cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Value of Variance

Measurements for distributed algorithms, such as performance results, are usually reported using averages, similarly to prevailing practice in other areas of computer science. We argue that including standard deviations offers additional information and that the minimal burden of providing standard deviations is outweighed by the benefits. We propose a new way of reporting run time speedup that incorporates standard deviation and demonstrate its usefulness in terms of two distributed graph algorithms.
caBIG: Proof of concept platform for personalized cancer care

e20712 Background: Numerous factors including enhanced understanding of the molecular basis of disease and the availability of sophisticated information technology are catalyzing a “rapid learning ...
Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Aligned Polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane Thin Films

Mechanical properties of multicomponent polymers such as block copolymers (BCP) are critical to their utilization in thin film applications, yet the effect of block alignment of even the simplest BCPs on thin film modulus has not been thoroughly explored. Polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) thin films with cylindrical PDMS domains (fPDMS = 0.23) are aligned by cold zone annealing–soft shear mode (CZA-SS). Increasing the maximum temperature of the thermal zone and/or decreasing the CZA-SS velocity improves the alignment of the PS-b-PDMS domains as determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The maximum Hermans orientation factor (S) for this system using the CZA-SS conditions examined is S ≈ 0.85, yielding anisotropic mechanical properties as determined by surface wrinkling. While the in-plane modulus perpendicular to PDMS cylinder axis is nearly invariant of S, the modulus parallel to the cylinder axis is increased by a maximum of 31% for S ≈ 0.85,...
CHANGES IN OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH ACUTE ON CHRONIC DIASTOLIC HEART FAILURE IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE LAST DECADE

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or diastolic heart failure (DHF) accounts for about 50% of clinical heart failure and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Only few epidemiological studies addressed the trends in outcomes over the last decade in the U.S We analyzed 20% of all
"Virtual Certainty" in a Digital World: The Sixth Circuit's Application of the Private Search Doctrine to Digital Storage Devices in United States v. Lichtenberger

In 2015 in United States v. Lichtenberger, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that police violated the Fourth Amendment by exceeding the scope of a private search of computer files. This decision deviated from holdings of the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Seventh Circuits, which held that under the private search doctrine, police could more thoroughly search digital devices that were previously searched by a private party. The Sixth Circuit created a circuit split by failing to apply the closed container approach to the digital storage devices in Lichtenberger. This Comment argues that the closed container approach should not be applied to searches of digital devices under the private search doctrine. This Comment also argues that the Sixth Circuit correctly adopted the “virtual certainty” test of scope, but failed to properly apply the test to the facts in Lichtenberger.
Determination of 16 rare earth elements in vegetables by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Objective To establish a method for determination of 16 rare earth elements in vegetables by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry( ICP-MS). Methods The pretreatment was performed using dry ashing method.103 Rh,115In,and185 Re were used as the internal standards to eliminate non-spectroscopic interference,while collision reaction cell was used to eliminate mass spectroscopic interference. ICP-MS was used to determine 16 rare earth elements in vegetables. To identify the efficiency of dry ashing treatment,two standard reference materials,GBW10015 spinach and GBW10014 cabbage,were selected and pre-treated by dry-ashing method. Furthermore,interference presented in determination and its elimination was discussed. In addition,a series of feasibility tests were conducted. Results At the range of 0. 0 μg / L-5. 0 μg / L,the linear correlative coefficient for all the elements was ≥0. 999 8,the detection limit was 1. 6 × 10-5mg / kg-4. 8 × 10-4mg / kg,the recovery rate was at the range of 90. 1%-110. 0%,the RSD was among 0. 83%-5. 22%,and the measured values of 16 rare earth elements were consisted with the true values in two national standard reference materials GBW10015 spinach and GBW10014 cabbage. Conclusion This method has advantages of high sensitivity and precision,and it can meet the requirements of the rare earth elements in vegetables detection,and is easy to promote.
Determination of internal insect infestation of oats: collaborative study.

An improved method has been developed for determining internal insect infestation of wheat kernels. The method involves acid hydrolysis of cracked wheat, wet sieving to remove the acid, transferring to a 2 L Wildman trap flask, deaeration by boiling, and treatment with Tween 80-Na4EDTA. Insects are extracted with light mineral oil. Reports from 6 collaborators showed that recovery was 95.92% for adult insect heads and 97.22% for larvae by the proposed method as compared with 87.05% and 6.12%, respectively, by the official method. The method has been adopted official first action.
Use of aprotinin in pediatric lung transplantation

Background Aprotinin has been shown to decrease perioperative bleeding in adults undergoing cardiac surgery. We evaluated its efficacy in reducing blood loss in pediatric lung transplantation. Methods Aprotinin was given to a group of pediatric lung transplant recipients (n = 24) identified as being at high risk for bleeding by virtue of preoperative diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or previous cardiothoracic operation (group 1). Comparison was made to a group of pediatric recipients (n = 19) believed to be at low risk for bleeding who did not receive aprotinin (group 2). All transplantations were accomplished with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Results No difference in intraoperative blood requirement was identified between groups (18 +/- 3 cc/kg [group 1] versus 30 +/- 8 cc/kg [group 2], p = 0.16). Neither postoperative blood transfusion requirement (12 +/- 5 cc/kg [group 1] versus 16 +/- 6 cc/kg [group 2], p = 0.55) nor chest tube output in the first 24 postoperative hours (43 +/- 9 cc/kg [group 1] versus 53 +/- 13 cc/kg [group 2], p = 0.55) was significantly different between groups. Reexploration for bleeding was required in 8% (2 of 25) in group 1 and 16% (3 of 19) in group 2 (p = 0.64). Conclusions Aprotinin reduced the amount of perioperative hemorrhage in a group of pediatric patients at high risk for bleeding after lung transplantation. The magnitude of the effect could not be quantified but was sufficient to normalize the transfusion requirement to that of a low risk group of patients.
Measure Perturbations of Markovian Semigroups

The perturbation of the semigroup of a Borel right process by a class of signed measures on the state space of the process is studied. The perturbation is defined by a Feynman–Kac functional associated with the measure. Under appropriate conditions the perturbed semigroup is strongly continuous in Lp(m), 1 ≤p<∞ where m is a fixed excessive measure. Both existence and uniqueness of the associated Schrodinger type equation are investigated.
Characteristics and Implications of Climate Change in Afghanistan and Surrounding Regions

Climate change in the Afghanistan region has become obvious because so much of the area is generally so close to the edge of habitability anyway. In recent years, desertification and water shortages have become quite obvious with ever recurrent droughts that seem to be increasing in frequency and magnitude. Water-related hazards (floods, water-induced landslides) seem to have increased as well, and water security issues have reverberated into intelligence and military circles as issues that must be attended to if the country is to survive. Possible solutions include reducing scientific uncertainty, taking measures for mitigation or adaptation, and increasing public awareness and active engagement in the problem.
Targeted inhibition of pancreatic acinar cell calcineurin is a novel strategy to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Background & Aims There is a pressing need to develop effective preventative therapies for post–endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). We showed that early PEP events are induced through the calcium-activated phosphatase calcineurin and that global calcineurin deletion abolishes PEP in mice. A crucial question is whether acinar cell calcineurin controls the initiation of PEP in vivo. Methods We used a mouse model of PEP and examined the effects of in vivo acinar cell-specific calcineurin deletion by either generating a conditional knockout line or infusing a novel adeno-associated virus–pancreatic elastase improved Cre (I–iCre) into the pancreatic duct of a calcineurin floxed line. Results We found that PEP is dependent on acinar cell calcineurin in vivo, and this led us to determine that calcineurin inhibitors, infused within the radiocontrast, largely can prevent PEP. Conclusions These results provide the impetus for launching clinical trials to test the efficacy of intraductal calcineurin inhibitors to prevent PEP.
Differential Effects of Hsp70 Inhibition within the Tumor and Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains fatal despite prolonged survival by recent advances in treatment, including the use of proteasome inhibitors. It has been proposed that proteasome inhibitors target MM by modulating the NF-κB pathway. Alternatively, proteasome inhibitors may target MM cells because the proteasome helps alleviate the unfolded protein response (UPR) that results from the accumulation of aberrant proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which in turn may trigger apoptosis. Indeed, the UPR is induced in neoplastic plasma cells, possibly because of increased immunoglobulin (IG) synthesis that exceeds the protein folding capacity of the ER. Consequently, the degree to which inhibition of the proteasome induces apoptosis may be related to the concentration of unfolded light chains within the ER in MM. We therefore examined whether inhibition of a protein-folding mediator, the Hsp70 molecular chaperone, results in synergistic induction of MM cell apoptosis when combined with a proteasome inhibitor. To this end, the effects of MAL3-101, a novel inhibitor of Hsp70 function, both alone and in combination with a proteasome inhibitor (MG132) on three MM cell lines as well as primary patient MM cells were examined. Dose-response and time course studies in MM cell lines U266, RPMI-8226, and NCI-H929 showed increasing apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation after 16 hours of exposure to MAL3-101 (IC50: 0.9 μM) or to MG132 (IC50: 7 μM). Strikingly, when sub-effective concentrations of MG132 and MAL3-101 were combined, a strong, synergistic apoptotic response was observed in the NCI cell line after 16 hours, and synergistic effects were observed in all cell lines after 36 hours of exposure to the two drugs. Next, we studied MM cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from the bone marrow of five untreated patients. These two cell populations, which were shown to bear clonotypic similarities, also showed sensitivity to dual targeting. However, these effects occurred at drug concentrations different than those found to be most potent in the cell lines. Moreover, semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies indicated that RPMI cells but not U266 cells exhibited a strong UPR induction after 16 hours of exposure to 7 μM MG132. These data correlated with the greater degree of IG secretion observed in RPMI cells compared to U266 cells as assessed by pulse-chase analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that the apoptotic response of MM cells via targeting the UPR and ER stress pathways may be dependent on basal protein production, including IG synthesis. Studies relating the secretion “index” to UPR induction and sensitivity to Hsp70 and proteasome inhibition in primary tumor cells as well as in microvascular cells from MM patients are ongoing.
One Size Doesn't Fit All

The vocal user interface (VUI) Myna allows a user to interact with the block-based language development environment Scratch. Unfortunately, the original implementation of Myna does not allow for screen resolutions outside of its original implementation, for the scrolling of scrollbars, and the navigation of prompts and dialogs created by Scratch, essentially halving its functionality relative to what the Scratch graphical user interface (GUI) offers. In this paper, I offer three solutions to these problems, which will be evaluated by Computer Science students and users with mobility impairments in order to determine the validity of these solutions as well as the user's satisfaction with Myna and using voice as an input modality.
Feedforward Methods for Non-Circular Turning on a Lathe

Abstract It is sometimes desirable to be able to machine a part which is not axisymmetric on a lathe. This process, non-circular turning, requires the synchronization of the tool actuators with the revolution of the spindle. Since the desired shape is known, feedforward may be used to improve the performance of the actuator. A minimal set up for non-circular turning requires three measurements: Spindle angle, tool x-position, and tool z-position. By careful design of the feedforward algorithm, only one tool actuator needs to be under closed loop control; the spindle and the other tool axis can both be left running open loop. Incorporating a model of the desired output response into the feed forward loop provides better robustness than filtering the input signal with an inverse of the actuator dynamics. Since the desired end product is based on spatial measurements, another approach is to transform time-based control to spatially-based control. These approaches are developed and compared, and the experimental work in progress is described.
Knowledge as Acceptable Testimony

Standard philosophical explanations of the concept of knowledge invoke a personal goal of having true beliefs, and explain the other requirements for knowledge as indicating the best way to achieve that goal. In this highly original book, Steven L. Reynolds argues instead that the concept of knowledge functions to express a naturally developing kind of social control, a complex social norm, and that the main purpose of our practice of saying and thinking that people 'know' is to improve our system for exchanging information, which is testimony. He makes illuminating comparisons of the knowledge norm of testimony with other complex social norms - such as those requiring proper clothing, respectful conversation, and the complementary virtues of tact and frankness - and shows how this account fits with our concept of knowledge as studied in recent analytic epistemology. His book will interest a range of readers in epistemology, psychology, and sociology.
Discoveries in research on diabetic keratopathy.

Background Researchers exploring the mechanisms of diabetic changes in numerous body tissues have evidence that the complications may result from the consequences of increased aldose reductase activity. Aldose reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway in which glucose is converted to sorbitol. Method Sorbitol accumulation from increased aldose reductase activity may play a role in diabetic corneal pathology as well. Studies of animals involving diabetic models have shown both structural (polymegathism, pleomorphism) and functional (increased permeability, slower recovery from induced edema) changes in the diabetic corneal epithelium and endothelium. Some studies of human beings have confirmed these findings. However, differences in the groups of human subjects between studies (such as age, type of diabetes, state of glycemia. duration of disease, etc.) may account for the sometimes conflicting results. Results Treatment with aldose reductase inhibitors has been shown both to reduce corneal changes after they have occurred and to limit the development of these corneal changes when compared to untreated controls in both animals and human beings. Conclusion The mechanism by which increased aldose reductase activity contributes to diabetic corneal pathology remains unknown.
Patterns of psychological health problems and family maltreatment among United States Air Force members.

Objectives We sought to identify subgroups of individuals based on patterns of psychological health problems (PH; e.g., depressive symptoms, hazardous drinking) and family maltreatment (FM; e.g., child and partner abuse). Method We analyzed data from very large surveys of United States Air Force active duty members with romantic partners and children. Results Latent class analyses indicated six replicable patterns of PH problems and FM. Five of these classes, representing ∼98% of survey participants, were arrayed ordinally, with increasing risk of multiple PH problems and FM. A sixth group defied this ordinal pattern, with pronounced rates of FM and externalizing PH problems, but without correspondingly high rates/levels of internalizing PH problems. Conclusions Ramifications of these results for intervention are discussed.
The Neonatal Microbiome and Its Partial Role in Mediating the Association between Birth by Cesarean Section and Adverse Pediatric Outcomes.

Background: Cesarean sections (CS) are among the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world. Epidemiologic data has associated delivery by CS with an increased risk of certain adverse health outcomes in children, such as asthma and obesity. Objective: To explore what is known about the effect of mode of delivery on the development of the infant microbiome and discuss the potentially mediating role of CS-related microbial dysbiosis in the development of adverse pediatric health outcomes. Recommendations for future inquiry are also provided. Methods: This study provides a narrative overview of the literature synthesizing the findings of literature retrieved from searches of PubMed and other computerized databases and authoritative texts. Results: Emerging evidence suggests that mode of delivery is involved in the development of the neonatal microbiome and may partially explain pediatric health outcomes associated with birth by CS. Specifically, the gut microbiome of vaginally delivered infants more closely resembles their mothers’ vaginal microbiome and thus more commonly consists of potentially beneficial microbiota such as Lactobacillus , Bifidobacterium , and Bacteroides . Conversely, the microbiome of infants born via CS shows an increased prevalence of either skin flora or potentially pathogenic microbial communities such as Klebsiella , Enterococcus , and Clostridium . Conclusions: Mode of delivery plays an important role in the development of the postnatal microbiome but likely tells only part of the story. More comprehensive investigations into all the pre- and perinatal factors that have the potential to contribute to the neonatal microbiome are warranted.
Contraceptive Options for Adolescents

• The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) remains the most common form of contraception for adolescents and reproductive-age women in the US. • Resource-limited settings require contraceptive methods that are more effective, less user dependent, and confi dential. Several newer hormonal methods that fulfi ll these criteria have been developed but may or may not be available around the world. • This chapter discusses different hormonal and nonhormonal methods that are available, their mechanism of action, side effects, and effi cacy. • Emergency contraception using progestin-only pills (POPs), the “Yuzpe Regime,” and the copper intrauterine device (IUD) are also reviewed.
A probabilistic method for on-line response prediction of uncertain and dynamic systems

A model-based method is developed to predict probabilistic margins to safety limits for passively safe reactors where the same physical mechanisms that control reactor behavior at power also control off-normal response. Model parameter values are estimated using the maximum likelihood method from the plant response to perturbations of flow, temperature, and rod reactivity applied during normal operation. The resulting model can be used to predict plant response to upsets and provide a probabilistic measure of how closely safety limits would be approached. The method is applied to the Integral Fast Reactor.
Topiramate Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder in Clinical Practice

: Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication with increasingly strong evidence, supporting its use for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) based on clinical trials. These clinical cases summarize the initiation and titration of topiramate in AUD treatment. The core issues of patient selection, consideration of comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions, side-effect profile, safety and effectiveness are reviewed. Addiction physicians should take a leading role in using topiramate to treat AUDs, working with patients to balance the benefits of topiramate with the risk.
Patient-reported prevalence of neuropathic pain in adolescent and young adult oncology patients.

10577Background: Neuropathic pain, a known complication of cancer and its treatments, significantly decreases quality of life. Neuropathic pain can be difficult to diagnose. There are limited data ...
Experimental study: underwater propagation of super-Gaussian and multi-Gaussian Schell-model partially coherent beams with varying degrees of spatial coherence

We report on experiments where super-Gaussian and flat-top, multi-Gaussian Schell-model spatially partially coherent beams, with varying degrees of spatial coherence, were propagated underwater. Two scenarios were explored—calm and mechanically agitated water. The main objective of our study was the experimental comparison of the scintillation statistics. For a similar degree of coherence widths, the results show a potentially improved performance of scintillation index for the multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams as compared to the super-Gaussian beams. It should be noted that the presented results pertain only to the given experimental scenarios and further investigation is necessary to determine the scope of the findings.
Comparison of NOSE Scores Following Functional Septorhinoplasty Using Autologous versus Cadaveric Rib.

In functional septorhinoplasty (FSRP), alternative grafting material is used if septal cartilage is insufficient for reconstructive needs. Autologous costal cartilage (ACC) and irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC) are compared via the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. One-hundred forty-one patients who underwent FSRP with ACC or IHCC between January 2013 and March 2018 were administered the NOSE scale pre- and postoperatively at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in mean NOSE scores between the ACC and IHCC cohorts at the preoperative visit (68.5 [standard deviation, SD 24.1] and 71.7 [20.1], respectively; p < 0.6) or first postoperative visit (30.4 [26.6] and 33.9 [30.4], respectively; p < 0.6) or subsequent visits. NOSE scores demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant improvement at all follow-up time points for both the ACC and IHCC groups. Patients who underwent grafting with IHCC were significantly older than those with ACC; average age of 55.6 [SD: 17.3] versus 40.1 [SD:12.1]; (p < 0.001). Two IHCC (0.05%) patients had postoperative infections; both resolved with antibiotics, but one required revision surgery. Both ACC and IHCC provide reliable grafting material when septal cartilage is insufficient. In FSRP for nasal airway obstruction, ACC and IHCC both provide a clinically and statistically significant reduction in NOSE scores postoperatively that remain stable between follow-up time points. The authors find no difference in NOSE scores between the ACC and IHCC groups; however, IHCC did have a higher rate of postoperative infection. Both materials should be discussed with patients and are an important part of the informed consent process.
Does Helping John Help Sue? Evidence of Spillovers in Education

Does the impact of teachers extend beyond the students in their classroom? Using the natural transitions of students from multiple elementary schools into a single middle school, this paper provides a new method for isolating and quantifying peer spillover effects of teaching and shows that ignoring these spillovers underestimates a teacher's value by at least 30 percent. Because the spillovers also affect teacher value-added estimates, I develop a method of moments estimator of teacher value-added and show that accounting for the spillovers does not have a large impact on the ranking of teachers in New York City. I conclude by showing that the spillovers occur within groups of students who share the same race and gender, which suggests that social networks play a critical role in disseminating the effect.
Dynamics of Nonlinear Schrodinger /Gross-Pitaevskii Equations; Mass Transfer in Systems with Solitons and Degenerate Neutral Modes

Nonlinear Schrodinger / Gross-Pitaevskii equations play a central role in the understanding of nonlinear optical and macroscopic quantum systems. The large time dynamics of such systems is governed by interactions of the nonlinear ground state manifold, discrete neutral modes ("excited states") and dispersive radiation. Systems with symmetry, in spatial dimensions larger than one, typically have degenerate neutral modes. Thus, we study the large time dynamics of systems with degenerate neutral modes. This requires a new normal form ( nonlinear matrix Fermi Golden Rule) governing the system's large time asymptotic relaxation to the ground state (soliton) manifold.
Resource Dependence, Uncertainty, and the Allocation of Corporate Political Activity across Multiple Jurisdictions

This paper contributes to the resource dependence theory and corporate political activity literatures by distinguishing dependence from uncertainty and explaining how two different types of uncerta...
Fetal Cardiac Intervention: a Review of the Current Literature

Congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common of birth defects, can be serious enough to require a lifetime of medical care including multiple surgeries or other interventions. Advances in ultrasound technology and a better understanding of the progression of CHDs have made it possible to intervene in utero. This early-stage intervention allows the still plastic cardiovascular system to return to a more normal trajectory thus sparing the newborn from negative consequences to morbidity and mortality. Fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) has been successful altering the course of right and left ventricular disease. This bodes well for expanding the use of FCI to lead to better postnatal adaptation and improved long-term function for more children with CHD. However, optimism with success must be tempered with small numbers of procedures performed thus far and current efforts with international registries and multi-centered studies are extremely important to document improved survival and resultant biventricular outcomes.
Aerobic Capacity (V̇O2peak) In Congenital Heart Disease Versus Heart Failure: Prognostic Implications

Introduction VO2peak (peak oxygen consumption) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a key prognostic test in patients with non-congenital heart failure (HF). It helps physicians decide which HF patients would derive the greatest survival benefit from cardiac transplant. The predictive value of VO2peak in patients with congenital heart disease on outcomes is not as clear. Hypotheses 1) VO2peak will predict event-free survival in patients with congenital cardiac disease; 2) Patients with congenital heart disease will have longer event-free survival for the primary outcome of death, heart transplant, or LVAD placement compared to patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) even after adjustment for VO2peak. Methods Patients were from a registry of cardiac patients who completed an exercise test in the VO2 Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine between May 1993 and October 2012. Patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction Results A total of 276 patients (138 congenital, 138 HFrEF) were included. Mean (±SD) age was 33.9 ± 11.7y in the congenital group and 40.3 ± 9.7 in the HFrEF group (p=0.00001). Women made up 44.9% of each sample. VO2peak was 21.56 ± 7.15 ml•kg−1•min−1 in the congenital group and 15.99 ± 5.95 ml•kg−1•min−1 in the HFrEF group (p Conclusions A congenital cardiac diagnosis portends longer event-free survival compared to patients with non-congenital HFrEF. Further studies are warranted to investigate if peak VO2 can be used to guide timing for cardiac transplant in the congenital cardiac population.
Variations of the 10 μm Silicate Features in the Actively Accreting T Tauri Stars: DG Tau and XZ Tau

Using the Infrared Spectrograph aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope, we observed multiple epochs of 11 actively accreting T Tauri stars in the nearby Taurus-Auriga star-forming region. In total, 88 low-resolution mid-infrared spectra were collected over 1.5 years in Cycles 2 and 3. The results of this multi-epoch survey show that the 10 μm silicate complex in the spectra of two sources—DG Tau and XZ Tau—undergoes significant variations with the silicate feature growing both weaker and stronger over month- and year-long timescales. Shorter timescale variations on day- to week-long timescales were not detected within the measured flux errors. The time resolution coverage of this data set is inadequate for determining if the variations are periodic. Pure emission compositional models of the silicate complex in each epoch of the DG Tau and XZ Tau spectra provide poor fits to the observed silicate features. These results agree with those of previous groups that attempted to fit only single-epoch observations of these sources. Simple two-temperature, two-slab models with similar compositions successfully reproduce the observed variations in the silicate features. These models hint at a self-absorption origin of the diminution of the silicate complex instead of a compositional change in the population of emitting dust grains. We discuss several scenarios for producing such variability including disk shadowing, vertical mixing, variations in disk heating, and disk wind events associated with accretion outbursts.
Blueberry fruit quality and control of blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran) larvae after fumigation with sulfur dioxide

Abstract Postharvest fumigation of fruits and vegetables is an important tool for managing pests and diseases that can cause devastating loss if not properly controlled. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) may have promise as replacement for methyl bromide, which is expected to be phased out. However, SO2 is known to cause injury to small fruit such as table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). We extend previous research on SO2 fumigation by focusing on an economically important fruit pest genus and through quantitative and qualitative measurements of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit bleaching. This study assesses fruit damage due to SO2 fumigation at concentrations ranging 0–2.2 % (v/v) as well as the effectiveness of SO2 as a fumigant prior to cold storage for control of blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran. We show that fruit quality traits such as firmness, total soluble solid content, and titratable acidity are largely unaffected except at the highest SO2 concentration (2.2 %). SO2 caused bleaching and discoloration of blueberry fruit in a dose-dependent manner. Damage was also cultivar-dependent, with cv ‘Bluecrop’, and ‘Jersey’ more susceptible than ‘Draper’, ‘Elliott’, and ‘Liberty’. We show that R. mendax can be effectively controlled using a short-term (2 h), high concentration (22,000 μL L−1) SO2 fumigation followed by >14 d of cold storage at 0.5 °C. However, this treatment for control of R. mendax would likely result in damage, affecting fruit marketability.
A low latency approach to delivering alternate protocols with coherency and memory semantics using PCI Express® 6.0 PHY at 64.0 GT/s

PCI Express® (PCIe®) specification has been doubling the data rate every generation in a backward compatible manner every two to three years, while maintaining the same latency, power, channel reach, cost, and reliability profile. It also provides architected support for alternate protocols such as those with coherency or memory semantics to run on PCIe PHY, in addition to the PCIe protocol. As a result, protocols such as Compute Express Link® (CXL®) as well as several CPU-CPU proprietary cache coherency links such as Ultra-Path Interconnect (UPI) run on PCIe PHY due to its low-latency and power-efficiency characteristics. PCIe 6.0 specification is adopting PAM-4 signaling to deliver 64.0 GT/s per Lane. A Flit-based approach with a light weight Forward Error Correction, strong CRC, and a low-latency link retry mechanism is used to meet the stringent low-latency, high bandwidth efficiency, scalability, and high reliability goals of PCIe applications. In this paper, we propose enhancements to the above mechanisms to have 0 latency impact while maintaining the bandwidth efficiency and high reliability for alternate protocols involving coherency and memory semantics where any latency adder may have an adverse impact on performance, while using the same PCIe 6.0 PHY. Our results demonstrate that these goals are achievable with PCIe 6.0 PHY while meeting the latency, bandwidth, reliability goals with multiple protocol support.
Carotenoids Inhibit Chemically- and Physically-Induced Neoplastic Transformation during the Post-Initiation Phase of Carcinogenesis

Diets rich in carotenoids have been strongly implicated as protecting against cancer development at several anatomic sites, however it is unclear whether protection is due to the carotenoid itself or to products of its bioconversion to retinoids. Both Beta-carotene (β-C), a carotenoid with, and canthaxanthin (CTX) a carotenoid without pro-vitamin A activity, have been found to inhibit methylcholanthrene induced neoplastic transformation in l0Tl/2 cells. Activity was observed when these compounds were added 7 days after carcinogen exposure and was reversible upon removal of carotenoid. When tested against X-ray induced transformation, carotenoids were ineffective when present during irradiation but, as before, strongly protected when added after carcinogen exposure. Effective doses were not cytotoxic. In both chemical and physical carcinogensis protocols, CTX was significantly more potent than β-C in inhibiting transformation. Using 14C-β-C no conversion to expected retinoids was detected after incubation with l0Tl/2 cells. Thus carotenoids appear to possess intrinsic cancer chemopreventive activity in 10T1/2 cells.
Genetics of Group A Streptococci

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) is remarkable in terms of the large number of diseases it can cause in humans and for the large number of streptococcal factors that have been identified as potential virulence determinants for these diseases. A challenge is to link the function of potential virulence factors to the pathogenesis of specific diseases. An exciting advance has been the development of sophisticated genetic systems for the construction of loss-of-function, conditional, hypomorphic, and gain-of-function mutations in targeted S. pyogenes genes that can be used to test specific hypotheses regarding these genes in pathogenesis. This will facilitate a mechanistic understanding of how a specific gene function contributes to the pathogenesis of each streptococcal disease. Since the first S. pyogenes genome was completed in 2001, hundreds of complete and draft genome sequences have been deposited. We now know that the average S. pyogenes genome is approximately 1.85 Mb and encodes ∼1,800 genes and that the function of most of those genes in pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. However, advances in the development of a variety of genetic tools for manipulation of the S. pyogenes genome now provide a platform for the interrogation of gene/phenotype relationships for individual S. pyogenes diseases, which may lead to the development of more sophisticated and targeted therapeutic interventions. This article presents an overview of these genetic tools, including the methods of genetic modification and their applications.
The molecular mechanism of action of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the pituitary.

Publisher Summary Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released by the hypothalamus and travels, via a portal system, to the pituitary. Here it stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These gonadotropins enter the general circulation and regulate steroidogenesis and gamete maturation in the gonads of both sexes. Because of its unique position as a molecule that transduces signals from the neural system to the endocrine systems, GnRH has proven to be a useful compound both experimentally and clinically. GnRH and its analogs can be used to promote or inhibit fertility in men and women, treat steroid-dependent neoplasia, cryptorchidism, precocious puberty, and other diseases. In addition, GnRH has proven to be useful in veterinary medicine and for synchronized breeding of fish for food. This chapter focuses on the molecular basis of GnRH action, regulation of gonadotropic responsiveness, and stimulus-LH release coupling at the gonadotropin. Binding of GnRH to its plasma membrane receptor results in regulation of receptors and of cellular responsiveness, as well as release of the gonadotropins, LH and FSH. Because the ability to regulate gonadotropin release is important for human and veterinary medicine, there has been a great deal of interest in understanding the molecular basis of GnRH action.
Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIE): An Integrative Exercise Program for Individuals with Dementia (S24.007)

OBJECTIVE: To develop and pilot-test a novel integrative group exercise program designed to improve physical and cognitive function in individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia. BACKGROUND: Traditional exercise programs have been found to improve physical function in individuals with dementia, but less is known about the effects of exercises that integrate functional movements with mindful body awareness, which may also impact cognitive function. DESIGN/METHODS: The PLIE program incorporates elements of physical/occupational therapy, yoga, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais and Rosen Method and focuses on movements required to maintain function (e.g., standing from sitting) in a social group environment. An 18-week (45 minutes, 2-3 days/week) pilot-test was performed in 11 individuals (6 PLIE, 5 usual care, with group assignment based on sex and days of attendance) at a day care program in San Francisco, CA. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected by blinded assessors. Measures included the Alzheimer9s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), 3-meter gait speed, and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Measures of effect size were calculated. Adverse events were monitored through biweekly caregiver check-ins. RESULTS: PLIE and usual care groups were similar at baseline. ADAS-cog scores improved 4.6 points (27.0 to 22.4) with PLIE and worsened 2.4 points (23.7 to 26.1) with usual care (effect size, 0.76). Gait speed improved 0.3 seconds (5.7 to 5.4) with PLIE and worsened 0.8 seconds (5.4 to 6.2) with usual care (effect size, 0.53). CBI scores decreased 5.5 points (29.8 to 24.3) with PLIE and increased 1.8 points (32.5 to 34.3) with usual care (effect size, 0.51). There were no serious study-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that the PLIE program may improve cognitive function, physical performance and caregiver burden when compared with usual care, with an effect size comparable to or exceeding currently available medications. A larger randomized, controlled trial is warranted. Supported by: A gift to the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Disclosure: Dr. Barnes has received research support from Posit Science. Dr. Mehling has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yaffe has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc, Medivation, and Novartis. Dr. Flores has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chesney has nothing to disclose.
Biophysical basis of the promiscuous binding of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 apoptotic repressor to BH3 ligands.

Bcl2 apoptotic repressor carries out its function by virtue of its ability to bind to BH3 domains of various pro-apoptotic regulators in a highly promiscuous manner. Herein, we investigate the biophysical basis of such promiscuity of Bcl2 toward its cognate BH3 ligands. Our data show that while the BH3 ligands harboring the LXXXAD motif bind to Bcl2 with submicromolar affinity, those with the LXXX[G/S]D motif afford weak interactions. This implies that the replacement of alanine at the fourth position (A+4)—relative to the N-terminal leucine (L0) within the LXXXAD motif—to glycine/serine results in the loss of free energy of binding. Consistent with this notion, the A+4 residue within the BH3 ligands harboring the LXXXAD motif engages in key intermolecular van der Waals contacts with A149 lining the ligand binding groove within Bcl2, while A+4G/S substitution results in the disruption of such favorable binding interactions. Of particular interest is the observation that while increasing ionic strength has little or negligible effect on the binding of high-affinity BH3 ligands harboring the LXXXAD motif, the binding of those with the LXXX[G/S]D motif in general experiences a varying degree of enhancement. This salient observation is indicative of the fact that hydrophobic forces not only play a dominant but also a universal role in driving the Bcl2-BH3 interactions. Taken together, our study sheds light on the molecular basis of the factors governing the promiscuous binding of Bcl2 to pro-apoptotic regulators and thus bears important consequences on the development of rational therapeutic approaches.
Constant switching frequency LLC-type series resonant converter

An analysis of the LLC-type series resonant converter (SRC) operating in the continuous and discontinuous conduction modes is presented. By using both the time domain and state-plane analyses, the steady state expressions can be derived to facilitate the numerical calculation of the control characteristics. To obtain the maximum range of the output voltage gain, the switching frequency is chosen to be the resonant frequency of the converter operating in the continuous conduction mode. Performance characteristics of the converter operating in this condition are given, and compared with those of the conventional SRC using pulse width modulation (PWM) control. >
A Review of “Will There be Faith? A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples”

In 1980, Thomas H. Groome, professor of theology and religious education at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry, offered up his classic, Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Stor...
An algorithm for dynamically minimizing the queuing delay of packets in cellular data networks

Customers in cellular packet data networks are sensitive to delay. This paper presents an algorithm which dynamically minimizes the delay of the packets in a cellular packet data network. This algorithm assumes Poisson arrivals and exponential transmission times. Each time a packet arrival or departure occurs, the dynamic minimum delay algorithm (DMDA)presented, adjusts the packets in the current packet schedule (PS) to form a new PS which is a minimum delay schedule (MDS). The DMDA may need to preempt a packet in order to obtain a new MDS after a departure. The preemption reduction algorithm (PRA), also presented, reduces the probability of preemption.
Numerical Modeling of Vibration Induced Atomization of Liquids

The numerical modeling of vibration induced atomization of liquids validates existing operating parameters of known systems. A computational fluid dynamics analysis is performed which assists in model verification and reveals a critical configuration of driving amplitude and liquid depth that must be fulfilled for atomization. In this configuration the droplet kinetic energy exceeds the fluid resistance energy and the atomization process initiates. Verification and identification of the parameters for atomization of a thin film of water is accomplished.
Recent Developments in Algorithms and Software for Trust Region Methods

Trust region methods are an important class of iterative methods for the solution of nonlinear optimization problems. Algorithms in this class have been proposed for the solution of systems of nonlinear equations, nonlinear estimation problems, unconstrained and constrained optimization, nondifferentiable optimization, and large scale optimization. Interest in trust region methods derives, in part, from the availability of strong convergence results and from the development of software for these methods which is reliable, efficient, and amazingly free of ad-hoc decisions. In this paper we survey the theoretical and practical results available for trust region methods and discuss the relevance of these results to the implementation of trust region methods.
Aspects of fiber morphology affecting properties of handsheets made from loblolly pine refiner groundwood

InPinus taeda L., burst, breaking length, and sheet density were improved by using fiber refined from wood having long, narrow-diameter tracheids with thick walls. Only narrowdiameter tracheids with thick walls were required to improve tear factor. A theoretical stress analysis revealed that thick-walled cells of small outside diameter fail by diagonal tension or parallel shear, depending on the fibril angle, while under torsional stress during refining. Such failures result in ribbon-like fragments which research elsewhere has demonstrated to provide the coherence necessary for strength development in mechanical pulps. In contrast, thinwalled cells of small outside diameter fail by diagonal compression and yield few ribbons. Long fibers are more desirable than short fibers because of greater induced stresses and improved chances of axial alignment between the disks.
Costing in Textiles

The paper describes the different product-costing systems in the textile industry, conventional systems, activity-based costing, and the concept of strategic cost management. It focuses on the need for detailed and accurate product cost from the managerial viewpoint and discusses an integrated costing approach within the textile pipeline.
Pinning the blame for strategy failures on the CEO

Company presidents frequently have short memories, if we judge by their annual report messages. All too often a project touted in the Message from the President one year as an exciting new venture is “forgotten” by the next annual report. Every corporate success has a proud father, but failures are doomed to bastardy. Some annual reports attempt to draw attention away from failures by highlighting a category called Profits from Continuing Operations. Thus a president can discreetly abandon the venture that failed by categorizing it in the annual report as a Discontinued Operation — a seemingly unimportant item. Such public relations devices may salve the chief executive officer's conscience, but they make fair assessment of his performance difficult. Discontinued operations are also a product of the CEO, and are an end result of his strategy. As failures, they deserve careful examination by directors, stockholders, employees, and press. And for the CEO, analysis of past mistakes is his best way to prevent future strategy failures.