cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SLIM-ADC: Spin-based Logic-In-Memory Analog to Digital Converter leveraging SHE-enabled Domain Wall Motion devices

Abstract This paper devises a novel Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) framework for energy-aware acquisition of analog signals with Logic-in-Memory capabilities. The beyond-CMOS hardware architecture has been designed to minimize the overall cost of signal acquisition. Spin-Hall Effect driven Domain Wall Motion (SHE-DWM) devices are utilized to realize the proposed framework called Spin-based Logic-In-Memory ADC (SLIM-ADC). Our simulation results indicate that the proposed SLIM-ADC offers ∼200 fJ energy consumption on average for each analog conversion or logic operation with up to 1 GHz speed. Furthermore, our results indicate that the proposed SLIM-ADC outperforms other state of the art spin-based ADC designs by offering ∼5.45 mW improved power dissipation on average. Additionally, a Majority Gate (MG)-based Full-Adder (MG-FA) is implemented using the proposed SLIM-ADC. Our results show that the proposed MG-FA offers ∼2.9-fold reduced power dissipation on average and ∼1.7-fold reduced delay on average compared to the state of the art Full-Adder designs reported herein.
Data-Gathering Protocol-Based AUV Path-Planning for Long-Duration Cooperation in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

In recent years, as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have been widely used to prolong the lifetime of underwater acoustic sensor networks (UWASNs) through cooperative data-gathering with sensor nodes, the need for long-range AUVs has become more pronounced to support long-duration cooperation with sensor nodes. Hence, AUV-based data-gathering protocols are required to support the long-duration cooperation by operating the long-range AUVs. However, the recently proposed AUV-based data-gathering protocols do not consider the energy consumption and tour time of AUVs, and what is worse repeat the cluster reconstruction by AUVs for the uniform energy consumption. Thus, via these protocols, AUVs can deplete their energy more quickly before fulfilling their missions. Also, there are path-planning algorithms that have reflected AUV’s energy consumption. However, they do not consider AUV’s maneuvering that causes AUVs to pay lots of costs, and thus AUVs cannot perform the long-range operation. The objective of this paper is to develop a data-gathering protocol based on AUV path planning that maximizes the mission time for the cooperative data-gathering. To achieve this goal, an enhanced lawn mower pattern path is designed to support both the long-range AUVs and the uniform energy consumption of sensor nodes. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol outperforms the recently proposed data-gathering protocol with respect to the long-duration cooperation for data-gathering, thereby increasing the lifetime of UWASNs.
Patient satisfaction following thyroidectomy in surgical mission: a prospective study.

Background: Surgical volunteer mission is a well-recognized approach for reducing the burden of surgical disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and patient satisfaction of thyroid surgery in the context of surgical mission carried out in Bohol Province, Philippines. Methods: This was a prospective study involving consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery in the surgical mission held in 2018. Informed consent was obtained from the patients. Safety defined as observed serious postoperative complication rate as compared to its expected based on American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was the primary endpoint, whereas patient satisfaction rated on a 5-point Likert scale was the secondary endpoint. Expected serious complication rate was calculated using the surgical risk calculator of NSQIP. Thyroid surgery included partial resections, hemi-, subtotal, and total thyroidectomies. Results: Thirty-eight patients underwent thyroidectomy performed by 4 surgeons in 2018 mission. Mean age of the patients was 40.6±11.3 years. Male to female ratio was 2:36. Goiter was the indication for surgery in 33 (86.8%) patients, whereas 5 (13.2%) patients were operated for thyroid malignancy. Postoperative serious complication and reoperation occurred in 1/38 (2.6%) for hematoma on first postoperative day. Expected and observed serious complication rates did not differ (1.1% vs. 2.6%; P=0.385). Ninety-seven percent of patients were satisfied with outcomes of surgery. Conclusions: This prospective cohort study found thyroid surgery performed within a surgical mission to be safe. Patient satisfaction rate was 97%. Further research is needed to develop and validate patient satisfaction assessment tools in surgical missions.
Suicidality and self-injurious behavior among adolescent social media users at psychiatric hospitalization

Background The current study sought to examine the relationship between documented social media use and suicidality and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents at the time of psychiatric hospitalization. Methods We retrospectively identified adolescents (aged 12-17 years) hospitalized on an inpatient psychiatric unit during 1 year. Abstracted information included documented social media use, demographic variables, documented self-injurious behaviors, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Suicide Status Form-II. Logistic regression was implemented to examine the effect of social media use on the risk of self-injurious behaviors and suicidality. Results Fifty-six adolescents who used social media were identified and matched with 56 non-social media users. Those with reported social media use had significantly greater odds of self-injurious behaviors at admission (odds ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence intervals, 1.17-5.71; P = .02) vs youth without reported social media use. Adolescents with reported social media use also had greater odds of increased suicidal ideation and suicide risk than those with no reported use, but these relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusions Social media use in adolescents with a psychiatric admission may be associated with the risk of self-injurious behaviors and could be a marker of impulsivity. Further work should guide the assessment of social media use as part of a routine adolescent psychiatric history.
Incidence and risk factors for perioperative death after revision total hip arthroplasty: a 20-year analysis.

Introduction:The number of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures is increasing in the US. Revision THA is associated with higher complication rates compared with primary THA. We describe...
4 – Linear Transformations

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of vector spaces over an arbitrary field and focuses on the study of linear transformations of vector spaces. The linear transformations occur not only in many areas within mathematics but also in the mathematical idealizations of many classes of problems in the natural and the social sciences. A linear transformation is a function that maps the vectors of one vector space onto the vectors of the same or another vector space with the same field of scalars in such a way that the image of the sum of two vectors equals the sum of their images and the image of the product of a scalar and a vector equals the product of the scalar and the image of the vector.
Optical control of MAP kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) reveals that it has divergent roles in pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative signaling

The selective pressure imposed by extrinsic death signals and stressors adds to the challenge of isolating and interpreting the roles of proteins in stress-activated signaling networks. By expressing a kinase with activating mutations and a caged lysine blocking the active site, we can rapidly switch on catalytic activity with light and monitor the ensuing dynamics. Applying this approach to MAP kinase 6 (MKK6), which activates the p38 subfamily of MAPKs, we found that decaging active MKK6 in fibroblasts is sufficient to trigger apoptosis in a p38-dependent manner. Both in fibroblasts and in a murine melanoma cell line expressing mutant B-Raf, MKK6 activation rapidly and potently inhibited the pro-proliferative extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) pathway; to our surprise, this negative cross-regulation was equally robust when all p38 isoforms were inhibited. These results position MKK6 as a new pleiotropic signal transducer that promotes both pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative signaling, and they highlight the utility of caged, light-activated kinases for dissecting stress-activated signaling networks.
Social and Behavioral Health Factors Associated with Violent and Mature Gaming in Early Adolescence

We examined how risk level of video games, measured by maturity and violence level, was associated with behavioral health, social impacts, and online social interactions. School-based surveys in two different cohorts assessed self-reported gaming behaviors, health, and social media use. For Study 1, our 700 participants were 52% female and 48% White (mean age 12.7). Middle school students who played the high-risk games reported higher depressive symptoms and problematic internet behaviors, less sleep, more time spent playing games, and higher frequency of checking social media than non-gaming students. Those who played high-risk games were less likely to play alone and to play with strangers than those who played minimal-risk games. For Study 2, our 772 participants were 50% female and 57% White (mean age 12.6). Similar to Study 1, we found that those who played the high-risk games spent significantly more time playing games, were more interactive with other players, and had poorer sleep outcomes than non-high-risk gamers. Additionally, playing high-risk games had significantly different social impacts of gaming compared to less-risky gaming, including spending more money on games, spending less time on homework and with family or skipping meals due to gaming. Mature and violent content of video games and amount of online social interaction associated with gaming play a strong role in behavioral health and social impacts within families. These results can inform guidelines to intervene when problematic behaviors emerge.
Modeling excitation-dependent bandstructure effects on InGaN light-emitting diode efficiency

Bandstructure properties in wurtzite quantum wells can change appreciably with changing carrier density because of screening of quantum-confined Stark effect. An approach for incorporating these changes in an InGaN light-emitting-diode model is described. Bandstructure is computed for different carrier densities by solving Poisson and k·p equations in the envelop approximation. The information is used as input in a dynamical model for populations in momentum-resolved electron and hole states. Application of the approach is illustrated by modeling device internal quantum efficiency as a function of excitation.
Social Skills Improvement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders = تحسين المهارات الاجتماعية لدى الأطفال المصابين باضطراب طيف التوحد

Autism is a developmental disability that affects the normal functioning of the brain. Autism is present from birth and has an effect on how an individual learns. Individuals with autism often have difficulty with communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. Integrating students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in inclusive classrooms with peers without disabilities is a common strategy for increasing social. Research has demonstrated that peers can help teach social skills to students with autism. The sample of the study will be selected non-randomly. There will be 24 students in this study. Also, three special education teachers will be in this study. All participants are native English speakers. The purpose of this study is to identify the best way to increase social skills for students with autism through inclusive classrooms تهدف هذه الدراسة الى التعرف الى أفضل طريقة لزيادة المهارات الاجتماعية للطلاب ذوي اضطراب التوحد وذلک من خلال دمجهم في الفصول الدراسية العامة مع أقرانهم العاديين. تم اختيار عينة بشکل عشوائي. سيکون هناک ٢٤طالب و٣ معلمين من الفصول العامة. جميع المشارکين لغتهم الأصلية هي اللغة العربية. تم مقابلة معلمي الفصول العامة من خلال استخدام استبيان لتحديد تأثير وفاعلية المهارات الاجتماعية في الفصول الدراسية. وقد أظهرت استجابة المعلمين بشکل إيجابي في فاعلية دعم الأقران في زيادة المهارات الاجتماعية لذوي اضطراب التوحد من خلال الأنشطة اليومية
Modeling, Optimizing and Financial Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Coupled with Energy Storage

This study presents a novel method for optimal operation of a grid connected hybrid renewable system including photovoltaic arrays, a wind turbine and battery energy storage in such a way that the net present value (NPV) is maximized under grid real time pricing condition. This analysis considers an expected lifespan of the photovoltaic arrays and 72-hour ahead energy management for the system. An Optimization method is developed based upon a two-step process. In step one, given a specified system's components characteristic, the optimal means to fulfill the hourly required load demand is determined. Considering the result from the first step, in the next step, the system capital cost in the model space is calculated. Eventually, the results help determine the most cost-effective mean to obtain the optimal power schedule of a day for the system.
Total brachial artery reactivity and incident heart failure and heart failure subtypes: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Endothelial dysfunction may be a phenotypic expression of heart failure (HF). Total brachial artery reactivity (TBAR) is a non-invasive measurement of endothelial function that has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Limited information is currently available on the impact of TBAR on incident HF and its subtypes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether TBAR is associated with overall incident HF, and the two HF subtypes, HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in a community-based study. The sample included 5499 participants (45–84 years of age) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Brachial artery was imaged via ultrasound after five minutes of cuff occlusion at the right forearm. TBAR was calculated as the difference between maximum and minimum brachial artery diameters following cuff release, divided by the minimum diameter multiplied by 100%. A dichotomous TBAR variable was created based on the median value (below or above 7.9%). Participants with EF ≤ 40% were considered HFrEF and those with EF ≥ 50% were considered HFpEF. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Over a mean follow-up period of 12.5 years, incident HF was diagnosed in 250 participants: 98 classified as HFrEF, 106 as HFpEF, and 46 with unknown or borderline EF (41–49%). Crude analysis revealed that those with TBAR below the median had a significantly greater risk of HF (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.13–1.88, p < 0.01) and HFrEF (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.07–2.43, p < 0.05). Following adjustment for known HF risk factors (e.g., age, sex, race, blood pressure), the strength of these relationships was attenuated. Borderline significant results were revealed in those with HFpEF (HR 1.43; 95% CI 0.97–2.12, p = 0.06). Kaplan–Meier curves suggest significantly lower risks of developing HF and HFrEF in those with TBAR above the median (log-rank p ≤ 0.05 for both). When examined as a continuous variable, with a cut point of 50% for EF, every 1-standard deviation (9.7%) increase in TBAR resulted in a 19 and 29% decrease in risk of HF (p < 0.05) and HFrEF (p = 0.05), respectively. Lower TBAR values were associated with higher rates of incident HF and HFrEF, suggesting a possible role of endothelial dysfunction in HF pathogenesis. The impact of other known HF risk factors may mediate this relationship, thus further research is warranted.
Nonlinear Programming and Engineering Applications

The last decade has seen dramatic strides in ones ability to solve nonlinear programming problems. In this chapter, we review a few applications of nonlinear programming to interesting, and in some cases important, engineering problems.
Full-scale test and research on transmission tower for UHV AC test and pilot Project

It's the first used in 1000kV Transmission Line in China. To verify the validity of optimize, calculate and select material in UHV AC test and pilot project tower, choose several typical towers to conduct test and research. This article Through analyze the test data, it provides optimize proposal, reference for UHV tower design.
RTSORAC: A Real-Time Object-Oriented Database Model

A real-time database is a database in which both the data and the operations upon the data may have timing constraints. We have integrated real-time, object-oriented, semantic and active database approaches to develop a formal model called RTSORAC for real-time databases. This paper describes the components of the RTSORAC model including objects, relationships, constraints, updates, and transactions.
The Chicago-Houston Report: Political Mobilization of Mexican Immigrants in American Cities

This report is part of a major research project that seeks to explain, from an organizational standpoint, the causes and mechanisms that have led to different types and levels of political mobilization of Mexican immigrant communities in Houston and Chicago. How and why is political mobilization of Mexican immigrants different in Chicago and Houston? To address this question, the report assesses the role of both local and transnational structures in the process of migrant political mobilization.
Follow-Up of the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial and the Future of Breast Cancer Prevention Efforts

Women who are at increased risk for developing breast cancer can be identified using quantitative risk assessment models that provide valid estimates of risk. The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT, P-1) demonstrated that tamoxifen can reduce the incidence of both invasive and noninvasive breast cancer as well as of bone fractures in women at increased risk. These benefits accrue at the expense of increased risk of endometrial cancer, thromboses, cataracts, and possibly diminished quality of life in postmenopausal women. All premenopausal women with a 5-year risk of developing invasive breast cancer greater than 1.67% derive net benefit from using tamoxifen to reduce the risk. Subset analyses of older postmenopausal women taking raloxifene for the treatment of osteoporosis indicate reduction of breast cancer incidence by more than 70%. These findings led the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) to design and launch the STAR trial (P-2, the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene). Eligible women are at least 35 years of age and postmenopausal, and they must have either lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or a 5-year risk of invasive breast cancer of at least 1.67% as determined by the Gail model [M. H. Gail et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. (Bethesda), 81: 1879-1886, 1989]. Subjects are randomly assigned to receive either tamoxifen 20 mg or raloxifene 60 mg daily in a double-blind, double-dummy design. The trial is designed to recruit a total of 22,000 postmenopausal women and is powered to demonstrate superior efficacy of either agent or their equivalence in reducing the incidence of primary breast cancer. Additional end points will include the incidence of cardiovascular events and bone fractures. Thromboembolic events and endometrial cancer are the predicted toxicities. Ancillary studies of cognitive function will also be performed. Raloxifene should not be used for the reduction of breast cancer risk outside the context of the STAR trial.
Exploring Classifiability Metrics for Selecting Informative Genes

Microarray experiments are emerging as one of the main driving forces in modern biology. By allowing the simultaneous monitoring of the expression of the entire genome for a given organism, array experiments provide tremendous insight into the fundamental biological processes that translate genetic information. One of the major challenges is to identify computationally efficient and biologically meaningful analysis approaches to extract the most informative and unbiased components of the microarray data. In this paper we introduce a framework that integrates machine learning and optimization techniques for the selection of maximally informative genes in microarray expression experiments. The proposed approach provides tremendous reduction in the number of informative genes, compared to similar analyses by generating biologically relevant minimal subsets of genes.
Mammary tumor regression. V. Role of acid ribonuclease and cathepsin.

Abstract Studies have been made on the role of two hydrolases, acid RNase and cathepsin, in the regression of hormone-dependent rat mammary carcinomas. A burst of acid RNase activity as early as 6 hours after hormonal deprivation was followed by a significant increase in cathepsin activity that began 48 hours after hormone removal. The ratios of free to bound activities of these enzymes increased with tumor regression, reaching their highest ratios of 4- to 5-fold that of growing tumors 72 to 96 hours after hormone removal when most tumors had regressed to one-half of their original size. The possible mechanisms leading to the increased free activity in regressing tumors are discussed. Isolation of acid RNase in a homogeneous state has made possible quantitation of the enzyme in tumors by immuno-diffusion techniques. The increase in enzyme quantity was closely correlated with its increased activity in regressing tumors. New synthesis of acid RNase during the early phase of tumor regression is indicated by an increased concentration of the enzyme which is partially blocked in vivo by inhibitors of protein synthesis.
Double-Blind Trial of Aminophylline in Status Asthmaticus

Significant improvement in ventilatory function without observable adverse effects has been demonstrated by this double-blind controlled trial of intravenous aminophylline in status asthmaticus. Aminophylline appears to have a beneficial therapeutic effect when given in addition to other accepted medications in appropriate dosage and under careful medical supervision to hospitalized children with status asthmaticus.
[18F]-FMAU PET assessment of erlotinib therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

454 Objectives To evaluate the ability of using [18F]-FMAU positron emission tomography (PET) to noninvasively monitor tumor response to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor - erlotinib treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Western blot analysis and microculture tetrazolium assay were performed to assess the cell response to erlotinib treatment using the EGFR-dependent HCC827 and EGFR-independent A549 NSCLC cell lines. Subcutaneous HCC827 and A549 tumor bearing mice were treated daily with erlotinib (oral gavage, 50 mg/kg) or solvent vehicle for 10 days. Tumor growth was monitored by caliper measurement. During the therapeutic period, longitudinal PET scans were acquired using [18F]-FMAU and [18F]-FDG to evaluate tumor cell proliferation and tumor glucose metabolism, respectively. Imaging metrics were validated by immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67 and caspase-3. Results Massive apoptotic cell death after erlotinib treatment, paralleled by reduction of p-EGFR and p-AKT levels in a dose-dependent manner, was observed only in HCC827 cells but not in A549 cells. Consecutive oral administrations of erlotinib were effective in inhibiting HCC827 tumor growth as compared to the control group, but not active in A549 tumors. For PET imaging, erlotinib-sensitive HCC827 tumors presented a remarkable decrease of [18F]-FMAU uptake relative to baseline by 25.5±8.6% change on day 2 and by 35.2±7.8% change on day 4, while [18F]-FDG PET revealed no consistent reduction in tumor glucose uptake. In A549 tumors, minimal changes of [18F]-FMAU and [18F]-FDG uptake were observed in PET imaging on both day 2 and day 4 after erlotinib treatment. All of the imaging findings were supported by ex vivo analysis of related biomarkers. Conclusions [18F]-FMAU PET enables quantitative assessment of erlotinib response in EGFR-dependent NSCLC tumors at a very early stage, favoring its potential clinical translation. Research Support This research was supported by James H. Zumberge Research & Innovation Fund, Whittier Foundation for translational cancer research, and USC Department of Radiology
Irradiation Creep by Glide-Induced Transient Absorption

Theoretical models for irradiation creep by climb-enabled glide of dislocations generally assume that steady-state profiles are maintained about a dislocation before, during and after the glide event. We show that, in fact, glide is too rapid to maintain steady profiles. The result is that there are significant transients in point defect flux to the dislocation associated with the termination of the glide event. Such transients propel dislocation climb excursions, which may lead to unpinning and to further glide resulting in irradiation creep. We term this new mechanism of irradiation creep glide-induced transient absorption. The solutions to the applicable time dependent diffusion equations are obtained. Calculations are carried out to identify the temperature ranges, materials, and irradiation parameter regimes where the mechanism is expected to be important. One consequence of the phenomenon is that it renders small dispersion hardening centers ineffective in restraining irradiation creep. 18 refs., 12 figs., 2 tabs.
Delaware's Choice

This article first documents the shift to annual elections of all directors at most U.S. corporations, and argues that the alternative of "ineffective" staggered boards would have been more desirable, as a policy matter, but is now a missed opportunity. Using this experience on staggered boards as a motivating case study, the article then examines a policy choice regarding Section 203 of the Delaware corporate code. Four facts are uncontested: (1) in the 1980s, federal courts established the principle that Section 203 must give bidders a "meaningful opportunity for success" in order to withstand scrutiny under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution; (2) federal courts upheld Section 203 at the time, based on empirical evidence from 1985-1988 purporting to show that Section 203 did in fact give bidders a meaningful opportunity for success; (3) between 1990 and 2010, not a single bidder was able to achieve the 85% threshold required by Section 203, thereby calling into question whether Section 203 has in fact given bidders a meaningful opportunity for success; and (4) perhaps most damning, the original evidence that the courts relied upon to conclude that Section 203 gave bidders a meaningful opportunity for success was seriously flawed -- so flawed, in fact, that even this original evidence supports the opposite conclusion: that Section 203 did not give bidders a meaningful opportunity for success. The constitutionality of Section 203 is therefore "in play," and, with the decline of the poison pill, a constitutional challenge against Section 203 will eventually come. Delaware could avoid this showdown by lowering Section 203's 85% threshold to 70%. Like the middle-ground approach on staggered boards, this amendment -- to a single number -- would also represent good policy: facilitating high-premium offers that attract a supermajority of disinterested shares, but also providing companies with reasonable insulation against opportunistic low-ball offers. This article will be presented as the Pileggi Lecture in Wilmington, Delaware on November 22, 2013.
COMPARISON OF FROZEN, FOAM-SPRAY-DRIED, FREEZE-DRIED AND SPRAY-DRIED EGGS

SUMMARY —Coagulation patterns of slurries prepared with milk and frozen, foam-spray-, freeze-and spray-dried whole eggs, yolks and albumen were studied. All slurries were heated and stirred at constant rates using a Brabender Visco/Amylo/Graph. Ranked in order of initial gelation temperatures were slurries prepared with frozen, freeze-, spray- and foam-spray-dried whole eggs. Slurries prepared with frozen yolks or albumen showed initial gelation at lower temperatures than those prepared with dried yolks or albumen. Viscosity data indicate detrimental effects of drying to gelation properties of whole eggs, yolks and albumen.
Hard Wall Radar Imaging: Localization of multiple objects shadowed by metallic walls with bistatic mode MIMO radar system

“Through-Wall Radar Imaging” (TWRI) has been studied extensively to reconstruct the image from the backscattered waves through the opaque dielectric wall. When the objects are located in the shadow region of the metallic wall (hard wall) where the waves can only bypass the wall via diffraction, a new problem arises as “Hard-Wall Radar Imaging” (HWRI), which has been proposed and discussed in our previous papers.
Note on a Three-Dimensional Shape Grammar Interpreter

A number of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shape grammar interpreters have been developed over the years. In fact, 2D variants of such interpreters are now commonly assigned as classroom exercises. In this note, a 3D implementation is described based on a commercial solid modeling kernel and an associated functional language. A Scheme implementation of the approach is discussed and several examples are given.
Bmmarl: a basal lineage of the mariner family of transposable elements in the silkworm moth, Bombyx mori

Abstract We describe a transposable element, called Bmmarl, from the genome of the silkworm moth, Bombyx mori. This element has features of the Tcl-mariner superfamily of transposable elements. Bmmarl was first detected as a fragment in the 5′ region of the larval serum protein (BmLSP) gene. Six genomic clones characterized each differed from a consensus sequence by 3–5 insertions and deletions, as well as an average of 2.3% in nucleotide sequence. The genome contains approximately 2400 copies of Bmmarl. Maximum parsimony phylogenetic analysis of the relationship of Bmmarl and other members of the Tcl-mariner superfamily, based on their encoded transposase amino acid sequences, indicates that it represents a basal lineage of the mariner family. In particular Bmmarl encodes a D,D37D motif thought to be the catalytic domain of mariner transposases. Bmmarl considerably increases the known diversity of this widespread family of transposons. A new naming system is proposed for members of the family.
Identification of bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, laminin, and anchoring fibril antigens in human fetal skin.

Human fetal skin was evaluated for sequential and regional development of several epidermal antigens. Indirect immunofluorescent methods were used to detect laminin, bullous pemphigoid antigen, pemphigus antigen and anchoring fibril antigens identified by monoclonal antibodies AF1 and AF2. Eighty-three human fetal skin biopsies from 32 human fetuses were examined. The fetuses examined ranged from estimated gestational age (EGA) of 7–38 weeks. Laminin was present in the basement membrane zone of all the fetal tissues examined. Bullous pemphigoid antigen developed first in the palm and sole, 9 weeks EGA and was present in all other sites by 17 weeks EGA. Pemphigus antigen was present by 11 weeks EGA. AF1 and AF2 staining was not present until 26 weeks EGA. AF1 and AF2 stained epidermal basal cells in addition to the basement membrane zone area. Comparison of human fetal skin development with basal cell carcinoma identified similarities between basal cell carcinoma and early fetal development.
Localization of mRNAs encoding two forms of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the rat hippocampal formation.

The mRNAs for two forms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65 and GAD67) were localized in the rat hippocampal formation by nonradioactive in situ hybridization methods with digoxigeninlabeled cRNA probes. Some neurons in all layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus were readily labeled for each GAD mRNA, and the patterns of labeling for GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs were very similar. All major groups of previously described GAD-and GABA-containing neurons appeared to be labeled for each GAD mRNA. Such findings suggest that most GABA neurons in the hippocampal formation contain both GAD mRNAs. When the labeling of neurons in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex was compared in the same sections, the intensity of neuronal labeling for GAD67 mRNA was generally similar in the two regions. However, the intensity of labeling for GAD65 mRNA was generally stronger for many neurons in the hippocampal formation than for most neurons in the cerebral cortex. Neurons in the hilus of the dentate gyrus were particularly well labeled for GAD65. The nonradioactive labeling for the GAD mRNAs was confined to the cytoplasm of neuronal cell bodies, and this allowed a clear visualization of the relative number and location of labeled neurons. Several distinct patterns of GAD mRNA-containing neurons were observed among different regions of the hippocampal formation. In the hilus of the dentate gyrus, GAD mRNA-containing neurons were numerous in the regions deep to the granule cell layer as well as in more central parts of the hilus. Within CA3, the densities (quantities) of labeled neurons varied among the regions. In the inner or hilar segment of CA3, the density of labeled neurons was often lower than that in the outer part of CA3 where numerous labeled neurons were distributed throughout all layers. In CA1, GAD mRNA-labeled neurons were distributed in a relatively laminar pattern with the highest density in stratum pyramidale and moderate densities in stratum oriens and at the interface between strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare. Lower densities were found within the latter two layers. The prominent localization of the two GAD mRNAs in the hippocampal formation suggests that dual system for GABA synthesis is necessary for normal GABAergic function in this brain region. Most putative GABA neurons contain relatively high levels of GAD67 mRNA as might be expected if this GAD form is responsible for the synthesis of GABA for metabolic and baseline synaptic function. The relatively high levels of GAD65 mRNA in many hippocampal neurons, particularly those of the dentate hilus, may indicate that these neurons have a well-developed reserve system for GAD and GABA synthesis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Visualization and Time Resolved PIV Measurements of the Flow in the Tip Region of a Subsonic Compressor Rotor

A new optically index matched facility has been constructed to investigate tip flows in compressor-like settings. The blades of the one and a half stage have the same geometry, but lower aspect ratio as the inlet guide vanes and the first stage of the LSAC facility at NASA Glenn. With transparent blades and casings, the new setup enables unobstructed velocity measurements at any point within the tip region, and is designed to facilitate direct measurements of effects of casing treatments on the flow structure. We start with a smooth endwall casing. High speed movies of cavitation and time-resolved PIV measurements have been used to characterize the location, trajectory, and behavior of the Tip Leakage Vortex (TLV) for two flow rates, the lower one representing pre-stall conditions. Results of both methods show consistent trends. As the flow rate is reduced, TLV rollup occurs further upstream, and its initial orientation becomes more circumferential. At pre-stall conditions, the TLV is initially aligned slightly upstream of the rotor passage, and subsequently forced downstream. Within the passage, the TLV breaks up into a large number of vortex fragments, which occupy a broad area. Consequently, the cavitation in the TLV core disappears. With decreasing flow rate, this phenomenon becomes more abrupt, occurs further upstream, and the fragments occupy a larger area.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
THE KNOWN GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE VERBENACEAE AND AVICENNIACEAE: SUPPLEMENT 4

OVER 3800 additional herbarium specimens of Verbenaceae and Avicenniaceae have been examined by the writer since the preparation of the last supplement to his listing of the known geographic distribution of the 2980 valid members of these two plant families based on an examination of 75,000 specimens.2 This additional material has come from the herbaria of the New York Botanical Garden, Trinidad and Tobago Botanical Garden, United States National Museum, Instituto Ciencias Naturales at Bogota, Butler University, Duke University, West Virginia University, Arnold Arboretum, Carnegie Museum, Kansas State College, Colorado State College, Pomona College, Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, and numerous individual collectors, including Dr. H. Hapeman at Minden, Nebraska. It has yielded the following 53 new country or island records, 34 state or province records, and 141 county records. One new species and one new combination are proposed. NEW YORK: Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene -Onondaga County. Verbena hastata L.-Erie County. Verbena urticifolia L.-Suffolk County. PENNSYLVANIA: Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene-Butler County. Verbena canadensis (L.) Britton-Washington County. X Verbena Engelmannii Moldenke-Crawford and Delaware Counties. Verbena hastata L.-Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Union, and Venango Counties. Verbena hastata f. rosea Cheney-Huntingdon County. Verbena simplex Lehm.-Bedford, Erie, and Fulton Counties. Verbena stricta Vent.-Allegheny, Erie, and Westmoreland Counties. Verbena urticifolia L.-Beaver, Bedford, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Lawrence, Pike, and Westmoreland Counties. Verbena urticifolia var. leiocarpa Perry & Fernald-Clearfield, Greene, Lawrence, Northampton, Washington, Wayne, and Westmoreland Counties. MARYLAND: Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene -Washington County. WEST VIRGINIA: Verbena hastata L.-Cabell, Kanawha, and Raleigh Counties. Verbena simplex Lehm.-Kanawha County. Verbena urticifolia L.Marion County. Verbena urticifolia var. leiocarpa Perry & Fernald-Barbour and RandolphWCounties.
Inductive effects on cation–π interactions: Structures and bond dissociation energies of alkali metal cation–halobenzene complexes

Abstract The influence of halogenation on cation–π interactions is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of alkali metal cation–halobenzene complexes, M+(C6H5X), are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer, where M+ = Na+ and K+, and X = Cl, Br, and I. The primary dissociation pathway for all systems is endothermic loss of the neutral halobenzene from the cation–π complex. In addition, minor production of the ligand exchange product, M+Xe, is also observed. At elevated energies elimination of NaX is also observed for the Na+(C6H5Br) and Na+(C6H5I) systems. Ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level of theory are used to determine the structures of the neutral π-ligands and cation–π complexes. Theoretical BDEs are determined from single point calculations at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level using the B3LYP/6-31+G* optimized geometries. Good agreement between the theoretical and experimental BDEs is found in all cases. The trends in the BDEs of the M+(C6H5X) complexes are explained in terms of the varying magnitude of the electrostatic interactions in these complexes elucidated from a binding parameter model. Comparisons are also made to BDEs previously determined for the analogous M+(C6H6) and M+(C6H5F) complexes to examine the inductive effects of the halogen substituent on the strength of the cation–π interaction.
Critical action procedures testing: a novel method for test-enhanced learning

Context Human error is a leading cause of adverse events in anaesthesia. Residents’ knowledge of how to respond to rare, yet potentially life-threatening events has been shown to deteriorate over time and thus cost-effective educational interventions are indicated. Previous research has shown that test-enhanced learning has the potential to strengthen both clinical knowledge and performance. We hypothesised that critical action procedures (CAPs) tests, similar to those employed by high-performance aircraft pilots, would help improve resident knowledge about how to respond to rare and potentially catastrophic events encountered during the perioperative period. Methods Knowledge assessments were administered to 29 first-year anaesthesiology residents over the course of 9 months. Five-minute closed-book tests were administered with fill-in-the-blank questions regarding the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ difficult airway guideline, advanced cardiac life support protocols, an institutional airway fire protocol and drug dosing for malignant hyperthermia. Inter-group comparisons were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The difference between the pre-test and final test scores for each subsection was determined with the Mann–Whitney U-test for independent samples. Results Composite subtest scores, when compared with baseline pre-test scores and subsequent scores, and when adjusted for attrition, significantly improved over the course of 9 months (20.5% versus 80%; P ≤ 0.001). Likert-based survey data indicated a positive report for attainment of knowledge. Conclusions In this longitudinal observational study of first-year anaesthesiology residents, CAPs testing helped improve knowledge about critical events. Although the study was limited by its small number of subjects, a significant attrition rate and the lack of a control group, it demonstrates a cost-effective educational intervention that improved resident knowledge. This intervention may enable residents to transfer learned skills from theoretical testing situations to real-life scenarios. We propose the use and further study of CAPs testing as a cost-effective modality to augment both simulated and actual experiential learning.
Complex Network Method of Evaluating Resilience in Surface Transportation Networks

A complex network analysis methodology was adopted to evaluate structural resilience in surface transportation networks with the use of examples of the U.S. highway and Interstate networks in Connecticut and the Indiana interurban railroad network. Resilience in these networks was evaluated alongside that of a biological network, which through millions of years of evolution had developed an adaptive behavior in which cost, efficiency, and resilience were optimized in the feeding network that was constructed. Disruptions in the networks were simulated by using link-based targeted and random strategies. With simulation results, network performance under disruption was assessed by using two metrics: global efficiency and the relative size of the giant component for each disruption strategy. The biological network exhibits superior resistance to disruption regardless of strategy, a quality attributed to its redundant and cyclic weblike network structure and its innate ability to adapt to disruptions by develo...
Compound chondrules fused cold

Abstract About 4–5% of chondrules are compound: two separate chondrules stuck together. This is commonly believed to be the result of the two component chondrules having collided shortly after forming, while still molten. This allows high velocity impacts to result in sticking. However, at T ∼ 1100 K, the temperature below which chondrules collide as solids (and hence usually bounce), coalescence times for droplets of appropriate composition are measured in tens of seconds. Even at 1025 K, at which temperature theory predicts that the chondrules must have collided extremely slowly to have stuck together, the coalescence time scale is still less than an hour. These coalescence time scales are too short for the collision of molten chondrules to explain the observed frequency of compound chondrules. We suggest instead a scenario where chondrules stuck together in slow collisions while fully solid; and the resulting chondrule pair was subsequently briefly heated to a temperature in the range of 900–1025 K. In that temperature window the coalescence time is finite but long, covering a span of hours to a decade. This is particularly interesting because those temperatures are precisely the critical window for thermally ionized MRI activity, so compound chondrules provide a possible probe into that vital regime.
Mini/micro computer evaluation of system features: An empirical discriminant model of software and hardware expandability, compatibility, cost-efficiency, installation and delivery

The rapid advances in technology with declining costs of hardware is expected to widen the market for computers. One of the interesting balances for vendors to achieve is keeping users happy with increases in price performance, usually with lower unit costs. One way to achieve this objective is by satisfying users and meeting their needs. Users have many different needs, however, and it may be very difficult to prioritize them since many of the needs are partially mutually exclusive. For example, the promotion of one need, low response time, would be at the expense of another need, low cost. Therefore, mini/micro vendors and users could use a model that will prioritize needs and measure how satisfied users are with specific computer systems as compared to others. Similarly, the same information may be very useful to current and future computer users for system selection. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present study is to provide vendors and users of mini/micro computers with a discriminant model. This model classifies correctly 93% of the successful systems. Thus it can be used for system selection by users and for system design by vendors.
Metal Dusting Corrosion of Austenitic 304 Stainless Steel

Metal dusting is a severe form of corrosive degradation of metals at high temperatures (400-900°C) in carbon-supersaturated gaseous environments (a c > 1). Fe, Ni, and Co base high-temperature alloys and steels are all susceptible. The corrosion manifests itself as a breakup of bulk metal to metal powder; hence, the term metal dusting. In the present study, metal dusting corrosion of 304 stainless steel (SS) is simulated in high carbon activity environments (Co-H 2 ) over a temperature range from 550 to 750°C. 304 SS corrodes by transfer of carbon and its subsequent diffusion and precipitation in the steel interior pursuant to local rupture of a protective surface oxide film. The focus of this research is to advance the understanding of the corrosion mechanisms of this type of steel by characterizing interfacial processes at the nanometer level. In addition to the effect of temperature and the role of surface finish on corrosion, the mechanistic aspects of metal dusting are discussed with particular attention to stages of microstructure evolution as degradation proceeds.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into cold-preserved liver allografts: survival pattern and unresponsiveness following transduction with CTLA4Ig.

The immune response of liver transplant recipients was modulated via adenovirus-mediated transduction of the cold-preserved liver with sequences encoding CTLA4lg. Transplanted allografts demonstrated rapid transient local expression and recombinant protein production shortly after revascularization, resulting in intact liver function, indefinite survival of the recipient, and the development of donor-specific unresponsiveness. Lymphocytic infiltration of the graft was mainly of the T helper 2 (Th2) subset and was not associated with injury to primary cellular targets of the alloimmune response. These findings demonstrate a successful outcome of a feasible and potentially clinically relevant system of gene delivery of sequences encoding proteins capable of inhibiting the alloimmune response.
The Semantic Profile Technique for Measuring Students' Impressions of Psychology Courses:

A semantic profile technique measures students' impressions of course content. Students rate several course terms using 12 bipolar semantic dimensions. The ratings in six sections of introductory psychology (N = 210) varied depending on individual differences in course grade, achievement orientation, psychological mindedness, and learning style. We report analyses to guide others in adapting the technique to their courses, and we recommend this technique to improve instruction.