cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Family functioning and adolescent behavior problems: A moderated mediation model of caregiver depression and neighborhood collective efficacy

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of early adolescents’ ecological systems on their behavior problems later in middle adolescence. Specifically, this study tested: (1) whether caregiver depression mediated the relationship between family functioning and behavior problems (internalizing problems or externalizing problems) and (2) how those mediating effects vary depending on levels of neighborhood collective efficacy. The sample was drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, consisting of 450 participants for which complete data were available at ages 12, 14, and 16. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS Macro 3.4. with the regression bootstrapping method. The results showed that caregiver depression significantly mediated the relationship between family functioning and adolescents’ behavioral problems for both internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Furthermore, in the two moderated mediation models, the indirect effect of family functioning on internalizing problems through caregiver depression was significantly different based on levels of neighborhood collective efficacy, but it was not significantly different for externalizing problems. Specifically, the indirect effect of family functioning on internalizing problems was greater for adolescents living in neighborhoods with lower levels of collective efficacy than those in neighborhoods with moderate and high levels of collective efficacy. The findings on ecological system risk and protective factors provide important implications for early interventions to mitigate behavioral problems among adolescents.
An Assessment of Patient Selection for Impella Device Implantation in Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction In patients with refractory heart failure, there is increasing interest in the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices as a bridge to recovery or advanced cardiac therapies. One such family of devices, Impella (ABIOMED), is approved for use in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS), but has seen increased use in non-AMI-CS. The goal of this study was to better characterize patient selection for device implantation and outcomes among a contemporary cohort of patients supported with Impella for cardiogenic shock. Methods We collected data on all patients with these devices in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center between November 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2019. Patients already on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with subsequent Impella placement for left ventricular unloading and those solely undergoing an Impella-supported procedure were excluded. Results See Table 1 for full demographics. Twenty-four (63.2%) patients had an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) at or prior to Impella insertion. Overall survival to discharge for the cohort was 44.7%. According to the Society of Coronary Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) cardiogenic shock classification at the time of CVICU admission, 55.6% in SCAI stage C, 53.3% in SCAI stage D, and 30.8% in SCAI stage E survived to discharge. Five of twenty-one patients (23.8%) who did not survive to discharge died within 12 hours of implantation due to refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest; three of these (60%) were in Stage E shock at the time of CVICU admission. Conclusions These data suggest heterogenous selection of patients for implantation of Impella devices for cardiogenic shock. In particular, it is of concern that fewer than two-thirds of patients referred had hemodynamic monitoring with PAC prior to or at the time of device implantation, as recent studies have suggested a mortality benefit with the early use of PACs in the diagnosis and management of cardiogenic shock. The early use of PACs may help appropriately select candidates for not just mechanical support, but the right type of support. This retrospective review of our data is not powered to detect statistically significant differences. However, it helps guide understanding of clinical problems that need additional data and randomized studies to improve outcomes. Even the best medical devices, when deployed in the wrong patient, at the wrong time, or for the wrong reason are likely to yield poor outcomes.
Chapter 19: Telemedicine in India and Its Impact on Public Health

Despite being part of a current global trend, the incorporation of telemedicine into different countries is not uniform, given the tremendous amount of diversity worldwide in terms of climate, economics, and disease burden. India, a country of more than a billion people, is even more likely to experience barriers to successfully incorporating technology into medicine, especially given its enormous rural pockets and poverty rates. This remoteness and lack of access to technology will carry a tremendous health burden for many Indians in the coming years as technology is paving the way of the future in medicine. This chapter examines ways in which telemedicine benefits the people of India, unique challenges faced by different populations in India in incorporating telemedicine, and specific examples of technological interfaces that improve healthcare delivery in India.
A Critical Review of the Social and Behavioral Contributions to the Overdose Epidemic

More than 750,000 people in the United States died from an overdose between 1999 and 2018; two-thirds of those deaths involved an opioid. In this review, we present trends in opioid overdose rates ...
Agora: Real-time massive MIMO baseband processing in software

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a key technology in 5G New Radio (NR) to improve spectral efficiency. A major challenge in its realization is the huge amount of real-time computation required. All existing massive MIMO baseband processing solutions use dedicated and specialized hardware like FPGAs, which can efficiently process baseband data but are expensive, inflexible and difficult to program. In this paper, we show that a software-only system called Agora can handle the high computational demand of real-time massive MIMO baseband processing on a single many-core server. To achieve this goal, we identify the rich dimensions of parallelism in massive MIMO baseband processing, and exploit them across multiple CPU cores. We optimize Agora to best use CPU hardware and software features, including SIMD extensions to accelerate computation, cache optimizations to accelerate data movement, and kernel-bypass packet I/O. We evaluate Agora with up to 64 antennas and show that it meets the data rate and latency requirements of 5G NR.
Freeing the City to Compete

In this paper, I examine how the rights of owners, lenders and residents threaten the functioning of real markets in distressed urban neighborhoods, perpetuating the pall that vacant and abandoned houses cast over their future. Even a single abandoned house can present an example of how the rights of several stakeholders create a form of gridlock known as anticommons, which isolates that property from a potentially transformative transfer of title. In addition to this legal anticommons, some neighborhoods are so beset by vacant property problems that they require coordination of investment that is frustrated by both the multiplicity of private ownership interests and the rights of the residents to be protected against forced relocation. Ultimately, these costs of moving communities forward to a more viable future can prevent them from going anywhere. In confronting transaction costs through title assembly as well as "soft" and "hard" varieties of land assembly, cities are acting to confront historic burdens that make development and provision of public goods more challenging on urban land.
Dissolving the relationship between divorce laws and divorce rates

Law and other causes influence the divorce rate. Thus much is axiomatic. But when an attempt is made to go further and determine the relative influence and effect of law and the sum of other causes, then the controversy opens.1
RECASTING COLLEGIATE ESPORTS: INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF UNIVERSITY TWITCH STREAMERS

Few online communities exhibit the tensions between independence and interdependence better than collegiate esports. Twitch, the primary platform for live streaming esports, is central in such strife. The platform is a vital tool for colleges and athletes to forward brand, community, and entrepreneurship, while simultaneously its unbridled use indicates the need for administration and institutional interventions by universities. As such the proposed study aims to illuminate how collegiate esports clubs, including players, administrators, and program directors, use Twitch to promote independence and interdependence with esports publishers, players, fans, and college culture. Preliminary findings from 19 interviews with athletes and directors suggest some commonalities, particularly in optimism about the platform as a tool for entree into the industry. However, beyond this, directors and athletes diverged when it came to how Twitch should be employed, the labor required to successfully navigate the program, and concerns over toxic behavior associated with competitive gaming that manifested during live play. Finally, grey areas colored the interdependency between Twitch and the university. Monetization and use of streams were not clearly articulated, along with undefined policies on how to act professionally and represent universities on the platform. Ultimately, these early findings point to the lack of knowledge and flexibility of institutions like universities as they increasingly rely on platforms to foster online and offline communities.
Beyond Limb Salvage: Limb Restoration Efforts Following Remote Combat-Related Extremity Injuries Optimize Outcomes and Support Sustained Surgical Readiness.

Introduction As the combat operational tempo of the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan has declined over the last decade, there has been a decrease in the number of patients requiring acute limb salvage. In their place, a growing population of patients with persistent functional deficits, pain, and inadequate soft tissue coverage stemming from prior limb salvage strategies have returned to our institution seeking revision surgery. Herein, we examine our institution's evolving surgical approach to extremity reconstruction from 2011 through 2019, culminating in the development of our limb restoration concept. We also discuss the impact of this orthoplastic approach on the acute management of complex extremity trauma and its role in providing sustained surgical readiness during interwar years. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed all limb reconstructive procedures performed at our tertiary care military treatment facility between September 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019 to characterize the trends in extremity reconstruction procedures performed at our institution. Cases were identified as limb restoration procedures if they involved secondary/revision reconstructive procedures designed to optimize function, treat pain, or improve the durability of the injured extremity following initial reconstruction efforts. Results Nearly 500 limb restoration procedures were performed during the study period. These procedures steadily increased since 2011, reaching a maximum of 120 in 2018. Orthoplastic procedures such as osseointegration, targeted muscle reinnervation, regenerative peripheral nerve interface, agonist-antagonist myoneural interface, and soft tissue resurfacing flap reconstruction accounted for the rise in secondary/revision reconstruction performed during this time period. Conclusion Limb restoration is a collaborative orthoplastic approach that utilizes state-of-the-art surgical techniques for treating complex extremity trauma. Although limb restoration originally developed in response to managing the long-term sequelae of combat extremity trauma, the concept can be adapted to the acute management setting. Moreover, limb restoration provides military surgeons with a means for maintaining critical war-time surgical skills during the current low casualty rate era. Level of Evidence: V, therapeutic.
Living the Carmelite Mission: "Or, Rather of What Use Is Delphina?"

In 1813, Delphina Smith became the twenty-third candidate to be professed at the Carmelite monastery in Port Tobacco, Maryland. Entering this religious house – unique because it was the first religious house to be established by our nation’s first bishop – she was being professed in a monastery that was unique in still another regard. Amazingly, this cloister had been founded in 1790 by four Carmelite women religious who had already been very much involved in the monasteries they had entered in the Low Countries (now Belgium and the Netherlands). Three of the four, however, had actually been born in Maryland and had close generational ties there. Now, as missionaries, they planned to begin America’s first Carmel; none had any intention of engaging in the needed apostolic service that the new environment demanded. Instead, they expected to continue their witness to the gospel through strict enclosure just as they had been doing in Europe. Almost immediately, the nuns clarified their intention when asked by Bishop John Carroll to take up active ministry at Port Tobacco. Decades later, Delphina must have recalled the intentions of the founders when, in poetic form, she penned her thoughtful words regarding her personal “usefulness” in this new land. After all, she clearly understood, as Carroll had, that her community was perceived by Americans as decidedly countercultural in a rapidly growing country that could hardly comprehend the notion of a “hidden life” of constant prayer. No wonder this prayerful young woman questioned whether she could be “of use” to both society and church in such circumstances.
Abstract 612: Endostatin is a novel inhibitor of androgen receptor function in prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Abnormalities in androgen-androgen receptor (AR) axis have long been recognized for their roles in promoting prostate tumor growth and metastasis. Conventional therapies targeting androgen ablation show transient tumor regression, however, when the tumor recurs during castration-refractory metastatic stage, the current treatment options are very limited. Although the precise mechanism by which prostate cancer (PCa) cells circumvent the androgen deprivation is unclear, recurring tumors have been shown to retain AR activity and upregulation of AR-target gene expression such as prostate specific antigen (PSA), suggesting that targeting AR remains a key component of developing novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we show a profound effect of endostatin, an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, on proliferation and invasion of AR-positive PCa cells by targeting AR function. The present study identified that intracellular trafficking of endostatin and direct interaction with AR disrupts AR nuclear translocation and the consequent transcriptional activation of PSA gene. In addition, our structural modeling and site-directed mutagenesis studies suggest that the binding mechanism may include the interaction of bulky side chains (F31 and F34) present in endostatin with the co-activator binding interface (AF-2) in AR ligand-binding domain (LBD). Regarding drug resistance to the second-generation androgen antagonists in patients with metastatic PCa, recent studies revealed that a missense mutation in AR LBD (F876L) and the consequential antagonist-to-agonist switch confers continued AR activity. In this context, our study suggests that endostatin can be recognized as an endogenous AR inhibitor where its molecular interaction with AR may prevent from agonistic switch of AR function by fully masking the AF-2 subdomain. Overall, the current finding provides new insights into endostatin whose anti-cancer activity is not only limited to inhibiting angiogenesis, but can also be expanded to suppressing AR-mediated PCa progression by disrupting AR transactivation. Citation Format: Joo Hyoung Lee, Tatyana Isayeva, Matthew Larson, Diptiman Chanda, Igor Chesnokov, Selvarangan Ponnazhagan. Endostatin is a novel inhibitor of androgen receptor function in prostate cancer. [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 612. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-612
Life equations for the senescence process (1009.2)

Gompertz law of mortality quantitatively describes the mortality rate of humans and almost all multicellular animals. However, this law was found empirically nearly 200 years ago and its underlying kinetic mechanism is still unclear. Research has shown that the mortality rate does not follow the Gompertz law at very advanced ages and the Gompertz law cannot explain why temperature can affect lifespan. The author proposed a reaction kinetic model with a time dependent rate coefficient to describe the survival and senescence processes. A new mortality rate equation is established. From this new mortality rate equation, we can obtain the Gompertz law of mortality and show that the Gompertz law is only true when age is less than a characteristic value of life, can derive some important equations reported in Nature (Shaw RF, et al. Temperature and life-span in poikilothermous animals. Nature 196:454-457, 1962) and Science (Strehler BL, et al. General theory of mortality and aging. Science 132(3418):14-21, 1960...
Fetal, parental, and environmental factors associated with perinatal mortality in mothers under 20 years of age.

Abstract 1. 1. Excessive parity in young mothers and illegitimacy are associated with higher perinatal mortality rate. 2. 2. This increased perinatal mortality rate involves both fetal and neonatal components with the neonatal component predominant. 3. 3. Prematurity and toxemia of pregnancy are largely responsible for the increased mortality observed among women under 20 years of age. 4. 4. The socioeconomic status of the patient in this age group is extremely poor and probably accounts for the increased incidence of prematurity and toxemia which are observed.
Sertoli cell secretion of a factor that inhibits the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into cells in vitro.

: Rat Sertoli cells secrete a low molecular weight factor in vitro that inhibits the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into cells. Although the addition of Sertoli cell-conditioned medium (rSCCM) resulted in nearly a threefold stimulation of cell growth, the incorporation of 3H-thymidine was decreased in a dose-dependent manner and did not reflect the increase in cell number. Peritubular cell- and germ cell-conditioned medium did not contain this inhibitory activity. Nor did the conditioned medium from fibroblasts and a variety of cell lines tested. A low molecular weight filtrate of rSCCM (<1,000 Da) contained virtually all of the 3H-thymidine inhibiting activity, as well as about 50% of the mitogenic activity in the rSCCM. The inhibitory activity was eliminated upon removal of the rSCCM and was not due to either growth inhibition or a toxic effect on cell proliferation.
Searching for Planets with the Space Interferometry Mission

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) will be the first space-based long baseline Michelson interferometer designed for precision astrometry. It will address a wide range of problems in stellar astrophysics and Galactic structure, delivering precision astrometry of stars down to 20 magnitude throughout the entire Galaxy. SIM uses a 10-m Michelson interferometer in Earth-trailing solar orbit to provide 4 microarcsecond (gas) precision astrometry. With a 5-year mission lifetime, SIM will be a powerful tool for discovering planets around nearby stars, through detection of the stellar reflex motion. The astrometric method complements the radial velocity technique which as already yielded many new planets, with an important benefit of directly measuring planetary masses. SIM will have a single-measurement precision of 1 microarcsecond in a frame defined by nearby reference stars, enabling searches for planets with masses as small as a few earth masses around the nearest stars. More massive planets will be detectable to much larger distances. In addition to precision astrometry SIM will also serve an important role as a technology precursor for future astrophysics missions using interferometers. Two technologies demonstrated will be high dynamic-range aperture synthesis imaging at 10-milliarcsec resolution in the optical, and fringe nulling to 10 (exp -4).
Can a measurement of the Bs - Bs mass difference establish the CKM paradigm?

Abstract We present a reanalysis of the allowed region in the ϱ-η plane of the CKM matrix, which follows from our present knowledge of the theoretical and experimental parameters associated with quark mixing and CP violation. Besides providing updated expectations for the angles of the unitarity triangle, this reanalysis predicts a range of allowed values for the B s - B s mass difference Δm s . We argue that while values of Δm s ≲ 10 (ps) −1 could be consistent with a non-CKM origin for CP violation in the neutral kaon system, larger values for Δm s would provide strong support for the CKM paradigm.
Teaching Indirect Mirror Laryngoscopy

Indirect mirror laryngoscopy is difficult to learn. An anatomic model of the oropharynx and larynx is described here. This model is used to familiarize medical students with the component skills of mirror laryngoscopy. The students progress to competency at mirror laryngoscopy on patients more quickly after initial use of this model.
In vitro Tests for Platelet Compatibility

. Four methods were investigated to determine their suitability as platelet compatibility procedures: leukoagglutination, lymphocytotoxicity, platelet suspension immunofluorescence and platelet enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. None of the tests were found to reliably predict the 24-hour-posttransfusion platelet increment in 8 refractory thrombocytopenic patients judged refractory to random donor platelet therapy.
A dynamical systems result on asymptotic integration of linear differential systems

Abstract We are interested in the asymptotic integration of linear differential systems of the form x ′=[ Λ ( t )+ R ( t )] x , where Λ is diagonal and R ∈ L p [ t 0 ,∞) for p ∈[1,2]. Our dichotomy condition is in terms of the spectrum of the omega-limit set ω Λ . Our results include examples that are not covered by the Hartman–Wintner theorem.
An algorithm for the retrieval of 30-m snow-free albedo from Landsat surface reflectance and MODIS BRDF

We present a new methodology to generate 30-m resolution land surface albedo using Landsat surface reflectance and anisotropy information from concurrent MODIS 500-m observations. Albedo information at fine spatial resolution is particularly useful for quantifying climate impacts associated with land use change and ecosystem disturbance. The derived white-sky and black-sky spectral albedos may be used to estimate actual spectral albedos by taking into account the proportion of direct and diffuse solar radiation arriving at the ground. A further spectral-to-broadband conversion based on extensive radiative transfer simulations is applied to produce the broadband albedos at visible, near infrared, and shortwave regimes. The accuracy of this approach has been evaluated using 270 Landsat scenes covering six field stations supported by the SURFace RADiation Budget Network (SURFRAD) and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains (ARM/SGP) network. Comparison with field measurements shows that Landsat 30-m snow-free shortwave albedos from all seasons generally achieve an absolute accuracy of ±0.02–0.05 for these validation sites during available clear days in 2003–2005, with a root mean square error less than 0.03 and a bias less than 0.02. This level of accuracy has been regarded as sufficient for driving global and regional climate models. The Landsat-based retrievals have also been compared to the operational 16-day MODIS albedo produced every 8-days from MODIS on Terra and Aqua (MCD43A). The Landsat albedo provides more detailed landscape texture, and achieves better agreement (correlation and dynamic range) with in-situ data at the validation stations, particularly when the stations include a heterogeneous mix of surface covers.
New aspects of polyconductivity

Abstract This paper is a review of some of our current work on diverse aspects of “switchable” materials. We discuss the instability of the metallic state against the insulating state in certain materials, and introduce the concept of an “energy gap of the second kind” to characterize such “polyconductors”. Interesting effects such as negative resistance, semiconductor technology with a variable energy gap, laser beam modulation, high temperature superconductivity, electronic switching, etc., are discussed in this context. Computer solutions of some of our nonlinear characteristics are shown.
Giving Firms an “E” for Effort: Consumer Responses to High-Effort Firms

This research shows that consumers reward firms for extra effort. More specifically, a series of three laboratory experiments shows that when firms exert extra effort in making or displaying their products, consumers reward them by increasing their willingness to pay, store choice, and overall evaluations, even if the actual quality of the products is not improved. This rewarding process is defined broadly as general reciprocity. Consistent with attribution theory, the rewarding of generally directed effort is mediated by feelings of gratitude. When consumers infer that effort is motivated by persuasion, however, they no longer feel gratitude and do not reward high-effort firms.
Thermal-based MEMS vacuum gauges for measuring pressures from 10 −2 Torr to 10 −6 Torr

Bulk micromachined Pirani gauges were designed and fabricated using an H-shaped 1 μm thick silicon nitride support structure and 30 nm of Ni for the meander resistors and connecting metal lines. The distance d between the resistor element and the cold junction was chosen to be 1200 μm. From theoretical and experimental considerations, it is shown that pressures below 10−4 Torr can be measured if the thermal resistances of the two metal lines which connect the resistor element to the cold junction and the thermal support structures are about or larger than 1×106 K/W. Also, the distance d between the resistor element and the cold junction needs to be near or larger than 1000 μm.
Compressive strength of hollow microlattices: Experimental characterization, modeling, and optimal design

Recent advances in multiscale manufacturing enable fabrication of hollow-truss based lattices with dimensional control spanning seven orders of magnitude in length scale (from ∼50 nm to ∼10 cm), thus enabling the exploitation of nano-scale strengthening mechanisms in a macroscale cellular material. This article develops mechanical models for the compressive strength of hollow microlattices and validates them with a selection of experimental measurements on nickel microlattices over a wide relative density range (0.01–10%). The limitations of beam-theory-based analytical approaches for ultralight designs are emphasized, and suitable numerical (finite elements) models are presented. Subsequently, a novel computational platform is utilized to efficiently scan the entire design space and produce maps for optimally strong designs. The results indicate that a strong compressive response can be obtained by stubby lattice designs at relatively high densities (∼10%) or by selectively thickening the nodes at ultra-low densities.
Synaptonemal complex aberrations in the pseudoautosomal region of X, Y chromosomes in irradiated hamsters

The effects of X-radiation, bleomycin and amsacrine (m-AMSA) on the meiotic chromosomes of male Armenian hamsters were determined by electron microscopic analysis of synaptonemal complex (SC) damage. Pachytene stage cells were analyzed 5 or 6 days following their treatment at putative preleptotene-leptotene stages of meiosis. Of the multiple types of SC aberrations observed to be significantly increased over control levels, lateral element breakage and synaptic anomalies were most prevalent. The focus of these studies was on the sex chromosomes which, in the Armenian hamster, reveal an unusually well-defined pseudoautosomal region. In the XY pair, radiation and chemical treatments caused certain forms of structural and synaptic anomalies which appeared to be preferentially localized to telomeric and/or crossover regions. The nature of these specific aberrations, involving breakage, bridge formation and asynapsis, is not well understood; however, their distributions are suggestive of possible relationships with sites and processes of crossing over.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries using more than two projections

Three-dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries from two views often encounters problems such as vessel overlapping and foreshortening (high inclination) in images and points mismatching between two views. These problems restrict the reconstruction accuracy and often cause erroneous results. Based on a two-view algorithm we have developed techniques to incorporate more than two views into the reconstruction. We demonstrate that inclusion of the additional information helps to uniquely match points among views and increases chances that a point can be clearly seen and accurately measured in at least two views. The reconstruction accuracy is consequently improved.
Hypertension in the hemodialysis population: Any relation to one-year survival?

Few studies have quantified the effect of hypertension on survival in the hemodialysis population. We report the effect of hypertension on 1-year survival in 649 hemodialysis patients (89% black). In univariate analysis, hypertension was associated with improved 1-year survival (relative risk [RR], 0.48; P = 0.002 compared with normotensive patients). This effect of hypertension was mostly caused by the associated antihypertensive treatment because untreated hypertensive patients had survival rates equal to normotensive patients (RR, 0.87; P = 0.70). On the other hand, treated hypertensive patients fared better than normotensive patients (RR, 0.41; P = 0.0006). This was also true in multivariate analysis, in which antihypertensive treatment was associated with reduced RR (RR, 0.55; P = 0.02) whereas the level of blood pressure per se was insignificant (RR, 0.99; P = 0.63 per 1 mm Hg increase in predialysis mean arterial pressure). Other factors of significance in multivariate analysis included age (RR, 1.03/y; P = 0.0004), serum albumin (RR, 0.38/g; P = 0.002), and diabetes mellitus (RR, 1.58; P = 0.06). Our study suggests that antihypertensive treatment has a favorable effect on survival in the hemodialysis population irrespective of the level of blood pressure control.
AIDS prevention and cultural sensitivity: are they compatible?

It has become a matter of conventional wisdom, repeated in almost talismanic fashion, that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention programs should be culturally sensitive. It is time to examine the validity of this received wisdom and to make clear that the call for cultural sensitivity entails a number of perspectives, some of which are obvious and uncontroversial, some of which are not so obvious, and some of which are simply false. In the end it will be clear that the most demanding conception of cultural sensitivity is incompatible with the goals ofAIDS prevention. Two arguments are typically made on behalf of the centrality of cultural sensitivity. The first is pragmatic and instrumental; the second is ethical and political. The pragmatic-instrumental claim is expressed forthrightly by Airhihenbuwa and colleagues:
The University of Delaware Rain Garden: Environmental Mitigation of a Building Footprint

Abstract Green technology best management practices such as rain gardens are often used to retrofit and mitigate the footprints of buildings and impervious cover in watersheds. Rain gardens are a recent technology created to help remedy water abuses. A rain garden promotes the environmental benefits of storm water mitigation, water conservation, groundwater recharge, and reduced waterbody pollution. This research documents the process of implementing a rain garden from initiation through completion on the campus of the University of Delaware in the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River watershed. The design considered the surrounding drainage area, infiltration rates, and plant selection. Through this project the researcher sought to create a demonstration that could inspire the public to create rain gardens. Initial goals of the research included preventing standing water from remaining in the garden after a four-day period, avoiding amendments to the native soil, and foregoing the removal of e...
Effects of particle polydispersity and shape factor during dust cake loading on air filters

Abstract The formation and structure of the dust cake on the surface of air filters have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. A novel experimental setup was developed to perform in situ measurement and monitoring of the dust cake height, pressure drop, and the challenge aerosol concentration and size distribution. Test aerosols included the Arizona Road Dust (AC fine), alumina particles, and tale particles. A CCD camera was used to observe and measure the increase of cake thickness with time. The cake mass at a specific time was inferred from the measurement of the final cake mass and the total collection time. A new analytical equation, including the effects of polydispersity and shape-factor of the particles, was derived to correlate all the parameters involved. The equation gives dust cake structure (porosity) as a function of operating conditions (pressure drop and filtration velocity), particle characteristics (particle size distribution and particle shape), and the cake layer thickness. Results for different particle types used in the experiments show a good correlation using the derived equation. The study finds significant effect of polydispersity and shape-factor of dust particles on filter loading.
Methodologies for evaluating long-term stability of dental relationships after orthodontic treatment.

Abstract A comprehensive review of literature which considers methodologies forstudying long-term occlusal stability is presented. This article focuses on the evaluation of plaster study models because occlusal changes are best reflected in longitudinal casts. Of particular interest is the assessment of crowding in the dentition and the various physical and mathematical procedures used to evaluate the measurement of space available. Indices used to assess the overall occlusal results of treatment are also presented.
Hierarchical finite state machines for autonomous mobile systems

Abstract This paper proposes a system architecture, related design approaches for autonomous mobile systems and guidelines for self-sufficient autonomy. Development of a tiered layout for a hybrid-state control in a series of stages as well as the integration of such a controller in the overall autonomy structure are proposed and demonstrated as part of multiple examples, including The Ohio State University participation in DARPA Urban Challenge 2007. The hierarchical layout and the iterative design methodology enable a certain level of design flexibility for the overall system and preparation for various contingencies, as illustrated on specific development cycles.
Reproductive Senescence Blunts Response of Estrogen Receptor-α Expression to Estrogen Treatment in Rat Post-Ischemic Cerebral Microvessels

Background Several studies demonstrate that estrogen treatment improves cerebral blood flow in ischemic brain regions of young ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) may mediate estrogen’s beneficial actions via its effects on the cerebral microvasculature. However, estrogen-derived benefit may be attenuated in aged, reproductively senescent (RS) rats. Our goal was to determine the effects of aging, estrogen deprivation and estrogen repletion with oral conjugated estrogens (CE) on postischemic cerebral microvascular protein expression of ER-α and ER-β.
On constraint qualifications in nonlinear programming

In this paper we examine the relationship between two constraint qualifications developed by Abadie and Arrow, Hurwicz, and Uzawa. A third constraint qualification is discussed and shown to be weaker than either of those mentioned above.
Whole-body autoradiographic disposition, elimination and placental transport of [14C]Tri-o-cresyl phosphate in mice

Tri-o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) is used commercially as a plasticizer and flame retardant. The disposition, metabolism, elimination and transplacental uptake of [phenyl-U-14C]TOCP and/or its metabolites, in pregnant and non-pregnant mice, were examined. Pregnant (18th-day gestation) and non-pregnant, ICR mice were given an i.v. dose of [14C]TOCP (557 microCi kg-1; Specified activity 4.83 microCi mumol-1). At various time intervals (1, 24, 48 and 72 h) the animals were processed for whole-body autoradiography (WBA). Over 72 h the non-pregnant mice excreted 55% of the 14C in the urine and 9% in the feces, while excretion in the urine and feces by the pregnant mice was 50% and 9% of the total dose, respectively. The WBA and its computer-assisted image analysis indicated extensive distribution of the 14C label originally dosed as [14C]TOCP in pregnant mice and their fetuses. The retention of radioactivity in organs such as lung, spleen, gall-bladder and liver of mother and its fetuses suggest that these are the target sites of TOCP toxicity. The distribution in non-pregnant and pregnant mice and in the fetal tissues followed a similar pattern in uptake and retention until 72 h. Brain and spinal cord had the least amount of [14C]TOCP. This finding may support reports that explain the insensitivity of the mice towards organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) of TOCP.
Online Ridge Regression Method Using Sliding Windows

A new regression method based on the aggregating algorithm for regression (AAR) is presented. The proposal shows how ridge regression can be modified in order to reduce the number of operations by avoiding the inverse matrix calculation only considering a sliding window of the last input values. This modification allows algorithm expression in a recursive way and therefore its use in an online context. Ridge regression, AAR and our proposal were compared using the closing stock prices of 45 stocks from the technology market from 2000 to 2012. Empirical results show that our proposal performs better than the other two methods in 28 of 45 stocks analyzed, due to the lower MSE error.
Characterization of heterodimeric alkaline phosphatases from Escherichia coli: an investigation of intragenic complementation.

Abstract Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) belongs to a rare group of enzymes that exhibit intragenic complementation. When certain mutant versions of alkaline phosphatase are combined, the resulting heterodimeric enzymes exhibit a higher level of activity than would be expected based upon the relative activities of the parental enzymes. Nine previously identified alkaline phosphatase complementation mutants were re-examined in this work in order to determine a molecular explanation of intragenic complementation in this experimental system. The locations of these mutations were determined by DNA sequence analysis after PCR amplification of the phosphatase-negative phoA gene. Most of the mutations involved ligands to metal-binding sites. Each of the mutant enzymes was re-created by site-specific mutagenesis, expressed, purified, and kinetically characterized. To investigate cooperativity between the two subunits, we analyzed heterodimeric forms of some of the site-specific mutant enzymes. To enable the isolation of the heterodimeric alkaline phosphatase in pure form, the overall charge of one subunit was altered by replacing the C-terminal Lys residue with three Asp residues. This modification had no effect on the kinetic properties of the enzyme. Heterodimeric alkaline phosphatases were created using two methods: (1) in vitro formation by dissociation at acid pH followed by reassociation at slightly alkaline pH conditions in the presence of zinc and magnesium ions; and (2) in vivo expression from a plasmid carrying two different phoA genes. Increases in k cat , as well as a large reduction in the p- nitrophenyl phosphate K m were observed for certain combinations of mutant enzymes. These results suggest that the structural assembly of E. coli alkaline phosphatase into the dimer induces cooperative interactions between the monomers necessary for the formation of the functional form of the holoenzyme.
Toxicity of Four Organophosphorus Insecticides to a Malathion-Resistant Strain of the Indian Meal Moth in North Carolina

A field-collected and a laboratory strain of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) were treated in the laboratory with malathion and four other organophosphorus compounds. Studies revealed that the field strain of P. interpunctella was >227-fold resistant to malathion. Since most resistance was suppressed by the synergistic action of triphenyl phosphate, the carboxyesterase appears to play a major role in the detoxification mechanism of malathion in this strain. The malathion-resistant strain showed a low level of tolerance to the other four organophosphorus compounds. Tolerance levels to these compounds were: pirimiphos methyl × 1.9; fenitrothion × 1.6; bromophos × 1.3; CGA-20168 (transphosphorothioic acid O, O-dimethyl 0-(2-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylvinyl-ester) × 1.5.
Population survey of the human FMR1 CGG repeat substructure suggests biased polarity for the loss of AGG interruptions

Both sequence length and sequence content are important parameters in determining stability of the fragile X syndrome CGG repeat. In order to estimate the incidence of uninterrupted CGG repeats in the general population and to gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for the loss and acquisition of AGG interruptions, 406 randomly selected FMR1 CGG repeat alleles from four broad ethnic groups were assayed for AGG punctuation. Among the 79 different classes of alleles detected, long uninterrupted tracts of pure repeats were rare in the general population, with only 1/406 or 0.25% found at the instability threshold (34-37 pure CGG repeats). There was no significant difference (P >0.05) in the distribution of alleles with long (>20) pure repeat tracts among the different ethnic groups, suggesting that different ethnic groups should be equally susceptible to the development of this disease. Analysis of an additional 43 alleles with total repeat lengths between 35 and 50 repeats, revealed that highly interrupted CGG repeat alleles (>2 AGG interruptions) occur preferentially at modal repeat lengths in the population, providing confirmatory evidence that the presence of AGG interruptions confers stability. A consideration of length variation of the most 3' tract of pure repeats revealed a bimodal distribution pattern with maxima at approximately 10 and 20 repeats. Only unimodal distributions with maxima at 9 or 10 were observed for the 5' tract and middle CGG tract within the FMR1 CGG repeat substructure. These results suggest that the loss of the most 3' AGG interruption or its conversion to CGG is a common event in the human population, occurring by a mechanism which preserves overall repeat length. This bias for the loss of the distal-most AGG interruption likely plays an important part in predisposing human alleles to the development of the fragile X syndrome.
In Vitro and In Vivo Ovarian Steroidogenesis in the Long Term Hypophysectomized Hamster

Hamsters hypophysectomized between 1200–1300 h on day 4 (proestrus) did not ovulate the next morning (day 1). All antral follicles became atretic within 6 days, and ovarian development was limited to small- and medium-sized preantral follicles and interstitial cells. Serum levels of progesterone (P) were consistently less than 1 ng/ml from days 1–20. Serum 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) also decreased concurrently but remained at relatively high levels until day 2. Thereafter, serum T levels remained the same and E2 levels were below the sensitivity of the assay (≪6 pg/ml) through day 20. The ovarian concentrations of P, E2, and T were low from days 1–20. The steroidogenic capacity of the ovary at different times after hypophysectomy was assessed by 2-h in vitro incubation in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate. One to 8 days after hypophysectomy, the ovary in vitro produced large amounts of P (5–7 ng/mg·h); thereafter, P decreased significantly, but the ovary still synthesized appreciable amounts of P thro...
Hybrid composite rebars for smart concrete structures

In reinforced concrete structures, steel reinforcing bars (rebars) corrode with time and thus reduce their life span. Composite rebars can be used in lieu of steel rebars to overcome this problem. The conventional composite rebars designed to take tensile force are composed of unidirectional fibers in a resin matrix, and are linearly elastic till failure; thus providing a brittle behavior. The problems of corrosion and brittle behavior can be solved by using a composite rebar which fails gradually under tension. The rebar consists of a hybrid composite system in conjunction with helical fibers. The hybrid system gives the rebar its initial stiffness and enables pseudo-yielding at lower strains. As the strain increase, the load is gradually transferred from the hybrid core to the helical fibers, which enables the rebar to undergo large elongations before failure. Embedded fiber optic sensors in the rebar can be used for health monitoring over a long period of time. The proof of concept and preliminary test results are described in the paper.
Modulation of the enkephalinergic phenotype of rat sympathetic neurons by hormonal and transynaptic mechanisms

Most sympathetic neurons contain one or more neuropeptides in addition to catecholamines. Although the regulation of catecholamines has been studied extensively, comparatively little is known about the regulation of neuropeptides. Since glucocorticoids and preganglionic innervation regulate catecholaminergic properties in chromaffin cells, we examined the effects of these factors on a co-localized neuropeptide, leucine enkephalin (L-Enk), in adult rat sympathetic neurons in vivo. Lowered serum glucocorticoid levels as a consequence of bilateral adrenalectomy resulted in a reduction of ganglionic L-Enk content that was reversed by exposure of adrenalectomized animals to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. Surgical denervation of the SCG eliminated L-Enk-IR preganglionic fibers and caused a dramatic increase in the number of L-Enk-IR neurons. Inhibition of the enkephalinergic component of the preganglionic innervation by chronic exposure to the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone increases the number of L-Enk-IR cell bodies and total ganglionic L-Enk content. None of the experimental manipulations noticeably altered the number or distribution of NPY-IR neurons, suggesting that the effects of glucocorticoids and the innervation on ganglionic L-Enk levels were specific and not simply an alteration of the biosynthetic state of the cells. These results demonstrate that circulating glucocorticoids and the preganglionic innervation regulate L-Enk levels in sympathetic neurons. Since both glucocorticoid levels and preganglionic activity are known to be altered by stressful stimuli, acute regulation of sympathetic L-Enk levels may constitute an important component of the autonomic response to stress. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.