cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of monocular optokinetic nystagmus asymmetries and motion perception with motion-nulling techniques

When tested monocularly, strabismic and amblyopic subjects often show asymmetries of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), with OKN being more readily elicited by temporal-to-nasal than by nasal-to-temporal stimulus motion. We tested five visually normal subjects and ten strabismic and/or amblyopic subjects by use of motion-nulling stimuli, which consisted of superimposed temporal-to-nasal and nasal-to-temporal sinusoidal-grating components with a summed contrast of 100%. Both the direction of OKN and the subject’s perceived direction of motion (PDM) were tested. Most normal subjects showed symmetrical OKN and PDM, but a rightward OKN bias was observed in one of the visually normal subjects. Temporal-to-nasal eye-movement biases were seen in most strabismic and amblyopic subjects, whereas PDM biases were smaller and less frequent. The primary purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying OKN and PDM asymmetries in a diverse group of visually abnormal adults by use of the motion-nulling technique. Application of this technique to larger and more homogeneous clinical populations may contribute to the continued differentiation and characterization of variants of the visual disorders associated with strabismus and amblyopia and with other defects of binocular vision.
Visualizing underwater acoustic matched-field processing

Matched-field processing is a new technique for processing ocean acoustic data measured by an array of hydrophones. It produces estimates of the location of sources of acoustic energy. This method differs from source localization techniques in other disciplines in that it uses the complex underwater acoustic environment to improve the accuracy of the source localization. An unexplored problem in matched-field processing has been to separate multiple sources within a matched-field ambiguity function. Underwater acoustic processing is one of many disciplines where a synthesis of computer graphics and image processing is producing new insight. The benefits of different volume visualization algorithms for matched-field display are discussed. The authors show how this led to a template matching scheme for identifying a source within the matched-field ambiguity function that can help move toward an automated source localization process.
Norms and laughter in rhetorical culture

(1994). Norms and laughter in rhetorical culture. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 339-342.
Anterior communicating artery aneurysms

ANTERIOR COMMUNICATING ARTERY aneurysms are complex lesions for which surgical success requires extensive preoperative and intraoperative planning. Adherence to the tenets of aneurysm surgery, including vascular control and preservation of perforating arteries, is essential for their exclusion from the circulation.
Social Problem Solving and Suicidal Behavior: Ethnic Differences in the Moderating Effects of Loneliness and Life Stress

The objective of this study was to examine the combined moderating effects of life stress and loneliness on the association between social problem solving ability (SPS) and suicidal behaviors. We assessed SPS, suicidal behavior, loneliness, and stressful life events in a sample of 385 ethnically diverse college students. Overall, only loneliness moderated the association between SPS and suicidal behaviors. Across ethnic groups, loneliness moderated the association between SPS and suicidal behavior for Blacks, Whites, and Asians; life stress was a moderator for Hispanics. For most individuals, loneliness increases the strength of the association between poor problem-solving and suicidal behaviors. For Hispanics, life stress exacerbates this relationship. Ethnically-specific prevention strategies targeting loneliness and life stress may promote effective problem-solving, reducing suicide risk.
On the reconstitution of rabbit myosin from fast and slow muscle

Abstract Myosin from slow twitch muscle contains a low molecular weight component obtained by treatment with 4 M LiCl, which comprises about 9 % of the total protein, and which differs electrophoretically in polyacrylamide gel from that of the fast muscle. It was found that the addition of light subunit to the remaining heavy matrix resulted in the enhancement of ATPase activity in both myosins. In the crosswise reconstitution experiments, the light subunit from the F-myosin yielded higher ATPase activities than that of S-myosin regardless of whether the heavy subunits from S- or F-myosins are used. These results support the notion that the light subunit, an integral part of the myosin molecule, is exchangeable between different species of myosins.
The Influence of the Lewis Numbers of the Reactants on the Asymptotic Structure of Counterflow and Stagnant Diffusion Flames

Abstract The asymptotic structure of counterflow and stagnant diffusion flames are analyzed in the limit for large values of the overall, nondimensional activation energy, Ta , characterizing the rate of the reaction and results are given for small values of the stoichiometric fuel to oxygen mass ratio. The chemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidizer is represented by a one-step, irreversible process. A new approach is developed to characterize the influence of the Lewis number of the fuel, LF and the Lewis number of the oxidizer, L0 , on the outer and inner structure of near equilibrium diffusion flames. Explicit algebraic formulas to predict the critical conditions of flame extinction are also given. For counterflow diffusion flames at fixed values of L0 , the flame moves significantly toward the oxidizer stream and the heat losses toward the oxidizer region of the flame increase significantly with decreasing values of LF . The value of the maximum flame temperature is relatively insensitive to ...
Differential Solubilization of Placental Lactogen (PL)-and Growth Hormone-Binding Sites: Further Evidence for a Unique PL Receptor in Fetal and Maternal Liver*

Previous studies from this laboratory provided evidence for the existence of a specific placental lactogen (PL) receptor in tissues of fetal lambs and pregnant sheep. The PL receptor is structurally and functionally distinct from somatotropic (GH) and lactogenic (PRL) receptors, and there are conspicuous differences in the expression of the three receptors during ontogeny. The results of the present study indicate striking differences in the solubilization of PL- and GH-binding sites in maternal and fetal sheep liver. Radiolabeled ovine PL (oPL) bound specifically and with high affinity (Kd, 0.97 nM) to soluble detergent extracts of ovine fetal liver, but there was no specific binding of radiolabeled ovine GH (oGH) or oPRL to soluble extracts or insoluble fractions of fetal liver. When liver microsomes of pregnant sheep were extracted with Triton X-100,80% of the [125I]oPL-binding sites were recovered in the soluble fraction, but 76% of the [125I]oGH binding sites were recovered in the insoluble pellet. S...
High spectral resolution ground-based observations of Venus in the 450- to 1250-cm−1 region

The thermal emission of Venus was recorded during the winter of 1970-1971, and in 1973 using the 2.7m telescope at McDonald Observatory. The double beam Michelson interferometer installed at the Coude focus was used. The spectrum was recorded between 400/cm and 1,400/cm. For the 1970 observations, the spectral resolution was 0.25/cm and the linear spatial resolution was 3/4 of the disk of Venus. In 1973 the spectral resolution was 0.20/cm with a spatial resolution 1/3 of the planetary disk. In addition to Venus, the moon, the sky adjacent to each object, and the zenith sky were recorded to help eliminate the absorption and emission effects of the earth's atmosphere.
Radioassay for β-emitters in biological materials using cerenkov radiation

Abstract An investigation was conducted on the detection of β-emitting radionuclides in plant roots by means of Cerenkov radiation. The samples were directly radioassayed in polyethylene vials with an aqueous solution of the wavelenght shifter 7-amino-1,3-naphthalene-disulfonic acid. High efficiencies are obtained for hard β-emitters, e.g. about 60% for 86 Rbuin 1 g tissue. The relatively weak β-emitter 36 Cl can still be determined with an efficiency of 13 per cent in plant roots. The maximum β-energy of a nuclide must be at least 0.5 MeV for radioassay by Cerenkov radiation in biological material. Self-absorption of weak β-emitters in tissues has to be considered. The procedure described here should be applicable to other plant tissues and to animal materials. The method was tested in experiments on the kinetics of ion absorption by plant roots and earlier work in which radioactivity was determined with a gas-flow counter was confirmed.
Biosynthesis of marine natural products: macroorganisms (Part B)

Covering: 1999 through 2004. Previous reviews: Nat. Prod. Rep., 1999, 16, 653; 2005, 22, 580The field of marine natural product biosynthesis covering macroalgae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, and other marine macroorganisms and their associated microflora is reviewed; 104 references are cited.
Preliminary experience comparing routine cytology results with the composite results of digital image analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization in patients undergoing EUS-guided FNA.

Background Studies indicate enhanced diagnostic accuracy for digital image analysis (DIA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) versus routine cytology examination (RC) when biliary strictures are evaluated. These tumor markers have not been applied to EUS-guided FNA. Objective Our purpose was to determine the accuracy of RC versus the composite results of DIA/FISH. Design Patients enrolled with known or suspected malignancy. The final diagnosis was based on strict cytopathologic and imaging criteria and 12-month follow-up. Settings Tertiary referral center. Patients A total of 39 patients were enrolled in whom each diagnostic test was performed on samples from 42 sites to evaluate lymphadenopathy (n = 19), pancreatic mass (n = 19), esophageal or gastric wall mass (n = 3), and thyroid mass (n = 1). Interventions EUS-guided FNA with RC, DIA, and FISH. Main Outcome Measurement Diagnostic accuracy of RC, DIA, and FISH. Results Malignancy was diagnosed in 30 of 42 patients, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia, metastatic forearm sarcoma, small cell and non–small cell lung cancer, thyroid carcinoma, malignant GI stromal tumor, melanoma, adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, and lymphoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DIA/FISH versus RC for detecting malignancy were 97%, 100%, and 98% versus 87%, 100%, and 90%, respectively. Limitations Single-center pilot study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that DIA and FISH processing of EUS-guided FNA specimens provides higher diagnostic accuracy than RC does. These data suggest that these tumor markers incorporate generic targets as suggested by the high diagnostic sensitivity in this patient cohort with diverse pathologic conditions.
Study of the effect of ripening stages and climatic conditions on the physicochemical and sensorial parameters of two varieties of Vitis vinifera L. by principal component analysis: influence on enzymatic browning

The present paper describes the effects of maturation on the physicochemical, biochemical and color components of Napoleon and Dominga grape varieties, and on any differences between them. Climatic conditions were taken into account to explain the results obtained. Protein levels increased during ripening and were correlated with pH. Polyphenoloxidase activity was affected by climatic conditions (rainfall) and increased to a greater degree in Dominga than in Napoleon. Taste tests were conducted to determine the contribution of physicochemical and biochemical parameters to the sensorial properties of the grapes. Principal components analysis showed that parameters were correlated in different ways during the ripening period in Napoleon and Dominga varieties. In Dominga AE were correlated to the b parameter and in Napoleon to the L parameter. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of Direct Cu Electroplating on Ru: Feature Fill, Parametric, and Reliability

Cu films were directly deposited on Ru to check the feasibility of this process for Cu back-end-of-the-line integration beyond 32-nm technology nodes. Feature-fill enhancement was observed from the direct electroplating process as compared to the conventional one with the Cu electroplating performed on a PVD Cu seeding layer. Reasonable parametric yields were demonstrated for the direct electroplating process. The electromigration (EM) resistance of the directly plated Cu lines was degraded relative to that observed on the conventionally plated Cu lines. The observed EM resistance degradation is attributed to a weak interface between Ru/Cu, which can be caused by impurities from the electroplating process.
A Federal Perspective On Special Education Technology

This article examines more than a decade of changes in special education research and in the use of technology. It discusses evolving research and projects funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and raises questions about the use of specific methodologies and about whether children with disabilities are being prepared for the world in which they will live. And, finally, it describes OSEP's Technology, Educational Media, and Materials strategic program agenda that will drive future planning and priorities.
Structure and emplacement of a rhyolitic obsidian flow: Little Glass Mountain, Medicine Lake Highland, northern California

Many rhyolitic obsidian flows show consistent stratigraphic relations among textural units exposed in the flow fronts of undissected flows and in cross sections of older flows. The stratigraphy of the Holocene Little Glass Mountain rhyolitic obsidian flow consists of (from bottom to top): air-fall tephra deposits, basal breccia, coarsely vesicular pumice, obsidian, finely vesicular pumice, and surface breccia. Slightly crystalline rhyolite occurs near the vent areas. A model of obsidian-flow emplacement based on these textural relations is presented. This stratigraphy may reflect the distribution of volatiles within the magma source region, with the interlayered contact between coarsely vesicular pumice and overlying obsidian indicating stratification of volatiles in the magma body. The distribution of pumiceous and glassy zones along with the orientations of flow banding can be used to map the surface structure of rhyolitic obsidian flows. This complex structure, as mapped on the Little Glass Mountain flow, reflects both the initial flow stratigraphy and subsequent deformational processes. During emplacement of the lava, three processes disrupt the initial flow configuration: the rise of coarse pumice diapirs from the base of the flow, the inward propagation of fractures in areas of extension, and surface folding in sites of flow-parallel compression. Subvertical flow banding in vent areas indicates that fracturing accompanies the emergence of lava; most of the observed upper surface of a dome originates as a fracture plane. The structure of domes that form over vent areas may reflect the orientation of dike-like conduits as well as the local state of stress during extrusion.
Kaizen: a semi-automatic index advisor

Index tuning; i.e., selecting indexes that are appropriate for the workload to obtain good system performance, is a crucial task for database administrators. Administrators rely on automated index advisors for this task, but existing advisors work either offline, requiring a-priori knowledge of the workload, or online, taking the administrator out of the picture and assuming total control of the index tuning task. Semi-automatic index tuning is a new paradigm that achieves a middle ground: the advisor analyzes the workload online and provides recommendations tailored to the current workload, and the administrator is able to provide feedback to refine future recommendations. In this demonstration we present Kaizen, an index tuning tool that implements semi-automatic tuning.
Performance evaluation of scientific programs on advanced architecture computers

Recently a number of advanced architecture machines have become commercially available. These new machines promise better cost-performance then traditional computers, and some of them have the potential of competing with current supercomputers, such as the Cray X/MP, in terms of maximum performance. This paper describes an on-going project to evaluate a broad range of advanced architecture computers using a number of complete scientific application programs. The computers to be evaluated include (1) distributed-memory machines such as the NCUBE, INTEL and Caltech/JPL hypercubes, and the MEIKO computing surface, (2) shared-memory, bus architecture machines such as the Sequent Balance and the Alliant, (3) very long instruction word machines such as the Multiflow Trace 7/200 computer, (4) “traditional” supercomputers such as the Cray X/MP and Cray-2, and (5) SIMD machines such as the Connection Machine. Currently 11 application codes from a number of scientific disciplines have been selected, although it is not intended to run all codes on all machines. Results are presented for two of the codes (QCD and missile tracking), and future work is proposed.
Methemoglobinemia induced by rasburicase in a pediatric patient: A case report and literature review

Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme indicated for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), a potential life-threatening oncologic emergency that occurs most commonly during chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. As a result of the defects in the physiological antioxidant pathway, erythrocytes of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are not protected against the oxidating stress exerted by hydrogen peroxide generated with the administration of rasburicase. Therefore, rasburicase is contraindicated in patients with known G6PD deficiency and the manufacturer recommends screening all patients with high risk for G6PD deficiency before initiating rasburicase therapy. However, it is logistically difficult in clinical settings because of the high risk of morbidity and mortality associated with TLS if treatment is delayed and the long turnaround time of the G6PD deficiency screening. Therefore, administering rasburicase to patients developing TLS before confirming a patient’s G6PD status is practically inevitable. Methemoglobinemia, and/or hemolysis, may result from the oxidative stress. Descriptions of the clinical course should it happen are limited in the literature. There are eight reported cases of rasburicase-related methemoglobinemia, with or without hemolytic anemia, in the literature of which five are pediatric patients. Six reports (including three pediatric patients) had detailed descriptions of the event and management. The recent reports of methemoglobinemia observed in patients with probable G6PD activity further complicated the picture. We are reporting a 16-year-old patient diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma who developed methemoglobinemia after receiving one dose of rasburicase. He was managed by transfusion and oxygen support. The patient recovered well and the observed methemoglobinemia was reversible.
Development, calibration and performance of an HIV transmission model incorporating natural history and behavioral patterns: application in South Africa.

Understanding HIV transmission dynamics is critical to estimating the potential population-wide impact of HIV prevention and treatment interventions. We developed an individual-based simulation model of the heterosexual HIV epidemic in South Africa and linked it to the previously published Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC) International Model, which simulates the natural history and treatment of HIV. In this new model, the CEPAC Dynamic Model (CDM), the probability of HIV transmission per sexual encounter between short-term, long-term and commercial sex worker partners depends upon the HIV RNA and disease stage of the infected partner, condom use, and the circumcision status of the uninfected male partner. We included behavioral, demographic and biological values in the CDM and calibrated to HIV prevalence in South Africa pre-antiretroviral therapy. Using a multi-step fitting procedure based on Bayesian melding methodology, we performed 264,225 simulations of the HIV epidemic in South Africa and identified 3,750 parameter sets that created an epidemic and had behavioral characteristics representative of a South African population pre-ART. Of these parameter sets, 564 contributed 90% of the likelihood weight to the fit, and closely reproduced the UNAIDS HIV prevalence curve in South Africa from 1990–2002. The calibration was sensitive to changes in the rate of formation of short-duration partnerships and to the partnership acquisition rate among high-risk individuals, both of which impacted concurrency. Runs that closely fit to historical HIV prevalence reflect diverse ranges for individual parameter values and predict a wide range of possible steady-state prevalence in the absence of interventions, illustrating the value of the calibration procedure and utility of the model for evaluating interventions. This model, which includes detailed behavioral patterns and HIV natural history, closely fits HIV prevalence estimates.
Buffering and Flow Control in Optical Switches for High Performance Computing

We investigate the advantages and disadvantages of different loopback buffer architectures for optical switches and compare their performance via simulation. The simulation results show that, without the use of virtual output queuing, the head-of-line blocking can be alleviated by wavelength parallelism when each separate queue in a loopback buffer has multiple transmitters. Furthermore, the proposed two-level flow control can eliminate packet drop at the switch, resolve rate mismatching due to output queuing at switch outputs, and ensure that congestion occurring at the hotspot port will not affect the performance of non-congested ports.
Wealth production, ritual consumption, and center/periphery relations in a West African regional system

This article analyzes the political economy of a regional system of rural communities among the Kabre of northern Togo (West Africa). Noting that other models used to analyze West African regional systems fail to capture the cultural logic of the Kabre system, the article argues that only through a cultural-symbolic analysis which recognizes the holistic underpinnings of Kabre society may one comprehend the complex hierarchies that constitute this regional system. [regional systems, West Africa, markets, ritual, Togo]
Optically pumped intersubband light emission near 2 µm from GaN/AlN quantum wells

Intersubband light emission at record short wavelengths near 2 µm is obtained with GaN/AlN quantum wells, via optical pumping from the ground-state to the second-excited subband followed by radiative relaxation into the first-excited subband.
ATM based transport architecture for multiservices wireless personal communication networks

This paper presents an ATM based transport architecture for next-generation multiservices personal communication networks (PCN). Such "multimedia capable" integrated services wireless networks are motivated by an anticipated demand for wireless extensions to future broadband networks. An ATM based wireless network concept capable of supporting a mix of broadband ISDN services including constant bit-rate (CBR), variable, bit-rate (VBR) and packet data transport is explored from an architectural viewpoint. The proposed system uses a hierarchical ATM switching network for interconnection of PCN microcells, each of which is serviced by high-speed, shared-access radio links based on ATM-compatible cell relay principles. Design issues related to the physical, media access control (MAC) and data link layers of the ATM-based radio link are discussed, and preliminary technical approaches are identified in each case. >
A drop on a floating sheet: boundary conditions, topography and formation of wrinkles

The radial wrinkle pattern generated by a liquid drop on a floating elastic sheet has stimulated a number of advances in the understanding of wrinkle patterns in ultrathin sheets. A puzzle associated with the spatial extent of this simple, highly symmetric pattern has only recently been resolved, but several other basic aspects of the pattern remain unexplained. Our previous experiments have studied the extent and wavenumber of the pattern via 2-dimensional images. In the current study we report a full 3-dimensional topographical characterization of this archetypical problem, and of its counterpart, a bubble beneath a sheet. In addition to measurements of the wrinkle amplitude, these studies reveal the elastic deformation and the resulting wrinkle pattern beneath the drop. We also show that the flat boundary condition at the contact line of the drop is achieved by a cascade of wrinkles on both sides of the boundary. Finally, we report studies by high-speed video imaging of the propagation of the wrinkle pattern, with the unexpected result that the wavenumber is established early in the development of the pattern, before it has reached its full spatial extent.
Pharmacokinetics of eplerenone after single and multiple dosing in subjects with and without renal impairment

Eplerenone pharmacokinetics were studied in subjects with varying degrees of renal function after single (100 mg) and multiple doses (100 mg daily for 5 days). This open-label, parallel-group study enrolled 32 renally impaired subjects and 32 normal matches. Subjects were stratified based on CLcr: normal CLcr80 mL/min; mild CLcr=50–80 mL/min, moderate CLcr=30-49 mL/min, or severe impairment CLcr 0.093) between renally impaired and normal subjects. Compared to normal subjects, eplerenone renal clearance was significantly decreased in subjects with moderate and severe impairment. Since <2% of eplerenone is excreted unchanged, decreases in renal clearance did not result in significant alterations in CL/F. Subjects with severe impairment displayed the greatest decrease (18%) in mean CL/F/WT as compared to normal matches. In subjects with end-stage renal failure, approximately 10% of the dose was removed after 4 hours of hemodialysis. Eplerenone was well tolerated in all subjects. Dose adjustment based on pharmacokinetic alterations does not appear necessary in patients with renal impairment; rather, dose adjustment for eplerenone in renal failure, as with spironolactone, should be based on its potential effect on serum potassium values. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P37–P37; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.142
Improved methods and standards for telomerase detection: quantitative histopathology using antibody staining.

AbstractEvaluation of telomerase as an early detection biomarker for cancer has been hindered by a lack of reliable methods and standards for in situ histochemical measurement. Improved histochemical methods for measuring telomerase could expedite the acceptance of telomerase as a biomarker for use in diagnostic and clinical applications. The lack of a crystal structure for telomerase coupled with high variability in the antibodies available for immunohistochemical analysis has led to confusion in the literature regarding the binding specificity of these antibodies. We have developed an automated fluorescence microscopy protocol to assess the specificity of three fluorescently labeled telomerase antibodies and to quantify telomerase in cultured human tumor cells and in human fibroblast cells as a control. Significant differences in staining intensity and distribution were observed. Fluorescence measurements in these cell lines were compared to telomerase measured by the telomerase repeat amplification pro...
Smartphone application delay optimizations

Despite the rapid hardware upgrades, current smartphones suffer various unpredictable delays during operation, e.g., when launching an app, leading to poor user experience. In this work, we investigate the behavior of reads and writes in smartphones. We conduct the first large-scale measurement study on the I/O delay of Android using the data collected from our Android app running on 1009 devices within 130 days. Among other factors, we observe that reads experience up to 626% slowdown when blocked by concurrent writes for certain workloads. We use this obtained knowledge to design a pilot solution called SmartIO that reduces application delays by prioritizing reads over writes. SmartIO is implemented on the Android platform and evaluated extensively on several groups of popular applications. The results show that our system reduces launch delays by up to 37.8%, and run-time delays by up to 29.6%.
Assessment of a Short Diabetes Knowledge Instrument for Older and Minority Adults

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess the performance of a Short Diabetes Knowledge Instrument (SDKI) in a large multi-ethnic sample of older adults with diabetes and to identify possible modifications to improve its ability to document diabetes knowledge.Research Design and MethodsA sample of 593 African American, American Indian, and white female and male adults 60 years and older, with diabetes diagnosed at least 2 years prior, was recruited from 8 North Carolina counties. All completed an interview that included a 16-item questionnaire to assess diabetes knowledge. A subsample of 46 completed the questionnaire a second time at a subsequent interview. Item-response analysis was used to refine the instrument to well-performing items. The instrument consisting of the remaining items was subjected to analyses to assess validity and test-retest reliability.ResultsThree items were removed after item-response analysis. Scores for the resulting instrument were lower among minority and older participan...
In vivo rescue of alveolar macrophages from SP-A knockout mice with exogenous SP-A nearly restores a wild type intracellular proteome; actin involvement

Background Mice lacking surfactant protein-A (SP-A-/-; knockout; KO) exhibit increased vulnerability to infection and injury. Although many bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein differences between KO and wild-type (WT) are rapidly reversed in KO after infection, their clinical course is still compromised. We studied the impact of SP-A on the alveolar macrophage (AM) proteome under basal conditions. Male SP-A KO mice were SP-A-treated (5 micrograms/mouse) and sacrificed in 6 or 18 hr. The AM proteomes of KO, SP-A-treated KO, and WT mice were studied by 2D-DIGE coupled with MALDI-ToF/ToF and AM actin distribution was examined by phalloidon staining.
Institutional and Personal Sources of Manuscripts in the "Journal of Vocational Behavior" Revisited; The First Generation of Publication Activity.

Abstract We identified the primary institutional and personal sources of manuscripts to the Journal of Vocational Behavior ( JVB ) for three periods of publicaton-1971- 1977, 1978-1984, and 1985-1992-and for its first 22 years of publication as a journal. Our results revealed several individuals (e.g., W. B. Walsh, E. I. Meir, J. H. Greenhaus, and D. J. Prediger) and institutions (e.g., Ohio State University, University of Minnesota, and University of Maryland) that had consistently contributed to JVB for all of its 22 years, as well as many other individuals and institutions that made significant but less consistent contributions overall.
Data and Methods

This chapter describes the data and methods used to analyze rates of poverty at the individual and contextual levels for Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants in the Southwestern United States. The individual-level data were extracted from the American Community Survey , 2006 using the IPUMS system provided by the Minnesota Population Center. The focus is on four dependent variables, namely, extreme poverty , 100% poverty, low income, and relative poverty status. These outcomes are examined relative to several principal independent variables including ethnicity, citizenship status, undocumented status (for Mexican immigrants) and type of occupation, among others. As the results are considered on the basis of a binary dependent variable (i.e. likelihood of reporting to any of the four outcomes of poverty), logistic regression is the proper method of analysis and is described in full detail. This is followed by descriptive tables containing the selected variables and their definitions.
Feasibility of cosmic-ray radiography: a case study of a temple gate as a test piece

Cosmic-ray intensity data were collected under and around the gate of Higashi-Honganji Temple in Nagoya, Japan, a massive concrete structure which replaced the original wood gate dating to 1691 and destroyed during World War II. The results revealed good correlation between the measured image and the actual construction. It was concluded that cosmic-ray radiography is feasible. -- AATA
Dissecting the Mechanism of Type VI Secretion System Effector Delivery by Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Microscopy

The Type Six Secretion System (T6SS) is a bacterial toxin-delivery system targeting bacterial cells which neighbor the donor, promoting recipient cell death. The T6SS is widely conserved among Gram-negative bacteria and may be a central determinant in bacterial fitness in polymicrobial communities of particular relevance to chronic infection. Sequence homology of secretion system components to the T4 bacteriophage tail spike, cryoEM reconstructions of the secretion system and fluorescence imaging are all consistent with a dynamic mechanism of secretion. The complex system, which is composed of at least 15 proteins, forms a puncturing apparatus/delivery system which uses a donor protein filament to puncture the recipient cell wall to deliver protein toxins. Using quantitative imaging analysis of multiple fluorescent fusions, we present a detailed characterization of T6SS system dynamics visualized in single cells in multiple bacterial species, developing a model of T6SS function. We present quantitative measurements of the dynamics of the secretion system - from the assembly to contraction to disassembly - in conjunction with quantitative measures of system function, including recipient cell lysis.
Phosphorus Trifluoride–Hæmoglobin

THERE are numerous examples of complex compounds formed by trivalent phosphorus compounds which have an electron pair available for the formation of dative bonds1, and recently this knowledge has been extended by the preparation of phosphorus trifluoride complexes of divalent platinum2. There is a close analogy between the lower halides of phosphorus and carbon monoxide in such compounds, and this analogy has been strengthened by the recent preparation of the tetrakistrihalogenophosphine nickels, Ni(PCl3)43, Ni(PBr3)44, and Ni(PF3)44; the latter is a volatile liquid similar to nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO)4. It was therefore thought that phosphorus trifluoride might form a complex with ferrohaemoglobin similar to the well-known covalent complexes with carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, isocyanides, etc.5. The existence of such a phosphorus trifluoride–haemoglobin compound has been established, providing further evidence for the covalent bonding ability of phosphorus trifluoride.
Applying photoacoustics to quantification of melanin concentration in retinal pigment epithelium(Conference Presentation)

The melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) protects retina and other ocular tissues by photo-screening and acting as antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It helps maintain normal visual functions since human eye is subjected to lifelong high oxygen stress and photon exposure. Loss of the RPE melanin weakens the protection mechanism and jeopardizes ocular health. Local decrease in the RPE melanin concentration is believed to be both a cause and a sign of early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading blinding disease in developed world. Current technology cannot quantitatively measure the RPE melanin concentration which might be a promising marker in early AMD screening. Photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy (PAOM), as an emerging optical absorption-based imaging technology, can potentially be applied to measure the RPE melanin concentration if the dependence of the detectable photoacoustic (PA) signal amplitudes on the RPE melanin concentrations is verified. In this study, we tested the feasibility of using PA signal ratio from RPE melanin and the nearby retinal blood vessels as an indicator of the RPE melanin variation. A novel whole eye optical model was designed and Monte Carlo modeling of light (MCML) was employed. We examined the influences on quantification from PAOM axial resolution, the depth and diameter of the retinal blood vessel, and the RPE thickness. The results show that the scheme is robust to individual histological and illumination variations. This study suggests that PAOM is capable of quantitatively measuring the RPE melanin concentration in vivo.
National and international information policy

Developments in computer and telecommunications technology underlie the shift to an information-based economy. Throughout the world policymakers are establishing national policies to promote their information industries and to protect against potential negative effects of the information age. Efforts to address information policies at the international level involve a process of reconciling these varying national perspectives. Three aspects of the transborder data flow debate—privacy protection, national and cultural sovereignty, and economic development—provide illustrations of the effect that national concerns have on the formulation of international information policies.
Towards a Model of Electronic Word-of-Mouth and Its Impact on the Hotel Industry

ABSTRACTScholars and practitioners recognize that spreading word-of-mouth can play an important role in the formation of a hotel’s image. However, the relationships among various measures of online customer engagement are relatively unknown. The present study analyzes the relationships and quantifies the impacts of various measures of online engagement including the number of online reviews, overall rating, and relative ranking. The researchers used path analysis on a sample of 178 hotels to study the relationships among relevant variables and build a model to explain the impact of such measures (Figure 2). The results reveal there is a positive direct effect of the number of reviews on a hotel’s TripAdvisor rating. A negative direct effect was found between TripAdvisor rating and a hotel’s comparative ranking. Finally, the researchers discovered that TripAdvisor rating fully mediates the relationship between the number of reviews and a hotel’s comparative ranking. This article concludes with a discussion...
Effect of a Long-Term Physical Activity Intervention on Resting Pulse Rate in Older Persons: Results from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Study.

Objectives To assess the utility of a long-term physical activity (PA) intervention for reducing resting pulse rate (RPR) in older persons. Design Community. Setting Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Study. Participants Individuals aged 70 to 89 (N = 1,635, 67.2% women) were randomized to a moderate-intensity PA intervention (n = 818) or a health education–based successful aging (SA) intervention (n = 817). Measurements RPR was recorded at baseline and 6, 18, and 30 months. Longitudinal changes in RPR of intervention groups were compared using a mixed-effects analysis of covariance model for repeated-measure outcomes, generating least squares means with standard errors (SEs) or 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Mean duration of the study was 2.6 years (median 2.7 years, interquartile range 2.3–3.1 years). The average effect of the PA intervention on RPR over the course of the study period was statistically significant but clinically small (average intervention difference = 0.84 beats/min; 95% CI = 0.17–1.51; Paverage = .01), with the most pronounced effect observed at 18 months (PA, 66.5 beats/min (SE 0.32 beats/min); SA, 67.8 beats/min (SE 0.32 beats/min); difference = 1.37 beats/min, 95% CI = 0.48–2.26 beats/min). The relationship became somewhat weaker and was not statistically significant at 30 months. There were no significant differences between several prespecified subgroups. Conclusion A long-term moderate-intensity PA program was associated with a small and clinically insignificant slowing of RPR in older persons. Whether PA can deliver a beneficial reduction in RPR requires further examination in older adults.
Mooring Design for the Floating Oscillating Water Column Reference Model

To reduce the price of the reference Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB), a study was done analyzing the effects of reducing the mooring line length, and a new mooring design was developed. It was found that the overall length of the mooring lines could be reduced by 1290 meters, allowing a significant price reduction of the system. In this paper, we will first give a description of the model and the storm environment it will be subject to. We will then give a recommendation for the new mooring system, followed by a discussion of the severe weather simulation results, and an analysis of the conservative and aggressive aspects of the design.
Synergistic Integration of Experimental and Simulation Approaches for the de Novo Design of Silk-Based Materials.

ConspectusTailored biomaterials with tunable functional properties are crucial for a variety of task-specific applications ranging from healthcare to sustainable, novel bio–nanodevices. To generate polymeric materials with predictive functional outcomes, exploiting designs from nature while morphing them toward non-natural systems offers an important strategy. Silks are Nature’s building blocks and are produced by arthropods for a variety of uses that are essential for their survival. Due to the genetic control of encoded protein sequence, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, silk proteins have been selected as prototype models to emulate for the tunable designs of biomaterial systems.The bottom up strategy of material design opens important opportunities to create predictive functional outcomes, following the exquisite polymeric templates inspired by silks. Recombinant DNA technology provides a systematic approach to recapitulate, vary, and evaluate the core structure peptide mo...
Two cases of alopecia areata treated with ruxolitinib: a discussion of ideal dosing and laboratory monitoring

Background Alopecia areata is a relatively common condition affecting patients seen in community dermatology clinics. A 2014 study implicated the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib in short-term treatment of alopecia, however little information exists about the long-term use in otherwise healthy individuals in the community setting. Methods A patient with chronic alopecia areata and a patient with acute onset alopecia universalis were treated with oral ruxolitinib for over a year. Results Both patients experienced sustained, near-complete regrowth without hematologic or other complications after one year of treatment. Oral ruxolitinib effectively and safely treated alopecia in two women. Conclusions Ruxolitinib should be considered for cases of unresponsive alopecia in the community.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-reactivity of antibodies induced by oil-in-water emulsion adjuvanted influenza H5N1 virus monovalent vaccines.

Abstract Background Cross-clade immunogenic stockpiled H5N1 vaccines may decrease the morbidity and transmission of infection during the initial phase of influenza pandemic. Meta-analysis of cross-reactive antibodies induced by oil-in-water emulsion adjuvanted (OWEA) influenza H5N1 virus monovalent vaccines with circulating heterologous H5N1 virus strains, isolated from human infections was performed. Methods Literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry was conducted up through December 1, 2015. Methodologically qualified studies were included for (1) use of two doses of licensed OWEA (AS03 or MF59) egg-derived, inactivated influenza H5N1 virus monovalent vaccine, (2) participant age between 18 and 64 years, and (3) evaluation of immunogenicity outcome for one or more subclade. Meta-analysis assessed the cross-reactivity of antibodies elicited by clade 1 adjuvanted vaccine strain against clade 2.1 virus strain (A/Vietnam/1194/2004 vs. A/Indonesia/05/2005); and separately against clade 2.2 virus strain (A/Vietnam/1194/2004 vs. A/turkey/Turkey/1/05); and clade 2.1 adjuvanted vaccine strain against clade 1 virus strain (A/Indonesia/05/2005 vs. A/Vietnam/1194/2004). Quantitative publication bias and influence analysis was conducted to evaluate potential impact of unpublished or new studies on the robustness of meta-analysis. Results Of 960 articles, 53 qualified for quality assessment and 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. All assessed clade pairs elicited cross-reactive antibodies (clade 1 against clade 2.1 and 2.2; clade 2.1 against clade 1, 2.2, and 2.3). Heterologous strains of same sub-clade are likely to elicit higher cross-reactive antibodies. Conclusions OWEA influenza H5N1 virus monovalent vaccines exhibit broad cross-clade immunogenicity, a desired feature for vaccine stockpiling not yet demonstrated by unadjuvanted vaccines. In case of an impending H5N1 virus pandemic, stockpiled OWEA influenza H5N1 virus monovalent vaccines may allow population priming that could slow down the course of pandemic and could offer additional time needed for development of an effective strain specific vaccine supply.
Bayesian remaining useful lifetime prediction of thermally aged power MOSFETs

The demand for more reliable power conversion is ever increasing. This necessitates smart gate drivers or smart system controllers that monitor the components that are susceptible to failure. Together with the electrolytic capacitors, power semiconductor devices are among the weakest components in a power converter. In an effort to predict power MOSFET aging, this paper proposes an remaining useful lifetime (RUL) estimation algorithm for degraded power MOSFETs, which are exposed to high amplitude thermal cycles. The relative change in on-state resistance is identified as the fault signature. A data-driven RUL estimation algorithm based on a linear model approximation is proposed. The outliers present particularly in the beginning part of the data decrease the accuracy of the estimation with classical least-squares method. In this paper, a Bayesian Interference estimator is proposed to improve the accuracy through incorporating prior knowledge to estimation. The accuracy of the proposed RUL estimation tool is verified on the collected experimental data of thermally aged discrete power MOSFETs.