cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Paremiology: Charting the temporal, ecological dynamics of proverb use in books, news articles, and tweets.

Proverbs are an essential component of language and culture, and though much attention has been paid to their history and currency, there has been comparatively little quantitative work on changes in the frequency with which they are used over time. With wider availability of large corpora reflecting many diverse genres of documents, it is now possible to take a broad and dynamic view of the importance of the proverb. Here, we measure temporal changes in the relevance of proverbs within three corpora, differing in kind, scale, and time frame: Millions of books over centuries; hundreds of millions of news articles over twenty years; and billions of tweets over a decade. We find that proverbs present heavy-tailed frequency-of-usage rank distributions in each venue; exhibit trends reflecting the cultural dynamics of the eras covered; and have evolved into contemporary forms on social media.
Tunable stiffness enables fast and efficient swimming in fish-like robots

Fish maintain high swimming efficiencies over a wide range of speeds. A key to this achievement is their flexibility, yet even flexible robotic fish trail real fish in terms of performance. Here, we explore how fish leverage tunable flexibility by using their muscles to modulate the stiffness of their tails to achieve efficient swimming. We derived a model that explains how and why tuning stiffness affects performance. We show that to maximize efficiency, muscle tension should scale with swimming speed squared, offering a simple tuning strategy for fish-like robots. Tuning stiffness can double swimming efficiency at tuna-like frequencies and speeds (0 to 6 hertz; 0 to 2 body lengths per second). Energy savings increase with frequency, suggesting that high-frequency fish-like robots have the most to gain from tuning stiffness.
­TREM2-H157Y Increases Soluble TREM2 Production and Reduces Amyloid Pathology

The p.H157Y variant of TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2) has been reported to increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. This mutation in the extracellular domain of TREM2 localizes at the cleavage site, leading to enhanced shedding. Here, we generated a novel Trem2 H157Y knock-in mouse model to investigate how this H157Y mutation impacts TREM2 proteolytic processing, synaptic function, and AD-related amyloid pathology. Consistent with previous in vitro findings, TREM2-H157Y increases the amount of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) in the cortex and serum of mutant mice compared to the wild type controls. Interestingly, the Trem2 H157Y variant enhances synaptic plasticity without affecting microglial density and morphology. In the presence of amyloid pathology, TREM2-H157Y surprisingly accelerates A{beta} clearance and reduces amyloid burden and microgliosis. Taken together, our findings support a beneficial effect of the Trem2 H157Y mutation in synaptic function and in mitigating amyloid pathology. Considering the genetic association of TREM2 p.H157Y with AD, we speculate TREM2-H157Y might increase AD risk through an amyloid-independent pathway, as such its effects on tauopathy and neurodegeneration merit further investigation.
Identifying Gaps in Disease Knowledge among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

INTRODUCTION An individual's understanding of disease risk factors and outcomes is important for the ability to make healthy lifestyle choices and decisions about disease treatment. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition with increasing global prevalence and high risk of adverse patient outcomes. This study seeks to understand the adequacy of disease understanding in patients with PAD. METHODS This was an observational study of patients with PAD recruited from vascular surgery outpatient clinic and PAD clinical studies at a single academic medical center over an 8-month period. A 44-item paper survey assessed demographic and socioeconomic information, knowledge of personal medical history, PAD risk factors, consequences of PAD, and health education preferences. Patients with documented presence of PAD were offered the survey. Patients unable to complete the survey or provide informed consent were not considered eligible. Disease "awareness" was defined as correct acknowledgement of the presence or absence of a disease, including PAD, in the personal medical history. "PAD knowledge score" was the percentage of correct responses to questions on general PAD risk factors and consequences. Of 126 eligible patients, 109 participated. Bivariate analysis was used to study factors associated with awareness of PAD diagnosis. Factors associated with the PAD knowledge score were studied using the Pearson correlation coefficient, two-sample T-test, or one-way ANOVA. P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Mean participant age was 69.4 ± 11.0 years and 39.4% (N=43) were female. Most participants (78.9%; N=86) had critical limb-threatening ischemia. Only 65.4% (N=70) of participants were aware of a diagnosis of PAD, which was less than their awareness of related comorbidities. Factors positively associated with PAD diagnosis awareness were female sex (81.4% vs. 54.7%; P=.004) and history of percutaneous leg revascularization (78.6% vs. 47.9%; p=.001). Among 17 patients who had undergone major leg amputation, 35% (N=6) were unaware of a diagnosis of PAD. PAD knowledge scores correlated positively with an awareness of PAD diagnosis (59.1% vs. 48.7%; P=.02) and negatively with a history of hypertension (53.4% vs. 68.1%; P=.001). Most participants (86.5%; N=90) expressed a desire to be further educated on PAD. The most popular education topics were dietary recommendations, causes, and treatment for PAD. CONCLUSION Patients with PAD have deficits in their awareness of this diagnosis and general knowledge about PAD. Future research priorities should further define these deficits and their causes in order to inform new strategies that foster information-seeking behavior and effective educational programs for PAD.
Synergies and Tradeoffs Among Environmental Impacts Under Conservation Planning of Shale Gas Surface Infrastructure

Hydraulic fracturing and related ground water issues are growing features in public discourse. Few have given much attention to surface impacts from shale gas development, which result from building necessary surface infrastructure. One way to reduce future impacts from gas surface development without radically changing industry practice is by formulating simple, conservation-oriented planning guidelines. We explore how four such guidelines affect the locations of well pads, access roads, and gathering pipelines on state lands in Pennsylvania. Our four guidelines aim to (1) reduce impacts on water, reduce impacts from (2) gathering pipelines and (3) access roads, and (4) reduce impacts on forests. We assessed whether the use of such guidelines accompanies tradeoffs among impacts, and if any guidelines perform better than others at avoiding impacts. We find that impacts are mostly synergistic, such that avoiding one impact will result in avoiding others. However, we found that avoiding forest fragmentation may result in increased impacts on other environmental features. We also found that single simple planning guidelines can be effective in targeted situations, but no one guideline was universally optimal in avoiding all impacts. As such, we suggest that when multiple environmental features are important in an area, more comprehensive planning strategies and tools should be used.
Honeybee Poisoning by Chemicals: Signs, Contributing Factors, Current Problems and Prevention

In 1966 Dr. C. A. Johansen wrote f or Bee World a Digest on bee poisoning, its effects and prevention, with an annotated list of 92 insecticides. Since then, much work has been done in many countries to reduce the hazards of insecticides to bees. In this article Dr. Johansen explains some of the advances, and setbacks. He refers especially to the USA, where the large-scale methods of agriculture and the high degree of mechanization amplify some of the problems. But ignorance is the greatest enemy of all, and many bees are now being killed by insecticides in developing countries where availability of materials has outstripped knowledge about their proper use.
Empathy in a Virtual World

Has our growing intimacy with digital technology thrust us into a modern version of Plato's Cave where, Socrates tells us, prisoners mistook shadows on a wall for for reality? We, of course, are not in chains, and the technology of Socrates' cave with its statues and firelight is primitive compared to our multimedia computers. Still, if he were here today, Socrates might make us uncomfortable with questions about modern life. While we can connect electronically with countless people in novel ways, we reach most of them only at computer's length. Is this growing dependence on virtual interaction actually weakening social bonds? By attending so intently to the flickering images on our computer screens, are we turning our backs on true social life?
Further Evidence on the Capital Structure of REITs

∗∗∗ ∗∗∗ This study examines the determinants of real estate investment trust (REIT) capital structure decisions from 1990 to 2008. Using a broad sample of 2,409 firm-year observations, wefind that asset tangibility is positively related to leverage, whereas profitability and market-to-book ratios are negatively related. Additional evidence suggests that firm debt capacity varies systematically with the unique operating and financing mechanisms employed by REITs. These results are robust across both aggregate firm debt levels and marginal security issuance decisions. Finally, our results provide further insight into competing capital structure theories, generally supporting empirical predictions derived from the market timing and trade-off theories, although failing to support pecking order theory predictions. Capital structure theorists have long debated both the relative merits of the use of debt and equity to finance a firm’s operations, as well as the distortions the use of borrowed money introduces into the firm’s investment policies. Historically, the optimal capital structure has been viewed as that mix of debt and equity claims which optimizes the trade-off between the tax-advantaged nature of debt financing and the associated increase in the potential costs of financialdistress.Atthesametime,theinvestmentdistortionsincludeproblems of underinvestment and asset substitution. More recently, the focus of these discussions has broadened to include alternative explanations of firm leverage decisions, such as the pecking order theory and market timing hypothesis. Interestingly, most empirical studies exploring these relationships explicitly exclude real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other regulated firms from their analyses. Although valid reasons exist to justify (and perhaps necessitate) this exclusion, with a market capitalization that topped $438 billion by the end of 2006, a closer investigation and better understanding of the capital
Cell-Type Specific Penetrating Peptides: Therapeutic Promises and Challenges

Cell penetrating peptides (CPP), also known as protein transduction domains (PTD), are small peptides able to carry peptides, proteins, nucleic acid, and nanoparticles, including viral particles, across the cellular membranes into cells, resulting in internalization of the intact cargo. In general, CPPs can be broadly classified into tissue-specific and non-tissue specific peptides, with the latter further sub-divided into three types: (1) cationic peptides of 6-12 amino acids in length comprised predominantly of arginine, lysine and/or ornithine residues; (2) hydrophobic peptides such as leader sequences of secreted growth factors or cytokines; and (3) amphipathic peptides obtained by linking hydrophobic peptides to nuclear localizing signals. Tissue-specific peptides are usually identified by screening of large peptide phage display libraries. These transduction peptides have the potential for a myriad of diagnostic as well as therapeutic applications, ranging from delivery of fluorescent or radioactive compounds for imaging, to delivery of peptides and proteins of therapeutic potential, and improving uptake of DNA, RNA, siRNA and even viral particles. Here we review the potential applications as well as hurdles to the tremendous potential of these CPPs, in particular the cell-type specific peptides.
Heuristics for debt management: an empirical study

Six heuristics for allocating funds are evaluated using a well-established utility function and are compared to an optimal allocation rule. The first three heuristic rules prioritize on single system parameters: growth rate, initial state, and periodic demand, respectively. The latter three rules prioritize on multiplicative combinations of these parameters. System behavior under these rules is simulated for five discrete distributions of growth rates, four termination periods, and three initial reservoir volumes. The rules are evaluated on accuracy and effort. The results show that rules including growth rate in their calculations perform within 80%, others within 60% of the optimal solution with substantially less effort.
Cerebral herniation associated with central venous catheter insertion: Risk assessment

Abstract Purpose Central venous catheters (CVCs) are often necessary to treat acute brain-injured patients. Four cases of cerebral herniation immediately following central venous catheterization were the impetus for an investigation of clinical and radiologic parameters associated with this complication. Materials and Methods This is a case series of 4 consecutive patients who experienced clinical cerebral herniation immediately following CVC placement in Trendelenburg or supine position. Clinical and computed tomography imaging findings were reviewed. Results All 4 patients developed new-onset clinical signs of cerebral herniation (unilateral or fixed dilated pupil and Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS], 3) within 30 minutes of the procedure. All had radiographic signs of Sylvian fissure and/or basal cistern effacement on the preceding computed tomographic scan secondary to unilateral or bilateral mass lesions. Preprocedure GCS was 8 or more in all cases. Herniation was medically reversed in 3 of 4 patients, and 1 patient died of progressive brainstem ischemia. Conclusions Trendelenburg and even flat position during CVC placement can increase intracranial pressure leading to cerebral herniation in patients with significant intracranial mass effect. Careful review of neuroimaging for signs of impending herniation before inserting CVCs and choosing an alternative treatment plan in these cases may avoid this potentially underreported complication.
The 5'-exonuclease activity of bacteriophage T4 RNase H is stimulated by the T4 gene 32 single-stranded DNA-binding protein, but its flap endonuclease is inhibited.

Abstract Bacteriophage T4 RNase H is a 5′- to 3′-nuclease that has exonuclease activity on RNA·DNA and DNA·DNA duplexes and can remove the pentamer RNA primers made by the T4 primase-helicase (Hollingsworth, H. C., and Nossal, N. G. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 1888–1897; Hobbs, L. J., and Nossal, N. G. (1996)J. Bacteriol. 178, 6772–6777). Here we show that this exonuclease degrades duplex DNA nonprocessively, releasing a single oligonucleotide (nucleotides 1–4) with each interaction with the substrate. Degradation continues nonprocessively until the enzyme stops 8–11 nucleotides from the 3′-end of the substrate. T4 gene 32 single-stranded DNA-binding protein strongly stimulates the exonuclease activity of T4 RNase H, converting it into a processive nuclease that removes multiple short oligonucleotides with a combined length of 10–50 nucleotides each time it binds to the duplex substrate. 32 protein must bind on single-stranded DNA behind T4 RNase H for processive degradation. T4 RNase H also has a flap endonuclease activity that cuts preferentially on either side of the junction between single- and double-stranded DNA in flap and fork DNA structures. In contrast to the exonuclease, the endonuclease is inhibited completely by 32 protein binding to the single strand of the flap substrate. These results suggest an important role for T4 32 protein in controlling T4 RNase H degradation of RNA primers and adjacent DNA during each lagging strand cycle.
Collective behavior in out-of-equilibrium colloidal suspensions

Abstract Colloidal suspensions, heterogeneous fluids containing solid microscopic particles, play an important role in our everyday life, from food and pharmaceutical industries to medicine and nanotechnology. Colloidal suspensions can be divided in two major classes: equilibrium, and active, i.e. maintained out of thermodynamic equilibrium by external electric or magnetic fields, light, chemical reactions, or hydrodynamic shear flow. While the properties of equilibrium colloidal suspensions are fairly well understood, out-of-equilibrium colloids pose a formidable challenge and the research is in its early exploratory stage. The possibility of dynamic self-assembly, a natural tendency of simple building blocks to organize into complex functional architectures, is one of the most remarkable properties of out-of-equilibrium colloids. Examples range from tunable, self-healing colloidal crystals and membranes to self-assembled microswimmers and robots. In contrast to their equilibrium counterparts, out-of-equilibrium colloidal suspensions may exhibit novel material properties, e.g. reduced viscosity, enhanced self-diffusivity, etc. This work reviews recent developments in the field of self-assembly and collective behavior of out-of-equilibrium colloids, with the focus on the fundamental physical mechanisms.
PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF THE MUCUS OF EUGLENA GRACILIS (EUGLENOPHYCEAE)1

Anionic groups were demonstrated in the mucus of Euglena gracilis Klebs var. bacillaris Cori by histochemical staining with alcian blue or diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride and were quantified during the growth cycle with an alcian blue dye-binding assay. Mucus in the culture increased during growth and became high when the culture entered the stationary phase. Cultures were grown under conditions which uniformly labeled all sulfur containing compounds with 35S. A purification scheme was devised using 0.15 M NaCl and 0.10 M EDTA at pH 8 (Marmur's solution) to separate the mucus from the cells without cell breakage. The isolated purified mucus was fractionated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 100° C into soluble and insoluble components. The soluble fraction was separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis into 18 polypeptide bands ranging from 22 to 320 kdaltons that stained with Coomassie blue; 16 of these bands also stained for carbohydrates using periodic acid-Schiffs reagent, indicating their glycoprotein nature. On hydrolysis, the SDS soluble fraction yielded xylose, fucose, rhamnose, and hexose. The SDS insoluble fraction contained no 35S label, and, therefore, presumably no protein or bound sulfate; this gelatinous material does not contain the same sugar residues as the glycoproteins in the SDS soluble fraction. Its staining properties with alcian blue and its resistance to hydrolysis suggested the presence of uronic acids. Comparison with other Euglena fractions showed that bands comigrating with the mucus glycoproteins were not detectable in the fractions containing the whole cells or the culture medium. Although the mucus of Euglena yielded appreciable sulfate during mild acid treatment, most if not all of this sulfate appears to have come from the oxidation of reduced sulfur rather than from the hydrolysis of covalently bound sulfate. An infrared spectrum of the mucus showed only minor peaks in the correct regions for the S-O linkage. Thus, the mucus of Euglena is composed of glycoproteins and polysaccharides which contain little or no ester sulfate.
Sleep patterns of five rodent species

Abstract Electrographic and behavioral observations were made on five rodent species under controlled conditions. These were: Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Mesocricetus auratus, Citellus tridecemlineatus and Chinchilla laniger . Normative values for sleep characteristics of the five species were derived from 48 hr recording periods. Analysis of sleep pattern characteristics showed: (1) well defined stages of slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep in all animals; (2) sleep occupied from 52–60 per cent of each day for the different species; (3) different species differed in percentage of paradoxical sleep ranging from 10 per cent for the mouse to 24 per cent for hamsters and ground squirrels; (4) hibernators slept in significantly longer periods, had higher percentages of paradoxical sleep and slightly higher percentages of total sleep time. Hibernators also seemed to sleep more deeply than non-hibernators.
HUMAN T CELLS BIND AUTOLOGOUS AND HOMOLOGOUS HUMAN RED CELLS

While binding of sheep erythrocytes is an established property of human T cells, T cell binding of human erythrocytes has not been well documented. We now report that, in a manner similar to binding of sheep erythrocytes, under appropriate temperature conditions, human T cells bind human autologous and homologous erythrocytes. When human lymphocytes or thymocytes were incubated with human red cells in ice for 30-90 min., resuspended, and examined at 4°, the percentages of rosettes formed were as follows: adult peripheral blood lymphocytes 9±4%; cord blood lymphocytes 9±6%; malignant T-lymphoblast cell lines 5%; thymocytes 22±10%. Only viable lymphocytes formed rosettes. Binding of human erythrocytes did not occur after lymphocyte suspensions were depleted of T cells, nor after treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of antithymocyte serum, trypsin or sodium azide. At 22°, or when vigorously agitated, rosettes rapidly fell apart. Similar numbers of rosettes formed with either autologous or homologous human erythrocytes. The binding of autologous and homologous, as well as heterologous erythrocytes, in addition to being a convenient T cell marker, supports the concept that T cells have a general affinity for surface components of other cells.
Natural Occurrence of 2′-Phospho–Cyclic ADP Ribose in Mammalian Tissues

Abstract 2′-Phospho-cyclic ADP-ribose (P-cADPR) is a newly identified Ca2+-mobilizing agent derived from NADP that stimulates intracellular Ca2+release by a mechanism distinct from inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate. In this report, we show that P-cADPR is an endogenous metabolite in bovine tissues with basal levels ranging from 17.6 to 89.5 fmol/mg protein. The natural occurrence of this Ca2+-mobilizing nucleotide provides a potential link between NADP(H) metabolism and regulation of Ca2+homeostasis.
Calcium response to erythropoietin in erythroleukemia cells

Erythroleukemic mouse spleen cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at three fluorescence wavelengths, two emissions for the calcium indicator indo 1 and immunofluorescence with an antiserum directed against murine leukemia retrovirus antigen. The antigen-positive subpopulation of cells responded to EPO by transiently changing indo 1 fluorescence emissions, indicating a change in cytoplasmic calcium concentration. EGTA blocked the EPO response, suggesting that Ca2+ influx may have followed EPO exposure in these cells. Antigen-negative cells showed no Ca2+ response to EPO. Infected mice all contained antigen-positive spleen cells, but, as measured by changes in indo 1 fluorescence, these subpopulations varied in their ability to respond to EPO.
FT-IR-based ellipsometer using high-quality Brewster-angle polarizers

A Fourier transform IR spectrometer-based broadband IR ellipsometer has been developed around a pair of high- quality Brewster angle polarizers. These polarizers consist of four Ge plates in a chevron geometry and have been measured to have extinction ratios of less than 10-5 in the IR spectral region. The ellipsometer can be used in transmission or reflection mode for angles of incidence of 100 to near grazing. We describe the design and construction of the ellipsometer and initial testing of the system using measurements on Si wafers from 2 micrometers to 12 micrometers wavelength. 5© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cheater-resistance is not futile

Cooperative social systems are susceptible to cheating by individuals that reap the benefits of cooperation without incurring the costs. There are various theoretical mechanisms for the repression of cheating and many have been tested experimentally. One possibility that has not been tested rigorously is the evolution of mutations that confer resistance to cheating. Here we show that the presence of a cheater in a population of randomly mutated social amoebae can select for cheater-resistance. Furthermore, we show that this cheater-resistance can be a noble strategy because the resister strain does not necessarily exploit other strains. Thus, the evolution of resisters may be instrumental in preserving cooperative behaviour in the face of cheating.
Perturbational solution for quasi-axial propagation in a piezoelectric, continuously twisted, structurally chiral medium

Abstract A simple formula is provided for quasi-axial propagation in a so-called piezoelectric, continuously twisted, structurally chiral medium (PCTSCM), which is a reciprocal medium whose constitutive properties vary helicoidally along its axis of spirality.
Modeling Clinical Outcome of Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Objectives. Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) have variable developmental outcomes, for reasons that are not entirely clear. The objective of this study was to test the clinical observation that initial developmental parameters (degree of atypicality and level of intelligence) are a major predictor of outcome in children with ASD and to develop a statistical method for modeling outcome on the basis of these parameters. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted of a child development program at a tertiary center for the evaluation of children with developmental disabilities. All children who had ASD, were seen by J.C. between July 1997 and December 2002, met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for autism or pervasive developmental disorder (referred to hereafter as ASD), had undergone at least 1 administration of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and had at least 1 determination of developmental quotient (DQ) or IQ (N = 91) were studied. The sample was 92.3% male and 80.2% white. Methods. The DSM-IV was used to confirm that each patient met criteria for a diagnosis of autism or pervasive developmental disorder. The CARS was used to quantify the severity of expression of ASD. Age at evaluation, CARS score, and DQ or IQ at each visit were extracted from the medical record. The 2 independent sample t test or the Mann-Whitney test was used for comparing CARS and age between 2 groups: first recorded DQ or IQ Results. All patients met DSM-IV criteria for ASD. Mean age at initial evaluation was 46.2 months (SD: 23.7; range: 20.0–167.3 months). Mean CARS score at initial evaluation was 36.1 (SD: 6.3; range: 21.5–48). Mean DQ or IQ at initial evaluation was 0.65 (SD: 0.20; range: 0.16–1.10). There was no significant difference in socioeconomic status between DQ/IQ groups. CARS scores among children with an initial DQ or IQ Conclusions. These data provide preliminary validation of a statistical model for clinical outcome of ASD on the basis of 3 parameters: age, degree of atypicality, and level of intelligence. This model, if replicated in a prospective, population-based sample that is controlled for treatment modalities, will enhance our ability to offer a prognosis for the child with ASD and will provide a benchmark against which to judge the putative benefits of various treatments for ASD. Our model may also be useful in etiologic and epidemiologic studies of ASD, because different causes of ASD are likely to follow different developmental trajectories along these 3 parameters.
A comparison of the effects of majority vote and a decision-based velocity ramp on real-time pattern recognition control

Movement misclassifications often occur during real-time pattern recognition control. Majority vote and a decision-based velocity ramp are two different post-processing methods that have been suggested to improve real-time control. With majority vote, spurious misclassifications are removed at the expense of an additional controller delay. With a decision-based velocity ramp, the effect of misclassifications is minimized by attenuating movement speed following a change in decision from the classifier. The goal of the study was to determine which, if any, post-processing method improved real-time control above a baseline condition that did not involve post-processing. Five non-amputee subjects controlled a virtual prosthesis in real time using pattern recognition. While performing a challenging target achievement test in a virtual environment, subjects had significantly higher completion rates (p 0.6). The benefits of removing misclassifications through majority vote may be offset by the added controller delay. These results highlight the need for real-time performance measures, as methods that have been shown to reduce errors during offline analysis may not improve real-time control.
H ∞ optimal compensators for a class of infinite dimensional systems

We study the computation of the H∞ optimal weighted pure sensitivity for a class of infinite dimensional systems by characterizing certain wandering sub-spaces of a related Kre?n space. The new characterization can be used to obtain explicit bases for the wandering sub-space. Explicit formulas for the optimal sensitivity can be obtained from these bases. The new characterization can also be used to obtain fast algorithms for computing the H∞ optimal performance. Some results for delay systems are generalized in an example.
Fast median filtering algorithms for mesh computers

Two fast algorithms for median filtering of images using parallel computers having 2-D mesh interconnections are given. Both algorithms assume that an n x n image is loaded onto the mesh with one processing element per pixel. One algorithm performs median filtering over d x d neighborhoods in O(d^2) time and works with pixel values in an arbitrarily large range. This algorithm, while theoretically suboptimal, achieves a lower constant than a previously published asymptotically-optimal algorithm and is simpler to program. The second algorithm assumes that the range of pixel values is limited and relatively small, and it accomplishes median filtering in O(d) time.
Flocculation model of cohesive sediment using variable fractal dimension

A new flocculation model using variable fractal dimension is proposed and validated with several experimental data and an existing model. The proposed model consists of two processes: aggregation and breakup due to flow turbulence. For aggregation process, the aggregate structure is considered to have the characteristic of self-similarity, the main concept of fractal theory. Under this assumption, a variable fractal dimension instead of a fixed one adopted by previous studies is utilized here for general cohesive sediment transport. For breakup, similar concept is adopted in a more empirical manner because breakup is too abrupt to entirely apply the concept of variable fractal dimension. By a linear combination of the formulations for aggregation and breakup processes, a flocculation model which can describe the temporal evolution of floc size is obtained. Flocculation model using variable fractal dimension is capable of predicting equilibrium floc size when compared with several experimental data sets using different types of mud provided that empirical coefficients are calibrated. Through model-data comparison with Manning and Dyer (Marine Geology 160:147–170, 1999), it is also clear that some of the empirical coefficients may depend on sediment concentration. Model results for the temporal evolution of floc size are less satisfactory, despite model results shows a more smooth “S-curve” for the temporal evolution of floc size as compared with the previous model using fixed fractal dimension. The proposed model is limited to mono-size of primary particle and dilute flow condition. These other features shall be investigated as future work.
Design level variability analysis and parametric yield improvement methodology

With the transition to the 32/28 nm platform parameter variations of device and circuit parameters are becoming increasingly important for performance, reliability and yield. Based on a sensitivity analysis, the paper compares the impact of lithography and CMP on circuit parameter variations. Coupling capacitances that can be described by geometrical parameters such as line width and thickness impact signal delay, crosstalk noise and power consumption. Variations of these capacitances thus contribute significantly to parametric yield loss. Based on field solver simulations the most critical devices and interconnections can be identified, providing valuable input during the chip design cycle.
Secondary tics and tourettism

Motor and phonic tics are most frequently due to Tourette syndrome, but there are many other causes of tics. We analyzed data on 155 patients with tics and co-existent disorders (101M/54F; mean age 40.5 ± 20.2 years). Fourteen (9.0%) patients had tics associated with an insult to the basal ganglia, such as head trauma (N = 4, 2.5%), stroke (N = 2, 1.2%), encephalitis (N = 3, 1.9%) and other causes. In addition, certain drugs, toxins, and post-infectious causes were associated with tics. Rarely, peripheral injury can cause movement disorders, including tics (N = 1, 0.6%). Pervasive developmental disorders, including Asperger's syndrome (N = 13, 8.3%), mental retardation (N = 4, 2.5%), autism (N = 3, 1.9%), and Savant's syndrome (N = 1, 0.6%), also may be associated with tics, as noted in 21 of the 155 patients (13.5%). Genetic and chromosomal disorders, such as Down's syndrome 5 (3.2%), neuroacanthocytosis (N = 2, 1.2%), and Huntington's disease (N = 1, 0.6%), were associated with tics in 16 patients (10.3%). We have also examined the co-existence of tics and other movement disorders such as dystonia (N = 31, 20.0%) and essential tremor (N = 17, 10.9%). Sixteen (10.3%) patients presented psychogenic tics, and one (0.6%) psychogenic tics and dystonia; conversely, Tourette syndrome preceded the onset of psychogenic dystonia (N = 1, 0.6%), and psychogenic tremor (N = 1, 0.6%) in two patients. Finally, 12 (7.7%) patients had tics in association with non-movement related neurological disorders, such as static encephalopathy (N = 2, 1.2%) and seizures (N = 3, 1.9%). To understand the physiopathology of tics and Tourette syndrome, it is important to recognize that these may be caused or associated with other disorders.
Tritium Retention and Permeation Through Aluminum APT Tubes

Abstract Tritium retention in the walls of the He-3 tubes caused by energetic 3 He(n,p) 3 H triton flux is examined by accelerator-based implantation experiments. Retention, measured by post-implantation thermodesorption, is separated into a mobile, permeating and a trapped, near-surface concentration. The mobile fraction is observed to saturate at about 10appm, while the trapped fraction increases linearly with fluence with a retention fraction of 30% until surface blistering occurs. The consequences of this tritium permeation and inventory to APT and potential methods to reduce these quantities are discussed. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Child abuse is related to inflammation in mid-life women: Role of obesity

Abstract Objective Elevated inflammation biomarkers are associated with incident cardiovascular disease. Several studies suggest that childhood abuse may be associated with inflammation later in life. This study examined whether childhood abuse predicted elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and whether the association was due to body size. Methods Participants were 326 (104 Black, 222 White) women from the Pittsburgh site of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). SWAN included a baseline assessment of pre-menopausal or early peri-menopausal women in mid-life (mean age = 45.7), and CRP, depressive symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and other covariates were measured over 7 annual follow-up visits. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, a standardized measure that retrospectively assesses abuse and neglect in childhood and adolescence, was administered at year 8 or 9 of follow-up. Results Approximately 37% of the participants reported a history of abuse or neglect. Generalized estimating equations showed that sexual and emotional abuse, emotional and physical neglect, and the total number of types of abuse were associated with higher CRP levels over 7 years, adjusting for race, age, education, smoking status, use of hormone therapy, depressive symptoms, occurrence of heart attack or stroke, and medications for hypertension. The coefficients for indirect effects for emotional and sexual abuse, physical neglect, and total number of types of abuse on CRP levels through BMI were significant. A history of emotional abuse and neglect was related to percent change in CRP over the 7 years but not through percent change in BMI over the 7 years. Conclusion A history of childhood abuse and neglect retrospectively reported is related to overall elevated inflammation in mid-life women, perhaps through obesity. A history of some types of abuse and neglect (emotional) may be related to change in inflammation, independent of simultaneously measured change in BMI.
How Will Reforms of Marital Institutions Influence Marital Commitment? A Theoretical Analysis

Many recently policy proposals are intended to alter the incentives to establish or terminate family relationships, often with the goal of encouraging marriage. This paper develops a model of family structure decisions and uses it to argue that some such reforms may actually have the opposite effect. A pro-marriage reform raises both the value of marrying one’s current partner and the value of search. When the latter effect dominates, singles are less likely to form a match, and couples are more likely to separate and optimally make fewer commitments to their relationships.
Effect of quinidine on differing sensitivities of Purkinje fibers and myocardium to inhibition of monovalent cation transport by digitalis in dogs

Abstract Studies have implicated quinidine in increasing serum digoxin levels, resulting in serious arrhythmias. Arrhythmias caused by digitalis intoxication are thought to originate in Purkinje fibers. Thus, the extent of inhibition of monovalent cation-active transport in Purkinje fibers and myocardium may explain the enhanced toxicity of the combined administration of digoxin and quinidine. Monovalent cation transport was assessed by measuring the uptake of the potassium analog rubidium in samples of myocardium and Purkinje fibers after in vitro exposure to ouabain and after long-term administration of digoxin and quinidine or digoxin alone. A group of dogs received chronic digoxin administration and achieved a steady-stage digoxin level of 2.1 ± 0.3 ng/ml. Quinidine administered intravenously caused a 134% increase in the serum digoxin level. The transport in myocardium was unchanged, while it was reduced to 40% of control levels in Purkinje fibers. The difference in sensitivity between Purkinje fibers and myocardium may explain the finding that digitalis-toxic arrhythmias arise in Purkinje fibers and that quinidine, when combined with digitalis, increases the incidence of such arrhythmias.
Analysis of Pyroelectric Figures of Merit by Using Off Polar Axis Cut Crystals

Crystal cutting angles are critical for the pyroelectric device fabrication and performance optimization. In this report, we evaluated two pyroelectric figures of merit, p/ϵ and p/√ϵ, in all directions in space and suggested the crystallographic rotating angles having potential to maximize the effect. The polarization directions of the secondary pyroelectric effects are also evaluated for several crystal systems. It appears that the directions of the secondary pyroelectric effect, coupled through the piezoelectric, thermal expansion and elastic stiffness effect, follow those of the primary and thus the total pyroelectric effect in various crystallographic polar groups. Selected materials of interest with reported properties are examined and shown improvements of pyroelectric figure of merit p/ϵ by off polar axis cutting. The pyroelectric figures of merit of a specific material, TGS, are calculated with respect to its crystal orientation. The results show an appreciate improvement of pyroelectric figure of...
Impact of antepartum anemia on the development of chorioamnionitis at term.

Objective The aim of this study is to assess the association of antepartum anemia with chorioamnionitis at term. Study Design This is a case control study of women with and without chorioamnionitis who delivered following spontaneous or induced labor at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Cases had both intrapartum fever ≥ 38°C and histologic chorioamnionitis. Controls were afebrile and matched by physician practice group. Anemia was defined by CDC guidelines as hemoglobin Results A total of 101 cases and 197 controls were identified. The prevalence of anemia at the second and third trimester complete blood count (CBC) was significantly higher in the chorioamnionitis group (p = 0.02). This association persisted after multiple logistic regression controlling for known clinical risk factors (adjusted odds ratios, 2.47; range, 1.24–4.94). Conclusion Anemia at the time of the second and third trimester CBC was more prevalent among women who developed chorioamnionitis at term. Antepartum anemia may be a modifiable risk factor in the prevention of chorioamnionitis at term.
Numerical simulation of flow field and heat transfer of streamlined cylinders in cross flow

The drag and convective heat transfer coefficients along the outer surface of lenticular and elliptical tubes with minor-to-major axis ratios of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8 were determined numerically for cross-flow Reynolds numbers from 500 to 10 4 . The two-dimensional, unsteady Navier-Stokes equations and energy equation were solved using the finite volume method. Laminar flow was assumed from the front stagnation point up to the point of separation. Turbulent flow in the wake was resolved using the shear stress transport k-w model. Local heat transfer, pressure and friction coefficients as well as the total drag coefficient and average Nusselt number are presented. The results for streamlined tubes are compared to published data for circular and elliptical cylinders. Drag of the elliptical and lenticular cylinders is similar and lower than a circular cylinder. Drag can be reduced by making the streamlined cylinders more slender. Drag is relatively insensitive to Reynolds number over the range studied. An elliptical cylinder with an axis ratio equal to 0.5 reduces pressure drop by 30-40% compared to that of a circular cylinder. The Nusselt numbers of lenticular and elliptical cylinders are comparable. The average Nusselt number of an elliptical or lenticular cylinder with axis ratio of 0.5 and 0.3 is 15-35% lower than that of a circular cylinder.
Green Production of Hydrogen from Excess Biosolids Originating from Municipal Waste Water Treatment

Abstract Technical and economic aspects of equivalent hydrogen (moles of H2+moles of CO potentially converted to H2) production from biosolids produced in wastewater treatment are evaluated in this paper. ASPEN+ simulation of the gasification of biosolids and coal provides the basis for the analysis of the technical performance of a gasification process. The General Electric (GE, formerly Texaco) Gasifier was chosen for the study. The solids are assumed to be slurried as 50 wt% or 70 wt% solids (typical and maximum attainable) as feed streams for the gasifier with water. In this study, the incremental raw material costs (feed+oxygen) for gasification plants producing the same annual quantity of H2 from coal and/or biosolids are compared. It may be seen that under the conditions of this study, the estimated cost of H2 production may be significantly reduced when biosolids are included in the feed materials to gasification, but only when the avoided disposal costs of the biosolids are considered.
Natural Populations of Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Contain Variant Precore and Core Sequences Including a Premature Stop Codon in the Epsilon Motif

Abstract We have determined a consensus sequence and the type and the frequency of spontaneous sequence variations in the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) precore gene and the 5′ region of the core gene in 101 serum samples from 53 naturally WHV-infected woodchucks by polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Twenty of the 53 woodchucks were found to have variant sequences. Ten patterns of variant sequences were identified in these 20 animals. WHV sequences from 4 woodchucks had 1 nucleotide change, 3 had 2 nucleotide changes and 3 had 3 nucleotide changes. The nucleotide changes were not randomly distributed, but were limited to only 8 sites. Four sites were in the epsilon motif of the precore gene and four were in the 5′ region of the core gene. Sixteen of the 53 (30%) woodchucks had precore sequence variants. All altered sites were analogous to previously described mutations in hepatitis B virus. There was a nucleotide change at nucleotide 2016 in codon 29 of the precore region that produced a stop codon in 4 animals. This site is analogous to a common hepatitis B virus e antigen mutation. The sequence from the initial blood samples from 3 of 4 animals with this stop codon producing variant appeared to be the consensus sequence; however, in later samples the variant occurred as a mixed infection with the consensus sequence. The mixed infections were chronic and the proportion of the variant sequence was maintained or increased in the course of infection. In the fourth animal only the variant was found and it persisted for over 14 months of infection. WHV appears to be a valuable model for the study of the structure and function of the hepadnavirus precore region.
Melatonin in the oral cavity: physiological and pathological implications

Background and Objectives The purpose of this article was to summarize what is known about the function of melatonin in the oral cavity. Material and Methods Databases were searched for the relevant published literature to 30 November, 2013. The following search items were used in various combinations: melatonin, gingiva, periodontium, inflammation, herpes, alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, dental implants, xerostomia, methacrylate, chlorhexidine, cancer. The literature uncovered is summarized herein. Results Salivary melatonin levels exhibit a circadian rhythm with highest values at night. Melatonin has both receptor-mediated and receptor-independent actions in cells of the oral cavity. Melatonin is released into the saliva by the acinar cells of the major salivary glands and via the gingival fluid. Functions of melatonin in the oral cavity are likely to relate primarily to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. These actions may suppress inflammation of the gingiva and periodontium, reduce alveolar bone loss, abrogate herpes lesions, enhance osteointegration of dental implants, limit oral cancer, and suppress disorders that have a free radical component. Sublingual melatonin tablets or oral melatonin sprays and topical melatonin-containing gel, if used on a regular basis, may improve overall oral health and reduce mucosal lesions. Conclusion Collectively, the results indicate that endogenously-produced and exogenously-applied melatonin are beneficial to the oral cavity.