cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Background Lung cancer is by far the major cause of cancer deaths largely because in the majority of patients it is at an advanced stage at the time it is discovered, when curative treatment is no longer feasible. This article examines the data regarding the ability of screening to decrease the number of lung cancer deaths. Methods A systematic review was conducted of controlled studies that address the effectiveness of methods of screening for lung cancer. Results Several large randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including a recent one, have demonstrated that screening for lung cancer using a chest radiograph does not reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer. One large RCT involving low-dose CT (LDCT) screening demonstrated a significant reduction in lung cancer deaths, with few harms to individuals at elevated risk when done in the context of a structured program of selection, screening, evaluation, and management of the relatively high number of benign abnormalities. Whether other RCTs involving LDCT screening are consistent is unclear because data are limited or not yet mature. Conclusions Screening is a complex interplay of selection (a population with sufficient risk and few serious comorbidities), the value of the screening test, the interval between screening tests, the availability of effective treatment, the risk of complications or harms as a result of screening, and the degree with which the screened individuals comply with screening and treatment recommendations. Screening with LDCT of appropriate individuals in the context of a structured process is associated with a significant reduction in the number of lung cancer deaths in the screened population. Given the complex interplay of factors inherent in screening, many questions remain on how to effectively implement screening on a broader scale.
Should criteria be specified for depressive disorder not otherwise specified

Abstract Background Many patients have clinically significant symptoms of depression that do not meet the DSM-IV diagnostic thresholds for major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymic disorder. DSM-IV does not specify criteria for depressive disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS). While it is not surprising that research on subthreshold depression has used diverse criteria, some consensus has emerged to define minor depression analogous to MDD, though requiring fewer than the 5 symptoms required to diagnose MDD. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we examined how many patients diagnosed with DDNOS met the DSM-IV proposed research criteria for minor depression, and we compared the demographic and clinical profiles of patients diagnosed with DDNOS who did and did not meet the criteria for minor depression Methods Three thousand four hundred psychiatric patients presenting to the Rhode Island Hospital outpatient practice were evaluated with semi-structured diagnostic interviews for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II disorders and measures of psychosocial morbidity. Results More than 6% of the 3400 patients were diagnosed with DDNOS ( n =227). Only a minority of the patients with DDNOS met the criteria for minor depression (39.8%). There was no difference between patients with “subthreshold” depression who did and did not meet the DSM-IV research criteria for minor depression in demographic characteristics, the prevalence of comorbid Axis I or Axis II disorders, history of major depressive disorder, and family history of depression. Limitations The present study was conducted in a single outpatient practice in which the majority of patients were white, female, and had health insurance. Although the study was limited to a single site, a strength of the recruitment procedure was that the sample was not selected for participation in a treatment study, and exclusion and inclusion criteria did not reduce the representativeness of the patient groups. While we examined a number of validators, we did not systematically record the treatment the patients received and the outcome of treatment. Conclusions Amongst psychiatric outpatients with clinically significant depression not meeting criteria for MDD or dysthymic disorder, there was little difference between patients who did and did not meet the DSM-IV research criteria for minor depressive disorder.
Kidney-Specific Gene Targeting

Gene targeting in mice is a powerful tool for identifying the in vivo functions of proteins and for producing new animal models of human diseases. In the conventional approach, the gene encoding a protein of interest is disrupted by homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Targeted ES
Heat Wave Driven by Nanoscale Mechanical Impact between C 60 and Graphene

This paper presents a novel physical phenomenon—heat wave propagation—at the atomic scale by investigating the collision of C60 molecules with a graphene sample through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A correlation between mechanical wave and temperature variation has been captured at the early stage of collision to demonstrate that temperature variations behave in a wave motion, which contradicts the concept in classical continuum mechanics, whereas later temperature variations exhibit the properties of a diffusion equation. This intriguing result, called wave-diffusion duality, offers an insight into the thermomechanical coupling phenomenon of nanodevices. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)NM.2153-5477.0000044. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Nanotechnology; Wave propagation; Simulation; Diffusion; Temperature effects. Author keywords: Molecular dynamics; Graphene; Buckyball; Collision; Heat wave; Wave-diffusion duality.
Perspectives: Future of Securities Markets: Competition or Consolidation?

Although considerable consolidation has recently occurred among securities exchanges, the forces of competition remain strong because they have an ally in technology. Technology evens the playing field and makes the entry of new trading venues easier. Economies of scale and network externalities still have a centralizing tendency, but that tendency is weakened. Networks now extend beyond a single market, which allows venues to compete, and economies of scale can more readily be overcome by a technologically sophisticated competitor. Empirical evidence indicates that as markets become integrated, trading becomes dispersed.
Matrix Solution of Force Relaxation Method

An analysis of space trusses is presented based on the bar-force relaxation method. Bar-force distribution matrixes are formulated from bar and joint stiffnesses. Bar forces are calculated from the joint forces and distribution matrixes. Over-distribution matrixes are developed for single bars and triangular truss panels. These balance the residuals between joints or in panels after one relaxation cycle. The structure is considered as a group of triangular panels. The residual forces in the panels are liquidated in a single cycle, and therefore, cyclic relaxation operations are required only between panels. Because of the small ratio of joint displacements to bar lengths, the first relaxation cycle between panels nearly balances all panels to equilibrium, and convergence is rapid. All matrixes are of second order for two-dimensional trusses and third order for three-dimensional problems. The only mathematical operations involved are matrix addition, multiplication, and inversion.
A First Comparison of the Inverse Scattering Series Non-Linear Inversion and the Iterative Linear Inversion for Parameter Estimation

The inverse scattering series (ISS) direct non-linear inversion and the iterative linear inversion for parameter estimation are examined and compared. The convergence and the rate of convergence of both the ISS inversion subseries and the iterative inversion method are tested for different velocity contrasts on a simple 1D one parameter acoustic model. The rate of convergence of the ISS inversion method is analytically and numerically studied. When the reflection coefficient R 0.618, the ISS inversion subseries still converges, but not monotonically. Numerical tests show that when the velocity contrast is small, both inversion methods converge and the ISS inversion method converges faster than the iterative inversion method. When the velocity contrast increases, the iterative inversion method will not converge when R > 0.5, while the ISS inversion method always converges.
Singularity analysis of blasting vibration signals based on wavelet transform moulus maxima

In order to study the singularity information signal of blasting vibration signal,some experiments were done in the rude field,damping ditch field and split field.WTMM(wavelet tronsform moulus maxima) was used to process the experiment data with the following conclusions.First,blasting vibration signal has steady Lipschitz exponent when lb a is between 4.5 and 6.0,and the Lipschitz exponent can describe the charater of blasting vibration field and other singularity information preferably.Second,the curve of Lipschitz exponent reflects the difference among the field.At the same time,the Lipschitz exponent are-3.69～-1.88、-3.54～-1.71、-4.14～(-1.58) in turn and the damping effect of damping ditch is better than the split.
Assessing "best evidence": issues in grading the quality of studies for systematic reviews.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Evidence-based medicine, clinical practice guidelines, quality and value of health services, and science-based decision making are becoming mainstays of the health care sector. As part of the evidence-based movement, systematic reviews of the literature on clinical questions are becoming increasingly common. Part of the structured approach to evaluating the literature involves assessing the quality of individual studies included in systematic reviews. Review questions To clarify issues in this area, in 1998 the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research commissioned a small project to determine how its 12 Evidence-based Practice Centers were carrying out this part of their systematic reviews (called evidence reports ). The number of potential checklists, scales, and similar tools for grading the methodology or the clinical relevance of individual reports is large; the reliability, the validity, the feasibility, and the utility of these tools are either unmeasured or quite variable. Conclusions Numerous methodologic questions await definitive research and answers, but in the meantime teams developing authoritative systematic reviews can take certain steps to ensure that their approaches to grading the quality of articles meet applicable scientific standards. Clinicians, program administrators, and health policymakers can then be confident in the overall strength of the evidence and study conclusions.
A Modular Approach to Context-Aware IoT Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to an environment of ubiquitous sensing and actuation, where devices are connected to a distributed backend infrastructure. It offers the opportunity to access a large amount of input data, and process it into contextual information about different system entities for reasoning and actuation. State-of-the-art IoT applications are generally black-box, end-to-end application-specific implementations, and cannot keep up with timely resolution of all this live, continually updated, heterogeneous data. In this work, we propose a modular approach to these context-aware applications, breaking down monolithic applications into an equivalent set of functional units, or context engines. By exploiting the characteristics of context-aware applications, context engines can reduce compute redundancy and computational complexity. In conjunction with formal data specifications, or ontologies, we can replace application-specific implementations with a composition of context engines that use common statistical learning to generate output, thus improving context reuse. We implement interconnected context-aware applications using our approach, extracting both user activity and location context from wearable sensors. We compare our infrastructure to single-stage monolithic implementations, demonstrating a reduction in application latency by up to 65% and execution overhead by up to 50% with only a 3% reduction in accuracy.
Induction of chronic bacterial prostatitis in the dog.

Abstract Three methods of creating chronic bacterial prostatitis In dogs were evaluated. Injection of Escherichia coli Into the prostatic or caudal vesical artery after the prostate was pierced with a 22-gauge needle caused prostatic Infection In 4 of 5 dogs. The Infection persisted up to 28 days. Direct Injection of E. coli Into the prostate gland resulted in Infection In 5 of 6 dogs which persisted up to 42 days, injection of E. coli into the prostatic urethra after occlusion of the bladder neck caused infection in 2 of 8 dogs not subjected to piercing of the prostate gland and in 5 of 7 dogs subjected to prostate gland trauma. Infection persisted up to 28 days. Although all 3 methods resulted in persistent, chronic bacterial prostatitis, direct injection of bacteria into the prostate gland was technically the easiest to perform and resulted in the lowest incidence of concomitant infections of the rest of the urinary tract. Positive urine cultures for E. coli were found in all dogs at some time after infection. Positive urine and bladder tissue cultures were also found at necropsy in some dogs.
Comparison of 2 Doses for ACTH Stimulation Testing in Dogs Suspected of or Treated for Hyperadrenocorticism.

Background Lowering the cosyntropin dose needed for ACTH stimulation would make the test more economical. Objectives To compare the cortisol response to 1 and 5 μg/kg cosyntropin IV in dogs being screened for hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) and in dogs receiving trilostane or mitotane for pituitary-dependent HAC. Animals Healthy dogs (n = 10); client-owned dogs suspected of having HAC (n = 39) or being treated for pituitary-dependent HAC with mitotane (n = 12) or trilostane (n = 15). Procedures In this prospective study, healthy dogs had consecutive ACTH stimulation tests to ensure 2 tests could be performed in sequence. For the first test, cosyntropin (1 μg/kg IV) was administered; the second test was initiated 4 hours after the start of the first (5 μg/kg cosyntropin IV). Dogs suspected of having HAC or being treated with mitotane were tested as the healthy dogs. Dogs receiving trilostane treatment were tested on consecutive days at the same time post pill using the low dose on day 1. Results In dogs being treated with mitotane or trilostane, the 2 doses were pharmacodynamically equivalent (90% confidence interval, 85.1–108.2%; P = 0.014). However, in dogs suspected of having HAC, the doses were not pharmacodynamically equivalent (90% confidence interval, 73.2–92.8%; P = 0.37); furthermore, in 23% of the dogs, clinical interpretation of test results was different between the doses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance For dogs suspected of having HAC, 5 μg/kg cosyntropin IV is still recommended for ACTH stimulation testing. For dogs receiving mitotane or trilostane treatment, a dose of 1 μg/kg cosyntropin IV can be used.
The effect of halide and iodate anions on the hydrogen-bonding network of water in aqueous nanodrops

The hydration of halide and iodate anions was investigated using electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy. The average cluster sizes, determined from the abundances of X−(H2O)n (X− = F−, Cl−, Br−, I−, IO3−) in the ESI mass spectra, follow the order F− > IO3− ≈ Cl− > Br− > I−. The average cluster sizes and solution hydration enthalpies of the halides increase linearly with decreasing ionic radii, but IO3− does not fit this trend. The correlation between average cluster sizes and solution hydration enthalpies indicates that there is a similar relationship between ion–water interactions in these large gas-phase clusters and in bulk solution. The abundances of odd number clusters between n = 49 and 55 for I−, Br− and Cl− are enhanced but those for F− and IO3− are not. I− and IO3− have nearly the same ionic radii, but evidence suggests that these ions interact with water molecules differently both in solution and in small clusters. IRPD spectra of I−(H2O)n and IO3−(H2O)n, measured for select cluster sizes between n = 30 and 75 reveal differences in the hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules in these two ions even for sizes around n = 50. This indicates that differences in hydration motifs reported previously for the first hydration shells of I− and IO3− propagate to water molecules past the second solvation shell, a phenomenon that has not been reported previously for singly charged anions.
Biopsychosocial Influence on Shoulder Pain: Influence of Genetic and Psychological Combinations on Twelve-Month Postoperative Pain and Disability Outcomes.

Objective To identify novel combinations of genetic and psychological factors that predicted 12-month postoperative pain and disability outcomes following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods A prospective presurgical cohort (n = 150) was recruited to complete validated psychological questionnaires and have their DNA collected from saliva. DNA was genotyped for a priori selected genes involved with pain modulation (ADRB2, OPRM1, AVPR1A, GCH1, and KCNS1) and inflammation (IL1B, TNF/LTA, and IL6). The outcome measures of interest were the Brief Pain Inventory and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Followup for the cohort was at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. After controlling for age, sex, race, and preoperative status, genetic and psychological factors were entered as main effects and interaction terms in separate general linear models for predicting postoperative pain and disability outcomes. Results Seven interactions involving pain-modulatory genes were identified. Three provided strong statistical evidence for different outcomes, including KCNS1 and kinesiophobia for preoperative pain intensity, ADRB2 and depressive symptoms for postoperative course, and GCH1 and anxiety symptoms for 12-month pain-intensity outcome. Ten interactions involving inflammatory genes were identified. Three provided strong statistical evidence for the 12-month postoperative course outcome, including 2 different IL6 single-nucleotide polymorphism and pain catastrophizing, and IL6 and depressive symptoms. Conclusion The current study identified novel genetic and psychological interactions that can be used in future studies to further understand the development of persistent postoperative pain and investigate the effectiveness of tailored treatment.
Prenatal ultrasonographic assessment of the ductus arteriosus: A review

Objective To review current data pertaining to prenatal ultrasonography of the ductus arteriosus. Data Sources We reviewed manuscripts published in the English language regarding prenatal ultrasonography and the fetal ductus arteriosus obtained from a MEDLINE search for 1966 onward. Additional sources were identified through cross-referencing. Methods of Study Selection Data regarding morphology, physiology, pathophysiology of fetal disease, and hemodynamic changes after administration of various maternal medications and structural congenital anomalies of the ductus arteriosus were selected. Data Extraction and Synthesis Knowledge of the function of the ductus arteriosus in both normal and abnormal fetal conditions is enhanced by prenatal ultrasonographic findings. Detailed analyses of ductus arteriosus hemodynamics are indicated in well-defined medical conditions, including maternal medication and established structural or functional fetal cardiac disease. Conclusion The fetal ductus arteriosus is a vascular structure of major functional importance. Knowledge of physiologic hemodynamic changes of blood flow in this vessel obtained by prenatal ultrasonography in conjunction with increasing gestational age, maternal medication, fetal growth restriction, as well as the detection of structural anomalies, may assist in clinical management of complicated pregnancies.
Inhibition of tumorigenesis in a murine B-cell lymphoma transplant model by c-Myc complementary oligonucleotides.

The initial control of lymphoma relies on intensive chemotherapy using 4–6 agents, achieving complete remission in 60–85% of the patients, depending on the treatment strategy (1). The time pattern of failure revealed that relapse is due to the development of resistant cells, rather than the escape of sensitive cells (2). Furthermore, chemotherapeutics display strong side effects, extending to fatal toxicity. The diseased cells often become resistant to existing drugs, so new approaches are needed for effective disease management.
Retriever and CompareTable, two informatics tools for data analysis of high-density oligonucleotide arrays

High-density oligonucleotide arrays ar e widely employed for detecting globa l changes in gene expression profiles of cell s or tissues exposed to specific stimuli. Pr e sented with large amounts of data, invest i gators can spend significant amounts o f time analyzing and interpreting this arra y data. In our application of GeneChi p ®a r rays to analyze changes in gene expressio n in viral-infected epithelium, we have nee d ed to develop additional computationa l tools that may be of utility to other invest i gators using this methodology. Here, I d e
Brain Stem, Reticular Formation, and Monoaminergic Pathways

The brain stem is densely packed with many vital structures such as long ascending and descending pathways and specific nuclear groups including the nuclei of the cranial nerves. The central core of the brain stem is occupied by the reticular formation, i.e., diffuse aggregations of cells surrounded by a wealth of interlacing fibers. It is an extremely complicated but highly organized area of crucial importance for a variety of functions, including motor activities, respiration, cardiovascular functions, and mechanisms related to sleep and consciousness.
Nonlinear programming and genetic search application for production scheduling in coal mines

Efforts to eliminate unnecessary scheduling and inventory problems faced by the coal industry today initiated the development of a generalized, nonlinear programming model. Although no accepted methodology for developing such a model for this purpose currently exists, one was created and successfully tested. Production and transportation cost estimates were obtained from independent coal mines in Illinois, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and based on these estimates, a hypothetical model was developed and tested using genetic search for nonlinear optimization. The results of our tests indicate that the model has potential for decision support in coal mines.
The “Not Ready for Archive Players”: The Lost Seasons of Saturday Night Live

Abstract:After Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels temporarily stepped down from 1980–85, this era has been slowly erased from the show's archive. This researcher's goal is to make a case th...
Frailty Is an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease, Bone Disease, and Diabetes Among Aging Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Background We characterized associations between frailty and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), bone disease, and mortality within a cohort of aging persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Methods Participants underwent frailty evaluations using the Fried frailty assessment (baseline and annually). Frailty was defined as having ≥3 frailty criteria. Clinical outcomes of mortality, CVD events, DM, and bone disease events were recorded throughout the study period (baseline to most recent study or clinic visit, or date of clinical outcome, whichever came first). Poisson regression models were used to evaluate associations between baseline frailty, change in frailty score over 48 weeks, and each clinical outcome. Results Among 821 men and 195 women (median age 51 years), 62 (6%) were frail at baseline. Frailty scores increased by ≥1 component among 194 participants (19%) from baseline to 48 weeks. Baseline frailty was associated with an increased risk of incident CVD and DM, with a trend toward a significant association with bone events. Among frailty components, slow gait speed was associated with incident DM and borderline associated with incident CVD. An increase in frailty from baseline to week 48 was associated with mortality but not with the other clinical outcomes. Conclusions Baseline frailty was associated with multiple adverse health outcomes (incident CVD, DM, and bone disease), while increase in frailty score was associated with mortality among PWH engaged in care. Incorporation of frailty assessments into the care of PWH may assist in improvement of functional status and risk stratification for age-related chronic diseases.
System Attributes that Influence Reported Improvement in Drivers’ Experiences with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keeping after Daily Use in Five Production Vehicles

Driving automation technology must be used to benefit safety, but little is known about real-world experiences with the technology. Fifty-one Insurance Institute for Highway Safety employees used a...
An efficient and quantitative assay for epitope-tagged therapeutic protein development with a capillary western system.

Aim: To develop and validate a reliable, robust and efficient assay to detect and quantify biologic compounds in vitro and in vivo during early stage of a biotherapeutic agent discovery. Methodolog...
Community-Based Political Interventions

Karie Jo Peralta and Krista McCarthy Noviski investigate the political dimension of community-based organization in this chapter. A central way institutions gain legitimacy and the ability to guide human behavior is through claims of value-neutrality and objectivity. Institutions are often thought to be bureaucratic and based on formal rules that facilitate decision-making in almost any sphere of life. In the case of health organizations, the language of science, technology, and standardization guide how community needs and the authority of health practitioners are understood. In this context, health professionals attain their unique status vis-a-vis patients and community members. But this dichotomy can contradict the aims of community-based health interventions. In particular, health organizations become the center of health assessments, while medical professionals attain greater power to direct health initiatives as opposed to patients. Nonetheless, community health workers, for example, require respect and legitimacy. In this chapter, the political dimension of community-based health organization is discussed, along with the challenges this model presents to conventional depictions of health institutions.
Two cases of meningitis associated with ocrelizumab therapy

Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody approved for the treatment of both relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Its increasing use for MS has been due in part to its efficacy, unique indication for PPMS, and convenient dosing, combined with a favorable side effect and risk profile. In this case report we describe two cases of meningitis developing within 1 year of initiating ocrelizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
(Dis)Enchanting modernity: Sufism and its temporality in the thought of Mohammed Abed al-Jabri and Taha Abdurrahman

This article analyses the place of Sufism in the thought of two prominent Moroccan philosophers, Mohammed Abed al-Jabri (1935–2010) and Taha Abdurrahman (b. 1944), and investigates how it constitut...
Ultrafast Spin Crossover in a Room-Temperature Ferrimagnet: Element-Specific Spin Dynamics in Photoexcited Cobalt Ferrite

Transition metal complexes capable of photoinduced spin crossover have been widely investigated because of their potential to enable ultrafast optical control of information processing. However, an...
A simple procedure for analyzing reliability data from double-stage accelerated life tests

This paper proposes a simple statistical approach for analyzing reliability data arising from double-stage Accelerated Life Tests (ALT). The main motivation is to develop a workable solution, which...
Continuity of condenser capacity under holomorphic motions

We show that condenser capacity varies continuously under holomorphic motions, and the corresponding family of the equilibrium measures of the condensers is continuous with respect to the weak-star convergence. We also study the behavior of uniformly perfect sets under holomorphic motions.
Single-cell analysis of developing B cells reveals dynamic gene expression networks that govern B cell development and transformation

Integration of external signals and B-lymphoid transcription factor activities orchestrate B cell lineage commitment through alternating cycles of proliferation and differentiation, producing a diverse repertoire of mature B cells. We used single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics to characterize B cell development. Our analysis revealed unique transcriptional signatures that refine the pre-B cell expansion stages into novel pre-BCR-dependent and pre-BCR-independent proliferative phases. These changes correlate with unexpected dynamic and reciprocal changes in expression of the transcription factor EBF1 and the RNA binding protein YBX3, that are defining features of the pre-BCR-dependent stage. Using pseudotime analysis, we further characterize the expression kinetics of different biological modalities across B cell development, including transcription factors, cytokines, chemokines, and their associated receptors. Our findings reveal the underlying heterogeneity of developing B cells and point to key developmental nodes linked to B cell transformation.
Pre-Service Teacher Supports in Urban Schools

Research highlights the challenges of teacher preparation programs in adequately preparing teachers to meet the needs of diverse students often served in high-needs urban schools. Teacher preparati...
Assimilation of lidar planetary boundary layer height observations

Abstract. Lidar backscatter and wind retrievals of the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) are assimilated into 22-hourly forecasts from the NASA Unified – Weather and Research Forecast (NU-WRF) model during the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) campaign on 11 July 2015 in Greensburg, Kansas, using error statistics collected from the model profiles to compute the necessary covariance matrices. Two separate forecast runs using different PBL physics schemes were employed, and comparisons with six independent radiosonde profiles were made for each run. Both of the forecast runs accurately predicted the PBLH and the state variable profiles within the planetary boundary layer during the early morning, and the assimilation had a small impact during this time. In the late afternoon, the forecast runs showed decreased accuracy as the convective boundary layer developed. However, assimilation of the Doppler lidar PBLH observations was found to improve the temperature and V -velocity profiles relative to independent radiosonde profiles. Water vapor was overcorrected, leading to increased differences with independent data. Errors in the U velocity were made slightly larger. The computed forecast error covariances between the PBLH and state variables were found to rise in the late afternoon, leading to the larger improvements in the afternoon. This work represents the first effort to assimilate PBLH into forecast states using ensemble methods.
Dynamic PRA-Based Estimation of PWR Coping Time Using a Surrogate Model for Accident Tolerant Fuel

This study proposes an interpolation-based response surface surrogate methodology to manage a large number of scenarios in dynamic probabilistic risk assessment. It adopts the shape Dynamic Time Wa...
The Todor and Andja Polich Room at the Hoover Institution: A Note and Remembrance

The article introduces readers to Todor and Andja Polich and the history and purpose of the room that bears their names at the Lou Henry Hoover Building of the Hoover Institution.
Nothing Is Not Enough: Fix the Absurd Post-Booker Federal Sentencing System

This article contends that the advisory guidelines system created by the Supreme Court9s 200 decision in United States v. Booker should be replaced. It advances three arguments: First, the post- Booker advisory system is conceptually indefensible. It retains virtually every feature excoriated by critics of the original sentencing guidelines. Its extreme 9advisoriness,9 while partially ameliorating some problems with the original guidelines, reintroduces the very concerns about unreviewable judicial arbitrariness that spawned the structured sentencing movement in the first place. More importantly, the post- Booker system does not solve the biggest problem with the pre- Booker system — that its architecture and institutional arrangements predisposed the Commission9s rule-making process to become a one-way upward ratchet which raised sentences often and lowered them virtually never. Its sole relative advantage — that of conferring additional (and effectively unreviewable) discretion on sentencing judges — is insufficient to justify its retention as a permanent system. Second, there exist a number of constitutionally permissible alternatives to the court-created Booker system, one of which — that originally proposed by the Constitution Project and more recently endorsed by Judge William Sessions, former Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission — is markedly superior to the present system. Third, the difficult problem is not designing a sentencing mechanism better than either the pre- or post- Booker guidelines, but ensuring that such a system, once in place, does not replicate pre- Booker experience and become a one-way upward ratchet prescribing ever higher sentences. The article offers suggestions about how this difficulty might be solved, while conceding both the difficulty of this problem and the justice of the concern that, however imperfect the advisory system, it may be the best that can be achieved given the present constellation of institutional and political forces.
A practical way to enhance the synthesis of N8- from an N3- precursor, studied by both computational and experimental methods.

Polymeric nitrogen (PN) belongs to a general family of materials containing all-nitrogen molecules or clusters. Although it is rare and challenging to synthesize PN members, they are attracting increasing scientific attention due to their high energy storage capacity and possible use as a green catalyst. A few theoretical calculations predicted the possible PN phases from N2 gas, but they all require extremely high pressures and temperatures to synthesize. In this work, a practical way to synthesize N8 polymeric nitrogen from an N3− precursor is elucidated using density functional theory calculations. The detailed mechanism, , is determined. The calculated energy barriers indicate that the first step is the rate-limiting step. This result guides us to rationally synthesize N8 under UV (254 nm) irradiation, chosen based on the calculated absorption spectrum for the azide anion. As expected, UV irradiation enhances N8 yields by nearly four times. This provides an interesting route to the scalable synthesis of high energy density N8 compounds.
Marital satisfaction, parenting styles, and child outcomes in families of autistic children.

Theory and research on the general population suggest that parents' marital relationship quality is associated with children's emotional and behavioral functioning directly, as well as indirectly, by affecting parenting attitudes and behaviors. However, little has been done to investigate the potential connection among parent marital satisfaction, parenting styles, and outcomes for autistic children. Using longitudinal data collected from 188 couples parenting an autistic child, this study tested the time-ordered indirect effect of parent marital satisfaction (assessed at Time 1) on the internalizing and externalizing symptoms (assessed at Time 3) of autistic children (originally aged 5-12 years) via parenting styles (assessed at Time 2) using actor-partner interdependence modeling extended to mediation. Results indicated that a lower level of marital satisfaction at Time 1 predicted impaired child outcomes at Time 3 via its impact on parenting style at Time 2. For both parents, lower marital satisfaction predicted more child externalizing symptoms via reports of more authoritarian parenting style. Lower marital satisfaction in mothers at Time 1 was also associated with higher levels of child internalizing symptoms at Time 3 via increased authoritarian parenting in mothers. No partner effects were found. A family-wide approach that includes support for the parent marital relationship, which may have downstream effects on parenting, is important for promoting optimal emotional and behavioral health in autistic children.
NVLSM: A Persistent Memory Key-Value Store Using Log-Structured Merge Tree with Accumulative Compaction

Computer systems utilizing byte-addressable Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) as memory/storage can provide low-latency data persistence. The widely used key-value stores using Log-Structured Merge Tree (L...
Targeted regulation of plasmid DNA expression in eukaryotic cells with a methylated-DNA-binding activator

PurposeTargeted regulation of transfected extra-chromosomal plasmid DNA typically requires the integration of 9 - 20 bp docking sites into the plasmid. Here, we report an elegant approach, The Dpn Adaptor Linked Effector (DAL-E) system, to target fusion proteins to 6-methyladenosine in GATC, which appears frequently in popular eukaryotic expression vectors and is absent from endogenous genomic DNA. Methods: The DNA-binding region from the DpnI endonuclease binds 6-methyladenosine within the GATC motif. We used a Dpn-transcriptional activator (DPN7-TA) fusion to induce gene expression from transiently transfected pDNAs. ResultsWe validated methylation-dependent activity of DPN7-TA with a panel of target pDNAs. We observed stronger transactivation when GATC targets were located upstream of the transcriptional start site in the target pDNA. Conclusion: DAL-E, consisting of a 108 aa, 12 kD DNA-binding adaptor and a 4 bp recognition site, offers a genetically-tractable, tunable system that can potentially be redesigned to recruit a variety of regulators (e.g. activators, silencers, epigenome editors) to transfected plasmid DNA. LAY SUMMARYTransfection of plasmid DNA (pDNA) is a commonly used method for introducing exogenous genetic material into mammalian cells. Once introduced into cells not all pDNAs express this genetic material at sufficient levels. Current techniques to improve transgene expression are limited and are not always feasible for all plasmids. This report presents a new method to improve gene expression from pDNA. The Dpn Adaptor Linked Effector (DAL-E) binds to methylated adenines in the pDNA resulting in increased expression. This technique has exciting implications for improved genetic engineering of mammalian cells. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=124 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/466616v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (44K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1116db0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1386f99org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@26c63corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a09673_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Phase V: Sports Commissioner/League Founders

Phase V is all about reinvention and occurs when an extraordinary leader at Phase IV decides to change the nature of the field from which he or she emerged. Very few leaders ever get to Phase V. Those who do become household names: Steve Jobs (technology), Richard Branson (travel), Warren Buffet (value investing), and Elon Musk (travel and innovation-based investing). In each case, transformational leaders end up affecting the lives of millions of people.
Qualitative research as policy knowledge: Framing policy problems and transforming education from the ground up

As educational research becomes privatized, commodified and commercialized, research relevance increasingly means being incorporated into neoliberal ideological and economic agendas. Within this social context, qualitative research in particular is often deemed less relevant (if not irrelevant) because it does not provide prescriptions for best practices or claim to offer “proof” that a given policy will lead to specific outcomes. The authors suggest that notions of research’s relevance to policy and practice may be too narrow a way of thinking about how qualitative scholarship might enter policy discourse. Instead, they propose that scholars advance a new common sense, in which “policy knowledge” is understood as more useful—indeed, more relevant—than mere policy prescription. In their view, impacting the very framing of policy will require that scholars expand their notion of the audiences for educational research, and be more creative at reaching a diverse range of stakeholders, including not only policymakers, but also journalists, youth and community activists, and teachers.
PET and SPECT imaging for stereotactic localization.

Stereotactic localization using PET and SPECT has been used together with the Leksell stereotactic frame and the other imaging tools routinely provided to Gamma Knife radiosurgery sites. The accuracy
Biologically inspired defenses against computer viruses

Today's anti-virus technology, based largely on analysis of existing viruses by human experts, is just barely able to keep pace with the more than three new computer viruses that are written daily. In a few years, intelligent agents navigating through highly connected networks are likely to form an extremely fertile medium for a new breed of viruses. At IBM, we are developing novel, biologically inspired antivirus techniques designed to thwart both today's and tomorrow's viruses. Here we describe two of these: a neural network virus detector that learns to discriminate between infected and uninfected programs, and a computer immune system that identifies new viruses, analyzes them automatically, and uses the results of its analysis to detect and remove all copies of the virus that are present in the system. The neural-net technology has been incorporated into IBM's commercial anti-virus product; the computer immune system is in prototype.
The Inca Empire

The Inca Empire (Figure 40.1) was the last native state to develop in South America before sixteenth century European invasions introduced foreign culture, religion, and disease. Building on principles common to a millennium-long tradition of Andean statecraft, the Incas innovated and modified their imperial strategies and practices to dominate a larger and more ecologically diverse territory—and to administer a more numerous and cosmopolitan population—than any earlier Andean civilizations. This chapter presents a brief, archaeologically driven account of the rise and expansion of the Inca Empire, focusing on the material record to describe certain essential characteristics of the Inca imperial order (for more comprehensive syntheses see, e.g., D’Altroy 2002; Stanish 2001; and the classic statement by Rowe 1946). In focusing on Inca archaeology this paper cannot do justice to the major contributions made by anthropologists and ethnohistorians to Inca studies (see, e.g., Murra 1980 [1955]; Zuidema 1964; Rostworowski 1999; Pease 1991; Urton 1990—to name only a few).
IMMUNOHEMATOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON ERYTHROBLASTOTIC INFANTS. I. DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS

With the use of the described developing test and other technics in immunohematologic observations on red blood cells and sera from untreated neonatal infants suspected of having erythroblastosis, it has been possible to make a specific diagnosis and to obtain data which will contribute to a more accurate prognosis than has been possible heretofore. The AB serum, saline, and blocking tests as described lack the specificity and sensitivity of the direct developing tests for diagnosis; but when used alone, if the results are positive, they are of some value in the estimation of prognosis.
Relativistic Jet Formation in Microquasars

Microquasars produce collimated, relativistic flow at speeds up to a Lorentz factor of ∼ 3 (0.94c). It is generally believed that such flow velocities indicate that jet acceleration and collimation occurs in the relativistic environment of a supermassive black hole. Recently, several groups around the world have begun to test theories of jet formation using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of magnetized gas flow around black holes. This paper reviews the field of simulations of MHD jet formation, with an emphasis on producing the observed jet speeds and on the role that black hole angular momentum might play. It is shown that the most powerful jets occur when the black hole is rotating rapidly and when the accretion disk is geometrically thick and hot. This model may explain the association of jet ejection with the hard state in microquasars.
In vivo radiotherapy dose monitoring system

In this paper, we describe a fiber-optic-coupled radiation sensor that can be placed directly at the site of a tumor in a patient that is undergoing radiation therapy. The sensor provides real-time feedback during the therapy procedure allowing for precise control of the delivered dose. It is expected that better control of the radiotherapy parameters will lead to increased survivability statistics and a better overall quality of life for cancer patients.
Cultural Foundations of Learning: East and West

Western and East Asian people hold fundamentally different beliefs about learning that influence how they approach child rearing and education. Reviewing decades of research, Dr Jin Li presents an important conceptual distinction between the Western mind model and the East Asian virtue model of learning. The former aims to cultivate the mind to understand the world, whereas the latter prioritizes the self to be perfected morally and socially. Tracing the cultural origins of the two large intellectual traditions, Li details how each model manifests itself in the psychology of the learning process, learning affect, regard of one's learning peers, expression of what one knows and parents' guiding efforts. Despite today's accelerated cultural exchange, these learning models do not diminish but endure.
Improving decoding tube performance for the UWPET time of flight detector modules

The UWPET (ultraviolet positron emission tomograph) (a modified SP-3000 time-of-flight system) utilizes detector modules with eight BaF/sub 2/ crystals coupled to five photomultiplier tubes. Although previous changes have improved module performance, further tests have been conducted in an attempt to increase both the inner/outer crystal decoding efficiency and the long-term optical coupling stability. It has been verified that KE103 compound provides the same UV light transmission as the Viscascil 600000 normally used. KE103 is generally considered the more mechanically stable project. Attempts were made to improve the energy resolution and peak position by increasing the amount of light reaching the decoding tube through a light-sharing technique and by reducing electronic noise associated with the decoding tube. At this time it appears that the initial configuration, developed by PETT electronics, is the most effective. >