cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clonal evolution of acute leukemia genomes

In large part, cancer results from the accumulation of multiple mutations in a single cell lineage that are sequentially acquired and subject to an evolutionary process where selection drives the expansion of more fit subclones. Owing to the technical challenge of distinguishing and isolating distinct cancer subclones, many aspects of this clonal evolution are poorly understood, including the diversity of different subclones in an individual cancer, the nature of the subclones contributing to relapse, and the identity of pre-cancerous mutations. These issues are not just important to our understanding of cancer biology, but are also clinically important given the need to understand the nature of subclones responsible for the refractory and relapsed disease that cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients. Recently, advanced genomic techniques have been used to investigate clonal diversity and evolution in acute leukemia. Studies of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) demonstrated that in individual patients there are multiple genetic subclones of leukemia-initiating cells, with a complex clonal architecture. Separate studies also investigating pediatric ALL determined that the clonal basis of relapse was variable and complex, with relapse often evolving from a clone ancestral to the predominant de novo leukemia clone. Additional studies in both ALL and acute myeloid leukemia have identified pre-leukemic mutations in some individual cases. This review will highlight these recent reports investigating the clonal evolution of acute leukemia genomes and discuss the implications for clinical therapy.
CT scan for suspected acute appendicitis.

Appendicitis is common with a 7% lifetime risk for an individual in the United States. Mean age at diagnosis is 22 years old. While frequently clinically obvious, by 2006, more than 90% of patients diagnosed with appendicitis had a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis performed. Use of CT scans has allowed a decrease in false-negative rate at appendectomy to under 10% from a rate of approximately 20% before routine use of CT scan. In addition, the rate of perforation has decreased from nearly 30% to under 15%. In the pediatric population, initial ultrasound is often recommended, with CT utilized if the sonogram is inconclusive (Fig. 3). (Published: 26 January 2011) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2011, 1 : 10926 - DOI: 10.3402/jchimp.v1i4.10926
Covert and Overt Attention and the Processing of Cues for Location and Target Identification

Abstract The authors compared covert and overt attention in a series of experiments designed to test some assumptions of space-based theories of visual attention. In Experiment 1, they measured reaction times (RTs) to a scaled letter presented at varied eccentricities. When the letter's location was cued in advance by a bar marker, identification responses were found to be similar across a 20° area to the right and left of fixation. When related distractors were added to the display in Experiments 2 and 3, RTs were longer than in Experiment 1 and showed a U-shaped relationship with target and distractor distance. Only when the target letter appeared consistently in the center of the display was there evidence for a traditional spotlight with a unitary focus of attention. When both overt and covert attention conditions included multiple target locations, the data suggested that the distractor competed for attention and lengthened RTs in relationship to its distance from and compatibility with the target. T...
2013 SSAT presidential address: Peer review.

It has been my privilege this year to serve as president of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT). I serve a second role in our society (together with Dr. Charles J. Yeo of Jefferson Medical College) as coeditor of our official journal, The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JoGS). Because the core function of a journal editor is the orchestration of peer review, I chose “peer review” as the topic of today’s address. I will provide some historical context for the relationship of editorial peer review to academic societies such as ours, uncover some of its warts, discuss how peer review might be improved, and how it may evolve in the rapidly changing world of digital information flow. It is deeply engrained in us that peer review matters— evaluation by competent, professional experts is how we control the quality of the scientific information that makes it into print. Whether or not traditional peer review is the best way to control quality is open for debate. Peer review as a process has a number of well-documented flaws. Many question its continued relevance. There are those who think we should modify it; some say replace it, and some say do awaywith it altogether. In this sense, I am reminded of Winston Churchill’s 1947 remarks to the House of Commons, “Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Peer review might be the worst way to evaluate scientific work, but maybe it is still better than all the other ways. Historical fun fact: the concept that manuscripts should be refereed prior to publication can be traced to a single person: Henry Oldenburg, who was the first Secretary of the Royal Society of London. In 1665, he became the founding editor of Philosophical Transactions , the world’s first scientific journal, and the oldest continually published. Oldenburg was well known in scientific circles throughout Europe and had an extensive network of contacts. It was he who invented the idea of sending manuscripts around to experts to judge their merit. By 1752, the Royal Society assumed oversight of Philosophical Transactions and established a “committee on papers”—a program committee of sorts—who were charged with reviewing articles submitted, thus formally cementing the relationship of a scientific society to its journal. Blinded peer review dates back to at least 1731. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, in its first issue of Medical Essays and Observations, described an editorial policy that sounds very modern:
Anomalous specific heat of disordered solids

Abstract Part of the vibrational spectrum of any solid are the so-called “elastic” or “acoustic” waves. These have very long wavelength, i.e. all the atoms over a considerable region move (nearly) in phase. The properties of these waves can therefore be (nearly exactly) computed from the bulk properties of the solid alone (i.e. from the macroscopic elastic constants), without regard for the detailed atomic forces. Since the frequencies of these modes are low and since the modes of low frequency are the ones that make the dominant contributions to the thermodynamic properties at low temperatures, it is sometimes believed that the low-temperature thermodynamic behavior of a solid can be computed from bulk measurements alone. It is here argued (1) that the above reasoning contains a non sequitur , since the “elastic” vibrations need not be the only ones that have low frequency, and (2) that such non-elastic modes of low frequency should in fact be expected in disordered solids. The low-temperature specific heat of disordered solids should thus be higher than the conventional computation based on bulk (elastic) data would indicate. Experimental evidence for this is discussed.
On the use of pair potentials to calculate the properties of amorphous metals

Abstract The equilibrium density, binding energy and elastic constants of amorphous metals are investigated using the approximation of pairwise central interatomic potentials. Calculations may be perfomed fairly simply if internal displacements are neglected in computing the dependence of energy on strain. Such calculations were performed using Morse potentials adjusted to fit properties of several simple metals in the crystalline state. More detailed calculations were used to analyse the importance of the internal displacements, which were found to make significant contributions to the shear elastic constant. It is concluded that there is, in general, little difference (~2 per cent) in density between crystalline and amorphous phases, that the difference in bulk moduli is larger (~7 per cent), and the difference in shear moduli is larger still (29–58 per cent). These results are in broad agreement with experimental measurements.
Blood Glucose Regulation via Double Loop Higher Order Sliding Mode Control and Multiple Sampling Rate

The normal blood glucose concentration level in human is in the narrow range of 70-110 mg/dl. This concentration is normally controlled within these limits by different factors in the body. The most important regulators of the glucose level are insulin and glucagon. These two hormones are secreted from the endocrine part of pancreas and stabilize the glucose level in the blood through two feedback loops that work inversely. Insulin stimulates the glucose uptake in the insulin-sensitive tissues and therefore lowers the glucose level in the blood. Glucagon, on the other hand, stimulates the glucose production when needed and results in increasing the sugar level in the blood.
Androgen Receptor Antagonist versus Agonist Activities of the Fungicide Vinclozolin Relative to Hydroxyflutamide

The mechanism of antiandrogenic activity of vinclozolin (3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-5-vinyloxazolidine-2,4-dione), a dicarboximide fungicide under investigation for its potential adverse effects on human male reproduction, was investigated using recombinant human androgen receptor (AR). The two primary metabolites of vinclozolin in plants and mammals are M1 (2-[[3,5-dichlorophenyl)-carbamoyl]oxy]-2-methyl-3-butenoic acid) and M2 (3′,5′-dichloro-2-hydroxy-2-methylbut-3-enanilide). Both metabolites, in a dose-dependent manner, target AR to the nucleus and inhibit androgen-induced transactivation mediated by the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. M2 is a 50-fold more potent inhibitor than M1 and only 2-fold less than hydroxyflutamide. In the presence of dihydrotestosterone (50 nM), M2 (0.2-10 μM) inhibits androgen-induced AR binding to androgen response element DNA. In the absence of dihydrotestosterone, concentrations of 10 μM M2 or hydroxyflutamide promote AR binding to androgen response element DNA and activation of transcription. Agonist activities of M2 and hydroxyflutamide occur at 10-fold lower concentrations with the mutant AR (Thr877 to Ala) endogenous to LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. The results indicate that androgen antagonists can act as agonists, depending on ligand binding affinity, concentration, and the presence of competing natural ligands.
Evaluation of an Internet, Stage-Based Physical Activity Intervention

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of online, stage-based materials on exercise behavior and stage of readiness to change. Participants (n=525) were assigned to a stage-based group, an action-message group, or a control group. Seven-day physical activity, occupational and leisure activity, exercise self-efficacy, and stage of readiness to change were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. The action-message group demonstrated significant increases in leisure time activity, occupational activity, and daily energy expenditure estimated from a 7-day recall. The stage-based message group demonstrated significant increases in leisure time activity only. All three groups demonstrated small improvements in stage of readiness to change. In a 6-week, online intervention, stage-based messages were less effective than action messages.
Determination of electrophoretic distribution of cholesterol-bearing proteins in serum

Abstract A technique has been developed for assessing the cholesterol-bearing lipoproteins separated electrophoretically in serum. The procedure is relatively uncomplicated and rapid to perform, requiring only a single extraction of cholesterol from segments of the electrophoretic strip directly into the color reagent. Evaluations of the cholesterol partition between the major lipoproteins as well as the migration characteristics of individual components of these fractions may serve to enhance the significance of electrophoretic analyses.
A high-detectivity gallium-doped germanium detector for the 40–120μ region

Abstract Gallium-doped germanium with low levels of compensating impurities has been found to be a fast, efficient detector of far infrared radiation. A peak detectivity, D∗ (104μ, 390 eps, 1 cps), as high as 3.1 × 1011 cm-cps 1 2 -W−1 (NEP = 8 × 10 −13 W-cps −1 2 ) has been achieved. Calculation of the expected Nyquist and generation-recombination noise indicates that this detectivity is within a factor of about 2.4 of the ideal detectivity for the background condition used.
Adaptive error covariances estimation methods for ensemble Kalman filters

This paper presents a computationally fast algorithm for estimating, both, the system and observation noise covariances of nonlinear dynamics, that can be used in an ensemble Kalman filtering framework. The new method is a modification of Belanger's recursive method, to avoid an expensive computational cost in inverting error covariance matrices of product of innovation processes of different lags when the number of observations becomes large. When we use only product of innovation processes up to one-lag, the computational cost is indeed comparable to a recently proposed method by Berry-Sauer's. However, our method is more flexible since it allows for using information from product of innovation processes of more than one-lag.Extensive numerical comparisons between the proposed method and both the original Belanger's and Berry-Sauer's schemes are shown in various examples, ranging from low-dimensional linear and nonlinear systems of SDEs and 40-dimensional stochastically forced Lorenz-96 model. Our numerical results suggest that the proposed scheme is as accurate as the original Belanger's scheme on low-dimensional problems and has a wider range of more accurate estimates compared to Berry-Sauer's method on L-96 example.
Population Structure and Diversity of Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid Producing Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. from Dryland Cereal Fields of Central Washington State (USA)

Certain strains of the rhizosphere bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens contain the phenazine biosynthesis operon (phzABCDEFG) and produce redox-active phenazine antibiotics that suppress a wide variety of soilborne plant pathogens. In 2007 and 2008, we isolated 412 phenazine-producing (Phz+) fluorescent Pseudomonas strains from roots of dryland wheat and barley grown in the low-precipitation region (<350 mm annual precipitation) of central Washington State. Based on results of BOX-PCR genomic fingerprinting analysis, these isolates, as well as the model biocontrol Phz+ strain P. fluorescens 2-79, were assigned to 31 distinct genotypes separated into four clusters. All of the isolates exhibited high 16S rDNA sequence similarity to members of the P. fluorescens species complex including Pseudomonas orientalis, Pseudomonas gessardii, Pseudomonas libanensis, and Pseudomonas synxantha. Further recA-based sequence analyses revealed that the majority of new Phz+ isolates (386 of 413) form a clade distinctly separated from P. fluorescens 2-79. Analysis of phzF alleles, however, revealed that the majority of those isolates (280 of 386) carried phenazine biosynthesis genes similar to those of P. fluorescens 2-79. phzF-based analyses also revealed that phenazine genes were under purifying selection and showed evidence of intracluster recombination. Phenotypic analyses using Biolog substrate utilization and observations of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid production showed considerable variability amongst members of all four clusters. Biodiversity indices indicated significant differences in diversity and evenness between the sampled sites. In summary, this study revealed a genotypically and phenotypically diverse group of phenazine producers with a population structure not seen before in indigenous rhizosphere-inhabiting Phz+ Pseudomonas spp.
Life in the Trenches of Print and Web Publishing: An Interview with Jessamyn West

From Picas to Pixels has a peek into the life of librarian.net's founder and publisher, Jessamyn West. We talk about everything from library school to Colin Powell, from shell commands to the Internet community's recent infatuation with tagging (or what we catalogers like to call subject analysis). I tried to lead Jessamyn to admit that we need more catalogers in the mix on projects that are using tagging extensively, like Flickr.com and the Missouri Botanical Garden's new “tagswarming” project, but she did not take the bait.
Novel Transceiver Rotating Field Nondestructive Inspection Probe

Metallic tube inspection techniques using eddy current probes have evolved over the years from those employing a single bobbin coil to rotating coils and arrays, in an attempt to improve the speed and reliability of inspection. This paper presents a novel eddy current transceiver probe design that uses a rotating electromagnetic field. The transceiver coils consist of three identical windings located 120° apart on the same physical axis. A three-phase sinusoidal current source is used for exciting the coils. The phase voltages are identical in amplitude, but 120° apart in phase. The rotating magnetic field generated by the three-phase current is sinusoidal in space and time and so are the induced eddy currents in the tube wall. The sensor achieves mechanical rotating probe functionality by electronic means and eliminates the need for mechanical rotation. The terminal voltages of the three-phase windings can be measured during the scan. The defect’s axial and angular position can be estimated by analyzing the amplitude and phase of the sum of the three terminal voltage signals. The probe is sensitive to defects of all orientations and is as effective as conventional rotating pancake coil probes while offering the advantages of high inspection speed and greater reliability, since the probe does not rotate mechanically. A 3-D finite-element model based on reduced magnetic vector potential Ar, $ {V}$ -Ar formulation was developed to simulate and predict the response of the probe to a variety of defects. A prototype unit consisting of a probe connected to a three-phase constant current source and data acquisition system was developed and tested. Experimental results validating the simulation model and demonstrating the feasibility concept are presented.
Stability and flexibility in the structure of the hyperthermophile DNA-binding protein Sac7d

Sac7d is a chromatin protein from the hyperthermophile Sulfolobus acidocaldarius that severely kinks duplex DNA with negligible change in protein structure. In previous work, the overall stability of Sac7d has been well-characterized with a global analysis of the linkage of folding, protonation, and anion binding. We extend that work here with NMR measurements of global stability as well as the distribution of stability and flexibility in the solution structure. Native state amide hydrogen exchange has been used to identify the most-protected core amide protons which exchange through global unfolding. The pH and temperature dependence of stability defined by native state exchange is in excellent agreement with the free energy surface determined by a linkage analysis of the dependence of folding on pH, salt, and temperature. These results confirm that the deltaC(P) obtained from a Kirchhoff analysis of DSC data (i.e., deltaH vs Tm) is incorrect, and an accurate description of the protein stability curve for Sac7d requires a measure of the thermodynamic contributions of protonation and anion binding. Amide hydrogen exchange, along with generalized order parameters determined by 15N relaxation data, demonstrates considerable variation in stability throughout the structure with some of the least stable regions occurring at the N- and C-termini. The most stable and inflexible region of the backbone occurs primarily in the DNA-binding beta-sheet which is responsible for bending DNA.
Effect of phosphonic acidanalogs of acyclovir and ganciclovir on in vitro cytomegalovirus infections

Abstract Eight phosphonic acid analogs of acyclovir (ACV) or ganciclovir (DHPG) inhibited human cytomegalovirus in vitro. Therapeutic indices were: phosphonate diacid of DHPG: 500; DHPG: 500; phosphonate monoethylester of DHPG: 258; phosphonate monoethylester of ACV: 94; cyclic phosphonate of DHPG: 64; ACV: 60; phosphonate monobutylester of ACV: 1.5; phosphonate monoethylester of deoxy DHPG: 4.6; 8-bromo ACV phosphonate monoethylester: >2; phosphonate monoethylester heptyl of ACV: 1. Types 1 and 2 herpesvirus (HSV-1, HSV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) were poorly inhibited by these new compounds, suggesting highly specific anti-HCMV activity. None exhibited significant cytotoxic effects as measured by uptake of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine.
Band symmetries and singularities in twisted multilayer graphene

The electronic spectra of rotationally faulted graphene bilayers are calculated using a continuum formulation for small fault angles that identifies two distinct electronic states of the coupled system. The low-energy spectra of one state features a Fermi velocity reduction, which ultimately leads to pairwise annihilation and regeneration of its low-energy Dirac nodes. The physics in the complementary state is controlled by pseudospin selection rules that prevent a Fermi velocity renormalization and produce second generation symmetry-protected Dirac singularities in the spectrum. These results are compared with previous theoretical analyses and with experimental data.
Seventy-five Years of the Archives of Surgery

LITTLE DID Bowditch, the pioneering Harvard physiologist, know of the explosion in science and medicine that is taking place in the 20th century. Not only is there no evidence of this slowing down, but there is now an acceleration of new knowledge about disease, patient care, and matters surgical as we approach the 21st century. The July issue of theArchivesmarks the 75th anniversary of the journal: volume 1, No. 1, was published in July 1920. Initially the journal was published bimonthly so that there were three issues in 1920. Monthly publication began in July 1925. When the American Medical Association (AMA), Chicago, Ill, first published the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1910, requests began to come to the AMA to publish periodicals devoted to pediatrics and surgery as well. According to a history of theArchivesby Drs Waltman Walters and Morris Fishbein, 2 the House of Delegates
Do All Securities Class Actions Have the Same Merit? A Stock Market Perspective

Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10(b)-5 makes it unlawful for companies to make misleading statements about their prospects or to omit the disclosure of negative information. Our examination of 290 Rule 10(b)-5 lawsuits filed in the 1996–1998 period yielded two important results. First, stocks of the defendant companies, in the aggregate, experience significant declines around the time of the first filing of lawsuits. Second, not all cases have the same merit, for among the reasons that prompted the filing of class-action litigation, only four groups — those that involve accounting irregularities, fraud, making overly optimistic statements, and failure to disclose negative news — result in the most significant filing-date stock declines.
Cyclotron Frequencies near a Magnetic Subband

The energy spectrum of an electron in the presence both of a periodic potential and a magnetic field is extremely rich in fine structure. In particular, recent findings suggest that any subband of the spectrum contains a fine structure of Landau levels in its vicinity. An expression is derived for the energy spacing of these levels near an arbitrary subband. Das Energiespektrum eines Elektrons in einem periodischen Potential und einem Magnetfeld besitzt eine ausgepragte Feinstruktur. Insbesondere weisen neuere Ergebnisse darauf hin, das jedes Subband des Spektrums in seiner Nachbarschaft eine Feinstruktur bestehend aus Landau-Niveaus besitzt. Es wird ein Ausdruck fur die Energieabstande dieser Landau-Niveaus in einem beliebigen Subband abgeleitet.
Bedrock topography influences erosion rate

Even small bumps in a river's bedrock can change how sediment grains erode bedrock, a new modeling study shows. Observations have indicated that bumpy bedrock erodes more quickly, but most previous models of bedrock erosion assumed approximately planar beds.
The natural relationships of Aeromonas formicans.

The nature and manner of regulation of the enzymes of the tryptophan pathway in Aeromonas formicans indicate that its tryptophan genes are arranged on the chromosome like those of the enteric bacteria, not Pseudomonas. When viewed with other similar information, this leads to the conclusion that aeromonads are more closely related to the Enterobacteriaceae than to the Pseudomonadaceae.
Lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the aetiology and antibiotic-resistance patterns of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in 1999 and compare it with data from 1995 and 1988. Methodology: A prospective observational study of LRTI in hospitalized children at KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore, was undertaken. Results: A positive isolate was found in 58% of patients (671/1158), comprising viruses (n = 477, 41.2%), non-type B Haemophilus influenzae (n = 101, 8.7%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 66, 5.7%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 92, 8%), Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 19, 1.6%) and other bacteria (n = 19, 1.6%). Mixed virus-bacteria (n = 104, 9%) infections were comprised mostly of virus-H. influenzae combinations. In 1999, S. pneumoniae resistance rates were penicillin 44.6% (17%, 1995), amoxycillin 3% (18%, 1995; MIC 0.5–2 µg/mL reclassified as susceptible in 1999), erythromycin 55% (30%, 1995), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) 60% (23%, 1995). H. influenzae resistance rates were amoxycillin 26.7% (38%, 1995), erythromycin 99% (37%, 1995), TMP/SMX 98% (37%, 1995). There were 15 cases of empyema of which seven were proven S. pneumoniae and there was one pneumococcal death (0.08%). Conclusions: Pneumococcal pneumonia needs to be treated aggressively due to its high morbidity. Amoxycillin still remains useful for treating pneumococcus despite an increasing resistance to penicillin, erythromycin and TMP/SMX. Judicious use of antibiotics is needed to curb the increasing rate of antibiotic-resistance.
Science Fiction and Fantasy: Redefining Humans from the Past to the Future. A Report of the Lita Imagineering Interest Group Program, American Library Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 2014

On Saturday, June 28, 2014, a panel of five authors discussed their works and how humans have been redefined in the past and future in science fiction and fantasy. This program was sponsored by LIT...
Cloning and functional expression of the human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor.

Truncated forms of glucagon-like peptide-1 are the most potent endogenous stimuli of insulin secretion and have powerful antidiabetogenic effects. To determine the structure and coupling mechanisms of the human GLP-1 receptor we have isolated two pancreatic islet cDNAs, encoding the 463 amino acid receptor and differing mainly in their 3' untranslated regions. The deduced amino acid sequence is 90% homologous with the rat GLP-1 receptor. Northern blot analysis shows expression of a single 2.7 kb transcript in pancreatic tissue. When expressed in COS-7 cells the recombinant receptor conferred specific, high affinity GLP-1(7-37) binding. GLP-1(7-37) increased intracellular cAMP in a concentration dependent manner and caused an increase in the free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) from an intracellular pool, characteristic of phospholipase C (PLC) activation. Thus, like the structurally related glucagon and parathyroid hormone receptors, the human GLP-1 receptor can activate multiple intracellular signaling pathw...
Photodissociation of CH3Cl+ and CH3Br+ in a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract A new tandem quadrupole photodissociation mass spectrometer was used to measure photodissociation cross sections for the reactions, CH3Cl+ → CH3+ + Cl and CH3Br+ → CH3+ + Br in the gas phase using wavelength-selected light. The results on CH3Cl+ are compared with the earlier work of Dunbar. For both reactions we are able to observe photodissociations occurring with small cross sections (≈ 2 × 10−20 cm2) in the visible region near the thermochemical thresholds.
Central Opioid Control of Feeding Behavior in the White-Crowned Sparrow,Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

Many behavioral responses to stress do not appear to be mediated by glucocorticoids, suggesting another mechanism. We tested the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of β-endorphin, a neuropeptide implicated in the stress response, on feeding behavior in captive, wild-caught white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). The amount of time spent feeding and the number of feeding bouts were higher after infusion with β-endorphin than after saline infusion. β-endorphin decreased the latency to feed compared with saline. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, suppressed feeding behavior and increased latency to feed. These results support our hypothesis that neuropeptides associated with stress may initiate adaptive responses to natural stressors in wild species.
NLO evolution of color dipoles in N=4 SYM

The small-xB deep inelastic scattering in the saturation region is gover ned by the non-linear evolution of Wilson-line operators. In the leading logarit hmic approximation it is given by the BK equation for the evolution of color dipoles. I discuss recen t calculation of the next-to-leading order evolution of color dipoles in QCD and N = 4 SYM.
Hydrologic and Erosion Responses of Sagebrush Steppe Following Juniper Encroachment, Wildfire, and Tree Cutting

Abstract Extensive woodland expansion in the Great Basin has generated concern regarding ecological impacts of tree encroachment on sagebrush rangelands and strategies for restoring sagebrush steppe. This study used rainfall (0.5 m2 and 13 m2 scales) and concentrated flow simulations and measures of vegetation, ground cover, and soils to investigate hydrologic and erosion impacts of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) encroachment into sagebrush steppe and to evaluate short-term effects of burning and tree cutting on runoff and erosion responses. The overall effects of tree encroachment were a reduction in understory vegetation and formation of highly erodible, bare intercanopy between trees. Runoff and erosion from high-intensity rainfall (102 mm · h−1, 13 m2 plots) were generally low from unburned areas underneath tree canopies (13 mm and 48 g · m−2) and were higher from the unburned intercanopy (43 mm and 272 g · m−2). Intercanopy erosion increased linearly with runoff and exponentially wher...
Tunable RF filters based on radially loaded evanescent-mode cavity resonators

The rapid development in wireless communication technologies has resulted in evermore complex RF and microwave communication systems. A promising solution to these challenges is reconfigurable wireless communication systems whose hardware parameters, such as frequency, bandwidth, power and efficiency, can be changed to make better use of the available spectrum. Tunable filters represent integral and critical components in such systems. In particular, tunable RF bandpass filters can be used for band selection, image rejection, and elimination of out-of-band emissions. Tunable bandstop filters enable dynamic rejection of interferers, thus improving the sensitivity and dynamic range of receiver systems.
InAs quantum dot growth by APMOCVD

Although the majority of InAs quantum dots are currently grown on MBE and LPMOCVD systems, investigations into quantum dots grown by APMOCVD are virtually nonexistent. Growth parameters for InAs quantum dots using MOCVD are limited by both the pyrolysis efficiencies of the metalorganics at temperatures below 500/spl deg/C as well as monatomic hydrogen from AsH/sub 3/ possibly leading to increased surface mobilities of the InAs dots. We report on InAs quantum dots deposited on GaAs grown by APMOCVD at 450/spl deg/C.
Perspective: pre-chemistry conformational changes in DNA polymerase mechanisms

In recent papers, there has been a lively exchange concerning theories for enzyme catalysis, especially the role of protein dynamics/pre-chemistry conformational changes in the catalytic cycle of enzymes. Of particular interest is the notion that substrate-induced conformational changes that assemble the polymerase active site prior to chemistry are required for DNA synthesis and impact fidelity (i.e., substrate specificity). High-resolution crystal structures of DNA polymerase β representing intermediates of substrate complexes prior to the chemical step are available. These structures indicate that conformational adjustments in both the protein and substrates must occur to achieve the requisite geometry of the reactive participants for catalysis. We discuss computational and kinetic methods to examine possible conformational change pathways that lead from the observed crystal structure intermediates to the final structures poised for chemistry. The results, as well as kinetic data from site-directed mutagenesis studies, are consistent with models requiring pre-chemistry conformational adjustments in order to achieve high fidelity DNA synthesis. Thus, substrate-induced conformational changes that assemble the polymerase active site prior to chemistry contribute to DNA synthesis even when they do not represent actual rate-determining steps for chemistry.
Prevalence and distribution of pox-like lesions, avian malaria, and mosquito vectors in Kipahulu valley, Haleakala National Park, Hawai'i, USA

We determined prevalence and altitudinal distribution of introduced avian malarial infections (Plasmodium relictum) and pox-like lesions (Avipoxvirus) in forest birds from Kīpahulu Valley, Haleakalā National Park, on the island of Maui, and we identified primary larval habitat for the mosquito vector of this disease. This intensively managed wilderness area and scientific reserve is one of the most pristine areas of native forest remaining in the state of Hawai‘i, and it will become increasingly important as a site for restoration and recovery of endangered forest birds. Overall prevalence of malarial infections in the valley was 8% (11/133) in native species and 4% (4/101) in nonnative passerines; prevalence was lower than reported for comparable elevations and habitats elsewhere in the state. Infections occurred primarily in ‘Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) and Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi (Hemignathus virens) at elevations below 1,400 m. Pox-like lesions were detected in only two Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi (2%; 2/94) at eleva...
New analysis of beamwaveguide antennas considering the presence of the metallic tube and its experimental verification

Large beamwaveguide (BWG) type ground station antennas are usually designed using analysis that ignores the presence of the metallic tube enclosing the beamwaveguide mirrors. A novel and fundamentally more correct BWG analysis which considers the presence of the metal tube is presented. Numerical results on a two-mirror system using the analysis are compared with experimental results. A BWG was used to test the effects of the enclosing metallic tubes on the performance of BWG antennas. Measurements of the two-mirror system with and without the metal tube are found to validate the analysis. >
The application of high-level languages to single-chip digital signal processors

Strategies leading to the efficient use of high-level languages (HLLs) on single-chip digital signal processors (DSPs) are discussed. The discussion progresses from the specification of a particular algorithm, through stepwise refinements, to an optimized implementation for the DSP. For the purpose of illustration, Texas Instruments' high-performance floating-point DSP (the TMS320C30) and its optimizing C compiler are used. The execution of general-purpose code is considered. The TMS320C30 and its optimizing C compiler combine to attain 10987 Dhrystones/s. >
The gravitational settling of aerosol particles in homogeneous turbulence and random flow fields

The average settling velocity in homogeneous turbulence of a small rigid spherical particle, subject to a Stokes drag force, is shown to depend on the particle inertia and the free-fall terminal velocity in still fluid. With no inertia the particle settles on average at the same rate as in still fluid, assuming there is no mean flow. Particle inertia produces a bias in each trajectory towards regions of high strain rate or low vorticity, which affects the mean settling velocity. Results from a Gaussian random velocity field show that this produces an increased settling velocity.
Comparison of Interseeding Lespedeza with Additional Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Production and Steer Performance in a Wheat-Crabgrass Grazing System1

Abstract Grazing and subsequent finishing performance of steers (Bos taurus) grazed on a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-crabgrass [Digitaria ciliaris (Retz) Koel.] system were evaluated in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to compare interseeding lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.) with an additional application of N fertilizer. Hard red winter wheat was no-till seeded in fall 1998, 1999, and 2000 in pastures previously seeded to ‘Red River’ crabgrass. In early spring 1999, 2000, and 2001, additional crabgrass seed was broadcast over all pastures, and Korean lespedeza was no-till seeded in 4 pastures. All pastures received similar applications of fertilizer; however, 3 pastures not seeded with lespedeza received an additional 56 kg of N/ha in mid July. Wheat grazing was initiated in mid to late March of each year. Following wheat graze-out, cattle remained on the pastures and grazed crabgrass from mid May until early September. Legume cover, forage DM production, grazing steer performance, and subsequent finishing performance were measured. Available forage DM and grazing BW gains were similar (P > 0.05) between pastures fertilized with additional N and those interseeded with lespedeza. Although there were no treatment differences (P > 0.05), there were significant (P 0.05) when pastures in a wheat-crab-grass grazing system were interseeded with lespedeza or fertilized with additional N. However, there were significant (P
Memory bank aware dynamic loop scheduling

In a parallel system with multiple CPUs, one of the key problems is to assign loop iterations to processors. This problem, known as the loop scheduling problem, has been studied in the past, and several schemes, both static and dynamic, have been proposed. One of the attractive features of dynamic schemes, as compared to their static counterparts, is their ability of exploiting the latency variations across the execution times of the different loop iterations. In all the dynamic loop scheduling techniques proposed in literature so far, performance has been the primary metric of interest. In a battery-operated embedded execution environment, however, power consumption is another metric to consider during iteration-to-processor assignment. In particular, in a banked memory system, this assignment can have an important impact on memory power consumption, which can be a significant portion of the overall energy consumption, especially for data-intensive embedded applications such as those from the domain of image data processing. This paper presents a bank aware dynamic loop scheduling scheme for array-intensive embedded media applications. The goal behind this new scheduling scheme is to minimize the number of memory banks that need to be used for executing the current working set (group of loop iterations) when all processors are considered together. That is, during the loop iteration-to-processor assignment, our approach considers the bank access patterns of loop iterations and carefully selects the set of iterations to assign to an idle processor so that, if possible, the number of memory banks that are used at the current state is not increased. Our experimental results show that the proposed scheduling scheme leads to much better energy results when compared to prior loop scheduling techniques and it is also competitive with the scheduler that generates the best performance. To our knowledge, this is the first dynamic loop scheduling scheme that is memory bank aware.
Marketing locally produced foods: Consumer and farmer opinions in Washington County, Nebraska

Local food system potentials were studied in Washington County, Nebraska. As a departure from most studies of locally based systems, farmers were surveyed in addition to consumers for potential participation. Data about the current food system and opinions and preferences for local production, marketing, and purchasing of food were collected using selfadministered mail questionnaires. The response rate was 35% for the farmer survey and 37% for the consumer survey. Results indicated that, on the farming side of the food system, conventional corn and soybean production and marketing predominated in Washington County, and farmer interest in producing for local markets was low. Consumers reported a high level of interest in purchasing food from farmers’ markets, local grocery stores, local restaurants and directly from farms, and indicated a willingness to pay a price premium for local foods. They also reported that quality and taste were the most important factors in food purchase decisions, but environmentally friendly production and support for local farmers were also important. We conclude that there is tremendous potential for local marketing of farm products, but that there is a large gap between consumer demand and willingness of farmers to meet this demand. Further study of motivations and opinions of farmers is needed, in addition to determining production thresholds for the number of farms and farmers needed to meet local food demands.
Short‐Term, High‐Dose Fish Oil Supplementation Increases the Production of Omega‐3 Fatty Acid–Derived Mediators in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (the OMEGA‐PAD I Trial)

Background Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) experience significant morbidity and mortality. The OMEGA‐PAD I Trial, a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial, addressed the hypothesis that short‐duration, high‐dose n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) oral supplementation improves endothelial function and inflammation in PAD. Methods and Results Eighty patients with stable claudication received 4.4 g of fish oil or placebo for 1 month. The primary end point was endothelial function as measured by brachial artery flow‐mediated vasodilation. Secondary end points included biomarkers of inflammation, n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolome changes, lipid profile, and walking impairment questionnaires. Although there was a significant increase in FMD in the fish oil group following treatment (0.7±1.8% increase from baseline, P =0.04), this response was not different then the placebo group (0.6±2.5% increase from baseline, P =0.18; between‐group P =0.86) leading to a negative finding for the primary endpoint. There was, however, a significant reduction in triglycerides (fish oil: −34±46 mg/dL, P <0.001; placebo −10±43 mg/dL, P =0.20; between‐group differential P ‐value: 0.02), and an increase in the omega‐3 index of 4±1% ( P <0.001) in the fish oil group (placebo 0.1±0.9%, P =0.49; between‐group P <0.0001). We observed a significant increase in the production of pathway markers of specialized pro‐resolving mediators generated from n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the fish oil group. Conclusions High‐dose, short‐duration fish oil supplementation did not lead to a different response in the primary end point of endothelial function between the treatment and placebo group, but improved serum triglycerides and increased the production of downstream n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids–derived products and mediators in patients with PAD. Clinical Trial Registration URL: . Unique identifier: [NCT01310270][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01310270&atom=%2Fahaoa%2F4%2F8%2Fe002034.atom
Are chest radiographs routinely necessary following thoracostomy tube removal

Objective: Chest radiographs (CXRs) are routinely obtained at many institutions in all pediatric patients following thoracostomy tube removal to search for pneumothorax (PTX). To aid in evaluating the necessity of this practice, this study investigates whether clinical signs and symptoms may be a sensitive predictor of PTX in such patients. Materials and methods: Reports from CXRs obtained following chest tube removal in all pediatric patients (374 patients) who underwent cardiac surgery with chest tube placement over 1 year were reviewed. For cases with reported PTX, the PTX was quantified and chart review was performed to assess whether signs and symptoms of PTX preceded the CXR result. Results: Fifty-one of 374 children (13.6%) had a radiographically defined PTX within 6 h after thoracostomy tube removal. The PTX was large (>40%) in 2 children, moderate (20–40%) in 5 children, and small (<20%) in 44 children. Symptoms (dyspnea, tachypnea, respiratory distress) or signs (increased oxygen requirement, worsening arterial blood gas and/or hypotension) of respiratory distress were present at the time of the initial CXR in six of seven patients, who later underwent a major clinical intervention, and in one patient who did not. Major clinical interventions were performed in all patients with a large PTX, four of five patients with a moderate PTX, and one patient with a small PTX that later enlarged. Conclusions: Clinical signs and symptoms identified nearly all patients with significant pneumothoraces. Future prospective investigations may examine reserving chest radiography following chest tube removal for select groups, such as symptomatic patients or those with tenuous cardiovascular status.
The adwords problem: online keyword matching with budgeted bidders under random permutations

We consider the problem of a search engine trying to assign a sequence of search keywords to a set of competing bidders, each with a daily spending limit. The goal is to maximize the revenue generated by these keyword sales, bearing in mind that, as some bidders may eventually exceed their budget, not all keywords should be sold to the highest bidder. We assume that the sequence of keywords (or equivalently, of bids) is revealed on-line. Our concern will be the competitive ratio for this problem versus the off-line optimum.We extend the current literature on this problem by considering the setting where the keywords arrive in a random order. In this setting we are able to achieve a competitive ratio of 1-e under some mild, but necessary, assumptions. In contrast, it is already known that when the keywords arrive in an adversarial order, the best competitive ratio is bounded away from 1. Our algorithm is motivated by PAC learning, and proceeds in two parts: a training phase, and an exploitation phase.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF POLLUTION FORMATION IN WASTE-TO-ENERGY SYSTEMS USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

This investigation has been undertaken to better understand pollutant formation in Waste-to-Energy (WTE) systems by using Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD). An above-grate gas phase only model was built and calculated in FLUENT™ with the intent of specifically studying the factors that influence the formation of NOx . Results are shown for a typical reciprocating-grate WTE boiler operating on municipal solid waste (MSW). Contours of velocity, temperature, CO2 , CO, H2 O, and O2 agree well with previous modeling and data resulting in a high fidelity model that can be implemented in the next phase of this research. Preliminary data is shown for thermal NOx and the results are promising. The next phase of this research will include the development and implementation of detailed kinetic mechanisms (DKM) to model NOx formation with the current boiler presented as well as others with varying fuels.Copyright © 2011 by ASME