cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-T-509: Automatic Detection of Non-Rigid Fiducial Motion for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) of Moving Tumors

Purpose: CyberKnife based SBRT is capable of tracking a moving target in real‐time assuming a rigid‐body motion. However, Oberseved non‐rigid fiducial movements due to respiratory tumor deformation can induce uncertianites in tracking. Handling fiducial mismatch by trial‐and‐error is time‐consuming and incurring extra imagingdose. A novel method is developed to automatically detect non‐rigid fiducial movements and to evaluate the confidence in individual fiducials for tumor tracking. Methods: The respiratory phase was first identified for registration of x‐ray images and numerous sets of DRRs in correct phase were generated for fiducial matching. In an iterative process one fiducial was evaluated at a time. The fiducial set excluding the one under evaluation was registered to derive the optimal rigid transformation. The transformation was then applied to calculate the matching error for the evaluated fiducial only. The fiducials with dominating contribution to a large non‐rigid movement would be identified when the matching error under evaluation was greater than the residual error from the registration. Following evaluation of all fiducials a confidence factor was assigned to each fiducial to be weighted, or even eliminated, for tracking. Results: Our method was validated using data of 5 CyberKnife cases. Multiple x‐ray images up to 25 pairs were studied for each case. In a lung case a single fiducial had 14.6 mm and 3 mm matching errors in two views, while all others errors were less than 2 mm. There was evident that the large fiducial error was due non‐rigid respiratory motion. For other cases more stable matching errors less than 2.3 mm were obtained and confidence factors were evaluated. Conclusions: An automatic detection of non‐rigid fiducial motion will reduce fiducial tracking errors and thus treatment interruptions. Differentiating confidence level in individual fiducial will help to achieve accurate setup and tumor tracking for CyberKnife based SBRT, as well as conventional radiotherapy.
America's Palimpsest: Ground-Zero Democracy and the Capitol Mall

This article examines the history of the Capitol Mall from its inception in 1791 to recent legislation prohibiting further development along the Mall's primary axes. This movement to restrict further development of the Mall's massive open spaces derives from concerns that fail to fully articulate the iconographic significance these spaces represent. Drawing from the Mall's 200-year history of master planning, this article examines the Mall's palimpsestic and emergent qualities and presents planning criteria that make it possible to build future commemorative works within the Mall's primary open spaces while retaining the overall integrity of its grandeur.
Luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor-mediated activation of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding proteins in ovarian follicular membranes

The LH/CG receptor signals to adenylyl cyclase via the stimulatory heterotrimeric GTP binding regulatory protein, Gs, and to phospholipase C and potentially to other effectors, such as ion channels, via a G protein or proteins that have not been identified in gonadal cells. To identify G proteins activated in a physiological membrane environment upon LH/CG receptor activation, we used the ability of activated G proteins to bind GTP and incubated ovarian follicular membranes with the photoaffinity GTP analog, P3-(4-azidoanilido)-P1-5′-GTP ([32P]AAGTP). Results showed that human CG (hCG) stimulated the binding of [32P]AAGTP to a 45-kDa protein(s) in follicular membranes that comigrated with immunoreactive Gαs, Gαq/11, and Gα13. When Gα proteins were immunoprecipitated from Triton X-100 solubilized membrane extracts after photoaffinity labeling with [32P]AAGTP, a time-dependent increase in hCG-dependent [32P]AAGTP binding to Gαs, Gαq/11, and Gαi was detected. hCG-dependent [32P]AAGTP binding to Gα13 was also...
A neutron diffraction determination of the critical exponent β for the n = 4 system holmium☆

Abstract The temperature dependence of the order parameter associated with the magnetic phase transition in Ho near 131 K has been measured by neutron diffraction. The results show a power law behavior for the order parameter with an exponent of β = 0.39 (+0.04, −0.03) for the reduced temperature range 0.007 ⩽ ϵ ⩽ 0.3. This value is in agreement with recent predictions for an n = 4 vector model studied in the renormalization group technique.
Daily photosynthesis totals calculated from solar radiation histograms

Abstract Histograms of the number of hours in the day in which the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of solar radiation was within 5 preset bands, were constructed from readings made with a miniature battery-operated millivolt histogram recorder, connected to a photon sensor. The number of histograms showing a bimodal distribution was much fewer than was expected from a review of the literature, even in a site shaded by trees. This was attributed to smoothing of the data over a whole day, compared with published data which were mostly taken near noon. Bimodal distributions were found in a greenhouse under clear or partly cloudy conditions. The histograms were combined with published data for the instantaneous gross photosynthetic responses to PPFD of two bermudagrass swards, one of low leaf area index (LAI) and highly non-linear response, and the other of high LAI and more linear response. The daily photosynthesis totals of the swards were calculated by summing the products of the number of hours accumulated in each band by the photosynthetic rate in the center of the band. Because of the non-linearity of response, the photosynthesis total in the greenhouse was 75–82% of that calculated for an open site on a clear day, while the daily photon total was only 70% of the open site value. Also, for the same daily photon total, the daily photosynthesis total of each sward on the open site was greater on a day of light clouds (moderate PPFD) than on a day of sunshine alternating with heavy clouds (bimodal histogram of PPFDs). The difference between the two days was greater for the sward with the more non-linear response. These interactions between non-linearity of photosynthetic response and type of radiation histogram were in the expected direction, however, the differences were not very large (+ 10% for the sites and responses studied). The histogram recorder provides an inexpensive and convenient means of obtaining solar radiation data that can be used to calculate daily photosynthesis totals, either from experimental photosynthesis data or from canopy photosynthesis models. Because the response of photosynthesis is non-linear, linear integrals of solar irradiance do not provide sufficient information for such photosynthesis studies.
An assessment of selected preventive screenings among children aged 12 to 35 months in a hospital‐based, Medicaid managed care practice

Objectives The goal of this study was to assess (i) whether preschool children enrolled in a hospital-based, Medicaid managed care practice had received recommended preventive screenings, including blood lead, hematocrit and tuberculosis testing, and (ii) the prevalence of positive results in these screens. Design and methods All children between 12 and 35 months of age who had been continuously enrolled in the practice for the last 6 months of 1996 were included in the study, regardless of their visit frequency. Medical records were reviewed for the study children. The dates and results of all blood lead, hematocrit and tuberculosis tests were abstracted. Results Eight hundred and twelve children met the study inclusion criteria. All but two of these children had a hospital medical record available for review. Six hundred and ninety of the 812 children (85.0%) had a documented blood lead test. Of those screened, more than one-quarter (190 of 690; 27.5%) had at least one result ≥ 10 μg/dL. A hematocrit result was documented for 742 of the study children (91.4%), and 377 of these children (50.8%) were anemic on at least one test (defined as a hematocrit two standard deviations below published norms). Two-thirds of study children (536) had documentation of a tuberculosis screen being performed, with two-thirds of these having a documented reading. None of the 342 children with a documented tuberclin skin test reading had a positive test. Conclusions Screening rates were relatively high in this study group, especially when one considers that the denominator for screening rates was based on enrollment in the practice, regardless of whether or not the child had been seen. The results of these screening tests provide evidence for the high burden of lead poisoning and anemia in this low-income population. Implications for practice This study demonstrates that it is feasible to carry out assessments based on defined primary care responsibilities, allowing for a more population-based approach to health care in hospital-based clinics.
Metabolic reflow as a therapy for ischemic brain injury.

Ischemic neuronal damage is a common feature of occlusive strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and traumatic brain injury. In addition, ischemia can be an anticipated or unanticipated complication of a variety of surgical procedures. Most therapeutic strategies for managing ischemic injury seek to re-establish blood flow, suppress neural metabolism, and/or limit specific cellular injury cascades. An alternative therapeutic approach is to enhance the delivery of metabolic substrates to ischemic tissue. This strategy is typified by efforts to increase tissue oxygenation by elevating the levels of circulating oxygen. Our studies are examining a complementary approach in which the delivery of metabolic substrates is enhanced by facilitating the diffusion of oxygen and glucose from the vasculature into neural tissue during ischemia. This is achieved by increasing the diffusivity of small molecules in aqueous solutions, such as plasma and interstitial fluid. The carotenoid compound, trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) is capable of increasing oxygen and glucose diffusivity, and our studies demonstrate that TSC increases cerebral tissue oxygenation in the penumbra of a focal ischemic event. In addition, TSC treatment reduces the volume of cerebral infarction in rodent models of both permanent and temporary focal ischemia. This strategy of “metabolic reflow” thus blunts the metabolic challenge in partially-perfused tissue and reduces ischemic neural injury.
Nursing Interventions for Poststroke Fatigue

Fatigue affects as many as 25% to 75% of stroke survivors.1,2 This poststroke fatigue (PSF) is often disabling and negatively influences on neurological recovery3 and patients’ quality of life.4,5 There are numerous definitions of PSF, which includes subjective feelings of exhaustion and lack of physical or mental energy that interfere with everyday activity.6 PSF is associated with both biological and psychocognitive factors. The aim of this article is to provide an overview on PSF assessment, causative factors, treatment interventions, and nursing implications. Multiple instruments have been used to assess fatigue, none of which are specific to stroke. Commonly used assessment instruments that have been evaluated for patients with stroke are listed in Table 1.7–9 For nurses involved in stroke care, the PSF case definition developed by Lynch et al10 is likely the most useful. Nurses may ask 2 questions to stroke survivors in either the hospital or the community. Hospital patients meet the definition of PSF if since their stroke, the patient has experienced fatigue, a lack of energy, or an increased need to rest every day or nearly every day. In addition, stroke survivors living in the community meet the definition if over the past month, there has been at least a 2-week period when the patient has experienced fatigue, a lack of energy, or an increased need to rest every …
Timing Is Everything: The Impact of School Lunch Length on Children's Body Weight

The large number of overweight children in the United States has prompted school administrators and policy makers to identify practices in schools that contribute to unhealthy weight outcomes for children and develop strategies to prevent further increases. Advocates for school nutrition reform have suggested that it is important for children to have an adequate amount of time to eat meals in school in order to maintain a healthy weight. This article examines whether the length of time children are given to eat lunch in school has an impact on their weight. I find evidence that an increase in lunch length reduces the probability a child is overweight, and this finding is robust across various econometric specifications, including a two-sample instrumental variable model and difference-in-differences model that account for the potential endogeneity of lunch length.
Simulation of tree shade impacts on residential energy use for space conditioning in Sacramento

Abstract Tree shade reduces summer air conditioning demand and increases winter heating load by intercepting solar energy that would otherwise heat the shaded structure. We evaluate the magnitude of these effects here for 254 residential properties participating in a utility sponsored tree planting program in Sacramento, California. Tree and building characteristics and typical weather data are used to model hourly shading and energy used for space conditioning for each building for a period of one year. There were an average of 3.1 program trees per property which reduced annual and peak (8 h average from 1 to 9 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time) cooling energy use 153 kWh (7.1%) and 0.08 kW (2.3%) per tree, respectively. Annual heating load increased 0.85 GJ (0.80 MBtu, 1.9%) per tree. Changes in cooling load were smaller, but percentage changes larger, for newer buildings. Averaged over all homes, annual cooling savings of $15.25 per tree were reduced by a heating penalty of $5.25 per tree, for net savings of $10.00 per tree from shade. We estimate an annual cooling penalty of $2.80 per tree and heating savings of $6.80 per tree from reduced wind speed, for a net savings of $4.00 per tree, and total annual savings of $14.00 per tree ($43.00 per property). Results are found to be consistent with previous simulations and the limited measurements available.
New electrocardiographic criteria for posterior wall acute myocardial ischemia validated by a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty model of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract The standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) fails to detect ST-segment elevation in patients with posterior wall acute myocardial ischemia. However, additional posterior leads V7-9 provide limited additional diagnostic information to the standard 12-lead ECG when an ischemic criterion of 1-mm ST elevation is used. No study is available to delineate the ischemic criteria in the posterior electrocardiographic leads. Continuous 15-lead ECGs (standard 12 lead + V7-9) were recorded in 53 subjects undergoing elective left circumflex coronary angioplasty (posterior ischemia model). ST amplitudes (J + 60 ms) at preangioplasty baseline were subtracted from maximal ST amplitudes during balloon occlusion to create a positive or negative change score (ΔST) for each of the 15 leads. During 53 left circumflex occlusions, 26 subjects (49%) had ΔST elevation of ≥1 mm and 24 subjects (45%) had ΔST elevation ranging from 0.5 to 0.95 mm in ≥1 posterior leads. Five subjects (9%) had ΔST elevation of ≥1 mm in the posterior leads without ΔST elevation anywhere in any of the 12 leads. The sensitivity in detecting myocardial ischemia using 15-lead ECGs (58%) was not statistically different from the standard 12-lead ECG (49%) (p = 0.06). Adjusting the ischemic criterion from 1 to 0.5 mm in V7-9 significantly improved the sensitivity from 49% in the 12-lead ECG to 94% in the 15-lead ECG (p = 0.000). In addition, 12 subjects (23%) had posterior ST-segment elevation without anterior ST-segment depression. Thus, posterior leads V7-9 contribute significant additional diagnostic information above and beyond the standard 12-lead ECG only when a new ischemic criterion of 0.5 mm instead of 1 mm ST elevation is applied to the posterior leads.
Aggressive Blood Pressure Control Increases Coronary Heart Disease Risk Among Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE Blood pressure control can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among diabetic patients; however, it is not known whether the lowest risk of CHD is among diabetic patients with the lowest blood pressure level. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study (2000–2009) on diabetic patients including 17,536 African American and 12,618 white. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of blood pressure with CHD risk. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 6.0 years, 7,260 CHD incident cases were identified. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of CHD associated with different levels of systolic/diastolic blood pressure at baseline (<110/65, 110–119/65–69, 120–129/70–80, and 130–139/80–90 mmHg [reference group]; 140–159/90–100; and ≥160/100 mmHg) were 1.73, 1.16, 1.04, 1.00, 1.06, and 1.11 ( P trend <0.001), respectively, for African American diabetic patients, and 1.60, 1.27, 1.08, 1.00, 0.95, and 0.99 ( P trend<0.001) for white diabetic patients, respectively. A U-shaped association of isolated systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline as well as blood pressure during follow-up with CHD risk was observed among both African American and white diabetic patients (all P trend <0.001). The U-shaped association was present in the younger age-group (30–49 years), and this U-shaped association changed to an inverse association in the older age-group (≥60 years). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that there is a U-shaped or inverse association between blood pressure and the risk of CHD, and aggressive blood pressure control (blood pressure <120/70 mmHg) is associated with an increased risk of CHD among both African American and white patients with diabetes.
Abstract C191: Preclinical investigation of the antitumor efficacy in lung cancer of Y15, a novel focal adhesion kinase inhibitor.

Introduction: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that associates with a number of cell adhesion components, such as integrins, paxillin and talin, as well as with various signaling proteins such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the Src family of protein kinases. It thus plays an important role in cell motility, invasion, growth and cell survival. Y15 (1,2,4,5-benzentetraamine tetra hydrochloride) is a small molecule that inhibits FAK autophosphorylation by selectively targeting the Y397 phosphorylation site of FAK. It has shown activity against breast, colon and pancreatic cancers. We herein present data in lung cancer. Methods: Various lung cancer cell lines as well as minimally passaged patient-derived tumor (containing PIK3CA mutation E545K) propagated in vitro were treated with escalating doses of Y15 or DMSO for 72 hours to evaluate single-agent activity. Cell lines were also treated with cytotoxic agents (cisplatin, gemcitabine, pemetrexed, paclitaxel) in combination with escalating doses of Y15. Cellular viability was assessed by trypan blue exclusion assay and colony formation assay. For in vivo experiments, selected cell lines were implanted into nude mice and vehicle versus Y15 treatment, via either intraperitoneal or oral gavage administration, once daily was started when tumors reached a mean volume of 50–60 mm3. Western blot will be performed to investigate alterations in the activity of various signaling proteins. Results: Y15 exhibited time and dose-dependent cell death in 6 out of 9 lung cancer cell lines tested. Activity was demonstrated beginning at 4 uM dose, with almost 100% cell kill demonstrated at 10 uM dose. There was also corresponding dose-dependent loss of clonogenic ability starting at 1 uM dose in sensitive cell lines. In addition, Y15 enhanced paclitaxel-induced cell death. Mice treated with Y15 at 100 mg/kg oral gavage administration showed reduced tumor growth compared to control mice. Conclusion: Y15 demonstrates promising antitumor efficacy against various non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Further development of this agent in lung cancer is warranted. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C191.
Comparison of gauge-corrected versus non-gauge corrected satellite-based quantitative precipitation estimates during the 2004 NAME enhanced observing period

LAS ESTIMACIONES CUANTITATIVAS DE PRECIPITACION BASADAS EN SATELITE (QPE - POR SUS SIGLAS IN INGLES), OFRECEN LA POSIBILIDAD DE MONITOREAR LA PRECIPITACION GLOBAL CASI EN TIEMPO REAL. ASUMIENDO QUE SU EXACTITUD (EN TERMINOS DE SU FRECUENCIA E INTENSIDAD) PUEDE SER COMPROBADA; TALES PRODUCTOS RESULTARIAN MUY VALIOSOS PARA REDUCIR LA INCERTIDUMBRE EN LA ASIMILACION DE DATOS EN SUPERFICIE, ASI COMO EN LAS APLICACIONES EN SIMULACIONES HIDROLOGICAS Y DE PREDICCION A CORTO PLAZO. DURANTE EL EXPERIMENTO DEL MONZON NORTEAMERICANO LLEVADO A CABO SOBRE PARTES DE MEXICO EN 2004, SE COLECTARON DATOS DE LLUVIA PARA INTEGRAR UNA BASE DE DATOS Y QUE SIRVIERON PARA EVALUAR CINCO PRODUCTOS QPE, 2 CALIBRADOS CON PLUVIOMETROS Y 3 MAS SIN CALIBRAR. EL ANALISIS DE LA ESTIMACION DE LLUVIA DIARIA PROMEDIO Y DE SU DESVIACION CONDICIONAL, ASI COMO LOS MAPAS DE FRECUENCIA, MUESTRAN QUE LOS PRODUCTOS QPE NO CALIBRADOS TIENDEN A SOBREESTIMAR LA FRECUENCIA, DE LOS EVENTOS DE MAGNITUD MODERADA A INTENSA (>25 MM/D), COMPARADO CON LAS MEDICIONES BASADAS UNICAMENTE CON PLUVIOMETROS. TODOS LOS PRODUCTOS CAPTURARON RAZONABLEMENTE LA DISTRIBUCION DE LA PRECIPITACION A LARGA ESCALA, PERO ALGUNOS DE LOS PRODUCTOS QUE NO FUERON CORREGIDOS, PARTICULARMENTE LOS QUE SE ENFOCABAN EN LAS RAZONES DE LLUVIA BASADA EN MEDICIONES POR INFRARROJO, MOSTRARON VALORES DE PATRONES DE CORRELACION COMPARATIVAMENTE BAJOS CON LOS OBTENIDOS DE PLUVIOMETROS. AUNQUE LOS PRODUCTOS CALIBRADOS NORMALMENTE TIENDEN A SUBESTIMAR LA PRECIPITACION INCLUSO A VALORES UMBRALES ALTOS, SE DETERMINO UN VALOR SIGNIFICATIVO DE CORRECCION DE SESGO QUE SE SUMO A LOS PRODUCTOS QPE CALIBRADOS CON PLUVIOMETROS, A DIFERENCIA DE LOS NO CALIBRADOS. SIN EMBARGO, ESTE VALOR RESALTA LOS RETOS A FUTURO EN RELACION A COLECTAR E INTEGRAR DATOS DE PLUVIOMETROS EN SUPERFICIE EN CONJUNTO CON LOS PRODUCTOS QPE EN OPERACION.
Identifying accelerometer nonwear and wear time in older adults.

Five accelerometer-derived methods of identifying nonwear and wear time were compared with a self-report criterion in adults ≥ 56 years of age. Two hundred participants who reported wearing an Actical™ activity monitor for four to seven consecutive days and provided complete daily log sheet data (i.e., the criterion) were included. Four variables were obtained from log sheets: 1) dates the device was worn; 2) time(s) the participant put the device on each day; 3) time(s) the participant removed the device each day; and 4) duration of self-reported nonwear each day. Estimates of wear and nonwear time using 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes of consecutive zeroes were compared to estimates derived from log sheets. Compared with the log sheet, mean daily wear time varied from -84, -43, -24, -14 and -8 min/day for the 60-min, 90-min, 120-min, 150-min and 180-min algorithms, respectively. Daily log sheets indicated 8.5 nonwear bouts per week with 120-min, 150-min and 180-min algorithms estimating 8.2-8.9 nonwear bouts per week. The 60-min and 90-min methods substantially overestimated number of nonwear bouts per week and underestimated time spent in sedentary behavior. Sensitivity (number of compliant days correctly identified as compliant) improved with increasing minutes of consecutive zero counts and stabilized at the 120-min algorithm. The proportion of wear time being sedentary and absolute and proportion of time spent in physical activity of varying intensities were nearly identical for each method. Utilization of at least 120 minutes of consecutive zero counts will provide dependable population-based estimates of wear and nonwear time, and time spent being sedentary and active in older adults wearing the Actical™ activity monitor.
Association between women's empowerment and infant and child feeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.

Objective To explore the relationship between women’s empowerment and WHO recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in sub-Saharan Africa. Design Analysis was conducted using data from ten Demographic and Health Surveys between 2010 and 2013. Women’s empowerment was assessed by nine standard items covering three dimensions: economic, socio-familial and legal empowerment. Three core IYCF practices examined were minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were applied for the IYCF practices on dimensional and overall empowerment in each country. Setting Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Subjects Youngest singleton children aged 6–23 months and their mothers (n 15 153). Results Less than 35 %, 60 % and 18 % of children 6–23 months of age met the criterion of minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet, respectively. In general, likelihood of meeting the recommended IYCF criteria was positively associated with the economic dimension of women’s empowerment. Socio-familial empowerment was negatively associated with the three feeding criteria, except in Zimbabwe. The legal dimension of empowerment did not show any clear pattern in the associations. Greater overall empowerment of women was consistently and positively associated with multiple IYCF practices in Mali, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. However, consistent negative relationships were found in Benin and Niger. Null or mixed results were observed in the remaining countries. Conclusions The importance of women’s empowerment for IYCF practices needs to be discussed by context and by dimension of empowerment.
Unmasking the "Polite Smile" Situational and Personal Determinants of Managed Affect in Adult-Child Interaction

It was predicted that rapid onset and offset times of smiles are indicators of strategic or managed positive affect. Women (N = 96) were videotaped interacting with elementary-aged boys whose behavior (responsive, cooperative versus unresponsive, resistant) was likely to elicit positive versus negative affect. Adult smiles were found to fade faster when directed to unresponsive than to responsive children. Onset time of adult smiles, on the other hand, were found to vary as a function of caregiver attributions, that is, faster onset times were shown by "luck" than "ability" attributors. Fast offset time was interpreted as an indicator of unreciprocated positive affect (situational influence on smiling). Fast onset time of smiles was interpreted as reflecting an ingratiating self-presentation strategy (personal influence on smiling). Trends were observed indicating that slow onset and offset times of smiles acted to increase child responsiveness.
A Parallel Iterative Solver for Almost Block-Diagonal Linear Systems

Many applications in science and engineering give rise to large sparse linear system of equations. An important class of such applications is that which involves the numerical handling of partial differential equations via finite difference or finite element discretization. In many cases, proper ordering of grid points, or proper permutations of the rows and columns of the linear system, yields a sparse matrix in which the nonzero elements are contained in a band of width much smaller than the number of equations. In such situations, the matrix can be organized in the block-tridiagonal, or almost block-diagonal form. In this paper we present an iterative scheme for solving general linear systems of this form, which is suitable for parallel computers. First, we illustrate our approach by applying the scheme to diagonally dominant systems in which any diagonal block is nonsingular. The effectiveness of the scheme is demonstrated using the Generalized Minimal Residual (GMRES) algorithm, [7]. This parallel scheme is also generalized to handle general systems in which any diagonal block raay be singular. This parallel scheme has its roots in the direct solver introduced in [10] for tridiagonal systems, and those in [2], [4], and [9] for block-tridiagonal systems. Fig-1 gives an example of the systems being considered in this paper, in which the system is partitioned into four diagonal blocks, with three small upper and lower off-diagonal blocks. This example can be generalized easily into a matrix A with p diagonal blocks A1, A2, . . . , A v, and (p 1) connecting off diagonal blocks Vi and Wi's. For simplicity we assume that all the Ai's are of the same size hi, where nt divides n, the dimension of A, and the Vi's and Wds are each of size m, where m << nt. In addition, we assume that the A ' s are sparse and of no particular structure.
ReflectionSpace: an interactive visualization tool for supporting reflection-on-action in design

Reflection-in- and -on-action are key elements of creative design. While reflection-in-action has been often studied, reflection-on-action has received less attention. In this paper, we fill this gap by first reporting results from in-depth interviews (N=12) with practicing designers aimed at understanding activities related to reflection-on-action. We found that activities related to reflection-on-action are intentional, repetitive and frequent, design materials are the primary aids for reflective activities, and there is a strong need for better reflection support tools. To address this need, we designed, implemented and evaluated a novel interactive visualization tool -- ReflectionSpace. The tool uses file meta-data and naming conventions to map design materials to the appropriate design phase and context of use and places corresponding representations in a time- and activity-centric visualization that can be navigated at different levels of detail. User feedback from a comparative study reveals that such a representation of design process is more beneficial and preferred relative to the traditional file-centric approach for fostering reflection-on-action.
Assembly and alignment of Proximity Communication enabled multi-chip packages using elastomeric bump interposers

A MCM enabled by Proximity Communication (P×C) includes a two-dimensional array of facing chips, including island chips and bridge chips that communicate with each other using P×C I/Os placed in the overlapping regions. In order to maintain the relative vertical spacing of these P×C I/O pads as well as to allow Ball-in-Pit self-alignment technology to work, elastomeric bump interposers are placed in cavities in a substrate, which house the bridge chips, to provide a compressive force on the back surfaces of the bridge chips. These interposers contain compressible structures which are precisely placed to make sure that sufficient and symmetric amount of force is applied to the bridge chip to ensure that facing surfaces of the island chips and the bridge chips, as well as connectors on these surfaces, are held securely and reliably and are approximately coplanar without bending the bridge chips. At the same time, the interposer must also allow the bridge chip to be lowered sufficiently to disengage the ball-pit sites during the reflow process of the island chips. In this paper, the design and fabrication of such compliant mechanical interposers are discussed.
Understanding vaginal microbiome complexity from an ecological perspective

The various microbiota normally associated with the human body have an important influence on human development, physiology, immunity, and nutrition. This is certainly true for the vagina wherein communities of mutualistic bacteria constitute the first line of defense for the host by excluding invasive, nonindigenous organisms that may cause disease. In recent years much has been learned about the bacterial species composition of these communities and how they differ between individuals of different ages and ethnicities. A deeper understanding of their origins and the interrelationships of constituent species is needed to understand how and why they change over time or in response to changes in the host environment. Moreover, there are few unifying theories to explain the ecological dynamics of vaginal ecosystems as they respond to disturbances caused by menses and human activities such as intercourse, douching, and other habits and practices. This fundamental knowledge is needed to diagnose and assess risk to disease. Here we summarize what is known about the species composition, structure, and function of bacterial communities in the human vagina and the applicability of ecological models of community structure and function to understanding the dynamics of this and other ecosystems that comprise the human microbiome.
The Effect of Ordered Detection and Antenna Selection on Diversity Gain of Decision Feedback Detector

The decision feedback detector (DFD) can achieve the high spectral efficiency of a MIMO channel in that it converts the MIMO channel into multiple parallel layers, through which independently coded data substreams may be spatially multiplexed and be transmitted over the same time and frequency slot. Because of independent coding/decoding, the DFD may apply arbitrarily ordered detection. In this paper, we analyze the effect of detection ordering on the diversity gain per layer of the DFD in a MIMO Rayleigh-fading channel. For a MIMO channel with M t transmit and M r (M r ges M t) receive antennas, we derive an upper bound to the diversity gain per layer for any detection ordering, i.e., D i les (M r - i + 1)(M t - i + 1) for 1 les i les Mt. We show that the DFD using the so-called greedy ordering rule can achieve the diversity gain upper bound. We further study the diversity-multiplexing (D-M) gain tradeoff of DFD in a pruned MIMO channel where L t (L t les Mt) transmit and Lr (Lt les Lr les M r) receive antennas are selected out of the full system. It is shown that the D-M tradeoff of DFD in an optimally pruned channel is ddfd,opt (r) = (M r - Lt + 1)(Mt - Lt + 1)(1 - r/L t). Such a tradeoff-optimally pruned system can be obtained by a fast antenna selection algorithm. This result has interesting implications to the multi-access communications with user selection. The theoretical analysis is validated by the numerical examples.
Dictionary-Based Compression for Long Time-Series Similarity

Long time-series data sets are common in many domains, especially scientific domains. Applications in these fields often require comparing trajectories using similarity measures. Existing methods perform well for short time series but their evaluation cost degrades rapidly for longer time series. In this work, we develop a new time-series similarity measure called the Dictionary Compression Score (DCS) for determining time-series similarity. We also show that this method allows us to accurately and quickly calculate similarity for both short and long time series. We use the well-known Kolmogorov Complexity in information theory and the Lempel-Ziv compression framework as a basis to calculate similarity scores. We show that off-the-shelf compressors do not fair well for computing time-series similarity. To address this problem, we developed a novel dictionary-based compression technique to compute time-series similarity. We also develop heuristics to automatically identify suitable parameters for our method, thus, removing the task of parameter tuning found in other existing methods. We have extensively compared DCS with existing similarity methods for classification. Our experimental evaluation shows that for long time-series data sets, DCS is accurate, and it is also significantly faster than existing methods.
Theory and applications of guided-mode resonance filters

The guided-mode resonance properties of planar dielectric waveguide gratings are presented and explained. It is shown that these structures function as filters that produce complete exchange of energy between forward- and backward-propagating diffracted waves with smooth line shapes and arbitrarily narrow filter linewidths. Simple expressions based on rigorous coupled-wave theory and on classical slab waveguide theory give a clear view and quantification of the inherent TE/TM polarization separation and the free spectral ranges of the filters. Furthermore, the resonance regimes, defining the parametric regions of the guided-mode resonances, can be directly visualized. It is shown that the linewidths of the resonances can be controlled by the grating modulation amplitude and by the degree of mode confinement (refractive-index difference at the boundaries). Examples presented of potential uses for these elements include a narrow-line polarized laser, a tunable polarized laser, a photorefractive tunable filter, and an electro-optic switch. The guided-mode resonance filter represents a basic new optical element with significant potential for practical applications.
Relationship between atmospheric circulation and snowpack in the western USA

Snow anomalies in the western USA have a significant impact on water availability, and hence have been widely investigated by many researchers. This study focuses on how anomalous atmospheric circulation affects snowpack accumulation in the western USA. Our results indicate that the mid-latitude atmospheric circulation anomalies induced by the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) tend to drive winter precipitation shifts, leading to an anomalous snowpack distribution in the western USA. The warm phase of ENSO produces increased snowpack in the Southwest, whereas the cold phase generates increased snowpack in the Northwest. The results also indicate that temperature has a secondary impact on the anomalous snowpack distribution during ENSO episodes. Additionally, the atmospheric internal variability-related Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern is found to affect snow anomalies strongly in the western USA independent from ENSO. The positive phase of the PNA pattern produces colder temperature and stronger precipitation due to the lower pressure in the region, leading to an above-average snowpack. Conversely, the negative phase of the PNA pattern generates warmer temperature and weaker precipitation resulting from the higher pressure, producing below-average snowpack in the western USA. The significant findings that result from this study strengthen our understanding of climate and water supply variability in the western USA. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A role of the double-stranded RNA-binding protein PACT in mouse ear development and hearing.

To determine the physiological functions of the mammalian double-stranded RNA-binding protein PACT, the single-copy mouse Pact gene was disrupted and expression of the protein was completely ablated. The most notable phenotypes of the Pact−/− mouse were reduced size and severe microtia. As a result of the congenital abnormality of both outer and middle ears, these mice were hearing impaired. In situ hybridization revealed that PACT mRNA was expressed in specific regions of all three parts of the ear in adult and embryonic wild-type mice. Our study demonstrated an essential role of PACT in mammalian ear development and produced the first animal model for studying human microtia.
Differences in synergistic actions of vasopressin and deoxycorticosterone in rat and rabbit CCD.

We examined the time course of changes in osmotic water permeability (Pf, micron/s), lumen-to-bath 22Na+ flux (Jl----b, pmol.min-1.mm-1), and transepithelial voltage (VT, mV) in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in isolated perfused rat and rabbit cortical collecting ducts (CCD). CCDs were isolated from “normal” (untreated) animals and animals 4-14 days after an intramuscular depot injection of deoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOC; 35 mg/rabbit, 5 mg/rat). In the normal rat CCD, 220 pM AVP added to the bathing solution increased Pf from approximately 0 to 981 +/- 120, Jl----b from 24 +/- 5 to 62 +/- 9, and VT from -0.7 +/- 0.6 to -4.0 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SE; P less than 0.05). The effect of AVP on Pf in DOC-treated rats was not significantly different, but the effects on Jl----b and VT were greater. Jl----b rose from a control value of 78 +/- 16 to 192 +/- 14 with AVP, and VT hyperpolarized from -4.2 +/- 1.6 to -12.2 +/- 0.4. All of these effects of AVP in the normal and DOC-treated rat CCD persisted for ...
Technology and the Constitution

How do emerging developments in science and technology affect the way we interpret the Constitution? This is, on its face, an enormous question. Technology and science are ever expanding, and there are many different approaches to constitutional jurisprudence. One could fill many volumes in an effort to engage this issue in a serious way. But we can also learn a great deal about the larger subject by asking a more modest question: How does technological innovation affect one particular approach to constitutional interpretation - "originalist textualism," the belief that the text of the Constitution should be construed and applied according to its original meaning? Because of its defining feature - the requirement that constitutional provisions be construed according to their original meaning - originalist textualism is profoundly affected by advances in science and technology. In cases and controversies in which such advances are centrally involved, originalist jurists are required to discern and apply temporally fixed concepts to circumstances and possibilities that could never have been contemplated by the authors of the Constitution. This collision of fixed meaning and novel realities born of technological progress stands to force a "crisis of construction," where fidelity to originalist textualism is greatly complicated or costly, and in some cases yields politically undesirable or untenable results. This crisis can take at least three forms. First, there are crises of application, in which the original meaning of the constitutional provision is clear, but technological advances tempt the jurist to depart from this meaning, since doing so would yield a politically desirable result. Second, there are crises of premises, where the original meaning of the clauses in question is once again clear, but where technological developments undermine the factual premises and assumptions that underlie that original meaning, leading to anomalous and unintended political consequences. Finally, there are crises of meaning, in which it is unclear whether a particular word or phrase of a given constitutional provision contemplates a new activity or concept that only new technology makes possible. By examining the nature of these crises, and reflecting on the capacity of originalist textualism to resolve them within its own self-imposed limiting principles, we can perhaps learn something in general about how technological innovation can affect constitutional interpretation. And we can consider whether an originalist approach to the Constitution is still feasible or sensible in an age when judges routinely confront complex questions at the intersection of technology and law.
Abstract 339: Hyperhomocysteinemia Reduces Large HDL Particle and EL Expression via Hypomethylation Related Mechanism in Mice

Hyper-homocysteinemia (HHcy) has been identified as an independent risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We previous reported HHcy is associated with reduced HDL-cholesterol and decreased large HDL particle in mouse and human CVD. Here, we investigated underlying mechanism of homocysteine (Hcy)-related HDL biosynthesis and degradation. We examined protein/gene expression, activities of four HDL-degradation related lipases including endothelial lipase (EL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (HL), and pancreatic lipase (PL). Severe HHcy (98.4±22 μM) was established in cystathionine betasynthase-gene mutant mice (Cbs+/-), moderate HHcy (23.5±5 μM) was also developed in Cbs+/+ mice, both fed a high methionine (HM) diet for 8-week. Moderate and severe HHcy increased protein levels of EL in aorta (204% and 319%), lung (201% and 264%), and decreased LPL in aorta (98% and 34%), lung (99% and 61%), spleen (98% and 51%). HL and PL protein levels were not changed by HHcy. Activities of overall lipase...
Relationship of mouth lesions to eggshell quality of commercial laying hens.

Abstract A field survey was conducted to study the association between mouth lesion incidence (LI) and egg shell quality in commercial laying hens. Hens in 5 groups of cages were examined for number of mouth lesions and body weight. Eggs collected by group were evaluated for egg weight (EW), shell weight (SW), % shell, and shell surface density (SD). Eight farms were used that involved 2 strains, 2 age groups, and 2 management levels. The relationships between egg shell quality factor means and number of lesions per hen by strain, age, and management level were determined using correlation and regression. Lesion incidence was negatively correlated with EW and SW. There was a linear decrease in both EW and SW as LI increased and this decrease was greater in young birds than in old. There were no overall effects of LI on % shell or SD. However, SD decreased more in poor management birds than good as lesion incidence increased.
THE EFFECTS OF LATE-INCUBATION BODY MASS ON REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AND SURVIVAL OF CANVASBACKS AND REDHEADS

Intraspecific variation in nutrient reserves is believed to affect reproductive success of female waterfowl during egg laying and incubation (the nutrient-limitation hy- pothesis). We tested the nutrient-limitation hypothesis in Canvasbacks (Aythya vahsineria) and Redheads (A. americana) by relating the body masses of incubating females with sub- sequent nest success, brood survival, and adult survival. Our analyses were based on 392 Canvasbacks and 16 Redheads captured and weighed during late incubation in southwestern Manitoba during 1983-1993. For Canvasbacks, there was a significant interaction between body mass and age; failed adults (ASY) weighed 3 g more than successful adults (P = 0.65) but failed yearlings (SY) weighed 37 g less than successful yearlings (P = 0.03). For Redheads, nest success was unrelated to body mass. For both species, brood survival and adult survival (i.e., return rates) were unrelated to female body mass. Thus, future reproductive success was correlated with body mass in only one out of seven test comparisons (i.e., nest success of yearling Canvasbacks). Although we had large sample sizes and used similar methods, our results were notably different from a previous study of prairie dabbling ducks (Anas spp.), where light-weight females were more likely to experience nest failure. For both studies, we believe that investigator-induced nest abandonment was an important cause ofcondition- dependent nest failure. We conclude that nutrient reserves were of minor importance in determining future reproductive success of adult Canvasbacks and Redheads, but may be important for yearlings.
Two-photon transition from H 4 3 to S 0 1 of Pr 3 + in La F 3

A direct two-photon absorption between crystal-field components of the $^{3}H_{4}$ ground-state configuration to the highest excited state $^{1}S_{0}$ in the $4{f}^{2}$ manifold of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ in La${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ has been observed. The magnitude of the intensities and the polarization dependence require a third- and fourth-order theoretical analysis, similar to that developed for two-photon absorption of ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in La${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$.