cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of microscale weak zones on bulk strength

Shear zones have different rheological properties than the surrounding rocks, indicating that the bulk strength of regions containing shear zone networks cannot be determined by considering the the host rock rheology alone. We demonstrate the value of this concept at the microscale. We first consider the phase arrangements in naturally deformed rocks and document that weak phases exhibit little interconnection within a microstructure. Rather, three-dimensional weak zones, analogous to viscous shear zones, can interconnect or bridge weak phases. These zones typically form at high stress sites, comprise multiple minerals, and deform by mechanisms independent of those in the surrounding minerals. The presence of weak zones strongly affects the bulk strength of the rock, disproportionate to the mode of the weak zones. For example, the development of 1% mode of a weak zone at a high stress site can reduce the bulk strength of the rock nearly an order of magnitude. Calculation of the bulk strength of the rock by some averaging algorithm of the deformation mechanisms operating outside the weak zones will overestimate strength. Instead, accurate calculations and predictions of bulk strength require accounting for the presence and geometry of weak zones. For this reason, we advocate use of the scale-independent conceptual rheological model of interconnected weak zones or layers rather than that of interconnected weak phases. More generally, the way forward in improving quantification of the mechanical properties of the lithosphere requires recognizing and explicitly accounting for the spatial and temporal distribution of deformation mechanisms operating throughout a rock. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Segmenting Sequences of Node-Labeled Graphs

Detection of the changes in pattern of disease spread over a population network, Meme-tracking and opinion spread on the Twitter network and product-rating-cascade over a social network are a few among the many embodiments of graph sequence segmentation problem with labeled nodes. Most of the previous approaches to network sequence segmentation are on plain graphs without considerations for the dynamics of propagation process. These approaches either fix observation scales or extract a long list of expensive features. In this paper, we propose SNAPNETS a parameter free, and comprehensive algorithm, to find segmentation of networks sequences with node labels such that adjacent segments are different in characteristics of nodes of each label. Our method leverages a principled, multi-level, flexible framework which maps the original problem to a path optimization problem over a weighted DAG. Extensive experiments on several diverse real datasets show that our method finds cut points matching ground-truth or meaningful external signals outperforming non-trivial baselines.
Resistance through rituals: The role of Philippine “native pig” (Sus scrofa) in Ifugao feasting and socio-political organization

Abstract The Ifugao of the northern Philippines successfully resisted repeated attempts by the Spanish at conquest. Archaeological work by the Ifugao Archaeological Project have shown that the successful resistance was predicated on the ability of the Ifugao to consolidate their political and economic resources; where most of the lowland Philippines were placed under Spanish colonial administration within five years of contact, the Ifugao were never conquered militarily. We argue that the observed increase in rituals and feasts in Ifugao was an organizing factor for the successful resistance. This paper provides morphological and quantitative evidence, particularly, in the use of domesticated pigs, which are known ethnographically to be ritual animals. Data presented in this paper support the contention that the shift to wet-rice cultivation was accompanied by other cultural changes that highlighted Ifugao social ranking.
1,3-Cyclohexadiene Formation Reactions

The (3Z)-1,3,5-hexatriene (1) to 1,3-cyclohexadiene (2) interconversion is the prototypical example of the six-electron (6e−) electrocyclization reaction as defined by Woodward and Hoffmann (WH).1,2 Among the early observations, the complementary stereochemical results (Figure 1) obtained for thermal (disrotatory, dis) and photochemical (conrotatory, con) processes in the vitamin D system (vide infra) provided experimental bases leading to the formulation of the WH rules. Despite its theoretical significance, the thermal variant of the 6e− electrocyclization3 has found relatively little use in synthesis. By contrast, the photochemical counterpart (photocyclization of stilbenes and analogs) constitutes a powerful synthetic procedure for the formation of aromatic compounds.4 More recently, new ways of inducing electrocyclic processes have been discovered, such as those which proceed by reductive electron transfer5 or by electrical discharge.6 The former appears to mimic stereochemically the photochemical process while the latter is considered to involve vibrationally excited (thermal) ground states. The potential utility of these new methods for inducing 6e− electrocyclizations remains virtually unexplored.
QUALIDADE DE VIDA E BEM ESTAR: VIAGENS TURÍSTICAS EM UM GRUPO DE TERCEIRA IDADE

RESUMO: Entendemos como terceira idade os individuos com 60 anos ou mais, dados demograficos demonstram que o numero de pessoas nesta faixa etaria vem expandindo-se a cada dia. Este grupo esta sendo considerado cada vez mais importante para a atividade turistica. Por outro lado, os individuos da terceira idade apresentam caracteristicas biologicas, psiquicas e sociais especificas que devem ser consideradas quando realizam viagens ou algo do genero. Apesar da importância deste estudo para a psicologia, poucos trabalhos tem sido realizados sobre o tema. Frente a estas consideracoes, o presente trabalho objetivou identificar a qualidade de vida das pessoas de terceira idade que realizam viagens turisticas. Utilizando o instrumento WHOQOL-bref, versao em portugues, para avaliar a qualidade de vida de um grupo de idosos que realizam viagens turisticas.
Eigenvectors phase correction in inverse modal problem

Abstract The solution of the inverse modal problem for the spatial parameters of mechanical and structural systems is heavily dependent on the quality of the modal parameters obtained from the experiments. While experimental and environmental noises will always exist during modal testing, the resulting modal parameters are expected to be corrupted with different levels of noise. A novel methodology is presented in this work to mitigate the errors in the eigenvectors when solving the inverse modal problem for the spatial parameters. The phases of the eigenvector component were utilized as design variables within an optimization problem that minimizes the difference between the calculated and experimental transfer functions. The equation of motion in terms of the modal and spatial parameters was used as a constraint in the optimization problem. Constraints that reserve the positive and semi-positive definiteness and the inter-connectivity of the spatial matrices were implemented using semi-definite programming. Numerical examples utilizing noisy eigenvectors with augmented Gaussian white noise of 1%, 5%, and 10% were used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method. The results showed that the proposed method is superior when compared with a known method in the literature.
From Donor to Recipient: Considerations for Blood Transfusion Outcomes Research:

Donated blood can be broken down into blood components for use in patient care. This article focuses primarily on packed red blood cells (PRBCs), as they experience breakdown during storage that ma...
Anchors: High-Precision Model-Agnostic Explanations

We introduce a novel model-agnostic system that explains the behavior of complex models with high-precision rules called anchors, representing local, "sufficient" conditions for predictions. We propose an algorithm to efficiently compute these explanations for any black-box model with high-probability guarantees. We demonstrate the flexibility of anchors by explaining a myriad of different models for different domains and tasks. In a user study, we show that anchors enable users to predict how a model would behave on unseen instances with less effort and higher precision, as compared to existing linear explanations or no explanations.
Making online courses free for everyone - an empirical study to determine the feasibility

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are free courses offered with a range of options. MOOCs have been run by several universities so as to deliver education around the globe (Mohapatra and Roy, 2012). This paper presents an empirical study of stakeholders' viewpoints, which have developed into a framework. The framework will provide guidance to those who would venture into offering open online courses. Using a sample size of 135 respondents, we have used structured equation modelling to derive the framework.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Model Checking for Vector ARMA Models

In this chapter, conditional and exact maximum likelihood (ML) estimation procedures for vector ARMA time series models are presented and their properties are examined. For conditional maximum likelihood, explicit iterative computation of the ML estimator in the form of generalized least squares estimation is presented, while for the exact likelihood method, two different approaches to computation of the exact likelihood function are developed. ML estimation of vector ARMA models under linear constraints on the parameters, and associated LR testing of the hypothesis of the linear constraints are examined. Model checking techniques for an estimated model, based on correlation matrix properties of model residuals, are also explored. The effect of parameter estimation errors on mean square error for prediction from an estimated model is also considered. Two numerical examples of fitting and checking vector ARMA models are also presented.
Project Argus: Pursuing Amateur All-Sky SETI

Project Argus, a global effort of the non-profit SETI League, Inc., seeks to achieve continuous microwave monitoring of all four pi steradians of space, in real time. Initially, Project Argus was planned as the most ambitious SETI project ever undertaken without benefit of government support, ultimately to involve 5000 small radio telescopes worldwide, built, maintained and operated by private individuals (primarily radio amateurs and microwave experimenters), coordinated so as to miss no likely candidate signals, and providing independent verification of any interesting signals detected. Though prototype stations went into operation in 1996, andsecondgeneration stations by 2000, full sky coverage is yet to be achieved.
Impact of Complexity on Population Biology

The previous chapters have demonstrated that physical chemistry, engineering, and consequently the regulatory considerations are required to develop pharmaceutical products; when scrutinized closely it involves complex and confounding variables that require a high level of control.
Green Manufacturing Through Clean Energy Supply

This chapter focuses on introducing the application of clean energy supply for conventional manufacturing systems to reduce energy-related environmental emissions. Three candidate energy sources, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and fuel cell stationary power systems are briefly introduced. The chapter then discusses the working principles and characteristics of these three clean energy technologies, the application potential of each system assessed using quantitative methods, and an example of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from a global automotive manufacturing system.
F654A and K558Q Mutations in NMDA Receptor 1 Affect Ethanol-Induced Behaviors in Drosophila.

Background N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors regulate synaptic plasticity and modulate a wide variety of behaviors. Mammalian NMDA receptors are inhibited by ethanol (EtOH) even at low concentrations. In mice, the F639A mutation in transmembrane domain (TMD) 3 of the NR1 subunit reduces EtOH sensitivity of the receptor and, in some paradigms, reduces behavioral EtOH sensitivity and increases EtOH consumption. We tested the fly equivalent of the F639A and K544Q mutations for effects on EtOH sensitivity. Drosophila shows a high degree of behavioral and mechanistic conservation in its responses to EtOH. Methods Homologous recombination and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing were used to generate amino acid changes in the Drosophila NMDAR1 gene, yielding F654A and K558Q alleles. Animals were tested for the degree of EtOH sensitivity, the ability to acquire tolerance to EtOH, EtOH drinking preference, circadian rhythmicity, learning, and locomotor defects. Results We observed that mutating the NMDAR1 channel also reduces EtOH sensitivity in adult flies. However, in flies, it was the K558Q mutation (orthologous to K544Q in mice) that reduces EtOH sensitivity in a recovery-from-sedation assay. The effects of the F654A mutation (orthologous to F639A in mice) were substantially different in flies than in mammals. In flies, F654A mutation produces phenotypes opposite those in mammals. In flies, the mutant allele is homozygous viable, does not seem to affect health, and increases EtOH sensitivity. Both mutations increased feeding but did not alter the animal's preference for 5% EtOH food. F654A depressed circadian rhythmicity and the capacity of males to court, but it did not depress the capacity for associative learning. K554Q, on the other hand, has little effect on circadian rhythmicity, only slightly suppresses male courtship, and is a strong learning mutant. Conclusions Mutations in TMD 3 and in the extracellular-vestibule calcium-binding site of the NR1 NMDA subunit affect EtOH sensitivity in Drosophila.
The mouse fetal‐placental arterial connection: A paradigm involving the primitive streak and visceral endoderm with implications for human development

In Placentalia, the fetus depends upon an organized vascular connection with its mother for survival and development. Yet, this connection was, until recently, obscure. Here, we summarize how two unrelated tissues, the primitive streak, or body axis, and extraembryonic visceral endoderm collaborate to create and organize the fetal-placental arterial connection in the mouse gastrula. The primitive streak reaches into the extraembryonic space, where it marks the site of arterial union and creates a progenitor cell pool. Through contact with the streak, associated visceral endoderm undergoes an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, contributing extraembryonic mesoderm to the placental arterial vasculature, and to the allantois, or pre-umbilical tissue. In addition, visceral endoderm bifurcates into the allantois where, with the primitive streak, it organizes the nascent umbilical artery and promotes allantoic elongation to the chorion, the site of fetal-maternal exchange. Brachyury mediates streak extension and vascular patterning, while Hedgehog is involved in visceral endoderm's conversion to mesoderm. A unique CASPASE-3-positive cell separates streak- and non-streak-associated domains in visceral endoderm. Based on these new insights at the posterior embryonic-extraembryonic interface, we conclude by asking whether so-called primordial germ cells are truly antecedents to the germ line that segregate within the allantois, or whether they are placental progenitor cells. Incorporating these new working hypotheses into mutational analyses in which the placentae are affected will aid understanding a spectrum of disorders, including orphan diseases, which often include abnormalities of the umbilical cord, yolk sac, and hindgut, whose developmental relationship to each other has, until now, been poorly understood. This article is categorized under: Birth Defects > Associated with Preimplantation and Gastrulation Early Embryonic Development > Gastrulation and Neurulation.
Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

Discovering and developing pharmaceutical drugs increasingly relies on mechanistic mathematical modeling and simulation. In immuno-oncology, models that capture causal relations among genetic drivers of oncogenesis, functional plasticity, and host immunity provide an important complement to wet experiments, given the cellular complexity and dynamics within the tumor microenvironment. Unfortunately, formulating such mechanistic cell-level models currently relies on hand curation by experts, which can bias how data is interpreted or the priority of drug targets. In modeling molecular-level networks, rules and algorithms have been developed to limit a priori biases in formulating mechanistic models. To realize an equivalent approach for cell-level networks, we combined digital cytometry with Bayesian network inference to generate causal models that link an increase in gene expression associated with oncogenesis with alterations in stromal and immune cell subsets directly from bulk transcriptomic datasets. To illustrate, we predicted how an increase in expression of Cell Communication Network factor 4 (CCN4/WISP1) altered the tumor microenvironment using data from patients diagnosed with breast cancer and melanoma. Network predictions were then tested using two immunocompetent mouse models for melanoma. In contrast to hand-curated approaches, we posit that combining digital cytometry with Bayesian network inference provides a less biased approach for elaborating mechanistic cell-level models directly from data.
Predictors of adequate lymph node dissection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and effect on survival.

Abstract Introduction Radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for refractory high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We aim to identify predictors of adequate lymph node dissection (LND) in a cohort of NMIBC patients undergoing RC, as well as its impact on clinical outcomes. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for patients who underwent RC for urothelial cell carcinoma for clinical stage Tis/a/1 N0M0 disease between 2004 and 2013. Patients were stratified by LND: none, inadequate ( Results The final cohort of 3,226 patients had a median follow-up of 39.0 months, had a mean age of 65.3 years, was 70% male, and was 81% Caucasian. Overall, 16.6% received no LND, 28.5% inadequate LND, and 55.0% adequate LND. Treatment at an academic facility, Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity score of 1, and later year of treatment were significantly associated with adequate LND. Overall survival was significantly higher with adequate LND compared to a matched-cohort of inadequate LND patients (68.7% vs. 60.6% at 5 years, P Conclusions Nearly half of NMIBC patients undergoing RC do not receive an adequate LND, despite an association with increased overall survival. Treatment at an academic facility was associated with increased likelihood of adequate LND. Initiatives to improve adequate LND in this population may be warranted.
Real-world treatment patterns among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T).

e19351Background: CAR T, approved in the US as of October 2017, impacted the treatment landscape for patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) DLBCL after ≥2 lines of therapy, but there is little ...
Multi-omic profiling of primary mouse neutrophils reveals a pattern of sex and age-related functional regulation

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells in humans and constitute one of the first lines of defense in the innate immune response. Neutrophils are extremely short-lived cells, which survive less than a day after reaching terminal differentiation. Thus, little is known about how organismal aging, rather than the daily cellular aging process, may impact neutrophil biology. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that both immunity and organismal aging are sex-dimorphic. Here, we describe a multi-omic resource of mouse primary bone marrow neutrophils from young and old female and male mice, at the transcriptomic, metabolomic and lipidomic levels. Importantly, we identify widespread age-related and sex-dimorphic regulation of 9omics9 in neutrophils, specifically regulation of chromatin. Using machine-learning, we identify candidate molecular drivers of age-related and sex-dimorphic transcriptional regulation of neutrophils. We leverage our resource to predict increased levels/release of neutrophil elastase in male mice. To date, this dataset represents the largest multi-omics resource for the study of neutrophils across biological sex and ages. This resource identifies molecular states linked to neutrophil characteristics linked to organismal age or sex, which could be targeted to improve immune responses across individuals.
Characterization of Gut Microbiome in Liver Transplant Recipients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are a growing problem globally and recur even after liver transplant (LT). We aim to characterize the gut dysbiosis in patients who developed recurrent NAFLD compared with patients without recurrence following LT. Methods Twenty-one patients who received LT for NASH and had a protocol liver biopsy performed beyond 1-y post-LT were included prospectively (January 2018-December 2018). Genomic DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing, and quantitative PCR analysis were performed on stool samples collected within 1.1 ± 1.6 y from time of liver biopsy. Results Recurrent NAFLD was noted in 15 of the 21 included patients. Stool microbiome analysis at the genus level showed significant loss of Akkermansia and increasing Fusobacterium associated with NAFLD recurrence. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed significantly decreased relative abundance of Firmicutes in patients with NAFLD activity scores (NASs) ≥5 as compared with patients with lower NAS scores, whereas Bacteroidetes were significantly increased with higher NAS (P < 0.05). Firmicutes (P = 0.007) and Bifidobacterium group (P = 0.037) were inversely correlated, whereas Bacteroidetes (P = 0.001) showed a positive correlation with higher hepatic steatosis content. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios were higher in patients without NAFLD or NASH as compared with patients diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH at the time of sample collection. Conclusions Akkermansia, Firmicutes, and Bifidobacterium may play protective roles in the development of recurrent NAFLD in LT recipients, whereas Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes may play pathogenic roles. These findings highlight the potential role of the "gut-liver" axis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD recurrence after LT.
Board structure, mergers, and shareholder wealth: A study of the mutual fund industry

We study mutual fund mergers between 1999 and 2001 to understand the role and effectiveness of fund boards. Some fund mergers—typically across-family mergers—benefit target shareholders but are costly to target fund directors. Such mergers are more likely when funds underperform and their boards have a larger percentage of independent trustees, suggesting that more-independent boards tolerate less underperformance before initiating across-family mergers. This effect is most pronounced when all of the fund's directors are independent, not the 75% level of independence required by the SEC. Higher-paid target fund boards are less likely to approve across-family mergers that cause substantial reductions in their compensation.
Mining Colocation from Big Geo-Spatial Event Data on GPU

This chapter investigates the colocation pattern mining problem for big spatial event data. Colocation patterns refer to subsets of spatial features whose instances are frequently located together. The problem is important in many applications such as analyzing relationships of crimes or disease with various environmental factors, but is computationally challenging due to a large number of instances, the potentially exponential number of candidate patterns, and high computational cost in generating pattern instances. Existing colocation mining algorithms (e.g., Apriori algorithm, multi-resolution filter, partial join and joinless approaches) are mostly sequential, and thus can be insufficient for big spatial event data. Recently, parallel colocation mining algorithms have been developed based on the Map-reduce framework. However, these algorithms need a large number of nodes to scale up, which is economically expensive, and their reducer nodes have a bottleneck of aggregating all instances of the same colocation patterns. Another work proposes a parallel colocation mining algorithm on GPU based on the iCPI tree and the joinless approach, but assumes that the number of neighbors for each instance is within a small constant, and thus may be inefficient when instances are dense and unevenly distributed. To address these limitations, we introduce a grid-based GPU colocation mining algorithm that includes a cell aggregate based upper bound filter, and two refinement algorithms. We prove the correctness and completes of the GPU algorithms. Experimental results on both real world data and synthetic data show that the GPU algorithms are promising with over 30 times speedup on up to millions of instances.
Does post-disaster aid promote community resilience? Evidence from federal disaster programs

Climate- and weather-related disasters have become increasingly frequent and costly, resulting in substantial government spending on disaster assistance. Yet less is known about the effectiveness of disaster aid in enhancing community resilience to future disaster risks. This study examines multiple post-disaster aid programs implemented by the US federal government to support state and local governments as well as households and private businesses. Specifically, we estimate the risk-mitigating effects of these disaster-related programs by linking program spending with reported economic losses from flooding. Our empirical analysis utilizing panel data at the county level finds that low-interest disaster loans lead to the largest reduction in subsequent flooding damage, and grants targeting public infrastructure restoration and flood control measures also reduce future flooding losses. Results suggest a limited loss-mitigating effect of disaster cash aid given to private individuals. These findings provide important implications for federal disaster policy design and suggest that more efficiency gains could be realized by redistributing funds and streamlining processes across programs and agencies.
Improved body image after uterovaginal prolapse surgery with or without hysterectomy.

The objective was to compare body image and sexual activity and function changes up to 3 years after sacrospinous ligament fixation with graft hysteropexy or vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (hysterectomy). This was a planned secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized trial of women undergoing prolapse repair with mesh hysteropexy versus hysterectomy. Women were masked to intervention. The modified Body Image Scale (BIS), sexual activity status, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR) scores were reported at baseline and 1.5, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months after surgery. We compared mean BIS and PISQ-IR scores, the proportion of women whose BIS scores met a distribution-based estimate of the minimally important difference (MID), and sexual activity status. Comparisons were analyzed with linear and logistic repeated measures models adjusted for site, intervention, visit, and intervention by visit interaction. Eighty-eight women underwent mesh hysteropexy; 87 underwent hysterectomy. Women were similar with regard to baseline characteristics, mean age 65.9 ± 7.3 years, and most had stage III or IV prolapse (81%). Baseline mean BIS scores were not significantly different, improved in both groups by 1.5 months, and were sustained through 36 months with no differences between groups (all p > 0.05). The estimated BIS MID was 3; and by 36 months, more women in the mesh hysteropexy group achieved the MID than in the hysterectomy group (62% vs 44%, p = 0.04). The makeup of the sexually active cohort changed throughout the study, making function comparisons difficult. Body image improves following prolapse surgery whether or not hysterectomy is performed or transvaginal mesh is used at the time of repair; sexual activity status changes over time following prolapse surgery.
Thirty Years of Antipsychotic Drug Analysis

Interest in measurement of psychotropic drugs in biological fluids dates back to -1955, soon after the introduction of chlorpromazine into psychiatry [1]. It was quickly realized that studies of chlorpromazine in regard to its disposition and metabolism, and detection in urine as a means of assessing compliance, would be useful [2]. Early attempts involved UV spectrophotometry and colorimetry, with or without prior derivatization [3]. However, it was not till GC-ECD was applied that sufficient sensitivity for plasma was achieved [4, 5]. Over the years, nitrogen detectors, mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography have been used [6–12]. Basically* the strategy has had to continuously evolve to keep up with knowledge about metabolites of the drugs concerned [13–20].
CONTRAILS: A tool for rapid identification of transgene integration sites in complex, repetitive genomes using low-coverage paired-end sequencing

Transgenic crops have become a staple in modern agriculture, and are typically characterized using a variety of molecular techniques involving proteomics and metabolomics. Characterization of the transgene insertion site is of great interest, as disruptions, deletions, and genomic location can affect product selection and fitness, and identification of these regions and their integrity is required for regulatory agencies. Here, we present CONTRAILS (Characterization of Transgene Insertion Locations with Sequencing), a straightforward, rapid and reproducible method for the identification of transgene insertion sites in highly complex and repetitive genomes using low coverage paired-end Illumina sequencing and traditional PCR. This pipeline requires little to no troubleshooting and is not restricted to any genome type, allowing use for many molecular applications. Using whole genome sequencing of in-house transgenic Glycine max, a legume with a highly repetitive and complex genome, we used CONTRAILS to successfully identify the location of a single T-DNA insertion to single base resolution.
Approximations for Aligned Coloring and Spillage Minimization in Interval and Chordal Graphs

We consider the problem of aligned coloring of interval and chordal graphs. These problems have substantial applications to register allocation in compilers and have recently been proven NP-Hard. We provide the first constant approximations: a $\frac{4}{3}$-approximation for interval graphs and a $\frac{3}{2}$-approximation for chordal graphs. We extend our techniques to the problem of minimizing spillage in these graph types.
A Fast Modular Multiplication Algorithm with Application to Two Key Cryptography

This paper presents an algorithm which will perform multiplication modulo C in [log2C] + 7 clock pulses.
Symbolic State-Space Generation of Asynchronous Systems Using Extensible Decision Diagrams

We propose a new type of canonical decision diagrams, which allows a more efficient symbolic state-space generation for general asynchronous systems by allowing on-the-fly extension of the possible state variable domains. After implementing both breadth-first and saturation-based state-space generation with this new data structure in our tool ${\rm S\kern-.11em\raise.39ex\hbox{\sc m}\kern-.22em A\kern-.21em\raise.39ex\hbox{\sc r}\kern-.16emT}$, we are able to exhibit substantial efficiency improvements with respect to traditional "static" decision diagrams. Since our previous works demonstrated that saturation outperforms breadth-first approaches, saturation with this new structure is now arguably the state-of-the-art algorithm for symbolic state-space generation of asynchronous systems.
Neoblastic jadeitic pyroxene in Franciscan metagreywackes from Pacheco Pass, central Diablo Range, California, and implications for the inferred metamorphic P‐T trajectory

Abstract Textural, chemical, and areal relations of jadeitic pyroxene‐bearing, quartzose metagreywackes near Pacheco Pass, east‐central California Coast Ranges, indicate that: Na‐clinopyroxene is a newly generated mineral rather than clastic material; pumpellyite is a minor or nonexistent neoblastic phase in associated albite‐bearing metagreywackes, hence growth of jadeitic pyroxene must have resulted from a reaction of the sort chlorite + Na‐plagioclase + iron oxide = jadeitic pyroxene + glaucophane + lawsonite + quartz ± H2O; and, because of sluggish reaction rates, sodic plagioclase persisted in a metastable condition into the higher pressure, nearly end‐member jadeitic pyroxene + quartz P‐T field. Irregular zoning within single jadeitic pyroxene prisms and variable clino‐pyroxene/albite modes unrelated to Na‐clinopyroxene compositions are consequences of kinetics rather than reflecting equilibrium recrystallisation within a P‐T transition zone; high‐pressure overstepping of the stability boundary can ...
GENETIC VARIATION AND COVARIATION IN FLORAL ALLOCATION OF TWO SPECIES OF SCHIEDEA WITH CONTRASTING LEVELS OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM

The evolution of sexual dimorphism depends in part on the additive genetic variance-covariance matrices within females, within males, and across the sexes. We investigated quantitative genetics of floral biomass allocation in females and hermaphrodites of gynodioecious Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae). The G-matrices within females (G(f)), within hermaphrodites (G(m)), and between sexes (B) were compared to those for the closely related S. salicaria, which exhibits a lower frequency of females and less-pronounced sexual dimorphism. Additive genetic variation was detected in all measured traits in S. adamantis, with narrow-sense heritability from 0.34-1.0. Female allocation and floral size traits covaried more tightly than did those traits with allocation to stamens. Between-sex genetic correlations were all <1, indicating sex-specific expression of genes. Common principal-components analysis detected differences between G(f) and G(m) , suggesting potential for further independent evolution of the sexes. The two species of Schiedea differed in G(m) and especially so in G(f) , with S. adamantis showing greater genetic variation in capsule mass and tighter genetic covariation between female allocation traits and flower size in females. Despite greater sexual dimorphism in S. adamantis, genetic correlations between the two sexes (standardized elements of B) were similar to correlations between sexes in S. salicaria.
The Effect of Glucose on the Response of Peripheral Nerve to Anoxia (P1.068)

OBJECTIVE: Elucidate the effects of glucose concentration on peripheral nerve during anoxia in an in-vitro system. BACKGROUND: : There is evidence that certain neuropathies such as critical illness polyneuropathy are worsened by hyperglycemia. In addition there is evidence that diabetic neuropathy may in part be related to the effects of anoxia. Studying the effects of glucose on peripheral nerve is much simpler in an in-vitro system where glucose can be well controlled than in an in-vivo system. DESIGN/METHODS: The acute effects of glucose concentration on the nerve action potential (NAP) were investigated for concentrations between 0mmol/l and 55.5mmol/l in an in-vitro system using rat sciatic nerve. The effects of glucose were investigated both in nerves exposed to oxygenated perfusate and those subjected to intermittent anoxia. Multiple aspects of the NAP were analyzed including amplitude, area under the curve, duration, velocity and paired pulse response. RESULTS: The amplitude of the NAP remained stable throughout an entire 12 hour experiment for glucose concentrations in the range 2.8-5.6 mmol/l but when the glucose concentration was lower than 2.8 mmol/l or greater than 27.8 mmol/l, the amplitude of the NAP declined. The deleterious effects of hyperglycemia (>=27.8mmol/l) or hypoglycemia (<4.2mmol/l) were more pronounced in nerves exposed to intermittent anoxia. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms in an in-vitro model, the importance of glucose concentration for nerve function especially under periods of anoxia. Study Supported by: Winthrop University Hospital Disclosure: Dr. Stecker has received personal compensation for activities in legal cases. Dr. Stecker has received royalty payments for articles in UpToDate. Dr. Stevenson has nothing to disclose.
Persona-Storyboard Fusion: A Hybrid Approach to Improving Design Artifacts

We propose and explore a novel method for fusing personas and storyboards in iteration by novice and expert designers. Personas have been shown to provide benefits to designers in understanding their users and keeping them in mind while designing. Storyboards have been shown to facilitate the communication of process between designers and users, and between designers and developers. Our process demonstrates the power and limitations of personas and storyboards, seeking to improve the design artifacts’ ability to inform the analysis of a product, and the resulting design implications. We describe the application of our process in a product design exercise. Through our study we saw the fusion of personas and storyboards facilitate the teaching of design.
Direct effect of bombesin on pancreatic and gastric growth in suckling rats.

Abstract Bombesin stimulates growth of the stomach and pancreas in adult rats. Part of this effect is thought to be through the release of CCK following bombesin treatment. We studied the effect of long term administration of bombesin on the pancreas and stomach in suckling rats and examined the action of bombesin using specific CCK antagonist (CR-1409) and bombesin antagonists (GRP19–26, d -Phe19, Leu 26 CH 2 NHCOCH 3 = cpd 17 ; L -686,095-001 C 002 = cpd 23 ). Rat pups (7-days-old) were given bombesin (20 μg/kg body wt. twice a day) or vehicle (1% gelatin) for 9 days. Bombesin stimulated pancreatic and gastric growth (tissue weight, total protein and DNA content all increased). Pancreatic trypsinogen concentration and content showed a 2–3-fold increase. CR-1409 at 6 mg/kg body wt., a dose that blocked the trophic action of CCK-33 when given to pups at similar ages, did not affect the bombesin-stimulated growth of the pancreas or the increase in trypsinogen level. At 2.4 mg/kg body wt., cpd 17 partially blocked and cpd 23 completely blocked the trophic effect of bombesin on the pancreas and stomach and the increase in trypsinogen level in the pancreas. RU-486, a type II glucorticoid receptor antagonist, given at a dose sufficient to block the physiological action of glucocorticoid, had no effect on bombesin-stimulated growth of the pancreas. Thus, in vivo, bombesin acts directly on the neonatal pancreas and stomach.
Incidence and Survival of Colorectal Cancer Among Hispanics in the United States: A Population-Based Study

Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the United States (US). We evaluated the incidence and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) among this population. Data from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program were used to calculate CRC age-adjusted and age-specific incidence rates in Hispanics during 1993–2007. Temporal trends in CRC incidence were examined using annual percent change (APC) and Poisson regression. The 1- and 5-year survival rates were calculated. The annual age-adjusted incidence rates for CRC in Hispanics of all ages declined from 47.4 per 100,000 in 1993–1997 to 43.8 per 100,000 in 2003–2007, with an APC during 1993–2007 equal to −0.8/year. However, there was a 45 % increase in CRC incidence among Hispanic men and women aged 20–49 years that affected both the right and left colon. The proportions of CRC cases with regional (+37 %) and distant (+18 %) spread increased, now constituting 72 % of cases diagnosed at that age. The Poisson model confirmed the increasing CRC incidence in Hispanics aged 20–49 years during 1993–2007 while adjusting for sex and geographic region. The 1-year survival improved in younger Hispanics from approximately 86 % in 1993–1997 to 91 % in 2003–2007 with no significant improvement in 5-year survival. In Hispanics aged >50 years, no significant improvements in survival were observed. The incidence of CRC in young Hispanic men and women has increased in the US. Most are diagnosed with regional or distant disease. No significant improvement in long-term survival was observed in young Hispanics with CRC.
Morphological effects to carrier mobility in a RO-PPV/SF-PPV donor/acceptor binary thin film opto-electronic device

Abstract Electrode injected charge carrier mobility in a–DBAB-type block copolymer thin film has been found 2–3 orders of magnitudes better then in a corresponding D/A simple blend film, where D is a p-type conjugated and rigid semiconducting polymer segment, A is a n-type conjugated and rigid semiconducting polymer segment, and B is a non-conjugated and flexible chain. Since the charge carrier injection density and total injected charge carriers are the same, the dramatic enhancement of carrier mobility is therefore attributed mainly to a smoother carrier transport pathway which is the result of the block copolymer thin film donor/acceptor phase separated and bi-continuous morphology. Such morphological differences are also evidenced from preliminary electron microscopic images. The–DBAB-type of block copolymer is therefore very promising for developing high efficient plastic electrical and opto-electronic devices where carrier mobility is critical.
Organic/Inorganic Langmuir−Blodgett Films Based on Metal Phosphonates. 5. A Magnetic Manganese Phosphonate Film Including a Tetrathiafulvalene Amphiphile1

Mixed organic/inorganic Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films have been prepared in which the polar network is a manganese phosphonate continuous lattice and the organic network contains a substituted tetrathiafulvalene amphiphile. The bis(phosphonic acid) amphiphile, 2,3-bis[(4‘-phosphonobutyl)thio]-6,7-bis(tetradecylthio)tetrathiafulvalene, 1, has been synthesized and deposited from an aqueous Mn2+ subphase to form Y-type LB films with stoichiometry Mn2(1)(H2O)2. Since the amphiphile is a bis(phosphonate), the inorganic network forms the Mn(O3PR)H2O structure known in other manganese phosphonate LB films and layered solids. The film becomes magnetic near 11.5 K when the manganese phosphonate network orders as a canted antiferromagnet. Attempts to subsequently oxidize the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) network did not result in stable phases. Structural characterization was aided by the synthesis of a solid-state manganese bis(phosphonate) model compound, Mn2(2)(H2O)2, where 2 is the ligand 2,3-bis[(2‘-phosphonoethyl)t...
A field investigation of the effects of drinking consequences on young adults' readiness to change.

Abstract In the research on readiness to change (RTC) one's drinking, there has been little assessment of the influence of positive drinking consequences or other potential moderating variables. To address these limitations, we examined how young adults' RTC their alcohol consumption shortly following a drinking episode was associated with self-reported drinking consequences, as well as any potential moderating effects of gender and Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC). In street interviews outside bars, 238 young adults were administered questionnaires about their drinking, including a measure examining participants' current readiness to reduce their alcohol consumption. Within 72 h of their drinking episode, 67 participants (36 males; entire sample M age = 20.90 years, Range = 18–26 years) completed an online survey, once again measuring RTC as well as positive and negative drinking consequences. Consistent with our hypothesis, positive drinking consequences were negatively associated with participants' changes in RTC. Additionally, a three-way interaction of gender × BrAC × positive drinking consequences on RTC showed that females with low BrACs reported higher RTC scores when they had endorsed fewer positive drinking consequences. Interestingly, negative drinking consequences alone did not impact individuals' RTC. Because positive drinking consequences were a significantly better predictor of RTC than were negative drinking consequences, researchers are advised to examine both types of consequences in future studies. Finally, effective alcohol education programs for those who have never consumed alcohol as well as social drinkers should include consideration of the experience of positive outcomes.
In Vitro Simulation of Deep Knee Flexion Using Static and Dynamic Machines

Experimental testing with cadaveric tissue allows the application of controlled loads and/or motions while still maintaining the inherent variability in the anatomy and soft tissue of the specimens. Multi-axial dynamic loading of tissue allows for experiments to be conducted that simulate conditions approaching physiological. Knee simulators have been used to generate physiological loading on the human knee to study kinematics, soft tissue loading, and joint contact pressure. These machines have been used to investigate injury, surgical outcomes, and prosthetic design. While there are a number of different geometries for knee loading devices, most are based on the Oxford rig design [1] with a vertical orientation of the leg where the hip is able to translate up and down while allowing flexion at the hip, knee, and ankle. The foot or ankle can have a variety of constraints and degrees of freedom. One of the recent areas of interest in knee biomechanics is the role different structures of the knee play during deep knee flexion activities. This is of particular interest to the orthopedic industry because of the common complaint regarding a feeling of a loss of stability during high flexion activities for post-TKR patients and the prevalence of high-flexion activities in emerging worldwide markets. The objective of this abstract is to describe two knee loading devices that have been used to study knee biomechanics, and most recently high flexion motion, and present some representative data from these tools.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Effect of Glyphosate on the Development of Pseudosuccinea columella Snails

Glyphosate (Roundup) is one of the most commonly used broad-spectrum herbicides with little to no hazard to animals, man, or the environment. Due to its widespread use, there is continuous contamination of the environment in both soil and water with this herbicide. There is a paucity of long-term exposure studies with sublethal concentrations of glyphosate on aquatic snails. This study was developed to determine the effects of sublethal concentrations of glyphosate on development and survival of Pseudosuccinea columella (intermediate snail host of Fasciola hepatica). This was assessed by continuously exposing three successive generations of snails to varying concentrations (0.1–10 mg/L) of glyphosate. Glyphosate had little effect on the first- and second-generation snails. However, third-generation snail embryos exposed to 1.0 mg/L glyphosate developed much faster than other embryos exposed to 0.1 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 0 mg/L (control). Hatching was inhibited at 10 mg/L and inhibited slightly at 0.1 mg/L. The egg-laying capacity was increased in snails exposed to 0.1 and 10 mg/L. Abnormalities and polyembryony were observed in snails exposed to 0.1 and 10 mg/L. These results indicate that glyphosate does affect snail reproduction and development. This, in turn, could possibly have an effect on the population dynamics of F. hepatica, which could result in increased infections in animals, including man.