cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Power Aware Computing on GPUs

Energy and power density concerns in modern processors have led to significant computer architecture research efforts in power-aware and temperature-aware computing. With power dissipation becoming an increasingly vexing problem, power analysis of Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) and its components has become crucial for hardware and software system design. Here, we describe our technique for a coordinated measurement approach that combines real total power measurement and per-component power estimation. To identify power consumption accurately, we introduce the Activity-based Model for GPUs (AMG), from which we identify activity factors and power for micro architectures on GPUs that will help in analyzing power tradeoffs of one component versus another using micro benchmarks. The key challenge addressed in this work is real-time power consumption, which can be accurately estimated using NVIDIA's Management Library (NVML). We validated our model using Kill-A-Watt power meter and the results are accurate within 10%. This work also analyses energy consumption of MAGMA (Matrix Algebra on GPU and Multicore Architectures) BLAS2, BLAS3 kernels, and Hessenberg kernels.
Motility of isolated bowel segment Iowa model III.

The isolated bowel segment (IBS) is an amesenteric segment of bowel that is devoid of extrinsic nerves and yet is viable with motility and absorption preserved after its mesentery is completely severed. The IBS is created by initial coaptation of a loop of bowel to a host organ, such as muscle (Iowa model I), liver (Iowa model II), or intestine, and secondary severance of its mesentery several weeks later. In previous studies using Iowa models I and II, the viability, motility, and absorption of the IBS were preserved by vascular collaterals, which form across the coaptation. In rats, an IBS was created in the jejunum by initial enteroenteropexy (Iowa model III), followed by its mesenteric division five weeks later. At the second laparotomy, bipolar electrodes were implanted in the IBS and the adjacent jejunum. One week later, myoelectrical recording was performed during a fasting state. Coordinated aborad propagation of migrating motor complex (MMC) was observed in the IBS. The MMC period was 16.9 ± 1.7 and 19.3 ± 0.8 min in the intact bowel, and 22.8 ± 0.8 min in the IBS (P=0.1). After feeding, the MMC in the IBS was replaced by irregular spike burst activity similar to that observed in the intact bowel. This study concludes that the IBS Iowa model III can be used for studies of bowel physiology.
Polyconfiguron-model for the A-protein of coliphage MS2

Abstract An algorithm is presented for decoding mRNA to give the tertiary structure of A-protein of MS2 coliphage. The scale model for the A-protein was assembled by stepwise “translation” of each codon into the corresponding amino acid configuron, so that a polyconfiguron composed of the 393 amino acid residues of the A-protein was generated. This polyconfiguron has the topography of native A-protein, as it has been predicted by a variety of functional and physicochemical procedures.
Synthesis and crystal structures of two novel 3,4,5- trimethoxyphenyl derivatives from (Z)-1-[(2′,3′-dinitro-4′-methoxy)-phenyl]-2-[(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxy)-phenyl] ethene

The title compounds, (Z)-1-[(2′,4′-dimethoxy-3′-nitro)-phenyl]-2-[(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxy)-phenyl]ethene, C19H21O7N (I), and 2-amino-4-methyl-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-pyrimidine, C14H17O3N3 (II), were obtained unexpectedly from a reaction involving (Z)-1-[(2′,3′-dinitro-4′-methoxy)-phenyl]-2-[(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxy)-phenyl]ethene (IV). The molecular structures of these compounds were obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallization of I occurs in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P21/c (No. 14) with a=7.7311(5), b=19.9239(13), c=11.5725(8); and β=92.193(3) and Z=4. Crystallization of II occurs in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a=21.296(2), b=6.8963(7), c=20.001(2); and β=114.121(6) and Z=8. Details of the synthesis and the structural characterization of the title compounds are presented and discussed.
Assessing sustainable development gaps between the state and local jurisdictions.

State mandates and guidelines significantly influence local land use planning; however few studies have been conducted to empirically detect the gaps in sustainable environmental planning between the state and local jurisdictions. This paper analyses the California Governor's Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR) and 116 local comprehensive land use plans to develop a set of measurable indicators to detect gaps in local planning efforts to incorporate state goals and policies. Descriptive results indicate that the local jurisdictions reached approximately half of the state's sustainable environmental planning goals. The major gaps existed in some region-wide, global-wide, long-term, cumulative, and strategically critical environmental elements. Regression results further highlight the major factors that significantly influenced local jurisdictions' environmental planning abilities. Six policy recommendations are provided to reduce these gaps.
Templated conversion of a crown ether-containing macrobicycle into [2]rotaxanes.

A crown ether-containing macrobicycle was used as the wheel component in a templated synthesis of a [2]rotaxane with an acetal-containing axle. The molecular structures of the macrobicycle and the [2]rotaxane were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The chloride-binding ability of the macrobicycle, either free in solution or when it is part of a [2]rotaxane, is quite weak as determined by NMR titration experiments. A second analogous [2]rotaxane, with a longer axle, was synthesized, and its solvent-dependent co-conformation was characterized by 2D NMR spectroscopy. The position of the wheel along the axle can be controlled by the solvent polarity, however, attempts to use metal cations such as Na+, K+, Ba2+, and Ag+ to switch the wheel position in polar solvents were unsuccessful.
Long—baseline neutrino oscillation experiments

Abstract The status and progress of accelerator long—baseline experiments on neutrino oscillation is discussed. Emphasis is given to the one running experiment in this class, the KEK to Kamioka experiment. Since this example establishes the technique of long—baseline experiments in general, some details of timing and beam aiming are discussed. Preliminary results of this experiment are reviewed. Status of other projects is presented.
Communication differences in virtual design teams: findings from a multi-method analysis of high and low performing experimental teams

This multi-method study distinguishes between four high performing and four low performing fully distributed virtual design teams, through an analysis of their asynchronous communication. Results indicate that these teams were similar in terms of the number of messages exchanged, the amount of communication devoted to aspects of design, and the amount and proportion of communication spent on team coordination, supportive commentary, and "other" topics. However, high performing teams were more verbose---they communicated more words. They also spent less time in brainstorming activities. Rather, high performing teams engaged in more critical commentary and active debate, compared to low performing teams. High performing teams conducted more in-depth discussions in the form of argumentation, as ideas were developed through an interactive debate of the pros and cons of issues. This debate resulted in the need for summaries, which served a dual role as they became intermediate steps in the process of writing the report deliverable
Ultrafine PM emissions from natural gas, oxidation-catalyst diesel, and particle-trap diesel heavy-duty transit buses.

This paper addresses how current technologies effective for reducing PM emissions of heavy-duty engines may affect the physical characteristics of the particles emitted. Three in-use transit bus configurations were compared in terms of submicron particle size distributions using simultaneous SMPS measurements under two dilution conditions, a minidiluter and the legislated constant volume sampler (CVS). The compressed natural gas (CNG) -fueled and diesel particulate filter (DPF) -equipped diesel configurations are two “green” alternatives to conventional diesel engines. The CNG bus in this study did not have an oxidation catalyst, whereas the diesel configurations (with and without particulate filter) employed catalysts. The DPF was a continuously regenerating trap (CRT). Particle size distributions were collected between 6 and 237 nm using 2-minute SMPS scans during idle and 55 mph steady-state cruise operation. Average particle size distributions collected during idle operation of the diesel baseline bus...
Lower pole hydronephrosis simulating neoplasm in duplicated kidney

Abstract An interesting case of nonobstructive lower pole hydronephrosis associated with reflux and simulating a neoplasm is presented and discussed.
Recent progress in plasmonic and metallic cavity semiconductor nanolasers

We will present an overview of our efforts in developing the metallic cavity nanolasers, including the demonstration of the first nanolaser with a below-diffraction limit size and the first room temperature subwavelength size nanolasers.
Synchronous cavity mode and feedback wavelength scanning in dye laser oscillators with gratings

A simple result of scalar diffraction theory is used to derive the round trip phase accrual of a plane wave in dye laser oscillators containing gratings. This is used to determine configurations where the standing wave condition is satisfied at the feedback wavelength throughout an angle scan. We find that at least one such exactly synchronous configuration always exists regardless of oscillator type.
Serum Amyloid A Binding to CLA-1 (CD36 and LIMPII Analogous-1) Mediates Serum Amyloid A Protein-induced Activation of ERK1/2 and p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) is an acute-phase reactant, known to mediate pro-inflammatory cellular responses. This study reports that CLA-1 (CD36 and LIMPII Analogous-1; human orthologue of the Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I (SR-BI)) mediates SAA uptake and downstream SAA signaling. Flow cytometry experiments revealed more than a 5-fold increase of Alexa-488 SAA uptake in HeLa cells stably transfected with CLA-1. Alexa 488-HDL uptake directly correlated with SAA uptake when determined in several CLA-1 stably transfected HeLa cell clones expressing various levels of CLA-1. SAA directly binds to CLA-1 as determined by cross-linking and colocalization of anti-CLA-1 antibody with SAA. SAA was co-internalized with transferrin to the endocytic recycling compartment pointing to a potential site of SAA metabolism. Alexa-488 SAA uptake in the CLA-1-overexpressing HeLa cells, as well as in THP-1 monocyte cell line, can be efficiently blocked by unlabeled SAA, high density lipoprotein, and other CLA-1 ligands. At the same time, markedly enhanced levels of phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK1/2, and p38, were observed in cells stably transfected with CLA-1 cells following SAA stimulation when compared with mock transfected cells. The levels of the SAA-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion by CLA-1-overexpressing cells also significantly exceeded (5- to 10-fold) those detected for control cells. Synthetic amphipathic peptides possessing a structural α-helical motif inhibited SAA-induced activation of both MAPKs and IL-8 secretion in THP-1 cells. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time that CLA-1 functions as an endocytic SAA receptor and is involved in SAA-mediated cell signaling events associated with the immune-related and inflammatory effects of SAA.
Food Color Preferences of Molting House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) in Relation to Sex and Plumage Coloration

Food color can be indicative of specific nutrients, and thus discrimination based on color can be a valuable foraging behavior. Several bird and fish species with carotenoid-based body ornamentation show color preferences for presumably carotenoid-rich red and orange foods. However, little is known within species about whether or not individuals with (or growing) more colorful ornaments show stronger food-color preferences than those with drabber coloration. Here, we examine food color preferences in house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) ‐ a species with sexually dichromatic and selected carotenoid coloration ‐ as a function of sex and plumage coloration during molt. We captured wild, molting juvenile house finches over 4 wk in late summer ⁄early fall, quantified the color and size of plumage ornaments being developed in males, and determined food color preference in captivity by presenting individuals with dyed sunflower chips (red, orange, yellow, and green). On average, finches showed an aversion to yellow-dyed chips and a preference for red- and green-colored chips. We found no significant difference between male and female preferences for specific food colors, and food color preference was not significantly related to male plumage ornamentation. However, we did find that redder birds demonstrated a higher degree of food selectivity, measured as the proportion of their preferred food color consumed. These results suggest that food color is not a major factor determining food choice in molting house finches, but that there still may be aspects of foraging behavior that are linked to the development of colorful plumage.
Minimax Estimators for the Location Vectors of Spherically Symmetric Densities

The estimation of K ( K ≥ 3) location parameters is considered under quadratic loss when the coordinates of the best invariant estimators are spherically symmetrically distributed. Under these stochastic mechanisms traditional Stein estimators are evaluated for finite samples and shown to have a risk performance superior to some conventional rules.
Change in hippocampal volume on magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive decline among older depressed and nondepressed subjects in the neurocognitive outcomes of depression in the elderly study.

Introduction Previous studies have linked hippocampal volume change and cognitive decline in older adults with dementia. The authors examined hippocampal volume change and cognitive change in older nondemented adults with and without major depression. Methods The sample consisted of 90 depressed individuals and 72 healthy, nondepressed individuals aged 60 years and older who completed at least 2 years of follow-up data. All patients underwent periodic clinical evaluation by a geriatric psychiatrist as well as baseline and 2-year magnetic resonance imaging. Results Over 2 years, the depressed group showed a greater reduction in left hippocampal volume (normalized for total cerebral volume) compared with the nondepressed group (mean difference = 0.013 ± 0.0059, t = 2.18, df = 160, p Conclusions These findings add to the literature linking hippocampal volume loss and late-life depression. Depressed patients with hippocampal volume loss are at greater risk of cognitive decline.
An Examination of the Construct Validity of the Rorschach Mutuality of Autonomy (MOA) Scale

Using 100 clinical cases, we examined the construct validity of the Mutuality of Autonomy (MOA) Scale (Urist, 1977) using Westen and Rosenthal's (2003) r(contrast - construct validity (CV)) procedure for quantifying a pattern of convergent-discriminant relationships between a target measure and a set of criterion variables. Our 15 criterion variables included the Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003) variables, a CS-based measure of ego strength (Resnick, 1994), and 3 subscales from the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (Westen, Lohr, Silk, Kerber, & Goodrich, 1990). We generated the r(contrast - CV) coefficients to test 2 competing hypotheses: that the MOA Scale primarily measures object relations (OR) quality or that it primarily measures psychopathology. Results suggest that the MOA Scale is an equally potent measure of OR and psychopathology regardless of the MOA Scale index used.
Tradeoffs of Wing Weight and Lift/Drag in Design of Medium-Range Transport Aircraft

Wing design involves many compromises, but none more important than the one between aerodynamics, represented by lift-to-drag ratio, and structural weight. Multidisciplinary design optimization is used to compare the effect of configuration changes on wing weight and lift/drag ratio for 1) cantilever, 2) strut-braced, and 3) truss-braced wing aircraft for a medium-range, transonic, 162 passenger mission. Pseudo-Pareto fronts are generated to illustrate maximum lift/drag ratio compared to minimum wing weight. Lower lift/drag ratio aircraft have a shorter, more highly swept wing, with a change in taper at 75% semispan. Higher lft/drag ratio aircraft have much greater span and maximum chord at 33% semispan. To increase lift/drag ratio, both wing-weight and takeoff gross weight penalties must be paid. However, there are high lift/drag ratio designs with low wing-weight penalty that are clearly displayed by the pseudo-Pareto front. Fuel weight minima were found in the high lift/drag ratio and low wing-weight r...
Receiver structure beneath the southern Mojave Block, California

An inversion of a receiver function recorded at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Nevada Test Site Network Station LAC reveals a range of 1-D velocity structures that are consistent the observed waveform. The shear-velocity structure southeast of LAC is relatively simple, consisting of an approximately 30 to 34 km thick crust. All models contain relatively sharp crust-mantle boundaries with a change in velocity from about 3.5 km/sec to approximately 4.6 km/sec over a depth range of 4 to 6 kilometers. The range of models can be roughly divided into two groups that differ mostly in the mid-to-lower crust. The first model of the earth structure contains a large low-velocity zone in the middle and lower crust (shear-wave velocities as low as 2.8 km/sec), the second model contains nearly constant velocities (approximately 3.5 km/sec) through the middle-to-lower crust. In contrast with the simplicity of the southeast receiver function, the receiver functions corresponding to the northwest and southwest show the influence of lateral velocity heterogeneity and can at best be discussed qualitatively.
The Balkan exception: problems and possibilities in Islamic thought

There has been much discussion recently about what a Balkan Islamic theology consists of, and how it compares to wider moves in theological schools outside of the region. An examination of some of the contemporary trends in the region will provide some perspective on where that form of thought seems to be going. I will argue that the very diverse influences that have existed for so long, and continue to exist today, may prevent the development of a grand theoretical narrative here. On the other hand, such a diversity of approach may better represent the possibility of an Islamic theology that is genuinely European than many of the existing apparent alternatives.
Systematic underestimation of the age of selected alleles

A common interpretation of genome-wide selection scans is that the dispersal of anatomically modern humans out of Africa and into diverse environments led to a number of genetic adaptations. If so, patterns of polymorphism from non-African individuals should show the signature of adaptations dating to 40,000 to 100,000 Kya, coinciding with the main exodus from Africa. However, scans of polymorphism data from a few populations have yielded conflicting results about the chronology of local, population-specific adaptations. In particular, a number of papers report very recent ages for selected alleles in humans, which postdate the development of agriculture 10 Kya, and suggest that adaptive differences among human populations are much more recent. I present analysis of simulations suggesting a downward bias in methods commonly used to estimate the age of alleles. These findings indicate that an estimate of a time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) obtained using standard methods (used as a proxy for the age of an allele) of less than 10Kya is consistent with an allele that actually became selected before the onset of agriculture and potentially as early as 50 Kya. These findings suggest that the genomic scans for selection may be consistent with selective pressures tied to the Out of Africa expansion of modern human populations.
New Chessboard (8×8) Representation of the Standard Genetic Code, and Its Application for Representing Primary Structures of Proteins

In the new genetic code chessboard representation, the 1st nucleotide of triplet codons is assigned to each of the four quadrants; the 2nd nucleotide to each of the 16 subquadrants; and the 3rd nucleotide to the 8times8 = 64 cells of the chessboard, following in all cases the same clockwise ordering C-U-G-A. The result is an easily constructed and visualized representation of the genetic code that can be remembered by means of a mnemogram.
Diet-relevant phytochemical intake affects the cardiac AhR and nrf2 transcriptome and reduces heart failure in hypertensive rats

Intake of phytochemical-rich diets is inversely related to hypertension. Phytochemicals alter in vitro aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and NF-E2 related factor (nrf2) transcription factor activity and related genes pertinent to antioxidant defense. However, it is unknown if these molecular effects occur in the heart with dietary intake of physiologically relevant phytochemicals and if this correlates with reduced hypertension-associated heart failure. This extended feeding study used whole grapes as a model of a phytochemical-rich food and hypertensive heart failure-prone rats to assess mechanisms of effect. Grape intake reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and improved diastolic function. At the development of diastolic dysfunction, hypertensive rats show reduced AhR activity, reduced expression of AhR-regulated genes, reduced glutathione and reduced activity of glutathione-regulating proteins. However, grape intake significantly increased cardiac AhR and nrf2 activity, Phase I/II gene transcripts and protein activity related to antioxidant defense. Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the aged and the intake of phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables decreases with age. Concentrated antioxidant nutrient trials have failed to affect heart failure. However, this study demonstrates that diet-relevant intake of non-nutrient phytochemicals significantly reduces heart failure progression. Therefore, this study suggests that higher intake of phytochemical-containing foods may achieve cardiac benefits that isolated antioxidant supplements may not. In summary, intake of diet-relevant phytochemicals altered the cardiac antioxidant transcriptome, antioxidant defense, oxidative damage and fibrosis. Regular phytochemical intake may therefore increase cardiac resistance to cardiac pathology instigated by prolonged hypertension.
Impact of Slash Pile Size and Burning on Soil Chemical Characteristics in Ponderosa Pine Forests

Abstract This study examines the impacts of slash pile size and burning on various soil chemical characteristics and nutrient concentrations. Changes in soil characteristics following slash pile burns associated with forest thinning treatments may affect native and non-native floral species establishment and have broad implications for ecosystem functions, processes, and management. We sampled soils from plots under various slash pile burning treatments at The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Arizona, to determine their chemical characteristics.The characteristics consist of concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, B) and pH. We compared the amounts of nutrients in burned plots with those in unburned plots where slash was removed by chipping. The treatments were tested on large and small piles. Burned slash pile plots had higher soil nutrient levels overall. The levels of N, Ca, K, Zn, and Na best illustrate this fertilizing effect. Significantly different values of N and ...
Optically activated cantilever using photomechanical effects in dye-doped polymer fibers

We report on what we believe is the first demonstration of an optically activated cantilever due to photomechanical effects in a dye-doped polymer optical fiber. The fiber is observed to bend when light is launched off-axis. The displacement angle monotonically increases as a function of the distance between the illumination point and the fiber axis and is consistent with differential light-induced length changes. The photothermal and photoreorientation mechanisms, each with its own distinct response time, are proposed to explain the observed time dependence. The measured degree of bending is consistent with a model that we have proposed that includes coupling of photoisomerization and heating. Most importantly, we have discovered that at high light intensity, a cooperative release of stress results in cis-to-trans isomerization that yields a large and abrupt length change.
SCIRun: A Scientific Programming Environment for Computational Steering

We present the design, implementation and application of SCIRun, a scientific programming environment that allows the interactive construction, debugging and steering of large scale scientific computations. Using this "computational workbench," a scientist can design and modify simulations interactively via a dataflow programming model. SCIRun enables scientists to design and modify models and automatically change parameters and boundary conditions as well as the mesh discretization level needed for an accurate numerical solution. As opposed to the typical "off-line" simulation mode - in which the scientist manually sets input parameters, computes results, visualizes the results via a separate visualization package, then starts again at the beginning - SCIRun "closes the loop" and allows interactive steering of the design and computation phases of the simulation. To make the dataflow programming paradigm applicable to large scientific problems, we have identified ways to avoid the excessive memory use inherent in standard dataflow implementations, and have implemented fine-grained dataflow in order to further promote computational efficiency. In this paper, we describe applications of the SCIRun system to several problems in computational medicine. In addition, an we have included an interactive demo program in the form of an application of SCIRun system to a small electrostatic field problem.
Theoretical Explanations Amid Social Change A Content Analysis of Housework Research (1975-2012)

Three main theoretical frameworks are used to explain the division of household labor: time availability, relative resources, and gender ideology. Examining 162 regression equations from 62 articles published from 1975 to 2012, we examine whether there has been a change in the likelihood that the three theoretical frameworks find empirical support over time. We find no evidence to suggest that there has been a declining significance of the three theories over time, as some family scholars recently have claimed.
REF-1, a protein with two bHLH domains, alters the pattern of cell fusion in C. elegans by regulating Hox protein activity.

Hox genes control the choice of cell fates along the anteroposterior (AP) body axis of many organisms. In C. elegans, two Hox genes, lin-39 and mab-5, control the cell fusion decision of the 12 ventrally located Pn.p cells. Specific Pn.p cells fuse with an epidermal syncytium, hyp7, in a sexually dimorphic pattern. In hermaphrodites, Pn.p cells in the mid-body region remain unfused whereas in males, Pn.p cells adopt an alternating pattern of syncytial and unfused fates. The complexity of these fusion patterns arises because the activities of these two Hox proteins are regulated in a sex-specific manner. MAB-5 activity is inhibited in hermaphrodite Pn.p cells and thus MAB-5 normally only affects the male Pn.p fusion pattern. Here we identify a gene, ref-1, that regulates the hermaphrodite Pn.p cell fusion pattern largely by regulating MAB-5 activity in these cells. Mutation of ref-1 also affects the fate of other epidermal cells in distinct AP body regions. ref-1 encodes a protein with two basic helix-loop-helix domains distantly related to those of the hairy/Enhancer of split family. ref-1, and another hairy homolog, lin-22, regulate similar cell fate decisions in different body regions along the C. elegans AP body axis.
Adenyl Cyclase-Stimulating Catecholamines as Modifiers of Antibody Formation

Extremely low concentrations (2 or 0. 2 ng/mouse i.p.) of isoproterenol, when administered with low amounts of poly A. poly U (poly A:U) at time of immunization of mice with sheep red blood cells (sRBC), enhance antibody formation. High amounts of isoproterenol inhibit antibody (a.b.) formation and reduce or abolish the stimulatory effects of poly A:U. In vitro, isoproterenol alone, and also norepinephrine, enhance a.b. formation. The in vivo effects of isoproterenol, but not the effects of poly A:U, are blocked by propanolol, indicating that the two adenyl cyclase stimulators (poly A:U, isoproterenol) operate via different cell receptors. These results support prior conclusions regarding the importance of adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (CAMP)-mediated events in the regulation of the magnitude of immune responses, and confirm that the nature of the modification, i.e. enhancement versus inhibition, is a function of the intensity of alteration of the endogenous cAMP system in the process of activation...
Mid Century: The Third-Generation Redux

Despite frequent concerns about pending grant proposals, continued federal operating and construction grants provided working capital for the MDIBL during the postwar period, allowing construction of more cottages for summer investigators, constant upkeep and renovation of the aging physical plant, and the purchase of a new collecting boat. The original shop was expanded, and a new open-sided structure was built to house experimental animals. The State of Maine was planning to reroute Highway 3, which then ran in front of the Laboratory, and the MDIBL was concerned about the environmental impact to Hamilton Pond, on the south end of Laboratory property. The result, however, provided a bypass of major traffic to the south of most of the research and residential structures. A suit filed by a neighbor to access local taxes on the Laboratory’s property passed through Maine courts and was finally settled, in favor of the tax-free status of the Laboratory, by the Maine Supreme Court. By the mid-1960s, and based on a new master plan, the MDIBL had applied for a major construction grant to the NSF, for replacement of most of the aging research buildings, but it was not funded. Both E.K. Marshall and Homer Smith, who had provided scientific and administrative leadership to the MDIBL since the late 1920s, passed away in the 1960s. During this period, the Laboratory Investigators and Trustees began discussions about long-range objectives that continued for the next four decades. And new members of the Third Generation arrived at the MDIBL, studying (in addition to renal physiology) gastric secretion, the physiology of diving in seals, comparative endocrinology, intestinal transport, frog skin transport, the blood–brain barrier, the role of Na+K-Activated ATPase in fish gill ion transport, hemodynamics, and the ability of the dogfish rectal gland to secrete NaCl.
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: A Comparison of Totally Extraperitoneal and Transabdominal Preperitoneal Approaches.

Background Abdominal wall reconstruction for complex ventral and incisional hernias is associated with significant complications. Commonly, the peritoneal cavity is opened and adhesiolysis is performed with the potential for enterotomy. A totally extraperitoneal (TE) approach to abdominal wall reconstruction is feasible in many ventral hernia repairs and can reduce visceral injuries without impacting other outcomes. This study compares outcomes after retro-rectus ventral hernia repairs with TE and transabdominal (TA) preperitoneal approaches. Study Design An IRB-approved review of a prospective hernia database was performed for all ventral hernia repairs between 2009 and 2013. Preoperative patient characteristics, including demographics and comorbidities; operative variables, including surgical technique, operative duration, type/size/location of mesh, concomitant procedures, and incidence of inadvertent injury; and patient outcomes in terms of length of stay, wound and nonwound complications, and readmissions or returns to the operating room were obtained. Groups were compared using t -tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests as appropriate. Significance was set at p Results One hundred and seventy-five complex abdominal wall reconstructions were performed between 2009 and 2013. Of those, 85 patients underwent hernia repair for CDC grade 1 hernias with retro-rectus mesh placement performed (n = 45 TA, n = 40 TE). Groups did not differ in age, BMI, sex, smoking status, hernia defect size, history of COPD, asthma, hypertension, cancer, or renal failure. More TA patients had diabetes (36% vs 13%; p = 0.02) and previous hernia repair (73% vs 45%; p = 0.01) than TE patients. Mesh size was larger in the TE group (625 ± 234 cm 2 vs 424 ± 214 cm 2 ; p Conclusions Abdominal wall reconstruction can be performed safely in a TE fashion. The extraperitoneal approach results in shorter operative duration, but had similar complications when compared with TA preperitoneal approach.
Gas Phase Properties of MX2 and MX4 (X = F, Cl) for M = Group 4, Group 14, Cerium, and Thorium

Structures, vibrational frequencies, and heats of formation were predicted for MX4 and both singlet and triplet states of MX2 (M = group 4, group 14, Ce, and Th; X = F and Cl) using the Feller–Peterson–Dixon composite electronic structure approach based on coupled cluster CCSD(T) calculations extrapolated to the complete basis set limit with additional corrections including spin orbit effects. The spin–orbit corrections are not large but need to be included for chemical accuracy of ±1 kcal/mol. The singlet–triplet splittings were calculated for the dihalides and all compounds have singlet ground states except for the dihalides of Ti, Zr, and Ce which have triplet ground states. The calculated heats of formation are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Our predictions suggest that the experimental heats of formation need to be revised for a number of tetrahalides: TiF4, HfF4, PbF4, PbCl4, and ThCl4 as well as a number of dihalides: GeF2, SnF2, PbF2, TiF2, and TiCl2. The calculated heats ...
Fannie, Freddie, and the Subprime Mortgage Market

The recent financial crisis was characterized by losses in nearly every type of investment vehicle. Yet no product has attracted as much attention as the subprime mortgage.What is generally agreed is that subprime mortgages disproportionately contributed both to the severity of the crisis and to the size of losses imposed upon the taxpayer. What remains in dispute is the role of government — specifically, that of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — in expanding the availability of subprime mortgage credit.Changes in the mortgage market, resulting largely from misguided monetary policy, drove a frenzy of refinancing activity in 2003. When that origination boom died out, mortgage industry participants looked elsewhere for profits. Fannie and Freddie, among others, found those illusionary profits in lowering credit quality.Foremost among the government-sponsored enterprises' deleterious activities was their vast direct purchases of loans that can only be characterized as subprime. Under reasonable definitions of subprime, almost 30 percent of Fannie and Freddie direct purchases could be considered subprime.The government-sponsored enterprises were also the largest single investor in subprime privatelabel mortgage-backed securities. During the height of the housing bubble, almost 40 percent of newly issued private-label subprime securities were purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.In order to protect both the taxpayer and our broader economy, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be abolished, along with other policies that transfer the risk of mortgage default from the lender to the taxpayer.
Standards for Experimental Research: Encouraging a Better Understanding of Experimental Methods

In this essay, we closely examine three aspects of the Reporting Guidelines for this journal, as described by Gerber et al. (2014, Journal of Experimental Political Science 1(1): 81–98) in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Experimental Political Science. These include manipulation checks and when the reporting of response rates is appropriate. The third, most critical, issue concerns the committee's recommendations for detecting errors in randomization. This is an area where there is evidence of widespread confusion about experimental methods throughout our major journals. Given that a goal of the Journal of Experimental Political Science is promoting best practices and a better understanding of experimental methods across the discipline, we recommend changes to the Standards that will allow the journal to play a leading role in correcting these misunderstandings.
Serum concentrations of epidermal growth factor in human pregnancy.

Abstract A newly measurable peptide, epidermal growth factor (EGF), has been found in pregnant women with the use of a tube radioimmunoassay technique. This peptide appeared to have its highest concentrations during the early part of pregnancy, but measurable quantities were found in the serum throughout the entire course of the gestational period and within the cord blood. EGF was not found in the serum of male subjects, nonpregnant female subjects, and children. The origin and role of this compound remains to be determined, as well as its possible clinical usefulness.
A General Conceptual Approach to Modeling the Livestock Sector: Application to the Japanese Swine-Pork Sector Model with Analysis of the "No Gate Price Policy Scenario"

This study develops a generic conceptual approach to modeling the livestock sector that provides better coverage of variables to ensure the consistency in the underlying biologics of the model and also provides consistent rules of specification. This approach is applied to modeling the swine-pork sector of Japan and then used to analyze the impact of removing Japan's gate price policy and variable levy for pork imports. The new approach departs significantly from existing models. For consistency in the biologics of the model both live animals and meat components of the sector are fully covered. The structure clearly differentiates stock and flow variables and investment and production decisions. A standard rule of specification is established that only flow variables that correspond to the actual decisions faced by producers and consumers are specified with a behavioral equation, while stock variables are derived from changes in the relevant flow variables using an accounting identity. The flow variables are expressed in rates rather than levels and specified with logistic functions to automatically impose biological-technological constraints. Swine slaughter number and weight are disaggregated into sow and barrow-gilt. Market-clearing price is endogenously solved. The estimated 12-equation Japanese swine-pork model has good fit as shown by high R2, no serial correlation with Durbin-Watson (DW) statistics approaching 2, significant coefficients, correct signs, and reasonable magnitudes. All validation statistics from a within-sample simulation of the model suggest that the model with enriched structural specification is also able to capture both the mean and variability of all endogenous variables. Except for swine death (2.3 percent) and pork stock (-1.9 percent) which are subject to unexpected technical and policy shocks, all other endogenous variables had mean percentage errors (MPE) of less than one percent. Prediction errors are mostly from random sources. Except for pork stock (5.3 percent), the share of bias for all other endogenous variables is less than 3 percent. Finally, the model was also used to analyze the "No Gate Price Policy Scenario." The model generated expected changes both in terms of direction and magnitude that are within reported range from earlier studies. Specifically, imports increased significantly but were mostly absorbed into pork stocks to cushion its impact on domestic prices.
Lung nodule detection using 3D convolutional neural networks trained on weakly labeled data

Early detection of lung nodules is currently the one of the most effective ways to predict and treat lung cancer. As a result, the past decade has seen a lot of focus on computer aided diagnosis (CAD) of lung nodules, whose goal is to efficiently detect, segment lung nodules and classify them as being benign or malignant. Effective detection of such nodules remains a challenge due to their arbitrariness in shape, size and texture. In this paper, we propose to employ 3D convolutional neural networks (CNN) to learn highly discriminative features for nodule detection in lieu of hand-engineered ones such as geometric shape or texture. While 3D CNNs are promising tools to model the spatio-temporal statistics of data, they are limited by their need for detailed 3D labels, which can be prohibitively expensive when compared obtaining 2D labels. Existing CAD methods rely on obtaining detailed labels for lung nodules, to train models, which is also unrealistic and time consuming. To alleviate this challenge, we propose a solution wherein the expert needs to provide only a point label, i.e., the central pixel of of the nodule, and its largest expected size. We use unsupervised segmentation to grow out a 3D region, which is used to train the CNN. Using experiments on the SPIE-LUNGx dataset, we show that the network trained using these weak labels can produce reasonably low false positive rates with a high sensitivity, even in the absence of accurate 3D labels.
State change in preterm infants in response to nursing caregiving: possible gender effects.

PURPOSE To describe the effect of nursing caregiving on infant sleep-wake states by gender in preterm infants. DESIGN Descriptive measures at 34 weeks postmenstrual age and at discharge. SAMPLE Twenty-two hospitalized preterm infants. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE Infant state and caregiving episodes were coded in 15-second intervals from video recordings of approximately three hours duration. Time plots of state and caregiving were analyzed visually to summarize spontaneous state changes and state change associated with caregiving. RESULTS Sleep and wake state distribution did not differ statistically by gender; however, the rate of state change in male infants was twice that of females (p=.012) at discharge. At discharge, male infants received approximately twice as many care episodes as females. At discharge, the rate of state change in response to caregiving in male infants was four times that of female infants (p=.026). Males exhibited a greater percentage of caregiving episodes related to state change than did females at discharge (p=.018). Findings suggest further exploration of possible gender differences in state regulation and state change in response to caregiving.
AACE/ACE Disease State Clinical Review: Medical Management of Cushing Disease.

ABSTRACT Objective To review available medical therapies for patients with Cushing disease and to provide a roadmap for their use in clinical practice. Methods PubMed searches were performed to identify all of the available published data on medical management of Cushing disease. Results Medical therapy is usually not the firstline treatment for patients with Cushing disease but may be used to improve clinical manifestations of Cushing disease in patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery, following unsuccessful surgery or recurrence, or as a “bridge therapy” in those who have undergone radiotherapy. Medical therapy may also be used in preoperative preparation of patients with severe disease. Current available medical options for patients with Cushing disease include centrally acting agents, steroidogenesis inhibitors, and a glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. At present, there are no head-to-head studies comparing the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of different U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and non-FDA-approved drugs in patients with Cushing disease. With the initiation of new studies and the completion of ongoing clinical trials, the number of FDA-approved drugs for medical treatment of Cushing disease is expected to increase. Conclusion Medical therapy has an important adjunctive role in the management of patients with Cushing disease. The decision to initiate medical treatment depends on many factors, including patient characteristics and preference. Long-term studies are needed to better define the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of medical treatment of Cushing disease, including the role of combination therapies. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:746-757)
Improving depression treatment by integrated care.

A B S T R AC T OBJECTIVE:To identify the clinical and economic implications of depression in the workplace and review how integrated care models can improve overall patient outcomes. SUMMARY:Depression is a significant financial burden to the employer due to lost days of work and decreased productivity. Employers are demanding return on the investment for their increasing health care expenditures. The cost of depression to employers may be contained by delivering care using integrated models that leverage primary care provider treatment with care management and mental health consultation. CONCLUSION:There is a need to reduce silos in the organization and financing of mental health care to prevent cost shifting that provides no benefit to patients, payers or providers. Poor mental health care will likely lead to a rise in absenteeism and presenteeism.
Genetics of human cell lines. I. 8-Azaguanine resistance, a selective "single-step" marker.

SummaryA cloned wild-type population (strain D98S) derived from human bone marrow cells, which is inhibited by 8-azaguanine (AG) in concentrations in excess of 0.1 μg/ml, contains approximately 1 to 2% cells resistant to AG in 100-fold higher concentrations. A single-step mutational process (in broad meaning of the word) appears to be involved. The AG-resistant lines are stable upon prolonged subculture either in presence or absence of drug. Mutation rate from sensitivity to resistance is of the order of 5 × 10-4cell/generation. AG resistance is a useful genetic marker, since at selective AG concentrations (a wide plateau at 1-10 μg/ml) colony formation by resistant cells is not impaired and sensitive cells are destroyed. A method for protein determination is described, based on measurement of eluted bromphenol blue from HgCl2-fixed, glass-attached cells.
The Occasion and Novelty of Husserl’s Phenomenology of Essence

The primary purpose of this essay is to elaborate in broad outline the fundamental significance of Husserl’s analysis and doctrine of essence both as regards the occasion of its formulation and the novelty it contains. This is obviously a complex task, and to provide a manageable focus for discussion we shall confine ourselves to considering but one aspect or dimension of Husserl’s analysis of essence, namely its so-called “Platonism” and the peculiar shape it takes in Husserl’s thought. A secondary purpose is to locate within this framework various insights into essence by other phenomenologists, particularly those of Roman Ingarden, which supplement and perchance correct Husserl’s phenomenology of essence.