cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Situ Heart Isolation Featuring Closed Loop Recirculation: The Gold Standard for Optimum Cardiac Gene Transfer?

The concept of delivering nucleic material encoding a therapeutic gene to the heart has arduously moved from hypothesis to a variety of high potential clinical applications. Despite the promise however, the results achieved have yet to be realized due to several problems that persist in the clinic. One of these identified problems is the need for an efficient delivery method which facilitates complete cardiotropism and minimizes collateral effects. Additional parameters impacting gene delivery that most need to be improved have been identified as follows: (1) Increasing the contact time of vector in coronary circulation permitting transfer, (2) Sustained intravascular flow rate and perfusion pressure to facilitate proper kinetics, (3) Modulation of cellular permeability to increase uptake efficiency, and once in the cells (4) Enhancing transcription and translation within the transfected cardiac cells, and (5) Obtaining the global gene distribution for maximum efficacy. Recently it was hypothesized that use of cardiopulmonary bypass may facilitate cardiac-selective gene transfer and permit vector delivery in the arrested heart in isolated “closed loop” recirculating model. This system was named molecular cardiac surgery with recirculating delivery (MCARD). The key components of this approach include: isolation of the heart from systemic organs, multiple pass recirculation of vector through the coronary vasculature, and removing the residual vector from the coronary circulation to minimize collateral expression. These attributes unique to a surgical approach such as MCARD can effectively increase vector transduction efficiency in coronary vasculature.
Soot and the city: Evaluating the impacts of Clean Heat policies on indoor/outdoor air quality in New York City apartments

New York City has had a long history of implementing local policies to reduce air pollution. Enacted as a part of PlaNYC, the Clean Heat policies aim to lower wintertime ambient air pollution by phasing out dirty No. 6 heating fuel oil and transitioning to comparatively cleaner No. 4, No. 2, or natural gas. This study evaluates the impacts of policies on ambient air pollution and, given that people spend the majority of their time inside, importantly, indoor air pollution. Using a natural experiment, we evaluate the effects of the policies by measuring average two-week levels of indoor and outdoor black carbon (BC) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 48 upper Manhattan apartments in successive winter heating seasons before and after mandated fuel transition. We failed to observe systematic improvements in indoor BC and PM2.5 concentrations in follow-up. However, outdoor levels of PM2.5 did improve, with statistical differences observed among buildings converting to the cleanest fuels. Non-statistical improvements were observed for outdoor BC. However, when accounting for meteorological differences, apartment characteristics, and behavioral patterns that may have influenced air pollution measurements, these differences were not significant. The study results have important policy and equity implications considering the differential improvements in air quality by conversion to No. 4 oil as compared to the cleaner No. 2 oil and natural gas.
Real moral problems in the use of virtual reality

In this paper, we argue that, under a specific set of circumstances, designing and employing certain kinds of virtual reality (VR) experiences can be unethical. After a general discussion of simulations and their ethical context, we begin our argument by distinguishing between the experiences generated by different media (text, film, computer game simulation, and VR simulation), and argue that VR experiences offer an unprecedented degree of what we call “perspectival fidelity” that prior modes of simulation lack. Additionally, we argue that when VR experiences couple this perspectival fidelity with what we call “context realism,” VR experiences have the ability to produce “virtually real experiences.” We claim that virtually real experiences generate ethical issues for VR technologies that are unique to the medium. Because subjects of these experiences treat them as if they were real, a higher degree of ethical scrutiny should be applied to any VR scenario with the potential to generate virtually real experiences. To mitigate this unique moral hazard, we propose and defend what we call “The Equivalence Principle.” This principle states that “if it would be wrong to allow subjects to have a certain experience in reality, then it would be wrong to allow subjects to have that experience in a virtually real setting.” We argue that such a principle, although limited in scope, should be part of the risk analysis conducted by any Institutional Review Boards, psychologists, empirically oriented philosophers, or game designers who are using VR technology in their work.
Collaborative accelerators for in-memory MapReduce on scale-up machines

Relying on efficient data analytics platforms is increasingly becoming crucial for both small and large scale datasets. While MapReduce implementations, such as Hadoop and Spark, were originally proposed for petascale processing in scale-out clusters, it has been noted that, today, most data centers processes operate on gigabyte-order or smaller datasets, which are best processed in single high-end scale-up machines. In this context, Phoenix++ is a highly optimized MapReduce framework available for chip-multiprocessor (CMP) scale-up machines. In this paper we observe that Phoenix++ suffers from an inefficient utilization of the memory subsystem, and a serialized execution of the MapReduce stages. To overcome these inefficiencies, we propose CASM, an architecture that equips each core in a CMP design with a dedicated instance of a specialized hardware unit (the CASM accelerators). These units collaborate to manage the key-value data structure and minimize both on- and off-chip communication costs. Our experimental evaluation on a 64-core design indicates that CASM provides more than a 4x speedup over the highly optimized Phoenix++ framework, while keeping area overhead at only 6%, and reducing energy demands by over 3.5x.
Temperate Tree Fruits of North America: Malus Mill., Prunus L., Diospyros L., and Asimina Adans

North America has four native temperate tree fruit genera that have played key cultural roles due to their edible fruit and medicinal uses and have also been valuable as hardwood: Malus Mill. (apple), Prunus L. (cherry, plum, peach, etc.), Diospyros L. (persimmon), and Asimina Adans. (pawpaw). Some native North American species of these tree fruit genera also exhibit traits that are desirable for plant breeding targets. This chapter provides summary information about the geographic distribution, phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships, and conservation efforts for North American Malus, Prunus, Diospyros, and Asimina species. North American genebanks maintain vast collections of these genera that are among the largest in the world. Increased representation of North American native tree fruit species within genebanks will ensure global access to key genetic resources for future generations.
Travel mode imputation using GPS and accelerometer data from a multi-day travel survey

Abstract Over the past decade, interest has grown in using Global Positioning System (GPS) data to augment or even to replace traditional travel survey or activity diaries. If the full potential of this new class of data is to be realized, processing techniques will need to be standardized and automated to some degree. This paper develops a multinomial logit (MNL) model to impute travel mode from GPS and hip-mounted accelerometer data. The MNL model is the workhorse of travel demand modeling, but it has rarely been applied to GPS data processing. A web-based recall survey provided over 900 trips for estimation and 500 plus trips for validation from a larger multi-day GPS travel survey in Portland, Oregon. Special attention is given to the imputation of bicycle travel, the identification of which has been given little attention in the North American context. We also apply two existing non-MNL mode imputation models to our Portland data and to compare and test the broader transferability of specific techniques. We find that the MNL model as specified performs well overall, generally outperforming competing model forms on the Portland GPS data. Transit network data and accelerometer data significantly improve model fit for specific modes. Accelerometer data is found in particular to aid model fit for bicycling; however, external validation results were less clear. No benefit is found to segmenting models by traveler age, although not all age groups were covered by the sample. The MNL model shows strong potential for automated GPS processing and, as a commonly used transportation modeling technique, should be relatively easy to implement elsewhere.
Thickness-Harmonic Cross-Sectional Quasi Lamé Modes in Composite Piezo-Silicon Resonators

Thickness harmonics in Cross-Sectional Quasi Lame Mode (CQLM) thin-film piezoelectric-on-silicon (TPoS) resonators are demonstrated for the first time. Harmonic CQLM TPoS resonators are expected to exhibit higher coupling factor compared to the fundamental thickness modes as confirmed in this paper. The CQLM-TPoS resonators of this work are fabricated on a $40\mu$m thick silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate with three different finger pitches (40$\mu {\mathbf {m}, 20} \mu \textbf{m}$ and 15$\mu$m) to actuate first, second and third harmonics in the thickness of the resonator. Measured quality factors as high as 10,500, 8,700 and 3,300 are reported for the first, second and third harmonic CQLM-TPoS resonators at 76 MHz, 150 MHz, and 220 MHz respectively. Measured coupling factor is almost 5 times higher for the third thickness harmonic mode compared to the first thickness harmonic.
The Perceptual Basis of Juvenile Crime

Deterrence, labeling, equity, and social integration theories all emphasize the perceptual basis of juvenile crime, but they make different predictions about which variables will be most important or which are more sensitive to public policy influences. Deterrence theory is based on the assumption that individuals are self-interested utility maximizers who respond to the net utility (i.e., the expected net gain or lose) offered by the crime opportunity. Even if crime could be reduced by increasing the expected gain from legitimate activities through treatment or rehabilitative approaches or major changes in social conditions, these approaches are viewed as too indirect and expensive by advocates of deterrence, since the same effect could be achieved by increasing the certainty, severity, or celerity of punishment.
Airway management, symptom relief and best supportive care in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Purpose of review Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Because ATC is locally invasive, airway management is a critical component of treating these patients. Timely decisions regarding airway interventions can contribute to symptom relief and supportive care for patients. Over the last decade, there has been a paradigm shift in our recommendations for airway management. The purpose of this review is to summarize airway management, symptom relief and best supportive care for patients with ATC. Recent findings More recent literature discusses the morbidities associated with tracheostomy and instead focuses on the benefits of supportive care and surgical resection. The multidisciplinary treating team should initiate early discussions for airway management, end-of-life care and palliative goals for patients with ATC. Tracheostomy should be offered to patients with careful thought and preoperative planning. Summary Our goal in symptom relief and airway management is to improve the quality of life of patients with ATC and avoid the unnecessary morbidity of tracheostomy until clinically indicated.
Identifying High Performance Indicators (HPI) for Close Combat Forces in a Military Training Environment.

As the military continues its transition from counter-insurgency to one of multi-domain operations (MDO) and the possibility of facing a near-peer threat, the need to achieve overmatch becomes even more important. The Army must be able to attract, retain, and maximize the potential of high quality Soldiers capable of conducting MDO. Optimizing human performance provides an area to achieve overmatch on a large scale through improving Soldier performance in training and on the battlefield. In an effort to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what aspects of human performance correlate to success in military training and on the battlefield, personnel from the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) and multiple other Department of Defense (DoD) and Army organizations partnered to create a study team and conduct a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary study of indicators of high performance for close combat forces.
Establishing a Comprehensive Pediatric Cardiac Fitness and Rehabilitation Program for Congenital Heart Disease

Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease often do not have the opportunity, inclination, or education to participate in safe and effective exercise. The consequences of this behavioral pattern affect not only cardiopulmonary parameters, but also psychosocial factors, especially when lack of participation in peer activities or sports leads to isolation and further sedentary behaviors. Importantly, unlike cardiac rehabilitation programs for adults with atherosclerotic disease, the goal for congenital heart disease patients was less about "rehabilitation" and more about promotion of optimal fitness. We thus developed a comprehensive "Cardiac Fitness Program" at Boston Children's Hospital to promote exercise training, enhanced self-confidence, and motivation for patients with congenital heart disease. Since much of sustained fitness relates to consistency and behavior change, we crafted a progressive, goal-oriented exercise curriculum and augmented it with a self-learning workbook of targeted positive mindset practices to develop self-efficacy, an app for motivation and data collection, and exercise videos to demonstrate mechanics and to reiterate a positive message. We now report our experience including program structure and framework, navigating insurance, curriculum development, and outcome measures. Methods employed and barriers encountered in the initial development and execution of this program are reviewed. Key take-aways and further considerations including virtual and home-based programs are discussed.
The Biological Synthesis of Cholesterol1

Publisher Summary This chapter examines cholesterol metabolism in terms of the molecular events that are responsible for constructing cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene derivatives from small molecular precursors. There is good reason for centering a discussion of steroid biogenesis around cholesterol, not only because this substance has received the major share of attention but also because cholesterol synthesis appears to be an integral part of the processes leading to the physiologically active steroids, namely, the bile acids, and the adrenocortical and sex hormones. It seems further than the syntheses of cholesterol, of ergosterol, and of the sterols in higher plants follow the same general plan and branch from each other only a t a relatively late stage. It is largely a matter of definition whether a discussion of the present subject properly belongs to “Vitamins and Hormones.” As a major, and probably obligatory, precursor of progesterone and, by way of progesterone also of the androgens, the estrogens, and the corticoids, cholesterol qualifies at least as a prohormone. Secondly, since cholesterol is known to be obligatory for the growth of representatives of at least two animal phyla, protozoa and insects, it is technically correct to regard cholesterol as a vitamin. It seems clear that the traditional classification of cell constituents on the basis of nutritional or functional parameters is far too narrow, at least for the case of cholesterol.
Determining sample size and length of follow-up for smartphone-based digital phenotyping studies

Objective Studies that use patient smartphones to collect ecological momentary assessment and sensor data, an approach frequently referred to as digital phenotyping, have increased in popularity in recent years. There is a lack of formal guidelines for the design of new digital phenotyping studies so that they are powered to detect both population-level longitudinal associations as well as individual-level change points in multivariate time series. In particular, determining the appropriate balance of sample size relative to the targeted duration of follow-up is a challenge. Materials and methods We used data from 2 prior smartphone-based digital phenotyping studies to provide reasonable ranges of effect size and parameters. We considered likelihood ratio tests for generalized linear mixed models as well as for change point detection of individual-level multivariate time series. Results We propose a joint procedure for sequentially calculating first an appropriate length of follow-up and then a necessary minimum sample size required to provide adequate power. In addition, we developed an accompanying accessible sample size and power calculator. Discussion The 2-parameter problem of identifying both an appropriate sample size and duration of follow-up for a longitudinal study requires the simultaneous consideration of 2 analysis methods during study design. Conclusion The temporally dense longitudinal data collected by digital phenotyping studies may warrant a variety of applicable analysis choices. Our use of generalized linear mixed models as well as change point detection to guide sample size and study duration calculations provide a tool to effectively power new digital phenotyping studies.
Lateralized glenosphere reverse shoulder arthroplasty: inlay and onlay designs have similar clinical outcomes in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Background Whether or how the position of the humeral tray (inlay or onlay) in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) affects outcomes is unclear. Our goal was to compare the clinical and radiographic results of RSA systems with inlay vs. onlay designs but with similar neck shaft angles (NSAs) and lateralized glenospheres. Methods We screened the institutional database at our tertiary academic center for patients who underwent primary RSA (with a lateralized glenosphere and a 135° NSA) from 2009 through 2017. The indication for surgery was glenohumeral osteoarthritis with glenoid bone loss (Walch classification A2, B2, B3, or C) and an intact rotator cuff. All patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (mean, 47 months; range, 24-123 months). The humeral tray design was inlay for 79 patients and onlay for 71. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative evaluations, including physical examination, radiography, and patient-reported outcome measures (visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test, and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index). Results Compared with preoperative values, both groups achieved minimal clinically important differences in range of motion and patient-reported outcomes at the final follow-up. We found no significant differences between groups in any of these measures at the final follow-up. Rates of revision (inlay, 3.8% vs. onlay, 1.4%), scapular notching (inlay, 5.1% vs. onlay, 7.0%), acromial stress fracture (inlay, 0% vs. onlay, 2.8%), and tuberosity resorption (inlay, 25% vs. onlay, 27%) were not significantly different between groups (all, P > .05). Conclusion For patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis with glenoid bone loss and an intact rotator cuff who underwent RSA using a lateralized glenosphere prosthesis with a 135° NSA, there were no significant differences between the inlay and onlay groups for range of motion, patient-reported outcomes, or complication rates. These findings are limited to this off-label indication for RSA.
A Uniform Convergence Analysis for a Bakhvalov-Type Mesh with an Explicitly Defined Transition Point

For singularly perturbed convection-diffusion problems, the truncation error and barrier-function technique for proving parameter-uniform convergence is well-known for finite-difference methods on Shishkin-type meshes (Roos and Lins in Computing, 63 (1999), 27–45). In this paper, we show that it is also possible to generalize this technique to a modification of the Bakhvalov mesh, such that the transition point between the fine and crude parts of the mesh only depends on the perturbation parameter and is defined explicitly. We provide a complete analysis for 1D problems for the simplicity of the present paper, but the analysis can be easily extended to 2D problems. With numerical results for 2D problems we show that the finite-difference discretization on the Bakhvalov-type mesh performs better than the Bakhvalov-Shishkin mesh.
Comparison of transfer shock and graduation rates across engineering transfer student populations

National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education: Improving Undergraduate STEM Education [NSF-DUE-1712089]
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Description of Technology and Protocols

Since its introduction in the late 1970s, catheter-based radiofrequency ablation has evolved from a primitive and experimental procedure to the mainstay for arrhythmia management it is today. Initial intracardiac catheter navigation was fluoroscopy based, and therefore subject to x-ray limitations and side effects. However, accurate catheter location within the cardiac chambers has required electrophysiologic confirmation of catheter positioning. This led to the development of conventional cardiac mapping techniques. The limitations of fluoroscopy and conventional mapping techniques led to the development of electro-anatomical mapping systems (EAM), in which information regarding catheter position in a 3D space is combined with electrophysiological information in real time to provide an accurate localization of the catheter tip while, at the same time, data regarding electrophysiological properties of the underlying myocardial substrate. Eventually, the mechanisms of more complex arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and scar-based monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, started to be elucidated. This was followed by more difficult ablation procedures that required more accurate mapping systems able to provide real-time information. The introduction of EAM combined with Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CCT), cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cMRI), and real-time intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) allows for more precise mapping with significant improvement in cure rates for ablation procedures. However, most of these techniques are essentially x-ray based and expose the patient and the operator to the noxious effects of ionizing radiation.
Rotating Protostars and Accretion Disks

In the previous chapter, the idealized case of the spherically symmetric collapsing protostar was discussed. However it was clear that observations of most protostars are not consistent with such a simple model, and additional effects must be included. This chapter considers the effects of rotation. The angular momentum problem was introduced in Chap. 1: even the relatively small-scale molecular cloud cores have far too much angular momentum to be able to collapse to stellar dimensions.
Henri Frankfort, The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient

(1956). Henri Frankfort, The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 121-124.
Beyond Benefit-Cost Analysis: Institutional Transaction Costs and Regulation of Water Quality

Environmental policies are significantly affected by political, administrative, and legal institutions. These institutions also have very substantial transaction costs associated with them. Benefit-Cost Analysis, as traditionally practiced, pays little attention to these transaction costs. This article presents a cost-effectiveness framework for carefully considering the institutional transaction costs of policies. This article then performs a comparison of two water quality policies: a non-tradeable effluent limit permit policy and an effluent charges policy. This comparison demonstrated that these institutional transaction costs indeed are significant. However, while it is important to consider these costs, they remain very difficult to estimate, and additional refinements are necessary.
On the Semantics of Generative Geometry Representations

We argue that geometry constructs and solid operations currently under development in feature-based CAD systems are without an appropri. ate semantic foundation. and that a rigorous semantics poses significant research problems. In particular. we argue that a formalization of feature altachment and other generative constructs cannot be based solely on conventional boundary representation or on current geometry standards in view of implications of constraint· based definitions.
SOME EFFECTS OF RICE QUALITY ON ROUGH RICE PRICES

ance markets on the western side of the Texas Quality discounts and premiums for rough Rice Belt (i.e., west of Houston). Previous rice in Texas rice bid/acceptance markets are research has indicated significant price disanalyzed. The most important quality factors counts in Texas being associated with various determining the value of rough rice are head rice pests, including stinkbugs, weeds, and yield and peck. A one percentage point reduc- red rice (Brorsen et al.). Fryar et al. identified tion in peck damage raises the price received similar discounts in Arkansas. Brorsen et al. per hundredweight of rough rice by $.13 to examined one year of data from one bid/ $.68 across markets and years. Since peck acceptance market using highest bid prices. damage can be reduced by controlling the rice They, by using highest bid prices rather than stinkbug, evaluation of alternative methods final settlement prices, examined the effects for better control of this pest in Texas rice of quality factors on demand. This paper looks fields is needed. at a different issue. By using final settlement prices, the reduced form effects of quality fac
Semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis for organic synthesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the general and experimental considerations in the semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis for organic synthesis in comparison with those for organic waste degradation. Selected research developments are introduced according to several important functional group transformations. A case study for the synthesis of benzimidazoles is followed, by a discussion on future challenges and opportunities. Semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis involves photoexcitation that causes charge separation in semiconductor particles, followed by simultaneous oxidation and reduction of the adsorbed organic substrates. The efficiency of a redox reaction is determined, by the lifetime of the charge separation, the availability of the separated charges to the substrate, and the thermodynamics of the electron transfer reactions. The adsorption properties of an organic substrate, and its subsequent reactive intermediates and products on the semiconductor surface are also the key issues for a synthetically useful redox transformation or degradation.
An Exploratory Assessment of Sales Culture Variables: Strategic Implications within the Banking Industry

Growing, or even simply sustaining, profitability in today's rapidly changing environment is a daunting task. Today's firm must contend with increasing competition, changing customer requirements, and unprecedented technological change. Further, changing government regulations, such as the recent wave of deregulation, have dramatically changed the way business has traditionally been done in certain industries. In such a turbulent environment many firms have discovered that a total organizational sales effort is necessary. For many firms, this means a paradigm shift that involves strengthening their sales culture.The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the sales culture (SC) concept and discuss its importance in contemporary business strategy. First, we will discuss market orientation from a corporate culture perspective. Second, the sales culture component of a market orientation will be defined and examined. Third, an exploratory investigation of constructs associated with sales culture will ...
Exome sequencing reveals frequent deleterious germline variants in cancer susceptibility genes in women with invasive breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy

When sequencing blood and tumor samples to identify targetable somatic variants for cancer therapy, clinically relevant germline variants may be uncovered. We evaluated the prevalence of deleterious germline variants in cancer susceptibility genes in women with breast cancer referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and returned clinically actionable results to patients. Exome sequencing was performed on blood samples from women with invasive breast cancer referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Germline variants within 142 hereditary cancer susceptibility genes were filtered and reviewed for pathogenicity. Return of results was offered to patients with deleterious variants in actionable genes if they were not aware of their result through clinical testing. 124 patients were enrolled (median age 51) with the following subtypes: triple negative (n = 43, 34.7%), HER2+ (n = 37, 29.8%), luminal B (n = 31, 25%), and luminal A (n = 13, 10.5%). Twenty-eight deleterious variants were identified in 26/124 (21.0%) patients in the following genes: ATM (n = 3), BLM (n = 1), BRCA1 (n = 4), BRCA2 (n = 8), CHEK2 (n = 2), FANCA (n = 1), FANCI (n = 1), FANCL (n = 1), FANCM (n = 1), FH (n = 1), MLH3 (n = 1), MUTYH (n = 2), PALB2 (n = 1), and WRN (n = 1). 121/124 (97.6%) patients consented to return of research results. Thirteen (10.5%) had actionable variants, including four that were returned to patients and led to changes in medical management. Deleterious variants in cancer susceptibility genes are highly prevalent in patients with invasive breast cancer referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy undergoing exome sequencing. Detection of these variants impacts medical management.
Comprehensive project management: integrating optimization models, management principles, and computers

Comprehensive Project Management: Integrating Optimization Models, Management Principles, and Computers , Comprehensive Project Management: Integrating Optimization Models, Management Principles, and Comput... , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Radiation in the Solar System Through Converted Electrostatic Waves

Most electromagnetic radiation which is of interest to radio astronomy comes either from electrons rotating in magnetic fields, from near mode crossing of modes, or from conversion of the much slower electrostatic waves generated by various plasma processes. Conversion of electostatic waves is least well understood. Here is reported recent progress on understanding how Langmuir waves generated in the foreshocks of planets and in Type II and III solar bursts are converted to electromagnetic waves.
Chronic biological effects of methyl methacrylate vapor: II. Body and tissue weights, blood chemistries, and gross metabolic performance in the rat

Abstract Chronic exposures of mature male Sprague-Dawley rats to near threshold-limit value (TLV) concentrations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer vapor were conducted in order to assess the effects of such exposures on gross metabolic performance. There was no significant effect on food or water intake or water excretion. Average fecal excretion during the exposure portion of the week tended to be higher in the exposed than in sham-exposed rats. These differences were absent for average values obtained on weekends. Final mean body, adrenal, epididymal fat pad, and popliteal fat pad weights were not significantly different.
Sunny side of global warming

The discovery that the general magnetic field of the Sun has doubled since 1900 ties in with the well-known doubling of the number of sunspots this century, and reinforces the likelihood that the Sun's activity has influenced the general warming of our climate.
Results From the NACC Uniform Data Set Neuropsychological Battery Crosswalk Study

Introduction: Four new nonproprietary tests were recommended for use in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set Neuropsychological Battery. These tests are similar to previous tests but also allow for continuity of longitudinal data collection and wide dissemination among research collaborators. Methods: A Crosswalk Study was conducted in early 2014 to assess the correlation between each set of new and previous tests. Tests with good correlation were equated using equipercentile equating. The resulting conversion tables allow scores on the new tests to be converted to equivalent scores on the previous tests. Results: All pairs of tests had good correlation (ρ=0.68 to 0.78). Learning effects were detected for Logical Memory only. Confidence intervals were narrow at each point estimate, and prediction accuracy was high. Discussion: The recommended new tests are well correlated with the previous tests. The equipercentile equating method produced conversion tables that provide a useful reference for clinicians and researchers.
Model for impact of storage on spinning reserve requirements and distributed generation

In power system scheduling reserve margins are kept in order to maintain the security of the system if a nonforecasted event occurs. This security is maintained by re-dispatch of the generators in the system. The maximal increase of the generation during this time when excess energy is required is called the spinning reserve. The energy storage provides a dual remedy of providing immediate backup for the shortfall in the power supply as well as the retention of excess power that was generated but left unutilized. In this paper we incorporate the impact of such energy storage on the spinning reserve in an electric system. The mathematical model discussed is based on the load curve of a typical power utility and clearly indicates that the introduction of storage energy in the system reduces the need for excessive generation to meet peak load demand. The Lagrangian relaxation method is used for determining the spinning reserve requirements, and to achieve the objective of minimizing the total generation cost.
Survival of bacteria on metal surfaces

Survivor curves were determined for Serratia marcescens, Sarcina lutea, Pasteurella tularensis, and P. pestis deposited from the airborne state onto metallic surfaces and subsequently stored at various humidities and temperatures. Cells of all species tested remained alive longest in a dry atmosphere, except that cells of S. marcescens survived best in a saturated atmosphere. Survival decreased most rapidly at the intermediate humidity level for three of the test organisms, yet P. tularensis died most rapidly in a saturated atmosphere. An increase in temperature decreased survival of P. pestis and P. tularensis.
Robust key establishment in sensor networks

Secure communication guaranteeing reliability, authenticity, and privacy in sensor networks with active adversaries is a challenging research problem since asymmetric key cryptosystems are not suitable for sensor nodes with limited computation and communication capabilities. In most proposed secure communication protocols, sensor nodes need to contact the base station to get a session key first if two sensor nodes want to establish a secure communication channel (e.g., SPINS). In several environments, this may be impractical. In this paper, we study key agreement protocols for which two sensor nodes (who do not necessarily have a shared key from the key predistribution phase) could establish a secure communication channel against active adversaries (e.g., denial of service attacks) without the involvement of the base station.
Rheology of polydimethylsiloxane swollen with supercritical carbon dioxide

Viscosity curves were measured for polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) melts swollen with dissolved carbon dioxide at 50 and 80°C for shear rates ranging from 40 to 2300 s−1, and for carbon dioxide contents ranging from 0 to 21 wt %. The measurements were performed with a capillary extrusion rheometer modified for sealed, high-pressure operation to prevent degassing of the melt during extrusion. The concentration-dependent viscosity curves for these systems are self-similar in shape, exhibiting low-shear rate Newtonian plateau regions followed by shear-thinning “power-law” regions. Considerable reduction of viscosity is observed as the carbon dioxide content is increased. Classical viscoelastic scaling methods, employing a composition-dependent shift factor to scale both viscosity and shear rate, were used to reduce the viscosity data to a master curve at each temperature. The dependence of the shift factors on polymer chain density and free volume were investigated by comparing the shift factors for PDMS-CO2 systems to those obtained by iso-free volume dilutions of high molecular weight PDMS. This comparison suggests that the free volume added to PDMS upon swelling with dissolved carbon dioxide is the predominant mechanism for viscosity reduction in those systems. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 523–534, 1997
β-Galactosidase: Immunological studies of nonsense, missense and deletion mutants☆

Abstract A series of nonsense mutants which map throughout the β-galactosidase structural gene, and several missense and deletion mutants, were analysed for antigenic activity with purified antiserum produced from native β-galactosidase. Quantitative analyses by the Ouchterlony test, by inhibition studies, and by microcomplement fixation are in general agreement. These show, relative to the position of the nonsense mutation, no immunological activity from mutants of the early (operator) part of the gene, a peak at the center, next a much lower level, and finally a relatively high level in mutants mapping in the terminal part of the gene. No antigenic activity was found in a deletion mutant which produces both the alpha and omega fragments of β-galactosidase. Examination of precipitin lines on Ouchterlony plates of nonsense, missense and deletion mutants, as well as other data, suggests the presence of three classes of antigenic sites, those of relatively long chains, those of relatively short polypeptide chains and, tentatively, those due to the polymer. Heat treatment or addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate destroys immunological activity of nonsense mutant protein. It is suggested that variations in level of antigenic activity of incomplete β-galactosidase chains are due not only to the presence or absence of antigenic sites, but in addition to differences in conformation of these chains.
An experimental method for study of liver blood flow and metabolism in intact animals.

Abstract A method for studying liver circulation and liver metabolism in awake animals is described. Total liver blood flow was measured by xenon clearance and portal flow measured shortly thereafter by the same technique during brief occlusion of hepatic artery. When xenon clearance flow values were compared with electromagnetic flowmeter measurements made at the time of surgery, there was an excellent correlation among 21 measurements in 11 pigs ( r =0.94). Using a special technique, placement of a chronic inlying hepatic vein catheter was achieved. Together with inlying arterial and portal catheters, this made it possible to study liver metabolism at 2 to 3 days and at 7 days postoperatively. Although portal flow was the same early and late postoperatively, hepatic artery flow was twice as high in the earlier group of animals. Two to three days postoperatively there was a net hepatic uptake of total amino acids amounting to 5.6 ± 2.1 μmole/min × kg body wt −1 . One week after surgery a net release of 3.2 ± 1.9 μmole/min × kg −1 ( P
Stiction identification in nonlinear process control loops

Abstract Nearly 20–30% of all process control loops oscillate due to stiction resulting in productivity losses. Thus, detection and quantification of stiction in control valves using routine operating data is an important component of any automated controller performance monitoring application. Many techniques have been proposed for the detection and quantification of stiction. However, most of the approaches assume that the underlying process is linear; very little work is available for nonlinear processes. In this paper, Volterra model-based technique is investigated for the detection of stiction in closed-loop nonlinear systems. The advantages of the proposed method are: (i) it can be used to detect stiction in nonlinear systems and (ii) requires no prior information on whether the loop is linear or nonlinear. Results obtained from simulation and industrial case studies demonstrate the utility of the proposed methodology.
An evaluation of butyl insulation for outdoor instrument transformers

Another step in the progress of measurements has been made with the successful application of molded butyl compound as insulation on a new instrument transformer for indoor and outdoor use on secondary circuits. The investigations concerning the use of this compound for outdoor use are described in this article.
Early Paleozoic Conodont Biostratigraphy, Biogeography, and Paleoecology: ABSTRACT

Extensive work, particularly during the last 25 years, has led to the recognition of several hundred species and more than 100 genera of Cambrian, Ordovician, and Silurian conodonts. Wide distribution, short vertical range, and abundant occurrence have made conodonts some of the best early Paleozoic index fossils known. Most detailed conodont work has been done in North America and Europe but significant data are available from South America, Asia, and Australia. Cambrian conodonts, still poorly known and apparently not greatly varied taxonomically, are less useful biostratigraphically than Ordovician and Silurian conodonts. No Cambrian conodont zone succession has been proposed but some conodonts have considerable stratigraphic potential in the Late Cambrian. Ordovician onodonts are characterized by explosive taxonomic diversification and striking provincial differentiation. Two sequences of 15 to 20 conodont zonal units are in common use, one in each main province. Conodonts permit, in many places, a greater stratigraphic resolution than is achieved using any other fossils. Silurian conodonts are less diversified taxonomically (about 15 genera) and less differentiated provincially than those of the Ordovician. They form the basis of a succession of about 15 standard zones. Both Ordovician and Silurian conodonts have been tied into graptolite biostratigraphy producing a detailed and regionally useful framework. Apart from various aspects of biostratigraphy, biogeography, and taxonomy, current early Paleozoic conodont research includes paleoecology which has resulted in a greatly improved understanding of the environmental significance of these enigmatic fossils. End_of_Article - Last_Page 676------------
NosA, a transcription factor important in Aspergillus fumigatus stress and developmental response, rescues the germination defect of a laeA deletion

Aspergillus fumigatus is an increasingly serious pathogen of immunocompromised patients, causing the often fatal disease invasive aspergillosis (IA). One A. fumigatus virulence determinant of IA is LaeA, a conserved virulence factor in pathogenic fungi. To further understand the role of LaeA in IA, the expression profile of ΔlaeA was compared to wild type, and several transcription factors were found significantly misregulated by LaeA loss. One of the transcription factors up-regulated over 4-fold in the ΔlaeA strain was Afu4g09710, similar in sequence to Aspergillus nidulans NosA, which is involved in sexual development. Here we assessed loss of nosA (ΔnosA) and overexpression of nosA (OE::nosA) on A. fumigatus in both a wild type and ΔlaeA background. Based on the multiple alterations of physiological development of single and double mutants, we suggest that NosA mediates the decreased radial growth and delayed conidial germination observed in ΔlaeA strains, the former in a light dependent manner. The ΔnosA mutant showed increased virulence in the Galleria mellonella larvae model of disseminated aspergillosis, potentially due to its increased growth and germination rate. Furthermore, the A. fumigatus nosA allele was able to partially remediate sexual development in an A. nidulans ΔnosA background. Likewise, the A. nidulans nosA allele was able to restore the menadione sensitivity defect of the A. fumigatus ΔnosA strain, suggesting conservation of function of the NosA protein in these two species.
The Stresses in an Eccentrically Mounted Rotating Elliptical Plate

1. Introduction. In some mechanical applications a knowledge is required of the elastic behavior of a plane elliptical plate which is mounted on and rotating with a rigid shaft. The axis of the shaft is perpendicular to the plate and pierces it at an arbitrary point. The angular velocity of rotation is constant. If the cross-sectional area of the shaft is taken into account the geometry of the elastic area--an ellipse containing an arbitrarily placed circular hole -- is complicated to a degree which makes the determination of analytical expressions for the stress and displacement fields extremely difficult. This paper presents an analytic solution which approximates the actual physical conditions to the extent that the plate is assumed to rotate about a point instead of a shaft of finite cross-sectional area. In this form the problem is one of finding a solution to the First Boundary Value Problem (prescribed boundary stresses) for an elliptical area. A form of the solution of this Boundary Value Problem, which utilizes a knowledge of the forces on the boundary rather than the stresses, is availablO. For reasons of convenience the boundary conditions are expressed in this paper in terms of the stresses, not the forces, and accordingly the analysis of MuskhelishvilP is not directly applicable. In the process of finding the stress and displacement fields of immediate interest, the basic analysis of the First Boundary Value Problem for an elliptical area, in a form suitable for the stress boundary condition, is presented. The solution of this problem is effected by conformally mapping the elliptical area into a circular annulus and subsequently applying the complex variable technique developed by Muskhelishvili whose notation is used throughout. This analysis contains as special cases i) the rotation of a circular disc about an axis through its center, a very well known problem ~, ii) the rotation of a circular disc about an eccentric axis; this problem has been treated by Mindlin ~, Sen 4, and Ya. K. II'yn 5, iii) the rotation of an elliptical disc about an axis through its center; this case has been treated by Stevenson s. 2. Statement and Solution of Problem. Consider a thin elliptic plate with semi-major axis a and semi-minor axis b rotating with angular velocity oJ about an axis normal to the plate and passing through the point z 0 -= x 0 + i Yo as shown in Fig. 1. Because of the eccentricity of the axis of rotation, the inertia forces produce a reaction force P : X -i- i Y at the axis of rotation, where P-~ X-k i Y: q~ a b co ~ z0, (1) where q is the density of the plate. The contribution to the complex stress combinations in the plate due to this concentrated reaction force is taken in the form given by Muskhelishvili* and which for this problem gives