cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Energy Characteristics of MPI Communication Primitives with RAPL

The energy consumed by modern supercomputing systems continues to grow at an alarming rate. The Message Passing Interface (MPI) has been the de facto programming model for parallel applications and MPI libraries have been designed to achieve the best communication performance on modern architectures. However, the performance and energy trade-offs of these designs have not been studied. Hence, it is critical to understand the energy consumption characteristics of MPI routines and the performance-energy trade-offs of various protocols and designs that are used in MPI libraries. The first hurdle in achieving this objective is to design a framework that can be used to measure energy consumption of various components during communication operations. The RAPL interface allows users to measure energy across various domains on the Intel Sandy-Bridge processor, in a low-overhead, non-intrusive manner. However, this interface has certain limitations and cannot be directly used to measure energy profiles of MPI operations in a fine-grained manner. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology to address these limitations. We propose a new shared-memory window-based solution to accurately measure the aggregate energy consumed by all processes engaged in MPI operations. Using our proposed framework, we demonstrate the impact of various communication protocols and progress mechanisms on the energy consumption. Our evaluations demonstrate that the kernel-based solutions can potentially lead to lower energy consumption for intra-node communication operations. Further, our framework also reveals possible energy bottlenecks in scaling important collective operations, such as, MPI All reduce. In addition, we also use our proposed framework to study the energy consumption characteristics of MPI calls in the NAS-IS benchmark and we infer that the choice of progress mechanism can lead to about 6% energy savings for the processors.
Cell-specific selection of mutants of a herpes simplex virus recombinant carrying deletions.

Abstract Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) recombinant R316 was constructed so as to convert the thymidine kinase (TK), a β gene, into an α-regulated gene by insertion of the Bam HI N fragment in the proper transcriptional orientation into the Bgl II cleavage site of the TK gene (L. E. Post, S. Mackem, and B. Roizman, Cell , 24 , 555–565 (1981) .) The Bam HI N ragment contains the promoter and regulatory domains of the a4 gene in addition to an origin of viral DNA synthesis and the complete domain of the α22 gene. Passage of the R316 virus in HEp-2 or in human embryonic lung (HEL) cells resulted in rapid accumulation of mutants carrying approximately 4.4-kbp deletions in the insert. No appreciable accumulation of the deletions was observed upon passage of R316 virus in Vero cells. The accumulation of deletions in HEp-2 and HEL cells could not be attributed to the fusion of the TK gene with the α4 gene promoter, to the presence of an origin of DNA replication, or to overexpression of any of the genes whose domain is contained entirely in the HSV-1 Bam HI N fragment; these conclusions are based on the observations that deletions did not accumulate in HEL or HEp-2 cells infected with recombinant R315, containing Bam HI N inserted in an inverted orientation, or with recombinant R314, carrying an α4-TK chimera constructed by insertion of the HSV-1 Bam HI Z fragment into the Bgl II cleavage site in the TK gene. The Bam HI Z fragment also contains a functional origin of DNA synthesis. The hypothetical models which could explain the host range-specific accumulation of deletions are discussed.
The glomerular changes in children with reflux nephropathy.

While heavy proteinuria and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are well-recognized features of progressive reflux nephropathy in adults, little is known of their early evolution. We have studied the glomerular changes in renal biopsy specimens obtained from 24 patients aged 5·2–18·8 years, in whom urinary protein excretion was measured as early morning urine protein/creatinine ratios, using the Coomassie blue dye-binding method. Segmental sclerotic lesions were found in eight biopsies and traced through serial sections to a hilar origin in every instance. There was a strong positive correlation between the extent of glomerular involvement and the amount of proteinuria (P<0·0001). Parahilar hyaline deposits were observed in 16 biopsies, including five of the eight showing FSGS. All unsclerosed glomeruli were enlarged, and the hilar arterioles showed both enlargement and thickening, their walls frequently containing subendothelial hyaline deposits. Since in most patients renal function was comparatively well preserved, despite extensive loss of renal substances, we believe that these glomerular and vascular changes represent the stages in the evolution of hyperfiltration. Microproteinuria is the earliest clinical manifestation of FSGS, and should be sought routinely in all patients with reflux nephropathy.
Red spruce canopy response to acid fog exposure

The health of red spruce is adversely affected by exposure to acid fog. Epicuticular wax structure over epistomatal chambers, mesophyll membrane calcium and changes in redox state of glutathione are affected in both chamber and field studies and are correlated with leaf exposure to acid fog, but not with soil or total leaf calcium concentrations. Experiments tracking fog deposition under conditions of illumination or darkness, with or without a metabolic inhibitor, support the mechanism of diffusiophoresis linked with photosynthetic gas exchange. Based on deposition pattern and leaf morphology, a stomatal pathway for water and hydrogen ion penetration to leaf interior is proposed. Ecophysiological parameters are discussed in relation to differential sensitivities of red spruce and white pine to ozone and acid fog.
Self-Concept of White, Middle Socioeconomic Status Addicts: A Controlled Study

Commonalities in the developmental patterns of both narcotic addiction and negative self-attitudes motivated this controlled study of 70 White, middle socioeconomic status (WMSES) addicts and 70 WMSES nonaddicts. The hypothesis that measures of self-attitudes would distinguish addicts from nonaddicts was confirmed with highly significant differences. The hypothesis that antecedent conditions purported to result in positive self-attitudes would distinguish addicts from controls was also supported. Developmental conditions posited as indices of early self-attitudes further discriminated the two groups. A self-reported profile of the WMSES addict was compiled describing drug-use patterns and childhood situations.
Conjecturing hidden entities by means of simplicity and conservation laws: machine discovery in chemistry

Abstract We show that combinatorial search, constrained by experimental evidence, domain knowledge, and simplicity, is sufficient to discover credible explanatory hypotheses in a scientific task of current importance. The MECHEM system automates the scientific task of determining the pathway of steps underlying a chemical reaction. MECHEM carries out a systematic search for pathway hypotheses that satisfy constraints and explain the available evidence. During its search, the system conjectures unseen entities as needed to formulate hypotheses, but only after determining by experimentation or other means that all simpler hypotheses are inadequate. The generality of MECHEM's methods is established by pointing out similarities to other scientific tasks and programs.
Preparing for a career in information systems consulting

Abstract The purpose of this article is to review options available to accounting students wishing to enter management and information systems consulting and to those accountants considering career changes to this field. Results of interviews with partners and managers of consulting divisions have assisted the authors in identifying the essential background and experience that qualify persons for entry into this specialization. The authors also suggest various strategies for obtaining the requisite background and/or skills.
Inactivation of polycaprolactone depolymerase (cutinase) in Fusarium cultures by an extracellular protease

Cultures of Fusarium moniliforme grown on polycaprolactone (PCL) or on cutin as a sole source of carbon and energy had low levels of detectable PCL depolymerase (cutinase) activity in the supernatant medium. A small peak of depolymerase activity was observed after hyphal accumulation had ceased, but this activity soon declined. The low level of the peak of activity and its decline were attributable to proteolytic inactivation of the depolymerase. A decrease in the pH of cultures coincided with the appearance of protease activity in the supernatant at about the same time as the appearance of the transient peak of depolymerase activity. Addition of protease substrates (bovine serum albumin, casein) to the culture at this time caused a dramatic although temporary increase in PCL depolymerase activity. The same effect was seen for cultures of F. solani pisi. Use of a different buffer system for the medium prevented a drop in pH and resulted in higher and stable levels of PCL depolymerase activity.
Nitric oxide scavenging by hemoglobin regulates hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

Although the importance of red blood cells in augmenting hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction has been recognized for decades, only recently has it become clear that this occurs primarily because of the inactivation of nitric oxide (NO) by hemoglobin. This interaction between red blood cells, NO, and the pulmonary circulation is critical in understanding the effects of anemia and polycythemia on pulmonary blood flow distribution, gas exchange, and global O2 delivery and in understanding the development of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers. This review will discuss the proposed mechanisms for initiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and regulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by red blood cells with an emphasis on hemoglobin-NO interactions. In addition, the review will discuss how biologic (S-nitrosation) or pharmacologic (cross-linking) modification of hemoglobin may affect pulmonary circulatory-hemoglobin interactions.
Does substance misuse moderate the relationship between criminal thinking and recidivism

Abstract Purpose Some differential intervention frameworks contend that substance use is less robustly related to recidivism outcomes than other criminogenic needs such as criminal thinking. The current study tested the hypothesis that substance use disorder severity moderates the relationship between criminal thinking and recidivism. Methods The study utilized two independent criminal justice samples. Study 1 included 226 drug-involved probationers. Study 2 included 337 jail inmates with varying levels of substance use disorder severity. Logistic regression was employed to test the main and interactive effects of criminal thinking and substance use on multiple dichotomous indicators of recidivism. Results Bivariate analyses revealed a significant correlation between criminal thinking and recidivism in the jail sample ( r = .18, p B = -.58, p Conclusions Study findings indicate that substance use disorder symptoms moderate the strength of the association between criminal thinking and recidivism. These findings demonstrate the need for further research into the interaction between various dynamic risk factors.
Metallel : an integrated approach to non-literal phrase interpretation

Metallel is a program that incorporates marker passing techniques within a preference/collative semantics framework. This allows for the simultaneous generation of literal and non-literal meaning representations, while allowing for a much greater degree of parallelism during processing. In addition, we have integrated metonymic and metaphoric inferencing into one procedure, arguing that at least some types of metaphor can be represented as parallel metonymies. A number of examples are presented which show that metallel's output is roughly equivalent to conventional, rule-based approaches to metonymy.
Vitamin K epoxide reductase significantly improves carboxylation in a cell line overexpressing factor X.

Previously we reported that we could increase the fraction of carboxylated factor X by reducing the affinity of the propeptide for its binding site on human gamma glutamyl carboxylase. We attributed this to an increased turnover rate. However, even with the reduced affinity propeptide, when sufficient overproduction of factor X is achieved, there is still a significant fraction of uncarboxylated recombinant factor X. We report here that the factor X of such a cell line was only 52% carboxylated but that the fraction of carboxylated factor X could be increased to 92% by coexpressing the recently identified gene for vitamin K epoxide reductase. Because vitamin K is in excess in both the untransfected and vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR)–transfected cells, the simplest explanation for this result is that VKOR catalyzes both the reduction of vitamin K epoxide to vitamin K and the conversion of vitamin K to vitamin K hydroquinone. In addition to its mechanistic relevance, this observation has practical implications for overproducing recombinant vitamin K–dependent proteins for therapeutic use.
SU‐FF‐T‐444: Validation and Benchmark of a Source Model for a Varian 6 MV Photon Beam Using Monte Carlo Calculations

Purpose: Validation and benchmarking of a newly‐developed measurement‐drivensource model based on Monte Carlo calculations. Method and Materials: A measurement‐driven model using the Dose Planning Method DPM dose calculation algorithm is being developed for use with Varian, Elekta, and Siemens 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams. The present work details the validation and benchmarking for the Varian 6 MV beam. The multi‐source model consists of a primary photon point source, an extra‐focal exponential disk source, and an electron contamination uniform disk source. The model accounts for fluence and off‐axis energy effects due to the flattening filter. Dose calculations for field sizes from 4 cm by 4 cm to 40 cm by 40 cm were performed and tested against the basic beam data measurements. In addition, an IMRT homogeneous plan, a stereotactic lung plan, and an IMRTlung plan were delivered to anthropomorphic phantoms housing TLD and radiographic film dosimeters for benchmark evaluations. Results: Comparisons between calculation and measurement of the PDD and dose profiles for all square field size configurations showed agreement within 2%/2 mm for 90% of the data tested. General agreement at the level of 3%/2mm for 85% of the data tested was found in both of the lung treatment plans. However, calculation of the highly modulated IMRT homogeneous plan showed an underestimation of dose of up to 8% locally in the center of the PTV. Conclusion: This work demonstrates a source model that is robust for the Varian 6 MV photon beam; however, only a simple MLC model that did not include the effects of the rounded leaf ends and interleaf leakage was used. We are currently evaluating a detailed MLC model to improve the agreement with measurement. Conflict of Interest: Work supported by PHS CA010953, CA081647, and R01 CA85181 awarded by NCI, DHHS
Arterial occlusion of pelvic bone tumors

Arterial occlusion of the internal iliac artery was successful in the relief of pain due to primary and secondary neoplasms of the bony pelvis in 8 of 9 patients. These included 3 giant cell tumors, 1 aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 recurrent chondrosarcoma, 3 metastatic renal cell carcinoma and 1 metastatic clear cell sarcoma. Calcification of the margin of the lesion occurred in 3 of 4 primary neoplasms after infarction. The transcatheter arterial occlusion was accomplished utilizing Gelfoam and stainless steel coils. Although most patients experienced pain and fever for several days following the procedure, no permanent sequelae or complications were encountered.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy—Is it Worth the Cost? Trend Analysis in the US from 2000 to 2005

Background Although laparoscopic appendectomy is widely used for treatment of appendicitis, it is still unclear if it is superior to the open approach. Study Design From the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2000 to 2005, hospitalizations with the primary ICD-9 procedure code of laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) were included in this study. Outcomes of length of stay, costs, and complications were assessed by stratified analysis for uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis (perforation or abscess). Regression methods were used to adjust for covariates and to detect trends. Costs were rescaled using the hospital and related services portion of the Medical Consumer Price Index. Results Between 2000 and 2005, 132,663 (56.3%) patients underwent OA and 102,810 (43.7%) had LA. Frequency of LA increased from 32.2% to 58.0% (p Conclusions LA results in higher costs and increased morbidity for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. Nevertheless, LA is increasingly used. Patients undergoing LA benefit from a slightly shorter hospital stay. In general, open appendectomy may be the preferred approach for patients with acute appendicitis, with indication for LA in selected subgroups of patients.
Innominate vein repair after iatrogenic perforation with central venous catheter via mini-sternotomy—Case report

Introduction Iatrogenic damage of the innominate vein is a possible complication with extracorporeal central venous line catheter insertion techniques. When perforation occurs, the catheter is left in place and surgery is required for careful removal and repair of other possible complications, including hemothorax and cardiac tamponade. The traditional approach for innominate vein repair is via a complete median sternotomy.
Antipsychotics for aggressive behaviour: no better than placebo for non-psychotic adults with learning difficulties.

QUESTION Question: Do risperidone or haloperidol reduce aggressive challenging behaviour more than placebo in people with intellectual disability? Patients: 86 adults with intellectual disability (intelligence quotient ,75) and aggressive challenging behaviour (>2 episodes of aggressive behaviour, modified overt aggression scale (MOAS) score >4 in past 7 days), but who had not received a clinical diagnosis of psychosis. Exclusions: depot or injected antipsychotics in the past 3 months, oral antipsychotics in the past week; currently sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Setting: Ten centres in the UK and one centre in Australia; recruitment 2002–6. Intervention: Risperidone, haloperidol or placebo for 12 weeks, with the option to continue to 26 weeks. Drug dosage could be adjusted by the clinician (risperidone dose range: 0.5 mg to 2 mg daily; haloperidol dose range: 1.25 mg to 5 mg haloperidol). Higher antipsychotic doses were allowed in exceptional circumstances, as was lorazepam ((2 mg daily) in emergencies. Outcomes: Change in aggressive behaviour from baseline (MOAS). Patient follow-up: 100% at 4 weeks, 71% at 12 weeks, and 57% at 26 weeks. Last observation carried forward analyses included 100% of participants.
Cluster Computing-Based Trajectory Sensitivity Analysis Application to the WECC System

This paper presents an application of the trajectory sensitivity method to a large realistic power system. A cluster computing platform is utilized to solve the trajectory sensitivity equations in parallel when multiple sensitivity element calculations are performed. The results show great efficiency improvement with this platform. Another important issue addressed is the error associated with the perturbation size for linear trajectory approximations. When the perturbation size varies, it is critical to ascertain the accuracy of the trajectory approximation. A technique to characterize the error and quantify it is developed. A transient stability constrained preventive control application of generation rescheduling involving trajectory sensitivity analysis, parallel computing, and accuracy evaluation is presented for a large WECC test system. This demonstration highlights the efficacy of the parallel computing capability and accuracy of the calculated preventive control.
Enhanced production of IL-17A during zymosan-induced peritonitis in obese mice

Neutrophils from obese mice produce high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A following zymosan administration; this cytokine contributes to exacerbation and delayed resolution of peritoneal inflammation in obesity.
Analyzing multicore dumps to facilitate concurrency bug reproduction

Debugging concurrent programs is difficult. This is primarily because the inherent non-determinism that arises because of scheduler interleavings makes it hard to easily reproduce bugs that may manifest only under certain interleavings. The problem is exacerbated in multi-core environments where there are multiple schedulers, one for each core. In this paper, we propose a reproduction technique for concurrent programs that execute on multi-core platforms. Our technique performs a lightweight analysis of a failing execution that occurs in a multi-core environment, and uses the result of the analysis to enable reproduction of the bug in a single-core system, under the control of a deterministic scheduler. More specifically, our approach automatically identifies the execution point in the re-execution that corresponds to the failure point. It does so by analyzing the failure core dump and leveraging a technique called execution indexing that identifies a related point in the re-execution. By generating a core dump at this point, and comparing the differences betwen the two dumps, we are able to guide a search algorithm to efficiently generate a failure inducing schedule. Our experiments show that our technique is highly effective and has reasonable overhead.
A cross-domain empirical study and legal evaluation of the requirements water marking method

Companies that own, license, or maintain personal information face a daunting number of privacy and security regulations. Companies are subject to new regulations from one or more governing bodies, when companies introduce new or existing products into a jurisdiction, when regulations change, or when data are transferred across political borders. To address this problem, we developed a framework called "requirements water marking" that business analysts can use to align and reconcile requirements from multiple jurisdictions (municipalities, provinces, nations) to produce a single high or low standard of care. We evaluate the framework in two empirical case studies covering a subset of U.S. data breach notification laws and medical record retention laws. In these studies, applying our framework reduced the number of requirements a company must comply with by 76 % across 8 jurisdictions and 15 % across 4 jurisdictions, respectively. We show how the framework surfaces critical requirements trade-offs and potential regulatory conflicts that companies must address during the reconciliation process. We summarize our results, including surveys of information technology law experts to contextualize our empirical results in legal practice.
Thermal and Structural Performance of a Single Tube Support Post for the Superconducting Super Collider Dipole Magnet Cryostat

The reentrant support post currently incorporated in the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) dipole cryostat has been shown to meet the structural and thermal requirements of the cryostat, both in prototype magnet assemblies and through component testing. However, the reentrant post design has two major drawbacks: tight dimensional control on all components, and cost driven by these tolerance constraints and a complex assembly procedure. A single tube support post has been developed as an alternative to the reentrant post design. Several prototype assemblies have been fabricated and subjected to structural testing. Compressive, tensile, and bending forces were applied to each assembly with deflection measured at several locations. A prototype support post has also been thermally evaluated in a heat leak measurement facility. Heat load to 4.2 K was measured with the intermediate post intercept operating at various temperatures while thermometers positioned along the conductive path of the post mapped thermal gradients. Results from these measurements indicate the single tube support post meets the design criteria for the SSC dipole magnet cryostat support system.
DSVM6K: distributed shared virtual memory on the RISC System/6000

The authors describe DSVM6K, an implementation of distributed shared virtual memory (DSVM) in AIX v3 on the IBM RISC (reduced instruction set computer) System/6000 workstation. The design and implementation exploit the high-speed fiber links and low-overhead link protocols on the RISC System/6000 workstation. The results demonstrate that technology like this is required for a high-performance DSVM system. DSVM6K achieves the highest performance of any DSVM system reported in the literature. Descriptions of the overall design, programming interfaces, performance measurement data, and application results are presented. >
Combinatorial prediction markets for fusing information from distributed experts and models

Markets are a medium for information exchange between buyers and sellers. Prediction markets exploit the information transmission property of markets to improve forecasts of future events. Participants in a prediction market buy and sell assets that pay off if the underlying event occurs. Prices in a prediction market can be interpreted as consensus probabilities for the underlying events. Prediction markets thus provide a promising method to fuse information from a collection of human forecasters and/or computer forecasting algorithms. This paper describes the use of prediction markets as an information fusion mechanism, introduces combinatorial prediction markets as a mechanism for expressing and exploiting dependencies among base events, presents algorithms for performing basic market computations in combinatorial prediction markets, and introduces the SciCast combinatorial prediction market, a combinatorial prediction market for science and technology forecasting available at http://scicast.org.
Venous Hypertension Associated with Asymptomatic Bilateral Axillary Vein Thrombosis and Graft Arteriovenous Fistula A Case Report

Surgically created arteriovenous fistula is a widely used form of treatment for end-stage renal disease. Even though it causes hemodynamic changes, they are not sufficient to produce significant al...
The growing importance of microelectronics from a foundry perspective

Microelectronics is the dominant industrial technology of today. Its rate of innovation, spelled out by Moore's Law, is exceptional by any commercial metric, especially, as it has been on this trajectory for almost 40 years. It is not surprising, that other industrial sectors are taking advantage of the innovation engine of the semiconductors for its own product innovation: Cars are safer and more economic, medical diagnostics are performing to a significantly higher level, and energy efficiency from the generation to the consumer is a lot more efficient. “The Internet” has become the basis for our communication, organization and planning in our economies with significant impact to our society. However, the Semiconductor industry is under a powerful transformation marked by the following trends: — Design Complexity is facing new challenges, as technological complexity is transferred to the design space at an accelerated pace — The SOC is dominating the design space — Intelligent Things are emerging with unprecedented cognitive and motion capabilities — The supply chain transformation is in full motion, with the foundry model at the forefront.
Renin mRNA is upregulated in testes and testicular cells in response to treatment with aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been shown to affect fertility in many species; however, the exact molecular mechanisms associated with the disruption are not known. Our objectives were to determine changes in testicular gene expression due to exposure to AFB1 and to investigate which cell types were affected by treatment with AFB1. Male mice 4 wk of age were administered a daily placebo (control; N = 9) or 50 μg/kg AFB1 (AFB1 treated; N = 10) daily for 45 days. Males were then mated to four females each for 8 days. Male mice were characterized as being “Tolerant” (N = 3) or “Intolerant” (N = 3) to the effects of AFB1 based on positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining in the testes and the number of pups sired. Tolerant males produced a similar average number of fetuses (mean ± SEM) (12.5 ± 1.2) per male as selected control males (13.4 ± 1.2), but more fetuses (P = 0.01) than Intolerant males (7.6 ± 1.2). The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in Intolerant males tended to be (P = 0.10) greater (136.5 ± 27.2) than in Tolerant (55.0 ± 22.2) and selected control (54.3 ± 22.2) males. Affymetrix microarray (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) analysis revealed differential expression (P < 0.05) of 193 extra cellular space and signaling genes, 49 signal transduction genes, 45 immune regulation genes, and 230 cell differentiation genes in the testis. Renin was commonly represented amongst many clusters and was chosen for further analyses. Upregulation (P < 0.001) of Renin in Tolerant mice (N = 3) compared with Intolerant mice (N = 3) was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (P = 0.05). This upregulation (P = 0.01) was also observed in representative AFB1 treated males (N = 8) compared with control males (N = 8) selected for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Spermatogonia cultured in vitro and treated with 0, 5, 10, or 20 μg/mL AFB1 (N = 6 per treatment) resulted in a 10-fold upregulation (P = 0.01) of Renin message at the 20 μg/mL level, whereas Leydig tumor cells showed similar differences (P = 0.03) in message for Renin in treated (10 and 20 μg/mL) versus control cell cultures. Based on these results, we inferred a role for Renin at the molecular level in the response to the adverse effects of AFB1 in male mice.
Lymphangioma of the Renal Capsule

Lymphangiomas are benign tumors of unknown etiology often seen in children, involving the neck (75%) and axillary (20%) region, but rarely the kidney. 1 When lymphangiomas do affect the kidney, they usually involve the parenchyma and are commonly mistaken for multilocular cystic disorders. 2 To our knowledge we report the first case of lymphangioma of the renal capsule in the English literature, and its possible association with mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. CASE REPORT A 15-year-old girl presented with a 4-year history of polycythemia. She had recently emigrated from the Ukraine, where she had been treated with coil embolization for a pulmonary angioma. Hemoglobin reportedly decreased from 20 to 15 gm./dl. (normal 11.7 to 15.7) following embolization, but increased again 3 months later. Workup at our institution with computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed no additional pathology except a poorly defined left renal mass (fig. 1). The only laboratory abnormality was an elevated erythropoietin level of 45 mU/ml. (normal 0 to 27). Since a diagnosis for the renal mass could not be clearly established radiologically, exploration of the left kidney was performed. Intraoperatively the kidney capsule was covered with serous filled cysts over the anterior surface of the kidney. No specific palpable parenchymal mass was visible. Total nephrectomy was performed since the lesion was not amenable to partial nephrectomy and a biopsy would have resulted in cyst fluid being spilled. Pathological evaluation demonstrated normal renal parenchyma with the exception of interstitial edema located below the cysts. The cystic lesions involved only the renal capsule and were lined by endothelium microscopically, consistent with capsular lymphangioma (fig. 2). Postoperatively erythropoietin remained elevated. Genetic analysis showed 2 mutations of the VHL gene, D126Y and D92Y. Subsequently, the patient’s brother and father were found to have the D126Y mutation and the brother also to have polycythemia with an elevated erythropoietin level, but without any abnormalities on computerized tomography or MRI. DISCUSSION
Lymphotoxin-α (LTα) Supports Development of Splenic Follicular Structure That Is Required for IgG Responses

LTα-deficient (LTα−/−) mice show altered splenic microarchitecture. This includes loss of normal B cell–T cell compartmentalization, of follicular dendritic cell (FDC) clusters, and of ability to form germinal centers (GC). LTα−/− mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) produced high levels of antigen-specific IgM but no IgG in either primary or secondary responses, demonstrating failure of Ig class switching. This inability to switch to IgG could have been due to the altered splenic microarchitecture in these mice. Alternatively, it could have been due directly to a requirement for LTα expression by lymphocytes cooperating in the antibody response. To investigate this, we performed reciprocal spleen cell transfers. When irradiated LTα−/− mice were reconstituted with wild-type splenocytes and immunized immediately with SRBC, splenic microarchitecture remained disturbed and there was no IgG response. In contrast, when irradiated wild-type animals received splenocytes from LTα−/− mice, follicle structure and a strong IgG response were retained. These data indicate that LTα-deficient B cells and T cells have no intrinsic defect in ability to generate an IgG response. Rather, the altered microenvironment characteristic of LTα−/− mice appears to result in impaired ability to switch to a productive IgG response. To investigate whether prolonged expression of LTα could alter the structure and function of spleen follicles, reciprocal bone marrow (BM) transplantation was performed. Six weeks after reconstitution of LTα−/− mice with wild-type BM, spleen follicle structure was partially restored, with return of FDC clusters and GC. B cell/T cell compartmentalization remained abnormal and white pulp zones were small. This was accompanied by restoration of IgG response to SRBC. Reconstitution of wild-type mice with LTα−/− BM resulted in loss of FDC clusters and GC, and loss of the IgG response, although compartmentalized B cell and T cell zones were largely retained. Thus, defective IgG production is not absolutely associated with abnormal B cell and T cell compartmentalization. Rather, expression of LTα supports the maturation of spleen follicle structure, including the development and maintenance of FDC clusters, which supports Ig class switching and an effective IgG response.
On the Sidelines: Labor Force Participation of Prime Age Men

1. Joseph S. Falzone[1][1] 1. 1Peirce College, Philadelphia, PA, USA 1. Joseph S. Falzone, Peirce College, 1420 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. Email: beloquinta{at}comcast.net For more than a century, labor force participation rates of men have been falling, representing one of the most significant trends in the labor market. The concomitant rise in non-participation of prime age men has been attributed to both cyclical and structural factors. Over the past two decades, participation rates of prime age men have fallen by almost 5%, representing both a problem and a paradox. The author describes changes in men’s labor force participation, focusing on human capital and demographic variables, and then estimates non-participation of prime age men over selected years. A model of labor/leisure choice and estimation of non-participation over selected years is presented using a probit model. [1]: #aff-1
Preservation of cross‐strata due to the migration of subaqueous dunes: an experimental investigation

This experimental investigation examined the controls on the geometry of cross-sets formed by subaqueous dunes. A range of steady, unidirectional flow conditions spanning the field of dune existence was investigated, andaggradation rate ranged from 0 mm s - 1 to 0.014 mm s - 1 . Data from an ultrasonic depth profiler consist of high-resolution temporal and spatial series of bed profiles from which dune height and length, migration rate and the depth of trough scour were measured. Cross-set thickness and length were measured from sediment peels. The size and shape of dunes from an equilibrium assemblage change continuously. Individual dunes commonly increase in height by trough scouring and, occasionally, by being caught-up by the upstream dune. Both types of behaviour occur suddenly and irregularly in time and, hence, do not appear to depend on dunes further upstream. However, dune climbing or flattening is a typical response of dunes that disappear under the influence of the upstream dune. All types of behaviour occur at any flow velocity or aggradation rate. Successive dune-trough trajectories, defined by dunes showing various behaviours, affect the geometry of the preserved cross-sets. Mean cross-set thickness/mean dune height averages 0.33 [′0.7), and mean cross-set length/mean dune length averages 0.49 [′0.08), and both show no systematic variation with aggradation rate or flow velocity. Mean cross-set thickness/mean cross-set length tends to decrease with increasing flow velocity and Froude number, therefore allowing a qualitative estimation of flow conditions. Quantitative analysis of the temporal changes in the geometry and migration rate of individual dunes allows the development of a two-dimensional stochastic model of dune migration and formation of cross-sets. Computer realizations produced stacks of cross-sets of comparable shape and thickness to laboratory flume observations, indicating a good empirical understanding of the variability of dune-trough trajectories. However, interactions among dunes and aggradation rates of the order of 10 - 2 mm s - 1 should be considered in future improved models.
Comparison of nitrogen use by two population densities of eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum)

Abstract Greenhouse hydroponic and field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on eastern black nightshade growth and N content. After 4 wk in hydroponics, the greatest shoot dry mass occurred in the 5 or 10 mM nitrate treatments. An exponential model was strongly correlated with eastern black nightshade root and shoot growth in the 5 or 10 mM nitrate treatments. Eastern black nightshade reached the exponential stage of growth approximately 21 d after transfer to the nitrate treatments. Root dry mass was only 10% of shoot biomass. There was a substantial increase in height and growth rate when plants were fertilized with 168 kg N ha−1. Eastern black nightshade was at its maximum growth 12 wk after planting, and fresh mass increased with N up to 336 kg N ha−1, the greatest N concentration in the study. The greatest N content was in the upper leaves and the least in the lower stem. These results indicate that eastern black nightshade growth is favored by high rates of...
Synthesis of bicyclo[n.2.0]alkanediols

Abstract Interest in the synthetic potential of rearrangement reactions of fused-ring cyclobutanediols1,2 has led us to develop a general method for the synthesis of bicyclo[n.2.0] alkanediols in which the hydroxyl group are located on adjacent carbon atoms at the bridgehead and in the cyclobutane ring (e.g. 1). We report here the application of our new synthetic method to the synthesis of bicyclo [4.2.0] octane-1,8-diol (2) and bicyclo[3.2.0]-heptane-1,7-diol (3).
The popol-vuh revisited: a comparison with modern chamula narrative tradition

It is hardly noteworthy to observe still another case in which folklore behaves with remarkable conservatism over the centuries. What, one might ask, makes it interesting that a contemporary Maya Indian community in southern Mexico preserves much of what we believe to have been in the oral tradition of the Ancient Maya? I believe that the comparison here explored IS of more than passing interest, for it deals with perhaps the best known Amerindian Classic, the Popol Vuh, of the Ancient Quiche Maya.
Node-Based Gaussian Graphical Model for Identifying Discriminative Brain Regions from Connectivity Graphs

Despite that the bulk of our knowledge on brain function is established around brain regions, current methods for comparing connectivity graphs largely take an edge-based approach with the aim of identifying discriminative connections. In this paper, we explore a node-based Gaussian Graphical Model NBGGM that facilitates identification of brain regions attributing to connectivity differences seen between a pair of graphs. To enable group analysis, we propose an extension of NBGGM via incorporation of stability selection. We evaluate NBGGM on two functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI datasets pertaining to within and between-group studies. We show that NBGGM more consistently selects the same brain regions over random data splits than using node-based graph measures. Importantly, the regions found by NBGGM correspond well to those known to be involved for the investigated conditions.
Dynamics of Horizontal Motion

The atmosphere and the ocean are fluids, and their dynamics are usually studied using the methods and equations of fluid dynamics. A great deal of understanding, however, can be gained by treating the motions of parcels of air as if they were solid bodies. The next model and its variations, then, consider the dynamics of a parcel of fluid moving horizontally on a rotating earth.
Water recovery and solute rejection in forward osmosis modules: Modeling and bench-scale experiments

Abstract Forward osmosis (FO) processes have potential applications in the treatment of complex and highly impaired sources of water. In this study, the performance of a FO module is evaluated in terms of its ability to recover water from a feed solution and its ability to minimize solute leakage. These performance metrics are expressed in terms of the recovery rate and separation factors, respectively. An analytical model that quantifies the effects of membrane properties (e.g., selectivity) and operating conditions (e.g., the ratio of the draw solution flow rate to the feed solution flow rate) on the recovery rate and separation factors is developed. Numerical solutions of the non-linear governing equations and bench-scale experiments with ionic and non-ionic solutes (i.e., NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, and urea) were used to test the validity of the derived model. Both the numerical solutions and experimental results corroborated the ability of the derived model to predict the performance of a FO module. Electrostatic and other multicomponent interactions, which were not included in the model, were observed in some experiments resulting in poor agreement with the predicted performance. Analysis of the model establishes membrane selectivity and draw solute concentration as the dominant factors that determine the extent of water recovery and solute rejection in a FO module. Further analysis of the model suggests that current membranes could achieve acceptable levels of solute rejection for desalination applications (> 99.3%) at relatively high draw solute concentrations (2.5 M draw solution for a 0.6 M feed solution at 50% recovery), but more selective membranes are necessary to reduce the draw solute concentration closer to the thermodynamic limit established by osmotic equilibrium. Finally, a simple heuristic for selecting the flow ratio based on the entering concentrations of the feed solution and draw solution and the desired recovery rate is identified.
Signatures of spherical compactification at the CERN LHC

TeV-scale extra dimensions may play an important role in electroweak or supersymmetry breaking. We examine the phenomenology of such dimensions, compactified on a sphere S{sup n}, n {ge} 2, and show that they possess distinct features and signatures. For example, unlike flat toroidal manifolds, spheres do not trivially allow fermion massless modes. Acceptable phenomenology then generically leads to ''non-universal'' extra dimensions with ''pole-localized'' 4-d fermions; the bosonic fields can be in the bulk. Due to spherical symmetry, some Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes of bulk gauge fields are either stable or extremely long-lived, depending on the graviton KK spectrum. Using precision electroweak data, we constrain the lightest gauge field KK modes to lie above {approx_equal} 4 TeV. We show that some of these KK resonances are within the reach of the LHC in several different production channels. The models we study can be uniquely identified by their collider signatures.
Organic-inorganic gels based on silica and multifunctional acrylates

Rigid, microporous silica rods, prepared previously by the sol-gel process, were infiltrated with three triacrylate monomers to give sequential interpenetrating networks (IPNs). The three commercially available triacrylate monomers are glycerol propoxy triacrylate (GPTA), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA). Each solution containing a photoinitiator was allowed to infiltrate the silica rod, after which the sample was UV irradiated to polymerize the triacrylate monomer. Emphasis was placed on establishing the infiltration and polymerization conditions leading to optically transparent composites. For comparison, one of the triacrylates (GPTA) was introduced into a hydrolyzing sol-gel formulation containing TEOS, ethanol, water and acid catalyst, to effect a simultaneous IPN. The sequential IPN and the simultaneous IPN samples gave similar transmission curves, despite differences in skeletal density.
Utilization of Sonography Compared With Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Determining the Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve in a Sample of Working Macaca fascicularis A Preclinical Study

A preclinical study of 15 Macaca fascicularis monkeys was conducted to determine (1) the ability of detecting median mononeuropathy (MMN) within the median nerve after a work intervention and (2) the relationship between the layers of the median nerve during an acute inflammatory process by using sonography in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were imaged using MRI and sonography proximal to the carpal tunnel inlet (defined by the most distal portion of the radius) and further distal into the carpal tunnel (defined by the most proximal portion of the pisiform) at the prework exposure stage. CSAs measured on the outer edge of the median nerve were obtained from both modalities, at both anatomical locations. An intermodality t test demonstrated no statistical differences between the two sets of measurements (radius, P ≤ .15; pisiform, P ≤ .46). At the postwork exposure stage, sonographic measurements were obtained on the outer and inner borders of the median ner...
SYSTEMATIC STATUS OF SYLVILAGUS BRASILIENSIS AND S. INSONUS FROM NORTH AMERICA

tropical eastern and southern Mexico southward through Panama. The Omilteme rabbit, S. insonus, is known only from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico. At the turn of the century, our taxonomic knowledge of S. brasiliensis consisted of only two brief descriptions: that of Lepus brasiliensis var. gabbi (=S. brasiliensis gabbi) from Costa Rica (Allen, 1877); and Lepus truei (=S. brasiliensis truei) from Veracruz, Mexico (Allen, 1890). Later, Bangs (1901) described Lepus incitatus (=S. brasiliensis incitatus) from San Miguel Island, Panama, and Allen (1908) described Lepus gabbi tumacus (=S. brasiliensis tumacus) from Nicaragua. During this time, Nelson (1904) described Lepus insonus (=S. insonus) from Guerrero, Mexico. Nelson (1909) subsequently reviewed the cottontails of North America and recognized S. insonus and S. brasiliensis (=S. gabbi of Nelson) with three subspecies, truei, gabbi (with tumacus as a synonym), and incitatus. Since that time, two additional subspecies of S.