cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extreme scale computing: Modeling the impact of system noise in multi-core clustered systems☆

Abstract System noise or Jitter is the activity of hardware, firmware, operating system, runtime system, and management software events. It is shown to disproportionately impact application performance in current generation large-scale clustered systems running general-purpose operating systems (GPOS). Jitter mitigation techniques such as co-scheduling jitter events across operating systems improve application performance but their effectiveness on future petascale systems is unknown. To understand if existing jitter mitigation solutions enable scalable petascale performance, we construct two complementary jitter models based on detailed analysis of system noise from the nodes of a large-scale system running a GPOS. We validate these two models using experimental data from a system consisting of 256 GPOS instances with 8192 CPUs. Based on our models, we project a minimum slowdown of 1.8%, 4.1%, and 6.5% for applications executing on a similar one petaflop system running 1024 GPOS instances and having global synchronization operations once every 100 ms, 10 ms, and 1 ms, respectively. Our projections indicate that–although existing mitigation solutions enable scalable petascale performance–additional techniques are required to contain the impact of jitter on multi-petaflop systems, especially for tightly synchronized applications.
Superparamagnetic flexible substrates based on submicron electrospun Estane® fibers containing MnZnFeNi nanoparticles

Flexible, elastomeric, and superparamagnetic substrates were prepared by electrospinning a solution of elastomeric polyurethane containing ferrite nanoparticles (∼14 nm) of MnZnNi. The flexible mats were characterized in terms of fiber morphology and magnetic properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) indicated that the diameter of these composite fibers was ∼300–500 nm. Furthermore, the back-scattered electron FESEM images indicated agglomeration of the nanoparticles at higher wt % (ca. 17–26 wt %) loading in the electrospun fibers. The induced specific magnetic saturation and the relative permeability were found to increase linearly with increasing wt % loading of the ferrite nanoparticles on the submicron electrospun fibers. A specific magnetic saturation of 1.7–6.3 emu/g at ambient conditions indicated superparamagnetic behavior of these composite electrospun substrates. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4935–4942, 2006
Correlation in distribution of two linear sequences in the residue system of a prime modulus

In this paper we furnish the answer to the following problem. Given an odd prime p, and integers a and b coprime with p, estimate the number of solutions n, 0≤ n < p, to the inequality \(\{\frac{an+a_0}p\}+\{\frac{bn+b_0}p\}\le\lambda\), where a0 and b0 are arbitrary integers, {x} denotes the fractional part of x, and 0 < γ < 1. As an application of our estimate we give a new bound for coefficients of ternary cyclotomic polynomials \(\Phi_{pqr}(z)=\prod_{\rho}(z-\rho)\), where p, q, and r are distinct odd primes and the product is taken over all primitive pqr-th roots of unity ρ.
Prospects for earthquake prediction and control

Abstract The San Andreas fault is viewed, according to the concepts of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics, as a transform fault that separates the Pacific and North American plates and along which relative movements of 2 to 6 cm/year have been taking place. The resulting strain can be released by creep, by earthquakes of moderate size, or (as near San Francisco and Los Angeles) by great earthquakes. Microearthquakes, as mapped by a dense seismograph network in central California, generally coincide with zones of the San Andreas fault system that are creeping. Microearthquakes are few and scattered in zones where elastic energy is being stored. Changes in the rate of strain, as recorded by tiltmeter arrays, have been observed before several earthquakes of about magnitude 4. Changes in fluid pressure may control timing of seismic activity and make it possible to control natural earthquakes by controlling variations in fluid pressure in fault zones. An experiment in earthquake control is underway at the Rangely oil field in Colorado, where the rates of fluid injection and withdrawal in experimental wells are being controlled.
Singlet and triplet superfluid competition in a mixture of two-component Fermi and one-component dipolar Bose gases

We consider a mixture of two-component Fermi and (one-component) dipolar Bose gases in which both dipolar interaction and $s$-wave scattering between fermions of opposite spins are tunable. We show that in the long-wavelength limit, the anisotropy in the Fermi-Fermi interaction induced by phonons of the dipolar condensate can strongly enhance the scattering in the triplet channel. We investigate in detail the conditions for achieving optimal critical temperature at which the triplet superfluid begins to compete with the singlet superfluid.
Safer in Jail? A Comparison of Victimization History and Psychological Adjustment Between Previously Homeless and Non-Homeless Incarcerated Women:

Homelessness and incarceration are closely linked among women, and rates of these marginalizing circumstances are increasing. Nonetheless, few studies have examined differences between female inmates who were previously homeless and female inmates who were not homeless prior to incarceration. Results indicated that women who were homeless prior to incarceration were more likely (relative to their non-homeless counterparts) to have experienced childhood molestation, adult sexual assault, and arrests for prostitution and to have been in treatment for substance misuse. Homeless and non-homeless women did not differ significantly on measures of psychological adjustment. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research will be discussed.
Millimeter-Wave Lange and Ring-Hybrid Couplers in a Silicon Technology for E-Band Applications

Five compact millimeter-wave 90deg and 180deg distributed couplers are realized in the back-end-of-the-line of a 0.13mum SiGe BiCMOS technology. Lange couplers smaller than 160 mum on a side have been implemented showing -4 dB through, -5 dB coupling, 14 dB return loss, and 15 dB isolation for 60- and 77-GHz versions. Ring hybrids with phase-inverters have been implemented showing -4 dB through, -5.6 dB coupling, 18 dB return loss, and 21 dB isolation for 60- and 77-GHz versions. The rings are smaller than 330 mum on a side
Pyrite ooids in Devonian black shales record intermittent sea-level drop and shallow-water conditions

Upper Devonian black shales of the eastern United States contain in places unusual beds of pyrite ooids. Textural and geochemical studies show that these originated as chamositic iron ooids that were replaced by pyrite during early diagenesis. Pyrite mimics the laminated texture of the precursor grain, yet inclusions of silicate minerals and instances of partial replacement reveal the secondary nature of the pyrite. Pyrite ooids occur above erosion surfaces that are considered sequence boundaries because of large lateral extent. Chamositic precursor ooids indicate an oxygenated water column and wave interaction with seafloor sediments at the time of their formation. This scenario agrees with earlier work that stipulates that erosion surfaces in Devonian black shales reflect lowering of sea level that allowed wave reworking and erosion of earlier-deposited black shales. Pyrite ooid beds thus furnish direct evidence of significant sea-level drops during the accumulation of Upper Devonian black shales in eastern North America.
The sound of one hand clapping: the case for and against anonymous giving

The paper draws on intensive interviews with 130 millionaires to explore the case for and against anonymous giving, to indicate a number of key findings about anonymous giving among the wealthy, and to describe the potential of anonymous giving to raise both the level of careand control in philanthropic relationships. The first two sections of the paper set out the case for and against anonymous giving, emphasising the instrumental and moral rationale by which the wealthy frame both sides of the issue. The third section discusses the tendencies inherent in anonymous giving toward enhancing moral stewardship and manipulation. In the conclusion, I discuss some conceptual distinctions derived from the analysis and speculate about the value of encouraging the non-wealthy to consider at least some measure of anonymous giving.
Aspects of size and scaling in primate biology with special reference to the locomotor skeleton

Scaling refers to the structural and functional consequences of differences in size (or scale) among organisms of more or less similar design. Investigations into such size-related phenomena in primates continue to be a primary concern of physical anthropologists, primatologists, and other vertebrate biologists. An overview of allometric studies, especially those of the last decade or so, documents the enormous impact of body size variation in primates for interpretations of comparative behavior and ecology, morphology and physiology, and evolutionary biology. Specific methodological issues are also discussed (the utility of the bivariate power function, regression models, and choice of body size variables). Distinctions are drawn between ontogenetic and static adult forms of intraspecific allometry, and the genetic assumptions about extrapolation of either type to evolutionary allometry are briefly reviewed. Ontogenetic allometries of the locomotor skeleton in African apes are used to illustrate the potential utility and limitations of this approach for our understanding of evolutionary mechanisms. Selected aspects of locomotor adaptation in primates are also explored through interspecific allometric analysis: an analysis of long bone size and shape with respect to competing biomechanical theories of functional equivalence; scaling of interlimb proportions and functional competence in climbing; and relative limb proportions and the reconstruction of locomotion and posture in fossil “hominoids”.
Marquise: creating complete user interfaces by demonstration

Marquise is a new interactive tool that allows virtually all of the user interfaces of graphical editors to be created by demonstration without programming. A “graphical editor” allows the user to create and manipulate graphical objects with a mouse. This is a very large class of programs and includes drawing programs like MacDraw, graph layout editors like MacProject, visual language editors, and many CAD/CAM programs. The primary innovation in Marquise is to allow the designer to demonstrate the overall behavior of the interface. To implement this, the Marquise framework contains knowledge about palettes for creating and specifying properties of objects, and about operations such as selecting, moving, and deleting objects. The interactive tool uses the framework to allow the designer to demonstrate most of the end user's actions without programming, which means that Marquise can be used by non-programmers.
Gramática española. 3rd ed. by KING, LARRY D., & MARGARITA SUÑER Manual de gramática. 4th ed. by IGUINA, ZULMA, & ELEANOR DOZIER

The article reviews the books "Gramatica espanola," 3rd ed., by Larry D. King and Margarita Suner and "Manual de gramatica," 4th ed., by Zulma Iguina and Eleanor Dozier.
Tridimensional personality traits in sons of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fathers

Sons of alcoholics (SOAs; n = 27) and sons of nonalcoholics (SONAs; n = 23) were compared across Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and Sensation Seeking scales and measures of plasma homovanillic acid and platelet monoamine oxidase activity. SOAs and SONAs did not differ significantly on any measure. The pattern of correlations between TPQ and Sensation Seeking scales provided some support for the construct validity of TPQ measures. Scores on the TPQ Novelty Seeking scale and platelet monoamine oxidase activity were significantly inversely associated (r = -0.52, p < 0.02) among SOAs, but not among SONAs (r = -0.06).
Bit-Constrained Least Squares for Improved Detection

We consider the problem of detecting multiple communication signals in the presence of noise, where the vector of received signals is a linear combination of the symbols of the individual signals. This problem arises for example in MIMO systems employing multiple antennas at both the receiver and transmitter. The maximum likelihood detector offers an optimal but computationally expensive solution for this problem. Least-squares methods require only a modest amount of computation but may have relatively poor performance. We propose a bit-constrained least-squares algorithm whose computational complexity is comparable to that of least-squares methods, yet its performance is significantly improved.
From Data Distributions to Regularization in Invariant Learning

Ideally pattern recognition machines provide constant output when the inputs are transformed under a group G of desired invariances. These invariances can be achieved by enhancing the training data to include examples of inputs transformed by elements of G, while leaving the corresponding targets unchanged. Alternatively the cost function for training can include a regularization term that penalizes changes in the output when the input is transformed under the group. This paper relates the two approaches, showing precisely the sense in which the regularized cost function approximates the result of adding transformed examples to the training data. We introduce the notion of a probability distribution over the group transformations, and use this to rewrite the cost function for the enhanced training data. Under certain conditions, the new cost function is equivalent to the sum of the original cost function plus a regularizer. For unbiased models, the regularizer reduces to the intuitively obvious choice---a term that penalizes changes in the output when the inputs are transformed under the group. For infinitesimal transformations, the coefficient of the regularization term reduces to the variance of the distortions introduced into the training data. This correspondence provides a simple bridge between the two approaches.
New Organic Materials and Processes for Thin Film Electronics

Heteroacene organic semiconductors and polymers will be presented. They have shown mobility as high as 0.75 cm2/Vs and on/off ratio greater than 106. A crosslinked dielectric material, allowing low voltage operation will also be presented.
Safety of gadolinium-based contrast material in sickle cell disease.

Purpose: To assess the safety of intravenously administered gadolinium-based contrast material in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Materials and Methods: All pediatric and adult SCD patients evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our institution between January 1995 and July 2009 were identified. The medical records of SCD patients who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI as well as an equal-sized cohort of SCD patients who underwent unenhanced MRI were reviewed for adverse (vaso-occlusive and hemolytic) events within 1 week following imaging. Results: Eight (five mild and three moderate) adverse events were documented within 1 week following contrast-enhanced MRI (38 patients and 61 contrast injections), while six (five mild and one moderate) similar events occurred within 1 week following unenhanced MRI (61 patients and 61 unenhanced MRI examinations). This difference in the number of adverse events was not statistically significant (odds ratio = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4, 5.2). No severe adverse event occurred in either patient cohort. Conclusion: Gadolinium-based contrast materials do not appear to be associated with increased risk of vaso-occlusive or hemolytic adverse events when administered to SCD patients. Larger, prospective studies using multiple gadolinium-based contrast materials would be useful to confirm the results of our investigation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dopamine and baclofen inhibit the hyperpolarization‐activated cation current in rat ventral tegmental neurones.

1. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from dopamine-containing ventral tegmental area neurones in slices of rat midbrain. An inward current (Ih) was activated by hyperpolarization from -60 mV. 2. Dopamine (30 microM) reduced the amplitude of Ih by 10-30% at potentials from -70 to -120 mV. The effect was concentration dependent, mimicked by the D2 agonist quinpirole, and prevented by the D2 antagonist (-)-sulpiride. Baclofen (0.3-3 microM) also inhibited Ih; this action was antagonized by 2-hydroxysaclofen but not by (-)-sulpiride. The decrease in Ih resulted from a reduction in the maximal current with no change in the voltage dependence. 3. The action of dopamine was unaffected by cadmium (200 microM), forskolin (10 microM), the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (100 microM), or by intracellular solution containing cyclic AMP (2 mM). 4. Ih was progressively reduced during the first 5-10 min of recording with electrodes containing guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate); after this time, dopamine had no further effect. 5. It is concluded that agonists acting at D2 receptors and GABAB receptors reduce Ih in ventral tegmental neurones.
An autoantibody to Cl-inhibitor recognizes the reactive center of the inhibitor

An autoantibody to C1-inhibitor produced a clinical disorder resembling that of patients with hereditary angioneurotic edema. The antibody could not interact with C1-inhibitor after exposure to synthetic peptides representing the primary structure of the reactive center region of the protein. Therefore the antibody recognized this domain of the inhibitor, and it probably impaired the function of C1-inhibitor by altering its conformational properties.
Influence of Amorphous Clay-Size Materials on Soil Plasticity and Shrink-Swell Behavior

The influence of amorphous clay-size materials on geotechnical engineering properties is recognized only for soils developed from volcanic ash under extremely wet, alumina-rich soil environments (called Andisols). The objective of this study was to quantify the amorphous clay-size materials in less weathered volcanic soils that are rich in silica, and to determine the influence of the amorphous materials on plasticity and shrink-swell behavior of these soils. Soil and weathered rock samples were taken from a slow-moving landslide site in Honolulu. Quantification of amorphous and crystalline clay content was performed with x-ray diffraction and the Rietveld method. Atterberg limits and shrink-swell potential of the soil samples were determined. The results showed that clay-size fraction in both soil and weathered rock samples were predominantly amorphous (55-74% in soil and 48-63% in weathered rock). Smectite and halloysite were the primary crystalline clay minerals, constituting about 15-30% of the clay fraction in soils. Atterberg limits of the soil ranged from 65 to 135 for liquid limit, from 30 to 40 for plastic limit, and 9 to 25 for shrinkage limit. Volumetric free swell ranged from 2 to 21%. The plasticity and shrink-swell potential increased with increasing the content of amorphous clay-size materials in the soil. Air drying and oven drying did not significantly change the plasticity. The study concluded that silica-rich amorphous materials dominate the clay mineralogy of the soils studied, resulting in the plasticity and shrink-swell behavior similar to that of smectite-rich soils and distinct from that of Andisols.
The Relationship between 60Co and 10-keV X-Ray Damage in MOS Devices

This paper presents a conduction current technique to separate the effects of fractional charge yield and dose enhancement in metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices in a 1O-keV x-ray environment. The results of the conduction current measurements, together with the concept of charge generation as the damage-producing agent, are used to correlate the threshold-voltage shifts in gate- and field-oxide MOS field-effect transistors irradiated with 60Co and a 10-keV x-ray machine. A straightforward procedure for calculating the equal-damage dose equivalence between the 10-keV x-ray and 60Co sources is also presented.
Observation, history, and physical examination in diagnosis of serious illnesses in febrile children ≤24 months*

To determine if observational assessment performed in a systematic manner adds to the efficacy of the traditional history and physical examination in detecting serious illnesses in febrile children, and to determine the sensitivity of the combined evaluation, we studied consecutive patients ≤24 months of age seen for evaluation of fever at the Primary Care Center-Emergency Room (PCC-ER) of the Yale-New Haven Hospital (n=143) and a suburban private practice (n=207). An attending pediatrician performed the observation using the previously reported Acute Illness Observation Scales (AIOS). Subsequently, the history and physical examination were done by an attending pediatrician, and findings were scored as to whether they suggested the presence of a serious illness. Thirty-six patients, 28 in the PCC-ER and eight in the private practice, had a serious illness. The combined AIOS, history, and physical examination had a higher sensitivity and r correlation for serious illness than did the traditional history and physical examination. Three children with serious illnesses, all of whom had no abnormalities on history and physical examination, were identified only by use of AIOS. We conclude that assessment of appearance in a child with fever, when performed in a careful, integrated, stepwise fashion, improves the sensitivity of the history and physical examination in detecting serious illnesses in febrile children.
A novel gamma-fitting statistical method for anti-drug antibody assays to establish assay cut points for data with non-normal distribution.

Abstract In recent years there has been growing recognition of the impact of anti-drug or anti-therapeutic antibodies (ADAs, ATAs) on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of the drug, which ultimately affects drug exposure and activity. These anti-drug antibodies can also impact safety of the therapeutic by inducing a range of reactions from hypersensitivity to neutralization of the activity of an endogenous protein. Assessments of immunogenicity, therefore, are critically dependent on the bioanalytical method used to test samples, in which a positive versus negative reactivity is determined by a statistically derived cut point based on the distribution of drug naive samples. For non-normally distributed data, a novel gamma-fitting method for obtaining assay cut points is presented. Non-normal immunogenicity data distributions, which tend to be unimodal and positively skewed, can often be modeled by 3-parameter gamma fits. Under a gamma regime, gamma based cut points were found to be more accurate (closer to their targeted false positive rates) compared to normal or log-normal methods and more precise (smaller standard errors of cut point estimators) compared with the nonparametric percentile method. Under a gamma regime, normal theory based methods for estimating cut points targeting a 5% false positive rate were found in computer simulation experiments to have, on average, false positive rates ranging from 6.2 to 8.3% (or positive biases between + 1.2 and + 3.3%) with bias decreasing with the magnitude of the gamma shape parameter. The log-normal fits tended, on average, to underestimate false positive rates with negative biases as large a − 2.3% with absolute bias decreasing with the shape parameter. These results were consistent with the well known fact that gamma distributions become less skewed and closer to a normal distribution as their shape parameters increase. Inflated false positive rates, especially in a screening assay, shifts the emphasis to confirm test results in a subsequent test (confirmatory assay). On the other hand, deflated false positive rates in the case of screening immunogenicity assays will not meet the minimum 5% false positive target as proposed in the immunogenicity assay guidance white papers.
Two Binary Algorithms for Calculating the Jacobi Symbol and a Fast Systolic Implementation in Hardware

Efficiently computing the Jacobi symbol J(a,b) for integers a and b is an important step in a number of cryptographic processes. We present two algorithms for computing J(a,b) which can easily be implemented in hardware and which are efficient with respect to time and space. The first algorithm we describe is slower but also easier to implement in hardware than the second. The algorithms are systolic and thus each can be implemented as an array of identical cells. We have developed VHDL descriptions of these algorithms, and we provide here example code for the process statements which are central to the implementation of each algorithm. Each algorithm has been tested on an Altera Cyclone EP1C6Q240 device and simulated on an Altera Stratix-II EP2S15F484C3 device.
Monitoring of Colloidal Crystal Formation of Highly Charged Polystyrene and pH Sensing

Colloidal crystals have been given a lot of attention in the scientific arena because of their versatility. Here we present a drop and slide technique that was adopted to fabricate a 3-D colloidal ...
Overexpression of CYP2E1 induces HepG2 cells death by the AMP kinase activator 5′-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β- d -ribofuranoside (AICAR)

5′-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a phylogenetically conserved serine/threonine protein kinase. AMPK may inhibit cell growth and proliferation and also regulates apoptosis. 5′-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) is a cell-permeable AMPK activator. Activation of AMPK with AICAR has been shown to induce apoptosis of the rat hepatoma cell line FTO2B cells and almost completely inhibited HepG2 cells growth. In this study, a HepG2 cell line, which was transfected with a vector containing human CYP2E1 cDNA (E47 cells), was treated with AICAR. Cell proliferation was blocked, and apoptosis and necrosis were elevated as assessed by cellular morphology, DNA content assay, and lactate dehydrogenase leakage. AICAR treatment significantly increases CYP2E1 activity (20-fold) and expression (5.5-fold) in E47 cells. Iodotubericidin, which inhibits the conversion of AICAR to its activated form AICAR monophosphate, the antioxidants trolox and MnTMPyP, and 4-methylpyrazole, an inhibitor of CYP2E1, all can protect the E47 cells from AICAR-induced necrosis. Production of intracellular reactive oxygen species was increased by AICAR treatment in E47 cells. The cytotoxicity mechanism of AICAR in E47 cells is suggested to include AMPK activation, p53 phosphorylation, p21 expression, overexpression of CYP2E1, and intracellular ROS accumulation.
The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) contributes to reduced size in dogs

Domestic dog breeds have undergone intense selection for a variety of morphologic features, including size. Among small-dog breeds, defined as those averaging less than ~15 in. at the withers, there remains still considerable variation in body size. Yet essentially all such dogs are fixed for the same allele at the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene, which we and others previously found to be a size locus of large effect. In this study we sought to identify additional genes that contribute to tiny size in dogs using an association scan with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset CanMap, in which 915 purebred dogs were genotyped at 60,968 SNP markers. Our strongest association for tiny size (defined as breed-average height not more than 10 in. at the withers) was on canine chromosome 3 (p = 1.9 × 10−70). Fine mapping revealed a nonsynonymous SNP at chr3:44,706,389 that changes a highly conserved arginine at amino acid 204 to histidine in the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). This mutation is predicted to prevent formation of several hydrogen bonds within the cysteine-rich domain of the receptor’s ligand-binding extracellular subunit. Nine of 13 tiny dog breeds carry the mutation and many dogs are homozygous for it. This work underscores the central importance of the IGF1 pathway in controlling the tremendous size diversity of dogs.
Executive Environmental Scanning, Information Source Utilisation, and Firm Performance: The case of Nigeria

This study examined sources of information used, environmental scanning practices, and organisational performance of CEOs of 47 small to medium-sized Nigerian manufacturing firms. The results show that environmental scanning practices vary from firm to firm depending on the characteristics of the environment within which they have to operate. For the Nigerian sample there was greater scanning frequency in the economic and political/legal sectors of the environment, followed by the customer/market and competitor sectors. Environmental scanning frequency did not appear to affect organisational performance as measured by profit margin and return on equity. There was a preference for internal over external sources of information, but there was no difference in the use of personal and impersonal sources. The results are evaluated in light of the characteristics of the Nigerian environment and the results of prior scanning research.
Minimization of multiple-output switching circuits

There is a variety of systematic procedures for simplifying single-output switching functions. This paper proposes an extension of a certain class of these procedures. This extension makes it possible to simplify multiple-output switching circuits by using tags to identify the terms belonging to different output functions.
Diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic pericardial window in a patient with an epigastric stab wound: a case report.

ABSTRACT Stab wounds to the abdomen can present a diagnostic dilemma to the trauma surgeon, especially in the thoracoabdominal region. Patients with lower chest and upper abdominal stab wounds are at risk for both intraabdominal and cardiac injury. Current options in the evaluation of these patients include mandatory laparotomy, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, thoracoscopy, sonography, and observation. Each has its own inherent advantages and disadvantages, but none of them represents the gold standard. Herein is reported a case of a patient with an epigastric stab wound who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic pericardial window to rule out both peritoneal penetration and cardiac injury.
Application of estimation theory to range-resolved and topographic frequency-agile lidar data

This paper presents a maximum likelihood based algorithm capable of estimating the concentration of one or more aerosol clouds as a function of range. The traditional Differential Scattering technique does not optimally utilize all the information available with tunable LIDAR sensors. For this reason, the authors have investigated alternative approaches that may better handle the general multi-material multi-wavelength scenario. This algorithm was tested using data that was generated to simulate the response of the Army's FAL sensor. The algorithm is shown to be able discriminate between three materials.
Triglycerides and coronary heart disease revisited (again).

In this issue, Tirosh and colleagues examined the association of triglyceride levels with incident CHD in 13 953 men age 26 to 45 years. Their results are striking: Triglycerides were strongly asso...
A monoclonal antibody against the surface of osteoblasts recognizes alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in bone, liver, kidney, and intestine.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies against the surface of embryonic osteogenic cells have been used to characterize the osteoblastic lineage. One antibody, SB-1, reacts in frozen sections with a family of cells in bone, liver, kidney, and intestine which are identically stained by the histochemical substrate for alkaline phosphatase. In this report, biochemical and immunochemical evidence is presented to indicate that SB-1 is directed against an epitope on alkaline phosphatase which is shared by isoenzymes in a variety of chick tissues. In a solid-phase assay system, high dilutions (1:10 5 ) of ascites fluid were found to give significant binding of SB-1 to alkaline phosphatase extracted from chick limb or intestine. Partial purification of intestinal alkaline phosphatase on a Sepharose CL-6B column results in the co-elution of alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity and antibody-binding material; this indicates that SB-1 recognizes intestinal alkaline phosphatase rather than an impurity in the crude preparation. Furthermore, Western immunoblots of chick calvarial bone extract electrophoresed on a 5–20% SDS-polyacrylamide gel show that SB-1 reacts with a single 155 kD band which also is stained by the alkaline phosphatase histochemical substrate. In a similar set of experiments, SB-1 reacts with an intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme whose molecular weight is approximately 185 kD. From these studies, we conclude that SB-1 is specifically reactive with alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes present in bone, liver, kidney, cartilage, and intestine. The reactive epitope is stable to SDS denaturation, not associated with the active site of the enzyme, and dependent on disulfide bonds which impart secondary structure to the protein.
Does pedestrian safety video education influence children's pedestrian route selection: results from a randomised controlled trial

Background Pedestrian injuries are a leading cause of paediatric injury. One aspect of pedestrian safety is selection of safe routes across roads. Children often select routes based on expedience but not safety. Aims Test efficacy of video-based training on safe pedestrian route selection for children ages 7–8. Methods As part of a larger study, 240 children were randomly assigned to one of four groups: video training, virtual reality (VR) training, streetside training, control. Videos included instructions on selecting safe crossing routes; other groups received training in different aspects of pedestrian safety (VR, streetside) or no training (control). All training groups received six 30-minute sessions. A story task evaluated route selection skills before and after interventions. Children heard four brief vignettes accompanied by graphic representations of streetside locations, then selected preferred crossing routes from three options: distant crosswalk (safest), directly across street without crosswalk (less safe), diagonally across intersection (riskiest). Results Among children trained by video, the percentage selecting the safest route in all scenarios increased 56% post-training. For VR, streetside training and control groups, comparable increases were 9%, 19%, −33%. One-way ANCOVA (IV: condition; DV: post-training score; covariates: age, pre-training scores) yielded significant results, F (3211)=3.46, p Significance Video education apparently teaches children safer pedestrian route selection than control groups. It is inexpensive and easy-to-implement, and warrants broad dissemination.
Real-space studies of the structure and dynamics of self-assembled colloidal clusters

The energetics and assembly pathways of small clusters may yield insights into processes occurring at the earliest stages of nucleation. We use a model system consisting of micrometer-sized, spherical colloidal particles to study the structure and dynamics of small clusters, where the number of particles is small (N ≤ 10). The particles interact through a short-range depletion attraction with a depth of a few kBT. We describe two methods to form colloidal clusters, one based on isolating the particles in microwells and another based on directly assembling clusters in the gas phase using optical tweezers. We use the first technique to obtain ensemble-averaged probabilities of cluster structures as a function of N. These experiments show that clusters with symmetries compatible with crystalline order are rarely formed under equilibrium conditions. We use the second technique to study the dynamics of the clusters, and in particular how they transition between free-energy minima. To monitor the clusters we use a fast three-dimensional imaging technique, digital holographic microscopy, that can resolve the positions of each particle in the cluster with 30–45 nm precision on millisecond timescales. The real-space measurements allow us to obtain estimates for the lifetimes of the energy minima and the transition states. It is not yet clear whether the observed dynamics are relevant for small nuclei, which may not have sufficient time to transition between states before other particles or clusters attach to them. However, the measurements do provide some glimpses into how systems containing a small number of particles traverse their free-energy landscape.
A Modification to the NOAH LSM to Simulate Heat Mitigation Strategies in the New York City Metropolitan Area

Abstract A new approach to simulating the urban environment with a mesocale model has been developed to identify efficient strategies for mitigating increases in surface air temperatures associated with the urban heat island (UHI). A key step in this process is to define a “global” roughness for the cityscape and to use this roughness to diagnose 10-m temperature, moisture, and winds within an atmospheric model. This information is used to calculate local exchange coefficients for different city surface types (each with their own “local roughness” lengths); each surface’s energy balances, including surface air temperatures, humidity, and wind, are then readily obtained. The model was run for several summer days in 2001 for the New York City five-county area. The most effective strategy to reduce the surface radiometric and 2-m surface air temperatures was to increase the albedo of the city (impervious) surfaces. However, this caused increased thermal stress at street level, especially noontime thermal str...
Haemoproteus balearicae and other blood parasites of free-ranging Florida sandhill crane chicks.

We obtained blood smears from 114 Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks in Osceola and Lake Counties, Florida, USA, during 1998–2000. Leucocytozoon grusi was observed in 11 (10%) chicks; Haemoproteus antigonis was observed in eight (7%) chicks; and three (3%) chicks were infected with Haemoproteus balearicae. One chick infected with H. balearicae suffered from severe anemia (packed cell volume=13%) and was later found moribund. At necropsy this bird also had severe anemia and damage to the heart possibly due to hypoxia. This is the first report of H. balearicae in free-ranging North American cranes.
A cartilage-derived growth factor enhances hyaluronate synthesis and diminishes sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes

Cartilage-derived growth factor purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on columns of heparin-Sepharose was mitogenic for early passage bovine fetal chondrocytes. Hyaluronate and sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis in these cells was analyzed by differential enzymatic digestion of the glycosaminoglycans labeled with [14C] glucosamine or [35S]. It was found that chondrocyte proliferation was accompanied by about a four-fold increase in hyaluronate synthesis over a two-day period, while the synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans decreased by about 2-fold. Chromatographic analysis of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans showed decreases in chondroitin 4 and 6 sulfates. It was concluded from these results that cartilage-derived growth factor was a proliferative factor for chondrocytes and differed from the somatomedins.
Modification by palladium in the analysis of slurries by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: a physical mechanism

Abstract The atomization of lead from sediment particles after introduction to the graphite furnace as a slurry is studied. Absorbance characteristics with and without the addition of a palladium/magnesium modifier mixture are compared, and scanning electron micrographs are presented to show the distribution of palladium and slurry particles in the graphite furnace during the heating cycle. The results are consistent with a physical mechanism of modification by palladium. When palladium is premixed with the slurry, prior to pipetting it into the furnace, palladium becomes absorbed on the slurry particles. The rate-limiting step leading to atomization is then diffusion of lead through the palladium layer. When palladium is pipetted into the furnace before the slurry, atomization proceeds via the release of lead from the slurry particle, followed by its collision with a palladium droplet, and subsequent rate-limiting diffusion out of the droplet.
Nitrogen retention in headwater streams: the influence of groundwater-surface water exchange.

Groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interaction lengthens hydraulic residence times, increases contact between solutes and biologically active surfaces, and often creates a gradient of redox conditions conducive to an array of biogeochemical processes. As such, the interaction of hydraulic patterns and biogeochemical activity is suspected to be an important determinant of elemental spiraling in streams. Hydrologic interactions may be particularly important in headwater streams, where the extent of the GW-SW mixing environment (i.e., hyporheic zone) is proportionately greater than in larger streams. From our current understanding of stream ecosystem function, we discuss nitrogen (N) spiraling, present a conceptual model of N retention in streams, and use both of these issues to generate specific research questions and testable hypotheses regarding N dynamics in streams.
Disseminated oral HPV lesion eruptions after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy

Summary Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted viral disease responsible for mucosal warts and anogenital malignancies. HPV-associated oral lesions include condyloma, focal epithelial hyperplasia and some squamous cell carcinomas. Recent studies have shown an increased risk of oral warts in HIV positive individuals. This article, reports an unusual presentation of a disseminated oral HPV infection in a newly diagnosed HIV positive patient after the initiation of highly active antiretrovirals therapy (HAART).
Working memory capacity links cognitive reserve with long-term memory in moderate to severe TBI: a translational approach.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have devastating negative consequences on an individuals’ ability to remember information; however, there is variability among memory impairment resulting from TBI. Some individuals exhibit long-term memory (LTM) impairment while others do not. This variability has been explained, at least in part, by the theory of cognitive reserve (CR). The theory suggests that individuals who have spent significant time engaged in intellectually enriching activities (higher CR) are better able to withstand LTM impairment despite neurological injury. The cognitive mechanisms that underlie this relationship are not well-specified. Recent evidence suggests that working memory (WM) capacity may be one mediating variable that can help explain how/why cognitive reserve (CR) protects against LTM impairment. The present research tested this hypothesis in a sample of fifty moderate to severe TBI patients. Specific neuropsychological tests were administered to estimate CR, LTM and WM. The results were congruent with a recent theoretical model that implicates WM capacity as a mediating variable in the relationship between CR and LTM (Sobel’s Z = 2.62, p = 0.009). These data corroborate recent findings in an alternate neurological population and suggest that WM is an underlying mechanism of CR. Additional research is necessary to establish whether (1) WM is an important individual difference variable to include in memory rehabilitation trials and (2) to determine whether rehabilitation and treatment strategies that specifically target WM may also lead to complimentary improvements on diagnostic tests of delayed LTM in TBI and other memory impaired populations.
The national healthcare crisis: Is eHealth a key solution?

Abstract Healthcare, the largest industry in the United States, is in crisis, and threatens to bankrupt the nation's economy. Medical errors kill an estimated 98,000 people per year, and accessibility to adequate healthcare is an increasing problem for much of the country's citizenry. Despite being one of the most important keys to resolving this crisis, a national electronic healthcare network (eHealth) is under-appreciated and under-exploited, and faces several formidable barriers to implementation. Current and prospective national political leadership has focused narrowly on a subset of issues, in the belief that the crisis cannot be addressed holistically due to political interests. Yet the barriers that greatly impede eHealth's potential to help solve the crisis can only be removed in a timely manner by a comprehensive, national framework that reshapes the legal, operational, and economic landscape for eHealth. Only a greater public awareness that encourages national legislative action can enhance eHealth's potential to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare while reducing its cost.
Decomposition algorithms for two-stage chance-constrained programs

We study a class of chance-constrained two-stage stochastic optimization problems where second-stage feasible recourse decisions incur additional cost. In addition, we propose a new model, where "recovery" decisions are made for the infeasible scenarios to obtain feasible solutions to a relaxed second-stage problem. We develop decomposition algorithms with specialized optimality and feasibility cuts to solve this class of problems. Computational results on a chance-constrained resource planing problem indicate that our algorithms are highly effective in solving these problems compared to a mixed-integer programming reformulation and a naive decomposition method.
Mechanism of bimolecular substitution reactions of hydroximoyl halides with amines in actonitrile solution

The reaction in acetonitrile solution of (Z)-O-methylbenzohydroximol chlorides [ArC (Cl)NOCH3] with morpholine, pyrrolidine and azetidine gives the corresponding (Z)-amidoximes [ArC(NR1R2)NOCH3] in acetonitrile. The rates of these reactions were measured under pseudo-first-order conditions (excess amine). The reactions were found to follow overall second-order kinetics (first order in amine). The Hammett ρ-value (with σ) for the reaction with pyrrolidine is +0·92. The reaction of the p-nitro compound with pyrrolidine gives a significant element effect [k(p-nitrobenzohydroximoyl bromide)/k(p)-nitrobenzohydroximoyl chloride = 10]. A Brϕonsted β-value of 0·38 was estimated from the reactions of morpholine and piperidine with the p-nitrohydroximoyl chloride. The slower reaction of (E)-O-methyl-p-nitrobenzohydroximoyl chloride with azetidine gives primarily the (E)-amidoxime (E:Z ≈ 98:2) This reaction also follows second-order kinetics. The kinetic observations made in this study are compared with the corresponding results obtained in earlier work in benzene solution. It is suggested that in acetonitrile solution the reactions proceed by an addition–elimination mechanism with rate-determining loss of chloride ion (AN + DN#). It is further suggested that acetonitrile is assisting in the breakdown of the tetrahedral intermediates formed in these reactions.
Real-time stream gage information for smartphones

WaterAlert, a service of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), sends text or e-mail messages to smartphones about rising levels of nearby rivers and streams. The service also can provide updates about groundwater levels, water temperatures, rainfall, and water quality from more than 7000 USGS real-time stream gages around the country. “WaterAlert can be used by emergency managers and the general public alike as a first alert for a developing flood,” according to Bill Werkheiser, USGS associate director for water. For more information, see http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert.