cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of the neurolytic agent ethanol on cytoplasmic calcium in arterial smooth muscle and endothelium.

Background and Objectives Celiac plexus neurolysis, although effective in relieving pain associated with upper abdominal malignancy, occasionally results in paraplegia. Diffusion of the neurolytic agent to arteries supplying the spinal cord has been postulated as a cause, and previous studies with isolated lumbar segmental arteries have demonstrated contraction in response to ethanol and phenol. The mechanism of this contractile effect is unknown, but a role for insular free calcium (Ca2+i) is suggested by the known involvement of Ca2+i in both smooth muscle vasoconstriction and toxic cell injury. The authors sought to determine whether nontoxic concentrations of ethanol cause a direct elevation of Ca2+i in arterial smooth muscle and endothelium. Methods Primary cultures of human aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells were studied to determine the direct effect of ethanol independent of interactions with agonists or contractile proteins. Ca2+i levels were determined in single cells with digitized video fluorescence microscopy, using ratio imaging of the Ca2+i-sensitive fluorophore fura-2. Results In aortic smooth muscle cells, initial Ca2+i was 98 ± 41 nM (n = 59 cells). Histamine (10 μM) as a positive control caused an increase in Ca2+i, as expected. Ethanol alone, at doses of 2-5% (v/v) also caused a sustained elevation in Ca2+i of physiologically significant magnitude. Ethanol at doses of 5% or lower did not cause any visibly apparent injury within 30 minutes. In contrast, 10% or higher ethanol doses quickly caused membrane blebbing, a sign of toxic injury, followed by cell death within 20 minutes. Aortic endothelial cells were more resistant to ethanol than smooth muscle cells, in terms of both Ca2+i elevation and cell death. Conclusions Ethanol, even at nontoxic concentrations, has a direct effect on aortic smooth muscle Ca2+i, large enough to be associated with significant vasoconstriction. The findings suggest a possible role for pharmacologic agents that preserve Ca2+i homeostasis in protecting against neurolysis-induced paraplegia, although additional study is required before clinical application is appropriate.
Covalent End-Labeling of Polyphosphate Facilitates Studies of Its Procoagulant Activities and Development of Enhanced Agents to Treat Bleeding.

Abstract Abstract 1138 Introduction: Inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) are negatively charged, linear phosphate polymers that are abundant in platelet dense granules and secreted upon platelet activation. We recently reported that polyP may be the long-sought (patho)physiologic activator of the contact pathway with important roles in inflammation and thrombosis. We also reported that polyP opposes the action of many anticoagulant drugs and thus has potential as a general procoagulant agent to treat bleeding. Studies of the role of polyP in blood clotting would be facilitated by being able to covalently attach probes – including fluorophores and biotin – to the ends of polyP. For therapeutic applications, it would also be advantageous to covalently immobilize polyP onto solid supports like collagen sponges and wound dressings. We now report that a wide variety of primary amine-containing compounds can be covalently attached to the terminal phosphates of polyP via phosphoramidate linkages. This allows essentially the full armamentarium of protein chemistry to be employed in modifying polyP. Methods: We have developed and optimized reaction conditions under which EDAC (1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide) efficiently promotes the covalent coupling of compounds with primary amines to polyP via the formation of stable phosphoramidate linkages with the terminal phosphate groups (see figure). Results & Conclusions: Using 31P NMR, we have confirmed that EDAC-mediated reaction between primary amines and polyP results in stable phosphoramidate linkages with the terminal phosphate groups. We have used this chemistry to efficiently float polyP onto amine-derivatized microtiter plates and chromatography beads, and have used this presentation of polyP to quantify the binding affinities of thrombin, kallikrein, and factor XIa for polyP. We have also successfully attached fluorescent probes to the termini of polyP and thereby visualized the incorporation of polyP into fibrin clots. We have also demonstrated that polyP covalently attached to solid supports via phosphoramidate linkages retains potent procoagulant activity. And finally, we have found that attaching small organic molecules to the terminal phosphates of polyP protects polyP from degradation by exopolyphosphatases such as alkaline phosphatase, which should prolong its in vivo half-life considerably. These findings facilitate more extensive studies of the biological role(s) of polyP, as well as development of enhanced polyP-based treatments for bleeding. Download : Download high-res image (64KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: Smith: University of Illinois: Patents & Royalties. Morrissey: University of Illinois: Patents & Royalties.
Electron Spin-Echo Envelope Modulation Studies Of 14N In Biological Systems

Electron Spin-Echo Envelope Modulation Spectroscopy has provided great insight into the structure and function of many important biomolecules. Since its first application, this pulsed resonance technique has been found to be especially sensitive to those systems containing weak nuclear couplings. This chapter highlights representative Electron Spin-Echo Envelope Modulation investigations into protein systems containing paramagnetic transition ions and free radicals where geometric and electronic information was obtained through the detection and analysis of weak 14N coupling interactions.
A Content Analysis of Adoption Articles in Counseling Journals: A 30-Year Review:

This rigorous content analysis offers a systematic review of adoption research in counseling from 1988 to 2017. A total of 45 (N = 45) articles on adoption across 13 counseling journals, 20 of whic...
Accidental external rotation of distal interlock jig in retrograde femoral nailing can lead to more prominent screws.

Abstract Objective Symptomatic distal interlocking screws in retrograde femoral nailing are common due the difficulties of imaging the trapezoidal femur. Screws appearing to have appropriate length on imaging may possibly be prominent, creating symptoms. Screw trajectory may influence the degree of this radiographic error. We hypothesize that external rotation of screw trajectory will increase measurement error of screw length. Design Retrospective. Setting Urban Level I Tertiary Trauma Center. Participants 283 patients with Computer Tomography (CT) scans of the native knee were retrospectively identified. Simulation was done of the trajectory of an interlock at 20 mm and 40 mm proximal to the nail entry point, which represent common screw positions associated/not associated respectively, with removal. The distance between the radiographic medial cortex and the tip of the transverse screw was calculated (D). The angle (Ψ) between the transverse trajectory and a modified trajectory aimed at the most medial cortex to avoid radiographic measurement error was calculated. Geometric modeling was utilized to calculate the measurement error (D) in the event of accidental external rotation. The angle of the medial slope was also measured (Θ). Intervention Review of CT imaging of normal distal femora. Main Outcome Measurements CT measurements of distal femora. Results The mean distance (D) at 20/40 mm was 4.21 [95%CI 4.02–4.402] and 2.03 mm [95%CI 1.78–2.83], respectively (p Conclusion The distance between the perceived medial cortex and the tip of the most transverse screw is 4.21 mm and could account for painfully prominent screws. In more proximal screws this distance is decreased. Internal rotation of the screw trajectory 12° can reduce this distance (D), which has implications in nail design. External rotation, amplifies this difference nearly three-fold. Surgeons should avoid external rotation of the aiming arm to prevent prominent screws.
Use of Airborne Hyperspectral Image Data to Assess Winter Wheat Yield

Recently due to the advance of hyperspectral imaging technology, hyperspectral image sensors which have tens or even hundreds spectral bands have been invented. Comparing to the traditional multispectral images, hyperspectral images include richer and finer spectral information than the images can be obtained before. PHI(Pushbroom Hyperspectral Imager)is a hyperspectral imaging sensor with 80 wavebands from 411.9nm to 832.8nm which invented and made by Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of China. From April to May of 2002 three airborne images were taken according to different winter wheat growth stages in Beijing precision agriculture demonstration base. The mounted hyperspectral imaging sensor is PHI and the images spatial resolution reach 1 meter after the hyperspectral images were rectified and spectrally calibrated. In this paper, NDVI and other spectrum character parameters are obtained from images to reflect the growth condition of winter wheat, combined with the actual yield data got form 48 small winter wheat yield prediction test areas in Beijing precision agriculture demonstration base, some relations between vegetation indexes and yield of wheat are established. Then yield of whole winter wheat planting areas in base are estimated through those relations. On the other hand, soil basic nitrogen is an important influence factor to the growth condition of crop, in this paper, some analysis are taken between the soil basic nitrogen and the winter wheat yield. Research results show that correlation coefficients between soil nitrogen and yield reached notable correlation.
Low-energy-consumption and environmentally friendly CO2 capture via blending alcohols into amine solution

Abstract The conventional regeneration processes for aqueous amine-based sorbents require high regeneration temperature and are very energy intensive. In this work, a low-temperature and energy-saving CO2 capture technology has been successfully developed by using alcohols-amines-water mixtures as sorbents. The addition of certain amounts of alcohols [especially ethanol (EtOH)] to amines can significantly increase the CO2 desorption rates and cyclic CO2 capture capacities in comparison with those of monoethanolamine-water, diethanolamine-water, and methyldiethanolamine-water systems. The sorbent containing 40 wt% EtOH, 20 wt% monoethanolamine (MEA), and 20 wt% H2O can increase cyclic CO2 capture capacity by 6.8 times and a maximum improvement of 236 times in CO2 desorption rate at 75 °C, which makes the use of the low-temperature waste heat in power plants for CO2 capture or self-supported CO2 capture in power plants possible. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterizations have been used to confirm that ethanol in EtOH-MEA-H2O can change the reaction pathway by forming C2H5OCO2− instead of HCO3−, which is difficult to decompose. In addition, the experimental results confirm that the new technology can significantly avoid amine degradation – a common challenge of the state-of-the-art CO2 capture technologies. Therefore, the new CO2 capture technology is promising from the perspectives of energy saving and environmental protection.
Sugar-Cube Mathematics.

X here's a lot of mathematics in a twentyfive cent box of sugar cubes. They can be used to illustrate different numeration systems, the measurement of volume, multiplication of fractions, and even techniques of estimation. A twenty-five cent box of cocktail-sized sugar cubes contains 210 cubes of surprising uniformity. Suppose we begin by having students verify the number of cubes in the box. (You may wish to cover the numbers printed on the outside of the box. It is also advisable to set one box
Toxin-Based Modulators for Regulation of Mucosal Immune Responses

Abstract Exposure of mucosal surfaces to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from bacterial or viral pathogens stimulates a cascade of innate immune signals that ultimately lead to the development of specific immune responses both at the site of microbial infection and in the general bloodstream. Unlike pathogens, protein and carbohydrate antigens are devoid of PAMPs, and their recognition by host cells does not lead to activation of danger-associated molecular patterns. In fact, mucosal exposure to antigens generally results in the induction of tolerance or mucosal tolerance. Thus the development of subunit vaccines consisting of protein or carbohydrate antigens to be delivered via mucosal routes requires identification and incorporation of adjuvants capable of preventing the development of tolerance and promoting generalized immunity in mucosal tissues and the bloodstream. The bacterial enterotoxin cholera toxin was the first adjuvant reported to induce generalized mucosal and systemic immunity against orally coadministered vaccine antigens. Other toxins and toxin derivatives have now been described to be effective mucosal adjuvants. We will summarize the current knowledge about the mechanisms employed by these toxins and derivatives to promote mucosal immunity. We will also discuss the versatility of toxin-based modulation of immune responses at mucosal sites and their use for induction of tolerance.
Suzanne Roussi-Césaire: opacidad y camuflaje

Despite the wide recognition that male authors as Aime Cesaire, Frantz Fanon and Edouard Glissant have received in the formation of Afro-francophone and Afro-Caribbean thought in the 20th century, female authors have not received this same level of recognition. This paper presents a reading of Suzanne Roussi-Cesaire’s oeuvre with the purpose of highlighting political, aesthetic, and intellectual approaches created by Afro-francophone and Caribbean women. I divided the paper into three sections. First, I made a brief introduction about the leading role the cannibal metaphor plays throughout the European conquest in the “New World”, in order to contextualize the notion of cannibal poetry suggested by Suzanne Roussi-Cesaire. Second, I discuss Suzanne Roussi-Cesaire’s critique of doudouisme as a literary and scopic record of colonial exoticization. Finally, I conclude with the presentation of Suzanne Roussi-Cesaire’s visual proposal: An opaque Caribbean, a camouflage landscape.
Application of graphic method in external quality assessment of iodized salt

Objective To evaluate the detection capability for salt iodine test by using graphic method, and to provide reliable detection data for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods The examination results of external quality assessment for disease control mechanism in Liaoning Province in 2013 were analyzed by using standard Z score and Youden plot. The level of reproduction and type of error were analyzed by Z score sequence diagram in order to find the outliers and results need to be reviewed by the Youden plot. Salt iodine was detected by the general test method in salt industry for determination of iodine (GB/T 13025.7-2012). Results According to single sample evaluation of the Z score, 111 laboratories were qualified, the qualified rate was 97.4% (111/114). Three labs were not qualified, unqualified rate was 2.6% (3/114). According to double sample evaluation of the Z score, 112 laboratories were qualified, the qualified rate was 98.2% (112/114). Two laboratories were not qualified, unqualified rate was 1.8% (2/114). According to the Youden plot, 5 laboratories were possible outliers with results need to be reviewed. Conclusion Statistical graphic method has displayed the examination results directly, which is helpful in searching targeted improvements, and improving the detection capability. Key words: Iodine; Salt; Laboratory; Quality control
Why Don’t Older Adults Adopt Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides effective protection for online accounts by providing efficient and highly robust access control. Adoption and usability, however, remain challenges for such technologies. Most research on 2FA focuses on students or employees in the technology sector. As older adults increasingly use everyday digital technologies, providing convenient means for them to protect their online data has become extremely crucial. To aid with this, we investigated the user experience of 2FA security tokens with ten older adults ($> 60$ years) using surveys, semi-structured interviews, and a think-aloud protocol. Their lack of adoption of the devices stemmed from its shortfalls in inclusive design. Most available security tokens that are compliant with tablets have tiny form factors. The larger security keys are device- and browser- (Google Chrome) dependent. Hence, we propose design modifications and promote risk communication to encourage 2FA adoption among organizations that are most invested in protecting older adults- such as retirement management funds, banking institutions, and health care organizations.
Editorial: Renal Function in Acute and Chronic Kidney Diseases

Acute and chronic kidney diseases have devastating consequences on human health. Renal vascular function, glomerular filtration, and epithelial transport are required for water and electrolyte homeostasis. Nephrotoxicity and diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome contribute significantly to acute and chronic kidney diseases (Barnett and Cummings, 2018). These pathological states impact on renal vascular and epithelial function and the ability for the kidney to maintain water and electrolyte homeostasis. Experimental and clinical studies over the past decade determined that there is a transition from acute to chronic kidney injury (Fiorentino et al., 2018). Acute kidney injury in the clinical setting can cause sustained alterations in epithelial transport and renal hemodynamics that increase the risk for developing chronic kidney disease (Sharfuddin and Molitoris, 2011). Currently, there are extremely limited options to treat acute and chronic kidney diseases. A Research Topic on acute and chronic kidney diseases is timely because this is a very fast-moving field that is focused on the tremendous need for kidney disease therapeutics. Articles in this Research Topic advance our understanding of organismal, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that contribute to acute and chronic kidney diseases. The Research Topic has broad interest since it covers acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertension mediated kidney disease. Research articles span cell signaling, animal studies, human and animal disease pathology studies, renal hemodynamics, glomerular filtration, and renal epithelial transport studies. Thirty contributions focus on novel developments defining renal vascular and epithelial mechanisms that contribute to acute and chronic kidney diseases.
Internal Jugular Central Line Without Ultrasound

Ultrasound guidance has become more popular as technology has improved and anesthesiology residencies have increased ultrasound teaching in their training programs. Ultrasound is an invaluable tool because it helps providers accurately identify critical structures and avoid complications such as pneumothorax, hematoma, and nerve injury. However, as with all technology, ultrasound machines can malfunction or may not be readily available. Therefore, it is important for anesthesiologists to be adept at placing central lines without ultrasound in case it is unavailable. This chapter reviews how to place an internal jugular central line without ultrasound using anatomical landmarks. Internal jugular vein is the most common location to attempt central line placement due to ease of access. In certain patients, the internal jugular vein can be difficult to identify using anatomical landmarks, such as in the setting of a large, thick neck, trauma, and edema.
The Lindblad Form and the Reincarnation of Felix Bloch's Relaxation-Theory

The relationship between the classic magnetic resonance density matrix relaxation theories of Bloch and Hubbard, and the modern Lindbladian master equation methods are explored. These classic theories are in full agreement with the latest results obtained by the modern methods. A careful scrutiny shows that this also holds true for Redfields later treatment, offered in 1965. The early contributions of Bloch and Hubbard to rotating frame relaxation theory are also highlighted. Taken together, these seminal efforts of Bloch and Hubbard can enjoy a new birth of contemporary relevance in magnetic resonance.
Maintaining Student Engagement during an Abrupt Instructional Transition: Lessons Learned from COVID-19

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities announced an abrupt transition to remote learning during the spring 2020 semester. In this report, we discuss the instructional changes that were implemented in an undergraduate microbiology course at a small liberal arts college as a result of this transition. The effectiveness of these curricular changes was assessed using a standard course feedback instrument to understand student attitudes and perceptions. Our results indicate that the switch to a thematic focus enhanced the course and specific instructional changes, including the use of preclass introductory videos and electronic forums, were useful and informative. Based on these findings, we propose that relatively minor changes to instructional strategies may enhance remote learning. Moreover, these same changes could be used to improve in-person classes.
Sparse PointPillars: Maintaining and Exploiting Input Sparsity to Improve Runtime on Embedded Systems.

Bird's Eye View (BEV) is a popular representation for processing 3D point clouds, and by its nature is fundamentally sparse. Motivated by the computational limitations of mobile robot platforms, we take a fast, high-performance BEV 3D object detector - PointPillars - and modify its backbone to maintain and exploit this input sparsity, leading to decreased runtimes. We present results on KITTI, a canonical 3D detection dataset, and Matterport-Chair, a novel Matterport3D-derived chair detection dataset from scenes in real furnished homes. We evaluate runtime characteristics using a desktop GPU, an embedded ML accelerator, and a robot CPU, demonstrating that our method results in significant runtime decreases (2x or more) for embedded systems with only a modest decrease in detection quality. Our work represents a new approach for practitioners to optimize models for embedded systems by maintaining and exploiting input sparsity throughout their entire pipeline to reduce runtime and resource usage while preserving detection performance. All models, weights, experimental configurations, and datasets used are publicly available.
The Spatial Variability of Prediction Errors

This paper is about the estimation of error in spatial problems, how we do it and how we might do it. It is also about our methods of interpreting error estimates to our scientific audience. We have two specific objectives in mind. The first objective is to elucidate the role of averaging or pooling, i.e., the role of statistics, in the reporting of error estimates. Our discussion of pooling is largely philosophical and is focused on the proper interpretations that should be given to error estimates. The second objective is to emphasize the importance of viewing errors as a spatially varying field. Here we will have some specific suggestions which affect how we usually estimate errors in geostatistical problems.
Success is cheesecake: a guide to analyzing student discourse

Action research, conducted by teachers in their own classrooms, with the goal of improving practice, is an invaluable practice that can provide insight into students’ lives. One of the many challenges associated with action research is knowing how to analyze and interpret data. In this manuscript, written as a “how to” of sorts, I explain how to use a qualitative data analysis technique known as generous reading. This method, similar to discourse analysis, has theoretical roots in the works of Bakhtin and Volosinov. In this manuscript, I apply the tools of generous reading to a transcript from my own qualitative action research project, using one student’s discourse as an example of an effective way to dig deeper into the meaning behind text-based data.
Emil du Bois-Reymond and the tradition of German physiological science

In 1872, Emil du Bois-Reymond delivered an astonishing lecture entitled ‘‘The Limits of Science’’ at a Congress of German Scientists and Physicians in Leipzig. No stranger to polemic and bellicose oratory, and possessing among his generation of physiologists unmatched rhetorical abilities, du Bois-Reymond had already attracted much public recognition and acclaim for his denigration of French culture at a time when belligerence and competition between Prussia and France had peaked. Yet, the topic of his 1872 lecture had a signal significance which not only would inform du Bois-Reymond’s subsequent public lectures on literature, art, civilization and science, and the place of Darwin in the modern world, but would also elaborate a mechanistic and fatalistic view of consciousness, one that denied scientific understanding of the phenomenon as even obtainable. Controversy exploded—and from all quarters. Renowned scientists accused him of pessimism and of failing to apprehend the progress of instrumentation. Darwinists accused him of denying the theory of evolution. Catholics saw du Bois-Reymond as calling ‘the Divine’ into question. Philosophers thought his mechanism jejune. The public was shocked—both by the fatalism and materialism and also by the very notion of limitations. Reading Gabriel Finkelstein’s biography of Emil du Bois-Reymond well over a century after these debates, it is striking that du Bois-Reymond’s objections, and the controversies they engendered, remain salient even into the present. That we appear to be living in a ‘neuro’ epoch filled with similar debates seems sufficient reason to start turning the pages. Finkelstein’s Emil du Bois-Reymond: Neuroscience, Self, and Society in Nineteenth-Century Germany is an exquisite and sensitive study of the private and public life of a man that Finkelstein regards as: ‘‘the most important forgotten intellectual of the nineteenth century’’ (xv). Filled with rich empirical details
Brain Parenchyma Motion Observed by MRI

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Brain Motion 3 Overview of MRI of CNS Motion 4 Motion-Sensitive Echo Planar MRI of Brain Motion 5 NMR Imaging of Parenchymal Strain Rates 6 Effects of Parenchyma Motion on MRI of Perfusion and Diffusion 7 Prospects 8 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
The Scope of Coreference in Conceptual Graphs

To modularize a large semantic net you need to show how the pieces relate to each other. Coreference allows concepts in two different graphs to refer to the same thing. This paper reviews the subject of coreference in the theory of conceptual graphs. 2 It explains basic concepts, gives current definitions, gives examples of different uses, and discusses some advanced applications, extending the application “scope” of coreference in the process.
(+)‐N, N′‐(1S, 2S)‐1,2‐Diaminocyclohexanediylbis(2‐pyridinecarboxamide)

[172138-95-3] C18H20N4O2 (MW 324.38) InChI = 1S/C18H20N4O2/c23-17(15-9-3-5-11-19-15)21-13-7-1-2-8-14(13)22-18(24)16-10-4-6-12-20-16/h3-6,9-14H,1-2,7-8H2,(H,21,23)(H,22,24)/t13-,14-/m0/s1 InChIKey = BVYFDUZVVBXFBQ-KBPBESRZSA-N (reagent used as a ligand in transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions) Physical Data: mp 172–175 °C1; (c 1.0, acetone).2 Solubility: soluble in ether, alcohol, toluene, and most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: white crystalline solid; widely available. Purification: purified by dissolving in warm ethanol (64–65 °C) and cooling the ethanolic solution to −8 °C.1 It has also been purified by silica gel flash column chromatography.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: no known specific issues. Standard laboratory precautions apply.
Colloquium paper: bioenergetics, the origins of complexity, and the ascent of man.

Complex structures are generated and maintained through energy flux. Structures embody information, and biological information is stored in nucleic acids. The progressive increase in biological complexity over geologic time is thus the consequence of the information-generating power of energy flow plus the information-accumulating capacity of DNA, winnowed by natural selection. Consequently, the most important component of the biological environment is energy flow: the availability of calories and their use for growth, survival, and reproduction. Animals can exploit and adapt to available energy resources at three levels. They can evolve different anatomical forms through nuclear DNA (nDNA) mutations permitting exploitation of alternative energy reservoirs, resulting in new species. They can evolve modified bioenergetic physiologies within a species, primarily through the high mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)–encoded bioenergetic genes, permitting adjustment to regional energetic environments. They can alter the epigenomic regulation of the thousands of dispersed bioenergetic genes via mitochondrially generated high-energy intermediates permitting individual accommodation to short-term environmental energetic fluctuations. Because medicine pertains to a single species, Homo sapiens, functional human variation often involves sequence changes in bioenergetic genes, most commonly mtDNA mutations, plus changes in the expression of bioenergetic genes mediated by the epigenome. Consequently, common nDNA polymorphisms in anatomical genes may represent only a fraction of the genetic variation associated with the common “complex” diseases, and the ascent of man has been the product of 3.5 billion years of information generation by energy flow, accumulated and preserved in DNA and edited by natural selection.
A simple method of obtaining off-axis half-value layers for megavoltage photon beams.

We describe a simplified technique for the acquisition of off‐axis beam‐quality data (i.e., half‐value layers in water) for medicallinear accelerators. A measurement protocol is presented in which an ordinary beam‐scanning water phantom is used to accurately position an ionization chamber at appropriate measuring positions. Attenuation coefficients are calculated by performing a regression on the measured data. The technique uses the smallest fields for which lateral electron equilibrium can be established.
Detect multi-hop stepping-stone pairs with clock skew

Stepping-stone attacks in network intrusion detection are attackers who use a sequence of stepping-stone hosts to initiate attacks in order to hide their origins. The goal of this paper is to find algorithms to correctly detect the attacks and have the ability to tolerate the clock skew or/and chaff while exhibiting low time complexity. We propose three novel algorithms for detecting correlation and similarity of two connections not only into and out of a single stepping stone host (consecutive streams), but also across multiple stepping-stone hosts. To evaluate the accuracy and efficiency, we conduct extensive experiments. We also evaluate how chaff packets and clock skew may affect these methods. We present a comparison of the algorithms in terms of false rates of detection, and identify one of the approaches that can efficiently achieve good performance under a variety of circumstances.
Markov Random Fields and Gibbs Ensembles

(1971). Markov Random Fields and Gibbs Ensembles. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 142-154.
Small semiconductor clusters and fullerenes: Structural and electronic properties from ab-initio molecular dynamics

Abstract Very recent results on the structural and electronic properties of small silicon clusters and endohedral metallofullerenes are presented, which have been obtained with ab-initio molecular dynamics Car-Parrinello calculations. They are compared with other theoretical approaches as well as with experimental data, whenever available.
Model of crop:weed competition applied to maize:Abutilon theophrasti interactions. II. Assessing the impact of climate: implications for economic thresholds

The practical application of single-season economic thresholds for post-emergence weed control decisions has been frustrated by the impact of growin g season, climate and edaphic factors on crop:weed interactions. Competition in a mixed plant community is a dynamic process that is contingent upon species-specific growth characteristics and their expression based on environmental conditions. To address these issues, a modified version of the ALMANAC competition model was parameterized and run to simulate maize:Abutilon theophrasti competition with 30 years (1966-95) of historical climate data for a site in New York State. Simulations indicate that, when weeds do not emerge before maize, maize will only suffer substantial yield reductions from A. theophrasti competition in two out of every 10 years at this site. It is also evident that economic thresholds based solely on the level of weed infestation are inherently flawed. Long-term simulation results suggest that estimates of early season water stress could be used as an independent tool for rationalizing post-emergence control decisions Shifting the focus from quantifying the infestation intensity of the weed population to assessing the competitive status of the maize crop indirectly with climate information may alleviate many of the problems commonly associated with threshold management strategies.
Modeling uncertainty and analyzing bottleneck characteristics in multiperiod design optimization

Abstract In this paper we address modeling, analysis and computational synthesis issues in multipenod design problems. We present a novel minimax approach for the formulation of the objective function, to address uncertainty in the duration of individual periods. For the analysis of these problems, we offer a formal definition of bottleneck periods and derive properties that contribute to the design process. At the level of synthesis and based on the bottleneck properties, we propose a decomposition strategy for general MINLP multiperiod problems where the MILP part does not scale with the total number of periods. As shown through the derived properties and a set of example problems, the minimax objective function yields designs with enhanced robustness properties compared to the standard multiperiod objective. The bottleneck period concepts provide an analysis framework that yields a better under—standing of multiperiod problems and provides guidelines for an improved design procedure. Finally, as predicted by the theoretical derivation and illustrated through examples, the proposed bottleneck-period based OA/BP method is computationally superior to both Outer-Approximation (OA) and Generalized Benders Decomposition (GBD).
Religious Naturalism and the Religion‐Science Dialogue: A Minimalist View

Although its roots go back at least to Spinoza, religious naturalism is once again becoming a self–conscious option in religious thinking. This article seeks to (1) provide a generic notion of religious naturalism, (2) sketch my own “minimalist” variety of religious naturalism, and (3) view the science–religion dialogue from both of these perspectives. This last will include reflection on the nature of scientific practices, the contributions of religious traditions to moral reflection, and Ursula Goodenough's “religiopoiesis.”
Ethanol stimulates [3H]5-HT high-affinity uptake by rat forebrain synaptosomes: role of 5-HT receptors and voltage channel blockers

We examined ethanol's interactions with serotonin (5-HT) receptor-mediated [3H]5-HT high-affinity uptake by adult rat forebrain synaptosomes. The serotonergic transport mechanism was chosen because ethanol consumption patterns can be manipulated by serotonin receptors and uptake blockers. We report that a dose of ethanol which causes general anesthesia in humans (54 mM) applied in vitro enhanced rat synaptosomal [3H]5-HT uptake after 5 min at 37 degrees C. Similar levels of stimulation by 54 mM ethanol were seen in hippocampal, cerebral cortex and brainstem synaptosomes. Significant inhibition of uptake was not detected until concentrations of ethanol reached 2.1 M, which is lethal in vivo. Ryanodine and the 5-HT2 agonist, DOI, are believed to cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels. We observed that they also caused an elevation of [3H]5-HT uptake, and this stimulation was less than additive with the ethanol-induced increase. Inhibition of the 5-HT3, receptor-mediated Na+ channel with the antagonist ICS 205930, partially reversed ethanol's stimulatory effects on [3H]5-HT uptake. Blockade of voltage-dependent Na+ flux with tetrodotoxin and lidocaine, however, had no effect on the stimulation by ethanol. But tetraethylammonium, which blocks voltage-dependent K+ channels, partially counteracted ethanol's action on [3H]5-HT uptake. These compounds had no effect on uptake by themselves. These results indicate that ethanol's stimulation of [3H]5-HT uptake involves a rise in [Ca2+]i which is sensitive to voltage-dependent K+ flux and 5-HT3 receptor-mediated Na+ flux, and would decrease the availability of synaptic 5-HT.
Effective theory for quenched lattice QCD and the Aoki phase

We discuss the symmetries of quenched QCD with Wilson fermions, starting from its Lagrangian formulation, taking into account the constraints needed for convergence of the ghost-quark functional integral. We construct the corresponding chiral effective Lagrangian, including terms linear and quadratic in the lattice spacing. This allows us to study the phase structure of the quenched theory, and compare it to that in the unquenched theory. In particular we study whether there may be an Aoki phase (with parity and flavor spontaneously broken) or a first-order transition line (with no symmetry breaking but meson masses proportional to the lattice spacing), which are the two possibilities in the unquenched theory. The presence of such phase structure, and the concomitant long-range correlations, has important implications for numerical studies using both quenched and dynamical overlap and domain-wall fermions. We argue that the phase structure is qualitatively the same as in the unquenched theory, with the choice between the two possibilities depending on the sign of a parameter in the low-energy effective theory.
A study of dynamic meta-learning for failure prediction in large-scale systems

Despite years of study on failure prediction, it remains an open problem, especially in large-scale systems composed of vast amount of components. In this paper, we present a dynamic meta-learning framework for failure prediction. It intends to not only provide reasonable prediction accuracy, but also be of practical use in realistic environments. Two key techniques are developed to address technical challenges of failure prediction. One is meta-learning to boost prediction accuracy by combining the benefits of multiple predictive techniques. The other is a dynamic approach to dynamically obtain failure patterns from a changing training set and to dynamically extract effective rules by actively monitoring prediction accuracy at runtime. We demonstrate the effectiveness and practical use of this framework by means of real system logs collected from the production Blue Gene/L systems at Argonne National Laboratory and San Diego Supercomputer Center. Our case studies indicate that the proposed mechanism can provide reasonable prediction accuracy by forecasting up to 82% of the failures, with a runtime overhead less than 1.0 min.
Diagnosis of Retrograde Ventriculoatrial Conduction by Left Atrial Appendage Doppler Flow Analysis

We report a case of pacemaker syndrome where the diagnosis of retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction was made by Doppler analysis of left atrial appendage flow. Doppler analysis of left atrial appendage flow provides another noninvasive parameter to diagnose retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction.
Religious Noncoercive and Coercive Regulations: A New Typology for Cross-National Research

This article aims to increase our understanding of governmental regulations on the practice of religion by majority and minority religious groups in the Middle East from 1990 to 2002. We utilize data from the Religion and State project (Fox 2003) to examine the breadth and severity of religious regulations, control, and support across newly created categories that measure the types of regulations placed on religious groups. We also examine the change in governmental regulations toward religion. We begin the analysis by looking at the overall breadth and severity of regulation in the Middle East, and examine changes in religious control and support during the twelve-year period. Findings demonstrate the utility of our categories for understanding religious regulations in the Middle East from 1990 to 2002, and show that where changes did occur, governments tightened the rules on religious groups.
Mechanisms of killing of Bacillus subtilis spores by Decon and OxoneTM, two general decontaminants for biological agents

Aims: To determine the mechanisms of Bacillus subtilis spore killing by and resistance to the general biological decontamination agents, Decon and OxoneTM. Methods and Results: Spores of B. subtilis treated with Decon or OxoneTM did not accumulate DNA damage and were not mutagenized. Spore killing by these agents was increased if spores were decoated. Spores prepared at higher temperatures were more resistant to these agents, consistent with a major role for spore coats in this resistance. Neither Decon nor OxoneTM released the spore core's depot of dipicolinic acid (DPA), but Decon- and OxoneTM-treated spores more readily released DPA upon a subsequent normally sublethal heat treatment. Decon- and OxoneTM-killed spores initiated germination with dodecylamine more rapidly than untreated spores, but could not complete germination triggered by nutrients or Ca2+-DPA and did not degrade their peptidoglycan cortex. However, lysozyme treatment did not recover these spores. Conclusions: Decon and OxoneTM do not kill B. subtilis spores by DNA damage, and a major factor in spore resistance to these agents is the spore coat. Spore killing by both agents renders spores defective in germination, possibly because of damage to the inner membrane of spore. Significance and impact of study: These results provide information on the mechanisms of the killing of bacterial spores by Decon and OxoneTM.
The Genus Sunaristes (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) Associated With Hermit Crabs in the Western Indian Ocean

[Description de deux especes nouvelles de Copepodes harpacticoides associes aux Pagures a Madagascar, a l'Ile Maurice, et dans la Mer Rouge: Sunaristes dardani n. sp. que l'on trouve avec Dardanus megistos, D. guttatus, D. deformis, D. lagopodes et Calcinus latens, et S. inaequalis n. sp. associe a D. megistos, Clibanarius carnifex et a des Pagures non determines., Description de deux especes nouvelles de Copepodes harpacticoides associes aux Pagures a Madagascar, a l'Ile Maurice, et dans la Mer Rouge: Sunaristes dardani n. sp. que l'on trouve avec Dardanus megistos, D. guttatus, D. deformis, D. lagopodes et Calcinus latens, et S. inaequalis n. sp. associe a D. megistos, Clibanarius carnifex et a des Pagures non determines.]
A Comparison of Tactful Messages by Children With and Without Language Impairment

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the level of tactfulness produced in messages constructed by school-age children with language impairment (LI) and school-age children with normal language development (NL). The LI children were enrolled in special classes for children with language impairments. They ranged in age from 8 to 12 years. They were matched by gender and chronological age to a group of NL children from the same school district. The subjects were presented with role-playing situations that required the construction of tactful messages. The responses were coded according to a five-point heirarchical system that reflected tactfulness. The procedures and scoring systems were adapted from the research of Pearl, Donahue, and Bryan (1985). The LI children gave significantly less tactful messages than the NL children. Developmental advances in the scores were noted only for the NL children. The results are discussed in terms of the nature of language impairment and clinical significance.
ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-AMINO ACIDS BY THE STRECKER SYNTHESIS.

THE non-enzymatic asymmetric synthesis of α-amino-acids has long been of considerable stereochemical interest. However, the method of catalytic hydrogenation is the only one appearing in the literature1–8. In this communication, a new method of asymmetric synthesis of α-amino-acids in solution is described.
Policy Development Plan for the Concept of Family Presence in the Johns Hopkins Department of Radiology: A Patient Safety Initiative

Abstract The concept of family presence (FP) during invasive procedures and resuscitations is of potential benefit to the patient, family, and institution. Yet many health care institutions do not have an FP policy in place. The two greatest arguments for effective and well-placed policies are that they enhance patient safety and protect health care professionals and institutions from liability.
Microphysical and Radiative Properties of Marine Stratocumulus from Tethered Balloon Measurements

Abstract Vertical profiles of cloud microphysical data and longwave and shortwave radiation measurements through the marine boundary layer were obtained using an instrument package on the NASA tethered balloon during the FIRE Marine Stratocumulus Experiment. The radiation observations were analyzed to determine heating rates inside the stratocumulus clouds during several tethered balloon flights. The radiation fields in the cloud layer were also simulated by a two-stream radiative transfer model, which used cloud optical properties derived from microphysical measurements and Mie scattering theory. The vertical profiles of the observed longwave cooling rates were similar in structure and magnitude not only to previous measurements of marine stratocumulus, but also to the cooling rates computed by the two-stream radiative transfer model. The solar heating rates measured in the clouds, however, were systematically much larger than the rates calculated in the model. Solar albedo measurements showed that the v...