cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoactivatable DCDHF fluorophores for single-molecule imaging

We have designed and studied the photophysics of a class of organic fluorophores termed "DCDHFs," which were originally used as push-pull chromophores for nonlinear optical applications. In this paper, we describe the general photophysics of many realizations of the DCDHF class of single-molecule emitters. Moreover, we have reengineered a red-emitting DCDHF fluorophore so that it is dark until photoactivated with a short burst of low-intensity violet light. Photoactivation of the dark fluorogen leads to conversion of an azide to an amine, which shifts the absorption to long wavelengths. After photoactivation, the fluorophore is bright and photostable enough to be imaged on the singlemolecule level in living cells. This molecule and its relatives will provide a new class of bright photoactivatable fluorophores, as are needed for super-resolution imaging schemes that require active control of single-molecule emission.
Prooxidant Activity of Oxidized α‐Tocopherol in Vegetable Oils

The effect of oxidized alpha-tocopherol on the oxidative stabilities of soybean, corn, safflower, and olive oils and the oxidation of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were studied. The 0, 650, 1300, and 2600 ppm oxidized alpha-tocopherol were added to soybean, corn, safflower, and olive oils and 10000 ppm oxidized alpha-tocopherol to the mixture of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Samples in the gas-tight vials were stored in the dark for 6 or 35 d at 55 degrees C. The oxidative stabilities of oils were determined by headspace oxygen with GC and peroxide value. Fatty acids were determined by GC. As the concentration of oxidized alpha-tocopherol in soybean, corn, safflower, and olive oils increased, the depletion of headspace oxygen and the peroxide values of oils increased during storage. The prooxidant effects of oxidized alpha-tocopherol on soybean and corn oils with about 55% linoleic acid were greater than those on safflower and olive oils with about 12% linoleic acid, respectively (P < 0.05). The changes of fatty acids during storage showed that the oxidation ratios of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were 1 : 2 : 3, 1 : 12 : 26, and 1 : 8 : 16 after 5, 30, and 35 d of storage, respectively. The oxidation of alpha-tocopherol in oil should be prevented and the oxidized alpha-tocopherol should be removed to improve the oxidative stability of oils.
Seismic Background Noise and Detection Threshold in the Southern Great Basin Digital Seismic Network

This study compares predicted seismic thresholds to actual thresholds for a high-resolution, three-component digital network in the southern part of the Great Basin of Nevada, centered on Yucca Mountain, the designated site of a high-level nuclear-waste geologic repository. In order to do this comparison, it was necessary to quantify carefully the statistical properties of noise, including mean, variance, and correlation, and the statistical properties of signals, including mean, variance, and site effects. It was also necessary to relate the noise levels to the long-term average (lta) and the signal levels to the short-term average (sta) used in conventional signal-detector algorithms. Combining these attributes with a random-earthquake simulator enables one to predict the seismic threshold of the network for a given source area. Initial predicted thresholds for the network were found to be approximately 0.3 to 0.4 magnitude unit less than the actual thresholds achieved by the network. There are several reasons for this, but the major reason seems to be the inability to time small signals that are automatically detected. A predicted threshold map for the network was constructed by accounting for the difference initially seen between predicted and actual thresholds. This map indicates that the network detects all events within 10 km of Yucca Mountain with three or more stations down to a threshold of roughly M L −0.5, whereas events near the fringes of the network are similarly detected down to a threshold of roughly M L +0.5. The simulations show that the network-estimated magnitude is biased upward as true magnitude approaches the threshold; this bias may be as large as roughly +0.3 for events near the threshold.
Lewis Pair Polymerization of Acrylic Monomers by N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and B(C6F5)3

This work has uncovered the first highly active and efficient Lewis pair polymerization (LPP) system based on N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/B(C6F5)3 pairs for converting acrylic monomers into medium- to high-molecular weight polymers. The study has systematically examined steric and electronic effects of three 1,3-dialkyl(Me, iPr, tBu)imidazol-2-ylidene NHCs on the LPP of three classes of acrylic monomers, including linear methyl methacrylate (MMA), cyclic biorenewable γ-methyl-α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (γMMBL), and difunctional allyl methacrylate (AMA). For MMA polymerization, IiPr is not only the most active (∼3× and ∼120× more active than IMe and ItBu, respectively), but also the most effective NHC, especially under low NHC loading conditions. Kinetic results are consistent with a bimolecular, activated monomer propagation mechanism. In the case of the more reactive γMMBL, the polymerization by NHC/B(C6F5)3 in CH2Cl2 is extremely rapid, with all three NHCs achieving quantitative monomer conversion in 1 min and thus reaching a high turnover frequency of≥48,000 h−1. The molecular weight (MW) of PγMMBL can be tuned by adjusting the [γMMBL]/[NHC] ratio, and thus high MW polymers with relatively narrow MW distributions can be readily synthesized (e.g., from Mn=1.41×105 g mol−1, Đ=1.08 to Mn=4.89×105 g mol−1, Đ=1.20). The LPP by NHC/B(C6F5)3 is completely chemoselective, as demonstrated by the polymerization of AMA, which selectively polymerizes the conjugated vinyl group while leaving the non-conjugated vinyl group in the allyl moiety intact, thanks to its activated monomer propagation mechanism. The resulting PAMA is syndiotactic (rr=83 %), uncross-linked, and soluble in common solvents, thus suitable for further functionalization. This quantitatively chemoselective polymerization by NHC/B(C6F5)3 should provide a facile, yet powerful, approach to functional acrylic polymers.
Clusters as large-scale development facilities

In this paper, we describe the use of a cluster as a generalized facility for development. A development facility is a system used primarily for testing and development activities while being operated reliably for many users. We are in the midst of a project to build and operate a large-scale development facility. We discuss our motivation for using clusters in this way and compare the model with a classic computing facility. We describe our experiences and findings from the first phase of this project. Many of these observations are relevant to the design of standard clusters and to future development facilities.
Path Planning and Open-Loop Shape Control of Modular Tensegrity Structures

We characterize the planned path for a shape change in a tensegrity structure as a path from one equilibrium to another. For tensegrity structures, this means that in every desired configuration the structure has to satisfy tensegrity conditions. Required trajectories are feasible, and changes in potential energy are not required to follow these trajectories. This is a benefit over normal control paths that require strain-energy changes because such energy must be supplied by the control system. For the class of modular tensegrity structures defined, configurations that satisfy tensegrity conditions can be parameterized in terms of only a few parameters that can meaningfully be related to the overall desired shape of the structures. Equilibrium rest lengths of string elements are defined first. An open-loop rest-length control is defined by slowly varying desired geometric parameters, which causes the structure to track trajectories defined by the time-dependent geometric parameters. Examples with simulation results show different reconfiguration scenarios of tensegrity plates and class-2 tensegrity towers.
Women in Corrections: Competence, Competition, and the Social Responsibility Norm

This study investigated male and female officers' attitudes toward women employed as correctional officers in a male penitentiary. The Correctional Role Questionnaire was sent to 500 correctional officers. The hypothesis, that men enact the social responsibility norm in the presence of women and that women find the social responsibility norm groundless, was confirmed. For the purposes of this study, the social responsibility norm was defined as the male tendency to shield a woman from possible assault. On the basis of these results, the utilization of women and expansion of their limited correctional role is suggested.
Family and medical leave: evidence from the 2000 surveys

Seven years after the Family and Medical Leave Act, more employees are taking leave for family or medical reasons, and fewer report that they need leave, but are unable to take it; many employers offer leave over and above that required by the Act, and most report no adverse effects on their business
Diagnosing Anomalous Network Performance with Confidence

Variability in network performance is a major obstacle in effectively analyzing the throughput of modern high performance computer systems. High performance interconnection networks offer excellent best-case network latencies, however, highly parallel applications running on parallel machines typically require consistently high levels of performance to adequately leverage the massive amounts of available computing power. Performance analysts have usually quantified network performance using traditional summary statistics that assume the observational data is sampled from a normal distribution. In our examinations of network performance, we have found this method of analysis often provides too little data to understand anomalous network performance. In particular, we examine a multi-modal performance scenario encountered with an Infiniband interconnection network and we explore the performance repeatability on the custom Cray SeaStar2 interconnection network after a set of software and driver updates.
Predictors of 30-day hospital readmission following ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Stroke patients have a high rate of 30-day readmission. Understanding the characteristics of patients at high risk of readmission is critical. A retrospective case-control study was designed to det...
Excretion of porphyrins and porphyrin precursors during neuromuscular paralysis produced by dithiobiuret

Abstract Urinary excretion of porphyrin precursors δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) and total porphyrins was measured during intoxication of rats with 2,4-dithiobiuret (DTB), a chemical which produces delayed-onset neuromuscular weakness, in an attempt to ascertain whether or not DTB poisoning in the rat would serve as an animal model of the neurologic symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria. Daily administration of DTB (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) produced flaccid skeletal muscle weakness first detected after 4 to 5 days of treatment. Onset of skeletal muscle weakness was associated with a significant increase in urinary excretion of ALA. The excretion of PBG and total porphyrin was also increased; however, the increase was not significant. The increase in porphyrins and porphyrin precursors was due to increased urine output which coincided with the onset of neuromuscular weakness; urinary concentrations of ALA, PBG, and porphyrins were not increased by DTB. Measurements of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, taken after 7 days of DTB treatment, indicated a significant elevation of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration. The pattern of alterations in the heme precursors associated with DTB-induced paralysis in rats is quite different from that observed in humans afflicted with acute intermittent porphyria. Therefore, we conclude that DTB-induced paralysis in the rat does not represent an accurate animal model of acute intermittent porphyria.
Localized and extended deformations of elastic shells

The dried raisin, the crushed soda can, and the collapsed bicycle inner tube exemplify the nonlinear mechanical response of naturally curved elastic surfaces with different intrinsic curvatures to a variety of different external loads. To understand the formation and evolution of these features in a minimal setting, we consider a simple assay: the response of curved surfaces to point indentation. We find that for surfaces with zero or positive Gauss curvature, a common feature of the response is the appearance of faceted structures that are organized in intricate localized patterns, with hysteretic transitions between multiple metastable states. In contrast, for surfaces with negative Gauss curvature the surface deforms nonlocally along characteristic lines that extend through the entire system. These different responses may be understood quantitatively by using numerical simulations and classified qualitatively by using simple geometric ideas. Our ideas have implications for the behavior of small-scale structures.
What is the functional significance of nondominant arm tremor in essential tremor

Tremor in the dominant arm is often the focus of clinical attention in essential tremor (ET) yet many daily activities require both arms. The functional relevance of nondominant arm tremor has rarely been studied. In 181 right-handed patients with ET, action tremor in each arm was rated using a clinical rating scale. Tremor disability was self-reported and a performance-based test of function was administered. Independently of tremor on the right, greater tremor severity on the left was associated with greater self-reported disability (P = 0.02) and greater performance-based dysfunction (P < 0.001). In 5.0% of patients, tremor was largely restricted to the nondominant arm. Nondominant arm tremor, independent of dominant arm tremor, had a significant functional correlate, contributing to both greater perceived and greater observable functional difficulty. In 5% of patients, tremor in the nondominant arm was the likely motivator for seeking care, which is another indication of its functional significance. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Evaluation of Combustion Noise Scaling Laws by an Optical Technique

An investigation which was conducted to verify the existence of a one-to-one correspondence between the acoustic and optical emissions from open premixed turbulent flames is described. The sound pressure and the time derivative of the emission intensity of light radiation have been compared using a) direct time traces, b) a cross-correlation technique, and c) spectral analysis. Further substantiation to the existence of the correlation has been provided by evaluating combustion noise scaling laws using optical measurements. These laws have been compared with existing scaling laws obtained from sound pressure measurements. Important conclusions regarding the origin of combustion noise have been drawn from these results.
Effective thermal control techniques for liquid-cooled 3D multi-core processors

Microchannel liquid cooling shows great potential in cooling 3D processors. However, the cooling of 3D processors is limited due to design-time and run-time challenges. Moreover, in new technologies, the processor power density is continually increasing and this will bring more serious challenges to liquid cooling. In this paper, we propose two thermal control techniques: 1) Core Vertically Placed (CVP) technique. According to the architecture of a processor core, two schemes are given for placing a core vertically onto multilayers. The 3D processor with the CVP technique can be better cooled since its separate hotspot blocks have a larger total contact area with the cooler surroundings. 2) Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) technique. We propose to incorporate the TEC technique into the liquid-cooled 3D processor to enhance the cooling of hotspots. Our experiments show the CVP technique reduces the maximum temperature up to 29.58 °C, and 16.64 °C on average compared with the baseline design. Moreover, the TEC technique effectively cools down a hotspot from 96.86 °C to 78.60 °C.
Bayesian inference with overlapping data: Reliability estimation of multi-state on-demand continuous life metric systems with uncertain evidence

Abstract A Bayesian system reliability estimation methodology for multiple overlapping uncertain data sets within complex multi-state on-demand and continuous life metric systems is presented in this paper. Data sets are overlapping if they are drawn from the same process at the same time, with reliability data from sensors attached to a system at different functional and physical levels being a prime example. Treating overlapping data as non-overlapping loses or incorrectly infers information on system reliability. Methodologies for system reliability analysis of certain overlapping data sets have previously been proposed. These methodologies, and the approach presented in this paper, are able to incorporate overlapping uncertain evidence from systems with a detailed understanding of the system logic represented using fault-trees, reliability block diagrams or equivalent representations. The method presented here builds on approaches that have already been developed by the authors that allow incorporation of exact or certain data sets.
Microbubble generation by microplasma in water

A microscale plasma and a spherical microscale bubble were generated by the application of a single pulsed discharge in water with no pre-existing bubble. The microscale corona discharges were created at the tip of a microelectrode by applying a voltage at around −11 kV with a rise time of around 20 ns. The energy inputs for microplasma generation were controlled by varying the durations of the discharges from nanoseconds to microseconds. Two different energy inputs of 103 and 0.5 mJ were studied in detail and the differences in the microplasma-generated microbubbles, such as the maximum radii, numbers of oscillations and durations of the bubble were observed. These microbubbles were visualized using a microscope based optical system with two different high speed cameras. Images of the discharges were captured by a nanosecond gated intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and the microbubbles' dynamics were recorded by a million-frame-per-second CCD video camera. A Rayleigh–Plesset (RP) model considering both condensable (water vapour) and incondensable (H2 and O2) gases in the microbubble predicts the bubbles' dynamics accurately. Comparisons of the experimental results and the RP models allow estimation of the thermodynamic states of the microplasmas and microbubbles. The energies in the microbubbles are analysed quantitatively from the model and rough approximations for energy dissipation and the energy of the microplasma are made. The microplasma energy can be significantly less than the applied energy input. Such low initiation energy is the reason that the size of microplasmas is at the micron scale and all microplasmas are confined in a spherical microbubble. All the microbubbles reported in this paper are spherical. The low energy also provides conditions for non-equilibrium plasmas in liquid.
Linking Theory, Evidence, and Practice in Assessment of Adolescent Inhalant Use

Inhalants are often one of the first substances used by young children. Inhalant use is the purposeful inhaling, bagging, sniffing, or huffing of common easily accessible solvents, aerosols, or gases producing mind-altering effects. Long term use leads to neurocognitive changes such as disorientation, inattentiveness, or short-term memory loss. Detoxification for inhalant abuse requires longer treatment time due to the slow excretion of volatile substances. Recovery is complicated by immaturity, potentially permanent cognitive impairment, and prior disruptive family, school, and peer structures. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the middle range theory of Adolescent Vulnerability to Risk Behaviors can be utilized to direct evidence-based assessments of adolescents for risk behaviors such as inhalant use. Adapted from the Neuman Systems Model, this adolescent-specific theory describes the layers of defense and resistance that surround and protect the five inner core variables of the adolescent fr...
Mathematical Interrelationships Between Milk Constituents and Yields

Abstract Because measurements of milk composition are generated from other direct measures, mathematical relationships underly them. These have been demonstrated for several, but not all, relationships of interest for milk composition. No new mathematical concepts are required for their development. Expected values were obtained by the moment generating function of multivariate normal distribution. Shown are means, variances, and covariances of various combinations of milk yield. specific gravity, and percents fat, protein, solids-not-fat, and lactose-mineral. Results are applicable to genetic and phenotypic parameters.
Risk Factors Associated With Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Mexican American Children

Objectives. To determine risk factors that are associated with the presence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Mexican American children. Methods. In this prospective cohort study, we administered tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and a tuberculosis (TB) risk factor questionnaire to children who were aged 1 to 18 years in immigrant families at a Denver inner-city community health center and elementary school–based health center. Information requested on the questionnaire included child demographics, child and parent birth location, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, and a history and the duration of child and family travel to and visitors from countries where TB is endemic. TST results were read at 48 to 72 hours and were interpreted as positive at 5- and 10-mm induration, depending on risk factor history. All participants received $5 coupons on return for TST reading. Results. Of 584 children enrolled, 96% returned for TST evaluation, median age was 4 years, 48.6% were male, 98.5% were Latino, 66.3% were born in the United States, and 33% were born in Mexico. Overall, 12.4% of children had positive TSTs. For all children in the study, a positive TST was associated with birth in Mexico and no BCG received (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–165.2), birth in Mexico and received BCG (adjusted OR: 29; 95% CI: 12.7–66.1), birth in the United States and received BCG (adjusted OR: 9.1; 95% CI: 2.4–34.1), and child travel to Mexico (adjusted OR: 2.8;95% CI: 1.5–5.4). Risk factors for having a positive TST in the 387 children who were born in the United States were travel to Mexico (unable to calculate the OR because all had traveled to Mexico), older age (median: 6 years; adjusted OR: 1.2/year; 95% CI: 1.02–1.40), and a history of BCG vaccination (adjusted OR: 8.2; 95% CI: 2.0–34.0). For the 195 children who were born in Mexico, logistic regression of the following variables showed that none of the variables remained in the model: child age, gender, BCG status, family travel to Mexico, visitors to the United States, child travel to Mexico, years lived in Mexico, and years since BCG. Conclusions. In a population of primarily Mexican American children, those who were born in the United States had an increased risk for developing LTBI when they had a history of BCG vaccination or had traveled to Mexico. For children who were born in Mexico, we were unable to identify additional risk factors for the presence of LTBI, besides their birth in Mexico. Incentives for return for TST reading, such as grocery coupons, are highly effective.
Combination ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers for Hypertension

OBJECTIVE:To review data concerning combined angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy for hypertension.DATA SOURCES:MEDLINE (1966–April 2003), IPA (1970–April 2003), and EMBASE (1974–April 2003) with search terms of ACE inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker, essential hypertension, and combination therapy.DATA SYNTHESIS:ACE inhibitors provide incomplete blockade of the renin–angiotensin system, sometimes leading to loss of blood pressure control. Addition of ARBs may in theory further reduce blood pressure. Studies of combined ACE inhibitor and ARB therapy for managing hypertension were evaluated.CONCLUSIONS:While studies have shown statistically significant blood pressure reductions with ACE/ARB combination therapy, clinical significance is lacking. Further trials are needed before routine use of the combination can be recommended.
A portfolio of knowledge acquisition approaches for a knowledge-based system

The authors discuss the knowledge acquisition required for the development of a system to diagnose communication problems for users of a large mainframe time-sharing system. A field study approach was used to exploit the experiences and existing knowledge structures of the technicians. It was found that multiple forms of knowledge acquisition and representation were required for the development of the system, since no one form of knowledge acquisition was found to provide insight into each of the different types of knowledge that ultimately were used in the development of the system. Thus, it is suggested that individual task comparisons of different forms of knowledge acquisition may understate or misstate the problems of interest to developers of expert systems. Individual approaches each have their own strengths and weaknesses, so that, in a portfolio of approaches, weaknesses of one approach can be mitigated by strengths of other approaches. >
Neovascularization of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon after avulsion injury: an in vivo canine study.

Abstract Purpose: The changes in matrix material properties and intrinsic vascularization that have been noted in intrasynovial tendon stumps after avulsion injury may be of considerable clinical relevance with regard to the results of surgical repair. Our objective was to determine both the time course and the source of neovascularization of the tendon stump in an in vivo canine model of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) avulsion after a clinically relevant delay in diagnosis. Method: The FDP tendon was released from bone directly by sharp dissection and the vinculum brevis profundus was lacerated, simulating an avulsion injury with interruption of the vascular supply to the tendon stump. After death at 7 and 21 days, tendon vascularity was evaluated with India ink injection and clearing using a modified Spalteholtz technique. Results: All 7-day specimens showed an absence of vascularity compared with the controls. In all 21-day specimens a direct vascular supply originated from local fibrovascular adhesions contacted the stump on its surface and blood vessels penetrated the tendon stump circumferentially. Progressive vascularization of the avulsed tendon stump occurred between 7 and 21 days after injury, originating from fibrovascular adhesions to the surrounding synovial sheath. Conclusions: Whereas previous studies of intrasynovial flexor tendon laceration and repair have shown a progressive proximal to distal neovascularization of the FDP during the early postoperative period, longitudinal proximal to distal growth from the proximal blood supply of the FDP was not observed toward the unrepaired tendon stump. (J Hand Surg 2003;28A:231-236. Copyright © 2003 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Integrated and Holistic Treatment Approach to PTSD and SUD: A Synergy

A review of the literature on integrated and holistic treatment approaches of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses is presented. Perspectives on the etiology of PTSD-SUD comorbidity and the inter-relation of symptoms are explored.
The Scientific Basis for Long-Term Prediction of Waste-Form Performance Under Repository Conditions

The reason for making long-term predictions of waste-form performance under repository conditions is to assess the impact of nuclear waste disposal upon the safety of future generations. Assessment of repository safety can be approached in two ways. One method is to define an acceptable release of radioactivity to the accessible environment, and to work back from that point to determine what kind of performance requirements are placed on the waste form. When this is done, it is found that the performance requirements for the waste form are not very restrictive. The waste form can dissolve completely in 100 to 10,000 years without affecting safety [1,2], because the repositories will be 300 meters or more underground. Radionuclide retardation on repository rocks and overburden and dilution during the long flow paths to the accessible environment become the controlling parameters.
Do Brooding Pythons Recognize their Clutches? Investigating External Cues for Offspring Recognition in the Children's Python, Antaresia childreni

Parental care provides substantial benefits to offspring but exacts a high cost to parents, necessitating the evolution of offspring recognition systems when the risk of misdirected care is high. In species that nest, parents can use cues associated with the offspring (direct offspring recognition) or the nest (indirect offspring recognition) to reduce the risk of misdirected care. Pythons have complex parental care, but a low risk of misdirected care. Thus, we hypothesized that female Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni) use indirect cues to induce and maintain brooding behavior. To test this, we used a series of five clutch manipulations to test the importance of various external brooding cues. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that female A. childreni are heavily internally motivated to brood, needing only minimal external cues to induce and maintain egg-brooding behavior. Females were no more likely to brood their own clutch in the original nest as they were to brood a clutch from a conspecific, a pseudoclutch made from only the shells of a conspecific, or their clutch in a novel nest. The only scenario where brooding was reduced, but even then not eliminated, was when the natural clutch was replaced with similarly sized stones. These results suggest that egg recognition in pythons is similar to that of solitary-nesting birds, which have similar nesting dynamics.
Vitamin and mineral status in physically active men: effects of a high-potency supplement

Changes in nutritional status during supplementation with a high-potency multivitamin-mineral supplement were examined in 22 physically active men randomly assigned to take a supplement (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) for approximately 12 wk. Four-day dietary intakes, blood concentrations, and urinary excretions of selected vitamins and minerals were measured before, during (approximately 6 and 12 wk), and after supplementation. No changes were observed in blood concentrations of vitamins A and C and measures of zinc, magnesium, and calcium status; the supplement provided less than 300% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of these nutrients. In contrast, blood concentrations of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, pantothenate, and biotin increased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 6 wk to values that were maintained until the end of the supplementation. These vitamins were provided in amounts that ranged from 396% (biotin) to 6250% (vitamin B-6) of the RDA. Urinary excretions of these vitamins also increased during supplementation and both blood and urine values returned to presupplementation concentrations at approximately 13.5 wk postsupplementation.
A Matlab-based modeling and simulation package for electric and hybrid electric vehicle design

This paper discusses a simulation and modeling package developed at Texas A&M University, V-Elph 2.01. V-Elph facilitates in-depth studies of electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid EV (HEV) configurations or energy management strategies through visual programming by creating components as hierarchical subsystems that can be used interchangeably as embedded systems. V-Elph is composed of detailed models of four major types of components: electric motors, internal combustion engines, batteries, and support components that can be integrated to model and simulate drive trains having all electric, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid configurations. V-Elph was written in the Matlab/Simulink graphical simulation language and is portable to most computer platforms. This paper also discusses the methodology for designing vehicle drive trains using the V-Elph package. An EV, a series HEV, a parallel HEV, and a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) driven drive train have been designed using the simulation package. Simulation results such as fuel consumption, vehicle emissions, and complexity are compared and discussed for each vehicle.
Analysis of a high voltage active insulator assembly

Abstract The concept of an active insulator for high voltage applications is presented. An insulator based on this idea has the potential of performance superior to that of conventional passive insulators. The feasibility of this concept is supported by analytical results obtained using a non-linear mathematical model of an active insulator assembly. The advantages of such a multiple-function dynamic insulator are discussed, as well as technical difficulties which might present practical limitations. The results of the theoretical analysis are promising and indicate that the active insulator concept should be pursued further.
Brief announcement: weighted partial message matching for implicit multicast systems

In implicit multicast, receiving processes delineate the messages they wish to receive by specifying predicates, also called filters, on the message's content. In weighted partial message matching, distributed applications using implicit multicast protocols do not require that a message match all the elementary constraints constituting the filter. Typically, receiving processes in such applications associate a non-negative weight to each constraint and require that the match score, i.e., sum of the weights of matching constraints, exceeds a threshold value. In this paper, we consider top-k weighted partial matching, where a process is interested in multicasting a message only to k<n other processes corresponding to the top-k match scores. This is a fundamental problem underlying online advertising platforms, mobile social networks, online dating, etc.
“Police took my homie I dedicate my life 2 his revenge”: Twitter tensions between gang-involved youth and police in Chicago

ABSTRACTThe hostile and adversarial relationship between youth and police in urban settings has remained pervasive and persistent for centuries. This is a tension historically rooted in the miasma of lack of trust; racial, ethnic, and cultural differences; and fear, anger, and hostility from racialized surveillance and policing. Indeed, most Black youth have little contact with police unless it involves harsh profiling and/or criminalization. In this article, we leverage the policing literature to examine how the perpetual detestation between urban youth and police is expressed in physical and digital contexts (e.g., Twitter). We find that urban youth, particularly gang-involved youth, publicly articulate their disdain for law enforcement agents on Twitter. The young people in our study expressed chronic grief and anger after the fatal police shooting of a Southside Chicago gang member. Further, they expressed a strong desire to violently retaliate against the Chicago Police Department after their friend ...
Obamacare Health Insurance CO-OPs: Efficiency, Cost Reductions, Premium Changes and Government Subsidies

This research analyzes the performance of the health insurance CO-OPs, examines their medical services and operating efficiency, and discusses an efficiency-based goal-oriented approach for potential cost reductions, premium changes, and government subsidies. Most CO-OPs suffer underwriting losses, so do many other insurers. The CO-OPs are not satisfactory in the medical services efficiency, and they are much less efficient compared with other insurers. Potential cost reductions are significant using various (conservative) efficiency goals. The operating efficiency generally is much better than the medical services efficiency, and a few CO-OPs are much more operating efficient than other insurers. Incorporating the potential cost reductions, many CO-OPs would hardly require any “premium changes and government subsidies” and they are even capable of paying back the federal loans. With both potential cost reductions and premium increases, more CO-OPs would not need any help from the government but survive on their own. It is important to realize that this research provides a guide for improvement potential. There may be reasons why a CO-OP cannot meet the efficiency targets.
Efficient Data Distribution and Sharing in Mobile Cloud Computing

The combination of Mobile computing and Cloud computing gave rise to a new computing paradigm called Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) that gives the exibility to access information and computing resources anywhere anytime. In many applications, mobile nodes capture images/video clips and exchange with other mobile peers (on demand) and use local access points for efficient smooth distribution of information in the wireless network. In such a situation, a three-way data management and dissemination technique is helpful because it provides both data management and distribution at different levels of granularity. The main motivation of this paper is that we seek a balance between accessing information from a remote cloud server, at the cost of increasing latency, and accessing data from other mobile hosts, at a cost of power, bandwidth and increased traffic. To manage this balance, we propose a layered architecture supported by mobile hosts, access points and cloud together for efficiency. The MCC architecture described in this paper also provides fault tolerance in case one of the mobile nodes fails or gets disconnected. In this paper, we discuss a layered architecture for MCC and present a data pre-distribution scheme for efficient sharing of data among potential users in MCC environment. We also propose update propagation and cache replacement policies in MCC. In addition, we report complexity analysis for cache accesses by mobile nodes using the proposed architecture in terms of communication messages. We implemented the proposed schemes using EC2 and mobile devices and evaluated the performance of accessing the data from different levels of architecture.
TOWARD A MULTILEVEL DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE THEORY

This theory of distributive justice integrates and refines ideas from the equity, distributive justice and relative deprivation approaches in a formal framework spanning levels of analysis. It assumes that individuals form judgments about the propriety of reward allocations based upon social comparisons across individuals, groups or standards, and that all such comparisons are potential sources for feelings of injustice and justice-restoring behaviors. When linked with Jasso's (1980) theory of aggregate consequences of individual justice evaluations, we have the capability to investigate theoretically and empirically certain individualandlor aggregate-level behavior as determined by a small set of individual andlor aggregate properties. Research is reported in which individuals responded to unjust pay allocations in a multi-person, multi-group setting-a simulated organization. Hypotheses derived from the theory were concerned with predicting the relative impact of (1) different degrees of injustice (a logarithmic response function was tested); (2) individual versus collective injustices (conditions under which one or the other should predominate were tested); and (3) different numbers of injustices in a situation (increasing the number of injustices was predicted to decrease the impact of each). All of the hypotheses were supported.
EFFECT OF EARLY HABILITATION ON CHILDREN WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME

ダウン症児に対する早期療育の効果を,療育開始時期よりA(6ヵ月未満),B(6ヵ月～12ヵ月未満),C(12ヵ月～2歳未満)の3群に分けて報告した.歩行開始年齢はA群23.2ヵ月,B群27.0ヵ月,C群28.5ヵ月であった.いざり移動を長期にわたり示した7例の歩行開始年齢は31.4ヵ月で,そうでない15例の23.8ヵ月と比較して遅かった.いざり移動を全く示さなかった3例はいずれもA群に属していた.総合的な発達指数でもA群において最も高く,A,C群間においては社会的発達面で統計学的にも有意差をみた.ダウン症児に対する早期療育は運動機能,精神機能の両面で効果があり,療育開始が早期であればあるほどその効果は大きかった.
Rapid identification of copper smelter slag for solid waste

To identify whether an import mineral slag was a solid waste subject to customs control mainly relied on the industrial standard-"General rules for identification of import mineral slags"(SN/ T 3107-2012).The characteristic analysis like visual inspection and main phase with the general rules could only meet the requirements for initial screening of common slag samples.For complex"uncommon"slag samples,an accurate and fast method to identificate whether a complex slag sample was a solid waste was achieved by addition of X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the application of sample analysis,detailed analysis of the reaction mechanisms in the copper smelting process,and reference to the common FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2copper smelter slag phase diagram and the "Solid waste attribute identification case studies".
Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome

An almost fortuitous discovery of a close association between a familial subtype of malignant melanoma and the dysplastic nevus syndrome not only has facilitated early diagnosis and cure of some melanomas but has provided oncologists with a highly useful and observable human model for studying evolution of malignant diseases from premalignant precursors.
Ceravital versus plastipore in tympanoplasty: a randomized prospective trial.

The hearing results and extrusion rates for ossicular chain reconstruction using a new material called Ceravital, a bioactive glass ceramic, were compared with those for Plastipore, a porous polyethylene that is our standard for synthetic materials. Our null hypothesis was that the results of the two materials were similar. A Ceravital or a Plastipore prosthesis was randomly assigned to 112 consecutive patients. We had 6-month follow-up on 100 patients and 3-year follow-up on 80 patients. The average air-bone gap at 4,000 Hz was 6 dB less with Plastipore than with Ceravital (p = .036). Patients were twice as likely to have an air-bone gap of 15 dB or less with Plastipore than with Ceravital (40% versus 21%; p = .061). Two of the 38 patients with Ceravital prostheses had a late hearing-result failure due to resorption of the prosthesis material. The materials had similar extrusion rates. We rejected our null hypothesis. The Plastipore group had better hearing results than did the Ceravital group.
Lysis of Human Monocytic Leukemia Cells by Extracellular Adenosine Triphosphate: Mechanism and Characterization of the Adenosine Triphosphate Receptor

The present study shows that extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has the capacity to mediate dose-dependent lysis of the monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. The lysis, assessed by 51Cr release, was found to be selective for ATP, because adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or other nucleotides were less effective in their ability to lyse the cells. The amount of 51Cr released was particularly enhanced by the stimulation of the cells with 1,000 U/mL of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) for 3 days, and the sensitivity was time and dose dependent. Analysis of the mechanism of lysis indicated that the fully ionized form, ATP4-, mediated the lysis, because the addition of cation chelators or the absence of the divalent cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+, in the culture medium of a 6-hour 51Cr release assay increased the percent specific lysis. Therefore, the ATP receptors on THP-1 cells were classified as P2Z purinoceptors. Moreover, it is shown here that the Ca2+/calmodulin complex plays a role in the regulation of the lysis by extracellular ATP of THP-1 cells, because antagonists of this complex, such as trifluoperazine or KN-62, were found to inhibit the ATP-mediated cell lysis.
Corrosion protection of AA 2024-T3 by bis-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide in sodium chloride solution.: Part 2: mechanism for corrosion protection

Abstract The corrosion protection of AA 2024-T3 by films of bis-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (bis-sulfur silane) was studied in a neutral 0.6 M NaCl solution using potential transient, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results showed that a highly crosslinked or dense interfacial layer that developed between the silane film and the aluminum oxide is the major contribution to the corrosion protection of AA 2024-T3. The formation of this interfacial layer heavily restricts pit growth underneath via retarding the transport of corrosion products, as well as effectively blocks a number of cathodic sites available for cathodic reactions.
Heterogeneity and Circulation of Lymphocytes

Over the past decade we have been studying the kinetics, life span and turnover times of the lymphocyte ppopulations in the various hemopoietic organs of the rat using H3-thymidine (TTH) and radioautography. More recently, we have extended these studies to include the exchange of cells between these organs via blood and lymph. A variety of experimental approaches have been used and those concerned with the turnover times of lymphocytes have been given in detail in previous publications. These are summarized briefly in Table I.
Linking Supply Chain Visibility to Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation

In the last decade competition has shifted from firm-to-firm to supply chain against supply chain (Christopher 2000; Christopher and Towill 2001). This shift can be attributed to a business environment that is characterized by constant change, shorter product life cycles, increasing customer requirements, product proliferation, and global sources of supply, manufacturing, and demand that has resulted in longer lead times. To compete in this environment, the firm and other members of the supply chain must be capable of delivering goods and services to consumers as quickly and inexpensively as possible (Lee 2004). In addition, firms must be capable of operational excellence in multiple channels of product distribution. Achieving these goals in the most efficient and effective manner possible necessitates that information regarding all aspects of supply chain activities be available to supply chain members. Moreover, the information flows must be seamless from end-to-end and available on a real-time (or near real-time) basis and visible to all members to create the desired value. The ability to “see” from one end to the other in the supply chain implies a clear view of upstream and downstream inventories, demand and supply conditions, and production and purchasing schedules.
Precision-Oriented Query Facet Extraction

Faceted search has been used successfully for many vertical applications such as e-commerce and digital libraries. However, it remains challenging to extend faceted search to the open-domain web due to the large and heterogeneous nature of the web. Recent work proposed an alternative solution that extracts facets for queries from their web search results, but neglected the precision-oriented perspective of the task -- users are likely to care more about precision of presented facets than recall. We improve query facet extraction performance under a precision-oriented scenario from two perspectives. First, we propose an empirical utility maximization approach to learn a probabilistic model by maximizing the expected performance measure instead of likelihood as used in previous approaches. We show that the empirical utility maximization approach can significantly improve over the previous approach under the precision-oriented scenario. Second, instead of showing facets for all queries, we propose a selective method that predicts the extraction performance for each query and selectively shows facets for some of them. We show the selective method can significantly improve the average performance with fair coverage over the whole query set.