cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Logging Framework for Persistent Memories

Persistent memory is receiving a tremendous amount of attention recently from both academia and industry. Atomic and durable transactions have been studied to ensure crash consistency in persistent memory. However, whether to use undo or redo logging to execute those transactions is still a hotly debated topic. Redo logging seems appropriate for write-dominated workloads and transactions in high contention scenarios whereas undo logging seems appropriate for read-dominated workloads and transactions in low contention scenarios. This necessitates a priori knowledge on the workload and contention scenario to select an appropriate logging method between redo or undo to achieve better performance. In this paper, we argue that we can obtain the best of both worlds without the need of such a priori knowledge. Particularly, we present an adaptive logging framework that dynamically switches between redo and undo logging at runtime so that the performance is always better than that is obtained from a priori selection of either undo or redo logging. We formally model our framework, prove its correctness, and provide an extensive evaluation of it through a persistent memory emulation of TinySTM using 5 micro-benchmarks and 8 complex benchmarks from STAMP and STAMPEDE suites that are well-known and widely used in the literature. The results show significant benefits of our logging framework.
Divergent patterns of ocular development and gene expression in the evolution of a subterranean salamander

Relatively few studies have focused on the evolution and development of divergent nervous systems. The salamander clade (Eurycea) from the karst regions of central Texas provide an ideal platform for comparing divergent nervous and sensory systems, since some species exhibit extreme phenotypes thought to be associated with inhabiting a subterranean environment, including highly reduced eyes. We describe ocular development and examine early ocular protein expression (Pax6 and Shh), comparing between two salamander species representing two phenotypes: the surface dwelling Barton Springs salamander (E. sosorum) and the obligate subterranean Texas blind salamander (E. rathbuni). Between the two species, similarities during the development of ocular tissue (e.g. optic cup and lens vesicle) were observed during embryogenesis. However, during late stage embryogenesis the two species display markedly different patterns of Pax6 localization, which parallel patterns previously reported in a cavefish. A lens vesicle was observed in E. rathbuniembryos at stage 40, yet the lens is absent in adults, suggesting the regression of the lens during ontogeny. We also include adult histology of the surface dwelling San Marcos salamander (E. nana) and note similarities to E. sosorum. Adult E. rathbunilack major histological features associated with vision; however, eye morphology did not differ significantly between E. rathbuniand E. sosorumin early developmental stages, suggesting a combination of underdevelopment and degeneration contribute to the reduced eyes of adult E. rathbuni.
Bedside respiratory physiology to detect risk of lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Purpose of reviewThe most effective strategies for treating the patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome center on minimizing ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI). Yet, current standard-of-care does little to modify mechanical ventilation to patient-specific risk. This review focuses on ev
A surface roughness based damage index for predicting future propagation path of microstructure-sensitive crack in pure nickel

Abstract Predicting the future propagation path of small cracks under fatigue loading remains an unsolved engineering problem due to its sensitivity to various microstructure features (e.g., grain orientation, size, etc.). These microstructure features introduce localized plastic deformations and strain distributions that drive crack initiation and propagation. Since plastic deformation is manifested as surface topography changes, this paper investigates surface roughness parameters for future crack path prediction. A compound damage index that accounts for the accumulation of surface topography changes over multiple fatigue intervals was developed, based which a crack path prediction algorithm was formulated. The predicted future crack paths at two crack arresting locations were confirmed by the actual crack paths at later fatigue cycles, without a prior knowledge of the local microstructures. In addition, statistical analysis of the damage indices was performed to establish the confidence of the prediction. This study demonstrated that surface topography imaging is an efficient and effective technique for studying the propagation behaviors of microstructure-sensitive cracks. The agreement between the predicted and actual crack paths suggests that surface topography changes may contain vital quantitative information about the driving force for fatigue crack propagation.
Prospective validation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulating tumor cells (CTC) to diagnose leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from epithelial tumors.

2072 Background: The diagnosis of LM remains challenging, as standard diagnostic tools such as CSF cytology and MRI have low sensitivity. We previously showed that detection of CSF CTC by rare cell...
An experimental design strategy for quantitating complex pharmacokinetic models: enterohepatic circulation with time-varying gallbladder emptying as an example.

A four-step strategy is proposed for determining appropriate experimental designs for investigating the pharmacokinetics of drugs characterized by complex compartmental models and this strategy has been applied to the pharmacokinetics of enterohepatic circulation (EHC). The four steps are (1) to establish an appropriate pharmacokinetic model, (2) to complete an identifiability analysis for the model to determine the route(s) of administration and sampling compartment(s) that are theoretically adequate for the quantitation of model parameters, (3) to carry out nonlinear least-squares fitting for the proposed number and timing of simulated error-free data points, and (4) to complete nonlinear least-squares fits of the model to data obtained by adding random error to the simulated data in step 3. The four-compartment model chosen for EHC of unchanged drug contained central, peripheral, gallbladder, and intestinal compartments and an intermittent gallbladder emptying rate constant. Identifiability analysis demonstrated that three alternative experimental designs for route(s) of administration and sampling compartment(s) are adequate for quantitating all model parameters, when the gallbladder emptying rate constant as a function of time is known (using controlled emptying from an engineered gallbladder in an animal model or quantitation in humans or animals using imaging techniques). Parameter estimates from fitting error-free data matched closely with the known values for all three experimental designs, indicating an adequate number and appropriate timing of data points. Results from fitting simulated data containing ±10% random error indicated unacceptable coefficients of variation and a nonrandom pattern in residual plots for one of the experimental designs. Of the two remaining designs, one was less resilient relative to poor initial estimates and relative to timing of gallbladder emptying simultaneously with the distribution process. It is clear that application of this new strategy permits the elimination of experimental designs that are inadequate (from either a theoretical or an experimental standpoint) prior to initiating in vivo experiments. As such, it represents a major advance in reliability over methods used previously for complex models.
DETERMINANT SELECTION: A MACROPHAGE-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSE GENE FUNCTION

The immune response to insulin, in both mouse and guinea pig, is under control of H-linked immune response genes. When immunized with either pork or beef insulin in CFA, both Strain 2 and 13 guinea pigs respond by antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation and synthesis of specific antibody. The specificity of the elicited antibodies are indistinguishable between these inbred strains. By contrast, strain 2 T cells recognize a distinct region of the A chain α loop consisting of amino acids residues 8, 9 and 10, while strain 13 T cells see an as yet undefined region of the B chain. H2 b (A chain α loop responder) and H2 d (B chain responder) mice similarly discriminate which area of the molecule are recognized by their T lymphocytes. The function of the Ir gene, in both the guinea pig and mouse appears to be an intramolecular selection of discrete regions within the antigen for recognition by the T cell. The data presented suggest that this function operates at the level of the macrophage.
The role of liposomal bupivacaine in thoracic surgery

For advocates of regional analgesia, the appeal of a local anesthetic formulation with a duration of action of several days is clear. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB), now with FDA approval for local infiltration and interscalene nerve block—but not neuraxial use though it has been used there (1), provides multiple days of local anesthetic availability though at a lower tissue concentration than standard bupivacaine preparations (bupivacaine hydrochloride; BH).
Substitution of single dose intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) for oral prednisone (Pred) in RCHOP in intermediate grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

e19019Background: The regimen CHOP (cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin [doxorubicin], Oncovin [vincristine] and Pred) has been the basis of therapy given with curative intent for intermediate gr...
Consumer opinion of stair descent devices used during emergency evacuation from high-rise buildings.

The use of stair descent devices is an important part of a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan. To date, there is little research on consumer opinion of these devices. A pilot study was perform...
Challenge: Unlicensed LPWANs Are Not Yet the Path to Ubiquitous Connectivity

Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) are a compelling answer to the networking challenges faced by many Internet of Things devices. Their combination of low power, long range, and deployment ease has motivated a flurry of research, including exciting results on backscatter and interference cancellation that further lower power budgets and increase capacity. But despite the interest, we argue that unlicensed LPWAN technologies can only serve a narrow class of Internet of Things applications due to two principal challenges: capacity and coexistence. We propose a metric, bit flux, to describe networks and applications in terms of throughput over a coverage area. Using bit flux, we find that the combination of low bit rate and long range restricts the use case of LPWANs to sparse sensing applications. Furthermore, this lack of capacity leads networks to use as much available bandwidth as possible, and a lack of coexistence mechanisms causes poor performance in the presence of multiple, independently-administered networks. We discuss a variety of techniques and approaches that could be used to address these two challenges and enable LPWANs to achieve the promise of ubiquitous connectivity.
#depression: Singaporean Muslim Women Navigating Mental Health on Social Media

Over the past few years, Singaporean Muslim women have increasingly used Facebook, Instagram, and blogs to discuss the intersections among mental health, stigma, and religious socialization. Their use of online platforms to reconfigure dominant narratives on Islam and mental health while firmly positioning themselves as minoritized ethnic, religious, and gendered subjects point to the ways that social media facilitate novel possibilities for critiquing normative assumptions, while foreclosing others. Despite these critical discursive transformations, minoritized Muslim women’s social media navigations elide scholarly analysis. Within a context whereby social media platforms and various publics are constantly evolving, this article examines the ways that Singaporean Muslim women stake a claim for themselves, expanding the discursive spaces that both consolidate and contest authoritative discourses on mental illness and contributing to the formation of digital counterpublics.
The Role of Social Workers in the End-of-Life Debate

Although many articles and books discuss the ethics of end-of-life issues, few publications are written specifi cally for social workers and social work students. The lack of relevant literature is problematic because social workers have different ethical obligations than other health care professions who work with clients who are contemplating assisted suicide. This paper will analyze the ethical dilemma that social workers face in end-of-life issues by reviewing the material available to social workers such as the NASW Code of Ethics and the relevant NASW Policy Statement. This paper fi nds that the different sources of information provided by NASW do not fully address the complexities surrounding the social work profession and end-of-life issues. Additional training and continuing education courses should be offered and a stronger policy statement is needed that explores the complexities faced by social workers in endof- life care.
A Sec14-like Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein Paralog Defines a Novel Class of Heme-binding Proteins With An Unusual Heme Coordination Mechanism

Yeast Sfh5 is an unusual member of the Sec14-like phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) family. Whereas PITPs are defined by their abilities to transfer phosphatidylinositol between membranes in vitro, and to stimulate phosphoinositide signaling in vivo, Sfh5 does not exhibit these activities. Rather, Sfh5 is a redox-active penta-coordinate high spin FeIII heme-binding protein with an unusual heme-binding arrangement that involves a co-axial tyrosine/histidine coordination strategy and a complex electronic structure connecting the open shell iron d-orbitals with three aromatic ring systems. That Sfh5 is not a PITP is supported by demonstrations that heme is not a readily exchangeable ligand, and that phosphatidylinositol-exchange activity is resuscitated in heme binding-deficient Sfh5 mutants. The collective data identify Sfh5 as the prototype of a new class of fungal hemoproteins, and emphasize the versatility of the Sec14-fold as scaffold for translating the binding of chemically distinct ligands to the control of diverse sets of cellular activities.
Genetic evaluation of an adult

Abstract Most adult care providers have limited experience in incorporating DNA-based testing into the clinical care of their patients. This chapter reviews a basic approach to the evaluation of an adult who presents with concern for a genetic disorder. An overview of common presentations, importance of family history, available genetic testing, and the approach to management is discussed here.
13. PREPARING FOR THE PICU: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF RESIDENTS FIRST TIME

Background Learning in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) can be stressful and complex. While theoretical models and innovative resources have been developed with the trainee in mind, few studies seek to characterize their voices and experiences. In this study, we aim to describe the resident learner as they prepare for their first pediatric critical care rotation. Methods Using a grounded-theory approach, pediatric (PM) and emergency medicine residents (EM) were interviewed before and after their rotation. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded the pre-rotation transcripts and discussed the coding system until agreement. The transcripts were then analyzed for emerging themes. Results 6 EM and 8 PM participated and emergent themes were: i) Emotions (see fig. 1): Residents feel anxious (some have yet to witness a patient death), but excited for a “really good learning experience”. ii) Preparation: Residents admit to scant formal preparation. They rely on ad-hoc methods, with the intensity of their efforts often motivated by fear from past experiences. When prompted, they report great efforts to ready significant others, clean, and plan ahead for meals. Linguistically, they prepare as one deploying for war (e.g. “put on armor”). iii) Learning goals: EM anticipate specific disease processes they may face in their career, while PM focus more on acquiring skills for future rotations. Both gravitate towards topics based on perceived commonality, chronology, and enigmatic quality. iv) Survival: Residents’ main “wellness strategy” is to sleep and eat when able. Afterthoughts include exercise, meditation, spending time with friends or pets, and mental health appointments. v) Information gaps and myths: Residents begin their rotation disoriented to PICU protocols and team roles. They also harbor conflated beliefs, for instance about their expected entrustability and being alone overnight. Conclusions Residents enter their PICU rotation with intense emotions, myths, and a survival approach in common, although they vary in their preparation methods and development of learning goals.
Associations between immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception and short interpregnancy intervals

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancies and deliveries among women who receive immediate postpartum LARC. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who delivered at Montefiore Medical Center between January 2015 and June 2016 (N = 9561). In this cohort, we identified all repeat deliveries and pregnancies within 18 months of the initial delivery. Using logistic regression models, we compared rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery and pregnancy among recipients of an immediate postpartum IUD, immediate postpartum implant, and no immediate postpartum LARC, adjusting for covariates including patient age, mode of delivery, socioeconomic status, and race. Results In our cohort, 12.9% of patients received immediate postpartum LARC. The rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery were 3.3% (N = 259/7833) among patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC, 1% (N = 6/595) among immediate postpartum IUD recipients, and 0.4% (N = 2/562) among immediate postpartum implant recipients. The rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancy were 13.8% (N = 1082/7833) among patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC, 7.4% (N = 44/595) among immediate postpartum IUD recipients, and 5.2% (N = 29/562) among immediate postpartum implant recipients. Both recipients of immediate postpartum IUDs and immediate postpartum implants had lower rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery and pregnancy compared to patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC. Conclusions This study confirms that women who received immediate postpartum IUDs and implants have lower rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancies. Implications Making immediate postpartum LARC widely available is a promising public health approach to help women achieve a longer interpregnancy interval.
Modeling SAT-Attack Search Complexity

In this paper, a metric based on mathematical modeling is proposed to evaluate the strength in security of a logic-locked circuit against a satisfiability (SAT) based attack. Current approaches estimate the SAT resilience experimentally based on time-to-solve or the number of calls to a SAT-solver. However, the estimate is often based on one sample or a small sample size. Due to the possible variation in the search path length of the SAT-attack, a measure of resilience based on statistical characterization is proposed. A probabilistic model of a SAT-attack search process is developed to properly capture the variation in the path length and report the SAT resilience as an expectation of the computational complexity. An estimator of the expected complexity, assuming an equally likely branching probability, is proposed. The model and the estimator allow for 1) the derivation of a closed-form estimate of the expected security, and 2) characterization of the key search space without experimental bias toward SAT-attack implementation or circuit topology. As a case study, an analysis of the security gain per inserted key gate is performed on a full adder circuit. The study reveals a monotonically increasing resilience and provides insights on the most efficient key gate placement strategy that maximizes the achievable security.
Converting a Geriatrics Clinic to Virtual Visits during COVID-19: A Case Study.

Background:To characterize the experience of converting a geriatrics clinic to telehealth visits in early stages of a pandemic.Design:An organizational case study with mixed methods evaluation from...
A Phase II Trial of Primary Tumor SBRT Boost Prior to Concurrent Chemoradiation for Locally-Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (LA-NSCLC).

Purpose/Objective(s) Primary tumor failure is common in patients treated with chemoradiation (CRT) for unresectable LA-NSCLC. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) yields high rates of primary tumor control in Stage I NSCLC. This trial tested an SBRT boost to the primary tumor prior to the start of CRT to improve primary tumor control (PTC). Materials/Methods Patients with LA-NSCLC with primary tumor ≤10 cm were enrolled on a prospective phase II trial testing an SBRT boost in 2 fractions (central 6 Gy x 2, peripheral 8 Gy x 2) immediately followed by standard concurrent CRT (60 Gy in 30 fractions). Patients were staged with PET-CT, brain MRI, and underwent 4D-CT simulation for radiation planning using a customized immobilization device that enabled radiation planning for the sequential delivery of the SBRT boost and conventionally-fractionated radiation from the same CT dataset. Chemotherapy was carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/P) or cisplatin/etoposide. For patients receiving C/P, consolidation C/P for 2 cycles was given at the discretion of the medical oncologist. The trial was later amended to allow for consolidation durvalumab. The primary objective was to estimate PTC rate at 1-year with a hypothesis that the 1-year PTC rate is ≥90%. Secondary objectives were to establish the safety, feasibility, objective response rate (ORR; RECISTv1.1), and rates of regional & distant control, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Exploratory functional MRI (fMRI) scans before and within the first 30 hrs of the first SBRT fraction were performed in 11 patients. Results The study enrolled 21 patients (10 male, 11 female), with median age 62 years (range 52-78). 16 patients received 6 Gy x 2 SBRT boost, while 5 patients received 8 Gy x 2 SBRT boost. 18 patients received C/P chemotherapy, of whom 9 patients received consolidation C/P. Six patients received consolidation durvalumab. Median pre-treatment primary tumor size was 5.0 cm (range 1.0-8.3). Median and mean follow-up were17.9 and 20.2 months, respectively. The most common toxicities were fatigue, neutropenia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, anemia, pneumonitis, fibrosis, dyspnea and esophagitis. Five grade 4 toxicities related to treatment occurred [lymphopenia (3), neutropenia (1), and leukopenia (1)], but no grade 5 toxicities related to treatment occurred. ORR at 3 and 6 months was 72.7% and 80.0%. The PTC rate was 100% and 92.3% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. The 2-year regional and distant control were 81.6% and 70.3%, respectively. Disease-free survival and overall survival at 2 yrs were 46.1% and 50.3%, respectively. Median survival was 37.8 months. fMRI detected a mean relative decrease in BOLD signal of -87.1% (P = 0.05). Conclusion Dose escalation to the primary tumor utilizing upfront SBRT appears feasible and safe. PTC was high and other oncologic endpoints compared favorably with the literature. Through the use of 1 CT simulation dataset, accurate calculation of the planned dose through the 2 sequentially-delivered plans is achievable.
Trends in Receipt of Shorter Regimens of Radiation Therapy and Treatment Noncompletion Disparities Among Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients in the United States.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Although racial and sociodemographic disparities exist in the rates of treatment noncompletion for patients receiving breast and prostate radiotherapy, shorter regimens may be associated with lower rates of treatment noncompletion. We assessed predictors of treatment noncompletion and racial disparities in access to shorter regimens for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and breast cancer (BCa). MATERIALS/METHODS Using the 2004-2017 National Cancer Database, men with localized PCa were defined as receiving conventional fractionation if they received 180cGY/fraction (noncompletion: < 41 fractions) or 200cGY/fraction (noncompletion: < 37 fractions). Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was defined as five to eight fractions of 600-800cGY/fraction (non-completion: < 5 fractions). Women with non-metastatic BCa who received surgery with radiotherapy were included. Patients receiving 180cGY or 200cGY/fraction were defined as receiving conventional fractionation (noncompletion: < 25 fractions); patients receiving 266cGY, 267cGY, or 270cGY per fraction (noncompletion: < 15 fractions) were defined as receiving hypofractionated regimens. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed predictors of treatment noncompletion and racial disparities in access to shorter regimens. RESULTS 166,436 men with complete data met inclusion criteria (median age 70 years [IQR 64-75]; 19.6% low-risk, 47.3% intermediate-risk; 33.1% high-risk; 17.5% Black; 82.5% white). Black men had higher rates of treatment noncompletion compared with white men (13.5% vs. 12.3%, OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.12, P < 0.001). SBRT was associated with lower odds of treatment non-completion compared with conventional EBRT (SBRT 1.3% vs. EBRT 13.2%; OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.07-0.1, P < 0.001). Although use of SBRT increased from 0.07% in 2004 to 13.03% in 2017, Black patients were less likely to receive SBRT (5.3% vs. 6.1%, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.83, P < 0.001). 306,846 women met inclusion criteria (median age 61 years [IQR 52-69]; 17.4% in situ; 43.0% stage 1; 26.5% stage 2; 13.2% stage 3; 12.3% were Black and 87.7% were white). Treatment noncompletion did not differ significantly for Black (2.8%) vs. White (2.0%) women. Women who received hypofractionated EBRT had lower rates of treatment noncompletion compared to women who received conventional regimens (1.0% vs. 2.3%; OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.35-0.44, P < 0.001). Although rates of hypofractionated EBRT for breast cancer significantly increased from 0.8% in 2004 to 35.6% in 2017, Black patients were significantly less likely to receive hypofractionated EBRT (10.4% vs. 15.3%, OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.75-0.81, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Although shorter treatment regimens of radiation therapy were associated with lower rates of treatment noncompletion, disparities persisted in receipt of shorter regimens. Our findings underscore the need to identify barriers to treatment completion and racial bias and inequities in access to treatment regimens that are more likely to be completed.
A Prototype Intelligent Environment

This paper presents our laboratory's Intelligent Room, an experimental environment for bringing computation into the realm of ordinary, everyday activity and enabling natural human-computer interaction. We first present the notion of an Intelligent Environment and describe how it differs from other paradigms in human-computer interaction. We then discuss our Intelligent Room's hardware and software components and one of the room's current applications. We also outline criteria for designing and evaluating highly interactive spaces.
Twins: En Route to QTLs for Cognition

Irving I. Gottesman Intuitively one might think that any genetic contributions to our intellectual functioning would decrease with age, as we gather more and more experience. In a new study by McClearn et al. in this issue, an analysis of cognition in 240 pairs of twins in their eighties shows that this is not the case, and that the heritability of cognitive function remains about the same throughout life. In his Perspective, Gottesman discusses how this study sets the stage for dissecting which genes contribute to our thinking process.
A STUDY OF THE ROLE OF CYCLIC ADENOSINE 3′,5′‐MONOPHOSPHATE IN THE DEPRESSION BY OPIATES AND OPIOID PEPTIDES OF EXCITATORY JUNCTION POTENTIALS IN THE MOUSE VAS DEFERENS

Abstract 1 Excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes from smooth muscle cells of the mouse isolated vas deferens. The amplitude of the e.j.p. was used as a measure of transmitter release evoked by applying single pulse stimuli to the intramural nerves. 2 Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cyclic AMP, up to 1 mM) depressed the amplitude of e.j.ps, probably by interacting with extracellular sites on the nerve terminals, similar to those responsive to adenosine. 3 The phosphodiesterase inhibitors, 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (IBMX) and 1-ethyl-4-hydrazino-1H-pyrazolo(3,4-b)pyridine-5-carboxylic acid, ethylester, hydrochloride (SQ20,006) increased e.j.p. amplitude; this increase was much greater when the phosphodiesterase inhibitor was applied together with db cyclic AMP. 4 Neither the cyclic nucleotides nor the phosphodiesterase inhibitors altered the resting membrane potential of smooth muscle cells. 5 The amplitude of the e.j.p. was depressed by normorphine, D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide (DAEA) and D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADL) with respective EC50s of 560 nM, 49 nM and 510 pM. 6 There was no change in the EC50 for normorphine in the presence of cyclic AMP (1 mM) or in the presence of a combination of IBMX (50 microM) and db cyclic AMP (500 microM). Similarly, the depression of the e.j.p. by DAEA or DADL was not affected by the combination IBMX (500 microM) and db cyclic AMP (250 microM). 7 These findings provide evidence against the hypothesis that a reduction in cyclic AMP levels in nerve terminals is an essential step in the inhibition by opiates and opioid peptides of transmitter release.
CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM

This chapter discusses the principles of conservation of linear momentum. The linear momentum of a particle is the product of that particle's velocity and mass. Linear momentum, like energy, is conserved under certain conditions. The chapter introduces the concept of linear impulse and uses it to reformulate Newton's second law, to provide a basis for the law of conservation of linear momentum. In the new formulation, the net linear impulse represents the influence of the environment on the particle. Linear impulse is the second of three physical quantities that represent the influence of the environment on particle motion. Each of these three quantities—work, linear impulse, and torque—is defined in terms of force, and each leads to a conservation law. The chapter discusses how the linear momentum of a particle changes in response to an external linear impulse. For linear momentum to be conserved, the net external linear impulse must vanish. This idea is extended to interactions involving two particles, and the vector law is illustrated with several examples.
What is Urban Remote Sensing

This introductory chapter defines the scope of urban remote sensing research. It begins with a discussion on the rationale leading to the development of remote sensing for urban studies and the motivation behind this book project emphasizing the need to adopt a broad vision on urban remote sensing research. It then discusses the benefits and possible challenges of using remote sensing for urban studies, followed by an overview of the major topics discussed in the book. Finally, the chapter highlights several areas that need further attention.
Graphical visualization of missile-target air-to-air engagements: An educational tool for designing and evaluating missile guidance and control systems

This article describes a user-friendly C/C++/Windows-based program which simulates and graphically displays a Bank-to-Turn BTT missile in pursuit of an evading target. Traditionally, students and practicing engineers must conduct extensive simulations to develop insight about such a complex "system." In this article, an educational PC graphics program which significantly expedites this process is described. The program is organized into three modules: 1 A program-user interface provides interactive mouse-keyboard-driven pull-down menus to adjust engagement parameters. 2 A simulation module generates engagement data from a system of nonlinear differential equations modeling the missile, the autopilot, various guidance laws, and target maneuvers. 3 A graphics module uses the data to update the encounter on the screen. The program can be linked with MATLAB macros for purposes of analysis. A help/instruct facility assists users with program features and concepts. Sample missile-target engagements are presented to demonstrate the utility of the program as an educational tool and as a tool for the analysis, design, and evaluation of missile guidance and control systems. In short, the program has proven itself as a useful educational tool for students studying feedback and control systems and as an excellent vehicle for introducing students to modeling, simulation, and graphical visualization of dynamical systems.
Fibroblast levels are increased in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and are associated with worse subjective disease severity.

Background Fibroblasts are implicated in tissue remodeling and recruitment of inflammatory cells in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Populations of fibroblasts remain unquantified in CRS subtypes. The objectives of this study were to measure fibroblast populations in subtypes of CRS, and to investigate the association between fibroblasts and disease severity. Methods Patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS were prospectively enrolled from January 2011 to December 2014. Control subjects included patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for non-inflammatory conditions such as cerebrospinal fluid leak repair or non–hormone-secreting pituitary tumors. Patients completed 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaires prior to surgery. Blood and tissue biopsies were taken during surgery. Percent of sinonasal fibroblasts was determined via flow cytometry by selecting fibroblast-specific protein (FSP)-positive and Mucin 1 (MUC1)-negative cells. Results A total of 69 patients were enrolled: control (n = 24), CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) (n = 13), CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (n = 22), and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) (n = 10). Patients with CRSwNP had significantly more fibroblasts than both control (p < 0.001) and CRSsNP (p < 0.01). Patients with AFRS had the most fibroblasts when compared to control (p < 0.0001), CRSsNP (p < 0.0001), and CRSwNP (p < 0.05). Atopy and asthma were not associated with increased fibroblasts in CRSwNP (p = 0.21, p = 0.26, respectively). Increased fibroblasts correlated with subjective disease severity as measured by SNOT-22 for CRSwNP (p = 0.003) and AFRS (p = 0.048). Conclusion Sinonasal fibroblasts are increased in CRSwNP and AFRS compared to control and CRSsNP. Increased fibroblasts correlated with worse quality of life in CRSwNP and AFRS.
Angiotensin II mediates cell survival through upregulation and activation of the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1

The serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) is known to regulate a wide variety of cellular processes, including renal sodium retention and cell survival. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is one of the many signaling molecules capable of regulating SGK1 expression, and is also known to impact cell survival. Here, we examined the role of SGK1 in Ang II-mediated cell survival. We hypothesized that Ang II protects cells from apoptosis by upregulating and activating SGK1. To test this, we examined the effects of Ang II stimulation on SGK1 expression and downstream signaling. We also examined the effects of Ang II treatment and siRNA-mediated SGK1 knockdown on apoptosis after serum starvation. We found that after 2h of Ang II treatment, SGK1 mRNA expression was increased approximately 2-fold. This induction was sensitive to reductions in intracellular calcium levels after pretreatment with BAPTA-AM, but insensitive to the L-type calcium channel blocker verapamil. SGK1 induction was also sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Ang II treatment also caused a rapid increase in the level of phosphorylation of SGK1 at Ser422 and Thr256, and Ser422 phosphorylation was rapamycin-sensitive. We found that Ang II treatment was protective against serum starvation-induced apoptosis, and this protective effect was significantly blunted when SGK1 was silenced via siRNA. Lastly, Ang II induced FOXO3A phosphorylation in an SGK1-dependent manner, thereby reducing the pro-apoptotic actions of FOXO3A. Overall, these results indicate that Ang II upregulates and activates SGK1, leading to increased cell survival via multiple, non-redundant mechanisms.
Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy: A Window to Small Bowel Polypectomies in Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome

Abstract Peutz–Jeghers syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited polyposis disorder where diffuse characteristic gastrointestinal polyps, mainly involving the small bowel, coexist with mucocutaneous pigmentation. Until the advent of balloon-assisted enteroscopy, intraoperative enteroscopy and surgical treatment were the sole treatment options for patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy, allowing direct visualization of the small bowel and therapeutic maneuvres, paved the way for nonsurgical small bowel therapy. In the context of patients diagnosed with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, balloon-assisted enteroscopy with polypectomy allows prevention of polyp-related complications such as intussusception/obstruction or bleeding and reduces the need for future operative polypectomies and either elective or emergent laparotomies, thus avoiding the risk of multiple enterotomies or small bowel resections leading to short bowel syndrome. Furthermore, clearance of small bowel polyps could potentially decrease malignancy risk, although low, by removal of precursor lesions. Here different small bowel polypectomy techniques are described in a patient affected by Peutz–Jeghers syndrome presenting with multiple jejunal polyps detected at prior videocapsule endoscopy surveillance. This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.
WIG (wing-in-ground) effect dual-foil turbine for high renewable energy performance

Traditional HATs (horizontal axis turbines) are predominantly used for wind and tidal energy generation. HATs have higher power production than VATs (vertical axis turbines) for which also requires a rotational motion of their rotors. Existing HAT installations and operations are widely seen as wind turbines on land and hydrokinetic turbines underwater. However, the operation of both HAT and VAT requires large rotor diameter for large energy production. These introduce some disadvantages: requirement of large profile height on land and water depth underwater; high rotor tip speed and hence impact on surrounding ecology; and requirement of large kick-in speed and hence a low wind/tidal resource utilization or inapplicability in slow inflow energy sites. A dual-foil dynamic WIG (Wing-In-Ground) effect turbine, WIGT (Wing-in-ground effect turbine) for short, was developed and its renewable energy performance and characteristics were investigated. A performance comparison between traditional HATT (horizontal axis tidal turbine) and a WIGTT (wing-in-ground effect tidal turbine) was made, based on the tidal flow probability distribution of the Minas Passage, the Bay of Fundy, Canada. With about the same swept area, the WIGTT produces 1.73 times annual energy as an HATT. WIGT uses an active pitch control but the required power to pitch the foils was found to be about 10% generated power at the maximum. The use of trapezoidal pitch control produces 1.44 times as much power as either single-foil or dual-foil turbines. With a minimum gap of 16% chord between the foils, dynamic WIG effect produces 1.42 times as much energy. WIGT could generate 5 times power as much as a single foil with sinusoidal pitch and heave. WIGTs also have some outstanding advantages such as large power capacity under confined profile height on land or in shallow waters, power generation capability for low speed inflow, environmental friendly operation and better flow characteristics.
Further combinatorial properties of two Fibonacci lattices

In an earlier paper on differential posets, two lattices Fib(r) and Z(r) were defined for each positive integer r, and were shown to have some interesting combinatorial properties. In this paper the investigation of Fib(r) and Z(r) is continued. A bijection ψ: Fib(r) → Z(r) is shown to preserve many properties of the lattices, though ψ is not an isomorphism. As a consequence we give an explicit formula which generalizes the rank generating function of Fib(r) and of Z(r). Some additional properties of Fib(r) and Z(r) are developed related to the counting of chains.
IMPACT OF VESICOURETERAL REFLUX ON THE SIZE OF RENAL LESIONS AFTER AN EPISODE OF ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS

ABSTRACT Purpose: We determined the impact of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on the size of renal lesions in children after an episode of acute pyelonephritis. Materials and Methods: A total of 161 children (mean age 2.44 years) with acute pyelonephritis were studied. All had renal lesions on dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy done at admission to the hospital. A second dimercapto-succinic acid scan was performed at 3 months. Voiding cystourethrography was done at 6 weeks and VUR was graded I to V. For each renal unit layouts of renal lesions were drawn, and the damage surface was calculated and reported for the total surface of the kidney. Results: Mean size of acute lesions and scars increased with severity of reflux (p Conclusions: VUR has an impact on the size of renal lesions after an episode of pyelonephritis. Children with a grade III or IV reflux are more likely to have larger renal scars. On the other hand, acute lesions of important size may develop even in the absence of VUR.
Distinctive features and response latency: A pilot study

Error and latency scores were taken from 12 adults in a forced-choice, consonant-discrimination task. Stimulus items were CV syllables. Each CV contained one of 15 consonants followed by the vowel /a/. Three identical lists of 121 CVs were used. CVs on the three lists were separated by 3, 6, or 12 sec, respectively. After each CV Ss pressed a button to indicate whether the presented CV was identical to the preceding Cv. Both error and latency were scored. Results showed that response latency was a reliable measure of consonant discrimination. There was a significant positive correlation between errors and response latency. There was no effect due to interitem delay. Distribution of errors and latencies indicated that description of phonemes in terms of a distinctive feature system is feasible in speech discrimination tasks.
cDNA cloning and characterization of a novel nucleolar protein.

Abstract In an initial study of anti-nuclear antibodies in the chronic inflammatory bladder disease interstitial cystitis, we reported that 7% of interstitial cystitis patients studied had autoantibodies to the nucleolus. We now report that, using an autoimmune serum from a patient with interstitial cystitis, we have identified and partially characterized a novel protein with an M(r) of approximately 55 kDa (hereafter referred to as No55) localized to the granular component of the nucleolus. No55 was initially characterized by diffuse nucleolar immunofluorescence staining in interphase cells and by Western blotting as a 55-kDa doublet on whole-cell extracts. During mitosis, No55 was associated with chromosomes and appeared in prenucleolar bodies during telophase, but it did not colocalize with p80-coilin in coiled bodies. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that No55 was localized uniformly throughout the granular component of the nucleolus compared with a more peripheral localization of nucleolar granular component protein B23. On segregation of the nucleolus with actinomycin D, No55 remained with the granular component of the segregated nucleolus, whereas protein B23 was found predominantly in the nucleoplasm. Finally, a cDNA expression library was screened with the human autoantibody against No55, and a 2.4-kb insert was isolated, subcloned to homogeneity, and then sequenced. Analysis of this sequence showed an open reading frame of approximately 1.3 kb coding for 437 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 50 kDa. A search of the gene sequence database indicated homology with SC65, a rat synaptonemal complex protein. Therefore, on the basis of molecular weight, nucleolar sublocalization, response to actinomycin D, and cDNA sequence determination, No55 is a novel protein of the interphase nucleolus.
Radar design and management in a networked environment

Radar design and management concepts are presented for a networked environment to reduce the cost and dramatically enhance the performance of radar systems. The benefits attained by moving from a large centralized radar to a distributed cluster of smaller radars extend far beyond the reduction in cost and the increase in reliability. Additional advantages of multiple radar operation exploiting the ubiquitous networking technology are also presented. In addition to providing the impetus for novel radar algorithms and applications, the proposed system will also a yield a testbed for challenging networking research to develop fast protocols dealing with very high bit rate applications relying on multiple streams of time-critical data.
Technology Theory and Deliberative Democracy

This article examines the debate about the normative relevance of social constructivism, arguing that the criticisms of Winner, Radder, and others are fundamentally accurate. The article argues that a combination of Radder's notion of nonlocal values and Martin's concern for deliberative interventions may offer a theoretical exit from the normative irrelevance that marks constructivism. The article goes on to suggest that theoretical and praxeological developments in two other literatures, participatory public policy analysis and deliberative democracy, may provide fruitful initiatives for constructivist scholars eager to address normative concerns. The article next reviews a range of problems facing deliberative and participatory practices and suggests ways in which constructivist insights might help to advance deliberative theory.
Advanced thermodynamics metrics for sustainability assessments of open engineering systems

This paper offers a verification of the following hypotheses. Advanced thermodynamics metrics based on entropy generation assessments indicate the level of sustainability of transient open systems, such as in manufacturing or process industries. The indicator of sustainability may be related to particular property uniformity during materials processing. In such a case the property uniformity would indicate systems’ distance from equilibrium i.e., from the sustainable energy utilization level. This idea is applied to a selected state-of-the-art manufacturing process. The system under consideration involves thermal processing of complex aluminum structures during controlled atmosphere brazing for a near-net-shape mass production of compact heat exchangers.