cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cachectin/TNF: A Mediator of Lethal Endotoxemia

Invasive infections and bacteremia frequently precipitate the syndrome of sepsis which is a serious complication of an increasing number of medical treatments and surgical procedures. The incidence of sepsis is difficult to quantify, but this syndrome is estimated to cause 20,000 – 60,000 deaths per year in the United States (1). Advances in medical technology for the treatment of critically ill patients with sepsis have led to the use of antibiotics for the eradication of the infectious focus and additional modes of long-term support for end organ failure. However, the mortality of sepsis has remained high (30–50%). Current investigations are extending our understanding of the mechanisms involved during sepsis and may lead to the development of new therapeutic modalities.
Thermal Characterization Methodology and Cooling Performance of Extended Volume Air Cooling (EVAC) Heat Sinks

With increased processor cores and performance for CPU/GPU, thermal design power (TDP) of these products are increasing. Traditional air-cooling solutions are sometimes insufficient to cool high density, high powered CPUs. Liquid cooling solutions can support higher power but would drive for significant initial capital investment and may not be the best solution for cooling if total cost of ownership (TCO) is high. Hence advanced air-cooling solutions like Extended Volume Air Cooling (EVAC) heat sinks are more ideal to adopt. These heat sinks use heat pipes or thermosiphon tubes to transfer the heat to regions where more physical volume is available for additional heat exchangers to deliver the best overall performance. With these extra cooling surfaces (outriggers), the thermal performance of the heat sink can be improved.The characterization of EVAC at the component level is much less straightforward than standard heat sinks due to the complexity of air flow distribution among different sections of an EVAC heat sink. This airflow distribution must be understood in order to determine effects by and on the surrounding system. This paper shows two methodologies to characterize EVAC heat sink performance at component level.The first one is to apply a thermal resistance network methodology with wind tunnel testing results of sections of the heat sink so that the cooling contribution of each section can be individually characterized for design optimization on EVAC heat sink as well as for cooling performance estimation for what-if scenario analysis in a system so that system trade-off can be investigated to optimize system trade-off to provide overall better system cooling performance. The thermal resistance network methodology described in this paper can accurately predict the EVAC heat sink thermal performance independent of system boundary conditions at different locations on the heatsink. It can also be used to optimize the overall EVAC performance. The network thermal resistance model predicts the thermal performance within 3-6% of error compared to the test results.The second methodology is to design a wind tunnel test setup with other key components (DIMM in this paper) included from a specific system so that the airflow is somewhat representative as in that system. This methodology is meant to provide a repeatable and easy-to-setup way to benchmark and compare EVAC HS performance across different designs, vendors and/or builds.This paper also shows the test results of an EVAC heat sink prototype in a spread core system to assess the cooling performance gain comparing to a non-EVAC HS. While EVAC improves CPU cooling, it could have negative impact on other system components depending on the placement of the outriggers. This paper showcased the system cooling balancing between CPU and DIMM, with different EVAC design. EVAC heatsink described in this paper can provide 20-30% improvement in thermal performance of CPU and reduces memory cooling capability by 5-15% depending on the EVAC location
Alternative way to detect and measure parameters of compact dark matter object as a component of a binary system

Abstract Various compact dark matter objects (CDOs) were discussed in the literature. Typically parameters of CDOs, such as the mass and the distance, were evaluated by using the gravitational microlensing effect. However, this method has limitations. We propose an alternative method for detecting and measuring parameters of CDOs. It is based on the scenario where there is a star having one planet, such that the orbital plane of the planet does not contain the star. This indicates the presence of a gravitating object located far away at the axis directed from the star to the planetary orbital plane. If in this direction there is no visible star, this could mean that the distant gravitating object is a CDO. We derived analytical expressions for determining the unknown mass of the CDO and its unknown distance from the star based on the parameters of the planetary orbit. We believe that this method could help obtaining additional observational data on the CDOs in particular and therefore on dark matter in general.
Sputtered AlN Lateral Bimorph: Process Integration Challenges and Opportunities

A fabrication process for sputtered piezoelectric AlN lateral bimorph transducers is presented. This work focuses on challenges with the interdependencies of the sputtered AlN film texture and the process development, especially plasma etching. The AlN films with better rocking curve FWHM have higher etch rates, smoother surface, and higher etch selectivity to oxide. By controlling the surface roughness of the underlying oxide layer, between 6 to 1.7 nm, we reduced the FWHM of sputtered AlN from 3 to 1.2 degrees. We verified an independent control parameter on the AlN crystal quality without changing the sputtering parameters, and this is a potential pathway to control the AlN plasma etching process by regional adjusting the substrate surface.
Prognostic Value of Two Polymorphisms, rs1045642 and rs1128503, in ABCB1 Following Taxane-based Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective Genetic polymorphisms can influence the chemotherapeutic response; however, previous studies have produced conflicting results, and have failed to identify the most relevant polymorphisms for predicting the response to treatment in patients with cancer. The present meta-analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between two polymorphisms (rs1045642 and rs1128503) in ATP-binding cassette transporter B subfamily member 1 (ABCB1), which is associated with multidrug resistance, and the survival of patients treated with taxane-containing chemotherapy. Methods Several databases, including PubMed and Embase, were used to retrieve articles evaluating the association between the ABCB1 rs1045642 and rs1128503 polymorphisms and survival, published prior to August 2019. The meta-analysis was conducted using R software to determine the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results Fifteen studies involving 3320 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The effect of the rs1128503 polymorphism on progression-free survival remained significant in the heterozygote (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.98) and homozygote (HR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.58-0.88) models. The TT genotype rs1128503 was associated with better overall survival (HR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53-0.97). Conclusion Carriers of the rs1128503 T allele of ABCB1 showed a survival benefit after taxane-containing chemotherapy.
UNIT 8B.1 Laboratory Maintenance of Helicobacter Species

Helicobacter species are Gram-negative bacteria that colonize the gastric or intestinal mucosa of many mammalian and avian hosts and induce histologic inflammation. The association of H. pylori with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancers makes it a significant human pathogen. Animal models for these diseases are being used to explore the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection and in vaccine development. Both bacterial and host factors contribute to Helicobacter pathogenesis; therefore, the microbiology is very important. This unit describes how to culture the most commonly used gastric Helicobacter species, H. pylori, H. mustelae, and H. felis. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 24:8B.1.1-8B.1.19. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: Helicobacter; growth curve; morphological identification; blood agar preparation; pinch biopsy culture methods
Visualization and Quantification of the Cerebral Microcirculation using Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Particle Tracking Velocimetry

Noninvasive measurements of the regional microvascular perfusion might lead to sensitive biomarkers for the changes in intracranial hemodynamics that could guide timely surgical interventions for neonatal brain injuries. The current work utilizes a clinically available contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) system and particle tracking velocimetry to perform ultrasound localization microscopy for measuring the microcirculation in piglets. A new deep learning method based on U-net is proposed for enhancing noisy raw CEUS images and detecting the microbubbles. Subsequently, the bubbles are tracked using a Kalman filter based method, which incorporates conditions of spatio-temporal consistency in flow direction and globally optimizes the assignment of bubbles to trajectories. Based on analysis of synthetic data, the U-net results demonstrate significant improvement in the processing speed and localization accuracy over a conventional blind deconvolution method. Visualization of the microvasculature is performed by superposing the bubble trajectories, enabling depiction of a complex micro-vessel network, where neighboring vessels separated by 40 µm can be distinguished. The corresponding perfusion map shows the velocity distribution in these vessels. Based on the current frame rate (44 fps), speeds in the 0.1 to 12 cm/s range can be well captured. These methods show promise as potential clinical tools for bedside measurement of cerebral microcirculation.
Testicular mixed germ cell tumor in a transgender woman.

Abstract Transgender women who have not undergone orchiectomy remain at risk for the development of testicular cancer. Unfortunately, many physicians self-report a weak fund of knowledge around transgender health issues and some are uncomfortable performing proper exams or advising patients on self-exams. Here we report the first case of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor that developed in a transgender woman and discuss the salient points of caring for transgender patients.
Formulation and demonstration of an extended-3DVAR multi-scale data assimilation system for the SWOT altimetry era

Abstract. A state-of-the-art data assimilation system for a high-resolution model has been developed to address the opportunities and challenges posed by the upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission. A new ‘extended’ three-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme (extended-3DVAR) is formulated to assimilate observations over a time interval, and integrated using a multi-scale approach (hereafter MSDA). The new MSDA scheme specifically enhances the efficacy of the assimilation of satellite along-track altimetry observations, which are limited by large repeat time intervals. This developed system is computationally highly efficient, and thus can be applied to a very high-resolution model. A crucial consideration of the system is first to assimilate routinely available observations, including satellite altimetry, sea surface temperature (SST) and temperature/salinity vertical profiles, to constrain large scales and large mesoscales. High-resolution (dense) observations and future SWOT measurements can then be effectively and seamlessly assimilated to constrain the smaller scales. Using this system, a reanalysis dataset was produced for the SWOT pre-launch field campaign that took place in the California Current System from September through December, 2019. An evaluation of this system with assimilated and withheld data demonstrates its ability to effectively utilize both routine and campaign observations. These results suggest a promising avenue for data assimilation development in the SWOT altimetry era, which will require the capability to efficiently assimilate large-volume datasets resolving small-scale ocean processes.
Systematic reduction of the dimensionality of natural scenes allows accurate predictions of retinal ganglion cell spike outputs

The mammalian retina engages a broad array of linear and nonlinear circuit mechanisms to convert natural scenes into retinal ganglion cell (RGC) spike outputs. Although many individual integration mechanisms are well understood, predictive models of natural scene encoding perform poorly, likely due to interactions among the active mechanisms. Here, we identified spatial integration mechanisms relevant for natural scene encoding and used computational modeling to predict spike outputs in primate parasol RGCs. Our approach was to simplify the structure of natural scenes and empirically ask whether these changes were reflected in RGC spike responses. We observed that reducing natural movies to 16 linearly integrated regions described ~80% of the structure of parasol RGC spike responses. We then used simplified stimuli to create high-dimensional metamers that recapitulated the spike response of full-field naturalistic movies. Finally, we identified the retinal computations that convert natural images in 16-dimensional space into 1-dimensional spike outputs.
Contesting the Terrain of the Ivory Tower: Spiritual Leadership of African American Women in the Academy

1. When and Where We Enter the Academy: Telling (Her) Story 2. Surveying the Literature 3. Methodology 4. Flat-Footed Truths: Telling Black Women's Lives 5. The Soul of My Sisters: Talkin' and Testifyin' 6. Still Lifting as We Climb 7. Our Spiritual Strivings
Estimate of Mean and Variance and Confidence Intervals

In this chapter we study the problem of estimating parameters of the distribution function of a random variable when N observations of the variable are available. We discuss methods that establish what sample quantities must be calculated to estimate the corresponding parent quantities. This establish a firm theoretical framework that justifies the definition of the sample variance as an unbiased estimator of the parent variance, and the sample mean as an estimator of the parent mean. One of these methods, the maximum likelihood method, will later be used in more complex applications that involve the fit of two–dimensional data and the estimation of fit parameters. The concepts introduced in this chapter constitute the core of the statistical techniques for the analysis of scientific data.
Photolysis of Alcohol: Fluorescence and Photochemistry of the Charge-Transfer Band in Alcoholic Vanadium Trichloride Solution

The primary photochemical processes derived from the charge-transfer excited states of transition metal complexes have been the subject of extensive investigations in the past decade (1). At present, however, our understanding of the photophysical properties of the charge-transfer excited states is relatively limited because of the few luminescence data available.
Generation of Images by Means of Two-Dimensional, Spatial Electric Filters

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the generation of images by means of two-dimensional spatial electric filters. Spatial filters come as time-invariant and time-variable filters. The time-variable filters are always sampling a filter, which means that the time-variable elements are switches. The plane waves represent points at infinity. A point at a finite distance R creates a spherical wavefront at the array. The advantages of super-resolution for two-dimensional arrays are dramatic because a linear reduction of an array by a factor 1/3 or 1/7.5 means a reduction of the area of a two-dimensional array by factors (1/3)2 or (1/7.5)2. Range and Doppler imaging can be combined to yield images of objects at a certain distance with a certain velocity. The practical significance of such images is the elimination of the images of air bubbles, of boundary layers in water, or of the sea bottom that obscure the image of a wanted object. Focusing as discussed in this chapter contained the condition that distance R was large compared with the aperture of the array and the angle of incidence was small.
An Elliptic Operator for Constructing Conformal Metrics in Geometric Deformable Models

The geometric deformable model (GDM) provides a useful framework for segmentation by integrating the energy minimization concept of classical snakes with the topologically flexible gradient flow. The key aspect of this technique is the image derived conformal metric for the configuration space. While the theoretical and numerical aspects of the geometric deformable model have been discussed in the literature, the formation of the conformal metric itself has not received much attention. Previous definitions of the conformal metric do not allow the GDM to produce reliable segmentation results in low-contrast or highblur regions. This paper examines the desired properties of the conformal metric with regard to the image information and proposes an elliptic partial differential equation to construct the metric. Our method produces similar results to other metric definitions in high-contrast regions, but produces better results in low-contrast, high-blur situations.
Is Prosumer Capitalism on the Rise

George Ritzer's current TSQ piece adds to his distinguished record of innovative work on consumption and rationalization, providing new twists to his analyses of prosumption, especially its signifi...
Comparing the direct and community-mediated effects of disturbance on plant population dynamics: flooding, herbivory and Mimulus guttatus

Summary 1 Competition, trophic interactions and abiotic disturbances play important roles in governing plant population dynamics, yet few studies have addressed their relative contributions or interacting effects. 2 We used Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE) analysis, coupled with stochastic analyses, to examine how a major abiotic disturbance, flooding, influences the fitness and population growth of a common riparian plant, Mimulus guttatus, and how this effect compares and interacts with that exerted by herbivory. 3 We also extended LTRE analysis to include nested factors, which enabled us to examine differences across experimental sites. These spatial contributions to changes in population growth rate, λ, were compared and contrasted with those derived for year and experimental treatments. 4 Flooding had direct positive impacts on population growth, while protection from herbivory benefited plants in both flooded and non-flooded areas. Spatial variation in plant performance was also substantial, with greater variation across experimental sites than temporal variation across years. 5 Our stochastic analysis revealed that the impact of herbivores on population growth was much greater when the environment fluctuated between years with and without flooding than in more constant environments. 6 Both flooding and herbivory exerted the majority of their impacts on plant performance via changes in adult summer survival. For flooded sites, this was surprising, given the small difference in summer survival between control and herbivore-exclusion treatments, and results from the high sensitivity of population growth to adult survival. 7 The importance of herbivory in flooded sites would have not been discerned had we not considered how adult survival interacts with other stages of the M. guttatus life cycle. Thus, in order to increase ecological understanding associated with shifts in community dynamics, experimental results should be placed in a life-history context. 8 Within disturbance-driven systems, the direct abiotic effects of factors such as flooding play a critical role in determining population dynamics. However, the biotic interactions that change as a consequence of disturbance can have equal and lasting impacts on population growth.
The identification of pulmonary capillary permeability from multiple-indicator data. Effects of increased capillary pressure and alloxan treatment in the dog.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of increased intravascular pressure and alloxan treatment of anesthetized dogs on the pulmonary capillary permeability-surface area product (PS) for the tracers [ 14 C]urea and 3 HOH. 125 I-labeled albumin, 51 Cr-tagged erythrocytes, [ 14 C]urea, and [ 3 H]water were injected simultaneously. Values of PS were computed by the integral extraction method, the maximum extraction method, and by two organ-capillary mathematical models. The results indicate that while the extravascular volume is increased by both alloxan and increased pressure, only alloxan increases PS for [ 14 C]urea significantly. More detailed calculations of PS based on the mathematical models provide more sensitive and reproducible values of PS. The value of PS for [ 3 H]water, generally considered to be flow-limited and therefore insensitive to alterations in PS, was also found to increase slightly with alloxan, but not high pressure. We conclude that multiple-indicator experiments when analyzed by accurate mathematical techniques permit distinction between pulmonary edema caused by high pressure and that caused by increased permeability.
A REDUÇÃO DA IDADE PENAL E AS TEORIAS RACIAIS: o retorno de um debate político-pedagógico que se pensava superado

Este texto poe em discussao uma das teses do Parecer 478/2007 favoravel a aprovacao da Proposta de Emenda Constitucional no 20 que defende a reducao da idade penal de 18 para 16 anos. Para isso, recorre a aspectos historicos que fundamentaram a construcao das teorias raciais, procurando atualizar e demonstrar as interfaces com a argumentacao daquele Parecer. Assim, estruturamos a discussao a partir de dois grandes campos. O primeiro resgata concepcoes historicas que orientaram a consolidacao das teorias raciais no universo academico cientifico e o segundo demonstra como o parecer traduz e se aproxima deste debate historico. O artigo desenvolve a tese de que a proposta de reducao da idade penal esta repleta de nuances e imprecisoes, pois coloca em evidencia – e esta e a tese - um embate civilizacional: como a civilizacao brasileira projeta a sua esperanca na juventude? A proposta de reducao da idade penal retorna a um velho debate que o cenario academico acreditava superado: as teorias raciais difundidas no Brasil por academicos do final do Imperio e da Republica Velha.
Protobacco Media Exposure and Youth Susceptibility to Smoking Cigarettes, Cigarette Experimentation, and Current Tobacco Use among US Youth

Purpose Youth are exposed to many types of protobacco influences, including smoking in movies, which has been shown to cause initiation. This study investigates associations between different channels of protobacco media and susceptibility to smoking cigar
Toward a Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model of Social Behavior

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses social behavior through self-evaluation maintenance (SEM) model. It describes several studies to provide a feel for the kind of research that has been completed in an attempt to explore the predictions of the model. The SEM model is composed of two dynamic processes. Both the reflection process and the comparison process have as component variables the closeness of another and the quality of that other's performance. These two variables interact in affecting self-evaluation but do so in quite opposite ways in each of the processes Model establishes the comprehensiveness of the research and the interactive quality of its predictions. Next, the SEM model is fit into the perspective of related work, including self-theories, social comparison theory, and Cialdini's BIRGing research. The chapter reviews the epistemological status of the model. It discusses some of the implications of the research for a variety of areas in psychology.
Possible Human Papillomavirus 38 Contamination of Endometrial Cancer RNA Sequencing Samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas Database

ABSTRACT Viruses are causally associated with a number of human malignancies. In this study, we sought to identify new virus-cancer associations by searching RNA sequencing data sets from >2,000 patients, encompassing 21 cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), for the presence of viral sequences. In agreement with previous studies, we found human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) and HPV18 in oropharyngeal cancer and hepatitis B and C viruses in liver cancer. Unexpectedly, however, we found HPV38, a cutaneous form of HPV associated with skin cancer, in 32 of 168 samples from endometrial cancer. In 12 of the HPV38-positive (HPV38+) samples, we observed at least one paired read that mapped to both human and HPV38 genomes, indicative of viral integration into the host DNA, something not previously demonstrated for HPV38. The expression levels of HPV38 transcripts were relatively low, and all 32 HPV38+ samples belonged to the same experimental batch of 40 samples, whereas none of the other 128 endometrial carcinoma samples were HPV38+, raising doubts about the significance of the HPV38 association. Moreover, the HPV38+ samples contained the same 10 novel single nucleotide variations (SNVs), leading us to hypothesize that one patient was infected with this new isolate of HPV38, which was integrated into his/her genome and may have cross-contaminated other TCGA samples within batch 228. Based on our analysis, we propose guidelines to examine the batch effect, virus expression level, and SNVs as part of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis for evaluating the significance of viral/pathogen sequences in clinical samples. IMPORTANCE High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), followed by computational analysis, has vastly accelerated the identification of viral and other pathogenic sequences in clinical samples, but cross-contamination during the processing of the samples remain a major problem that can lead to erroneous conclusions. We found HPV38 sequences specifically present in RNA-Seq samples from endometrial cancer patients from TCGA, a virus not previously associated with this type of cancer. However, multiple lines of evidence suggest possible cross-contamination in these samples, which were processed together in the same batch. Despite this potential cross-contamination, our data indicate that we have detected a new isolate of HPV38 that appears to be integrated into the human genome. We also provide general guidelines for computational detection and interpretation of pathogen-disease associations.
Nanomaterials for Radiation Therapy

The sections in this article are Introduction A Brief Introduction to Radiation Therapy, and its Limitations Physical Radiosensitizers Enhanced Radiation Therapy Using High Z but Non-Nanoscaled Materials Enhanced Radiation Therapy by Gold Nanoparticles Dose Enhancement of Physical Radiosensitizers Radiation Therapy Enhancement Using Nonionizing Radiation Radiation Therapy in Combination with Photodynamic Therapy Using Semiconductor Nanoparticles as the Energy Mediator Photodynamic Therapy Semiconductor Nanoparticles as the Energy Mediator for Photodynamic Therapy Quantum Dots Photoluminescent Nanoparticles in Radiation Therapy Nanobrachytherapy Liposomes Nanoparticles Dendrimers Nanoparticles as Radioprotectors Radiation Dosimeters Using Semiconductor Nanomaterials Conclusions Keywords: semiconductive nanoparticles; radiation therapy; radiosensitizer; radioenhancer; radioprotector; radiation detector; radiopharmaceutical
Novel method to assess arterial insufficiency in rodent hind limb.

Abstract Background Lack of techniques to assess maximal blood flow capacity thwarts the use of rodent models of arterial insufficiency to evaluate therapies for intermittent claudication. We evaluated femoral vein outflow (VO) in combination with stimulated muscle contraction as a potential method to assess functional hind limb arterial reserve and therapeutic efficacy in a rodent model of subcritical limb ischemia. Materials and methods VO was measured with perivascular flow probes at rest and during stimulated calf muscle contraction in young, healthy rats (Wistar Kyoto, WKY; lean Zucker rats, LZR) and rats with cardiovascular risk factors (spontaneously hypertensive [SHR]; obese Zucker rats [OZR]) with acute and/or chronic femoral arterial occlusion. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by administration of Ramipril or Losartan to SHR after femoral artery excision. Results VO measurement in WKY demonstrated the utility of this method to assess hind limb perfusion at rest and during calf muscle contraction. Although application to diseased models (OZR and SHR) demonstrated normal resting perfusion compared with contralateral limbs, a significant reduction in reserve capacity was uncovered with muscle stimulation. Administration of Ramipril and Losartan demonstrated significant improvement in functional arterial reserve. Conclusions The results demonstrate that this novel method to assess distal limb perfusion in small rodents with subcritical limb ischemia is sufficient to unmask perfusion deficits not apparent at rest, detect impaired compensation in diseased animal models with risk factors, and assess therapeutic efficacy. The approach provides a significant advance in methods to investigate potential mechanisms and novel therapies for subcritical limb ischemia in preclinical rodent models.
Arab Society: Class, Gender, Power, and Development

Arab Society: Class, Gender, Power, and Development. Nicholas S. Hopkins and Saad Eddin Ibrahim. eds. New York; Columbia University Press, 1997. 584 pp.
Towards a Unified Multi-Scaled Theoretical-Experimental Paradigm for Characterizing Vascular Remodeling

Vascular remodeling plays a key role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes, as well as the success or failure of many clinical interventions; examples include vascular development and aging, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and restenosis of vascular grafts. Despite the explosion of information on vascular remodeling, from the molecular level to the tissue level, attempts at integrating these data into a predictive multi-scale model are still in their infancy. Humphrey and Rajagopal said well that in order to capture the salient features of these remodeling processes ‘one must track local balances or imbalances in the continual production, removal, [and remodeling] of individual constituents, the mechanical state in which the constituents are formed, and how these constituents are organized’. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA’s) provide a good illustration of the need for a multi-scaled microstructurally-motivated mathematical model. During progression of AAA’s, circumferential expansion, vessel wall thinning and axial lengthening are coincident with a progressive loss of elastin and smooth muscle and decrease in glycosaminoglycans, with mature aneurysms consisting primarily of collagen and fibroblasts; thus, AAA’s experience spatial and temporal variations in their geometry, microstructural content and organization, and applied loads. To develop a predictive model for vascular remodeling, the complex interplay between evolving material behavior (via changes in microstructural content and organization) and applied loads, which determine the local mechanical environment and the mechano-biological response to this changing mechanical environment, must be incorporated.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
COBRA: a computational brewing application for predicting the molecular composition of organic aerosols.

Atmospheric organic aerosols (OA) represent a significant fraction of airborne particulate matter and can impact climate, visibility, and human health. These mixtures are difficult to characterize experimentally due to their complex and dynamic chemical composition. We introduce a novel Computational Brewing Application (COBRA) and apply it to modeling oligomerization chemistry stemming from condensation and addition reactions in OA formed by photooxidation of isoprene. COBRA uses two lists as input: a list of chemical structures comprising the molecular starting pool, and a list of rules defining potential reactions between molecules. Reactions are performed iteratively, with products of all previous iterations serving as reactants for the next. The simulation generated thousands of structures in the mass range of 120–500 Da, and correctly predicted ~70% of the individual OA constituents observed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Select predicted structures were confirmed with tandem mass spectrometry. Esterification was shown to play the most significant role in oligomer formation, with hemiacetal formation less important, and aldol condensation insignificant. COBRA is not limited to atmospheric aerosol chemistry; it should be applicable to the prediction of reaction products in other complex mixtures for which reasonable reaction mechanisms and seed molecules can be supplied by experimental or theoretical methods.
Uncertainty in hydrologic impacts of climate change in the Sierra Nevada, California, under two emissions scenarios

A hydrologic model was driven by the climate projected by 11 GCMs under two emissions scenarios (the higher emission SRES A2 and the lower emission SRES B1) to investigate whether the projected hydrologic changes by 2071–2100 have a high statistical confidence, and to determine the confidence level that the A2 and B1 emissions scenarios produce differing impacts. There are highly significant average temperature increases by 2071–2100 of 3.7°C under A2 and 2.4°C under B1; July increases are 5°C for A2 and 3°C for B1. Two high confidence hydrologic impacts are increasing winter streamflow and decreasing late spring and summer flow. Less snow at the end of winter is a confident projection, as is earlier arrival of the annual flow volume, which has important implications on California water management. The two emissions pathways show some differing impacts with high confidence: the degree of warming expected, the amount of decline in summer low flows, the shift to earlier streamflow timing, and the decline in end-of-winter snow pack, with more extreme impacts under higher emissions in all cases. This indicates that future emissions scenarios play a significant role in the degree of impacts to water resources in California.
Syncope risk assessment in the emergency department and clinic

The initial assessment of patients who present with presumed syncope is challenging. Syncope has many possible causes ranging from relatively benign to potentially life-threatening, and sorting through the possibilities may not be feasible given time limitations in an urgent care setting. Therefore, the physician almost always must determine whether the affected individual needs in-hospital evaluation or can be safely referred to an outpatient syncope evaluation clinic. In instances when the etiology of syncope has been diagnosed with confidence at the initial clinical evaluation, the hospitalization question is readily addressed and the appropriateness of hospitalization versus timely outpatient evaluation (preferably in a dedicated syncope management clinic) is clear. In those cases in which the diagnosis is uncertain, risk stratification schemes such as those summarized in this communication become more essential. However, at present no single risk assessment protocol appears to be satisfactory for universal application. The development of a consensus recommendation is an essential next step.
Proposed radical pathway for the additon of allyl grignard reagents to conjugated anils

The products from the individual reactions of allylmagnesium bromide with 2-styrylpyridine, with 4-styrylpyridine and with α-allylbenzhydrylaniline,rrespectively, were examined, in order to test the possible role of electron-transfer processes both in the addition and elimination steps of Grignard reagent-anil interactions. In contrast with the smooth 11 adduct of the Grignard reagent with the exocyclic double bond of 2-styrylpyridine, the corresponding reaction with 4-styrylpyridine led principally to oligomeric and/or polymeric adducts. Moreover, heating α-allylbenzhydrylaniline in benzene with an excess of the Grignard reagent led to benzhydrylaniline,ssuggestive of C-C bond homolysis. The results, taken together with other information on Grignard reagent-anil interactions, are consistent with a radical mechanism, possibly initiated by electron transfer.
Chronic alcohol consumption enhances myeloid-derived suppressor cells in B16BL6 melanoma-bearing mice.

We previously found that chronic alcohol consumption decreases the survival of mice bearing subcutaneous B16BL6 melanoma. The underlying mechanism is still not completely understood. Antitumor T cell immune responses are important to inhibiting tumor progression and extending survival. Therefore, we examined the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the functionality and regulation of these cells in C57BL/6 mice that chronically consumed 20% (w/v) alcohol and subsequently were inoculated subcutaneously with B16BL6 melanoma cells. Chronic alcohol consumption inhibited melanoma-induced memory T cell expansion and accelerated the decay of interferon (IFN)-γ producing T cells in the tumor-bearing mice. Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were not affected; however, the percentage of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) was significantly increased in the peripheral blood and spleen. T cell proliferation as determined by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester labeling experiments in vitro was inhibited by alcohol consumption relative to control water-drinking melanoma-bearing mice. Collectively, these data show that chronic alcohol consumption inhibits proliferation of memory T cells, accelerates the decay of IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells, and increases MDSC, all of which could be associated with melanoma progression and reduced survival.
Cohesive Zone Models and Fracture

Basic concepts on cohesive models and their usage in fracture are reviewed. These included potential based cohesive zone models and the concept of an anisotropic failure surface. Some new results are presented for history-dependent cohesive zone models. In particular, a class of cohesive zone models where damage is represented by a state variable which evolves according to loading history is studied. The connection between cohesive zone model and crack nucleation is explored.
Metabolism of trideuterated iso-lignoceric acid in rats in vivo and in human fibroblasts in culture.

Saturated very long chain fatty acids (fatty acids with greater than 22 carbon atoms; VLCFA) accumulate in peroxisomal disorders, but there is little information on their turnover in patients. To determine the suitability of using stable isotope-labeled VLCFA in patients with these disorders, the metabolism of 22-methyl[23,23,23-2H3]tricosanoic (iso-lignoceric) acid was studied in rats in vivo and in human skin fibroblasts in culture. The deuterated iso-VLCFA was degraded to the corresponding 16- and 18-carbon iso-fatty acids by rats in vivo and by normal human skin fibroblasts in culture, but there was little or no degradation in peroxisome-deficient (Zellweger’s syndrome) fibroblasts, indicating that its oxidation was peroxisomal. Neither the 14-, 20-, and 22-carbon iso-fatty acids nor the corresponding odd-chain metabolites could be detected. In the rat, the organ containing most of the iso-lignoceric acid, and its breakdown products, was the liver, whereas negligible amounts were detected in the brain, suggesting that little of the fatty acid crossed the blood-brain barrier. Our data indicate that VLCFA labeled with deuterium at the ω-position of the carbon chain are suitable derivatives for the in vivo investigation of patients with defects in peroxisomal β-oxidation because they are metabolized by the same pathways as the corresponding n-VLCFA. Moreover, as iso-VLCFA and their β-oxidation products are readily separated from the corresponding n-fatty acids by normal chromatographic procedures, the turnover of VLCFA can be more precisely measured.
Forest production responses to irrigation and fertilization are not explained by shifts in allocation

Abstract Production increases in intensively managed forests have been obtained by improving resource availability through water and nutrient amendments. Increased stem production has been attributed to shifts in growth from roots to shoot, and such shifts would have important implications for belowground carbon sequestration. We examined above and belowground growth and biomass accumulation and distribution in two eastern cottonwood clones and American sycamore receiving irrigation (I), fertilization (F), or irrigation + fertilization (IF) and compared with non-treated controls (C). Aboveground growth and biomass accumulation responded positively to both I and F in all genotypes. After three growing seasons, the largest trees were sycamore receiving the IF treatment, with a total mean annual biomass production of 9.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1. Total cottonwood mean annual biomass production in both clones was >5.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in the IF treatment. Aboveground biomass production was 6.3 and >3.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for sycamore and cottonwoods, respectively. Total root mass fraction was lower in high resource treatments and declined as stands aged. To compare allocation in trees of equal size, we used allometric relationships between above and belowground tissue. Allometric relationships between woody perennial tissues rarely differed among treatments. Improved resource availability caused large increases in growth and consequently accelerated development, but it had little effect on belowground allocation that was not explained by development. Reports of shifting belowground allocation due to soil resource availability must account for developmental effects if they are to accurately evaluate direct impacts of soil resources.
BOOK REVIEW: The New Economy and Transforming Employment Relations: A Review Essay

The Package Deal: Marriage, Work and Fatherhood in Men's Lives. Nicholas W. Townsend. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 2002.
Numerical range of a doubly stochastic matrix

Abstract We discuss the numerical range of a doubly stochastic matrix and relate it to the structure of the matrix. Also, we characterize those subsets of which are the numerical range of a 3 × 3 doubly stochastic matrix.
ONA, unbundling and competition in interstate access markets

Abstract The Federal Communications Commission's Open Network Architecture (ONA) programme is initially intended to provide equal access to the local exchange network by protecting against local exchange company discrimination against competing enhanced service providers. The principle of ONA, which at its core involves unbundling basic services, can be extended to promote competition to the local exchange company in the provision of regulated basic services as well as unregulated enhanced services. This article evaluates the arguments for and against interstate basic services competition and provides a set of recommendations that will facilitate competition.
When the Badness of Vice Outweighs the Goodness of Virtue: A Moral Asymmetry

Kant found ingratitude among the most contemptible of vices. An ungrateful individual does not properly respect or appreciate people who have bestowed a benefit upon him. Wishing to avoid the indebtedness that comes with acknowledging the kindness of a benefactor, an ingrate denies the kindness. Yet neither Kant nor anyone else believes that the corresponding virtue, gratitude, is as admirable as ingratitude is despicable. The moral value of the disposition to be grateful is far overshadowed by the badness of ingratitude. There seems to be a disproportion or asymmetry between a vice and its corresponding virtue such that the evil of the vice exceeds the goodness of the virtue. The asymmetry in value should perplex us because most pairs of virtues and vices possess comparable moral weight. Considered in the abstract, apart from concrete circumstances, the goodness of virtues is roughly proportionate to the badness of their corresponding vices. For example, courage and cowardice seem to be roughly on a par. The badness of cowardice is not greater than the goodness of courage. Much the same is the case for other virtues and their related vices. The values of patience and impatience, justice and injustice, and generosity and stinginess all seem approximately on a par. Although Aristotle correctly notes that for most vices there are two vicious extremes, we will only consider the vice more opposed to the virtue. Despite the fact that parity in the moral significance of a virtue and its oppositional vice is commonplace, the disproportionality between ingratitude and gratitude is not
Thromboxane A2 mimetic evokes a bradycardia mediated by stimulation of cardiac vagal afferent nerves

Injections of the thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46619 (10 and 20 μg) into the left atrium of anesthetized rabbits evoked decreases in heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (ABP) followed by an inc...
Security vulnerability and countermeasures of frequency offset correction in 802.11a systems

Frequency offset (FO) is an inherent feature of wire- less communications. It results from differences in the operating frequency of different radio oscillators. Failure to compensate for the FO may lead to a decoding failure, particularly in OFDM systems. IEEE 802.11a/g systems use a globally known preamble to deal with this issue. In this paper, we demonstrate how an adversary can exploit the structure and publicity of 802.11a's frame preamble to launch a low-power reactive jamming attack against the FO estimation mechanism. In this attack, the adver- sary will need to quickly detect a PHY frame and subsequently distort the FO estimation mechanism, irrespective of the channel conditions. By employing a fast frame detection technique, and optimizing the energy and structure of the jamming signal, we show the feasibility of such an attack. Furthermore, we propose some mitigation techniques and evaluate one of them through simulations and USRP testbed experimentation.
Momentum-Balance Aspects of Free-Settling Theory. II. Continuous, Steady-State Thickening

Abstract The theory of steady-state, continuous thickening in the free-settling concentration range is considered, taking into account the momentum balance relation governing the process. It is concluded that there is no solids capacity limitation associated with the free-settling portion of the thickening zone.
Hyperbaric oxygen in radiation therapy

The importance of oxygen with low LET radiations has been established beyond any doubt in many different systems, both plant and animal. While some studies, especially head and neck tumors, are impressive, it has not been demonstrated unequivocally that radiation under hyperbaric conditions is superior to well fractionated, well conceived, conventional radiotherapy. Any resulting gain in survival from the addition of hyperbaric oxygen will be limited, especially with more advanced stages of disease. Well controlled studies, especially with earlier stage disease, are still necessary. It would be worthwhile to undertake such trials, especially with tumors of the head and neck constituting the most promising site of study, as others have noted, since even a 5% to 10% improvement in survival would mean many lives saved. Continued trials with hyperbaric oxygen, oxygen in other forms, neutrons and other particles, and radiation sensitizing drugs are all justified in an attempt to overcome the oxygen effect on human tumors.
Burgers' equation in 2D SU(N) YM.

Abstract It is shown that the logarithmic derivative of the characteristic polynomial of a Wilson loop in two-dimensional pure Yang Mills theory with gauge group SU ( N ) exactly satisfies Burgers' equation, with viscosity given by 1 / ( 2 N ) . The Wilson loop does not intersect itself and Euclidean space–time is assumed flat and infinite. This result provides a precise framework in 2D YM for recent observations of Blaizot and Nowak and was inspired by their work.