cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Metrecom and Its Use in Quantifying Skeletal Landmark Locations

Several factors can be involved in evaluating a motion analysis system. The purposes of this study were to evaluate: 1) the accuracy, repeatability, and linearity of the Skeletal Analysis System (Metrecom System) and 2) the reliability of bony landmark identification with a method using the Melrecom Skeletal Analysis System (Metrecom Method) to obtain coordinates for human skeletal landmarks. A calibration control object with 20 known three-dimensional coordinates in a rectangular field was used as the gold standard for evaluating the Metrecom System for measuring X, Y, and Z spatial coordinates. The Metrecom Method was then evaluated using a test-relest approach for 10 bony landmarks on each of 10 normal subjects examined by two different examiners. Relative to the Metrecom System, the results demonstrated that the hysteresis was minimal (1.8 mm), and linearity was excellent. The differences between the true and measured distances for the 20 known points were not statistically significant (p ≥ .05). The ...
Operando Observation of the Gold–Electrolyte Interface in Li–O2 Batteries

Observing the cathode interface in Li–O2 batteries during cycling is necessary to improve our understanding of discharge product formation and evolution in practical cells. In this work a gold electrode surface is monitored by operando surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy during typical discharge and charge cycling. During discharge, we observe the precipitation of stable and reversible lithium superoxide (LiO2), in contrast to reports that suggest it is a mere intermediate in the formation of lithium peroxide (Li2O2). Some LiO2 is further reduced to Li2O2 producing a coating of insulating discharge products that renders the gold electrode inactive. Upon charging, a superficial layer of these species (∼1 nm) are preferentially oxidized at low overpotentials (<0.6 V), leaving residual products in poor contact with the electrode surface. In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is also used to distinguish between LiO2 and Li2O2 products using frequency-dependent responses and to correlate their reducti...
Cerebral autoregulation during moderate hypothermia in rats.

Little is known about the effects of hypothermia on cerebral autoregulation. The present study was designed to examine cerebral blood flow responses to controlled hemorrhagic hypotension in normothermic and hypothermic rats.Cortical blood flow was measured with a laser-Doppler flowmeter in halothane-anesthetized rats assigned to one of three groups: normothermic group 1 (n = 8) with a pericranial temperature of approximately 36.5 degrees C or hypothermic group 2 (n = 8) or group 3 (n = 8) with a pericranial temperature of approximately 30.5 degrees C. In group 2, a PaCO2 of approximately 40 mm Hg was maintained without correction for body temperature. To evaluate the role of PaCO2, in group 3 animals PaCO2 was kept at approximately 40 mm Hg as corrected for body temperature. In all animals, the mean arterial blood pressure was reduced by hemorrhage in increments of 10 mm Hg every 2 minutes.In group 1 animals, a typical autoregulatory curve was observed with cerebral blood flow first falling at or below 75...
The Worldwide Change in the Behavior of Interest Rates and Prices in 1914

Abstract This paper evaluates the role of the destruction of the gold standard and the founding of the Federal Reserve, both of which occured in 1914, in contributing to observed changes in the behavior of interest rates and prices after 1914. The paper presents a model of policy coordination in which the introduction of the Fed stabilizes interest rates, even it the gold standard remains intact, and it offers empirical evidence that the dismantling of the gold standard did not play a crucial role in precipitating the changes in interest rate behavior.
An Arabidopsis Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Is Associated with the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Arabidopsis contains 34 genes that are predicted to encode calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs). CDPK enzymatic activity previously has been detected in many locations in plant cells, including the cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and the membrane fraction. However, little is known about the subcellular locations of individual CDPKs or the mechanisms involved in targeting them to those locations. We investigated the subcellular location of one Arabidopsis CDPK, AtCPK2, in detail. Membrane-associated AtCPK2 did not partition with the plasma membrane in a two-phase system. Sucrose gradient fractionation of microsomes demonstrated that AtCPK2 was associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). AtCPK2 does not contain transmembrane domains or known ER-targeting signals, but does have predicted amino-terminal acylation sites. AtCPK2 was myristoylated in a cell-free extract and myristoylation was prevented by converting the glycine at the proposed site of myristate attachment to alanine (G2A). In plants, the G2A mutation decreased AtCPK2 membrane association by approximately 50%. A recombinant protein, consisting of the first 10 amino acids of AtCPK2 fused to the amino-terminus of β-glucuronidase, was also targeted to the ER, indicating that the amino terminus of AtCPK2 can specify ER localization of a soluble protein. These results indicate that AtCPK2 is localized to the ER, that myristoylation is likely to be involved in the membrane association of AtCPK2, and that the amino terminal region of AtCPK2 is sufficient for correct membrane targeting.
Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) accelerator assisted synthesis of diamond

The use of a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) accelerator for diamond synthesis is investigated. The acceleration process in an MPD device is reviewed and results presented for a test in which a low power (15 kW) MPD accelerator was used as the gas activation source for diamond deposition. A hydrogen–argon mixture was used in the discharge with externally injected methane as the carbon precursor. Results, including SEM images, Raman and x-ray diffraction spectra are presented for a 3.3 µm thick film deposited over a 100 min period. The Raman spectra include a broad background and shift in the diamond peak, indicative of contamination and stresses in the deposited film. Potential scaling benefits of the MPD accelerator as well as some of the drawbacks associated with methane injection and sample contamination underscored by the experiments are identified and discussed.
Frequency-Domain Analysis of Photoacoustic Imaging Data From Prostate Adenocarcinoma Tumors in a Murine Model

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging technique for anatomical and functional sub-surface imaging but previous studies have predominantly focused on time-domain analysis. In this study, frequency-domain analysis of the radio-frequency signals from photoacoustic imaging was performed to generate quantitative parameters for tissue characterization. To account for the response of the imaging system, the photoacoustic spectra were calibrated by dividing the photoacoustic spectra (radio-frequency ultrasound spectra resulting from laser excitation) from tissue by the photoacoustic spectrum of a point absorber excited under the same conditions. The resulting quasi-linear photoacoustic spectra were fit by linear regression and midband fit, slope and intercept were computed from the best-fit line. These photoacoustic spectral parameters were compared between the region-of-interests (ROIs) representing prostate adenocarcinoma tumors and adjacent normal flank tissue in a murine model. The mean midband fit and intercept in the ROIs showed significant differences between cancerous and noncancerous regions. These initial results suggest that such frequency-domain analysis can provide a quantitative method for tumor tissue characterization using photoacoustic imaging in vivo.
Biodegradable polymer blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol)

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were melt-blended and extruded into films in the PLA/PEG ratios of 100/0, 90/10, 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70. It was concluded from the differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis results that PLA/PEG blends range from miscible to partially miscible, depending on the concentration. Below 50% PEG content the PEG plasticized the PLA, yielding higher elongations and lower modulus values. Above 50% PEG content the blend morphology was driven by the increasing crystallinity of PEG, resulting in an increase in modulus and a corresponding decrease in elongation at break. The tensile strength was found to decrease in a linear fashion with increasing PEG content. Results obtained from enzymatic degradation show that the weight loss for all of the blends was significantly greater than that for the pure PLA. When the PEG content was 30% or lower, weight loss was found to be primarily due to enzymatic degradation of the PLA. Above 30% PEG content, the weight loss was found to be mainly due to the dissolution of PEG. During hydrolytic degradation, for PLA/PEG blends up to 30% PEG, weight loss occurs as a combination of degradation of PLA and dissolution of PEG. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1495–1505, 1997
Nonmedical use of prescription medications among adolescents in the United States: a systematic review

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to systematically summarize research on nonmedical use of prescription medications (NMUPM) among U.S. adolescents, with specific focus on scheduled medications falling into one of the following drug classes: pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives, or tranquilizers. Methods: Databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary quantitative research published between January 2000 and June 2011 on NMUPM among out-of-treatment U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years (or age 18 if enrolled in high school). Results: Thirty publications met inclusion criteria. A total of 25 studies were represented; 15 involved nationally representative samples. The prevalence and correlates of NMUPM varied across studies and by drug class. Nonmedical use of pain relievers was more prevalent than for stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Female gender was generally associated with pain reliever use and, to a lesser degree, with tranquilizer use. White adolescents also appeared to have a higher prevalence of NMUPM, although there was some evidence to the contrary. Older age, illicit drug use, and delinquency were consistently associated with NMUPM across studies. Conclusions: This review identified several areas for further research, including that of racially/ ethnically diverse samples of adolescents, more focus on sedative and tranquilizer use, and longitudinal research to examine temporal patterns in NMUPM and other illicit drug use, delinquency, and substance abuse and dependence. 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
The Impact of Virtualization on Network Performance of Amazon EC2 Data Center

Cloud computing services allow users to lease computing resources from large scale data centers operated by service providers. Using cloud services, users can deploy a wide variety of applications dynamically and on-demand. Most cloud service providers use machine virtualization to provide flexible and cost-effective resource sharing. However, few studies have investigated the impact of machine virtualization in the cloud on networking performance. In this paper, we present a measurement study to characterize the impact of virtualization on the networking performance of the Amazon Elastic Cloud Computing (EC2) data center. We measure the processor sharing, packet delay, TCP/UDP throughput and packet loss among Amazon EC2 virtual machines. Our results show that even though the data center network is lightly utilized, virtualization can still cause significant throughput instability and abnormal delay variations. We discuss the implications of our findings on several classes of applications.
Diploporite (Echinodermata, Blastozoa) Thecal Attachment Structures from the Silurian of Southeastern Indiana

Taxonomic descriptions of diploporites from the middle Silurian of eastern Laurentia have focused nearly entirely on thecal plating, with minimal description or figuring of attachment structures. A recently discovered hardground surface within the Wenlock-age (Sheinwoodian) Massie Formation that is encrusted by numerous well-preserved pelmatozoan holdfasts, including structures identifiable as diploporite thecal attachments, provides an opportunity to document the morphology of these rarely described structures. Moderately thin-walled structures with a parabolic, depressed central area composed of seven distinct marginal plates with prominent pores appear to represent thecal attachments of the broad-based trematocystinid holocystitid Paulicystis. Thick-walled, steep-sided structures composed of five to seven fused or partially fused plates with less prominent pores, a deep stelar depression, and radiating canals appear to represent thecal attachments of undetermined, possibly holocystinid or pentacystinid holocystitids. All diploporite holdfasts are cemented to fine-grained, well-sorted skeletal substrates on elevated crests of the hardground surface, but are not found on microbioherms.
Effects of adult chill treatments on mate attracting potential for irradiated Mexican fruit fly males

Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), that are reared, sterilized and released for maintenance of a fly free zone in south Texas and for population eradication in California are routinely chilled for 1 to 2 h to facilitate handling and dispersal. While a number of behavioral, physical and physiological characteristics are routinely monitored as part of a quality control program, the effect of the chilling process on the ability of these males to attract wild females has not been evaluated. Tests were performed to compare the mate attracting effectiveness of mass reared, sterilized, chilled males with sterile males that had not been chilled and with recently colonized males. Tests were performed with two recently colonized strains of females in a large cage and males of the three types in plastic cups set on top of the cage. Controls consisted of empty cups. Results showed no significant differences among the three types of males. In tests with the most recently collected (least laboratory adapted) wild strain of females, the chilled males attracted the most females. Fly age and time of day were both significantly related to total attractiveness of males. Number of females responding to males per day increased over the five-day test period. The time period when female response was greatest was variable among the tests.
Simulation of anthropogenic CO 2 uptake in the CCSM3.1 ocean circulation-biogeochemical model: comparison with data-based estimates

Abstract. The global ocean has taken up a large fraction of the CO2 released by human activities since the industrial revolution. Quantifying the oceanic anthropogenic carbon (Cant) inventory and its variability is important for predicting the future global carbon cycle. The detailed comparison of data-based and model-based estimates is essential for the validation and continued improvement of our prediction capabilities. So far, three global estimates of oceanic Cant inventory that are "data-based" and independent of global ocean circulation models have been produced: one based on the Δ C* method, and two that are based on constraining surface-to-interior transport of tracers, the TTD method and a maximum entropy inversion method (GF). The GF method, in particular, is capable of reconstructing the history of Cant inventory through the industrial era. In the present study we use forward model simulations of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM3.1) to estimate the Cant inventory and compare the results with the data-based estimates. We also use the simulations to test several assumptions of the GF method, including the assumption of constant climate and circulation, which is common to all the data-based estimates. Though the integrated estimates of global Cant inventories are consistent with each other, the regional estimates show discrepancies up to 50 %. The CCSM3 model underestimates the total Cant inventory, in part due to weak mixing and ventilation in the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean. Analyses of different simulation results suggest that key assumptions about ocean circulation and air-sea disequilibrium in the GF method are generally valid on the global scale, but may introduce errors in Cant estimates on regional scales. The GF method should also be used with caution when predicting future oceanic anthropogenic carbon uptake.
Effects of aging on actin sliding speed on myosin from single skeletal muscle cells of mice, rats, and humans.

The effects of aging on the mechanical properties of myosin were measured in 87 fibers from muscles of humans (n = 40), rats (n = 21), and mice (n = 26) using a single fiber in vitro motility assay...
Recycling plastics by two-shot molding

In response to increasing ecological and economic pressures, a two-shot molding process has been developed to recycle molding plastics. This process buries scrap plastic under a skin of virgin plastic in the molded part, resulting in a laminate that has the appearance of and similar mechanical properties to the skin material only. Two injection units and a special nozzle design are used to achieve the desired lamination. Theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted to determine the effects of parameters on the amount of scrap material that can be buried and its effect on impact strength. With conventional production molding dies, scrap plastic comprising approximately 40 percent of the total shot has been molded beneath virgin plastic in parts having stringent appearance requirements.
Wrought Iron Wire from the Wheeling Suspension Bridge: a Metallurgical Assessment

The Wheeling Suspension Bridge was constructed in 1849 over the Ohio River as a part of the National Road connecting the east coast with the interior of the United States. This was just before introduction of the Bessemer process opened the Age of Steel, so the wire for the suspension cables was manufactured from wrought iron by a local Wheeling firm. The Bridge is still standing and carries both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Samples of wire from the suspension cables were provided courtesy of Prof. Emory L. Kemp of West Virginia University, and were examined metallurgically by optical microscopy and with a scanning electron microscope for features such as inclusions, grain size, and morphology. Hardness was measured as a proxy for strength. The combined results are compared with earlier observations made of wire of finer gauge drawn for historical musical instruments.
Computer simulation as a component of catheter-based training

Introduction Computer simulation has been used in a variety of training programs, ranging from airline piloting to general surgery. In this study we evaluate the use of simulation to train novice and advanced interventionalists in catheter-based techniques. Methods Twenty-one physicians underwent evaluation in a simulator training program that involved placement of a carotid stent. Five participants were highly experienced in catheter-based techniques (>300 percutaneous cases), including carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS); the remaining 16 participants were interventional novices ( Results The average simulated score for novice participants after the training program improved significantly from 17.8 ± 15.6 to 69.8 ± 9.8 ( P P P Conclusions An endovascular training program using the Procedicus VIST haptic simulator resulted in significant improvement in trainee facility with catheter-based techniques in a simulated clinical setting. Novice participants derived the greatest benefit from simulator training in a mentored program, whereas experienced interventionalists did not seem to derive significant benefit.
Surgical myectomy improves pulmonary hypertension in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Aims Characterization of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the effects of myectomy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remain poorly defined. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of myectomy on PH in HCM. Methods and results This is a retrospective analysis of 306 consecutive symptomatic HCM patients (70% NYHA class III–IV) with evaluation of echocardiographic right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) both preceding (median 3 days) and following (median 4 days) myectomy. Compared with patients without PH (RVSP <35 mmHg, n = 145, 47%), patients with moderate or severe PH (RVSP ≥50 mmHg, n = 51, 17%) were older, predominantly female, had a greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation, higher natriuretic peptide levels, higher left ventricular outflow tract gradient, higher E velocity, and larger left atria. Reduction of RVSP post-myectomy was evident in patients with moderate or severe PH [59 (IQR 54–71) to 50 (IQR 39–62) mmHg, P < 0.0001] and in all patients with PH [RVSP ≥ 35 mmHg, n = 161, 43 (IQR 39–54) to 41 (IQR 35–52) mmHg, P < 0.0001]. In a subgroup of patients with long-term data, PH continued to decline during follow-up. Clinical variables associated with improvement in PH in these patients were higher left atrial volume index ( R = 0.43, P = 0.0069) and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation ( R = 0.33, P = 0.038). Conclusion Surgical myectomy is associated with improvement in PH, most pronounced in moderate or severe PH. These data provide insight into pulmonary haemodynamics following obstruction relief and can help to guide therapeutic expectations.
Do the Near Elderly Delay Needed Care for Chronic Conditions

Background: Fragmented care and duplicated services have historically plagued the management of chronic conditions in the elderly, where care has focused on treating acute episodes of illness rather than chronic problems. Decisions made by the near elderly (ages 55 to 64) about the timing and types of services used to manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, ultimately affect their health status and patterns of health care use at the time of Medicare enrollment. Objectives: This project examined the factors associated with decisions to delay care versus seek timely care by the near elderly with chronic conditions prior to becoming eligible for Medicare. We also examined how health insurance coverage influenced these decisions. Methodology: We used a series of in-depth interviews with individuals ages 65 to 67 who had either diabetes, arthritis, hypertension or heart disease to identify reasons for delaying versus seeking care for their chronic condition(s). Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed, and content analysis was used to identify key themes that influenced health care decisions. A written survey was used to validate the key themes important to the decision making process. Results: Twenty-three 90-minute interviews were conducted. The content analysis identified eleven key motivators for and against seeking health care, ranging from reasons related to financial cost (100%), their own and others' experiences with a treatment (71% and 65% respectively) to positive and negative attitudes about prescription drugs (59%) and health care providers (59%). Conclusions: The key informant interviews provided a detailed understanding of the decision making processes and money-health trade-offs made by the near elderly. Results of this study will directly inform the policy debate on the Medicare eligibility age by filling an important void in understanding the implications of uninsurance and under-insurance as well as non-financial factors on health care costs.
Mythic Patterns in To The Lighthouse

The Impulses and convictions which gave birth to Three Guineas and A Room of One's Own carried over into Virginia Woolf's fiction. Their most powerful expression is found in To the Lighthouse. But something, probably her strict and demanding artistic conscience, prevented their appearance in the form of the intellectual and argumentative feminism found in the first two books. In this novel Virginia Woolf's concept of woman's role in life is crystallized in the character of Mrs. Ramsay, whose attributes are those of major female figures in pagan myth. The most useful myth for interpreting the novel is that of the Primordial Goddess, who “is threefold in relation to Zeus: mother (Rhea), wife (Demeter), and daughter (Persephone).” One of the major sources of the myth is the Homeric “Hymn to Demeter,” in which the poet compares Rhea with her daughter Demeter, and makes it clear that Demeter and her daughter Persephone “are to be thought of as a double figure, one half of which is the ideal complement of the other.” This double figure is that of the Kore, the primordial maiden, who is also a mother. Also useful in interpreting the novel is the Oedipus myth.
An in vitro Assay of Erythropoietin.

SummaryThe ability of erythropoietin to stimulate Fe59 incorporation into heme was confirmed. A method of bone marrow culture was designed in order to assay erythropoietin in vitro. A log-dose response relationship was demonstrated with a lower limit of sensitivity of 0.05 units/ml. The effect of erythropoietin in vitro was blocked by erythropoietin antibody, trypsin, and actinomycin D.
Estrogen receptors alpha and beta in bone

Estrogens are important for bone metabolism via a variety of mechanisms in osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, immune cells and other cells to maintain bone mineral density. Estrogens bind to estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ERβ, and the roles of each of these receptors are beginning to be elucidated through whole body and tissue-specific knockouts of the receptors. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that ERα and ERβ antagonize each other in bone and in other tissues. This review will highlight the role of these receptors in bone, with particular emphasis on their antagonism.
Tanging does not cause flying swarms to settle

SummaryTanging, the act of hitting metal objects together to produce a clanging sound, is used by some beekeepers to induce flying swarms to settle. The effectiveness of this practice is anecdotally supported, but has never been experimentally tested. In this experiment, four swarms were exposed to tanging during the first 255 ± 112 m of their flights to new nest sites. In total, tanging was performed over 1019 m, for 22 min 56 sec. No evidence was found that tanging causes a flying swarm to settle.
Intramolecular aminoalkene hydroamination catalyzed by magnesium complexes containing multidentate phenoxyamine ligands

The magnesium complexes L2MgiPr (L2 = 4-tert-butyl-6-(triphenylsilyl)-2-[bis((3-(dimethylamino)propyl)amino)methyl]phenoxyl) and L3MgiPr (L3 = 4-tert-butyl-6-(triphenylsilyl)-2-[benzyl((3-(dimethyl...
The Analysis of Health Education Intervention on Iodine Deficiency Disorders among Primary Students in Baoshan Prefecture

Objective:To understand the situation of awareness on iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) among primary school students in Baoshan Prefecture though 2008 to 2011,moreover,to evaluate IDD health education effect.Methods:According to the task arrangements in the Technical Scenario of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention Program,combined with endemic diseases in our prefecture,Carried yearly out mass media and interpersonal communication health education activities in each county among three selected projects Township,and students from grades 4-6 classes in each Township Central Primary School were randomly selected to participate in health education activities.National standard questionnaire before-after intervention was used to collect data.Results:Between 2008 and 2011,compared to each year baseline level,the knowledge rates increased after intervention,and reached the national requirement level(80%).Totally accumulated knowledge rates of IDD increased from 85.26% in baseline to 97.37% after intervention,and the change of pre-to-post was 12.11%,overall,it has been showing an upward trend.Conclusion:Since 2008,Baoshan Prefecture initiated health education among the key pupils groups in primary school,the students' IDD knowledge rate has been increasing and more than 90% year on year compared to baseline of 2008.The overall situation of performing IDD health education among pupils is very effective.
EFFECT OF CeO_2 COATIING ON OXIDATION BEHAVIOR OF Fe-Cr ALLOY IN WATER VAPOR

Fe-Cr alloys with 9%Cr and 19%Cr respectively,were deposited with a CeO2 coating,and then oxidized at 600℃~770℃ in water vapor.The results show that the presence of CeO2 coating can not change the oxide scale structure as well as the oxidation rate for the 9% Cr alloy,however for 19%Cr alloy CeO2 coating can promote the outward diffusion of Cr and prevent the inward diffusion of O,thus enhance the oxidation resisitance of the alloy.
DISEASES OF THE RENAL TUBULES IN CHILDHOOD

As indicated in the preceding sections of this review, it seems evident that renal diabetes insipidus, renal glycosuria, "cystinuria" and renal hyperchloremic acidosis are unquestionably renal tubular diseases. Vitamin D resistant rickets has tentatively been placed in the same category although it is recognized that the evidence for this classification is not yet thoroughly convincing. All of the findings of the Fanconi syndrome seem actually to represent a summation of the single tubular diseases, except "cystinosis." Known renal tubular dysfunction fails to explain the cystine-storage disease, cystinosis.
Large-Scale Agent-Based Modeling with Repast HPC: A Case Study in Parallelizing an Agent-Based Model

We present a case study for parallelizing a large-scale epidemiologic ABM developed with Repast HPC, the Chicago Social Interaction Model (chiSIM). The original serial model is a CA-MRSA model which tracks CA-MRSA transmission dynamics and infection in Chicago, and represents the spread of CA-MRSA in the population of Chicago. We utilize both within compute node parallelization using the OpenMP toolkit and distributed parallelization across multiple processes using MPI. The combined approach yields a 1350 % increase in run time performance utilizing 128 compute nodes.
Is pain a somatic symptom

The grouping of symptoms into "somatic" or "physical" on the one hand and "mental", "somatoform", or "psychological" on the other are vestiges of an era in medicine when it seemed useful to divide all the phenomena of disease into two groups - one related to the soma and other to the psyche. Today, this division is becoming obsolete and is harmful. Obsolete, because we are discovering changes in the tissues or in biochemical and immunological functions of the body in people with mental disorders, and because psychological complaints are frequent in all physical illnesses. Harmful, because the labels "psychological", "psychogenic", or "somatoform" are so loaded with connotations of being simulations or complaints about nothing that patients are unlikely to recive the help they need.
Assessment of the Theories

Chapter 2 provided a review of four prominent financial crisis theories, each of which has garnered increased attention in light of the first financial crisis of the twenty-first century. In that chapter, each theory is presented individually and in isolation from the others. The purpose of this chapter is to bring the four perspectives together and identify what they have in common and how they are different from one another. Identifying the fundamental similarities and differences between theories is important because these same theories are utilized later in the book to understand the most recent US financial crisis. If there is a framework in place in which it is clear how these theories are different as well as their similarities, it will be more obvious how to identify whether the theories are adequate for understanding modern financial crises.
Application of Bioinformatics Principles for Target Evaluation

In order to reduce time spent during the lead optimization phase of a drug discovery project, many researchers have attempted to incorporate computerized modeling approaches as part of their program. Various software tools have been developed in support of this pursuit. Molecular modeling, which attempts to produce an electronic representation for the structure of a molecule of interest, and docking, which attempts to discover which molecules are likely to bind to one another, are two approaches that have been used successfully. Although these approaches have worked best with static molecules, recently new tools have been developed to aid in working with more challenging targets, such as antibodies designed to interfere with the function of many cell surface receptors such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
Treatment of newly diagnosed, inner-city multiple myeloma patients with low-dose thalidomide and dexamethasone and zoledronate

17555 Background: The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) is high in African Americans (AA), who are underrepresented in clinical trials. This Phase II trial assessed thalidomide (100 mg/day), dexam...
Blunted Myoglobin and Quadriceps Soreness After Electrical Stimulation During the Luteal Phase or Oral Contraception.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Acute muscle damage after exercise triggers subsequent regeneration, leading to hypertrophy and increased strength after repeated exercise. It has been debated whether acute exercise-induced muscle damage is altered under various premenopausal estrogen conditions. Acute contraction-induced muscle damage was compared during exogenous (oral contraceptive, OC), endogenous (luteal phase, HI), or low (menses, LO) estrogen in healthy young women aged 21 to 30 years old. Methods: Women (OC, n = 9; HI, n = 9; LO, n = 8; total N = 26) performed 1 neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) bout. Soreness, measured via visual analog scale and the Likert Scale of Muscle Soreness for Lower Limb (LSMSLL), quadriceps strength, and plasma myoglobin (Mb), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor were measured before and after NMES. Results: NMES performance was similar across groups. Meaningful within-group increases in Mb (effect size [ES] = 1.12) and IL-8 (ES = 0.38) occurred...
Projected demographic composition of the United States population of people living with diagnosed HIV.

The transformation of HIV from a fatal disease to lifelong disease has resulted in an HIV-infected population that is growing and aging, placing new and increasing demands on public programs and he...
BMI and Transitions to Disability Among Older Adults in Mexico and the United States

As national populations across the world age at an unprecedented rate, disability rates are also increasing (World Health Organization, & The World Bank. (2011). World report on disability, from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789240685215_eng.pdf). Prevalence of disability varies greatly by country, however, ranging from 43.4% among persons 60 and older in lower income countries to 29.5% in higher income countries (World Health Organization, & The World Bank. (2011). World report on disability, from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789240685215_eng.pdf). High rates of disability can impact individuals’ quality of life and contribute to the health burden of society. This is particularly the case in developing countries, where access to rehabilitation services and treatment programs may be limited (Al Snih, S., Graham, J. E., Kuo, Y., Goodwin, J. S., Markides, K. S., & Ottenbacher, K. J. (2010). Obesity and disability: Relation among older adults living in Latin America and the Caribbean. American Journal of Epidemiology 171(12):1282–1288).
Phonetic Segmentation Using Knowledge from Visual and Perceptual Domain

Accurate and automatic phonetic segmentation is crucial for several speech based applications such as phone level articulation analysis and error detection, speech synthesis, annotation, speech recognition and emotion recognition. In this paper we examine the effectiveness of using visual features obtained by processing the image spectrogram of a speech utterance, as applied to phonetic segmentation. Further, we propose a mechanism to combine the knowledge from visual and perceptual domains for automatic phonetic segmentation. This process can be considered analogous to manual phonetic segmentation. The technique was evaluated on TIMIT American English Corpus. Experimental results show significant improvements in phonetic segmentation, especially for lower tolerances of 5, 10 and 15 ms, with an absolute improvement of 8.29% for TIMIT database for a 10 ms tolerance is observed.
Ganglioside Metabolism and Parkinson's Disease

Here we advance the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease (PD) is fundamentally a failure of trophic support for specific classes of neurons, primarily catecholaminergic. Evidence from our laboratory provides a framework into which a broad array of findings from many quarters can be integrated into a general theory that offers testable hypotheses to new and established investigators. Mice deficient in the ability to synthesize series-a gangliosides, specifically GM1 ganglioside, develop parkinsonism. We found that this seems to be due to a failure in signaling efficiency by the important catecholaminergic growth factor, GDNF. Interestingly, these mice accumulate alpha-synuclein in nigral neurons. Striatal over-expression of GDNF eliminates these aggregates and also restores normal motor function. These findings bring into question common beliefs about alpha-synuclein pathology and may help us to reinterpret other experimental findings in a new light. The purpose of this article is to provoke new thinking about PD and hopefully encourage younger scientists to explore some of the ideas presented below.
The utility of routine clinical 12-lead ECG in assessing eligibility for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Abstract Introduction The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is a life-saving device. Recording of a specialized 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is required for S-ICD eligibility assessment. The goals of this study were: (1) evaluate the effect of ECG filtering on S-ICD eligibility, and (2) simplify S-ICD eligibility assessment by development of an S-ICD ineligibility prediction tool, which utilizes the widely available routine 12-lead ECG. Methods and results Prospective cross-sectional study participants [n = 68; 54% male; 94% white, with wide ranges of age (18–81 y), body mass index (19–53), QRS duration (66–150 ms), and left ventricular ejection fraction (37–77%)] underwent 12-lead supine, 3-lead supine and standing ECG recording. All 3-lead ECG recordings were assessed using the standard S-ICD pre-implantation ECG morphology screening. Backward, stepwise, logistic regression was used to build a model for 12-lead prediction of S-ICD eligibility. Select electrocardiogram waves and complexes: QRS, R-, S , and T-amplitudes on all 12 leads, averaged QT interval, QRS duration, and R/T ratio in the lead with the largest T wave (R/Tmax) were included as predictors. The effect of ECG filtering on ECG morphology was evaluated. A total of 9 participants (13%) failed S-ICD screening prior to filtering. Filtering at 3–40 Hz, similar to the S-ICD default, reduced S-ICD ineligibility to 4%. A regression model that included RII, SII-aVL, TI, II, aVL, aVF, V3-V6, and R/Tmax perfectly predicted S-ICD eligibility, with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve of 1.0. Conclusion Routine clinical 12-lead ECG can be used to predict S-ICD eligibility. ECG filtering may improve S-ICD eligibility.
Types and forms of resilience in local planning in the U.S.: Who does what?

Abstract This paper presents and analyzes the results of a survey of actors (n = 130) engaged in planning activities in local governments in the United States (U.S.). This exploratory survey was designed to evaluate the nature of existing resilience, climate change and multi-hazard planning activities, if any, as well as additional considerations for understanding the general state of awareness and knowledge of resilience activities and strategies among various public sector actors. The survey data tests several hypotheses, including the hypothesized disproportionate activity of large cities; the positive correlation between resilience, hazard mitigation and emergency planning; and, the dominate usage of disaster and engineering conceptual variants of resilience. Data from the survey provides evidence in support of an affirmation of the hypotheses. The paper offers insight into the dominate actors and frames that are driving resilience planning, as well as the challenges faced by a lack of discipline for applying categorical variants of resilience.
BUSINESS AND LAW (ISSUE 6)

This is the sixth article on Business and Law (BSL) databases in a continuing series of articles summarising and commenting on new database products. Two companion articles have appeared, one covering science, technology and medicine (STM) (Online & CDROM Review, vol. 19, no. 4) in the August 1995 issue and the other covering the social sciences and humanities (SSH) (Online & CDROM Review, vol. 19, no. 5) in the October 1995 issue of this journal. The articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD) together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).
Self-Role Integration: A Person-Specific Predictor of Life Satisfaction and Prosocial Behavior.

We investigated whether a novel self-structural variable, self-role integration, incrementally predicts life satisfaction and prosocial behavior beyond dispositional trait predictors that are known...
Nonlocal curvature and topology of locally conformally flat manifolds

Abstract In this paper, we focus on the geometry of compact conformally flat manifolds ( M n , g ) with positive scalar curvature. Schoen–Yau proved that its universal cover ( M n ˜ , g ˜ ) is conformally embedded in S n such that M n is a Kleinian manifold. Moreover, the limit set of the Kleinian group has Hausdorff dimension n − 2 2 . If additionally we assume that the non-local curvature Q 2 γ ≥ 0 for some 1 γ 2 , the Hausdorff dimension of the limit set is less than or equal to n − 2 γ 2 . If Q 2 γ > 0 , then the above inequality is strict. Moreover, the above upper bound is sharp. As applications, we obtain some topological rigidity and classification theorems in lower dimensions.
Competitive ELISA method for novel estrogen-negative breast cancer biomarker quantitation.

Abstract Estrogen-negative (ER−) breast cancer, is recognized as an aggressive subtype, more difficult to treat, with poor survival and prognosis. They are hormonally unresponsive, with no readily effective and specific target therapy. We have previously identified Nw-hydroxy L-Arginine (NOHA) as a blood-based biomarker to distinguish between ER− and ER+ breast cancer tumors based upon disease burden, progression and molecular phenotype (U.S. Utility Patent 10,073,099). In this study we have demonstrated a competitive ELISA based assay for NOHA measurement using a proprietary monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for NOHA (U.S. provisional patent 62/754,053). The ELISA assay was evaluated on sensitivity, selectivity, precision, dilution linearity and percent recovery parameters. The assay showed sensitivity at ≥60 pg/ml NOHA antigen with 1 ng/ml NOHA mAb, and maintained NOHA antigen specificity even in the presence of other closely related cationic amino acids (i.e. L-Arginine, D-Arginine, l -Lysine, d -Lysine, L-Ornithine, and L-Citrulline). The reliability of the ELISA protocol was confirmed with the low percent-covariance, for all tested parameters of sensitivity (≤8.2%), selectivity (≤8.6%), precision (≤12.6%), dilution linearity (≤11.2%) and recovery (≤6.7%). Additionally, we can demonstrate NOHA quantification by this ELISA assay to complement the sensitivity achievable with LC-MS (in both assay buffer and with patient plasma samples), thus suggesting it's utility as a simple yet sensitive methodology that might help in ER− breast cancer prognosis, and disease progression monitoring without the need for expensive analytical equipment (such as LC-MS), large lab space, or specialized technical training.
Know Your Indoor Farmer: Square Roots, Techno-Local Food, and Transparency as Publicity:

Advocates of indoor vertical farming have pitched the enterprise as key to the future of food, an opportunity to use technological innovation to increase local food production, bolster urban sustai...
Measuring the Impacts of Research Investments: Beyond the Economic Approach

Research is funded from public coffers to solve problems and create opportunities. Those government officers and legislators funding research do so in anticipation of results, but these results can be difficult to measure. Policy officials have good intentions to respond to public calls for accountability; but the complexity of cause-and-effect relationships . Economic measures are better known, but social impact measures are growing in number. This paper reports on a scanning done of existing policy papers and academic literature to identify possible measures for social benefits of research. The review finds that, when measuring for social impact, a combination of measures, linked to an understanding of intent, is required to provide a full assessment of benefit. Many types of measures are presented in this report with the goal of identifying concrete methods that can assess societal benefits, to reveal what we can expect from research, and which tools provide input into a broader understanding. Tangible effects are the target, since diffuse social effects are beyond measures. Findings include the following six key points: 1. No single quantitative measure can reveal social impacts of research 2. Quantitative (numerical) measures can be useful when research is narrowly focused on a specific social problem. Measures can include the following items: a. Size and capabilities of the newly trained workforce b. Percent of the population impacted by research results c. Enhanced reputation of national researchers d. Growth in capabilities of universities e. Publications, patents, and knowledge mapping 3. Qualitative and quantitative approaches should be combined to provide a fuller assessment of benefit than would come from just numerical measures 4. Stakeholders, such as the general public, should define expectations early in the process of defining social benefits; public expectations should guide evaluation 5. The key actions required from stakeholders are the following: a. Tie measures to social values and relevance b. Consult experts and collect available data c. Specify outcomes of interest with references to goals d. Define ‘impact’ in terms of desired social benefits 6. The literature cautions against putting too much emphasis on quantitative accountability, since this can drive the research process towards near-term, incentivized behavior rather than the desirable, but broader, societal goals.