cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of linkage disequilibrium and its effect on non-parametric multipoint linkage analysis using two high density single-nucleotide polymorphism mapping panels

Genotype data from the Illumina Linkage III SNP panel (n = 4,720 SNPs) and the Affymetrix 10 k mapping array (n = 11,120 SNPs) were used to test the effects of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SNPs in a linkage analysis in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism pedigree collection (143 pedigrees; 1,614 individuals). The average r2 between adjacent markers across the genetic map was 0.099 ± 0.003 in the Illumina III panel and 0.17 ± 0.003 in the Affymetrix 10 k array. In order to determine the effect of LD between marker loci in a nonparametric multipoint linkage analysis, markers in strong LD with another marker (r2 > 0.40) were removed (n = 471 loci in the Illumina panel; n = 1,804 loci in the Affymetrix panel) and the linkage analysis results were compared to the results using the entire marker sets. In all analyses using the ALDX1 phenotype, 8 linkage regions on 5 chromosomes (2, 7, 10, 11, X) were detected (peak markers p < 0.01), and the Illumina panel detected an additional region on chromosome 6. Analysis of the same pedigree set and ALDX1 phenotype using short tandem repeat markers (STRs) resulted in 3 linkage regions on 3 chromosomes (peak markers p < 0.01). These results suggest that in this pedigree set, LD between loci with spacing similar to the SNP panels tested may not significantly affect the overall detection of linkage regions in a genome scan. Moreover, since the data quality and information content are greatly improved in the SNP panels over STR genotyping methods, new linkage regions may be identified due to higher information content and data quality in a dense SNP linkage panel.
Empowerment Evaluation Examined

It is suggested that there are some serious problems with defining the concept of empowerment evaluation, with its underlying assumptions, and with its proposed justification.
Focal adhesion kinase: the first ten years

The protein tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a prominent role in integrin signaling. FAK activation, demonstrated by an increase in phosphorylation of Tyr397 as well as other sites in the protein, is best understood in the context of the engagement of integrins at the cell surface. Activation of FAK results in recruitment of a number of SH2-domain- and SH3-domain-containing proteins, which mediate signaling to several downstream pathways. FAK-dependent activation of these pathways has been implicated in a diverse array of cellular processes, including cell migration, growth factor signaling, cell cycle progression and cell survival.
Google's C/C++ toolchain for smart handheld devices

Smart handheld devices are ubiquitous today and software plays an important role on them. Therefore a compiler and related tools can improve devices by generating efficient, compact and secure code. In this paper, we share our experience of applying various compilation techniques at Google to improve software running on smart handheld devices, using our mobile platforms as examples. At Google we use the GNU toolchain for generating code on different platforms and for conducting compiler research and development. We have developed new techniques, added features and functionality in the GNU tools. Some of these results are now used for smart handheld devices.
Evidence for glycosylated crosslinks in body wall collagen of the sea cucumber, Thyone briareus

SummaryOnly one tritiated compound, the reduced crosslink hydroxylysinohydroxy-norleucine, is detected by ion-exchange chromatography after [3H]-NaBH4 reduction and acid hydrolysis of body-wall collagen from the sea cucumber, Thyone briareus. However, after hydrolysis of the [3H]-NaBH4-treated collagen in 2 M KOH rather than in acid, much less of this compound is detected. Instead, a new main peak of 3H-activity is eluted earlier, near tyrosine. The compound in this new peak could be converted to hydroxylysinohydroxynorleucine by hydrolysis in 2 M HCl, or to an intermediate compound by hydrolysis in 0.1 M HCl. About equal amounts of glucose and galactose were detected by thin-layer chromatography after hydrolysis of the isolated compound with the higher concentration of acid. It is concluded that in this invertebrate collagen most of the crosslink, dehydro-hydroxylysinohydroxynorleucine, is glycosylated. Since the reduced form of the crosslink could not be detected by reaction with Ninhydrin in large samp...
The impact of advanced technology on Next Generation Air Transportation: A case study of Required Navigation Performance (RNP)

This paper presents an overview and case studies of Performance -based System capability of Next Generation Aviation Transportation System (NGATS), specifically the case of Required Navigation Performance. The Required Navi gation Performance (RNP), one of the key capabilities of Performance -based system, defines lateral navigational precision level, which provides the opportunity to reduce fuel, negative environmental effect, airline operation disruptions, and to increase ru nway utilization and safety. In the early U.S. cases, airlines took a leading role in development of RNP, based on the strong economical motivation and clear business objectives. Reduction in diversions, cancellation, and fuel consumption translated int o significant cost saving and better service quality. There are also cases that RNP increased payload and runway utilization rate. Selective decision process to deploy RNP at the locations where most suitable, showed a great potential of Performance Base d Navigation, yet the implementation process was still limited by system provider ’s capability and the authorization process . In this paper, we will present three early RNP cases in US, including Alaska Airlines, Jetblue Airway, Continental Airlines, and discuss what RNP and Performance Based Navigation can truly deliver and how future development should be carried out.
The effects of environment‐based education on students’ critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking: Reprinted from Environmental Education Research (2004) 10(4), pp. 507–522

This study examined the relationship between environment‐based education and high school students’ critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Four hundred four 9th and 12th grade students from 11 Florida high schools participated in the study. A Pretest‐Posttest Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (9th grade) and a Posttest Only Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (12th grade) were used. Interviews of students and teachers were used in the classic sense of triangulation. Data collection took place over the 2001–2002 school year. When controlling for pretest score, grade point average (GPA), gender, and ethnicity, environment‐based programs had a positive effect on 9th grade students’ critical thinking skills (p=.002). When controlling for GPA, gender, and ethnicity, environment‐based programs had a positive effect on 12th grade students’ critical thinking skills (p < .001) and disposition toward critical thinking (p < .001). The results of this study support the use of environm...
Disaccommodation of Magnetic Spectra of Two Manganese Zinc Ferrites.

Disaccommodation of the complex susceptibility (time change after demagnetization) of two manganese zinc ferrite materials of the composition Mn0.597Zn0.265Fe2.07O4 and Mn0.584 Zn0.353Fe2.05O4 was studied in response to demagnetizing frequency and rate, temperature, frequencies of ~20 kHz to ~2000 kHz, and rf magnetic field intensities of ~10-4 oersted and ~10-2 oersted. Precise susceptibility spectra near -10.0 °C show that the resonance maxima shift to higher frequency and decrease in magnitude with increasing time after demagnetization and that the disaccommodation rate varies considerably and changes sign with frequency. Activation energies of the order of 0.8 electron volt were computed at 100 kHz.
Effectiveness of Selected Insecticides and Insecticide Combinations Against the Bollworm, Tobacco Budworm, and Beet Armyworm on Cotton

Field tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of selected insecticide treatments against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), and the bollworm complex, Heliothis zea (Boddie) and H. virescens (F.), on cotton. Fenvalarate, profenofos, sulprofos, acephate, and methomyl were effective against S. exigua ; toxaphene plus methyl parathion was ineffective. Treatments and rates (kg AI/ha) producing a significant yield increase over the treated standard, toxaphene + methyl parathion (2.24-4.48+ 1.12-2.24), were profenofos (0.84), fenvalarate (0.11), and permethrin (0.22). A highly significant correlation existed between degree of Heliothis spp. control and yield, but no correlation existed between beet armyworm control and yield. The following treatments and rates (kg AI/ha) provided significant Heliothis spp. control (larval population reduction) compared to the treated standard: fenvalarate (0.11 and 0.22), permethrin (0.22), fenvalarate + amitraz (0.06+0.21), fenvalarate + methomyl (0.06+0.25), sulprofos + amitraz (0.84+0.28), American Cyanamid AC 222705 (0.06−0.11), Dow Dowco 417 (0.11), and Ciba-Geigy CGA 74055 (0.11).
Discussions on Issues Related to Exploitation of Saline-alkali Soil in Western Part of Jilin Province

As the start of projects for exploitation saline-alkali land in western Jilin Province,problems in the exploitation of the western paddy were analyzed and series of measures put forward.Because of the weakening of rural labors,the stress should be laid on mechanization.The national funding should combine with modern enterprise operating mode.The western part should be exploited step by step and take advantage of demonstration effect.At the meantime,ecological environment should be taken into consideration and a sustainable development realized.
Origins of the avian neural crest: the role of neural plate-epidermal interactions.

We have investigated the lineage and tissue interactions that result in avian neural crest cell formation from the ectoderm. Presumptive neural plate was grafted adjacent to non-neural ectoderm in whole embryo culture to examine the role of tissue interactions in ontogeny of the neural crest. Our results show that juxtaposition of non-neural ectoderm and presumptive neural plate induces the formation of neural crest cells. Quail/chick recombinations demonstrate that both the prospective neural plate and the prospective epidermis can contribute to the neural crest. When similar neural plate/epidermal confrontations are performed in tissue culture to look at the formation of neural crest derivatives, juxtaposition of epidermis with either early (stages 4–5) or later (stages 6–10) neural plate results in the generation of both melanocytes and sympathoadrenal cells. Interestingly, neural plates isolated from early stages form no neural crest cells, whereas those isolated later give rise to melanocytes but not crest-derived sympathoadrenal cells. Single cell lineage analysis was performed to determine the time at which the neural crest lineage diverges from the epidermal lineage and to elucidate the timing of neural plate/epidermis interactions during normal development. Our results from stage 8 to 10+ embryos show that the neural plate/neural crest lineage segregates from the epidermis around the time of neural tube closure, suggesting that neural induction is still underway at open neural plate stages.
THE SPECTRUM OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE HUMAN

Of the approximately 57 million people in the United States estimated to have cardiovascular disease, ten million are symptomatic and 75% are less than 65 years of age. In 1986 there were an estimated 768,000 deaths due to coronary artery disease; 50,000 due to peripheral vascular disease, and pulmonary embolism accounted for an additional 30,000. (Hawiger, M.D., 1988) Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Western society and the most important single cause of this mortality is atherosclerosis. During the last four decades, more money and effort have been expended for the development of technology to diagnose, localize, and treat by surgical or other interventional methods the end stage lesions of atherosclerosis than has been spent for its prevention. From 1983 to 1989 Index Medicus cites some 16,000 articles on the subject illustrating the controversy and confusion which surround both etiology and pathogenesis. The purpose of this essay is to describe the distribution of atherosclerosis in the human population, identify the vulnerability of certain arterial beds and the resistance of others to the disease, and to call attention to the limitations of current interventional efforts to control the consequences of advanced disease.
Exploiting Processor Heterogeneity for Interactive Systems

To add processing power under power constraints, emerging heterogeneous processors include fast and slow cores on the same chip. This paper demonstrates that this heterogeneity is well suited to interactive data center workloads (e.g., web search, online gaming, and financial trading) by observing and exploiting two workload properties. (1) These workloads may trade response quality for responsiveness. (2) The request service demand is unknown and varies widely with both short and long requests. Subject to per-server power constraints, traditional homogeneous processors either include a few high-power fast cores that deliver high quality responses or many low-power slow cores that deliver high throughput, but not both. This paper shows heterogeneous processors deliver both high quality and throughput by executing short requests on slow cores and long requests on fast cores with Fast Old and First (FOF), a new scheduling algorithm. FOF schedules new requests with unknown service demands on the fastest idle core and migrates requests from slower to faster cores. We simulate and implement FOF. In simulations modeling Microsoft’s Bing index search, FOF on heterogeneous processors improves response quality and increases throughput by up to 50% compared to homogeneous processors. We confirm simulation improvements with an implementation of an interactive finance server using Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), configured as a dynamic heterogeneous processor. Both simulation and experimental results indicate processor heterogeneity offers a lot of potential for interactive workloads.
Non-specific effects of childhood vaccines

Evidence of any “off target” effects remains weak and vulnerable to biases Non-specific effects of vaccines or “off target effects” as they are sometimes called can be defined as effects of a vaccine beyond their intended target pathogen or disease. These effects can be beneficial as well as harmful.1 2 3 The published evidence on non-specific effects of childhood vaccines remain confusing, so the linked systematic reviews by Higgins and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.i5170)4 and Kandasamy and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.i5225)5 looking at clinical and immunological non-specific effects are welcome. The systematic reviews were commissioned by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) to decide if there was enough evidence to consider changes in scheduling or co-administration of certain vaccines.6 It is important to emphasise that the systematic reviews were not intended or designed to assess if these vaccines are safe or should continue to be recommended for children. It is beyond debate that BCG, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DPT), and measles containing vaccines (MCV) are safe. These vaccines have …
The Impact of Increasing Staff Resources on Patient Flow in a Psychiatric Emergency Service

Objective:The study illustrates the use of approaches based on queuing theory to understand bottlenecks in patient flow. A queuing simulation was used to predict the potential benefits of additional clinical personnel on patient flow through a psychiatric emergency service (PES).Methods:A discrete-event simulation model was calibrated on the basis of two months of data collected in a PES. This model examined the effects of adding between .5 (half-time) and three additional providers to the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift.Results:The model showed that an addition of a half-time clinician produced the biggest change in patient flow metrics. Average length of stay was predicted to drop from 38.1 hours to 33.2 hours for patients who were awaiting hospitalization and from 13.7 to 9.0 hours for patients who were eventually discharged. The number of patients waiting to see a provider decreased by two-thirds between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and it decreased by one-half during the rest of the day, even though the number of clini...
Higher Order Dynamics for MAS Evolution as Continuum Deformation

In this chapter, it is demonstrated how followers can apply higher order dynamics to acquire a desired homogeneous deformation under local communication. First, evolution of followers using a second order dynamics with a nonlinear control gain g is considered. Then, asymptotic tracking of desired position issued by a homogeneous deformation is demonstrated, while followers applying higher order dynamics only communicate with their in-neighbor agents for updating their positions. Finally, evolution of followers in presence of heterogeneous communication delay is considered and upper bounds for followers’ allowable communication delays are determined by using eigen-analysis.
A summary of light dose distribution using an IR navigation system for Photofrin-mediated Pleural PDT

Uniform delivery of light fluence is an important goal for photodynamic therapy. We present summary results for an infrared (IR) navigation system to deliver light dose uniformly during intracavitory PDT by tracking the movement of the light source and providing real-time feedback on the light fluence rate on the entire cavity surface area. In the current intrapleural PDT protocol, 8 detectors placed in selected locations in the pleural cavity monitor the light doses. To improve the delivery of light dose uniformity, an IR camera system is used to track the motion of the light source as well as the surface contour of the pleural cavity. A MATLAB-based GUI program is developed to display the light dose in real-time during PDT to guide the PDT treatment delivery to improve the uniformity of the light dose. A dualcorrection algorithm is used to improve the agreement between calculations and in-situ measurements. A comprehensive analysis of the distribution of light fluence during PDT is presented in both phantom conditions and in clinical cases.
Niche-localized tumor cells are protected from HER2-targeted therapy via upregulation of an anti-apoptotic program in vivo.

Several lines of evidence suggest that components of the tumor microenvironment, specifically basement membrane and extracellular matrix proteins, influence drug sensitivities. We previously reported differential drug sensitivity of tumor cells localized adjacent to laminin-rich extracellular matrix in three-dimensional tumor spheroid cultures. To evaluate whether differential intra-tumor responses to targeted therapy occur in vivo, we examined the sensitivity of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive tumors to lapatinib using a previously described ductal carcinoma in situ-like model characterized by tumor cell confinement within ductal structures surrounded by an organized basement membrane. Here we show that tumor cells localized to a ‘niche’ in the outer layer of the intraductal tumors adjacent to myoepithelial cells and basement membrane are resistant to lapatinib. We found that the pro-survival protein BCL2 is selectively induced in the niche-protected tumor cells following lapatinib treatment, and combined inhibition of HER2 and BCL-2/XL enhanced targeting of these residual tumor cells. Elimination of the niche-protected tumor cells was achieved with the HER2 antibody–drug conjugate T-DM1, which delivers a chemotherapeutic payload. Thus, these studies provide evidence that subpopulations of tumor cells within specific microenvironmental niches can adapt to inhibition of critical oncogenic pathways, and furthermore reveal effective strategies to eliminate these resistant subpopulations. Location-specific subpopulations of breast cancer cells adapt to targeted drug treatment, but therapeutic strategies exist to attack these niche-protected cells. A team led by Joan Brugge and Jason Zoeller from Harvard Medical School, USA, implanted human HER2+ breast tumor cells into the ducts of mouse mammary glands to recapitulate the architecture of ductal carcinoma in situ, a common type of non-invasive breast cancer. They found that cancer cells located on the outer rim of the tumors were resistant to lapatinib, a drug that targets the HER2 protein. Combination treatment with lapatinib and a drug that blocks a pro-survival protein called BCL2 that was specifically enriched in the outer cells after lapatinib treatment helped kill more cells. Complete elimination of the resistant cells was achieved with an antibody-drug conjugate, T-DM1, that binds to HER2 and then releases a chemotherapeutic payload.
XIAP is highly expressed in melanoma and is associated with chemotherapy resistance

8008 Background: Chemoresistance is a major problem in treating melanoma. The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is associated with chemoresistance in other cancers. Here we characterize XIAP e...
A compliant four-bar linkage mechanism that makes the fingers of a prosthetic hand more impact resistant

Repeated mechanical failure due to accidental impact is one of the main reasons why people with upper-limb amputations abandon commercially-available prosthetic hands. To address this problem, we present the design and evaluation of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism that makes the fingers of a prosthetic hand more impact resistant. Our design replaces both the rigid input and coupler links with a monolithic compliant bone, and replaces the follower link with three layers of pre-stressed spring steel. This design behaves like a conventional four-bar linkage but adds lateral compliance and eliminates a pin joint, which is a main site of failure on impact. Results from free-end and fixed-end impact tests show that, compared to those made with a conventional four-bar linkage, fingers made with our design absorb up to 11% more energy on impact with no mechanical failure. We also show the integration of these fingers in a prosthetic hand that is low-cost, light-weight, and easy to assemble, and that has grasping performance comparable to commercially-available hands.
Metalloproteases of the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane (IM) is among the most protein-rich cellular compartments. The metastable IM subproteome where the concentration of proteins is approaching oversaturation creates a challenging protein folding environment with a high probability of protein malfunction or aggregation. Failure to maintain protein homeostasis in such a setting can impair the functional integrity of the mitochondria and drive clinical manifestations. The IM is equipped with a series of highly conserved, proteolytic complexes dedicated to the maintenance of normal protein homeostasis within this mitochondrial subcompartment. Particularly important is a group of membrane-anchored metallopeptidases commonly known as m-AAA and i-AAA proteases, and the ATP-independent Oma1 protease. Herein, we will summarize the current biochemical knowledge of these proteolytic machines and discuss recent advances in our understanding of mechanistic aspects of their functioning.
Standard Discrete Distributions

A few special discrete distributions arise very frequently in applications. Either the underlying probability mechanism of a problem is such that one of these distributions is truly the correct distribution for that problem or the problem may be such that one of these distributions is a very good choice to model that problem. We present these distributions and study their basic properties in this chapter; they deserve the special attention because of their importance in applications. The special distributions we present are the discrete uniform, binomial, geometric, negative binomial, hypergeometric, and Poisson. Benford’s distribution is also covered briefly. A few other special distributions are covered in the chapter exercises.
A tool to visualize and analyze perfusion data: Development and application of the R package "CTP".

Abstract Background and objective Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a widely used imaging modality especially in neuroimaging. Despite this, CTP is often prohibitive due to the dearth of free/open-source software. This could have wide-ranging implications for instruction and research. We have implemented an online-available CTP tool built and run completely within the R computing environment. Methods Called from within R, the user can select one of four different methods to construct a cerebral blood flow (CBF) map: (1) max-slope (2) singular value decomposition (3) block circulant singular value decomposition or (4) oscillation minimization singular value decomposition. The four methods are compared against a digital CBF phantom. Results All four methods generate a CBF map, with the oscillation minimization technique giving the most accurate map. Conclusions We have constructed an easily accessible teaching and research tool to create a CBF map and made it freely available. We hope this tool will help facilitate understanding of the methods involved in constructing perfusion maps and be a valuable resource to future researchers.
Computer vision-based augmented reality for guiding manual assembly

Augmented reality AR has the goal of enhancing a person's perception of the surrounding world, unlike virtual reality VR that aims at replacing the perception of the world with an artificial one. An important issue in AR is making the virtual world sensitive to the current state of the surrounding real world as the user interacts with it. For providing the appropriate augmentation stimulus at the right position and time, the system needs some sensor to interpret the surrounding scene. Computer vision holds great potential in providing the necessary interpretation of the scene. While a computer vision-based general interpretation of a scene is extremely difficult, the constraints from the assembly domain and specific marker-based coding scheme are used to develop an efficient and practical solution. We consider the problem of scene augmentation in the context of a human engaged in assembling a mechanical object from its components. Concepts from robot assembly planning are used to develop a systematic framework for presenting augmentation stimuli for this assembly domain. An experimental prototype system, VEGAS Visual Enhancement for Guiding Assembly Sequences, is described, that implements some of the AR concepts for guiding assembly using computer vision.
Bereaved mothers' and fathers' perceptions of a legacy intervention for parents of infants in the NICU.

Background Legacy-making, actions or behaviors aimed at being remembered, may be one strategy to enhance coping and improve grief outcomes for bereaved parents and siblings. While legacy interventions have been developed and tested in pediatric and adult populations, legacy activities specific to bereaved parents in the neonatal intensive care unit remain unexplored. This study explored bereaved parents' perceptions of a digital storytelling legacy-making intervention for parents after the death of an infant. Methods Six bereaved mothers and fathers participated in a focus group interview three to 12 months after the death of an infant in the NICU. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions was used to obtain parent self-reports. Qualitative content analysis identified emerging themes. Results Four major themes emerged regarding participants' perceptions of a legacy intervention: (a) parents' willingness to participate in a legacy intervention, (b) parents' suggestions for a feasible intervention, (c) parents' suggestions for an acceptable intervention, and (d) parents' perceived benefits of legacy-making. Conclusions Participants reported that a legacy-making intervention via digital storytelling would be feasible, acceptable, and beneficial for NICU parents. Study results support the need and desire for legacy-making services to be developed and offered in the NICU.
A 10-b 600-MS/s 2-way time-interleaved SAR ADC with mean absolute deviation based background timing-skew calibration

This paper presents a time-interleaved (TI) successive-approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a novel mean absolute deviation (MAD) based timing-skew calibration technique. It features two highlights. First, Its computation complexity is very low, only involving subtraction and taking absolute value. Second, its convergence speed is fast with even random signals. A prototype 10-b 600-MS/s 2-way TI-SAR ADC in 40-nm CMOS achieves the peak SNDR of 56dB and 52 dB across the entire Nyquist band. Power consumption is 4.7mW and it leads to the Walden FoM of 23.8-fJ/conversion step.
Influence of geometry on speed of phase-change in GST-based nanorods

We investigate how patterning phase-change materials into nanorods influences the speed of phase-change through a modification of temporal dynamics of heating/cooling. It is shown that a 10-fold improvement over bulk geometry can be achieved.
Statute and Implementation: How Phantom Policies Affect Tenure Value and Support.

Using survey responses from public school teachers and principals in Alaska, this article describes their understanding of tenure statute, and how that understanding affected support, perceived eff...
On the relation between the thunderstorm updraft and tornado formation

Over the past ten years or so, two new sources of data concerning tornadoes have appeared. They come from i) Doppler-radar,used to study the interior of tornadic thunderstorms [1] and ii) systematic surveillance of the tornado and its surroundings by ground-based observers [2]. Important new information concerning the life-cycle and position of the tornado in respect to the parent thunderstorm has been obtained. A synthesis of these results may be found in the paper by Lemon and Doswell [3] and is briefly summarized here. Salient features are that i) tornadoes reach their most violent stage during the declining phase of the thunderstorm, ii) during this time, the center of rotation (detected by the Doppler radar) moves from the updraft maximum to a location between the updraft and the downdraft which is intensifying, iii) since the National Severe Storms Laboratory has begun its systematic surveillance of tornadoes (1971), no tornado has been found to exist longer than 40 minutes [4] and the typical intense tornado exists for 20–30 minutes [5], iv) visual observations indicate the tornado, in its intense phase is on or close to the location which separates the thunderstorm inflow (updraft) and outflow (downdraft)[6].
Equitable Balancing in the Age of Statutes

Equitable Balancing in the Age of Statutes examines the application of the doctrine of equitable balancing in determining whether to issue injunctions for violations of federal statutes. For the past several decades, the Supreme Court has held that the decision whether to enjoin violations of federal laws ordinarily should be determined by “balancing the equities,” in which courts weigh the hardship that the plaintiffs would face if an injunction were denied against the hardship the defendants would face if an injunction were granted. The Court has justified the doctrine by declaring that it is a longstanding equitable practice dating back centuries, perhaps since time immemorial. The Court most recently applied the doctrine in Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, 129 S.Ct. 365 (2008), in which environmentalists sought to enjoin the Navy from conducting antisubmarine training exercises using a type of sonar system alleged to be harmful to whales. The Court held that, even if the Navy was acting in violation of federal law, no injunction should be issued because, as the Court saw the balance of equities, national security trumps environmental protection. The Article argues that the Supreme Court’s experiment in applying equitable balancing in statutory contexts should be abandoned because it conflicts with separation-of-powers principles. The Article seeks to debunk the Court’s premise for applying equitable balancing in statutory cases - that the doctrine has been part of equitable practice for many centuries. In fact, equitable balancing is a relatively modern phenomenon, which first appeared in state common law cases during the period of rapid industrialization following the Civil War, and it only gained general acceptance in the 1930s. It was adopted for the express purpose of expanding judicial discretion to protect industries against injunctions in nuisance actions to stop air and water pollution. History is repeating itself because the Supreme Court adopted equitable balancing in federal statutory cases, beginning in 1982, to expand judicial discretion to excuse violations of federal statutes when, in the courts’ judgment, countervailing policy interests outweigh the interests served by federal statutes. Once equitable balancing is recognized as a recent phenomenon adopted to enlarge judicial policymaking authority, it becomes apparent that applying the doctrine in federal statutory cases raises substantial unresolved separation-of-powers problems. Among other things, the doctrine allows, if not requires, that courts make ad -hoc assessments of the relative importance of apparently conflicting statutory policies.
The Effects of Theoretical Perspective on the Analysis of Coping With Negative Life Events

Human beings are constantly trying to make sense out of the events in their lives. This searching for understanding makes Homo sapiens the most sophisticated theory or model generator among the multitude of living organisms. Although living organisms, for survival reasons, are intimately involved in unraveling the cause and effect relationships in their life arenas, humankind not only appears to generate the more intricate set of behaviors, but also develops the most complex explanations for the cause—effect sequences. These latter explanations of the cause—effect sequence are the essence of theory building. Much of the work of childhood is theory building and testing, and this process continues throughout the developmental sequence. Most people have a multitude of theories to explain the events in their lives and the lives of other people. A theory is a viewpoint or perspective, a way of looking at causality or the relationship between things. When theory is defined in these terms, even the most staunchly atheoretical people must be included in the human fold of theorizers. This is especially the case when people attempt to cope with the negative events in life. Theory is the very stuff by which life events and coping are defined.
THE EFFECT OF ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF MORPHINE AND OPIATE ANTAGONISTS ON THE INDOLE CONTENT OF THE RAT PINEAL GLAND

Summary Several groups have suggested the possible opiate regulation of the pineal gland. To investigate this hypothesis, we have studied the effect of acute administration of morphine and opiate antagonists on the indole content of the rat pineal gland. Experiments were performed at night to correspond with peak pineal melatonin concentrations. Male rats were given intraperitoneal injections of either 10 mg/kg morphine sulfate or saline followed by either 8 mg/kg naltrexone, 4 mg/kg naloxone or saline. Animals were sacrificed 45 minutes after morphine administration and pineal indole contents were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results indicate that morphine increases pineal melatonin content while the concommittant administration of naltrexone or naloxone totally blocks this effect. Paradoxically, antagonists alone also tend to increase pineal melatonin. A parallel dimunition in pineal serotonin content was observed in both conditions. Tryptophan, while not affected by the administration of morphine, was significantly depressed in pineal glands of animals treated with naltrexone alone. These observations suggest a possible role for the regulation of pineal responsiveness by endogenous opiate peptides.
Development of digital micromirror devices (DMDs) for far-UV applications

Digital micromirror devices (DMDs) can be used as rapidly reconfigurable "slit mask" object-selectors in space- based UV multi-object spectrometers (MOS). There are several missions currently in the planning process, which are developing concepts for multi-object spectrometers. For example, both LUVOIR and HabEx plan to include such an instrument, working into the deep UV. Currently, DMDs are the only alternative technology to microshutter arrays, which were developed for the infrared MOS on the James Webb Space Telescope. However, the deep UV (100 - 300 nm) reflectivity of DMDs needs to be substantially higher for efficient mission operation. We have re-coated commercially available DMDs (which use aluminum alloy mirrors) with high reflectivity aluminum, which is protected from oxidation by a AlF3 overcoat. We found that DMDs remain functional after being re-coated and show a dramatic reflectance improvement in the region of 100 - 300 nm. The scattering properties of re-coated DMDs can be further improved by masking the gaps between individual micromirrors during the coating process.
OTHER FORMULATIONS OF COMPUTABILITY

In this chapter we show that two more, quite different formulations of the basic ideas of computability are equivalent to Turing-computability. These are the μ-recursive and general recursive functions of Godel, Herbrand and Kleene [Kl], and the canonical production systems due to Post [PI].
Fuel – clad chemical interaction evaluation of the TREAT reactor conceptual low-enriched-uranium fuel element

Abstract The Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility resides at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The TREAT reactor is currently undergoing design and engineering studies for its conversion from a high enriched uranium (HEU) to a low-enriched uranium (LEU) core. The conceptual design of the LEU fuel element identified two main design differences compared with the HEU fuel element; namely, it will contain four times more fissionable material in its graphite matrix and distinct nuclear-grade Zirconium alloy, as Zircaloy-3 was used in the HEU fuel assembly and is not commercially available currently. These design changes may impact the magnitude of chemical interaction between fuel and cladding materials during physical contact under expected TREAT operation conditions and, therefore, was evaluated through a combination of experimental testing and thermodynamic modeling in order to determine implications for the fuel assembly. In this study, two potential cladding material types, Zircaloy-4 or Zr-1Nb alloys, were evaluated, and it was found for both material types that the extent of interaction and specific chemical reactions are minimal and no detrimental effect on the overall cladding properties is observed. The resulting interaction layer of 3–6 μm was measured after a 2-week exposure at 820 °C. The thermodynamic analysis was extended to temperatures beyond the TREAT reactor operation and accident conditions in order to give some insight that may be of interest for other reactor systems as the High Temperature Gas Reactors (operation above 1000 °C) and for Nuclear Reactor Severe Accident phenomenology study where the UO2 fuel could reach temperatures over 2800 °C and melt.
Computational Deglutition: Using Signal- and Image-Processing Methods to Understand Swallowing and Associated Disorders [Life Sciences]

Swallowing is a sensorimotor activity by which food, liquids, and saliva pass from the oral cavity to the stomach. It is considered one of the most complex sensorimotor functions because of the high level of coordination needed to accomplish the swallowing task over a very short period of 1-2s and the multiple subsystems it involves. Dysphagia (i.e., swallowing difficulties) refers to any swallowing disorder and is commonly caused by a variety of neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson disease), head and neck cancer and its treatment, genetic syndromes, and iatrogenic conditions or trauma. The signs and symptoms of dysphagia range from anterior loss of food while eating, difficulty chewing, and subjective difficulty swallowing food or liquids to choking or coughing before, during, or after eating because of impaired clearance of swallowed material from the throat into the digestive system. When not effectively treated, dysphagia can cause malnutrition, dehydration, immune system failure, psychosocial degradation, and generally decreased quality of life.
A review and analysis of the health and cost-effective outcome studies of comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention programs at the worksite: 1993-1995 update.

Editor Note: This is the third in a series of articles written by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier summarizing the results of studies examining the impact of comprehensive health promotion programs on health and cost. We received more than i0,000 reprint requests for these articles, which is far more than we have received for any other article we have published. Dr. Pelletier updated the summary because of the tremendous response it received and because additional studies have been published since the first two summaries were printed. Our intention is to continue publishing updated summaries of the impact of comprehensive health promotion programs on health and financial outcome measures periodically and to include all studies published in rigorous peer-reviewed journals. If we have missed a study, please send us a copy to include in the next update. At the request of Dr. Pelletier, this article is dedicated to Dr. Andrea Foote for her innovative and enduring impact on worksite health promotion that recognized the value of the individual worker and the power of the worksite as an ad hoc community to improve individual and organizational health.
Development of surrogate potency assays for cellular immunotherapies

Background & Aim Cellular therapy products are required to have meaningful tests determining safety and quality. This is to be achieved by establishing sterility, identity, purity and potency of the final product. As required by FDA per 21 CFR 610, potency of the cell therapy product should be determined by appropriate tests that shows effector function of such products. The methods that are currently being used to test effector function of immune cells include use of tumor cells as target cells and various labelling methods. Target tumor cells add biological variabilities to these tests which already have variabilities introduced by donor sources, tedious set ups, plate conditions, person to person variability in assay set up and readout variabilities from different labelling methods. There is an obvious need of a simpler potency assay with less variability and more reliable results. Methods, Results & Conclusion We are developing potency assays to address the issues of current available assays and to satisfy FDA requirements of potency assay for advanced phase clinical trials of therapeutic effector cells. FDA allows the use of surrogate method to determine potency of the cell therapy product given it correlates with the effector function of such product. Here, we have tested PHA and K562-derived exosomes as easily-standardized surrogate methods to activate NK cells, and have assessed induced cytokine production as correlates of their effector function. Avoiding the use of target cells simplifies set up, and use of these assays removes the variabilities of traditional potency assays. The PHA-based assay can be used to test potency of purified therapeutic effector cells, whereas the exosome-based assay can elicit NK cell potency in pure or complex mixtures and modifications may be developed for specificity to other immune cell products. NK cells expanded with feeder cells expressing membrane-bound IL-21 have shown high IL-2 and IFN-g in correlation with high cytotoxicity against tumor cells. We were able to replicate this effector function using PHA based potency assay. Preliminary experiment for exosome based assay also showed similar trend. This rapidly-advancing industry has need of more rapid and reliable potency assays to test function of therapeutic immune cells. We hope to address this issue with development of these potency assays as a replacement to traditional cytotoxicity tests.
Single photon emission in WSe 2 up 160 K by quantum yield control

2D semiconductors hosting strain-induced quantum emitters offer unique abilities to achieve scalable architectures for deterministic coupling to nanocavities and waveguides that are required to enable chip-based quantum information processing technologies. A severe drawback remains that exciton emission from quantum emitters in WSe2 quenches beyond 30 K, which requires cryogenic cooling. Here we demonstrate an approach to increase the temperature survival of exciton quantum emitters in WSe2 that is based on maximizing the emitter quantum yield. Utilizing optimized material growth that leads to reduced density of nonradiative defects as well as coupling of the exciton emission to plasmonic nanocavities modes, we achieve average quantum yields up to 44%, thermal activation energies up to 92 meV, and single photon emission signatures up to temperatures of 160 K. At these values non-cryogenic cooling with thermo-electric chips becomes already feasible, while quantitative analysis shows that room temperature operation is within reach through active strain engineering.
TLR11-independent inflammasome activation is critical for CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ production and host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii

Innate recognition of invading intracellular pathogens is essential for regulating robust and rapid CD4+ T cell effector function, which is critical for host-mediated immunity. The intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is capable of infecting almost any nucleated cell of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and establishing tissue cysts that persist throughout the lifetime of the host. Recognition of T. gondii by TLRs is essential for robust IL-12 and IFN-γ production, two major cytokines involved in host resistance to the parasite. In the murine model of infection, robust IL-12 and IFN-γ production have been largely attributed to T. gondii profilin recognition by the TLR11 and TLR12 heterodimer complex, resulting in Myd88-dependent IL-12 production. However, TLR11 or TLR12 deficiency failed to recapitulate the acute susceptibility to T. gondii infection seen in Myd88-/- mice. T. gondii triggers inflammasome activation in a caspase-1-dependent manner resulting in cytokine release; however, it remains undetermined if parasite-mediated inflammasome activation impacts IFN-γ production and host resistance to the parasite. Using mice which lack different inflammasome components, we observed that the inflammasome played a limited role in host resistance when TLR11 remained functional. Strikingly, in the absence of TLR11, caspase-1 and -11 played a significant role for robust CD4+ TH1-derived IFN-γ responses and host survival. Moreover, we demonstrated that in the absence of TLR11, production of the caspase-1-dependent cytokine IL-18 was sufficient and necessary for CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ responses. Mechanistically, we established that T. gondii-mediated activation of the inflammasome and IL-18 were critical to maintain robust CD4+ TH1 IFN-γ responses during parasite infection in the absence of TLR11.