cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excessive uterine activity accompanying induced labor.

Objective: To estimate the incidence and timing of excessive uterine activity accompanying induction of labor with misoprostol using different routes (oral or vaginal) and forms (intact tablet or crushed) and to compare these with dinoprostone gel, oxytocin, and spontaneous labor. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 519 women at term who had labor induced and 86 women at term in spontaneous labor. Induction agents included misoprostol, dinoprostone, or oxytocin. Fetal heart rate and uterine activity tracings were analyzed independently by three maternal-fetal medicine physicians. The diagnosis of tachysystole or hyperstimulation required the agreement of two or more reviewers. Results: The incidence of tachysystole was highest with misoprostol administered by vaginal tablet (misoprostol vaginal tablet 50 μg every 4 hours, 48.6%; vaginal tablet crushed 50 μg and suspended in hydroxyethyl gel every 4 hours, 30.7%, P = .009; oral tablet 50 μg every 4 hours, 22.2%, P = .001; oral tablet crushed 50 μg every 4 hours, 15.5%, P < .001; dinoprostone gel, 33.0%, P = .022; intravenous oxytocin, 30.2%, P = .027; and spontaneous onset of labor, 23.3%, P < .001). Hyperstimulation occurred more often with dinoprostone gel (16.5%) than with other forms of induction or spontaneous labor. Hyperstimulation occurred significantly more often with vaginal misoprostol crushed tablet (7.9%) and vaginal misoprostol intact tablet (7.6%) than with crushed oral misoprostol (1.0%) (P = .016 and .018, respectively). There was a shorter time to tachysystole with increasing doses of vaginal misoprostol tablet (P = .01). Conclusion: The incidence of tachysystole and hyperstimulation, and time to tachysystole, varied depending on the route and form of misoprostol given.
Analysis of norrish type II reactions by molecular mechanics methodology : cyclodecanone

Abstract A comparison of computed transition structure energies for intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions of cyclodecanone triplet state at gamma vs epsilon carbonhydrogen bonds leads to the prediction that abstraction of γ-hydrogen atoms should be more facile than abstraction of e-hydrogen atoms. Irradiations in cyclohexane are reported to produce only 10-decalols, products of e-hydrogen atom abstraction. Irradiation in t-butanol produced a 1-hydroxybicyclo[6.2.0]octane as the major product in agreement with the calculations. The results are rationalized in terms of competing revertible hydrogen abstraction steps.
Evaluating a telecourse on aging

Growing Old in a New Age is a 13‐hr telecourse in gerontology produced by the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1993. The telecourse producers at the university have been teaching the course for several years, and this article reports on findings from evaluation efforts. In a first study, students taking the television and classroom‐based versions of the course in 1993‐1994 were compared on a number of outcomes (e.g., completion of assignments, improvements in knowledge and attitudes toward older adults, grades, satisfaction with the course, and access to the instructor). Findings suggested that telecourse students completed more of the readings and rated the videos and readings as more helpful than did the in‐class students, but that in‐class students reported better access to the instructor. Upon posttest, both groups showed similar improvements in attitude, but only the classroom group reported a significant increase in knowledge as measured by the Palmore Facts on Aging quizzes. Both groups reported en...
The contemporary psychodynamic developmental perspective.

Authors address the transformations taking place in the last 25 years in the theory and practice of developmental psychoanalysis. They emphasize the role of attachment theory in this process and its clinical applications to the work with children and families and the social systems supporting them. The article also describes and explores a move toward an integrative and systemic developmental psychodynamic approach and its relevance to today's practitioner.
Syntheses and x-ray crystal structures of tetrakis(diphenylamido)niobium(IV) and niobium(IV) amido-halide complexes

Abstract The syntheses of three niobium(IV) amido complexes, tetrakis(diphenylamido)-niobium(IV), bis(bistrimethylsilamido)dichloroniobium(IV) and bis(bistrimethylsilylamido)-dibromoniobium(IV), are reported as well as the X-ray crystal structure of the homoleptic amide.
Tye’s missing shade of blue

Pure hues are those that are perceived as not being tinged with any other hue. Pure blue is a blue with no perceived component of green, violet or red. A striking empirical finding is that individuals with normal colour vision disagree about which specific hues are pure. What looks like pure blue to John will look like a greenish blue to Jane. This seems to pose a problem for the common-sense view that colours are properties of physical objects or their surfaces. Tye (2006a) notes that this finding has been used to criticize colour objectivism and representationalist accounts of the phenomenal character of colour experience, and to support projectionist views that hold that 'colour is something we erroneously project onto the world' (2006a: 174). Projectionism includes the subjectivist view that colours are internal states or properties of the perceiver. Tye's broad aim is to offer a scenario that accounts for the empirical finding in a way that avoids projectionism, thus preserving colour objectivism in general and in particular the representationalism about colour that Tye favors. The empirical finding leads Tye to pose 'The puzzle of true [i.e. pure] blue' (2006a: title): John and Jane cannot both be right about which specific hue is true blue, because they disagree about the specific hue. They cannot both be wrong, because that would entail projectionism. But since John and Jane are both normal perceivers, it cannot be the case that one of them is right and the other wrong.1 Tye's solution to the puzzle is to propose that true blue is an objective property of physical objects, surfaces or volumes, but that human colour perception is not acute enough to determine which objects, surfaces or volumes actually have this property. In Tye's scenario, it was evolutionary advantageous for humans to distinguish between coarse-grained or deter minable colours such as blue and green, but not similarly advantageous to distinguish the fine-grained differences between determinate hues, such
Architecture of Ure2p Prion Filaments: THE N-TERMINAL DOMAINS FORM A CENTRAL CORE FIBER *

The [URE3] prion is an inactive, self-propagating, filamentous form of the Ure2 protein, a regulator of nitrogen catabolism in yeast. The N-terminal "prion" domain of Ure2p determines its in vivo prion properties and in vitro amyloid-forming ability. Here we determined the overall structures of Ure2p filaments and related polymers of the prion domain fused to other globular proteins. Protease digestion of 25-nm diameter Ure2p filaments trimmed them to 4-nm filaments, which mass spectrometry showed to be composed of prion domain fragments, primarily residues approximately 1-70. Fusion protein filaments with diameters of 14-25 nm were also reduced to 4-nm filaments by proteolysis. The prion domain transforms from the most to the least protease-sensitive part upon filament formation in each case, implying that it undergoes a conformational change. Intact filaments imaged by cryo-electron microscopy or after vanadate staining by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed a central 4-nm core with attached globular appendages. STEM mass per unit length measurements of unstained filaments yielded 1 monomer per 0.45 nm in each case. These observations strongly support a unifying model whereby subunits in Ure2p filaments, as well as in fusion protein filaments, are connected by interactions between their prion domains, which form a 4-nm amyloid filament backbone, surrounded by the corresponding C-terminal moieties.
A nanoimprinted plasmonic substrate for both local preconcentration and SERS detection

In this paper, we present a novel plasmonic substrate for both local preconcentration and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. The plasmonic substrate is fabricated by nanoimprint process and then overlaid a thin silver film to adjust the surface plasmon resonance wavelength. Both photothermal conversion and SERS-active wavelength are designed for He-Ne Laser. The measurement process includes three steps. First of all, local concentration is performed by laser induced heating on the plasmonic substrate (over 100°C) to create a small bubble in high power mode (10mW). Then turn off the laser, the target analyte (Rhodamine 6G solution) will concentrate to the center as the bubble disappeared. Finally, the SERS spectra are taken in low power mode (1mW). The intensity of SERS signal at the concentrated region is an order of magnitude larger than the untreated region. The repeatability of this preconcentration process makes it a good candidate to amplify small SERS signals especially for trace detections.
Opportunities for nurses in the era of electronic health records

Nursing leaders are currently faced with opportunities to advance nursing’s role in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Nurse leaders can advance the design of EHRs with nurse informaticists to improve health outcomes of individual and populations of patients.
An empirical investigation of multinational firms' compliance with International Accounting Standards

Abstract Over the years, the number of firms acknowledging adherence to International Accounting Standards (IAS) in the presentation of their financial statements has increased steadily. Since adherence to IAS is not mandatory, the questions are who are these firms, what are their characteristics, and why are they voluntarily complying with IAS. This study examines the underlying motivations and characteristics of firms complying with IAS. This examination is of special interest to the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) for assessing the merits of mandating IAS by multinational firms. It also helps accounting researchers in understanding the disclosure behavior of multinationals. Our results indicate that the magnitude of a firm's foreign operations, its financing policy, membership of certain geographical and trade blocks in the European Union (EU), and multiple listing on foreign stock exchanges are significantly associated with multinationals' compliance with IAS.
First-principles study of diffusion of interstitial and vacancy in α U―Zr

Metallic uranium-zirconium alloys are of interest for a variety of fast reactor designs, and there is substantial experience with the behavior of metallic fuels. Yet, there remain a number of questions regarding the mechanisms controlling fission-gas-driven swelling in these alloys. Here we present results of ab initio calculations of the diffusion behavior of interstitial and vacancy point defects in α U-Zr alloys. The formation energy and migration barrier of vacancy and interstitial defects, and the influence of Zr on these values, is obtained and compared with experimental results. Our results confirm that self-diffusion in pure α U is via a simple vacancy mechanism, and shows anisotropic character. The calculated values of activation energy are consistent with the experimental results in the literature. For interstitial diffusion, the kick-out mechanism was found to have the smallest energy barrier. The calculations of point defects, and later Xe, in U-Zr alloys will provide a foundation for computational modeling of fission gas bubble nucleation and growth.
The effect of aurintricarboxylic acid, an endonuclease inhibitor, on ischemia/reperfusion damage in rat retina.

ABSTRACT Apoptosis is a form of cell death distinct from necrosis showing distinctive morphologic features and may require energy. It is under various control mechanisms and may involve an endonucl...
WNT7A mutations in patients with Müllerian duct abnormalities.

Abstract Study objective WNT7A gene mutations were evaluated as a potential cause for Mullerian duct derivative abnormalities in human females. The WNT gene family encodes glycoproteins that serve as signaling molecules during early development. The WNT7A gene has been previously identified as necessary for normal murine Mullerian duct development. WNT7A mutant mice display several Mullerian duct derivative abnormalities. Design Molecular genetic analysis of female patients with Mullerian duct derivative abnormalities. Setting Medical center-based academic research institution. Participants 40 women with developmental abnormalities of the uterus and vagina and 12 normal controls. Interventions Polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification from human genomic DNA and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of amplified DNA fragments. Main outcome measures Presence or absence of WNT7A gene mutations in analyzed DNA fragments. Results No mutations were found in the WNT7A gene in any patient or control tested. Conclusions WNT7A mutations are an unlikely cause of Mullerian duct derivative abnormalities in humans.
SMART BRIDGE: Expert bridge classification system

Abstract SMART BRIDGE has been designed and built to fill a gap in the analysis function of the US military. While there are some very qualified bridge engineers associated with the military, there are not nearly enough to analyze every bridge that might be encountered. SMART BRIDGE can assist military personnel evaluate routes available for the movement of troops and equipment by computing the carrying capacities of each bridge on the route. This tool, usable by engineers with varying levels of expertise, determines the Military-Load Classification of bridges using various methods depending on the amount of information available. The tool has captured the complete requirements for bridge classification including: What data items are required, how to determine values for these data items, how each item interacts with the others, and how to calculate classification values.
TRENDS IN THE OPTICAL ROTATORY DISPERSION SPECTRA OF R-(−)-1,2-PROPYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATO COMPLEXES OF GROUPS IIA,IIB,IIIA,IIIB,IVB AND SOME HEAVY METALS

Abstract A general periodic trend was observed in the optical rotatory dispersion spectra of the R-(−)-1,2-propylenediamine-tetraacetato (R(−)PDTA) complexes of Group IIA metals: magnesium(II), calcium(II), strontium(II), and barium(II); Group IIIB metals: scandium(III), yttrium(III), and lanthanum(III); Group IVB metals: titanium(IV), zirconium(IV), and thorium(IV); Group IIB metals: zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II); Group IIIA metals: aluminum(III), indium(III), and thallium(III); and the heavy metals: mercury(II), thallium(III), lead(II), and bismuth(III). The periodic trend was related to the ionic potential of the metals within each group, in that as the ionic potential increases within a group, the molecular rotations decrease from a positive to a negative value at any given wavelength outside of a region of anomalous optical rotatory dispersion. Comparing the heavy metal, mercury(II), lead(II), thallium(III), and bismuth(III), complexes of R(−)PDTA, outside of the region of anomalous rotatory...
LIS1 Deficiency Promotes Dysfunctional Synaptic Integration of Granule Cells Generated in the Developing and Adult Dentate Gyrus

Type I lissencephaly, a neuronal migration disorder characterized by cognitive disability and refractory epilepsy, is often caused by heterozygous mutations in the LIS1 gene. Histopathologies of malformation-associated epilepsies have been well described, but it remains unclear whether hyperexcitability is attributable to disruptions in neuronal organization or abnormal circuit function. Here, we examined the effect of LIS1 deficiency on excitatory synaptic function in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus, a region believed to serve critical roles in seizure generation and learning and memory. Mice with heterozygous deletion of LIS1 exhibited robust granule cell layer dispersion, and adult-born granule cells labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein were abnormally positioned in the molecular layer, hilus, and granule cell layer. In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, reduced LIS1 function was associated with greater excitatory synaptic input to mature granule cells that was consistent with enhanced release probability at glutamatergic synapses. Adult-born granule cells that were ectopically positioned in the molecular layer displayed a more rapid functional maturation and integration into the synaptic network compared with newborn granule cells located in the hilus or granule cell layer or in wild-type controls. In a conditional knock-out mouse, induced LIS1 deficiency in adulthood also enhanced the excitatory input to granule cells in the absence of neuronal disorganization. These findings indicate that disruption of LIS1 has direct effects on excitatory synaptic transmission independent of laminar disorganization, and the ectopic position of adult-born granule cells within a malformed dentate gyrus critically influences their functional maturation and integration.
Generation of GW-level, sub-Angstrom Radiation in the LCLS using a Second-Harmonic Radiator ⁄

Electron beams are strongly microbunched near the high-gain free-electron laser (FEL) saturation with a rich harmonic content in the beam current. While the coherent harmonic emission is possible in a planar undulator, the third-harmonic radiation typically dominates with about 1% of the fundamental power at saturation. In this paper, we discuss the second-harmonic radiation in the Linac Coherent Light Source. We show that by a suitable design of an second-stage undulator with its fundamental frequency tuned to the second harmonic of the first undulator, coherent second-harmonic radiation much more intense than the third-harmonic is emitted. Numerical simulations predict that GW-level, sub-Angstrom x-ray pulses can be generated in a relatively short second-harmonic radiator.
Adolescent Childbearers in Later Life: Maltreatment of Their Schoola-Age Children

In a study of child maltreatment, mothers who began childbearing as younger adolescents (age 17 years or younger), older adolescents (age 18 to 19 years), or adults (age 20 to 24 years) did not differ regarding child maltreatment or maternal self-perceptions of competence, depressive symptoms, or most aspects of social support. Sociodemographic risk factors persisted into later life for adolescent childbearers. Among younger adolescent childbearers (age 17 years or younger), mothers of maltreated and nonmaltreated children did not differ on self-perceptions of social support, competence, or depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic differences between these two groups suggested that younger adolescent childbearers who do not overcome sociodemographic deficits common to early childbearing are at greatest risk for child maltreatment.
The oxidation of HI at low temperatures and the heat of formation of HO2

The kinetics of the oxidation of hydrogen iodide (HI + O2) at low temperature (414–499 K) in the gas phase by the method of iodination kinetics is complicated by a heterogeneous reaction between hydrogen iodide and oxygen. Present work leads to an upper limit for the bimolecular rate constant k1 for the first and rate-determining step (1) These data are combined with an estimated A factor A1 = 109.3±0.2 L/mol·s (assuming a tight linear I···H···O— transition state), to calculate the lower limit of the activation energy for the forward reaction E1. This leads to a minimum value for the heat of formation of the HO2 radical, ΔHf298°(HO2) < 3.0 kcal/mol.
Factors Affecting Bicycling Demand: Initial Survey Findings from the Portland, Oregon, Region

The levels of bicycling in the United States, particularly for nonrecreation purposes and among adults, are low. Only about 1% of the trips that people make in the United States are on bicycles, and less than 5% of trips under 1/2 mi are made on bicycles. Factors influencing the rates of cycling include demographics and environmental factors. Environmental factors can be measured both objectively (e.g., number of miles of bike lanes, average temperature, and street connectivity) and subjectively (e.g., people's ratings or perceptions of the bicycling environment). People's attitudes about travel and mobility likely play a role. This paper uses the results from a random phone survey of adults in the Portland, Oregon, region to explore the relationships between levels of cycling and demographics, objective environmental factors, perceptions of the environment, and attitudes. The survey revealed several significant differences, although additional analysis is necessary. Objective measures of proximity to off...
A terrestrial lidar-based workflow for determining three-dimensional slip vectors and associated uncertainties

Three-dimensional (3D) slip vectors recorded by displaced landforms are difficult to constrain across complex fault zones, and the uncertainties associated with such measurements become increasingly challenging to assess as landforms degrade over time. We approach this problem from a remote sensing perspective by using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and 3D structural analysis. We have developed an integrated TLS data collection and point-based analysis workflow that incorporates accurate assessments of aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties using experimental surveys, Monte Carlo simulations, and iterative site reconstructions. Our scanning workflow and equipment requirements are optimized for single-operator surveying, and our data analysis process is largely completed using new point-based computing tools in an immersive 3D virtual reality environment. In a case study, we measured slip vector orientations at two sites along the rupture trace of the 1954 Dixie Valley earthquake (central Nevada, United States), yielding measurements that are the first direct constraints on the 3D slip vector for this event. These observations are consistent with a previous approximation of net extension direction for this event. We find that errors introduced by variables in our survey method result in
Inferring stable genetic networks from steady-state data

Gene regulatory networks capture the interactions between genes and other cell substances, resulting from the fundamental biological process of transcription and translation. In some applications, the topology of the regulatory network is not known, and has to be inferred from experimental data. The experimental data consist of expression levels of the genes, which are typically measured as mRNA concentrations in micro-array experiments. In a so-called genetic perturbation experiment, small perturbations are applied to equilibrium states and the resulting changes in expression activity are measured. This paper develops novel algorithms that identify a sparse and stable genetic network that explains data obtained from noisy genetic perturbation experiments. Our identification algorithm is based on convex relaxations of the sparsity and stability constraints and can also incorporate a variety of prior knowledge of the network structure. Such knowledge can be either qualitative, specifying positive, negative or no interactions between genes, or quantitative, specifying a range of interaction strengths. Our approach is applied to both synthetic and experimental data, obtained for the SOS pathway in Escherichia coli, and the results show that the stability specification not only ensures consistency with the steady-state assumptions, but also significantly increases the identification performance. Since the method is based on convex optimization, it can be efficiently applied to large scale networks.
Conserved Residues Asp16 and Pro24 of TnaC-tRNAPro Participate in Tryptophan Induction of tna Operon Expression

In Escherichia coli, interactions between the nascent TnaC-tRNA(Pro) peptidyl-tRNA and the translating ribosome create a tryptophan binding site in the ribosome where bound tryptophan inhibits TnaC-tRNA(Pro) cleavage. This inhibition delays ribosome release, thereby inhibiting Rho factor binding and action, resulting in increased tna operon transcription. Replacing Trp12 of TnaC with any other amino acid residue was previously shown to prevent tryptophan binding and induction of tna operon expression. Genome-wide comparisons of TnaC amino acid sequences identify Asp16 and Pro24, as well as Trp12, as highly conserved TnaC residues. Replacing these residues with other residues was previously shown to influence tryptophan induction of tna operon expression. In this study, in vitro analyses were performed to examine the potential roles of Asp16 and Pro24 in tna operon induction. Replacing Asp16 or Pro24 of TnaC of E. coli with other amino acids established that these residues are essential for free tryptophan binding and inhibition of TnaC-tRNA(Pro) cleavage at the peptidyl transferase center. Asp16 and Pro24 are in fact located in spatial positions corresponding to critical residues of AAP, another ribosome regulatory peptide. Sparsomycin-methylation protection studies further suggested that segments of 23S RNA were arranged differently in ribosomes bearing TnaCs with either the Asp16Ala or the Pro24Ala change. Thus, features of the amino acid sequence of TnaC of the nascent TnaC-tRNA(Pro) peptidyl-tRNA, in addition to the presence of Trp12, are necessary for the nascent peptide to create a tryptophan binding/inhibition site in the translating ribosome.
Glycosylation of the Collagen Adhesin EmaA of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Is Dependent upon the Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthetic Pathway

The human oropharyngeal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans synthesizes multiple adhesins, including the nonfimbrial extracellular matrix protein adhesin A (EmaA). EmaA monomers trimerize to form antennae-like structures on the surface of the bacterium, which are required for collagen binding. Two forms of the protein have been identified, which are suggested to be linked with the type of O-polysaccharide (O-PS) of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesized (G. Tang et al., Microbiology 153:2447-2457, 2007). This association was investigated by generating individual mutants for a rhamnose sugar biosynthetic enzyme (rmlC; TDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-d-glucose 3,5-epimerase), the ATP binding cassette (ABC) sugar transport protein (wzt), and the O-antigen ligase (waaL). All three mutants produced reduced amounts of O-PS, and the EmaA monomers in these mutants displayed a change in their electrophoretic mobility and aggregation state, as observed in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels. The modification of EmaA with O-PS sugars was suggested by lectin blots, using the fucose-specific Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA). Fucose is one of the glycan components of serotype b O-PS. The rmlC mutant strain expressing the modified EmaA protein demonstrated reduced collagen adhesion using an in vitro rabbit heart valve model, suggesting a role for the glycoconjugant in collagen binding. These data provide experimental evidence for the glycosylation of an oligomeric, coiled-coil adhesin and for the dependence of the posttranslational modification of EmaA on the LPS biosynthetic machinery in A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Correlated Noise and Gain in Unfilled and Epoxy‐Underfilled Hybridized HgCdTe Detectors

ABSTRACT Spatially correlated noise in focal plane arrays (FPAs) affects the photometric signal‐to‐noise ratio and can lead to overestimation of conversion gain (detector nodal capacitance). Capacitive coupling leads to charge sharing between neighboring pixels and correlates the measured pixel signal. This correlation can lead to image degradation, in particular for undersampled large survey telescopes. We present new comparative measurements of the interpixel coupling of 1.7 and 2.5 μm cutoff HgCdTe FPAs. Rockwell Scientific FPAs with epoxy underfill exhibit correlations that result in a 16%–20% systematic overestimation of the conversion gain. Results for a Raytheon Vision Systems 1.7 μm cutoff HgCdTe detector tested both before and after epoxy underfill show increased coupling in the presence of the epoxy, but the coupling is not spatially symmetric. We speculate that the difference in the observed correlation for each vendor is related to multiplexer geometry and pixel nodal capacitance.
Retrograde cerebral perfusion: report of a fatal complication from a subarachnoid venous hemorrhage during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

n b w f i t r d f HORACOABDOMINAL AORTIC SURGERY has become a viable option for treatment of life-threatening iseases of the aorta including aortic dissection and aortic neurysms. Nonetheless, there remain significant perioperative omplications arising primarily from ischemic injury affecting he spinal cord, the heart, the gut, and the kidneys. An unusual ase of a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage in a patient having horacoabdominal surgery with use of deep hypothermic circuatory arrest (DHCA) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) s presented.
Bi-criteria models for all-uses test suite reduction

Using bi-criteria decision making analysis, a new model for test suite minimization has been developed that pursues two objectives: minimizing a test suite with regard to a particular level of coverage while simultaneously maximizing error detection rates. This new representation makes it possible to achieve significant reductions in test suite size without experiencing a decrease in error detection rates. Using the all-uses inter-procedural data flow testing criterion, two binary integer linear programming models were evaluated, one a single-objective model, the other a weighted-sums bi-criteria model. The applicability of the bi-criteria model to regression test suite maintenance was also evaluated. The data show that minimization based solely on definition-use association coverage may have a negative impact on the error detection rate as compared to minimization performed with a bi-criteria model that also takes into account the ability of test cases to reveal error. Results obtained with the bi-criteria model also indicate that test suites minimized with respect to a collection of program faults are effective at revealing subsequent program faults.
Large-Scale InP Photonic Integrated Circuits: Enabling Efficient Scaling of Optical Transport Networks

An overview of commercially available large-scale photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in indium phosphide is provided. Results of 100-Gb/s PICs that are field-deployed in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) networks is provided, along with development results showing scaling of both channel count and channel bit rate to implement next-generation PICs with an aggregate capacity of 1.6 Tb/s. Use of PIC-enabled WDM systems allows affordable optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversion and the implementation of "digital" optical networks with enhanced sub-wavelength reconfigurable bandwidth management, digital performance monitoring, and protection features. PICs will enable the continued capacity scaling required for next-generation IP core networks and support of high-bandwith 40-G and 100-GbE service connectivity between core routers
Using multiple imputation and propensity scores to test the effect of car seats and seat belt usage on injury severity from trauma registry data

Background Missing data and the retrospective, nonrandomized nature of trauma registries can decrease the quality of registry-based research. Therefore, we used multiple imputation and propensity scores to test the effect of car seats and seat belt usage on injury severity in children involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence of the Pleiotropic Effects of the Hydroxy-Methyl-Glutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Central Nervous System Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

The hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, better known as statins, are principally used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and play a pivotal role in the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke. Evidence also exists for the potential benefits from statin use in a variety of other disease processes, conferred via their non-lipid lowering properties, which are known as pleiotropic effects. Our paper serves as a focused and updated discussion on the pleiotropic effects of statins in neurological disorders. Emphasis is placed on the discussion of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, and their importance in further elucidating this interesting phenomenon.
Variations in crop variables within wheat canopies and responses of canopy spectral characteristics and derived vegetation indices to different vertical leaf layers and spikes

Abstract The fundamental basis for applying remote sensing methods to crop assessments is the interrelationships between crop features and canopy spectral characteristics. Thus, a thorough understanding of the differences in the distributions of crop variables among different vertical layers and modules, as well as the effects of these layers and modules on canopy spectral characteristics and derived vegetation indices, is vital to improving the performance of crop monitoring by remote sensing. The main goal of this work was to provide insight into the above issues based on field measurements of winter wheat under different treatments during anthesis. The results demonstrated that the leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll a and b content (Chla + b), nitrogen (N) content per unit leaf area (NL), N concentration on a mass basis (NM), dry matter accumulation (DM), N accumulation (NA), and water content (Wc) in leaves and stems generally exhibited great vertical differences within wheat canopies during anthesis. There were also significant differences in NM, DM, NA, and Wc among the different plant modules (i.e., leaves, stems, and spikes) and the entire canopy. Moreover, the removal of wheat spikes and different vertical leaf layers had evident effects on the canopy spectral reflectance, and there were differences in the types and degrees of these effects at different wavelengths and treatments. In most cases, the vegetation indices decreased after removing wheat spikes and different leaf layers, although a few indices increased. There were also some vegetation indices that responded weakly to removal events. In comparison, the vegetation indices mostly showed stronger responses to the removal of the top 1st leaves than the spikes. To a certain extent, the responses to the removal of the top 2nd leaves were comparable to those of the top 1st leaves. The responses of most vegetation indices to the top 3rd leaves' removal were less than the responses to the top 2nd leaves' removal. In the case of the removal of the top 4th leaves and below, many of the RV (i.e., relative variation rate) absolute values of vegetation indices were greater than those of the top 3rd leaves' removal but smaller than or close to those of the top 2nd leaves' removal; this may partly be because all the withered and dead leaves covering the soil surface were also removed in this case. The above findings indicated that crop features may not be well characterized when they are based solely on leaves, especially only the upper leaves, as the lower leaves, stems, and spikes also have important effects. Moreover, wheat spikes, not just leaves, and even bottom-layer leaves, could have evident effects on canopy reflectance characteristics and derived vegetation indices. More effort is needed in future research to obtain a thorough understanding of the effects of canopy heterogeneity on canopy spectral characteristics and the relationships between crop variables and spectral vegetation indices.
Career and Technical Education: Academic Achievement and Graduation Rates of Students in the Commonwealth of Virginia

The No Child Left Behind legislation was signed into law to ensure children in the United States receive quality education and learn the skills needed to be successful. Career and technical educati...
VEGF-A/VEGFR Inhibition Restores Hematopoietic Homeostasis in the Bone Marrow and Attenuates Tumor Growth

Antiangiogenesis-based cancer therapies, specifically those targeting the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 pathway, have been approved for subsets of solid tumors. However, these therapies result in an increase in hematologic adverse events. We surmised that both the bone marrow vasculature and VEGF receptor-positive hematopoietic cells could be impacted by VEGF pathway-targeted therapies. We used a mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer to decipher the mechanism by which VEGF pathway inhibition alters hematopoiesis. Tumor-bearing animals, while exhibiting increased angiogenesis at the primary tumor site, showed signs of shrinkage in the sinusoidal bone marrow vasculature accompanied by an increase in the hematopoietic stem cell-containing Lin-cKit(+)Sca1(+) (LKS) progenitor population. Therapeutic intervention by targeting VEGF-A, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 inhibited tumor growth, consistent with observed alterations in the primary tumor vascular bed. These treatments also displayed systemic effects, including reversal of the tumor-induced shrinkage of sinusoidal vessels and altered population balance of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, manifested by the restoration of sinusoidal vessel morphology and hematopoietic homeostasis. These data indicate that tumor cells exert an aberrant systemic effect on the bone marrow microenvironment and VEGF-A/VEGFR targeting restores bone marrow function.
Performance evaluation of iris-based recognition system implementing PCA and ICA encoding techniques

In this paper, we describe and analyze the performance of two iris-encoding techniques. The first technique is based on Principle Component Analysis (PCA) encoding method while the second technique is a combination of Principal Component Analysis with Independent Component Analysis (ICA) following it. Both techniques are applied globally. PCA and ICA are two well known methods used to process a variety of data. Though PCA has been used as a preprocessing step that reduces dimensions for obtaining ICA components for iris, it has never been analyzed in depth as an individual encoding method. In practice PCA and ICA are known as methods that extract global and fine features, respectively. It is shown here that when PCA and ICA methods are used to encode iris images, one of the critical steps required to achieve a good performance is compensation for rotation effect. We further study the effect of varying the image resolution level on the performance of the two encoding methods. The major motivation for this study is the cases in practice where images of the same or different irises taken at different distances have to be compared. The performance of encoding techniques is analyzed using the CASIA dataset. The original images are non-ideal and thus require a sequence of preprocessing steps prior to application of encoding methods. We plot a series of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROCs) to demonstrate various effects on the performance of the iris-based recognition system implementing PCA and ICA encoding techniques.
Compliance Accelerates Relaxation in Muscle by Allowing Myosin Heads to Move Relative to Actin

The mechanisms that limit the speed at which striated muscles relax are poorly understood. This work presents, to our knowledge, novel simulations that show that the time course of relaxation is accelerated by interfilamentary movement resulting from series compliance; force drops faster when myosin heads move relative to actin during relaxation. This insight was obtained by using cross-bridge distribution techniques to simulate the mechanical behavior of half-sarcomeres that were connected in series with springs of varying stiffness. (The springs mimic the combined effects of half-sarcomere heterogeneity and muscle’s series elastic component.) Half-sarcomeres that shortened by >∼10 nm when they were activated subsequently relaxed with a biphasic profile; force initially declined slowly and approximately linearly before collapsing with a fast exponential time course. Stretches imposed during the linear phase quickened relaxation, while shortening movements prolonged the time course. These predictions are consistent with data from experiments performed by many other groups using single muscle fibers and isolated myofibrils. When half-sarcomeres were linked to stiff springs (so that they did not shorten appreciably during the simulations), force relaxed with a slow exponential time course and did not show biphasic behavior. Together, these results suggest that fast relaxation of striated muscle is an emergent property that reflects multiscale interactions within the muscle architecture. The nonlinear behavior during relaxation reflects perturbations to the dynamic coupling of regulated binding sites and cycling myosin heads that are induced by interfilamentary movement.
Prostate cancer characterization by optical contrast enhanced photoacoustics.

During the past decades, prostate cancer (PCa), with an annual incident rate much higher than any other cancer, is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men. PCa has a relatively low progression rate yet the survival percentage decreases dramatically once the cancer has metastasized. Identifying aggressive from indolent PCa to prevent metastasis and death is critical to improving outcomes for patients with PCa. Standard procedure for assessing the aggressiveness of PCa involves the removal of tumor tissues by transrectal (TR) ultrasound (US) guided needle biopsy. The microscopic architecture of the biopsied tissue is visualized by histological or immunohistochemical staining procedures. The heterogeneity of the microscopic architecture is characterized by a Gleason score, a quantitative description of the aggressiveness of PCa. Due to the inability to identify the cancer cells, most noninvasive imaging modalities can only provide diagnosis of PCa at limited accuracy. This study investigates the feasibility of identifying PCa tumors and characterizing the aggressiveness of PCa by photoacoustic imaging assisted by cancer targeting polyacrylamide (PAA) nanoparticles (NPs). PAA is a biocompatible material used in clinics for the past 20 years. PAA NPs can protect capsulated optical contrast agents from interference by enzymes and enable prolonged systematic circulation in the living biological environment. The cancer targeting mechanism is achieved by conjugating the NPs to F3 peptides, which trace nucleolin overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. Preliminary studies have shown that the NPs are capable of staining the PCa cells in vivo.
Unusual electronic effects imparted by bridging dinitrogen: an experimental and theoretical investigation.

We describe the preparation, structural and magnetic characterizations, and electronic structure calculations for a redox-related family of dinitrogen-bridged chromium acetylide complexes containing the [RC2Cr(μ-N2)CrC2R]n+ (R = Ph−, iPr3Si−; n = 0, 1, 2) backbone: [(dmpe)4Cr2(C2Ph)2(μ-N2)] (1), [(dmpe)4Cr2(C2SiiPr3)2(μ-N2)] (2), [(dmpe)4Cr2(C2SiiPr3)2(μ-N2)]BArF4 (3), and [(dmpe)4Cr2(C2SiiPr3)2(μ-N2)](BArF4)2 (4). Compounds 3 and 4 are synthesized via chemical oxidation of 2 with [Cp2Co]+ and [Cp*2Fe]+, respectively. X-ray structural analyses show that the alteration of the formal Cr oxidation states does not appreciably change the Cr−N−N−Cr skeletal structures. Magnetic data collected for 2 and 4 are consistent with high-spin triplet and quintet ground states, respectively. The mixed-valent complex 3 exhibits temperature dependent magnetic behavior consistent with a quartet ⇌ doublet two-center spin equilibrium. Electronic structure calculations (B3LYP) performed on the full complexes in 2 and 4 suggest...
Insect anatomy-morphology: quo vadis?

In the decades ahead, arthropod anatomy-morphology will be pursued vigorously at the molecular level because, to be on the cutting edge, it will have to remain in the mainstream of modern biology. This view should in no way be construed to mean that studies of classical anatomy-morphology at the gross, macro, micro, and ultrastructural and subcellular levels will not be needed or become irrelevant; on the contrary, such studies will serve as prerequisites to those at the molecular level. Historically, because its foundations were laid in the 17th century, arthropod anatomy-morphology has progressed from the gross to tissue and cellular levels during the 18th and 19th centuries and ultrastructural and the beginnings of molecular levels in the 20th century. And each century has had its pioneers. At the close of the 19th century, insect anatomy-morphology had finally come of age and our knowledge of most organ systems of insects and other arthropods at the macro, micro, tissue, and cellular levels had matured enough to enable anatomists-morphologists of the present century to make broad strides and fill in the details. In the future, insect anatomy-morphology will have the potential and the promise to offer the glamor and the intrigue of molecular biology. It will be necessary, however, to train future entomologists broadly in molecular biology to enable them to cope with the research challenges of the future. It is suggested that the Entomological Society of America launch three new initiatives: (1) sponsor or develop data banks on entomological topics to participate fully in the fast-developing interactive technology that will require instant transmission of information on all conceivable topics (In fact, these electronic superhighways will transform teaching of entomology as we know it and also access to and retrieval of scientific literature in all disciplines, including molecular biology and entomology.); (2) create a new section for morphology, cytogenetics, and developmental biology to foster their growth and to facilitate programming; and (3) recognize the reality of overlapping interests of ESA members in several subdisciplines of entomology, and provide multisection memberships, as does the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
EFFECT OF THIOACETAMIDE-INDUCED SUBLETHAL HEPATIC CELL INJURY ON PROTEIN SYNTHESIS.

SummaryElectron microscopic and radiochemical studies were performed in mild sublethal hepatic cell injury (cloudy swelling) produced by small peroral doses of thioacetamide. Azurophilia, ribosomes and polyribosomes decreased or disappeared in injured cells at 5 1/2 hours. At 48 hours the cells in the outer portion of the lobule contained a marked increase in ribosomes and polyribosomes, while centrally located cells continued to show evidence of the earlier injury. At 5 1/2 hours after thioacetamide there was a decreased uptake of the label from administered C14-L-leucine in serum albumin and in total hepatic protein while it was increased in the hepatic RNA-protein. These findings were interpreted to indicate that incorporation of amino acid into hepatic RNA-protein is not measurably impaired by mild injury due to thioacetamide, but that synthesis or secretion of serum albumin is impaired. At 48 hours, amino acid incorporation in total hepatic protein was decreased in thioacetamide treated animals, but ...
The Recession of 2008 and Its Impact on Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions in Three Western United States Cities

The global economic recession of 2008–2010 severely depressed light-duty vehicle sales in the United States. On-road fleets observed with a remote vehicle exhaust sensor in 2013 at three historical sampling locations in Denver, Los Angeles, and Tulsa showed large reductions in the fleet fractions of 2009 model year vehicles of 40%, 38%, and 35%, respectively, when compared to prerecession 2007 levels with the light-duty truck category suffering the largest percentage declines. The fleet fraction for these ∼5 year old vehicles is normally reserved for vehicles more than twice their age. This resulted in a significant increase in the on-road freeway fleet age, which had been relatively stable. The fleet average age increased by two years in Denver and Los Angeles but only by one year in Tulsa, likely due to its faster economic recovery. Using fleet fractions from previous data sets, we estimated age-adjusted mean emissions increases for the 2013 fleet to be 17–29% higher for carbon monoxide, 9–14% higher fo...