cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NT-PROBNP AND HSTNT IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PREDICTION IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS, CHRONIC KIDNEY OR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE OR BOTH

Although patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, the factors associated with risk are unclear. We examined the predictors of CV mortality and morbidity in a high risk population with T2DM (history of chronic kidney or CV disease or both) in the Aliskiren
Optimization of low-pressure nitridation/reoxidation of SiO/sub 2/ for scaled MOS devices

The effect of 950 degrees C low-pressure (0.01- or 0.1-atm) nitridation and low-pressure reoxidation on the electrical properties of thin (12-nm) silicon dioxide films for scaled MOS devices was studied. Turnarounds in fixed positive charge, interface state density, electron trapping, and interface state generation under electrical stress were observed with increasing nitridation. Compare to atmospheric nitridations, the turnarounds occur more gradually in the case of low-pressure nitridation. Low-pressure nitrides oxides also differ from atmospheric nitrided oxides in that a suppression of interface state generation is not normally seen. However, low-pressure nitridation and subsequent reoxidation greatly improves reliability. These attributes in the preturnaround regime of the low-pressure nitridation/reoxidation process were used to optimise the electrical properties of the dielectric. >
Destination-based congestion awareness for adaptive routing in 2D mesh networks

The choice of routing algorithm plays a vital role in the performance of on-chip interconnection networks. Adaptive routing is appealing because it offers better latency and throughput than oblivious routing, especially under nonuniform and bursty traffic. The performance of an adaptive routing algorithm is determined by its ability to accurately estimate congestion in the network. In this regard, maintaining global congestion state using a separate monitoring network offers better congestion visibility into distant parts of the network compared to solutions relying only on local congestion. However, the main challenge in designing such routing schemes is to keep the logic and bandwidth overhead as low as possible to fit into the tight power, area, and delay budgets of on-chip routers. In this article, we propose a minimal destination-based adaptive routing strategy (DAR), where every node estimates the delay to every other node in the network, and routing decisions are based on these per-destination delay estimates. DAR outperforms Regional Congestion Awareness (RCA), the best previously known adaptive routing algorithm that uses nonlocal congestion state. The performance improvement is brought about by maintaining fine-grained per-destination delay estimates in DAR that are more accurate than regional congestion metrics measured in RCA. The increased accuracy is a consequence of the fact that the per-destination delay estimates are not corrupted by congestion on links outside the admissible routing paths to the destination. A scalable version of DAR, referred to as SDAR, is also proposed for minimizing the overheads associated with DAR in large network topologies. We show that DAR outperforms local adaptive routing by up to 79p and RCA by up to 58p in terms of latency on SPLASH-2 benchmarks. DAR and SDAR also outperform existing adaptive and oblivious routing algorithms in latency and throughput under synthetic traffic patterns on 8×8 and 16times;16 mesh topologies, respectively.
Supersymmetric Tensor Gauge Theories

The supersymmetric extensions of anti-symmetric tensor gauge theories and their associated tensor gauge symmetry transformations are constructed. The classical equivalence between such supersymmetric tensor gauge theories and supersymmetric non-linear sigma models is established. The global symmetry of the supersymmetric tensor gauge theory is gauged and the locally invariant action is obtained. The supercurrent on the Kahler manifold is found in terms of the supersymmetric tensor gauge field.
Clusters, Agglomeration, and Economic Development Potential: Empirical Evidence Based on the Advent of Slab Casting by U.S. Steel Minimills

Ten new steel plants were constructed in the United States from 1989 to 2001, each taking advantage of new steel slab casting technologies that gave scrap-based minimills access to the flat-product...
Fracture analysis of facesheets in sandwich composites

There exist two fracture mechanisms in facesheets of sandwich composites consisting of the 08 and 908 plies, namely crack growth and crack blocking. The former is undesired since it may lead to failure of facesheets and even the core in sandwich composites. A shear-lag model is developed in this article and it gives a simple criterion governing these two mechanisms. It is established that, for a given ratio Et=Ef of the elastic moduli in the transverse and fiber directions, there exists a critical facesheet thickness above which crack blocking is achieved and crack growth is prevented. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Online parameter estimation of PMDC motors using quantized output observations

Obtaining the dynamic behavior of permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motors during operation is of essential importance for control adaptation, condition monitoring, and diagnosis. Quantized observations stem from either using low-cost sensors or using communication channels in remote control applications. In this paper, new estimation algorithms are developed to identify the motor speed and estimate the model parameters of PMDC motors using quantized output observations. This technique provides accurate estimation with lower costs on sensors or reduced communication resources. To validate the proposed estimator, periodic input dithers are used, and estimator accuracy and performance are demonstrated by simulation.
Conceptual architecture of an object library for design, control and simulation of a manufacturing enterprise

Abstract The object-oriented paradigm facilitates the creation of software objects which can be easily modified, extended, specialized and readily reused across applications. This concept is gaining wide acceptance in the design, control and simulation of manufacturing systems. Object-oriented concepts can be used to design and implement a software object library, the components of which can be easily assebled to develop decision support tools for use throughout the life cycle of a manufacturing enterprise. This paper presents a methodology for developing architectures of a reusable library, and includes an example of a browser to illustrate a mechanism for organizing the storage and location of objects in the library.
Emotion and Personality: Introduction to the Special Symposium

The purpose of this special symposium is to showcase the area of personality and emotion and to give Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin readers some sense of the breadth of issues in this area. Three broad themes organize this collection of articles: (a) a concern with taxonomy, definition, categorizations, and assessment of major theoretical constructs; (b) an approach to testing theories of emotion by employing individual differences; and (c) the modification or refocusing of traditional personality theories by incorporating modern knowledge of emotion.
Stability and stabilizability of stochastic evolution equations on Hilbert spaces

The stochastic evolution equations in Hilbert space with state- and control-dependent noise are dealt with. For linear stochastic evolution equations with state-dependent noise, the necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic mean-square stability are discussed. For linear and Lure-type non-linear stochastic evolution equations with state- and control-dependent noise, the conditions are derived for which there exists a feedback control law such that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable in a mean-square sense. Attention is also paid to the case in which there is only state-dependent noise or only control-dependent noise and to the case in which the noise intensity is arbitrarily large.
Structure and properties of rapidly solidified magnesium-silicon alloys☆

Magnesium-silicon alloys of both hypoeutectic and hypereutectic compositions were rapidly solidified using laser surface melting and melt spinning. The microstructure observed may be interpreted on the basis of the degree of undercooling prior to nucleation, and the asymmetric field of coupled growth below the eutectic temperature. Three types of microstructures were observed: cellular (dendritic) based on primary magnesium, a refined coupled eutectic, and a refined dendritic structure based on primary Mg2Si. The thermal stability of these various microstructures was assessed. The formation of a coupled eutectic microstructure in the melt pool of laser surface melted material may indicate kinetic undercooling effects.
Separation of multiple forms of protein-bound metabolites of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons 3-methylcholanthrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene from several rodent species.

Abstract Our findings demonstrate that the carcinogenic hydrocarbons 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA) bind in multiple forms to the proteins of skin and lung tissue. These metabolites are freed from the proteins by treatment with Raney nickel, thus, the metabolites are most likely bound through cysteine or homocysteine. The numbers and the relative quantities of the bound metabolites vary greatly among the Fischer rat, the Syrian golden hamster, and 3 mouse strains. It is possible that the metabolites (which indicate a particular pathway of metabolic activation) correlate with species susceptibility to hydrocarbon carcinogenesis.
Quantitative determination of subablative thermal exposure producing optimal response of collagenous tissues

Sub-ablative thermal exposure is applied clinically to stabilize joints by taking advantage of the fact that such heating causes collagenous tissues to shrink. Unfortunately heating also generally causes tissue material properties to degrade, owing to the denaturation of the collagen network. The literature reveals that different modalities of heating such as laser and radio frequency modes create different amounts of shrinkage and varying levels of thermal damage (mechanical property degradation) within the target tissue. The relationship between shrinkage and denaturation is poorly understood, limiting the rational design of such thermal therapies. In the present research, a preliminary thermomechanical modeling capable of predicting the final state of a collagenous tissue undergoing sub-ablative heating is presented. The hybrid methodology utilized includes in-vitro experimentation and finite element analysis. It has been shown that the proposed methodology has excellent potential as a tool in simulating and determining the optimal responses of collagenous tissues when they are subjected to sub-ablative thermal treatments.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abstract 3603: Endoxifen pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in female mice

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC In collaboration with NCI, we are developing endoxifen (END), the active metabolite of tamoxifen (TAM), as a drug for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen treated women with reduced or absent CYP2D6 enzyme activity have significantly lower END plasma concentrations. In a retrospective analysis of two different prospective tamoxifen trials (NCCTG and ABCSG), we have demonstrated that genetic or drug-induced reductions in CYP2D6 metabolism are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence in Tam treated ER positive breast cancer. To test the hypothesis that clinically relevant concentrations and exposures of END are achieved following oral administration of END, we characterized the pharmacokinetics of i.v. and oral END and oral TAM in female mice. Endoxifen was synthesized and provided by NCI/DTP. Plasma samples were analyzed using a validated reverse-phase HPLC method with fluorescence detection. Following i.v. administration of a 1 mg/kg dose, peak plasma concentration, terminal elimination half-life and plasma clearance values were 0.26 µM, 6.5 h and 11.8 L/h/kg, respectively. Oral pharmacokinetics and bioavailability were determined following doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg. Peak plasma concentrations of 0.76 µM were achieved with a 50 mg/kg dose and plasma concentrations above 0.1 µM were maintained for longer than 8 h. Peak plasma concentrations of 8 µM were achieved with a 200 mg/kg dose and plasma concentrations above 2 µM were maintained for 24 h. Bioavailability was 50% and greater than 100% following the 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses, respectively. Based on pharmacokinetic data for oral END and TAM normalized to a 50 mg/kg oral dose, END plasma concentrations and total exposure were 20-fold greater following oral END as compared to oral TAM. In conclusion, END has high oral bioavailability in mice and substantial plasma concentrations are achieved and maintained after a single oral END dose. Compared to an equivalent oral dose of Tam, substantially higher END concentrations are achieved following oral END. These data suggest that the primary administration of End may overcome the limitations related to human CYP2D6 metabolism, and support the ongoing development of endoxifen as a primary therapy for ER breast cancer. Supported by the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center Grant (CA15083) and the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer SPORE (CA 116201; MMA, JMR, MPG). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3603.
An examination of flame length data from vertical turbulent diffusion flames

Abstract Literature data on the length of turbulent diffusion flames is examined for the buoyancy through momentum dominated regimes. This data is interpreted through an ad hoc dimensional analysis where the length scale is the Thring-Newby theoretical lateral flame dimension. The nondimensional flame length is shown to be a function of a density weighted Froude number (inverse Richardson number) and a flame to ambient density ratio. Experimental observations on gas turbulent diffusion flames are combined with data for condensing vapor jets and jets in liquid metal combustion. The latter measurements extend the data base and offer new insights into the mechanisms affecting turbulent diffusion flames.
Cytostatic and cytotoxic activity of lymphokine-activated killer cell supernatants

Incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with interleukin-2 (IL-2) results in the release of a factor which is cytostatic and cytotoxic both to tumor cell lines (A375M, A375P, C480, MCF-7, Hey) and fresh tumor cells (in the human tumor cloning assay), including breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, myeloma and ovarian cancer. The factor cannot be detected in a 4-h chromium-release assay, but is best demonstrated after tumor cells have been to it for exposed 3 days. The factor is not cytotoxic to normal peripheral blood leukocytes or normal fibroblasts, and is not toxic to certain targets sensitive to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, such as K562 and Daudi cells. The factor is diffusible, non-dialyzable, relatively stable to heat and acid and does not contain appreciable amounts of targets resistant to interferon-α and β, tumor necrosis factor β and interleukin-1. The data suggest that there are several mechanisms of LAK cell activity against tumor cells including one which requires direct interaction of LAK and tumor cells and one which is mediated by LAK cell supernatant. The former is detected by 4-h chromium release while the latter is not.
Potential regulation by trophic factors of low-affinity NGF receptors in spinal motor neurons

Developing spinal motor neurons (SMN) express low-affinity nerve growth factor receptors (LNGFR) but not high-affinity transducing NGF receptors. Moreover, SMN are not supported by NGF in vitro. In the normal adult rat most SMN are not LNGFR immunoreactive (LNGFR-IR), but they transiently reexpress LNGFR (though not the high-affinity receptor) after peripheral nerve injury. With a cut lesion of the sciatic nerve (when only a neuroma forms), the number of LNGFR-IR SMN at L4-L6 rapidly increases to a maximum between day 1 and 7 and returns to baseline levels by day 30. After a crush lesion (accompanied by regeneration to the muscle), LNGFR-IR SMN appear in about the same numbers, but they start to disappear 1 week later. We speculate that the similar appearance and differential decline of LNGFR-IR seen after the two types of lesions are regulated by the availability of a common signal such as ciliary neurotrophic factor. The adult SMN model provides a good opportunity to investigate the reexpression of LNGFR after peripheral nerve injury, and more generally, the unknown role and regulation of LNGFR.
Astronomy. Young stars go cruising by.

Astronomers have spotted a large number of newly formed stars near our Solar System. So there might be more going on in our Galactic neighbourhood than we thought.
Taxonomy based on chemical constitution: Differentiation of new world from old world helicaverpa moths

Abstract Gas chromatography and pattern recognition methods were used to develop a potential method for differentiating Helicaverpa armigera from Helicaverpa zea moths. The test data consisted of 67 gas chromatograms of cuticular hydrocarbon extracts obtained from H. armigera and H. zea moths. Discriminants were developed that assigned a given gas chromatogram to its respective class ( H. armigera versus H. zea ). The ability of these discriminants to predict the class of an unknown was tested successfully using a procedure known as internal validation.
Protein Native-State Stabilization by Placing Aromatic Side Chains in N-Glycosylated Reverse Turns

N-glycosylation of eukaryotic proteins helps them fold and traverse the cellular secretory pathway and can increase their stability, although the molecular basis for stabilization is poorly understood. Glycosylation of proteins at naive sites (ones that normally are not glycosylated) could be useful for therapeutic and research applications but currently results in unpredictable changes to protein stability. We show that placing a phenylalanine residue two or three positions before a glycosylated asparagine in distinct reverse turns facilitates stabilizing interactions between the aromatic side chain and the first N-acetylglucosamine of the glycan. Glycosylating this portable structural module, an enhanced aromatic sequon, in three different proteins stabilizes their native states by –0.7 to –2.0 kilocalories per mole and increases cellular glycosylation efficiency.
Multimorbidity in Older Adults

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of 2 or more chronic conditions, has become prevalent among older adults as mortality rates have declined and the population has aged. We examined population-based administrative claims data indicating specific health service delivery to nearly 31 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for 15 prevalent chronic conditions. A total of 67% had multimorbidity, which increased with age, from 50% for persons under age 65 years to 62% for those aged 65-74 years and 81.5% for those aged ≥85 years. A systematic review identified 16 other prevalence studies conducted in community samples that included older adults, with median prevalence of 63% and a mode of 67%. Prevalence differences between studies are probably due to methodological biases; no studies were comparable. Key methodological issues arise from elements of the case definition, including type and number of chronic conditions included, ascertainment methods, and source population. Standardized methods for measuring multimorbidity are needed to enable public health surveillance and prevention. Multimorbidity is associated with elevated risk of death, disability, poor functional status, poor quality of life, and adverse drug events. Additional research is needed to develop an understanding of causal pathways and to further develop and test potential clinical and population interventions targeting multimorbidity.
Temporal Gradients in Shear, but Not Spatial Gradients, Stimulate Endothelial Cell Proliferation

Background—The effect of temporal and spatial gradients in shear on primary human endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation was investigated. The sudden-expansion flow chamber (SEFC) model was used to differentiate the effect of temporal gradients in shear from that of spatial gradients. With a sudden onset of flow, cells are exposed to both temporal and spatial gradients of shear. The temporal gradients can be eliminated by slowly ramping up the flow. Methods and Results—HUVEC proliferation in the SEFC remained unstimulated when the onset of flow was slowly ramped. Sudden onset of flow stimulated a 105% increase of HUVEC proliferation (relative to ramped onset) within the region of flow reattachment. To further separate temporal and spatial gradients, a conventional parallel-plate flow chamber was used. A single 0.5-second impulse of 10 dyne/cm 2 increased HUVEC proliferation 5463% relative to control. When flow was slowly ramped over 30 seconds, HUVEC proliferation was not significantly different from controls. Steady laminar shear over 20 minutes inhibited HUVEC proliferation relative to controls regardless of step (3668%) or ramp (2165%) onsets of flow. Conclusions—The results indicate that temporal gradients in shear stress stimulate endothelial cell proliferation, whereas spatial gradients affect endothelial proliferation no differently than steady uniform shear stress. (Circulation. 2001;103: 2508-2513.)
Continuous audit: the motivations, benefits, problems, and challenges identified by partners of a Big 4 accounting firm

Early efforts regarding research on a new area of interest are, by nature, exploratory. Before theoretical models can be built and before meaningful empirical research can be performed, a careful process of identifying the appropriate research questions and problems must be undertaken. This is the current state of research regarding the relatively new area of the continuous audit (CA). Though the concepts of CA have been around for almost a decade, and recent advances have made the technologies both widely available and very affordable, firms have yet to make significant steps toward implementation. Thus, there is a need for exploratory surveys of key audit personnel in charge of providing assurance services for major clients to bring to light the issues regarding technology, people, and processes with which auditors and their audit clients are wrestling. This paper discusses the results of a survey of the U.S. assurance partners of a Big 4 accounting firm. The objective of the survey was to get the partners' perceptions and thoughts on the viability of the continuous auditing, the current state of the CA in the audit environment, the impact that CA implementation might have, and the various roadblocks to CA implementation. In addition, various demographic data was collected. So that the open-ended questions of the survey instrument could be systematically categorized and analyzed, and to minimize interpretation bias, QSR NUD-IST/spl copy/ (nonumerical unstructured data-indexing, searching, and theorizing) version 4 software was used to code responses and capture emergent themes. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of this survey, revealing the current state of the CA and the hurdles to overcome in its implementation.
Intrathecal fentanyl blockade of afferent neural feedback from skeletal muscle during exercise in heart failure patients: Influence on circulatory power and pulmonary vascular capacitance

Abstract Background Secondary pulmonary hypertension is common in heart failure (HF) patients. We hypothesized that inhibition of feedback from locomotor muscle group III/IV neurons contributes to reduced pulmonary vascular pressures independent of changes in cardiac function during exercise in HF. Methods 9 HF patients (ages, 60±2; EF, 26.7±1.9%; New York Heart Association classes, I–III) and 9 age/gender matched controls (ages, 63±2) completed five-minutes of constant-load cycling (65% Workload peak ) with intrathecal fentanyl or placebo on randomized separate days. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), end-tidal partial pressure of CO 2 (P ET CO 2 ), and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) were measured at rest and exercise. Non-invasive surrogates for cardiac power (circulatory power, CircP=VO 2 ×MAP), stroke volume (oxygen pulse, O 2 pulse=VO 2 /HR), and pulmonary arterial pressure (GX CAP =O 2 pulse×P ET CO 2 ) were calculated. Results At rest and end-exercise, differences between fentanyl versus placebo were not significant for CircP in HF or controls. Differences between fentanyl versus placebo for GX CAP were not significant at rest in HF or controls. At end-exercise, GX CAP was significantly higher with fentanyl versus placebo in HF (691±59 versus 549±38mL/beat×mmHg), but not controls (536±59 versus 474±43mL/beat×mmHg). Slopes (rest to end-exercise) for GX CAP were significantly higher with fentanyl versus placebo in HF (95.1±9.8 versus 71.6±6.0mL/beat×mmHg), but not controls (74.3±9.5 versus 60.8±6.5mL/beat×mmHg). CircP slopes did not differ between fentanyl versus placebo in HF or controls (p>0.05). Conclusion We conclude that feedback from locomotor muscle group III/IV neurons may evoke increases in pulmonary vascular pressures independent of changes in cardiac function during exercise in HF.
Total blood mercury and serum measles antibodies in US children, NHANES 2003–2004

article i nfo Article history: Background: Environmental toxins, pathogens and host susceptibility cofactors may interact to contribute to disease. In vitro mercury exposure inhibited antiviral cytokines in human cells; however, little is known about the relationship between mercury and viruses in children. Children are susceptible to mercury toxicity; lower vitamin B-12 and folate levels and higher homocysteine levels may represent susceptibility cofactors. This study aimed to evaluate associations between total blood mercury (Hg) and measles antibodies in children, and the influence of these susceptibility cofactors. Design: Cross-sectional data on serum measles antibodies, Hg, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid (MMA, indicator of B-12 deficiency), and folate were obtained from the 2003-2004 NHANES for children aged 6-11 years with measles seropositivity (n=692). We used linear regression to evaluate relationships between measles antibodies and Hg, stratified by sex, MMA ≥ ,f olateb, and homocysteine ≥sample medians,
Incidence and early outcomes associated with pre-transplant antivimentin antibodies in the cardiac transplantation population.

Background In cardiac transplant recipients, the development of antibodies to the endothelial intermediate filament protein vimentin (antivimentin antibodies, AVA) has been associated with rejection and poor outcomes. However, the incidence of these antibodies prior to transplantation and their association with early rejection has not been investigated. Methods Pre-transplant serum was analyzed from 50 patients who underwent de novo cardiac transplant at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2004 to 2012. Demographic, one-yr rejection, and survival data were obtained from the transplant database. Results The incidence of pre-transplant AVA was 34%. AVA-positive patients were younger (p = 0.03), and there was an a trend toward incidence in females (p = 0.08). Demographic data were similar among both groups. AVA positivity did not predict rejection in the first year post-transplant. There was no difference in rejection-free graft survival (53 vs. 52%, p = 0.85) at one yr. Similarly, there was no difference in graft survival at one yr (82 vs. 88%, p = 0.56) or graft survival at a median follow-up of 23 and 26 months, respectively (76 vs. 85%, p = 0.41). Conclusions AVA is common in the cardiac pre-transplant population with a higher incidence in the young. The presence of detectable AVA did not correlate with early post-transplant rejection or graft survival.
The softest computer

Neural networks, fuzzy systems, and evolutionary computation - the technologies featured in this conference - are often referred to collectively as soft computing. Like fuzzy logic this has an unfortunate overtone, but we are stuck with the term. I argue that the intuition that governed this grouping of technologies is that they are all human mimetic. Then I offer an overview of how to construct an artifact that, like you, uses those approaches to exercise judgement and innovate out of unforeseen problems.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characterization of influenza A outbreaks in Minnesota swine herds and measures taken to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission.

Influenza A virus infections commonly cause respiratory disease in swine and can be transmitted between people and pigs, with potentially novel strains introduced into herds and spilling back into the human population. The goals of this study were to characterize influenza infections in Minnesota pigs and assess biosecurity measures used by swine workers. Veterinarians submitting influenza-positive swine samples to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between October 2007 and April 2009 were surveyed regarding disease-related information and biosecurity procedures at each farm. Influenza-positive samples were submitted year-round, peaking in spring and fall. H1N1 was the most commonly detected subtype (56%), followed by H3N2 (14%) and H1N2 (12%). Most positive submissions were associated with illness in growing pigs (median age 8.8 weeks, IQR 5-15). Median morbidity and mortality were 25% (IQR 10-48) and 2% (IQR 0.5-3.5), respectively. Vaccination of sows and growing pigs was conducted at 71% and 7.9% of the swine farms, respectively. Specialized footwear was reported as the most common form of protective equipment used by workers. Employee vaccination for seasonal influenza was 19%. The sow vaccination rate in this study is consistent with national data, although growing pig vaccination is lower than the national average. Seasonal and age trends identified here may provide diagnostic guidance when growing pigs experience respiratory disease. Inconsistent use of protective equipment and employee vaccination at swine farms indicates the need for further discussion and research of approaches to minimize interspecies influenza transmission on swine farms.
Delayed School Entry in Uganda

Since 1997 Uganda has seen a large increase in school enrolment. Despite this increased enrolment, universal education has remained elusive. Many children enrol in school, but not at the recommended age, and they drop out before completing school. This article focuses on one of these problems – delayed school entry. What household factors are associated with delayed school entry? Delaying school entry is likely to hinder the achievement of universal education and the development of the cognitive competencies of Ugandan children. Using 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data, this study examines the household factors associated with school entry. The results show that the survivorship of the mother, female headship, and the head's level of education are all associated with a lower probability of delayed enrolment.
A New Approach to Hierarchical Routing in Large Networks

The overhead of an adaptive routing algorithm becomes prohibitive in a network with numerous nodes (in the order of hundreds or more) and a flat organization. In this paper, we present and analyze a new hierarchical routing algorithm for large networks. The algorithm is based on (1) the definition and maintenance of a hierarchical addressing scheme that is in turn based on the names of nodes that are well known in the network or within regions of the network, and (2) an extension of a new distributed routing algorithm first proposed by the author for flat networks.
Asthma and incident cardiovascular disease: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: A possible association between asthma and cardiovascular disease has been described in several exploratory studies. Methods: The association of self-reported, doctor diagnosed asthma and incident cardiovascular disease was examined in a biracial cohort of 45–64 year old adults (N = 13501) followed over 14 years. Results: Compared with never having asthma, the multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of stroke (n = 438) was 1.50 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.15) for a baseline report of ever having asthma (prevalence 5.2%) and 1.55 (95% CI 0.95 to 2.52) for current asthma (prevalence 2.7%). The relative risk of stroke was 1.43 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.98) using a time dependent analysis incorporating follow up reports of asthma. Participants reporting wheeze attacks with shortness of breath also had greater risk for stroke (HR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.06) than participants without these symptoms. The multivariate adjusted relative risk of coronary heart disease (n = 1349) was 0.87 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.14) for ever having asthma, 0.69 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.05) for current asthma at baseline, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.11) using the time dependent analysis. Conclusions: Asthma may be an independent risk factor for incident stroke but not coronary heart disease in middle aged adults. This finding warrants replication and may motivate a search for possible mechanisms that link asthma and stroke.
Joint data and channel estimation for TDMA mobile channels

One of the main problems in the proposed Northern American digital cellular system (IS-54) is the poor performance of the receiver for fast fading channels. The authors propose to use a novel joint data and channel estimation technique to improve performance. The basic idea of this method was described by N. Seshadri (1990) in the context of blind equalization. Simulation results indicate that this approach solves the problems of decision delay and divergence caused by error decision feedback in conventional maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE). The specified IS-54 requirement of 19 dB at a BER of 3% and a speed of 100 km/h can be met with a margin of 8 dB. This result is 4.5 dB better than the conventional maximum likelihood receiver. >
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Validation in the Real World of Middle School

Examined the validity of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), a brief parent-completed psychosocial screening questionnaire, in a sample of 166 students from a public middle school. Positive screening on the parent PSC was significantly associated with independent ratings by the students' guidance counselor and teachers of the need for regular counseling; any academic failure during the next 2 years; and PSCs competed by the students about themselves. Most students who screened positive on the parent PSC were found to have significant problems in at least one of the above areas. The PSC also identified a group of students whose difficulties were previously unknown to school personnel. For pediatric psychologists, guidance counselors, and pediatricians who need to identify middle-school students with serious psychosocial problems, the PSC appears to be a valid and useful first-stage screening instrument.
Beta oscillations and hippocampal place cell learning during exploration of novel environments.

Beta Oscillations and Hippocampal Place Cell Learning during Exploration of Novel Environments Stephen Grossberg Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems Center for Adaptive Systems, and Center of Excellence for Learning in Education, Science and Technology Boston University 677 Beacon St Boston, Massachusetts 02215 steve@bu.edu Telephone: 617-353-7858/7 Fax: 617-353-7755 http://www.cns.bu.edu/~steve
An association-based model of dynamic behaviour

Dynamic programming languages seem to spend much of their time looking up behaviour associatively. Data structures in these languages are also easily expressible as associations. We propose that many, and maybe even all, interesting organisations of information and behaviour might be built from a single primitive operation: n-way associative lookup. A fast implementation of this primitive, possibly in hardware, could be the basis of efficient and compact implementations of a diverse range of programming language semantics and data structures.
Materials for Enabling Hands-On Robotics and STEM Education

We describe our approach to enabling hands-on experiential robotics for all ages through the introduction of a robot pro gramming workbook and robot test-bed. We describe the vision and motivation for the project, and then the details of t he robot hardware, software, and the accompanying workbook and textbook materials. Together, these resources are aimed at providing free, detailed, and readily accessible materi als to K-12 and university educators and students for direct immersion in hands-on robotics.
Maximum wave power absorption by flexible line attenuators

Abstract The general applicability of Newman's groundbreaking work on wave power absorption (Newman, 1976 [ 1 ]; Newman, 1979 [ 2 ]; Mei and Newman1979 [ 3 ]) is unambiguously demonstrated in the practical case of a slender body undergoing wave-like deformations in head seas.
Requirement of Multiple cis-Acting Elements in the Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate-Early Distal Enhancer for Viral Gene Expression and Replication

We have shown previously that the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (MIE) distal enhancer is needed for MIE promoter-dependent transcription and viral replication at low multiplicities of infection (MOI). To understand how this region works, we constructed and analyzed a series of HCMVs with various distal enhancer mutations. We show that the distal enhancer is composed of at least two parts that function independently to coordinately activate MIE promoter-dependent transcription and viral replication. One such part is contained in a 47-bp segment that has consensus binding sites for CREB/ATF, SP1, and YY1. At low MOI, these working parts likely function in cis to directly activate MIE gene expression, thus allowing viral replication to ensue. Three findings support the view that these working parts are likely cis-acting elements. (i) Deletion of either part of a bisegmented distal enhancer only slightly alters MIE gene transcription and viral replication. (ii) Reversing the distal enhancer’s orientation largely preserves MIE gene transcription and viral replication. (iii) Placement of stop codons at −300 or −345 in all reading frames does not impair MIE gene transcription and viral replication. Lastly, we show that these working parts are dispensable at high MOI, partly because of compensatory stimulation of MIE promoter activity and viral replication that is induced by a virion-associated component(s) present at a high viral particle/cell ratio. We conclude that the distal enhancer is a complex multicomponent cis-acting region that is required to augment both MIE promoter-dependent transcription and HCMV replication.
REVISITING SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES' DRUG PROBLEMS: HEALTH, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC COSTS, AND DRUG CONTROL POLICY

This article takes an international perspective on the drug problem in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis borrows ideas from physical and economic geography as a heuristic device to conceptualize the global narcoscapes in which drug trafficking occurs. Both the legitimate and the illegal drug trade operate within the same global capitalist system and draw on the same technological innovations and business processes. Central to the paper's argument is evidence that sub-Saharan African countries are now integrated into the political economy of drug consumption due to the spill-over effect. These countries are now minor markets for "hard drugs" as the result of the activities of organizations and individual traffickers that use Africa as a staging point in their trade with Europe and the United States. As a result, sub-Saharan African countries have drug consumption problems that were essentially absent prior to 1980, along with associated health, social, and economic costs. The emerging drug problem has forced African countries to develop their own drug control policy. The sub-Saharan African countries mentioned below vary to some extent in the level of drug use and misuse problems: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (Zaire), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. As part of this effort, African countries are assessing the health, social, and economic costs of drug-use-related problems to pinpoint methods which are both effective and inexpensive, since their budgets for social programs are severely constrained. Many have progressed to the point of adopting anti-drug laws or legislation, or of establishing a drug control agency. They are also cooperating regionally to coordinate drug control measures and working with the Organization of African Unity (OAU). In addition, almost all the sub-Saharan African countries are signatories to all United Nations drug conventions. Since the drug problem in Africa has international origins, it will take concerted international cooperation and coordinated effort to combat the "social cancer" of drugs.
Comparison of higher-order and cyclic approaches for estimating random amplitude modulated harmonics

To estimate harmonics observed in random multiplicative and additive noise, algorithms relying upon second- or higher-order statistics have been derived after stationarizing the available cyclostationary and nonGaussian time series. Recently developed cyclic approaches exploit cyclostationarity and rely upon the cyclic mean, cyclic covariance, or, higher-order cyclic cumulants in order to: (i) detect and estimate frequencies of mono- and multicomponent random amplitude modulated harmonics, and (ii) characterize the multiplicative processes. Comparison based on estimator variances and simulations illustrate that cyclic approaches surmount existing methods in SNR gains and resolution and obviate restrictions on the bandwidth and distributions of the additive and multiplicative noise. >
Estimating User Costs and Rates of Return for Single-Family Residential Real Estate

This paper discusses the costs of home ownership and their potential impact on real estate returns. The simulations show that user costs can easily exceed the total of capital gains and imputed or ...
Why-Five? The Strange, Magnetic and Mesmerizing Effect of the Five Percent Unitrust and Spending Rate on Settlors, Their Advisers, and Retirees

Investment literature aimed at trustees and retirees often assumes that investors can obtain a return sufficient to support a five percent annual payout without impairing capital. According to the author, truly sophisticated commentators see this as over-optimistic at this time. This disconnect between investor fantasy and investment reality is the topic of this essay. The author explores the idea primarily in a trust context.
Economic and environmental comparison of grouping strategies in coordinated multi-item inventory systems

The increasing concerns for sustainability throughout supply chains are enforcing managers to plan their operations considering not only economic but also environmental performance. Inventory management is one of the main determinants of the costs incurred and emissions generated throughout supply chains as it defines the level of logistical operations, freight transportation, and warehousing activities. In this study, we analyze a multi-item inventory control system with coordinated shipments. In particular, we revisit the well-known deterministic joint replenishment problem (JRP) with economic and environmental objectives under indirect and direct grouping strategies. We formulate and develop solution methods for each bi-objective JRP and compare direct and indirect grouping strategies with respect to their economic as well as environmental performance. A set of numerical studies is presented to examine the settings where a specific grouping strategy can be economically and environmentally better than the other.
Prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury by metabolic substrate—Mechanisms and surgical implications

Despite new insights into mechanisms contributing to ischemia-reperfusion injury, new therapeutic interventions to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury have thus far not been available for routine clinical use. In order to restore sufficient postischemic contractile function, such a therapy would be of great value in conjunction with reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction and after cardiac surgery. This paper examines whether metabolic disturbances and energy depletion contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury and whether metabolic interventions could alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Experimental and clinical studies are reviewed for evidence of a beneficial effect of metabolic interventions, in particular of increased glycolytic substrate, on ischemia-reperfusion injury. During ischemia, metabolism of the myocardium shifts to a preferential use of carbohydrates. Increased glycolytic substrate i.e. glucose-insulin-potassium infusion as metabolic support for ischemic myocardium is beneficial in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury by increasing energy production via anaerobic glycolysis, decreasing circulating free fatty acids and intracellular free fatty acid accumulation, maintaining ion homeostasis, reducing cellular edema, and scavenging free radicals. During reperfusion, glucose-insulin-potassium, apart from increasing glycolysis and decreasing free fatty acid metabolism, provides substrate for replenishment of the citric acid cycle, which is important for optimal energy transfer. During ischemia, glucose-insulin-potassium preserves energy reserves and maintains cell viability. During reperfusion, glucose-insulin-potassium improves energy transfer and increases contractile function. Experimental and clinical studies have proven glucose-insulin-potassium to be a safe and effective intervention to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Wind Field Simulation for Placement of Small Scale Wind Turbines on a College Campus

As part of ongoing activities in wind energy education, Purdue University Calumet will be installing a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) on the roof of an academic campus building. While several potential sites have been identified as feasible, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been coupled with virtual reality to assist in assessing the optimal location for the turbine. Using measured data, a wind field was developed taking into account flow distribution around relevant campus buildings. Visualization methods were then used to show wind flow combined with geometric models of buildings and trees on campus. Factors used for the final decision include sustained wind speeds, turbulent flows, and aesthetic look at various roof-top locations.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
When the City Itself Becomes a Technology of War

The essay is framed by the proposition that cities are the frontier spaces for much of what is usually referred to as global governance challenges. It uses the case of asymmetric war to explore the contradictions that arise from this urbanizing — most significantly, the limits of superior military power when war moves to cities and the ways in which this makes powerlessness complex rather than elementary. The core of the paper focuses on Mumbai and Gaza as two sites that help us understand the enormous variability of war once it gets urbanized, and thus the multiplicity of types of asymmetric war. The essay concludes with a discussion about larger patterns we can see through the cases examined here, such as the repositioning of territory, authority and rights.