cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulating secondary contact in allopatric speciation: an empirical test of premating isolation

Allopatric populations of Geospiza difficilis, the Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, differ morphologically in association with different habitats to an extent unrivalled by any other species of Darwin's finch. The question arises as to whether they have diverged so much that they would not interbreed if they became sympatric; in other words, have they become separate species while remaining allopatric? In other species of Darwin's finches, it is known that a sexual imprinting-like process based on early learning of song constrains breeding to conspecifics in sympatry. Therefore we used song playback experiments on Isla Genovesa to test the potential of G. difficilis to respond to songs from two other populations of the species on other, ecologically similar, islands. We found strong responses by males to songs of their own population, and heterogeneous but overall weaker responses to the structurally similar songs of G. difficilis from Isla Darwin. Tested birds did not respond to G. difficilis songs from Isla Wolf, songs of G. fuliginosa from Isla Pinta and control Cassin's finch songs. Female responses were infrequent and weak, apparently inhibited by the presence of responding males in most instances. Thus, assuming that females exercise similar discriminations to those of males, the Genovesa population of G. difficilis appears to be well advanced along the path of speciation: reproductively isolated from the Wolf population by a premating barrier to gene exchange that is culturally inherited, but not reproductively isolated from the Darwin population. We discuss the implications of imprinting for the process of speciation, the reasons for divergence of songs in allopatry, and the outcome of a hypothetical secondary contact in terms of coexistence, competition and interbreeding. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 76, 545–556.
Correlation between central venous oxygen saturation and oxygen delivery changes following fluid therapy

Background: The rationale for using central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) in various clinical scenarios is that it reflects the balance between oxygen delivery (DO2) and demands. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between ScvO2 and DO2 changes (DDo2, DScvO2) in patients receiving fluid therapy following coronary surgery. We also correlated the changes of mean arterial pressure (DMAP) and central venous pressure (DCVP), with DDO2. Methods: Sixty consecutive sedated and mechanically ventilated adult patients, with cardiac index 2.3 L/ min/m 2 and a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure 12 mmHg following coronary surgery, were included. Concomitant hemodynamic parameters, arterial and venous blood gases were measured before (T0) and after (T1) administration of a 500 ml bolus of an isotonic crystalloid solution over 30 min. The correlations between DDO2 and DScvO2, DMAP or DCVP were evaluated by linear regression analysis and Pearson test. Results: Cardiac index (1.9 0.2 vs 2.3 0.5 ml/min/ m 2 ), MAP (83 11 vs 94 13mmHg) and CVP (5.7 3v s 7.1 3 mmHg) were significantly higher at T1 compared with T0. The correlation of DDO2 with DScvO2 was positive, significant (r 5 0.41; P 5 0.004) and superior to its correlation with DMAP (r 5 0.30; P 50.01) or DCVP (r 5 0.03; P 5 0.78). Conclusion: A significant correlation between ScvO2 and DO2 changes was found in patients receiving fluid therapy following coronary surgery. ScvO2 could be used as an indicator to track DO2 and to guide volume loading.
Ethnic comparison and measurement of argumentativeness, verbal aggressiveness, and need for cognition

An analysis of three trait measures related to argumentation behavior—argumentativeness, verbal aggressiveness, and need for cognition—confirmed that all three measures represented separate constructs. Need for cognition was found to correlate positively with argumentativeness and negatively with verbal aggressiveness. These three measures, also, were investigated across three ethnic groups of Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and European Americans. Analyses revealed significant ethnic differences for verbal aggressiveness and need for cognition. The results are discussed with regard to teaching argumentation and critical thinking, and as a means for improving the understanding of ethnic and/or cultural differences which may influence argumentation behavior.
Influence of Proline upon the Folding and Geometry of the WALP19 Transmembrane Peptide

The orientations, geometries, and lipid interactions of designed transmembrane (TM) peptides have attracted significant experimental and theoretical interest. Because the amino acid proline will introduce a known discontinuity into an alpha helix, we have sought to measure the extent of helix kinking caused by a single proline within the isolated TM helical domain of WALP19. For this purpose, we synthesized acetyl-GWWLALALAP(10)ALALALWWA-ethanolamide and included pairs of deuterated alanines by using 60-100% Fmoc-l-Ala-d(4) at selected sequence positions. Solid-state deuterium ((2)H) magnetic resonance spectra from oriented, hydrated samples (1/40, peptide/lipid; using several lipids) reveal signals from many of the alanine backbone C(alpha) deuterons as well as the alanine side-chain C(beta) methyl groups, whereas signals from C(alpha) deuterons generally have not been observed for similar peptides without proline. It is conceivable that altered peptide dynamics may be responsible for the apparent "unmasking" of the backbone resonances in the presence of the proline. Data analysis using the geometric analysis of labeled alanines (GALA) method reveals that the peptide helix is distorted due to the presence of the proline. To provide additional data points for evaluating the segmental tilt angles of the two halves of the peptide, we substituted selected leucines with l-Ala-d(4). Using this approach, we were able to deduce that the apparent average tilt of the C-terminal increases from approximately 4 degrees to approximately 12 degrees when Pro(10) is introduced. The segment N-terminal to proline is more complex and possibly is more dynamically flexible; Leu to Ala mutations within the N-terminal segment alter the average orientations of alanines in both segments. Nevertheless, in DOPC, we could estimate an apparent kink angle of approximately 19 degrees . Together, the results suggest that the central proline influences not only the geometry but also the dynamics of the membrane-spanning peptide. The results make up an important basis for understanding the functional role of proline in several families of membrane proteins.
RF power amplifier integration in CMOS technology

This paper explores different levels of integration for CMOS RF power amplifiers, including integration fully on chip, integration with LTCC passive components, and integration with off-chip components. At 1.9 GHz, the fully on-chip integrated CMOS PA can deliver 20 dBm output power with 16% efficiency. Because the LTCC inductors have much higher Q than the on-chip inductors, the CMOS PA integrated with passive components embedded in LTCC can improve the output power and efficiency to 24 dBm and 32% at 1.9 GHz, respectively. The 2.4 GHz Bluetooth PA with discrete passive components for output matching exhibits 22 dBm output power and 44% efficiency. To our knowledge, this paper reports the first development of fully on-chip integrated and LTCC hybrid CMOS power amplifiers.
A digitally controlled DC-DC buck converter using frequency domain ADCs

The design of a 0.18-µm CMOS digital control architecture for a buck converter is presented. Several features are implemented. These include: 1) Frequency-domain digitization technique based on first-order non-feedback Sigma-Delta frequency Discriminators (NF-SDFD); 2) a robust arrangement for the feedback ADCs to guard against false output voltage variation due to temperature and process variation; 3) A new improved hybrid Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM) architecture. The proposed system has additional attractive futures such simplicity, scalability, low power, close to all digital implementation in addition to its capability of satisfying tight regulation requirements for wide range of applications. An 8-bit ADC resolution is achieved with less than 110 µA current consumption. A 9-bit DPWM consumes around 370 µA. A 2% output voltage regulation accuracy is achieved with less than 10 mVpp ripple.
Mutually dependent degradation of Ama1p and Cdc20p terminates APC/C ubiquitin ligase activity at the completion of meiotic development in yeast.

Background: The execution of meiotic nuclear divisions in S. cerevisiae is regulated by protein degradation mediated by the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) ubiquitin ligase. The correct timing of APC/C activity is essential for normal chromosome segregation. During meiosis, the APC/C is activated by the association of either Cdc20p or the meiosis-specific factor Ama1p. Both Ama1p and Cdc20p are targeted for degradation as cells exit meiosis II with Cdc20p being destroyed by APC/C Ama1 . In this study we investigated how Ama1p is down regulated at the completion of meiosis. Findings: Here we show that Ama1p is a substrate of APC/C Cdc20 but not APC/C Cdh1 in meiotic cells. Cdc20p binds Ama1p in vivo and APC/C Cdc20 ubiquitylates Ama1p in vitro. Ama1p ubiquitylation requires one of two degradation motifs, a D-box and a “KEN-box” like motif called GxEN. Finally, Ama1p degradation does not require its association with the APC/C via its conserved APC/C binding motifs (C-box and IR) and occurs simultaneously with APC/C Ama1 mediated Cdc20p degradation. Conclusions: Unlike the cyclical nature of mitotic cell division, meiosis is a linear pathway leading to the production of quiescent spores. This raises the question of how the APC/C is reset prior to spore germination. This and a previous study revealed that Cdc20p and Ama1p direct each others degradation via APC/C-dependent degradation. These findings suggest a model that the APC/C is inactivated by mutual degradation of the activators. In addition, these results support a model in which Ama1p and Cdc20p relocate to the substrate address within the APC/C cavity prior to degradation.
Internal Rotation Behind-the-Back Angle A Reliable Angular Measurement for Shoulder Internal Rotation Behind the Back

Background:The hand-behind-back method is the accepted technique to evaluate shoulder internal rotation, is highly popular, and is endorsed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It remains, however, subject to intra- and interexaminer discrepancy and has been challenged by several recent publications.Hypothesis:Internal rotation behind the back can be evaluated with a measurable angle, which eliminates the need to estimate spinal level, decreases the effect of unrelated joints, and allows collection of numeric rather than categoric data.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:We defined the internal rotation behind-the-back (IRB) angle as that between the ulna and the line of gravity. A pendulum is attached to a standard goniometer. The patient is asked to reach the highest point along the midline of the back. The goniometer is centered over the pisiform, and the angle between the ulnar axis and the pendulum is measured. Two examiners assessed both shoulders of 60 volunteers with no s...
Behavioral Interventions to Prevent Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Metaanalyses of Randomized Trials

Context: The efficacy of lifestyle interventions to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent pediatric obesity remains unclear. Objective: Our objective was to summarize evidence on the efficacy of interventions aimed at changing lifestyle behaviors (increased physical activity, decreased sedentary activity, increased healthy dietary habits, and decreased unhealthy dietary habits) to prevent obesity. Data Sources: Data sources included librarian-designed searches of nine electronic databases, references from included studies and reviews (from inception until February 2006), and content expert recommendations. Study Selection: Eligible studies were randomized trials enrolling children and adolescents assessing the impact of interventions on both lifestyle behaviors and body mass index (BMI). Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently abstracted data on methodological quality, study characteristics, intervention components, and treatment effects. Data Analysis: We conducted random-effects metaanal...
Exercise, diet, and weight loss advice in the family medicine outpatient setting.

Background: The 5A’s heuristic (Ask, Assess willingness to change, Advise, Assist, and Arrange followup) has been proposed as a general approach to brief health behavior advice. This study’s purpose was to discover the extent to which the 5A’s heuristic is used to discuss exercise, diet, and weight loss during adult primary care visits and to test if individuals with a greater body mass index (BMI) or a chronic disease are more likely to receive more-comprehensive advice. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional direct observation study of 300 family medicine outpatient visits. Using the 5A’s heuristic, the content of each discussion of exercise, diet, and weight loss was documented by an observer. Results: Discussion of exercise, diet, or weight loss occurred in 56% of observed visits, and physicians initiated the majority of the discussions. Advice infrequently included offer of assistance (range 14%–17%) or plans for follow-up (range 3%–10%). Physicians were more likely to provide advice to obese patients and to those with one chronic condition. Twenty percent to 47% of patient-initiated discussions led to no advice. However, trend also suggests that patient-initiated discussions were more likely to lead to a combination of advice and assistance, compared to physician-initiated discussions. Conclusions: Physicians target exercise, diet, and weight loss advice to obese patients and those with chronic conditions. However, the content of the advice rarely includes recommended components that could increase healthy behavior change. Understanding how patients initiate health behavior topics that prompt physicians to provide advice and assistance could lead to patient and physician interventions that increase productive health behavior change discussions.
The readers' corner.

When do you typically schedule adult patients? About half of the respondents scheduled their adult patients at the same times as their child and adolescent patients. Eleven percent scheduled adult patients during particular time blocks for the office’s convenience; the same percentage scheduled adults during the early morning hours, and 5% scheduled adults during the late afternoon hours. Only 3% said they scheduled adults in the evening, and 1% on weekends. A few practices indicated that adults were scheduled in the late morning or early evening, or that they were scheduled at the patient’s convenience. An interesting comment was: • “On the first and last week of school we try to schedule more adults.”
Hematopoietic-specific targeting of influenza A virus reveals replication requirements for induction of antiviral immune responses

A coordinated innate and adaptive immune response, orchestrated by antigen presenting cells (APCs), is required for effective clearance of influenza A virus (IAV). Although IAV primarily infects epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract, APCs are also susceptible. To determine if virus transcription in these cells is required to generate protective innate and adaptive immune responses, we engineered IAV to be selectively attenuated in cells of hematopoietic origin. Incorporation of hematopoietic-specific miR-142 target sites into the nucleoprotein of IAV effectively silenced virus transcription in APCs, but had no significant impact in lung epithelial cells. Here we demonstrate that inhibiting IAV replication in APCs in vivo did not alter clearance, or the generation of IAV-specific CD8 T cells, suggesting that cross-presentation is sufficient for cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation. In contrast, loss of in vivo virus infection, selectively in APCs, resulted in a significant reduction of retinoic acid-inducible gene I-dependent type I IFN (IFN-I). These data implicate the formation of virus replication intermediates in APCs as the predominant trigger of IFN-I in vivo. Taking these data together, this research describes a unique platform to study the host response to IAV and provides insights into the mechanism of antigen presentation and the induction of IFN-I.
Linearization of electrostatically actuated surface micromachined 2-D optical scanner

This paper presents an effective method of linearizing the electrostatic transfer characteristics of micromachined two-dimensional (2-D) scanners. The orthogonal scan angles of surface micromachined polysilicon scanner are controlled by using quadrant electrodes for electrostatic actuation. By using a pair of differential voltages over a bias voltage, we could improve the distortion of projected images from 72% to only 13%. A theoretical model has been developed to predict the angle-voltage transfer characteristics of the 2-D scanner. The simulation results agree very well with experimental data. Differential voltage operation has been found to suppress the crosstalk of two orthogonal scan axes by both experiment and theoretically. We have found that a circular mirror is expected to have the lowest angular distortion compared with square mirrors. Perfect grid scanning pattern of small distortion (0.33%) has been successfully obtained by predistorting the driving voltages after calibration.
The mechanism of chain initiation and chain transfer in the polymerization of vinylpyridine

(1) Polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine in p-chlorotoluene solution produced a polymer which, when oxidized with potassium permanganate in dilute sulfuric acid, gave no chlorophthalic acid, but a 35.7% yield of p-chlorobenzoic acid (based upon the halogen content of the polymer). Therefore, incorporation of the aromatic groups in the polymer, probably in the step of chain transfer, occurred by reaction with the side chain and not the nucleus of the p-chlorotoluene. The absence of chlorophthalic acid was significant, for a similar oxidation of α-(p-methylbenzyl)pyridine gave a 3% yield of terephthalic acid as well as a 23% yield of 2-(4-carboxybenzoyl)pyridine. (2) Permanganate oxidation of this same polymer in 25% sulfuric acid gave a 27% yield of p-chlorobenzoic acid. This represents the maximum yield of halobenzoic acid to be expected from a polyvinylpyridine containing trace quantities of halophenyl and pyridine nuclei separated by a chain of two or more carbon atoms. In contrast, similar oxidations in 25% sulfuric acid of α-(p-bromobenzyl)- and α-(p-chlorobenzyl)pyridine gave much smaller yields (16 and 14%, respectively) of the corresponding halobenzoic acids. In concentrated acid, the heterocyclic rings form stable salts and oxidation of the benzylpyridine type structure leads to preferential cleavage of the benzene nucleus. (3) Initiation of the polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine with N-nitroso-p-bromoacetanilide formed a polymer which, upon oxidation with potassium permanganate in 25% sulfuric acid, gave a 31% (average) yield of p-bromobenzoic acid. Since this yield is that expected from a polymer in which pyridine and bromobenzene rings are separated by a chain of two or more carbon atoms, beta carbon atoms addition in chain initiation by a bromophenyl radical is substantiated. (4) Polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine in bromobenzene solution provided a polymer which, upon oxidation with permanaganate in 25% sulfuric acid, gave only a 6% yield of bromobenzoic acid, corresponding to a bromobenzylpyridine structure in the polymer. Reasons are given why this data supports but does not prove the hypothesis that chain transfer consists of substitution in the bromobenzene nucleus by a polymer radical possessing a 2-pyridylmethyl structure.
ENDOR Coils and Related Radiofrequency Circuits

Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) is an advanced electron magnetic resonance (EMR) technique that provides a much higher level of spectral resolution than conventional microwave absorption methods. The ENDOR method was introduced by Feher (1956) as a variant of the Overhauser Effect (1953) in nuclear resonance, and it entails the observation of transitions between nuclear sublevels of the electron Zeeman Effect. The electron transitions are still used as a means of detection, however, because the sensitivity of the electron resonance measurement is greater than that of the nuclear resonance. In brief, an EMR transition (Δm s = ±1, Δm I = 0, Figure 1) is saturated, which leads to the collapse of the observed EMR signal as the corresponding state populations equalize. If one now irradiates the spin system so that transitions are induced between the nuclear sublevels (i.e. Δm I = ±1, Δm s = 0), the condition of saturation in the EMR transition is lifted as the nuclear sublevel populations shift, and there is a partial recovery of the EMR signal, the so-called ‘ENDOR enhancement’ (cf. Kevan & Kispert, 1976). It is common to view the pathways among the energy levels in the spin Hamiltonian state diagram (>Figure 1) as being analogous to a resistive electrical network and the spin dynamics of the ENDOR effect as a short circuit phenomenon (cf. Dwek et al., 1969; Kwiram, 1971; Mobius et al., 1982; Kurreck et al., 1988).
Position Effects at the Hairy Locus in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Radiation-induced chromosomal rearrangements of h+ have given rise to several Drosophila stocks that exhibit apparent position-effect inactivation; i.e., flies carrying the rearranged chromosomes heterozygously with h show varying degrees of hairiness. The numbers of hairy chaetae produce a quantifiable index of position effect. Six such "position-allele" stocks are here discussed, both as to their basic expressions and in all possible pair-wise combinations with each other. Such crosses reveal complex interactions between the respective position alleles; little evidence is seen for clear-cut dominance or recessiveness. The stocks appear not to conform unequivocally to classical distinctions between variegated and stable types of position effects, nor to usual dicta relating the degree of inactivity to the proximity to heterochromatin. Indeed, these stocks appear to suggest additional dimensions to several of the principles to which position effects usually subscribe. The evidence additionally suggests that the hairy locus itself is associated with a tissue-specific suppressor effect on an otherwise polygenic system that produces the chaetae associated with the hairy phenotype.
Current Federal Food Laws

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, strengthened by several amendments since its passage by Congress in 1938, is considered the supreme food law in the United States and indeed it is in many respects. This in large part is due to the fact that it covers all foods and all substances used in compounding, manufacturing and packaging foods. It is aimed at preventing unsafe foods or misbranded foods from reaching consumers, whatever that food may be and whether it is intended for consumption by humans or by other animals. The act may be termed a general food law.
A Real Time Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer Minicomputer System for Selected Ion Analysis

The use of selected ion analysis (selected ion monitoring, mass fragmentography) in quantitative applications of mass spectrometry is now well established (1, 2). For many purpose the output, consisting of a few selected ion profiles representing the mass peaks of interest, can be quite satisfactorily handled without automatic data processing as from a gas chromatograph flame ionization detector (FID) system. In contrast, the more critical demands of repetitive MS scanning require a computer system for complete utilization of the data. An automatic data system becomes increasingly necessary also for selected ion analysis when large numbers of samples are to be run and when more than two isotopic variants are to be simultaneously analyzed. The latter situation arises particularly when stable isotopic labels are used as quantitative tracers, as well as in their more conventional application as internal standards (3,4). Unlike radioisotopic tracers, stable isotopic labels, in conjunction with GC-MS, allow the use of multiple tracer variants of the same compounds which can be discriminated from each other by their mass spectra and separately measured (5). However, interpretation of the relative ion abundances requires solution of a set of simultaneous linear equations for each analysis, which may be impractical without computer assistance, and a set of controls in which mass spectra of the individual variants and of a mixture of known composition are precisely measured (6). These controls allow the construction of an n-dimensional “standard curve” from which the results of subsequent individual analyses are obtained by interpolation.
An Anthropology of Absence: Commentary

Archaeologists are accustomed to responding to absence, to reading the spaces and bygone traces of materials and practices, as well as assembling the social worlds of people now departed. The often haunting fragmentary remains that are bequeathed to us, the palimpsest and the void itself - plus the material and immaterial methodologies employed to interpret and revivify the past - are often more telling and carry greater psychical weight, than dealing with the myriad intact artifacts that have endured.
Electronic marketplaces

We are now witnessing the earliest, experimental stage of electronic marketplace (e-marketplace) development. Most firms are focusing on exchanges with fixed auction rules applied to relatively simple goods and services. Many exchanges will fail due to bad timing or inappropriate choices in business details or technical implementations, but the winners will play a huge role in the worldwide economy as they focus decision-making and improve market efficiencies. How will e-marketplaces evolve? They will almost certainly expand to support ever more complicated scenarios. Even today, multi-round auctions, requests for proposals and negotiations are the norm for expensive procurements; technological advances will permit their use for larger numbers of smaller deals. Processes will be increasingly automated, using sophisticated analysis techniques and large-scale computation. As participants get closer to reaching a deal, they will reveal more information and make further decisions, and new facilities will enable intelligent agents to participate in discovery and transactions. E-marketplaces will also expand to support involvement by skilled specialists who need to share relevant data and to plan and negotiate flexibly. In time, e-marketplaces will include richer collaboration and information management facilities, and will grow to combine the capabilities usually associated with portals and content sites with those of advanced exchanges.
Measuring spatiotemporal intensity-and-phase complexity of multimode fiber output pulses

We demonstrate ultrashort pulse spatiotemporal field measurement for multimode optical fibers, using a singleframe characterization technique, called Spatially and Temporally Resolved Intensity and Phase Evaluation Device: Full Information from a Single Hologram (STRIPED FISH). We measure STRIPED FISH traces and retrieve the pulse field E(x,y,t) or equivalently E(x,y,ω), to generate movies revealing the field structure induced by propagating modes, due to their differences in field spatial distribution, modal propagation velocity and modal dispersion inside the fiber. We launch femtosecond pulses near 800nm from Ti: Sapphire laser to investigate linearly polarized modes LP 01 , LP 11 , LP 02 and LP 21 in multimode fibers.
Enhancement of interferon titers by poly-L-ornithine.

Summary and conclusionsThe sensitivity of a standard interferon assay was increased by exposure to poly-L-ornithine during interferon treatment. The enhanced titers thus demonstrated are interpreted as indicating an increased interferon uptake by the cells.
The Renal Erythropoietic Factor (REF) VII. Relation to Sex Steroid Hormone Effects on Erythropoiesis

SummaryPrevious observations that testosterone incrases production of the ESF and the REF are confirmed and extended. The combination of testosterone and hypoxia act synergistically in augmenting plasma ESF and REF activities. The depressive effect of estradiol on ESF production is not accompanied by a decrease in REF activity. However, the serum from estradiol-treated rats exhibits a reduced capacity to serve as a substrate for the REF in the generation of the ESF.
Experimental and Modeling Study of Methyl trans-3-Hexenoate Autoignition

This work presents the results of an experimental and computational study of methyl trans-3-hexenoate autoignition. Experimental autoignition studies were conducted using the University of Michigan rapid compression facility. Pressure time histories were used to determine ignition delay times as a function of test gas composition and experimental conditions. The fuel/oxygen equivalence ratio and dilution level were ϕ = 0.3 and inert/O2 = 3.76 (mole basis). End of compression conditions targeted an average pressure of 10.5 atm and temperatures ranging from 884 to 1085 K. A correlation in Arrhenius form was developed by regression analysis of the experimental data, where the ignition delay time is τign (ms) = 1.4 × 10–6 exp[30 100/(R(cal mol–1 K–1)T)] with a R2 value of 0.99. Gas-sampling experiments were also conducted to measure stable intermediates formed during autoignition. A detailed reaction mechanism was developed and model predictions were compared to the experimental data. While ignition delay ti...
Breeding and Application of New Medium Indica Hybrid Rice Combination Xieyou 52 with High Yield

Xieyou 52,developed from the cross of the CMS line Xieqingzao A and the restorer line OM052 by the Rice Research Institute,Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences,is a new medium indica hybrid rice combination with high yielding ability,early maturity and wide adaptability.It is suitable to be planted as the single cropping rice in Anhui and other middle to lower valley regions of Changjiang River.In January,2006,it was examined and approved to release for commercial production and designated as Wandao 193 by the Anhui Crop Variety Appraisal Committee.
Analysis of epidemiological feature of HIV/AIDS in Luoping county from 1997 to 2013

Objective To analyze the epidemic status of AIDS in Luoping county from1997 to 2013, so as to provide atheoretical basis for promoting work of AIDS.Methods Data of cases addressed in Luoping county from the China InformationSystem for Disease Control and Prevention was collected to established a database by Epi Data3.0 and analyzed by SPSS19.0software. Results Totally 500 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in Luoping County from1997 to 2013(fifty-five percent forHIV and forty- five percent for AIDS), with a gradually decreasing number of cases and deaths. Distinct differences wereobserved in regional distribution and most cases(55.00%) concentrated in Luoxiong county.The proportion of male and femalepatients were 62.69% and 37.31% respectively, with a sex ratio of 1.68:1 and an increasing number of female patients. TheHIV/AIDS mainly distributed among young people aged 20-49, accounting for 87.69% of all cases. Farmers(50.96%) and theunemployed(18.27%) were the main population of HIV/AIDS infection. Sexual transmission(61.73%), of which homosexualtransmission elevated significantly,was the main transmission route of HIV/AIDS,showing a gradually rising trend. While thetransmission routes of drug abuse and mother-to-child presented a decline trend. Conclusion Infection of HIV/AIDS inLuoping county was effectively controlled,but health education,intervention services and condom promotion targeted at femalesexual workers, MSM and farmers should be strengthened to reduce the infection rate of HIV.
Mössbauer line-shape parameters for 159Tb in TbAl2 and Tb4O7.

Precise line-shape analyses of M\"ossbauer spectra using the 58-keV transition in $^{159}\mathrm{Tb}$ have been made using an exact representation of the line shape in transmission. Spectra were made using a ${\mathrm{Dy}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ source at liquid-nitrogen temperature and absorbers of ${\mathrm{Tb}}_{4}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ and ${\mathrm{TbAl}}_{2}$ at several temperatures from 81 to 297 K. We have measured the recoilless fraction as a function of temperature between 115 and 297 K for ${\mathrm{TbAl}}_{2}$ and at 81 and 294 K in ${\mathrm{Tb}}_{4}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$. If the theoretical value of the internal conversion coefficient of 11 is accepted, we cannot fit our results to a Debye model, even in a rough approximation. The mean lifetime of the first excited state of $^{159}\mathrm{Tb}$ was determined to be 77(1) ps. We have found the value of the interference parameter for this transition to be -0.0058(7), which appears larger in magnitude than predicted by theory.
Intertrochanteric osteotomy for osteonecrosis.

Abstract Intertrochanteric osteotomy is an effective surgical option in certain well-selected cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The size of the lesion on plain radiographs in the anteroposterior and lateral projections is a critical determinant of success. The best candidates are patients with less than 50% of head involved in the necrotic sector. Collapse of the femoral head is not a contraindication to osteotomy. Location of the necrotic sector determines whether varus, valgus, flexion, or extension are most appropriate alone or in combination.
Risk of Hypotony in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis–Associated Uveitis

Objective To describe risk factors for hypotony in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods All patients with JIA-associated uveitis (N = 108; affected eyes = 196) evaluated and followed at the Wilmer Eye Institute from July 1984 through June 2014 were included in this study. Prevalence and incidence of hypotony (intraocular pressure [IOP] Results At presentation, 9.3% of patients (7.1% of affected eyes) had hypotony. During a median follow-up of 5.3 years, the rate of developing hypotony and low IOP were 0.04 per eye-year (/EY; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02/EY, 0.05/EY) and 0.06/EY (95% CI: 0.04/EY, 0.08/EY), respectively. Risk factors for development of hypotony during follow-up appeared to be associated with more severe uveitic disease, such as the presence of panuveitis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 43.1; P = .004), anterior chamber cells or flare ≥ 3+ (aHR, 25.6, P P = .02), and the use of oral corticosteroid (aHR 28.9; P = .003) at the presenting examination. Receiving immunosuppressive drug therapy at the time of presentation was associated with a lower risk of development of hypotony (aHR, 0.02; P = .002). Conclusions Hypotony affects a small but significant proportion of patients with JIA-associated uveitis and is associated with signs of active and severe uveitis. Immunosuppression was associated with significantly lower risk of hypotony, suggesting that aggressive control of the inflammation may reduce risk of hypotony in JIA-associated uveitis.
Real Symmetric Matrices

The FORTRAN codes in this chapter address the question of computing distinct eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of real symmetric matrices, using a single-vector Lanczos procedure. For a given real symmetric matrix A, these codes compute real scalars λ and corresponding real vectors x ≠ 0, such that $$ Ax = \lambda x$$ (2.1.1) DEFINITION 2.1.1 A real nxn matrix A = (aij), 1 ≤ i,j ≤ n, is a real symmetric matrix if and only if for every i and j, aij = aji.
Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: Current Management and Future Directions

Outcomes for rectal cancer surgery have improved significantly over the past 20 years with increasing rates of survival and recurrence, specifically local recurrence. These gains have been realized during a period of time in which there has been an increasing emphasis on sphincter preservation. As we have become increasingly aggressive in avoiding resection of the anus, we have begun accepting bowel dysfunction as a normal outcome. Low anterior resection syndrome, defined as a constellation of symptoms including incontinence, frequency, urgency, or feelings of incomplete emptying, has a significant impact on quality of life and results in many patients opting for a permanent colostomy to avoid these symptoms. In this article, we will highlight the most recent clinical and basic science research on this topic and discuss areas of future investigation.
Asymptomatic Heavy Lead Exposure

Three asymptomatic children, ages 34, 23, and 26 months, with blood lead levels >100 mcg/dL on routine screening are reported from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD.
Reducing invasive fungal infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving induction and re-induction chemotherapy at the University of Virginia Health System.

120Background: At the University of Virginia Health System (UVaHS), antifungal prophylaxis was not routinely given to patients undergoing induction and re-induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from 7/2011 to 9/2015. A retrospective chart review of 179 patient encounters identified a 19.7% rate of proven or probable invasive fungal infection (IFI); national averages for IFI are 8-10% in this population. Methods: To target an IFI rate of less than 10%, a multidisciplinary team comprised of oncology and infectious diseases physicians, clinical pharmacists, nurses, and information technology specialists was formed. Through participation in the 2016 ASCO Quality Training Program (QTP), the group developed current and ideal state process maps, a Pareto chart, and a priority matrix to determine an action plan. The group identified the most common problems contributing to IFI: inconsistent definition of IFI, no routine antifungal prophylaxis, and lack of education for the health care team. Resul...
Sexually dimorphic skeletal muscle and cardiac dysfunction in a mouse model of limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2i

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2i is a rare dystroglycanopathy that until recently lacked an appropriate animal model. Studies with the FKRP P448L mutant mouse began assessing muscle structure and ...
Indispensable malaria genes.

Malaria parasites, carried by mosquitoes and transmitted to humans, infect ∼200 million individuals and cause ∼500,000 deaths each year ( 1 ). Fifteen years after identifying the genome sequence of a malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum , malaria treatments still rely heavily on chemicals derived from natural products that were used centuries ago ( 2 ). With cell-based functional assays, the gap between genome sequences of Plasmodium spp. and the identification of valuable new therapeutics may be reduced by determining which genes are essential for parasite propagation in the disease-causing blood stage of the parasite life-cycle. The most potent and clinically useful antimalarial drugs rapidly eliminate parasites growing in red blood cells (RBCs). On page 506 of this issue, Zhang et al. ( 3 ) report a mutagenesis screen on P. falciparum cultured in human RBCs, identifying 2680 indispensable parasite genes, which may contain antimalarial drug targets. However, it is important to critically assess what fraction of these essential genes will be good drug targets and how one should prioritize such targets for drug discovery.
LogSafe: Secure and Scalable Data Logger for IoT Devices

As devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) increase in number and integrate with everyday lives, large amounts of personal information will be generated. With multiple discovered vulnerabilities in current IoT networks, a malicious attacker might be able to get access to and misuse this personal data. Thus, a logger that stores this information securely would make it possible to perform forensic analysis in case of such attacks that target valuable data. In this paper, we propose LogSafe, a scalable, fault-tolerant logger that leverages the use of Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) to store logs from IoT devices efficiently and securely. Using the security guarantees of SGX, LogSafe is designed to run on an untrusted cloud infrastructure and satisfies Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) security properties. Finally, we provide an exhaustive evaluation of LogSafe in order to demonstrate that it is capable of handling logs from a large number of IoT devices and at a very high data transmission rate.
Laboratory tests for thyroid disorders

The evolution in thyroid function tests since the 1960s has improved the physician's proficiency in accurately identifying thyroid dysfunction in a patient with suspected thyroid disease. The mainstays of modern thyroid testing strategies are the serum TSH concentration and AMA (anti-TPO) titer. The TSH level serves as an endogenous indicator of the biologically active free T4 fraction and, as a result, is currently the best gauge of the thyroid status of an individual. In addition, the TSH level has other advantages over free T4 estimates in confirming the presence of thyroid disease. First, each individual has his or her own free T4-TSH setpoint, whereby any deviation from this genetically determined relationship changes the serum TSH level. Second, owing to the local nature of the T4 feedback at the pituitary, these alterations in serum TSH values amplify small changes in circulating free T4 values. The net result of these unique attributes of measuring TSH is the ability to detect thyroid dysfunction early in the course of thyroid disease. There are limitations to the use of a TSH determination as a single thyroid function test, however. They include the presence of hypothalamic or pituitary disease or concurrent nonthyroidal illness and the immediate treatment of either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Because the majority of thyroid diseases involves autoimmune processes of the thyroid gland, the inclusion of an AMA titer in any approach to thyroid testing enhances both the diagnostic and prognostic expertise of the physician. In conclusion, currently available thyroid function tests have enhanced the diagnostic skills of the physician, but their effectiveness relies on clinical judgment rather than guidance from protocol or random application.
Compressed data-stream protocol: an energy-efficient compressed data-stream protocol for wireless sensor networks

In this study, the authors present an energy-efficient data compression protocol for data collection in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). WSNs are essentially constrained by motes’ limited battery power and networks bandwidth. The authors focus on data compression algorithms and protocol development to effectively support data compression for data gathering in WSNs. Their design of compressed data-stream protocol (CDP) is generic in the sense that other lossless or lossy compression algorithms can be easily ‘plugged’ into the proposed protocol system without any changes to the rest of the CDP. This design intends to support various different WSN applications where users may prefer more specific compression algorithms, tailored to the sensing data characteristics in question, to their general algorithm. CDP is not only able to significantly reduce energy consumptions of data gathering in multi-hop WSNs, but also able to reduce sensor network traffic and thus avoid congestion accordingly. The proposed CDP is implemented on the tinyOS platform using the nesC programming language. To evaluate their work, the authors conduct simulations via TOSSIM and PowerTOSSIM-z with real-world sensor data. The results demonstrate the significance of CDP.
Acellular Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier Induced Vasoactivity: A Brief Review of Potential Pharmacologic Remedies

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are currently in late phase clinical development as potential red blood cell substitutes. However, in recent clinical trials, most HBOC products have elicited vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Mechanisms of the HBOC-mediated vasoactivity have not been fully elucidated. However, regardless of mechanisms involved, observations from preclinical and clinical studies indicate that the HBOC-mediated vasoconstriction/blood pressure elevation can be attenuated by conventional and newer anti-hypertensive agents and vasodilators. These include calcium channel blockers, nitrovasodilators, ACE inhibitors, selective PDE inhibitors and inhalation of gaseous NO or nebulized nitrites. There is little information available regarding the safety and effectiveness of these agents when used for treatment of HBOC-mediated vasoconstriction and BP elevation. In this review we identify some potentially useful pharmacologic agents and discuss potential issues involved in their use with HBOCs.
P-015 The transradial approach to neuroendovascular procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The transradial approach has been widely adopted for cardiac catheterization due to lower local complication rates and high patient satisfaction. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the transradial approach is a viable alternative to the transfemoral approach for neuroendovascular procedures. Methods In February 2018, we searched PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane databases for studies examining transradial approach to cerebrovascular procedures. Studies focusing on carotid or vertebrobasilar stenting were excluded. Citations were examined by 2 reviewers (RG, CP), and bibliographies of all eligible articles were reviewed for pertinent publications. Data were independently extracted by 2 reviewers (RG, JT), and all data points were compared. Pooled estimates of transradial approach success and technique-related complication rate were assessed with a random-effects model, used due to wide variation in patient selection and procedural technique. Results Twenty-seven studies with 3260 procedures were included. The pooled procedure success rate was 99% (95% CI: 98.0%–99.0%, I2=77.7%) though in seven studies reporting selective catheterization rates, catheterization of left-sided vessels was significantly less successful than that of right-sided vessels (97.6% (1465/1985) vs 73.8% (2133/2186), X2=494.09, p Conclusions The transradial approach to neuroendovascular procedures has a high success rate and low rate of local, approach-specific complications; however, access to left-sided vessels may be limited. This lends support to the idea that the transradial approach can be performed with safety and efficacy. Acknowledgements Research reported in this publication was supported by the Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences grant UL1TR000448, sub-award TL1TR000449, from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Disclosures R. Guniganti: None. J. Thatcher: None. C. Park: None.
Alternating Minimization Algorithm for Polynomial Optimal Control Problems

Many optimal control problems can be cast into polynomial optimization problems through the discretization and conversion of expressions. The polynomial programming problem can further be transform...
How AMPT generates large elliptic flow with small cross sections

We resolve the long-standing open question of how the transport model AMPT manages to generate sufficiently high elliptic flow (v2) in A+A reactions with only few-millibarn 2->2 partonic cross sections - in apparent contradiction with an early study by Molnar and Gyulassy. Through detailed comparisons with the covariant Molnar's Parton Cascade (MPC), we pinpoint which features of initial conditions, interactions, and dynamics encoded in the partonic stage of AMPT allow it to circumvent the "opacity puzzle" at RHIC.