cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract and Pulmonary Artery Stroke Distances Independently Predict Heart Failure Hospitalization and Mortality: The Heart and Soul Study

Background Stroke distance of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) or pulmonary artery (PA) is readily measurable by Doppler echocardiography. Stroke distance, calculated by the velocity time integral, expresses the average linear distance traveled by red blood cells during systole. We hypothesized that reduced stroke distance predicts heart failure (HF) hospitalization or mortality among ambulatory adults with stable coronary artery disease. Methods We compared stroke distances by lowest quartile among 990 participants in the Heart and Soul Study. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for events adjusted for clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Results At 5.9 ± 1.9-year follow-up, there were 154 HF hospitalizations and 271 all-cause deaths. Among 254 participants with LVOT stroke distance in the lowest quartile (≤18 cm), 24% developed HF hospitalization, compared with 10% of those with higher stroke distance (HR 2.7; CI, 2.0–3.8; P P = .02). Both LVOT stroke distance ≤18 cm and PA stroke distance ≤17 cm were independently associated with the combined end point of HF hospitalization and mortality (HR 1.4; CI, 1.1-1.9; P = .02). Conclusion Reduced stroke distance predicts HF hospitalization and mortality independent of clinical and other echocardiographic parameters among ambulatory adults with coronary artery disease.
Improving the accuracy of data race detection

For shared-memory parallel programs that use explicit synchronization, data race detection is an important part of debugging. A data race exists when concurrently executing sections of code access common shared variables. In programs intended to be data race free, they are sources of nondeterminism usually considered bugs. Previous methods for detecting data races in executions of parallel programs can determine when races occurred, but can report many data races that are artifacts of others and not direct manifestations of program bugs. Artifacts exist because some races can cause others and can also make false races appear real. Such artifacts can overwhelm the programmer with information irrelevant for debugging. This paper presents results showing how to identify nonartifact data races by validation and ordering. Data race validation attempts to determine which races involve events that either did execute concurrently or could have (called feasible data races). We show how each detected race can either be guaranteed feasible, or when insufficient information is available, sets of races can be identified within which at least one is guaranteed feasible. Data race ordering attempts to identify races that did not occur only as a result of others. Data races can be partitioned so that it is known whether a race in one partition may have affected a race in another. The first partitions are guaranteed to contain at least one feasible data race that is not an artifact of any kind. By combining validation and ordering, the programmer can be directed to those data races that should be investigated first for debugging. hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Research supported in part by National Science Foundation grant CCR-8815928, Office of Naval Research grant N00014-89-J-1222, and a Digital Equipment Corporation External Research Grant. To appear in Proc. of the Third ACM SIGPLAN Symposium on Principles and Practice of Parallel Programming, Williamsburg, VA, April 1991.
Continuous-Time Limit of a Shift Map Yielding an Exactly Solvable Chaotic Differential Equation

Abstract A chaotic nonlinear differential equation possessing an exact analytic solution is derived from a continuous-time limit of an iterated shift map. The resulting equation consists of an unstable harmonic oscillator forced by a nonlinear piecewise-constant feedback. The continuous time solution exhibits a shift dynamic at integer return times, and the waveform is described completely in terms of the symbols of the contained shift map. Significantly, this exactly solvable nonlinear system provides the first example of a chaotic ordinary differential equation possessing an exact symbolic dynamics.
Initial Afterglow of the Self-Absorbed Hg 2537-Å Radiation from Hg + Ar Discharges

A limitation on the high frequency modulation of gas discharge lamps is the duration of the radiative afterglow which is often dilated by self-absorption. Introducing a foreign gas into the discharge alters the absorption line shape and width by collisions, thus reducing self-absorption and the afterglow decay time. This is a general technique for extending the high frequency modulability. For the experiments, the effect of variable argon pressures on the self-absorbed Hg 2537-A initial radiative decay time (τ) was measured from abruptly terminated discharges as independent functions of the mercury pressure (0.8–70 mTorr) and argon pressure (5–200 Torr). τ increases with the mercury density but is substantially reduced by the argon pressure in quantitative agreement with the theory of Holstein and Walsh and the concept that the initial decay is primarily limited by self-absorption for our range of variables. A detailed theoretical analysis indicates that there are several ways that additional argon reduces the Hg 2537-A self-absorption: (1) the Hg 2537-A line gets broader simply because the additional argon atoms increase the Hg–Ar collision frequency; (2) adding argon causes the gas temperature to rise, and this drives the Hg–Ar collision frequency still higher; (3) the rise in gas temperature also causes an increase in the Hg 2537-A Doppler width. Thus, a general technique for substantially increasing the modulability of a gas discharge lamp emitting self-absorbed radiation has been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. These results are consistent with our previous analysis performed on measurements of the Hg 2537-A intensity in these discharges relevant to fluorescent lamps. These phenomena may also be relevant in some gas lasers.
Agency theory from the perspective of human resource development

This paper reviews and examines the development of agency theory and its components, the relationship between the principal and agent, and further explores its implications for the field of HRD. Understanding the foundations, functional utility, and implications is important both for HRD scholars and practitioners, as the field is striving to motivate productivity of employees in today's complex and dynamic workplace environment, where the ways in which business is conducted are changing. This paper contributes to our understanding of how organisational principals and agents interact and how HRD programmes and functions may benefit from the opportunity that agency theory offers to address the challenges which this phenomenon presents.
Reduction of relative levels of nervonic to lignoceric acid in the brain of rat pups due to iron deficiency

Abstract When weaned iron-deficient rat pups were fed for 2 weeks an AIN-76 diet devoid of iron (Fe), the ratio of nervonic acid (24:1) to lignoceric acid (24:0) in their brain total lipids decreased by ca 4-fold when compared to the Fe-supplemented controls. This decrease was further confirmed by removing the acyl-glycerophospholipids and neutral lipids from total lipids with methanolic NaOH, and examining the fatty acid composition of the resulting alkali-stable lipids. Such lipids from Fe-deficient pups showed not only a reduced ratio of 24:1 to 24:0 but also of 18:1 to 18:0. When Fe-deficient pups were fed for 5 days the AIN diet supplemented with Fe, the 18:1 to 18:0 ratio increased to control values. The relative level of 24:1 to 24:0 also increased markedly but did not attain the normal value found in Fe-supplemented pups. The fatty acid analysis of total or alkali stable lipids from the brain of adult Fe-deficient rats revealed no decrease in the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Hence, the effect of Fe-deficiency in altering the fatty acid composition in the brain occurs in pups but not in adult rats.
Effect of chronically administered methylxanthines on ethanol-induced motor incoordination in mice

Abstract The effect of chronic (10 days) administration of methylxanthines, caffeine, IBMX and theophylline on acute ethanol- induced motor incoordination has been investigated in the mice. In animals that received caffeine, 45 and 90 mg/kg/24 h, ethanol, 1.5 g/kg, produced motor incoordination significantly greater compared to that in the control groups. Significantly greater ethanol-induced motor incoordination was seen in animals fed IBMX, 30 and 60 mg/kg/24 h, compared to controls. Ethanol- induced increased motor incoordination in caffeine and IBMX-fed animals was also associated with significantly greater 3H-R-PIA binding in whole brains compared to tap water controls indicating an increase in brain adenosine binding sites. However neither motor incoordination nor 3H-R-PIA binding was altered in theophylline 75 and 150 mg/kg/24 h, fed animals. The increased motor incoordination associated with increased adenosine binding sites in the brains of caffeine and IBMX-fed animals suggests an involvement of central adenosine mechanisms in the motor incoordinating effect of ethanol and further supports our earlier suggestion for the role of adenosine in some of the central effects of ethanol.
E2F-1 Cooperates with Topoisomerase II Inhibition and DNA Damage To Selectively Augment p53-Independent Apoptosis

Mutations in the retinoblastoma (pRb) tumor suppressor pathway including its cyclin-cdk regulatory kinases, or cdk inhibitors, are a hallmark of most cancers and allow unrestrained E2F-1 transcription factor activity, which leads to unregulated G1-to-S-phase cell cycle progression. Moderate levels of E2F-1 overexpression are tolerated in interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent 32D.3 myeloid progenitor cells, yet this induces apoptosis when these cells are deprived of IL-3. However, when E2F activity is augmented by coexpression of its heterodimeric partner, DP-1, the effects of survival factors are abrogated. To determine whether enforced E2F-1 expression selectively sensitizes cells to cytotoxic agents, we examined the effects of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation used in cancer therapy. E2F-1 overexpression in the myeloid cells preferentially sensitized cells to apoptosis when they were treated with the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide. Although E2F-1 alone induces moderate levels of p53 and treatment with drugs markedly increased p53, the deleterious effects of etoposide in E2F-1-overexpressing cells were independent of p53 accumulation. Coexpression of Bcl-2 and E2F-1 in 32D.3 cells protected them from etoposide-mediated apoptosis. However, Bcl-2 also prevented apoptosis of these cells upon exposure to 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin, which were also cytotoxic for control cells. Pretreating E2F-1-expressing cells with ICRF-193, a second topoisomerase II inhibitor that does not damage DNA, protected the cells from etoposide-induced apoptosis. However, ICRF-193 cooperated with DNA-damaging agents to induce apoptosis. Therefore, topoisomerase II inhibition and DNA damage can cooperate to selectively induce p53-independent apoptosis in cells that have unregulated E2F-1 activity resulting from mutations in the pRb pathway.
Tiling multidimensional iteration spaces for nonshared memory machines

This paper addresses the problem of compiling mul­ tiply nested loops for nonshared memory machines. The relatively nigh communication startup costs in these machines renders frequent communication very expensive. Motivated by this, we present a method of aggregating a number of loop iterations into tiles where tne tiles execute atomically - a processor ex­ ecuting the iterations belonging to a tile receives all the data it needs before executing anyone of the iter­ ations in the tile, executes all the iterations in the tile and then sends the data needed by other processors. Since synchronization is not allowed during the execu­ tion of a tile, partitioning the iteration space into tiles must not result in deadlock. We first show the equiv­ alence between the problem of finding partitions and the problem of determining the cone for a given set of dependence vectors. We then present an approach to partitioning the iteration space into deadlock-free tiles so that communication volume is minimized. In
A simulation test of Smith's “degrees of freedom” correction for comparative studies

Computer simulation was used to test Smith's (1994) correc- tion for phylogenetic nonindependence in comparative studies. Smith's method finds effective N, which is computed using nested analysis of variance, and uses this value in place of observed N as the baseline degrees of freedom (do for calculating statistical significance levels. If Smith's formula finds the correct df, distributions of computer-generated statistics from simulations with observed N nonindependent species should match theoretical distribu- tions (from statistical tables) with the df based on effective N. The computer program developed to test Smith's method simulates charac- ter evolution down user-specified phylogenies. Parameters were systemati- cally varied to discover their effects on Smith's method. In simulations in which the phylogeny and taxonomy were identical (tests of narrow-sense validity), Smith's method always gave conservative statistical results when the taxonomy had fewer than five levels. This conservative departure gave way to a liberal deviation in type I error rates in simulations using more than five taxonomic levels, except when species values were nearly independent. Reducing the number of taxonomic levels used in the analysis, and thereby eliminating available information regarding evolutionary relationships, also increased type I error rates (broad-sense validity), indicating that this may be inappropriate under conditions shown to have high type I error rates. However, the use of taxonomic categories over more accurate phylogenies did not create a liberal bias in all cases in the analysis performed here. The effect of correlated trait evolution was ambiguous but, relative to other parameters, negligible. o 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ad-hoc network routing using co-operative diversity

One important goal of communication systems is to establish a point-to-point connection between two end users. Previous and current generations of the systems that provide for such communications are most often based on wired links (including optical fiber). Currently wireless multi-hop ad hoc networks utilize protocols that relay packets of data node-by-node along a path connecting the source node to the sink node. This paper describes a new cooperative diversity (CD) methodology for wireless network communications that leverages the fact that RF energy scatters and propagates to many users simultaneously. Specifically, we describe and evaluate a protocol designed to establish end-to-end communication within a large field of autonomous wireless devices producing reduced latency and greatly increased robustness against signal fading and interference. In addition, this new protocol often requires less transmit power than existing techniques.
Standards for engineering information models

The nature of the information model and its language implications are discussed. The problem of managing the wide range of information modeling languages, the products of several public-domain efforts to produce such models, the criteria for evaluation, review, consensus and change, and the ownership of and credit for these models are addressed. Other issues to be addressed are the changes which result when models are integrated into a larger scope (e.g., electrical products as a part of electromechanical products), and the impact of semantics, of information entities on data dictionary standards. >
Corridor planning for natural agents

Certain agents and systems of agents, such as animals, possess innate path-planning capability, both locally and globally. If we wish to influence their motion, we may be able to take advantage of their local navigation ability and provide only some simple imposed constraints rather than computing and enforcing a detailed path. In this work, we consider the problem of generating a set of constraints, or "corridor", under which such an agent (or group of agents) produce an appropriate trajectory. The set of constraints should be both small in number and efficient in terms of length. When producing the corridor, we explicitly consider two different types of obstacles - those which the agents themselves would naturally avoid, such as dense vegetation, and those which they must be forced to avoid, such as sensitive stream environments. This allows both for simplification of the corridor and more natural use of the underlying navigation ability. An implementation and several examples of planned corridors are also presented
"OLD-GOLD" FLOWER COLOR, THE SECOND CASE OF INDEPENDENT INHERITANCE IN OENOTHERA

Page 216, line 5, after "old-gold," for the comma substitute a colon. line 7, after "shown" use a comma instead of a period. line, 8, for "The" read "the," and for "Ridgeway's" read "Ridgway's." lines 9 and 11, for "strontiun" read "strontian." Page 221, line 6 from bottom, for "five" read "six."
Fungal Laccases: Production, Function, and Applications in Food Processing

Laccases are increasingly being used in food industry for production of cost-effective and healthy foods. To sustain this trend widespread availability of laccase and efficient production systems have to be developed. The present paper delineate the recent developments that have taken place in understanding the role of laccase action, efforts in overexpression of laccase in heterologous systems, and various cultivation techniques that have been developed to efficiently produce laccase at the industrial scale. The role of laccase in different food industries, particularly the recent developments in laccase application for food processing, is discussed.
Dimensions of resource dependence: some elements of rigor in concept and policy analysis

Many commentators have sounded alarms about the alleged dependence of developed, industrialized countries on assured supplies of raw materials from overseas. Their alarms have disturbing implications for the future of these countries' foreign policies and may, for example, be used to justify political or military interventions in the Third World. These commentators, however, frequently proceed from very primitive conceptual foundations. A careful specification of the dangers involved, and of strategies for measuring various aspects of dependence, points up some of the shortcomings of simplistic analysis. It also suggests that the risks of dependence on foreign sources of most raw materials are easily exaggerated, at least for the United States.
A new simulation of multi-state fading channels

We have developed a computer simulation for a new multi-state fading channel model. Multi-state models can yield more accurate fading amplitude time series than can single state models. Our initial multi-state model is aimed at mobile satellite channels. We use the simulation to verify a new multi-state model, but the simulator can be used for general-purpose simulation of any multi- (or single-) state fading model. We validate this simulation against both theory and measured data, using the second-order statistics of average fade duration and level crossing rate.
It's Time to Restructure Marketing in Academia

Marketing academia must do some restructuring if it is to regain its former position of respect in the business community. Recommended courses of action are to (1) encourage the creative generation of concep ts, (2) emphasize the im p lementation stage of the management process, and (3) restructure some aspects of our doctoral programs.
Mapping Social Media Tools For Sell vs Buy Activities Into Emerging And Developed Markets

This paper studies usage patterns of global sellers and buyers using five forms of Web 2.0 social broadcast behaviors - blogging, micro-blogging, social networking, online video, and online photo uploading. A survey and analysis of the number of people using these tools to sell something (sellers), as compared those people using these same tools to buy something (buyers), is conducted on an “emerging” vs “developed” market basis. The data is obtained from an ongoing panel study and is a continuation of research already published in this area. Findings show that the tools are used quite differentially into emerging vs. developed markets. Social networking and micro-blogging platforms are used significantly more in emerging economies (regardless of sell or buy motivation) while the other three tools exhibit no consistent usage differences across economies. Findings also show that these same two platforms are favored for sell activities in emerging economies vs. developed economies. Blogging and micro-blogging are significantly favored tools of choice where buying is the motivation - blogging is favored by emerging economies and micro-blogging is favored by developed economies. Interestingly, photo uploading is the only tool which showed no differential usage across emerging/developed economies for any kind of sell or buy activity. Average sell/buy usage data for each social broadcast behavior is reported for each country in the emerging and developed markets. In order to better understand the eWOM implications of the current market participation conditions, some areas requiring further investigation are suggested.
The collaborative research sampler plate for informed design and enhanced Body of Knowledge

The academic’s experience in conducting research adds several layers that inform and enhance design outcomes, and effect result validity and generalizability to future projects. As practitioners’ pressure grows to be productive, efficient and creative, their ability to remain abreast of current research decreases. Collaboration with academia can be valuable and necessary in serving the best interests of clients, and there are many pathways for conducting and coordinating design research. Synchronization and mutual respect between design practitioner and academic is critical to both design and research results, and methods should be conferred and formulated in tandem. This paper outlines seven case study methods, offering a sampler of strategies for the researcher or practitioner planning a project. Cases include: Post-occupancy evaluation; Feasibility and resident needs survey; Participatory action-research; Exploratory-descriptive research; Action research; Pretest and post-test methods; and a Meta-analysis for sustainable community planning.
Memories of and Reflections About Gideon V. Wainwright

This article is an outgrowth of remarks that I gave at American University School of Law in 1993 at the Conference on the Thirtieth Anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, and remarks to the members of the Saint Andrew Bay Inn of Court, Panama City, Florida, on September 14, 2000.
Abstract 9688: Association of Common Variations on Chromosome 4q25 and Left Atrial Volume in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives: To examine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near PITX2 and left atrial size in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Background: Recent studies have shown that several genetic variants near the PITX2 locus on chromosome 4q25 are associated with AF. However, the mechanism that mediates this association remains unclear. Basic murine studies suggest that reduced PITX2 expression is associated with left atrial dilatation. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 96 patients (mean age 60 ± 10 yrs, 72 % male) with drug resistant AF (57% paroxysmal, 38% persistent and 5% longstanding persistent) who underwent catheter ablation. Following DNA extraction from blood obtained pre-operatively, SNPs rs10033464 and rs2200733 were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY. Left atrial volume (LAV) was determined using 3-dimensional imaging (CT or MRI prior to first ablation) by investigators blinded to genotype results. Results: The minor allele frequency at SNPs rs10033464 and rs2200733 were 0.14 and 0.25, respectively. Using multivariate linear regression, the minor allele at rs10033464 (co-dominant model) was independently associated with larger LAV (P = 0.037) after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, type of AF, left ventricular ejection fraction, and history of hypertension. However, no association was found between rs2200733 variant alleles and LAV (P = 0.82). Conclusion: SNP rs10033464 near the PITX2 locus on 4q25 is significantly associated with LAV. Left atrial dilatation may mediate the association of common variants at 4q25 with AF. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Novel nucleosomal particles containing core histones and linker DNA but no histone H1

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA is assembled into regularly spaced nucleosomes, which play a central role in gene regulation by determining accessibility of control regions. The nucleosome contains ∼147 bp of DNA wrapped ∼1.7 times around a central core histone octamer. The linker histone, H1, binds both to the nucleosome, sealing the DNA coils, and to the linker DNA between nucleosomes, directing chromatin folding. Micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digests the linker to yield the chromatosome, containing H1 and ∼160 bp, and then converts it to a core particle, containing ∼147 bp and no H1. Sequencing of nucleosomal DNA obtained after MNase digestion (MNase-seq) generates genome-wide nucleosome maps that are important for understanding gene regulation. We present an improved MNase-seq method involving simultaneous digestion with exonuclease III, which removes linker DNA. Remarkably, we discovered two novel intermediate particles containing 154 or 161 bp, corresponding to 7 bp protruding from one or both sides of the nucleosome core. These particles are detected in yeast lacking H1 and in H1-depleted mouse chromatin. They can be reconstituted in vitro using purified core histones and DNA. We propose that these 'proto-chromatosomes' are fundamental chromatin subunits, which include the H1 binding site and influence nucleosome spacing independently of H1.
Paper Routes: Inscribing Law and Property Across the 19th-Century Indian Ocean

From the beginning of the 19th century, Omani merchants and planters and their Indian financiers migrated to East Africa in growing numbers, seeking to participate in the ivory and slave trades and a burgeoning plantation economy. Written legal instruments and the contractual relations they helped coordinate formed central components of this world. This paper explores how a particular contract, a temporary property hypothecation, which circulated between the Arabian and African coasts during the mid-19th century, bridged together credit, property and rent to emerge as the single most important vehicle for agricultural and commercial finance during the 19th century. Drawing on a combination of property hypothecation deeds from around the region, as well as fatwas issued by jurists in the interior of Oman to questions from merchants and planters in South Arabia and East Africa, I detail the process by which a group of commercial and juridical actors contributed to the collective authorship of the instrument. I further reflect on how the concepts, categories and measures underpinning it circulated around the Western Indian Ocean, forging the legal and ontological foundations of a regional credit market even as most economic actors were not able to read the instrument itself.
Thermo-Electric Properties of Thin-Film Refractory Metal Thermocouples

Thin-film thermocouples are well suited for “smart” processes where the mass of traditional two-lead thermocouples inhibits their wide utilization. However, current thin-film thermocouples lack the robustness desired for abrasive environments. To address this issue, thin-film refractory metal thermocouples consisting of combinations of molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, vanadium, or nickel were produced by ion-beam sputtering on an alumina substrate. To speed up the process of sampling a large number of material combinations, the thermocouples were made small, about 200 nm thick, 2.5 mm wide, and 12 mm long. An apparatus was fabricated to measure the thermo-electric responses of these short-length thermocouples. Materials design and heat-transfer issues relating to the applications and testing of these thermocouples are discussed.
Stairway Step Dimensions Replication of a Measurement System Study

This paper reports a replication of a prior measurement system study. The earlier study examined the nosing-to-nosing measurement system for measuring steps in a stairway to determine uniformity. In each study, two individuals measured six flights of stairs on two separate occasions. The difference in the first and second study was the different measurers. Step attributes used to define uniformity are riser height and tread depth. The measurers in each study obtained 744 values of riser height and 672 values of tread depth. The ANOVA for each study indicated that less than 4% of the variance in these attributes was due to the measurers; the remainder of variability was due to physical differences in the steps. ANOVA results of this replication led to essentially the same conclusion as the initial study—that the nosing-to-nosing measurement system is acceptable for measuring step dimensions.
The codeposition of elements in diffusion coatings by the pack cementation method

Because of the advantageous synergistic effects of two alloying elements such as Cr and Al, or Cr and Si, in minimizing the oxidation and corrosion of steels at high temperatures, it would be beneficial to codeposit two elements into diffusion coatings at the alloy surface. But the large differences in the thermodynamic stabilities of the volatile halide molecules for these elements generally preclude their dual introduction at the desired concentrations. However, computer-assisted thermodynamic calculations of the complex equilibrium of vapour species in a cementation pack permit the identification of combinations of masteralloys and halide salt activators which may effect codeposition. For a variety of ferritic and austenitic steels, codeposition of Cr plus Al, or Cr plus Si, has led to surface compositions with excellent oxidation resistance, and in some cases excellent sulfidation and aqueous corrosion resistance, and even hot erosion resistance. The principles for codeposition are discussed, along wi...
Vector-based polarization analysis for optical coherence tomography

A vector-based analysis yielding birefringence, diattenuation, and optic axis orientation is applied to images acquired with high-speed fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography. Data from chicken tendon and a polarizing sheet are presented and validated.
Render Unto Caesar the Things Which are Caesar's: Humanism and the Arts in the Patronage of Agostino Chigi*

In accounts of Rome's “Golden Age of the Renaissance,” the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi (1466-1520) has never quite faded from notoriety. His proverbial wealth and flamboyant personality survive in scattered anecdotes as a glittering sideshow to the grander enterprises of Julius II, Leo X, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Indisputably the richest man in Rome between 1500 and 1520, he is best known today for three artistic commissions connected with Raphael: a chapel in Santa Maria della Pace, his mortuary chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, and the suburban villa known since 1579 as the Farnesina.
Averaged universe confronted with cosmological observations: A fully covariant approach

One of the outstanding problems in general relativistic cosmology is that of the averaging. That is, how the lumpy universe that we observe at small scales averages out to a smooth Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model. The root of the problem is that averaging does not commute with the Einstein equations that govern the dynamics of the model. This leads to the well-know question of backreaction in cosmology. In this work, we approach the problem using the covariant framework of Macroscopic Gravity (MG). We use its cosmological solution with a flat FLRW macroscopic background where the result of averaging cosmic inhomogeneities has been encapsulated into a backreaction density parameter denoted $\Omega_\mathcal{A}$. We constrain this averaged universe using available cosmological data sets of expansion and growth including, for the first time, a full CMB analysis from Planck temperature anisotropy and polarization data, the supernovae data from Union 2.1, the galaxy power spectrum from WiggleZ, the weak lensing tomography shear-shear cross correlations from the CFHTLenS survey and the baryonic acoustic oscillation data from 6Df, SDSS DR7 and BOSS DR9. We find that $-0.0155 \le \Omega_\mathcal{A} \le 0$ (at the 68\% CL) thus providing a tight upper-bound on the backreaction term. We also find that the term is strongly correlated with cosmological parameters such $\Omega_\Lambda$, $\sigma_8$ and $H_0$. While small, a backreaction density parameter of a few percent should be kept in consideration along with other systematics for precision cosmology.
Evaluation of Foliar and Soil Insecticides for the Control of Foliar Insects in Summer Squash in Virginia, 2015

The objective of this experiment was to assess the efficacy of foliar and soil insecticides for the control of melon aphids in summer squash. The experiment was conducted at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, VA and consisted of 12 treatments arranged in a RCB design with four replicates. “Gold Star” summer squash was planted on 21 Jul 2015. Plots were one row wide …
Architecture of vulnerability discovery technique for information systems

First,the definition of technical terms about vulnerability discovery were presented.The characters of the targets of vulnerability discovery were Analyzed.The general process of vulnerability discovery was studied.Then,by applying layer construction model way,proposed the architecture construction model of vulnerability discovery technique,which was divided into five layers,and also explained the contents,roles and key techniques of each layer.Finally,the future direction for the technique is that a comprehensive and coordinated method is used,with all the five layers taken into consideration.
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS AND SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN GEOLOGY (2nd ed.)by S.J.B. Reed, Cambridge University Press, August 2005. 206 pages, $70.00

In this book, the author aims to describe electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) from a geologic standpoint, a goal that he clearly states on the first page. The author adequately meets this goal throughout the book. He initially provides discussion of how EMPA and SEM can be used to answer specific geologic questions and later gives examples, illustrations, and images of geologic data acquired using these techniques. The material is not necessarily presented in a “how-to” manner of conducting EMPA and SEM analyses, instead the author provides background material that needs to be considered when setting up for such analyses. The book consists mostly of individual chapters designed to explain the principles, instrumentation, and techniques of EMPA and SEM. The book is well illustrated and offers several …
The Chlamydomonas Flagellar Membrane and Its Dynamic Properties

Publisher Summary This chapter overviews a membrane bound organelle and describes its dynamic properties. The plasma membrane of a Chlamydomonas cell must have at least two domains. The Chlamydomonas flagellar membrane is a sub-domain of and is morphologically continuous with the rest of the cell's plasma membrane. The major ultrastructural features of the flagellar membrane is explained here. Most of the research focus on the Chlamydomonas flagellum has been on the structure, function, and biochemistry of the axoneme. Characteristics of some of the best studied Chlamydomonas flagellar membrane proteins are summarized. Assembly and turnover of the flagellar membrane is overviewed and three possible mechanisms by which membrane components could exit the flagellum is well explained. The dynamic properties of flagellar membrane covers the most striking and dynamic phenomena associated with the flagellar membrane of Chlamydomonas, the regulated and directed movement of membrane glycoproteins within the plane of the flagellar membrane. It appears that the directed movements of flagellar membrane proteins over long distances are responsible for most of the dynamic properties of the flagellar surface, both those common to the vegetative and gametic flagellar surface, such as gliding motility, and those unique to the gametic flagella, such as the early events of mating.
Limited retinal detachment. A retrospective analysis of treatment with transconjunctival retinocryopexy.

Abstract Two hundred forty-one eyes with a "limited retinal detachment" were treated between 1967 and 1983 by trap sconjunctival retinocryopexy without scleral buckling. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 10 years (mean, of 34 months). Anatomic reattachment was accomplished with retinocryopexy alone in 95% (228 eyes) of cases. Thirteen eyes (5%) were anatomic failures, but 12 of these were subsequently reattached with additional surgery. Risk factors for anatomic failure included multiple breaks, vitreous hemorrhage, and breaks with a rolled posterior edge. Visual results indicated that 229 eyes (95%) had stable or improved vision, while 12 eyes (5%) lost two or more Snellen lines. Causes for visual deterioration included premacular fibroplasia, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and preexisting ocular pathology. Single breaks occurred in 172 eyes (71.4%), and multiple breaks in 69 eyes (28.6%). Associated clinical findings included high myopia (17%), surgical aphakia (12%), and retinal detachment in the fellow eye (27%).
Effects of Common Equine Endocrine Diseases on Reproduction

Endocrine diseases, such as equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, are common in domesticated horse populations, and the frequency with which these diseases are encountered and managed by equine veterinary practitioners is expected to increase as the population ages. As clinicians learn more about the effects of these diseases on equine reproductive physiology and efficiency (including effects on reproductive seasonality, ovulation efficiency, implantation, early pregnancy loss, duration of pregnancy, and lactation), strategies and guidelines for improving fertility in affected animals continue to evolve. It is hoped that further research will establish these recommendations more firmly.
Effect of the thickness of the anode electrode catalyst layers on the performance in direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract For the large scale fuel cell manufacture, the catalyst loading and layer thickness are critical factors affecting the performance and cost of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The influence of catalyst layer thicknesses at the anode of a PEM based direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been investigated. Catalysts were applied with the drawdown method with varied thicknesses ranging from 1 mil to 8 mils (1 mil = 25.4 μm) with a Pt/Ru anode loading of 0.25 mg cm-2 to 2.0 mg cm-2. The MEAs with the thicker individual layers (8 mils and 4 mils) performed better overall compared to the those with the thinner layers (1 mil and painted). The peak power densities for the different loading levels followed an exponential decrease of Pt/Ru utilization at the higher loading levels. The highest power density achieved was 49 mW cm-2 with the 4 mil layers at 2.0 mg cm-2 catalyst loading whereas the highest normalized power density was 116 mW mg-1 with the 8 mil layers at 0.25 mg cm-2 loading. The 8 mil drawdowns displayed a 50% and 23% increase in normalized power density compared to the 1 mil drawdowns at 0.25 mg cm-2 and 0.5 mg cm-2 loadings, respectively.
Association Between Media Doses of the Tips From Former Smokers Campaign and Cessation Behaviors and Intentions to Quit Among Cigarette Smokers, 2012-2015.

Background. Since 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented Tips From Former Smokers (Tips), the first federally funded tobacco education campaign in the United Sta...
Abstract 1388: SphK2/S1P axis regulates hypoxia-mediated HIF-α synthesis in breast cancer cells

The hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF)-1α and -2α play a critical role in cellular response to hypoxia in solid tumors. Elevated HIF-α expression correlates with poor patient survival in a large number of cancers including breast cancers. HIF-α activates expression of genes promoting angiogenesis, metastasis, increased tumor growth and resistance to treatments. Understanding transcriptional regulation HIF-α under physiologically relevant hypoxic conditions would be helpful to reduce breast cancer growth. Our recent studies identified that intracellular bioactive sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) generated from nuclear sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) acts as an endogenous modulator of histone deacetylases (HDACs) epigenetically regulates gene transcription in breast cancer cells. We wonder whether nuclear S1P epigenetically regulates acetylated histones, positive transcription marks in hypoxia and regulate transcription of HIF-α and target genes in breast cancer cells. We have used estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, triple-negative human breast cancer MDA-231 cells, and lung metastatic LM-2-4 cells derived from MDA-231 cells cells for our studies. We found that hypoxic condition enhances nuclear bulk histone acetylation in breast cancer cells and enhances HIF-α synthesis. Down regulation of SphK2 with siRNA or using selective inhibitor of SphK2 (K145 compound) reduces nuclear S1P as well as bulk histone acetylation and consequently reduces nuclear HIF-α synthesis in breast cancer cells. Downregulation of cytosolic sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) with siRNA reduces cytosolic S1P does not alter nuclear bulk histone acetylation neither significantly alter nuclear HIF-α synthesis in breast cancer cells. We also found that targeting SphK2 with K145 compound dramatically reduces in vitro tumorosphere formation in breast cancer cells. Our data suggested that targeting the SphK2/S1P signaling could represent an attractive strategy for therapeutic intervention in hypoxic breast cancers. Supported by Health Research, Inc. (HRI) Grant 71-4084 (NCH), National Cancer Institute Grant R01CA160688 (KT). Citation Format: Nitai C. Hait, Aparna Maiti. SphK2/S1P axis regulates hypoxia-mediated HIF-α synthesis in breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1388. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1388
A Fully Integrated Counter Flow Energy Reservoir for Peak Power Delivery in Small Form-Factor Sensor Systems

We present a fully integrated energy reservoir unit using a counter flow method for peak power delivery in space-constrained sensor systems. Recent advances in circuits have enabled significant reduction in the size of wireless systems such as implantable biomedical devices. As a consequence, the batteries integrated in these systems have also shrunk, resulting in high internal resistances ( $\sim 10 ~\text{k}\Omega$ ). However, the peak current requirement of power-hungry components such as radios remains in the milliwatt range and hence cannot directly be supplied from the battery. Therefore, an energy reservoir with high output power but small size is required. We present an efficient energy reservoir that dynamically reconfigures a storage capacitor array using a so-called counter flow approach. By creating a voltage gradient on capacitor arrays and moving the capacitors along the slope of the gradient, the supply voltage can be maintained while the energy stored in the reservoir is delivered efficiently to the load. The counter flow energy reservoir delivers 65% of stored energy before recharging is needed which allows up to a $12 \times$ reduction in overall capacitor size compared with our implementation of the previous method. The design supplies up to 13.6-mW output power for $1 ~\mu \text{s}$ . We demonstrate the proposed concept with a pulsed radio, showing an $11.5 \times$ increase in pulse length compared with the previous method.
Mental Health Issues of Incarcerated Women

This chapter discusses the specific needs of women who are held in US jails. While many of the characteristics of these women are shared by women who are incarcerated in prison, the nature of the jail as a short-term facility that processes and must treat vast numbers of people with many acute medical, mental health, and addiction problems in a short period of time makes this setting a particularly difficult place to provide good treatment. This chapter begins with a discussion of the magnitude of the problem and the rates of mental illnesses of women in jail, followed by other common characteristics of women with mental illnesses in jail. Building upon the argument that experiences of severe interpersonal violence across the lifecourse are central to the emergence of many mental illnesses, health problems, and addictions, the chapter presents principles of trauma-informed care, followed by trauma-informed mental health treatment. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of trauma-informed mental health services in jail settings.
A content analysis of counseling outcome research and evaluation (CORE) from 2010 to 2017

In this study, authors reviewed articles published in Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation from 2010 through 2017. Characteristics associated with authors (i.e., gender, setting, and domicile...
NF-κB signaling mechanisms in HTLV-1-induced adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a complex deltaretrovirus linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a fatal CD4 + malignancy in 3-5% of infected individuals. The HTLV-1 Tax regulatory protein plays indispensable roles in regulating viral gene expression and activating cellular signaling pathways that drive the proliferation and clonal expansion of T cells bearing HTLV-1 proviral integrations. Tax is a potent activator of NF-κB, a key signaling pathway that is essential for the survival and proliferation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. However, constitutive NF-κB activation by Tax also triggers a senescence response, suggesting the possibility that only T cells capable of overcoming NF-κB-induced senescence can selectively undergo clonal expansion after HTLV-1 infection. Tax expression is often silenced in the majority of ATLL due to genetic alterations in the tax gene or DNA hypermethylation of the 5'-LTR. Despite the loss of Tax, NF-κB activation remains persistently activated in ATLL due to somatic mutations in genes in the T/B-cell receptor (T/BCR) and NF-κB signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the key events driving Tax-dependent and -independent mechanisms of NF-κB activation during the multistep process leading to ATLL.