cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incompressive cake filtration: Mechanism, parameters, and modeling

Improved models developed verify interpretation and prediction of incompressible filter cake thickness, filtrate volume, and rate data for linear and radial filtration cases at static and dynamic conditions. Based on the methods for determining model parameters from experimental filtration data, three sets of experimental data were analyzed, which demonstrate the diagnostic and predictive capabilities of the model. These models provide insight into the mechanism of incompressible cake filtration and offer practical means of interpreting experimental data, estimating the model parameters and simulating the linear and radial filtration processes.
Solar Wind Control of Jupiter's H+3Auroras

Abstract A program of observations of Jupiter's H+3auroras was conducted during the first 4 months of 1992, a period that spanned the Ulysses encounter. Daily variations of auroral intensity are small in magnitude (∼20%) and well correlated with variations in the solar wind ram pressure arriving at Jupiter. A much larger (factor of 3) time variation is observed to occur on a time scale of approximately 2 months. During the first 2 months of observation, the inferred total intrinsic intensity of the northern aurora exceeded that of the southern aurora by a factor of 2. Throughout the latter 2 months, characterized by less intense auroral activity, the intensity of the northern aurora was comparable to that of the southern aurora.
Moral Responsibility and Foundationalism

If an individual is morally responsible, then there is a responsibility-foundation that makes him morally responsible, but there is no responsibility-foundation that makes him responsible. This rested on the notion that if there were a responsibility-foundation, it would be either an ungrounded choice or an ungrounded character state and that neither can serve as the foundation. The paper then considered three types of objections. First, moral responsibility does not require a responsibility-foundation. Second, a character state can serve as the foundation. Third, we know people are responsible even if we don't know what the foundation is. These objections fail.
Development of Hybrid Silver-Coated Gold Nanostars for Nonaggregated Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

In the ongoing search for ever-brighter surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobes, gold nanostars (AuNSs) have emerged as one of the best geometries for producing SERS in a nonaggregated state. Despite their high enhancement factor, optical extinction from plasmon-matched nanoparticles can greatly attenuate the overall SERS intensity. Herein, we report the development of a new hybrid bimetallic NS-based platform that exhibits superior resonant SERS (SERRS) properties. In this new nanoplatform, coating AuNSs with a subtotal layer of silver (AuNS@Ag) can further increase their SERRS brightness by an order of magnitude when being interrogated by an off-resonant excitation source. Silica-encapsulated AuNS@Ag nanoprobes were injected intradermally into a rat pelt, where SERRS was readily detected with higher signal-to-noise than nanoprobes prepared from AuNS. Moreover, these off-resonance AuNS@Ag nanoprobes did not cause any gross photothermal damage to tissue, which was observed with the plasmon-matched AuNSs. This novel SERRS-active hybrid nanoprobe exhibits high SERRS brightness and offers promising properties for future applications in sensing and molecular imaging.
TH‐B‐342‐01: X‐Ray Imaging Dose to Patients in the Era of Image‐Guided Radiation Therapy

Image‐guidedradiation therapy(IGRT) makes it possible to locate the treatment target before each radiationdose is delivered while the patient is in the treatment position. It not only minimizes the volume of normal tissue exposed to radiation during treatment but also ensures adequate dose to the treatment target. With the advance of technology, IGRT has emerged as the new paradigm in radiotherapy. The increased clinical availability of new emerging imaging procedures, such as cone beam CT, has resulted in a dramatic growth in its usage and therefore, IGRT procedures may also entail new risk to radiosensitive organs. Unlike diagnostic imaging in radiology, image‐guided procedures are performed much more frequently or daily. Knowledge of radiationdose to patients and accurate dosimetry of radiationdose to organs from each imaging procedure is becoming increasingly important for clinicians as information to consider in making informed decisions regarding the increased dose to radiosensitive organs. This lecture will provide an overview of the commonly used image‐guided rocedures and discuss recent advances in the accurate dosimetry for these imaging procedures, especially for emerging cone beam CT scans. The x‐ray imaging procedures in radiotherapy include megavoltage electronic portal imaging (MV EPI), kilovoltage digital radiography (kV DR), megavoltage cone‐beam CT (MV‐CBCT) and kilovoltage cone‐beam CT (kV‐CBCT). Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the commonly used image‐guided procedures in radiation therapy and differences between diagnostic x‐ray imaging and image‐guidanceimaging. 2. Obtain a prospective view about radiationdoses to organs from each image‐guided procedure, especially cone beam CT. 3. Learn the large variations between dose to bone (or bone marrow) and dose to soft tissues for x‐rays at kilovoltage energy range.
Volatile Leaf and Stem Oil of Commercial Limnophila chinensis (Osb.) Merrill ssp. aromatica (Lam.) Yamazaki (Scrophulariaceae)

Abstract The essential oil of the leaves and stems of Limnophila chinensis ssp. aromatica collected from a North American market and examined by GC/MS was dominated by 53.12±2.91% limonene and 12.19±1.29% cis-4-caranone (3-caranone). This is the first report of trans- and cis-4-caranone in a natural essential oil.
The N-terminal segment of recombinant porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase participates in the allosteric regulation of catalysis.

Abstract Residues 1–10 of porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) are poorly ordered or are in different conformations, sensitive to the state of ligation of the enzyme. Deletion of the first 10 residues of FBPase reducesk cat by 30-fold and Mg2+ affinity by 20-fold and eliminates cooperativity in Mg2+ activation. Although a fluorescent analogue of AMP binds with high affinity to the truncated enzyme, AMP itself potently inhibits only 50% of the enzyme activity. Additional inhibition occurs only when the concentration of AMP exceeds 10 mm. Deletion of the first seven residues reduces k cat and Mg2+ affinity significantly but has no effect on AMP inhibition. The mutation of Asp9 to alanine reproduces the weakened affinity for Mg2+ observed in the deletion mutants, and the mutation of Ile10 to aspartate reproduces the AMP inhibition of the 10-residue deletion mutant. Changes in the relative stability of the known conformational states for loop 52–72, in response to changes in the quaternary structure of FBPase, can account for the phenomena above. Some aspects of the proposed model may be relevant to all forms of FBPase, including the thioredoxin-regulated FBPase from the chloroplast.
Early embryology of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract The Aedes aegypti egg at oviposition consists of a typical cytoplasm-yolk matrix. Neither a periplasm nor a vitelline membrane is present at this time. Fusion of male and female nuclei occurs by the end of 1 hr with the first and second mitotic divisions occurring between the first and second hr. Asynchronous division mitotic nuclei begins by hr 3. Peripheral migration of cleavage energids starts at hr 4, and a syncytial blastoderm is formed by 6 hr. Cellularization of the blastoderm is completed by 10 hr. Formation of pole cells begins at the 3 hr, and intact cells are obvious an hour later. These cells can be seen outside the blastoderm from 5 through 10 hr. The number of pole cells is 14–16. Yolk cells form simultaneously with the pole cells at hr 3. Both primary and secondary vitellophages are observed. The germ band is formed by 9 hr. Columnar cells of the ventral blastoderm form the embryo proper while the ventrolateral cells form the amnion. Dorsal blastodermal cells form the serosa. The pole cells enter the blastoderm at the 11 hr and migrate with the germ band during dorsal elongation. Inward migration of presumptive mesodermal cells takes place at 12 hr. A gastrular groove is not formed. Segmentation commences at 15 hr and by 20 hr, 17 well-defined somites are present.
Inhibition of platelet aggregation by tartrazine and a pyrazolone analogue in normal and allergic individuals.

Summary The effect of tartrazine (T) (yellow dye No. 5) and one of its metabolites an aminopyrazolone analogue (1-sulphophenyl-3-carboxy-5-hydroxypyruzole, SCHP) upon collagen-induced platelet aggregation (C-PA) was investigated in fourteen atopic patients and fourteen normal subjects. Both T and SCHP inhibited C-PA in atopic patients at significantly lower doses than in normal volunteers. The mean inhibitory concentrations of SCHP were similar to aspirin in both atopic and normal individuals. Although the precise mechanism by which these chemicals block C-PA has not been elucidated, this in vitro system may be a useful method of assessing non-immune mechanisms involved in reactions to tartrazine.
Delay in motor development as a presentation of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

during the acute phase of her illness, and her renal biopsy showed evidence of electron dense deposits and immune reactions by immunofluorescence. However, DNAase treatment would be expected to release any DNA antibodies that may have been hidden in complexes, and such treatment of our patient's serum did not increase the level of detectable DNA antibodies. It is possible that antibodies to nuclear components other than DNA were involved in immune complex production. Another possibility is ANA absorption by organs such as skin or kidneys? However, organ absorption is related to critical serum tilers and one would expect the ANA test to be positive sometime during the course of the disease. 1~ Finally, antibodies to non-nuclear antigens may be responsible for the described phenomenon. Antibodies to cytoplasmic proteins (e.g., Ro antigen) have been described in patients with ANA negative lupus. 11 These were not tested in our patient. In summary, although the ANA test is generally a useful screening test, ANA-negative systemic lupus erythematosus appears to be a distinct entity in the pediatric age group. In contrast to other reports, SLE associated with a negative ANA test may be clinically severe and rapidly progressive. We wish to emphasize the importance of suspecting this diagnosis on the basis of clinical criteria.
Evaluation of conventional and alternative monitoring methods for a recreational marine beach with nonpoint source of fecal contamination.

The objectives of this work were to compare enterococci (ENT) measurements based on the membrane filter, ENT(MF) with alternatives that can provide faster results including alternative enterococci methods (e.g., chromogenic substrate (CS), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)), and results from regression models based upon environmental parameters that can be measured in real-time. ENT(MF) were also compared to source tracking markers (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroidales human and dog markers, and Catellicoccus gull marker) in an effort to interpret the variability of the signal. Results showed that concentrations of enterococci based upon MF (<2 to 3320 CFU/100 mL) were significantly different from the CS and qPCR methods (p < 0.01). The correlations between MF and CS (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) were stronger than between MF and qPCR (r ≤ 0.36, p < 0.01). Enterococci levels by MF, CS, and qPCR methods were positively correlated with turbidity and tidal height. Enterococci by MF and CS were also in...
SU‐C‐9A‐06: The Impact of CT Image Used for Attenuation Correction in 4D‐PET

Purpose: To evaluate the appropriateness of using 3D non-gated CT image for attenuation correction (AC) in a 4D-PET (gated PET) imaging protocol used in radiotherapy treatment planning simulation. Methods: The 4D-PET imaging protocol in a Siemens PET/CT simulator (Biograph mCT, Siemens Medical Solutions, Hoffman Estates, IL) was evaluated. CIRS Dynamic Thorax Phantom (CIRS Inc., Norfolk, VA) with a moving glass sphere (8 mL) in the middle of its thorax portion was used in the experiments. The glass was filled with 18F-FDG and was in a longitudinal motion derived from a real patient breathing pattern. Varian RPM system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) was used for respiratory gating. Both phase-gating and amplitude-gating methods were tested. The clinical imaging protocol was modified to use three different CT images for AC in 4D-PET reconstruction: first is to use a single-phase CT image to mimic actual clinical protocol (single-CT-PET); second is to use the average intensity projection CT (AveIP-CT) derived from 4D-CT scanning (AveIP-CT-PET); third is to use 4D-CT image to do the phase-matched AC (phase-matching- PET). Maximum SUV (SUVmax) and volume of the moving target (glass sphere) with threshold of 40% SUVmax were calculated for comparison between 4D-PET images derived with different AC methods. Results: The SUVmax varied 7.3%±6.9% over the breathing cycle in single-CT-PET, compared to 2.5%±2.8% in AveIP-CT-PET and 1.3%±1.2% in phasematching PET. The SUVmax in single-CT-PET differed by up to 15% from those in phase-matching-PET. The target volumes measured from single- CT-PET images also presented variations up to 10% among different phases of 4D PET in both phase-gating and amplitude-gating experiments. Conclusion: Attenuation correction using non-gated CT in 4D-PET imaging is not optimal process for quantitative analysis. Clinical 4D-PET imaging protocols should consider phase-matched 4D-CT image if available to achieve better accuracy.
Pyrolytic growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by cyclopentadienyl moieties

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) growth from cyclopeptadiene (CPD) and indenen (C 9 H 8 ), which contains the five-member ring cyclopentadienyl moiety, was investigated experimentally in a four-second flow reactor over a temperature range of 550 to 850 °C. Major products observed were grouped into two categories: ortho -fused six-member ring compounds formed from combinations of two reactants, and PAHs with one less carbon atom than the two reactants and containing one cyclopentadienyl moiety. Benzene and naphthalene were also formed by addition of one carbon atem to the reactants. Reaction pathways to these products were proposed. Addition of the cyclopentadienyl moiety to π bond produced a resonancestabilized radical, which further reacted by one of two unimolecular channels. Decomposition by β scission produced a biaryl intermediate, which then underwent two ring expansion sequences that were proposed for CPD-to-naphthalene conversion. In the case of indene and andene/CPD combinations, branching in the ring expansion steps led to three C 18 H 12 isomers (chrysene, benz[ a ]anthracene, and benzo[ c ] phenanthrene) and two C 14 H 10 isomers (anthracene and phenanthrene), respectively. Intramolecular addition competed with the β scission pathway to produce a 7-norbornenyl radical, which then decomposed to benzofluorenes (C 17 H 12 ), fluorene, and benzindenes (C 13 H 10 ), and indene from combinations of indenes, indene/CPD, and CPDs, respectively. This second reaction channel, in which one of the cyclopentadienyl moieties was retained, was observed at all temperatures and was most important at temperatures below 700 °C. Reaction pathway analysis using the semiempirical PM3 method was used to explain both the preferential formation of chrysene and anthracene from combinations of two indenes and CPD/indene, respectively, by the first reaction channel, and the temperature dependence in the relative rates of the two reaction channels.
Aflibercept--a decoy VEGF receptor.

Aflibercept (known as ziv-aflibercept in the USA and sold under the trade name Zaltrap®) is a human recombinant fusion protein with antiangiogenic effects that functions as a decoy receptor to bind vascular endothelial growth factors A and B and placental growth factor. Its unique mechanism of action with respect to other agents targeting angiogenesis led investigators to speculate that it may be more ubiquitously efficacious in tumors highly dependent on pathologic angiogenesis for their growth. Despite encouraging preclinical studies in various tumor types, aflibercept has not been proven efficacious in most later-phase clinical studies. In fact, its only currently held US Food and Drug Administration indication is in metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan for those patients previously treated with an oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimen. Given aflibercept’s toxicity profile and cost, further investigation is needed to better understand its mechanism of action and to discover predictive biomarkers for optimization of its appropriate use in treatment of cancer patients.
Beam shaping profiles and propagation

A number of flattened irradiance distributions have been proposed and analyzed in the literature, including the super-Gaussian, flattened-Gaussian, Fermi-Dirac, and super-Lorentzian as well as generalizations of these functions to include multiple shape parameters. Previous work has made comparisons between these different families of functions and examined the effects of propagation (diffraction) on the shape of the beam profile. In this paper, we examine the normalization of different functions, comparisons of profile shapes using different parameters within each family, the slope of the profiles at the half-height point of the irradiance, and two conditions that permit matching shapes of profiles from different families. Then, we summarize the results of diffraction for variation of the profile shape parameters, beam propagation, and diameter of the exit aperture on the shape of a beam as it leaves the optics. Results are also presented which identify the regions and amounts of aspheric surface sag that is required to produce a flattened beam profile as compared to a top-hat profile profile.
Stable phenotypic expression by chick chondroblasts in long-term suspension cultures as determined by proteoglycan analysis.

Abstract The influence of cell shape on phenotypic expression was studied in chick vertebral chondroblasts maintained for several weeks in suspension culture. To monitor phenotypic expression, synthesis of proteoglycans was studied in cultures of freshly-isolated 1-day-old chondroblasts and 1-to-6-week-old chondroblasts. The rate of proteoglycan synthesis was virtually identical in 1-week or older chondroblasts; however, this rate was 3- to 5-fold higher than in 1-day-old cells. When compared to the latter cells, the various populations of older chondroblasts synthesized monomers of the major cartilage proteoglycan (KS:CS-PG) of slightly lower molecular size and a lower level of unsubstituted N-acetylgalactosamine residues on their core protein but with similar chondroitin sulfate chains and levels of O-linked oligosaccharides. At no time of culture were changes in the proportions of the major vs the minor cartilage proteoglycans detected. The results suggest that in contrast to epithelioid chondroblasts in standard monolayer cultures studied previously, the round floating chondroblasts express very stable biosynthetic properties for a prolonged time in suspension. The distinct biosynthetic properties of 1-day-old chondroblasts are discussed in terms of an initial, transitory response to the culture condition and in relation to regulatory mechanisms for proteoglycan elaboration.
Desialylation accelerates platelet clearance after refrigeration and initiates GPIbα metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage in mice.

When refrigerated platelets are rewarmed, they secrete active sialidases, including the lysosomal sialidase Neu1, and express surface Neu3 that remove sialic acid from platelet von Willebrand factor receptor (VWFR), specifically the GPIbα subunit. The recovery and circulation of refrigerated platelets is greatly improved by storage in the presence of inhibitors of sialidases. Desialylated VWFR is also a target for metalloproteinases (MPs), because GPIbα and GPV are cleaved from the surface of refrigerated platelets. Receptor shedding is inhibited by the MP inhibitor GM6001 and does not occur in Adam17ΔZn/ΔZn platelets expressing inactive ADAM17. Critically, desialylation in the absence of MP-mediated receptor shedding is sufficient to cause the rapid clearance of platelets from circulation. Desialylation of platelet VWFR therefore triggers platelet clearance and primes GPIbα and GPV for MP-dependent cleavage.
O manguebeat e a superação do fosso entre o nacional e o jovem na música popular

This article analyzes the cultural and musical movement known as Mangue Beat, focusing on one of its trademarks, namely the dialogue between international genres marginal to the pop and rock music canon (heavy metal, hip hop, reggamuffin) and Brazilian genres seen as regional and not canonized in the pantheon of national music (coco, maracatu, ciranda, embolada). The movement's emblem, the antenna stuck in the mud, combines local roots with permanent attention to global flows. The article argues that Mangue Beat overcomes the rift between popular music and youth music in Brazil, opened with the crisis in the emancipatory potential of MPB in the period of transition to democracy.
Phenolic compound profile of selected vegetables frequently consumed by African Americans in the southeast United States

Abstract The phenolic composition of vegetables commonly consumed by African Americans in the southeast United States was analyzed with HPLC–MS. The vegetable samples included collard greens, mustard greens, kale, okra, sweet potato greens, green onion, butter beans, butter peas, purple hull peas, rutabagas, eggplant, and purslane. Five compounds out of total 29 peaks detected from the 12 samples – caffeic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin – were identified. No gallic acid, p -coumaric acid, myricetin, luteolin, apigenin, hesperetin, naringenin, or flavanols was detected. The major flavonoids were isorhamnetin, quercetin and kaempferol. Isorhamnetin was found in kale, mustard greens, and purslane. The content ranged from 2.8 to 23.6 mg/100 g fresh edible part. Quercetin was found in collard greens, mustard greens, kale, okra, sweet potato greens, purple hull peas, and purslane. The content ranged from 1.3 to 31.8 mg/100 g with the highest content in kale and lowest content in purslane. Kaempferol was found in collard greens, mustard greens, kale, sweet potato greens, green onion, and purslane. The content ranged from 1.1 to 90.5 mg/100 g. Caffeic acid was only found in sweet potato greens. Ferulic acid was found in collard greens, mustard greens, kale, okra, purple hull peas, and purslane. Although some peaks were found in eggplant, butter beans, butter peas and rutabagas, these peaks were not identified due to lack of reference compound and no flavonoid or phenolic acid was quantified in these samples. The results suggest that these indigenous vegetables among African Americans are good sources of the phenolic compounds, which can be useful for the prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
Different Real and Imaginary Components of the Resonant Third-Order Polarization Revealed by Optical Heterodyne Detected Transient Grating Spectroscopic Studies of Crystal Violet: Model and Experiment†

We carried out heterodyne detected transient grating measurements on a triphenylmethane (TPM) dye molecule, crystal violet, in ethanol, to investigate the origin of the apparently contradictory wavelength dependence observed in pump−probe and homodyne detected transient grating experiments. The measurements were performed at two different wavelengths and the decay profiles of the real and imaginary components of the third-order polarization were found to be strikingly different at both wavelengths. A simple model that accounts for the additional contribution from hot ground state absorption is proposed. The model successfully explains the major features observed in the experiments and provides a consistent picture for the underlying dynamics in this type of system. The striking differences between the decay profiles and wavelength dependencies of the real and imaginary components of P(3) observed in the TPM molecules predominantly originate from the different wavelength dependence of the amplitudes of the...
Automatic classification of polymer coating quality using artificial neural networks

Abstract Two artificial neural networks (ANN)—one for classification of polymer coating quality based on phase angle (Φ)-log frequency (f) data and one for classification based on log impedance modulus (/Z/)-log f data—have been trained using three sets of theoretical impedance spectra for polymer coated steel-spectra for good, intermediate and poor coating quality. The trained ANNs have been tested using experimental impedance spectra for six different polymer coating systems on steel collected during exposure at a remote marine test site for exposure periods up to one year. In general, excellent agreement between the predictions of coating quality made by experienced operators based on general features of the impedance spectra and parameters such as breakpoint frequency fb and pore resistance Rpo on the one hand and the classification results obtained from the ANNs on the other hand was obtained. Evaluation of the results of these analyses was made easier by introduction of the coating quality index (CQI) which has values between 0 and 1. Occasional discrepancies observed between classification results based on Φ-log f data vs. log /Z/-log f data occurred in the transition region between two types of classification, e.g. between intermediate and poor. These discrepancies have been explained based on the experimental data for Rpo and fb and their time dependence.
Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in giant cell arteritis: An immunocytochemical study

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a relatively common granulomatous arteritis of unknown etiology which mainly occurs in elderly people. Using histopathological findings from-seven biopsy cases of temporal artery and one autopsy case of GCA, and performing immunocytochemical staining for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2, we tested the hypothesis that an imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may be a critical determinant in developing severe intimal hyperplasia and luminal stenosis. All biopsy cases revealed nearly complete luminal occlusion of the temporal artery with active lymphocytic infiltrate, fragmentation of internal lamina and median elastic fibers. Four of seven cases revealed typical GCA. The autopsy case was systematically sampled for histological examination, revealing GCA in the ascending aorta, main branches of aorta and coronary artery. Immunocytochemical staining revealed intense staining for MMP-2 and -9 in fragmented media of the aorta and artery, and less positive staining for TIMP-1 and -2 at the MMP-positive media. In situ hybridization revealed intense positive staining for TIMPs in GCA despite weak immunocytochemical staining for TIMPs. Control cases were negative for TIMPs by immunocytochemical staining whereas RNA message level was mildly positive at a lesser intensity than that of GCA. Granulomatous tissue of fibroblasts and giant cells were most intensely positive for MMPs. The presence of markedly increased MMPs and less increased TIMPs in GCA may implicate an MMPs-TIMPs imbalance in the pathogenesis of GCA.
Penicillamine and Pemphigus Vulgaris

Excerpt To the editor: Stein and colleagues (1) have published a fine article on the adverse effects of D-penicillamine. As a dermatologist I believe it is important to inform your readers of a rec...
Urban tree planting programs, function or fashion? Los Angeles and urban tree planting campaigns

Tree planting programs are being implemented in many US cities (most notably New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) on the basis of the multiple environmental and health benefits they may provide. However, the magnitude and even the direction of the impacts of trees on specific urban environments have seldom been directly measured. In addition, there has been little research on the historical, cultural, political or institutional origins of such programs, or on their implementation process. Pending questions include the degree to which these programs are integrated in the existing frameworks of city government and infrastructure management, how they are paid for, and the kinds of collaborations between nonprofit organizations, the public, and public agencies at all levels they may require in order to succeed. This paper reports on an interdisciplinary research project examining the Million Tree Program of the City of Los Angeles.
NASA IRTF design proposal for large-format infrared array controller electronics

The availability of 256 by 256 pixel IR focal plane arrays and the current development of (larger) 1024 by 1024 pixel arrays require the development of control electronics that are flexible and scalable to different format arrays with sufficient speed and precision to perform clocking, readout and real-time processing of array signal outputs. This paper details a design proposal for an array controller system based on multiple digital signal processors. Derivation of performance specifications is presented in addition to the identification of key support functions and special processing modes. Design tradeoffs between various processors, memory, data export, data storage, and display are discussed. The basis for this design is the existing NSFCAM array control electronics which is being incorporated into the CSHELL spectrometer and guider systems currently in use at the NASA IRTF in addition to instruments at other institutions.
Self-assembled organic/inorganic hybrids as membrane materials

Abstract Self-assembled organic–inorganic membranes that are achieved via sol–gel polymerizations of silicon alkoxides around sulfonated outer blocks of polystyrene-[soft block]-polystyrene block copolymers during film formation are described. The nanoscopic morphologies, molecular structure of very hydrophilic silicate nanophases, and methods of studying the structure and transport of water through these membranes are discussed. These hydrocarbon-based hybrids are contrasted with the earlier successful efforts to generate Nafion®/silicate nanocomposite membranes produced in similar fashion, but using pre-formed films.
Cytokine profiling for prediction of symptomatic radiation-induced lung injury

Purpose: To analyze plasma cytokine profiles before the initiation of radiation therapy to define a cytokine phenotype that correlates with risk of developing symptomatic radiation-induced lung injury (SRILI). Methods and Materials: Symptomatic radiation-induced lung injury was evaluated in 55 patients (22 with SRILI and 33 without SRILI), according to modified National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria. These plasma samples were analyzed by the multiplex suspension bead array system (Bio-Rad Laboratories; Hercules, CA), which included the following cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Results: Significant differences in the median values of IL-8 were observed between patients with and without SRILI. Patients who did not develop SRILI had approximately fourfold elevated levels of IL-8 as compared with patients who did subsequently develop SRILI. Significant correlations were not found for any other cytokine in this study, including transforming growth factor β1. Conclusions: Patients with lower levels of plasma IL-8 before radiation therapy might be at increased risk for developing SRILI. Further studies are necessary to determine whether IL-8 levels are predictive of SRILI in a prospective trial and whether this marker might be used to determine patient eligibility for dose escalation.
Structural determinants and modulation of substrate specificity in phenylalanine-tyrosine ammonia-lyases.

Summary Aromatic amino acid ammonia-lyases catalyze the deamination of L-His, L-Phe, and L-Tyr, yielding ammonia plus aryl acids bearing an α,β-unsaturated propenoic acid. We report crystallographic analyses of unliganded Rhodobacter sphaeroides t yrosine a mmonia- l yase ( Rs TAL) and Rs TAL bound to p -coumarate and caffeate. His 89 of Rs TAL forms a hydrogen bond with the p -hydroxyl moieties of coumarate and caffeate. His 89 is conserved in TALs but replaced in p henylalanine a mmonia- l yases (PALs) and h istidine a mmonia- l yases (HALs). Substitution of His 89 by Phe, a characteristic residue of PALs, yields a mutant with a switch in kinetic preference from L-Tyr to L-Phe. Structures of the H89F mutant in complex with the PAL product, cinnamate, or the PAL-specific inhibitor, 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonate (AIP), support the role of position 89 as a specificity determinant in the family of aromatic amino acid ammonia-lyases and aminomutases responsible for β-amino acid biosynthesis.
Are openness and intellect distinct aspects of openness to experience? A test of the O/I model.

The Openness/Intellect (O/I) model proposes that Openness to Experience has two major facets—Openness and Intellect—that can be measured with the Big Five Aspect Scales (BFAS). Thus far, however, research has not shown distinct, unique relationships between the Openness and Intellect aspects and other outcomes. The present research evaluated the relationships between Openness and Intellect with two outcomes: creative behavior and achievement (conceptually closer to Openness) and fluid intelligence (conceptually closer to Intellect). Young adults completed the BFAS, several measures of fluid intelligence, and several measures of creative achievement. Latent variable models indicated that the Openness aspect significantly predicted creativity but not fluid intelligence; the Intellect aspect, in contrast, significantly predicted fluid intelligence but not creativity. The findings thus offer support for the validity of the O/I model.
A stochastic study of hidden failures in power system protection

Abstract Recent studies have shown that power systems protection mechanisms have played a major role in propagating disturbances. All of the last five major Western Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC) events (the North Ridge earthquake, December 14, 1994, July 2 and 3, 1996, and August 10, 1996), involved either false trips of line protection relays or generator protection equipment. Using an importance sampling based algorithm on the 179-bus WSCC equivalent system, we modeled the sequence of rare events involving generator trips and incorrect zone 3 relay operations. Due to possible loss of generation and load, frequencies were monitored for the necessary of load shedding. The algorithm uses the Newton–Raphson method for accuracy but reverts to DC load flow when the Newton–Raphson algorithm fails to converge within three iterations. The resulting sequence of rare events and its corresponding probability are used to detect weak links in the power system. This information can be beneficial not only in areas such as service and maintenance scheduling and in planning, but also in determining locations where an investment in improving the protection system is warranted.
Bioterrorism and the Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research

This article discusses the ethical responsibilities of biomedical researchers to prevent bioterrorism, including duties related to research, publication, editorial review, public education, expert opinion, advocacy, and reporting suspicious activity. Since actions taken to avert bioterrorism may also undermine important scientific norms, such as openness, freedom, and collegiality, and individual rights, such as privacy, biomedical scientists may encounter ethical dilemmas and problems when they consider taking steps against terrorism. This article proposes some policies and recommendations that attempt to strike a fair and reasonable balance between protecting scientific norms and individual rights and promoting national and international security. This article articulates policies and recommendations that will help ensure that the norms that govern biomedical research and individual rights are not casualties in the struggle against terrorism. Drug Dev Res 63:121-133, 2005. c 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Likelihood of African American Primary Caregivers and Care Recipients Receiving Assistance From Secondary Caregivers A Rural–Urban Comparison

We examine rural–urban differences in reliance on secondary caregivers for African American female primary caregivers (250 rural, 242 urban) and their care recipients. Logistic regression was used to identify caregiver and care recipient characteristics significantly associated with the likelihood of having a secondary caregiver within rural and urban samples. Post hoc Wald chi-square tests were used to identify significant between-sample differences in regression coefficients. Secondary caregivers were more common in urban than rural contexts. Having a secondary caregiver was more strongly related to primary caregivers’ poorer physical health and nonresidence with care recipients in rural than urban contexts. Findings suggest that policy initiatives, such as the National Family Caregivers Support Act and the cash and counseling model, may benefit rural and urban residents, particularly rural residents as the majority of them lacked secondary caregiver assistance.
Effects of Nose Bluntness on Stability of Hypersonic Boundary Layers over Blunt Cone

Receptivity and stability of hypersonic boundary layers are numerically investigated for boundary layer flows over a 5-degree straight cone at a free-stream Mach number of 6.0. To compute the shock and the interaction of shock with the instability waves, we solve the Navier-Stokes equations in axisymmetric coordinates. The governing equations are solved using the 5th-order accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization and using third-order total-variation-diminishing (TVD) Runge-Kutta scheme for time integration. After the mean flow field is computed, disturbances are introduced at the upstream end of the computational domain. Generation of instability waves from leading edge region and receptivity of boundary layer to slow acoustic waves are investigated. Computations are performed for a cone with nose radii of 0.001, 0.05 and 0.10 inches that give Reynolds numbers based on the nose radii ranging from 650 to 130,000. The linear stability results showed that the bluntness has a strong stabilizing effect on the stability of axisymmetric boundary layers. The transition Reynolds number for a cone with the nose Reynolds number of 65,000 is increased by a factor of 1.82 compared to that for a sharp cone. The receptivity coefficient for a sharp cone is about 4.23 and it is very small, approx.10(exp -3), for large bluntness.
Genome Engineering with Targetable Nucleases

Current technology enables the production of highly specific genome modifications with excellent efficiency and specificity. Key to this capability are targetable DNA cleavage reagents and cellular DNA repair pathways. The break made by these reagents can produce localized sequence changes through inaccurate nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), often leading to gene inactivation. Alternatively, user-provided DNA can be used as a template for repair by homologous recombination (HR), leading to the introduction of desired sequence changes. This review describes three classes of targetable cleavage reagents: zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator–like effector nucleases (TALENs), and CRISPR/Cas RNA-guided nucleases (RGNs). As a group, these reagents have been successfully used to modify genomic sequences in a wide variety of cells and organisms, including humans. This review discusses the properties, advantages, and limitations of each system, as well as the specific considerations required for t...
Improved Approach to Construct Constitutive Surfaces for Stable-Structured Soils Covering Both Saturated and Unsaturated Conditions

Constitutive surfaces are indispensable for investigation of the behavior of soils. Saturated and unsaturated soils coexist in most engineering problems and it is meaningful to develop constitutive surfaces covering both saturated and unsaturated conditions which help to investigate the behavior for both saturated and unsaturated soils in a unified way. At present, the methodologies used for saturated and unsaturated soils are different and few researchers consider the constitutive surfaces for saturated soils. For unsaturated soils, the suction-controlled triaxial tests are usually laborious, time consuming, costly, and may not justify routine engineering projects. This paper discusses the role of constitutive surfaces in soil mechanics and presents an improved approach over existing interpolation methods to construct the constitutive surfaces for saturated and unsaturated conditions for a stable-structured soil using simple laboratory tests.
Prosthetic Heart Valves and Pregnancy

In patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHV), pregnancy is associated with the risks of warfarin embryopathy in patients with mechanical PHV and of structural valve deterioration (SVD), both early and late, in patients with biological PHV. ### Warfarin The use of warfarin, particularly between the 6th and 12th weeks of pregnancy, is associated with an embryopathy, “warfarin embryopathy,”1,2 which is characterized by nasal hypoplasia and/or stippled epiphyses.3 Uncommon features, including central nervous system and eye abnormalities, may be due to warfarin exposure during the second and third trimester.3 There is a wide range of the reported incidence of warfarin embryopathy (Table 1).3–18 Ten studies comprising 427 pregnancies reported the incidence was zero (Table 1). From the patient’s point of view, the incidence per live birth may be more important; four recent (between 1994 and 99) studies reported an incidence of 3/189 (1.6%) live births7,9,17,18 (Table 1). One group has shown that the risk of warfarin embryopathy was extremely low in the 33 women who needed ≤5 mg of warfarin to maintain an adequate INR.14,18 View this table: TABLE 1. Incidence of Warfarin Embryopathy The incidence of warfarin embryopathy will be lower with use of IV unfractionated heparin in the first 3 months (especially between the 6th to 12th weeks) of pregnancy; one review concluded that this strategy “eliminated the risk.”19 IV unfractionated heparin use in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of hemorrhage during delivery and the neonatal period in the mother, as well as in the baby, because warfarin crosses the placenta, and therefore, the fetus/baby is anticoagulated. To reduce the latter complication, some have suggested elective caesarian section in the 38th week of pregnancy.17,18 An earlier study reported the incidence of abortion and stillbirths in these patients was …
Heterogeneity in Water Availability Alters Cellular Development and Hydraulic Conductivity along Roots of a Desert Succulent

Plants of the desert succulent Agave deserti were grown in partitioned containers to determine whether heterogeneity in soil moisture leads to differences in cellular development and hydraulic conductivity along individual roots. Roots from containers with a dry distal compartment (furthest from the shoot), a wet middle compartment, and a dry proximal compartment had distal regions (including the root tips) that were more suberized and lignified in the endodermis and adjacent cell layers than were root regions from the wet middle compartment. Proximal root regions about 40 mm from the succulent shoot base were also relatively unsuberized, suggesting that both external and internal supplies of water delayed tissue maturation. Root segments from wet middle compartments and from dry proximal compartments had higher hydraulic conductivity than did the more suberized root segments from dry distal compartments. Unlike distal root segments from wet compartments, segments from dry compartments suffered no decrease in hydraulic conductivity after immersion in mercuric chloride, suggesting that aquaporin activity diminished for roots during drought. The possible closure of water channels could help limit root water loss to a drying soil. The delayed development of suberized cell layers may allow root regions to maximize water uptake from wet soil patches (such as under rocks), and the relatively immature, absorptive root region near the base of the shoot may help A. deserti capture water from a briefly wetted surface soil.
How user behavior is related to social affinity

Previous research has suggested that people who are in the same social circle exhibit similar behaviors and tastes. The rise of social networks gives us insights into the social circles of web users, and recommendation services (including search engines, advertisement engines, and collaborative filtering engines) provide a motivation to adapt recommendations to the interests of the audience. An important primitive for supporting these applications is the ability to quantify how connected two users are in a social network. The shortest-path distance between a pair of users is an obvious candidate measure. This paper introduces a new measure of "affinity" in social networks that takes into account not only the distance between two users, but also the number of edge-disjoint paths between them, i.e. the "robustness" of their connection. Our measure is based on a sketch-based approach, and affinity queries can be answered extremely efficiently (at the expense of a one-time offline sketch computation). We compare this affinity measure against the "approximate shortest-path distance", a sketch-based distance measure with similar efficiency characteristics. Our empirical study is based on a Hotmail email exchange graph combined with demographic information and Bing query history, and a Twitter mention-graph together with the text of the underlying tweets. We found that users who are close to each other - either in terms of distance or affinity - have a higher similarity in terms of demographics, queries, and tweets.
In Vivo Contact Stresses during Activities of Daily Living after Knee Arthroplasty

We implanted an electronic knee prosthesis to measure tibial forces in vivo during activities of daily living after total knee arthroplasty. We used tibial forces and knee kinematic data collected in vivo to calculate contact stresses using finite element analysis. The polyethylene insert was modeled as an elastoplastic material, and predicted contact stresses were validated using pressure sensitive sensors. Peak contact stresses generated during walking were similar but about 18% lower than those calculated for International Standards Organization (ISO)-recommended wear simulation conditions. Stair climbing generated higher contact stresses (32 MPa) than walking (26 MPa). However, both high flexion activities (lunge and kneel) generated even higher contact stresses, with the lunge activity generating the highest stresses (56 MPa). The activities that generated high contact stresses also resulted in high equivalent plastic strain. However, the lunge activity generated dramatically higher plastic equivalent strain than the other activities. In vivo measurement of kinematics, forces, and contact stresses may be used to develop more clinically relevant wear simulator protocols. Contact stresses generated during high flexion activities were substantially higher and were largely due to the reduced contact area in deep flexion rather than due to an increase in contact forces. Our results support the use of "high flexion" designs that improve contact conditions and preserve contact area at high flexion angles.