cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiscale Modeling of Cross-Regulatory Transcript and Protein Influences

With the popularity of high-throughput transcriptomic techniques like RNAseq, models of gene regulatory networks have been important tools for understanding how genes are regulated. These transcriptomic datasets are usually assumed to reflect their associated proteins. This assumption, however, ignores post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational regulatory mechanisms that regulate protein abundance but not transcript abundance. Here we describe a method to model cross-regulatory influences between the transcripts and proteins of a set of genes using abundance data collected from a series of transgenic experiments. The developed model can capture the effects of regulation that impacts transcription as well as regulatory mechanisms occurring after transcription. This approach uses a sparse maximum likelihood algorithm to determine relationships that influence transcript and protein abundance. An example of how to explore the network topology of this type of model is also presented. This model can be used to predict how the transcript and protein abundances will change in novel transgenic modification strategies.
Observability-aware Target Tracking with Range Only Measurement

Often times in nonlinear systems, the control input can play a significant role in the system's observability. In this paper, we investigate the trade-off between observability and control performance for a mobile robot in target tracking, when only the distance to the target is measured. The problem is motivated by practical applications for autonomous robots when operating in GPS-denied environments. A nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) framework is used to address the dilemma between localization and tracking, by jointly optimizing the tracking performance and an observability metric. Three measures of estimation performance are considered, including the determinant of the observability matrix, the inverse condition number of the observability matrix, and the trace of the covariance matrix in position estimation. By tuning the relative importance of the tracking objective and observation performance, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed NMPC approach. The trade-off is captured through two examples, one with unicycle dynamics on a plane, the other based on gliding robotic fish with complex 3D dynamics.
Analysis of racial disparities in acute type A aortic dissection repair at a rural tertiary academic medical center.

BACKGROUND To determine if racial disparities exist between African Americans (AA) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) for patients undergoing repair of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) at a rural tertiary academic medical center. METHODS There were 215 consecutive AA and NHW patients who underwent ATAAD repair at our institution from 1999 to 2019 included in a retrospective analysis of our Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Statistical analysis was performed with a p value of less than .05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Patients undergoing ATAAD repair were 47% AA despite comprising only 27% of the total population in our region. AAs were significantly younger (54.0 vs. 61.2 years), were more likely to be hypertensive (94.1% vs. 79.7%), had higher creatinine levels (1.7 vs. 1.1 mg/dL), and higher body mass index (30.8 vs. 28.1 kg/m2 ) (all p values < .006). There were no significant differences in type of repair or intraoperative variables. A logistic regression analysis showed AAs had an increased rate of postoperative acute renal failure not requiring hemodialysis when compared to NHWs (20.8% vs. 10.6%, p value = .042). Thirty-day mortality was not significantly different (15.7% vs. 13.4%) nor was 1-year survival (78% vs. 79%) in AAs and NHWs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Despite AAs having more medical comorbidities at presentation, there were no differences in short- and intermediate-term survival. In our catchment of 1.8 million people, AAs appear to undergo ATAAD repair at a disproportionate rate versus NHWs. These findings may alter strategies for surveillance and prevention of aortic disease in this high-risk population.
The Virgin Mary, Monotheism and Sacrifice

Introduction: a vehement flame Part I. Theories of Sacrifice: 1. Sacrifice, gender and patriarchy 2. Abrahamic sacrifice 3. Marian sacrifice Part II. Mary, Motherhood, and Sacrifice in the Gospels: 4. Daughter of Zion: Mary in Mark and Matthew 5. The new Abraham: Mary in Luke 6. Mother of the faithful: Mary in John Part III. Mary and Priesthood: 7. Woman clothed with the sun: Hebrews and Revelation 8. Temple of the temple: the protoevangelion of James 9. Witness to sacrifice: Mary and the Eucharist Conclusion: Mary and Abrahamic hospitality.
An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethylamine β-Hydroxylase

Abstract 1. The role of the copper in highly purified bovine adrenal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine β-hydroxylase (dopamine β-hydroxylase) has been studied with the use of electron paramagnetic resonance techniques. The results confirm our previous findings. Most of the protein-bound Cu2+ is reduced by treatment of the enzyme with ascorbate; a large part of the Cu+ in the reduced enzyme is reoxidized during the hydroxylation of substrate. These results support a reduction-oxidation role for the protein-bound copper. 2. Fumarate, an activator of dopamine β-hydroxylase, appears to favor the oxidation of Cu+ to Cu2+. This effect of fumarate is discussed in terms of the mechanism of action of dopamine β-hydroxylase.
Differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems between transgender- and nontransgender-identified young adults

Background Little is known about differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems between transgender- and nontransgender-identified populations. Using data from a large-scale health survey, we compare the drinking patterns and prevalence of alcohol-related problems of transgender-identified individuals to nontransgender-identified males and females. For transgender-identified people, we examine how various forms of victimization relate to heavy episodic drinking (HED).
Automatic process control for the food industry: an introduction.

Abstract: In order to ensure food security in food-manufacturing operations, automatic process control is desired. With the operation of automatic process-control systems the deviation of the controlled variables from standards can be consistently monitored, adjusted, and minimized to improve the process operations on a regular basis. Proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) control has been widely used in the food industry. Model-based control has been developed to improve the performance of control systems in the food industry. This chapter overviews the concepts, methods, and systems of automatic process control for the food industry, and projects the future of automatic process control.
Supplier's perspective on commercial air transport avionics business practices

In the period of the late 1980s and early 90s, airlines found themselves in a precarious double-whammy position: overcapitalized and unable to make a profit. They couldn't fill the seats of the airplanes they had, let alone the airplanes they had on order. Because of this, a shift in buying habits occurred at the airlines as the bottom line became the primary driver of decision-making, This has driven the industry ever since. Unfortunately, many of the business practices that have been ingrained in the industry have not shifted accordingly. Many value added functions are provided through software, but while the customers, in the best case situation, are willing to pay the nonrecurring cost to develop this software-and possibly allow a small profit, they seem not willing to enter into a discussion of its true value. This adherence to cost-based pricing as opposed to value-based pricing is a serious threat to the delicate supplier-customer balance.
Khovanov Homology Theories and Their Applications

This is an expository paper discussing various versions of Khovanov homology theories, interrelations between them, their properties, and their applications to other areas of knot theory and low-dimensional topology.
Benchmarking density functional theory predictions of framework structures and properties in a chemically diverse test set of metal–organic frameworks

A test set of chemically and topologically diverse Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with high accuracy experimentally derived crystallographic structure data was compiled. The test set was used to benchmark the performance of Density Functional Theory (DFT) functionals (M06L, PBE, PW91, PBE-D2, PBE-D3, and vdW-DF2) for predicting lattice parameters, unit cell volume, bonded parameters and pore descriptors. On average PBE-D2, PBE-D3, and vdW-DF2 predict more accurate structures, but all functionals predicted pore diameters within 0.5 A of the experimental diameter for every MOF in the test set. The test set was also used to assess the variance in performance of DFT functionals for elastic properties and atomic partial charges. The DFT predicted elastic properties such as minimum shear modulus and Young's modulus can differ by an average of 3 and 9 GPa for rigid MOFs such as those in the test set. The partial charges calculated by vdW-DF2 deviate the most from other functionals while there is no significant difference between the partial charges calculated by M06L, PBE, PW91, PBE-D2 and PBE-D3 for the MOFs in the test set. We find that while there are differences in the magnitude of the properties predicted by the various functionals, these discrepancies are small compared to the accuracy necessary for most practical applications.
New vistas on info-system security

This paper traces the history and evolution of the various criteria efforts associated with computer system and network security. It notes several new security requirements arising from new system architectures, intense networking, different operational environments, and evolving online services. Finally, it speculates on the continuing role of the Common Criteria.
A novel low-temperature passivation of InAlAs/InGaAs HEMT devices by MBE

The authors report the first successful passivation of an InAlAs/InGaAs/InP high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with an InAlAs layer grown at low temperature (LT) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). After passivation, extrinsic transconductance, gate-drain breakdown voltage, and channel breakdown voltage are increased, while the gate leakage is reduced. RF measurement of the devices shows no degradation of the noise figure measured at 58 GHz. The authors report the result of a thermal storage test performed on the device at 230 degrees C with DC parameters monitored as a function of time. The results demonstrate that the LT passivation by MBE under ultra-high vacuum ambient is an effective novel approach to solve the problem inherent to surface-sensitive III-V devices, such as the HEMT devices reported here. >
Single-lobe operation of a forty-element laser array in an external ring laser cavity

Recently, external methods for controlling the far-field intensity distributions and spectra of coupled stripe laser diode arrays have been demonstrated using external cavities1,2 and Injection locking.3-5 While the external-cavity approach for single-lobe operation is simple to implement and does not require wavelength stabilization, injection locking has been shown to produce highly single-lobe far fields and single-longitudinal-mode operation. Diffraction-limited single-lobe output of an injection-locked forty-element gain-guided array emitting 510 mW (cw) has been demonstrated, with 150 mW coupled into a single-mode fiber.5
A Detailed Examination of Cytokine Abnormalities in Major Depressive Disorder

Recent technological advances offer an opportunity to further elucidate the complex cytokine network in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Twenty cytokines were simultaneously assessed in 49 individuals with MDD and 49 age and gender matched controls. Multiple pro-inflammatory and two anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the MDD sample, including an antidepressant naive subset. These data support a generalized chronic inflammatory state in MDD, and implicate additional cytokines and chemokines previously linked to cardiovascular disease.
Within-Year Population Dynamics and Forage Destruction Model for Rangeland Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

A rangeland grasshopper model (HopMod) was developed to incorporate phenological development, forage destruction, natural mortality, and control option efficacy (of the current registered treatments) for a a complex of rangeland grasshopper species. These factors must be considered to make economically based management decisions for rangeland grasshoppers. The phenology component is based on heat accumulation for populations under field conditions. Phenology parameters were developed directly from field data from Montana over many sites and years for the species complexes of interest. In addition, HopMod phenology and density can be initialized with real–time field data to improve accuracy. Therefore, the model has potential application over broad geographic areas where similar species complexes occur. This is important because it is very expensive and impractical to collect data necessary to develop site–specific models over such large areas in the western United States. In addition to phenology, there are components to simulate forage consumption, oviposition, natural mortality, and control mortality (including chemical and biological control). The population dynamics component was validated with field data from western North Dakota. Forage consumption was verified by comparing HopMod with previously described methods to estimate grasshopper forage consumption. HopMod was designed to run on a microcomputer (MS–DOS, written in Borland Pascal) as part of a larger decision support system, but can also run as a stand–alone program. The decision support system uses results from HopMod to determine economic utility of treatments suggested by an expert system.
Spatially variant regularization improves diffuse optical tomography

Diffuse tomography with near-infrared light has biomedical application for imaging hemoglobin, water, lipids, cytochromes, or exogenous contrast agents and is being investigated for breast cancer diagnosis. A Newton–Raphson inversion algorithm is used for image reconstruction of tissue optical absorption and transport scattering coefficients from frequency-domain measurements of modulated phase shift and light intensity. A variant of Tikhonov regularization is examined in which radial variation is allowed in the value of the regularization parameter. This method minimizes high-frequency noise in the reconstructed image near the source–detector locations and can produce constant image resolution and contrast across the image field.
Parameterizing the fresh-water flux from land ice to ocean with interactive icebergs in a coupled climate model

Icebergs are an important part of the fresh-water cycle and, until now, have not been explicitly represented in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) class coupled global circulation models (CGCMs) of the climate system. In this study we examine the impact of introducing interactive icebergs in a next-generation CGCM designed for 21st Century climate predictions. The frozen fresh-water discharge from land is used as calving to create icebergs in the coupled system which are then free to evolve and interact with the sea-ice and ocean components. Icebergs are fully prognostic, represented as point particles and evolve according to momentum and mass balance equations. About 100,000 individual particles are present at any time in the simulations but represent many more icebergs through a clustering approach. The various finite sizes of icebergs, which are prescribed by a statistical distribution at the calving points, lead to a finite life-time of icebergs ranging from weeks, for the smallest icebergs (60 m length), up to years for the largest (2.2 km length). The resulting melt water distribution seen by the ocean enhances deep-water formation, in particular on the continental shelves, relative to the model without icebergs. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Who uses e-government?: examining the digital divide in e-government use

This empirical study examines the digital divide in e-government adoption and profiles e-government users, by analyzing the data from the national random-sampled survey that the Pew Internet and American Life Project conducted via telephone interviews on American citizens in 2009. The path analysis suggests four main findings. First, socio-demographic conditions strongly matter for e-government use. Younger generations and socioeconomically advantaged people use e-government more than their counterparts. Second, perceived usefulness of e-government contributes to actual use of e-government. Third, the effect of trust in government on e-government adoption is indirect through perceived usefulness rather than directly causal. Those with higher levels of trust in overall government would likely perceive value of e-government, and then those who perceive potential benefits from using e-government adopt e-government. Last, Internet use intensity is highly associated with e-government use intensity.
PAIN DUE TO ESOPHAGEAL DISTENTION.

1. The substernal distress caused by esophageal distention with a balloon is characterized by a pressure rise to approximately 50–55 mm. Hg. This pressure level is relatively constant under a variety of conditions.
Evidence of Single-File Diffusion in Zeolites

In the report “NMR studies of single-file diffusion in unidimensional channel zeolites” ([3 May, p. 702][1]), Volker Kukla et al . state that their study is the first direct evidence of single-file diffusion. A paper by our group [“Evidence for single-file diffusion of ethane in the molecular
Comment on 'Effect of thrust/speed dependence on long-period dynamics in supersonic flight'

Introduction R EFERENCE 1 discusses effects of speed-dependent variations in thrust on the long-period motions of aircraft in supersonic flight. Its principal contribution is the demonstration of effects that a complex pair of zeros have on speed-tothrottle feedback. It is concluded that there are fundamental differences between thrust/speed effects in subsonic and supersonic flight. It also is stated that "thrust variations with speed (or Mach number) have practically no effect on the phugoid in supersonic flight," then that "the phugoid is not influenced at all in supersonic flight." The purpose of this Comment is to show that thrust/speed effects are indeed small but not zero in supersonic flight and that this is a kinematic effect of increasing speed rather than an aerodynamic effect of Mach number. In the process, a simplified analytical model is offered for further study. Furthermore, it is noted that pitching moment/speed sensitivity due to thrust-axis offset is likely to have important long-period effect even when the direct thrust/speed effects are small.
A paradigm shift in the interaction of experiments and computations in combustion research

Abstract A different approach to comparing experimental data and numerical simulation data is presented. Traditionally, when making comparisons with simulations, experimentalists have sought to measure the same fundamental quantities (e.g., mole fractions) that are output by numerical simulations. This approach often requires measurement of many variables to arrive at the desired quantity, and uncertainty may accumulate with each additional measurement. Because recent advances in computational resources have led to more detailed numerical models, more complete information is available within simulations. This allows for the possibility of using simulation results to derive predictions of measured signals (i.e., “computed signals”) rather than measuring many quantities to derive a single fundamental quantity. Three examples of comparing measured and computed signals are presented: NO laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) images in both non-sooting and sooting diffusion flames, and luminosity images of sooting diffusion flames. For illustration, the non-sooting LIF data is treated both by the traditional method of comparing fundamental quantities and by comparing measured and computed signals. In each example, the comparison of measured and computed signals yields quantitative information similar to that obtainable through comparison of traditional quantities, along with reduced noise in the experimental data.
Molecular Modeling of the Domain Shared Between CED-4 and its Mammalian Homologue Apaf-1: A Structural Relationship to the G-proteins

Apoptosis (programmed cell death, PCD) is a characteristic type of cell death in which a regulated cellular response pathway mediated by cysteine proteases of the caspase family and Bcl-2 family proteins results in ordered and non-inflammatory involution of the cell. The CED-4 protein and its recently identified mammalian homologue Apaf-1 are critical but functionally uncharacterized components of the cell death machinery. We present here a three-dimensional molecular model for the central domain of CED-4, its alternatively spliced transcript (CED-4l) and Apaf-1. A novel protein family is identified and structure prediction for the family identifies a G-protein-like fold with high reliability. The three-dimensional model provides a potential structural explanation for the alternatively spliced variant as well as the known point mutations in CED-4. Regions of the CED-4 and Apaf-1 sequences which may interact with caspases and the Bcl-2 family are proposed. This new information provides a structural molecular framework for the interaction of CED-4-like proteins with the caspases and the Bcl-2 family in the regulation of apoptosis which is analogous to G-protein mediated interactions in well-defined signal transduction pathways.
Diazepam as an Adjunct to Bronchoscopy

A controlled double-blind study of 50 patients undergoing bronchoscopy under topical anesthesia was done to determine the effectiveness of diazepam (Valium) premedication as compared to meperidine. The majority of the patients in both groups were able to relax and cooperate during the procedure. Cooperativeness was significantly better in the meperidine group. Anxiety and restlessness were affected similarly by the two drugs. Diazepam-treated patients were more often drowsy and confused than were the meperidine-treated patients. The procedure was easy to perform in over half the patients in both groups. Six (25 percent) of the diazepam-treated patients had no recall of the procedure 24 hours later as compared to two (8 percent) of the meperidine-treated patients. No serious complications related to either drug were noted. This study shows that diazepam as premedication for bronchoscopy is as effective as meperidine for producing relaxation and relieving anxiety but somewhat less effective for promoting cooperation. It can produce amnesia for the event in a significant number of patients.
Rapid and quantitative extraction and analysis of trace organics using directly coupled SFE‐GC

Supercritical fluid extraction can be coupled with capillary gas chromatography (SFE-GC) using comercially-available on-column or split/splitless injection ports. Quantitative extraction and recovery of analytes is usualy achieved in 10 minutes, and maximum sensitivity is obtained since the extracted analytes can be quantitatively transferred into the GC column for cryogenic focusing prior to GC analysis. SFE-GC analysis of a variety of organic pollutants from environmental solids and sorbent resins, and flavor and fragrance compounds from food products will be discussed
Introduction to special issue on alternatives to lecture in the computer science classroom

Active learning in the college classroom has long been promoted as more effective than traditional lecture. Increased adoption of these instructional practices is recommended in several prominent national reports as well as a new National Science Foundation program. The goal of this special issue is to share evidence-based instructional practices that have been applied to computer science education. With collaborative learning, students interact with each other to achieve a common learning goal. Peer Instruction is an active pedagogy pioneered in Physics education in which most lecture time is replaced with students answering carefully designed multiple-choice questions. Chemistry faculty developed and refined an inquiry-based pedagogy called Process-Oriented Guided-Inquiry Learning (POGIL). The fields of Architecture and Fine Arts promote student collaboration in studio-based learning.
Alendronate inhibits VEGF expression in growth plate chondrocytes by acting on the mevalonate pathway.

Bisphosphonates decrease chondrocyte turnover at the growth plate and impact bone growth. Likewise vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in endochondral bone elongation by influencing chondrocyte turnover at the growth plate. To investigate whether the action of bisphosphonate on the growth plate works through VEGF, VEGF protein expression and isoform transcription in endochondral chondrocytes isolated from growing mice and treated with a clinically used bisphosphonate, alendronate, were assessed. Alendronate at 10µM and 100µM concentrations decreased secreted VEGF protein expression but not cell associated protein. Bisphosphonates are known to inhibit the mevalonate intracellular signaling pathway used by VEGF. Addition of the mevalonate pathway intermediates farnesol (FOH) and geranylgeraniol (GGOH) interacted with the low concentration of alendronate to further decrease secreted VEGF protein whereas FOH partially restored VEGF protein secretion when combined with the high alendronate. Similar to the protein data, the addition of alendronate decreased VEGF mRNA isoforms. VEGF mRNA levels were rescued by the GGOH mevalonate pathway intermediate at the low alendronate dose whereas neither intermediate consistently restored the VEGF mRNA levels at the high alendronate dose. Thus, the bisphophonate alendronate impairs growth plate chondrocyte turnover by down-regulating the secreted forms of VEGF mRNA and protein by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway.
An electrophoretic study of normal and post-mortem human and bovine synovial fluids.

Abstract Electrophoretic studies of normal and post-mortem human synovial fluids showed no appreciable difference in their electrophoretic characteristics, but both differ in some characteristics from traumatic and arthritic fluids. A new rapidly moving peak was found frequently in the patterns for normal and post-mortem fluids and occasionally in bovine synovial fluids. This has been called the π peak. Bovine synovial fluid differed from the human fluids in respect to the number of protein components present. The “protein” content of the normal fluids agreed with the few values previously reported (2.8 g./100 ml.). The “protein” content of bovine synovial fluid was approximately one-third of the value obtained for the normal human fluids. The post-mortem human fluids have a total nitrogen value similar to the normal fluid value, but the NPN value for the post-mortem fluids was approximately three times that of the normal fluids.
Data Enhancement and Standardization Using AIS and GIS: A Public and Private Effort

Over time, a number of federal agencies have been involved in collecting and maintaining marine navigation data. Similarly, private industry involved in maritime commerce also collects and maintains its own proprietary navigation-related database. In several cases, data collected by federal agencies and industry is incomplete, and over time these data sets become inconsistent and often unreliable. In addition, operational inefficiencies arise when private industry data are shared between different owners, operators, and service providers. Most federal agencies also face similar issues of incompatibility and incompleteness of marine navigation data. To address these problems, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has initiated an effort to standardize and enhance navigation and maritime data across selected government agencies through the Federal Initiative for Navigation Data Enhancement (FINDE). On the private industry side, the Corps has been involved in the Federal-Industry Logistics Standardization...
Aspiration in transtracheal jet ventilation.

Background: Transtracheal jet ventilation (TJV) has been used successfully for managing difficult airways. However, there are some controversies regarding pulmonary aspiration. It has been shown that TJV caused no aspiration as long as the frequency of ventilation was kept higher than 60/ min. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that manual translaryngeal jet ventilation at 20 breaths per minute also provided good protection from aspiration even with 30-degree head-up position. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate this controversy with observation of the trachea and the lungs together during TJV. Methods: Eight mongrel dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed and ventilated transtracheally with jet ventilator at frequencies variying from 600 to 10/min. The airway pressures below and above the jetting port were measured. The mouth of the dog was then filled with barium and chest x-rays were taken 5 minutes after each different jetting frequency. Results: No tracheal or pulmonary aspiration was observed on chest x-rays as long as the frequencies were set above 80 per minute. With frequencies of 60 per minute, barium was seen in the trachea but at a level above the jetting port. Slowing down the frequency to 10/min did not affect the level of barium. Conclusion: No aspiration could be visualized on chest x-rays. The mechanism for preventing pulmonary aspiration is thought to be due to forceful continuous gas outflow through the larynx. The epiglottis seems to play no role in this mechanism. The limited tracheal aspiration was probably due to the existence of a negative pressure in the upper airway. Cessation of the TJV will cause a drop in this pressure gradient and results in pulmonary aspiration. It is recommended that the airway above the jetting port be totally cleansed prior to discontinuation of the tanstracheal jet ventilation.
Is uniform target dose possible in IMRT plans in the head and neck

Abstract Purpose : Various published reports involving intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans developed using automated optimization (inverse planning) have demonstrated highly conformal plans. These reported conformal IMRT plans involve significant target dose inhomogeneity, including both overdosage and underdosage within the target volume. In this study, we demonstrate the development of optimized beamlet IMRT plans that satisfy rigorous dose homogeneity requirements for all target volumes (e.g., ±5%), while also sparing the parotids and other normal structures. Methods and Materials : The treatment plans of 15 patients with oropharyngeal cancer who were previously treated with forward-planned multisegmental IMRT were planned again using an automated optimization system developed in-house. The optimization system allows for variable sized beamlets computed using a three-dimensional convolution/superposition dose calculation and flexible cost functions derived from combinations of clinically relevant factors (costlets) that can include dose, dose-volume, and biologic model-based costlets. The current study compared optimized IMRT plans designed to treat the various planning target volumes to doses of 66, 60, and 54 Gy with varying target dose homogeneity while using a flexible optimization cost function to minimize the dose to the parotids, spinal cord, oral cavity, brainstem, submandibular nodes, and other structures. Results : In all cases, target dose uniformity was achieved through steeply varying dose-based costs. Differences in clinical plan evaluation metrics were evaluated for individual cases (eight different target homogeneity costlets), and for the entire cohort of plans. Highly conformal plans were achieved, with significant sparing of both the contralateral and ipsilateral parotid glands. As the homogeneity of the target dose distributions was allowed to decrease, increased sparing of the parotids (and other normal tissues) may be achieved. However, it was shown that relatively few patients would benefit from the use of increased target inhomogeneity, because the range of improvement in the parotid dose is relatively limited. Hot spots in the target volumes are shown to be unnecessary and do not assist in normal tissue sparing. Conclusion : Sparing of both parotids in patients receiving bilateral neck radiation can be achieved without compromising strict target dose homogeneity criteria. The geometry of the normal tissue and target anatomy are shown to be the major factor necessary to predict the parotid sparing that will be possible for any particular case.
Wiring diagrams of MAPK regulation by MEKK1, 2, and 3

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are activated by a plethora of stimuli. The literature is filled with papers describing the activation of different MAPKs by almost any stimulus or ...
On the Similarity of FU Orionis Stars to Class I Protostars: Evidence from the Submillimeter

On the basis of analysis of new submillimeter maps of a sample of most known FU Orionis stars, we confirm that these stars are extremely young, more similar to Class I protostars than to Class II T Tauri stars. The submillimeter maps reveal that FU Orionis stars have accretion disks that are larger and contain an order of magnitude more mass than those of T Tauri stars but are comparable in mass to those seen around Class I sources. The disks around the FU Orionis stars are sufficiently massive to act as reservoirs of material for replenishing the mass of the disks after eruptions, in which large amounts of material are believed to fall onto the underlying stars. We have identified a number of FU Orionis stars that are surrounded by extended cloud emission, and in several cases we find nearby submillimeter sources that have no optical or near-infrared counterparts. These sources most likely are young protostellar Class I or Class 0 sources. In at least in one case, V1735 Cyg, the dominant submillimeter source is the protostar, not the optically visible FU Orionis star.
On the uncanny capabilities of consequential LCA

Purpose Plevin et al. (2014) reviewed relevant life cycle assessment (LCA) studies for biofuels and argued that the use of attributional LCA (ALCA) for estimating the benefits of biofuel policy is misleading. While we agree with the authors on many points, we found that some of the arguments by the authors were not presented fairly and that a number of specific points warrant additional comment. The main objective of this commentary is to examine the authors’ comparative statements between consequential LCA (CLCA) and ALCA.
Polymerization of Tobacco Mosaic Virus from Electric Birefringence Studies

IT has been reported1 that the addition of methylene blue to aqueous solutions of tobacco mosaic virus produces increases in viscosity which can be interpreted in terms of conversion of the monomeric units to end-to-end dimers and possibly higher polymers. The suggestion was made that the association may be the result of interactions between a given methylene blue molecule and sites on the nucleic acid chains of different macromolecules. The production of end-to-end aggregates by an association of this type is in accord with the structural investigations of tobacco mosaic virus2, which place the nucleic acid at the core of a relatively compact helix. It therefore was of interest to determine whether or not the suggestion of end-to-end aggregate formation by methylene blue could be substantiated independently with a well-characterized monomeric preparation, and by a method particularly sensitive to such aggregates.
Probabilistic-Based Energy Aware Routing for Network Lifetime and Source Level Fairness in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are often used to sample the state of physical phenomena in space. Sensor nodes, which usually have limited energy, collect data locally and forward them to a sink node. Thus there are two operating domains pertinent to the performance of such networks: (1) in time, which is the network longevity or lifetime, and (2) in space, which is the network coverage or source level fairness, i.e., the effective rate at which the state of the phenomena observed is reported at the sink. In this design paper we propose a simple, localized, probabilistic-based protocol that addresses performance issues in both domains. Our protocol addresses the time domain by exploring multiple paths for data delivery so that energy consumption can be uniformly distributed throughout the network, and addresses the spatial domain by dropping packets selectively in congested nodes, so that data flows from all sources will have their share of bandwidth to reach the sink.
Women’s Science Major Satisfaction Regulatory Focus and the Critical Mass Hypothesis

Women contend with gender bias in certain science contexts, which suggests they may be likely to adopt prevention-focused modes of regulation aimed at maintaining safety and security in such settings. This study represented an integrated test of regulatory focus theory (RFT; Higgins, 1997, 1998) and the critical mass hypothesis, which assumes that women are attracted to scientific career fields in which their group represents a majority. Participants were 255 female undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM) majors enrolled in science laboratory classes. Results indicated that number of men in labs moderated the mediated relationship between affiliation and intrinsic science motivation via academic satisfaction. This moderated mediation effect was observed at low, but not average or high, levels of men in labs. No such effect was observed at high levels of women in labs. Theoretical and empirical implications for research related to the underrepresentation of women in STEM a...
Intermittently emergent shelf carbonates: an example from the Cambro-Ordovician of eastern New York State

Abstract The Whitehall Formation (Cambro-Ordovician) of eastern New York State consists of peritidal lithofacies which were deposited on an intermittently exposed shelf. Alternating phases of progradation, emergence, and transgression produced a complex facies mosaic. Freshwater leaching of subaerially exposed carbonates is inferred to have produced horsetail stylolites, solution breccias, neomorphic spar, laminated crusts composed of micritized dolomite, and millimeter-sized idiotopic dolomite poikilotopes. Evidence in the lower Whitehall strata suggests the former presence of evaporites. Sparry calcite, lutecite, and megaquartz replaced the original sulfate minerals.
Parent mentor perspectives on providing social support to empower parents.

PurposeTo describe the experience of parent mentors providing a social support intervention to parents of children < 13 years old newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsQualitative descriptive interviews were conducted with 6 parent mentors (all mothers) who provided social support to 34 mothers and 19 fathers of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus over a 12-month period. The mentors were trained to provide informational, affirmational, and emotional social support through home visits, phone calls, and/or e-mail. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes guided by the Ireys social support framework.FindingsThe parent mentors described support activities that could be categorized into the 3 types of support defined in the Ireys framework. The parent mentors provided informational support, such as tips for travel, school, parties and family get-togethers, camp resources, and how to advocate for the child. Affirmational support was provided by sharing stories a...
Sir Denis Browne: Contributions to Pediatric Urology

Abstract Purpose Sir Denis Browne, a surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, was the first surgeon to confine his practice solely to pediatric surgery. He made numerous important contributions to the field of pediatric surgery in orthopedics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery and urology, and is thus known as the father of modern British pediatric surgery. Material and methods We reviewed the original publications, historical records and medical literature on Denis Browne and his contributions to urology. Results Sir Denis Browne used his anatomical studies to elucidate many of the problems he faced. He classified undescended testis into two groups still recognized today: ‘normal variations of development (retractile testis) which only need leaving alone’ and ‘congenital deformities which need operation’. During orchidopexy he stressed cord mobilization rather than testicular fixation and tension on the blood supply. He was also the first to describe the superficial inguinal pouch, which bears his name, as a common site for the undescended testis. He devised a new operation for hypospadias based on the principle that a buried strip of skin will epithelialize the surrounding tissue into a tube. The simplicity of his technique made hypospadias surgery available to the average surgeon. As an inventor, he designed many surgical instruments, including a circular retractor holder, as well as a universal golf club, a circular tennis racquet and a modified bicycle seat. Conclusions Sir Denis Browne was an innovator and nonconformist with regard to the traditional teaching and practice of pediatric surgery and urology of his day. His innovations in surgical theory, technique and instrumentation resulted in major contributions to the advancement of urology as well as pediatric surgery.
Structural and Magnetochemical Properties of Mono-, Di-, and Trinuclear Manganese(III) Dithiolate Complexes.

Aerial oxidation of Mn(II)/ptt(3)(-) (ptt(3)(-) = propane-1,2,3-trithiolate) mixtures gives [Mn(2)(pttd)(2)](2)(-), where pttd(4)(-) is the mono(disulfide) of ptt(3)(-). (NEt(3)Bz)(2)[Mn(2)(pttd)(2)] (2) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/c with (at -158 degrees C) a = 11.540(2) A, b = 12.115(2) A, c = 17.478(4) A, beta = 101.78(1) degrees, and Z = 2. The anion contains a doubly-bridged [Mn(2)S(8)] core (Mn.Mn = 3.598(2) A) with five-coordinate Mn(III) ions, very similar to previously reported [Mn(2)(edt)(4)](2)(-) (anion of 1; edt(2)(-) = ethane-1,2-dithiolate). Aerial oxidation of Mn(II)/pdt(2)(-) (pdt(2)(-) = propane-1,3-dithiolate) mixtures gives [Mn(3)(pdt)(5)](2)(-), which is mixed valent (Mn(II), 2Mn(III)). (PPh(4))(2)[Mn(3)(pdt)(5)] (3) crystallizes in space group Po with (at -161 degrees C) a = 14.385(6) A, b = 23.734(11) A, and Z = 2. The anion contains a near-linear Mn(III)Mn(II)Mn(III) unit with five-coordinate Mn(III), six-coordinate Mn(II), and three thiolate bridges between each Mn(2) pair; Mn.Mn separations are 3.123(3) and 3.101(3) A. Aerial oxidation of Mn(II)/edt(2)(-)/ImH (ImH = imidazole) mixtures gives [Mn(edt)(2)(ImH)](-). (NEt(4))[Mn(edt)(2)(ImH)] (4) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n with (at -72 degrees C) a = 13.974(5) A, b = 14.317(5) A, c = 10.564(3) A, beta = 90.13(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The anion is five-coordinate and square-pyramidal. Aerial oxidation of Mn(II)/edt(2)(-)/Im(-) mixtures gave [Mn(2)(Im)(edt)(4)](3)(-), which contains two Mn(III) ions. (NMe(4))(3)[Mn(2)(Im)(edt)(4)] (5) crystallizes in space group Pna2(1) with (at -160 degrees C) a = 17.965(5) A, b = 16.094(4) A, c = 14.789(3) A, and Z = 4. The five-coordinate Mn(III) ions are bridged by the Im(-) group across a Mn.Mn separation of 6.487(2) A. The anion of 4 contains high-spin Mn(III) (S = 2) and exhibits inter-anion antiferromagnetic exchange interactions (J = -0.15 cm(-)(1), g = 1.91) propagated by interanion NH.S hydrogen bonds. Complexes 1-3 and 5 all possess intraanion antiferromagnetic exchange interactions; the fitting parameters are as follows: 1, J = -19.0 cm(-)(1), g = 1.96, D = -0.22 cm(-)(1); 2, J = -16.4 cm(-)(1), g = 1.96, D = -0.22 cm(-)(1); 3, J = -18.8 cm(-)(1), g = 2.00; 5, J = -1.75 cm(-)(1), g = 1.84, D = -0.028 cm(-)(1) (H = -2JS(i)()S(j)() convention). Complexes 1, 2, and 5 have S = 0 ground states, while that of 3 is S = (3)/(2).
Heterologous expression of maize chloroplast protein synthesis elongation factor (EF-Tu) enhances Escherichia coli viability under heat stress

Abstract A heat-tolerant maize line, ZPBL 1304, synthesizes increased amounts of chloroplast protein synthesis elongation factor (EF-Tu) under heat stress conditions. Previous studies have suggested that maize EF-Tu may be involved in the development of heat tolerance [Planta 212 (2001) 359; J. Plant Physiol. 153 (1998) 497]. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that overexpression of maize EF-Tu enhances the viability of Escherichia coli under heat stress. The approach was to expose E. coli transformed with a maize EF-Tu expression vector (pTrcHis2A-Zmeftu1) to 55 °C and assess viability at 37 °C. Western blots showed E. coli overproduced recombinant EF-Tu protein, and the protein seemed to be in a highly soluble form. E. coli overexpressing maize EF-Tu showed increased viability after exposure to heat stress, demonstrating that the maize EF-Tu is involved in the development of heat tolerance.
On E. Verlinde’s Formula in the Context of Stable Bundles

E. Verlinde’s formula for the dimension of the nonabelian θ-functions is discussed from an algebraic geometry point of view and related to certain quotient rings of the representative ring of sums.
Was Saint Paul struck blind and converted by lightning

In the Bible, St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was struck blind by a light from heaven. Three days later his vision was restored by a "laying on of hands." The circumstances surrounding his blindness represent an important episode in the history of religion. Numerous theories have been proposed to account for this event which has been the subject of interest of theologians, philosophers, artists, and physicians. A lightning strike could explain all of the features of this episode. The proposal of a theory which correlates St. Paul's symptoms with contemporary scientific knowledge makes his recovery of vision and conversion no less miraculous or religiously significant since the theory demonstrates that, indeed, the event may have occurred exactly as stated in the Bible.
Synthesis and oxygen reduction activity of shape-controlled Pt(3)Ni nanopolyhedra

Platinum-based alloys have been extensively shown to be effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Most of these catalysts are nanoparticles without shape control. Recently, extended Pt(3)Ni(111) surfaces prepared in ultrahigh vacuum were demonstrated to possess enhanced ORR catalytic activity as compared to the state-of-the-art carbon supported Pt (Pt/C) nanoparticle catalysts. How and whether this promising surface can be transformed into practical nanoscale electrocatalysts used in PEMFCs remain a challenge. We report a new wet-chemical approach of preparing monodisperse Pt(3)Ni nanoctahedra and nanocubes terminated with {111} and {100} facets, respectively. We further show that the ORR activity on the Pt(3)Ni nanoctahedra is approximately 5-fold higher than that of nanocubes with a similar size. Comparison of ORR activity between carbon-supported Pt(3)Ni nanoctahedra and commercial Pt/C reveals that the Pt(3)Ni nanoctahedra are highly active electrocatalysts. This synthetic strategy may be extended to the preparation of other shape-controlled fuel cell electrocatalysts.