cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the interatrial septum by transesophageal echocardiography in adult cardiac surgical patients: Anatomic variants and correlation with patent foramen ovale

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document the perioperative prevalence of anatomic variants of the interatrial septum (IAS), to classify atrial septal aneurysm based on mobility pattern, and to correlate anatomic variants of IAS with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Design: A prospective observational study. Setting: University hospital (single institution). Participants: Patients presenting for cardiac surgery requiring transesophageal echocardiography. Interventions: Multiplane TEE in 2 atrial views with color-flow Doppler and contrast echocardiography with a provocative respiratory maneuver. Measurements and Main Results: The cohort size was 206. PFO prevalence was 30.1%. The prevalence of IAS lipomatous hypertrophy was 43.2%, atrial septal flap (ASF) 43.2%, and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) 28.6%. ASF and ASA were significantly ( p p Conclusions: IAS anatomic variants are common in adult cardiac surgical patients undergoing multiplane TEE. The presence of ASF and ASA predicts enhanced PFO detection. ASA mobility patterns significantly correlate ( p
In reply: Surgeon-performed ultrasound and prediction of differentiated thyroid cancer.

We appreciate the opportunity to respond totheir letter.The majority of patients in our study did have preop-erative ﬁne-needle aspiration (FNA). However, the purposeof the study was to identify surgeon-performed ultrasound(SUS) characteristics of solitary thyroid nodules that maypredict well-differentiated thyroid cancer on ﬁnal pathol-ogy. Therefore, preoperative FNA results were notincluded in the study analysis. Hypoechogenicity, followedby irregular borders and microcalciﬁcations, was found tohave the strongest association for differentiated thyroidcancer. Furthermore, we did not study the vascularity ofthyroid nodules, since it is often a subjective criterion thatcan be difﬁcult to quantify and varies among ultrasonog-raphers. Some of the patients underwent intraoperativefrozen section based on preoperative FNA results and otherfactors, but, again, due to the study design, these resultswere not taken into consideration.Our study did not compare results between radiologist-and surgeon-performed ultrasound in the evaluation ofsolitary thyroid nodules. The increasing number of thyroidpatient referrals and the lack of dedicated thyroid ultraso-nographers can motivate surgeons to perform ultrasound toprovide an important service to patients and referringphysicians who may not have the equipment and means toperform such procedures. More importantly for patients, italso eliminates another hospital visit for additional testing.We ﬁnd routine SUS during initial clinic visits mostvaluable and efﬁcient in obtaining comprehensive infor-mation and evaluating thyroid patients. In our hands, SUSis a natural extension of the clinical exam in an anatomicregion that surgeons are uniquely qualiﬁed to integratereal-time ultrasound ﬁndings with their extensive knowl-edge of neck anatomy that can be correlated intraoper-atively. Nevertheless, the decision to routinely obtainradiologist-performed US or SUS should depend onrespective institutional preference and resources and thesurgeon’s comfort level and experience with neck ultra-sound.Azad A. Jabiev, MD
Epsins and Vps27p/Hrs contain ubiquitin-binding domains that function in receptor endocytosis.

Epsins and Vps27p/Hrs contain ubiquitin-binding domains that function in receptor endocytosis
MR cine DENSE imaging demonstrates more effective identification of dyssynchrony in heart failure with circumferential and longitudinal strain versus radial strain

Introduction Better imaging methods are needed to identify optimal cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates. High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) cine DENSE (displacement encoding with stimulated echoes) provides accurate assessment of cardiac strain, but prior experience with this technique has been based largely on circumferential and radial rather than longitudinal strain. Based on a recent multicenter echocardiography study, the role of longitudinal dyssynchrony measurements in heart failure is unclear.
Organization of cortical microtubules in plant cells

Cortical microtubule arrays in plants are involved in many morphogenetically important processes. Recent analog cytochemical and immunolocalization experiments have provided new insights into the temporal and spatial dynamics of cortical microtubules. Current data suggest that the arrangement of these arrays is modulated by cell cycle and signal transduction elements, including calcium.
Influence of traffic patterns on particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in Roxbury, Massachusetts

Vehicle emissions have been associated with adverse health effects in multiple epidemiological studies, but the sources or constituents responsible have not been established. Characterization of vehicle-related exposures requires detailed information on spatial and temporal trends of various pollutants and the ability to predict exposures in unmonitored settings. To address these issues, in the summer of 2001 we measured continuously particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ultrafine particles, and PM2.5 at a number of sites in Roxbury, a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts with significant diesel and gasoline-fueled traffic. We took measurements at the side of the road and at varying distances from the road, with simultaneous collection of traffic counts and meteorological conditions. Across all nine sites, median roadside concentrations were 8 ng/m3 of particle-bound PAHs (range: 4–57), 16,000 ultrafine particles/cm3 (range: 11,000–53,000), and 54 μg/m3 of PM2.5 as measured with a DustTrak (range: 12–86). Concentrations of all pollutants were lower at greater distances from the road, upwind, and at higher wind speeds, with greater concentration gradients for PAHs and ultrafine particles. In linear mixed effects regression models accounting for temporal autocorrelation, large diesel vehicle counts were significantly associated with roadside concentrations of PAHs (P=0.02), with a moderate association with ultrafine particles and little relation with PM2.5. Although more comprehensive information would be needed for epidemiological applications, these data demonstrate significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity for traffic-related pollutants during the summer in an urban center, with our monitoring and analytical methodology helping to inform source attribution.
The Specter of Exile in the Story of Jonah

Focusing particularly on elements of spatial setting in the narrative, this essay explores the ways in which memories of exile haunt the story of Jonah. While Jonah is not a book about exile, the traumatic experience of expatriation and captivity casts a spectral shadow across Jonah's narrative. At the same time, intimations of God's openness towards Israel's enemies—even those ultimately responsible for the violent deportation from the land—reflect a strand of Jewish discourse with a markedly positive view of the nations. Violent nationalism, either that of Israel or that of its oppressors, is not allowed the final word in Jonah, in spite of the frightening reality of exile that serves as the subtext for both Jonah and much of the biblical literature.
Fusion reactions with germanium isotopes

Measurements of the fusion of ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ and ${}^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ with a series of germanium isotopes are analyzed within a coupled-channels approach. It is found that couplings based interactions that are linear in the deformation amplitudes are insufficient in reproducing the data. In order to obtain reasonable fits, it is necessary also to include couplings based on quadratic interactions. The analysis suggests that the nuclear radius of ${}^{72}\mathrm{Ge}$ is significantly smaller than predicted from a smooth interpolation between other germanium isotopes. The large prolate deformation of ${}^{74}\mathrm{Ge},$ which has been proposed as the preferred solution to measurements of the quadrupole moment of the ${2}^{+}$ state, is not supported by the analysis; the near spherical solution is more likely.
WAVE-TRACE ASYMPTOTICS FOR OPERATORS OF DIRAC TYPE

In thls article, the author computes certain spectral invariants known as the wavetrace invariants for Dirac type systems of differential operators acting on sections of a hermitian vector bundle E over a compact manifold
The development of a 6 to 7 MeV photon field for instrument calibration

A photon source has been developed at the National Bureau of Standards to measure the response of radiological survey instruments to high-energy photons. The 19F(p, αγ)16 O reaction has been used to produce a 6 to 7 MeV photon field with a fairly uniform photon flux density of approximately 3 × 103 cm−2 s−1 at one meter from the source. The photon flux density is obtained from measurements with a 3 × 3 inch2 Nal detector whose absolute response has been determined by a Monte Carlo calculation. The spectral characteristics of the high-energy photons have been determined from measurements with a large volume high purity germanium detector. The absorbed dose rate to water was measured with LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) at several depths in a 30 × 30 × 30 cm3 Lucite phantom. It is planned to compare absorbed dose determinations from the TLD measurements with those computed from spectral measurements. The response of six commercial radiological survey instruments has been measured behind various thicknesses of plastic absorber. The results indicate that approximately 2.5 cm of plastic in front of these instruments is sufficient to discriminate against the associated high-energy electron contamination.
Stability of Non‐Pasteurized, Refrigerated Muscadine Grape Juice

The stability of nonpasteurized muscadine grape juice processed with and without 100 mg/L potassium metabisulfite was monitored during storage at 3°C. The muscadine flavor intensity, sweetness, off-flavor levels, and color of white juices remained stable, and ethanol levels remained low for 7 wk. However, the flavor intensity and sweetness of nonsulfited white juice decreased, and off-flavor and ethanol levels increased after 7 wk. Sulfite lowered microbial levels in white juice throughout 9 wk. Red juices did not develop significant levels of off-flavors or ethanol during 9 wk, although the flavor intensity declined, especially in nonsulfited red juice. Sulfite lightened the color of red juice, but the color was stable in both sulfited and nonsulfited red juices.
Regioselective synthesis and cannabinoid receptor binding affinity of N-alkylated 4,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles

A series of N1- and N2-substituted 4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,3-triazoles were regioselectively synthesized to explore the binding motifs of the diaryl-1,2,3-triazole scaffold at CB1 receptors. The N1 analogs were regioselectively constructed via Click chemistry to furnish analogs with modest CB1 receptor affinity (K i < 200 nM). The regioselective N2-alkylation of the 4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole afforded analogs that exhibited good affinity for CB1 receptors (K i < 100 nM).
Plants reverse warming effect on ecosystem water balance

Models predict that global warming may increase aridity in water-limited ecosystems by accelerating evapotranspiration. We show that interactions between warming and the dominant biota in a grassland ecosystem produced the reverse effect. In a 2-year field experiment, simulated warming increased spring soil moisture by 5–10% under both ambient and elevated CO2. Warming also accelerated the decline of canopy greenness (normalized difference vegetation index) each spring by 11–17% by inducing earlier plant senescence. Lower transpirational water losses resulting from this earlier senescence provide a mechanism for the unexpected rise in soil moisture. Our findings illustrate the potential for organism–environment interactions to modify the direction as well as the magnitude of global change effects on ecosystem functioning.
Involvement of RpoN in Regulating Bacterial Arsenite Oxidation

In this study with the model organism Agrobacterium tumefaciens, we used a combination of lacZ gene fusions, reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and deletion and insertional inactivation mutations to show unambiguously that the alternative sigma factor RpoN participates in the regulation of AsIII oxidation. A deletion mutation that removed the RpoN binding site from the aioBA promoter and an aacC3 (gentamicin resistance) cassette insertional inactivation of the rpoN coding region eliminated aioBA expression and AsIII oxidation, although rpoN expression was not related to cell exposure to AsIII. Putative RpoN binding sites were identified throughout the genome and, as examples, included promoters for aioB, phoB1, pstS1, dctA, glnA, glnB, and flgB that were examined by using qualitative RT-PCR and lacZ reporter fusions to assess the relative contribution of RpoN to their transcription. The expressions of aioB and dctA in the wild-type strain were considerably enhanced in cells exposed to AsIII, and both genes were silent in the rpoN::aacC3 mutant regardless of AsIII. The expression level of glnA was not influenced by AsIII but was reduced (but not silent) in the rpoN::aacC3 mutant and further reduced in the mutant under N starvation conditions. The rpoN::aacC3 mutation had no obvious effect on the expression of glnB, pstS1, phoB1, or flgB. These experiments provide definitive evidence to document the requirement of RpoN for AsIII oxidation but also illustrate that the presence of a consensus RpoN binding site does not necessarily link the associated gene with regulation by AsIII or by this sigma factor.
Conditional stimulus control of childrens' sequence production.

Normally capable children were first taught to touch in sequence each of a set of five physically dissimilar stimuli (Sequence A). Another set of stimuli was then used to train sequence B. Next, direct training established conditional control of the production of the A sequence and its reversal: in the presence of one printed word, touching the stimuli in the order A1----A2----A3----A4----A5 was reinforced; in the presence of another word, touching the stimuli in the order A5----A4----A3----A2----A1 was reinforced. During probe sessions, the printed words also exercised conditional control over production of the B sequence and its reversal for five of six subjects, suggesting the formation of stimulus classes. Four of these five subjects also performed mixed sequences under conditional control of the words (e.g., A1----B2----A3----B4----A5 and its reversal), verifying that the stimuli which occupied the same position in each sequence were members of the same class.
Nonconvex Optimization for Communication Networks

Nonlinear convex optimization has provided both an insightful modeling language and a powerful solution tool to the analysis and design of communication systems over the last decade. A main challenge today is on nonconvex problems in these applications. This chapter presents an overview on some of the important nonconvex optimization problems in communication networks. Four typical applications are covered: Internet congestion control through nonconcave network utility maximization, wireless network power control through geometric and sigmoidal programming, DSL spectrum management through distributed nonconvex optimization, and Internet intradomain routing through nonconvex, nonsmooth optimization. A variety of nonconvex optimization techniques are showcased: sum-of-squares programming through successive SDP relaxation, signomial programming through successive GP relaxation, leveraging specific structures in these engineering problems for efficient and distributed heuristics, and changing the underlying protocol to enable a different problem formulation in the first place. Collectively, they illustrate three alternatives of tackling nonconvex optimization for communication networks: going “through” nonconvexity, “around” nonconvexity, and “above” nonconvexity.
Strained Si and the future direction of CMOS

Uniaxial process induced strain is being adopted in all 90, 65, and 45 nm high performance logic technologies. Uniaxial strain offers large performance improvement at low cost and minimally increased manufacturing complexity and is scalable to future technology nodes.
Lack of Viral Escape and Defective In Vivo Activation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Rapidly Progressive Infection

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific immune responses over the course of rapidly progressive infection are not well defined. Detailed longitudinal analyses of neutralizing antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation, in vivo-activated and memory cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses, and viral sequence variation were performed on a patient who presented with acute HIV-1 infection, developed an AIDS-defining illness 13 months later, and died 45 months after presentation. Neutralizing-antibody responses remained weak throughout, and no HIV-1-specific lymphocyte proliferative responses were seen even early in the disease course. Strong in vivo-activated CTL directed against Env and Pol epitopes were present at the time of the initial drop in viremia but were quickly lost. Memory CTL against Env and Pol epitopes were detected throughout the course of infection; however, these CTL were not activated in vivo. Despite an initially narrow CTL response, new epitopes were not targeted as the disease progressed. Viral sequencing showed the emergence of variants within the two targeted CTL epitopes; however, viral variants within the immunodominant Env epitope were well recognized by CTL, and there was no evidence of viral escape from immune system detection within this epitope. These data demonstrate a narrowly directed, static CTL response in a patient with rapidly progressive disease. We also show that disease progression can occur in the presence of persistent memory CTL recognition of autologous epitopes and in the absence of detectable escape from CTL responses, consistent with an in vivo defect in activation of CTL.
A constitutive model for the non-shock ignition and mechanical response of high explosives

Abstract An understanding of the non-shock ignition properties of energetic particulate composite materials, high explosives such as PBX-9501 is an important part of the safety assessments for conventional handling (transportation, storage, etc.) of weapons systems including assembly operations. This paper develops and demonstrates the use of a numerical constitutive model for PBX-9501 that includes viscoelastic response, statistical fracture mechanics, and an ignition hot-spot mechanism. The intent is that this model can be used in safety analyses involving accidents to prevent undesirable dispersion of Pu. The parameters have been determined that will predict the mechanical response and ignition:non-ignition of a set of experiments that have explored the non-shock properties of this material.
Eruption and magma crystallization ages of Las Tres Vírgenes (Baja California) constrained by combined 230Th/238U and (U–Th)/He dating of zircon

Abstract Las Tres Virgenes volcano is a calc-alkaline composite cone located near the main Gulf of California escarpment on the E coast of the Baja California peninsula. High-sensitivity ion microprobe U-series (230Th/238U) ages for zircon from La Virgen tephra average 121− 10+ 12 ka (1σ; MSWD = 2.7), with discrete age peaks at ∼ 100 and 160 ka. The noble gas mass spectrometric (U–Th)/He zircon age, corrected for disequilibrium and pre-eruptive storage, is 36 ± 3 ka. This result for the eruption age of La Virgen tephra is significantly older than previously postulated historic or Holocene ages that were based on an 18th century map reference and 14C dating of accidental charcoal, respectively. The new (U–Th)/He zircon age is consistent with a > 26 ± 4 ka age derived from cosmogenic He exposure dating of an overlying basaltic lava flow [Hausback, B.P. and Abrams, M.J., 1996. Plinian eruption of La Virgen Tephra, Volcan Las Tres Virgenes, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 77(46, Suppl.): 813–814.]. U–Pb zircon analysis of ignimbrites erupted from the adjacent Early Pleistocene La Reforma and El Aguajito calderas yielded ages of 1.38 ± 0.03 Ma (n = 12; MSWD = 1.0) and 1.17 ± 0.07 Ma (n = 23; MSWD = 1.3), respectively. No evidence for these ages is found among La Virgen zircons, whereas pre-Quaternary zircon xenocrysts are common. The La Virgen magma, therefore, evolved unrelated to Early Pleistocene magmatism in adjacent calderas, but assimilated local basement rocks. A gap between average Th–U and (U–Th)/He zircon ages suggests that zircon crystallization was discontinuous in the La Virgen magma chamber. In addition, partial resorption of zircon suggests episodic thermal rejuvenation, most likely by basaltic recharge. Based on the zircon record, the > 100 ka lifetime of the thermal anomaly that sustained repeated intrusive pulses significantly exceeds the age of the last eruption. This strengthens the view that Tres Virgenes has a potential for future eruptions.
Bone marrow-derived HL mitigates bone marrow-derived CETP-mediated decreases in HDL in mice globally deficient in HL and the LDLr

The objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of HL and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), derived exclusively from bone marrow (BM), on plasma lipids and atherosclerosis in high-fat-fed, atherosclerosis-prone mice. We transferred BM expressing these proteins into male and female double-knockout HL-deficient, LDL receptor-deficient mice (HL(-/-)LDLr(-/-)). Four BM chimeras were generated, where BM-derived cells expressed 1) HL but not CETP, 2) CETP and HL, 3) CETP but not HL, or 4) neither CETP nor HL. After high-fat feeding, plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was decreased in mice with BM expressing CETP but not HL (17 ± 4 and 19 ± 3 mg/dl, female and male mice, respectively) compared with mice with BM expressing neither CETP nor HL (87 ± 3 and 95 ± 4 mg/dl, female and male mice, respectively, P < 0.001 for both sexes). In female mice, the presence of BM-derived HL mitigated this CETP-mediated decrease in HDL-C. BM-derived CETP decreased the cholesterol component of HDL particles and increased plasma cholesterol. BM-derived HL mitigated these effects of CETP. Atherosclerosis was not significantly different between BM chimeras. These results suggest that BM-derived HL mitigates the HDL-lowering, HDL-modulating, and cholesterol-raising effects of BM-derived CETP and warrant further studies to characterize the functional properties of these protein interactions.
Archaeosomes Induce Long-Term CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cell Response to Entrapped Soluble Protein by the Exogenous Cytosolic Pathway, in the Absence of CD4+ T Cell Help

The unique ether glycerolipids of Archaea can be formulated into vesicles (archaeosomes) with strong adjuvant activity for MHC class II presentation. Herein, we assess the ability of archaeosomes to facilitate MHC class I presentation of entrapped protein Ag. Immunization of mice with OVA entrapped in archaeosomes resulted in a potent Ag-specific CD8(+) T cell response, as measured by IFN-gamma production and cytolytic activity toward the immunodominant CTL epitope OVA(257-264). In contrast, administration of OVA with aluminum hydroxide or entrapped in conventional ester-phospholipid liposomes failed to evoke significant CTL response. The archaeosome-mediated CD8(+) T cell response was primarily perforin dependent because CTL activity was undetectable in perforin-deficient mice. Interestingly, a long-term CTL response was generated with a low Ag dose even in CD4(+) T cell deficient mice, indicating that the archaeosomes could mediate a potent T helper cell-independent CD8(+) T cell response. Macrophages incubated in vitro with OVA archaeosomes strongly stimulated cytokine production by OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells, indicating that archaeosomes efficiently delivered entrapped protein for MHC class I presentation. This processing of Ag was Brefeldin A sensitive, suggesting that the peptides were transported through the endoplasmic reticulum and presented by the cytosolic MHC class I pathway. Finally, archaeosomes induced a potent memory CTL response to OVA even 154 days after immunization. This correlated to strong Ag-specific up-regulation of CD44 on splenic CD8(+) T cells. Thus, delivery of proteins in self-adjuvanting archaeosomes represents a novel strategy for targeting exogenous Ags to the MHC class I pathway for induction of CTL response.
Studies of the Meteoritic Falls of the World: 7. Numbers and Percents of Observed and Unobserved Falls of All Classes

The substance of this paper is comprized within 2 tables entitled respectively. “1. Numbers and Percents of Observed and Unobserved Falls of All Classes,” 1220 falls in all, recorded in Coulson's “Catalogue of Meteorites” (1940), and “2. Frequencies of Minimum and Maximum Percents of Observed Falls of the Principal Classes.” The data of these tables are briefly reviewed, and several conclusions are stated. It is a noteworthy if not a remarkable fact that at least one representative of every known variety of aerolite has been observed to fall; this suggests, among other things, that aerolitic material may be present on the Earth which has not been recognized as such, simply because no sample of it has been seen to fall.
Behavioral and physiological correlates of stress related to examination performance in college chemistry students

This study was designed to assess physiological and behavioral correlates of academic stress during a college course in organic chemistry in the USA. Participants (45 females, 46 males, mean age 19.88 years) were screened for their basal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical activity using saliva samples collected at the beginning of the course and after each major test. Displacement activities (DAs) were observed during each test by videotaping students' behavior when they were taking the tests. These variables were then used as predictors of the students' achievement as measured by their grade point average (GPA) scores, American College Testing (ACT) scores, and their final grade in the class. Ninety-one students, enrolled in Organic Chemistry I at Marshall University during the summer of 2009, were recruited for this study. It was found that individual differences in the physiological stress responses are a factor in predicting the students' ability to pass a challenging class. A logistic model built ...
Measuring complexity of intelligent machines

A formalism that combines reliability and complexity as performance measures for intelligent machines is introduced. For a given desired reliability, different algorithms may be available which are reliable enough. Hence, it is important to have a means of choosing the algorithm of least cost among the reliable ones. Cost refers not only to CPU time, but also to other features, such as memory space. Information-based complexity provides a solid formalism for dealing with different sources of information and thus distinct algorithms at all levels of the machine. A case study related to image processing illustrates the method. >
The rainbow and the worm: Establishing a new physics of life

What is life? Many have asked this question, and no definitive answer is yet widely accepted. Is life something truly distinct from non-living stuff, as many dualists have suggested for millennia? Is there an elan vital that distinguishes living from dead stuff? Or is life about certain types of organization, metabolism, reproduction, goal-oriented behavior? None of these answers have yet won the debate. There is, however, an intriguing new set of ideas that have been developed by Mae-Wan Ho, a biophysicist and science activist (as she calls herself) based in London. Ho’s basic assertion is that life exists on a spectrum and is at its root organized, quantum coherent energy. Ho’s work attempts to bridge the gap between physics and biology by recognizing that there is no real gap at all—just a gap in current methods and habits of thinking.
GLI3 Links Environmental Arsenic Exposure and Human Fetal Growth

Although considerable evidence suggests that in utero arsenic exposure affects children's health, these data are mainly from areas of the world where groundwater arsenic levels far exceed the World Health Organization limit of 10 μg/L. We, and others, have found that more common levels of in utero arsenic exposure may also impact children's health. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. To address this issue, we analyzed the expression of key developmental genes in fetal placenta in a birth cohort of women using unregulated water supplies in a US region with elevated groundwater arsenic. We identified several genes whose expression associated with maternal arsenic exposure in a fetal sex-specific manner. In particular, expression of the HEDGEHOG pathway component, GLI3, in female placentae was both negatively associated with arsenic exposure and positively associated with infant birth weight. This suggests that modulation of GLI3 in the fetal placenta, and perhaps in other fetal tissues, contributes to arsenic's detrimental effects on fetal growth. We showed previously that arsenic-exposed NIH3T3 cells have reduced GLI3 repressor protein. Together, these studies identify GLI3 as a key signaling node that is affected by arsenic, mediating a subset of its effects on developmental signaling and fetal health.
WELL-FORMED SET REPRESENTATIONS OF SOLIDS

All point Membership Classification (PMC) algorithms on solids constructed using regularized set operations require representing and computing neighborhoods of a point with respect to the represented solid. Such computations involve some of the more sensitive and difficult algorithms in solid modeling. We establish the necessary and sufficient conditions under which set-theoretic constructions are well-formed so that PMC amounts to evaluating a ternary logic expression and does not require any neighborhood computations. We demonstrate well-formedness of any monotone set expression whose primitives form a simple arrangement in Ed, and of common representations for polyhedral objects constructed using 'decreasing convex hull' algorithms. Well-formed representations exist for every solid but not for every fixed collection of primitives. We also give a necessary and sufficient test for existence of such representations. Identifying and eliminating neighborhood computations whenever possible should lead to simpler, more efficient, and robust geometric algorithms that are also more suitable for hardware implementation. Finally, well-formed set representations can be trivially translated into representations of solids by real-valued implicit functions.
Left ventricular strain and strain rate by 2D speckle tracking in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular (LV) strain and strain rate (SR) by 2D speckle tracking may be useful tools to assess chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) severity as well as response to successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). We evaluated 30 patients with CTEPH before and after PTE using 2D speckle tracking measurements of LV radial and circumferential strain and SR in the short axis, and correlated the data with right heart catheterization (RHC). PTE resulted in a decrease in mean PA pressure (44 ± 15 to 29 ± 9 mmHg), decrease in PVR (950 ± 550 to 31 ± 160 [dyne-sec]/cm5), and an increase in cardiac output (3.9 ± 1.0 to 5.0 ± 1.0 L/min, p < 0.001 for all). Circumferential and posterior wall radial strain changed by -11% and +15% respectively (p < 0.001 for both). Circumferential SR and posterior wall radial SR changed by -7% and 6% after PTE. While the increase in posterior wall SR with PTE reached statistical significance (p = 0.04) circumferential SR did not (p = 0.07). In addition, septal radial strain and SR did not change significantly after PTE (p = 0.1 and 0.8 respectively). Linear regression analyses of circumferential and posterior wall radial strain and SR revealed little correlation between strain/SR measurements and PVR, mean PA pressure, or cardiac output. However, change in circumferential strain and change in posterior wall radial strain correlated moderately well with changes in PVR, mean PA pressure and cardiac output (r = 0.69, 0.76, and 0.51 for circumferential strain [p < 0.001 for all] and r = 0.7, 0.7, 0.45 for posterior wall radial strain [p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.02, respectively]). LV circumferential and posterior wall radial strain change after relief of pulmonary arterial obstruction in patients with CTEPH, and these improvements occur rapidly. These changes in LV strain may reflect effects from improved LV diastolic filling, and may be useful non-invasive markers of successful PTE.
Parental reflective functioning: An introduction

Reflective functioning refers to the essential human capacity to understand behavior in light of underlying mental states and intentions. The construct, introduced by Fonagy, Steele, Steele, Moran, and Higgitt in 1991, and elaborated by Fonagy and his colleagues over the course of the next decade, has had an enormous impact on developmental theory and clinical practice. This paper introduces the construct of parental reflective functioning, which refers to the parent’s capacity to hold the child’s mental states in mind, and begins with a review of Fonagy and his colleagues’ essential ideas regarding the reflective function. Next, the applicability of this construct to parental representations of the child and the parent‐child relationship is considered. A system for coding parental reflective functioning, which will serve as the organizing framework for this special issue, is described. Finally, the three papers that make up this special section are introduced.
Automatic security assessment of critical cyber-infrastructures

This research investigates the automation of security assessment of the static and dynamic properties of cyber infrastructures, with emphasis on the electrical power grid. We describe a network model representing the static elements of a cyber infrastructure including devices, services, network connectivity, vulnerabilities, and access controls. The dynamic elements include workflow models of the operating procedures, processes and the state of a working power grid. We introduce a toolkit that with a little manual assistance can automatically generate these models from specifications, continuously update attributes from online event aggregators, and perform security assessment. The assessment reveals whether observed anomalies about the system could indicate possible security problems and permit dynamic ranking of alternative recovery procedures to minimize the total risk. We motivate the use of the tool-chain by showing an example scenario where the recovery procedure recommended to minimize security risk depends on the current state of system as well as the network topology.
PO4 transport in superficial and juxtamedullary nephrons in the cat: evidence for nephron heterogeneity.

Many micropuncture studies have demonstrated a difference between the delivery of PO4 from late superficial distal convoluted tubules and final urinary PO4 excretion. This difference could be due to PO4 transport in nephron segments beyond the late distal tubule (1) or to differing transport rates in deep nephrons (2). The latter possibility would suggest that lesser amounts of PO4 delivered from deep nephrons combined with the PO4 delivered from superficial nephrons and the algebraic sum is the final urinary PO4 content. To study the role of deep nephrons in PO4 transport with particular reference to the quantitative contribution of deep and superficial nephrons, micropuncture and A-V extraction studies were performed in the cat kidney. The cat is useful as a model for the study of nephron heterogeneity of transport since the superficial and juxtamedullary cortex are drained by discrete and accessible venous drainage systems (3).
Robust Sensing and Reversible Actuation Using Triblock Copolymer Stabilized Intradroplet Interfaces

In this work, a recently developed method for forming copolymer-stabilized interfaces (CSI) between aqueous droplets is pursued to as a means to construct smart materials and systems. The ABA type copolymer employed consists of two hydrophilic (PEO) groups sandwiching a hydrophobic PDMS core. Aqueous droplets submerged in triblock copolymer (PEO-PDMS-PEO)-oil mixtures are rapidly coated in copolymer monolayers, however, unlike phospholipid-stabilized droplet interface bilayers (DIBs), electrical measurements reveal that there is no spontaneous formation of a “thinned” interface with droplet contact alone. The capacitance of the interface begins increasing significantly only upon application of sufficient voltage (>100mV), and capacitance then stabilizes within minutes. Further, the interfacial capacitance and area decreases when applied voltage is reduced back to 0mV, and droplets eventually return to their initial separated state. The fact that droplet adhesion and formation of the interface is voltage dependent and completely reversible clearly distinguishes a CSI from a DIB, and the novel polymer based interface is significantly more robust with average rupture potential of ≥ 800mV compared to 200–300mV with DIBs.Durable and stable CSIs could feasibly be used in applications ranging from sensing and energy harvesting to mechanical actuation. To demonstrate, this work introduces a new version of the DIB based hair cell sensor, now replacing lipids with block copolymers to provide greater durability, stability, and resistance to rupture when subjected to airflow. We calculate the current generated by the vibrating membranes in DIBs and CSIs to study the influence of surfactant selection on the hair cell durability and the related airflow operation range. We conclude that the hair cell constructed using triblock copolymer, as opposed to a DIB, withstands higher nominal airflow speeds (45m/s) and higher applied bias voltages (i.e. 0.1–1V) without rupturing. The ability to apply higher voltages provides a means of tuning the hair-cell sensitivity. Separately, the results of initial trials demonstrate the possibility for voltage-controlled shape change using networks of droplets and CSIs. The ability to apply large voltages and induce change in interfacial area leads to rearrangement of the droplet networks due to conservation of volume. Several embodiments of possible actuators based on this mechanism are discussed. In concert, the various aspects of this work highlight the potential use of CSIs in developing novel, reliable smart materials for sensing and actuation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Privatizing Water: Governance Failure and the World's Urban Water Crisis. Karen Bakker

Karen Bakker's Privatizing Water: Governance Failure and the World's Urban Water Crisis offers a new approach to understanding the past failures and future challenges in providing high quality wate...
Time Trends in Poverty for Older Americans between 2001-2009

This paper studies the poverty trends among older Americans (age 50 or older) between 2001 and 2009. The data for this study come from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS), sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, and the most comprehensive national survey of older Americans. Particularly, data are used from the RAND version of HRS, which provides a measure of poverty. This paper also examines how poverty rates have changed across different age groups and different demographic groups within the older section of the population in the last decade. Exploiting the panel nature of the survey, the study also reports estimates of what percentage of seniors fall into poverty as they age and how their poverty status evolved over the period of the study. It also shows differences in health conditions of the poor and the non-poor. Generally, poverty rates fell from 2001-2005 for almost all age groups, and then started rising. This correlates to the two economic recessions that occurred during the last decade. During this period, poverty rates rose among seniors, as did the number of new entrants into poverty. Blacks, Hispanics, and single women face a higher poverty rate than other seniors. Poverty rates for women are nearly double that of men for almost all survey years. For example, in 2009, the poverty rates were 7 percent and 13 percent, respectively, for men and women. The chance of suffering a health condition (acute or otherwise) rose 45-55 percent for those below the poverty line.The PDF for the above title, published in the April 2012 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another April 2012 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Characteristics of the Population With Consumer-Driven and High-Deductible Health Plans, 2005-2011.”
Analysis of Dust Samples Collected from an Unused Spent Nuclear Fuel Interim Storage Container at Hope Creek, Delaware.

In July, 2014, the Electric Power Research Institute and industry partners sampled dust on the surface of an unused canister that had been stored in an overpack at the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station for approximately one year. The foreign material exclusion (FME) cover that had been on the top of the canister during storage, and a second recently - removed FME cover, were also sampled. This report summarizes the results of analyses of dust samples collected from the unused Hope Creek canister and the FME covers. Both wet and dry samples of the dust/salts were collected, using SaltSmart(TM) sensors and Scotch - Brite(TM) abrasive pads, respectively. The SaltSmart(TM) samples were leached and the leachate analyzed chemically to determine the composition and surface load per unit area of soluble salts present on the canister surface. The dry pad samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and by scanning electron microscopy to determine dust texture and mineralogy; and by leaching and chemical analysis to deter mine soluble salt compositions. The analyses showed that the dominant particles on the canister surface were stainless steel particles, generated during manufacturing of the canister. Sparse environmentally - derived silicates and aluminosilicates were also present. Salt phasesmore » were sparse, and consisted of mostly of sulfates with rare nitrates and chlorides. On the FME covers, the dusts were mostly silicates/aluminosilicates; the soluble salts were consistent with those on the canister surface, and were dominantly sulfates. It should be noted that the FME covers were w ashed by rain prior to sampling, which had an unknown effect of the measured salt loads and compositions. Sulfate salts dominated the assemblages on the canister and FME surfaces, and in cluded Ca - SO4 , but also Na - SO4 , K - SO4 , and Na - Al - SO4 . It is likely that these salts were formed by particle - gas conversion reactions, either prior to, or after, deposition. These reactions involve reaction of carbonate, chloride, or nitrate salts with at mospheric SO2, sulfuric acid, or a mmonium sulfate to form sulfate minerals. The Na - Al - SO4 phase is unusual, and may have formed by reaction of Na - Al containing phases in aluminum smelter emissions with SO2 , also present in smelter emissions. An aluminum smelter is located in Camden, NJ, 40 miles NE of the Hope Creek Site.« less
Oviposition and Pupal Survival of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Virginia and North Carolina Pine-Hardwood Forests

Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., oviposition and pupal survival were examined within mixed pine-hardwood stands located in the Virginia and North Carolina coastal plain and the North Carolina piedmont. Where burlap bands were not present as barriers to larval dispersal, the percentage of loblolly pine with gypsy moth egg masses present was significantly greater than expected if oviposition occurred randomly. The loblolly pine and oak components of the forests also had more total egg masses per tree compared with the other tree genera or species. However, when adjusted for tree size, egg mass density was generally similar among tree groups within an infestation. Tree size (dbh) was positively correlated with the number of egg masses present on a tree. Pupal predation, measured using freeze-dried pupae, was significantly higher over the 5-d sample period for (1) females versus males, (2) pupae placed at 0 m on the tree bole versus at 2 m, and (3) pupae placed on oak versus pine. The differential predation on oak versus pine appears to be the result of heavier vertebrate predation of the pupae placed on oak. The high rate of pupal removal, beginning the first night of exposure, from all locations suggests that predators will not have to learn to accept gypsy moth in their diets. The higher survival of pupae on pine is suggested to be one of the factors influencing the high egg-mass density on pine. Implications of these results for gypsy moth population dynamics in southern pine-hardwood forests are discussed.
Multiparameter Magnetic Inspection System for NDE of Ferromagnetic Materials

This paper describes the development and application of a multiparameter magnetic inspection system for nondestructive characterization of the properties of ferromagnetic steels. The system makes simultaneous measurements of magnetic field H, magnetic induction B, magnetostriction λ and either magnetic Barkhausen effect emissions (MBE) or magnetoacoustic emissions (MAE). All measurements are made under computer control and results are automatically recorded and stored on magnetic disc. Software packages available for the system include both control and data analysis functions. The control functions change the magnetic field and record results. The data analysis functions convert the raw data into important magnetic properties such as coercivity, permeability and hysteresis loss which can be used to evaluate the mechanical condition of the specimens.
On encoding neural networks to estimate the atmospheric point spread function in a parallel environment

Images of the Earth's surface acquired by high-altitude aircraft or satellites are degraded by the intervening atmosphere. The imaging instrument records not only the signal of the targeted viewing area but also the radiance scattered into the field of view in the near by area. This effect can be characterized by an atmospheric point spread function (PSF). There are many parameters that may affect the PSF. To restore noisy-blurred images, one must understand which parameters influence the PSF and to what degree. This is very important for scientific applications that seek to extract information about environmental systems. In this paper, a design and implementation of a distributed representation scheme and neural networks are presented in order to estimate the atmospheric PSF. The representation scheme exemplifies the conjunctive coding and coarse coding techniques. Neural networks trained using such an appropriately structured representation generate a desired approximation of the PSF with satisfactory processing time. The system is implemented on a parallel system formed of personal computers and workstations. The maximum speed-up is achieved.
THE STRUCTURES OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR

Abstract Although numerous allotropic forms of sulfur have been characterized, only those for which complete structural information is available will be discussed in detail here. It is remarkable that the very familiar “monoclinic sulfur” of elementary chemistry texts has yet to be thoroughly investigated. In fact, of the many varieties of sulfur which have been discovered, only two can be said to have been satisfactorily studied in the structural sense. These are α-sulfur (rhombic sulfur, orthorhombic sulfur, octahedral sulfur) and ρ-sulfur (Aten's sulfur, ρ-sulfur, rhombohedral sulfur, trigonal sulfur). There are preliminary reports on some of the other varieties which will be described briefly. The interest in the precise structures of elemental sulfur in relation to interpretation of the reactions of sulfur compounds is also noted.