cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining risk factors and preventive treatments for first venous leg ulceration: A cohort study

Background Large studies that examine risk factors for first occurrence of venous leg ulcerations are needed to guide management. Objective To investigate factors associated with development of first occurrence of venous leg ulcerations. Methods A retrospective cohort study using a validated national commercial claims database of patients with venous insufficiency. Subjects were followed to determine whether they developed first occurrence of venous leg ulcerations, and risk and protective factors were analyzed. Results Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) for comorbidities demonstrated an increased risk in men (AHR 1.838; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.798-1.880), older age (45-54 years: AHR 1.316, 95% CI 1.276-1.358; 55-64 years, AHR 1.596, 95% CI 1.546-1.648), history of nonvenous leg ulceration (AHR 3.923; 95% CI 3.699-4.161), anticoagulant use (AHR 1.199; 95% CI 1.152-1.249), antihypertensive use (AHR 1.067; 95% CI 1.040-1.093), and preexisting venous insufficiency including chronic venous insufficiency (AHR 1.244; 95% CI 1.193-1.298), edema (AHR 1.224; 95% CI 1.193-1.256), and chronic venous hypertension (AHR 1.671; 95% CI 1.440-1.939). Possible protective factors were having venous surgery (AHR 0.454; 95% CI 0.442-0.467), using compression stockings (AHR 0.728; 95% CI 0.705-0.753), using prescribed statin medications (AHR 0.721; 95% CI 0.700-0.743), and using pain medications (AHR 0.779; 95% CI 0.757-0.777). Limitations Risk of misclassification, given the use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Possible confounding factors such as body mass index could not be adequately controlled with these codes. Conclusion The new evidence presented supports a paradigm shift toward venous leg ulceration prevention.
Meeting place: bringing Native feminisms to bear on borders of cyberspace

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.It is meaningful, given the special theme of this issue of Commentary and Criti...
Impact of Age, Race, and Socioeconomic Status on Women's Perceptions and Preferences Regarding Communication of Estimated Breast Cancer Risk.

Rationale and Objectives Performing breast cancer risk assessment at the time of screening mammography has potential to increase high-risk identification, appropriate supplemental screening, and risk management. The study's goal is to investigate women's interest in risk assessment and preferred method of risk communication in a diverse patient population. Materials and Methods Surveys in English and five non-English languages were distributed to women presenting for screening mammography at eight screening mammography facilities between February and May 2019 to assess their interest in risk assessment, preferred method, and level of detail of estimated risk communication in hypothetical scenarios where estimated risks are average and elevated. Results Among 683 survey respondents, 592 (87%) expressed interest in learning about their estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer. Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and education, women with higher income were more interested in risk assessment than comparison group (p Conclusion Sociodemographic factors influence women's interest in risk assessment and preference in risk communication about breast cancer. Screening Mammogram facilities implementing risk assessment should consider risk communication strategies that are most effective for their patient population.
Getting a foot in the door: A critical anti-race analysis of underemployed second generation Caribbean Black Male Youth:

This study utilizes a Critical Anti-Race Qualitative Phenomenological Methodology to challenge the dominant deficit perspective which reinforces the notion that the cultural deprivation of Blacks c...
Ciprofloxacin accelerates aortic enlargement and promotes dissection and rupture in Marfan mice.

Abstract Objective Aortic aneurysm and dissection are major life-threatening complications of Marfan syndrome. Avoiding factors that promote aortic damage is critical in managing the care of these patients. Findings from clinical and animal studies raise concerns regarding fluoroquinolone use in patients at risk for aortic aneurysm and dissection. Therefore, we examined the effects of ciprofloxacin on aortic aneurysm and dissection development in Marfan mice. Methods Eight-week-old Marfan mice (Fbn1C1041G/+) were given ciprofloxacin (100 mg/kg/d; n = 51) or vehicle (n = 59) for 4 weeks. Mice were monitored for 16 weeks. Aortic diameters were measured by using ultrasonography, and aortic structure was examined by using histopathologic and immunostaining analyses. Results Vehicle-treated Fbn1C1041G/+ mice showed progressive aortic enlargement, with aortic rupture occurring in 5% of these mice. Compared with vehicle-treated Fbn1C1041G/+ mice, ciprofloxacin-treated Fbn1C1041G/+ mice showed accelerated aortic enlargement (P = .01) and increased incidences of aortic dissection (25% vs 47%, P = .03) and rupture (5% vs 25%, P = .005). Furthermore, ciprofloxacin-treated Fbn1C1041G/+ mice had higher levels of elastic fiber fragmentation, matrix metalloproteinase expression, and apoptosis than did vehicle-treated Fbn1C1041G/+ mice. Conclusions Ciprofloxacin accelerates aortic root enlargement and increases the incidence of aortic dissection and rupture in Marfan mice, partially by suppressing lysyl oxidase expression and further compromising the inherited defect in aortic elastic fibers. Our findings substantiate that ciprofloxacin should be avoided in patients with Marfan syndrome.
Barred Galaxies at z > 0.7: NICMOS Hubble Deep Field-North Observations

Previous optical studies found an unexpected deficit of bars at z > 0.7. To investigate the effects of band shifting, we have studied the fraction of barred spiral galaxies in the Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) Hubble Deep Field-North. At z > 0.7, we find at least four barred spiral galaxies, doubling the number previously detected. The number of barred galaxies is small because these (and previous) data lack adequate spatial resolution. A typical 5 kpc bar at z > 0.7 is only marginally detectable for the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) at 0.8 μm; the NICMOS data even have lower resolution and can only find the largest bars. The average size of the four bars seen at z > 0.7 is 12 kpc. The fraction of such large bars (4/95) is higher than that seen in nearby spiral galaxies (1/44); all known selection effects suggest that the observed fraction is a lower limit. However, important caveats such as small numbers and difficulties in defining comparable samples at high and low redshifts should be noted. We conclude that there is no significant evidence of a decrease in the fraction of barred spiral galaxies beyond z ~ 0.7.
ASAS Light Curves of Intermediate-mass Eclipsing Binary Stars and the Parameters of HI Mon

We present a catalog of 56 candidate intermediate-mass eclipsing binary systems extracted from the third data release of the All Sky Automated Survey. We gather pertinent observational data and derive orbital properties, including ephemerides, for these systems as a prelude to anticipated spectroscopic observations. We find that 37 of the 56, or {approx}66%, of the systems are not identified in the Simbad Astronomical Database as known binaries. As a specific example, we show spectroscopic data obtained for the system HI Mon (B0 V + B0.5 V) observed at key orbital phases based on the computed ephemeris, present a combined spectroscopic and photometric solution for the system, and give stellar parameters for each component.
Association between Nursing Home Staff Turnover and Infection Control Citations

Objective: To describe the association between nursing home staff turnover and the presence and scope of infection control citations. Data Sources: Secondary data for all U.S. nursing homes between March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2019 from Payroll-Based Journal, Nursing Home Compare, and Long-Term Care Facts in the U.S. Study Design: We estimated the association between nurse turnover and the probability of an infection control citation and the scope of the citation, while controlling for nursing home fixed effects. Our turnover measure is the percent of the facility’s nursing staff hours that were provided by new staff (less than 60 days of experience in last 180 days) during the two weeks prior to the health inspection. We calculated turnover for all staff together and separately for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Data collection/Extraction methods: We linked nursing homes standard inspection surveys to 650 million shifts from the Payroll-Based Journal data. We excluded any nursing home with incomplete or missing staffing data. Our final analytic sample included 12,550 nursing homes with 30,536 surveys. Principal Findings: Staff turnover was associated with an increased likelihood of an infection control citation (average marginal effect [AME]=0.12 percentage points (pp); 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.05,0.18). Only LPN (AME=0.06 pp; 95%CI: 0.01,0.11) turnover was conditionally associated with an infection control citation. Conditional on having at least an isolated citation for infection control, staff turnover was positively associated with receiving a pattern citation (AME=0.21 pp; 95%CI: 0.10,0.32). Conditional of having at least a pattern citation, staff turnover was positively associated with receiving a widespread citation (AME=0.21 pp; 95%CI: 0.10,0.32).
Immunization and Drug Metabolizing Enzymes: Focus on Hepatic Cytochrome P450 3A.

OBJECTIVE: Infectious disease emergencies like the 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic and the 2009 influenza and current SARS-CoV-2 pandemics illustrate that vaccines are now given to diverse populations with preexisting pathologies requiring pharmacological management. Many natural biomolecules (steroid hormones, fatty acids, vitamins) and ~60% of prescribed medications are processed by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. The objective of this work was to determine the impact of infection and vaccines on drug metabolism. METHODS: The impact of an adenovirus-based vaccine expressing Ebola glycoprotein (AdEBO) and H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses on hepatic CYP 3A4 and associated nuclear receptors was evaluated in human hepatocytes (HC-04 cells) and in mice. RESULTS: CYP3A activity was suppressed by 55% in mice 24 h after administration of mouse-adapted H1N1, while E10% activity remained in HC-04 cells after infection with H1N1 and H3N2 due to global suppression of cellular translation capacity, indicated by reduction (70%, H1N1, 56%, H3N2) of phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4e (eIF4E). AdEBO suppressed CYP3A activity in vivo (44%) and in vitro (26%) 24 hours after infection. CONCLUSION: As the clinical evaluation of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and other global pathogens rise, studies to evaluate the impact of new vaccines and emerging pathogens on CYP3A4 and other metabolic enzymes are warranted to avoid therapeutic failures that could further compromise the public health during infectious disease emergencies.
Repairing Programs with Semantic Code Search (T)

Automated program repair can potentially reduce debugging costs and improve software quality but recent studies have drawn attention to shortcomings in the quality of automatically generated repairs. We propose a new kind of repair that uses the large body of existing open-source code to find potential fixes. The key challenges lie in efficiently finding code semantically similar (but not identical) to defective code and then appropriately integrating that code into a buggy program. We present SearchRepair, a repair technique that addresses these challenges by (1) encoding a large database of human-written code fragments as SMT constraints on input-output behavior, (2) localizing a given defect to likely buggy program fragments and deriving the desired input-output behavior for code to replace those fragments, (3) using state-of-the-art constraint solvers to search the database for fragments that satisfy that desired behavior and replacing the likely buggy code with these potential patches, and (4) validating that the patches repair the bug against program test suites. We find that SearchRepair repairs 150 (19%) of 778 benchmark C defects written by novice students, 20 of which are not repaired by GenProg, TrpAutoRepair, and AE. We compare the quality of the patches generated by the four techniques by measuring how many independent, not-used-during-repair tests they pass, and find that SearchRepair-repaired programs pass 97.3% of the tests, on average, whereas GenProg-, TrpAutoRepair-, and AE-repaired programs pass 68.7%, 72.1%, and 64.2% of the tests, respectively. We conclude that SearchRepair produces higher-quality repairs than GenProg, TrpAutoRepair, and AE, and repairs some defects those tools cannot.
On the relation of anticipative Stratonovich and symetric integrals: A decomposition formula

where the random variables xm are F1 measurable random variables and St(m) are all generalizedStratonovich integrable (c.f. definition below). In this note, we give conditions under which ~~~~~t 1 Jx odwt = _(in) St odwt, o m=l 0 where o denotes generalized Stratonovich integration and the equality is a.s. (cf. lemma 4). We use the criteria we derive to provide some new relations between Stratonovich and Ogawa integrals which
Power system modeling requirements for rotating machine interfaced distributed resources

Rotating machine interfaced power generation equipment today constitute the majority of interconnected distributed resources (DR). Even though new electronically interfaced DR devices, such as fuel cells, photovoltaics and microturbines are rapidly emerging, rotating machines are expected to continue to represent a major sector of interconnected DR capacity for the foreseeable future. To simulate and predict the impacts of these machines on power system control, protection and power quality conditions, it is crucial for the industry to have reasonable model representations of these devices. Machine models must characterize the prime mover response and generator electrical response behavior including its exciter. Critical types of analysis will include short circuit calculations (fault contributions), harmonic contributions, dynamic response of the generator to load steps and during islanding, voltage regulation, and stability. This paper is a starting point for discussing the modeling needs for rotating machine interfaced DR and potential sources of data for these models.
Metabolism of carbohydrates by Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis.

Abstract Cell-free extracts of Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis and P. pestis catalyzed a rapid and reversible exchange of electrons between pyridine nucleotides. Although the extent of this exchange approximated that promoted by the soluble nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) transhydrogenase of Pseudomonas fluorescens, the reaction in the pasteurellae was associated with a particulate fraction and was not influenced by adenosine-2′-monophosphate. The ability of P. pseudotuberculosis to utilize this system for the maintenance of a large pool of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate could not be correlated with significant participation of the Entner-Doudoroff path or catabolic use of the hexose-monophosphate path during metabolism of glucose. As judged by the distribution of radioactivity in metabolic pyruvate, glucose and gluconate were fermented via the Embden-Meyerhof and Entner-Doudoroff paths, respectively. With the exception of hexosediphosphatase, all enzymes of the three paths were detected, although little or no gluconokinase or phosphogluconate dehydrase was present unless the organisms were cultivated with gluconate. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in the pasteurellae, related enteric bacteria, and P. fluorescens.
Source altitudes of terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes produced by lightning leaders

[1] Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are energetic photon bursts observed from satellites and associated with lightning activity. Comparison between calculations based on the model of relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREA) in large-scale weak electric field in thunderstorms and satellite measurements usually shows that the photon spectrum is consistent with source altitudes around 15 km. However, recent observations have located intra-cloud lightning (IC) discharges responsible for TGFs much deeper in the atmosphere (at altitudes ∼10 km). In the present work, we show that the TGF spectrum as produced by acceleration of electrons in the strong electric field of stepping IC leaders is consistent with the lower altitudes recently discovered. This study reconciles observations and measurements by setting new altitudes for the TGF sources based on mechanism of direct acceleration of electrons in the lightning leader field. Moreover, the photon source beaming geometry is consistently determined from the geometry of electric field lines produced by the lightning leader.
Electrical Transport in Nanoscale Systems: Non-equilibrium Green's function formalism

Within the Landauer approach to conduction discussed in the previous chapter, electron interactions have been included only at the mean-field level. This is quite a strong approximation, especially in nanojunctions, where large current densities are common. I therefore want to go beyond this level of description. I can follow two different routes. (1) I can develop a functional theory of quantum correlations via time-dependent effective single-particle equations, as I will do in Chapter 7 where I will use dynamical density-functional theories within the micro-canonical approach to conduction. (2) I can try to solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation 1.16 – or its mixed-state version, the Liouville-von Neumann equation 1.60 – directly. Written this way, this last proposition seems hopeless. In reality, we can employ a many-body technique, known as the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism (NEGF), also referred to as the Keldysh formalism (Keldysh, 1964; Kadanoff and Baym, 1962), which allows us, at least in principle, to do just that: solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for an interacting many-body system exactly, from which one can, in principle, calculate the time-dependent current. This is done by solving equations of motion for specific time-dependent single-particle Green's functions, from which the physical properties of interest, such as the charge and current densities, can be obtained. I have stressed the term “time-dependent” several times, because, as I will show in a moment, the NEGF is “exact” only when one solves the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a closed quantum system, subject to deterministic perturbations: the system is closed but not necessarily isolated. These perturbations may drive the system far away from its initial state of thermodynamic equilibrium (Keldysh, 1964).
The involvement of slaframine and swainsonine in slobbers syndrome: a review.

The history of «slobbers syndrome,» a mycotoxicosis associated with Rhizoctonia leguminicola infestation of pastures and stored forages, is discussed. The chemistry and physiological effects of the two known biologically active alkaloids of R. leguminicola, slaframine and swainsonine, are described. Slaframine administration is generally associated with increased exocrine function, especially salivation. Ingestion of swainsonine may be linked to serious and potentially lethal central nervous system defects similar to that described for locoism. However, the singular effects of these alkaloids do not completely account for the total clinical picture noted in the field during the occurrence of slobbers syndrome. It is possible that this phenomenon is the result of an interaction between both known and unidentified biologically active metabolites of R. leguminicola
A Review of the BMS Package for R

This paper describes the relative merits and attractiveness of the newest Bayesian model averaging package, BMS, available in the statistical software R to implement a Bayesian model averaging exercise. This package provides the user with a wide range of customizable priors for conducting a BMA analysis, provides ample graphs to visualize the results and offers several alternative model search mechanisms.
Tuning, temporal, and spectral characteristics of the green (/spl lambda//spl sim/549 nm), holmium-doped fluorozirconate glass fiber laser

The output power, tuning and temporal behavior of the green (539-550 nm), Ho-doped fluorozirconate glass (ZBLAN) fiber laser pumped in the red (/spl lambda//spl sim/643 nm) has been examined in detail. Fibers ranging in length from /spl sim/20-86 cm have been studied, and more than 38 mW of output power has been obtained from a 21 cm long fiber for 30% output coupling and 280 mW of absorbed pump power. By inserting two prisms into the optical cavity, the oscillator has been tuned over /spl sim/11 mn, and the emission spectrum of the free-running laser has been recorded as a function of pump power at both room temperature and 77 K. The self-pulsing (spiking)behavior of the laser and the influence of depletion of the Ho/sup 3+/ ground state (/sup 5/I/sub 8/) population on the emission spectrum and efficiency of this system are discussed.
Genetic variation affects congenital heart defect susceptibility in offspring exposed to maternal tobacco use

Background Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most prevalent and serious birth defects, occurring in 8 to 10 of every 1000 live births in the United States. Epidemiologic studies have reported an association between CHDs and maternal smoking, but it remains unknown how genes impact the susceptibility of offspring to CHDs in the presence of maternal tobacco use. Methods Using data from 403 case- and 219 control-parental triads enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study between 1998 and 2008, we investigated the association between CHDs and maternal and infant genetic variants involved in the tobacco metabolism and DNA repair pathways among mothers who smoked prenatally. Results The maternal genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 2 (PARP2), and ERCC5 genes were identified to be significantly associated with the occurrence of CHDs in the presence of maternal tobacco use. Our analysis also revealed a moderate association between the infant genotypes of polymorphisms in the O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase (OSGEP) gene and increased risk of CHDs among mothers who smoked. Conclusion Our study provides evidence that maternal and infant polymorphisms within the ERCC1, PARP2, ERCC5, and OSGEP genes are associated with CHD risk in the presence of maternal tobacco use. These results may provide insight into the susceptibility of having a pregnancy affected by CHDs among women who smoke. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:834–842, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sounds From the Vault

Sounds From the Vault. An online exhibition of the Department of Anthropology, The Field Museum.SUNNIFASS
Sleuthing the Dynamo. II. Hubble Space Telescope Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph Observations of Solar-Type Dwarfs in Young Galactic Clusters

Far-ultraviolet (1150-1670 A) spectra of three solar-type dwarfs in the young galactic clusters α Persei and the Pleiades were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph (G140L mode). Time series of Si IV λ1393 show erratic variability on timescales of tens of minutes. An X-ray/C IV flux-flux diagram displays a power-law slope of ~2, up to the level of the most active cluster stars. These fall systematically below the extrapolation owing to X-ray "saturation." In rotation-activity diagrams, the X-rays plateau above ~15 km s-1 (P ~ 3 days), while C IV continues to rise until ~35-50 km s-1 (P ~ 1-1.5 days). Such behavior is significant for understanding the magnetic "dynamo" at high rotational velocities and is relevant for predicting the ionizing environment bathing newly formed planets around low-mass main-sequence stars.
HLHS With Severe Aortic Insufficiency in a Patient With 45,X/46,XY Mosaicism

Aortic insufficiency is not a part of the hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This report describes a rare case of congenital aortic insufficiency from a detached leaflet in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and 45,X/46XY mosaicism. The patient was subsequently treated with the modified Norwood procedure along with suture closure of aortic valve.
Offset across the Polochic fault of Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico

Polochic fault is seen on LANDSAT imagery to continue its westward path from northwestern Guatemala across the Chiapas massif to the Pacific coastal plain. The fault has had 132 ± 5 km of left-lateral displacement that is recorded in the offset of Cenozoic fold and thrust belt structure and stratigraphy. The trace of the Polochic fault has been folded into what approximates a sinusoidal curve of about 130-km wave length and 7-km amplitude by an essentially east-west compressive stress. The curious similarity in displacement and fold wavelength results in a premovement reconstruction that reveals not only a match across the fault in geology, but an almost perfect fit of one block against the others. Some segments of the fault across which recorded slip took place are probably locked and not active. Strain has shifted to other shears in western Guatemala and Chiapas and to the Motagua fault. Parts of the Polochic and the newer shears may be alternating with the Motagua as the Caribbean-North American plate boundary. With the 132 km of slip removed, segments of the now fragmented Cenozoic fold belt can be brought into coincidence in a clear-cut arcuate trend that is convex southwest. The major fault displacement is believed to have occurred within the interval from middle Miocene to middle Pliocene time. Eastern Guatemala has undergone a counterclockwise rotation of about 25° that reoriented the fault trace and all other structural fabric from due east to the present east-northeast azimuth.
Impact modification of poly(vinyl chloride) with chlorinated polyethylene I. Blend morphology

The solid state morphology of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)-modified poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and the relationship of blend structure to impact strength and mode of fracture have been investigated. Selective staining of the CPE phase showed that the morphology of the two phase system changes with increasing CPE content from a dispersion of discrete CPE particles to a network structure enveloping the primary PVC particles. The network formation coincides with a transition from brittle to ductile impact fracture. When the blend was mixed for too long a time or above the fusion temperature of the primary PVC particles, the CPE network was destroyed. The resulting indistinct domain structure is associated with a reduction in the impact properties.
Catabolism of camphor in tissue cultures and leaf disks of common sage (Salvia officinalis)

Abstract (+)-Camphor constitutes nearly 30% of the monoterpenes accumulated in the leaves of common sage (Salvia officinalis), and as the plant approaches maturity the content of this monoterpene ketone decreases by roughly half. Although the ability to catabolize camphor has been demonstrated previously in sage leaf disks, tissue cultures proved to be a more suitable system for examining the responsible degradative pathway. Cell suspension cultures were shown to convert (+)-[3-3H2]camphor, in sequence, to 6-hydroxycamphor, 6-oxocamphor, α-campholonic acid, and 2-hydroxy-α-campholonic acid, and each intermediate of the pathway was identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic means. This oxidative ring opening sequence resembles the pathway for camphor degradation by the soil diphtheroid, Mycobacterium rhodochrous, that ultimately leads to isoketocamphoric as the last defined metabolite that contains all 10 carbons of the original bicyclic nucleus. Studies with both cell cultures and leaf disks also demonstrated that the catabolism of camphor via 1,2-campholide, a metabolite in sage leaves previously described, was a minor degradative pathway. The first step in the metabolism of camphor was demonstrated in cell-free extracts of the cultured sage cells, and several lines of evidence indicated that this microsomal (+)-camphor-6-exo-hydroxylase is a cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase.
Tianeptine attenuates stress-induced morphological changes in the hippocampus

Repeated 6-h daily restraint stress over 21 days reduces length and number of branch points of hippocampal CA3c pyramidal dendrites in the hippocampal formation of adult male rats. This effect is mimicked by daily injections of 40 mg/kg corticosterone. Daily treatment with tianeptine (15 mg/kg) prior to stress sessions or the corticosterone treatment prevented these effects of stress or corticosterone, respectively. Tianeptine treatment did not prevent the effects of stress to increase adrenal/body weight ratio, nor did it prevent the effects of stress to decrease body weight gain, indicating that its actions are not mediated solely by effects on stress-induced secretion of corticosterone. Because tianeptine is known to enhance neural uptake of serotonin, these results suggest that the serotonergic system may be involved in modulating stress and corticosterone effects on dendritic morphology.
UCD-Griffin-MC2 submission summary

This paper describes the approach and the visual analytics (VA) tool developed to solve the VAST 2014 Challenge: Mini-Challenge 2. For this challenge, a methodical approach was taken by analyzing each GAStech employees daily activities. Open source software, commercial application programming interfaces (APIs), and custom software were combined to create a very robust VA tool used in this challenge. The tool provides visualization and animation of the tracking data, an overview of credit card and loyalty card transactions, and on-demand details of the aforementioned data. Finally, a novel feature was implemented in the VA tool to insert missing location data for credit card and loyalty card transactions in realtime.
Infrared Spectrum of C2H2-N2 and C2H2-CO in the C-H Stretching Region: Examples of Multiple Coupling of States in a Near Continuum of States

The infrared spectra of the linear van der Walls molecules C[sub 2]H[sub 2]-N[sub 2] and C[sub 2]H[sub 2]-CO have been measured in a nozzle-beam apparatus with a rotational temperature of about 1.5 K. The spectrum consists of transitions from a single ground vibrational state to many different vibrational upper states. For both molecules a single vibrational transition, due to the CH stretching fundamental is responsible for the transition moment. Interactions between that state and other nearby dark states gives rise to the observed multiline spectrum. Many of the extra lines seem to come from weak resonances that are active only for the one or two J-levels where the CH fundamental crosses another vibrational state. These van der Walls molecules, which have two or three fundamental vibrational modes below 50 cm[sup [minus]1], show the complicated spectrum that can be expected when a single vibrational state interacts with a few of the states that form a near-continuum at 3,280 cm[sup [minus]1]. From the analysis, the van der Walls stretching frequencies are estimated.
Application of near infrared spectroscopy to peanut grading and quality analysis: overview

Techniques using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for quality measurements are becoming more popular in food processing and quality inspection of agricultural commodities. NIR spectroscopy has several advantages over conventional physical and chemical analytical methods of food quality analysis. It is a rapid and non destructive method and provides more information about the components and its structure present in the food products. It can measure more than one parameter simultaneously. The NIR spectrum includes wavelengths from 750 to 3000 nm that follow immediately after the visible region (400–700 nm). Many organic compounds can be well-defined by NIR reflectance, transmittance or diffuse reflectance system. This paper reviews the application of NIR spectroscopy to several oil seeds and examines the feasibility of using this technique for peanut quality analysis. The NIR spectroscopic instrumentation has been explained briefly for a better understanding. Also needs and limitations in use of NIR spectroscopy for peanut quality analysis and grading were explained.
Some insights into the mode of action of butadiene by examining the genotoxicity of its metabolites.

Abstract 1,3-Butadiene (BTD) is an important commodity chemical and air pollutant that has been shown to be a potent carcinogen in mice, and to a lesser extent, a carcinogen in rats. To better assess butadiene's carcinogenic risk to humans, it is important to understand its mode of action and how this relates to differences in responses among species. In a series of in vitro experiments, lymphocytes from rats, mice, and humans were exposed to 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB) or 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB) for 1 h at the G0 stage of the cell cycle, stimulated to divide, and cultured to assess the ability of these metabolites to induce sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CAs). EB induced no increases in SCEs or CAs in the cells from the three species. DEB was a potent SCE- and CA-inducer, with the results being similar in each rodent species. The response for SCEs seen in the human cells was more complex, with genetic polymorphism for glutathione-S-transferases (GST) possibly modulating the response. The single cell gel electrophoresis assay was used on genetically engineered V79 cell lines to investigate a possible influence of GST status. Experiments were also conducted to investigate the reason for EB's failure to induce SCEs or CAs in G0 cells. The results indicate that EB-induced DNA damage was repaired before DNA synthesis in unstimulated lymphocytes, but EB caused a large increase in SCEs if actively cycling cells were treated. Thus, the results indicate that DEB damage is persistent in G0 cells, and DEB is a much more potent genotoxicant than EB. The carcinogenic effect of butadiene will most likely depend on the degree to which DEB is produced and reaches target tissues, and to a lesser extent on the ability of EB to reach actively dividing or repair deficient cells.
The Razor's Edge: Symbolic-Structuralist Archeology and the Expansion of Archeological Inference

In this two-part article, Watson summarizes and discusses a number of new themes in the literature on archeological theory with critical emphasis on symbolic-structural approaches. Fotiadis comments by applying a structuralist analysis to Watson's argument.
Intersubbands carrier dynamics in quantum wire structures

Abstract We report new fundamental results on carrier transport in quantum wire structures. In the extreme quantum limit, “low” field transport characteristics show mobility enhancement associated with anomalous carrier cooling due to quenching of electron-electron interaction and strong optic phonon dissipation. In condition of resonance between the optic phonon energy and the electronic subband separation, a substantial population inversion between adjacent off-resonance subbands arises as a natural consequence of optic phonon absorption in confined ID systems. Radiative far infra-red emission induced by this new “phonon pumping” mechanism are subject to selection rules but theoretical estimations of the gain coefficient for stimulated emission are encouraging. In high field transport, simulation shows rapid carrier escape from quantum wires caused by intervalley scattering and real space transfer.
Information integration in cross-modal pattern recognition: An argument for acquired modularity

Three experiments addressed the issue of whether modularized operations (Fodor, 1983) in pattern recognition could be acquired. In Experiment 1, blind and sighted individuals were compared in the speech-tactile domain of pattern recognition. The results were inconsistent with the assumptions of the fuzzy logical model of perception (FLMP) (Oden and Massaro, 1978) and with the assumptions of modularized pattern recognition processes, but were consistent with the assumptions of 'penetrability' into non-modularized operations. Experiments 2 and 3 compared sighted individuals across speech-visual and speech-tactile domains, revealing fundamentally different patterns of performance that we argue demonstrate modularized and non-modularized FLMP operations in pattern recognition, respectively.
Production of DNA single strand breaks in rabbit renal tissue after exposure to 1,2-dichlorovinylcysteine

Abstract S -(trans-1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) is a recognized nephrotoxin. To investigate the genotoxic effects of DCVC on the kidney, DNA strand breaks were measured as an indicator of DCVC induced damage. To ascertain if bioactivation of DCVC occured in the kidney, 3 experimental systems were used: in vivo; perfused kidneys; an isolated proximal tubules of albino male rabbitsl. A dose-dependent increase in strand breaks in the kidney tubular DNA occured after in vivo dosing with 5–100 mg/kg DCVC and after in vitro exposure to 10 −5 –10 −2 M DCVC. These results demonstrate the genotoxic effect of this compound on renal tissue.
Evaluation of partially hydrogenated methyl esters of soybean oil as biodiesel

Biodiesel, an alternative fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, continues to undergo rapid worldwide growth. Specifications mandating biodiesel quality, most notably in Europe (EN 14214) and the USA (ASTM D6751), have emerged that limit feedstock choice in the production of biodiesel fuel. For instance, EN 14214 contains a specification for iodine value (IV; 120 g I 2 /100 g maximum) that eliminates soybean oil as a potential feedstock, as it generally has an IV >120. Therefore, partially hydrogenated soybean oil methyl esters (PHSME; IV = 116) were evaluated as biodiesel by measuring a number of fuel properties, such as oxidative stability, low-temperature performance, lubricity, kinematic viscosity, and specific gravity. Compared to soybean oil methyl esters (SME), PHSME were found to have superior oxidative stability, similar specific gravity, but inferior low-temperature performance, kinematic viscosity, and lubricity. The kinematic viscosity and lubricity of PHSME, however, were within the prescribed US and European limits. There is no universal value for low-temperature performance in biodiesel specifications, but PHSME have superior cold flow behavior when compared to other alternative feedstock fuels, such as palm oil, tallow and grease methyl esters. The production of PHSME from refined soybean oil would increase biodiesel production costs by US$ 0.04/L (US$ 0.15/gal) in comparison to SME. In summary, PHSME are within both the European and American standards for all properties measured in this study and deserve consideration as a potential biodiesel fuel.
Pulsed Infrared-evoked Intracellular Calcium Transients in Neonatal Vestibular and Spiral Ganglion Neurons

Pulsed infrared radiation (IR) has been shown to have high spatial selectivity and could potentially be used in auditory and vestibular prostheses. Results from stimulation of cardiomyocytes suggest that pulsed IR evokes intracellular Ca2+ responses. In the present study, we analyzed the response of rat neonatal vestibular and spiral ganglion neurons to infrared radiation (IR), ? = 1863 nm, in vitro. Both types of neurons responded with intracellular [Ca2+]i transients that could be entrained by the low frequency IR pulses (0.25-5 pulses/s). When challenged with an inhibitor of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (CGP-37157) and a blocker of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (Ruthenium Red), the IR-evoked responses were blocked or significantly reduced. This suggest that mitochondrial [Ca2+]i flux may be a primary source of the IR transients.
The Role of Herman Hoppe of Cincinnati in the Initial Clinical Recognition of Myasthenia Gravis

One of the earliest papers describing a case of what came to be known as myasthenia gravis was written in 1892 in the German language by an American, Herman Hoppe, who at the time was an assistant in the Berlin polyclinic of the prominent German neurologist. Hermann Oppenheim. At Oppenheim's instigation, Hoppe published the pathology of a case that Oppenheim had diagnosed during life; he collected all the reported similar cases and tried to establish a symptom-complex, for which he was given credit in Oppenheim's great neurology textbook of 1894. Upon his return to Cincinnati, Ohio, Hoppe's European experience qualified him as a specialist in nervous and mental diseases. His private practice of "neuropsychiatry" was his main occupation, but he also volunteered to teach as Professor of Nervous and Mental Diseases at the University of Cincinnati. In 1901 Oppenheim published the first monograph about what he called "Die Myasthenische Paralyse (Bulbarparalyse ohne anatomischen Befund)", summarizing 60 cases described in the medical literature up to that time. Hoppe, on the other hand, wrote on myasthenia gravis only once again, a review article in 1914 in a Cincinnati weekly, giving Oppenheim credit for the establishment of the disease as a clinical entity.
A new cyclic anisotropic model for plane strain sheet metal forming

A finite difference model was developed for sheet metal subjected to plane strain cyclic bending under tension. The model was used to describe the effects on the mechanics of the deformation of the sheet due to mixed isotropic-kinematic cyclic hardening curves. The analytical results were compared with experimental results obtained under testing conditions closely representative of the analytical model. Two tests were used: a pure bending moment device and a bending/unbending under tension device consisting of three cylindrical pins. The model was used to determine a constitutive curve that best characterize the cyclic behavior of the material tested, as compared with the experimental results. The significance of these results were discussed in relation to the prediction of the restraining forces in the sheet as it is drawn through the blank holder drawbeads.
Sextuplet heterotopic pregnancy presenting as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and hemoperitoneum.

Objective To describe a case of bilateral ruptured heterotopic pregnancies presenting as persistent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a quadruplet pregnancy. Design Case report. Setting University hospital and clinic. Patient(s) An infertile patient who conceived using gonadotropin therapy. Intervention(s) Culdocentesis with resultant aspiration of sanguinous fluid prompted laparoscopic exploration and bilateral salpingectomies. Main Outcome Measure(s) Not applicable. Result(s) Gross hemoperitoneum and ruptured bilateral heterotopic sextuplet pregnancy. Conclusion(s) Patients who conceive after gonadotropin therapy should be closely monitored during treatment and in early pregnancy to recognize and minimize morbidity and complications. After superovulation, the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy, either single or multiple, does not rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy, and this should always be considered as a possibility in the setting of acute anemia.
Interleukin 2, interleukin 2 receptor, and interferon-γ synthesis and mRNA expression in phorbol myristate acetate and calcium lonophore A23187-stimulated T cells from elderly humans☆

Abstract The levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) specific mRNA and their gene products were examined in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-costimulated purified T cells from young and elderly humans. In addition, the number of high-affinity IL-2R per activated cell, the high-affinity IL-2R density, and the proliferative response of the cells were measured. Among PMA A23187 -stimulated T cells, there was no statistically significant age-related difference in IL-2 or IL-2R specific mRNA accumulation or in the amount of IL-2 or IL-2R synthesized. IFN-γ specific mRNA was increased significantly in T cells from elderly individuals and the amount of IFN-γ synthesized by PMA A23187 -activated T cells was nearly double that produced by cells from young individuals. Quantification of the number of high-affinity IL-2R by [125I]IL-2 binding demonstrated there was no decrease in either the mean number or the dissociation constant of the high-affinity IL-2R on activated T cells of the elderly. Despite producing large amounts of IL-2 and having comparable numbers of both low- and high-affinity IL-2R, PMA A23187 -stimulated T cells from elderly subjects still proliferated less vigorously than did T cells from young persons. The addition of exogenous IL-2 to the cultured cells did not fully correct this age difference. Our findings that the expression of the IL-2, IL-2R, and IFN-γ genes are not constitutionally defective in the elderly support the hypothesis that the age-related decline in proliferation observed in mitogen-stimulated T cells of the elderly is most likely attributable to alterations in the transmission of signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus.
On converting on-line algorithms into real-time and on real-time algorithms for string-matching and palindrome recognition

We give a sufficient condition when an on-line algorithm can be transformed into a real-time algorithm. We use this condition to construct real-time algorithms for string-matching and palindrome recognition problems by random access machines and by Turing machines.
Chemical preparation and phase stability of Ca2SiO4 and Sr2SiO4 powders

A process has been developed to produce high surface area Ca2SiO4 and Sr2SiO4 powders using colloidal silica for the silicon precursor. This method was relatively straightforward and avoided the use of precipitation techniques and unstable alkoxides. Calcium carbonate and strontium carbonate were identified as intermediate compounds, and the silicates appeared to form by a low-temperature solid-state reaction. The effect of resin content and calcination conditions on the phase distribution and physical properties of the powders was examined. Finally, the sodium content of the colloidal silica was found to have a significant effect on the phase stability of β-Ca2SiO4 after calcination at 1400°C.
Ihara zeta functions and cospectrality of joins of regular graphs

It is known that two regular graphs of minimum degree 2 are cospectral if and only if they have the same Ihara zeta function. In this article we present other families of graphs for which the spectrum of the adjacency matrix and the Ihara zeta function determine each other.