cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of Outdoor mmWave Ad Hoc Networks

Ad hoc networks provide an on-demand, infrastructure-free means to communicate between soldiers in war zones, aid workers in disaster areas, or consumers in device-to-device (D2D) applications. Unfortunately, ad hoc networks are limited by interference due to nearby transmissions. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) devices offer several potential advantages for ad hoc networks, including reduced interference due to directional antennas and building blockages, not to mention huge bandwidth channels for large data rates. This paper uses a stochastic geometry approach to characterize the one-way and two-way signal-to-interference ratio distribution of a mmWave ad hoc network with directional antennas, random blockages, and ALOHA channel access. The interference-to-noise ratio shows that a fundamental limitation of an ad hoc network, interference, may still be an issue. The performance of mmWave ad hoc networks is bounded by the transmission capacity and area spectral efficiency. The results show that mmWave networks can support much higher densities and larger spectral efficiencies, even in the presence of blockage, compared with lower frequency communication for certain link distances. Due to the increased bandwidth, the rate coverage of mmWave can be much greater than lower frequency devices.
Video games during the time of the plague

In their timely essay, Granic and colleagues (this issue) posit digital media as interwoven with real-life experience and an important and nuanced part of adolescent development. When they were wri...
REG3α is a novel biomarker that potentially correlates with acute allograft rejection after intestinal transplantation.

Monitoring of intestinal allograft function remains a challenge. While frequent endoscopies and biopsies are the gold standard, no single biomarker exists to screen for intestinal transplant rejection. The novel REG3α, an antimicrobial peptide secreted by intestinal enterocytes and Paneth cells, has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease as well as intestinal graft versus host disease. Our aim was to identify and describe a role of REG3α in monitoring or predicting acute allograft rejection after intestinal transplantation (ITx). Since 2019, we have incorporated REG3α into the standard monitoring of patients after ITx. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained IRB-approved database and present, herein, the results of 2 adults with irreversible intestinal failure who underwent isolated ITx under this monitoring protocol. Increases in REG3α corresponded with acute allograft rejection in both cases and preceded acute allograft rejection by 1 week in one of the cases. We describe REG3α as a non-invasive marker of acute allograft rejection after adult isolated ITx which not only corresponded with acute allograft rejection but also preceded histopathological changes by 1 week.
Understanding Dynamics of Nonlinear Representation Learning and Its Application.

Representations of the world environment play a crucial role in machine intelligence. It is often inefficient to conduct reasoning and inference directly in the space of raw sensory representations, such as pixel values of images. Representation learning allows us to automatically discover suitable representations from raw sensory data. For example, given raw sensory data, a multilayer perceptron learns nonlinear representations at its hidden layers, which are subsequently used for classification (or regression) at its output layer. This happens implicitly during training through minimizing a supervised or unsupervised loss. In this paper, we study the dynamics of such implicit nonlinear representation learning. We identify a pair of a new assumption and a novel condition, called the common model structure assumption and the data-architecture alignment condition. Under the common model structure assumption, the data-architecture alignment condition is shown to be sufficient for the global convergence and necessary for the global optimality. Our results provide practical guidance for designing a model structure: e.g., the common model structure assumption can be used as a justification for using a particular model structure instead of others. As an application, we then derive a new training framework, which satisfies the data-architecture alignment condition without assuming it by automatically modifying any given training algorithm dependently on each data and architecture. Given a standard training algorithm, the framework running its modified version is empirically shown to maintain competitive (practical) test performances while providing global convergence guarantees for ResNet-18 with convolutions, skip connections, and batch normalization with standard benchmark datasets, including MNIST, CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, Semeion, KMNIST and SVHN.
One-shot identification of SARS-CoV-2 S RBD escape mutants using yeast screening.

The potential emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) escape mutants is a threat to the efficacy of existing vaccines and neutralizing antibody (nAb) therapies. An understanding of the antibody/S escape mutation landscape is urgently needed to preemptively address this threat. Here we describe a rapid method to identify escape mutants for nAbs targeting the S receptor binding site. We identified escape mutants for five nAbs, including three from the public germline class VH3-53 elicited by natural coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Escape mutations predominantly mapped to the periphery of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) recognition site on the RBD with K417, D420, Y421, F486, and Q493 as notable hotspots. We provide libraries, methods, and software as an openly available community resource to accelerate new therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2.
Pulmonary Developmental Responses to Toxicants

Childhood lung disease is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States, especially in polluted urban environments. Epidemiologic studies suggest that early exposure to environmental pollutants is associated with childhood airway disease which persists into adulthood; however, the impact of lung-targeted toxicants on the respiratory system of pre- and postnatal animals is not well defined. The pattern of lung development itself may play a significant role in modulating the toxic response with significant portions of lung morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation occurring during the postnatal period. The enzyme systems responsible for bioactivation and detoxification differentiate during the perinatal period, with the majority of differentiation activity occurring for an extended period of time after birth. In addition, each enzyme system has a different pattern of differentiation during pre- and postnatal lung development. The risk of injury to a developing lung from an environmental contaminant known to target the lung in adults must be evaluated with two considerations: (1) The toxicant may have its impact by altering the processes of morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation, resulting in differential expression or organization of the lung in the adult. (2) Factors such as the stage of morphogenesis and differentiation of various subcompartments of the lungs during the time of exposure may significantly increase the severity of the toxic response. An effort must be made to separate the effects on the respiratory system produced by maternal exposure, either prior to parturition or during the suckling phase of postnatal growth, from the impacts of direct exposure on the postnatal animal. Alteration of the differentiated expression of a particular enzyme system or other functional protein by exposure during lung development, which does not lead to direct changes in lung function, may not produce adverse responses by a particular toxicant in the respiratory system.
The borderline mother and her child: a couple at risk.

The child whose mother is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is at risk for developing this disorder. The mother with BPD may be limited in her ability to negotiate a secure attac...
Abstract W P156: Perioperative Low Arterial Oxygenation is Associated With Increased Risk of Stroke After Cardiac Surgery

Background: Postoperative stroke occurs in up to 5% of cardiac surgery patients, contributing significantly to mortality and morbidity. Patient characteristics as well as intraoperative factors have been associated with a higher risk of stroke. We hypothesized that poor systemic blood oxygenation in the perioperative period is associated with increased risk of stroke following cardiac surgery. Methods: This was a case-control study of 311 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgical procedures at a single center from 2003-6. Patients having a postoperative stroke were matched 1:2 with controls. Minimum and average pO2 values, as measured from arterial blood gas values during and up to 24 hours after the start of surgery, were recorded and evaluated as continuous and categorical (in quartiles) predictors. Conditional logistic regression models adjusted for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and prior stroke were used to evaluate associations between minimum and average pO2, each, and stroke status. Results: Lower nadir pO2 values were significantly associated with postoperative stroke. Per 10 mm Hg decline in nadir pO2, odds of stroke increased nearly 25% (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.39). Nonlinear models of oxygen levels predicting stroke were explored (figure) but results remained similar; the linear model had the best statistical fit. Each equivalent decrease in mean pO2 was associated with smaller but significantly increased odds of stroke (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15). Having a nadir pO2 value in the lowest vs highest quartile was associated with 3.3-fold increased odds of stroke (95% CI 1.51-7.23). Conclusion: Odds of stroke after cardiac surgery is significantly increased in patients with a low minimum or average pO2 within 24 hours of surgery. This relationship is independent of other potential confounders of operative outcome. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A Paradigm Shift in the Radiation Treatment of Brain Metastases

Treatment for patients with brain metastases has been evolving towards increased use of stereotactic radiosurgical techniques. This paradigm shift is based on technological developments and increased understanding about the potential negative consequences of whole brain radiation therapy. In this editorial review, we discuss the background of these changes. We also outline the pros and cons of four major developments in the treatment of brain metastases: (1) stereotactic radiosurgery in lieu of whole brain radiation therapy; (2) fractionated radiosurgery; (3) radiosurgery to the post-operative tumor bed; and (4) radiosurgery to numerous brain metastases.
Commentary--anatomy of racial disparity in influenza vaccination.

The Institute of Medicine report, Unequal Treatment, documents the presence of racial/ethnic disparities in health care across multiple procedures. It concluded that stereotyping, biases, and uncertainty on the part of health care providers all contribute to unequal treatment while also acknowledging the role of access and patient factors (Institute of Medicine 2002). Yet, despite the large number of studies documenting disparities in health care, few have sought to quantify the relative role of provider, patient, and access factors to disparities. Large racial/ethnic disparities have been consistently documented in use of expensive, invasive technology including coronary revascularization procedures (Epstein et al. 2003), organ transplantation (Ayanian et al. 1999; Epstein et al. 2000), cerebrovascularization management and treatment (Lillie-Blanton et al. 2002), and knee and hip arthroplasty (Institute of Medicine 2002; Skinner et al. 2003). Disparities have been less consistently documented in the provision of primary care procedures. For example racial/ethnic disparities in screening for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer range from small to nonsignificant (Swan et al. 2003). A study of directly observed primary care visits showed no evidence in racial disparity in care (Williams, Flocke, and Stange 2001). However, elderly African Americans and Hispanics consistently report lower rates of influenza vaccines. In 2002, only 48.5 percent of elderly African Americans and 50.7 percent of Hispanics reported receiving the vaccine compared with 69.6 percent of whites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2003).
Prevention of Fungal Infection of Plants by Specific Inhibition of Cutinase

Specific antibodies prepared against cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi and diisopropylfluorophosphate, a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, prevented infection of the host (pea epicotyl) by this organism, without affecting the viability of the spores. This finding shows that enzymatic penetration of cuticle is involved in pathogenesis.
An adaptive frequency control method using thermal feedback for reconfigurable hardware applications

Reconfigurable circuits running in field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can be dynamically optimized for power based on computational requirements and thermal conditions of the environment. In the past, FPGA circuits were typically small and operated at a low frequency. Few users were concerned about high-power consumption and the heat generated by FPGA devices. The current generation of FPGAs, however, use extensive pipelining techniques to achieve high data processing rates and dense layouts that can generate significant amounts of heat. FPGA circuits can be synthesized that can generate more heat than the package can dissipate. For FPGAs that operate in controlled environments, heatsinks and fans can be mounted to the device to extract heat from the device. When FPGA devices do not operate in a controlled environment, however, changes to ambient temperature due to factors such as the failure of a fan or a reconfiguration of bitfile running on the device can drastically change the operating conditions. A protection mechanism is needed to ensure the proper operation of the FPGA circuits when such a change occurs. To address these issues, we have devised a reconfigurable temperature monitoring system that gives feedback to the FPGA circuit using the measured junction temperature of the device. Using this feedback, we designed a novel dual frequency switching system that allows the FPGA circuits to maintain the highest level of performance for a given maximum junction temperature. Our working system has been implemented and deployed on the field programmable port extender (FPX) platform at Washington University in St. Louis. Our experimental results with a scalable image correlation circuit show up to a 2.4times factor increase in performance as compared to a system without thermal feedback. Our circuit ensures that the device performs the maximum required computation while always operating within a safe temperature range
Another perspective on changes in international inequality from 1950 to 1980

Abstract Real income data derived from the third phase of the International Comparisons Project are used to compute Theil's population-weighted indices of intercountry inequality for several years between 1950 and 1980. Contrary to some recently reported results, a substantial increase in inequality is observed. Internationally comparable consumption data indicate consumption inequality increased more than income inequality.
The Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Dilemma

Detecting, classifying (grading), treating, and managing ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and other high-risk abnormalities (eg, atypical ductal hyperplasia [ADH]), of the breast remains an ever-evolving, complicated, extremely expensive, and controversial area of interest. I recently attended a National Institutes of Health workshop on the topic of ‘‘Diagnosis and Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)’’ (1) with the hope of gaining a new perspective mixed with a critical assessment through open discussion about the ‘‘big picture issues’’ we face, only to be surprised as to how little is known about the natural history of this disease (or better yet diseases) and as to the best course of treatment and management of DCIS. As far as I was concerned, this lack of knowledge regarding optimal management of DCIS (which I personally saw as the ‘‘huge white elephant in the room’’) was briefly mentioned (and largely glanced over or completely ignored) by several speakers rather than being the clear and primary focus of the meeting. In 11 single-spaced pages of the draft statement that came out of the meeting, there were several indirect comments about the lack of understanding as to how should DCIS be optimally managed, but there was only one clear recommendation (on page 10) that specifically mentioned the need to ‘‘develop and validate risk-stratification models to identify subsets of women who have DCIS who are candidates for (1) active surveillance only, (2) local excision only, (3) local excision with radiotherapy, and (4) mastectomy’’ (2). One could argue that the current diagnosis and management of DCIS is optimal because mortality from breast cancer is indeed declining and the general consensus is that early detection leads to a better chance for a cure. It is therefore understandable why we may not wish to challenge our current thinking and admit that we truly do not know if treating ADH and DCIS primarily as an invasive cancer has any effect on survival, and perhaps consider the possibility that the vast majority of those treated may have indeed been overtreated.
From processing to analysing: Intensifying the use of microcomputers in development bureaucracies

This article examines constraints in development bureaucracies in intensifying the use of microcomputers as they move beyond processing applications to analysing applications. The work is based on the experience of several ministries of the Government of Kenya. Processing applications involve throughput of data and are relatively simple. Analysing applications, in contrast, are more complex and include data assembly, sensitivity analysis, and modelling. The article argues that processing applications are more compatible with the administrative cultures, bureaucratic functions, personnel skill levels and organizational structures of development bureaucracies. Analysing applications are less compatible because they require a level of training and motivation uncommon in development bureaucracies. Analysing applications are further thwarted by constraints in the supply of relevant information and the lack of demand for analysis by decision-makers. A four-cell matrix is developed which explains these constraints. The article concludes with several recommendations for encouraging microcomputer-based analysis, but cautions that processing applications will continue to dominate for the foreseeable future.
Magnetic circular dichroism of matrix-isolated Mo atoms: spin-orbit coupling and Jahn-Teller activity

Abstract The magnetic circular dichroism and absorption spectra of molybdenum atoms isolated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrices have been measured. A method of moments analysis has been applied to the spectral results and the z 7P excited state spin-orbit (SO) coupling constants determined. In Ar the SO constant is 126 cm−1, greater than the gas value of 101 cm−1, while in Kr and Xe it is smaller, 84.5 and 57.5 cm−1, respectively. These results compare favorably with the values predicted by a recent theory of SO coupling for metals in matrices. It is further shown that matrix-enhanced second-order SO coupling, which was found to be important in Cr in the rare gas matrices, is negligible in the present systems. In addition, the method of moments was used to determine the contributions of the noncubic rare gas cage vibrational modes to the observed bandwidths, an approach which has been used previously to identify excited state Jahn-Teller activity. It is shown that Mo atoms in all three gas matrices exhibit a strong Jahn-Teller effect on the z 7P state.
Effects of methylphenidate in adolescents with attention deficit disorder.

Twenty-two adolescents with attention deficit disorder participated in a double-blind, active drug and placebo cross over study with methylphenidate. Sixteen of the children responded positively to medication as measured by improvement on the Conners' abbreviated teacher questionnaire, as well as improvement on daily narratives of the youngsters' behavior and school performance provided by their teachers. It is concluded that adolescents with signs and symptoms consistent with attention deficit disorder do respond to stimulant medication and that the use of a double-blind assessment is practical in the determination of drug response.
The dissemination of federal government information: Prospects for the immediate future

Abstract The Government Printing Office is currently undertaking a study to “Identify Measures Necessary for a Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal Depository Library Program.” With an anticipated date of 1998 for the implementation of an “electronic depository library program” this GPO study will become the blueprint for restructuring the FDLP. The ability of GPO to secure agency dissemination of electronic information through the FDLP as well as the willingness of depository libraries to remain in the Program will ultimately determine the long-term viability of the FDLP.
Constructing transpose-orthogonal Latin squares

Abstract A construction due to Mullin and Nemeth uses starters and skew adders to construct Latin squares that are orthogonal to their transposes. The construction, which makes use of certain cyclic sequences, fails for some starters and skew adders. A necessary and sufficient condition on the cycles is given for the construction to work. It is shown that although the construction depends on the choice of cycles, it can be made to work for any strong starter and its associated skew adder.
Delayed effects of amphetamine or phencyclidine: interaction of food deprivation, stress and dose.

Abstract Tritium-labelled phencyclidine (PCP) hydrochloride (12 mg/kg) was injected SC for six consecutive days into two groups of eight male rats maintained at 85% of their initial free-feeding weights. Eight days after the last injection, electric footshock raised fat levels of PCP 28% over nonshocked controls, and lowered blood levels 18%, but did not alter brain levels of the drug significantly. Thus, application of an acute stressor does result in redistribution of tissue stores of phencyclidine as predicted in the literature; however, the direction of the redistributions was to fat, rather than to brain. To explore the relation of a long-term stressor (one that eliminates adipose tissue as a sink for mobilized PCP), exploratory behavior was evaluated in male rats during six days of food deprivation commencing after six daily injections of PCP HCl (2 or 4 mg/kg, SC). Exploratory behavior of the 4 mg/kg dose group was abruptly altered, compared to saline controls, at six days of food deprivation, when the rats' body weights were about 70% of initial weights and when body fat would be severely reduced or depleted. To assess replicability and generalizability of this phenomenon, PCP HCl (4 or 8 mg/kg, SC) or dextroamphetamine sulfate (3.2 or 6.4 mg/kg, SC) was injected into male rats for six days and food deprivation followed afterward for nine consecutive days, or until similar body weight reductions as in the first experiment were achieved. Again, exploratory behavior was altered in comparison to saline controls in phencyclidine-treated rats (at the 4 mg/kg dose level) when rats reached about 70% of initial weights. Behavior of dextroamphetamine-treated animals (at 3.2 mg/kg) was also different from controls, suggesting that interactions between food deprivation (stress) and lipophilic drugs of abuse occur when body fat stores reach a threshold.
Cytologic, colposcopic, and histologic correlation in young females.

The purpose of the reported study was to correlate the cytologic and colposcopic patterns with the histopathologic diagnosis. This was accomplished in 81 young females who underwent direct colposcopic biopsy because of a suspicious appearance of the cervix and abnormal or suspicious cytology. Among them 17 were intrauterine DES-exposed females. The results of our study showed that the white epithelium plus punctation, punctation alone, white gland openings, mosaism, white epithelium plus mosaism, white epithelium, and atypical vessels were the most common findings compatible with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Cytology and colposcopy together as diagnostic procedures were the most suitable and successful combination for the diagnosis of CIN in young patients with suspicious appearance of the cervix.
Forbidden Hyperfine Spectra in Electron Spin Resonance due to Hyperfine Anisotropy and Nuclear Zeeman Interaction

Electron spin resonance of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ in Zn ${(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{4})}_{2}$${(\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_{4})}_{2}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}6${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O has been studied at 35 and 70 GHz at liquid-helium temperatures. In addition to the usual eight-line hyperfine spectrum from ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ ($I=\frac{7}{2}$), a seven-line "forbidden" hyperfine spectrum was also observed with the applied magnetic field nearly perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the crystalline field. The "forbidden" transitions do not result from nuclear quadrupole coupling, but arise because of the very large anisotropy of the hyperfine interaction, more specifically because ${\mathrm{Ag}}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}\ensuremath{\gg}B{g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$. As a consequence of this anisotropy, the axis of spin quantization of the nucleus deviates appreciably from the direction of the applied field, and the nuclear Zeeman interaction contains terms in ${I}_{x}$ that at high fields and certain angles can become comparable to the terms in ${I}_{z}$. Since the intensity of the forbidden spectra is a direct measure of the field at the nucleus, it is found that there exists at the cobalt nucleus a pseudo-magnetic-field the same order of magnitude as the applied magnetic field. The measured pseudofield, which results from the induced magnetization of the electron charge distribution by the external field, is in order-of-magnitude agreement with calculations.
Asymptomatic Left Bundle Branch Block Predicts New-Onset Congestive Heart Failure and Death From Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We sought to characterize the strength of these associations in a population without preexisting clinical heart disease. Methods: The association between LBBB and new-onset congestive heart failure (CHF) or death from cardiovascular diseases was examined in 1,688 participants enrolled in the SPPARCS study who were free of known CHF or previous myocardial infarction. SPPARCS is a community-based cohort study in residents of Sonoma, California that are > 55 years. Medical history and 12-lead ECGs were obtained every 2 years for up to 6 years of follow-up. LBBB at enrollment or year 2 was considered â€œbaselineâ€ and assessed as a predictor of CHF and cardiovascular death ascertained at years 4 and 6. Results: The prevalence of LBBB at baseline was 2.5% (n = 42). During 6 years of follow-up, 70 (4.8%) people developed new CHF. Incidence of CHF was higher in patients with LBBB than in participants without LBBB. This association persisted after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio (OR): 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 - 8.02; P = 0.047). A higher mortality from cardiovascular diseases was also found in participants with LBBB after adjusting for potential confounders (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.02 - 5.41; P = 0.044). Conclusions: LBBB in the absence of a clinically detectable heart disease is associated with new-onset CHF and death from cardiovascular diseases. Further study is warranted to determine if additional diagnostic testing or earlier treatment in patients with asymptomatic LBBB can decrease cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. Cardiol Res. 2012;3(6):258-263 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/cr214w
Short run dynamics of multi-class queues

We study the dynamics of general queueing systems with multiple classes of customers undergoing self-selection. We prove that if the capacity of a queue is sufficiently large, the equilibrium arrival rate will be globally stable. As the capacity is decreased, the arrival rate typically oscillates near the equilibrium.
Commissioning and in-flight calibration results of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LRO/LAMP) UV imaging spectrograph

The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) is a lightweight (6.1 kg), low-power (4.5 W), ultraviolet spectrograph based on the Alice instruments now in flight aboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft and NASA's New Horizons spacecraft. Its primary job on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is to identify and localize exposed water frost in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the Moon's poles, and to characterize landforms and albedos in PSRs. In this paper we describe the in-flight radiometric performance and commissioning results and compare them to ground calibration measurements.
HSP70 enhances macrophage phagocytosis by interaction with lipid raft-associated TLR-7 and upregulating p38 MAPK and PI3K pathways.

Background Exogenous Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP70), a product of necrotic cell death, binds the lipid raft microdomains of macrophages and, within minutes, stimulates the phagocytosis and presentation of internalized antigens. The aim of this study was to identify (a) the receptor on the lipid raft microdomain that interacts with HSP70 and (b) the subsequent signaling pathways that mediate HSP70-enhanced phagocytosis. Methods Cells including RAW264.7, bone-marrow-derived macrophages from TLR7−/− mice or controls and cells subjected to genetic methods reducing the mRNA expression of TLR7 were used to examine the interaction of HSP70 with TLR7. The effect of HSP70-TLR7 interaction on phagocytosis was assessed using phagocytosis assays described earlier. Results HSP70 binds Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7) on the lipid raft microdomain of macrophage plasma membrane. Subsequent signaling is mediated through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the up-regulation of the p38 MAP kinase pathways, both known activators of the phagocytic mechanisms. Reduced expression of TLR7 either via short interfering RNA for TLR7 (siRNA-TLR7) or using bone-marrow derived macrophages from TLR7−/− mice show that, as macrophages lose expression of TLR7, their ability to mediate HSP70-induced phagocytosis undergoes a corresponding diminution. Similarly, disruption of lipid rafts or blocking HSP70-TLR7-interaction or treatment with wortmannin and SB203580, inhibitors of PI3K or p38 MAPK, respectively, abrogates HSP70-induced macrophage phagocytosis. Conclusions The interaction of HSP70 and LR-associated TLR7, two phylogenetically conserved molecules, activates a rapid, membrane-bound signaling pathway that enhances phagocytosis, a vital innate defense mechanism. This study elucidates critical mechanistic elements that mediate HSP70-enhanced phagocytosis by macrophages.
Limited and selective adduction of carboxyl-terminal lysines in the high molecular weight neurofilament proteins by 2,5-hexanedione in vitro.

Abstract 2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD) induces a toxic neuropathy characterized by massive, focal axonal neurofilament (NF) accumulation. Covalent interaction of 2,5-HD with NF protein amines, resulting in pyrrole adduct formation, has been proposed as a critical step in its mechanism. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hypothesis of selective 2,5-HD/lysine modification, by quantitating in vitro adduction in the NF proteins and in specific polypeptide domains of each protein. Native rat spinal cord NFs were exposed to 0–212.5 mM [14C]2,5-HD for 2–16 h (37° C under argon), followed by removal of non-covalently bound radioactivity. Incorporation of radioactivity and pyrrole formation in NFs increased linearly with 2,5-HD concentration and biphasically with time. SDS-PAGE and fluorography demonstrated prominent labeling of the three NF subunit proteins (H, M, and L), in addition to high-MW, crosslinked material derived from NF-H and -M. Mild chymotryptic cleavage was employed to isolate the carboxyl-terminal ‘tail’ domains of NF-H and -M, and the pooled amino-terminal NF ‘rod’ regions, all of which were radiolabeled. Specific activity (mol adduct/mol protein) of adducted NF proteins and polypeptide domains was determined by scintillation counting of electroeluted proteins. Stable binding in the NF-H and -M proteins was 4- to 6-fold higher than in the NF-L protein at all 2,5-HD concentrations, with specific activities of approximately 6.9, 4.7, and 1.3 mol/mol protein, respectively, at 212.5 mM. Approximately 70–80% of NF-H and -M binding was localized to the tail domains. In contrast, NF-L and pooled rod domain adduction did not substantially exceed 1 mol/mol protein. These findings provide the first direct evidence for limited and selective pyrrole adduction in the NF proteins following 2,5-HD exposure.
Treatment of curable carcinoma of the breast

Abstract There is much solid evidence that surgical removal is the most successful method of curing breast cancer in an operable stage. But great confusion has recently developed regarding the extent of the surgical attack required? The fault is our own. The comparisons of the results of the different surgical methods being used have not been made on a reasonable and accurate basis. The first requirement for valid comparison is careful classification of the clinical stage of advancement of the carcinoma in every patient. This is a comparatively new discipline for surgeons, and not knowing much about it they tend to ignore it or do it carelessly. Breast carcinoma is a slowly progressive disease, and is much more easily curable in an early stage than when it is more advanced. The efficacy of each different method of treatment must be compared separately for each clinical stage of advancement of the disease. The two best plans for clinical staging are the Columbia Clinical Classification and the so-called TNM International Clinical Classification. The Columbia plan is preferable because it is not only much simpler, but it is also more precise. Each surgical method being compared must be carried out with a uniform technique upon a consecutive series of patients, totalling at least 100 for the earlier clinical stages in which the patients are more numerous. The follow-up must be almost complete, and the results reported in terms of the actual number of patients included in each test series, and the number with local recurrence on the chest wall, in the internal mammary region, and in the axilla within 10 years. The number of patients surviving for 10 years, without deductions of any kind, must The reported.
Effects of maternal identity and incubation temperature on Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) growth

Abstract Individual variation in physiological traits may have important consequences for offspring survivorship and adult fitness. Variance in offspring phenotypes is due to interindividual differences in genotype, environment, and/or maternal effects. This study examined the contributions of incubation environment, maternal effects, and clutch identity to individual variation in metabolic rates in the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. We measured standard metabolic rate, as determined by oxygen consumption, for 246 individuals representing 24 clutches at 15° and 25°C, and we measured standard metabolic rates additionally for 34 individuals at 20° and 30°C. Standard metabolic rate for 34 snapping turtles measured at 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30°C increased with increasing temperature. Mean standard metabolic rate for 246 individuals was 0.247 μL O2 min−1 g−1 at 15°C and 0.919 μL O2 min−1 g−1 at 25°C. At 15°C, mass at hatching, individual mass, and egg mass had no significant effects on metabolic rate...
U(1) Gauge Theory of the Hubbard Model: Spin Liquid States and Possible Application to κ − ( BEDT − TTF ) 2 Cu 2 ( CN ) 3

We formulate a U(1) gauge theory of the Hubbard model in the slave-rotor representation. From this formalism it is argued that spin liquid phases may exist near the Mott transition in the Hubbard model on triangular and honeycomb lattices at half filling. The organic compound $\ensuremath{\kappa}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}(\mathrm{BEDT}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{TTF}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}(\mathrm{CN}{)}_{3}$ is a good candidate for the spin liquid state on a triangular lattice. We predict a highly unusual temperature dependence for the thermal conductivity of this material.
Physical Origin of Satellites in Photoemission of Doped Graphene: An Ab Initio G W Plus Cumulant Study

We calculate the photoemission spectra of suspended and epitaxial doped graphene using an ab initio cumulant expansion of the Green's function based on the GW self-energy. Our results are compared to experiment and to standard GW calculations. For doped graphene on a silicon carbide substrate, we find, in contrast to earlier calculations, that the spectral function from GW only does not reproduce experimental satellite properties. However, ab initio GW plus cumulant theory combined with an accurate description of the substrate screening results in good agreement with experiment, but gives no plasmaron (i.e., no extra well-defined excitation satisfying Dyson's equation).
Impact of pulmonary vascular stiffness and vasodilator treatment in pediatric pulmonary hypertension: 21 patient-specific fluid-structure interaction studies

Recent clinical studies of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have found correlations between increased pulmonary vascular stiffness (PVS) and poorer disease outcomes. However, mechanistic questions remain about the relationships amongst PVS, RV power, and vascular hemodynamics in the setting of progressive PAH that are difficult or impossible to answer using direct measurements. Clinically validated patient-specific computational modeling may allow exploration of these issues through perturbation-based predictive testing. Here we use a simple patient-specific model to answer four questions: how do hemodynamics change as PAH worsens? How does increasing PVS impact hemodynamics and RV power? For a patient with moderate PAH, what are the consequences if the pressures increase modestly yet sufficiently to engage collagen in those vessels? What impact does pressure-reducing vasodilator treatment have on hemodynamics? Twenty-one sets of model-predicted impedance and mean PA pressure (mPAP) show good agreement with clinical measurements, thereby validating the model. Worsening was modeled using data from three PAH outcomes groups; these show not only the expected increase in mPAP, but also an increase in pressure pulsatility. Interestingly, chronically increasing mPAP decreased WSS, suggesting that increased PA cross-sectional area affected WSS greater than increased PVS. For a patient with moderately high PVR (12.7 WU) with elastin-based upstream vascular remodeling, moving from elastin-dominant vessel behavior to collagen-dominant behavior caused substantial increases in mPAP, pressure and WSS pulsatility. For the same patient, reducing PVR through a simulated vasodilator to a value equivalent to mild PAH did not decrease pressure pulsatility and dramatically increased WSS pulsatility. Overall, these results suggest a close association between PVS and hemodynamics and that hemodynamics may play an important role in progressing PAH. These support the hypothesis that treatments should target decreasing or reversing upstream vascular remodeling in addition to decreasing mean pressures.
AC electrothermal manipulation of conductive fluids and particles for lab-chip applications

AC electrokinetics has shown great potential for microfluidic functions such as pumping, mixing and concentrating particles. So far, electrokinetics are typically applied on fluids that are not too conductive (<0.02 S/m), which excludes most biofluidic applications. To solve this problem, this paper seeks to apply AC electrothermal (ACET) effect to manipulate conductive fluids and particles within. ACET generates temperature gradients in the fluids, and consequently induces space charges that move in electric fields and produce microflows. This paper reports two new ACET devices, a parallel plate particle trap and an asymmetric electrode micropump. Preliminary experiments were performed on fluids with conductivity at 0.224 S/m. Particle trapping and micropumping were demonstrated at low voltages, reaching approximately 100 microm/s for no more than 8 Vrms at 200 kHz. The fluid velocity was found to depend on the applied voltage as V(4), and the maxima were observed to be approximately 20 microm above the electrodes.
SU-E-T-321: The Effects of a Dynamic Collimation System On Proton Pencil Beams to Improve Lateral Tissue Sparing in Spot Scanned Proton Therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the lateral beam penumbra in pencil beam scanning proton therapy delivered using a dynamic collimator device capable of trimming a portion of the primary beam in close proximity to the patient. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations of pencil beams were performed using MCNPX. Each simulation transported a 125 MeV proton pencil beam through a range shifter, past acollimator, and into a water phantom. Two parameters were varied among the simulations, the source beam size (sigma in air from 3 to 9 mm), and the position of the edge of the collimator (placed from 0 to 30 mm from the central axis of the beam). Proton flux was tallied at the phantom surface to determine the effective beam sizefor all combinations of source beam size and collimator edge position. Results: Quantifying beam size at the phantom surface provides a useful measure tocompare performance among varying source beam sizes and collimation conditions. For arelatively large source beam size (9 mm) entering the range shifter, sigma at thesurface was found to be 10 mm without collimation versus 4 mm with collimation. Additionally, sigma at the surface achievable with collimation was found to be smallerthan for any uncollimated beam, even for verymore » small source beam sizes. Finally, thelateral penumbra achievable with collimation was determined to be largely independentof the source beam size. Conclusion: Collimation can significantly reduce proton pencil beam lateral penumbra.Given the known dosimetric disadvantages resulting from large beam spot sizes,employing a dynamic collimation system can significantly improve lateral tissuesparing in spot-scanned dose distributions.« less
Superposition in interpretation of resistivity‐data

In the case of a single uniform overburden, it is possible to calculate theoretically the value of the apparent resistivity for preassigned conditions. If the geological conditions meet these simple requirements to a reasonable degree, the observations may be superposed on a set of theoretical curves and interpretations made for the depth of the bed, the resistivity of the overburden and the resistivity of the bed. In previous papers, a knowledge of mathematics was needed to follow the discussion. In the present paper, the method is made available to the reader who is not mathematically inclined, or who has but little such training. A knowledge of graphing is the only mathematical requirement. The construction of the reference-charts is explained in detail and tables give the data from which the curves may be plotted. To illustrate the results, a set or reference-charts is included.
An examination of possible quadriceps force at the time of anterior cruciate ligament injury during landing: A simulation study.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common and traumatic injury. Although, identifying the mechanism of ACL injury has received considerable research attention, there are still many unanswered questions. One proposed mechanism asserts that the ACL is injured due to an aggressive quadriceps muscle contraction. However, recently it has been questioned if the magnitude of quadriceps force needed to tear the ACL is physiologically realistic under the conditions where injury occurs during landing (e.g. near full knee extension and within 50 ms after impact). To answer this question, a simple simulation model was developed to examine the upper bounds of quadriceps force that can be developed under these conditions. The model included force–length, and force–velocity properties as well as activation dynamics. Model parameters were chosen to provide a high estimate for possible quadriceps force in a young healthy man. The effects of varying quadriceps pre-activation levels were also examined. When using realistic pre-activation levels, the simulated quadriceps force was less than half of what has been shown to cause ACL injury. Even when using maximum pre-activation, the quadriceps force still did not reach close to the level shown to cause injury. Therefore, we conclude that quadriceps force alone seems to be an unlikely mechanism for ACL injury.
Minimization of combined sewer overflows by large-scale mathematical programming☆

Abstract There is a critical need for the development and implementation of control strategies for minimizing receiving water pollution caused by overflows from urban combined sewer systems. Automation and control of such systems has risen as a viable approach to this problem. Control is carried out through regulation of ambient and/or auxiliary storage in the system. The goal is to detain storm flows in the system long enough to prevent flows of a magnitude that exceeds treatment plant capacity, thereby reducing overflow into receiving waters. The problem is first attacked by dividing the large combined sewer system into several mildly interconnected subsystems for which control logic can be developed from application of mathematical programming algorithms consistent with the special characteristics of each subsystem. A flow-projection technique is developed for subsystems not amenable to direct solution by standard optimization techniques.
Total synthesis of pseudoguaianolides V Stereocontrolled approaches to the fastigilins: (±)-2, 3-Dihydrofastigilin C

Abstract A synthetic route to highly-oxygenated pseudoguaianolide intermediates has been developed. The functional groups on the seven-membered rings were introduced stereoselectively at all seven chiral centers. In addition, regioaelective esterification at C-6 hydroxyl groups, in the presence of a C-9 hydroxyl site, was achieved.