cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lightweight, Embeddings Based Storage and Model Construction Over Satellite Data Collections

There has been a substantial growth in remotely sensed hyperspectral satellite imagery. These data offer opportunities to understand phenomena and inform decision making. The nature of these collections introduces challenges stemming from their volumes, variety, and spatiotemporal resolutions. The crux of this study is to facilitate effective training of deep learning models over satellite data collections. We describe our novel embeddings (multidimensional latent space representations) based approach to effectively support model training, refinement, and inferences. We rigorously explore several aspects relating to embeddings, including their dimensionality, single vs multiple bands, and preservation of inter-band metrics. We also incorporate support for transfer learning over spatiotemporal scopes to address issues relating to cold start and alleviate resource pressure. Our methodology addresses disk, network, CPU/GPU, and accuracy implications of several aspects relating to model construction. Our empirical benchmarks assess the suitability of our methodology using the MODIS and Sentinel-2 satellite data. We demonstrate that our methodology reduces storage requirements by more than 10,000x and reduces model construction times by 75%.
Strategic Implementation as a Core Competency

Whereas strategy formation has received robust examination in the literature, explicit guidance toward strategy implementation has been meager. Unfortunately, most strategic planning efforts fail during this crucial phase wasting significant resources already invested. Because of the abysmal success rates in plan realization, we suggest that the systematic strategy implementation requires a more integrative methodology. While it is feasible to theoretically separate the academic domains of strategic management, operations management, organizational behavior, etc., such an approach is not pragmatic for organizational leaders charged with conceptual execution. These leaders would benefit from a more inclusive framework so that strategic implementation, as opposed to the myopic focus on strategy formulation, might emerge as a core competency. Based upon this premise, we integrate theory and research from supposed disparate business disciplines to offer the 5P's model, a universal, comprehensive representation of effective strategy implementation.
Abstract A45: Protective autophagy elicited by RAF→MEK→ERK inhibition suggests a treatment strategy for RAS-driven cancers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was responsible for ~43,000 deaths in the USA in 2017 and is the epitome of a recalcitrant cancer driven by a pharmacologically intractable oncoprotein, KRAS. Although the clinical picture remains grim, the mechanisms by which key alterations in tumor suppressors and proto-oncogenes contribute to PDA have been dissected. Downstream of KRAS, the RAF→MEK→ERK signaling pathway plays a central role in pancreatic carcinogenesis. However, to date, pharmacologic inhibition of this pathway has provided no clinical benefit to PDA patients. Here we show that inhibition of KRAS→RAF→MEK→ERK signaling in PDA cell lines elicits autophagy, a process of cellular recycling that protects pancreatic cancer cells from the potentially cytotoxic effects of KRAS pathway inhibition. Furthermore, combined inhibition of MEK1/2 plus autophagy displays synergistic antiproliferative effects against PDA cell lines in vitro, and promotes regression of xenografted patient-derived PDA tumors in mice. Finally, treatment of a KRAS-mutated PDA patient on a compassionate basis with the combination of trametinib plus hydroxychloroquine resulted in a partial but nonetheless striking disease response. These data suggest that this combination therapy may represent a new strategy to target RAS-driven cancers such as PDA. Citation Format: Conan G. Kinsey, Soledad A. Camolotto, Amelie M. Boespflug, Katrin P. Gullien, Mona Foth, Jill E. Shea, Michael T. Seipp, Jeffrey T. Yap, Lance D. Burrell, David H. Lum, Jonathan R. Whisenant, Weldon Gilcrease, Courtney C. Cavalieri, Kaitrin M. Rehbein, Stephanie L. Cutler, Kajsa E. Affolter, Alana L. Welm, Bryan E. Welm, Courtney L. Scaife, Eric L. Snyder, Martin McMahon. Protective autophagy elicited by RAF→MEK→ERK inhibition suggests a treatment strategy for RAS-driven cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers; 2018 Dec 9-12; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(5_Suppl):Abstract nr A45.
Enhancing the short-beam strength of composite laminates using helical carbon nanotubes

Abstract The main disadvantage of traditional composite laminated structures is the lack of reinforcement in out-of-plane direction in between the laminae and the fiber filaments. This will result in poor interlaminar properties leading to delamination and disintegration of the laminates, when subjected to out-of-plane external loads. Most prior research has been focused on use of straight carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other nanoparticles as additional reinforcement in resin systems. Our prior research has shown that the helical CNTs are more effective as a nanoscale reinforcement, as compared to other nanomaterials. The goal of this research was to improve the interfacial bonding effectiveness between the laminae using the unique characteristics and coil-like geometry of the helical CNTs. They can wrap around each other, entangle with the micro-fiber reinforcements, and get stuck inside the solidified resin. Because of their inertness, CNTs interaction with the resin is generally weak and the helical geometries of CNTs can provide unique mechanical interlocking mechanisms within the composite material systems. This characteristic can substantially improve their interfacial and out-of-plane properties and introduce additional multifunctionalities. In this research, helical CNTs with various weight percentages were used as additional reinforcements in composite laminates. ASTM standard D2344/2344M − 16 was used to investigate the short-beam strength of the helical CNTs reinforced laminates. Test specimens were fabricated, cut, and tested as per ASTM standard and then analyzed. The comparison of test results showed up to 11.3%, 11.9%, and 6.9% improvements for short-beam strength, tangent modulus, and strain at failure, respectively, for the nanocomposite samples with 0.05 wt% HCNTs loading. These results prove that the use of helical CNTs as additional reinforcement is a promising approach for the improvement of the interlaminar properties of laminated composites and structures.
Graphene quantum dot formulation for cancer imaging and redox-based drug delivery.

Abstract This work develops a new multifunctional biocompatible anticancer nanoformulation to provide targeted image-guided cancer-selective therapeutics. It consists of three active covalently bound components: (1) biocompatible nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as a multifunctional delivery and imaging platform, (2) hyaluronic acid (HA) unit targeted to the CD44 receptors on a variety of cancer cells, and (3) oxidative stress-based cancer-selective ferrocene (Fc) therapeutic. The biocompatible GQD platform synthesized from glucosamine exhibits high-yield intrinsic fluorescence. It is utilized for tracking Fc-GQD-HA formulation in vitro indicating internalization enhancement in HeLa cells targeted by the HA over non-cancer HEK-293 cells not overexpressing CD44 receptor. Fc-GQD-HA, non-toxic at 1 mg/mL to HEK-293 cells, induces cytotoxic response in HeLa enhanced over time, while therapeutic ROS generation by Fc-GQD-HA is ~3 times greater than that of Fc alone. This outlines the targeted delivery, imaging, and cancer-specific treatment capabilities of the new Fc-GQD-HA formulation enabling desired cancer-focused nanotherapeutic approach.
Shear mechanosensing drives tendon adaptation

In tendon cells under shear stress, the induction of an influx of calcium by the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 upregulates collagen crosslinking, which increases tendon stiffness and potentially improves jumping performance.
Novel hydroxybenzylamine-deoxyvasicinone hybrids as anticholinesterase therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract A series of novel 2-hydroxybenzylamine-deoxyvasicinone hybrid analogs (8a-8n) have been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and as inhibitors of amyloid peptide (Aβ1-42) aggregation, for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These dual acting compounds exhibited good AChE inhibitory activities ranging from 0.34 to 6.35 µM. Analogs 8g and 8n were found to be the most potent AChE inhibitors in the series with IC50 values of 0.38 µM and 0.34 µM, respectively. All the analogs (8a-8n) exhibited weak BuChE inhibitory activities ranging from 14.60 to 21.65 µM. Analogs 8g and 8n exhibited BuChE with IC50 values of 15.38 µM and 14.60 µM, respectively, demonstrating that these analogs were greater than 40-fold more selective for inhibition of AChE over BuChE. Additionally, compounds 8g and 8n were also found to be the best inhibitors of self-induced Aβ1-42 peptide aggregation with IC50 values of 3.91 µM and 3.22 µM, respectively; 8g and 8n also inhibited AChE-induced Aβ1-42 peptide aggregation by 68.7% and 72.6%, respectively. Kinetic analysis and molecular docking studies indicate that analogs 8g and 8n bind to a new allosteric pocket (site B) on AChE. In addition, the observed inhibition of AChE-induced Aβ1-42 peptide aggregation by 8n is likely due to allosteric inhibition of the binding of this peptide at the CAS site on AChE. Overall, these results indicate that 8g and 8n are examples of dual-acting lead compounds for the development of highly effective anti-AD drugs.
Affective Benefits of Parental Engagement with Adolescent Positive Daily Life Experiences

Positive affect and positive parent-adolescent relationships have been found to reinforce one another across youth development in a pattern of an “upward spiral,” yet little is known regarding processes facilitating such “upward spirals” of social and emotional wellbeing among parent-adolescent dyads. This study addressed this gap by examining interpersonal capitalization, or the process of sharing positive news with others, as one candidate interpersonal process contributing to increases in both parent and adolescent experiences of positive affect in naturalistic settings. Participants included 146 adolescents (52.1% girls; ages 10–14; M[SD] = 12.71[0.86]) and a participating caregiver (N = 139; 78.7% mothers; ages 33–58; M[SD] = 44.11[5.08]) who completed a dyadic experience sampling method procedure assessing both parent and adolescent momentary affect and patterns of engagement in interpersonal capitalization in daily life settings (31 surveys across 9 days). Multilevel models indicated that adolescent positive affect increased following instances of interpersonal capitalization, and increases in positive affect were specific to high-arousal positive emotions (e.g., excited, energetic) relative to low-arousal positive emotions (e.g., calm, relaxed). Parental high-arousal positive affect also increased following instances in which they provided validating, enthusiastic responses to their children’s capitalization attempts. The results of the present study indicate that interpersonal capitalization may be one mechanism facilitating “upward spirals” of positive affect for both parents and adolescents, with implications for health and wellbeing across development.
Impact and Equality of Expanding Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for Men who have Sex with Men in Los Angeles County

Background Racial and ethnic minority men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County (LAC), an important epicenter in the battle to end HIV. Our objective is to examine tradeoffs between effectiveness and equality of PrEP allocation strategies among different racial and ethnic groups of MSM in LAC. Methods We developed a microsimulation model of HIV among MSM in LAC using county epidemic surveillance and survey data to capture demographic trends and subgroup-specific partnership patterns, disease progression, patterns of PrEP use, and patterns for viral suppression. We simulated interventions where an additional 3000, 6000, or 9000 PrEP prescriptions are provided annually in addition to current levels, following different allocation scenarios to each racial/ethnic group (Black, Hispanic, or White). We limit analysis to MSM, who bear the majority of HIV/AIDS burden in LAC. We do not consider transmission via injection drug use or mother-to-child transmission, nor do we capture individual network transmission effects. We assume no improvements in the prevention-diagnosis-treatment cascade besides increased PrEP use. Findings We estimated cumulative infections averted and measures of equality, after 15 years (2021-2035), relative to base case (no intervention). Of the policies evaluated, targeting PrEP preferentially to Black individuals would result in the largest reductions in incidence and disparities. This outcome was robust to different partnership preference assumptions, though the magnitude of impact differs. Interpretation We find there is little trade-off between effectiveness and equality of outcome when choosing groups to target for PrEP in LAC -- by focusing on MSM with the highest HIV incidence (Black), we can reduce both overall infections and racial/ethnic disparities.
Probabilistic seismic resilience quantification of a reinforced masonry shear wall system with boundary elements under bi-directional horizontal excitations

Abstract The concept of resilience is gaining increased attention in disaster management due to the recent awareness of the need to reduce the detrimental post-event effects of natural disasters, e.g., earthquakes. Resilience is a practical concept that includes pre-event (preparedness and mitigation) and post-event (response and recovery) activities. Quantitative resilience assessment approaches are needed to compare the available mitigation strategies to decide on the most suitable strategy and provide better support for decision-making procedures. In this study, a methodology for quantifying the seismic resilience of reinforced masonry shear wall (RMSW) buildings with end-confined masonry boundary elements is implemented. The uncertainties associated with structural and non-structural losses and estimated recovery time uncertainties are considered while quantifying the resilience index of RMSW buildings. The archetype buildings studied have 8-, 10-, and 12-storey heights and are located in Vancouver, representing a high seismic zone in Canada. First, a numerical model was developed using OpenSees to derive the fragility surface for the studied archetypes subjected to bi-directional horizontal excitation. Second, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to quantify the resilience index of each archetype considering the above-mentioned uncertainties. The results prove the robustness of ductile RMSW buildings having end-confined MBEs in mitigating the losses associated with disaster events. Additionally, the findings provide comprehensive and valuable information for earthquake mitigation measures and disaster risk reduction programmes.
Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms

Thymic epithelial neoplasms are the most common primary tumors of the anterior mediastinum. The terminology and classification of these tumors have been a topic of debate for many years and have continued to evolve as we have gained a better understanding of their pathogenesis and biologic behavior. Thymic epithelial neoplasms comprise a spectrum of lesions that can range from very low-grade, well-differentiated tumors to high-grade, poorly differentiated neoplasms, with a wide range of morphologies in-between. The most widely used classification is that proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which consists of several categories and utilizes mostly a combination of numbers and letters to designate the various types; however, a more simplified classification scheme has been proposed by Suster and Moran that stratifies these tumors into three categories based on their degrees of differentiation and clinical behavior (Table 2.1). A confusing situation also exists with the persistent use of the terms “thymoma” and “thymic carcinoma” to refer to the ends of the morphologic spectrum in these tumors, implying that one is malignant and the other benign, when in reality all primary thymic epithelial neoplasms have the potential for aggressive or malignant behavior irrespective of their histologic appearance. For the time being, we will utilize the term “thymic carcinoma” in this chapter following the standard and traditional nomenclature utilized by the majority of investigators and reserve the term “thymoma” for those tumors that fall mainly in the low-grade and intermediate range of the morphologic spectrum.
Roles of diatom nutrient stress and species identity in determining the short- and long-term bioavailability of diatom exudates to bacterioplankton

Abstract Phytoplankton exude carbon-rich dissolved organic matter (DOM) upon nutrient stress, yet the ecological role of this exudate in stimulating bacterial growth is not well understood. We harvested DOM produced by four coastal diatoms ( Skeletonema marinoi , Chaetoceros socialis , Thalassiosira weissflogii , and Odontella aurita ) subjected to depletion of nitrogen (N), silicon (Si), or N + Si simultaneously in batch culture and assessed its bioavailability to natural bacterioplankton communities using dilution batch-culture remineralization bioassays. Short-term, ecologically-relevant responses were affected both by diatom source species and by the nutrient stress under which the DOM was produced. Si-stress DOM was generally more bioavailable over the first week than that produced under N or N + Si stress, and led to higher bacterial growth efficiencies. In contrast, the amount of diatom-derived total organic carbon (TOC) that persisted over months in the same experiments differed among source diatom species, with no evidence of a nutrient stress effect. These results nuance the carbon overflow hypothesis of DOM release, which has been suggested to be maladaptive due to the possibility of DOC release allowing bacterioplankton to better compete for the same nutrient that is limiting the phytoplankton. Our results suggest that bacterial activity is most promoted when diatoms are limited by Si, a nutrient that is not subject to competition with bacteria. They imply that the identity of the nutrient that terminates a diatom bloom impacts heterotrophic activity in the short term; however, source diatom species has the greater influence on DOC persistence in surface waters and its potential export from the system.
Developmental biochemistry of cotton seed embryogenesis and germination: VII. Characterization of the cotton genome

Abstract The DNA of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, has been characterized as to spectral characteristics, buoyant density in CsCl, base composition, and genetic complexity. The haploid genome size is found to bo 0.795 pg DNA/cell. However, the amount of DNA per cell in the cotyledons increases during embryogenesis to an average ploidy level of 12N in the mature seed cotyledons. Reassociation kinetics indicate that this increase is due to endoreduplication of the entire genome. Non-repetitive deoxynucleotide sequences account for approximately 60.5% of the cotton genome ( C 0 t 1 2 pure ¶ = 437); highly repetitive sequences (> 10,000 repetition frequency) constitute about 7.7% of the genome. ( C 0 t 1 2 pure = 4.6 × 10 −4 ) and intermediately repetitive sequences constitute the remaining 27% of the genome ( C 0 t 1 2 pure = 1.46 ). Hybridization of 125I-labeled cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA to whole-cell DNA on filters and in solution indicate approximately 300 to 350 copies of the rRNA cistrons per haploid genome. The interspersion of repetitive sequences that reassociate between C0t values of 0.1 and 50 with non-repetitive sequences of the cotton genome has been examined by determining the reassociation kinetics of DNA of varying fragment lengths and by the electron microscopy of reassociated molecules. About 60% of the genome consists of non-repetitive regions that average 1800 base-pairs interpersed with repetitive sequences that average 1250 base-pairs. Approximately 20% of the genome may be involved in a longer period interspersion pattern containing non-repetitive sequences of approximately 4000 base-pairs between repetitive sequences. Most of the individual sequences of the interspersed repetitive component are much smaller than the mass average size, containing between 200 and 800 base-pairs. Sequence divergence is evident among the members of this component. Highly repetitive sequence elements that are reassociated by a C0t value of 0.1 average 2500 base-pairs in length, appear to have highly divergent regions and do not appear to be highly clustered. A portion of this highly repetitive component reassociates by C0t = 10−4, zero-time binding DNA, and accounts for less than 3% of the genome. At least a third of these sequences appear by electron microscopy to be intramolecular duplexes (palindromes) of 150 to 200 base-pairs and to occur in clusters.
Development and distribution of reference materials for ambient air measurements

The procedures used and the costs incurred in developing and distributing Reference Materials for use in air monitoring programs are discussed. Reference Materials currently available for use in determining the quality of ambient air measurements are described in relation to type, source, cost, and concentration. Ongoing and planned programs to develop new Reference Materials are described. 6 references.
BLADE: Slashing the Invisible Channel of Drive-by Download Malware

Drive-by downloads, which result in the unauthorized installation of code through the browser and into the victim host, have become one of the dominant means through which mass infections now occur. We present BLADE ( B lock A ll D rive-by download E xploits), a browserindependent system that seeks to eliminate the drive-by threat. BLADE prudently assumes that the legitimate download of any executable must result from explicit user consent. BLADE transparently redirects every browser download into a non-executable safe zone on disk, unless it is associated with a programmatically inferred user-consent event. BLADE thwarts the necessary underlying transaction on which all drive-by downloads rely, therefore it requires no prior knowledge of the exploit methods, and is not subject to circumvention by obfuscations or zero-day threats.
A new Salmonella tester strain, TA97, for the detection of frameshift mutagens: A run of cytosines as a mutational hot-spot

Abstract We have developed a new Salmonella tester strain, TA97, for use in the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test. DNA sequencing has shown that this strain contains and added cytosine, resulting in a run of six cytosines at the mutated site in the histidine D gene. Its mutagenic specificity is similar to that of the frameshift mutagen tester strain, TA1537, which also contains an added cytosine in a run of cytosines and is currently among the five standard tester strains used for general mutagen screening. We assessed the mutagenic potency of 21 frameshift mutagens for TA1537 and TA97. TA97 was considerably more sensitive than TA1537 to reversion by these frameshift mutagens. In addition, one agent, PR toxin (from Penicillium roqueforti), which was not detected by any of the previously existing standard tester strains, did revert TA97; and two substituted aryl-alkyl triazenes, which had not been reported previously to be frameshift mutagens, were mutagenic in this new tester strain. We suggest that TA1537 be replaced by TA97 for general screening of mutagenicity.
Cartel Sanctions: An Empirical Analysis

Using a sample of modern international cartels, we analyze the level and determinants of cartel sanctions imposed on the participants of these cartels in a number of antitrust jurisdictions. There is empirical evidence suggesting that gains from collusive conduct outweigh its costs represented by cartel sanctions. While the average (median) overcharge characterizing the analyzed sample is 27.8% (27.0%) of affected sales, the average (median) cartel fine is 10.2% (2.1%) of the volume of affected commerce. When compensations recovered by private parties are taken into account, the average cartel sanction is 18.9% (4.9%) of affected sales. Furthermore, we find a negative statistically significant relationship between the level of cartel sanctions and the overcharge level and we find a positive statistically significant relationship between the level of cartel sanctions and the volume of affected sales. This may suggest that currently cartel sanctions tend to be based on the volume of affected sales rather than on the overcharge level (i.e. damage).
Kingmakers: The Invention of the Modern Middle East – By Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac

Some may enjoy reading this book, but afterward they will have learned little about the Middle East or those British and U.S. leaders whose decisions affected that region much more than this collec...
How to improve transfusion medicine. A treating physician's perspective.

Abstract As transfusion medicine becomes more complex, cooperative strategies are gaining increasing importance in relaying information to the treating physician and in incorporating the treating physician into the education and quality control processes. The broad domain of transfusion medicine is illustrated by the variety of disciplines involved in defining the use of products such as fresh frozen plasma and the newly released solvent-detergent–treated plasma, fibrin glue and highly purified fibrin sealant, and leukoreduced and irradiated blood products. Cooperative efforts among physicians and other personnel of multiple disciplines are essential to ensure appropriate use and continuous evaluation of blood products.
Freeform vector graphics with controlled thin-plate splines

Recent work defines vector graphics using diffusion between colored curves. We explore higher-order fairing to enable more natural interpolation and greater expressive control. Specifically, we build on thin-plate splines which provide smoothness everywhere except at user-specified tears and creases (discontinuities in value and derivative respectively). Our system lets a user sketch discontinuity curves without fixing their colors, and sprinkle color constraints at sparse interior points to obtain smooth interpolation subject to the outlines. We refine the representation with novel contour and slope curves, which anisotropically constrain interpolation derivatives. Compound curves further increase editing power by expanding a single curve into multiple offsets of various basic types (value, tear, crease, slope, and contour). The vector constraints are discretized over an image grid, and satisfied using a hierarchical solver. We demonstrate interactive authoring on a desktop CPU.
The First Hatchling Dinosaur Reported from the Eastern United States: Propanoplosaurus marylandicus (Dinosauria: Ankylosauria) from the Early Cretaceous of Maryland, U.S.A.

Abstract Abundant and diverse dinosaur footprints have been discovered recently on bedding surfaces of the Lower Cretaceous Patuxent Formation of Maryland and Virginia. Found along with those ichnofossils is a fossil preserved partially as natural casts and partially as natural molds of a baby nodosaurid ankylosaur so small as to justify interpreting it as a hatchling. Despite the rather unusual type of preservation, the find is properly termed a body fossil and not an ichnite, per se, because it records not the action of an organism, but the body form and bone structure (including partial articulation) of a dinosaur. We here name it Propanoplosaurus marylandicus and provide a description of its diagnostic characteristics. Although actual skeletal remains referable to P. marylandicus have not been found in the Patuxent Formation, other nodosaurids recognized from skeletal remains are known from both the Lower and Upper Cretaceous strata of the Western Interior of North America and Europe. P. marylandicus ...
Analysis and approximation of the Cross model for quasi-Newtonian flows with defective boundary conditions

A numerical method for a generalized-Newtonian fluid with flow rate boundary conditions is considered. The defect boundary condition problem is formulated as a constrained optimal control problem, where a flow balance is forced on the inflow and outflow boundaries using a Neumann control. The control problem is analyzed for an existence result and the Lagrange multiplier rule. A decoupling solution algorithm is presented and numerical experiments are provided to validate robustness of the algorithm.
The dystrophin–glycoprotein complex, cellular signaling, and the regulation of cell survival in the muscular dystrophies

Mutations of different components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) cause muscular dystrophies that vary in terms of severity, age of onset, and selective involvement of muscle groups. Although the primary pathogenetic processes in the muscular dystrophies have clearly been identified as apoptotic and necrotic muscle cell death, the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to cell death remain to be determined. Studies of components of the DGC in muscle and in nonmuscle tissues have revealed that the DGC is undoubtedly a multifunctional complex and a highly dynamic structure, in contrast to the unidimensional concept of the DGC as a mechanical component in the cell. Analysis of the DGC reveals compelling analogies to two other membrane-associated protein complexes, namely integrins and caveolins. Each of these complexes mediates signal transduction cascades in the cell, and disruption of each complex causes muscular dystrophies. The signal transduction cascades associated with the DGC, like those associated with integrins and caveolins, play important roles in cell survival signaling, cellular defense mechanisms, and regulation of the balance between cell survival and cell death. This review focuses on the functional components of the DGC, highlighting the evidence of their participation in cellular signaling processes important for cell survival. Elucidating the link between these functional components and the pathogenetic processes leading to cell death is the foremost challenge to understanding the mechanisms of disease expression in the muscular dystrophies due to defects in the DGC.
Is laparoscopy back

Should surgical treatment of presumed endometriosis be advocated for all patients who fail to conceive after multiple IVF cycles? Without appropriately designed clinical studies, there is currently little evidence to support this approach.
Differences in What Happens After You Screen Positive for Depression Versus Hazardous Alcohol Use

The success of any secondary prevention effort in identifying those in need for further services depends on the primary care team following all positive screening results with additional assessment or intervention. Initial research suggests possible differences in primary care responses to positive screens for hazardous alcohol use compared to depression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine current practices of Veterans Affairs healthcare providers following a positive screen for hazardous alcohol use or depression. Chart reviews were conducted for a random sample of 98 Veterans who screened positive for hazardous alcohol use using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questions and a separate sample of 99 Veterans who screened positive for depression using the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) over a 1-year period. Findings suggest multiple discrepancies in screening practices between the AUDIT-C and the PHQ-2. These include a higher likelihood of further depression assessment or referral after a positive PHQ-2 screen. Scores on the AUDIT-C that indicate heavier alcohol consumption were more likely to result in assessment or intervention than did lower but still positive AUDIT-C scores. Overall, these data suggest that many opportunities are missed, especially in regards to hazardous alcohol use, for prevention and intervention.
Blunt Trauma Reveals a Single Kidney: A Disqualification Dilemma

An 18-year-old stunt water-skier collided with a stationary boat, causing an impact to his right flank and thigh. Imaging studies revealed spondylolisthesis, fractures to the transverse processes of three lumbar vertebrae, and a single right kidney, which was uninjured. The kidney lay slightly anterior to the normal position, making it more vulnerable to injury. Consequently, the patient was advised to avoid water- skiing and all collision sports. This case points up the dilemmas physicians may face when treating athletes who have just one member of a paired organ.
Complication rate of posterior capsule rupture with vitreous loss during phacoemulsification at a Hawaiian cataract surgical center: a clinical audit

Purpose To compare the complication rate of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) with vitreous loss during phacoemulsification at an ambulatory surgical center with published results as a clinical audit for quality control.
Process-induced damage to SRAM poly-load resistance during photoresist ashing in H 2 O plasma

Process-induced damage to SRAM poly-load resistance have been clearly observed during photoresist ashing in an H2O plasma which is commonly acknowledged as an effective corrosion-prevented treatment after metal etching in a chlorine-rich environment. The resistance degraded to about three order in the H2O plasma than in the conventional O2 plasma. Different ratios of H2O to O2 plasma have been studied by using the well-designed pattern to understand the basic mechanisms of the problems which occurred in the photoresist ashing process. Experimental results showed that the higher concentration of H2O, the more damage to the SRAM products, resulting in the lower resistance of poly-load. Hydrogen ions generated from H2O plasma are speculated to be the major culprit. Different types of plasma sources (microwave and inductively coupled plasmas) for H2O-plasma photoresist ashing process have also been investigated and found that the damage effects to SRAM poly-load resistance in the inductive-type plasma source (such as Transformer Coupled Plasma) is more severe than that in the microwave-type plasma at the similar operation conditions. This may because inductive-type plasma has higher degree of ionization which generated more hydrogen ions inside the H2O plasma.
Texture analysis of a friction stir processed 6061-T6 aluminum alloy using neutron diffraction

Time-of-flight neutron diffraction was used to investigate the texture changes in friction stir-processed (FSP) 6061-T6 aluminum alloy plates. Two different specimens were prepared with the purpose of separating the effects of frictional heating and severe plastic deformation on the changes of the preferred orientation in the as-received rolled plates: a plate processed with both stirring pin and tool shoulder, i.e., a regular FSP plate subjected to both severe plastic deformation and frictional heating (Case 1); and a plate processed only with the tool shoulder, i.e., subjected mainly to frictional heating (Case 2). The diffraction peak intensities provide insights into the texture variations at various locations across the centerline and through the thickness of the FSP plates. Comparison of the texture variations between Cases 1 and 2 clearly shows that the severe plastic deformation from the stirring pin affects the preferred orientation during the FSP, while heating alone from the tool shoulder has little effect.
The relationship of family history of alcoholism to primary affective disorder.

Abstract One hundred sixty-eight patients with primary affective disorder were studied regarding history of alcohol-related problems. Alcohol-related problems were identified in 19 patients. We found that the morbid risk for alcoholism was significantly increased among relatives of male patients with drinking problems as compared to relatives of male patients without drinking problems. Our data suggest that psychiatric illness in relatives of probands with severe bipolar illness tends to be affective whereas psychiatric illness in relatives of probands with other subtypes of primary affective disorder tends to include alcoholism plus affective disorder.
Parainfluenza 3-Assay and Growth in Tissue Culture.

Summary1. Various parameters involved in assay and growth of HA1 virus in tissue culture have been examined. Variation in occurrence of cytopathic changes in different cell systems led to development of a new plaque assay technic utilizing hemadsorption properties of the virus. HA1 is adsorbed to cell monolayers rapidly from small volumes (0.1 ml) so that 1 hour adsorption is adequate for routine plaque work. Thermal inactivation curve showed a halflife at 37°C of 10 hr. Presence of antibody to HA1 in human and calf serum, and in serum from guinea pigs inoculated intranasally confirms work by others and emphasizes the need to pretest all sera used in work with this virus. Growth curves showed that at end of logarithmic increase, concentration of virus in the supernatant fluid was less than 0.1% that in cells. An average of approximately 50 pfu was produced/cell.
Spent butane-butylene cut as a feedstock for sulfuric acid alkylation

Tower 20 should be used to separate an isopentane cut from the stabilized isomerizate, so as to increase the isopentane output by 20%; along with the straight-run isopentane cut, a catalytic isopentane of higher quality should be obtained (TU 38 101494--79); the quality of the pentane cut used as feed for the isomerization section should be improved by reduction of the isopentane content to 4-5% by weight; the operation of the distillation section should be "intensified."
Magnetron reactive sputtering of TaN and TaON films for EUV mask applications

We have developed and characterized a stack of TaN (absorber) and TaON (ARC) using reactive magnetron sputtering method. Two DOE (design of experiments) were performed with varying gas and power parameters and their effects on the various film parameters are discussed. We characterized the stress, uniformity, reflectivity (for defect inspection and EUV wavelengths), defect adders, and etch performance. Film property characterization was performed with AFM, Optical reflectance measurement tool, Particle inspection tool and profilometer. Optimized film stack met or exceeded ITRS guideline for EUV lithography mask with film stress less than 200MPa, inspection wavelength reflectivity at 9%, and thickness uniformity less than 5%. Defect adder number (< 0.5 / cm2) was a strong function of underlying film surface roughness and cleanliness of surface as well as deposition parameters.
An Oxidative Damage-specific Endonuclease from Rat Liver Mitochondria

Reactive oxygen species have been shown to generate mutagenic lesions in DNA. One of the most abundant lesions in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). We report here the partial purification and characterization of a mitochondrial oxidative damage endonuclease (mtODE) from rat liver that recognizes and incises at 8-oxoG and abasic sites in duplex DNA. Rat liver mitochondria were purified by differential and Percoll gradient centrifugation, and mtODE was extracted from Triton X-100-solubilized mitochondria. Incision activity was measured using a radiolabeled double-stranded DNA oligonucleotide containing a unique 8-oxoG, and reaction products were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gel filtration chromatography predicts mtODE's molecular mass to be between 25 and 30 kDa. mtODE has a monovalent cation optimum between 50 and 100 mM KCl and a pH optimum between 7.5 and 8. mtODE does not require any co-factors and is active in the presence of 5 mM EDTA. It is specific for 8-oxoG and preferentially incises at 8-oxoG:C base pairs. mtODE is a putative 8-oxoG glycosylase/lyase enzyme, because it can be covalently linked to the 8-oxoG oligonucleotide by sodium borohydride reduction. Comparison of mtODE's activity with other known 8-oxoG glycosylases/lyases and mitochondrial enzymes reveals that this may be a novel protein.
Efficient Static and Dynamic In-Database Tensor Decompositions on Chunk-Based Array Stores

As the relevant data sets get large, existing in-memory schemes for tensor decomposition become increasingly ineffective and, instead, memory-independent solutions, such as in-database analytics, are necessitated. In this paper, we present techniques for efficient implementations of in-database tensor decompositions on chunk-based array data stores. The proposed static and incremental in-database tensor decomposition operators and their optimizations address the constraints imposed by the main memory limitations when handling large and high-order tensor data. Firstly, we discuss how to implement alternating least squares operations efficiently on a chunk-based data storage system. Secondly, we consider scenarios with frequent data updates and show that compressed matrix multiplication techniques can be effective in reducing the incremental tensor decomposition maintenance costs. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first attempt to develop efficient and optimized in-database tensor decomposition operations. We evaluate the proposed algorithms on tensor data sets that do not fit into the available memory and results show that the proposed techniques significantly improve the scalability of this core data analysis.
Some factors influencing stability limits of bunsen flames

Abstract An investigation of the influence of burner diameter on the blow-off limits of shielded and unshielded laminar flames has shown that the limit of any given fuel-air mixture is independent of burner diameter when expressed as critical velocity gradient. The influence has been studied of annular streams of various gases flowing around laminar flames. Helium narrows both lean and rich blow-off limits, but neither helium nor nitrogen effect flash-back limits. Nitrogen and air widen the lean blow-off limit increasingly as the annular-jet velocity is increased. These effects are attributed to the relative ease with which the shielding gases are entrained into the fuel-air stream issuing from the burner port. At flash-back, entrainment is negligible because the flame is very close to the burner port, but at the blow-off limits entrainment appears to be substantial enough to cause significant changes in the limit.
Thermal fluctuations and scaling characteristics of two-dimensional vortex matter in superconducting Bi2Sr2−xLaxCuO6+δ thin films

Abstract An approach is proposed to account for the observed temperature and magnetic field dependence of the driving force on the vortex lattice. This approach takes into account the dynamical effects of the thermal fluctuations on the distribution of the pinning energies and consequently on the driving forces on the vortices. In the warmer regions of the superconductor the density of vortices are higher than in the colder regions. The density variations of the vortices leads to variations in the driving forces owing to the vortex–vortex repulsion. The inclusion of these dynamical effects in the vortex behavior leads to the nonlinear dependence of the driving force on the temperature and magnetic field. The results of the present approach are compared to the recently reported experimental measurements of Bi 2 Sr 2− x La x CuO 6+ δ superconductor. The scaling structures of the experimental measurements, which are based on the predictions of a quasi-2D state of vortex matter, are in excellent agreements with the model calculations. The analysis indicates the importance of the thermal fluctuations on the temperature dependence of the magnetic phase diagram of the superconductor.
STANDARDIZATION OF THE FEAR SURVEY SCHEDULE BASED UPON PATIENTS WITH DSM-III ANXIETY DISORDERS

The Wolpe-Lange Fear Survey Schedule was administered to 141 psychiatric outpatients who met the criteria for a primary Axis I diagnosis of one of the DSM-III anxiety disorders. Standardization data were obtained for this instrument and their clinical and research implications are discussed.
Cocaine affects the dynamics of cytoskeletal proteins via sigma1 receptors

Cytoskeletal proteins are important in protein trafficking, membrane protein clustering, dendrite growth and the morphological maintenance of neurons. Sigma(1) receptors are unique endoplasmic reticular (ER) proteins that bind (+)benzomorphans, neurosteroids and psychotropic drugs such as cocaine. Cocaine, via sigma(1) receptors, can cause the dissociation of a cytoskeletal adaptor protein ankyrin from inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P(3)] receptors on the ER as a sigma(1)-receptor-ankyrin complex, which then translocates to the plasma membrane and nucleus. The dissociation of sigma(1)-receptor-ankyrin from Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptors also increases the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration [[Ca(2+)](i)], which affects the activity of cytoskeletal proteins. Furthermore, cocaine might increase [Ca(2+)](i) via phospholipase C (PLC)-linked dopamine D1 receptors. We hypothesize that cocaine might cause life-long changes in neurons via cytoskeletal proteins by interacting with both D1 receptors and sigma(1) receptors.
Diffusion tensor imaging of pyramidal tract reorganization after pediatric stroke

Background Plasticity of the developing motor tracts is a contributor to recovery of motor function after pediatric stroke. The mechanism of these plastic changes may be functional and/or structural in nature. The corticospinal tract (CST) represents the major pathway responsible for voluntary movement. Stroke-induced damage to the CST as well as to other motor tracts leads to motor deficits which may show favorable functional recovery particularly in the pediatric population.
The Separation and Determination of Molybdenum by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Abstract A procedure is described for the separation and quantitative determination of molybdenum by means of EPR. Molybdenum(VI) was precipitated from a hydrochloric acid solution (1.5 Molar) with α-benzoinoxime. The precipitate was separated by centrifugation and then the sample was dried in an oven at 105°C. Nitrogen was passed over the sample to complete the drying procedure. The precipitate was dissolved in acetonitrile which was 0.5 M in lithium perchlorate. Electrochemical reduction of the sample produced the molybdenum(V) species. The concentration of molybdenum(V) was determined directly from the intensity of the first derivative EPR signal. The range of linearity of the analytical curve was 1.00 × 10−2 M to 1.00 × 10−4 M, and a routine accuracy of less than 6% was obtained.
Reluctant Partners: Fighting Terrorism and Promoting Democracy in Kenya

Do fighting terrorism and promoting democracy go together, as policy makers suggest, or do they conflict in practice? This paper explores these dynamics in the case of Kenya, a transitional democracy that has been the victim of several terrorist attacks. Based on an examination of recent areas of cooperation and contention between the United States and Kenya, the paper argues that democratic pressures can make it difficult for newly elected governments to cooperate publicly in the “war on terror,” though private cooperation often continues behind the scenes. This suggests the need for an approach among American policy makers that recognizes the domestic political constraints faced by foreign partners and seeks common ground between internal and external priorities. While the goals of promoting democracy and fighting terrorism may conflict in the short term, the development of shared democratic values could pave the way for closer partnerships in the future.
New Kinds of Gadgets, Interactions, and Ubicomp Visions

This installment of Notes from the Community covers new kinds of gadgets and interactions; innovations in transportation, smart cities, and smartphones; ubicomp and art; and visions of ubicomp.