cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the mean meridional circulation and the flux of angular momentum over the northern hemisphere

The mean meridional circulation north of the latitude 15° N has been determined by an indirect method, which uses the angular momentum and continuity equations under the assumption that the vertical eddy flux of the zonal momentum is negligible in the free atmosphere. The method requires a knowledge of the (time-space) mean zonal motion and the mean meridional eddy flux of angular momentum. Data for these quantities have been derived for four seasons of the year (December-February, March-May, June-August and September-November from the upper winds statistics charts as published by CRUTCHER (1959). For each season an essentially three-cell circulation pattern is obtained with the strongest cell intensities occurring in winter and the weakest in summer. Except in summer, the direct cell in the lower latitudes is stronger than the indirect cell in the middle latitudes. The direct cell in the high latitudes is found to be very weak in all seasons. The poleward transport of angular momentum and its different mechanisms are discussed. The role of the mean meridional circulation in the net flux across different latitudinal circles is found to be small except in the low latitudes in winter and spring. The transient eddies are in every season the main agency of the flux, but the standing eddies are also important, particularly in winter. The mean zonal stress of the atmosphere on the earth is derived from the convergence of the angular momentum flux. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1967.tb01453.x
Alterations of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins in the heart lacking dystrophin or dystrophin and utrophin

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Patients with DMD lack the protein dystrophin, which is widely expressed in striated muscle. In skeletal muscle, the loss of dystrophin results in dramatically decreased expression of the dystrophin associated glycoprotein complex (DGC). Interestingly, in the heart the DGC is normally expressed without dystrophin; this has been attributed to presence of the dystrophin homologue utrophin. We demonstrate here that neither utrophin nor dystrophin are required for the expression of the cardiac DGC. However, alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG), a major component of the DGC, is differentially glycosylated in dystrophin-(mdx) and dystrophin-/utrophin-(dko) deficient mouse hearts. In both models the altered α-DG retains laminin binding activity, but has an altered localization at the sarcolemma. In hearts lacking both dystrophin and utrophin, the alterations in α-DG glycosylation are even more dramatic with changes in gel migration equivalent to 24 ± 3 kDa. These data show that the absence of dystrophin and utrophin alters the processing of α-DG; however it is not clear if these alterations are a consequence of the loss of a direct interaction with dystrophin/utrophin or results from an indirect response to the presence of severe pathology. Recently there have been great advances in our understanding of the glycosylation of α-DG regarding its role as a laminin receptor. Here we present data that alterations in glycosylation occur in the hearts of animal models of DMD, but these changes do not affect laminin binding. The physiological consequences of these alterations remain unknown, but may have significant implications for the development of therapies for DMD.
Clinical efficacy of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with asthma

The rising prevalence of asthma is an alarming health concern. The morbidity and mortality associated with asthma not only disrupts the quality of life, but it also escalates health care costs. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. An exaggerated production of the arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids, leukotrienes, has been implicated as the chemical trigger for inflammation. n-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to suppress the synthesis of the n-6 series of leukotrienes by competing and inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid. The results from epidemiological studies suggested that fish consumption was beneficially associated with lung function and prevalence of asthma. The data generated from clinical trials, however, indicated that n-3 fatty acid supplementation did not consistently improve severity of symptoms, lung functions, airway responsiveness, and medication use in asthmatic patients. Future research should focus on the effects of long-term supplementation using weight-based dosages on specific biochemical markers and clinical outcomes. Leading organizations have not included nutrition as part of the management guidelines for asthma. Meanwhile, regular fish consumption at least three times per week should be highly encouraged as part of a well-balanced diet and to meet the adequate intake levels established for n-3 fatty acids.
Individual differences in self-attributed motives for tipping: Antecedents, consequences, and implications

Abstract A web-based survey of consumers finds that: (i) individual differences in self-attributed motives for tipping load on two factors – intrinsic and self-presentational motives,(ii) more people claim to tip for intrinsic reasons than for self-presentational reasons, (iii) demographic differences in motives for tipping are small, (iv) individual differences in self-attributed motives for tipping are rooted in more general dispositional tendencies toward conformity and feelings of gratitude, (v) intrinsic motives for tipping are associated with larger restaurant percentage tips and greater likelihood of non-restaurant tipping, and (vi) self-presentational motives for tipping are associated with smaller restaurant percentage tips.
Role of NMDA receptors in adult primate cortical somatosensory plasticity.

We have previously shown that most of the reorganization that typically follows median nerve transection in adult squirrel monkeys is dependent on normally functioning N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Here, we have evaluated two additional hypotheses: (1) is the immediate "unmasking" found after median nerve transection NMDA receptor-dependent? and (2) are NMDA receptors necessary for both the initiation and maintenance of the second phase of reorganizational changes, or only the former? To address these issues, we implanted osmotic minipumps subcutaneously to deliver an NMDA receptor antagonist (3-((+/-)-2- carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid, CPP) systemically either before examining the immediate effects of median nerve transection, or after reorganization had presumably occurred. For the first set of experiments, NMDA receptor blockade was initiated either 1 or 4 weeks prior to multi-unit mapping in area 3b followed by transection of the median nerve and remapping of the cortex. In the second set of experiments, median nerve transection was followed 4 weeks later by either 1 or 4 weeks of NMDA receptor blockade prior to terminal mapping. We report that the immediate unmasking of new receptive fields after acute nerve injury is not prevented by NMDA receptor blockade; nor are completely reorganized cortical maps dependent upon NMDA receptors for their maintenance. We conclude that the immediate changes in cortical topography are not due to an NMDA receptor-dependent mechanism, but more likely due to release from tonic inhibition. Furthermore, the later phase of reorganization, as for some forms of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), is dependent on normally functioning NMDA receptors for its initiation, but not for its maintenance.
Dual-band radio-frequency device for sensing dielectric property changes in microfluidic channel

We propose a dual-band RF device to detect the dielectric changes in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel. Such a device, which consists of two dual-band Wilkinson power dividers (working at 2Ghz and 5GHz) and two 90° dual-band microstrip lines (providing 180° phase difference at two working frequencies), is very sensitive for identifying dielectric material changes. Moreover, by operating at two frequencies simultaneously, it can improve the measurement stability/robustness. Compared with the recently reported RF microfluidic sensor [Yang et al, Lab Chip, 10, 553, (2010)], the proposed device features enhanced measurement stability with the same level of measurement sensitivity (−80dB cancellation level).
Efficient evaluation of the error vector in the direct inversion in the iterative subspace scheme

Faster computation of the Pulay error vector for the direct inversion in the iterative subspace acceleration scheme is achieved by expanding the density matrix in terms of the occupied molecular orbitals and by performing matrix multiplications in an optimal order. The predicted speed-up over the usual implementation is N/O, where N is the size of the atomic orbital basis set, and O is number of occupied molecular orbitals, which is confirmed by test calculations.
Tuberculosis in Uremic Pericarditis

A case of tuberculous pericarditis proved by pericardial fluid culture in a uremic patient is presented. The use of the subxyphoid pericardial window allows for more complete etiologic evaluation of the pericarditis with minimal morbidity.
EXPERIMENTAL POOL BOILING HEAT TRANSFER STUDY OF THE NANOPOROUS COATING IN VARIOUS FLUIDS

An experimental pool boiling study was conducted using plain and nanoporous coated heater surfaces immersed in various working fluids: water, ethanol and HFE-7100. Pool boiling tests were performed on flat 1 cm × 1 cm heaters. Unlike in water, the critical heat flux (CHF) enhancement of the nanoporous coating seems to be less or marginal in ethanol and HFE-7100 at 1 atm. The reduced effect of the nanoporous coating in ethanol and HFE-7100 is believed to be due to the highly wetting nature of these fluids since no obvious difference in wettability is observed between nanoporous coated and uncoated surfaces through apparent contact angle measurement. Moreover, pressure effects were also investigated for the fluids mentioned above. For the nanoporous coated surface, CHF enhancement of the nanoporous coating appeared to be dependent on the test pressure, showing greater CHF enhancement at lower pressure. It is believed that this pressure dependent CHF enhancement behavior could be closely related to the bubble departure diameter. As pressure lowers, the departure bubble size increases and this allows the nanoporous coating to become more influential, even for the highly wetting fluids, in delaying local dry-out, which in turn results in increasing CHF enhancement.
Direct Numerical Simulation of a Free Particle-Laden Round Jet with Point-Particles: Turbulence Modulation

Direct numerical simulation method is used to investigate the small scale (dp < η/10) turbulence modulation for a spatially evolving free round jet. Because the turbulence modulation phenomena can not be accurately measured by experimental method, the turbulence modulations are poorly understood. The particle diameter in our simulation is smaller than the Kolmogorov length scale η (dp < η/10), and the point force method can be accurately used for the research of small scale turbulence modulation based strictly on the theory of point force method. The simulation uses an explicit coupling scheme between particles and the fluid, which considers two-way coupling between the particle and the fluid. The DNS results are compared with experimental data with equal Reynolds number (Re = 1700). The particles modulation on the fluid turbulence properties and coherent vortex structures are quantitatively given in our paper, and some new findings on the particles modulation are explicitly explained in this paper, which...
The Effect of Myopia and Loss Aversion on Risk Taking: An Experimental Test

Myopic loss aversion is the combination of a greater sensitivity to losses than to gains and a tendency to evaluate outcomes frequently. Two implications of myopic loss aversion are tested experimentally. 1. Investors who display myopic loss aversion will be more willing to accept risks if they evaluate their investments less often. 2. If all payoffs are increased enough to eliminate losses, investors will accept more risk. In a task in which investors learn from experience, both predictions are supported. The investors who got the most frequent feedback (and thus the most information) took the least risk and earned the least money. Language: en
Effect of graphitic filler size and shape on the microstructure, electrical percolation behavior and thermal properties of nanostructured multilayered carbon films deposited onto paper substrates

Dispersions containing 1 mg/mL of several carbon nanomaterials were used to deposit films containing 1 to 20 layers. The electrical properties of the composite films were characterized via impedance spectroscopy along two directions: in-plane on the film topmost surface and also through the thickness. It was found that carbon black nanoparticles never achieved full in-plane interconnection while the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and single-walled carbon nanotube were already percolated at one layer. Graphite flakes showed a complete percolation curve that allowed its resistance to change by 6–7 orders of magnitude. The differences in the microstructure, electrical response, and thermal decomposition behavior of these carbon nanomaterial–paper substrate films were explained by detailed equivalent circuit analysis of the impedance spectra. Interpretation was supplemented by scanning electron microscopy images and thermal analysis via Differential Scanning Calorimetry/Thermogravimetric Analysis (DSC/TGA). Thru-plane electrical properties were for the most part similar, although only films with short MWNT showed a clearly infiltrated network structure.
Gonadal development and growth of chickens and turkeys hatched from eggs injected with an aromatase inhibitor

Abstract It was the purpose of these experiments to describe gonadal development and posthatching growth of genetic female chickens and turkeys following in ovo injection of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrazole (CGS 16949A) prior to incubation. In ovo injection of Fadrazole (CGS 16949A) resulted in the development of testes-like gonads in the majority of day-old genetic female chickens and turkey poults. Ninety-eight to 99% of these birds have masculine-type male genitalia at 1 d of age. Microscopic examination of the gonads of day-old genetic female chicks hatched from Fadrazole-treated eggs showed the presence of atypical seminiferous tubules in 3 of 18 individuals and the presence of ovarian follicles in 3 of 18 individuals. No germinal elements were seen in 12 individuals. The gonads in the majority (8/11) of day-old female poults from treated eggs showed the presence of atypical seminiferous tubules. Three of 11 individuals had structures characterized as disorganized or degenerate follicles. Between the day of hatch and 6 wk, gonads in an increasing proportion of female chickens from Fadrazole-treated eggs had normal appearing ovarian follicles. A similar trend was seen in the female turkeys between hatch and 12 wk of age. There were no differences in BW of female chickens hatched from Fadrazole-treated eggs and those from control eggs between the day of hatch and 6 wk of age. The pectoral muscle mass and fat pad weights of these birds did not differ. In one experiment, the BW of female turkeys hatched from Fadrazole-treated eggs was significantly greater than that of controls and equal to that of males at 3 and 6 wk of age. Thereafter, both types of females were of equal weight and significantly lighter than males. Fadrazole treatment did not affect pectoral muscle mass of either sex of turkeys.
Effects of Ethnicity and Gender on Teachers’ Evaluation of Students’ Spoken Responses

To update and extend research on teachers’ expectations of students of different sociocultural groups, 57 Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic teachers were asked to evaluate responses spoken by Black, White, and Hispanic 2nd- and 3rd-grade boys and girls. The results show that responses perceived as spoken by minority boys, minority girls, and White boys were evaluated less favorably than identically worded responses perceived as spoken by White girls. This suggests that teachers hold relatively low expectations of minority students and of boys. Teachers of all sociocultural groups evidenced such expectations, but Black and Hispanic teachers more strongly.
Organizational Scope and Allocation of Resources: Evidence on Rigid Capital Budgets

This paper compares the investment behavior of multi-segment firms (firms with multiple business units) with that of single-segment firms. Models that omit within-firm information and incentive problems predict both set of firms to invest in response to investment opportunities. Our main findings reject this null. In particular, multi-segment firms exhibit a tendency to maintain a fixed level of capital in their business units regardless of investment opportunities. In addition to exhibiting rigid investment behavior, multi-segment firms are also less responsive to investment opportunities than single-segment firms. These effects are especially strong in multi-segment firms with unrelated business units. Our findings support the existence of agency problems within multi-segment firms.
A Binational Influenza Surveillance Network - California/Baja California

In response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance Program (EWIDS) from the Office of Binational Border Health California Department of Public Health, sought to strengthen outpatient ILI surveillance along the California/Baja California border region by creating a binational outpatient provider influenza surveillance network. Since the 2009-2010 influenza season the network monitors both syndromic and virologic influenza activity. The network serves as an example of a successful binational coordinated effort to establish an early warning system for enhancing situational awareness of influenza activity in a cross-border setting.
An experimental investigation on the aerodynamic performances of flexible membrane wings in flapping flight

An experimental study was conducted to assess the aerodynamic benefits of flapping flight compared with fixed-wing soaring flight for the development of flapping-wing Micro-Air-Vehicles (MAVs). The time-averaged aerodynamic performances (i.e. mean lift and thrust/drag) of two flexible membrane wings with different skin flexibility (i.e., a flexible nylon wing and a very flexible latex wing) were compared with that of a conventional rigid wing to evaluate the effects of skin flexibility of the tested wings on their aerodynamic performances for flapping flight applications. The measurement results revealed clearly that, for all the tested wings, flapping motion would bring significant aerodynamic benefits when the flapping flight is in unsteady state regime with advance ratio (i.e., the ratio of forward flight speed to wingtip velocity) of the flapping flight being smaller than 1.0. The aerodynamic benefits of flapping flight were found to decay rapidly as the advance ratio increases. The skin flexibility of the tested wings was found to have considerable effects on their aerodynamic performances for both soaring and flapping flights: The flexible membrane wings were found to have better overall aerodynamic performance (i.e., lift-to-drag ratio) over the rigid wing for soaring flight, especially for high speed soaring flight or at relatively high angle of attack. The rigid wing was found to have better lift production performance for flapping flight in general. The latex wing, which is the most flexible among the three tested wings, was found to have the best thrust generation performance for flapping flight. The less flexible nylon wing, which has the best overall aerodynamic performance for soaring flight, was found to be the worst for flapping flight applications.
The use of imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas in a basal cell nevus syndrome patient.

Background.Imiquimod 5% cream has been used effectively to treat superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).Objective.The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness, tolerability, and desirability of imiquimod 5% cream in treating superficial non-facial basal cell carcinomas in a patient wi
The Scientific Research Potential of Virtual Worlds

Online virtual worlds, electronic environments where people can work and interact in a somewhat realistic manner, have great potential as sites for research in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, as well as in human-centered computer science. This article uses Second Life and World of Warcraft as two very different examples of current virtual worlds that foreshadow future developments, introducing a number of research methodologies that scientists are now exploring, including formal experimentation, observational ethnography, and quantitative analysis of economic markets or social networks.
Symmetry operators, polarizations, and a generalized Capelli identity

The classical Capelli identity [1,5, p. 88, 7, p. 39], a fundamental tool in the theory of invariants, shows that, in the case of the symmetric group, the alternating symmetry operator acting on multilinear forms is the determinant of polarizations in the variables of the forms [5, p. 88]. Rota [5, p. 88] has posed the question as to whether or not other symmetry operators of the symmetric group are expressible explicitly in a similar manner in terms of polarizations of variables of the forms. In this paper we answer this question in the affirmative by showing that the symmetry operator Tm associated with any representation M of the symmetric group is a Schur matrix function [6] of polarizations in the variables of the form. In the particular case where M is of degree one we have either M = sgn, the "sign" or alternating character, or M = id, the trivial character. In the former case we obtain the classical result expressing the alternating symmetry operator as a determinant of polarizations. In the latte...
Controlling a supply chain agent using value-based decomposition

We present and evaluate the design of Deep Maize, our entry in the 2005 Trading Agent Competition Supply Chain Management scenario. The central idea is to decompose the problem by estimating the value of key resources in the game. We first create a high-level production schedule that considers cross-cutting constraints and future decisions, but abstracts aways from the details of sales and purchasing. We then make specific sales and purchasing decisions separately, coordinating these decisions with the high-level schedule using resource values derived from the schedule. All of these decisions are made using approximate optimization techniques and make use of explicit predictions about market conditions. Deep Maize was one of the most successful agents in the 2005 tournament, both in overall performance and on specific measures that emphasize coordination.
OMAX+ An advanced quality improvement measurement systems

Abstract This paper describes OMAX+, a microcomputer based quality improvement measurement system developed by the Oregon Productivity and Technology Center at Oregon State University. OMAX+ is a modified and enhanced version of the Objectives Matrix approach for productivity and quality measurement developed by the late James L. Riggs, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering. OMAX+ is specifically designed for use by organizations engaged in Total Quality Control (TQC) efforts. Use of OMAX+ presents the industrial engineer engaged in TQC with a useful measurement tool to quantify and track quality improvements. The paper discusses the approaches that will enable the OMAX+ measurement system to be integrated into new or on-going quality improvement programs. OMAX+ is a self-contained program for IBM personal computers and true compatibles. A version with additional graphics capabilities is being developed by the Oregon Productivity and Technology Center for use on Macintosh Computers. OMAX+ has been successfully used by several industries and service organizations in the Northwestern United States.
An Analysis of the Adoption of Digital Health Records Under Switching Costs

We investigate the incentive issues that surround the adoption and sharing of electronic health records (EHR) and the potential role of a personal health record (PHR) platform in facilitating data sharing. Through our analysis, we find evidence that health-care providers may not have an incentive to share patients' records electronically even though EHR systems will increase consumer surplus, especially in the presence of provider heterogeneity and myopic consumers. In this context, we find that an independent PHR platform can create incentives for the providers to share their patients' records electronically with other providers by selectively subsidizing them. In a pluralistic health-care system like that in the United States, where health-care providers have varying incentives to implement electronic health records, an online PHR platform can provide a proxy for a “national health information network,”' wherein consumers can freely exchange their health records among competing providers.
Bone age in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome rated by a computer‐assisted method (CASAS)

Bone age maturation in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome was evaluated in a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. A total of 265 radiographs were rated using the TW2-RUS method on the computer-assisted skeletal age score (CASAS) system. Bone age was found to be retarded from the chronological age of 3 to 6y. Between the ages of 7 and 12 y bone age almost equalled chronological age and progressed normally at a rate of 1 y y(-1). Bone maturation slowed down thereafter and epiphyseal closure was not reached before the age of 17 y. Reference data are presented on bone age and a bone age maturation curve for untreated patients with Turner's syndrome to be used in clinical practice. In the assessment of bone age and bone age velocity in Turner's syndrome the CASAS system produced reliable and valid results. The absolute difference between repeated bone age ratings was 0.26 "y" (median) with a range of 0.00-0.56 "y". Future studies evaluating the effect of growth-promoting treatment in Turner's syndrome should use a computerized method for the determination of bone age.
HEURISTIC LOT-SIZING AND SEQUENCING RULES IN A MULTISTAGE PRODUCTION-INVENTORY SYSTEM

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is currently being applied and used extensively in industry and is being proclaimed as the solution to many of the problems of traditional production-inventory control problems. While the latter may be true, MRP is not without its own problems, two of which are the decisions concerning the appropriate lotsizing and sequencing rules to use in order to improve system performance. This paper describes a computer simulation study which was conducted to determine the effects of using various sequencing and lot-sizing rules on various performance criteria in a multistage, multiproduct, production-inventory system using MRP. The results of the study indicate that the application of various rules causes changes in system performance and that an interaction effect exists between lot-sizing and sequencing rules. What is more important is that a set of guidelines is developed to enable the practitioner to choose a lot-sizing rule and a sequencing rule that will tend to improve the performance of his system for the various performance criteria.
Sterols, Carotenoids, and Polyprenols

Isoprenoid substances comprise a large, complex, and important group of natural products, most of which are produced by plants. The basic building block of these substances is isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene): Open image in new window Condensation of the pyrophosphorylated form of isoprene, isopentenyl-pyrophosphate (IPP), with its isomer dimethyl-allyl-pyrophosphate (DMPP) followed by subsequent additions of IPP to the growing chain, and in some cases cyclization, leads to the formation of the various classes of compounds called isoprenoids or terpenoids: monoterpenes (C10)/ sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), and C30 to C85 compounds that includes triterpenes (sterols), carotenes, xanthophylls, penta- and hexacyclic alkaloids, rubber, and the polyprenols. This chapter is concerned only with the occurrence of sterols, carotenoids, and polyprenols in fungi.
π − -Nucleon Interactions at 4.5 Bev

An emulsion study has been made of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-nucleon interactions at a pion energy of 4.5 Bev. The percentage of elastic scattering at this energy seems slightly smaller than at energies slightly above 1.0 Bev. One can deduce from this that the range of interaction between ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and proton is greater than 1.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm.The inelastic interactions resulting in two prongs have been considered in some detail. The angular distributions are suggestive of a direct knock out of a pion by the incoming pion. The momentum distributions obtained recently from diffusion chamber work at Berkeley also seem to support such a model. The four- and six-prong events are more complicated. The data from all inelastic interactions indicate the nucleons seem to go strongly in the backward direction in the c.m. system. Thus none of the interactions seem consistent with the statistical model of pion production.
Adeno-Associated Virus

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was discovered as a contaminant of purified adenovirus preparations. Although the small icosahedral particles (diameter 18–28 nm) were initially considered to be either precursors to the mature adenovirus particle or breakdown products of the virion, they were rapidly demonstrated to represent a distinct virus that was physically, chemically, and immunologically unrelated to adenovirus (Atchison et al., 1965; Hoggan et al., 1966; Parks et al., 1967a,b). AAV was found to be absolutely defective and dependent on coinfection with the adenovirus for a productive infection. With additional studies, the reciprocity of the relationship between the two viruses has become clearer. Adenovirus not only helps AAV replication in a coinfection, but also serves to efficiently rescue the AAV genome from an integrated state in the DNA of cells latently infected by AAV (Hoggan et al., 1972; Berns et al., 1975; Handa et al., 1977). On the other hand, AAV inhibits the replication of adenovirus in a lytic coinfection (Hoggan et al., 1966; Smith et al., 1966; Casto et al., 1967; Parks et al., 1968) and can also inhibit the oncogenicity of both adenovirus (Kirchstein, et al., 1968; Casto and Goodheart, 1972; Mayor et al., 1973) and adenovirus-transformed cells (Ostrove et al., 1981; de la Maza and Carter, 1981).
Chemical speciation of U, Fe, and Pu in melt glass from nuclear weapons testing

Nuclear weapons testing generates large volumes of glassy materials that influence the transport of dispersed actinides in the environment and may carry information on the composition of the detonated device. We determine the oxidation state of U and Fe (which is known to buffer the oxidation state of actinide elements and to affect the redox state of groundwater) in samples of melt glass collected from three U.S. nuclear weapons tests. For selected samples, we also determine the coordination geometry of U and Fe, and we report the oxidation state of Pu from one melt glass sample. We find significant variations among the melt glass samples and, in particular, find a clear deviation in one sample from the expected buffering effect of Fe(II)/Fe(III) on the oxidation state of uranium. In the first direct measurement of Pu oxidation state in a nuclear test melt glass, we obtain a result consistent with existing literature that proposes Pu is primarily present as Pu(IV) in post-detonation material. In addition, our measurements imply that highly mobile U(VI) may be produced in significant quantities when melt glass is quenched rapidly following a nuclear detonation, though these products may remain immobile in the vitrified matrices. The observed differences in chemical state among the three samples show that redox conditions can vary dramatically across different nuclear test conditions. The local soil composition, associated device materials, and the rate of quenching are all likely to affect the final redox state of the glass. The resulting variations in glass chemistry are significant for understanding and interpreting debris chemistry and the later environmental mobility of dispersed material.
Autonomous and Connected Cars: HCM Estimates for Freeways with Various Market Penetration Rates

Major information technology (IT) companies and vehicle manufacturers have announced their plans for autonomous driving technology. Autonomous light duty vehicles are often referred to as “driverless cars” (DLC). These technologies intend to partly or fully replace driving by combining navigation systems, artificial intelligence, in-vehicle sensors, roadside ITS and traffic monitoring data, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. The absence of perception errors and the minimal perception and reaction time of DLC enable them to maintain shorter headways, to apply consistent acceleration and deceleration rates, and to optimize the use of gaps. In theory, freeway operations and level of service (LOS) can be impacted to a substantial but yet unknown degree by the DLC. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM).is a static and macroscopic methodology for assessing various traffic flow facilities. Its 2010 edition is not adjusted for the presence of DLC on highways, however, several of its parameters are sensitive to differences in perception and reaction times, headways, etc. An investigation was conducted to assess the likely changes to traffic flow characteristics that may result from the introduction of DLC. The focus of this paper is on expressways, that is, on HCM analyses of basic freeway segment and freeway weaving segment. DLC is able to increase capacity (c), the maximum service flow rate (MSFi), the adjustment factor for unfamiliar driver population (fP), passenger-car equivalent (PCE), and the proportion of heavy vehicles (PT). The combined benefits improve LOS. The results from the case studies show that the impacts of DLC on HCM parameters are tiny if the DLC have a very small market share. Two types of DLC are considered in this paper: Autonomous DLC, and Connected DLC with V2V and V2I. On a basic freeway segment the Autonomous DLC improves LOS from D to C when its share in traffic reaches 7%. The same case study shows that the Connected DLC improves LOS from D to C when its share in traffic reaches 3%.
The New Right Racial Backlash: A New Racism

Although the idea of the biological inequality of different races has fallen largely into disrepute, race-based symbolism nevertheless remains an important explanatory framework for many of the changes and challenges people face around them, as well as a legitimating ideology for elites. Race serves as a lens through which a whole array of other crises in existing social relations are perceived and explained. Whereas the specific contents of the stereotypes and prejudices produced and circulated change over time and between different societies, the presence of a system of racial meanings, or ideologies, is a constant feature of liberal capitalist societies, indeed of modernity itself. In this chapter I focus on the context of reaction out of which the New Right racial backlash emerged, trace the changes in the system of racial meanings represented in New Right discourse, and explore the question of whether these changes in fact constitute a new form of racism.
Spirituality and health in a therapeutic culture.

Physicians need to understand the need for clarity and rigor in defining spirituality in research and practice to bring spirituality into the practice of health care. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Clustering for usability participant selection

User satisfaction and usefulness are measured using usability studies that involve real customers. Given the nature of software development and delivery, having to conduct usability studies can become a costly expense in the overall budget. A major part of this expense is the participant costs. Under this condition, it is desirable to reduce the number of participants without sacrificing the quality of the experiment. If a company could use a smaller participant pool and get the same results as the entire pool; this would result in significant savings. Given a participant pool of size N, is there a subset of N that would yield the same results as the entire population? This research addresses this question using a data-mining clustering tool called Applications Quest.
Extended Core Edge Fine Structure in Electron Energy Loss Spectra

Inner shell electrons can be excited not only by the absorption of X-rays but also by the inelastic scattering of fast electrons. The similarity between these two different probes suggests that experiments normally carried out with X-rays may be performed with electrons. This is the case for the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure technique (EXAFS) developed by Sayers, Stern and Lytle.1–5 In this chapter we shall discuss the equivalent use of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to give information about local atomic environments.
Radiation Treatment Time and Overall Survival in Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Purpose Prolonged radiotherapy treatment time (RTT) is associated with worse survival in several malignancies. This study investigated whether delays during radiotherapy are associated with overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods The National Cancer Data Base was queried for patients with stage III NSCLC who received definitive concurrent chemotherapy and fractionated radiotherapy to standard doses (59.4-70.0 Gy) and fractionation from 2004-2013. RTT was classified as standard or prolonged for each treatment regimen based on radiotherapy dose and number of fractions. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association between the following factors and OS: RTT, radiotherapy fractionation, demographic/pathologic factors, and chemotherapeutic agents. Results Of 14,154 patients, RTT was prolonged in 6,262 (44.2%). Factors associated with prolonged RTT included female gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, p 9 days, 17.1 mo., p Conclusion Delays during radiotherapy appear to negatively impact survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Demographic and socioeconomic barriers influencing prolonged RTT are also detailed as a means to address health disparities in this regard. Cumulative interruptions of radiotherapy should be minimized.
The clinically used PARP inhibitor olaparib improves organ function, suppresses inflammatory responses and accelerates wound healing in a murine model of third-degree burn injury.

Background and purpose The PARP inhibitor olaparib has recently been approved for human use for the therapy of cancer. Considering the role of PARP in critical illness, we tested the effect of olaparib in a murine model of burn injury, in order to begin exploring the feasibility of repurposing olaparib for the therapy of burn patients. Experimental approach Mice were subjected to scald burn injury and randomized into vehicle or olaparib (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) groups. Outcome variables included indices of organ injury, clinical chemistry parameters, plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (at 24 h, 7 days and 21 days) and burn wound size (at 21 days). Key results Olaparib reduced myeloperoxidase levels in heart and lung homogenates and reduced malon dialdehyde levels in all tissues 24 h post-burn. Olaparib also reduced circulating alkaline aminotransferase, amylase and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, indicative of protection against hepatic, pancreatic and renal dysfunction. Pro-inflammatory mediator (TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, GCSF, GM-CSF, eotaxin, KC, MIP-1-α and interleukins 3,6 and 12) levels as well as the levels of several mediators that are generally considered anti-inflammatory (IL-4, 10 and 13) were reduced by olaparib. Plasma troponin-I levels (an indicator of skeletal muscle damage) was also attenuated by olaparib. Finally, olaparib stimulated wound healing. Conclusions and Implications The clinically approved PARP inhibitor olaparib improves organ function, suppresses inflammatory responses and accelerates wound healing in murine burn injury. The data raise the potential utility of olaparib for severe burn injury.
Regret minimization based adaptation of the energy detection threshold in body area networks

IEEE802.15.6 is a radio interface standard for wireless connectivity of wearable and implantable sensors and actuators located inside or in close proximity to the human body i.e., Body Area Network (BAN). Medical applications impose stringent requirements on BAN Quality of Service (QoS), including reliability and on-time availability of the sensors data. However, interference from other co-located BANs or other nearby devices sharing the same spectrum may cause unacceptable QoS degradation. The impact of such degradations can be minimized by using adaptive schemes that intelligently adjust relevant parameters at the transmitting or receiving nodes of a BAN. This paper provides a framework for low complexity regret minimization based algorithms for Energy Detection Threshold (EDT) adaptation in the transmitter node of a BAN. The nodes are assumed to be using the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol according to the IEEE 802.15.6 BAN standard. Our preliminary simulation results demonstrate the performance gain of our algorithm compared to using a fixed EDT, and thus warrant future efforts in the adaptive EDT optimization as a mechanism to maintain QoS in various interference scenarios.
Serum polychlorinated biphenyls and leukocyte telomere length in a highly-exposed population: The Anniston Community Health Survey

Abstract Background Serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have previously been associated with longer leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in most, but not all, of the few previous studies. PCBs were produced in Anniston, Alabama from 1929 to 1971 and participants of the Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS) were highly exposed. Objectives We evaluated serum levels of 35 PCBs and relative telomere length in 559 ACHS participants. Methods Relative LTL was measured in DNA extracted from blood clots. We assessed PCBs individually, grouped by chlorination, and summed PCBs. We used linear regression to assess the association between each PCB metric while adjusting for pertinent covariates. Results Serum PCBs were associated with longer LTL among white participants and the oldest age group of black participants. Among white participants, compared with those in the first quartile of sum PCBs those in the third quartile of sum PCBs had 8.09% longer relative LTL (95% CI: 1.99; 14.55) and those in the fourth had 7.58% longer relative LTL (95%CI: − 0.01; 15.76) (p-quadratic = 0.05). Among African American participants, serum PCBs were associated with longer relative LTL among those over age 64 only. Tests for interaction were not statistically significant. Conclusions We observed a non-linear positive association between serum PCBs and LTL among white participants. Serum PCBs were associated with longer LTL in the oldest age group of African Americans. This association may provide insight into the cancers previously associated with exposure to PCBs, melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which have been associated with long LTL in previous studies.
Abstract 2653: Bivalirudin Use Is Associated with Increased Long-Term Mortality in ACS Patients Undergoing Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation

Background: In a randomized trial (ACUITY), bivalirudin with provisional GP IIb/IIIa inhibition was found to be noninferior to heparin plus GP IIb/IIIa blockade for the prevention of acute ischemic events in PCI for ACS. The impact of bivalirudin use on long-term outcomes in ACS patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) is unknown. Methods: Using the 2004/2005 Cornell Angioplasty Registry, we studied 1,523 consecutive patients undergoing urgent or elective PCI for ACS with peri-procedural use of bivalirudin or GP IIb/IIIa platelet inhibitors. Patients presenting with an acute MI ≤24 hours, hemodynamic instability/shock, thrombolytic therapy ≤7 days were excluded. Mean clinical follow-up was 440 days (range 1– 818 days). Results: We studied 836 patients (54.9%) receiving bivalirudin and 687 (45.1%) receiving GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. DES were used in 87% of PCI. The incidence of in-hospital death (0.4% vs. 0.1%, p=0.63), non-Q-wave MI (7.3% vs. 7.0%, p=0.82), and MACE (death, CVA, emergent CABG/PCI) (7.5% vs. 7.1%, p=0.84) was similar in the bivalirudin and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor arms. By follow-up, there were 36 (4.3%) deaths in the bivalirudin vs. 14 (2.0%) in the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor arm (HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.2– 4.0, p=0.01) (Figure). After multivariate Cox analysis, bivalirudin use remained an independent predictor of long-term mortality (HR 2.0, 95%CI 1.0 −3.8, p=0.04). Conclusion: These data suggest that routine use of bivalirudin with provisional GP IIb/IIIa blockade in ACS patients treated with DES may be associated with increased long-term mortality. Long-term follow-up data from a prospective, randomized, double-blind ACS trial in the era of DES are needed.
Mitotic treasures in the nucleolus.

How does a cell regulate its exit from the stage of the cell cycle known as mitosis? The answer, surprisingly, involves a new regulatory principle. Exit, it seems, is controlled by switching off mitotic kinases, and this is done by a phosphatase called Cdc14, an inactive form of which is sequestered in the nucleolus until needed. This is the first time that nucleolar localization has been shown as a regulatory mechanism.
The impact of raw DNA availability and corresponding online interpretation services: A mixed-methods study

Consumer access to third-party services to interpret raw DNA has raised concerns about downstream healthcare implications. This mixed-methods study set out to examine the extent to which genetic counselors have been contacted by consumers of third-party services and describe counselors' experiences with these "consumer" patients. Counselor views on the quality of information provided to consumers were also examined. Eighty-five genetic counselors completed an online survey, of which 22 completed in-depth telephone interviews. Survey and interview data were analyzed and combined using triangulation techniques. Over half (53%) of the survey respondents indicated they had been contacted by a patient following the use of a third-party raw DNA interpretation service. Among counselors contacted, 72% saw at least one patient. Counselors reported challenges unique to this patient population including overemphasis by patients on the validity of the data and patient resistance to information provided by the counselor. Preparation time burden and counselor inexperience and discomfort counseling these patients were additional challenges. Counselors expressed concern about the quality of the raw data and the clarity and usefulness of interpretation reports. Genetic counselors' experiences with consumer's use of third-party DNA interpretation services provide insight on the opportunities and challenges with the availability of raw DNA directly to consumers. Efforts to better support both consumers and genetic service providers are needed to maximize the effective translation of genome-based knowledge for population health.
PID controller design with an H∞ criterion

Abstract This paper deals with the design of Proportional-Integral (PI) and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers. The main result is a constructive determination of the set S γ of stabilizing PI and PID controllers achieving an H∞ norm bound of γ on the error transfer function. This result utilizes the computation of the complete stabilizing set S recently obtained. We also point out connections between this H∞ design and Gain and Phase Margin designs. Illustrative examples are presented.