cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technical feasibility of endoscopic gastric reduction: a pilot study in a porcine model.

Background Gastric restrictive procedures are widely used for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Objective Our purpose was to determine the technical feasibility of endoscopic gastric reduction in a live porcine model. Setting Acute experiments on 50-kg pigs under general anesthesia. Design and Interventions After per-oral intubation, the endoscope was inserted into the stomach. A fishing line was sutured to the gastric wall along the fundus approximately 5 cm below the gastroesophageal junction with a prototype endoscopic suturing device (Olympus, Eagle Claw). Then the fishing line was tied to create a small proximal pouch. A flexible sheath was placed on one side of fishing line and additional knots were tied, forming a ring at the outlet of the gastric pouch. The ring was anchored to gastric wall with additional stitches, completing the gastric reduction. Then the animals were killed for postmortem examination. Main Outcome Measurements The feasibility of endoscopic gastric reduction. Results We performed 4 acute experiments. It required 12 to 14 stitches in each animal to create gastric reduction. There were no technical problems during the procedures. Postmortem examination demonstrated an approximately 30-mL gastric pouch separated from the rest of the stomach by the line of stitches. There were no complications during the procedure. Limitations We have not performed survival experiments to determine how long our gastric reduction will last. Conclusions Endoscopic gastric reduction is technically feasible on a live porcine model.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACTUAL AND COGNITIVE STATE SIZES

Relative size is a spatial concept that can increase our understanding of environmental cognition. Data from questionnaires tested several hypotheses about size distortion of states. Subjects distorted sizes logarithmically except in a zone of indiscrimination that included eight states. Male subjects were more accurate than female subjects in the estimation of actual state sizes; however, a sex-linked territoriality was not identified.
TH-A-105-01: A Report On Flattening Filter Free C-Arm Linear Accelerators From the Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group

Flattening filter free beams are either available or are under development on most commercial c‐arm linear accelerators. These beams have many similarities to traditional flattened beams, but have unique characteristics such as much higher dose rates, different profile shapes, and different beam spectra. Consequently, some differences exist in implementation of these beams as compared to traditional flattened beams. Differences exist in the specifics of these beams' interactions with measurement devices and biological systems. These differences, and related recommendations, are in a Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group document under review by the AAPM. This session is based on that report, and will provide an overview of flattening filter free beams. This will include a technological review, as well as acceptance testing, commissioning, calibration, and periodic quality assurance for these beams. Radiation safety issues (both for patients and personnel) will be addressed, as will radiobiological considerations. Finally, clinical applications and limitations of flattening filter free beams will be highlighted. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand unique modifications to acceptance testing, commissioning, and calibration for FFF beams. 2. Understand unique modifications to periodic QA, as well as patient and personnel safety, appropriate for FFF beams. 3. Understand radiobiological considerations of FFF beams. 4. Understand the clinical applications (strengths and weaknesses) of FFF beams.
Latin American Women and the Search for Social Justice

Latin American Women and the Search for Social Justice. Francesca Miller. Hanover: University Press of New England, 1991. xv + 324 pp., notes, bibliographies, index. $19.95 (paper). ISBN 0–87451–558–0
Delta-Rho, A perturbation method for general and astrodynamical trajectories

The Delta-Rho perturbation technique is developed in a form applicable to both general dynamical and astrodynamical trajectories. It is subsequently verified for a specific astrodynamic example. It can be described as an extension of Encke's perturbation method. Like Encke it uses analytically determined trajectories, but unlike Encke it requires the definition and storage of a reference trajectory. If the reference trajectory includes all of the important perturbing forces to be considered, the integration of the state equations for the dispersed trajectories can yield satisfactory results when implemented using a highly simplified perturbation-force model. The Delta-Rho method is particularly useful when considering trajectories in the neighborhood of a reference ("nominal") trajectory and has potential application to Monte Carlo studies of spacecraft missions, development of real-time guidance laws, and real-time generation of satellite ephemerides in small, vehicle-borne computers, to name a few.
Differential Branch Pulmonary Artery Regurgitant Fraction Is a Function of Differential Pulmonary Arterial Anatomy and Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

Objectives We sought to investigate whether differential branch pulmonary artery (BPA) regurgitation correlates with differences in BPA anatomy and physiology. Background Patients with repaired conotruncal anomalies such as Tetralogy of Fallot frequently have residual BPA stenosis or BPA size differences. Previous reports have demonstrated an increased left pulmonary artery (LPA) regurgitant fraction (RF) in these patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 76 consecutive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies for BPA size and phase-contrast magnetic resonance data, including 13 consecutive patients who underwent both CMR and catheterization. Results Thirty of the 76 patients had either BPA stenosis or significant size discrepancy. Whereas previous studies had shown an increased RF in the LPA, patients with BPA stenosis or size discrepancy showed no significant difference between right and left BPA RF (30% vs. 30%, p = 0.985). However, there was a significantly increased RF of the larger versus smaller BPA (39% vs. 21%, p Conclusions BPA RF is a function of the relative PVR and the presence of BPA stenosis or size discrepancy. Contrary to prior reports, the LPA RF is only elevated in patients with relatively equal sized BPAs. In the setting of BPA stenosis or size discrepancy the larger BPA has a relatively increased RF and PVR. Therefore, the differential RF is an important tool for screening patients with unilateral stenosis for contralateral increases in PVR that cannot be identified with net flows alone. This can affect the indication and timing for BPA intervention.
MIMO BICM-OFDM Beamforming with Full and Partial CSIT

In this paper we analyze single beamforming in combination with bit interleaved coded modulation (BICM) and OFDM. We show that BICM-beamforming-OFDM (BBO) achieves full diversity in space and frequency independent of the power delay profile of the channel. Since only one stream of data is transmitted over all transmit antennas, a simple interleaver is shown to be sufficient to achieve full space and frequency diversity. Simulation results show that beamforming-based systems introduce substantial coding gain, even with partial channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT), when compared to other systems based on space time block codes (STBC) with the same full diversity order.
Nitrate Concentrations in the Root Zone Estimated Using Time Domain Reflectometry

Improved ability to monitor soil water and ionic chemical distributions in field soils will contribute to better land management opportunities. We evaluated the potential to use time domain reflectometry (TDR) to simultaneously estimate volumetric soil water content (θ), soil solution electrical conductivity (σ w ), and soil nitrate concentrations in an irrigated peppermint (Mintha piperita L.) field using simple models and calibration methods. Two models and three calibration approaches for estimating σ w from TDR were compared to σ w obtained from soil cores and soil solution samplers at three depths, and over a wide range in applied KNO 3 . The applied N rates were well within those commonly used in peppermint production. Soil nitrate concentrations were estimated based on TDR σ w predictions and a simple linear calibration of σ w vs. nitrate concentration and then compared to independent soil core measurements. Estimates of σ w and nitrate concentrations using TDR exhibited similar pattern, magnitude, and variance to those based on direct soil measurements. The Mualem and Friedman (1991) model (MF), which is based on soil water retention measurements, provided σ w and nitrate estimates in better agreement with soil cores than did the Rhoades et al. (1976) model, Our results suggest that simple physical-conceptual models combined with laboratory or field parameter estimation methods may be suitable for automated real-time field monitoring.
Subarachnoid-pleural fistula after resection of a pancoast tumor with hyponatremia

Resection of superior sulcus neoplasms is associated with a number of complications resulting from the extensive nature of the resection and the necessity to sacrifice certain adjacent structures. One of the complications of resection is the development of subarachnoid-pleural fistula, with the subsequent appearance of air in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. We report a case in which a subarachnoid-pleural fistula led to persistent pneumocephaly in a patient who exhibited postoperative hyponatremia, confusion, and gait disturbance.
Microevolutionary changes and chromosomal translocations are more frequent at RPS loci in Candida dubliniensis than in Candida albicans

The Cd1 fingerprinting probe of Candida dubliniensis, which is extremely effective in identifying microevolutionary changes in infecting populations, generates hybridization patterns that are similar to those generated by the Candida albicans fingerprinting probe Ca3. Since Ca3 recognizes microevolutionary changes through the repeat sequence RPS, it was suggested that Cd1 also contains a RPS-like element. To test this possibility, the C. albicans RPS unit was used as a probe, and an RPS-like element, RPSd1, was cloned from C. dubliniensis. The sequence of RPSd1 was 76% homologous to that of the C. albicans RPS unit RPS620 and the organization, including the non-RPS 3' and 5' bordering sequences, was highly similar. This analysis revealed additional copies of the repeat extraalt element and short additional repeat (SAR) sequences in both RPSd1 and RPS620 not previously identified in the latter. This analysis has allowed us to develop a model of RPSd1 organization and to revise the model for RPS620 organization. An estimate of the average frequency of reorganization (duplication and deletion) per RPS unit in C. dubliniensis was similar to that for C. albicans, but the estimate of frequency of reorganization per C. dubliniensis genome was higher, most probably as a result of the higher estimated average number of RPS clusters in C. dubliniensis. These results demonstrate that the microevolutionary changes identified by the Cd1 fingerprinting probe are based on the reorganization of RPS-like elements and are, therefore, similar to the microevolutionary changes identified by the Ca3 probe of C. albicans. Linkage analysis of pairs of markers situated on either side of an RPS cluster on chromosome 7 further revealed frequent recombination between non-homologous chromosomes at the RPS cluster in C. dubliniensis strains, but not in C. albicans strains, suggesting that RPS clusters may function as recombination hot spots in C. dubliniensis.
Discovering Transcription Factor Binding Sites in Highly Repetitive Regions of Genomes with Multi-Read Analysis of ChIP-Seq Data

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) is rapidly replacing chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with genome-wide tiling array analysis (ChIP-chip) as the preferred approach for mapping transcription-factor binding sites and chromatin modifications. The state of the art for analyzing ChIP-seq data relies on using only reads that map uniquely to a relevant reference genome (uni-reads). This can lead to the omission of up to 30% of alignable reads. We describe a general approach for utilizing reads that map to multiple locations on the reference genome (multi-reads). Our approach is based on allocating multi-reads as fractional counts using a weighted alignment scheme. Using human STAT1 and mouse GATA1 ChIP-seq datasets, we illustrate that incorporation of multi-reads significantly increases sequencing depths, leads to detection of novel peaks that are not otherwise identifiable with uni-reads, and improves detection of peaks in mappable regions. We investigate various genome-wide characteristics of peaks detected only by utilization of multi-reads via computational experiments. Overall, peaks from multi-read analysis have similar characteristics to peaks that are identified by uni-reads except that the majority of them reside in segmental duplications. We further validate a number of GATA1 multi-read only peaks by independent quantitative real-time ChIP analysis and identify novel target genes of GATA1. These computational and experimental results establish that multi-reads can be of critical importance for studying transcription factor binding in highly repetitive regions of genomes with ChIP-seq experiments.
Impact of Programming Language Fragmentation on Developer Productivity: A Sourceforge Empirical Study

Programmers often develop software in multiple languages. In an effort to study the effects of programming language fragmentation on productivity-and ultimately on a developer's problem-solving abilities-the authors present a metric, language entropy, for characterizing the distribution of a developer's programming efforts across multiple programming languages. This paper presents an observational study examining the project contributions of a random sample of 500 SourceForge developers. Using a random coefficients model, the authors find a statistically alpha level of 0.001 and practically significant correlation between language entropy and the size of monthly project contributions. Results indicate that programming language fragmentation is negatively related to the total amount of code contributed by developers within SourceForge, an open source software OSS community.
Testing effects for common versus proper names

The present study examines the testing effect as a function of item meaningfulness. In Experiments 1 and 2 participants studied lists of words that could serve as proper names or occupations (e.g., Mr Baker or baker), with the items given in a name context for one group and an occupation context for a second group. During an intervening phase participants restudied some items and were given a cued recall test (Experiment 1) or a free recall test (Experiment 2) on other items. On a final free recall test memory was better for tested items than studied items in both the name and occupation contexts. Experiment 3 followed the same procedure as Experiment 1, except that participants studied lists of proper names that do not have alternative uses in the English language (e.g., Mr Anderson) or studied concrete nouns (e.g., letter). Tested items were better remembered on a final test than studied items, and there was no interaction with type of study material. These results show that the testing effect extends to proper names, material that is commonly assumed to differ from common names on several dimensions.
Molecular Targets of Gene Therapy

Ischemic reperfused heart represents a potential target for gene therapy because gene transfer can represent an alternate pharmacological approach to protect the heart from cellular injury. Gene therapy may be particularly useful to deal with previously unapproachable problems. For myocardial preservation, gene therapy could replace those pharmacological interventions when drugs are delivered locally by sustained release with the help of mechanical device, eg, implants. In this review, attempts are made to define the molecular targets for gene therapy primarily applicable to myocardial preservation associated with ischemia and reperfusion. It has been emphasized that for successful gene transfer, not only characterization of proper targets and elimination of undesirable side effects are necessary, but also the therapy must be proven superior compared to other pharmacological interventions including surgery.
Gender Related Differences in Electrocardiographic Parameters and Their Association with Cardiac Events in Patients After Myocardial Infarction

There are limited data regarding gender-related differences in electrocardiographic (ECG) presentation in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) and the prognostic value of ECG variables in women. A series of ECG parameters were analyzed in 838 patients (216 women, 622 men) using standard electrocardiography performed 5 to 7 days after first MI, and their associations with gender and risk for cardiac events, defined as cardiac death, nonfatal MI, or unstable angina, were evaluated. Heart rate was faster and QTc duration was longer, whereas QRS duration was shorter in women compared with men. Women had more lateral ST depressions and more T-wave inversions in the anterior and lateral regions. During mean 2-year follow-up, there were 138 events in men and 65 in women; women had a 38% greater risk for recurrent events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, p = 0.031). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, ST-segment elevation in leads V 1 to V 4 on the fifth to seventh day after MI was associated with increased risk for recurrent events in women (adjusted HR 2.16, p = 0.003) but not in men (adjusted HR = 0.81, p = 0.32). ST depressions in leads V 5 , V 6 , I, or aVL (adjusted HR 1.70, p = 0.006) in men but not in women (adjusted HR 0.98, p = 0.93) were identified as a risk factor for recurrent events. In conclusion, there are gender-related differences in ECG presentation and the prognostic significance of ECG findings after MI. ST-segment elevation in anterior leads is a significant predictor of events in women, whereas ST depression in lateral leads is a significant predictor in men.
Recovery from ozone-induced injury in the lungs of the Syrian golden hamster

Abstract In order to examine the morphological and cytokinetic changes in the hamster pulmonary epithelium after a high dose of ozone, Syrian golden hamsters were exposed to 15 ppm of ozone for 6 hr and killed 2 hr to 96 days later. Two hours before death, each animal was injected intraperitoneally with tritiated thymidine. Autoradiographs were prepared from 1-μm glycol methacrylate sections of lung tissue. Ozone produced immediate epithelial desquamation in all airways, leaving a single layer of either squamous cells or nonciliated cells which began to proliferate within 1 day of the exposure. The overall morphology of the airway epithelium returned to normal within 7 days. Damage in the alveolar region was localized to alveoli near the terminal bronchioles and consisted of desquamation of Type I epithelial cells and endothelial cells and the presence of inflammation. Hyperplastic regions of cuboidal, squamous, and ciliated cells formed at the bronchiolar-alveolar junction within 2 days of exposure. The greatest increase in proliferation was seen in airway epithelial cells which reached a maximal labeling index of 50%. We conclude that the hamster pulmonary epithelium has a great proliferative capacity to repair damage due to a high concentration of ozone. Foci of hyperplasia in both airway and alveolar epithelium appear during this repair process.
Reactivity to Epidermal Langerhans Cells to a Histochemical Method for Demonstration of β-Glucuronidase

Sheets or sections of mouse epidermis reacted by a histochemical method for the enzyme β -glucuronidase display a subpopulation of dendritic cells which correspond in number and spacing to Langerhans cells demonstrated by reactivity for ATPase or Ia antigens. A similar staining pattern is seen in rat, rabbit, and guinea pig epidermis. In rhesus monkey and human skin, Langerhans cells appear to be reactive for β -glucuronidase but, as keratinocytes are also reactive, Langerhans cells are not readily identifiable by this method. The thermal stability of β -glucuronidase differs between strains of mice. Langerhans cells of Balb/C and C3H strains can thus be distinguished by appropriate pretreatment before incubation, a method of potential value for experimental investigations of the origin of Langerhans cells.
Infant Feeding Styles of West Indian Women

An ethnographic field study design was used to explore infant feeding among 20 West Indian women on the island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Two styles of infant feeding emerged from the data, "older style" and "contemporary style." Three patterns of combined breast and bottle feeding were identified: day/night, supplemental, and random. Older style mothers followed a day/night pattern, whereas contemporary style mothers used a supplemental pattern. A folk explanatory model of infant feeding was constructed and included why infants were fed in certain ways, as well as the meaning of feeding practices. The health care system had an impact on both styles of infant feeding through hospital practices and provision of formula through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
Incentives vs outreach workers for latent tuberculosis treatment in drug users

Abstract Background: Drug users are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and also at increased risk for noncompletion of medication regimens for treatment of LTBI or tuberculosis disease. Directly observed therapy (DOT) provided by outreach workers, the use of incentives, or both have been suggested as a means to increase adherence. Objective: To compare the independent and combined effects of monetary incentives and outreach worker provision of DOT for LTBI treatment in a sample of active drug users. Methods: The research design was a randomized controlled trial in a community outreach program setting. Participants consisted of a volunteer sample of 163 active injection drug and crack cocaine users placed on twice weekly DOT. Condition 1 of the interventions consisted of provision of DOT by an outreach worker at a location chosen by the participant (active outreach) and a $5 per visit incentive. Condition 2 was comprised of active outreach with no monetary incentive, and Condition 3, provision of DOT at the study community site and a $5 per visit incentive. The main outcome measures were percentage of medication taken as prescribed and completion of medication regimen. Results: The percentage of prescribed medication taken was higher for those who received incentives, either with (71%) or without (68%) active outreach, compared to those who received active outreach alone (13%). Only 4% of participants assigned to Condition 2 completed treatment, compared to 53% of Condition 1 participants, and 60% of Condition 3 participants. Conclusions: Monetary incentives were clearly superior to active outreach. Active outreach in combination with monetary incentives did not increase adherence over incentives alone.
Heat capacity by sawtooth-modulated, standard heat-flux differential scanning calorimeter with close control of the heater temperature

Abstract Heat capacities are determined for the different frequencies generated as higher harmonics of the Fourier-transform of the heat-flow rate and sample temperature with quasi-isothermal, temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). A complex sawtooth modulation was created using a TMDSC of the heat-flux type, controlled close to the heater. The complex sawtooth is designed to yield four harmonics of similar amplitudes. This new modulation method permits the determination of heat capacity with assurance of identical thermal history and sample geometry, which are important for the study of non-equilibrium processes as they exist, for example, in the glass transition region. Using a proper calibration by plotting the frequency dependence of the calorimeter response, heat capacities are determined approaching a 0.1% standard deviation for polymers. Best results were found for modulation with a complex sawtooth of 14 segments with a maximum amplitude of 1.0 K, a period of 420 s for 9–30 mg of polymer sample, and a sampling interval of one point per second.
Membrane Ruffling Requires Coordination between Type Iα Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinase and Rac Signaling

Membrane ruffle formation requires remodeling of cortical actin filaments, a process dependent upon the small G-protein Rac. Growth factors stimulate actin remodeling and membrane ruffling by integration of signaling pathways that regulate actin-binding proteins. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) regulates the activity of many actin-binding proteins and is produced by the type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKIs). Here we show in MG-63 cells that only the PIPKIα isoform is localized to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced membrane ruffles. Further, expression of kinase dead PIPKIα, which acts as a dominant negative mutant, blocked membrane ruffling, suggesting that PIPKIα and PIP2 participate in ruffling. To explore this, PIPKIα was overexpressed in serum-starved cells and stimulated with PDGF. In serum-starved cells, PIPKIα expression did not stimulate actin remodeling, but when these cells were stimulated with PDGF, actin rapidly reorganized into foci but not membrane ruffles. PIPKIα-mediated formation of actin foci was independent of both Rac1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activities. Significantly, coexpression of dominant active Rac1 with PIPKIα in PDGF-stimulated cells resulted in membrane ruffling. The PDGF- and Rac1-stimulated ruffling was inhibited by expression of kinase-dead PIPKIα. Combined, these data support a model where the localized production of PIP2 by PIPKIα is necessary for actin remodeling, whereas formation of membrane ruffles required Rac signaling.
Periodic solutions for systems of second order differential equations

Abstract We consider vector differential equtions x ″ + g ( t , x , x ′) = f ( t ), x ϵ R n , and show the existence of periodic solutions under conditions which show that growth conditions on g required in earlier results are not needed.
Ketmanship in Opole: Jerzy Grotowski and the Price of Artistic Freedom

Jerzy Grotowski-a member of the Communist Party in Poland-gamed the system in order to protect his theatre and gain for it a unique place of relative liberty. This, of course, did not win Grotowski friends among the emerging anti-Communist movement inside Poland.
Analysis of chemical and morphological variation in the Ramalina siliquosa species complex

In an attempt to clarify the taxonomy of the polymorphic maritime lichens of theRamalina siliquosa group in Europe, variation was analyzed in visible and chemical characteristics of 1042 specimens from four localities (one station each in Scotland, Wales, England, and Brittany). The plants belong to six major chemical types representing a replacement series of closely related medullary depsidones. There is a broad correlation of chemical and visible traits. The narrower-lobed often basally blackened individuals (corresponding approximately to the usual concept of “R. curnowii”) produce no medullary constituents nor norstictic or stictic acids. The broader-lobed unblackened ones (corresponding approximately to the usual concept of “R. siliquosa”) produce stictic, salazinic, protocetraric, or hypoprotocetraric acids. The proportion of each chemical type in the four populations studied varies markedly. The southern (English and French) populations together contain all six chemical variants in roughly similar proportions. However, to the north, in Wales and Scotland, the populations become simpler as some chemical races drop out and salazinic acid-producing plants predominate. These findings correlate well with the general geographic distribution of the chemical variants from a study of 117 herbarium specimens. The chemically distinct plants have different amplitudes of ecologic tolerance which appear to regulate niche selection in theRamalina zone, the conspicuous vegetational belt which these lichens form above the intertidal zone on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe. The complex is interpreted as a set of six species differing to an extent by visible traits but primarily by chemical, geographical, and ecological ones. Three of the species are new:Ramalina atlantica Culb.,R. stenoclada Culb., andR. druidarum Culb. A hypothetical scheme is suggested to explain the evolutionary origin of the species recognized.
Balloon-Borne Measurements Of Infrared (IR) Backgrounds

High altitude infrared background data in the middle infrared were obtained during a series of balloon flights made several years ago. One aspect of these measurements that was difficult to explain physically was the large short-term fluctuations in the background radiation observed occasionally in Alaska. During a series of balloon flights made in 1978, data were obtained which appears to explain the observed fluctuations.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Serum angiotensin converting enzyme in pulmonary disease

Synthetic acylated tripeptides, which may or may not be radiolabelled, are generally used as substrates for measuring serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) activity. The capillary endothelial cells are the major source of SACE in normals and certain diseased states, however Gaucher’s cells in Gaucher’s disease and epithelioid cells in granulomatous disorders, including sarcoidosis, are the major source of enzyme in these disorders. SACE is generally elevated in active sarcoidosis and is normal when the disease is dormant or resolved. Sequential measurement of SACE are helpful in monitoring activity of sarcoidosis, both off and on corticosteroids. SACE may also be elevated in certain non-granulomatous pulmonary and systemic diseases.
Risk allocation strategies for distributed chance-constrained task allocation

This paper addresses the issue of allocating risk amongst agents in distributed chance-constrained planning algorithms. Building on previous research that extended chance-constrained planning to stochastic multi-agent multi-task missions, this paper presents a framework for risk allocation and proposes several strategies for distributing risk in homogeneous and heterogeneous teams. In particular, the contributions of this work include: proposing risk allocation strategies that exploit domain knowledge of agent score distributions to improve team performance, providing insights about what stochastic parameters affect the allocations and the overall mission score/performance, and providing results showing improved performance over previously published heuristic techniques in environments with given allowable risk thresholds.
Transmission Expansion Planning Using Contingency Criteria

This paper proposes a methodology for choosing the best transmission expansion plan considering various types of security (operating reliability) criteria. The proposed method minimizes the total cost that includes the investment cost of transmission as well as the operating cost and standby cost of generators. The purpose of the study is development of new methodology for solving transmission system expansion planning problem subject to contingency criteria which are essentially extensions of the (N-1) contingency criterion. The transmission expansion problem uses an integer programming framework, and the optimal strategy is determined using a branch and bound method that utilizes a network flow approach and the maximum flow-minimum cut set theorem. The characteristics of the proposed method are illustrated by applying it to a five-bus system and a 21-bus system. The results of these case studies demonstrate that the proposed method provides a practical way to find an optimal plan for power system expansion planning.
Acetylation of MnSOD directs enzymatic activity responding to cellular nutrient status or oxidative stress

A fundamental observation in biology is that mitochondrial function, as measured by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes significantly with age, suggesting a potential mechanistic link between the cellular processes governing longevity and mitochondrial metabolism homeostasis. In addition, it is well established that altered ROS levels are observed in multiple age-related illnesses including carcinogenesis, neurodegenerative, fatty liver, insulin resistance, and cardiac disease, to name just a few. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is the primary mitochondrial ROS scavenging enzyme that converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, which is subsequently converted to water by catalase and other peroxidases. It has recently been shown that MnSOD enzymatic activity is regulated by the reversible acetylation of specific, evolutionarily conserved lysine(s) in the protein. These results, suggest for the first time, that the mitochondria contain bidirectional post-translational signaling networks, similar to that observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and that changes in lysine acetylation alter MnSOD enzymatic activity. In addition, these new results demonstrate that the mitochondrial anti-aging or fidelity / sensing protein, SIRT3, responds to changes in mitochondrial nutrient and/or redox status to alter the enzymatic activity of specific downstream targets, including MnSOD that adjusts and/or maintains ROS levels as well as metabolic homeostatic poise.
Medical imaging — An illustrated overview

The rapid and continuing progress in computerized medical image reconstruction and the associated developments in analysis methods and computer-aided diagnosis have propelled medical imaging into one of the most important sub-fields in scientific imaging. As well as producing anatomical images, images of physiological function provide fresh diagnostic possibilities. After a brief overview of the imaging modalities and an indication of the breadth of current research, a few case studies including bone quality (in osteoporosis), cartilage degradation (in osteoarthritis), retinal tortuosity and spinal curvature (in scoliosis) will be presented. Some of the challenges and ongoing developments will be outlined.
A Spin Torque Perpendicular MRAM Design Scalable beyond 50 Gbits/in^2 Density

In this paper, the MRAM design utilizes material intrinsic perpendicular anisotropy is analyzed via micromagnetic simulation with inclusion of spin momentum transfer effects.
Genome plasticity in Acinetobacter: new degradative capabilities acquired by the spontaneous amplification of large chromosomal segments.

Summary In Acinetobacter sp. ADP1, growth on benzoate requires regulation of the cat genes by two transcriptional activators. Here, mutants were obtained from a strain lacking both activators by selecting for growth on benzoate medium. The mutants, which arose within 3 weeks at a frequency of approximately 10 - 8 , carried amplified chromosomal regions (amplicons) encompassing the cat genes. Multiple occurrences of low-level expression of catA and the catBCIJFD operon provided sufficient transcription for growth. The amplicons of four independently isolated mutants varied in size from approximately 30‐100 kbp of the normally 3.8 Mbp chromosome. Mutants had approximately 10‐20 copies of an amplicon in adjacent headto-tail orientations. At the amplicon’s chromosomal endpoint, an atypical junction juxtaposed normally distant DNA regions from opposite sides of the cat genes. The sequences of these junctions revealed the precise recombination sites underlying amplification. Additionally, amplicon stability was evaluated in the absence of selective pressure. The natural competence of Acinetobacter for transformation by linear DNA has allowed the development of a powerful new model system for investigating chromosomal rearrangements and for engineering DNA amplifications for wide-ranging applications. The frequent spontaneous amplification of these large chromosomal segments demonstrated the importance of supraoperonic gene clustering in the evolution of catabolic pathways.
Effect of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists on TLR and microbicide expression in uterine and vaginal tissues of the mouse.

Problem Epithelial cells lining the uterine lumen are the first line of defense against pathogenic microbes. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), defensins and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in the mouse uterus and vagina and in primary uterine epithelial cells and to determine whether TLR agonists induce TLR and defensin expression. Method of study The mRNA expression of α- and β-defensins (AD1, 2 and 5 and BD1, 2 and 4) and SLPI was examined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) along with the secretion of macrophage chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Expression of TLR1–9 as well as β-defensins 1, 2 and 4 and SLPI by uterine and vaginal tissues was demonstrated by RT-PCR. β-Defensins and SLPI expression was greater in the vagina than in the uterus. Comparison of fresh and polarized uterine epithelial cells indicated that TLR2–6 expression was unaffected by culture. Incubation of polarized epithelial cells with TLR agonists [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3Cys, Poly (I:C) or PGN] induced TLR5 and TLR9 expression but had no effect on TLR4, defensins or SLPI. Furthermore, exposure to LPS, Pam3Cys, Poly (I:C) or PGN, induced MCP-1 secretion by polarized epithelial cells in culture. Conclusion These results indicate that the uterus and vagina as well as uterine epithelial cells are responsive to bacterial and viral pathogens. Not only do epithelial cells respond to TLR agonists by releasing MCP-1, which mediates inflammatory responses, but they also influence the expression of selected TLR genes to further enhance innate immune protection.
Sticky Policies: An Approach for Managing Privacy across Multiple Parties

Machine-readable policies can stick to data to define allowed usage and obligations as it travels across multiple parties, enabling users to improve control over their personal information. The EnCoRe project has developed such a technical solution for privacy management that is suitable for use in a broad range of domains.
Contesting Castro: The United States and the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution

This history text provides a fresh interpretation, based on extensive research in original sources, of Cuban-American relations in the 1950s, which climaxed in the 1959 triumph of Fidel Castro and the establishment of the Cuban Revolution. It catalogues the failures of US government policies, and describes how these failures paved the way for Castro's success.
Effect of web formation on properties of hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two popular web-forming technologies, viz., the Rando air-laid technology and the traditional carding and cross-laying technology, on properties of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics made therewith. A mill-like fiber processing study was conducted in a commercial-grade pilot plant using a variety of short staple fibers and their blends. The fibers used in the study were greige cotton, bleached cotton, cotton derivatives, and cut-staple polyester. The hydroentangled fabrics produced with the two systems were mainly evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties, absorbency, absorbency capacity, and whiteness. The study has shown that, with the exception of greige cotton linters, the greige cotton lint, greige cotton gin motes, and even greige cotton comber noils, either alone or in blend with the other fibers mentioned, can be mechanically processed into hydroentangled nonwoven fabric structures without any insurmountable difficulties. The drop...
Information-based mid-upper tropospheric methane derived from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and its validation

Abstract. Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) measurements of methane (CH4) generally contain about 1.0 degree of freedom and are therefore dependent on a priori assumptions about the vertical methane distribution as well as the temperature lapse rate and the amount of moisture. Thus it requires that interpretation and/or analysis of the CH4 spatial and temporal variation based on the AIRS retrievals need to use the averaging kernels (AK). To simplify the use of satellite retrieved products for scientific analysis, a method based on the information content of the retrievals is developed, in which the AIRS retrieved CH4 in the layer from 50 to 250 hPa below the tropopause is used to characterize the mid-upper tropospheric CH4 in the mid-high latitude regions. The basis of this method is that in the mid-high latitude regions the maximum sensitive layers of AIRS to CH4 have a good correlation with the tropopause heights, and these layers are usually between 50 and 250 hPa below the tropopause. Validation using the aircraft measurements from NOAA/ESRL/GMD and the campaigns INTEX-A and -B indicated that the correlation of AIRS mid-upper tropospheric CH4 with aircraft measurements is ~0.6–0.7, and its the bias and rms difference are less than ±1% and 1.2%, respectively. Further comparison of the CH4 seasonal cycle indicated that the cycle from AIRS mid-upper tropospheric CH4 is in a reasonable agreement with NOAA aircraft measurements. This method provides a simple way to use the thermal infrared sounders data to approximately analyze the spatial and temporal variation CH4 in the upper free tropospere without referring the AK. This method is applicable to derive tropospheric CH4 as well as other trace gases for any thermal infrared sensors.
A Response to Wehmeyer (1999) and a Challenge to the Field Regarding Self-Determination.

This article provides a response to an article by Wehmeyer that appeared in the Spring 1999 issue of this journal. Self-determination presents a tremendous opportunity for all persons, and this pro...
Single-porosity and dual-porosity modeling of water flow and solute transport in subsurface-drained fields using effective field-scale parameters

Water and solute flux from the subsurface drains of macroporous agricultural fields are simulated using two-dimensional single-porosity and dual-porosity models. Field-averaged (i.e. effective) parameters are calibrated from drainage outflow and validated for water flow and the transport of non-reactive solutes applied at discrete locations on the field. Both the single-porosity and the dual-porosity simulations capture the observed trends in the drainage hydrographs, with the dual-porosity model performing slightly better than the single-porosity model. The values of the effective hydrologic parameters, however, were not fully characteristic of macroporous soils. The physical meaning of the effective parameters was further questioned as neither the single-porosity nor the dual-porosity models could simulate the rapid transport of solutes to the subsurface drain. The discrepancies between the simulated and observed solute flux indicate that the actual spatial area contributing to drainage outflow in the field experiment was much greater than the integrated area of the simulated domain over which the effective parameters were calibrated. Supplementary simulations using parameters calibrated from solute flux data (outflow solute concentration multiplied by the outflow water flux) also fail to match both water and solute fluxes. The failure of the simulations is attributable to factors such as non-unique parameters and problems with representing a three-dimensional heterogeneous domain as a two-dimensional homogeneous system, including a misrepresentation of macropore flow paths. This study shows the fallacy of interpreting a hydrograph fit as evidence of the physical meaning of model parameters.
A Dangerous Business: Visual Culture Theory and Education Policy.

(2004). A Dangerous Business: Visual Culture Theory and Education Policy. Arts Education Policy Review: Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 5-14.
Comparison of the response characteristics of four lipogenic enzymes to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine administration: evidence for variable degrees of amplification of the nuclear 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine signal.

We have examined the relationship between the occupancy of specific nuclear T3 receptor sites in rat liver and the response characteristics of four hepatic lipogenic enzymes, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and fatty acid synthetase (FAS). Enzyme activity after full occupancy of the nuclear sites by T3 for 4 days was compared with that of untreated euthyroid animals. Since approximately 47% of nuclear sites are occupied under physiological conditions, a linear response system should result in a maximal 2.1-fold increase in enzyme above hypothyroid baseline. In each instance, however, the relative increase (amplification factor) was in excess of 2.1. The values for malic enzyme, FAS, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were 11.7, 6.7, 4.5, and 4.2, respectively. These results, therefore, indicate that an amplified relationship exists between nuclear occupancy and response. The dose-response relationship was also examined...
Buffered coscheduling: a new methodology for multitasking parallel jobs on distributed systems

Buffered coscheduling is a scheduling methodology for time-sharing communicating processes in parallel and distributed systems. The methodology has two primary features: communication buffering and strobing. With communication buffering, communication generated by each processor is buffered and performed at the end of regular intervals to amortize communication and scheduling overhead. This infrastructure is then leveraged by a strobing mechanism to perform a total exchange of information at the end of each interval, thus providing global information to more efficiently schedule communicating processes. This paper describes how buffered coscheduling can optimize resource utilization by analyzing workloads with varying computational granularities, load imbalances, and communication patterns. The experimental results, performed using a detailed simulation model, show that buffered coscheduling is very effective on fast SANs such as Myrinet as well as slower switch-based LANs.