cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiences of Racial Discrimination & Relation to Violence Perpetration and Gang Involvement among a sample of Urban African American Men

Objective To examine racial discrimination and its relation to violence involvement among a sample of urban African American men. Methods Participants of this cross-sectional study were African American men (N = 703) between the ages of 18 and 65 years, recruited from four urban community health centers and two hospital-based clinics within an urban center in the Northeast. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relation of reported racial discrimination to recent perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), street violence involvement, and gang involvement. Racial discrimination was measured via 7 items assessing everyday and lifetime experiences of racial discrimination. Results In logistic regression models adjusted for age and homelessness, men reporting high levels of discrimination (scores above the sample median) were significantly more likely to report IPV perpetration (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.2–2.9) and street violence involvement (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2) as compared to men reporting lower levels of discrimination. No relation was found between experiencing discrimination and gang involvement. Conclusions Findings showcase the potential relevance of racial discrimination to efforts focused on reducing racial disparities related to violence.
Spontaneous and indicated preterm birth subtypes: interobserver agreement and accuracy of classification

Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate interobserver variability and correct classification of preterm birth into spontaneous and indicated subtypes. Study Design This was a cross-sectional study in which a trained obstetric nurse, maternal fetal medicine (MFM) fellow, and MFM faculty member independently reviewed discharge summaries and full medical records to classify preterm birth into "spontaneous" and "indicated" subtypes. Consensus classification was obtained with a senior faculty member and was considered the correct classification. Proportions of correct classification by both discharge summary and full medical record review and by level of reviewer were compared with the use of the χ 2 test. Interobserver variability was estimated with the use of Fleiss' kappa. Results Of 132 preterm births, 58.8% were spontaneous. Interrater agreement for classification of preterm birth subtype based on the full medical record review was substantial (0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.80). Interrater agreement was slightly less, based on discharge summary classification alone (Kappa, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.79) compared with a full medical record review, but this difference was not significant ( P = .3). Correct classifications for research nurse, MFM fellow, and MFM faculty member were 85%, 95%, and 93%, respectively, for the full medical records and 85%, 93%, and 92%, respectively, for the discharge summaries alone. There was no significant improvement in correct classification based on full medical record review compared with discharge summary alone for any level of reviewer ( P > .6). Conclusion There is substantial, but imperfect, agreement between reviewers for classification of preterm birth into spontaneous and indicated subtypes. Incorrect classification may occur 5-15% of the time, even with experienced research personnel. Discharge summaries that are populated with pertinent clinical data may streamline accuracy for research efficiency.
Immune and toxic anti-tumor effects of systemic and intralesional vitamin A.

Abstract Prophylactic pretreatment of BALB/c mice with ip or oral vitamin A palmitate was shown to inhibit the growth and development of the S91 melanoma in the allogeneic, histoincompatible BALB/c mouse. When S91 was transplanted in the histocompatible CDF 1 system or when MCA, a nonimmunogenic sarcoma, was transplanted in BALB/c mice, vitamin A failed to protect the mice from tumor. Vitamin A was used for intralesional injection of established tumors. Established S91 tumors in BALB/c mice were successfully treated by intralesional vitamin A or BCG. Established S91 in CDF 1 or MCA in BALB/c continued to grow despite vitamin A intralesional injections, although there was a weak effect of vitamin A intralesional injection on growing MCA tumors. Dermal cutaneous metastases in melanoma patients tended to respond to intralesional vitamin A injection if the lesions were small and superficial but not if they were large and subcutaneous. Tumor destruction in this setting appeared to be due to localized tissue necrosis produced by the injection. Immunologic effects of vitamin A in the murine system are suggested but not proved by the observation that vitamin A effects are more apparent in allogeneic rather than syngeneic host-tumor combinations and by our previous observation that ALS reduces or eliminates the protection of mice pretreated with vitamin A before inoculation of allogeneic tumor.
Analyzing Determinants of Inflation When There are Data Limitation: The Case of Sierra Leone

This paper examines the determinants of inflation in Sierra Leone using a structural vector autoregression (VAR) approach to help forecast inflation for operational purposes. Despite data limitations, the paper accurately models inflation in Sierra Leone. As economic theory predicts, domestic inflation is found to increase with higher oil prices, higher money supply, and nominal exchange rate depreciation. The paper then employs a historical decomposition approach to pinpoint the sources of a marked decline in inflation in 2006 and assesses its forecasting properties. Overall, the model serves as a useful addition to the toolkit for analyzing and forecasting inflation in countries with limited data availability.
The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on Sertoli cell junctions in vitro: a freeze-fracture study.

The mechanism(s) for the control of Sertoli cell tight junction development and orientation has not been established. We have studied the effect of FSH (5 U/ml) on tight junction formation using an organ culture technique that allows maintenance of tubular structure and viability of Sertoli cells, without the other influencing factors that are encountered in vivo . Tight junctions developed as the control organ cultures aged and consisted of extensive junctional complexes by 30–40 days in culture. Yet their development did not correspond to that seen in the maturing animal at 30 days, remaining basically unoriented. In the 30- to 40-day FSH-treated cultures the tight junctions were not only aligned parallel to one another, but were also condensed in bands at the basal part of the Sertoli cell and seemed to be oriented parallel to the myoid cell layer. These observations suggest that FSH affects the tight junctions of Sertoli cells by influencing their overall orientation. Additionally, the occurrence and possible significance of a septate-like character of the Sertoli junctions that was occasionally noted is discussed.
Privacy aware localization in VANET

Positioning or tracking in VANET is currently based on GPS. However, GPS is known to be prone to failure in case of emergencies. In addition, the current market penetration rate of GPS devices is low. Vehicles with built-in cellular communication capability are expected to be a part of the near future. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that any vehicle possesses the functionality of a mobile unit (MU). The principal contribution of this paper is the proposed novel concept that employs the existing cellular RSS measurements as the basis for position estimation in VANET in situations where GPS services are unavailable. The proposed localization technique involves sampling the signal beacons received from three base stations surrounding the mobile unit for a very small time duration. Each of the RSS samples are then mapped to a sample of distance estimates based on shadowing radio propagation model. The medians of the generated distance sets are then used by a state of the art technique to produce a final location estimate. One of the important contributions of this work is justifying the selection of median over mean. An extremely small sampling duration negates the impact of mobile unit movement while the median selection neutralizes the deviation caused by time varying radio channel characteristics. All computation is restricted to mobile unit, thereby ensuring privacy. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Penile cancer Clinicopathologic study of 64 cases

Abstract The clinical records of 64 patients with penile cancer admitted to the urologic services at the Presbyterian and Francis Delafield Hospitals from 1947 through 1969 have been reviewed. The pertinent data are analyzed and included in this report. The relationship between cancer of the penis and phimosis, and age and race are discussed. The treatment of choice was partial or total penectomy followed by external radiotherapy. Radical dissection of the inguinal lymph nodes did not seem to improve results while it contributed to increased morbidity. Survival rates were evaluated according to the types and stages of penile cancer, as well as to the methods of treatment. The over-all five-year survival rate was 49 per cent. Autopsy studies in 9 patients who died of penile cancer revealed the inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes were involved in 8 patients.
The retrohoming of linear group II intron RNAs in Drosophila melanogaster occurs by both DNA ligase 4-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Mobile group II introns are bacterial retrotransposons that are thought to have invaded early eukaryotes and evolved into introns and retroelements in higher organisms. In bacteria, group II introns typically retrohome via full reverse splicing of an excised intron lariat RNA into a DNA site, where it is reverse transcribed by the intron-encoded protein. Recently, we showed that linear group II intron RNAs, which can result from hydrolytic splicing or debranching of lariat RNAs, can retrohome in eukaryotes by performing only the first step of reverse splicing, ligating their 3′ end to the downstream DNA exon. Reverse transcription then yields an intron cDNA, whose free end is linked to the upstream DNA exon by an error-prone process that yields junctions similar to those formed by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Here, by using Drosophila melanogaster NHEJ mutants, we show that linear intron RNA retrohoming occurs by major Lig4-dependent and minor Lig4-independent mechanisms, which appear to be related to classical and alternate NHEJ, respectively. The DNA repair polymerase θ plays a crucial role in both pathways. Surprisingly, however, mutations in Ku70, which functions in capping chromosome ends during NHEJ, have only moderate, possibly indirect effects, suggesting that both Lig4 and the alternate end-joining ligase act in some retrohoming events independently of Ku. Another potential Lig4-independent mechanism, reverse transcriptase template switching from the intron RNA to the upstream exon DNA, occurs in vitro, but gives junctions differing from the majority in vivo. Our results show that group II introns can utilize cellular NHEJ enzymes for retromobility in higher organisms, possibly exploiting mechanisms that contribute to retrotransposition and mitigate DNA damage by resident retrotransposons. Additionally, our results reveal novel activities of group II intron reverse transcriptases, with implications for retrohoming mechanisms and potential biotechnological applications.
Theoretical analysis of the maximum heat transport in triangular grooves : A study of idealized micro heat pipes

A mathematical model for predicting the minimum meniscus radius and the maximum heat transport in triangular grooves is presented. In this model, a method for determining the theoretical minimum meniscus radius was developed and used to calculate the capillary heat transport limit based on the physical characteristics and geometry of the capillary grooves. A control volume technique was employed to determine the flow characteristics of the micro heat pipe, in an effort to incorporate the size and shape of the grooves and the effects of the frictional liquid-vapor interaction. In order to compare the heat transport and flow characteristics, a hydraulic diameter, which incorporated these effects, was defined and the resulting model was solved numerically. The results indicate that the heat transport capacity of micro heat pipes is strongly dependent on the apex channel angle of the liquid arteries, the contact angle of the liquid flow, the length of the heat pipe, the vapor flow velocity and characteristics, and the tilt angle. The analysis presented here provides a mechanism whereby the groove geometry can be optimized with respect to these parameters in order to obtain the maximum heat transport capacity for micro heat pipes utilizing axial grooves as the capillary structure.
Chinese American Middle School Youths' Experiences of Discrimination and Stereotyping

This study examined Chinese American youths' perceptions of their non-Asian peers' views and behaviors toward them. In 4 focus groups, 22 Chinese Americans (ages 11 to 15) described specific relational experiences that were analyzed thematically. Three major themes related to racial discrimination emerged: (1) descriptions of stereotyping experiences; (2) descriptions of harassment or discriminatory experiences; and (3) meaning-making or explanations of why discrimination and stereotyping occur. These data can help guide future research on Asian American youths' peer relationships to gain insight into their experiences, reactions to, and understanding of subtle yet potent forms of discrimination. Implications for future research and intervention are also discussed.
System development and technology aspects of the IBM 3081 processor complex

The IBM 3081 Processor Complex consists of a 3081 Processor Unit and supporting units for processor control, power, and cooling. The Processor Unit, completely implemented in LSI technology, has a dyadic organization of two central processors, each with a 26-ns machine cycle time, and executes System/370 instructions at approximately twice the rate of the IBM 3033. This paper presents an overview of the advances in technology and in the design process, as well as enhancements in the system design that were associated with the development of the IBM 3081. Application of LSI technology to the design of the 3081 Processor Unit, which contains almost 800 000 logic circuits, required extensions to silicon device packaging, interconnection, and cooling technologies. A key achievement in the 3081 is the incorporation of the thermal conduction module (TCM), which contains as many as 45 000 logic circuits, provides a cooling capacity of up to 300 W, and allows the elimination of one complete level of packaging--the card level. Reliability and serviceability objectives required new approaches to error detection and fault isolation. Innovations in system packaging and organization, and extensive design verification by software and hardware models, led to the realization of the increased performance characteristics of the system.
Distribution of trimethyltin in various tissues of the male mouse

Abstract Trimethyltin (TMT) levels were determined in various tissues of male mice at 1,2, 4, 6, 10 and 16 h after administration (4.26 mg/kg; i.p.). Peak TMT levels in kidneys, liver, blood, lungs and testes were observed at 1 h following administration. Penetration into the brain, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was also observed where maximum TMT levels were achieved 6–16 h following administration. 16 h post-treatment, the order of mean tissue concentrations, of the compound was: liver > testes > kidneys > lungs > brain > skeletal muscle > adipose tissue > blood. TMT was retained at peak levels in most tissues until, by 16 h, the animals exhibited tremors and convulsions followed by death. The mean concentration of TMT in the brain associated with delayed (central nervous system) (CNS) excitability at 16 h was 1.53 μg/g, of wet tissue. These results indicate that TMT rapidly distributes and, although water-soluble, persists in tissues following an i.p. administration.
Monoclonal Antibodies Specific to Tobacco Budworm and Bollworm Eggs

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F), and bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), eggs were established. These MAbs were tested against all tobacco budworm or bollworm life stages by enzyme-linked immunosobent assay (ELISA). The MAb for tobacco budworm is specific only to budworm egg and adult female antigens, and the MAb for bollworm is specific only to bollworm egg antigen. Eggs of other lepidopterous species tested by ELISA did not react to the species-specific bollworm or budworm MAbs. Eggs from feral insect populations were tested to determine specificity of MAbs, and no cross-reactivity was observed between bollworm and budworm eggs. This highly species-specific characteristic of MAb for bollworm or budworm eggs can be used to distinguish each of these 2 important pests and, thus, help in insecticide selection decisions and insecticide resistance management.
Spatio‐temporal variation of salt marsh seedling establishment in relation to the abiotic and biotic environment

Contrary to our expectations, soil salinity and mois- ture explained little of the spatial variation in plant establishment in the upper intertidal marsh of three southern California wet- lands, but did explain the timing of germination. Seedlings of 27 species were identified in 1996 and 1997. The seedlings were abundant (maximum densities of 2143/m 2 in 1996 and 1819/m 2 in 1997) and predominantly annual species. CCAs quantified the spatial variation in seedling density that could be explained by three groups of predictor variables: (1) perennial plant cover, elevation and soil texture (16% of variation), (2) wetland identity (14% of variation) and (3) surface soil salinity and moisture (2% of variation). Increasing the spatial scale of analysis changed the variables that best predicted patterns of species densities. Timing of germination depended on surface soil salinity and, to a lesser extent, soil moisture. Germination occurred after salinity had dropped below a threshold or, in some cases, after moisture had increased above a critical level. Between 32% and 92% of the seedlings were exotic and most of these occurred at lower soil salinity than native species. However, Parapholis incurva and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum were found in the same envi- ronments as the native species. In 1997, the year of a strong El Nino/Southern Oscillation event with high rainfall and sea lev- els, the elevation distribution of species narrowed and densities of P. incurva and other exotic species decreased but densities of native and rare species did not change. The 'regeneration niche' of wetland plant communities includes the effects of multiple abiotic and biotic factors on both the spatial and temporal varia- tions in plant establishment.
Physician failure to record alcohol use history when prescribing benzodiazepines

The purpose of this pilot study was (1) to determine the proportion of patients in an ambulatory medical clinic who have an alcohol history recorded when prescribed benzodiazepines, and (2) to assess the adequacy of the alcohol history when obtained. Medical records of 35 outpatients who obtained prescriptions for benzodiazepines at a large inner-city teaching hospital medical clinic were audited. In none of the records was there evidence that the physician had sufficient knowledge of the patient's alcohol use to safely prescribe a benzodiazepine. In 57% of the records, no information about alcohol use was recorded. In the remaining 15 medical records, the information recorded was limited. The implications of prescribing benzodiazepines without knowledge of drinking status are discussed.
Dynamic label binding at run-time

Information flow control allows enforcement of end-to-end confidentiality policies but has been difficult to put in practice. This paper introduces a pragmatic new approach for tracking information flow while the process is running at the same time applying dynamic label binding. The underlying implementation mechanism uses machine code instruction stream modification to track individual data movements and manipulations within the address space of an application. This gives the ability to precisely determine all information flow causing operations and apply controls that do not overly restrict what computations can be performed.
Synoptic conditions related to soil moisture‐atmosphere interactions and unorganized convection in Oklahoma

Atmospheric modification by anomalously dry or wet soils can both enhance and suppress convective activity. However, the local- and meso-scale feedbacks governing soil moisture–precipitation coupling are embedded within the larger synoptic-scale environment. Despite their importance, synoptic-scale atmospheric conditions are rarely considered in studies examining soil moisture-atmosphere interactions. We combine self-organizing maps (SOMs) of 500 hPa geopotential height, spatial synoptic classification, and Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model air mass trajectories to determine if the synoptic-scale environment affects the ability of the land surface to force unorganized convection in Oklahoma. We identify several synoptic patterns that significantly impact the frequency of unorganized convection. Synoptic patterns characterized by mid-level troughs over the Southern Great Plains are less frequently associated with unorganized convective events. These patterns exhibit cool air advection in the mid- and lower-levels of the atmosphere, and are linked to suppression of convective activity. The synoptic patterns characterized by 500 hPa ridging over the study region are more frequently associated with unorganized convective events. These patterns likely result in increased net radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and more homogenously dry soils. Unorganized convective events that occur during these synoptic conditions initiate preferentially over dry soils. We present evidence that the synoptic-scale environment can influence whether and how the land surface has an impact on convection.
A Coding Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in Lysine Demethylase KDM4A Associates with Increased Sensitivity to mTOR Inhibitors

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur within chromatin-modulating factors; however, little is known about how these variants within the coding sequence impact cancer progression or treatment. Therefore, there is a need to establish their biochemical and/or molecular contribution, their use in sub-classifying patients and their impact on therapeutic response. In this report, we demonstrate that coding SNP-A482 within the lysine tri-demethylase KDM4A/JMJD2A has different allelic frequencies across ethnic populations, associates with differential outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and promotes KDM4A protein turnover. Using an unbiased drug screen against 87 preclinical and clinical compounds, we demonstrate that homozygous SNP-482 cells have increased mTOR inhibitor sensitivity. mTOR inhibitors significantly reduce SNP-A482 protein levels, which parallels the increased drug sensitivity observed with KDM4A depletion. Our data emphasize the importance of using variant status as candidate biomarkers and highlight the importance of studying SNPs in chromatin modifiers to achieve better targeted therapy.
Redox kinetics of the peroxydisulfate–iron–sulfoxylate system

Inhibition kinetics were used to study the peroxydisulfate–iron–sulfoxylate redox initiation system. Onset of polymerization was detected by a thermometric technique permitting accurate measurement of short inhibition periods. Rate constants were derived from the inhibition periods by using an analog simulation. A good fit of calculated to observed results was obtained, based on a simple model, for experiments in ammonia buffer (pH ca 10). In bicarbonate buffer (pH ca 8.5), however, the same simple model was inadequate; additional involvement of iron is indicated. Evidence was found that the reduction of ferric versenate by sulfoxylate yields a free radical, tentatively (HCHO)SO2·. Absolute rates of radical generation were calculated.
Telomere dysfunction promotes genome instability and metastatic potential in a K-ras p53 mouse model of lung cancer

Current mouse models of lung cancer recapitulate signature genetic lesions and some phenotypic features of human lung cancer. However, because mice have long telomeres, models to date do not recapitulate the aspects of lung carcinogenesis-telomere attrition and the genomic instability that ensues-believed to serve as key mechanisms driving lung tumor initiation and progression. To explore the contributions of telomere dysfunction to lung cancer progression, we combined a telomerase catalytic subunit (mTerc) mutation with the well-characterized K-rasG12D mouse lung cancer model. K-ras(G12D) mTerc(-/-) mice with telomere dysfunction but intact p53 exhibited increased lung epithelial apoptosis, delayed tumor formation and increased life span relative to K-ras(G12D) mTerc(+/-) mice with intact telomere function. This demonstrates that by itself, telomere dysfunction acts in a tumor-suppressive mechanism. Introduction of a heterozygous p53 mutation exerted a marked histopathological, biological and genomic impact. K-ras(G12D) mTerc(-/-) p53(+/-) mice developed aggressive tumors with more chromosomal instabilities and high metastatic potential, leading to decreased overall survival. Thus, we have generated a murine model that more faithfully recapitulates key aspects of the human disease. Furthermore, these findings clearly demonstrate (in an in vivo model system) the dual nature of telomere shortening as both a tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting mechanism in lung cancer, dependent on p53 status.
ON THE DIFFUSIBILITY OF THE CALCIUM OF BLOOD SERUM THROUGH COLLODION MEMBRANES : THE EFFECT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND CHANGES IN HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION.

1. Serum calcium is completely diffusible through collodion membranes in 0.8 per cent NaCl at a pH of 7.4. 2. About 55 to 75 per cent of serum Ca is diffusible through collodion membranes in distilled water at a pH of 7.4. 3. Serum Ca is completely diffusible when dialyzed against HCl at a pH of 2.5.
A study of gas mixtures for the Atlas MDT

Results of a gas study for the ATLAS Monitored Drift Tubes (MDT) are reported. The electron drift velocity, Lorentz angle and tube radius to drift time relations are calculated for selected gas mixtures by using the CERN drift chamber simulation code GARFIELD/MAGBOLTZ. The drift tube efficiency, gas gain, avalanche size and self-quenching streamer (SQS) mode fraction as functions of anode voltage are measured by using radioactive sources. Discussions of the results, including effects of nitrogen and water vapor, are presented.
Effect of a cage divider permitting social stimuli on stress and food intake in rats

ARTICLE I NFO RIA HPLC Glucocorticoids Catecholamines Housing Rodent Enrichment Animal welfare Husbandry The need to obtain data from individual laboratory animals has forced many researchers to singly-house small animals. This is costly to the researcher and isolation can adversely affect animal physiology and behavior which in turn may threaten the validity and generalization of experiment results to humans. We assessed the practical use of a housing device - dubbed "Buddy Barrier" (BB) - that allows social stimulation in a paired- housing situation while at the same time permitting the collection of individual measures that traditionally require individual-housing. To assess stress responses to the BB, adult male rats were single or pair-housed for several days with and without a BB in the cage. Fecal corticosterone metabolites (fCORT), food intake and body weight were monitored daily. Plasma CORT and adrenal catecholamine levels were assessed at the end of the housing manipulation. Stress hormone measures did not differ in paired vs. singly-housed rats and paired rats quickly habituated to introduction and removal of the BB. Barring a trend for paired rats to eat more in the first 4 h of the dark, there was no difference in 24 h intakes or body weight gain between singly and paired-housed rats.While theBBattenuated 24hintakes inbothgroups, intakes normalized tonon-BB conditions bythethird
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, exercise, and health in college students.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have consistently been associated with poorer health in highly traumatized samples. However, less is known about the relationship between PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and health in nonclinical groups. Because exercise contributes to health, we hypothesized that PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms would be related to poorer health status, in part, through their association with lower exercise. We examined this in a sample of 200 undergraduates. Health status variables included functional health and negative health symptoms. Results indicated that greater PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer health status, and exercise mediated these relationships, in most cases. This study has implications for future research examining the effects of PTSD and depressive symptoms on health.
''Do Something'' Politics and Double-Peaked Policy Preferences

When a public problem is perceived to be poorly addressed by current policy, it is often the case that credible alternative policies are proposed to both the status quo’s left and right. Specially designed national surveys show that in circumstances like these, many Americans’ preferences are not single-peaked on the standard left-right dimension. Rather, they simply want the government to “do something” about the problem and therefore prefer both liberal and conservative policies to the moderate status quo. This produces individual and collective preferences that are double-peaked with respect to the left-right dimension. Double-peakedness is less prevalent on issues where no consensus exists regarding policy goals, and it increases when exogenous events raise the public’s concern about the seriousness of a policy problem.
FORAMINIFERA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY OUTFALL AREA, CALIFORNIA1

Foraminifera are sparse beneath the sewage field of the Los Angeles County outfall; segments of an abundance aureole are peripheral to the field and contain from 50 to 500 times as many tests as beneath the field. A zone without live specimens occurs beneath part of the sewage field; excepting for the dead zone, hyaline species are more than 8 times as abundant as arenaceous and porcelaneous species in living populations of the entire outfall area. Planktonic/benthic ratios are singularly high in the outfall area; planktonic foraminifera increase in numbers abruptly from very low values on the shelf to about 100/g in the upper bathyal zone; somewhat higher values occur near the outfall. Species thriving within the outfall area include Bulimina marginata denudata, Buliminella elegantissima, and Discorbis columbiensis.
Cooling and amplifying micro-mechanical motion with light

Summary form only given. In this paper, we review recent demonstrations of both mechanical amplification and cooling by radiation pressure forces in micron-scale toroidal resonators and also in silicon cantilever-based resonators. These devices contain high-Q optical modes in coexistence with high-Q mechanical modes.
Crafting a usable microkernel, processor, and I/O system with strict and provable information flow security

High assurance systems used in avionics, medical implants, and cryptographic devices often rely on a small trusted base of hardware and software to manage the rest of the system. Crafting the core of such a system in a way that achieves flexibility, security, and performance requires a careful balancing act. Simple static primitives with hard partitions of space and time are easier to analyze formally, but strict approaches to the problem at the hardware level have been extremely restrictive, failing to allow even the simplest of dynamic behaviors to be expressed. Our approach to this problem is to construct a minimal but configurable architectural skeleton. This skeleton couples a critical slice of the low level hardware implementation with a microkernel in a way that allows information flow properties of the entire construction to be statically verified all the way down to its gate-level implementation. This strict structure is then made usable by a runtime system that delivers more traditional services (e.g. communication interfaces and long-living contexts) in a way that is decoupled from the information flow properties of the skeleton. To test the viability of this approach we design, test, and statically verify the information-flow security of a hardware/software system complete with support for unbounded operation, inter-process communication, pipelined operation, and I/O with traditional devices. The resulting system is provably sound even when adversaries are allowed to execute arbitrary code on the machine, yet is flexible enough to allow caching, pipelining, and other common case optimizations.
A new method for determining gastric acid output using a wireless pH-sensing capsule.

Summary Background Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastric acid hypersecretion respond well to suppression of gastric acid secretion. However, clinical management and research in diseases of acid secretion have been hindered by the lack of a non-invasive, accurate and reproducible tool to measure gastric acid output (GAO). Thus, symptoms or, in refractory cases, invasive testing may guide acid suppression therapy. Aim To present and validate a novel, non-invasive method of GAO analysis in healthy subjects using a wireless pH sensor, SmartPill (SP) (SmartPill Corporation, Buffalo, NY, USA). Methods Twenty healthy subjects underwent conventional GAO studies with a nasogastric tube. Variables impacting liquid meal-stimulated GAO analysis were assessed by modelling and in vitro verification. Buffering capacity of Ensure Plus was empirically determined. SP GAO was calculated using the rate of acidification of the Ensure Plus meal. Gastric emptying scintigraphy and GAO studies with radiolabelled Ensure Plus and SP assessed emptying time, acidification rate and mixing. Twelve subjects had a second SP GAO study to assess reproducibility. Results Meal-stimulated SP GAO analysis was dependent on acid secretion rate and meal-buffering capacity, but not on gastric emptying time. On repeated studies, SP GAO strongly correlated with conventional basal acid output (BAO) (r = 0.51, P = 0.02), maximal acid output (MAO) (r = 0.72, P = 0.0004) and peak acid output (PAO) (r = 0.60, P = 0.006). The SP sampled the stomach well during meal acidification. Conclusions SP GAO analysis is a non-invasive, accurate and reproducible method for the quantitative measurement of GAO in healthy subjects. SP GAO analysis could facilitate research and clinical management of GERD and other disorders of gastric acid secretion.
Routing protocols for vehicular Ad Hoc networks in rural areas

Research on vehicular ad hoc networks has focused mainly on efficient routing protocol design under conditions where there are relatively large numbers of closely spaced vehicles. These routing protocols are designed principally for urban areas with high node density and fully connected networks and are not suitable for packet delivery in a sparse, partially connected VANET. In this article, we examine the challenges of VANETs in sparse network conditions, review alternatives including epidemic routing, and propose a border node-based routing protocol for partially connected VANETs. The BBR protocol can tolerate network partition due to low node density and high node mobility. The performance of epidemic routing and BBR are evaluated with a geographic and traffic information- based mobility model that captures typical highway conditions. The simulation results show that under rural network conditions, a limited flooding protocol such as BBR performs well and offers the advantage of not relying on a location service required by other protocols proposed for VANETs.
Toward a Maya Theology of Liberation: The Reformulation of a “Traditional” Religion in the Global Context

This paper describes the theology or, more accurately, the cosmology of a particular version of Maya religion in highland Guatemala. This version is consciously drawn from the ancient Maya tradition, especially the Pop Wuj (Popol Vuh), often called the Mayan Bible, but it incorporates other ideas and elements as well, including such modern ideas as inclusivity and freedom of membership. Thus while not directly influenced by liberation theology, it offers a potential alternative to it in its synthesis of the traditional and the modern. As in most indigenous religions, it considers the natural world to be sacred, and emphasizes the strong connections between the natural and the supernatural, between earth and the cosmos, and between the living and the dead. But it also presents a moral vision and a path of liberation from the harmful trends of ecological destruction and social disintegration that are such a part of the contemporary world. Finally, although it is deeply rooted in the local, it is also oriented toward the larger world, as its message and its practice are open to anyone, irrespective of nation of origin, ethnicity, or residence.
Plasma Contacting - An Enabling Technology

An experimental study of plasma contacting with an emphasis on the electron collection mode of this process is described. Results illustrating variations in plasma property profiles and potential differences that develop at hollow cathode plasma contactors are presented. A model of the electron collection plasma contacting process that is consistent with experimentally measured results is reviewed. The shortcomings of laboratory results as direct predictors of contactor performance in space and their usefulness in validating numerical models of the contacting process, that can be used to predict such performance, are discussed.
In vivo Persistence of DNA Triple Helices Containing Psoralen-conjugated Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Triple helices represent an attractive method for modulating specific gene expression. In particular, cross-linking between a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) and its duplex DNA target, typically through the formation of psoralen photoadducts, allows efficient blocking of elongation by RNA polymerases in vitro. However, in vivo, this approach is limited by DNA repair of the photoadduct. Here we describe the use of an oligodeoxyribonucleotide 19mer psoralen-modified TFO to form covalent linkages between an oligonucleotide and both strands of the targeted duplex DNA, thereby efficiently blocking expression of a luciferase reporter gene. Most importantly, we demonstrate that both the psoralen cross-link and the purine-motif triplex remained intact for at least 72 h post-transfection, indicating that such species can persist for an extended period of time in vivo. These findings support the feasibility of an antigene approach for the therapeutic regulation of specific gene expression.
The Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft system

The Atmosphere Explorer Spacecraft incorporates an orbiting aeronomy laboratory designed to operate in the lower thermosphere. A three-axis stabilized platform capable of operating over a wide range of orbital altitudes, inclinations, solar aspect angles, and spin rates satisfies the science requirements for instrument orientation. An on-board propulsion subsystem allows operations at low-perigee altitudes without severe limitation of orbital lifetime. Programmable high-speed digital command and data handling, together with power supplied by solar cells and batteries, allows the spacecraft to be operated remotely in daylight or darkness. This configuration of spacecraft support subsystems fulfills the requirements for the various phases of the scientific mission.
The Cost of Bringing a Radiopharmaceutical to the Patient's Bedside

The approval of new imaging agents has slowed, much as for therapeutic drugs. Schering and Amersham, for instance, each spent about $150 million a year for the period 1999–2004 on imaging agent research but did not get one new drug or significant indication approved in the United States as a
SO-CALLED BURIED BUMPER SYNDROME FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY-REPORT OF TWO CASES-

経皮内視鏡的胃瘻造設術(percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy以下PEG)後に胃瘻チューブ先端のバンパーが腹壁内に埋没する,いわゆるburied bumper syndrome (以下BBS) の2例を経験したため報告した. 症例1は90歳,男性.脳梗塞のため嚥下困難となりPEGが施行された.その後,食事摂取が可能になってきたため胃瘻チューブをGastrobutton®へ交換した.発熱,胃瘻からの排膿が出現し当科受診.腹部CTにて腹壁内に埋没したバンパーを認めBBSと診断した.経皮的にGastrobutton®を抜去し症状は改善した.症例2は73歳,男性.脳出血のため嚥下困難となりPEGが施行された.胃瘻チューブからの注入不良,胃瘻周囲の発赤,腫脹が出現し当科受診.腹部CT,瘻孔造影所見からBBSと診断した.経皮的に胃瘻チューブを抜去し中心静脈栄養を開始した.その後すみやかに症状は改善し,後日,別の部位にPEGを施行した.
The Emerging Threat Environment and the Impact on Nuclear Preparedness

The emerging threat environment is dominated by several critical factors that will have significant consequences on the global security environment along with commensurate impacts on nuclear preparedness. The combination of dissolution of nation states into culturally and ethnically aligned entities, the reduction of military presence in the Middle East resulting from the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, the likelihood of Iran becoming a nuclear weapon state and the recent Russian aggression in Crimea and Ukraine give rise to a geopolitical and associated threat environment that is unprecedented in recent history. This paper explores these factors and identifies some the potential security impacts as well as the likely consequences or challenges to nuclear security and preparedness. Lastly, proposed next steps for the U.S. and NATO/Europe are provided as a means to initiate a dialogue to protect against and mitigate the effects generated by these global factors.
Compressive high speed flow microscopy with motion contrast(Conference Presentation)

High-speed continuous imaging systems are constrained by analog-to-digital conversion, storage, and transmission. However, real video signals of objects such as microscopic cells and particles require only a few percent or less of the full video bandwidth for high fidelity representation by modern compression algorithms. Compressed Sensing (CS) is a recent influential paradigm in signal processing that builds real-time compression into the acquisition step by computing inner products between the signal of interest and known random waveforms and then applying a nonlinear reconstruction algorithm. Here, we extend the continuous high-rate photonically-enabled compressed sensing (CHiRP-CS) framework to acquire motion contrast video of microscopic flowing objects. We employ chirp processing in optical fiber and high-speed electro-optic modulation to produce ultrashort pulses each with a unique pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) spectral pattern with 325 features per pulse at the full laser repetition rate (90 MHz). These PRBS-patterned pulses serve as random structured illumination inside a one-dimensional (1D) spatial disperser. By multiplexing the PRBS patterns with a user-defined repetition period, the difference signal y_i=phi_i (x_i - x_{i-tau}) can be computed optically with balanced detection, where x is the image signal, phi_i is the PRBS pattern, and tau is the repetition period of the patterns. Two-dimensional (2D) image reconstruction via iterative alternating minimization to find the best locally-sparse representation yields an image of the edges in the flow direction, corresponding to the spatial and temporal 1D derivative. This provides both a favorable representation for image segmentation and a sparser representation for many objects that can improve image compression.
Novel agents in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma: Biological basis and clinical results

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of B cells that commonly has a favorable prognosis when treated with either combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or chemotherapy alone. However, the prognosis for patients who relapse, or have evidence for refractory disease, is poor and new treatments are needed for patients with progressive disease. HL has a unique tumor microenvironment consisting of a predominance of inflammatory cells and a minority of malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. This unique biology provides an opportunity for novel therapy approaches that either specifically target the malignant HRS cell or target the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. New therapies including antibody drug conjugates targeting CD30, small molecule inhibitors that inhibit critical cell signaling pathways, monoclonal antibodies that block immune checkpoints, or agents that modulate the immune microenvironment have all recently been tested in HL with significant clinical activity. Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing testing these agents in the relapsed and refractory setting but also in earlier phases of therapy often in combination with more standard treatment.
Potential anticoagulant drug interactions in ambulatory patients

Computer-generated prescription drug purchase records for ambulatory patients receiving oral anticoagulants (OAC) were studied for concomitant use of other drugs which have been reported to induce clinically significant interactions. One third of 479 patients taking OAC were exposed to a potentially interacting drug at some time during this 6-month period. The percentage of patients with drug interaction exposure correlated directly with total drug use (p less than 0.0005). There were no significant differences when interaction exposure rates were compared in the cases of single : multiple pharmacy and single : multiple physician-patient groups. Warfarin was the most common anticoagulant (greater than 95%) and barbiturates the most common interacting drug.