cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep learning enabled prior image constrained compressed sensing (DL-PICCS) reconstruction framework for sparse-view reconstruction

This work aims to combine compressed sensing reconstruction with a deep learning framework to leverage their individual strengths and enable 123-view moderate-dose sparse-view reconstruction for diagnostic CT imaging systems. Specifically, linear FBP reconstruction was applied to reconstruct sparse data, followed by a trained U-Net to remove artifacts resulting from undersampling. This methodology has been exploited in many other deep learning applications for CT imaging. However, this approach may be subjected to the generalizability issue in which the reconstruction can either remove real lesions or add lesions that may not exist. This will be demonstrated in our results. In our proposed work, the output of the network is used as the prior image for a prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) reconstruction. This step helps to ensure the reconstructed image is consistent with the measured data. Finally, the PICCS reconstructed image is further cleaned up by a trained light duty U-Net to improve noise texture and reduce noise to generate the final reconstructed image. Both simulation data and human subject data were used to validate the proposed image reconstruction framework. In simulation studies, it is demonstrated that the final output corrected the distorted structures in the deep learning-only reconstruction with respect to the shape, size and contrast of the structures. The final images also appeared streak-free with more natural noise texture when compared with the PICCS-only reconstruction. In human subject validation, the false positive lesion-like structures in the deep learning prior image were eliminated in the final output.
Physiologists in 19th-Century England: Paving the Way for Cardiac Electrophysiology.

British physiology got off to a slow start. By 1865, Claude Bernard in France had published “Introduction a l’etude de la medecine experimentale,” which would become the standard reference for the methodological approach to physiology. By 1869, Carl Ludwig in Germany had designed and opened
Three Decades of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in Africa: Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead

This chapter analyses three decades of efforts to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate ex-combatants as part of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa. It finds that in the vast majority of Africa’s conflict-affected societies, reintegration remains the Achilles Heel of DDR programs; only a minority of ex-combatants are sustainably reintegrated into their communities. The chapter argues that the poor record of reintegration is due in significant part to unreliable and frequently-delayed external funding for this vital element of DDR. One response to the conundrum of growing demand but dwindling resources for reintegration would be to strengthen Africa’s ownership of DDR programs, endowing regional institutions (African Union and regional economic communities) with adequate institutional capacities, expertise, and resources.
Definity, an affinity for painful crisis: a case series describing vaso-occlusive pain crises in sickle cell patients undergoing echocardiogram with Definity contrast.

Background Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for painful crises and long-term cardiopulmonary morbidity. Echocardiogram is recommended if signs or symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease develop in previously asymptomatic patients, or worsen in those with known disease. Second-generation echocardiogram contrast agents (ECAs) improve the diagnostic capacity of echocardiogram; however, these agents have risks in SCD populations that have yet to be investigated. Case summary We report a case series of two patients who experienced vaso-occlusive crises following administration of the ECA, Definity. Both patients were referred for echocardiogram from our institution's sickle cell clinic because of concern for SCD-related cardiopulmonary complications. Both patients were in their usual state of health at the time of their exams. The first patient experienced acute back and hip pain minutes after receiving Definity and was diagnosed with acute vaso-occlusive crisis requiring admission for 6 days for pain management. The second patient developed dyspnoea and chest pain within 90 min of her echocardiogram. She was diagnosed with acute chest syndrome and admitted for further management. Her hospitalization was complicated by hyper-haemolysis and multiple organ failure syndrome. After 13 days, she was discharged home. Discussion The safety profile of ECAs has not been fully evaluated and warrants further study in individuals with SCD. Proposed mechanisms for our observations include the release of pro-inflammatory metabolites from Definity contrast agent's shell and ultrasound-induced haemolysis secondary to ECA administration. Alternative imaging modalities and proper precautions should be considered when evaluating cardiopulmonary function in this patient population.
Paradigms of personality

Using T.S. Kuhn's model of scientific revolutions as a framework, this book presents five major theories of personality: psychoanalysis, behaviourism, psychometric traits, social learning theory, and cognitive developmentalism. Each theory provides unique access to a different facet of the person: the dynamic unconscious, behaviour and its control, traits, social behaviour and cognition, and character development.
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Could Potentially Improve the Quality of Care in Those Afflicted With Dementia.

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) could potentially improve the quality of care of high-need, high-cost persons, including those afflicted with dementia. Little research has examined the relationship between patient characteristics, and ACO organizational characteristics on whether a person with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) remained attributed to an ACO.
How Do Online Conflict Disclosures Support Enforcement? Evidence from Personal Financial Disclosures and Public Corruption

Public corruption is a major concern for democracies around the world. In the U.S., states have responded to this issue by publishing personal financial disclosures (PFD) for public officials online. PFD are a conflict-of-interest disclosure designed to relieve agency conflicts between private citizens and government officials by documenting overlaps between officials’ financial interests and public responsibilities. By adopting online PFD, states must weigh the potential benefits of transparency against costs to official privacy. In this paper, I explore whether and how online PFD supports the detection and prosecution of public corruption. I present a stylized model illustrating how online PFD might lead investigators to increase case referral volume and quality. Empirically, I find that online PFD for local officials is associated with increased referral rates and greater likelihoods of prosecution conditional on referral. I conduct 126 field interviews of federal prosecutors, journalists, and state ethics commissions to understand the mechanisms behind these results. I conclude that online PFD supports the enforcement of local corruption by reducing investigation costs and enhancing public awareness of official conflicts of interest.
Electrical Rotors in the Heart

Electrophysiological processes in the heart are responsible for impulse formation and conduction. The normal action of these processes is necessary for the production of an efficient contraction. Interruption of impulse formation or conduction [3, 18] by either biological, pathological, or toxicological mechanisms can cause a disruption of the normal rhythm, which is called an arrhythmia. Two types of abnormal impulse formation can cause cardiac arrhythmias. The first type involves those cells that have the ability to depolarize spontaneously [19] and generate their own action potentials. This includes cells found in the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, His bundle, and ventricular Purkinje system. By suppressing or enhancing the rate of spontaneous depolarization, an arrhythmia can develop.
Analysis of solar generation and weather data in smart grid with simultaneous inference of nonlinear time series

Smart Grid is an important component of Smart City, where more renewable power generation and better energy management is required. Forecast on renewable power generation, from sources such as solar and wind, is crucial for better energy management. However, the current forecast methods lack a comprehensive understanding of the natural processes, and are thus limited in precise prediction. In this paper, we introduce simultaneous inference to analyze the solar generation and weather data for better predictions. We first introduce a local linear model for nonlinear time series, and present the construction of the simultaneous confidence bands (SCB) of the time-varying coefficients, which provide more information on the dynamic properties of the model. We then use the simultaneous inference for solar intensity prediction using a real trace, where the superior performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated over existing approaches.
Custom implant analysis system

A parametric model for implant design has been developed and incorporated into an expert system for prosthesis design and manufacturing. The expert system acquires data concerning the physical characteristics of a patient, (e.g., age, height, weight, and anatomical details of the femoral geometry). The system conceptualizes a space-filling custom design based upon the available data and calculations. The system considers existing off-the-shelf designs and the custom design as parallel alternatives and applies geometric criteria to eliminate designs that are incompatible with the patient's data. The remaining designs are used to generate finite-element models, and are evaluated for bone/prosthesis stress levels. The system 'reasons' about the final designs in an iterative fashion. >
The ISDF Framework: Integrating Security Patterns and Best Practices

The rapid growth of communication and globalization has changed the software engineering process. Security has become a crucial component of any software system. However, software developers often lack the knowledge and skills needed to develop secure software. Clearly, the creation of secure software requires more than simply mandating the use of a secure software development lifecycle, the components produced by each stage of the lifecycle must be correctly implemented for the resulting system to achieve its intended goals. In this paper, we demonstrate that a more effective approach to the development of secure software can result from the integration of carefully selected security patterns into appropriate stages of the software development lifecycle to ensure that security designs are correctly implemented. The goal of this work is to provide developers with an Integrated Security Development Framework (ISDF) that can assist them in building more secure software intuitively.
Experimental and theoretical studies of siliceous zeolites

Abstract The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction studies on siliceous zeolites: faujasite, silicalite, ferrierite, and ZSM-12, are compared with the predictions of atomistic simulations. Of particular interest are the Si-O-Si bond angles, which show a wide range of experimental values. It is found that computer modeling is particularly good in systems (e.g. faujasite) where the bond angles are close to that in the α-quartz structure that was used to parameterize the forcefield. In systems that have been less accurately determined by powder diffraction, there is evidence from the 29 Si NMR results that the computer simulations may be more reliable than the diffraction results.
Constraint Processing Techniques for Improving Join Computation: A Proof of Concept

Constraint Processing and Database techniques overlap significantly. We discuss here the application of a constraint satisfaction technique, called dynamic bundling, to databases. We model the join query computation as a Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) and solve it by search using dynamic bundling. First, we introduce a sort-based technique for computing dynamic bundling. Then, we describe the join algorithm that produces nested tuples. The resulting process yields a compact solution space and savings of memory, disk-space, and/or network bandwidth. We realize further savings by using bundling to reduce the number of join-condition checks. We place our bundling technique in the framework of the Progressive Merge Join (PMJ) [1] and use the XXL library [2] for implementing and testing our algorithm. PMJ assists in effective query-result-size prediction by producing early results. Our algorithm reinforces this feature of PMJ by producing the tuples as multiple solutions and is thus useful for improving size estimation.
Explaining Geographical Differences in Water Prices: Do Institutional Factors Really Matter?

The availability, price, and quality of infrastructure services vary considerably across regions. This paper analyzes which elements significantly contribute to geographical differences in water prices. For empirical analysis, it employs water supply price and demand equations under a system of simultaneous structural equations. Several institutional factors explain geographical differences in water prices, such as prior appropriation water rights versus riparian rights, pricing structures, combining water bills with other bills, and other infrastructure. Water rate regulations by public utility commission also have some negative effects on water prices. State environmental regulations and commitments contribute to higher water prices, especially for non-residential water users.
Updating an Introductory Performance Course with PDC Topics

We report on our development of a new course: Introduction to Performance Measurement, Modeling and Analysis (IPMMA). The first offering was in Fall 2014, with a second offering in Winter 2015 in finals week at this writing. The course focuses on the fundamentals of measuring, analyzing, and modeling computer performance. As we cover the basics we will move through a set of case studies, allowing us to apply the techniques to increasingly complex problems. Case studies used in Fall 2014 include: multithreaded code; web servers; MPI code; virtualized servers; and Map/Reduce - Hadoop. In Winter 2015 we added a case study for single server queue simulation. These case studies include hands-on programming exercises both during class time and as take-home exercises. We use a variety of performance tools through the course to learn the state of the art for performance techniques and practices. We have successfully included a number of PDC topics into this course, with relatively small background needed for the students to succeed in hands-on exercises. However, we have found a total lack of textbook support for the inclusion of PDC topics into an introductory performance course.
High stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 expression is associated with shorter survival in breast cancer patients

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is an essential regulator of fatty acid synthesis. We have previously shown that overexpression of SCD1 increases the growth of breast cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between SCD1 expression level and clinical-pathologic characteristics and survival of patients with breast cancer. Fine-needle aspirates were collected from the primary tumors of 250 patients with stage I-III breast cancer. Demographic and clinical characteristics including patient age, ethnicity, and menopausal status and tumor clinical stage, grade, and subtype were reviewed. SCD1 expression was analyzed using reverse-phase protein arrays. Samples were divided into high or low SCD1 expression levels based on a cut-off determined from martingale residual plots and regression tree analysis. SCD1 levels were significantly higher in tumors from patients >50-years old compared to patients ≤50-years old and were lower in triple-negative (estrogen/progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative) breast cancers than other tumor subtypes. After adjusting for patient age, tumor subtype, tumor grade, and clinical stage, we found that patients with primary breast cancers expressing high SCD1 levels had significantly shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.0140) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.039) in multivariable analysis. We conclude that SCD1 expression varies by breast cancer subtype and that high levels of SCD1 expression are associated with significantly shorter RFS and OS in multivariable analysis. Future studies are needed to define the role of SCD1 in the malignant phenotype of breast cancer and to evaluate the potential for SCD1 as a therapeutic target.
DETERMINATION OF MACROION DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS USING AN ANALYTICAL ELECTROPHORESIS APPARATUS

Methods are presented to determine the effective macroion diffusion coefficient in the presence or absence of an electric field, using a unique analytical electrophoresis apparatus in which both electrophoretic mobility and steady-state electrophoresis may be studied. Approximate analytic solutions to the differential equations and boundary conditions describing diffusion are derived. These solutions are shown to be good approximations to numerial simulations of the differential equations, and provide a good phenomenological description of experimental data for the oligonucleotide p(dA)20⋅p(dT)20 in 100 mM KCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 buffer. Diffusion and electrophoresis measurements are made on a single sample without changing the buffer or the macroion concentration, thus the data are directly comparable.
Effects of transport gradients in a chemical vapor deposition reactor employing vapor–liquid–solid growth of ternary chalcogenide phase-change materials

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth is employed to synthesize individual Ge2Sb2Te5 nanowires with the ultimate goal of synthesizing a large scale nanowire array for universal memory storage. A consistent challenge encountered during the synthesis is a lack of control over the composition and morphology across the growth substrate. To better understand the challenges associated with the CVD synthesis of the ternary chalcogenide, computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to quantify 3D thermal and momentum transients in the growth conditions. While these gradients are qualitatively known to exist, they have not been adequately quantified in both the axial and radial directions when under pressure and flow conditions indicative of VLS growth. These data are not easily acquired by conventional means for the axial direction under vacuum and are a considerable challenge to accurately measure radially. The simulation data shown here provide 3D insights into the gradients which ultimately dictate the region of controllable stoichiometry and morphology. These results help explain the observed inhomogeneity of the characterized ternary chalcogenide growth products at various growth substrate locations.
Recent progress in broadband optical access and packet switched core networking technologies

The combination of broadband optical access and core networks is considered to be one of the most promising solutions for end-to-end transportation of high bit-rate data, video, and voice signals across optical networks of the future. Optical label switching technology (OLS) is an important aspect of optical packet switching and it involves the extraction and processing of the labels so that the packets can be routed to their destinations. OLS enables the routing and forwarding of the ultra-high bit rate payloads from source to destination entirely in the optical domain, thus alleviating the need for expensive optical-to-electrical conversions for processing. We have developed key enabling technologies for merged core and access networks including optical label generation, label swapping, optical buffering, clock recovery and wavelength conversion. We have experimentally demonstrated that these enabling techniques that can provide efficient broadband services in the future access and core networks.
Feminizing Science: The Alchemy of Title IX

The physical sciences have long resisted most inanities of the postmodern university. Nonetheless, these disciplines have not rejected all foolish notions prevalent on campus today. For some time, departments of physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) have accepted feminist contentions that their practices are responsible for the underrepresentation of women in their ranks. Efforts to reverse this situation have followed––from female-friendly admissions standards to special dorms designed to support female engineering students. These efforts have failed to produce parity of the sexes in SEM fields––a predictable outcome given that their underlying premise is false. As their failure to deliver desired effects has become clear, proponents have rarely reconsidered their beliefs as to why female underrepresentation persists. Rather, talk has turned to use of coercive methods to augment current efforts. This thinking has been inspired by the use––or more accurately, abuse––of Title IX of the 1972 Federal Education Amendments to force proportional representation of women in college sports. Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering is perhaps the best example of this move towards Acad. Quest. (2008) 21:392–408 DOI 10.1007/s12129-008-9075-5
Die Einwirkung von Schwefeltrioxyd auf Siliciumtetrachlorid

Geschmolzenes Schwefeltrioxyd und Siliciumtetrachlorid sind miteinander mischbar. Beim langeren Stehen oder beim 6- bis 10- stundigen Erhitzen auf 50° findet folgende Reaktion statt: 2SiCl4 + 2SO3 = Si2OCl6 + S2O5Cl2.
Uptake of proline by brushborder vesicles isolated from human kidney cortex

Abstract Proline transport into renal brushborder membrane vesicles isolated from human kidney is mediated by two uptake systems. The high-affinity system is stimulated by a Na gradient and appears to be shared with glycine while the low-affinity system is not. Uptake curves of low concentrations of proline exhibit a Nagradient-dependent overshoot indicative of electrogenic transport. The proline transport systems observed in isolated human renal brushborder membrane vesicles appear to have characteristics similar to those in rat kidney membranes.
Mechanisms of bombesin on growth of gastrinoma (PT) in vivo

The growth of the human gastrinoma model (PT) in athymic nude mice is stimulated by bombesin (BBS), an amphibian peptide homologous to both human gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB). The mechanism is not known, and a potent and specific GRP-R antagonist BIM26226, which has low affinity for NMB-R, was used in vivo in athymic nude mice bearing gastrinoma subcutaneously. Both the BBS and BIM26226 stimulated the growth of PT, and the growth stimulation was even greater when given together. RT-PCR study of gastrinoma revealed the presence of both GRP-R and NMB-R mRNA, but much more abundant NMB-R mRNA. We conclude that BBS-stimulated growth of gastrinoma involves both GRP-R and NMB-R, and our findings suggest that GRP-R mediates negative and NMB-R produces positive growth effects on gastrinoma.
Enhancement of transglutaminase activity by NMR identification of its flexible residues affecting the active site

Incorporation of inter- or intramolecular covalent cross-links into food proteins with microbial transglutaminase (MTG) improves the physical and textural properties of many food proteins, such as tofu, boiled fish paste, and sausage. By using nuclear magnetic resonance, we have shown that the residues exhibiting relatively high flexibility in MTG are localized in the N-terminal region; however, the N-terminal region influences the microenvironment of the active site. These results suggest that the N-terminal region is not of primary importance for the global fold, but influences the substrate binding. Therefore, in order to increase the transglutaminase activity, the N-terminal residues were chosen as candidates for site-directed replacement and deletion. We obtained several mutants with higher activity, del1-2, del1-3, and S2R. We propose a strategy for enzyme engineering targeted toward flexible regions involved in the enzymatic activity. In addition, we also briefly describe how the number of glutamine residues in a substrate protein can be increased by mixing more than two kinds of TGases with different substrate specificities.
Privacy in pervasive environments: next generation labeling protocols

In pervasive environments, privacy is likely to be a major issue for users, and users will want to be notified of potential data capture. To provide notice to users, this paper argues for what it calls labeling protocols, technical mechanisms through which users can be informed of data requests and their consequences. Recent experiences with the Platform for Privacy Preferences Project (P3P), an attempt to provide privacy mechanisms for the Web, suggest important lessons for the design of a next generation labeling protocol that will be usable and useful in pervasive environments. This paper examines the P3P lessons and open issues with an eye to pervasive requirements.
III-N-V semiconductors for solar photovoltaic applications

III–N–V semiconductors are promising materials for use in next-generation multijunction solar cells because these materials can be lattice matched to substrates such as GaAs, Ge and Si, with a range of bandgaps that are complementary to those of other III–V semiconductors. Several potentially high-efficiency multijunction photovoltaic device designs using III–N–V materials are discussed. The main roadblock to the development of these solar cell devices is poor minority-carrier transport in the III–N–V materials. The present understanding of the material properties of GaInNAs lattice matched to GaAs and GaNPAs lattice matched to Si is reviewed.
Completion of partially known turbulent flow statistics

Second-order statistics of turbulent flows can be obtained either experimentally or via high fidelity numerical simulations. The statistics are relevant in understanding fundamental flow physics and for the development of low-complexity models. For example, such models can be used for control design in order to suppress or promote turbulence. Due to experimental or numerical limitations it is often the case that only partial flow statistics are known. In other words, only certain correlations between a limited number of flow field components are available. Thus, it is of interest to complete the statistical signature of the flow field in a way that is consistent with the known dynamics. Our approach to this inverse problem relies on a model governed by stochastically forced linearized Navier-Stokes equations. In this, the statistics of forcing are unknown and sought to explain the given correlations. Identifying suitable stochastic forcing allows us to complete the correlation data of the velocity field. While the system dynamics impose a linear constraint on the admissible correlations, such an inverse problem admits many solutions for the forcing correlations. We use nuclear norm minimization to obtain correlation structures of low complexity. This complexity translates into dimensionality of spatio-temporal filters that can be used to generate the identified forcing statistics.
Relationship between salinity and efficient water use

The relationship between salinity and water use efficiency is highly dependent upon which definition of water use efficiency is used. The two common definitions, yield per unit evapotranspiration and yield per unit applied water, both have significant deficiencies and can lead to erroneous conclusions. Thus, the analysis of efficient use of saline waters invokes a broader analysis than merely computing water use efficiency. An array of models is available to simulate the effects of various irrigation management strategies with saline waters. Based on results computed from these models, which consider the osmotic and matric potential effects on plant growth, strategies can be developed to effectively use saline waters in crop production. The cyclic strategy of using waters of different salinities can effectively be used in maintaining crop rotations which include both salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant crops. The major deficiency of the models is that they do not account for the effects of water quality on soil physical conditions with consequent effects on crop production. Indeed, the most limiting factor in use of saline waters on soils may be deterioration of soil physical conditions. The deterioration of soil physical conditions does not result from using the high-salinity waters per se but from subsequent rainfall or low salinity waters. Thus far the emphasis on using saline waters on crop production has centered on yields and less attention has been given to the long-term consequences on soil physical conditions. This factor requires further research and should be a focus of attention in future experiments. Relatively high saline water tables can be maintained without drainage if a non-saline source of water is available, and irrigation amounts can be controlled. This strategy might invoke the necessity for shifting irrigation systems from surface to pressurized systems. Eventually, some salt must be removed from the system. It is probably more efficient to allow it to become very concentrated and remove small volumes to be disposed of in some manner rather than apply it to productive land.
When Unified Teacher Pay Scales Meet Differential Alternative Returns

Abstract This paper quantifies the extent to which unified teacher pay scales and differential alternatives produce opportunity costs that are asymmetric in math and verbal skills. Data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond 1997 and 2003 follow-ups are used to estimate a fully parametric, selection-corrected wage equation for nonteachers, which is then used to predict the wages that teachers would have received in a nonteaching career. The difference between actual teacher salaries and this prediction can be considered the opportunity cost of teaching. Moving up one standard deviation in math SAT score increases the opportunity cost of teaching by $1,500 to $2,000 four years after college, rising to $3,000 to $3,800 ten years after college. Moving up one standard deviation in verbal SAT score increases the opportunity cost by $300 four years after college, and by $1,300 ten years after college. The teacher salary gap is also decomposed into policy versus teacher-characteristic components.
Rare Events Analysis of High-Frequency Equity Data

In this work we present a methodology to detect rare events which are defined as large price movements relative to the volume traded. We analyze the behavior of equity after the detection of these rare events. We provide methods to calibrate trading rules based on the detection of these events and illustrate for a particular trading rule. We apply the methodology to tick data for thousands of equities over a period of five days. In order to draw comprehensive conclusions, we group the equities into classes and calculate probabilities of price recovery after these rare events for each class. The methodology that we have developed is based on non-parametric statistics and makes no assumption about the distribution of the random variables in the study.
Pressure-Induced Vector Transport in Human Saphenous Vein

The efficiency of gene therapy as a pretreatment for saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts can be improved by increasing the transport of vector into the tunica media. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increasing transmural pressure on vector delivery depth in human saphenous vein segments. Specifically, we introduced adenovirus-sized microspheres luminally to observe changes in transport efficiency into the intimal and medial layers with increasing pressure. Our results indicate that transmural pressures of 100 and 400 mmHg increase the intimal concentration of microspheres as compared to 0 mmHg (p or = 100 nm) to medial smooth muscle cells. Also, our data support previous models designating the internal elastic lamina as the primary barrier to particle transport. Finally, our ex vivo microsphere perfusion experiment represents a novel way to explore functional vein permeabilities to gene therapy vectors and, ultimately, optimize vascular gene therapy protocols.
Where Was Health Care In The 2002 Election

ABSTRACT: An analysis of eleven national media polls finds that despite rising health care costs and the growing number of uninsured Americans, health care played a relatively modest role as an iss...
Atmospheric neutrinos in MACRO

Abstract Results from MACRO on atmospheric neutrinos are presented. For high energy events, v > ∼ 100 GeV, a fit to the total measured flux and angular distributions yield a poor fit without the inclusion of neutrino oscillations. The data favors ν μ → ν τ oscillations with large mixing angle and Δm 2 ∼ 2.5×10 −3 eV 2 and disfavors a sterile neutrino hypothesis at the ∼ 2 σ level. Low energy events, both stopping and internal, have also been analyzed. In MACRO, statistics are poorer for this type of event. The results for Internal Upward , and Internal Downward + Upwardgoing Stopping events also have a deficit with respect to expectation (no oscillations), but there is no observedzenith angle distortion. Detailed fits to the low energy data are also in agreement with the hypothesis of ν μ → ν τ oscillations with large mixing angle and 10 −3 2 −2 eV 2 The fit with no oscillations has a probability of less than 3%. Overall, a consistent scenario arises from both high and low energy MACRO atmospheric neutrino events.
A Procedure to Calculate Fire Resistance of Structural Members

Progress in the field of theoretical prediction of fire resistance has been rapid in recent years. A procedure has been developed at the National Research Council of Canada for calculation of the fire resistance of structural members. The various steps in the construction of a mathematical model to calculate temperatures, deformations and strength are shown using as an example the calculation of the fire resistance of a cylindrical tubular steel column filled with concrete. A comparison of results calculated using the model with those of a fire test is also discussed.
A Technique for Trolley Arc Reduction

Arcing which occurs at the trolley shoe is one of the leading causes of electrical accidents in the coal mining industry. Arcs occur if trolley contact is made or broken under load. Some of these incidents are caused by improper vehicle operation and others occur as a result of unstable tracking conditions. The arcing can be reduced by detecting the disconnect condition and snubbing the arc by responsive control circuitry. Once the disconnect has been completed, reconnection under load can be controlled with the same circuitry. A system of accomplishing this arc reduction is presented along with the results of a simulation used to test the effectiveness of the technique. Guidelines are suggested for incorporating arc-reducing control circuitry into mine track vehicles.
Translational hulls and block designs

On montre que l'enveloppe de translation Ω(D) du semigroupe matriciel de Rees associe a une configuration bloc D a une interpretation naturelle comme un semigroupe de transformations sur a la fois les points et les blocs de D
Polarization effects in photonuclear reactions

Abstract We derive explicit formulae for angular asymmetries and longitudinal and transverse polarizations of nucleons emitted from nuclei in the (γ, N) reaction, corresponding to linearly or circularly polarized as well as unpolarized incident photons. The reaction is assumed to proceed in two stages, namely, by photo-excitation of a single nuclear level and its subsequent decay via nucleon emission. Our expressions are given in terms of the nuclear transverse multipole form factors for the excitation and of the reduced matrix elements corresponding to the decay. The results are illustrated by obtaining nucleon angular distributions and transverse polarizations following photo-excitation of the giant dipole resonance in 16O, using Gillet's model and R-matrix theory. The comparison of these results with experiment is satisfactory.
Portfolios to Satisfy Damage Judgments: A Simple Approach

In a recent article in this journal, Professors Arnold and Botkin describe a linear programming [Arnold, Larry R., Donal Botkin. 1978. Portfolios to satisfy damage judgment: A linear programming approach. Interfaces8 2, February 38--42.] procedure which will provide a minimum lump sum damage award to a successful plaintiff in a tort. Arnold and Botkin's paper suffers from a flaw which might keep a court from adopting the model. This flaw amply demonstrates why management scientists often have a very difficult time “selling their wares” to either laymen like the lawyers or judge in Arnold and Botkin's article or to decision makers. That is, the authors use a pseudocomplicated to the layman linear programming model to determine a solution, when a trivial, easily explainable and comprehendable rule-of-thumb, as we shall show, will suffice.
[2 + 2] Cross Coupling of Benzene and Tropylium Ligands in Reductively Activated Piano Stool Complexes of Mn, Cr, and W

We have established cation/anion coupling reactions between the tropylium ligand in [M(η7-C7H7)(CO)3]+ (M = Cr, W) and the reductively activated η4-benzene ligand in [Mn(η4-C6H6)(CO)3]- (3-) to form [M(CO)3(μ2-η6:η5-C7H7−C6H6)Mn(CO)3]; [Cr(CO)3(μ2-η6:η5-C7H7−C6H6)Mn(CO)3] can be further reduced to [Cr(CO)3(μ2-η5:η4-C7H7−C6H6)Mn(CO)3]2-, in which the tropylium and benzene ligands have undergone a [2 + 2] cross coupling reaction.
Immunohistochemical localization of dynorphin(1–8) in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons: Evidence for absence of proenkephalin

Abstract Dynorphin(1–8) immunoreactivity was visualized by immunohistofluorescence in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons of the rat. No immunoreactive met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8, a fragment of the adrenal medulla pro-enkephal in molecule, was detected in magnocelullar neurons. However, a strong met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunostaining was seen in other regions of the brain. These results suggest that in magnocellular neurons dynorphin(1–8) exists independently from pro-enkephalin and therefore the magnocellular neurons represent a third opioid peptide neuronal system in brain. These observations, however, do not rule out a coexistence of proenkephalin and dynorphin-related peptides in other regions of the brain.
New mechanisms for invocation handling in concurrent programming languages11This research is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant CCR-9527295

Invocation handling mechanism in many concurrent languages have significant limitations that make it difficult or costly to solve common programming situations encountered in program visualization, debugging, and scheduling scenarios. This paper discusses these limitations, introduces new language mechanisms aimed at remedying these limitations, and presents an implementation of the new mechanisms. The examples are given in SR; the new mechanisms and implementation are an extension of SR and its implementation. However, these new mechanisms are applicable to other concurrent languages. They can augment or replace current invocation handling mechanisms.
Structural Requirements for Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Invariant Chain Trafficking in Polarized Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

Abstract The invariant chain (Ii) targets major histocompatibility complex class II molecules to an endocytic processing compartment where they encounter antigenic peptides. Analysis of Ii-transferrin receptor chimeras expressed in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells shows that the Ii cytoplasmic tail contains a dihydrophobic basolateral sorting signal, Met16-Leu17, which is recognized in both the biosynthetic and endocytic pathways. Pro15-Met16-Leu17 has previously been identified as one of two dihydrophobic Ii internalization signals active in non-polarized cells. Pro15 is also required for endocytosis in MDCK cells but not for basolateral sorting, indicating that the internalization signal recognized at the plasma membrane is distinct from the sorting signal recognized by basolateral sorting machinery. Another dihydrophobic sequence, Leu7-Ile8, is required for rapid internalization of the chimeric receptors in MDCK cells but not for basolateral sorting, providing further evidence that the structural requirements for basolateral sorting and internalization differ. Deletion analysis suggests that basolateral sorting of newly synthesized Ii-TR chimeras is also mediated by the membrane-proximal region of the Ii cytoplasmic tail. However, this region does not promote polarized basolateral recycling, indicating that the structural requirements for polarized sorting in the biosynthetic and endocytic pathways are not identical.
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) enhances CO2 exchange rates in freshwater Marsh ecosystems in the Florida everglades.

This research examines the relationships between El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), water level, precipitation patterns and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rates in the freshwater wetland ecosystems of the Florida Everglades. Data was obtained over a 5-year study period (2009–2013) from two freshwater marsh sites located in Everglades National Park that differ in hydrology. At the short-hydroperiod site (Taylor Slough; TS) and the long-hydroperiod site (Shark River Slough; SRS) fluctuations in precipitation patterns occurred with changes in ENSO phase, suggesting that extreme ENSO phases alter Everglades hydrology which is known to have a substantial influence on ecosystem carbon dynamics. Variations in both ENSO phase and annual net CO2 exchange rates co-occurred with changes in wet and dry season length and intensity. Combined with site-specific seasonality in CO2 exchanges rates, El Nino and La Nina phases magnified season intensity and CO2 exchange rates at both sites. At TS, net CO2 uptake rates were higher in the dry season, whereas SRS had greater rates of carbon sequestration during the wet season. As La Nina phases were concurrent with drought years and extended dry seasons, TS became a greater sink for CO2 on an annual basis (−11 to −110 g CO2 m−2 yr−1) compared to El Nino and neutral years (−5 to −43.5 g CO2 m−2 yr−1). SRS was a small source for CO2 annually (1.81 to 80 g CO2 m−2 yr−1) except in one exceptionally wet year that was associated with an El Nino phase (−16 g CO2 m−2 yr−1). Considering that future climate predictions suggest a higher frequency and intensity in El Nino and La Nina phases, these results indicate that changes in extreme ENSO phases will significantly alter CO2 dynamics in the Florida Everglades.
Elevated-temperature deformation of TD-nickel

Sensitivity of the elevated temperature (above 1/2 Tm) deformation of TD-nickel to grain size and shape was examined in both tension and creep. Elevated temperature strength increased with increasing grain diameter and increasingL/D ratio. Temperature sensitivity of the yield stress, as well as high (compared to self diffusion) apparent tensile activation enthalp-ies were the result of the internal stress not being proportional to the shear modulus. Creep activation enthalpies increased with increasingL/D ratio and, to a lesser extent, increasing grain diameter, reaching high values which may be apparent values. The thoria particle dis-persion may have been altered by elevated temperature tensile and creep deformation.
On the existence of solutions of variational inequalities in Banach spaces

Abstract In this paper, we study the existence of the solution of the variational inequality 〈Tx−ξ,y−x〉⩾0 by applying the generalized projection operator π K :B ∗ →B , where B is a Banach space with dual space B ∗ and by using the well-known FanKKM Theorem.
Local Structure of β-Hairpin Isotopomers by FTIR, 2D IR, and Ab Initio Theory

The 12-residue tryptophan zipper β-hairpin (SWTWENGKWTWK) and two 13C-isotopomers were examined in the amide-I region using FTIR and femtosecond two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopies. Spe...
An Integrated Software and Hardware System for Dynamic Cadaveric Shoulder Testing

Shoulder joint biomechanics can be investigated using cadaveric testing setups. A novel system is described which uses a computer and graphical user interface to both control electronic actuators and record data from sensors. The algorithm of the custom software, programmed in the LabVIEW G language, is described. A desktop computer running the custom software and through National Instruments I/O hardware gives users full control over dynamic and static actuation and also collects, compiles, and records all data streams from disparate sensing modalities. Data gathered from a run to validate the system is also presented.
Central limit theorems for the zeros of Lamé polynomials

Abstract In a recent paper, it was shown that the zeros of Lame polynomials satisfy a strong law of large numbers. In this paper, we show that the zeros also satisfy two central limit theorems.
Large Oriented Arrays and Continuous Films of TiO2-Based Nanotubes

We report for the first time a one-step, templateless method to directly prepare large arrays of oriented TiO2-based nanotubes and continuous films. These titania nanostructures can also be easily prepared as conformal coatings on a substrate. The nanostructured films were formed on a Ti substrate seeded with TiO2 nanoparticles. SEM and TEM results suggested that a folding mechanism of sheetlike structures was involved in the formation of the nanotubes. The oriented arrays of TiO2 nanotubes, continuous films, and coatings are expected to have potentials for applications in catalysis, filtration, sensing, photovoltaic cells, and high surface area electrodes.
Classification of five new ordinary chondrites from North West Africa

Abstract We classified five new ordinary chondrites from North West Africa. NWA 3010 is an L6(S5), NWA 3011 is an L5(S5), NWA 3012 is an LL4(S5), NWA 3013 is an L5(S5), and NWA 3014 is an H4(S1). The meteorites experienced a range of terrestrial alteration, with NWA 3010 equal to weathering grade W2, NWA 3011 equal to W3, NWA 3012 equal to W3, NWA 3013 equal to W2, and NWA 3014 equal to W4.
Chemical composition of coal and other mineral slags

The trace element contents of eighteen coal, copper, and nickel slags were determined by proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Varying amounts of the suspect carcinogens, beryllium, chromium, nickel, and arsenic were found in the slags. As a class, the coal slags contain the lowest quantities of these elements while the slags from secondary copper smelters contain the greatest quantities.
De-Regulated MicroRNAs in Pediatric Cancer Stem Cells Target Pathways Involved in Cell Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Development

Background microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the control of many biological processes and their deregulation has been associated with many cancers. In recent years, the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept has been applied to many cancers including pediatric. We hypothesized that a common signature of deregulated miRNAs in the CSCs fraction may explain the disrupted signaling pathways in CSCs. Methodology/Results Using a high throughput qPCR approach we identified 26 CSC associated differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs). Using BCmicrO algorithm 865 potential CSC associated DEmiR targets were obtained. These potential targets were subjected to KEGG, Biocarta and Gene Ontology pathway and biological processes analysis. Four annotated pathways were enriched: cell cycle, cell proliferation, p53 and TGF-beta/BMP. Knocking down hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-181c-5p and hsa-miR-135b-5p using antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA in cell lines led to the depletion of the CSC fraction and impairment of sphere formation (CSC surrogate assays). Conclusion Our findings indicated that CSC associated DEmiRs and the putative pathways they regulate may have potential therapeutic applications in pediatric cancers.