cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximizing Page-Level Cache Hit Ratios in LargeWeb Services

Large web services typically serve pages consisting of many individual objects. To improve the response times of page-requests, these services store a small set of popular objects in a fast caching layer. A page-request is not considered complete until all of its objects have either been found in the cache or retrieved from a backend system. Hence, caching only speeds up a page request if all of its objects are found in the cache. We seek caching policies that maximize the page-level hit ratio-the fraction of requests that find all of their objects in the cache.This work analyzes page requests served by a Microsoft production system.We find that in practice there is potential for improving the page-level hit ratio over existing caching strategies, but that analytically maximizing the page-level hit ratio is NP-hard.
Abstract 1890: Calcitonin receptor is required for T-antigen-induced prostate carcinogenesis

Calcitonin & calcitonin receptor axis (CT-CTR) expression is increased in prostate cancer & its levels positively correlate with Gleason grade of prostate cancer. Moreover, activation of CT-CTR autocrine axis promotes several processes with tumor progression such as, tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, chemoresistance & metastasis. However, the role of CT-CTR axis in carcinogenesis process has not been investigated. To examine the role of CT-CTR axis in prostate carcinogenesis we examined the impact of CTR deficiency on T-antigen-induced prostate tumorigeneses in transgenic mice. We achieved this by cross-breading CTR-knockout mice with LPB-Tag mice (the transgenic mice that uses long Probasin promotor for prostate-specific expression of Tag T-antigen). The cross-breeding of these two transgenic mice yielded four different groups of mice with the following genotypes 1. Control (which lacked both transgenes), 2. CTRKO (only CTRKO transgene), 3. LPB-Tag (contained LPB-Tag transgene), & 4. CTRKO-LPB-Tag (expressed Both CTRKO & LPB-Tag transgenes). The growth of these mice were monitored until they reached the age of 90 days. The mice were sacrificed, the prostates were collected, fixed & evaluated by histology & immunohistochemistry. The results suggest that the mice of all groups developed normally with the exception of LPB-Tag group which displayed slower growth & the presence of prostatic tumors at the time of necropsy. Although all LPB-Tag mice displayed all prostate tumors, as expected wild type & CTRKO mice did not display change in the size or mass of prostates. Subsequently, HE 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1890.
The Case of Central Planning in the USSR

Lenin is reported to have said in October, 1917: “Either death or we must overtake and surpass the advanced capitalist countries.” It was this Bolshevik obsession with the tempo that ushered in the age of growthman-ship, and however indirectly, led to the present volume. A discussion of economic growth here, leaving out the Soviet case, would therefore be rather like a performance of Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark. In lieu of those better qualified, I shall try to prevent such a gaping omission.
Reducing potentially preventable health events among patients with asthma through multi-state, multi-center quality improvement program.

Introduction: Enhancing Care for Patients with Asthma is a multi-state, multi-center quality improvement program developed to augment guideline-based practice among health care providers through Pl...
Strategies to establish and maintain trust when working in immigrant communities

The nursing profession has historically advocated a strong commitment to social justice. As immigration issues have become increasingly politicized, nurses are being called upon to integrate principles of social justice when caring for immigrant populations. Nurse researchers have a particular challenge in winning and maintaining trust in immigrant communities. Data from several studies suggest that erosion of trust in the health care system, due to fears of detention and deportation, is resulting in adverse health outcomes among immigrants. The purpose of this article is to discuss a variety of strategies to establish and maintain trust in immigrant communities. These strategies were developed to maintain an academic-community partnership focused around obesity prevention among Mexican immigrant families. Strategies included: (a) Conceptualize trust as a dynamic continuum; (b) recognize the scope and impact of the stressors; (c) separate fact versus fiction; (d) identify deportation-related stressors and community responses; (e) manage trust and mistrust issues; (f) build bridges; and (g) establish a positive presence. Nurses are well poised to intervene to repair the damaged trust between immigrant communities and the health care system, using community-based participatory methods.
A Guided Tour of ab initio Nuclear Many-Body Theory

Over the last decade, new developments in Similarity Renormalization Group techniques and nuclear many-body methods have dramatically increased the capabilities of ab initio nuclear structure and reaction theory. Ground and excited-state properties can be computed up to the tin region, and from the proton to the presumptive neutron drip lines, providing unprecedented opportunities to confront two- plus three-nucleon interactions from chiral Effective Field Theory with experimental data. In this contribution, I will give a broad survey of the current status of nuclear many-body approaches, and I will use selected results to discuss both achievements and open issues that need to be addressed in the coming decade.
Combined toxicity of nano-CuO/nano-TiO2 and CuSO4/nano-TiO2 on Escherichia coli in aquatic environments under dark and light conditions

Abstract Copper(II) oxide nanoparticles (n-CuO) and copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4), commonly used in industrial and agricultural applications, are released in substantial amounts to the environment where they may then interact in unexpected ways with other materials such as engineered nanomaterials (ENM). In this study, we assessed the combined effects of their interaction with titanium(IV) dioxide nanoparticles (n-TiO2), a widely used ENM, on the ATP levels and cell membrane integrity of Escherichia coli in a natural aqueous medium (Lake Michigan water). Under dark conditions, we observed that n-TiO2 addition had negligible effects on copper toxicity, except in the case of higher doses of CuSO4 where n-TiO2 attenuated bacterial stress effects presumably by the adsorption of copper ions at the n-TiO2 surface. However, an opposite effect was observed under exposure to simulated solar irradiation (SSI) with synergistic stress occurring in mixtures of n-TiO2 with either CuSO4 or n-CuO. Enhanced photoactivity (as measured by methylene blue decay) in both CuSO4/n-TiO2 and n-CuO/n-TiO2 mixtures compared to single-component solutions explains the amplified stress effects of the mixtures under SSI, but we were unable to directly measure an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mixtures. Under environmental conditions that include light exposure, then, Cu/n-TiO2 mixtures exert amplified cellular stress exceeding that expected based on individual component effects.
Eptinezumab: A calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody infusion for migraine prevention.

This article seeks to analyze the clinical trials concerning the newly approved eptinezumab to assess its efficacy, safety, and application to current clinical practice. The Institute of Health US National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant abstracts, journal articles, and other published sources. Search terms included eptinezumab, Vyepti®, and ALD403. Relevant English-language articles were evaluated and included in the narrative. Two randomized controlled trials compared quarterly infusions of eptinezumab 100 mg, eptinezumab 300 mg, and placebo in chronic and episodic migraine sufferers. In episodic migraine, eptinezumab resulted in a reduction of approximately 4 monthly migraine days, which was significant compared to placebo. In chronic migraine, eptinezumab reduced monthly migraine days by approximately 8 days, also significant compared to placebo. More patients who received eptinezumab experienced at least 75% reduction in monthly migraine days compared to placebo, resulting in a number needed to treat as low as 6, depending on the study population and the dose. The preventive impact was noticed day one post-infusion. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea and fatigue, and there was a low incidence of hypersensitivity or study withdrawal. Eptinezumab is the fourth Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide monoclonal antibody to receive Federal Drug Administration approval. Its delivery as a quarterly infusion sets it apart from the other agents in this class. As an infusion, eptinezumab has a quick onset of action that may prove especially beneficial to those with severe or refractory episodic or chronic migraines, despite the perceived increased direct and indirect cost of an infusion.
Contact with the child protection system is pervasive, but are recent estimates correct?

Edwards et al. (1) use synthetic cohort life tables to produce county-level estimates of the cumulative prevalence of contact with Child Protective Services (CPS) in the 20 most populous counties in the United States. Their findings are generated from state records of maltreatment submitted to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) and foster care records submitted to the federal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) (2, 3). Documenting lifetime CPS involvement is an incredibly important contribution to the literature (4⇓⇓⇓–8). Cumulative estimates, however, are vulnerable to significant misestimation if first events are not accurately identified (9). And documenting a child’s first investigation, even within a state, poses unique challenges in national CPS data sources (4). We use source CPS records from California to reproduce estimates for 7 of 20 counties in Edwards et al.’s (1) analysis. Our findings suggest that the cumulative prevalence of … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: eph{at}unc.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Resistive Behavior of High Tc Superconducting Thin Film in Magnetic Field

We have measured the temperature dependence of resistance for epitaxial and polycrystalline YBCO thin films in a magnetic field. The resistive behavior of the epitaxial thin film could be explained by the flux creep model. The pinning potential estimated from that model had strong anisotoropy and this anisotropy was consistent with that of the coherence length. On the other hand, the resistive behavior of the polycrystalline thin film could not be explained by the flux creep model. It was suggested that the broadening of the resistivity for the polycrystalline thin film is caused by weakly linked grain boundaries.
Lord of the Pyrenees : Gaston Fébus, Count of Foix, 1331-1391

The reign of Gaston III, Count of Foix and self-proclaimed sovereign Lord of Bearn, stands out as one of the rare success stories of the 'calamitous' fourteenth century. By playing a skilful game of shifting allegiances and timely defiance, he avoided being drawn into the conflicts between his more powerful neighbours - France and English Aquitaine, Aragon and Castile - thus sparing his domains the devastations of warfare. Best known as a patron of the arts, and the author of a celebrated "Book of the Hunt", Febus - as he styled himself - also prefigures the eighteenth-century 'enlightened despots' with his effort to centralize government, protect natural resources and promote enterprise. But a sequence of mysterious tragedies - the abrupt dismissal of his wife, the slaying of his only legitimate son - reveal the dark side of the brilliant and enigmatic 'Sun Prince of the Pyrenees'. Richard Vernier is Professor Emeritus of Romance Languages and Literatures, Wayne State University. He is the author of "The Flower of Chivalry: Bertrand du Guesclin and the Hundred Years War".
Labeled Kynurenine Pharmacokinetic Modeling Studies in Gerbils

In order to complete pharmacokinetic studies on the central vs. peripheral origin of several tryptophan metabolites, we infused gerbils with labelled kynurenine (2H4or 15N2). Osmotic minipumps charged with kynurenine solutions were surgically implanted subcutaneously in adult female gerbils (50-60g). After a variable number of hours, the gerbils were sacrificed and organs taken for determination of labelled/unlabelled kynurenine ratios using mass spectrometric assay of a pentafluorobenzyl derivative as described previously. Surprisingly high ratios of 2H to 1H-kynurenine were measured in the kidney (0.25-0.40) and urine (4.0-8.0), although the ratio of deuterium labelled to endogenous kynurenine remained below detection limits (<0.05) in serum and other tissues. Infusion of greater quantities of 2H4-kynurenine confirmed these observations in gerbils in which ratios of 2H4-to-1H kynurenine were measurable in serum and tissues. Synthesis and infusion of si15N2-kynurenine demonstrated that these effects were not due to deuterium isotope substitution. The data demonstrate a non-equilibrium between infused and endogenous kynurenine, which is related to differential rates of protein binding and the rapid clearance of free, infused kynurenine by kidney.
Salt stress control of intracellular solutes in streptomycetes indigenous to saline soils.

Actinomycetes were isolated from a number of saline and saline-sodic California soils. From these isolates, two species of Streptomyces (S. griseus and S. californicus) were selected to assess their physiological response to salinity. NaCl was more inhibitory to growth rates and specific growth yields than were equivalent concentrations of KCl. Intracellular concentrations of the free amino acid pool increased in response to salt stress. Whereas the neutral free amino acids proline, glutamine, and alanine accumulated as salinity increased, concentrations of the acidic free amino acids glutamate and aspartate were reduced. Accumulation of free amino acids by streptomycetes under salt stress suggests a response typical of procaryotes, although the specific amino acids involved differ from those associated with other gram-positive bacteria. Above a salinity threshold of about 0.75 M (−3.8 MPa), there was little further intracellular accumulation of free amino acids, whereas accumulation of K+ salts sharply increased.
The solution of boundary value problems with asymmetric boundary conditions by means of finite fourier transforms

New finite Fourier transforms and the corresponding infinite series are introduced which bring the solution of boundary value problems with asymmetric endpoint conditions within the domain of integral transform theory. Multiple finite transforms based upon these new kernels are given along with the appropriate infinite series. Using these multiple transforms the solution of the two-dimensional Laplacian for all possible combinations (15) of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions is shown. Faltung theorems are established for some of the kernels. Finally, as an illustration of the theory the solution of the electrostatic problem under various boundary conditions is given.
Epigenetics as an answer to Darwin’s “special difficulty”

Epigenetic modifications produce distinct phenotypes from the same genome through genome-wide transcriptional control. Recently, DNA methylation in honeybees and histone modifications in ants were found to assist the formation of caste phenotypes during development and adulthood. This insight allows us to revisit one of Darwin’s greatest challenges to his natural selection theory; the derivation of multiple forms of sterile workers within eusocial species. Differential feeding of larvae creates two distinct developmental paths between queens and workers, with workers further refined by pheromone cues. Flexible epigenetic control provides a mechanism to interpret the milieu of social cues that create distinct worker sub-caste phenotypes. Recent findings suggest a distinct use for DNA methylation before and after adult emergence. Further, a comparison of genes that are differentially methylated and transcriptionally altered upon pheromone signaling suggests that epigenetics can play a key role in mediating pheromone signals to derive sub-caste phenotypes. Epigenetic modifications may provide a molecular mechanism to Darwin’s ‘special difficulty’ and explain the emergence of multiple sub-phenotypes among sterile individuals.
Brachytherapy Seed Localization from Fluoroscopic Images Using a Statistical Classifier

A method to determine the number and location of seed images in clusters on a fluoroscopic image was developed based on a statistical analysis of cluster size in simulated fluoroscopic images. A modified 3-film technique was used to reconstruct the 3D positions of seeds from their image locations. Preliminary results suggest that this new method can identify all the seeds and localize them to an average precision of 0.55 mm. This is an important step toward intraoperative radiation dose analysis.
From the WWW and minimal digital libraries, to powerful digital libraries: why and how

Digital libraries have emerged since the early 1990s, distinguished in part by their emphasis on useful content, helpful organization, and a range of services that include at least indexing, searching, and browsing. In the 5S (Streams, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, and Societies) formal model for digital libraries we precisely define key concepts and terms, so the field can move beyond the stage of continually explaining basic ideas and debating definitions. Thus, we define a minimal digital library in terms of clear definitions for repository, metadata catalog, services, and societies, which in turn build upon characterizations of digital object, collection, hypertext, etc.
Order and disorder lines in systems with competing interactions: I. Quantum spins at T=0

In the parameter space of systems with competing interactions there are specific trajectories called order (disorder) lines. Along these trajectories the competition between the different interactions effectively reduces the dimensionality of the system and the model can be exactly solved. It is shown that the order (disorder) trajectories end up at a multicritical point. The method of Peschel and Emery is used to determine the (anisotropic) critical behavior of the spin-spin correlation functions near the multicritical point. The quantum spin systems discussed here include theXYZ chain in a field, the straggeredXYZ chain in a field, and a Hamiltonian version of a three-dimensional Ising model with biaxial competing interactions.
Combating Corruption in International Business: The Big Questions

The last several years have seen a significant rise in the efforts of governments to combat the supply side of corruption. Due to these increased efforts, now is an important time to ask some of the big questions in combating corruption. In short, my big questions relate to understanding why corporations pay bribes, what corporations need to do to stop paying bribes, and how to encourage corporations to actively fight corruption (that is, to combat corruption beyond their organizational boundaries). The first section of the essay addresses the question: why do corporations pay bribes? This leads to two additional questions: why do employees pay bribes, and when are compliance and ethics programs effective in preventing the payment of bribes? The next big question focuses on issues of corporate social responsibility: what should a corporation do to combat corruption? That is, is it sufficient for a corporation to simply ensure that its employees do not pay bribes, or should the corporation do something more?
CNN. I. A generic class of locally-connected, smart, analog, and parallel computation circuits

The cellular neural network (CNN) is a generic class of locally connected, smart, analog and parallel computation circuits. An overview is given of the key principles and the various classes of multidimensional processing arrays. Key research areas are identified. >
Factors affecting the choice of antibiotics in mixed infections

Mixed infections can occur anywhere in the body and, on the basis of the location of the infection, involve predictable species of anaerobic bacteria. Most of our knowledge of anaerobic mixed infection has come from the study of intra-abdominal infections. The mortality associated with intra-abdominal abscesses in a recent study was lower than in earlier studies, perhaps because of improvements in radiographic techniques for better localization of abscess and early drainage, improved management of nutrition, and the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents. The efficacy of an antimicrobial agent depends on its ability to penetrate into an abscess and function under conditions of low pH, low Eh and in the presence of beta-lactamases. Some effective antibiotics include clindamycin/gentamicin, metronidazole/gentamicin, latamoxef, cefoxitin, piperacillin and imipenem.
Paclitaxel-Associated Hypersensitivity Reactions: Experience of the Gynecologic Oncology Program of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center

PURPOSE: : This study expands the existing limited data as to whether patients developing clinically significant paclitaxel-induced hypersensitivity reactions can continue to be treated with this important antineoplastic agent and how such retreatment might be undertaken. PATIENTS AND METHODS: More than 450 patients received paclitaxel, either as a single agent or in a combination regimen, for a female pelvic malignancy in the Gynecologic Oncology Program of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center from January 1995 through December 1998. RESULTS: Of the more than 450 patients, 44 (approximately 9%) developed at least one episode of a clinically relevant hypersensitivity reaction to the cytotoxic drug. All 43 individuals (plus an additional four patients referred to our center after having previously experienced a severe paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reaction at another institution) who were retreated with paclitaxel were ultimately able to receive the agent. Five patients required treatment with a sta...
Different chain length specificities of peroxisomal and mitochondrial enoyl-CoA hydratases.

Abstract Peroxisomes and mitochondria were purified from rat liver by differential and equilibrium density centrifugation. Enoyl-CoA hydratase activity was assayed with two substrates: crotonyl-CoA (C4) and dodecenoyl-CoA (C12). The chain length specificity of the hydratase(s) in the two organelles differed strikingly: the ratio of activity on the C4 substrate/C12 substrate was 8–10 for the peak mitochondrial fraction and about 2 for the peak peroxisomal fraction. The subcellular distribution of the hydratase activity also depended on chain length. Peroxisomes contain 30–50% of the dodecenoyl-CoA hydratase activity but only 9–15% of the crotonase activity of rat liver.
Estimation of Diversion Rate During Incidents on Basis of Main-Line Detector Data

A number of intelligent transportation system technologies are deployed for disseminating information to travelers. One of the most important parameters for assessing the impacts and benefits of these deployments that influence route selection is the diversion rates of travelers. In this research, a method was developed to estimate traffic diversions on the basis of main-line detector data without the need for off-ramp detectors. In addition, the estimation allows the assessment of the guidelines and procedures for disseminating information and evaluating the impacts on alternative routes. The validity of the developed methodology was verified by comparing the estimated values with real-world data. Case studies of the developed method indicated that the average diversion rate was about 10% to 35% for three-lane and four-lane freeways, depending on the number of lanes blocked. A linear relationship between the average diversion rate and the lane blockage ratio was also developed; this relationship indicate...
Toxicology of Medical Device Materials: Introduction to the symposium presented at the 1988 Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology

The 1976 amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act established requirements for obtaining approval to market new medical devices, including the necessity for demonstrating safety and effectiveness. Evaluation of the potential toxicity of medical devices presents toxicologists with unique problems related to route of exposure, estimation of exposure dose, exposure to by-products generated during manufacture, and matrix effects. A symposium was organized to address the need for toxicologists to examine the potential toxicities of medical device materials, to appreciate the unique problems associated with medical device safety evaluation, to present novel testing methodologies, and to discuss future research needs.
MHC mismatch inhibits neurogenesis and neuron maturation in stem cell allografts.

Background The role of histocompatibility and immune recognition in stem cell transplant therapy has been controversial, with many reports arguing that undifferentiated stem cells are protected from immune recognition due to the absence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) markers. This argument is even more persuasive in transplantation into the central nervous system (CNS) where the graft rejection response is minimal.
Integrable couplings and matrix loop algebras

We will discuss how to generate integrable couplings from zero curvature equations associated with matrix spectral problems. The key elements are matrix loop algebras consisting of block matrices with blocks of the same size or different sizes. Hamiltonian structures are furnished by applying the variational identity defined over semi-direct sums of Lie algebras. Illustrative examples include integrable couplings of the AKNS hierarchy by using the irreducible representations V2 and V3 of the special linear Lie algebra sl(2,R).
MicroRNA Profiling in Mucosal Biopsies of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Patients Pre and Post Treatment with Steroids and Relationship with mRNA Targets

Background The characterization of miRNAs and their target mRNAs involved in regulation of the immune process is an area of intense research and relatively little is known governing these processes in allergic inflammation. Here we present novel findings defining the miRNA and mRNA transcriptome in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an increasing recognized allergic disorder.
Diversification of the Metazoa: Ediacarans, colonies, and the origin of eumetazoan complexity by nested modularity

The Ediacaran biota is profoundly mysterious. There is a growing realization that these organisms should not be grouped in a single taxon, such as Petalonamae or Vendobionta, but debate continues on what the group as a whole represents. It is argued here that the Ediacarans constitute a broad, megascopic, paraphyletic grade of organization which overlaps the stem groups (and perhaps some crown groups) of the Porifera, Ctenophora, Cnidaria and Bilateria. The modular organization of many Ediacarans suggests that they were fundamentally colonial organisms. The early disc‐shaped forms may have been solitary individuals, perhaps with a choanoflagellate or simple sponge‐like grade of organization; the modular forms may represent bud colonies of those entities. The more complex fronds, as well as other segmented and bilaterally symmetrical Ediacarans, seem to exhibit a trend toward higher levels of integration and individuation. This trend is comparable to those observed among more recent colonial organisms. Int...
Cytopathologic, Histopathologic, and Immunohistochemical Features of Intrahepatic Clear Cell Bile Duct Adenoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Intrahepatic clear cell bile duct adenoma is extremely rare, with only 3 previous cases reported in the literature. The cause of cytoplasmic clearing in clear cell bile duct adenoma has not been previously investigated. Distinguishing clear cell bile duct adenoma from other clear cell tumors, particularly clear cell cholangiocarcinoma, can be challenging. Previous studies have shown loss of CD10 expression and focal CD56 expression in cholangiocarcinoma. Expressions of CD10 and CD56 have not been previously studied in clear cell bile duct adenoma. A 37-year-old morbidly obese woman was diagnosed with a 2.8 cm intrahepatic clear cell bile duct adenoma following segmental hepatic resection. Histochemical analysis of the tumor suggested the cause of cytoplasmic clearing in the neoplastic cells to be mucin and not glycogen or lipid. On immunohistochemical staining, the neoplastic cells demonstrated staining for CK7, CA 19-9, polyclonal CEA, CD10 (apical), CD56 (focal), and vimentin. Ki-67 highlighted less than 2% of tumor cell nuclei. This is the first report to study the etiology of cell clearing in clear cell bile duct adenoma. Expression of CD10 in clear cell bile duct adenoma may help distinguish clear cell bile duct adenoma from clear cell cholangiocarcinoma.
Comparative assessment of life cycle assessment methods used for personal computers.

This article begins with a summary of findings from commonly cited life cycle assessments (LCA) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products. While differing conclusions regarding environmental impact are expected across product segments (mobile phones, personal computers, servers, etc.) significant variation and conflicting conclusions are observed even within product segments such as the desktop Personal Computer (PC). This lack of consistent conclusions and accurate data limits the effectiveness of LCA to influence policy and product design decisions. From 1997 to 2010, the majority of published studies focused on the PC concluded that the use phase contributes most to the life cycle energy demand of PC products with a handful of studies suggesting that manufacturing phase of the PC has the largest impact. The purpose of this article is to critically review these studies in order to analyze sources of uncertainty, including factors that extend beyond data quality to the models and assumpt...
Effect of Blood Flow Velocity on Growth Rate of Platelet Thrombi

ACUTE thrombogenesis in a flowing bloodstream can occur on damaged tissues in the normal circulation, especially on exposure to collagen, and over surfaces of vascular prostheses and artificial internal organs1–3. The thrombi are composed predominantly of platelets. Begent and Born4 have obtained quantitative data on growth rates of such thrombi produced in vivo.
Predicting near-surface atmospheric variables from Special Sensor Microwave/Imager using neural networks with a first-guess approach

[1] The turbulent heat fluxes play a pivotal role in the exchange of energy between the atmosphere and ocean. The calculation of these fluxes over the global oceans requires the use of bulk aerodynamic or flux-gradient methods that rely on estimates of the sea surface temperature (SST), near-surface wind speed, air temperature, and specific humidity. Errors in current methodologies of satellite retrievals of near-surface properties have been shown to be the main sources of error for calculation of the fluxes. A new neural network technique is presented here that significantly improves the error characteristics of the air temperature and specific humidity compared to previous methods. Improvements in predicting near-surface wind speed and SST are also seen. Additional improvements are also made by accounting for the effects of high cloud liquid water contents, the effects of which can be mitigated through the use of regime-specific linear and nonlinear retrieval methods. The use of a first-guess SST is shown to result in significant improvement in retrieval accuracy.
Terahertz image sensors using CMOS Schottky barrier diodes

Schottky-barrier diodes fabricated in CMOS without process modification are shown to be suitable for THz imaging. Two THz imagers using a 130-nm digital CMOS technology are demonstrated. A fully-integrated 280-GHz 4×4 imager array exhibits a measured NEP of 29 pW/Hz1/2 and a responsivity of 5.1kV/W (323 V/W without the amplifier). For the first time, electronic-scanning multi-pixel imaging is demonstrated in a setup that does not require bulky and costly optical lenses and mirrors. A second detector operating at 860 GHz is also demonstrated. The detector without an amplifier achieves responsivity of 355 V/W and NEP of 32 pW/Hz1/2. It is shown that the comparable responsivity and NEP as that of 280-GHz detector is due to the improvement of patch antenna efficiency at 860 GHz. The NEP at 860 GHz is 2X better than the best reported performance of MOSFET-based imagers without silicon lens attached to the chip.
Effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide on tissue and systemic changes in rats

Abstract Male rats were exposed to CO (100, 250, or 500 ppm) and/or injected ip at hourly intervals for 4 hr with a subconvulsive dose of nicotine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) to determine systemic and tissue changes. Each agent alone induced only slight changes in blood glucose and lactic acid, and no change in plasma enzyme activities. Nicotine (1.0 mg/kg) plus CO (100–500 ppm) produced elevated blood glucose and lactic acid, and increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity. Plasma alanine aminotransferase activity was increased with 1.0 mg/kg nicotine and 500 ppm CO. Nicotine (1.0 mg/kg) induced hypothermia and a low incidence in neutral fat droplets in thigh muscles, whereas nicotine in conjunction with CO produced a slightly more pronounced hypothermia and a high incidence of neutral fat deposition in thigh muscles. Plasma corticosterone concentration was not consistently altered in any group. This study demonstrates that nicotine and CO, in combination , induce more profound systemic and tissue changes than either agent alone. These changes are probably caused by the direct action of catecholamines released by nicotine, and prolonged nicotine toxicity due to the inhibitory effects of CO on hepatic drug metabolism.
Generalized form of the Dix equation for the calculation of interval velocities and layer thicknesses

Over three decades ago, Dix (1955) derived an approximate equation for the determination of interval velocity from observed reflection seismic data. Assuming a stack of m horizontal layers, with interval velocities Uj, layer thicknesses ΔZj, j = 1, m, and near‐vertical raypaths, Dix (1955) showed that Uj2=Tj+1Vj+12-TjVj2Tj+1-Tj,(1)where Tj+1 and Tj are the two‐way vertical times and Vj+1 and Vj are the root‐mean‐square (rms) velocities to interfaces j + 1 and j, respectively.
Characterization of low-flammability electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

In an effort to develop low-flammability electrolytes for a new generation of Li-ion batteries, we have evaluated physical and electrochemical properties of electrolytes with two novel phosphazene additives. We have studied performance quantities including conductivity, viscosity, flash point, and electrochemical window of electrolytes as well as formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) films. In the course of study, the necessity for a simple method of SEI characterization was realized. Therefore, a new method and new criteria were developed and validated on 10 variations of electrolyte/electrode substrates. Based on the summation of determined physical and electrochemical properties of phosphazene-based electrolytes, one structure of phosphazene compound was found better than the other. This capability helps to direct our further synthetic work in phosphazene chemistry.
FREQUENCY OF THE EEG DURING ACQUISITION IN SHORT‐TERM MEMORY

This study investigated changes in frequency of the EEG in relation to the number of digits inputed in a test of short-term memory. Four channels of bipolar EEGs were recorded from scalp leads over parietal and occipital areas of both hemispheres, while lists of the WISC digit span backward test were inputed. Data from 25 healthy Ss, who correctly recalled the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-digit lists in reversed order, were analyzed. Findings showed no statistically significant differences in frequency of the EEGs recorded during acquisition of lists of different length. EEG frequency was significantly faster during acquisition of the lists than during a control condition in which Ss participated in an auditory reaction time task; but the findings were not consistent from channel to channel.
Membrane fouling due to alginate, SMP, EfOM, humic acid, and NOM

Abstract Several commercially available organic materials have frequently been used as surrogates for surface water natural organic matter (NOM) and for wastewater effluent organic matter (EfOM), e.g., for identifying the extent and mechanism of membrane fouling. However there is a lack of experimental evidence that the surrogate organic materials are representative of EfOM and surface water NOM. Therefore the main objectives were to compare the organic composition (by empirical fractionation methods), the molecular size distributions, and fouling and the mechanisms of fouling of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for the surrogate materials sodium alginate, soluble microbial products (SMP), and commercial humic acid (HA) with the characteristics of EfOM and Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM). The fouling mechanisms were probed by measuring resistance to filtration as a function of permeate flux using several filtration modes, by determining the effects of Ca 2+ on fouling, and by investigating the effectiveness of hydraulic and chemical cleaning on restoration of membrane permeability. Results showed that SMP was most similar to EfOM, Aldrich HA (AHA) was most similar to SRNOM, and alginate was a poor surrogate for either EfOM or SRNOM. Alginate was also unique among the five organic materials in that fouling was decreased when 0.8 mM Ca 2+ was added, consistent with the formation of a gel that formed a porous cake on top of the membrane. Fouling increased with addition of Ca 2+ for the other materials. Addition of Ca 2+ increased the colloidal fraction and the concentration of molecules >100 kDa for all of the materials but the increases were particularly dramatic for alginate and were also large for AHA. Differences in fouling mechanisms and cake compressibility as a function of the applied trans-membrane pressure (TMP) between surrogate and natural organic materials were also observed.
Excitations from dissociative fragments produced in H + + H 2 O collisions

We report on photon emissions in the $200--800\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ region resulting from collisions of $200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$ protons with ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$. The most prominent features observed in the spectrum are the Balmer series of hydrogen and two OH molecular bands. Several less intense ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ as well as neutral O lines are also observed. The absolute photon emission cross sections of the major lines and bands were measured. The results indicate that a primary dissociation pathway involves the formation of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ by removing a $1{b}_{2}$ electron. The unstable ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ ion further dissociates into ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}+\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$ or $\mathrm{O}{\mathrm{H}}^{+}+\mathrm{H}$. The dominant presence of neutral hydrogen lines and ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ lines leads to the conclusion that the subsequent dissociation of $\mathrm{O}{\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ into $\mathrm{H}+{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ prevails over the other possible dissociation pathway leading to ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and neutral oxygen fragments.
Multilocus quantitative trait analysis using the multipoint identity-by-descent method.

The multipoint identity-by-descent method (MIM) was extended to test for evidence of quantitative trait loci in two independent genetic regions. This method is a fast and feasible implementation of a multiple-marker, two-region linkage analysis for quantitative traits. It tests for significant evidence of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in neither, one or both genetic regions tested, and could be extended to an arbitrary number of independent genetic regions. A two-stage analysis was used for the nuclear family data from GAW10. Initially, an analysis of the genomic search was carried out using single-region MIM, with sets of six adjacent markers. Chromosomal regions that showed some evidence of linkage were identified and used in a two-region MIM analysis. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Collinear laser spectroscopy of francium using online rubidium vapor neutralization and amplitude modulated lasers.

Performing collinear laser spectroscopy on low intensity radioactive beams requires sensitive detection techniques. We explain our apparatus to detect atomic resonances in neutralized F208–210r ion beams at beam energies of 5 keV and intensities of 105 s−1. Efficient neutralization (≥80%) is accomplished by passing the beam through a dense Rb vapor. Increased detection efficiency is achieved by amplitude modulating the exciting laser to decrease the scattered light background, allowing fluorescence detection only when the laser is near its minimum in the modulation cycle. Using this technique in a collinear geometry we achieve a background reduction by a factor of 180 and a signal-to-noise increase of 2.2, with the lifetime of the atomic state playing a role in the efficiency of this process. Such laser modulation will also produce sidebands on the atomic spectra which we illustrate.
Long-term visual outcome of ocular hypotension after thermosclerostomy.

Maximum intraocular pressure reduction is often the goal of glaucoma filtering procedures. To evaluate whether surgically induced ocular hypotension adversely affects visual acuity, we reviewed the visual outcome of 87 eyes of 67 patients who had undergone thermosclerostomy with follow-up of at least two years. Final visual acuity was compared in three groups on the basis of postoperative intraocular pressure level (≤ 10.0 mm Hg; > 10.0 mm Hg and ≤ 21.0 mm Hg; and eyes that did not consistently fit solely in either group [mixed]). Average loss in visual acuity measured 1.8 ± 3.0, 2.2 ± 2.9, and 1.2 ± 2.1 Snellen lines, respectively (P = .542). These data suggest that hypotensive eyes are not at greater risk for visual loss after glaucoma filtering procedures compared to normotensive eyes.
Fluctuating electric dipoles and the absorption of light

Although the concept of a fluctuating atomic or molecular dipole is basic to both the classical and the quantum-mechanical theory of absorption of light, introductory spectroscopy or quantum chemistry texts seldom devote much attention to the idea.
RGS2 overexpression or Gi inhibition rescues the impaired PKA signaling and slow AP firing of cultured adult rabbit pacemaker cells

Abstract Freshly isolated adult rabbit sinoatrial node cells (f-SANC) are an excellent model for studies of autonomic signaling, but are not amenable to genetic manipulation. We have developed and characterized a stable cultured rabbit SANC (c-SANC) model that is suitable for genetic manipulation to probe mechanisms of spontaneous action potential (AP) firing. After 48 h in culture, c-SANC generate stable, rhythmic APs at 34 ± 0.5 °C, at a rate that is 50% less than f-SANC. In c- vs. f-SANC: AP duration is prolonged; phosphorylation of phospholamban at Ser16 and type2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) at Ser2809 are reduced; and the level of type2 regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS2), that facilitates adenylyl cyclases/cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) via Gi inhibition, is substantially reduced. Consistent with the interpretation that cAMP/PKA signaling becomes impaired in c-SANC, acute β-adrenergic receptor stimulation increases phospholamban and RyR2 phosphorylation, enhances RGS2-labeling density, and accelerates the AP firing rate to the similar maximum in c- and f-SANC. Specific PKA inhibition completely inhibits all β-adrenergic receptor effects. Adv-RGS2 infection, or pertussis toxin treatment to disable Gi-signaling, each partially rescues the c-SANC spontaneous AP firing rate. Thus, a Gi-dependent reduction in PKA-dependent protein phosphorylation, including that of Ca2 + cycling proteins, reduces the spontaneous AP firing rate of c-SANC, and can be reversed by genetic or pharmacologic manipulation of PKA signaling.
The homology of algebras of pseudo-differential symbols and the noncommutative residue

We will perform the calculation by two completely different methods, each of which has some advantages. In the first, we filter the algebra in question as in [2], and use a homogeneity argument to show that the resulting spectral sequence degenerates. From this point of view, the homology is seen to be a “semi-classical” invariant, since it is calculated at first order in Planck’s constant, as the homology of the differential forms on T ∗M with respect to the operator δ : Ω∗(T ∗M) → Ω∗−1(T ∗M) (defined by Koszul [14] and Brylinski [2]; see §1). The other method is a sheaf-theoretic calculation, modeled on Weil’s proof of de Rham’s Theorem, which uses a form of Poincare lemma for Hochschild homology of symbols. In the case of differential operators, this Poincare lemma states that the Hochschild homology of D(R), the algebra of differential operators on R, satisfies HH∗(D(R)) = H2n−∗(Rn,C). For pseudo-differential operators, the Poincare lemma is formulated for the sheaf ER of micro-differential operators on S∗M ×S, introduced in [16]; the copy of S comes from the fact that the sheaf ER lives on the cotangent bundle of a complexification of M . In the course of the paper, we also perform a number of other such calculations of Hochschild homology, for algebras of differential operators, operators with compact support, and formal deformations of C∞(X) for X a conic symplectic manifold.
A Single Beam Multibunch Instability at CESR

A transverse coupled bunch instability has been observed in the Cornell Electron Storage Ring CESR for both positrons and electrons. This instability shows strong horizontal or vertical coherent signals but very weak longitudinal signals. Positron injection, which requires sixty-one uniformly spaced bunches in CESR, was originally restricted by the enlarged effective horizontal beam size resulting from this instability. Although several cures have been discovered, only external octupoles provide a sufficient increase in the threshold and are compatible with injection. The theory for coupled bunch motion correctly predicts the instability threshold assuming that the driving mechanism is a 1140 MHz parasitic resonance in the RF cavity. Changes in the threshold with tune and octupole field strength are also correctly predicted.
NIMBY and the Civic Good

Policy scholars dedicated to efficient urban and industrial planning have long tried to understand the “NIMBY syndrome” in order to overcome local resistance to controversial land uses. However, en...