cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of a 400-Mile 230-Kv Series-Capacitor-Compensated Transmission System

SERIES capacitors have been recognized for some time as a means of increasing the amount of power transmitted over a long transmission line and as a means of increasing the distance that alternating-current power can be transmitted economically.1 The basic concept of neutralizing any portion of the series inductive reactance of a long transmission system by means of series capacitors is theoretically sound. The practical application of series capacitors for such service introduces several new and interesting problems of system design and operation, which while capable of solution will require the attention of engineers of both the equipment manufacturers and the operating companies. It is the objective of this paper to outline system characteristics encountered when series-capacitor compensation is used, with a view toward solving the problems arising therefrom. No attempt will be made to reexamine the relative cost of transmission with and without series compensation. In fact, the cost of the compensated system will be influenced to a certain degree by the methods used to solve the problems arising through use of series compensation.
Microfluidic methods for generating continuous droplet streams

Microfluidic technologies have emerged recently as a promising new route for the fabrication of uniform emulsions. In this paper, we review microfluidic methods for synthesizing uniform streams of droplets and bubbles, focusing on those that utilize pressure-driven flows. Three categories of microfluidic geometries are discussed, including co-flowing streams, cross-flowing streams, and flow focusing devices. In each category we summarize observations that have been reported to date in experiments and numerical simulations. We describe these results in the context of physical mechanisms for droplet breakup, and simple theoretical models that have been proposed. Applications of droplets in microfluidic devices are briefly reviewed.
A Probabilistic Examination of the Ultimate Strength of Cold-formed Steel Elements

The statistical characteristics (mean and variance) of the ultimate strength of cold-formed steel plates in uniform compression and pure bending are calculated and compared to deterministic approximations. Three quantities: plate thickness, longitudinal flexural residual stress magnitude and first mode imperfection magnitude, are treated as random variables. Based on existing experimental data, appropriate probability distributions are determined for the three random variables. The ultimate strength calculations are performed numerically using the finite element method (FEM). The statistical characteristics are calculated using two methods: Monte Carlo simulation and Taylor series approximation. The results are compared to the deterministic design approach of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specification for the design of cold-formed structural members.
GaAs spiral optical waveguides for delay-line applications

Spiral optical waveguides can be used to provide moderately long delays for a variety of microwave applications. A brief analysis of the performance limitations of spiral delay lines is presented, together with loss measurement data for spirals having air-equivalent lengths as long as 46 cm. It is shown that the present limitation to longer delay lengths is the straight-guide loss of GaAs/AlGaAs waveguides, and not bending or intersectional losses. >
Transient transfection of chick-embryo hepatocytes

Abstract Nutritional state regulates the expression of many genes via alterations in the plasma levels of hormones or metabolic fuels. In many cases, transcription has been identified as the regulated step. The next objective in the experimental analysis of these transcriptionally regulated genes is to identify the cis -acting sequence elements that confer regulation of a specific gene by a particular hormone or agent. One method for identifying cis -acting sequence elements involves transient expression of transgenes introduced into responsive cell types by a process called transfection. Promoter/regulatory sequences from the gene of interest are ligated to a reporter gene, and the chimeric DNA is added to cells in culture. Under appropriate conditions the DNA enters the cell, migrates to the nucleus, and is transcribed, but is not integrated into chromosomal DNA. Expression of the reporter gene is monitored to assess function of the putative promoter/regulatory DNA. The reporter gene codes for a protein that is not normally expressed in the responsive cell type. If this protein is an enzyme, then the amount of its activity is a measure of the ability of cis -acting elements in the promoter/regulatory DNA to regulate transcription. If a specific fragment of DNA can confer hormone responsiveness on the expression of the reporter gene, then sequences containing 5′ or 3′ deletions or mutations in suspected regulatory elements are used to identify the sequence elements more specifically. These DNA sequences are binding sites for regulatory proteins. The sequences identified in this “functional assay” can then be used in DNase I footprinting and gel mobility-shift assays to identify the proteins that bind to those elements.
An alkylating derivative of oxotremorine interacts irreversibly with the muscarinic receptor

A 2-chloroethylamine derivative of oxotremorine was studied in pharmacological experiments and muscarinic receptor binding assays. The compound, N-[4-(2-chloroethylmethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidone (BM 123), forms an aziridinium ion in aqueous solution at neutral pH that stimulates contractions of the guinea pig ileum with a potency similar to that of oxotremorine. Following the initial stimulation, there is a long lasting period of lack of sensitivity of the guinea pig ileum to muscarinic agonists. BM 123 also produces muscarinic effects in vivo. When homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex were incubated with BM 123 and assayed subsequently in muscarinic receptor binding assays, a loss of binding capacity for the muscarinic antagonist, [3H]N-methylscopolamine ( [3H]NMS), was noted without a change in affinity. Similar observations were made in [3H]1-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate ( [3H]1-QNB) binding assays on the forebrains of mice that had been injected with BM 123 24 hr earlier. The loss in receptor capacity for both [3H]NMS and [3H]1-QNB was prevented by atropine treatment. Kinetic studies of the interaction of BM 123 with homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex in vitro showed that the half-time for the loss of [3H]1-QNB binding sites increased from 10 to 45 min as the concentration of BM 123 decreased from 10 to 1 microM. In contrast to the aziridinium ion, the parent 2-chloroethylamine compound and the alcoholic hydrolysis product were largely devoid of pharmacological and binding activity.
Health status and use of services among families with and without health insurance.

In the last decade, the total number of uninsured persons in the United States has increased 24% to an estimated 17% of persons under 65 years of age.1'2 More than half of uninsured adults are employed, the majority belong to low-income families, and approximately one third of all uninsured individuals are under 18 years of age.3 The number of
Optimal schedules for data-parallel cycle-stealing in networks of workstations (extended abstract)

We refine the model underlying our prior work on scheduling cycle-stealing opportunities in NOWs [5, 16], obtaining a model wherein the scheduling guidelines of [16] produce optimal schedules for every such opportunity. Although computing optimal schedules usually requires the use of general (often inefficient) function-optimizing methods, we show how to compute optimal schedules efficiently for the broad class of opportunities whose durations come from a concave probability distribution. Even when no such efficient computation of an optimal schedule is available, our refined model always suggests a natural notion of approximately optimal schedule, which may be efficiently computable. We illustrate such efficient approximability via the important class of cycle-stealing opportunities whose durations come from a heavy-tailed distribution. Such opportunities do not admit any optimal schedule—nor even a natural notion of approximately optimal schedule—within the model of [5, 16]. Within our refined model, though, we derive computationally simple schedules for heavy-tailed opportunities, which can be “tuned” to have expected work-output that is arbitrarily close to optimal.
Estimating the quality of life for children around the world: NICQL '92

The concept of quality of life (NICQL '92) is presented and illustrated through several formulations. From nine relevant child and adult variables extant in current literature an index of quality of life for children in one hundred and twenty-two (N=122) countries is presented. Characteristics of the top twelve and bottom twelve nations by quality of life for children are given, as are rankings by region and worldwide. The paper discusses application of the NICQL '92 Index to policy questions and to social changes across the decade to the year 2002.
T2-TrpRS inhibits preretinal neovascularization and enhances physiological vascular regrowth in OIR as assessed by a new method of quantification.

PURPOSE. A carboxyl-terminal fragment of tryptophan tRNA synthetase (T2-TrpRS) has demonstrated potent angiostatic activity during retinal developmental neovascularization in vivo. The effects of T2-TrpRS on pathologic neovascularization were tested and compared with a potent VEGF antagonist using the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). METHODS. C57BL/6J mice were transiently exposed to hyperoxic conditions (75% O2) between postnatal day 7 (P7) and P12 and then returned to room air. Retinas were isolated, blood vessels stained with isolectin Griffonia simplicifolia, images of retinal whole-mounts acquired, and the area of vascular obliteration and extent of preretinal neovascularization quantified. This method was compared to the commonly used method of OIR quantification in which the number of pre‐ inner limiting membrane (ILM) nuclei is counted in serial sections of whole eyes. To assess the angiostatic activity of T2-TrpRS, mice were injected intravitreally at P12 with either T2-TrpRS, a VEGF aptamer, or vehicle (PBS) alone, and the effects on area of obliteration and on preretinal neovascular tuft formation were assessed. RESULTS. Using a modified method of quantification in the mouse OIR model based on images of isolectin-stained retinal wholemounts, we were able to assess reliably and consistently both vascular obliteration and preretinal neovascular tuft formation in the same specimen. T2-TrpRS demonstrated potent angiostatic activity, reducing the appearance of pathologic neovascular tufts by up to 90%. Surprisingly, T2-TrpRS also enhanced physiological revascularization of the obliterated retinal vasculature, reducing these areas by up to 60% compared with PBS-injected eyes. In contrast, the VEGF antagonist, while similarly reducing preretinal neovascular tuft formation, did not enhance revascularization of the obliterated areas. CONCLUSIONS. Use of a rapid, quantifiable method to assess the effect of T2-TrpRS on retinal angiogenesis in the OIR model demonstrates the importance of a quantification system that permits simultaneous analysis of a drug’s effect on vascular obliteration as well as on preretinal neovascularization. The results obtained using this method suggest enhanced clinical value for compounds such as T2-TrpRS that not only inhibit pathologic neovascularization, but also facilitate physiological revascularization of ischemic tissue. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47:2125‐2134) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-1096
Transition mean values of shifted convolution sums

Abstract Let f be a classical G L ( 2 ) holomorphic cusp form of full level and even weight which is a normalized eigenfunction for the Hecke algebra, and let λ ( n ) be its Fourier coefficients. In this paper we study “shifted convolution sums” ∑ n λ ( n ) λ ( n + h ) after averaging over many shifts h and obtain asymptotic estimates. The result is somewhat surprising: one encounters a transition region depending on the ratio of the square of the length of the average over h to the length of the shifted convolution sum. The phenomenon encountered in this paper is similar to that found by Conrey, Farmer and Soundararajan in their paper “Transition Mean Values of Real Characters”, and we discuss here the connection of both results to automorphic distributions, Eisenstein series and multiple Dirichlet series.
Small particle aerosols of enviroxime-containing liposomes.

Abstract Enviroxime inhibits the replication of all rhinoviruses tested in vitro at very low concentrations (10–100 ng/ml), but evaluations in humans have not consistently shown efficacy. Lack of an appropriate method for administering this water-insoluble drug may have contributed to the latter result. The present report describes the characteristics and utilization of small particle aerosols to continuously deliver enviroxime-containing liposomes (LE) throughout the respiratory tract. The enviroxime content of liposomes and biological fluids of exposed individuals was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography using C18 resin, a mobile phase of 60:40 acetonitrile:water, and monitoring at 215 nm. Small particle aerosols of LE generated by Puritan-Bennett nebulizers had mass median diameters ranging from 2.4 to 3.1 μm. The concentration of enviroxime in aerosol particles was proportional to the reservoir concentration; during the first hour of operation, the mean concentration was 20 μg of enviroxime/l of aerosol. Liposome particles in the reservoir, although initially heterogeneous in size ( 1 μ m), were processed by passage through the nebulizer to smaller, more homogeneous particles; the majority were less than 0.2 μm. In a preliminary study to evaluate short term tolerance and toxicity, five volunteers were exposed to small particle aerosol of LE for 1 h. At 1 h post-treatment, large amounts of enviroxime were still present in the nasal wash as determined both by HPLC and biological assay. Enviroxime was not detected in any urine sample and was detected in only 1 of 5 serum samples. No side effects were noted. This data suggest that liposome aerosols offer a method for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Electron Tunneling Through Thin Aluminum Oxide Films

The thin-film Al-${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$-Al system is studied. The current density as a function of temperature and voltage through aluminum oxide less than 30 \AA{} thick is analyzed using the theory of Stratton. The charge transport mechanism is established as tunneling by the functional form of the small temperature dependence. By fitting the current density data to the temperature dependence for $79\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{K}lTl300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{K}$ and $0\ensuremath{\le}V\ensuremath{\le}1.0$ V, the integrals arising from the WKB approximation are evaluated for an arbitrary barrier shape. The region of applied voltage for which quadratic power series expansions in $V$ of these integrals are valid is established as $0.0\ensuremath{\le}V\ensuremath{\le}0.3$ V. Assuming a trapezoidal barrier shape, approximate values for the barrier heights of 0.89 and 0.78 eV and an electron effective mass of $\frac{{m}^{*}}{m}=1$ are deduced. Comparisons are drawn between the more general forms of Stratton's and Simmons' theories.
The Milky Way as a Kiloparsec-Scale Axionscope

Very high energy gamma-rays are expected to be absorbed by the extragalactic background light over cosmological distances via the process of electron-positron pair production. Recent observations of cosmologically distant gamma-ray emitters by ground based gamma-ray telescopes have, however, revealed a surprising degree of transparency of the universe to very high energy photons. One possible mechanism to explain this observation is the oscillation between photons and axion-like-particles (ALPs). Here we explore this possibility further, focusing on photon-ALP conversion in the magnetic fields in and around gamma-ray sources and in the magnetic field of the Milky Way, where some fraction of the ALP flux is converted back into photons. We show that this mechanism can be efficient in allowed regions of the ALP parameter space, as well as in typical configurations of the Galactic Magnetic Field. As case examples, we consider the spectrum observed from two HESS sources: 1ES1101-232 at redshift z = 0.186 and H 2356-309 at z = 0.165. We also discuss features of this scenario which could be used to distinguish it from standard or other exotic models.
A Simple Approximation for the Variance of Meterological Time Averages

Abstract A simple method for approximating the variance of meteorological time averages is presented. Graphs of the characteristic time between independent estimates and the ratio of the variance of time-averaged data to that of unaveraged data for a first-order autoregressive process are shown.
SU‐FF‐I‐49: X‐Ray Scatter Reduction in Tomosynthesis Imaging of the Breast

Purpose: To develop and test a novel x‐ray scatter reduction algorithm for breast tomosynthesis.Method and Materials: The x‐ray scatter signal normalized by the primary signal in breast tomosynthesis projections has been shown to be a weak function of breast glandularity, size and x‐ray energy. Based on this, we propose a software‐based, post‐acquisition method that uses pre‐computed Monte Carlo estimates of the scatter field in projections of homogeneous, standard‐shaped breasts and an automated image registration algorithm (based on thin plate splines interpolation) to estimate the scatter field in clinically acquired tomosynthesis projections. The estimated scatter field can then be subtracted from the acquired projections and the results reconstructed using any tomosynthesis reconstruction algorithm. Tests of the registration algorithm, of the similarity of the estimated field with the true scatter field, and of the applicability of the scatter field from homogeneous breast volumes to projections of breasts with realistic texture were performed. The impact of the scatter correction method on the visibility of lesions in simulated tomosynthesisimages was determined. Results: The registration algorithm was found to be successful at registering the “pre‐estimated” images and the “acquired” images. The estimated scatter fields were found to be good approximations of the true scatter field (normalized mean absolute error = 9.8%). Objective metrics on the visibility of the simulated lesions after scatter correction were found to mostly increase considerably, although some reduction in signal difference‐to‐noise ratio (SDNR) was found (mean signal difference increase = 54%, mean contrast increase = 34%, mean SDNR decrease = 9%). Conclusion: These results point to the feasibility of a scatter reduction method for breast tomosynthesis, which does not involve any increase in number of projections, dose and acquisition and reconstruction time. Further testing with clinical images is being performed.
Conductance fluctuations and chaotic scattering in ballistic microstructures.

We report detailed measurements of the low-temperature magnetoconductance in ballistic microstructures in the shape of a «chaotic» stadium and a circle with quantum-point-contact leads. Both structures show large, aperiodic, conductance fluctuations as a function of perpendicular magnetic field, and a zero-field resistance peak indicating geometry-dependent enhanced backscattering. Power spectra of fluctuations are consistent with recent semiclassical analyses based on quantum chaotic scattering, with the circle showing enhanced high-frequency spectral content
Supramolecular organization of extended benzobisoxazole cruciforms

Extended benzobisoxazole-based cruciforms, efficiently synthesized using acyl condensations and Sonogashira couplings, form highly ordered two-dimensional sheets in the solid state.
Raised urinary glucocorticoid and adrenal androgen precursors in the urine of young hypertensive patients: possible evidence for partial glucocorticoid resistance.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate urinary glucocorticoid excretion profiles in a cohort of recently diagnosed young hypertensive patients. METHODS After excluding patients with secondary causes, 60 individuals with premature hypertension were recruited (diagnosed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before the age of 36 years). In addition, 30 older hypertensive controls (age of onset > 36 years, “middle aged hypertensive controls”), and 30 normal controls (age matched to the young hypertensive group) were studied. All provided 24 hour urine collections for mass spectrometry for total cortisol metabolites and total androgen metabolites by gas chromatography. RESULTS Among male patients, those with premature hypertension had higher total urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites (mean (SD), 13 332 (6472) μg/day) than age matched normal controls (7270 (1788) μg/day; p = 0.00001) or middle aged hypertensive controls (8315 (3565) μg/day; p = 0.002). A similar increase was seen among the female patients, although the absolute concentrations were lower. There was no significant difference between middle aged hypertensive patients and normal controls. Urinary total androgen excretion profiles in female patients also showed an unusual increase in the premature hypertension group (2958 (1672) μg/day) compared with the other groups (middle aged hypertensive controls, 1373 (748) μg/day, p = 0.0003; normal controls, 1687 (636) μg/day, p = 0.002). In all subjects, serum sodium and creatinine concentrations were within the normal range; serum potassium concentrations were found to be low before the start of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Individuals presenting with premature hypertension have an abnormally high excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites in the urine. While the mechanism remains uncertain, these findings are compatible with partial resistance of the glucocorticoid receptors, with a compensatory increase in cortisol and androgen metabolites. The mineralocorticoid effects of the latter (sodium and water retention) may contribute to an abnormally high blood pressure and may have implications for targeted selection of first line treatment in young hypertensive patients.
Heart development in the Mexican salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum. I. Gross anatomy, histology and histochemistry.

Gross anatomical, histological and histochemical studies of heart development in Mexican salamanders, Ambystoma mexicanum, are reported. Gross observation suggests that heart development in this urodele species is similar to other amphibians. Histological studies in early embryos show the ventromedially migrating sheets of precardiac mesoderm to be composed of two layers of cells. The right and left dorsal layers fuse and give rise to the myocardium, while the ventral layers form the pericardium. The endocardium arises from cells released by the leading edges of the migrating mesoderm mantles. In early myocardial cells, most of the proteins and carbohydrates are contained in yolk platelets; subsequently, these substances become distributed throughout the cytoplasmic matrixes. In early heart cells free lipid droplets are abundant but decline in size and number as development progresses. Concomitantly, there is an increase in bound lipids. Reticular fibers are detected in the endocardial-myocardial spaces simultaneously with trabeculae formation. Collagen appears somewhat later in development.
Acyclic stereoselection. 35. Effect of cation on diastereofacial selectivity in aldol reactions of a chiral α-silyloxy ketone.☆

Abstract By an appropriate choice of cation, three of the four possible aldols from the reactions of the chiral α-silyloxy ketone 1 with aldehydes may be obtained. The Z , lithium enolate provides 6, the Z , boron enolate gives 7, and the E magnesium enolate affords 8.
SU-E-T-517: Characterization of Relative Doses and Source Strengths for Various Plaque Sizes and Tumor Dimensions in the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma.

Purpose: To characterize the relative doses and source strengths for various eye plaque sizes and tumor dimensions in the treatment of uveal melanoma. Materials and Method: Several tumors with basal diameters ranging from 6–16mm and apical height of 5–10mm were planned using the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system following the American Brachytherapy Society's recommendations. The data is based on 5‐day implant to deliver 85Gy with a dose rate of 70.9cGy/hr. Choice of plaque size is based on a 2–3 mm margin on either side of the tumor.Doses to the fixed locations: sclera, center of the eye and opposite sclera were obtained. Results: From our results we see larger source strengths needed for smaller plaques due to smaller number of sources used. The exception is with 14mm and 16mm plaques containing the same number of sources where the 16mm plaque has slightly higher source strengths. For both the inner and outer sclera, the relative dose increases with increasing height. For a 12mm plaque, the relative dose of the outer sclera increases from 4–10 times that of the Rx dose at the apex of the tumor. For a 20mm eye plaque, the relative dose of the outer sclera increases from 2–5 times that of the prescription dose at the apex of the tumor. As apical height increases, the relative dose at the center of the eye increases to about 75% of the Rx dose at 10cm depth for all plaque sizes. At the inner sclera surface opposite the center of the tumor base the relative dose is 20–22% of the Rx dose for all plaque sizes. Conclusion: The data provided will be a helpful tool in evaluating and predicting complications in the retina and sclera based on the tumor dimensions and selected plaque size.
Transport of Ion Deposited Energy by Recoiling Target Atoms

A previous method for directly calculating the spatial distribution of energy deposition into damage or ionization for ions implanted into solid targets is extended to account for the energy transport by recoiling target atoms. The new calculations extend the applicability of the method to lower incident ion energies. Good agreement is obtained between experiment and theory using the improved procedure.
Nitrogen tetroxide studies. I. The preliminary oxidation of L-sorbose†

Using essentially anhydrous conditions, l-sorbose was oxidized by nitrogen tetroxide dissolved in carbon tetrachloride. The oxidized sugar yielded an alcoholinsoluble calcium salt whose behavior and properties resembled those of the calcium salt prepared from an authentic sample of methyl-2-keto-gulonate. Optimal conditions were achieved under which maximum yields were obtained of an acid that upon lactonization had dye-reducing properties and led to the isolation of crystalline ascorbic acid. Thus it was assumed that one of the sugar acids resulting from the anhydrous oxidation of l-sorbose by nitrogen tetroxide was 2-keto-gulonic acid.
The Deep Hot Biosphere

The first inhabitants of planet Earth were single-celled microorganisms and they are still with us today. Their name is truly legion, for they live everywhere, from boiling hot springs at the Earth's surface and on the seafloor to the coldest waters of the oceans and the Antarctic lakes. They are the masters of evolutionary adaptation, who have colonized the entire range of conditions under which water can exist as a liquid. At some ancient mythic time billions of years ago in a witches' brew of precursory molecules, somewhere, somehow, on a sunny Precambrian day bright with promise some of these molecules came together in the first coupling, learned to replicate, create enzymes, metabolize, and seal themselves into protective membranes inside of which they began the process of living. How they did this is our greatest mystery, for they are our primordial ancestors and we do not understand ourselves until we understand them.
Does pooling saliva for cotinine testing save money without losing information

Although testing for cotinine in saliva offers an attractive means to verify survey responses about recent use of tobacco, its relatively high cost prevents its use in many studies of substance use. Pooling two or more samples can dramatically reduce the cost when prevalence rates are low, but many researchers fear that failures in detecting users will outweigh the monetary benefit. Results from pools of two saliva specimens collected from seventh-grade students provide the first empirical evidence that pooling saves money without compromising the test's accuracy to detect recent tobacco use. Pooling successfully identified all specimens near or above the 10-ng/ml threshold for evidence of active tobacco exposure. We conclude that analysts can realize substantial savings by pooling saliva samples from young populations without losing valuable information.
A test of tricriticality in cholesteryl oleyl carbonate

Abstract High-resolution calorimetric measurements made near the smectic-cholesteric transition in COC at 1, 1500, and 2625 bar do not support a reported high-pressure tricritical point but do indicate a monotonic decrease in the transition entropy with pressure.
Parkinson's disease and smoking.

To the Editor. —In their article in the August 1986 issue of theArchives, Golbe et al assessed the previously reported inverse association between cigarette smoking and Parkinson's disease (PD) by comparing the average age at onset of symptoms in smokers and nonsmokers with PD. 1 They found that the age at onset was not older among smokers, and from this they concluded that smoking probably does not prevent, delay, or ameliorate PD. The underlying assumption in their study, however, represents a fallacy in statistical reasoning. One cannot draw any inferences by comparing the average age at disease onset for smoking cases and nonsmoking cases unless one also knows the age distribution of the populations of smokers and nonsmokers. If, for example, an investigator compared the average age at PD onset for married and widowed patients, he almost certainly would find that
Modeling the deep space network costs for future space missions by using major cost drivers

This paper develops a cost model to do long range planning cost estimates for Deep Space Network (DSN) support of future space missions. The model is a function of eight major mission cost drivers such as uplink frequency upgrade, telemetry upgrade, and antenna gain/noise temperature upgrade. This paper focuses on the costs required to modify and/or enhance the DSN to prepare for supporting future space missions. Two models are derived from actual cost data from three space missions: Voyager (Uranus), Voyager (Neptune), and Magellan. Model A makes it possible to estimate the total cost, and Model B makes it possible to estimate the time profile cost and total cost for DSN support of a similar future space mission. The models were back tested against the total cost and the time profile cost for DSN support of the three projects, and gave cost estimates which range from 17 percent below to 19 percent above actual costs for Model A, and 22.5 percent below to 17.5 percent above for Model B. The total cost Model A was also applied to estimate the total costs for DSN support of two other independent projects: Mariner Jupiter/Saturn (MJS later became Voyager), and Viking. This model gave total cost estimates for DSN support which range from 15 percent to 4 percent above actual total costs for MJS and Viking, respectively.
Hawk eyes I: diurnal raptors differ in visual fields and degree of eye movement.

Background Different strategies to search and detect prey may place specific demands on sensory modalities. We studied visual field configuration, degree of eye movement, and orbit orientation in three diurnal raptors belonging to the Accipitridae and Falconidae families. Methodology/Principal Findings We used an ophthalmoscopic reflex technique and an integrated 3D digitizer system. We found inter-specific variation in visual field configuration and degree of eye movement, but not in orbit orientation. Red-tailed Hawks have relatively small binocular areas (∼33°) and wide blind areas (∼82°), but intermediate degree of eye movement (∼5°), which underscores the importance of lateral vision rather than binocular vision to scan for distant prey in open areas. Cooper's Hawks' have relatively wide binocular fields (∼36°), small blind areas (∼60°), and high degree of eye movement (∼8°), which may increase visual coverage and enhance prey detection in closed habitats. Additionally, we found that Cooper's Hawks can visually inspect the items held in the tip of the bill, which may facilitate food handling. American Kestrels have intermediate-sized binocular and lateral areas that may be used in prey detection at different distances through stereopsis and motion parallax; whereas the low degree eye movement (∼1°) may help stabilize the image when hovering above prey before an attack. Conclusions We conclude that: (a) there are between-species differences in visual field configuration in these diurnal raptors; (b) these differences are consistent with prey searching strategies and degree of visual obstruction in the environment (e.g., open and closed habitats); (c) variations in the degree of eye movement between species appear associated with foraging strategies; and (d) the size of the binocular and blind areas in hawks can vary substantially due to eye movements. Inter-specific variation in visual fields and eye movements can influence behavioral strategies to visually search for and track prey while perching.
Goldhagen’s Hitler’s Willing Executioners: A Clarification and Methodological Critique

Daniel Jonah Goldhagen’s Hitler’s Willing Executioners has sparked an outpouring of controversy in the international and scholarly press. Unfortunately, much of the debate over the book has been focused on a simplistic interpretation of Goldhagen’s argument. In this article, we seek to move the debate in a more fruitful direction by clarifying Goldhagen’s actual argument, and then critiquing this argument, not the simplified one presented in much of the literature. We suggest that key parts of Goldhagen’s argument cannot be falsified by empirical evidence and thus should be regarded much more cautiously and tentatively than Goldhagen’s firm conclusions suggest. Nevertheless, we commend Goldhagen for developing a methodologically explicit causal analysis of the Holocaust and encourage others to follow this example.
Chemoprotection by sulforaphane: Keep one eye beyond Keap1

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, with particularly high levels detected in broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Over a decade ago, this phytochemical was identified as a likely chemopreventive agent based on its ability to induce Phase 2 detoxification enzymes, as well as to inhibit Phase 1 enzymes involved in carcinogen activation. Considerable attention has focused on SFN as a 'blocking' agent, with the ability to modulate the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, but recent evidence suggests that SFN acts by numerous other mechanisms. SFN induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells, inhibits tubulin polymerization, activates checkpoint 2 kinase, and inhibits histone deacetylase activity. The latter findings suggest that SFN may be effective during the post-initiation stages of carcinogenesis, as a 'suppressing' agent. Moreover, pharmacological administration of SFN may be a promising therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancers, including those characterized by increased inflammation and involving viral or bacterial-related pathologies. The present review discusses the more widely established chemoprotective mechanisms of SFN, but makes the case for additional work on mechanisms that might be of importance during later stages of carcinogenesis, beyond Keap1.
ANIMAL SIGNALS AND THE OVERLOOKED COSTS OF EFFICACY1

The most striking aspects of many animals are signals. Thus one might expect Animal Signals by John Maynard Smith and David Harper to discuss the detailed biology of this half of the communication dyad. Not so. Instead, they concentrate on a single question, why signals are reliable, and emphasize one methodology to its solution: game theory. Although not embracing the entire biology of signaling, the book grapples with a continuing problem. Signals evolved to communicate information and manipulate receivers to the signaler’s benefit. Similarly, the receiver’s response to signals is under selection to promote its fitness. The issue at hand is the conflict between signal and receiver: what keeps the signaler from providing false information to the receiver? Zahavi (1975) explained signal reliability with the handicap principle: males evolve costly signals to indicate their underlying genetic quality for survivorship. The authors detail how this theory was rejected enthusiastically by modelers, including Maynard Smith (1976; see also Kirkpatrick 1986), and resurrected as enthusiastically a decade later (Pomiankowski 1987; Grafen 1990). Maynard Smith and Harper, however, argue convincingly that although sufficient, the handicap principle is hardly necessary to explain reliable signals because not all signals are costly, and not all costs are handicaps. Several situations enforce signal reliability without handicaps: signalers and receivers share common interests, both parties have conflicting interests yet agree on preferences for outcomes, cheaters are punished, or signals cannot be faked. In this last and most interesting case, signals are constrained to be reliable by morphology and physiology—this type of signal is an index (p. 60; see also Enquist 1985). The authors offer as an example the frequency of a red deer’s call being constrained by larynx size. Males can evolve larger larynges and behaviors to expand its size, but once such innovations are fixed in the population, call frequency again becomes a reliable index (p. 46). Many signals that are not indices are costly to the signaler. Is this cost prima facie evidence for a handicap, as Zahavi might suggest? No. ‘‘Demonstrating that a signal is costly, therefore, is not evidence that it is a handicap.’’ (p. 16; see also Ryan 1998a) Why? The authors point out that there is more to signaling than reliability, and they identify a dichotomy of signal costs. Efficacy costs are those required to ensure that signals can be transmitted efficiently to the receiver (p. 73). Strategic costs are additional costs that ensure signal reliability—Zahavi’s handicaps. Effective signaling is
Career and Career‐Related Educational Concerns of College Students With Disabilities

This article providas career counselors with an overview of career-related issues relevant to students with disabilities in postsecondary educational settings. Topics addressed include the impact of disability on career development, the impact of disability on postsecondary educational participation, and access and accommodation issues. The authors argue for an expanded role for career counselors who work with college students with disabilities. It is concluded that career counselors can play an important role in facilitating college students with disabilities in their adaptation to the college environment, their acquisition of appropriate accommodations, and their transition to employment.
Sinefungin resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae arising from sam3 mutations that inactivate the AdoMet transporter or from increased expression of AdoMet synthase plus mRNA cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase

The S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) analog sinefungin is a natural product antibiotic that inhibits nucleic acid methyltransferases and arrests the growth of unicellular eukarya and eukaryal viruses. The basis for the particular sensitivity of fungi and protozoa to sinefungin is not known. Here we report the isolation and characterization of spontaneous sinefungin-resistant mutants of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In all cases, sinefungin resistance was attributable to a loss-of-function mutation in Sam3, the yeast high-affinity AdoMet transporter. Overexpression of wild-type Sam3 increased the sensitivity of yeast to growth inhibition by sinefungin. Thus, Sam3 is a tunable determinant of sinefungin potency. The shared ability of protozoan parasites to import AdoMet might determine sinefungin's anti-infective spectrum. Insights to the intracellular action of sinefungin stem from the finding that increased gene dosage of yeast AdoMet synthase plus cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase afforded greater resistance to sinefungin than either enzyme alone. These results are consistent with the proposal that mRNA cap methylation is a principal target of sinefungin's bioactivity.
Comparison of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity in a military institution

Abstract Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining acceptance in the bariatric community as a definitive weight loss procedure; however, longitudinal data remain limited. The objective of this study was to compare weight loss results of LSG with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) up to 5 years postoperatively using anthropometric measurements. Methods Prospectively collected bariatric database at the Naval Medical Center San Diego was retrospectively reviewed from 2005–2011 . Anthropometric factors, including weight and hip circumference were measured during standard yearly follow-up appointments. Surgical outcomes were tested by the Student t test and demographic variables by Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results Follow-up was achieved in 147/226 LRYGB versus 130/208 LSG at year 1, 92/195 versus 81/151 at year 2, 64/145 versus 50/100 at year 3, 32/81 versus 18/54 at year 4, and 12/42 versus 14/15 at year 5. The excess weight loss (EWL) for LRYGB versus LSG was 72% versus 64.7% at 1 year ( P = .002), 71.3% versus 65.5% at 2 years ( P = .113), and 68.3% versus 57.4% at 5 years ( P = .252), respectively. Similarly, the body mass index (BMI) decrease was statistically significant at 1 year ( P = .001) but not on subsequent annual visits. Mean percent body adiposity index (BAI) decrease was 28.4% for LRYGB versus 26.8% for LSG at 1 year ( P = .679) and 21.8% versus 29.8% at 2 years ( P = .134), respectively. Weight loss measured in terms of %EWL and decrease in BMI and BAI did not show significance between LRYGB and LSG 2 years after surgery. Conclusion Our study provides similar long-term weight loss between LSG and LRYGB, and therefore, LSG is a viable option as a definitive bariatric procedure.
Human factors and ergonomics in the emergency department

Although health care rapidly adopts technologic advances from other fields, it has been slow to incorporate well-established principles from human factors engineering into the health care workplace. This article demonstrates some of those principles by analyzing an all too routine clinical event from a human factors point of view. Review of this case and ergonomic principles leads us to conclude that the routine application of human factors engineering principles could improve patient safety and would likely improve system efficiency as well.
Testing quantum randomness in single-photon polarization measurements with the NIST test suite

7polarization measurements of single photons from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source, under pumping conditions similar to those used in optical quantum cryptography. To search for correlations in the polarization measurement outcomes, we subjected the sequence to a suite of tests developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the assessment of algorithmic random-number generators. The bias of the sequence was low enough to allow all fifteen tests to be applied directly to the polarization outcomes without using any numerical unbiasing procedures. No statistically significant deviations from randomness were observed, other than those related to this small uncorrected bias. © 2010 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 270.0270, 270.5568, 270.5290.
Monomorphic T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders exhibit markedly inferior outcomes compared to monomorphic B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) represent a serious complication of both solid organ and bone marrow transplant, with mortality rates that exceed 50% [1–3]. The incidence rang...
VectorForce: A Video Game Project

In an era where videogames are beginning to surpass the film industry's gross product, it was no surprise that including a game design degree helped to bolster our own school's declining computer science enrollment. However, theories on game design alone did not prepare students for future employment. It became apparent that we needed to create an actual game in order to solidifystudents' understanding of game design principles. While there is a swath of scholarly work on game design theory and specialized technical areas, there is little work about how one actually proceeds in creating an entire game, much less how to structure a curriculum that will actually allow instructors to teach students to create a game. The intent of this paper is to provide a discussion of how one might organize a team of students to create a videogame and the logistics required for such an undertaking. The task is accomplished by outlining the creation of Vector Force, which was published in the Microsoft Xbox Marketplace on 23 Sep 2009.
Beyond brainstorming: Creative problem-solving techniques

Creative techniques developed by professionals that promote innovative, original, and alternative solutions to problems are presented. Mind mapping, symbolic analogy, forced connections, manipulative verbs, and bionics are the techniques discussed. >
Decreasing cx36 gap junction coupling compensates for overactive KATP channels to restore insulin secretion and prevent hyperglycemia in a mouse model of neonatal diabetes.

Mutations to the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) that reduce the sensitivity of ATP inhibition cause neonatal diabetes mellitus via suppression of β-cell glucose-stimulated free calcium activity ([Ca2+]i) and insulin secretion. Connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions also regulate islet electrical activity; upon knockout of Cx36, β-cells show [Ca2+]i elevations at basal glucose. We hypothesized that in the presence of overactive ATP-insensitive KATP channels, a reduction in Cx36 would allow elevations in glucose-stimulated [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion to improve glucose homeostasis. To test this, we introduced a genetic knockout of Cx36 into mice that express ATP-insensitive KATP channels and measured glucose homeostasis and islet metabolic, electrical, and insulin secretion responses. In the normal presence of Cx36, after expression of ATP-insensitive KATP channels, blood glucose levels rapidly rose to >500 mg/dL. Islets from these mice showed reduced glucose-stimulated [Ca2+]i and no insulin secretion. In mice lacking Cx36 after expression of ATP-insensitive KATP channels, normal glucose levels were maintained. Islets from these mice had near-normal glucose-stimulated [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion. We therefore demonstrate a novel mechanism by which islet function can be recovered in a monogenic model of diabetes. A reduction of gap junction coupling allows sufficient glucose-stimulated [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion to prevent the emergence of diabetes.
On formulations of firing squad synchronization problems

We propose a novel formulation of the firing squad synchronization problem. In this formulation we may use more than one general state and the general state to be used is determined by the boundary condition of the general. We show that the usual formulation and the new formulation yield different minimum firing times for some variations of the problem. Our results suggest that the new formulation is more suited for the general theory of the firing squad synchronization problem.