cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A framework to construct post‐disaster housing

Purpose – Natural disasters often destroy hundreds of homes that leave victims homeless and leads to community displacement. In the USA, such disasters happen over 60 times per year. This leads to logistical and contractual nightmare for the planning agencies and political/community leaders required to provide shelter for displaced citizens. One of the most important challenges for the policy makers and aid providers is to make homes available to the homeless victims in as short a period as possible. Temporary shelter is costly and often excessively delayed. Also quality and long stay (more than four years for the Katrina victims) in temporary shelter affected victims both mentally and physically. The aim of this paper is to propose a strategic framework that assists responsible entities to provide housing to the disaster victims in a short period of time, for example to construct 200 homes in 30 days after disaster (representing a subdivision).Design/methodology/approach – The main objective of this rese...
A method for multiple channel recovery in TDMA wireless communications systems

A single base repeater failure in time division multiple access (TDMA) wireless systems causes all active calls on this base repeater to be dropped. In order to increase system end-to-end availability, a multiple channel recovery method for TDMA wireless systems is proposed in this paper. By applying the method, when a base repeater fails, the channels of active calls carried by the base repeater are replaced by working channels in the channel pool of the base site. All the active calls continue without the intervention of end users. The method deals not only with the failure and recovery of base repeaters, but also with the channel failure recovery in handoff processes, transient channel failures, and new call setup processes. To predict system availability and performance, hierarchical stochastic reward net models are developed for analyzing channel allocation, base repeater failure/repair, and channel recovery. The results show that the recovery method can nearly eliminate dropped calls when the traffic load is light, and can dramatically reduce dropped calls when the traffic load is normal. The price we pay is a slightly increased blocking probability, nearly transparent to the end users.
1156 INFANTILE SPASMS: EVALUATION OF A STANDARDIZED TREATMENT REGIMEN

Infantile spasms have been considered refractory seizures carrying a poor prognosis for seizure control and intellectual devlopment. Treatment with conventional anticonvulsants, ACTH and corticosteroids, as well as newer agents such as nitrazepam, diazepam and clonazepam have produced variable results for seizure control, but they have all been associated with extremely high recurrence rates. Therefore, they have not been shown to alter the natural history of this seizure disorder. This study presents an analysis of a standardized treatment regimen using ACTH in treating infantile spasms. Data is presented relating to each patient's neurologic status and seizure incidence on treatment and after a prolonged period of follow-up averaging 50 months. Fifty-five patients initially received ACTH, 40 units qd while hospitalized, followed by 80 units qod for a minimum of 3 months at home. The dosage was maintained at this level while improvement was being shown in seizure frequency and EEG pattern. ACTH was then tapered slowly. Thirty-one patients were treated within 1 month (GpI) and 24 patients more than 1 month after seizure onset (GpII). Complete seizure control of 87% of GpI patients and 56% of GpII patients (P<0.05) was achieved on ACTH. The recurrence rate was 3.2% for GpI and 12.5% for GpII patients. The seizure control rate for GpI surpasses previously reported studies in which recurrence rate of 33-67% have resulted in overall seizure control rates of only 15-40%. Our results substantiate the use of early and prolonged high dose ACTH therapy for infantile spasms.
Clozapine treatment of schizophrenia: implications for forensic psychiatry

Clozapine, a new antipsychotic medication, is now the first-line treatment for neuroleptic refractory schizophrenia. Preliminary observations on its efficacy in treating schizophrenic patients with co-morbid substance abuse and, particularly, schizophrenic patients with persistent aggressive behaviour suggests that clozapine may provide a useful treatment option in forensic patient populations. Potential applications of clozapine and management considerations that are relevant to the forensic setting are discussed.
Liquid chromatography of tomato paste serum with sample preparation by ultrafiltration

Description d'une technique de purification des echantillons permettant l'elimination a environ 99 % des proteines presentes en vue de l'analyse ulterieure par chromatographie liquide haute performance. Le serum deproteine peut ensuite etre directement injecte en colonne de CLHP pour le dosage de l'hydroxymethyl-furfural
Reactive Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere

The emissions of reactive volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources and the subsequent interaction of these organic compounds with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight lead to the formation of photochemical air pollution, now recognized to affect much of Europe, the United States, and many regions and urban areas elsewhere around the world. The past decade has seen the realization that emissions of organic compounds from biogenic sources (principally from vegetation) may be comparable to, or even dominate over, emissions of organic compounds from anthropogenic sources. Biogenic organics therefore play an important role in the chemistry of the troposphere and influence control strategies aimed at reducing the exposure of human populations to ozone and other manifestations of photochemical air pollution. Organic compounds also are involved in the formation of secondary organic aerosol, the formation of acids in the atmosphere, the potential for global warming, and, for chlorine- and bromine-containing compounds, stratospheric ozone depletion.
Ultra-trace determination of Se in sediments by electrothermal vaporizer-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy: use of the ETV as a thermochemical reactor

The performance of electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS) was evaluated for the ultra-trace determination of total selenium in sediment reference materials. Citric acid, when combined with an appropriate thermal program, promoted the early release of Se in a molecular form from the graphite surface, effecting a separation of the analyte from the concomitant matrix, thereby demonstrating the use of the ETV as a thermochemical reactor. No special sample pretreatment is needed and an absolute detection limit of 10 pg was achieved. Concentrations of Se in different sediment CRMs were determined and results obtained by both isotope dilution (ID) and standard addition (SA) methodologies were compared and evaluated. Mass bias effects prevented accurate application of ID techniques.
Characterization of hydroxyl free radical mediated damage to plasmid pBR322 DNA

Abstract We have investigated hydroxyl free radical mediated damage to pBR322 DNA produced by ascorbate/iron and oxygen in a phosphate-buffered in vitro system. An observed lag phase in DNA nicking suggests a multi-target model of hydroxyl free radical attack on DNA. In the present report we further examine the model system and show that there is a “heat labile” component of the ascorbate/iron system which can be completely restored by the readdition of ascorbate. These observations have allowed us to rule out the possibility that intermediates build up in reaction and act independently of ascorbate to increase the reaction rate. We have investigated the initial rate of OH production with two OH trapping agents, salicylate and deoxyguanosine, and find that the lag in DNA nicking is not due to a corresponding lag in the production of OH as assessed by formation of the products, dihydroxybenzoic acids and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, respectively. We have found that the energy of activation for DNA supercoiled nicking is 13.9 kcal/mole and for OH trapping by salicylate is 21.1 kcal/nmole. These two activation energies are sufficiently different to suggest that the rate-limiting steps of these two reactions are different. Investigation of the rate of oxygen consumption during the ascorbate/iron-mediated DNA damage showed that oxygen was not a limiting component at any point in the reaction. The addition of catalase slowed down oxygen consumption by 31% and this data taken together with our previous observations on the model implicate hydrogen peroxide as a key intermediate in DNA damage caused by hydroxyl free radical.
More confident trauma resuscitation team leaders: a novel simulation-based training curriculum utilizing video feedback

There are deficiencies in trauma leader performance. Simulation training and video-based feedback can lead to durable changes in behavior. A trauma resuscitation team leader training curriculum was developed. The curriculum consisted of eight simulated trauma scenarios with a mix of acuities and injury patterns using patient simulators. Other team members included a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a chief resident, a trauma nurse, a medical student, and presenting emergency medicine staff. Each scenario was followed by video-based feedback. Attitudes regarding this curriculum were evaluated before and after the intervention with Likert-based surveys. Eight residents completed the curriculum . On a seven-point Likert scale, the median overall curriculum rating, the video discussion quality, the plan to apply leadership skills, and the plan to apply learned knowledge and behaviors was 7/7. A Wilcoxon Sign-Rank test showed improved confidence for leading Level 1 trauma resuscitations, improved beliefs in adequate training, and improved attitudes regarding team leader training (P<0.05). There was reduced nervousness of being the team leader (P=0.048). Qualitative analyses showed that the learners valued the feedback process and scenario realism. This pilot curriculum was well-received by trauma residents and offers insight into meta-cognition of trauma team leaders.
Gene reactivation in erythrocytes: nuclear transplantation in oocytes and eggs of Rana

Adult erythrocyte nuclei of Rana, transplanted and incubated in the cytoplasm of maturing oocytes, direct matured oocytes to form swimming tadpoles. These results demonstrate that nuclei of noncycling and terminally differentiated erythrocytes contain the genes to specify tadpole development, and conditioning these nuclei in the cytoplasm of oocytes leads to a widespread reactivation of dormant genes.
Foliar pests of watermelon in Hawaii

Abstract Foliar pests of watermelon in Hawaii include Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari; Tetranychidae) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleurodidae). In studies in 43 commercial plantings arthropod pest densities remained below density treatment levels (DTLs) without weekly pesticide applications. T. palmi and A. gossypii were the major foliar pests on Oahu (1984–1985) and Molokai (1986) because DTLs were surpassed between 12 and 41 % of the survey dates. The occasions T. palmi and A. gossypii surpassed DTLs varied with locality and in the latter species with the presence of non‐persistent transmitted viruses. Liriomyza spp., T. cinnabarinus and T. vaporariorum densities surpassed DTLs less than 11 % of the survey dates.
On the mechanism of modification of radiation effect by dimethyl sulfoxide.

Es wurde die fruher in vivo beobachtete dichotome Wechselwirkung zwischen Dimethylsulfoxid (DMSO) und Rontgenstrahlen in vitro an einem System von Saugetierzellen untersucht. Wird 3% DMSO vor der Bestrahlung zugefugt, so wirkt es als Radioprotektor, gleichgultig, ob unmittelbar nach der Bestrahlung entfernt oder wahrend der Reparationszeit belassen. Das Uberleben wird auffallend erhoht, wenn eine Konzentration von 15% DMSO wahrend der Bestrahlung vorhanden ist oder aber unmittelbar danach entfernt wird. Verbleibt der Wirkstoff wahrend der Reparationszeit, so kommt es zu einer drastischen Herabsetzung der Uberlebensquote.
Static and dynamic responses of an electromagnetic bistable–bidirectional microactuator on a single silicon substrate

Abstract The aim of this paper is to characterize the static and dynamic response of a bistable–bidirectional microactuator. The bidirectional mechanism is generated from the interaction between the CoNiMnP magnet and the Au microcoil. The bistable mechanism is generated from the interaction between the CoNiMnP magnet and the soft magnetic (NiFe) base. The microactuator is entirely fabricated by surface micromachining on top of a single silicon wafer. The overall diameter ( D overall ) of the microactuator is 1600 μm. The overall height ( H overall ) is approximately 600 μm, including the thickness of the silicon wafer. A Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) is used to test the microactuator. Test results show that the latching mechanism occurs at the membrane minimum displacement ( d min ), −21 μm. An operational current ( I coil ) and power ( P coil ) as low as 13.9 mA and 1.39 mW are required to perform this latching mechanism. The membrane maximum displacement ( d max ) is found to be 29 μm; it is achieved at I coil = 0.13 A and P coil = 130 mW. There are two different latching times observed from the experiments, a static latching time ( t latch_st ) and a dynamic latching time ( t latch_dy ). The t latch_st is found to be 2.5 ms. The t latch_dy varies with I coil and the smallest observed value is 0.18 ms.
On the distribution of material as a function of temperature in the post-flare loop system of 12 August 1970

Observations of the post-flare loop system formed after the east limb proton flare of 12 August 1970 include (a) sets of filtergrams from which photographic subtractions have been constructed and (b) spectra from which a distribution of electron density as a function of temperature for three coronal regions are derived. The filtergrams show no indications of radial velocities in excess of 80 km/s. The spectra indicate an increase in density at the tops of the loops with most of the material at a relatively cool temperature: N e ≃ 6.0 × 1010, T = 3 × 105K. The distribution functions obtained for areas just above and just below loops indicate a lower electron density and the presence of material at high temperatures, N e ≃ 2.0 × 1010 and T ≃ 2.6 × 106K (above the loops) and T e > > 4.4 × 106K for material below the loops.
Evidence for metabolic adaptation to flooding inLeavenworthia uniflora

Leavenworthia uniflora (Cruciferae) is a winter annual that is restricted to shallow, limestone soils that are subject to waterlogging from late autumn to early spring. To determine its responses and adaptations to waterlogged soil, the effect of flooding on growth and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was studied. During a 31-day growth period, the average relative growth rate of plants grown in flooded soil was 54 mg g−1 d−1, and that of plants grown in unflooded soil was 68 mg g−1 d−1. Flooding did not cause an increase in ADH activity, implying that ethanol did not accumulate, and thatL. uniflora is metabolically adapted to growing with its roots under anaerobic conditions.
Filming the family: a documentary film to educate clinicians about family caregivers of patients with brain tumors.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the educational value of a documentary film about family caregiving for patients with brain tumors. The method used in this study is a pre–post survey among neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologist, and other clinician viewers. Viewers evaluated the film highly and reported an intention to change their practice as a result of watching the film. Following viewing, participants felt more strongly that “all families of patients with brain cancers should meet with a social worker” (P = 0.01) and that “family caregivers greatly impact the health of patients” (P = 0.002), and they were less likely to believe that “supporting family caregivers is primarily someone else's job” (P = 0.009). A documentary film about family caregiving is an effective educational tool to increase awareness among neurosurgery/neuro-oncology clinicians about the importance and needs of family caregivers of patients with brain tumors.
Crime and Crime Prevention in China A Challenge to the Development-Crime Nexus

Since China's new open door policy, major economic and social changes have occurred as well as a demonstrated increase in official and victim survey reports on crime. The patterns of crime and characteristics of offenders parallels that of Western societies, but the rate of crime is still very low. A major increase in crime is not necessarily an outcome of development, where cultural and social history and philosophy have established strong prevention roots. The most recent literature on changes occurring in China are reviewed within theoretical perspectives linking development and crime: Durkheimian Modernization, Marxist, and Victimological. Chinese programs and crime-prevention policies are discussed and evaluated based on individual and systemic correlates of crime and the theoretical needs for prevention. Chinese culture and tradition are seen as preventive mechanisms in and of themselves and, therefore, need to be reinforced as China experiences major social change.
Increased hippocampal NgR1 signaling machinery in aged rats with deficits of spatial cognition

Myelin-associated inhibitor/NgR1 signaling has important roles in modulation of synaptic plasticity, with demonstrated effects on cognitive function. We have previously demonstrated that NgR1 and its ligands are upregulated in the hippocampus of aged rats with impaired spatial learning and memory, but it is unknown whether increased expression of these proteins indicates a potential increase in pathway signaling because NgR1 requires co-receptors for signal transduction through RhoA. Two co-receptor complexes have been identified to date, comprised of NgR1 and LINGO-1, and either p75 or TROY. In this study, we assessed the expression of LINGO-1, p75 and TROY, and the downstream effector RhoA in mature adult (12 months) and aged (26 months) male Fischer 344/Brown Norway hybrid rats classified as cognitively impaired or cognitively intact by Morris water maze testing. The hippocampal distribution of NgR1 and its co-receptors was assessed to determine whether receptor/co-receptor interaction, and therefore signaling through this pathway, is possible. Protein expression of LINGO-1, p75, TROY and RhoA was significantly elevated in cognitively impaired, but not intact, aged rats compared with mature adults, and expression levels correlated significantly with water maze performance. Co-localization of NgR1 with LINGO-1, p75 and TROY was observed in hippocampal neurons of aged, cognitively impaired rats. Further, expression profiles of NgR1 pathway components were demonstrated to classify rats as cognitively intact or cognitively impaired with high accuracy. Together, this suggests that hippocampal induction of this pathway is a conserved phenomenon in cognitive decline that may impair learning and memory by suppressing neuronal plasticity.
Genetics content in the graduate audiology curriculum: a survey of academic programs.

Astounding progress has been made in the identification and characterization of genes for hearing loss, which has led to an increasing role of genetics evaluation and testing in the diagnostic proc...
Experimental assessment of tinnitus aurium

A 32-year-old male volunteer with an eight year history of chronic unilateral tinnitus (ear-ringing) participated in a behavioral assessment strategy that included a series of measurement and modification procedures. A psychophysical matching technique was employed throughout a planned combination of procedures to assess and manipulate the intensity or loudness of tinnitus responses. Following baseline assessment, measurements were conducted at varying times of the day, concomitant with exposure to music, during progressive relaxation training, and under conditions of caffeine consumption. The value of careful assessment to describe cues and conditions associated with tinnitus and its reduction are discussed with implications for behavior treatment design and evaluation.
Optimal allocation of boundary singularities for stokes flows about pairs of particles

Abstract Methods of allocation of singularities for the Method of Fundamental Solutions are proposed, implemented and applied to a Stokes flow about pairs of particles. New local normal and combined Stokeslets allocation methods are proposed to solve Stokes flows using a moderate number of singularities. In the proposed methods the singularities are located at surfaces inside the particles but dissimilar to the particles׳ shapes. Optimization of location of Stokeslets is performed for peanut-shaped and barrel-shaped particles. Convergence of numerical solution as a function of numbers of Stokeslets is evaluated and show substantial reduction in the needed number of Stokeslets compared to the prior methods in which Stokeslets are located at surfaces created similar to the particle shape. Using proposed methods of allocation of Stokeslets, patterns of pressure and velocity vector field near particles are obtained and discussed. The Stokes force exerted by a Stokes flow on the pair of particles is computed at different stages of their collective behavior including separate location of particles in proximity to each other, merging of particles, and re-orientation of cluster along the flow. These results help to determine the least stable location of particles׳ pair for the purpose of their separation off the flow.
Intracellular responses in the centrum medianum-parafascicular complex of the cat following medial and lateral caudate, substantia nigra and peripheral stimulation.

Abstract Caudate, nigral and somatosensory stimulation generates brief EPSPs followed by prolonged IPSPs in thalamic neurons of the centromedian-parafascicular complex. A 300 msec long hyperpolarization and inhibition of neuronal excitability represents the predominant effect by virtue of its duration, intensity and constancy. The brief excitatory response which precedes the inhibition is more variable, depending largely upon the site of basal ganglia stimulation. EPSPs tend to remain subthreshold for lateral caudate stimulation whereas medial caudate, medial nigral and somatosensory stimulation usually generates an action potential prior to the inhibitory phase. Double shock stimulation of basal ganglia and limbs at variable intervals demonstrates the predominance of powerful inhibitory interactions between stratonigral and sensory inputs. The existence of these interactions indicates the importance of temporal factors in determining the momentary responsivity of medial thalamic neurons.
Effect of Methanol on the Various Forms of Lactose

Abstract Methanol is suitable for removal of the water of crystallization from alpha-lactose hydrate to form new crystals of stable anhydrous alpha-lactose. The crystalline product is more bulky than the hydrated lactose and is not hygroscopic, as is the anhydrous form produced by heat and vacuum. Conversion from alpha-hydrate to the new anhydrous form can be completed in 1 h at refluxing temperature (64.6 C) at all proportions of alpha-lactose hydrate to dry methanol or in methanol containing up to 5% moisture. The rate of production of the anhydrous form follows a first-order reaction at room temperature in methanol. Formation is rapid at first while the methanol is dry, but as the solvent is diluted by the water of crystallization from alpha-hydrate, the reaction gradually slows. For complete conversion, a ratio of 1 part alpha-hydrate to at least 15 parts dry methanol is required for 2 h at room temperature. This ratio of 1:15 provides the maximum limit of moisture (.4%) in the final solution where the rate remains maximum at room temperature. Between .4 and 2.0% moisture retards nucleus formation of the new crystal. Therefore, an induction period is observed since the reaction cannot proceed until nuclei develop. Seeding eliminates the induction period by furnishing nuclei. The conversion reaction ceases when moisture is increased above 2%. The regular (hygroscopic) anhydrous alpha-lactose also is converted by methanol to the stable anhydrous form, indicating it is the more stable in low moisture methanol. The new crystal form is produced even in dry methanol, showing that moisture is unnecessary for the crystallization. Beta-lactose, however, is not changed by the action of methanol at either room or boiling temperature. Noncrystalline lactose (lactose glass) readily dissolves in methanol forming a supersaturated solution which quickly crystallizes as an anhydrous mixture with a normal equilibrium ratio of 60% beta-lactose and 40% alpha-lactose. This same ratio is produced when lactose glass is added to methanol containing no more than 10% moisture; above this moisture, alpha-lactose hydrate will form. As the moisture content is increased further, the amount of alpha-hydrate increases until at 35% moisture content the entire product is alpha-hydrate. Contrary to aqueous solutions, beta-lactose does not interfere with crystallization of alpha-lactose in methanol.
The synthesis of lmidazo[4,5-d] pyridazines. VI. v-Triazolo[4,5-d] pyridazines, pyrazino[ 2,3-d ] pyridazines and 7H-Imidazo [4,5-d] tetrazolo[ 1,5-b] pyridazine

Several pyridazines have been prepared as intermediates in the synthesis of monosubstituted imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazines, monosubstituted v-triazoIo[4,5-d]pyridazines and monosubstituted pyrazino [2,3d] pyridazines. The new ring system, 7H-imidazo[4,5-d]tetrazolo[l,5-b] pyridazine (XIV) has been prepared unsubstituted. Furthermore, unsubstituted imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine (XI) has been prepared. Calculations for XI and XIV were made by approximate SCF LCAO-MO with CNSO II theory.
Effect of random disorder on the critical behavior of Josephson junction arrays.

Random percolative disorder has been introduced into 300\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}300 arrays of Nb-Au-Nb proximity-coupled junctions. Our measurements of dc transport properties show that large amounts of random disorder, although depressing ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ and broadening the resistive transition, do not alter the scale invariance of the phase transition. These results are described by a model which rescales the Josephson lattice by the percolation correlation length. The relevance of the observations to granular thin films is discussed.
Behind the Scenes at the Toothpaste Aisle: The Chemistry of Dental Materials

This contribution to the From Past Issues feature looks at Journal of Chemical Education articles about dental materials, including dentifrices, fluoride-containing additives, and formulations for dental restoration.
Biology and applications of olfactory sensing system: A review

Abstract Various metal oxide and conducting polymer-based sensors have been used in electronic nose systems for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of the major constrains of these sensor materials are their sensitivity and selectivity. Recently, much research has been towards the development of biosensors that mimic biological olfactory mechanism. The sensing materials based on biological olfactory system can be well adapted to detect low concentrations of VOCs as it exhibits high selectivity/specificity, fast response time, high sensitivity, simplicity in fabrication, and are not toxic resulting from their biocompatibility and rapid biodegradability. A better understanding of human olfactory system can aid in the development of an artificial olfactory sensing system. The application domain of such sensors/systems could be potentially expanded for rapid and accurate detection of VOCs in environment and other biological media. Therefore, this paper provides a brief overview of the biology, associated mechanisms, and the functional principles of the olfactory sensing system in humans. Moreover, it summarizes the recent research on the development of an olfactory sensor utilizing olfactory receptors, odorant binding proteins and olfactory epithelium for the detection of different VOCs, and research needs in this area.
Phospho-dependent ubiquitination and degradation of PAR-1 regulates synaptic morphology and tau-mediated Aβ toxicity in Drosophila

PAR-1 in Drosophila has been identified as a key physiological tau kinase. Lee and colleagues perform genetic screens for regulators of PAR-1 and find that it is targeted for ubiquitination and degradation by the ubiquitin ligase complex SCF(Slimb), and that this pathway modulates synaptic morphology.
Revisiting Hubert Blalock’s power threat theory to determine its effect on court workgroup behavior as it concerns structured sentencing

Though introduced in the 1960s, Hubert Blalock’s power threat theory is revisited to help analyze case decisions made by court workgroups in the southern state of North Carolina. The theory provides context and perspective to better explain subtle attempts of the majority to effect social control of minority groups in general and of powerful minority groups in particular through disparate treatment that manifests in longer prison sentences.
NetSlices: scalable multi-core packet processing in user-space

Modern commodity operating systems do not provide developers with user-space abstractions for building high-speed packet processing applications. The conventional raw socket is inefficient and unable to take advantage of the emerging hardware, like multi-core processors and multi-queue network adapters. In this paper we present the NetSlice operating system abstraction. Unlike the conventional raw socket, NetSlice tightly couples the hardware and software packet processing resources, and provides the application with control over these resources. To reduce shared resource contention, NetSlice performs domain specific, coarse-grained, spatial partitioning of CPU cores, memory, and NICs. Moreover, it provides a streamlined communication channel between NICs and user-space. Although backward compatible with the conventional socket API, the NetSlice API also provides batched (multi-) send / receive operations to amortize the cost of protection domain crossings. We show that complex user-space packet processors---like a protocol accelerator and an IPsec gateway---built from commodity components can scale linearly with the number of cores and operate at 10Gbps network line speeds.
TH-A-134-01: Breast Imaging QA

Implementation of a New Breast Tomosynthesis Program: A Clinical Medical Physicist's Experience‐W Geiser Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) was approved by the FDA as a screening tool for breast cancer in February 2011. Many systems were preinstalled as 2D systems and are now being upgraded for DBT and there is evidence that DBT is helping reduce recall rates while increasing cancer detection rates. As of February 2013 there were approximately 500 systems certified by the FDA for DBT and it is expected that there will be more than 700 certified systems by the third quarter of 2013. Facilities implementing a breast tomosynthesis program need to be aware that there are many hurdles to be overcome before tomosynthesis studies can be performed. The purpose of this lecture is to provide medical physicists assisting facilities that are upgrading 2D systems or installing new DBT systems, the knowledge to assist with facility design, image storage requirements, choice of PACS, and optimization of diagnostic review. New educational requirements for medical physicists to qualify to perform acceptance testing and continued annual testing of DBT systems will also be reviewed. Learning Objectives: 1. Be able to assist with implementation of breast tomosynthesis at their facility. 2. Know the process for accreditation and certification of DBT systems. 3. Understand additional shielding requirements and facility design for a facility installing digital breast tomosynthesis. Breast MR Imaging and Quality Control — D Reeve MR imaging of the breast is an important adjunct to mammography and ultrasound for the detection of breast cancer and for breast biopsy guidance. Diagnostic breast MRI protocols typically include T2‐weighted fat saturated images and 3D T1‐weighted dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) multiphase images using a Gadolinium‐based contrast agent. The DCE images are used to determine the kinetic signature of enhancing tissues in order to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. MR spectroscopy and diffusion weighted images (DWI) may also be acquired in order to provide additional diagnostic information. The diagnostic value of breast MRI scans can be improved by choosing acquisition parameters that optimize image quality parameters such as SNR, contrast and spatial resolution. As with any MRI protocol, achieving the desired image quality must balance the need for acceptable scan times. The timing and temporal resolution of the DCE series are important considerations. Breast radiofrequency (RF) coils are phased array coils capable of simultaneous bilateral imaging. A comprehensive breast MRI quality control program is important to assess the performance of the MRI system as well as the breast RF coils. Learning Objectives: 1. Provide an overview of breast MR imaging and MR‐guided biopsy procedures. 2. Describe breast MR image quality criteria and protocol optimization. 3. Discuss the components of a breast MRI quality control program.
Redefining class definitions using constraint-based clustering: an application to remote sensing of the earth's surface

Two aspects are crucial when constructing any real world supervised classification task: the set of classes whose distinction might be useful for the domain expert, and the set of classifications that can actually be distinguished by the data. Often a set of labels is defined with some initial intuition but these are not the best match for the task. For example, labels have been assigned for land cover classification of the Earth but it has been suspected that these labels are not ideal and some classes may be best split into subclasses whereas others should be merged. This paper formalizes this problem using three ingredients: the existing class labels, the underlying separability in the data, and a special type of input from the domain expert. We require a domain expert to specify an L × L matrix of pairwise probabilistic constraints expressing their beliefs as to whether the L classes should be kept separate, merged, or split. This type of input is intuitive and easy for experts to supply. We then show that the problem can be solved by casting it as an instance of penalized probabilistic clustering (PPC). Our method, Class-Level PPC (CPPC) extends PPC showing how its time complexity can be reduced from O(N2) to O(NL) for the problem of class re-definition. We further extend the algorithm by presenting a heuristic to measure adherence to constraints, and providing a criterion for determining the model complexity (number of classes) for constraint-based clustering. We demonstrate and evaluate CPPC on artificial data and on our motivating domain of land cover classification. For the latter, an evaluation by domain experts shows that the algorithm discovers novel class definitions that are better suited to land cover classification than the original set of labels.
Epilepsy and the sleep–wake patterns found in Angelman syndrome

Sleep disturbances and epilepsy are common in Angelman syndrome (AS). This study examines seizure variables and sleep in a large AS cohort. Sleep disturbances and epilepsy were assessed in 290 individuals with AS using two questionnaires, including the Behavioral Evaluation of Disorders of Sleep (BEDS). Sensitivity to the sleeping environment, decreased nightly hours of sleep, and a difficulty initiating sleep were significantly correlated with the presence of epilepsy, particularly focal seizures. Use of multiple anticonvulsant drugs was shown to affect sleep. No significant associations were present between molecular subtypes of AS and individual sleep factors. Sleep problems appeared to be associated with epilepsy in individuals with AS, especially with focal and absence seizures and multiple seizure types. Results were consistent with those of prior studies assessing sleep in AS. Severity of epilepsy and use of anticonvulsant drugs may be related to a higher degree of sleep disturbance in this population.
Fetal collagenase gene-gene interactions: Is there evidence for amplification of preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) risk?

AMPLIFICATION OF PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANE (PPROM) RISK? ALISON CAHILL, DAVID M. STAMILIO, JEROME F. STRAUSS, ANTHONY O. ODIBO, GEORGE MACONES University of Pennsylvania, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have linked polymorphisms in the promoter region of fetal matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to PPROM by means of matrix degradation. This study tested the hypothesis that gene-gene interactions of multiple unfavorable polymorphisms would further amplify the risk for PPROM. STUDY DESIGN: DNA was extracted from cord blood of 129 patients who experienced PPROM and 779 term controls. PCR-based methods were used to test for the presence of 3 specific MMP polymorphisms: MMP1-1607 (G insertion), a strong promoter of MMP1, MMP9-1562 (a C to T substitution) and MMP9O13 repeats (CA-repeat microsatellite polymorphism at position 55 to 13), both strong promoters of MMP9. Interactions between these polymorphisms and PPROM were assessed using both stratified and multivariable techniques. RESULTS: There was no evidence of interaction conferring an increased risk for PPROM between the polymorphisms MMP9-1562 and MMP9O13 repeats or MMP1-1607 and MMP9O13 repeats (Table 1). An interaction was suggested between MMP9-1562 and MMP1-1607, but the direction of the effect (protective) is difficult to explain biologically, and likely due to Type I error. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant, biologically plausible, fetal collagenase gene-gene interactions that increased the rate of PPROM identified by this study. Future studies should examine such relationships on a larger scale, and consider Type I errors in the interpretation of subsequent findings.
Role of molecular beam epitaxy in the optoelectronic field

Abstract Having celebrated its twenty-second anniversary, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has reached a very mature state as a crystallographic growth technique for a variety of semiconductor materials. It is widely used at universities, for industrial research in development laboratories and in production. Companies currently sell devices made from MBE-grown materials such as high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs), GaAs/AlGaAs lasers, photodetectors etc. The success of MBE technology can be explained by some of its inherent strengths. It uses extremely high-purity source material inside a vacuum chamber, making its operation predictable and safe. The growth process is relatively simple and can be monitored by in situ analysis tools. MBE played a key role in the exploration of new material systems such as GaAs on silicon and strained layers. Today's technology, together with the immense knowledge and understanding of growth aspects, makes it possible to achieve ultrathin layers, abrupt heterointerfaces and three-dimensional band gap engineering by growth on non-planar or tilted substrates. Areas in the optoelectronic field in which MBE has made substantial contributions are therefore III–V layers on silicon, including photodetectors and lasers, ultralow threshold and very high-power Ga(In)As/AlGaAs lasers, surface-emitting lasers which require very precisely controlled and stable fluxes, long-wavelength photodetectors, non-planar substrate devices etc. Areas that are more difficult to explore with MBE but are nevertheless very challenging include selective area growth and material systems from groups other than III and V which contain gallium, aluminum, indium and arsenic. Furthermore, newer fields such as low-dimensional structures with all kinds of in situ formations as well as further improvement of the MBE technology, including better diagnostic tools and group V flux controls etc., will engage the MBE community for several years to come.
Applicability of the diffusion model to random lasers with non-resonant feedback

We demonstrate, theoretically and numerically, that the classical diffusion model does not correctly describe the propagation of photons in a scattering medium with non-uniformly distributed gain or loss. Correspondingly, the diffusion model fails to predict a number of interesting features in the behaviour of random lasers, in which the spatial distribution of gain, as a rule, is not uniform. We show that in the first approximation, although not exactly, the dynamics of photon propagation in a scattering medium with non-uniformly distributed gain (loss) can be described in terms of a diffusion equation with a gain-dependent (loss-dependent) diffusion coefficient. We have modelled the stimulated emission threshold and the stimulated emission dynamics in the surface-pumped laser with non-uniformly distributed gain. The model predictions include the dependence of the effective photon residence time on gain and the existence of the 'diffusion' and 'skin-layer' regimes of random laser operation.
The selective activation of dorsal horn neurons by potassium stimulation of high threshold primary afferent neuronsin vitro

Intracellular recordings from neurons in the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn, in an in vitro spinal cord-dorsal root ganglion preparation, were used to investigate the role of large and small afferent fibers in the sensory synaptic transmission of the superficial dorsal horn. Raising the extracellular potassium concentration from 3.1 to 25-50 mM in the dorsal root ganglion compartment evoked a large amplitude depolarization and blocked action potentials in the large neurons of dorsal root ganglion, and it synaptically excited dorsal horn neurons. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials that were evoked by electrical stimulation of large myelinated fibers, but not those evoked by activation of small unmyelinated fibers, were blocked by the potassium treatment of the dorsal root. Tetrodotoxin (0.3-10 microM), when applied to the sensory neurons, abolished action potentials in large myelinated fibers but had no effect on the potassium-induced depolarization of the soma of large neurons of the dorsal root ganglion. Bath application of tetrodotoxin to the dorsal root ganglion blocked the postsynaptic potentials evoked in dorsal horn neurons by electrical stimulation of large fibers (stimulus intensity 10-20V, 0.02 ms) but failed to block postsynaptic potentials induced by electrical stimulation of slow fibers (stimulus intensity > 35 V, 0.5 ms). In addition, the tetrodotoxin failed to block the synaptic activation of dorsal horn neurons which was induced by the application of high potassium to sensory neurons. Capsaicin (10-100 microM, 10 s), applied to the sensory neurons, resulted in a prolonged synaptic activation of the dorsal horn neurons and a subsequent long lasting desensitization. During the period of capsaicin desensitization, synaptic activation of dorsal horn neurons by application of high potassium to the dorsal root ganglion and electrical stimulation of slow fibers was blocked. The opioid receptor agonist (D-Ala2, D-Leu5)-enkephalinamide (1 microM), applied to the spinal cord slice, abolished the dorsal horn neuron excitation evoked by electrical or chemical activation of slow primary afferent fibers. These findings indicate that high concentrations of K+ applied to the dorsal root ganglia selectively activate a primary afferent input to the dorsal horn, which is capsaicin sensitive and tetrodotoxin resistant.
Phase-field microelastic modeling of microstructure evolutions in free-standing thin films

Abstract Phase-field microelastic modeling of microstructure evolutions in free-standing thin films is developed. Khachaturyan’s microelasticity theory is reformulated to account for the plane-stress condition of free-standing thin films. As examples, the model is applied to simulate two-phase (disordered face-centered cubic + ordered L1 2 ) microstructures formed by decomposition and ordering in free-standing thin films of different orientations. Significant effects of the film orientation on the precipitate microstructure morphology are observed, which are analyzed in terms of the anisotropy of the orientation-dependent effective elastic modulus tensor of the free-standing thin films. Distinctive microstructure features in free-standing thin films are discussed in comparison with that observed in bulk materials.
A Proximal Bisnitroxide Initiator: Studies in Low-Temperature Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerizations

Nitroxide-mediated “living” radical polymerization with bisalkoxyamine 2,5,5,8,8,11-hexamethyl-4,9-(1-phenylethoxy)-3,10-diphenyl-4,9-diazadodecane produces polymers of controlled length and narrow molecular weight distributions at temperatures ranging from 70 to 110 °C. Polymerizations were run successfully with styrene (St), tert-butyl acrylate (tBA), and dimethylacrylamide (DMA). EPR measurements of the homolysis of this bisalkoxyamine and monoalkoxyamine 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-(1-phenylethoxy)-4-phenyl-3-azahexane at temperatures ranging from 85 to 105 °C give rate constants for the bisalkoxyamine that are approximately twice as large as those for the monoalkoxyamine. 1H NMR investigations of the decomposition of both alkoxyamines at 125 °C show enhanced decomposition for the bisalkoxyamine. EPR decomposition studies at 120 °C on the corresponding bis- and mononitroxides 2,5,5,8,8,11-hexamethyl-3,10-diphenyl-4,9-diazadodecane-4,9-bisnitroxide and 2,2,5-trimethyl-4-phenyl-3-azahexane-3-nitroxide also show a...
Distinct gene expression profiles of viral- and nonviral-associated merkel cell carcinoma revealed by transcriptome analysis.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with high mortality rates. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), identified in the majority of MCCs, may drive tumorigenesis via viral T antigens. However, the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis in MCPyV-negative MCCs remain poorly understood. To nominate genes contributing to the pathogenesis of MCPyV-negative MCCs, we performed DNA microarray analysis on 30 MCCs. The MCPyV status of MCCs was determined by PCR for viral DNA and RNA. A total of 1,593 probe sets were differentially expressed between MCPyV-negative and MCPyV-positive MCCs, with significant differential expression defined as at least a 2-fold change in either direction and a P-value p0.05. MCPyV-negative tumors showed decreased RB1 expression, whereas MCPyV-positive tumors were enriched for immune response genes. Validation studies included immunohistochemistry demonstration of decreased RB protein expression in MCPyV-negative tumors and increased peritumoral CD8 þ T lymphocytes surrounding MCPyV-positive tumors. In conclusion, our data suggest that loss of RB1 expression may have an important role in the tumorigenesis of MCPyV-negative MCCs. Functional and clinical validation studies are needed to determine whether this tumorsuppressor pathway represents an avenue for targeted therapy.