cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of cometary amines in samples returned by Stardust

The abundances of amino acids and amines, as well as their enantiomeric compositions, were measured in samples of Stardust comet-exposed aerogel and foil using liquid chromatography with UV fluorescence detection and time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-FD/ToF-MS). A suite of amino acids and amines including glycine, L-alanine, β-alanine (BALA), γ-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), e-amino-n-caproic acid (EACA), ethanolamine (MEA), methylamine (MA), and ethylamine (EA) were identified in acid-hydrolyzed, hot-water extracts of these Stardust materials above background levels. With the exception of MA and EA, all other primary amines detected in comet- exposed aerogel fragments C2054,4 and C2086,1 were also present in the flight aerogel witness tile that was not exposed to the comet, indicating that most amines are terrestrial in origin. The enhanced relative abundances of MA and EA in comet-exposed aerogel compared to controls, coupled with MA to EA ratios (C2054,4: 1.0 ± 0.2; C2086,1: 1.8 ± 0.2) that are distinct from preflight aerogels (E243- 13C and E243-13F: 7 ± 3), suggest that these volatile amines were captured from comet Wild 2. MA and EA were present predominantly in an acid-hydrolyzable bound form in the aerogel, rather than as free primary amines, which is consistent with laboratory analyses of cometary ice analog materials. It is possible that Wild 2 MA and EA were formed on energetically processed icy grains containing ammonia and approximately equal abundances of methane and ethane. The presence of cometary amines in Stardust material supports the hypothesis that comets were an important source of prebiotic organic carbon and nitrogen on the early Earth.
SU‐GG‐T‐247: A New Method to Compensate Angular Dependency of MapCheck Device in Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a new method to compensate angular dependency of QA devices in intensity modulated arc therapy. Methods and Materials: The QA phantom consisted of a MapCheck device sitting in an acrylic base, which is inserted between two 5‐cm solid water pieces. Two‐dimensional dose planes were measured by delivering one 10×10cm 6MV X‐ray beam for per 15 degree beam angle. Two‐dimensional doses at the diode detector plane were calculated in Eclipse using the AAA algorithm with inhomogeneity correction. Two types of halfpipe‐shape boluses were added to the planning CTimage. Bolus A has uniform thickness to attenuate the TPS dose to match the measured dose at the 180 degree beam angle. Bolus B has variable thickness to match the doses at every 15 degree beam angle. TPS doses were re‐calculated using the modified CTimages. Angular dependences were evaluated for the original phantom and with bolus A and B individually. Six patient QAs were performed to compare gamma analysis results. Results: Without compensation, the TPS dose was about 5% higher than the measured dose for most posterior angles (105 degree to 180 degree). It is probably due to angular dependence of diode detectors and CT metal artifacts. Bolus A slightly reduced the angular dependence for the posterior angles (RMS decreased from 4.0% to 3.4%). Bolus B reduced the dependence significantly (RMS=1.4%). The failure rate of gamma analysis was reduced by 39% and 41% in average. Conclusion: The new method has been shown to be able to compensate angular dependency for the MapCheck device.
Review Essay: The Anthropology and Education Series, Solon T. Kimball, General Editor

Like all publishing ventures, the collaborative efforts between Solon T. Kimball and Teachers College Press that resulted in the Anthropology and Education Series has a history. The series was formally initiated 1 November 1965, the date on which the Press signed an agreement with Kimball as General Editor. The series officially terminated 15 June 1978. The formal contract for the series extended over a thirteen-year period, but the nine books that comprise the series were published within a span of seven years, between 1968 and 1974. These books, their authors or editors, and their publication dates, are as follows:
High-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies foster new cutting-edge computing techniques in bioinformatics

The advent of high-throughput next generation sequencing technologies have fostered enormous potential applications of supercomputing techniques in genome sequencing, epi-genetics, metagenomics, personalized medicine, discovery of non-coding RNAs and protein-binding sites. To this end, the 2008 International Conference on Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (Biocomp) – 2008 World Congress on Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Applied Computing (Worldcomp) was designed to promote synergistic inter/multidisciplinary research and education in response to the current research trends and advances. The conference attracted more than two thousand scientists, medical doctors, engineers, professors and students gathered at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA during July 14–17 and received great success. Supported by International Society of Intelligent Biological Medicine (ISIBM), International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design (IJCBDD), International Journal of Functional Informatics and Personalized Medicine (IJFIPM) and the leading research laboratories from Harvard, M.I.T., Purdue, UIUC, UCLA, Georgia Tech, UT Austin, U. of Minnesota, U. of Iowa etc, the conference received thousands of research papers. Each submitted paper was reviewed by at least three reviewers and accepted papers were required to satisfy reviewers' comments. Finally, the review board and the committee decided to select only 19 high-quality research papers for inclusion in this supplement to BMC Genomics based on the peer reviews only. The conference committee was very grateful for the Plenary Keynote Lectures given by: Dr. Brian D. Athey (University of Michigan Medical School), Dr. Vladimir N. Uversky (Indiana University School of Medicine), Dr. David A. Patterson (Member of United States National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, University of California at Berkeley) and Anousheh Ansari (Prodea Systems, Space Ambassador). The theme of the conference to promote synergistic research and education has been achieved successfully.
The problem with a self-adaptative mutation rate in some environments: a case study using the shaky ladder hyperplane-defined functions

Dynamic environments have periods of quiescence and periods of change. In periods of quiescence a Genetic Algorithm (GA) should (optimally) exploit good individuals while in periods of change the GA should (optimally) explore new solutions. Self-adaptation is a mechanism which allows individuals in the GA to choose their own mutation rate, and thus allows the GA to control when it explores new solutions or exploits old ones. We examine the use of this mechanism on a recently devised dynamic test suite, the Shaky Ladder Hyperplane-Defined Functions (sl-hdf's). This test suite can generate random problems with similar levels of difficulty and provides a platform allowing systematic controlled observations of the GA in dynamic environments. We show that in a variety of circumstances self-adaptation fails to allow the GA to perform better on this test suite than fixed mutation, even when the environment is static. We also show that mutation is beneficial throughout the run of a GA, and that seeding a population with known good genetic material is not always beneficial to the results. We provide explanations for these observations, with particular emphasis on comparing our results to other results [2] which have shown the GA to work in static environments. We conclude by giving suggestions as to how to change the simple GA to solve these problems.
A polycapillary x-ray optics-based integrated micro-SPECT/CT scanner

To show the feasibility of a combined micro-CT and micro-SPECT scanner based on use of polycapillary optics we inserted an optic between the radio-labeled specimen and our micro-CT scanner's imaging system. The micro-CT x-ray focal spot was placed at the focal point of the optic so that x-ray micro-CT of the specimen could also be performed without having to move the specimen. Using this set-up we scanned a 2 cm diameter Plexiglas cylinder with three (177 μCi) prostate brachytherapy seeds embedded in it. Each seed was 0.5 mm diameter, 4 mm long and filled with 0.4 mm diameter ceramic beads coated with 125Iodine. The SPECT images clearly resolve the layer of 125Iodine on the beads. That the SPECT image is spatially correct was cofirmed by the concurrent CT image. We also used a parallel polycapillary optic to scan a 1.5 cm Plexiglas cylinder with holes (2, 1, and 0.5 mm diameter, parallel to the cylinder axis) filled with a solution containing 11.56μCi/mm3 of 125Iodine. These data indicate a spatial resolution of 5 line pairs per mm at 10% modulation. Based on these results we propose a design that is more efficient at acquiring the scintigraphic image data.
The National Marrow Donor Program 20 Years of Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract In the 20 years since the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) facilitated the first unrelated donor transplant, the organization has grown to include almost 7 million donors, and has facilitated over 30,000 transplants on 6 continents. This remarkable accomplishment has been facilitated by the efforts of over 600 employees, and an extensive international network including 171 transplant centers, 73 donor centers, 24 cord blood banks, 97 bone marrow collection centers, 91 apheresis centers, 26 HLA typing laboratories, and 26 Cooperative Registries. In this article, we review the history of the NMDP, and cite the major trends in patient demographics, graft sources, and conditioning regimens over the last 20 years.
The rings of Uranus

A description is given of the observation of five brief occultations of the star SAO 158687 which occurred both before and after its occultation by Uranus on March 10, 1977. The events were observed with a three-channel occultation photometer, attached to a 91-cm telescope. The observations indicate that at least five rings encircle the planet Uranus. Possible reasons for the narrowness of the Uranus rings are discussed.
Viscosity of the earth's core.

Calculation of the viscosity of the core at the boundary of the inner and outer core. It is assumed that this boundary is a melting transition and the viscosity limits of the Andrade (1934,1952) hypothesis (3.7 to 18.5 cp) are adopted. The corresponding kinematic viscosities are such that the precessional system explored by Malkus (1968) would be unstable. Whether it would be sufficiently unstable to overcome a severely subadiabatic temperature gradient cannot be determined.
Spallation yields of krypton and xenon from irradiation of strontium and barium with 730 MeV protons

Abstract We have studied mass spectrometrically the krypton and xenon isotopes resulting from spallation of strontium and barium by 730 MeV protons. We report the cross sections for chain yields of 7 krypton isotopes (2 radioactive) and 9 xenon isotopes (1 radioactive).
Sentence retention and the depth hypothesis

The depth hypothesis derived from Yngve's performance model of syntactic structure was tested in two experiments in which subjects recalled orally presented sentences varying in mean depth. In Exp. I, sentences also were varied on two transformational dimensions, location of dependent clause and active-passive. Neither of these transformational variables proved to be a factor in recall. The depth hypothesis was not supported in Exp. I, and, in fact, for sentences varying in location of dependent clause, a reversal was observed, with deeper sentences showing superior recall. In Exp. II, depth was varied in a within- S s design and again the data did not support the depth hypothesis. However, Exp. II did suggest other variables which may warrant study as possible factors in sentence rentention.
African American Families and the Role of Physical Discipline: Witnessing the Past in the Present

The use of physical discipline within African American families is examined from a historical perspective within the context of institutionalized racism and racial disproportionality in the child welfare system. African American parenting strengths are explored, demonstrating that the use of physical discipline can be purposeful, controlled, and appropriate, utilized to protect African American children and instruct them how to behave and survive within a racist society. Available literature on corporal punishment is reviewed, and implications for culturally informed child welfare practice are provided.
Electronic structure of lanthanum perovskites with 3d transition elements

The systematics of the electronic structure of $\mathrm{La}B{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ perovskite oxides, where the $B$ element scans the $3d$ transition-metal series from Ti to Co, are examined. X-ray photoelectron spectra of valence bands and shallow core states are presented and compared with theoretical molecular cluster and free-ion multiplet models. Self-consistent ionic configurations are obtained from the embedded cluster calculations, which differ from the assumptions of crystal-field theory due to metal-oxygen covalency. The prospect for more rigorous many-electron models is discussed.
Chemotaxis of human neutrophils against gravity: A new method

A new method is described in which human neutrophils were made to migrate upward and against gravity. Thus, the possible effect of gravity on cell migration and consequent detachment of cell after migration have been eliminated.
The Influence of Age Structure and Fecundity on Effective Population Size

Simple formulae are developed which define the effective size (Ne) of populations with overlapping generations, and their use is illustrated using data from a squirrel population. Two mating systems are considered, the random union of gametes and monogamy, in combination with age-independent fecundity. In the simplest case of age-independent (type 2) survivorship in a population of N adults, Ne = N/(2-T-1) where T is the generation time. As T increases, Ne declines asymptomatically to N/2. A generalization of this result (Ne = N/[1 + k-1-T-1], where k influences survivorship) shows that given type 1 survivorship (k greater than 1) this decline in Ne is less severe. A biased sex ratio results in Ne differing between the two mating systems; however, in both systems, a sex ratio bias resulting from survival differences has much less influence on Ne than a sex ratio bias resulting from recruitment differences. Low fecundity can increase Ne, but realistic levels of variation among breeding individuals (Poisson or greater) negate the effect. The effect on Ne of variation resulting from the presence of non-breeders is also considered.
Contrasting effects of pseudoephedrine and papaverine in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

Background: Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induces submucosal arteriolar constriction that reduces blood flow to the intestine, and the relevance of this decrease in flow needs further investigation. In the present study we examined the effects of a vasoconstrictor (pseudoephedrine) and a vasodilator (papaverine) on the outcome of DSS-induced colitis. Methods: Mice were given DSS in drinking water for 6 days, with enemas on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 containing pseudoephedrine, papaverine, or no drug. At the conclusion of the 6-day protocol a disease activity index comprising weight loss, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding was evaluated, along with intravital microscopy observations of submucosal venular leukocyte and platelet adherence in the proximal colon and terminal ileum. Results: Pseudoephedrine and papaverine had several contrasting effects on the outcome of DSS ingestion: pseudoephedrine induced the highest levels of weight loss, loose stools, venular platelet adherence, and overall disease activity index, while papaverine induced the highest levels of venular leukocyte adherence, but the lowest levels of rectal bleeding, loose stools, and overall disease activity index. Conclusions: The results suggest that vasoconstriction worsens the pathological consequences of DSS in the mouse model of colitis. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007)
Erratum: Spin assignments of angular momentum mismatched resonances in the 16O+16O system

Detailed angular distributions for the reaction {sup 16}O({sup 16}O,{sup 16}O(0{sub 2}{sup +},6.05 MeV)){sup 16}O(g.s.) were obtained for nine center of mass energies varying from 25.5 to 35.5 MeV. From these angular distributions a dominant partial wave is assigned to three of the gross resonances in this system. The spin assignments are consistent with a rotational sequence, and are in disagreement with the results of a previous study of the same reaction.
The Sidetracked 2008 YouTube Senate Campaign

ABSTRACT This article provides a systematic portrait of the YouTube presence of U.S. Senate candidates during the 2008 election cycle. The evidence does not support the theory that democratized production, editing, and distribution of video content is markedly changing the formats and producers of political content. This is apparent from the predominance of 30-second ads among both the most popular videos and the broad range of campaign videos. Although other potential forms of accountability remain unrealized, YouTube is facilitating candidates being held accountable for their own advertising. The 2008 findings are compared to 2006 findings with the same methodology.
Role of Race in the Pharmacotherapy of Heart Failure

OBJECTIVE:To review the literature assessing the differences in response to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and β-blockers in black patients compared with the response in non-black patients in the management of systolic heart failure.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (January 1966–May 2001) was performed using heart failure, blacks, Negroid race, adrenergic β-antagonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as key words. English-language articles were identified. Additional pertinent articles were identified from review of the references of these articles.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All identified references were reviewed. All articles deemed relevant to the subject of this article were included.DATA SYNTHESIS:It has been suggested that the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors and β-blockers may be less in black patients than in other racial groups. Retrospective reanalyses of major heart failure trials have suggested that black patients may not realize a significant benef...
Neighborhood Poverty, Family Characteristics, and Commitment to Mainstream Goals The Case of African American Adolescents in the Inner City

A causal model is used to understand the direct and mediated effects of neighborhood disadvantage and family structure on youth expectations. Using data obtained from face-to-face interviews with African American mothers and their children, we demonstrate that the employment expectations of adolescents are significantly lower in both nonintact and welfare homes in comparison to youth in other households. In addition, neighborhood disadvantage is shown to be indirectly related to reduced expectation by exposing youth to nonnormative peers. The findings have important implications for social policy, especially in light of the recent welfare reforms that place considerable emphasis on a work requirement for single mothers.
DISTRIBUTION OF GENE FREQUENCY AS A TEST OF THE THEORY OF THE SELECTIVE NEUTRALITY OF POLYMORPHISMS

The variation in gene frequency among populations or between generations within a population is a result of breeding structure and selection. But breeding structure should affect all loci and alleles in the same way. If there is significant heterogeneity between loci in their apparent inbreeding coefficients F=s(p) (2)/p(1-p), this heterogeneity may be taken as evidence for selection. We have given the statistical properties of F and shown how tests of heterogeneity can be made. Using data from human populations we have shown highly significant heterogeneity in F values for human polymorphic genes over the world, thus demonstrating that a significant fraction of human polymorphisms owe their current gene frequencies to the action of natural selection. We have also applied the method to temporal variation within a population for data on Dacus oleae and have found no significant evidence of selection.
A role for Groucho tetramerization in transcriptional repression.

The Drosophila Groucho (Gro) protein is a corepressor required by a number of DNA-binding transcriptional repressors. Comparison of Gro with its homologues in other eukaryotic organisms reveals that Gro contains, in addition to a conserved C-terminal WD repeat domain, a conserved N-terminal domain, which has previously been implicated in transcriptional repression. We determined, via a variety of hydrodynamic measurements as well as protein cross-linking, that native Gro is a tetramer in solution and that tetramerization is mediated by two putative amphipathic α-helices (termed leucine zipper-like motifs) found in the N-terminal region. Point mutations in the leucine zipper-like motifs that block tetramerization also block repression by Gro, as assayed in cultured Drosophila cells with Gal4-Gro fusion proteins. Furthermore, the heterologous tetramerization domain from p53 fully substitutes for the Gro tetramerization domain in transcriptional repression. These findings suggest that oligomerization is essential for Gro-mediated repression and that the primary function of the conserved N-terminal domain is to mediate this oligomerization.
Biophysical and socioeconomic factors explaining the extent of forest cover on private ownerships in a Midwestern (USA) agrarian landscape

As landscape fragmentation continues to escalate, it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the factors that contribute to the creation and retention of forest on privately-owned land to most effectively design and implement conservation policy. This article presents the percentages of variation in the proportion of forest on private ownerships across an agriculturally-dominated landscape in north-central Indiana, USA that can be explained by biophysical characteristics, landowner (socioeconomic) attributes, and private landowner assistance programs. While biophysical characteristics of the land accounted for the majority of variation explained (17.35%, p < 0.0001, n = 194), attitudinal and demographic attributes of the landowners contributed significantly to explaining additional variation (7.97%, p < 0.0001), and overlapped with biophysical characteristics to explain another 17.31%. Program familiarity and enrollment did not explain a significant amount of the variation independent of either biophysical or landowner attributes. Private landowner assistance programs should broaden their objectives and increase incentives to appeal to the variety of landowners who possess the decision-making authority for most of the land in the region and the nation as a whole.
Scattering from dielectric structures above impedance surfaces and resistive sheets

Interest in understanding of electromagnetic interaction with rough surfaces has prompted the study of scattering from typical dielectric humps over impedance surfaces. It is shown that the Green's function of the problem for a resistive sheet resembles that of the impedance surface. Hence both problems are considered here. A numerical solution for the scattered field of a two-dimensional dielectric object, possibly inhomogeneous, with arbitrary cross section above the impedance surface or resistive sheet is sought. First the Green's function of the problem is derived based on the exact image theory. This form of the Green's function is amenable to numerical computation. Then the induced polarization currents are calculated by casting the integral equations into a matrix equation via the method of moments. Numerical problems in calculation of the Green's function when both source and observation points are close to the surface are discussed. Comparison of numerical results with a perturbation solution shows excellent agreement between the two methods. >
Mice lacking renal chloride channel, CLC-5, are a model for Dent’s disease, a nephrolithiasis disorder associated with defective receptor-mediated endocytosis

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) affects 5-10% of adults and is most commonly associated with hypercalciuria, which may be due to monogenic renal tubular disorders. One such hypercalciuric disorder is Dent's disease, which is characterized by renal proximal tubular defects that include low molecular weight proteinuria, aminoaciduria and glycosuria, together with rickets in some patients. Dent's disease is due to inactivating mutations of the renal-specific voltage-gated chloride channel, CLC-5, which is expressed in the proximal tubule, thick ascending limb and collecting duct. The subcellular localization of CLC-5 to the proximal tubular endosomes has suggested a role in endocytosis, and to facilitate in vivo investigations of CLC-5 in Dent's disease we generated mice lacking CLC-5 by targeted gene disruption. CLC-5-deficient mice developed renal tubular defects which included low molecular weight (<70 kDa) proteinuria, generalized aminoaciduria that was more pronounced for neutral and polar amino acids, and glycosuria. They also developed hypercalciuria and renal calcium deposits and some had deformities of the spine. Furthermore, endocytosis as assessed by horseradish peroxidase uptake in the proximal tubule was severely impaired in CLC-5-deficient mice, thereby demonstrating a role for CLC-5 in endosomal uptake of low molecular weight proteins. Thus, CLC-5-deficient mice provide a model for Dent's disease and this will help in elucidating the function of this chloride channel in endocytosis and renal calcium homeostasis.
Evolution of tidal amplitudes in the eastern Pacific Ocean

[1] Global sea level (GSL) rise is well documented. However, changes in high waters, including the tidal contribution, are sometimes more relevant than GSL rise. Analysis of 34 long tidal records from the Eastern Pacific Ocean shows that K1 and M2 amplitudes (∣K1∣ and ∣M2∣) are increasing, except for ∣M2∣ in the Gulf of Panama. North of 18°N, ∣K1∣ and ∣M2∣ are both growing at 2.2% century−1. The mean increase in total tidal amplitude (0.59 mmyr−1) is less than the present GSL rise (1.7 mmyr−1). However, mean sea level is nearly constant in the NE Pacific, so tidal evolution plays a major regional role in changes in high water levels. The spatial pattern of tidal evolution suggests the influence of large-scale processes, and the similarity in spatial patterns for ∣K1∣ and ∣M2∣ excludes mechanisms with strong frequency dependence. Increasing tidal amplitudes may impact ocean mixing, nutrient supply, primary production, fisheries, and coastal erosion.
An approximate closed-form model for simulating thyristor forward-blocking characteristics

A recently developed method for determining the model parameters of the forward-blocking characteristics of gate-turnoff (GTO) thyristors [1] is applied to the determination of the effects of these parameters on GTO behavior. Specifically, minority-carrier lifetime and the device-impurity profile are varied in order to estimate their effects on electrical characteristics such as gate-trigger current, holding current, and turn-on gain. An approximate design window for these turn-on characteristics is derived.
In Vivo Functional and Transcriptional Profiling of Bone Marrow Stem Cells After Transplantation Into Ischemic Myocardium

Objective— Clinical trials of bone marrow–derived stem cell therapy for the heart have yielded variable results. The basic mechanism(s) that underlies their potential efficacy remains unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the survival kinetics, transcriptional response, and functional outcome of intramyocardial bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation for cardiac repair in a murine myocardial infarction model. Methods and Results— We used bioluminescence imaging and high-throughput transcriptional profiling to evaluate the in vivo survival kinetics and gene expression changes of transplanted BMMCs after their engraftment into ischemic myocardium. Our results demonstrate short-lived survival of cells following transplant, with less than 1% of cells surviving by 6 weeks posttransplantation. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis of BMMCs revealed nonspecific upregulation of various cell regulatory genes, with a marked downregulation of cell differentiation and maturation pathways. BMMC therapy caused limited improvement of heart function as assessed by echocardiography, invasive hemodynamics, and positron emission tomography. Histological evaluation of cell fate further confirmed findings of the in vivo cell tracking and transcriptomic analysis. Conclusion— Collectively, these data suggest that BMMC therapy, in its present iteration, may be less efficacious than once thought. Additional refinement of existing cell delivery protocols should be considered to induce better therapeutic efficacy.
Subspecialty surveillance of long-term course of small and moderate muscular ventricular septal defect: heterogenous practices, low yield

Background No expert consensus guides practice for intensity of ongoing pediatric cardiology surveillance of hemodynamically insignificant small and moderate muscular ventricular septal defect (mVSD). Therefore, despite the well-established benign natural history of mVSD, there is potential for widely divergent follow up practices. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate (1) variations in follow up of mVSD within an academic children’s hospital based pediatric cardiology practice, and (2) the frequency of active medical or surgical management resulting from follow up of mVSD.
A Compressive Sensing Approach to NBI Cancellation in Mobile OFDM Systems

We propose a novel algorithm based on compressive sensing (CS) theory to estimate narrow band interference (NBI) signals experiencing time-varying frequency-selective fading channels in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. In addition, we investigate the case of asynchronous jamming where there is a frequency offset between the NBI and desired signals. Furthermore, we propose a reduced-complexity implementation for our proposed algorithm with negligible performance loss. Finally, we show that our proposed approach can be applied to both cyclic-prefix and zero-padding OFDM systems. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in mitigating NBI.
A state space approach to the design of globally optimal FIR energy compaction filters

We introduce a new approach for the least squared optimization of a weighted FIR filter of arbitrary order N under the constraint that its magnitude squared response be Nyquist(M). Although the new formulation is general enough to cover a wide variety of applications, the focus of the paper is on optimal energy compaction filters. The optimization of such filters has received considerable attention in the past due to the fact that they are the main building blocks in the design of principal component filter banks (PCFBs). The newly proposed method finds the optimum product filter F/sub opt/(z)=H/sub opt/(Z)H/sub opt/(z/sup -1/) corresponding to the compaction filter H/sub opt/(z). By expressing F(z) in the form D(z)+D(z/sup -1/), we show that the compaction problem can be completely parameterized in terms of the state-space realization of the causal function D(z). For a given input power spectrum, the resulting filter F/sub opt/(z) is guaranteed to be a global optimum solution due to the convexity of the new formulation. The new algorithm is universal in the sense that it works for any M, arbitrary filter length N, and any given input power spectrum. Furthermore, additional linear constraints such as wavelets regularity constraints can be incorporated into the design problem. Finally, obtaining H/sub opt/(z) from F/sub opt/(z) does not require an additional spectral factorization step. The minimum-phase spectral factor H/sub min/(z) can be obtained automatically by relating the state space realization of D/sub opt/(z) to that of H/sub opt/(z).
Systemic Effects of Heterobasidion annosum on Ferulic Acid Glucoside and Lignin of Presymptomatic Ponderosa Pine Phloem, and Potential Effects on Bark-Beetle-Associated Fungi

Concentrations of soluble phenolics and lignin in the phloem of ponderosa pines inoculated with the pathogen Heterobasidion annosum were assessed over a period of 2 years in a 35-year-old plantation in northern California, USA. The major effect of the pathogen on phloem-soluble phenolics consisted of a significant accumulation of ferulicacid glucoside: 503 ± 27 μg/g fresh weight (FW), compared with 366 ± 26 μg/g FW for mock-treated and 386 ± 27 μg/g FW for control trees. Lignin content was negatively correlated with ferulic acid glucoside concentration, and there was an indication of lignin reduction in the cell walls of inoculated trees. Lignin had a negative effect on the in vitro growth of two common bark beetle fungal associates, Ceratocystiopsis brevicomi and Ophiostoma minus. For this reason it, is hypothesized that lower lignification may facilitate the growth of beetle-associated fungi, resulting in greater susceptibility of the presymptomatic host to bark beetle colonization.
Academic Training in Group Psychotherapy in Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs

We surveyed 185 clinical psychology doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association to examine whether and how group psychotherapy was taught. While respondents of all Psy.D: programs to the survey offered a course in group psychotherapy, less than one-third of Ph.D. programs offered one. Among programs that offered a course in group psychotherapy, less than half required that students take it. Most instructors had an in-class experiential component, focused either primarily or exclusively on outpatient therapy and used Yalom's interpersonal approach. Discussion focused on the importance of making group psychotherapy a higher priority and the suggestion that courses include a variety of theoretical approaches and important specialty groups such as psychiatric inpatients.
Long-Term Functional Outcome of Repair of Large and Massive Chronic Tears of the Rotator Cuff*

Background: There have been conflicting reports regarding the effect of the size of a tear of the rotator cuff on the ultimate functional outcome after repair of the rotator cuff. While some authors have reported that the size of the tear does not adversely affect the overall result of repair, others have reported that the outcome is less predictable after repair of a large tear than after repair of a small tear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term functional outcome and the recovery of strength in thirty consecutive patients who had had repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients who had operative repair of a large or massive chronic tear of the rotator cuff had a comprehensive isokinetic assessment of the strength of the shoulder preoperatively, twelve months postoperatively, and a mean of sixty-five months (range, forty-six to ninety-three months) postoperatively. The functional outcome was assessed with the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score. Results: All patients reported that they were satisfied with the result and had increased strength compared with preoperatively. There was a significant decrease in pain (p < 0.01) and significant improvements in function (p < 0.01) and the range of motion (p < 0.01). The mean University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score increased significantly from 12.3 points preoperatively to 31.0 points at the most recent follow-up examination (p < 0.01). The mean peak torque in flexion, abduction, and external rotation increased significantly to 80 percent (p < 0.01), 73 percent (p < 0.01), and 91 percent (p < 0.01), respectively, of that of the uninvolved shoulder by the time of the most recent follow-up examination. Conclusions: Repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff can have a satisfactory long-term outcome. The results of the present study suggest that more than one year is needed for complete restoration of strength. The strength of the affected shoulders still did not equal that of the unaffected, contralateral shoulders by the time of the long-term follow-up.
Segmental grafts in adult and pediatric liver transplantation: improving outcomes by minimizing vascular complications.

Importance The use of technically variant segmental grafts are key in offering transplantation to increase organ availability. Objective To describe the use of segmental allograft in the current era of donor scarcity, minimizing vascular complications using innovative surgical techniques. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective study from August 2007 to August 2012 at a university hospital. A total of 218 consecutive liver transplant patients were reviewed, and 69 patients (31.6%; 38 males and 31 females; mean age, 22.5 years) received segmental grafts from living donors or split/reduced-size grafts from deceased donors. Main Outcomes and Measures Graft type, vascular and biliary complications, and patient and graft survival. Results Of 69 segmental transplants, 47 were living donor liver transplants: 13 grafts (27.7%) were right lobes, 22 (46.8%) were left lobes, and 12 (25.5%) were left lateral segments. Twenty-two patients received deceased donor segmental grafts; of these, 11 (50.0%) were extended right lobes, 9 (40.9%) were left lateral segments, 1 (4.5%) was a right lobe, and 1 (4.5%) was a left lobe. Arterial anastomoses were done using 8-0 monofilament sutures in an interrupted fashion for living donor graft recipients and for pediatric patients. Most patients received a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin for a week and aspirin indefinitely. There was no incidence of hepatic artery or portal vein thrombosis. Two patients developed hepatic artery stenosis and were treated with balloon angioplasty by radiology. Graft and patient survivals were 96% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Use of segmental allografts is essential to offer timely transplantation and decrease waiting list mortality. Living donor liver transplants and segmental grafts from deceased donors are complementary. It is possible to have excellent outcomes combining a multidisciplinary team approach, technical expertise, routine use of anticoagulation, and strict patient and donor selection.
State of stress, faulting, and eruption characteristics of large volcanoes on Mars

The formation of a large volcano loads the underlying lithospheric plate and can lead to lithospheric flexure and faulting. In turn, lithospheric stresses affect the stress field beneath and within the volcanic edifice and can influence magma transport. Modeling the interaction of these processes is crucial to an understanding of the history of eruption characteristics and tectonic deformation of large volcanoes. We develop models of time-dependent stress and deformation of the Tharsis volcanoes on Mars. A finite element code is used that simulates viscoelastic flow in the mantle and elastic plate flexural behavior. We calculate stresses and displacements due to a volcano-shaped load emplaced on an elastic plate. Models variously incorporate growth of the volcanic load with time and a detachment between volcano and lithosphere. The models illustrate the manner in which time-dependent stresses induced by lithospheric plate flexure beneath the volcanic load may affect eruption histories, and the derived stress fields can be related to tectonic features on and surrounding martian volcanoes.
Terahertz Spectroscopy for Astronomy: From Comets to Cosmology

The terahertz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is perhaps the last largely-unexplored wavelength frontier for astronomical observations. It is also one of the most diagnostic, harboring spectral signatures of ions, atoms, and molecules that are central to our understanding of the composition and origin of the Solar System, the evolution of matter in our Galaxy, and the star formation history of galaxies over cosmic timescales. In this brief overview, specific astronomical applications of terahertz spectroscopy will be highlighted with examples of current heterodyne capabilities, and projection of future astronomical demands upon terahertz instrumentation.
Embryonic origin of the eyes in teleost fish

The developmental history of the vertebrate eye begins at an early embryonic stage, with the formation of the body axes and induction of neural tissue. Several recent experimental embryological and genetic studies in teleost fish have produced new insights into the morphogenetic and molecular regulation of eye formation. Molecular signaling pathways and patterned expression of transcription factors implicated in eye determination are discussed, and the importance of morphogenetic cell movements is emphasized.
Formal approaches to requirements engineering: from behavior trees to alloy

Requirements modeling is receiving a good deal of attention from the software engineering community. However, the lack of formal representation and tool support is hindering the power of many promising requirements modeling approaches. Behavior trees are no exception. This graphical approach to requirements engineering advocates building a software system from its set of requirements, rather than building a system that satisfies its requirements. In this paper, we present an approach to formalize and analyze behavior tree models using the alloy constraint language, which is based on first order logic and set theory. The defined semantics interpretations of behavior trees provide a precise and rigorous formal basis for checking the consistency, completeness, and soundness of system requirements
Population inversion factor dependence of photodarkening of Yb-doped fibers and its suppression by highly aluminum doping

We have confirmed that the photodarkening of Yb-doped fiber (YbDF) has the second-power dependence on a population inversion factor. The photodarkening of a newly developed highly aluminum-doped YbDF has been significantly suppressed.
Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, mTOR, and Glycogen synthase kinase-3β mediated regulation of p21 in human urothelial carcinoma cells

Background The PTEN/Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase) growth factor signaling pathway plays a critical role in epithelial tumor development in a multitude of tissue types. Deletion of the Pten tumor suppressor gene in murine urothelial cells in vivo results in upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. We have previously shown in mice that p21 expression blocks an increase in urothelial cell proliferation due to Pten deletion. In this study, we utilized human urothelial carcinoma cells UMUC-3 and UMUC-14 to identify the signaling pathways downstream of PI3-kinase that regulate p21.
Intersectional Identities and the Politics of Altruistic Care in a Low-Income, Urban Community

The literatures on the ways in which social identity and social position (e.g., gender, class, race) inform altruism have developed orthogonally. In this community-based qualitative study we use intersectionality theory to explore the complex ways in which social identity and social structures jointly influence altruism among African American adults (n = 40) in an urban, economically distressed housing community in New York City. Content analysis of participants’ narratives reveals the ways in which gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, and urbanicity work in tandem to create differential patterns of vulnerability, differential needs, differential commitments to caring for particular subgroups, and informs how altruists are perceived by others. The implications of this work for future research on altruism are highlighted.
Clinical Outcome of Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Is Diabetes a Poor Prognostic Factor?

Diabetes mellitus and its related factors such as hyperinsulinemia have been linked to various cancer risks and outcomes. Previous research has offered inconsistent results in terms of relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancers. Establishing clear association between these two entities may guide us in improving clinical outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients. Two abstracts that examined the association between diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer are updated in this paper. Herein, the authors report updated information from the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus. The present paper illustrates insufficient knowledge base to draw a conclusion in this topic. However, validation and understanding of the association could have significant clinical implications with respect to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. As such, further investigations are warranted to explore the link diabetes and pancreatic cancers. Image: Department of Medicine, University of Chicago. Chicago, IL, USA.
Variational Principles for Fluid Flow in Porous Media

Variational methods are being employed to an increasing degree in solving various types of transport problems. It appears that these methods will have increasing use in attacking many boundary-value problems concerned with fluid flow through porous media. The basic approach is to replace the boundary-value problem by an appropriate variational principle whose minimizing function is the solution to the problem. The material herein develops variational principles for several problems of confined and unconfined flow.
Associations between drug/alcohol use and emotional abuse: Who perpetrates emotional abuse against Latina women?

Emotional abuse is the most prevalent form of violence against Latinas. We examined dimensions and characteristics of Latino mothers’ and daughters’ exposure to emotional abuse and the associations between emotional abuse and heavy alcohol use and illicit drug illicit substance abuse. This 5-year longitudinal study included 112 Latino mothers and 121 Latino daughters. Analyses included: chi-square test and logistic regression. The proportion of women who reported being emotionally abused at Wave 2 but who did not report any emotional abuse during Wave 1 (5 years total) was 21.2% for daughters and 14.3% for mothers. Among emotionally abused women, 33.3% of mothers and 36.1% of daughters were abused by 2 or more people. Almost half of the mothers (48.0%) were emotionally abused by their son/daughter; 36.1% of daughters were emotionally abused by their mother. Mothers who abused drugs were more likely to be emotionally abused (OR = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.32, 11.34). Our findings suggest that attention should be given to emotional abuse and its potential for leading to substance abuse among Latinas.
Asymptotic Analysis of Reacting Materials with Saturated Explosion. I. Low-Frequency Waves

The interaction of small-scale material inhomogeneities with high-frequency acoustic waves is known to have a prominent role in accelerating the heat-release rate in liquid and solid explosive materials. In the present paper, simplified asymptotic equations are studied which incorporate the above interaction, and which include reactant depletion at leading order. Because fuel may be completely exhausted, singularities do not always form in the model equations; it is conjectured that when a singularity does form, the material has initiated. The detailed mechanisms by which shock formation and resonant wave interaction can either enhance or retard reaction are explored. In a realistic model for inhomogeneous condensed-phase reaction, with pressure-dependent reaction rate and nonconstant initial fuel concentration, initiation of the material depends on correct placement of the fuel relative to the acoustic waves.