cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sampling Lines of Response for the Sensitivity Image in List-Mode OSEM PET Reconstruction

Iterative list-mode PET reconstruction requires the pre-calculation of a sensitivity image, in theory by backprojecting of all possible detector lines of response (LORs). For systems with a large number of LORs, or because of subject motion compensation, computing the exact sensitivity image is computationally expensive, so sub-sampling the LORs is attractive to reduce the work. The resulting inaccuracies in the sensitivity image propagate to the reconstructed emission image, which motivates looking at different sub-sampling schemes to reduce the errors. We extended the MOLAR reconstruction, originally implemented using uniform random (Uniform) subsampling of LORs, by adding a quasi-random (Halton) sequence based sampler and also a previously described Monte Carlo-based (MonteCarlo) non-uniform sampler. We also evaluated sampling using both techniques simultaneously (Halton+MonteCarlo). A simple post-smoothing of the sensitivity image can be used to improve variability in exchange for a loss in sensitivity spatial resolution. We included this method (Uniform- Smoothed) in our comparison. Applying the five sampling methods (Uniform, Uniform-Smoothed, Halton, MonteCarlo, Halton+MonteCarlo), we obtain region of interest coefficients of variation (CoV) for replicated reconstructions of a human brain. Relative to Uniform, we observe two to three-fold improvement in CoV using Halton with a 4sensitivity image, and slightly better improvements for Halton+MonteCarlo with a 163investment. Halton and Halton+MonteCarlo produced lower CoVs than Uniform-Smoothed, without smoothing-induced bias in the reconstructed images.
An Immunocompetent Patient With a Vesicular Rash and Neurological Symptomatology

Viral infection is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis with the majority in the United States being caused by enteroviruses. In viral meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shows a mild pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance , elevated protein and normal glucose level. Nucleic acid amplification methods have greatly improved the detection of viral pathogens. In our case, a 47-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with a persistent throbbing headache for six days, localized to the frontal area, associated with photophobia, exacerbated by bright lights and loud noises. Physical examination revealed nuchal rigidity and a vesicular rash at the right T4-T6 dermatome region. CSF findings were consistent with aseptic meningitis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for VZV. Clinical improvement in meningeal signs and symptoms occurred after the initiation of acyclovir to complete a total 10 day course. There are no published data revealing that acyclovir will modify the course of VZV meningitis, but it is important to recognize the potential clinical benefit with the early initiation of antiviral therapy, especially if a zoster rash is discovered on examination. However, this is rarely the case because the majority of VZV meningitis will not present with a rash. Even though the reactivation of VZV is not usually associated with clinical meningitis; it is important to consider VZV in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting without a rash with CNS disease. PCR has been proven to be useful and quick diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of VZV associated neurological disease. J Med Cases. 2013;4(9):620-622 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1405w
Mitotic DNA synthesis is differentially regulated between cancer and noncancerous cells

Mitotic DNA synthesis is a recently discovered mechanism that resolves late replication intermediates, thereby supporting cell proliferation under replication stress. This unusual form of DNA synthesis occurs in the absence of RAD51 or BRCA2, which led to the identification of RAD52 as a key player in this process. Notably, mitotic DNA synthesis is predominantly observed at chromosome loci that colocalize with FANCD2 foci. However, the role of this protein in mitotic DNA synthesis remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of FANCD2 and its interplay with RAD52 in mitotic DNA synthesis using aphidicolin as a universal inducer of this process. After examining eight human cell lines, we provide evidence for FANCD2 rather than RAD52 as a fundamental supporter of mitotic DNA synthesis. In cancer cell lines, FANCD2 exerts this role independently of RAD52. Surprisingly, RAD52 is dispensable for mitotic DNA synthesis in noncancerous cell lines, but these cells strongly depend on FANCD2 for this process. Therefore, RAD52 functions selectively in cancer cells as a secondary regulator in addition to FANCD2 to facilitate mitotic DNA synthesis. As an alternative to aphidicolin, we found partial inhibition of origin licensing as an effective way to induce mitotic DNA synthesis preferentially in cancer cells. Importantly, cancer cells still perform mitotic DNA synthesis by dual regulation of FANCD2 and RAD52 under such conditions. IMPLICATIONS: These key differences in mitotic DNA synthesis between cancer and noncancerous cells advance our understanding of this mechanism and can be exploited for cancer therapies.
Case 10-1985: A 29-Year-Old Native of India with Bilateral Ulcerative Keratitis

Presentation of Case A 29-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary) because of bilateral ulcerative keratitis. She was well until five months earlier, when s...
A nanometer difference in myofilament lattice spacing of two cockroach leg muscles explains their different functions

Abstract Muscle is highly organized across scales. Consequently, small changes in arrangement of myofilaments can influence macroscopic function. Two leg muscles of a cockroach, have identical innervation, mass, twitch responses, length-tension curves, and force-velocity relationships. However, during running, one muscle is dissipative, while the other produces significant positive mechanical work. Using time resolved x-ray diffraction in intact, contracting muscle, we simultaneously measured the myofilament lattice spacing, packing structure, and macroscopic force production of these muscle to test if nanoscale differences could account for this conundrum. While the packing patterns are the same, one muscle has 1 nm smaller lattice spacing at rest. Under isometric activation, the difference in lattice spacing disappeared explaining the two muscles’ identical steady state behavior. During periodic contractions, one muscle undergoes a 1 nm greater change in lattice spacing, which correlates with force. This is the first identified feature that can account for the muscles’ different functions.
Modeling and Analysis of Chaos-based Spread Spectrum Scheme using Irregular LDPC Code and Non-Coherent 16-DCSK under Fading and Jamming

In chaos-based spread spectrum systems, the use of spreading code and chaotic binary sequence expands the bandwidth of the information-bearing signal but this expansion results in SNR degradation under the constraint of constant channel capacity according to Hartley-Shannon law. To compensate for this drawback, our proposed model employs an irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) code with its iterative decoding algorithm. Coupled with this forward error correction (FEC) coding, we used non-coherent (NC) 16-ary differential chaos shift keying (16-DCSK) that additionally provides the ability of data encryption due to its use of chaotic signals compared with the conventional modulation schemes. Analytical expressions of bit error probability (BEP) are derived under the assumption of the three-ray model along with partial band noise jamming (PBNJ) over a Rayleigh fading channel. Simulation results assert that the proposed system can mitigate the effect of PBNJ via lowering BEP by coding gain and processing gain under identical transmission power. It is also confirmed that a higher level of security can be provided by the use of proposed two iteration functions of Duffing Map-based chaotic binary sequence than the security level of one iteration function of Logistic Map, based on the balance and autocorrelation analysis.
Superatomic molecules with internal electric fields for light harvesting.

Traditional p–n junctions used for photovoltaics require an interface where a light induced electron–hole pair is separated by an electric field. Developing alternative strategies for forming strong internal electric fields for electron–hole pair separation offers the possibility for better performance. We demonstrate that fusing two superatomic clusters with donor/acceptor ligands on opposite sides of the cluster leads to such a strong internal electric field. In two fused metal–chalcogenide Re6S8Cl2(L)4 clusters with donor PMe3 ligands and acceptor CO ligands on the opposite sides of the fused clusters, the electronic levels undergo shifts analogous to band bending in traditional p–n junctions. The fused cluster has a large dipole moment, and an optical spectrum that strongly absorbs excitation above the HOMO–LUMO gap of the fused clusters, but is optically very weak for the lowest energy excitation that can lead to electron–hole pair recombination. This is because the electron is localized on the CO portion of the fused cluster, while the electron–hole pair is localized on the PMe3 side of the cluster. It is shown that the electronic states localized on each side of the cluster can be aligned/misaligned by applying a voltage in different directions, offering diode like characteristics.
Queering the Museum and Queer Objects: Queering the Museum, by Nikki Sullivan and Craig Middleton, London, Routledge, 2020, 114 pp., $60 USD (hardback), ISBN 978-0-8153-5962-3; Queer Objects, edited by Chris Brickell and Judith Collard, New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 2019, 416 pp., $39.95 USD (paperback), ISBN 978-1-9788-0170-7

Queering the Museum and Queer Objects illustrate the richness of research related to queerness, its history, and relevant museum exhibitions from Australia and New Zealand. Both volumes also addres...
PD1 Blockade Enhances ICAM1-Directed CAR T Therapeutic Efficacy in Advanced Thyroid Cancer.

Purpose: Advanced thyroid cancers, including poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), are lethal malignancies with limited treatment options. The majority of patients with ATC have responded poorly to programmed death 1 (PD1) blockade in early clinical trials. There is a need to explore new treatment options. Experimental Design: We examined the expression of PD-L1 (a ligand of PD1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) in thyroid tumors and ATC cell lines, and investigated the PD1 expression level in peripheral T cells of patients with thyroid cancer. Next, we studied the tumor-targeting efficacy and T-cell dynamics of monotherapy and combination treatments of ICAM1-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and anti-PD1 antibody in a xenograft model of ATC. Results: Advanced thyroid cancers were associated with increased expression of both ICAM1 and PD-L1 in tumors, and elevated PD1 expression in CD8+ T cells of circulating blood. The expression of ICAM1 and PD-L1 in ATC lines was regulated by the IFNγ–JAK2 signaling pathway. ICAM1-targeted CAR T cells, produced from either healthy donor or patient T cells, in combination with PD1 blockade demonstrated an improved ability to eradicate ICAM1-expressing target tumor cells compared with CAR T treatment alone. PD1 blockade facilitated clearance of PD-L1 high tumor colonies and curtailed excessive CAR T expansion, resulting in rapid tumor clearance and prolonged survival in a mouse model. Conclusions: Targeting two IFNγ-inducible, tumor-associated antigens—ICAM1 and PD-L1—in a complementary manner might be an effective treatment strategy to control advanced thyroid cancers in vivo.
Are Online Resources for Evidence-Based Practices Useful:

Because many websites claim to provide information about evidence-based practices (EBPs), consumers must know the information and practices are based upon quality research. Practitioners may intend...
Association of donor and recipient cytomegalovirus serostatus on graft and patient survival in liver transplant recipients

Among solid organ transplant recipients, donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive (D+) and recipient seronegative (R-) status are associated with an increased risk of graft loss and mortality after kidney or lung transplantation. Whether a similar relationship exists among liver transplant recipients (LTR) is unknown. We assessed graft loss and mortality among adult LTRs from January 1, 2010, to March 14, 2020, in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. We used multivariable mixed Cox proportional hazards regression to analyze the association of donor and recipient CMV serostatus group with graft loss and mortality, with donor seronegative (D-) and recipient seronegative (R-) as the reference group. Among 54,078 LTRs, the proportion of D-R-, D- and recipient seropositive (R+), D+R-, and D+R+ was 13.4%, 22.5%, 22%, and 42%, respectively. By unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival curve estimates, survival by the end of follow-up was 73.3%, 73.5%, 70.1%, and 69.7%, among the D-R-, D-R+, D+R-, and D+R+ groups, respectively. By multivariable Cox regression, the CMV D+R- serogroup, but not other serogroups, was independently associated with increased risks of graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.22) and mortality (aHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22). The magnitude of the association of the CMV D+R- serostatus group with mortality was similar when the Cox regression analysis was restricted to the first year after transplant and beyond the first year after transplant: aHR, 1.13 (95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and aHR, 1.13 (95% CI, 1.02-1.25), respectively. Even in an era of CMV preventive strategies, CMV D+R- serogroup status remains independently associated with increased graft loss and mortality in adult LTRs. Factors in addition to direct CMV-associated short-term mortality are likely, and studies to define the underlying mechanism(s) are warranted.
Early Recurrence of an Infantile Endodermal Oculomotor Nerve Cyst following Surgical Fenestration: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION Infantile endodermal oculomotor nerve cyst (EONC) is an extremely rare entity. There are very few pediatric cases reported in the literature, and as expected, oculomotor palsy is the most common presenting symptom. To date however, the risk of recurrence of these lesions following surgical intervention is unclear due to a lack of long-term radiological follow-up. CASE PRESENTATION We present a case of a 13-month-old male patient with an EONC and detail his surgical fenestration and postoperative course. Somewhat surprisingly, re-expansion occurred within 6 months and remained stable 2 years later. DISCUSSION A surgical approach to fenestration of an EONC in an infant is possible and should be performed by an expert neurosurgeon. Early recurrence is underreported in the current literature, and we encourage longer term radiological surveillance of these lesions after surgery to optimize primary and recurrent management in the future.
Impact of Morcellation on Operative Time during Benign Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Study Objective Estimate the impact of morcellation on operating room time during benign hysterectomy, while adjusting for other factors known to impact operative time. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Two medical centers in Boston, MA. Patients or Participants All patient undergoing laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy for benign indications between November 2014 to December 2017. Interventions All patients underwent a hysterectomy by a laparoscopic or robotic, total or supracervical, approach and required morcellation for specimen removal. In all cases morcellation was manual and contained in a specimen bag. Laparoscopic hysterectomies with additional concomitant surgical procedures were excluded with the exception of salpingectomy, oophorectomy and cystoscopy. Data was collected with regards to patient demographics, surgical history, surgical indication, operative time, pathologic uterine weight and surgeon's annual hysterectomy volume. Measurements and Main Results A total of 959 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean operative time in the morcellation group was 146 ± 4 minutes vs. 109 ± 2 minutes in the group not requiring morcellation (p Conclusion Need for morcellation independently contributes to operative time when adjusting for other measures that can contribute to prolonged operating time. If intended, morcellation should be named in the operative procedure title to maximize efficiency of operative schedules.
Non-Abelian gauge fields with fiber optics and beyond

We observe the non-Abelian Aharonov–Bohm effect by synthesizing non-Abelian gauge fields in a fiber-optic interferometer, enabled by multiple time-reversal symmetry breaking in orthogonal bases of the Hilbert space. Based on the realized building blocks of non-Abelian gauge fields, We introduce and study a type of non-Abelian Hofstadter models.
Identifying Levers for Improvement: Examining Proximal Processes and Contextual Influences on Preschool Language Development

Research Findings: The present study investigates both the proximal processes and contextual influences on children’s oral language development in preschool. We examine whether teacher language pra...
The Ramsey Rule at 100: Pairing Back the Overgrowth

In 1927 the mathematician Frank Ramsey published a paper on optimal taxation in which he put forward what has come to be known as the “Ramsey rule”. Nearly one hundred years later, Ramsey’s paper remains a go-to reference for normative tax theory in a number of fields, including legal scholarship. This paper reviews the reasoning behind the Ramsey rule and attempts to clear up various points of confusion that have grown up over decades of perfunctory citation. It explains in simple terms what the rule is and how it is derived. It then critically analyzes the rule’s most prevalent interpretations, arguing that these range from uninformative to misleading. An online mathematical appendix is available at https://ssrn.com/abstract=3925626.
Assessment of Atrial Fibrosis and Its Implications in Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) can be used to accurately define atrial fibrosis burden and is increasingly available, which has led to a renaissance in our understanding of atrial fibrosis as a major component of the atrial disease substrate. The purpose of this review is to provide information on our current understanding of atrial fibrosis and its relation to atrial fibrillation (AFib) and stroke, highlight its implications in the treatment of these conditions, and discuss potential therapies for atrial fibrosis. CMRI-defined atrial fibrosis has a proven utility in stratifying the response to catheter ablation for AFib and has led to recent interest in ablation strategies specifically targeting fibrotic areas. Atrial fibrosis may serve as the missing mechanistic link between AFib and embolic stroke, and ongoing studies may change treatment strategies for subsets of stroke patients. Recent animal studies suggest that atrial fibrosis may be modifiable in response to treatment of contributing risk factors such as obesity and sleep apnea. Our understanding of atrial fibrosis and its relation to AFib and stroke is rapidly evolving. The presence of CMRI-defined atrial fibrosis may have a significant impact on the treatment paradigms for these conditions. The development and perpetuation of atrial fibrosis may be modifiable by pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions.
Immunogenetics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A comprehensive review

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic inflammatory arthropathy of childhood. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is believed to be a complex genetic trait influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Twin and family studies suggest a substantial role for genetic factors in the predisposition to JIA. Describing the genetics is complicated by the heterogeneity of JIA; the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) has defined seven categories of JIA based on distinct clinical and laboratory features. Utilizing a variety of techniques including candidate gene studies, the use of genotyping arrays such as Immunochip, and genome wide association studies (GWAS), both human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA susceptibility loci associated with JIA have been described. Several of these polymorphisms (e.g. HLA class II, PTPN22, STAT4) are shared with other common autoimmune conditions; other novel polymorphisms that have been identified may be unique to JIA. Associations with oligoarticular and RF-negative polyarticular JIA are the best characterized. A strong association between HLA DRB1:11:03/04 and DRB1:08:01, and a protective effect of DRB1:15:01 have been described. HLA DPB1:02:01 has also been associated with oligoarticular and RF-negative polyarticular JIA. Besides PTPN22, STAT4 and PTPN2 variants, IL2, IL2RA, IL2RB, as well as IL6 and IL6R loci also harbor variants associated with oligoarticular and RF-negative polyarticular JIA. RF-positive polyarticular JIA is associated with many of the shared epitope encoding HLA DRB1 alleles, as well as PTPN22, STAT4 and TNFAIP3 variants. ERA is associated with HLA B27. Most other associations between JIA categories and HLA or non-HLA variants need confirmation. The formation of International Consortia to ascertain and analyze large cohorts of JIA categories, validation of reported findings in independent cohorts, and functional studies will enhance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of JIA.
Measurement and modeling of farmers' goals: an evaluation and suggestions.

Farmers and other business people commonly consider multiple goals or objectives in their-decisions, especially investment or other long-run decisions. Various techniques, such as discussed by Keeney and Raiffa, have been developed to incorporate multiple goals or objectives in decision making. These techniques differ in how the decision-making process is viewed, empirical data required about goals, and solution algorithms. Considerable emphasis has been given to development of alternative models and solution algorithms, but problems (Willis and Perlack), of quantifying farmers' goals for use in these models have received relatively little attention.
Pay at the Pump: How $11 Per Gallon Gasoline Can Solve the United States’ Most Pressing Challenges

The United States of America currently faces unprecedented challenges. If our nation fails to effectively answer these challenges - such as fragile national security, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and potentially catastrophic climate change - we will lose our position as a world power. One problem underlies all of the United States’ challenges: Dependence on foreign oil. If the United States can dramatically reduce its oil dependence, the direct effect would be less exposure to Middle Eastern turmoil, dampened competitive pressures in Asia, significantly reduced funds flowing to terrorist activities, and a revived economy. This article proposes a detailed plan that would efficiently and effectively eliminate the United States’ foreign oil dependence. The foundation of this novel proposal is a significantly increased gasoline tax that would eliminate gasoline consumption and consequently solve our nation’s most pressing challenges. This article begins by analyzing the root problem of the United States’ most pressing challenges: Staggering foreign oil consumption. This article examines the wide-ranging effects of our immense oil consumption on virtually all aspects of life - including national security, climate change, the world economy, the environment, and public health. This article then proposes a simple solution: A federal gasoline tax large enough to reduce consumer demand to practically zero. A significantly increased gasoline tax is the ideal solution; nothing else so simple can have such an immense impact on all our nation’s most pressing challenges. The discussion begins with the general economic principles underlying a gasoline tax, and then moves to a detailed plan to effectively implement such a gasoline tax. Although virtually all economists support an increased gasoline tax, this article is the first to thoroughly propose such a substantial tax combined with the elimination of fuel economy standards. This article also analyzes the Obama administration’s most recent efforts to stimulate the economy and fight climate change. This article then discusses the results of the proposed gasoline tax and its accompanying precipitous drop in fossil-fuel demand. The article concludes with a detailed look at the alternative-energy solutions that would quickly proliferate in a society devoid of gasoline demand. This article presents a novel and timely proposal that would efficiently and effectively eliminate the United States’ foreign oil dependence, and at the same time immediately stimulate the economy and build a foundation for long-term economic growth. Hopefully this article will begin the discussion that prompts the United States to lead an international shift toward sustainable growth and prosperity.
Con Carino: Teacher Caring, Math Self-Efficacy, and Math Achievement among Hispanic English Learners.

Background/ContextHow do we account for the persistence of below-average math test score performance among California Hispanics who are fluent in English, as well as Spanish-dominant English learne...
Assessing OSHA Performance: Evidence from the Construction Industry

The determinants of OSHA performance can be examined by breaking the regulatory process into three elements relating to enforcement, compliance behavior, and the adequacy of standards in addressing safety outcomes. This paper develops and applies this framework to the U.S. construction industry during the period 1987 to 1993. Enforcement activity among the firms in the sample was substantial, with firms facing a high annual probability of inspection. Despite this significant enforcement effort, inspection effects on changes in firm compliance with OSHA standards are quite modest. Finally, the OSHA standards cited most frequently diverge from the major sources of fatalities and injuries on construction projects. As a result, the paper concludes that little of the decline in injury rates observed in the construction industry during the study period can be attributed to the direct impact of OSHA enforcement.
Challenges from Information Extraction to Information Fusion

Information Extraction (IE) technology is facing new challenges of dealing with large-scale heterogeneous data sources from different documents, languages and modalities. Information fusion, a new emerging area derived from IE, aims to address these challenges. We specify the requirements and possible solutions to perform information fusion. The issues include redundancy removal, contradiction resolution and uncertainty reduction. We believe this is a critical step to advance IE to a higher level of performance and portability.
Drowsy Driver Monitor and Warning System

The design and use of a low-cost drowsy driver monitor, the Copilot, and proposed driver interfaces are presented. The Copilot consists of a digital camera integrated with a low-cost digital signal processor (DSP). The Copilot is a functionally enhanced version of a previous monitor that has been successfully used in a variety of research projects in simulators and in over-the-road vehicles. Compared to its predecessor, the new monitor is small and easy to use, providing an effective research tool for the field or in the laboratory. The Copilot measures slow eyelid closures as represented by PERCLOS (Percent Eyelid Closure). PERCLOS is defined as the proportion of time that a subject's eyes are closed over a specified period. PERCLOS has been separate-ly validated in two independent laboratories as an accurate predictor of performance degradation in sleep-deprived subjects. The current driver interface is based on recent experimental results that drowsiness feedback can reduce drowsiness and improve driver performance for sleep deprived truck drivers operating a truck simulator. This controlled experiment was undertaken with n = 16 Commercial Driving License (CDL) holders driving a high-fidelity truck simulator (TruckSim®) to establish the effects of drowsiness feedback on: (1) driver alertness drowsiness; (2) driving performance and (3) driver-initiated behaviors. Subjects served as their own controls, driving one simulated 4-hr night drive without drowsiness feedback (control condition) and one simulated 4-hr night drive with drowsiness feedback (feedback condition). Although there was significant between-subject variability in drowsiness and consequently in the number of drowsiness-based alarms and warning alerts, drowsiness feedback tended to have consistent effects on key classes of outcome variables, including reduced drowsiness levels, improved driver performance and self alerting activities (driver movements). The warning triggers are associated with PERCLOS calculated over three minutes. The current interface consists of an audible tone that is associated with the readings of a visual gauge. Work is continuing over the next year to refine the driver interface
Mitochondrial membrane potential differentiates cells resistant to apoptosis in hybridoma cultures.

Previous research has implicated mitochondrial physiology and, by extension, respiratory capacity in the initiation and progress of apoptosis of cells in culture and tissue environments. This hypothesis was tested by separating a hybridoma cell population into subpopulations of varying mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) using Rhodamine 123 stain and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and subjecting them to two apoptosis inducers, rotenone and staurosporin. Apoptotic death was characterized morphologically through the determination of apoptosis-related chromatin condensation and biochemically through the measurement of caspase-3 enzymatic activity. We found dramatic differences in the apoptotic death kinetics for the subpopulations, with the high MMP cells showing higher resistance to apoptotic death. After incubation with 30 µm rotenone, the low MMP cells exhibited one-third of the viability of the high MMP cells and a three-fold increase in the capsase-3 enzymatic activity. No changes were observed in the DNA content or the cell cycle distributions of the two cell subpopulations, which maintained their mean MMP difference after 20 generations. These results suggest that heterogeneity exists in mammalian cell populations with respect to mitochondrial physiology, which correlates with resistance to apoptotic death.
Mechanical Properties of Beta-Silicon Nitride Whisker/Silicon Nitride Matrix Composites

Whisker-reinforced ceramic matrix composites have received a great deal of attention for applications as high temperature structural materials in, for example, advanced heat engines and high temperature energy conversion systems. For these applications, where mechanical reliability is critical, the improvements that can be realized in fracture stress and fracture toughness by the addition of whiskers to polycrystalline ceramics are of great interest. The primary role of the whisker reinforcement is to prevent catastrophic brittle failure by activating mechanisms that dissipate energy during crack propagation. Relevant toughening mechanisms include whisker bridging, whisker pullout, crack deflection, and microcrack formation. Of particular importance for optimizing the mechanical reliability of these composites is the effect of the whisker/matrix interfacial characteristics on these toughening mechanisms.
Capital, Power, and the Next Step in Decentralization

The core attribute of the networked information environment has been the radical decentralization of the capital structure of information, knowledge, and cultural production. Beginning in the second quarter of the 19th century, the expansion of markets and polities, combined with the development of such capital-intensive information production technologies as mechanical presses, as well as with processes like the professionalized press, drove effective engagement in information production and exchange toward an industrial model. From double-entry bookkeeping to the major accounting arms, from the telegraph to the mainframe, and from the phonograph to the 24-hour cable channel, information production and exchange centered on an industrial model, driven by the need to secure and sustain substantial, concentrated funding. The personal computer connected to the Internet changed the basic capitalization model for information, knowledge, and cultural production. The most important inputs into the core economic activities of the wealthiest economies came to be widely distributed in the population. Computation, communications, storage, sensing, and capture devices are now widely distributed in the population. These, in turn, enable the effective deployment of the other core inputs into the global information economy: human creativity, wisdom, insight, and perspective. Many of the most interesting phenomena we have observed over the past decade-plus in production, socialization, and politics have oowed from the basic change in the capital structure of information production. People have always been complex, generous, and social. But effective organization around developing an operating system or an encyclopedia requires access to material capital and organizational channels that have burdened, even retarded, people’s abilities to come together to act effectively. People have always worried and argued about their political condition, and have been able to come together in moments of great arousal to move politics. But the day-to-day business of government watchdogging, of investigation, and of opinion crystallization has been professionalized throughout the rise of democracy in the last century. The fact that much of the population in the wealthier economies has at its disposal the most important physical inputs, together with the training to use them, has catalyzed the basic changes in those dynamics. The understanding that the core change is one of radically distributed capitalization should shape our understanding of the next generation of challenges to the use of information technology for development. If the arst beneats of ICTs for development were captured by the image of
Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescent Girls' Activity Patterns: Understanding the Influence of the Transition to Licensure.

The proportion of teens and young adults with driver’s licenses has declined sharply in many industrialized countries including the United States. Explanations for this decline have ranged from the introduction of graduated driver licensing programs to the increase in online social interaction. We used a longitudinal cohort study of teenage girls in San Diego and Minneapolis to evaluate factors associated with licensure and whether teens’ travel patterns become more independent as they age. We found that licensure depended not only on age but also on race and ethnicity as well as on variables that correlate with household income. Results also showed evidence that teen travel became more independent as teens aged, and that acquiring a license is an important part of this increased independence. However, we found limited evidence that teens’ travel-activity patterns changed as a result of acquiring a driver’s license. Rather, teen independence resulted in less parental chauffeuring but little shift in travel patterns. For the larger debate on declining millennial mobility, our results suggest the need for more nuanced attention to variation across demographic groups and consideration of the equity implications if declines in travel and licensure are concentrated in low-income and minority populations.
Power balance in DIII-D during single-null ELMing H-mode plasmas

Abstract We account for ≥85% of the injected power in DIII-D during single-null diverted ELMing H-mode discharges. Core plasma radiation accounts for ≤18% with the rest flowing through the scrape-off layer to the inboard and outboard divertors. The total power roughly splits in an in: out ratio of 1:1.3. Of the power entering the outboard divertor 75% leaves as direct heat flux to the divertor target plates with the rest in the form of radiation. In the inboard divertor, however, 75% of the power leaves as radiation with the rest as divertor target plate heat flux and charge exchange losses. The in: out ratio remains constant over a range of injected power and plasma current and even as divertor conditions change due to gas puffing.
Plant biomechanics: High-endurance algae

Breaking waves place repeated loading on marine algae, which can lead to death by fatigue. But observations of one alga suggest that its joint structure, which lacks transverse connections, confers fatigue resistance.
Measuring the Fermi surface of quasi-one-dimensional metals

We have discovered a new type of angular dependent magnetotransport which permits the measurement of the Fermi surface parameters of quasi-one-dimensional metals. Resistance measurements of (TMTSF${)}_{2}$${\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$ in the c (least conducting) direction show pronounced resonances when the field is rotated in the a-c plane near the a axis. At these resonances each electron trajectory across the warped Fermi surface sheets has an average velocity along c approaching zero. The resonance angles are determined by the bandwidths and allow us, for example, to extract ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}$. For (TMTSF${)}_{2}$${\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$ in the anion ordered state, we measure ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}$=0.012\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001 eV.
The Influence of Sea Ice and Snow Cover and Nutrient Availability on the Formation of Massive Under-Ice Phytoplankton Blooms in the Chukchi Sea

Abstract A coupled biophysical model is used to examine the impact of changes in sea ice and snow cover and nutrient availability on the formation of massive under-ice phytoplankton blooms (MUPBs) in the Chukchi Sea of the Arctic Ocean over the period 1988–2013. The model is able to reproduce the basic features of the ICESCAPE (Impacts of Climate on EcoSystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment) observed MUPB during July 2011. The simulated MUPBs occur every year during 1988–2013, mainly in between mid-June and mid-July. While the simulated under-ice blooms of moderate magnitude are widespread in the Chukchi Sea, MUPBs are less so. On average, the area fraction of MUPBs in the ice-covered areas of the Chukchi Sea during June and July is about 8%, which has been increasing at a rate of 2% yr–1 over 1988–2013. The simulated increase in the area fraction as well as primary productivity and chlorophyll a biomass is linked to an increase in light availability, in response to a decrease in sea ice and snow cover, and an increase in nutrient availability in the upper 100 m of the ocean, in conjunction with an intensification of ocean circulation. Simulated MUPBs are temporally sporadic and spatially patchy because of strong spatiotemporal variations of light and nutrient availability. However, as observed during ICESCAPE, there is a high likelihood that MUPBs may form at the shelf break, where the model simulates enhanced nutrient concentration that is seldom depleted between mid-June and mid-July because of generally robust shelf-break upwelling and other dynamic ocean processes. The occurrence of MUPBs at the shelf break is more frequent in the past decade than in the earlier period because of elevated light availability there. It may be even more frequent in the future if the sea ice and snow cover continues to decline such that light is more available at the shelf break to further boost the formation of MUPBs there.
A Minicomputer And The Spectroscopist: Optical Spectroscopy Of New Laser Glasses

A computer-operated optical spectroscopy laboratory and programming for the systematic evaluation of new Nd laser materials is described. The computer controls absorption spectrophotometer and grating mono-chromators used for fluorescence measurements. Fluroescence decay and other data are collected and reduced via the computer to complete the characterization of a potential laser glass.. In this spectroscopy, flexibility is required in order to handle special samples and to redirect data collection or reduction procedures at any time. Since people of different backgrounds operate the system, the amount of interaction between the computer and operator is variable from almost none ("standard measurements" run by technicians) to very high (unusual measurements run by spectroscopists). This variable interaction is provided by a single program for a given task. The use of a computer language (BASIC) and a programming style (command structured) which satisfies these requirements is discussed.
Were pots first made for foods? Doubts from Franchthi

Abstract Analyses of the earlier Neolithic ceramic assemblage from Franchthi Cave in southern Greece began from the assumption that the potters exercised choices in selecting materials and procedures. The classification process identified and grouped sherds that reflect similar choices. The resulting groups provide the starting point for inquiries into the motivations for the choices and the intended functions of the vessels. Changes in the dynamics of pottery production from EN through MN (c. 1000 years) point to changes in vessel function as well as style. Cooking pots can be documented only near the end of that period. The late appearance of cooking vessels, coupled with other evidence such as very low production figures for the earliest centuries, raises questions about the close association of pottery and food preparation in the earlier Neolithic.
Recruiting and Retaining Male Special Education Teachers

The percentage of male students who complete an undergraduate degree in the field of special education continues to be much lower than that of female graduates. Low status, low salaries, the perception of teaching as women's work, potential complaints of child abuse and sexual harassment, and a lack of male peer groups factor into this low percentage. Male teachers are needed to be positive role models for all children. The need for male teachers as special educators is paramount. The reasons for the gender disparity in special education are discussed based on the current literature, as is the need for possible strategies to encourage more male special educators.
Outcomes of therapeutic massage for hospitalized cancer patients.

Purpose: To examine the effects of therapeutic massage on perception of pain, subjective sleep quality, symptom distress, and anxiety in patients hospitalized for treatment of cancer. Organizing Construct: Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings and Watson's theory of human caring. Methods: Quasiexperimental. The sample consisted of 41 patients admitted to the oncology unit at a large urban medical center in the United States for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Twenty participants received therapeutic massage and 21 received the control therapy, nurse interaction. The outcome variables were measured on admission and at the end of 1 week via the following instruments: a Numerical Rating Scale for pain intensity and Likert-type scale for distress from pain; The Verran Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale, McCorkle and Young's Symptom Distress Scale, and the Speilberger State Anxiety Inventory. ANOVA and t tests were used to analyze between and within group differences in mean scores and main effects on outcome variables. Findings and Conclusions: Mean scores for pain, sleep quality, symptom distress, and anxiety improved from baseline for the subjects who received therapeutic massage; only anxiety improved from baseline for participants in the comparison group. Statistically significant interactions were found for pain, symptom distress, and sleep. Sleep improved only slightly for the participants receiving massage, but it deteriorated significantly for those in the control group. The findings support the potential for massage as a nursing therapeutic for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Phenotypic plasticity of a transplanted population of dwarf cisco, Coregonus artedii

A population of dwarf cisco in Minnesota was studied in native and transplant environments. Life history characters were recorded and the stability of meristics and morphometrics of the population over a two year period in three different environments was assessed with univariate and multivariate statistics. Transplanted cisco lived longer and grew larger than they did in their native lake, yet retained distinctive pigmentation patterns and an unusually early spawning season. Meristic characters of dwarf fish remained within ranges reported forCoregonus artedii during the lifetimes of individuals in their new environments, but morphometric measures underwent significant size- and shape-related changes. Incubation and rearing studies show egg incubation time and behavior of larvae were identical of those of non-dwarf cisco. Comparisons with non-dwarf cisco populations illustrate the ecophenotypic plasticity of adult fish of this population of North American cisco.
Fall and Spring Phosphorus Fertilization of Potato Using a Dicarboxylic Acid Polymer (AVAIL

A dicarboxylic acid polymer (AVAIL) modifies the soil immediately around fertilizer—potentially improving crop phosphorus (P) uptake efficiency and yield. Study objectives were to evaluate potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) response to seasonal applications of liquid and dry AVAIL blended P fertilizer on calcareous soils with low to moderate soil test P. Field experiments conducted 2005–2008 included comparisons of monoammonium phosphate (MAP; 11-52-0) broadcast and/or ammonium polyphosphate (APP; 10-34-0) liquid band applications with or without AVAIL in various fall or spring applications. AVAIL increased US No. 1 yields for selected P rate/source/timing combinations in each of the four years; increased United States No. 1 yields overall in 2006 and 2008; and increased total yield and yield of large (>284g) tubers in 2006. The greatest responses to AVAIL occurred on soils with high lime concentrations. No seasonal advantage was observed in any case.