cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aerobic and Anaerobic Degradation of Alachlor in Samples from a Surface‐to‐Groundwater Profile

Estimates of pesticide degradation rates in subsoils are needed to improve models predicting pesticide movement to groundwater. Biodegradation rates of the herbicide alachlor [2-chloro-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] in surface soil, vadose zone, and aquifer samples collected from a single site near Plains, GA were determined in the laboratory under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Degradation was described by first-order kinetics during 126 d of incubation. Under aerobic conditions the halflife (t₁/₂) of alachlor in the surface soil (t₁/₂ = 23 d) was less than in the vadose zone (t₁/₂ = 73 to 285 d) and aquifer samples (t₁/₂ = 320 to 324 d). Alachlor in anaerobic samples degraded less rapidly in the surface (0 to 0.6 m) and the next deepest (0.6 to 2.4 m) subsoil than under aerobic conditions (t₁/₂ = 100 and 144 d, respectively). Degradation in anaerobic aquifer samples was very slow (t₁/₂ = 337 to 553 d). Addition of organic nutrients enhanced aerobic degradation in subsurface soils and one aquifer sample, indicating that nutrient availability limits biodegradation. Total aerobic microbial populations ranged from 6.6 × 10³ to 2.5 × 10⁶ cells per gram of soil in the subsoils and aquifer samples, but were not correlated with aerobic or anaerobic degradation rates. The lower degradation rates in vadose zone and aquifer materials may be due to less microbial activity or the absence of alachlor degraders.
Phase 2 Trial of Liposomal Doxorubicin (40 mg/m2) in Platinum/Paclitaxel-Refractory Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Cancers and Primary Carcinoma of the Peritoneum

Abstract Background. Several studies have demonstrated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) to be an active antineoplastic agent in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, with dose limiting toxicity of the standard dosing regimen (50 mg/m 2 q 4 weeks) being severe erythrodysesthesia ("hand–foot syndrome") and stomatitis. We wished to develop a more tolerable liposomal doxorubicin treatment regimen and document its level of activity in a well-defined patient population with platinum/paclitaxel-refractory disease. Methods and Materials. Patients with ovarian or fallopian tube cancers or primary peritoneal carcinoma with platinum/paclitaxel-refractory disease (stable or progressive disease following treatment with these agents or previous objective response 2 q 4 weeks. Results. A total of 49 patients (median age: 60; range 41–81) entered this phase 2 trial. The median number of prior regimens was 2 (range: 1–6). Six (12%) and 4 (8%) patients experienced grade 2 hand–foot syndrome and stomatitis, respectively (no episodes of grade 3). One patient developed grade 3 diarrhea requiring hospitalization for hydration. Six (12%) individuals required dose reductions. The median number of courses of liposomal doxorubicin administered on this protocol was 2 (range: 1–12). Four of 44 patients (9%) evaluable for response exhibited objective and subjective evidence of an antineoplastic effect of therapy. Conclusion. This modified liposomal doxorubicin regimen results in less toxicity (stomatitis, hand–foot syndrome) than the standard FDA-approved dose schedule. Definite, although limited, antineoplastic activity is observed in patients with well-defined platinum- and paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer.
Fluorescence-based flow-injection determination of biotin and biotinylated compounds

Abstract A homogeneous fluorophore-linked binding assay for biotin and biotin-containing compounds has been used in a merging-zone flow-injection system. Analyses were first conducted by taking advantage of the enhancement in fluorescence intensity of a conjugate of avidin-fluorescein in the presence of biotin or biotin derivatives. Detection limits for biotin as low as 2 × 10−9 M could be achieved. A greater enhancement of fluorescence was found for a streptavidin-fluorescein conjugate. Calibration curves obtained by using the streptavidin conjugate are shown for the determination of various biotinylated compounds in the flow-injection system and in a batch mode.
Recent developments in SAIL: an ALGOL-based language for artificial intelligence

Progress in Artificial Intelligence has traditionally been accompanied by advances in special purpose programming techniques and languages. Virtually all of this development has been concentrated in languages and systems oriented to list processing. As the efforts of Artificial Intelligence researchers began to turn from purely symbolic problems toward interaction with the real world, certain features of algebraic languages became desirable. There were several attempts (notably LISP2 and FORMULA ALGOL) to combine the best features of both kinds of language. At the same time, designers of algebraic languages began to include features for non-numerical computation. No new general purpose language without some sort of list processing facility has been suggested for several years. We have followed a tack somewhat different from either of these in the design of SAIL and in its subsequent modifications.
Finger blood flow monitoring using smart phones

The use of smart phones in healthcare applications is growing steadily. The inbuilt sensors are used to estimate the value of physiological data from human body. With progressive innovation, smart phone based medical applications will continue to be developed at an exponential rate. In this paper, we show that a smart phone can be used to monitor the blood flow in finger, based on the pulse height obtained from the fingertips. This is achieved by using the camera lens and the flash light of the smart phone. The height of the pulse rises along with the surrounding temperature indicating that the blood flow increases when the temperature becomes warmer. This study shows that there is a potential to monitor regulation of body temperature using smart phone.
Quantum-chemical study of the vibronic structure of the phosphorescence and T1→Tn absorption spectra of naphthalene

The vibronic structure of the phosphorescence spectrum of naphthalene is calculated from ab initio and semiempirical geometries and force-fields of the S0 and T1 states. An excellent agreement with the experiment is obtained. The final triplet state in the triplet→triplet absorption spectrum is identified as 3 3B3g state and the vibronic structure of the 1 3B1u→3 3B3g transition is found in a good agreement with the experimental spectrum. The wavefunction of the 3 3B3g state is dominated by the same electronic configurations as that of the lowest triplet of the same symmetry.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Inhibits Hair Follicle Anagen Induction by Restricting Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cell Activation and Expansion

Epithelial stem cells (EP-SCs) located in the bulge region of a hair follicle (HF) have the potential to give rise to hair follicle stem/progenitor cells that migrate down to regenerate HFs. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling has been shown to regulate the HF cycle by inhibiting anagen induction. Here we show that active BMP signaling functions to prevent EP-SC activation and expansion. Dynamic expression of Noggin, a BMP antagonist, releases EP-SCs from BMP-mediated restriction, leading to EP-SC activation and initiation of the anagen phase. Experimentally induced conditional inactivation of the BMP type IA receptor (Bmpr1a) in EP-SCs leads to overproduction of HF stem/progenitor cells and the eventual formation of matricomas. This genetic manipulation of the BMP signaling pathway also reveals unexpected activation of beta-catenin, a major mediator of Wnt signaling. We propose that BMP activity controls the HF cycle by antagonizing Wnt/beta-catenin activity. This is at least partially achieved by BMP-mediated enhancement of transforming growth factor-beta-regulated epithelial cell-specific phosphatase (PTEN) function. Subsequently, PTEN, through phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase-Akt, inhibits the activity of beta-catenin, the convergence point of the BMP and Wnt signaling pathways.
Ion-plated titanium carbide coatings

Abstract A new development in the field of coatings is the reactive ion-plating process. In this process, metal evaporated from a source reacts with an atmosphere of mixed gases. The reaction can take place in the gas phase before the material deposits, or it can take place on the substrate. The stoichiometry of the reaction can be controlled by adjusting at least one of several process parameters. This technique allows the formation of carbides, nitrides, oxides and other materials and provides a method of controlling the stoichiometry of the deposited material. The ability of the process to provide graded stoichiometry through a coating layer has made possible the application of adherent coatings to difficult-to-coat substrates. This prevents, for instance, a sharp boundary zone between materials which have greatly differing thermal coefficients of expansion. The dependence of the coating composition upon the deposition parameters of gas pressure, substrate voltage and evaporation rates from the source is discussed. The application of the technique in the coating of titanium and mild-steel substrates with titanium carbide is discussed. Photomicrographs and hardness data for the deposited films are presented.
Improvements in procedures for the production of eicosapentaenoic acid by Mortierella

Modifications of growing conditions including time, light exposure, extraction methods, and use of shaker flask versus fermentor were used to increase the production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20 :5w3) by Mortierella elongata ATCC 16271. The highest productivity for EPA (66 mg/g dry mycelia) was obtained when M. elongata ATCC 16271 was grown at 12C, in yeast malt broth, pH 5.1, and harvested after 12 d. The Bioflo C-30 fermentor increased the EPA content 1.8 times and the fungal biomass 3.2 times when compared with the shaker flask. The extraction method of Sasser (1990) extracted higher amounts of EPA than the method of Shimizu et al. (1988b). Mortierella mycelial extract is of particular interest because it has fewer extraneous fatty acids than fish oil, which is presently an important source of EPA. The procedures developed in this study resulted in the production of a greater amount of EPA containing mycelia than previously reported, and suggest that commercialization of this process may be economically advantageous.
An Ultrarapid Method of Creating 3D Channels and Microstructures

We present a method of creating three dimensional microfluidic channel networks and freestanding microstructures using liquid phase photopolymerization techniques. The use of liquid phase microfabrication facilitates the creation of microstructured devices using low-cost materials and equipment. The ability to add multiple layers allows for complex geometries and increases the functional density of channeled devices. The multilayer technique provides a method of interconnecting layers or combining separate layers to form a truly integrated multilayered microfluidic device, as well as a means of forming multilayered freestanding structures. Because this method is based on the fundamentals of microfluidic tectonics (μFT), all components (valves, mixers, filters) compatible with μFT can be integrated into the multilayer channel networks.
New Insights into HIV Assembly and Trafficking

Assembly and release of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles is mediated by the viral Gag polyprotein precursor. Gag is synthesized in the cytosol and rapidly translocates to membrane to orchestrate particle production. The cell biology of HIV-1 Gag trafficking is currently one of the least understood aspects of HIV-1 replication. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of the cellular machinery involved in Gag trafficking and virus assembly.
Subtle Cognitive Decline and Biomarker Staging in Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease

The NIA-AA criteria for "preclinical" Alzheimer's disease (AD) propose a staging method in which AD biomarkers follow an invariable temporal sequence in accordance with the amyloid cascade hypothesis. However, recent findings do not align with the proposed temporal sequence and "subtle cognitive decline," which has not been definitively operationalized, may occur earlier than suggested in preclinical AD. We aimed to define "subtle cognitive decline" using sensitive and reliable neuropsychological tests, and to examine the number and sequence of biomarker abnormalities in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). 570 cognitively normal ADNI participants were classified based on NIA-AA criteria and separately based on the number of abnormal biomarkers/cognitive markers associated with preclinical AD that each individual possessed. Results revealed that neurodegeneration alone was 2.5 times more common than amyloidosis alone at baseline. For those who demonstrated only one abnormal biomarker at baseline and later progressed to mild cognitive impairment/AD, neurodegeneration alone was most common, followed by amyloidosis alone or subtle cognitive decline alone, which were equally common. Findings suggest that most individuals do not follow the temporal order proposed by NIA-AA criteria. We provide an operational definition of subtle cognitive decline that captures both cognitive and functional decline. Additionally, we offer a new approach for staging preclinical AD based on number of abnormal biomarkers, without regard to their temporal order of occurrence. This method of characterizing preclinical AD is more parsimonious than the NIA-AA staging system and does not presume that all patients follow a singular invariant expression of the disease.
Optimizing machining parameters in a framework for adaptive computer control

Abstract This paper presents a simplified approach for determining optimum machining parameters. Sensitivity analysis using this approach is illustrated through an example problem and extended to demonstrate a framework for an adaptive control structure.
Immunologic Response of Young Patients with Asthma and/ or Recurrent Respiratory Infections to Aerosol Influenza Immunization

hrosol influenza immunization has been shown to be eff ectivc in stimulating respiratory secretion antibody1 and in protecting against illness in normal individuals2. In patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the immunologic response was as good, if not better, than in normals3. The present study was undertaken to investigate the respiratory secretion and serum antibody response to aerosol influenza immunization in patients with childhood asthma and/or recurrent respiratory infections. The purpose of this investigation was two-fold: (1) for practical reasons it is important to know if this group of patients, who need protection against influenza more t.han the general population, do respond normally, and (2) for more basic nwchanistic reasons, we wanted to know if these patients have a normal secretory immunologic response, since their ability to make secretory IgA antihotly might play a role in the pathogenesis of their diseases. Eight individuals with childhood asthma and/or recurrent rcs~)it.:~tory infections were immunized by aerosol with the monovalent inactivated A2/ Hong Kong influenza vaccine, After two weeks a booster immuniz a 1' ion was given. Immunization was carried out using a pneumatic compression-type atomizcr (DeVilbiss #286), the dose being the same as that recommended for subcutaneous immunization, i.e., about 330 chicken-cell agglut,inating units. One-half of the dose was administered into the posterior oi*opliarynx during deep inspiration (about 6 spray-inspirations) and one-quartcr into each nostril, also during deep inspiration through the nostrils (about 3 spray-inspirations into each nostril). Specimens of blood, nasal washings and sputum, where possible, were obtained prior t,o immunization, prior to the booster, and two weeks following the booster. Influenza neutralizing antibody was assayed on all specimens using the hemadsorption-inhibition-ncutralization test with Rhesus-monkcy kidney tissue culturc tubes.
Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function

It has long been suspected that the relative abundance of specific nutrients can affect cognitive processes and emotions. Newly described influences of dietary factors on neuronal function and synaptic plasticity have revealed some of the vital mechanisms that are responsible for the action of diet on brain health and mental function. Several gut hormones that can enter the brain, or that are produced in the brain itself, influence cognitive ability. In addition, well-established regulators of synaptic plasticity, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, can function as metabolic modulators, responding to peripheral signals such as food intake. Understanding the molecular basis of the effects of food on cognition will help us to determine how best to manipulate diet in order to increase the resistance of neurons to insults and promote mental fitness.
Noninvasive measurement of cardiac stroke volume using pulse wave velocity and aortic dimensions: a simulation study

Concerns about the cost-effectiveness of invasive hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients using pulmonary artery catheters motivate a renewed search for effective noninvasive methods to measure stroke volume. This paper explores a new approach based on noninvasively measured pulse wave velocity, pulse contour, and ultrasonically determined aortic cross sectional area. The Bramwell-Hill equation relating pulse wave velocity to aortic compliance is applied. At the time point on the noninvasively measured pulse contour, denoted th, when pulse amplitude has fallen midway between systolic and diastolic values, the portion of stroke volume remaining in the aorta, and in turn the entire stroke volume, can be estimated from the compliance and the pulse waveform. This approach is tested and refined using a numerical model of the systemic circulation including the effects of blood inertia, nonlinear compliance, aortic tapering, varying heart rate, and varying myocardial contractility, in which noninvasively estimated stroke volumes were compared with known stroke volumes in the model. The Bramwell-Hill approach correctly allows accurate calculation of known, constant aortic compliance in the numerical model. When nonlinear compliance is present the proposed noninvasive technique overestimates true aortic compliance when pulse pressure is large. However, a reasonable correction for nonlinearity can be derived and applied to restore accuracy for normal and for fast heart rates (correlation coefficient > 0.98). Accurate estimates of cardiac stroke volume based on pulse wave velocity are theoretically possible and feasible. The precision of the method may be less than desired, owing to the dependence of the final result on the square of measured pulse wave velocity and the first power of ultrasonically measured aortic cross sectional area. However, classical formulas for propagation of random errors suggest that the method may still have sufficient precision for clinical applications. It remains as a challenge for experimentalists to explore further the potential of noninvasive measurement of stroke volume using pulse wave velocity. The technique is non-proprietary and open access in full detail, allowing future users to modify and refine the method as guided by practical experience.
Proteasome-mediated regulation of interleukin-1β turnover and export in human monocytes

Interleukin-1beta is a secreted protein that accumulates in the cytosol as an inactive precursor (pIL-1beta) before processing and release of biologically active protein. To understand the impact of this property on IL-1beta production, we examined the intracellular stability of pIL-1beta in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes. Precursor IL-1beta was degraded with a relatively short half-life of 2.5 h in the promonocytic cell line, THP-1, and in primary monocytes. MG132 (carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-leucinal) stabilized pIL-1beta levels in THP-1 cells, suggesting that degradation was proteasome-mediated, but this inhibitor was toxic for primary monocytes, causing release of pIL-1beta as well as the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into supernatants. In contrast, clasto-lactacystin beta-lactone, a specific inhibitor of the proteasome, caused a dose-dependent stabilization of intracellular pIL-1beta, and this led to a corresponding increase in mIL-1beta and pIL-1beta but not LDH release into culture supernatants. Therefore, by regulating intracellular levels of precursor IL-1beta, the proteasome plays an important and previously unrecognized role in controlling the amount of biologically active IL-1beta that is exported by activated monocytes.
Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military: Individualized and Environmental Contexts:

Using data from the "1988 DoD Survey of Sex Roles in the Active-Duty Military," this research focuses on individual experience and understanding of sexual harassment in the military work environment as well as impacts of organization context on this behavioral arena. Our results indicate that there is a pervasive pattern of sexual harassment, especially of women, that spans rank and work site contexts. Because the survey was conducted prior to the extensive publicity associated with the Clarence Thomas hearings and the Tailhook scandal, it is possible that respondents understated the extent of different types of harassment. We find that a general harassment environment is highly predictive of individualistic harassment experiences of women and men. We conclude that controlling overt sexual commentary and public behavior is essential for producing a positive nonharassing work situation.
Combined respiratory and cardiac triggering improves blood pool contrast-enhanced pediatric cardiovascular MRI

Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRA suffers from cardiac motion artifacts and often requires a breath-hold. This work develops and evaluates a blood pool contrast-enhanced combined respiratory- and ECG-triggered MRA method. An SPGR sequence was modified to enable combined cardiac and respiratory triggering on a 1.5-T scanner. Twenty-three consecutive children referred for pediatric heart disease receiving gadofosveset were recruited in HIPAA-compliant fashion with IRB approval and informed consent. Children underwent standard non-triggered contrast-enhanced MRA with or without suspended respiration. Additionally, a free-breathing-triggered MRA was acquired. Triggered and non-triggered studies were presented in blinded random order independently to two radiologists twice. Anatomical structure delineation was graded for each triggered and non-triggered acquisition and the visual quality on triggered MRA was compared directly to that on non-triggered MRA. Triggered images received higher scores from each radiologist for all anatomical structures on each of the two reading sessions (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P < 0.05). In direct comparison, triggered images were preferred over non-triggered images for delineating cardiac structures, with most comparisons reaching statistical significance (binomial test, P < 0.05). Combined cardiac and respiratory triggering, enabled by a blood pool contrast agent, improves delineation of most anatomical structures in pediatric cardiovascular MRA.
Alpha-keto analogues of amino acids as inhibitors of alpha-chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A, and pepsin.

Abstract α-Keto analogues of tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine are strong inhibitors of the esterase and proteolytic activities of α-chymotrypsin, and are much more effective than analogues without keto groups. α-Keto-isocaproic acid, a derivative of leucine, also possesses a considerable inhibitory effect. The inhibition of the esterase activity of α-chymotrypsin by amino acid analogues is a competitive reaction, but inhibition of the proteolytic activity is noncompetitive. In contrast to the results with α-chymotrypsin, presence of an α-keto group decreases rather than increases the inhibitory effect of amino acid analogues on the peptidase activity of carboxypeptidase A. Indole-3-pyruvic acid is a strong noncompetitive inhibitor of the proteolytic activity of pepsin, but it only weakly inhibits the peptidase activity and is without effect on pepsinogen activation.
The 208 Planning Approach to Ground-Water Protection — A Foot in the Doora

The benefits of employing the 208 planning approach in the protection of surface water or ground water are twofold—one, involvement of the public early in the planning process and two, determination of solutions that are implementable. With increased public awareness precipitated by the required involvement in Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP), the ensuing public interest will ultimately force ground-water issues which have been neglected for many years. The preparation of a “5-Year Strategy” in each State coupled with USEPA's new emphasis on aquifer protection as a priority issue will provide the mechanisms for funding ground-water planning under 208 programs. As the cry for ground-water management planning is adopted by the public as well as technicians, emphasis will shift and programs will develop. In addition, planning programs under 208 are usually regional in nature in contrast with the ground-water studies in recent years which have been site-specific, directed toward the identification and alleviation of local problems. Since the management approach requires that the evaluation of available alternatives include those mechanisms necessary to implement the recommendations, viable alternatives without either management agencies or financial considerations will not be acceptable. Therefore, the strength of the WQMP approach to ground-water protection lies in those concepts that make planning under 208 a new breed of governmental program.
Electric-field stabilization and competition of gratings in a photorefractive polymer.

We report observations of electric-field stabilization of gratings and grating competition in a new photorefractive polymer mixture composed of 40 wt. % diethylamino-benzaldehyde-diphenyl hydrazone dissolved in Bisphenol A 4,4′-nitroaminotolane. Gratings formed with a 650-nm optical wavelength in 145-μm-thick films at 138-kV/cm bias field have a diffraction efficiency as high as 0.11%, require an energy density of ~1 J/cm2 for formation, and show cancellation, revelation, and electric-field-stabilized persistence. We propose a model in which fast recording is associated with one set of photosensitive traps, whereas a slower cancellation and subsequent revelation are associated with a competing grating formed in a set of insensitive shallow traps. The model also accounts for observed fatigue of the photoconductivity.
A Simple, Inexpensive Holographic Microscope

We have built a simple holographic microscope completely out of consumer components. We obtain at least 2.8 ?m resolution and depth of field greater than 200 ?m from an instrument costing less than $1000.
Fast adaptive optimization of weighted vector median filters

Weighted vector median (WVM) filters are effective tools for multichannel signal processing. To obtain the desired filtering behavior and characteristic, the WVM filter weights must be determined in an appropriate manner. In this paper, we first analyze previously defined approaches for WVM filter optimization and show their drawbacks related to derivative computation and vector direction information utilization. Based on this analysis, we propose two fast adaptive algorithms for WVM filter design. Proposed Algorithm I computes locally optimal weight changes at each iteration and updates the filter weights accordingly. This algorithm does not involve derivative computation, thus eliminating the instability caused by derivative approximations utilized in previous approaches. Proposed Algorithm II extends the results from established marginal weighted median optimization methods to the vector case by error metric generalization. Both algorithms can be applied to WVM filters using the Lp norm, while Algorithm I can operate on more general distance metrics. The presented simulation results show that both algorithms are effective, fast, and stable; they perform well under a wide range of circumstances
On the estimation of Markov random field parameters

We examine the histogram method for estimating the parameters associated with a Markov random field. This method relies on the estimation of the local interaction sums from histogram data. We derive an estimator for these quantities that is optimal in a well-defined sense. Furthermore, we show that the final step of the histogram method, the solution of a least-squares problem, can be done substantially faster than one might expect if no equation culling is used. We also examine the use of weighted least-squares and see that this seems to lead to better estimates even with small amounts of data.
Parallel global optimization with the particle swarm algorithm

Present day engineering optimization problems often impose large computational demands, resulting in long solution times even on a modern high-end processor. To obtain enhanced computational throughput and global search capability, we detail the coarse-grained parallelization of an increasingly popular global search method, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Parallel PSO performance was evaluated using two categories of optimization problems possessing multiple local minima-large-scale analytical test problems with computationally cheap function evaluations and medium-scale biomechanical system identification problems with computationally expensive function evaluations. For load-balanced analytical test problems formulated using 128 design variables, speedup was close to ideal and parallel efficiency above 95% for up to 32 nodes on a Beowulf cluster. In contrast, for load-imbalanced biomechanical system identification problems with 12 design variables, speedup plateaued and parallel efficiency decreased almost linearly with increasing number of nodes. The primary factor affecting parallel performance was the synchronization requirement of the parallel algorithm, which dictated that each iteration must wait for completion of the slowest fitness evaluation. When the analytical problems were solved using a fixed number of swarm iterations, a single population of 128 particles produced a better convergence rate than did multiple independent runs performed using sub-populations (8 runs with 16 particles, 4 runs with 32 particles, or 2 runs with 64 particles). These results suggest that (1) parallel PSO exhibits excellent parallel performance under load-balanced conditions, (2) an asynchronous implementation would be valuable for real-life problems subject to load imbalance, and (3) larger population sizes should be considered when multiple processors are available.
Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of cardiac tissue

Cardiovascular disease remains the most likely cause of death in developed countries, accounting for approximately 870,000 deaths in the United States alone in 2004. Virtually every form of cardiovascular disease involves modifications in tissue stiffness. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging shows great promise in the regional characterization of tissue stiffness in a variety of clinical applications. Cardiovascular tissues present unique challenges to ARFI imaging because of their dynamic changes in stiffness, high-amplitude physiological motion, and elevated stiffness levels compared to other tissues.
Phonation types : a cross-linguistic overview

Abstract Differences in phonation type signal important linguistic information in many languages, including contrasts between otherwise identical lexical items and boundaries of prosodic constituents. Phonation differences can be classified along a continuum ranging from voiceless, through breathy voiced, to regular, modal voicing, and then on through creaky voice to glottal closure. Cross-linguistic investigation suggests that this phonation continuum can be defined in terms of a recurring set of articulatory, acoustic, and timing properties. Nevertheless, there exist several languages whose phonation contrasts do not neatly fall within the phonation categories defined by other languages.
Older Adults’ Needs for Assistance as a Function of Living Environment

As the older adult population grows and becomes more diverse, so will their needs and preferences for living environments. Many adults over 65 years of age require assistance in their living environment (Administration on Aging, 2009), however it is important for their feelings of well-being that the assistance does not restrict their autonomy (e.g., Barkay & Tabak, 2002). Moreover, autonomy enhancement may improve older adults' functionality (e.g., Greiner et al., 1996). This paper provides an overview of older adults' diverse living situations and an assessment of their needs for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) when living in the community or in a long-term care residence, such as assisted living or skilled nursing. We also examine older adults' residential mobility patterns to understand potential unmet needs for assistance. This needs assessment highlights the specific areas that could benefit from human factors interventions to support older adults in making choice-driven decisions about where they live.
Status Equilibration: Fueled by Uncertainty, Frustration, or Anxiety?

Status incongruence in groups is thought to produce tension and to give rise to attempts at equilibration of the incongruence by one means or another. Status incongruence is inevitably confounded with its constituent status differences, however, and it is possible that they by themselves produce part or all of both the tension and the equilibration. Attitudes toward status and toward incongruence are here employed to disentangle these main and interactive effects. Results suggest that anxiety concerning status per se has more to do with both the tension and the equilibration of status incongruent encounters than does either sensitivity to the imbalance of incongruence or frustration engendered by its injustice.
A non-linear and stochastic response surface method for Bayesian estimation of uncertainty in soil moisture simulation from a land surface model

This study presents a simple and efficient scheme for Bayesian estimation of uncertainty in soil moisture simu- lation by a Land Surface Model (LSM). The scheme is as- sessed within a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation framework based on the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estima- tion (GLUE) methodology. A primary limitation of using the GLUE method is the prohibitive computational burden imposed by uniform random sampling of the model's pa- rameter distributions. Sampling is improved in the proposed scheme by stochastic modeling of the parameters' response surface that recognizes the non-linear deterministic behav- ior between soil moisture and land surface parameters. Un- certainty in soil moisture simulation (model output) is ap- proximated through a Hermite polynomial chaos expansion of normal random variables that represent the model's pa- rameter (model input) uncertainty. The unknown coefficients of the polynomial are calculated using limited number of model simulation runs. The calibrated polynomial is then used as a fast-running proxy to the slower-running LSM to predict the degree of representativeness of a randomly sam- pled model parameter set. An evaluation of the scheme's efficiency in sampling is made through comparison with the fully random MC sampling (the norm for GLUE) and the nearest-neighborhood sampling technique. The scheme was able to reduce computational burden of random MC sam- pling for GLUE in the ranges of 10%-70%. The scheme was also found to be about 10% more efficient than the nearest- neighborhood sampling method in predicting a sampled pa- rameter set's degree of representativeness. The GLUE based on the proposed sampling scheme did not alter the essential features of the uncertainty structure in soil moisture simula- tion. The scheme can potentially make GLUE uncertainty estimation for any LSM more efficient as it does not impose any additional structural or distributional assumptions.
At Home in the World?: The Bharatanatyam Dancer As Transnational Interpreter

Bharatanatyam dancers often explain what they are about to perform, offering an introduction to the dance and to the particular narrative to be enacted. This kind of preperformance synopsis brings into play an English verbal framework and a South Indian choreographic one. The explanation interprets the “Eastern” choreography through the “Western” linguistic system. This spoken interlocution risks representing bharatanatyam more as a means of entry into a cultural field of reference than as a set of choreographic choices and compositional devices.
Effect of double bond geometry in sphingosine base on the antioxidant function of sphingomyelin.

Abstract We previously showed that sphingomyelin (SM) inhibits peroxidation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol. Since SM uniquely has a trans unsaturation in its sphingosine base, we investigated whether this feature is important for its antioxidant function. Substitution of the natural trans Δ 4 -double bond with a cis double bond ( cis -SM), however, increased SM’s ability to inhibit Cu 2+ -mediated 16:0–18:2 PC oxidation by up to eightfold. Dihydro-SM, which lacks the double bond, was equally effective as trans -SM. In contrast to its effect in the sphingosine base, the presence of a cis double bond in the N -acyl group of trans -SM was not protective. cis -SM also inhibited the oxidation of cholesterol by FeSO 4 /ascorbate more efficiently than the trans isomer. The enhanced protective effect of cis -SM is selective for metal ion-promoted oxidation, and appears to arise from a decrease in the effective concentration of metal ions. These studies show that the trans double bond of SM is not essential for its antioxidant effects.
Changes in the ovary of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis (Baird and Girard), during seasonal and semilunar spawning cycles

Annual and semilunar ovarian cycles were examined in a wild population of Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, from the Alabama (U.S.A.) coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Production of mature eggs was first observed in late February, with the main breeding season beginning by mid-March and extending into August. The season was punctuated by shorter, typically semilunar, cycles of spawning activity and gamete development that became more pronounced as the season progressed. In September any remaining ovulated eggs and oocytes past the intermediate-cortical alveolus stage underwent atresia, suggesting that the latter may be the final gonadotropin- independent stage of oocyte development in F. grandis. Seasonal proliferation of primary growth phase and cortical alveolus oocytes occurred in late autumn and early winter (October-January). Vitellogenic oocytes first appeared in early February at the start of a month of intense and rapid vitellogenic oocyte growth prior to the March onset of a new breeding season.
Does the MCAT Predict Medical School and PGY-1 Performance?

ABSTRACT Background: The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a high-stakes test required for entry to most U.S. medical schools; admissions committees use this test to predict future accomplishment. Although there is evidence that the MCAT predicts success on multiple choice–based assessments, there is little information on whether the MCAT predicts clinical-based assessments of undergraduate and graduate medical education performance. This study looked at associations between the MCAT and medical school grade point average (GPA), Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, observed patient care encounters, and residency performance assessments. Methods: This study used data collected as part of the Long-Term Career Outcome Study to determine associations between MCAT scores, USMLE Step 1, Step 2 clinical knowledge and clinical skill, and Step 3 scores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance, medical school GPA, and PGY-1 program director (PD) assessment of physician performance for...
Abdominal Esophagus and Stomach

The initial management of seriously injured patients consists of the primary survey, concurrent resuscitation, secondary survey, diagnostic evaluation, and prioritized definitive care. Although trauma to the abdominal esophagus and stomach may not be a direct threat to life within the “golden hour,” associated thoracic or vascular injuries may result in hemodynamic compromise. Appropriate evaluation of the trauma patient, therefore, begins with the standard “ABCs” (airway with cervical spine protection, breathing, and circulation). Remember that due to its location high in the abdomen, any patient sustaining trauma to the esophagus or stomach is at risk for thoracic injury as well as aortic trauma. Therefore, after ensuring a patent and secure airway, you should search for evidence of a thoracic injury and ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. A combination of physical exam, focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST), and chest radiography should determine if the patient has an associated pneumothorax (tension, open, or simple), hemothorax, or cardiac tamponade. Furthermore, the abdominal aorta lies directly behind the esophagus and stomach, and the injury is often temporarily tamponaded by the dense nerve tissue surrounding the supraceliac aorta. Finally, pancreatic injuries are associated with penetrating stomach wounds.
Taiwan Vulnerability Analysis in Comparison with Japan, China, U.S.A., U.K., France, and the Netherlands

Taiwan has performed well economically during the past four decades, with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increasing from $432 in 1970 to $21,141 in 2013. However, economic development can be profoundly hampered by natural disasters. Sustainable economic development requires environmental resilience. With 23 million people occupying only 13,974 square miles of land, Taiwan is both densely populated and highly exposed to natural disasters: 73.1% of the total population lives in vulnerable areas, and Taiwan is ranked as the country most exposed to multiple hazards (The World Bank 2005). Storms and floods damage Taiwan frequently, with an average of six typhoons hitting Taiwan annually for the past four decades. Taiwan had the highest occurrence and highest death toll on the natural disaster density indicator (NDDI) in comparison with China, Japan, U.S.A, U.K., France, and the Netherlands from 1985 to 2014. Also, Taiwan’s economic losses during the past thirty years are estimated at $650, 000 per km². This is approximately 5 times that of the Netherlands’ $134,362 and the U.K.’s $135,292, 8 times that of the U.S.A.’s $78,186 losses, and 9 times that of France’s $70,599. Research finds that every dollar invested into disaster preparedness would save $4 to $7 dollars in post-disaster damages (Multihazard Mitigation Council 2005; The National Academy of Sciences 2012). Hence, promoting urban resilience policies for disaster risk reduction should become a priority in Taiwan and other Asian nations in the future.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN CORONARY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH ANGINA IN THE ABSENCE OF OBSTRUCTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Sex differences in coronary pathophysiology have been suggested, but these data are mostly from all women studies. We investigated sex differences in endothelial dysfunction, microvascular dysfunction (MVD), plaque burden, and myocardial bridging (MB) in women and men presenting with angina in the
Concepts in Comparative Retailing

An increasing volume of descriptive material about marketing in various nations has become available in recent years; few attempts have been made to generalize about all nations.This article, focus...
Adenosarcoma of the uterus: ultrastructural observations.

Mullerian adenosarcoma has been recently described as a distinctive biphasic uterine tumor with benign epithelial and malignant stromal components. The lesion belongs generally to the group of mixed Mullerian tumors, but the benignity of the epithelium separates it from the other neoplasms of this type. This entity usually affects postmenopausal patients who follow a protracted course. This paper reports a case fulfilling the original clinical and pathologic description of Clement and Scully3 and adds ultrastructural observations. Electron microscopic examination confirmed the optical impression of a biphasic neoplasm with benign epithelial and malignant stromal components. The epithelium resembled proliferative endometrium, and the stroma had features of endometrial stromal sarcoma or mixed Mullerian tumor. The findings of stromal resemblance to endometrial stromal sarcoma or mixed Mullerian tumor and the presence of a variety of Mullerian epithelia support the proposed Mullerian derivation of this lesion.
The benefits of a clinician consulting in schools of education.

A psychiatric clinician lectured in four schools of education, to classes for training teachers, school psychologists, and administrators. Evaluation was conducted. Teachers thought that the increased knowledge and understanding of psychopathologic behavior, especially in adolescents, increased their comfort and provided better methods of dealing with students.
Targeting health care in armed conflicts and emergencies: is it underestimated?

Today’s armed crises and challenges are unlike former wars and conflicts. Alarmingly, the neutrality and impartiality of the medical mission seem to be ignored in many modern armed conflicts, espec...
Churn Versus Diversion in Antitrust: An Illustrative Model

An important question in horizontal merger analysis is what share of a firm's lost output from a unilateral price increase will divert to its merger partner. This ‘diversion ratio’ is often estimated using data on customer switching from a firm to its rivals (‘churn’). We use a tractable oligopoly model to investigate the potential biases of such estimates, depending on what caused the churn: shifts in quality or marginal cost of the firm or of a rival; or demand-side shifts due to changed circumstances or learning about product attributes. With demand-side shifts, churn can be greater between more distant competitors.
A Telemonitoring Framework for Android Devices

Real-time telemonitoring of patient's well-being through various wearable sensors and other electronic accessories holds promise to provide better quality healthcare at lower costs. The design and implementation of telemonitoring applications is however still a cumbersome process as it requires implementation of user interfaces, data acquisition, data storage, and proper security and privacy mechanisms using various APIs. This process requires a high level of experience in software development and design, as well as a certain level of knowledge in the healthcare domain. The multi-disciplinary nature of such applications limits the growth of telemonitoring. In addition, a large number of applications aim to use smartphone-based monitoring, which adds an extra level of complexity due to the fault-prone nature of such systems. In this paper, we describe a general-purpose framework that can be used to easily implement telemonitoring applications on Android-enabled devices.
The antimicrobial effect of blue light: What are behind?

Although microbiologists have been ringing the alarm bell for years, the threat of drug (antibiotic) resistance has reached new prominence in the popular press that the issue should be added to the...
See the Triumph Healing Arts Workshops for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault

Existing research demonstrates the potential value of arts-based interventions for survivors of abuse and other forms of trauma. The See the Triumph Healing Arts Workshops were designed to provide survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault with an opportunity to express themselves and connect with others through arts-based interventions. When appropriate, using the art developed through the workshops to create an art exhibit can be useful for raising awareness and giving voice to survivors in the local community. The preliminary results of the pilot evaluation suggest that the workshops were well-received and allowed participants to experience emotional expression, connection with others, and greater self-awareness.