cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal oceanic precipitation frequencies from Nimbus 5 microwave data

Microwave brightness temperature data from the Nimbus 5 satellite have been analyzed by using threshold brightness temperatures to yield tropical oceanic precipitation frequencies for several classes of rainfall rates during the season December 1972 through February 1973. Data taken near local noon and near local midnight were analyzed. The overall results are consistent with both climatological precipitation frequency and with concurrent satellite-derived frequency of highly reflective clouds. The difference between the local noon and the local midnight frequency is small, but the heavier rainfall rates tend to occur more frequently near local noon. The ratios of the frequencies of light, moderate, and heavy rain were observed to be relatively constant over the tropical oceans. Passive microwave measurements from space seem to be an important step toward accurate measurement of oceanic precipitation.
Geometry scaling issues originated by extrinsic stress in SiGe HBTs

The influence of stress induced by shallow trench isolation (STI) on the geometry scaling of DC parameters in SiGe HBTs is studied. It is shown that smaller devices experience higher stress effect due to the STI than larger devices. In the presence of stress, the scaling of transfer current with geometry can not be fully accounted by separating it into area and perimeter components. STI stress effect is studied here, by varying emitter-STI spacing and emitter geometry parameters. Stress is shown to affect current gain and BVCEO as well. Based on the Vbe shift for smaller geometries, stress seen by the device is estimated.
Measurement and calculation of the Q-branch spectrum of nitrogen using inverse Raman spectroscopy and cw Raman-induced polarization spectroscopy

The techniques of inverse Raman spectroscopy, Raman-induced polarization spectroscopy (RIPS), and optical heterodyne RIPS (OHD-RIPS) are compared by probing the Q-branch of the nitrogen molecule. The signal is measured employing either a photomultiplier tube (low background level–RIPS) or a photodetector (high background level–IRS and OHD-RIPS). The measurements are performed using atmospheric mixtures of N2Ar with concentrations varying from 0 to 79% N2. This strategy permits estimation of detection limits using the different techniques. Pump and probe energy levels are varied independently to study signal dependence on laser irradiance. A theoretical treatment is presented on the basis of the Raman susceptibility equations, which permits the calculation of spectra for all three techniques. Calculated Q-branch spectra are compared with the measured spectra for the interactions of a linearly polarized probe beam with a linearly or circularly polarized pump beam. The polarizer angle in the detection path for OHD-RIPS has a dramatic effect on the shape of the spectrum. The calculated and experimental OHD-RIPS spectra are in good agreement over the entire range of investigated polarizer angles. Detection limits using these techniques are analyzed to suggest their applicability for measuring other species of importance in combustion and plasma systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is required at a posttranslational level for induction of voltage-dependent sodium channels by peptide growth factors in PC12 cells

The synthesis and expression of voltage-dependent sodium (Na) channels is a crucial aspect of neuronal differentiation because of the central role these ion channels play in the generation of action potentials and the transfer of information in the nervous system. We have used rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell lines deficient in cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity to examine the role of PKA in the induction of Na channel expression by nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic FGF (bFGF). In the parental PC12 cell line both NGF and bFGF elicit an increase in the density of functional Na channels, as determined from whole-cell patch clamp recordings. This increase does not occur in two PC12 cell lines deficient in both isozymes of PKA (PKAI and PKAII), and is strongly reduced in a third line deficient in PKAII, but not PKAI. Despite the inability of the neurotrophic factors to induce functional Na channel expression in the PKA-deficient cells, Northern blot hybridization studies and saxitoxin binding assays of intact cells indicate that NGF and bFGF are still capable of eliciting increases in both Na channel mRNA and Na channel protein in the membrane. Thus, PKA activity appears to be necessary at a posttranslational step in the synthesis and expression of functional Na channels, and thereby plays an important role in determining neuronal excitability.
Anchoring a cytoactive factor in a wound bed promotes healing.

Wound healing is a complex process that requires the intervention of cytoactive factors. The one-time application of soluble factors to a wound bed does not maintain a steady, sufficient concentration. Here we investigated the benefits of anchoring a factor in a wound bed via a tether to endogenous collagen. We used a collagen-mimetic peptide (CMP) as a pylon. The CMP binds to damaged but not intact collagen and thus localizes a pendant cytoactive factor in the regions of a wound bed that require intervention. As a model factor, we chose substance P, a peptide of the tachykinin family that promotes wound healing. Using splinted wounds in db/db mice, we found that the one-time application of a CMP-substance P conjugate enhances wound healing compared to unconjugated substance P and other controls. Specifically, all 16 wounds treated with the conjugate closed more thoroughly and, did so with extensive re-epithelialization and mitigated inflammatory activity. These data validate a simple and general strategy for re-engineering wound beds by the integration of beneficial cytoactive factors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteolytic regulation of alginate overproduction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is a significant opportunistic pathogen associated with skin and soft tissue infections, nosocomial pneumonia and sepsis. In addition, it can chronically colonize the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Overproduction of the exopolysaccharide called alginate provides P. aeruginosa with a selective advantage and facilitates survival in the CF lung. The in vitro phenotype of alginate overproduction observed on solid culture media is referred to as mucoid. Expression of the alginate machinery and biosynthetic enzymes are controlled by the extracytoplasmic sigma factor, σ(22) (AlgU/T). The key negative regulator of both σ(22) activity and the mucoid phenotype is the cognate anti-sigma factor MucA. MucA sequesters σ(22) to the inner membrane inhibiting the sigma factor's transcriptional activity. The well-studied mechanism for transition to the mucoid phenotype is mutation of mucA, leading to loss of MucA function and therefore activation of σ(22) . Recently, regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) has been recognized as a mechanism whereby proteolysis of the anti-sigma factor MucA leads to active σ(22) allowing P. aeruginosa to respond to environmental stress conditions by overproduction of alginate. The goal of this review is to illuminate the pathways leading to RIP that have been identified and proposed.
A multi-tag access scheme for indoor UWB localization systems used in medical environments

Ultra wideband (UWB) wireless systems have many advantages in indoor environments with dense multipath. UWB positioning systems are increasingly used in indoor environments to track and locate important assets. Many applications exist in medicine for UWB positioning which includes tracking personnel, assets, and even surgical navigation. We have designed a UWB positioning system with millimeter range accuracy with potential use in surgical navigation. This paper outlines a multi-tag access scheme for our UWB positioning system which integrates a 2.4 GHz physical layer to allow simultaneous tracking of up to 30 UWB tags. A static experiment was performed with two UWB tags while switching between the tags at 20 Hz. Millimeter accuracy was achieved even when tracking two tags. A 10% system latency was experienced when adding the multi-tag overhead, although a 744 Hz system update rate was still achieved. Asynchronous communication between the FPGA and microcontroller at the main control station ensured correct synchronization of the 3-D positioning data and corresponding tag ID. Future work includes a full dynamic experiment with simultaneous tracking of 5-10 tags.
Sensitivity and specificity of the Rey Dot Counting Test in patients with suspect effort and various clinical samples

The Rey Dot Counting Test was administered to 100 patients with suspect effort drawn from two separate settings (personal injury/disability, n=86; prison hospital, n=14) and to 251 subjects in nine clinical groups (head injury, learning disability, right and left cerebrovascular accident, schizophrenia, older normals, depressed elderly, and mild and moderate dementia). Sensitivity of cut-offs for individual test scores (mean grouped dot counting time, ratio of mean grouped to ungrouped dot counting time, and number of errors) differed markedly across the two suspect effort groups (e.g., 28-100%), indicating that noncredible patients drawn from different settings employ somewhat differing approaches in their fabrication of cognitive symptoms. Use of a cut-off of > or =17 applied to a combination score (mean ungrouped dot counting time+meangrouped dot counting time+number of errors) resulted in 100% sensitivity in the forensic suspect effort group and 75% sensitivity in the civil litigation/disability suspect effort group, while maintaining specificity of > or =90% for the clinical groups combined (excluding moderate dementia).
A generalized condition monitoring method for multi-phase induction motors

As high power applications in industry commonly employ multi-phase motors and generators, a generic solution is needed for fault diagnosis of various multi-phase systems. Furthermore, the fault criteria set for the severity of the detected fault signature has still been a challenge due to the dynamic behavior of the fault-related signatures in the motor line current. Therefore a generalized solution is needed for multi-phase systems including the adaptive threshold that validates the fault detection algorithm through the entire operation range. In this paper, it is focused on a mathematical analysis of conventional DSP algorithms, frequency tone detectors, including Park's vector approaches. Based on the analysis, it is theoretically extended and simulated for a contribution of a future online fault diagnosis of multiphase machine.
Exacerbation of cerebral injury in mice that express the P-selectin gene: identification of P-selectin blockade as a new target for the treatment of stroke

There is currently a stark therapeutic void in the treatment of evolving stroke. Although P-selectin is rapidly expressed by hypoxic endothelial cells in vitro, the functional significance of P-selectin expression in stroke remains unexplored. In order to identify the pathophysiological consequences of P-selectin expression and to identify P-selectin blockade as a potential new approach for the treatment of stroke, experiments were performed using a murine model of focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Early P-selectin expression in the postischemic cerebral cortex was demonstrated by the specific accumulation of radiolabeled anti-murine P-selectin IgG, with the increased P-selectin expression localized to the ipsilateral cerebral microvascular endothelial cells by immunohistochemistry. In experiments designed to test the functional significance of increased P-selectin expression in stroke, neutrophil accumulation in the ischemic cortex of mice expressing the P-selectin gene (PS +/+) was demonstrated to be significantly greater than that in homozygous P-selectin-null mice (PS -/-). Reduced neutrophil influx was accompanied by greater postischemic cerebral reflow (measured by laser Doppler) in the PS -/- mice. In addition, PS -/- mice demonstrated smaller infarct volumes (5-fold reduction, P<.05) and improved survival compared with PS +/+ mice (88% versus 44%, P<.05). Functional blockade of P-selectin in PS +/+ mice using a monoclonal antibody directed against murine P-selectin also improved early reflow and stroke outcome compared with control mice, with reduced cerebral infarction volumes noted even when the blocking antibody was administered after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. These data are the first to demonstrate a pathophysiological role for P-selectin in stroke and suggest that P-selectin blockade may represent a new therapeutic target in the treatment of stroke.
Heart Rhythm Society members' views on pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator reuse.

Background Reuse of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may help address the unmet need among patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods To examine Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) physicians’ opinions regarding CIED reuse, an online survey eliciting attitudes toward CIED reuse was sent to all 3,380 HRS physician members. Results There were 429 responses (response rate 13%). A large majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that resterilization of devices for reimplantation in patients who cannot afford new devices may be safe (370, 87%) and, if proven to be safe, would be ethical (375, 88%). A total of 340 (81%) respondents would be comfortable asking their patients to consider donating their device, and 353 (84%) would be willing to reimplant a resterilized device if it were legal. The most commonly cited concerns about device reuse were infection (270, 64%) and device malfunction (125, 29%). Respondents from the United States and Canada had more favorable impressions of device reuse than respondents from other high-income countries (P < 0.05 for three of five positive statements regarding reuse), and were less likely to cite ethical concerns (P < 0.001). However, when responses from all high-income countries were compared with lower- and upper-middle income countries, there were no significant differences in the rates of approval. Conclusions HRS survey respondents support the concept of CIED reuse for patients in LMICs who cannot afford new devices. Studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of this practice and to identify potential barriers to adoption among physicians.
Demonstration of a symmetric 40 Gbit/s TWDM-PON over 40 km passive reach using 10 G burst-mode DML and EDC for upstream transmission [invited]

To meet the 2015 timeline, a hybrid time- and wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (TWDM-PON) has been selected as the pragmatic path toward the second stage of the next-generation PON (NG-PON2). High-end business users and mobile front-haul/back-haul for next-generation wireless systems that highly rely on symmetrical data rate services are believed to be the main deployment drivers for NG-PON2. In this paper, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate a symmetric 40 Gbit/s TWDM-PON system that fully complies with the up-to-date full service access network/International Telecommunication Union NG-PON2 migration path. There are two distinguishing features from previously reported systems. One is that four symmetric 10 Gbit/s wavelength pairs are supported at the final NG-PON2 wavelength plan [i.e., (C-/L+) band] over 40 km passive reach, and the other is that a burst-mode tunable directly modulated laser and burst-mode electronic dispersion compensation are demonstrated for 10 G upstream transmission instead of tunable external modulated lasers. The selection of the final NG-PON2 wavelength plan is first briefly reviewed. Then the key enabling technologies for our demonstrated TWDM-PON are analyzed and their technological choices, availability, and performances are further investigated. After illustrating the demonstrated system architecture and configuration, measurements and analysis are presented to prove the system feasibility and technical availability. In this demonstration, N1 and N2 optical distribution network (ODN) classes can be totally supported without amplifiers, whereas preamplification is needed to achieve El and E2 ODN classes. Both downstream and upstream optical parameters are summarized.
Evaluating Prodrug Strategies for Esterase‐Triggered Release of Alcohols

Prodrugs are effective tools in overcoming drawbacks typically associated with drug formulation and delivery. Those employing esterase-triggered functional groups are frequently utilized to mask polar carboxylic acids and phenols, increasing drug-like properties such as lipophilicity. Herein we detail a comprehensive assessment for strategies that effectively release hydroxy and phenolic moieties in the presence of an esterase. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) serve as our proof-of-concept target. Three distinct ester-responsive protecting groups are incorporated into MMP proinhibitors containing hydroxy moieties. Analytical evaluation of the proinhibitors demonstrates that the use of a benzyl ether group appended to the esterase trigger leads to considerably faster kinetics of conversion and enhanced aqueous stability when compared with more conventional approaches where the trigger is directly attached to the inhibitor. Biological assays confirm that all protecting groups effectively cleave in the presence of esterase to generate the active inhibitor. The superior reaction-based prodrug strategies presented here should serve as a platform for esterase-responsive prodrug design in the future.
A 60GHz line-of-sight 2x2 MIMO link operating at 1.2Gbps

We report first experimental results from a hardware prototype of a millimeter wave line-of-sight (LOS) 2times2 MIMO link. The proposed architecture uses antenna element spacing derived from the principles of diffraction limited optics to establish multiple parallel data channels. Operation at millimeter wave carrier frequencies reduces the antenna array size to reasonable dimensions. The proposed system architecture is scalable to larger one dimensional and two dimensional arrays supporting data rates >160 Gbps. This paper presents the design and characterization of a hardware prototype 2times2 LOS MIMO link operating at 1.2 Gbps.
Diabetes epidemiology: guiding clinical and public health practice: the Kelly West Award Lecture, 2006.

Epidemiology provides a scientific basis for clinical and public health practice. Indeed, epidemiology can be used to guide how we define, diagnose, and screen for diabetes, to describe the present and future burden of diabetes, and to highlight opportunities for intervention. Diabetes is a group of disorders characterized by high glucose levels that cause unique eye, kidney, and nerve complications and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. A number of approaches have been used to diagnose diabetes. Some have been based on statistical approaches to defining abnormal or high glucose levels and others on the risk of complications. In populations with a low prevalence of diabetes, glucose levels are normally distributed and diabetes may be defined as glucose levels greater than the mean glucose level plus 2 SDs (Fig. 1 A ). In the 1950s, Stefan Fajans and Jerome Conn studied large groups of healthy lean individuals without family histories of diabetes, administered oral glucose loads, and measured glucose levels at time intervals following the glucose loads. They observed normal distributions of glucose levels 60, 90, and 120 min after the glucose load and defined abnormal glucose tolerance based on this simple approach (1). In populations with a high prevalence of diabetes, there is a bimodal distribution of glucose levels and diabetes may be defined as glucose levels greater than the antimode (Fig. 1 B ). Bimodal glucose distributions were first observed among Pima Indians (2), and analyses based on this finding were subsequently used by the National Diabetes Data Group (3) and the American Diabetes Association Expert Committee (4) to establish the fasting and 2-h post–glucose load glucose criteria for diabetes. Another approach to diagnosing diabetes looks at the association between glucose level and complications and defines diabetes as glucose levels above the threshold associated with complications (Fig. 1 C ). The problem with this …
Existence theory for higher order elliptic-parabolic equations with an application to elasticity

We consider a boundary value problem of Dirichlet type for a class of degenerate elliptic linear equations of order 2M. The treatment is analogous to that of Fichera for degenerate elliptic equations of the second order that he called elliptic-parabolic; hence the present use of the term. We present a weak formulation of solution for equations of arbitrary even order, and an existence and uniqueness result. We conclude by considering a boundary value problem representative of this class from a linear model of an elastic plate under tension
Spectral properties of photocurrent fluctuations in avalanche photodiodes

The authors provide a stochastic model that describes the time dynamics of double-carrier multiplication in an avalanche photodiode (APD) and obtain the autocorrelation function and the spectral characteristics of the photoelectric current. The photoelectric pulse generated by an APD as a result of a single injected photoelectron is regarded as a nonstationary random function of time (the impulse response function). A discrete stochastic model for the electron-hole motion and multiplication is defined on a spatiotemporal lattice and used to derive recursive equations for the mean, the variance, and the autocorrelation of the impulse response as functions of time. Correlation properties of the impulse response are studied for a conventional and a multilayer (superlattice) APD. The power spectral density of the photocurrent is evaluated. >
Environmental Proteomics of the Mussel Mytilus: Implications for Tolerance to Stress and Change in Limits of Biogeographic Ranges in Response to Climate Change

Climate change will affect temperature extremes and averages, and hyposaline conditions in coastal areas due to extreme precipitation events and oceanic pH. How climate change will push species close to, or beyond, their physiological tolerance limits as well as change the limits of their biogeographic ranges can probably be investigated best in species that have already responded to climate change and whose distribution ranges are currently in flux. Blue mussels provide such a study system, with the invading warm-adapted Mediterranean Mytilus galloprovincialis having replaced the native more cold-adapted Mytilus trossulus from the southern part of its range in southern California over the past century, possibly due to climate change. However, freshwater input may prevent the latter species from expanding further north. We used a proteomics approach to characterize the responses of the two congeners to acute heat stress, chronic thermal acclimation, and hyposaline stress. In addition, we investigated the proteomic changes in response to decreasing seawater pH in another bivalve, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. The results suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a common costressor during environmental stress, including oceanic acidification, and possibly cause modifications of cytoskeletal elements. All stressors disrupted protein homeostasis, indicated by the induction of molecular chaperones and, in the case of acute heat stress, proteasome isoforms, possibly due both to protein denaturation directly by the stressor and to the production of ROS. Acute stress by heat and hyposalinity changed several small G-proteins implicated in cytoskeletal modifications and vesicular transport, respectively. Changes in abundance of proteins involved in energy metabolism and ROS scavenging further suggest a possible trade-off during acute and chronic stress from heat and cold between ROS-generating NADH-producing pathways and ROS-scavenging NADPH-producing pathways, especially through the reaction of NADPH-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and the pentose-phosphate pathway. Some of the proteomic changes may not constitute de novo protein synthesis but rather shifts in abundance of isoforms differing in posttranslational modifications, specifically acetylation by a NAD-dependent deacetylase (sirtuin). Interspecific differences suggest that these processes set physiological tolerance limits and thereby contribute to recent biogeographic shifts in range, possibly caused by climate change.
Polymethacrylates with a Covalently Linked CuII–Cyclen Complex for the In Situ Generation of Nitric Oxide from Nitrosothiols in Blood

[*] S. Hwang, W. Cha, Prof. M. E. Meyerhoff Department of Chemistry The University of Michigan 930 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1055 (USA) Fax: (+1)734-647-4865 E-mail: mmeyerho@umich.edu [**] We thank the NIH (EB-000783 and EB-004527) for the financial support of this research. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.angewandte.org or from the author. Angewandte Chemie
Shear Viscosity of Two-Dimensional Yukawa Systems in the Liquid State

The shear viscosity of a two-dimensional (2D) liquid was calculated using molecular dynamics simulations with a Yukawa potential. The viscosity has a minimum at a Coulomb coupling parameter Gamma of about 17, arising from the temperature dependence of the kinetic and potential contributions. Previous calculations of 2D viscosity were less extensive as well as for a different potential. The stress autocorrelation function was found to decay rapidly, contrary to earlier work. These results are useful for 2D condensed matter systems and are compared to a dusty plasma experiment.
Association of Uninterrupted Oral Anticoagulation During Cardiac Device Implantation with Pocket Hematoma

Purpose: Implantation of permanent pacemakers (PPMs) or implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) may be complicated by the development of pocket hematomas. Current practice guidelines provide little guidance to clinicians about the preferred strategy for chronic oral anticoagulation (OAC). The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and clinical significance of pocket hematoma among patients receiving uninterrupted OAC during cardiac device implantation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing cardiac device implantation between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, at an academic teaching hospital. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, and medications. The primary outcome was development of pocket hematomas within 30 days of device implantation. Clinical significance was based on the need for additional intervention. Data were assessed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and chi-square tests. Results: The final coho...
The best "model system" for human (coronary arteries) is human.

Research in cardiovascular medicine (and other areas) has increasingly emphasized the use of “model organisms” as a means to assess physiology, pathophysiology, and therapy of disease. Indeed it is ironic that certain journals (including “high impact” ones that have the words “clinical”
Improved Particle Trajectory Calculations Through Turbomachinery Affected by Coal Ash Particles

Trajectories of small coal ash particles encountered in coal-fired gas turbines are calculated with an improved computer analysis currently under development. The analysis uses an improved numerical grid and mathematical spline-fitting techniques to account for three-dimensional gradients in the flow field and blade geometry. 6 refs.
Dimensionless Parameters for Viscous Similarity

(1) The transition Reynolds number increases with increasing Mach number for smooth, two-dimensional, essentially flat plate models at Mach numbers above 5. (2) In wind tunnel tests, the transition Reynolds number increases with increasing unit Reynolds number. (3) Small favorable pressure gradients upstream of the transition location do not appear to alter the transition location significantly at hypersonic speeds.
Learning in Mulukuku: A Journey of Transformation

This essay reflects on the lessons we learned from co-teaching a course five years ago titled Domestic Violence in a Post-Conflict Society: The Case of Nicaragua. We were invited to expose our students to a Sandinista-style, radical women’s organization, the Maria Luiza Ortiz cooperative, in Mululuku, a deeply rural area of Nicaragua that faced looming problems of domestic violence in the absence of law and legal institutions. We seized on the opportunity to adopt this project, because we believed it would be transformative for our students, for ourselves, and maybe even for our law school, while potentially providing useful contributions to the Cooperative. This essay offers us an opportunity to reflect on our own journey as teachers through this experience and to share what we have learned about the ethics, the benefits and costs, and the effectiveness of our attempts at transformative teaching.
Comparison of Self-Reported Sleep Duration With Actigraphy: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sueño Ancillary Study

Most studies of sleep and health outcomes rely on self-reported sleep duration, although correlation with objective measures is poor. In this study, we defined sociodemographic and sleep characteristics associated with misreporting and assessed whether accounting for these factors better explains variation in objective sleep duration among 2,086 participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos who completed more than 5 nights of wrist actigraphy and reported habitual bed/wake times from 2010 to 2013. Using linear regression, we examined self-report as a predictor of actigraphy-assessed sleep duration. Mean amount of time spent asleep was 7.85 (standard deviation, 1.12) hours by self-report and 6.74 (standard deviation, 1.02) hours by actigraphy; correlation between them was 0.43. For each additional hour of self-reported sleep, actigraphy time spent asleep increased by 20 minutes (95% confidence interval: 19, 22). Correlations between self-reported and actigraphy-assessed time spent asleep were lower with male sex, younger age, sleep efficiency <85%, and night-to-night variability in sleep duration ≥1.5 hours. Adding sociodemographic and sleep factors to self-reports increased the proportion of variance explained in actigraphy-assessed sleep slightly (18%-32%). In this large validation study including Hispanics/Latinos, we demonstrated a moderate correlation between self-reported and actigraphy-assessed time spent asleep. The performance of self-reports varied by demographic and sleep measures but not by Hispanic subgroup.
Scheduling a Single Machine to Minimize the Weighted Number of Tardy Jobs

Abstract In this paper the problem of scheduling jobs on a single machine to minimize the weighted number of tardy jobs is examined. It contains the framework for a new branch-and-bound procedure as well as the first extensive computational study of the problem. Results indicate that large problems, e.g. 50 jobs, can be solved in just a few seconds of computer time. Further, the computational results provide insight into how various problem parameters affect the solution difficulty of particular problems.
RELIABILITY OF DURATION AS A MEASURE OF THE SPIRAL AFTEREFFECT.

Data supported the reliability of duration as a measure of the spiral aftereffect and showed that a contracting spiral was judged more reliably than an expanding one.
After Empiric Therapy: What To Do Until the Granulocyte Comes Back

A predominant focus of studies on the management of fever or infection in patients with neutropenia and cancer has been the evaluation of various empiric antibiotic regimens and strategies. Although the benefits of empiric antibiotic therapy have been well established in febrile neutropenic patientsparticularly for reducing the early morbidity and mortality associated with an untreated or undiagnosed infection - it is generally assumed that the initial broad-spectrum regimen can be used without modification throughout the period of neutropenia.
Painless abdominoplasty: the efficacy of combined intercostal and pararectus blocks in reducing postoperative pain and recovery time.

Background: Reducing postoperative pain following abdominoplasty is essential for shortening the length of recovery time, reducing the use of narcotics, promoting quicker return to normal activities, and maximizing overall patient satisfaction. The extended use of narcotics and pain pumps is often unacceptable because of nausea, restriction of normal activities, and inconvenience. When the recovery process is not too lengthy and debilitating for the patients, they are more likely to refer the procedure to others and to return for additional elective procedures. Methods: The charts of 209 patients undergoing abdominoplasty over a 10-year period were reviewed. The control group (n = 20) received no blocks, whereas the treatment group (n = 77) received a combination of nerve blocks, using bupivacaine, tetracaine, and Depo-Medrol. Recovery room data and patient questionnaires were used to evaluate clinical efficacy. Patient procedures were classified into four severity classes for analysis. Results: The treatment group had significantly less pain across all severity classes and required significantly less narcotics and less time in the recovery room. Pain scores continued to be significantly lower at home. Patients had significantly less nausea, took less pain medication, and resumed normal activities significantly sooner than the control group. Conclusions: This is the first study showing successful long-term relief of pain associated with abdominoplasty using a combination of intercostal, ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and pararectus blocks. This pain-block procedure significantly reduces the recovery time and allows the patient to return to normal activities and work much sooner.
Characteristics of wideband acoustic immittance in patients with middle-ear dysfunction.

Background: Wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) measurements are a relatively new class of aural acoustic tests that have shown promise as useful tools for evaluating middle-ear status. A growing body of work has described WAI for infants, children, and adults with normal middle-ear function, but a relatively limited number of studies have investigated the influence of specific middle-ear disorders on WAI. Although emerging WAI research data show promising results, additional measurements from ears of patients with a variety of middle-ear disorders are needed. Purpose: The aims of the present study were to (1) obtain WAI data from patients with a variety of middle-ear conditions, (2) examine relationships between WAI data relative to standard audiometric tests, and (3) identify patterns or profiles in WAI data within and among patients with different middle-ear conditions. Research Design: A descriptive study. Study Sample: Participants included 30 children and two adults with a variety of middle-ear disorders who were recruited from clinical audiology settings. Data Collection/Analysis: Experimental ambient and tympanometric WAI data were gathered along with standard audiometric test data as part of clinical audiology appointments. Single-subject and small-group data sets for ears of patients with suspected otitis media with effusion (sOME), pressure equalization (PE) tubes, negative tympanometric peak pressure (TPP), tympanoplasty, and cerumen impaction were obtained. Qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics (means and percentiles) were used to characterize the data. Results: Group mean absorbance for ears in the sOME group was reduced across the majority of frequencies; absorbance for ears with negative TPP was also reduced, although to a lesser degree. Absorbance patterns for ears with PE tubes show even greater differences because of the effects of the tube and open middle-ear cavity. WAI from ears with a tympanoplasty and cerumen impaction was suggestive of middle-ear dysfunction in the presence of normal single-frequency tympanometry. Percentile (5th, 50th, and 95th) plots for absorbance and other WAI quantities of admittance level, admittance phase, and equivalent ear-canal volume calculated for the sOME, negative TPP, and PE tube groups showed distinctive profiles that might be useful for discrimination of different middle-ear pathologies. Quantities from wideband tympanometry, including 250- and 1000-Hz single-frequency admittance tympanometric data were also derived. Conclusions: WAI measurements for some middle-ear conditions were consistent with patterns and profiles previously reported in the literature. WAI profiles for other middle-ear conditions, which had not been previously reported in the literature, were presented. Relationships between WAI data and results of standard audiometric tests were generally consistent with expectations. However, in some cases, WAI measurements were suggestive of middle-ear dysfunction despite normal 226-Hz admittance tympanometric findings.
Analysis of influenza surveillance in Jinshan district during 2010-2011

Objective:To detect throat swab specimens from influenza cases in sole sentinel hospital of Jinshan district,in order to analyze the epidemic characteristics of influenza in 2010-2011.Methods:Virus nucleic acid isolated from specimens was detected for influenza A(H1N1),seasonal H1N1,seasonal H3N2 and influenza B by real-time RT-PCR.Then the positive specimens were processed to culture the influenza virus for identification.Results:631 samples were collected in 2010,189 cases were positive and the positive rate was 30.0%.6 strains of influenza virus were cultured,5 B Victoria and a B Yamagate;312 samples were collected in 2011,81 cases were positive and the positive rate was 26.0%.30 strains of influenza virus were cultured,5 seasonal H3N2,4 H1N1,13 B Victoria and 8 B Yamagate.Conclusion:The epidemic peaks of influenza were winter-spring and summer in Jinshan area from 2010 to 2011,the dominant strains were an alternation among influenza B,H1N1 and H3N2 in number.
Automated content analysis: Addressing the big literature challenge in ecology and evolution

Summary 1.The exponential growth of scientific literature—which we call the “big literature” phenomenon—has created great challenges in literature comprehension and synthesis. The traditional manual literature synthesis processes are often unable to take advantage of big literature due to human limitations in time and cognition, creating the need for new literature synthesis methods to address this challenge. 2.In this paper, we discuss a highly useful literature synthesis approach, Automated Content Analysis (ACA), which has not yet been widely adopted in the fields of ecological and evolutionary biology. ACA is a suite of machine-learning tools for the qualitative and quantitative synthesis of big literature commonly used in the social sciences and in medical research. 3.Our goal is to introduce ecologists and evolutionary biologists to ACA and illustrate its capacity to synthesize overwhelming volumes of literature. First, we provide a brief history of the ACA method and summarize the fundamental process of ACA. Next, we present two ACA studies to illustrate the utility and versatility of ACA in synthesizing ecological and evolutionary literature. Finally, we discuss how to maximize the utility and contributions of ACA, as well as potential research directions that may help to advance the use of ACA in future ecological and evolutionary research. 4.Unlike manual methods of literature synthesis, ACA is able to process high volumes of literature at substantially shorter timespans, while helping to mitigate human biases. The overall efficiency and versatility of this method allows for a broad range of applications for literature review and synthesis, including both exploratory reviews and systematic reviews aiming to address more targeted research questions. By allowing for more extensive and comprehensive review of big literature, ACA has the potential to fill an important methodological gap and to therefore contribute to the advancement of ecological and evolutionary research. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A 25 GS/s 6b TI Two-Stage Multi-Bit Search ADC With Soft-Decision Selection Algorithm in 65 nm CMOS

While high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) front-ends in serial link receivers enable flexible and powerful digital signal processing-based (DSP-based) equalization, the robustness and power consumption of these ADCs can limit overall receiver energy efficiency. This paper presents a 25 GS/s 6b 8-way time-interleaved multi-bit search ADC that employs a soft-decision selection algorithm to relax track-and-hold (T/H) settling requirements and improve ADC metastability tolerance. T/H bandwidth is also improved with a new shared-input double-tail three-latch structure. Fabricated in general purpose 65 nm CMOS, the ADC occupies 0.24 mm2 total area. A signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 29.6 dB is achieved at Nyquist while consuming 88 mW from a 1 V supply, translating into a figure-of-merit of 143 fJ/conversion step. A measured $^{-10}$ metastability error rate demonstrates the effectiveness of the soft-decision selection algorithm.
Mortality, scarring, and growth in an oak woodland following prescribed fire and commercial thinning in the Ozark Highlands

Abstract Oak-dominated (Quercus Spp.) woodlands are commonly thinned and burned in the Ozark Highlands to prevent canopy closure and regenerate desired species, despite a lack of information regarding tree mortality, scarring, and growth in residual stands. Our study compared stand- and tree-level responses after two prescribed burns across four treatments: control, burn, thin, and thin + burn. Results showed that two prescribed fires led to 19% greater cumulative mortality than in unburned stands. In the burn treatment, 19.3% of residual live overstory trees were scarred, compared to 32.4% of trees in the thin + burn treatment. Analysis of scar area revealed that thinning before burning significantly increased the surface area (cm2) of fire scars. In general, trees in the red oak group (Erythrobalanus spp.) had the greatest percentage of scarred trees, followed by the white oak group (Leucobalanus spp.), hickories (Carya spp.), and shortleaf pines (Pinus echinata Mill.). Our data indicate that two fires did not significantly decrease the radial growth of white oaks, except in stands which were thinned prior to prescribed burns. Average percent change in ring-widths (mm) suggest a 1.9% growth decrease in control, 1.4% decrease in burn, 84% increase in thin, and a 35% increase in thin + burn. Covariates such as age, slope, surrounding basal area, canopy openness, and fire scars were analyzed, but tree diameter was the only significant predictor of growth response. Overall, results suggest that effects of prescribed burning are more pronounced in thinned stands as a function of increased fuel loads and fire intensity, causing greater mortality, fire scarring, and reductions in potential growth than fire or thinning alone. This study highlights important tradeoffs between prescribed fire and thinning in oak dominated ecosystems, especially where fire related damages are in potential conflict with other stand objectives.
Spermine Inhibits Vibrio cholerae Biofilm Formation Through The NspS-MbaA Polyamine Signaling System

The aquatic bacterium and human intestinal pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, senses and responds to a variety of environment-specific cues to regulate biofilm formation. Specifically, the polyamines norspermidine and spermidine enhance and repress V. cholerae biofilm formation, respectively. These effects are relevant for understanding V. cholerae pathogenicity and are mediated through the periplasmic binding protein NspS and the transmembrane bis-(3′-5′) cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) phosphodiesterase MbaA. However, the levels of spermidine required to inhibit biofilm formation through this pathway are unlikely to be encountered by V. cholerae in aquatic reservoirs or within the human host during infection. We therefore hypothesized that other polyamines in the gastrointestinal tract may control V. cholerae biofilm formation at physiological levels. The tetramine spermine has been reported to be present at nearly 50 μm concentrations in the intestinal lumen. Here, we report that spermine acts as an exogenous cue that inhibits V. cholerae biofilm formation through the NspS–MbaA signaling system. We found that this effect probably occurs through a direct interaction of spermine with NspS, as purified NspS protein could bind spermine in vitro. Spermine also inhibited biofilm formation by altering the transcription of the vps genes involved in biofilm matrix production. Global c-di-GMP levels were unaffected by spermine supplementation, suggesting that biofilm formation may be regulated by variations in local rather than global c-di-GMP pools. Finally, we propose a model illustrating how the NspS–MbaA signaling system may communicate exogenous polyamine content to the cell to control biofilm formation in the aquatic environment and within the human intestine.
ONTOGENY AND PHYLOGENY OF ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the ontogeny and phylogeny of adaptive immunity, including the acquisition of passive and active immunity by the developing fetus in relation to the phylogenetic development of active immunologic responses and relates immunologic capacity to the function of the thymus and of the bursa of Fabricus. The development of the lymphoid system plays a key role in development of the potential for adaptive immune response. Absence of the thymus during the period of development of the peripheral lymphoid tissues results in both abnormal lymphoid development and immunologic deficiency. In phylogeny, the data suggest that the transition to adaptive immunity occurs in the lower vertebrates and that it is paralleled by the development of a lymphoid thymus, other organized lymphoid tissues, and the lymphoid system of cells. The ontogenesis of immunity is discussed in terms of the following relationships and processes : interrelationship of fetus and mother, particularly serum immunoglobulin and antibody transfer; the beginning production of immunoglobulins during fetal and neonatal life; the origins of antibody-producing capacity and ability to initiate and express delayed allergic responses; the development of capacity for homograft rejection and the decrease of susceptibility to production of tolerance in the fetal and neonatal period; and the key role of the thymus and other central lymphoid tissue in the ontogeny of the lymphoid system and adaptive immunity. The studies of the lower fishes havenot been sufficiently comprehensive particularly with the more sophisticated methods of protein chemistry that are yielding such important information concerning the nature and interrelationships of the immunoglobulins.
Biological and chemical influence on immune and regenerative responses to joint replacements

Abstract: Intensive research efforts have been placed on the development of biomaterials with improved cell and tissue compatibility. Most of these works have focused on modifying material properties to reduce the accumulation and activation of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages. Our recent studies have revealed that circulating fibrotic cells, fibrocytes, play an important role in the formation of fibrotic tissue surrounding biomaterial implants. In addition, we have observed substantial numbers of autologous stem cells, both mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, are recruited to the implant sites. Increased recruitment of stem cells was found to reduce implant-associated inflammatory responses. This review summarizes the recent information on the interactions between biomaterial implants, fibrocytes and autologous stem cells.