cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hourly solar radiation forecasting based on EMD and ELM neural network

Accurate solar radiation forecasting is essential for photovoltaic generation system. An hourly solar radiation forecasting model based on EMD(Empirical Mode Decomposition) and ELM neural network is proposed. The hourly solar radiation sequence of similar days is built according to the environmental information of the forecast day,which is then decomposed to signals with different frequencies by EMD. An ELM neural network forecasting model is built for each signal. The forecasting value of original solar radiation sequence is obtained by adding up the forecasting values of different signals. Case study shows that,compared with the traditional forecasting methods,the proposed method has higher forecasting accuracy and faster computation speed.
INVESTIGATION ON HAND HYGIENE OF MEDICAL STAFF IN ONE SANATORIUM

Objective To investigate the execution and influence factors of medical staff's hand hygiene in one sanatorium.Methods On-site investigation and questionnaire were used to study the hand hygiene of medical staff in the sanatorium.Results The average rate of hand-cleaning was 84.5%,the qualified rate of hand-cleaning was 83.3%,and that of hand-drying by paper or dryer was 52.4%.The main reason of the incorrect hand-cleaning for medical staff were their busy work and ignorance.Conclusion The hand hygiene compliance of the medical staff in the sanatorium was low,mainly because the medical staff did not pay attention to it,so the administration and intervention should be strengthened.
Indexing Raw Acoustic Features for Scalable Zero Resource Search.

We present a new speech indexing and search scheme called Randomized Acoustic Indexing and Logarithmic-time Search (RAILS) that enables scalable query-by-example spoken term detection in the zero resource regime. RAILS is derived from our recent investigation into the application of randomized hashing and approximate nearest neighbor search algorithms to raw acoustic features. Our approach permits an approximate search through hundreds of hours of speech audio in a matter of seconds, and may be applied to any language without the need of a training corpus, acoustic model, or pronunciation lexicon. The fidelity of the approximation is controlled through a small number of easily interpretable parameters that allow a trade-off between search accuracy and speed.
Crystal structure of (9S,10S)-10-eth-oxy-9-hy-droxy-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-7,8,9,10-tetra-hydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-yl 4-methyl-benzene-sulfonate.

In the structure of the title compound, C30H40O6S, the cyclo­hexene and heterocyclic rings are linked by a double bond. The cyclo­hexene ring has a half-chair conformation (the methyl­ene group adjacent to the hy­droxy substituent lies above the remaining atoms) and the hy­droxy and eth­oxy groups have equatorial and bis­ectional dispositions, respectively. The heterocyclic ring has an envelope conformation (with the CMe2 C atom being the flap). The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 53.88 (10)°. A long intra­molecular C—H⋯S inter­action is noted. In the mol­ecular packing, hy­droxy-O—H⋯O(sulfonate) hydrogen bonds lead to a helical chain along [010]. Connections between chains are of the type methyl-C—H⋯O(sulfonate) and lead to supra­molecular layers that lie parallel to (001). The studied crystal was an inversion twin.
WE-AB-207A-07: A Planning CT-Guided Scatter Artifact Correction Method for CBCT Images

Purpose: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging is on increasing demand for high-performance image-guided radiotherapy such as online tumor delineation and dose calculation. However, the current CBCT imaging has severe scatter artifacts and its current clinical application is therefore limited to patient setup based mainly on the bony structures. This study's purpose is to develop a CBCT artifact correction method. Methods: The proposed scatter correction method utilizes the planning CT to improve CBCT image quality. First, an image registration is used to match the planning CT with the CBCT to reduce the geometry difference between the two images. Then, the planning CT-based prior information is entered into the Bayesian deconvolution framework to iteratively perform a scatter artifact correction for the CBCT mages. This technique was evaluated using Catphan phantoms with multiple inserts. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), and the image spatial nonuniformity (ISN) in selected volume of interests (VOIs) were calculated to assess the proposed correction method. Results: Post scatter correction, the CNR increased by a factor of 1.96, 3.22, 3.20, 3.46, 3.44, 1.97 and 1.65, and the SNR increased by a factor 1.05, 2.09, 1.71, 3.95, 2.52, 1.54 and 1.84 for the Air, PMP, LDPE, Polystryrene, Acrylic, Delrin and Teflon inserts, respectively. The ISN decreased from 21.1% to 4.7% in the corrected images. All values of CNR, SNR and ISN in the corrected CBCT image were much closer to those in the planning CT images. The results demonstrated that the proposed method reduces the relevant artifacts and recovers CT numbers. Conclusion: We have developed a novel CBCT artifact correction method based on CT image, and demonstrated that the proposed CT-guided correction method could significantly reduce scatter artifacts and improve the image quality. This method has great potential to correct CBCT images allowing its use in adaptive radiotherapy.
Massive Bodies in Mortal Performance

In an ongoing London run, a Tony-winning run at New York’s Lincoln Center, and tours of North America, Australia, Ireland, the UK, Berlin, and, China, the hit play War Horse (2007) powerfully conjures equine bodies in the First World War to highlight the unprecedented slaughter and devastation and critique the ineffectuality of military action. The play was adapted for the National Theatre of Great Britain by Nick Stafford from a children’s book by Michael Morpurgo told, a la Black Beauty, through the eyes of a war horse called Joey. Morpurgo wrote the story in tribute to the eight million equines who were killed, more than one million from England alone, as traditional cavalry formations came up against the modern technologies that would render them obsolete. When the army takes Joey for service, Albert Narracott, the Devon farm boy who raised him, vows to find him. In a Brechtian epic style, using life-sized horse puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, the play dramatizes Joey’s and Albert’s interwoven journeys across the combat zone. Its storytelling engages audiences on both sides of the Atlantic as the centenary of the First World War and the sesquicentenary of the Civil War, the costliest American conflict in human and equine blood, proceed.1 In so doing, the play evokes not only an explicit history of horses in war but also an unacknowledged parallel history of horses on stage dramatizing war.
Semilocal exchange hole with an application to range-separated density functionals

The exchange-correlation hole is a central concept in density functional theory. It not only provides justification for an exchange-correlation energy functional but also serves as a local ingredient for nonlocal range-separated density functionals. However, due to the nonlocal nature, modeling the conventional exact exchange hole presents a great challenge to density functional theory. In this work, we propose a semilocal exchange hole underlying the Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria (TPSS) meta-generalized gradient approximation functional. Our model is distinct from previous ones not only at small separation between an electron and the hole around the electron but also in the way it interpolates between rapidly varying and slowly varying densities. Here the interpolation is determined by the wave-vector analysis on the infinite-barrier model for a jellium surface. Numerical tests show that our exchange-hole model mimics the conventional exact one quite well for atoms. As a simple application, we apply the hole model to construct a TPSS-based range-separated functional. We find that this range-separated functional can substantially improve the band gaps and barrier heights of TPSS, without losing much accuracy for atomization energies.
Gender and the ownership of English in South Africa

This paper explores the role gender plays in the ownership of English as an additional language in South Africa. The question of who is a ‘legitimate’ owner of the dominant language is crucial for democratic transformation, as it is related to the allocation of opportunities for socio-economic empowerment. After deconstructing the notion that only native speakers can be considered legitimate owners, I will present an empirical study which explores how a group of black South African university students are taking ownership of English as part of their process of self-empowerment, and how this process is implicated in the re(construction) of gender identities.
An Examination of the Relationship Between Height and Delinquency

Purpose Height has been shown to influence social development, which can affect life outcomes such as involvement in delinquent behaviors. Previous studies have linked height to aggression but have not examined other delinquent behaviors. The current study examines multiple ways that height can affect violence, property offending, and alcohol use.
Prospective Evaluation of Sleep Improvement Following Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

Purpose Sleep disturbance due to nighttime awakening is a well-documented symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. While relief of nighttime waking following carpal tunnel release (CTR) has been demonstrated, the effect of CTR on overall sleep quality has not been fully investigated. We hypothesized that CTR would result in significant improvement in overall sleep quality as well as patients' overall satisfaction with their sleep habits. Methods Cases of carpal tunnel syndrome with positive nerve studies, and treated with CTR, were prospectively enrolled. Demographic data, electromyography (EMG) severity, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scale data were collected. Results A total of 398 patients were enrolled, with 99% available at 2 weeks and 64% available at 3-month final follow-up. At final follow-up, average Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improved significantly from the preoperative value. Average ISI score on all 7 sleep categories on the survey improved significantly from before surgery to the first postoperative visit. However, the total ISI score did not further improve significantly between the 2-week and the 3-month postoperative visits. The ISI score improvements did not correlate with EMG severity. Conclusions Patients undergoing CTR demonstrated significant improvement in mean scores for 7 aspects of sleep quality. Sleep improvement was unrelated to preoperative EMG severity and was experienced within 2 weeks of surgery. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
Assessing the Relationship Between the Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential and Speech Recognition Abilities in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients

Objectives The primary objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between suprathreshold electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) measures and speech recognition abilities in bilateral cochlear implant listeners. We tested the hypothesis that the magnitude of ear differences in ECAP measures within a subject (right-left) could predict the difference in speech recognition performance abilities between that subject's ears (right-left). Design To better control for across-subject variables that contribute to speech understanding, the present study used a within-subject design. Subjects were 10 bilaterally implanted adult cochlear implant recipients. We measured ECAP amplitudes and slopes of the amplitude growth function in both ears for each subject. We examined how each of these measures changed when increasing the interphase gap of the biphasic pulses. Previous animal studies have shown correlations between these ECAP measures and auditory nerve survival. Speech recognition measures included speech reception thresholds for sentences in background noise, as well as phoneme discrimination in quiet and in noise. Results Results showed that the between-ear difference (right-left) of one specific ECAP measure (increase in amplitude growth function slope as the interphase gap increased from 7 to 30 µs) was significantly related to the between-ear difference (right-left) in speech recognition. Frequency-specific response patterns for ECAP data and consonant transmission cues support the hypothesis that this particular ECAP measure may represent localized functional acuity. Conclusions The results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that when using a well-controlled research design, there is evidence that underlying neural function is related to postoperative performance with a cochlear implant.
Travels and Observation: An Introduction

The introduction lays out the theoretical framework and general scope of the book. It examines the political and cultural relations between the United States and Latin America, from 1840 to 1880, through two travel narratives: Life in Mexico (1843) by Fanny Calderon de la Barca and A Journey in Brazil (1868) by Elizabeth Cary Agassiz. The authors’ writings are inserted within the broader intellectual dialogues of the public sphere that circulated between the United States, Mexico, and Brazil as they discuss nation building, race relations, science, religion, and landscape painting. Focusing on the authors’ different modes of observation, the introduction also argues for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of travel writing.
REGIONAL DISPARITIES AND NATIONAL TRENDS IN MORTALITY RATES AMONG CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS MANAGED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been frequently used for cardiopulmonary support in patients with cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study is to determine the trends in mortality and differences in demographics in patients managed with ECMO for cardiac arrest. The National Inpatient
Efficacy of treatment after measurable diabeticlike retinopathy in galactose-fed rats.

Purpose. To determine whether the diabeticlike retinal microangiopathies of the galactose-fed rat model could be ameliorated if intervention by withdrawal of the galactose diet or treatment with the aldose reductase inhibitor AL-3152 was initiated after quantifiable microangiopathies had occurred. Methods. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups and fed for up to 24 months Purina laboratory chow (#5001) plus 50% starch (control [CON]), 50% D-galactose (galactose [GAL]), 50% D-galactose with AL-3152 (approximately 14 mg/kg per day) (prevention [PRV], 50% D-galactose for 6 months followed by intervention with the inhibitor (intervention [INT]), or 50% D-galactose for 6 months followed by replacement with the 50% starch diet (withdrawal [GWD]). In rats on experimental diets and killed after 6, 18, and 24 months, one retina was prepared for transmission electron microscopy,; the other was used for vessel wholemounts using elastase digestion. Capillary, images were analyzed by computer morphometry. Results. At 6 months, the GAL rats exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases over CON rats in mean capillary basement membrane thickness, capillary density, and dilated channels. These parameters tended to increase with time in most groups, and the differences between GAL and age-matched CON rats were maintained at the 18- and 24-month endpoints. Although the microangiopathies were ameliorated by AL-3152 treatment from the onset (PRV), intervention after 6 months of galactosemia with either galactose withdrawal (GWD) or addition of inhibitor (INT) showed amelioration in only some parameters at 18 months and no statistically significant benefit at the 24-month endpoint. Conclusions. Amelioration of galactose-induced retinal microangiopathies with AL-3152 in the prevention group suggests an efficacious application of aldose reductase inhibitors in treating diabetic retinopathy, provided treatment can begin soon after the onset of diabetes. Intervention after some of the earliest microscopic lesions neither halted progression of the angiopathy nor provided appreciable benefit at the 24-month follow-up.
SIRT1 and Inflammaging in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cellular senescence are intertwined in the pathogenesis of premature aging, which is considered to be an important contributory factor in driving chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a disease of lung inflammaging associated with a rapid decline in lung function. Lung inflammaging in patients with COPD is associated with an increase in the DNA damage response, cellular senescence, and transcription of proinflammatory mediators. SIRT1 regulates inflammaging via regulating FOXO3, p53, and NF-κB, as well as various proteins/coactivators involved in DNA damage and repair. Oxidant/carbonyl stress imposed by cigarette smoke reduces SIRT1 levels and activity, which results in acetylation of target proteins, such as p53, RelA/p65, and FOXO3, thereby leading to increased inflammatory response, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. Targeting lung inflammaging using pharmacological SIRT1 activators or polyphenols is therefore a promising therapeutic intervention for inflammaging in chronic lung diseases including COPD.
Anisotropic and Pressure-Dependent Plasticity Modeling for Residual Stress Prediction

In order to provide well characterized residual stress specimens, 10-mm thick, 60-mm diameter disks of 2024-T351 Aluminum were plastically indented by opposing 15-mm diameter indenters of hardened steel. The residual stresses in the disk specimen were measured using neutron diffraction, the contour method, and the slitting method. A finite element model of the indentation process was constructed, but matching the measured residual stresses proved unexpectedly challenging. An attempt was made to improve the agreement honestly (without any unjustified parameter changes) by improving the constitutive model for 2024. Cyclic stress–strain curves were measured in multiple directions in the source plate of 2024-T351 which showed plastic anisotropy on the order of 15% in the flow strength. Recent literature has also shown a pressure dependence in 2024-T351 which would increase the flow strength in the triaxial stress region under the indenter. Combining anisotropy, cyclic loading, and pressure dependence effects in Abaqus has significantly improved agreement with the data, but a completely accurate prediction remains elusive.
Breast Cancers of Special Histologic Subtypes Are Biologically Diverse

Cancers classified as “special histologic subtypes” are felt to have a good prognosis. We used the 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® multigene assay to examine prognostic variation within special histologic subtypes. We also examined the Recurrence Score® (RS) distribution among the more common ductal (IDC) and lobular (ILC) cancers. 610,350 tumor specimens examined in the Genomic Health clinical laboratory from 2/2004 to 8/2017 were included. Specimen histology was classified centrally using a single HE 80% were node negative. Most patients had low RS results (59.2%); only 9.5% had high results. The lowest mean RS was seen in the papillary subtype (11); the highest in the IDC group (18.4). Mean RS for all special subtypes was lower than that of IDC patients. When the high RS threshold was decreased from 31 to 25, as used in the TAILORx and RxPONDER trials, the number of high RS-result patients increased from 9.5% to 16.8%. Patients with ILC had a lower mean RS result than patients with IDC, 16.5 versus 18.4. There is substantial diversity in predicted prognosis among patients with cancers classified as special histologic subtypes, with 12–25% having intermediate RS results and 0.5–9% having high RS results. Pending further definition of the role of chemotherapy for patients with intermediate RS results by TAILORx and RxPONDER, the RS result may help to inform systemic therapy decisions in these patients.
Positron-Emission Tomography Scan-Directed Chemoradiation for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: No Benefit for a Change in Chemotherapy in Positron-Emission Tomography Nonresponders

Abstract Introduction Preoperative or definitive chemoradiation is an accepted treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The MUNICON study showed that positron-emission tomography (PET) response following induction chemotherapy was predictive of outcomes in patients with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. We evaluated the predictive value of PET following induction chemotherapy in ESCC patients and assessed the impact of changing chemotherapy during radiation in PET nonresponders. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with locally advanced ESCC who received induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation; all patients had a PET before and after induction chemotherapy. Survival was calculated from date of repeat PET using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared between groups using the log-rank test. Results Of 111 patients, 70 (63%) were PET responders (defined as a 35% or more decrease in maximum standard uptake value) to induction chemotherapy. PET responders received the same chemotherapy during radiation. Of 41 PET nonresponders, 16 continued with the same chemotherapy and 25 were changed to alternative chemotherapy with radiation. Median progression-free survival (70.1 months versus 7.1 months, p Conclusions PET after induction chemotherapy highly predicts for outcomes in ESCC patients who receive chemoradiation. However, our results suggest that PET nonresponders do not benefit from changing chemotherapy during radiation. Future trials should use PET nonresponse after induction chemotherapy to identify poor prognosis patients for novel therapies.
Lugar: uma perspectiva experiencial / Place: an experiential perspective

Independe de tamanho e de caracteristicas fisicas a atribuicao da alcunha “lugar” as diversas percepcoes do homem sobre os espacos vividos. Da lareira a nacao, e vasta a gama de fenomenos que podem ser tidos como lugares. Em seu texto, publicado em 1973, Yi-Fu Tuan amplia e eleva as discussoes acerca da multiplicidade de lugares, os quais sao legitimados pela experiencia, dentre eles o lar e seus interiores, a cidade e sua urbanidade, a vizinhanca, a regiao e a nacao-estado. Experienciar tais lugares ativa e passivamente e primordial, uma vez que o lugar e construido a partir da experiencia fisica, mental, sensorial, psicologica no espaco vivido: e centro de significado.
After the Fall: Awakening from the Dream in The Rider and Red Sparrow

Two recent movies, The Rider and Red Sparrow, are in contrast to a large number of movies celebrating the triumph of afflicted persons over obstacles that seem insurmountable. Through commitment, hard work, and determination, these characters are able to do the impossible. However, these two movies instead focus on the dire consequences of an inability to overcome obstacles. This change may reflect an increasing pessimism about current challenges and individuals’ ability to meet them.
Hybrid Integration of Multi-Band, Tunable External-Cavity Diode Lasers for Wide-Angle Beam Steering

We demonstrate hybrid integration of multi-band tunable external cavity diode lasers with a silicon nitride photonic chip. We realize wide-angle beam steering by using the extremely wide wavelength tuning range provided by multi-band diode lasers. © 2019 The Author(s)
A Graph-theoretic Method for Identification of Electric Power Distribution System Topology

In this paper, we present a graph-theoretic method for identification of the topology of electric power distribution system based on the real-time measurements. Instead of relying on the electric-circuit based approaches, this new approach utilizes the principles of network theory to find the connecting structure or topology of a distribution system. First, we put forth the theoretical foundation for the proposed approach. Second, applying some principles and methods of network theory, we develop and present the process of topology identification. Third, the algorithm for practical implementation of the concepts is offered with an illustrative example. Finally, the potential applications and the insights obtained from this work are discussed.
A pilot study of oral treprostinil pharmacogenomics and treatment persistence in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background and aims:Treprostinil is a prostacyclin analog used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Dosing is empiric and based on tolerability. Adverse effects are common and can affect treat...
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People in the United States: An Integrative Review

Objective: This integrative review explores the barriers to and facilitators for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adult transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in the United States....
Evaluation of Two-voltage and Three-voltage Linear Methods for Deriving Ion Recombination Correction Factors in Proton FLASH Irradiation

Ultrahigh dose rate (FLASH) proton therapy is of great interest due to potential reduced normal tissue toxicities without compromising tumor killing effect compared to current clinical proton practices. However, the ionization chamber response to proton beams under ultra-high dose rates (>40Gy/s) has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, four different ion chambers (PTW 34045 Advanced Markus, PPC-40, CC-04, and CC-13 from IBA Dosimetry) were irradiated with 230MeV proton beams at 1.5Gy/s, 63.7Gy/s, and 127.6Gy/s dose rates. Theoretical values of ion recombination correction factor (k2) were calculated from saturation curves using Niatel’s model. The theoretical k2 values were compared to the values using the two-voltage (2V) method from standard dosimetry protocols and the three-voltage linear (3VL) method proposed by Rossomme et al. Both parallel plate chambers and CC-04 demonstrated adequate ion collection efficiency at the highest dose rate. For these three chambers, there is no statistically significant difference between theoretical k2 values and those calculated with 2V and 3VL methods. However, significant ion recombination correction was found in CC-13 (k2>1.50) when dose rate reached 63.7Gy/s. The assumption of insignificant initial recombination in standard dosimetry protocols also underestimated the ion recombination effect in this scenario.
Intercropping increases soil extracellular enzyme activity: A meta-analysis

Abstract Intercropping has been shown to increase the productivity of agroecosystems, but the belowground mechanisms for this have not been well elucidated. The soil microbial community produces extracellular enzymes that are responsible for degrading plant residues and maintaining nutrient cycles in the soil. While the effects of plant diversity on enzyme activities have been studied, the results are often highly variable, both within and between studies. Therefore, to determine whether intercropping enhances nutrient cycling by increasing extracellular enzyme activity and to identify sources of variation in enzyme rates, we performed a meta-analysis drawing on 969 observations across 100 studies from around the world. We find that intercropping significantly increases enzyme activities by an average of 13% (P
Racial Awareness and Bias Begin Early: Developmental Entry Points, Challenges, and a Call to Action.

Overt expressions of racial intolerance have surged precipitously. The dramatic uptick in hate crimes and hate speech is not lost on young children. But how, and how early, do children become aware...
Negotiating Systemic Racial and Gender Bias as a Minoritized Adult Design Researcher

Fostering equal design partnerships in adult-child codesign interactions is a well-documented challenge in HCI. It is assumed that adults come into these interactions with power and have to make adjustments to allow childrens’ input to be equally valued. However, power is not a unilateral construct - it is in part determined by social and cultural norms that often disadvantage minoritized groups. Striving for equal partnership without centering users’ and participants’ intersectional identities may lead to unproductive adult-child codesign interactions. We codesigned a game, primarily facilitated by a black woman researcher, with K-5 afterschool programs comprised of students from three different communities – a middle-class, racially diverse community; a low-income, primarily African American community; and a working-class rural, white, community over a period of 20 weeks. We share preliminary insights on how racial and gender biases affect codesign partnerships and describe future research plans to modify our program structure to foster more effective adult-child interactions.
Report 11 - Revised articles of organization and procedure of the North American commission on stratigraphic nomenclature

A revised set of bylaws was adopted by the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature at its 62nd annual meeting, October 29, 2007, in Denver, Colorado, and amended by mail ballot. These bylaws, printed below, replace the new bylaws (Owen et al. 1985) which replaced the original bylaws (Moore 1947), as later revised (Hutchinson 1953). These revised bylaws became effective at the close of the 2007 annual meeting.
Drugs on Target

If the precise level and/or location of drug in the body could be controlled, side effects and required doses could be reduced and new therapies would become possible. In his Perspective, Langer describes advances toward this goal, from gene therapy to oral and pulmonary delivery of drugs. Many challenges remain, but recent advances promise highly targeted drug delivery, with major benefits to patients.
Avoiding The Inevitable? Capacity Loss From Reservoir Sedimentation

The inexorable loss of capacity of the nation's reservoirs—sooner or later threatening water supplies for municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses—is but one of a number of deleterious effects wrought by sediment deposition. Trapped sediments can also damage or bury dam outlets, water intakes, and related infrastructure. Downstream effects of sediment capture and retention by reservoirs can include channel and habitat degradation and biotic alterations.
Detours: binary interception of Win32 functions

Innovative systems research hinges on the ability to easily instrument and extend existing operating system and application functionality. With access to appropriate source code, it is often trivial to insert new instrumentation or extensions by rebuilding the OS or application. However, in today's world of commercial software, researchers seldom have access to all relevant source code. We present Detours, a library for instrumenting arbitrary Win32 functions on x86 machines. Detours intercepts Win32 functions by re-writing target function images. The Detours package also contains utilities to attach arbitrary DLLs and data segments (called payloads) to any Win32 binary. While prior researchers have used binary rewriting to insert debugging and profiling instrumentation, to our knowledge, Detours is the first package on any platform to logically preserve the un-instrumented target function (callable through a trampoline) as a subroutine for use by the instrumentation. Our unique trampoline design is crucial for extending existing binary software. We describe our experiences using Detours to create an automatic distributed partitioning system, to instrument and analyze the DCOM protocol stack, and to create a thunking layer for a COM-based OS API. Micro-benchmarks demonstrate the efficiency of the Detours library.
Delta-sigma A/D convertor with reduced sensitivity to op amp noise and gain

Switched-capacitor techniques are presented which compensate for noise and finite-gain limitation in second-order DSMs (delta-sigma modulators). Hand analysis and computer simulations show great promise for these new techniques, and preliminary tests conclusively show that the gain compensation is extremely promising, especially for low-power supply voltages. Test ICs containing the DSMs were fabricated in a 3- mu m digital CMOS process. Class AB op amps were used in the DSMs; a low-gain, higher-speed version was used in the gain-compensated circuit. Results from preliminary tests show that the delta-sigma modulators presented are functional, but design and modeling errors combined with widely varying process parameters severely limited the op amp performance, causing the op amp settling time to be much longer than expected. >
Heritability of first-order lateral root number in Quercus: implication for artificial regeneration of stands

Natural regeneration of oak (Quercus) species in the USA has been easy to obtain on the lower quality xeric sites (site index ⁤20 m at age 50) by developing advanced oak reproduction before stands are harvested. This approach has not been successful with Q. rubra, Q. pagoda, or Q. alba growing on highly productive river bottom, cove or other mesic sites (site index ⁥23 m at age 50) because developing seedlings are overtopped by initially faster-growing and more shade-tolerant competitor species common on these sites. Artificial regeneration to increase percentages of these three valuable multiple-use species in specific stands has not been satisfactory because of limitations imposed by planting stock quality and by the traditional technology used to manage newly established stands. After the number of first-order lateral roots (FOLR) produced by an individual seedling was shown to be a highly heritable trait, artificial regeneration trials were started by the USDA Forest Service’s Institute of Tree/Root Biology. A nursery fertility protocol was developed that could reliably and consistently produce seedlings of specific sizes. Thereafter, a seedling evaluation system was developed utilizing the parameters of FOLR, root collar diameter (RCD), and height (HT) for selecting seedling for outplanting. On mesic sites, survival and early growth for Q. rubra has been very good, with height growth of 4–5 m in 3–8 years. Trials are now being conducted with Q. pagoda and Q. alba. Methods for developing evaluation systems for oak species grown in nurseries under conditions different than the ones used in this study are discussed.
Flow control of servo valves for tension cylinders based on speed feedforward

The workpiece was held by two grip holders with assembled hydraulic tension cylinders to move and hold tension for hydraulic-tension reversible experimental cold mill. Flow control of servo valves was designed in the control system to keep steady tension when the cylinders were stopping or moving. Only a tension feedback closed loop was not sufficient when the cylinders were moving. A suitable combined controller consisted of a speed feedforward controller and a tension feedback controller was developed to control the flow of serve valves with good performance. This technique has been applied successfully in a 450mm hydraulic-tension experimental cold mill in Taiyuan Iron & Steel (group) Co. LTD.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Mediates the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acute Alcohol on IL-10 Induction Involving p38 MAPK Activation in Monocytes

Inflammation and immunoregulatory cytokines play a central role in alcohol-induced liver damage. We previously reported that acute alcohol treatment augments IL-10 and inhibits TNF-alpha production in monocytes. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-inducible protein, also regulates IL-10 and TNF-alpha production. Here, we report that augmentation of LPS-induced IL-10 production by alcohol was prevented by inhibition of HO-1 activity. Acute ethanol increased LPS-induced enzyme activity and RNA levels of HO-1, and DNA binding of AP-1, a transcription factor essential in HO-1 regulation. LPS-induced phospho-p38 MAPK levels were augmented by ethanol treatment and the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, prevented both the ethanol-induced increase in IL-10 production and the inhibitory effect of ethanol on TNF-alpha production. Ethanol-induced down-regulation of TNF-alpha production was abrogated by inhibition of HO-1. We found that LPS-induced activation of NF-kappaB, a regulator of TNF-alpha, was inhibited by both ethanol treatment and HO-1 activation, but the ethanol-induced inhibition of NF-kappaB was HO-1 independent. In LPS-challenged mice in vivo, both acute alcohol administration and HO-1 activation augmented IL-10 and inhibited TNF-alpha serum levels. These results show that 1) acute alcohol augments HO-1 activation in monocytes, 2) HO-1 activation plays a role in alcohol-induced augmentation of IL-10 production likely via increased p38 MAPK activation, and 3) HO-1 activation is involved in attenuation of TNF-alpha production by alcohol independent of inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by alcohol. Thus, HO-1 activation is a key mediator of the anti-inflammatory effects of acute alcohol on monocytes.
Response to Bonnefon et al.: Limited 'kernels of truth' in facial inferences.

In a recent letter [1] Bonnefon and colleagues commented on an article that we published in this journal [2]. We thank Bonnefon and colleagues for the opportunity to address the issue of the accuracy of character inferences from faces, which we have discussed extensively elsewhere [3–5]. Part of our argument that such inferences are harmful relies on the assumption that these inferences are generally inaccurate. These authors question this assumption, arguing that the ‘evidence remains that people have some minimal capacity to detect trustworthiness from facial features.’
Time-Resolved Intensity Patterns of the Radiation from Various Regions of a Vacuum Spark Discharge

Time-resolved intensity patterns of some lines of the second and third spectra of carbon from three different regions of a high-current vacuum spark discharge have been studied. In any part of the discharge the intensity of both the spectral lines and the continuum depends upon the peak current and the inductance in the discharge circuit, while at a particular current and inductance the intensity is found to be largest in the cathode region, somewhat smaller in the central region, and smallest in the anode region of the discharge. Patterns from the central region exhibit less violent fluctuations than those from either of the other two regions. At currents above about 30 kamp and an inductance of only 1.8 μh the contribution of the continuum to the total intensity is so large that the net line intensity either increased only slightly or actually decreased with increasing currents for all except the C III 4647-A line. Although they are well defined, the intensity differences from one region to another are not as large as might be expected in view of the large vapor particle velocities believed to exist in the discharge. The effect of the design of the spark chamber on the character of the discharge is discussed briefly.
Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Mastocytosis in a Woman with Chronic Urticaria

A patient with chronic urticaria and angioedema developed endoscopically confirmed interstitial cystitis. Bladder biopsy revealed bladder mastocytosis with > 60 mast cells/mm2 (normal < 10) in the detrusor and submucosa. Most of the mast cells were activated and degranulated. The occurrence of IC in a patient with urticaria and angioedema, diseases both associated with mast cell pathophysiology, supports the role of mast cells in interstitial cystitis.
DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTS FROM PROTOPLASTS OF SOLANUM (SOLANACEAE)

Experiments were performed to determine conditions critical to the isolation and culture of protoplasts from leaf mesophyll cells of a Solanum Section Tuberarium diploid clone, a S. phureja x S. chacoense F1 hybrid. The optimum concentration of cellulase (Cellulysin) was 0.4%, while pectinase (Macerase) was inhibitory, even at a low concentration (0.075%). Maximum yields of protoplasts were achieved when the enzyme solution was not changed during incubation, and slow oscillation (60 rpm) on a shaker was used. When detached leaves were held under low light intensities or in the darkness for 3-5 days prior to protoplast production, results were more consistent than when the leaves were used directly from the greenhouse. Following dark or low light treatment the optimum osmolarity of the isolation and growth media was approximately 0.3-0.4 M. Of nine growth media tested only those of Nitsch and Ohyama and of Upadhya supported callus development, but the callus was often loose and did not differentiate roots or shoots. Callus from protoplasts cultured in the Upadhya medium modified by addition of glycine, vitamins, and casein hydrolysate, and subsequently transferred to the medium of Lam, formed roots and shoots when cultures were maintained in light. Mature plants were obtained following transfer to modified White's medium and later transplantation
Onset of Taylor vortices and chaos in viscoelastic fluids

The influence of fluid elasticity on the onset and stability of axisymmetric Taylor vortices is examined for the Taylor–Couette flow of an Oldroyd‐B fluid. A truncated Fourier representation of the flow field and stress leads to a six‐dimensional dynamical system that generalizes the three‐dimensional system for a Newtonian fluid. The coherence of the model is established through comparison with existing linear stability analyses and finite‐element calculations of the nonlinear dynamics of the transition to time‐periodic (finite‐amplitude) flow. The stability picture and flow are drastically altered by the presence of the nonlinear (upper convective) terms in the constitutive equation. It is found that the critical Reynolds number Rec at the onset of Taylor vortices decreases with increasing fluid elasticity or normal stress effects, and is strongly influenced by fluid retardation. For weakly elastic flows, there is an exchange of stability at Re=Rec through a supercritical bifurcation, similar to the one...
A re-examination of the analysis of in-plane matrix failures in fibrous composite laminates

Abstract Rational analysis methods are presented to cover, separately, possible brittle fracture and ductile yield failures of the matrix in fibre/polymer composite materials subjected to purely in-plane loads. The models cover both carbon fibres, which customarily fail before the matrix, and glass-fibre composites in which the matrix usually fails first. Delaminations, both at edges and from damage, are excluded, because they need quite different analyses. Customary progressive-failure and ply-discounting analyses are shown to be erroneous, because one cannot characterize a fracture-mechanics problem with strength-of-material analyses. An explanation is provided for why, unlike fibre failures and matrix yielding, matrix cracking cannot be assessed on a ply-by-ply basis. There is an interaction with adjacent plies which can act as crack stoppers. In other words, not even the classical laminate theory is valid when the matrix really cracks. Gaps in the understanding of the subject, in regard to residual thermal stresses, are identified. A distinction is drawn between conventional carbon-fibre/polymer composites, for which even a crude analysis of matrix failures can suffice because only structurally insignificant matrix microcracking precedes the fibre failures in properly designed laminates and in glass-fibre-reinforced plastics in which the matrix really can fail first. In metal-matrix composites, a far more accurate model will be needed because the matrix then carries most of the load. The knowledge of this subject 30 years ago is shown to be far superior to what is commonly used to analyse composite materials today and it is suggested that the introduction of the many abstract mathematical interactive failure criteria, valid only for truly homogeneous anisotropic materials, was largely responsible for this.
Investigating high mortality during the cold season: mapping mean weather patterns of temperature and pressure

Due to a number of complicating factors, cold-related mortality has long been understudied. Through a synoptic climatological, environment-to-circulation perspective, this research takes a unique approach in examining anomalous surface temperature and pressure map patterns associated with the days leading up to high-mortality, spike days for Chicago, Illinois during the cold season. Atmospheric conditions leading to spike days during the cold season were evaluated through both seasonal anomaly and 1-day anomaly maps. Results indicate that high-mortality days are typically preceded by unseasonably cold weather situated over the region from 2 to 5 days beforehand, with significantly higher than average pressure 1 to 2 days before a mortality spike. As this system moves eastward, a significant 1-day warming trend accompanying a significant drop in sea level pressure follows—occurring on the day of the mortality spike or 1 day prior. Both scenarios—cold, high pressure air exposure and the rapid change in weather—are consistent with previous literature connecting them as factors contributing to cold-related mortality increases, with this sequence possibly playing a key role in yielding mortality levels anomalous enough to meet the threshold for a spike.
Electrophoretic studies of the relationship of peroxidases, polyphenol oxidase, and indoleacetic acid oxidase to cold tolerance of alfalfa

Two cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cold-tolerant Vernal and cold-sensitive Sonora, were grown under summer, winter, and dehardening environments to investigate the relationship of soluble proteins and enzyme activity and solubility characteristics to cold tolerance. Evaluations of cold-tolerance levels developed in crown and root samples were compared with results of soluble protein analyses and were in agreement with previously reported observations. Soluble protein content was associated with increases in cold tolerance and related to the environment from which samples were obtained; however, the degree of protein differences within samples of the same cultivar as well as between the two cultivars seemed to be influenced by the type of extractant used. Polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis of the extracted soluble proteins was performed on the basis of equal dry weights and equal quantities of protein. Amido black straining of gels indicated mainly quantitative changes and slight qualitative differences in component bands influenced by environment and extractant. Gels assayed for peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and indoleacetic acid oxidase enzymes exhibited mainly quantitative differences in constitutive isoenzyme components of both cultivars which were associated with environmental changes. Enzyme activities generally increased in winter, as cold tolerance and soluble protein content increased, and decreased during dehardening. The few qualitative differences in isoenzyme bands that were detected, appeared to be influenced by cultivar, environment, extractant, or substrate specificity differences. Variation in isoenzyme components between cultivars was maximum in summer samples, and minimum in winter samples, suggesting that overall reaction rates or activities of individual isoenzymes, preceding or during hardening, could be a limiting factor in cold-tolerance development.
Traumatic internal carotid artery dissection

monly includes cognitive changes, headache, cranial nerve deficit, motor deficit and seizure. Treatment includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which may be administrated either systemically or intrathecally. The patient with solitary intracranial plasmacytoma should undergo systemic evaluation, including bone marrow examination, skeletal survey and bone scan to exclude multiple myeloma. In one study, multiple myeloma was diagnosed in four of eight patients, who initially presented with intracranial plasmacytoma. 3 In this study, the strongest predictor of diagnosis of multiple myeloma from a single known plasmacytoma was cranial base involvement Plasmacytoma can involve either the dura or the parenchyma; or occasionally both.