cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measured Performance and Modeling of an Evacuated-Tube, Integral-Collector-Storage Solar Water Heater

An experimental study of an evacuated-tube, integral-collector-storage water heater was conducted in an indoor solar simulator. Useful collected energy, radiation-induced stratification and draw-induced mixing are characterized in eight trials in which test duration, initial tank water temperature, flow rate during withdrawal of heated water from the collector, withdrawal pattern and reflectance of the backplane were varied. All tests were performed at nominal irradiance of 900 W/m{sup 2}, normal incidence, and collector slope of 45 degrees. The capability of the TRNSYS integral collector storage model to predict performance for operating conditions for which data are assumed to be unavailable was assessed. Using data from one experimental trial, optical efficiency ({tau}{alpha}) of the collector was determined by matching predicted useful energy gain to measured gain. Effectiveness of the calibrated model was based on a comparison of predicted gains to measured values obtained in the remaining seven trials. For five of seven trials, predicted performance is within 9% of measured performance and less than experimental error. For the other two trials, predicted performance is within 15% of measured performance. The higher discrepancies may be partially due to experimental conditions not modeled such as heating of the piping connecting the collector to the testmore » facility and inadequate characterization of back-plane reflectivity. The model does not predict radiation-induced stratification. Although the effect of mixing during draws can be approximated by specifying the number of fully mixed volume segments in the tanks, selection of number of nodes requires knowledge of the behavior of the system. The number of nodes selected has minimal impact on total energy gain, but does affect the temperature of water delivered to the load.« less
Phonon sattering by nutral donors in n-type silicon

The scattering of phonons by neutral n-type impurities in silicon is studied. Following Keyes, who determined the phonon relaxation time for scattering by neutral impurities in n-type germanium, the relaxation time for the silicon band structure is developed. This scattering comes about due to the large effect of strain on the hydrogen-like donor ground-state energy level. The change in energy of the ground state due to the strain caused by phonons is calculated and the resulting phonon scattering relaxation rate is derived.
A physicochemical model for colloid exchange between a stream and a sand streambed with bed forms

Fine sediment exchange between a stream and the surrounding subsurface influences downstream contaminant transport and stream ecology. Fundamental models for this exchange were developed on the basis of (1) the hydraulics of bed form-driven advective pore water flow and (2) subsurface colloid transport processes. First, a model was developed to predict the advective flow induced in a sand bed by stream flow over bedforms. The resulting “pumping” exchange rate was calculated based on the streamflow conditions, bed form geometry, and bed depth. The pumping exchange of suspended sediment was then calculated by superimposing advective transport and particle settling in the bed and including the effect of physicochemical filtration by bed sediment. The filtration coefficient approach was used to predict the reduction in the concentration of transported particles. Both settling and filtration cause colloids to be trapped in stream beds, producing a higher net exchange rate relative to conservative solutes. When transported particles are completely trapped in a single pass through the bed, the exchange calculation is simplified because only the particle flux to the bed must be considered. In this case, the net exchange rate may be adequately represented by an effective piston velocity (flux/concentration) or loss rate to the bed in the advection-dispersion equation for the stream. Solute and colloid exchanges are predicted by the models without the use of fitting coefficients; only measurable hydraulic and particle parameters were used as model inputs. Simulations are presented which show the effect of stream parameters, settling, and filtration on net particle exchange. This fundamental approach to modeling stream-subsurface exchange potentially has great utility for understanding and predicting the transport and fate of reactive substances in streams.
A numerical model of oxygen uptake in the human lung during a respiratory cycle

Abstract A dynamic model of oxygen uptake in the human lung is constructed by using unsteady mass balance equations in the gas phase and the blood phase. The model takes into account ventilation, perfusion, and oxygen transport from the alveolar gas to the capillary blood. Because of the non-linearity of the governing equations, a finite difference scheme is used for the calculations. Various effects of parameters characterizing breathing pattern, pulmonary capillary blood flow, and diffusion capacity of the alveolar-capillary membrane on the oxygen uptake are studied.
Growth of alkali halides by molecular-beam epitaxy

Alkali halide single crystals are shown to grow well from molecular beams over a wide temperature range {similar to}(0.1--0.5){ital T}{sub {ital m}}, where {ital T}{sub {ital m}} is the melting temperature. Growth characteristics for homoepitaxy and heteroepitaxy, for alloys and superlattices, are discussed and found systematically different from those of metals and semiconductors. The reasons are related here to the type of lattice cohesion.
PREDICTED PERFORMANCE OF A ROTATING MODULATION COLLIMATOR FOR LOCATING CELESTIAL X-RAY SOURCES.

Celestial X ray source positions from rotating modulation collimator, predicting performance of collimator
Autoantibodies to native myeloperoxidase in patients with pulmonary hemorrhage and acute renal failure.

Sera from 245 patients were screened by indirect immunofluorescence for perinuclear/nuclear staining (P-ANCA) of ethanol-fixed neutrophils, a staining pattern which is associated with the presence of antibodies to myeloperoxidase. Using immunoblot and immunoprecipitation techniques on 15 P-ANCA-positive sera, 13 patients demonstrated antibody to purified or native myeloperoxidase but not to denatured myeloperoxidase. In patients with P-ANCA, the most frequent reason for medical attention was hemoptysis (8/13; 62%). Of the 15 sera with P-ANCA, acute renal failure was identified in 9 patients (60%). Five patients (33%) had both. All patients (eight of eight) with hemoptysis had antibodies which bound functional MPO as compared to three of seven P-ANCA-positive patients without hemoptysis (P<0.001), suggesting that antibodies which recognize conformational sites on native myeloperoxidase occur in a subgroup of patients with alveolar hemorrhage as their presenting clinical sign. These findings may provide insight into the disease process associated with P-ANCA. We further identify a subgroup of patients with a severe pulmonorenal syndrome and antibodies recognizing native myeloperoxidase.
Doppler Lidar Estimation of Mixing Height Using Turbulence, Shear, and Aerosol Profiles

Abstract The concept of boundary layer mixing height for meteorology and air quality applications using lidar data is reviewed, and new algorithms for estimation of mixing heights from various types of lower-tropospheric coherent Doppler lidar measurements are presented. Velocity variance profiles derived from Doppler lidar data demonstrate direct application to mixing height estimation, while other types of lidar profiles demonstrate relationships to the variance profiles and thus may also be used in the mixing height estimate. The algorithms are applied to ship-based, high-resolution Doppler lidar (HRDL) velocity and backscattered-signal measurements acquired on the R/V Ronald H. Brown during Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS) 2006 to demonstrate the method and to produce mixing height estimates for that experiment. These combinations of Doppler lidar–derived velocity measurements have not previously been applied to analysis of boundary layer mixing height—over the water or elsewhere. A comparison of the ...
The effect of genotype on sensitivity to inflammatory nociception : Characterization of resistant (A/J) and sensitive (C57BL/6J) inbred mouse strains

The important role of genetic factors in the mediation of sensitivity to pain and pain inhibition is being increasingly appreciated. In an attempt to systematically study the genotypic influences on inflammatory nociception, we conducted a survey of the nociceptive responsivity of three common outbred mouse strains and 11 inbred mouse strains on the formalin test. The formalin test is known to display a biphasic temporal pattern of behavioral and electrophysiological activity, defined by an acute/early phase and a tonic/late phase. Nociceptive sensitivity (licking/biting of the affected area) to a subcutaneous injection of 5% formalin (25 microl volume) into the plantar surface of the right hindpaw displayed moderate heritability in both phases (0.38 and 0.46, respectively). One strain, A/J, was identified as extremely resistant to formalin nociception, displaying total licking in the acute and tonic phases that was 60% and 87% lower, respectively, than the grand mean of all strains. A subsequent series of experiments were performed to characterize the difference between A/J and C57BL/6J mice. The findings establish this inbred strain comparison as a useful genetic model of nociceptive sensitivity.
The Adolescent Outcome of Hyperactive Children: Predictors of Psychiatric, Academic, Social, and Emotional Adjustment

Abstract Objective To investigate predictors of adolescent outcome in a large sample of hyperactive children. Method 123 hyperactive children were followed prospectively over an 8-year period. Multiple linear and logistical regression equations were used to relate childhood predictor variables to adolescent academic, psychiatric, social, and emotional adjustment. Results Adolescent academic skills were related to childhood cognitive and academic competence while school conduct was predicted by other variables including early family stress. Duration of mental health treatment received often was negatively related to outcome, apparently serving as a marker variable for severity of disturbance in the child. Childhood impulsivity-hyperactivity and paternal antisocial acts were associated with later oppositional-defiant behaviors. Only child defiance and not hyperactivity predicted later arrests, however. Emotional problems in adolescence were predicted by more special education enrollment. Adolescent social competence was associated with parental personal competence, whereas maternal mental health status at outcome was related to variables unassociated with child adjustment. Conclusions Various outcome domains had different sets of predictors; no single predictor cut across all domains. Although a limited amount of variance in outcome was explained, findings suggest that promoting family and parental competence as well as assessing and treating defiance and aggression very early may improve outcome.
Electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of tyrosine radical, M+, in site-directed mutants of photosystem II(t).

Photosystem II contains two well-characterized tyrosine radicals, D(.) and Z(.). Z is an electron carrier between the primary chlorophyll donor and the manganese catalytic site and is essential for enzymatic function. On the other hand, D forms a stable radical with no known role in oxygen evolution. D(.) and Z(.) give rise to similar, but not identical, room temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals, which can be distinguished by their decay kinetics. A third room temperature EPR signal has also been observed in site-directed mutants in which a nonredox active amino acid is substituted at the D or Z site. This four-line EPR signal has been shown to have a tyrosine origin by isotopic labeling (Boerner and Barry, 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:134–137), but such an EPR signal has never before been observed from a tyrosyl radical. The radical giving rise to this third unique signal has been named M+. Here we provide kinetic evidence that this signal arises from a third redox active tyrosine, distinct from tyrosine D and Z, in the photosystem II reaction center. Isotopic labeling and EPR spectroscopy provide evidence that M is a covalently modified tyrosine.
An Algorithm Informed by the Parathyroid Hormone Level Reduces Hypocalcemic Complications of Thyroidectomy

Background Measurement of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level following total thyroidectomy (TTx) may allow prediction of postoperative hypocalcemia. We present an algorithmic method of managing hypocalcemia pre-emptively, based on the PTH level 1 h after operation.
Vasopressin promotes neurite growth in cultured embryonic neurons

Vasopressin (AVP) has been identified as a neural peptide which may influence memory function. Because of this action, we investigated the effect of AVP on neurons growing in culture. Vasopressin was found to markedly increase neurite outgrowth from cultured embryonic neurons and to also accelerate the rate of neuritic growth. Maximal stimulation of neurite production occurred after 24-hour incubation in the presence of 1 microM AVP. In AVP-treated cultures the profuse neuritic arborization was characterized by numerous microspikes along the neuritic shafts and at the perimeters of growth cones. These data provide strong evidence for a neurotrophic effect of AVP which, we suggest, may be relevant to neuronal development as well as to morphological changes which occur in the mature nervous system, possibly during memory formation.
Electroactive and Photoactive Rod-Coil Block Copolymers: Self-Organization and Photophysical Properties

Abstract : Two series of new electroactive and photoactive coil-rod-coil and rod-coil-rod triblock copolymers, poly (pentadecamethylene carboxyester)-block-poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole)-block-poly (pentadecamethylene carboxyester) (1), and poly(2,6-benzoxazole)-block-poly(benzobisthiazole decamethylene)-block-poly(2,6-benzoxazole) (2), were synthesized, characterized, and used to investigate the self-assembly properties of rod-coil block copolymers. The progressive band narrowing of the absorption spectrum of thin films of 1 confirmed the effects of spatial confinement with increasing coil block size. Photoluminescence studies of thin films of 1 and 2 showed the effects of self-organization, annealing at 110 deg C, block lengths, and composition on photophysical properties. Bilayer photoreceptors consisting of a layer of block copolymer as the charge generation layer and a layer of tris(p-tolyl)amine dispersed in polycarbonate as a trap-free hole transport layer were observed to have high quantum efficiency, good photosensitivity and good dark decay.
Why the Hauser-Feshbach formula works

It is shown that flux conservation requires substantial channel-channel correlations of resonance amplitudes. These, together with the effects of level-level correlations and other terms conspire to cancel the large additive corrections to the Hauser-Feshbach formula for the fluctuation cross section. The remaining multiplicative corrections become negligible for nonelastic cross sections when many channels are open. In other cases, approximation formulas provide estimates that are adequate for most purposes. However, the Bohr independence hypothesis is not always satisfied when fewer than about 20 channels are open. The cross section correlation width is shown to differ markedly from the average width. The use of the former for estimating the Hauser-Feshbach denominator is found to be justified. All of these results are verified by means of statistical model calculations of resonance parameters and of cross sections.
An Empirical Tool Force Model for Precision Machining

The accuracy of precision machining operations could be improved through tool force feedback. Tool force is ideally suited for use in a control algorithm because it contains information on the instantaneous depth of cut, feed rate and condition of the tool. A tool force model that could form the basis of this new control technique has been developed. By measuring the shear angle from micrographs of chip cross sections equations for the forces due to chip formation and the friction between the chip and the tool have been written. Furthermore, the effects of elastic deformation of the workpiece (spring back) on chip formation and the measured forces, which can be significant in precision machining, have been included in the model. Machining experiments were conducted with a 0 deg rake diamond tool and four metals that are commonly diamond turned. For machining with newly lapped as well as worn tools, the calculated forces were in excellent agreement with the measured values for the array of workpiece materials.
Nylon 6 Crystal Structures, Folds, and Lamellae from Theory

Although polyamide “nylon 6” polymer is an important industrial material, there remain many questions about the details of the various structures and the conversion between them. Using the MSXX force field (developed previously from ab initio quantum calculations), we predict the crystal structures, folds, and lamellae of nylon 6, leading to the following results. (a) Assuming infinite chains and evaluating the free energy of all 112 regular crystal structures, we find three classes of crystal structures: α form, γ form, and δ form. We find that at 300 K the α form is most stable, with γ and δ higher by 0.4 and 0.3 (kcal/mol)/(amide unit), respectively. We calculate Young's modulus in the chain direction to be 295 GPa for α, 135 GPa for γ, and 253 GPa for δ. These values are above the experimental value of 168 GPa for α form because the experimental system has a finite lamella thickness, disorder in the chain conformation, and imperfections in the crystallinity. (b) We find the thermostability of α form over other forms arises from intra-H-bonds in the α form, which are dynamically and entropically favored. (c) We propose five detailed steps in the transition between the α and γ forms. We also identify the structures of the other two experimentally observed metastable forms, β and δ. Our structures explain the available fiber X-ray results. (d) The H-bond schemes for all regular crystal structures are examined. We find that the γ form has a more linear (stronger) H-bond than α form, which is consistent with the interpretation from solid-state NMR. (e) Considering that nylon forms lamellae with finite thickness in the chain direction we considered all five possible loop structures and the two best (of eight) possible stacking schemes for the folded sheets together with the 14 possible sheet displacements. We find that the optimum lamella for α form has the alkane loop fold (one amide per loop) and packs so that adjacent sheets are displaced by ± 3.7 A (3b/14), which is in good agreement with the conclusion from fiber X-ray. Our amide pocket model explains the observed sheet displacements in nylon 6 and nylon 66 and also the progressive shear in nylon 66 and nylon 46.
Mutagenesis and repair of DNA damage caused by nitrogen mustard, N,N'-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU), streptozotocin, and mitomycin C in E. coli

Cytotoxicity and mutagenesis by streptozotocin, BCNU, nitrogen mustard, and mitomycin C were evaluated in E. coli mutants deficient in SOS repair, SOS-mediated mutagenesis, the adaptive response, and mutants that engage in aberrant mismatch repair. The results demonstrate that premutagenic lesions are caused by nitrogen mustard, BCNU and streptozotocin that are not repaired by ada or recognized by umuDC. Further, recA mutants were hypomutable after exposure to nitrogen mustard, BCNU, and streptozotocin compared to wild type. With the exception of the monofunctional nitrosourea, streptozotocin, both recA and uvrA gene products contribute to the repair of DNA damage caused by the alkylating agents tested. In the case of streptozotocin, although recA mutants were more sensitive than wild type, uvrA mutants were not. Moreover, while ada and alkA E. coli mutants showed increased sensitivity to streptozotocin, they were not more sensitive to the other alkylating agents evaluated.
The impact of diversity on performance in multi-robot foraging

Quantitative relationships between performance and behavioral diversity are investigatedin a multi-robotforaging task. The task, referred to as mi specialize-by-color, where each robot specializes in collecting one type of object; and territorial, where most of the robots drop objects off near the delivery area, while the remaining agent completes the sorting and delivery. Each strategy is evaluated for diversity and performance using quantitative metrics. Data is gathered in thousands of simulation runs and the behaviors are also verified on mobile robots. In contrast to the results of a similar study in robotic soccer [12], the results of this research indicate homogeneous behavior is the best strategy for foraging
Biodegradable polymersomes loaded with both paclitaxel and doxorubicin permeate and shrink tumors, inducing apoptosis in proportion to accumulated drug

Cytotoxicity can in principle be maximized if drugs with different activities can be delivered simultaneously to the same cell. However, combination therapy with drugs having distinct properties such as solubility generally requires use of multiple carriers or solvents, limiting the likelihood of simultaneous delivery. In this brief report, we describe the in vivo use of biodegradable polymersomes for systemic delivery of an anticancer cocktail. These polymer-based shells exploit a thick hydrophobic membrane and an aqueous lumen to efficiently carry both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs, respectively paclitaxel and doxorubicin. Polymersomes are long-circulating in vivo but also degrade and release their drugs on a time scale of about 1 day, by which time the tumors treated here will otherwise have almost doubled in volume. A single systemic injection of the dual drug combination shows a higher maximum tolerated dose than the free drug cocktail and shrinks tumors more effectively and more sustainably than free drug: 50% smaller tumors are seen at 5 days with polymersomes. The polymersomes cause two-fold higher cell death in tumors than free drug and show quantitatively similar increases in maximum tolerated dose and drug accumulation within the tumors-suggesting promise for multi-drug delivery.
An objective assessment of the results of hypospadias surgery

OBJECTIVE To compare the cosmetic result of tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty (Snodgrass method) with that of two established techniques, the meatal-based flap and onlay island flap repair. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Photographs of the penis after hypospadias repair in 32 boys were assessed by a panel of five independent health professionals, including four surgeons with variable paediatric urological experience and a urology nurse. Twenty patients had a distal and 12 a proximal meatus. The Snodgrass technique was applied by one paediatric urologist for either distal (10) or proximal (six) hypospadias. A Mathieu repair was used for distal hypospadias (10) and an onlay preputial island flap for proximal hypospadias (six) by a second paediatric urologist. The panel was asked to grade cosmesis as poor, unsatisfactory, satisfactory or very good (points 1–4) for each of the following aspects of penile appearance: meatus, glans, shaft and overall appearance. Photographs were taken in a standard way, with a standard distance, lighting and two views, one of the dorsal surface and one ventral, for each patient. Signed written consent for the study was obtained from each family. RESULTS The mean assessment score for any aspect of cosmesis was significantly higher for the Snodgrass technique (P < 0.05). The mean score (95% confidence interval) for the meatus was 0.76 (0.4–1.1) points higher for the patients with a Snodgrass repair than those with a Mathieu or onlay island flap repair (P = 0.002). Correspondingly, the values for the glans were 0.67 (0.38–0.97) (P = 0.003), shaft 0.42 (0.16–0.69) (P = 0.01) and overall appearance 0.62 (0.24–1.0) (P = 0.01) points higher for the Snodgrass repair. The Snodgrass technique was more effective in producing a vertically orientated meatus (87.5%) than the Mathieu and Duckett onlay repairs (37.5%; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION The Snodgrass technique, as assessed by this panel, had a better cosmetic outcome than the Mathieu and Duckett onlay island flap repairs. The assessment of cosmesis in hypospadias surgery is potentially more objective when several health professionals, not involved in the surgery, compared the various methods of repair.
Preclinical evaluation of zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate-based PDT

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the light activation of a drug within a tumor causing selective tumor cell death. Unfortunately, some photosensitizing drugs have been associated with adverse reactions in veterinary patients. Zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (ZnPcS4) is a promising second-generation photosensitizer for use in veterinary medicine, however, it cannot be applied clinically until safety and efficacy data are available. ZnPcS4 was given to Swiss Webster mice to assess acute toxicity. Doses >100 mg/kg were associated with acute toxicity and mortality, and doses >100 mg/kg resulted in renal tubular nephrosis, suggesting that the minimum toxic dose is approximately 100 mg/kg. Based on these data, a Phase I clinical trial of ZnPcS4-based PDT in tumor-bearing dogs is underway, with ZnPcS4 doses up to 2 mg/kg producing no apparent toxicity. Tumor response has been observed after ZnPcS4-based PDT using doses as low as 0.25 mg/kg, suggesting that conventional phase I clinical trials may not be appropriate for PDT protocols.
The Use of Cannabis as a Mood Stabilizer in Bipolar Disorder: Anecdotal Evidence and the Need for Clinical Research

Abstract The authors present case histories indicating that a number of patients find cannabis (marihuana) useful in the treatment of their bipolar disorder. Some used it to treat mania, depression, or both. They stated that it was more effective than conventional drugs, or helped relieve the side effects of those drugs. One woman found that cannabis curbed her manic rages; she and her husband have worked to make it legally available as a medicine. Others described the use of cannabis as a supplement to lithium (allowing reduced consumption) or for relief of lithium's side effects. Another case illustrates the fact that medical cannabis users are in danger of arrest, especially when children are encouraged to inform on parents by some drug prevention programs. An analogy is drawn between the status of cannabis today and that of lithium in the early 1950s, when its effect on mania had been discovered but there were no controlled studies. In the case of cannabis, the law has made such studies almost impossi...
Are People Overoptimistic about the Effects of Heavy Drinking

We test whether heavy or binge drinkers are overly optimistic about probabilities of adverse consequences from these activities or are relatively accurate about these probabilities. Using data from a survey in eight cities, we evaluate the relationship between subjective beliefs and drinking. We assess accuracy of beliefs about several outcomes of heavy/binge drinking: reduced longevity, liver disease onset, link between alcohol consumption and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), probability of an accident after drinking, accuracy of beliefs about encountering intoxicated drivers on the road, and legal consequences of DWI—ranging from being stopped to receiving fines and jail terms. Overall, there is no empirical support for the optimism bias hypothesis. We do find that persons consuming a lot of alcohol tend to be more overconfident about their driving abilities and ability to handle alcohol. However, such overconfidence does not translate into over-optimism about consequences of high levels of alcohol consumption.
Abstract 2166: A prospective study on oral contraceptive use and risk of colorectal adenomas

Background: Most colorectal cancers (CRC) arise from colorectal adenomas. The influence of reproductive factors on CRC, including oral contraceptive (OC) use, has been examined for a number of years, but less research is available on the role of OC use on adenomas. A better understanding of this association will provide insight into the mechanism through which hormones impact colorectal carcinogenesis. Objective: To examine the association of OC use and colorectal adenomas using detailed data from a large prospective cohort study with 32 yrs of follow-up data. Design: The Nurses9 Health Study was established in 1976 when 121,701 female registered nurses 30-55 yrs of age completed a mailed questionnaire on medical history and lifestyle factors. We assessed OC use every 2 yrs between 1976-1982 and categorized this use according to ever (≥2 mo) and never use (reference), duration of use (never, ≤1, >1- 4- Methods: Multivariable logistic regression models for clustered data were used to estimate odds ratios [OR (95% CIs)]. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, height, physical activity, smoking, processed and red meat, folate, calcium, total energy, alcohol, aspirin use, age at first birth, parity, hormone therapy use/duration, family history of CRC, time period, as well as endoscopy information including reason, number, and yr since most recent. Results: Among 70,164 participants who had a lower bowel endoscopy, 49% (N=34,329) reported never using OCs and 51% (N=35,835) reported ≥2 mo of use. We recorded 2,950 never-users with an adenoma compared to 3,075 ever-users. Ever OC use was associated with a slight increase of small/early stage adenomas [OR=1.12 95% CI (1.03-1.22)] but not with large/advanced stage adenomas or any other category (e.g., number of adenomas). Duration of OC use was not associated with adenomas but longer times since last OC use were associated with increased odds for all of the adenoma outcomes [e.g., compared to never use, 15+ yrs since last use for all adenomas: OR=1.18 (1.08, 1.29)]. Shorter times since last OC use were inversely associated [e.g., ≤4 yrs since last use for all adenomas: OR=0.76 (0.67, 0.86)]. Conclusions: The null association between OC use and colorectal adenomas may be more nuanced than initially described in the literature. We found that OC use was associated with certain stages/sizes of colorectal adenomas (e.g., small/early) and further exploration of the time since last OC use associations are warranted. Support: P01CA87969, T32CA09001, T32HD060454 Citation Format: Brittany M. Charlton, Ed Giovannucci, Charles S. Fuchs, Stacey A. Missmer, Bernard A. Rosner, Kana Wu, Karin B. Michels. A prospective study on oral contraceptive use and risk of colorectal adenomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2166. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2166
Accommodation and related risk factors associated with myopia progression and their interaction with treatment in COMET children.

PURPOSE To examine baseline measurements of accommodative lag, phoria, reading distance, amount of near work, and level of myopia as risk factors for progression of myopia and their interaction with treatment over 3 years, in children enrolled in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET). METHODS COMET enrolled 469 ethnically diverse children (ages, 6-11 years) with myopia between -1.25 and -4.50 D. They were randomly assigned to either progressive addition lenses (PALs) with a +2.00 addition (n = 235) or single vision lenses (SVLs; n = 234), the conventional spectacle treatment, and were observed for 3 years. The primary outcome measure was progression of myopia by autorefraction after cycloplegia with 2 drops of 1% tropicamide. Other measurements included accommodative response (by an open field of view autorefractor), phoria (by cover test), reading distance, and hours of near work. Independent and interaction analyses were based on the mean of the two eyes. Results were adjusted for important covariates with multiple linear regression. RESULTS Children with larger accommodative lags (>0.43 D for a 33 cm target) wearing SVLs had the most progression at 3 years. PALs were effective in slowing progression in these children, with statistically significant 3-year treatment effects (mean +/- SE) for those with larger lags in combination with near esophoria (PAL - SVL progression = -1.08 D - [-1.72 D] = 0.64 +/- 0.21 D), shorter reading distances (0.44 +/- 0.20 D), or lower baseline myopia (0.48 +/- 0.15 D). The 3-year treatment effect for larger lags in combination with more hours of near work was 0.42 +/- 0.26 D, which did not reach statistical significance. Statistically significant treatment effects were observed in these four groups at 1 year and became larger from 1 to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS The results support the COMET rationale (i.e., a role for retinal defocus in myopia progression). In clinical practice in the United States children with large lags of accommodation and near esophoria often are prescribed PALs or bifocals to improve visual performance. Results of this study suggest that such children, if myopic, may have an additional benefit of slowed progression of myopia.
Is gastric bypass superior for the surgical treatment of obesity compared with malabsorptive procedures

In summary, analysis of the literature with philosophical interpretation suggests that malabsorptive procedures for obesity should be reserved for highrisk patients with very severe obesity who are at risk for inadequate weight loss in the long-term after proximal gastric bypass. However, compliance and critical nutritional follow-up are mandatory for any population undergoing malabsorptive procedures. In terms of compliance issues, a paradox arises. Gastric bypass proponents believe that, because some morbidly obese patients are noncompliant, it is dangerous to perform malabsorptive procedures on them; in contrast, malabsorption proponents believe that, because all morbidly obese patients are noncompliant, they will eventually regain weight unless treated by malabsorptive procedures. This difference in basic philosophy of bariatric surgical treatment underlies much of the controversy in choice between the two procedures.
Monitoring of formaldehyde in air.

Any one of several monitoring methods, depending on requirement and circumstance, can be used to measure employee exposure to formaldehyde. Ordinarily, monitoring at DuPont is performed by sampling with impingers containing 1% aqueous sodium bisulfite or with silica gel tubes. The collected formaldehyde is measured spectrophotometrically after reaction with chromotropic acid. Results from studies on a selected number of formaldehyde monitoring methods reveal that reliable methods are available for area and personnel monitoring over both short term and long term. Accurate results are obtained from short-term monitoring (15 min at 1 L/min) with impingers of formaldehyde concentrations as low as 0.14 ppm. The current studies show that long-term monitoring (8 hr at 0.5 L/min) can be performed accurately at concentrations as low as 0.05 ppm. Accurate results also are obtained from short-term monitoring (15 min at 500 mL/min) with silica gel tubes of concentrations as low as 0.11 ppm formaldehyde; the lower lim...
Codeswitching: Anthropological and Sociolinguistic Perspectives

Codeswitching: Anthropological and Sociolinguistic Perspectives. Monica Heller. ed. Contributions to the Sociology of Language, 48. New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 1988. 278 pp. DM 118 (cloth)
From problem-based learning to interrupted lecture: Using case-based teaching in different class formats

Although many examples of using problem-based learning and case studies in teaching science occur in the literature, instructors may still have questions about when, why, and how to use these strategies, especially in different class settings. In this article, I describe my experience in using these pedagogical methods in three different class formats: a small biochemistry survey course, which I taught entirely as problem-based learning; a small organic chemistry class in which I used some case-based teaching with students working collaboratively in groups; and a large lecture-style biochemistry survey course in which I used cases as homework and in-class exercises. In each instance I describe the apparent benefits and drawbacks of each approach, drawing on the literature of how these methods may best promote learning. As part of this discussion I pose questions for instructors to help them decide which form of case-based teaching best fits with their particular teaching goals and class contexts.
D-Cycloserine Augmentation of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Directions for Pilot Research in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This paper discusses a recent translational success in combining behavioral psychotherapy with a novel medication, d-cycloserine (DCS), to augment cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. The literature on behavioral theory of exposure-based therapies is provided, followed by a discussion of the role of DCS in enhancing extinction learning that is core to such therapies. As well, pragmatic issues such as dosing and timing are discussed. The manuscript is concluded with consideration of future directions in DCS augmentation in the form of a pilot trial investigating DCS augmentation of CBT in pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Analysis of evoked EEG patterns from controlled cognitive states

This study was undertaken to establish relationships between the electroencephalogram (EEG) and cognitive states evoked by visual stimuli. Stimulus effects were depicted by spectral power differences, on a relative and absolute basis, for five EEG frequency bands using FFT-based analysis. In order to extract information hidden in the EEG data, power difference results were summarized and classified according to data processing technique, electrode site, subject, stimulus, data window, and frequency band. Results demonstrated that each subject displayed reproducible EEG signatures for some stimuli, despite the fact that subjects were not allowed to practice and were not given any feedback on the kinds of signatures their brains were generating. >
The occurrence of Naegleria fowleri in recreational waters in Arizona

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in waters in warmer regions that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but almost universally fatal disease. The goal of this project was to assess the occurrence of N. fowleri and other thermophilic amoebae in 33 recreational surface waters across Arizona to determine if their presence could be correlated with seasonal or other environmental factors. First, 1-L grab samples were collected over two years and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and amoebae viability. Seasonality was observed, with N. fowleri and thermophilic amoebae (20% and 30%, respectively) being detected more often in the winter and spring combined than in the summer and fall combined (7.9% and 9.5%, respectively). The spring and fall both had an average temperature of 18°C, yet had different occurrence data (18.2% versus 5.9% for N. fowleri, respectively; 27.3% versus 0% for viable amoebae, respectively). These results are in stark contrast to previous studies in which N. fowleri has been found almost exclusively during warmer months. Over the two-year study, N. fowleri was detected in six and thermophilic amoebae in eight of the 33 recreational water bodies. Five of these were lakes near Phoenix that tested positive for N. fowleri and thermophilic amoebae over multiple seasons. These lakes differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from the other 28 surface waters, with a lower average temperature in the spring, a higher temperature in the fall, a higher pH and turbidity in the summer, and a lower electro-conductivity in the spring. They also had lower Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacteria levels during colder months. Future N. fowleri monitoring in Arizona should focus on these five lakes to further elucidate the factors that contribute to the low occurrence of this amoeba in the summer or which might explain why these lakes appear to be reservoirs for the organism.
Solid-state nanopores for detection of rod-like viruses and trapping of single DNA molecules

Solid-state nanopores are a promising class of electronic sensor for biosensing applications and single-molecule studies. A nanopore is a nanometer-sized (3–50 nm) hole in a thin, insulating membrane, which bridges two salt solution. An applied voltage bias across the membrane causes reservoirs of ionic current to flow through the pore. The voltage also drives DNA through the pore, where it blocks a measurable fraction of the ionic current. This current decrease is the basis of detection, and it gives information on the physical characteristics (length, width, charge) of the translocating molecule (Fig. 1). Here we report the development of solid-state nanopores for the detection and study of single rod-like viruses, and a nanopore combined with a micron-scale chamber for trapping and analyzing a single DNA molecule.
Using Ambient Vibrations to Detect Loosening of a Composite-to-Metal Bolted Joint in the Presence of Strong Temperature Fluctuations

We present an approach for detecting damage-induced nonlinearities in structures. The method first involves the creation of surrogate data sets conforming to an appropriate null hypothesis (no damage). The second step is to then compare some nonlinear "feature " extracted from the original data to those extracted from the surrogates. Statistically significant differences suggest evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis, damage. Using this approach we show how loose connections can be detected using ambient "wave" forcing, conforming to the Pierson-Moskowitz distribution, as the source of excitation. We also demonstrate the ability of this technique to operate without a recorded baseline data set and in the presence of widely varying temperatures. The structure in this case is a thick, composite beam bolted to a steel frame. Data are collected using an optical strain sensing system. For this experiment we are able to reliably detect the presence of a loosened bolt.
Drug-induced ataxia in opponents elicits "pathological" fighting in undrugged rats exposed to footshock.

Abstract One member of a pair of rats was administered either mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), pentobarbital, or ethanol intraperitoneally twenty minutes prior to exposure to footshock in the presence of an undrugged opponent. At high doses, all drugs elicited biting from the undrugged rat of sufficient to produce injury to its drugged opponent. Low doses produced species-typical fighting behavior which consisted of striking each other with their forepaws while upright and failed to elicit biting. Biting attacks by the undrugged rat were highly correlated with ataxic behavior by the drugged rat. Conversely, species-typical aggressive behavior was highly correlated with behaviors such as boxing or upright threat posture. These results suggest that drug-induced ataxic behavior may disinhibit mechanisms that regulate intra-species behavior, thus producing behavior that is more typical of inter-species aggression.
Let's search together, but not too close! An analysis of communication and performance in collaborative information seeking

Communication is considered to be one of the most essential components of collaboration, but our understanding as to which form of communication provides the most optimal cost-benefit balance lacks severely. To help investigate effects of various communication channels on a collaborative project, we conducted a user study with 30 pairs (60 participants) in three different conditions - co-located, remotely located with text chat, and remotely located with text as well as audio chat, in an exploratory search task. Using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, we found that teams with remotely located participants were more effective in terms of being able to explore more diverse information. Adding audio support for remote collaboration helped participants to lower their cognitive load as well as negative emotions compared to those working in the same space. We also show how these findings could help design more effective systems for collaborative information seeking tasks using adequate and appropriate communication. We argue that collaboration is an important aspect of human-centered IR, and that our work provides interesting insights into people doing information seeking/retrieval in collaboration.
Pepsins—A chromatographic and kinetic comparison☆

Abstract A simplified procedure for the preparation of pepsin from porcine pepsinogen has been developed. Chromatographic and kinetic data indicate that this procedure yields a pepsin product identical with that obtained by the conventional method. The K m and k cat values for the hydrolysis of Ac-Phe-Tyr-OMe by commercial and freshly prepared pepsins were determined. All pepsins studied were found to have the same value for k cat . The parameter which kinetically distinguished each of the pepsins was K m .
Reflections On the Role of Female Deities and Queens in Ancient Kemet

In the earliest known religion of humankind, that of Ancient Kemet, the role of the female was equally as significant as that of the male. Unlike in the Judeo-Christian myth of Adam and Eve, the female principle was a redeeming and positive factor. All male deities had female counterparts of equal importance. In his insightful book on African philosophy, Ancient Egypt and Black Africa, Theophile Obenga (1992) writes that "the equality between men and women in Egyptian antiquity was an integral part of the divine order.... Hence it was quite natural for women to be fully integrated into Pharaonic royalty" (p. 168). Thus not only do we find in Ancient Kemet the first ruling queens in history but also nonroyal women owning property and serving as high priestesses. Primarily, the aim of this article is to provide a descriptive analysis of Kemetic monarchy and mythology concerning female deities; and to demonstrate how historically the greatness of this classical civilization was achieved by the masterful capabilities of males and females and how the use of myth helped in this process. Molefi Asante (1987), in The Afrocentric Idea, affirms the importance of myth:
Modeling of biomimetic robotic fish propelled by an ionic polymer-metal composite actuator

In this paper a physics-based model is proposed for a biomimetic robotic fish propelled by an ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuator. Inspired by biological fins, a passive plastic foil is attached to the IPMC beam. The model incorporates both IPMC actuation dynamics and the hydrodynamics, and captures the interactions between the IPMC actuator and the plastic foil. Experimental results have shown that the proposed model is able to predict the steady-state cruising speed of the robotic fish under a periodic actuation input. Since the majority of the model parameters are expressed in terms of fundamental physical properties and geometric dimensions, the model is expected to be instrumental in optimal design of the robotic fish.