cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Road Salt Stress Induces Novel Food Web Structure and Interactions

Freshwater salinization is an emerging global concern, and in northern latitudes can be largely attributed to road deicer applications during winter and spring. To investigate the effects of road salt contamination on pond food webs, we manipulated trophic structure and salt in experimental pond communities. In May 2008, we inoculated forty 600-L pond mesocosms with algae and zooplankton. Using a full-factorial design, we manipulated road salt presence (645 mg L−1 Cl−) and tadpoles (Hyla versicolor) in a food web that included two groups of primary producers (periphyton, phytoplankton) and two groups of primary consumers (tadpoles, zooplankton). Adult copepod density decreased significantly in the elevated chloride treatment (ANOVA P = 0.001). Tadpoles reared in the elevated chloride treatment grew larger (ANOVA P = 0.005) and metamorphosed sooner (ANCOVA P = 0.028) than those in the ambient treatment. Our results suggest there were more algal resources available to tadpoles as a result of declines in zooplankton, inducing a shorter time to and greater size at metamorphosis. While common pollutants such as road deicers are known to have direct effects on many taxa, the indirect effects on food web structure and interactions can be pronounced, even when pollutants occur at relatively low levels.
Economic and Design Considerations for Explosive Overburden Casting

An overview of economics and design consideration for explosive overburden casting is given and the criteria for the successful application of this technique are discussed. These criteria are: blast design, economic considerations and environmental considerations. Explosive overburden casting may effect considerable cost savings if the market for increased production is available. However, if a fixed sales constraint exists the economic benefits of explosive overburden casting may be marginal and an extensive economic analysis is warranted.
The high‐latitude solar wind near sunspot Maximum

We use an empirical relation between solar wind speed and coronal flux-tube expansion to predict what Ulysses might have seen had it flown over the solar poles during 1989–1991 instead of 1994–1996. The wind speed patterns, derived from solar magnetograph data, show the following characteristics: (1) high-speed streams having recurrence rates of 28–29 days and originating from midlatitude extensions of the polar coronal holes dominate the rising phase of the sunspot cycle (1987–1989); (2) the persistent high-speed polar wind disappears and low-speed wind is found at all latitudes during 1989–1990; (3) very fast, episodic “polar jets” are generated as active region fields surge to the poles at the time of polar field reversal (1990–1991). The wind speed patterns that Ulysses encounters during its second polar orbit are expected to show the same general characteristics.
Aging, Memory, and Comprehension

There are changes in the ability to comprehend and remember information with aging. In general, older adults perform more poorly than younger adults at tasks that require knowledge of the information that was actually encountered. However, they can perform as well as or better than younger adults at tasks involving more global levels of understanding, such as in the use ofinformation in a situation model. This increased emphasis on situation models may serve to compensate for deficits at lower levels of processing and may be achieved through more focused selection of situation-defining information, increased dependence on schemas, and a broader generation and use of inferences.
R-S Learning in Children.

Abstract R-S learning for kindergarten, second, fourth, and sixth grade Ss was measured following the attainment of one perfect S-R trial on a pairedassociate list (six pairs, pictures as stimulus and response items). A significant increment in S-R learning proficiency was found between grade groups. However, differences between grades in mean R-S recall scores were negligible, and the amount of R-S learning was approximately 80% of S-R learning for each grade level. These results were viewed as evidence against an incidental learning interpretation of R-S learning.
Using corrective taxes to remedy consumer misperceptions

Abstract When consumers are misinformed about the amount of characteristics obtained from some good, government may attempt to correct the misperceptions by imposing taxes or subsidies on these goods. Such a policy, however, faces difficulties: only with separable utility functions does a single tax suffice, and this tax should not induce consumers to purchase t he same bundle they would under perfect information.
Identification of a 140 kDa protein of rat presynaptic terminal membranes encompassing the active zones

A polyclonal antiserum raised against the carboxy-terminal 17 amino acids of the rat p185c-neu (anct) reacted with a 140 kDa polypeptide in membranes of synaptosome fractions from neocortex and hippocampus of 11-day-old and adult rats. The same antiserum reacted with a 185 kDa polypeptide in microsome membranes from rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). By light microscopic immunocytochemistry, the anct antibodies against the 140 kDa protein were localized in the neuropile of brain, cerebellum and spinal cord of 11-day-old and adult rats. Especially prominent staining was obtained in the CA2-CA3 zones of the hippocampus, and in the substantia gelatinosa in the spinal cord. The finely granular and diffuse pattern of the immunostain was consistent with synaptic localizations. Interestingly, antibodies against the entire endodomain of p185c-neu (a-Bacneu) were localized in granular structures, probably representing axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses, on a subset of pyramidal neurons of the CA3 zone. By immunoelectron terminals in the giant mossy fiber type in the CA3 and CA4 regions. The immunolocalization of the anct antibodies was restricted in segments of the presynaptic membrane facing the synaptic cleft which include the active zone. The identify and function of the 140 kDa membrane protein of rat brain presynaptic terminals, detected by the anct antibodies, is unknown. The 140 kDa protein may be related to p185c-neu, a tyrosine kinase, or to other known or unknown kinases.
Obturator neuropathy after retropubic tension-free vaginal tape placement.

BACKGROUND:We report a case of obturator neuropathy associated with retropubic midurethral sling.CASE:After retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) placement, a 36-year-old woman reported right inguinal region and thigh pain, both exacerbated with internal rotation and adduction. Neurologic exami
The copula function of pronouns

Abstract This paper presents evidence from Egyptian Arabic to show that in the absence of a copula from a language, the language may use pronouns to perform copula functions. The evidence is based on the behavior of pronouns with respect to Negative Placement and their use in equational sentences. It is also suggested that the copula function of pronouns is an ‘anti-ambiguity’ device employed by the language to prevent potential ambiguity of a phrase vs. a sentence interpretation of a structure.
Social Power in School Consultation: A Contemporary View of French and Raven's Bases of Power Model.

Abstract This article (a) offers an updated view of French and Raven's (1959) bases of social power model, (b) describes Raven's (1992) power/interaction model of interpersonal influence, and (c) applies elements of both to the practice of school consultation. In contrast to Martin (1978), who proposed that only expert and referent power pertain to school consultation, it is posited here that all six power bases (coercive, reward, legitimate, expert, referent, and informational) are attributed to and used by the school psychologist-consultant in working with teacher-consultees. Social power and influence are explored relative to typical events occurring during school consultation, such as the consultee's implementation of an intervention with integrity. The article concludes with a brief research agenda concerning the further exploration of social power within consultation.
Nucleate boiling site activation by vapor injection

Confirmation experimentale de l'hypothese selon laquelle l'addition de microbulles de vapeur a un systeme en ebullition augmente la concentration des sites de nucleation sur une surface de chauffe
Genistein Affects Histone Modifications on Dickkopf-Related Protein 1 (DKK1) Gene in SW480 Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Genistein (GEN) is a plant-derived isoflavone and can block uncontrolled cell growth in colon cancer by inhibiting the WNT signaling pathway. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the enhanced gene expression of the WNT signaling pathway antagonist, DKK1 by genistein treatment is associated with epigenetic modifications of the gene in colon cancer cells. Genistein treatment induced a concentration-dependent G2 phase arrest in the human colon cancer cell line SW480 and reduced cell proliferation. Results from several other human colon cancer cell lines confirmed the growth inhibitory effects of genistein. Overexpression of DKK1 confirmed its involvement in growth inhibition. Knockdown of DKK1 expression by siRNA slightly induced cell growth. DKK1 gene expression was increased by genistein in SW480 and HCT15 cells. DNA methylation at the DKK1 promoter was not affected by genistein treatment in all the cell lines tested. On the other hand, genistein induced histone H3 acetylation of the DKK1 promoter region in SW480 and HCT15 cells. This indicates that increased histone acetylation is associated with the genistein-induced DKK1 expression. The association between histone acetylation and DKK1 gene expression is confirmed by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) treatment. In conclusion, genistein treatment decreases cell growth and proliferation in colon cancer cell lines. The effect is associated with the increased DKK1 expression through the induction of histone acetylation at the DKK1 promoter region.
Teaching pulmonary gas exchange physiology using computer modeling.

Students often have difficulty understanding the relationship of O2 consumption, CO2 production, cardiac output, and distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratios in the lung to the final arterial b...
Real-Time Dispatch of Petroleum Tank Trucks

A highly automated, real-time dispatch system is described which uses embedded optimization routines to replace extensive manual operations and to reduce substantially operating costs for a nation-wide fleet of petroleum tank trucks. The system is currently used in daily operations by the Order Entry and Dispatch segment of the Chevron U.S.A. Marketing System. Refined petroleum products valued at several billion dollars per year are dispatched from more than 80 bulk terminals on a fleet exceeding 300 vehicles in approximately 2600 loads per day. Centralized use of the dispatch system required its design and implementation as a set of transaction modules within a large management information system. This environment presents special challenges for the optimization methods; an heuristic sequential network assignment was developed for certified performance on these dispatch models in lieu of their solution as integer programs. Objectives include minimizing transportation costs approaching $100 million annually while maintaining equitable man and equipment workload distribution, safety standards, and customer service, and satisfying equipment compatibility restrictions.
‘Plus Two’ Peer-Led Team Learning improves student success, retention, and timely graduation

A dasiaplus twopsila strategy has integrated peer-led team learning (PLTL) as a required component of first semester general chemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Since fall 2000, the C-or-better passing rate has improved from the historic average near 53% to the current rate above 70%, translating into an additional 160 students successfully progressing each year into their science, engineering, and mathematics majors. In 2006, the Plus Two Peer-Led Chemistry Program at UTEP earned the Star Award from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its innovative active-learning curriculum intervention for improving student success, retention, and timely graduation in the engineering and science disciplines. Plus Two substitutes two hours of Workshop: small-group, active learning guided by an undergraduate STEM student (peer leader) for one hour of large section lecture per week in the three-credit-hour chemistry course. Retention of students for the four semesters subsequent to the plus two innovation improved from 70% to 75% and the number of students receiving undergraduate degrees within nine semesters jumped from approximately 34% to 47%. A National Science Foundation award (DUE - 0653270) entitled ISTAR: integrated student success, teaching, and retention, has now extended the plus two strategy to six other large section lower division courses leading to STEM degrees at UTEP.
Further study of the dynamics of two-dimensional MHD coherent structures — a large-scale simulation

Abstract We report new large-scale two-dimensional MHD simulations regarding the random onset and interactions of localized coherent structures as well as the long-range behavior of such stochastic systems. With a magnetic shear, multiple coherent structures are formed and aligned with the imposed current sheet due to fluctuation-induced, nonlinear instabilities. These results exhibit certain aspects of the intermittent turbulence model of sporadic localized reconnections for the Earth's magnetotail recently suggested by Chang.
Macaque trophoblast migration toward RANTES is inhibited by cigarette smoke-conditioned medium

Trophoblast migration within the endometrium and uterine vasculature is essential for normal placental and fetal development. We previously demonstrated that macaque trophoblasts express the chemokine receptor CCR5 and that this receptor mediates trophoblast migration toward RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted). In the present paper we have used primary cultures of early gestation macaque trophoblasts to test the hypothesis that tobacco smoke inhibits trophoblast migration as the result of dysregulation of the RANTES/CCR5 chemotactic axis. Early gestation macaque trophoblasts were incubated in the absence or presence of cigarette smoke-conditioned medium (CSM). Cell migration was quantified using migration chambers. CCR5 and G protein receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) expression was measured by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. cAMP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Trophoblast migration toward RANTES was reduced when cells were incubated in CSM. Trophoblasts also showed reduced expression of CCR5, increased levels of cAMP, and increased expression of GRK2. Finally, the secretion of RANTES by uterine endothelial cells was reduced by exposing the cells to CSM. These results support the idea that cigarette smoke constituents inhibit directional trophoblast migration by causing increased desensitization of trophoblast CCR5 and inhibiting the secretion of RANTES by endothelial cells.
Inducible expression of double-stranded RNA directs specific genetic interference in Drosophila

Abstract Background: The introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can selectively interfere with gene expression in a wide variety of organisms, providing an ideal approach for functional genomics. Although this method has been used in Drosophila , it has been limited to studies of embryonic gene function. Only inefficient effects have been seen at later stages of development. Results: When expressed under the control of a heat-inducible promoter, dsRNA interfered efficiently and specifically with gene expression during larval and prepupal development in Drosophila . Expression of dsRNA corresponding to the EcR ecdysone receptor gene generated defects in larval molting and metamorphosis, resulting in animals that failed to pupariate or prepupae that died with defects in larval tissue cell death and adult leg formation. In contrast, expression of dsRNA corresponding to the coding region of the βFTZ-F1 orphan nuclear receptor had no effect on puparium formation, but led to an arrest of prepupal development, generating more severe lethal phenotypes than those seen with a weak βFTZ-F1 loss-of-function allele. Animals that expressed either EcR or βFTZ-F1 dsRNA showed defects in the expression of corresponding target genes, indicating that the observed developmental defects are caused by disruption of the genetic cascades that control the onset of metamorphosis. Conclusions: These results confirm and extend our understanding of EcR and βFTZ-F1 function. They also demonstrate that dsRNA expression can inactivate Drosophila gene function at later stages of development, providing a new tool for functional genomic studies in Drosophila .
Fully automated radioligand binding filtration assay for membrane-bound receptors.

Here we describe a fully automated, hands-free radioligand filtration binding assay for dopamine D3 receptors. Three separate instruments were linked in tandem to perform the following operations: The Genmate and Genesis were linked to perform liquid handling, incubation, and the scheduling operations, while an automated harvester was used to perform rapid filtration. To minimize carryover of compounds, disposable tips were used for diluting and dispensing the compounds. A custom-designed tip holder was used to handle loading and pipetting by the Genmate 96-well pipettor. The assay for 84 compounds with six concentrations that spans six logs can be completed within 4 h. The reproducibility of the individual data point (CV < 10% between duplicates) and Ki (CV < 20%) is superior to that determined by manual procedures. Ki values of various dopamine ligands determined by the hands-free procedure are similar to published values. This technology reduces hands-on time (at least 70%), minimizes exposure to radioligands (up to 95%), and improves the reproducibility of results. The technology is applicable for high-throughput screening and rapid determination of structure-activity relationship of compounds for many other membrane-bound receptors.
Dietary Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity

Popular dietary approaches for weight loss have generated widespread interest and considerable debate. While energy balance remains the cornerstone of weight control (i.e., calories still count), new diets and books promising weight loss by limiting certain foods or macronutrients rather than energy are constantly emerging and hitting the best seller list. Although their names and approaches may change over time, their basic premise has not. They market “success” as a large weight loss over a short period with little effort. Given the allure of a quick fix, overweight and obese individuals are often in search of the next “best” diet. The public's willingness to try diverse and, in some cases, poorly researched dietary approaches underscores their long-standing struggle to control their weight and the need for more effective strategies to help create an energy deficit. In order to develop more effective strategies, it is important to understand the efficacy, health effects, and long-term sustainability of current dietary approaches to weight control. This article describes various dietary approaches to weight loss (i.e., low-, very low-, and moderate-fat diets, high-protein diets, low-carbohydrate diets, and low glycemic index diets). Descriptions of each dietary strategy are followed by a review of short- and long-term efficacy data from studies published between 2005 and 2011. (See our previous review for a summary of work prior to 2005.)
Spatial and temporal analysis of the palmer drought severity index over the south-eastern United States

The spatial and temporal variability of the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) over the south-eastern United States during the period 1931–1982 was examined through the use of principal component analysis. Spatial mapping of the component loadings identified six statistically significant modes of variability or PDSI anomaly patterns, which together account for 77.3 percent of the total variance. The first component, which represents the dominant pattern, accounted for 43.4 per cent of the total variance and identified an in-phase oscillation across the entire study area, indicating a general tendency for all sections to experience either a drought or a wet spell concurrently. The remaining five components, which account for 33.9 per cent of the total variance, each identified an out-of-phase oscillation. Application of Kaiser's Varimax orthogonal rotation on the six retained principal components led to the identification of six contiguous subregions of nearly equal size, each of which displays unique drought characteristics. Examination of the time series derived from the principal component scores within each subregion revealed a general trend in which the occurrence of drought was much more prevalent during the first three decades of the study period, culminating during the mid 1950s when most of the subregions experienced their worst drought episode. After removal of the inherent ‘red noise’ persistence found in the monthly PDSI data, spectral and cross-spectral density analysis performed on the time series indicated that no cyclical patterns or periodicities were present.
Co-design of control and platform with dropped signals

This paper examines a co-design of control and platform in the presence of dropped signals. In a cyber-physical system, due to increasing complexities such as the simultaneous control of several applications, limited resources, and complex platform architectures, some of the signals transmitted may often be dropped. In this paper, we address the challenges that arise both from the control design and the platform design point of view. A dynamic model is proposed that accommodates these drops, and a suitable switching control design is proposed. A Multiple Lyapunov functions based approach is used to guarantee the stability of the system with the switching controller. We then present a method for optimizing the amount of platform resource required to ensure stability of the control systems via a buffer control mechanism that exploits the ability to drop signals of the control system and an associated analysis of the drop bound. The results are demonstrated using a case study of a co-designed lane keeping control system in the presence of dropped signals.
Passivity Enforcement via Quadratic Programming for element-by-element rational function approximation of passive network matrices

Element-by-element rational function fitting of network matrices of passive systems becomes necessary when dealing with broadband systems with large numbers of ports. This paper proposes and demonstrates a methodology for enforcing passivity of the synthesized element-by-element rational function fitting of the admittance matrix via the Passivity Enforcement via Quadratic Programming algorithm.
Putative role for insulin resistance in depression risk in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To evaluate whether insulin resistance is associated with depression risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), independent of other factors, including body mass index (BMI). Design Cross-sectional. Setting Tertiary university center. Patient(s) A total of 301 women, aged 14–52 years, with PCOS by Rotterdam criteria, consecutively examined between 2006 and 2013. Intervention(s) Complete history and physical examinations, including endovaginal ultrasounds, dermatologic assessments, completion of Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen (BDI-FS), and serum testing. Main Outcome Measure(s) Scores >4 on BDI-FS indicated a positive screen for depression. Scores were further subdivided into mild (5–8), moderate (9–12), and severe (>12) depression risk. Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Result(s) A total of 131 women (44%) were at risk for depression, determined by positive BDI-FS screening. These patients had higher BMI (32.3 vs. 28.5), and elevated insulin resistance, assessed by HOMA-IR (5.2 vs. 2.6), compared with patients with negative depression screening. In a stratified analysis by BMI category, obese women with positive depression screens had elevated HOMA-IR, compared with obese women with normal BDI-FS scores (7.4 vs. 4.1). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, HOMA-IR was independently related to the odds of depression risk after controlling for age, ethnicity, BMI, and exercise (odds ratio: 1.07). Conclusion(s) Depression is common in PCOS. After controlling for confounders in multivariate regression analyses, we found HOMA-IR to be significantly associated with depression risk. Our data suggest a complex interplay among insulin resistance, obesity, and depression in PCOS, warranting additional investigation. Mental health assessment is indicated in comprehensive care of patients with PCOS.
Sampling representation of sequency-band-limited nonstationary random processes.

The sampling theorem for sequency-band-limited dyadic stationary processes is generalized to accommodate sequency-band-limited nonstationary random processes. In addition, some error bounds for truncated sampling expansions are derived. Furthermore, in the course of this development, Poisson sum formulas are established to suit Walsh transforms.
Shorter delivered dialysis times associate with a higher and more difficult to treat blood pressure

Background Shorter delivered dialysis times are associated with increased all-cause mortality. Whether shorter delivered dialysis times also associate with an increase in blood pressure (BP) and reduce the ability of probing dry weight to lower BP is unclear.
Instability of retroviral vectors with HIV-1-specific RT aptamers due to cryptic splice sites in the U6 promoter

Background Internal polymerase III promoters in retroviral vectors have been used extensively to express short RNA sequences, such as ribozymes, RNA aptamers or short interfering RNA inhibitors, in various positions and orientations. However, the stability of these promoters in the reverse orientation has not been rigorously evaluated.
Novel biologics in inflammatory bowel disease

Understanding of immunologic mechanisms involved in the initiation and perpetuation of chronic inflammation has led to new therapeutic opportunities in the inflammatory bowel diseases. The term "biologics" is used to distinguish new biotechnologic therapeutics from the conventional drugs used in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. This article reviews novel biologic therapies that are being investigated for the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The Effects of Leadership Involvement and Part-time Employment on Pharmacy Student Academic Performance

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between extracurricular involvement and academic performance during pharmacy school. Methods: All pharmacy students at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences were invited to complete a 14-item online survey. The survey questions focused on their employment status outside of school and their involvement in professional organisations. Responses were linked to their grade point average (GPA) using their university identification number. Three time-series unadjusted and adjusted, multivariable regressions were performed to examine the relationship between grade point average and part-time employment (PTE), GPA and participation in professional organisation, and GPA and combined activities. Results: This study included survey results from 119 students (response rate of 24.3%). Students working 5-14 hours per week towards part-time employment did not exhibit a significant difference in GPA compared to those working 0-4 hours; however students working 15-19 hours had lower GPA ( p <.05). A negative correlation was found between professional involvement and GPA ( p <.05). The combined effect of part-time employment and professional involvement exhibits a negative effect in the bivariate model ( p <.05). Conclusions: A moderate amount of PTE is considered beneficial to complement academic achievement when compared to no employment. Excessive time in professional involvement is associated with a negative effect on academic success.
Objects, Sets, and Ensembles

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how different types of entities such as individual objects, sets of objects, and ensembles can function as items to be maintained in working memory (WM). All of these types of representations can be relevant to thinking about quantities, and each supports different kinds of quantity-relevant computations. One way to overcome the three- to four-item limit of WM is to bind together representations of individual objects into representations of sets of objects. Binding multiple individuals into a single higher-order group can increase the number of individual items that can be remembered, as in the well-known demonstrations of chunking by adults. Set representations play a critical role in many numerical processes, including representing the nested relationships between as well as representing the cardinality of an array. Many real-world scenes contain stimuli that do not lend themselves to representation qua individual objects or sets of objects. One can imagine enumerating a flock containing dozens of individual birds.
Nitric oxide donors attenuate myocardial stunning in conscious rabbits.

Although previous studies suggested that the protection of late preconditioning (PC) against myocardial stunning is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), direct evidence that exogenous administration of N...
The Supreme Court and the Timing of Deductions for Accrual-Basis Taxpayers

This article examines the Supreme Court's two decisions in the late 1980s dealing with the timing of deductions, United States v. Hughes Properties (1986) and United States v. General Dynamics Corp. (1987), and finds those decisions wanting. Indeed, it is hard to understand why the Court exercised its discretionary jurisdiction twice in such a short period when the cases involved technicalities that seemed to overwhelm the generalist justices and when subsequent disputes with similar factual situations would be affected by statutory changes.
Are Fines Fine? Sanctioning Infringements of the Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices in Hungary

This paper gives an overview about the legal background and the practice of the Hungarian Competition Authority as regards imposing monetary sanctions for misleading advertising and other types of unfair commercial practices. The sometimes unpredictable fluctuation of the level of fines is criticized. It is emphasized that the clear meaning of broadly worded legal prohibitions is essential before sanctions with the aim of deterrence are imposed. Consequently, in some cases where the infringement was not obvious, a less strict approach is advised, whereas for repeat infringers harming a wide range of consumers, personal, in some cases even criminal law liability should be the optimal sanction.
Abstract W P80: Predictors of Cognitive Status in Post-Aneurysm Surgery Patients

Introduction: Patients who undergo surgical treatment for ruptured intracranial aneurysms may have a different risk profile for a spectrum of cognitive impairment based upon characteristics at presentation of their subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods: The Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial (IHAST) is a multi-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial investigation of whether induced hypothermia during surgical treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage resulted in improved outcomes. Cognitive status was defined by raw Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) cutoff scores. A normal cognition was defined as a MMSE score of 28 or greater. Mildly impaired patients were defined as a score of 24-27, and severely impaired patients were defined as those with a score of less than 24. Age was analyzed by five-year age groups, with the exception of patients 30 or younger and patients 75 and older. Ordinal logistic regression was utilized to determine the final predictors. Results: Of the 1,000 patients who were followed for cognitive testing, 61 died and 21 were medically untestable. Five patients refused testing and tests were not administered to 30 patients. A total of 883 patients completed the MMSE at 3 months post-surgery. Based on the raw MMSE scores, the median score for the severely impaired patients was 20 (IQR: 16-22), 26 (IQR: 25-27) for mildly impaired patients, and 29 (IQR: 29-30) for cognitively normal patients. Gender, and race were found to be statistically significant (p<.05) predictors after controlling for age and education. Baseline Rankin Score and the occurrence of a leakage or rupture during surgery were also predictive of cognitive status. The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Score, the Fisher’s SAH Score, and aneurysm size and location were not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients with surgical treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage share several demographic risk factors associated with cognitive changes in the general public, but have additional neurological risk factors associated with SAH and aneurysm procedures.
Dress-Buying Behavior of Consumers:

The objectives of this study were to explore the nature of consumer dress-buying behavior, and to develop hypotheses for future research. Three hypotheses are described: the narrowing process; the ...
Experimental Determination of Osteon Permeability

Measurement of a permeability of a single osteon is still one of the most demanding tasks in bone mechanics to be solved. The challenges are the size of the osteon and the limitations or absence of the tools that can take a direct measurement. Determining the permeability in an osteon may help to best understand the fluid flow occurring in cortical bone and its role in mechanotransduction. In this communication, both analytical and experimental approaches are proposed to estimate the permeability of a single osteon. The Young modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the bone matrix and the osteon under undrained conditions will be determined using acoustic microscopy and mechanical testing. Based on the unconfined compression test results, the permeability of the osteon can be obtained by curve fitting of the data of the compressive ramp loading to the transverse isotropic osteon analytical model that we developed in Gailani and Cowin [1].Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Integrated submicron switching transistor breaking the Si limit at 100 V

This paper reports on the record performance of a novel power switching device, integrated in a 0.35 μm based smart power technology. The transistor uses trench processing to make a vertical stack of gate oxide and drift oxide, the latter being used to completely deplete the drift region. The vertical gate oxide is 10 nm thick, allowing driving the gate with the low voltage CMOS supply. A very high cell density is obtained, leading to a specific on-resistance RON of 41 mΩ.mm2 for a reverse blocking voltage Vbd of 93 V, breaking the silicon limit. The sensitivity of RON and Vbd on the most important process parameters is highlighted.
Moisture Levels in Frozen Poultry as Related to Thawing Losses, Cooking Losses, and Palatability 1. Chicken Broilers

Abstract MODERN processing procedures for poultry almost universally include slush ice chilling to achieve prompt cooling and overall improvement in appearance of the finished product. In the case of poultry which is to be frozen, the chilling operation is also used to permit maximum tenderization before packaging and freezing. These practices give rise to questions concerning the optimum moisture level for processed poultry. The processor is not only interested in the general quality of his product but also in salable weight, which can be sharply affected by the moisture content. On the other hand, the consumer is mainly concerned about the palatability and yield of the cooked bird, both of which may be dependent upon the water content of the tissues. A number of studies have demonstrated that carcasses may take up a considerable amount of water in slush ice chilling (Orr, 1953; Spencer et al., 1956; Tarver et al., 1956; …
Holocene Earthquake History of Cascadia: A Quantitative Test

Abstract Motivated by the Holocene history of great Cascadia earthquakes proposed by Goldfinger et al. (2012), we developed a simple model by which we can examine this further. Combining their observation that the plate boundary ruptures in four characteristic segment types with an empirical area versus seismic moment relation and an assumption of constant stress drop, we obtain a model for the along‐strike slip distribution for each earthquake type. Summing the slips in each segment over the number of earthquake of all types produces estimates of Holocene plate convergence that quantitatively agree with independent estimates obtained from geodetic and geologic data. Because the width of the fully coupled subduction interface decreases to the south, the assumption of constant average stress drop in earthquakes requires that their slip also decreases to the south. To satisfy the plate convergence constraints, this requires shorter and increasingly numerous earthquakes to finger in toward the south, just as observed in the Goldfinger et al. (2012) paleoseismic record. We conclude that the Goldfinger et al. (2012) history is quantitatively consistent with plate tectonic constraints, and that the Cascadia subduction zone is fully coupled seismically. The seismic flux release rate averaged over the Holocene is estimated as 2.7×10 9 m 3 /yr.
RESEARCH ON SYNERGY DISINFECTION EFFECT AND RELATED PERFORMANCE OF CITRIC ACID AND THERMAL

Objective To study citric acid and thermal synergy disinfection related performance,provide the reference for the practical application.Methods The physical and chemical analysis method,the carrier immersion quantitative germicidal test,simulated field test and animal test methods were used to observe the disinfection efficacy and safety.Results When 20.8 g/L citric acid aqueous solution was heated to 80 ℃ for 15 min,the killing logarithm of Bacillus subtillus var niger spore on the carrier was above 3.00.Simulated field disinfection test showed 20.8 g/L of citric acid aqueous solution was inputted into the cycle line of dialysis machine,and then heated to 80 ℃ for 15 min,the killing logarithm value of Bacillus subtillus var niger spore contaminated in the line was 3.00.The mouse acute oral LD50 of 20.8 g/L of citric acid aqueous solution was 5 000 mg/kg·bw.Mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocyte micronucleus test were negative.Conclusion Citric acid aqueous solution in the temperature of 80℃ condition can kill the bacteria spore,achieving disinfection qualification requirements.It also can have the same disinfection effect in the dialysis machine line.
Gleaning structural and functional information from correlations in protein multiple sequence alignments

The availability of vast amounts of protein sequence data facilitates detection of subtle statistical correlations due to imposed structural and functional constraints. Recent breakthroughs using Direct Coupling Analysis (DCA) and related approaches have tapped into correlations believed to be due to compensatory mutations. This has yielded some remarkable results, including substantially improved prediction of protein intra- and inter-domain 3D contacts, of membrane and globular protein structures, of substrate binding sites, and of protein conformational heterogeneity. A complementary approach is Bayesian Partitioning with Pattern Selection (BPPS), which partitions related proteins into hierarchically-arranged subgroups based on correlated residue patterns. These correlated patterns are presumably due to structural and functional constraints associated with evolutionary divergence rather than to compensatory mutations. Hence joint application of DCA- and BPPS-based approaches should help sort out the structural and functional constraints contributing to sequence correlations.
Fabrication and Electrochemical Characteristics of Carbon Powders for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Among energy storage technologies,rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries have been considered as effective solution to the increasing need for high-energy density electrochemical power sources.The paper is concerning making a CR2016 coin cell.The test of battery performance and analysis of the feature where using carbon as the battery anode material are also included.
RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF D-CYCLOSERINE ENHANCEMENT OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR PANIC DISORDER.

Background Initial studies have provided a mixed perspective of the efficacy of d-cycloserine (DCS) for augmenting the efficacy of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder. In this multicenter trial, we examine the magnitude of DCS augmentation effects for an ultra-brief program of CBT. Methods We conducted a double-blind, controlled trial at three treatment sites, randomizing 180 adults with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder to five sessions of treatment, with study pill (50 mg DCS or matching placebo) administered 1 hr prior to the final three sessions. Two booster sessions were subsequently provided, and outcome was assessed at posttreatment and 1-month, 2-month, and 6-month follow-up assessments. The primary outcome was the degree of reduction in the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. Additional analyses examined the role of severity and current antidepressant or benzodiazepine use as moderators of DCS augmentation effects. Results DCS augmentation resulted in significant benefit only early in the trial, with no beneficial effects of DCS augmentation evident at follow-up evaluations. We did not find that baseline severity or antidepressant or benzodiazepine use moderated DCS efficacy, but benzodiazepine use was associated with lower efficacy of CBT regardless of augmentation condition. Conclusions Consistent with other recent multicenter trials, the benefit of DCS was less than indicated by pilot study and reflected an acceleration of treatment response evident at treatment endpoint, but no advantage in response over follow-up evaluation. Our results did not support severity or concomitant medication moderators observed in previous trials of DCS augmentation.
SU-F-R-32: Evaluation of MRI Acquisition Parameter Variations On Texture Feature Extraction Using ACR Phantom

Purpose: To investigate the sensitivity of classic texture features to variations of MRI acquisition parameters. Methods: This study was performed on American College of Radiology (ACR) MRI Accreditation Program Phantom. MR imaging was acquired on a GE 750 3T scanner with XRM explain gradient, employing a T1-weighted images (TR/TE=500/20ms) with the following parameters as the reference standard: number of signal average (NEX) = 1, matrix size = 256×256, flip angle = 90°, slice thickness = 5mm. The effect of the acquisition parameters on texture features with and without non-uniformity correction were investigated respectively, while all the other parameters were kept as reference standard. Protocol parameters were set as follows: (a). NEX = 0.5, 2 and 4; (b).Phase encoding steps = 128, 160 and 192; (c). Matrix size = 128×128, 192×192 and 512×512. 32 classic texture features were generated using the classic gray level run length matrix (GLRLM) and gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCOM) from each image data set. Normalized range ((maximum-minimum)/mean) was calculated to determine variation among the scans with different protocol parameters. Results: For different NEX, 31 out of 32 texture features’ range are within 10%. For different phase encoding steps, 31 out of 32 texture features’ range are within 10%. For different acquisition matrix size without non-uniformity correction, 14 out of 32 texture features’ range are within 10%; for different acquisition matrix size with non-uniformity correction, 16 out of 32 texture features’ range are within 10%. Conclusion: Initial results indicated that those texture features that range within 10% are less sensitive to variations in T1-weighted MRI acquisition parameters. This might suggest that certain texture features might be more reliable to be used as potential biomarkers in MR quantitative image analysis.
Ensemble Learning With Weak Classifiers for Fast and Reliable Unknown Terrain Classification Using Mobile Robots

We propose a lightweight and fast learning algorithm for classifying the features of an unknown terrain that a robot is navigating in. Most of the existing research on unknown terrain classification by mobile robots relies on a single powerful classifier to correctly identify the terrain using sensor data from a single sensor like laser or camera. In contrast, our proposed approach uses multiple modalities of sensed data and multiple, weak but less-complex classifiers for classifying the terrain types. The classifiers are combined using an ensemble learning algorithm to improve the algorithm’s training rate as compared to an individual classifier. Our algorithm was tested with data collected by navigating a four-wheeled, autonomous robot, called Explorer, over different terrains including brick, grass, rock, sand, and concrete. Our results show that our proposed approach performs better with up to 63% better prediction accuracy for some terrains as compared to a support vector machine (SVM)-based learning technique that uses sensor data from a single sensor. Despite using multiple classifiers, our algorithm takes only a fraction (1/65) of the time on average, as compared to the SVM technique.
Transformed Phenotype of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Lines Derived from K14E7 Fancd2 -/- mice

To determine whether cytokeratin 14 promoter linked expression of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) oncogene detectably influenced biologic parameters of cell phenotypes other than squamous epithelium, continuous bone marrow cultures were derived from K14E7 Fancd2 -/- mice (Park, et al., Cancer Research, 70(23): 9959-9968, 2010). Long-term bone marrow cultures derived from K14E7 Fancd2 -/- , control Fancd2 -/- (129/Sv), K14E7 (FVB/N), and wild type 129/Sv X FVB/N F1 mice were evaluated for longevity of hematopoiesis in long-term cultures and stromal cell lines were derived from each. Similar to Fancd2 -/- mouse, long-term marrow cultures, K14E7 Fancd2 -/- marrow cultures demonstrated decreased longevity of hematopoiesis with cessation of production of multi-lineage colony forming progenitor cells after 14 weeks. In contrast, wild type F1 and K14E7 long-term marrow cultures continued to produce hematopoietic cells for a significantly longer duration 25 weeks (p=0.0257). Bone marrow stromal and IL-3 dependent hematopoietic cell lines were derived from each genotype marrow culture. K14E7 Fancd2 -/- hematopoietic cells showed reversal of the radiation resistance of Fancd2 -/- IL-3 dependent cell lines (D 0 of 1.34 ± 0.197Gy, n 4.0 ± 0.9 compared to D 0 2.213 ± 0.124 Gy (p = 0.0284), n 3.3 ± 0.8. Thus, one phenotypic difference associated with K14E7 oncogene expression was reversal of radioresistance of Fancd2 -/- hematopoietic cells. In contrast, bone marrow stromal cell lines from K14E7 Fancd2 -/- remained radiosensitive similar to those from Fancd2 -/- mice. K14E7 and wild type F1 marrow stromal cell lines showed intermediate radioresistance (p= 0.1759). To determine whether the E6/E7 oncogene had a biological effect in tissues other than squamous epithelium, tissue analysis for cytokeratins 13, 14, 6, and 10 was carried out. Cytokeratin 14 was detected only in squamous cells of the esophagus and oral cavity, not in bone marrow. E6/E7 oncogene was detected only in squamous cell lines expressing cytokeratin 14. However, bone marrow stromal cell lines from K14E7 Fancd2 -/- marrow cultures demonstrated a unique phenomenon of cellular density, piling up and formation of tumors in vitro . Each of 22 single cell derived clonal sub-lines of K14E7 Fancd2 -/- stromal cell lines demonstrated the same transformed phenotype. These data provide support for indirect effects of the E7 oncogene linked to the K14 promoter in Fancd2 -/- hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell tissues. Supported by research grant NIAID/NIH, U19A168021. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.