cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photochemistry and Photophysics of Metal Porphyrins, Phthalocyanins, and Metal Ions in Supramolecular Systems

The absorption spectra of metal porphyrin complexes have been widely studied. These spectra can be classified into the two categories of those for the regular and those for the irregular porphyrins. For the regular porphyrins, their absorption and emission spectra are primarily determined by the π-electrons in the porphyrin ring, and the effect of the metal center on the spectral features is minimal. For the irregular porphyrins, the presence of the metal ion results in significant differences in the absorption and emission spectra from those of the porphyrin ring itself. The absorption spectra of irregular porphyrins can be classified as hypso and hyper. The hypso absorption spectra resemble the regular spectra but they are shifted to shorter wavelength. These absorption spectra are observed for transition metal porphyrin complexes of Groups 8 and 1B that have the electronic configurations d n where n = 6–9, and those that have the e g levels filled. The hyper absorption spectra are similar, but they have an additional band at wavelengths longer than 320 nm.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation practices under implementation site uncertainty

Abstract Agricultural nonpoint source pollution is the leading source of water quality degradation in United States, which has led to the development of programs that aim to mitigate this pollution. One common approach to mitigating nonpoint source pollution is the use of best management practices (BMPs). However, it can be challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented BMPs due to polices that limit data sharing. In this study, the uncertainty introduced by data sharing limitations is quantified through the use of a watershed model. Results indicated that BMP implementation improved the overall water quality in the region (up to ∼15% pollution reduction) and that increasing the area of BMP implementation resulted in higher pollution reduction. However, the model outputs also indicated that uncertainty caused by data sharing limitations resulted in variabilities ranging from −160% to 140%. This shows the importance of data sharing among agencies to better guide current and future conservation programs.
Functional Assessment of 2,177 U.S. and International Drugs Identifies the Quinoline Nitroxoline as a Potent Amoebicidal Agent against the Pathogen Balamuthia mandrillaris.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a pathogenic free-living amoeba that causes a rare but almost always fatal infection of the central nervous system called granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Two distinct forms of B. mandrillaris-a proliferative trophozoite form and a nonproliferative cyst form, which is highly resistant to harsh physical and chemical conditions-have been isolated from environmental samples worldwide and are both observed in infected tissue. Patients suffering from GAE are typically treated with aggressive and prolonged multidrug regimens that often include the antimicrobial agents miltefosine and pentamidine isethionate. However, survival rates remain low, and studies evaluating the susceptibility of B. mandrillaris to these compounds and other potential therapeutics are limited. To address the need for more-effective treatments, we screened 2,177 clinically approved compounds for in vitro activity against B. mandrillaris The quinoline antibiotic nitroxoline (8-hydroxy-5-nitroquinoline), which has safely been used in humans to treat urinary tract infections, was identified as a lead compound. We show that nitroxoline inhibits both trophozoites and cysts at low micromolar concentrations, which are within a pharmacologically relevant range. We compared the in vitro efficacy of nitroxoline to that of drugs currently used in the standard of care for GAE and found that nitroxoline is the most potent and selective inhibitor of B. mandrillaris tested. Furthermore, we demonstrate that nitroxoline prevents B. mandrillaris-mediated destruction of host cells in cultured fibroblast and primary brain explant models also at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. Taken together, our findings indicate that nitroxoline is a promising candidate for repurposing as a novel treatment of B. mandrillaris infections.IMPORTANCE Balamuthia mandrillaris is responsible for hundreds of reported cases of amoebic encephalitis, the majority of which have been fatal. Despite being an exceptionally deadly pathogen, B. mandrillaris is understudied, leaving many open questions regarding epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Due to the lack of effective drugs to fight B. mandrillaris infections, mortality rates remain high even for patients receiving intensive care. This report addresses the need for new treatment options through a drug repurposing screen to identify novel B. mandrillaris inhibitors. The most promising candidate identified was the quinoline antibiotic nitroxoline, which has a long history of safe use in humans. We show that nitroxoline kills B. mandrillaris at pharmacologically relevant concentrations and exhibits greater potency and selectivity than drugs commonly used in the current standard of care. The findings that we present demonstrate the potential of nitroxoline to be an important new tool in the treatment of life-threatening B. mandrillaris infections.
Black Intimacies Matter: the Role of Family Status, Gender, and Cumulative Risk on Relationship Quality Among Black Parents

Studies show that married families report higher levels of relationship quality relative to unmarried families; yet, limited attention has been given to differences in relationship quality between married and unmarried Black families. The authors examined the interplay between family status, gender, and cumulative risk exposure on relationship quality among Black parents. The results suggest that (a) differences between married and unmarried parents only emerged on two measures of relationship quality, (b) married mothers report higher levels of cohesiveness and lower levels of distress compared to married fathers and unmarried parents; (c) cumulative risk exposure was associated with each relationship quality measure; (d) cumulative risk mediated differences in relationship quality between married and unmarried mothers but not for married and unmarried fathers; and (e) cumulative risk exposure moderated the association between family status and gender whereby the effect of cumulative risk on relationship quality was more detrimental for married mothers.
Multivariate modeling and two-level scheduling of analytic queries

Abstract Analytic queries are typically compiled into execution plans in the form of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) of MapReduce jobs. Jobs in the DAGs are dispatched to the MapReduce processing engine as soon as their dependencies are satisfied. MapReduce adopts a job-level scheduling policy to strive for a balanced distribution of tasks and effective utilization of resources. However, such simplistic policy is unable to reconcile the dynamics of different jobs in complex analytic queries, resulting in unfair treatment of different queries, low utilization of system resources, prolonged execution time, and low query throughput. Therefore, we introduce a scheduling framework to address these problems systematically. Our framework includes two techniques: multivariate DAG modeling and two-level query scheduling. Cross-layer semantics percolation allows the flow of query semantics and job dependencies in the DAG to the MapReduce scheduler. With richer semantics information, we build a multivariate model that can accurately predict the execution time of individual MapReduce jobs and gauge the changing size of analytics datasets through selectivity approximation. Furthermore, we introduce two-level query scheduling that can maximize the intra-query job-level concurrency, and at the same time speed up the query-level completion time based on the accurate prediction and queuing of queries. At the job level, we focus on detecting query semantics, predicting the query completion time through an online multivariate linear regression model, thereby increasing job-level parallelism and maximizing data sharing across jobs. At the task level, we focus on balanced data distribution, maximal slot utilization, and optimal data locality of task scheduling. Our experimental results on a set of complex query benchmarks demonstrate that our scheduling framework can significantly improve both fairness and throughput of Hive queries. It can improve query response time by up to 43.9% and 72.8% on average, compared to the Hadoop Fair Scheduling and the Hadoop Capacity Scheduling, respectively. In addition, our two-level scheduler can achieve a query fairness that is, on average, 59.8% better than that of the Hadoop Fair Scheduler.
Does Increasing Racial Minority Representation Contribute to Overall Organizational Performance? The Role of Organizational Mission and Diversity Climate:

One underexplored question in the representative bureaucracy literature is whether public employees advocate for their demographic groups at the expense of other groups or their organizational role...
Deletion Of Fanca Or Fancd2 Dysregulates Treg Activity and Exacerbates Gvhd In Mice

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder associated with bone marrow failure and leukemia. Recent studies demonstrate fundamental immune defects in FA. However, the mechanisms that are critical for FA immunodeficiency are not known. Here we report that deletion of Fanca or Fancd2 dysregulates the suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and exacerbates graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mice . Recipient mice of Fanca -/- or Fancd2 -/- bone marrow chimeras exhibited severe acute GVHD after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Further study showed that T cells from Fanca -/- or Fancd2 -/- mice induced higher GVHD lethality than those from WT littermates. Mechanistically, FA Tregs possessed lower proliferative suppression potential compared to WT Tregs, as demonstrated by in vitro proliferation assay and BMT. Analysis of CD25 + Foxp3 + Tregs indicated that loss of Fanca or Fancd2 dysregulated Foxp3 transcriptional activity. Additionally, CD25 + Foxp3 + Tregs of Fanca -/- or Fancd2 -/- mice were less efficient in suppressing the production of GVHD-associated inflammatory cytokines. Consistently, incremental NF-kB transcriptional activity was observed in infiltrated T cells from FA GVHD mice. Conditional deletion of p65 in FA Tregs desreased GVHD mortality. Our study uncovers an essential role for the FA proteins in maintaining Treg homeostasis and suggests that targeted blocking NF-kB signaling within T cells represents an attractive therapeutic strategy to ameliorate GVHD in FA. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Created wetlands managed for hydroperiod provide habitat for amphibians in Western Kentucky, USA

Loss of wetlands worldwide has necessitated the creation of wetlands to counteract declines of fauna associated with these habitats. Ephemeral wetlands have been disproportionally lost and hydrology of ephemeral wetlands is challenging to restore. Created wetlands with water control structures may be a viable option. In Western Kentucky, we surveyed three ephemeral wetland types [managed open canopy (MOC), unmanaged open canopy (UMOC), and unmanaged closed canopy (UMCC); managed = created wetlands with water control structures] to estimate amphibian richness and occupancy among wetlands, and estimated abundance of three locally common species: Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus), Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), and Crawfish Frog (L. areolatus). In addition, we quantified physical characteristics and water quality among wetland types. Managed Open Canopy wetlands had a greater percent of submergent vegetation than both UMCC and UMOC wetlands, shallower depth at 1.0 m from the wetted wetland edge than UMOC wetlands, and were larger than UMCC wetlands. Mean predicted amphibian species richness and occupancy was highest at larger wetlands (0.15–0.78 ha). Occupancy of three common species was not influenced by management. Estimated abundance of L. areolatus, a species of conservation concern, was higher at MOC wetlands, and conversely, A. maculatum abundance was highest at UMCC wetlands. Larger wetlands had higher estimated abundances of L. areolatus and L. sphenocephalus. Our results suggest that created, open canopy wetlands managed for hydroperiod have similar species richness to unmanaged ephemeral wetlands. Furthermore, these managed wetlands provide habitat for a species of concern in Kentucky (i.e., L. areolatus).
Effect of an mHealth Intervention on Hepatitis C Testing Uptake Among People With Opioid Use Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The growing epidemic of opioid use disorder (OUD) and associated injection drug use has resulted in a surge of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Approximately half of the people with HCV infection are unaware of their HCV status. Improving HCV awareness and increasing screening among people with OUD are critical. Addiction-Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (A-CHESS) is an evidence-based, smartphone-delivered relapse prevention system that has been implemented among people with OUD who are receiving medications for addiction treatment (MAT) to improve long-term recovery. Objective: We incorporated HCV-related content and functionality into A-CHESS to characterize the HCV care continuum among people in early remission and receiving MAT for OUD and to determine whether incorporating such content and functionality into A-CHESS increases HCV testing. Methods: HCV intervention content, including dissemination of educational information, private messages tailored to individuals’ stage of HCV care, and a public discussion forum, was implemented into the A-CHESS platform. Between April 2016 and April 2020, 416 participants with OUD were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive MAT alone (control arm) or MAT+A-CHESS (experimental arm). Quarterly telephone interviews were conducted from baseline to month 24 to assess risk behaviors and HCV testing history. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess whether participants who used A-CHESS were tested for HCV (either antibody [Ab] or RNA testing) at a higher rate than those in the control arm. To assess the effect of A-CHESS on subsets of participants at the highest risk for HCV, additional analyses were performed to examine the effect of the intervention among participants who injected drugs and shared injection equipment. Results: Overall, 44.2% (184/416) of the study participants were HCV Ab positive, 30.3% (126/416) were HCV Ab negative, and 25.5% (106/416) were considered untested at baseline. At month 24, there was no overall difference in HCV testing uptake between the intervention and control participants. However, among the subset of 109 participants who engaged in injection drug use, there was a slight trend toward increased HCV testing uptake among those who used A-CHESS (89% vs 85%; hazard ratio: 1.34; 95% CI 0.87-2.05; P=.18), and a stronger trend was observed when focusing on the subset of 32 participants who reported sharing injection equipment (87% vs 56%; hazard ratio: 2.92; 95% CI 0.959-8.86; P=.06). Conclusions: Incorporating HCV prevention and care information into A-CHESS may increase the uptake of HCV testing while preventing opioid relapse when implemented among populations who engage in high-risk behaviors such as sharing contaminated injection equipment. However, more studies that are powered to detect differences in HCV testing among high-risk groups are needed. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02712034; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02712034
Short-term apartment-level load forecasting using a modified neural network with selected auto-regressive features

Abstract Residential electricity load profiles and their diversity have become increasingly important to realize the benefits of Smart or Transactive Energy Networks (TENs). An important element of TENs will be practical, accurate, and implementable residential load forecasting techniques. While there have been many approaches to short-term load forecasting, few have included forecasting for individual households, partly because the high volatility and idiosyncrasies present in individual household load data can pose significant challenges. In this study, we develop a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory-based neural network with Selected Autoregressive Features (termed a CLSAF model) to improve short-term household electricity load forecasting accuracy by employing three strategies: autoregressive features selection, exogenous features selection, and a “default” state to avoid overfitting at times of high load volatility. We include aggregations of apartments to floor and building level, because utilities may favor transactive approaches that rely on aggregator models, e.g., a cluster of consumers as opposed to an individual. We demonstrate that the CLSAF model, by virtue of its enhanced feature representation and modest computational resources, can accomplish load forecasting in a multi-family residential building across three spatial granularities (individual apartment/household, floor, and building levels), with an accuracy improvement of up to 25% compared to a persistence model. We propose a data screening technique to characterize time-series electricity-load data. This technique is suitable for integration into a TEN ecosystem and allows one to estimate confidence levels of the load forecasts to optimize computational resources and the risks associated with uncertain forecasts.
α-Chain Cross-Linking in Fibrin(ogen) Marburg

The fibrinogen structural variant, Marburg (A α1-460 Bβγ) 2 , is comprised of normal Bβ and γ chains but contains severely truncated Aα chains that are missing approximately one half of their factor XIII, cross-linking domain. Immunochemical studies of fibrin(ogen) Marburg were conducted to characterize the degree to which deletion of a defined Aα-chain segment, Aα 461-610, can affect the process of fibrin stabilization, ie, the factor XIII a -mediated covalent interaction that occurs between α chains of neighboring fibrin molecules and between α chains and α 2 antiplasmin (α 2 PI). The ability of Marburg (and control) α chains to serve as a substrate for factor XIII a and undergo cross-linking was examined in an in vitro plasma clotting system. The capacity for α-chain cross-linking was evaluated both as the covalent incorporation of the small synthetic peptide, NQEQVSPLTLLK (which represents the first 12 amino acids of α 2 PI and includes the factor XIII a -sensitive glutamine residue responsible for the cross-linking of α 2 PI to fibrin), and as the appearance of native (ie, natural), high-molecular-weight, cross-linked α-chain species. Antibodies specific for the (A)α and γ/γ-γ chains of fibrin(ogen) and for the peptide and its parent protein, α 2 PI (68 kD), were used as immunoblotting probes to visualize the various cross-linked products formed during in vitro clotting. Recalcification of Marburg plasma in the presence of increasing concentrations of peptide resulted in the formation of peptide-decorated Marburg α-chain monomers. Their size at the highest peptide concentration examined indicated the incorporation of a maximum of 3 to 4 mol of peptide per mole of α-chain. In the absence of α 2 PI 1-12 peptide, the α chains of Marburg fibrin cross-linked to form oligomers and polymers, as well as heterodimers that included α 2 PI. Both the peptide-decorated monomers and the native cross-linked α-chain species of Marburg fibrin were smaller than their control plasma counterparts, consistent with the truncated structure of the parent Marburg Aα chain. Collectively, the findings indicate that, although deletion of the Aα chain region no. 461-610 in fibrinogen Marburg prevents formation of an extensive α polymer network (presumably due to the absence of critical COOH-terminal lysine residues), it does not interfere with initial events in the fibrin stabilization process, namely,factor XIII binding and the ability of α chains to undergo limited cross-linking to one another and to α 2 PI.
Design and 3D-printing of MRI-compatible cradle for imaging mouse tumors.

BACKGROUND The ability of 3D printing using plastics and resins that are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible provides opportunities to tailor design features to specific imaging needs. In this study an MRI compatible cradle was designed to fit the need for repeatable serial images of mice within a mouse specific low field MRI. METHODS Several designs were reviewed which resulted in an open style stereotaxic cradle to fit within specific bore tolerances and allow maximum flexibility with interchangeable radiofrequency (RF) coils. CAD drawings were generated, cradle was printed and tested with phantom material and animals. Images were analyzed for quality and optimized using the new cradle. Testing with multiple phantoms was done to affirm that material choice did not create unwanted image artifact and to optimize imaging parameters. Once phantom testing was satisfied, mouse imaging began. RESULTS The 3D printed cradle fit instrument tolerances, accommodated multiple coil configurations and physiological monitoring equipment, and allowed for improved image quality and reproducibility while also reducing overall imaging time and animal safety. CONCLUSIONS The generation of a 3D printed stereotaxic cradle was a low-cost option which functioned well for our laboratory.
Screening Echocardiogram in High-Risk Women with Class III Obesity to Predict the Risk of Preeclampsia.

Objective Women with obesity and other comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes are at an increased risk of preeclampsia and perinatal morbidity. This study evaluates whether screening echocardiogram can identify women with obesity at a higher risk of preeclampsia. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) and one or more medical comorbidities associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (such as diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatologic disease) undergoing screening echocardiogram. Abnormal findings were defined as the presence of one or more of the following: diastolic dysfunction, ejection fraction of ≤45%, or cardiac chamber enlargement or hypertrophy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of gestational hypertension/mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, and any preterm delivery Results Of 267 eligible women, 174 (64%) underwent screening echocardiograms. Sixty-nine women (40%) had abnormal echocardiograms. Maternal clinical characteristics were similar between women with normal echocardiographic findings and women with abnormal findings. Women with abnormal echocardiograms were more likely to have chronic hypertension (78 vs. 62%, p = 0.04) and a history of preeclampsia (27 vs. 10%, p = 0.02). After controlling for confounders, women with abnormal echocardiogram were at an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, OR 6.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.32–13.93, p = 0.01), and in particular severe preeclampsia, OR 8.77 (95% CI 3.90–19.74, p = 0.01). Conclusion Among pregnant women with class III obesity and medical comorbidities, screening echocardiogram may help identify a subset of women at the highest risk of developing preeclampsia. Key Points
EVALUATION OF NEW SYSTEMS FOR URBAN TRANSPORTATION

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE NUMBERS OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS FOR URBAN APPLICATIONS HAS CREATED THE NEED FOR PLANNING TOOLS WHICH RESPOND TO GENERALIZED SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES FOR NETWORK PLANNING AND TRIP ASSIGNMENT. ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN URBAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MUST BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE THE MOBILITY OF PEOPLE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY SATISFY INCREASINGLY RIGOROUS STANDARDS OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. GOALS HAVE BEEN DEFINED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANNING CAPABILITIES BUILDING ON THE MODELS AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES WHICH ARE IN CURRENT USE. IN APPLICATION, THESE TOOLS SHOULD PROVIDE NOT ONLY THE CAPABILITY FOR EVALUATION OF NEW TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES BUT SHOULD ALSO PERMIT THE IDENTIFICATION OF SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTRIBUTES WHICH SHOULD BE INCORPORATED IN FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. /ASCE/
Applications of metabolomics in food science: food composition and quality, sensory and nutritional attributes

Abstract: Food science is a diverse field that encompasses multiple areas of science, ranging from biology and chemistry, to engineering and psychology. Being able to measure the chemical changes that occur in food as it is being processed or prepared and linking those changes to specific characteristics such as sensory characteristics or food safety, is paramount to creating healthy and desirable food. This chapter discusses recent applications of metabolomics in the field of food science. First, an overview of metabolomics is provided, including the types of analytical tools commonly used. Examples of how metabolomics has been employed for compound identification and quantification in food, sensory science, food safety, and food processing are provided, followed by possible future trends of metabolomics in those areas, and its impact on the field of food science as a whole.
Animated solutions using Mathcad8 convolution and correlation problems

More than fifty years of convolution and correlation and several educational issues continue to be troublesome with these subjects. The curriculum of most signals and systems courses have concentrate on linear time invariant systems, convolution and correlation with its associated applications as the central focus of the course materials. This focus is clearly necessary, but is often construed by students as the beginning of their demise. This is largely due to the lack of mathematical preparation and the complexity of the process. Most students associate this subject with a "negative period" in their undergraduate studies. Obviously, it should be a very positive experience since it provides the very foundations of advanced electrical engineering principles. With respect to these principles, the authors continue to find that the impact of the mathematical techniques used to explore the subject need more efficient visualization support to facilitate the learning process. This paper addresses these issues and concludes that: (a) visual "animated" support systems significantly facilitate the learning process and overall confidence of the student with the materials; and (b) laboratory assignments using a convolution animation template file allow students to process and visualize the convolutions of a host of functions. Through visual animation of the template file, the student is able to observe the system output at every instant of time and assimilate the process more readily. Assignments using the files, provides the student with the opportunity to mathematically "Tinker in the What If Process", while enhancing knowledge by combining a visual and mathematical assimilation of information.
Corporatist Birds of a Feather? Austria and Dutch Migration Policies

At the beginning of the decade when many European countries began drafting new labor migration policies in response to labor shortages, Austria and Netherlands refrained. One might guess that since both are corporatist-style economies with tightly regulated labor markets, bringing in unregulated labor through immigration would be difficult. Deeper analysis shows that there are two different logics behind the cool attitude toward foreign labor recruitment. In Austria, the strength of the relationship between the social partners and the strong opposition by trade unions has led to a highly regulated and minimalist labor migration program. In the Netherlands, social partnership also constrains the ability of employers to bring in labor, but it is far more a case that employers can draw from other sources of flexible labor. Through the use of labor market statistics, organizational materials, media reports, and personal interviews with representatives from trade unions, employers’ associations and government ministries in the IT, hospitality and construction sectors, the paper traces the processes that have lead to new policies and draw out the preferences that have kept these at a minimum, offering insights to the differences within varieties of capitalism.
The allocation of attention : theory and evidence

A host of recent studies show that attention allocation has important economic consequences. This paper reports the first empirical test of a cost-benefit model of the endogenous allocation of attention. The model assumes that economic agents have finite mental processing speeds and cannot analyze all of the elements in complex problems. The model makes tractable predictions about attention allocation, despite the high level of complexity in our environment. The model successfully predicts the key empirical regularities of attention allocation measured in a choice experiment. In the experiment, decision time is a scarce resource and attention allocation is continuously measured using Mouselab. Subject choices correspond well to the quantitative predictions of the model, which are derived from cost-benefit and option-value principles.
On expectations: address to the ochsner clinic graduating residents and fellows on june 6, 2006.

My hearty and sincere congratulations to you the graduates, your parents, spouses, families, friends, and to the faculty and staff at the Ochsner Clinic, on the completion of this phase in your never-ending quest for postgraduate medical education. This is an important time to smell the roses, enjoy your accomplishments and look forward to even more fulfilling careers in medicine. You have immersed yourselves, indeed committed yourselves, to a profession that continues to improve partially because of the high expectations of those outside the medical community, and probably more importantly, because of self-imposed expectations that are not only lofty, but constantly increasing.
Hardware development and application specifications for Li/CoO/sub 2/ electrochemical cells

Considerable progress has been made in evaluating Li/Li/sub x/CoO/sub 2/ electrochemical cells and determining the effects of various parameters. A year-long series of tests involving dozens of samples and hundreds of cycles is summarized. Test results are based on actual working hardware cells/batteries in the 1 to 5 Ah range. Differences between parallel, flat plate and spirally wrapped electrode configurations are considered, and a full spectrum of real world use and abuse conditions are discussed. With a solid basis of performance capabilities demonstrated, potential projections and technology comparisons can be made to conventional rechargeable battery systems. For moderate cycle life and low to moderate discharge rate applications, the Li/Li/sub x/CoO/sub 2/ technology demonstrates at least 3-4 times the energy density capabilities and has far less stringent application requirements. >
Two mRNAs can be produced from a single immunoglobulin μ gene by alternative RNA processing pathways

Abstract As shown in the accompanying paper, μ chains of the membrane-bound ( μ m ) and secreted ( μ s ) forms of IgM are encoded by two species of mRNA. Cloned cDNAs produced from the two μ mRNAs of M104E mouse myeloma tumors differ only at their 3′ ends, which encode either the μ m or μ s C terminus. In this paper, we show that both μ m and μ s mRNAs are produced from transcripts of a single μ gene. The last 187 nucleotides of μ s mRNA are derived from DNA contiguous with the 3′ end of the sequence encoding the C μ 4 domain. The μ m cDNA clone does not include these 187 nucleotides, but instead contains 392 nucleotides derived from two exons located 1850 bp 3′ to the C μ 4 sequence. Comparison of genomic and cDNA sequences show that in μ m mRNA, an RNA splice of 1850 nucleotides joins a site in the coding sequence at the end of C μ 4 with a site at the beginning of the first membrane-specific exon. A second RNA splice of 118 nucleotides joins sequences transcribed from the first and second membrane-specific exons. The differences observed between μ m and μ s cDNAs suggest that developmental control of the site at which poly(A) is added to transcripts of the μ gene determines the relative levels of μ m or μ s chain synthesis. We discuss possible models for the control of μ gene transcripts and the significance of this form of developmentally regulated RNA processing for the evolution of eucaryotic "split genes."
Esterification of cis and trans fatty acids by swine aortic smooth muscle cells during aerobic and anaerobic incubations.

Abstract The incorporation of [1-14C]oleic acid and [1-14C]elaidic acid into cell lipids of the swine aortic smooth muscle cells under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was investigated. The uptake of elaidic acid was higher than that of oleic acid; however, most elaidic acid taken up by aortic smooth muscle cells was kept in an unesterified form. As compared to elaidic acid, significant amounts of oleic acid were incorporated into phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. More labeled oleic acid and elaidic acid was esterified into triglycerides under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. Of individual phospholipid fractions studied, both labeled oleic and elaidic acids were incorporated predominantly into phosphatidylcholine fraction.
A model for evaluating resident education with a focus on continuity of care and educational quality.

Surgicalresidencyprogramdirectorscontinuetobechallengedwith balancing duty-hour requirements established in July2003 by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Edu-cation (ACGME), Residency Review Committee (RRC) corecompetency and case requirements, and patient-care needs. Itgenerally is presumed that both continuity of care and patientownershiphasdeclinedandthatthishasbeencaused,atleastinpart, by the decreased presence of residents in the hospital.
Acceleration of cartilage repair by genetically modified chondrocytes over expressing bone morphogenetic protein-7.

Abstract Background: Cartilage has a limited capacity to heal. Although chondrocyte transplantation is a useful therapeutic strategy, the repair process can be lengthy. Previously we have shown that over expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in chondrocytes by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer leads to increased matrix synthesis and cartilage-like tissue formation in vitro. In this context we hypothesized that implantation of genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7 would accelerate the formation of hyaline-like repair tissue in an equine model of cartilage defect repair. Methods: Chondrocytes treated with adenovirus vector encoding BMP-7 (AdBMP-7) or as control, an adenovirus vector encoding an irrelevant gene (Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase, AdCD) were implanted into extensive (15 mm diameter) articular cartilage defects in the patellofemoral joints of 10 horses. Biopsies were performed to evaluate early healing at 4 weeks. At the terminal time point of 8 months, repairs were assessed for morphology, MRI appearance, compressive strength, biochemical composition and persistence of implanted cells. Results: Four weeks after surgery AdBMP-7-treated repairs showed an increased level of BMP-7 expression and accelerated healing, with markedly more hyaline-like morphology than control. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the repair tissue 8 months after surgery showed that few implanted cells persisted. By this time, the controls had healed similarly to the AdBMP-7-treated defects, and no difference was detected in the morphologic, biochemical or biomechanical properties of the repair tissues from the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Implantation of genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7 accelerates the appearance of hyaline-like repair tissue in experimental cartilage defects. Clinical relevance: Rehabilitation after cell-based cartilage repair can be prolonged, leading to decreased patient productivity and quality of life. This study shows the feasibility of using genetically modified chondrocytes to accelerate cartilage healing.
Effects of Age Misreporting on Mortality Estimates at Older Ages

This study examines how age misreporting typically affects estimates of mortality at older ages. We investigate the effects of three patterns of age misreporting - net age overstatement, net age understatement, and symmetric age misreporting - on mortality estimates at ages 40 and above. We consider five methods to estimate mortality: conventional estimates derived from vital statistics and censuses; longitudinal studies where age is identified at baseline; variable-r procedures based on age distributions of the population; variable-r procedures based on age distributions of deaths; and extinct generation methods. For each of the age misreporting patterns and each of the methods of mortality estimation, we find that age misstatement biases mortality estimates downwards at the oldest ages.
Survivable network design problems in wireless networks

Survivable network design is an important suite of algorithmic problems where the goal is to select a minimum cost network subject to the constraint that some desired connectivity property has to be satisfied by the network. Traditionally, these problems have been studied in a model where individual edges (and sometimes nodes) have an associated cost. This model does not faithfully represent wireless networks, where the activation of an edge is dependent on the selection of parameter values at its endpoints, and the cost incurred is a function of these values. We present a realistic optimization model for the design of survivable wireless networks that generalizes various connectivity problems studied in the theory literature, e.g. node-weighted steiner network, power optimization, minimum connected dominating set, and in the networking literature, e.g. installation cost optimization, minimum broadcast tree. We obtain the following algorithmic results for our general model:1. For k = 1 and 2, we give O(log n)-approximation algorithms for both the vertex and edge connectivity versions of the k-connectivity problem. These results are tight (up to constants); we show that even for k = 1, it is NP-hard to obtain an approximation factor of o(log n).2. For the minimum steiner network problem, we give a tight (up to constants) O(log n)-approximation algorithm.3. We give a reduction from the k-edge connectivity problem to a more tractable degree-constrained problem. This involves proving new connectivity theorems that might be of independent interest. We apply this result to obtain new approximation algorithms in the power optimization and installation cost optimization applications.
Robust multi-item newsboy models with a budget constraint

Abstract In this paper we present robust newsboy models with uncertain demand. The traditional approach to describing uncertainty is by means of probability density functions. In this paper we present an alternative approach using deterministic optimization models. We describe uncertainty using two types of demand scenarios; namely interval and discrete scenarios. For interval demand scenarios we only require a lower and an upper bound for the uncertain demand of each item, while for discrete demand scenarios we require a set of likely demand outcomes for each item. Using the above scenarios to describe demand uncertainty, we develop several minimax regret formulations for the multi-item newsboy problem with a budget constraint. For the problems involving interval demand scenarios, we develop linear time optimal algorithms. We show that the corresponding models with discrete demand scenarios are NP -hard and that they are solvable by dynamic programming. Finally, we extend the above results to the case of mixed scenarios where the demand of some of the items is described by interval scenarios and the demand of the remaining items is described by discrete scenarios.
A numerical study on the effect of CO addition on extinction limits and NOxformation in lean counterflow CH4/air premixed flames

The effect of CO addition on extinction and NO x formation in lean premixed counterflow CH4/air flames was investigated by numerical simulation. Detailed chemistry and complex thermal and transport properties were employed. A method that gradually switched off the initial reactions of NO formation from different routes was used to analyse the variation of NO formation mechanism. The results indicate that the addition of certain amount of CO increases the strain extinction limits and reduces the radiation extinction limits. As a result, the lean flammability limit of CH4/air premixed flame is extended to leaner side by the addition of CO. The formation of NO in a flame is increased with the addition of CO at a constant equivalence ratio. For an ultra-lean flame, the increase in the formation of NO is mainly because of the increase in the contribution from the NNH intermediate route, while for a near stoichiometric flame, this increase is mainly attributable to the rise in the contribution from the thermal ...
The effect of thermal stability of carbon nanotubes on the flame retardancy of epoxy and bismaleimide/carbon fiber/buckypaper composites

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) membranes (buckypaper) were incorporated onto the surface of epoxy and bismaleimide (BMI) carbon fiber composites. Their flammability behaviors were investigated by a cone calorimeter. The composites with buckypaper reduced the heat release rate (HRR) by more than 60% peak and smoke generation by 50% during combustion. The effects of different buckypaper on the flame retardancy of epoxy and BMI were compared and discussed. Our research team found that buckypapers acted as an effective flame-retardant shield to dramatically reduce the fire hazards of composites if they survived during fire combustion. Thermogravimetric analyses was used to compare the thermo-oxidation stability of the resins and buckypapers to explain the different effects of SWCNT and MWCNT buckypaper on flammability of epoxy and BMI carbon fiber composites.
Viral triggers of cardiac-allograft dysfunction.

The question of a viral contribution to allograft dysfunction after solid-organ transplantation has long been debated. This debate has focused primarily on cytomegalovirus, which has been identifie...
Hydrothermal Alteration in Some Granodiorites

The patterns of distribution of the mica and clay minerals resulting from alteration of feldspars are much less regular and well defined in the “porphyry copper” deposits than in the vein deposits such as those at Butte, Montana. There are, however, interpretative problems common to both. Chemically, the destruction of the K-feldspars may be interpreted in the light of laboratory investigations of the system potash-alumina-silica-water at various K+/H+ ratios. The experiments indicate that the K-mica (sericite) stability field lies between the K-feldspar and kaolinite fields. The K-mica field is approximately 1.5 pH unit wide, and its boundaries with K-feldspar and kaolinite are parallel below 500°C. The boundaries slope toward higher K+/H+ ratios at lower temporatures. Thus, considering the. K-feldspar—sericite—kaolinite system of minerals, one might expect field patterns showing a central zone of kaolinite bordered by a zone of K-mica which in turn grades outward into unaltered K-feidspar. Such a pattern is demonstrated by Butte’s inner diekite-kaolinite and sericite and possibly by the zoning at San Manuel described by Schwartz. Alteration of plagioclase introduces additional complications into the distribution patterns of clay and mica minerals, the chief of which is the outer argillic zone so characteristic of both vein and disseminated deposits.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2-arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors

A simple and efficient synthesis of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, an endogenous agonist for cannabinoid receptors was achieved using Novozym 435, immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica.
Packet format design and decision directed tracking methods for filter bank multicarrier systems

Packetized data transmission is commonly used in wireless communication systems. Each packet starts with a preamble which is used to synchronize the receiver with carrier frequency of the incoming signal, to find a good timing phase, and to identify the channel impulse response or to adjust a set of channel equalizer parameters. In this paper, following the same philosophy, we develop a packet format for multicarrier systems that operate based on filter banks, filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) systems. The related algorithms for carrier frequency and timing recovery as well as channel identification/equalizer adjustment and methods for carrier and timing tracking loops are proposed. The proposed ideas are evaluated and their satisfactory performance are presented through computer simulations.
Investigating Helicopter Parenting, Family Environments, and Relational Outcomes for Millennials

To examine the relationship between helicopter parenting and Millennials' personal and interpersonal problems, Millennials (N = 268) reported on their parents' helicopter parenting, parenting styles, and family communication patterns and their own neuroticism, interpersonal dependency, and coping efficacy. Results revealed helicopter parenting's positive associations with the authoritarian parenting style and conformity orientation and Millennials' neurotic tendencies, dependency on others, and ineffective coping skills. In addition, a new Helicopter Parenting Instrument (HPI) emerged as a viable alternative measure of this phenomenon. The implications of helicopter parenting's negative effects include dysfunctional family environments, Millennials' stunted development, and overburdened college campuses.
Associations Between Shyness and Internalizing Behaviors, Externalizing Behaviors, and Relationships during Emerging Adulthood

Many studies have documented the ways in which shyness can be a barrier to personal well-being and social adjustment throughout childhood and adolescence; however, less is known regarding shyness in emerging adulthood. Shyness as experienced during emerging adulthood may continue to be a risk factor for successful development. The purpose of this study was to compare shy emerging adults with their non-shy peers in (a) internalizing behaviors, (b) externalizing behaviors, and (c) close relationships. Participants included 813 undergraduate students (500 women, 313 men) from a number of locations across the United States. Results showed that relatively shy emerging adults, both men and women, had more internalizing problems (e.g., anxious, depressed, low self-perceptions in multiple domains), engaged in fewer externalizing behaviors (e.g., less frequent drinking), and experienced poorer relationship quality with parents, best friends, and romantic partners than did their non-shy peers.
Optimizing the Thin Film Morphology of Organic Field-Effect Transistors: The Influence of Molecular Structure and Vacuum Deposition Parameters on Device Performance

This work highlights recent literature dealing with the fabrication of field‐effect transistors from the vacuum deposition of organic semiconductors. We pay special attention to recent advances in molecular design and specific ways that synthesis has been used to tune crystal packing, and thus charge transport, in organic semiconductors. This work also looks into the fundamental processes of nucleation and growth of organic semiconductors that are deposited by vacuum deposition. The parameters that affect the morphology of the corresponding films are discussed in detail. We also provide specific examples from a family of fluorene‐thiophene containing oligomers that correlate the molecular structure to device performance.