cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fourth-generation spallation neutron target-moderator-reflector-shield assembly at the Manuel Lujan Jr. neutron scattering center

Abstract This paper describes the basic design of the new Target-Moderator-Reflector-Shield (TMRS) assembly, which was installed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center's Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center (Lujan Center). The current TMRS, known as the Mark-III, is a fourth-generation spallation neutron target in service at the Lujan Center. Our new design makes a number of new improvements over previous iterations on the TMRS. Key among these improvements is the first production implementation of a cold beryllium reflector-filter at the core of the spallation neutron source – this reflector-filter is the first of its type in the world. Although we describe all implemented improvements to the TMRS, we focus on describing the design of the cold beryllium reflector-filter. Also presented are a detailed neutronic analysis of the predicted performance and influence of various external conditions on cold-neutron performance.
Noise breakout from flat-oval ducts

Two theoretical treatments concerning the transmission of internally propagated sound at low frequencies through the walls of “flat-oval” ducts are described. One of these is based on a numerical solution to the equations of motion for the duct walls, and the other on a forced wave duct wall response to the internal sound field. Only the plane internal acoustic mode is considered. Both theories are in reasonable agreement with experimental data at low frequencies, though discrepancies are noted in the region where higher order acoustic modes can propagate within the duct. The chief feature of interest in the wall transmission loss mechanism of flat-oval ducts is that the flat walls radiate most sound energy at low frequencies, and a mass law behaviour predominates, but at high frequencies a ring resonance effect, connected with the curved walls, is noted; this lowers the transmission loss near the ring frequency, where the curved walls radiate the greater part of the acoustic power.
On the merits of building categorization systems by supervised clustering

This paper investigates the use of supervised clustering in order to create sets of categories for classification of documents. We use information from a pre-existing taxonomy in order to supervise the creation of a set of related clusters, though with some freedom in defining and creating the classes. We show that the advantage of using supervised clustering is that it is possible to have some control over the range of subjects that one would like the categorization system to address, but with a precise mathematical definition of each category. We then categorize documents using this a priori knowledge of the definition of each category. We also discuss a new technique to help the classifier distinguish better among closely related clusters. Finally, we show empirically that this categorization system utilizing a machine-derived taxonomy performs as well as a manual categorization process, but at a far lower cost.
Urea Tolerance as a Molecular Adaptation of Elasmobranch Hemoglobins

Urea is maintained at moderately high concentrations in the blood and tissues of marine elasmobranchs. Functional properties of the hemoglobins fromn several elasmobranch species are unaffected by urea concentrations as high as 5 molar. This in. sensitivity to urea, which is not observed with human hemoglobin, is accompanied by an increased sensitivity to sodium chloride.
Ion Trap Collision-Induced Dissociation of Human Hemoglobin α-Chain Cations

Multiply protonated human hemoglobin α-chain species, ranging from [M+4H]4+ to [M + 20H]20+, have been subjected to ion trap collisional activation. Cleavages at 88 of the 140 peptide bonds were indicated, summed over all charge states, although most product ion signals were concentrated in a significantly smaller number of channels. Consistent with previous whole protein ion dissociation studies conducted under similar conditions, the structural information inherent to a given precursor ion was highly sensitive to charge state. A strongly dominant cleavage at D75/M76, also noted previously in beam-type collisional activation studies, was observed for the [M+8H]8+ to [M+11H]11+ precursor ions. At lower charge states, C-terminal aspartic acid cleavages were also prominent but the most abundant products did not arise from the D75/M76 channel. The [M+12H]12+–[M+16H]16+ precursor ions generally yielded the greatest variety of amide bond cleavages. With the exception of the [M+4H]4+ ion, all charge states showed cleavage at the L113/P114 bond. This cleavage proved to be the most prominent dissociation for charge states [M+14H]14+ and higher. The diversity of dissociation channels observed within the charge state range studied potentially provides the opportunity to localize residues associated with variants via a top-down tandem mass spectrometry approach.
The molecular structures of three germacrolides related to parthenolide

The germacrolide-class sesquiterpene lactone, 1,10-epoxyparthenolide, C15H20O4,1, crystallizes with two independent molecules in monoclinic space groupP21 witha=10.6845(5),b=9.0763(4),c=15.4326(7) A, β=105.887(4)°,V=1439.4(3) A3,Z=4.R=0.037 for 2425 observed data. Its 11βH, 13-dihydro-derivative 1,10-epoxydihydroparthenolide, C15H22O4,2, crystallizes in orthorhombic space groupP212121 witha=7.6414(10),b=12.559(2),c=14.6821(14) A,V=1409.0(3) A3 Z=4.R=0.031 for 1555 observed data. The corresponding unexposidized compound, 11βH,13-dihydrocostunolide, C15H22O2,3, crystallizes with three independent molecules in orthorhombic space groupP212121 witha=7.3576(5),b=23.505(3),c=24.185(2) A,V=4182(1) A3,Z=12.R=0.070 for 2767 observed data. In all, the 10-membered rings adopt approximate chair-chair conformations. In all, the double bonds or epoxidized double bonds are E, both methyl groups on the 10-ring are β, and the α-methylene-γ-lactone (or α-methyl-γ-lactone) istrans-fused at C6 and C7 with H6 β and H7 α. In the dihydro compounds, the H at C11 is β.
Does the Application of Child Support Guidelines at the Time of Court Action Affect Fathers' Subsequent Compliance with Their Child Support Obligations?

Abstract Fathers are likely to pay their child support on time when presumptive child support guidelines are used flexibly in response to their specific concerns. Data from 297 court cases assigned to a child support enforcement services agency in New Hampshire were used to determine whether or not the manner in which these guidelines were applied (rigid or flexible) at the time of court action had an effect on fathers' subsequent compliance with their court-ordered child support obligations. An OLS regression found the flexible use of these guidelines to increase compliance. With respect to controls, father only had attorney, father's employment, and income withholding all increased compliance. Implications for family policy advocates are discussed.
Manifestations of gastrointestinal plasmablastic lymphoma: a case series with literature review.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with limited studies reported. We reviewed the clinical histories and pathology of four patients with GI PBL at our institute and similar case reports published in peer-reviewed journals. In our first case, a 40 year-old human immunodeficiency virus positive male presented with a hemorrhoid-like sensation, and was diagnosed with PBL via biopsy of a rectal mass. The second case involves a 65 year-old healthy male with bloody diarrhea who was found to have PBL in a resected sigmoid mass. The third patient was a 41 year-old male with a history of Crohn’s disease who presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. A small intestinal mass (PBL) was removed. The fourth patient was a 65-year-old male who was found PBL after surgical resection of bowel for his florid Crohn’s disease. He later developed secondary acute myeloid leukemia. Clinical outcome was very poor in 3 out of 4 patients as reported in the literature. One patient survived chemotherapy followed by autologous transplant. The prototypical clinical presentation and variations of PBL can help create a more comprehensive differential diagnosis for GI tumors and establish an appropriate therapeutic guideline.
Seasonal ambient ammonia and ammonium concentrations in a pilot IMPROVE NHx monitoring network in the western United States

Abstract Ammonia and ammonium are important atmospheric trace constituents that affect particulate matter concentrations and contribute to reactive nitrogen deposition. We refer to and measure the sum of ammonia and ammonium as NH x . To better understand concentrations of NH x in remote areas, the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) fine particulate matter ( x at a subset of locations in the routine IMPROVE network. To sample NH x , an additional IMPROVE PM 2.5 sampler was installed. Samples were collected on phosphorous acid impregnated cellulose filters held in polypropylene filter holders. While the standard IMPROVE filter holder is made of Delrin (polyoxymethylene, POM), reactions between collected NH x and formaldehyde released by phosphorous acid degradation of the POM holder produced substantial amounts of artifact methylamine, especially during warm sampling periods. This artifact did not occur with the new polypropylene holder design, and no methylamine was measured above the method detection limit of 0.003 μg/m 3 . Samples collected using the new IMPROVE NH x sampling system were evaluated against samples collected with a collocated URG annular denuder/filter-pack module for 6 weeks; the observed bias was −7%. The NH x monitors were deployed at a total of nine sites in the U.S. Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions and to the east, and at Bondville, Illinois, from April 2011 to August 2012. Collocated samplers at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, and Bondville, Illinois, demonstrated excellent measurement precision. The data revealed a pattern of increasing NH x concentrations in late spring/early summer (June) and a decrease in winter, starting in September for most of the sites. This pattern is consistent with expected seasonal patterns in agricultural emissions of ammonia. Sites closer to agricultural sources at Bondville and Cedar Bluff (Kansas), however, still exhibit quite abundant winter NH x , which may reflect continued local agricultural emissions trapped within a shallower winter boundary layer. A probable impact of wildfires on NH x concentrations was observed for Bandelier NM, Chiricahua NM, and Yellowstone NP during summer/fall 2011.
A component process theorem of job satisfaction

Total quality management (TQM) and management by objectives (MBO) are underpinned by the same three processes – participation in decision making, goal setting and objective feedback. Research on the effectiveness of management by objectives is used as a foundation for evaluating the influence of each component process on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction gains are predicted from the theories that underpin each process. Evidence on each component process supports these predictions. When all three processes in combination are used with top management commitment to programme implementation, the gain in job satisfaction should be greater than the gain when any one process is used by itself, but less than the sum of the independent effects of all three processes.
Influence of oxygen plasma treatment on the microstructure of SnOx thin films

Cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study SnOx thin films that were deposited at room temperature on Si using electron beam evaporation and subsequently treated by oxygen plasma. Electron diffraction and high-resolution TEM studies show that the as-deposited SnOx thin films are composed of amorphous and nanocrystalline SnO2 structures with a size ranged from 5 to 8 nm in diameter. Long-time (>6 min) O-plasma-treated thin films are composed of sub-nanometer cluster structures. The thin films that were oxygen-plasma-treated for a short period of time (<6 min) consist of a two-layered structure composed of a sub-nanometer cluster layer and a nanocrystalline SnO/white Sn layer. The structural evolution of the SnO2 thin films during the O-plasma processing is discussed.
Tomudex (ZD1694, NSC 639186) in platinum-pretreated recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a phase II study by the Gynecologic Oncology Group

Purpose: Tomudex is a second-generation folate analogue that when polyglutamated is a potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS). Methods: Based on indications of antitumor activity in phase I trials, the Gynecologic Oncology Group initiated a phase II study of Tomudex 3 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, who had been pretreated with platinum drugs, and had subsequently recurred more than 6 months following such treatment. Results: Of 30 patients entered into the trial, 2 were pathologically ineligible, leaving 28 fully evaluable. In this patient population, Tomudex was generally well tolerated, but only three objective (partial) responses were documented. Conclusions: With the level of activity seen, the drug was not considered for further clinical development in ovarian cancer by the Gynecologic Oncology Group. However, it may be worthwhile to explore whether quantitation of TS could lead to selection of patients more likely to respond to this TS inhibitor.
Cognitive deficits in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Twenty-nine subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 25 healthy control subjects were administered a lengthy neuropsychological battery that included standard neuropsychological tests and a computerized set of tasks that spanned the same areas of ability. The primary significant differences between patients and controls were found on tests of learning and memory. These differences remained when the degree of psychiatric symptomatology in the subjects was covaried. Patients on and off psychoactive medications did not differ in their performance on these tasks. These results suggest that at least a subset of CFS patients may experience significant impairments in learning and memory.
Ideal family size and family background: An examination of mothers’ employment and daughters’ family size preferences

(1977). Ideal family size and family background: An examination of mothers’ employment and daughters’ family size preferences. Social Biology: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 170-172.
SU-GG-T-495: Proton Treatment Planning of Complex Cases with Patch-Fields

Purpose: To illustrate the use of patch field arrangements to treat geometrically complex tumors with proton beams. Method and Materials: One very important property of a high‐energy proton beam is the ease with which it can be stopped at a desired depth in a medium and the sharp distal dose fall‐off near the end of range. This leads to the creation of straightforward beam arrangements to treat very complex tumor shapes. One variation of these beam arrangements is the patch field arrangement. These patch field arrangements are a powerful tool in proton therapy planning. A geometrically complex tumor, e.g., one wrapped around a critical structure, can be treated by a patch field arrangement in which one beam, called a shoot‐through beam, irradiates a part of the tumor. Patching another beam from a different direction and distally stopping this beam on the lateral edge of the shoot‐through beam irradiates the tumor not treated by the shoot‐through beam. We will show how proton patch fields can be used to treat complex clinical cases. Results: We present two plans showing the use of proton patch fields to treat two clinical cases. These cases demonstrate the simplicity of the patch field beam arrangements and the ease with which critical structures can be conformally spared and tumors can be fully irradiated. In addition, these beam arrangements are quite simple to set up clinically. Conclusion: In any clinical practice, one is frequently faced with difficult cases in which tumors, because of their proximity to critical structures, can neither be fully resected nor can they be safely treated with conventional radiation.Proton irradiation, because of its superior dosimetric characteristics, offers treatment options for such cases.
Differential innate immune signalling via Ca2+ sensor protein kinases

Innate immunity represents the first line of inducible defence against microbial infection in plants and animals. In both kingdoms, recognition of pathogen- or microbe-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs or MAMPs, respectively), such as flagellin, initiates convergent signalling pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and global transcriptional changes to boost immunity. Although Ca(2+) has long been recognized as an essential and conserved primary mediator in plant defence responses, how Ca(2+) signals are sensed and relayed into early MAMP signalling is unknown. Using a functional genomic screen and genome-wide gene expression profiling, here we show that four calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are Ca(2+)-sensor protein kinases critical for transcriptional reprogramming in plant innate immune signalling. Unexpectedly, CDPKs and MAPK cascades act differentially in four MAMP-mediated regulatory programs to control early genes involved in the synthesis of defence peptides and metabolites, cell wall modifications and redox signalling. Transcriptome profile comparison suggests that CDPKs are the convergence point of signalling triggered by most MAMPs. Double, triple and quadruple cpk mutant plants display progressively diminished oxidative burst and gene activation induced by the 22-amino-acid peptide flg22, as well as compromised pathogen defence. In contrast to negative roles of calmodulin and a calmodulin-activated transcription factor in plant defence, the present study reveals Ca(2+) signalling complexity and demonstrates key positive roles of specific CDPKs in initial MAMP signalling.
Lack of effects of castration on scent marking, displays, and aggression in a South American primate (Saguinus fuscicollis)

Abstract The social interactions of 12 adult, permanently cohabiting male-female pairs with strange conspecifics were studied before and after the male of each pair was either castrated or underwent control surgery. Prior to surgery, the pairs directed a relatively high amount of injurious aggression and displays toward the stranger. Aggression, display behavior, and scent marking tended to be more frequent in females. Moreover, female strangers received more aggression than male strangers, particularly by female subjects. Castration of the males did not result in a decrease in aggression, display behavior, and scent marking. On the contrary, the agression scores of all subjects tended to be higher after surgery, an increase which was probably caused by extraexperimental variables.
Time-resolved electron spin echo spectroscopy applied to the study of photosynthesis

A recent development in the research of photosynthesis has been the application of fast time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) [l-4]. The EPR method is particularly promising for systems which cannot readily be studied by optical techniques. The radicals which have been observed in photosynthetic systems by the magnetic resonance technique exhibit chemically-induced dynamic electron polarization (CIDEP) [5]. The mechanism which produces this spin polarization (a non-Boltzmann distribution of spin population) reflects the earlier fate of the radicals. The reported studies of photosynthetic systems by time resolved magnetic resonance have utilized what are now fairly standard EPR techniques [6]. They have been limited by lack of adequate time resolution, possible distortions or artifacts due to the use of magnetic field modulation [3,7], and the problem of positively identifying the observed radical species. We are applying time-resolved electron spin echo (ESE) spectroscopy, a pulsed form of EPR, to the study of photosynthetic systems. This new technique not only avoids many of the problems described above but also provides several new advantages. We report here on the first observation of spin-polarized signals in the blue-green alga Synechococcus Zividus using timeresolved ESE, and illustrate advantages of the technique.
Formation and function of the Rbl2p-beta-tubulin complex.

The yeast protein Rbl2p suppresses the deleterious effects of excess beta-tubulin as efficiently as does alpha-tubulin. Both in vivo and in vitro, Rbl2p forms a complex with beta-tubulin that does not contain alpha-tubulin, thus defining a second pool of beta-tubulin in the cell. Formation of the complex depends upon the conformation of beta-tubulin. Newly synthesized beta-tubulin can bind to Rbl2p before it binds to alpha-tubulin. Rbl2p can also bind beta-tubulin from the alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimer, apparently by competing with alpha-tubulin. The Rbl2p-beta-tubulin complex has a half-life of ~2.5 h and is less stable than the alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimer. The results of our experiments explain both how excess Rbl2p can rescue cells overexpressing beta-tubulin and how it can be deleterious in a wild-type background. They also suggest that the Rbl2p-beta-tubulin complex is part of a cellular mechanism for regulating the levels and dimerization of tubulin chains.
CR Embeddings and Kähler Manifolds with Pseudo-Conformally Flat Curvature Tensors

Under certain conditions on co-dimension and curvature tensors, the image of some CR or holomorphic maps are proved to be totally geodesic.
A collaborative multiple description transform coding and statistical error concealment method for error resilient video streaming over noisy channels

Historically, multiple description coding (MDC) and post-processing error concealment (ECN) algorithms for error-resilient video transmission have evolved separately. Although multiple description coding provides a way to make the video quality degrade gracefully in the presence of packet losses, the resulting quality may be unsatisfactory when only one description is used to reconstruct the signal. This paper proposes a joint description transform coding (MDTC) and statistical error concealment algorithm that adopts a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation approach to compensate for the loss of descriptions. This coordination results in significant improvements in reconstructed video quality over independent use of MDTC.
Viral replication and paracrine effects result in distinct, functional responses of dendritic cells following infection with dengue 2 virus

Dengue virus (DENV), a re-emerging arbovirus, readily infects dendritic cells (DC) in culture and in vivo. However, there have been contradictory reports regarding the effect of DENV infection on DC activation and maturation. DC undergo a series of functional changes following exposure to infectious agents, including cytokine production and costimulatory and MHC molecule induction, culminating in stimulation of adaptive immune responses. Immunological memory to primary DENV infection critically influences disease severity during subsequent infections with heterologous serotypes. To explore these phenomena, we examined DENV infection-dependent and -independent effects on DC secretory, phenotypic, and allostimulatory functions. DENV infection of DC resulted in the secretion of a broad array of cytokines and chemokines. Type I IFN produced by DC inhibited propagation of infection and induced the chemokine IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10; CXCL10). Based on intracellular cytokine staining, infected DC produced less IP-10 but more TNF-alpha than uninfected bystander cells in the same culture. DENV exposure activated surface molecule expression on infected and bystander cells; infected DC had enhanced programmed death ligand 2 (PD-L2) and MHC II expression but reduced levels of PD-L1, CD80, CD86, and MHC I relative to bystander DC. Dengue-infected DC cultures stimulated resting allogeneic CD4 T cell proliferation, although an increasing multiplicity of infection was associated with decreasing stimulatory capacity of DC. These data demonstrate that functional maturation of DC in response to dengue infection is modified by the presence of virus through IFN-dependent and -independent mechanisms with consequences for the development of adaptive immunity.
Metaphase Chromosome Tethering Is Necessary for the DNA Synthesis and Maintenance of oriP Plasmids but Is Insufficient for Transcription Activation by Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infects resting B cells, within which it establishes latency as a stable, circular episome with only two EBV components, the cis element oriP and the latently expressed protein EBNA1. It is believed that EBNA1's ability to tether oriP episomes to metaphase chromosomes is required for its stable replication. We created fusions between the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of EBNA1 and the cellular chromatin-binding proteins HMGA1a and HMG1 to determine the minimal requirements for stable maintenance of an oriP-based episome. These two proteins differ in that HMGA1a can associate with metaphase chromosomes but HMG1 cannot. Interestingly, coinciding with metaphase chromosome association, HMGA1a-DBD but not HMG1-DBD supported both the transient replication and stable maintenance of oriP plasmids, with efficiencies quantitatively similar to that of EBNA1. However, HMGA1a-DBD activated transcription from EBNA1-dependent episomal reporter to only 20% of the level of EBNA1. Furthermore, EBNA1 but not HMGA1a-DBD activated transcription from a chromosomally integrated EBNA1-dependent transcription reporter. This indicates that EBNA1 possesses functional domains that support transcription activation independent of its ability to tether episomal oriP plasmids to cellular chromosomes. We provide evidence that metaphase chromosome tethering is a fundamental requirement for maintenance of an oriP plasmid but is insufficient for EBNA1 to activate transcription.
Minireview: β-Cell Replacement Therapy for Diabetes in the 21st Century: Manipulation of Cell Fate by Directed Differentiation

Pancreatic β-cell failure underlies type 1 diabetes; it also contributes in an essential way to type 2 diabetes. β-Cell replacement is an important component of any cure for diabetes. The current options of islet and pancreas transplantation are not satisfactory as definitive forms of therapy. Here, we review strategies for induced de novo pancreatic β-cell formation, which depend on the targeted differentiation of cells into pancreatic β-cells. With this objective in mind, one can manipulate the fate of three different types of cells: 1) from terminally differentiated cells, e.g. exocrine pancreatic cells, into β-cells; 2) from multipotent adult stem cells, e.g. hepatic oval cells, into pancreatic islets; and 3) from pluripotent stem cells, e.g. embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, into β-cells. We will examine the pros and cons of each strategy as well as the hurdles that must be overcome before these approaches to generate new β-cells will be ready for clinical application.
Elastic-Plastic Damage Model for Composites Under High Intensity Loading

A thermomicromechanical model of failure characterizing high energy impact is presented based on thermodynamic principles, i.e. using the balancing laws; the conservation of momentum and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The micromechanical damage considered in the model are the tensile damage, the shear damage, and inter-phase discontinuity between the matrix and fiber of the composite. A homogenization technique is incorporated in the development to simplify the representation of the non-homogeneous material and to allow for the inclusion of a thermomicromechanical phenomenon in a composite lamina. The inelastic response is modeled using elastic-plastic constitutive relations. A summary of the equations for the thermomicromechanical model of failure is shown and a damage parameter D that characterizes the damage in the lamina based on energy dissipation is introduced. In order to demonstrate the model, the evolution of damage as a function of time is analyzed for a uniaxially loaded two-phase...
Within-species variation in foliar chemistry influences leaf-litter decomposition in a Utah river

AbstractLeaf-litter inputs provide substrate and energy to stream systems. These contributions vary based on species-specific differences in litter quality, but little is known about how differences in litter quality within a species can affect ecosystem processes. Genetic variation within tree species, such as oaks and cottonwoods, affects ecosystem processes including decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems and has the potential to do the same in streams. We collected litter from 5 genotypes of each of 4 different cottonwood cross types (Populus fremontii, Populus angustifolia, and natural F1 and backcross hybrids), grown in a common garden, and measured their decomposition rates using litter bags in the Weber River, Utah. The proportion of 35 species-specific P. fremontii restriction-fragment length polymorphism markers in the genotype explained 46% and genetically controlled phytochemical mechanisms (e.g., % soluble condensed tannin in litter) explained >72% of the variation in leaf-li...
Elevated hypoglycemic index and late hyperinsulinism in symptomatic postprandial hypoglycemia.

We monitored the blood glucose continuously (CGM) during an oral glucose tolerance test in 28 subjects referred for symptoms compatible with postprandial hypoglycemia. In addition, intermittent blood samples were collected every 30 min for glucose and insulin determinations. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on their glucose tolerance and the manifestation during the oral glucose tolerance test of symptoms associated with a glucose nadir of less than 60 mg/dl (CGM). Group 1 (n=16) consisted of asymptomatic subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Patients in groups 2 (n=4) and 3 (n=8) had symptomatic hypoglycemia and exhibited impaired and normal glucose tolerance, respectively. We assessed the use of the glucose nadir as the only diagnostic criterion for symptomatic postprandial hypoglycemia. A value below 50 mg/dl would have resulted in no false positives; however, the diagnosis would have been missed in two out of three of the symptomatic patients. Although a glucose nadir above 60 mg/dl ...
High-gain step-profiled integrated diagonal horn-antennas

Dipole-excited integrated horn antennas are limited by their large flare angle of 70 degrees , which is inherent in the anisotropic etching process of
Qvalue methods may not always control false discovery rate in genomic applications

The qvalue method by Storey (2002, 2003) has been proved to be theoretically sound for controlling false discovery rate in many high throughput genomic applications. However, empirical evidences suggest that this method can be more stringent than other methods, such as Bonferroni adjustment and the FDR method by Benjamini and Hochberg (1995). We compare these methods for detection of gene differential expression in microarray data analysis. For microarray experiment with the purpose of gene discovery, where many genes are expected to be differentially expressed across different experimental conditions, the qvalue method generally performs well. However, for experiments with only a few genes expected to be differentially expressed, the qvalue method performs much worse than other methods. Some insights are provided to examine this discrepancy. Adjustments to q-value method are recommended to accommodate many applications.
Ionic conductivity and point defects in pure and doped MnF2 and MgF2 single crystals

Abstract Conductivity, σ, of MnF2 and MgF2 single crystals, pure and doped (with Li+, Na+, Y3+, Gd3+), has been measured, from room temperature to 500°C. Further, some crystals were contaminated with O2− as an additional impurity. These tetragonal (rutile structure) crystals both behave like typical ionic conductors. Of particular interest is the existence of a large anisotropy, σ being largest when measured parallel to the c-axis. Study of the conductivity isotherms and anisotropy as functions of impurity concentration allows identification of the conduction mechanism in terms of the migration of two mobile defects: the fiuorine-ion vacancy, VF, and interstitial, Fi. A value of 1.44 eV was obtained for the enthalpy of formation of the intrinsic anion Frenkel defect, 0.80 eV for the migration enthalpy of a VF and 0.88 eV for an F1 in MnF2 parallel to the c-axis. Similar values were obtained for MgF2. This work shows that more information about point defects can be obtained from conductivity measurements in non-cubic cyrstals than in cubic ionic crystals, because of the additional information from conductivity anisotropy.
Prediction of β‐sheet topology and disulfide bridges in polypeptides

An ab initio method has been developed to predict beta architectures in polypeptides. The approach predicts the topology of beta-sheets and disulfide bridges through a novel superstructure-based mathematical framework originally established for chemical process synthesis problems. Two types of superstructure are introduced, both of which emanate from the principle that hydrophobic interactions drive the formation of a beta-structure. The mathematical formulation of the problem results in a set of integer linear programming (ILP) problems that can be solved to global optimality to identify the optimal beta-configuration. These (ILP) models can also predict a ranked ordered list of the best, second-best, third-best, etc., topologies of beta-sheets and disulfide bridges. The approach is shown to perform very well for several benchmark polypeptide systems, as well as polypeptides exhibiting challenging nonsequential beta-sheet topologies folds (56 to 187 amino acids).
A cadaver workshop to teach medical procedures.

Summary A seminar and workshop were conducted to train students in the indications, techniques and hazards of common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in general medicine. Cadavers were utilized to teach the techniques of thoracentesis, pleural biopsy, chest-tube insertion, bone marrow biopsy and aspiration, paracentesis, percutaneous liver biopsy and arthrocentesis. The use of cadavers was realistic and provided standardized instruction to each student. The method gave students an opportunity to become familiar with equipment, techniques, indications and hazards of each procedure prior to actual performance. It is readily adapted to a wide variety of additional procedures.
Adaptation of data and models for probabilistic parsing of portuguese

We present the first results for recovering word-word dependencies from a probabilistic parser for Portuguese trained on and evaluated against human annotated syntactic analyses. We use the Floresta Sinta(c)tica with the Bikel multi-lingual parsing engine and evaluate performance on both PARSEVAL and unlabeled dependencies. We explore several configurations, both in terms of parameterizing the parser and in terms of enhancements to the trees used for training the parser. Our best configuration achieves 80.6% dependency accuracy on unseen test material, well above adjacency baselines and on par with previous results for unlabeled dependencies.
Adaptive control of UAVs in close-coupled formation flight

This paper studies the control of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying in a close-coupled formation for the purposes of drag reduction. A controller design methodology for use in the trail vehicle in a two-UAV formation is presented. The LQR outer-loop tracks relative position commands and generates body-axis rate commands for the inner loop. The adaptive dynamic inversion inner-loop tracks these input commands using only minimal knowledge of the aircraft dynamics. The controller is tested in a two-vehicle formation flight simulation. Excellent command tracking and performance are achieved without use of specific knowledge of the formation flight effects. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller design enables the trail UAV to maneuver in the lead UAV's wake, and to hold a desired position in the vortex.
Genetic Testing for BRCA Mutations Can Save Lives

JAMA Association of Risk-Reducing Surgery in BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation Carriers With Cancer Risk and Mortality Susan M. Domchek, MD; Tara M. Friebel, MPH; Christian F. Singer, MD, MPH; D. Gareth Evans, MD; Henry T. Lynch, MD; Claudine Isaacs, MD; Judy E. Garber, MD, MPH; Susan L. Neuhausen, PhD; Ellen Matloff, MS; Rosalind Eeles, PhD; Gabriella Pichert, MD; Laura Van t’veer, PhD; Nadine Tung, MD; Jeffrey N. Weitzel, MD; Fergus J. Couch, PhD; Wendy S. Rubinstein, MD, PhD; Patricia A. Ganz, MD; Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD; Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, MD; Gail Tomlinson, MD, PhD; Joellen Schildkraut, PhD; Joanne L. Blum, MD, PhD; Timothy R. Rebbeck, PhD Context: Mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy are widely used by carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations to reduce their risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Objective: To estimate risk and mortality reduction stratified by mutation and prior cancer status. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 2482 women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations ascertained between 1974 and 2008. The study was conducted at 22 clinical and research genetics centers in Europe and North America to assess the relationship of risk-reducing mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy with cancer outcomes. The women were followed up until the end of 2009. Main Outcomes Measures: Breast and ovarian cancer risk, cancer-specific mortality, and overall mortality. Results: No breast cancers were diagnosed in the 247 women with risk-reducing mastectomy compared with 98 women of 1372 diagnosed with breast cancer who did not have risk-reducing mastectomy. Compared with women who did not undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, women who underwent salpingo-oophorectomy had a lower risk of ovarian cancer, including those with prior breast cancer (6% vs 1%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.59) and those without prior breast cancer (6% vs 2%; HR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.12-0.69]), and a lower risk of first diagnosis of breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers (20% vs 14%; HR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.41-0.96]) and BRCA2 mutation carriers (23% vs 7%; HR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.16-0.82]). Compared with women who did not undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with lower all-cause mortality (10% vs 3%; HR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.26-0.61]), breast cancer–specific mortality (6% vs 2%; HR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.26-0.76]), and ovarian cancer–specific mortality (3% vs 0.4%; HR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.06-0.80]). Conclusions: Among a cohort of women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the use of risk-reducing mastectomy was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer; risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer, first diagnosis of breast cancer, all-cause mortality, breast cancer–specific mortality, and ovarian cancer–specific mortality. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1237.
Secreted HoxA3 Promotes Epidermal Proliferation and Angiogenesis in Genetically Modified Three-Dimensional Composite Skin Constructs

Objective: Homeobox (HOX) transcription factors coordinate gene expression in wound repair and angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that gene transfer of HoxA3 to wounds of diabetic mice accelerates wound healing, increasing angiogenesis and keratinocyte migration. In this study, we examined whether HoxA3 can also improve angiogenesis, epidermal integrity, and viability of composite skin grafts. Approach: To determine the effects of HoxA3 on composite skin grafts, we constructed bilayered composite grafts incorporating fibroblasts engineered to constitutively secrete HoxA3. We then transplanted these composite grafts in vivo. Results: The composite grafts produced a stratified epidermal layer after seventeen days in culture and following transplantation in vivo, these grafts exhibit normal epidermal differentiation and reduced contraction compared to controls. In addition, HoxA3 grafts showed increased angiogenesis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of HoxA3 graft tissue reveal an increase in the downstream HoxA3 target genes MMP-14 and uPAR expression, as well as a reduction in CCL-2 and CxCl-12. Innovation: Expression of secreted HoxA3 in composite grafts represents a comprehensive approach that targets both keratinocytes and endothelial cells to promote epidermal proliferation and angiogenesis. Conclusion: Secreted HoxA3 improves angiogenesis, reduces expression of inflammatory mediators, and prolongs composite skin graft integrity.
Group therapy for incarcerated women who experienced interpersonal violence: A pilot study

This study evaluated effectiveness of group therapy for incarcerated women with histories of childhood sexual and/or physical abuse. The intervention was based on a two-stage model of trauma treatment and included Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and writing assignments. We randomly assigned 24 participants to group treatment (13 completed) and 25 to a no-contact comparison condition (18 completed). We evaluated treatment effects, using the Beck Depression Inventory, Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, and Trauma Symptom Inventory. The data demonstrate significant reductions in PTSD, mood, and interpersonal symptoms in the treatment group.
Microwave ablation with a triaxial antenna: results in ex vivo bovine liver

We apply a new triaxial antenna for microwave ablation procedures to an ex vivo bovine liver. The antenna consists of a coaxial monopole inserted through a biopsy needle positioned one quarter-wavelength from the antenna base. The insertion needle creates a triaxial structure, which enhances return loss more than 10 dB, maximizing energy transfer to the tissue while minimizing feed cable heating and invasiveness. Numerical electromagnetic and thermal simulations are used to optimize the antenna design and predict heating patterns. Numerical and ex vivo experimental results show that the lesion size depends strongly on ablation time and average input power, but not on peak power. Pulsing algorithms are also explored. We were able to measure a 3.8-cm lesion using 50 W for 7 min, which we believe to be the largest lesion reported thus far using a 17-gauge insertion needle.
High-linearity 208-MS/s photonic analog-to-digital converter using 1-to-4 optical time-division demultiplexers

This letter describes a demonstration of a photonic analog-to-digital converter operating at 208 MS/s and utilizing phase-encoded optical sampling to achieve an 87-dB two-tone third-order intermodulation-free dynamic range. A pair of LiNbO/sub 3/ 1-to-4 optical time-division demultiplexers with >35-dB channel extinction distribute the 30-ps sampling pulses to an array of photonic integrate-and-reset circuits followed by 12-b 52-MS/s electronic quantizers. Interleaving spurs due to temporal crosstalk currently limit the overall spur-free dynamic range to 65 dB.
Domain Decomposition Approach for Fast Gaussian Process Regression of Large Spatial Data Sets

Gaussian process regression is a flexible and powerful tool for machine learning, but the high computational complexity hinders its broader applications. In this paper, we propose a new approach for fast computation of Gaussian process regression with a focus on large spatial data sets. The approach decomposes the domain of a regression function into small subdomains and infers a local piece of the regression function for each subdomain. We explicitly address the mismatch problem of the local pieces on the boundaries of neighboring subdomains by imposing continuity constraints. The new approach has comparable or better computation complexity as other competing methods, but it is easier to be parallelized for faster computation. Moreover, the method can be adaptive to non-stationary features because of its local nature and, in particular, its use of different hyperparameters of the covariance function for different local regions. We illustrate application of the method and demonstrate its advantages over existing methods using two synthetic data sets and two real spatial data sets.
Effect of Randomized Clinical Trial Findings on Emergency Management.

Objectives Research findings are not consistently adopted in the clinical setting and there is a gap between best evidence and clinical practice across a range of conditions and settings. A number of factors may contribute to this discrepancy, including the direction of the research findings (i.e., whether positive or negative for an intervention). The objectives of this study were to measure the translation of results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) into clinical care and to determine whether the direction of the trial findings influence the uptake of research reports into clinical practice. Methods This was a retrospective study of clinical care provided in emergency departments (EDs) across the United States with data collected by the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1992 to 2010. RCTs published in journals with the highest impact factors and conducted in ED settings were selected and data were extracted on the interventions under study, the patient populations examined, and the trial findings. Changes in clinical practice corresponding to the RCT results were measured by comparing the rates of treatment with the intervention during the 3-year period before and after publication of the trial. Results Twenty-one RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies reported positive interventions, of which nine (90%) were associated with an increased ED use of the intervention after trial publication. Four studies showing the lack of benefit of interventions were not used in ED practice prior to the trial and practice did not change in the postpublication period. The remaining eight trials presented negative findings or results comparing two different interventions, and of these, three (38%) were associated with small changes in the ED use of the interventions, consistent with the trial results. Conclusions In the ED setting, results of RCTs published in high-impact journals are more likely to be translated into clinical care when they demonstrate the benefits of an intervention. Our findings indicate that direction of research evidence is an important factor when evaluating knowledge uptake into clinical practice.
Real-time simultaneous myoelectric control by transradial amputees using linear and probability-weighted regression

Regression-based prosthesis control using surface electromyography (EMG) has demonstrated real-time simultaneous control of multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) in transradial amputees. However, these systems have been limited to control of wrist DOFs. Use of intramuscular EMG has shown promise for both wrist and hand control in able-bodied subjects, but to date has not been evaluated in amputee subjects. The objective of this study was to evaluate two regression-based simultaneous control methods using intramuscular EMG in transradial amputees and compare their performance to able-bodied subjects. Two transradial amputees and sixteen able-bodied subjects used fine wire EMG recorded from six forearm muscles to control three wrist/hand DOFs: wrist rotation, wrist flexion/extension, and hand open/close. Both linear regression and probability-weighted regression systems were evaluated in a virtual Fitts' Law test. Though both amputee subjects initially produced worse performance metrics than the able-bodied subjects, the amputee subject who completed multiple experimental blocks of the Fitts' law task demonstrated substantial learning. This subject's performance was within the range of able-bodied subjects by the end of the experiment. Both amputee subjects also showed improved performance when using probability-weighted regression for targets requiring use of only one DOF, and mirrored statistically significant differences observed with able-bodied subjects. These results indicate that amputee subjects may require more learning to achieve similar performance metrics as able-bodied subjects. These results also demonstrate that comparative findings between linear and probability-weighted regression with able-bodied subjects reflect performance differences when used by the amputee population.