cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inclusive dissonance-based body image interventions for college students: Two randomized-controlled trials of the EVERYbody Project.

Objectives Two randomized-controlled studies explored the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the EVERYbody Project, a gender-inclusive, diversity-focused, dissonance-based body image intervention for college students. Method Trial 1 (N = 98; 80% female, 14% male, and 6% gender-expansive) piloted the two-session intervention delivered by an expert (faculty or staff) and peer cofacilitators compared to a waitlist control. Trial 2 (N = 141; 79% female, 15% male, and 6% gender-expansive) utilized peer leaders, comparing the EVERYbody Project to a video and expressive writing intervention. Around half of the participants in both trials self-identified in one or more specific marginalized identity category. Changes in eating disorder symptoms and risk factors were assessed through 1-month follow-up. Trial 1 also assessed the intervention's impact on students with marginalized identities through qualitative interviews. Results In Trial 1, the EVERYbody Project produced greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms, internalized appearance norms, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect compared to the waitlist control through 1-month follow-up, with medium effect sizes. The impact was similar in students with marginalized and majority identities, and qualitative interviews suggested specific positives of the intervention. In Trial 2, there were significant changes in two of four outcomes for participants in the EVERYbody Project compared to the video and expressive writing intervention, but overall, the intervention impact was modest. Conclusions The EVERYbody Project is a feasible and acceptable inclusive dissonance-based body image program. It appears to be beneficial when delivered via experts, but research is needed to establish whether the program can be delivered using peer leaders with greater impact. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
The Burden of Survival: How Doctoral Students in Computing Bridge the Chasm of Inaccessibility

Despite efforts to support students with disabilities in higher education, few continue to pursue doctoral degrees in computing. We conducted an interview study with 12 blind and low vision, and 7 deaf and hard of hearing current and former doctoral students in computing to understand how graduate students adjust to inaccessibility and ineffective accommodations. We asked participants how they worked around inaccessibility, managed ineffective accommodations, and advocated for tools and services. Employing a lens of ableism in our analysis, we found that participants’ extra effort to address accessibility gaps gave rise to a burden of survival, which they sustained to meet expectations of graduate-level productivity. We recommend equitable solutions that acknowledge taken-for-granted workarounds and that actively address inaccessibility in the graduate school context.
Unofficial API and Browser Extension Development for Augmenting Student Resources : CSCI-ISED Short Research Papers

Official university resources for students have been grossly outpaced by the technological expectations of incoming generations, often being supplemented with third-party services to provide desired functionality. Enrollment services are a common example of this, typically lacking any means to view course feedback and evaluations. In response, students use external review sites such as RateMyProfessors (RMP) for this information, manually searching for and assessing each professor’s feedback for every course they consider. Integration of these reviews into the student portal would be a substantial optimization, but the closed-source nature of the sites prevents direct innovation from outside developers. To solve this, we created a browser extension for the California State University San Marcos student site capable of injecting RMP rating data directly alongside existing course information. The resulting product allows for inline availability of the requested content without it needing to manually fetched for each professor, greatly improving convenience of access and enabling more informed decision-making.
Percutaneous balloon compression technique using intraoperative contrasted DynaCT for the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia: initial experience.

Percutaneous balloon compression (BC) is a well-established technique that can provide immediate relief to patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The general procedure of BC uses fluoroscopy imaging to guide the needle through the foramen ovale (FO). The aim of this study was to describe our experience with a novel technique using intraoperative contrast-enhanced DynaCT as an adjunct for more accurate and safer guidance of the needle to the FO. In this study, DynaCT was used to perform BC in 20 TN cases. The three-dimensional path of the needle was pre-planned using DynaCT obtained during the administration of IV contrast. The FO was accessed in a single pass along the path pre-determined from the DynaCT images, avoiding any major arteries and veins. DynaCT was also used for confirmation of the final position of the needle prior to insertion of the balloon as well as for confirmation of the position of the balloon after inflation. Intravenous contrast-enhanced DynaCT-guided percutaneous BC allowed precise advancement and positioning of the needle within the FO. It facilitated cannulation of the FO along a pre-determined path that avoided any major vascular structures. Clinical outcomes were excellent—all patients had a quick postoperative recovery, and there were no complications. The advantages of the contrast-enhanced DynaCT-guided technique include a single precise needle pass and avoidance of vessel injury. Precise placement of the balloon into different aspects of the FO can target trigeminal branches more selectively and allow for a better outcome.
High-throughput analysis of DNA replication in single human cells reveals the complex nature of replication timing control

DNA replication initiates from replication origins firing at different times throughout S phase. Debate remains about whether origins are a fixed set of loci, or a loose agglomeration of potential sites used stochastically in individual cells, and about how consistent their firing time is. We developed an approach to profile DNA replication from whole-genome sequencing of thousands of single cells. We describe "in silico flow cytometry", a method for discriminating replicating cells with superior accuracy to FACS and staging them across S phase. Using two microfluidic platforms, we analyzed up to 2,428 individual replicating cells from a single sample. The resolution and scale of the data allow focused analysis of replication initiation sites, demonstrating that the vast majority are in confined genomic regions. While initiation occurs in a remarkably similar order across cells, we unexpectedly identified a subset of initiation regions that constitutively fire in late S phase, and another subset firing randomly throughout S phase. Taken together, high throughput, high resolution sequencing of individual cells reveals previously underappreciated variability in replication initiation and progression.
A general model of opportunistic spectrum sharing with unreliable sensing

SUMMARY We analytically call waiting in the buffer can reconnect when a channel becomes available or drop out when a maximum waiting time is reached. Spectrum sensing errors from either an initiating or an ongoing secondary user cause false alarm and misdetection events, which may impose various impact on both types of users. We analyze multiple sensing errors and multiple possible results cause by the sensing errors, solve the steady-state probability vector of the system, and derive a set of performance metrics of interest. Numerical results and discussion are presented. The proposed modeling method is expected to be used for evaluation and design of future OSS wireless networks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal Periodic Square-Wave Forcing: A New Method

A new method of global validity is developed that determines the optimal pulsed periodic operation. This type of periodic operation is particularly attractive since it is the easiest to implement. The method is based on the Carleman approximation of the nonlinear plant equations and of a general nonlinear performance measure. An attractively simple explicit formula is derived for the general nonlinear periodic optimization problem which gives the performance measure as a function of (a) forcing frequency, (b) amplitude, and (c) wave shape. In a two-dimensional example it is shown that the optimal period depends on the wave shape and amplitude, and that periodic operation can be beneficial for a larger range of frequencies than indicated by the ?-criterion. Finally, the effect of the order of the Carleman approximation is also investigated.
BotTorrent: misusing BitTorrent to launch DDoS attacks

BitTorrent is currently one of the most popular peer-to-peer systems. BitTorrent clients are widely spread all over the world and account for a large fraction of today's Internet traffic. In this paper, we show that BitTorrent can be exploited by misdirecting clients to send their traffic toward any host on the Internet. The volume of a BitTorrent swarm can thus be converted into firepower for launching a distributed denial-of-service attack that can exhaust the victim's resources, including access bandwidth and connection resources. We identify novel exploits of the BitTorrent system and conduct real-life experiments that demonstrate the feasibility and severity of such attacks. We characterize the volume, duration and spread of attack traffic observed in our experiments. Finally, we discuss possible fixes and the limits of both attack and defense approaches.
BATF dependency of Th9-associated genes (HYP7P.290)

Th9 cells are a recently described T helper subset that develops in the presence of TGF-β and IL-4. Th9 cells promote allergic inflammation, anti-tumor immunity, and may contribute to the regulation of auto inflammatory disease. Th9 cells are specialized for IL-9 production and this requires transcription factors including STAT6, PU.1 and IRF4. We have recently described that BATF promotes Th9 development in both mouse and human cells and BATF is required for T cells to promote the development of allergic inflammation. BATF-transduced Th9 cells demonstrated a potent ability to promote allergic inflammation in vivo compared to control transduced Th9 cells. To begin to define the transcriptional network controlling genes in Th9 cells, we characterized the dependence of Th9-enriched genes on each transcription factor, including BATF. Multiple genes including transcription factors, cytokines, and cytokine receptors were BATF-dependent. Unique functional properties of Th9 cells are suggested by the Th9-enriched expression of IL-33R, IL-25R, granzyme A, ephrin A5, and the salt-sensitive serum glucocorticoid kinase. BATF is required for 14/19 genes studied in detail thus far, suggesting that it is a major controller of the Th9 genetic program. Further defining of the module of BATF-dependent genes will aid in integrating the circuitry of Th9 development and function.
The race toward long wavelength VCSELs

We discuss the merits and tradeoffs for approaches currently under development for 1300 and 1550 nm VCSELs. The eventual winning approach will optimally address a combination of technical performance, commercial manufacturability and market requirements.
Inheritance of High Total Carotenoid Pigments in Tomato Fruits

References and Notes * Present a(ldress: Medical Division, Onk Ridge Inistitujte of Nuc'lear Studies, Oak Ridge, Tenni. 1. The EffectR of 4tonnic WVeapons, Dept. of Defense, U.S. Atomic Einergy Commission, Supt. of l)ocuments, Washington 25. J. H. Rust, J. Ain. Vet. Med. Assoc. 68, 135 (1951). 2. This paper is published with the approval of the director of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Stationi. These studies were supported by funds from the Office of the Surgeont General, U.S. Army. The technical assistanice of J. C. Schoolar and Fannie Cross and the latlological examinations by Walter T. Carll are gratefully acknowledged. H.H. B. Lewis et al., Utilization of the Gross Fission Product8, Progress Rept. 5 (Eng. Research Inst., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Sept. 1953). 4. N. F. Witt, H. F. Kraybill, M. S. Read, The Nutritional Adequacy and Probate Toxicity of Foods Sterilized by Ionizing Irradiations. Progress Rept. to the Offlce of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army (31 July 1954). 5. C. A. Tobias, Federation Proc. 10, 595 (1951); L. 0. Jacobson, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 70, 74 (1949) * D. C. Van Dyke and R. L. Huff, ibid. 72, 266 (1949). 6. J. L. Wilding, C. S. Simons, J. H. Rust, Nucleon ics 10, 36 (1952). 7. A. Arnold and C. A. Elvehjem, J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 95, 187 (1939). 8. B. F. Trum and R. H. Wasserman, Progress Rept. to the Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army (Sept. 1954).
Exploring the role of miRNA 210 and regulatory T cells during TDI sensitization (HYP6P.270)

TDI (Toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate) is one of the leading causes of chemical-induced occupational asthma. MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that exhibit profound functional significance through the inhibition of gene expression of mRNA targets. Recently, the robust regulatory potential of miRNAs has become apparent, including their functional role in the regulation of allergic disease. Our laboratory has previously showed that miRNA 210 expression is significantly augmented in the draining lymph nodes of mice dermally dosed with TDI at various time points post exposure, however, the specific role of miRNA 210 in chemical sensitization is unknown. In this work, to elucidate the functional role of miRNA 210 during TDI sensitization, BALB/c mice were dermally exposed to TDI (4% v/v) or vehicle and endpoints were evaluated via RT-PCR, magnetic cell separation, and flow cytometry. Draining lymph node CD4+ cells showed significantly increased miRNA 210 expression following a single exposure to TDI. Confirmed (foxp3) and predicted (runx1t1, runx3, smad4, and stat6) miRNA 210 transcription factor target expression was evaluated and augmentations in foxp3 cellular protein expression and decreases in runx1 and foxp3 mRNA were observed. This data indicates that miRNA 210 has a functional role in TDI sensitization which may be related to regulatory T cell differentiation and function.
Nanolab: a tool for evaluating reliability of defect-tolerant nano architectures

As silicon manufacturing technology reaches the nanoscale, architectural designs need to accommodate the uncertainty inherent at such scales. These uncertainties are germane in the miniscule dimension of the device, quantum physical effects, reduced noise margins, system energy levels reaching computing thermal limits, manufacturing defects, aging and many other factors. Defect tolerant architectures and their reliability measures gain importance for logic and micro-architecture designs based on nano-scale substrates. Recently, a Markov random field (MRF) has been proposed as a model of computation for nanoscale logic gates. In this paper, we take this approach further by automating this computational scheme and a belief propagation algorithm. We have developed MATLAB based libraries and toolset for fundamental logic gates that can compute output probability distributions and entropies for specified input distributions. Our tool eases evaluation of reliability measures of combinational logic blocks. The effectiveness of this automation is illustrated in this paper by automatically deriving various reliability results for defect-tolerant architectures, such as triple modular redundancy (TMR), cascaded triple modular redundancy (CTMR) and multi-stage iterations of these. These results are used to analyze trade-offs between reliability and redundancy for these architectural configurations.
Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ameliorates retinal degeneration after ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat.

Purpose. The authors sought to determine the effect of genistein, a naturally occurring protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat retina. Methods. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by temporary optic nerve ligation. A dose of 0.034 mg, 0.34 mg, and 3.4 mg of genistein or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone was injected intraperitoneally 1 hour before the ligation of the optic nerve and just after the start of reperfusion. After 48 hours of reperfusion, the effect of genistein on overall protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the retina was studied using Western blot analysis. After 168 hours, the effect of increasing doses of genistein on retinal degeneration was examined by quantitative morphometric analysis of histologic sections of the retina. Results. The authors found that tyrosine phosphorylation was increased after 48 hours of reperfusion in the ischemia-reperfusion-injured eyes treated with DMSO alone. A severe inner retinal degeneration was observed in the animals treated with DMSO alone after 168 hours of reperfusion. The treatment with 3.4 mg genistein inhibited the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and protected the eyes significantly from the induce ischemic retinal degeneration by morphometric analysis of the mean thickness of the inner limiting membrane to the outer limiting membrane, the inner plexiform layer, and the inner nuclear layer (P < 0.02). Treatments with lower amounts of genistein (0.034 mg and 0.34 mg) did not show a significant protections of retinal degeneration after the injury Conclusions. Systemic administration of high dose of genistein. a dietary-derived isoflavone, can ameliorate an ischemia-reperfusion-induced retinal degeneration. Genistein may he useful to prevent neuronal degeneration in the inner retina as a result of ischemic injury.
La productividad científica de los autores: Un modelo de aplicación de la ley de lotka por el método del poder inverso generalizado

Describe la naturaleza de la distribucion del poder inverso genralizado por el metodo de los minimos cuadrados de la regresion lineal. Se describe paso a paso la forma de palicacion del modelo a los datos estudiados por Oliveira sobre la literatura de jaca. El modelo del poder inverso generalizado por mnetodo de los minimos cuadrados y la prueba Kolmogorov-Smirnov fueron usados para evaluar el ajuste de los datos observados y esperados. Con n=- 2.14, C=0.648515 y al 0.01 nivel de significacion, se verifico que el valor critico fue de 0.202177 con un desvio maximo de 0.151285, por lo tanto, esta literatura se ajusta al modelo Lotka.
Retro-Inverso Prosaptide Peptides Retain Bioactivity, Are Stable In Vivo, and Are Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable

Prosaptide (trademark of Myelos Corporation, San Diego, CA) peptides are based on the 14-amino-acid neurotrophic sequence of human prosaposin and, like the parent protein, have potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. We previously examined the in vivo stability of a series of bioactive Prosaptide peptides and designed peptides with increased enzymatic stability in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this article, we examined the stability, biological activity, and permeability of the blood-brain barrier to retro-inverso Prosaptide peptidomimetics. Retro-inversion both reverses the primary sequence and replaces L-amino acids with D-amino acids. We examined the bioactivity of five peptidomimetics, Prosaptides D1-D5. Prosaptide D1, a peptide containing all D-amino acids with the primary sequence intact, was inactive. However, four retro-inverso peptidomimetics, Prosaptides D2-D5 retained bioactivity in neurite outgrowth and [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assays. We focused on Prosaptide D4 as a prototypical retro-inverso Prosaptide peptidomimetic for further study. (125)I-Prosaptide D4 remained intact in brain or serum for 60 min after i.v. administration and was transported across the blood-brain barrier with a unidirectional influx constant of 2.5 x 10(-4) ml. g(-1). min(-1). We conclude that retro-inverso Prosaptide peptidomimetics are excellent candidates for development as therapeutics for central nervous system neurodegeneration.
Popular and elite musical cultures in a revolutionary context

(1989). Popular and elite musical cultures in a revolutionary context. History of European Ideas: Vol. 11, No. 1-6, pp. 565-571.
Assessing ethical behavior: the impact of outcomes on judgment bias

Purpose – The objective of this empirical study is to apply the methodology commonly used to performance appraisal and examine if outcomes achieved by ratees bias rater's judgment of ratee ethical behavior.Design/methodology/approach – Two studies were conducted: in study 1 the participants were undergraduate business students and in study 2, the participants were MBA students but who were also full time employees. In both these studies, participants read the vignettes and rated the ratee performance using behavior observation scale.Findings – Both the studies found support for the main hypothesis that outcomes achieved by the ratees influenced judgment of ethical behavior. The hypothesis that ethical beliefs of raters will moderate the biasing influence of outcomes on ethical judgment bias was not supported.Research limitations/implications – If outcomes achieved by employees influence judgment of ethical behavior, future research has to examine how the biasing influence of outcomes on ethical judgments ...
Evaluation of micro- versus nano-electrospray ionization for ambient pressure ion mobility spectrometry

The comparison of nanospray and microspray ionizations for detecting mixtures of compounds by ion mobility spectrometry has been investigated for sensitivity, ion transmission through a drift tube, and ion suppression effects when used as an ionization source for ambient pressure ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Several articles have demonstrated that nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (n-ESI-MS) has improved sensitivity, provides less background noise, and lower limits of detection than micro-electrospray ionization (μ-ESI) for IMS. Most importantly, data from n-ESI-MS is concentration-sensitive. Our laboratory previously published an article that observed a striking result when μ-ESI-IMS was investigated for a single compound in the positive ion mode. The data reported was mass-sensitive. In this new investigation, we have investigated mixtures, and experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of sensitivity, ion transmission and ion suppressions in μ-ESI-IMS and n-ESI-IMS. At an electrospray flow rate in the μL min−1 range, compounds with higher proton affinities responded best while at the nanospray flow rates of nL min−1, relative responses were more equal. This study observed that a decreased ESI flow rate resulted in a decreased ion signal. These trends demonstrated less sensitivity for ESI-IMS at reduced flow rates but suggest better quantification. At higher flow rates, relative ionization efficiencies were still uniform for all the components studied individually and in mixtures and sensitivity improved by about 78%. Concentration studies showed that at high concentrations, ion detection efficiencies were uniform at about 33% for all compounds studied individually and in mixtures. At low concentrations, the detection efficiency varied from 31% to 86%, depending on the proton affinity of the component in the mixture. Ion transmission through the IMS tube measured with a segmented Faraday detector that was incorporated into the IMS design indicated that most of the ion current for mixtures was transported through the IMS tube with a radius of less than 18 mm for both positive and negative ion modes.
Protoplast culture of perennials

Abstract Hemerocallis and Musa clones grown under aseptic conditions provide valuable test systems wherein both morphological and biochemical prerequisites for expression of morphological competence from protoplasts can be investigated. While there is considerable opportunity to study protoplast isolation and regeneration per se, the greatest challenge will be to induce, controllably, useful change(s) by co-use of molecular biology and protoplast culture-related methodologies. But the very way in which daylilies and bananas/plantains grow as plants imposes at present certain limitations on achieving cultures which can express their presumed, innate totipotency. Nevertheless, progress has been made and will continue, provided realistic strategies are adopted. When this is fully achieved, the true genetic engineering and use of protoplasts for Hemerocallis and Musa improvement can be realized.
A Low Noise 2.7 THz Waveguide-Based Superconducting Mixer

We report on a low noise waveguide-based heterodyne mixer utilizing a superconductiang NbN hot electron bolometer (HEB) operating near 2.7 THz. The mixer is an NbN nano-bridge integrated with a gold bowtie planar antenna on an ultra-thin silicon substrate of ~ 2-3 μm thickness. To produce the waveguide embedding circuit for use at such a high frequency, we adopted a novel approach combining UV-lithography and micro-plating techniques. The mixer response agreed precisely with model predictions, and we measured a minimum uncorrected DSB receiver noise temperature of 965 K at an LO frequency of 2.74 THz.
Driving Errors in Parkinson’s Disease: Moving Closer to Predicting On-Road Outcomes

Age-related medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease (PD) compromise driver fitness. Results from studies are unclear on the specific driving errors that underlie passing or failing an on-road assessment. In this study, we determined the between-group differences and quantified the on-road driving errors that predicted pass or fail on-road outcomes in 101 drivers with PD (mean age = 69.38 ± 7.43) and 138 healthy control (HC) drivers (mean age = 71.76 ± 5.08). Participants with PD had minor differences in demographics and driving habits and history but made more and different driving errors than HC participants. Drivers with PD failed the on-road test to a greater extent than HC drivers (41% vs. 9%), χ²(1) = 35.54, HC N = 138, PD N = 99, p Language: en
Developmental change in a myelin-associated glycoprotein: a comparative study in rodents.

Abstract In developing rats, a fucose-labeled glycoprotein (mGP) which is closely associated with myelin has a higher apparent molecular weight in immature myelin in comparison with mature myelin. In order to see whether this developmental difference occurred in other species, we investigated different rodents of the suborder Myomorpha. Glycoproteins were labeled in vivo by injection of [ 3 H]fucose of [ 14 C]fucose, and purified myelin fractions were prepared. Proteins were extracted with SDS and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using double-labeling techniques, the 3 H- and 14 C-labeled mGP were compared in different samples. We found the shift in the apparent molecular weight of mGP during development in rats, gerbils, and hamsters, but we were unable to demonstrate it in mice and prairie deer mice. In these latter species, the mGP of smaller apparent molecular weight was already present at the earliest ages at which it was possible to isolate myelin. Although some rodents do not exhibit the developmental change, all showed a common feature: the presence of the same small molecular weight mGP in mature myelin. It may be that the glycoprotein of smaller size is a prerequisite for the normal compaction and maturation of myelin.
Pharmacokinetics, microbiology, cost: Interrelated problems for the 1990s that impact on the use of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents

Correlation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antimicrobial agents with in vitro activity is critical to proper use of antibiotics. Knowledge of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) is essential for life-threatening infections and has increased relevance with regard to development of resistance when treating selected urinary tract and wound infections. Factors that decrease absorption of oral agents profoundly affect clinical efficacy. The dose and frequency of dosing programs of the new oral fluoroquinolones should be correlated with the body site of infection, the organism being treated, and the propensity of the organism to become resistant. The long elimination half-life and high urine concentrations of newer fluoroquinolones permit once-daily therapy in many infections.
Effective properties of cemented granular materials

Abstract An analytical model is developed to describe the effective elastic properties of a cemented granular material that is modeled as a random packing of identical spheres. The elastic moduli of grains may differ from those of cement. The effective bulk and shear moduli of the packing are calculated from geometrical parameters (the average number of contacts per sphere and porosity), and from the normal and tangential stiffnesses of a two-grain combination. The latter are found by solving the problems of normal and tangential deformation of two elastic spherical grains cemented at their contact. A thin cement layer is approximated by an elastic foundation, and the grain-cement interaction problems are reduced to linear integral equations. The solution reveals a peculiar distribution pattern of normal and shear stresses at the cemented grain contacts: the stresses are maximum at the center of the contact region when the cement is soft relative to the grain, and are maximum at the periphery of the contact region when the cement is stiff. Stress distribution shape gradually varies between these two extremes as the cement's stiffness increases. The solution shows that it is mainly the amount of cement that influences the effective elastic properties of cemented granular materials. The radius of the cement layer affects the stiffness of a granular assembly much more strongly than the stiffness of the cement does. This theoretical model is supported by experimental results.
Raman scattering study of amorphous Si-Ge interfaces.

We have used amorphous superlattice structures to increase the vibrational Raman scattering signal from interfaces between a-Si:H and a-Ge:H. By modeling the Raman spectrum of superlattices as the linear superposition of a-Si:H, a-Ge:H, and a-${\mathrm{Si}}_{0.55}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{0.45}$:H spectra we have shown that the interface between as-grown a-Si:H and a-Ge:H prepared by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition consists of \ensuremath{\sim}1 monolayer of randomly mixed Si and Ge bounded by pure materials.
An admission-control technique for delay reduction in proxy caching

We evaluate an admission-control (screening) policy for proxy server caching that augments the LRU (Least Recently Used) algorithm. Our results are useful for operating a proxy server deployed by an Internet Service Provider or for an enterprise (forward) proxy server through which employees browse the Internet. The admission-control policy classifies documents as cacheable and non-cacheable based on loading times and then uses LRU to operate the cache. The mathematical analysis of the admission control approach is particularly challenging because it considers the dynamics of the caching policy (LRU) operating at the proxy server. Our results show substantial reduction (around 50% in our numerical simulations) in user delay. The improvement can be even larger at high levels of proxy server capacity or when the user demand patterns are more random. An approximation technique provides near optimal results for large problem sizes demonstrating that our approach can be used in real-world situations. We also show that the traffic downloaded by the proxy server does not change much (as compared to LRU) as a result of screening. A detailed simulation study on LRU and other caching algorithms validate the theoretical results and provide additional insights. Furthermore, we have provided ways to estimate policy parameter values using real-world trace data.
Local coefficients for forced convection in curved rectangular channels of large aspect ratio with unequal uniform heating

Abstract A finite-element representation and the FIDAP™ code were used to solve the equations of conservation for mass, momentum and energy for fully developed angular flow and fully developed convection in the annulus between two concentric cylinders. Local Nusselt numbers were determined for a complete range of heat flux density ratios, both positive and negative, on the inner and outer surfaces, for Dean numbers up to 2 1 2 times the critical value for the onset of vortical motion. The Nusselt numbers are found to depend strongly on the heat flux density ratio as well as on the Dean number. The applicability of the results to double-spiral heat exchangers is discussed.
Difficult Nature of Minimum Voids in the Mineral Aggregate: Historical Perspective

Several researchers have recently discussed problems in achieving the minimum voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) requirements specified in Superpave volumetric mix design. The minimum VMA requirements are often difficult to achieve; they can "fail" mixes that have acceptable performance records and they may require a higher asphalt content, leading to higher project costs. To address these issues, the background and logic behind the minimum VMA requirement are reexamined. A review of asphalt mix design methods indicates that a minimum VMA requirement was not used until the 1950s, when Norman W. McLeod almost single-handedly advanced VMA to a critical design parameter. In 1962, the Asphalt Institute specified VMA as a Marshall mix design requirement, but as late as 1985 it was still misused by many highway agencies. Only through the Strategic Highway Research Program and the implementation of Superpave has the minimum VMA requirement become a design standard. The literature review uncovered several probl...
On the genomics of immunoglobulins in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica

Annotated maps of the IGH, IGK, and IGL loci in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica were generated from analyses of the available whole genome sequence for this species. Analyses of their content and organization confirmed a number of previous conclusions based on characterization of complementary DNAs encoding opossum immunoglobulin heavy and light chains and limited genomic analysis, including (a) the predominance of a single immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) subgroup and clan, (b) the presence of a single immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclass, (c) the apparent absence of an IgD, and (d) the general organization and V gene complexity of the IGK and IGL light chain loci. In addition, several unexpected discoveries were made including the presence of a partial V to D, germline-joined IGHV segment, the first germline-joined Ig V gene to be found in a mammal. In addition was the presence of a larger number of IGKV subgroups than had been previously identified. With this report, annotated maps of the major histocompatibility complex, T-cell receptor, and immunoglobulin loci have been completed for M. domestica, the only non-eutherian mammalian species for which this has been accomplished, strengthening the utility of this species as a model organism.
Conversion of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells by an inhibitor of methylation: effect of 3-deazaadenosine

3-Deazaadenosine, an inhibitor of methylation, increased the frequency of conversion of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells in a dose-dependent manner. Once converted, the 3T3-L1 fat cells retained their adipose morphology and accumulated triglycerides even when 3-deazaadenosine was removed from the culture medium. 3-Deazaadenosine may perturb cellular methylation and thereby lead to an increase in the frequency of differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells.
Measurement of biaxial mechanical properties of soft tubes and arteries using piezoelectric elements and sonometry

Arterial elasticity has gained importance in recent decades because it has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Several in vivo and ex vivo techniques have been developed to characterize the elastic properties of vessels. In vivo techniques tend to ignore the anisotropy of the mechanical properties in the vessel wall, and therefore fail to characterize elasticity in different directions. Ex vivo techniques have been focused on studying the mechanical properties in different axes. In this paper, we present a technique that uses piezoelectric elements to measure the elasticity of soft tubes and excised arteries in two directions while maintaining the natural structure of these vessels. This technique uses sonometry data from piezoelectric elements to measure the strain in the longitudinal and circumferential directions while the tubes/arteries are being pressurized. We conducted experiments on urethane tubes to evaluate the technique and compared the experimental results with mechanical testing done on the materials used for making the tubes. We then performed sonometry experiments on excised pig carotid arteries assuming that they are transversely isotropic materials. To evaluate the sensitivity of this technique to changes in the material properties, we changed the temperature of the saline bath in which the arteries were immersed. The calculated Young's modulus from sonometry experiments for the urethane tubes and the mechanical testing values showed good agreement, deviating no more than 13.1%. The elasticity values from the excised arteries and the behavior with the temperature changed agreed with previous work done in similar arteries. Therefore, we propose this technique for nondestructive testing of the biaxial properties of soft material tubes and excised arteries in their natural physiological shape.
EEG/MEG source localization using source deflated matching pursuit

A matching pursuit (MP) based algorithm, called source deflated matching pursuit (SDMP), is proposed for locating sources of brain activity. By iteratively deflating the contribution of identified sources to multiple measurement vectors (MMVs), the SDMP algorithm transforms the original multi-basis-vector/matrix selection problem into a single-basis-vector/matrix selection problem, which not only mitigates the residual-source interference but also remedies the intrinsic bias when locating deep sources. The robustness of the proposed algorithm to two bias factors is verified through simulations.
Environmental drivers of drought deciduous phenology in the Community Land Model

Abstract. Seasonal changes in plant leaf area have a substantial impact on global climate. The presence of leaves and the time when they appear affect surface roughness and albedo, and the gas exchange occurring between leaves and the atmosphere affects carbon dioxide concentrations and the global water system. Thus, correct predictions of plant phenological processes are important for understanding the present and future states of the Earth system. Here we compare plant phenology as estimated in the Community Land Model (CLM) to that derived from satellites in drought deciduous regions of the world. We reveal a subtle but important issue in the CLM: anomalous green-up during the dry season in many semi-arid parts of the world owing to rapid upwards water movement from wet to dry soil layers. We develop and implement a solution for this problem by introducing an additional criterion of minimum cumulative rainfall to the leaf-out trigger in the drought deciduous algorithm. We discuss some of the broader ecological impacts of this change and highlight some of the further steps that need to be taken to fully incorporate this change into the CLM framework.
Structure of cationized arginine (arg.m, m = h, li, na, k, rb, and cs) in the gas phase: further evidence for zwitterionic arginine.

The gas-phase structures of cationized arginine, Arg·M+, M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs, were studied both by hybrid method density functional theory calculations and experimentally using low-energy collisionally activated and thermal radiative dissociation. Calculations at the B3LYP/LACVP++** level of theory show that the salt-bridge structures in which the arginine is a zwitterion (protonated side chain, deprotonated C-terminus) become more stable than the charge-solvated structures with increasing metal ion size. The difference in energy between the most stable charge-solvated structure and salt-bridge structure of Arg·M+ increases from −0.7 kcal/mol for Arg·Li+ to +3.3 kcal/mol for Arg·Cs+. The stabilities of the salt-bridge and charge-solvated structures reverse between M = Li and Na. These calculations are in good agreement with the results of dissociation experiments. The low-energy dissociation pathways depend on the cation size. Arginine complexed with small cations (Li and Na) loses H2O, while argini...
Dynamics of epileptiform activity in mouse hippocampal slices

Increase of the extracellular K + concentration mediates seizure-like synchronized activities in vitro and was proposed to be one of the main factors underlying epileptogenesis in some types of seizures in vivo. While underlying biophysical mechanisms clearly involve cell depolarization and overall increase in excitability, it remains unknown what qualitative changes of the spatio-temporal network dynamics occur after extracellular K + increase. In this study, we used multi-electrode recordings from mouse hippocampal slices to explore changes of the network activity during progressive increase of the extracellular K + concentration. Our analysis revealed complex spatio-temporal evolution of epileptiform activity and demonstrated a sequence of state transitions from relatively simple network bursts into complex bursting, with multiple synchronized events within each burst. We describe these transitions as qualitative changes of the state attractors, constructed from experimental data, mediated by elevation of extracellular K + concentration.
Is the lateral cervical spine x-ray obsolete during the initial evaluation of patients with acute trauma?

Abstract Background Clearing the cervical spine is a vital part of the treatment of trauma patients, and the failure to accurately diagnose an injury to the cervical spine can result in paralysis and even death. For decades, plain film imaging, primarily LCSX, was the standard imaging method used to initially evaluate the cervical spine, with CSCT used as an adjunct. With advancements in CSCT over the past decade, it is generally accepted that CSCT should be used as the screening method for clearance of the cervical spine in patients with trauma. In this study our goal was to determine whether lateral cervical spine radiographs (LCSX) are warranted in the initial evaluation of trauma patients or whether they should be eliminated completely in favor of CSCT scans as the initial method of evaluating the cervical spine in trauma patients. Methods This is a retrospective study using a prospectively maintained computerized database of all trauma admissions to a level II American College of Surgeons verified trauma center. Patients who were identified to have both LCSX and CSCT on admission were analyzed. Radiology readings (LCSX and CSCT) of the selected patients were reviewed and comparisons were made to determine the number of patients for which the LCSX was inconclusive or unsatisfactory. It was also determined whether, in selected cases, there were injuries or abnormal findings that were detected in one imaging modality but were not detected in the other. Results A total of 895 trauma admissions were reviewed; 177 had both LCSX and CSCT. The radiological results of the 177 patients were analyzed. Fifty-one (28%) patients were determined to have inadequate LCSX in which further scans were required for diagnosis or clearance of the cervical spine. Thirty-six (20%) patients had fractures that were undetected by LCSX. Conclusions Our research supports previous studies demonstrating the greater accuracy of CT in evaluating the cervical spine in acute trauma patients. Moreover, with spiral CT scanning, the length of time required to obtain images has been eliminated as an issue. We conclude that LCSX should be eliminated from trauma protocols and that CSCT should be the sole imaging modality used in the initial evaluation of the cervical spine after trauma.
Comparison between patient and surgeon perception of degenerative spine disease outcomes—a prospective blinded database study

Few have studied the correlation between patients’ and spine surgeons’ perception on outcomes, or compared these with patient-reported outcome scores. Outcomes studies are increasingly important in evaluating costs and benefits to patients and surgeons, and in developing metrics for payer evaluation and health care policy-making. To compare patients’ and surgeons’ assessment of spine treatment outcome in a prospective blinded patient-driven spine surgery outcomes registry, and to correlate perceived outcomes ratings to validated outcomes scores. Patients filled out surveys at baseline, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively, including Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) or Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Outcome was rated independently by patients and surgeons on a 7-point Likert-type scale. Two-hundred and sixty-five consecutive adult patients were surgical candidates. Of these, 154 (58.1 %) opted for surgery, with 69 (44.8 %) cervical and 85 (55.2 %) lumbar patients. One hundred and thirty-five (87.7 %) had both patient and surgeon postoperative ratings. Surgeons’ and patients’ ratings correlated strongly (Spearman rho = 0.53, p < 0.0001, 45.9 % identical, 88.2 % +/− 1 grade). The surgeon rated outcomes were better than patients in 29.8 % and worse in 21.15 %. Patient rating correlated better with the most recent NDI/ODI and pain scores than with incremental change from baseline. In multivariate analysis, age, location (cervical vs lumbar), pain ratings, and functional scores (NDI, ODI) did not have significant impact on the discrepancy between patient and surgeon ratings. Patients’ and surgeons’ global outcome ratings for spinal disease correlate highly. Patients’ ratings correlate better with most recent functional scores, rather than incremental change from baseline.
Cytotoxic effects of thiopyrimidines.

The cytotoxic action of 2-thiouracil, 2-thiocytosine, 2-thiouridine and 4-thiouridine was studied in cultures of a clone of Chinese hamster cells with a generation time of 16 hours (S — 8 hours, G2 — 2 hours, and G1 plus M — 6 hours). The cells were synchronized at metaphase by the method of reversal of colcemid inhibition and cell survival was measured by their colony-forming ability. The four analogs induced cytotoxic effects which increased with the concentration of the chemical and the length of the exposure time. Exposure to 4 × 10−4 M 2-thiocytosine, 2-thiouridine or 4-thiouridine for a period of 20 hours reduced cell survival to less than 10% of the controls. The other analog (2-thiouracil) was less effective when tested at similar concentrations and time of exposure and decreased the survival to only 35% of the controls. Short periods of treatment (one hour) produced little effect at concentrations of 4 × 10−5M, and affected the survival of cells differently when 4 × 10−4 M were administered at different stages of the cell cycle. Two peaks of maximum sensitivity, one at late G1 and the other at G2 were observed. These peaks correspond to the peaks of maximum RNA synthesis described for synchronized mammalian cells. Therefore, it is likely that the cytotoxic effects of thiopyrimidine analogs are related to interference with RNA synthesis.