cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative control over the intensity and phase of light transmitted through highly scattering media

We experimentally demonstrate the use of the transmission matrix (TM) to quantitatively control the amplitude and phase of the light transmitted through highly scattering media. This is achieved by measuring the absolute value of the TM elements. We also use the fact that the cross-correlations between the contributions of different input channels at the observation plane is important in describing the transmitted optical field. In addition, we demonstrate both quantitative control of the intensity at multiple output spatial modes, each with a different intensity, as well as a "dark" area of low intensity. Our experiments are carried out using a low cost (less than US$600) spatial binary amplitude modulator that we modify for phase-only operation, as well as a novel optical setup that enables independent control of a reference and control signal while maintaining interferometric stability. The optical implementation used in this paper will make such experiments widely accessible to many researchers. Furthermore, the results presented could serve as the foundation for many useful potential applications ranging from the biomedical sciences to optical communications.
Sexual Mores, Ethical Theories, and the Overpopulation Myth

Some of the causes of the ‘sexual revolution’ during the past few decades are widely known: The development of relatively safe and reliable contraceptives, especially the birth-control pill; the ‘morning after’ pill; antibiotics to relieve or cure sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis; the increased social acceptance of pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and other behaviors that formerly were considered deviant; and the legalization of abortion as the ultimate ‘contraceptive’. But little attention has been paid to two rather cerebral factors relevant to these developments – namely, ethical theories, and theories of overpopulation. In this paper I will argue that these two less well-known and more subtle factors have been at least as powerful as the more obvious factors mentioned above, in bringing about sea-changes in sexual mores. More specifically, I will argue that some implicit approaches to ethical theory are more conducive than others to bringing about the present status quo in sexual mores, and that the widespread belief in world overpopulation has not only changed the moral climate regarding sexuality, but has helped to redefine what is moral and what is immoral.
Monolithic integration of thin-film coolers with optoelectronic devices

Active refrigeration of optoelectronic components through the use of monolithically grown thin-film solid-state coolers based on III-V materials is proposed and investigated. Enhanced cooling power compared to the thermoelectric effect of the bulk material is achieved through thermionic emission of hot electrons over a heterostructure barrier layer. These heterostructures can be monolithically integrated with other devices made from similar materials. Experimental analysis of an InP pin diode monolithically integrated with a heterostructure thermionic cooler is performed. Cooling performance is investigated for various device sizes and ambient temperatures. Several important nonideal effects are determined, such as contact resistance, heat generation and conduction in the wire bonds, and the finite thermal resistance of the substrate. These nonideal effects are studied both experimentally and analytically, and the limitations induced on performance are considered. Heterostructure integrated thermionic cooling is demonstrated to provide cooling power densities of several hundred W/cm2. These microrefrigerators can provide control over threshold current, power output, wavelength, and maximum operating temperature in diode lasers.
A Low-Cost Thyristor Fuse

Thermal fuses are the devices most commonly used for effective equipment protection against fault currents within solid-state power systems. Original equipment cost versus additional expenditures for protective devices warrants elaborate means for safeguarding the investment while maintaining cost effectiveness. This has resulted in a vast variety of individually high-priced specialty fuses. Experience indicates that a large number of thyristor current-limiting fuses must be expended during the design phase of solid-state power conversion equipment so as to properly investigate converter circuit malfunctions due to nonrecurrent circuit transients. Thermal fatigue of fuses during field use necessitates a considerable logistic support in order to sustain the bulk of multifused complex power converters. This large demand cannot be satisfied at all times due to the limited number of prime suppliers, and due to the range of size, bulk, and price of present thermal thyristor fuses. Thermal analysis and extensive testing furnishes strong evidence that the desirable low-cost thyristor fuse link is feasible. This low-cost item is well-suited to protect thyristors against catastrophic failures within the constraints of any thermal fuse. Since the fuse is renewable, it compares favorably with presently used commercial thyristor fuses in terms of bulk and potential cost savings as well as in its flexible simplified rating mechanisms.
Concrete crack repair by stitches

An analytical scheme is developed for the use of stitches in repairing concrete cracks. The model provides guidelines for selecting the steps, locations and cross-sectional area of the stitches. The proposed model is based on the superposition technique in fracture mechanics in conjunction with a simple pull-out model established in this paper. The proposed fracture model assumes that the final stitch elongation is equal to the final crack mouth opening displacement. The final crack mouth opening displacement is equal to: (1) the external loads opening of the mouth ignoring the stitch's contribution, and (2) the arrest caused by the stitch itself. In this paper, the problem chosen for this purpose is a beam with an edge notch at the center. The beam is subjected to a concentrated load at the mid-span. The analytical solution for a homogeneous beam with edge notch is given in the literature. The predicted results of stitch forces and the critical stress intensity factor are compared to those obtained experimentally.
Teaching of assembly language as a laboratory science

This paper describes our experience with the implementation of laboratories associated with our undergraduate computer science courses. The beginning assembly language course was chosen as our first experiment with this concept for several reasons. Acquisition of new equipment necessitated reorganization of the course in any case, and the philosophy of learning by experimentation was most easily implemented in a subject "close to the hardware".The concept of a supervised lab in computer science, based on those used in the physical and natural sciences, is relatively new. Teaching assembly language in an assigned, supervised laboratory setting has overwhelming advantages over the more traditional lecture and open lab method. In addition to the obvious guaranteed computer time, the immediate availability of help allows much more material to be covered. Student and faculty acceptance of the labs has been uniformly enthusiastic. So much so, that all of our programming-intensive courses are now scheduled with labs. This paper presents descriptions of the original lab facility itself, later improvements to the facility, the course organization, and examination procedures. It concludes with some general observations and suggestions based on our experience.
The Arrow-Barankin-Blackwell theorem in a dual space setting

In 1953 Arrow, Barankin, and Blackwell proved that, ifRn is equipped with its natural ordering and ifF is a closed convex subset ofRn, then the set of points inF that can be supported by strictly positive linear functionals is dense in the set of all efficient (maximal) points ofF. Many generalizations of this density result to infinite-dimensional settings have been given. In this note, we consider the particular setting where the setF is contained in the topological dualY* of a partially ordered, nonreflexive normed spaceY, and the support functionals are restricted to be either nonnegative or strictly positive elements in the canonical embedding ofY inY*. Three alternative density results are obtained, two of which generalize a space-specific result due to Majumdar for the dual system (Y,Y*)=(L1,L∞).
Viscoelastic electrospun jets: Initial stresses and elongational rheometry

Abstract A novel method of characterization of viscoelastic longitudinal stresses in electrospun jets of semi-dilute and concentrated polymer solutions and melts is introduced. The measured longitudinal stresses at the beginning of the thin jet region in the jets of a 6 wt% aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide (Mw = 400 kDa) were of the order of 100 kPa, which is two orders of magnitude larger than in any other free viscoelastic jets issued from nozzles and orifices. This is attributed to elongation-driven stretching of polymeric liquids in the transition zone, between the preceding modified Taylor cone zone and the beginning of the thin jet region, where the stretching rates are of the order of 100–1000 s−1. The Rouse relaxation times found were in the range of 3–8 ms, and the moduli of elasticity were of the order of 100 Pa. A novel explanation of the reasons for the formation of the straight sections in the electrospun jets is proposed. The straight sections are stabilized by the high initial longitudinal stresses in the jet generated due to strong electrically driven stretching in the transition zone. The further electrically driven stretching in the jet (after the transition zone) is relatively weak, and viscoelastic Rouse relaxation prevails. The relaxation distance of the longitudinal stresses along the jet increases with the applied voltage (which generates higher initial stresses in the transition zone) and thus the length of straight section of the jet should increase as the applied voltage increases. The results also point at an opportunity to develop an elongational rheometer for concentrated polymeric systems with stretching rates of the order of 100–1000 s−1. The proposed rheometer employs excitation of electrically driven jets by single lateral pulses, and observation of the pulse propagation and widening along the jet. This reveals the level of the longitudinal stresses along the jet and allows evaluation of the viscoelastic Rouse relaxation time, modulus of elasticity and the elongational viscosity in the jet.
Structure of digital system description languages

Several languages have been developed for or applied to the problem of describing digital hardware systems. This paper points out some of the problems encountered in hardware descriptions, particularly where they are distinct from concepts appearing in programming languages.
Audience Use of New Media Technologies on NPR.org

This study examines audience use of new media technologies found on NPR.org. A total of 514 members from NPR program fan groups found on Facebook were surveyed. The results indicate people prefer “traditional” Web site technologies: written articles, audio and video, podcasting, and links to local stations. Visitors use NPR.org to take control of their media experience, to be entertained, and to gather information. To gather information includes social interaction. There is some evidence that users may not be interested in new media features if the usefulness of these technologies is not apparent. Industry implications are also addressed.
Hydramoeba hydroxena (Entz), a Parasite on the Fresh‐water Medusa, Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, and its Pathogenicity for Hydra cauliculata Hyman

SYNOPSIS. An amoeba found on the fresh-water medusa, Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, collected in the Southampton Quarry Pond at Richmond, Virginia, is described and found to be identical with Hydramoeba hydroxena (Entz) which occurs on various species of fresh-water hydras. Transfer of the amoeba to Hydra cauliculata Hyman, and other experiments, show it to be a facultative parasite for this species. The pathogenicity of the amoeba is decreased by fouling of the culture medium; the resistance of the hydra is decreased by starvation. Hydramoeba is also capable of destroying adult fresh-water medusae in six days. Its relation to young medusae is not known, but the amoeba apparently does not attack the polyps or other developmental stages.
Litigants in state supreme court judicial review cases: Participation and success

This study examines the role of litigants as initiators of judicial policy in state supreme court judicial review cases. It also provides a test of the “party capability” theory, employing data from over 3000 cases decided in state supreme courts between 1981 and 1985. Major findings are that criminal defendants challenge laws more frequently than other types of parties, but that they are far less successful than others in persuading state supreme courts to declare laws unconstitutional. Governmental parties are most successful, but there are only minimal success rate differences among political groups, individuals, and business and professional litigants.
Fungicidal activity of fluopicolide for suppression of Phytophthora capsici on squash.

Abstract The efficacy of a new fungicide fluopicolide in suppression of Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici was evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Studies with 51 P. capsici isolates from vegetable crops in Georgia, USA, indicated that 5.9% of the isolates were resistant, 19.6% were intermediately sensitive, and 74.5% were sensitive to 100 μg ml −1 of mefenoxam based on in vitro mycelial growth. EC 50 values of fluopicolide in inhibiting mycelial growth of 25 isolates, representing resistant, intermediately sensitive, and sensitive to mefenoxam, ranged from 0.05 to 0.35 μg ml −1 with an average of 0.2 μg ml −1 EC 50 values of fluopicolide in suppressing zoospore germination and sporangium production of the 25 isolates ranged from 1.1 to 4.5 μg ml −1 and 0.3–9.0 μg ml −1 , respectively. Evaluation of a collection of 150 P. capsici isolates from vegetables and irrigation ponds found none of the isolates were resistant to 10 μg ml −1 of fluopicolide. Field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy and application methods of fluopicolide for control of P. capsici on squash in spring 2007 and 2009. Fluopicolide applied through drip irrigation or as a foliar spray at 86.6 or 115.4 g ha −1 consistently provided significant disease reduction and increased squash yield. Results with fluopicolide were similar or slightly superior to mefenoxam applied at recommended rate. Fluopicolide applied at 57.7 g ha −1 did not provide consistent satisfactory disease suppression. The results indicated that fluopicolide was effective in suppression of different stages of the life cycle of P. capsici and could be a viable alternative to mefenoxam for managing Phytophthora blight in squash production.
Characterization of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for quantitative isotope ratio measurements

Abstract Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry has undergone significant advances in development of instrumentation, excitation, and detection modes since its introduction over 15 years ago. Relatively little effort has been focused, however, on development of quantitative relative isotopic abundance measurements. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the major experimental parameters which affect the accuracy and precision of isotope ratio measurements for both electron ionization (EI) of a gas phase and laser ionization (LI) of solids, and summarizes currently attainable levels of precision. Ion number dependent damping (controlled by ion density in the analysis cell), excite signal power, laser induced fractionation at the sample surface, and variations in oxide/ion ratios and singly- to doubly-charged ions may all affect both the absolute value and precision of measured isotope ratios. More precise measurements result from increasing the number of time domain transients summed prior to the Fourier transformation, optimizing the number of ions in the analysis cell such that the signal-to-noise ratio is high but space charge and magnetron effects are avoided, and including peak heights of oxide species and doubly-charged ions when present. Isotope ratios for EI experiments on Kr indicate that, under controlled conditions, precisions of better than ±0.4% are attainable. Precision for LI experiments is significantly lower at ±1–6% for abundant elements and ±9–12% for trace elements. Decreased precision for LI is likely due to fluctuations in ion density from shot to shot, large spreads in kinetic energies, and mass dependent fractionation at the sample surface.
Studies on experimental insulin immunity. I. Dynamics of insulin immunity in the guinea pig.

Insulin half life and the formation and characterization of the insulin-binding antibodies have been studied in the guinea pig both in vivo and in vitro. The antigen-antibody complexes have also been studied utilizing cellulose column electrophoresis and Sephadex G-200 column filtration. In addition, a quantitative assay procedure for insulin-binding antibodies has been employed. In normal guinea pigs the injected insulin-I-125 is carried by at least two serum proteins, presumably albumin and an α. globulin, or more specifically 4.5S and 19S proteins. In immune animals the insulin-antibody complexes are represented by a single peak in the (β-γ globulin region on column electrophoresis; they are distinguishable from the uncomplexed antibodies which are 7S γ 1 and 7S γ 1 globulins. The precipitating insulin antibody also appears to be a 7S globulin. Moreover, the insulin-antibody complexes occur as a single component in the 19S fraction on Sephadex G-200 filtration, and if the complex were a single molecule it would have a molecular weight equivalent of about 630,000. During the immunization process the insulin binding antibody titer increases progressively in association with an elevation of 7S globulin. In most animals during the early stages of immunization the molecular weight of the antibodies appears to be exclusively of the 7S globulin type; however, in two of seven animals there was, in addition, a small amount of insulin antibody of 19S globulin type early during the immunization period. The purpose in estimating a molecular weight equivalent of the insulin-antibody complex relates to the possibility that the distinctive features of the angiopathies of diabetes may depend upon certain physicochemical characteristics of this complex.
Controlled release of tobramycin sulfate from poly(ortho esters) implantable discs for the treatment of osteomyelitis

Abstract This study was designed to investigate a new biodegradable implantable disc system based upon poly(ortho esters) (POE) which could release tobramycin sulfate (TS) over a 21-day period at a rate of 2 mg TS/day/g of implant (usual clinical requirement) for the treatment of osteomyelitis. The device was formulated in the form of discs (diameter, 1 cm) cast from methylene chloride and in vitro release was investigated in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4 at 37°C. The POE-TS discs without any adjuvants released 20%–60% TS in 24 h and an additional 10% in subsequent 20 days with about 3% loss in polymer weight, irrespective of the drug loading (4, 8, 12% w/w) and disc thickness (148, 244, 433 μ m). In order to achieve uniform and complete TS release over 21 days, lactic acid (LA), sorbic acid (SA), oleic acid (OA) and palmitoleic acids (PA), in varying concentrations, were incorporated in the 244 μ m-discs containing 8% TS. The release of TS was near-zero order after an initial burst in the presence of lactic acid. In the presence of SA, OA and PA, the TS release was multi-phasic. The rate of polymer degradation was found to be acid concentration-dependent for all acids. The TS release from these discs could be attributed to burst effect, diffusion, and acid-catalyzed bulk erosion of POE polymer. Among these formulations, discs with 0.2% LA and 0.9% OA demonstrated release rates close to 2 mg TS/day/g of implant with significant and simultaneous POE degradation. No physical or chemical interactions between the drug and the polymer were detected by DSC, NMR and IR.
Coherent image selection using a fast approximation to the generalized traveling salesman problem

Searching for images on-line using keywords returns results that are often difficult to interpret. This becomes even more complicated if one attempts to compare image search output for several keywords with a common theme. We focus on the latter problem and propose a method to efficiently compare sets of images in order to find representative images, one from each set, that are coherent in certain sense. However, the search for an optimal set of representative images is very complex even for as few as 10 sets of 20 images each since all possible combinations of 10 images need to be considered. Therefore, we formulate our problem as the Generalized Traveling Salesman Problem (GTSP) and propose an efficient approximation algorithm to solve it. Our approximate GTSP algorithm is faster than other well-known approximations and is also more likely to reach the exact solution for large-scale inputs. We present a number of experimental results using the proposed algorithm and conclude that it can be a useful, almost real-time tool for on-line search.
Rapid, high-throughput, culture-based PCR methods to analyze samples for viable spores of Bacillus anthracis and its surrogates.

Abstract To rapidly remediate facilities after a biothreat agent release, improved turnaround times are needed for sample analysis. Current methods to confirm the presence of a viable biothreat agent are limited by low sample throughput. We have developed a rapid-viability-polymerase chain reaction (RV-PCR) method to determine the presence of viable spores. The method combines high-throughput sample processing with 96-well PCR analysis, which measures a change in real-time, quantitative PCR response arising from increased target-cell populations during culturing. The method accurately detects 1 to 10 live spores in a high-dead spore background (10 6 ). Field tests using approximately 1000 biological indicators, each containing 10 6 spores of the B. anthracis surrogate, Bacillus atrophaeus , exposed to seven lethal and sub-lethal chlorine dioxide levels showed no significant difference ( p > 0.05) between RV-PCR and standard culturing methods for detecting the percent survival of spores. RV-PCR results were obtained in B. atrophaeus spores in B. anthracis Sterne resulted in more rapid turnaround times than those for traditional culturing and no significant difference in log colony-forming units compared to traditional viability analysis. Integration of RV-PCR assays with high-throughput protocols will allow the processing of 200 wipe samples per day per robot using commercially available automation.
Effect of 2-hydroxy-saclofen, an antagonist of GABAB action, upon the binding of baclofen and other receptor ligands in rat cerebrum

Abstract 2-Hydroxysaclofen (2-OH-saclofen), a newly available compound which blocks certain physiological actions of the γ-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) agonist, baclofen, was found to displace [3H]baclofen at least 10-fold more potently than did phaclofen, a previously available antagonist of GABAB action. 2-OH-Saclofen reduced both the affinity and apparent density of baclofen binding sites and displaced baclofen binding at least 60-fold more potently than it displaced the binding of ligands for 3 other transmitters present in the rat cerebral cortex.
Evaluation of two X chromosomal candidate genes for Rett syndrome: glutamate dehydrogenase-2 (GLUD2) and rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor (GDI1).

The most likely cause of the Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant mutation lethal in hemizygous males. Previous exclusion mapping studies have identified putative regions for the RTT gene on the X chromosome. In the present study, we evaluated two candidate genes, glutamate dehydrogenase-2 (GLUD2 and rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor (GDI1/XAP-4), chosen because of their expression patterns and functions in the central nervous system and their location in the nonexcluded region of Xq. The intronless gene GLUD2, located in Xq25 and expressed in neuronal and testicular tissues, is involved in the metabolism of glutamate, a neurotransmitter reported to be elevated in the spinal fluid of RTT individuals. The GLUD2 gene was screened for mutations by Southern hybridization and by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. The GDI1 gene in Xq28, also known as RABGDIA or XAP-4, encodes a human GDI that is expressed predominantly in neuronal and sensory tissues. All 11 exons and splice junctions of the GDI1 gene were PCR-amplified and sequenced directly or screened by single-strand conformation analysis. No mutation in either of these two genes was found in 22 RTT patients. Therefore, GLUD2 and GDI1 can be excluded as candidate genes for this syndrome. Am. J. Med. Genet. 78:169–172, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SPECTRE: speculation to hide communication latency

We describe work in progress on the Spectre system which aims to provide high performance computing over distributed shared memory, targeting workloads such as graph algorithms for which functional or dataflow decompositions are inefficient. We exploit aggressive speculation to hide the latency of remote memory accesses and synchronization, and execute all code transactionally so that mis-speculations can be discovered and reverted. Unlike previous speculative transactional systems Spectre makes side effects visible beyond transaction boundaries before the transactions have committed, tracking dependencies to ensure correctness on abort: we call this property transgression. We outline the Spectre design and provide preliminary results from a microbenchmark to motivate the approach.
Duration of left ventricular assist device support: Effects on abnormal calcium cycling and functional recovery in the failing human heart.

Background Intracellular Ca 2+ handling is abnormal in human heart failure. Studies have demonstrated that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support reverses phenotypic alterations, suggesting that, in select patients, LVAD support may be a bridge to recovery. Few studies have related support duration to phenotypic recovery. We hypothesized that reversal of impaired sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ cycling following LVAD implantation is duration-dependent. Methods We used post-rest potentiation to assess SR function, and Western blot analysis to measure Ca 2+ -cycling proteins. Left ventricular tissue from 10 non-failing hearts, 8 failing hearts and 10 LVAD-supported hearts was analyzed. Support ranged from 7 to 334 days. The median duration, 115 days, divided patients into short- and long-term support groups. Results Post-rest potentiation (PRP) response recovered after short-term LVAD support to a level (116.8 ± 12.1%; n = 5) close to non-failing (123.4 ± 12.0%; n = 10) hearts, but recovery after long-term support (23.5 ± 7.0%; n = 5) remained closer to that of failing hearts (13.5 ± 5.6%). We found a similar pattern of normalization for SR Ca 2+ -ATPase protein and the phospholamban/SR Ca 2+ -ATPase ratio (non-failing: 0.66 ± 0.11; failing: 1.21 ± 0.23; short-duration LVAD: 0.68 ± 0.14; long-duration LVAD: 1.67 ± 0.30; correlation p r = 0.93). The ratio also tended to correlate with the PRP response after unloading ( p = 0.05; r = −0.65). Conclusions SR Ca 2+ handling improved during early LVAD support, but long-term support was associated with abnormal Ca 2+ cycling. These findings cast doubt on strategies designed to wean patients after complete unloading with an LVAD.
Application Of Inexpensive Liquid Crystal TV To Optical Parallel Logic

The optical implementation of all parallel logic gates using inexpensive LCTVs is demonstrated and basic experimental results are presented.
A convergence theorem for Newton-like methods under generalized Chen-Yamamoto-type assumptions

In this study, we provide sufficient conditions for the convergence of a Newton-like method to a locally unique solution of a nonlinear equation with a nondifferentiable term in a Banach space setting. We introduce new conditions by assuming the existence of real functions of two variables that serve as upper bounds on the operators involved. Special choices of the real functions mentioned above lead to Chen-Yamamoto-type assumptions or the usual Lipschitz conditions associated with the Frechet derivatives of the nonlinear operators involved. Using the majorant method, we show that if a certain scalar inequality has a minimum positive solution, then the abstract equation has a locally unique solution also. We also show that our upper bounds on the distances @?x"n"+"1 - x"n@? and @?x"n - x^*@? improve on earlier ones found by Chen-Yamamoto, Dennis, Rheinboldt, and Potra et al. Finally, our results can apply to solve nonlinear integral equations of Uryson type.
Abstract 423: Metabolomic analysis of urine from patients undergoing total body irradiation.

Development of biomarkers for the responses to radiation has relevance to assessment of patient course and outcome after radiation therapy, as well as to other radiologic events including accidental and terrorist. The purpose of this study was to extend the biomarker discovery to humans, as previous studies have focused on mice. Urine was collected from patients undergoing total body irradiation (TBI) at Memorial Sloan Kettering prior to bone marrow transplantation at 4-6h post irradiation (a single dose of 125cGy) and 24h (three fractions of 125cGy each). Patient diagnoses include leukemias (ALL, AML, and CML), non-hodgkins lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, and essential thrombocytopenia. Global metabolomic profiling was obtained through analysis with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) (Waters). Peak alignment and deconvolution of the chromatographic data were conducted with MarkerLynx software (Waters, MA). Prior to further analysis, each sample was normalized to its respective creatinine. Ions with non-zero abundance values in at least 75% of samples in both groups were analyzed for statistical significance via the nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for equality of probability distributions on the log-transformed dataset. Statistical significance for ions with non-zero abundance values in at least 75% of samples in only one group were analyzed categorically for presence (i.e. non-zero abundance) via the Fisher9s exact test. Biomarker candidates were verified by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) by comparison to pure chemicals and quantification of the markers was conducted with the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer XEVO TQ MS (Waters). Validated and quantified biomarkers include L-Octanoylcarnitine, Hypoxanthine, Trimethyl-L-Lysine, Acetyl-carnitine, Decanoylcarnitine, Pantothenic acid, Hippuric acid, Uric acid, and Xanthine, and thus contribute to the development of a human metabolomic signature following exposure to radiation, and can now be integrated with features including underlying disease status, gender, age, and outcome. Citation Format: Evagelia C. Laiakis, Tytus D. Mak, Sebastien Anizan, Sally A. Amundson, Christopher A. Barker, Suzanne L. Wolden, David J. Brenner, Albert J. Fornace. Metabolomic analysis of urine from patients undergoing total body irradiation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 423. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-423
A Potential Energy Function for GaAs Systems

Les calculs indiquent que la fonction potentielle avec les parametres determines fournissent d'assez bonnes proprietes liees a l'energie et a la structure pour les surfaces et le volume de GaAs. La fonction est capable de reproduire des valeurs acceptables pour Ga cristallin pur
Improved error resilient H.264 coding scheme using SP/SI macroblocks

In this work, we improve the H.264 error resilient coding scheme in [1, 2] with a hybrid scheme that generates alternative SP macroblocks utilizing both multiple reference frames [1] and the concealed versions of corrupted frames [2]. The new scheme is more robust and able to work effectively under different coding environments. Although the bit rate overhead introduced by [1] and [2] is acceptable for some applications, we use an adaptive coding and bit stream replacement mechanism to reduce the overhead furthermore to meet the strict bandwidth constraints. Specifically, two different versions of alternative SP macroblocks are coded using different quantization levels. They provide different levels of error resilient performance with different bit rate consumptions. When the sender attempts to replace the originally coded version of a target macroblock in the bit stream, it will select one proper version according to the importance of the macroblock. The importance of the macroblock is measured by its influence to the subjective quality of the current frame and its impact to subsequent frames. The implementation and the standard conformance of the proposed scheme are detailed in this work.
A tensor artificial viscosity using a finite element approach

We derive a tensor artificial viscosity suitable for use in a 2D or 3D unstructured arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) hydrodynamics code. This work is similar in nature to that of Campbell and Shashkov [1]; however, our approach is based on a finite element discretization that is fundamentally different from the mimetic finite difference framework. The finite element point of view leads to novel insights as well as improved numerical results. We begin with a generalized tensor version of the Von Neumann-Richtmyer artificial viscosity, then convert it to a variational formulation and apply a Galerkin discretization process using high order Gaussian quadrature to obtain a generalized nodal force term and corresponding zonal heating (or shock entropy) term. This technique is modular and is therefore suitable for coupling to a traditional staggered grid discretization of the momentum and energy conservation laws; however, we motivate the use of such finite element approaches for discretizing each term in the Euler equations. We review the key properties that any artificial viscosity must possess and use these to formulate specific constraints on the total artificial viscosity force term as well as the artificial viscosity coefficient. We also show, that under certain simplifying assumptions, the two-dimensional scheme from [1] can be viewed as an under-integrated version of our finite element method. This equivalence holds on general distorted quadrilateral grids. Finally, we present computational results on some standard shock hydro test problems, as well as some more challenging problems, indicating the advantages of the new approach with respect to symmetry preservation for shock wave propagation over general grids.
Respiratory Gas Bladders in Teleosts: Functional Conservatism and Morphological Diversity

Etude des vessies de gaz respiratoires chez les Teleosteens. Examen des mecanismes de la ventilation chez les differentes especes. Relation entre la morphologie et les fonctions
Parathyroid hormone levels in long-term renal transplant children and adolescents

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common complication of chronic renal failure. Kidney transplantation corrects renal insufficiency and most metabolic abnormalities but hyperparathyroidism persists in 50% of children after transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate parathyroid hormone (PTH) course and potential risk factors for hyperparathyroidism in children after renal transplant. We collected data from 145 transplanted children (mean follow-up 4.7 years). Intact PTH level (iPTH) rapidly decreased in the first 6 months post-transplant and continued to decline in the following years. iPTH was above the normal range in 69.1% of the patients at the time of transplant and in 47% 1 year later, this improvement continuing thereafter. Hypercalcemia was present in 20.3% of the patients before transplant and in 6.3 and 4.1% of patients 6 months and 1 year after transplant, respectively. Hypophosphatemia was present in 5.5% of the patients at 6 months, and 45.5% of the patients needed phosphorus supplements during the first 6 months after transplant. Multivariate analysis indicated pre-transplant hyperparathyroidism, dialysis duration, creatinine clearance and hypophosphatemia as predictors of persistent hyperparathyroidism. In kidney transplanted children, serum iPTH normalized in the long term in the majority of cases. Thus, parathyroidectomy should be reserved for selected patients.
An Improved Evaluation Method of Routing Strategy

The main purpose of designing an evaluation method for routing strategy is to accurately evaluate the performance of a series of routing strategies at various network loads, including under-load, full- load and even overload. Most researchers evaluate the effectiveness of a new routing strategy with the method of Order Parameter. However in this evaluating process, we find that its result distributes in a certain range of values instead of a single value, so Order Parameter introduces a considerable error, it is difficult to evaluate the performance of a routing strategy accurately in different network load with it. To solve this problem, a method--Improved Order Parameter (OOP) is proposed. This method can not only get a fixed critical value for a special network load, but also depict the transition of network load over time. According to simulation experiment, the OOP can be more objective to evaluate the performance of a routing strategy at various network load.
Translating Ownership into Action: Owner Involvement and Values at Minority- and Non-Minority-Owned Broadcast Stations

Research demonstrating a link between minority ownership of broadcast stations and news and public affairs programming diversity also includes the counter-intuitive finding that owner involvement in station activities is not related to that link. This article examines 3 other mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between ownership and programming: staff perceptions of shared values with the owner, the owner's direct communication of values to the staff, and hiring. Results of a telephone survey of people directly responsible for news at minority- and non-minority-owned stations suggest that owner involvement predicts the extent to which the staff perceives an owner's values to be their own, as well as the likelihood that the owner will overtly communicate his or her values to the staff. Owner involvement was not found to be a significant predictor of hiring of staff who are members of minority groups. This study has implications for efforts to increase minority participation in broadcasting specifi...
Modelling pesticide fate with GLEAMS

Abstract The pesticide component of GLEAMS (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems) model was developed to evaluate the complex interrelationships among pesticide and soil properties, management alternatives, and climate using long-term simulations. GLEAMS resulted from an enhancement of the CREAMS model to allow simulation of pesticide transport within and through the plant root zone in addition to transport in surface runoff from field-sized areas. The pesticide submodel is operated with daily inputs from the hydrology and soil erosion sub-models. Pesticide input parameters are required to specify application rates, dates and methods and the properties of the chemical. Outputs are pesticide concentrations and mass in runoff water and attached to transported sediments, pesticide mass leached below the root zone, and pesticide distribution with depth in the root zone. Multiple applications of up to 10 different pesticides can be simulated simultaneously for periods of up to 50 years. The model also considers pesticide metabolites produced by sequential first-order reactions and plant uptake of pesticides. Application methods simulated may be soil surface application, soil incorporation, soil injection, foliar application, or through irrigation water. Values for pesticide soil half-life, foliar half-life, foliar wash-off potential, solubility, and K oc (sorption coefficient for soil carbon) may be obtained from the internal data base or supplied by the user if more specific information is available.
Plasma markers of platelet activation in cystic fibrosis liver and lung disease.

ABSTRACTBackgroundTransforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) is a major fibrogenic cytokine, the expression of which is increased in the livers of children with cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) and in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease (CFPD). The
Poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism appears normal in EM9, a mutagen-sensitive mutant of CHO cells

EM9 is a mutagen-sensitive CHO cell whose phenotype resembles that of normal CHO cells exposed to 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. This phenotype suggested that EM9 might be defective in poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism, but we now cannot find any abnormality in the synthesis or in the degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) in permeabilized EM9 cells. Thus the effects of 3-aminobenzamide on wild-type cells may be due to the inhibition of processes other than poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. 3-Aminobenzamide enhances the cytotoxicity of EMS toward EM9 and control cells to the same degree.
Development of potent gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists having a D-Pro-psi(CH2NH)-Phe-NH2 C terminus.

Abstract Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a 27-amino acid neuroendocrine hormone that may play a role in the pathophysiology of small cell lung carcinoma. GRP and bombesin, a structurally related peptide, stimulate the growth of some cultured cell types. C-terminal GRP peptide analogs were developed that inhibited 6 nM bombesin-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation into quiescent murine Swiss 3T3 cells, which routinely produced a 6-fold stimulation over the basal extent of incorporation. The peptides were also analyzed for their capacity to inhibit the binding of 50 pM 125I-labeled GRP to Swiss 3T3 cells. The combination of two chemical modifications, each antagonistic in itself, led to the creation of antagonists with orders of magnitude greater potency than either modification alone. (i) Antagonist analogs of the form -Leu26-psi(CH2NH)-Xaa27-NH2 [where Xaa is Leu, norleucine (Nle), or Phe; residues numbered after GRP], similar to those introduced by Coy and coworkers [for review, see Jensen, R. T. & Coy, D. H. (1991) Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 12, 13-19], were found to have nanomolar potencies. (ii) We found that an octapeptide C-terminal GRP analog having D-Pro adjacent to the C-terminal amino acid amide was antagonistic, with a potency of 40 nM. By combining both modifications, specific analogs were found with potencies > 1000-fold greater than our lead structure--[(4'-hydroxy)-3-phenylpropanoyl]-Pro-Arg-Gly-Asn-His-Tr p-Ala-Val - Gly-His-Leu-psi(CH2NH)-Nle-NH2--and greater than any antagonist previously reported. The analogs [(4'-hydroxy)-3-phenylpropanoyl]-His-Trp-Ala-Val-D-Ala-His-D-Pro- psi(CH2NH)-Phe-NH2 and 1-naphthoyl-His-Trp-Ala-Val-D-Ala-His-D-Pro-psi(CH2NH)-Phe-NH2 antagonized [3H]thymidine incorporation with IC50 values of approximately 0.3 nM and inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled GRP with IC50 values of approximately 1 pM. These peptides may be of use in the study of the physiology of GRP.
Effects of Unsteady Free-Stream Velocity and Free-Stream Turbulence at a Stagnation Point

The combined effects of transient free stream velocity and turbulence at a stagnation point on a cylinder situated in a crossflow is investigated analytically, and a model is formulated for the eddy diffusivity induced by free-stream turbulence. The steepest descent method is used to integrate the governing momentum expression, and numerical solutions are given for the unsteady wall shear stress function for specific free-stream transients. It is found after correlation of the results by means of a new turbulence parameter that wall friction increases with increasing free-stream turbulence intensity, and that the friction factor increases with increasing reduced frequency of oscillation values.
Hospitalized congestive heart failure patients with preserved versus abnormal left ventricular systolic function: clinical characteristics and drug therapy.

Purpose To compare clinical characteristics of and pharmacologic therapy for hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction or normal left ventricular systolic function. Patients and methods Medical records were reviewed for all patients discharged with a principal diagnosis of CHF from a university hospital and a community hospital between September 1, 1991 and August 31, 1992. Pertinent medical history items and prescribed drug therapies at discharge were recorded for each patient's first calendar year admission. Patients were categorized as having either normal left ventricular systolic function or systolic dysfunction based on the results of echocardiography and radionuclide angiography or contrast ventriculogram. Results Of 298 patients with CHF, 92 (31%) had normal left ventricular systolic function. Patients with normal systolic function were older, were more often women, were less likely to have a history of coronary artery disease, and were more likely to have a history of hypothyroidism than patients with systolic dysfunction. However, the prevalence of clinical characteristics overlapped considerably between the two groups. Among patients with systolic dysfunction, 79% were discharged on a therapeutic regimen of digoxin, 65% on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and 26% on either a beta-blocker or a calcium channel blocker. Among patients with normal systolic function, 50% were discharged on a regimen of a beta-blocker or a calcium channel blocker and 38% were discharged on digoxin. Twenty-six percent of patients with normal systolic function and without a history of atrial fibrillation were discharged on a digoxin regimen. Conclusion Hospitalized CHF patients with normal left ventricular systolic function and those with diminished left ventricular systolic function share many clinical features. Since recommended drug therapy and prognosis differ, our data underscore the importance of diagnostic testing to assess left ventricular systolic function. Drug therapy for CHF patients provides a major challenge for quality-of-care improvement.
In Memoriam Carl G. Hartman's contributions to the physiology of reproduction

Der Bericht schildert die Entwicklung des PhilologiestudentenCarl G. Hartman zum Naturwissenschaftler. Studien uber pilzzuchtende Ameisen und uber die Okologie solitarer Wespen folgten embryologische Versuche bei Fledermausen. Mit hier anschliessenden Untersuchungen zur Fortpflanzungsphysiologie und fruhen Embryonalperiode des Opossums und des Rhesusaffen hatHartman einen grundlegenden Beitrag zur modernen Fortpflanzungsphysiologie geleistet.
Using silicon device modeling techniques for GaAs devices

Numerical models have been developed for Si MOSFETs which achieve high accuracy and retain numerical stability and physical flexibility. The methods used in these models can be applied to GaAs MESFETs to yield a computer model which, retains the accuracy and robust numerical properties of two-dimensional Si MOSFET models yet retains most of the physical detail of Monte Carlo simulation. Two significant differences between this model and previous models appear. First, by incorporating interband scattering directly, high field regions of the device are seen to be controlled by alternate regions in which conduction by central valley and satellite valley electrons predominate. Second, the two-dimensional field shape in the part of the transistor between the gate and the drain is critical in calculating the interband scattering and in determining the average effective mobility.