cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scientific achievements of John P. Peters.

After the First World War in the United States, studies of water and electrolyte metabolism that were based in clinical departments were usually centered on patients with diseases which disrupted norm
Wave propagation and localization in a long-range correlated random potential

We examine the effect of long-range spatially correlated disorder on the Anderson localization transition in $d=2+\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions. This is described as a phase transition in an appropriate non-linear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model. We consider a model of scalar waves in a medium with an inhomogeneous index of refraction characterized by scattering strength ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}$ and spatial correlations of range $a$ decaying (i) exponentially ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}^{2}{a}^{\ensuremath{-}d}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{x}{a}}$ and (ii) by power laws ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}^{2}{({a}^{2}+{x}^{2})}^{\ensuremath{-}m}(mg0)$. A replica-field-theory representation is utilized in the calculation of the one- and two-particle Green's functions. In addition to the usual diffusive Goldstone mode of the field theory arising from energy conservation, the non-linear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model is shown to possess a discrete spectrum of low-lying nondiffusive modes associated with approximate wave-vector ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$) conservation in the geometric optics limit $\mathrm{ka}\ensuremath{\gg}1$. For waves it is shown that all states are localized for $d\ensuremath{\le}2$ with diverging localization lengths in the low-frequency limit and that the mobility edge in $d=2+\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ separating high-frequency, localized states from low-frequency, extended states is characterized by the same critical exponents as for spatially uncorrelated disorder provided $mg\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. The problem of electron localization in a long-range correlated random potential is also described within the same universality class.
Fever of nosocomial origin: Etiology, risk factors, and outcomes☆

Abstract objectives: To identify the etiologies and risk factors associated with fever of nosocomial origin and compare the outcomes of patients with and without nosocomial fever. design: A prospective study with a case-control component. setting: The three medical services of a university hospital. patients and methods: We evaluated 100 patients with fever of nosocomial origin. Etiologies were assigned by the consensus of three independent reviewers using Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Predictors of bacterial etiology were identified using logistic regression methods. Controls matched for age (± 5 years), sex, and comorbidity were identified for 65 of the nosocomial fever cases. Cases and controls were compared with conditional logistic regression to identify risk factors for fever of nosocomial origin. Cases and controls were followed at 1 month to compare length of stay, mortality, and hospital readmission rates. measurements and main results: An etiology was assigned in 81 cases: 51 had bacterial infection, 5 had nonbacterial infection, and 25 had a noninfectious etiology. Multivariate predictors of bacterial infection were the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 5.74; 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio [CI] = 1.61 to 20.40), length of stay to fever onset after admission greater than 10 days (OR = 3.98, CI=1.04 to 15.22), maximum temperature greater than 38.7°C (OR = 3.37, CI=1.28 to 8.88), and white blood cell count greater than 10 × 10 9 /L (OR = 4.64, CI=1.68 to 12.77). Comparison of cases and controls indicated that patients with nosocomial fever had more invasive procedures in the 72 hours preceding enrollment in the study than controls (OR = 1.46, CI=1.03 to 2.08). Although cases were hospitalized almost twice as long as controls (21.5 versus 12.5 days; p conclusion: Nosocomial fever often does not represent nosocomial infection and may constitute a wide variety of other conditions. Since bacterial etiology of fever is a major concern, clinical and laboratory findings can be used to predict patients at high risk for an infectious process. A reduction in the number of invasive procedures may decrease the incidence of nosocomial fever. New-onset nosocomial fever leads to an increase in length of hospital stay but is not a significant predictor of mortality.
Studies on the biological control of schistosome-bearing snails. Predators and parasites of fresh-water mollusca: a review of the literature

Although the biological control of medically important snails has been suggested from time to time during the past quarter of a century (Nagano, 1927; Bequaert, 1928; Mozely, 1939, 1951; McMullen, 1952), the subject has, as yet, received but little serious consideration. Upon the initiation of our studies (Chernin, Michelson & Augustine, 1956a, b) the literature was searched for references to predators, parasites and diseases of molluscs which might furnish leads for experimental investigation.
A comparative approach to assessing the quality of life of intercollegiate athletes

Although concerns have frequently been raised recently regarding the quality of life of intercollegiate athletes, information is seldom available on which college and university administrators can base policy decisions. Particularly lacking are studies that provide administrators with assessments of their own athletics programs relative to athletics programs at other institutions. We describe here a method we used in conducting a comparative evaluation of the status of student-athletes at a large public university, involving comparisons of student-athletes at this university to student-athletes at a subset of the institutions that participated in the 1987–88 National Study of Intercollegiate Athletes. By utilizing existing data sets to construct comparison samples, relative assessments of the status of student-athletes at a given institution can be performed without the excessive costs of gathering data on student-athletes at comparison institutions. Techniques employed in data collection and analysis are discussed as well as the format of the report in which the findings of the study were presented.
Stages of Change for Dietary Calcium Intake Among Rural Adults

Abstract Stages of change models provide one type of theoretical framework to explain health behaviors and predict which individuals are most likely to successfully make behavior changes. These models have been applied to fat, fruits and vegetables, and fiber intakes. Application to other dietary components has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine stage of change with regard to dietary calcium intake in rural adults. Data were collected from 66 males and 308 females, 18-89 years. Subjects were recruited from 2 community health screenings. Most were college educated (60%) and the average age was 48 y. A standard stage question for calcium intake was administered to classify individuals to precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, or maintenance. Dietary assessment was collected with a quantitative food frequency (Block) using the Nutrition DISCovery™ program. The distribution of males by stage status was significantly different from females. About a quarter (24%) of the males were in precontemplation compared to 8% of the females, whereas 58% of the males were in the action or maintenance stage compared to 60% of the females. The self-reported stage classification was significantly associated with total calcium ( P P P P =.014). Nutrition education programs addressing prevention of calcium-related diseases may benefit by incorporating stage based screening questions to their protocols. These results show promise for the stages model with dietary calcium intake.
A group-contribution correlation for predicting thermodynamic properties with the Perturbed-Soft-Chain Theory

Abstract The Perturbed-Soft-Chain theory (PSCT), an equation of state capable of predicting thermodynamic properties for a variety of compounds, is modified to be a group-contribution equation. The Group-PSCT (GPSCT) treats each pure compound as a sum of its constituent functional groups, and interactions among these groups are considered. The three pure-compound parameters, v*, T* and c, used in the original PSCT are calculated by using combining rules for five independent group parameters. The group parameters in this paper were determined from a correlation of the PSCT parameters. Using the GPSCT, calculated results show good agreement with experimental data. Liquid-densities and vapor pressures for twenty-six low molecular-weight compounds (alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics) have been calculated with average absolute errors less than 3.5% for liquid-densities and 7% for vapor-pressures. Though these values are somewhat larger than for the original PSCT, mixture predictions often are better for GPSCT than for PSCT, especially for mixtures involving polymers. This suggests that the GPSCT should prove useful for intermediate molecular weight (i.e., 200 – 1000) compounds for which little experimental data exists.
A Trisubstituted 1,4-Diazepine-3-one-Based Dipeptidomimetic: Conformational Characterization by NMR and Computer Simulation

The conformation of a novel 1,2,5-trisubstituted hexahydro-3-oxo-1H-1,4-diazepine system (DAP) has been investigated by proton and carbon NMR and refined with computer simulations. Four N1-acetyl-5-(N,N-dimethylamino)carbonyl DAP analogues, differing in the chirality and substituents at C2, have been studied: 2-benzyl-(2S,5S)-DAP (SS-F), 2-benzyl-(2R,5S)-DAP (RS-F), 2-methyl-(2S,5S)-DAP (SS-A), and 2-methyl-(2R,5S)-DAP (RS-A). The NMR spectra for each of the four analogues showed the presence of two configurational isomers slowly interconverting on the NMR time scale; the site of the cis/trans isomerization was identified as the N1-acetyl peptidic bond. The experimental restraints from NMR data consisted of a limited number of interproton distances and well-determined coupling constants; their utilization in distance geometry and distance and angle driven dynamics calculations produced high-resolution structures for three of the analogues. The C2 chirality (R or S) in the seven-membered ring determines t...
Oral fluid results compared to self reports of recent cocaine and heroin use by methadone maintenance patients.

Abstract Introduction Although self reports of illicit drug use may not be reliable, this information is frequently collected and relied upon by national drug surveys and by counselors in drug treatment programs. The addition of oral fluid testing to these programs would provide objective information on recent drug use. Aim The goal of this study was to compare oral fluid tests for cocaine, benzoylecgonine, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine, codeine and 6-acetylcodeine to self reports of recent cocaine and heroin use by patients in an outpatient methadone treatment program. Methods Patients ( n = 400) provided an oral fluid specimen and completed a short questionnaire on illicit drug use over the last seven days. Oral fluid was collected with the Intercept ® Oral Fluid Collection device. Oral fluid was analyzed by a validated assay using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The presence of an analyte was confirmed if all identification criteria were met and its concentration (ng/mL) was ≥LOQ (cocaine, 0.4; benzoylecgonine, 0.4; morphine, 2; codeine, 2; 6-acetylmorphine, 0.4; and 6-acetylcodeine, 1). Results Analyses of oral fluid specimens collected from the 400 methadone maintained patients revealed that a majority (95%) of subjects who admitted to recent cocaine use were confirmed positive, whereas slightly more than 50% were confirmed positive who admitted to heroin over the last seven days. For those patients who denied recent cocaine and heroin use, approximately 30% were positive for cocaine and 14% were positive for heroin. Conclusion Oral fluid testing provides an objective means of verifying recent drug use and for assessment of patients in treatment for substance use disorders.
Amidst Nanotechnology’s Molecular Landscapes The Changing Trope of Subvisible Worlds

The common scientific metaphor linking microscopic phenomena to new or subvisible worlds in images and text has also been used to describe nanoscale phenomena. However, on closer examination, some images of the nanoscale reveal a shift away from the trope’s association with microscopic worlds and toward participatory, computer-generated worlds. This shift articulates different relations between the nanoscale and the macroscopic scale, relations that also affect how we position ourselves in relation to nanoscale phenomena and so affect the formation of nanotechnology. These different relations also create different ways to understand the nanoscale, scientific communication, and the shaping of scientific knowledge.
Response of a coulomb system to stochastic excitation

Abstract The stochastic response of a rigid mass, the motion of which is restrained by Coulomb friction, is examined. An approximate technique using a pulse train excitation is developed to estimate the mean and variance of the response. The method is shown to be capable of predicting the trends in the displacement variance when the input has little energy at low frequencies, in contrast to the equivalent linearization technique which predicts erroneous trends for this type of excitation. A refinement of the method, which accounts for overlaps in the excitation pulses, is shown to improve the accuracy of the technique when compared with simulation results. As an example of its application, the method is used to predict the response of a simple stick-slip system subjected to earthquake-like excitation.
The academy's response to the call for a marketplace approach to broadcast regulation

In 1982 FCC Chairman Mark Fowler used a law review article to explain his rationale for adopting a marketplace approach to broadcast regulation. Arguing that the final fifth of that article was based on a very different social vision of broadcasting, the study reported here reveals that this section of the article and its alternative vision have been largely ignored by the academy in the decade following its publication. After proposing two reasons why this may have happened, this paper suggests why a response based on mass media scholarship is still needed and what form that response might take.
Gaining a better understanding of peer group contributions to dating aggression--implications for prevention and intervention programming: comment on Kinsfogel and Grych (2004)

K. M. Kinsfogel and J. H. Grych's (2004) article presents a theoretical model to examine the mechanisms by which interparental conflict is associated with adolescents' dating aggression. The study is noteworthy in its focus on the influence of less severe forms of interparental conflict than in most prior investigations, and in the attention it places on the peer group social context in understanding the subtleties of adolescents' intimate relationships. The study provides valuable information about the association between conflictual marital relations and dating aggression among male adolescents while highlighting the need for new models to understand the role of marital conflict in the expression of dating aggression among female adolescents. The study has important implications for partnering with male adolescents to design and adapt dating aggression programs. Language: en
Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics Measurements in the Expansion Space of a Stirling Cycle Engine

The heater (or acceptor) of a Stirling engine, where most of the thermal energy is accepted into the engine by heat transfer, is the hottest part of the engine. Almost as hot is the adjacent expansion space of the engine. In the expansion space, the flow is oscillatory, impinging on a two-dimensional concavely-curved surface. Knowing the heat transfer on the inside surface of the engine head is critical to the engine design for efficiency and reliability. However, the flow in this region is not well understood and support is required to develop the CFD codes needed to design modern Stirling engines of high efficiency and power output. The present project is to experimentally investigate the flow and heat transfer in the heater head region. Flow fields and heat transfer coefficients are measured to characterize the oscillatory flow as well as to supply experimental validation for the CFD Stirling engine design codes. Presented also is a discussion of how these results might be used for heater head and acceptor region design calculations.
Analyses of the yeast Rad51 recombinase A265V mutant reveal different in vivo roles of Swi2-like factors

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Swi2-like factors Rad54 and Rdh54 play multifaceted roles in homologous recombination via their DNA translocase activity. Aside from promoting Rad51-mediated DNA strand invasion of a partner chromatid, Rad54 and Rdh54 can remove Rad51 from duplex DNA for intracellular recycling. Although the in vitro properties of the two proteins are similar, differences between the phenotypes of the null allele mutants suggest that they play different roles in vivo. Through the isolation of a novel RAD51 allele encoding a protein with reduced affinity for DNA, we provide evidence that Rad54 and Rdh54 have different in vivo interactions with Rad51. The mutant Rad51 forms a complex on duplex DNA that is more susceptible to dissociation by Rdh54. This Rad51 variant distinguishes the in vivo functions of Rad54 and Rdh54, leading to the conclusion that two translocases remove Rad51 from different substrates in vivo. Additionally, we show that a third Swi2-like factor, Uls1, contributes toward Rad51 clearance from chromatin in the absence of Rad54 and Rdh54, and define a hierarchy of action of the Swi2-like translocases for chromosome damage repair.
A Successful Model of Undergraduate Research at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Undergraduate research performed at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has contributed significantly to the development of independent, well-rounded engineers by providing opportunities for students’ professional growth, knowledge, experience, creativity and confidence. Through a decade-long and continuing, summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation, we have demonstrated extraordinary success at the MSOE interdisciplinary Rapid Prototyping Center and the closely associated Center for BioMolecular Modeling—hubs of activity with faculty, staff, students and industry working together in a variety of programs. Specifically, we have provided integrated research opportunities for technically diverse groups of undergraduate students to experience the growing technological trends and opportunities in rapid prototyping (RP) leading to newly created, complex and miniature structures and models. We have continued the principle of diversity in successful recruiting of minorities, women and students with disabilities, enabling them to become professional graduates with extraordinary capabilities. We developed interdisciplinary approaches, enabled by research and development in rapid prototyping, in the fields of biomedical, biomolecular, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, architectural and aerospace engineering. We continue to publish the findings from the research projects in national conferences and journals. Our success at fostering undergraduate research is showcased through the nature of student activities and specific projects, the research/mentoring environment and facilities, student recruitment history including diversity, evaluation results, samples of program impact and highlights of summer REU program at MSOE.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Region of Yeast TAF 130 Required for TFIID To Associate with Promoters

TFIID, a multiprotein complex comprising the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factors (TAFs), associates specifically with core promoters and nucleates the assembly the RNA polymerase II transcription machinery. In yeast cells, TFIID is not generally required for transcription, although it plays an important role at many promoters. Understanding of the specific functions and physiological roles of individual TAFs within TFIID has been hampered by the fact that depletion or thermal inactivation of individual TAFs generally results in dissociation of the TFIID complex. We describe here C-terminally deleted derivatives of yeast TAF130 that assemble into normal TFIID complexes but are transcriptionally inactive in vivo. In vivo, these mutant TFIID complexes are dramatically reduced in their ability to associate with all promoters tested. In vitro, a TFIID complex containing a deleted form of TAF130 associates poorly with DNA, but it is unaffected for interacting with transcriptional activation domains. These results suggest that the C-terminal region of TAF130 is required for TFIID to associate with promoters.
Decontaminating chemically contaminated residential premise plumbing systems by flushing

Recent large-scale drinking water chemical contamination incidents in Canada and the U.S. have affected more than 1 000 000 people and involved disparate premise plumbing decontamination approaches. In this study, past premise plumbing decontamination approaches were reviewed and a mass balance water heater model was developed and tested. Organic contaminants were the sole focus of this work. Thirty-nine contamination incidents were identified and contaminants had a wide range of physiochemical properties [i.e., log Kow, water solubility, vapor pressure]. Minimal data was available pertaining to flushing protocol design and effectiveness. Results showed that premise plumbing design, operational conditions, contaminants present and their properties, as well as building inhabitant safety have not been fully considered in flushing protocol design. Results indicated that flushing could decontaminate some, but not all plumbing systems. Several modeling scenarios showed contaminant levels exceeded drinking water health limits after flushing following recent large-scale water contamination incidents. Water saving fixtures and devices, water heater size, and flow rate affected contaminant removal efficiency. Modeling did not consider service lines or piping. This study provides a first step in the development of science based premise plumbing flushing protocols for organic contaminants.
The impact of a hands-on ERCP workshop on clinical practice

Background Hands-on endoscopy workshops are increasingly common venues for procedure training. However, the effect of this type of training on the practices of participants is unknown. The goal of this study was to examine the changes in individual clinical practices subsequent to participation in an ERCP hands-on course. Methods Forty-eight practicing pancreatobiliary endoscopists participating in a 2-day hands-on advanced ERCP course were asked to complete a 24-item survey evaluating their endoscopic practices both before and 3 months after workshop participation. The surveys evaluated monthly volume and self-confidence in performing the following procedures: diagnostic ERCP, standard sphincterotomy, needle-knife pre-cut sphincterotomy, biliary stone extraction, mechanical lithotripsy, plastic stent placement, metal stent placement, and biliary brushing for cytologic specimens. Results Thirty-one of the 48 participants (65%) who completed both pre- and postcourse surveys form the study cohort. After the workshop, there was a significant increase in use of needle-knife pre-cut sphincterotomy in clinical practices. In addition, the post-workshop survey indicated a significant increase in confidence for procedures such standard sphincterotomy, needle-knife pre-cut sphincterotomy, stone extraction, mechanical lithotripsy, placement of metal stents, and cytology brushing. Confidence in basic diagnostic ERCP and plastic stent placement did not increase because of high initial confidence levels. Conclusions Participation in a hands-on course appears to increase the confidence of endoscopists in the performance of more complex interventions. However, this was only associated with increased clinical application for one technique.
Challenges for formal verification in industrial setting

Commercial competition is forcing computer companies to get better products to market more rapidly, and therefore the time for validation is shrinking relative to the complexity of microprocessor designs. Improving time-to-market performance cannot be solved by just growing the size of design and validation teams. Design process automation is increasing, and the adoption of more rigorous methods, including formal verification, is unavoidable because for achieving the quality demanded by the marketplace. Intel is one of the strongest promoters of the use of formal methods across all phases of the design development. Intel's design teams use high-level modeling of protocols and algorithms, formal verification of floating-point libraries, design exploration systems based on formal methods, full proofs and property verification of RTL specifications, and equivalence checking to verify that transistor-level schematics correspond to their RTL specifications. Even with the best effort to adopt the progress in formal methods quickly, there is a large gap between an idea published at a conference and a development of a tool that can be used on industrial-sized designs. These tools and methods need to scale well, be stable during a multi-year design effort, and be able to support efficient debugging. The use of formal methods on a live design must allow for ongoing changes in the specification and the design. The methodology must be flexible enough to permit new design features, such as scan and power-down logic, soft error detection, etc. In this paper, I will share my experience with the formal verification of the floating-point unit on an Itanium(R) microprocessor design and point out how it may influence future microprocessor-design projects.
S-100 and other acidic proteins promote Ca2+-independent phosphorylation of protamine catalyzed by a new protein kinase from brain.

A new protein kinase modulated by S-100 (tentatively referred to as protein kinase X) was partially purified from pig brain extracts. The activity of protein kinase X, which was independent of Ca2+, was demonstrated when protamine (free base), but not protamine sulfate and other proteins (including histone), was used as substrate. The enzyme activity, found to distribute in both soluble and particulate fractions and to occur at the highest level in brain compared with other tissues (heart, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, spleen, and testis) of rats, was also modulated by other acidic proteins (calmodulin, troponin C, and stimulatory modulator) in a Ca2+ -independent manner. S-100 and other acidic proteins appeared to function as "substrate modifiers" by interacting with protamine (a highly basic protein), but not with the enzyme, thus rendering protamine in the complex a superior phosphate acceptor. The two isoforms of S-100 (i.e., a and b) were equally effective. Although the enzyme was not inhibited by many agents (trifluoperazine, melittin, cytotoxin I, polymyxin B, and spermine) shown to inhibit markedly phospholipid/Ca2+- or calmodulin/Ca2+ -stimulated protein kinase, gossypol was found to inhibit specifically protein kinase X. The present findings suggest that S-100, a major acidic protein specific to nervous system, may promote phosphorylation by protein kinase X of certain neural proteins resembling protamine or containing protamine-like domains, in addition to its presumed role of a low-affinity Ca2+ -binding protein.
Effect of fog on free-space optical links employing imaging receivers

We analyze free-space optical links employing imaging receivers in the presence of misalignment and atmospheric effects, such as haze, fog or rain. We present a detailed propagation model based on the radiative transfer equation. We also compare the relative importance of two mechanisms by which these effects degrade link performance: signal attenuation and image blooming. We show that image blooming dominates over attenuation, except under medium-to-heavy fog conditions.
Pathobiology of acute myocardial ischemia: Metabolic, functional and ultrastructural studies

Acute myocardial ischemia induced by coronary occlusion in dogs is most severe in the subendocardial region, whereas more collateral blood flow is often present in the subepicardial region. Initially, all ischemic myocytes are reversibly injured, but beginning at 15 to 20 minutes after the onset, and continuing for 3 to 6 hours, there is a wave front of cell death from the subendocardial region to the less ischemic subepicardial region, such that by 6 hours, the final transmural extent of the infarct is established. Thus, ischemic myocardium cannot be salvaged by reperfusion after greater than or equal to 6 hours of coronary occlusion in open-chest anesthetized dogs. In the severely ischemic subendocardial region, most of the creatine phosphate is lost within the first 3 minutes of ischemia in vivo, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is depleted to 35% of control by 15 minutes (when cellular injury is still reversible), and to less than 10% of control at 40 minutes (when injury is irreversible). Tissue ATP content and other indexes of subcellular damage have also been compared after different periods of ischemia using a model of total myocardial ischemia in vitro. As long as the ATP of the tissue was not depleted below 5 mumols/g dry weight, incubated slices of injured myocardium resynthesized high-energy phosphates and excluded inulin. However, lower tissue ATP was associated with depressed high-energy phosphate resynthesis and failure of cell volume regulation. Overt membrane damage, as measured by an increased inulin-diffusible space, was detected only after the tissue ATP decreased to less than 2.0 mumols/g of dry weight. Thus, marked ATP depletion is associated with the onset of structural and functional indexes of irreversible injury. However, whether irreversibility is caused by the marked ATP depletion or by other concomitant metabolic consequences of ischemia is not known. Myocardial ischemic cellular injury is reversible despite depletion of 70% of the control ATP. Nevertheless, when myocyte injury is reversible, there is slow repletion of adenine nucleotides. This slow metabolic recovery may explain the delayed recovery of contractile function observed after reperfusion of ischemic myocardium.
Longitudinal relationships of insomnia, nightmares, and PTSD severity in recent combat veterans.

Abstract Objective This observational, longitudinal study of veterans with recent combat exposure describes the prevalence, severity and associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and nightmares over time. Methods Eighty recent combat veterans recruited from Veterans Health Administration primary care settings met inclusion criteria including hazardous alcohol use and at least subthreshold PTSD. Insomnia status and nightmare status were assigned based on the Insomnia Severity Index total score and the PTSD Checklist nightmare item, respectively. Participants were re-assessed six months following their baseline assessment. Analyses of variance compared insomnia and nightmare groups on PTSD, depression, and alcohol use severity. Analyses of covariance (controlling for baseline differences) examined whether insomnia and/or nightmares were associated with the clinical course of PTSD. Persistence of conditions was also examined. Results At baseline, 74% presented with insomnia and 61% endorsed distressing nightmares. Insomnia was associated with significantly higher PTSD and depression severity at both baseline and six months. The presence of nightmares was associated with significantly higher PTSD severity at both time points and with depression severity at baseline only. Despite decreases in PTSD and depression severity, insomnia severity was relatively unchanged after six months. The prevalence and severity of nightmare complaints diminished modestly over time. Conclusion Among this sample of recent combat veterans, insomnia and nightmares were each strongly associated with the severity of both PTSD and depressive symptoms. Over time, insomnia in particular did not appear to resolve spontaneously and was associated with ongoing PTSD. Addressing insomnia early, therefore, may be a strategy to alter the course of PTSD.
Precise inference of copy number alterations in tumor samples from SNP arrays.

Motivation: The accurate detection of copy number alterations (CNAs) in human genomes is important for understanding susceptibility to cancer and mechanisms of tumor progression. CNA detection in tumors from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays is a challenging problem due to phenomena such as aneuploidy, stromal contamination, genomic waves and intra-tumor heterogeneity, issues that leading methods do not optimally address. Results: Here we introduce methods and software (PennCNV-tumor) for fast and accurate CNA detection using signal intensity data from SNP genotyping arrays. We estimate stromal contamination by applying a maximum likelihood approach over multiple discrete genomic intervals. By conditioning on signal intensity across the genome, our method accounts for both aneuploidy and genomic waves. Finally, our method uses a hidden Markov model to integrate multiple sources of information, including total and allele-specific signal intensity at each SNP, as well as physical maps to make posterior inferences of CNAs. Using real data from cancer cell-lines and patient tumors, we demonstrate substantial improvements in accuracy and computational efficiency compared with existing methods. Availability: Source code, documentation and example datasets are
HIV and Housing Assistance in Four U.S. Cities: Variations in Local Experience

This paper provides an account of how young, HIV-positive women manage their lives on limited budgets in four United States cities: New York City, New Orleans, Miami, and Chicago. The study findings elucidate city-to-city variability in housing assistance, and how this manifests in locality specific differences in the experience of HIV. Our research suggests that the receipt of housing assistance has ramifications for women’s engagement in care, and for their health. Women not receiving aid often move frequently in and out of homelessness, or “double up” with others in complex household arrangements to share costs. Women with long-term housing assistance, while still struggling financially, possess a stable base from which to approach daily life and HIV care. This account suggests a need for empirical research assessing the impact of local variations in housing assistance on specific health outcomes for those with HIV. It also highlights the importance of understanding local contexts when designing housing interventions at both the individual and structural levels.
Demonstration of an early host-graft incompatibility reaction in radiation chimeras with the Jerne plaque technique.

SummaryThe Jerne plaque technique was used to demonstrate the presence of an early immunologic reaction between host and donor tissues in lethally irradiated mice treated with rat or hamster bone marrow. Evidence for both host and graft activity was obtained from spleen cells of mice that had been treated with hamster bone marrow. The responses obtained were of low magnitude and variable, and were evident primarily through the first 6 days post-treatment. A cause and effect relationship of this early immune reaction to the etiology of secondary disease in foreign marrow radiation chimeras is suggested.
Antistaphylococcal Activity of LBM415, a New Peptide Deformylase Inhibitor, Compared with Those of Other Agents

The MICs of LBM415, a new peptide diformylase inhibitor, were ≤0.06 to 4.0 μg/ml for 258 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. LBM415 MICs were similar irrespective of whether the strains were methicillin susceptible or resistant. All strains were also susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, ranbezolid, daptomycin, oritavancin, and quinupristin-dalfopristin. LBM415 at the MIC was bacteriostatic after 24 h.
Cruciform crack propagation in plane strain

Abstract The problem of an asymmetric cruciform crack emanating from a point defect and rapidly expanding in a linear elastic space, under plane strain homogeneous polynomial-form loading, is analysed by means of the Busemann-Chaplygin technique and analytic function theory. The problem is reduced to a singular integral equation of the Carleman type which can be solved by well known numerical methods. The result is compared with that of the single-crack limiting case.
Evaluation of soil saturation, soil chemistry, and early spring soil and air temperatures as risk factors in yellow-cedar decline

Yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis (D. Don) Oerst.) is a valuable tree species that is experiencing a widespread decline and mortality in southeast Alaska. This study evaluated the relative importance of several potential risk factors associated with yellow-cedar decline: soil saturation, soil aluminum (Al) toxicity or calcium (Ca) deficiency, and air and soil temperature. Data were collected from permanent vegetation plots established in two low-elevation coastal forests exhibiting broad ranges of cedar mortality. Measurements of each risk factor were contrasted among classified forest zones to indicate if there were strong links with decline. Hydrology alone is weakly associated with yellow-cedar decline, but could have a predisposing role in the decline by creating exposed conditions because of reduced forest productivity. Yellow-cedar decline is not strongly associated with soil pH and extractable Al and Ca, but there appears to be Ca enrichment of surface soils by feedback from dead yellow-cedar foliage. Air and soil temperature factors are strongly associated with decline. Based on these results, an hypothesis is presented to explain the mechanism of tree injury where exposure-driven tree mortality is initiated in gaps created by soil saturation and then expands in gaps created by the tree-mortality itself. The exposure allows soils to warm in early spring causing premature dehardening in yellow-cedar trees and subsequent freezing injury during cold events. Yellow-cedars growing in the protection of shade or snow are not preconditioned by this warming, and thus not as susceptible to cold injury. Yellow-cedar decline appears to be associated with regional climate changes, but whether the cause of these changes is related to natural or human-induced climate shifts remains uncertain. Management implications, the possible role of climate, and recommended research are discussed.
Problem‐Solving Courts: Theory and Practice

Problem-solving courts (PSCs) are a popular and fast-growing alternative to the usual way of handling criminal cases. In place of the adversarial process, they provide court-supervised treatment to certain groups of offenders by addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior. They take on a variety of forms including drug courts, mental health courts, domestic violence courts, veterans’ courts, and homeless courts. PSCs, as relatively new innovations in the criminal justice system, are still evolving in scope and in practice. This article then attempts to synthesize what we know about these specialty dockets. To do so, this article (1) explores the origins and developments of PSCs as well as highlights their defining characteristics; (2) examines the theoretical approaches and empirical findings of contemporary research on problem-solving courts; (3) critically discusses whether this new approach to old problems compromises core judicial principles; and (4) suggests directions for further research to better understand the cautionary promise of problem-solving justice.
Undesirable Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated With Rate Hysteresis Pacemakers

The introduction of the ventricular inhibited pulse generator with the feature of rate hysteresis has been associated with a variety of rhythm disturbances, some causing serious concern. This pulse generator has two different pacing rates: (1) the automatic rate, which is the interval between two successive paced beats (usually 860 msec or 70/min), and (2) the hysteresis interval, which results in a 1,000 msec delay between a sensed cardiac contraction and the next pacemaker discharge. The hysteresis interval after a sensed signal may result in long pauses that may predispose to the development of serious cardiac arrhythmias. Two examples of this type of complication were recently observed. One patient had bigeminal rhythm with mechanically ineffective cardiac contractions and an effective cardiac rate of 35/min; he experienced dyspnea and weakness during these prolonged episodes. Another patient had repeated episodes of ventricular fibrillation. The cardiac arrhythmias were not controlled by antiarrhythmic agents, and both patients required replacement of the pulse generator. The proposed advantages of pulse generator hysteresis are (1) prolongation of battery life, and (2) maintenance of effective atrial transport; these advantages may be outweighed by undesirable cardiac arrhythmias that may be associated with this mode of pacemaker function. Rate hysteresis cardiac pacemakers should be reserved for patients having predominantly sinus rhythm without ventricular irritability. In patients with frequent ectopic ventricular activity, atrial fibrillation or high degree atrioventricular block, the rate hysteresis pacemaker offers no advantage over the conventional demand pacemaker. For patients with frequent ectopic ventricular activity not easily controlled by antiarrhythmic agents, consideration should be given to the use of a permanent demand pacemaker with external rate control, which may provide greater flexibility in arrhythmia management.
Dynamic VAr Planning in a Large Power System Using Trajectory Sensitivities

This paper presents the results of an investigation of a voltage collapse case in a heavily stressed, large power system. The study is focused on examining the impact of a fault at the bulk transmission level in the system during summer peak load conditions. The power system under study has significant amount of air conditioning load. The power system components modeled in detail include both static and dynamic loads at key distribution feeders, over excitation limiters, switchable shunts, STATCOM, and static VAr compensators. The impact of induction motors on voltage stability is studied with the focus on trajectory sensitivity. The concept of trajectory sensitivity index is proposed as a method to identify the location for dynamic VAr support to mitigate the short-term voltage instability problem caused by large disturbances. The comparison of SVCs and STATCOM performance is discussed.
The Energy Content Of Knowledge

This paper explores the implications of a Maxwell’s demon successfully applying a priori knowledge about the motion of particles to a thermodynamic system. The assumption that the knowledge can be recorded symbolically is used to calculate the number of bits required to represent the knowledge needed for placing particles of a gas into a maximum work configuratzon. The amount of work is divided by the number of knowledge encoding bits to derive the average work potential per bit. The quantum mechanics correspondence principle and a conservation of energy analysis are used to argue that each knowledge bit must represent a quantity of energy, and the sum total of the knowledge energy is the quantity of work done by the system.
Acceleration based smart structure (MEMS) control design for aerospace applications

In this paper, a design approach for controlling a composite plate structure subject to aeroelastic loading using piezoelectric actuators and sensors is presented. The nature of the sensing variables is exploited and accommodated in the control design algorithm. The controller is a state estimate based feedback using various measurements related to motion variables such as accelerations, velocities and displacements. Controller designs are based on equivalent first-order state-space baseline design gains that use existing algorithms. The proposed method provides different norms for estimator and controller gains, thereby allowing more flexibility in gain magnitudes and selection of sensors.
Extensions to the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS)

This report describes three extensions to a classification system for paediatric speech sound disorders termed the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS). Part I describes a classification extension to the SDCS to differentiate motor speech disorders from speech delay and to differentiate among three sub-types of motor speech disorders. Part II describes the Madison Speech Assessment Protocol (MSAP), an ∼ 2-hour battery of 25 measures that includes 15 speech tests and tasks. Part III describes the Competence, Precision, and Stability Analytics (CPSA) framework, a current set of ∼ 90 perceptual- and acoustic-based indices of speech, prosody, and voice used to quantify and classify sub-types of Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). A companion paper provides reliability estimates for the perceptual and acoustic data reduction methods used in the SDCS. The agreement estimates in the companion paper support the reliability of SDCS methods and illustrate the complementary roles of perceptual and acoustic methods in diagnostic analyses of SSD of unknown origin. Examples of research using the extensions to the SDCS described in the present report include diagnostic findings for a sample of youth with motor speech disorders associated with galactosemia, and a test of the hypothesis of apraxia of speech in a group of children with autism spectrum disorders. All SDCS methods and reference databases running in the PEPPER (Programs to Examine Phonetic and Phonologic Evaluation Records) environment will be disseminated without cost when complete.
Investigation of Sliding-Surface Design on the Performance of Sliding Mode Controller in Antilock Braking Systems

Sliding mode control (SMC) has widely been employed in the development of a wheel-slip controller because of its effectiveness in applications for nonlinear systems as well as its performance robustness on parametric and modeling uncertainties. The design of a sliding surface strongly influences the overall behavior of the SMC system due to the discontinuous switching of control force in the vicinity of a sliding surface that produces chattering. This paper investigates the effects of sliding-surface design on the performance of an SMC-based antilock braking system (ABS), including a brake-torque limitation, an actuator time delay, and a tire-force buildup. Different sliding-surface designs commonly used in ABS were compared, and an alternative sliding-surface design that improves convergence speed and oscillation damping around the target slip has been proposed. An 8-degree-of-freedom (dof) nonlinear vehicle model was developed for this paper, and the effects of brake-system parameter variations, such as a brake actuator time constant, target slip ratios, an abrupt road friction change, and road friction noises, were also assessed.
Execution Monitoring for a Mobile Robot System

Due to sensor errors, uncertainty, incomplete knowledge, and a dynamic world, robot plans will not always be executed exactly as planned. This paper describes an implemented robot planning system that enhances the traditional sense-think-act cycle in ways that allow the robot system monitor its behavior and react in emergencies in real-time. A proposal on how robot systems can completely break away from the traditional three-step cycle is also made.