cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust dynamic community detection with applications to human brain functional networks

While current technology permits inference of dynamic brain networks over long time periods at high temporal resolution, the detailed structure of dynamic network communities during human seizures remains poorly understood. We introduce a new methodology that addresses critical aspects unique to the analysis of dynamic functional networks inferred from noisy data. We propose a dynamic plex percolation method (DPPM) that is robust to edge noise, and yields well-defined spatiotemporal communities that span forward and backwards in time. We show in simulation that DPPM outperforms existing methods in accurately capturing certain stereotypical dynamic community behaviors in noisy situations. We then illustrate the ability of this method to track dynamic community organization during human seizures, using invasive brain voltage recordings at seizure onset. We conjecture that application of this method will yield new targets for surgical treatment of epilepsy, and more generally could provide new insights in other network neuroscience applications.
Transformerless Converter-based GMD Protection for Utility Transformers

Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMDs) have long been the cause of various power system failures thus affecting the power system stability and security. Their major effect on power systems is the injection of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) among the long length transmission lines. This phenomenon, particularly, leads to transformers saturation and consequent damages. This paper proposes a novel power electronic-based GICs mitigation approach for utility transformers that involves a transformerless series active filter integrated between the neutral point and earth ground serving multiple purposes. The first objective is to surpass the effect of GICs, while the second goal is voltage regulation and the third is to provide harmonic isolation. The system circuitry, operation and control are implemented and further verified in a Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL) test setup with Typhoon HIL 402 simulator. Results indicate that our approach is a promising alternative to traditional neutral capacitor blocking strategies.
Hormones and Drugs Affecting Hormonal Mechanisms

Abstract This book is intended as a guide to help the clinician determine where a visual problem is a drug-induced ocular side effect. We continually review spontaneous case reports from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the world literature. We have attempted to classify a suspected adverse event with our impression to causality (i.e. certain, probable, unlikely, conditional/unclassified). This chapter discusses hormones and drugs affecting hormonal mechanisms including adrenal corticosteroids, androgens, antithyroid drugs, erectile dysfunction drugs, estrogens and progestogens, ovulatory drugs, and thyroid hormones.
An ultra-rapid real-time RT-PCR method using the PCR1100 to detect Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2.

The disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has rapidly spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is usually detected via real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, the increase in specimen load in institutions/hospitals necessitates a simpler detection system. Here, we present an ultra-rapid, real-time RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection using PCR1100 device. Although PCR1100 tests only one specimen at a time, the amplification period is less than 20 min and the sensitivity and specificity match those of conventional real-time RT-PCR performed on large instruments. The method is potentially helpful when daily multiple SARS-CoV-2 testing is needed, for example to confirm virus-free status prior to patient discharge.
Allies or Agitators? How Partisan Identity Shapes Public Opinion about Violent or Nonviolent Protests

In recent years, scholars have argued that protests that employ nonviolent tactics attract greater support and are therefore more likely to succeed than those that use violence. We argue that how p...
Gamification Theory: Implications for General Aviation Weather Training:

Weather-related accidents have one of the highest accident and fatality rates in General Aviation. Weather training is highly variable depending on the source of instruction, and it is essential to...
Marginal ice zone fraction benchmarks sea ice and climate model skill.

Global climate models (GCMs) consistently underestimate the response of September Arctic sea-ice area (SIA) to warming. Modeled SIA losses are highly correlated to global mean temperature increases, making it challenging to gauge if improvements in modeled sea ice derive from improved sea-ice models or from improvements in forcing driven by other GCM components. I use a set of five large GCM ensembles, and CMIP6 simulations, to quantify GCM internal variability and variability between GCMs from 1979–2014, showing modern GCMs do not plausibly estimate the response of SIA to warming in all months. I identify the marginal ice zone fraction (MIZF) as a metric that is less correlated to warming, has a response plausibly simulated from January–September (but not October–December), and has highly variable future projections across GCMs. These qualities make MIZF useful for evaluating the impact of sea-ice model changes on past, present, and projected sea-ice state. Climate models struggle to track the response of Arctic sea ice to warming, leading to efforts to improve sea-ice models. Here the author shows standard model metrics are poor judges of the impact of model improvements, but a new one, marginal ice zone fraction, is optimally suited to this task.
Thyroid and Parathyroid

Intraoperative consultation (IOC) in endocrine pathology is obtained primarily for the evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid lesions and the identification of lymph node metastases. This chapter will highlight the challenges including pitfalls, limitations, and artifacts encountered during IOC of the thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph nodes.
Beyond tracking climate: niche evolution during native range expansion and its implications for novel invasions

Ecological niche models have been instrumental in understanding and forecasting the widespread shifts in species distributions under global change. However, growing evidence of evolution in spreading populations challenges their key assumption of niche conservatism, limiting model transferability in space and time. Climate niche evolution has been studied extensively in invasive species, but may also occur in native populations tracking climate change, when species encounter novel abiotic conditions that vary with latitude. We compared niche shifts during native range expansion and during invasion in Dittrichia graveolens, a Mediterranean annual plant species that is currently undergoing both types of spread. We asked whether the species9 northward native range expansion in Eurasia matched climate change from 1901-1930 to 1990-2019, or if further range expansion was promoted by niche evolution. In addition, we asked how niche expansion in the native range affected forecasts of two ongoing invasions in Australia and California. We quantified niche shifts in environmental space using the analytical framework of niche centroid shift, overlap, unfilling, and expansion (COUE), and examined associated distribution changes in geographic space using Maximum Entropy modeling. Our results show that D. graveolens expanded its native range well beyond what would be sufficient to track climate change, a shift associated with a 5.5% niche expansion to include more temperate climates. In contrast, both invasions showed evidence of niche conservatism, with niche filling depending on invader residence time. Including the expanded native niche in invasion projections added new areas at risk of invasion, but none of these has been colonized at present. We conclude that native populations may track climate change and adapt to novel local conditions in parallel, causing an evolutionary expansion of the climate niche and more widespread range expansion than expected based on climate change alone.
Differential Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Heart Failure With a Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction in Diabetes.

Diabetes promotes the development of both heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction through diverse mechanisms, which are likely mediated through hyperinsulinemia rather than hyperglycemia. Diabetes promotes nutrient surplus signaling (through Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) and inhibits nutrient deprivation signaling (through sirtuin-1 and its downstream effectors); this suppresses autophagy and promotes endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby undermining the health of diabetic cardiomyocytes. The hyperinsulinemia of diabetes may also activate sodium-hydrogen exchangers in cardiomyocytes (leading to injury and loss) and in the proximal renal tubules (leading to sodium retention). Diabetes may cause epicardial adipose tissue expansion, and the resulting secretion of proinflammatory adipocytokines onto the adjoining myocardium can lead to coronary microcirculatory dysfunction and myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. Interestingly, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors-the only class of antidiabetic medication that reduces serious heart failure events-may act to mitigate each of these mechanisms. SGLT2 inhibitors up-regulate sirtuin-1 and its downstream effectors and autophagic flux, thus explaining the actions of these drugs to reduce oxidative stress, normalize mitochondrial structure and function, and mute proinflammatory pathways in the stressed myocardium. Inhibition of SGLT2 may also lead to a reduction in the activity of sodium-hydrogen exchangers in the kidney (leading to diuresis) and in the heart (attenuating the development of cardiac hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction). Finally, SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the mass and mute the adverse biology of epicardial adipose tissue (and reduce the secretion of leptin), thus explaining the capacity of these drugs to mitigate myocardial inflammation, microcirculatory dysfunction, and fibrosis, and improve ventricular filling dynamics. The pathophysiological mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors may benefit heart failure likely differ depending on ejection fraction, but each represents interference with distinct pathways by which hyperinsulinemia may adversely affect cardiac structure and function.
Theoretical modeling of collaterally sensitive drug cycles: shaping heterogeneity to allow adaptive therapy

In previous work, we focused on the optimal therapeutic strategy with a pair of drugs which are collaterally sensitive to each other, that is, a situation in which evolution of resistance to one drug induces sensitivity to the other, and vice versa. Yoona (Bull Math Biol 8:1–34,Yoon et al. 2018) Here, we have extended this exploration to the optimal strategy with a collaterally sensitive drug sequence of an arbitrary length, N. To explore this, we have developed a dynamical model of sequential drug therapies with N drugs. In this model, tumor cells are classified as one of N subpopulations represented as $$\{R_i|i=1,2,...,N\}$$ . Each subpopulation, $$R_i$$ , is resistant to ‘ $$Drug\ i$$ ’ and each subpopulation, $$R_{i-1}$$ (or $$R_N$$ , if $$i=1$$ ), is sensitive to it, so that $$R_i$$ increases under ‘ $$Drug\ i$$ ’ as it is resistant to it, and after drug-switching, decreases under ‘ $$Drug\ i+1$$ ’ as it is sensitive to that drug(s). Similar to our previous work examining optimal therapy with two drugs, we found that there is an initial period of time in which the tumor is ‘shaped’ into a specific makeup of each subpopulation, at which time all the drugs are equally effective ( $$\mathcal {R}^*$$ ). After this shaping period, all the drugs are quickly switched with duration relative to their efficacy in order to maintain each subpopulation, consistent with the ideas underlying adaptive therapy. West(Canver Res 80(7):578–589Gatenby et al. 2009) and Gatenby (Cancer Res 67(11):4894–4903West et al. 2020). Additionally, we have developed methodologies to administer the optimal regimen under clinical or experimental situations in which no drug parameters and limited information of trackable populations data (all the subpopulations or only total population) are known. The therapy simulation based on these methodologies showed consistency with the theoretical effect of optimal therapy .
Japanese Social Organization in the Tokugawa and Post-World War II Periods: Changes in Family and Household Structure and Organization

The notion that economic changes embedded in Japan's transition from an agriculturally-based to an industrially-based economy have been associated with corresponding changes in family structure and organization is tested. Changes which did occur were relative and not absolute. Changes in Japanese social organization since 1600 have not been uniform but in fact have been quite varied depending on socio-economic and ecological conditions. Current Japanese trends of decreasing agriculture and increasing industrial urbanization will lead to a continuation in the emergence of the single-person and nuclear family households, equal succession and inheritance, "love" marriages, and neolocal residence as the dominant forms. Nevertheless, the Japanese people are unique in their ongoing attachment to their rich cultural heritage. As long as this loyalty continues, the ie principle will continue to hold an important position in their social lives.
Measure of mechanical impacts in commercial blueberry packing lines and potential damage to blueberry fruit

Abstract Blueberry fruit is susceptible to bruising from mechanical impact. Bruised fruit has shorter postharvest shelf life and softens rapidly in cold storage than non-bruised fruit. A blueberry packing line consists of a hopper for transferring fruit in field containers onto a conveyor line that moves fruit into trash removal equipment, electronic sorter, inspection line, and finally onto clamshell-filling equipment. Blueberry fruit drops as it is transferred from one equipment to the next on the packing line. The mechanical impacts that occur on blueberry packing line equipment were measured quantitatively with a miniature, instrumented sphere called the blueberry impact recording device (BIRD) at 11 packing houses in the United States in 2013 and 2014. The BIRD sensor recorded impacts at transfer points or wherever there was a vertical drop on the packing line. The potential for impact damage was determined in four cultivars (‘Farthing’, ‘O’Neal’, ‘Reveille’ and ‘Star’) by dropping fruit from different heights. The measured data revealed that the largest impacts (∼230 g) were recorded when the sensor dropped into the hopper above the clamshell filler on eight empty lines. The cumulative peakG data showed strong correlation with overall drop height, indicating that reducing the overall drop height on a packing line could reduce the impact level. When the transfer points were padded with Poron foam sheet, significantly lower levels of impact were recorded by the sensor. The BIRD sensor also recorded lower impacts when it was run with fruit on the packing line. The severity of bruise damage resulting from fruit being dropped was related to the impact data recorded by the BIRD sensor. Using peakG-velocity change plot and the fruit bruising rate, several large impacts sufficient to cause bruising were identified, (e.g., >20% of cut surface area indicating bruise damage in 76% of ‘Reveille’ fruit). This paper quantitatively measured the mechanical impact on blueberry packing lines for the first time and the information will assist in improving the design and configuration of blueberry packing line equipment. These changes should result in reducing the magnitude and frequency of mechanical impacts and bruise damage in blueberry fruit.
Cancer immunotherapy: treatment of established breast cancer or prevention of tumor relapse and metastasis? (TUM2P.903)

Cancer vaccines and adoptive immunotherapies (AITs) are being tested both in preventive and therapeutic settings. In order to determine the most effective immunotherapeutic strategy, we investigated the efficacy of AIT against established advanced carcinoma and minimal residual disease. We used Decitabine to improve immunogenicity of the tumor cells by inducing the expression of cancer testis antigens (CTA), in vivo. Tumor-sensitized immune cells were activated and reprogrammed, ex vivo, using bryostatin 1 and ionomycin, along with IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15; this produced a central memory phenotype in 73% of T cells, and an activated phenotype in 27% of NK cells and 94% of NKT cells. FVBN202 transgenic mice were protected from developing lung metastases following AIT, but failed to cure established lung metastases. The reprogrammed immune cells also demonstrated immunological memory that protected animals from recall tumor challenge. In vitro studies showed that reprogrammed immune cells were able to kill 82% of viable Adriamycin-treated quiescent tumor cells. Our results suggest that AIT could be efficacious against chemotherapy-resistant dormant tumor cells in a setting of low tumor burden and prevent distant metastasis of breast cancer. These findings are significant because breast cancer mortality results from metastatic disease that develops from residual tumor cells remaining dormant, sometimes for prolonged periods following conventional therapies.
Deans Session: Resource, Priorities, Decisions and the Delivery of Engineering Education

Summary form only given, as follows. Engineering Deans will provide an insight to various methodologies and factors affecting the decision making process in institutions representative of a national crosssection. The views and policies of those who manage and lead engineering education will address the priority assignments and expenditure planning of resources in view of their impact on the preparation of undergraduates. Issues considered includes cost-benefit, outcomes, retention, examples of viable policies and approaches, and pitfalls. The session will be presented in a panel format and audience interaction.
The Positive Reality and Normative Virtues of a "Neutral" Establishment Clause

This essay focuses on the appropriate methodology for analyzing establishment clause cases. After concluding that the Court has variously employed "separation," "neutrality," and "accommodation" in its analysis, the essay evaluates the benefits and detriments of each. Focusing on both Deific recognition (e.g. school prayer) and public financing of Parochial education, the essay concludes that the Court is moving towards "neutrality" as the preferred standard. The essay concludes that this is a desirable trend that ought to be accelerated.
Modelization and valuation methods of gas contracts: Stochastic control approaches

The work presented in this PhD dissertation was motivated by issues raised by the valuation of contracts commonly traded in the gas market: gas storage and gas supplying contracts. Both of them include optionality and constraints, which make tough their valuation in a context of uncertain commodity prices. The valuation of such contracts leads to particularly complex stochastic control problems: optimal switching or impulse control and optimal control in high dimension. The first part of this dissertation is a relatively exhaustive review of the existing valuation methods. In a second part, we introduce a numerical method for solving impulse control problems by using their representations as BSDEs with constrained jumps. We propose a discrete-time approximation using a penalization of the constraint on the jump component and provide a rate of convergence of the approximation error. Combining this approach with Monte Carlo techniques, we perform numerical tests on three problems: optimal forest management, valuation of Swing options and gas storage facilities. In a third part, we introduce a method for pricing options whose payoff depends on moving averages of underlying prices. We use a finite-dimensional approximation of the infinite-dimensional dynamics of moving average processes, based on a truncated Laguerre series expansion. We present numerical results including examples of gas Swing contracts involving strike prices indexed on moving averages of oil prices.
Electromagnetic properties of hemoproteins. V. Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance characteristics of nitric oxide derivatives of metalloporphyrin-apohemoprotein complexes.

Abstract Paramagnetic complexes of iron (III), manganese (II), and cobalt (II) protoporphyrins IX and apohemoproteins react with nitric oxide to form spectroscopically distinct compounds. Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies suggest that a 1-electron transfer between nitric oxides and metal ions which occurs in these reactions results in the formation of spin-paired complexes of these metalloporphyrins with nitric oxide. However, manganese (III) and cobalt (III) protoporphyrin-apohemoprotein complexes do not react with nitric oxide. Ferrous hemoproteins react reversibly with nitric oxide to form paramagnetic complexes, which exhibit an intense EPR absorption centered around g = 2.0. The complexes of nitric oxide with ferrous cytochrome c peroxidase and horseradish peroxidase show well defined EPR absorptions with rhombic symmetry (gx = 2.08, gy = 1.96, and gz = 2.004). The hyperfine structure in the z absorption has been analyzed through isotope substitutions with 15NO and 57Fe-enriched heme. It is concluded that the unpaired electron of nitric oxide is considerably delocalized and that the proximal ligand of both peroxidases is a nitrogen-containing group, probably a histidyl residue. Hemoproteins have been arbitrarily classed into two groups on the basis of the EPR characteristics of their nitric oxide complexes: Type I (gy l 1.96) and Type II (gy g 1.97). Cytochrome c peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and lactoperoxidase belong to Type I, whereas cytochrome oxidase, catalase, cytochrome c, hemoglobin, and myoglobin belong to Type II. EPR parameters of nitric oxide complexes of ferrous hemoproteins are not significantly affected by substitutions of two vinyl groups (protoheme) at positions 2 and 4 of the porphyrin ring with two ethyl groups (mesoheme) or hydrogens (deuteroheme), indicating that the nucleophilicity of porphyrin side chains has no appreciable effect on the metal-ligand bond strength.
Ensemble Forecast Uncertainty of the 1 December 2011 Wasatch Windstorm

AbstractA downslope windstorm on 1 December 2011 led to considerable damage along a narrow 50-km swath at the western base of the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah. Operational forecasts issued by the Salt Lake City National Weather Service Forecast Office provided accurate guidance for the event at 1–2-day lead times, partially based on locally generated high-resolution numerical forecasts. Forecasters highlighted the possibility of the windstorm 4 days in advance. To address the apparent reduced uncertainty for this windstorm, three 11-member three-domain ensemble forecasts were initialized at 0000 UTC 25 November, 0000 UTC 27 November, and 0000 UTC 29 November 2011 using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with initial and boundary conditions supplied by Global Ensemble Forecast System Reforecast, version 2 (GEFS/R2). Eight of the 11 ensemble members from the 29 November 2011 forecast (60 h before the windstorm) generated a strong, localized windstorm with outliers arising from reduced cr...
Update on TBI and cognitive impairment in military veterans

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in military life. Interest in military TBI has increased recently due to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Certain types of TBI are relatively unique to the military, the most prominent being blast-related TBI. Blast-related mild TBI has been of particular concern in veterans from the most recent conflicts although controversy remains concerning its separation from post-traumatic stress disorder. TBI is also a risk factor for the later development of neurodegenerative diseases in which cognitive impairment is prominent putting veterans at risk for disorders including Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Recent evidence associating TBI with chronic cognitive impairment is reviewed in the context of its relevance to military veterans.
Educating the 21st century software professional: breaking paradigms and building bridges for global quality

As organizations adopt quality- and process-focused paradigms of software development, software professionals are discovering that expanded skills and knowledge, are required to build successful software systems. This paper discusses the factors leading to new organizational models and examines the changing educational background and skills needed by software professionals for the 21st century.
Effect of Fluoride on the Serum Lipids of Guinea Pigs

The effects of fluoride intake on the serum lipids of guinea pigs were determined in animals provided with either high or low levels of fat in their diet and fluoride in their drinking water. Evidence of the difference in fluoride intake were reflected by serum fluoride contents. The results suggest that, in guinea pigs receiving excess dietary cholesterol, an inadequate fluoride intake is reflected in increased serum cholesterol. Fluoride intake also influence the serum triglyceride levels, but the direction of the response was dependent on the amount of dietary fat. Serum free fatty acids and phospholipids were not influenced by fluoride intake.
Dna-protein Coupling Perspective In Studies Of Unfolding/folding Transitions Of A Protein

DNA-Protein perspective in studies of unfolding/folding transitions (UFT) accounts for three arguments, both practical and theoretical. Firstly, both experimental and computational research show that properties of protein in unfolded state depend on the molecule length and not its amino acid composition - amino acid profile is not important. Meanwhile, the longer is the protein, the closer is its amino acid composition to the average genome-wide abundance of amino acids (agw aaa). Hence, it might be that the lessening of the importance of amino acid diversity in unfolded protein is consonant to degeneracy of the Universal genetic code (ugc). We show that agw aaa-profile follows closely the ugc-degeneracy profile, while other natural profiles fail.Secondly, behind the central dogma of biology, that protein is an end product of the DNA-mRNA-Protein line, there is an assumption that common, universal features might exist in mechanisms of untwisting/unwinding of DNA material and UFT of Protein. We focus therefore on the transverse, residue-component of protein in a search of fast and high precision returns to the folded conformation.Thirdly, the idea of intrinsic mechanical fitness factor, that natural variation and selection give rise to functional design, acknowledges that despite protein does not reproduce itself it possesses some fitness form-factor. Free energy landscape perspective produces such intrinsic score function. Along with serving as a fitness factor for natural variation and selection of DNA material, protein does possess a fitness factor of its own. In a spirit of the Protein-DNA coupling perspective, we project in a self-similar or hierarchical fashion this proposition to the residue level by introducing a residue fitness factor. Contributing to this approach is an experimental knowledge, that for each residue, there is a protein for which it is a key-residue during UFT.
ANOVA estimates of variance components for quasi-balanced mixed models

Abstract This article examines a simple and intuitively appealing way to estimate variance components in mixed models: perform as many ordinary least-squares regressions as there are variance components, using dummy variables for all but one random effect in each regression. By equating these residual sums of squares to their expectations, unbiased estimates of all of the variance components can be obtained. This approach is a special case of Method 3 of Henderson (Biometrics 9 (1953) 226–252). A quasi-balanced mixed model is defined here to be a model in which the indicator matrix for one of the random effects is essentially arbitrary, but the model obtained by omitting this random effect is nested and balanced. For quasi-balanced normal models the exact distributions of residual sums of squares are derived; they lead to the exact distributions of Henderson Method 3 estimates. An example involving strength data for a composite material is discussed in detail.
Sieve-Type Lower Bounds for the Mahler Measure of Polynomials on Subarcs

We prove sieve-type lower bounds for the Mahler measure of polynomials on subarcs of the unit circle of the complex plane. This is then applied to give an essentially sharp lower bound for the Mahler measure of the Fekete polynomials on subarcs.
The predictive value of longitudinal neuropsychologic assessment in the early detection of brain tumor recurrence

BACKGROUND Neuropsychologic tests are widely used to predict the course of progressive neurologic diseases, and recent research has demonstrated the specificity of cognitive measures, even in relatively diffuse diseases. However, the cognitive effects of brain tumors of similar histology and location are known to be highly variable. The authors used the specificity of cognitive function principle to compare two models for the early detection of low-grade brain tumor recurrence prior to detection with clinically scheduled neuroimaging. METHODS To test the feasibility of these prediction models, 34 patients with supratentorial, low-grade brain tumors prospectively were administered serial comprehensive neuropsychologic examinations; 11 patients developed recurrent tumors during the series and 23 patients did not. A general model based on tests sensitive to malignancy and white matter disease was compared with a tumor-specific model based on indices related to each patient's tumor locus. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the predictor variables that significantly changed immediately prior to recurrence. RESULTS Only the tumor-specific model achieved statistical significance (P < 0.02). A tumor-specific index decline of 1 standard deviation indicated a 5–fold increase in the probability of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Although this method needs to be tested with more frequent and regular observations and with a larger sample, these results provide evidence of the feasibility of the subject-specific model as a predictor of recurrence. The evidence of the predictive value of a tumor-specific model is consistent with studies that identify only limited, brain structure-specific cognitive decline from broad neuropsychologic batteries. Cancer 2003;97:649–56. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11099
Effect of Modifying the Ca-P Ratio of a Specific Ration for Growing Chicks

Abstract THE assimilation and fixation of calcium and phosphorus in the skeleton are affected by many dietary factors. The complexity of the phenomena probably accounts for differences in the conclusions as to the optimum calcium-phosphorus ratio. When the full details of calcium and phosphorus utilization are available, it may be found that the protein factor, the acid-base ratio, the fat content, the fiber content, the antirachitic vitamin and the ultra-violet energy may all be involved in the process. Work on the problem of calcium utilization by the growing chick has been reported by a number of investigators. A partial list of published reports is included in the appended reference list. E xperimental For the experiments herein reported we selected a basal ration which has been extensively used in this section with good results. Empirical experimentation indicated this ration to be a good one, but we wished to determine whether it could be . . .
Failure Analysis of I/O with ESD Protection Devices in Advanced CMOS Technologies

Many types of ESD protection devices such as diodes, NFETs, SCRs and RC-triggered power clamps having different failure mechanisms are used in advanced CMOS technologies. Circuit schematic analysis and SEM failure analysis are utilized to clearly predict and identify the failing I/O driver/receiver devices and/or the various ESD protection devices during an ESD event.
Generalized eringen problem: influence of axial force on random vibration response of simply supported beam

Abstract The Eringen problem—that of a random vibration of a uniform beam simply supported at its ends—is generalized herewith to include the effect of a deterministic axial loading. The beam is excited by a random transverse load represented by a space- and time-wise ideal white noise. A closed-form solution is obtained for the displacement space-time correlation function at zero time lag. It is shown that as the axial load approaches the Euler buckling level, the random displacement response increases indefinitely. For axial loads below this level, the obtained expressions permit explicit evaluation of probabilistic characteristics of the response.
Thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and equilibrium binding studies of DNA sequence context effects in four 40 base pair deoxyoligonucleotides.

Effects of different end sequences on melting, circular dichroism spectra (CD), and enzyme binding properties were investigated for four 40 base pair, non-self-complementary duplex DNA oligomers. The center sequences of these oligoduplexes have either of two 22 base pair modules flanked on both sides by sequences differing in AT content. Temperature-induced melting transitions monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and ultraviolet absorbance were measured for the six duplexes in buffered 115 mM Na+ solutions. Values of the melting transition enthalpy, ΔHcal, and entropy, ΔScal, were obtained directly from DSC experiments. Melting transition parameters, ΔHvH and ΔSvH, were also estimated from a van't Hoff analysis of optical melting curves collected as a function of DNA concentration, assuming that the melting transition is two-state. Melting free energies (20 °C) evaluated from DSC melting experiments on the four duplex DNAs ranged from −52.2 to −77.5 kcal/mol. Free energies based on the van...
The Effect of Quality Circle Initiation on Motivation to Attend Quality Circle Meetings and on Task Performance.

The motivation to attend quality circle (QC) meetings and the task performance of 47 quality circles over a three-year period were examined as a function of quality circle initiation (self- vs. management-initiated) in a field study. Motivation to attend meetings was operationally defined as the number of members per QC (QC size) and the attendance rate at QC meetings. Task performance reflected the number of projects completed and the amount of time required to complete the project. The results of a MANOVA suggested that QC initiation had significant impacts on motivation to attend meetings in that self-initiated QCs had more QC members than had management-initiated QCs. Further, management-initiated QCs solved more work-related problems and solved their problems significantly faster than did self-initiated QCs. The effect of QC initiation on the number of projects completed failed to reach significance, however, when QC size was controlled as a covariate. Further, a high attendance rate at QC meetings was associated with a low quantity of projects completed in self-initiated QCs and a slow speed of problem solving in management-initiated QCs. Some implications related to the effectiveness of QCs are discussed.
Probing the MgATP-bound conformation of the nitrogenase Fe protein by solution small angle x-ray scattering

The MgATP-bound conformation of the Fe protein of nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii has been examined in solution by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and compared to existing crystallographically characterized Fe protein conformations. The results of the analysis of the crystal structure of an Fe protein variant with a Switch II single-amino acid deletion recently suggested that the MgATP-bound state of the Fe protein may exist in a conformation that involves a large-scale reorientation of the dimer subunits, resulting in an overall elongated structure relative to the more compact structure of the MgADP-bound state. It was hypothesized that the Fe protein variant may be a conformational mimic of the MgATP-bound state of the native Fe protein largely on the basis of the observation that the spectroscopic properties of the [4Fe-4S] cluster of the variant mimicked in part the spectroscopic signatures of the native nitrogenase Fe protein in the MgATP-bound state. In this work, SAXS studies reveal tha...
Chip-Level Multiple Quantum Well Modulator-Based Optical Interconnects

High performance computing systems are becoming increasingly limited by the capacity of interconnects due to the continued scaling down of CMOS critical dimensions, resulting in the implementation of optical interconnects at ever decreasing distances. At the chip level, the communication bottleneck and energy consumption per bit are now major limitations to the continued performance scaling of microprocessors. In this paper, a novel integrated photonic approach is presented that uses polymer waveguides and surface-normal GaAs/AlAs multiple quantum well devices integrated directly onto a silicon chip. The concept provides sub-pJ/b performance and seamless interfacing between the on- and off-chip domains. This is the first demonstrated waveguide-coupled surface-normal MQW-based approach to be fully integrated within a photonic layer and to a large extent mitigates packaging issues for future photonics systems integrated with Si chips. Key aspects of the architecture are efficient and minimum-footprint optical fabrics and low-power-consuming optical transceivers. Gray-scale lithography is used to fabricate the 3-D coupling structures directly in the waveguide polymer layer. Analyses and experimental results show that the optical fabric concept provides the necessary bandwidth density and low power consumption for future chip-scale interconnections.
Sex Difference in Susceptibility to Hepatic Necrosis caused by Reactive Oxygen Species in Fischer-344 Rats † 1142

Sex Difference in Susceptibility to Hepatic Necrosis caused by Reactive Oxygen Species in Fischer-344 Rats † 1142
Improving causal inference from naturalistic designs: Self-selection and other issues in evaluating alcohol control policies

Abstract The capacity of naturalistic research designs to contribute to causal understanding is assessed in relation to evaluating alcohol control policies. Recent conceptual writings on evaluation research emphasize the importance of causal fields and complex models in making probabilistic causal inferences. Several new statistical approaches that promise help in drawing generalizable causal inferences from suitably developed naturalistic and quasi-experimental studies are discussed. Structural equation modeling augmented by automated heuristic search procedures, econometric techniques for selection bias adjustment, and theory-driven outcome pattern analysis are considered. Two examples from alcohol control policy evaluations are given. One involved use of selectivity adjustments to evaluate a highly selectivity-conditioned environmentally-based alcohol abuse prevention program. Many naturalistic evaluations are improved by modeling self-selected program exposure as well as program response. A second evaluation, now in progress, assesses impacts of the U.S. national alcohol warning labels policy. Problems facing the investigation are enumerated, highlighting the need for theorizing about mechanisms of influence, developing multiple lines of evidence, and examining patterns of outcomes for fit with theoretical expectations.
A numerical study of the coupling of elastic and transformation fields in pore arrays in shape memory alloy plates to advance porous structure design and optimization

A three-dimensional constitutive model for shape memory alloy (SMA) behaviors, implemented in an Abaqus user material subroutine, was used to examine localization of elastic and phase transformation fields due to the presence of structured arrays of holes in a NiTi plate. Simulations of the superelastic responses of these structures are presented and compared with a monolithic specimen. Localization of elastic fields is quantified by examining maximum von Mises stress values, transformation heterogeneities are observed through distributions of martensite volume fraction at different time steps of the simulations, and maximum principal strain values in the specimens show the combined effect of transformation and elasticity. The results provide fundamental understanding of the role of individual and coupling of individual pores in SMA structures and demonstrate the need for 3D modeling to optimize structure performance.
Evaluating the performance of an institution using an intensive care unit benchmark.

OBJECTIVES To describe the performances of selected intensive care units (ICUs) in a single institution using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III benchmark and to propose interventions that may improve performance. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, we analyzed APACHE III data from critically ill patients admitted to ICUs at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between October 1994 and December 2003. We retrieved ICU performance measures based on first ICU day APACHE III values. Standardized ratios were defined as ratios of measured to predicted values. The primary performance measure was the standardized mortality ratio, and secondary performance measures were length of stay (LOS) ratios, low-risk monitor ICU admission rates, and ICU readmission rates. We calculated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each performance, graded as good, average, or poor. RESULTS Among 46,381 patients admitted during the study period, 57.5% were in surgical ICUs, 24.8% in a medical ICU, and 17.7% in a surgical-medical ICU. Low-risk monitoring accounted for 37.2% of admissions. Hospital standardized mortality ratios (95% CI) were 0.95 (0.90–0.99), 0.86 (0.81–0.91), and 0.70 (0.66–0.74) for medical, multispecialty, and surgical ICUs, respectively. Hospital LOS ratios (95% CI) were 0.83 (0.81–0.85), 0.91 (0.88–0.93), and 0.99 (0.97–1.00) for medical, multispecialty, and surgical ICUs, respectively. The ICU readmission rate for each ICU was higher than the 6.7% reported in the medical literature. Performances were good in mortality, average to good in LOS, average in low-risk admission, and poor in ICU readmission. CONCLUSIONS A national benchmarking database can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of ICUs. The performances of ICUs in a single institution may differ; therefore, the performance of each unit should be evaluated individually.
Purification and characterization of sorbitol-6-phosphate phosphatase from apple leaves

Abstract Sorbitol-6-phosphate phosphatase (SorPP; EC 3.1.3.50) catalyzes the final step in sorbitol biosynthesis in sorbitol-synthesizing plant species, but its kinetic and regulatory properties have not been characterized. In this study, the enzyme was purified 1727-fold to apparent homogeneity from apple leaves with a maximal specific activity of 89.8 μmol min−1 mg−1 protein measured at 2 mM sorbitol-6-phosphate (sorbitol-6-P). The enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 61 kDa. The enzyme is highly specific for sorbitol-6-P with a Km of 0.85 mM and is unable to cleave other phosphate esters at a significant rate. The activity is absolutely dependent on Mg2+ with a Km of 0.29 mM at an optimal pH of 6.8. Fluoride, vanadate, molybdate, and inorganic phosphate inhibit SorPP activity. Sorbitol is a competitive inhibitor for SorPP with a Ki of 109 mM. The possible feedback mechanism for the regulation of sorbitol biosynthesis is also discussed.
[Observations on blood coagulation & fibrinolysis during surgery of the human heart with hypothermia or by means of extracorporeal circulation].

Unterkuhlung fuhrt beim Menschen zu keiner Reduzierung des Gerinnungspotentials. Herzchirurgie in Unterkuhlung bewirkt eine progressive Verlangerung der Prothrombinzeit, aber auch gleichzeitig eine Zunahme des Prothrombinverbrauchs. Verlangerungen der Thrombinzeiten konnen sich wahrend des Eingriffes entwickeln. Die fibrinolytische Aktivitat nimmt bei Operieren in Unterkuhlung in nicht sehr erheblichem Ausmase, vorwiegend zur Zeit der Herzeroffnung, zu. Bei Herzoperationen unter Verwendung des extrakorporalen Kreislaufes kann es, vorzugsweise nach Beendigung der Pumpenphase, zu betrachtlichen Verlangerungen der Thrombinzeit kommen; sie treten zumeist im Verein mit kardialer oder zirkulatorischer Dysfunktion auf. Wahrend des extrakorporalen Kreislaufes entwickelt sich eine erhebliche fibrinolytische Aktivitat, wenn die Perfusionsgeschwindigkeit etwa 75 cm3/kg je Minute betragt. Bei Perfusionsgeschwindigkeiten von etwa 190–200 cm3/kg/min tritt diese Aktivitat nicht auf oder wird, wenn schon bestehend, zum Verschwinden gebracht. Verschieben des pH nach der sauren Seite hin halt eine einmal bestehende fibrinolytische Aktivitat aufrecht. Auslosende Ursachen fur Blutungen scheinen in Verbindung mit herzchirurgischem Vorgehen Vermehrung von Thrombininhibitoren allein oder in Kombination mit fibrinolytischer Aktivitat zu sein.
The endogenous reverse transcriptase activity of gibbon ape lymphoma virus: Characterization of the DNA product

Abstract The DNA product of the endogenous reverse transcriptase reaction of Gibbon ape lymphoma virus has been analyzed and characterized. Data show that in simultaneous detection assays in which the type and/or concentration of divalent cation is varied the best yield of rapidly-sedimenting DNA was obtained from reactions containing 1.5 mM Mn2+. This yield is ten-fold better than the yield observed at the optimal Mg2+ concentration (5.0 mM). Evidence is presented to show that DNA synthesized at the optimal concentration of either of these cations consists of large pieces varying in size from 4 to 12S. This DNA hybridizes efficiently to homologous viral RNA (greater than 60% annealing) and protects at least two-thirds of GALV 70S [32P] RNA from ribonuclease digestion. The hybrids formed with homologous viral RNA are stable as evidenced by their thermal elution patterns from hydroxylapatite columns. In contrast, DNA synthesized in reactions in which the concentration of Mn2+ or Mg2+ was greater than optimal was predominantly 4S or smaller in size and displayed a low level of hybridization (less than 10%) to homologous viral RNA.
A finding maximal clique algorithm for predicting loop of protein structure

In this paper we equate the problem of predicting the loop 3D structure in the comparative modeling to a problem of finding the maximal clique with the best weight. Each possible conformation of a residue in a loop sequence is represented as a node in a graph. Edges are then drawn between pairs of nodes that are consistent with each other. Edge and nodes are weighted according to some fixed criteria. Once the entire graph is constructed, all the maximal sets of cliques are found using an algorithm of artificial neural network models. The cliques with the best weights represent the optimal conformation of the region of loop sequence.