cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concurrent flame spread over externally heated Nomex under mixed convection flow

Abstract Fire-resistant materials are used in multiple applications where protection from fire is needed. Their fire-resistant capacity is often tested under specific conditions that might not represent the situation in an actual fire. Particularly relevant for this work is the application for astronaut spacesuit, since a spacecraft environment may be different than earth atmospheres. There, a material is exposed to low velocity flows, microgravity, reduced pressure, and enriched oxygen concentration. Under these conditions, material flammability can be altered. In addition, flammability tests are based primarily on the exposure of the material to an external radiant flux to simulate an adjacent fire, but not a real flame. In this work, an experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of ambient pressure and oxygen concentration on the concurrent/upward flame spread over a fire-resistant fabric (Nomex HT90-40) exposed to two different external heat sources. One is the radiation from infrared lamps, and the other is the flame from a burning polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheet placed below the fabric. The experimental results show that an external heat flux extends the limiting oxygen concentration (24% LOC) of Nomex. This effect is more pronounced when the PMMA flame provides the heat flux (17% LOC). For oxygen concentrations larger than the Nomex LOC, the flame spread rate decreases as the ambient pressure is decreased, indicating that reducing buoyancy reduces the flame spread rate. A simple analysis of concurrent flame spread that incorporates mixed flow heat transfer correlates well with the experimental data. This suggest that flame spread in microgravity can be predicted in terms of a mixed flow velocity that includes the Reynolds and Grashof numbers. The results of this work provide further information about the effect of the type of external heating on material flammability. They may also guide future fire safety design in space exploration.
Measurement of human neutrophil respiratory burst activity during phagocytosis of bacteria

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods to measure the level of human neutrophil respiratory burst activity induced in response to bacterial challenge. Phagocyte activation can occur in the presence or absence of phagocytosis, if there is contact between bacteria and phagocytes. Although similar results may be obtained using granulocytes from animals, they can differ dramatically, both structurally and functionally, from human neutrophils. The methods are presented as a set of assays to begin an organized approach to measure the oxidative burst induced by the bacterial strain(s) under investigation in the laboratory. Each bacterial strain yields slightly different results, and major differences might be observed using unopsonized versus opsonized bacteria. The methods presented include assays to measure two afferent and several efferent activities of the oxidative burst, including oxygen uptake, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, intracellular and extracellular production of superoxide, intracellular and extracellular production of hydrogen peroxide, luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction.
Why Some States Adopt Lotteries and others Don'T:

In 1963, New Hampshire reintroduced the state-sponsored lottery in the United States. By late 1986, more than half of the 50 states had lotteries in operation or had approved lotteries through referenda. Of the scholarly journal articles that have analyzed the economics of state lotteries, most have been concerned with the regressivity of the implicit lottery tax. In this article, we address the more important question of why any such regressive tax, especially one in the form of legalized gambling, would be adopted in lieu of higher sales, property, or income taxes. Using a model of rational legislator behavior developed from public choice theory, we generate and test empirical models that explain the pattern of lottery adoption across states and the timing of such adoptions. In general, a given state will have a higher probability of adopting a lottery as an alternative source of state revenue, and will tend to adopt a lottery earlier, the greater the overall tax burden on the voters of the state, the g...
EASI Computer Model for Analysis

This chapter describes various aspects of the Estimate of Adversary Sequence Interruption (EASI) computer model. There are many quantitative analytical computer models that can help an analyst to evaluate the effectiveness of PPS. EASI is a simple, easy-to-use method of evaluating physical protection system (PPS) performance along a specific path and under specific conditions of threat and system operation. This model computes the probability of interruption from an analysis of the interactions of detection, delay, response, and communication. An adversary interruption occurs in the EASI model if the PPS works properly, resulting in confronting the adversary with a response force large enough to prevent them from proceeding further along their path. The input for the model requires detection and communication inputs as probabilities that the total function will be successful, whereas delay and response inputs as mean times and standard deviations for each element. The response time input to EASI is in the form of a single mean time and standard deviation representing the sum of all the elements.
Towards Island Networks: SDN-Enabled Virtual Private Networks with Peer-to-Peer Overlay Links for Edge Computing

While solutions to many challenges posed by IoT lie at the network’s edge, they cannot forego services available in the cloud which has over a decade of research and engineering to be leveraged. To bridge this gap, hybrid approaches in networking that account for characteristics of both edge and cloud systems are necessary. On cloud data centers, significant progress has been made on applying Software Defined Networking (SDN) to address networking challenges such as scalability, addressing, virtualization, and traffic engineering; administrators are now well-versed at managing data center SDN deployments in enterprise systems. However, the applicability of SDN in edge networks has not yet been thoroughly investigated. We propose a hybrid system that incorporates SDN software switches and overlay networks to build dynamic layer 2 virtual networks connecting hosts across the edge (and in the cloud) with links that are peer-to-peer Internet tunnels. These tunnels are terminated as subordinate devices to SDN switches and seamlessly enable the traditional SDN functionalities such that cloud and edge resources can be aggregated.
Quantification of 16 urinary biomarkers of exposure to flame retardants, plasticizers, and organophosphate insecticides for biomonitoring studies.

Abstract Chlorinated alkyl and non-chlorinated aryl organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and some brominated flame retardants (FR) were introduced as replacements for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) after PBDEs phase-out in 2004 and 2013. Organophosphorous (OP) insecticides are mainly used in agricultural settings since the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 phased-out most residential uses of OP insecticides in the United States. Urinary metabolites of FRs and OPs are known exposure biomarkers to FRs and OP insecticides, respectively. For large population-based studies, concurrent quantification of these metabolites using a small urine volume is desirable, but until now was not possible. We developed an analytical approach to quantify in 0.2 mL urine 10 FRs and six OP insecticide metabolites: diphenyl phosphate, bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, dicresyl phosphates, dibutyl phosphate, dibenzyl phosphate, 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid, 2-((isopropyl)phenyl)phenyl phosphate, 4-((tert-butyl)phenyl)phenyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphate, diethyl phosphate, dimethyl thiophosphate, dimethyl dithiophosphate, diethyl thiophosphate, and diethyl dithiophosphate. The method relies on enzymatic deconjugation, automated off-line solid phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography, and isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 ng mL−1, accuracy from 89 to 118%, and imprecision was This method is the first to quantify simultaneously trace levels of 16 biomarkers of FRs and OP insecticides in only four drops of urine. We confirmed the method suitability for use in large epidemiological studies to assess background and occupational exposures to these classes of environmental pollutants by analyzing 303 samples collected from the general population and a group of firefighters. FR metabolite and DAPs concentrations in the general population group were lower than in the firefighters group, and within the ranges reported in the U.S. general population and other non-occupationally exposed populations.
Sp6(2a) is “Good” for the McKay, Alperin weight, and related local–global conjectures

Abstract The so-called “local–global” conjectures in the representation theory of finite groups relate the representation theory of G to that of certain proper subgroups, such as the normalizers of particular p -groups. Recent results by several authors reduce some of these conjectures to showing that a certain collection of stronger conditions holds for all finite simple groups. Here, we show that G = Sp 6 ( 2 a ) is “good” for these reductions for the McKay conjecture, the Alperin weight conjecture, and their blockwise versions.
Hybrid Compound SA-2 is Neuroprotective in Animal Models of Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Purpose Determine the toxicity, bioavailability in the retina, and neuroprotective effects of a hybrid antioxidant-nitric oxide donor compound SA-2 against oxidative stress-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in neurodegenerative animal models. Methods Optic nerve crush (ONC) and ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury models were used in 12-week-old C57BL/6J mice to mimic conditions of glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Mice were treated intravitreally with either vehicle or SA-2. Retinal thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The electroretinogram and pattern ERG (PERG) were used to assess retinal function. RGC survival was determined by counting RBPMS-positive RGCs and immunohistochemical analysis of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) levels was carried out in the retina sections. Concentrations of SA-2 in the retina and choroid were determined using HPLC and MS. In addition, the direct effect of SA-2 treatment on RGC survival was assessed in ex vivo rat retinal explants under hypoxic (0.5% O2) conditions. Results Compound SA-2 did not induce any appreciable change in retinal thickness, or in a- or b-wave amplitude in naive animals. SA-2 was found to be bioavailable in both the retina and choroid after a single intravitreal injection (2% wt/vol). An increase in SOD1 levels in the retina of mice subjected to ONC and SA-2 treatment, suggests an enhancement in antioxidant activity. SA-2 provided significant (P < 0.05) RGC protection in all three of the tested RGC injury models in rodents. PERG amplitudes were significantly higher in both I/R and ONC mouse eyes following SA-2 treatment (P ≤ 0.001) in comparison with the vehicle and control groups. Conclusions Compound SA-2 was effective in preventing RGC death and loss of function in three different rodent models of acute RGC injury: ONC, I/R, and hypoxia.
Degree-One Rational Cherednik Algebras for the Symmetric Group

Drinfeld orbifold algebras deform skew group algebras in polynomial degree at most one and hence encompass graded Hecke algebras, and in particular symplectic reflection algebras and rational Cherednik algebras. We introduce parametrized families of Drinfeld orbifold algebras for symmetric groups acting on doubled representations that generalize rational Cherednik algebras by deforming in degree one. We characterize rich families of maps recording commutator relations with their linear parts supported only on and only off the identity when the symmetric group acts on the natural permutation representation plus its dual. This produces degree-one versions of $\mathfrak{gl}_n$-type rational Cherednik algebras. When the symmetric group acts on the standard irreducible reflection representation plus its dual there are no degree-one Lie orbifold algebra maps, but there is a three-parameter family of Drinfeld orbifold algebras arising from maps supported only off the identity. These provide degree-one generalizations of the $\mathfrak{sl}_n$-type rational Cherednik algebras $H_{0,c}$.
Preparation and Utilization of Freshly Isolated Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells for Characterization of 9-Phenanthrol-Sensitive Cation Currents

Detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) cells present within the urinary bladder wall ultimately facilitate urine storage and voiding. Preparation of the viable, fresh, and isolated DSM cells presents an important technical challenge whose achievement provides optimal cells for subsequent functional and molecular studies. The method developed and elaborated herein, successfully used by our group for over a decade, describes dissection of human urinary bladder specimens obtained from open bladder surgeries followed by an enzymatic two-step treatment of DSM pieces and mechanical trituration to obtain freshly isolated DSM cells. The initial step involves dissection to separate the DSM layer (also known as muscularis propria) from mucosa (urothelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa) and the adjacent connective, vascular, and adipose tissues present. The DSM is then cut into pieces (2-3 mm x 4-6 mm) in nominal Ca2+-containing dissection/digestion solution (DS). DSM pieces are next transferred to and sequentially treated separately with DS containing papain and collagenase at ~37 °C for 30-45 min per step. Following washes with DS containing enzyme-free bovine serum and trituration with a fire-polished pipette, the pieces release single DSM cells. Freshly isolated DSM cells are ideally suited for patch-clamp electrophysiological and pharmacological characterizations of ion channels. Specifically, we show that the TRPM4 channel blocker 9-phenanthrol reduces voltage-step evoked cation currents recorded with the amphotericin-B perforated patch-clamp approach. DSM cells can also be studied by other techniques such as single cell RT-PCR, microarray analysis, immunocytochemistry, in situ proximity ligation assay, and Ca2+ imaging. The main advantage of utilizing single DSM cells is that the observations made relate directly to single cell characteristics revealed. Studies of freshly isolated human DSM cells have provided important insights characterizing the properties of various ion channels including cation-permeable in the urinary bladder and will continue as a gold standard in elucidating DSM cellular properties and regulatory mechanisms.
Exploring the Participation of CS Undergraduate Students in Industry Internships

Industry internships offer CS students an opportunity to gain authentic disciplinary experiences, evaluate self-interests, and secure future employment. However, little is empirically known about CS students' participation in industry internships and the preparation process used to successfully securing an internship. This paper presents findings from our multi-institutional study aimed at understanding the participation of CS students in industry internships as well as analyzing the differences between students who intern and those who do not. We surveyed 536 CS undergraduate students across three universities in the United States and analyzed the quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. We used thematic analysis on the open-ended survey responses. Overall, we found that 40% of students participate in at least one internship. Demographically, equal proportions of males and females interned. However, we observed that students who have higher socioeconomic status were more likely to intern. Academically, there were no significant differences between students who intern and those who do not. However, through thematic analysis, we found differences regarding students' preparation process. Interns explicitly prepared to secure internship positions by practicing interview questions and dedicating time to career preparation. Students who do not intern were less involved in the application process or relied on coursework for securing internships. Quantitative results from the survey corroborated our qualitative findings that factors outside of coursework are influencing students' ability to secure industry internships.
QUASI-MORPHISMS AND Lp-METRICS ON GROUPS OF VOLUME-PRESERVING DIFFEOMORPHISMS

Let M be a smooth compact connected oriented manifold of dimension at least two endowed with a volume form μ. We show that every homogeneous quasi-morphism on the identity component Diff0(M, μ) of the group of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of M, which is induced by a quasi-morphism on the fundamental group π1(M), is Lipschitz with respect to the Lp-metric on Diff0(M, μ). As a consequence, assuming certain conditions on π1(M), we construct bi-Lipschitz embeddings of finite dimensional vector spaces into Diff0(M, μ).
Asia’s Journey to Prosperity: Policy, Market, and Technology over 50 Years: Manila: Asian Development Bank, 2020. Pp. 614. Paperback: $49

Asia’s Journey to Prosperity seeks to provide ‘a historical overview of developing Asia’s multifaceted journey to prosperity in the past half century’ while distilling ‘policy lessons and their imp...
The role of sex and inflammation in cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Higher mortality in COVID-19 in men compared to women is recognized, but sex differences in cardiovascular events are less well established. We aimed to determine the independent contribution of sex to stroke, myocardial infarction and death in the setting of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a racially/ethnically diverse population. Clinical features, laboratory markers and clinical events were initially abstracted from medical records, with subsequent clinician adjudication. RESULTS: Of 2060 patients, myocardial injury (32% vs 23%, p = 0.019), acute myocardial infarction (2.7% vs 1.6%, p = 0.114), and ischemic stroke (1.8% vs 0.7%, p = 0.007) were more common in men vs women. In-hospital death occurred in 160 men (15%) vs 117 women (12%, p = 0.091). Men had higher odds of myocardial injury (odds ratio (OR) 2.04 [95% CI 1.43-2.91], p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (1.72 [95% CI 0.93-3.20], p = 0.085) and ischemic stroke (2.76 [95% CI 1.29-5.92], p = 0.009). Despite adjustment for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors, male sex predicted mortality (HR 1.33; 95% CI:1.01-1.74; p = 0.041). While men had significantly higher markers of inflammation, in sex-stratified analyses, increase in interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, ferritin and d-dimer were predictive of mortality and myocardial injury similarly in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusted odds of myocardial injury, ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality, but not myocardial infarction, are significantly higher in men compared to women with COVID-19. Higher inflammatory markers are present in men but associated similarly with risk in both men and women. These data suggest that adverse cardiovascular outcomes in men vs. women are independent of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Gender, Geography, and Justice: Behavioral Health Needs and Mental Health Service Use Among Women in Rural Jails:

This multi-jail study examines the behavioral health needs and service use in a sample of 3,787 individuals in jail, to compare women in rural jails to their gender and geography counterparts (that...
Towards an Operational Definition of Clinical Competency in Pharmacy

Objective. To estimate the inter-rater reliability and accuracy of ratings of competence in student pharmacist/patient clinical interactions as depicted in videotaped simulations and to compare expert panelist and typical preceptor ratings of those interactions. Methods. This study used a multifactorial experimental design to estimate inter-rater reliability and accuracy of preceptors’ assessment of student performance in clinical simulations. The study protocol used nine 5-10 minute video vignettes portraying different levels of competency in student performance in simulated clinical interactions. Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) was used to calculate inter-rater reliability and Fisher exact test was used to compare differences in distribution of scores between expert and nonexpert assessments. Results. Preceptors (n=42) across 5 states assessed the simulated performances. Intra-Class Correlation estimates were higher for 3 nonrandomized video simulations compared to the 6 randomized simulations. Preceptors more readily identified high and low student performances compared to satisfactory performances. In nearly two-thirds of the rating opportunities, a higher proportion of expert panelists than preceptors rated the student performance correctly (18 of 27 scenarios). Conclusion. Valid and reliable assessments are critically important because they affect student grades and formative student feedback. Study results indicate the need for pharmacy preceptor training in performance assessment. The process demonstrated in this study can be used to establish minimum preceptor benchmarks for future national training programs.
Determination of light transmission through multiple sheets of cellulose triacetate using ordinary absorption spectroscopy

Ordinary optical absorption spectroscopy is used to assess the effects of reflection, scattering and optical absorption on light beams passing through sheets of cellulose triacetate fabric. The attenuation of light transmitted through multiple sheets of undyed fabric is analysed using a model that incorporates the concepts of reflection and turbidity. The attenuation of light by sheets of dyed fabric under conditions of significant light scattering is analysed using the model cited above. The results obtained under conditions of significant light scattering yield optical absorbance values for dye molecules incorporated in the fabric that correspond exactly with the absorbance values measured under conditions of total transparency, which is achieved using matching index of refraction spectroscopy.
How Does Adult Child Migration Affect the Health of Elderly Parents Left Behind? Evidence from Mexico

This paper considers whether the health of elderly parents is adversely affected by the international migration of their children. Estimation of a causal effect is complicated by the fact that children may migrate in response to a parent's health status and there may be other unobserved factors influencing both parental health and child migration. I address this endogeneity problem by using instrumental variables methods where I instrument for having a child in the U.S. with the sex and married ratios of the children of the elderly respondents. To ensure the instruments are not influencing elderly health directly, I include children's contributions to their parents in the analysis. I also perform falsification tests which support the view that the causal mechanism is operating through children's migration. Overall, the evidence suggests that having a child migrate to the U.S. raises the probability that the elderly parent in Mexico will be in poor physical health. I conclude by exploring the possibility that the deleterious effects of children's migration on mental health are driving this relationship.
Revisiting classic clines in Drosophila melanogaster in the age of genomics

Adaptation to spatially varying environments has been studied for decades, but advances in sequencing technology are now enabling researchers to investigate the landscape of genetic variation underlying this adaptation genome wide. In this review we highlight some of the decades-long research on local adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster from well-studied clines in North America and Australia. We explore the evidence for parallel adaptation and identify commonalities in the genes responding to clinal selection across continents as well as discussing instances where patterns differ among clines. We also investigate recent studies utilizing whole-genome data to identify clines in D. melanogaster and several other systems. Although connecting segregating genomic variation to variation in phenotypes and fitness remains challenging, clinal genomics is poised to increase our understanding of local adaptation and the selective pressures that drive the extensive phenotypic diversity observed in nature.
Analyzing effects of cache parameters on memory power consumption of video applications

Energy efficient computing is growing in demand as portable systems require energy efficiency in order to maximize the battery life. We provide data and insight into how the choice of cache parameters affects memory power consumption of video algorithms. We make use of memory traces generated as a result of running typical video algorithms to simulate a large number of cache configurations. The cache simulation data is then combined with on-chip and off-chip memory power models to compute memory power consumption. The configurations of particular interest are the ones that optimize power under certain constraints. We also study the role of process technology in these experiments. In particular, we look at how moving to a more advanced process technology for the on-chip cache affects optimal points of operation with respect to memory power consumption.
Elasto-plastic bending of rectangular plates.

Bending of rectangular plates loaded beyond elastic limit, treating plastic strains as equivalent lateral loads and edge moments
DRIVER/VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS IN REAR-END PRECRASH SCENARIOS BASED ON THE GENERAL ESTIMATES SYSTEM (GES)

This paper studies different driver and vehicle characteristics as they impact pre-crash scenarios of rear-end collisions. It gives a statistical description of the five most frequently occurring rear-end precrash scenarios based on vehicle and driver characteristics. Variables were drawn from the General Estimates System (CRASH) crash database. Results from the study can be applied towards estimating the safety benefits of advanced technology rear-end collision avoidance systems for reducing the number of crashes and mitigating the level of severity.
Mobile Technology for People with Cognitive Disabilities and Their Caregivers --- HCI Issues

Smart phone technology is evolving to become more open to application developers. This trend is opening the way to development of personalized assistive technologies, location-aware services, and enhanced person-to-person communications. This paper presents findings from an international workshop, with participants from industry, policy, education, and private organizations. Participants mapped future directions for exploiting technical opportunities, with a focus on people with cognitive disabilities. HCI issues that emerged as critical include profile-based configuration of user interfaces and functionality, support for spoken presentation of text content, support for viewing web content on devices with small screens, and support for remote assistance, so that users can get help when they get stuck. In addition to technical issues, key process and methodology issues were identified, including more inclusion of self-advocates in design development and user testing, and increased recognition of and support for the overall "value chain" throughout system deployment and use.
System development methods—a comparative investigation

This article presents a retrospective comparative study of the use of the system development life cycle (SDLC) and prototyping methods to help select a development approach for a given information systems (IS) project. The respondents were asked (a) to decide independently whether one of their recent IS projects was developed using either the SDLC or prototyping approach and if so, (b) to evaluate the merit of that approach in terms of ease of project management, project requirements, project characteristics, impact on decision making, and user and designer satisfaction. The results indicate:1. Design methods cannot be considered apart from project, environment and decision characteristics.2. A clear cut preference of one method over the other could not be established. Each method performed better in some areas than in others.3. A framework that can be used by a project director for selecting a design method to develop a system could be postulated.
Performance of barrier synchronization methods in a multi-access network

Barrier synchronization is a commonly used primitive in parallel processing, but has traditionally been implemented only on hardware multiprocessors. With the growing interest in concurrent computing on general purpose networks, it is worthwhile investigating methods for implementing barriers in such environments. We present different algorithms for barrier synchronization on the widely prevalent multi-access bus network, and derive analytical performance metrics for each of the proposed schemes, which are then compared against simulation results. Our findings indicate that algorithms originally developed for dedicated interconnection networks perform fairly well in shared bus networks with some modifications, and interestingly that the best performance is obtained with a dimensional exchange algorithm. >
MO-F-CAMPUS-T-01: IROC Houston QA Center’s Anthropomorphic Proton Phantom Program

Purpose: To describe the proton phantoms that IROC Houston uses to approve and credential proton institutions to participate in NCI-sponsored clinical trials. Methods: Photon phantoms cannot necessarily be used for proton measurements because protons react differently than photons in some plastics. As such plastics that are tissue equivalent for protons were identified. Another required alteration is to ensure that the film dosimeters are housed in the phantom with no air gap to avoid proton streaming. Proton-equivalent plastics/materials used include RMI Solid Water, Techron HPV, blue water, RANDO soft tissue material, balsa wood, compressed cork and polyethylene. Institutions wishing to be approved or credentialed request a phantom and are prioritized for delivery. At the institution, the phantom is imaged, a treatment plan is developed, positioned on the treatment couch and the treatment is delivered. The phantom is returned and the measured dose distributions are compared to the institution’s electronically submitted treatment plan dosimetry data. Results: IROC Houston has developed an extensive proton phantom approval/credentialing program consisting of five different phantoms designs: head, prostate, lung, liver and spine. The phantoms are made with proton equivalent plastics that have HU and relative stopping powers similar (within 5%) of human tissues. They also have imageable targets, avoidance structures, and heterogeneities. TLD and radiochromic film are contained in the target structures. There have been 13 head, 33 prostate, 18 lung, 2 liver and 16 spine irradiations with either passive scatter, or scanned proton beams. The pass rates have been: 100%, 69.7%, 72.2%, 50%, and 81.3%, respectively. Conclusion: IROC Houston has responded to the recent surge in proton facilities by developing a family of anthropomorphic phantoms that are able to be used for remote audits of proton beams. Work supported by PHS grant CA10953 and CA081647
Effects of Temperature, Agitation, and Donor Strain on Chromosome Transfer in Escherichia coli K-12

Recombinant production in Escherichia coli K-12 can be described by three parameters: (i) the distance x of a selected male marker from the donor origin; (ii) the gradient constant k (the probability of interruption of the donor chromosome per unit distance during transfer into a recipient cell); and (iii) the extrapolate number A (the probability that a donor cell will produce a recombinant inheriting the donor marker contiguous with the origin). It is usually assumed that chromosomal distances can be measured by marker entry times, i.e., that the velocity of chromosome transfer v is constant along the chromosome. The dependencies of k, A, x, and v on temperature, agitation during mating, and donor strain were studied. The transfer velocity of the HfrH chromosomal region from the origin to his increases 15-fold between 16 and 43 C, and the chromosomal regions studied have the same temperature dependence that was found for the separate transfer velocities of the O-trp and trp-his regions. These data and radiation studies on chromosome transfer indicate that, at a given temperature, chromosomal transfer velocity varies by less than 10% as the distance of any given region from the origin increases. The gradient constant k is temperature-independent between 20 and 45 C if mating times at different temperatures are inversely proportional to the chromosome velocities; also, k is insensitive to agitation during mating and is not decreased by mating on membrane filters. However, the extrapolate number A is highly temperature-dependent, having its maximum value between 30 and 38 C. These results suggest that the spontaneous interruption of transfer which produces the gradient of transfer is a property of the chromosome itself and not of the fragility of the connection between mating cells.
How long does it take to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein

How long does it take to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein? The answer to this question has important implications for our understanding of why many small proteins fold with two state kinetics. When the equilibration within the unfolded state U is much faster than the folding, the folding kinetics will be two state even if there are many folding pathways with different barriers. Yet the mean first passage times (MFPTs) between different regions of the unfolded state can be much longer than the folding time. This seems to imply that the equilibration within U is much slower than the folding. In this communication we resolve this paradox. We present a formula for estimating the time to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein. We also present a formula for the MFPT to any state within U, which is proportional to the average lifetime of that state divided by the state population. This relation is valid when the equilibration within U is very fast as compared with folding as it often is for small proteins. To illustrate the concepts, we apply the formulas to estimate the time to equilibrate the unfolded state of Trp-cage and MFPTs within the unfolded state based on a Markov State Model using an ultra-long 208 microsecond trajectory of the miniprotein to parameterize the model. The time to equilibrate the unfolded state of Trp-cage is ∼100 ns while the typical MFPTs within U are tens of microseconds or longer.
In the search for new anticancer drugs. XXV: Role of N-nitrosated Amadori compounds derived from glucose-amino acid conjugates in cancer promotion or inhibition

Abstract Earlier investigators found that some W-nitrosated Amadori compounds, derived from glucose and amino acid condensation reactions, exhibit mutagenic properties and theorized that these potentially carcinogenic compounds might be formed in the human digestive system. To further investigate these compounds, AAnitrosated Amadori compounds [i.e., N -(1 -deoxy-D-fructos-1 -yl)-L- N -nitroso-glycine (5a), -threonine (5b), -methionine (5c), -valine (5d), -phenylalanine (5e), and -tryptophan (5f)] were synthesized by modifications of known methods. Acute toxicity tests of 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 5f in male Swiss mice produced the following lowest lethal limits of toxicity: 2000,2000,4000, 3000,2000, and 6000 mg/kg, respectively, whereas the highest tolerated doses were 1750,1500,3000,1500, and 5000 mg/kg, respectively. The 50% lethal dose (intraperitoneally) for 5b in mice was ~1777 mg/kg. This value is at least three times higher than that for the over-the-counter drug ibuprofen (i.e., 495 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, in mice). Compounds 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5f were evaluated in vitro by the National Cancer Institute primary antitumor screen consisting of 60 cell lines. None of the four compounds caused a significant inhibition of cell growth, even at the maximum dosage of 10 -4 M. Compounds 5a-f were tested in vivo against the lymphocytic leukemia P388, and 5b and 5f were tested against the lymphoid leukemia L1210 in CDF, male mice following the National Cancer Institute protocol. There were no significant differences in results between the control and drug-treated mice. The percent increase in lifespan ranged from –15 to +15 (T/C = 85–115) for P388 and from –5 to +1 (T/C = 95-101) for L1210, whereas the values for the positive control 5-fluorouracil were 71 and 67 (T/C = 171 and 167), respectively. The combination of very low acute toxicity, low in vitro cytotoxicity in primary tumor screens, and no activity in vivo led to the hypothesis that none of the compounds 5a-f are carcinogenic or cytotoxic. It is possible that these compounds are not metabolicaily activated by either ɑ– or β -oxidations or by retro-aldol cleavage reactions.
African and African American Graduate Students' Racial Identity and Personal Problem‐Solving Strategies

This study examined differences on the Racial Identity Attitude Scale (RIAS; Helms & Parham, 1985) and the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI; Heppner, 1981, 1988) among 34 African and 48 African American graduate students. Significant differences were found on the preencounter and internalization scales of the RIAS. There were no group differences in coping ability as measured by the PSI. In addition, the African group experienced an acculturation effect as time in the United States was extended beyond 3 years. These differences in racial identity states have implications for cross-cultural counseling.
The applied value of collaborative memory research in aging: Behavioral and neural considerations

Abstract Our aim in this paper is to bring attention to the applied value of collaborative memory research in aging. At this time, much collaborative memory research focuses on the negative effects of collaboration in younger adults, and is primarily basic in nature. Here, we highlight the positive effects of collaboration that have received less attention, with a particular emphasis on the applied value of these effects in older adults. We first review studies to show that recalling in a group improves later individual recall and reduces memory errors in older adults. We then outline a four-step approach towards bridging laboratory and applied collaborative memory research, which involves: (1) complementing traditional paradigms with more ecologically valid paradigms, (2) evaluating these paradigms in applied settings, (3) adapting these paradigms for use with cognitively intact and cognitively impaired populations, and (4) modifying these paradigms to examine the neural systems that operate during collaborative recall.
Secrets of the couch and the grave: the Anne Sexton case.

In 1991, Diane Wood Middlebrook, a professor of English at Stanford University, published a biography of the poet Anne Sexton in which, among other things, she used as source material some 300 tapes of Sexton's psychotherapeutic sessions with her psychiatrist, Dr. Martin Orne. After some years of reluctance and with the concurrence of Sexton's daughter and literary executor, Linda Gray Sexton, Orne released the tapes to Professor Middlebrook. Middlebrook's picture of Sexton drew heavily on the tapes, supplemented by scrapbooks, letters, photos, clippings, unpublished poems, and hospital records.
Suicide in immigrant groups as a function of their proportion in the country.

Data from 1969 to 1973 in Canada indicated that the male and female suicide rates of immigrants from 22 nations were associated with the suicide rates in the home countries but not with the proportion of immigrants in Canada from the home countries.
Regulation of the expression of three housekeeping genes encoding subunits of the Neurospora crassa vacuolar ATPase

The vacuolar ATPase is a complex enzyme and is encoded by at least nine genes, which appear to be scattered throughout the genome. We have examined the vma-1 vma-2, and vma-3 genes, which encode subunits present in multiple copies within the Neurospora crassa vacuolar ATPase. We wished to see if the expression of these genes is coordinately regulated and if these genes contain similar promoter elements. A region was sequenced of approximately 1 kb located upstream of the protein coding region for each gene. Several sequence elements were found in similar positions in each of the three genes. Each of the genes had several strong transcription initiation sites, clustered within 13–60 by and located 112–193 by upstream of the translation start site. The size and abundance of the RNA transcripts was also determined: the amount of RNA transcribed from each gene was roughly proportional to the numbers of each subunit present in the enzyme. A series of plasmids was constructed containing parts of the putative promoter region fused to β-galactosidase. Analysis of these plasmids indicated that the essential region of the vma promoters lies within 370 by of the protein coding region. Overall, the vma genes appear to have similar characteristics to “housekeeping” genes described in other organisms.
Domestic robot ecology - an initial framework to unpack long-term acceptance of robots at home

It has been recognized that long-term effects exist in the interaction with robotic technologies. Despite this recognition, we still know little about how the temporal effects are associated with domestic robots. To bridge this gap, we undertook a long-term field study. We distributed Roomba vacuuming robots to 30 households, and observed the use over six months. During this study, which spans over 149 home visits, we identified how householders accepted robots as a part of the households via four temporal stages of pre-adoption, adoption, adaptation, and use/retention. With these findings, we took the first step toward establishing a framework, Domestic Robot Ecology (DRE). It shows a holistic view on the relationships that robots shape in the home. Further, it articulates how those relationships change over time. We suggest that DRE can become a useful tool to help design toward long-term acceptance of robotic technologies in the home.
Project roles in the Apache Software Foundation: A dataset

This paper outlines the steps in the creation and maintenance of a new dataset listing leaders of the various projects of the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). Included in this dataset are different levels of committers to the various ASF project code bases, as well as regular and emeritus members of the ASF, and directors and officers of the ASF. The dataset has been donated to the FLOSSmole project under an open source license, and is available for download (https://code.google.com/p/flossmole/downloads/detail?name=apachePeople2013-Jan.zip), or for direct querying via a database client.
Lymphocyte fractionation using immunomagnetic colloid and a dipole magnet flow cell sorter

The relationship between cell function and surface marker expression is a subject of active investigation in biology and medicine. These investigations require separating cells of a homogeneous subset into multiple fractions of varying marker expression. We have developed a novel cell sorter, the dipole magnet flow sorter (DMFS), which separates selected T lymphocyte subpopulations, targeted by immunomagnetic colloid, into multiple fractions according to cell surface marker expression, as determined by flow cytometry. A narrow stream of cells is introduced into a sheath of carrier fluid in a rectangular channel while subjected to a perpendicular magnetic force. The special design of the pole pieces ensures a constant magnetic force acting on the magnetically labeled cells in the separation area. Cells are spread across the flow in relation to their magnetophoretic mobility. Separation is achieved by control of the positions of the effluent stream boundaries, which separate fluid volumes with cells of different magnetophoretic mobility. CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes labeled with primary antibody-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugate and anti-FITC-magnetic colloid are the chosen cell systems. Flow cytometry analysis shows that, for CD4 cells, a three-fold increase in total marker number per cell is observed when comparing the highest to the lowest fluorescence fractions. Similarly, a four-fold increase in total marker number is observed for CD8 cells. We also observed the separation of two dissimilar cell types that differed in expression of the CD4 marker, monocytes and T helper lymphocytes. We believe that this type of separation is applicable to any cells in suspension for which a suitable antibody exists and, due to the comparatively gentle nature of the process, is particularly suitable for the sorting of fragile cells.
Kinetics and ESR studies of ethylene polymerization on chromia-silica catalysts

Abstract A study has been made of the kinetics of the polymerization of ethylene on chromiasilica catalysts. ESR spectra of the catalysts were also measured before and during the process of polymerization. A mechanism for the reaction in terms of the crystal field of Cr(V) is proposed.
A new approach for rapid detection of nearby thresholds in ecosystem time series

Massive changes to ecosystems sometimes cross thresholds from which recovery can be difficult, expensive and slow. These thresholds are usually discovered in post hoc analyses long after the event occurred. Anticipating these changes prior to their occurrence could give managers a chance to intervene. Here we present a novel approach for anticipating ecosystem thresholds that combines resilience indicators with Quickest detection of change points. Unlike existing methods, the Quickest detection method is updated every time a data point arrives, and minimizes the time to detect an approaching threshold given the users’ tolerance for false alarms. The procedure accurately detected an impending regime shift in an experimentally manipulated ecosystem. An ecosystem model was used to determine if the method can detect an approaching threshold soon enough to prevent a regime shift. When the monitored variable was directly involved in the interaction that caused the regime shift, detection was quick enough to avert collapse. When the monitored variable was only indirectly linked to the critical transition, detection came too late. The procedure is useful for assessing changes in resilience as ecosystems approach thresholds. However some thresholds cannot be detected in time to prevent regime shifts, and surprises will be inevitable in ecosystem management.
Location and analysis of acoustic infrasound pulses in lightning

Acoustic, VHF, and electrostatic measurements throw new light onto the origin and production mechanism of the thunder infrasound signature (<10 Hz) from lightning. This signature, composed of an initial compression followed by a rarefaction pulse, has been the subject of several unconfirmed theories and models. The observations of two intracloud flashes which each produced multiple infrasound pulses were analyzed for this work. Once the variation of the speed of sound with temperature is taken into account, both the compression and rarefaction portions of the infrasound pulses are found to originate very near lightning channels mapped by the Lightning Mapping Array. We found that none of the currently proposed models can explain infrasound generation by lightning, and thus propose an alternate theory: The infrasound compression pulse is produced by electrostatic interaction of the charge deposited on the channel and in the streamer zone of the lightning channel.