cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attitudes Toward Risk-Benefit Analysis for Managing Effects of Chemical Exposures

Environmental policymaking has become more dependent on the use of formal, quantitative risk-benefit analysis as a basis for establishing regulations. This is largely because of increasing emphasis on the prevention of adverse human health effects attributable to exposures to toxic chemicals. For example, risk assessment helps to set priorities for the regulation of the very large number of chemicals which are of potential concern by ranking those chemicals in terms of their possible carcinogenic or other health hazards (see Ames et al., 1987). Moreover, when linked to benefit-cost studies, risk assessment can help direct limited societal resources to prevent or mitigate the most significant risks (see also Chapters 4 and 5 of this volume; Rycroft et al., forthcoming; Russell and Gruber, 1987; Lave, 1987).
Declining use of combination infliximab and immunomodulator for inflammatory bowel disease in the community setting.

Declining use of combination infliximab and immunomodulator for inflammatory bowel disease in the community setting
Identification of meiotic recombination through gamete genome reconstruction using whole genome linked-reads

Meiotic recombination (MR), which transmits exchanged genetic materials between homologous chromosomes to offspring, plays a crucial role in shaping genomic diversity in eukaryotic organisms. In humans, thousands of meiotic recombination hotspots have been mapped by population genetics approaches. However, direct identification of MR events for individuals is still challenging due to the difficulty in resolving the haplotypes of homologous chromosomes and reconstructing the gamete genome. Whole genome linked-read sequencing (lrWGS) can generate haplotype sequences of mega-base pairs (N50 ~2.5Mb) after computational phasing. However, the haplotype information is still isolated in a large number of fragmented genomic regions and limited by switch errors, impeding its further application in the chromosome-scale analysis. In this study, we developed a tool MRLR (Meiotic Recombination identification by Linked-Read sequencing) for the analysis of individual MR events. By leveraging trio pedigree information with lrWGS haplotypes, our pipeline is sufficient to reconstruct the whole human gamete genome with 99.8% haplotyping accuracy. By analyzing the haplotype exchange between homologous chromosomes, MRLR identified 462 high-resolution MR events in 6 human trio samples from the Genome In A Bottle (GIAB) and the Human Genome Structural Variation Consortium (HGSVC). In three datasets of the HGSVC, our results recapitulated 149 (92%) previously identified high-confident MR events and discovered 85 novel events. About half (40) of the new events are supported by single-cell template strand sequencing (Strand-seq) results. We found that 332 (71.9%) MR events co-localize with recombination hotspots (>10 cM/Mb) in human populations, and MR breakpoint regions are enriched in PRDM9 and DMC1 binding sites. In addition, 48% (221) breakpoint regions were detected inside a gene, indicating these MRs can directly affect the haplotype diversity of genic regions. Taken together, our approach provides new opportunities in the haplotype-based genomic analysis of individual meiotic recombination. The MRLR software is implemented in Perl and is freely available at https://github.com/ChongLab/MRLR.
Pancreatic calcification in an 18-Yr-Old patient following gallstone pancreatitis and recurrent pseudocysts

Most authors believe that biliary pancreatitis rarely progresses to chronic pancreatitis. Here, we present a case of an 18-yr-old white male with a history of gallstone pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst resulting in radiographic and pathologic evidence of pancreatic calcification over a 16-mo period.
Hume on Causation

In A Treatise of Human Nature published in 1739 Hume provides the following two definitions of cause: (T1) We may define a cause to be “An object precedent and contiguous to another, and where all the objects resembling the former are placed in like relations of precedency and contiguity to those objects that resemble the latter”. (T2) A cause is an object precedent and contiguous to another, and so united with it, that the idea of the one determines the mind to form the idea of the other, and the impression of the one to from a more lively idea of the other.1
Data Acquisition and Analysis in Pulse Radiolysis Part I: Control, Digitization, and Analysis

Aspects of data acquisition that are common to many different detection schemes and chemical systems are surveyed. These aspects include timing and control, digitization, and data processing and analysis.
Opioid abuse/dependence among those hospitalized due to periapical abscess.

AIM Opioid abuse/dependence (OAD) is an emerging public health crisis in the USA. The aim of the present study was to estimate the nationwide prevalence of OAD in those hospitalized due to periapical abscess in the USA. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2012-2014 was used. All patients who were hospitalized due to periapical abscess were selected for analysis. In this cohort, OAD was identified and used as the outcome variable. A mix of patient and geographic factors were used as independent variables. The simultaneous association between outcome and independent variables was examined by a multivariable logistic regression model. Clustering of outcomes within hospitals was adjusted. Odds of OAD were computed for all independent variables. RESULTS During the study period, 30 040 patients were hospitalized due to periapical abscess; 1.5% of these had OAD. Those aged 18-29 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.76-7.72, P < 0.01) and 30-44 years (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.77-5.76, P < 0.01) were associated with higher odds for OAD compared to those aged 45-64 years. Blacks were associated with lower odds for OAD compared to whites (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28-0.95, P = 0.03). Those covered by Medicare (OR = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.458-11.44, P = 0.01), Medicaid (OR = 5.86, 95% CI = 2.22-15.47, P < 0.01), and those who were uninsured (OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.30-10.45, P = 0.01) were associated with higher odds for OAD compared to those covered by private insurance. The odds of OAD increased with comorbid burden (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.50-1.84, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS High-risk groups that are likely to have OAD were identified among those hospitalized due to periapical abscess.
Impact of injection potential on measured ion response for digitally driven mass filters

Abstract Digital Waveform Technology (DWT) has recently evolved to provide sufficient duty cycle resolution necessary to create a purely digital waveform-based mass filter. Digital operation provides a number of options that remain extremely challenging for sinusoidal waveform technology (SWT) driven systems. One of those options is collecting ions in a gas-filled digital ion guide/trap and subsequently axially injecting the collected ions in a temporally-short and spatially-focused packet into the digital mass filter (DMF). This work explores the effects of trapping ions before mass analysis. In particular, it focusses on the measured response of the ion distribution as a function of axial ejection conditions while maintaining identical trapping conditions. The ejection energy was varied showing changes in the ion distribution that corresponded to desolvation, multimeric dissociation and small molecule from the higher charge states. This study shows that duty cycle-base ion ejection from into an axial potential well and out of the same well of a gas-filled linear quadrupole is essentially equivalent in terms of energy imparted to the ion. However, the energizing mechanism of the ejection process is radial rather than axial. Sampling issues of the trapped ions from the gas-filled quadrupole were analyzed and discussed.
LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF CUSTOM-MADE ANKLE-FOOT ORTHOSES (AFO) TO IMPROVE GAIT AND BALANCE IN OLDER ADULTS

Objective: It is well established that ankle-foot-orthoses (AFO) is an effective footwear intervention to stabilize ankle joint, which in turn could improve balance and self-confidence during walking in older adults. However, its long term benefit, daily use acceptability, and mechanism of action are still debated. Methods: Ambulatory older adults (n=44, age=74.7 ± 6.4, BMI: 28.5 ± 5.6, 70% female, 64% history of fall) were randomly assigned (ratio=1:1) to AFO intervention + New-Balance shoes (AFO-G: Moor-Balance Brace with custom-made footplate) or New-Balance shoes alone (Shoe-G). Both groups were asked to wear the received footwear daily, for one year. Gait and balance were measured using validated devices at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and conclusion of the program. Results: Improvement in gait was significant at 6-month follow-up in the AFO-G with the largest effect size observed for stride velocity (16%, Cohens’ d=0.51, p=0.016). Small but none-significant improvement in gait was observed for the Shoe-G. Among balance parameters, large effect sizes were observed for both ankle-stability and center-of-mass (COM) sway in the AFO-G (d=1.08–1.24, p 0.050). The daily average of wearing the received footwear was 6.2 hours and 4.8 hours, for AFO-G and Shoe-G, respectively. Conclusion: This study confirmed that daily use of AFO is practical and effective to improve gait and balance. This could be explained by ankle stability and enhanced proprioception feedback provided by AFO. This in turn may lead to improve self-confidence during walking and thus improving gait speed over time.
Measurement of the Force Required by Blunt-Tipped Microcannulas to Perforate the Facial Artery.

Purpose To measure the force required by blunt-tipped microcannulas of various sizes to penetrate the wall of the facial artery. Methods Twenty hemifaces of 10 fresh frozen cadavers were dissected to reveal the facial artery from its origin at the external carotid artery until the angular artery was found. On the right side of each cadaver, the facial artery was removed at the nasolabial fold, while arteries on the left were kept in situ, preserved with their fascial attachments. A force-sensitive resistor (Tekscan, Boston, MA, U.S.A.) was used to measure the force required by a syringe attached to 18G, 22G, 23G, 25G, and 27G blunt-tipped microcannulas, to pierce the proximal wall of the facial arteries on the left hemiface at the nasolabial fold. The facial arteries from each right hemiface were pierced by cannulas that were attached to a horizontally mounted microtensile load cell, which included a linear motor (Ibex Engineering, Newbury Park, CA). The force required to perforate the proximal wall of the facial arteries was calculated for each cannula. A 2-tailed t test was used to compare the forces measured by the force-sensitive resistor and the microtensile load cell. Results On force testing, the 18G and 22G cannulas were unable to penetrate the vessel wall in facial arteries that were both: removed from the cadavers and maintained in the cadavers. There was no statistically significant difference between the values obtained by the load motor and the force-sensitive resistor (p = 0.33). The force required to penetrate the proximal wall of the facial artery was: 0.72 kg to 0.81 kg for 23G, 0.43 kg to 0.54 kg for 25G, and 0.23 kg to 0.32 kg for 27G blunt-tipped microcannulas. There was a significant correlation between the gauge of the cannulas and the force required to penetrate the vessel walls (r = -0.970; p = Conclusions Blunt-tipped microcannulas smaller than 22G penetrate the facial artery with a low amount of force.
Treatment of Drenching Sweats in Parkinson’s Disease

Abnormal sweating is a sometimes distressing autonomic feature that relates to abnormal reflex vasodilation in skin. It occurs in 10–30% of Parkinson’s Disease patients and is possibly more common in younger women. Altered sweating appears to occur in two forms: that related to dopaminergic innervation (“off” sweating) and the other being non-dopaminergic. As sweat glands are stimulated by sympathetic cholinergic, adrenergic, and noradrenergic pathways, these represent the major non-dopaminergic types. Treatment options are limited. In some cases no treatment is needed. For the dopaminergic type, treating “off” times is the best strategy. For non-dopaminergic type the use of anticholinergics can be helpful.
What Does Florida Weather during the Past 20 Years Look Like? Florida Weather Represented by the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN)

This 8-page document gives an overview of Florida temperature and rainfall during the past 20 years based on historical FAWN data to provide information about the temporal and spatial trends of Florida weather and the frequency and size of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and drought. This document also investigates the characteristics of drought and heavy rainfall in relation to hurricanes and tropical storms. Written by Satbyeol Shin, Young Gu Her, Geraldina Zhang, and William Lusher, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2020.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae537
Potential fuel cycle performance of floating small modular light water reactors of Russian origin

Abstract We examine the potential fuel cycle performance of high assay low-enriched uranium fueled small light water reactors by considering several floating small reactor concepts of Russian origin with 235U enrichment at 10%, 15%, and 19.7%. These enrichments are generic but representative of the reactor concepts being considered. The small reactor concepts were considered parametrically at two different power densities and neutron leakage fractions. The analysis was performed for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy using the evaluation metrics from the Evaluation and Screening (E&S) Study. The reference reactor system in a once-through fuel cycle with an enrichment greater than 5%, but less than 20%, in the E&S study is a graphite-moderated modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (mHTGR). The neutron spectrum of an mHTGR is very different from these Russian floating small reactor concepts, which is why this analysis was conducted. The fuel cycle analysis indicates that increasing core leakage negatively impacts the natural resource requirements as well as the spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste radioactivity normalized to a giga-watt electric year (GWe-yr) basis. Further, we found that the 235U enrichment of the fuel and the rated core power density have limited fuel cycle performance impacts. One impact is the slightly higher discharge burnup of the de-rated power cases resulting in different spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste radioactivity at 100 and 100,000 years after fuel discharge. The most significant result from the study is the observation that all the enrichment and power density cases resulted in decreased radioactivity at 100,000 years relative to the reference mHTGR example case with 15.5%-enrichment from the E&S study.
Rethinking clinical oncology drug research in an era of value‐based cancer care: A role for chemotherapy pathways

The United States spends nearly 1/5th of its GDP on healthcare. Yet, to achieve value-based care, the Economist describes the US healthcare system as handicapped by multiple, disparate silos that prevent the organization and sharing of data. This paper explores the current state of clinical oncology drug research and its relationship to value-based cancer care. Clinical Chemotherapy Pathways are proposed as a unifying structure to bring together disparate sources of data to increase value.
Exponentially Fast Concentration of Vector Approximate Message Passing to its State Evolution

Vector Approximate Message Passing is a computationally-efficient iterative algorithm for estimation in high-dimensional regression problems. Due to the presence of an ‘Onsager’ correction term in its iterates, for a wide class of N × M design matrices, namely those that are right orthogonally-invariant, the asymptotic distribution of the algorithm’s estimate of the signal at any iteration can be exactly characterized in the large system limit as M/N → δ ∈ (0,∞) via a scalar recursion referred to as state evolution. In this paper, we show that appropriate functionals of the iterates in fact concentrate around their limiting values predicted by these asymptotic distributions with rates exponentially fast in N.
Omni-Resonant Space-Time Wave Packets are Invariant after Traversing a Narrow Linewidth Fabry-Pérot Cavity

We describe theoretically and verify experimentally a class of diffraction-free pulsed optical beams that are ‘omni-resonant': they are transmitted through planar Fabry-Perot resonators without spectral filtering even if their bandwidth far exceeds the cavity resonant linewidth.
Common Breast Complaints [Gynecomastia, Breast Asymmetry, Galactorrhea]

Gynecomastia means breast enlargement noted in males. It is mostly seen in adolescent males at the time of puberty. It is important to differentiate true gynecomastia from lipomastia especially in obese patients. Occasionally there is an associated underlying systemic or endocrine cause; hence detailed history and physical examination is warranted. If no secondary cause of gynecomastia is found, watchful waiting with regular follow-up is recommended as most cases regress spontaneously. If that is not the case, then medical treatment can be considered, although there are limited randomized clinical trials for medical management of gynecomastia in the pediatric population. Surgical referral can be considered for refractory cases of gynecomastia.
The Ethics of Care and Academic Motherhood amid Covid-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of working parents as they strive to meet the conflicting demands of childcare and professional obligations. While growing evidence suggests the extraordinary challenges to time and work brought by the pandemic, this article explores the pandemic as an opportunity for stillness and reflection, a personal and professional recalibration. Through a personal narrative describing my experiences as an academic and mother before and during the pandemic, framed within the ethics of care, this article brings light to the untenable reality of working mothers pre-pandemic, explores the ways in which the pandemic has positively facilitated caring relationships at home as well as the reallocation of time and household responsibilities, and argues for policy and legislative action at the institutional and societal levels that support and value the care work of women and men alike. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Outcomes of Laparoscopic Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement Using an Optimal Placement Technique.

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely employed renal replacement modality. A prospective study was conducted to determine the short-term and midterm outcomes and complication rates associated with a standardized optimal laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter placement technique. Methods All patients undergoing laparoscopic PD catheter placement by one surgeon using our standardized method over a 5-year period were entered into a prospective database. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively through office visits. Development of complications was assessed using follow up telephone or mail surveys. Results A total of 100 patients with a mean age of 56 years underwent laparoscopic PD catheter placement over the 5-year study period. In total, 103 laparoscopic PD catheter placement attempts were made in 100 patients. Placement was successful in 98 (95.1%) attempts and no placement required conversion to an open operation. Omentopexy was performed in 82 (83.7%) patients. There was no mortality reported within 30 days of the index operation. For patients who successfully underwent laparoscopic PD placement, early complications developed in 9 (9.2%) patients, of which 6 (6.1%) complications were directly related to the PD catheter. Midterm complications developed in 25 (25.5%) patients. Complication-related catheter repositioning was required for 12 (12.2%) catheters and catheter-related complication removal was required for 18 (18.4%) catheters. Conclusion Laparoscopic placement of PD catheters can be successfully performed using a combination of described standardized laparoscopic maneuvers for optimal placement resulting in acceptable perioperative and short and midterm complication rates with negligible mortality rates.
Sailing through Troubled Water of Pandemic by 'Sound Governance' Boat: Lessons from Odisha, India

This article discusses the governance initiatives taken by the Odisha state in India since the identification of the first COVID-19 patient in mid-March, 2020. The state government has taken a comprehensive approach covering not only containment of the pandemic, but also state preparedness for future health emergencies. To counter various issues, triggered by COVID-19, the government has also introduced substantial policy and administrative innovations in the state. The author discusses the governmental initiatives along the multi-dimensional sound governance model. The global problem was handled at local level by the successful execution of innovations and global scientific knowledge.
No Evidence for Social Surrogacy in Fostering Intentions to Follow Social Distancing Guidelines

Abstract. We tested whether temporary social needs satisfaction through social surrogacy would ensure greater willingness to adhere to social distancing recommendations elicited by the COVID-19 pan...
Protective association of the ε2/ε3 heterozygote with Alzheimer's disease is strengthened by TOMM40-APOE variants in men.

INTRODUCTION Despite advances, understanding the protective role of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e2 allele in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains elusive. METHODS We examined associations of variants comprised of the TOMM40 rs8106922 and APOE rs405509, rs440446, and e2-encoding rs7412 polymorphisms with AD in a sample of 2862 AD-affected and 169,516 AD-unaffected non-carriers of the e4 allele. RESULTS Association of the e2/e3 heterozygote of men with AD is 38% (P = 1.65 × 10-2 ) more beneficial when it is accompanied by rs8106922 major allele homozygote and rs405509 and rs440446 heterozygotes than by rs8106922 heterozygote and rs405509 and rs440446 major allele homozygotes. No difference in the beneficial associations of these two most common e2/e3-bearing variants with AD was identified in women. The role of e2/e3 heterozygote may be affected by different immunomodulation functions of rs8106922, rs405509, and rs440446 variants in a sex-specific manner. DISCUSSION Combination of TOMM40 and APOE variants defines a more homogeneous AD-protective e2/e3-bearing profile in men.
Longitudinal analysis of APOE-ε4 genotype with the logical memory delayed recall score in Alzheimer’s disease

No study has focussed on the longitudinal effect of APOE-e4 genotype on the logical memory delayed recall total (LDELTOTAL) score in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The LDELTOTAL scores were collected at baseline, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months from 382 participants with AD, 503 with cognitive normal (CN), 1293 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to investigate the effect of APOE-e4 on the longitudinal changes in the LDELTOTAL scores adjusted for age, gender, education and baseline Mini Mental State Examination score. There were significant differences in LDELTOTAL scores among AD, CN, and MCI (P < 0.0001) and among APOE-e4 alleles at baseline (P < 0.0001). In the multivariable LMM, elders with 75+ years (P = 0.0051), females (P < 0.0001), lower education (P < 0.0001), AD and MCI (both P values < 0.0001) were associated with decreased LDELTOTAL values, while the individuals with 1 or 2 APOE-e4 allele revealed significantly lower LDELTOTAL scores (both P values <0.0001) compared with individuals without APOE-e4 allele. Further, APOE-e4 alleles had significant interactions with four follow-up visits, where all follow-up visits showed significantly higher LDELTOTAL score. In addition, gender showed interaction with age, education and APOE-e4 with follow-up visits. Our findings provide the first evidence of the effect of APOE-e4 genotype on the logical memory declines related to AD. Further, APOE-e4 alleles showed interactions with gender and follow-up visits.
How Should We Select Functional Requirements

The preceding chapters provided broad outlines of the design of various systems based on Axiomatic Design (AD). Two axioms were the basis of making design decisions: the Independence Axiom and the Information Axiom. The process of AD consists of the transformation of the problem identified in the “customer domain” into a set of functional requirements (FRs) in the “functional domain,” which was in turn transformed as design parameters (DPs) in the “physical domain” that are chosen to satisfy FRs. DPs were, in turn, transformed into process variables (PVs) in the “process domain” to fulfill DPs. The mapping process was illustrated.
Who Cares About Wildlife?: Social Science Concepts for Exploring Human-Wildlife Relationships and Conservation Issues

Who Cares About Wildlife: Introduction.- A Scientific Approach to Understanding Human-Wildlife Relationships.- The Biological Context of Wildlife Values: Are There Etchings on the Slate?.- The Role of Emotion in Human-Wildlife Interactions.- The Foundation of Thought: Social Values and Wildlife Value Orientations.- Wildlife Value Orientations and Their Measurement.- The Proximate Cause of Behavior: Attitudes and Attitude Change.- Norms: Social Influence on Human Thought About Wildlife.- Cultural Forces and Shifting Wildlife Value Orientations in North America.- Index.
Effects of Glucagon on Glutamate Metabolism in the Perfused Rat Liver

Abstract Early, rapid effects of glucagon on glutamate metabolism were studied in rat livers perfused with bicarbonate buffer containing bovine albumin and red cells, [14C]glutamate in tracer amounts, and physiological levels of lactate and pyruvate. Glucagon increased [14C]glucose synthesis from [14C]glutamate to a greater extent than from other labeled substrates. The effect was maximal at 3 min and was not inhibited by fluoroacetate. The hormone decreased the tissue concentrations of glutamate, α-ketoglutarate, and citrate and increased those of alanine, aspartate, and P-pyruvate. In livers perfused with [14C]glutamate for 2½ min, glucagon increased the radioactivities of succinate, fumarate, aspartate, P-pyruvate, alanine, and glutamine, and decreased those of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate. Under these conditions, the specific radioactivities of aspartate, P-pyruvate, and alanine increased. These results are consistent with glucagon stimulation of the conversion of α-ketoglutarate to succinate, of the synthesis of P-pyruvate, and of the transamination of oxalacetate to aspartate and of pyruvate to alanine. Tryptophan markedly inhibited the labeling of P-pyruvate and glucose in livers perfused with [14C]glutamate and increased the tissue levels of intermediates prior to P-pyruvate in the gluconeogenic pathway. Glucagon stimulation of [14C]glucose synthesis was abolished, but the hormone still produced changes in the levels and radioactivities of intermediates consistent with activation of a step between α-ketoglutarate and succinate. Arsenite produced changes in metabolite levels consistent with inhibition of α-ketoglutarate and pyruvate oxidation and abolished the effects of glucagon on [14C]glucose formation and on the levels and radioactivities of intermediates. Glucagon stimulated the release of 14CO2 from [1-14C]-glutamate. The effect was apparently unaltered by fluoroacetate but was abolished by arsenate. Tryptophan diminished the production of 14CO2 in control livers slightly but did not alter the stimulation by glucagon. These data provide further evidence of an effect of glucagon on α-ketoglutarate conversion to succinate and indicate that the effect is not dependent upon the stimulation of gluconeogenesis at another site. In liver perfused with [14C]glutamate for 10 min, glucagon decreased the radioactivities of glutamate, ketoglutarate, malate, citrate, oxalacetate, and pyruvate and increased those of aspartate and P-pyruvate. The specific radioactivities of glutamate, α-ketoglutarate, malate, citrate, and aspartate were reduced by 50% or more. These data indicate that glucagon increases the production of unlabeled glutamate (presumably from endogenous protein); they also provide further evidence for a stimulation of P-pyruvate synthesis from oxalacetate.
Radioactive isotopes on the Moon

There has been an active interest in observing and accounting for radioactive products produced by cosmic rays in meteorites since the early suggestion by Bauer (1947) that the helium observed in meteorites was mostly produced by cosmic rays. The first searches for tritium in iron meteorites by Fireman (1958) led to the possibility of measuring the cosmic ray exposure ages of meteorites. By the time of the first lunar landing there were a number of laboratories engaged in measuring radioactive and stable products produced by cosmic rays in meteorites and earth bound satellites. These studies led to new knowledge of the period of time a meteorite fragment was exposed to cosmicP rays. It was found that stone meteorites were exposed for periods of 2 to 30 million years, whereas some iron meteorites were exposed for many hundreds of millions of years. By studying selected radioisotope pairs it was found that the galactic cosmic ray intensity has been essentially constant for the last 500,000 years (35Ar, 36Cl), and perhaps there has been a lower cosmic ray intensity a few billion years ago (36Cl–40K). Radioactive products were also applied to studying the gradient in the galactic cosmic ray intensity within the solar system as a result of modulation by the magnetic fields associated with the solar wind. Many studies were made of the distribution of cosmic ray spallation products in meteorites and these data were interpreted in terms of nuclear cascade processes. Information on these various topics can be obtained from reviews and numerous original papers [1, 2].
Isolation and classification of extranuclear mutants of Neurospora crassa.

Four extranuclear mutants, [exn-1], [exn-2],[exn-4], and [stp-C], were obtained from N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-treated conidia and mycelium of Neurospora crassa. The three exn mutants grow with a pronounced lag from conidia and ascospores and are female fertile, whereas [stp-C] has a stop-start growth phenotype and is female sterile. The mitochondria from all four mutants are deficient in cytochromes a+a3 and b, but contain an excess of cytochrome c. On the basis of growth and fertility, nuclear suppressors and complementation in heteroplasmons, 16 of the extranuclear mutants now available in Neurospora can be divided into three groups. Group I consists of 8 female-fertile variants with both poky-like growth and cytochrome defects. Their slow growth is suppressed by the nuclear factor, f, but not by a second nuclear suppressor, su-1([mi-3]). They complement with group III mutants in mixed cytoplasmons. Group II is represented by a single variant, [mi-3]. It is phenotypically modified by the su-1([mi-3]) factor, but not by f. Its unique cytochrome spectrum shows a deficiency of cytochrome a, but c and b are present. It complements in heteroplasmons with group I and III mutants. Group III included 7 female-sterile variants with stopper growth phenotypes and the same cytochrome defects as group I. Group III mutants complement both with group I and II isolates, but they are unaffected by either f or su-1.
The Effects of Salsa Dance on Gait and Balance in Multiple Sclerosis (P3.053)

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study examined whether a dance intervention increased physical activity, was well-tolerated, and improved gait, balance, self-efficacy, and fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis. BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease associated with impaired mobility, postural control, and reduced physical activity. Studies have shown that physical activity and rehabilitation interventions can effectively reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for persons with MS. We hypothesized that a 4-week structured dance protocol would result in greater physical activity and improved performance on clinical measures, and that training sessions would be safe and well-tolerated. DESIGN/METHODS: Eight individuals with MS participated in dance sessions 2x/week for 40 minutes and were asked to perform physical activity independently for 30 minutes/week. Outcome measures included: Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW), MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), MS Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, and the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS). All measures were administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up by a blinded evaluator. Wilcoxon signed rank tests compared pre- v. post- assessments, and pre- v. 3-month assessments. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases were found post intervention for the Godin (metabolic equivalents and time) (p=0.01), TUG (p=0.02) and MS Symptom Checklist (p=0.04). Pre-post changes on DGI (p=0.09) and ABC (p=0.09) were marginally associated with the intervention. Significantly improved scores at 3-month follow-up compared to pre-intervention were found for TUG (p=0.05), DGI (p=0.04) and MSWS-12 (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of dance intervention resulted in a) increased engagement in physical activity and exercise during intervention; and b) significant improvements on clinical measures of gait and balance post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. The intervention was well-tolerated and no study-related adverse events occurred. A larger controlled study is underway. Disclosure: Dr. Mandelbaum has nothing to disclose. Dr. Triche has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fasoli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lo has nothing to disclose.
Dynamical phase transition in a neural network model with noise: an exact solution

The dynamical organization in the presence of noise of a Boolean neural network with random connections is analyzed. For low levels of noise, the system reaches a stationary state in which the majority of its elements acquire the same value. It is shown that, under very general conditions, there exists a critical value gc of the noise, below which the network remains organized and above which it behaves randomly. The existence and nature of the phase transition are computed analytically, showing that the critical exponent is 1/2. The dependence of gc on the parameters of the network is obtained. These results are then compared with two numerical realizations of the network.
Implementing Program Budgeting in the Serbian Ministry of Defense

The Republic of Serbia's Ministry of Defense (MoD) is attempting to implement a program-oriented, multi-year budgeting system in 2010. This paper reveals several challenges that threaten the success of this initiative. First, we find that the proposed budget system confuses organizations and programs. Second, there does not appear to be a centrally coordinated effort to implement program budgeting, leading to significant disparities in comprehension, organization, and implementation amongst the subordinate commands in MoD. Finally, there is a distinct lack of communication within the MoD regarding the necessity of a program budget and how the process should move forward. These issues inhibit the implementation of program budgeting in the MoD and diminish the possible gains associated with the multi-year, programmatic allocation of defense resources.
Biochemical response of rat lung to inhaled n-hexane.

Abstract Biochemical response of the rat lung to inhaled- n -hexane was investigated. Dose-dependent increase in protein, lipid, sialic acid, lactate dehydrogenase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, acid and alkaline phosphatase was observed in the cell-free lavage effluent of the lungs of exposed rats compared to the control animals. This was interpreted as enhanced pulmonary secretions accompanied by increased cell damage.
Dynamic instability of a thin circular plate with friction interface and its application to disc brake squeal

The mathematical formulation for determining the dynamic instability due to transverse doublet modes in the self-excited vibration of a thin annular plate is presented in this paper. An analytical approach is developed to obtain the stability results from the eigenvalue problem of a stationary disc with a finite contact area. The approach uses the eigenfunctions of transverse doublet modes in classical plate theory and establishes the formulation of modal instability due to the modal-interaction of a doublet mode pair. The one-doublet mode model of a disc and a discrete model equivalent to the one-doublet mode model are proposed for providing a more fundamental understanding of the onset of squeal. The analytical models are validated through a comparison of results from a modal expansion model obtained from finite element component models. Throughout the analytical investigation, the pad arc length is found to be a critical design parameter in controlling squeal propensity.
Oxidation induced magnetic and structural changes in magneto-optical alloys

The oxidation kinetics of unovercoated TbFeCo alloys at 70°C is studied utilizing Kerr, VSM and ESCA measurements. In this manner the effect of oxidation-induced compositional modification on magneto-optical properties of the alloy are investigated. It is determined that oxygen diffusion leads to the formation of a structure consisting of a matrix of an oxide of Tb within which metallic Fe and Co are encountered. The presence of this complex matrix severely modifies the overall properties of the alloy.
Helper threads via virtual multithreading

Memory latency dominates the performance of many applications on modern processors, despite advances in caches and prefetching techniques. Numerous prefetching techniques, both in hardware and software, try to alleviate the memory bottleneck. One such technique, known as helper threading improves single-thread performance on a simultaneous multithreaded architecture (SMT), which shares processor resources, including caches, among logical threads. It uses otherwise idle hardware thread contexts to execute speculative threads on behalf of the main thread. Helper threading accelerates a program by exploiting a processor's multithreading capability to run assist threads. Based on the helper threading usage model, virtual multithreading (VMT), a form of switch-on-event user-level multithreading, can improve performance for real-world workloads with a wall-clock speedup of 5.0 to 38.5 percent
A Randomized Prospective Trial of Endoscopic Ultrasound to Guide Combination Medical and Surgical Treatment for Crohn's Perianal Fistulas

A Randomized Prospective Trial of Endoscopic Ultrasound to Guide Combination Medical and Surgical Treatment for Crohn's Perianal Fistulas
REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF THE CALVIN CYCLE AND ACTIVATION OF OXIDATIVE PENTOSE PHOSPHATE CYCLE IN ISOLATED INTACT CHLOROPLASTS BY HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide (6x10-4 M) causes a 90% inhibition of CO2-fixation in isolated intact chloroplasts. The inhibition is reversed by adding catalase (2500 U/ml) or DTT (10 mM). If hydrogen peroxide is added to a suspension of intact chloroplasts in the light, the incorporation of carbon into hexose- and heptulose bisphosphates and into pentose monophosphates is significantly increased, whereas; carbon incorporation into hexose monophosphates and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate is decreased. At the same time formation of 6-phosphogluconate is dramatically stimulated, and the level of ATP is increased. All these changes induced by hydrogen peroxide are reversed by addition of catalase or DTT. Additionally, the conversion of [14C]glucose-6-phosphate into different metabolites by lysed chloroplasts in the dark has been studied. In presence of hydrogen peroxide, formation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate is inhibited, whereas formation of other bisphosphates,of triose phosphates, and pentose monophosphates is stimulated. Again, DTT has the opposite effect. The release of 14CO2 from added [14C]glucose-6-phosphate by the soluble fraction of lysed chloroplasts via the reactions of oxidative pentose phosphate cycle is completely inhibited by DTT (0.5 mM) and re-activated by comparable concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. These results indicate that hydrogen peroxide interacts with reduced sulfhydryl groups which are involved in the light activation of enzymes of the Calvin cycle at the site of fructose- and sedoheptulose bisphophatase, of phosphoribulokinase, as well as in light-inactivation of oxidative pentose phosphate cycle at the site of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Determination of the residue classes of a polynomial at integral arguments

It is interesting to know what happens for composite moduli. Frank1 and Rosenberg proved in [2] that the same conclusion holds for composite moduli provided s = 1. Later Frank1 [l] constructed a counterexample for the case p = 3, n large and modulus 6, and also another counterexample for the case s = $(q2q), n large and modulus q2, where q is a prime 25. Singhi observed that the methods of [3] yield a positive answer for the case s = 2 and prime-power moduli. The question remains open for the case s = 2 and composite, non-prime-power moduli. The first interesting case is with modulus pq and
The Zero-Divisor Graph of a Commutative Ring☆

For each commutative ring R we associate a (simple) graph Γ(R). We investigate the interplay between the ring-theoretic properties of R and the graph-theoretic properties of Γ(R).
Process modeling, joint-property characterization and construction of joint connectors for mechanical fastening by self-piercing riveting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a computational approach in order to help establish the effect of various self-piercing rivet (SPR) process and material parameters on the quality and the mechanical performance of the resulting SPR joints. Design/methodology/approach – Toward that end, a sequence of three distinct computational analyses is developed. These analyses include: (a) finite-element modeling and simulations of the SPR process; (b) determination of the mechanical properties of the resulting SPR joints through the use of three-dimensional, continuum finite-element-based numerical simulations of various mechanical tests performed on the SPR joints; and (c) determination, parameterization and validation of the constitutive relations for the simplified SPR connectors, using the results obtained in (b) and the available experimental results. The availability of such connectors is mandatory in large-scale computational analyses of whole-vehicle crash or even in simulations of vehicle c...
"Sometimes people don't fit in boxes": attitudes toward the minimum data set among clinical leadership in VA nursing homes.

Objective To describe attitudes toward the Minimum Data Set (MDS) among Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home care unit (NHCU) clinical leadership. Design Cross-sectional online survey using structured (quantitative) and open-ended (qualitative) items. Setting Approximately 97 VA Medical Center NCHUs nationwide. Participants A total of 289 directors of nursing, medical directors, MDS coordinators, nurse managers and other clinical management staff. Measurements Quantitative ratings of the MDS's accuracy, usefulness for initial and ongoing care planning, and utility for quality improvement; content analysis of open-ended items describing perceived causes of inaccuracy and reasons for use/nonuse in care planning and quality improvement. Results Although quantitative ratings were generally positive, qualitative analysis yielded a number of emergent themes regarding data accuracy, team functioning, timeliness of assessments, and validity of the MDS tool itself. Medical directors were somewhat less positive about the MDS than were other NHCU leadership. Very large and very small facilities were less likely to view the tool as useful and to use it for care planning and quality improvement. Conclusions NHCU clinical leadership clearly has a "love-hate" relationship with the MDS. They value information it provides, but identify a number of weaknesses that limit its utility for clinical use.
Rasche und zuverlässige Bestimmung des Sauerstoffgehaltes im Blut mittels Graschromatographie

Es wird eine Methode zur Bestimmung der O2-Konzentration im Blut beschrieben, die auf einer Kombination der Vakuumextraktion nachvan Slyke mit gaschromatographischer Trennung und Messung beruht. Der Blutbedarf betragt 0,5-0,1 ml, die Reproduzierbarkeit ±0,1 Vol.-% und die Analysendauer 5 min. Die Eichung erfolgte mit atmospharischer Luft und ergab gute Ubereinstimmung zwischen photometrisch und gasometrisch bestimmter O2-Kapazitat.
Evaluation of structural walls designed according to Eurocode 8 and SIA 160

For earthquake action the new design provisions of Eurocode 8 are in the process of replacing the European national earthquake codes. The paper treats the design and behaviour of multi-storey structural walls in view of the new provisions. For structural walls the provisions of the Eurocode 8 are compared with those of a national code which it is going to replace. As the national code the current Swiss earthquake standard SIA 160 is chosen. Basic design rules of both codes are introduced and compared by means of examples comprising buildings which are regular in plan and elevation and which use structural walls for lateral resistance. The height of the buildings is varied from a from four to eight storeys. In the example, both the SIA and the Eurocode design provisions are based on the static equivalent force method, and a triangular distribution of the lateral force. However, most other design provisions differ between the two codes. The structures designed are modelled numerically and subjected to non-linear time-history analysis. At first, both the SIA and Eurocode designed structures are subjected to ground motions compatible to the design spectra in the respective codes. Then all structures are subjected to a recorded ground motion. The results are discussed in view of assumptions made at the design phase. Conclusions and recommendations are provided. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electroless plating and permeation features of Pd and Pd/Ag hollow fiber composite membranes

Abstract A comprehensive study was carried out involving electroless plating (ELP) synthesis and permeation characterization of a series of Pd and Pd/Ag membranes supported on α-Al 2 O 3 hollow fibers. A multi-fiber ELP apparatus with film thickness monitoring quantified Pd and Ag deposition rates over a range of conditions. The Pd deposition rate exhibited a maximum while the Ag growth rate demonstrated autocatalytic behavior and was enhanced by Pd. Electron micrographs reveal the grain size and morphology are sensitive functions of the plating temperature. Three membrane types synthesized by ambient temperature ELP were of high quality determined by permeation measurements (H 2 flux, pure component and mixture separation factors) over a range of temperature, pressure, and time on stream: Pd (13 μm)/α-Al 2 O 3 , Pd-(12 wt.%)Ag (11 μm)/α-Al 2 O 3 , and Pd (5 μm)/α-Al 2 O 3 /α-Al 2 O 3 . Initial binary separation factors of 1000–10,000 were obtained with the low temperature ELP. The permselectivity for the Pd membrane decreased to 100 after 300 h of temperature and pressure cycling. The Pd/Ag alloy membrane exhibited high permselectivity for extended operation with the separation factor ( α ) decreasing from an initial value of 970 to 650 after 300 h with the H 2 flux sustained at 0.5 mol/m 2 s at 550 °C for a transmembrane pressure gradient ( Δ p H 2 ) of ∼4 × 10 5 Pa. The thinner composite Pd/γ-Al 2 O 3 /α-Al 2 O 3 exhibited high initial flux and permselectivity (0.5 mol/m 2 s, α ∼ 1000 at 350 °C, Δ p H 2 ∼ 4 × 10 5 Pa) with reduced non-selective transport compared to the Pd/α-Al 2 O 3 fiber. A phenomenological model was used to quantify the contribution of non-selective Knudsen diffusion and convective transport.