cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloud free optical link probabilities to satellites from multiple ground stations

The availability of a cloud free line of sight (CFLOS) for a ground-space free space optical (FSO) link is strongly dependent on a satellite’s orbit and local cloud cover spatial and temporal statistics for all potential ground stations (GS) in the satellite’s field of regard. A diverse network of multiple GS at locations with minimal and uncorrelated cloud cover can be used to maximize the availability of a CFLOS to multiple satellite orbits. Historic cloud cover data for this availability study is extracted from the ERA-Interim database which is generated, updated, and maintained by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). The database contains worldwide data in 6 hour time segments from 1970 to the present. For our analysis, cloud cover data, ground station locations, and satellite ephemerides are conjointly analyzed to determine ground-space link availabilities. The results of this analysis will be presented.
Rituximab and Monitoring Strategies for Late Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation.

Background There is limited information on treatment strategies and monitoring strategies for late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation. Methods In this observational and nonrandomized study, we compared 78 patients diagnosed with late ABMR (>3 months after transplant) who were treated with standard of care steroids/IVIG (n = 38) ± rituximab (n = 40) at our center between March 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016. All patients had follow-up biopsy and donor-specific antibodies (DSA) monitoring within 3 to 12 weeks. Results Patients had biopsy 7.3 ± 7 years after transplant and were followed for 15.9 ± 9.6 months after ABMR was diagnosed. Both treatment strategies were associated with a significant decline in DSA, microvascular inflammation (peritubular capillaritis + glomerulitis), and C4d Banff scores. In univariate regression analyses, rituximab, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Banff i, t, v, chronicity (interstitial fibrosis + tubular atrophy + fibrous intimal thickening + allograft glomerulopathy) scores on the first biopsy, and eGFR and Banff v score on follow-up biopsy were associated with graft loss. Multivariate analyses retained only rituximab (hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.84; P = 0.03) and eGFR at follow-up biopsy (0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.92; P < 0.001) as significant predictors of graft loss. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that the benefit associated with rituximab was apparent after 1 year (15% vs 32% graft loss, P = 0.02). Conclusion Treatment of late ABMR with steroids/IVIG ± rituximab was effective in reducing DSA and microcirculation inflammation. The addition of rituximab was associated with better graft survival. Follow-up biopsies could be considered in the management of acute rejection to monitor the effect of therapy. Randomized studies on the best therapeutic options for ABMR are needed.
Correlation for sessile drop evaporation over a wide range of drop volatilities, ambient gases and pressures

Abstract A correlation for the evaporation of sessile drops over a very broad range of conditions was developed based on measured evaporation rate data obtained for drops of acetone, methanol, and six hydrocarbons ranging from hexane to isooctane, evaporating in air, helium, argon, and krypton, over a range of ambient pressures from 96 kPa to 615 kPa. The experiments were designed to produce a large variation in the rates of diffusion and buoyancy-induced (natural) convection of the vapor phase amongst the experimental conditions. The correlation, which fits the measurements with an RMS relative error of 5.2%, is a simple equation involving conventional parameters for diffusive and convective transport and is applicable to conditions for which vapor transport limits the rate of evaporation. Application of the correlation requires knowledge of eight basic properties: the ambient pressure and temperature, the equilibrium vapor pressure of the evaporating component, the diffusion coefficient for the evaporating component in the ambient gas, the viscosity of the ambient gas, the radius of the sessile drop, and the molecular weights of the evaporating component and the ambient gas. The correlation is much easier to implement than a computational model based on the coupled conservation equations of mass, energy, and momentum for the two phases, and it offers a single mathematical expression that provides valuable insight into how the roles of diffusive and convective transport change with physical and geometrical parameters. The correlation can be a valuable tool to aid in the analyses of applications involving sessile drop evaporation and to support the validation of complex computational models. The range of experimental conditions resulted in a large variation in the rates of diffusive and naturally convective transport of the vapor. Over the range of experimental conditions, the liquid volatility, as indicated by the equilibrium vapor pressure, was varied by a factor of 16.7, the mass diffusivity by a factor of 52.2, the density difference ratio (the impetus for natural convection) by a factor of 3557, and the drop radius by a factor of 22. In terms of the Rayleigh number, the experimental data covers a range from 5 to 361,000. Consequently, the correlation is applicable to a very broad range of conditions. To our knowledge these evaporation rate measurements of sessile drops in gases other than air and at pressures above one atmosphere are the first to be reported in the literature.
Journalism as activism: recoding media power

Noam Chomsky is famous for the idea that he who controls the media, controls the public mind. This idea is even more pronounced today, as media is consumed at unprecedented rates and, often times u...
Classification of brain tumors using texture based analysis of T1-post contrast MR scans in a preclinical model

Accurate diagnosis of tumor type is vital for effective treatment planning. Diagnosis relies heavily on tumor biopsies and other clinical factors. However, biopsies do not fully capture the tumor’s heterogeneity due to sampling bias and are only performed if the tumor is accessible. An alternative approach is to use features derived from routine diagnostic imaging such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In this study we aim to establish the use of quantitative image features to classify brain tumors and extend the use of MR images beyond tumor detection and localization. To control for interscanner, acquisition and reconstruction protocol variations, the established workflow was performed in a preclinical model. Using glioma (U87 and GL261) and medulloblastoma (Daoy) models, T1-weighted post contrast scans were acquired at different time points post-implant. The tumor regions at the center, middle, and peripheral were analyzed using in-house software to extract 32 different image features consisting of first and second order features. The extracted features were used to construct a decision tree, which could predict tumor type with 10-fold cross-validation. Results from the final classification model demonstrated that middle tumor region had the highest overall accuracy at 79%, while the AUC accuracy was over 90% for GL261 and U87 tumors. Our analysis further identified image features that were unique to certain tumor region, although GL261 tumors were more homogenous with no significant differences between the central and peripheral tumor regions. In conclusion our study shows that texture features derived from MR scans can be used to classify tumor type with high success rates. Furthermore, the algorithm we have developed can be implemented with any imaging datasets and may be applicable to multiple tumor types to determine diagnosis.
Precipitation of Protein during Mashing: Evaluation of the Role of Calcium, Phosphate, and Mash pH1

In a temperature-programmed mash, malt protein first dissolved during the protein rest, then decreased in concentration as the mash temperature approached 70° C. With a technique called grain-out m...
PROTON RELAXATION RATE ENHANCEMENT WITH FREE AND PROTEIN-BOUND FLAVIN RADICALS†

Previous work has shown that enzyme-bound nitroxide radicals and paramagnetic ions, in which the unpaired electrons are well localized, are effective in enhancing the nuclear relaxation rates of the protons of water and substrates. To determine the effects of radicals with highly delocalized spins, such as flavin semiquinones, the proton relaxation rates of water solutions of a free flavin radical, 5-ethyl-10-methyl-lumiflavin semiquinone (LSQ), and a protein-bound flavin radical, flavodoxin semiquinone (FSQ), were studied. At 24.3 MHz the longitudinal (1/ T 1 ) and transverse (1/T 2 ) molar relaxivities of LSQ are equal (133 M -1 sec -1 ) but are less than those of Cu 2+ (875 M -1 sec -1 ). The immobilization of the flavin semiquinone in flavodoxin causes a 3.6-fold enhancement of 1/ T 1 and a 7.1-fold enhancement of 1/T 2 . Both relaxation rates decrease with increasing temperature (E a = 1.1 kcal/mole, indicating that water protons exchange at a rate > 10 5 sec -1 into a site which is in contact with the bound flavin. Hyperfine coupling of the order of 0.02 gauss consistent with hydrogen bonding is detected The average distance between water protons and the unpaired electron of FSQ is 2.5(q) 1/6 where q is the “coordination number” for exchangeable protons on or near the FSQ. Reasonable distances (3.2 ± 1.0 a) are obtained if q = 4 ± 2, consistent with the results of ENDOR and optical spectroscopy. Hence the accessibility of water protons to enzyme-bound flavin radicals may be studied by relaxation enhancement.
Rings and Fields

In the previous chapter we studied the integers in detail, focusing on divisibility properties. Divisibility, of course, is defined via multiplication: we say d divides a if a = db for some integer b. What we did not do in the last chapter is go deeper still-we did not analyze multiplication itself.
The relationship of erythropoietin and iron metabolism to red blood cell production in humans

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary regulator of day-to-day red blood cell production. Secreted by peritubular capillary lining cells in the kidney, EPO circulates in the plasma to interact with target cells in the bone marrow to maintain or stimulate erythropoiesis. The primary target of EPO action is the intermediate-stage erythroid burst-forming unit and the erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E). The CFU-E is estimated to have 300 to 400 high-affinity EPO receptors per cell and, in healthy individuals, is the cell with the highest number of receptors in the body. There is some controversy as to whether EPO provides a mitogenic signal to the CFU-E or, rather, prevents programmed cell death (apoptosis). Iron is an essential element for hemoglobin synthesis and its importance has been emphasized in individuals receiving recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The administration of rHuEPO to patients with chronic renal failure has resulted in a number of changes in iron metabolism, including the reversal of iron overload as iron is mobilized from storage sites for hemoglobin synthesis. In addition, higher doses of rHuEPO create a state of functional (or relative) iron deficiency that is characterized by a low percent transferrin saturation in the face of adequate iron stores. The value of aggressive iron supplementation in patients receiving rHuEPO has been demonstrated in clinical trials of rHuEPO administration in individuals storing blood for autologous use at the time of surgery.
A Dartboard Network Cut Based Approach to Evacuation Route Planning: A Summary of Results

Given a transportation network, a population, and a set of destinations, the goal of evacuation route planning is to produce routes that minimize the evacuation time for the population. Evacuation planning is essential for ensuring public safety in the wake of man-made or natural disasters (e.g., terrorist acts, hurricanes, and nuclear accidents). The problem is challenging because of the large size of network data, the large number of evacuees, and the need to account for capacity constraints in the road network. Promising methods that incorporate capacity constraints into route planning have been developed but new insights are needed to reduce the high computational costs incurred by these methods with large-scale networks. In this paper, we propose a novel scalable approach that explicitly exploits the spatial structure of road networks to minimize the computational time. Our new approach accelerates the routing algorithm by partitioning the network using dartboard network-cuts and groups node-independent shortest routes to reduce the number of search iterations. Experimental results using a Minneapolis, MN road network demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms prior work for CCRP computation by orders of magnitude.
Electrical behavior of Pb0.95La0.05Zr0.54Ti0.46O3 thin film based capacitors: Influence of space charge region

We investigated the influence of space charge region (SCR) on the electrical properties of Pb0.95La0.05Zr0.54Ti0.46O3 (PLZT) thin film based capacitor structures. The metal/PLZT/Pt capacitors were prepared by using metal electrodes (Pt, Au, Al) of varying work function as top electrodes, and Pt as a bottom electrode. The SCR formed at the top interface between the PLZT film and the metal differs from each other in three capacitor structures. The results obtained from the hysteresis, dielectric, and leakage current measurements were analyzed to understand the variation in the electrical properties of the capacitors arising from the different SCRs formed at the interfaces. Among the three, the Pt/PLZT/Pt capacitor showed highest polarization and permittivity, and lowest FCC and coercive field. The Al/PLZT/Pt capacitor showed lowest polarization and permittivity, but higher coercive field and FCC. The leakage current increased with a decrease in work function of the top electrode. The Schottky conduction mechanism was found to be dominant in all the three capacitors. Both the photovoltaic parameters (short circuit photocurrent denisty and open circuit photovoltage) increased with the increase in work function of the top electrodes. These studies suggest the existence of wider SCR and higher space charge field at the top interface in the case of capacitor designed with an Al (or Au) top electrode as compared to the capacitor designed with a Pt top electrode.
Synthesis of 1,2-Oxazinanes via Hydrogen Bond Mediated [3 + 3] Cycloaddition Reactions of Oxyallyl Cations with Nitrones

Reported herein is the development of [3 + 3] cycloaddition reactions between oxyallyl cations and nitrones to yield 1,2-oxazinane heterocycles. Oxyallyl cation intermediates, generated in situ from α-tosyloxy ketones in the presence of hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), a cosolvent, and a base, are found to react with a range of nitrones to afford 1,2-oxazinanes in good to high yields. The reactions are catalyzed by hydrogen-bond donors such as phenols and squaramides, and dramatically higher diastereoselectivities are observed with 4-nitrophenol.
Intercomparison of Earth-Observing Sensors Using the Radiometric Calibration Test Site (RadCaTS)

The Radiometric Calibration Test Site (RadCaTS) is a suite of ground-based instruments operating at Railroad Valley, Nevada, USA. Surface reflectance and atmospheric data are collected throughout the day so that top-of-atmosphere (TOA) spectral radiance and reflectance can be provided to satellite sensor operators. Its development arose from the need to accumulate data in the absence of ground personnel, which has become even more essential with the recent launches of very large satellite constellations. RadCaTS has been used to monitor and validate the radiometric calibration of sensors ranging from multispectral to hyperspectral, with spatial resolutions ranging from ∼1–1000 m. The work presented here provides a description of the system as well as examples of current RadCaTS results for the Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and the Sentinel-2A and −2B Multispectral Instrument (MSI).
The chemical looping heat pump: Thermodynamic modeling

Abstract The need for more energy efficient heating and cooling technologies will increase over the coming decades. Climatic concerns associated with greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy costs associated with powering heating and cooling systems necessitate more efficient systems. This work presents an alternative to traditional vapor compression cycles used for heating and cooling. The chemical looping heat pump system is an indirect chemical heat pump that utilizes the possibility of condensation after a chemical reaction to allow the working fluid's compression to take place in the liquid phase. A thermodynamic model of the cycle is developed using electrochemical cells as the reaction drivers of the cycle. Sensitivity analysis is used to identify the most critical components of the system. The chemical looping heat pump may provide a potential COP increase of over 20% when compared to traditional vapor compression systems for representative device efficiencies.
Follow-up of patients with noncardiac chest pain. Value of esophageal testing.

Noncardiac chest pain may be a debilitating symptom. The utility of esophageal testing to enhance patient quality of life has been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the impact of esophageal testing on patient well-being. Fifty-five patients undergoing esophageal testing were available for follow-up. Seventeen (31%) patients were classified in group 1: considered to have the esophagus as a likely etiology because of positive testing; 14 (25%) in group 2: possible contribution of the esophagus to symptoms; and 24 (44%) in group 3: unlikely esophageal etiology with negative testing. Thirty-four patients continued to be symptomatic at follow-up (median 112 days). The change in pain intensity from pretesting to follow-up was significant only for group 3 (P=0.001). There was a decline in hospital utilization in all three groups. (Emergency room visitsP=0.004 group 1, hospital admissionsP=0.02, group 3). Group 1 and 2 patients tended to miss less work, social functions, and activities. Group 3 continued to stay in bed and avoid normal functions. Nine of 34 (26%) patients who were symptomatic at follow-up identified the esophagus as the source of symptoms. In all, 42% of group 1, 29% of group 2, and 18% of group 3 patients considered the esophagus to be the source of their symptoms. We conclude that esophageal testing does not always prevent the persistence of symptoms and that patients have misperceptions about testing results on follow-up.
The Effects of Depression on Number Perception and its Implications for Theories of Numerical Cognition

Most theories of numerical cognition assume that the perception of a quantity is independent of that which the quantity describes (termed an abstract quantity representation). Beck’s cognitive theory of depression, in contrast, assumes that depressed individuals maintain negative perceptual biases and that depressed individuals’ perception of quantity will be dependent on that which the quantity describes. Here, we explore the nature of quantity representations by assessing whether level of depression and valence of events influences individuals’ perceptions of numerical quantities. In a number bisection task, we presented participants with three quantities: one associated with the time until a positive event, one associated with the time until a negative event, and a target number. The participant was asked to judge whether the quantity denoted by the target number was closer to the time until the positive or negative event. Results indicated that event valence influenced the perception of quantity and this perceptual bias interacted with the level of depression. Thus, these findings indicate that quantity representations are malleable and are represented non-abstractly in the brain.
Assessing the Appeal of Instagram Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquid Promotions and Warnings Among Young Adults: Mixed Methods Focus Group Study

Background: While marketing for electronic cigarette refill liquids (e-liquids) is widespread on Instagram, little is known about the post elements that create appeal among young adult Instagram users. Further information is needed to help shape regulatory strategies appropriate for social media. Objective: This study examined young adult Instagram user perceptions of actual e-liquid marketing posts and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–mandated nicotine addiction warning statements on Instagram. Methods: A series of 12 focus groups (n=69) were held with non–tobacco users, vapers, smokers, and dual users in Wisconsin between September and December 2018. Participants discussed the elements of posts that they found appealing or unappealing, in addition to completing a survey about each post and e-liquid. Focus group transcripts were analyzed by smoking status using a framework analysis approach. Results: Although willingness to try e-liquids was highest among nicotine users, focus group discussions indicated that Instagram posts promoting e-liquids held appeal for individuals across smoking statuses. The primary elements that created appeal were the perceived trustworthiness of the Instagram account, attractive design and flavor visuals, and promotion of flavors and nicotine levels that met personal preferences. Post appeal was reduced by references to vaping subcultures, indicators that the post creator did not take nicotine addiction seriously, and FDA-mandated nicotine warning statements. Non–tobacco users were particularly drawn to posts featuring nicotine-free e-liquids with attractive visual designs and flavors known from foods. Conclusions: Young adults consider a broad range of elements in assessing the appeal of e-liquid marketing on Instagram, with minor but notable distinctions by smoking status. Non–tobacco users are uniquely drawn to nicotine-free e-liquids and are more deterred by the FDA’s mandated nicotine addiction warning statements than those from other smoking statuses. This suggests that it may be possible to tailor policy interventions in a manner that helps to reduce novel uptake of vaping without significantly diminishing its potential harm-reduction benefits.
A cold telescope made for searches for warmth

The Spitzer Space Telescope may be modest in size compared to its optical counterparts, but the low temperatures of its optics gave its infrared instruments excellent sensitivity, explains Facility Scientist Thomas Roellig.
Optimizing Edge Connectivity Post Natural Disaster using UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have broad applications in agriculture, disaster relief, transportation, aerial surveillance, and construction. Although UAVs are beneficial, they also have a plethora of limitations including flight time, energy consumption, intermittent connectivity. The utilization of multi-UAV networks allows UAVs to collaborate on tasks for short periods of time, which makes them particularly useful in natural disasters. Delay Tolerant Opportunistic Networks (DTONs) do not rely solely on centralized infrastructure, which can circumvent connectivity issues that commonly occur in post natural disaster scenarios. By designing an algorithm to optimize UAV placement within a DTON for maximum throughput within the network.
Brief of National Law Professors of Criminal, Procedural, and Constitutional Law, In re Humphrey , California Supreme Court, Regarding the Imposition of Money Bail and Conditions of Pretrial Release

When the government proposes to incarcerate a person before trial, it must provide thorough justification, whether the mechanism of detention is a transparent detention order or its functional equivalent, the imposition of unaffordable money bail. A court contemplating money bail must determine whether it is likely to result in detention. If so, and the court nonetheless wishes to impose it, the court must find, by clear and convincing evidence established through an adversary hearing, that the unaffordable bail amount serves a compelling interest of the state that no less restrictive condition of release can meet. This will rarely be the case. Few defendants pose an acute risk of willful flight or of committing serious harm in the pretrial phase. For the vast majority, attainable conditions of release can adequately protect the state’s interests in ensuring appearance and protecting public safety, while also preserving the fundamental right to pretrial liberty. The principle that the government must thoroughly justify any order of pretrial detention is not radical. Rather, it is continuous with the historical commitments of the bail system. Clarification of this core constitutional mandate is essential to recovering a rational system of pretrial detention and release, and the freedom it protects.
The comparative safety of bacterial risk control strategies for platelet components: a simulation study.

Background Bacterial contamination of platelets is a problem that can lead to harmful septic transfusion reactions. The US Food and Drug Administration published a guidance in September 2019 detailing several permissible risk control strategies. Our objective was to compare the safety of each bacterial testing strategy for apheresis platelets. Study design and methods We used simulation to compare safety of the nine risk control strategies involving apheresis platelet testing. The primary outcome was the risk of exposure. An exposure event occurred if a patient received platelets exceeding a specific contamination threshold (>0, 103 , and 105 colony-forming units (CFU/mL). We generated a range of bacterial contamination scenarios (inoculum size, doubling time, lag time) and compared risk of exposure for each policy in each contamination scenario. We then computed the average risk difference over all scenarios. Results At the 0 CFU/mL exposure threshold, two-step policies that used secondary culture ranked best (all top three), while single-step 24-hour culture with 3-day expiration ranked last (ninth). This latter policy performed well (median rank of 1) at both the 103 and 105 CFU/mL thresholds, but 48-hour culture with 7-day expiration performed relatively poorly. At these higher thresholds, median ranks of two-step policies that used secondary culture were again top three. Two-step policies that used rapid testing improved at the higher (105 CFU/mL) harm threshold, with median rankings between 1 and 5. Conclusion Two-step policies that used secondary culture were generally safer than single-step policies. Performance of two-step policies that used rapid testing depended on the CFU per milliter threshold of exposure used.
Blood-Derived Biomaterial for Catheter-Directed Arterial Embolization

Vascular embolization is a life-saving minimally invasive catheter-based procedure performed to treat bleeding vessels. Through these catheters, numerous metallic coils are often pushed into the bleeding artery to stop the blood flow. While there are numerous drawbacks to coil embolization, physician expertise, availability of these coils, and their costs further limit their use. Here, a novel blood-derived embolic material (BEM) with regenerative properties, that can achieve instant and durable intra-arterial hemostasis regardless of coagulopathy, is developed. In a large animal model of vascular embolization, it is shown that the BEM can be prepared at the point-of-care within 26 min using fresh blood, it can be easily delivered using clinical catheters to embolize renal and iliac arteries, and it can achieve rapid hemostasis in acutely injured vessels. In swine arteries, the BEM increases cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and connective tissue deposition, suggesting vessel healing and durable vessel occlusion. The BEM has significant advantages over embolic materials used today, making it a promising new tool for embolization.
Prevalence of Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Severe COVID-19 Illness in Adult Cancer Survivors in the United States.

Cancer, and other underlying medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and obesity, are associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. We identified 6,411 cancer survivors and 77,748 adults without a cancer history from the 2016-2018 National Health Interview Survey and examined the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with these conditions in the US. Most survivors reported having ≥1 of the conditions (56.4% [95% CI = 54.8% to 57.9%] vs 41.6% [95% CI = 40.9% to 42.2%] in adults without a cancer history) and nearly one-quarter (22.9%, 95% CI = 21.6% to 24.3%) reported ≥2, representing 8.7 million and 3.5 million cancer survivors, respectively. These conditions were more prevalent in survivors of kidney, liver and uterine cancers as well as Black survivors, those with low socioeconomic status, and public insurance. Findings highlight the need to protect survivors against COVID-19 transmission in health-care facilities and prioritize cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their health-care providers in vaccine allocation.
Managing the Product Recall Process

The large number of recalled products, the low proportion of recalled products returned for repair or replacement, and the high costs (lawsuits, communication, product repair and/or replacement, government agency fines and lost sales, etc.) associated with product recalls indicate the need for firms to properly plan for the inevitable product recall. Factors that account for the high number of product recalls include heavily concentrated supply chains, use of global supply chains, and improved technologies in identifying unsafe food products. This article develops a six-part strategy for planning and implementing a product recall. These stages are (1) organizing for the inevitable product recall, (2) reducing the discovery-to-recall time interval (3) planning an appropriate overall recall response strategy, (4) measuring product recall effectiveness via the completion rate, (5) improving product recall responsiveness, and (6) recapturing recall-related expenses via insurance and supplier hold-harmless agreements.
Methodologic Considerations for Epigenomic Investigation of Preterm Birth in African American Women.

Epigenetic modifications are chemical changes that can modify gene expression without changing the sequence of the gene. These modifications are potentially identifiable and reversible, making the ...
The association of prepartum blood magnesium concentration with postpartum subclinical hypocalcemia

Advances in dairy cattle nutrition and management have been able to significantly minimize macromineral imbalances capable of contributing to the development of clinical disorders in the periparturient period. Despite these improvements, subclinical disorders still influence dairy cow health and performance, as the hormonal and metabolic challenges associated with the transition period influence macro mineral homeostasis. Although the association of subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) with early lactation health events has been described, little is known regarding the association of prepartum magnesium status with postpartum health and production. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to describe the association of prepartum blood magnesium concentrations with the risk of postpartum SCH development, as well as the risk of diagnosis of retained placenta, metritis, hyperketonemia, and displaced abomasum.
Reentrant superconductivity through a quantum Lifshitz transition in twisted trilayer graphene

Twisted trilayer graphene has recently been demonstrated to host a robust superconducting phase, with experiments demonstrating a ``reentrant'' phenomenon: large magnetic fields destroy superconductivity, but still larger fields bring it back to life. In this work, the authors use simple insights from theory and experiment to provide an understanding of this phenomenon, along the way arguing that the superconductor is likely to involve a superposition of both singlet and triplet pairing. Many of the conclusions of this study can also be applied to twisted bilayer graphene, and forthcoming experiments should allow these conclusions to be put to the test.
The Investigation of Electrical Deaths: A Report of 220 Fatalities

We present the results of our investigation of 220 electrocutions. The ratio of high voltage to low voltage electrocution is found to be nearly 1:1. Further, in low voltage electrocution deaths electrical burns were absent in over 40% of the cases. Our approach to the investigation of possible electrocution, including equipment analysis, is discussed.
Ceramide-mediated biology. Determination of structural and stereospecific requirements through the use of N-acyl-phenylaminoalcohol analogs.

Ceramide is a postulated intracellular modulator of cell growth and differentiation (Okazaki, T., Bielawska, A., Bell, R.M., and Hannun, Y. A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 15823-15831). In order to determine the structural and stereospecific requirements for ceramide effects on HL-60 cells, N-acyl-phenylaminoalcohol analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to mimic the effects of ceramide on cell proliferation and differentiation. These compounds share with ceramide a similar polar headgroup that allows the investigation of the roles of the primary and secondary hydroxyls, the hydrophobicity of the molecule, and stereospecificity. N-Myristoyl derivatives of phenylamino alcohols showed optimal activity over other chain length analogs and were able to mimic the effects of C2-ceramide on cell growth and differentiation. Neither the primary nor the secondary alcohol was necessary for activity, but the amide-linked acyl chain was required. Stereospecificity of action was demonstrated with an enantiomeric pair: D-erythro-N-myristoyl-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol (C14-D-e-APP-1) and L-erythro-N-myristoyl-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol (C14-L-e-APP-1). The D stereoisomer was as effective as C2-ceramide in inhibiting HL-60 cell growth and in inducing cell differentiation, whereas the L enantiomer lacked activity in both assays. These results suggest stereospecific action of ceramide and strongly support a physiologic role for ceramide as an intracellular mediator with primary roles in regulation of cell growth and differentiation.
Primary Human T Lymphocytes Engineered with a Codon-Optimized IL-15 Gene Resist Cytokine Withdrawal-Induced Apoptosis and Persist Long-Term in the Absence of Exogenous Cytokine

IL-15 is a common γ-chain cytokine that has been shown to be more active than IL-2 in several murine cancer immunotherapy models. Although T lymphocytes do not produce IL-15, murine lymphocytes carrying an IL-15 transgene demonstrated superior antitumor activity in the immunotherapy of B16 melanoma. Thus, we sought to investigate the biological impact of constitutive IL-15 expression by human lymphocytes. In this report we describe the generation of a retroviral vector encoding a codon-optimized IL-15 gene. Alternate codon usage significantly enhanced the translational efficiency of this tightly regulated gene in retroviral vector-transduced cells. Activated human CD4+ and CD8+ human lymphocytes expressed IL-15Rα and produced high levels of cytokine upon retroviral transduction with the IL-15 vector. IL-15-transduced lymphocytes remained viable for up to 180 days in the absence of exogenous cytokine. IL-15 vector-transduced T cells showed continued proliferation after cytokine withdrawal and resistance to apoptosis while retaining specific Ag recognition. In the setting of adoptive cell transfer, IL-15-transduced lymphocytes may prolong lymphocyte survival in vivo and could potentially enhance antitumor activity.
ETA: experience with an Intel/spl reg/ Xeon/spl trade/ processor as a packet processing engine

The ETA (embedded transport acceleration) project at Intel Research and Development has developed a software prototype that uses one of the Intel/spl reg/ Xeon/spl trade/ processors in a multi-processor server as a packet processing engine. The prototype is used as a vehicle for empirical measurement and analysis of a highly programmable packet processing engine that is closely tied to the server's core CPU and memory complex. The usage model for the prototype is the acceleration of server TCP/IP networking. The ETA prototype runs in an asymmetric multiprocessing mode, in that the packet processing engine does not run as a general computing resource for the host operating system. We show an effective method of interfacing the packet processing engine to the host processors using efficient asynchronous queuing mechanisms. This paper describes the ETA software architecture, the ETA prototype, and details the measurement and analysis that has been performed to date. Test results include running the packet processing engine in single-threaded mode, as well as in multi-threaded mode using Intel's hyper-threading technology (HT). Performance data gathered for network throughput and host CPU utilization show a significant improvement when compared to the standard TCP/IP networking stack.
The effects of geometric distortion correction on motion realignment in fMRI1

Rationale and objectives Subject motion is well recognized as a significant impediment to resolution and sensitivity in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A parallel confounder to fMRI data quality is geometric image distortion, particularly at high field strengths, due to susceptibility-induced magnetic field inhomogeneity. Consequently, many high-field echo-planar imaging methods incorporate a post-processing distortion correction by acquiring a field map of the sample prior to the fMRI measurement. However, field mapping methods impose a spatial mask on the data, since field information is only obtainable from regions with adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This masking, when applied to subsequent images in the fMRI time series, can clip the effects of motion, resulting in inaccurate estimation and correction of motion-based changes in the images. Materials and methods The effects of geometric distortion correction on automated realignment (motion correction) of fMRI data are investigated from data acquired at 4 T. The results of image realignment with and without prior application of distortion correction are compared, using the estimated motion parameters and overall image realignment as metrics. Results The application of field-map-based distortion correction prior to image realignment reduces the amount of motion detected by a standard motion correction algorithm. Moreover, motion correction applied before distortion correction is shown to result in superior realignment of motion-correction images. Conclusion It is preferable to perform motion realignment prior to correcting for geometric distortion.
Correlates of Delinquency Participation and Persistence

As part of an ongoing larger interest in developing valid predictive models for guiding delinquency prevention, 84 adolescents were sampled for family systemic style, experience of social stress, a...
Effects of temperature, photoperiod, and hibernation on the testes of golden hamsters

The effects of hibernation and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of cold-exposure (5 ± 1° C) were studied on the testes of 100 adult, male hamsters (Mesocrietus auratus, Waterhouse), having initial body weights of 80 to 100 gm. Half of these animals were maintained on an eight-hour photoperiod and half on a 14-hour photoperiod. Control animals, at both photoperiods, were kept at 25 ± 1° C. At the time of autopsy, the wet weights of the testes were determined and the tissue was prepared for quantitative histological evaluation (diameter of the seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic activity). In animals kept at 25° C and 14 hours of light, the testes remained unchanged. With eight hours of light at the same temperature, however, the testes: (1) were unaffected for four weeks; (2) exhibited a 90% loss in wet weight at eight weeks; and (3) recovered to about 66% of the initial level at 12 and 20 weeks. In cold-exposed hamsters, the testes decreased rapidly in activity between two to four weeks, reaching the lowest weight at eight weeks. Those cold-exposed animals on 14 hours of light returned to the control level by 16 weeks, but those on eight hours showed only slight recovery. The testes of the 14-hour light, cold-exposed animals were larger than those of the eight-hour light, cold-exposed animals at each week tested. Only with the 14-hour photoperiod were the testes of the hibernators significantly smaller than those of the cold-exposed non-hibernators.
Control of the seismic response of a composite tall building modelled by two interconnected shear beams

The possibility of controlling the seismic response of tall buildings by use of a structural system consisting of a stiff and lightly damped external structure and a very flexible and moderately damped internal structure connected by stiff links at a few elevations is explored. Optimal damping values for the internal structure are obtained by consideration of the response on the composite structure in the vicinity of its fundamental mode. The resulting optimal damping values depend on the relative stiffness of both structures. Numerical results in the frequency and time domain are used to illustrate the advantages of such a system for seismic excitation. The possibility of using flexible links between the internal and external structures to moderate the required reduction of stiffness in the internal structure is also explored. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The software infrastructure for a Distributed System Factory

This paper describes an innovative approach to the construction, application and deployment of software factories. Based on experience in creating and evolving the System Factory project at USC, we present a new experimental project, whose technological and organisational objectives are wide-ranging. This effort is called the Distributed System Factory (DSF) project. The DSF project is intended to provide a software infrastructure suitable for engineering large-scale software systems with dispersed teams working over wide-area networks. This software infrastructure is the central focus of this paper. As such, this paper describes the information structures that can be used to model and create the infrastructure, as well as target software applications. It also describes an electronic market-place of logically centralised software services which populate and execute within this infrastructure. Finally, it describes a brief view of how the DSF project can grow to accommodate academic and industrial research groups.
Regional Interests and the Reagan Military Buildup

TRUBOWITZ P. and ROBERTS B. E. (1992) Regional interests and the Reagan military buildup, Reg. Studies 26, 555–567. This paper examines the political geography of American defence policy and its implications for regional studies. Previous studies have examined the impact of military spending on regional economic growth and development. How regional political interests shape national decisions over defence policy has received far less attention. In this paper, we examine the political sources of regional competition over defence policy. We claim that politicians judge defence policies in terms of their consequences for their states' economic growth, social stability and commercial competitiveness. We test our model through a cross-sectional analysis of House roll call voting on national security issues during the Reagan years. The analysis reveals that political support for the military buildup in the 1980s varied geographically and that local economic considerations were an important factor in determining...
Incorporating Integrative Health Services in Social Work Education.

More than one third of Americans practice complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Social workers continue to provide most first-line health, mental health, and psychological referral and direct practice services in the United States, despite a lack of systematic education and training opportunities in CAM. Schools of social work are appropriate venues for providing regular and continuing educational opportunities. The gap between education and practice can be addressed in social work curricula by (1) addressing integrative health from a general systems perspective, (2) reaffirming the role of social workers in health care, and (3) providing opportunities to develop competence with a simple yet conceptually integrated CAM-based skill set. Several content approaches and suggestions for curricula deployment are provided, including stand-alone courses, curricular infusion strategies across core areas of social work education, and location of curricular homes across college and university departments.
Clinical trials targeting lung cancer with active immunotherapy: the scope of vaccines

Successful active immunotherapy is expected to be specific and nontoxic. Until now, the success of immunotherapy in cancer has been sporadic and unpredictable. This has been attributable in part to the lack of a full understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of immune regulation. Furthermore, the lack of systematic success of immunotherapy, as argued in this review, stems from failing to effectively target tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, the rationale and design for induction of immunity to non-small cell lung cancer and clinical trials of the most important lung cancer vaccines in development are discussed.
REGULATION OF OVARIAN RECRUDESCENCE: EFFECTS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SIZE ON FEMALE LIZARDS, ANOLIS CAROLINENSIS

Stressful conditions inhibit reproductive function. For example, ovarian recrudescence is slower in captive and crowded lizards, and the presence of a dominant individual inhibits reproductive activity in subordinate male lizards. However, individuals so not necessarily respond to stressors equally. This study investigated the role of social stresses on reproductive function in female Anolis carolinensis. Groups of five females were placed with a male for 1 month in 25 × 25 × 25 cm aquaria under temperature and light conditions that stimulate reproduction (14L 32°C:10D20°C). Single females sacrificed prior to treatment with simulatory temperature and light regimens, but following acclimation to cages (as initial control, without male present) showed no ovarian recrudescence. Females placed on per cage with individual males (as final control) had significant ovarian growth yielding large yolking follicles when exposed to stimulatory temperature and light. In multi-female groups two or fewer females per group had significant ovarian recrudescence. These females also had large yolking follicles, significant uterine growth, and always weighed 2. 7 g or more. Any female in a group weighing less than 2.7 g, regardless of the number of actively cycling females in the cage, had quiescent ovaries. Chromatic and behavioral characteristics of reproductively dominant females are not similar to those of dominant males. Dominant males are significantly more often green than brown. Females with cycling ovaries are significantly more often brown. Females which are successful in maintaining ovarian functioning even in crowded conditions acquire this morphological characteristic usually associated with subordinate status in males, which may facilitate courtship behavior. These results suggest that density-dependent and/or psychosocial stressors inhibit reproductive cycling in this species. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.