cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Femoral head blood flow in long-term steroid therapy: study of rabbit model

Using a rabbit model, previous studies showed steroid-induced hyperlipidemia with subsequent fatty embolization of the subchondral arteries and hypertrophy of the marrow fat cells, followed by elevation of femoral head pressure from the normal level of 25 cm to nearly 60 cm H2O after eight weeks of treatment. This has led us to believe that pressure changes lead to decreased blood flow in the femoral head. In our study of 22 New Zealand white adult rabbits, weighing an average of 4.0 kg, 14 received a weekly dose of 12.45 mg of methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol), and eight served as control. Femoral head blood flow was established using the radioactive microsphere technique. Control and cortisone-treated rabbits had femoral head blood flow measured 6, 8 and 10 weeks after treatment. The average blood flow in the control femoral heads averaged 0.2039 +/- 0.076 ml/min/gm, with no difference in the left side and the right side. In the treated group, the average blood flow at ten weeks was 0.162 +/- 0.039 ml/min/gm on the right and 0.164 +/- 0.037 ml/min/gm on the left, which was significantly different. This is parallel to unpredictable clinical findings in human beings.
Exciton Diffusion in a Monolayer MoS 2 -WS 2 Lateral Heterostructure

In this paper, we observed preliminary exciton diffusion signature in a WS 2 -MoS 2 lateral heterostructure at room temperature. Within center MoS 2 the diffusion appears to be 300 nm, along the WS 2 -MoS 2 edge the diffusion appears to be more than $2\ \mu\text{m}$.
Antimicrobial resistance in nephrology

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among many common bacterial pathogens is increasing. The emergence and global dissemination of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) is fuelled by antibiotic selection pressure, inter-organism transmission of resistance determinants, suboptimal infection prevention practices and increasing ease and frequency of international travel, among other factors. Patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly those with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis and/or kidney transplantation, have some of the highest rates of colonization and infection with ARB worldwide. These ARB include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. and several multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms. Antimicrobial resistance limits treatment options and increases the risk of infection-related morbidity and mortality. Several new antibiotic agents with activity against some of the most common ARB have been developed, but resistance to these agents is already emerging and highlights the dire need for new treatment options as well as consistent implementation and improvement of basic infection prevention practices. Clinicians involved in the care of patients with renal disease must be familiar with the local epidemiology of ARB, remain vigilant for the emergence of novel resistance patterns and adhere strictly to practices proven to prevent transmission of ARB and other pathogens.
A Longitudinal Comparison of Palliative Care Consults in HFpEF and HFrEF Patients

Background Palliative Care is a holistic approach to improve quality of life in patients with potentially life-limiting conditions and is recommended for advanced heart failure patients. However, palliative care is still underutilized in this population. Additionally, care and prognostication differences exist between heart failure with preserved fraction (HFpEF) patients and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. Therefore, this study explored the trajectory of inpatient palliative care consults between these two groups. Methods This study examined data from one healthcare system in the Southeastern United States. Data were analyzed from i2b2, which is an open source technology system to query de-identified data from electronic health records. Data were examined from 2011- 2018 and included presence of palliative care consults, type of heart failure, demographics (age, sex, and race), and mortality. Analyses included descriptive statistics and comparisons between groups. Results A total of 37,665 encounters were analyzed (19,384 HFrEF and 18,281 HFpEF). Palliative care consults were lower in patients with HFpEF than HFrEF with 11.49% of patients receiving consults vs. 17.87% in 2018 respectively (p Conclusions This study found that differences exist in palliative care consult rates between patients with HFpEF and HFrEF. Future research should explore why these differences in care provision exist, and the impact on patients’ quality of life such as symptom management, advance directive completion, and caregiver support. Additional investigation into the decline of palliative care consults is also warranted.
Changes in sleep difficulties among the U.S. population from 2013 to 2017: results from the National Health Interview Survey.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to evaluate how sleep difficulties have changed over time and to evaluate if these changes relate to changes in sleep duration. Design National Health Interview Survey administered annually from 2013 to 2017 by the National Center for Health Statistics. Setting U.S. national adult population. Participants 164,696 U.S. adults sampled across the nation using multistage area probability design. Measurements Self-reports of difficulties falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, use of sleep medication, feelings of restorative sleep, and sleep duration collected each year. Results From 2013 to 2017, the prevalence of reporting any days with difficulty falling asleep (B = .01, p Conclusions Multiple aspects of sleep difficulties show an undesirable trajectory in the U.S. adult population. Moreover, these trends appear to be independent of sleep duration and are primarily occurring in healthy sleepers. Future research should simultaneously consider how multiple aspects of sleep are changing and further examine the sources of these changes.
Data security based on homographic function

Abstract In this paper, we adapt a homographic function to encrypt digital images, which takes into account the value of the pixel as well as its position in the image. The homographic function is a function represented as a quotient of two affine functions in a switching field K; it is represented by four different coefficients of zeros, which must verify certain conditions. One take the field K equal Z/257Z switching field (257 is a prime number), (all its non-zero elements are invertible, we take into account the following condition if we have 0 as the pixel value we put 256), 256 is the inverse of 256 in Z/257Z. We will show that this a homophonic substitution, which can represent the confusion part in a modern cryptographic system. We strengthened this proposal by a diffusion method and, we have used the Henon attractor of is 2-dimensional; each pixel will be permuted to another position of the encrypted image. We managed to build a cryptosystem who passed all the statistic tests, and that has a secret key of 253 bits in length.
Subnational Government, Infrastructure, and the Role of Borrowing and Debt

This chapter addresses the role of subnational government (SNG) borrowing and debt management as the financing conduit for the provision of a nation’s investment in its public infrastructure. It begins with a brief review of recent literature on infrastructure deficit and the link between infrastructure services, economic growth, and development. It then describes intergovernmental organizational and institutional arrangements to promote efficiency in the allocation of scarce resources as well as satisfy the equity goal of matching the cost of using those resources to those who pay for them. Spatial considerations lead to the conclusion that SNGs must play a key role in infrastructure financing. And to play this role, the subnational sector must develop the capacity to take on and manage long-term debt. Having established this normative framework, the discussion turns to organizational and institutional arrangements that must be in place to enable a subnational government to carry out its capital financing and spending role. From there the chapter moves on to address financial risks related to SNG debt finance. Two appendices provide a summary of the intergovernmental fiscal rules for nine East Asian countries and the role of subnational borrowing and debt in China.
Systematic Review of Crizanlizumab: a New Parenteral Option to Reduce Vaso‐occlusive Pain Crises in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Hydroxyurea, indicated for managing sickle cell anemia (SCA), and L-glutamine, indicated for treating sickle cell disease (SCD), were the only pharmacotherapeutic options in this patient population before the approval of crizanlizumab by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2019 to reduce vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) frequency. This article reviews the evidence pertaining to crizanlizumab in SCD by searching records in Medline, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. Crizanlizumab, a P-selectin inhibitor, mitigates the microvascular vaso-occlusion in SCD. In the multicenter randomized double-blind SUSTAIN trial, a higher dose of crizanlizumab decreased the incidence of VOCs by 45% and prolonged the median time to the first and second VOC. A post hoc subgroup analysis demonstrated that the proportion of patients who had no VOC incidence during the study period was greater in the crizanlizumab group, and this benefit was consistent regardless of concomitant hydroxyurea use, prior categorized history of VOC frequency, or SCD genotype. Crizanlizumab had a safety profile comparable with placebo. Multiple ongoing clinical trials are trying to establish its roles in pediatric patients with SCD and its effects on alleviating other SCD-related complications. As the first parenteral option for SCD, providers need to formulate administration logistics to improve patients' access to crizanlizumab. Current available data suggest crizanlizumab is a promising agent to reduce VOC in patients with SCD.
Sponsoring Institution Interests, Not National Plans, Shape Physician Workforce in the United States.

Background and objectives Graduate medical education (GME) determines the composition and distribution of the physician workforce in the United States. Federal and state governments heavily subsidize GME but in most cases do not tie subsidies to national or state physician workforce goals. As a result, GME sponsoring institutions (eg, teaching hospitals, schools of medicine, federally qualified health centers) decide how many and what type of physicians to train. The objective of this study was to better understand the factors that influence decision-making by sponsoring institutions. Methods Between May and December 2018, we interviewed 35 national or state GME policy leaders and an additional 26 GME leaders from a purposive sample of four sponsoring institutions. We analyzed interviews following a conventional content analysis approach to identify emergent themes. Results When considering investing in GME, we found that sponsoring institutions do not consider national or statewide workforce recommendations. Instead, they weigh multiple factors of concern to their institution, including public GME subsidies, market competition, potential clinical revenues, academic stature, local workforce demands, as well as their own organization's mission/culture, staffing, financial reserves, educational leadership, teaching resources, and size. Conclusions Unless and until the incentives for sponsoring institutions are strongly aligned with national and state physician workforce priorities based on public need, progress on creating a more balanced physician workforce will not occur.
Development of light-responsive protein binding in the monobody non-immunoglobulin scaffold

Monobodies are synthetic non-immunoglobulin customizable protein binders invaluable to basic and applied research, and of considerable potential as future therapeutics and diagnostic tools. The ability to reversibly control their binding activity to their targets on demand would significantly expand their applications in biotechnology, medicine, and research. Here we present, as proof-of-principle, the development of a light-controlled monobody (OptoMB) that works in vitro and in cells and whose affinity for its SH2-domain target exhibits a 330-fold shift in binding affinity upon illumination. We demonstrate that our αSH2-OptoMB can be used to purify SH2-tagged proteins directly from crude E. coli extract, achieving 99.8% purity and over 40% yield in a single purification step. By virtue of their ability to be designed to bind any protein of interest, OptoMBs have the potential to find new powerful applications as light-switchable binders of untagged proteins with the temporal and spatial precision afforded by light. The ability to reversibly control monobody binding affinity would find use in biotechnology and research applications. Here the authors fuse the light-sensitive AsLOV2 domain to a monobody against the Abl SH2 domain to obtain a light dependent monobody and apply it in vitro and in mammalian cells.
Quantifying the impact of consumer behavior on foodborne illness using a compartment model

Abstract Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, there has been increased concern about the vulnerability of the food supply chain due to food outbreaks and recalls. This concern, as well as recurring instances of foodborne illness has made food safety and food defense an important public health priority in the United States. An understanding of the contamination process serves as a foundation for action by CDC, regulatory agencies, and industry. This study focuses on a mathematical model of a food contamination event that leads to consumer illness. We specifically consider how the consumer’s purchasing and consumption behavior impact their risk of food borne illness. We characterize the relationship between consumer behavior and consumer risk by product shelf life. We also show that consumer illness is more sensitive to changes in purchasing behavior rather than consumption behavior.
A novel approach to high-grade carotid stenosis with concomitant extracranial carotid aneurysms using transcarotid artery revascularization.

Abstract We present the novel application of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in two high-risk patients with high-grade internal artery stenosis and concomitant atherosclerotic extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs). ECAAs account for
Use of Plant Growth Regulators to Expand Sagebrush Germination Rates for Restoration Efforts

Abstract Seed germination during unhospitable environmental conditions can be a major barrier to direct seeding efforts in dryland systems. In the sagebrush steppe, Wyoming big sagebrush and low sagebrush are important shrub species used in restoration; however, seeding success is highly sporadic due to interannual and intraseasonal weather variability. It may be possible to improve restoration success by expanding the period of seed germination to increase the chances some seeds will germinate within a window that is favorable for plant establishment. Our objective was to determine if we could expand the period of germination using plant growth regulators (PGRs) applied in a conglomerated seed coating to Wyoming big sagebrush and low sagebrush. The seed of each species was 1) left untreated; 2) conglomerated; 3) conglomerated and treated with two concentrations of a germination inhibitor, abscisic acid (ABA); or 4) conglomerated and treated with two different germination promoters, gibberellic acid (GA3) and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) (6 treatments total). Seeds were incubated in a loam soil at five constant temperatures (5−25°C) for approximately 3 mo. Results indicate that seed treatments with PGRs can delay or accelerate germination. For example, at 5°C, which is the temperature most similar to when the seeds germinate in the field, ABA delayed the time for 50% of the seeds to germinate by a maximum of 28 d and 38 d and the germination promoters decreased this time by 9 d and 11 d for Wyoming big sagebrush and low sagebrush, respectively. Field studies are now needed to determine if the bet-hedging strategy developed in this study will increase the likelihood of seeding success. Although our study focused on sagebrush, there is merit to evaluate the use of PGRs on other species, particularly where seed is being sown in highly variable environments.
The role of SLRPs and large aggregating proteoglycans in collagen fibrillogenesis, extracellular matrix assembly, and mechanical function of fibrocartilage.

Purpose: Proteoglycans, especially small leucine rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), play major roles in facilitating the development and regulation of collagen fibers and other extracellular matrix components. However, their roles in fibrocartilage have not been widely reviewed. Here, we discuss both SLRP and large aggregating proteoglycan's roles in collagen fibrillogenesis and extracellular matrix assembly in fibrocartilage tissues such as the meniscus, annulus fibrosus (AF), and TMJ disc. We also discuss their expression levels throughout development, aging and degeneration, as well as repair. Methods: A review of literature discussing proteoglycans and collagen fibrillogenesis in fibrocartilage was conducted and data from these manuscripts were analyzed and grouped to discuss trends throughout the tissue's architectural zones and developmental stage.Results: The spatial collagen architecture of these fibrocartilaginous tissues is reflected in the distribution of proteoglycans expressed, suggesting that each proteoglycan plays an important role in the type of architecture presented and associated mechanical function.Conclusion: The unique structure-function relationship of fibrocartilage makes the varied architectures throughout the tissues imperative for their success and understanding the functions of these proteoglycans in developing and maintaining the fiber structure could inform future work in fibrocartilage replacement using tissue engineered constructs.
Using Classical Test Theory and Rasch Modeling to Improve General Chemistry Exams on a Per Instructor Basis

Exams are a critical part of our current teaching paradigm and are used to assign grades, evaluate teaching strategies, and more. Unfortunately, in the absence of shared/standardized exams, the exam creation often rests solely on individual instructors whose decisions are frequently guided by intuition. Here we show that, even on a single general chemistry instructor/classroom basis, exam quality can be improved by using (1) classical testing theory and Rasch modeling to guide reused question selection and (2) a few general, multiple choice question design criteria. Even after only two and three iterations, we observed a dramatic improvement in both question and overall exam quality in nearly every quantitative metric. We also use real outcomes to show that (1) there is no evidence that students have access to previous exams or if they do it does not increase their performance on repeated questions, and (2) a semester-to-semester change in exam averages may not reflect student abilities but instead could be due to changes in question difficulty.
Evaluating vagus nerve stimulation treatment with heart rate monitoring in pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy.

Purpose Vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) have emerged as an effective treatment modality for pediatric patients suffering from intractable, drug-resistant epilepsy. Newer devices, AspireSR™ Model 106 and the SenTiva™ Model 1000 (VNS TherapyⓇ, LivaNova™), contain an "auto-stimulation" feature that detects ictal tachycardia and transmits pulsations to attenuate seizures. However, the exact benefits of auto-stimulation compared to its risks still merit further exploration. This study evaluates the utility of these specific devices in a heterogeneous population of pediatric and young adult patients with intractable epilepsy. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of 55 patients who underwent either VNS insertion with or without an auto-stimulation-enabled VNS device at a single level four epilepsy center. Seizure frequency, seizure subtype, side effects, and change in anti-seizure medication load both before and after VNS implantations were collected from patient self-reporting at the time of VNS insertion and 12 months following implantation. Information regarding output current, auto-stimulation current, duty cycling, and auto-stimulation threshold of the device was obtained from documented VNS interrogation for patients with auto-stimulation-enabled VNS devices. Results Patients with auto-stimulation-enabled VNS devices had a mean 56.0% (SD = 0.414) seizure frequency reduction 12 months post-VNS insertion, while patients without auto-stimulation-enabled VNS devices had a mean 41.6% (SD = 0.456) seizure frequency reduction during the same interval. The mean seizure frequency reduction 12 months post-VNS insertion for patients with a SenTiva™ 1000 model was 66.0% (SD = 0.426). For patients with auto-stimulation-enabled VNS devices, post-treatment seizure reduction was significantly correlated with daily auto-stimulation activation (R = 0.432, p = 0.025). Conclusion This study supports the clinical safety and utility of auto-stimulation-enabled VNS models, specifically the SenTiva™ 1000, in treating pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy of various subtypes and etiologies. Further research is needed to evaluate the sustained impact of auto-stimulation on long-term outcomes (≥ 2 years follow-up post-VNS).
Food insecurity, housing instability, and dietary quality among children with sickle cell disease: Assessment from a single urban center.

BACKGROUND Food insecurity and housing instability, both social determinants of health (SDoH), disproportionately affect economically unstable, under-resourced US communities in which children with sickle cell disease (SCD) live. Association between these SDoH markers and dietary quality among children with SCD is unknown. PROCEDURES We assessed a cross-sectional sample of dyadic parent-child patients and young adult patients up to age 21 from one pediatric SCD center. Food insecurity, housing instability, and dietary quality were measured using validated US instruments and a food frequency questionnaire. Better dietary quality was defined using US dietary guidelines. Multivariate regression assessed for associations among dietary quality and food insecurity with or without (±) housing instability and housing instability alone. RESULTS Of 100 enrolled participants, 53% were Black and 43% Hispanic; mean age 10.6 ± 5.6 years. Overall, 70% reported less than or equal to one economic instability: 40% housing instability alone and 30% both food insecurity and housing instability. Eighty percent received more than or equal to one federal food assistance benefit. Compared to no economic instability, food insecurity ± housing instability was significantly associated with higher intake of higher dairy and pizza, while housing instability alone was significantly associated with higher dairy intake. Food insecurity ± housing instability was significantly associated with lower intake of whole grains compared to housing instability alone. CONCLUSIONS Our sample reported high frequencies of both food insecurity and housing instability; having more than or equal to one SDoH was associated with elements of poorer diet quality. Screening families of children with SCD for food insecurity and housing instability may identify those with potential nutrition-related social needs.
Extraction of Nucleic Acids

The utility of DNA-or RNA-based testing depends, in large part, on the quality and nature of the diagnostic sample. A variety of methods is available to extract nucleic acids for analysis. The choice of technique should consider both the sample source and the nature of the eventual assay. Both DNA and RNA can provide valuable clinical information. Genotype analysis and infectious disease testing represent two of the primary clinical uses of DNA, but it can also be used for less obvious applications like the assessment of bone marrow transplant engraftment. The ability to purify and test RNA provides additional and important clinical data. Purified mRNA, for example, can reveal gene expression patterns. In the last few years, two distinct types of B-cell lymphoma have been separated on the basis of their respective gene expression patterns (1). Indeed, molecular classification of malignancy based on gene expression profiles is a promising and rapidly growing field. On a simpler level, the expression pattern of a single gene might be important. The BCR/abl fusion product seen in most cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) can be identified by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on a purified RNA sample. RNA testing is also important in the detection and quantification (viral load) of retroviral infection. The utility of RNA is, unfortunately, counterbalanced by the inherently labile nature of RNA and seemingly ubiquitous presence of RNase. Nucleic acid degradation is always a concern, and RNA is especially vulnerable.
Mvu estimation in a shifted gamma distribution with shape parameter a known integer

In this paper a derivation of the minimum variance unbiased (MVU) point estimate for the scale parameter of a shifted (left-truncated) Gamma distribution will be given when the shape parameter, α, is a known integer. The explicit expression derived in this paper is of independent interest, and is computationally efficient for small α and small sample sizes; thus it may be considered complementary to the maximum likelihood method and its variants. Numerical comparisons show that, for small sample sizes, the MVU method outperforms the MLE method in most reported cases.
Electrical insulation RF breakdown in space environment

High voltage devices and systems operating in space environment are usually subject to partial discharges or corona discharges because the space environment is considered as a partial vacuum environment. These corona and PD activities may become major design problems for space power systems. The corona or partial discharge initiation is a function of several design and environmental parameters. The most important factors can be listed as the operation pressure, the electrode geometry, and the frequency and voltage level of the applied power within a power system. In this work we have reviewed the literature data that can be readily implemented in the design of these power systems, and we have studied the breakdown at kHz frequencies. Initial studies conducted in the laboratory suggest that the corona breakdown voltage levels at high frequency are indeed much lower than the DC breakdown voltages for varying pressures. The data obtained in the laboratory is also presented. In this work frequency effects on the breakdown voltage of helium at frequencies between 10 kHz and 45 kHz are investigated.
The IL-17-independent role of IL-23 in severe asthma (HYP7P.300)

Asthma is a common respiratory disease affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide with no current preventions or cures. Th17 cells are known to be influential in asthma pathogenesis, especially in asthmatics with severe disease that fail to respond to glucocorticoid therapy. Interleukin-23 is critical for the maintenance and full acquisition of Th17 cells, but very little is known about its direct effects outside of IL-17 signaling. This study seeks to investigate novel mechanisms by which IL-23 regulates allergic airway disease. To do this, BALB/c SCID and Rag2-/-γc-/- mice were treated with adenoviral IL-23 or control and airway disease was assessed 3 days later. Preliminary data show that exogenous IL-23 induced airway neutrophilia and pulmonary expression of genes related to asthma pathogenesis and Th17-related cytokines and chemokines, while it increased airway resistance in response to methacholine and decreased lung compliance in BALB/c SCID mice. Further, IL-23 induced airspace inflammation and production of Th17-related cytokines and chemokines, while not impacting lung function in Rag2-/-γc-/- mice. This work suggests a novel role for IL-23 in airway disease as IL-23 itself could induce inflammation, which was predominately neutrophilic, in mice regardless of immune status. More significantly, IL-23 was also shown to modulate pulmonary expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins in these mice, which is currently under investigation.
On Subnormal Floating Point and Abnormal Timing

We identify a timing channel in the floating point instructions of modern x86 processors: the running time of floating point addition and multiplication instructions can vary by two orders of magnitude depending on their operands. We develop a benchmark measuring the timing variability of floating point operations and report on its results. We use floating point data timing variability to demonstrate practical attacks on the security of the Fire fox browser (versions 23 through 27) and the Fuzz differentially private database. Finally, we initiate the study of mitigations to floating point data timing channels with lib fixed time fixed point, a new fixed-point, constant-time math library. Modern floating point standards and implementations are sophisticated, complex, and subtle, a fact that has not been sufficiently recognized by the security community. More work is needed to assess the implications of the use of floating point instructions in security-relevant software.
TU-AB-BRA-02: Predicting Gene Mutations in Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Machine Learning

Purpose: The goal of this project is to investigate the use of software extracted features from contrast-enhanced CT to predict the genetic mutations commonly present in renal tumors using machine learning. Methods: Our initial IRB approved patient database consisted of 33 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For each patient, the database contained a contrast-enhanced CT image and physician delineated contour outlining the RCC tumor boundary in the CT image. In addition, tumor tissue from each patient was biopsied to determine the presence of gene mutations in BAP1, VHL, and PBRM1. Features based on tumor geometry, intensity, and texture were extracted from the contrast-enhanced CT image of each patient. Features were used to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to predict expression of each gene separately. Hyperparameter grid search and feature selection meta-algorithms coupled with cross-validation were employed to protect against overfitting of the SVM model. Results: The average cross-validation accuracy was used to evaluate the predictive model. Average accuracy was 0.87, 0.91, and 0.9 for VHL, BAP1, and PBRM1 respectively. Texture features were the most prominent feature type in the models for all three genes. Conclusion: Using our models we observed predictive accuracy >87% for all three gene mutations evaluated. Accurate predictive models could allow medical images to serve as convenient surrogates for expensive and time consuming gene assay procedures.
Airborne Gravimetry, Altimetry, and GPS Navigation Errors

Proper interpretation of airborne gravimetry and altimetry requires good knowledge of aircraft trajectory. Recent advances in precise navigation with differential GPS have made it possible to measure gravity from the air with accuracies of a few milligals, and to obtain altimeter profiles of terrain or sea surface correct to one decimeter. These developments are opening otherwise inaccessible regions to detailed geophysical mapping. Navigation with GPS presents some problems that grow worse with increasing distance from a fixed receiver: the effect of errors in tropospheric refraction correction, GPS ephemerides, and the coordinates of the fixed receivers. Ionospheric refraction and orbit error complicate ambiguity resolution. Optimal navigation should treat all error sources as unknowns, together with the instantaneous vehicle position. To do so, fast and reliable numerical techniques are needed: efficient and stable Kalman filter-smoother algorithms, together with data compression and, sometimes, the use of simplified dynamics.
Active secretion of CXCL10 and CCL5 from colorectal cancer microenvironments associates with GranzymeB+ CD8+ T-cell infiltration

Transcriptional expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 cognate chemokines correlate with CD8+ T-cell infiltration and prolonged survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). These findings were derived mainly from paraffin embedded tissues; thus little is known about the secretion pattern of CD8+ T-cell targeting chemokines from CRCs. Therefore, we developed and introduced a novel platform that assesses the immune mediators that are secreted from live excised tissues. Transcriptional profiling and unsupervised hierarchical clustering of 43 CRCs based on expression of genes that represent the adaptive immune response were used to predict tumors that are strong secretors of T-cell targeting chemokines. Secretion of these mediators were corroborated using flow cytometric analysis of T-cell lineage markers: CD4, CD8, IFN-γ, and GzmB. We demonstrate that stronger secretion of CXCL10 (CXCR3 ligand) and CCL5 (CCR5 ligand) and infiltration of GzmB+CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and IFN-γ+CD4+ helper T-cells can be predicted by transcriptional profiling, and that CRCs with stronger T-cell immunity were proportionally skewed towards early TNM stages and lacked distant organ metastasis. Our study represents the first functional analysis of secreted immune mediators from CRCs beyond immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, and observed active physiological interactions between the tumor cells and the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
A Survey of Career Pathways of Engineering Deans in the United States: Strategies for Leadership Development.

The career pathways of deans in higher education seem to follow the traditional model in academia from a senior faculty position and/or department chair. This however may be different from deans in engineering education. The goal of this survey research is to assess the career paths of current Deans of Colleges/Schools of Engineering in the United States. The survey discovered that about two thirds follow the normative (traditional) career path for deans, suggest leadership attributes of good communication and fiscal management experiences are the most important, and indicate current and future challenges of fundraising and faculty development are critical issues in higher education.
The state of platinum in Pt-Al2O3 catalysts containing high chloride loading

XPS data indicate that Pt in a highly chlorided (5–10% Cl) Pt-Al2O3 catalyst is present in a metallic form, and is not chlorided. Surface chloride concentration decreases following reduction in hydrogen; exposure to oxygen increases the surface chloride concentration. In contrast, reduction of chloride containing Pt-SiO2 catalyst dramatically reduces the chloride level; in addition, treatment with CCl4 appears to reoxidize at least some of the Pt in the Pt-SiO2 catalyst.
EXAMPLES OF KNOTS WITH THE SAME POLYNOMIALS

This work is motivated by the question of whether the Jones polynomial can detect knottedness. Following the previous works of Eliahou–Kauffman–Thistlethwaite, Kanenobu, and Watson, we construct specific new examples of knots which cannot be distinguished by the Jones polynomial.
Design principles of q-preserving multipass-cavity femtosecond lasers

We describe a new class of femtosecond laser cavity designs that are based on a Herriott-type multipass cavity (MPC) to effectively increase the length of a standard laser resonator. MPC laser designs can be used to increase the output pulse energies or to make more compact resonator configurations. A general theory for MPC lasers is developed by analyzing a periodic optical system, and the conditions are established for the case in which the q parameter of a Gaussian beam is left invariant after a single transit through the system. On the basis of this analysis, we determine the design criteria for two-mirror q-preserving MPCs. Practical laser cavity choices are presented and their trade-offs are examined. We also discuss various experimental setups that use these novel MPC designs to increase pulse energies while maintaining compact cavities.
A diverse Rancholabrean vertebrate microfauna from southern California includes the first fossil record of ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii: Plethodontidae).

Abstract Analysis of late Pleistocene fossils recovered from near the Huntington Beach, California (USA), pier (site LACM 7679) has revealed a diverse fauna dating to approximately 40 14C ka BP. Extinct megafauna (three genera) are present; however, a microfauna including three genera of fish, five genera of amphibians, twelve genera of reptiles, two genera of birds, and ten genera of small mammals dominates the assemblage in terms of diversity. Additional identification of seven genera of non-marine mollusks and various macro- and microscopic plant remains including grasses, three families of herbs, and seven genera of trees provides a wealth of information concerning the past ecology of what is currently a coastal dune field complex. During the Rancholabrean Period, the LACM 7679 locality was approximately 10 km inland from the Pleistocene coastline and contained lush riparian zones interspersed with coastal sage scrub, a few trees, and grasslands teeming with a variety of small and large animals.
The Evolution of Electronic Commerce Education

Business schools began introducing electronic commerce programs in the late 1990s at unprecedented rates. In this study, the author examined the evolution in electronic commerce programs offered by AACSB-accredited colleges and universities from 2001 to 2005. Although these programs are declining in number, they provide the necessary skills and knowledge required in today's digital economy. The findings of this study suggest that the essential skills and knowledge included in these programs have changed little over the periods examined. The author has provided profiles of the skills and knowledge included in master of business administration (MBA) and bachelor's programs in electronic commerce on the basis of the 2005 curricula.
The Use of Exponentially-Smoothed Transition Matrices to Improve Forecasting of Cash Flows from Accounts Receivable

A pioneering application of a Markov chain to forecast account receivable flows Cyert, Davidson, and Thompson [Cyert, R. M., H. J. Davidson, G. L. Thompson. 1962. Estimation of the allowance for doubtful accounts by Markov chains. Management Sci. August 287--303.] employed an unusual the oldest balance method of aging accounts and an assumption that the resulting transition matrix was stable. Forecasting steady state results was the primary focus of the application. The present research uses a commonly found partial balance method of aging, an assumption of dynamic changes in the transition matrix, and does not focus on steady state results. A manufacturer's data were analyzed and exponential smoothing was introduced to update the average transition matrix thereby enabling a tracking of changing customer payment behavior. The actual and Markovian estimates of the company's cash collections checked favorably. The paper also discusses how modifications such as the seasonal and trend adjustments introduced by Winters Winters, P. R. 1960. Forecasting sales by exponentially weighted moving averages. Management Sci. April 324--342. may be incorporated into the model. Extensions to other areas are offered.
Adsorption and Thermogravimetric Studies of Unmodified and Oxidized Active Carbons

Comparative adsorption and thermogravimetric studies were carried out for unmodified and modified active carbons in order to examine the applicability of high-resolution thermogravimetry to monitor the changes in their surface properties caused by chemical modification. Adsorbates of different polarity such as water, 1-butanol, and hydrocarbons were used to probe the surface of active carbons modified by acidic oxidization. It is shown that thermodesorption data measured for these adsorbates by high-resolution thermogravimetry are useful for quantitative estimation of the changes in the hydrophobicity of active carbons caused by their oxidation.
Chaotropic anion-phosphatidylcholine membrane interactions : an ultra high field NMR study

Abstract NMR studies on the interaction of the linear chaotropic anions, SCN− and SeCN−, with sonicated egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) vesicles have been carried out at field strenghts up to 14.1 Tesla. At 600 MHz, both anions cause splitting or increased splitting of the choline N+(CH3)3, CH2N+ and O3POCH21H resonances with SeCN− being somewhat more effective in this action than is SCN−. No changes were observed in the glycerol CH2OP and CH2OCO 1H resonances and the phosphate 31P resonance of the headgroup region. The 13C spectrum was unchanged by the presence of the anions. After 18 h of exposure to the anion, the 1H resonance splittings but not the chemical shift values returned to those prior to anion exposure. Increasing the temperature of the vesicles decreased the anion-induced splitting, but, upon return to the beginning temperature, the chemical shifts did not return to their original values. The results are considered in terms of the ‘molecular electrometer’ model recently developed by Seelig and co-workers [1].
Role of N-linked oligosaccharide flexibility in mannose phosphorylation of lysosomal enzyme cathepsin L.

Mannose phosphorylation of N-linked oligosaccharides by UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzymeN-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase is a key step in the targeting of lysosomal enzymes in mammalian cells and tissues. The selectivity of this process is determined by lysine-based phosphorylation signals shared by lysosomal enzymes of diverse structure and function. By introducing new glycosylation sites at several locations on the surface of mouse procathepsin L and modeling oligosaccharide conformations for sites that are phosphorylated, it was shown that the inherent flexibility of N-linked oligosaccharides can account for the specificity of the transferase for oligosaccharides at different locations on the protein. By using this approach, the physical relationship between the lysine-based signal and the site of phosphorylation of mannose residues was determined. The analysis also revealed the existence of additional independent lysine-based phosphorylation signals on procathepsin L, which account for the low level of phosphorylation observed when the primary Lys-54/Lys-99 signal is ablated. Mutagenesis of residues that surround Lys-54 and Lys-99 and demonstration of mannose phosphorylation of a glycosylated derivative of green fluorescent protein provide strong evidence that the cathepsin L phosphorylation signal is a simple structure composed of as few as two well placed lysine residues.
Membrane Trafficking of NADPH Oxidase p47phox in Paraventricular Hypothalamic Neurons Parallels Local Free Radical Production in Angiotensin II Slow-Pressor Hypertension

NADPH oxidase-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly implicated in the development of angiotensin II (AngII)-dependent hypertension mediated in part through the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). This region contains vasopressin and non-vasopressin neurons that are responsive to cardiovascular dysregulation, but it is not known whether ROS is generated by one or both cell types in response to "slow-pressor" infusion of AngII. We addressed this question using ROS imaging and electron microscopic dual labeling for vasopressin and p47(phox), a cytoplasmic NADPH oxidase subunit requiring mobilization to membranes for the initiation of ROS production. C57BL/6 mice or vasopressin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (VP-eGFP) mice were infused systemically with saline or AngII (600 ng · kg(-1) · min(-1), s.c.) for 2 weeks, during which they slowly developed hypertension. Ultrastructural analysis of the PVN demonstrated p47(phox) immunolabeling in many glial and neuronal profiles, most of which were postsynaptic dendrites. Compared with saline, AngII recipient mice had a significant increase in p47(phox) immunolabeling on endomembranes just beneath the plasmalemmal surface (+42.1 ± 11.3%; p < 0.05) in non-vasopressin dendrites. In contrast, AngII infusion decreased p47(phox) immunolabeling on the plasma membrane (-35.5 ± 16.5%; p < 0.05) in vasopressin dendrites. Isolated non-VP-eGFP neurons from the PVN of AngII-infused mice also showed an increase in baseline ROS production not seen in VP-eGFP neurons. Our results suggest that chronic low-dose AngII may offset the homeostatic control of blood pressure by differentially affecting membrane assembly of NADPH oxidase and ROS production in vasopressin and non-vasopressin neurons located within the PVN.
Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

background. Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma lesions are uncommon, affect a wide age range in both sexes, and show a predilection for skin and subcutaneous tissue of the extremities. objective. To present three cases of spindle cell hemangioendothelioma and review the literature. methods. Three cases of spindle cell hemangioendothelioma are presented. results. Two of our cases first presented very early in life and progressed by local recurrences over many years. None of our cases showed evidence of metastases, but the lesions exhibited local aggressive and invasive behavior. Histologically, the lesions consist of alternating areas of dilated, thin walled cavernous vascular spaces and solid areas composed predominantly of spindle cells and clusters of epithelioid endothelial cells with intracytoplasmic vacuoles. That spindle cell hemangioendothelioma is a non-neoplastic lesion and not a neoplasm of borderline malignancy is suggested by the following observations from our cases: the repeated presence of organized intravascular thrombi in all cases, the early clinical presentation in two cases, and the presence of some degree of vascular malformation at the periphery of lesions. conclusion. Both clinicians and pathologists should be aware of the existence of this lesion in order to diagnose and treat an affected patient correctly.
The Absorption Band Spectrum of Chlorine II

As the results of measurements and analysis of the absorption bands of chlorine, communicated in a previous paper, seemed to justify further work on the same problem, particularly with regard to intensity measurements, these bands have been further investigated and the results form the subject of this paper. In the publication referred to, the analysis of three bands due to Cl35CI35 was described, and the discovery of the corresponding isotope band CI35CI37 in the case of one of them enabled the absolute numbering for the vibrational quantum number in the upper electronic level to be determined, if one assumed that the vibrational quantum numbers for the lower level were known.
Recognition of Noisy Facial Images Employing Transform - Domain Two-Dimensional Principal Component Analysis

A Transform Domain Two-Dimensional Principal Component Analysis algorithm (TD2DPCA) applied to facial recognition in the presence of noise is presented. The new algorithm maintains high recognition accuracy in the presence of noise. In addition, the TD2DPCA has attractive properties with respect to storage and computational requirements. As the storage requirements are reduced by more than 90 percent, and the computational speed is reduced by a factor of two, compared with the spatial 2DPCA method. The new algorithm is applied to the ORL and Yale datasets, in the presence of salt and pepper as well as gray scale white Gaussian noise, where the Discrete Cosine transform is used. The results are given which confirm the excellent recognition accuracy of noisy facial images employing the proposed technique.