cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Release of the Ca2+ oscillation-inducing sperm factor during mouse fertilization

A cytosolic sperm protein(s), referred to as the sperm factor (SF), is thought to induce intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) oscillations during fertilization in mammalian eggs. These oscillations, which are responsible for inducing complete egg activation, persist for several hours. Nevertheless, whether a protracted release of SF is responsible for the duration of the oscillations is unknown. Using a combination of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm removal, reinjection of the withdrawn sperm, and [Ca(2+)](i) monitoring, we determined that 30 min was necessary for establishing oscillations. Importantly, a significant portion of the Ca(2+) activity became dissociated from the sperm within 15-60 min after entry, and by 120 min post-ICSI or IVF, sperm were unable to induce oscillations. The initiation of oscillations coincided with exposure and solubilization of the perinuclear theca (PT), as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, although disassembly of the PT was not required for commencement of the [Ca(2+)](i) responses. Remarkably, despite its complete release into the ooplasm, SF associated with nuclear structures at the time of pronuclear formation. Lastly, release of SF was not affected by the cell cycle. We conclude that mouse sperm serves as a carrier for SF, which is rapidly and completely solubilized to establish [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations.
The safety and efficacy of apixaban : where do we stand in 2013?

Introduction: Traditional oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are effective but require frequent laboratory monitoring for dose adjustment and have several known interactions with food and other drugs. Oral direct factor Xa inhibitors are an emerging class of anticoagulants that do not require routine laboratory monitoring. We reviewed the pharmacokinetics and pharmacology as well as the clinical safety and efficacy of apixaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor. Areas covered: Data from Phase II and III clinical trials and secondary analysis involving apixaban were included. Studies using apixaban for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, and for secondary prevention of ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes are discussed. Expert opinion: Apixaban is a safe, effective, and attractive alternative to warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It is also a good option fo...
Late Precambrian crustal extension preserved in Fries fault zone mylonites, southern Appalachians

Mesoscopic and microscopic kinematic indicators throughout ca. 690 Ma peralkaline plutonic rocks in the footwall of the Fries fault zone, Blue Ridge province, southwest Virginia, record dip-slip normal (southeast-down) movement under greenschist facies deformation conditions. Mylonites, cataclasites, and associated precursor mineralized fractures and dikes are consistent in geometry and movement history with extensional faulting. Although over 50 km of northwest-directed thrust movement was proposed by earlier workers for parts of the >300-km-long Rockfish Valley-Fries fault system, along major sections of the Fries fault the only concrete evidence for thrusting is in the form of late-stage shear bands that crosscut the earlier, extension-related mylonitic fabric. We suggest that the entire Rockfish Valley-Fries fault zone formed during the late Precambrian extension of the (now) eastern margin of the North American craton to create the Iapetus Ocean, and was locally reactivated as a thrust zone during Paleozoic time.
Quality Review: Fleischner Criteria Adherence by Radiologists in a Large Community Hospital

Purpose Solitary pulmonary nodules are a common incidental finding on CT and unnecessary follow-up affects cost, radiation exposure, and patient anxiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence of one institution's radiologists with published criteria in their follow-up recommendations. Methods A data set of 3,000 CT scans with the word nodule used in the report history or conclusion from 2008 to 2010 was generated. This pool was increased as each study was traced back to the examination when the pulmonary nodule was first identified. The follow-up recommendation of the radiologist was then classified as "adherent," "incomplete/no recommendation," "earlier than recommended by the criteria," "later than recommended," or a "wider follow-up time frame than recommended." Results After the implementation of exclusion criteria, 1,432 examinations were satisfactory for classification. The adherence rates of radiologists for nodules followed in up to 4 consecutive examinations were 57%, 48%, 70%, and 79%, respectively. Overmanagement was the most common deviation from the Fleischner criteria, ranging from 15% to 28% of evaluated reports. Conclusions Radiologists at the authors' hospital do not always adhere to the Fleischner criteria, most often recommending closer follow-up. The possibility of missing a malignancy while it is still treatable, medicolegal concerns, and lack of familiarity with the Fleischner criteria are all potential factors in nonadherence.
Relatedness and mortality risk during a crisis year: Plymouth colony, 1620–1621

Abstract To test the association of relatedness with risk of death during a demographic crisis, individual relatedness values were compared with mortality histories of the 103 passengers on the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower to Plymouth. Fifty-three (51.5%) died during the first winter due to malnutrition, disease, and lack of preparedness. There was no bias in proportion dying by sex or social class, but children survived in higher proportion (74.2%) than adults (37.5%)(t = 3.75; p t , (0.870; s.d., 0.694) than non-survivors (0.429; s.d., 0.515) (t = 3.61; p s , to decedents, S d , and age; however, only 71.8% of the sample was classified to correct survival category. Percent survivorship and relatedness were associated in simple linear fashion for the entire sample as tested by regression analysis, using either Spearman's or Pearson's methods. Thus, relatedness was directly associated with probability of survival, but the presence of different levels of relatedness for different social and demographic categories suggests that other factors also influence the outcome.
Scaling up applications over distributed clouds with dynamic layer-2 exchange and broadcast service

In this paper, we study the problem of provisioning large-scale virtual clusters over federated clouds connected by multi-domain, layer-2 wide area networks. We first present the virtual cluster request abstraction and the abstraction models for substrate resource pools. Based on these two abstraction models, we developed a novel layer-2 exchange mechanism and an implementation of it in a multi-domain networked cloud environment. The design of the mechanism takes into consideration the realistic constraints in current network and cloud systems. We show that efficient cluster splitting, cloud data center selection and resource allocation algorithms can be developed to provision large-scale virtual clusters across cloud sites. A prototype system has been deployed and integrated into the ExoGENI testbed for about a year, and is being heavily used by scientific and data analytic applications.
Obesity impairs cell-mediated immunity during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Objective Obese pregnancy is associated with significantly higher rates of infection, which can harm both mother and fetus. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of obesity on maternal blood immune function. Study Design This was a cross-sectional, case control study of 15 obese (Ob) and 15 lean (Lc) subjects. Immune cell subsets, intracellular and serum cytokine production, and lymphocyte proliferation were measured in maternal blood during the second trimester of pregnancy. Results Obese women had a significantly lower proportion of CD8+ and NKT cells and a higher proportion of B cells, impaired cytokine production when stimulated ex vivo, and impaired ability of lymphocytes to proliferate compared with their lean counterparts. Conclusion Obese pregnancy is associated with impaired cell-mediated immunity. Because perinatal infections can have serious maternal and fetal consequences, it is imperative to better understand these mechanistic underpinnings to optimize prevention and devise targeted therapy.
MORPHOMETRY OF BATRACHOSPERMUM POPULATIONS INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN B. BORYANUM AND B. ECTOCARPUM (RHODOPHYTA)1

Batrachospermum plants collected as part of a comprehensive study of New England streams were found to be intermediate between B. boryanum Sirdt. find B. ectocarpum Sirdt. Sixty-four specimens from ten Rhode Island streams were examined for several characteristics in replicates of two to four hundred. The size ranges obtained were then compared with previous published data for B. boryanum and B. ectocarpum from Europe, Asia and North America. The Rhode Inland populations and individuals exhibited as much or even more variability as that reported for both species combined throughout the world. Therefore, it appears that there is no definite basis for separation of these taxa and it is proposed that they be merged under the name B. boryanum. This combined species ran be distinguished from other species of the section Batrachospermum by compressed mature lateral whorls, little secondary fascicle formation, curved distal branching, terminal hairs on a small proportion of branches, predominantly dioecious state, sessile trichogynes and carposporophytes in outer portions of lateral whorls.
Chondrule reheating experiments and relict olivine

Abstract Chondrules contain foreign objects, including some olivine grains that obviously did not crystallize from their silicate melt. The term recycling is usually applied to chondrules with relict grains, implying that the precursor contained relicts of a previous generation of chondrules. This has given rise to the idea that the pervasive melt droplet formation that affected the early solar system involved repeated events in which chondrules or chondrule debris were reheated. We conducted experiments in which synthetic chondrules generated from fine-grained mineral aggregates were heated and cooled a second time to see what the textural consequences of this reheating would be. Charges were heated to peak temperatures for 1 min and were cooled to near-solidus temperatures over 35 min, for both thermal cycles. We first made microporphyritic olivine charges and on reheating and second cooling observed coarser grain sizes and disappearance of relict grains, if the second peak temperature was the same as or higher than the first (but insufficient for destroying all nuclei). The coarsening was due to the dissolution of the smallest first generation crystals and additional growth on the relicts during cooling. Reheated barred olivine spheres generated barred olivine spheres again, no matter how low the peak temperature. This is because the number of remaining olivine grains or nuclei that acted as sites for regrowth was constant. Generating the observed distribution of chondrule textures, dominantly porphyritic, directly from a fine-grained precursor such as nebular or presolar condensates is impossible with a single event. With reheating of chondrules, generating the texture distribution is possible provided that subsequent heating events have higher peak temperatures than the first, so that total dissolution of the smallest grains occurs, with consequent coarsening. For our thermal history and a reasonable distribution of peak temperatures, multiple recycling events might be needed to make most chondrules porphyritic. Alternatively, the predominance of porphyritic textures in chondrules could be explained by heating times hours long for a fine-grained precursor or by heating of a coarse-grained precursor. The presence of relict grains derived from older chondrules or other material suggests that an aggregate has been heated for the first time, because recycling brings an approach to equilibrium. There appears to be no reliable way to use textures to tell just how many chondrules have been heated more than once. The relict grains simply indicate the nature of the precursors, which were at least in part derived from earlier chondrules, and of the peak temperatures too low for total melting and heating times too short for total dissolution. Rim thicknesses on relict grains depend on number density of crystals and melt composition, and are not a reliable guide to the chondrule cooling rate.
Multidisciplinary approach to selective sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer

Although the role of axillary lymph node dissection is controversial with respect to survival benefits, its role as a staging procedure has been well established since nodal involvement is the most reliable prognostic indicator for patients with breast cancer. Selective sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection is gaining acceptance as a useful staging procedure because it is minimally invasive and spares approximately 70-80% of the patients a more extensive axillary lymph node dissection. The evolving techniques for selective SLN dissection using blue dye and radiotracer methods are reviewed in this article. Based on the classic definition of the breast lymphatic drainage and recently published articles addressing the issue of peritumoral and intradermal injections, a possible new and simplified approach using intradermal injection may identify the axillary SLN more quickly and reliably. This article emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the identification of SLNs by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy performed by expert nuclear medicine physicians, the intraoperative mapping and harvesting of SLNs by well trained surgeons and the meticulous examination of SLNs by experienced pathologists. Therefore, to achieve the highest rate of accuracy regarding SLN status, it is imperative that a multidisciplinary team with close communication and cooperation be formed. The clinical significance of SLNs will be determined by results from follow-up and clinical trials.
Reliability analysis of structural ceramics subjected to biaxial flexure

The reliability of alumina disks subjected to biaxial flexure is predicted on the basis of statistical fracture theory using a critical strain energy release rate fracture criterion. Results on a sintered silicon nitride are consistent with reliability predictions based on pore-initiated penny-shaped cracks with preferred orientation normal to the maximum principal stress. Assumptions with regard to flaw types and their orientations in each ceramic can be justified by fractography. It is shown that there are no universal guidelines for selecting fracture criteria or assuming flaw orientations in reliability analyses.
Induction of specific tolerance through mixed hematopoietic chimerism prevents chronic renal allograft rejection in a rat model.

Background. Chronic rejection is the leading cause of late graft loss in kidney transplantation. We tested the ability of mixed hematopoietic chimerism to prevent chronic renal allograft rejection in an established rat model and described possible mechanisms responsible for this tolerance. Methods. Mixed hematopoietic chimerism was established in lethally irradiated F-344 rats by reconstitution with Lewis bone marrow. Four groups (n = 5 each) received orthotopic kidney transplants : (1) allograft controls, (2) isograft controls, (3) experimental chimeras, and (4) specificity control. After 120 days kidney grafts were examined histologically, immunohistochemically, and for cytokine interferon-γ interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-10 gene transcripts by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction techniques. Results. Allograft control group exhibited severe parenchymal fibrosis ; isograft control and chimera groups failed to develop this lesion. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased CD8+ lymphocytes and ED-1+ monocyte-macrophages infiltrating the tubulointerstitium of control allografts. Interferon-γ and IL-2 were absent in isografts. IL-4 was absent and IL-10 was positive in all grafts. Chimeras promptly rejected third-party allografts. Conclusions. Induction of specific tolerance through mixed hematopoietic chimerism prevents chronic renal allograft rejection. These results support the hypothesis of an immunologic basis of chronic rejection and advance previous observations that the induction of specific tolerance enables long-term solid organ transplantation without the use of immunosuppression.
Modeling of a monolithic catalyst with reciprocating flow

Several methods have been proposed to improve the conversion of catalytic oxidation reactions. Gases with low enthalpy contents or gases that contain small amounts of combustible compounds can be converted much more efficiently in a reactor with reciprocating flow. The solid phase exhibits an inertia behavior insofar as it does not reach equilibrium with the gas temperature at the reactor ends. The solid-phase temperature at the center of the bed is considerably higher than in the unidirectional case. Results for the oxidation of CO at different inlet gas temperatures and switching periods are presented. An optimum period is found at which maximum conversion occurs. An estimate of the maximum temperature in the reactor is derived.
Topographic quantitative EEG in Elderly subjects with major depression

Some previous quantitative EEG research indicates that depressed subjects show increased alpha and beta compared to controls. In this report, absolute and relative amplitude measures of topographic EEG were used to compare elderly subjects with major depression to sex and age matched control subjects. Elderly depressed subjects showed significantly higher absolute alpha amplitude than controls, but regional differences did not specifically distinguish them. Relative alpha amplitudes, and absolute and relative measures of beta, delta, and theta did not reliably distinguish depressed and control subjects. The results are discussed in the context of previous EEG research in depression and the elderly. Methodological features and the implications of these findings for state and trait dependent conceptualizations of depression are considered.
Phase guided sampling for efficient parallel application simulation

Simulating chip-multiprocessor systems (CMP) can take a long time. For single-threaded workloads, earlier work has shown the utility of phase analysis, that is identification of repetitive program behaviors, in reducing overall simulation time while maintaining an acceptable loss in accuracy. To cope with multithreaded workloads, a combination of phases from all executing threads must be taken into consideration since inter-thread interference may distort the homogeneity of each phases' true performance. Unfortunately, phase analysis does not work for multithreaded (MT) workloads because the possible phase combinations in an inherently nondeterministic execution model grows exponentially with the number of threads. To this end, we propose a new technique to reduce the number of simulation samples by synthesizing samples from similar phase combinations. We present a simple cost function for measuring the similarity between phase combinations and by using the individual thread samples from the similar phase combinations, a new sample can be constructed. This cost function provides a convenient control knob for exploiting tradeoffs between simulation speed and accuracy. Our experimental results show that in most cases, properly setting the cost function's threshold can yield a reduction in sampling by 90%, while maintaining error to less than 5%.
An Electronic Design Interchange Format

The large variety of CAD/CAE tools/systems and foundry services now available to the electronic engineer have brought to a head the long-standing need for a standard format for the exchange of design information. Existing formats have not served this need for a variety of reasons. This paper describes an Electronic Design Interchange Format (EDIF) that has arisen from collaboration of the principals involved in four preceding efforts.
Francisella tularensis enters macrophages via a novel process involving pseudopod loops.

Intracellular bacterial pathogens employ a variety of strategies to invade their eukaryotic host cells. From an ultrastructural standpoint, the processes that bacteria employ to invade their host cells include conventional phagocytosis, coiling phagocytosis, and ruffling/triggered macropinocytosis. In this paper, we describe a novel process by which Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia, enters host macrophages. F. tularensis is a remarkably infectious facultative intracellular bacterial parasite—as few as 10 bacteria can cause life-threatening disease in humans. However, the ultrastructure of its uptake and the receptor mechanisms that mediate its uptake have not been reported previously. We have used fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy to examine the adherence and uptake of a virulent recent clinical isolate of F. tularensis, subspecies tularensis, and the live vaccine strain (LVS), subspecies holarctica, by human macrophages. We show here that both strains of F. tularensis enter human macrophages by a novel process of engulfment within asymmetric, spacious pseudopod loops, a process that differs ultrastructurally from all previously described uptake mechanisms. We demonstrate also that adherence and uptake of F. tularensis by macrophages is strongly dependent upon complement receptors and upon serum with intact complement factor C3 and that uptake requires actin microfilaments. These findings have significant implications for understanding the intracellular biology and virulence of this extremely infectious pathogen.
Effect of Race on the Clinical Outcomes in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation Trial

Background— In observational studies, clinical outcomes for black patients with coronary disease have been worse than for white patients. There are few data from randomized trials comparing the outcomes of coronary revascularization between black patients and white patients. Methods and Results— We analyzed data from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation randomized trial. At study entry, the 113 black patients had significantly higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, heart failure, and abnormal left ventricular function than the 1653 white patients. Black patients had significantly higher mortality than white patients (hazard ratio, 2.16; P<0.001), which remained significant after statistical adjustment for differences in baseline clinical characteristics (hazard ratio, 1.59; P=0.003). In a substudy of economic and quality of life outcomes, the 67 black patients had similar frequency of physician visits and use of evidence-based cardiac medications but significantly worse physica...
Run-time spatial locality detection and optimization

As the disparity between processor and main memory performance grows, the number of execution cycles spent waiting for memory accesses to complete also increases. As a result, latency hiding techniques are critical for improved application performance on future processors. We present a microarchitecture scheme which detects and adapts to varying spatial locality, dynamically adjusting the amount of data fetched on a cache miss. The spatial locality detection table, introduced in this paper, facilitates the detection of spatial locality across adjacent cached blocks. Results from detailed simulations of several integer programs show significant speedups. The improvements are due to the reduction of conflict and capacity misses by utilizing small blocks and small fetch sizes when, spatial locality is absent, and the prefetching effect of large fetch sizes when spatial locality exists.
Efficient synthesis of Fmoc-protected phosphinic pseudodipeptides: Building blocks for the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.

A convenient route for the synthesis of Fmoc-protected phosphinic dipeptide building blocks is described. The protected amino acid isosteres benzyloxycarbonyl aminomethyl phosphinic acid (glycine surrogate), benzyl α-isopropyl acrylate (valine surrogate), and benzyl α-isobutyl acrylate (leucine surrogate) were synthesized starting from commercially available materials. Reaction of either the valine or leucine surrogate with bis(trimethylsilyl) phosphonite generated the pseudodipeptide bond. The synthesis concluded with an efficient one-pot three-step procedure involving a bis-deprotection of the N- and C-termini under catalytic hydrogenation conditions followed by selective capping of the N-terminus with an Fmoc group to yield either Fmoc-NHCH2PO(OAd)CH2CH(Pri)CO2H or Fmoc-NHCH2PO(OAd)CH2CH(Bui)CO2H. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 1–3, 2011.
Opinion paper. On theory development in information science

This paper attempts to evaluate two articles; one recently read to the ASIS Special Interest Group on Foundations of Information Science (SIG/FIS) by Heilprin, and the other published in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science by Artandi, which deal with the theoretical problems of defining “information” and/or “information science.” To that end, definitions, types, functions, forms of presentation and validation criteria of a theory are discussed with relation to science in general and to information science in particular. Arguments are made that: 1. information science is at present a practice-oriented discipline, thus, good practice should be based on sound theory; 2. in the field of information more emphasis should be given to theory development; and 3. more precise and formal methods should be employed for presenting a theory so that it may be properly understood by practitioners and theoreticians.
Finite element model for ultrasonic cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning is modeled as a plane wave striking a sphere at the interface between a solid and a fluid (an axisymmetric fluid-structure interaction problem). To study this problem the + V-P, finite element method has been used with direct time integration in a large bounded domain. Two well established analytical solutions approximate the conditions described in the current analysis and have been used to verify the time step size and finite element mesh. The force on the sphere due to the passage of the wave front has then been found for three wave frequencies. The maximum force occurs when the wavelength is comparable to the sphere diameter.
Pulse-Width-Amplitude-Modulated voltage-fed quasi-Z-source direct matrix converter with maximum constant boost

This paper explores control methods for voltage-fed quasi-Z-source matrix converter [1]. First voltage-fed quasi-Z-source matrix converter topology is compared with others in the family. It is a component less, size compact, high efficient, wide range buck-boost topology. Secondly, for shoot through control, a maximum constant boost control is presented to produce the lowest output harmonics and lowest switch voltage and current stress under a given voltage gain. For matrix converter control, a PWAM control has been presented to control either the rectifier side or inverter side of the equivalent circuit, in order to reduce the switching loss and achieve high efficiency. In addition, novel commutation and protection methods have been proposed for this new circuit. A prototype has been built in the lab using Fuji 18MBI200W-060A reverse-blocking matrix converter IGBT module. Simulation and experimental results have been conducted to verify the theoretical analysis.
Etiology and Initial Management of Short Bowel Syndrome

o he normal human small intestine ranges between 3 and 8 m in length, depending on whether measureent is made by radiologic or surgical techniques or at utopsy when the intestine may be desicated.1–5 Short owel syndrome is defined in adults as 200 cm of small ntestine. Although usually acquired because of one or ore enterectomies, short bowel syndrome may also be ongenitally acquired. Nutrient, electrolyte, and fluid bsorption is proportional to the amount of residual ntestine. The degree of intestinal function is better escribed in terms of energy absorption/loss rather than ength of residual intestine.6 Intestinal failure may be efined as the inability to sustain adequate nutritional, lectrolyte, or hydrational status in the absence of speialized nutritional support. This requires an increase in ral intake because absorption is compromised. Clinially, nutrient assimilation is a function of intake and bsorption. As such, some patients with short bowel yndrome will not have sufficient loss of functional caacity as to develop intestinal failure. Significant indiidual variability in jejunal absorption efficiency may be ncountered.7 The patients with the greatest risk for development of ehydration, generalized protein-calorie malnutrition, nd multiple nutrient deficiencies are those with a duoenostomy or jejunoileal anastomosis and 35 cm of esidual small intestine; jejunocolic or ileocoloic anastoosis, and 60 cm of residual small intestine; or end ejunostomy with 115 cm of residual small intesine.6,8–11 Those patients with residual colon in continuty will have enhanced energy and fluid absorption. ence, such patients can tolerate greater loss of small ntestine and retain their nutritional autonomy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis as a Therapeutic Challenge in a Patient with Lynch Syndrome.

Background Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome accounting for about 3-5% of all cases and involves significantly higher risk of subsequent malignancies, colonic as well as extra-colonic. Increased risk of malignancies, especially lymphoid malignancies, have been described in patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that hematopoietic, lung, skin, and prostate cancers are increased in RA, while breast and colon cancers are decreased, with an overall slight increase in all cancers. Case report Our case demonstrates the development of CRC, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer as a presentation of LS in a patient with RA and presents a therapeutic challenge for RA treatment. Conclusions We describe a patient with LS and RA presenting a therapeutic challenge because biologic agents commonly used to treat severe RA need to be used cautiously in patients with history of malignancy.
New iterative method for Available Transfer Capability calculation

This paper presents a new iterative method to calculate Available Transfer Capability (ATC) of the interconnected transmission network that can be used in realtime. In today's deregulated power system, large scale power transactions between utilities have increased to supply reliable and economical electric supply. In this situation, fast and accurate determination of ATC in real-time is very important. Existing linear ATC calculation methods are either based on DC or AC Power Transfer Distribution Factors (PTDF). These methods are fast but do not consider control changes such as generator reactive limits and voltage limits as the transfer limit increases. Continuation Power Flow (CPF) can produce accurate ATC values, but it requires repeated solution of power flow and hence can be very time consuming. Optimal Power Flow (OPF) based methods can also determine accurate ATC values, but solution of optimization problem makes it very slow. The proposed iterative method overcomes disadvantages of existing methods. The proposed can also be described as linear predictor only continuation method but it does not require repeated solution of power flow which makes it faster. It also considers the control changes of the system with the increase in transfer limit. The simulation results are presented on IEEE 6-bus and 39-bus systems. The results are compared with the results obtained using DC-PTDFs, AC-PTDFs and repeated AC Power Flow (ACLF).
KRAS testing in clinical laboratory: optimizing targeted therapy.

Background/Aim: Activating mutations in the KRAS gene are found in more than 30% of colorectal tumors, where they are associated with a poor response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies. Mutation testing techniques have therefore become an urgent concern. Several methods for KRAS mutation detection have been described in the literature. Most of these are laboratory developed tests and only a few commercial assays are currently available. Materials and Methods: We studied the performance characteristics of a KRAS mutation detection assay on the ABI-3130XL genetic analyzer using a new commercial mutation detection kit based on shifted termination assay technology. Samples were analyzed in parallel by different reference laboratories using alternative methodologies. Various sample types were used including formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, fine-needle aspirates, and cyst fluid specimens. Results: A high level of agreement (100% correlation for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and fine-needle aspirate samples and 93% correlation for cyst fluid specimens) was obtained despite the use of different methodologies. Conclusion: Shift termination assay is a simple, robust, and sensitive method for the identification of KRAS mutations in a wide variety of specimen types.
Numerically robust minimal-scan reconstruction algorithms for diffraction tomography via radon transform inversion

It is widely believed that measurements from a full angular range of 2π are generally required to exactly reconstruct a complex-valued refractive index distribution in diffraction tomography (DT). In this work, we developed a new class of minimal-scan reconstruction algorithms for DT that utilizes measurements only over the angular range 0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 3π/2 to perform an exact reconstruction. These algorithms, referred to as minimal-scan estimate-combination (MS-E-C) reconstruction algorithms, effectively operate by transforming the DT reconstruction problem into a conventional x-ray CT reconstruction problem that requires inversion of the Radon transform. We performed computer simulations to compare the noise and numerical properties of the MS-E-C algorithms against existing filtered backpropagation-based algorithms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 84–91, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10014
Using time reversal of multipath for intra-pulse radar-embedded communications

This paper considers the problem of embedding a covert communication waveform into the backscatter from an illuminating radar by an RF tag/transponder within a multipath environment. We propose to exploit the multipath via time reversal, which is ideally suited for backscatter communications. Multipath time reversal induces a spatio-temporal focusing of the embedded communication waveform at the desired receiver while distorting it at all other locations thus further reducing the probability of intercept. Specifically, the paper addresses the case where the radar waveform is known to the tag/transponder thus allowing for estimation of the multipath via coherent processing (i.e. pulse compression). Within the radar-embedded communications context the use of the estimated multipath is compared with the case when no multipath knowledge is employed.
Material Works: Exploring the Situated Entanglement of Technological Performativity and Human Agency

Rose, Jones and Truex (2005) offer a valuable discussion of the issue that has occupied center stage in IS research for decades: how to conceptualize the relationship between technology and organizations? They raise a number of important concerns with existing approaches to this issue, and by highlighting these limitations, Rose, Jones and Truex challenge us to rethink our cherished assumptions and conventional approaches to studying information systems (IS) phenomena. The question of the relationship between technology and organizations is a fundamental one in the IS literature, and goes to the heart of how we think about, study, and develop information technologies. Whether explicitly addressed by IS researchers in their work, or not, all IS studies reflect a particular position on this question (Orlikowski and Iacono 2001). And that position has tended to swing, like a pendulum throughout the history of IS research (Kling and Scaachi, 1982; Markus and Robey 1988), from those privileging the technology (technological determinism, discrete-entity tool view, autonomous technology), to those favoring the social (strategic choice view, web-based ensemble models), and then onto more middle-ground approaches as reflected in socio-technical and emergent perspectives.
Central and Southern Appalachian water and wind gap origins: Review and new data

Abstract The origin and evolution of transverse drainage were stumbling blocks to classical, historical geomorphologists, and many problems still remain. Decollements that upramp laterally-transported, at-depth, tectonic sheets in the central and southern Appalachians have produced structural geomorphic fronts that are prominent features, often of regional or subregional extent (cf. Blue Ridge, North Mountain, Allegheny). As these structural-geomorphic fronts likely were features that developed significant cover relief during the Alleghanian orogeny, they may hold clues to incipient landscape development during and soon after orogenesis, unless buried by thick sediment cover. Where these fronts are crossed by transverse drainage lines, spectacular water gaps that frequently expose complex structural features are produced. There are many other transverse water gaps not located across decollement structures in the region. These gaps display complex features that shatter bedrock, and must also be accounted for in any comprehensive hypothesis of transverse water gap origin. Lineaments, including both cross-strike structural discontinuities and disturbed zones are present in the Appalachians, and coincide with a number of transverse water gaps. The positioning of weakened bedrock zones high on structures where downcutting streams had access to them permits a localizing mechanism such as structural ensnarement to operate. Local sedimentary patterns may also have played roles in drainage localization. Major unsolved problems include: post-Alleghanian tectonic effects, rates and timings of uplift, erosion and deposition, whether lithotectonic weaknesses are most pronounced in gap areas, and establishing a numerical chronology for drainage development. Whereas lithotectonic influence upon drainage development is stressed in this chapter, the importance of other factors (e.g., climate, catastrophic events), as documented by others in this volume is fully recognized.
Comparison of filtering and classification techniques of electroencephalography for brain-computer interface

In this paper several methods are investigated for feature extraction and classification of mu features from electroencephalographic (EEG) readings of subjects engaged in motor tasks. EEG features are extracted by autoregressive (AR) filtering, mu-matched filtering, and wavelet decomposition (WD) methods, and the resulting features are classified by a linear classifier whose weights are set by an expert using a-priori knowledge, as well as support vector machines (SVM) using various kernels. The classification accuracies are compared to each other. SVMs are shown to offer a potential improvement over the simple linear classifier, and wavelets and mu-matched filtering are shown to offer potential improvement over AR filtering.
Transferability of Freeway Incident Detection Algorithms

This research seeks to evaluate the potential for transferability of new freeway incident detection algorithms that can be used in automatic incident detection. An incident detection logic is evaluated that distinguishes incidents from recurrent congestion and other traffic disturbances using exponential smoothing. The algorithm is tested with loop detector data from test sites on I-35W in Minnesota and I-880 in California with promising results. Test results indicate that, at the Minnesota test site, algorithm performance improves over earlier findings with a limited data set, without requiring recalibration. At a detection rate of approximately 60 percent, the algorithm produces one false alarm per hour in the total (southbound and northbound) 40-km (25-mi) test section, which includes 54 detector stations. When the algorithm is recalibrated and tested at the California site, its performance further improves. The performance of the algorithm is compared with that of major algorithms of comparative type ...
“Damming the Swamping Problem, Reliably”

The swamping problem is the problem of explaining why reliabilist knowledge (reliable true belief) has greater value than mere true belief. Swamping problem advocates see the lack of a solution to the swamping problem (i.e., the lack of a value-difference between reliabilist knowledge and mere true belief) as grounds for rejecting reliabilism. My aims here are (i) to specify clear requirements for a solution to the swamping problem that are as congenial to reliabilism's critics as possible, (ii) to clear away various existing reliabilist solutions on the basis of these requirements, and (iii) to present a reliabilist solution that succeeds in meeting all of them. To meet all the requirements, my solution develops a more nuanced understanding of the epistemic end than is currently discussed, and with it a novel way of individuating beliefs. I close with a brief discussion of the question whether reliabilism's critics might impose further demands which reliabilism cannot possibly meet.
An algorithm for solving parametric linear systems

We present a theoretical foundation for studying parametric systems of linear equations and prove an efficient algorithm for identifying all parametric values (including degenerate cases) for which the system is consistent. The algorithm gives a small set of regimes where for each regime, the solutions of the specialized systems may be given uniformly. For homogeneous linear systems, or for systems where the right hand side Is arbitrary, this small set is irredundant. We discuss in detail practical issues concerning implementations, with particular emphasis on simplification of results, Examples are given based on a close implementation of the algorithm in SCRATCHPAD II. We also give a complexity analysis of the Gaussian elimination method and compare that with our algorithm.
Experience of heroes: Notes on the New York theatre, 1961–1962

(1962). Experience of heroes: Notes on the New York theatre, 1961–1962. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 261-270.
How fiscal policies reduce labor force participation in open economies: evidence on the tax competition and compensation hypotheses

The tax competition hypothesis is that market integration places downward pressure on capital taxes and social expenditures. The compensation hypothesis asserts that market integration results in increased social expenditures and higher tax burdens. Using panel data over 1980-2012 from 26 OECD countries, we found evidence of their coexistence and interaction. We find that the negative effects of social spending and tax policy on labor force participation are heightened in open economies, with a stronger impact from compensative social expenditures. Increased social expenditures reduce labor force participation directly and also indirectly through a higher labor tax burden.
Does race affect outcomes in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

e17543 Background: TNBC is associated with a worse prognosis than luminal subtypes. There is discordance among studies assessing the impact of race on outcomes of TNBC. Our objective was to assess whether African American (AA) vs. Caucasian (CA) race predicted survival outcomes for women with TNBC treated at a single institution in Memphis, TN. Secondary objectives were to examine the association of race with patient and tumor characteristics. Methods: Patients with stage I-III TNBC were identified from our breast cancer database and confirmed by review of pathology reports. Event free survival (EFS) was measured from the date of surgery to the date of first recurrence (locoregional, distant, or contralateral), death from breast cancer or last follow-up. Breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) was measured from the date of surgery to the date of death from breast cancer or last follow-up. Fisher's exact test was used for association between variables, Kaplan Meier method for survival estimates, and log ran...
Parallelizing large networks using NEURON-Python

Research on brain organization has become increasingly dependent on large multiscale neuronal network simulations. Here we describe current usage of the NEURON simulator with MPI (message passing interface) in Python for simulation of networks in the high performance computing (HPC) parallel computing environment [1-4]. The mixed ordinary differential equation (ODE) and event-driven nature of neuronal simulations offers advantages for parallelization, by allowing each node to work independently for a period equivalent to the minimal synaptic delay before exchanging queue information with other nodes, obviating the need to exchange information at every time step. NEURON's ParallelContext allows access to a few of the important general collective MPI calls, as well as calls adapted from prior usages from the LINDA package, now reimplemented under MPI. From Python, a NEURON ParallelContext is created using pc = h.ParallelContext(), where h provides access to NEURON simulation objects after from neuron import h, ParallelContext permits the periodic transfer of spike information via queue exchanges. Pseudo-random streams must be consistent regardless of numbers of nodes in order to set connectivity, delays, and weights that are not fully defined from experimental studies. These streams are kept consistent regardless of number of nodes being used and therefore allows for the simulations to be identical. In order to create this, randomizers are established for particular purposes using NEURON's h.Random().Random123().[5] The key to reproducibility is to define each randomizer according to 1. a particular usage, 2. a particular cell (based on a global identifier or gid), 3. a particular run based on a run identifier runid: e.g., after for r in randomizers: r.Random123_globalindex(runid, randomdel.Random123(id32('randomdel'), self.gid, 0) where id32() provides a 32-bit hash for a name: def id32(obj):return hash(obj)&0xffffffff. Data saving must be initially managed at node of origin and then combined across nodes, to be accessible for analysis or viewing. Given that file saving may occur incrementally during simulation from different nodes on different local filesystems, file management becomes important. There are several ways to handle data saving, the benefits and applicability of which will be presented. Spike recordings are created as vectors on a per-node basis, later consolidated. Other state variables may also be saved at the same time, or may be recreated later utilizing a re-run of individual cells with identical stimulation using NEURON's PatternStim. We note that ParallelContext in NEURON permits the development of hybrid networks using various types of cells: event-driven cells, integrate-and-fire cells, multicompartment cells, as well as complex cells with calculation of internal chemical milieu. Load balancing in the hybrid circumstance is a crucial issue, particularly when some cells are computationally large due to inclusion of reaction-diffusion mechanisms to develop multiscale models from molecule to network.