cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of exogenous ecdysteroid titer on endogenous ecdysteroid production in vitro by testes of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens

Testes or the isolated sheaths of testes from late-last-instar larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, spontaneously secreted ecdysteroids in vitro. Exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone, incubated with the testes or isolated testis sheaths, functioned in a local positive feedback system to increase production of the several ecdysteroids typical of H. virescens testes. The increase in ecdysteroid production by testis tissue was dependent on discrete ranges in exogenous ecdysteroid titer. Activation ratios of 2–5 resulted from exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone titers of 0.5 to 15 pg/μl, while activation ratios of 10–30 resulted from exogenous titers of 15–100 pg/μl of 20-hydroxyecdysone. Activation ratios approached 200 with exogenous titers of 100–1,000 pg/μl of 20-hydroxyecdysone.
951-75 Comparative Analysis of Long Term Clinical Outcomes After Native Coronary versus Saphenous Vein Graft Stent Implantation

To assess the late (3 years) clinical outcomes of JJIS stent (S) placement in the treatment of native coronary(NC) and saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions, we compared baseline factors, procedural results and late clinical events in 112 pts (122 lesions) with native and 118 pts (153 lesions) with SVG lesions treated with S at the Washington Hospital Center. Pts with SVG lesions were older, had more frequent multivessel disease, history of prior MI, ostial and denovo lesions and lower ejection fractions (all p l 0.005). The initial and final % stenosis, procedural success and major complications (death, Q wave MI, CABG) were similar between the 2 groups. Clinical events Native 1/3 yr SVG 1/3 yr P value (log-rank) Death (%) 0/1.5 8/22 0.0003 Q-wave MI (%) 1/1 5/8 0.06 TLR(%) 26/29 28/49 0.08 Non-TLR (%) 0/9 10/17 0.02 TLR = target lesion revascularization Download : Download high-res image (52KB) Download : Download full-size image (repeat PTCA or CABG) and EFS = event free survival (freedom from death, Q-wave MI, and TLR). During the first year after S placement, SVG lesions (compared with NC) had higher mortality and Q-wave MI. similar TLR and greater non-TLR events. Between 1 and 3 years, in SVG pts there was a further dramatic increase in mortality and TLR resulting in a 3-year actuarial EFS of only 37% (see figure). In contrast, NC behavior was stable between 1 and 3 years with no further mortality, Q-wave MI, or TLR, but a 10% incidence of non-TLR events. In conclusion:Despite similar procedural results, SVG vs native pts treated with S manifested disparate late clinical responses. Disturbingly, in SVG pts there was progressive mortality(in part due to increased pt morbidity) and additional TLR events after the first year of S implantation (ie. “late” restenosis) causing a striking attrition in 3 year EFS.
Vehicle technologies and bus fleet replacement optimization: problem properties and sensitivity analysis utilizing real-world data

This research presents a bus fleet replacement optimization model to analyze vehicle replacement decisions when there are competing technologies. The focus of the paper is on sensitivity analysis. Model properties that are useful for sensitivity analysis are derived and applied utilizing real-world data from King County (Seattle) transit agency. Two distinct technologies, diesel hybrid and conventional diesel vehicles, are studied. Key variables affecting optimal bus type and replacement age are analyzed. Breakeven values and elasticity values are estimated. Results indicate that a government purchase cost subsidy has the highest impact on optimal replacement periods and total net cost. Maintenance costs affect the optimal replacement age but are unlikely to change the optimal vehicle type. Greenhouse gas emissions costs are not significant and affect neither bus type nor replacement age.
On the allocation of common physical resources to multiple developmental tasks

This article discusses the allocation of common physical resources among multiple development tasks. The contribution of this research will be the evolution of a quantitative model for performing the resource allocation. The model differs from others in that it allocates commonly used resources to multiple tasks over time; available resources are constraints and the allocation process is based upon network relationships, time considerations, and management objectives. Previous models have taken into account one or more of these factors, but none has considered them all.
Dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation and detection in InP photonic integrated circuits for Tb/s optical communications

Abstract This article presents recent results in the development of optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) technologies based on optical frequency combs and indium phosphide devices. A novel spectral-slice dynamic-OAWG approach and waveform shapers with customized spectral multiplexers and modulators, enable continuous generation of high fidelity optical waveforms accessing bandwidths in excess of 1 THz. We show results for two types integrated waveform shapers, a 100 GHz electrically controlled device with 10 channels spaced at 10 GHz and a 1 THz optically controlled device with 100 channels spaced at 10 GHz. Additionally, we include results from a 640 GHz waveform measurement device with 16 channels and 40 GHz spacing.
Electrolysis method of intercalation of layered transition metal dichalcogenides

A new method of intercalating organic Lewis bases, alkali hydroxides, Cu and Ag metals in to Group V layered dichalcogenide single crystals at room temperature is reported. It involves electrolytic reduction, in a suitable electrolysis cell, using the dichalcogenide as cathode and generation of the fresh intercalate species at the cathode surface. The organic intercalated complexes exhibit superconductivity like the parent dichalcogenides below 4.2°K.
A Lagrangian-based continuum homogenization approach applicable to molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract The continuum notions of effective mechanical quantities as well as the conditions that give meaningful deformation processes for homogenization problems with large deformations are reviewed. A continuum homogenization model is presented and recast as a Lagrangian-based approach for heterogeneous media that allows for an extension to discrete systems simulated via molecular dynamics (MD). A novel constitutive relation for the effective stress is derived so that the proposed Lagrangian-based approach can be used for the determination of the “stress–deformation” behavior of particle systems. The paper is concluded with a careful comparison between the proposed method and the Parrinello–Rahman approach to the determination of the “stress–deformation” behavior for MD systems. When compared with the Parrinello–Rahman method, the proposed approach clearly delineates under what conditions the Parrinello–Rahman scheme is valid.
Primary weight measure and its support in stochastic routing for dynamic cognitive radio networks

In dynamic cognitive radio mesh networks the variation in spectrum diversity and availability is high due to the presence and the sojourn time of primary users. In this research, we develop a Primary Weight Measure (PWM) metric that measures the uniformity of spread of primary users around a particular node. This metric approximates the expected spectral stability and availability around a node. In addition, we consider the stochastic availability of resources in a cognitive radio network environment, and propose a decentralized routing algorithm called Primary Spread Aware Routing Protocol (PSARP). The PSARP is an adaptive per-hop routing scheme that, unlike the predecessor schemes, is nondeterministic. The traffic from a source to a destination is modeled by a Markov process, and packets are forwarded hop by hop based on transition probabilities that reflect the next hop spectral availability as well as the entire path quality. The PWM metrics of the nodes are relayed via back-pressure and are used in the construction of transition probabilities. On a cognitive-based NS2 network simulator, we compare the performance of PSARP with two previously developed routing protocols for dynamic environment. We also develop a Cognitive Stochastic Routing (CSR) protocol based on the PSARP stochastic framework that uses backlogged queue capacity instead of PWM. Our results show higher throughput in PSARP and CSR, which indicate the advantage of stochastic-based routing in a dynamic environment. In addition, PSARP with its PWM measure is more successful in choosing the best path due to the correct identification of the primary users' distribution, and performs substantially better than CSR at high rates.
An Overview of the USEPA National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, Subpart J Product Schedule (40 CFR 300.900)

Abstract The United States Environmental Protection Agency manages the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, Subpart J Product Schedule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300.900) which list dispersants, surface washing agents (SWAs), bioremediation agents, surface collecting agents, and miscellaneous oil spill control agents (MOSCA) that may be used in response to oil spills on land and on or near waters of the US, depending on the product and its proper application. Over the last few years, alternative oil spill response methods have been gaining in acceptance and use in the field among first responders, industry, state and federal agencies, Congress, and the entire oil spill response community. EPA sets policy and guidance for the proper use and authority to use these products within its jurisdiction. Manufacturers and vendors of these products have become more aware of this acceptance evidenced by the frequency that EPA is contacted to provide information on the listing process and EPA policy regarding their use. The number of applications to add new products to the Subpart J Product Schedule has increased over the last few year. Subpart J is very prescriptive and specific in directing manufacturers to perform the proper tests using the proper protocols, yet many applications are rejected or need modification due to errors in testing procedures or data reporting. This paper will address the data needed to list a product under each category and will clarify issues related to the Product Schedule. It will also address the policies that EPA uses to enforce the Subpart J regulation. The author has managed the Product Schedule for over five years and his experience and expertise regarding the issues surrounding alternative countermeasures will be covered briefly. Dispersants, SWAs, chemical sorbents, and other technologies have sparked controversy and confusion in all regions and areas of the US, and in some cases internationally. Many research efforts have added to the baseline knowledge we have about dispersants and bioremediation agents’ toxicity, efficacy, and proper use, but conflicts still arise as that data is interpreted and applied in the field. The reader will have a better understanding of why and how alternative countermeasures are required to be listed and describe the authority to use them based on EPA policy.
Genetic epidemiology of glioblastoma multiforme: confirmatory and new findings from analyses of human leukocyte antigen alleles and motifs.

Background Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes mediate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses and natural killer cell function. In a previous study, several HLA-B and HLA-C alleles and haplotypes were positively or negatively associated with the occurrence and prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methodology/Principal Findings As an extension of the Upper Midwest Health Study, we have performed HLA genotyping for 149 GBM patients and 149 healthy control subjects from a non-metropolitan population consisting almost exclusively of European Americans. Conditional logistic regression models did not reproduce the association of HLA-B*07 or the B*07-Cw*07 haplotype with GBM. Nonetheless, HLA-A*32, which has previously been shown to predispose GBM patients to a favorable prognosis, was negatively associated with occurrence of GBM (odds ratio = 0.41, p = 0.04 by univariate analysis). Other alleles (A*29, A*30, A*31 and A*33) within the A19 serology group to which A*32 belongs showed inconsistent trends. Sequencing-based HLA-A genotyping established that A*3201 was the single A*32 allele underlying the observed association. Additional evaluation of HLA-A promoter and exon 1 sequences did not detect any unexpected single nucleotide polymorphisms that could suggest differential allelic expression. Further analyses restricted to female GBM cases and controls revealed a second association with a specific HLA-B sequence motif corresponding to Bw4-80Ile (odds ratio = 2.71, p = 0.02). Conclusions/Significance HLA-A allelic product encoded by A*3201 is likely to be functionally important to GBM. The novel, sex-specific association will require further confirmation in other representative study populations.
Stratigraphic placement of the Santonian-Campanian boundary (Upper Cretaceous) in the North American Gulf Coastal Plain and Western Interior, with implications to global geochronology

Recent micro- and macropaleontological research in the northern Aquitaine Basin of France, the stratotypic area for the Upper Cretaceous Santonian and Campanian Stages, was used to resolve a long-standing discrepancy in the stratigraphic position of the Santonian-Campanian boundary in east-central Texas as based upon zonations of planktonic foraminifers versus ammonites. On the basis of the presence in Texas of species of ammonites restricted to the lower reaches of the basal Campanian Placenticeras bidorsatum Zone of the Aquitaine Basin, the Santonian-Campanian boundary in Texas is significantly lower than has generally been considered by micropaleontologists. Specifically, it is within the foraminifer-based Globotruncana (= Marginotruncana ) concavata Zone ( sensu lato ). Such placement involves middle reaches of the type Austin Chalk, perhaps within the Dessau Chalk Member. An assumption that underlies the following conclusions is that the boundaries of the G. concavata Zone as recognized in European Tethys, the Atlantic and Caribbean basins, and North American Gulf Coast represent approximately synchronous stratigraphic levels. The following represent additional conclusions of pertinence to global chronology of the Cretaceous. (1) Rather than being younger than the Globotruncana concavata Zone, the Placenticeras bidorsatum Zone should be thought of as being contemporary with at least the younger half of the G. concavata (species total range) Zone. (2) Most of the Merchantville and Magothy Formations on the Atlantic seaboard of New Jersey and Delaware were deposited during early Campanian time, rather than principally during the Santonian. (3) The traditional placement of the Santonian-Campanian boundary in the Western Interior of North America slightly below the zone of Scaphites hippocrepis I is essentially correct. (4) The chronology of the Niobrara Formation of the North American Western Interior as based upon planktonic foraminifers is shown to be in serious error; specifically, it has been considered much too young. (5) Paleomagnetically sampled parts of the Niobrara Formation probably correlate with upper reaches of the “Cretaceous Long Normal Interval”, below magnetochron 33R. (6) Although the Santonian Stage surely represents a surprisingly brief interval of earth history, the Coniacian-Santonian boundary probably should be placed below the G. concavata Zone. (7) The Santonian-Campanian boundary slightly post-dates initiation of the last general Cretaceous regression of the North American Western Interior Seaway. (8) The beginning of the North American Aquilan Land Mammal “Age” represents earliest Campanian time. (9) Rather than representing an earliest Campanian geomagnetic event, the temporal span of global magnetochron 33R equates with approximately the second quarter of the total duration of the Campanian.
VHSIC Vector Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) As An Image Processing Element

The VHSIC Vector Arithmetic Logic Unit (VALU) is a particularly powerful computational resource which has been optimized for signal and image processing. The device features a sixteen bit parallel multiplier, a sixteen bit full capability ALU, a thirty-six bit adder/subtractor, sixteen words of multi-port register file, and a user specified 96K Read Only Memory for storage of sixty-two bit microinstructions. The versatility of the VALU architecture and its associated support devices permit the construction of various image processing configurations including: single VALU array processors, arrays of array processors, and systolic array structures for extremely high speed image processing requirements. The different image processor architectural configurations are reviewed and examples of specific algorithm executions are given to demonstrate the applicability of each approach when related to algorithm partitioning, throughput requirements, flexibility requirements, size requirements, and power requirements.
Multi-wavelength Optical Switch Fabric for Next-Generation Optical Switches

Next-generation switches and routers in optical networks will rely on optical switch fabrics (OSFs) to overcome the problem of the unnecessary optical-electrical-optical conversions and signal processing. In this paper, we propose a new architecture of an OSF based on tunable fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The main feature of the architecture is its ability to be used for both packet and circuit switching networks. Furthermore, the use of FBG endows the proposed design with simplicity, low insertion loss and low cost. In addition, the new architecture fits the operations of equally and unequally spaced channels and provides wavelength modularity. Finally, contention resolution is suggested using a multi-wavelength converter.
An action spectrum of photoreactivating enzyme from sea urchin eggs.

An action spectrum for photoreactivating enzyme activity from unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus was determined. The range of the spectrum is 313 to 500 nm, with a maximum at 365 nm. Comparison of this spectrum with that for photorecovery of developmental damage in the sea urchin embryo indicates the general similarity of the two processes.
Identity Management's Misaligned Incentives

With the publication of the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), the US federal government attempts to solve what it asserts is the identity problem on the Internet. This article discusses about the perverse incentives in digital risk management.
Limitation on the use of impulse approximation in nuclear β-decay

Abstract Nuclear β-decay processes are considered using two techniques: the usual impulse approximation and the elementary particles treatments. Both methods of calculation are shown to lead to essentially equivalent numerical results for allowed transitions ( ΔJ P i P f = 0 + , 1 + ) and for forbidden transitions of the types, ΔJ P i P f = 1 −1 and possibly 2 + , 3 − …. For forbidden transitions of the types, ΔJ P i P f = 0 −0 , 2 − , 3 + ,…, the two methods may lead to inequivalent results. This discrepancy may be due to neglect of meson exchange effects in the impulse approximation.
Temporal bone chondroblastomas

Abstract Objectives To review temporal bone chondroblastomas in regards to their presentation, radiographic findings, histopathology, and treatment. Study design Case report and literature review. Methods A case report of a 38-year-old man is reviewed who presented with left-sided mixed hearing loss, otalgia, otorrhea, and a left external auditory canal mass. A computed tomography scan revealed a 6-cm mass involving the petrous and squamous portions of the left temporal bone. Conclusions Temporal bone chondroblastomas are extremely rare osseous tumors with only 35 cases previously reported in the literature. Presenting symptomatology and pathology may be confused with more common lesions seen in the temporal bone. Diagnostic radiology, including computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, as well as immunohistochemical staining with S-100 protein may assist in making the diagnosis. Treatment is complete surgical excision with preservation of vital neurovascular structures.
A simulation-based approach to capturing autocorrelated demand parameter uncertainty in inventory management

We consider a repeated newsvendor setting where the parameters of the demand distribution are unknown, and we study the problem of setting inventory targets using only a limited amount of historical demand data. We assume that the demand process is autocorrelated and represented by an Autoregressive-To-Anything time series. We represent the marginal demand distribution with the highly flexible Johnson translation system that captures a wide variety of distributional shapes. Using a simulation-based sampling algorithm, we quantify the expected cost due to parameter uncertainty as a function of the length of the historical demand data, the critical fractile, the parameters of the marginal demand distribution, and the autocorrelation of the demand process. We determine the improved inventory-target estimate accounting for this parameter uncertainty via sample-path optimization.
Bacterial Diversity Studies Using the 16S rRNA Gene Provide a Powerful Research-Based Curriculum for Molecular Biology Laboratory

We have developed a ten-week curriculum for molecular biology that uses 16S ribosomal RNA genes to characterize and compare novel bacteria from hot spring communities in Yellowstone National Park. The 16S rRNA approach bypasses selective culture-based methods. Our molecular biology course offered the opportunity for students to learn broadly applicable methods while contributing to a long-term research project. Specifically, students isolated and characterized clones that contained novel 16S rRNA inserts using restriction enzyme, DNA sequencing, and computer-based phylogenetic methods. In both classes, students retrieved novel bacterial 16S rRNA genes, several of which were most similar to Green Nonsulfur bacterial isolates. During class, we evaluated student performance and mastery of skills and concepts using quizzes, formal lab notebooks, and a broad project assignment. For this report, we also assessed student performance alongside data quality and discussed the significance, our goal being to improve both research and teaching methods.
A reappraisal of grandmothering and natural selection

Kachel et al . [[1][1]] conclude from simulations of their agent-based model that fitness benefits from helpful grandmothers do not select for increased longevity. We studied their assumptions and model, ran further simulations and found flaws that are fatal to their test. Here, we explain four
Acceleration of two-dimensional time domain integral equation solvers using a Hilbert transform

In EM scattering theory we introduce a fast method for evaluating the [B/sub m/] vector in the equation [A/sub mk/][J/sub k/(t/sub n/)]=[B/sub m/] where [J/sub k/(t/sub n/)] is a vector whose element J/sub k/(t/sub n/) denotes the current density on the kth spatial patch at time t/sub n/, [A/sub mk/] is a matrix describing instantaneous interactions between current elements, [B/sub m/] is a vector whose elements are calculated from the known incident field and that produced by currents prior to time t/sub n/. This method relies on an expression of the vector potential in terms of a time-gated Hilbert transform and its computational complexity scales as O(N/sub t/logN/sub t/). The proposed method is a subset of the plane wave time domain methods that our group developed earlier. In contrast to the latter, the current technique only results in improved scaling of the computational cost w.r.t. the number of time steps in the analysis and does not change the scaling of the cost w.r.t. the number of spatial unknowns. Nonetheless, the proposed scheme is far more simple to implement than full-fledged plane wave time domain solvers and therefore deserves separate attention.
QuartetS: a fast and accurate algorithm for large-scale orthology detection

The unparalleled growth in the availability of genomic data offers both a challenge to develop orthology detection methods that are simultaneously accurate and high throughput and an opportunity to improve orthology detection by leveraging evolutionary evidence in the accumulated sequenced genomes. Here, we report a novel orthology detection method, termed QuartetS, that exploits evolutionary evidence in a computationally efficient manner. Based on the well-established evolutionary concept that gene duplication events can be used to discriminate homologous genes, QuartetS uses an approximate phylogenetic analysis of quartet gene trees to infer the occurrence of duplication events and discriminate paralogous from orthologous genes. We used function- and phylogeny-based metrics to perform a large-scale, systematic comparison of the orthology predictions of QuartetS with those of four other methods [bi-directional best hit (BBH), outgroup, OMA and QuartetS-C (QuartetS followed by clustering)], involving 624 bacterial genomes and >2 million genes. We found that QuartetS slightly, but consistently, outperformed the highly specific OMA method and that, while consuming only 0.5% additional computational time, QuartetS predicted 50% more orthologs with a 50% lower false positive rate than the widely used BBH method. We conclude that, for large-scale phylogenetic and functional analysis, QuartetS and QuartetS-C should be preferred, respectively, in applications where high accuracy and high throughput are required.
The nice thing about context is that everyone has it

In their ‘Critical Questions for Big Data’, danah boyd and Kate Crawford warn: ‘Taken out of context, Big Data loses its meaning’. In this short commentary, I contextualize this claim about context. The idea that context is crucial to meaning is shared across a wide range of disciplines, including the field of ‘context-aware’ recommender systems. These personalization systems attempt to take a user’s context into account in order to make better, more useful, more meaningful recommendations. How are we to square boyd and Crawford’s warning with the growth of big data applications that are centrally concerned with something they call ‘context’? I suggest that the importance of context is uncontroversial; the controversy lies in determining what context is. Drawing on the work of cultural and linguistic anthropologists, I argue that context is constructed by the methods used to apprehend it. For the developers of ‘context-aware’ recommender systems, context is typically operationalized as a set of sensor rea...
Harmonic multiresolution estimators for denoising and regularization of SPECT-PET data

This paper presents a study on the development of new multiresolution directional analysis tools for texture denoising of medical images. Multiresolution. texture analysis is performed with wavelet packets and brushlet expansions to exploit spatio-temporal coherence and identify persistent anatomical structures while removing uncorrelated noise components. Denoising is performed via thresholding estimators in the transform domain. Denoising performance is evaluated quantitatively on phantom volumes and qualitatively on clinical data sets with SPECT-PET data. We show in this study that these multiresolution directional analysis tools are well adapted to the intrinsic nature of textured data and outperform traditional denoising methods. In the case of spatiotemporal data, we also show that by incorporating the time dimension directly in the analysis, we can bring into play temporal coherence between successive frames to improve denoising performance and enhance moving boundaries and structures.
Effect of varying number of OSEM subsets on PET lesion detectability.

Iterative reconstruction has become the standard for routine clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. However, iterative reconstruction is computationally expensive, especially for time-of-flight (TOF) data. Block-iterative algorithms such as ordered-subsets expectationmaximization (OSEM) are commonly used to accelerate the reconstruction. There is a tradeoff between the number of subsets and reconstructed image quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of varying the number of OSEM subsets upon lesion-detection for general oncologic PET imaging. Methods—Experimental phantom data were taken from the Utah PET Lesion Detection Database resource, modeling whole-body oncologic PET imaging of a 92 Kg patient with [18]Ffluorodeoxyglucose. The experiment consisted of 24 scans over 4 days on a TOF PET/CT scanner, with up to 23 lesions (diameter 6–16mm) distributed throughout the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Images were reconstructed with maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (MLEM) and with OSEM using 2–84 subsets. The reconstructions were repeated both with and without TOF. Localization receiver operating characteristics (LROC) analysis was applied using the channelized non-prewhitened observer. The observer was first used to optimize the number of iterations and smoothing filter for each case that maximized lesion-detection performance for these data; this was done to ensure that fair comparisons were made with each test case operating near its optimal performance. The probability of correct localization (PLOC) and the area under the LROC curve (ALROC) were then analyzed as functions of the number of subsets to characterize the effect of OSEM on lesion-detection performance. Results—Compared to the baseline MLEM algorithm, lesion-detection performance with OSEM declined as the number of subsets increased. The decline was moderate out to about 12–14 subsets, and then became progressively steeper as the number of subsets increased. Comparing TOF with non-TOF results, the magnitude of the performance drop was larger for TOF reconstructions. Conclusion—PET lesion-detection performance is degraded when using OSEM with a large number of subsets. This loss of image quality can be controlled by using a moderate number of subsets (e.g. 12–14 or fewer), retaining a large degree of acceleration while maintaining high image quality. The use of more aggressive subsetting can result in image quality degradations that offset the benefits of using TOF or longer scan times.
Hilbert schemes of a surface and Euler characteristics

We use basic algebraic topology and Ellingsrud-Stromme results on the Betti numbers of punctual Hilbert schemes of surfaces to compute a generating function for the Euler characteristic numbers of the Douady spaces of “n-points” associated with a complex surface. The projective case was first proved by L. Gottsche.
HURP controls spindle dynamics to promote proper interkinetochore tension and efficient kinetochore capture

Through a functional genomic screen for mitotic regulators, we identified hepatoma up-regulated protein (HURP) as a protein that is required for chromosome congression and alignment. In HURP-depleted cells, the persistence of unaligned chromosomes and the reduction of tension across sister kinetochores on aligned chromosomes resulted in the activation of the spindle checkpoint. Although these defects transiently delayed mitotic progression, HeLa cells initiated anaphase without resolution of these deficiencies. This bypass of the checkpoint arrest provides a tumor-specific mechanism for chromosome missegregation and genomic instability. Mechanistically, HURP colocalized with the mitotic spindle in a concentration gradient increasing toward the chromosomes. HURP binds directly to microtubules in vitro and enhances their polymerization. In vivo, HURP stabilizes mitotic microtubules, promotes microtubule polymerization and bipolar spindle formation, and decreases the turnover rate of the mitotic spindle. Thus, HURP controls spindle stability and dynamics to achieve efficient kinetochore capture at prometaphase, timely chromosome congression to the metaphase plate, and proper interkinetochore tension for anaphase initiation.
Lessons from Dr. Strangelove

In the early 1980s, a group of visionary physicians founded a medical organization predicated on the advancement of a singular health issue. This society was not one dedicated to patient care in the wilderness, but rather to promote understanding of the health risks of nuclear proliferation. They called themselves the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), and their clinical assessment was a sober rebuke to Cold War strategists: “Nuclear war would be the final epidemic; there would be no cure and no meaningful medical response.” Language: en
Cell-matrix adhesions on poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Cell-matrix adhesions regulate cell morphology, intracellular signaling, gene expression, and phenotype. Understanding how different methods of attaching matrix proteins to substrates affect the molecular arrangement of these adhesions offers the possibility of controlling cell function and architecture. The goal of this study was to visualize and quantify the cell-matrix adhesions formed by human fibroblasts on the matrix protein fibronectin covalently attached to poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. These adhesions were then compared with the cell adhesions formed in routine cell culture on fibronectin noncovalently coated onto glass coverslips or those formed on fibronectin covalently immobilized onto glass coverslips. Cell adhesions were characterized by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy utilizing paxillin as a marker for focal adhesions and alpha(5) integrin as a marker for fibrillar adhesions. As expected, distinct focal and fibrillar adhesions were observed in routine cell culture on coverslips coated noncovalently with fibronectin. Cells cultured on fibronectin covalently linked to PVA demonstrated diminished spatial separation of paxillin and alpha(5) integrin, accompanied by a reduction in fibrillar adhesions and fibronectin fibrillogenesis. Cells on fibronectin covalently immobilized on glass displayed the strongest marker colocalization and the most complete loss of fibrillar adhesions and lack of fibrillogenesis. These results indicate that fibronectin-conjugated PVA promotes the formation of cell adhesion structures intermediate in composition between those formed on noncovalently attached and covalently immobilized fibronectin. Furthermore, they imply that bioactive polymers can selectively induce specific cell-matrix adhesions, a characteristic that may have consequences in various tissue-engineering applications.
Statistical Stability Effects in Concrete Failure

Using a uniaxial localization model, it is shown that parallel elastic restraint increases ductility, while an increase in support flexibility or length of specimen reduces ductility. Statistical macroscopic nonhomogeneity of the specimen is modeled by a system of uniaxial parallel elements of random properties following the normal distribution. The stability analysis and Monte Carlo simulations explain that in such a system an increase of length or support flexibility reduces not only ductility but also the strength of the system. The effect on strength depends on the number of elements (width of specimen), which represents a new non-classical statistical size effect, and on the standard deviation of peak stress values within the parallel system. Existence of an inflection point and the prolonged tail on the descending branch is explained by the nonhomogeneity of the specimen, and the shape of the descending branch, along with the location of the inflection point, is obtained as a function of machine stiffness, parallel elastic restraint, and specimen length and width.
Research on impacts of distributed versus centralized solar resource on distribution network using power system simulation and solar now-casting with sky imager

As solar energy penetration in the power grid increases, utilities face great challenges coping with the variable output of solar power, especially from photovoltaics (PV) panels. In this research, we investigate the impact of distributed versus centralized solar resource on distribution network using power system simulation and solar now-casting with sky imager. The distribution network studied is a large and realistic distribution system in San Diego area modelled by our research team at UCSD and validated against power flow and short circuit data given from a local utility. The network has 1733 customer loads, summing up to 11.1 MW demand, and 2.3 MW PV in peak power production. Special scenarios are set up to simulate the difference between distributed and centralized solar resource with PV penetration levels (defined as max PV power output divided by max load demand) from 0 to 100%. OpenDSS is used for quasi steady-state simulations of the network on a partly cloudy day (December 12th, 2012). Solar now-casting using UCSD Sky Imaging (USI) system is utilized to provide unique PV production curves for all PV systems on the network. The impacts of solar resource including voltage level, line losses, power consumption and number of tap operations are reported for each investigated case and. It is shown that centralized configuration is much more severely impacted by high PV penetration than distributed set up in terms of high voltage level, increasing number of tap operations, and reverse power flow.
Barriers Related to Mammography Use for Breast Cancer Screening Among Minority Women

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this review was to better understand possible social, economic, cultural, behavioral, and systems barriers to breast cancer screening among minority women. Methods Relevant manuscripts were identified through a MEDLINE/PubMed search for English-language literature from October 1971 through April 2009. The abstracts from a total of 515 manuscripts were reviewed. Only studies conducted among minority women in the United States and examining barriers related to screening mammography were considered. Of 64 relevant articles, 13 cross-sectional and 4 prospective studies met inclusion criteria. Study design; patient characteristics; outcomes regarding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs; social norms; accessibility; and cultural competence regarding breast cancer screening were abstracted. Studies were rated using a methodological quality score (MQS). Results Pain and embarrassment associated with screening mammography, low income and lack of health insurance, poor knowledge about breast cancer screening, lack of physician recommendation, lack of trust in hospitals and doctors, language barriers, and lack of transportation were the most frequently identified barriers. The average MQS of the studies selected was 10.9 (SD = 3.25, range, 4–20). Conclusions Multiple barriers limit screening mammography among minority women. Recognizing predictors of screening among minority women and addressing culturally specific barriers may improve utilization of screening mammography among these women.
Vorbemerkungen über die Entwicklung des Seeigeleies

Da die folgende Schrift sich nicht nur an Zoologen, sondern vielmehr in erster Linie an Physiologen, Pathologen und Chemiker wendet, so ist es notig, eine Skizze der Entwicklung des tierischen Eies zu entwerfen. Als Beispiel soll uns das Seeigelei dienen, an dem die Mehrzahl der Versuche uber chemische Entwicklungserregung angestellt worden ist. Der Grund fur diesen letzteren Umstand liegt in der Tatsache, das gerade die Eier des Seeigels fast das ganze Jahr hindurch in groser Menge zu haben sind, und das sie das gleichmasigste Material bilden, das man fur physiologische Versuche finden kann.
JCL Roundtable: Should we treat elevations in Lp(a)?

Abstract The focus of this Roundtable discussion is the mysterious lipoprotein Lp(a). There is growing evidence that it confers significant risk of vascular disease at high plasma concentrations. The concentration in plasma is highly variable from person to person but relatively stable in any given individual. The issue of defining this as a target of treatment has many facets, which have stymied clinicians in their management of this risk factor. The pertinent questions are many such as: "How does one obtain the most meaningful measure as there are so many components?" "What agents are truly effective in lowering this lipoprotein particle?" "Does direct treatment with reduction affect risk?" "How does low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol relate to the risk?" "If low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol is reduced, is there residual risk related directly to Lp(a)?" and "Are there effective therapies under development?" For this Roundtable, I am fortunate to have three experts that have studied these questions in various settings and have agreed to answer my questions relevant to these clinical issues. These include Dr Moriarty from the University of Kansas, Dr Remaley from the National Institutes of Health, and Dr Tsimikas from the University of California San Diego.
Repair of a recurrent traumatic rectovaginal fistula using vaginal wall plication to reinforce a rectal wall advancement flap.

Background: Rectovaginal fistulas (RVF) can cause significant physical discomfort and psychological distress for patients and remain amongst the most challenging disorders for surgeons. Methods: A 28-year-old female with a history of a traumatic cloaca repaired 12 years prior was diagnosed with a recurrent RVF and underwent repair using a rectal wall advancement flap reinforced with posterior vaginal wall plication. This case is used to demonstrate surgical technique. The study adhered to the prescribed ethical guidelines. Informed consent was obtained from the patient to use the video recording of her operation for educational purposes. Results: The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. The fistula was fully healed without any signs or symptoms of recurrence at 8 weeks follow-up exam. Her protective ileostomy was successfully closed. Conclusions: Transanal repair of a RVF through creation of a rectal advancement flap and plication of redundant vaginal wall can be used to treat appropriately selected patients with significant tissue defects.
Rat glomerular glycoprotein composition and metabolism in aminonucleoside nephrosis.

SummaryIn aminonucleoside nephrotic rats, the sialic acid concentration of glomerular membrane fractions were significantly less than values obtained from control preparations. No differences were detected in the concentrations of glucose, galactose, mannose, or hexosamine. The administration of 14C-glucosamine as precursor of sialic acid, 2 days after giving aminonucleoside, was followed by a significantly greater increase in specific activity of glomerular sialic acid over the subsequent 1-8 days; the falloff in specific activity from days 6 to 13 had a half-life of 4 days compared with 20 days in control animals. The specific activity of sialic acid in glomerular basement and cellular membrane fractions 24 hr after administration of 14C-glucosamine was 2-5 times greater in animals given aminonucleoside than in control rats. This increase in synthesis may be a consequence of increased degradation or turnover of glomerular membrane sialoprotein.
Russian Industry Sector in May 2014

According to business surveys of the Gaidar Institute carried out in May, the situation in the Russian industry changed for the better. Forecasts of changes in demand, output and employment demonstrate positive dynamics. The stocks of finished products are successfully controlled by enterprises. The rate of employment keeps decreasing, but it is not excluded that additional workforce may be required.
Evidence for Control of Cutaneous Oxygen Uptake in the Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799)

Abstract Some sea snakes and sea kraits (family Elapidae) can dive for upward of two hours while foraging or feeding, largely because they are able to absorb a significant percentage of their oxygen demand across their skin surfaces. Although cutaneous oxygen uptake is a common adaptation in marine elapids, whether its uptake can be manipulated in response to conditions that might alter metabolic rate is unclear. Our data strongly suggest that Yellow-Lipped Sea Kraits, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799), can modify cutaneous uptake in response to changing pulmonary oxygen saturation levels. When exposed to stepwise 20% decreases in aerial oxygen saturation from 100% to 40%, Yellow-Lipped Sea Kraits spent more time emerged but breathed less frequently. A significant graded increase in cutaneous uptake was seen between 100% and 60% saturation, likely attributable to subcutaneous capillary recruitment. The additional increase in oxygen uptake between 60% and 40% was not significant, indicating capillary r...
Stock of downstream complementary assets as a catalyst for product innovation during technological change in the U.S. machine tool industry

Research summary: We investigate the effect of incumbents' stock of downstream complementary assets on their product innovation during a disruptive technological change. We theorize that a firm's stock of downstream complementary assets, by providing critical information about shifting demand conditions, will play a catalytic role in firm adaptation during such a change. Using the advent of disruptive computer numerical control machine tools in the U.S. machine tool industry during the 1970s and 1980s as the context, we find that firms with greater stocks of downstream complementary assets are likely to be product innovation leaders during such a change. Managerial summary: Disruptive changes are challenging firms across industries. We concentrate on the U.S. machine tool industry during the 1970s and 1980s when Japanese manufacturers with disruptive computer numerical control systems challenged the U.S. manufacturers. We find that, under the threat of disruption, the greater the stock of downstream complementary assets a U.S. machine tool manufacturer has, the more likely it is to be the product innovation leader with the disruptive technology. Our findings provide novel insights for managers in companies that face disruptive changes and can help them avoid the consequences of such changes as predicted by prior research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of Pheromones

Identification of the pheromones responsible for these primer effects, which were started to be found in the 1950s, began in the 1980s. 3,4-Dehydro-exo-brevicomin (DHB), 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole (SBT), E,E-α-farnesene, and E-β-farnesene present in male mouse urine were found to induce the Whitten effect. The Lee–Boot effect was found to be induced by 2,5-dimethylpyrazine in female urine. Major urinary proteins (MUPs) were found to bind to SBT and delay its evaporation. It was also found that MUP attracts females, whereas SBT itself did not attract females. Recent studies have also found that there are small molecular weight peptides in the tears that stimulate females to be receptive to males. In the rabbits there are pheromones from nipples that stimulate rabbit pups to show rooting behaviors, but studies so far have shown that, in mice, there may be no pheromones secreted from nipples to induce rooting behaviors. Learning of smells start from prenatal stage and newly born mouse pups could react to the specific odor they learned in uterus. It is a process of chemical signaling.
“Oye, Qué Bien Juegan Los Negros, ¿No?”: Blaxicans and Basketball in Mexico

In this autoethnography, Thompson-Hernandez recounts his experiences as a professional basketball player in Mexico. Thompson-Hernandez identifies as “Blaxican,” referring to his mixed Mexican and African–American heritage. Through analyzing his own experiences in Mexico, Thompson-Hernandez sheds light on the transnational circulation of ideas about blackness and Mexican identity.