cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General purpose graphic processing unit implementation of adaptive pulse compression algorithms

This study introduces a practical approach to implement real-time signal processing algorithms for general surveillance radar based on NVIDIA graphical processing units (GPUs). The pulse compression algorithms are implemented using compute unified device architecture (CUDA) libraries such as CUDA basic linear algebra subroutines and CUDA fast Fourier transform library, which are adopted from open source libraries and optimized for the NVIDIA GPUs. For more advanced, adaptive processing algorithms such as adaptive pulse compression, customized kernel optimization is needed and investigated. A statistical optimization approach is developed for this purpose without needing much knowledge of the physical configurations of the kernels. It was found that the kernel optimization approach can significantly improve the performance. Benchmark performance is compared with the CPU performance in terms of processing accelerations. The proposed implementation framework can be used in various radar systems including ground-based phased array radar, airborne sense and avoid radar, and aerospace surveillance radar.
Natural Liberation in the Sāṃkhyakārikā and Its Commentaries

The subject of this article is the concept of natural liberation in classical Sāṃkhya. On the basis of the Sāṃkhyakārikā by Īśvarakṛṣṇa and its traditional commentaries, I will attempt to demonstrate that liberation from suffering in Sāṃkhya is not the result of rational inquiry—the prevailing view among contemporary scholars. The Sāṃkhya does not necessarily prescribe yogic practice as argued by other scholars. Instead, I will defend a position expressed by K.C. Bhattacharyya and Frank R. Podgorski, according to which liberation in classical Sāṃkhya is a natural and spontaneous process of suffering transforming into its own cure. I will argue that although traditional authorities may disagree over the form the liberating process takes on the phenomenal level (as yogic practice, instruction from a teacher, etc.), there is a general agreement that the natural forces are the primary drives and agents of liberation.
Diagnosis and Classification

Coupled with exploratory behavior, the desire to understand and to classify the things in one’s environment appears to be an inherent human trait. The word iagnosis itself comes from the Greek words dia, meaning apart, and gnosis, meaning to know, thus promoting the idea that to know or understand a condition one must be able to discriminate it from other conditions. The twentieth century psychologist Jean Piaget (1896–1980) postulated that the essence of the beginnings of knowledge in humans begins with the dual abilities of assimilating observations into existing categories and accommodating information that does not fit into existing categories by creating new ones (Piaget, 1932). The earliest roots of the diagnosis and classification of abnormal behavior, no doubt, stretch back into the very dawn of human consciousness and the rise of societal behavior. Acculturation processes and their evolutionary advantages over solitary existence probably served as a major impetus for the necessity of humans to decide who was capable of following the rules of society, who might be excused from them (perhaps the very young or very old), and who would not. For example, the contemporary Inuit North Americans describe, in their own language, a kind of antisocial personality disordered individual as “his mind knows what to do but he does not do it” (Murphy, 1976). In this introductory chapter, the major issues regarding the diagnosis and classification of abnormal behavior are analyzed. We first discuss the purposes of diagnosis and then provide a historical overview of diagnosis and classification. Next, we describe the current classification system and conclude with a discussion of criticisms and limitations of diagnosis and classification.
The Political Economy of Market-Based Educational Policies: Race and Reform in Urban School Districts, 1915 to 2016

The authors situate the emergence and effects of contemporary market-based reforms within a framework of urban political economy that centers on racial inequality. They discuss how and why market-b...
Histopathologic Findings in Lungs of Patients Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background The outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) might be influenced by its complications. Only limited information is available regarding the pathologic consequences of ECMO, especially in the era of modern ECMO technology. Methods We studied the histopathologic findings in autopsy lungs of patients treated with ECMO compared with those without ECMO. Autopsy files were queried for cases with ECMO. An age- and sex-matched control group comprised of patients who died in the ICU without acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, or ECMO was compared with patients with ECMO for cardiac reason. Histopathology and medical records were reviewed. Results Seventy-six patients treated with ECMO (38 men; median age, 40 years) and 47 control patients (23 men; median age, 45 years) were included. Common histologic pulmonary findings in the ECMO group were pulmonary hemorrhage (63.2%), acute lung injury (60.5%), thromboembolic disease (47.4%), calcifications (28.9%), vascular changes (21.1%), and hemorrhagic infarct (21.1%). Pulmonary hemorrhage was associated with longer ECMO duration (median, 7.0 vs 3.5 months; P = .014), acute lung injury with venovenous ECMO (91.7% vs 54.7%; P = .039) and longer ECMO (6.0 vs 4.0 months; P = .044), and pulmonary calcifications with infants (50.0% vs 22.4%; P = .024). Patients with ECMO for cardiac reasons (n = 60) more frequently showed pulmonary hemorrhage (P Conclusions Some findings are suspected to be associated with the patient's underlying disease, whereas others might be related to ECMO. Our results provide a better understanding of ECMO-related lung disease and might help to prevent it.
A case of recurrent obstructive thrombosed mechanical mitral valve and the role of thrombolytic therapy

Early recognition of obstructive thrombosed prosthetic heart valves (OTPHV) is crucial to prevent delays in treatment and avoid significant morbidity and mortality. Choice between surgery, thrombolysis and escalation of anticoagulation can be a challenge. A 69 year-old man with history of liver
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Counseling in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common hereditary forms of chronic kidney disease. Mutations within PKD1 or PKD2 lead to innumerable fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys and in some instances, end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Affected individuals have a 50% chance of passing the mutation to each of their offspring. Assisted reproductive technology using preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows these individuals to reduce this risk to 1% to 2%. We assess the disease burden of 8 individuals with ADPKD who have undergone genetic testing in preparation for PGD. Clinical features that predict high risk for progression to ESRD in patients with ADPKD include genotype, early onset of hypertension, a urologic event before age 35 years, and a large height-adjusted total kidney volume. Patients may have a family history of intracranial aneurysms or complications involving hepatic cysts, which may further influence the decision to pursue PGD. We also explore the cost, risks, and benefits of using PGD. All patients with ADPKD of childbearing potential, regardless of risk for progression to ESRD or risk for a significant disease burden, will likely benefit from genetic counseling.
Against their Will: Sexual Assault and the Uttarakāṇḍa:

A close reading of the Uttarakāṇḍa of Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa demonstrates that its author has composed a carefully and logically structured work, one that is haunted by themes of sexual transgression. ...
An Interactive Display for the 21st Century: Beyond the Desktop Metaphor

Vannevar Bush’s 1945 vision of a personal desk-sized machine (the memex) containing a massive library of information and powerful search and recall mechanisms remains an inspired view of a useful personal computer. By 1970 Alan Kay at Xerox Palo Alto (California) Research Center was proposing a dynamic book-sized computer, a dynabook, that would satisfy most of the needs of users of all ages. By 1973 a group of his colleagues had built a small desk-sized computer, the Alto, that was starting to satisfy Kay’s vision. By the mid-1980’s the Apple Macintosh, and similar machines, were having the same effect on users worldwide. Common to all these visions was the computer interaction mechanism consisting of a 2D computer display that appeared like stylized version of the user’s desktop: papers strewn about, ones on top obscuring ones below; various objects of interest, such as trash cans and clocks, serving their obvious and useful functions. The user moved objects about the screen and took them in and out of file folders by direct manipulation. In certain situations, the user could “zoom in” to certain papers for a closer look.
Design for Test Techniques for Asynchronous NULL Conventional Logic (NCL) Circuits

Conventional ATPG algorithms would fail when applied to asynchronous circuits due to the absence of a global clock and presence of more state holding elements that synchronize the control and data paths, leading to poor fault coverage. This paper presents three DFT implementations for the asynchronous NULL Conventional Logic (NCL) paradigm, with the following salient features: 1) testing with commercial DFT tools is shown to be feasible; 2) this yields a high test coverage; and 3) minimal area overhead is required. The first technique incorporates XOR gates for inserting test points; the second method uses a scan latch scheme for improving observability; and in the third scheme, scan latches are inserted in the internal gate feedback paths. The approaches have been automated, which is essential for large systems; and are fully compatible with industry standard tools.
Polymer-Supported Ziegler-Natta Catalysts for the Polymerization of α-Olefins and Butadiene

Over the past ten years, we have developed a series of polymer-supported Lewis acid catalysts for use in such synthetic reactions as esterification, ketone formation and etherification etc.1-8 These catalysts exhibited very good catalytic activity. The catalysts were also used for cationic polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene10-11. A polymer-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst, polystyrene-titanium chloride-diethylaluminum chloride (PS-TiCl4/Et2AlCl) for the polymerization of isoprene was further developed.12In this chapter two polymer-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts, PS-TiCl4/Et2AlCl and poly (biphenylaminomethylstyrene)-titanium chloride diethylaluminum chloride (PDPAS- TiCl4/Et2AlCl) are reported. Their use in polymerization and copolymerization of ethylene, 1, 3-butadiene, isoprene and isobutylene, is also described.
Rough Surface Scattering and the Kirchhoff Approximation

Most approximate solutions to surface scattering begin with the Kirchhoff approximation to the unknown surface field. The validity of the Kirchhoff approximation is tested in this paper by the use of exact solutions for scattering from a pressure release sinusoid. Rough surfaces are expressed in a Fourier Series, and series solutions for small Rayleigh parameter are derived. The first order series term of Holford, Uretsky and Rayleigh are shown to be identical. Surface radiation patterns for shallow grazing angles are examined and conclusions are drawn on the region of validity of the Kirchhoff approximation.
Use of TCD in Monitoring Patients During Carotid Artery Stenting

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) provides visible and audible real-time feedback during carotid stent procedures as otherwise clinically silent small embolic particles reflect microembolic signals (MESs) during their egress from the extracranial carotid artery lesion through the middle cerebral artery en route to the ipsilateral hemisphere. During the formative years of carotid stenting, TCD was an important tool for many pioneers in the field as high-risk anatomic carotid access and lesion characteristics were being defined. In addition, TCD helped us understand the flow dynamics related to distal and proximal occlusive embolic protection platforms. Also, the disturbing storm of microembolic signals (MESs) at different stages during distal filter protection led to optimization of these system designs and procedural technique. One cannot argue the contribution TCD made to the art and science of carotid stenting through amplifying the embolization signal from the devastating clinical event of stroke seen in less than 10% of patients to the silent smaller microembolic signals ubiquitous to every procedure. While the MES data seems to have more of an academic value, the contemporary CAS program should have access to TCD and consider following peri-procedural MCA flow patterns during stenting with proximal flow reversal or flow arrest protection systems. In addition, TCD provides significant insight into the physiology of reperfusion syndrome, and changes in MCA flow velocities in patients at high risk for reperfusion syndrome in the early postprocedure time period may be helpful. The objective of this monograph is to expose the reader to some of the lessons learned from adjuvant transcranial Doppler during carotid stent-supported angioplasty while also providing insight into current clinically relevant applications.
The combination of spectroscopy, microscopy, and profilometry methods for the physical and chemical characterization of environmentally relevant microplastics

Environmental pollution related to microplastics (MPs) is a growing concern across the globe. In addition to the primary concern of MP levels in the environment, they have also been known to sorb a variety of organic materials, concentrating and transporting them into the environment and aquatic life. The focus of this study was to evaluate differences in surface characteristics and chemical composition of neat MP standards relative to MP samples extracted from personal care products and wastewater effluent. MPs were first chemically characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to determine their composition, then physically characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Profilometry (OP). Under SEM and OP imaging, neat polyethylene MP standards appeared uniform in spherical shape with a smooth surface displaying shallow pitting. MPs extracted from personal care products were characterized as polyethylene and many of these samples displayed a significant distortion from the spherical shape of the neat standards with crevices ranging at various depths. MPs extracted from a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) effluent tank were characterized as polyethylene and other unidentified plastic polymers. Through SEM and OP, the WWTP effluent extracted MPs were seen to have similar surface characteristics to the personal care product extracted spherical MPs, demonstrating deep pits and large flat top peaks. OP was used to quantitatively compare the MPs by three surface roughness parameters. This proof-of-concept study is the first to utilize FT-IR, SEM and OP for the surface characterization of MP samples. Combining these three methods allows for the chemical identification of MPs along with the qualitative and quantitative comparison of their surface characteristics, demonstrating that MPs extracted from personal care products and WWTP effluent differ greatly from neat microsphere standards of similar sizes.
Quantifying the legacy of snowmelt timing on soil greenhouse gas emissions in a seasonally dry montane forest.

The release of water during snowmelt orchestrates a variety of important belowground biogeochemical processes in seasonally snow-covered ecosystems, including the production and consumption of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by soil microorganisms. Snowmelt timing is advancing rapidly in these ecosystems, but there is still a need to isolate the effects of earlier snowmelt on soil GHG fluxes. For an improved mechanistic understanding of the biogeochemical effects of snowmelt timing during the snow-free period, we manipulated a high-elevation forest that typically receives over two meters of snowfall but little summer precipitation to influence legacy effects of snowmelt timing. We altered snowmelt rates for two years using black sand to accelerate snowmelt and white fabric to postpone snowmelt, thus creating a two- to three-week disparity in snowmelt timing. Soil microclimate and fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH4 ), and nitrous oxide (N2 O) were monitored weekly to monthly during the snow-free period. Microbial abundances were estimated by potential assays near the end of each snow-free period. Although earlier snowmelt caused soil drying, we found no statistically significant effects (p < 0.05) of altered snowmelt timing on fluxes of CO2 or N2 O, or soil microbial abundances. Soil CH4 fluxes, however, did respond to snowmelt timing, with 18% lower rates of CH4 uptake in the earlier snowmelt treatment, but only after a dry winter. Cumulative CO2 emission and CH4 uptake were 43% and 88% greater, respectively, after the dry winter. We conclude that soil GHG fluxes can be surprisingly resistant to hydrological changes associated with earlier snowmelt, likely because of persistent moisture and microbial activities in deeper mineral soils. As a result, a drier California in the future may cause seasonally snow-covered soils in the Sierra Nevada to emit more GHGs, not less.
Fighting invisibility: indigenous citizens and history education in El Salvador and Guatemala

El Salvador and Guatemala underwent civil wars that severely impacted both countries’ most marginalized citizens, including indigenous peoples. Today, teaching and learning the violent past remain challenged in each country, with implications for indigenous and non-indigenous citizens alike. This article examines the impact of democratization in El Salvador and Guatemala in the educational sphere, documenting narrative trends on the topic of the civil wars and indigeneity in formal and informal education settings. We argue that distinct democratization and transitional justice processes have created opportunities and challenges for teaching and learning about indigenous peoples’ roles and experiences in the civil wars in each country. Methodologically, the article draws on analyses of educational policy and formal curriculum in both contexts, supplemented by ethnographic data. We situate the study within democratization, transitional justice, and education literatures to document how teaching and ...
Virtual support groups among adoptive parents: Ideal for information seeking?

AbstractDespite the use of online support groups within areas of child welfare, namely postadoptive services, research in this area has not kept pace. This study examined adoptive parent perception...
Microbially-induced mineral scaling in desalination conditions: Mechanisms and effects of commercial antiscalants

Abstract Reverse osmosis (RO) technology is promising in the sustainable production of fresh water. However, expansion of RO use has been hindered by membrane fouling, mainly inorganic fouling known as scaling. Although membrane mineral scaling by chemical means have been investigated extensively, mineral scaling triggered by microbial activity has been largely neglected. In this study, the simultaneous biomineralization of CaCO3 and CaSO4 in the presence of three different microbial communities from fresh water, wastewater, and seawater was investigated. In the presence of either 13 or 79 mM of Ca2+ and SO42- in the media, the fresh water microbial community produced calcite/vaterite and vaterite/gypsum, respectively; the wastewater community produced vaterite and vaterite/gypsum, respectively; and the seawater community produced aragonite in both conditions. The results showed that the concentration of salts and the microbial composition influence the types of precipitates produced. The mechanisms of crystal formation of CaCO3 and gypsum by these communities were also investigated by determining the need for metabolic active cells, the effect of a calcium channel blocker, and the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The results showed that metabolically active cells can lead to production of EPS and formation of Ca2+ gradient along the cells through calcium channels, which will trigger formation of biominerals. The prevention of biomineralization by these consortia was also investigated with two common polymeric RO antiscalants, i.e. polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polymaleic acid (PMA). Results showed that these antiscalants do not prevent the formation of the bio-precipitates suggesting that novel approaches to prevent biomineralization in RO systems still needs to be investigated.
The Development of Epigenetics in the Study of Disease Pathogenesis.

The study of epigenetics has its roots in the study of organism change over time and response to environmental change, although over the past several decades the definition has been formalized to include heritable alterations in gene expression that are not a result of alterations in underlying DNA sequence. In this chapter, we discuss first the history and milestones in the 100+ years of epigenetic study, including early discoveries of DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modification, and noncoding RNA. We then discuss how epigenetics has changed the way that we think of both health and disease, offering as examples studies examining the epigenetic contributions to aging, including the recent development of an epigenetic “clock”, and explore how antiaging therapies may work through epigenetic modifications. We then discuss a nonpathogenic role for epigenetics in the clinic: epigenetic biomarkers. We conclude by offering two examples of modern state-of-the-art integrated multi-omics studies of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis, one which sought to capture shared mechanisms among multiple diseases, and another which used epigenetic big data to better understand the pathogenesis of a single tissue from one disease.
H3K27me3 is dispensable for early differentiation but required to maintain differentiated cell identity

Abstract Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 and is required for normal development of complex eukaryotes. The requirement for H3K27me3 in various aspects of mammalian differentiation is not clear. Though associated with repressed genes, the modification is not sufficient to induce gene repression, and in some instances is not required. To examine the role of the modification in mammalian differentiation, we blocked trimethylation of H3K27 with both a small molecule inhibitor, GSK343, and by introducing a point mutation into EZH2, the catalytic subunit of PRC2. We found that cells with substantively decreased H3K27 tri-methylation were able to differentiate, which contrasts with EZH2 null cells. Different PRC2 targets had varied requirements for H3K27me3 in repressive regulation with a subset that maintained normal levels of repression in the absence of methylation. The primary cellular phenotype when H3K27 tri-methylation was blocked was an inability of the altered cells to maintain a differentiated state when challenged. This phenotype was determined by H3K27me3 deposition both in embryonic stem cells and in the first four days of differentiation. H3K27 tri-methylation therefore was not necessary for formation of differentiated cell states but was required to maintain a stable differentiated state.
Evaluation of nucleus pulposus fluid velocity and pressure alteration induced by cartilage endplate sclerosis using a poro-elastic finite element analysis

The nucleus pulposus (NP) in the intervertebral disk (IVD) depends on diffusive fluid transport for nutrients through the cartilage endplate (CEP). Disruption in fluid exchange of the NP is considered a cause of IVD degeneration. Furthermore, CEP calcification and sclerosis are hypothesized to restrict fluid flow between the NP and CEP by decreasing permeability and porosity of the CEP matrix. We performed a finite element analysis of an L3–L4 lumbar functional spine unit with poro-elastic constitutive equations. The aim of the study was to predict changes in the solid and fluid parameters of the IVD and CEP under structural changes in CEP. A compressive load of 500 N was applied followed by a 10 Nm moment in extension, flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation to the L3–L4 model with fully saturated IVD, CEP, and cancellous bone. A healthy case of L3–L4 physiology was then compared to two cases of CEP sclerosis: a calcified cartilage endplate and a fluid constricted sclerotic cartilage endplate. Predicted NP fluid velocity increased for the calcified CEP and decreased for the calcified + less permeable CEP. Decreased NP fluid velocity was prominent in the axial direction through the CEP due to a less permeable path available for fluid flux. Fluid pressure and maximum principal stress in the NP were predicted to increase in both cases of CEP sclerosis compared to the healthy case. The porous medium predictions of this analysis agree with the hypothesis that CEP sclerosis decreases fluid flow out of the NP, builds up fluid pressure in the NP, and increases the stress concentrations in the NP solid matrix.
Moving up the ladder of source assessment: Expanding the CRAAP test with critical thinking and metacognition

Information literacy is one of the fundamental skills to acquire to be able to navigate today’s complex information ecosystem, succeed as a lifelong learner, and make critical decisions as an active and informed citizen. Today’s information environment—saturated with misinformation, fake news, misleading information, propaganda, etc.—poses a great challenge to form unbiased views of the world and make sound judgment and decisions.
Total Margin-Controlled Excision is Superior to Standard Excision for Keratinocyte Carcinoma on the Nose: A Veterans Affairs Nested Cohort Study

Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), including basal and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common human malignancy. Limited real-world data have compared surgical outcome or cost between total margin-controlled excision (TMCE) and standard excision (SE), the two most common treatments for invasive KC. We compared reconstruction, margin status, and cost between TMCE and SE for KC on the nose at a Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. Randomly selected primary KCs on the nose ≤3 cm that were confined to soft tissue, without nerve or lymphovascular invasion, and treated with SE or TMCE between 2000 and 2010, were assessed. Utilization of flap or graft reconstruction and margin status following all surgical attempts were recorded. Costs were based on Current Procedural Terminology codes standardized to 2019 Medicare payments. Overall, 148 cases were included in each treatment group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, although SE tumor median diameter was 1 mm larger. SE was associated with increased utilization of flap or graft reconstruction (odds ratio 2.05, 95% confidence interval 1.16–3.59, p = 0.01). Positive margins were present in 24% of SEs initially and remained positive after the final recorded excision in 9% of cases. No positive final margins were noted in TMCE cases. SE cost per tumor was significantly higher than TMCE ($429.03 ± 143.55; p = 0.003). Surgical management of KC with SE is associated with increased reconstruction complexity, a significant risk of positive margins, and higher cost compared with TMCE. The 23% risk of positive margins supports National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of high-risk KC with TMCE, unless delayed reconstruction is employed.
BallCaller: a computer vision line caller for tennis

BallCaller is a computer vision-based tool for amateur tennis players to automate line calling in the game of Tennis using only a laptop and camera. I made BallCaller using the Python programming language in conjunction with OpenCV. BallCaller tracks the position of a tennis ball in 2D space and captures the frame where the ball is touching the ground. If the ball is on the outside of the line, BallCaller reports that the ball is "out." If the ball is on the inside of the line, or if the ball is touching the line, BallCaller reports that the ball is "in." This extended abstract submission introduces BallCaller and discuses the technical details of using OpenCV's color detection and image modification functionality to process the images of sample ball locations.
Inhibition of myeloid HDAC2 upregulates glutaredoxin 1 expression, improves protein thiol redox state and protects against high-calorie diet-induced monocyte dysfunction and atherosclerosis

Abstract Background and aims The thiol transferase glutaredoxin 1 controls redox signaling and cellular functions by regulating the S-glutathionylation status of critical protein thiols. Here we tested the hypothesis that by derepressing the expression of glutaredoxin 1, inhibition of histone deacetylase 2 prevents nutrient stress-induced protein S-glutathionylation and monocyte dysfunction and protects against atherosclerosis. Methods Using both a pharmacological inhibitor and shRNA-mediated knockdown of histone deacetylase 2, we determine the role of this deacetylase on glutaredoxin 1 expression and nutrient stress-induced inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 activity and monocyte and macrophage dysfunction. To assess whether histone deacetylase 2 inhibition in myeloid cells protects against atherosclerosis, we fed eight-week-old female and male HDAC2−/−MyeloidLDLR−/− mice and age and sex-matched LysMcretg/wtLDLR−/− control mice a high-calorie diet for 12 weeks and assessed monocyte function and atherosclerotic lesion size. Results Myeloid histone deacetylase 2 deficiency in high-calorie diet-fed LDLR−/− mice reduced atherosclerosis in males by 39% without affecting plasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles or blood glucose levels but had no effect on atherogenesis in female mice. Macrophage content in plaques of male mice was reduced by 31%. Histone deacetylase 2-deficient blood monocytes from male mice showed increased acetylation on histone 3, and increased Grx1 expression, and was associated with increased MKP-1 activity and reduced recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages, whereas in females, myeloid HDAC2 deficiency had no effect on Grx1 expression, did not prevent nutrient stress-induced loss of MKP-1 activity in monocytes and was not atheroprotective. Conclusions Specific histone deacetylase 2 inhibitors may represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, but any benefits may be sexually dimorphic.
Antitrust and Global Capitalism, 1930–2004: Antitrust in Postwar European Social Welfare Capitalism

The postwar immigration of antitrust to Europe followed a middle course. During and after the cold war the European Community accepted a degree of bureaucratic interventions into the market to promote social welfare that was closer to the Japanese and Australian forms than to those of the United States. The European Community nonetheless adopted antitrust more readily than did Japan, primarily because of the overriding commitment to market integration. Still, envisioning the rise of antitrust in Europe as resulting from the subordination of nationalist ideology and political contingency to Americanized efficiency-seeking political economy raises significant questions. The argument that follows is that throughout the postwar era of uneven economic growth, the public discourse constituting competition policy not only shaped European market integration, but also engendered a competition consciousness promoting the broader goal of equal treatment among private as well as public enterprises. This in turn reinforced bureaucratic independence and discretion. Except for giving much attention to the German system and passing reference to the British, French, and Polish regimes, the following discussion does not focus on the axis of development: the interaction between national and European Union (i.e., integration) experience. Rather, the story emphasizes the core institutional, political, and ideological interactions which enabled the European Commission to impose upon business stronger social welfare accountability as compared to U.S. antitrust.
Emergency Preparedness for Childbearing Women and Newborns

Gloria Giarratano, PhD, APRN, CNS, is P.K. Scheerle Professor of Nursing at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing, New Orleans, LA. OnJanuary12, 2010 the earthquake in Haiti was a stark reminder of how a sudden disaster changes lives forever. Among the three million Haitian citizens aiected are estimated to be 63,000 pregnant women (United Nations Population Fund, 2010). Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has long advocated for emergency management planning that considers the increased vulnerability of women and children during disasters, much is still unknown about best practices for preparedness and response. What are the best ways to engage women in citizen preparedness that reduces their vulnerability? How do communities and health care systems focus on women and newborns when planning or implementing disaster response? How can emergency response organizations become more gender sensitive?
Recruitment of renal dopamine 1 receptors requires an intact microtubulin network.

Renal dopamine1 receptor (D1R) can be recruited from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane by D1R agonists and endogenous dopamine. This study examines the role of the cytoskeleton for ...
“Tele” Phone Medicine - Is Hearing Enough? (P7.121)

OBJECTIVE: To compare safety of thrombolytic administration to consecutive acute stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolytic treatment either at our institution or through telephone triage and transfer via telephone consultation. BACKGROUND: Many acute stroke patients are initially evaluated for intravenous thrombolytic therapy at community hospitals lacking stroke specialist evaluation. While telemedicine brings the stroke specialist to the patient, many smaller hospitals are not able to afford this technology. DESIGN/METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected treatment and outcome data for 12 consecutive months for acute stroke patients receiving IV thrombolytic therapy either at our institution or community hospitals transferred to our institution following telephone consultation. RESULTS: Of 109 patients with acute ischemic stroke who received IV thrombolytic therapy, 54 were treated via telephone medicine and 55 were treated at our institution. Patient demographics did not significantly differ between groups. Hemorrhagic transformation rates were significantly different between groups (9% (transferred) vs. 0% (in-house) (p=0.021)). Increased morbidity defined as discharge to hospice or nursing home trended higher in the transferred group (18% vs. 7%; p=0.093). Mortality was not significantly different between groups (4% vs 5% (p=0.67)). CONCLUSIONS: “Tele”-phone medicine used to initiate IV thrombolytic treatment in our population shows a higher rate than expected of hemorrhagic transformation and should be monitored closely. Telemedicine, health provider education, and organization of systems of care could help reduce complication rates in this patient population. Disclosure: Dr. Sugg has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech Inc. Dr. Jessica has nothing to disclose. Dr. Auchus has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis as a speaker. Dr. Auchus has received research support from Eisai Inc., and Elan Corporation.
Single cell measurement of telomerase expression and splicing using microfluidic emulsion cultures

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that maintains telomeres on the ends of chromosomes, allowing rapidly dividing cells to proliferate while avoiding senescence and apoptosis. Understanding telomerase gene expression and splicing at the single cell level could yield insights into the roles of telomerase during normal cell growth as well as cancer development. Here we use droplet-based single cell culture followed by single cell or colony transcript abundance analysis to investigate the relationship between cell growth and transcript abundance of the telomerase genes encoding the RNA component (hTR) and protein component (hTERT) as well as hTERT splicing. Jurkat and K562 cells were examined under normal cell culture conditions and during exposure to curcumin, a natural compound with anti-carcinogenic and telomerase activity-reducing properties. Individual cells predominantly express single hTERT splice variants, with the α+/β- variant exhibiting significant transcript abundance bimodality that is sustained through cell division. Sub-lethal curcumin exposure results in reduced bimodality of all hTERT splice variants and significant upregulation of alpha splicing, suggesting a possible role in cellular stress response. The single cell culture and transcript abundance analysis method presented here provides the tools necessary for multiparameter single cell analysis which will be critical for understanding phenotypes of heterogeneous cell populations, disease cell populations and their drug response.
A ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, RAD6, affects the distribution of Ty1 retrotransposon integration positions.

A galactose-inducible Ty1 element was used to generate 59 independent Ty1 inserts that inactivate the CAN1 gene. As found in previous studies, the distribution of these elements shows a gradient of insertion frequency from highest to lowest between the 59 and 39 ends of the gene. However, 53 independent Ty1 and Ty2 insertions isolated by an identical procedure in an isogenic rad6 deletion strain do not show this bias. In this strain, the Ty elements insert randomly throughout CAN1. These results show that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, RAD6, alters the integration site preferences of Ty1 retrotransposons.
Design of Reversible Adder-Subtractor and its Mapping in Optical Computing Domain

Reversible logic has promising applications in dissipation less optical computing, low power computing, quantum computing, etc. Reversible circuits do not lose information, and there is a one-to-one mapping between the input and the output vectors. In recent years, researchers have implemented reversible logic gates in optical domain as it provides high-speed and low-energy computations. Reversible gates can be easily fabricated at the chip level using optical computing. The optical implementation of reversible logic gates are based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The Mach-Zehnder interferometer has advantages such as high speed, low power, easy fabrication, and fast switching time. In this work, we present the optical implementation of an n bit reversible ripple carry adder. The optical reversible adder design is based on two new optical reversible gates referred to as optical reversible gate I (ORG-I) and optical reversible gate II (ORG-II) and the existing optical Feynman gate. The two new reversible gates ORG-I and ORG-II are proposed as they can implement a reversible adder with reduced optical cost which is the measure of number of MZIs switches and the propagation delay, and with zero overhead in terms of the number of ancilla inputs and the garbage outputs. The proposed optical reversible adder design based on the ORG-I and ORG-II reversible gates are compared and shown to be better than the other existing designs of reversible adder proposed in non-optical domain in terms of the number of MZIs, delay, the number of ancilla inputs, and the garbage outputs. A subtraction operation can be defined as \(a-b=\overline{\bar{a}+b}\) and \(a-b=a+\bar{b}+1\), respectively. Next, we propose the design methodologies based on (i) \(a-b=\overline{\bar{a}+b}\), and (ii) \(a-b=a+\bar{b}+1\), to design a reversible adder-subtractor that is controlled by the control signal to perform addition or subtraction operation.
The role of Ras in T lymphocyte activation.

Ras plays an important role in T cell signal transduction through multiple pathways. Here, we demonstrate that, upon stimulation, increasing Ras activity partially substitutes for calcium-mediated signals leading to IL-2 induction. The increase of Ras activity renders Jurkat cells the resistant to cyclosporin A (CsA) through increasing calcineurin activity. Coincidentally, the inducible binding of NIL-2 to a negative-regulatory element in the IL-2 promoter becomes less sensitive to CsA in the cells with increasing Ras activity. The dose of CsA required for inhibition of IL-2 induction in the cells with increased Ras activity remains similar to the concentration of CsA needed for the suppression of NFAT activation in control cells. The results suggest that Ras regulates calcium/calcineurin signalling during T cell activation and the existence of new immune-related target(s) for CsA action at the posttranscriptional level.
Quantum Equivalence of Coset Space Models

Abstract Many conformal field theories are defined by a pair of Lie algebras g ⊃ h. They represent the continuum limit of two-dimensional integrable lattice models. There are a few known examples, such as the three-state Potts model, which are obtained by more than one of these coset constructions. We propose a simple way of systematically building equivalent coset models, and we illustrate it in a lot of cases. We also explain how it can be translated into identities relating the partition functions.
Optimization of poly(1,4-cyclohexylidene cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate) (PCCD) preparation for increased crystallinity

Abstract A key factor, which affects the crystallization temperature on cooling ( T c ) of PCCD is the cis/trans isomer ratio of the cyclohexyl diester in the polymer. Isomerization of pure dimethyl- trans -1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate can occur during the polymerization, and the T c on cooling decreases along with the trans content. The isomerization reaction is enhanced with temperature, time and catalyst amount, and these variables should be minimized to prepare PCCD polymers with high T c . However, these same variables also control the molecular weight growth of the polymer, and so a compromise between the best conditions for high T c and those for high M w must be made. A set of optimized conditions were obtained leading to PCCD polymers with M w of 75,000–80,000 and T c on cooling of 164–167 °C. Solid state polymerization was used to prepare high molecular weight PCCD with a high level of crystallinity ( T c on cooling ∼193 °C). It was also shown that adding small amounts of supplementary diols facilitates PCCD preparation by ensuring that high molecular weight PCCD polymers will be obtained even when the stoichiometry of monomer feed is off by >3%, i.e. conditions which would otherwise lead to low M w . Finally, less crystalline PCCD's have been prepared via either incorporation of diethylene glycol or increasing the cis-diester amount in the polymer.
Ionic conductivity and crystallographic data for Na2-xCa1-xAlxSiO4 and Na2-xCaSi1-xPxO4 carnegieite phases

Abstract Single crystals of Na 2 CaSiO 4 prepared at 30 kbar and 1500°C are cubic with a = 22.456 A . The polycrystalline compositions Na 1.9 Ca 0.9 Al 0.1 SiO 4 and Na 1.8 CaSi 0.8 P 0.2 O 4 can also be indexed using a = 22.458 and 22.471 A , respectively. The Ca carnegieites Na 2 CaSiO 4 , Na 1.9 Ca 0.9 Al 0.1 SiO 4 , and Na 1.8 CaSi 0.8 P 0.2 O 4 have Na ion conductivities of only 5−8 × 10 −6 ( ω -cm) −1 at 300°C.
Growth of filamentous fungi into balsa wood panels buried in North Carolina salt marsh sediments

Balsa wood panels were buried vertically in sediment in two North Carolina salt marshes to assess the effect of living versus non-living plants, soil redox potential and depth of sediment drainage on depth of fungal growth. Fungi penetrated panels deepest where soil drainage was greatest and in several cases grew at depths where surrounding soil was anoxic.
Dosimetric study of total skin irradiation with a scanning beam electron accelerator.

The Therac 20 6‐MeV scanned electron beam may be used for partial or total skin therapy. The maximum field size at 1 m is 30×30 cm defined by a set of primary photoncollimators in conjunction with secondary trimmers. We have studied electron beam profiles with and without trimmers at the nominal source–skin distance of 1 m versus extended distances of 3–5 m. We find that the trimmers limit the field size and add little to the beam uniformity at extended distances. Beam energy, dose distributions, and output factors at extended distances were measured for single and multiple field arrangements with and without trimmers. Beam parameters were measured after introducing a degrader that lowered the energy to 3.7 MeV.
The Radiation Dose in Interventional Radiology Study: Knowledge Brings Responsibility

Abbreviations: CD cumulative dose, FDA Food and Drug Administration, HOCM high osmolar contrast material, ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection, IVC inferior vena cava, LOCM low osmolar contrast material, NCRP National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements, PSD peak skin dose, RAD-IR Radiation Dose in Interventional Radiology (study), TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Recent ARL borehole radar experiments

The Microwave Sensors Branch of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) recently evaluated the potential of a commercially available borehole radar system for an underground target detection application. We used this ground-penetrating system, which is capable of operation at either 100 or 250 MHz, to conduct experiments at a locally constructed test site. Since the site's soil characteristics would severely impact conclusions drawn from the collected data, we also obtained and analyzed soil samples in order to determine the electrical properties of the earth in the vicinity of the boreholes. In addition, we modeled and then built a canonical target, using this canonical target as an input to electromagnetic simulations. The outputs from these simulations guided us in the analysis and interpretation of the collected radar data. In this paper, we present a description of both the data collection itself and the results of a posteriori analysis of the collected data. We begin by describing the test site along with the procedures that we followed when conducting the experiments. Next, we present a soil analysis and the expected target radar cross section (RCS) obtained from the electromagnetic modeling simulations. We then discuss the implications of these results for system performance. Finally, we present an analysis of real data from the collection and compare it to what we expect based on the soil analysis and the output of the electromagnetic models. Collectively, these analyses provide an indication of the borehole radar's true potential for detecting underground targets.