cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Survey on Smart Homes for Aging in Place: Toward Solutions to the Specific Needs of the Elderly

Advances in engineering and health science have brought a significant improvement in health care and increased life expectancy. As a result, there has been a substantial growth in the number of older adults around the globe, and that number is rising. According to a United Nations report, between 2015 and 2030, the number of adults over the age of 60 is projected to grow by 56%, with the total reaching nearly 2.1 billion by the year 2050 [1]. Because of this, the cost of traditional health care continues to grow proportionally. Additionally, a significant portion of the elderly have multiple, simultaneous chronic conditions and require specialized geriatric care. However, the required number of geriatricians to provide essential care for the existing population is four times lower than the actual number of practitioners, and the demandsupply gap continues to grow [2]. All of these factors have created new challenges in providing suitable and affordable care for the elderly to live independently, more commonly known as aging in place.
Posterior Subaxial Cervical Approach and Stabilization

Tumors of subaxial cervical spine, though rare, can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Surgical management is complex, and decision-making depends on clinical presentation, histology, stage, and grade of the tumor. A posterior cervical approach is commonly used for lesions involving the posterior elements, causing significant spinal canal compromise, or in combination with an approach for tumors of the anterior column. Optimizing outcomes in spinal tumor patients focuses on preservation of function and prevention of complications that can delay life-prolonging adjuvant treatments.
Experimental and model enhancement of food waste hydrothermal liquefaction with combined effects of biochemical composition and reaction conditions.

Abstract Excessive food waste presents an opportunity to simultaneously alleviate waste and produce renewable resources. The present work uses hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) with elevated temperatures (280–380 °C) and times (10–60 min) to convert categorized food residues collected from a university campus dining hall into biocrude oil. Analysis of distinct feedstocks presented different biochemical compositions (protein, carbohydrate, and lipid) and yielded between 2 and 79% biocrude oil for the respective optimized HTL temperatures and times. Reaction pathways and elemental distributions (C,H,N) elucidated HTL product qualities based on feedstocks and optimized reaction conditions. Both descriptive HTL process energy recoveries and consumption ratios are included. An improved predictive model was able to accurately determine biocrude oil yield (R2adj 98.3%) of different food wastes under different reaction conditions, as well as predict previously published data (R2 94.3%). Combined experimental and analytical results were used to assess the sustainability and robustness of the HTL process.
Longitudinal proton spectroscopy study of the prefrontal cortex in youth at risk for bipolar disorder before and after their first mood episode.

Objectives To investigate neurochemical abnormalities in the left and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of youth at risk for bipolar disorder using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy before and after their first mood episode. Methods Children and adolescents offspring of parents with bipolar I disorder (at-risk group, n = 117) and matched healthy controls (HC group, n = 61) were recruited at the University of Cincinnati. At-risk subjects had no lifetime major mood and psychotic disorders at baseline, and were followed up every 4 months to monitor for development of a major depressive, manic, hypomanic, or mixed mood episode. Levels of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), phosphocreatine plus creatine (PCr + Cr), choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, and glutamate were determined using LCModel and corrected for partial volume effects. Results There were no baseline differences in metabolite levels for any of the brain regions between at-risk and HC youth. Nineteen at-risk subjects developed a first mood episode during follow-up. Survival analyses showed that baseline PCr + Cr levels in the left VLPFC significantly predicted a mood episode during follow-up in the at-risk group (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.82, P = 0.008). There were no longitudinal changes in metabolites levels in the VLPFC and ACC before and after a mood episode in at-risk subjects. Conclusions We found no evidence for abnormal proton spectroscopy metabolite levels in the VLPFC and ACC of at-risk youth, prior and after the development of their first mood episode. Preliminary findings of association between baseline PCr + Cr levels in the left VLPFC and risk to develop a mood episode warrant further investigation.
SRGAN: Training Dataset Matters

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in supervised settings can generate photo-realistic corresponding output from low-definition input (SRGAN). Using the architecture presented in the SRGAN original paper [2], we explore how selecting a dataset affects the outcome by using three different datasets to see that SRGAN fundamentally learns objects, with their shape, color, and texture, and redraws them in the output rather than merely attempting to sharpen edges. This is further underscored with our demonstration that once the network learns the images of the dataset, it can generate a photo-like image with even a slight hint of what it might look like for the original from a very blurry edged sketch. Given a set of inference images, the network trained with the same dataset results in a better outcome over the one trained with arbitrary set of images, and we report its significance numerically with Frechet Inception Distance score [22].
Knee Ultrasonography to Determine Risk for Noncontact Injuries in Collegiate American Football Players

Knee ultrasonography has been used effectively as a screening tool for determining risk for knee injuries in athletes. Ultrasonography may be a valuable screening tool for relative risk of noncontact knee injuries that occur over a typical playing career in collegiate American football players. In this prospective longitudinal study, we evaluated American football players (n = 48) in an academic institution affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletic program. Players underwent comprehensive ultrasonography of both knees prior to beginning their collegiate careers. Anatomic structures were evaluated for presence and severity of abnormalities. Noncontact lower extremity injuries sustained over the collegiate career of the subjects were documented. Data were analyzed for correlations, differences in proportions, and odds ratio (OR). Seventy-nine percent of the athletes had at least one ultrasonographic abnormality, with quadriceps tendon (47.9%) and patellar tendon (39.6%) abnormalities predominating. Seventy-nine percent of players had at least one noncontact lower extremity injury (23.5% involving the knee) during their careers with an average of 2.8 injuries per career. The majority of injuries occurred in the second and third playing years. There was a significantly higher likelihood of patellar tendon injury based on the presence of patellar tendon ultrasonographic pathology (p = 0.024; OR = 11x). There was a significantly higher likelihood of quadriceps muscle–tendon injury based on the presence of quadriceps tendon ultrasonography pathology (p = 0.0012; OR = 140x). All athletes sustaining meniscal injuries had preexisting joint effusion but no preexisting ultrasonographic meniscal pathology. Knee ultrasonography along with patient history and complete physical examination may help reduce injury risk through education, prevention, and training programs.
On the encapsulation and assembly of anticancer drugs in a cooperative fashion.

In this study, we report the remarkable recognition and assembly characteristics of D3h symmetric basket 16− containing two adjoining and nonpolar cavities with six biocompatible GABA residues at their northern and southern termini. From the results of experimental (1H NMR, fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopies) and computational (MM-MC/OPLS3e) investigations, we deduced that hexaanionic 16− captured two molecules of anticancer drug doxorubicin 2+ in water and accommodated them in its two deep cavities. The formation of stable 16−⊂222+ (Ka = 3 × 1012 M−2) was accompanied by the exceptional homotopic cooperativity (α = 4K2/K1 = 112) in which K1 = 3.2 ± 0.8 × 105 M−1 and K2 = 9 ± 1 × 106 M−1. Furthermore, bolaamphiphilic 16−⊂222+ assembled into spherical nanoparticles (DLS, cryo-TEM and TEM) possessing 41% drug loading. The preorganization of abiotic receptor 16− and its complementarity to 2+ have been proposed to play a part in the positive cooperativity in which ten favorable noncovalent contacts (i.e. hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, C–H⋯π and π–π contacts) are formed between doxorubicin and the dual-cavity host. In the case of topotecan 3+, however, the absence of multiple and favorable basket⊂drug interactions resulted in the predominant formation of a binary 16− ⊂ 3+ complex (K1 = 2.12 ± 0.01 × 104 M−1) and the negative homotopic allostery (α ≪ 1). To summarize, our study lays out a roadmap for creating a family of novel, accessible and multivalent hosts capable of complexing anticancer agents in a cooperative manner. As basket⊂drug complexes organize into highly loaded nanoparticles, the reported soft material is amenable to the bottom-up construction of stimuli-responsive nanomedicine capable of effective scavenging and/or delivery of drugs.
Arthropod carrion influences plant choice, oviposition, and cannibalism by a specialist predator on a sticky plant

1. Dead arthropods, entrapped by trichomes on plant surfaces, are an underappreciated form of plant‐provided food. Specialist predatory arthropods able to manoeuvre on plants covered in trichomes facultatively scavenge on the alternative food resource, increasing their abundance and reducing plant damage by herbivores. 2. This protective mutualism dependent on arthropod carrion has been demonstrated in several plant species, but the mechanisms driving the increase in predator abundance have not been identified. Through a series of greenhouse and laboratory experiments, the effect of arthropod carrion on predator behaviour was assessed. 3. The predator Jalysus wickhami preferred Nicotiana tabacum plants augmented with arthropod carrion, spending significantly more time and laying more eggs on those plants than plants without arthropod carrion. 4. Under low J. wickhami densities, arthropod carrion did not reduce egg cannibalism by adults. Under high densities, egg cannibalism by J. wickhami adults was reduced in the presence of arthropod carrion, but cannibalism by fifth instars was not. 5. Arthropod carrion may be utilised by a wide range of predatory arthropods that facultatively scavenge, and this research demonstrates its potential for influencing arthropod–plant and arthropod–arthropod interactions.
Pathobiology of Aspergillus Fumigatus Endophthalmitis in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Mice

Despite Aspergillus being the leading cause of exogenous fungal endophthalmitis following traumatic injury to the eye, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. In the current study, we developed a murine model of Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) endophthalmitis and investigated the disease pathobiology. Endophthalmitis was induced by intravitreal injection of Aspergillus spores in immunocompetent and immunocompromised (neutropenic) C57BL/6 mice, and disease severity was assessed by eye exam, fungal burden estimation, and histological examination. Our data showed that AF infection caused a time-dependent increase in corneal haze, opacity, and hypopyon beginning at two days post-infection (DPI). The fungal burden in infected eyes of immunocompetent mice peaked at 2 DPI and declined over 9 DPI. AF-infected neuroretina exhibited induction of innate immune response via upregulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and inflammatory mediators (TNFα, IL-1β, and IL6), and increased polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration. Histological analysis revealed heavy cellular infiltrates in the vitreous cavity as well as disruption of normal retinal architecture and increased retinal cell death. Neutropenic mice exhibited severe disease pathology with the prolonged fungal burden and increased inflammatory mediators. Our study described the first immunocompetent murine model of exogenous AF endophthalmitis and demonstrated an important role of neutrophils in innate defense against fungal endophthalmitis.
Serotonin regulation of striatal function

Abstract Serotonin plays an important yet underappreciated role in the physiology and function of the striatum, impacting numerous behaviors including reward seeking, decision-making, and motor planning. This review discusses how the anatomical pattern of innervation of striatum by serotonergic neurons from midbrain raphe and the complex distribution of serotonin receptors within striatum impact how serotonin modulates the striatal function. We highlight data from studies employing in vivo microdialysis to discuss the neurochemistry of striatal serotonin receptors with respect to their role on serotonin and dopamine release. Finally, we discuss behaviors impacted by serotonin in the striatum and attempt to provide a framework to understand the complicated role of serotonin in modulating the striatum neurochemically, behaviorally, and functionally.
Towards In-Ear Inertial Jaw Clenching Detection

Bruxism is a jaw-muscle condition characterized by repetitive clenching or grinding of teeth. Existing methods of detecting jaw clenching towards diagnosing bruxism are either invasive or not very reliable. As a first step towards building a reliable, non-invasive and light weight bruxism detector, we propose an eSense based in-ear inertial jaw clenching detection technique that detects peaks/dips in gyroscope vector magnitude. We also present results from preliminary experiments that show an equal error rate of 1% when the person is stationary and 4% when moving.
Numerical investigation of the internally heated melt pool natural convection behavior with the consideration of different high internal Rayleigh numbers

Abstract The melt pool could form in the nuclear reactor lower plenum under a hypothetic severe accident. In such condition, remaining the integrity of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is treated as one of the severe accident management strategies. The investigation of melt pool natural convection behavior is one of the most important aspects in the in-vessel retention (IVR) investigation. Various experimental and numerical research regarding the internally heated melt pool natural convection behavior has been conducted before. However, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation of internally heated melt pool natural convection behavior. The numerical investigation of the internally heated melt pool natural convection behavior with the consideration of different high internal Rayleigh numbers is conducted in this work. This work could bring the reference for the further investigation of internally heated molten pool natural convection behavior.
Clinical aspects of the complement system in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract The complement system is intimately engaged in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here we provide an account of how it is involved in the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of human SLE. We have three primary objectives. One is to summarize the current status of employing complement measurement as a biomarker to facilitate clinical management. The second is to define how a genetic deficiency is causative. The third is to explain how the complement system mediates tissue damage in SLE. The field of complement research is entering an exciting renaissance with a wealth of new information on (1) genetic variants and their functional consequences in predisposing to disease and (2) availability of complement inhibitors to ameliorate tissue damage. Complement research has provided important breakthroughs relative to our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of SLE. Hopefully, therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating complement’s role will have an even greater impact.
Modified base-binding EVE and DCD Domains Implicated in the Origins of Programmed Cell Death and the piRNA Pathway

Abstract Background DNA and RNA of most cellular life forms and many viruses contain an expansive repertoire of modified bases. The modified bases play diverse biological roles that include both regulation of transcription and translation, and protection against restriction endonucleases and antibiotics. Modified bases are often recognized by dedicated protein domains. However, the elaborate networks of interactions and processes mediated by modified bases are far from being completely understood. Results We present a comprehensive census and classification of EVE domains that belong to the PUA/ASCH domain superfamily and bind various modified bases in DNA and RNA. Prokaryotes encode two classes of EVE domain proteins, slow-evolving and fast-evolving. The slow-evolving EVE domains in α-proteobacteria are embedded in a conserved operonic context that implies involvement in coupling between translation and respiration, in particular, cytochrome c biogenesis, potentially, via binding 5-methylcytosine in tRNAs. In β and γ-proteobacteria, the conserved associations implicate the EVE domains in the coordination of cell division, biofilm formation, and global transcriptional regulation by non-coding 6S small RNAs, which are potentially modified and bound by the EVE domains. Down-regulation of the EVE-encoding operons might cause dormancy or programmed cell death (PCD). In eukaryotes, the EVE-domain-containing THYN1-like proteins appear to inhibit PCD and regulate the cell cycle, likely, via binding 5-methylcytosine and its derivatives in DNA and/or RNA. Thus, the link between PCD and cytochrome c that appears to be universal in eukaryotes might have been inherited from the α-proteobacterial, proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont and, unexpectedly, could involve modified base recognition by EVE domains. In numerous prokaryotic genomes, fast-evolving EVE domains are embedded in defense contexts, including toxin-antitoxin modules and Type IV restriction systems, all of which can also induce PCD. These EVE domains likely recognize modified bases in invading DNA molecules and target them for restriction. We additionally identified EVE-like prokaryotic Development and Cell Death (DCD) domains that are also implicated in defense functions including PCD. This function was inherited by eukaryotes but, in animals, the DCD proteins apparently were displaced by the extended Tudor family, whose partnership with Piwi-related Argonautes became the centerpiece of the piRNA system. Conclusions Recognition of modified bases in DNA and RNA by EVE-like domains appears to be an important, but until now, under-appreciated, common denominator in a variety of processes including PCD, cell cycle control, antivirus immunity, stress response and germline development in animals.
Evaluation of the Temperature Range for Biological Activity in Landfills Experiencing Elevated Temperatures

There have been reports of municipal solid waste landfills with waste and gas wellhead temperatures of at least 80–100 °C, which is in excess of temperatures reported at typical landfills. Landfill...
Short and Long Term Outcomes for Scleroderma Related Lung Transplantation

Purpose Historically, lung transplant for scleroderma-related failure has resulted in poor outcomes. We sought to determine if lung transplant in patients with scleroderma affected peri-operative complications and survival in the modern era. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried from 2005- 2019 to include adult patients who underwent lung transplantation. Patients were excluded if they underwent multi-organ or re-transplant. Patients were then identified for a diagnosis of autoimmune disease and divided into two groups: scleroderma (S, n=401) and non-scleroderma (NS, n=1105). Outcomes were analyzed using idiopathic fibrosis as a surrogate. T-test and chi-square analysis was used to compare peri-operative outcomes. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results There was no difference in survival between S, NS, and all other indications for lung transplant (p=0.356, Figure 1). Short term outcomes demonstrated that a significantly higher number of patients with S were intubated at 72 hours post-transplantation (p=0.005). However, there was no difference in the use of inhaled nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, PaO2, or FiO2 at 72 hours after transplantation between the two groups. The effect of pulmonary hypertension (PH) at the time of transplant was analyzed in patients with S (n=273) and pulmonary fibrosis not due to S (n=10,400). There was no significant difference in survival between these two groups (p=0.109). Finally, there was no difference in survival between S patients with (n=286) and without PH (n=90, p=0.527). Conclusion The results of this analysis suggest that selected patients with scleroderma have equivalent survival outcomes when compared to patients with non-scleroderma autoimmune disease and other thoracic diagnoses. Despite a selection bias, the data support favorable outcomes after lung transplant in patients with scleroderma. Therefore, a diagnosis of scleroderma should not be a deterrent to lung transplantation.
Streptococcus gordonii septic arthritis of the glenohumeral joint following deltoid intramuscular vaccination.

A 68-year-old woman presented for left shoulder pain, decreased range of motion (ROM) and fever 7 days following COVID-19 vaccination. Investigations showed a tender left deltoid mass, decreased shoulder ROM and elevated inflammatory markers. MRI demonstrated a large glenohumeral effusion with synovitis, and arthrocentesis confirmed septic arthritis (SA). She required subtotal bursectomy. Intraoperative joint cultures grew Streptococcus gordonii She completed 6 weeks of antibiotics and is undergoing physical therapy for post-infectious adhesive capsulitis. SA is most commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus and β-haemolytic streptococci, and rarely due to viridans group streptococci including S. gordonii To avoid inadvertent injection into the glenohumeral joint, vaccination should be performed posteriorly and inferiorly into the deltoid musculature. Progressive pain, fever or decreased passive ROM following vaccination should raise concern for SA. Given its rarity, however, concern for secondary SA should not affect the general population's consideration for vaccination.
Abundances of transfer RNA modifications and transcriptional levels for tRNA-modifying enzymes are sex-specific in mosquitoes

As carriers of multiple human diseases, understanding the mechanisms behind mosquito reproduction may have implications for remediation strategies. Transfer RNA (tRNA) acts as the adapter molecule of amino acids and are key components in protein synthesis and a critical factor in the function of tRNAs is chemical modifications. Here, we provide an assessment of tRNA modifications between sexes for three mosquito species and examine correlated transcript levels underlying key proteins involved in tRNA modification. Thirty-three tRNA modifications were detected among mosquito species and most of these modifications are higher in females compared to males. Analysis of previous male and female RNAseq datasets indicated a similar increase in tRNA modifying enzymes in females, supporting our observed female enrichment of tRNA modifications. Tissues-specific expressional studies revealed high transcript levels for tRNA modifying enzymes in the ovaries for Aedes aegypti, but not male reproductive tissues. These studies suggest that tRNA modifications may be critical to reproduction in mosquitoes, representing a potential novel target for control.
To co-opt or coerce? State capacity, regime strategy, and organized religion in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam:

This article explores the dynamic relationship between states, authoritarian regimes, and organized religion in the ostensibly Marxist-Leninist states of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Despite espous...
Mechanical properties of sintered ZrB2–SiC ceramics

Abstract ZrB2 ceramics containing 10–30 vol% SiC were pressurelessly sintered to near full density (relative density >97%). The effects of carbon content, SiC volume fraction and SiC starting particle size on the mechanical properties were evaluated. Microstructure analysis indicated that higher levels of carbon additions (10 wt% based on SiC content) resulted in excess carbon at the grain boundaries, which decreased flexure strength. Elastic modulus, hardness, flexure strength and fracture toughness values all increased with increasing SiC content for compositions with 5 wt% carbon. Reducing the size of the starting SiC particles decreased the ZrB2 grain size and changed the morphology of the final SiC grains from equiaxed to whisker-like, also affecting the flexure strength. The ceramics prepared from middle starting powder with an equiaxed SiC grain morphology had the highest flexure strength (600 MPa) compared with ceramics prepared from finer or coarser SiC powders.
Item banking to improve, shorten and computerize self-reported fatigue: An illustration of steps to create a core item bank from the FACIT-Fatigue Scale

Fatigue is a common symptom among cancer patients and the general population. Due to its subjective nature, fatigue has been difficult to effectively and efficiently assess. Modern computerized adaptive testing (CAT) can enable precise assessment of fatigue using a small number of items from a fatigue item bank. CAT enables brief assessment by selecting questions from an item bank that provide the maximum amount of information given a person's previous responses. This article illustrates steps to prepare such an item bank, using 13 items from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Subscale (FACIT-F) as the basis. Samples included 1022 cancer patients and 1010 people from the general population. An Item Response Theory (IRT)-based rating scale model, a polytomous extension of the Rasch dichotomous model was utilized. Nine items demonstrating acceptable psychometric properties were selected and positioned on the fatigue continuum. The fatigue levels measured by these nine items along with their response categories covered 66.8% of the general population and 82.6% of the cancer patients. Although the operational CAT algorithms to handle polytomously scored items are still in progress, we illustrated how CAT may work by using nine core items to measure level of fatigue. Using this illustration, a fatigue measure comparable to its full-length 13-item scale administration was obtained using four items. The resulting item bank can serve as a core to which will be added a psychometrically sound and operational item bank covering the entire fatigue continuum.
Current signatures [VLSI circuit testing]

In this paper we demonstrate that performing I/sub DDQ/ testing against a single threshold current value does not make sense. In place of the single current threshold we propose the "current signature". A die's current signature takes into account the relative measured level of current on all applied I/sub DDQ/ vectors. Preliminary results of current signature applications are discussed as well.
Antenatal malnutrition: its relationship to subsequent infant and child development.

Congenitally malnourished animals have shown more severe changes than those whose malnutrition was begun after birth. Critical periods of development in the brains of animals and human seem well-established. Malnutrition between the tenth and thirtieth weeks of gestation may result in permanent changes in reflexes with the later-developing ones disappearing first. Clinical and electroencephalographic evidence shows that brain function in children is affected by states of malnutrition; this dysfunction may persist following correction of the deficit. Vitamins have been shown to be of developmental importance. Maternal undernutrition or lack of weight gain has been associated with small-for-dates infants who subsequently have a poor developmental prognosis. In a study on malnourished infants from homes where malnourishment among the parents before and during pregnancy was most likely revealed: 1) abnormalities of EEG (presence of theta waves low voltage alpha-waves) 2) low IQ 3) a pattern similar to brain-injured children with a deficit of visual motor ability and pattern perception. The timing severity and duration of malnutrition markedly influence the quality extent and degree of reversibility of observed deficits. Persistence of malnutrition across generations appears to worsen outcome and prognosis at least in animal studies.
Alteration of sleep in rabbits by Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Abundant evidence suggests that sleep might be altered during infectious disease, although the relationship between sleep and infectious disease has never been examined systematically. To address this issue, we determined the effects of Staphylococcus aureus infection on rabbit sleep. Rabbits inoculated intravenously with S. aureus demonstrated the expected physiological changes consistent with a state of infectious disease (e.g., lymphopenia, neutrophilia, and fever), as well as time-dependent changes in sleep patterns. The sleep changes were characterized initially by increases in (i) the time spent in slow-wave sleep, (ii) the electroencephalographic slow-wave amplitudes during slow-wave sleep, and (iii) the duration of individual bouts of slow-wave sleep. At 20 to 36 h after inoculation, sleep responses fell to levels below corresponding control values for 6 to 12 h. At 6 to 10 h after inoculation, rapid-eye-movement sleep was suppressed and remained at low levels throughout the remainder of the 48-h recording period. These effects of bacterial infection on sleep were attenuated by antibiotic (cephalothin) therapy. Inoculation with killed bacteria produced similar changes in sleep and other physiological parameters, although significantly higher numbers of organisms were required to produce equivalent responses. We postulate that changes in sleep may represent an adaptive response of the host to infectious disease.
Long-term results of a prospective randomized trial of adjuvant brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcoma.

PURPOSEThis trial was performed to evaluate the impact of adjuvant brachytherapy on local and systemic recurrence rates in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a single-institution prospective randomized trial, 164 patients were randomized intraoperatively to receive either adjuvant brachytherapy (BRT) or no further therapy (no BRT) after complete resection of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity or superficial trunk. The adjuvant radiation was administered by iridium-192 implant, which delivered 42 to 45 Gy over 4 to 6 days. The two study groups had comparable distributions of patient and tumor factors, including age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, and histologic type and grade.RESULTSWith a median follow-up time of 76 months, the 5-year actuarial local control rates were 82% and 69% in the BRT and no BRT groups (P = .04), respectively. Patients with high-grade lesions had local control rates of 89% (BRT) and 66% (no BRT) (P = .0025). BRT had no impact on local control in patients with...
Measurement of submicrometer Al 2 O 3 particles in plumes

We made multiple-wavelength light transmission measurements at the edge of a plume from a small solid-propellant motor in order to determine the mean particle size and the in situ particle index of refraction. We retrieved the particle size distribution from the Sauter mean diameter and the geometrical standard deviation assuming a lognormal distribution. The good correlation of the data indicated the applicability of the technique with a relatively high confidence level and that submicrometer particles were dominantly present at the edge of the plume. This was confirmed by the size distribution of collected particles. The values measured for alumina particles in the edge of the plume were a Sauter mean diameter of 0.150 μm ± 4%, a geometrical standard deviation of 1.50 ± 3%, and a real index of refraction of 1.63 ± 8%.
Ultrarapid detection of sex chromosomes with the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization with direct label DNA probes in single human blastomeres, spermatozoa, amniocytes, and lymphocytes.

Abstract Objective: To assess the ultrarapid fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure with a 1-minute hybridization time for gender determination. Design: Fluorescence in situ hybridization with direct label fluorescence DNA probes for chromosomes X and Y were tested with the use of different hybridization times and different cell types. Setting: Hospital-based IVF program. Intervention(s): The efficiency of the FISH procedure with different hybridization times was compared with the use of male lymphocytes. The same FISH procedure, but with only 1-minute hybridization, was carried out in human blastomeres, spermatozoa, uncultured amniocytes, male lymphocytes, and female lymphocytes. Main Outcome Measure(s): Percentages of nuclei with positive signals. Result(s): The percentages of nuclei with positive signals in lymphocytes with hybridization times of 1, 3, 4, 10, 30, and 45 minutes were 97%, 97%, 98%, 98%, 98%, and 98%, respectively. The percentages of nuclei with positive signals after FISH with a 1-minute hybridization time in single blastomeres, spermatozoa, amniocytes, male lymphocytes, and female lymphocytes were 94%, 96%, 96%, 98%, and 97%, respectively. Conclusion(s): Chromosomes X and Y of human blastomeres, spermatozoa, uncultured amniocytes, and lymphocytes can be detected rapidly with the use of this ultrarapid FISH procedure with a 1-minute hybridization time.
Orbit-centered atmospheric density prediction using artificial neural networks

At low Earth orbits, drag force is a significant source of error for propagating the motion of a spacecraft. The main factor driving the changes on the drag force is neutral density. Global atmospheric models provide estimates for the density which are significantly affected by bias due to misrepresentations of the underlying physics and limitations on the statistical models. In this work a localized predictor based on artificial neural networks is presented. Localized refers to the focus being on a specific orbit, rather than a global prediction. The predictor uses density measurements or estimates on a given orbit and a set of proxies for solar and geomagnetic activities to predict the value of the density along the future orbit of the spacecraft. The performance of the localized predictor is studied for different neural network structures, testing periods of high and low solar and geomagnetic activities and different prediction windows. Comparison with previously developed methods show substantial benefits in using artificial neural networks, both in prediction accuracy and in the potential for spacecraft onboard implementation. In fact, the proposed neural networks are computationally efficient and would be straightforward to integrate into onboard software.
Analysis of output surface damage resulting from single 351 nm, 3 ns pulses on sub-nanosecond laser conditioned KD2PO4 crystals

We observe that by conditioning DKDP using 500 ps laser pulses, the bulk damage threshold becomes essentially equivalent to the surface damage threshold. We report here the findings of our study of laser initiated output surface damage on 500 ps laser conditioned DKDP for test pulses at 351 nm, 3 ns. The relation between surface damage density and damaging fluence (r(f)) is presented for the first time and the morphologies of the surface sites are discussed. The results of this study suggest a surface conditioning effect resulting from exposure to 500 ps laser pulses.
Philopatry drives genetic differentiation in an island archipelago: comparative population genetics of Galapagos Nazca boobies (Sula granti) and great frigatebirds (Fregata minor).

Seabirds are considered highly mobile, able to fly great distances with few apparent barriers to dispersal. However, it is often the case that seabird populations exhibit strong population genetic structure despite their potential vagility. Here we show that Galapagos Nazca booby (Sula granti) populations are substantially differentiated, even within the small geographic scale of this archipelago. On the other hand, Galapagos great frigatebird (Fregata minor) populations do not show any genetic structure. We characterized the genetic differentiation by sampling five colonies of both species in the Galapagos archipelago and analyzing eight microsatellite loci and three mitochondrial genes. Using an F-statistic approach on the multilocus data, we found significant differentiation between nearly all island pairs of Nazca booby populations and a Bayesian clustering analysis provided support for three distinct genetic clusters. Mitochondrial DNA showed less differentiation of Nazca booby colonies; only Nazca boobies from the island of Darwin were significantly differentiated from individuals throughout the rest of the archipelago. Great frigatebird populations showed little to no evidence for genetic differentiation at the same scale. Only two island pairs (Darwin – Wolf, N. Seymour – Wolf) were significantly differentiated using the multilocus data, and only two island pairs had statistically significant φST values (N. Seymour – Darwin, N. Seymour – Wolf) according to the mitochondrial data. There was no significant pattern of isolation by distance for either species calculated using both markers. Seven of the ten Nazca booby migration rates calculated between island pairs were in the south or southeast to north or northwest direction. The population differentiation found among Galapagos Nazca booby colonies, but not great frigatebird colonies, is most likely due to differences in natal and breeding philopatry.
The generalized likelihood ratio test for the pearson correlation

The exact generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) test is defined for the test of #0:P = Po against Hx:p*p0 where p is an unknown value of the Pearson correlation coefficient and Po is a known constant (-1 po; otherwise the equal-tails test is more powerful than the GLR test. For negativevalues of p0, the result is reserved. Finally, the exact power function of the Fisher's approximate test shows that the test is conservative when a is large, but liberal when a is small.
Development of a Greenhouse Assay to Evaluate Potato Germplasm for Susceptibility to Powdery Scab

Potato resistance to powdery scab, caused by the protist Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea, has become extremely important in recent years due to the increased damage caused by this disease. Since field conditions cannot be controlled, they are sometimes sub-optimal for scab susceptibility detection. Thus, a greenhouse assay has been developed that consistently provides optimal conditions so that the susceptibility potential of a clone in the field can be efficiently evaluated. Four potato cultivars were evaluated which varied in levels of powdery scab susceptibility. Two soil types and three inoculum levels were also evaluated. Other factors, such as soil temperature and moisture, were examined to make certain that a range ideal for powdery scab development as reported in current literature was obtained. These greenhouse results were compared with three years of field data collected from trials conducted in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA. Each of the cultivars was evaluated for root galling, tuber lesion incidence, and severity. Greenhouse results most consistently matched field results when potatoes were planted in a soil with 50% sand, an inoculum level of one sporeball per gram, and high irrigation coupled with appropriate soil temperatures (ranging from 10–18°C) during the tuber initiation to bulking phase. This soil mix was utilized to test 14 cultivars in the greenhouse with varying levels of resistance to powdery scab. When greenhouse results were correlated with field results a pattern emerged which demonstrated that the cultivars were accurately ranked based on susceptibility to scab (e.g., cultivars with the most resistance to scab in the field also showed the most resistance in the greenhouse). A conversion table using the greenhouse score was developed to estimate the potential susceptibility of a clone under optimum field conditions. Results demonstrate that a greenhouse assay can be successfully used for evaluating advanced potato germplasm for resistance to powdery scab.
A review of regulation of gene expression by steroid hormone receptors.

Abstract We have investigated the manner by which progesterone receptors act to induce initiation of RNA synthesis in a cell free system derived from chick oviduct. A method utilizing rifampicin enabled us to measure the formation of binary initiation complexes between RNA polymerase and chick oviduct chromatin and allowed for the quantitative assessment of RNA chain initiation sites. RNA chain propagation rates, and RNA chain size under conditions which prevent secondary chain reinitiations. Purified progesterone-receptor complex stimulated transcription of oviduct chromatin in vitro by promoting an increase of 3000 to 5000 additional sites for RNA chain initiation. These data showed that progesterone receptor can directly increase the number of RNA polymerase initiation sites in the chromatin template in the absence of a detectable change in either the rate of RNA propagation or the size of the RNA product. The stimulatory effect of the purified progesterone receptor was time dependent (T 1 2 of 15 min) and the concentration of receptor for half maximal stimulation of RNA chain initiation was ~5 × 10 −9 M, a value which correlates directly with the receptor affinity for binding to chromatin. The stimulatory effect of the purified progesterone receptor appeared to be relatively specific for oviduct chromatin in comparison to non-target tissue chromatins or DNA. Utilizing a copy DNA probe to ovalbumin mRNA, a greater than ten-fold increase in transcription of the ovalbumin gene was detected after the incubation of progesterone receptor with oviduct chromatin. The data presented here show that steroid hormone receptor complexes can directly regulate aene transcription in vitro in a manner which mimics the events observed in vivo in target cells.
Deformation of Ru–Al–Ta ternary alloys

Abstract The microstructure, flow behavior and dislocation substructure in two ternary ruthenium-containing alloys, Ru25Al25Ta (atomic percent) and Ru32Al13Ta were studied. The Ru25Al25Ta alloy consisted of a continuous Heusler phase with a small volume fraction of Ru-rich precipitates, while the Ru32Al13Ta contained a single phase B2 structure. Ru25Al25Ta failed in compression before yielding at both 298 and 973 K. Ru32Al13Ta exhibited limited compressive ductility (∼5%) at room temperature. The 2% flow stress decreased with temperature, but remained as high as about 1140 MPa at 1173 K. Dislocation substructures in Ru32Al13Ta following deformation at 298 and 973 K were similar in that the majority of the dislocations were the 〈111〉 type in bowed-out configurations on {110} planes. The 〈111〉 dislocations also contained periodic cusps along their length. The deformation behavior of the two alloys is discussed in relation to other RuAl-based alloys and possible implications for the dominant presence of 〈111〉 dislocations are presented.
Temporary Cementation in Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Total ankle arthroplasty can be technically demanding in patients with poor bone quality. In bone fragile patients, the use of a temporary cementation technique (“biocementation”) can assist in providing a stable, secure implant interface with native bone that is of poor quality. I report the short-term results of 9 ankles (7 consecutive patients) undergoing total ankle replacement with temporary cementation using a slowly resorbable injectable bone graft substitute composed of 75% calcium sulfate and 25% calcium phosphate.
Effect of Marihuana on the Psychological Refractory Period

Reaction times to an auditory stimulus (RT1) and a subsequent visual stimulus (RT2) were measured for 12 Ss under three levels of smoked marihuana. Marihuana impaired responses; effect was larger on RT2 than on RT1. However, delays of RT2 are longer than would be predicted in terms of the psychological refractory period.
A tale of two DRM: The co-construction of access and use rights for licensed digital library resources

This paper explores the process by which access and use rights for licensed digital resources are co-constructed between owners and users of intellectual property through a longitudinal social process. It describes this co-construction process for the development of digital rights management (DRM) technologies on two digital scholarly resources—the Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE) Digital Library and ARTstor. The ARTstor DRM development process could be seen as “the best of times” where the vendor actively sought stakeholder input and engaged in user testing. In contrast, the SAE DRM development process can be seen as “the worst of times” where the publisher imposed a DRM on a user group with no input and no user testing. While in both cases the DRM were reconfigured after initial user reactions, the reconfiguration in the ARTstor case was relatively managed and positive in tone, and the reconfiguration in the SAE case was chaotic and openly hostile. Differences in the co-construction of the DRM can be explained in part by differences in publisher attitudes toward academic libraries as customers, difference in the publishers' traditional business models, and differences in ownership of the content within the two digital libraries.
Adaptive decision rules for stochastic linear programming

For LP problems with stochastic objective functions some adaptive methods are analysed here to show how sample information and learning mechanisms may be operationally introduced.
Thermal Chemistry of 1,4-Difluoro-2-butenes on Pt(111) Single-Crystal Surfaces

The thermal chemistry of cis- and trans-1,4-difluoro-2-butenes on Pt(111) single-crystal surfaces was characterized by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection−absorption infrared spe...
Support varieties for modules over symmetric groups

1.1. In the late 1970s, Alperin [A] defined an invariant called the complexity of a module as a way to relate the modules with the complexes and resolutions that they admit. Several years later, Carlson [Ca1,Ca2] defined affine algebraic varieties corresponding to modules over group algebras. These varieties are subvarieties of the spectrum of the cohomology ring which was earlier described by Quillen [Q]. They are known in present day language as support varieties. It was discovered early on that the complexity of a module is equal to the dimension of the support variety of the module. Geometric methods involving support varieties have played a fundamental role in understanding the interplay between the modular representation theory and cohomology for finite groups. Despite substantial progress in this direction, there have been few explicit computations of support varieties for important classes of modules over certain groups. The goal of this paper is to introduce methods and techniques for computing support varieties for modules over the symmetric group Σd . In the process, we will provide explicit computations of support varieties for certain classes
Simple mechanism for large neutrino magnetic moments

We show that the simple Zee model of the neutrino mass already incorporates the interesting prediction of a large transitional neutrino magnetic moment.