cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Shock-Induced Chemical Reactions in Powder Mixtures I: the VIR model

Plane shock wave propagation in reactive powder mixtures based on the VIR model is studied. The important features included in the model are the hydrodynamic compaction of multicomponent powder mixture, void collapse, chemical reaction and heat conduction between inactive and reactive materials. The VIR model is implemented on hydrocode DYNA2D. The effects of amount of inert material, chemical reaction rate, heat of formation, and density of product are discussed.
Alzheimer’s Disease and the Family: A Challenge of the New Millennium

When Alzheimer described his case--a two-page case report in a German medical journal in 1907 (1), he described progressive dementia in a relatively young woman, who died at age 55. Alzheimer had been intrigued by the case because she seemed to be suffering from a premature version of the senile dementia which, even then, was well recognized as a common illness among the very old. Perhaps even Alzheimer himself thought, as many have since, that dementia in the elderly was just an exaggeration of “normal aging.” He was impressed enough by the unusually early onset of this unfortunate woman’s illness that he applied the newly discovered silver stains to the autopsy material, and it was there he discovered the classic plaques and tangles which are still pathognomic of the disease that bears his name. It took many decades before clinicians as a group accepted the fact that the illness he had described is in fact the same illness which produces the majority of cases of progressive dementia in the elderly; the recognition that this very specific illness, with its characteristic histopathological findings underlying this alarmingly common illness of the very old, has occurred only over the past decade or so. Until quite recently, otherwise clinically accurate physicians accepted vague diagnostic labels like “cerebral atherosclerosis” or “organic brain syndrome” as being acceptable diagnostic descriptions for the chronic brain failure they noted in many of their older patients. The name “Alzheimer’s” has now caught on.
Re-evaluation of the KMSK scales, rapid dimensional measures of self-exposure to specific drugs: Gender-specific features.

Abstract Background The Kreek-McHugh-Schluger-Kellogg (KMSK) scales provide a rapid assessment of maximal self-exposure to specific drugs and can be used as a dimensional instrument. This study provides a re-evaluation of the KMSK scales for cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, and heroin in a relatively large multi-ethnic cohort, and also the first systematic comparison of gender-specific profiles of drug exposure with this scale. Methods This was an observational study of n = 1,133 consecutively ascertained adult volunteers. The main instruments used were the SCID-I interview (DSM-IV criteria) and KMSK scales for cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. Results Participants were 852 volunteers (297 female) with specific DSM-IV abuse or dependence diagnoses, and 281 volunteers without any drug diagnoses (154 female). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for concurrent validity of KMSK scores with the respective DSM-IV dependence diagnoses. The areas under the ROC curves for men and women combined were 99.5% for heroin, 97% for cocaine, 93% for alcohol, and 85% for cannabis. Newly determined optimal KMSK “cutpoint” scores were identical for men and women for cocaine and heroin dependence diagnoses, but were higher in men than in women, for cannabis and alcohol dependence diagnoses. Conclusions This study confirms the scales’ effectiveness in performing rapid dimensional analyses for cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, and heroin exposure, in a cohort larger than previously reported, with “cutpoints” changed from initial determinations, based on this larger sample. The KMSK scales also detected gender differences in self-exposure to alcohol and cannabis that are associated with the respective dependence diagnoses.
Machine learning application for silicon photonics transceiver testing

Optical transceivers often require multiple corner case test conditions in order to meet multiple source agreement (MSA) specs. Typically, some tests need to be applied under multiple temperatures using temperature controller, resulting in extensive test time and high manufacturing test cost. In this paper, we introduce machine learning based test methodology for silicon photonics transceiver manufacturing test with large percentage (>90%) of test time reduction. In order to reduce test time, the desire is to test at one temperature corner and apply machine learning techniques to eliminate other temperature corners. We complied wide range of data set from various prerequisite tests and target test data at temperature No.1 as input data set. Target test at temperature No.2 is employed for supervised learning prediction. For production implementation simplicity, we used linear regression model with Tikhonov regularization [1] and reached R2>0.97 of predicted value correlation with physical measurement value.
Peer-Assisted Reflection: A Design-Based Intervention for Improving Success in Calculus

Introductory college calculus students in the United States engaged in an activity called Peer-Assisted Reflection (PAR). The core PAR activities required students to: attempt a problem, reflect on their work, conference with a peer, and revise and submit a final solution. Research was conducted within the design research paradigm, with PAR developed in a pilot study, tried fully in a Phase I intervention, and refined for a Phase II intervention. The department’s uniform grading policy highlighted dramatic improvements in student performance due to PAR. In Phase II, the department-wide percentage of students (except for the experimental section) who received As, Bs, and Cs in calculus 1, compared to Ds, Fs, and Ws (withdrawal with a W but no grade on a transcript), was 56 %. In the experimental section, 79 % of students received As, Bs, and Cs, a full 23 % increase. Such increased success has rarely been achieved (the Emerging Scholars Program is a notable program that has done so.)
Abstract 4371: To investigate the role of heme flux and function in growth and progression of NSCLCin vivo

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and about 85% of the cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous research from our lab has shown that the levels of rate limiting heme biosynthetic enzyme ALAS1, heme uptake proteins HCP1 and HRG1 and oxygen utilizing hemoproteins are strongly elevated in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, specific inhibition of heme synthesis using a well-known inhibitor suppresses NSCLC cell proliferation, colony formation and migration compared to normal cells. These results suggest that heme flux and function is important for NSCLC growth and progression. Lentiviral particles overexpressing eGFP, Alas1, HRG1, and HCP1 were used to transfect NSCLC cell lines. Tumorigenic properties of these cells were analyzed in vitro using invasion, migration and colony formation assay. These cell lines were used to implant subcutaneous xenografts in NOD/SCID mice (n=6). Tumor growth was monitored using Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and Vernier caliper measurements over a period of five weeks. Mice were sacrificed, tumor tissues were harvested and processed and embedded into FFPE blocks. The tissue sections were then used for histopathological analysis (Hematoxylin and Eosin staining) and immunohistochemistry experiments. Our data show a significant increase in invasion, migration and colony formation properties of cells lines overexpressing Alas1, HRG1 and HCP1 compared to eGFP overexpressing cell lines (Control) in vitro. At week 5, BLI radiance (total photons/seconds), tumor volumes and masses of Alas1, HCP1 and HRG1 overexpression subcutaneous tumor xenografts were significantly higher compared to eGFP overexpression controls. This was further corroborated by H and E staining. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of heme synthesis and uptake proteins causes an increase in tumorigenic properties of NSCLC cells in vivo. Thus, heme flux and function plays an important role in growth and progression of NSCLC. Further studies are underway to discern the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of heme in lung tumor growth. Citation Format: Adnin Ashrafi, Poorva Ghosh, Sagar Sohoni, Li Zhang. To investigate the role of heme flux and function in growth and progression of NSCLC in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4371.
Survival outcomes following cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in patients with metastatic renal cell sarcomas (MRCS).

e22519Background: RCS are rare soft tissue sarcomas and account for 0.8-2.7% of malignant kidney tumors. Level 1 evidence guiding optimal patient management is lacking due to the rarity of this dis...
Impairment of Membrane Repolarization Accompanies Axon Transport Deficits in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, resulting from degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which form the optic nerve. In glaucoma, axon transport deficits appear to precede structural degeneration of RGC axons. The period of time between the onset of axon transport deficits and the structural degeneration of RGC axons may represent a therapeutic window for the prevention of irreversible vision loss. However, it is unclear how deficits in axon transport relate to the electrophysiological capacity of RGCs to produce and maintain firing frequencies that encode visual stimuli. Here, we examined the electrophysiological signature of individual RGCs in glaucomatous retina with respect to axon transport facility. Utilizing the Microbead Occlusion Model of murine ocular hypertension, we performed electrophysiological recordings of RGCs with and without deficits in anterograde axon transport. We found that RGCs with deficits in axon transport have a reduced ability to maintain spiking frequency that arises from elongation of the repolarization phase of the action potential. This repolarization phenotype arises from reduced cation flux and K+ dyshomeostasis that accompanies pressure-induced decreases in Na/K-ATPase expression and activity. In vitro studies with purified RGCs indicate that elevated pressure induces early internalization of Na/K-ATPase that, when reversed, stabilizes cation flux and prevents K+ dyshomeostasis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of the Na/K-ATPase is sufficient to replicate pressure-induced cation influx and repolarization phase phenotypes in healthy RGCs. These studies suggest that deficits in axon transport also likely reflect impaired electrophysiological function of RGCs. Our findings further identify a failure to maintain electrochemical gradients and cation dyshomeostasis as an early phenotype of glaucomatous pathology in RGCs that may have significant bearing on efforts to restore RGC health in diseased retina.
Artificial intelligence in CS1

The GuessingGame program from introductory artificial intelligence serves as a rewarding challenge for students in a Java-based CS1 course. The consistent use of manipulatives eases students into such complex topics as recursive data structures, Visitors, and Factories. The game aspect of this project connects the idea of separating data from code to their own experience with user community "mods" of commercial computer games.
The labour of care: filipina migrants and transnational families in the digital age: by Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, Champaign, University of Illinois Press, 2018, 238 pp., £78.00, $99.00 (hardback), £22, $28 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-252-04172-3 hardback, ISBN 978-0-252-08334-1 paperback

The Labour of Care: Filipina Migrants and Transnational Families in the Digital Age offers readers a critical affective analysis of the intricate and multidirectional circuits of care between migra...
Relationship Between Risk Factors and Brain Reserve in Late Middle Age: Implications for Cognitive Aging.

Background Brain reserve can be defined as the individual variation in the brain structural characteristics that later in life are likely to modulate cognitive performance. Late midlife represents a point in aging where some structural brain imaging changes have become manifest but the effects of cognitive aging are minimal, and thus may represent an ideal opportunity to determine the relationship between risk factors and brain imaging biomarkers of reserve. Objective We aimed to assess neuroimaging measures from multiple modalities to broaden our understanding of brain reserve, and the late midlife risk factors that may make the brain vulnerable to age related cognitive disorders. Methods We examined multimodal [structural and diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), FDG PET] neuroimaging measures in 50-65 year olds to examine the associations between risk factors (Intellectual/Physical Activity: education-occupation composite, physical, and cognitive-based activity engagement; General Health Factors: presence of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (CMC), body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, smoking status (ever/never), CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire (>2, yes/no), Beck Depression Inventory score), brain reserve measures [Dynamic: genu corpus callosum fractional anisotropy (FA), posterior cingulate cortex FDG uptake, superior parietal cortex thickness, AD signature cortical thickness; Static: intracranial volume], and cognition (global, memory, attention, language, visuospatial) from a population-based sample. We quantified dynamic proxies of brain reserve (cortical thickness, glucose metabolism, microstructural integrity) and investigated various protective/risk factors. Results Education-occupation was associated with cognition and total intracranial volume (static measure of brain reserve), but was not associated with any of the dynamic neuroimaging biomarkers. In contrast, many general health factors were associated with the dynamic neuroimaging proxies of brain reserve, while most were not associated with cognition in this late middle aged group. Conclusion Brain reserve, as exemplified by the four dynamic neuroimaging features studied here, is itself at least partly influenced by general health status in midlife, but may be largely independent of education and occupation.
Live Attenuated Measles Virus Vaccine Expressing Helicobacter pylori Heat Shock Protein A.

Measles virus (MV) Edmonston derivative strains are attractive vector platforms in vaccine development and oncolytic virotherapy. Helicobacter pylori heat shock protein A (HspA) is a bacterial heat shock chaperone with essential function as a Ni-ion scavenging protein. We generated and characterized the immunogenicity of an attenuated MV strain encoding the HspA transgene (MV-HspA). MV-HspA showed faster replication within 48 h of infection with >10-fold higher titers and faster accumulation of the MV proteins. It also demonstrated a superior tumor-killing effect in vitro against a variety of human solid tumor cell lines, including sarcoma, ovarian and breast cancer. Two intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of 106 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) MV-HspA significantly improved survival in an ovarian cancer xenograft model: 63.5 days versus 27 days for the control group. The HspA transgene induced a humoral immune response in measles-permissive Ifnarko-CD46Ge transgenic mice. Eight of nine animals developed a long-term anti-HspA antibody response with titers of 1:400 to 1:12,800 without any negative impact on development of protective anti-MV immune memory. MV-HspA triggered an immunogenic cytopathic effect as measured by an HMGB1 assay. The absence of significant elevation of PD-L1 expression indicated that vector-encoded HspA could act as an immunomodulator on the immune check point axis. These data demonstrate that MV-HspA is a potent oncolytic agent and vaccine candidate for clinical translation in cancer treatment and immunoprophylaxis against H. pylori.
Disruption and recovery of reaction–diffusion wavefronts interacting with concave, fractal, and soft obstacles

Abstract In a recent publication (Smith et al., 2019), we documented the distinct recovery of reaction–diffusion wavefronts disrupted by hard convex obstacles. Here, we extend that work to include concave, spiral, fractal, random, and soft obstacles. Curvature dependent wavefront velocities ultimately restore the wavefronts, with perturbations that decay as power-law functions of time. But concave, spiral, and fractal obstacles can sustain wavefronts locally for long times. Soft obstacles with variable diffusivity, either intrinsically or due to light sensitivity, can enforce one-way propagation and, appropriately configured, can locally and indefinitely sustain incident wavefronts, creating clocks or repeaters, beating hearts for these excitable systems.
Legislation restricting access to public restrooms and changing facilities for transgender individuals in Texas (US): A qualitative analysis of testimony

An alarming amount of legislation in the United States has sought to restrict the rights of transgender people, often targeting access to public spaces or restrooms. One example of this legislation...
Two-phased evolution: Genome chaos-mediated information creation and maintenance.

Abstract Cancer is traditionally labeled a “cellular growth problem.” However, it is fundamentally an issue of macroevolution where new systems emerge from tissue by breaking various constraints. To study this process, we used experimental platforms to “watch evolution in action” by comparing the profiles of karyotypes, transcriptomes, and cellular phenotypes longitudinally before, during, and after key phase transitions. This effort, alongside critical rethinking of current gene-based genomic and evolutionary theory, led to the development of the Genome Architecture Theory. Following a brief historical review, we present four case studies and their takeaways to describe the pattern of genome-based cancer evolution. Our discoveries include 1. The importance of non-clonal chromosome aberrations or NCCAs; 2. Two-phased cancer evolution, comprising a punctuated phase and a gradual phase, dominated by karyotype changes and gene mutation/epigenetic alterations, respectively; 3. How the karyotype codes system inheritance, which organizes gene interactions and provides the genomic basis for physiological regulatory networks; and 4. Stress-induced genome chaos, which creates genomic information by reorganizing chromosomes for macroevolution. Together, these case studies redefine the relationship between cellular macro- and microevolution: macroevolution does not equal microevolution + time. Furthermore, we incorporate genome chaos and gene mutation in a general model: genome reorganization creates new karyotype coding, then diverse cancer gene mutations can promote the dominance of tumor cell populations. Finally, we call for validation of the Genome Architecture Theory of cancer and organismal evolution, as well as the systematic study of genomic information flow in evolutionary processes.
Some Reflections on Labor and Employment Ramifications of Diocesan Bankruptcy Filings

Sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy is perhaps the greatest scandal in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States. On September 7, 2007, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, California, announced a $198 million settlement with 144 claimants. In mid July, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced a $660 million settlement with 508 claimants, following a November, 2006 settlement with 86 claimants for an additional $114 million. Five prominent Catholic dioceses in the United States have filed for bankruptcy since 2004, facing (and, perhaps, seeking to avoid) enormous liability for tort damages caused by clergy sexual abuse. There is a burgeoning law review literature examining many different dimensions of the situation. However, no article, thus far, has focused on the labor and employment ramifications of the crisis. In this article, I study the five diocesan bankruptcy cases. I also discuss the status of labor and employment relations with the Church as employer, in light of secular case law, canon law, and Church teaching. I then present an overview of labor and employment relations consequences of diocesan bankruptcy, including, paradoxically, the possible resurgence of unionization and collective bargaining by, inter alia, school teachers in primary and secondary Catholic schools.
Optimal Integration of Departure and Arrivals in Terminal Airspace

Coordination of operations with spatially and temporally shared resources such as route segments, fixes, and runways improves the efficiency of terminal airspace management. Problems in this category include scheduling and routing, thus they are normally difficult to solve compared with pure scheduling problems. In order to reduce the computational time, a fast time algorithm formulation using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) was introduced in this work and applied to a test case based on existing literature. The experiment showed that new method can solve the whole problem in fast time instead of solving sub-problems sequentially with a window technique. The results showed a 60% or 406 second delay reduction was achieved by sharing departure fixes (more details on the comparison with MILP results will be presented in the final paper). Furthermore, the NSGA algorithm was applied to a problem in LAX terminal airspace, where interactions between 28% of LAX arrivals and 10% of LAX departures are resolved by spatial segregation, which may introduce unnecessary delays. In this work, spatial segregation, temporal segregation, and hybrid segregation were formulated using the new algorithm. Results showed that spatial and temporal segregation approaches achieved similar delay. Hybrid segregation introduced much less delay than the other two approaches. For a total of 9 interacting departures and arrivals, delay reduction varied from 4 minutes to 6.4 minutes corresponding flight time uncertainty from 0 to 60 seconds. Considering the amount of flights that could be affected, total annual savings with hybrid segregation would be significant.
Patient and provider satisfaction with saline ultrasound versus office hysteroscopy for uterine cavity evaluation prior to in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial

To compare patient and provider satisfaction with saline ultrasound (SIS) versus office hysteroscopy for cavity evaluation prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess the capability of hysteroscopy to manage pathology at time of diagnosis to reduce delays and supernumerary procedures. This was a randomized, controlled trial in a university fertility clinic. One hundred enrolled subjects undergoing routine uterine cavity evaluation prior to planned embryo transfer were randomized to SIS or office hysteroscopy without anesthesia. Subjects and providers completed surveys about their experience. Subjects with findings on SIS had a hysteroscopy performed or scheduled for further evaluation. Those with hysteroscopy findings had management attempted within the same procedure. Overall patient satisfaction was high and did not differ between groups, while providers indicated that hysteroscopy provided a better cavity evaluation. There was no difference in time to complete procedures between groups. Pain score on a ten-scale was slightly higher in the hysteroscopy group compared to the SIS group (3.38 ± 1.85 vs. 2.44 ± 1.64, p < 0.01), but this did not impact satisfaction scores. Although pathology was found in a similar rate (22% vs. 36% for SIS and HSC groups, respectively), those in the SIS group all required secondary procedures, while only 1/17 did in the HSC group (p < 0.01). Although the hysteroscopy group exhibited slightly higher pain scores, overall patient and provider satisfaction was high and similar between groups. There were significantly fewer secondary procedures and delays in the hysteroscopy group. Hysteroscopy is a reasonable first line screening tool for patients requiring cavity evaluation. ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04415489
Targeting of Cdc42 GTPase in regulatory T cells unleashes anti-tumor T cell immunity

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance through inhibiting effector T cell function. In the tumor microenvironment, Treg cells are utilized by tumor cells to counteract effector T cell-mediated tumor killing. Targeting Treg cells may thus unleash the anti-tumor activity of effector T cells. While systemic depletion of Treg cells can cause excessive effector T cell responses and subsequent autoimmune diseases, controlled targeting of Treg cells may benefit cancer patients. Here we show that Treg cell-specific heterozygous deletion or pharmacological targeting of Cdc42 GTPase does not affect Treg cell numbers but induces Treg cell plasticity, leading to anti-tumor T cell immunity without detectable autoimmune reactions. Cdc42 targeting potentiates an immune checkpoint blocker anti-PD-1 antibody-mediated T cell response against mouse and human tumors. Mechanistically, Cdc42 targeting induces Treg cell plasticity and unleashes antitumor T cell immunity through carbonic anhydrase I-mediated pH changes. Thus, rational targeting of Cdc42 in Treg cells holds therapeutic promises in cancer immunotherapy. SignificanceEffector T lymphocytes promote autoimmune diseases but have potential to kill tumor cells. However, cancer cells can evade T cell-mediated killing in part by utilizing regulatory T (Treg) cells to inhibit effector T cell function. Here we show that Treg cell-specific heterozygous deletion of Cdc42 gene that encodes Cdc42 GTPase dampens Treg cell fitness through carbonic anhydrase I-mediated pH changes, leading to anti-tumor T cell immunity. Pharmacological targeting of Cdc42 mimics genetic deletion of Cdc42 in impairing Treg cell fitness and evoking anti-tumor T cell immunity. Importantly, Cdc42 targeting does not appear to cause systemic autoimmunity. Given that current cancer immunotherapies only demonstrate limited clinical efficacies, our findings may open a new avenue for cancer immunotherapy.
Trajectory Planning and Assignment in Multirobot Systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of tasking large numbers of homogenous robots to move to a set of specified goal locations, addressing both the assignment and trajectory planning subproblems concurrently. This is related to the standard linear Euclidean assignment problem except that the solution to the trajectory generation subproblem must result in time-parameterized trajectories and guarantee collision avoidance.We begin with a centralized approach and derive an optimal centralized solution and study the computational complexity. The main contribution of this paper, however, is a decentralized algorithm with limited communication between neighbors that guarantees collision-avoidance and overcomes the computational challenges of the centralized method at the cost of suboptimal solutions. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm as the number of robots is increased to tens of robots and the resulting increase in communication across neighbors required for safe execution.
Relationship of C19 steroid excretion in the newborn to maternal urinary estriol

Abstract The excretion of C 19 steroid sulfates was measured in infants whose mothers had decreased urinary estriol. The excretion of dehydroisoandrosterone was not altered, while both 16α-hydroxydehydroisoandrosterone and 16-ketoandrostenediol were markedly reduced. The significance of these findings in relation to maternal urinary estriol excretion is discussed.
The Nature of the State and the State of Nature: A Comment on Grady & Mcguire's 'the Nature of Constitutions'

In 'The Nature of Constitutions,'Mark Grady & Michael McGuire provide a model of the evolution and purposes of constitutions as arising to minimize appropriation by dominants of subordinates. This Comment builds on Grady & McGuire's article in three ways. First, it supplements their analysis by operationalizing a model of constitutional evolution that views constitutions as arising out of the conflict of competing high-ranking individuals to preserve their own authority. From this clash of self-interest of dominant individuals, institutions are born. This predicts that constitutions will not simply tame all forms of appropriation, but will also hard-wire some forms of appropriation behavior into the permanent constitutional structure. Second, it examines the American constitution in light of this model to show how that constitution reflects the mixture of appropriation and appropriation-taming behavior. Third, this Comment argues that the breakdown of constitutionalism in the United States this century can be explained by a failure to fully appreciate the purposes of constitutionalism in a biological framework.
Iron deficiency in blood donors: analysis of enrollment data from the REDS-II Donor Iron Status Evaluation (RISE) study

Author(s): Cable, Ritchard G; Glynn, Simone A; Kiss, Joseph E; Mast, Alan E; Steele, Whitney R; Murphy, Edward L; Wright, David J; Sacher, Ronald A; Gottschall, Jerry L; Vij, Vibha; Simon, Toby L; NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II | Abstract: BackgroundRegular blood donors are at risk of iron deficiency, but characteristics that predispose to this condition are poorly defined.Study design and methodsA total of 2425 red blood cell donors, either first-time (FT) or reactivated donors (no donations for 2 years) or frequent donors, were recruited for follow-up. At enrollment, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin were determined. Donor variables included demographics, smoking, dietary intake, use of iron supplements, and menstrual and/or pregnancy history. Models to predict two measures of iron deficiency were developed: Absent iron stores (AIS) were indicated by a ferritin level of less than 12 ng/mL and iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE) by a log(sTfR/ferritin) value of 2.07 or greater.ResultsA total of 15.0% of donors had AIS and 41.7% IDE. In frequent donors, 16.4 and 48.7% of males had AIS and IDE, respectively, with corresponding proportions of 27.1 and 66.1% for females. Donation intensity was most closely associated with AIS and/or IDE (odds ratios from 5.3 to 52.2 for different donation intensity compared to FT donors). Being female, younger, and/or menstruating also increased the likelihood of having AIS and/or IDE, as did having a lower weight. Marginally significant variables for AIS and/or IDE were being a nonsmoker, previous pregnancy, and not taking iron supplements. Dietary variables were in general unrelated to AIS and/or IDE, as was race and/or ethnicity.ConclusionA large proportion of both female and male frequent blood donors have iron depletion. Donation intensity, sex and/or menstrual status, weight, and age are important independent predictors of AIS and/or IDE. Reducing the frequency of blood donation is likely to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency among blood donors, as might implementing routine iron supplementation.
Predicting when not to predict

File prefetching based on previous file access patterns has been shown to be an effective means of reducing file system latency by implicitly loading caches with files that are likely to be needed in the near future. Mistaken prefetching requests can be very costly in terms of added performance overheads, including increased latency and bandwidth consumption. Such costs of mispredictions are easily overlooked when considering access prediction algorithms only in terms of their accuracy; we describe a novel algorithm that uses machine learning not only to improve overall prediction accuracy, but also as a means to avoid those costly mispredictions. Our algorithm is fully adaptive to changing workloads, and is fully automated in its ability to refrain from offering predictions when they are likely to be mistaken. Our trace-based simulations show that our algorithm produces prediction accuracies of up to 98%. While this appears to be at the expense of a very slight reduction in cache hit ratios, application of this algorithm actually results in substantial reductions in unnecessary (and costly) I/O operations.
When Willie Francis Died: The ‘‘Disturbing’’ Story Behind One of the Eighth Amendment’s Most Enduring Standards of Risk

In the 2008 case, Baze v. Rees, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Kentucky’s lethal injection protocol. Four of the seven opinions looked to the 1947 Supreme Court case of Louisiana ex rel. Francis v. Resweber for Eighth Amendment Cruel and Unusual Punishments precedent in the death penalty context. Resweber upheld Louisiana’s determination to send Willie Francis - a poor, African American teenager who had survived the State’s first electrocution attempt - to the electric chair a second time. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of the Resweber case telling Francis’s personal story, the efforts of his attorneys, Bertrand de Blanc and J. Skelly Wright, to prevent his execution, and the precedential effect of Resweber, particularly in Baze. At the time Resweber was decided the Supreme Court still considered de jure segregation constitutional and held that the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause did not apply to State actions such as a second execution attempt by Louisiana. Ultimately, this Chapter argues that, in light of the passage of six decades, which heralded massive changes in criminal law and procedure, the use of Resweber as modern Eighth Amendment guidance - especially in Baze - is troubling. In addition to the legal account, this Chapter details personal reactions to Francis’s story obtained through interviews with members of Francis’s family and residents of Francis’s hometown of St. Martinville, Louisiana, as well as numerous letters that people from all over the country wrote Francis while he was waiting in jail. These letter writers discussed many topics, including their reflections on racial injustice in America and the need for religious redemption, not only for Francis but also for his judgers and this country. Yet a number of letters were deeper, more private. Francis, it seems, was not only an imprint of the social and legal times, but also a projected muse of sorts to whom individuals could confide their heartfelt thoughts and wishes - about God, death, health, hopes, family, even romance.
Perfusion of isolated adipose tissue: FFA release and blood flow in rat parametrial fat body

The sections in this article are: 1 Methods 1.1 Perfusion Apparatus 1.2 Perfusing Fluid 1.3 Tissue Perfused 1.4 Chemical Determinations 1.5 Animals 2 Results and Discussion 2.1 Effect of Fasting on Fatty Acid Release 2.2 Effect of Protein Composition of Perfusing Fluid on FFA Release, Blood Flow and Edema 2.3 Comparison of Incubation With Perfusion Studies 2.4 Flow of Injected Material Through the Perfused Adipose Tissue 2.5 Effect of Glucose and Insulin on FFA Release 2.6 Effect of Epinephrine on FFA Release and Blood Flow 2.7 Effect of Caffeine on FFA Release 2.8 Effect of Pituitary Hormones on FFA Release 2.9 Effect of Albumin Concentration on FFA Release in ACTH-Treated Adipose Tissue 2.10 Effect of ACTH on Diglyceride Content of Perfused Adipose Tissue 3 Summary
Performance analysis of packet cooperative cellular relaying networks

This paper investigates user cooperation diversity systems with selection decode-and-forward (DF) relaying over non-identical Nakagami/Nakagami channels in cellular networks. The outage probability and average packet error probability (APEP) are evaluated as a function of a co-channel reuse factor for outage-based symbol relaying, outage-based packet relaying, and cyclic redundancy code based packet relaying. The results of the paper show that outage-based packet relaying outperforms the other systems, and the end-to-end APEP performance is more susceptible to the APEP of the relay-to-destination link than that of the source-to-relay link.
Effects of Composition and Surface Finish of Silicon Nitride Tappet Inserts on Valvetrain Friction

Abstract In order to build more fuel efficient engines, new materials and lubricant formulations are being sought to reduce frictional losses. The valvetrain contributes about 6-10% of the total frictional losses in an engine. To reduce valvetrain frictional losses, polished silicon nitride tappet inserts were evaluated for their friction reduction potential. Silicon nitrides obtained from three sources were polished using three different processes: the supplier's conventional diamond polishing technique and two non-diamond polishing techniques-“Ford Finish” and chemo-mechanical polishing. The valvetrain friction torque was measured in a laboratory apparatus using a single cam lobe rotating against a direct acting mechanical bucket tappet with production engine hardware. The friction torque values obtained with surfaces prepared by all three processes differed significantly although their initial centerline average surface roughnesses were similar. All three silicon nitride surfaces prepared by “Ford Finish” showed lower friction torque than the production steel surface when an engine oil containing no friction modifier was used. With a low friction oil containing a friction reducing additive, friction torque values were significantly lower and polished silicon nitride surfaces did not offer additional friction reduction benefit relative to the production steel surface. A simple calculation showed a maximum of about 0.5 % fuel economy benefit can be gained due to polishing with the engine oil without friction modifier but very little, if any, with low friction oil. However, silicon nitride inserts may be useful for weight reduction and increased durability.
INFLUENCE OF MODERATE TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND MALIC DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY OF A MARINE PSYCHROPHILE

Morita, Richard Y. (Oregon State University, Corvallis), and Sheril D. Burton. Influence of moderate temperature on growth and malic dehydrogenase activity of a marine psychrophile. J. Bacteriol. 86: 1025–1029. 1963.—The maximal and optimal growth temperatures for a marine psychrophilic vibrio (PS 207) were determined to be 30 and 24.5 C, respectively. Malic dehydrogenase was found to be functioning in whole cells at about 1/20 of its observed maximum. Incubation of the cells, prior to or during the assay, at temperatures above the maximal growth temperature permitted the malic dehydrogenase to operate nearer its maximum, but this also inactivated the intracellular enzyme. The heating of whole cells gave an apparent effect of increasing malic dehydrogenase activity. Lysis of the cells permitted the enzyme to function at its full potential but rendered the enzyme more sensitive to heat denaturation. Lysis of the cells also caused the enzyme to lose approximately one-half of its malic dehydrogenase activity with each 10 C drop in temperature, whereas whole cells only lose approximately 1/5 of their enzyme activity at low temperatures with each 10 C drop.
A 6-41 GHz Distributed Amplifier with Supply Scaling for Efficiency Enhancement

This work explores wideband efficiency enhancement techniques for distributed amplifiers. The concept of a supply-scaled distributed amplifier (SSDA) utilizing a band-pass distributed amplifier with multiple supply voltages is discussed. A prototype amplifier is fabricated in a 0.15&#956;m GaN on a 2mil SiC process. The chip is measured and shows a significant improvement in drain efficiency and power added efficiency with supply scaling.
Dust Removal Concepts for Pressurized Fluidized Bed Systems

Improved high-temperature (1700°F, 925°C) dust removal concepts are being developed for pressurized fluidized bed combined cycle power generation. Recent results on cyclones, electrocyclones, an acoustic agglomerator, a ceramic bag filter, and an electrostatic granular bed filter are reviewed. The development status of each device is described, and the relative merits of each concept are discussed. System designs for employing each of the dust removal concepts in a 650 MWe PFB reference plant are presented in order to illustrate the application of the devices, and approximate economic comparisons are made for this application.Copyright © 1982 by ASME
Developmental genetics of floral symmetry evolution

The relative importance of convergence and parallelism in the independent evolution of similar traits remains an important question in evolutionary biology. Floral zygomorphy has evolved multiple times independently in different plant lineages through alterations in size, shape and/or number of spatially defined organs. In Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) floral zygomorphy is controlled by CYCLOIDEA and DICHOTOMA, two recently duplicated TCP transcription factors that determine dorsal identity through their interaction with MYB and cell-cycle genes. Early on it was speculated that independent evolutionary transitions from floral actinomorphy to zygomorphy would probably result from unique developmental genetic mechanisms. Here, we review recent evidence supporting the parallel recruitment of CYCLOIDEA homologs in independent evolutionary transitions to zygomorphy in distantly related core eudicot lineages.
Diverticular hemorrhage in the elderly—Is it well tolerated?

PURPOSE: Elderly patients frequently develop lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to diverticulosis. This select group of patients potentially tolerates blood loss poorly, often have coexisting cardiovascular morbidity, and may not tolerate surgical intervention. Thus, optimal management of elderly patients with diverticular hemorrhage remains difficult. METHODS: All patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of diverticulosis at the St. Louis University affiliated hospitals during the past 60 months were identified. Those with diverticular bleeding were extracted. Patients were reviewed as to age, sex, diagnosis of diverticular bleeding, number of bleeding episodes, lowest hemoglobin before transfusion, amount of blood received, treatment, operations, the presence of recurrent bleeding, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen consecutive patients, age 70 years admitted with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to diverticulosis who required transfusion, were identified. Mean age was 79 years; 26 of 115 (23 percent) were more than 80 years of age; 78 of 115 (54 percent) were males; 39 of 115 (34 percent) had more than one previous admission for diverticular hemorrhage. The mean serum hemoglobin was 8.9 g/dl. All patients underwent colonoscopy; 34 of 115 (29 percent) underwent99Tc scanning, of which 18 of 34 (54 percent) underwent arteriogram. Seven of 18 (39 percent) demonstrated extravasation secondary to bleeding diverticulosis. The mean transfusion requirement was 2.8 (range, 1–17) units; 21 of 115 (18 percent) required intestinal resection; 2 of 21 (9 percent) experienced a 30-day mortality. Among those, 94 of 115 were treated without surgery, and 3 of 94 (4 percent) died. Mortality was independent of initial hemoglobin (P=0.21), previous diverticular hemorrhage (P=0.44), amount of blood transfused (P=0.36), and type of treatment (0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Most diverticular bleeding in the elderly is well tolerated using nonoperative management. Success and safety of treatment does not seem to depend on a history of previous diverticular bleeding, initial hemoglobin, or amount of blood transfused. The majority of patients are treated nonoperatively. Surgical intervention seems to be well tolerated.
Grain yield, early growth, and nutrient uptake of no-till soybean as affected by phosphorus and potassium placement.

More information is needed about P and K placement for no-till soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. This study evaluated plant responses to P and K fertilization and placement in 10 long-term trials and 11 short-term trials in Iowa from 1994 to 1997. Treatments were various P and K rates broadcast, banded with the planter, and deep banded (at a 15 to 20-cm depth). Measurements were plant weight, P uptake, and K uptake at the V5 stage and grain yield. Phosphorus fertilization increased yield when soil-test P (STP) was less than 9 mg P kg -1 (Bray-P,) at a 0- to 15-cm depth or 12 mg P kg -1 at a 0- to 7.5-cm depth. The P placement did not influence yield. The band K placements produced slightly higher yield than the broadcast placement. Responses to K were not related to soil-test K (STK) levels, which varied from 90 to 262 mg K kg -1 (ammonium acetate), or stratification. The P or K placement had little influence on early growth but influenced early P and K uptake. Banding with the planter was more effective than broadcasting for P uptake, and the two hand placements were more effective for K uptake. Only the responses of K uptake and grain yield to banded K were correlated across sites. A shallow sampling depth will improve only slightly the prediction of response to P. The observed small no-till soybean yield response to banded K would seldom offset increased application costs in similar soils.
Reformulando a identidade inglesa na América britânica colonial: adaptação cultural e experiência provincial na construção de identidades corporativas

A partir do exemplo da experiencia das colonias britânicas na America, o presente texto explora o processo, ocorrido no inicio da era moderna, de transformacao de partes do territorio indigena americano em uma America europeia. Enfatiza a atuacao dos povoadores e a centralidade da lei e instituicoes nesse processo. Refazendo os caminhos que levaram a "identidade inglesa" a ser reformulada nas Americas, permitindo aos povoadores criar varias e distintas provincias que, a despeito de suas diferencas em relacao a metropole, eram claramente inglesas, o autor discute que tal fenomeno pode ser melhor estudado a partir da analise da emergencia de identidades corporativas. O texto se baseia na extensa experiencia do autor na construcao da identidade na Virginia, Barbados, Jamaica e Carolina do Sul, as colonias britânicas mais valiosas.
War and the Secondary Sex Ratio: Are They Related?

Cette etude a pour objet de verifier les conclusions des rapports sur l'augmentation de la proportion des naissances d'individus de sexe masculin en temps de guerre. Les auteurs ont analyse la proportion de naissances par sexe sur 12.000 naissances - 9000 aux Etats Unis, les autres principalement au Canada - entre 1940 et 1980. Les resultats confirment qu'en temps de guerre par opposition aux temps de paix relative, on enregistre, aux Etats Unis comme ailleurs, une proportion tres sensiblement plus elevee de naissances d'individus de sexe masculin.
Correlation of types of cortical grain structure with architectural features of the human skull

Seven grain-form relationships, as indicated by the split-line patterns, are recognized in the cortical bone of the adult human skull: (1) random pattern of braincase, (2) planes and (3) ridges with elongated grain, (4) troughs with transverse grain, (5) concavities with circular grain, (6) edges, and (7) spines. Concavities may show superimposed trough or ridge structure, and troughs may be marked by localized ridges and planes. That is, trough patterns are dominant over concavity patterns, and ridge patterns are dominant over both trough and concavity patterns. Finally, there are a few small cranial areas that are random distributions in some skulls and planes in others; the skull vault proper, however, except for the forehead region and internal sagittal markings, has a random pattern throughout. The mechanical significance of the various patterns and the areas on which they are found are discussed and explained on the basis of principles of mechanics and architecture. The form-texture relationships are discussed as architectural features of the skull, and their adequacy and limitations are analyzed in terms of their reaction to force systems and their proneness to fracture.