cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Red Storm Architecture and Early Experiences with Multi-Core Processors

The Red Storm architecture, which was conceived by Sandia National Laboratories and implemented by Cray, Inc., has become the basis for most successful line of commercial supercomputers in history. The success of the Red Storm architecture is due largely to the ability to effectively and efficiently solve a wide range of science and engineering problems. The Cray XT series of machines that embody the Red Storm architecture have allowed for unprecedented scaling and performance of parallel applications spanning many areas of scientific computing. This paper describes the fundamental characteristics of the architecture and its implementation that have enabled this success, even through successive generations of hardware and software.
The Vasa Homolog RDE-12 engages target mRNA and multiple argonaute proteins to promote RNAi in C. elegans.

Summary Argonaute (AGO) proteins are key nuclease effectors of RNAi [1]. Although purified AGOs can mediate a single round of target RNA cleavage in vitro, accessory factors are required for small interfering RNA (siRNA) loading and to achieve multiple-target turnover [2, 3]. To identify AGO cofactors, we immunoprecipitated the C. elegans AGO WAGO-1, which engages amplified small RNAs during RNAi [4]. These studies identified a robust association between WAGO-1 and a conserved Vasa ATPase-related protein RDE-12. rde-12 mutants are deficient in RNAi, including viral suppression, and fail to produce amplified secondary siRNAs and certain endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs). RDE-12 colocalizes with WAGO-1 in germline P granules and in cytoplasmic and perinuclear foci in somatic cells. These findings and our genetic studies suggest that RDE-12 is first recruited to target mRNA by upstream AGOs (RDE-1 and ERGO-1), where it promotes small RNA amplification and/or WAGO-1 loading. Downstream of these events, RDE-12 forms an RNase-resistant (target mRNA-independent) complex with WAGO-1 and may thus have additional functions in target mRNA surveillance and silencing.
Why does cryptographic software fail?: a case study and open problems

Mistakes in cryptographic software implementations often undermine the strong security guarantees offered by cryptography. This paper presents a systematic study of cryptographic vulnerabilities in practice, an examination of state-of-the-art techniques to prevent such vulnerabilities, and a discussion of open problems and possible future research directions. Our study covers 269 cryptographic vulnerabilities reported in the CVE database from January 2011 to May 2014. The results show that just 17% of the bugs are in cryptographic libraries (which often have devastating consequences), and the remaining 83% are misuses of cryptographic libraries by individual applications. We observe that preventing bugs in different parts of a system requires different techniques, and that no effective techniques exist to deal with certain classes of mistakes, such as weak key generation.
Effect of hard-disk drive spindle motor vibration on dynamic microwaviness and flying-height modulation☆

Abstract In order to achieve higher recording densities up to 1 Terabit per square inch using conventional magnetic recording technologies, the recording slider will need to be physically spaced very close to the rotating disk, possibly via the use of an air-bearing surface. However, as the recording slider is flying at such ultra-low spacing of few nanometers over a high-speed rotating disk, it is experiencing disturbances from various different sources and of a wide frequency range. These disturbances may cause the recording slider to vibrate significantly, a condition known as flying-height modulation (FHM), which may result in data loss and possibly head–disk interface failure. A significant source of slider excitation is due to low frequency surface topographical features of the rotating disk, termed dynamic microwaviness. Dynamic microwaviness is a dynamic property of the disk and differs from regular topographical microwaviness, which is a static property. Most research works on dynamic microwaviness and FHM have been focused at the component level, using somewhat idealized conditions, such as high performance air-spindle motors that exhibit very low vibration amplitudes. In this paper, actual hard-disk drive spindle motors are used to investigate the effect of spindle motor vibration on dynamic microwaviness and FHM. It is found that there is a clear connection between spindle motor vibration and dynamic microwaviness that affects FHM.
Synthetic Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4) agonist peptides as a novel class of adjuvants.

Background Adjuvants serve as catalysts of the innate immune response by initiating a localized site of inflammation that is mitigated by the interactions between antigens and toll like receptor (TLR) proteins. Currently, the majority of vaccines are formulated with aluminum based adjuvants, which are associated with various side effects. In an effort to develop a new class of adjuvants, agonists of TLR proteins, such as bacterial products, would be natural candidates. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major structural component of gram negative bacteria cell walls, induces the systemic inflammation observed in septic shock by interacting with TLR-4. The use of synthetic peptides of LPS or TLR-4 agonists, which mimic the interaction between TLR-4 and LPS, can potentially regulate cellular signal transduction pathways such that a localized inflammatory response is achieved similar to that generated by adjuvants. Methodology/Principal Findings We report the identification and activity of several peptides isolated using phage display combinatorial peptide technology, which functionally mimicked LPS. The activity of the LPS-TLR-4 interaction was assessed by NF-κB nuclear translocation analyses in HEK-BLUE™-4 cells, a cell culture model that expresses only TLR-4, and the murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. Furthermore, the LPS peptide mimics were capable of inducing inflammatory cytokine secretion from RAW264.7 cells. Lastly, ELISA analysis of serum from vaccinated BALB/c mice revealed that the LPS peptide mimics act as a functional adjuvant. Conclusions/Significance Our data demonstrate the identification of synthetic peptides that mimic LPS by interacting with TLR-4. This LPS mimotope-TLR-4 interaction will allow for the development and use of these peptides as a new class of adjuvants, namely TLR-4 agonists.
Content-Based Geospatial Schema Matching Using Semi-supervised Geosemantic Clustering and Hierarchy

The problem of semantic similarity across heterogeneous geospatial data sources continues to attract interest. Semantic similarity across data sources typically involves 1:1 matching of attributes and their instances between tables. Using clustering methods, three distinct challenges remain unaddressed. First, many clustering algorithms rely only on one instance property. Second, a consistent score for an attribute match is not produced. Finally, hierarchical relationships between the data are not considered. To address these, we introduce GeoSim, a tool for determining the semantic similarity between geospatial schemas. GeoSim consists of GeoSimG and GeoSimH. GeoSimG derives clusters from attribute instances based on their geographic and semantic properties. It examines attribute instances in the clusters to calculate a consistent semantic similarity score through entropy-based distribution (EBD). GeoSimH also captures hierarchical relationships between compared tables and attributes. Results from experiments involving multi-jurisdictional geospatial datasets show that GeoSim outperforms several popular semantic similarity approaches.
Image Guidance of Flexible Tip-Steerable Needles

Image guidance promises to improve targeting accuracy and broaden the scope of medical procedures performed with needles. This paper takes a step toward automating the guidance of a flexible tip-steerable needle as it is inserted into the human tissue. We build upon a previously proposed nonholonomic model of needles that derive steering from asymmetric bevel forces at the tip. The bevel-tip needle is inserted and rotated at its base in order to steer it in 6 DOF. As a first step for control, we show that the needle tip can be automatically guided to a planar slice of the tissue as it is inserted. Our approach keeps the physician in the loop to control insertion speed. The distance of the needle tip position from the plane of interest is used to drive an observer-based feedback controller that we prove is locally asymptotically stable. Numerical simulations demonstrate a large domain of attraction and robustness of the controller in the face of parametric uncertainty and measurement noise. Physical experiments with tip-steerable nitinol needles inserted into a transparent plastisol tissue phantom under stereo image guidance validate the effectiveness of our approach.
Biflavanoids of the Cycadales

Abstract Biflavanoid patterns of leaves of 82 species of the order Cycadales comprising 3 families and 10 genera have been determined. The biflavanoids were identified by TLC, UV, NMR and MS studies. Pattern differences between species, when detected, involve the position or degree of methylation of the base compounds. On the other hand, differences in the biflavanoid patterns at the generic and family levels were sufficient to support taxonomic relationships. Thus, the absence of hinokiflavone and its derivatives clearly distinguish the Zamiaceae from the Cycadaceae and Stangeriaceae. The complete absence of biflavanoids in the latter family suggests an advanced evolutionary condition, but morphologically, this family has the most fern-like characters, and therefore has been considered by previous workers to be the most primitive of the cycads.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in burn patients

Background: Prolonged enteral feedings are required occasionally in seriously burned individuals. We have employed percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in selected patients who require particularly prolonged access, thus prompting this review.
Isogeometric analysis of nearly incompressible solids

This paper describes the use of isogeometric methods to solve problems in finite deformation solid mechanics in which compressible and nearly incompressible behavior may be encountered. The work is based on a three-field variational structures in which displacements, mean stress and volume effects are independently approximated. Using this approach and tensor product NURBS approximations it is shown how the solution can be conducted in a standard approach, where main variables are organized at nodes (control points). This leads to an efficient procedure to solve large problems of a general form without the need to develop special solution strategies. The approach is demonstrated on some standard test problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serving Two Masters: Using Referenda to Assess Partisan versus Dyadic Legislative Representation

Studies comparing the ideological leanings of voters and elected officials are often hampered by the lack of a common measure. The authors use legislative referenda—on which state legislators and voters both vote on the same issue—as bridging observations to develop a common measure for both. They use this measure to help assess two theories of legislative representation, the well-known dyadic model and a partisan model that assumes legislators are also accountable to a collective party agenda. Examining referenda votes during several sessions of the California Assembly, the authors report several findings that are consistent with the partisan model. They find that legislators are significantly more ideologically extreme than the median voter in their districts. They also find that members of the majority party are considerably more extreme relative to their districts than members of the minority party are and that the majority party becomes even more extreme the longer it maintains control of the chamber.
Convection with internal heat sources and thermal turbulence in the Earth's mantle

SUMMARY The influence of internal heat sources on mantle convection is investigated using numerical calculations of 2-D thermal convection in an infinite Prandtl number, incompressible fluid. The geometry is a cylindrical annulus with inner and outer radii in proportion to the whole mantle. Time-dependent calculations are made starting from random initial conditions, with Rayleigh numbers RaT (based on boundary-temperature difference) and Ra, (based on internal-heat production) in the range 1dsRaTs lo7 and OsRa,524RaT. At fixed RaT, increasing Ra, results in transitions in flow structure from steady cells, to a pattern of stationary cells with time-variable amplitude, and finally to thermally turbulent convection with a non-stationary cell count. For RaT 10' and Ra, >RaT approximately, the travelling plumes disrupt the large-scale circulation, producing turbulent convection. At Ra, = lo7 the flow is fully developed thermal turbulence, and for Ra, > 0, consists of a rapidly fluctuating, irregular flow driven by transient rising and sinking sheets of buoyant fluid. Large fluctuations in total kinetic energy occur in this regime, with periodicities ranging from 40 to 1400Myr. The transition to thermal turbulence occurs in these calculations at Rayleigh numbers well below the value estimated for subsolidus convection in the mantle, suggesting thermally turbulent convection may occur in the mantle, a consequence of internal heat sources. Thermal turbulence offers an explanation for long-term fluctuations in the rate of subduction, sea-floor spreading and global volcanic activity.
Information assets in interorganizational governance: exploring the property rights perspective

Empirical research in interorganizational governance has been motivated primarily by transaction cost economics (TCE) and its focus on proprietary electronic linkages, asset specific investments, and consequent holdup problems. Where many early interorganizational systems were characterized by nonredeployable assets, recent instances are distinguished by open standards and a higher degree of redeployable technology. Hence, interorganizational research has reached out to alternative theories that embrace social and procedural interdependence in addition to technological links. The principal theoretical alternative to TCE that addresses social interdependence is social networking theory. Where both TCE and networking have relative merits as explanatory frameworks, they are antithetical in their purest forms and most often mutually exclusive in application. However, both perspectives confront analytical boundaries that may be overcome through answers and dimensions provided by the other. Hence, a synthesis between these competing theoretical viewpoints is sought. The property rights perspective of information, one that retains TCE's predictive ability and networking's contextual focus, is introduced and critically evaluated as an alternative framework that may enable such a synthesis. A positive case study is analyzed which explores the theory's utility in illuminating interorganizational systems with disaggregate physical and information assets, technical, procedural, and social interdependence. The case concludes with a critical evaluation of the perspective's merits as a positive explanatory framework of interorganizational governance, finding that the predictive utility is greatest where information is inalienable and opportunism is high.
Reversing presentation order of semantically related words reverses memory

In the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm, words (e.g., sour, candy, sugar,…) related to one critical word (e.g., sweet) typically are encoded in descending order of their association with the critical word. When recognition is tested, memory is greater for related words than for critical words, as predicted by extant memory models. Surprisingly, however, memory is not greater for unrelated words (presented in other encoding lists) than for related words, in contrast with predictions from these same models. In two experiments, we tested whether intralist presentation order is responsible for the unexplained results. Word lists were studied in standard or reversed order (ascending order of association to critical words). Subsequent recognition for related words was high when lists were presented in the standard order but very low when lists were presented in reverse. Results indicate that presentation order affects related-word false alarms, providing important new constraints for memory models.
The anterolateral thigh free flap for skull base reconstruction

Abstract Objective To assess outcomes of patients undergoing reconstruction after resection of skull base tumors with the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. Study Design Case series with chart review. Subjects and Methods Thirty-four consecutive patients with cancers involving the skull base that underwent reconstruction with the ALT free flap between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed. Results The ALT free flap was successfully used to reconstruct two, five, and 17 anterior, lateral, and posterior skull base defects, respectively. In addition, six and four combined anterior-lateral and lateral-posterior defects, respectively, were reconstructed. The overall complication rate was 29 percent. There were no flap losses. Nerve grafts (n = 6) and fascial slings (n = 14) for facial reanimation were performed using the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and fascia lata from the same donor site as the ALT free flap. By harvesting the flap and graft(s) simultaneously with the resection, an average of 3.0 hours per case was saved. Conclusions The ALT free flap is a versatile, reliable flap that should be considered a first-line option for skull base reconstruction. Operative time is minimized by performing a simultaneous two-team approach to resection and reconstruction, and by harvesting nerve, vein, and fascial grafts from the same donor site as the flap.
Increased gene dosage of Ube3a results in autism traits and decreased glutamate synaptic transmission in mice.

People with autism spectrum disorder are characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced communication, and increased repetitive behaviors. The disorder has a substantial genetic component, and recent studies have revealed frequent genome copy number variations (CNVs) in some individuals. A common CNV that occurs in 1 to 3% of those with autism—maternal 15q11-13 duplication (dup15) and triplication (isodicentric extranumerary chromosome, idic15)—affects several genes that have been suggested to underlie autism behavioral traits. To test this, we tripled the dosage of one of these genes, the ubiquitin protein ligase Ube3a, which is expressed solely from the maternal allele in mature neurons, and reconstituted the three core autism traits in mice: defective social interaction, impaired communication, and increased repetitive stereotypic behavior. The penetrance of these autism traits depended on Ube3a gene copy number. In animals with increased Ube3a gene dosage, glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, synaptic transmission was suppressed as a result of reduced presynaptic release probability, synaptic glutamate concentration, and postsynaptic action potential coupling. These results suggest that Ube3a gene dosage may contribute to the autism traits of individuals with maternal 15q11-13 duplication and support the idea that increased E3A ubiquitin ligase gene dosage results in reduced excitatory synaptic transmission.
Role of the Copper Transporter, CTR1, in Platinum-Induced Ototoxicity

The goal of this study was to determine the role of an influx copper transporter, CTR1, in the ototoxicity induced by cisplatin, a potent anticancer platinum analog used in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. As determined through reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry, mouse CTR1 (Ctr1) was found to be abundantly expressed and highly localized at the primary sites of cisplatin toxicity in the inner ear, mainly outer hair cells (OHCs), inner hair cells, stria vascularis, spiral ganglia, and surrounding nerves in the mouse cochlea. A CTR1 substrate, copper sulfate, decreased the uptake and cytotoxicity of cisplatin in HEI-OC1, a cell line that expresses many molecular markers reminiscent of OHCs. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Ctr1 in this cell line caused a corresponding decrease in cisplatin uptake. In mice, intratympanic administration of copper sulfate 30 min before intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin was found to prevent hearing loss at click stimulus and 8, 16, and 32 kHz frequencies. To date, the utility of cisplatin remains severely limited because of its ototoxic effects. The studies described in this report suggest that cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and cochlear uptake can be modulated by administration of a CTR1 inhibitor, copper sulfate. The possibility of local administration of CTR1 inhibitors during cisplatin therapy as a means of otoprotection is thereby raised.
Low temperature sensitive, deep-well 4.8 µm emitting quantum cascade semiconductor lasers

A quantum-cascade laser design for suppressing carrier leakage from the active region was achieved. For both threshold and slope efficiency the characteristic temperatures, T 0 and T 1 , reach values of 238 K over the 20–60°C range
Obesity and asthma: implications for treatment

Purpose of reviewEpidemiological data as well as data from mouse models of asthma indicate a relationship between obesity and asthma. The purpose of this review is to evaluate recent data addressing this relationship and its biological basis, and to evaluate the implications of these data for treatm
On the vulnerabilities and protection of OSPF routing protocol

This paper analyzes both the strong points and weak points of the OSPF routing protocol from the security perspective. On its strong points, we abstract its features of information least dependency and information hiding, which make it very robust and fault resilient, even when facing certain malicious attacks. On its weak points, we take a pragmatic look at various problems centering round secure routing protocols. By carefully investigating a special re-routing attacking case, we show how a home-made malicious router can easily disrupt the service. It also provides a concrete example for routing protection and intrusion detection. Finally, we present the active protection idea and its architectural flexibility and compatibility advantages.
From Circuit Switched to IP-based Networks

Introduction Since the founding of the Bell Telephone System, the public switched telephone network (PSTN) has evolved into a highly successful, global telecommunications system. It is designed specifically for voice communications and provides a high quality of service and ease of use. It is supported by sophisticated operations systems that ensure extremely high dependability and availability. Over the past 100 years, it has been a showcase for communications engineering and led to groundbreaking new technologies (e.g., transistors, fiber optics). Yet it is remarkable that many public carriers see their future in IP (Internet protocol) networks, namely the Internet. Of course, the Internet has also been highly successful, coinciding with the proliferation of personal computers. It has become ubiquitous for data applications such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, and peer-to-peer file sharing. While it is not surprising that the Internet is the future for data services, even voice services are transitioning to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). This phenomenon bears closer examination, as a prime example explaining the success of the Internet as a universal communications platform. This chapter gives a historical development of the Internet and an overview of technical and non-technical reasons for the convergence of services.
Potential Application and Molecular Mechanisms of Soy Protein on the Enhancement of Graphite Nanoplatelet Dispersion

A stable dispersion of graphitic nanofillers in aqueous solution is an important prerequisite for the applications and development in graphitic nanofiller-based nanocomposites. Traditional treatments of the graphitic surfaces with different chemicals are time and energy consuming, and more seriously raise great environmental concerns. In this study, through combination of simulations and experiments we demonstrate that the soy protein, one of the most widely available proteins from the renewable resource, when properly denatured by trifluoroethanol (TFE) and heat, can be utilized to effectively treat the graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) surface and improve the dispersion. Through molecular simulations we find that the tertiary structures of soy protein are mostly destroyed under the action of TFE at high temperature. As a consequence, most aromatic residues which are originally hidden inside the hydrophobic cores become accessible and form π–π stacking interaction with the GNP surface, strengthening the adsorp...
Abstract 3097: Acute In-hospital Stroke: How Do We Do Compared To Strokes In The Emergency Department?

Introduction: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) has been approved for treating strokes up to 3 hours after onset of symptoms and may be beneficial up to 4.5 hours in patients who qualify. Additionally, neuro-intervention, i.e., intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy, is also an approved treatment option. Population studies show that 6% receive IV tPA within 3 hours of stroke onset. However, in-hospital strokes present challenges to treating within an adequate time. We present here our experience with in-hospital strokes, treatments, and identifiable delays in treatments. Methods: Single, tertiary center retrospective study of 55 in-hospital strokes over a one-year period from January 2009 to January 2010, and strokes in the Emergency Department over 6 month period from January 2010 to June 2010. Results: Twenty-nine in-hospital strokes were evaluated within 3 hours of symptoms onset. Two (6.9%) received IV tPA, and four (13.8%) received neuro-intervention (either intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy). None of the patients who presented greater than 3 hours after symptom onset was treated with any treatment (n=28). When compared to patients who present to the ED within 3 hours, in-hospital strokes were less likely to get IV tPA (6.9% vs. 20.8%), and they were more likely to receive neuro-intervention (13.8% vs. 10.3%). Neuro-intervention was performed on 9.09% of all in-hospital strokes (1 of 5 presented beyond the 3 hour time window). For in-hospital strokes that receive any treatment within 3 hours, the average time to neurology evaluation, to CT, and to treatment are 35 min, 68 min, and 237 min, respectively. For strokes in the Ed, the average time to evaluation, to CT, and to treatment are 90 min, 28 min, and 66 min respectively. The delay for in-hospital strokes is in obtaining the CT and initiating the treatment. Discussion: In-hospital stroke patients wait longer than their ED counterparts to be taken to CT and to receive stroke treatment. They are also less likely to receive IV tPA, and more likely to receive neuro-intervention. The longer time to neuro-imaging and thrombolytic treatment may reflect the fact that patients suffering in-hospital strokes have more complex medical co-morbidities that must be taken account during the evaluation and administration of thrombolytic therapy.
Patterns of adnexal inflammatory damage: Chlamydia, the intrauterine device, and history of pelvic inflammatory disease *

In a study of 204 consecutive infertile couples, 58 women with adnexal abnormalities consistent with prior pelvic infection were identified. The status of those 58 subjects with respect to prior pelvic infection, prior intrauterine device use, and serologic evidence of past chlamydial infection was correlated with the types of adnexal abnormalities identified. Women with serologic evidence of past chlamydial infection were more likely to exhibit severe adhesions and hydrosalpinx formation, and hydrosalpinx formation was related to a history of clinically detected pelvic infection.
The Effect of Myoglobin Concentration on on Muscle Cell PO2 Gradients

The role of myoglobin in facilitating oxygen transport in red muscle cells has been well studied. Experimental findings by Wittenberg et al. (1975) in pigeon breast muscle, de Koning et al. (1981) in chicken gizzard smooth muscle, Stevens and Carey (1981) in muscles of tuna and other warm-bodied fish, and Cole (1982) in isolated dog gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle indicate the physiological importance of myoblobin for oxygen delivery to muscle mitochondria. Theoretical models have been developed (c.f. Wyman, 1966; Murray, 1974; and Taylor and Murray, 1977) to describe the myoglobin-facilitation of oxygen transport in muscle tissue. The question still remains, however, concerning the magnitude of intra-muscle cell oxygen gradients and the quantitative effect of the muscle myoglobin concentration on the intracellular oxygen gradients. The purpose of this paper is to extend the model of Murray (1974), describing the steady-state oxygen uptake of a muscle fiber, to explore the specific effect of myoglobin concentration on intra-muscle cell gradients of oxygen tension.
Vertical structure of boundary layer convection during cold-air outbreaks at Barrow, Alaska

Boundary layer convection (BLC) is common over high-latitude oceans and adjacent coastal regions when a cold airmass becomes exposed to a sufficient fetch of open water. The vertical structure of mixed-phase BLC clouds and precipitation is examined using the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program data set collected at the North Slope of Alaska (NSA) site at Barrow, Alaska. BLC may occur at this location in autumn, when cold air masses originating at higher latitudes advect southward over the still ice-free coastal waters north of Alaska. This study identifies such BLC and documents its occurrence and characteristics. Instruments used for this study include profiling Ka band radars, a depolarization backscatter profiling lidar, a scanning X band radar, a microwave radiometer, a ceilometer, surface meteorological probes, and radiosondes. Six criteria are applied to objectively identify the BLC events, using data collected between 2004 and 2013. BLC episodes are relatively common at the NSA site, but almost exclusively in the month of October, and most episodes are relatively short, less than 10 h in duration. Liquid water is commonly found in these mixed-phase BLC clouds, with a typical liquid water path of 150 g/m2, and snowfall rates average ~3 mm h−1 (water equivalent), in some cases over 10 mm h−1, notwithstanding the low cloud echo tops (~1.0–1.5 km). In one rather weak but persistent episode fall speed estimates derived from the profiling Ka band radar indicates the presence of rimed particles, confirming the convective nature of this precipitation.
A Stepwise strategy for coronary risk assessment for noncardiac surgery

Physicians should adapt a systematic approach to cardiac risk stratification for patients being considered for noncardiac surgery, involving clinical evaluation, functional assessment, and surgical risk assessment for all patients and then deciding which patient needs to undergo noninvasive testing, coronary angiography and revascularization, perioperative monitoring, and aggressive postoperative care.
Quantifying Desirable Air Route Attributes for a Reroute Generation Capability

When airspace is partially or completely blocked by severe weather, a major challenge for airspace managers and users is the creation and selection of viable alternate routing for air traffic. Research is underway for an automate d capability to help to meet this challenge. An important component of such a capability is the quantification of the attributes of operationally-acceptable routes. In this paper we describe two such quantifications, for route lateral deviation, and for flow preference.
Maternal Hyperleptinemia Improves Offspring Insulin Sensitivity in Mice

Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes are prevalent worldwide. Offspring of mothers with these conditions weigh more and are predisposed to metabolic syndrome. A hallmark of both conditions is maternal hyperleptinemia, but the role of elevated leptin levels during pregnancy on developmental programming is largely unknown. We previously found that offspring of hyperleptinemic mothers weighed less and had increased activity. The goal of this study was to determine whether maternal leptin affects offspring insulin sensitivity by investigating offspring glucose metabolism and lipid accumulation. Offspring from two maternal hyperleptinemic models were compared. The first model of hyperleptinemia is the Lepr(db/+) mouse, which has a mutation in one copy of the gene that encodes the leptin receptor, resulting in a truncated long form of the receptor, and hyperleptinemia. Wild-type females served as the control for the Lepr(db/+) females. For the second hyperleptinemic model, wild-type females were implanted with miniosmotic pumps, which released leptin (350 ng/h) or saline (as the control) just prior to mating and throughout gestation. In the offspring of these dams, we measured glucose tolerance; serum leptin, insulin, and triglyceride levels; liver triglycerides; pancreatic α- and β-cell numbers; body composition; incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; and the expression of key metabolic genes in the liver and adipose tissue. We found that the offspring of hyperleptinemic dams exhibited improved glucose tolerance, reduced insulin and leptin concentrations, reduced liver triglycerides, and a lower incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Overall, maternal hyperleptinemia was beneficial for offspring glucose and lipid metabolism.
Oil tube mechanical analysis based on Double-layer contact gap element

To study the oil tube load and deformation caused by the complex interaction among tube string,suck rod string and casing string in pumping unit well,the double-layer contact gap element is established,which can connect the three parts together and analyze by finite element method.In the finite element model the gap elements are arranged at the ends of girder element of the tube string to simulate the contact and friction among rod,tube and casing string.The judge condition of contact and the solving condition are decided.Finally,the method is applied on real tube string,and the comparison with the measuring result shows its validity.
P-32 Retrospective review of quality of documentation in patients discharged “home to die” from hospital

Background Around half of all deaths in England occur in hospitals, even though many like to die in their own place of care. It is recognised that Health care professionals are required to respect patients wish to achieve preferred place of death. We aimed to document the baseline quality of discharge documentation of those patients discharged ‘home to die’ for end of Life Care. Objectives To check relevant pathways used effectively and patients who were discharged home for end of life care given appropriate medications, healthcare professionals are communicated to coordinate the support the patient/carer likely to need. Methodology Retrospective case notes review of 30 patients who were discharged home for end of Life Care at Home. Patients were identified using referrals to Crisis Support Team (Hospice). The following items were checked: Home to Die check list, discharge decision (from medical notes entry), GP/District nurse informed, palliative care form completion, crisis medications prescribed, documentation of patient discharged home to die (for end of life care) in EDN, DNACPR for completed and communicated to GP, DNACPR sent with the patient. Results 27/30 had poor completion of Home to Die check list.29/30 had poor completion of palliative care handover form.18/30 discharged within 48 h of decision to discharge.9/30 patients had GP informed, 20/30 had District Nurses informed.14/30 had evidence of medications review,29/30 had crisis medications prescribed. Only 5/30 patients had clear documentation of ‘Discharged Home to Die’ in their discharge letter,23/30 had DNACPR form completed and communicated to relevant professionals.10/30 patients had their DNACPR forms inappropriately left in their notes. Conclusion We found overall need for improvement in documentation and communication to community health care professionals (GPs, District nurses and Palliative care team). We plan to update the discharge the check list, EDN and educate the teams to improve the situation.
The Rise and Fall of Oogonial Stem Cells Within the Historical Context of Adult Stem Cells

For decades, it has been believed that adult human female reproductive potential was determined by a finite number of primordial follicles, which are established in the embryonic gonad. The rise of adult stem cells in other organs inevitably led to investigations that searched for stem cells in various organs of the reproductive tract, including ovaries, endometrium, and uterus. Within ovaries, somatic stem cells that drive granulosa cell proliferation and provide an essential support environment for differentiating oocytes have been characterized with little controversy. No adult stem cell claim has stirred as much controversy as the one that oogonial stem cells exist and can give rise to neo-oogenesis. Such a finding would render women, previously believed to have a nonrenewable gamete supply, remarkably more like men, who are able to replenish their germ cells. We review the rise and fall of oogonial stem cells in the historical context of the general concept of adult stem cells.
An Appropriate Technology Based Solution to Convert Waste Plastic into Fuel Oil in Underdeveloped Regions

Along with population and urbanization in developing countries, the amount of municipal solid waste generated is also increasing. Although programs and initiatives to recycle and manage waste can often be found in the major population centers, these technologies are slow to spread to or are not yet present in the rural areas. Heavily populated urban slums are also lacking in the infrastructure needed to collect and manage trash, particularly plastic packaging. To address this challenge, the University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability (UKATS) research team has developed an appropriate technology based, sustainable solution to convert plastic from Municipal Solid Waste, such as High/Low Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polystyrene into a valuable hydrocarbon fuel, suitable for underdeveloped or poverty stricken communities. The UKATS Processor is designed as a waste minimization solution specifically for underdeveloped communities, comprised of a simple, non-automated, multifunctional processor built using a wood fueled rocket stove as the primary heat source. This processor is designed using the principles of appropriate technology and sustainability and can be constructed using non-standard materials commonly present in rural or underdeveloped areas. This research focuses on utilizing plastic waste to produce a fuel oil product similar to kerosene or diesel in composition.
C-11: Microfluidic processing of cryopreserved blood

Cryopreservation of human red blood cells (RBCs) in the presence of 40% glycerol allows a shelf-life of 10 years, as opposed to only 6 weeks for refrigerated RBCs. Nonetheless, cryopreserved blood is rarely used in clinical therapy, in part because of the requirement for a time-consuming (∼1 h) post-thaw wash process to remove glycerol before the product can be used for transfusion. The current deglycerolization process involves a series of saline washes in an automated centrifuge, which gradually removes glycerol from the cells in order to prevent osmotic damage. We recently demonstrated that glycerol can be extracted in as little as 3 min without excessive osmotic damage if the composition of the extracellular solution is precisely controlled. Here, we explore the potential for carrying out rapid glycerol extraction using a membrane-based microfluidic device, with the ultimate goal of enabling inline washing of cryopreserved blood. To assist in experimental design and device optimization, we developed a mass transfer model that allows prediction of glycerol removal, as well as the resulting cell volume changes. Experimental measurements of solution composition and hemolysis at the device outlet are in reasonable agreement with model predictions, and our results demonstrate that it is possible to reduce the glycerol concentration by more than 50% in a single device without excessive hemolysis. Based on these promising results, we present a design for a multistage process that is predicted to safely remove glycerol from cryopreserved blood in less than 3 min.
Plasma Membrane-Cell-Wall Adhesion and its Role in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

The concept that the cytoskeleton and cell wall form an interactive scaffolding for perception and transduction of positional information is relatively new. Researchers now realize that a cytoskeleton-exocellular matrix continuum may be a feature common to all eukaryotic cells-plant, fungal and animal-and that many of the molecules participating in this continuum may be homologous. Cells in liquid culture have proven to be suitable models to study the structural and functional aspects of this continuum. Tobacco cells adapted to grow in high concentrations of NaCl develop tight zones of adhesion between the plasma membrane and cell wall. This adhesion is revealed by concave plasmolysis in osmotic solutions. Zinnia mesophyll cells develop into tracheary elements in vitro, and these cells also exhibit an asymmetric adhesion during development. Cells and protoplasts exposed to fungal mycelia form localized sites of adhesion to the cell wall. Proteins immunologically related to human vitronectin (Vn) and fibronectin (Fn) are found in cell walls of tobacco cells. Onion epidermal cells also contain the Fn- and Vn-like proteins and an additional protein that binds specifically to human fibronectin.
Surgical Treatment of Cushing’s Disease

Surgery provides the opportunity for prompt remission of hypercortisolemia and is considered first-line therapy for most patients with Cushing’s disease. The ideal surgical candidate is one who has clear clinical and biochemical findings and a definitive adenoma that is confined to the sella on pituitary protocol magnetic resonance imaging. Although microscopic sublabial or transnasal approaches are effective, our practice is to perform a transnasal endoscopic technique with bilateral sphenoidotomies and a posterior septectomy, creating a single chamber through which the pituitary is accessed. After fully exposing the pituitary from one cavernous sinus to the other, the dura is opened with care to enter the pituitary capsule. Surgery then is directed to removing the tumor along with its capsule. For those patients who do not have visible lesions on preoperative imaging, a careful exploration of the gland is pursued. Following surgery, serial cortisol levels are drawn every 6 h until hypocortisolemia is confirmed, at which time corticosteroid replacement is initiated. In general, patients with small, noninvasive tumors fare better than those with large or invasive adenomas. Initial postoperative remission occurs in 80–90% of patients with microadenomas and in 50% of those with macroadenomas.
Prevotella osteomyelitis after dental capping procedure

We present a 49 year old man who presented to the emergency department with severe lower back pain of 5 days duration. One week prior he had been diagnosed with a right psoas muscle abscess and was discharged with a 28 day course of moxifloxacin after the preliminary culture from the psoas grew an anaerobic organism. MRI of the lumbar spine showed marrow edema in the L2 body, occupying most of the anterior two thirds of the body, with cortical erosion at the anteroinferior aspect of L1. Blood cultures were negative and bone biopsy of L2 showed neutrophilic invasion and reactive changes. Cultures grew Prevotella oralis. Hematogenous spread from a composite bonding procedure for exposed teeth roots is thought to be the source for the vertebral osteomyelitis. This is a plausible spread of infection in our case because it was thought that the osteomyelitis occurred first and spread to the psoas muscle.
The Meanings Associated with Varying Degrees of Attachment to a Natural Landscape

There has been little research concerning the association between "place meanings" and "place attachment." An understanding of the association between these constructs is important because they do not stand alone, but rather, complement one another. We documented the meanings ascribed to a national forest in California by five groups of respondents that varied in their mode and attachment intensity to the setting. For example, respondents with high-attachment intensity ascribed meanings related to memories of shared experiences and sense of comfort; whereas the low-attachu-nent respondents were distinguished by the brevity of their narratives. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of how individuals' level of place attachment is manifested in the way in which they understand and experience the setting.
Comparisons of L-cysteine and D-cysteine toxicity in 4-week repeated-dose toxicity studies of rats receiving daily oral administration

Two 4-week repeated-dose toxicity studies were conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity of l-cysteine and d-cysteine. In one study, three groups of 6 male rats were each administered l-cysteine once daily by gavage at doses of 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days. The control group was administered a 0.5% methylcellulose vehicle solution. The other study followed a similar protocol except that the experimental groups received d-cysteine. Toxicological observations showed that the l-cysteine-treated groups exhibited renal injuries such as basophilic tubules with eosinophilic material in the lumen, and there were increased numbers of basophilic tubules in all treated groups. In 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg/day-treated groups, salivation and necropsy findings indicative of focal erosion in the stomach mucosa were found. Increases in reticulocyte counts were observed in the 2,000 mg/kg/day-treated group. Toxicological findings obtained for the d-cysteine-treated groups included anemia and renal injuries such as basophilic tubules with eosinophilic material in the lumen, increased numbers of basophilic tubules, and crystal deposition in the medulla in the 2,000 mg/kg/day-treated group. Additional findings included sperm granuloma in the epididymis, necropsy findings suggestive of focal erosion in the stomach mucosa, and salivation in the 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg/day-treated groups. One rat in the 2,000 mg/kg/day-treated group died due to renal failure. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) were estimated to be less than 500 mg/kg/day for l-cysteine and 500 mg/kg/day for d-cysteine under our study conditions. The toxicological profiles were similar for l-cysteine and d-cysteine; however, there were slight differences in the dose responses. The mechanisms underlying these differences remain to be determined.