cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual working memory capacity and proactive interference

Background: Visual working memory capacity is extremely limited and appears to be relatively immune to practice effects or the use of explicit strategies. The recent discovery that visual working memory tasks, like verbal working memory tasks, are subject to proactive interference, coupled with the fact that typical visual working memory tasks are particularly conducive to proactive interference, suggests that visual working memory capacity may be systematically under-estimated. Methodology/Principal Findings: Working memory capacity was probed behaviorally in adult humans both in laboratory settings and via the Internet. Several experiments show that although the effect of proactive interference on visual working memory is significant and can last over several trials, it only changes the capacity estimate by about 15%. Conclusions/Significance: This study further confirms the sharp limitations on visual working memory capacity, both in absolute terms and relative to verbal working memory. It is suggested that future research take these limitations into account in understanding differences across a variety of tasks between human adults, prelinguistic infants and nonlinguistic animals.
Commentary on: Implications of Thyroglobulin Antibody Positivity in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Clinical Position Statement

The position statement from Dr. Verburg and European colleagues provides a much-needed review of the current literature regarding thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAb) interference with Tg measurement—a problem largely ignored by current guidelines but a problem that affects ∼30% of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients at some time during their clinical course (1,2). The panel posed nine provocative questions and concluded with 26 graded consensus recommendations regarding TgAb and heterophilic antibody (HAb) interferences with Tg measurement (1). Because the prevalence of HAb interferences (primarily human anti-mouse antibodies [HAMA]) is low relative to TgAb (∼0.5% vs. ∼20% respectively), the review focused primarily on technical TgAb detection and clinical issues regarding TgAb interference broadly grouped in three main areas: (i) technical issues relating to TgAb detection, (ii) TgAb interference with Tg measurement, and (iii) TgAb used as a surrogate DTC tumor marker.
Increasing Manufacturing Yield for Wideband RF CMOS LNAs in the Presence of Process Variations

In this paper, the authors develop several design techniques for reducing the impact of manufacturing variations on integrated wideband low noise amplifiers (LNA). Utilizing an efficient modeling and automated design methodology, the authors investigate the sensitivity of LNA performance metrics to process variations and determine that the input impedance matching is particularly sensitive to perturbations in component values. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the authors leverage several design techniques to increase the reliability of LNA designs. To mitigate the impact of process variations on the input impedance matching, the authors add additional circuit elements and tunable capacitors to dynamically compensate for manufacturing variations after fabrication. The results indicate that the proposed design techniques can increase manufacturing yield by up to one order of magnitude for input impedance matching with only a 14% increase in noise figure
Application of Quasi-Integer Programming to the Solution of Menu Planning Problems with Variable Portion Size

This paper presents the application of a modified mixed-integer programming algorithm to plan menus in which the portion size of the menu items can vary over a specified positive range. Previous mathematical programming formulations of menu planning problems have either required the variables representing menu items to be bivalent, or have formulated the problem with food groups as decision variables and no integer requirements at all. The former gives rise to a zero-one programming problem and the latter to a “feed-mix” problem. In many instances, a more realistic formulation would require that if a menu item is offered, its portion size must be between a specified upper and lower bound. Although this paper addresses itself chiefly to menu planning, it is readily seen that problems in capital budgeting may be tractable with a similar formulation. It is shown how a branch-and-bound algorithm for mixed-integer programming of the type proposed by Beale and Tomlin can be modified to solve the quasi-integer programming problem resulting from a variable portion size formulation of menu planning problems.
Disposable copper-based electrochemical microsensor for analysis of lead in environmental samples

In this work, we report on rapid analysis of lead (Pb) of surface river water using low-cost, disposable copper-based electrochemical sensors. Conventionally, electrochemistry is performed using carbon or gold/platinum electrodes, which can be difficult or expensive to microfabricate. Our sensor features a new, low-cost electrode material - copper - which offers simple fabrication and competitive performance in electrochemical detection. Measurements of Pb using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) show limit of detection (LOD) of 21nM (4.4ppb) and stable response in environmental samples with no need of complex pretreatment.
In Situ Raman Spectroscopy of Anodic Films Formed on Copper and Silver in Sodium Hydroxide Solution

In situ Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry have been used simultaneously to study anodic film growth and dissolution on Cu and Ag in strongly alkaline solution. On copper, Cu/sub 2/O and another species, believed to be a hydroxide, were detected spectroscopically during anodic film formation. Raman spectra of electrochemically formed hydroxides on copper have not previously been reported. On silver, AgO was detected. Neither CuO nor Ag/sub 2/O was observed by Raman spectroscopy, although for certain potentials. AgO was apparently produced by photochemical conversion of Ag/sub 2/O. Experiments were performed using both the 488 nm line from an argon laser and the 647.1 nm line from a krypton laser. It was concluded that the detection of these thin film oxides was by spontaneous or resonant Raman scattering and did not involve surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
Seismicity Map of Eastern Russia, 1960–2010

One of the last unknown plate boundaries of the global plate system lies between the North American and Eurasian plates in Eastern Russia. This is a tectonically complex region that is poorly understood ( e.g. , Chapman and Solomon 1976, Cook et al. 1986; Steblov et al. 2003; Apel et al. 2006) due, in part, to a historic lack of available seismological data, especially within the continental regions. As part of a cooperative program between Michigan State University (MSU) and regional networks and scientific institutes in eastern Russia, we have compiled a detailed database (Eastern Russia Seismicity Database, hereafter ERSD) and seismicity map of eastern Russia. This database covers the region from Lake Baikal to the Bering Strait, using data from local and regional seismograph networks, as well as standard international sources. The distribution of seismicity, though diffuse, improves constraints on the enigmatic plate boundaries in the region. As with many intracontinental plate boundary regions ( e.g. , Stein and Sella 2002), the plate boundaries in eastern Russia are diffuse and contain blocks or microplates. Figure 1 shows the three major plates (Pacific, Eurasia, North America) interacting in the region, as well as three of the more commonly proposed microplates between them: Amur ( e.g. , Heki et al. 1999; Mackey et al. 2003), Bering ( e.g. , Mackey et al. 1997, 2009; Fujita et al. 2002; Cross and Freymueller 2008), and Okhotsk ( e.g. , Chapman and Solomon 1976; Riegel et al. 1993; Seno et al. 1996; Fujita et al. 2009). We also discriminate a possible block comprising the easternmost Amur plate, separated by the Tanlu fault (Mackey et al. 2003), as well as a block in the Laptev Sea ( e.g. , Avetisov 1996). Recent regional tectonic syntheses based on GPS data ( e.g. , …
A neural recording system for monitoring shark behavior

A neural recording system for monitoring the behavior of sharks is presented. The system consists of an electrode array made of silicon neuroprobes that interface with a flexible parylene cable that connects the electrode array to the electronics to process the neural signals, and a wireless transmission system that transmit the processed signals to the external world. The electronics include amplifiers, multiplexers, analog-to-digital converters, a FPGA, a telemetry chip. The results of the chip designs of amplifier are reported. The challenges in realizing a miniaturized, low power and high density (more than 100 recording sites) recording system are outlined. The choice of architecture and the tradeoffs involved are described.
Loss of DNA Mismatch Repair: Effects on the Rate of Mutation to Drug Resistance

Background The loss of the ability of cells to repair mismatches in double-stranded DNA is a common finding in human tumors. This defect results in genomic instability and in increased resistance to several of the drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. The human colon cancer cell line HCT116 is deficient in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) because of a genetic defect in the hMLH1 gene, which is located on chromosome 3. In this study, we investigated whether MMR-deficient HCT116+chr2 cells (i.e., HCT116 cells into which chromosome 2 has been transferred [as a control]) have a higher rate of mutation to resistance to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents (i.e., cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel [Taxol], and etoposide) than MMR-proficient HCT116+chr3 cells (i.e., HCT116 cells into which chromosome 3 has been transferred to provide a wild-type copy of the hMLH1 gene). Methods Spontaneous mutation rates were calculated from measurements of the mutant fractions of cells before and after their expansion through a known number of generations (also known as the technique of maximum likelihood estimation). Aliquots of 500000 cells were expanded in culture over a period of 2 weeks, and the mutant fractions were determined both before and after expansion of secondary cultures (each also with an initial 500000 cells) in drug concentrations that produced survival fractions of 0.0002%. Results Mutation rates in MMR-proficient and MMR-deficient cells did not differ on exposure to cisplatin, doxorubicin, or paclitaxel; however, the relative mutation rate was 2.4-fold higher in MMR-deficient cells exposed to etoposide (P=.002). Conclusion These results suggest that genes involved in the control of cellular sensitivity to etoposide are targets for mutation when the loss of MMR destabilizes the genome. Tumors containing large fractions of MMR-deficient cells may demonstrate more rapid emergence of clinical resistance to etoposide.
The contralateral organization of visual memory: A theoretical concept and a research tool

Contralateral-control methods can be applied to psychophysiology and in particular to the study of visual memory. Visual memory possesses some degree of hemispheric organization, so that visual memory traces for laterally presented stimuli are stronger or more durable in the hemisphere contralateral to the hemifield where the stimuli were first presented. I first introduce the concept of hemispheric organization of function. Then I discuss how hemispheric organization can be exploited for obtaining information about the time course and brain localization of psychological processes, using a contralateral-control method. Behavioral and event-related brain potential data support the hemispheric organization view of visual memory, and the contralateral-control method, in conjunction with the recording of the event-related optical signal, can be used to reveal the existence of memory-driven processes in early stations of the visual system.
Metadata and annotations for multi-scale electrophysiological data

The increasing use of high-frequency (kHz), long-duration (days) intracranial monitoring from multiple electrodes during pre-surgical evaluation for epilepsy produces large amounts of data that are challenging to store and maintain. Descriptive metadata and clinical annotations of these large data sets also pose challenges to simple, often manual, methods of data analysis. The problems of reliable communication of metadata and annotations between programs, the maintenance of the meanings within that information over long time periods, and the flexibility to re-sort data for analysis place differing demands on data structures and algorithms. Solutions to these individual problem domains (communication, storage and analysis) can be configured to provide easy translation and clarity across the domains. The Multi-scale Annotation Format (MAF) provides an integrated metadata and annotation environment that maximizes code reuse, minimizes error probability and encourages future changes by reducing the tendency to over-fit information technology solutions to current problems. An example of a graphical utility for generating and evaluating metadata and annotations for “big data” files is presented.
Monitoring global earthquake-induced demands using vision-based sensors

A vision-based approach is evaluated for its applicability as a new sensing technology for measuring earthquake-induced motions. The approach evaluated in this paper is advantageous since it requires very limited physical attachment to the structure of interest, is high-speed, high-resolution, and does not introduce additional mass or otherwise modify the properties of the structure. A demonstration experiment is described in which four digital high-speed, high-resolution, charge-coupled-device cameras outfitted with red light-emitting diodes are used to track 21 reflective (nearly) mass less spherical elements discretely mounted on a scale five-story steel frame structure. The structure is mounted on a large bi-axial shake table and subjected to different earthquake motions. A total of eleven conventional (wired) transducers [linear variable displacement transducers and accelerometers] are also discretely mounted on the structure, providing a unique comparison with the vision-based approach. Results from these experiments show that the nonintrusive vision-based approach is extremely promising in terms of its ability to capture inter-story drift, floor level velocities, and accelerations, provided proper post-processing of the dynamic data occurs.
Informal Economic Activities in Industrialized Nations: Insights From Belgium and the United Kingdom

This study examines how informal economic activities (IEAs) can be (re)formalized in a way that will not destroy their potential for being assets for community development. The very concept of collaborative development in public administration is applied to social work’s asset-based community development (ABCD). This cross-application enables the exploration of alternatives for the challenges encountered in IEAs within industrialized nations. The authors argue that IEAs differ from the underground economy and deserve a different policy response. Social capital will be the overarching framework. Studies of two Western European countries (specifically, Belgium and the UK) will be used as examples.
Dietary Dilemmas, Delusions, and Decisions

One of the most frequent questions gastroenterologists are asked about is diet, health, and disease; and some of the questions gastroenterologists are least comfortable answering are about diet, health, and disease. This disconnect occurs for several reasons. Although the subject of nutrition is taught in medical school, it usually covers malabsorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that have limited relevance to the concerns of most patients. The modern physician does not see many cases of scurvy or beri beri. Physicians make decisions and recommendations from evidence-based medicine. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of sound data on diet and gastrointestinal diseases, forcing physicians to operate outside their comfort zone.
PPTX, a pentraxin domain‐containing protein, interacts with the T1 domain of Kv4

Voltage-gated K(+) (K(v)) channels reside as tetramers in the membrane. The events that coordinate folding, trafficking, and tetramerization are mediated by an array of associated proteins and phospholipids whose identification is vital to understanding the dynamic nature of channel expression and activity. An interaction between an A-type K(+) channel, K(v)4.2, and a protein containing a pentraxin domain (PPTX) was demonstrated in the cochlea (Duzhyy et al. [ 2005] J. Biol. Chem. 280:15165-15172). Here, we present results based on fold recognition and homology modeling that revealed the tetramerization (T1) domain of K(v)4.2 as a potential docking site for interacting proteins such as PPTX. By using this model, putative sites were experimentally tested with the yeast two-hybrid system to assay interactions between PPTX and the T1 domain of K(v)4.2 wild type (wt) and mutants (mut). Results showed that amino acid residues 86 and 118 in the T1 domain are essential for interaction, because replacing these negatively charged with neutrally charged amino acids inhibits interactions. Cotransfections of Chinese hamster ovary cells with PPTX and K(v)4.2wt further revealed that PPTX increases K(v)4.2 wt expression in vitro when analyzing total lysates, whereas interactions with K(v)4.2 microt resulted in a decrease. These studies suggest that portions of the T1 domain can act as docking sites for proteins such as PPTX, further underscoring the significance of this domain.
Fertilization effects on fineroot biomass, rhizosphere microbes and respiratory fluxes in hardwood forest soils

Fertilizer-induced reductions in CO(2) flux from soil ((F)CO(2)) in forests have previously been attributed to decreased carbon allocation to roots, and decreased decomposition as a result of nitrogen suppression of fungal activity. Here, we present evidence that decreased microbial respiration in the rhizosphere may also contribute to (F)CO(2) reductions in fertilized forest soils. Fertilization reduced (F)CO(2) by 16-19% in 65-yr-old plantations of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and in a natural 85-yr-old yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) stand. In oak plots, fertilization had no effects on fine root biomass but reduced mycorrhizal colonization by 18% and microbial respiration by 43%. In maple plots, fertilization reduced root biomass, mycorrhizal colonization and microbial respiration by 22, 16 and 46%, respectively. In birch plots, fertilization reduced microbial respiration by 36%, but had variable effects on root biomass and mycorrhizal colonization. In plots of all three species, fertilization effects on microbial respiration were greater in rhizosphere than in bulk soil, possibly as a result of decreased rhizosphere carbon flux from these species in fertile soils. Because rhizosphere processes may influence nutrient availability and carbon storage in forest ecosystems, future research is needed to better quantify rhizo-microbial contributions to (F)CO(2).
Efficacy and safety of citrate-based anticoagulation compared to heparin in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy: a randomized controlled trial

A systemic anticoagulation is often required to prevent circuit and filter clotting in ICU patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). A regional citrate-based anticoagulation (RCA) does not induce a systemic anticoagulation and prolongs the filter lifespan, but metabolic side-effects have been associated with this therapy. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with patients requiring CRRT to determine whether RCA using a balanced predilution replacement fluid is more effective than heparin in terms of renal replacement delivered dose and safety profile. One hundred and three patients with AKI requiring CRRT were included. The patients were randomized to either CRRT with RCA or heparin anticoagulation. Primary endpoints were effective daily delivered RRT dose during the first 3 days of CRRT and filter lifespan. Secondary endpoints were 28-day and 90-day survival and severe metabolic complications and bleeding disorders. Median CRRT duration was 3.0 (2–6) days. Effective delivered daily RRT doses were 29 ± 3 and 27 ± 5 mL/kg/hr in the RCA and heparin groups, respectively (p = 0.005). Filter lifespans were 49 ± 29 versus 28 ± 23 hrs in the RCA and heparin groups (p = 0.004). Survival rates at 28 and 90 days were 80-74% in the RCA and 74-73% in the heparin group. Electrolytes and acid–base disturbances were uncommon and transient in patients treated with RCA. These results show that RCA is superior to heparin-based anticoagulation in terms of delivered RRT dose and filter life span and is a safe and feasible method. This does not translate into an improvement in short term survival. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01269112 . Registered 3rd January 2011.
Preparing patients and caregivers to participate in care delivered across settings: The care transitions intervention

OBJECTIVES: To test whether an intervention designed to encourage older patients and their caregivers to assert a more active role during care transitions can reduce rehospitalization rates. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design whereby subjects receiving the intervention (n 5 158) were compared with control subjects derived from administrative data (n 5 1,235). SETTING: A large integrated delivery system in Colorado. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older admitted to the study hospital with one of nine selected conditions. INTERVENTION: Intervention subjects received tools to promote cross-site communication, encouragement to take a more active role in their care and assert their preferences, and continuity across settings and guidance from a transition coach. MEASUREMENTS: Rates of postdischarge hospital use at 30, 60, and 90 days. Intervention subjects’ care experience was assessed using the care transitions measure. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio comparing rehospitalization of intervention subjects with that of controls was 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5 0.28–0.96) at 30 days, 0.43 (95% CI 5 0.25–0.72) at 90 days, and 0.57 (95% CI 5 0.36–0.92) at 180 days. Intervention patients reported high levels of confidence in obtaining essential information for managing their condition, communicating with members of the healthcare team, and understanding their medication regimen. CONCLUSION: Supporting patients and caregivers to take a more active role during care transitions appears promising for reducing rates of subsequent hospitalization. Further testing may include more diverse populations and patients at risk for transitions who are not acutely ill. JA m Geriatr Soc 52:1817–1825, 2004.
Modeling Phosphorus Sorption and Movement in Soils in Relation to Septic Tank Leach Fields

Eutrophication of lakes and streams is a natural process which can be accelerated by the movement of nutrient rich waste-water into waterways. Phosphorus (P) has been identified as the nutrient most likely limiting primary productivity in lakes and streams. A prerequisite to understanding the impact of land application wastewater treatment is an assessment of the inter-action of phosphorus and soil constituents. The nature of phosphosrus soil reactions is complex, as evidenced by the large number of papers in the literature (1) (2).
Functional Capacity of Transplanted Pituitaries in Superovulated Rats

Immature female rats (27 days old) were superovulated with 50 IU PMS and 25 IU HCG. Two days post-HCG, all rats either received (under the renal capsule) one pituitary homograft from identical donors or were sham operated. Part of both the transplanted and sham-operated groups were hypophysectomized three days post-transplantation. Half of the transpianted-hypophysectomized rats received anti-LH-serum while the rest of the animals were injected with normal serum. Results indicate that hypophysectomy resulted in significant reductions of serum progesterone concentrations, in Vitro progesterone synthesis and ovarian progesterone, free sterol and esterified sterol concentrations. All these effects of hypophysectomy were reversed by the presence of a transplant but the reversal was only partial in the case of ovarian free and ester sterol levels. Administration of anti-LH-serum had no effect on the above described variables with exception of a significantly reduced ovarian ester sterol concentration in the hypophysectomized-transplanted rats. Serum and ovarian 20a-OH-pregn-4ene-3-one concentrations were significantly reduced by the presence of a transplant in the intact rat. Incorporation of “C from [1-”C] acetate into progesterone, 20a-OH-pregn-4-ene-3-one, free and esterifled sterol fractions was significantly increased by hypophysectomy, when measured in the in vitrosystem. In VIVO, only the free sterol fraction exhibited enhanced incorporation rates. The presence of a transplant completely prevented the increased rate of “C incorporation into all fractions tested. Administration of anti-LH serum reversed the effects of the transplant and resulted in elevated incorporation rates in all measured components. These results are interpreted to indicate that the transplanted pituitary is capable of maintaining pseudopregnancy in the superovulated rat, that the response to transplantation in the superovulated rat issimilar to that observed in adult pseudopregnant rats, and that the transplanted pituitary secretes sufficient amounts of LH to maintain normal steroidogenesis.
The Methylglutamate, SYM 2081, is a Potent and Highly Selective Agonist at Kainate Receptors

The methylglutamate analog (2S,4R)-4-methylglutamate (SYM 2081) has been shown to potently displace high affinity [3H]kainate binding to cortical tissue and to recombinant kainate receptors, and to evoke rapidly desensitizing responses in electrophysiological recordings. We have used two electrode voltage clamp recordings to compare the potency and efficacy of SYM 2081 with other α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA)/kainate receptor agonists at homomeric kainate and AMPA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In the presence of concanavalin A to reduce agonist induced desensitization at kainate receptors, SYM 2081 was a potent agonist at homomeric kainate receptors composed of the GluR5 and GluR6 subunit, with an EC50 of 0.12 ± 0.02 and 0.23 ± 0.01 μM, respectively. SYM 2081 was highly selective for kainate receptors, the EC50 for activation of AMPA receptors composed of the GluR1 and GluR3 subunits was 132 ± 44 and 453 ± 57 μM, respectively. Other methylglutamate analogs were tested for kainate receptor agonist activity. Methylglutamate compounds with the methyl group at the 2 or 3 position of glutamate were inactive indicating that positioning of the methyl group at the 4 position was essential for agonist activity. Of the four stereoisomers of 4-methylglutamate, SYM 2081 (2S,4R) was the most potent agonist. The (2R,4R) isomer was estimated to be 20-fold and the (2S,4S)-isomer approximately 1000-fold less potent than SYM 2081. These results indicate that SYM 2081 is a potent and selective agonist at kainate receptors, and thus will be a useful ligand for evaluating the role of kainate receptors in central nervous system function and disease.
Radiochemical purity and stability of generic Tc-99m macro aggregated albumin

2730 Objectives Tc-99m MAA is used for pulmonary imaging. At present time there is only one manufacturer of MAA kits (Jubilant Drax Imaging). Due to the recent MAA shortage and possible price increases, our laboratory evaluated the radiochemical purity and stability of a generic MAA kit (Anazao Health). Methods Generic MAA kits were formulated at two different concentrations: 56.8mCi and 101.7mCi. The radiochemical purity of each respective MAA kit was evaluated 1hr, 2.5hr, 4hr, 6hr, and 8hr post formulation utilizing miniaturized chromatography consisting of Whatman 31T in acetone. In each respective evaluation, three replicate chromatographic determinations were utilized. Following strip development, chromatography samples were cut at respective cut lines and counted using sodium iodide well detector interfaced to a multichannel analyzer. The radiochemical purity at each respective time was statistically analyzed by calculating means and standard deviations. Results The initial radiochemical purity of both the 56.8mCi and 101.7mCi generic MAA formulation was greater than 99% and the radiochemical purity remained greater than 99% up to 8hr post formulation. The manufacturer’s description of particle size indicates that the majority of particles are between 20-40 microns. Comparison of total number of particles per vial for generic MAA (2.5 + 2 x 10^6) compared to the approved MAA kit (4 to 8 x 10^6) indicated that significantly less Tc-99m activity must be utilized in order to obtain the optimal number of injected particles. Conclusions Our laboratory evaluated the radiochemical purity and stability of a generic MAA kit preparation. Radiochemical purity and stability was greater than 99% for preparations up to 100mCi for up to 8hr post formulation.
The Amesbury-Salisbury Strike and the Social Origins of Political Nativism in Antebellum Massachusetts

On May 31, 1852, John P. Derby, newly appointed agent of the Salisbury Manufacturing Company, announced that "luncheon" privilege would be abolished the following day. The so-called "luncheon" privilege, a custom at this woolen factory since it began production in 1823, amounted to two fifteen-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon for all male employees. The next day about onehundred operatives defiantly left the mills at the usual hour for their morning break. All were discharged for their insubordination, and were soon joined by most employees of the SMC, male and female, in sympathy strikes. Within two weeks Samuel Langley, another newly appointed agent of the nearby Amesbury Flannel Manufacturing Company, announced that his firm would likewise revoke "luncheon" privilege. Threatened with a massive strike, Langley refused to rescind his order and watched his mills completely shut down.1 As operatives streamed out of the mills, residents organized a political response. Led by the towns' native-born journeymen, master craftsmen, and small storekeepers, a local movement erupted in mid June for the ten-hour working day. The leaders penned a "Ten Hour Circular" and sent it to surrounding communities in July. In it, the activists declared it to be "the duty of every well-wisher to the prosperity of the state to unite" in favor of a ten-hour law. They emphasized how the issue transcended the usual "schemes and prejudices of party politics," maintaining "all classes" have a "common and inseparable interest" in legislation for a ten-hour day. On this note of antipartyism and cross-class solidarity the Ten Hour Circular announced a decisive break with political orthodoxy. Amesbury and Salisbury, Massachusetts, once roseately described by the Quaker-poet John Greenleaf Whittier as places where "the utmost harmony prevails and has always done so between employer and employee," were plunged into a period of political upheaval.2 The tumult peaked two years later when local insurgents united behind the Know Nothing, or American party in the November 1854 election. Know Nothing candidates in both towns, and indeed throughout the state, swept to record majorities, obliterating the Whig party and speeding the collapse of the second American party system in Massachusetts. In fact the election of 1854 capped years of popular frustration, both locally and statewide, with the Bay State's conservative Whig establishment. Remarkably, the insurgent party carried nearly every town in the state-a complete rout that suggests the scope of voter antipathy towards politics-as-usual. Proclaimed one Amesbury nativist: "The American movement gives more power to the mechanics, the true strength of the country." "It excludes those broken-down wire-pullers and party hacks," he gloated triumphantly, "who will sell themselves for political office."3 Historians continue to debate the sources of the Know Nothing revolt in
Effect of Ignition Chemistry on Turbulent Premixed Flames of n-Heptane and Toluene

Turbulent premixed flames of n-heptane/air and toluene/air mixtures have been experimentally investigated in a reactor-assisted turbulent slot (RATS) burner at two burner temperatures, 450 K and 650 K, by measuring turbulent burning velocities (ST), flashback, and flame structures with planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging at various equivalence ratios (φ). Turbulent burning velocities have been found to be affected by the low-temperature-ignition for n-heptane/air mixture due to two-stage ignition process, whereas no LTI affected turbulent burning velocity is found in case of toluene/air mixture due to the absence of two-stage ignition process. The measured turbulent burning velocities of n-heptane and toluene at 450 K exhibits identical trend of u’/SL dependency, once they are normalized by the laminar burning velocities (SL), indicating appropriate representation of chemical effect by SL. In order to investigate the effect of Lewis number (Le), turbulent burning velocities and flame structure are measured by changing the equivalence ratio from 0.7 to 1.5 at 450 K. The results show that ST is insensitive to the change of Le at fuel lean, however strong dependency of ST on Lewis number is found at fuel rich conditions due to the increase of flame front wrinkling. Flame flashback conditions are measured in a function of mean jet velocity and equivalence ratio for n-heptane/air mixtures from lean (φ = 0.7) to rich (2.1) cases. The flashback measurements reveal completely different behaviors, depending on the burner temperature. At 450 K (chemically-frozen regime) the flashback is found to be controlled by the turbulent burning velocity, whereas at 650 K (Ignition-driven regime) the flashback is correlated well with the calculated hot-ignition delay times of n-heptane/air mixture. In ignition-driven regime, the measured ST/SL increases substantially as increasing the ignition Damkőhler number.
A framework for integrating arrival, departure, and surface operations scheduling

This paper proposes a framework for integrating scheduling between arrival, departure, and surface operations to address the drawbacks of domain segregated scheduling. The framework organizes scheduling tasks by time horizon rather than domain. The four-level framework hierarchy includes the configuration schedule, flight schedule, flight schedule update, and schedule conformance. Current NASA research gaps within this framework are discussed and key areas are proposed where future research should focus to facilitate scheduler integration.
676 New Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter after Cardiac Transplant Is Associated with High Mortality and Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

New Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter after Cardiac Transplant Is Associated with High Mortality and Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy L.K. Soni, J. Jiang, M. Ji, S. Cheung, E. Heng, H. Yerebakan, C.R. Smith, M.A. Farr, H. Takayama, M. Argenziano, D.M. Mancini, Y. Naka, P.C. Schulze, F.H. Cheema. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
A New Reference-Based Edge Map Quality Measure

Edge detection is an important task in image processing, and the quality of further processing is often reflected by the quality of edge detector outputs. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective edge map quality measures to assist in evaluating the performance of edge detectors. Objective evaluation measures are crucial in automatically determining the optimal edge map for a given image or an application, as well as its parameter values. In this paper, a new reference-based edge measure (RBEM) is introduced to evaluate the performance of edge detector outputs relative to a ground truth. The new measure fuses four component metrics, based on edge pixel presence, edge corner localization, thick edge occurrence, and edge connectivity. Each of these metrics can be used separately or as a standalone measure to evaluate the quality of an edge map in terms of specific characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed measure is demonstrated for selecting the best edge detector among several edge detectors, as well as for selecting the optimal parameter values, for both synthetic images and natural images. Experimental results show that the presented RBEM outperforms the existing methods according to subjective evaluation mean opinion scores, as it considers more important visual features in its evaluation.
Standardized linearization and vectorization algorithm for arm motion control of a humanoid telepresence robot

Recently, the new motion sensor: the Kinect is being used for natural motion retrieval with no additional equipment on the operator, less computational demand, and it is cost effective. But many restrictions apply because the results retrieved from the Kinect include noisy data which disturbs precise and smooth robot motion control. We propose a simple linearization algorithm to improve the accuracy of the data retrieved from the Kinect and designed a vectorization algorithm for converting positions of an operator's skeleton in three dimensions to robot motions. In this paper, we provide the algorithm and its implementation. Furthermore, we demonstrate the performance of the algorithm using the prototype robot.
79 DEGRADATION OF PURINE NUCLEOSIDES BY MITOCHONDRIAL ENZYMES OF BOVINE LIVER

In recent years, it has been shown that mitochondria actively metabolize purine nucleosides. It is documented that both deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine are phosphorylated by mitochondrial enzymes. In the case of deoxyguanosine, intact mitochondria form dGMP, dGDP and dGTP. Herein we report that mitochondria are also involved in the degradation both deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine. When intact or fractured mitochondria are treated with deoxyadenosine, there is an immediate loss of the deoxynucleoside and a corresponding formation of deoxyinosine. A partially purified preparation of the mitochondrial adenosine deaminase activity was able to deaminate both adenosine and deoxyadenosine and a Lineweaver-Burk plot showed that an apparent Km for adenosine was 10μ M. AMP and dAMP were not substrates. When deoxyguanosine was added to either intact or fractured mitochondria it was transformed to guanine in addition to the above mentioned nucleotides. A partially purified preparation of mitochondrial purine nucleoside phosphorylase was shown to be active using inosine ae substrate. An apparent Km of 6μ M was measured. These data indicate that mitochondria play a role in the catabolism of purine nucleosides and thus suggest new opportunities for the study of cellular nucleoside metabolism.
Emerging trends: I did it, I did it, I did it, but...

There has been a trend for publications to report better and better numbers, but less and less insight. The literature is turning into a giant leaderboard, where publication depends on numbers and little else (such as insight and explanation). It is considered a feature that machine learning has become so powerful (and so opaque) that it is no longer necessary (or even relevant) to talk about how it works. Insight is not only not required any more, but perhaps, insight is no longer even considered desirable. Transparency is good and opacity is bad. A recent best seller, Weapons of Math Destruction , is concerned that big data (and WMDs) increase inequality and threaten democracy largely because of opacity. Algorithms are being used to make lots of important decisions like who gets a loan and who goes to jail. If we tell the machine to maximize an objective function like making money, it will do exactly that, for better and for worse. Who is responsible for the consequences? Does it make it ok for machines to do bad things if no one knows what’s happening and why, including those of us who created the machines?
Using the Internet to Report Rare Book and Manuscript Thefts

The Book of St. Mary and St. Nicholas in Arrinstein. If anyone pilfers it, may he die the death, be boiled in a cauldron, may epilepsy and fever overtake him, may he be broken on the wheel and hanged. Amen.1 Formal and informal means now exist for networking nationally to inform libraries, archives, booksellers, and law enforcement personnel regarding rare book and manuscript theft. Networking has been effective in solving a number of cases and recovering stolen material. The Internet and the many listservs and bulletin boards on it have become especially effective networking tools. For example, EXLIBRIS, a bulletin . . .
Assessing Parental Fitness and Care for Unaccompanied Children

Despite an increasing visibility of unaccompanied children in the media and among policymakers, little is known about the experiences of unaccompanied children within and beyond immigration detention. Based on a three-year, multi-sited ethnography with migrant children and their families, this paper traces the impact of U.S. institutional sponsorship policies and practices on unaccompanied children and their families. The article delineates several intersecting institutional logics—the universalization of childhood, the pathologization of mobility, and the criminalization of transnational parents—that underpin federal policies and practices for the care and custody of unaccompanied children. The article argues that these policies overflow from the spaces of detention and shape young people’s help-seeking behaviors and sentiments of belonging following release from detention.
The Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Decompression and Fusion.

Objective To determine whether preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with inferior perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar arthrodesis. Methods Medical records of 293 adult (≥18 years old) patients with spine deformity undergoing elective lumbar spine decompression and fusion at a major academic institution from 2006 to 2015 were reviewed. We identified 18 (6.1%) patients with a clinical diagnosis of CKD (CKD group, n = 18; no-CKD group, n = 275). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were collected for each patient. The primary endpoint was incidence of postoperative complications. Results Patient demographics, including age, sex, and body mass index, and comorbidities were similar between cohorts. The CKD group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and anemia compared with the no-CKD group. Median number of fusion levels, length of surgery, and estimated blood loss were similar between both cohorts. Postoperative complication profile was significantly different between the cohorts, with the CKD group having a significantly higher proportion of patients transferred to the intensive care unit (52.9% vs. 29.3%, P = 0.04) with episodes of delirium (27.8% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.007), urinary tract infection (27.8% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.0002), and deep vein thrombosis (5.6% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.01). Although not significant, the CKD group had a 2-fold higher rate of 30-day readmissions compared with the no-CKD group (CKD group: 27.8% vs. no-CKD group: 12.7%, P = 0.07). Conclusions Our study suggests that patients with CKD may be more likely to develop perioperative complications after lumbar arthrodesis. Future studies are necessary to corroborate our findings.
Measurements of pulmonary gas exchange efficiency using expired gas and oximetry: results in normal subjects

We are developing a novel, noninvasive method for measuring the efficiency of pulmonary gas exchange in patients with lung disease. The patient wears an oximeter, and we measure the partial pressur...
Secure Sharing of mHealth Data Streams through Cryptographically-Enforced Access Control.

Abstract Owners of mobile-health apps and devices often want to share their mHealth data with others, such as physicians, therapists, coaches, and caregivers. For privacy reasons, however, they typically want to share a limited subset of their information with each recipient according to their preferences. In this paper, we introduce ShareHealth, a scalable, usable, and practical system that allows mHealth-data owners to specify access-control policies and to cryptographically enforce those policies so that only parties with the proper corresponding permissions are able to decrypt data. The design and prototype implementation of this system make three contributions: (1) they apply cryptographically-enforced access-control measures to stream-based (specifically mHealth) data, (2) they recognize the temporal nature of mHealth data streams and support revocation of access to part or all of a data stream, and (3) they depart from the vendor- and device-specific silos of mHealth data by implementing a secure end-to-end system that can be applied to data collected from a variety of mHealth apps and devices.
Part 1: Dynamical Characterization of a Frictionally Excited Beam

The dynamics of an experimental frictionally excited beam areinvestigated. The friction is characterized and shown to involve contactcompliance. Beam displacements are approximated from strain gagesignals. The system dynamics are rich, including a variety of periodic,quasi-periodic and chaotic responses. Proper orthogonal decomposition isapplied to chaotic data to obtain information about the spatialcoherence of the beam dynamics. Responses for different parameter valuesresult in a different set of proper orthogonal modes. The number ofproper orthogonal modes that account for 99.99% of the signalpower is compared to the corresponding number of linear normal modes,and it is verified that the proper orthogonal modes are more efficientin capturing the dynamics.
Cystic Fibrosis and Defective Airway Innate Immunity

Cystic fibrosis is a common autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene that encodes an anion channel expressed in epithelia and other cell types. While the disease affects multiple organ systems, it is progressive pulmonary disease, characterized by airway infection and inflammation, that is life limiting. The origins of the lung disease associated with loss of CFTR function are complex and likely multifactorial. Current research is defining how loss of CFTR anion channel activity alters the volume and composition of respiratory secretions and thereby impacts host defenses. Here we review the current understanding of the defect in innate immunity that characterizes the airway disease in cystic fibrosis. Advances in cystic fibrosis basic science research and the development of new animal models of disease are shedding new light on the causes of lung disease and may lead to new, more targeted therapies.
Pricing: Neutral and Indifference

There is probably no more important concept nor more important issue in financial dealings than the prices at which deals are made.
ADVANTAGES OF GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF ACETALDEHYDE IN STUDIES WITH ETHANOL AND A RECONSTITUTED ENZYME SYSTEM CONTAINING ELECTROPHORETICALLY HOMOGENEOUS PHENOBARBITAL-INDUCIBLE CYTOCHROME P-450 FROM RABBIT LIVER MICROSOMES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the advantages of gas chromatographic determination of acetaldehyde in studies with ethanol and a reconstituted enzyme system containing electrophoretically homogeneous phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 from rabbit liver microsomes. High purified rabbit liver cytochrom P-450 incubated in a reconstituted mixed function oxidase system failed to oxidize ethanol. The question of whether P-450LM capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde directly can be answered satisfactorily only with the use of highly purified P-450LM preparations isolated according to procedures published by both Coon's and Lu's groups. The purpose of these experiments was to examine the activity of electrophoretically homogeneous rabbit P-450LM2 toward ethanol in a reconstituted enzyme system containing highly purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, synthetic phospholipid, and NADPH; acetaldehyde formation was quantitated using the highly specific headspace gas chromatographic technique.