cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Possible use of Fe/CO2 fuel cells for CO2 mitigation plus H2 and electricity production

Abstract The continuous oxidation of scrap iron in the presence of a constant CO2-rich waste gas stream and water is evaluated as a means of sequestering anthropogenic CO2 as well as generating hydrogen gas and electricity. The stoichiometry of the net reaction, Fe0 + CO2 + H2O → FeCO3 + H2, and assumptions about reaction rates, reactant and product prices/values and overhead costs suggest that CO2 might be mitigated at a net profit in excess of $30/tonne CO2. The principle profit center of the process would be hydrogen production, alone providing a gross income of >$160/tonne CO2 reacted. However, the realization of such fuel cell economics depends on a number of parameters including: (1) the rate at which the reaction can be sustained, (2) the areal and volumetric density with which H2 and electricity can be produced, (3) the purity of the H2 produced, (4) the transportation costs of the reactants (Fe, CO2 and H2O) and products (FeCO3 or Fe(HCO3)2) to/from the cells and (5) the cost/benefit trade-offs of optimizing the preceding variables in a given market and regulatory environment. Because of the carbon intensity of conventional iron metal production, a net carbon sequestration benefit for the process can be realized only when waste (rather than new) iron and steel are used as electrodes and/or when Fe(HCO3)2 is the end product. The used electrolyte could also provide a free source of Fe2+ ions for enhancing iron-limited marine photosynthesis and, thus, greatly increasing the CO2 sequestration potential of the process. Alternatively, the reaction of naturally occurring iron oxides (iron ore) with CO2 can be considered for FeCO3 formation and sequestration, but this foregoes the benefits of hydrogen and electricity production. Use of Fe/CO2 fuel cells would appear to be particularly relevant for fossil fuel gasification/steam reforming systems given the highly concentrated CO2 they generate and given the existing infrastructure they provide for producing and handling H2 and/or electricity.
Design of the NSCL Coupling Line

The K500 and K800 cyclotrons at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory must be joined by a beamline which matches the emittance of the K500 to the acceptance of the K800. This paper describes the optical design of that beamline, with particular emphasis on the conceptual design process. Specific optical constraints are given along with the techniques used for meeting them. Beam diagnostics are also discussed. All magnets will be superconducting.
Asymptotic convergence of nonlinear contraction semigroups in Hilbert space

Abstract Let S be a contraction semigroup on a closed convex subset C of a Hilbert space. If the generator of S satisfies a strengthened monotonicity condition then the weak limt → ∞ S(t)x exists for all x in C. As one consequence, the method of steepest descent converges weakly for convex functions in Hilbert space; and it converges strongly for even convex functions.
Multiple Pathways Are Co-regulated by the Protein Kinase Snf1 and the Transcription Factors Adr1 and Cat8

ADR1 and CAT8 encode carbon source-responsive transcriptional regulators that cooperatively control expression of genes involved in ethanol utilization. These transcription factors are active only after the diauxic transition, when glucose is depleted and energy-generating metabolism has shifted to the aerobic oxidation of non-fermentable carbon sources. The Snf1 protein kinase complex is required for activation of their downstream target genes described previously. Using DNA microarrays, we determined the extent to which these three factors collaborate in regulating the expression of the yeast genome after glucose depletion. The expression of 108 genes is significantly decreased in the absence of ADR1. The importance of ADR1 during the diauxic transition is illustrated by the observation that expression of almost one-half of the 40 most highly glucose-repressed genes is ADR1-dependent. ADR1-dependent genes fall into a variety of functional classes with carbon metabolism containing the largest number of members. Most of the genes in this class are involved in the oxidation of different non-fermentable carbon sources. These microarray data show that ADR1 coordinates the biochemical pathways that generate acetyl-CoA and NADH from non-fermentable substrates. Only a small number of ADR1-dependent genes are also CAT8-dependent. However, nearly one-half of the ADR1-dependent genes are also dependent on the Snf1 protein kinase for derepression. Many more genes are SNF1-dependent than are either ADR1- or CAT8-dependent suggesting that SNF1 plays a broader role in gene expression than either ADR1 or CAT8. The largest class of SNF1-dependent genes encodes regulatory proteins that could extend SNF1 dependence to additional pathways.
Multi-Object Tracking and Occlusion Reasoning Based on Adaptive Weighing Particle Filter

Multi-object tracking has significant merit to our society. However, interactions among objects result in complex spatial occlusions, which gives rise to a challenging problem in tracking. We propose an adaptive weighing particle filter (AWPT) for tracking multiple objects and reasoning the occlusions among them. A weighing-occlusion modeling-weighing procedure is developed to adaptively weigh the particles. Moreover, we propose a stack occlusion model and define the operations on it to maintain the occlusion relationship. The experiments exhibit that the proposed method can effectively track fully occluded objects and reason about the occlusion relationships among them.
Comparison of Species Tree Methods for Reconstructing the Phylogeny of Bearded Manakins (Aves: Pipridae, Manacus) from Multilocus Sequence Data

Although the power of multi-locus data in estimating species trees is apparent, it is also clear that the analytical methodologies for doing so are still maturing. For example, of the methods currently available for estimating species trees from multiocus data, the Bayesian method introduced by Liu and Pearl (2007; BEST) is the only one that provides nodal support values. Using gene sequences from five nuclear loci, we explored two analytical methods (deep coalescence and BEST) to reconstruct the species tree of the five primary Manacus OTUs: M. aurantiacus, M. candei, M. vitellinus, populations of M. manacus from west of the Andes (M. manacus (w)), and populations of M. manacus from east of the Andes (M. manacus (e)). Both BEST and deep coalescence supported a sister relationship between M. vitellinus and M. manacus (w). A lower probability tree from the BEST analysis and one of the most parsimonious deep coalescence trees also supported a sister relationship between M. candei and M. aurantiacus. Because hybrid zones connect the distributions of most Manacus species, we examined the potential influence of post-divergence gene flow on the sister relationship of parapatrically distributed M. vitellinus and M. manacus (w). An isolation-with-migration (IM) analysis found relatively high levels of gene flow between M. vitellinus and M. manacus (w). Whether the gene flow is obscuring a true sister relationship between M. manacus (w) and M. manacus (e) remained unclear, pointing to the need for more detailed models accommodating multispecies, multilocus DNA sequence data. (Gene trees; incomplete lineage sorting; manakin; phylogeny; species tree.)
Decreasing use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in the United States is Independent of Reimbursement Changes: A Medicare and Veterans Health Administration claims analysis.

Purpose: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists are the most common form of androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer. Limited data exist regarding physician decision-making in prescribing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. We present an analysis of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist use trends based on a time matched comparison of data from Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration, a health care system unaffected by recent changes in Medicare reimbursement implemented by the Medicare Modernization Act in 2004.Materials and Methods: Medicare claims and payment data were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2003 to 2007 for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and for simple orchiectomy. The Veterans Health Administration Pharmacy Benefits Management database was queried for the annual number of prescriptions for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists during the same period.Results: After implementation of ...
Improving predictions for water spills using DDDAS

In dynamic data driven application systems, the predictions are improved based on measurements obtained in time. Predicted quantity often satisfies differential equation models with unknown initial conditions and source terms. A physical example of the problem we are attempting to solve is a major waste spill near a body of water. This can be, for example, near an aquifer, or possibly in a river or bay. Sensors can be used to measure where the contaminant was spilled, where it is, and where it will go. In this paper, we propose techniques for improving predictions by estimating initial conditions and source terms. We show how well we can solve the problem for a variety of data-driven models.
Old before their time: the impossibility of childhood innocence in The Walking Dead

Many in Western culture see childhood as innocent and children as pure, even though this is often not the case. Because of this inaccurate view, many contemporary narratives push back against the feasibility of maintaining childhood innocence. One such narrative is Robert Kirkman’s serialised comic book The Walking Dead, in which children are exposed to potentially traumatic events, like death and violence, on a daily basis. The comic book juxtaposes images and situations containing children and youth against the horrific environment in which the characters find themselves, often with devastating results. These juxtapositions demonstrate the impossibility of maintaining innocence in a dangerous world. The child Carl’s rapid movement towards adulthood is also analogous to the transition towards more adult content in comic books. The movement towards more adult content in a form that some thought was, or should be, strictly for children is, in some ways, representative of the futility in attempting to shelt...
A Comparison of the Measure of Surprise Between Several Variables for Medical Control

The fuzzy causation measure K has be defined using the fuzzy Subsethood theorem. It is a measure of the role of unknown factors in the determination of a change in cardinality of a fuzzy set. Methods: We measured the value of K for: (1) change in fuzzy set cardinality using low density and high density lipoprotein values in 10 patients with history of ischemic stroke, (2) the change in fuzzy set cardinality for expert opinion regarding the degree of goal value attained by same variables, and (3) the change in fuzzy cardinality for non-expert grading of degree of control of the same variables. We compared K values for change in lab results, expert results and non expert results. Results: The degree of change in K for low and high density lipoprotein values in each of 10 patients, and the non expert was minimal compared to that of the expert's opinion. Conclusion and Interpretation: The expert and the non expert use their own normalization values for determination of degree of clinical goal values met for a given laboratory result. In the case of the expert, this normalization changes based on his experience and in a non linear fashion. For the non expert who normalizes according to a set standard of written clinical guidelines, there is no change in K reflecting a rigid standard canceling out the effect of any other contributing factors on his judgment.
Visual attention in children with perinatal brain injury: Asymmetric effects of bilateral lesions

The neural systems underlying visual attention have been well-documented in adults through studies examining the effects of brain lesions on specific attentional operations (Posner, Cohen, & Rafal, 1982). The questions of how this attentional system develops and how it is affected by disruption during development are only beginning to be addressed. In the present study, a covert orienting task (Posner et al., 1982) was administered to 33 children with bilateral perinatal injury to anterior, posterior, or diffuse brain regions and 36 normal children to determine the effects of such injury on visual attention. Children with bilateral anterior lesions showed lateralized impairment indicating compromise of left hemisphere early attentional processes. In contrast, children with posterior lesions that typically disrupt attention in adults showed only general slowing, with no differences in right or left visual field performance or deficits in specific attentional operations. These results suggest that anterior brain regions play an important role in the development of visual attention, and that left hemisphere attentional processes are particularly affected by disruption of anterior function.
Drosophila Mtm and class II PI3K coregulate a PI(3)P pool with cortical and endolysosomal functions

Reversible phosphoinositide phosphorylation provides a dynamic membrane code that balances opposing cell functions. However, in vivo regulatory relationships between specific kinases, phosphatases, and phosphoinositide subpools are not clear. We identified myotubularin (mtm), a Drosophila melanogaster MTM1/MTMR2 phosphoinositide phosphatase, as necessary and sufficient for immune cell protrusion formation and recruitment to wounds. Mtm-mediated turnover of endosomal phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) pools generated by both class II and III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (Pi3K68D and Vps34, respectively) is needed to down-regulate membrane influx, promote efflux, and maintain endolysosomal homeostasis. Endocytosis, but not endolysosomal size, contributes to cortical remodeling by mtm function. We propose that Mtm-dependent regulation of an endosomal PI(3)P pool has separable consequences for endolysosomal homeostasis and cortical remodeling. Pi3K68D depletion (but not Vps34) rescues protrusion and distribution defects in mtm-deficient immune cells and restores functions in other tissues essential for viability. The broad interactions between mtm and class II Pi3K68D suggest a novel strategy for rebalancing PI(3)P-mediated cell functions in MTM-related human disease.
Angular variation of coercivity in thin-film media by micromagnetic model

A computer micromagnetic simulation model is employed to study the angular variation of coercivity (out of plane) in thin-film media. Each grain of the film is uniformly magnetized and switches coherently according to the S-W model. The M-H hysteresis loops for applied fields at different angles to the film plane are obtained for various magnetostatic interaction parameters, quantum exchange constants, and easy axis distributions. The angular variation of the coercivity curve exhibits a peak if there is magnetostatic interaction among the grains and qualitatively follows the experimental results well. The peak in the angular variation of coercivity is seen to result from the demagnetizing field. The rotational hysteresis process is also investigated by means of this model. >
On space-time-frequency coding over MIMO-OFDM systems

A sphere packing lower bound and a pairwise error upper bound are derived on error probability of space-time-frequency coded OFDM systems over multiple antenna block-fading channels. These bounds are useful in performance analysis and design of the codes. For example, the sphere packing bound provides a tool to investigate the performance limits of frequency-selective block-fading channels in terms of parameters such as number of antennas, coherence time, coherence bandwidth, delay constraint, and system bandwidth. Also, it can be used to specify the merit of a code in the sense of how far the code performs from fundamental limits. Comparisons with several known results are provided to support this assertion. On the other hand, the pairwise error upper bound can be used as a basis for a unified approach to analysis and design of space-time-frequency codes over any Rician or Rayleigh, block-fading channel in the presence of any type of correlation profile. Expressions for maxima of temporal diversity, spectral diversity, and spatial diversity are derived in terms of the system parameters. It is shown that under certain circumstances, one can not obtain the maxima of all types of diversities jointly. Moreover, the effect of system parameters and channel correlation profile on outage probability is investigated. Specifically, it is shown that unlike the spatial correlation, the temporal and spectral correlation does not affect the ergodic channel capacity (per dimension). However, they increase the variance of instantaneous channel capacity and hence, increase the outage probability.
Technology independent arbitrary device extractor

This paper presents the technology independent arbitrary device specification language and device extraction algorithm used in our layout extractor iLEX. Device models specified in the device specification language are converted to graphs, and subgraph isomorphism is used to extract device instances in given layouts. Finally, experimental data are provided to show the capability of our device extraction algorithms.
Comment on “Toward a Behavioral Theory of Strategy”

1. The Limits of My Language When one firm moves in a new direction, why do other firms not follow? Perhaps it is because they do not want to follow, because they think that the firm has made a bad choice. Perhaps they do want to follow but cannot. Or perhaps they would want to follow, and could follow, but they do not fully grasp the choice that the firm has just made. In the first case, the story is one of differing opinions. In the second case, it is one of differing abilities. But what is behind the third case? In his 2012 perspective “Toward a Behavioral Theory of Strategy,” Giovanni Gavetti offers a very intriguing answer. Some firms are endowed with better ways of representing the world around them than others. Superior representations lead to superior choices that are not easy for other firms to understand and copy. “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world” (Wittgenstein 1921, Proposition 5.6 in the 1922 translated edition): We read Gavetti as something of a Wittgensteinian among business strategists. We suspect that his notion of a representation of the world is not fully captured by language, but language is surely an important part of any such representation. In this commentary, we will focus on language as representation, and see where this association takes us.
A queueing network approximation of semiconductor automated material handling systems: how much information do we really need?

Queueing networks are sometimes used to model material handling in flexible manufacturing systems. We explore the use of a closed queueing network model to approximate an intrabay automated material handling system (AMHS) in semiconductor manufacturing. Rather than solving the model analytically, we propose simulating it. Current industry models are very complex and require long development and run times. The simulated approximation can be used as an easy and fast alternative. To compare the approximation with the detailed models in use, we employ an information taxonomy to classify AMHS models based on the amount and types of information needed to model the system, and to obtain desired output. This classification aids modelers in determining the level of detail to incorporate in a model based on the objectives of the simulation study.
MICROBODIES IN EXPERIMENTALLY ALTERED CELLS

A rapid and sustained increase in the number of microbodies in liver and kidney cells can be induced in male rats by ethyl chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (CPIB), a hypolipidemic drug. This phenomenon permits investigation of several aspects of microbody behavior in experimental conditions. Reversal experiments demonstrate that liver cells revert to normal between 2 and 3 weeks after withdrawal of CPIB and that one of the mechanisms for removal of excess microbodies is their incorporation into structures indistinguishable from lysosomes. In a state of rapid cell division, such as that present during liver regeneration, microbody proliferation apparently occupies a high biological priority. In necrotic or degenerating cells microbody structure remains relatively normal. The increase in microbodies induced by CPIB is inhibited by chloramphenicol. No increase in microbodies occurred in female rats or in chickens, guinea pigs, or rabbits at the dosage used (0.25% in diet). No changes in microbodies were seen in monkey liver. Catalase activity was generally parallel to the numerical response in microbodies. Additional observations suggest that the microbody response to CPIB is not related to hepatomegaly induced by this agent but may be related to the hypolipidemic effect of CPIB, though hypolipidemia per se is not a specific or sufficient cause of microbody proliferation.
Impact of socio-economic conditions on the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the world's worst parasitic killers, second only to Malaria, claiming thousands of lives every year. More than three fifths of the world's VL cases occur in the Indian state of Bihar alone. While some research has been conducted with emphasis on the effects of climatic variables on the VL incidence rate, rigorous analysis of the effects of socio-economic variables is still lacking. In this paper a regression model is developed that describes the relationship between VL incidence rate and a variety of socio-economic factors. It uses data from 2005 and explains 92% of the observed variance. In addition, a stepwise regression model is also used to identify the most important factors that facilitate the prevalence of the VL disease. A discussion on how to most effectively distribute Bihar's limited resources on various control measures to decrease the incidence of VL is also presented.
Field measurements of three-dimensional hydraulics in a step-pool channel

We investigated the effects of morphologic position and discharge on flow structure in a steep (0.10m/m) mountain channel by collecting three-dimensional measurements of time-averaged and turbulent velocity components with a SonTek FlowTracker Handheld ADV (acoustic Doppler velocimeter) on a 30-m reach of a step-pool channel in the Colorado Rockies. Velocity profiles were measured at morphologic positions characteristic of steep channels (above steps, step lips, base of steps, pools, cascades, runs), and at five different discharges. A marked three-dimensionality of flow structure was documented in East St. Louis Creek. Velocities in the streamwise component were the largest contributors to overall velocity vector magnitudes; cross-stream and vertical components contributed averages of 20% and 15%, respectively, to overall vector magnitudes. Turbulence intensities were especially multi-dimensional, however, with large contributions to turbulent kinetic energy from the vertical component of velocity. Analysis of variance indicated that discharge and morphologic position significantly affected mean streamwise velocities, with substantially higher velocities upstream from steps than in pools. Discharge and morphology effects on cross-stream and vertical velocity components, however, were not significant. Discharge and morphologic position also significantly affected turbulence intensities for all flow components, with the greatest turbulence intensities occurring in pools and at high discharges. These results illustrate the strong discharge-dependence of hydraulics in step-pool channels, where relative submergence of bedforms changes rapidly with discharge, and the substantial spatial variation in hydraulics created by step-pool sequences.
Relationship between isthmotectal fibers and other tectopetal systems in the leopard frog.

We studied the relationship of isthmotectal input to other tectal afferent fiber systems in three ways. 1) Using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) histochemistry, we determined the nonretinal inputs to the superficial tectum. In different sets of animals we a) applied HRP to the tectal surface; b) inserted HRP crystals into the tectum; c) injected small volumes of HRP solutions into the superficial tectum. N. isthmi accounts for more than 65 % of the nonretinal extrinsic input in the superficial tectal layers. One set of fibers from the contralateral n. isthmi projects to the most superficial layer. Fibers from posterior thalamus and tegmentum project to both superficial and deeper layers in the tectum, but not to the most superficial layer. The ipsilaterally projecting isthmotectal fibers terminate in the deeper superficial layers. 2) We investigated the relationship between retinofugal and contralaterally projecting isthmotectal pathways. We orthogradely labelled n. isthmi fibers by unilateral HRP injections into n. isthmi, and we also labelled retinal fibers by injecting tritiated 1-proline into both eyes. In such animals contralaterally projecting isthmotectal fibers cross in the dorsal posterior region of the optic chiasm. From the chiasm to the tectum isthmotectal fibers and retinofugal fibers are admixed. 3) We determined whether other fiber systems cross with contralaterally projecting isthmotectal fibers. We cut the posterior part of the optic chiasm and applied HRP crystals to the cut. Only n. isthmi and retina are retrogradely labelled.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sense and Avoid Flight Testing Utilizing ADS-B Transceiver

The University of North Dakota has been actively developing enabling airborne sense and avoid (SAA) technologies under a series of projects funded by the Department of Defense, and has elected the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) transceiver as one of its central components for cooperative aircraft mid-air collision avoidance. This paper presents the results of modeling and testing collision avoidance algorithms using ADS-B derived information in a software-in-the-loop (SWIL) simulation environment, a hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation environment, and a flight test environment onboard a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) vehicle during the summer of 2009. A procedure for flight testing the ADS-B-based SAA system that safely alleviates the need for any physical intruder aircraft is also explained. The flight test results demonstrate that an airborne SAA system utilizing an ADS-B transceiver can be integrated into a small UAS vehicle to improve safety and eventually allow integration of UAS vehicles into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).
Three new Neotropical genera of Odiniidae (Diptera: Acalyptratae)

Three new genera of Odiniidae (Diptera) are described from Costa Rica, including Helgreelia gen. nov. (type species, albeto sp. nov.; additional species, parkeri sp. nov.) and the monotypic genera Neoschildomyia gen. nov. (type species, fusca sp. nov.) and Pradomyia gen. nov. (type species, hadromera sp. nov.). A key to the New World genera of the family is provided.
Frequency Distribution Analysis of the Normal Lymphocyte Response to Phytohemaggluitnin

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte blastogenesls was used as an in vitro test for the immunocompetence of circulating thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes. The data accumulated from a pool of normal individuals showed a wide range of responses and are presented here. The response variability is a function of time-dependent variations within individuals at high PHA concentrations. At low PHA concentrations, there is large variability of response within individuals as a function of time as well as large variability in mean responses between individuals. A non-Gaussian frequency distribution of responses is also obtained at low PHA concentration. The frequency distribution of responses observed does not appear to be strongly dependent upon the age distribution of the normals.
ONTOGENY OF VESICULAR MONOAMINE TRANSPORTER MRNAS VMAT1 AND VMAT2. I. THE DEVELOPING RAT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract We used in situ hybridization histochemistry to study the expression of the mRNA of the two vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT1 and VMAT2) during embryonic and postnatal development of the central nervous system (CNS) in the rat. In the adult rat, VMAT2 mRNA is present exclusively in monoaminergic cell groups of the CNS and VMAT1 mRNA was reported to be present in the adrenal medulla and certain intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast to the above, the expression of VMAT1 mRNA has previously never been detected in the central nervous system. This study shows the first evidence that both transporter molecules are expressed in CNS during ontogenesis. We here demonstrate four main expression patterns detected during development: 1. VMAT2 mRNA expression in monoaminergic neurons of the brainstem beginning as early as embryonic day E13. 2. Expression of VMAT2 mRNA in all major sensory relay nuclei of central nervous system. 3. Co-expression of VMAT1 and VMAT2 mRNA in most limbic structures, basal ganglia, as well as in some hypothalamic nuclei. 4. Exclusive expression of VMAT1 mRNA in the neocortical subventricular zone, in the amygdala at early (E15–18) and late (P1–P28) timepoints, the granular cell layer of cerebellum, and in several brainstem motor nuclei. Based on their distribution during development we suggest that monoamines, released in a controlled fashion, might affect wiring of sensory and also motor circuits. VMAT1 mRNA expression may reflect a specific effect of monoamines in glial differentiation and cerebellar granule cell migration and/or differentiation.
Concurrent functional and metabolic assessment of brain tumors using hybrid PET/MR imaging.

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) and positron emission tomography (PET) using an integrated PET/MR system in tumor grading as well as in differentiating recurrent tumor from treatment-induced effects (TIE) in brain tumor patients. Twenty patients (Group A: treatment naive, 9 patients with 16 lesions; Group B: post-therapy, 11 patients with 18 lesions) underwent fluorine 18 ((18)F) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) brain PET/MR with PWI. Two blinded readers predicted low versus high-grade tumor (for Group A) and tumor recurrence versus TIE (for Group B) based solely on tumor rCBV (regional cerebral blood volume) and SUV (standardized uptake values). Tumor histopathology at resection was the reference standard. Using rCBV(mean) ≤ 1.74 as a cut-off, 100% sensitivity and 74% specificity were observed, whereas 75% sensitivity and 89.7% specificity were observed with SUV(mean) ≤ 4.0 as a cut-off to classify patients as test positive for low-grade tumors (Group A) and TIE (Group B). Diagnostic accuracy for detection of low-grade tumors was 90% using PWI and 40% using PET in Group A (p = 0.056); for detection of TIE in Group B, diagnostic accuracy was 94.1% using PWI and 55.6% using PET (p = 0.033). No significant correlation was demonstrated between rCBV parameters and SUV in Group A (mean values: p > 0.403), Group B (p > 0.06) and in the entire population (p > 0.07). Best overall sensitivity and specificity were obtained using rCBV(mean) ≤ 1.74 and SUV(mean) ≤ 4.0 cut-off values. PWI demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy in both groups. Poor correlation was observed between FDG and rCBV parameters.
Physician "gag laws" and gun safety.

Gun violence has become an epidemic in the United States. While mass shootings such as those in Newtown and Columbine receive most of the attention, firearm-related deaths in the home are a far more common event in the United States. Often the victims of these shootings are “innocent bystanders,” especially children. Physicians can and should play an important role in efforts to stem this epidemic—by advising their patients about the dangers posed by firearms in the home and counseling them about best safety practices. Unfortunately, in recent years many states have attempted to regulate such physician-patient conversations between physicians and their patients. These attempts by the states to curtail physicians’ ability to ask their patients about firearms in the home infringe a basic constitutional right to free speech protected by the First Amendment. Moreover, these state efforts are fraught with danger, not only because they place patients and their families at risk of serious injury or death, but also because they would set a precedent that could lead to restrictions on other essential conversations physicians must have with their patients about sensitive topics. It is a dangerous precedent if politicians and policymakers are able to outlaw lines of questioning that do not meet their own ideological standards. Since Florida passed the “physician gag law” in 2011, twelve other states have introduced similar legislation.... http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2014/04/pfor2-1404.html Language: en
Studies on the Chromosomes of Mosquitoes

The prophase and anaphase chromosomes of Aedes canadensis Theobald are illustrated, as are the metaphase chromosome complements of 16 other species, as follows: Culex quinquefasciatus Say, C. salinarius Coquillett, C. tarsalis Coquillett, C. territans Walker, Aedes atropalpus Coquillett, A. hendersoni Cockerell, A. triseriatus (Say), A. vexans (Meigen), A. zoosophus Dyar and Knab, Orthopodomyia alba Baker, O. signifera (Coquillett), Haemagogus equinus Theobald, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis Theobald, Culiseta inornata (Williston), Psoropliora longipalpus complex, and Toxorhynchites rutilans septentrionalis (Dyar and Knab). Additional species examined but not illustrated include Culex restitans Theobald. C. erraticus Dyar and Knab, C. coronator Dyar and Knab, Aedes sollicitans (Walker), Uranotaenia syntheta Dyar and Shannon. Psorophora confinnis (Lynch Arribalzaga), and P. discolor (Coquillett). The chromosomes of 16 of these species had not previously been examined. The number 2n = 6 was found in all species studied. Distinctive chromosome complements were found at prophase in O. alba, O. signifera , and T. r. septentrionalis , and at metaphase for Anopheles pseudopunctipeiinis . Except for this last, the chromosome complements of the species examined at metaphase are quite similar. Mitosis in Culex salinarius is illustrated and briefly compared with that previously reported for C. pipiens . These studies were made on brain tissue of prepupae, using the squash technique with aceto-orcein as the stain, and these techniques are discussed. Future work suggested includes studies of salivary gland chromosomes and of meiosis. continued search for unique karyotypes, the use of different tissues and techniques, and studies of mitotic stages other than metaphase.
Evidence supporting extraocular muscle pulleys: refuting the platygean view of extraocular muscle mechanics.

The paper in the current issue1 by Robert S. Jampel and Dian X. Shi is the latest polemic by the former author attacking the idea that connective tissue pulleys have an important role in ocular motility and strabismus. These criticisms offered by Jampel and Shi are repetitive, reiterating claims that Dr. Jampel has offered repeatedly in letters to the editor of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS)2,3. I have published replies to the editor of IOVS refuting Jampel's objections in the past 4,5, but in the interest of dispelling confusion in the ophthalmic community, I again take this opportunity to clarify this important issue.
CXCL1, but not IL‐6, significantly impacts intraocular inflammation during infection

During intraocular bacterial infections, the primary innate responders are neutrophils, which may cause bystander damage to the retina or perturb the clarity of the visual axis. We hypothesized that cytokine IL-6 and chemokine CXCL1 contributed to rapid neutrophil recruitment during Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis, a severe form of intraocular infection that is characterized by explosive inflammation and retinal damage that often leads to rapid vision loss. To test this hypothesis, we compared endophthalmitis pathogenesis in C57BL/6J, IL-6-/-, and CXCL1-/- mice. Bacterial growth in eyes of CXCL1-/-, IL-6-/-, and C67BL/6J mice was similar. Retinal function retention was greater in eyes of IL-6-/- and CXCL1-/- mice compared with that of C57BL/6J, despite these eyes having similar bacterial burdens. Neutrophil influx into eyes of CXCL1-/- mice was reduced to a greater degree compared with that of eyes of IL6-/- mice. Histology confirmed significantly less inflammation in eyes of CXCL1-/- mice, but similar degrees of inflammation in IL6-/- and C57BL/6J eyes. Because inflammation was reduced in eyes of infected CXCL1-/- mice, we tested the efficacy of anti-CXCL1 in B. cereus endophthalmitis. Retinal function was retained to a greater degree and there was less overall inflammation in eyes treated with anti-CXCL1, which suggested that anti-CXCL1 may have therapeutic efficacy in limiting inflammation during B. cereus endophthalmitis. Taken together, our results indicate that absence of IL-6 did not affect overall pathogenesis of endophthalmitis. In contrast, absence of CXCL1, in CXCL1-/- mice or after anti-CXCL1 treatment, led to an improved clinical outcome. Our findings suggest a potential benefit in targeting CXCL1 to control inflammation during B. cereus and perhaps other types of intraocular infections.
Selective ablation of arterial plaque with pulsed dye lasers

One limitation on laser surgery has been excessive damage to normal tissue adjacent to the targeted diseased sites. For example, in laser angioplasty, investigators have caused perforations, aneurysms, spasms, and other forms of inadvertent damage to the arterial wall using cw argon, CO2, and Nd:YAG lasers to ablate obstructions (primarily atherosclerotic plaque). The use of pulsed lasers can reduce thermal diffusion damage; however, they can still cause ablation when accidentally directed at normal tissue. In this study, a selective laser ablative technique is demonstrated by using wavelengths at which there is preferential absorption in the plaque.
Sharpening peripheral dose gradient via beam number enhancement from patient head tilt for stereotactic brain radiosurgery.

Sharp dose fall-off is the hallmark of brain radiosurgery for the purpose of delivering high dose radiation to the target while minimizing peripheral dose to regional normal brain tissue. In this study, a technique was developed to enhance the peripheral dose gradient by magnifying the total number of beams focused toward each isocenter through pre-programmed patient head tilting. This technique was tested in clinical settings on a dedicated brain radiosurgical system (GKPFX, Gamma Knife Perfexion, Elekta Oncology) by comparing dosimetry as well as delivery efficiency for 20 radiosurgical cases previously treated with the system. The 3-fold beam number enhancement (BNE) treatment plans were found to produce nearly identical target volume coverage (absolute value 0.2) and dose conformity (BNE CI = 1.41 ± 0.22 versus 1.41 ± 0.11, P > 0.99) as the original treatment plans. The total beam-on time for the 3-fold BNE treatment plans were also found to be comparable (<0.5 min or 2%) with those of the original treatment plans for all the cases. However, BNE treatment plans significantly improved the mean gradient index (BNE GI = 2.94 ± 0.27 versus original GI = 2.98 ± 0.28 P < 0.0001) and low-level isodose volumes, e.g. 20-50% prescribed isodose volumes, by 1.7%-3.9% (P < 0.03). With further 4-5-fold increase in the total number of beams, the absolute gradient index can decrease by as much as -0.5 in absolute value or -20% for a treatment. In conclusion, BNE via patient head tilt has been demonstrated to be a clinically suitable and efficient technique for physically sharpening the peripheral dose gradient for brain radiosurgery.
Control system design and simulation of spacecraft formations

This paper presents an effective control scheme for spacecraft formations. Modifying earlier established control design techniques, feedback laws are constructed to control translational and rotational motion of a group of spacecraft. Computer simulations are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the control laws. The ephemeris and attitude data generated through the simulations are used to create 3D visualizations.
Elouise Cobell and the Indian Trust Funds: Accountability and Trust in Public Administration

U.S. government policy and jurisprudence concerning American Indian nations have long been marked by paradoxes and contradictions. The story of Cobell v. Norton, the largest class action suit ever brought against the federal government, illuminates issues that are basic to the administrative state, including accountability, trust, and the nature of sovereignty. For more than a century, administrators neglected their fiduciary responsibility for the management of Indian trust accounts. The legal doctrine of limited sovereignty failed to protect the rights and interests of Indian citizens and Indian nations. This discussion recounts a history that should be learned from rather than erased.
Learning to Notice Student Thinking About the Equal Sign: K-8 Preservice Teachers’ Experiences in a Teacher Preparation Program

In this chapter, we present our work and research related to preservice teacher (PST) noticing, describing how we provide PSTs with opportunities to notice student thinking about the equal sign and equality. We designed an instructional intervention in an integrated mathematics content and pedagogy course (with a field experience) to support PSTs in (1) learning about key mathematical ideas related to the equal sign and equality, and (2) rehearsing teacher noticing skills. Our PSTs rehearsed and reflected on their noticing skills by conducting two one-on-one clinical interviews with elementary students and participating in debriefing interviews with course instructors. Using this context, we examined (1) the extent to which PSTs attended to and further explored student understanding of the equal sign and equality, and (2) what PSTs perceived they learned about aspects of their teacher professional noticing skills and student thinking about the equal sign and equality. Our results indicate that the PSTs predominantly noticed the strategies students used to solve a task without focusing on student thinking about the equal sign and equality. In addition, our PSTs perceived that they strengthened either their own knowledge or student knowledge of the equal sign and equality while conducting their diagnostic clinical interviews.
A Kinetic and Dynamic Mathematical Model of the Kamyr Digester and its Use in Automatic Control System Development

Abstract The major difficulty in the design of control and operating systems for Kamyr Digesters in Kraft pulp mills has been the lack of a suitable chemical kinetic and process dynamic mathematical model. In addition, little use has been made in the past of the available new techniques in automatic control system design. This paper presents a new and more powerful mathematical descriptive model of the Kraft pulping process. Included also are representations of some of the most important fluid dynamics parameters. Both can be used to help evaluate potential control systems for the process. The model developed accounts for alkali pulping with or without the presence of sulfide. It also contains terns describing the degradation of the wood cellulose. In addition, it contains functions giving representations of process yield and process K number or an analytic representation of the extent of lignin extraction.
Can lifestyle modification slow progression of Parkinson disease

Parkinson disease (PD), similar to other neurodegenerative conditions, is characterized by relentless clinical progression with gradual worsening of both motor and nonmotor features. Potential neuroprotective therapies focusing on aspects of neurodegeneration in PD such as impaired mitochondrial function with abnormalities of oxidative phosphorylation, increased oxidative stress, and suppressed neuroinflammation, have failed to alter the clinical course of PD.1,2 New insights into PD pathophysiology have identified potential molecular targets, including accumulation and potential prion-like spreading of aggregates containing misfolded α-synuclein protein.3 These therapies are only approaching clinical testing, and their true therapeutic potential remains unknown. Even if successful, they are many years away from clinical availability. Thus, at present, we do not have any proven pharmacologic options to modify the progressive decline of patients with PD.
Topologically Stable Defects

We now discuss applications of topology to the classification of defects, or violations of local equilibrium, in condensed media. These applications derive from the fact that, in many important cases, the state of thermodynamic equilibrium is degenerate at temperatures below a certain critical temperature.
State purity of decelerated molecular beams

Abstract Cold, velocity-controlled molecular beams consisting of a single quantum state are a powerful tool for exploring molecular interactions. Here, we explore the state purity and resulting dynamics of a Stark-decelerated beam of ammonia molecules where numerous rotational states are initially populated. Under these circumstances, Stark deceleration is shown to be ineffective at producing a molecular beam consisting of a single quantum state. Therefore, quantum state purity must be carefully considered when using Stark decelerated beams and analogous techniques, particularly in collision experiments where contributions from all quantum states must be addressed.
Pills, potions, and purgatives: women and abortion methods in Ireland, 1900–1950

This article examines women's efforts to induce miscarriage in Ireland (the Irish Free State, Eire, and the Republic) from 1900 to 1950. It demonstrates that, when possible, Irish women avoided sur...
Anomalous, non-Gaussian, viscoelastic, and age-dependent dynamics of histonelike nucleoid-structuring proteins in live Escherichia coli

The dynamics of a particular protein inside live E. coli bacteria displays unusual behavior, with diffusion coefficients that follow a power law and a non-Gaussian distribution of displacements. The authors also find that the rheological behavior of the cytoplasm differs from that of a homogeneous protein solution, and exhibits a liquid-glass transition.
Jet dynamics during vaporization of water drops in hot oil films

Abstract We experimentally investigate the vaporization of water droplets immersed in a hot oil film, with moderate temperaturedifferentials of 30–50 °C. In this regime, only a fraction of the water droplet vaporizes, but results in a symmetric vertical jet of oil. We provide detailed high-speed imaging of the physical process and quantitatively describe the vapor bubble growth, jet formation, jet speed and satellite droplets resulting from the jet break-up. The principal findings are that the jet speeds ( v jet ∼ O ( 1 ) m/s) are inversely correlated to the oil film thickness ( δ ∼ O ( 1 ) mm), whilst the surface tension-driven break-up results in primary satellite droplets whose normalized diameters also scale inversely with film thickness. Lastly, we provide observations of a water ‘peeling’ mechanism which occurs inside the vapor bubble, leading to a re-entrant jet that ultimately causes a secondary vaporization event.