cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Functions on Posn

Classical functions such as the gamma function and the Bessel function have analogues on symmetric spaces, as do certain classical integral transforms. For the generalization of gamma function to Posn, the idea goes back to Siegel [Sie 35], and for the Bessel function it goes back to Bochner [Boc 52], Herz [Her 55] and Selberg [Sel 56]. We shall give further bibliographical comments later. Among the integral transforms is the generalized Mellin transform. Cf. Gindikin [Gin 64], who provides a beautiful survey of special functions on spaces like, but more general than Posn. Thus large portions of harmonic analysis, as well as the theory of Dirichlet and Bessel series carries over to such spaces. Here we are concerned with the most standard of all symmetric spaces, the space Posn of symmetric positive definite real matrices. As the reader will see, one replaces the invariant measure dy/y on the multiplicative group by the measure |Y |-(n+1)/2dμeuc(Y) on the space of positive definite matrices. We develop systematically the theory of some special functions on this space, namely, the gamma and K-Bessel functions, as a prototype of other special functions, and also prototype of more general symmetric spaces. No matter what, it is useful to have tabulated the formulas in this special case, for various applications.
Preventive services use among female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer

Examine preventive services utilization among female survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer compared with women without cancer in the USA. A total of 1017 women diagnosed with cancer at AYA ages (15–39 years) who were at least 5 years since diagnosis were identified from 2008 to 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. A comparison group without cancer was matched on age and other characteristics. General preventive services included dental, medical, blood pressure, and cholesterol checkups, and flu shots in the previous year. Cancer-related services included pap smear and mammography. Preventive services and covariates (demographics, socioeconomics, and health status) were compared between groups using χ 2 tests. Ordinal logistic regression identified covariates associated with general preventive services use. Female survivors reported dental checkups less often (57.8 vs. 72.4 %, p < 0.001) than the comparison group and checked their blood pressure (90 vs. 86.7 %, p = 0.045) and cholesterol (67.5 vs. 61.7 %, p = 0.045) more often. No differences were found in flu shots, medical checkups, and cancer-related services. Survivors without insurance were less likely to use general preventive services (odds ratio [OR] = 0.2, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.35, p < 0.001). Older survivors (OR = 3.09, 95 % CI 1.69–5.62, p < 0.001) and those who speak Spanish or other languages at home (OR = 3.19, 95 % CI 1.33–7.67, p = 0.01) were more likely to use general prevention than their counterparts. Overall, female survivors were as likely as the comparison group to use preventive services, except dental services, blood pressure, and cholesterol checks. Survivors may require support to use recommended preventive services more effectively, especially the younger and uninsured who may be at greater risk for underuse.
Cognitive components underpinning the development of model-based learning

Reinforcement learning theory distinguishes "model-free" learning, which fosters reflexive repetition of previously rewarded actions, from "model-based" learning, which recruits a mental model of the environment to flexibly select goal-directed actions. Whereas model-free learning is evident across development, recruitment of model-based learning appears to increase with age. However, the cognitive processes underlying the development of model-based learning remain poorly characterized. Here, we examined whether age-related differences in cognitive processes underlying the construction and flexible recruitment of mental models predict developmental increases in model-based choice. In a cohort of participants aged 9-25, we examined whether the abilities to infer sequential regularities in the environment ("statistical learning"), maintain information in an active state ("working memory") and integrate distant concepts to solve problems ("fluid reasoning") predicted age-related improvements in model-based choice. We found that age-related improvements in statistical learning performance did not mediate the relationship between age and model-based choice. Ceiling performance on our working memory assay prevented examination of its contribution to model-based learning. However, age-related improvements in fluid reasoning statistically mediated the developmental increase in the recruitment of a model-based strategy. These findings suggest that gradual development of fluid reasoning may be a critical component process underlying the emergence of model-based learning.
Microwaves for microbial inactivation—efficiency and inactivation kinetics

Abstract In this chapter, the application of microwaves for inactivation of microorganisms is reviewed along with a kinetic data analysis of microwave processing. An overview is presented on the principles of microwave inactivation, critical process factors influencing microbial inactivation, inactivation of microorganisms by microwaves, mechanism of microwave inactivation of microorganisms, microbial inactivation kinetics, application of microwaves in pasteurization, sterilization, and cooking processes, and microbial validation studies for microwave processes. Finally, some future needs for further understanding of microwave inactivation of microorganisms are explored.
Genesis: synthesizing forwarding tables in multi-tenant networks

Operators in multi-tenant cloud datacenters require support for diverse and complex end-to-end policies, such as, reachability, middlebox traversals, isolation, traffic engineering, and network resource management. We present Genesis, a datacenter network management system which allows policies to be specified in a declarative manner without explicitly programming the network data plane. Genesis tackles the problem of enforcing policies by synthesizing switch forwarding tables. It uses the formal foundations of constraint solving in combination with fast off-the-shelf SMT solvers. To improve synthesis performance, Genesis incorporates a novel search strategy that uses regular expressions to specify properties that leverage the structure of datacenter networks, and a divide-and-conquer synthesis procedure which exploits the structure of policy relationships. We have prototyped Genesis, and conducted experiments with a variety of workloads on real-world topologies to demonstrate its performance.
A Quest to Belong: A Qualitative Study of Gay Male Recovering Alcoholics

This ethnographic, mixed-methods study explored gay recovering alcoholics' perceptions of the meaning of, and relationships between, religion, spirituality, belonging, and addiction. Participants included 10 gay men (N = 10), from 4 southeastern states, recovering from alcoholism with at least one year of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) involvement. The data included participant interviews, AA meeting observations, the Basic Adlerian Scales for Interpersonal Success-Adult Inventory (Wheeler, Kern, & Curlette, 1993), and a demographics questionnaire. Analysis revealed fairly consistent descriptions of the constructs and perceptions of the construct interrelationships which were developed into the Belonging Model. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Corruption, Regulatory Regime, and Entrepreneurship

Starting a business requires licenses and permits as well as dealing with other regulations. These regulations vary vastly across country. Prior research indicates that regulatory procedures and administrative burden deter entrepreneurial activity. In this chapter we examine how corruption and regulations can interact to influence female entrepreneurial activity. Our analysis suggests that inefficient regulations can create necessity for corruption in order to avoid being exploited by the government officials and engage in entrepreneurship.
The Personality of the Politically Ambitious

Until recently, political ambition has largely been considered to be a product of the institutional and political environment. We argue that individual personality plays a significant role in nascent political ambition and progressive ambition. Using a nationally representative survey in the United States and a survey of public officials, we find a strong relationship between personality traits and nascent ambition. We find that individuals with higher levels of extraversion and openness are more likely to consider running for office, while agreeable and conscientious individuals are significantly less interested. We also find that personality traits do not relate to progressive ambition in the same way as they do to nascent ambition. In fact, they are weaker predictors of progressive ambition than they are of nascent ambition. We argue that democratic elections and public service attract certain types of individuals to seek office, which has implications for elite behavior and representation.
Comrades-in-arms: the Chinese Communist Party’s relations with African political organisations in the Mao era, 1949–76

This study examines the evolution of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) motives, objectives, and methods vis-a-vis its African counterparts during the Mao era, 1949–76. Beginning in the mid-1950s,...
My winding trail while fulfilling my love for science and family

My winding path toward a career in science was awkward, like an adolescent finding an identity. It did not follow a classic course; it had many interruptions, complications, and challenges. It also involved a bit of luck and extremely supportive colleagues, mentors, and family, including my husband, children, and in-laws. I was inspired to tell my story here because I met a young woman interviewing in 2018 for graduate school who is growing up with the same complicated family expectations, social challenges, love for science, and desire to be a scientist as I had four decades ago. Her future is uncertain, because her chosen academic path is not encouraged by those around her. We, as a society, must find ways to encourage, promote, enable, and give strength to those who want to follow their dreams, despite facing many challenges in their lives. Here are some things I learned on my career path that I hope might be helpful for others.
Virus in Semen and the Risk of Sexual Transmission

Sexual contact is the primary route of human transmission for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Traditional STIs are caused by a variety of pathogens, and classic examples of STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and genital herpes. Recently, reports showing virus detection in the semen of men infected with viruses that had previously been unknown to be sexually transmitted have caught the attention of infectious disease specialists, public health officials, and the media. Two of the more prominent examples are Zika virus (ZIKV) and Ebola virus (EBOV), which have been found in symptomatically infected patients and disease survivors.1,2 . . .
Hematologic disorders associated with deletions of chromosome 20q: a clinicopathologic study of 107 patients.

To study the pathogenetic significance of acquired del(20q), bone marrow morphology and clinical histories of 107 patients with hematologic disorders and the del(20q) were studied. In 84 cases representing myelodysplastic syndromes (47), myeloproliferative disorders (31), acute myeloid leukemia (3), pure red blood cell aplasia (2), and angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD)-like T-cell lymphoma (1), 20q- was the sole karyotypic abnormality. The break-points on chromosome 20 were not constant, and in 77% of cases, only a fraction of the studied metaphases had del(20q). In 23 cases, including myelodysplastic syndromes (13), myeloproliferative disorders (6), acute myeloid leukemia (2), and autoimmune disorders (2), 20q-occurred with other cytogenetic abnormalities, including del(5q), -7, +8, 13q deletion or translocation, and +21. Despite the diagnostic heterogeneity, the bone marrow morphologic abnormalities consistently involved the erythroid precursors and megakaryocytes. 20q- is a primary cytogenetic abnormality occurring in hematologic disorders unified morphologically by dysplasia in erythroid precursors and megakaryocytes. In conjunction with other studies of disorders involving del(20q) or genes on the long arm of chromosome 20, the findings suggest that del(20q) disproportionately affects a common megakaryocytic/RBC stem cell.
Characterization of the Real Part of Dry Aerosol Refractive Index Over North America From the Surface to 12 km

National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NNX12AC10G, NNX14AP75G]; United States Navy Office of Naval Research [N00014-10-1-0811]; NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship [NNX14AK79H]; NASA [NNX12AC03G, NNX15AT96G]; Visiting Scientist Program at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA)
Labs for EGN 3375 Electromechanical Energy Systems at University of South Florida

This paper describes the labs designed for University of South Florida (USF)’s undergraduate course EGN 3375 Electromechanical Energy Systems. We employ PSCAD, OPAL-RT’s RT-Lab real-time digital simulator, and National Instruments’ (NI’s) control toolkit: general purpose inverter controller (GPIC), single board RIO (sbRIO) with LabVIEW as GUI. The labs offer students in-depth understanding of Faraday’s Law, the key principle for transformers and rotating machines. The labs also expose students to the state-of-the-art simulation and control tools and offer students hands-on experiences.
Book Review: Stolen Time: Black Fad Performance and the Calypso Craze by Shane Vogel

Shane Vogel. Stolen Time: Black Fad Performance and the Calypso Craze . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018. When I tell my undergraduate popular music students that for a fleeting moment in the mid-1950s, Americanized calypso threatened to eclipse rock ‘n’ roll for sales and cultural
MacroH2A1 regulation of poly (ADP-Ribose) synthesis and stability prevents necrosis and promotes DNA repair

Through its ability to bind the ends of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) chains, the function of the histone variant macroH2A1.1, including its ability to regulate transcription, is coupled to PAR polymerases (PARPs). PARP1 also has a major role in DNA damage response (DDR) signaling, and our results show that macroH2A1 alters the kinetics of PAR accumulation following acute DNA damage by both suppressing PARP activity and simultaneously protecting PAR chains from degradation. In this way, we demonstrate that macroH2A1 prevents cellular NAD+ depletion, subsequently preventing necrotic cell death that would otherwise occur due to PARP overactivation. We also show that macroH2A1-dependent PAR stabilization promotes efficient repair of oxidative DNA damage. While the role of PAR in recruiting and regulating macrodomain-containing proteins has been established, our results demonstrate that, conversely, macrodomain-containing proteins, and specifically those containing macroH2A1, can regulate PARP1 function through a novel mechanism that promotes both survival and efficient repair during DNA damage response.
Antepartum fibrinogen concentration as a predictor of bleeding complications

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the predictive value of fibrinogen concentration for bleeding complications among women presenting for delivery and for whom a fibrinogen level...
Bronchoalveolar lavage to evaluate new pulmonary infiltrates in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: impact on antimicrobial optimization

Summary Background Pulmonary complications cause significant morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT). Bronchoscopy with targeted bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is often used in AHSCT patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) to help guide management. Aim To evaluate how positive BAL results change antimicrobial management of AHSCT recipients with suspected LRTI. Methods We performed a retrospective review of BAL results from January 2014 to July 2016 for 54 AHSCT recipients. A positive BAL was determined by culture, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Aspergillus galactomannan antigen (AGA), and cytology. Findings BAL was positive for infectious etiologies in 63%, and antimicrobials were adjusted in 48/54 (89%) of patients. Antibacterial escalation was predicted by a positive BAL bacterial culture (OR 7.61, P=0.017). Antibiotic de-escalation was more likely with an elevated AGA (OR 3.86, P=0.035). Antiviral initiation was more likely with positive BAL multiplex PCR (OR 17.33, P=0.010). Antifungals were more likely to be escalated or changed with an elevated AGA (OR 4.33, P=0.020). The patients with a negative BAL were more likely to be started on steroids (OR 0.19, P= 0.043). Conclusions BAL was helpful to determine the etiology of pulmonary complications and optimize antimicrobials. The addition of AGA and multiplex PCR to standard BAL significantly impacted de-escalating antibiotics and adjusting antifungals to provide adequate coverage. The association with an elevated AGA with antibacterial de-escalation highlights a new role for BAL in antimicrobial optimization.
Lung Cancer Screening at a Military Treatment Facility: A Retrospective Review.

Introduction Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women, accounting for more fatalities than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Smoking causes about 85% of all lung cancers in the United States and is the single greatest risk factor. In 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published initial guidelines for low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening (LCS) among patients 55-80 years old, with a 30-pack-year history, who are current smokers or who quit within the previous 15 years. Smoking prevalence is higher among military personnel compared to the civilian population, demonstrating a need for vigilant screening. Materials and methods A retrospective review of Naval Medical Center San Diego's (NMCSD) LCS data was conducted to examine screening numbers, lung cancer rates, and initial analysis of screening results. Patients were referred for screening if they met the USPSTF criteria. Between September 2013 and September 2018, 962 patients underwent LCS. A total of 1758 examinations were performed, including follow-up and annual surveillance examinations. The American College of Radiology's Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) was used to classify lung nodules' risk for malignancy. Results On this initial analysis, 42 enrolled patients received the diagnosis of lung cancer detected by screening. The initial calculated lung cancer rate is 4.4% (42/962) over the 5-year reporting period. The lung cancer rate among those patients with a Lung-RADS score of 3 or 4 was 31% (42/135). Thirty-seven patients were classified as having non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while five were classified as having small cell lung cancer. Of the 37 NSCLC patients, 76% (28/37) were diagnosed at stage I and II, 11% (4/37) were diagnosed at stage III, and 13% (5/37) were diagnosed at stage IV. The total number of years a person smoked was a significant risk factor (P = 0.004), but not pack-years a person smoked (P = 0.052). Conclusions These preliminary results demonstrate the success of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF)-based LCS Program in the detection of early stage lung cancer. Earlier stage detection may result in better health outcomes for affected patients. In the population studied, duration of smoking proved to be more significant than pack-years in predicting lung cancer risk. These results validate the newly dedicated resources and continued efforts to strengthen the LCS program at NMCSD and across MTFs.
Effect of Montelukast combined with Budesonide Nasal Spray for treatment of children allergic rhinitis and its effect on serum IgE

Objective To observe the curative effect of Montelukast combined with Budesonide Nasal Spray for treatment of children allergic rhinitis and its effect on serum IgE. Methods The 90 cases of children with allergic rhinitis were selected.Randomly divided into three groups A,B,C. Montelukast Sodium Tablets to A group,B group received Budesonide Nasal Spray,C group received Montelukast Sodium Tablets combined with Budesonide Nasal Spray.All were treated for 28 days. Respectively,before treatment and after,the quality of life scores and nasal symptoms scores were compared, and serum IgE were detected. Results The total effective rate of group C was 93.3%, better than the A group (83.3%) and B group (80%). The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The scores of clinical symptoms and quality of life of the 3 groups after treatment were significantly improved(P<0.05). But the C group compared with A group, B group improved more significantly(P<0.05). The 3 groups after the treatment of serum IgE content compared with before treatment were significantly decreased compared with before treatment,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05), and C group than in A group,B group decreased significantly(P<0.05). Serious adverse reactions in 3 groups were not found. Conclusions The curative effect of Montelukast combined with Budesonide nasal spray in treatment of allergic rhinitis is better, and can reduce the serum level of IgE, and improve the quality of life of children, reduce the risk of asthma. Key words: allergic rhinitis; children; montelukast; budesonide nasal spray; serum IgE
Biologic Treatments of Psoriasis: An Update for the Clinician

The advent of biologic agents within the past two decades has dramatically improved the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Given that there now exists 11 FDA approved biologic options available for psoriasis, with more in the pipeline, the therapeutic armamentarium has been greatly enhanced. However, the fact that there are so many available options has also caused confusion for providers. Therefore, this manuscript deliberately focuses on the most clinically useful facts (such as efficacy and safety data) about each and every FDA approved biologic agent (including pipeline agents) for psoriasis. Moreover, among the clinically relevant facts, this manuscript purposely emphasizes the unique merits and demerits of each agent to make it easier for the provider to select which one of these many options is the best for the particular patient on hand. The goal of this manuscript is to aid the busy practicing dermatologist in becoming more adept at using these agents with the ultimate aim of improving patient care.
Distinct trajectories of antidepressant response to intravenous ketamine.

Abstract Background The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine is potentially effective in treatment resistant depression. However, its antidepressant efficacy is highly variable, and there is little information about predictors of response. Methods We employed growth mixture modeling (GMM) analysis to examine specific response trajectories to intravenous (IV) ketamine (three infusions; mean dose 0.63 mg/kg, SD 0.28, range 0.30 – 2.98 mg/kg over 40 min) in 328 depressed adult outpatients referred to a community clinic. The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) assessed depression severity at baseline and before each infusion, up to three infusions for four total observations. Results GMM revealed three QIDS-SR response trajectories. There were two groups of severely depressed patients, with contrasting responses to ketamine. One group (n=135, baseline QIDS-SR=18.8) had a robust antidepressant response (final QIDS-SR=7.3); the other group (n=97, QIDS-SR=19.8) was less responsive (final QIDS-SR=15.6). A third group (n=96) was less severely depressed at baseline (QIDS-SR=11.7), with intermediate antidepressant response (final QIDS-SR=6.6). Comparisons of demographic and clinical characteristics between groups with severe baseline depression revealed higher childhood physical abuse in the group with robust ketamine response (p=0.01). Limitations This was a retrospective analysis on a naturalistic sample. Patients were unblinded and more heterogenous than those included in most controlled clinical trial samples. Information pertaining to traumatic events occurring after childhood and pre-existing or concurrent medical conditions that may have affected outcomes was not available. Conclusions Overall, ketamine's effect in patients with severe baseline depression and history of childhood maltreatment may be consistent with ketamine-induced blockade of behavioral sensitization.
Changes in Buprenorphine Treatment After Medicaid Expansion.

Objective: The authors examined changes in buprenorphine treatment following Medicaid expansion, including the contribution of Medicaid-financed prescriptions. Methods: Buprenorphine pharmacy claim...
Computed Tomography-Guided Microwave Ablation of Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Assessment of Technique and Complications.

Abstract This report evaluates the techniques and complications of microwave ablation of cystic renal cell carcinoma. Five patients with cystic renal cell carcinoma were treated with microwave ablation between October 2015 and June 2020. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate technique and complications. Technical success and primary technique efficacy both were 100%. There were no complications. Mean follow-up time was 18 months (range, 6–36 months). No local recurrence was identified during the follow-up period. Renal function remained stable at 1 month and the last follow-up. Percutaneous microwave ablation is promising for the nonsurgical management of cystic renal cell carcinoma.
Multi-objective visual design method of control system for synchronous motor drives

Design of current controller for synchronous motor drive system can hardly achieve the desired time- and frequency-domain specifications simultaneously, therefore a multi-objective visual design method is proposed. D-partition technique, which is suitable for nonlinear system, is applied to obtain the controller parameters stable region. In order to improve the stability and dynamic property of synchronous motor drives, frequency-domain specifications such as gain margin and phase margin, time-domain specifications such as overshoot and settling time are considered. Firstly, these specifications are analyzed using three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique. The 3D graphs of gain margin, phase margin, overshoot and settling time changing with controller parameters in the stable region are plotted, respectively. Furthermore, to meet the desired requirements, a multi-objective visual design method is proposed and an optimization region is obtained, which shows the relationship between the desired requirements and the controller parameters. Finally, optimal controller parameters can be derived from the optimization region which meet the requirements of practical engineering. The design process is intuitive and clear, meanwhile time- and frequency-domain specifications can be achieved simultaneously without trial-and-error. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed method of effective and practical.
An Analysis of Web Tracking Domains in Mobile Applications

Modern web browsers provide users an improved awareness of how websites track them and the potential use of data that is gathered. These features can be built into the browser or provided through an extension. Recently, DuckDuckGo, a privacy advocate and privacy focused search engine company, made publicly available the data they use to inform users of trackers in their browsers and extensions. While users can install extensions or use default browser features to inform themselves of how websites use trackers and potentially block trackers, this availability is limited in mobile applications that communicate with the same services as websites. In this paper, we utilize the data set from DuckDuckGo to analyze mobile applications on iOS. We investigate the top applications in categories designed to provide information to users or that are used in social networks. We also identify which of these applications utilize personal data on the device including location, contacts, and photos. From this investigation, 84% of the applications communicated with domains categorized as advertisement or analytics services that track users. 18% of the applications transmitted the user’s location where of these, 95% communicated with domains classified as trackers. The most common tracker utilized is from Google where 55% of the applications utilize their tracking services and in general, 89% of the applications communicated with Google’s services. While progress has been made in providing more transparency in web browsers, there is still work to be done in mobile operating systems. We advocate that the same features in web browsers become available through the native mobile operating system. As mobile operating system producers shift towards more privacy controls being generally available to users, this can be one more step in providing more transparency to the user in how applications use their data.
Bostock and Textualism: A Response to Berman and Krishnamurthi

In Bostock was Bogus: Textualism, Pluralism, and Title VII, Mitchell Berman and Guha Krishnamurthi argue that Bostock v. Clayton County rested on a defective understanding of causation. An employer who discriminates against LGBT people is not motivated by the employee’s sex, but rather by the employee’s sexual orientation. They mistakenly take the linguistic happenstance of a separate term for gender-atypical behavior – here, “homosexuality” – to subtract those whom the term describes from the statute’s protection. Parallel conjunctions of discriminations do not balance out. If they did, the statute could be nullified in all of its applications by allowing employers to discriminate against those, male or female, black or white, who seek jobs inconsistent with the traditional social role of their race or sex.
Network performance modeling and simulation

1. Wormhole Data Routing in Multiprocessors: Networks and Algorithms 2. Reusability Techniques for Building a Simulation Environment and Modeling Communication Systems 3. Reductions in GSPN and SWN: An Overview and an Example of Application 4. Traffic Modeling for ATM Networks An Overview of Source Characterization in ATM Networks 5. Procedures for Estimating and Guaranteeing Delays in High Speed Communication Networks 6. BMAP Modeling of a Correlated Queue 7. Hierarchical Performance Modeling of Computer Communication Systems 8. A Framework for Measuring the Performance of Alternative Process Architectures for Parallelizing Communication Subsystems
New Advances in the Study of Group Behavior in Bats

The collective behavior of organisms results in spectacular displays that have inspired scientific inquiry for centuries. Recently, rich theoretical work has complemented traditional biological observation to offer fresh insights into the function and mechanisms of animal groups. Although these theoretical studies unquestionably have advanced our understanding of the dynamics of animal groups, further progress will depend on the ability to reconcile numerical methods with empirical data from realistic, field-based studies of existing, as well as new, animal models. Fortunately, the technical challenges associated with collecting such data from large, free-ranging groups are becoming less daunting as a new generation of field-portable technologies becomes increasingly available. By combining novel analytical approaches and better integration of different data modalities, it is now possible to produce stunningly informative representations of the behavior of animal groups. Although the group dynamics of bats are as intriguing and potentially informative as those of other animal groups, until now the difficulty of access has inhibited studying how bats structure and maintain their groups. Here we present some of the first data from large colonies of free-ranging bats. Our initial investigations offer vivid glimpses into the group dynamics of these mammals and underscore the value and importance of this focus for further experimental research in the field. Such studies could not only reveal more about functional complexity in nature and further inform our understanding of animal groups but suggest principles by which we organize and might even improve our own society.
Estimation of the solar flare neutron worst‐case fluxes and fluences for missions traveling close to the Sun

A method to estimate the total fluence of solar flare neutrons at a spacecraft traveling in the innermost part of the heliosphere (at heliocentric radial distances of 1 MeV, >10 MeV, >100 MeV and >1000 MeV to which such a mission may be exposed. We apply this method to the Solar Probe Plus mission. Although our method gives a conservative estimate of neutron fluxes, the predicted mission-integrated fluence of solar neutrons at Solar Probe Plus is orders of magnitude below that of solar energetic protons.
Autism: The Point of View from Fragile X Studies.

The relationship between the fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism is reviewed. Shortly after the FXS was first described, it was noted that certain behaviors commonly found in afflicted individuals resemble certain features of autism. Research concerning a possible relationship between these conditions is summarized. The outcome of this research indicates that FXS is not a common cause of autism, although the number of individuals with FXS who meet diagnostic criteria for autism is higher than can be accounted for by chance. The major focus of this paper highlights that FXS is a well-defined neurogenetic disease that includes a cognitive behavioral phenotype, and has both a known biological cause and an increasing well-delineated pathogenesis. Autism is a behaviorally defined syndrome whose syndromic boundaries and biological causes are not known. These profound differences complicate comparisons and causal discussions. However, the behavioral neurogenetic information available about FXS suggests certain pathways for future research directed at elucidating the syndrome of autism.
Integrating Sequence and Topology for Efficient and Accurate Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer

One phylogeny-based approach to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) detection entails comparing the topology of a gene tree to that of the species tree, and using their differences to locate HGT events. Another approach is based on augmenting a species tree into a phylogenetic network to improve the fitness of the evolution of the gene sequence data under an optimization criterion, such as maximum parsimony (MP). One major problem with the first approach is that gene tree estimates may have wrong branches, which result in false positive estimates of HGT events, and the second approach is accurate, yet suffers from the computational complexity of searching through the space of possible phylogenetic networks. The contributions of this paper are two-fold. First, we present a measure that computes the support of HGT events inferred from pairs of species and gene trees. The measure uses the bootstrap values of the gene tree branches. Second, we present an integrative method to speed up the approaches for augmenting species trees into phylogenetic networks. We conducted data analysis and performance study of our methods on a data set of 20 genes from the Amborellamitochondrial genome, in which Jeffrey Palmer and his co-workers postulated a massive amount of horizontal gene transfer. As expected, we found that including poorly supported gene tree branches in the analysis results in a high rate of false positive gene transfer events. Further, the bootstrap-based support measure assessed, with high accuracy, the support of the inferred gene transfer events. Further, we obtained very promising results, in terms of both speed and accuracy, when applying our integrative method on these data sets (we are currently studying the performance in extensive simulations). All methods have been implemented in the PhyloNet and NEPAL tools, which are available in the form of executable code from http://bioinfo.cs.rice.edu .
Read disturb and device failure studies in TiO 2 -based resistive switches

Bipolar resistive switching in oxide-based devices (metal/oxide/metal (MIM)) has attracted widespread attention in recent years due to its potential application in next generation nonvolatile memory technology.[1,2] These devices exhibit two non-volatile resistance states, and switching between them can be accomplished by application of electrical pulses with opposite polarities.[3] The low resistance ON state is attributed to the formation of a conductive path that connects both electrodes. The high resistance state corresponds to a rupture of this path, forming a high resistance gap.[4] Although extensive research has been conducted to understand the nature of resistive switching and improve the device functionalities, there are still unresolved issues such as read disturb and device failure mechanisms. Here, we adopt an in situ biasing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique to report microstructural changes that occur when the device experiences low-bias, akin to read disturb and its subsequent evolution using a model TiO 2 -based resistive switch. We also studied microstructural changes occurring during resistive switching and confirm the device is switchable inside of the TEM column.
Study of Deposition of YBa2Cu3O7-x on Cubic Zirconia

Films of YBa2Cu3O7-x have been grown on (100) cubic zirconia with 8 percent yttria by laser ablation from sintered targets of YBa2Cu3O7-x. The temperature of the zirconia substrate during growth was varied between 700 and 780 °C. The atmosphere during growth was 170 mtorr of oxygen. The films were subsequently slowly cooled in-situ in 1 atm of oxygen. The best films were c-axis aligned and had a transition temperature of 87.7 K. The superconducting transition temperature and the x-ray diffraction analysis will be reported as a function of the substrate temperature and of the angle between the laser beam and the target’s normal.
Recognizing Gay and Lesbian Speech

Beyond the Lavender Lexicon: Authenticity, Imagination, and Appropriation in Lesbian and Gay Languages. William L. Leap. ed. Luxembourg: Gordon and Breach, 1995. 360 pp. Word's Out: Gay Men's English. William L. Leap. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1996. 181 pp.
Contributions of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis during glucose counterregulation in normal humans

To estimate the relative contributions of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to the increase in hepatic glucose output (HGO) during glucose counterregulation under conditions simulating clinical insulin hypoglycemia, we induced moderate hypoglycemia (approximately 55 mg/dl) with a continuous infusion of insulin that resulted in physiological hyperinsulinemia (approximately 20 microU/ml) in eight normal volunteers and estimated gluconeogenesis by two methods: an isotopic approach in which appearance of plasma glucose derived from lactate was determined and another approach in which we infused alcohol along with insulin to block gluconeogenesis and used the exogenous glucose required to prevent greater hypoglycemia as an index of gluconeogenesis. Both methods gave similar results. Initially glycogenolysis accounted for approximately 85% of HGO; however, once hypoglycemia became established, the contribution of gluconeogenesis increased progressively to 77 +/- 10 (isotopic method) and 94 +/- 10% (alcohol method) of overall HGO. We conclude that in normal humans during moderate protracted hypoglycemia induced by physiological hyperinsulinemia, gluconeogenesis is the predominant factor responsible for the counterregulatory increase in HGO and that increased gluconeogenesis rather than increased glycogenolysis is the primary mechanism preventing development of greater hypoglycemia.
Sentinel lymph nodes in cutaneous melanoma: handling, examination, and clinical repercussion.

Abstract Context—Within the last 15 years, evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) has become the most popular method of early staging of several malignancies, including melanoma. Sentinel lymph ...
Immunological apparatus of the gut and inflammatory bowel disease.

with special reference to ulcerative colitis. 3 - 6 This report emphasizes current concepts of the immunological apparatus of the normal gut and examines efforts to incrim­ inate this apparatus in the etiology and pathogenesis of nonspecific ulcerative co­ litis and Crohn's disease. Five years ago,3 we emphasized the known ways that antibodies and antigens can combine to cause tissue damage and considered the nature of the antigen or antigens involved in ulcerative colitis. While there was much direct evidence of immunological involvement in this disease, there was an obvious need to differentiate between non immunological mechanisms and secondary manifestations of injury involving immunological processes. Before reexamining the efforts of many laborato­ ries in this field, what is known currently about the anatomy and immune capabili­ ties of gut-associated lymphoid tissues? Immunological Apparatus of the Gut Developmental and anatomical consider­ ations. The gastrointestinal tract is well equipped to generate immunological reac­ tions. 7 Aside from considerations of the
Triptolide Inhibits Lung Cancer Cell Migration, Invasion, and Metastasis

Background Triptolide is an extract from Tripterygium wilfordii used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat autoimmune disorders. Triptolide has anticancer effects in vitro and is reported to impair cancer cell migration. We studied whether triptolide inhibits lung cancer cell migration and metastasis. Methods We determined the microRNA expression profile of triptolide-treated cells. We tested the effects of triptolide treatment on migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by using Transwell filters coated with fibronectin and Matrigel, respectively. Western blot analyses were used to compare expression of proteins involved in cell migration before and after 10 nmol/L triptolide treatment. Tail vein injections with H358 cells were performed. The mice were treated with 1 mg/kg triptolide or vehicle by intraperitoneal injection three times per week. Lung and liver metastases were compared at 9 weeks. Means of groups were compared by using a t test. Results Triptolide altered the expression of microRNAs involved in cellular movement and significantly decreased migration and invasion of lung cancer cells from approximately 18 to 3 cells per field ( p p Conclusions Triptolide decreases lung cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and inhibits metastatic tumor formation in mice. Triptolide suppresses focal adhesion kinase, which causes deregulation of the migration machinery. These results suggest that triptolide inhibits lung cancer metastasis and should be investigated as a new lung cancer therapy.
Measuring Spatio-temporal Trends in Residential Landscape Irrigation Extent and Rate in Los Angeles, California Using SPOT-5 Satellite Imagery

Irrigation is a large component of urban water budgets in semi-arid regions and is critical for the management of landscape vegetation and water resources. This is particularly true for Mediterranean climate cities such as Los Angeles, where water availability is limited during dry summers. These interactions were examined by using 10-m resolution satellite imagery and a database of monthly water use records for all residential water customers in Los Angeles in order to map vegetation greenness, the extent and distribution of irrigated areas, and irrigation rates. A water conservation ratio between rates of irrigation and vegetation water demand was calculated to assess over-irrigation. The analyses were conducted for the water years (WY) 2005–2007, which included wet, average, and dry extremes of annual rainfall. Although outdoor water usage was highest in the dry year, vegetation greenness could not be maintained as well as in wetter years, suggesting that lower greenness was due to water stress. However, annual rainfall from WY 2005 to 2007 did not significantly influence the variability in the magnitude and spatial pattern of irrigation, with mean irrigated rates ranging only from 81 to 86 mm. The water conservation ratio showed that 7 % of the postal carrier routes across the city were over-irrigated in the dry year, but 43 % were over-irrigated in the wet year. This was largely because the climatic demand for water by vegetation decreased in wet years, but irrigation rates changed little from year-to-year. This overwatering can be addressed by water conservation, planning and public education, especially in the current California drought. The approach demonstrated here should be transferable to other cities in semi-arid climates.
Life after (Straightedge) subculture

This paper uses 20 in-depth interviews with individuals who formerly identified as straightedge to explore a largely overlooked but potentially important dimension of youth subcultures: life after subculture. Interviews illustrate the potential importance of life after subculture for gaining a fuller understanding of subculture and indicate that residue from former subcultural affiliation can be a marker of a group’s relative substance. Interviews additionally underscore problems with prevailing theoretical models of subculture and support the claim that approaches to and conceptions of subculture should attend to phenomenological levels of analysis and potentialities.
Clustered diffusion of integrins.

We discuss the diffusion of clusters of integrins (and other similar membrane proteins) on a cell membrane with a cortical cytoskeleton. We argue that protein clusters—in contrast with normal oligomers, which are forced to pass through cytoskeletal barriers all at once—should be treated essentially as many-legged random walkers that can pass through a cytoskeletal barrier by putting one leg at a time through the fence. We present the mathematics that should describe the phenomenon, which result in a two-parameter model of diffusion that should apply to any cluster size. We also perform and discuss numerical simulations of the effect in the erythrocyte model system.
Metal-mediated crystallization of amorphous silicon in silicon-silver layered systems

Abstract We report on the crystallization behaviour of amorphous Si(a-Si) in a-Si/Ag/a-Si trilayer and a-Si/Ag multilayer systems using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystallization temperature of a-Si in these Si/Ag layered systems is 385–415°C, about 200°C lower than that found in pure a-Si, whereas the heat of crystallization is 12 ± 1 kJ mol−1, in good agreement with published values. During the reaction, in situ cross-section TEM showed that Ag grains border the a-Si matrix and the crystallized Si(c-Si) grains and that the Ag grains migrate toward the a-Si region, leaving the c-Si phase behind. In situ atomic resolution TEM also revealed that the lattice points of the migrating Ag grains are stationary during this process and that the interface between the c-Si and Ag phases advances by a ledge mechanism. These observations indicated that the Si atoms diffuse through the Ag grains and precipitate onto the c-Si phase, whereas the migration of...