cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Mycology Collections Portal (MyCoPortal)

The Mycology Collections Portal (MyCoPortal) was established in 2011 to offer a simple, economic solution for institutions worldwide to maintain and serve their fungal collection data online. Although the MyCoPortal functions primarily as a web portal for collections to upload their specimen metadata and images, it also provides data packaging (e.g. checklists), visualization (mapping and timelines), educational material (identification keys, quizzes) and easy access to DwC formatted data sets as downloadable csv files. The MyCoPortal currently serves over 3.6M records from 84 institutions worldwide.
A NEW PURIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR PIG HEART FUMARASE

ABSTRACT. Pig heart fumarase was thought for some years to be a homopolymer with four subunits. Heterogeneity was demonstrated by electrofocusing, and polydispersity by chromatography, both in phosphate systems. In this paper, evidence is presented that the heterogeneity may be a function of the anionic environment. Since the established purification procedures for pig heart fumarase expose the protein to high concentrations of phosphate and sulfate, both inhibitors of the enzymic activity, a new purification procedure has been undertaken.
Processing on-board optical data for planetary approach navigation

The Mariner 9 spacecraft's science television camera provided an optical navigation experiment with TV pictures containing images of Mars' natural satellites against star backgrounds. Required TV image data and spacecraft engineering data were extracted from the spacecraft telemetry stream in this near-real time experiment designed to validate the navigation content of spacecraft-based optical data. This paper discusses the computer programs developed to prepare optical data for use in a navigation filter. Ground and in-flight calibration allowed pointing knowledge of better than 6 arc seconds. System performance during Mars approach was excellent, leading to extremely accurate trajectory estimates. The experiment provides a basis for the design of equivalent systems for future missions.
Survival of Drosophila germline stem cells requires the chromatin binding protein Barrier-to-autointegration factor

The nuclear lamina (NL) is an extensive protein network that underlies the inner nuclear envelope. This network includes LAP2-emerin-MAN1-domain (LEM-D) proteins that associate with the chromatin and DNA binding protein Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF). Here, we investigate the partnership between three NL Drosophila LEM-D proteins and BAF. In most tissues, only D-emerin/Otefin is required for NL enrichment of BAF, revealing an unexpected dependence on a single LEM-D protein. Prompted by these observations, we studied BAF contributions in the ovary, a tissue where D-emerin/Otefin function is essential. We show that germ cell-specific BAF knockdown causes phenotypes that mirror d-emerin/otefin mutants. Loss of BAF disrupts NL structure, blocks differentiation and promotes germ cell loss, phenotypes that are partially rescued by inactivation of the ATR and Chk2 kinases. These data suggest that similar to d-emerin/otefin mutants, BAF depletion activates the NL checkpoint that causes germ cell loss. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for a prominent NL partnership between the LEM-D protein D-emerin/Otefin and BAF, revealing that BAF functions with this partner in the maintenance of an adult stem cell population.
The relationship between college student feedback orientation and classroom engagement

This study explored the relationship between the four dimensions of students’ feedback orientation (i.e., utility, retention, confidentiality, and sensitivity) and the four dimensions of students’ ...
Do they recall their past? CEOs’ liquidity policies across firms as they switch jobs

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine any resemblance among the corporate liquidity policies across US firms under the same leadership. The paper extends the literature on behavioral consistency by examining various conditions under which the past could amplify or alter the future. We test the sensitivity of the analysis to the CEO’s tenure and resignation status from a firm as well as the previous firm’s financial constraint and the cash flow volatility. We find a significantly positive association between the prior and the subsequent firm’s cash holdings when they are managed by the same CEO even if they are totally distinct firms. The result strengthens as the CEOs’ tenure at the prior institution lengthens that is conditional on it being either financially constrained or having a highly volatile cash flow. The results of this paper show that CEOs’ financial decisions are sticky. Therefore, their prior experience and career path might lead to potential policies they might implement at their subsequent firms.
Language, Culture, and Mind: Natural Constructions and Social Kinds

Based on fieldwork carried out in a Mayan village in Guatemala, this book examines local understandings of mind through the lens of language and culture. It focuses on a variety of grammatical structures and discursive practices through which mental states are encoded and social relations are expressed: inalienable possessions, such as body parts and kinship terms; interjections, such as 'ouch' and 'yuck'; complement-taking predicates, such as 'believe' and 'desire'; and grammatical categories such as mood, status and evidentiality. And, more generally, it develops a theoretical framework through which both community-specific and human-general features of mind may be contrasted and compared. It will be of interest to researchers and students working within the disciplines of anthropology, linguistics, psychology, and philosophy.
Cosmological chirality and magnetic fields from parity violating particle decays

We estimate the chirality of the cosmological plasma due to parity violating decays of Standard Model particles, focusing on the example of tau leptons. The nontrivial chirality is however too small to make a significant contribution to the cosmological magnetic field via the chiral-magnetic effect.
Certificate Transparency: Public, verifiable, append-only logs

On August 28, 2011, a mis-issued wildcard HTTPS certificate for google.com was used to conduct a man-in-the-middle attack against multiple users in Iran. The certificate had been issued by a Dutch CA (certificate authority) known as DigiNotar, a subsidiary of VASCO Data Security International. Later analysis showed that DigiNotar had been aware of the breach in its systems for more than a month - since at least July 19. It also showed that at least 531 fraudulent certificates had been issued. The final count may never be known, since DigiNotar did not have records of all the mis-issued certificates. On September 20, 2011, DigiNotar was declared bankrupt.
Cytomegalovirus Viral Load Kinetics Predict Cytomegalovirus End-Organ Disease and Mortality After Hematopoietic Cell Transplant.

BACKGROUND We investigatedthe association between time-averaged area under the curve (AAUC) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load (VL) by day 100 and overall survival (OS) at 1-year after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). METHODS In a retrospective cohort study, including patients receiving HCT between June 2010 and December 2017 from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, AAUC was calculated for patients with detected VL. Patients were categorized into non-controllers (Q4) and controllers (Q1-Q3) using the highest AAUC quartile as cutoff. Cox models were used to estimate the association between AAUC and OS. Patients with non-detected CMV VL were categorized into elite-controllers (recipient+ [R+] or R-/donor+ [D+]) and R-/D-. RESULTS The study (N = 952) included 282 controllers, 93 non-controllers, 275 elite-controllers, and 302 R-/D-. OS was 80.1% and 58.1% for controllers and non-controllers, respectively. In multivariable models, non-controllers had worse OS versus controllers (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-4.12). In landmark analyses, controllers had similar OS as elite-controllers (HR = 1.26; 95% CI, .83-1.91) or R-/D- (HR = 0.98; 95% CI, .64-1.5). CONCLUSIONS Non-controllers had worse OS 1-year post-HCT. Controllers had similar OS as elite-controllers or R-/D-. Future studies are needed to validate our AAUC cutoff across different cohorts and CMV management strategies.
Physical touch during father-infant interactions is associated with paternal oxytocin levels.

Abstract Introduction Physical connection, particularly parent-to-infant touch, is critical for the well-being of infants and may support the development of the parent-infant bond. Physical touch has also been found to stimulate oxytocin levels. This study tested whether fathers' micro-coded touch behaviors during parent-child interaction predicted their subsequent oxytocin levels. We also compared two widely-used methods of oxytocin immunoassay that have been found to yield discrepant results in past studies. Methods Among 45 fathers and their six-month-old infants, we micro-coded paternal physical touch at 1/10 s intervals during a laboratory-based free-play interaction. Paternal oxytocin was measured via blood plasma and was processed both with and without the extraction step prior to immunoassay so that results from the two methods could be compared. Results Unextracted and extracted oxytocin were moderately correlated within our sample. Fathers who engaged in more playful proprioceptive touch showed higher levels of both unextracted and extracted oxytocin. Gentle affectionate touch and functional proprioceptive touch predicted higher unextracted but not extracted oxytocin levels. Fathers who did not engage in physical touch showed lower levels of both unextracted and extracted oxytocin. Conclusion Results are consistent with previous work showing that physical touch, particularly playful proprioceptive touch, is associated with higher oxytocin levels in fathers. These results replicate previous research using unextracted oxytocin measurement, and extend this work, showing that many but not all associations hold when using the more rigorous method of extraction when measuring oxytocin.
Re-visiting Drain Use in Operative Liver Trauma: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND Despite the liver being one of the most frequently injured abdominal organs in trauma patients, clinical management strategies differ between trauma surgeons. Few studies have critically evaluated current practice patterns in the operative management of liver trauma. Historical studies recommended against the use of drains but there has not been a modern investigation of this issue. The objective of this study was to analyze outcomes associated with intra-operative drain use for liver trauma. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all adult trauma patients presenting to a Level I trauma center from 2012 to 2018 was performed. Patients who underwent operative management of liver trauma were divided into groups based on whether an intra-abdominal drain was utilized and differences in outcomes between the groups were analyzed. The primary endpoint evaluated was post-operative intra-abdominal abscesses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS 184 patients with operative management of liver trauma were included in the study. Closed suction drains were utilized in 26.1% of post-operative patients. Rate of intra-abdominal abscesses was significantly higher in the drain group (35.4% versus 8.8%, P < 0.001). Drains were more commonly used in patients receiving more units of PRBCs (median, 9 units [IQR 4-20] versus median 5.5 units, [IQR 2-14], P = 0.03). Drain use was found to be an independent risk factor for post-operative intra-abdominal abscess on multivariate analysis (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.7-14, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support previous conclusions that drain placement for operative liver trauma is associated with increased risks of infectious complications. Drains were used in patients with more severe liver injury, intra-operative bile leaks, penetrating trauma, and increased blood transfusion requirements. Future studies should focus on the development of specific guidelines for the use of drains in liver trauma.
Implementing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at conferences

The scientific research environment struggles to be an inclusive and diverse place. Initiatives such as the Minority Carriers event at the Photovoltaics Specialists Conference not only support marginalized researchers but also delineate the changes that need to be made and actions that should be taken to make the research space inclusive.
Utilizing NX Advanced Simulation for NASA's New Mobile Launcher for Ares-l

This slide presentation reviews the use of NX to simulate the new Mobile Launcher (ML) for the Ares-I. It includes: a comparison of the sizes of the Saturn 5, the Space Shuttle, the Ares I, and the Ares V, with the height, and payload capability; the loads control plan; drawings of the base framing, the underside of the ML, beam arrangement, and the finished base and the origin of the 3D CAD data. It also reviews the modeling approach, meshing. the assembly Finite Element Modeling, the model summary. and beam improvements.
Hilbert–Kunz Multiplicity and the F-Signature

This paper is a much expanded version of two talks given in Ann Arbor in May of 2012 during the computational workshop on F-singularities. We survey some of the theory and results concerning the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity and F-signature of positive characteristic local rings.
A Predictive Model and Risk Score for Unplanned Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit Readmissions

Background Readmissions or “bounce back” to the intensive care unit (ICU) following cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify clinical and system-based factors associated with ICU bounce backs in order to generate a Bounce Back After Transfer (BATS) prediction score. Methods We prospectively collected the clinical and financial records of all patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) between May 2013 and March 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of bounce backs to the ICU which served as the basis for our BATS score. Results Of the 532 patients that underwent CABG or AVR during the study period, 35 (6.6%) were readmitted to the ICU. After risk adjustment, female sex, NYHA class III/IV, urgent or emergent operative status, and postoperative renal failure were the predictors of ICU bounce backs utilized to create the BATS score. Patients in the low ( 10) score cohorts experienced bounce back rates of 3.0%, 10.4%, and 42%, respectively. After adjusting for preoperative patient risk, ICU bounce back resulted in an increase in $68,030 to a patient's total hospital charges. Conclusions A predictive model (BATS) can determine the risk of a bounce back to the ICU after transfer to the floor. We speculate that determination of a patient's BATS upon ICU transfer would allow targeted floor care and decrease bounce back rates, along with postoperative morbidity, mortality, and cost of care. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12589 (J Card Surg 2015;30:685–690)
Plant Respiration in a Warmer World

Acclimation of plants to higher temperatures may reduce the extra warming caused by increased plant respiration in a future warmer world.
Physics of Solar System Plasmas

1. Space physics 2. Introduction to kinetic theory 3. Single particle motion and geomagnetically trapped particles 4. Magnetohydrodynamics 5. Solar physics 6. The solar wind 7. The interaction of the solar wind, planets and other solar system bodies 8. The magnetosphere Appendix.
Reversal of phosphorylase kinase activation.

Abstract When purified rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase is activated by preliminary incubation with γ-32P-ATP in the presence of Mg++ ions, it incorporates covalently bound 32P. All of the 32P is bound as alkali-labile phosphate, presumably on seryl residues. Serine phosphate has been isolated after partial acid hydrolysis of the labeled enzyme. Skeletal muscle and other tissues contain a phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of activated phosphorylase kinase, and it has been shown that this reaction is accompanied by reversal of activation. The phosphatase, tentatively designated phosphorylase kinase phosphatase, has a different tissue distribution profile than the phosphatase which catalyzes dephosphorylation of p-nitrophenyl phosphate and casein. Phosphorylase kinase phosphatase is activated by metal ions and is inhibited by sodium fluoride. When the phosphatase acts on activated phosphorylase kinase, various phosphorylated sites appear to be attacked at different rates.
Automatic roadway geometry measurement algorithm using video images

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) collects and maintains an inventory of all public roads within the state. The inventory covers more than 118,000 centerline miles (188,800 km) of roads in 159 counties and over 512 municipalities. The transportation road inventory includes more than 52 items, including roadway geometry, surface type, shoulder type, speed limit signs, etc. Traditional roadway geometric properties, including number of lanes, travel lane, and shoulder widths, are measured in the field. Roadway geometric property measurement is one of the most important and, yet, the most time-consuming and riskiest component of the roadway data inventory. For the past two years, GDOT has sponsored Georgia Tech to develop a GPS/GIS-based road inventory system that re-engineers the existing paper-pencil operations. Georgia Tech has extended the research to develop video image pattern recognition algorithms and a prototype application aimed at automating the roadway geometry measurement to enhance the roadway inventory operations. A highly reliable and effective image extraction algorithm using local thresholding, predictive edge extraction, and geometric optics was developed and is presented in this paper. Preliminary results show it can effectively extract roadway features. A large-scale, experimental study on accuracy and the productivity improvement is under way.
An endoscopic biopsy protocol can differentiate high-grade dysplasia from early adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus

Abstract Background: Surveying vs. performing resection in patients with high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus is debated because of concern about the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of an endoscopic biopsy protocol in patients with neoplastic abnormalities in Barrett's epithelium without obvious esophageal cancer. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses in 28 patients who underwent surgery for high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus and compared them with 22 other patients with high-grade dysplasia who were maintained under prospective endoscopic surveillance. All 50 patients lacked gross lesions to suggest esophageal cancer. The endoscopic protocol involved rigorous, systematic acquisition of multiple, large biopsy samples. Results: Overall, 64% of patients had minimal but distinct endoscopic abnormalities that were targeted for biopsies. High-grade dysplasia alone (7 patients) was differentiated from early adenocarcinoma (19 patients). Two patients with preoperative diagnoses of intramucosal adenocarcinoma had high-grade dysplasia in their resection specimens. Conclusions: This endoscopic protocol accurately detects and differentiates high-grade dysplasia from early adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus. Patients with high-grade dysplasia alone in Barrett's esophagus detected by such a protocol do not necessarily require surgical resection to rule out an undiagnosed adenocarcinoma; electing for surgery should be based on other clinical considerations.
On Dual Extremum Principles in Applied Mathematics.

Abstract : A unified account of upper and lower bounding principles involving convexity is given. They bound an energy-type or cost functional. Applications treated include linear and nonlinear programming, networks, optimization, control theory, fluid mechanics, elasticity, plasticity, and other differential, integral or operator equations and inequalities. (Author)
Differential responses of a range of photosynthetic tissues to a substituted pyridazinone, Sandoz 9785. Specific effects on fatty acid desaturation

Abstract The effect of a substituted pyridazinone (4-chloro-5(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-3(2H)pyridazinone; Sandoz 9785; BASF 13-338) on the formation of fatty acids from radiolabelled precursors has been studied in a number of angiosperms, bryophytes and algae. The labelling of [ 14 C]linolenic acid was decreased by the herbicide in leaves of barley and rye grass and in cucumber cotyledons regardless of whether [ 14 C]acetate,[ 14 C]oleate or [ 14 C]linoleate was used as precursor. A commensurate increase in the labelling of [ 14 C]linoleic acid was also observed in these species. In contrast, the pattern of fatty acid labelling in maize, pea and spinach leaves was unaffected by 0.1 mM Sandoz 9785. More generalized inhibition of the incorporation of radioactivity from [ 14 C]acetate into the fatty acids of bryophytes and algae was seen. Sandoz 9785 did not alter the distribution of radioactivity in different lipid classes of higher plant leaves, nor did it change the proportions of radioactive fatty ac ids in phosphatidylcholine. In contrast to phosphatidylcholine, which never contained more than trace amounts of [ 14 C]linolenate, diacylgalactosylglycerol contained high levels of the radioactive acid. The relative labelling of linolenate was severely reduced in diacylgalactosylglycerol by Sandoz 9785 in sensitive angiosperms. Uptake studies, in which [ 3 H]Sandoz 9785 was employed demonstrated that the uptake of Sandoz 9785 was reflection of water uptake. Following its uptake, Sandoz 9785 was rapidly converted into other compounds in pea but only gradually metabolized in cucumber and ryegrass. The results are interpreted as showing, firstly, that the different sensitivity of higher plants to Sandoz 9785 is due to variations both in uptake and in metabolism. Secondly, Sandoz 9785 specifically inhibits the desaturation of linoleate to linolenate and, thirdly, diacylgalactosylglycerol plays a role in this conversion.
Combinatorics on partial word correlations

Partial words are strings over a finite alphabet that may contain a number of ''do not know'' symbols. In this paper, we consider the period and weak period sets of partial words of length n over a finite alphabet, and study the combinatorics of specific representations of them, called correlations, which are binary and ternary vectors of length n indicating the periods and weak periods. We characterize precisely which vectors represent the period and weak period sets of partial words and prove that all valid correlations may be taken over the binary alphabet. We show that the sets of all such vectors of a given length form distributive lattices under suitably defined partial orderings. We show that there is a well-defined minimal set of generators for any binary correlation of length n and demonstrate that these generating sets are the primitive subsets of {1,2,...,n-1}. We also investigate the number of partial word correlations of length n. Finally, we compute the population size, that is, the number of partial words sharing a given correlation, and obtain recurrences to compute it. Our results generalize those of Guibas, Odlyzko, Rivals and Rahmann.
Garnet-Like Structures of High-Pressure Cadmium Germanate and Calcium Germanate

Crystals of CdGeO3 grown at a pressure of 65 kilobars are tetragonal and have an ordered, garnet-like crystal structure with cadmium occupying the dodecahedral and octahedral sites, and germanium the octahedral and tetrahedral sites. The crystal structure (a = 12.406 ± 1 angstroms, c = 12.256 ± 1 angstroms, and space group 14,/a) has been refined by least-squares analysis to an R (discrepancy index) of 0.073. Two high-pressure phases of CaGeO3 were synthesized, one isotypic with tetragonal CdGeO3 (a = 12.514 ± 3 angstroms, c = 12.358 ± 3 angstroms), and the other isotypic with perovskite.
Structure-Based Functional Characterization of Repressor of Toxin (Rot), a Central Regulator of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence

Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for a large number of diverse infections worldwide. In order to support its pathogenic lifestyle, S. aureus has to regulate the expression of virulence factors in a coordinated fashion. One of the central regulators of the S. aureus virulence regulatory networks is the transcription factor repressor of toxin (Rot). Rot plays a key role in regulating S. aureus virulence through activation or repression of promoters that control expression of a large number of critical virulence factors. However, the mechanism by which Rot mediates gene regulation has remained elusive. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of Rot and used this information to probe the contribution made by specific residues to Rot function. Rot was found to form a dimer, with each monomer harboring a winged helix-turn-helix (WHTH) DNA-binding motif. Despite an overall acidic pI, the asymmetric electrostatic charge profile suggests that Rot can orient the WHTH domain to bind DNA. Structure-based site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that R(91), at the tip of the wing, plays an important role in DNA binding, likely through interaction with the minor groove. We also found that Y(66), predicted to bind within the major groove, contributes to Rot interaction with target promoters. Evaluation of Rot binding to different activated and repressed promoters revealed that certain mutations on Rot exhibit promoter-specific effects, suggesting for the first time that Rot differentially interacts with target promoters. This work provides insight into a precise mechanism by which Rot controls virulence factor regulation in S. aureus.
Nanocomposite aerogels: The SiO2–Al2O3 system

Monolithic nanocomposite aerogels of two aluminosilicate compositions have been prepared and characterized by different techniques. The results show that high surface area and mesoporosity can be preserved in the above nanocomposite aerogels by heating at 1000 °C, unlike the single component aerogels. The presence of alumina as a second phase prevented their densification which resulted in surface areas on the order of 500–600 m2/g and mesopores of about 5–6 nm in diameter after heat treatment at 1000 °C. These novel nanocomposite aerogels are expected to find applications at high-temperatures in separations, insulation, catalysis, etc.
Midazolam oral self-administration

The technique of chronic schedule-induced drug solution intake was used to determine the possible addiction liability of the short-acting benzodiazepine midazolam. Schedule-induction produces polydipsia over a wide range of fluids as a function of the imposed schedule of food availability. The inducing schedule used presented food pellets automatically once per minute, fixed time (FT) 1-min, for 3 h daily. Two groups of rats, drinking either water or 0.05 mg/ml midazolam solution, were exposed to schedule-induction sessions for approx. 2 months. Then, other FT-values (0, 0.5, 3 and 5 min) were instituted on occasion for single sessions. Each of these 'probe' session determinations was done twice. Although midazolam concentration had been adjusted so that the mean group intakes were equal at FT 1-min, probe values greater than 1 min revealed a greater acceptance of midazolam compared to water. This technique produced session midazolam intakes as great as 25 mg/kg. In the next phase, the entire experiment was repeated except both groups were offered a choice between water and midazolam solution during sessions. Only at FT 0 and FT 5-min was there an indication that midazolam was preferred over water. Two additional groups of animals were exposed to the same schedule-induced polydipsia regimen, drinking water and midazolam solution, respectively. Pre-session administration of doses of Ro 15-1788, CGS 8216 (benzodiazepine antagonists) or midazolam had no effects on either water or midazolam intakes, although the higher dose of midazolam (2 mg/kg, s.c) had a moderately suppressive effect on the non-tolerant water-polydipsic group. All groups were tested on occasion for physical dependence on midazolam with an auditory stimulus as the precipitator and midazolam polydipsic groups were found to have a mild to moderate dependence (clonic seizures, running fits).
Hierarchical multilayer perceptron network-based fusion algorithms for detection/classification of mines using multiple acoustic images and magnetic data

Hierarchical neural network approaches have been developed first for combining high and low frequency (HF and LF) Side Scan Sonar imagery, and then for the combination of both acoustic images and Magnetic data. The adopted acoustic data fusion approach consists in a image-screening/HF, LF blob matching stage, followed by an information fusion/classification stage. Three variants of the information fusion/classification algorithm were conceived and evaluated based on `aggregate-feature-combining', `neural-network-discriminant-combining', and individual classifier `decision-based-combining', respectively. The `discriminant- combining' case yielded the best classification performance, and when compared with individual HF, LF classifier performance resulted in at least an order of magnitude reduction in the density of false alarms. Next, results are obtained for combining both acoustic and magnetic data using the described high and low frequency side scan sonar discriminant combining fusion algorithm as a starting point. In the next step, acoustic image pair `tokens' are associated with magnetic `tokens', resulting in three classes of resulting `tokens': `associated' acoustic-pair and magnetic tokens, isolated acoustic-pair tokens, and isolated magnetic `tokens'. Neural network output discriminants are derived for each of the three types of tokens mentioned above, and are employed to make classification decisions. The resulting Detection/Classification Algorithm is evaluated based on a combined ground truth obtained from both acoustic and magnetic sources.
Accelerating system integration by enhancing hardware, firmware, and co-simulation

System integration of an IBM eServerTM z990 begins when a z990 book, which houses the main processors, memory, and I/O adapters, is installed in a z990 frame, Licensed Internal Code is "booted" in the service element (SE), and power is turned on. This initial system "bringup," also referred to as post-silicon integration, is composed of three major steps: initializing the chips, loading embedded code (firmware) into the system, and starting an initial program load (IPL) of an operating system. These processes are serialized, and verification of the majority of the system components cannot begin until they are complete. Therefore, it is important to shorten this critical time period by improving the quality of the integrated components through more comprehensive verification prior to manufacturing. This enhanced coverage is focused on verifying the interaction between the hardware components and firmware (often referred to as hardware and software co-simulation). Verification of the activities of these components first occurs independently and culminates in a pre-silicon system integration process, or virtual power-on (VPO). This paper focuses primarily on the hardware subsystem verification of the CLK chip [which is the interface between the central electronic complex (CEC) and the service element (SE)] and on enhanced co-simulation. It also considers the various environments (collections of hardware simulation models, firmware, execution time control code, and test cases to stimulate model behavior), with their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, it discusses the results of the improved comprehensive simulation effort with respect to system integration for the z990.
Sleep in Fibromyalgia Patients: Subjective and Objective Findings

Fibromyalgia (FM) patients report early morning awakenings, awakening feeling tired or unrefreshed, insomnia, as well as mood and cognitive disturbances; they may also experience primary sleep disorders including sleep apnea. Longitudinal studies have demonstrated the chronic nature of these disturbances in patients with FM. A distinct relationship exists between poor sleep quality and pain intensity. Polysomnographic findings during sleep in these patients include an alpha frequency rhythm, termed alpha-delta sleep anomaly, which is also seen in normal controls during stage 4 sleep deprivation; deep pain induced during sleep in normal controls also causes this anomaly. Sleep architecture is altered in FM patients showing an increase in stage 1, a reduction in delta sleep, and an increased number of arousals. Before prescribing pharmacologic compounds aimed at modifying sleep, adequate pain control and sleep habits should be achieved; tricyclic antidepressants, trazadone, zopiclone, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, however, may be required. More research is needed to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the sleep disturbances occurring in patients with FM.
Simulation of oscillatory dynamics of blood testosterone levels using the crossover method

Blood testosterone levels oscillate periodically in humans. The in vivo dynamics of this biochemical system cannot be simulated in silico using a continuous deterministic solution of a previously reported mathematical model. The use of the stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA), however, has been reported to generate sustained oscillations that are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the experimental observations. Although the SSA is capable of accurately simulating a biochemical network, it is extremely inefficient from a computational standpoint. In this work, we have attempted to simulate the above mentioned model using a deterministic-stochastic crossover method, for three separate sets of parameters. Each time, not only did the results show the existence of sustained oscillations but also that the computational time was at least four times lower than the corresponding SSA solution. The crossover method can hence be proposed as a viable alternative to the SSA for simulating biochemical systems that are commonly encountered in systems biology applications.
Response: Granzyme A: cell death–inducing protease, proinflammatory agent, or both?

We recently showed that granzyme A (GzmA) cleaves poly(adenosine 5′-diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) to promote cell death and inhibit DNA repair.[1][1] PARP-1 cleavage is required for apoptotic cell death, which reduces inflammation, because scavenger macrophages phagocytose apoptotic
151 LEUKOTRIENES IN PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION: NEW ASPECTS IN THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF KWASHIORKOR

151 LEUKOTRIENES IN PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION: NEW ASPECTS IN THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF KWASHIORKOR
Rydberg-atom wave packets localized in the angular variables

Calculations are presented that show the behavior of a wave packet composed of alkali-metal-atom Rydberg states. We demonstrate that it is possible to localize such a wave packet in the polar and azimuthal angles. The evolution of this wave packet is equivalent to the precession of a classical Kepler orbit under the influence of a perturbing potential. In this case, the perturbation is the quantum defect of the alkali-metal atoms. An excitation scheme is proposed for producing these states and the results of a numerical model based on this scheme are presented. Finally, the interaction of these angularly localized wave packets with external fields is discussed and a method of detection is suggested.
NOAA AVHRR image referencing

Abstract A simple and fast algorithm for image referencing of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) data has been derived to facilitate the identification of geographic co-ordinates corresponding to any pixel on an NOAA image and vice versa. The procedure assumes a spherical Earth and circular orbit and takes into account the effects due to the Earth's rotation and oblateness and the scan skew. Inputs to the procedure are the ascending nodal longitude and lime, the time of the first scan line and one ground control point (GCP). The effects of an ellipsoid Earth and an elliptical orbit are corrected by using the GCP to adjust the spacecraft altitude and inclination angle. No detailed emphemeris data arc required. The average r.m.s. errors obtained by comparing with independent sets of well-distributed GCPs for each image are about 2 pixels and 2 lines or 3 km displacement. Results from the procedure are illustrated by the rectification o...
WE-E-ValA-06: A Real-Time MRI Guided External Beam Radiotherapy Delivery System

Purpose: We present feasibility studies in support of a real‐time MRI guided external beam radiotherapy delivery system currently under commercial development. Method and Materials: The system, (ViewRay Inc., Renaissance™), combines a low field open MRI scanner and a multi‐headed 60Co γ‐ray IMRT unit equipped with multi‐leaf collimators. It is designed so that the center of the field of view of the MRI and the isocenter of the radiotherapy unit coincide. The inherent compatibility of the units allows for the acquisition of fast cine MRI simultaneous to radiotherapy delivery to assess intra‐fraction organ motion. Computational feasibility studies were performed to investigate: the compatibility of the MRI and the 60Co γ‐ray IMRT unit; the impact of the MRImagnetic field on the dosimetry; and the feasibility of performing accurate heterogeneity dose computations with MRI data. Results: The 60Co γ‐ray IMRT unit was found not to significantly impact the operation of the MRI; the γ‐ray IMRT unit is capable of producing high quality IMRT treatment plans; the MRImagnetic field eliminates contamination electrons and does not significantly perturb the dose distribution in lung, soft tissue, and bone; and accurate heterogeneity dose computations are possible employing only MRI data. Conclusion: Performing IMRT allows for the seamless integration with, and simultaneous operation of, an open MRI unit. Conflict of Interest: Research sponsored by ViewRay, Inc., Gainesville, Florida USA.
Method for measurement of gastrointestinal absorption in normal animals, combining portal-carotid differences and telemetered portal flow by Doppler shift.

Abstract The Doppler Ultrasonic Blood Flow System was used to measure the portal blood flow rate (mean 40.9 ml/min/kg) in seven calves ranging from 3 to 22 weeks of age, fed milk at 5% of body weight twice daily. Absorption estimates of total sugars and glucose were made by combining portal flow and portal-carotid blood concentration differences. Telemetry of blood flow information permitted measurements on unattended animals in a normal environment. Mean velocity of portal flow one hour postprandial was increased 9.7% by feeding. Net absorption of total sugars and glucose determined from plots of portal-carotid concentration differences over the 12-hour feeding interval, combined with the portal flow rate, accounted for 60% (calculated as glucose and galactose) of the lactose intake. Glucose alone accounted for 41% of the lactose intake. Difference between the total sugars and glucose absorbed indicates that some galactose or lactose per se is absorbed. Data also indicate that 20 to 40% of the fed lactose is not accounted for as absorbed sugar, suggesting utilization in the gut wall. The method developed, using Doppler shift principle to measure blood flow and portal-carotid concentration differences, is suitable for obtaining quantitative determinations of net absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants in a normal environment.
Geographic information systems in India's ‘silicon valley’: the impact of technology on planning Bangalore

By the late 1980s, the parastatal authorities responsible for infrastructure delivery and planning in the Bangalore metropolitan region were encountering complex problems and pressure from lending agencies that pushed them toward capacity-building exercises utilizing electronic tools, including geographic information systems. Simultaneously, a network of non-governmental organizations and private consulting firms were developing within Bangalore that specialized in the application of geographic information systems tools for the solution of development problems. The result of these inter-related changes was the gradual assembly of multi-organizational teams for the implementation of development projects involving computerized mapping and database construction. This process represented a movement away from earlier centralized models of planning, and characterized an organizational matrix typically associated with the milieu of innovation or the regional growth pole. The investigation of this process in Bang...
Comparison of Sanitation and Fungicides for Management of Botrytis Fruit Rot of Strawberry

To determine the effects of sanitation on yield and incidence of Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea) in annual strawberry, replicated experiments were conducted during the 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1998-99 seasons. Leaf sanitation (removal of senescent and necrotic leaves) and fruit sanitation (removal of unmarketable fruit from alleys between beds) were compared to a standard fungicide control program (weekly applications of captan plus four bloom applications of iprodione) and combined sanitation and fungicide treatments. Leaf sanitation reduced Botrytis fruit rot incidence from 12.6 to 8.2% over the entire 1996-97 season, and from 17.6 to 11.8% during the latter half of the 1998-99 season, compared to untreated controls. However, sanitation did not increase marketable yield. Supplementing fungicides with leaf sanitation or leaf and fruit sanitation did not improve disease control and frequently reduced yield. Fruit sanitation had no significant effect on Botrytis incidence or yield. Losses to Botrytis fruit rot in the sanitation treatments were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than in the fungicide treatments each season; marketable yields were significantly lower in 1996-97 and 1998-99. Under Florida conditions, fungicides control Botrytis fruit more effectively and economically than does sanitation.
Expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from human tumors using the T-cell growth factors interleukin-2 and interleukin-4

We examined the role of two T cell-growth factors, interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4, in expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from human tumors. In sarcoma, IL-4 (1,000 U/ml) with IL-2 (10 or 1,000 U/ml) grew TILs better than did IL-2 alone in six of 10 cases during 6 weeks of culture. IL-4 decreased the relative number of CD56+ cells, which correlated with a decrease in cytolysis against Daudi in six of 10 cases. The addition of IL-4 with 1,000 U of IL-2 maintained or increased cytolysis against autologous sarcoma, while decreasing nonspecific cytolysis against Daudi or allogeneic sarcoma in three of eight cases. IL-4 decreased cytolysis against both autologous sarcoma and Daudi in four of 10 cases, suggesting nonspecific activity in these instances. In renal cell cancer (RCC), IL-4 with IL-2 (10 or 1,000 U/ml) augmented TIL growth in six of eight cases, especially during the first 2-3 weeks of culture. IL-4 with 10 U of IL-2 increased cytolysis against both autologous RCC and Daudi in six of eight cases, suggesting possible prior cell activation. In contrast, IL-4 addition with 1,000 U of IL-2 maintained or increased cytolysis against autologous RCC, while decreasing cytolysis against Daudi or allogeneic RCC in four of eight cases. In cases of bladder and of prostate cancer, IL-4 with 1,000 U of IL-2 grew TILs slightly better in five of seven cases for the first 2-3 weeks. Bladder TILs grown with IL-2 and/or IL-4 were CD+ T cell predominant (three of five) and rarely lytic for autologous tumor. In colon cancer and hepatoma, TILs grown with IL-2 and/or IL-4 were nonlytic for the autologous tumor. IL-4 in conjunction with IL-2 could therefore augment growth of some TILs especially for the first 2-3 weeks from various human tumors.
Evidence of xenon transport through the gramicidin channel: a 129Xe-NMR study

Evidence is presented for Xe transport through the gramicidin A channel. This evidence for Xe transport through gramicidin A channels has been obtained using 129Xe-NMR spectroscopy. Three experiments were utilized. The first experiment involved monitoring the change in the chemical shift of 129Xe in the presence of increasing gramicidin A concentration, the second observed the effect on the 129Xe chemical shift with gramicidin A channels photochemically altered by UV light and the third determined the effect of gramicidin A channels blocked by Ba2+ on the 129Xe chemical shift. The results of these three experiments indicate that Xe transports through the gramicidin A channel.
Practical and convenient 355-nm and 337-nm sharp-cut filters for multichannel Raman spectroscopy

The interference from Rayleigh and other elastic scattering is a serious problem for multichannel Raman spectroscopy. This problem becomes more serious if the surface subjected to the excitation reflects stray light, particularly in front-face excitation and in systems using rotating samples or applying the flow technique to avoid local heating and accumulation of the photoproduct. In order to eliminate this problem the conventional multichannel Raman spectrometer uses a specially designed triple polychromator equipped with a subtractive double-grating filter stage. However, due to the complicated optical arrangements, including three gratings and at least six mirrors, the throughput of the instrument is usually low. This is a severe disadvantage if one needs to detect extremely weak Raman signals. This is particularly true when time-resolved resonance Raman (TRR) spectroscopy is performed. In order to have an optimum TRR signal, the ideal method is to apply a single spectrograph equipped with a sharp line elimination filter tuned to the wavelength of the exciting line. Several filters such as chevron filters and colloid filters have been designed for this purpose. Unfortunately, most of these filters are only applicable in the visible region. In addition, the requirement of a high degree of collimation also reduces the throughput of the signal. Several commercially available sharp-cut long-wavelength bandpass filters and a recently developed J-aggregate filter applying organic dye molecules are also useful for the elimination of exciting lines in the visible region.