cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: What Physicians Know, What They Think They Know, and What They Should Be Taught

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and debilitating problem in older adults. Little exists in the literature about primary care physicians' (PCPs') knowledge of and confidence in managing this problem. A self-administered survey was mailed to PCPs in western Pennsylvania to measure knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of common contributors to CLBP in older adults, confidence in diagnosing these contributors through physical examination, and the association between confidence levels and knowledge. The survey combined items with an ordinal scale on which PCPs ranked their confidence in detecting various contributors to CLBP (e.g., fibromyalgia) using physical examination and patient vignettes followed by multiple choice questions designed to assess knowledge. One hundred fifty-three of 634 surveys were returned (24.1%). Overall, the majority of PCPs did not feel "very confident" in their ability to diagnose any of the contributors of CLBP listed (most items .05 for all comparisons). The results point to a need for more PCP education about CLBP in older adults. It also suggests that accurate needs assessment should not rely on physician confidence ratings alone.
Xenograft response to combination therapy with the ErbB1-ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor GW572016.

3823 In the current clinical oncology environment few anti-cancer agents are employed as stand alone therapies. With this in mind the compatibility and efficacy of GW572016, an ErbB1 (EGFR)-ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with established anti-cancer therapies has been examined. The response to GW572016 combination therapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, doxorubicin, and vinorelbine was followed in three xenograft models: BT474, an ErbB2 overexpressing human breast carcinoma; HN5, an ErbB1 overexpressing head and neck carcinoma; and NCI-H322, a ErbB1 and ErbB2 expressing non-small cell lung carcinoma. These studies were designed to examine combinations at or near the maximum tolerated dose as well as combinations at reduced dosages. The latter scheme is an attempt to detect strong combinatorial responses. All three xenograft models are sensitive to GW572016 and the outgrowth portion of the study was often used to detect significant improvement over the GW572016 response. GW572016 combinations were generally well tolerated; weight loss was observed with vinorelbine — GW572016 combinations, similar to that reported with gefitinib, and was controlled via dose reduction of either agent. The antitumor response to GW572016 in combination with additional agents was favorable with significant responses seen relative to the response of either agent alone. The response to GW572016 in combination with any of the chemotherapeutic agents evaluated was rarely consistent across the tumor panel examined here. This response pattern is reflective of the complexity of combination therapy and the heterogeneity of the models themselves and points to the lack of probability of any one preclinical model being predictive of clinical therapeutic outcome. The response to combination therapy with paclitaxel - GW572016 was the most encouraging with the combination resulting in a significantly improved response relative to either agent alone in both the BT474 breast and NCI-H322 non-small cell lung carcinoma xenograft models. Following dose reduction, the vinorelbine -GW572016 response, in the BT474 breast carcinoma xenograft model, was also favorable relative to either agent as mono-therapy.
New method for the characterization of three‐dimensional preferential flow paths in the field

[1] Preferential flow path development in the field is the result of the complex interaction of multiple processes relating to the soil's structure, moisture condition, stress level, and biological activity. Visualizing and characterizing the cracking behavior and preferential paths evolution with soil depth has always been a key challenge and a major barrier against scaling up existing hydrologic concepts and models to account for preferential flows. This paper presents a new methodology to quantify soil preferential paths in the field using liquid latex. The evolution of the preferential flow paths at different soil depths and moisture conditions is assessed. Results from different soil series (Savage clay loam soil versus Chalmers clay loam) and different vegetation covers and soil managements (corn/tilled field versus soybean no-till field in the Chalmers soil series) are presented.
GIS in Academic Business Libraries

Abstract Geospatially referenced data is gaining popularity as a format for primary data in business, but few business libraries offer GIS services. This paper can be used as a guide for business librarians seeking to implement GIS services for patrons. First, a brief introduction to GIS is presented. Then, major implementation issues are highlighted and literature sources are presented for each. Discussions include the incorporation of GIS education into business curricula, GIS software choices, and WWW sources of geospatially referenced data sets and information. Finally, suggested readings are included in the appendix.
Development and Evaluation of a Logical Delta Check for Identifying Erroneous Blood Count Results in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Context.— Delta checks have been suggested to increase patient safety by identifying preanalytic and analytic errors, including wrong name mislabeling on the sample tube. Objective.— To implement an effective and practical complete blood cell count (CBC) delta check by optimizing specificity and sensitivity using weighted deltas of multiple parameters. Design.— The mean red blood cell volume (MCV) delta (>3.0 fL) check was retrospectively assessed. The composite CBC delta (CCD) test was formulated using serial same-patient CBC data and random interpatient CBCs. The logical delta check (LDC) ignores CCD failures due to platelet change only. The effect of LDC implementation was evaluated. Results.— The MCV delta check test recognized only 3 of 6 confessed mislabeled specimens in the initial review period, whereas all were identified using the CCD. The LDC flagged 2% (205 of 13 234) of eligible results, one-third as many as the MCV delta check. The CCD and LDC checks revealed 20 presumed or confirmed mislabe...
Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Injuries

Overuse and traumatic distal lower extremity conditions are common among physically active individuals, and the incidence rate is an order of magnitude greater than that reported in the general population. With frequent impact and heavy load-bearing activity, military servicemembers have unique occupational demands that may further exacerbate inherent risks of leg, ankle, and foot injuries. A thorough endocrine, nutritional, and multisystem clinical work-up is warranted to evaluate certain overuse conditions. Furthermore, mechanical alignment and soft tissue integrity should always be scrutinized when considering a range of nonoperative or surgical treatment options. Modifications in training regimen, the use of external restraints or orthotics, and physical therapy with targeted neuromuscular, strength, and/or gait interventions may be effective preventative measures in selected patients with distal lower extremity injuries.
Device driver safety through a reference validation mechanism

Device drivers typically execute in supervisor mode and thus must be fully trusted. This paper describes how to move them out of the trusted computing base, by running them without supervisor privileges and constraining their interactions with hardware devices. An implementation of this approach in the Nexus operating system executes drivers in user space, leveraging hardware isolation and checking their behavior against a safety specification. These Nexus drivers have performance comparable to inkernel, trusted drivers, with a level of CPU overhead acceptable for most applications. For example, the monitored driver for an Intel e1000 Ethernet card has throughput comparable to a trusted driver for the same hardware under Linux. And a monitored driver for the Intel i810 sound card provides continuous playback. Drivers for a disk and a USB mouse have also been moved successfully to operate in user space with safety specifications.
The General Linear Model: The Basics

Consider the following regression equation $$ y = X\beta + u $$ (7.1) where $$ y = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{Y_1}}\\ {{Y_2}}\\ :\\ {{Y_n}} \end{array}} \right];X = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{X_{11}}\quad {X_{12}}\quad \ldots \quad {X_{1k}}}\\ {{X_{21}}\quad {X_{22}}\quad \ldots \quad {X_{2k}}}\\ {:\quad \quad :\quad \quad :\quad \quad :}\\ {{X_{n1}}\quad {X_{n2}}\quad \ldots \quad {X_{nk}}} \end{array}} \right];\beta = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{\beta _1}}\\ {{\beta _2}}\\ :\\ {{\beta _k}} \end{array}} \right];u = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{u_1}}\\ {{u_2}}\\ :\\ {{u_n}} \end{array}} \right] $$ with n denoting the number of observations and k the number of variables in the regression, with n>k. In this case, y is a column vector of dimension (n × 1) and X is a matrix of dimension (n × k). Each column of X denotes a variable and each row of X denotes an observation on these variables. If y is log(wage) as in the empirical example in Chapter 4, see Table 4.1 then the columns of X contain a column of ones for the constant (usually the first column), weeks worked, years of full time experience, years of education, sex, race, marital status, etc.
Regional content-based image retrieval for solar images: Traditional versus modern methods

Abstract This work presents an extensive evaluation between conventional (distance-based) and modern (search-engine) information retrieval techniques in the context of finding similar Solar image regions within the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission image repository. We compare pre-computed image descriptors (image features) extracted from the SDO mission images in two very different ways: (1) similarity retrieval using multiple distance-based metrics and (2) retrieval using Lucene, a general purpose scalable retrieval engine. By transforming image descriptors into histogram-like signatures and into Lucene-compatible text strings, we are able to effectively evaluate the retrieval capabilities of both methodologies. Using the image descriptors alongside a labeled image dataset, we present an extensive evaluation under the criteria of performance, scalability and retrieval precision of experimental retrieval systems in order to determine which implementation would be ideal for a production level system. In our analysis we performed key transformations to our sample datasets to properly evaluate rotation invariance and scalability. At the end of this work we conclude which technique is the most robust and would yield the best performing system after an extensive experimental evaluation, we also point out the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and theorize on potential improvements.
Soft switching characterization of 15 kV SiC n-IGBT and performance evaluation for high power converter applications

The 15 kV SiC IGBT with 2 μm and 5 μm field-stop buffer layer thicknesses are two state of the art HV SiC devices. These 15 kV SiC IGBTs generate high dv/dt with two slopes in punch through and non-punch through regions. To design 15 kV SiC IGBT with reduced dv/dt and single slope dv/dt similar to 10–15 kV SiC MOSFET, requires significantly larger drift epitaxial layer thickness and it increases the size and cost of the 15 kV SiC IGBT. This paper presents the zero voltage switching (ZVS) characteristics of 15 kV SiC N-IGBTs to reduce the dv/dt at switching pole along with reduction in the switching losses and increase in the switching frequency limits with external snubber capacitor. The ZVS characteristics are reported up to 9 kV dc bus voltage at 25°C and 150°C for both IGBTs. This paper also reports continuous mode experimental demonstration of zero voltage switching (ZVS) of 5 μm 15 kV IGBT in a medium voltage half bridge converter up to 7 kV dc bus voltage and calculation of power dissipation per IGBT module and its comparison of switching frequency limits with hard switching of half bridge converter.
The Spillover of Racialization into Health Care: How President Obama Polarized Public Opinion by Racial Attitudes and Race

This study argues that President Obama's strong association with an issue like health care should polarize public opinion by racial attitudes and race. Consistent with that hypothesis, racial attitudes had a significantly larger impact on health care opinions in fall 2009 than they had in cross-sectional surveys from the past two decades and in panel data collected before Obama became the face of the policy. Moreover, the experiments embedded in one of those reinterview surveys found health care policies were significantly more racialized when attributed to President Obama than they were when these same proposals were framed as President Clinton's 1993 reform efforts. Dozens of media polls from 1993 to 1994 and from 2009 to 2010 are also pooled together to show that with African Americans overwhelmingly supportive of Obama's legislative proposals, the racial divide in health care opinions was 20 percentage points greater in 2009–10 than it was over President Clinton's plan back in 1993–94.
Increased Prevalence of Albuminuria in HIV-Infected Adults with Diabetes

Objective HIV and type 2 diabetes are known risk factors for albuminuria, but no previous reports have characterized albuminuria in HIV-infected patients with diabetes. Research Design and Methods We performed a cross-sectional study including 73 HIV-infected adults with type 2 diabetes, 82 HIV-infected non-diabetics, and 61 diabetic control subjects without HIV. Serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL was exclusionary. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin/creatinine ratio >30 mg/g. Results The prevalence of albuminuria was significantly increased among HIV-infected diabetics (34% vs. 13% of HIV non-diabetic vs. 16% diabetic control, p = 0.005). HIV status and diabetes remained significant predictors of albuminuria after adjusting for age, race, BMI, and blood pressure. Albumin/creatinine ratio correlated significantly with HIV viral load (r = 0.28, p = 0.0005) and HIV-infected subjects with albuminuria had significantly greater cumulative exposure to abacavir (p = 0.01). In an adjusted multivariate regression analysis of HIV-infected subjects, the diagnosis of diabetes (p = 0.003), higher HIV viral load (p = 0.03) and cumulative exposure to abacavir (p = 0.0009) were significant independent predictors of albuminuria. Conclusions HIV and diabetes appear to have additive effects on albuminuria which is also independently associated with increased exposure to abacavir and HIV viral load. Future research on the persistence, progression and management of albuminuria in this unique at-risk population is needed.
Crystal structures of ternary rare earth-3d transition metal compounds of the RT6Al6 type

Abstract The structural behaviour and phase relationships of materials of composition RT6Al6 (R  rare earth; T  Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu) were investigated. Detailed X-ray analysis yields that for the heavy rare earths the compounds crystallize in the body-centred tetragonal ThMn12 structure. The space group is I4/mmm and the unit cell contains two formula units. The rare earth occupies the 2(a) sites, the transition metal and aluminium atoms the 8(f) and 8(i) sites respectively, while the remaining transition metal and aluminium atoms are distributed at random over the 8(j) sites. The RCu6Al6 (R z.tbnd; La-Eu) compounds crystallize in the f.c.c. NaZn13 structure and the RMn6Al6 (R  La-Sm) compounds crystallize in the hexagonal Th2Zn17 structure. The various effects of the atomic sizes on these structures are discussed.
External intercostal muscle activity during acute hypoxia in the kitten.

The effects of acute hypoxia on the recruitment of external intercostal muscle activity were determined in 12 kittens, aged 14 to 36 days. The animals were anesthetized with 1.23 ± 0.23% halothane and bipolar electrodes were placed in the costal and crural diaphragm and in dorsal external intercostal muscles. Acute hypoxia was induced by the animals breathing 13% oxygen; arterial gases were sampled during baseline conditions and at 1 and 5 min after induction of hypoxia. Peak-moving average (PA) and minute electromyogram (EMG) activity (PA × f) were recorded during baseline conditions and at 1 and 5 min after onset of acute hypoxia. At 1 min of acute hypoxia, PA and PA × f of the costal diaphragm, crural diaphragm, and external intercostal muscles were significantly increased above baseline values (P < 0.01). After 5 min of acute hypoxia, PA of all three muscles remained elevated above baseline values (P < 0.05) but PA × f returned toward baseline levels. Respiratory frequency remained unchanged during the hypoxic stimulus. These data document that the newborn is capable of increasing inspiratory external intercostal muscle EMG activity during acute hypoxia. We speculate that this phasic recruitment could be of physiologic benefit to the newborn by stabilizing the compliant chest wall and by increasing the contribution of rib cage expansion to tidal breathing. Pediatr Pulmonal 1990; 9:233–237.
Etch pits originating from precipitates in CdTe and Cd1−xZnxTe grown by the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method

Abstract Infrared microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed to characterize etch pits formed on CdTe and (Cd,Zn)Te surfaces with E-solution, EAg, Bagai and Nakagawa etchants. Some of the larger flat-bottomed triangular etch pits on the (111)A or (111)B surfaces originated from precipitates. Thus, the etch pit density may differ from the true dislocation density by the presence of etch pits from precipitates.
Multilevel calculations in odd-mass nuclei (II). Positive-parity states

Abstract We present the results of an analysis of the positive-parity states in the odd-mass transitional isotopes of xenon and barium, within the framework of the interacting boson-fermion model. These calculations include the four single-particle orbitais of the neutron 50–82 major shell: the 3 s 1 2 , 2 d 3 2 , 2 d 5 2 and 1 g 7 2 levels. We discuss the energy levels and electromagnetic properties of these states.
A probabilistic model for online scenario labeling in dynamic event tree generation

Abstract Dynamic event trees provide a wide coverage of possible system evolution sequences (scenarios) and may lead to the simulation of thousands of scenarios following a single initiating event. The large number of scenarios can be a burden in terms of computational time and storage requirements. However, not all of the scenarios are equally significant. From a safety point, failure scenarios or the scenarios that lead to undesirable consequences are more important than the scenarios that represent normal system evolution (non-failure scenarios). A method is presented for online labeling of non-failure scenarios. Since the number of non-failure scenarios is usually much larger than that of failure scenarios, substantial computational savings could be obtained if the non-failure scenarios can be identified and not pursued by the simulator. First, the parameters of a hidden Markov model that represents the behavior of non-failure scenarios are learned using the examples of the non-failure scenarios. Next, the failure behavior with respect to the non-failure model is learned using sample failure scenarios. During the succeeding system simulations, a scenario is labeled as non-failure if its evolution path is more likely to fit the constructed model than the learned failure behavior. Experiments using RELAP5/3D model of a fast reactor utilizing an RVACS (Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Cooling System) passive decay heat removal system show that the proposed method is capable of correctly labeling over 85% of non-failure scenarios without mislabeling the failure scenarios and provide time savings of at least 55%. We also investigate the sensitivity of the proposed labeling scheme depending on the number of hidden states in HMM and the nature of the state variables used for scenario representation.
Effects of the constituents on the mechanical behavior of low carbon steels

Various microstructural constituents were obtained in the present research by suitable control of alloy compositions and processing variables. The alloys used in this study were Fe/1.5Mn/0.06C and Fe/1.5Mn/0.06C/0.05Nb steels. These were hot rolled and directly quenched from the finish rolling temperature of 800/sup 0/C. The as-hot-rolled Fe/1.5Mn/0.06C alloy was two-phase annealed at 835/sup 0/C and directly quenched. Experimental details of thermal and thermo-mechanical treatments are described elsewhere. Round tensile specimens of 12.7 mm gauge length and 3.2 mm gauge diameter were used. Impact tests were done on the 3/4 subsize Charpy specimens in the longitudinal direction. The ductile-brittle transition temperature were taken at the temperature corresponding to the midpoint of the upper and lower shelf energies.
Value judgment and social action in technology studies

The paper raises the question: what should educators now be doing to promote informed judgment and responsible action in advanced technological society? After providing a narrative of the development of the context for this question, the paper argues that educators should now be allocating less time and attention to general education and more to projects at specifically targeted learning sites such as environmental and community service programs.
Mail vs. telephone surveys of criminal justice attitudes: A comparative analysis

This study compares results from surveys using two modes of administration. A subset of questions from the 1992Texas Crime Poll, a statewide poll conducted annually by mail, was replicated in telephone interviews using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing System. The phone survey yielded better participation rates but less complete responses to individual attitude questions than did the mail poll. As expected, the mail survey was less expensive but less efficient than the automated phone survey. The central finding was that all but one of the responses to five attitude questions difered significantly across the surveys. The samples differed in their demographic composition, but this did not explain differences in the substantive findings from the mail and phone surveys. The discussion considers alternative explanations for differences in the findings from the two surveys and suggests direction for further comparative research.
Sources of phytoplankton to the inner continental shelf in the Santa Barbara Channel inferred from cross-shelf gradients in biological, physical and chemical parameters

Abstract Phytoplankton are a major food resource for filter-feeding organisms occupying intertidal and subtidal habitats of the inner continental shelf. Phytoplankton in these nearshore waters experience different anthropogenic and natural forcing compared to those offshore such that cross-shelf exchange would allow phytoplankton that were produced offshore to serve as a subsidy to inner shelf consumers when phytoplankton production on the shelf is negatively impacted. In the Santa Barbara Channel (SBC) the continental shelf is only a few kilometers wide facilitating exchange with offshore waters. Physical, chemical and biological gradients were examined monthly along a 3-km cross-shelf transect in the SBC from January, 2008 through April, 2009. Chemical and biological distributions followed temporal changes in physical forcing with higher nutrient concentrations and a more intense period of biological production associated with spring upwelling. Chlorophyll was relatively evenly distributed across the shelf during upwelling, but was present at higher concentrations on the inner shelf under stratified conditions. Similarly, cross-shelf gradients in the distribution of dominant phytoplankton genera were weakest during upwelling when blooms of the prymnesiophyte, Phaeocystis, and the diatoms, Eucampia spp. and Thalassiosira spp. occurred across most of the shelf. Upon stratification, blooms were largely confined to the inner shelf within 0.75 km of the shoreline with an initial bloom of the diatom Leptocylindrus spp. followed by Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and series of dinoflagellate blooms with Prorocentrum spp. and Lingulodinium spp. attaining the highest abundances. Phytoplankton taxonomic similarity decreased with increasing distance separating stations along the transect and was inversely related to stratification intensity. The observed distribution patterns and the trends in taxonomic similarity imply that for most of the year consumers within rocky intertidal and subtidal ecosystems on the inner shelf are exposed to phytoplankton produced on the continental shelf, and often on the inner shelf. The contribution of phytoplankton produced beyond the shelf break occurs mainly during spring upwelling.
Adaptations to Climate in Candidate Genes for Common Metabolic Disorders

Evolutionary pressures due to variation in climate play an important role in shaping phenotypic variation among and within species and have been shown to influence variation in phenotypes such as body shape and size among humans. Genes involved in energy metabolism are likely to be central to heat and cold tolerance. To test the hypothesis that climate shaped variation in metabolism genes in humans, we used a bioinformatics approach based on network theory to select 82 candidate genes for common metabolic disorders. We genotyped 873 tag SNPs in these genes in 54 worldwide populations (including the 52 in the Human Genome Diversity Project panel) and found correlations with climate variables using rank correlation analysis and a newly developed method termed Bayesian geographic analysis. In addition, we genotyped 210 carefully matched control SNPs to provide an empirical null distribution for spatial patterns of allele frequency due to population history alone. For nearly all climate variables, we found an excess of genic SNPs in the tail of the distributions of the test statistics compared to the control SNPs, implying that metabolic genes as a group show signals of spatially varying selection. Among our strongest signals were several SNPs (e.g., LEPR R109K, FABP2 A54T) that had previously been associated with phenotypes directly related to cold tolerance. Since variation in climate may be correlated with other aspects of environmental variation, it is possible that some of the signals that we detected reflect selective pressures other than climate. Nevertheless, our results are consistent with the idea that climate has been an important selective pressure acting on candidate genes for common metabolic disorders.
Effects of positive and negative life events on time to depression onset: an analysis of additivity and timing

While the relationship of life events to depression onset has occupied researchers for almost a quarter of a century, few studies have attempted to account for either the temporal patterning of events relative to episode onset, or, the effect of multiple events in a study period. In this report, we attempt to address the issues of timing of events, multiple events (both positive and negative) and multiple aspects (both positivity and negativity) of single events on latency time to depression onset, while simultaneously accounting for possible decay in the effects of events over time. We use the proportional hazards approach to model the effects of life events and consider modelling the change in impact of events with the passage of time. After interviewing 142 recurrent unipolar patients using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule, we rated severity and positivity of life events reported during the 6-month period prior to onset. As we hypothesized, additional life events occurring after an initial provoking agent level event significantly alter the risk of illness onset. Additional severely threatening events decrease the time to onset, but positive events do not appear to delay onset. Interestingly, seemingly neutral events had a highly significant effect in shortening the time to onset. We note the many limitations imposed on the interpretation of these findings related to the selected group of subjects studied and encourage those who have more generalizable data to apply these methods of analysis.
Intraoperative kidney radiography: An experimental investigation for detection of radiopaque renal calculi and clinical experiences in 45 patients

Single and dual prepacked intraoperative kidney films (Kodak Eastman Company) were tested in experimental studies and were used in 45 patients for intraoperative detection of renal calculi. In 92.5% of patients (38/41) operative removal of calculi was verified, or the correct diagnosis of residual calculi by intraoperative radiography was confirmed by post-operative studies. From the diagnostic point of view, no real advantage of the dual films over the single prepacked films was seen.
Long-term spatial memory in clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana

Abstract Clark's nutcrackers, Nucifraga columbiana, are known to depend on cached seeds as their major food source throughout the winter and spring at high elevations; they use spatial memory to locate their hidden seed caches. Field observations of caching in the autumn and recovery in the spring suggest that memory for cache sites may last as long as 7–9 months. Twenty-five Clark's nutcrackers were tested for their ability to remember the location of their caches after intervals of 11, 82, 183 and 285 days. Birds were allowed to make between 18 and 25 discrete caches in a room containing 69 randomly selected sites. After caching, the birds were randomly assigned to one of four retention intervals. Each bird was given three recovery sessions. When the number of caches recovered was compared with the number expected if the birds probed randomly, performance was significantly above chance during each recovery session. There were no significant differences among the groups in percentage of correct probes. There was, however, a significant increase in errors across the three recovery sessions. Birds assigned to the retention interval of 285 days made many more errors during the last recovery session and also took longer to find caches than birds with shorter retention intervals. Although Clark's nutcrackers can remember the locations of cache sites after 285 days, some forgetting appears to occur between 183 and 285 days.
Development of a Risk Profile for Intentions to Use Alcohol among Fifth and Sixth Graders

ABSTRACT Objective The relationship between intentions to use alcohol and risk factors was examined among fifth and sixth graders. Method Subjects completed a questionnaire that assessed intentions to use alcohol and eight risk factors. Risk factors included peer and parental use and attitudes toward use, sensation seeking, tolerance of deviance, rejection of parental authority, and family cohesion. Results Multivariate analyses showed that the risk factors were able to discriminate between those who intended to use alcohol and those who did not. Family factors showed stronger relationships to intentions among fifth graders, and peer factors were more strongly related to intentions among sixth graders. Conclusions Risk factors can be used to target preadolescents who may be at risk for early alcohol use, and programs that attempt to prevent early initiation of alcohol use among adolescents can be designed. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1995, 34, 6:772–778.
A survey of dynamic methodologies for probabilistic safety assessment of nuclear power plants

Abstract Dynamic methodologies for probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) are defined as those which use a time-dependent phenomenological model of system evolution along with its stochastic behavior to account for possible dependencies between failure events. Over the past 30 years, numerous concerns have been raised in the literature regarding the capability of the traditional static modeling approaches such as the event-tree/fault-tree methodology to adequately account for the impact of process/hardware/software/firmware/human interactions on the stochastic system behavior. A survey of the types of dynamic PSA methodologies proposed to date is presented, as well as a brief summary of an example application for the PSA modeling of a digital feedwater control system of an operating pressurized water reactor. The use of dynamic methodologies for PSA modeling of passive components and phenomenological uncertainties are also discussed.
Multi-TeV Scalars are Natural in Minimal Supergravity

For a top quark mass fixed to its measured value, we find natural regions of minimal supergravity parameter space where all squarks, sleptons, and heavy Higgs scalars have masses far above 1 TeV and are possibly beyond the reach of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. This result is simply understood in terms of ``focus point'' renormalization group behavior and holds in any supergravity theory with a universal scalar mass that is large relative to other supersymmetry breaking parameters. We highlight the importance of the choice of fundamental parameters for this conclusion and for naturalness discussions in general.
Design of low-power variation tolerant signal processing systems with adaptive finite word-length configuration

This paper concerns the design of low power digital signal processing integrated circuits in the presence of significant process variations. The basic idea is to leave smaller-than-worst-case timing margin for improving energy efficiency during the design phase and selectively reduce the finite word-length of circuit datapaths in post-silicon to eliminate all the timing faults during the run time. This simple idea can be intuitively justified by the fact that process variations may render only a few post-silicon datapaths to timing faults, while reducing the finite word-length of a few datapaths in signal processing systems may not necessarily make the overall algorithm-level performance unacceptable in run time. We present a design flow to implement this method and propose a dual finite word-length configuration strategy to simplify its real-life realization. Using linear low-pass filter and Turbo code decoder design at 45nm node as case studies, we quantitatively demonstrate that this adaptive finite word-length configuration design strategy may effectively relax the timing margin and accordingly reduce the power consumption by over 18% over conventional worst-case design approach.
Fluorine and other trace elements in lunar plagioclase concentrates

Fluorine and other trace elements in lunar plagioclase concentrates from Apollo 11 fines, and anorthosite inclusion from Apollo 12 breccia
The use of stable isotope ratio analysis to distinguish multiple prey kill events from mass kill events

Abstract Archaeologists working with prey animal bonebeds are interested in determining whether the animals were obtained through a single, mass kill event or instead accumulated over time from multiple hunting events. This is often difficult to determine. The author investigated the use of stable isotope ratio analysis to distinguish accumulations of individuals derived from multiple populations from mass kills of individuals from a single population. Carbon, oxygen and strontium stable isotope ratios were measured in tooth enamel from modern pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) with known mortality circumstances. These ratios were then analyzed using basic statistical methods as well as a scaled distance technique that permits integrated analysis of multiple isotopes and multiple samples, and a bootstrap subsampling approach was used to quantify differences among populations. It appears that, in some circumstances, stable isotope analysis can contribute to distinguishing bonebeds originating as accumulations of individuals derived from multiple populations from mass kills of individuals from a single population. Three-element isotope ratio distance measures provide the best isotopic indicator of pronghorn bonebed population origins, especially when bootstrap subsampling is used to compare to sites of known pronghorn population composition.
Obstructive nephropathy and renal fibrosis: The role of bone morphogenic protein-7 and hepatocyte growth factor.

Obstructive nephropathy and renal fibrosis: The role of bone morphogenic protein-7 and hepatocyte growth factor. Background The nephropathy induced by ureteral obstruction is associated with increased interstitial volume due to matrix deposition, fibroblast differentiation/proliferation, and monocyte infiltration. Recent studies indicate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is linked to renal fibrosis. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) has a role in the recruitment of inflammatory cells. We found that infiltration of macrophages of the interstitium in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) occurred as early as four hours after the onset of UUO. Methods Recent studies indicate that a renal tubular development morphogen, bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), is effective in preventing the tubulointerstitial nephritis in the setting of obstructive nephropathy. The mechanism of action appears to be preservation of epithelial cell phenotype, inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation, and inhibition of injury-induced epithelial cell apoptosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) also inhibited tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Results In a treatment protocol in rats with ureteral ligation, BMP-7 restored renal function. The preservation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was accompanied by a significant decrease in cortical interstitial volume. In diabetic rats given BMP-7 proteinuria was normalized. In mice with ureteral obstruction, HGF suppressed the expression of TGF-β and of platelet-derived growth factor. The onset of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was almost completely inhibited by HGF. Conclusion Both BMP-7 and HGF attenuate the tubulointerstitial fibrosis due to ureteral obstruction. They also increase GFR and renal plasma flow.
Small cells, big effects: the role of platelets in transplant vasculopathy

Platelets are the cellular mediator of thrombosis, but also represent an important part of the immune system. Platelets store numerous pre-formed inflammatory molecules in their granules and produce immune mediators de novo upon stimulation. Activated platelets express adhesion molecules that can interact with endothelial cells and leukocytes both at the site of inflammatory insult and in the circulation. Platelets therefore drive and potentiate vascular inflammation by direct and indirect interactions with both endothelial cells and leukocytes. Platelet activation has been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, and cerebral malaria, in addition to transplant vasculopathy. In this review we will discuss immune roles for platelets in the context of transplant vascular inflammation.
Surface/subsurface damage and the fracture strength of ground ceramics

Abstract This paper examines published works related to surface/subsurface damage and the fracture strength of ground structural ceramics over the last 20 years. Consistent as well as conflicting experimental observations concerning grinding-induced microcracks, residual stresses and the degradation of flexure strength are summarized. Special attention is paid to the quantified relationships between the grinding variables, machining damage and the flexure strength of ground ceramics because of the importance of these relationships for optimizing the ceramics grinding processes. Several issues such as non-uniformity of the grinding interface, crack measurement, thermal effects and microstructural features are discussed and highlighted as future research areas for better modeling and simulation of ceramics grinding operations.
Mathematical Simulation of Membrane Protein Clustering for Efficient Signal Transduction

Initiation and propagation of cell signaling depend on productive interactions among signaling proteins at the plasma membrane. These diffusion-limited interactions can be influenced by features of the membrane that introduce barriers, such as cytoskeletal corrals, or microdomains that transiently confine both transmembrane receptors and membrane-tethered peripheral proteins. Membrane topographical features can lead to clustering of receptors and other membrane components, even under very dynamic conditions. This review considers the experimental and mathematical evidence that protein clustering impacts cell signaling in complex ways. Simulation approaches used to consider these stochastic processes are discussed.
COMPARATIVE ASPECTS OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACID SYNTHESIS.

Abstract 1. 1. The biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by members of groups of algae and protozoa was studied. 2. 2. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids were synthesized by direct desaturation of their saturated analogs by a red alga, several chrysomonads, a colorless euglenid and an amoeba. 3. 3. A photosynthetic euglenid, several phytomonads and gree algae synthsized mono-unsaturated fatty acids by an unknown route. 4. 4. All of the organisms examined produced polyenoic fatty acids by the progressive desaturation of monoenoic acids. 5. 5. The amoeba possessed only the γ-linolenic acid pathway of polyene synthesis; the green algae only the α-linolenic acid pathway; the chrysomonads, euglenids and phytomonads contained both pathways.
Measurement of Laminar Oscillatory Flow in the Inlet Length of a Circular Tube

Velocity distributions are determined experimentally for a particular laminar oscillatory flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in the inlet region of a circular tube. Measurements are carried out using a new, constant temperature compensated hot-film anemometer. Results of the experiments agree well with the theory given by Atabek and Chang.
A Silicon Thermomechanical In-Plane Microactuation System for Large Displacements in Aqueous Environments

This paper presents an underwater, silicon, thermal microactuation system capable of moving a 200 μN load to a displacement of 110 μm. Its function relies on a thermal actuator capable of 9 μm of displacement in an aqueous environment. This actuator is combined with a ratcheting device to achieve the 110 μm of displacement. The system is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) fabricated with a two layer surface-micromachining process, PolyMUMPS. The actuation system is designed to provide motion to biological microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) in aqueous environments. This paper presents the design and experimental demonstration of the actuation system. The in-depth analysis of the thermal, mechanical, and fabrication aspects of the actuation system are outlined, and the experimental procedure and test parameters are discussed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A common polymorphism in serotonin receptor 1B mRNA moderates regulation by miR-96 and associates with aggressive human behaviors

Non-coding regulatory elements can transduce the human genome's response to environmental stimuli. Thus, there is a possibility that variation in non-coding regulatory elements may underlie some of the diversity in human behavior. However, this idea has remained largely untested due to the difficulty in accurately identifying regulatory elements in the 98% of the human genome that does not encode protein. The recent recognition that small trans-acting RNAs anneal to mRNA and regulate gene expression provides a means to identify and test such variants. Here, we show that microRNA-directed silencing of mRNA can be attenuated by a common human polymorphism. We have identified an element (A-element) within serotonin receptor 1B (HTR1B) mRNA that confers repression by miR-96. The repressive activity of this element is attenuated by a common human variant (G-element) that disrupts a nucleotide critical for its interaction with miR-96. Because deletion of the HTR1B gene leads to an aggressive phenotype in mice, we hypothesized an association between the A/G polymorphism and aggressive phenotypes in a sample of 359 college students. As predicted, individuals homozygous for the ancestral A-element reported more conduct-disorder behaviors than individuals with the G-element. Our studies suggest that such functional variants may be common and may help to refine the search for genes involved in complex behavioral disorders.
Determination of the most appropriate velocity threshold for applying hemispheric flow convergence equations to calculate flow rate: selected according to the transorifice pressure gradient. Digital computer analysis of the Doppler color flow convergence region.

BACKGROUNDWhile flow convergence methods have been promising for calculating volume flows from color Doppler images, it appears that the velocity threshold used and the transorifice pressure gradient dramatically influence the accuracy of application of the simple hemispheric flow convergence equation for calculation of flow rate. The present in vitro study was performed to determine whether the value of velocity threshold at which the shape of proximal isovelocity surface best fits given shape assumptions with different orifice sizes and flow rates is predictable as a function independent of orifice size from clinically measurable peak velocity or transorifice pressure gradient information.METHODS AND RESULTSIn an in vitro model built to facilitate ultrasound imaging, steady flow was driven through circular discrete orifices with diameters of 3.8, 5.5, and 10 mm. Flow rates ranged from 2.88 to 8.28 L/min with corresponding driving pressure gradients from 14 to 263 mm Hg. At each flow rate, Doppler color-...
Chop and change

The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Asia and the Pacific. By N. M. Collins J. A. Sayer T. C. Whitmore Macmillan: 1991. Pp.256. £65. Published in the United States by Simon and Schuster; $95.
Initial events in exercise-induced muscular injury.

Immediately following unaccustomed exercise, particularly that with eccentric contractions, there is evidence of injury to skeletal muscle fibers: a) disruption of the normal myofilament structures in some sarcomeres, observable with both light and electron microscope and b) loss of intramuscular proteins (e.g., creatine kinase enzymes) into the plasma, indicating damage to sarcolemma. This pathology is probably responsible for the temporary reductions in muscle force and delayed-onset soreness that can occur following eccentric exercise. The mechanisms underlying this injury are not known, although loss of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis could play a primary role. In other experimental muscle injury models, elevated [Ca2+]i appears to cause release of muscle enzymes through activation of phospholipase A2, which in turn could induce injury to sarcolemma through production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, through free O2 radical formation (in the subsequent lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase reactions), and/or through release of detergent lysophospholipids. On the other hand, the mechanism responsible for the rapid damage to myofibrils caused by increased [Ca2+]i is unknown. Regardless of the cause(s), the initial and early events in the injury process are autogenetic; i.e., they are indigenous to the muscle cells and occur before phagocytic cells enter the injury site.