cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and simulation of longitudinal dynamics for Low Energy Ring–High Energy Ring at the Positron-Electron Project

A time domain dynamic modeling and simulation tool for beam-cavity interactions in the Low Energy Ring (LER) and High Energy Ring (HER) at the Positron-Electron Project (PEP-II) is presented. Dynamic simulation results for PEP-II are compared to measurements of the actual machine. The motivation for this tool is to explore the stability margins and performance limits of PEP-II radio-frequency (RF) systems at future higher currents and upgraded RF configurations. It also serves as a test bed for new control algorithms and can define the ultimate limits of the low-level RF (LLRF) architecture. The time domain program captures the dynamic behavior of the beam-cavity-LLRF interaction based on a reduced model. The ring current is represented by macrobunches. Multiple RF stations in the ring are represented via one or two macrocavities. Each macrocavity captures the overall behavior of all the 2 or 4 cavity RF stations. Station models include nonlinear elements in the klystron and signal processing. This enables modeling the principal longitudinal impedance control loops interacting via the longitudinal beam model. The dynamics of the simulation model are validated by comparing the measured growth rates for the LER with simulation results. The simulated behavior of the LER at increased operation currents is presented via low-mode instability growth rates. Different control strategies are compared and the effects of both the imperfections in the LLRF signal processing and the nonlinear drivers and klystrons are explored.
Lifestyle Modification for Obesity: New Developments in Diet, Physical Activity, and Behavior Therapy

Expert panels sponsored by both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have recommended that obese adults (ie, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), as well as those who are overweight (body mass index of 25–29.9 kg/m2) and have comorbid conditions, lose 10% of their initial weight.1,2 A comprehensive program of lifestyle modification is considered the first option for achieving this goal.2 Lifestyle modification, also referred to as behavioral weight control, includes 3 primary components: diet, exercise, and behavior therapy.3 This narrative review examines weight losses achieved with this approach, as well as new developments with each of the 3 components. Comprehensive lifestyle modification programs typically provide weekly individual or group treatment sessions designed to modify eating and activity habits.4 This approach is exemplified by the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP),5 which randomly assigned >3200 participants with impaired glucose tolerance to 1 of 3 groups: placebo, metformin, or lifestyle modification. Participants in the lifestyle intervention were provided 16 individual counseling sessions during the first 24 weeks and at least every-other-month sessions thereafter. They were prescribed a reduced calorie, low-fat diet of conventional foods (1200–2000 kcal/d, depending on body weight) and 150 min/wk of physical activity (typically brisk walking), with the goal of losing 7% of initial weight.5,6 After an average of 2.8 years, participants in the lifestyle intervention lost 5.6 kg in comparison with losses of 2.1 kg and 0.1 kg in the metformin and placebo groups, respectively. The risk in the lifestyle group of developing type 2 diabetes was reduced by 58% in comparison with placebo and by 31% in comparison with metformin.5 Ten years after randomization, lifestyle-treated participants had regained nearly to their baseline weight (with no significant differences in weight loss among groups). …
Characterization of Stiffness Loss in Crossply Laminates with Curved Matrix Cracks

Experimental evidence has shown that in crossply laminates numerous matrix cracks often become curved with respect to the plane normal to the laminate plane when three or more 90° plies are stacked in succession. This phenomenon produces damage dependent stiffness losses in both the axial and out-of-plane directions which are strongly dependent on the curved crack state. The authors have constructed a general model for predicting stiffness loss as a function of damage in composite laminates, and the current paper seeks to model this stiffness loss. The model predictions are compared to experimental results for axial stiffness and finite element results for out-of-plane stiffness, and it is shown that the model is accurate in predicting this stiffness loss due to curved cracks.
Transglutaminase Inhibitors Attenuate Vascular Calcification in a Preclinical Model

Objective—In vitro, transglutaminase-2 (TG2)–mediated activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway is central in warfarin-induced calcification, warranting inquiry into the importance of this signaling axis as a target for preventive therapy of vascular calcification in vivo. Methods and Results—The adverse effects of warfarin-induced elastocalcinosis in a rat model include calcification of the aortic media, loss of the cellular component in the vessel wall, and isolated systolic hypertension, associated with accumulation and activation of TG2 and activation of β-catenin signaling. These effects of warfarin can be completely reversed by intraperitoneal administration of the TG2-specific inhibitor KCC-009 or dietary supplementation with the bioflavonoid quercetin, known to inhibit β-catenin signaling. Our study also uncovers a previously uncharacterized ability of quercetin to inhibit TG2. Quercetin reversed the warfarin-induced increase in systolic pressure, underlying the functional consequence of this ...
Accelerating Multi-threaded Application Simulation through Barrier-Interval Time-Parallelism

In the last decade, the microprocessor industry has undergone a dramatic change, ushering in the new era of multi-/manycore processors. As new designs incorporate increasing core counts, simulation technology has not matched pace, resulting in simulation times that increasingly dominate the design cycle. Complexities associated with the execution of code and communication between simulated cores has presented new obstacles for the simulation of manycore designs. Hence, many techniques developed to accelerate uniprocessor simulation cannot be easily adapted to accelerate manycore simulation. In this work, a novel time-parallel barrier-interval simulation methodology is presented to rapidly accelerate the simulation of certain classes of multi-threaded workloads. A program delineated into intervals by barriers may be accurately simulated in parallel. This approach avoids challenges originating from unknown thread progressions, since the program location of each executing thread is known. For the workloads tested, wall-clock speedups range from 1.22x to 596x, with an average of 13.94x. Furthermore, this approach allows the estimation of stable performance metrics such as cycle counts with minimal losses in accuracy (2%, on average, for all tested workloads). The proposed technique provides a fast and accurate mechanism to rapidly accelerate particular classes of manycore simulations.
Multielement determination in a Chinese cigarette brand

A cigarette brand manufactured in the Republic of China was analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis to determine the concentration of 27 elements in cigarette tobacco, cigarette wrapping paper, cigarette filter before and after smoking and in the dropped ash. The results were compared to the literature values for American and other international cigarette brands.
Proposal for the formation of a minority carrier injecting contact on wide bandgap semiconductors

Abstract We propose a new method by which a minority carrier injection contact or ohmic contact can be attained. The basic principle is to use a forming process, i.e. an applied electric field at an elevated temperature in the Schottky contact, to spatially separate dopants from compensating centers. In this way, the ratio of dopants to the compensating centers can be greatly increased at the semiconductor surface. Upon cooling, the dopant concentrations are frozen to retain a large net concentration of dopants in a thin surface layer, resulting in a depletion layer that is sufficiently thin to allow tunneling injection.
A Moderated Mediation Model of Personality, Self-Monitoring, and OCB

Drawing on socioanalytic theory, the present study examines a moderated mediation model of personality, self-monitoring, and organizational citizenship behavior. Results from a field study demonstrated that the relationship between self-ratings and observer ratings of personality was moderated by participants’ self-monitoring. Specifically, the relationship between self-rated and observer-rated Agreeableness was higher for low self-monitors, but the relationship between self-rated and observer-rated Conscientiousness was higher for high self-monitors. Last, we found that self-monitoring moderated the indirect effects of self-rated personality on organizational citizenship behavior through observer ratings of personality.
Longitudinal outcomes from the Family Development Research Program

The Family Development Research Program (FDRP) was begun as an omnibus effort to serve low‐income, low‐education families by providing education, nutrition, health, safety, and human service resour...
Synthesis and characterization of iridium 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) complexes. X-ray crystal and molecular structures of [Ir(PTA)4(CO)]Cl and [Ir(PTAH)3(PTAH2)(H)2]Cl6.

The first 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) ligated iridium compounds have been synthesized. The reaction of PTA with [Ir(COD)Cl]2 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) under a CO atmosphere produces an inseparable mixture of [Ir(PTA)3(CO)Cl] (1) and the PTA analogue of Vaska's compound, [Ir(PTA)2(CO)Cl] (2). Compound 1 and [Ir(PTA)4(CO)]Cl (3) were prepared via ligand substitution reactions of PTA with Vaska's compound, trans-Ir(PPh3)2(CO)Cl, in absolute and 95% ethanol, respectively. Complex 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 20.3619(4) A, b = 14.0345(3) A, c = 24.1575(5) A, and Z = 8. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 3 has a trigonal bipyramidal structure in which the CO occupies an axial position. This is the first crystallographically characterized [IrP4(CO)]+ complex in which the CO is axially ligated. Compound 1 was converted into 3 by ligand substitution with 1 equiv of PTA in water. Interestingly, the reaction of 3 with excess NaCl did not result in the produ...
ELISA kits based on monoclonal antibodies do not measure total IL-1β synthesis

The paper by Herzyk et al. which appears in this issue of the Journal of Immunological Methods is an important and long overdue contribution. The study clearly and convincingly demonstrates that two widely used commercial ELISA kits fail to detect over 90% of the 31 kDa human IL-1 beta precursor (pro-IL-1 beta) in various cells. This is due to the specificity of the monoclonal antibodies raised to the mature 17 kDa IL-1 beta and used in the commercial kits (or in 'home made' ELISAs). The significant amount of pro-IL-1 beta which is not measured by the kits casts doubt on the accuracy of total IL-1 beta synthesis reported in hundreds of published studies. Investigators evaluating cellular synthesis of IL-1 in the development of new drugs or IL-1 levels in health and disease increasingly rely on commercial detection kits. In this commentary, the importance and methods for determining total IL-1 beta synthesis are reviewed. In view of the preliminary positive results reported on the success of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in clinical trials, attention should be focused on the amount of IL-1 produced in disease and on the balance of IL-1 versus IL-1ra synthesis. Thus, continued use of these ELISA kits which do not detect pro-IL-1 beta will confound the interpretation of the IL-1 beta determinations.
Do women entrepreneurs require special training? An empirical comparison of men and women entrepreneurs in the United States

(1997). Do women entrepreneurs require special training? An empirical comparison of men and women entrepreneurs in the United States. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 4-29.
Intercellular interactions in the mammalian olfactory nerve.

The small, unmyelinated axons of olfactory sensory neurons project to the olfactory bulb in densely packed fascicles, an arrangement conducive to axo-axonal interactions. We recently demonstrated ephaptic interactions between these axons in the olfactory nerve layer, the layer of the olfactory bulb in which the axon fascicles interweave and rearrange extensively. In the present study, we hypothesized that the axons, which express connexins, may have another mode of communication: gap junctions. Previous transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies have failed to demonstrate such junctions. However, the definitive method for detecting gap junctions, freeze fracture, has not been used to examine the interaxonal connections of the olfactory nerve layer. Here, we apply a combined approach of TEM and freeze fracture to determine if gap junctions are present between the olfactory axons. Gap junctions involving olfactory axons were not found. However, by freeze fracture, P faces of both the axons and ensheathing cells (glia that surround the axon fascicles) contained distinctive linear arrays of particles, aligned along the small columns of extracellular space. In axons, few intramembranous particles were present outside of these arrays. Multi-helix proteins, including ion channels and connexin hemichannels, have been shown to be visible as particles by freeze fracture. This suggests that the proteins important for signal transmission are confined to the linear arrays. Such an arrangement would facilitate ephaptic transmission, calcium waves, current oscillations, and paracrine communication and may be important for olfactory neural code processing.
Postmortem whole-body magnetic resonance imaging as an adjunct to autopsy: preliminary clinical experience.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cadavers as an adjunct to autopsy. Eight consecutive patients underwent both whole-body MRI and autopsy [either conventional (six), limited (one), or percutaneous (one)] within 24 hours of death. Comparison was made of major and minor abnormalities and predicted cause of death recorded by independent readers at both MRI and autopsy. Major discrepancies between the recorded primary cause of death at imaging and autopsy occurred in five (5) patients. These included a myocardial infarction found at autopsy alone, bowel infarction and portal venous gas found at MRI alone, and aortic dissection and occipital infarct found at MRI alone in a patient on whom only limited autopsy was performed. Postmortem MRI may represent a useful adjunct to autopsy, particularly in patients in whom autopsy is limited due to patient/family consent, inoculation risks, and ethnic doctrines. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:277–287. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
First lasing of the UCSB 30 μm free-electron laser

Abstract Third harmonic lasing has been achieved in a Free-Electron Laser specifically designed to operate in that mode. So far, 40 W at 41 μm wavelength and 5.16 MeV beam energy has been measured. One of the most difficult challenges has been suppression of lasing at the fundamental wavelength. This is currently achieved with an intracavity cesium iodide restrahlen filter, but eventually, the original grating design will be needed to provide full tunability. Operation of this FEL demands electron beam stability and control system accuracy at the limits of the present system. Further progress in the development of this FEL may require significant improvement in these areas.
Doeblin's and Harris' theory of Markov processes

Our notation and definitions are taken from (Chung, K. L.: The general theory of Markov processes according to Doeblin. Z. Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und verw. Gebiete 2, 230–254 (1964)). A closed set H is called recurrent in the sense of Harris if there exists a σ-finite measure ϕ such that for E=H, ϕ(E) >0 implies Q(x, E)=1 for all tx∃H. Theorem 1. Let X be absolutely essential and indecomposable. Then there exists a closed set B⫅X. such that B contains no acountable disjoint collection of perpetuable sets if and only if X=H+1 where H is recurrent in the sense of Harris and I is either inessential or improperly essential. Theorem 2. If there exists no uncountable disjoint collection of closed sets, then there exists a countable disjoint collection {Dn} n=1 ∞ of absolutely essential and indecomposable closed sets such that $$I = X - \sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^\infty {D_n } $$ . Under the additional assumption that Suslin's Conjecture holds, Theorem 2 was proved by Jamison (Jamison, B.: A Result in Doeblin's Theory of Markov Chains implied by Suslin's Conjecture. Z. Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie verw. Gebiete 24, 287–293 (1972)).
Effect of transient cerebral ischemia on γ‐aminobutyric acidA receptor α1‐subunit–immunoreactive interneurons in the gerbil CA1 hippocampus

Following transient cerebral ischemia, pyramidal cells within area CA1 of the hippocampus exhibit delayed neuronal death. While interneurons within this sector continue to survive long-term, there is evidence that some interneurons in area CA1 are vulnerable to damage. To determine the nature of vulnerability in a neurochemically heterogeneous population of interneurons throughout area CA1, we examined the labeling of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons with an antibody to the GABAA receptor alpha 1-subunit 1-35 days following cerebral ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil. Unlike some other GABA interneuron markers, this antibody labels both the dendrites and soma of interneurons, allowing dendritic structure to be examined. Three to four days following ischemia, the pyramidal cells in area CA1 had degenerated, and the alpha 1-subunit-positive interneurons in all layers of area CA1 had developed severely beaded dendrites. At longer survival times (21-35 days), the alpha 1-subunit-immunolabeled dendrites of these interneurons had a fragmented appearance. In contrast, interneurons bordering str. oriens and alveus typically exhibited normal dendritic morphology. Despite the pathologic changes, there was no evidence of interneuron loss in area CA1 up to 35 days post-ischemia. Normal interneuron morphology was also observed in area CA3 and dentate gyrus, regions where neither pyramidal neurons nor granule cells, respectively, die following 5 min of cerebral ischemia. To determine if the ischemia-induced changes in interneuron morphology could be prevented, diazepam was administered 30 and 90 min following ischemia. Diazepam produces long-term neuroprotection of area CA1 pyramidal neurons. In gerbils sacrificed 35 days after ischemia, diazepam markedly attenuated the dendritic beading of the area CA1 interneurons. In addition, the dendrites did not display the fragmented labeling by the alpha 1-subunit antibody. Thus, despite their long-term survival, CA1 hippocampal interneurons in the gerbil can express severe structural abnormalities after transient cerebral ischemia coincident with pyramidal cell degeneration, and the injury to the dendrites can be prevented by the neuroprotectant diazepam.
Arylsulfatase activity of microbial biomass in soils as affected by cropping systems

The impacts of crop rotations and N fertilization on different pools of arylsulfatase activity (total, intracellular, and extracellular) were studied in soils of two long-term field experiments in Iowa to assess the contibution of the microbial biomass to the activity of this enzyme. Surface-soil samples were taken in 1996 and 1997 in corn, soybeans, oats, or meadow (alfalfa) plots that received 0 or 180 kg N ha–1 before corn, and an annual application of 20 kg P ha–1 and 56 kg K ha–1. The arylsulfatase activity in the soils was assayed at optimal pH (acetate buffer, pH 5.8) before and after chloroform fumigation; microbial biomass C (Cmic) and N (Nmic) were determined by chloroform-fumigation methods. All pools of arylsulfatase activity in soils were significantly affected by crop rotation and plant cover at sampling time, but not by N fertilization. Generally, the highest total, intracellular, and extracellular arylsulfatase activities were obtained in soils under cereal-meadow rotations, taken under oats or meadow, and the lowest under continuous cropping systems.Total, intracellular, and extracellular arylsulfatase activities were significantly correlated with Cmic (r>0.41, P 0.38, P 0.79 (P<0.001). In general, about 45% of the total arylsulfatase activity was extracellular, and 55% was associated with the microbial biomass in soils, indicating the importance of the microflora as an enzyme source in soils.
Interactions of chiral molecules with an (r)‐n‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl) phenylglycine HPLC stationary phase

Forty different chiral molecules were studied by liquid chromatography with a Pirkle-type, (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl) phenylglycine (DNBPG), chiral stationary phase column. The dramatic effect of a small molecular change on chiral recognition was demonstrated using DL-amino acid derivatives. The inductive effect on chiral recognition was also studied using trifluoro-, trichloro-, dichloro-, monochloroacetyl, and acetyl derivatives of four different chiral amines. The study of the enantiomer separation of 11 different crown ethers of 2,2′-binaphthyldiyl showed that the rigidity of the chiral center can be an additional parameter in chiral recognition for the DNBPG phase but not for a β-cyclodextrin bonded chiral phase. It is apparent from this study that steric effects, inductive effects, and molecular rigidity play important roles in chiral recognition with DNBPG chiral stationary phases.
Performance analysis of structured gradient algorithm (antenna array processing)

The structured gradient algorithm uses a structured estimate of the array correlation matrix to estimate the gradient required for the constrained least mean square algorithm. This structure reflects the structure of the exact array correlation matrix for an equispaced linear array and is obtained by spatial averaging of the elements of the noisy correlation matrix. In its standard form the LMS algorithm does not exploit the structure of the array correlation matrix. The gradient is estimated by multiplying the array output with the receiver outputs. An analysis of the two algorithms is presented to show that the covariance of the gradient estimated by the structured method is less sensitive to the look direction signal than that estimated by the standard method. The effect of the number of elements on the signal sensitivity of the two algorithms is studied. >
Local connection patterns of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory interneurons in rat primary auditory cortex

In the auditory cortex (AC), GABAergic neurons constitute approximately 15–25% of all neurons. GABAergic cells are present in all sensory modalities and essential for modulating sensory receptive fields. Parvalbumin (PV) positive cells represent the largest sub-group of the GABAergic population in auditory neocortex. We investigated the projection pattern of PV cells in rat primary auditory cortex (AI) with a retrograde tracer (wheat germ apo-HRP conjugated to gold [WAHG]) and immunocytochemistry for PV. All AC layers except layer I contained cells double-labeled for PV and WAHG. All co-localized PV+ cells were within 2 mm of the injection site, regardless of laminar origin. Most (ca. 90%) of the co-localized PV cells were within 500µm of the injection site in both dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal dimension of the auditory core region. WAHG-only cells declined less rapidly with distance and were found up to 6 mm from the deposit sites. WAHG-only labeled cells in the medial geniculate body were in ventral division loci compatible with an injection in AI. Differences in the range and direction of the distribution pattern of co-localized PV+ cells and WAHG-only cells in AI express distinct functional convergence patterns for the two cell populations.
A time series analysis of U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan income divergence

This paper employs time series methods to analyze convergence across metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions during the 1969–2001 period. The results suggest that non-metropolitan regions are diverging from below the U.S. average income level, while metropolitan regions show mixed evidence of convergence. These summary results vary by geographic location and the size of the region, with medium-sized metropolitan regions showing the strongest tendencies to converge, while non-metropolitan areas with larger urban centers and small towns showed the strongest tendencies to diverge. Differences in human capital (as well as employment concentrations in farming and mining) appear to have influenced the relative performance of metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions during the last 30 years, suggesting a role for agglomeration economies in the observed trend toward divergence.
Spontaneous alternation and scopolamine

Rats were tested for spontaneous alternation following injections of saline, scopolamine, and atropine, usina, doses of 0.4 and 1.2 mg/kg. It was found that scopolamine, at the higher dose, resulted in a reduction of alternation to a rate very near chance. A possible relation between the effects of scopolamine injection and removal of the hippocampus was discussed.
Interference with Protein Kinase C-Related Signal Transduction in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Benzo[a]pyrene

Abstract Elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the deregulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth and differentiation during the course of atherogenesis and the putative role of toxic injury in this process have been a subject of considerable interest in recent years, In this regard, we have recently shown that in vitro exposure of vascular (aortic) SMCs to benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP), an atherogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, initially delays cell cycle progression and inhibits cell proliferation and then causes permanent modulation to a highly proliferative state, To define the molecular basis of this response, we have examined critical components of the protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction system upon exposure to BaP, Marked inhibition of serum-stimulated inositol phospholipid turnover was observed in growth-arrested SMC cultures challenged with 30 μM BaP for 24 h and then stimulated with 10% fetal bovine serum for 120 or 1800 s, Benzo[ a ]pyrene inhibited PKC-mediated phosphorylation of exogenous and endogenous proteins in the cytosolic and particulate fraction of cycling, as well as quiescent cultures. The PKC inhibitory response was observed as early as 0.5 h following BaP treatment and maintained for at least 5 days. Exposure of quiescent SMCs to 30 μM BaP inhibited the ability of serum to induce c- fos mRNA expression and decreased AP-1 binding to a 12- O -tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate responsive element, Inhibition of PKC-related signal transduction was not due to generalized interference with cell cycle events since peak: expression of the c- myc and c-Ha- ras protooncogenes following serum stimulation of quiescent cultures was unchanged, or slightly enhanced, by 30 μM BaP. Collectively, these data suggest that the ability of BaP to modulate growth and differentiation programs in vascular SMCs involves early interference with PKC-related mitogenic signal transduction.
General adaptive load apportioning for two cooperating robots

The load-sharing-force (LSF) control method for two-arm systems grasping a rigid object is expanded. The LSF control addresses three problems: load sharing; control of interactive forces; and accurate position control. A diagonal matrix alpha determines how the load is apportioned to each manipulator. An external input specifies the desired compression, tension, or torsion to be applied to the object. An algorithm for the adaptive selection of a diagonal alpha through the optimization of the joint force distribution over both manipulators is presented. The six diagonal elements of alpha provide for load apportioning in each of the six spatial degrees of freedom. Accurate position control is obtained by use of reflex-action position control, which makes the manipulator dynamics, as seen by a positron controller, independent of uncertain loading. >
Non-Penetrative Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury: Visualization of Representative Human Skull and Brain Response to Shock and Blast Loading

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant biological concern that has been known to result from exposure of the brain to shock and blast events. Experiments have been carried out at The Aerospace Corporation’s shock tube facility aimed at studying the interaction between a shock (M1.23 corresponding to an overpressure of 0.57 atm) and a realistic human skull and brain system. Visualization was accomplished via high-speed Schlieren, dynamic photoelasticity, and high speed video. Results showed that the shock propagated into the cranial cavity via the eye sockets (i.e. soft tissues) and focused near the posterior region of the brain. The brain material had a delayed response to the shock, and underwent violent oscillations in the forward/backwards directions. Cavitation was observed in the anterior region of the brain. Weak shock waves were observed up to 800 μs after the shock incident, while mild oscillations of the brain material were observed for several seconds after the shock incident. Visible macroscopic injury was observed in the brain material after the shock tube tests in the anterior region of the brain due to the cavitation and forwards/backwards motions of the brain material. Little or no visible damage was observed in the remainder of the brain. Preliminary studies with a faceshield showed promise for diminishing the effects of the shock and overpressure wave by blocking the main path of shock transmission through the eye sockets. Future studies will focus on mitigation of the shock and overpressure wave via novel materials and helmet/faceshield configurations.
A similarity graph-based approach to declustering problems and its application towards parallelizing grid files

We propose a new similarity-based technique for declustering data. The proposed method can adapt to available information about query distributions, data distributions, data sizes and partition-size constraints. The method is based on max-cut partitioning of a similarity graph defined over the given set of data, under constraints on the partition sizes. It maximizes the chances that a pair of data-items that are to be accessed together by queries are allocated to distinct disks. We show that the proposed method can achieve optimal speed-up for a query-set, if there exists any other declustering method which will achieve the optimal speed-up. Experiments in parallelizing grid files show that the proposed method outperforms mapping-function-based methods for interesting query distributions as well for non-uniform data distributions. >
Presentation and outcomes among patients with isolated myeloid sarcoma: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database analysis

Isolated myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extramedullary presentation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Little is known about MS outcomes due to its rarity. A population-based analysis of MS using the Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was performed. We identified 345 patients, aged 15 or older, diagnosed with isolated MS between 1973 and 2010. Overall survival (OS) was calculated and compared between MS and non-MS AML using the log-rank test. Survival was also evaluated based upon the primary site of disease presentation. The 3-year survival rate for MS (0.319; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.267-0.371) was greater than for non-MS AML (0.172; 95% CI: 0.168-0.175). There was variation in survival based on the site of involvement. The survival rates for isolated MS involving the pelvis/genitourinary organs, eyes/gonads and gastrointestinal mucosa appeared to be slightly improved when compared to primary sites of soft tissues, lymphatic/hematopoietic tissues or nervous system.
Oncogenic Activity of miR-650 in Prostate Cancer Is Mediated by Suppression of CSR1 Expression.

Cellular stress response 1 ( CSR1 ) is a tumor suppressor gene whose expression was frequently down-regulated in prostate cancer. The mechanism of its down-regulation, however, is not clear. Here, we show that the 3′ untranslated region of CSR1 contains a target site of miR-650. High level of miR-650 was found in prostate cancer samples and cell lines. Degradation of miR-650 by specific inhibitor dramatically increased the expression levels of CSR1. Interaction between miR-650 and its target site in the 3′ untranslated region was validated through luciferase reporter system. Mutation at the target site completely abrogated the activity of miR-650 on the 3′ untranslated region of CSR1. Inhibition of miR-650 reversed the expression suppression of CSR1, suppressed colony formation, and blocked cell cycle entry to the S phase of both PC3 and DU145 cells. Animal model showed significant decrease of tumor volume, rate of metastasis, and mortality of severe combined immunodeficient mice xenografted with PC3 or DU145 cells transformed with inhibitor of miR-650. Our analyses demonstrate that suppression of CSR1 expression is a novel mechanism critical for the oncogenic activity of miR-650.
A pilot trial of the anti-angiogenic copper lowering agent tetrathiomolybdate in combination with irinotecan, 5-flurouracil, and leucovorin for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is an oral copper chelator under development as an anti-angiogenic agent. We evaluated TM in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (IFL). Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-8 were measured to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect. Twenty-four patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated. The combination with IFL was well tolerated and dose intensity of IFL was maintained during combination therapy with TM. By intention to treat analysis, the overall response rate (RR) was 25% (95% CI 9.8–46.7) and the median time to progression (TTP) was 5.6 months (95% CI 2.7–7.7). VEGF levels were correlated with TTP, as were changes in VEGF, IL-8, and IL-6. TM can be safely added to IFL without compromising dose intensity or diminishing the expected RR. Changes in serum VEGF, IL-8, and IL-6 after treatment may directly reflect changes in CRC tissue angiogenesis.
Quasiextinction Probabilities as a Measure of Impact on Population Growth

A probabilistic language based on stochastic models of population growth is proposed for a standard language to be used in environmental assessment. Environmental impact on a population is measured by the probability of quasiextinction. Density-dependent and independent models are discussed. A review of one-dimensional stochastic population growth models, the implications of environmental autocorrelation, finite versus “infinite” time results, age-structured models, and Monte Carlo simulations are included. The finite time probability of quasiextinction is presented for the logistic model. The sensitivity of the result with respect to the mean growth rate and the amplitude of environmental fluctuations are examined. Stochastic models of population growth form a basis for formulating reasonable criteria for environmental impact estimates.
Implementation of EAX mode of operation for FPGA bitstream encryption and authentication

In order to provide a capability for secure remote reconfiguration of FPGAs, FPGA bitstream needs to be encrypted and authenticated during its transmission through any public network. Bitstream encryption is already implemented in a few modern FPGA families, such as Xilinx Virtex II. An important feature lacking in the current generation of FPGAs is the ability to cryptographically verify the authenticity of the bitstream. In this paper, we propose the use of the EAX mode of operation of advanced encryption standard (AES) for a joint encryption and authentication of the FPGA bitstream, using a single cipher engine. We demonstrate and quantify the advantages of this method compared to a generic scheme relying on different algorithms and different cryptographic engines for performing both operations
Characterization of Light Emission from 4H and 6H SiC MOSFETs

While SiC devices are an attractive alternative to Si in high power applications, interface trap densities measured in SiC-based MOSFETs are significantly larger than in Si-based ones. Here, we study SiC MOSFETs using both spatial images and spectral analysis of light emission due to electron-hole recombination. The light emission is produced by alternately driving the channel between accumulation and inversion using what is essentially a charge-pumping set-up. Emission is due to interface trap and bulk electron-hole recombination. The spatial imaging studies suggest that recombination occurs at both interface traps and bulk defects. Spectral studies of the emission indicate the presence of a narrow band centered at 425 nm and a broad band extending from approximately 500 to 800nm. The former we suggest is due to bulk recombination and the latter to interface trap recombination. The spectral studies of the 500 to 800 nm band are timed to separate light emitted during the inversion-to-accumulation transition from that emitted during the accumulation-to-inversion transition and visa versa. Comparisons of the emission spectra collected during these specific periods are consistent with a larger Dit in the upper half of the bandgap than the lower half in both 4H and 6H devices.
Improved Online Estimation Methods for a Feedback-Based Freeway Ramp Metering Strategy

The critical density of a freeway link is subject to changes over time owing to such circumstances as environmental conditions (snow, rain, etc.) and traffic incidents. Because of the critical density impacts on the performance of some ramp metering strategies that make use of it as a threshold value for control action, it is necessary to trace the real value of critical density. This paper presents improvements to the methodology for the online estimation of critical density using the extended Kalman filter (EKF) proposed by Ozbay et al. (2006). Basically, critical density and density of the freeway section are chosen as the state variables to be determined using the system output, namely the measurement of traffic flow and occupancy on the downstream freeway link. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated using the feedback-based ramp metering strategy ALINEA (Papageorgiou et al., 1991). A number of simulations are run to investigate the sensitivity of the proposed methodology with respect to initial estimates and time step size selection. Also, the methodology's capability of tracking gradual and sudden changes in real-time critical density is examined. This new methodology provided successful performances based on the macroscopic simulation evaluation using MATLAB
Molecular Mechanisms of A164H cTnI

Troponin I (TnI) has a central, isoform-dependent role in ischemic contractile failure. The fetal heart expresses the slow skeletal TnI (ssTnI) isoform which confers protection from ischemia-mediated contractile failure relative to the adult expressed cardiac TnI (cTnI) isoform. A single codon substitution in cTnI, A164H, reverts significantly to an ssTnI phenotype, in specifics, conferring protection from ischemia-mediated contractile failure. Importantly, unlike ssTnI, cTnI A164H does not alter contractile performance under baseline conditions. The molecular mechanisms for the marked enhancement in myocyte function under pathophysiological conditions with no detected effects under baseline conditions have yet to be determined. Isoform specific residues in helix 4 of TnI were investigated through structure/function analysis to gain insight into this mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulation for cTnI, Q157R/A164H/E166V/H173N cTnI (QAEH), A164H cTnI, and ssTnI in complex with cTnC, showed that substitution of cTnI with the ssTnI residues alters the intermolecular interactions between TnI and cTnC. These findings suggest that these residues are important for the conformation of helix 4 in regards to cTnC. To investigate if these substitutions alter function, adult cardiac myocytes were transduced with adenovirus expressing QAEH cTnI and sarcomere dynamics were analyzed. QAEH cTnI showed a similar phenotype to ssTnI, increasing sarcomere shortening and slowing relaxation at pH 7.4 while maintaining normal contractile function under acidic conditions. To elucidate this further, double and triple mutants were analyzed to determine the importance of each of the three residues to baseline contractility. The data show that H173 and Q157 are necessary for the reduced contractility at baseline while E166 exerts the opposite effect. Taken together, these new findings suggests that the conformation of helix 4 in TnI is an important determinate of contractility in ischemia.
Mental Life and the Metropolis in Suburban America: The Psychological Correlates of Metropolitan Place Characteristics

Many critics argue that America's suburbs foster depression and mental distress, but researchers have not sufficiently tested whether the characteristics that actually distinguish metropolitan plac...
Exploration of Brueckner orbital trial wave functions in diffusion Monte Carlo calculations

Abstract This study explores the utility of Brueckner orbitals as trial wave functions for diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) calculations. Comparison is made with Hartree⿿Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) orbitals allowing for an assessment of how well the three sets of orbitals describe the nodal surfaces. For the neutral test systems, PBE0 orbitals or Brueckner orbitals give DMC energies that are appreciably lower than those obtained using Hartree⿿Fock orbitals. For a CO 2 ⿿ anion test case, a significantly lower DMC energy is obtained when using Brueckner orbitals rather than DFT orbitals as the trial function.
Prevention of Youth Violence: A Public Health Approach

The causes of youth violence are multifactorial and include biological, individual, familial, social, and economic factors. The influence of parents, family members, and important adults can shape the beliefs of the child toward violence in a significant manner. However, the influence of school and the neighborhood also have an important role in attitudes and behaviors of children toward violence. The complexity of factors related to violence requires a comprehensive public health approach. This article focuses on evidence-based models of intervention to reduce violence while emphasizing collective impact as a guiding principle.
The garage: automobility and building innovation in America’s early auto age

John Jakle and Keith Sculle have once again produced a volume that illuminates and preserves a crucial but often unrecognized element of automobility on the American cultural landscape. The Garage:...
Denervation microangiopathy in senile dementia, Alzheimer type.

Abstract Structural analysis of the capillary plexus in the brains of 5 patients with clinical and neuropathological diagnosis of Senile Dementia, Alzheimer Type, revealed a group of striking physical alterations compared with tissue specimens from 5 age-matched controls. Capillary walls were thickened with irregular lumpy, nodulated contours which appeared due, in part, to infiltration of the vascular wall with rounded cell-like bodies. In some cases, these resembled the perikarya of pericytes or monocytes, or their protoplasmic extensions, which were often filled with lipids. In each case, there was no trace of the perivascular neural plexus which regularly invests the microvasculature of the brain parenchyma. The loss of this neural plexus, believed to originate largely from locus ceruleus and the basal forebrain, may be related to the changes in capillary wall structure, and these, in turn, may lead to profound alterations in blood-brain barrier function. We suggest that this subcortically induced denervation microangiopathy may serve as a pathogenic factor in the development of SDAT.
Viability Influenced by Photoperiodic Treatment During Growth and Egg Production

Abstract Reported herein are mortality data for two experiments involving a total of 1036 pullets of two commercial Leghorn-type stocks which were subjected to the following photoperiodic environments: (1) 6 hour-3% increment—six hours of daily light from day-old to 20 weeks of age, then three percent positive weekly increments through the laying year; (2) 14 hour-3% increment—fourteen hours of daily light through 50 weeks of age (about 30 weeks in production) and three percent weekly increments thereafter. Since the 6 hour-3% increment groups had reached 14 hours of light per day at 50 weeks of age, both treatment groups were thus continued on concurrent three percent programs until 24 hours of light was achieved at 68 weeks of age. In Experiment 2, due to a faulty electric timer, birds in the 6 hour groups received one period of 36 hours of continuous light at 14 weeks of age. In…
Intestinal and Hepatic Mixed Function Oxidase Activity in Rats Fed Methionine and Cysteine-Free Diets:

SummaryIntestinal and hepatic mixed function oxidase (MFO) activity was studied in rats fed sulfur amino acid free diets. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats (~140 g) were randomly assigned to three diets containing l-amino acids as the only source of nitrogen and fed for 4 days. The treatments were the control diet fed ad libitum (C), the control diet minus methionine and cysteine (M), and the control diet pair fed (P) with the M-deficient partners. There were no significant differences in total microsomal protein in the first 25 cm of the small intestine but total liver microsomal protein was depressed by decreased food intake and by the sulfur amino acid deficiency (P < 0.05). Intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) specific activity (nmol 3-OH BP/30 min/mg) was (C) 2.30 ± 0.27, (P) 1.75 ± 0.28, (M) 0.65 ± 0.06, and hepatic AHH specific activity was (C) 15.9 ± 2.1, (P) 16.3 ± 2.4, (M) 4.6 ±1.3. The data show that sulfur amino acid deficiency causes a similar reduction in intestinal and hepatic MFO activity...