cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enabling proactive self-healing by data mining network failure logs

Self-healing is a key desirable feature in emerging communication networks. While legacy self-healing mechanisms that are reactive in nature can minimize recovery time substantially, the recently conceived extremely low latency and high Quality of Experience (QoE) requirements call for self-healing mechanisms that are pro-active instead of reactive thereby enabling minimal recovery times. A corner stone in enabling proactive self-healing is predictive analytics of historical network failure logs (NFL). In current networks NFL data remains mostly dark, i.e., though they are stored but they are not exploited to their full potential. In this paper, we present a case study that investigates spatio-temporal trends in a large NFL database of a nationwide broadband operator. To discover hidden patterns in the data we leverage five different unsupervised pattern recognition and clustering along with density based outlier detection techniques namely: K-means clustering, Fuzzy C-means clustering, Local Outlier Factor, Local Outlier Probabilities and Kohonen's Self Organizing Maps. Results indicate that self-organizing maps with local outlier probabilities outperform K-means and Fuzzy C-means clustering in terms of sum of squared errors (SSE) and Davis Boulden index (DBI) values. Through an extensive data analysis leveraging a rich combination of the aforementioned techniques, we extract trends that can enable the operator to proactively tackle similar faults in future and improve QoE and recovery times and minimize operational costs, thereby paving the way towards proactive self-healing.
Convergent Balancing Selection on the Mu-Opioid Receptor in Primates

The mu opioid receptor is involved in many natural processes including stress response, pleasure, and pain. Mutations in the gene also have been associated with opiate and alcohol addictions as well as with responsivity to medication targeting these disorders. Two common and mutually exclusive polymorphisms have been identified in humans, A118G (N40D), found commonly in non-African populations, and C17T (V6A), found almost exclusively in African populations. Although A118G has been studied extensively for associations and in functional assays, C17T is much less well understood. In addition to a parallel polymorphism previously identified in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), C77G (P26R), resequencing in additional non-human primate species identifies further common variation: C140T (P47L) in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), G55C (D19H) in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabeus), A111T (L37F) in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), and C55T (P19S) in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis peruviensis). Functional effects on downstream signaling are observed for each of these variants following treatment with the endogenous agonist β-endorphin and the exogenous agonists morphine, DAMGO ([d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin), and fentanyl. In addition to demonstrating the importance of functional equivalency in reference to population variation for minority health, this also shows how common evolutionary pressures have produced similar phenotypes across species, suggesting a shared response to environmental needs and perhaps elucidating the mechanism by which these organism-environment interactions are mediated physiologically and molecularly. These studies set the stage for future investigations of shared functional polymorphisms across species as a new genetic tool for translational research.
Field Production Practices

There are many aspects of growing sweetgrass successfully that need to be discussed as follows:
INHERITANCE OF COTYLEDON, SEED-COAT, HILUM AND PUBESCENCE COLORS IN SOY-BEANS

Page 491, table 1, column 4, line 5, for "29" read "3." Page 491, table 1, column 6, line 5, for "23.39" read "2.42." Page 514, line 14, for (see PDF) Page 525, line 8, for volume "41" read volume "46." Page 525, line 11, for volume "46" read volume "51
The Big Dry and Australia's Water Markets

This case is used in Darden's first-year course "Global Economies and Markets" and taught at the University of Virginia's School of Architecture, though it is also appropriate for courses in environmental sustainability. A technical note titled "Water Markets from an Economic Point of View" (UVA-GEM-0110) was developed to accompany this case or other cases addressing the topic of global water supply. In 2010, Australian funds were looking for foreign investors in the country's water market. Funds advertised water as "blue gold." Australian Causeway Asset Management, for example, expected high future returns because of the "chronic supply/demand imbalance for Australian water, which will result in higher water prices. Owning Australian Water Entitlements provides investors with direct exposure to water prices." There was quite a story to be told about water on this continent of notably variable weather, especially since the "Big Dry," also known as the Millennium Drought. More than anything, the drought had supported water markets as a central tool in Australian water management. As the drought receded, the floods of 2009, 2010, and 2011 took its place, so water prices were low and potentially attractive for buyers abroad. Excerpt UVA-GEM-0109 Rev. May 28, 2015 The Big Dry and Australia's Water Markets Introduction In 2010, Australian funds were looking for foreign investors in the country's water market. Funds advertised water as “blue gold.” Australian Causeway Asset Management, for example, expected high future returns because of the “chronic supply/demand imbalance for Australian water, which will result in higher water prices. Owning Australian Water Entitlements provides investors with direct exposure to water prices.” There was quite a story to be told about water on this continent of notably variable weather, especially since the “Big Dry,” also known as the Millennium Drought. More than anything, the drought had supported water markets as a central tool in Australian water management. As the drought receded, the floods of 2009, 2010, and 2011 took its place, so water prices were low and potentially attractive for buyers abroad. . . .
When machine learning meets compressive sampling for wideband spectrum sensing

This paper proposes a novel technique that exploits spectrum occupancy behaviors inherent to wideband spectrum access to enable efficient cooperative wideband spectrum sensing. Our technique requires lesser number of sensing measurements while still recovering spectrum occupancy information accurately. It does so by leveraging compressive sampling theory to exploit the block-like occupancy structure of wideband spectrum access. Our technique is also adaptive in that it accounts for the variability of spectrum occupancy over time. It exploits supervised learning to provide and use accurate realtime estimates of the spectrum occupancy. Using simulations, we show that our proposed technique outperforms existing approaches by making accurate spectrum occupancy decisions with lesser sensing communication and energy overheads.
A model for projection and action

In designing autonomous agents that deal competently with issues involving time and space, there is a tradeoff to be made between guaranteed response-time reactions on the one hand, and flexibility and expressiveness on the other. We propose a model of action with probabilistic reasoning and decision analytic evaluation for use in a layered control architecture. Our model is well suited to tasks that require reasoning about the interaction of behaviors and events in a fixed temporal horizon. Decisions are continuously reevaluated, so that there is no problem with plans becoming obsolete as new information becomes available. In this paper, we are particularly interested in the trade-offs required to guarantee a fixed reponse time in reasoning about nondeterministic cause-and-eflect relationships. By exploiting approximate decision making processes, we are able to trade accuracy in our predictions for speed in decision making in order to improve expected performance in dynamic situations.
Toward Active Living: Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Research and Implications

ABSTRACTComprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) holds much promise as a solution for youth PA promotion, due to its strong theoretical and political support. In this article, we review the current research on CSPAP. Fifty-four published articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified and retrieved using direct library database search and bibliography cross-referencing. Based on the literature review in this article, we describe the theoretical foundation of CSPAP, summarize the effects of CSPAP interventions on PA and other related outcomes, highlight the role of school physical education (PE) and PE teachers in the context of CSPAP, and identify the key to successful CSPAP implementation. We finally discuss the implications of current CSPAP research and other scholarly works for future research and practice—advocating the important functionality of school PE for health and student learning.
The Neighborhood Unit: Schools, Segregation, and the Shaping of the Modern Metropolitan Landscape.

Background/ContextIn the first half of the 20th century, American policy makers at all levels of government, alongside housing and real estate industry figures, crafted mechanisms of racial exclusi...
Cystic Kidney Diseases Associated with Increased Cancer Risk: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Von Hippel-Lindau, and Birt-Hogg-Dubé

Tuberous sclerosis complex, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and Birt-Hogg-Dube disease are tumor predisposition syndromes associated with renal cystic disease. While better known for their benign and malignant tumor associations, these disease-associated proteins all have a strong mechanistic link to the mTORC1 pathway and primary cilia signaling. The clinical, basic, and translational science aspects are explored, and a common mechanism is posited.
Electronic medical records for clinical research: application to the identification of heart failure.

OBJECTIVE To identify patients with heart failure (HF) by using language contained in the electronic medical record (EMR). METHODS We validated 2 methods of identifying HF through the EMR, which offers transcription of clinical notes within 24 hours or less of the encounter. The first method was natural language processing (NLP) of the EMR text. The second method was predictive modeling based on machine learning, using the text of clinical reports. Natural language processing was compared with both manual record review and billing records. Predictive modeling was compared with manual record review. RESULTS Natural language processing identified 2904 HF cases; billing records independently identified 1684 HF cases, 252 (15%) of them not identified by NLP. Review of a random sample of these 252 cases did not identify HF, yielding 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 86, 100) and 97.8% specificity (95% CI = 97.7, 97.9) for NLP. Manual review confirmed 1107 of the 2904 cases identified by NLP, yielding a positive predictive value (PPV) of 38% (95% CI = 36, 40). Predictive modeling yielded a PPV of 82% (95% CI = 73,93), 56% sensitivity (95% CI = 46, 67), and 96% specificity (95% CI = 94, 99). CONCLUSIONS The EMR can be used to identify HF via 2 complementary approaches. Natural language processing may be more suitable for studies requiring highest sensitivity, whereas predictive modeling may be more suitable for studies requiring higher PPV.
Selected chronic disease risk factors in Missouri: 10-year trends and predictions for the year 2000.

Introduction A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence rates of three chronic disease risk factors among adult Missourians from 1986 to 1995, to predict rates, and to compare them with national and Missouri’s goals for the year 2000. Methods Using data from Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Surveys (BRFSS) 1986–1995, prevalence rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity were calculated across age, gender, race, and educational levels. Linear regression was used to predict rates for year 2000, for the adults of Missouri as a whole and for particular subgroups. Results There was a 0.9% annual decrease in smoking prevalence and a 4.6 % annual increase in obesity over the 10 years, controlling for age and gender. The trend in rates of physical inactivity was nonsignificant. Continuation of these rates will give smoking rates of 23.6%, obesity rates of 35.5%, and sedentary rates of 36.3% by the year 2000. Those with less than a high school education had higher rates for each of the risk factors. Conclusions This rate of decrease in rates of cigarette smoking is not sufficient to enable the year 2000 goal to be reached until year 2040, and the rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyle are increasing. The BRFSS, which has now been implemented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is a useful tool for monitoring progress towards health behavior targets.
The Impact of Telecommunications Technologies on Informal Communication in Science and Engineering—Research Needs and Opportunities

Over the last fifteen years, there has been increased interest in the storage, dissemination, and use of scientific and technical information. In looking for ways to increase the rate at which scientific knowledge accumulates and innovation progresses, science policy makers have supported an extensive body of research aimed at reducing the costs of information transfer and improving the timeliness of information available to the scientist and engineer. Technology-based advances in computer-controlled printing, machine-indexing, micro-reproduction, remote computer access, time-sharing, and cathode displays have been and are increasing the efficiency of the information-handling procedures used by scientific and technical professionals.
The Diverse Active Sites in Splicing, Debranching, and MicroRNA Processing Around RNA Phosphodiester Bonds

The cleavage and ligation reactions at RNA phosphodiester bonds are the central reactions catalyzed by enzymes in critical cellular regulatory pathways. In pre-mRNA splicing, two phospho-transesterifications result in the right mRNA for protein synthesis with the intervening intron removed as a lariat structure. The lariat RNA is then debranched by an enzyme that specifically acts on this 2′-5′-branched RNA. Following debranching, some of these introns that include pre-microRNA sequences can be processed by Dicer that cleaves the RNA to provide microRNAs. Dicer and Drosha, enzymes that act on much bigger primary transcripts, are both RNase III-like enzymes that cleave the RNA phosphodiester linkage. All these reactions are in related pathways, and the RNA phosphodiester bonds are most likely cleaved with the aid of two metal ions, yet the active sites that host these could be composed entirely of RNA or entirely of protein, or possibly a hybrid of the two. Where unknown, it is possible to estimate some of these active site architectures through homology to closely related enzymes. Better insight into these related process and active sites will play a key role in leveraging these important RNA regulatory processes for molecular medicine.
Decay of 101Sr and the rotational structure of 101Y.

The level structure of $^{101}\mathrm{Y}$ has been studied through the \ensuremath{\beta} decay of $^{101}\mathrm{Sr}$. Ninety-six \ensuremath{\gamma} rays are placed in a level scheme with 34 levels. The first 14 levels of $^{101}\mathrm{Y}$ (below 1.1 MeV) are identified as members of the four rotational bands associated with the Nilsson orbitals (with bandhead energies in keV) (5/2[422] (0), (3/2[301] (510), (5/2[303] (666), and 1/2[301] (890). Above 1.2 MeV occur six low-spin (I\ensuremath{\le}(7/2) levels that have features expected for members of 1/2[431] and (3/2[431] bands, but it is not possible to make unambiguous assignments of all six levels to these two bands. The level energies and \ensuremath{\gamma}-decay patterns (both intraband and interband) are well reproduced by simple particle-rotor calculations consisting of single quasiparticles coupled to an axially symmetric core. As is the case for $^{99}\mathrm{Y}$, the rotational structure of $^{101}\mathrm{Y}$ indicates an axially symmetric deformation \ensuremath{\epsilon} near the middle of the range of 0.3\ensuremath{\epsilon}0.4. Similarities and differences between the bands observed in $^{99}\mathrm{Y}$ and $^{101}\mathrm{Y}$ are discussed and compared to model predictions.
The Effect of Multiple Roles of South Korean Married Women Professors: Role Changes and the Factors Which Influence Potential Role Gratification and Strain

In this paper, we examine role gratification and role strain of married middle-class South Korean women by comparing a sample of women professors and a sample of housewives whose husbands are professors and researchers. The results show that the married women professors, compared with the housewives, experienced both greater gratification and greater strain. The findings also show that sociodemographic factors are not strongly related to role gratification and strain. It was found that married women professors have more nontraditional gender-role attitudes as compared with housewives. In addition, the research indicates that transnational resocialization from overseas experiences in a Western society has positive effects on role gratification among the married women professors.
Chemical Cycles and Limiting Factors

The circulation of materials is a necessary part of any system, and the biogeochemical cycling of the chemical elements is a major part of ecosystems, including the macrocosm of the biosphere. When a microcosm is enclosed, the chemicals fall into a pattern of circulation within the small container. If material is neither added nor lost, the principle of conservation of matter applies. An important part of ecosystem studies is chemical cycling, evaluating the storages of material, evaluating the main flows, and determining the processes controlling each pathway.
Assembly–disassembly is coupled to the ATPase cycle of tobacco Rubisco activase

The carbon-fixing activity of enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is regulated by Rubisco activase (Rca), a ring-forming ATPase that catalyzes inhibitor release. For higher plant Rca, the catalytic roles played by different oligomeric species have remained obscure. Here, we utilized fluorescence-correlation spectroscopy to estimate dissociation constants for the dimer–tetramer, tetramer–hexamer, hexamer–12-mer, and higher-order assembly equilibria of tobacco Rca. A comparison of oligomer composition with ATPase activity provided evidence that assemblies larger than hexamers are hydrolytically inactive. Therefore, supramolecular aggregates may serve as storage forms at low-energy charge. We observed that the tetramer accumulates only when both substrate and product nucleotides are bound. During rapid ATP turnover, about one in six active sites was occupied by ADP, and ∼36% of Rca was tetrameric. The steady-state catalytic rate reached a maximum between 0.5 and 2.5 μm Rca. In this range, significant amounts of dimers, tetramers, and hexamers coexisted, although none could fully account for the observed activity profile. Therefore, we propose that dynamic assembly–disassembly partakes in the ATPase cycle. According to this model, the association of dimers with tetramers generates a hexamer that forms a closed ring at high ATP and magnesium levels. Upon hydrolysis and product release, the toroid breaks open and dissociates into a dimer and tetramer, which may be coupled to Rubisco remodeling. Although a variant bearing the R294V substitution assembled in much the same way, highly stabilized states could be generated by binding of a transition-state analog. A tight-binding pre-hydrolysis state appears to become more accessible in thermally labile Rcas.
Base64 Encoding on OpenCL FPGA Platform

Base64 encoding has many applications on the Web. Previous studies are focused on improving the efficiency of Base64 encoding on central processing units (CPUs). As field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are becoming promising heterogeneous computing components in high-performance computing (HPC), and high-level synthesis (HLS) is more mature, we are motivated to optimize Base64 encoding on an FPGA using HLS. In this paper, we explain the algorithm, converts the algorithm to a kernel written in Open Computing Language (OpenCL), and optimize the kernel targeting an Intel Arria 10 FPGA. We evaluate the performance and power of the kernel implementations on the CPU, graphics processing units (GPUs), and FPGA computing platforms. The experimental results show that we can significantly improve the performance of Base64 encoding with the FPGA-specific optimizations. Compared to an Intel Xeon Platinum 8167 CPU, an Nvidia Tesla K80 GPU, and an Nvidia Tesla P100 GPU, the performance (the number of cycles per byte) of Base64 encoding on an Arria10-based FPGA platform is 3.98X higher than that on the K80 GPU, 17X higher than that on the CPU, and 1.83X lower than that on the P100 GPU for large input data sizes. The performance per watt on the FPGA is 1.1X lower than that on the P100 GPU, and 8.25X and 13.2X higher than that on the CPU and the K80 GPU, respectively.
Cellulose and Hemicellulose Synthesis and Their Regulation in Plant Cells

As the major components in plant cell walls, cellulose and hemicelluloses have attracted many scientists long before the recent buzz of referring them as alternative resources for biofuels. Plant cells invest ~10% of their genes in the biosynthesis and regulation of cell walls. Taking biosynthesis as an example, we are still far from deciphering each enzyme’s exact biochemical and biological function. Despite the challenge, many discoveries were made in the past two decades. In this chapter, we highlight recent progress toward understanding the mechanisms by which cellulose and hemicelluloses are synthesized and regulated in plants.
Auranofin Mediates Mitochondrial Dysregulation and Inflammatory Cell Death in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: Implications of Retinal Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Purpose Photoreceptor degeneration occurs in various retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, molecular mechanisms are not fully understood yet. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outer blood retinal barrier (oBRB) and supplies glucose, oxygen and nutrients from the fenestrated choriocapillaris to photoreceptors for visual function. Therefore, RPE dysfunction leads to photoreceptor injury/death and progression of blinding eye diseases. This study aims to understand the role of the thioredoxin (Trx) and its reductase (TrxR) redox signaling in human RPE dysfunction and cell death mechanism(s) in an in vitro system. Methods A human RPE cell line (APRE-19) was cultured in DMEM/F12 medium and treated with auranofin (AF - 4 μM, an inhibitor of TrxR) for 4 and 24 h. Mitochondrial and lysosomal function, cellular oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activity were measured using cell assays, Western blotting, and confocal microscopy. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds were tested for blocking AF effects on RPE damage. Cell death mechanisms (LDH release to culture media) were determined using necroptosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis inhibitors. P < 0.05 was considered significant in statistical analysis. Results Auranofin causes mitochondrial dysfunction (Δψm↓ and ATP↓), oxidative stress (H2O2↑) and mitophagic flux to lysosomes. Furthermore, the lysosomal enzyme (cathepsin L) activity is reduced while that of pro-inflammatory caspase-1 (NLRP3 inflammasome) is enhanced in ARPE-19. These effects of AF on ARPE-19 are inhibited by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (5 mM, NAC) and significantly by a combination of SS31 (mitochondrial antioxidant) and anti-inflammatory drugs (amlexanox and tranilast). AF also causes cell death as measured by cytosolic LDH release/leakage, which is not inhibited by either ferrostatin-1 or necrostatin-1 (ferroptosis and necroptosis inhibitors, respectively). Conversely, AF-induced LDH release is significantly reduced by MCC950 and Ac-YVAD-cmk (NLRP3 and Caspase-1 inhibitors, respectively), suggesting a pro-inflammatory cell death by pyroptosis. Conclusion The Trx/TrxR redox system is critical for RPE function and viability. We previously showed that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is strongly induced in DR inhibiting the Trx/TrxR system and RPE dysfunction. Therefore, our results suggest that the TXNIP-Trx-TrxR redox pathway may participate in RPE dysfunction in DR and other retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
Safety and Feasibility of Transcaval Aortic Valve Replacement with the LOTUS Edge System

To establish the safety of transcaval TAVR with the LOTUS Edge system. A single center prospective observational study was performed over the course of eight months. Median follow up period was 45 ...
Aviation taxation and tax incidence

This paper investigates tax incidence resulting from the ‘combined unit tax’ levied on domestic air travel. Using a panel dataset and estimating with first-differences, I find that domestic aviatio...
The returns to higher education and public employment

Abstract This paper evaluates a rapid expansion in public universities in Ethiopia to estimate the returns to higher education in a low-income context. The empirical analysis exploits the geographical and time variation in the expansion. The estimates suggest that higher-education attainment almost doubles the probability of paid employment and almost doubles hourly wages. The returns are linked to occupational shifts to the public sector, which is characterized by attractive wages and demand for higher levels of education.
Anonymity, User Engagement, Quality, and Trolling on Q&A Sites

In online question and answer (Q&A) communities, people ask questions and share answers at all levels of topic sensitivity. Identity options within these communities range from anonymity to real name. The amount of engagement, and the quality of engagement on Q&A sites may differ depending on the identity options available. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between the amount of engagement, the quality of engagement, and different types of identity by analyzing three Q&A sites with different identity policies. We find that highly sensitive questions are more likely to be asked anonymously. Furthermore, allowing anonymity does not affect answer quality and only has a weak, negative indirect effect on engagement. On the other hand, anonymity leads to more trolling. We suggest online communities provide a way for users to ask highly sensitive questions anonymously and pair this with moderation mechanisms to reduce trolling
Factors Associated To the Onset of Mental Depression among Young Adults at the Yaounde Central Hospital

Introduction: Mental depression is the most common mental health illness. The burden related to this condition is very important worldwide. Depression represents a highly prevalent public health concern in Cameroon, particularly within the city Yaounde. Young adults aged 20-40 years, searching for life stability, and consulting general medical practitioners are vulnerable. This study was to analyze factors associated to the onset of depression among young adults at the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study was conducted among 124 participants aged 20-40 years at the YCH. Data was collected through two questionnaires between October and November 2019. Chi-square tests and logistic polytomous regression were performed using CSPRO 7.3, SPSS.25, STATA & SPAD softwares. Results: The mean age was 33.19 ±6.19, with 54.8% women and 45.2% men. Moderate depression was the most represented (53.2%). Depression’s onset was significantly associated to educational level (P=0.016), the experience of work-related sexual harassment (P=0.003), having suffered from a chronic illness (P=0.022) and social isolation (P=0.000). Individuals with a not higher than primary educational level were 3.18 (P=0.003; 95% C.I. 0.52-32.67) times more prone to develop severe rather than moderate depression, compared to their highly educated counterparts. The risk for severe depression was 10.31 (95% C.I 5.22- 12.60) times greatly increased among those that reported work-related sexual harassment. Conclusions: A focus should therefore be placed on strategies ensuring young adults’ mental wellbeing within the social, academic, professional and clinical spheres. Keywords: Factors associated, mental depression, young adults, Yaounde Central Hospital
Abstract 16055: Lipoprotein Subclasses, Size, and Statin-Associated Incident Diabetes: An Analysis From the JUPITER Trial

Statins reduce CVD events, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides, with an increased risk of diabetes. The underlying predictors of statin-associated diabetes are unclear. We evaluated lipoprotein subclass and size changes in response to rosuvastatin to identify predictors of diabetes on statin therapy Among 11,918 non-diabetic participants in JUPITER (NCT00239681), lipoprotein subclasses and size were quantified by NMR spectroscopy (LipoScience, NC) prior to and 1 year after randomization to placebo or rosuvastatin (total 370 incident diabetes). Cox regression models were adjusted for diabetes risk factors Compared to baseline, rosuvastatin lowered LDL-C and particles by lowering cholesterol-enriched large LDL (58%) and IDL (46%), with less relative lowering of cholesterol-poor small LDL (22%), resulting in smaller LDL size (1.5%). Rosuvastatin lowered (15%-20%) triglycerides, VLDL triglycerides, and VLDL particles by lowering large (15%), medium (7%), and small (27%) particles, and increasing VLDL size (3%) (all p Baseline parameters HR per 1-SD p value LDL-C .86 (0.76-0.98) .02 HDL-C .69 (0.54-0.87) .002 Triglycerides 1.62 (1.41-1.86) Non-HDL-C 1.20 (1.04-1.39) .01 ApoB 1.35 (1.18-1.55) Total LDL* 1.32 (1.15-1.51) Large LDL* .79 (0.71-0.87) Small LDL* 1.71 (1.40-2.08) IDL* .97 (0.85-1.11) .69 LDL size .66 (0.58-0.75) Total VLDL* 1.16 (1.00-1.34) .046 Large VLDL* 1.78 (1.51-2.10) Medium VLDL* 1.35 (1.15-1.58) .0002 Small VLDL* .93 (0.82-1.06) .30 VLDL size 1.58 (1.39-1.80) VLDL triglycerides 1.51 (1.31-1.73) *particles
A late Pleistocene-Mid-Holocene noble gas and stable isotope climate and subglacial record in southern Michigan

[1] Stable isotopes (δD, δ18O) and 14C derived ages in the Saginaw aquifer in southern Michigan suggest subglacial meltwater contributions from the Laurentide Ice Sheet of up to 36% in the late Pleistocene, following the Last Glacial Maximum. Contributions of up to 74% from previous glaciation periods are observed. Together with the Marshall record [Ma et al., 2004], noble gas temperatures (NGTs) and excess air (EA) from the Saginaw aquifer capture, for the first time, the onset of the Younger Dryas (∼12.9 kyr BP) with a ∼3.3°C cooling accompanied by drier conditions. Mid-Holocene (MH) climatic shifts are also identified, with warming (∼2.9°C), increased aridity starting at ∼5.4 kyr BP followed by reversal to cooler, humid conditions at ∼4.1 kyr BP. Except for the last MH reversal, the stable isotope record mimics the NGT and EA records. Contrasting trends displayed byδ18O and deuterium-excess in the last MH reversal suggests enhanced vapor transport from the Gulf of Mexico.
Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms: A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought by David Vandrunen

For the better part of the last 100 years, followers and students of the Reformed tradition in Christian thought have understood the relationship between the reign of Christ and the contemporary socio-political order in terms of a single Kingdom of God. While the expression of this single kingdom has proved controversial, most in the Reformed tradition have decried any notion of a "two-kingdoms" approach in which a distinction between redemption and creation is maintained. In his recently published book, David VanDrunen, a lawyer and theologian, has labored to demonstrate that various formulations of a two-kingdom approach predominated in Reformed though from the time of John Calvin until well into the nineteenth century. VanDrunen carefully develops the historical grounds for his thesis and shows the steps that were taken to move to the contemporary single-kingdom approach. Implicit in VanDrunen's analysis is a belief that not only is the two-kingdoms approach consistent with the long arc of Reformed thought but also that it better reflects the biblical data. In this review I summarize certain highlights of VanDrunen's historical argument and describe three challenges that those who find the two-kingdoms approach congenial must address for it to enjoy a contemporary revival.
General pediatric clinic practice management: results of a survey of academic departments

The purpose of this survey is to provide an overview of hospital-based general pediatric clinics (GPCs) from the perspective of the practice manager. Academic pediatric departments located in the United States were surveyed to gather information regarding a number of issues relevant to the operation of their GPCs. These issues include educational efforts related to practice management, personnel allocation, financial performance, organizational formats, administrative arrangements, and access to primary care services for children of poor families. Of 131 surveys, 94 were returned (72% response rate). There were an average of 15 486 visits per year to GPCs, and the number of visits overall has increased by 11.9% during the past 5 years. Educational efforts related to practice management vary greatly within GPCs; less than half report any. The overall staff ratios per faculty physician are similar to those in nonteaching practices but differ in composition because of training activities inherent to GPCs. There is an average loss of $250 000 per clinic at GPCs. Organizational formats vary considerably; the majority of physician directors have no line-management authority for nursing and clerical staff. Survey results confirm that GPCs serve a large number of poor children with 41.3% funded by Medicaid and 16.0% unable to pay out-of-pocket expenses. GPCs are generally not used to teach practice management, tend to lose money, and have little faculty involvement in their management.
TEMPERATURE-GRADIENT PLATES FOR GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS

Abstract Landman, Otto E. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), Howard T. Bausum, and Thomas S. Matney. Temperature-gradient plates for growth of microorganisms. J. Bacteriol. 83:463–469. 1962.—Different temperature-gradient plates have been devised for the study of microbial growth on solid media through continuous temperature ranges or in liquid media at finely graded temperatures. All plates are made of heavy-gauge aluminum; heat supplied at one end is dissipated along the length of the metal so that a gradient is produced. The shape and range of the gradient depends on the amount of heat supplied, the insulation, the ambient temperature, and other factors. Differences of 0.2 C in temperature sensitivity between bacterial strains can be detected. The plates are simple to construct and operate. The dimensions of the aluminum, the mode of temperature measurement, and the method of heating may all be modified without diminishing the basic utility of the device. A sharp growth front develops at the maximal temperature of growth of bacteria. In most strains, all bacteria below the front form colonies and all bacteria above the front are killed, except for a few temperature-resistant mutants.
Cigarette smoking among intimate partner violence perpetrators and victims: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking and intimate partner violence (IPV) are preventable, major public health issues that result in severe physical and psychological consequences. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the consistency and strength of the association between these highly variable behaviors using a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Self-reported IPV perpetration, victimization, and smoking data were collected from 25,515 adults (54% female) through the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to determine the relationships among smoking status (current daily, intermittent, former, and never smoker) and IPV (minor and sever victimization as well as perpetration). RESULTS: Results indicated a robust relationship between IPV and smoking among both victims and perpetrators. The odds for current daily and intermittent smoking were significantly elevated among those who reported both minor and severe IPV relative to their non-violent counterparts. Mood and anxiety disorders were significant comorbid conditions in the interpretation of the relationship between severe IPV and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides strong evidence for a robust relationship between IPV and smoking across current smoking patterns, IPV severity levels, and IPV experience patterns. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Findings emphasize the need to better understand the mechanisms by which smoking and IPV are associated and how this interdependence may impact approaches to treatment. Specifically, research is required to assess the efficacy of integrated smoking cessation and IPV treatment or recovery programs over more traditional, exclusive approaches. (Am J Addict 2014;XX:XX-XX). Language: en
The Surface of Mars: Not Just Dust and Rocks

About 25 years ago, the Viking orbiter returned the first thermal infrared maps of Mars. But these maps of the thermal inertia--or rate of temperature change--of the planet9s surface were not of sufficiently high resolution to provide detailed insights into the bedrock geology of the planet. This is now set to change. In his Perspective, Golombek highlights the report by Christensen et al . of the first data from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on Mars Global Surveyor. The new data set provides high-resolution thermal inertia maps that will provide unprecedented insights into the geologic history and evolution of Mars.
Acute-phase reactants of mice. II. Strain dependence of serum amyloid P-component (SAP) levels and response to inflammation

Serum amyloid P-component (SAP) is an acute-phase reactant of mice that occurs at baseline concentrations that vary over a 10-fold range among several common inbred mouse strains. The endogenous SAP levels of all strains increased to 180 to 230 micrograms/ml 24 h after an inflammatory stimulus of either thioglycollate (TG) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The C57BL/6J and C57BL/10SN strains displayed 10-fold increases in SAP concentration during acute inflammation, whereas the A/J and DBA/2J strains increased levels by only 20 to 40%. These strains were therefore designated high and low SAP responders, respectively. Testing for H-2 linkage of endogenous SAP levels by using several H-2 congenic lines derived from the C57BL/10, C3H, A, and BALB parental backgrounds indicated that the levels were only weakly influenced by the H-2 complex and were influenced much more strongly by the non-H-2 background genes. F1 hybrids (B6AF1 and B6D2F1) of high and low responder strains displayed a high SAP response similar to that of C57BL/6J mice. Because IL 1-containing macrophage supernatants and semi-purified human IL 1 were previously shown by us to induce SAP in vivo, we titrated IL 1 as LAF activity in supernatants from LPS-activated macrophages from the different mouse strains. Macrophages from the high SAP responder strains displayed significantly higher IL 1 activity than macrophages from the low SAP responder strains. LPS-unresponsive C3H/HeJ or C57BL/10Sc mice did not respond to LPS with an increase in SAP synthesis. Adoptive transfer of the SAP response to C57BL 10Sc mice by using early (90 min) acute-phase sera from the different strains indicated that higher SAP inducer activity was present in the latent phase sera from the high SAP responder strains. The identification of high and low SAP responder strains should aid in determining the biologic role of this acute-phase reactant.
Digestion responses to low oligosaccharide soybean meal by ileally-cannulated dogs.

We investigated digestion responses to conventional and low oligosaccharide soybean meal (SBM) incorporation into diets for dogs. Five female dogs were fitted with T-type cannulas at the terminal ileum and fed five diets in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Corn grain + poultry meal-based diets containing different levels and types of SBM (0% SBM, 18.55% conventional SBM, 18.55% low oligosaccharide SBM, 37.1% conventional SBM, 37.1% low oligosaccharide SBM) were formulated. Each period consisted of 11 d (7-d diet adaptation ; 4-d collection of ileal digesta and feces). Intakes of DM, OM, CP, fat, and GE were not affected (P >.10) by treatment. Higher (P <.01) starch intakes and higher (P <.05) total dietary fiber (TDF) intakes were noted for dogs fed diets with SBM. Digestibilities of CP ( P <.04) and starch ( P < .002) at the ileum were higher for dogs fed the higher levels of SBM. Ileal digestibilities of most individual amino acids followed the CP response. Total tract digestibility of CP was higher (P <.006) in dogs fed the SBM diets. There were no significant differences in nutrient digestibilities between conventional and low oligosaccharide SBM. Stachyose and raffinose intakes by dogs were decreased dramatically (P < .001) as a result of substituting the low oligosaccharide SBM for conventional SBM at the higher dietary concentration, although sucrose intake by dogs fed low oligosaccharide SBM was higher (P <.001). Galactinol was present in low oligosaccharide SBM but not in conventional SBM. Total tract digestion of all oligosaccharides was near 100%. The low oligosaccharide SBM was digested as extensively, but no better than, conventional SBM.
An Extension To the Theory of Convergence and a Proof of the Time Complexity of Genetic Algorithms

Abstract Genetic algorithms, search procedures modelled after the mechanics of natural selection, are difficult to analyze because their time complexity is related to characteristics of the application problem domain. The standard recurrence relation for binary and nonbinary genetic algorithms is solved using an inductive proof and a proof using linear finite difference equations. This result is used to estimate the average and worst case time complexity for genetic algorithms. The resulting equations define the relationship between estimated run time, problem size, fitness ratio and the complexity of the domain specific evaluation function for domains with constant fitness ratio for binary and nonbinary GAs. The fitness ratio is a characteristic of the problem domain reflecting the relative merit of some candidate solutions over others.
Long‐term survivors after gamma knife radiosurgery for brain metastases

BACKGROUND Stereotactic radiosurgery, with or without whole-brain radiation therapy, has become a valued management choice for patients with brain metastases, although their median survival remains limited. In patients who receive successful extracranial cancer care, patients who have controlled intracranial disease are living longer. The authors evaluated all brain metastasis in patients who lived for ≥ 4 years after radiosurgery to determine clinical and treatment patterns potentially responsible for their outcome. METHODS Six hundred seventy-seven patients with brain metastases underwent 781 radiosurgery procedures between 1988 and 2000. Data from the entire series were reviewed; and, if patients had ≥ 4 years of survival, then they were evaluated for information on brain and extracranial treatment, symptoms, imaging responses, need for further care, and management morbidity. These long-term survivors were compared with a cohort who lived for < 3 months after radiosurgery (n = 100 patients). RESULTS Forty-four patients (6.5%) survived for > 4 years after radiosurgery (mean, 69 mos with 16 patients still alive). The mean age at radiosurgery was 53 years (maximum age, 72 yrs), and the median Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was 90. The lung (n = 15 patients), breast (n = 9 patients), kidney (n = 7 patients), and skin (melanoma; n = 6 patients) were the most frequent primary sites. Two or more organ sites outside the brain were involved in 18 patients (41%), the primary tumor plus lymph nodes were involved in 10 patients (23%), only the primary tumor was involved in 9 patients (20%), and only brain disease was involved in 7 patients (16%), indicating that extended survival was possible even in patients with multiorgan disease. Serial imaging of 133 tumors showed that 99 tumors were smaller (74%), 22 tumors were unchanged (17%), and 12 tumors were larger (9%). Four patients had a permanent neurologic deficit after brain tumor management, and six patients underwent a resection after radiosurgery. Compared with the patients who had limited survival (< 3 mos), long-term survivors had a higher initial KPS (P = 0.01), fewer brain metastases (P = 0.04), and less extracranial disease (P < 0.00005). CONCLUSIONS Although the expected survival of patients with brain metastases may be limited, selected patients with effective intracranial and extracranial care for malignant disease can have prolonged, good-quality survival. The extent of extracranial disease at the time of radiosurgery was predictive of outcome, but this does not necessarily mean that patients cannot live for years if treatment is effective. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Orthogonal Drawing of High Degree Graphs with Small Area and Few Bends

Most of the work that appears in the orthogonal graph drawing literature deals with graphs whose maximum degree is four. In this paper we present an algorithm for orthogonal drawings of simple graphs with degree higher than four. Vertices are represented by rectangular boxes of perimeter less than twice the degree of the vertex. Our algorithm is based on creating groups/pairs of vertices of the graph both ahead of time and in real drawing time. The orthogonal drawings produced by our algorithm have area at most (m−1) × \(\left( {\frac{m}{2} + 2} \right)\). Two important properties of our algorithm are that the drawings exhibit small total number of bends (less than m), and that there is at most one bend per edge.
Chapter 10 Unilateral containment of retinal axons by tectal glia: a possible role for sulfated proteoglycans

(1) A distinct group of radial glia resides along the roofplate of the mesencephalon. Results of experiments, in which the neonatal tectum is manipulated surgically, point to the involvement of these glia in compartmentalizing retinotectal axons to one side of the midbrain. (2) Immunohistochemical studies document that the GAGs CS and KS are expressed along these midline glia during development: their expression occurs after the intertectal axons grow across the midline, but is coincident with the time of ingrowth of retinotectal axons, which fail to cross the midline. Together with results of in vitro experiments from other laboratories, these observations suggest that CS and KS are involved in the barrier function of the midline cells. (3) Preliminary data on biochemical characterization of PGs in developing tectum indicate that similar PG core proteins are found in the midline region as well as in the lateral tectum, whereas metabolic labeling shows a significantly higher uptake of radioactive sulfates along the midline. Thus differential glycosylation of proteins along the midline is likely, along with the possibility that it is the sugar chains which contribute to the barrier function of the raphe glia. Taken in the context of what we currently know about the biochemical heterogeneity of PGs, their developmental expression, and their functions in relation to the growth of axons from a variety of different neuronal cell types, it is clear that the analyses of interactions between PGs and growing axons must occur at several different levels, not the least of which involves a detailed understanding of the milieu in vivo within which these interactions take place.