cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stereoselective syntheses of 3-dehydroxynaltrexamines and N-methyl-3-dehydroxynaltrexamines.

Abstract Methodology is presented for the synthesis of 6α/β-3-dehydroxynaltrexamines and 6α/β-N-methyl-3-dehydroxynaltrexamines. A stereoselective route is provided for each target compound while a novel one-pot method for the synthesis of 6α/β-N-methyl-3-dehydroxynaltrexamines is also explored. These results enable the versatile and efficient preparation of key epoxymorphinan intermediates to facilitate future selective opioid ligand discovery and development.
Immigrant Latino Fathers’ Perceptions of Child Abuse and Neglect

The objective of this qualitative research was to study the lived experiences of child abuse and neglect for immigrant Latino fathers whose children are involved in the child protection process. We documented the narratives of nine immigrant Latino fathers attending fatherhood groups regarding their perceptions of child abuse and neglect.The immigrant Latino fathers highlighted their lack of agency and marginalization due to acculturative parenting stress, structural discrimination, and immigration status. They are burdened with physical and emotional pain that diffuses into their children’s lives and results in unhealthy coping strategies. The Latino fathers faced everyday microaggressions, racial abuses, and discrimination due to their agency and role as Latino immigrants. They chronicled their frustrations dueto distrust of the mainstream social service providers, police, immigration officials, and abuse meted on them due to their marginalized identities. We provide practice and policy recommendations for professionals working with immigrant Latino families.
Perceptual Facilitators for and Barriers to Career Progression: A Qualitative Study With Female Early Stage Investigators in Health Sciences

Purpose Despite efforts to increase the representation of women in the national scientific workforce, results still lag. While women's representation in health-related sciences has increased substantially, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles. This study was conducted to elucidate influences at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels that present as barriers to and facilitators for advancement in research careers for women, with the goal of promoting and retaining a more diverse leadership. Method The authors conducted individual, 1-hour, in-depth, semistructured interviews with 15 female early stage investigators pursuing careers in health sciences research at a large minority-serving institution in Florida in 2018. Interview guides were designed by using a social ecological framework to understand the influence of multilevel systems. Employing a qualitative approach, drawing from a phenomenological orientation, 2 researchers independently coded transcripts and synthesized codes into broad themes. Results Barriers and facilitators were reported at all ecological levels explored. Illustrative quotations reflect the unequal distribution of familial responsibilities that compete with career advancement, family members' lack of understanding of the demands of a research career, the importance of female mentors, perceived differences in the roles and expectations of female and male faculty at institutions, and normative upheld values that influence early career progression. Conclusions Achieving pervasive and sustained changes that move toward gender equity in research requires solutions that address multilevel, explicit and implicit influences on women's advancement in science. Suggestions include shifting familial and institutional norms, creating support systems for women with female mentors, and enforcing consistent policies regarding the roles and expectations of faculty. Findings shed light on the influence of gender on career progression by providing context for the experiences of women and underscore the importance of addressing pervasive societal and structural systems that maintain inequities hindering women's progress in the scientific workforce.
Correction to: The Bootstrap Method for Assessing Statistical Accuracy

The article The Bootstrap Method for Assessing Statistical Accuracy, written by Bradley Efron and Robert Tibshirani, was originally published Online First without Open Access.
Seizures initiate in zones of relative hyperexcitation in a zebrafish epilepsy model

Abstract Seizures are thought to arise from an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity. While most classical studies suggest excessive excitatory neural activity plays a generative role, some recent findings challenge this view and instead argue that excessive activity in inhibitory neurons initiates seizures. We investigated this question of imbalance in a zebrafish seizure model with multi-regional two-photon imaging of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity using a nuclear-localized calcium sensor. We found that seizures consistently initiated in circumscribed zones of the midbrain before propagating to other brain regions. Excitatory neurons were both more prevalent and more likely to be recruited than inhibitory neurons in initiation as compared with propagation zones. These findings support a mechanistic picture whereby seizures initiate in a region of hyper-excitation, then propagate more broadly once inhibitory restraint in the surround is overcome. Teaser We uncover the roles of excitation and inhibition during seizures, thus opening a path to more targeted therapy of epilepsy.
Intonation and Referee Design Phenomena in the Narrative Speech of Black/Biracial Men:

This study examines how men with one Black parent and one white parent variably construct their racial identities through both linguistic practice and explicit testimonials, with a specific focus o...
Safety Risk Analysis and Safety Protection Measures of Power Distribution Internet of Things

With the development of smart grids, a large number of distributed energy equipment, electric vehicles, smart home appliances, etc. are connected to the distribution network, and the interactive operation of the distribution network with users has become more frequent, which brings more security risks to the distribution network. Compared with the main network equipment, the distribution network equipment has greatly reduced its cost and degree of influence. The storage capacity, computing capacity, communication bandwidth and transmission distance of the sensing layer equipment are all more severely restricted than traditional networks. Therefore, it is necessary to fully consider the characteristics of the distribution network and carry out lightweight security protection for the distribution network.This article first studies the overall technical architecture of the power distribution Internet of Things, analyzes the security threats of the perception layer, network layer, and application layer of the power distribution Internet of Things, and formulates security protection measures at each layer according to the characteristics of security threats. Finally, the article focuses on the analysis of lightweight encryption algorithms applicable to the perception layer.The research results of this paper are applicable to the security protection of the Internet of Power Distribution, provide suitable security protection measures for the access of various devices, and provide strong support for the security of the Internet of Power Distribution.
Pregnancies lost and found: a quality improvement project to increase follow-up for early pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and medically managed ectopic pregnancy (EP) require longitudinal surveillance to avoid adverse outcomes; however, patients with PUL/EP in the United States (U.S.) are often unable to adhere to recommended treatment plans. This quality improvement (QI) project sought to improve PUL/EP follow-up using a three-pronged intervention: standardised recall procedures, direct patient-provider communication and electronic medical record (EMR) documentation templates and tracking. We compared patients with PUL/EP managed before and after the QI project. Our primary outcome was completion of PUL/EP clinical care. Demographics, initial diagnoses and adverse outcomes were similar between 87 pre-QI and 81 post-QI patients. Significantly more patients completed PUL/EP clinical care post-QI (80.2 vs. 65.5% p = .03). Post-QI, more providers contacted patients at standard intervals (100 vs. 57.1%, p < .0001), and EMR documentation was improved (100 vs. 69.0%, p < .001). Simple changes to PUL/EP management improved completion of clinical care and compliance with standardised recall and documentation.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and medically managed ectopic pregnancy (EP) require longitudinal surveillance to avoid adverse outcomes; however, patients with PUL/EP in the United States (U.S.) are often unable to adhere to recommended treatment plans.What do the results of this study add? By standardising recall procedures, ensuring direct communication between patients and providers using a dedicated cell phone, and integrating case tracking and documentation into the electronic medical record (EMR), this quality improvement (QI) project improved completion of clinical follow-up for patients with PUL/EP (overall, 80.2 vs. 65.5% pre-QI, p=.03) and for the subgroup with medically managed EP not requiring surgery (76.5 vs. 36.4% pre-QI, p= .05). We also improved providers' compliance with standardised recall procedures and EMR documentation post-QI (p < .0001). There was no difference in the number of attempts to contact patients, or in the number of surveillance blood draws actually performed. Post-QI, survey responses indicated that patients were easily able to contact their provider and understood the importance of follow-up processes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or research? Early pregnancy care providers can utilise simple strategies to improve follow-up of patients with PUL and medically managed EP, without increasing burdens to their health systems. Patients' favourable experiences with this management support its implementation.
Acoustics and Aerodynamic Sound

Music, calm speech, whispering leaves fluttering in a breeze are pleasant and desirable sounds. Noise, howling gales, explosions and screeching traffic are less so. A quantitative understanding of the sources of all such sounds can be obtained by careful analysis of the mechanical equations of motion. This is provided by Acoustics and Aerodynamic Sound, which serves as a short, one semester introduction to acoustics and aerodynamic sound at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level. Sound is treated as a branch of fluid mechanics, which is possible because students embarking on an advanced course in acoustics will be familiar with this topic. It is also desirable because an ability to relate acoustic events to hydrodynamic phenomena provides insight into acoustic principles, in particular into the role of vorticity in the mechanics of sound production by vibrating bodies and in the scattering and diffraction of sound.
SU-D-BRB-04: Plan Quality Comparison of Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for Gamma Knife and VMAT Treatments

Purpose: To compare treatment plan quality of intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for VMAT (RapidArc) and Gamma Knife (GK) systems. Methods: Ten patients with 24 tumors (seven with 1–2 and three with 4–6 lesions), previously treated with GK 4C (prescription doses ranging from 14–23 Gy) were re-planned for RapidArc. Identical contour sets were kept on MRI images for both plans with tissues assigned a CT number of zero. RapidArc plans were performed using 6 MV flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams with dose rate of 1400 MU/minute using two to eight arcs with the following combinations: 2 full coplanar arcs and the rest non-coplanar half arcs. Beam selection was based on target depth. Areas that penetrated more than 10 cm of tissue were avoided by creating smaller arcs or using avoidance sectors in optimization. Plans were optimized with jaw tracking and a high weighting to the normal-brain-tissue and Normal-Tissue-Objective without compromising PTV coverage. Plans were calculated on a 1 mm grid size using AAA algorithm and then normalized so that 99% of each target volume received the prescription dose. Plan quality was assessed by target coverage using Paddick Conformity Index (PCI), sparing of normal-brain-tissue through analysis of V4, V8, and V12 Gy, and integralmore » dose. Results: In all cases critical structure dose criteria were met. RapidArc had a higher PCI than GK plans for 23 out of 24 lesions. The average PCI was 0.76±0.21 for RapidArc and 0.46±0.20 for GK plans (p≤0.001), respectively. Integral dose and normal-brain-tissue doses for all criteria were lower for RapidArc in nearly all patients. The average ratio of GK to RapidArc plans was 1.28±0.27 (p=0.018), 1.31±0.25 (p=0.017), 1.81±0.43 (p=0.005), and 1.50±0.61 (p=0.006) for V4, V8, and V12 Gy, and integral dose, respectively. Conclusion: VMAT was capable of producing higher quality treatment plans than GK when using optimal beam geometries and proper optimization techniques.« less
Plasmonic Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals Doped with Boron and Phosphorus

Degenerately doped silicon nanocrystals are appealing plasmonic materials due to silicon’s low cost and low toxicity. While surface plasmonic resonances of boron-doped and phosphorus-doped silicon nanocrystals were recently observed, there currently is poor understanding of the effect of surface conditions on their plasmonic behavior. Here, we demonstrate that phosphorus-doped silicon nanocrystals exhibit a plasmon resonance immediately after their synthesis but may lose their plasmonic response with oxidation. In contrast, boron-doped nanocrystals initially do not exhibit plasmonic response but become plasmonically active through postsynthesis oxidation or annealing. We interpret these results in terms of substitutional doping being the dominant doping mechanism for phosphorus-doped silicon nanocrystals, with oxidation-induced defects trapping free electrons. The behavior of boron-doped silicon nanocrystals is more consistent with a strong contribution of surface doping. Importantly, boron-doped silicon ...
AET-treated sheep red blood cell and immunobead for combined detection of human peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations.

Abstract This paper describes a method for the simultaneous determination of human thymus-dependent lymphocyte (T cell) and thymus-independent lymphocyte (B cell) populations by mixing lymphocytes, sheep red blood cells, and immunobeads. This method also detects lymphocytes possessing both T and B cell markers. T cells are detected by rosette formation with AET-treated sheep red blood cells and B cells are identified by rosette formation with polyacrylamide gel coated with antibody specific to immunoglobulin classes. The major advantages of this technique is that it is simple, convenient, and reproducible. Three different types of rosettes are distinguishable under light microscopic observation. The detection of double marker lymphocytes, using this combined technique, may have further application in clinical investigation.
Quid Shmuel cum Homero? Greek Culture and Early Yiddish Epic

The conceptual connections between early Yiddish epic and ancient Greek epic, especially in the works of Homer are striking, even in the absence of evidence of direct influence. Those connections are explored here.
Screening for prostate cancer by digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen

Abstract Objective To evaluate the use of digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and age-specific reference values for PSA when screening for prostate cancer in a national screening program. Methods Data collected during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW), 1989–1992, were used for comparing DRE and PSA. Results More than 1,000,000 men were screened at 4141 sites from 1989–1992. The rate of abnormal DRE for all 4 years was 13.1%, and the rate of elevated PSA (≫4.0 ng/mL) was 14.4% for the same period. PSA proved superior to DRE in sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy in making a cancer diagnosis. Screening resulted in 77.7% of diagnosed cases being determined as clinically localized disease. Age-specific PSA reference values added a slight improvement in sensitivity at lower ages and an improvement in positive predictive value in older men. Conclusions Data from PCAW establish the success of national prostate cancerscreening and suggest that further refinements with age-specific PSA reference values may improve overall results.
Gas hydrates in aqueous-organic systems. VI. Effects of hydrate formers and hydrate crystals in carrot tissue.

Abstract Carrot samples containing ethylene oxide (EO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and their hydrates were studied. It was found that: (1) the microscopic appearance of carrot tissue was not altered appreciably by EO or THF (no detectable hydrate crystals), (2) slow formation of EO hydrate (Type I) and THF hydrate (Type II) resulted in extracellular crystalline areas which were large and few in number, and their presence was associated with severe shrinkage and distortion of adjacent tissue (this behavior is similar to that observed during conventional slow freezing of carrot tissue), and (3) crystalline masses of EO hydrate in carrot tissue tended to increase in size and become less numerous as the rate of formation was decreased and the growth period was increased. These results differed from those obtained previously with animal tissue. EO (no detectable hydrate crystals) was much less detrimental to the microscopic appearance of carrot tissue than it was to the microscopic appearance of beef muscle (BM) or rat liver (RL). Furthermore, slow formation of EO hydrate resulted in extracellular crystalline areas which were larger and less numerous in carrot tissue than in BM, or RL, and this in turn resulted in cell shrinkage which was less uniform and more severe (adjacent to crystalline areas) in carrot tissue than in BM or RL.
Trapping characteristics and parametric shifts in lateral GaN HEMTs with SiO 2 /AlGaN gate stacks

Recovery transients following blocking-state voltage stress are analyzed for two types of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, one set of devices with thick AlGaN barrier layers and another with recessed-gate geometry and ALD SiO 2 gate dielectric. Results show temperature-invariant emission processes are present in both devices. Recessed-gate devices with SiO 2 dielectrics are observed to exhibit simultaneous trapping and emission processes during post-stress recovery.
Forkhead box protein 3 + regulatory T cells and Helios + subset in perinatally acquired HIV

Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs ) are important not only in regulating the development of autoimmune conditions, but also in chronic infectious diseases. Given their cardinal function in suppressing immune activation, research has focused upon whether they play a detrimental role in chronic infections, particularly HIV. While the role of Tregs in HIV has been investigated intensively, it remains an unresolved topic. However, it is generally accepted that Tregs are susceptible to HIV infection and are preferentially preserved over conventional CD4(+) T cells. It is unknown whether the peripheral-induced or the thymic-derived Tregs are more susceptible to HIV cytotoxicity. It has been recognized that Tregs can be segregated into two subsets based on Helios expression, with the vast majority being Helios(+) . This study examines the impact of HIV infection on total Tregs and their Helios subsets in a perinatal-acquired HIV-infected paediatric population. The finding indicates a selective expansion or survival of Tregs in association with CD4 depletion and increased viraemia. The Helios(+) and Helios(-) subsets within Tregs appear to be equally affected. However, the Helios(+) Tregs seem to be more preserved in patients with low CD4(+) ≤ 25% and detectable plasma HIV RNA >20 copies/ml. In this group, the frequencies of Tregs are increased, but their numbers appear insufficient to restrain immune activation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that both Helios subsets of Tregs are susceptible to HIV infection and are preferentially preserved compared to conventional CD4(+) T cells.
The Nature of Cognitive Phenomenology

This is the first in a series of two articles that serve as an introduction to recent debates about cognitive phenomenology. Cognitive phenomenology can be defined as the experience that is associated with cognitive activities, such as thinking, reasoning, and understanding. What is at issue in contemporary debates is not the existence of cognitive phenomenology, so defined, but rather its nature and theoretical role. The first article examines questions about the nature of cognitive phenomenology, while the second article explores the philosophical implications of these questions for the role of consciousness in theories of intentionality, introspective self-knowledge, and knowledge of the external world.
Interactions between Drosophila and its natural yeast symbionts—Is Saccharomyces cerevisiae a good model for studying the fly-yeast relationship?

Yeasts play an important role in the biology of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. In addition to being a valuable source of nutrition, yeasts affect D. melanogaster behavior and interact with the host immune system. Most experiments investigating the role of yeasts in D. melanogaster biology use the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, S. cerevisiae is rarely found with natural populations of D. melanogaster or other Drosophila species. Moreover, the strain of S. cerevisiae used most often in D. melanogaster experiments is a commercially and industrially important strain that, to the best of our knowledge, was not isolated from flies. Since disrupting natural host-microbe interactions can have profound effects on host biology, the results from D. melanogaster-S. cerevisiae laboratory experiments may not be fully representative of host-microbe interactions in nature. In this study, we explore the D. melanogaster-yeast relationship using five different strains of yeast that were isolated from wild Drosophila populations. Ingested live yeasts have variable persistence in the D. melanogaster gastrointestinal tract. For example, Hanseniaspora occidentalis persists relative to S. cerevisiae, while Brettanomyces naardenensis is removed. Despite these differences in persistence relative to S. cerevisiae, we find that all yeasts decrease in total abundance over time. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important component of the D. melanogaster anti-microbial response and can inhibit S. cerevisiae growth in the intestine. To determine if sensitivity to ROS explains the differences in yeast persistence, we measured yeast growth in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide. We find that B. naardenesis is completely inhibited by hydrogen peroxide, while H. occidentalis is not, which is consistent with yeast sensitivity to ROS affecting persistence within the D. melanogaster gastrointestinal tract. We also compared the feeding preference of D. melanogaster when given the choice between a naturally associated yeast and S. cerevisiae. We do not find a correlation between preferred yeasts and those that persist in the intestine. Notably, in no instances is S. cerevisiae preferred over the naturally associated strains. Overall, our results show that D. melanogaster-yeast interactions are more complex than might be revealed in experiments that use only S. cerevisiae. We propose that future research utilize other yeasts, and especially those that are naturally associated with Drosophila, to more fully understand the role of yeasts in Drosophila biology. Since the genetic basis of host-microbe interactions is shared across taxa and since many of these genes are initially discovered in D. melanogaster, a more realistic fly-yeast model system will benefit our understanding of host-microbe interactions throughout the animal kingdom.
Thyroid Hemiagenesis: Report of a Case and Review of Literature

Our objective was to report an incidental finding of thyroid hemiagenesis in a patient who presented with a left neck mass, present a review of literature, and to discuss management of this diagnosis. Case report and review of literature. An internet-based literature search was performed via Pubmed with key words, “hemithyroid agenesis, thyroid hemiagenesis, absent thyroid gland”. Clinical, pathological, radiologic data and follow up information is reported. A 55 year old woman with a left neck mass presented to our service. A diagnostic CT scan of the head and neck revealed an unrelated finding of an absent left thyroid lobe. A review of the CT imaging did not reveal ectopic thyroid tissue. A complete physical examination including a flexible laryngoscopy was unremarkable. The neck mass was pathologically a granulomatous lesion on surgical pathology. Thyroid function tests were within normal limits. In follow-up, patient remains asymptomatic. Hemithyroid agenesis is most commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, although, hypothyroidism has been reported. Pathology that can be associated in the remnant thyroid lobe includes adenocarcinoma, adenoma, multinodular goiter, and chronic thyroiditis. In counseling patients, it is important to educate them regarding these associated conditions and offer appropriate work up if indicated. Incidental thyroid agenesis with a negative work up can then be observed.
The Rhesus Monkey as a Model for Evaluation of the Preservation of Stored Whole Blood

Blood was collected into Acid Citrate Dextrose solution (ACD) from a group of 20 large, adult rhesus monkeys. In ten of the experiments, the blood was labeled immediately with radioisotopes and reinfused into the donor monkeys. The other ten blood units were stored at 4 C for 21 days, then tabled and infused into the donor monkeys. In vitro determinations were made immediately after collection and at the end of the storage period and compared with the results obtained in stored human blood. The ten fresh blood infusions had a mean survival of 101.3 per cent with an average half time of 10.4 days. The 21 (lay-old bloods had a mean survival of 73.7 per cent (S.D. = 5.1%) with an average half time of 11.3 days. The average red blood cell survival of 123 human blood units stored 21 days and reinfused into their donors had an average red cell survival of 81.0 per cent (S.D. = 8.6%). The determinations in rhesus blood and human blood were comparable. These data strongly suggest that in vivo studies done in the rhesus monkey may be substituted for those performed in man to evaluate red cell preservation.
Grism spectroscopy with FLITECAM

FLITECAM, a near-infrared instrument being developed at the UCLA Infrared lab, will be the first light infrared instrument for NASA's SOFIA aircraft. In addition to its imaging capability, FLITECAM has been equipped with three direct-ruled KRS-5 grisms, allowing observations in 9 spectral bands, and giving nearly continuous spectral coverage from 1 to 5.5 microns. The design favors regions of the spectrum that are heavily attenuated except at high altitudes. The grisms are used with a dual-width long slit to yield a spectral resolution of R~1700 at high resolution and R~900 at low resolution. This resolution is better than that of the IRAS, ISO or KAO spectrometers, and covers a spectral regime left unsampled by the Spitzer Space Telescope. When used on the SOFIA, FLITECAM's spectroscopic mode will allow astronomical investigation of near-infrared features at a low water vapor overburden. The grism spectroscopic mode has been demonstrated on the Shane 120 inch telescope at Lick Observatory by observations of astronomical targets of interest, especially the PAH feature at 3.3 microns in HII regions and young planetary nebulae.
Steroidogenic adrenocortical cell lines produced by genetically targeted tumorigenesis in transgenic mice

Studies of adrenal steroidogenesis have been facilitated by the availability of immortalized mouse adrenocortical Y-1 cells. We sought to make new, alternative mouse steroidogenic cell lines by genetically targeted tumorigenesis. Transgenic mice were constructed expressing both the SV40 T-antigen and a bacterial neomycin-resistance gene under the control of the promoter for the human P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) gene, which encodes the first and rate-limiting enzyme in steroidogenesis. Two female transgenic mice expressed T-antigen in various nonsteroidogenic tissues but generated tumors only in the adrenals, suggesting adrenal tumor formation was an early event. Ovarian tissues, which, unlike the adrenal, do not make steroids in fetal or early postnatal life, did not develop tumors. Cell lines derived from the adrenal tumors were resistant to the neomycin analog G418. Clonal sublines are stable, growing easily in monolayers with a doubling time of 24-60 h. The cell lines secrete progest...
Characteristics of Hailstorms of Western South Dakota

Abstract An extensive observational program has resulted in a description of the typical hailstorm of western South Dakota. The typical storm is cellular with new cells developing on its southwest side. The median hailstorm produces radar echoes to 12.2 km MSL and has a total up-air flux just over 1011 gm sec−1. Mean moisture inflow is around 109 gm sec−1, and precipitation efficiencies vary widely. Air and moisture fluxes in large storms exceed those in the median storm by a factor of 10. Maximum observed equivalent X-band radar reflectivity factor in the median hailstorm is 104.8 mm6 m−3 and occurs at ∼5.5 km MSL. While there is evidence of occasional large steady-state cells characterized by very strong updrafts, hard hail and low precipitation efficiencies, most large storms pulsate as convective cells form and dissipate within them. Numerical models of hail-producing cells in the northern Great Plains should include time-dependent models capable of modeling the brake imposed on the updraft by precipi...
The impact of melting during reset operation on the reliability of phase change memory

Operation impact on endurance performance in GST-based phase change memory is investigated from small arrays to large test chips. SET operation induced electromigration and phase segregation are observed. For the first time, the RESET melting healing effect is proposed to partially repair the SET induced damage and further extend the endurance. This concept can be easily implemented by accordingly designing the control circuits.
20th-century sea-ice variations from observational data

In order to extend diagnoses of recent sea-ice variations beyond the past few decades, a century-scale digital dataset of Arctic sea-ice coverage has been compiled. For recent decades, the compilation utilizes satellite-derived hemispheric datasets. Regional datasets based primarily on ship reports and aerial reconnaissance are the primary inputs for the earlier part of the 20th century. While the various datasets contain some discrepancies, they capture the same general variations during their period of overlap. The outstanding feature of the time series of total hemispheric ice extent is a decrease that has accelerated during the past several decades. The decrease is greatest in summer and weakest in winter, contrary to the seasonality of the greenhouse changes projected by most global climate models. The primary spatial modes of sea-ice variability diagnosed in terms of empirical orthogonal functions, also show a strong seasonality. The first winter mode is dominated by an opposition of anomalies in the western and eastern North Atlantic, corresponding to the well-documented North Atlantic Oscillation. The primary summer mode depicts an anomaly of the same sign over nearly the entire Arctic and captures the recent trend of sea-ice coverage.
Evaluation of Navigation Sensors in Fire Smoke Environments

An experimental study was performed to quantify the performance of eleven common robotic navigation rangefinding technologies and camera systems in fire smoke environments. Instruments evaluated included two IR cameras, two visible cameras, two sonar systems, radar, a single-echo LIDAR, a multi-echo LIDAR, a Kinect™ depth sensor, and night vision. Small-scale smoke layer experiments were performed to isolate the effect of smoke visibility and gas temperature on instrument performance. Dense, low temperature smoke tests were used to evaluate instrument performance as the smoke visibility dropped below 1 m while the smoke temperature remained below 100°C. Light, high temperature smoke tests were used to evaluate instrument performance as the smoke reached a temperature above 250°C with the visibility above 5 m. Results from the tests show that radar systems and infrared cameras outperform the other rangefinders and cameras tested for these scenarios. A series of large-scale experiments were then performed to locate objects in a smoke filled room and hallway. Distances from the LIDAR were subject to error when the visibility reduced below 4 m. Infrared stereo vision and radar could locate the distance to target objects immersed in the smoke to within 10% and 1%, respectively, independent of smoke visibility level.
Global genomics disparities in the wake of personalised medical services

Global genomic disparities appear inevitable in the age of genomic scientific breakthrough. The highly industrialised nations of the world currently are at major advantage of implementing programmes to establish personalised medical services to affluent class in the technological advanced nations. This project explored the characteristic diseases of poverty which exist in epidemic proportion in the underdeveloped areas of the world. The major factors which facilitate genomic disparities were outlined as the tripartite linkage of diseases, poverty and the very high illiteracy level. The need to harness the benefits of biomedical informatics, as a 'technology of hope' in food production, health maintenance and wealth creation was emphasised. The various landmarks achieved in genomics science were outlined. Although these scientific developments have created the foundation for personalised medical services, researchers, national medical administrators have cautioned clinicians and physicians to pay serious attention to the issues of epidemiological evaluation of their gene testing services so as to maximise health benefits and minimise harm to unsuspecting healthcare consumers. A logic model illustrating strategies to eliminate global genomic disparities in personalised medical services was presented.
The use of specific ligands for the vertebrate acetylcholine receptor in the characterization of invertebrate acetylcholine receptors.

Abstract 1. The interaction of two specific ligands for the vertebrate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor were investigated on the solubilized form of a proposed acetylcholine receptor from the invertebrate Limulus polyphemus. 2. The affinity agent 4-(N-maleimodo)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide exhibited no effect on the binding of α-bungarotoxin to the Limulus receptor protein. 3. Torpedo acetylcholine receptor antibody neither inhibited α-bungarotoxin binding nor produced any alteration in the sedimentation profile of the Limulus receptor. 4. The lack of interaction of 4-(N-maleimido) benzyltrimethylammonium iodide and Torpedo acetylcholine choline receptor antibody with the Limulus acetylcholine receptor was interpreted to reflect significant difference between the molecular structures of this invertebrate receptor and the acetylcholine receptor of vertebrates.
A Symposium on the Future of Dentistry Report: Implications for the Public Sector: Impact on Dental Hygiene

This paper reviews the six recommendations as approved by the House of Delegates of the American Dental Association in 1983. Each recommendation is reviewed in relation to public health and preventive dentistry as well as the established goal of dental hygiene: “To improve the public's total health by increasing the awareness of and access to quality oral health care and to position the dental hygienist as the preventive oral health professional.” To reach this goal it is recommended that dental hygienists seek out opportunities in the public sector where there is more job satisfaction, their professional roles have higher acceptance with both coworkers and patients, and there is a high level of interaction with other health-care professionals.
Optimistic Bias Among Cigarette Smokers1

Smokers, unlike other populations engaging in risky behavior, readily acknowledge that tobacco use increases their susceptibility to smoking-related illness. This study used data from the Adult Use of Tobacco Survey to demonstrate that smokers, while acknowledging increased risk for illness, still show evidence of an optimistic bias in their perception of the hazards of their usual brand of cigarette. Optimism was assessed, first, by grouping respondents by perceived cigarette hazards (higher, lower, or about the same as others), and, second, by comparing Federal Trade Comission (FTC)-calculated and respondent-estimated cigarette tar levels. An optimistic bias was observed in all assessments. Perceived cigarette risk was not related to desire to stop smoking, if an easy way to do so were available, nor was it related to the number of previous quit attempts lasting one week or longer.
Angiotensin stimulates both early and late steps in aldosterone biosynthesis in isolated bovine glomerulosa cells

Abstract The present study was designed to examine the effect of angiotensin on both the early and the late phases of aldosterone biosynthesis. In order to isolate the early phase (the formation of pregnelone). it was necessary to identify an agent that would inhibit the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 4–5 eneisomerase enzyme system which facilitates the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. Such an agent was found in trilostane. Treatment of zona glomerulosa cells with trilostane resulted in accumulation of pregnenolone, and the addition of angiotensin increased the accumulation of pregnenolone still further. This observation demonstrates that angiotensin stimulates aldosterone biosynthesis at a point prior to pregnenolone formation. The late phase of aldosterone biosynthesis was isolated by using aminoglutethimide to inhibit the formation of pregnenolone by cells of the zona glomerulosa. Aldosterone was formed when aldosterone precursors occurring in the biosynthetic pathway from pregnenolone onward were added. When angiotensin was added along with deoxycorticosterone, the conversion of deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone was enhanced (P
T-cell receptor Jβ1/Jβ2 locus rearrangements in an HTLV-1-positive T-cell lymphoma with complex chromosomal aberrations

We report a case of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected adult T-cell lymphoma that has multiple chromosomal abnormalities, including the presence of an additional 7q22-36, which contains the locus of the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain gene. Specific TCR Jβ1/Jβ2 gene rearrangements were detected in both marrow and peripheral blood DNA, with evidence of further evolution of the transformed clonal population within the peripheral lymphocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which gene rearrangements have been associated with additional TCR loci. Consequently, it is advised that every effort should be made to correlate chromosomal abnormalities with gene rearrangement by molecular methods. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Glutathione-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation by a soluble, heat-labile factor in animal tissues

A glutathione-dependent, cytosolic factor (previously thought to be glutathione peroxidase), inhibits lipid peroxidation in both microsomal and mitochondrial membranes. Studies in this laboratory had shown that the inhibition was due to prevention of peroxidative attack on the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane lipids even under conditions that would otherwise promote rapid lipid peroxidation. A glutathione-dependent factor is also present in rat liver cytosol which can utilize peroxides of both free fatty acid salts in solution and free fatty acids in micellar suspension as substrates. It does not, however, utilize peroxidized lipids of microsomal and mitochondrial membranes as substrates. Whether or not this is the same factor which inhibits lipid peroxidation is not known with certainty, but current information indicates that they are not the same. Data presented in this report support the conclusion that neither glutathione peroxidase nor glutathione S-transferase activities appear to be responsible for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in biological membranes. After partial purification of active preparations of both of these peroxidases, it was observed that neither preparation inhibited lipid peroxidation. The results of this study further support the conclusion that the glutathione-dependent cytosolic factor which inhibits lipid peroxidation in biological membranes does so by preventing the peroxidation rather than by reducing lipid peroxides.
Agreement between point-of-care glucometry, blood gas and laboratory-based measurement of glucose in an equine neonatal intensive care unit

Objective: To test the agreement between 3 common methods of glucose measurement in a population of critically ill foals presenting to a neonatal intensive care unit. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University large animal hospital neonatal intensive care unit. Animals: Sequentially admitted critically ill neonatal foals <30 days of age. Interventions: Venous blood obtained from a jugular vein was used for determination of blood glucose concentration using point-of-care (POC) glucometry (GLU), a laboratory chemistry technique (CHEM) and a multi-electrode blood gas analyzer (BG). Paired data were compared using Lin's concordance correlation, Pearson's correlation and robust regression. Bias and limits of agreement were investigated using the technique of Bland and Altman. Measurements and main results: Concordance was significant for all comparisons and was strongest for CHEM-BG while weakest for GLU-BG. Pearson's correlation was excellent for all comparisons: CHEM-BG, 0.98; GLU-BG, 0.94; GLU-CHEM, 0.96. All comparisons had significant robust regression coefficients: CHEM-BG, 0.99; GLU-BG, 0.80; GLU-CHEM, 0.79. For Bland–Altman analysis, mean differences (mean±SD, 95% limits of agreement) were: GLU-BG (−33±18 mg/dL, −68.6 to 1.5); GLU-CHEM (−20±16 mg/dL, −51.0 to 10.9); CHEM-BG (13±11 mg/dL, −8.7 to 34.7). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that glucometry has less than ideal agreement with a laboratory standard and another POC test, blood gas analysis. These differences may be clinically important and decisions regarding management of glucose concentrations in critically ill foals should be made with these differences in mind.
The role of the convective “trigger function” in numerical forecasts of mesoscale convective systems

Three-dimensional numerical model simulations of a mesoscale convective system are performed to evaluate the sensitivity of the simulations to differences in the convective trigger function. The Penn State/NCAR mesoscale model with the Kain-Fritsch convective parameterization scheme is used as the modeling system for the study. All simulations are performed on the June 10–11, 1985 squall line from the OK PRE-STORM field experiment. Individual simulations differ only in their specification of the trigger function within the Kain-Fritsch scheme. Comparison of results from 12 hour simulations indicates that the position, timing, and intensity of convective activity and mesoscale features vary substantially as a function of the trigger function formulation. The results suggest that the convective trigger function is an integral part of the overall convective parameterization problem, and that great care must be exercised is designing realistic trigger function formulations, especially as model resolutions approach the scale of individual convective clouds.
Functional Integrals for Spin

A method based upon elementary quantum mechanics for constructing a path integral representation for spin amplitudes is described. A path integral representation obtained earlier for the unitary rotation matrices is rederived. In this system, the appropriate set of classical canonical variables and their quantum counterparts are identified. It is suggested how this method can be extended to more general systems by using the three-dimensional unitary group as another example.
Isotypic Decompositions of Lattice Determinants

Theq,t-Macdonald polynomials are conjectured by Garsia and Haiman to have a representation theoretic interpretation in terms of theSn-moduleM?spanned by the derivatives of a certain polynomial??(x1,x2,?,xn;y1,y2,?,yn). The diagonal action of a permutation??Snon a polynomialP=P(x1,x2,?,xn;y1 ,y2,?,yn) is defined by setting?P=P(x?1,x?2< F,?,x?n;y?1,y?2,?,y?n). Since the polynomial??alternates under the diagonal action,M?isSn-invariant. We analyze here the diagonal action ofSnonM?and show that its decomposition into irreducibles is equivalent to a certain isotypic expansion for the translate??(x1+x?1,x2+x ?2,?,xn+x?n;y1+y?1,y2+y?2,?,yn +y?n) of the polynomial??.
Association between increased body mass index and a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

We had observed that several patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were markedly obese. Therefore we determined the relationship between obesity and a diagnosis of APL among patients with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). Between 1980 and 1995 we saw 1245 patients with newly- diagnosed AML of whom 120 had APL. Increasing body mass index (BMI) was strongly associated with a diagnosis of APL (P = 0.0003). Like Douer et al (Blood 1996; 8: 303–313) we found APL to be more frequent in Latinos and younger patients (P 50 (vs none of the other 1125 AML patients). Given the distribution of BMI in the general US population ages 17–74, the probability that five of 120 normal adults would have a BMI >50 is virtually nil. Excluding the five very heavy APL patients does not alter the conclusion that increasing BMI predicted for APL in patients with AML. Although the mechanism is unclear there appears to be an association between increasing BMI and a diagnosis of APL among patients with AML. There may also be an association between APL and obesity.
The genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome

Problems that confound the clinical characterization of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also complicate the search for its genetic cause. There is no consensus as to the nature of the clinical phenotype for PCOS, and there is even doubt whether polycystic ovaries are an indispensable part of the syndrome. Few ethnic studies on PCOS have been performed, although it has been reported in most major racial groups. Genetic studies of family clusters and relatives of affective probands have shown a high incidence of affected relatives. A dominant mode of inheritance, rather than a recessive one, seems more likely. Multiple genetic causes of adult-onset hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation have been identified. Chromosomal studies of patients with PCOS have shown no consistent abnormality. Molecular genetic studies are now ongoing. Future genetic models should consider such problematic areas as the heterogeneity of the syndrome, phenotypes in males as well as in females in the nonreproductive years, the exclusion of secondary causes of hyperandrogenism, and the persistence of a syndrome that adversely affects fecundity.