cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling link weights in backbone networks

Complex networks have become a large area of study due to their pervasiveness in today's society and our dependence on them. While network science enables engineers and scientists to improve resilience of networks, due to lack of realistic data, simplistic assumptions may result in incorrect conclusions. Network service providers optimize their designs and plan for future capacities based on realistic population estimates. In this paper, we propose two synthetic network models that assign weight to links based on realistic population data of node locations. First, the weighted link model averages the population of cities to assign link weights, whereas the tiered weighted link model assigns preset link weights based on the quartile population that the link weight falls into. We study the performance of model networks under targeted attack scenarios, and our results indicate performance varies based on attack scenario.
The relationship between working memory and insight depends on moderators: Reply to Chuderski and Jastrzêbski (2017).

Chuderski and Jastrzebski (2017) found a positive relationship between working memory capacity and insight problem solving, and concluded that "people with less effective cognition" are therefore "less creative" (p. 2003). This interpretation discounts substantial evidence that devoting less executive control facilitates insight. We develop an initial framework for understanding these contradictory findings. We describe (a) how both working memory-demanding processes and less-demanding associative processes impact insight and (b) how individual, situational, and task-specific factors interact to influence whether greater working memory is a help or a hindrance. We propose that insight will be supported if the level of executive control used matches the level of control optimal for different phases of insight problem solving. We use this framework to explain why Chuderski and Jastrzebski's (2017) findings may have differed from DeCaro, Van Stockum, and Wieth (2016), and offer direction for a more unified account of insight problem solving. (PsycINFO Database Record
Managing the Mental Distress of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Patient: a Focus on Delirium

To highlight the breadth and types of mental distress experienced by hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients and highlight the need for better prevention and management of delirium. Recent publications highlight additional risks factors which predict for mental distress during the HSCT process. Despite new medications and additional psychological reports, there is little progress in non-pharmacologic or medication therapy in the prevention and treatment of delirium. Mental distress, especially delirium, is common during the HSCT process. The morbidity associated with delirium and other mental distress can still be significant at 6–12 months after the completion of the procedure affecting patient functioning and quality of life (QOL). Medication interventions may be helpful but should be used sparingly for targeted patients during HSCT. Additional interventions are needed to prevent and treat delirium in HSCT patients.
Telementoring of primary care providers delivering hepatitis C treatment in New York City: Results from Project INSPIRE.

Introduction The recent availability of highly effective, easily administered, and relatively nontoxic treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection provides an opportunity for clinicians to treat HCV in nonspecialist settings with appropriate support. Project INSPIRE provides care coordination to HCV patients and a web-based training program (telementoring) on disease management and treatment by HCV specialists to primary care providers inexperienced in HCV treatment. Weekly telementoring sessions use a didactic and case-based approach to instruct non-HCV providers on how to identify and assess HCV treatment candidates and prescribe appropriate treatment. Methods We used mixed methods to assess the telementoring service, including provider surveys and semistructured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed to identify dominant themes. Results Provider survey responses indicated an increased ability to identify and evaluate HCV treatment candidates and increased confidence in sharing knowledge with peers and patients. Interviews revealed a high degree of satisfaction with the telementoring service and Project INSPIRE overall. The telementoring service was viewed as having enhanced providers' knowledge, confidence, and ability to treat their own HCV-infected patients rather than having to refer them to an HCV specialist with resulting benefits for continuity of care. Providers reported comradery and collegiality with other INSPIRE providers and satisfaction with professional growth from attaining new knowledge and skills via the telementoring service. Conclusions Using readily available web conferencing technology, telementoring can facilitate knowledge transfer between specialists and primary care providers, facilitating continuity of care for patients and increased provider satisfaction.
Sex Education and Marriage Counseling

Someone has said that the first marriage counselor was the serpent in the Garden of Eden, and that he made such a mess of his first case that all marriage counselors ever since have been trying to repair the damage. Whatever truth there is in this account, it is also true that marriage counseling has made much progress in recent years.
Lineages, Cell Fate Determination, and Migration in CNS Gliogenesis

The differentiation of oligodendrocytes from immature neuroectodermal cells is relevant to an understanding of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating disorders. In this talk, I shall focus on several aspects of oligodendrocyte development in vivo. What are the sources of oligodendrocytes in the mammalian CNS and what is the nature of these progenitors? Do oligodendrocytes or their precursors migrate through the brain, and if so, how is this migration controlled? Are there immature glia in the adult CNS, and can these cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes and myelinate axons?
Transients in the Transform Domain

In this first example you’ll see the full power of the Laplace transform in doing a traditional transient analysis. (You’ll also experience its full grubbiness!) Figure 4.1 shows a circuit that is suddenly hit by a unit step voltage v(t) = u(t), and our problem is to determine the resulting voltage e(t). This circuit might, for example, be a simple model for a power station transformer connected (through the 30 μH inductor) to an overhead transmission line that has just been hit by a lightning stroke, a potentially catastrophic event (simply scale our final result up from our assumed one-volt surge to, say, a more realistic 100,000 volts). Determining e(t) would tell the transformer designers what sort of ‘safety-factor’ they should consider for the survival of the transformer when confronted by such a large voltage surge, both in terms of the magnitude and the duration of the surge.
Sports doping in the adolescent athlete: The hope, hype, and hyperbole

A well-balanced diet with appropriate training is the key to maximizing athletic performance. Nutritional counseling should be an essential part of anticipatory guidance, especially for certain teens, such as those who are vegetarians or those with low-calorie intakes. Other considerations for anticipatory guidance are listed in Box 8. Adequate hydration before, during, and after practice or a game is important to maintain hemodynamic balance, prevent heat disorders, and optimize performance. Cool water is adequate for short-duration activities, while carbohydrate-electrolyte fluids are more desirable for long-term activities, especially those lasting more than an hour. Such drinks are also more palatable and the athlete is more likely to consume them. Carbohydrates (meaning hydrates of carbon) are an important part of the athlete's diet; carbohydrates are rapidly broken down and their energy is quickly supplied to the body. The body stores only a small amount of carbohydrates in the form of glycogen in the liver, while muscle glycogen is an immediate source of energy. Thus, carbohydrate loading has been used to increase glycogen stores and aid the athlete involved in endurance events.
Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is a rare, highly aggressive neoplasm of the paranasal sinuses. Approximately 40 cases of this neoplasm have been reported to date. Microscopically, this neoplasm is composed of medium-sized cohesive cells arranged in nests, ribbons, and trabeculae having hyperchromatic nuclei, often with prominent nucleoli. A high mitotic rate, tumor necrosis, and prominent vascular invasion are conspicuous features. Squamous or glandular differentiation is not observed at the light-microscopic level It appears to be a unique, distinctive clinicopathologic process that must be distinguished microscopically from other, less aggressive “round cell” sinonasal neoplasms. In this article, two additional cases of this neoplastic process are reviewed. Aggressive, multimodal treatment may offer the best chance for local control, palliation, and, ultimately, survival of the patient. The optimal treatment of SNUC, however, has yet to be determined.
Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of Great Vessel Resection or Reconstruction During Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Testicular Cancer.

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether specific clinical or radiographic factors predict inferior vena cava (IVC) or abdominal aortic (AA) resection or reconstruction (RoR) at the time of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for germ cell tumors of the testicle. Materials and Methods Two hundred seventy-seven patients undergoing postchemotherapy RPLND at two institutions between 2005 and 2015 were identified. Preoperative imaging was reviewed with radiologists blinded to operative details. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed, and a model was created to predict the need for great vessel RoR using radiographic and clinical factors. Results Of 97 patients with preoperative imaging and clinical data available, 16 (17%) underwent RoR at RPLND. On univariable analysis dominant mass size, degree of circumferential vessel involvement, and vessel deformity were associated with RoR (all P 135° (odds ratio 65.5, 7.8-548, P 330° (odds ratio 29.0, 3.44-245, P Conclusion Degree of circumferential involvement of the great vessels is an independent predictor for resection or reconstruction of the IVC or AA at postchemotherapy RPLND. Patients at high risk of great vessel reconstruction should be informed accordingly and have the proper teams available for complex vascular reconstruction.
Surgical Menopause and Frailty Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Women: Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

Objectives To determine whether women with surgical menopause have a higher risk of frailty than naturally menopausal women. Design Prospective cohort study with up to 18 years of follow‐up. Setting Four U.S clinical centers. Participants Community‐dwelling white women aged 65 and older (mean 71.2±5.2) enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (N=7,699). Measurements Surgical menopause was based on participant self‐report of having undergone bilateral oophorectomy before menopause. The outcome was incident frailty, classified as robust, prefrail, frail, or death at 4 follow‐up interviews, conducted 6 to 18 years after baseline. Information on baseline serum total testosterone concentrations was available for 541 participants. Results At baseline, 12.6% reported surgical menopause. Over the follow‐up period, 22.0% died, and 10.1% were classified as frail, 39.7% as prefrail, and 28.3% as robust. Surgically menopausal women had significantly lower total serum testosterone levels (13.2 ± 7.8 ng/dL) than naturally menopausal women (21.7 ± 14.8 ng/dL) (p=0.000), although they were not at greater risk of frailty (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.72–1.22), prefrailty (aOR=0.96, 95% CI=0.80–1.10), or death (aOR=1.17, 95% CI=0.97–1.42) after adjusting for age, body mass index, and number of instrumental activity of daily living impairments. There was no evidence that oral estrogen use modified these associations. Conclusion In postmenopausal women, surgical menopause was not associated with greater risk for frailty than natural menopause, even in the absence of estrogen therapy. Future prospective studies are needed to investigate hormonal mechanisms involved in development of frailty in older postmenopausal women. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2172–2177, 2018.
Revisiting the Risks of Bitcoin Currency Exchange Closure

Bitcoin has enjoyed wider adoption than any previous cryptocurrency; yet its success has also attracted the attention of fraudsters who have taken advantage of operational insecurity and transaction irreversibility. We study the risk that investors face from the closure of Bitcoin exchanges, which convert between Bitcoins and hard currency. We examine the track record of 80 Bitcoin exchanges established between 2010 and 2015. We find that nearly half (38) have since closed, with customer account balances sometimes wiped out. Fraudsters are sometimes to blame, but not always. Twenty-five exchanges suffered security breaches, 15 of which subsequently closed. We present logistic regressions using longitudinal data on Bitcoin exchanges aggregated quarterly. We find that experiencing a breach is correlated with a 13 times greater odds that an exchange will close in that same quarter. We find that higher-volume exchanges are less likely to close (each doubling in trade volume corresponds to a 12% decrease in the odds of closure). We also find that exchanges that derive most of their business from trading less popular (fiat) currencies, which are offered by at most one competitor, are less likely to close.
Effect of transverse compressive monotonic and cyclic loading on the performance of superconducting CORC® cables and wires

Superconducting CORC® cables and wires have become practical conductors for use in high-field magnets for fusion machines and particle accelerators by demonstrating their ability to carry very high currents in background magnetic fields of up to 20 T. The high mechanical stresses that develop on the CORC® conductor during such operation could result in permanent degradation of the conductor critical current. Transverse compressive stress is one of the predominant mechanical stresses when CORC® cables or wires are bundled into CICCs that allow fusion and detector magnets to operate at currents as high as 100 kA. The effect of transverse compressive load on the critical current of CORC® cables and wires has been investigated at 76 K to determine their irreversible load limit under monotonic loading and load cycling up to 100 000 cycles. The results show a clear effect of the CORC® conductor layout with respect to gap spacing between tapes, thickness of the copper plating surrounding the tapes and thickness of the former onto which the tapes are wound. CORC® cables and wires have demonstrated a remarkable resilience to transverse compressive load cycling where their critical current decreased by no more than a few percent after 100 000 load cycles at peak loads that resulted in an initial decrease in critical current of less than 5%. The results indicate that no significant degradation of CORC® cable and wire performance due to transverse compressive load is expected in large magnets after 100 000 load cycles, as long as the peak load on the conductor does not exceed the irreversible load limit defined at 95% retention in critical current. The irreversible load limit of CORC® conductors could be increased further by increasing the size or hardness of the former that makes up the conductor's core.
Use of a magnetic fluid-based process for coal separations

The use of a laboratory-scale magnetic fluid-based separator for coal separations was examined. A Frantz laboratory magnetic separator was modified by fabricating new pole pieces of the appropriate geometry to provide the proper magnetic field gradients. Two separation chambers, which were constructed of Plexiglas, were designed to fit between the pole pieces. A commercially available, water-based, ferromagnetic fluid was used as the separating medium. The separating density was changed by varying the current intensity of the electromagnet coil. Both batch and continuous separations were made using 0.59 × 0.50-mm and 0.18 × 0.15-mm coal. The results are compared to those obtained using organic liquids.
Phonological awareness emergence in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

Background and aimsPhonological awareness begins to develop during the preschool years and is a primary factor underlying later reading abilities. Previous research has found mixed results on the p...
Experimental characterization of the effect of E × B shear on edge-harmonic oscillation mode structure

The edge-harmonic oscillation (EHO) mode is one of the characteristic modes that provides an edge transport channel during high-confinement ELM-free phase (the so-called Quiescent High-confinement phase). Recent theoretical work and extensive experimental observations have suggested that the large rotational E × B shear is the key to destabilize an EHO. As the eigenmode grows to large amplitude, it will exert a drag on the rotation, resulting in EHO's saturation (Snyder et al 2007 Nucl. Fusion 47 961). However, detailed mechanisms concerning this process remain vague. We have performed continuous tracking on how the E × B shear affects the EHO mode structure to search for a possible explanation of the saturation mechanism. Two edge density fluctuation diagnostics are employed to observe the eigenmode structure evolution of EHO in the pedestal region in the radial and poloidal directions, respectively. Our results show that the EHO mode's radial wavenumber is strongly correlated with the E × B shear rate, while the poloidal wavenumber is unaffected by the E × B shear rate. During the EHO existence, with the E × B shearing rate ramping down, the radial wavenumber is also observed to be decreasing.
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Medial Plantar Artery Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Penetrating Injury.

Abstract Background Pseudoaneurysms of the foot are rare and can occur from a range of etiologies, including laceration from a foreign body. The majority of reported cases have been diagnosed by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or angiography. These tests require intravenous access and contrast, confer radiation, take time to perform and interpret, are expensive, and are not always readily available in the acute setting. No prior reported pseudoaneurysms of the foot have been diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Case Report An 8-year-old boy presented to the emergency department for evaluation of left foot pain and swelling 2 weeks after stepping on small pieces of broken glass. He had a 3 × 3 cm area of painful swelling and erythema at the medial plantar aspect of his foot. A cutaneous abscess was the working diagnosis and preparations were made for an incision and drainage procedure. However, POCUS revealed a medial plantar artery pseudoaneurysm. Incision and drainage would have led to unexpected arterial bleeding. Instead, the pediatric surgery service was consulted for pseudoaneurysm excision and arterial ligation. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Incision of a pseudoaneurysm in the sole of the foot—thought to be an abscess based on clinical examination—would lead to unforeseen arterial bleeding. POCUS at the bedside can differentiate between simple abscess and pseudoaneurysm in order to guide appropriate and time-sensitive management. Historical and clinical clues to the diagnosis may include heavier-than-expected bleeding at the time of laceration and a pulsatile quality to the painful erythema and swelling.
Participant Observation in the Recreation Setting

Participant observation of the social-psychological context for sport-group membership is reported as a non-intrusive way to examine an hypothesis that group members' behaviors toward each other wo...
Calibration of an AC Voltage Source Using a Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer at 4 V

This paper describes a method for calibrating an ac source using a Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer (JAWS) by summing the sources in series and tuning the magnitude and phase of the JAWS to null the combined output voltage. The method requires an ac source that can generate a signal that is phase-synchronous with the JAWS. As a demonstration of this method, we measure the output of a calibrator at an rms output of 4 V and a frequency of 1 kHz.
The Social Networks of Neural Progenitor Cells

Quantitative understanding of how neural progenitor cells (NPCs) collectively self-organize into neural networks can provide critical insight into how to optimize neural regenerative strategies. To that end, we characterized the topology of human embryonic NPCs during differentiation by designing and employing a spatial graph-theoretic analysis. Statistical measures of information flow in NPC spatial graphs revealed a shift from topologies with high global efficiency to high local efficiency, around the time mature neuronal phenotypes appeared in culture. These results support the view that network-wide signaling in immature progenitor cells gives way to a more structured, hierarchical form of communication in mature neural networks. We also demonstrate that the evaluation of recurring motif patterns in NPC graphs reveals unique geometric arrangements of cells in neural rosette-like structures at early stages of differentiation. Our approach provides insight into the design of developing neural networks, opening the door for new approaches that modulate neural cell self-organization for therapeutic applications.
Applying Social Constructivism in Model-based Systems Engineering Online Instructional Module for Engineering Professionals

This research-to-practice WIP (Work In Progress) presents the design and assessment of online Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) modules for practicing engineers using social constructivism as a theoretical framework. Despite many advantages of MBSE, experts in this field are still scarce in the current engineering workforce. To address this need, an online module that will be deployed in the summer of 2020 targets practicing engineers as its learners to equip them with MBSE-related knowledge and skills. In industry, teams working on MBSE-related projects usually collaborate across multidisciplinary units. Therefore, social interaction plays an integral role in MBSE training programs. To understand how group interaction could foster learning in online engineering modules, we apply social constructivism as a theoretical framework to engage learners in meaningful interactions and facilitate the acquisition and application of knowledge. The modules will utilize deep-level, student-centered, small-group discussions, and peer review between student groups as forms of social learning in authentic engineering assignments. The assessment of the modules will focus on the effectiveness of social learning in promoting the mastery and application of content knowledge.
Tele-Clinic Visits in Pediatric Patients with Marfan Syndrome Using Parentally Acquired Echocardiography.

Objective To test feasibility of tele-clinic visits using parentally acquired vital signs and focused echocardiographic images in patients with Marfan syndrome. Study design We included patients with Marfan syndrome aged 5-19 years followed in our clinic. We excluded patients with Marfan syndrome and history of previous aortic root (AoR) surgery, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, or AoR ≥4.5 cm. We trained parents in-person to acquire focused echocardiographic images on their children using a hand-held device as well as how to use a stadiometer, scale, blood pressure (BP) machine, and a digital stethoscope. Before tele-clinic visits, parents obtained the echocardiographic images and vital signs. We compared tele-clinic and on-site clinic visit data. Parental and clinic echocardiograms were independently analyzed. Results Fifteen patient/parent pairs completed tele-clinic visits, conducted at a median of 7.0 (IQR 3.0-9.9) months from the in-person training session. Parents took a median of 70 (IQR 60-150) minutes to obtain the height, weight, heart rate, BP, cardiac sounds, and echocardiographic images before tele-clinic visits. Systolic BP was greater on-site than at home (median +13 mm Hg, P = .014). Height, weight, diastolic BP, heart rate, and AoR measurements were similar. Conclusions This study provides information for implementing tele-clinic visits using parentally acquired vital signs and echocardiographic images in patients with Marfan syndrome. The results show that tele-clinic visits are feasible and that parents were able to obtain focused echocardiographic images on their children. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03581682.
The relationship between asthma diagnosis and E-Cigarette use among youth and young adults: the mediation effects of anxiety, depression, and impulsivity and the moderation effects of substance use.

Youth and young adults with asthma use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) at a higher rate than those without asthma. However, the factors that influence e-cigarette use in this vulnerable popula...
How ethics can enhance organizational privacy: lessons from the choicepoint and TJX data breaches

Protecting the privacy of personal information continues to pose significant challenges for organizations. Because consumers are vulnerable in their dealings with businesses due to a lack of information about and an inability to control the subsequent use of their personal information, we argue that organizations have a moral responsibility to these individuals to avoid causing harm and to take reasonable precautions toward that end. We further argue that firms can enhance their privacy programs by moving beyond merely complying with laws and other regulations and creating a culture of integrity that combines a concern for the law with an emphasis on managerial responsibility for the firm's organizational privacy behaviors. We use two high-profile data breaches experienced by two U.S. companies, ChoicePoint and TJX, to illustrate our arguments for enhancing organizational level privacy programs based on ethical reasoning. In doing so, this paper contributes to the dearth of prior organizational-level privacy research, which has largely overlooked ethical issues or the personal harms often caused by privacy violations. We conclude with recommendations for ways organizations can improve their privacy programs by incorporating moral responsibility.
High-resolution lidar system for measuring the spatial and temporal structure of the mesospheric sodium layer

One of the first remote sensing applications of tunable dye lasers was in the study of mesospheric sodium. The layer, which is believed to be of meteoric origin, is confined to altitudes between approximately 80 and 100 km. The layer has been investigated using a variety of techniques since its discovery in the late 1930s. A review of early measurements and the theory of sodium layer chemistry is contained in Brown (1973). Before dye laser based lidar systems were developed, sodium measurements were largely restricted to studying resonantly scattered sunlight. Ground-based measurements of this type were able to define seasonal variations in column abundance, but the sharp layer boundaries were not revealed until rocket-borne dayglow measurements were made (Hunten and Wallace, 196 7). Lidar observations of the vertical structure of the sodium layer were first made in England (Bowman et al., 1969). Since then, similar measurements have been reported from a variety of locations including France (Blamont et al., 1972), Brazil (Kirchoff and Clemesha, 1973), California (Hake et al., 1972), Illinois (Rowlett et al., 1978) and at high latitudes (Franz Joseph Land, USSR), (Juramy et al., 1981). Because the daytime sky produces very high background photocount rates in most sodium lidar receivers, the majority of the lidar observations of the layer have been restricted to nighttime.
The role of microbial pattern recognition mechanisms in bacterial-induced autophagy in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum (INC7P.416)

Signaling downstream of innate immune pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), results in activation of various responses, including the induction of autophagy. Recent evidence suggests that autophagy plays a protective role against invading intracellular microbes. We have found that upon incubation with bacteria or with the microbial pattern LPS, autophagosomal maturation is stimulated in the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum , which uses bacteria for nutritional purposes. In addition, the rate of bacterial clearance by D. discoideum cells is increased upon exposure of cells to the autophagy-inducing drug rapamycin. Conversely, lysosomal transport of bacteria is decreased in D. discoideum lacking the autophagy protein, Atg1. Although the D. discoideum genome does not encode for TLRs, it does encode for a number of TIR (toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domain-containing proteins, including TirA. Cells lacking TirA are deficient in responses to Gram-negative bacteria. We have found here that TirA plays a role in bacterial-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, a potential stimulant of autophagy. We are investigating the role of TirA as well as the role of reactive oxygen species in pathogen-induced autophagy. These studies are aimed at linking microbial pattern recognition and the induction of autophagy in this model organism to provide insight into conserved mechanisms underlying bacterial detection.
On rotation group and encryption of analog signals

The problem of generating randon elements in groups has direct application to cryptography. For instance, we like to know whether the DES permutations are randon permutations of the 264 possible 64-bit words. The whole symmetric group is known to be generated by certain k-functions (7). Another example is the Wyner voice encryption scheme (12) which requires the production of large numbers of random real orthogonal matrices. N. J. A. Sloane has given a survey on this problem (11) which has led to the following questions for a given group G: 1. How does one generate elements of G at random? 2. How can one test if certain given elements of G really are random? 3. Does a given subset H generate the whole group G? 4. If so, how long does it take? In this paper, we consider these questions for the orthogonal group O(d) for any positive integer d. By looking at the Lie algebra o(d) of O(d) and one-parameter subgroups of O(d), we can find the generation of an arbitrary element in terms of one-parameter rotation groups in uniform fashion. The length of generation can be determined. Random elements are generated using random number generator on the real parameter space of each one-parameter subgroup.
Evidence for a gene influencing heart rate on chromosome 5p13-14 in a meta-analysis of genome-wide scans from the NHLBI Family Blood Pressure Program

Elevated resting heart rate has been shown in multiple studies to be a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease. Previous family studies have shown a significant heritable component to heart rate with several groups conducting genomic linkage scans to identify quantitative trait loci. We performed a genome-wide linkage scan to identify quantitative trait loci influencing resting heart rate among 3,282 Caucasians and 3,989 African-Americans in three independent networks comprising the Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP) using 368 microsatellite markers. Mean heart rate measurements were used in a regression model including covariates for age, body mass index, pack-years, currently drinking alcohol (yes/no), hypertension status and medication usage to create a standardized residual for each gender/ethnic group within each study network. This residual was used in a nonparametric variance component model to generate a LOD score and a corresponding P value for each ethnic group within each study network. P values from each ethnic group and study network were merged using an adjusted Fisher's combining P values method and the resulting P values were converted to LOD scores. The entire analysis was redone after individuals currently taking beta-blocker medication were removed. We identified significant evidence of linkage (LOD = 4.62) to chromosome 10 near 142.78 cM in the Caucasian group of HyperGEN. Between race and network groups we identified a LOD score of 1.86 on chromosome 5 (between 39.99 and 45.34 cM) in African-Americans in the GENOA network and the same region produced a LOD score of 1.12 among Caucasians within a different network (HyperGEN). Combining all network and race groups we identified a LOD score of 1.92 (P = 0.0013) on chromosome 5p13-14. We assessed heterogeneity for this locus between networks and ethnic groups and found significant evidence for low heterogeneity (P ≤ 0.05). We found replication (LOD > 1) between ethnic groups and between study networks with low heterogeneity on chromosome 5p13-14 suggesting that a gene in this region influences resting heart rate.
Consumer-to-Consumer Electronic Commerce: A Distinct Research Stream

Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce is a growing area of e-commerce. However, according to a meta-analysis of critical themes of e-commerce, C2C e-commerce was only represented in the area of online auctions (Wareham, Zheng, & Straub, 2005). C2C e-commerce can encompass much more than just auctions. The question then becomes, â€œis C2C e-commerce a different research area that deserves its own stream of research?â€ This study adapts constructs from a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce study of satisfaction (Devaraj, Fan, & Kohli, 2002) to determine what, if any, the differences are in the C2C e-commerce arena. The constructs include elements of the technology acceptance model (TAM), which includes perceived ease of use and usefulness; transaction cost analysis (TCA), which includes uncertainty, asset specificity, and time; and service quality (SERVQUAL), which includes reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Participants in the study answered questions regarding these various constructs in relation to their experiences with C2C e-commerce. The findings indicate that TAM, TCA, and SERVQUAL all impact satisfaction in C2C e-commerce. Reliability and responsiveness (areas of service quality) were found to influence C2C e-commerce satisfaction, where as they were not found to be an influence in the B2C study. These findings warrant further research in the C2C e-commerce arena. The study provides implications for future research and practice.
Phylogenetic and Structural Relationships of the PR5 Gene Family Reveal an Ancient Multigene Family Conserved in Plants and Select Animal Taxa

Pathogenesis-related group 5 (PR5) plant proteins include thaumatin, osmotin, and related proteins, many of which have antimicrobial activity. The recent discovery of PR5-like (PR5-L) sequences in nematodes and insects raises questions about their evolutionary relationships. Using complete plant genome data and discovery of multiple insect PR5-L sequences, phylogenetic comparisons among plants and animals were performed. All PR5/PR5-L protein sequences were mined from genome data of a member of each of two main angiosperm groups—the eudicots (Arabidoposis thaliana) and the monocots (Oryza sativa)—and from the Caenorhabditis nematode (C. elegans and C. briggsase). Insect PR5-L sequences were mined from EST databases and GenBank submissions from four insect orders: Coleoptera (Diaprepes abbreviatus and Biphyllus lunatus), Orthoptera (Schistocerca gregaria), Hymenoptera (Lysiphlebus testaceipes), and Hemiptera (Toxoptera citricida). Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses showed that the PR5 family is paraphyletic in plants, likely arising from 10 genes in a common ancestor to monocots and eudicots. After evolutionary divergence of monocots and eudicots, PR5 genes increased asymmetrically among the 10 clades. Insects and nematodes contain multiple sequences (seven PR5-Ls in nematodes and at least three in some insects) all related to the same plant clade, with nematode and insect sequences separating as two clades. Protein structural homology modeling showed strong similarity among animal and plant PR5/PR5-Ls, with divergence only in surface-exposed loops. Sequence and structural conservation among PR5/PR5-Ls suggests an important and conserved role throughout the evolutionary divergence of the diverse organisms from which they reside.
The use of iodinated antibody in immunodiffusion analysis to detect yeast nonsense termination fragments.

Abstract A sensitive procedure based on the use of iodinated antibody allows the detection of antigenic material by double-diffusion analysis. An autoradiographed immunodiffusion pattern reveals distinct radio-labeled precipitation lines for an extract of yeast with wild type HIS4 protein and for extracts of mutants containing HIS4 nonsense fragments.
4 Recombinant human growth hormone as potential therapy for osteoporosis

Growth hormone (GH) directly stimulates proliferation and differentiated functions of cultured bone cells. In addition, temporal relationships between decreased function of the GH/IGF-1 axis and age-related bone loss have prompted some investigators to hypothesize that these two phenomena are causally related, and to test this hypothesis by evaluating the effects of GH administration on bone turnover and mineral density in older men and women. Although these studies show clearly that GH initiates bone remodelling activity, changes in bone mass have not been impressive, even when GH was given in combination with anti-resorptive therapy. Thus, it appears very unlikely that GH will offer a clinically useful means to restore skeletal deficits in patients with osteoporosis.
Relaxation mechanism of polymer melts

Etude avec un copolymere trisequence du polystyrene marque ou non au deuterium. Spectre IR d'un melange polystyrene deuterie/polystyrene protone
Wide Distribution of a High-Virulence Borrelia burgdorferi Clone in Europe and North America

The A and B clones of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, distinguished by outer surface protein C (ospC) gene sequences, are commonly associated with disseminated Lyme disease. To resolve phylogenetic relationships among isolates, we sequenced 68 isolates from Europe and North America at 1 chromosomal locus (16S–23S ribosomal RNA spacer) and 3 plasmid loci (ospC, dbpA, and BBD14). The ospC-A clone appeared to be highly prevalent on both continents, and isolates of this clone were uniform in DNA sequences, which suggests a recent trans-oceanic migration. The genetic homogeneity of ospC-A isolates was confi rmed by sequences at 6 additional chromosomal housekeeping loci (gap, alr, glpA, xylB, ackA, and tgt). In contrast, the ospC-B group consists of genotypes distinct to each continent, indicating geographic isolation. We conclude that the ospC-A clone has dispersed rapidly and widely in the recent past. The spread of the ospC-A clone may have contributed, and likely continues to contribute, to the rise of Lyme disease incidence.
How different types of users develop trust in technology: A qualitative analysis of the antecedents of active and passive user trust in a shared technology

The aim of this study was to investigate the antecedents of trust in technology for active users and passive users working with a shared technology. According to the prominence-interpretation theory, to assess the trustworthiness of a technology, a person must first perceive and evaluate elements of the system that includes the technology. An experimental study was conducted with 54 participants who worked in two-person teams in a multi-task environment with a shared technology. Trust in technology was measured using a trust in technology questionnaire and antecedents of trust were elicited using an open-ended question. A list of antecedents of trust in technology was derived using qualitative analysis techniques. The following categories emerged from the antecedent: technology factors, user factors, and task factors. Similarities and differences between active users and passive user responses, in terms of trust in technology were discussed.
Slotted Random Access Spread-Spectrum Networks: An Analytical Framework

An analytic framework is proposed for the study of singlehop spread-spectrum networks using random access and packet switching under various network topologies and channel conditions. The key feature of the theory is the identification of a set of probabilistic parameters, which, based on a symmetry argument, serve to efficiently summarize the effect on performance of various network considerations such as transmitter-receiver configuration, spreadspectrum code allocation, error correction and detection mechanisms, spreading format, jamming conditions, etc. Examples investigating capture effects, coding tradeoffs, and scheduling optimizations are presented. Various previously known results are shown to be special cases of the framework that we describe.
Self-management behaviors in older adults with asthma: associations with health literacy.

Objectives: To examine self-management behaviors, including medication adherence and inhaler technique, in older adults with asthma and their association with health literacy. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Primary care and pulmonary specialty practices in two tertiary academic medical centers and three federally qualified health centers in New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Participants: Adults with moderate or severe persistent asthma aged 60 and older (N = 433). Measurements: Outcomes were adherence to asthma controller medications, metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI) techniques, having a usual asthma physician, and avoidance of four common triggers. Health literacy was assessed using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Results: The mean age was 67, and 36% of participants had marginal or low health literacy. Adherence was low (38%) overall and worse in individuals with low health literacy (22%) than in those with adequate literacy (47%, P < .001) and after adjusting for demographic factors and health status (odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.31�0.73). Similarly, inhaler technique was poor; only 38% and 54% had good MDI and DPI technique, respectively. Technique was worse in those with low health literacy (MDI technique: OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.38�0.85; DPI technique: OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.25�0.71). Asthma self-monitoring and avoidance of triggers occurred infrequently but were less consistently associated with low health literacy. Conclusion: Adherence to medications and inhaler technique are poor in older adults with asthma and worse in those with low health literacy. Clinicians should routinely assess controller medication adherence and inhaler technique and use low-literacy communication strategies to support self-management in older adults with asthma.
Quantitative trait locus mapping for seed mineral concentrations in two Arabidopsis thaliana recombinant inbred populations

Summary • Biofortification of foods, achieved by increasing the concentrations of minerals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), is a goal of plant scientists. Understanding genes that influence seed mineral concentration in a model plant such as Arabidopsis could help in the development of nutritionally enhanced crop cultivars.  Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for seed concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), Fe, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and Zn was performed using two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, Columbia (Col) × Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) × Ler, grown on multiple occasions. QTL mapping was also performed using data from silique hulls and the ratio of seed:hull mineral concentration of the Cvi × Ler population.  Over 100 QTLs that affected seed mineral concentration were identified. Twenty-nine seed QTLs were found in more than one experiment, and several QTLs were found for both seed and hull mineral traits. A number of candidate genes affecting seed mineral concentration are discussed.  These results indicate that A. thaliana is a suitable and convenient model for discovery of genes that affect seed mineral concentration. Some strong QTLs had no obvious candidate genes, offering the possibility of identifying unknown genes that affect mineral uptake and translocation to seeds.
High-density genetic map of the BRCA1 region of chromosome 17q12-q21

Abstract To facilitate the positional cloning of the breast-ovarian cancer gene BRCA1, we constructed a high-density genetic map of the 8.3-cM interval between D17S250 and GIP on chromosome 17q12-q21. Markers were mapped by linkage in tbe CEPH and in extended kindreds in our breast cancer series. The map comprises 33 ordered polymorphisms, including 12 genes and 21 anonymous markers, yielding an average of one polymorphism every 250 kb. Twenty-five of the markers are PCR-based systems. The order of polymorphic genes and markers is cen-D17S250-D17S518-HER2-THRA1-RARA-D17S80-KRT10-[D17S800-[D17S857]-GAS-D17S856-EDH17B-D17S855-D17S859-D17S858-[PPY-D17S78]-D17S183-EPB3-D17S579-D17S509-[D17S508-D17S190 = D17S810]-D17S791-[D17S181 = D17S806]-D17S797-HOX2B-GP3A-[D17S507 = GIP]-qter. BRCA1 lies in the middle of the interval, between THRA1 and D17S183. Markers from this map can be used to determine whether cancer is linked to BRCA1 in families, to evaluate whether tumors have lost heterozygoslty at loci in the region, and to identify probes for characterizing chromosomal rearrangements from patients and from tumors.
Postextrasystolic left ventricular isovolumic pressure decay is not monoexponential

Objective: The relationship between the left ventricular (LV) relaxation time constant and early diastolic filling is not fully defined. This study provides additional evidence that LV isovolumic pressure fall in the normal intact heart in response to certain interventions is not adequately described by a model of monoexponential decay and that its relationship to filling is complex. Methods and results: To gain further insight into the relationship between LV relaxation and early rapid filling we measured LV isovolumic relaxation rate, peak early filling velocity (E), LV volumes, and transmitral pressures at baseline and in the first postextrasystolic beat after a short-coupled extrasystole in 9 anesthetized dogs. Postextrasystolic isovolumic relaxation rate was slowed as measured by 3 commonly used time constants, while E was increased 32%. LV contractility and peak pressure were also increased, while LV end-systolic volume was decreased. LV minimum pressure was deceased, while the early diastolic transmitral pressure gradient was increased. Although all relaxation time constants measured over the entire isovolumic relaxation phase indicated slowed relaxation, direct measurement of isovolumic relaxation time indicated no change in relaxation rate. Calculation of the time constants and direct measurement of isovolumic relaxation time during early isovolumic pressure decay indicated slowed postextrasystolic pressure decay rate compared with baseline, while calculation of time constants and direct measurement of isovolumic relaxation time during late isovolumic relaxation indicated augmented postextrasystolic pressure decay rate versus baseline. Conclusions: This non-exponential behavior of LV isovolumic pressure decay in postextrasystolic beats after short-coupled extrasystoles provides further evidence that the relationship that exists between ventricular relaxation and early filling is not simple. The results are interpreted in terms of current theoretical formulations that attribute control of myocardial relaxation to the interaction between inactivation-dependent and load-dependent mechanisms.