cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract MS3-3: Navigating the Genome: Quandaries and Approaches to Dealing with Genomic Information

Recent technological advances have made large-scale DNA sequencing, including whole genome sequencing, a practical reality. The ability to sequence tumor genomes as well as the germ-line genome of individuals holds considerable promise for the practice of oncology. Broad assessment of cancer risk in individuals, identification of those at extreme risk for cancer who might benefit from specific interventions and pharmacogenomic guidance regarding therapy are possible benefits of assessing an individual9s genome. Likewise, analysis of genomic information in tumors is poised to begin helping to guide highly specific treatment of cancer in an increasingly individualized manner. However, as the field of oncology begins to use genomic queries to assess patient risk, characterize disease and guide treatment, many challenges must be addressed. Purely technical issues include the suboptimal accuracy of current platforms for massively parallel sequencing, tumor heterogeneity and difficulties interpreting genomic risk information in a clinically relevant manner. Systemic challenges include how to interpret, store and present massive amounts of genomic data in the currently highly fragmented (and limited) electronic medical record. Finally, in the process of genome-scale sequencing vast numbers of incidental results are inevitably generated, which may have important ramifications for patients and providers but may be unwelcome. Such ethical, legal and social implications of whole genome sequencing raise significant questions about patient autonomy, the physician9s duty to warn and the laboratory9s duty to report a wide variety of highly heterogeneous genomic findings. In this presentation some of these salient issues and possible solutions will be explored. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr MS3-3.
Testing and Life Prediction for Composite Rotor Hub Flexbeams

A summary of several studies of delamination in tapered composite laminates with internal ply-drops is presented. Initial studies used 2D FE models to calculate interlaminar stresses at the ply-ending locations in linear tapered laminates under tension loading. Strain energy release rates for delamination in these laminates indicated that delamination would likely start at the juncture of the tapered and thin regions and grow unstably in both directions. Tests of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy linear tapered laminates under axial tension delaminated as predicted. Nonlinear tapered specimens were cut from a full-size helicopter rotor hub and were tested under combined constant axial tension and cyclic transverse bending loading to simulate the loading experienced by a rotor hub flexbeam in flight. For all the tested specimens, delamination began at the tip of the outermost dropped-ply group and grew first toward the tapered region. A 2D FE model was created that duplicated the test flexbeam layup, geometry, and loading. Surface strains calculated by the model agreed very closely with the measured surface strains in the specimens. The delamination patterns observed in the tests were simulated in the model by releasing pairs of multi-point constraints (MPCs) along those interfaces. Strain energy release rates associated with the delamination growth were calculated for several configurations and using two different FE analysis codes. Calculations from the codes agreed very closely. The strain energy release rate results were used with material characterization data to predict fatigue delamination onset lives for nonlinear tapered flexbeams with two different ply-dropping schemes. The predicted curves agreed well with the test data for each case studied.
Persistent Vaginal Cornification in Mice

Persistent vaginal cornification induced in A/Crgl mice by brief postnatal treatment with estrogen is not prevented by later ovariectomy, adrenalectomy, or hypophysectomy. Transplantation of the persistently cornified vaginae into ovariectomized normal mice or into ovariectomized persistently estrous mice also does not eliminate cornification in the majority of transplants. Administration of "anti-estrogenic" steroids temporarily alters the vaginal picture in some but not all of these mice. The vaginal epithelium of the persistently estrous mouse appears to represent an altered cell population which does not require estrogen for its constant keratinization.
Two-phase nanoscale morphology of polymer/LC composites

Abstract Small-angle X-ray scattering and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SAXS/HRSEM) were utilized to examine the nano (1–100 nm) and meso (100–1000 nm) scale morphology of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films of varying liquid crystal (LC) concentration. In contrast to the conventional PDLCs derived from photo-initiated step-growth polymerizations, these PDLC films were formed using photo-irradiation of initially homogeneous syrup comprised of highly functional free-radical monomer and liquid crystal, resulting in rapid molecular weight increase and network formation prior to or in conjunction with phase separation. Two-phase morphology observable with HRSEM was absent below 20% LC, although fine, small modulation features existed on the fracture surface. In contrast, SAXS reveals increasing nanoscale heterogeneity with increasing LC content. The scattering behavior is consistent with a structure factor derived from an Ornstein–Zernicke model indicating that composition fluctuations frozen by network formation exist at the lowest LC concentrations. At higher LC concentrations, a discontinuous LC phase is observed which coalesce into a co-continuous polymer/LC phase between 35 and 40% LC. Above this regime, aggregated beads of polymer form whose size and uniformity steadily increase with concentration. These morphological observations are consistent with analysis of the SAXS data via a two component Debye–Bueche model at low q . The nanoscale features of the PDLCs formed from highly functional free-radical monomers underscore the importance of the polymerization mechanism in controlling the two-phase morphology in PDLCs.
Combining DSC and TG data for measuring heats of reaction

Abstract The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) has been used for numerous thermodynamic analyses and has many advantages over classical calorimetry. In spite of the advantages there are limitations in the accuracy that can be obtained. There are many variables which control this, but in order to obtain a more accurate measurement these variables and their effects must be addressed. This approach will focus on the error produced from the weight change in the sample during an experiment. The information produced from the thermogravimetric analyzer will be used to enhance the heat of reaction calculations from a DSC experiment. An approach to justifying the integrity of the enhanced calculations will be by comparing quasi-thermal runs on a DSC with theoretical values.
Spinning cosmic strings and quantization of energy.

It is shown that energy should be quantized if there exist cosmic spinning strings. Quantization of energy arises naturally from the fact that the wave function must be single valued in the gravitational field of a spinning string. This effect arises when the vortexlike vacuum configurations carry constant nonzero angular momentum per unit length. Spinning strings occur naturally in spontaneously broken grand unified theories. A limit on $J$ coming from the upper limit of the photon mass is presented. The analogy with quantization of energy in the presence of gravitational magnetic mass is established.
Measles in the United States during the Postelimination Era

Background. Measles affected entire birth cohorts in the prevaccine era but was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 because of a successful measles vaccination program.Methods. We reviewed US surveillance data on confirmed measles cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and data on national measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage during postelimination years 2001–2008.Results. During 2001–2008, a total of 557 confirmed cases of measles (annual median no. of cases, 56) and 38 outbreaks (annual median no. of outbreaks, 4) were reported in the United States; 232 (42%) of the cases were imported from 44 countries, including European countries. Among case-patients who were US residents, the highest incidences of measles were among infants 6–11 months of age and children 12–15 months of age (3.5 and 2.6 cases/1 million person-years, respectively). From 2001 through 2008, national 1-dose MMR vaccine coverage among children 19–35 months of age ranged from 91% to 93%. From 2001 through 2008, a total of 285 US-resident case-patients (65%) were considered to have preventable measles (ie, the patients were eligible for vaccination but unvaccinated). During 2004–2008, a total of 68% of vaccine-eligible US-resident case-patients claimed exemptions for personal beliefs.Conclusions. The United States maintained measles elimination from 2001 through 2008 because of sustained high vaccination coverage. Challenges to maintaining elimination include large outbreaks of measles in highly traveled developed countries, frequent international travel, and clusters of US residents who remain unvaccinated because of personal belief exemptions.
565: Are GT-KO pigs essential for successful cardiac xenotransplantation?

Purpose: The creation of pigs deficient in the -Gal antigen was widely anticipated to eliminate the need for -Gal polymers and perhaps extend cardiac xenograft survival by reducing the intensity of the overall immune response. Methods and Materials: GT-KO pigs were developed from porcine fetal fibroblasts containing a neomycin insertion that disrupts exon 9 of the -galactosyltransferase gene. All of the GT-KO animals produced to date have been healthy and show no evidence of cataracts, a phenotype initially reported in GT-KO mice. Production of the GT-KO genotype has been at or near the predicted Mendelian frequencies. A series of 8 GT-KO pig to baboon heterotopic heart transplants were done using a maintenance immunosuppressive regimen that matched a previous study using GT CD46 transplants in which the recipients were successfully treated with daily infusion of -Gal polymers to block anti-Gal function. Results: Unexpectedly one heart underwent hyperacute rejection (HAR). Flow cytometry using GT-KO porcine aortic endothelial cells confirmed the presence of preformed non-Gal IgM and IgG and the cytolytic nature of this preformed antibody. Histological analysis of the graft showed typical hyperacute rejection including widespread edema and hemorrhage with strong vascular deposition of IgM and C5b. The remaining transplants survived for a median of 27 days (range 2-128 days) with 5 of 7 grafts exhibiting graft failure and delayed xenograft rejection. Survival of these GT-KO organs was comparable to the survival of GT CD46 transgenic hearts in recipients treated with an -Gal polymer to control induction of anti-Gal antibody. Conclusions: GT-KO donors may be clinically useful since they may eliminate the need for intravenous -Gal polymers, however, the HAR of one graft and the uniform presence of vascular antibody in the remaining transplants illustrate the pathogenic potential of preformed non-Gal anti-pig antibody and suggest that non-Gal antibody response will dominate contemporary xenograft rejection.
Policy Issues for Learning Disability Computer Integration

With the current expansion and development of educational computing in public and private schools across the country, policy issues for computer integration can be extremely important for educators. In the present article, research on a 3-year computer integration program at a private school for students with learning disabilities is used to illustrate integration issues. Problems and limitations in the computer program, ranging from lack of direction, support, and leadership from the administration to the lack of funds for maintenance or development, are identified and discussed. Policies and implications for the future of educational computing for students with learning disabilities as well as for private schools are examined.
Forms and Functions of Intimate Play in Personal Relationships

Two studies are reported on intimate play in same-sex friendships and in opposite-sex romantic relationships. In Study 1, a typology of eight play forms was derived: private verbal coding, role-playing, teasing, prosocial physical play, antisocial physical play, games, gossiping, and public performances. Study 1 also modified the Betcher PQII paper-and-pencil measure of perceived playfulness for use in nonmarital relationships, finding playfulness a strong correlate of relationship closeness. Study 2 examined the multidimensional structure of the play typology, finding three underlying dimensions for the play forms: verbal versus nonverbal, antisocial versus prosocial, and assumed-identity versus self-identity. Study 2 also examined perceptions of the functions performed by the types of play, finding differences among the eight play forms on the functions of indexing intimacy, lessening interpersonal risk, distancing self from the interaction, and conflict management.
Low-power digital filtering using multiple voltage distribution and adaptive voltage scaling (poster session)

This paper describes an adaptive power management architecture to reduce power consumption in digital filters. The proposed approach combines two low-power techniques which utilize supply voltage reduction. The first technique, multiple voltage distribution (MVD), attempts to reduce power consumption by assigning reduced supply voltages to circuit modules while satisfying timing constraints. The second technique, adaptive voltage scaling (AVS), dynamically adjusts these multiple voltages to meet throughput requirements resulting in further power reduction. An FIR filter application using the combined MVD-AVS power management scheme for two adaptively scaled supply voltages is shown to consume one-third the power of a fixed supply voltage scheme, and half the power consumed with a single supply AVS.
Macrophage Reverse Cholesterol Transport Key to the Regression of Atherosclerosis

The concept of “reverse cholesterol transport” (RCT) was first introduced in 1968 by Glomset1 to describe the process by which extrahepatic (peripheral) cholesterol is returned to the liver for excretion in the bile and ultimately the feces. The physiological need for this process is clear, as nonhepatic cells acquire cholesterol through uptake of lipoproteins and de novo synthesis and yet (with the exception of steroidogenic tissues that convert cholesterol to steroid hormones) are unable to catabolize it. Excess unesterified cholesterol (UC) is toxic to cells, and therefore, cells have developed several ways to protect themselves against cholesterol toxicity. One key pathway is the efflux of cholesterol to extracellular “acceptors.” The return of this “peripheral” cholesterol to the liver is necessary to balance cholesterol intake and de novo synthesis and thus to maintain whole-body steady-state cholesterol metabolism. The relationship of RCT to atherosclerosis was first suggested by Ross and Glomset,2 who hypothesized that atherosclerotic lesions develop when an imbalance occurs between the deposition and removal of arterial cholesterol after endothelial injury. This concept was further developed by Miller and Miller,3 who suggested that on the basis of the inverse relation between HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular disease, emphasis should be placed on increasing HDL as a way to increase clearance of cholesterol from the arterial wall to prevent cardiovascular disease. Despite 3 decades of work, the relationship of RCT to atherosclerosis remains more of a hypothesis than an established fact. Because the physiological process of RCT clearly occurs from all peripheral tissues, it has often been measured and discussed as a general peripheral process. However, in atherosclerotic lesions, the primary cell type that is overloaded with cholesterol is the macrophage, and therefore, it makes more sense to conceptualize and measure RCT as a macrophage-specific phenomenon when it comes …
GEDS: GPU Execution of Continuous Queries on Spatio-Temporal Data Streams

Much research exists for the efficient processing of spatio-temporal data streams. However, all methods ultimately rely on an ill-equipped processor [22], namely a CPU, to evaluate concurrent, continuous spatio-temporal queries over these data streams. This paper presents GEDS, a scalable, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based framework for the evaluation of continuous spatio-temporal queries over spatio-temporal data streams. GEDS employs the computation sharing and parallel processing paradigms to deliver scalability in the evaluation of continuous spatio-temporal queries. The GEDS framework utilizes the parallel processing capability of the GPU, a stream processor by trade, to handle the computation required in this application. Experimental evaluation shows promising performance and shows the scalability and efficacy of GEDS in spatio-temporal data streaming environments.
The Impact of Plant Enemies Shows a Phylogenetic Signal

The host ranges of plant pathogens and herbivores are phylogenetically constrained, so that closely related plant species are more likely to share pests and pathogens. Here we conducted a reanalysis of data from published experimental studies to test whether the severity of host-enemy interactions follows a similar phylogenetic signal. The impact of herbivores and pathogens on their host plants declined steadily with phylogenetic distance from the most severely affected focal hosts. The steepness of this phylogenetic signal was similar to that previously measured for binary-response host ranges. Enemy behavior and development showed similar, but weaker phylogenetic signal, with oviposition and growth rates declining with evolutionary distance from optimal hosts. Phylogenetic distance is an informative surrogate for estimating the likely impacts of a pest or pathogen on potential plant hosts, and may be particularly useful in early assessing risk from emergent plant pests, where critical decisions must be made with incomplete host records.
Understanding the Complexity of Attitudes of Low-Income Single Mothers Toward Work and Family in the Age of Welfare Reform

This article explores the ideas of low-income single mothers on certain aspects of welfare reform, namely the Marriage Promotion Act, which uses funds for the formation and maintenance of two parent families. Drawing on research with former and current welfare recipients, the author explores how the mothers felt about certain welfare reform policies while trying to understand their current work and family arrangements. Two main ideas behind welfare reform were to encourage paid work and two parent families. While the mothers acknowledged that having access to a second wage earner would help themselves and their children realize a life less complicated by monetary issues, they expressed anger and frustration at being encouraged to marry. Welfare reform dictates that families receiving assistance take personal responsibility for their low-income lives and that paid work is essential to moving a family out of poverty. The stories from the mothers interviewed for this study suggest that while they valued work and wanted to work, to combine work with being a “good mother” was difficult to accomplish. Ultimately, what these mothers suggest through their experiences is the contradiction of welfare reform—paid work does not necessarily provide independence and marriage to another wage earner also undermines independence.
DnaA: Controlling the Initiation of Bacterial DNA Replication and More

Escherichia coli is a model system to study the mechanism of DNA replication and its regulation during the cell cycle. One regulatory pathway ensures that initiation of DNA replication from the chromosomal origin, oriC, is synchronous and occurs at the proper time in the bacterial cell cycle. A major player in this pathway is SeqA protein and involves its ability to bind preferentially to oriC when it is hemi-methylated. The second pathway modulates DnaA activity by stimulating the hydrolysis of ATP bound to DnaA protein. The regulatory inactivation of DnaA function involves an interaction with Hda protein and the beta dimer, which functions as a sliding clamp for the replicase, DNA polymerase III holoenzyme. The datA locus represents a third mechanism, which appears to influence the availability of DnaA protein in supporting rifampicin-resistant initiations.
Two types of resumptive pronouns in polish relative clauses

This paper discusses two types of resumptive pronouns found in Polish relative clauses: (i) adjacent resumptives and (ii) embedded resumptives. It will be argued that adjacent resumptives are truncated forms of the relative operator, whereas embedded resumptives are ‘regular’ resumptive pronouns found in other languages like Hebrew and Russian. Support for this claim will come from analyzing the differences between adjacent and embedded resumptives, and analyzing the similarities between adjacent resumptives and relative operators. Cross-linguistic data involving the interaction of relative clause formation and resumption, as well as the interaction of cliticization and resumption will provide additional support for the above claim.
Evolutionary computation with linear physical programming for solving a disassembly-to-order system

We solve the disassembly-to-order (DTO) problem by using Evolutionary Computation. DTO is a system where a variety of returned products are disassembled to fulfill the demand for specified numbers of components and materials. The main objective is to determine the optimal number of take-back EOL products for the DTO system which satisfy the desirable criteria of the system. One of the most widely used forms of Evolutionary Computation is Genetic Algorithm (GA). GA, which has the capability to improve a set of solutions over evolutionary steps, is used to generate optimal number of take-back EOL products. Moreover, linear physical programming (LPP), which has key features to entirely remove the decision maker (DM) from the process of choosing weights and to handle the vagueness of aspiration levels, is used to calculate fitness values in the GA process. A numerical example is considered to illustrate the methodology.
Targeted Disruption of Tgif, the Mouse Ortholog of a Human Holoprosencephaly Gene, Does Not Result in Holoprosencephaly in Mice†

5-TG-3-interacting factor or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-)-induced factor (TGIF) belongs to a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that are characterized by an atypical three-amino-acid loop extension homeodomain. In vitro studies have implicated TGIF as a transcriptional repressor and corepressor in retinoid and TGF- signaling pathways that regulate several important biological processes. Heterozygous nonsense and missense mutations of the human TGIF gene have been associated with holoprosencephaly, the most common congenital malformation of the forebrain. In mice, Tgif mRNA is expressed ubiquitously in the ventricular neuroepithelium at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) but displays a medial to lateral gradient in the developing cerebral cortex at E12.5. The expression quickly declines by E14.5. The spatiotemporal expression profile of Tgif is consistent with its involvement in midline forebrain development. To better understand the function of Tgif in forebrain patterning and proliferation in vivo, we generated mice lacking Tgif by targeted deletion of exons 2 and 3, which encode 98% of the amino acids. Tgif / mice had no detectable Tgif protein by Western blotting. Surprisingly, however, these mice were viable and fertile. In addition, there were no discernible derangements in any of the major organ systems, including the forebrain. Overall our results point to a possible functional redundancy of Tgif, potentially provided by the closely related Tgif2. 5-TG-3-interacting factor or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-)-induced factor (TGIF) is a member of the evolutionarily conserved three-amino-acid loop extension (TALE) superclass of atypical homeodomain proteins (4). The Drosophila genome contains two tandomly repeated TGIF-like genes, achintya and vismay (2). Loss of both achintya and vismay results in male infertility due to defects in spermatogenesis (2, 48). These two genes have redundant functions, because either achintya or vismay can rescue the phenotype (48). While the homology of human TGIF and Drosophila TGIF-like proteins is restricted to the TALE homeodomain, the entire genomic region of TGIF is highly conserved in mammals. The genomic exon and intron organization of TGIF is identical in humans and mice. Furthermore, human and mouse TGIF are 82% and 90% identical at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Since mammalian TGIF and Drosophila TGIF-like genes are very different outside of the homeodomain, it suggests that mammalian TGIF may have unique functions. Although Drosophila achintya and vismay are transcriptional activators (20), mammalian TGIF has been implicated as a transcriptional repressor and corepressor based on in vitro studies (32, 50). TGIF exhibits several different modes of re
The Comprehension of Ostensible Speech Acts

Ostensible speech acts (OSAs) have been defined as possessing pretense, mutual recognition, collusion, ambivalence, and an off-record purpose. These researchers also noted that several features occur more often in ostensible than sincere speech (e.g., speaker hedges, violates preparatory conditions). The authors examined the role of these defining and characteristic features in the comprehension of OSAs. Participants read conversations containing sincere, ambiguous, or ostensible speech acts, and provided ratings of “goodness,” pretense, or mutual recognition, predicted the next speech act, judged the attitude of the speaker, or indicated the reason for the speech act. Participants differentiated between ostensible, ambiguous, and sincere speech in their “goodness” ratings, they perceived the defining features in OSAs, but not in sincere speech, and the characteristic features served as cues that an utterance was ostensible. These results support Isaacs and Clark’s description of OSAs.
Blind Spectrum Sensing Using Antenna Arrays and Path Correlation

In this paper, we consider the problem of spectrum sensing in cognitive radios (CRs) when the receiver of the secondary user (SU) is equipped with a multiantenna system. Using an estimate of the cross correlation among the signals received at different antenna elements, we propose a blind detection method, which assumes no prior knowledge of the signaling scheme used by the PU, the noise power, or the channel path coefficients. The cross correlation among the received signals is a result of the correlation among the channel path coefficients from the primary user (PU) transmitter to different antenna elements of the secondary receiver. The detection and false alarm probabilities of the proposed algorithms are evaluated using an asymptotic analysis, and the results are compared with simulation results. It is shown that the proposed methods outperform several recently proposed blind-sensing techniques for CRs using multiple antennas.
Loss of Toll-like receptor 7 alters cytokine production and protects against experimental cerebral malaria

Background: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium sp. parasites, is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Cerebral malaria, characterized by neurological symptoms, is a life-threatening complication of malaria affecting over 500,000 young children in Africa every year. Because of the prevalence and severity of cerebral malaria, a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of its pathology is desirable and could inform future development of therapeutics. This study sought to clarify the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in promoting immunopathology associated with cerebral malaria, with a particular focus on the understudied TLR7. Methods: Using the Plasmodium berghei ANKA mouse model of experimental cerebral malaria, C57BL/6 mice deficient in various TLRs were infected, and their resistance to cerebral malaria and immune activation through cytokine production were measured. Results: Loss of TLR7 conferred partial protection against fatal experimental cerebral malaria. Additionally, loss of TLR signalling dysregulated the cytokine profile, resulting in a shift in the cytokine balance towards those with more anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusion: This work identifies signalling through TLR7 as a source of pathology in experimental cerebral malaria.
Ultrafast optical-pump THz-probe spectroscopy of the carrier dynamics in oriented germanium nanowires

We present ultrafast optical-pump THz-probe measurements of the carrier intraband relaxation and interband recombination dynamics in oriented Germanium nanowires. We find 2–3 ps intraband relaxation times and density-dependent recombination times in the 50–100 ps range at 300 K.
Turbulent Pressure and Velocity Perturbations Induced by Gentle Hills Covered with Sparse and Dense Canopies

How the spatial perturbations of the first and second moments of the velocity and pressure fields differ for flow over a train of gentle hills covered by either sparse or dense vegetation is explored using large-eddy simulation (LES). Two simulations are investigated where the canopy is composed of uniformly arrayed rods each with a height that is comparable to the hill height. In the first simulation, the rod density is chosen so that much of the momentum is absorbed within the canopy volume yet the canopy is not dense enough to induce separation on the lee side of the hill. In the second simulation, the rod density is large enough to induce recirculation inside the canopy on the lee side of the hill. For this separating flow case, zones of intense shear stress originating near the canopy-atmosphere interface persist all the way up to the middle layer, ‘contaminating’ much of the middle and outer layers with shear stress gradients. The implications of these persistent shear-stress gradients on rapid distortion theory and phase relationships between higher order velocity statistics and hill-induced mean velocity perturbations (Δu) are discussed. Within the inner layer, these intense shear zones improve predictions of the spatial perturbation by K-theory, especially for the phase relationships between the shear stress (~ ∂Δu/∂z) and the velocity variances, where z is the height. For the upper canopy layers, wake production increases with increasing leaf area density resulting in a vertical velocity variance more in phase with Δu than with ∂Δu/∂z. However, background turbulence and inactive eddies may have dampened this effect for the longitudinal velocity variance. The increase in leaf area density does not significantly affect the phase relationship between mean surface pressure and topography for the two simulations, though the LES results here confirm earlier findings that the minimum mean pressure shifts downstream from the hill crest. The increase in leaf area density and associated flow separation simply stretches this difference further downstream. This shift increases the pressure drag, the dominant term in the overall drag on the hill surface, by some 15%. With regards to the normalized pressure variance, increasing leaf area density increases $${\sigma_p/u_{*}^{2}}$$ near the canopy top, where u * is the longitudinally averaged friction velocity at the canopy top and σ p is the standard deviation of the pressure fluctuations. This increase is shown to be consistent with a primitive scaling argument on the leading term describing the mean-flow turbulent interaction. This scaling argument also predicts the spatial variations in σ p above the canopy reasonably well for both simulations, but not inside the canopy.
The Heave Response of a Central Spar Fish Cage

As the aquaculture industry considers moving into the open ocean, understanding the dynamic response of fish containment structures becomes critical. Identification of possible resonant conditions and motion characteristics is necessary for system structural integrity and maximizing fish survivability. In this study, heave (vertical motion) free release tests of a central spar fish cage were conducted using a combination of physical and finite element models and field observations. These tests were performed to investigate the added mass, damping ratio and natural period of the system in the vertical direction. The test results were analyzed considering both linear and nonlinear damping. The comparison of these tests show that (1) the damped natural period of this fish cage is longer than 20 seconds, (2) the numerical model underestimates the damping and the cage oscillates longer and at a higher frequency than observed with the field tests and (3) the physical model is nearly critically damped near equilibrium due to Reynolds number effects at the model scale.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Physical Dosimetry and Spectral Characterization of Neutron Sources for Neutron Capture Therapy

Neutron beams useful for BNCT applications must be carefully characterized with regard to their free-field spectrum and intensity as well as with regard to the various dose components that are induced in tissue volumes under irradiation. The macroscopic physical characterization of a given beam is accomplished computationally by way of sophisticated neutron and photon transport analysis, validated by suitable experimental measurements. Such measurements are carried out by a variety of techniques. Neutron activation spectrometry may be viewed as the most accurate and reproducible approach for the measurement of the free-field neutron spectrum as well as for flux measurements in phantoms exposed to the beam of interest. This technique is based on the fact that different elements and different isotopes of the same element generally have different, more or less linearly independent, neutron activation responses as functions of incident neutron energy. In the case of free-field spectral measurements, a set of activation responses for 8–12 different materials having well-known activation cross sections as functions of energy is typically used in conjunction with a process for unfolding a neutron spectrum that is a best estimate (usually in a least-squares sense) of the true neutron spectrum that produced the observed set of activation responses. Activation techniques can also be used for spectral measurements of the neutron beam as it is modified by passage through phantom materials or tissue. The results can then be converted to absorbed physical dose via application of appropriate conversion factors for each neutron-induced dose component. Separate measurement of the incident and induced photon dose components that are inevitably present in the irradiation volume in BNCT may be accomplished by the use of paired ion-chamber technique, whereby one chamber is more sensitive to neutrons, while the other is more sensitive to photons. This also produces a background neutron-induced dose measurement that complements what can be obtained by activation spectrometry. Thermoluminescent dosimeters may also be used in a similar manner to separate the photon and neutron components of the background neutron dose. In addition to these basic approaches, several other types of radiation measurement instruments and techniques can be applied to provide additional dosimetric information. These include fission chambers, self-powered neutron detectors, and BF3 and 3He detectors for beam intensity monitoring, as well as proton-recoil chambers, solid organic crystal and plastic scintillators, and superheated nucleation detectors to provide additional spectral information. Finally, applications of Fricke dosimetry in tissue-equivalent gels have been explored as a possible means of two- and three-dimensional dosimetry in BNCT.
Teaching clinical anatomy of the knee using a 3-column methodology approach (536.6)

INTRODUCTION. The knee is a weight bearing synovial joint, which is frequently injured. May lead to significant time off work and loss of fitness activity resulting in a sedentary lifestyle. Contemporary methodology of knee anatomy teaching applies a systems approach (SA). SA to the knee does not intuitively integrate the mechanism of injury (MoI), symptoms and examination with common pathologies. Musculoskeletal training during family practice residency is approximately 10% of the curriculum. Objective of this study was to apply a 3-column approach of teaching knee anatomy. METHODS. Knee was divided into 3 columns and taught as a tutorial to first year medical students during lab versus a systems lecture approach. Likert scale and random interviews were conducted. RESULTS. A 3-column approach was successfully taught and well received regarding Likert scores and interview analysis. DISCUSSION. SA to knee anatomy teaching often leaves a void between classroom and clinic. Musculoskeletal specialists focus o...
Increased serum 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D concentrations fail to affect serum or urine phosphate in humans.

Patients with recurrent calcium oxalate/apatite nephrolithiasis in association with hypercalciuria (idiopathic hypercalciuria) may exhibit low serum inorganic phosphate concentrations (1,2,3,4) in association with normal rates of urinary phosphate excretion implying the existence of impaired renal tubular phosphate reabsorption. In fact, such calcium stone formers exhibit impaired renal phosphate conservation in response to ingestion of a diet low in phosphate (5). They also exhibit higher than normal salivary phosphate concentrations (6) implying the presence of a more generalized abnormality of phosphate transport. Dietary phosphate deprivation in animals is accompanied by increased synthesis of the calcium mobilizing steroid 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 by the kidney (7) and elevated serum levels of this hormone (8). Similarly renal synthesis of 1,25-(OH)2-D is increased in hypercalciuric kidney stone formers (9) and high serum 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations among these patients may be inversely related to the degree of hypophosphatemia (4).
Thymic carcinoma with brain metastases: A rare presentation of a rare malignancy

Abstract Thymic carcinoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm arising from the epithelial cells of the thymus. Despite aggressive local treatment, patients with thymic carcinoma tend to relapse at distant sites; including: regional lymph nodes, bone, liver and lung. Brain metastases are seldom seen in cases of thymic malignancies. Herein we report a case of thymic carcinoma complicated by brain metastases.
Nonparaxial pulse broadening in a solenoid focusing element

In a standard scenario for focusing an ion beam onto a target, for example with ion beam driven inertial fusion energy, the beam is compressed longitudinally by a velocity ramp to enhance the current and then directed through a transverse focusing system to produce a small, bright spot on the target. To reach the highest levels of compression, the space-charge of the beam is neutralized, typically by the presence of a plasma with a density greater than the beam density. The system is arranged so that the peak longitudinal compression is coincident with the minimum transverse spot size. In this scenario, it has been discovered that nonparaxial effects can lead to degradation in the amount of compression. The transverse focusing causes a radially dependent variation in the axial velocity of the ions, leading to a radially dependent time delay that degrades the peak compression. This effect, nonparaxial pulse broadening, can become significant for short pulses and large focusing fields---the time delay can be comparable to the final pulse length. This pulse broadening will be present in both solenoid and quadrupole focusing systems. This paper describes this effect in solenoids, with some examples. It is expected that the size of the effect will be comparable with quadrupole focusing.
Eyespray Vaccination: Infectivity and Development of Immunity to Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria tenella

Abstract The infectivity of a coccidiosis vaccine and its ability to immunize chickens against two species of Eimeria was examined. The vaccine was administered to newly-hatched chicks by spraying directly onto the eye. The method resulted in a high proportion of chicks infected with E. acervulina and E. tenella. Vaccinated birds reared in cages in the absence of reinfection did not develop immunity to either species by 4 wk of age, but birds reared in floor pens developed immunity to both E. acervulina and E. tenella.
Evaluation of medicine price and availability in retail pharmacies in Shaanxi Province

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of national essential medicine system on medicine price and availability in retail pharmacies in Shaanxi Province and to provide further insight into the policy adjustment.Method: By using a standardized methodology(2008 Edition) developed by the World Health Organization(WHO) and Health Action International(HAI),we surveyed 36 and 72 retail pharmacies in 6 cities of Shaanxi Province in 2010 and 2012,respectively.Data on the prices,availability and affordability of 44 medicines collected in two surveys were compared.Results: The availability of originator brands and the lowest priced generics was slightly lower in 2012 than in 2010.The retail price of originator brands decreased obviously and the retail price of the lowest priced generics increased,especially for the medicines treating chronic diseases.The affordability improved through the two years.Conclusions: The prices of originator brands were higher,although affordability was better,there were concerning decreases in medicines availability in retail pharmacies in 2012 comparing to 2010.The government may consider to adjust the pricing mechanism and provide more support to retail pharmacies.The retail pharmacies should improve the level of pharmaceutical care services,enhance the concept of brand management,and decrease the prices of chronic medicines appropriately to reduce patients' burden of medical treatment.Meanwhile,we should conduct research on medicine price components to avoid the situation that some high price medicines affect patients' affordability.
Analysis of Effect of the Mode that Diagnosis,Treatment and Management Are Separated on Preventing and Controlling Tuberculosis in County-level Cities

Objective To explore the influence of the mode of tuberculosis prevention and control in county-level cities,with diagnosis,treatment and management separated.Methods The data in one year before and after the tuberculosis project jointly cooperated by CDC and the general hospital in Ningguo City were analyzed.Results: The number of newly diagnosed patients increased by 9.4% in the assigned tuberculosis outpatient department after the tuberculosis project,the number of the patients who were initiative to see doctors increased by 71.60%.The loss rate of patients under the management of tuberculosis project fell by 57.14%.Before the tuberculosis project,the number of tuberculosis-suspected patients who were transferred to the assigned tuberculosis outpatient department only by the City People Hospital,accounted for 39.72%,patients were used to seeing doctors for the first time in general hospital.Conclusions Patients were diagnosed and treated by county-level general public hospitals and managed by the CDC.The mode could make the health resources to full use and helpful to tuberculosis prevention and control in county-level cities.
Pasteur revisited: An unexpected finding in Bacillus anthracis vaccine strains.

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, gram-positive bacterium that is the causative agent of anthrax. This bacterium is normally found in environmental samples such as soil. B. anthracis causes 3 ...
Europe and the Stranger

ABSTRACTWith few exceptions, the prominent role of the Stranger in Plato’s late dialogue on the Sophist has drawn little attention in Plato scholarship. Yet, in this dialogue Plato charges the expatriated Stranger, who, furthermore, lacks a patronym and thus is not identifiable, remaining a stranger to the end, with the task not only of rejecting all philosophy hitherto as nothing more than a kind of storytelling about Being, but also of committing the parricide of Parmenides, the father of Greek philosophy itself. By refuting Parmenides’ thesis on Being, including the claim that Non-being is unthinkable and unsayable, the Stranger develops a philosophy that for the first time merits this title. The core of his doctrine of the “greatest kinds” consists in recasting Non-being in terms of otherness, thus unseating the priority of the principle of opposition that, until then, dominated philosophical thinking. This paper delves into what it means for Greek philosophy to invite a stranger to uproot its foundin...
Circulating inhibitor of sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase after expansion of extracellular fluid volume in rats.

1. Serum was collected from normal rats and from rats volume-expanded with isotonic sodium chloride solution. 2. The serum was fractionated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and each fraction was tested for inhibitory activity against sodium—potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase prepared from rat kidney homogenate. 3. A single low-molecular-weight fraction, eluting after the salts and after exogenously added lysine-vasopressin, had significantly greater enzyme inhibitory activity when obtained from serum of volume-expanded animals than from control serum. 4. As this fraction has been shown in previous independent studies to contain a natriuretic factor, it may be concluded that one property of this factor is the ability to inhibit sodium—potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase.
Neuroanatomical Correlates of Hunger and Satiaty in Lean and Obese Individuals

Publisher Summary Eating behavior in humans is not a stereotypical behavior driven only by the need to compensate for acute changes in energy status. It is clear that emotional, cognitive, and cultural factors play a major role in the initiation and termination of an eating episode. To put it simply, a negative energy balance is sufficient but not necessary to initiate eating. However, homeostatic, hedonic, and cognitive controls of eating behavior are intimately intertwined. Their separation as discrete neurophysiological processes is, in fact, supported by theoretical principles rather than by empirical evidence. Hunger and satiety are at the crossroads of this complex interplay between metabolic and non-metabolic factors regulating human eating behavior. In fact, energy balance is continuously monitored by the brain through multiple endocrine and neural mechanisms, which include long- and short-term signals of changes in energy stores, and changes in energy currency, respectively. On this dynamic background which steers the individual toward the decision to start eating or not, or to stop eating or not, the information from the external environment, either sensorial (such as the sight, smell, or taste of food) or social (such as the availability of a scheduled “break” for lunch) may in fact act as triggering factors.
HOL Around The World

This document describes briefly projects which use the HOL proof system, based on contributions from the user community. The entries are in somewhat haphazard order and classification; the intent is to provide 0 brief synopsis of applications and a directory for future contacts. This list is by no means comprehensive - it just contains the contributions I have received.