cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal resource allocation and policy formulation in loosely-coupled Markov decision processes

The problem of optimal policy formulation for teams of resource-limited agents in stochastic environments is composed of two strongly-coupled subproblems: a resource allocation problem and a policy optimization problem. We show how to combine the two problems into a single constrained optimization problem that yields optimal resource allocations and policies that are optimal under these allocations. We model the system as a multiagent Markov decision process (MDP), with social welfare of the group as the optimization criterion. The straightforward approach of modeling both the resource allocation and the actual operation of the agents as a multiagent MDP on the joint state and action spaces of all agents is not feasible, because of the exponential increase in the size of the state space. As an alternative, we describe a technique that exploits problem structure by recognizing that agents are only loosely-coupled via the shared resource constraints. This allows us to formulate a constrained policy optimization problem that yields optimal policies among the class of realizable ones given the shared resource limitations. Although our complexity analysis shows the constrained optimization problem to be NP-complete, our results demonstrate that, by exploiting problem structure and via a reduction to a mixed integer program, we are able to solve problems orders of magnitude larger than what is possible using a traditional multiagent MDP formulation.
The price of admission: does moving to a low-poverty neighborhood increase discriminatory experiences and influence mental health?

The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) study is typically interpreted as a trial of changes in neighborhood poverty. However, the program may have also increased exposure to housing discrimination. Few prior studies have tested whether interpersonal and institutional forms of discrimination may have offsetting effects on mental health, particularly using intervention designs. We evaluated the effects of MTO, which randomized public housing residents in 5 cities to rental vouchers, or to in-place controls (N = 4248, 1997–2002), which generated variation on neighborhood poverty (% of residents in poverty) and encounters with housing discrimination. Using instrumental variable analysis (IV), we derived two-stage least squares IV estimates of effects of neighborhood poverty and housing discrimination on adult psychological distress and major depressive disorder (MDD). Randomization to voucher group vs. control simultaneously decreased neighborhood % poverty and increased exposure to housing discrimination. Higher neighborhood % poverty was associated with increased psychological distress [BIV = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 0.69] and MDD (BIV = 0.12, 95% CI − 0.005, 0.25). Effects of housing discrimination on mental health were harmful, but imprecise (distress BIV = 1.58, 95% CI − 0.83, 3.99; MDD BIV = 0.57, 95% CI − 0.43, 1.56). Because neighborhood poverty and housing discrimination had offsetting effects, omitting either mechanism from the IV model substantially biased the estimated effect of the other towards the null. Neighborhood poverty mediated MTO treatment on adult mental health, suggesting that greater neighborhood poverty contributes to mental health problems. Yet housing discrimination-mental health findings were inconclusive. Effects of neighborhood poverty on health may be underestimated when failing to account for discrimination.
Dose-response relationship between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake and lower rates of early preterm birth, low birth weight and very low birth weight

Abstract As previously reported, intention-to-treat findings from our phase III randomized clinical trial found that a supplement of 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/day during the last half of pregnancy reduced the incidence of early preterm birth (ePTB,
MO-A-BRB-00: TG191: Clinical Use of Luminescent Dosimeters.

This presentation will highlight the upcoming TG-191 report: Clinical Use of Luminescent Dosimeters. Luminescent dosimetry based on TLD and OSLD is a practical, accurate, and precise technique for point dosimetry in medical physics applications. The charges of Task Group 191 were to detail the methodologies for practical and optimal luminescent dosimetry in a clinical setting. This includes (1) To review the variety of TLD/OSL materials available, including features and limitations of each. (2) To outline the optimal steps to achieve accurate and precise dosimetry with luminescent detectors and to evaluate the uncertainty induced when less rigorous procedures are used. (3) To develop consensus guidelines on the optimal use of luminescent dosimeters for clinical practice. (4) To develop guidelines for special medically relevant uses of TLDs/OSLs (e.g., mixed field i.e. photon/neutron dosimetry, particle beam dosimetry, skin dosimetry). While this report provides general guidelines for arbitrary TLD and OSLD processes, the report, and therefore this presentation, provide specific guidance for TLD-100 (LiF:Ti,Mg) and nanoDot (Al2O3:C) dosimeters because of their prevalence in clinical practice. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the available dosimetry systems, and basic theory of their operation 2. Understand the range of dose determination methodologies and the uncertainties associated with them 3. Become familiar with special considerations for TLD/OSLD relevant for special clinical situations 4. Learn recommended commissioning and QA procedures for these dosimetry systems.
The Role of Staphylococcus aureus in Patients with Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyposis

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is correlated with the development of persistent severe inflammatory disease of the upper airway including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The presence of S. aureus is associated with atopic disease including allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis and is associated with poor outcomes. Several different strains of S. aureus generate different toxins and gene products that can account for organism pathogenicity. S. aureus bacteria and its antigens shape the bacterial and fungal microbiome and the mucosal niche which generates host responses that can account for inflammation. The multiple disease phenotypes and molecular endotypes seen in CRSwNP can be characterized by T-helper cell environment within the inflammatory milieu, the presence of epithelial barrier dysfunction, aberrant eicosanoid metabolism, poor wound healing, and dysfunctional host-bacteria interactions which lead to recalcitrant disease and worse surgical outcomes. Understanding the pathomechanisms that S. aureus utilizes to promote nasal polyp formation, prolonged tissue inflammation, and bacterial dysbiosis are essential in our efforts to identify new therapeutic approaches to resolve this chronic inflammatory process.
A new fast method of solving the high dimensional elliptic eigenvalue problem

Abstract In this paper, we develop a novel method to solve the elliptic eigenvalue problem. The univariate multi-wavelet approach provides a simple diagonal preconditioner for second order elliptic problems, which gives an almost constant condition number for efficiently solving the corresponding linear system. Here, we shall consider a new fast numerical approach for approximating the smallest elliptic eigenvalue by using the multi-wavelet basis in the multi-grid discretization scheme. Moreover, we develop a new numerical scheme coupled with sparse grids method in the calculation. This new approach saves storage in degrees of freedom and thus is more efficient in the computation. Several numerical experiments are provided for validating the proposed numerical scheme, which show that our method retains the optimal convergence rate for the smallest eigenvalue approximation with much less computational cost comparing with ’eigs’ in full grids.
Dynamics of relaxation and dressing of a quenched Bose polaron

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of relaxation and dressing of a mobile impurity with velocity $v$, suddenly immersed, or quenched, into a zero-temperature homogeneous Bose-Einstein condensate. A many-body generalization of Weisskopf-Wigner theory is implemented to obtain the impurity fidelity, reduced density matrix and entanglement entropy. The dynamics depends crucially on the Mach number $\ensuremath{\beta}=v/c$, with $c$ the speed of sound of superfluid phonons, and features many different timescales. Quantum Zeno behavior at early time is followed by nonequilibrium dynamics determined by Cerenkov emission of long-wavelength phonons for $\ensuremath{\beta}g1$ with a relaxation rate ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{p}\ensuremath{\propto}{(\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}1)}^{3}$. The polaron dressing dynamics slows down as $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1$ and is characterized by power laws ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ with exponents $\ensuremath{\alpha}=3/2,1/2,2$ for $\ensuremath{\beta}g1,=1,l1,$ respectively. The asymptotic entanglement entropy features a sharp discontinuity, and the residue features a cusp at $\ensuremath{\beta}=1$. These nonequilibrium features suggest universal dynamical critical phenomena near $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\simeq}1$ and are a direct consequence of the linear dispersion relation of long-wavelength superfluid phonons. We conjecture on the emergence of an asymptotic dynamical attractor with $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\le}1$.
Impaired carotid body hypoxic sensing in mice deficient in olfactory receptor 78

ABSTRACT Carotid bodies are the sensory organs for detecting hypoxemia (decreased arterial blood oxygen levels) and ensuing chemo reflex is a major regulator of breathing and blood pressure. Chang et al (2015) proposed that olfactory receptor 78 (Olfr78) plays a major role in hypoxic sensing by the carotid body. However, such a possibility was questioned by a subsequent study ((Torres-Torrelo et al. 2018). The discrepancy between the two reports prompted the present study to re-examine the role of Olfr78 in hypoxic sensing by the carotid body (CB). Studies were performed on age and gender matched Olfr78 knock out mice generated on BL6 and JAX backgrounds and corresponding wild type mice. Breathing was monitored by plethysmography in un-sedated and efferent phrenic nerve activity in anesthetized mice. Carotid body sensory nerve activity was determined ex vivo and [Ca2+]i responses were monitored in isolated glomus cells, the primary O2 sensing cells of the carotid body. Olfr78 null mice on both BL6 and JAX backgrounds exhibited attenuated hypoxic ventilatory response, whereas breathing responses to CO2 were unaffected. The magnitude of hyperoxia-induced depression of breathing (Dejour’s test), which is an indirect measure of carotid body hypoxic sensing, was markedly reduced in Olfr78 mutant mice on both background strains. Furthermore, carotid body sensory nerve and glomus cell [Ca2+]i responses to hypoxia were attenuated in BL6 and JAX Olfr78 null mice. These results suggest that Olfr78 plays an important role in hypoxic sensing by the carotid body.
Defense in Depth: The Basics of Blockade and Delay.

Given that individual defenses are rarely sufficient, defense-in-depth is nearly universal and options for individual defensive layers abound. We develop a simple mathematical theory that can help in selecting the type and quantity of defenses for two different defense-in-depth strategies: Blockade and Delay. This theoretical approach accounts for budgetary constraints and the number, skill, and diversity of attackers. We find that defenders have several reasons to be optimistic including that the number of required defenses increases more slowly than the number of attackers, that similar attackers are defended more easily than similar defenses are defeated, and that defenders do not necessarily need to act as quickly as attackers.
Magnetic resonance enterography, colonoscopy, and fecal calprotectin correlate in colonic Crohn's disease.

Fecal calprotectin (FCP), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), and colonoscopy are complementary biometric tests that are used to assess patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD). While prior studies have evaluated the association between combinations of these tests, no study has established a correlation between all three: FCP, MRE, and colonoscopy. We prospectively investigated if there is correlation between these three tests, which may result in improved clinical outcomes that can then be used to streamline patient monitoring and treatment modification. One hundred fifty-six patients with colonic CD were prospectively examined between March 2017 and December 2018. FCP levels, MRE, and colonoscopy were assessed in parallel on all 156 patients. Clinical CD activity was measured with the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI). CD activity with FCP was measured with a quantitative immunoassay. CD activity on MRE was measured with the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA). CD activity on colonoscopy was measured with the Crohn’s Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS). One hundred twelve patients (72%) had active disease (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index > 150) and 44 patients (28%) were in clinical remission disease (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index < 150). FCP levels, MaRIA, and CDEIS are highly correlated with positive and significant Pearson and Spearman coefficients, respectively (P < 0.0001), in univariate analyses. Regression analysis (multivariate analyses) demonstrates significant, positive correlation between FCP and MaRIA (r = 1.07, P < 0.0001) and between FCP and CDEIS (r = 0.71, P = 0.03), and between. MaRIA and CDEIS (r = 0.63, P = 0.01). FCP levels significantly correlate with the degree of active inflammation in patients with colonic Crohn’s Disease. Improved clinical results may be achieved by using a biometric strategy that incorporates FCP, colonoscopy, and MRE together. This strategy may in-turn be used in the future to streamline monitoring disease activity and adjustment of therapy to improve long term patient outcomes.
Researching in Undergraduate Mathematics Education: Possible Directions for Both Undergraduate Students and Faculty

Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME) is a new field to both mathematics and mathematics education. It borrows theory and methodology from other disciplines including psychology, sociology, and neurology. At its core, RUME is attempting to find out about the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics education in order to improve it. In this book chapter, I attempt to give a quick overview on how to conduct RUME with undergraduate students. I pull from my experiences as a mentor of ten undergraduate projects. There is also a suggested timeline of RUME in a semester, some ways to generate RUME open questions, and a large amount of open questions conjectured by others. My hope is that this book chapter has information for both mentors and undergraduates alike.
Comparing model-based control methods for simultaneous stiffness and position control of inflatable soft robots:

Inflatable robots are naturally lightweight and compliant, which may make them well suited for operating in unstructured environments or in close proximity to people. The inflatable joints used in ...
A case of near-fatal bronchospasm in a child with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia during tracheostomy

Abstract Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a condition marked by prolonged ventilator and oxygen requirement due to underlying arrested lung development. Tracheostomy is a staple in long-term establishment of pediatric airways in this condition, and has many benefits. However, these children's airways can be very tenuous. We present a case of a child with severe BPD who developed extreme bronchospasm during tracheostomy. We also briefly review current literature in the management of such children's airways and potential directions for future management.
Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Race 4 Isolates Cause Disease on Tetraploid Wheat.

The ascomycete fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis is the causal agent of tan spot of wheat. The disease can occur on both common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and durum wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum) ...
Anti–PD-1 Induces M1 Polarization in the Glioma Microenvironment and Exerts Therapeutic Efficacy in the Absence of CD8 Cytotoxic T Cells

Purpose: Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy has demonstrated inconsistent therapeutic results in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) including those with profound impairments in CD8 T-cell effector responses. Experimental Design: We ablated the CD8α gene in BL6 mice and intercrossed them with Ntv-a mice to determine how CD8 T cells affect malignant progression in forming endogenous gliomas. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with PD-1 to determine the efficacy of this treatment in the absence of T cells. The tumor microenvironment of treated and control mice was analyzed by IHC and FACS. Results: We observed a survival benefit in immunocompetent mice with endogenously arising intracranial glioblastomas after intravenous administration of anti–PD-1. The therapeutic effect of PD-1 administration persisted in mice even after genetic ablation of the CD8 gene (CD8−/−). CD11b+ and Iba1+ monocytes and macrophages were enriched in the glioma microenvironment of the CD8−/− mice. The macrophages and microglia assumed a proinflammatory M1 response signature in the setting of anti–PD-1 blockade through the elimination of PD-1–expressing macrophages and microglia in the tumor microenvironment. Anti–PD-1 can inhibit the proliferation of and induce apoptosis of microglia through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, as fluorescently labeled anti–PD-1 was shown to gain direct access to the glioma microenvironment. Conclusions: Our results show that the therapeutic effect of anti–PD-1 blockade in GBM may be mediated by the innate immune system, rather than by CD8 T cells. Anti–PD-1 immunologically modulates innate immunity in the glioma microenvironment—likely a key mode of activity.
Systematic Comparison of Vesicular Targeting Signals Leads to the Development of Genetically Encoded Vesicular Fluorescent Zn2+ and pH Sensors

Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors have been widely used to illuminate secretory vesicle dynamics and the vesicular lumen, including Zn2+ and pH, in living cells. However, vesicular sensors have a tendency to mislocalize and are susceptible to the acidic intraluminal pH. In this study, we performed a systematic comparison of five different vesicular proteins to target the fluorescent protein mCherry and a Zn2+ Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensor to secretory vesicles. We found that motifs derived from vesicular cargo proteins, including chromogranin A (CgA), target vesicular puncta with greater efficacy than transmembrane proteins. To characterize vesicular Zn2+ levels, we developed CgA-Zn2+ FRET sensor fusions with existing sensors ZapCY1 and eCALWY-4 and characterized subcellular localization and the influence of pH on sensor performance. We simultaneously monitored Zn2+ and pH in individual secretory vesicles by leveraging the acceptor fluorescent protein as a pH sensor and found that pH influenced FRET measurements in situ. While unable to characterize vesicular Zn2+ at the single-vesicle level, we were able to monitor Zn2+ dynamics in populations of vesicles and detected high vesicular Zn2+ in MIN6 cells compared to lower levels in the prostate cancer cell line LnCaP. The combination of CgA-ZapCY1 and CgA-eCALWY-4 allows for measurement of Zn2+ from pM to nM ranges.
Trends in psychotropic-drug-implicated mortality: Psychotropic drugs as a contributing but non-underlying cause of death.

Abstract Background Drug overdoses have contributed to considerable years of life lost. However, focusing solely on drug overdoses, whereby drug poisoning defines the underlying cause of death, obscures the wider burden of the drug mortality crisis. We aim to describe 21 years of trends in “psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths,” those where psychotropic drugs are a contributing (but not the underlying) cause of death. Methods We analyze deaths extracted from CDC WONDER from 1999−2019 to generate annual counts and rates for psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths in the United States, including by underlying cause of death and drug implicated. Results Over 21 years, 51,446 psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths occurred (33,885 medical; 17,561 external). Both medical and external psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths rose dramatically, increasing 2.5 and 5.0 times, respectively. Diseases of the circulatory system predominated underlying causes of medical deaths (74 %). Non-drug suicide, transport accidents, and drownings constitute 54 % of external underlying causes. Among the various underlying causes of death, psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths represent a considerable proportion, especially among external causes, with the proportion greatly increasing over the observation period. The drug implicated evolves from cocaine to opioids to psychostimulants, with the latter rising considerably. Conclusions The drug mortality crisis extends beyond overdose and may temper improvements observed within other causes of mortality, such as cardiovascular disease, transport accidents, and drownings. As with overdoses, psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths have risen dramatically during the 21st century. They include striking increases for drugs, such as psychostimulants, receiving less attention with overdoses. Research is needed to address prevention, intervention, and policy for psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths beyond overdose mortality.
Hypertension And The Kidney: Reduced Kidney Mass Is Bad For Both Normotensive And Hypertensive Rats.

Background Hypertension is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Early studies demonstrated the short-term effects of hypertension on kidney function and morphology in ablative nephropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term consequences of hypertension in 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NE) model. Methods Reduction of the kidney mass by 5/6NE was created in spontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rats and genetically similar normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure, serum creatinine (SCr), hematuria and proteinuria were monitored weekly for 23 weeks. Kidney morphology was assessed at the end of the study. Sham-operated rats from both strains were used as controls. Results Rats with 5/6NE had increased SCr, blood pressure, hematuria and proteinuria in both SHR and WKY. Even though the SCr levels and blood pressure were greater in 5/6NE SHR as compared to 5/6NE WKY rats, absolute changes from sham-operated rats were not statistically significant between these two groups. 5/6NE SHR had earlier onset and a higher proteinuria than 5/6NE WKY rats. Hematuria was similar in 5/6NE SHR and 5/6NE WKY rats. However, 5/6NE SHR had enlarged glomeruli, increased interstitial fibrosis and prominent intimal thickening in the small arteries/arterioles as compared to 5/6NE WKY rats. Conclusions The long-term severity of kidney injury correlated with higher blood pressure. . Reduction of the kidney mass increases SCr, hematuria, proteinuria and blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Histological assessment provides better information about underlying chronic kidney injury than actual changes in SCr and urinalysis.
Bayesian interval estimation of genetic relationships: application to paternity testing.

Abstract Using genetic marker data, we have developed a general methodology for estimating genetic relationships between a set of individuals. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the practical utility of these methods as applied to the problem of paternity testing. Bayesian methods are used to compute the posterior probability distribution of the genetic relationship parameters. Use of an interval-estimation approach rather than a hypothesis-testing one avoids the problem of the specification of an appropriate null hypothesis in calculating the probability of paternity. Monte Carlo methods are used to evaluate the utility of two sets of genetic markers in obtaining suitably precise estimates of genetic relationship as well as the effect of the prior distribution chosen. Results indicate that with currently available markers a "true" father may be reliably distinguished from any other genetic relationship to the child and that with a reasonable number of markers one can often discriminate between an unrelated individual and one with a second-degree relationship to the child.
Robust Methods for Factorial Experiments with Outliers.

Abstract : Two factorial experiments with possible outliers are reanalyzed by means of robust regression techniques. We show that using M-estimates of regression results in efficient analyses which are easier to implement than the previous methods.
Social selection and the evolution of a female weapon in queens of the ant Messor pergandei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The evolution of weaponry occurs less frequently in females than in males and is most often important for protecting ecological resources or offspring rather than winning mates. The purpose of female weapons is often confounded by the presence of similar weapons in males, so cases where only females need weapons provide important tests of our understanding of how and why weapons evolve. In some populations of the ant, Messor pergandei (Mayr), newly mated queens initiate new nests in social groups that subsequently break down when queens engage in battles for control. The incipient social environment differs geographically, so that lethal fighting occurs in some populations but not others. Consistent with the hypothesis that queens in populations where lethal fighting occurs should show selection for weaponry (broad heads and strong mandibles), we found that heads of queens from sites where lethal fighting occurs were broader than those at sites with non-fighting queens and a site with solitary queens. Evolution of weaponry is specific to queens, because regression results from workers often did not follow this pattern. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113, 1011–1020.
Non-heme Iron Proteins X. THE AMINO ACID SEQUENCES OF FERREDOXINS FROM LEUCAENA GLAUCA

Abstract The complete amino acid sequence of ferredoxin from the leaves of Leucaena glauca, a species of small leguminous tree, has been determined. This single polypeptide chain was found to contain 96 amino acid residues arranged as follows, with sequence heterogeneity occurring in positions 6, 12, 33, and 96: Ala-Phe-Lys-Val-Lys-Leua/Valb-Leu-Thr-Pro-Asp-Gly-Proa/Alab-Lys-Glu-Phe-Glu-Cys-Pro-Asp-Asp-Val-Tyr-Ile-Leu-Asp-Gln-Ala-Glu-Glu-Leu-Gly-Ile-Glux/Aspx-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ser-Cys-Arg-Ala-Gly-Ser-Cys-Ser-Ser-Cys-Ala-Gly-Lys-Leu-Val-Glu-Gly-Asp-Leu-Asp-Gln-Ser-Asp-Gln-Ser-Phe-Leu-Asp-Asp-Glu-Gln-Ile-Glu-Glu-Gly-Trp-Val-Leu-Thr-Cys-Ala-Ala-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Ser-Asp-Val-Val-Ile-Glu-Thr-His-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Leu-Thr-Glyx/Alax.
Beowulf’s Broken Bodies

This essay explores Robert Zemeckis’s Beowulf (2007) as a contemporary retelling of the Anglo-Saxon poem which has been influenced by both postmodern culture and post 9–11 philosophies. In this contemporary iteration, the figures and narratives of the hero, the monster, and their culture are radically destabilized and fragmented. These permeable and broken bodies offer insight about contemporary culture, as well as the originating Anglo-Saxon culture.
A case study of Federal Reserve policymaking: Regulation Q in 1966☆

Abstract This paper evaluates the Federal Reserve's efficiency by seeing if in 1966, when it decided to make the Regulation Q ceiling much more binding, it took account of the factors that economic theory suggests are relevant, such as the stimulus provided to non-price competition. The sources used are confidential Minutes of the Board of Governors and internal memos. They show that the Fed's analysis was seriously deficient. Some probable reasons are suggested.
Determination of toxic material penetrations for wildland respirator filters

Thousands of wildland firefighters are exposed to high levels of toxic materials every year. Carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and acrolein gases, along with high particulate concentrations, are the major toxics encountered. Currently, the only respiratory protection wildland firefighters use is a bandanna over the mouth and nose. In this study, a modem activated carbon cartridge with an electrostatic prefilter was compared to a typical bandanna for its ability to filter wildland smoke toxics such as formaldehyde and particulates. The results of the tests were disappointing; neither filter performed very well. The activated carbon cartridge and prefilter efficiently collected formaldehyde gas for up to 60 minutes; however, it only collected 85 percent of the challenge particulate. ]Me bandanna, as expected, was only partially effective at collecting smoke particulate and filtered no toxic gases.
The outer galaxy as a star formation laboratory

L'efficacite de la formation d'etoiles massives dans les nuages moleculaires de la Galaxie externe est comparee a celle de la Galaxie interne par une etude des observations IR et radio d'un ensemble de 17 nuages moleculaires
Penetration, Post-penetration Development, and Reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on Cucumis melo var. texanus.

Cucumis melo var. texanus, a wild melon commonly found in the southern United States and two accessions, Burleson Co. and MX 1230, expressed resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in preliminary experiments. To characterize the mechanism of resistance, we evaluated root penetration, post-penetration development, reproduction, and emigration of M. incognita on these two accessions of C. melo var. texanus. Additionally, we evaluated 22 accessions of C. melo var. texanus for their reaction against M. incognita in a greenhouse experiment. Fewer (P ≤ 0.05) J2 penetrated the root system of C. melo var. texanus accessions (Burleson Co. and MX 1230) and C. metuliferus (PI 482452) (resistant control), 7 days after inoculation (DAI) than in C. melo ‘Hales Best Jumbo’ (susceptible control). A delayed (P ≤ 0.05) rate of nematode development was observed at 7, 14, and 21 DAI that contributed to lower (P ≤ 0.05) egg production on both accessions and C. metuliferus compared with C. melo. Though J2 emigration was observed on all Cucumis genotypes a higher (P ≤ 0.05) rate of J2 emigration was observed from 3 to 6 DAI on accession Burleson Co. and C. metuliferus than on C. melo. The 22 accessions of C. melo var. texanus varied relative to their reaction to M. incognita with eight supporting similar levels of nematode reproduction to that of C. metuliferus. Cucumis melo var. texanus may be a useful source of resistance against root-knot nematode in melon.
The effects of datapath placement and C-slow retiming on three computational benchmarks

Summary form only given. Two important optimizations within the FPGA design process, C-slow retiming and datapath placement, offer significant benefits for designers. Many have advocated and implemented tools to use these techniques in both automatic and semiautomatic manner but they have not made their way into conventional FPGA toolflows. C-slow retiming is a method of accelerating computations that include feedback loops. Instead of having a single instance of the computation, the feedback loop is pipelined so that C separate instances are all calculated simultaneously. This allows fine grained pipelining to occur even in designs that include feedback loops, such as single round cryptographic implementations or microprocessors. Done properly, it imposes a significant but not imposing latency penalty for single computations while offering huge increases in throughput. Datapath placement is simply constructing the design in a manner that accounts for the higher level data flows. This offers several benefits, including improved performance, more physically compact designs, shorter wires, and faster place and route times when the FPGA is heavily utilized. Even for designs with less structure which are amenable to simulated annealing, datapath placement may still offer a significant benefit. To clearly demonstrate the importance of these optimizations we have hand-modified three computational benchmarks which represent significant themes within FPGA computation: Rijndael/AES encryption, Smith/Waterman, and a simplified 32-bit microprocessor datapath. All three represent significantly different modes of computation within FPGAs, but all gain significantly from the use of these techniques.
Man-Machine Interface Requirements Definition: Task Demands and Functional Capabilities*

The man-machine interface (MMI) is a critical element in the specification of computer software for on-line information systems. To help ensure effective MMI software design, a requirements matrix is proposed to categorize the functional capabilities required for characteristic user tasks. Based on this matrix, design guidelines can be tailored to required capabilities. This approach to specifying MMI design must be tried in system acquisition programs to evaluate its usefulness.
Pathology of the Vitamin C Deficiency Syndrome in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Channel catfish fingerlings fed purified diets devoid of vitamin C showed reduced growth rate, deformed spinal columns, external and internal hemorrhages, erosion of fins, dark skin color and reduced bone collagen content after 8 to 12 weeks, whereas fish fed a diet containing 30 mg/kg of vitamin C had none of these anomalies after 22 weeks. A dietary level of 30 mg of vitamin C per kg was insufficient to prevent distortion of gill filament cartilage, although 60 mg of vitamin C per kg was sufficient. Vertebral collagen percentages of 25 or below and liver ascorbic acid levels of 30 microgram/g or below appeared to be indicative of vitamin C deficiency in channel catfish fingerlings. Epidermis and dermis were almost completely healed and extensive collagen fiber formation had commenced in the somatic muscle, in experimentally inflicted wounds after 10 days in fish fed the vitamin C-free diet. Skin and muscle at the wound site were almost regenerated to normal after 10 days in fish fed 60 mg of vitamin C per kg of diet.
Reasoning on the complex plane via inscriptions and gesture

Abstract Using a diagrammatic reasoning framework about inscriptions, we explored undergraduates’ reasoning about complex-valued equations. Our findings suggest that reasoning geometrically requires first reasoning algebraically about algebraic inscriptions. We found students tended to create algebraic and geometric inscriptions when their verbiage could no longer support geometric reasoning. Furthermore, they incorporated similar iconic gestures for reasoning about their geometric inscriptions, which reduced to deictic gestures as they applied their previously developed reasoning to subsequent tasks. Contrary to other research, our participants’ gestures did not taper off with future tasks. Rather, their gestures transformed as concepts were automatized. Moreover, our research suggests that gestures serve as a link between verbiage and inscriptions rather than inscriptions serving as a link between verbiage and gesture as other researchers claim. In promoting synchronicity of algebraic and geometric reasoning, teachers may want to capitalize on the fact that students tend to implement similar gestures as they reason.
Microfinance: The Newest Financial Technology of the Washington Consensus

The revamping of the Washington Consensus includes a deepened interest in microfinance. Indeed, the recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize was a pioneer in microenterprise development. This economist warns that worldwide institutional sponsorship of microfinance may be a new form of "charity washing".
Encouraging associate degree nursing students to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing: The faculty role

Faculty in associate degree nursing (ADN) programs have unique opportunities to encourage and guide students to continue their nursing education. At a time when the nursing profession needs advanced clinical leaders and educators, the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) provides ADN graduates a stepping stone to advanced education and career opportunities. Faculty approaches to encourage ongoing student education, organized from the theory of adult learning by M. S. Knowles (1970), are provided. These include engaging students in the process, showing how the BSN can be relevant to students' lives, and assisting students in finding a BSN program that fits their lifestyle.
Different Effects of Glyburide and Glipizide on Insulin Secretion and Hepatic Glucose Production in Normal and NIDDM Subjects

Glyburide (GB) and glipizide (GZ) differ in their pharmacokinetics, but it is not known whether they also differ in mode of action. To examine this question, 10 young healthy subjects and 6 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients participated in each of three studies: 1) infusion of saline for 120 min followed by a 100-min hyperglycemic (125 mg/dl) clamp; 2) 120-min primed continuous infusion of GZ followed by a 100-min hyperglycemic clamp; and 3) 120-min primed continuous infusion of GB followed by a 100-min hyperglycemic clamp. The GB and GZ infusions were continued throughout the hyperglycemic clamp. Similar plasma concentrations of GB and GZ were obtained in both groups. All studies were performed with [3-3H]glucose to allow quantification of hepatic glucose production. When administered under basal conditions of glycemia, the acute phase (0-10 min) of plasma insulin and C-peptide increase in both control and NIDDM subjects was twice as great with GZ compared with GB (P less than .01). During the hyperglycemic-clamp studies performed in normal subjects, both GB and GZ increased the first- (1.6-fold) and second- (2.2-fold) phase plasma insulin responses more than hyperglycemia alone. During the hyperglycemic clamp in NIDDM subjects, the first-phase plasma insulin response was absent, and the second-phase insulin response was markedly impaired. Neither GB nor GZ improved first-phase insulin secretion in the NIDDM patients. In both NIDDM and control subjects, the effects of hyperglycemia and sulfonylurea drugs (both GB and GZ) on the first- and second-phase plasma insulin responses were simply additive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A CLASSIFIED REVIEW OF REFRACTORY SLAG TESTS

The literature on refractory slag tests is reviewed. The various methods are divided into eight different classifications and references to the literature are given.
Greatest percentage of involved core length and the risk of death from prostate cancer in men with highest Gleason score ≥ 7.

No deaths from prostate cancer (PC) were observed in men with Gleason score (GS) 7 and a differing, lower GS core (ComboGS), greatest percentage of involved core length < 50%, and favorable intermediate-risk disease despite radiation therapy (RT) alone in 83%. Whether de-escalated therapy with high-dose RT alone is appropriate for these men is being tested prospectively in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0815 clinical trial. Introduction/Background: Men with highest GS � 7 and a differing, lower GS core (ComboGS) have decreased PC-specific mortality (PCSM) risk after RT or RT and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Whether the greatest percentage of involved core length (GPC) modulates this risk is unknown. Patients and Methods: Men with GS � 7 PC (n ¼ 333) consecutively treated between December 1989 and July 2000 using RT (n ¼ 268; 80%) or RT and 6 months of ADT (n ¼ 65; 20%) comprised the study cohort. The GPC was calculated using biopsy core and tumor lengths. We used competing risks regression to assess whether increasing GPC was associated with increased PCSM risk in men with or without ComboGS adjusting for risk group, age, and treatment. Results: After a median follow-up of 5.36 years (interquartile range, 3.22-7.61 years), 92 (28%) men died, 28 (30%) of PC. Increasing GPC was significantly associated with increased risk of PCSM (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03; P ¼ .005). Men with GPC � 50% versus < 50% had significantly greater PCSM estimates when ComboGS was present (P < .001) versus absent (P ¼ .55). Of the 127 men with ComboGS and GPC < 50%, 83% were treated with RT alone and 2 PC deaths were observed; neither in men with GS 7 and favorable intermediate-risk PC. Conclusion: Men treated with RT for ComboGS, GPC < 50%, GS 7, and favorable intermediate-risk PC have a very low risk of early PCSM. The RTOG 0815 trial will establish whether ADT is necessary to optimize curability in these men.
DNA-binding properties of the product of the testis-determining gene and a related protein

THE upstream region of the human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene contains an insulin-response element (IRE-A) responsible for insulin-dependent transcription of the gene. The open reading frame of a rat complementary DNA encoding a protein (IRE-ABP) that binds to this sequence contains an HMG box motif that is 67% identical to the mouse candidate gene for the testis-determining factor SRY, and 98% identical to the mouse SRY-like gene, a4. Here we report that IRE-ABP and SRY bind to IRE-A DNA with comparable specificity in a DNase-I footprinting assay. Two females with sex reversal were found to have a single amino-acid substitution in the HMG box domain of SRY at position 3 and 7, respectively. SRY derivatives containing corresponding mutations do not make contact with IRE-A DNA. These results are direct evidence that mouse SRY-like proteins are sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins and identify two amino acids critical to this interaction. Moreover, IRE-A is a candidate SRY-response element.
Modeling spatial variations of black carbon particles in an urban highway-building environment.

Highway-building environments are prevalent in metropolitan areas. This paper presents our findings in investigating pollutant transport in a highway-building environment by combing field measurement and numerical simulations. We employ and improve the Comprehensive Turbulent Aerosol Dynamics and Gas Chemistry (CTAG) model to simulate the spatial variations of black carbon (BC) concentrations near highway I-87 and an urban school in the South Bronx, New York. The results of CTAG simulations are evaluated against and agree adequately with the measurements of wind speed, wind directions, and BC concentrations. Our analysis suggests that the BC concentration at the measurement point of the urban school could decrease by 43–54% if roadside buildings were absent. Furthermore, we characterize two generalized conditions in a highway-building environment, i.e., highway-building canyon and highway viaduct-building. The former refers to the canyon between solid highway embankment and roadside buildings, where the s...
MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A PHYSICAL MODEL OF SOME VISCO-ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF THE AORTA.

Visco-elastic properties of blood vessels, the aorta in particular, may be approximated by a suitable arrangement of two elastic rods and one viscous rod. This simple model is readily derived from models already proposed for individual components of the aortic wall: elastin, collagen, and smooth muscle. The model is even consistent with various results ofin vitro experimental data which have previously appeared uncorrelated, or even contradictory. What is more, when elastic and viscous coefficients of the model were calculated from these data, the density of each of the three histological components could be predicted for some specimens. The mathematical development of the model and the agreement with varied experiments justify use of the model for analysis ofin vivo aortic pressure curves in subsequent papers. The development also indicates the need for additional data from some simplein vitro experiments suggested by this analysis. Data from the suggested experiments may support the present model or require some modification of it.
Targeted therapies: sunitinib in RCC-expanded access equals expanded benefit?

Sunitinib is a standard first-line therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. In an expanded-access study, sunitinib has demonstrated clinical benefit with an acceptable safety profile in a population of patients that is representative of those seen in clinical practice.
Numerical analysis of a two-dimensional near-field probe

Abstract A hybrid finite-difference-time-domain and angular spectrum technique is used to model near-field optical probe fields and the interaction of the fields with a pyrex substrate. Included in this analysis is a study of the effect of various nanometer sized asperities in the substrate. The hybrid technique provides a straightforward and highly accurate method to simulate the complex electromagnetic problems associated with probe fields.
A microfabricated flow-through cell with parallel-opposed electrodes for recycling amperometric detection

Abstract Flow-through recycling electrochemical detectors with dual Au electrodes were fabricated using micromachining techniques. Detector cells contained two microband electrodes that were 50 μm wide by 3–5 mm long separated by a 5 or 10 μm gap in a parallel-opposed configuration. One electrode was defined in the bottom of a channel which was etched into the surface of a Si wafer while the other electrode was defined on a glass substrate. The depth of the channel defined the gap distance between the electrodes. The Si and glass pieces were anodically bonded together to create a flow cell. The stability and reproducibility of single and dual electrode cells were characterized with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry during flow injection analysis (FIA). Single electrode detectors had detection limits of 50 nM with root mean square noise in the 3–10 pA range. The dual electrode cells showed enhanced sensitivity over single electrode cells through detection of analyte molecules multiple times as they were transported through the cell. Signal enhancements up to 60-fold were obtained with dual electrode cells during FIA at a flow rate of 50 nl/min. Simulations predict that signal-to-noise ratio enhancements > 100-fold may be possible with appropriate designs.
Epidemiology of HIV and response to antiretroviral therapy in the middle aged and elderly

HIV is increasing in prevalence in the middle aged and older population owing to both increased longevity, and new infections in these populations. Highly active antiretrorival therapy (HAART) therapy may be less effective at restoring immune function in older patients compared with younger patients. There are significant toxicities associated with HAART therapy that, combined with decreased renal and liver function in older patients, may be more problematic in older HIV-infected patients. Comorbid disease is becoming an increasing problem with coadministration of multiple drugs and significant drug–drug interactions. Psychosocial issues in the older patient are often different than those in younger HIV-infected patients and providers should try to address these issues early. Finally, future research should work to identify the ideal timing and type of HAART regimens for older HIV-infected individuals.
SAPPHIRE: A toolkit for building efficient stream programs for medical video analysis

This paper describes the design and implementation of SAPPHIRE--a novel middleware and software development kit for stream programing on a heterogeneous system of multi-core multi-CPUs with optional hardware accelerators such as graphics processing unit (GPU). A stream program consists of a set of tasks where the same tasks are repeated over multiple iterations of data (e.g., video frames). Examples of such programs are video analysis applications for computer-aided diagnosis and computer-assisted surgeries. Our design goal is to reduce the implementation efforts and ease collaborative software development of stream programs while supporting efficient execution of the programs on the target hardware. To validate the toolkit, we implemented EM-Automated-RT software with the toolkit and reported our experience. EM-Automated-RT performs real-time video analysis for quality of a colonoscopy procedure and provides visual feedback to assist the endoscopist to achieve optimal inspection of the colon during the procedure. The software has been deployed in a hospital setting to conduct a clinical trial.