cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Keeping an Uphill Edge: Managing Cleaning Behaviors at a Ski Shop

Several behaviors in a ski shop were identified as being deficient using Austin's Performance Diagnostic Checklist (2000) and Daniels and Daniels' PIC/NIC Analysis (2004). During a 4-week baseline, 7 cleaning behaviors were monitored and 5 were subsequently targeted in an intervention package using an ABC design. The intervention included: a task clarification session, a posted behavioral checklist, graphic feedback of the group's performance for the previous week, and daily task-specific feedback. Immediately after the checklist was posted, the frequency of employee cleaning behaviors increased 52%. Cleaning behaviors increased an additional 12% after the implementation of daily task-specific feedback. Results suggest the interventions generalized to the 2 cleaning behaviors not mentioned in the task-clarification session.
First-year students' social networks: learning computing with others

Social theories of education hold that learning depends on students' interactions with others, not just their own individual intelligence and effort. This paper investigates those interactions in more detail. We present the results of a thematic analysis of interviews with twelve computing students near the end of their first year and discuss the types of interactions they have with others that affect their education.
Über die Einwirkung von Natrium-bis-trimethylsilyl-amid auf Benzophenon, Benzaldehyd und Benzochinon

Natrium-bis-trimethylsilyl-amid reagiert mit nicht enolisierbaren Carbonylverbindungen unter primarer Addition und nachfolgender Abspaltung von Natriumtrimethyl-silanolat zu N-Trimethylislyl-carbimid-Derivaten: Beschrieben werden Darstellung und Eigenschaften der intensiv gelben bis rotbraunen Verbindungen (C6H5)2, CNSi(CH3)3, (C6H5)HCNSi(CH3)3 .
Transverse-mass M⊥ dependence of dilepton emission from preequilibrium and Quark-Gluon plasma in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions

The dependence on invariant mass M and transverse momentum q⊥ of lepton pairs emitted by quarks during the early stage of central collisions between gold nuclei at √s=200A GeV is investigated within the parton cascade model. For fixed transverse mass q⊥ between 2 and 3 GeV, the spectrum is thermal shaped at low q⊥ and exhibits a power law behavior at larger q⊥. A suspected M⊥ scaling is not observed in the calculated distribution, but the significant shape of the spectrum and the large yield from preequilibrium emission may nevertheless serve as a characteristic signal for a parton plasma formation
Proton-Transfer Mechanism in LaPO4

On the basis of the density functional calculations, the proton-transfer mechanism in LaPO4 has been investigated at the atomic scale within the transition state theory. Through the use of the nudged elastic band method, the minimum energy paths of typical proton-transfer processes were computed, including intratetrahedral transfer, intertetrahedral transfer, proton rotation around PO4 tetrahedra, and the oscillatory transfer between adjacent tetrahedra. Because the PO4 tetrahedra in LaPO4 are separated, proton transfer between different tetrahedra is required for continuous proton conduction. The energy barriers for these processes are shown to be around 0.8 eV, very close to experimentally measured activation energies. The intratetrahedral transfer on the phosphate groups presents a high-energy barrier and is very unlikely to occur. Proton conductivity of LaPO4 was also calculated by considering the vibration frequencies of the system within the harmonic approximation.
Causal connectivity at warp speed

Causal connectivity at warp speed is a possible consequence of a limiting proper acceleration relative to the vacuum. Normally this would occur only near the Planck scale of spatial separation between two devices measuring the field but at much larger separations when the relative speed of the two measuring devices is near the standard speed of light in vacuum.
Appearance of plasminogen activator activity during a synchronous cycle of a rat adenocarcinoma cell line, PA-III.

Abstract A study of the appearance of plasminogen activators during the cell cycle of a rat prostate adenocarcinoma cell line, PA-III, was undertaken. After release from a hydroxyurea (HU) block, the length of the cell cycle was determined and found to be 20–25 h, with the S-G2-M portions comprising approx. 10–15 h and the G1 phase occurring over a similar 10–15-h period. Assays for tissue-like plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinaselike plasminogen activator (u-PA) in cell-conditioned medium revealed an increased appearance of both enzymes shortly after the S phase of the cycle. The pattern of production of these activators remained the same under differing conditions of cell synchronization.
A rapid response 64-channel photomultiplier tube camera for high-speed flow velocimetry

In this technical design note, the development of a rapid response photomultiplier tube camera, leveraging field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) for high-speed flow velocimetry at up to 10 MHz is described. Technically relevant flows, for example, supersonic inlets and exhaust jets, have time scales on the order of microseconds, and their experimental study requires resolution of these timescales for fundamental insight. The inherent rapid response time attributes of a 64-channel photomultiplier array were coupled with two-stage amplifiers on each anode, and were acquired using a FPGA-based system. Application of FPGA allows high data acquisition rates with many channels as well as on-the-fly preprocessing techniques. Results are presented for optical velocimetry in supersonic free jet flows, demonstrating the value of the technique in the chosen application example for determining supersonic shear layer velocity correlation maps.
Diet and drug therapy for lipoprotein (a)

Lipoprotein (a) has been implicated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Recently, considerable progress has been made toward understanding the importance of genetics in the regulation of plasma levels of lipoprotein (a). However, the issue as to whether lipoprotein (a) levels should be treated is still debated and furthermore the possibilities to influence lipoprotein (a) levels remain limited. The potential clinical importance of lipoprotein (a) has stimulated interest in the dietary and pharmacologic agents that affect this lipoprotein. At present, only a few of the existing therapeutic tools, such as nicotinic acid and estrogens, have been found to consistently affect lipoprotein (a).
The use and limitations of the INR system

This study was undertaken to answer some practical questions physicians and medical directors of clinical laboratories face when they contemplate replacing their high international sensitivity index (ISI) thromboplastins with low ISI ones and using international normalized ratio (INR) in place of prothrombin time ratio (PTR) for monitoring warfarin therapy. To the question of whether low-ISI thromboplastins would produce a prolonged PT on normal patients, the answer is probably no. To the question of the extent of normalization of disparate PTs, determined by high and low ISI thromboplastins, of patients on oral anticoagulants upon the conversion of PTR to INR, the answer is a mixed one. For those whose PTs were 14–20 sec, conversion of PTR to INR would markedly, but not completely, normalize the PTR values. In other words, there would be a lessening of disparity of the PTR after the conversion. For patients whose PTs were >20 sec, conversion of PTR to INR could even widen the disparity seen with the PTR. Finally, when PTs were assayed on different coagulation devices with the same reagent, highly congenial results were obtained. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
COMPARATIVE MOLECULAR EVOLUTION OF NEWLY DISCOVERED PICOCYANOBACTERIAL STRAINS REVEALS A PHYLOGENETICALLY INFORMATIVE VARIABLE REGION OF β-PHYCOERYTHRIN1

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of 10 strains of picocyanobacteria from the Arabian Sea were examined using partial sequences from three loci: 16S rDNA, RNA polymerase rpoC 1 , and two elements of the phycoerythrin (PE) locus, cpeA and cpeB which encode for the α and β subunit of PE. Nine of the strains showed nearly identical spectral phenotypes based on the in vivo excitation spectrum for PE fluorescence emission and appear to be strains synthesizing a phycourobilin (PUB)-lacking PE. These strains include one, Synechococcus sp. G2.1, already known to be closely related to filamentous cyanobacteria and not to the commonly studied 5.1 subcluster of marine Synechococcus. The 10th strain was a PE-lacking strain that was of interest because it was isolated from open-ocean conditions where picocyanobacteria with this phenotype are relatively uncommon. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated 16S rDNA and rpoC1 data sets showed that none of the previously described strains were members of the 5.1 subcluster of marine Synechococcus, nor were they closely related to strain G2.1. Instead, they form a well-supported and previously undescribed clade of cyanobacteria that is sister to Cyanobium. Thus, these strains represent the first PE-containing Cyanobium from oceanic waters, and the lineage they define includes a strain with a PE-lacking phenotype from the same environment. Analysis of the PE sequence data showed the PE apoprotein has evolved independently in the G2.1 lineage and the Cyanobium-like lineage represented by the study strains. It also revealed a hypervariable region of the p-subunit not described previously; variation in this region shows a pattern among a wide range of PE-containing organisms congruent with the phylogenetic relationships inferred from other genes. This suggests that the PUB-lacking spectral phenotype is more likely to have evolved in distantly related phylogenetic lineages by either divergent or convergent evolution than by lateral gene transfer. Both the conserved PE gene sequences and the inferred amino acid sequences for the hypervariable region show considerable divergence among Prochlorococcus PEs, red algal PEs, PUB-containing PEs from the marine Synechococcus 5.1 subcluster, PEs from the Cyanobium-like strains, and PEs from other cyanobacteria (including strain G2.1). Thus, it appears that the hypervariable region of the PE gene can be used as a taxon-specific marker.
Formation of three-dimensional Parylene C structures via thermoforming

The thermoplastic nature of Parylene C is leveraged to enable the formation of three-dimensional structures using a thermal forming (thermoforming) technique. Thermoforming involves the heating of Parylene films above its glass transition temperature while they are physically confined in the final desired conformation. Micro and macro scale three-dimensional structures composed of Parylene thin films were developed using the thermoforming process, and the resulting chemical and mechanical changes to the films were characterized. No large changes to the surface and bulk chemistries of the polymer were observed following the thermoforming process conducted in vacuum. Heat treated structures exhibited increased stiffness by a maximum of 37% depending on the treatment temperature, due to an increase in crystallinity of the Parylene polymer. This study revealed important property changes resulting from the process, namely (1) the development of high strains in thermoformed areas of small radii of curvature (30?90??m) and (2) ?1.5% bulk material shrinkage in thermoformed multilayered Parylene?Parylene and Parylene?metal?Parylene films. Thermoforming is a simple process whereby three-dimensional structures can be achieved from Parylene C-based thin film structures with tunable mechanical properties as a function of treatment temperature.
Nested stochastic simulation algorithm for chemical kinetic systems with disparate rates

An efficient simulation algorithm for chemical kinetic systems with disparate rates is proposed. This new algorithm is quite general, and it amounts to a simple and seamless modification of the classical stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA), also known as the Gillespie [J. Comput. Phys. 22, 403 (1976); J. Phys. Chem. 81, 2340 (1977)] algorithm. The basic idea is to use an outer SSA to simulate the slow processes with rates computed from an inner SSA which simulates the fast reactions. Averaging theorems for Markov processes can be used to identify the fast and slow variables in the system as well as the effective dynamics over the slow time scale, even though the algorithm itself does not rely on such information. This nested SSA can be easily generalized to systems with more than two separated time scales. Convergence and efficiency of the algorithm are discussed using the established error estimates and illustrated through examples.
The Semisynthetic Penicillins

The discovery of penicillin early in this century revolutionized medical care. Although penicillin enjoyed remarkable success against various bacterial agents, emerging bacterial resistance has limited its effectiveness. Other antibiotic agents have since been developed, but the development of the semisynthetic penicillins has prevented the penicillins from becoming obsolete. The semisynthetic penicillins have improved coverage and effectiveness against a wide range of organisms, including most streptococcal and staphylococcal species, aerobic gram-negative organisms, and many anaerobic organisms. The semisynthetic penicillins can be administered either orally or parenterally and in many cases are less costly to administer than other antibiotics. The semisynthetic penicillins can be used singly in most situations, but when treating highly resistant organisms, such as pseudomonas, combined therapy with an aminoglycoside may be required. In obstetrics and gynecology, the semisynthetic penicillins are used in surgical prophylaxis, intra-amniotic infection, mastitis, endometritis, and other pelvic infections.
A Radioimmunoassay for Measurement of Thyroxine in Unextracted Serum

A rapid, specific, precise and reproducible radioimmunoassay (RIA) for measurement of thyroxine (T4) in unextracted human serum is described. The procedure compares the ability of standards and unknowns to compete with radioactive T4 for binding sites on a T4-binding antiserum produced in rabbits by immunization with human thyroglobulin (Tg). The assay is set up in the presence of 1) 150 μg of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANS) in all tubes, to mobilize T4 from its binding with thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), and 2) barbital buffer to inhibit binding of T4 to thyroxine binding prealbumin (TBPA). The standard curve of the assay is regularly linear from 0.3–10 ng, thereby allowing accurate measurement of 1.2–40 μg/100 ml of T4, in one attempt, using 25 μl of serum. The validity of the method in general and specifically the lack of interference by TBG in serum has been demonstrated by 1) superimposability of T4 standard curves in buffer and T4-free human serum, 2) observation of expected values of...
Comparison of time and spatial collocation methods for the heat equation

We combine a high-order compact finite difference scheme to approximate the spatial derivatives and collocation techniques for the time component to numerically solve the two-dimensional heat equation. We use two approaches to implement the time collocation methods. The first one is based on an explicit computation of the coefficients of polynomials and the second one relies on differential quadratures. We also implement a spatial collocation method where differential quadratures are utilized for spatial derivatives and an implicit scheme for marching in time. We compare all the three techniques by studying their merits and analyzing their numerical performance. Our experiments show that all of them achieve high-accurate approximate solution but the time collocation method with differential quadrature offers (with respect to the one with explicit polynomials) less computational complexity and a better efficiency. All our computations, based on parallel algorithms, are carried out on the CRAY SV1.
Patterns of Neck Relapse After Elective Nodal Irradiation for Sinonasal Tumors: Implications for Nodal Volume Delineation

Materials/Methods: Between 1991 and 2002, 100 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed sinonasal malignancies received combined proton and photon radiotherapy (RT) at the Massachusetts General Hospital. There were 33 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 28 neuroendocrine tumors, 20 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC), 14 soft tissue sarcomas (STS), and 5 adenocarcinomas. One patient had T1, 7 with T2, 18 with T3 and 74 with T4 primary tumors according to the 2002 AJCC staging system. Ninety-seven and 3 patients presented with N0 and N1 neck respectively. The median prescribed total RT dose to the primary was 71.1 Cobalt Gray Equivalent (CGE) (range: 55.4 77.8). The neck RT treatments were: 67% bilateral ENI, 11% unilateral ENI, and 22% no ENI. ENI was delivered by 4 MV photons to a median dose of 44Gy (range: 37.5 60) over 23 fractions. The majority of neck portals were delivered using an AP/PA approach with a full midline cord and chin block to encompass the cervical and supraclavicular nodes. The neck fields were matched to the inferior border of the proton fields encompassing the primary tumor at the level of C1-3, the retropharyngeal nodes were not fully encompassed in the radiation portals in most cases. Thirty-four percent of patients received chemotherapy, 68% of patients underwent surgical resection of the primary prior to RT.
Electrical activation of low-fluence boron implantation in silicon studied by PCV in combination with SIMS

The thermally induced electrical activation of boron implanted in silicon at fluences ≦1013 cm−2 was studied by the combination of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and pulsed capacitance voltage (PCV). After annealing at 900°C for 30 min boron is completely ionized and the contribution of electrically active defects to the electrical profile is negligible. For partly annealed samples (T<900°C) the degree of electrical activation of boron decreases with increasing boron concentration due to the presence of residual defects. The experimental data can be described qualitatively by the first-order kinetics if the influence of residual crystal defects on the electrical activation is considered.
Classical Channel Estimation for OFDM based on Delay-Doppler Response

In an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, the channel is often modeled as a two-dimensional zero-mean Gaussian random process in time and frequency with known second order statistics. With pilot symbols placed across the time-frequency plane, the channel's response at a particular time-frequency point can be derived from its correlation with the nearby pilot locations. However, this a priori channel statistics may not always be available or the channel may not even be stationary to be adequately characterized by a correlation function. In this paper, we introduce a model of time-varying channel based on its delay-Doppler response. We show that a widely adopted time-frequency correlation model, upon which popular channel estimators for OFDM are often based, can be viewed as a special case of such a model with separable statistical profiles imposed on the delay-Doppler plane. Without using any statistical assumption on the channel, we derive a classical estimator based on the two-dimensional delay- Doppler correlator, which can be implemented using Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFT) of the pilot symbol measurements. Simulation results show promising performance even when the pilot symbols' insertion rate is at the channel's maximum delay-Doppler spread.
2670 – Comorbid bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder and history of suicide attempts

Background Both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are associated with elevated rates of completed and attempted suicide. No studies have examined whether there is an additive risk for suicidal behavior in patients diagnosed with both disorders. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project we tested the hypothesis that patients diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder would have a higher rate of suicide attempts than patients with either diagnosis alone. Methods Three thousand four hundred and sixty-five psychiatric outpatients were interviewed with semi-structured interviews. Results The suicide attempt rate in both the bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder groups was significantly higher than the rate in patients without either of these disorders. Compared to the bipolar patients without borderline personality disorder, the patients diagnosed with both bipolar and borderline personality disorder were significantly more likely to have made a prior suicide attempt (58.0% vs. 28.9%, p Conclusions While bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are each risk factors for suicidal behavior, the cooccurrence of these disorders confers an additive risk.
The Electrical Double Layer in Methanol

The capacity of the electrical double layer between mercury and methanolic solutions of KF, NH4F, NH4Cl, and NH4NO3 has been measured. The results at 25° are qualitatively similar to those observed in aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures, and differ from those observed in water at 25°Chiefly in the absence of the familiar “hump”. A theory of the double layer proposed earlier according to which the capacity of the inner region is a function of the surface charge density q in the absence of specific adsorption has been tested and found to be very satisfactory in methanol solutions. A qualitative explanation is proposed for the shape of the capacity curves observed in methanol at 25° and in water at elevated temperatures. No adsorption of chloride ion from methanolic solutions of NH4Cl on cathodic polarization is indicated.
Predicting Computer Anxiety in the Business Communication Classroom: Facts, Figures, and Teaching Strategies

The purpose of this study is primarily twofold: (1) to determine what factors, if any, are predictors of computer anxiety among business communication students and (2) to explore alternative teaching strategies suggested by the literature to effectively reduce computer anxiety in business communication classrooms. Participants consisted of 431 students enrolled in business communication courses during the 1995 spring semester at three state-supported universities in three southern states. Statistical analyses revealed that gender, keyboarding skill, age, socioeconomic status, and self-directedness are adequate predictors of computer anxiety in business communication students. Teaching strategies for reducing or eliminating computer anxiety in business communication classrooms are discussed.
Financial Analysis of Diameter-Limit Cut Stands in Northern Hardwoods

Diameter-limit cutting of stands in the US northeast is a common practice often thought to give the landowner the highest financial returns. A landowner’s decision to diameter-limit cut or use some other harvesting option on a given stand involves examining mutually exclusive investments. Previous research that compared diameter-limit cutting to other harvesting options implicitly assumed these were independent investments. This paper develops analytical models to examine a variety of harvesting options for a single stand, including diameter-limit cutting, as mutually exclusive investments, and with stand and financial parameters defined by the landowner. These models are used to examine implications of changes in the financial parameters for harvesting options. It is found that no simple guidelines can be laid down for choice of harvesting options to maximise the net present value of stands with respect to diameter-limit cutting compared to other harvesting options. The empirical examples reveal that which harvesting option has the largest net present value depends on the parameters of the landowner’s stand and the financial parameters chosen by the landowner. The analysis illustrates the importance of understanding the interrelationships between the financial and stand parameters in determining whether a diameter-limit cut is in fact the best financial option for a landowner.
Mutations altering the structure of epidermal growth factor-like coding sequences at the Drosophila Notch locus

The Drosophila neurogenic protein Notch is largely composed of tandemly repeated copies of an epidermal growth factor-like sequence. Notch protein contains 36 EGF-like elements, but no two are identical. In the present study, eight mutations are correlated with single amino acid substitutions in EGF-homologous elements of this protein. Genetic analyses of the mutations and comparisons of DNA from mutant and wild-type flies indicate that differentiation of function exists among the tandemly repeated EGF-like sequences and that the total number of repeats and minor variations from the consensus repeat sequence are important for wild-type Notch protein function. One group of EGF-like repeats may be involved in the formation of functional Notch dimers or multimeric proteins. EGF-like elements in a second region of the Notch protein appear to govern its interaction with the product of Enhancer of split, another neurogenic locus of D. melanogaster.
Dual-mode satellite-cellular phones

Several mobile-satellite systems will be in commercial operation in the next 5 years. These systems will co-exist with terrestrial cellular systems augmenting their coverage and providing wide area roaming via the use of dual-mode (satellite-cellular) phones. The realization of dual-mode satellite-cellular handheld phones that are competitive in size and features with cellular phones is very dependent on the system design. This paper provides a perspective on the requirements and challenges in the design of such phones.
Different Chromosomal Translocations in MALT Lymphoma Promote Cancer Through a Common Mechanism

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) comprises 7%–8% of all B-cell lymphomas. In many cases of MALT lymphoma, there is a history of chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorder. Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been associated with several chromosomal alterations; remarkably, the 3 most common of these translocations target a specific portion of the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) transcription regulator pathway. This transcription control mechanism is intimately linked to the means by which lymphocytes are activated and maintained by a chronic inflammatory stimulus. Recent discoveries suggest this pathway is an attractive therapeutic target for lymphoid malignancies. * MALT : mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue NF-κB : nuclear factor kappaB FISH : fluorescent in situ hybridization
Evidence of catalyzed oxidation of Li2O2 for rechargeable Li–air battery applications

The oxidation kinetics of Li2O2 was studied in a carbonate-free electrolyte using electrodes consisting of non-catalyzed and catalyzed Vulcan carbon (VC) and chemically synthesized Li2O2 particles. VC and Au nanoparticles supported on VC (Au/C) were fairly inactive for catalyzing the oxidation of Li2O2, where oxidation currents greater than 10 mA gcarbon−1 were found only at voltages equal to and greater than 4.0 V vs. Li (VLi). Pt and Ru nanoparticles supported on VC (Pt/C and Ru/C) could significantly increase the kinetics of Li2O2 oxidation, where Li2O2 could be removed largely at voltages below 4 VLi. In addition, Pt/C and Ru/C showed quick initiation of Li2O2 oxidation in contrast to VC and Au/C.
Heart Rate Variability Predicts ESRD and CKD-Related Hospitalization

Autonomic imbalance, a feature of both diabetes and hypertension, may contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In animal models, sympathetic nerve activity contributes to renal damage but the extent to which autonomic dysfunction precedes the development of CKD and ESRD in humans is unknown. We measured resting heart rate and heart rate variability in 13,241 adults (45- to 64-years old) followed for a median of 16 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. We examined heart rate parameters by quartiles, defining those in the lowest quartile (by time and frequency domain measures separately) as the risk group of interest. We identified 199 cases of incident ESRD and 541 patients with CKD-related hospitalizations; higher resting heart rate and lower heart rate variability associated with both outcomes. The fully adjusted hazard ratios for ESRD were 1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45 to 2.70) among those in the highest heart rate quartile and 1.56 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.14) for high-frequency power. Other time and frequency domain measures were similarly and significantly associated with ESRD and CKD-related hospitalizations. These results suggest that autonomic dysfunction may be an important risk factor for ESRD and CKD-related hospitalizations and call for further studies to define the mechanisms that underlie these associations.
Clinical features and preliminary studies of virological correlates of neurocognitive impairment among HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the incidence and prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related neurocognitive impairment (NCI) are unknown and there currently exists little information related to the viral correlates rates of NCI. Therefore, studies were performed to examine the potential utility of applying an established neuropsychological (NP) screening battery and detailed NP testing to detect NCI and correlations with functional impairment and the presence of specific viral signatures among infected subjects. A total of 60 HIV-1 seropositive antiretroviral-naive individuals and 56 seronegative control subjects were administered the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) and assessed for functional impairment using the Karnofsky performance status scale. Fifteen HIV-infected patients and 11 controls were also administered a detailed NP battery. Blood samples from eight infected subjects, three with evidence of NCI, were obtained for molecular analysis of HIV-1 strain. Unadjusted scores on the IHDS showed that, using a recommended total score cutoff of 10, 28.8% of the HIV-1 seropositive and 16.0% of seropositive individuals scored abnormally. Results from testing using the full NP battery showed that, overall, the HIV seropositive group performed worse than the seronegative group, with effect sizes spanning from small (0.25 on the trail making test A) to large (0.82 on action fluency), and an average effect size across the battery of 0.45, which approaches that which has been recorded in other international settings. Sequencing of partial pol amplicons from viral isolates revealed that two of three patients with NCI were infected with subtype G virus and 1 with the circulating recombinant form (CRF)02_AG; all four individuals without NCI were infected with CRF_02AG. These studies demonstrate the utility of the IHDS in identifying cognitive impairment among HIV infected individuals in Nigeria. Future studies aimed at examining the burden of NCI among the population of individuals with HIV-1 infection in Nigeria and which assess the virologic correlates will contribute to the evolving understanding of the pathogenetic factors that underlie this disorder.
Using neural networks to model the open environment for mobile robot navigation

The application of the Kohonen self-organizing topology preserving neural network for learning and developing a minimal representation for the open environment for mobile robot navigation is presented. The input to the algorithm is the coordinates of randomly selected points in the open environment. No specific knowledge of the size, number, and shape of the obstacles is needed by the network. The parameter selection for the network is discussed and two illustrative examples are presented. >
Decreasing the Adverse Effects of Cancer Therapy: An NCI Workshop on the Preclinical Development of Radiation Injury Mitigators/Protectors

The study of radiation mitigators/protectors for use in cancer treatment and management is complex as they must reduce normal tissue toxicity without reducing tumor cell kill. The known toxicology, pharmacokinetic, and mechanistic data for the proposed agent will direct investigators to the appropriate stage of preclinical development. Overall, we hope that this Workshop commentary facilitates the transition of radiation mitigators/protectors into clinical trials.
Translocation as a conservation tool for Agassiz's desert tortoises: Survivorship, reproduction, and movements

We translocated 120 Agassiz's desert tortoises to 5 sites in Nevada and Utah to evaluate the effects of translocation on tortoise survivorship, reproduction, and habitat use. Translocation sites included several elevations, and extended to sites with vegetation assemblages not typically associated with desert tortoises in order to explore the possibility of moving animals to upper elevation areas. We measured survivorship, reproduction, and movements of translocated and resident animals at each site. Survivorship was not significantly different between translocated and resident animals within and among sites, and survivorship was greater overall during non-drought years. The number of eggs produced by tortoises was similar for translocated and resident females, but differed among sites. Animals translocated to atypical habitat generally moved until they reached vegetation communities more typical of desert tortoise habitat. Even within typical tortoise habitat, tortoises tended to move greater distances in the first year after translocation than did residents, but their movements in the second or third year after translocation were indistinguishable from those of resident tortoises. Our data show that tortoises translocated into typical Mojave desert scrub habitats perform well; however, the large first-year movements of translocated tortoises have important management implications. Projects that employ translocations must consider how much area will be needed to contain translocated tortoises and whether roads need fencing to prevent the loss of animals. 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Is biodiversity-friendly coffee financially viable? An analysis of five different coffee production systems in western El Salvador

Abstract The current trend for reducing shade cover in coffee plantations in northern Latin America has prompted concern among conservationists because of its potential implications for the loss of biodiversity. To help reverse such a trend, a project has been launched to promote biodiversity-friendly cultural practices in coffee plantations and the marketing of certified ‘biodiversity-friendly’ coffee. This paper examines the financial feasibility of investing in the certification criteria for a ‘biodiversity-friendly’ coffee in farms with different production systems in western El Salvador. Models were developed to estimate net present values and risks associated with the investment for five hypothetical, but typical, coffee farms: (1) traditional polyculture; (2) commercial polyculture; (3) technified shade less than 1200 m elevation; (4) technified shade greater than 1200 m elevation; and (5) unshaded monoculture. To invest in the ‘biodiversity-friendly’ certification criteria was financially viable in all farms. The unshaded monoculture farm type was the most profitable case, and the farm under traditional polyculture was the only risk-free. Capital requirements for the investment are low, though they increase as shade cover in the farm becomes reduced. Small, cash-poor farmers will need assistance to make the up-front expenditures required to have the farm certified. Incentives for certified biodiversity-friendly coffee plantations such as tax relief, payment for environmental services, and soft credits could help make the investment more attractive.
Multi-variate, Time Varying, and Comparative Visualization with Contextual Cues

Time-varying, multi-variate, and comparative data sets are not easily visualized due to the amount of data that is presented to the user at once. By combining several volumes together with different operators into one visualized volume, the user is able to compare values from different data sets in space over time, run, or field without having to mentally switch between different renderings of individual data sets. In this paper, we propose using a volume shader where the user is given the ability to easily select and operate on many data volumes to create comparison relationships. The user specifies an expression with set and numerical operations and her data to see relationships between data fields. Furthermore, we render the contextual information of the volume shader by converting it to a volume tree. We visualize the different levels and nodes of the volume tree so that the user can see the results of suboperations. This gives the user a deeper understanding of the final visualization, by seeing how the parts of the whole are operationally constructed
Specific detection of Salmonella typhimurium proteins synthesized intracellularly.

Studies of the proteins Salmonella typhimurium synthesizes under conditions designed to more closely approximate the in vivo environment, i.e., in cell and tissue culture, are not easily interpreted because they have involved chemical inhibition of host cell protein synthesis during infection. The method which we have developed allows specific labeling of bacterial proteins without interfering with host cell metabolic activities by using a labeled lysine precursor which mammalian cells cannot utilize. We have resolved the labeled proteins using two-dimensional electrophoresis and autofluorography. We were able to detect 57 proteins synthesized by S. typhimurium during growth within a human intestinal epithelial cell line. Of the 57 proteins detected, 34 appear to be unique to the intracellular environment, i.e., they are not seen during growth of the bacteria in tissue culture medium alone. Current (and future) efforts are directed at organizing the 34 proteins into known stress response groups, determining the cellular locations of the proteins (outer or inner membrane, etc.), and comparing the pattern of proteins synthesized within an intestinal epithelial cell to the pattern synthesized during growth within other tissues.
Reputation as a Benefit and a Burden? How Stakeholders’ Organizational Identification Affects the Role of Reputation Following a Negative Event

Research about the effects of an organization’s general reputation following a negative event remains equivocal: Some studies have found that high reputation is a benefit because of the stock of so...
Siberian Early Upper Paleolithic

relative time period: Follows Siberian Mousterian tradition, precedes Siberian Middle Upper Paleolithic tradition
A CFD pressure drop model for microfibrous entrapped catalyst filters using micro-scale imaging

A micro-scale pressure drop model for microfibrous entrapped catalysts (MFEC) is constructed based on experimental scanning electron microscope (SEM) images using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This model investigates the separate contributions of fibers, entrapped particles, particle shape factors and the compressibility of MFEC to the total pressure drop in a high air velocity condition. A theoretical calculation is conducted to determine the flow type within the MFEC. Top view and side view SEM images of MFEC are taken to reproduce their 3D geometric structure, which significantly improves the accuracy of the model compared with other simplified models. Volume loading of fibers and entrapped particles, as well as media compressibility, are found to be major contributors to pressure drop. In an effort to reduce pressure drop, two types of leading-edge/trailing-edge filter fairings are also studied. Triangle fairings added to the leading edge and trailing edge of MFEC decrease pressure drop, especia...
Lipotoxicity in steatohepatitis occurs despite an increase in tricarboxylic acid cycle activity

The hepatic tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is central to integrating macronutrient metabolism and is closely coupled to cellular respiration, free radical generation, and inflammation. Oxidative flux through the TCA cycle is induced during hepatic insulin resistance, in mice and humans with simple steatosis, reflecting early compensatory remodeling of mitochondrial energetics. We hypothesized that progressive severity of hepatic insulin resistance and the onset of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) would impair oxidative flux through the hepatic TCA cycle. Mice (C57/BL6) were fed a high-trans-fat high-fructose diet (TFD) for 8 wk to induce simple steatosis and NASH by 24 wk. In vivo fasting hepatic mitochondrial fluxes were determined by(13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based isotopomer analysis. Hepatic metabolic intermediates were quantified using mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics. Hepatic triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance preceded alterations in mitochondrial metabolism, since TCA cycle fluxes remained normal during simple steatosis. However, mice with NASH had a twofold induction (P< 0.05) of mitochondrial fluxes (μmol/min) through the TCA cycle (2.6 ± 0.5 vs. 5.4 ± 0.6), anaplerosis (9.1 ± 1.2 vs. 16.9 ± 2.2), and pyruvate cycling (4.9 ± 1.0 vs. 11.1 ± 1.9) compared with their age-matched controls. Induction of the TCA cycle activity during NASH was concurrent with blunted ketogenesis and accumulation of hepatic diacylglycerols (DAGs), ceramides (Cer), and long-chain acylcarnitines, suggesting inefficient oxidation and disposal of excess free fatty acids (FFA). Sustained induction of mitochondrial TCA cycle failed to prevent accretion of "lipotoxic" metabolites in the liver and could hasten inflammation and the metabolic transition to NASH.
Early ACL reconstruction in children leads to less meniscal and articular cartilage damage when compared with conservative or delayed treatment

Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are being seen and treated with increasing frequency in children and adolescent athletes. The superiority of treating ACL tears in children and adolescents with acute reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or non-operative treatment remains controversial. Objectives To perform a systematic literature review to investigate for any associations between progressive intra-articular joint damage (increasing rates of meniscal and cartilage injury) with delayed or non-operative treatment of ACL tears in children and adolescents under age 18 when compared with acute ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Data sources PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane computerised databases. Study eligibility criteria Inclusion criteria: (1) paediatric patient population (defined as Participants Youth aged Interventions Acute ACLR, delayed ACLR, non-operative management. Synthesis methods Qualitative synthesis. Results 17 studies were included in the final analysis, all of which reported on medial meniscal injuries, of which 8 (47%) favoured acute reconstruction. 10 of 17 reported on cartilage injuries, of which 4 (40%) favoured acute ACLR. No study concluded that delayed reconstruction or non-operative management was associated with fewer cartilage or meniscus injuries. Limitations While the included studies provided patient age data, not all provided details about distribution of skeletal maturity. Furthermore, the majority of studies were retrospective and subject to selection bias, measurement bias and design bias (eg, surgical decision-making may have accounted for intra-articular pathology sustained at the time of injury). Constituent study heterogeneity with regard to ACLR techniques, definitions of surgical delay and variable length of follow-up precluded combining results in quantitative meta-analysis. Conclusions and implications of key findings On the basis of the available published literature which is largely retrospective, acute reconstruction for ACL tears appears to be associated with fewer medial meniscal injuries and articular cartilage lesions when compared with delayed or non-operative management. Several studies that were equivocal showed clinically relevant effect sizes but were underpowered to detect statistical differences between groups. Future prospective research in a large uniform cohort of skeletally immature patients with ACL tears may provide more answers to this important clinical question. Trial registration number CRD42015027614.
THE EVOLUTION OF SELF-FERTILIZATION AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN PLANTS. I. GENETIC MODELS

The amounts of inbreeding depression upon selfing and of heterosis upon outcrossing determine the strength of selection on the selfing rate in a population when this evolves polygenically by small steps. Genetic models are constructed which allow inbreeding depression to change with the mean selfing rate in a population by incorporating both mutation to recessive and partially dominant lethal and sublethal alleles at many loci and mutation in quantitative characters under stabilizing selection. The models help to explain observations of high inbreeding depression (> 50%) upon selfing in primarily outcrossing populations, as well as considerable heterosis upon outcrossing in primarily selfing populations. Predominant selfing and predominant outcrossing are found to be alternative stable states of the mating system in most plant populations. Which of these stable states a species approaches depends on the history of its population structure and the magnitude of effect of genes influencing the selfing rate.
Management of chronic heart failure.

Although chronic heart failure remains a major source of morbidity and mortality, recent advances in treatment have resulted in substantial improvements in survival, quality of life and exercise capacity, while at the same time reducing hospitalizations and overall cost of care. An algorithm for CHF management based on currently available data is presented, with a focus on recent results from major clinical trials. The information should be used as a general guide, recognizing that revision will be necessary as additional studies are completed and new data become available.
The health effects of the foreclosure crisis and unaffordable housing: A systematic review and explanation of evidence

The foreclosure crisis was detrimental to the financial well-being of many households, yet the non-economic consequences are still poorly understood. This systematic review aims to understand the direct and spillover effect of foreclosures on several health-related outcomes by synthesizing evidence from 40 studies. First, this study identifies research gaps using a schema to organize studies by line of inquiry, health-related outcome, and measure of homeowner financial distress. In order to provide context for the findings, four pathways - stress, effect-budgeting, frustration-aggression, and trust - evoked in the literature are described to explain the relationship between foreclosures and health. The research suggests that experiencing a foreclosure and living near foreclosures are associated with poor psychological and behavioral morbidities, namely anxiety and violent behavior, and declining health utilization. Evidence is sparse on suicide, substance abuse, somatic morbidities, and mortality. Future research is needed to fill the gaps and explicitly test the mechanisms proposed.
The Early Life of David Ricardo

David Ricardo was not the first political economist. But he was perhaps the first economist of the modern era. Where those who came before him, most notably Adam Smith (June 16, 1723–July 17, 1790), provided wonderful rhetoric with great flourishes of their pen, Ricardo was the first to convert intuition to a language that was amenable to mathematics and graphs. He also produced concepts that are still taught today — in almost precisely the same form as he had employed in his original presentations. While many have since attributed his ideas to other Great Minds such as Paul Samuelson (May 15, 1915-December 13, 2009), we can see so many roots of modern economics and public finance from his writings almost two centuries ago.