cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Storage Systems for Data Intensive Computing

In this chapter, the authors present an overview of the utility of distributed storage systems in supporting modern applications that are increasingly becoming data intensive. Their coverage of distributed storage systems is based on the requirements imposed by data intensive computing and not a mere summary of storage systems. To this end, they delve into several aspects of supporting data-intensive analysis, such as data staging, offloading, checkpointing, and end-user access to terabytes of data, and illustrate the use of novel techniques and methodologies for realizing distributed storage systems therein. The data deluge from scientific experiments, observations, and simulations is affecting all of the aforementioned day-to-day operations in data-intensive computing. Modern distributed storage systems employ techniques that can help improve application performance, alleviate I/O bandwidth bottleneck, mask failures, and improve data availability. They present key guiding principles involved in the construction of such storage systems, associated tradeoffs, design, and architecture, all with an eye toward addressing challenges of data-intensive scientific applications. They highlight the concepts involved using several case studies of state-of-the-art storage systems that are currently available in the data-intensive computing landscape.
Neural Basis of Visual Pattern Recognition in Fish

In most species of animals, recognition and correct interpretation of social signals is essential for reproduction and survival. The responses elicited by particular species-specific stimulus configurations have been described for many animals, but only in a handful of cases has it been possible to analyze these signals thoroughly. The African cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni, has proven exceptionally suited for the analysis of behavioral signals because: (a) a limited set of chromatic and spatial patterns on the body signal specific states of the animal; (b) these patterns can be turned on and off rapidly; (c) behavioral interactions depend crucially on correct recognition and interpretation of these signals (Leong, 1969; Heiligenberg and Kramer, 1972; Fernald 1977, 1980).
Kinetics of biofilm detachment

In predictive biofilm modeling, the detachment rate coefficient may be the most sensitive variable affecting both the predicted rate and the extent of biofilm accumulation. At steady state the detachment rate must be equal to the net growth rate in the biofilm. In systems where organic carbon is growth-limiting, the substrate carbon utilization rate determines the net biomass production rate and, therefore, the steady state biomass detachment rate. Detachment rates, first order with biofilm thickness, fit the experimental data well, but are not predictive since the coefficients must be determined experimentally.
Seismic Performance Assessment and Loss Estimation of Steel Diagrid Structures

AbstractDue to their aesthetics and structural advantages, diagrid structures have been used for several mid- to high-rise buildings around the world. However, their seismic performance, collapse f...
Abstract 822: Predicting response to kinase inhibitors based on tumor genomics in NF1-related MPNSTs

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive, chemoresistant sarcomas that develop in patients with the genetic disorder Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Loss of TRP53 and amplification of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) MET is observed 25-50% of cases. To investigate the role of MET and p53 in MPNST progression, we developed three MPNST mouse models: an NF1 null and MET overexpression MPNST model (NF1-MET), an NF1 and TRP53 heterozygous knockout model (NF1-p53), and a NF1 null model (NF1). Using orthotopic tumorgrafts from these models, we tested the efficacy of MET (capmatinib) and MEK (trametinib) inhibition on MPNST growth. Trametinib moderately inhibited tumor growth in all of the models; however, combined inhibition of MEK and MET was highly effective in both the NF1-MET and NF1 models. NF1-p53 tumors were the least responsive to combined inhibition and upregulated AKT signaling in response to single agent therapy. These data suggest that alternate RTK signaling pathways downstream of MET may compensate for MEK inhibition, and that p53 loss promotes kinome reprogramming in response to targeted inhibition in MPNSTs. To determine the effects of MEK, MET, PI3K, and mTOR inhibition on kinome signaling, we generated MPNST cell lines from each of our MPNST models. Western blot analysis revealed that NF1-MET MPNST cells are highly sensitive to MET inhibition, NF1-p53 MPNST cells maintain ERK and AKT activity in the presence of MET inhibition, and NF1-p53 MPNST cells uniquely upregulate MEK signaling in response to PI3K/mTOR inhibition. These results suggest p53 plays a unique role in kinome reprograming and resistance to kinase inhibitors. Currently, we are determining the effects of combined kinase inhibition on proliferation of MPNST cells and utilizing reverse phase protein arrays to evaluate the effect of MET and MEK inhibition on the phospho-proteome in our MPNST models. By understanding these complex signaling networks we will identify combinations of targeted therapies that can be used to effectively treat MPNSTs. Citation Format: Jamie Grit, Matt Pridgeon, Elizabeth Tovar, Zachary Madaj, Jackie Peacock, Julia Wulfkuhle, Emanuel Petricoin, Carrie Graveel, Matt Steensma. Predicting response to kinase inhibitors based on tumor genomics in NF1-related MPNSTs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 822.
Water Vapor and Oxygen/Sulfur-Impurity Effects on Oxidation and Nitridation in Single- and Two-Phase Cr–Nb Alloys

The oxidation and nitridation behavior of Cr(Nb) solid solution and Cr2Nb Laves phase was studied individually and in combination at 1100°C and 950°C in dry air, humid air, and N2–4H2 for alloys containing high or low levels of oxygen and sulfur impurities. At 1100°C, humid-air exposure of alloys in which the Cr2Nb phase was the matrix resulted in greatly increased subscale nitridation as compared with exposure in dry air. At 950°C, little difference between dry vs. humid-air exposures was observed; however, greatly increased subscale nitridation was observed in the Cr2Nb-matrix eutectic alloy when the levels of oxygen and sulfur impurities in the alloys were reduced. In contrast, unalloyed Cr and Cr(Nb) solid-solution alloys were relatively insensitive to water vapor or impurity oxygen/sulfur effects under the conditions studied, although the addition of Nb as a solute in Cr did increase the extent of subscale nitridation. Possible synergistic effects between sulfur impurities and water vapor in the Cr2Nb alloys and the possibility for similar effects in other intermetallic systems are discussed.
Guilt, Self-Awareness, and the Good Will in Kierkegaard’s Confessional Discourses:

The specific aim of this article is to focus on Kierkegaard’s confessional discourses and to examine his appreciation for the experience of guilt—the feeling of guilt and the acknowledgment of guil...
This Is Not Fashion: Streetwear Past, Present and Future

This Is Not Fashion: Streetwear Past, Present and Future offers vibrant inquiry into the relevance of streetwear. Streetwear has blossomed over the past forty years through its distinctive silhouet...
CHIRAL AUXILIARY-PROMOTED ASYMMETRIC NUCLEOPHILE ADDITIONS TO ARENE-MANGANESE TRICARBONYL COMPLEXES

Abstract Addition of a range of nucleophiles to arene-manganese tricarbonyl complexes, carrying a chiral non-racemic 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine substituent, results in diastereomeric excesses of up to 94%. Dependence of the level of asymmetric induction on reactivity and steric bulk of the nucleophile is observed, revealing a rather complex set of controlling factors for the reaction.
Efficient coupled-cavity electro-optic modulator on silicon for high carrier frequency, narrowband RF signals

We demonstrate a coupled-cavity electro-optic modulator with 5.5 GHz bandwidth centered at 41 GHz. The device, driven with a −5 dBm RF signal, shows −27 dB pump-to-sideband conversion efficiency, a 15 dB improvement over a regular ring modulator.
Where Chicago meets London: James M. Buchanan, Virginia Political Economy, and cost theory

James M. Buchanan argued that not only the study of public choice, but also property-rights economics as well as law and economics, can be traced directly to the work of scholars associated with the Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy and Social Philosophy at the University of Virginia (UVA). We draw attention to that point by raising the following question: what was the common knowledge at UVA that made it uniquely suited for the development of each of those related, yet distinct subdisciplines of political economy? Fundamentally, the answer is the unique combination of Chicago price theory and London School of Economics cost theory developed at UVA, where opportunity costs were regarded not as constraints to which individuals passively respond. Rather, they are the reciprocal of the act of choice itself. That subtle distinction has significant implications not only for public policy, but, what is more important, the proper scale and of governmental responses to market failures. The unique combination of the Chicago and London schools was central to the development of a neglected branch of price theory at the University of Virginia.
Interaction of apigenin-7-O-glucoside with pyrimethamine against Toxoplasma gondii growth

Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, a flavonoid glucoside known to inhibit cancer cell growth, fungi growth, both intra and extracellular reactive oxygen species generation, causing cell arrest and damage to the plasma membrane, was tested alone or in combination with a dihydrofolate inhibitor (pyrimethamine) against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) growth. The anti-T. gondii activity was carried out using a high throughput antiparasitic drug screening cell-based assay known as 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, monosodium salt (WST-8) and fluorescence plate reader. The 50% effective concentration inhibition and 95% confidence interval values for individual and combination treatments against T. gondii were 0.80 (0.38–1.29) µg/mL, 1.05 (0.275–2.029) µg/mL, and 0.40 (0–1.06) µg/mL for apigenin-7-O-glucoside, pyrimethamine, and apigenin-7-O-glucoside plus pyrimethamine, respectively. Interestingly, the apigenin-7-O-glucoside plus pyrimethamine combination showed an additive inhibition effect against T. gondii growth in vitro using the fractional inhibitory concentration index method. It was discovered that the apigenin-7-O-glucoside combination with pyrimethamine had a high selectivity index 62.5, which implies 62-fold inhibition activity against the parasite versus human foreskin fibroblast cell cytotoxicity. This new combination hit is novel and will have the potential for future effective, safe, and less costly anti-Toxoplasma drug development, if its in vivo activity shows similar findings.
Mechanisms for the Biosynthesis and Neurotoxicity of Methylmercury

Before the evolution of organic systems on this planet, dynamic equilibria for inorganic species in the earth’s crust were already important. Upon this inorganic matrix cycles evolved to produce organometallic intermediates many of which proved to be important in the subsequent catalytic reactions of living systems. It is not surprising that metals should form the backbone for so many natural catalytic processes. Witness the importance of zinc in DNA polymerase, and cobalt in the B12-dependent enzyme ribonucleotide reductase. In this lecture I shall try to review what is known about metabolic cycles for some elements which are regarded as toxic to higher organisms, and I shall present evidence pertaining to the principles for bio-accumulation and neurotoxicity of these elements.
Optical control and manipulation of diamagnetically levitated pyrolytic graphite

When levitating above an alternating-pole permanent magnet array, pyrolytic graphite can be displaced by asymmetric diamagnetic forces resulting from optically-induced, localized temperature changes and the thermal dependence of pyrolytic graphite’s magnetic susceptibility. In this paper, we present methods for addressable, automated position control of levitating pyrolytic graphite samples acting as milli-robots for small-scale assembly and manipulation applications using optical actuation and machine vision techniques. A simple control method is presented that harnesses interactions between complex magnetic fields and small-scale thermomagnetic and optical material properties. A user may dictate arbitrary desired milli-robot positions to a closed loop control system, which automatically detects and actuates milli-robots to the desired positions and works to maintain them there. Hardware requirements and considerations are discussed along with software calibration, image processing, and control methodologies. Results from experiments demonstrating automated position control of pyrolytic graphite milli-robots of various sizes levitating over various permanent magnet array configurations are presented. Sequential control of multiple milli-robots in close proximity without work surface segmentation is also demonstrated successfully. The observed effect of milli-robot size to magnet array grid spacing ratio on milli-robot in-plane motion is discussed, concluding that larger ratios result in smoother and faster motion control due to relative decreases in magnetic barrier forces on the pyrolytic graphite milli-robot and minimized separation between minimum free energy positions.
Architectural and Cost Implications of the 5G Edge NFV Systems

The recent issued 5G standard promises a comprehen-sive service provisioning for diverse user demands. The new challenges posed by 5G (e.g. the ultra-low latency commu-nication) urge the functionality deployment to offload from network core to edge. Besides, the various requirements of QoS guarantee cast by fast-varying services make the Net-work Function Virtualization (NFV) an essential enabler of edge network evolution. To date, the performance challeng-es at the newly created NFV-enabled virtual network edge are still unexplored. In this paper, we investigate the con-verged virtual Radio Access Network (RAN) and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) in 5G era. We first outline the solo virtual RAN performance. We then characterize the collo-cate workloads (RAN and MEC, RAN and RAN) on the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) edge platform. Finally, we provide brief cost comparison between traditional RAN and virtual RAN. The implications of the virtual RAN system will benefit future edge NFV design.
Unsupervised machine learning reveals risk stratifying glioblastoma tumor cells

A goal of cancer research is to reveal cell subsets linked to continuous clinical outcomes to generate new therapeutic and biomarker hypotheses. We introduce a machine learning algorithm, Risk Assessment Population IDentification (RAPID), that is unsupervised and automated, identifies phenotypically distinct cell populations, and determines whether these populations stratify patient survival. With a pilot mass cytometry dataset of 2 million cells from 28 glioblastomas, RAPID identified tumor cells whose abundance independently and continuously stratified patient survival. Statistical validation within the workflow included repeated runs of stochastic steps and cell subsampling. Biological validation used an orthogonal platform, immunohistochemistry, and a larger cohort of 73 glioblastoma patients to confirm the findings from the pilot cohort. RAPID was also validated to find known risk stratifying cells and features using published data from blood cancer. Thus, RAPID provides an automated, unsupervised approach for finding statistically and biologically significant cells using cytometry data from patient samples.
Hearing loss in Alzheimer Disease is associated with altered serum lipidomic biomarker profiles

Recent data have found that aging-related hearing loss (ARHL) is associated with the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the nature of the relationship between these two disorders is not clear. There are multiple potential factors that link ARHL and AD, and previous investigators have speculated that shared metabolic dysregulation may underlie the propensity to develop both disorders. Here, we investigate the distribution of serum lipidomic biomarkers in AD subjects with or without hearing loss in a publicly available dataset. Serum levels of 349 known lipids from 16 lipid classes were measured in 185 AD patients. Using previously defined co-regulated sets of lipids, both age- and sex-adjusted, we found that lipid sets enriched in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine showed a strong inverse association with hearing loss. Examination of biochemical classes confirmed these relationships and revealed that serum phosphatidylcholine levels were significantly lower in AD subjects with hearing loss. A similar relationship was not found in normal subjects. These data suggest that a synergistic relationship may exist between AD, hearing loss and metabolic biomarkers, such that in the context of a pathological state such as AD, alterations in serum metabolic profiles are associated with hearing loss. These data also point to a potential role for phosphatidylcholine, a molecule with antioxidant properties, in the underlying pathophysiology of ARHL in the context of AD, which has implications for our understanding and potential treatment of both disorders.
How experiencing autonomy contributes to a good life

To discern what accounts for moment-to-moment fluctuations in well-being, the present study investigated how state-level autonomy relates to three aspects of well-being: affect, engagement, and mea...
Regional Variations in Maternal Mortality and Health Workforce Availability in the United States.

BACKGROUND Skilled, high-quality health providers and birth attendants are important for reducing maternal mortality. OBJECTIVE To assess whether U.S. regional variations in maternal mortality rates relate to health workforce availability. DESIGN Comparison of regional variations in maternal mortality rates and women's health provider rates per population and identification of a relationship between these measures. SETTING U.S. health system. PARTICIPANTS Women of child-bearing age and women's health providers, as captured in federal data sources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Census Bureau, and Health Resources and Services Administration. MEASUREMENTS Regional-to-national rate ratios for maternal mortality and women's health provider availability, calculated per population for women of reproductive age. Provider availability was examined across occupations (obstetrician-gynecologists, internal medicine physicians, family medicine physicians, certified nurse-midwives), in service-based categories (birth-attending and primary care providers), and across the entire women's health workforce (all studied occupations). RESULTS Maternal deaths per population increased nationally from 2009 to 2017 and, in 2017, were significantly higher in the South and lower in the Northeast (P < 0.001) than nationally. The occupational composition and per-population availability patterns of the women's health workforce varied regionally in 2017. The South had the lowest availability in the nation for nearly every health occupation and category studied, and the Northeast had the highest. This exploratory analysis suggests that subnational levels of provider availability across a region may be associated with higher maternal mortality rates. LIMITATIONS No causal relationship was established. Nationally representative maternal mortality and health workforce data sources have well-known limitations. Low numbers of observations limit statistical analyses. CONCLUSION Regional variations in maternal mortality rates may relate to the availability of birth-attending and primary care providers. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE None.
Offenses Involving Immigration, Naturalization, and Passports: Model Sentencing Guidelines Sections 2I1, 2I2, 2I3, and 2I4

This article is part of the Model Sentencing Guidelines Working Group's project which is designed to develop a guidelines regime that would simplify the existing federal sentencing guidelines. Among the most frequently used guidelines in today's federal sentencing system are those pertaining to immigration offenses. Some of these guidelines are difficult and cumbersome to apply as the Commission asks courts to use too many sentencing factors, often without distinguishing them in importance. The proliferation of such factors has also restricted the power of federal courts to make their own decisions as to the severity of individual offenses. For that reason, the proposed guidelines limit the number of these factors, and attempt to group them more coherently and logically. In addition, the proposed guidelines would restrain sentencing severity and attempt to create greater national uniformity with respect to immigration offenses. Because of the crushing caseload, many districts have opted for fast-track programs that have created wide disparities. The sanctions in the proposed guidelines are modeled on currently used fast-track programs as those are applicable in districts with the largest number of immigration cases. Finally, many of the proposals are based on existing empirical data.
Human Trafficking-Terrorism Nexus: When Violent Non-State Actors Engage in the Modern-Day Slavery:

Why do some militant organizations participate in human trafficking? We investigate this question by introducing a new dataset that records insurgent organizations’ involvement in four types of hum...
Folic acid and CuS conjugated graphene oxide: An efficient photocatalyst for explicit degradation of toxic dyes

Abstract A robust, ternary photocatalyst, GO-FA-CuS was prepared by covalent conjugation of folic acid (FA) to graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and subsequent deposition of CuS nanoflowers. The photocatalytic efficiency of GO-FA-CuS was evaluated by degradation rate of industrially versatile used dyes, rhodamine B, methylene blue, methyl orange and alizarin red s by irradiating to near-infrared (NIR) laser. The complete degradation of all four dyes was attained by excellent photocatalytic activity of GO-FA-CuS. Incorporation of GO, FA and CuS in GO-FA-CuS, significantly improved their individual photocatalytic activity with several fold. In GO-FA-CuS, GO and CuS were performed as a collector of holes and captor of electrons, respectively. The blending of FA with GO and CuS, tuned the GO-FA-CuS as an efficient photocatalyst and opened a new era of FA in photocatalysis, apart from its classical application in biomedical field. The hierarchical structured, GO-FA-CuS emerged with important benefits, viz., efficient suppression of recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, higher adsorption of dye molecules and elevated harvesting of NIR light. The photocatalytic activity of GO-FA-CuS in degradation of rhodamine B was higher under exposure to NIR laser rather than UV, visible and sunlight. The facile degradation of rhodamine B found in NIR laser was influenced by photothermal effect. GO-FA-CuS possessed the negative surface charge, because of that, its photocatalytic activity was higher in degradation of cationic dyes, rhodamine B and methylene blue compared to anionic dyes, methyl orange and alizarin red s. The GO-FA-CuS demonstrated significant stability and easy recycling ability for repeated use.
Space weather drivers in the ACE era

[1] We examine ACE observations of interplanetary disturbances and energetic particle activity for the period of solar maximum during solar cycle 23 and compare these measurements to the historical record as represented by the National Space Science Data Center Omnitape of near-Earth observations. Magnetospheric response parameters, Dst and Kp, are similarly compared for the two epochs. We find that ACE observed an unexpectedly large number of the strongest transient events with the strength of magnetospheric drivers exceeding the historical record for the space flight era. This is not entirely true of the magnetospheric response, which demonstrates that the magnetospheric response is an integrated effect that is more subtle than examination of single hourly averages would indicate. For these and other reasons, we argue that satellites at L1 orbit, such as ACE, provide an excellent database for the study of magnetospheric storm drivers and their associated energetic particle populations from which space weather models may be refined. We also compare and contrast energetic particle measurements. While protons are a large space weather concern, heavy ions are also a radiation hazard for hardware in particular. We argue that heavy ion radiation predictions based on the measurements of protons are not reliable and that only by measuring the actual composition of the solar energetic particle population can we hope to understand and address the threat posed by these particles to machines and to obtain a more complete view of the radiation environment.
Corruption, NGOs, and Development in Nigeria

This article examines corruption in Nigeria's development sector, particularly in the vastly growing arena of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Grounded in ethnographic case studies, the analysis explores why local NGOs in Nigeria have proliferated so widely, what they do in practice, what effects they have beyond their stated aims, and how they are perceived and experienced by ordinary Nigerians. It shows that even faux NGOs and disingenuous political rhetoric about civil society, democracy, and development are contributing to changing ideals and rising expectations in these same domains.
Economic and environmental impact assessment using WAMADSS

The upsurge of interest in watershed management and planning has increased the need for user friendly, interactive methods that decision makers can use to evaluate the economic and environmental consequences of alternative land use/management practices (LUMPs). Knowledge and information from several disciplines are integrated into a functional computer-based watershed management decision support system (WAMADSS). WAMADSS consists of three components: (1) a GIS, (2) an economic model, and (3) an environmental simulation model. A graphical user interface enables decision makers to generate scenarios, change LUMPs, run the models, and view results within a GIS.
Comments on Seaton's distance scale for planetary nebulae

Seaton distance scale for brightness of planetary nebulae in H beta recalculated, noting correction factor
A 3-D Filtered-Backprojection Reconstruction Algorithm for Combined Parallel- and Cone-Beam SPECT Data

Cone-beam (cb) collimation for single-photon emission computed tomography (spect) provides higher sensitivity than parallel-hole collimation, however it produces truncated projection data that can lead to undesirable image artifacts. In response, it has been suggested (Jaszczak 1992) that parallel-beam and cone-beam data be combined to obtain increased sensitivity while maintaining completeness of the data for accurate reconstruction. Herein, a 3-d filtered-backprojection (fbp) approach for reconstructing such data sets is proposed. The algorithm begins with a rebinning of the parallel- and cone-beam (p&cb) data to a common planeintegral projection space: the projection space of the 3-d Radon transform. A normalization step is then implemented to correct for the sampling pattern of the system, thus assuring that the rebinned data are proportional to the plane integrals of the source distribution of the object. Finally, a fully 3-D fbp reconstruction based on the inversion formula of the 3-Radon transform is performed using the rebinned plane integrals. The advantage of this algorithm is that, by making the necessary corrections prior to reconstruction, it avoids residual artifacts that can remain after other methods are employed. In addition, the computation time required by the proposed method is substantially shorter than that reported for maximum-likelihood reconstructions by the expectation-maximization (em) algorithm (Jaszczak 1992).
Manpower for obstetrics and gynecology: II. Characteristics of patients; their diagnoses and care☆☆☆

Abstract A further report from the cooperative manpower study of the University of Southern California-American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has identified characteristics of patients and their diagnoses and classified types of patient-physician encounters. Obstetrician-gynecologists care for women mainly between the ages of 20 and 44, deal two thirds of the time with only five diagnostic categories in the office and 10 in the hospital, and provide primary care in 78.2% of all patient encounters.
How Much Do Respondents in the Health and Retirement Study Know About Their Tax-deferred Contribution Plans? A Crosscohort Comparison

We use information from Social Security earnings records to examine the accuracy of survey responses regarding participation in tax-deferred pension plans. As employer-provided defined benefit pensions are replaced by voluntary contribution plans, employees’ understanding of the link between their annual contribution decisions and their post-retirement wealth is becoming increasingly important. We examine the extent to which wage-earners in the Health and Retirement Study correctly report their inclusion in tax-deferred contribution plans and, conditional on inclusion, their annual contributions. We use two samples representing different cohorts in two different periods: the original HRS cohort interviewed in 1992 at ages 51-61, and a combination of the War Babies and Early Baby Boomer cohorts at the same ages interviewed twelve years later. Our findings indicate that while respondents interviewed in 2004 were more likely to report correctly whether they were included in DC plans, they were no more accurate in reporting whether they contributed to their plans than respondents interviewed in 1992. Respondents in both cohorts, moreover, overestimated their annual contributions. In both 1992 and in 2004, the mean absolute difference between respondent-reported and Social Security earnings record contributions was 1.5 times larger than the mean earnings record contribution.
Alfvén Wave Proton Injection and Acceleration in Solar Flares

We consider coronal proton acceleration by a spectrum of parallel-propagating Alfven waves. Both the nonlinear and linear aspects of this acceleration are included, but the Alfven wave spectrum and total wave energy density are taken as fixed. The proton distribution is followed in detail numerically. The process of nonlinear Landau damping or beat-wave acceleration acts effectively to pull protons from the bulk to beyond the Alfven velocity, the threshold for gyroresonant or linear acceleration. The gyroresonant acceleration then accelerates a density of 106 cm−3 of protons beyond 10 MeV with a Bessel function energy distribution as required by the observations. Results are shown in Figure 1 for a Kolmogorov spectrum of equal quantities of left- and right-hand polarized waves, moving in both directions along the magnetic field of energy density 1.8 ergs cm−3 at 3 s.
Stress direction history of the western United States and Mexico since 85 Ma

[1] A data set of 369 paleostress direction indicators (sets of dikes, veins, or fault slip vectors) is collected from previous compilations and the geologic literature. Like contemporary data, these stress directions show great variability, even over short distances. Therefore statistical methods are helpful in deciding which apparent variations in space or in time are significant. First, the interpolation technique of Bird and Li [1996] is used to interpolate stress directions to a grid of evenly spaced points in each of seventeen 5-m.y. time steps since 85 Ma. Then, a t test is used to search for stress direction changes between pairs of time windows whose sense can be determined with some minimum confidence. Available data cannot resolve local stress provinces, and only the broadest changes affecting country-sized regions are reasonably certain. During 85–50 Ma, the most compressive horizontal stress azimuth 1H was fairly constant at ∼68° (United States) to 75° (Mexico). During 50–35 Ma, both counterclockwise stress changes (in the Pacific Northwest) and clockwise stress changes (from Nevada to New Mexico) are seen, but only locally and with about 50% confidence. A major stress azimuth change by ∼90° occurred at 33 ± 2 Ma in Mexico and at 30 ± 2 Ma in the western United States. This was probably an interchange between 1 and 3 caused by a decrease in horizontal compression and/or an increase in vertical compression. The most likely cause was the rollback of horizontally subducting Farallon slab from under the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico, which was rapid during 35–25 Ma. After this transition, a clockwise rotation of principal stress axes by 36°–48° occurred more gradually since 22 Ma, affecting the region between latitudes 28°N and 41°N. This occurred as the lengthening Pacific/North America transform boundary gradually added dextral shear on northwest striking planes to the previous stress field of SW-NE extension.
5‐Trimethylsilyl‐1,3‐pentadiene

[72952-73-9] C8H16Si (MW 140.33) InChI = 1S/C8H16Si/c1-5-6-7-8-9(2,3)4/h5-7H,1,8H2,2-4H3 InChIKey = ZFPBFBJPENLNKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (useful pentadienylation reagent;1 an allyl silane;7 a precursor for 1-trimethylsilyldienes and intramolecular Diels–Alder substrates2) Alternate Name: 2,4-pentadienyltrimethylsilane. Physical Data: bp 41 °C/36 mmHg or 105 °C/760 mmHg; nD20 1.4570. Solubility: sol hexane, benzene, CH2Cl2, ether, THF. Analysis of Reagent Purity: by NMR, GC (8.4 min on 3 mm × 3 M 5% Apiezon L on Chromosorb W at 80 °C) or TLC: 5% AgNO3/silica gel (4∶1 hexane/benzene). Preparative Method: may be prepared in 85% yield by the reaction of Pentadienyllithium 1 with Chlorotrimethylsilane 1,2 in THF at room temperature.1-3 Generally the product is ≈95% (E) isomer as judged by IR (strong band at 1000 cm−1) or NMR (trans coupling constant of 15.2 Hz for proton at C-3, 5.92 ppm). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: stable liquid; the toxicological properties of this reagent are unknown. It should be handled in a well ventilated hood.
Task scheduling algorithms for heterogeneous processors

Scheduling computation tasks on processors is the key issue for high-performance computing. Although a large number of scheduling heuristics have been presented in the literature, most of them target only homogeneous resources. The existing algorithms for heterogeneous domains are not generally efficient because of their high complexity and/or the quality of the results. We present two low-complexity efficient heuristics, the Heterogeneous Earliest-Finish-Time (HEFT) algorithm and the Critical-Path-on-a-Processor (CPOP) algorithm for scheduling directed acyclic weighted task graphs (DAGs) on a bounded number of heterogeneous processors. We compared the performances of these algorithms against three previously proposed heuristics. The comparison study showed that our algorithms outperform previous approaches in terms of performance (schedule length ratio and speedup) and cost (time-complexity).
Temporal influence of ascorbic acid dose on the endogenous formation of N-nitrosoproline and N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid in humans

The temporal effect of ascorbic acid intake on the endogenous formation of N-nitrosoproline and N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid was determined over 15 days in 10 ascorbate depleted men consuming a low nitrate and ascorbic acid (<23 μmol) diet. N-nitrosoproline precursors were given as follows: days 3–15, nitrate (5.24 mmol); days 2–15, l-proline (4.35 mmol) 30 min following the nitrate; days 5–11, ascorbic acid (2.62 mmol) 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.5 hr before the proline, concurrent with the proline on day 12, and 0.5, 1 and 2 hr following the proline on days 13–15. Urine was analyzed for N-nitrosoamino and ascorbic acids. Gastric pH and residence time were measured on days 3–4 concurrently with the proline challenge. Excretion of N-nitrosoproline on nitrate and proline only days was 42.2 ± 16.0 nmol. Significant (P < 0.05) inhibition was observed when ascorbic acid was given 5 hr before proline (29.1 ± 10.5 nmol). These data suggest that the ascorbic acid content of the stomach due to secretion is sufficient to partially inhibit gastric nitrosation. Diets high in ascorbic acid could reduce gastric formation of N-nitroso compounds even if ascorbic acid is not consumed at the same time as the precursors. No correlation between gastric pH and gastric residence time with N-nitrosoproline and N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid excretion was observed over the pH range observed. Several subjects consistently excreted high or low levels of N-nitrosoproline or N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid compared to the mean, regardless of the ascorbic acid intake. This suggests that physiological differences between subjects may account for their endogenous nitrosation capacity.
The Biology and Taxonomy of Head and Body Lice—Implications for Louse-Borne Disease Prevention

Sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites of placental mammals including humans. Worldwide, more than 550 species have been described and many are specific to a particular host species of mammal [1]. Three taxa uniquely parasitize humans: the head louse, body louse, and crab (pubic) louse. The body louse, in particular, has epidemiological importance because it is a vector of the causative agents of three important human diseases: epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Since the advent of antibiotics and more effective body louse control measures in the 1940s, these diseases have markedly diminished in incidence. However, due to 1) increasing pediculicide resistance in human lice, 2) reemergence of body louse populations in some geographic areas and demographic groups, 3) persistent head louse infestations, and 4) recent detection of body louse-borne pathogens in head lice, lice and louse-borne diseases are an emerging problem worldwide. This mini-review is focused on human body and head lice including their biological relationship to each other and its epidemiological relevance, the status and treatment of human louse-borne diseases, and current approaches to prevention and control of human louse infestations.
Ultra-low-noise high-frame-rate ROIC for visible and infrared focal plane arrays

Recent advances in CMOS read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) design have helped achieve 10e- of read noise with single read and down to 5e- read noise with 32-pair Fowler sampling at slower astronomical frame rates. However, applications like adaptive optics pose even more stringent performance requirements on ROICs for visible and IR focal plane arrays (FPAs). Traditional pixel designs use circuits such as source followers, capacitive trans-impedance amplifiers (CTIA), and buffered-direct injection (BDI) for detector charge integration and readout. Currently these techniques by themselves do not achieve sub 10e- read noise at high readout bandwidths. This paper describes circuit design advances and measured performance that enable ROICs with ultra-low noise readout (3-10e-) at signal bandwidths allowing KHz frame rate on 128x128 and larger arrays. Using deep sub-micron CMOS, high conversion gain has been designed in a small unit-cell area while keeping high bandwidth for reset and readout, and sufficiently low power dissipation to avoid MOSFET self-emission for background-limited sensitivity at ultra-low scene backgrounds. Measured performance of one of the pixel designs reported in detail shows a noise floor of 7e- with HgCdTe detector array, near identical to the design value.
The Large Optical Generator - a Progress Report

In late 1982 the Optical Sciences Center decided to purchase a numerical control optical generator. The purpose was to support the work of Roger Angel's mirror blank fabrication work at Steward Observatory'-4 and to generate the mold segments for use in fabricating carbon fiber-reinforced plastic panels for the Sub Millimeter Telescope, a joint project of the University of Arizona and the Max Planck Institut fur Radioastronomie in Bonn, West Germany.
Vibrational spectra of oxides with the C-type rare earth oxide structure

Infrared and Raman spectra for Mn2O3, Sc2O3,Y2O3, and In2O3 and Raman spectra for the rare earth oxides Sm2O3, Eu2O3, Dy2O3 and Yb2O3 have been measured. All compounds belong to space group Ia3,T7h. Factor group analysis predicts 4Ag, (Raman) + 4Eg (Raman) + 14Tg, (Raman) + 5Au, (inactive) + 5Eu, (inactive) + 16Tu (i.r.) modes. The predicted i.r. bands were found, whereas only about half of the 22 predicted Raman bands were observed. The highest frequency band varies linearly with the metal-oxygen distance, as observed previously in the rare earth oxides. In2O3 exhibits an anomalous splitting of the high-frequency band.
Obscure intrauterine lesion as cause of menorrhagia.

It is interesting to note the paucity of cases of menorrhagia in which this symptom is actually due to a hormonal abnormality usually described as some kind of dysfunction of the pituitary-ovarian-endometrial axis. The following case report dramatically emphasizes the necessity of thorough and sometimes radical investigation before a patient is placed in the category of what is variously called functional menorrhagia, dysfunctional menorrhagia, metropathia hemorrhagica or menorrhagia due to abnormal endocrine function. S.S., a 24-year-old single, white female was first seen in January 1952 with the complaint that for three years there had been a gradual increase of bleeding at the time of menstruation. Menstruation had begun at 12, and a cycle of twenty-eight to thirty days had been fairly constant throughout her menstrual life. Until three years previously, the periods had been normal in amount, requiring about three to four pads per day, and lasting for about five or six days. There had been fairly seve...
Medieval Arab references to the seasonally reversing currents of the North Indian Ocean

Abstract Arabic documents from the medieval period suggest that the semi-annual reversal of surface currents in the North Indian Ocean was discovered in the ninth or tenth century.
Air-flow distortion and turbulence statistics near an animal facility

The emission and dispersion of particulates and gases from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) at local to regional scales is a current issue in science and society. The transport of particulates, odors and toxic chemical species from the source into the local and eventually regional atmosphere is largely determined by turbulence. Any models that attempt to simulate the dispersion of particles must either specify or assume various statistical properties of the turbulence field. Statistical properties of turbulence are well documented for idealized boundary layers above uniform surfaces. However, an animal production facility is a complex surface with structures that act as bluff bodies that distort the turbulence intensity near the buildings. As a result, the initial release and subsequent dispersion of effluents in the region near a facility will be affected by the complex nature of the surface. Previous Lidar studies of plume dispersion over the facility used in this study indicated that plumes move in complex yet organized patterns that would not be explained by the properties of turbulence generally assumed in models. The objective of this study was to characterize the near-surface turbulence statistics in the flow field around an array of animal confinement buildings. Eddy covariance towers were erected in the upwind, within the building array and downwind regions of the flow field. Substantial changes in turbulence intensity statistics and turbulence-kinetic energy (TKE) were observed as the mean wind flow encountered the building structures. Spectra analysis demonstrated unique distribution of the spectral energy in the vertical profile above the buildings.
Growth of exocrine acinar cells on a reconstituted basement membrane gel.

Methods have been developed for culturing a dividing population of morphologically differentiated rat parotid, lacrimal, and pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. Isolated acinar cells were plated onto tissue culture dishes coated with a three-dimensional, reconstituted basement membrane gel. After attachment in Ham’s nutrient mixture F12, the cells were cultured at 35°C in F12 supplemented with 10% heat inactivated rat serum, epidermal growth factor, dexamethasone, insulin, transferrin, selenium, putrescine, reduced glutathione, ascorbate, penicillin, streptomycin, and the appropriate secretagogue. Under these conditions, the cells attached rapidly and DNA synthesis was initiated within 2 to 3 d. Although the cells flattened on the substratum, they continued to maintain their differentiated morphology. The cells contained secretory granules, and the secretory enzymes peroxidase and amylase could be detected. The use of a reconstituted basement membrane gel proved critical for the attachment and growth of exocrine acinar cells.
The stimulation of 6-hydroxydopamine autoxidation by bivalent copper: potential importance in the neurotoxic process.

Abstract Copper sulfate (Cu 2+ , 10 −6 M to 10 −5 M) stimulated the rate of autoxidation of the catecholamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) as judged both by absorbancy measurements at 490 nm and oxygen consumption. This stimulation of 6-OHDA autoxidation by Cu 2+ was prevented by the copper chelating agent EDTA. In other experiments, Cu 2+ stimulated the rates of autoxidation of dopamine and norepinephrine as well as the neurotoxic agents 6-aminodopamine, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine. It is suggested that intraneuronal levels of copper, by virtue of controlling the rates of autoxidation reactions, might be important in vivo.
Charm theory review (non-lattice)

In this talk, I review aspects of D 0 – D ¯ 0 mixing, rare decays of D mesons and CP violations in D meson decays, in a manner which emphasizes the interplay between experiment and theory.
A review of the 8th international conference of the academy of HRD (Asia chapter) & 1st international conference of the academy of HRD (MENA chapter) held in Bahrain in December 2009: a cultural dimensions perspective

This article will provide a review for the 8th International Conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (Asia Chapter) and the 1st International Conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (MENA Chapter), 12–15 December 2009. Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions are used for the purpose of providing a perspective to illustrate how different variables can affect an international conference. The article concludes with the authors' recommendations for future international HRD conferences.
High mass measurement accuracy determination for proteomics using multivariate regression fitting: application to electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Important factors that limit the mass measurement accuracy from a mass spectrometer are related to (1) the type of mass analyzer used and (2) the data processing/calibration methods used to obtain mass values from the raw data. Here, two data processing methods are presented that correct for systematic deviations when the mass of ions is measured using a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The first fitting method is one where m/z values are obtained from fitting peak distributions using double Gaussian functions. A second calibration method takes into account the slight nonlinear response of the TOF analyzer in addition to the drift in the calibration over time. Using multivariate regression, both of these two effects can be corrected for using a single calibration formula. Achievable performance was evaluated with a trypsin digestion of serum albumin and proteins from the organism D. radiodurans that was analyzed using gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatography combined with an electrospray ioniz...