cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parasite manipulation of the host cell cycle as a means to block inflammatory signaling and promote intracellular replication

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia hammondi are closely-related coccidian intracellular parasites that differ in their ability to cause disease in animal and (likely) humans. The role of the host response in these phenotypic differences is not known and to address this we performed a transcriptomic analysis of a monocyte cell line (THP-1) infected with these two parasite species. The pathways altered by infection were shared between species ~95% the time, but the magnitude of the host response to H. hammondi was significantly higher compared to T. gondii. Accompanying this divergent host response was an equally divergent impact on the cell cycle of the host cell. In contrast to T. gondii, H. hammondi infection induces cell cycle arrest via pathways linked to DNA-damage responses and cellular senescence and robust secretion of multiple chemokines that are known to be a part of the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Remarkably T. gondii-conditioned media can suppress the SASP response during H. hammondi infection, and this suppression is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the replication rate of H. hammondi in recipient cells. Taken together our data suggest that T. gondii manipulation of the host cell cycle provides a novel mechanism to avoid stress and/or DNA-damage induced responses by the host cell, and that this ability has a direct impact on parasite replication rate both within the host cell as well as in bystander cells.
Secure THz communication with multiplexed orbital angular momentum beams: poster

In this poster, we will present methods for generation of Bessel-Gaussian beams with higher order orbital angular momentum (OAM) for secure point to point links at terahertz frequencies. We investigate the methods for generating the spiral and radially phased excitations and their relation to the far-field beams generated using the method. The work describes the typical aperture sizes, methods of beam control and beam width related features that can be achieved.
The complexity of minimum cut and maximum flow problems in an acyclic network

On montre que trouver une coupe minimum ou un flot maximum dans un reseau acyclique n'est pas plus facile que le meme probleme dans un reseau general
INVESTMENT AND MACRO ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

This study examined investment and macro economic performance in Nigeria. The data were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics for the period ranging from 1980 to 2016. The ordinary least square technique of multiple regressions was used in analyzing the data. The result shows that GDP has a positive impact on investment and interest rate has a negative impact on investment in Nigeria. Other test such as multicolinearity, heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation were tested in order to ensure comprehension and adequacy of the research work. On the basis of my findings, it was discovered that an increase in GDP has a significant impact on the total volume of investment in Nigeria, while fluctuations in interest rate has negative impact on investment in Nigeria. The intercept shows that there are other factors other than the ones specified in the model which militates on investment growth in Nigeria. To the following observation, it was recommended that government should design programmes that would attract more foreign and domestic investment in the country as it would go a long way in increasing aggregate income needed by the government in meeting its social responsibility. Also, the monetary authority should stabilize exchange rate and interest rate as well as watch the demand pattern of money for precautionary, transactionary, and speculative purpose to offset the risks and uncertainty that may deter the interest of investors.
Development of Hydrogels for Microneedle-Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Naloxone for Opioid-Induced Pruritus.

Abstract Transdermal naloxone delivery could be a potential option for treating opioid-induced pruritus, but naloxone does not permeate skin well because of its hydrophilic nature. Microneedles (MNs) could overcome the skin barrier by painlessly creating microchannels in the skin to permit naloxone absorption to therapeutic levels. This study investigated how ionization correlates with naloxone permeation across MN-treated skin. Hydrogels containing 0.2, 0.5, or 1% naloxone were formulated with 1% cross-linked polyacrylic acid (polymer) and adjusted to pH 5, 6.5, or 7.4. Porcine skin was treated with MNs and naloxone gel, and in vitro permeation studies were performed using an in-line diffusion setup. Gel structural properties were evaluated using rheology. All gels had viscoelastic properties and good spreadability. Naloxone permeation through intact skin was highest from pH 7.4 gels when naloxone is unionized, in contrast with undetectable concentrations permeated from pH 5 gels with 100% ionization. Combining MN treatment with pH 5 gels significantly enhanced permeation and resulted in steady-state flux that would achieve therapeutic delivery. Absorption lag time was affected by MN length and naloxone gel concentration. Polymer concentration did not influence drug permeability. This study demonstrates that transdermal naloxone delivery with MNs is a viable treatment option for opioid-induced pruritus.
S-Vest: a novel hybrid method to allow standardised patients to put on the objective physical examination findings of a disease

Background Simulation hybrids combine single modality simulation such as simulated patients (SP) with low-fidelity simulation to create a potentially more powerful set of educational tools. To make a hybrid that is credible, standardised and inexpensive remains a challenge. We describe the development of the simulation vest (S-Vest), an inexpensive, standardised teaching tool that is ‘worn’ by an SP to form a hybrid. Methods We have created a vest which contains a set of speakers placed in an anatomical manner and produce sounds. The sounds played from a multitrack audio player are recorded in vivo from a patient with the real disease findings. The SP provides history while the vest provides the objective palpable and auscultatory findings. The speakers are placed in the routine standardised locations taught in physical examination. Results We have developed several case scenarios designed for the vest. One of these cases is an elderly patient with aortic stenosis. The aortic stenosis case audio file has four unique tracks recorded over the precordium. Each track is played at the speaker appropriate to the physical exam findings. The SP plays an elderly man with chest pain. The vest provides the sounds of a loud systolic murmur with marked diminishment of S2 and a palpable thrill. Conclusions The S-Vest is a low-fidelity, low-cost simulator to use in hybrid and simulation. The S-Vest can be used in a formative and summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) station and in skills attainment for learners in healthcare. We believe these tools will be of significant import to teaching clinical skills.
Drug-Mimicking Nanofibrous Peptide Hydrogel for Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase.

In this work, we develop a drug-mimicking nanofibrous peptide hydrogel that shows long-term bioactivity comparable to a small-molecule inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The iNOS inhibitor, N6-(1-iminoethyl)-l-lysine (l-NIL), is a positively charged amino acid whose structure could be readily integrated into the framework of a positively charged multidomain peptide (MDP) through the modification of lysine side chains. This new l-NIL-MDP maintains the self-assembling properties of the base peptide, forming β-sheet nanofibers, which entangle into a thixotropic hydrogel. The l-NIL-MDP hydrogel supports cell growth in vitro and allows syringe-directed delivery that persists in a targeted location in vivo for several weeks. Multiple characterization assays demonstrate the bioactivity of the l-NIL-MDP hydrogel to be comparable to the l-NIL small molecule. This includes iNOS inhibition of macrophages in vitro, reduced nitrotyrosine immunostaining in murine subcutaneous histology, and reduced se...
The Heat Shock Response in the Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) is Antiviral.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are an agriculturally important pollinator species that live in easily managed social groups (i.e., colonies). Unfortunately, annual losses of honey bee colonies in many parts of the world have reached unsustainable levels. Multiple abiotic and biotic stressors, including viruses, are associated with individual honey bee and colony mortality. Honey bees have evolved several antiviral defense mechanisms including conserved immune pathways (e.g., Toll, Imd, JAK/STAT) and dsRNA-triggered responses including RNA interference and a non-sequence specific dsRNA-mediated response. In addition, transcriptome analyses of virus-infected honey bees implicate an antiviral role of stress response pathways, including the heat shock response. Herein, we demonstrate that the heat shock response is antiviral in honey bees. Specifically, heat-shocked honey bees (i.e., 42 °C for 4 h) had reduced levels of the model virus, Sindbis-GFP, compared with bees maintained at a constant temperature. Virus-infection and/or heat shock resulted in differential expression of six heat shock protein encoding genes and three immune genes, many of which are positively correlated. The heat shock protein encoding and immune gene transcriptional responses observed in virus-infected bees were not completely recapitulated by administration of double stranded RNA (dsRNA), a virus-associated molecular pattern, indicating that additional virus–host interactions are involved in triggering antiviral stress response pathways.
Particle radiation-induced dysregulation of protein homeostasis in primary human and mouse neuronal cells.

Abstract Space particle radiations may cause significant damage to proteins and oxidative stress in the cells within the central nervous system and pose a potential health hazard to humans in long-term manned space explorations. Dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system as evidenced by abnormal accumulation of polyubiquitin (pUb) chain linkages has been implicated in several age-related neurodegenerative disorders by mechanisms that may involve the inter-neuronal spread of toxic misfolded proteins, the induction of chronic neuroinflammation, or the inappropriate inhibition or activation of key enzymes, which could lead to dysfunction in, for example, proteolysis, or the accumulation of post-translationally-modified substrates.In this study, we employed a quantitative proteomics method to evaluate the impact of particle-radiation induced alterations in three major pUb-linked chains at lysine residues Lys-48 (K-48), Lys-63 (K-63), and Lys-11 (K-11), and probed for global proteomic changes in mouse and human neural cells that were irradiated with low doses of 250 MeV proton, 260 MeV/u silicon or 1 GeV/u iron ions. We found significant accumulation in K-48 linkage after 1 Gy protons and K-63 linkage after 0.5 Gy iron ions in human neural cells. Cells derived from different regions of the mouse brain (cortex, striatum and mesencephalon) showed differential sensitivity to particle radiation exposure. Although none of the linkages were altered after proton exposure, both K-48 and K-63 linkages in mouse striatal neuronal cells were elevated after 0.5 Gy of silicon or iron ions. Changes were also seen in proteins commonly used as markers of neural progenitor and stem cells, in DNA binding/damage repair and cellular redox pathways. In contrast, no significant changes were observed at the same time point after proton irradiation. These results suggest that the quality of the particle radiation plays a key role in the level, linkage and cell type specificity of protein homeostasis in key populations of neuronal cells.
Key Drivers in Reducing Hospital-acquired Pressure Injury at a Quaternary Children's Hospital.

Introduction Despite being a participating Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) children's hospital and having attempted implementation of the SPS hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) prevention bundle, our hospital remained at a HAPI rate that was 3 times the mean for SPS participating children's hospitals. This performance led to the launch of an enterprise-wide HAPI reduction initiative in our organization. The purpose of this article is to describe the improvement initiative, the key drivers, and the resulting decrease in the SPS-reportable HAPI rate. Methods We designed a hospital-wide HAPI reduction initiative with actions grouped into 3 key driver areas: standardization, data transparency, and accountability. We paused all individual hospital unit-based HAPI reduction initiatives. We calculated the rate of SPS-reportable HAPIs per 1,000 patient days during both the pre- and postimplementation phases and compared mean rates using a 2-sided t test assuming unequal variances. Results The mean SPS-reportable HAPI rate for the preimplementation phase was 0.3489, and the postimplementation phase was 0.0609. The difference in rates was statistically significant (P < 0.00032). This result equates to an 82.5% reduction in HAPI rate. Conclusions Having an institutional pause and retooled initiative to reduce HAPI with key drivers in the areas of standardization, data transparency, and accountability had a statistically significant reduction in our organization's SPS-reportable HAPI rate.
Obesity and Insulin Resistance, Not Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Are Independent Predictors of Bone Mineral Density in Adolescents and Young Women

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders that affects females of reproductive age. The characteristic features of PCOS individually have opposing effects on bone mineral density (BMD); however, their cumulative effect on BMD has not been clearly defined. Adolescence and young adulthood span a crucial period in achieving peak bone mass. Thus, a better understanding of the impact of PCOS on BMD in this age group is needed. Objectives To determine whether BMD is different between young females with PCOS and controls and to identify factors that influence BMD in this population. Methods Data from four cross-sectional studies with a total of 170 females aged 12-25 years with PCOS (n = 123) and controls (n = 47) with a wide range of BMIs (18.7-53.4 kg/m2) were analyzed. Participants had fasting glucose, insulin, and free and total testosterone concentrations measured. HOMA-IR was calculated. Whole-body BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple regression analysis for predicting BMD included PCOS status, menstrual age, obesity, HOMA-IR, and free testosterone. Results HOMA-IR and total and free testosterone were significantly higher in PCOS compared to controls but there was no difference in BMD z-score between PCOS (0.8 ± 1.0) and controls (0.6 ± 1.0) (p = 0.36). Obesity (p = 0.03) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.02) were associated with BMD z-score. Conclusions Obesity status and insulin resistance, but not PCOS status, were each independently associated with BMD in adolescents and young women who spanned a wide range of BMIs.
Salient target populations and the subcategorization of deviants in the release of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic

Prisons and jails throughout the United States have reduced their populations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is posited herein that as a result of the pandemic, criminals have been subcatego...
Clinical Reasoning: An 81-year-old woman with confusion, weakness, and left-sided hemineglect.

An 81-year-old right-handed woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with confusion, generalized weakness, and difficulty ambulating. In addition to several cardiovascular comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and renal artery stenosis), her medical history was significant for stage IV carcinoma of the urinary bladder. She had been in her usual state of health until 1 week prior to her presentation when she began experiencing generalized weakness in her legs, requiring more frequent use of a walker as well as intermittent headaches and increasing forgetfulness. Two to 3 days prior to presentation, her husband noted that she was increasingly getting confused. On the day of presentation, she woke up disoriented and was too weak to get out of bed, prompting her husband to bring her to the ED. In the ED, she was afebrile, hypertensive (180/90 mm Hg), and tachycardic (heart rate 120–130/min). On mental status examination, she was intermittently oriented to time and place and unable to follow complex instructions. Her score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was 9/30. Other pertinent examination findings included left facial weakness (lower face) and left upper and lower extremity weakness (3/5). Sensory examination revealed left-sided hemineglect. The patient was unable to ambulate as she could not stand without assistance.
Naltrexone modulates contextual processing in depression.

Context, the information surrounding an experience, can significantly alter the meaning and the affective responses to events. Yet the biological mechanisms through which context modulate experiences are not entirely understood. Here, we hypothesized that the µ-opioid system—extensively implicated in placebo effects, a clinical phenomenon thought to rely on contextual processing—modulates the effects of contextual information on emotional attributions in patients with depression. To test this hypothesis, 20 unmedicated patients with depression completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of one dose of 50 mg of naltrexone, or placebo immediately before completing two sessions of the Contextual Framing fMRI task. This task captures effects of valenced contextual cues (pleasant vs. unpleasant) on emotional attribution (the rating of subtle emotional faces: fearful, neutral, or happy). Behaviorally, we found that emotional attribution was significantly moderated by the interaction between contextual cues and subtle emotional faces, such that participants’ ratings of valenced faces (fearful and happy), compared to neutral, were more negative during unpleasant, compared to pleasant context cues. At a neural level, context-induced blood-oxygen-level-dependent responses in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the dorsal anterior cingulate, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, significantly moderated the effects of context on emotional attribution, and were blunted by naltrexone. Furthermore, the effects of naltrexone on emotional attribution were partially abolished in more severely depressed patients. Our results provide insights into the molecular alterations underlying context representation in patients with depression, providing pivotal early data for future treatment studies.
Dual Modulated QR Codes for Proximal Privacy and Security

The ubiquitous presence of surveillance cameras severely compromises the security of private information (e.g. passwords) entered via a conventional keyboard interface in public places. We address this problem by proposing dual modulated QR (DMQR) codes, a novel QR code extension via which users can securely communicate private information in public places using their smartphones and a camera interface. Dual modulated QR codes use the same synchronization patterns and module geometry as conventional monochrome QR codes. Within each module, primary data is embedded using intensity modulation compatible with conventional QR code decoding. Specifically, depending on the bit to be embedded, a module is either left white or an elliptical black dot is placed within it. Additionally, for each module containing an elliptical dot, secondary data is embedded by orientation modulation; that is, by using different orientations for the elliptical dots. Because the orientation of the elliptical dots can only be reliably assessed when the barcodes are captured from a close distance, the secondary data provides “proximal privacy” and can be effectively used to communicate private information securely in public settings. Tests conducted using several alternative parameter settings demonstrate that the proposed DMQR codes are effective in meeting their objective– the secondary data can be accurately decoded for short capture distances (6 in.) but cannot be recovered from images captured over long distances (>12 in.). Furthermore, the proximal privacy can be adapted to application needs by varying the eccentricity of the elliptical dots used.
Impacts of technology innovation on scientific discovery

Progress in astronomy is largely driven by advances in technology. Yet, only a tiny fraction of the worldwide investment in technology directly targets the needs of astronomy, so astronomers must seek to leverage and harness technology advancements made for other purposes. In this presentation, I will explore the various ways this has been done for three major recent advances in the study of black holes: the detection of merging black holes with LIGO in 2016, the radio imaging of M87’s supermassive black hole with EHT in 2019, and the decades-long studies of stellar motions near the galactic center, which revealed the central black hole in our galaxy and is the subject of the 2020 Nobel prize. In each case, the technology story spans decades, and involves a combination of advances in several areas.
The origin of the diffuse X-ray background

The Einstein Deep Survey fields are used to reexamine the problem of the origin of the extragalactic diffuse X-ray background. An approach based on fluctuation analysis is adopted, and a sophisticated Monte Carlo scheme is used to compare the X-ray images with a variety of models representing point and diffuse source contributions. Results are presented for two classes of models: those which determine the flux cutoff beyond which pointlike sources fail to contribute significantly if the log N-log S slope is fixed at the measured value of -1.5, and those which set limits on the slope of the log N-log S relation below its last measured point at the Deep Survey threshold. In both cases, it is found that the known population of X-ray-emitting quasars and any reasonable extrapolations therefrom do not comprise the entire X-ray background. 41 references.
Image analysis techniques to map pyramids, pyramid structure, glomerular distribution, and pathology in the intact human kidney from 3-D MRI.

We report the application of cutting-edge image analysis approaches to characterize the pyramidal geometry, glomerular microstructure, and heterogeneity of the whole human kidney imaged using MRI. ...
The Kogi Necklace

IT WAS 1950 when Sam Rosen, his wife Lillian and ten-year-old daughter Natalie arrived in Colombia for a reunion with Sam's younger brother. Morris and Sam had left Europe the same year?1938?when for once Viennese Jews were not fastidious about a new cultural milieu. Finding passage on different Italian cargo boats, they had settled in different Americas: Morris in Barranquilla; Sam in New York, then Pittsburgh. They corresponded, and even did some trading in metals, but not until Morris became a widower did Sam feel compelled to introduce Natalie to her last surviving relative. Natalie was not surprised that the harbor at Barranquilla looked drabber than she had imagined. The voyage from New York had been a disappointment, neither exotic nor dangerous. And she could predict that Uncle Morris would look nothing like the South American explor er of her illustrated storybook?a watered-down version, she later learned, of Green Mansions. Sure enough, when a portly figure in a white work shirt and baggy green trousers detached itself and pushed through the brown crowds on the dock, he looked just like someone back home, someone who had never had an adventure.
The effects of concentrated ultraviolet light of high-efficiency silicon solar cells

The performance of point contract and passivated emitter solar cells after exposure to UV light is compared. The effect of UV exposure on oxide-passivated silicon wafers is examined. It is found that current passivated emitter designs are stable at both one-sun and under concentrated sunlight. The evolution of point contact concentrator cell performance shows a clear trend toward more stable cells. >
Some Extensions to the Closed World Assumption in Databases

Minker has shown how the CWA can be generalized to non-Horn domains. However, his results hold for assuming ground atomic formulas only. We have shown extensions by which non-ground and non-atomic formulas can be assumed in non-Horn databases.
Making sense of technology trends in the information technology landscape: a design science approach

A major problem for firms making information technology investment decisions is predicting and understanding the effects of future technological developments on the value of present technologies. Failure to adequately address this problem can result in wasted organization resources in acquiring, developing, managing, and training employees in the use of technologies that are short-lived and fail to produce adequate return on investment. The sheer number of available technologies and the complex set of relationships among them make IT landscape analysis extremely challenging. Most IT-consuming firms rely on third parties and suppliers for strategic recommendations on IT investments, which can lead to biased and generic advice. We address this problem by defining a new set of constructs and methodologies upon which we develop an IT ecosystem model. The objective of these artifacts is to provide a formal problem representation structure for the analysis of information technology development trends and to reduce the complexity of the IT landscape for practitioners making IT investment decisions. We adopt a process theory perspective and use a combination of visual mapping and quantification strategies to develop our artifacts and a state diagram-based technique to represent evolutionary transitions over time. We illustrate our approach using two exemplars: digital music technologies and wireless networking technologies. We evaluate the utility of our approach by conducting in-depth interviews with IT industry experts and demonstrate the contribution of our approach relative to existing techniques for technology forecasting.
Sum frequency mixing of microlensed diode lasers for spectroscopy

UV power of 50.3 nW is obtained using two microlensed diode lasers in a single pass geometry, through sum-frequency mixing in a non-linear BBO crystal. The 413 nm microlensed diode laser is used in external cavity and the 662 nm microlensed diode laser as a free running source. The narrow linewidth and broad tuning range create a tool readily compliant with the stringent requirements of laser spectroscopy.
A 9-year, Bidirectional Prospective Analysis of Depressive Symptoms and Adiposity: The African American Health Study

Objective Depression may be a predictor and consequence of obesity. However, available evidence for racial minorities has been inconsistent, and more prospective studies are needed. Thus, this study's objective was to examine whether depressive symptom severity is a predictor and/or consequence of total adiposity over a 9-year period in a representative sample of late middle-aged African-Americans. Methods A total of 410 participants (aged 49–65 years; baseline) in the prospective cohort African American Health study were examined. Depressive symptom severity was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Total body fat percent (BF%) and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) were assessed. Structural equation models were tested. Results All model fit statistics, other than χ2, indicated good fit (RMSEA ≤ 0.058, SRMR ≤ 0.052, CFI ≥ 0.95). Baseline CES-D did not predict 9-year changes in BF% (β = −0.01, P = 0.78) or BMI (β = −0.01, P = 0.77). Baseline BF% (β = 0.05, P = 0.39) and BMI (β = 0.08, P = 0.095) did not predict 9-year change in CES-D. Conclusions Depressive symptom severity was not a predictor or consequence of excess total adiposity in late middle-aged African-American adults. Including a depression module in obesity prevention and treatment programs specifically designed for late middle-aged African-Americans may not have a beneficial effect on obesity outcomes.
Adaptive methods for estimating amplitudes and frequencies of narrowband signals

The authors propose a rapidly converging adaptive spectral analyzer that uses different algorithms for the weight and frequency updates. There is a modest increase in computational complexity, due to the greater complexity of the RLS (recursive-least-square) algorithm compared to the LMS (least-mean-square) adaptive algorithm. In cascaded adaptive algorithms, the first adaptive algorithm should converge faster to guarantee convergence of the second adaptive algorithm. However, using slower converging LMS-type algorithms for both does not guarantee this. The concept of cascading two adaptive algorithms has also been used in other adaptive algorithms for spectral estimation based on recursive-prediction error-parameter-estimation algorithms, but they are more computationally expensive and are modeled differently. >
Small-Time Reachable Sets and Time-Optimal Feedback Control

This paper describes selected aspects of a direct geometric approach to time-optimal control. The underlying idea is to obtain a regular synthesis of time-optimal controls from a precise knowledge of the structure of the small-time reachable set for an extended system to which time has been adjoined as extra coordinate.
Efficient Algorithms for Testing Semiconductor Random-Access Memories

A fault model which views faults in semiconductor random-access memories at a functional level instead of at a basic gate level is presented. An efficient 0(n) algorithm to detect all faults in the fault model is described. The fault model is then extended to incorporate more complex faults. An 0(n · log2 n) algorithm is presented for one such extended fault model.
A broadband wireless access system at 28 GHz

This paper describes a broadband local access system at 28 GHz. In the United States these systems are generally referred to as Local Multipoint Distribution Service or LMDS. The FCC bandplan is discussed and a proposed utilization of the spectrum is presented. The architecture for an LMDS system is described along with link budgets and capacity estimates.
NEAR TERM APPLICATIONS OF INERTIAL ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT FUSION RESEARCH

For the past 15 years, the Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been conducting experiments to demonstrate that there can be many near term applications of fusion research long before the production of electricity in commercial fusion power plants. This research has concentrated on three fuel cycles: DD, D 3 He, and 3 He 3 He. Some of the major accomplishments are listed below: a. The production of > 10 8 DD neutrons per second on a steady state basis b. The production of pulsed DD neutrons to over 10 10 per second in 10 Hz, 100 μs bursts. c. The production of 14.7 MeV protons at > 10 8 per second (steady state) from the D 3 He reaction. d. Demonstrated the detection of the explosive C-4 with steady state DD neutrons. e. Demonstrated the detection of Highly Enriched U (HEU) with pulsed DD neutron fluxes. f Production of the positron emission tomography (PET) i soto p es, 94m Tc and 13 N using D 3 He protons. g. Production of the first measured 3 He 3 He fusion reactions in an IEC device. h. Development of unique diagnostic techniques to measure the rate, spectrum, and location of fusion reactions in IEC devices. i. Use of an IEC device to study the behavior of materials at high temperature during charged particle bombardment. The accomplishments above were carried out in 3 devices HOMER, 3 HeCTRE, and HELIOS that have operated up to 180 kV and meter currents of 65 mA. New applications are currently being explored and expanded roles for the IEC device will be described.
Ultrastructure and Cell Division of a Facultatively Parasitic Strain of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

Some aspects of cell development and division of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain UKi2 were examined by use of electron microscopic techniques. Under saprophytic and parasitic conditions of growth, the comma-shaped cells enlarge, elongate, and form helical filaments. The mechanism of division appears to consist of an asymmetrical constriction of the filamentous cell by the cytoplasmic membrane, accompanied by a breakdown of the outer layers of the cell wall in the division region. During regeneration of the cell wall, the flagellum and flagellar sheath are formed. The development of the flagellum of the daughter cell is initiated prior to separation of the newly formed cells from the filament. Observations of B. bacteriovorus UKi2 grown under saprophytic and parasitic conditions indicate that development and ultrastructure are similar in both modes of growth.
Limitations of reverse polyethylene samplers (RePES) for evaluating toxicity of field contaminated sediments

Passive samplers are used to measure dissolved nonionic organic contaminants (NOCs) in environmental media. More recently, reverse polyethylene samplers (RePES) have been used with spiked sediments to recreate interstitial water exposure concentrations and observed toxicity. In the present study, RePES were used with field contaminated sediments. The RePES was not capable of recreating the pattern of toxicity with the amphipod and mysid observed with intact field sediments. Decreased survival in the RePES exposures as compared to the whole sediment exposures was most likely caused by an overexposure to NOCs due to a lack of surrogate black carbon in the RePES system. As an alternative, aqueous phase studies were performed in which polyethylene was allowed to equilibrate with slurries of intact sediments for 3 weeks. Three weeks was found to be an insufficient amount of time for the polyethylene to equilibrate with the sediment. An additional study demonstrated 3 months was sufficient for lower contaminant concentrations, but might not be an adequate amount of time for more highly contaminated sediments. The aqueous phase transfer approach may be useful if equilibration is sufficiently long, although this length of time may be impractical for use in certain applications, such as toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs).
The use of diagnostic and prognostic wind fields for atmospheric transport calculations: an evaluation of the DIPOLE EAST 169 field experiment

The United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) DIPOLE EAST 169 experiment took place at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico on 23 September 1999. The objective of the experiment was to validate the DTRA Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC) suite of models in a weakly forced, light wind environment. Specifically, DTRA diagnostic and prognostic models were used to produce wind fields that were passed to DTRA's transport model. The resultant transport calculations were compared with the ground truth data. A release of SF6 was tracked by remote sensors to provide ground truth data. Test day weather conditions were gathered. Data from the WSMR Surface Automated Meteorological Site (SAMS) sites, a mobile profiling system, and from rawinsonde were collected and fed into the models. A presentation of the general weather conditions that existed on the test day is first reviewed, followed by a discussion of the forecast profiles for the test site as well as a discussion of the weather condition that existed in the calculation domain as evidenced by the surface data. This provides the background conditions for the test such as the cloudy conditions that were experienced and the light winds throughout the domain. Included in this discussion is the presentation of the ground truth data collected by the Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectrometers (FTIRs) used to determine the location of the SF6 cloud centroid. The results of the transport model output based on input from the diagnostic and prognostic models are presented. Finally, the results of the actual SF6 cloud centroid are compared with the modelled results. The differences are discussed and potential causes for the differences considered. However, the overall model performance produced results that show that cloud tracking and calculations were within one grid unit of ground truth. Overall, the models produced reliable results for this limited study on a light wind case. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Repair of fractured porcelain denture teeth

0 ne of the problems of using porcelain teeth in denture construction is that they fracture as a result of trauma, accident, or abuse. Usually the maxillary anterior teeth are involved. The loss of tooth form due to fracture is often considered an emergency by the denture patient. Traditionally, treatment required either ( 1) a delay in denture tooth replacement, while the patient retained his unesthetic denture until the correct tooth was delivered to the dentist and a replacement appointment could be scheduled or (2) that the denture be removed and sent to the commercial dental laboratory for the tooth replacement, while the patient remained edentulous until the denture was returned to the dentist and a delivery appointment could be scheduled. Rarely are the necessary porcelain tooth shade and mold kept in stock by the dentist so inconvenience usually results. In recent years, fractured anterior natural teeth have been corrected by acid etching of the tooth enamel and the restoration of form with a composite resin material. It is believed that the acid dissolves the inorganic material leaving voids and an organic matrix suitable for mechanical binding with the composite resin. Since the composite resin will not bind mechanically to the fractured portion of a porcelain tooth without surface treatment, an approach has been used by this author to achieve mechanical binding of these two substances. This is accomplished by using the basic idea of the etching technique, that is, creating surface irregularities to foster mechanical attachment. At first, hydrofluoric acid was used to etch the fractured porcelain surface. This acid creates irregularities for satisfactory binding but is an extremely hazardous material, and its use is discouraged. A particular commercial agent? supposedly accomplishes binding of the treated porcelain surface with composite resins, but it was not used because of its cost and because a simpler way was discovered.
Fresnel transforms and Bragg cell processors

In the analysis of coherently illuminated optical systems we distinguish between space planes and spatial frequency or Fourier planes. Between these two planes exists a continuum of Fresnel transform planes; the Fresnel domain therefore shares, more or less equally according to its position, the properties of the space and frequency domains. Since Fresnel transforms are space-variant operations, generalized results are difficult to obtain. When implemented by Bragg cell processors, however, Fresnel transforms have some interesting and useful spatial/temporal properties. We examine the application of Fresnel transforms to analog signal scrambling techniques. We derive the optimum geometry for obtaining the maximum time spreading for a given signal bandwidth. We derive the system response to impulse, short pulse, and cw signals. We show how a permutation of time samples can be achieved and illustrate some of the key features through simulations.
Recent advances in neuroproteomics and potential application to studies of drug addiction.

The rapidly growing field of proteomics seeks to track changes in protein expression function that underlie the growth and differentiation of individual cell types, both during normal development and during the onset and progression of disease. Recent years have seen great strides in mRNA expression analysis, and the development of new technologies for protein profiling. However, current methods are limited to analysis of the relative expression level of only a few hundred to perhaps 2000 proteins, well below the ability of DNA microarrays to potentially interrogate the mRNA expression of more than 25 000 genes. Proteomics faces a special challenge in studies of the nervous system, where cellular and sub-cellular architecture is among the most complex in the body. This article presents an overview of current proteomic profiling technologies, reviews the recent use of some of these approaches in studies of the nervous system, and discusses the potential application of neuroproteomics to studies of drug addiction.
ADOLESCENT RESOURCES AND DELINQUENCY

The dominant theories of delinquency tend to view the delinquent as a deprived individual who engages in delinquency because of forces beyond his or her control. This paper challenges that image, awing that many adolescents possess resources that increase their power and autonomy. This power and autonomy may be used to reduce social control and increase “Illegitimate means,” which in turn increase the likelihood of delinquency. Whether adolescents use their resources for delinquent ends is conditioned by several factors, most notably the adolescent's predisposition for delinquency, the benefits and costs of employing resources for delinquent ends in a particular situation, and the adolescent's perceived self-efficacy. Data from two nationally representative surveys of adolescents are used to analyze the relation between resources and delinquency among adolescents differing in their predisposition for delinquency. In most cases, resources are positively related to delinquency when the predisposition for delinquency is high.
Sternal fractures: New perspectives

Acute sternal fractures occur in the setting of severe deceleration. The authors propose that the displacement in a sternal fracture can point to the mechanism and thus to associated injuries that should be considered. Stress fractures of the sternum follow a predictable pattern that mirrors the acute indirect sternal injury, i.e., hyperflexion of the thoracic cupula. The authors propose that this thoracic cupula acts as a unit in hyperflexion of the upper thoracic spine and signals severe deceleration with likely posterior shears of aorta, spine, cord, and lungs. The lower sternal depression, conversely, points toward more anterior compression with heart and anterior lung at risk. Thus, the direction of the sternal fracture displacement yields valuable information about the mechanics of injury. Including the sternum on lateral C-spine and T-spine films fills an important gap in our understanding the mechanism of thoracic trauma.
Practical parameterization of rotations using the exponential map

Parameterizing three degree-of-freedom (DOF) rotations is difficult to do well. Many graphics applications demand that we be able to compute and differentiate positions and orientations of articulated figures with respect to their rotational (and other) parameters, as well as integrate differential equations, optimize rotation parameters, and interpolate orientations. Widely used parameterizations such as Euler angles and quaternions are well suited to only a few of these operations. The exponential map maps a vector in R 3 describing the axis and magnitude of a three-DOF rotation to the corresponding rotation. Several graphics researchers have applied it with limited success to interpolation of orientations, but it has been virtually ignored with respect to the other operations mentioned above. In this paper we present formulae for computing, differentiating, and integrating three-DOF rotations with the exponential map. We show that our formulation is numerically stable in the face of machine precision issues, and that for most applications all singularities in the map can be avoided through a simple technique of dynamic reparameterization. We demonstrate how to use the exponential map to solve both the "freely rotating body" problem, and the important ball-and-socket joint required to accurately model shoulder and hip joints in articulated figures. Examining several common graphics applications, we explain the benefits of our formulation of the exponential map over Euler angles and quaternions, including robustness, small state vectors, lack of explicit constraints, good modeling capabilities, simplicity of solving ordinary differential equations, and good interpolation behavior.
Spread monomolecular films of monohydroxy bile acids and their salts: influence of hydroxyl position, bulk pH, and association with phosphatidylcholine.

Undissociated dihydroxy bile acids, alone or with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), lie with their long axes parallel to aqueous−lipid interfaces [Fahey, D. A., Carey, M. C., and Donovan, J. M. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 10886−10897]. To test the generality of this orientation, we used an automated Langmuir−Pockels surface balance to examine pressure−molecular area isotherms and dipole moments of insoluble monohydroxy bile acids and their salts, which are sparingly soluble because of their presumed high Krafft points. We studied lithocholic acid (LCA) (the natural 3α-OH isomer), glycolithocholic acid (GLCA) (its glycine conjugate), and the semisynthetic isomers, 7α-OH- and 12α-OH-cholanoic acids with and without POPC, at pH values ranging from 2 to 12. Monolayer collapse pressures increased sigmoidally with ionization, giving apparent pK values of 7.0−8.5 and implying a stronger affinity of the bile salt anions for the interface. At monolayer collapse, the molecular area of LCA was ∼85...
Electrophysiological mechanisms in a canine model of erythromycin-associated long QT syndrome.

BACKGROUNDErythromycin is known to prolong ventricular repolarization and has been associated with the occurrence of torsades de pointes. In this study, we have investigated potential mechanisms in vivo and in vitro for induction of an acquired long QT syndrome by erythromycin.METHODS AND RESULTSVentricular electrograms and endocardial monophasic action potentials were recorded in anesthetized open-chest dogs before and after administration of 40 to 120 mg/kg of erythromycin lactobionate. Conventional microelectrode techniques were used to record transmembrane action potentials in isolated dog Purkinje fibers and papillary muscles. Erythromycin at concentrations > 20 mg/L prolonged action potential duration. At higher concentrations (100 to 200 mg/L), erythromycin induced phase 2 and phase 3 early afterdepolarizations (EADs) both in vivo and in vitro. The effects of erythromycin on repolarization were more marked in Purkinje fibers than in papillary muscle. Pretreatment of Purkinje fibers with erythromyci...
Subsistence Fades, Capitalism Deepens: The “Net of Incorporation” and Diné Livelihoods in the Opening of the Navajo–Hopi Land Dispute, 1880-1970

Relying on archival research and an historical sociological approach, this essay argues the Navajo–Hopi land dispute demonstrates the highly uneven and porous character of what the author calls the...
Latency Analyses of CC-NUMA and CC-COMA Rings

This paper focuses comparative performance modeling and evaluation of CC-NUMA and CC-COMA on a hierarchical ring shared-memory architecture. Intensive performance measurements of the two models have been conducted on the KSR-1. The experimental results support the analytical models, and present practical observations and comparisons of the two cache coherence memory systems. Our analytical and experimental results show that a CC-COMA system balances the work load well. However the overhead of frequent data movement may match the gains obtained from improving load balance. Although a CC-NUMA system may not automatically balance the load at the system level, it provides an option for a user to explicitly handle data locality for a possible performance improvement.