cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Multisensor Automated satellite-based Snow and Ice Mapping System (GMASI) for cryosphere monitoring

Abstract Synergy of satellite observations in the visible infrared and microwave spectral bands presents an attractive and powerful approach to improve monitoring of the Earth's snow and ice cover. This approach is implemented in the Global Multisensor Automated Snow and Ice Mapping System (GMASI) operated by NOAA NESDIS since 2006. Combined observations in the visible and infrared from the AVHRR sensor onboard METOP satellites and in the microwave spectral bands from SSMIS onboard DMSP satellites allows for providing spatially continuous characterization of the snow and ice distribution on a daily basis. The paper presents a basic description of techniques and algorithms implemented in the system and examines the system performance in the course of the last ten years. It is demonstrated that the GMASI product adequately reproduces spatial patterns of the snow and ice distribution and their seasonal variations. Validation of GMASI daily snow retrievals over the Northern Hemisphere has demonstrated their close correspondence to surface observations of the snow cover with the yearly mean rate of over 94%. Automated maps are found to agree even better to the daily snow and ice cover map produced interactively at NOAA. In this latter case the agreement rates on the snow cover and ice cover distribution amounted correspondingly to 96% and 98%. A larger part of mismatches was due to underestimated snow and ice extent in the automated maps as compared to in situ data and interactive analysis.
NACID: A Neighborhood Aware Caching and Interest Dissemination in Content Centric Networks

Content-Centric Networking (CCN) is a promising framework for the next generation Internet architecture, by exploiting ubiquitous in-network caching to minimize content delivery latency and reducing the network traffic. In this paper, we introduce a neighborhood aware mechanism for content caching, named Neighborhood Aware Caching and Interest Dissemination (NACID) that accounts for the popularity of contents and how close the content copies are there in the neighborhood. We have adopted a Bloom Filter based dissemination of caching information in the neighborhood so that its overhead remains small. Given the neighborhood cached contents the proposed scheme decides when and how to handle the additional caching of content and its eviction. Simulation results show that NACID provides an increase in up to ~3 times of cache hits, and decrease in up to ~30% the number of hops required to get the contents than existing CCN caching policies.
Mm-wave 2D beam-steering focal plane array with microfluidically switched feed network

Microfluidic focal plane arrays (MFPAs) are attractive for realizing low-cost beam-steering at mm-waves with a compact structure. Recently, a microfluidically switched feed network concept has been introduced for improving the bandwidth performance of these arrays. Specifically, a selectively metallized plate inside a microfluidic channel is placed over a feed network consisting of gaps. Due to the strong capacitive coupling between the plate metallizations and the feed line (through a channel wall thickness 22 dB) and experimental switch characterization demonstrate that the switches exhibit <0.1 dB insertion loss (IL) and result in low-loss wideband feed networks. In addition, extending the concept to 2D beam-steering is demonstrated with an 8×8 array design.
Increased GATA-3 and T-bet expression in eosinophilic esophagitis versus gastroesophageal reflux disease

Eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with increased GATA-3 and T-bet expression in comparison to GERD and inactive EoE; moreover, parallel trends are observed in PPI-REE. Immunohistochemical assessment of the GATA-3+ and T-bet+ cells may help distinguish patients with EoE/PPI-REE from GERD and aid in assessment of treatment response.
Correction to: Structure of attractors for boundary maps associated to Fuchsian groups

The paper [2] studies the dynamics of a class of circle maps and their two-dimensional natural extensions built using the generators of a given cocompact and torsion-free Fuchsian group Γ.
The AVPR1A Gene and Its Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs10877969: A Literature Review of Associations with Health Conditions and Pain.

Abstract Background: Pain is the quintessential symptom for individuals suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD). Although the degree of suffering and the cost of treatment are staggering, SCD continues to be grossly understudied, including a lack of data for pain-related genes and prevalence of polymorphisms in this population. This lack of data adds to the inadequacy of pain therapy in this population. Pain genetics investigators have recently examined allele frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms from candidate genes in people who have SCD. One of the genes identified was the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) and its associated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10877969. Progress in explaining pain-related polymorphisms associated with SCD can be facilitated by understanding the literature. Aim/Design: The purpose of this literature review was to describe mechanisms of the polymorphic gene AVPR1A and the phenotypic variations associated with its SNPs relative to health conditions and pain. Methods: Published studies were included if the research addressed AVPR1A and was a full article in a peer-reviewed journal, in the English language, a human or animal study, and published 2009 to present. Abstracts were included if they were in English and provided information not found in a full article. Results: The results of this review revealed that AVPR1A is associated with behavioral phenotypes, which include pair bonding, autism spectrum disorder, musical aptitude, infidelity, altruism, monogamy, mating, substance abuse, and alcohol preference. In addition, there were associations with pain, stress pain by sex, and sickle cell pain. Conclusion: Summary of this literature could provide insights into future pain research of this SNP in people with SCD.
Inverse enzyme isotope effects in human purine nucleoside phosphorylase with heavy asparagine labels

Transition path-sampling calculations with several enzymes have indicated that local catalytic site femtosecond motions are linked to transition state barrier crossing. Experimentally, femtosecond motions can be perturbed by labeling the protein with amino acids containing 13C, 15N, and nonexchangeable 2H. A slowed chemical step at the catalytic site with variable effects on steady-state kinetics is usually observed for heavy enzymes. Heavy human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is slowed significantly (kchemlight/kchemheavy = 1.36). An asparagine (Asn243) at the catalytic site is involved in purine leaving-group activation in the PNP catalytic mechanism. In a PNP produced with isotopically heavy asparagines, the chemical step is faster (kchemlight/kchemheavy = 0.78). When all amino acids in PNP are heavy except for the asparagines, the chemical step is also faster (kchemlight/kchemheavy = 0.71). Substrate-trapping experiments provided independent confirmation of improved catalysis in these constructs. Transition path-sampling analysis of these partially labeled PNPs indicate altered femtosecond catalytic site motions with improved Asn243 interactions to the purine leaving group. Altered transition state barrier recrossing has been proposed as an explanation for heavy-PNP isotope effects but is incompatible with these isotope effects. Rate-limiting product release governs steady-state kinetics in this enzyme, and kinetic constants were unaffected in the labeled PNPs. The study suggests that mass-constrained femtosecond motions at the catalytic site of PNP can improve transition state barrier crossing by more frequent sampling of essential catalytic site contacts.
Teaching and Learning Within Feminist Dystopias

What does it mean to teach and, many might argue, live within feminist dystopias? In what ways is the academy its own feminist dystopia? This chapter interweaves reflections on teaching a course on feminist dystopias, background research on the course’s dystopian texts such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Octavia Butler’s Kindred, and a science fiction meditation on the discomfiting ways neoliberal academia and White Feminism took shape in the classroom. Science fiction is explored as a speculative means of imagining what might-have-been and could-be-different in pedagogical practice. The chapter concludes by considering what we might learn with more time for feminist study, collaboration, mentoring, and self-reflection—necessities made nearly impossible within the contingencies of neoliberal academia.
Sleep disorders related to another mental disorder (nonsubstance/primary): a DSM-IV literature review.

Background Disturbances of the sleep/wake cycle are fundamental clinical symptoms for patients with many of the mental disorders. This review of the literature on research in sleep and mental disorders from 1966 to 1991 highlights the major developments and findings that are central to the development of a DSM-IV diagnosis of sleep disorders related to another mental disorder (nonsubstance/primary). Method As a framework, the review discusses the classification criteria listed in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD, 1990) for sleep disorders associated with mental disorders. Research relevant to the classification system is reviewed and the merits of modifying the DSM-III-R criteria based on the accumulated research are discussed. Results Overall, the review supports the notion of consistent biological alterations in the sleep/wake cycle for patients with many of the mental disorders. Conclusion On the basis of this evidence, sleep disorders related to another mental disorder warrant separate diagnostic classification within a nosology for sleep disorders. The review also reveals the historical development of sleep research as a tool within the field of psychiatry for characterizing the biological bases of mental disorders.
Assessment of Physical Activity in Research and Clinical Practice

It is well established that physical activity is associated with significant physical and mental health benefits including increased longevity. These data have prompted an increased interest in promoting physical activity, which requires accurate and objective quantification of activity. The main objectives of this chapter are to (a) review the epidemiologic evidence documenting the beneficial health effects of physical activity; (b) define physical activity and related constructs; (c) present an overview of commonly used laboratory and field measures of physical activity that are relevant to researchers and clinicians in behavioral medicine; and (d) discuss the emergence of new technologies that may improve the assessment of physical activity. Depending on the physical activity parameter of interest (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration, energy expenditure), participant population, sample size, data sampling frequency, and study location and duration, researchers and clinicians have many assessment instruments to choose from. Laboratory, field, self-report, and physiological measures are each associated with unique costs and benefits; thus, instrument selection should be tailored to the aims of the assessment.
Subdomain (Partition) Testing

In subdomain testing, the input space of the program being tested is divided using a criterion of ‘sameness,’ grouping input points such that it seems unnecessary to try many in the same group. These subdomains are then sampled: it is required that each be covered by at least one test. There are a number of pitfalls in this procedure because the points in a subdomain are never truly ‘the same’; nevertheless, the method is the only imaginable way to systematize testing. Key terms: test coverage, functional testing, structural testing, input partition, sampling, subdomain homogeneity
Linear Regression and Classical Path Analysis

In many ways, structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques may be viewed as “fancy” multivariate regression methods. Some models can be understood simply as a set of simultaneous regression equations. If the statistical assumptions of ordinary least squares (OLS) regression are met, standard OLS estimation as available in general-purpose statistical computer programs such as SPSS, SAS, or BMDP can be used to estimate the structural parameters in these models. This chapter serves to set the stage for presenting general structural equation models in Chapter 3, which include as special cases the regression and path analytical models presented in this chapter and the confirmatory factor analysis models introduced in Chapter 2. For now, the two main purposes are (1) to introduce a general SEM notation system by reviewing some important results in univariate simple and multiple regression, and (2) to discuss the multivariate method of path analysis as a way to estimate direct, indirect, and total structural effects within an a priori specified structural model. Throughout the chapter, examples based on data from a sociological study serve as an introduction to the LISREL and EQS programs. The respective manuals (Joreskog and Sorbom, 1993a,b; Bentler, 1993; Bentler and Wu, 1993) should be consulted for more detailed programming information.
Unexpected Effects of Inorganic Phosphate Glass On Crystallization and Thermo-Rheological Behavior of Polyethylene Terephthalate

Abstract The effects of ultra-low glass transition temperature (Tg) phosphate glass (Pglass) on the thermal, morphological, rheological, mechanical, and crystallization properties of hybrid Pglass/poly(eththylene terephthalate)(PET) were investigated. Nano- and micro-scale distribution of the Pglass in the PET polymer matrix was observed. The polydispersed Pglass in the PET matrix functioned as a nucleation agent, resulting in increasing crystallization temperature. The Pglass in the PET matrix decreased the Tg, indicating a plasticizing effect of the Pglass in the hybrids that was confirmed by the significantly decreased complex viscosity of the PET matrix. In addition, with increasing temperature, a non-terminal behavior of the viscoelastic properties occurred due to the hybrid structural changes and improved miscibility of the hybrid components. Further, the obtained solid-state variable temperature 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy results showed strong Pglass concentration dependency of the interactions at the PET-Pglass interface.
Enhanced fine coal beneficiation using ultrasonic energy

Fine coal particles are difficult to separate effectively from liquids or other solids. Ultrasonic energy may be used to enhance the efficiency of the conventional fine-particle separation processes widely used in the coal and mineral industries. Flotation, settling and dew ate ring tests were conducted using several fine coal samples to study the effects of ultrasonic treatment on these processes. Process variables such as particle size, ultrasonic treatment time and solids concentration were investigated for their impacts on ultrasonic treatment effectiveness. The results obtained from this study showed that ultrasonic treatment is an effective approach for enhancing solid/solid separation in flotation and solid/liquid separation in sedimentation and dewatering of fine coal. SEM microphotographs demonstrate that ultrasonics cleaned particle surfaces, which is, in part, responsible for the observed improvement in fine coal separation processes.
The duration of leuprolide acetate administration prior to ovulation induction does not impact ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins

Objective To evaluate the possible impact that the duration of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) suppression has on subsequent ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins. Design Prospective evaluation of the relationship between the duration of GnRH-a and multiple parameters of ovarian responsiveness. Setting Assisted reproduction program in a large military tertiary care center. Patients One hundred sixty-five women being pretreated with leuprolide acetate (LA) before ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins. Interventions Variable duration of LA administration before stimulation. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures include duration of stimulation, days until doubling of basal E 2 , number of ampules of exogenous gonadotropins, peak E 2 , number of mature follicles, and number of mature oocytes. Results The duration of LA pretreatment had no effect on any of the parameters of ovarian responsiveness analyzed. Conclusion Once complete suppression of gonadal function is attained, the duration of GnRH-a suppression has no impact on subsequent ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins.
Dermatoses in Pregnancy

Pregnancy dermatoses describe a set of extremely pruritic dermatologic disorders that uniquely present in the gestational period. Those who care for pregnant women are left to try to differentiate these conditions. They are pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), pemphigoid gestationis, atopic eruption of pregnancy, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. While the most common of these, atopic eruption of pregnancy and PUPPP, are benign, self-limiting diseases that have no implications for the fetus, pemphigoid gestationis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy both pose a risk to the fetus and are associated with adverse outcomes. A clinician’s ability to distinguish these conditions can impact both the mother and the fetus.
Near-field source location with an L-band widely-spaced 4-element random array

The ability to estimate the location of a source within the near-field of a random, widely-spaced array is demonstrated in this paper. An adaptation of the MUSIC algorithm to search for sources in the near-field of an array is applied to data collected using a widely-space 4-element array to find the three-dimensional (bearing, elevation and range) location of the source within an anechoic chamber. The 4-element array used is custom-designed with a hardwired coherent local oscillator and with the capability to be widely and randomly spaced.
Cavernous Malformation Hemorrhagic Presentation at Diagnosis Associated with Low 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D Level.

Background Cavernous malformations (CM) are angiographically occult vascular malformations that may be incidental or present with intracerebral or spinal hemorrhage, seizures, or nonhemorrhagic focal neurologic deficit (FND). Recently in vitro data have suggested vitamin D may play a role in stabilizing CCM2 endothelial cells. Little is known about the effect of vitamin D in human CM disease. Methods Beginning in 2015, consecutive patients at our institution with radiologically confirmed CM were recruited to participate in a prospective clinical registry as well as 25-hydroxy-vitamin D study. A structured interview, survey, and examination were performed at baseline. Medical records and magnetic resonance imaging studies were reviewed and data collected included comorbid conditions, medication use, and location of CM. Standard definition of clinical hemorrhage, FND, and seizures was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used, and OR, 95% CIs, and likelihood-ratio p values were calculated to determine the influence of the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level on clinical presentation with hemorrhage. Results Of 213 patients enrolled in the clinical registry between January 2015 and October 2018, 70 participated in the vitamin D study (median age: 38.3 years; 51.4% female). Of the 70 participants, 30 (42.9%) presented with hemorrhage. 25-Hydroxy-vitamin D levels were performed within 1 year of symptoms in 64.1% of patients. Patients presenting with hemorrhage had a lower 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level compared to those presenting with seizure without hemorrhage, FND, or as an incidental finding (median 25.5 ng/mL; range 11-59 hemorrhage vs. median 31.0; range 14-60, no hemorrhage; p = 0.04). After adjusting for age, month of blood draw, and body mass index, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D remained a significant predictor of hemorrhagic presentation. Brainstem location also predicted hemorrhage at presentation. Conclusion Low 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level was more common in patients with CM presenting with hemorrhage. This study supports the potential role of modifiable factor in the initial clinical presentation of CM. Further study is needed to determine the role of vitamin D on prospective hemorrhage risk and whether supplementation may be beneficial.
Prune the Unnecessary: Parallel Pull-Push Louvain Algorithms with Automatic Edge Pruning

Community detection algorithms try to identify the underlying community structure (i.e., clearly distinguishable closely interacting groups of vertices) in a graph representing complex systems such as social networks, protein-protein interaction networks, and the World-Wide-Web. The Louvain algorithm iteratively moves vertices from one community to another to construct disjoint sets of vertices to form communities such that the vertices within the same community have more edges within themselves compared to their connections to the vertices outside the community. A property of the Louvain algorithm is that the number of vertex moves drops significantly just after the first few iterations because the community-membership also stabilizes quickly. In this paper, we present a parallel pull-and-push Louvain algorithm that exploits this property to prune unnecessary edge explorations without sacrificing the quality of the solution. We present a collection of parallel Louvain algorithms that prune many edges and vertices, speeding up convergence by an order of magnitude over the previously best-known implementation of the Louvain algorithm from Grappolo, while producing similar or better results.
Severe SARS-CoV-2 disease in the context of a NF-κB2 loss-of-function pathogenic variant.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that emerged recently and has created a global pandemic. Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been associated with a host of symptoms affecting numerous organ systems, including the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidney, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and skin, among others. Objective Although several risk factors have been identified as related to complications from and severity of COVID-19, much about the virus remains unknown. The host immune response appears to affect the outcome of disease. It is not surprising that patients with intrinsic or secondary immune compromise might be particularly susceptible to complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pathogenic loss-of-function or gain-of-function heterozygous variants in nuclear factor-κB2 have been reported to be associated with either a combined immunodeficiency or common variable immunodeficiency phenotype. Methods We evaluated the functional consequence and immunologic phenotype of a novel NFKB2 loss of function variant in a 17-year-old male patient and describe the clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this context. Results This patient required a 2-week hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 7 days of mechanical ventilation. We used biologic therapies to avert potentially fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome and treat hyperinflammatory responses. The patient had an immunologic phenotype of B-cell dysregulation with decreased switched memory B cells. Despite the underlying immune dysfunction, he recovered from the infection with intense management. Conclusions This clinical case exemplifies some of the practical challenges in management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in the context of underlying immune dysregulation.
Artificial Intelligence for Perioperative Fluid Management

Artificial Intelligence is an evolving area of computational science with increasing research and real-world applications in healthcare. In the perioperative patient population, increased use of AI is being found to improve quality of care and prevention of adverse events. One such area relates to prevention of hypotension and management of systemic blood pressure. Novel machine learning models to estimate fluid status and predict hypotension have been proposed. We discuss the current state of research and application of these machine learning models for perioperative fluid management.
A national cross-sectional survey of financial toxicity among bladder cancer patients

Abstract Objective Financial toxicity (FT) has been defined as the patient-level impact of the costs of cancer care. Our objective was to better characterize FT among bladder cancer patients as well as oncologic, demographic and insurance characteristics related to FT. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network using the validated COST (COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity) questionnaire. Our primary outcome was relative degree of FT, with lower COST scores corresponding to worse FT. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and multiple regression were used to evaluate differences in demographic, diagnostic and treatment characteristics as they related to degree of FT. Results Among 226 patients, median age was 68 years with 64% male, 83% married, and 49% with Medicare with supplemental insurance. Respondents reported an average of 65 months since diagnosis, with 62% reporting noninvasive disease. Mean COST was 28.4 (range 0–44). On multivariable analysis, patients who were younger, with a household annual income less than $50,000, not retired, or with insurance that was neither Medicare nor employer paid were significantly more likely to have worse FT. A majority of respondents (63.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that they would be interested in discussing cost in the context of their treatment preferences, independent of COST score (P = 0.24). Conclusions A national cross-sectional survey demonstrated high prevalence of FT which was worse among younger patients with lower incomes, not retired, and without employer-paid or Medicare insurance. Most patients preferred to discuss treatment costs with their bladder cancer provider.
Macroeconomic Concerns and Intrastate Bargains: Explaining Illiberal Policies in Brazil’s Automobile Sector

This article seeks to explain the highly interventionist Brazilian automobile policy of 1995, which drastically departed from the neoliberal principles guiding Brazilian economic policy at the time. This seemingly inconsistent policy stemmed from two overlapping bargains. The first, between the private sector and the government’s developmentalist, and hence more permeable elements, shaped the policy’s content and design. A second, more crucial intrastate bargain pitted the defenders of the previous development model against the team of neoliberal, technocratic economists who had centralized economic decisionmaking authority since mid-1993. These economists’ support for the automobile policy must be understood as a response to the macroeconomic and political challenges they faced in 1995. This study highlights the importance of examining the undisclosed actions of the state and the role of intrastate cleavages in political economy outcomes.
Strategies to Occupations in Recovering Youth Enrolled in a Recovery High School

The purpose of this paper is to provide a program description and supporting data to demonstrate that occupation-based interventions can be implemented in a recovery high school. An occupational th...
Linking Childhood Resources to Adulthood Obesity and Health: The Role of Permanent and Transitory Income

This study aims to link parental permanent and transitory income to adulthood obesity and physical health. Using data from Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), we estimate parental permanent income and windfall income when the child is in early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence. We find that permanent income leads to improvements in physical health by reducing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. The transitory income received during adolescence has larger positive effects on obesity and diabetes during adulthood. Our results suggest that the improvements in health through transitory income is generated beyond the influence of parental permanent and transitory income on educational attainment.
SARS 2 COVID-19 Pandemic and its Effects on Service Learning and Community Engagement

This article reflects on the SARS 2 COVID-19 Pandemic and its effects on service learning and community engagement.
Amenities, disamenities, and decision-making in the residential forest: An application of the means-end chain theory to roadside trees

Abstract The residential forest provides many amenities to communities, including aesthetics, air quality improvement, and higher property values. However, the residential forest may also contribute human-perceived problems or disamenities including allergens, leaf debris, infrastructure damage, and maintenance costs. Vegetation management by utility companies along power lines is one process that shapes the residential forest. Property owners’ decisions to consent or object to utility vegetation management may be influenced by perceived tree amenities and disamenities. To explore this decision-making process, we conducted 32 one-on-one semi-structured qualitative interviews with resident-homeowners who consented or objected to a utility company tree removal on their property between 2014 and 2017. The study area included several towns in eastern Connecticut, USA, representing urban, suburban, and exurban residential areas. We applied the means-end chain theory as a theoretical framework, and used laddering interviews to explore the tree amenities, disamenities, and values associated with trees. Attractiveness, shade, and privacy were the most frequently identified amenities of trees; risk to power lines, trees being dead or diseased, and risk to people were the most frequently identified disamenities. Amenities and disamenities were connected to such values as happiness and enjoyment, closeness to nature, comfort, pride in one’s home, aesthetics, life, avoiding harm to others, and time or money for other priorities. Participants who objected to utility tree removals primarily identified tree amenities as reasons to retain the trees, whereas participants who allowed tree removals primarily identified disamenities as reasons for their decision. The most common reason for objecting to removal was uncertainty about the need for removal. Participants had diverse perceptions of how tree amenities and disamenities affected their potential consent to utility vegetation management, illustrating that the priorities and concerns of individual residents are important considerations for forest managers and arborists engaged in vegetation management on private property.
To activate or destroy: regulation of the RNA Pol II elongation factor and ubiquitin ligase Elongin (550.3)

Lesions induced by a variety of DNA damaging agents can block RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation. Mechanisms that reactivate or remove Pol II that has become stalled or arrested at such lesions ...
Short range MIMO communication

In this paper, a novel communication scheme, which uses short range MIMO transmission, is introduced and evaluated. In this scheme, two facing array antennas are placed closely within the severalfold distance of the aperture width. When the distance between the transmitting and receiving array antennas is short enough, the array antenna with the optimally narrow element spacing can give high signal-to-noise ratio, and fairly low spatial correlation. It is found that the channel capacity with the optimal antenna spacing is higher than the ergodic capacity of the i.i.d. channel since the near-field MIMO scheme has a high similarity with a parallel data transmission.
Use of trophoblast cells in tissue culture for fetal chromosomal studies

The objectives of this research were to determine optimal conditions for culturing trophoblast cells in vitro and to ascertain whether cells maintained under these conditions are an adequate source of material for fetal chromosome studies. Best results were obtained with the use of 1.25 X 10(6) cells in a total volume of 4 ml of M-199 medium that contained 20% calf serum and 1 mg/ml glucose, incubated in an atmosphere of 95% air and 5% carbon dioxide. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in trophoblast cultures 14 to 64 days old. In all cases it was possible to identify cells in metaphase which were adequate for karotyping. Evidence that the cultured cells were fetal in origin was provided by two cases in which chromosome abnormalities--46,XY,inv(18), and 47,XX, + 21--were identified both in the placental cultures and in leukocytes and fibroblasts from the fetus. The cytogenetic analysis was correct in the prediction of the fetal sex in seven cases; in two cases the prediction was questionable, and in two cases it was in error. The conclusion is that the use of trophoblast cells for fetal cytogenetic studies is not practical because of (1) difficulties in culturing the cells, (2) the low mitotic frequency of the cells in culture, and (3) contamination of the culture with maternal fibroblasts.
Cell cycle-dependent expression of TAP1, TAP2, and HLA-B27 messenger RNAs in a human breast cancer cell line.

Abstract Tumor cells are generally poorly responsive to immunotherapy. The results presented here suggest that antigen presentation of somatic tumor cells may be diminished greatly in quiescence and may be determined in part by growth regulation. Peptides produced by proteasomes are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum by transporter proteins TAP-1 and TAP-2, where they bind and stabilize MHC class I molecules required for antigenic presentation on the cell surface. TAP-1 and TAP-2 mRNAs were undetectable in quiescent, serum-deprived human breast cancer cells (21PT). They appeared 10 h after serum induction, near the G1-S boundary. In contrast, HLA-B27 mRNA was biphasically up-regulated. These mRNAs were significantly down-regulated in most tissues that contain mainly terminally differentiated, nonproliferating cells. All of the investigated breast cancer cell lines showed lower expression levels of these mRNAs than did the corresponding normal cells.
Laser Stark saturation spectroscopy in methyl alcohol

The method of Lamb dip spectroscopy in Stark tuned molecular gases is discussed and applied to the experimental assignment of methyl alcohol infrared transitions in the υ5 C−O stretch band. Theoretical expressions for Stark Lamb dip patterns are derived for P, Q and R-branch transitions. Stark tuning results and transition quantum number assignments are presented for several 10μm transitions, along with measured values of resonant frequencies, absorption coefficients and pressure broadening coefficients.
Petroleum potential of the Amu Dar`ya Province, Western Uzbekistan and Eastern Turkmenistan

The Amu Dar'ya gas-oil province coincides with a Mesozoic and Cenozoic sag basin that developed on an intermontane depression filled largely by Permian-Triassic redbeds and volcanics. The stratigraphic section of the basin is divided into two parts by an extensive evaporite deposit of Kimmeridgian age. The section below the evaporite consists of Lower-Middle Jurassic clastic rocks overlain by reef-bearing carbonate rocks of Callovian and Oxfordian age. The upper Jurassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene section consists largely of clastic rocks. Structurally the province is a mosaic of highs and lows controlled by basement faults. The Kimmeridgian evaporite is a regional seal for numerous pools in the Callovian- Oxfordian carbonate rocks. In the border areas of the province where the evaporite is not present, the hydrocarbons have migrated farther upward to collect in Lower Cretaceous traps. Prospects for further discovery are excellent in most parts of the province, but are particularly favorable in carbonate re...
Communication, Learning, and Retrieval in Transactive Memory Systems☆☆☆

A laboratory experiment examined the impact of communication during learning and during recall on collective recall. Dating couples and dyads of strangers worked together to learn and later recall words in six different knowledge categories. Consistent with past work on transactive memory (Wegner, Erber, & Raymond, 1991), dating couples recalled more words than strangers when not able to communicate during learning. This effect reversed when they could communicate during learning: Strangers recalled more words than dating couples. Also, dyads in the same communication condition during learning and during recall remembered more words than dyads that learned and later recalled in different communication conditions. The data support the proposition that communication can have important effects on the manner in which knowledge is learned and recalled in transactive memory systems.
Relationship between the acid-base changes of arterial plasma during acute changes of the CO2 tension in vivo and the hemoglobin concentration of the blood☆

Abstract The relationship between the hemoglobin concentration of blood and the acid-base changes of arterial plasma following acute changes of PCO2 was studied in 13 anesthetized and artificially ventilated dogs, with hemoglobin concentrations varying between 7.0 and 20.0 /100 ml. The ventilation was first set to achieve moderate hyperventilation, and then reduced step-wise every 20 min to achieve increasing hypoventilation. The HCO3−/pH and pH/log PCO2 curves were linear over a range of PCO2 from 20 to 165 mm Hg, while the H+/PCO2 lines were slightly curvilinear with the convexity upwards. The dHCO3−/dpH ratio of arterial plasma was proportional to the hemoglobin concentration; at a hemoglobin concentration of 7.0 to 9.0 g/100 ml dHCO3−/dpH was about −12 meq/l, while at 18.0 to 20.0 g/100 ml it was about −19 meq/1, i.e. about 60% higher. At all hemoglobin concentrations it was about in the middle between dHCO3−/dpH for separated plasma and true plasma. This is helpful for obtaining better estimates of the nonrespiratory component of a given acid-base status. About 50% of the HCO3− changes seemed to be contributed by tissue buffering processes outside the blood and interstitial fluid.
SUCCESSFUL REDUCTION OF SILICA EXPOSURES AT A SANITARY WARE POTTERY

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a joint survey with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) to measure crystalline silica exposures and evaluate the adequacy of the existing control measures for reducing these exposures at a sanitary ware pottery. This survey found that 95% of the personal and area samples from the Slip House, Casting, Glaze Spray, and Glaze Preparation Departments exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Level (87% exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Level) for crystalline silica. Three years later, a follow-up survey found statistically significant reductions in respirable crystalline silica exposures in two of four plant departments, and statistically significant reductions in area concentrations in all four plant departments. These reductions were accomplished through a combination of automating and enclosing the batching system in the Slip House and by replacing the mold partin...
Singular Value Decomposition Solution of the Schrödinger Equation in the Presence of Exchange Terms

A new numerical method of solving integro-differential equations appearing in the theory of atomic and nuclear scattering systems has been devised. It is termed Singular Value Decomposition Method (SVD). It consists in expanding the exchange kernel into a number of separable terms by means of the Singular Value Decomposition and then iterating over the remainder. In this paper, we extend our SVD method to the scattering of low energy electron-helium which has been the subject of interest, both theoretically and experimentally. We compare our results with the Moments Method which is widely used. The Moments Method consists of making an expansion of the solution into an especially favorable basis that takes care of the non-exchange part of the Hamiltonian.
Overview of radiation myelotoxicity secondary to radioimmunotherapy using 131 i-lym-1 as a model

The radiation dose-limiting toxicity from radioimmunotherapy has been myelotoxicity in the absence of bone marrow reconstitution (transplantation). Myelotoxicity can be assessed directly by biopsy examination of the bone marrow and indirectly by peripheral blood counts. In patients with B-cell malignancies, thrombocytopenia has been the initial and most severe manifestation of 131 I-Lym-1 radiation toxicity from treatment. Manifestations of myelotoxicity varied greatly among the patients and from one treatment dose to another in the same patient, suggesting that additional factors were present. There was an increased likelihood of Grade 3-4 hematopoietic toxicity after 131 I-Lym-1 treatment if the patient had peripheral blood cell abnormalities before undergoing 131 I-Lym-1 treatment
Fluorescence of Poly[2-methoxy-5-(2‘-ethylhexoxy)−p-phenylene vinylene]. Effect of Pressure in a Variety of Solid Polymeric Media

The effect of pressure to 65 kbar has been measured on the steady-state and time-dependent emission of MEH−PPV in seven polymers. Both the shape and intensity of the emission spectra vary strongly with pressure. In all blends there is a drop in intensity over the first 20−25 kbar probably in part associated with long-range intramolecular electron transfer increased by compression. Above 30 kbar some blends show a considerable increase in intensity in the higher energy region of the spectrum. The time-dependent emission can, in general, be fit using single or multiple exponentials. However, in all but one blend the emission at high energy can be equally well fit using the Forster energy-transfer theory. Those blends that show a significant increase in intensity associated with the higher energy emission at high pressure also show an increase in the efficiency of energy transfer. Those blends that do not show an increase in energy transfer efficiency show no increase in intensity.
Autonomic differences between extraverts and introverts during vigilance.

Heart rate and skin resistance indices were obtained from 30 introverts and 30 extraverts as they performed on one of three levels of a visual vigilance task. Introverts detected more signals than did extraverts during the vigilance task. This superiority by introverts was associated with a pattern of heart rate and electrodermal activity which supported H. J. Eysenck's (1967) theoretical formulation.
Beam optics design for ion implantation

Abstract An overview of the design of the beam optics for an ion implantation system is given. The interrelationship of the source extraction, mass analysis, acceleration, scanning and dosimetry systems is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the problems associated with high current ion beams.
The response of resistance voltage dividers to steep-front impulse waves

At present there is no generally accepted technique for determining the response of high-voltage dividers to fractional microsecond impulse waves. This paper describes a method which uses a low-voltage cable-type pulse generator and a high-speed oscilloscope as the basic tools. A technique for calibrating the oscilloscope amplifier and the associated input attenuators is described. The effects of such parameters as total divider resistance, divider length, and connecting lead lengths have been investigated. The accuracy and limitations of vertical resistance dividers for measuring steep-front waves are evaluated.
The prophylactic use of 1-methyl, 2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium methanesulfonate (P2S) in the treatment of organophosphate poisoning

Abstract Studies have been carried out to determine the effects of prophylactic treatment with P2S (1-methyl,2-hydroxyinimomethylpyridinium methanesulfonate) on the survival of animals poisoned by lethal doses of sarin, soman, tabun, or VX ( O -ethyl S -diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate). The influence of such prophylaxis on the efficacy of therapy with atropine and P2S after poisoning by the same organophosphates has also been investigated. Following pretreatment with P2S there was a significant increase, compared with control animals, in the survival time of rabbits and guinea pigs poisoned by 2.3 LD50 of sarin and VX. With soman and tabun, the increase in the time of survival was slight, but consistent. In every case, the time taken for signs of poisoning to occur was unaffected by the pretreatment. P2S prophylaxis enhanced the effectiveness of therapy with atropine, and P2S given after poisoning with organophosphates had a similar effect, although the extent of the protection against soman poisoning was considerably less than that achieved against poisoning by sarin or VX.
Reversible suppression of Coulomb staircase in InP nanowires with light illumination

Detailed electron transport analysis is performed for an ensemble of conical indium phosphide nanowires bridging two hydrogenated n+-silicon electrodes. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics exhibit a staircase in dark with a period of ~ 1 V at room temperature. The staircase is found to disappear under light illumination. This observation can be explained by assuming the presence of a tiny island within contributing nanowires. Electrons tunnel in and out of the island, resulting in the Coulomb staircase I-V. Applying light illumination raises the electron quasi-Fermi level and the tunneling barriers are buried, causing the Coulomb staircase to disappear.
Are cognitive assessment methods equal? A comparison of think aloud and thought listing

The comparability of data generated by think aloud and thought listing was investigated. High math-anxious students completed two sets of mathematics problems. During one set they thought aloud while problem solving and during the other they listed their cognitions after completing each problem. Assessment method order and problem set order were counterbalanced in a split-plot design. The dependent variables included 11 cognitive content variables, subjective anxiety, number of problems correct, and amount of time for each problem set-assessment phase. Students were significantly more anxious and took longer to list thoughts than to think aloud. Differences on number of problems correct approached significance. On the average, think aloud produced about twice as many thoughts as thought listing and significantly more thoughts in four categories: review of information, strategic calculations, conclusions, and attention control. Thought listing produced significantly more positive problem-solving evaluations and more positive self-evaluations. An analysis on proportions revealed the same differences plus a significantly greater proportion of thoughts in five other categories for thought listing. The implications for cognitive assessment were discussed.
Deciphering the role of hydrogen bonding in enhancing pDNA-polycation interactions

There is considerable interest in the binding and condensation of DNA with polycations to form polyplexes because of their possible application to cellular nucleic acid delivery. This work focuses on studying the binding of plasmid DNA (pDNA) with a series of poly(glycoamidoamine)s (PGAAs) that have previously been shown to deliver pDNA in vitro in an efficient and nontoxic manner. Herein, we examine the PGAA−pDNA binding energetics, binding-linked protonation, and electrostatic contribution to the free energy with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The size and charge of the polyplexes at various ITC injection points were then investigated by light scattering and ζ-potential measurements to provide comprehensive insight into the formation of these polyplexes. An analysis of the calorimetric data revealed a three-step process consisting of two different endothermic contributions followed by the condensation/aggregation of polyplexes. The strength of binding and the point of charge neutralization were...