 days of life. BACKGROUND Morbidity and mortality for prematurely born triplets is high, therefore, MAP monitoring during the first day of life is important for their clinical management. MAP reference values for special populations such as triplets have not been published. Recently we reported that in stable discordant twins MAP values during the first day of life were significantly lower in the smaller than in their larger siblings. Comparable information for triplets is not available. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS We studied 30 sets of concordant and 29 sets of discordant (birth weight difference ≥20%) consecutively born triplets. Stable patients were defined as those having umbilical cord hemoglobin ≥13 g/dl, normal blood gases, who were never treated for hypotension, and studied at least 7 days. MAP (torr) were measured by oscillometry in 3410, and by transducer via an umbilical arterial catheter in 1251 instances. RESULTS Concordant and discordant triplets were similar in demogaphics, history of preterm labor (63 and 63%), chorioamnionitis (10 and 10%), preeclampsia (53 and 48%), cesarean delivery (100 and 100%). antenatal steroids (77 and 73%), cord hemoglobin (16 and 16g/dl), combined triplets birth weight (4922 and 4732 g), gestational age (32 and 33 weeks), normal head ultrasounds or Grade I intracranial hemorrhage (96 and 100%) and neonatal mortality (2 and 1%), but were different in the number of infants requiring mechanical ventilation (57 and 31%). A total of 80 (89%) concordant triplets and 77 (88%) discordant triplets were stable according to our definition. Concordant stable triplets, whether small medium or large, had similar MAP at birth. Their MAP values increased noticeably from birth to 24 hours and more subtlely to 7 days. Triplets of ≤ 32 weeks GA had lower MAP throughout than those of ≥ 33 weeks GA. Discordant stable triplets were divided into 27 small (1382 g), 26 medium (1683 g) and 27 large (1969 g); during the first 24 hours. medium and smaller triplets had MAP values that were lower than those of their larger siblings. From the second to the seventh day of life, all MAP values and trends were similar Among discordant triplets, 86% of the smallest, 13% of the medium and 13% of the largest infants had asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction. CONCLUSION In stable concordant and stable discordant triplets, MAP correlates with birth weight, gestational age and postnatal age. MAP values increase noticeably during the first 24 hours and more subtlely during the next 7 days. Concordant or discordant, small, medium, and large triplets have similar MAP values and trends to that of their sibling. Small and medium discordant triplets have lower MAP values during the first day of life than their larger siblings but by the second day there MAP trends and values were no longer different.
COPULATORY BEHAVIOR OF PINE VOLES (MICROTUS PINETORUM)

7 male and 6 female pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, were observed in a total of 26 tests of copulatory behavior. They displayed a pattern with no lock, intravaginal thrusting, ejaculation possible on a single insertion, and multiple ejaculations. The first ejaculatory series required approximately 5 min., with a mean of five intromissions and 36 thrusts. Post-ejaculatory intervals following the first series averaged 16 min. and increased in successive series.
Synthesis and comparison of physicochemical, transport, and antithrombic properties of a cyclic prodrug and the parent RGD peptidomimetic

Cyclic prodrug 1 was derived from RGD peptidomimetic 2 by linking the amino and carboxylic acid groups via an (acyloxy)alkoxy linker. The formation of a cyclic prodrug can transiently alter the physicochemical properties of the RGD peptidomimetic. Cyclic prodrug 1 was synthesized via the key intermediate 8, and the synthesis of this key intermediate was accomplished using two different routes. Cyclic prodrug 1 has a smaller hydrodynamic radius and higher membrane interaction potential than those of the parent RGD peptidomimetic 2. The cell membrane permeation of cyclic prodrug 1 is twice that of the parent peptidomimetic 2. The prodrug-to-drug conversion can be carried out in isolated porcine esterase as well as human plasma. The cyclic prodrug is more stable at pH 4 than pH 7, and is very unstable at pH 10. The cyclic prodrug has antithrombic activity, suggesting that it can be converted to the RGD peptidomimetic in platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Moving Shadow Detection using a Combined Geometric and Color Classification Approach

Automatic detection of moving objects is a fundamental problem in computer vision. Motion analysis, object recognition, and video surveillance applications often depend on reliable segmentation of moving objects against a fixed background. Although shadows move in the scene with the objects that cast them, it is often important that only objects in motion, and not their shadows, are detected. For example, false positives of moving shadows that are generated by current approaches to motion segmentation can lead to erroneous object models that will ultimately impact recognition rates. We present an algorithm for the automatic detection of shadows being cast by objects in motion on a planar surface that utilizes the additional geometric information afforded by two views of the scene. Foreground pixels are first generated by an existing motion segmentation method in each of the two views. Moving pixels that have no parallax lie in the ground plane and are considered to be potential shadow pixels. A subset of these shadow pixels is used as input to construct an adaptive mixture color probability model. Once the shadow color model is acquired, it can then be used to efficiently detect shadows in successive frames in conjunction with the zero parallax constraint. The approach has been tested in several different video surveillance scenarios. Results demonstrate that approximately 94 percent of shadow pixels can be correctly classified with small false positive rates.
CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein δ Up-regulates Aromatase Promoters I.3/II in Breast Cancer Epithelial Cells

Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for the last step of estrogen synthesis. The female hormone, estrogen, is known to stimulate breast cancer cell growth. Because the expression of aromatase in breast cancer tissues is driven by unique promoters I.3 and II, a more complete understanding of the regulatory mechanism of aromatase expression through promoters I.3/II in breast tumors should be valuable in developing targeted therapies, which selectively suppress estrogen production in breast tumor tissue. Results from in vivo footprinting analyses revealed several protein binding sites, numbered 1 to 5. When site 2 (−124/−112 bp, exon I.3 start site as +1) was mutated, promoters I.3/II activity was dramatically reduced, suggesting that site 2 is a positive regulatory element. Yeast one-hybrid screening revealed that a potential protein binding to site 2 was CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ (C/EBPδ). C/EBPδ was shown to bind to site 2 of aromatase promoters I.3/II in vitro and in vivo. C/EBPδ up-regulated promoters I.3/II activity through this site and, as a result, it also up-regulated aromatase transcription and enzymatic activity. p65, a subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor, inhibited C/EBPδ–up-regulated aromatase promoters I.3/II and enzymatic activity. This inhibitory effect of p65 was mediated, in part, through prevention of the C/EBPδ binding to site 2. This C/EBPδ binding site in aromatase promoters I.3/II seems to act as a positive regulatory element in non–p65-overexpressing breast cancer epithelial cells, whereas it is possibly inactive in p65 overexpressing cancer epithelial cells, such as estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer cells. [Cancer Res 2008;68(11):4455–64]
Maturational Changes in Myocardial Contractile State of Newborn Lambs

Summary: There have been no investigations of chronologic changes in postnatal contractile state of both left and right ventricles of the newborn. Thus, we determined isovolumetric indices of contractility in 32 acutely instrumented newborn lambs (1 day to 12 wk; three exteriorized near term fetuses, and four adult sheep. These studies demonstrated a narked increase in inotropic properties of both ventricles which was especially pronounced during the first 3 days of extrauterine life (group I. left ventricle Vmax 3.2 ± 0.27 and VCEIO 3.2 ± 0.28 ML (muscle lengths/sec; right ventricle Vmax 2.1 ± 0.2 and VCEIO 2.2 ± 0.13 ML/sec) and was associated with elevated cardiac output (428 ± 52 cc/kg/min), largely resulting from an elevated stroke volume (2.1 ± 0.31cc/kg). During subsequent postnatal maturation, contractility indices of both ventricles gradually declined to values intermediate between newborn and adult [(group IV. 22 to 84 days) - left ventricle Vmax 1.78 ± 0.13 and VCEIO, 1.79 ± 0.15 ML/sec; right ventricle Vmax 1.48 ± 0.07 and VCEIO 1.31 ± 0.3 ML/sec]; associated with a corresponding decling in cardiac output (group IV, 136 ± 38 cc/kg/min), related in large measure in a decline in stroke volume (0.76 ± 0.13 cc/kg). Simulation of birth in exteriorized fetuses was associated with a sudden increase in contractile indices for both left (Vmax 2.1 ± .2 → 3.0 ± .3 and VCEIO 2.1 ± 0.2 → 3.1 ± ML/sec) and right (Vmax 2.0 ± 0.2 → 2.5 ± 0.2 and VCEIO 1.9 ± 0.1 → 2.5 ± 0.2 ML/sec) ventricles. We conclude that there is a postnatal elevation of ventricular contractile state which contributes to successful postnatal adaptation of the newborn cardiovescular system. Speculation: The increased metabolic demands associated with adaptation to extrauterine life are met by an increased cardiac output in the newborn. The necessary cardiac output may be accomplished in part through an elevation of myocardial contractile state, induced by postnatal increases in circulating hormones.
The 2013 Ecuadorian general elections

Approximately9.5millionEcuadorianswenttothepollson 17 February 2013 for quadrennial presidential and leg-islative elections. The incumbent president, Rafael Correa,whose mandate ofﬁcially ended on 24 May 2013, wascompleting the ﬁrst full term since that of Sixto DuranBallen (1992–1996). As expected, Correa easily won re-election in the ﬁrst-round, making him the longest-serving Ecuadorian president in history, and his partyAlianza Patria Altiva I Soberana (Alianza PAIS) won a 100-seat majority in the 137-member unicameral legislativeassembly.1. BackgroundThis is Correa’s third presidential election, followingwinsinboth2006and2009.Hisﬁrsttermwascutshortforearly elections after the adoption of the 2008 Constitution,which allows for immediate one-time re-election (Bowen,2010).
Modality Preference and the Teaching of Reading: A Review

Teaching to a child's strengths versus improving areas of weakness has long been a key concept in remedial planning for many practitioners. Strengths and weaknesses have often been related to sensory modality capabilities resulting in the notion of auditory learners, visual learners, and learners needing haptic and kinesthetic feedback. This excellent review of research which assesses the validity of the modality strength concept finds strikingly little support; thus, practical wisdom is not supported by research data. Because the modality preference/strength concept has intuitive appeal and is apparently useful to many practitioners, the possibility certainly exists that the research is inadequately designed or insufficiently sensitive to validate this central principle. Comments regarding the methods of the studies and the conclusions of this review are invited from practitioners and researchers. — G.M.S.
The Coopersmith Self-Esteem inventory: a factor analytic study

A review of the literature related to measurement of self-concept clearly indicates that one of the central areas of concern is the validity of the subscales of the self-concept instrumentation currently in use. The purpose of this study was to examine the factorial validity of a widely used self-concept instrument, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Subjects were 1397 middle school students, grades six through eight. A comparison of the established subscales and empirically derived factors indicated substantial validity for the original subscales with the factors emerging from the 8-factor solution. The School Curriculum, Home-Parent, Social-Peer, and Lie scales, which are closely related empirically, appear to be measuring distinguishable features of self-concept.
Clinical Use of Primary Cortical Responses

This paper reviews the use of the primary cortical responses (or middle components of the auditory-evoked potentials) as it has recently developed in the clinical assessment of auditory disorders. Advances in the use of these techniques since 1958 are examined. Recording parameters for the middle components are briefly reviewed. Information is presented on the frequency-specific nature of the response, as well as normative studies with neonates and infants. The clinical application of the middle components is summarized, as well as information about future directions for improving the clinical utility of electroencephalic response recordings.
A human-automation interaction approach to the evaluation of resource allocation strategies in adaptive distributed sensor networks

How to design and to evaluate adaptive distributed sensor networks with respect to end user decision making is an important topic in human-automation interaction. This study evaluates four resource allocation strategies (static automation, adaptive sensing, mixed-initiative control, and control incorporating end user task analytic information) in a simulated prototype weather sensor network. Performance of each sensor network resource allocation strategy was assessed with measures of sensor coverage quality over a target geographic region of interest. Coverage measures calculated from the number of radar nodes, tilts and cycles were derived for partial (radar scan touches at least part of the analysis region) and complete coverage of the region by single and multiple (two or more) radars. Single and multi-radar coverage area scores were also derived from the cumulative fraction of the analysis regions area that was scanned. Using three weather scenarios, results show that static automation significantly outperforms the other strategies in all cases using measures of single and multi-radar complete coverage and for a uniformly distributed weather event using single and multi-radar coverage scores. Otherwise the three strategies outperform static automation. As the performance of resource allocation strategies are sensitive to the weather events themselves as well as the measures used to evaluate them, the design of next generation of algorithms should consider these performance distinctions.
A semi-automated procedure for the assay of 23 enzymes from Drosophila melanogaster☆

Abstract A semi-automated procedure for the spectrophotometric assay of 23 enzymes from Drosophila melanogaster was developed to screen for correlated genetic effects on the activities of different enzymes. The procedure allows for the assay of 18 cytosolic and 5 mitochondrial enzymes from a mass homogenate of 100 male imagoes. Most of the assays were performed with the use of a computer-interfaced GeMSAEC centrifugal fast analyzer that allows the simultaneous performance of 16 assays and for automatic data processing. Estimation of the total measurement error (extraction plus assay repeat-ability) gives coefficients of variation less than 10% for most of the enzymes.
Determinants of Endogenous Fecal Calcium in Healthy Women

Endogenous fecal calcium (EFC) excretion was measured in 518 studies in 191 normal perimenopausal women, most studied two to three times over a 15 year period. EFC averaged 102 +/- 25 mg/day. Absorption fraction was simultaneously determined by both double-isotope and balance methods. EFC was found to vary inversely with absorption fraction, and the observed relationship was used to calculate the total amount of calcium (TIC) entering the gut from endogenous sources. TIC averaged 140 +/- 34 mg/day and was found to be correlated with a number of intake and body size variables. Phosphorus intake was the most strongly correlated of all the variables (r = 0.404; P < 0.0001), each increment of 0.1 g phosphorus intake being associated with an increase in TIC of 6 mg. Lean body mass was the best correlated of the body size variables, with TIC rising by 1.6 mg/day for every kg lean mass. There were also small but significant correlations with protein and energy intakes, the latter suggesting that some of the variation of TIC is related to the amount of food consumed. Caffeine, previously reported as elevating TIC, did not exhibit a significant relationship in this study.
Transgenic TCR expression: comparison of single chain with full-length receptor constructs for T-cell function

Genetic modification of T lymphocytes with T-cell receptor (TCR) genes provides a novel tool for adoptive immunotherapy. However, the efficiency of full-length TCR (flTCR)-transduced T cells could be limited by factors such as incorrect pairing between exogenous and endogenous TCR chains and downregulation of the CD3 complex. To overcome these hurdles, one promising strategy is to use three-domain single-chain TCRs (3D-scTCR), in which TCR Valpha and Vbeta chains are joined by a linker with signal transduction domains fused at the carboxyl termini as signal transducers and amplifiers. Our results showed that surface expression of scTCRs on T cells after retroviral transduction was affected by the origin of the transmembrane (TM) region and placement of signaling domains. scTCR-modified T cells were functional as shown by cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) release in response to antigen stimulation and cytolytic activity against specific target cells. CD8 and CD28, but not the complete CD3 complex, could enhance the scTCR-induced T cell activation. Compared with flTCR-modified T cells and native CTLs, scTCR-modified T cells require higher thresholds of antigen stimulation (approximately 10(-8) M peptide) to be functional. Despite the low efficiency of scTCRs, our data provide insight into further improvements in generating efficient scTCRs for in vivo applications.
Special session - creation of the “Milwaukee School of Magic”

The objective of this special session is to create the "Milwaukee School of Magic" so that participants can discover the value of incorporating drama and magical illusions into a creative science learning environment. Villanova University's Science & Theatre Magic Program, now in its third year, has successfully created a dramatic and creative learning environment with a unique approach. The strengths and accomplishments of this program are reviewed and discussed in the session entitled Engineering the Magic School: Creativity and Innovation in Context. See also PIVOTS: Service Learning at the Science, Theatre & Magic Boundary by Papalaskari et al in FIE 2006. This session will be valuable for engineering educators interested in integrating multi-disciplinary STEM teaching with creative and performing arts. Participants will experience first hand how a well chosen theme and the right combination of constraints and open- ended problems can trigger the imagination and provide a powerful motivating force for exploration, group work, innovation, and design that can transcend any barriers associated with diverse cultural, social, or discipline/specialization backgrounds. Participants will easily be able to apply concepts presented to make their own learning environments equipped to improve technical skills as well as build teams among culturally, economically, and ethnically diverse populations of students.
Selecting solutions for complex problems

The solution variable analysis tool and decision variable analysis tool have universal application to systematically evaluate and recommend solutions to clients. These tools provide a structured process for analyzing identified solutions to root causes; identifying pros and cons of proposed solutions; determining solutions that can address multiple root causes; weighing cost, quality, and timeliness of proposed solutions; and identifying solutions in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Ocular toxoplasmosis: a global reassessment. Part I: epidemiology and course of disease.

Abstract Purpose To update clinical information about ocular toxoplasmosis. Part I reviews information about prevalence of disease, sources of infection, relation of ocular disease to time of Toxoplasma gondii infection (congenital vs. postnatally acquired), and course of disease. Design Literature review. Methods Selected articles from the medical literature, information from recent scientific meetings, and the author's personal experiences were reviewed critically in preparation for the LX Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture. Results The prevalence of T. gondii infection varies geographically and increases with age; in the United States, the overall proportion is 22.5%. The proportion of infected individuals in the United States who have had episodes of ocular toxoplasmosis is unknown, but may be approximately 2%. Prevalence of ocular involvement is substantially greater in other parts of the world, including southern Brazil. In addition to undercooked meat and unwashed vegetables, drinking water contaminated with oocysts may be an important source of infection in some settings. In contrast to traditional teaching, evidence suggests that most individuals with ocular toxoplasmosis were infected postnatally. Ocular lesions may first develop many years after T. gondii infection. The risk of recurrent ocular disease appears to be greater during the first year after an episode of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis than during subsequent years. Conclusions Reassessment of older publications in the light of recent observations provides a richer understanding of ocular toxoplasmosis, although knowledge about the disease remains incomplete. A better understanding of the clinical characteristics and course of ocular toxoplasmosis will have important implications for developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
A Token-Based Approach for Distributed Computation in Sensor Networks

We consider distributed algorithms for data aggregation and function computation in sensor networks. The algorithms perform pairwise computations along edges of an underlying communication graph. A token is associated with each sensor node, which acts as a transmission permit. Nodes with active tokens have transmission permits; they generate messages at a constant rate and send each message to a randomly selected neighbor. By using different strategies to control the transmission permits we can obtain tradeoffs between message and time complexity. Gossip corresponds to the case when all nodes have permits all the time. We study algorithms where permits are revoked after transmission and restored upon reception. Examples of such algorithms include Simple-Random Walk (SRW), Coalescent-Random-Walk (CRW), and Controlled Flooding (CFLD) and their hybrid variants. SRW has a single node permit, which is passed on in the network. CRW, initially has a permit for each node but these permits are revoked gradually. The final result for SRW and CRW resides at a single (or few) random node(s) making a direct comparison with GOSSIP difficult. A hybrid two-phase algorithm switching from CRW to CFLD at a suitable predetermined time can be employed to achieve consensus. We show that such hybrid variants achieve significant gains in both message and time complexity. The per-node message complexity for n-node graphs, such as 2-D mesh, torii, and random geometric graphs, scales as O(polylog(n)) and the corresponding time complexity scales as O(n). The reduced per-node message complexity leads to reduced energy utilization in sensor networks.
Using Temporal Coherence to Build Models of Animals

This paper describes a system that can build appearance models of animals automatically from a video sequence of the relevant animal with no explicit supervisory information. The video sequence need not have any form of special background. Animals are modeled as a 2D kinematic chain of rectangular segments, where the number of segments and the topology of the chain are unknown. The system detects possible segments, clusters segments whose appearance is coherent over time, and then builds a spatial model of such segment clusters. The resulting representation of the spatial configuration of the animal in each frame can be seen either as a track - in which case the system described should be viewed as a generalized tracker, that is capable of modeling objects while tracking them - or as the source of an appearance model which can be used to build detectors for the particular animal. This is because knowing a video sequence is temporally coherent - i.e. that a particular animal is present through the sequence - is a strong supervisory signal. The method is shown to be successful as a tracker on video sequences of real scenes showing three different animals. For the same reason it is successful as a tracker, the method results in detectors that can be used to find each animal fairly reliably within the Corel collection of images.
Pre-Enrollment and Post-Enrollment Predictors of the Academic Success of Developmental Education Students

I studied how the grade point averages (GPA, a post-enrollment descriptor) of first-year developmental education students relate to two pre-enrollment descriptors: students' Academic Aptitude Ratings (AAR, a pre-enrollment criterion) and students' voluntary or forced attendance at a mandatory summer-orientation program. Students who involuntarily participated in the orientation had an average AAR score of 94, an average GPA of 2.1, and a 32% chance of being placed on academic probation (i.e, having a GPA less than 2.0) after their first semester of college. However, students who voluntarily attended the orientation had an average AAR of 91, a GPA of 2.9, and an 11% chance of being placed on academic probation after their first semester of college. These results: 1) suggest that developmental education students' voluntary compliance with a pre-enrollment admission requirement (in this case, their voluntary attendance at a summer orientation program) is a strong predictor of subsequent academic success; and...
A reverse causal-effect modeling approach for signal control of an oversaturated intersection

A novel approach is presented in which signalized intersections are treated as normal highway bottlenecks for improved computational efficiency. It is unique in two ways. First, it treats the signalized intersections as common freeway bottlenecks by a reversed cause and effect modeling approach. Both traffic arrivals and departures are modeled by smooth continuous functions of time as if there were no interruptions to traffic flows from signals. The use of smooth continuous functions for departure curves instead of commonly used step functions makes it easy to apply differential calculus in optimization and future extension to a system of intersections. Second, a dynamic linear programming (LP) model is then developed to maximize the total vehicular output from the intersection during the entire period of congestion subject to prevailing capacity and other operational constraints. The continuous optimal departure flow rate (the effect) is then converted to signal timing parameters (the cause) that can be readily implemented. Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the properties of the proposed algorithm and examine its performance.
Critical Elections and Political Realignments in the USA: 1860–2000:

The sequence of US presidential elections from 1964 to 1972 is generally regarded as heralding a fundamental political realignment, during which time civil rights became as important a cleavage as economic rights. In certain respects, this realignment mirrored the transformation of politics that occurred in the period before the Civil War. Formal models of voting (based on assumptions of rational voters, and plurality-maximizing candidates) have typically been unable to provide an account of such realignments. In this paper, we propose that US politics necessarily involves two dimensions of policy. Whatever positions US presidential candidates adopt, there will always be two groups of disaffected voters. Such voters may be mobilized by third party candidates, and may eventually be absorbed into one or other of the two dominant party coalitions. The policy compromise, or change, required of the successful presidential candidate then triggers the political realignment. A formal activist-voter model is presented, as a first step in understanding such a dynamic equilibrium between parties and voters. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln, the Republican contender, won the presidential election by capturing a majority of the popular vote in 15 northern and western states. The Whig or ‘Conservative Union’ candidate, Bell, only won three states (Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee) while the two Democrat candidates, Douglas and Breckinridge, took the ten states of the South. (New Jersey split its electoral college vote between Lincoln and Douglas.) From 1836 to 1852, Democrat and Whig vote shares had been roughly comparable (Ransom, 1989), with neither party gaining an overwhelming preponderance in the North or South. Thus, between 1852, when the Democrat (Pierce) won the presidency and 1860, the American political system was transformed by a fundamental ‘realignment’ of electoral support. 1 The sequence of presidential elections between 1964 and 1972 also has features of a political transformation, where the race or civil rights issue again played a fundamental role. Except for the war-hero, Eisenhower, Democrats had held the presidency since 1932. The 1964 election, in particular, had been a landslide in favor of Lyndon Johnson. By 1972, this imbalance in favor of the Democrats was completely transformed. The Republican candidate, Nixon, took 60 per cent of the popular votes, while his Democrat opponent, McGovern, only won the electoral college votes of Massachusetts and Washington DC.
Cancer Incidence in Mormons and Non-Mormons in Utah During 1967–75

Data from the Utah Cancer Registry were used to compare cancer incidence in Mormons and non-Mormons in Utah for the period 1967--75. Church membership was identified for 97.8% of the 20,379 cases in Utah by a search of the central membership files of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or Mormon Church). Sites associated with smoking (lung, larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, esophagus, and urinary bladder) showed an incidence in Mormons at about one-half that of non-Mormons. Rates of cancers of the breast, cervix, and ovary were low in Mormon women; the rate for cervical cancer was about one-half of that observed in non-Mormons. Cancers of the stomach, colon-rectum, and pancreas were about one-third lower in Mormons than in others who are not members of this religious group. Most of the differences seen in cancer incidence can be explained by Mormon teachings regarding sexual activity and alcohol and tobacco use, but some differences (e.g., colon and stomach) remain unexplained.
EARLY-STAGE DESIGN OF RHEOLOGICALLY COMPLEX MATERIALS VIA MATERIAL FUNCTION DESIGN TARGETS

Rheological material properties are high-dimensional function-valued quantities, such as frequency-dependent viscoelastic moduli or non-Newtonian shear viscosity. Here we describe a process to model and optimize design targets for such rheological material functions. For linear viscoelastic systems, we demonstrate that one can avoid specific a priori assumptions of spring-dashpot topology by writing governing equations in terms of a time-dependent relaxation modulus function. Our approach embraces rheological design freedom, connecting system-level performance to optimal material functions that transcend specific material classes or structure. This technique is therefore material agnostic, applying to any material class including polymers, colloids, metals, composites, or any rheologically complex material. These early-stage design targets allow for broadly creative ideation of possible material solutions, which can then be used for either material-specific selection or later-stage design of novel materials.
Detect VR noise coupling sources through near field scanning

This paper uses near field scanning (NFS) techniques to detect noise coupling sources due to switching voltage-regulators (VR) in a typical computer system. The fast switching of the VR FETs couples significant amounts of noise to signal lines in proximity, resulting in degraded signal performance, system malfunction, etc. Detecting all the potential noise sources has been a challenging task due to the complexity of VR design and the layout of the board. The near field scanning technique is utilized as a brute-force measurement-based method to identify and verify potential noise sources. Applications of the techniques are reported in the paper, where noise sources are revealed and design changes are made to mitigate the noise coupling issue.
CYCLIC AMP IN NORMAL AND MALIGNANT HYPERPYREXIA SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS FOLLOWING EXERCISE

Plasma cAMP concentrations were compared in normal and malignant hyperpyrexia susceptible individuals. Samples were taken before, at the peak, and at 60 and 120 min after a standardized physical stress test. It was found that, at the peak of the test, cAMP concentrations were significantly higher in malignant hyperpyrexia susceptible individuals. In addition, the return to control values was significantly prolonged in this group. The results support the hypothesis of abnormal cAMP metabolism in malignant hyperpyrexia susceptible individuals
Computational Analysis of Flame Spread Across Alcohol Pools

Pulsating and uniform spread across n-propanot and ethanol liquid fuel pools is simulated via a two-dimensional, transient, numerical model which incorporates finite-rate chemical kinetics, variable properties, and a partially adaptive finite-difference gridding scheme. The model is compared to detailed, independent experimental data. The explanation and characterization of the pulsating and uniform flame spread phenomena are developed Pulsating flame spread requires a gas-phase recirculation cell just forward of the flame. δ flow This cell entrains evaporating fuel vapor. The size and existence of the recirculation cell is determined by the extent of liquid motion ahead of the flame (δ flow) and by opposed flow in the gas phase, naturally induced by buoyancy. The amplitude and period of the pulsations each increase with δ flow Over the range of pool depths that were investigated (2 to 10 mm) the liquid-phase flow is primarily affected by large surface-tension variations along the liquid surface and not b...
Studies on some hormonal and genetic factors regulating nitrogen release from the isolated mouse diaphragm.

Nitrogen release by the isolated diaphragm was greater for tissues taken from I/Fn than for those taken from A/Fn strain mice. Previous treatment of the mice with thyroxine enhanced the rate of in vitro release of the A/Fn tissues but had no significant effect on the I/Fn. It is suggested that I/Fn mice normally release more thejToid hormone than the A/Fn and that this accounts in part for the different rates of protein catabolism observed earlier.
Clinical predictors of adverse outcome in severe sepsis patients with lactate 2-4 mM admitted to the hospital.

Background: Severe sepsis patients with initial lactate level 2–4 mM are commonly considered to have lower risk for mortality and adverse outcomes. Aim: We aim to determine clinical variables that are associated with adverse outcome in these patients. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: Severe sepsis patients with initial lactate ≥2 and <4 mM admitted to our hospital were examined for any of the following primary outcomes: (i) in-hospital death, (ii) vasopressor requirement, (iii) use of mechanical ventilator, (iv) lactate ≥4.0 mM or (v) need care in the intensive care unit (ICU) within 48 h. Results: Five-hundred and thirty-five patients were enrolled, age 58.7 ± 19.3 years, 53.2% male. The most common sources of infection were urinary tract infection and pneumonia, 38.3 and 35.7%, respectively. One-hundred and twenty-four (23.2%) patients had at least one primary adverse outcome within 48 h, including in-hospital death 1.1%, vasopressor requirement 12.9%, use of mechanical ventilator 13.3%, increase lactate ≥4.0 mM in 5.6% patients and 21.5% of patients requiring ICU (including 13.8% of the patients admitted directly to ICU from the emergency department, and 7.7% initially admitted to the general medical ward but later required ICU transfer). Altered mentation, hypotension, tachypnea and elevated blood urea nitrogen at admission were associated with the primary outcome in multivariable logistic regression analysis, odds ratio 2.50 (95% confidence interval: 1.54, 4.06), 3.76 (2.31, 6.10), 1.97 (1.22, 3.17) and 1.78 (1.11, 2.83), respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggests that clinicians should be cautious about the potential adverse outcomes in severe sepsis patients with initial lactate level between 2 and 4 mM and a presentation of altered mentation, hypotension, tachypnea and/or elevated blood urea nitrogen.
Planning for performance

A shift is proposed in the design of VLSI circuits. In conventional design, higher levels of synthesis produce a netlist, from which layout synthesis builds a mask specification for manufacturing. Timing analysis is built into a feedback loop to detect timing violations which are then used to update specifications to synthesis. Such iteration is undesirable, and for very high performance designs, infeasible. The problem is likely to become much worse with future generations of technology. To achieve a non-iterative design flow, we propose that early synthesis stages should use "wireplanning" to distribute delays over the functional elements and interconnect, and layout synthesis should use its degrees of freedom to realize those delays. In this paper we attempt to quantify this problem for future technologies and propose some solutions for a "constant delay" methodology.
Differential-display PCR of peripheral blood for biomarker discovery in chronic fatigue syndrome.

We used differential-display PCR of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to search for candidate biomarkers for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). PBMCs were collected from a subject with CFS and an age- and sex-matched control before and 24 h after exercise. RNA expression profiles were generated using 46 primer combinations, and the similarity between the individuals was striking. Differentially expressed bands were excised, reamplified, and sequenced, yielding 95 nonredundant sequences, of which 50 matched to known gene transcripts, 38 matched to genes with unknown functions, and 7 had no similarity to any database entry. Most (86%) of the differences between the two subjects were present at baseline. Differential expression of ten genes was verified by real-time reverse-transcription PCR: five (cystatin F, MHC class II, platelet factor 4, fetal brain expressed sequence tag, and perforin) were downregulated, and the remaining five genes (cathepsin B, DNA polymerase e4, novel EST PBMC191MSt, heparanase precursor, and ORF2/L1 element) were upregulated in the subject with CFS. Many of these genes have known functions in defense and immunity, thus supporting prior suggestions of immune dysregulation in the pathogenesis of CFS. Differential-display PCR is a powerful tool for identification of candidate biomarkers. Investigation of these markers in samples from well-designed epidemiological studies of CFS will be required to determine the validity of these candidate biomarkers. The real-time reverse-transcription PCR assays that we developed for assay of these biomarkers will facilitate high-throughput testing of these additional samples.
Three routes to suppression of the neurodegenerative phenotypes caused by kinesin heavy chain mutations

Kinesin-1 is a motor protein that moves stepwise along microtubules by employing dimerized kinesin heavy chain (Khc) subunits that alternate cycles of microtubule binding, conformational change, and ATP hydrolysis. Mutations in the Drosophila Khc gene are known to cause distal paralysis and lethality preceded by the occurrence of dystrophic axon terminals, reduced axonal transport, organelle-filled axonal swellings, and impaired action potential propagation. Mutations in the equivalent human gene, Kif5A, result in similar problems that cause hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2) distal neuropathies. By comparing the phenotypes and the complementation behaviors of a large set of Khc missense alleles, including one that is identical to a human Kif5A HSP allele, we identified three routes to suppression of Khc phenotypes: nutrient restriction, genetic background manipulation, and a remarkable intramolecular complementation between mutations known or likely to cause reciprocal changes in the rate of microtubule-stimulated ADP release by kinesin-1. Our results reveal the value of large-scale complementation analysis for gaining insight into protein structure-function relationships in vivo and point to possible paths for suppressing symptoms of HSP and related distal neuropathies.
Promoting Effective Parenting Practices and Preventing Child Behavior Problems in School Among Ethnically Diverse Families From Underserved, Urban Communities

This study examines the efficacy of ParentCorps among 4-year-old children (N = 171) enrolled in prekindergarten in schools in a large urban school district. ParentCorps includes a series of 13 group sessions for parents and children held at the school during early evening hours and facilitated by teachers and mental health professionals. ParentCorps resulted in significant benefits on effective parenting practices and teacher ratings of child behavior problems in school. Intervention effects were of similar magnitude for families at different levels of risk and for Black and Latino families. The number of sessions attended was related to improvements in parenting. Study findings support investment in and further study of school-based family interventions for children from underserved, urban communities.
An Overview of Power Capability Requirements for Exploration Missions

Advanced power is one of the key capabilities that will be needed to achieve NASA's missions of exploration and scientific advancement. Significant gaps exist in advanced power capabilities that are on the critical path to enabling human exploration beyond Earth orbit and advanced robotic exploration of the solar system. Focused studies and investment are needed to answer key development issues for all candidate technologies before down-selection. The viability of candidate power technology alternatives will be a major factor in determining what exploration mission architectures are possible. Achieving the capabilities needed to enable the CEV, Moon, and Mars missions is dependent on adequate funding. Focused investment in advanced power technologies for human and robotic exploration missions is imperative now to reduce risk and to make informed decisions on potential exploration mission decisions beginning in 2008. This investment would begin the long lead-time needed to develop capabilities for human exploration missions in the 2015 to 2030 timeframe. This paper identifies some of the key technologies that will be needed to fill these power capability gaps. Recommendations are offered to address capability gaps in advanced power for Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) power, surface nuclear power systems, surface mobile power systems, high efficiency power systems, and space transportation power systems. These capabilities fill gaps that are on the critical path to enabling robotic and human exploration missions. The recommendations address the following critical technology areas: Energy Conversion, Energy Storage, and Power Management and Distribution.
Greendroid: Exploring the next evolution in smartphone application processors

Mobile application processors are soon to replace desktop processors as the focus of innovation in microprocessor technology. Already, these processors have largely caught up to their more power hungry cousins, supporting out-oforder execution and multicore processing. In the near future, the exponentially worsening problem of dark silicon is going to be the primary force that dictates the evolution of these designs. In recent work, we have argued that the natural evolution of mobile application processors is to use this dark silicon to create hundreds of automatically generated energy-saving cores, called conservation cores, which can reduce energy consumption by an order of magnitude. This article describes GreenDroid, a research prototype that demonstrates the use of such cores to save energy broadly across the hotspots in the Android mobile phone software stack.
Broad-spectrum bacterial rDNA polymerase chain reaction assay for detecting amniotic fluid infection among women in premature labor

We amplified bacterial 16S rRNA encoding DNA (rDNA) with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect amniotic fluid infection in 69 women in premature labor whose membranes were intact. Bacterial rDNA was detected by PCR in samples from 15 (94%) of 16 patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures. Bacteria were detected by PCR in samples from 5 (36%) of 14 patients with negative cultures and elevated interleukin (IL)-6 levels vs. 1 (3%) of 39 patients with negative cultures and IL-6 levels of <2,000 pg/mL (P <.01). The median amniotic fluid cytokine levels and the pregnancy outcomes were similar for patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures and those with negative cultures and positive rDNA PCR assays. The association between amniotic fluid infection and premature labor may be underestimated on the basis of amniotic fluid culture results. The broad-spectrum bacterial 16S rDNA PCR assay may prove useful for diagnosing amniotic fluid infection.
Placental oxygen transport in sheep with different hemoglobin types

To study the effect of genetic differences in the maternal oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve on fetal O2 supply, we compared eight pregnant ewes homozygous for high O2 affinity hemoglobin (A) with eight pregnant ewes homozygous for low O2 affinity hemoglobin (B). Each ewe carried a single fetus. Fetal weights were not significantly different (A, 3,000 +/- 170 g; B, 3,070 +/- 270 g). The A ewes had significantly higher arterial O2 saturation (95 vs. 89.4%), uterine blood flow per kilogram of fetus (464 vs. 374 ml/min), uterine venous O2 saturation (78.1 vs. 67.5%), and placental-to-fetal weight ratio (0.107 vs. 0.085). Uterine venous PO2 was significantly less in A ewes (41.7 vs. 47.6 Torr), but umbilical venous and arterial PO2 and fetal O2 uptake were virtually equal in the two groups. We conclude that the difference in O2 affinity between A and B hemoglobins is fully compensated for by differences in arterial O2 saturation, in the rate of perfusion of the pregnant uterus, and in the degree of PO2 equilibration between the uterine and umbilical circulations so that the single fetuses of A and B hemoglobin carriers have equal levels of oxygenation.
Loss Aversion Under Cognitive Load

An experiment was conducted to explore whether loss aversion is altered when individuals are placed under a higher level of cognitive load. The coefficients of monetary loss aversion were measured for 30 participants under low and high cognitive load. Memorizations of differing spans of digits were used to manipulate cognitive load. Participants’ skin conductance was measured to quantify emotional responses to gains and losses. No statistically significant evidence was found that loss aversion, as measured by choice, is altered when individuals are placed under a higher level of cognitive load. Statistically significant evidence was found that a higher level of cognitive load temporarily reduces an individual’s emotional arousal to absolute and relative small dollar losses.