cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
722 Sleep Loss in Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: During the pandemic, healthcare workers have shared their stresses on social media, including regarding sleep disturbances. However, an assessment of sleep using validated measures among healthcare workers on social media is lacking. Methods: A restricted, self-selection survey was distributed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for 16 days targeting healthcare workers who were clinically active during COVID-19. In addition to demographics and career information, participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index. Poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI > 5. Moderate-to-severe insomnia was defined as an ISI > 14. Multivariate logistic regression tested the association between demographics and career characteristics and sleep outcomes. Results: Of the 983 who clicked our link, 906 completed the survey. Participants were mostly white (70%), female (75%), physicians (64%). Mean sleep duration was 6.1 (SD1.2) hours. Nearly 90% experienced poor sleep (PSQI). One third reported moderate or severe insomnia. Many (60%) reported sleep disruptions due to device usage or due to bad dreams at least once per week (45%). In multivariable regression, non-physicians (OR 3.5, CI: 2.5, 5.0), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.2;CI: 1.44, 3.45), being single (1.5, CI: 1.03, 2.21), and youngest age group (18-24) (OR 9.9;CI: 1.44, 68.09) had increased odds of insomnia. In open-ended comments, sleep disruptions mapped to 5 categories: (1) Work demands (“The volume of calls and messages from my patient and caregiver population is through the roof ”);(2) Pandemic related (“I never had sleep issues prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly I had issues with sleep initiation.”;(3) Children and family (“COVID plus home stress plus stress over my kids, my job, my marriage.”);(4) Personal health (“Insomnia predating COVID, but worsened with COVID.”);(5) Responses to the pandemic (“I worry about how COVID is being managed by the President.This does keep me awake at night.”). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of healthcare workers surveyed on social media reported poor sleep, with over onethird of participants reporting moderate-severe insomnia. Online sleep interventions for healthcare workers are urgently needed.
Accelerating Innovation Through a Network of Ecosystems

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) may not appear to be the most likely place where companies can learn new techniques for accelerating innovation, but appearances can be deceiving. In fact, UNDP is a global organization of 17,000 employees spanning 170 countries with a US$5B annual budget focused on solving the world’s most complex problems through local, regional, and global initiatives. At its headquarters and in the field, its teams are deploying some of the most forward-thinking innovation approaches as they build the world’s largest network of accelerator labs. In this article, we explore UNDP’s innovation efforts highlighting what its teams are learning from previous missteps as they create 60 accelerator labs in 60 countries. We identify best practices from which companies can learn and recognize that a key to UNDP’s system is that they are building a network of ecosystems that are individually effective and collectively even more valuable. We present examples from multi-national companies deploying their own networks of ecosystems, emphasize what businesses can learn from them, and offer guidance for companies as they progress along their innovation journeys. We do the following: • Highlight the network of ecosystems approach that the organization is taking and explain associated challenges and opportunities. • Categorize learnings into four types providing examples of how the organization is implementing actions to overcome earlier challenges. • Provide insights and guidance derived from UNDP research and example businesses that leaders can apply as they manage their own innovation efforts.
Students’ Misunderstanding of the Order of Evaluation in Conjoined Conditions

Experts often use particular control flow structures to make their code easier to read and modify, such as using the logical operator AND to conjoin conditions rather than nesting separate if statements. Within Boolean expressions, experts take advantage of short-circuit evaluation by ordering their conditions to avoid errors (such as checking that an index is within the bounds of an array before examining the value at that index). How well do students understand these structures? We investigate students’ use and understanding of conjoined versus separate conditions within a larger assessment of 125 undergraduate students at the end of their second- and third-semester CS courses (in algorithms & data structures and introductory software engineering). The assessment asked students to: write code where an edge case error could be avoided with short-circuit evaluation, revise their code with nudges towards expert structure, and answer comprehension questions involving code tracing. When writing, students frequently forgot to check for a key edge case. When that case was included, the check was often separated in its own if-statement rather than conjoined with the other conditions. This could indicate a stylistic choice or a belief that the check had to be separated for functionality. Notably, students who included all necessary conditions rarely exhibited the error of ordering them incorrectly. However, with code comprehension, students demonstrated significant misunderstandings about the effects of condition ordering. Students were more accurate on comprehension tasks with nested ifs than conjoined conditions, and this effect was most pronounced when the ordering of the conditions would lead to errors. When conditions were conjoined in a single expression, only 35% of students recognized that checking a value at an index before checking that the index was in bounds would lead to an error. However, 54% of students recognized the problem when the conditions were separated into individual if-statements. This demonstrates a subtlety in code execution that intermediate students may not have mastered and emphasizes the challenges in assessing students’ understanding solely via the way they write code.
The Atlantic Sargassum invasion impedes beach access for nesting sea turtles

Abstract One characteristic of global change is an increase in the frequency and magnitude of algae blooms. Although a large body of work has documented severe ecological impacts, such as mortality due to toxins or hypoxia, less research has described sublethal effects that may still affect population dynamics. Here, we focus on blooming Sargassum macroalgae in the North Atlantic and describe effects on nesting sea turtles. Since 2011, large masses of the algae have been inundating Atlantic nesting habitats. We documented the accumulation of Sargassum at Long Island, Antigua, and quantified effects on a rookery of hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Using monitoring data from 2010 to 2019, we analyzed population- and individual-level patterns in nesting. Our results suggest that sea turtles respond to Sargassum at nesting beaches by shifting space use away from heavily impacted areas. We also tested for an effect on nesting success, but found no change in the years and areas most impacted by Sargassum. The algae may not increase the energetic costs of nesting after a turtle has emerged onto the beach, but we speculate that costs are imposed in algae-filled waters as turtles initially seek to emerge. As the Sargassum “invasion” continues, sea turtles at impacted sites will need to exhibit plasticity when choosing nesting sites, and nest densities may increase in areas with less Sargassum present. Individuals may also be required to expend more energy per nesting season. More broadly, this work demonstrates that algae blooms can have sublethal effects on fauna that affect population dynamics.
Methylene Blue-Based Nano and Microparticles: Fabrication and Applications in Photodynamic Therapy

Methylene blue (MB) has been used in the textile industry since it was first extracted by the German chemist Heinrich Caro. Its pharmacological properties have also been applied toward the treatment of certain diseases such as methemoglobinemia, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, and thyroid conditions requiring surgery. Recently, the utilization of MB as a safe photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received attention. Recent findings demonstrate that photoactivated MB exhibits not only anticancer activity but also antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, due to the hydrophilic nature of MB, it is difficult to create MB-embedded nano- or microparticles capable of increasing the clinical efficacy of the PDT. This review aims to summarize fabrication techniques for MB-embedded nano and microparticles and to provide both in vitro and in vivo examples of MB-mediated PDT, thereby offering a future perspective on improving this promising clinical treatment modality. We also address examples of MB-mediated PDT in both cancer and infection treatments. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies are summarized here to document recent trends in utilizing MB as an effective photosensitizer in PDT. Lastly, we discuss how developing efficient MB-carrying nano- and microparticle platforms would be able to increase the benefits of PDT.
High frequency titrations involving chelation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: Complexation with rare earths

Abstract High frequency titrations have been utilized in studying the chelation of rare earth metals with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The use of high frequency titrations for the determination of rare earth metals has also been studied. A procedure is proposed based on direct titrations with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate in buffered solutions. Excellent end-points are obtained and the method is accurate in the absence of other metals that might react with the titrant.
Comparison of immune repertoires of Chinese and Philippine patients infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Abstract Chinese and Philippine patients exhibited detectable titers of serum antibodies to Schistosoma japonicum worm and egg antigens. Western blot (immunoblot) data revealed differing antigenic profiles. Antigen inhibition studies showed low and high levels of cross-reactivity with anti-worm and anti-egg antibodies, respectively, derived from both Chinese and Philippine patients. Thus, anti-egg antibodies and egg antigens are more conserved than anti-worm antibodies and worm antigens.
Review of Kenneth Liberman, Dialectical Practice in Tibetan Philosophical Culture: An Ethnomethodological Inquiry into Formal Reasoning

Chapters 4–9 are the most important part of the book. Here Liberman displays his interpretive skills to the fullest. He explores various aspects of directly observed, live debate processes, drawing on the work of Schutz, Husserl, Durkheim (to mention just a few), as well as Buddhist thinkers Nagarjuna, Sakya Pandita, Tsongkhapa, and others. Liberman exhaustively explains the organization and mechanics of debates, the public nature of reasoning, negative dialectics employed by debaters, strategies and techniques such as absurd consequences, hand-claps, ridicule, and repetition, and other matters.
Citrulline ingestion did not improve the age-associated reduction in nitric oxide synthesis (698.6)

A reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability that impairs peripheral blood flow regulation is a natural consequence of aging. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ingestion of citrulline, the precursor of arginine, on de novo arginine and NO synthesis at baseline and during citrulline ingestion. A total of 3g of citrulline was ingested every 15 min for 3 h. A 6-h stable isotope infusion protocol was performed in young (n=8, 27 ± 1.1 y) and elderly subjects (n=8, 76.6 ± 3.1 y) using primed constant infusions of ring- L-[guanidine-15N2]arginine, L-[ureido-13C,5,5-2H2]citrulline,and ring-[2H5]phenylalanine. Basal NO synthesis [0.32 ± 0.03 vs. 0.47 ± 0.05 μmol/kg ffm/h; p < 0.02], but not de novo arginine [12.5 ± 1.60 vs. 16.4 ± 1.47 μmol/kg ffm/h], was significantly lower in the elderly vs. the young. Citrulline ingestion increased de novo arginine synthesis in both the elderly and the young, but to a greater extent in the young [55.4 ± 9.64 vs. 72.3 ± 5.96 μmol/kg ffm/h; p < 0.01]. Citrulline ingest...
IS DIABETES MELLITUS A TERATOGEN OR A COTERATOGEN

The risk of major and minor congenital malformations was compared in the offspring of diabetic (n = 2,639) and nondiabetic (n = 2,144) women who delivered at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, between January 1, 1946 and December 31, 1970. In spite of ample power, there was little evidence of an increased malformation risk in offspring born prior to the onset of overt diabetes in the mother. In offspring born after onset, the overall malformation risk was not increased, but severe multi-organ birth defects occurred at approximately twice the control group rate. It is postulated, therefore, that diabetes may act as a coteratogen enhancing the teratogenic effect of other insults but may not itself cause malformations. That some of its effects may be specific is suggested by the especially high risk of vertebral, lower limb, and urogenital defects, a pattern similar to that reported for the caudal dysgenesis syndrome. To better understand the teratogenic effects associated with diabetes, it may be necessary to consider interactions with other factors and to explore the association between maternal diabetes and caudal dysgenesis.
NK cells in HIV-1 infection : evidence for their role in the control of HIV-1 infection

Increasing evidence supports the notion that the innate immune response, and in particular, natural killer cells play a central role in determining the quality of the host immune response to infection. In this review we highlight recent evidence that suggests that NK cells influence the clinical fate of HIV-infected individuals.
Testing in two-dimensional iterative logic arrays

Abstract The test methods of two-dimensional (2-D) iterative logic arrays (ILAs) composed of combinational cells are considered. An ILA which can be tested by a test whose size is a constant independent of the number of cells in the ILA is referred to as a C-testable ILA. An ILA which can be tested in a number of vectors linear to the number of cells is referred to as a linear testable ILA. The fault model assumed is that faults in a cell can change a cell behavior in any arbitrary way, as long as the cell remains a combinational circuit. At the array level, two fault-models are considered: in the single cell fault-model (SCFM) only one cell can be faulty; and in the multiple cell fault-model (MCFM) any number of cells can be faulty. Previous papers have shown the testing methods of C-testable and linear testable one-dimensional ILAs under SCFM and MCFM. In this paper, we extend those methods and use the concept of divide and conquer to generate test sets for 2-D ILAs under SCFM and MCFM. The sufficient conditions and test complexities are derived. Futhermore, some practical circuits are used for example.
Influence of preoperative pulmonary artery pressure on mortality after heart transplantation: testing of potential reversibility of pulmonary hypertension with nitroprusside is useful in defining a high risk group.

Abstract Patients with pulmonary hypertension are at risk of developing fatal right heart failure after heart transplantation. To evaluate this risk potential, candidates for heart transplantation are screened by measuring rest right heart pressures and the response to nitroprusside. To test the validity of this approach, the influence of pretransplantation right heart catheterization data on outcome after transplantation was analyzed in 293 of 301 consecutive patients. Patients with a pulmonary vascular resistance >2.5 Wood units measured at baseline study had a 3-month mortality rate of 17.9% compared with 6.9% in patients with resistance ≤ 2.5 units (p 2.5 units at baseline study could be differentiated further according to their hemodynamic response to nitroprusside; those whose resistance could be reduced to ≤ 2.5 units with a stable systemic systolic pressure ≥ 85 mm Hg had a 3-month mortality rate of only 3.8%. In contrast, patients whose pulmonary vascular resistance could not be reduced to These findings confirm the value of right heart hemodynamic measurements and the response to nitroprusside in predicting early mortality after heart transplantation and, in particular, mortality due to right heart failure. Valid risk stratification based on the hemodynamic response to nitroprusside requires consideration of the concomitant change in systemic pressure.
Polymorphic changes of rat pituitary FSH depending on sex and maturation

The existence of various polymorphic forms of FSH has been observed by a number of investigators and the current study focussed attention on the sex and age-dependent nature of this polymorphism in rats. Utilizing very small amounts of pituitary extract on Sephadex G-100 superfine columns it was possible to distinguish various components of FSH with a range of Kav values from 0,195 (Component I) to 0,297 (Component VII). Although each group exhibited the existence of all the components, there was a clear predominance of components III and IV (Kav 0.233and 0.251) in males and components V and VI (Kav 0.268 and 0.281) in femal The castrated animals of both sexes had similar components which lay in between the two sex-linked forms. To pattern of polymorphism was found to be dependent on age as the pubertal animals had components of lower Ka in comparison to immature and mature animals. Androgen substitution reversed the castration effects in males and yielded a more male type of component in ovariectomized females, whereas oestrogen treatment produced not comparable results. Carbohydrate analysis of various components indicates perhaps this polymorphism is related to the carbohydrate moiety.
Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. XIII: Stability of Dosage Form Prepared by Impregnating Synthetic (–)-Δ9-trans-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Placebo Cannabis Plant Material

Synthetic (--)-delta 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol impregnated on placebo Cannabis decomposed only 6.3% after being stored for 1 year at --18 degrees. Storage at 5 degrees and room temperature under various conditions led to severe decomposition. The amount of cannabinol observed when (--)-delta 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol decomposed indicates that cannabinol is not the only decomposition product.
Crustal thickness variations across the northern Tien Shan from teleseismic receiver functions

Variations in crustal thickness from the Kazakh Shield to the north-central Tien Shan are determined by receiver function analysis of broadband teleseismic P waveforms recorded on the Kyrgyzstan Seismic Telemetry Network (KNET). The receiver functions are calculated using a time-domain deconvolution approach, and are interpreted in terms of a single crustal layer, with thickness determined by a grid-search comparison of observed receiver functions with synthetics. Crustal thicknesses average 42 km in the southern Kazakh Shield and increase to approximately 60 km in the Tien Shan. Together with mass balance calculations, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the compensation of the central Tien Shan relative to the Kazakh Shield are accommodated by an Airy-type crustal root, with a modest (300 kg/m³) density contrast across the Moho.
Spin-induced symmetry breaking in orbitally ordered NiCr 2 O 4 and CuCr 2 O 4

At room temperature, the normal oxide spinels NiCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ and CuCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ are tetragonally distorted and crystallize in the $I{4}_{1}/amd$ space group due to cooperative Jahn-Teller ordering driven by the orbital degeneracy of tetrahedral Ni${}^{2+}$ (${t}_{2}^{4}$) and Cu${}^{2+}$ (${t}_{2}^{5}$). Upon cooling, these compounds undergo magnetic ordering transitions; interactions are somewhat frustrated for NiCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ but not for CuCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$. We employ variable-temperature high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction to establish that at the magnetic ordering temperatures there are further structural changes, which result in both compounds distorting to an orthorhombic structure consistent with the $Fddd$ space group. NiCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ exhibits additional distortion, likely within the same space group, at a yet-lower transition temperature of $T=30$ K. The tetragonal to orthorhombic structural transition in these compounds appears to primarily involve changes in NiO${}_{4}$ and CuO${}_{4}$ tetrahedra.
MHC class I and autoimmune diabetes

The cause of failed self tolerance, resulting in autoimmunity is unknown, although genetic linkage to genes within the MHC class II region have been well described. We present evidence that failed self tolerance in autoimmune diabetes appears to be secondary to an antigen presenting cell defect; the diabetic antigen presenting cells fail to deliver fragments of endogenous antigens to the cell surface in the groove of MHC class I. In the diabetic NOD mouse model, this correlates with a rare allele at the Tap-1 locus, a gene that controls proper MHC class I assembly by providing fragments of endogenous peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum. We propose that MHC class I presentation of self peptides may represent a normal pathway for tolerance induction and interruption of this important class I function from any cause, including the MHC class II-linked Tap-1 and Tap-2 genes, which may result in autoreactivity.
Membrane depolarization inhibits spiral ganglion neurite growth via activation of multiple types of voltage sensitive calcium channels and calpain.

Abstract The effect of membrane electrical activity on spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) neurite growth remains unknown despite its relevance to cochlear implant technology. We demonstrate that membrane depolarization delays the initial formation and inhibits the subsequent extension of cultured SGN neurites. This inhibition depends directly on the level of depolarization with higher levels of depolarization causing retraction of existing neurites. Cultured SGNs express subunits for L-type, N-type, and P/Q type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and removal of extracellular Ca 2+ or treatment with a combination of L-type, N-type, and P/Q-type VGCC antagonists rescues SGN neurite growth under depolarizing conditions. By measuring the fluorescence intensity of SGNs loaded with the fluorogenic calpain substrate t -butoxy carbonyl-Leu-Met-chloromethylaminocoumarin (20 μM), we demonstrate that depolarization activates calpains. Calpeptin (15 μM), a calpain inhibitor, prevents calpain activation by depolarization and rescues neurite growth in depolarized SGNs suggesting that calpain activation contributes to the inhibition of neurite growth by depolarization.
Optimized Beam Steering Approach for Improved Sidelobes in Phased Array Radars Using a Minimal Number of Control Bits

As active electronically steerable arrays become more prominent, a new paradigm of assigning bits to a set of digital phase shifters, necessary for analog and digital beamforming, is proposed. It is well known that a modern day digital phase shifter which is associated with each transmit/receive module typically relies on three to seven bits. Each of these phase shifters provide a desired resolution of 45 $^\circ$ to 2.8125 $^\circ$ , respectively. When an array is steered with a fixed precision set of phase shifters, there are some angles where results are significantly better than others. For example, six bit phase shifters can provide exact 11.25 $^\circ$ differential phases in a linear array, but not 15 $^\circ$ , and subsequent quantization errors lead to reduced pointing accuracy and increased sidelobe levels. However, these errors can be minimized if the set of shifters operate collectively instead of independently with “blind” quantization. In particular this study seeks the solution for the following problem: for a set of $N$ phase shifters, each defined by $B$ bits, determine the optimal way to distribute the $N\times B$ bits so that the array performance is maximized.
Electron bombardment propulsion system characteristics for large space systems

The results of an anlaysis of electron bombardment ion propulsion systems for use in the transportation and on-orbit operations of large space systems are presented. Using baseline technology from the ongoing primary propulsion program and other sources, preliminary estimates of the expected characteristics of key system elements such as thrusters and propellant storage systems were performed. Projections of expected thruster performance on argon are presented based on identified constraints which limit the achievable thrust and/or power density of bombardment thrusters. System characteristics are then evaluated as a function of thruster diameter and specific impulse.
Pair-sphere trajectories in finite-Reynolds-number shear flow

The pair trajectories of neutrally buoyant rigid spheres immersed in finite-inertia simple-shear flow are described. The trajectories are obtained using the lattice-Boltzmann method to solve the fluid motion, with Newtonian dynamics describing the sphere motions. The inertia is characterized by the shear-flow Reynolds number Re = ργa 2 /μ, where μ and p are the viscosity and density of the fluid respectively, y is the shear rate and a is the radius of the larger of the pair of spheres in the case of unequal sizes; the majority of results presented are for pairs of equal radii. Reynolds numbers of 0 ≤ Re ≤ 1 are considered with a focus on inertia at Re = O(0.1). At finite inertia, the topology of the pair trajectories is altered from that predicted at Re =0, as closed trajectories found in Stokes flow vanish and two new forms of trajectories are observed. These include spiralling and reversing trajectories in addition to largely undisturbed open trajectories. For Re = 0(0.1), the limits of the various regions in pair space yielding open, reversing and spiralling trajectories are roughly defined.
rRNA proceesing: removal of only nineteen bas at the gap between 28Sα and 28Sβ rRNAs in Sciara coprophila

We have determined the sequence of the rDNA region between the 28S alpha and 28S beta rRNA coding segments (termed a "gap") in the insect Sciara coprophila, and have used S1 nuclease mapping and cDNA primer extension to define the 5' and 3' boundaries of the gap. Only 19 bases found in rDNA at the gap region are absent from mature 28S rRNA. Eukaryotic rRNAs contain stretches of nucleotides ("expansion segments") which are absent in E. coli rRNA. The gap region in Sciara is located within expansion segment V. Therefore, the excision of 19 bases in the Sciara gap suggests that a large portion of expansion segment V plays no function in mature ribosomes. Specific sequences conserved in Sciara and Drosophila are considered as candidates for recognition signals for the excision of the gap transcript.
Evaluation of an EIA method for measuring serum levels of the estrogen metabolite 2-hydroxyestrone in adults

Abstract Two-hydroxyestrone (2OHE-1) and 16α-hydroxyestrone (16OHE-1) are two estrogen metabolites that may play important roles in the development or promotion of breast cancer. Our study assessed the reliability of a newly developed kit procedure for measuring 2OHE-1. Although under certain conditions the assay would not distinguish 2OHE-1 from estriol, or possibly 2-methoxyestrone, steroids such as 17β-estradiol, estrone and 16OHE-1 should not interfere with the test. Our study evaluated the precision of this enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit for measuring 2OHE-1 levels in serum obtained from healthy men and women. As a result of several replicate analyses of specimens obtained from 18 men and 20 women, we found that the within-run coefficients of variation (CVs) were approximately 20% and the among run CVs, 30%. Because the SD for the procedure is high, the limit of detection (LOD) was also high (130 ng/l). Nonetheless the assay could distinguish between 2OHE-1 levels in men (128 ng/l) and women (332 ng/l) because we performed a large number of analyses on each specimen. Improving the reproducibility of the assay would reduce the: 1. LOD; number of replicates needed to obtain reliable estimates of 2-OHE-1 levels; amount of time, effort, and cost for each analysis; and greatly improve the reliability of the method. Because the within-run variability is relatively smaller than the total variability (among run + within run), use of the assay for determining differences among groups could be justified only when measurements were made in a single run.
Air traffic maximization for the terminal phase of flight under FAA's NextGen framework

The NextGen program is the FAA's response to the ever increasing air traffic, that provides tools to increase the capacity of national airspace, while ensuring the safety of aircraft. In support of this vision, this paper provides a decentralized algorithm based on dual decomposition for safe merging and spacing of aircraft at the terminal phase of the flight. Aircraft negotiate optimal merging times that ensure safety, while penalizing deviations from the nominal path. We provide feasibility conditions for the safe merging of all incoming legs of flight and put the viability of the proposed algorithm to the test through simulations.
Tests for the Nonergodicity of Multidimensional Markov Chains

A Markov chain is ergodic if it has a proper steady-state distribution. The stability of a queueing system often reduces to the ergodicity of an underlying multidimensional chain. We gave criteria for the nonergodicity of a multidimensional Markov chain and a generalization to continuous time Markov chains. We also give queueing model examples.
Reconstruction and analysis of the Chukchi Sea circulation in 1990-1991

[1] The Chukchi Sea (CS) circulation reconstructed for September 1990 to October 1991 from sea ice and ocean data is presented and analyzed. The core of the observational data used in this study comprises the records from 12 moorings deployed in 1990 and 1991 in U.S. and Russian waters and two hydrographic surveys conducted in the region in the fall of 1990 and 1991. The observations are processed by a two-step data assimilation procedure involving the Pan-Arctic Ice-Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (employing a nudging algorithm for sea ice data assimilation) and the Semi-implicit Ocean Model [utilizing a conventional four-dimensional variational (4D-var) assimilation technique]. The reconstructed CS circulation is studied to identify pathways and assess residence times of Pacific water in the region; quantify the balances of volume, freshwater, and heat content; and determine the leading dynamical factors configuring the CS circulation. It is found that in 1990–1991 (high AO index and a cyclonic circulation regime) Pacific water transiting the CS toward the Canada basin followed two major pathways, namely via Herald Canyon (Herald branch of circulation, 0.23 Sv) and between Herald Shoal and Cape Lisburne (central branch of circulation and Alaskan Coastal Current, 0.32 Sv). The annual mean flow through Long Strait was negligible (0.01 Sv). Typical residence time of Pacific water in the region varied between 150 days for waters entering the CS in September and 270 days for waters entering in February/March. Momentum balance analysis reveals that geostrophic balance between barotropic pressure gradient and Coriolis force dominated for most of the year. Baroclinic effects were important for circulation only in the regions with large horizontal salinity gradients associated with the fresh Alaskan and Siberian coastal currents and the Cape Lisburne and Great Siberian polynyas. In the polynyas, the baroclinic effects were due to strong salinification and convection processes associated with sea ice formation.
ERCP with probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy for the evaluation of dominant biliary stenoses in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients.

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) ranges between 7 and 14 %. Despite using multiple tissue sampling modalities, detection of CCA remains a challenge. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) has been utilized to visualize subepithelial biliary mucosa in patients with indeterminate strictures. We assessed the technical feasibility and operating characteristics of pCLE in a cohort of PSC patients with dominant biliary strictures (DS). This was a chart review of a prospectively maintained database at a single tertiary referral center of 15 PSC patients with 21 dominant stenoses undergoing pCLE. A data collection sheet included demographics, ERCP, cholangioscopy, pCLE (Miami criteria), tissue sampling results, and follow-up to 12 months or liver transplantation. Operating characteristics for pCLE and ERCP tissue sampling were calculated. Sufficient visualization of DS by pCLE was achieved in 20/21 (95 %). pCLE sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100 % (95 % CI 19.3–100 %), 61.1 % (95 % CI 35.8–82.6 %), 22.2 % (95 % CI 3.5–59.9 %), and 100 % (95 % CI 71.3–100 %), respectively, in detecting neoplasia. In comparison, concomitant tissue sampling yielded sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 0 % (95 % CI 0–80.7 %), 94.4 % (95 % CI 72.6–99.1 %), 0 % (95 % CI 0–83.5 %), and 89.5 % (95 % CI 66.8–98.4 %), respectively. pCLE achieves a high technical success rate in patients with PSC and DS. This single center, small series, suggests that pCLE may have a high sensitivity and negative predictive value to exclude neoplasia. If verified in larger prospective studies, the technology may be utilized to risk stratify dominant strictures in patients with PSC.
Reduction of digermenes with alkali metals: salts of formula M2[[Ge(H)Ar']2] (m = Li, Na, Or K, Ar' = terphenyl) with three different structures.

The reduction of the digermene Ar‘(H)GeGe(H)Ar‘ (Ar‘ = C6H3-2,6(C6H3-2,6-Pri2)2) with Li, Na, or K afforded [Li(THF)3Et2O][LiAr‘(H)GeGe(H)Ar‘] (1), Na2Ar‘Ge(μ-H)2GeAr‘ (2), or K2{Ar‘(H)GeGe(H)Ar‘} (3), which have three different structures. 1 features a planar C(ipso)H)GeGe(H)C(ipso) dianion core with an associated Li+ cation. In contrast, 2 features a unique bridged hydride structure in which two Na+ ions also bridge the germaniums. In 3, the C(ipso)(H)GeGe(H)C(ipso) array has a nonplanar trans bent core with associated K+ ions. There is single Ge−Ge bonding in 1 and 3, but the Ge−Ge bonding in 2 may involve biradical character.
Bioinformatic characterization of the SynCAM family of immunoglobulin-like domain-containing adhesion molecules.

SynCAM 1 (synaptic cell adhesion molecule 1, alternatively named Tslc1 and nectin-like protein 3) belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and is an adhesion molecule that operates in a variety of important contexts. Exemplary are its roles in adhesion at synapses in the central nervous system and as tumor suppressor. Here, I describe a family of genes homologous to SynCAM 1 comprising four genes found solely in vertebrates. All SynCAM genes encode proteins with three immunoglobulin-like domains of the V-set, C1-set, and I-set subclasses. Comparison of genomic with cDNA sequences provides their exon–intron structure. Alternative splicing generates isoforms of SynCAM proteins, and diverse SynCAM 1 and 2 isoforms are created in an extracellular region rich in predicted O-glycosylation sites. Protein interaction motifs in the cytosolic sequence are highly conserved among all four SynCAM proteins, indicating their critical functional role. These findings aim to facilitate the understanding of SynCAM genes and provide the framework to examine the physiological functions of this family of vertebrate-specific adhesion molecules.
Design of a color image processing algorithm using online arithmetic modules

A new class of nonlinear filters for color image processing was proposed by Lucchese and Mitra. This type of color filter processes the chromatic component of images encoded in the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) u'v' color space. Images processed by this filter do not show color shifts near edges between regions with different intensities. The filter uses linear convolution operations internally and is effective and efficient for denoising and regularizing color images. Image processing systems are computationally intensive and usually require a large amount of area in order to reach desirable levels of performance. The use of on-line arithmetic can decrease the area of the hardware implementation and still maintain a reasonable throughput. This work presents the design of the color filter as a network of on-line arithmetic modules. The network topology and some detail of each arithmetic module are provided. The final implementation targets FPGAs and it is compared in terms of area against an estimate of a conventional design. The throughput of this solution is capable of supporting real-time processing of common image formats.
The Latino mortality paradox: a test of the "salmon bias" and healthy migrant hypotheses.

OBJECTIVES: Relative to non-Latino Whites, Latinos have a worse socioeconomic profile but a lower mortality rate, a finding that presents an epidemiologic paradox. This study tested the salmon bias hypothesis that Latinos engage in return migration to their country of origin and are thereby rendered "statistically immortal" and the alternative hypothesis that selection of healthier migrants to the United States accounts for the paradox. METHODS: National Longitudinal Mortality Study data were used to examine mortality rates of the following groups for whom the salmon hypothesis is not feasible: Cubans, who face barriers against return migration; Puerto Ricans, whose deaths in Puerto Rico are recorded in US national statistics; and US-born individuals, who are not subject to either salmon or healthy migrant effects. RESULTS: The sample included 301,718 non-Latino Whites and 17,375 Latino Whites 25 years or older. Cubans and Puerto Ricans had lower mortality than non-Latino Whites. Moreover, US-born Latinos...
Mathematical Modeling of Patient-Specific Ventricular Assist Device Implantation to Reduce Particulate Embolization Rate to Cerebral Vessels

Stroke is the most devastating complication after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation, with an incidence of 14%-47% despite improvements in device design and anticoagulation. This complication continues to limit the widespread implementation of VAD therapy. Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis may elucidate ways to reduce this risk. A patient-specific three-dimensional model of the aortic arch was generated from computed tomography. A 12 mm VAD outflow-graft (VAD-OG) "anastomosed" to the aorta was rendered. CFD was applied to study blood flow patterns. Particle tracks, originating from the VAD, were computed with a Lagrangian phase model and percentage of particles entering the cerebral vessels was calculated. Twelve implantation configurations of the VAD-OG and three particle sizes (2, 4, and 5 mm) were considered. Percentage of particles entering the cerebral vessels ranged from 6% for the descending aorta VAD-OG anastomosis, to 14% for the ascending aorta at 90 deg VAD-OG anastomosis. Values were significantly different among all configurations (X(2) = 3925, p < 0.0001). Shallower and more cephalad anastomoses prevented formation of zones of recirculation in the ascending aorta. In this computational model and within the range of anatomic parameters considered, the percentage of particles entering the cerebral vessels from a VAD-OG is reduced by nearly 60% by optimizing outflow-graft configuration. Ascending aorta recirculation zones, which may be thrombogenic, can also be eliminated. CFD methods coupled with patient-specific anatomy may aid in identifying the optimal location and angle for VAD-OG anastomosis to minimize stroke risk.
Mid-wave IFTS measurements of a laboratory-scale laminar flame

A passive remote sensing technique for accurately monitoring the combustion efficiency (CE) of petrochemical flares is greatly desired. A Phase II DOE-funded SBIR lead by Spectral Sciences, Inc. is underway to develop such a method. This paper presents an overview of the current progress of the Air Force Institute of Technology's (AFIT) contribution to this effort. A Telops Hyper-Cam Mid-wave infrared (MWIR 1800-6667cm-1 or 1.5-5.5μm) imaging Fourier-transform spectrometer (IFTS) is used to examine a laminar calibration flame produced by a Hencken burner. Ethylene fuel (C2H4) was burned at four different equivalency ratios Φ=0.80, 0.91, 1.0 and 1.25. This work focuses on the qualitative spectrally-resolved visualization of a Hencken burner flame and the spatial distribution of combustion by-products. A simple radiative transfer model is then developed and fit to a single-pixel spectrum. The flame spectra were characterized by structured emissions from CO2, H2O and CO. For the Φ = 0.91 flame, the spectrally-estimated temperature was T = 2172±28K at a height 10mm above the burner, a favorable result compared to OH-PLIF measurements (T = 2226±112K) made on an identical flame. H2O and CO2 mole fractions across the flame at the same height of 10 mmwere measured to be 13.7±0.6% and 15.5±0.8%, respectively. © (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simulation of field-ion-microscope images for the Al-Mn icosahedral phase

Abstract Simulations of field-ion-microscope images for the icosahedral phase of Al-Mn, based on new structural models, are presented and compared to the experimentally observed image features. Closest agreement thus far is found for a cubic model having a 3·32 nm unit cell edge and containing a MacKay-icosahedron inner motif, with all of the manganese sublattice and only some of the aluminum atoms contributing to the computed images. An octahedral-motif decoration of a perfect three-dimensional Penrose tiling has also been constructed for comparison.
Implication of thromboxane in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease and a suggestion for using novel thromboxane synthetase inhibitors in its treatment

Kawasaki disease, a mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome predominantly prevalent in children, presents with coronary artery aneurysms and thrombocytosis, and investigators have suggested use of anticoagulants in addition to platelet inhibiting drugs. In Kawasaki disease, hypersensitivity reactions due to antigen/antibody complexes (Arthus type III) may damage the vessel wall and induce arteritis, and antigens may be of microbial or viral origin. Since thromboxane has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease, I suggest use of ginger and carbon dioxide, novel thromboxane synthetase inhibitors. Thromboxane synthetase inhibitors may act as anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, and agents with both antimicrobial and antiviral activity.
Screech suppression in supersonic jets

Jet screech from underexpanded sonic nozzles has been investigated experimentally. Multiple screech modes, or stages, are found to be present at some jet operating conditions. The fundamental screech tone of each mode attains a maximum amplitude at about 20 deg from the inlet axis, with higher harmonics exhibiting multiple lobes. The directivity of each harmonic is predicted quite well from a stationary array of acoustic monopoles, with phasing between consecutive monopoles determined by the shock cell spacing and eddy convection velocity. Large reduction of screech amplitude can be obtained from modifications to the nozzle exit, although the extent of this suppression is mode dependent.
Highly Fluorescent Group 13 Metal Complexes with Cyclic, Aromatic Hydroxamic Acid Ligands

The neutral complexes of two ligands based on the 1-oxo-2-hydroxy-isoquinoline motif with group 13 metals (Al, Ga, In) show bright blue-violet luminescence in organic solvents. The corresponding transition can be attributed to ligand-centered singlet emission, characterized by a small Stokes shifts of only a few nanometers combined with lifetimes in the range between 1 and 3 ns. The fluorescence efficiency is high, with quantum yields of up to 37% in benzene solution. The crystal structure of one of the indium(III) complexes (trigonal space group R3, a = b = 13.0384(15) A, c = 32.870(8) A, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°, V = 4839.3(14) A3, Z = 6) shows a six-coordinate geometry around the indium center, which is close to trigonal-prismatic, with a twist angle between the two trigonal faces of 20.7°. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations (Al and Ga, B3LYP/6-31G(d); In, B3LYP/LANL2DZ) of the fac and mer isomers with one of the two ligands indicate that there is no clear preference for either one of ...
Language in defining social problems and in evaluating social programs

This chapter explores the sociopolitical nature of language in evaluation and illustrates the role evaluators can play as the translator and interpreter in assessing the outcomes of social programs.
Surface ozone in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Surface ozone (O3) concentrations were measured in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin using both active monitors (2010) and passive samplers (2002, 2010). The 2010 data from active monitors indicate average summertime diurnal maxima of approximately 50–55 ppb. Some site-to-site variability is observed within the Basin during the well-mixed hours of 10:00 to 17:00 PST, but large differences between different sites are observed in the late evening and pre-dawn hours. The observed trends correlate most strongly with elevation, topography, and surface vegetation. High elevation sites with steeply sloped topography and drier ground cover experience elevated O3 concentrations throughout the night because they maintain good access to downward mixing of O3-rich air from aloft with smaller losses due to dry deposition. Low elevation sites with flat topography and more dense surface vegetation experience low O3 concentrations in the pre-dawn hours because of greatly reduced downward mixing coupled with enhanced O3 removal via efficient dry deposition. Additionally, very high average O3 concentrations were measured with passive samplers in the middle of the Lake in 2010. This latter result likely reflects diminished dry deposition to the surface of the Lake. High elevation Tahoe Basin sites with exposure to nocturnal O3-rich air from aloft experience daily maxima of 8-h average O3 concentrations that are frequently higher than concurrent maxima from the polluted upwind comparison sites of Sacramento, Folsom, and Placerville. Wind rose analyses of archived NAM 12 km meteorological data for the summer of 2010 suggest that some of the sampling sites situated near the shoreline may have experienced on-shore “lake breezes” during daytime hours and/or off-shore “land breezes” during the night. Back-trajectory analysis with the HYSPLIT model suggests that much of the ozone measured at Lake Tahoe results from the transport of “polluted background” air into the Basin from upwind pollution source regions. Calculation of ozone exposure indices indicates that the two most polluted sites sampled by active monitors in 2010 – the highest Genoa Peak site, located on the eastern side of the Lake at an elevation of 2734 m above sea level, and Angora Lookout, located to the south–southwest (SSW) of the Lake at an elevation of 2218 m above sea level – likely experienced some phytotoxic impacts, while the other Tahoe Basin locations received lower ozone exposures.