cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of family history in determining thrombophilia risk.

Abstract Study Objective This retrospective study sought to examine the importance of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) in predicting risk for an inherited thrombophilia. Design/Methods A cohort of 88 adolescent females who had a thrombophilia panel in the last three years was identified for this retrospective chart review. Family history data of CVD or VTE were collected in addition to laboratory results from the thrombophilia screen. Setting Adolescent patients who had a thrombophilia screen within the last three years at University OB-GYN Associates, Louisville, KY. Results Within the cohort (n=88), 21% of patients were found to have a documented thrombophilia. At least 47% of individuals diagnosed with thrombophilia had more than one screening abnormality. A family history of VTE was noted to have a positive predictive value (PPV) of 40% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88% for detection of thrombophilia. Patients with a family history of CVD alone carried a PPV of 24% and NPV of 100%. Finally, among individuals with both family history risk factors, PPV was strengthened at 52% while NPV remained unchanged. Conclusions Within the last decade, inherited thrombophilias have gained more clinical interest. While thrombophilia disease prevalence data is available for the adult population, there remains a paucity of data in adolescents. Our results reinforce the importance for screening adolescent females, prior to contraceptive administration, if family history risk factors exist.
The Cost of the Sword: Escape Performance in Male Swordtails

The handicap theory of sexual selection posits that male display traits that are favored in mate choice come at a significant cost to performance. We tested one facet of this hypothesis in the green swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri). In this species, the lower ray of male caudal fin is extended into a ‘sword’, which serves to attract potential mates. However, bearing a long sword may increase drag and thus compromise a male's ability to swim effectively. We tested escape performance in this species by eliciting C-start escape responses, an instinctive escape behavior, in males with various sword lengths. We then removed males' swords and retested escape performance. We found no relationship between escape performance and sword length and no effect of sword removal on escape performance. While having a large sword may attract a predator's attention, our results suggest that sword size does not compromise a male's escape performance.
Presidential address: Overcoming our fear of flying – Vascular surgery in the next decade

Presidential addresses invariably begin with a statement acknowledging the difficulty of choosing a suitable topic from the many compelling issues that face the profession. Although I certainly have been concerned that I not waste the time you have entrusted to me, I can say that there has been no question in my mind as to the topic I wished to discuss: in this day and age, what can physicians and surgeons do to regain the sense of purpose and pride that motivated so many of us to choose the healing arts as a career? This question is particularly relevant to practitioners of the specialty o f vascular surgery because our field has always been imbued with a sense of excitement and innovation that reflect the special challenges o f the disorders we treat and the remarkable talents of those who blazed the trail. Indeed, many of these leaders sit among us today as founding members of this organization. In discussions with many of our colleagues, I have been struck with the pervasiveness o f these feelings of discomfort and, in the extreme, despair for our professional futures. In certain aspects, this reaction mirrors the irrational fear of f lying--no matter how small the likelihood of a plane crash, a substantial number of Americans associate flying in commercial aircraft with "risk taking." This belief is remarkably resistant to the reality of the situation that is often expressed by the hackneyed statistical construct that one has a many times greater chance of dying in a car accident on the way to the airport than during the flight itself.
SU-E-J-70: A Study of the Correlation of 3D Surface Matching and KV Imaging for Chestwall IMRT.

Purpose: We investigated the accuracy of surface matching compared to kV positioning of 10 post‐mastectomy chestwall patients receiving inverse‐planned, non‐gated IMRT.Methods: During 130 treatment sessions, non‐gated 3D surfaces were captured using AlignRT (v4.5) before and after table translations as indicated by kV imaging.Surfaces were compared to a reference generated from CT data. Pearson's correlations between ‘indicated’ AlignRT and kV shifts were studied for surface registration of user‐defined regions‐of‐interest (ROIs): the entire surface (‘all’) and the chestwall (‘cw’). In 21% of sessions, two consecutive surfaces of patients in identical positions were used to estimate variability. Finally, the ‘implemented’ shifts detected by AlignRT were calculated and compared to the absolute table translations. Results: Correlations between ‘indicated’ AlignRT and kV shifts were higher for ‘cw’ than for ‘all': r=0.65 (Anterior‐Posterior), r=0.65 (Superior‐Inferier), r=0.44 (Left‐Right). Correlations exhibited large inter‐patient variability; 60% had r 0.8) for ‘implemented’ table shifts; only 2 patients demonstrated r 1degree were calculated more often when registering ‘cw’ (22%) than ‘all’ (5%). At the treatment position, residual STDs remained high (3.0–3.6mm). Conclusions: On average, ‘cw’ shifts correlated with kV shifts but exhibited significant inter‐patient variability and larger rotations than ‘all’. Differences between AlignRT and kV were ∼3mm for initial patient positioning. The lack of a one‐to‐one correspondence between surface and kV shifts in any single session must be further investigated before clinical implementation.
A unified security framework for WiMAX over EPON access networks

Passive optical networks (PONs) offer a popular broadband access solution allowing for high bandwidth and long transmission range to meet user fast evolving needs. However, in certain applications, PON deployment cannot reach the end user, because geographic restrictions make fiber installation non-cost effective. Recently, hybrid fiber–wireless (FiWi) access networks have been proposed to combine the advantages of optical and wireless technologies and integrate them seamlessly. However, this integrated wired and wireless access network raises new security issues that need to be addressed. This paper reviews the architectures of currently proposed integrated access networks, proposes a new Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) over Ethernet PON (EPON) architecture which achieves simplified and efficient system management. We present a unified security framework for the proposed architecture using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Through our analysis, we show that this security framework enhances the system security and realizes unified key management. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophilic bile acids: Prevention and dissolution experiments in two animal models of cholesterol cholelithiasis

The effects of β-muricholic acid and hyocholic acid on cholesterol cholelithiasis were examined in two animal models. The following experiments were carried out: A) In a gallstone prevention study, prairie dogs were fed the lithogenic diet with or without 0.1% β-muricholic or 0.1% hyocholic acid for eight weeks. B) In a second prevention study, hamsters were fed the lithogenic diet with or without 0.1% β-muricholic acid or 0.1% hyocholic acid for six weeks. C) In a gallstone dissolution study, hamsters were fed the lithogenic diet for six weeks to induce stones; stone dissolution was examined during administration of a cholesterol-free purified diet with or without 0.1% β-muricholic acid or 0.1% hyocholic acid. In the prevention study in prairie dogs (A), both bile acids failed to prevent stone formation, the cholesterol saturation index of bile was 0.89 in the lithogenic controls, remained unchanged with hyocholic acid and increased to 1.52 in the β-muricholic acid group. In the prevention study in hamsters (B), β-muricholic acid completely inhibited the cholesterol cholelithiasis (0% stone incidence); the cholesterol saturation index of bile was 1.78 (compared to lithogenic controls, 1.37). Hyocholic acid reduced stone incidence to 16% with a cholesterol saturation index of 0.98. In the dissolution study in hamsters (C), preexisting cholesterol gallstones were not dissolved by either hydrophilic bile acid after feeding these bile acids for an additional six weeks; at the end of the experiment, the cholesterol saturation indices were below unity. These studies suggest that, in the hamster animal model, hydrophilic bile acids may be useful for the prevention of gallstones but not dissolution of preestablished cholesterol gallstones.
The Liminal Experience: Loss of Extended Self After the Fire

This article explores the traumatic loss of home through an autoethnographic account of the period of disorientation after a residential fire described by Turner as the “betwixt and between” stage of grief. The author explores her experience of a loss of extended self and illustrates in this personal account how technologies in the form of possessions extend the human self. The reflection is guided by McLuhan’s understanding of the extension of the body, Belk’s description of how the self is extended through possessions, and Bachelard’s understanding of the significance of the house. The narrative demonstrates the usefulness of autoethnography in understanding traumatic loss.
FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY MARKET PROFILE STUDY: PALATABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF U.S. FOODSERVICE BEEF STEAKS1

Portion-controlled beef steaks for foodservice use were selected based on USDA Quality Grades from 50 purveyors in 12 cities across the United States to measure palatability traits. Steaks studied included the ribeye, T-bone, strip loin, centercut top sirloin, tenderloin, and cubed steak. Steaks were cooked on a foodservice-style clamshell griddle to a medium degree of doneness (70C) and served to a trained sensory panel. Additionally, Warner-Bratzler shear tests were performed on 1.27 cm cores of the cooked steaks. Overall, sensory scores for all steaks tested were > 5 on an 8-point descriptive scale. Tenderloin steaks were rated the most tender (6.4 on an 8-point scale) and strip loin steaks were rated the juiciest (5.93 on an 8-point scale). Generally, steaks collected from the Southwest and Mountain/Desert regions were tougher and drier (P < .05) than those from the Southeast region. Means for Warner-Bratzler shear values for all steaks were less than 1.7 kg, with tenderloin steaks being the easiest to shear (.93 kg). When differences between quality grade were found, Prime steaks usually scored higher (P < .05) for sensory attributes than Select and no-roll steaks. Results from this study indicate steaks purchased from the foodservice sector are tender; however, geographical variation exists.
Towards more usable information flow policies for contemporary operating systems

There has been a resurgence of interest in information flow based techniques in security. A key attraction of these techniques is that they can provide strong, principled protection against malware, regardless of its sophistication. In spite of this advantage, most advances in information flow control have not been adopted in mainstream operating systems since a strict application of information flow can limit system functionality and usability. Permitting dynamic changes to subject labels, as proposed in the low-watermark model, provides better usability. However, it suffers from the self-revocation problem, whereby read/write operations on already open files are denied because the label of the subject performing these operations has been downgraded. While most applications deal gracefully with security failures on file open operations, they are unprepared to handle security violations on subsequent reads/writes. As a result, subject downgrades may lead to crashes or malfunction. Even those applications that deal with read/write errors may still leave output files in a corrupted or inconsistent state since write permissions were taken away in the midst of producing an output file. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose a new approach for dynamic downgrading that eliminates the self-revocation problem. We show that our approach represents an optimal combination of functionality and compatibility. Our experimental evaluation shows that our approach is efficient, incurring an overhead of a few percentage points, is compatible with existing applications, and provides strong integrity protection.
Exogenous Phospholipase C Specifically Inhibits ApoE Expression in Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages

Treatment of cholesterol-loaded mouse peritoneal macrophages with exogenous phospholipase C results in a specific and dose-dependent inhibition of apoE secretion. The inhibition of apoE secretion is secondary to the rapid and specific inhibition of its synthesis. The profound changes in rates of apoE synthesis are not accompanied by changes in the levels of apoE mRNA, an observation strongly suggestive of translational regulation of expression. The changes in apoE expression coincide with, or are preceded by a three-fold increase in membrane-bound protein kinase C activity, pointing out the potential importance of this signal transduction pathway in regulating apoE expression at a posttranscriptional locus.
Catalytic combustion as a synthesis tool for micropatterned carbon materials

Abstract There is an extensive literature on the catalysis of carbon combustion by finely divided metals. Under some conditions a high degree of catalytic enhancement is observed, and the accelerated carbon consumption occurs in the immediate vicinity of the catalyst particle. These observations suggest that catalytic combustion could be used as a tool for shape control or micropattern formation in carbon materials, in which molecular oxygen serves as a “dry” etchant acting selectively on catalyst particles positioned by controlled metal deposition. This study uses carbon thin films and liquid-phase catalyst deposition as a model material and reaction system for a proof-of-principle demonstration of this new concept. A polydimethylsiloxane stamping technique is used to transfer metal chloride solutions onto carbon thin films in the form of ordered droplet microarrays that dry to produce catalytic micropatches. Controlled combustion at 400 °C selectively etches the carbon in the catalyst-doped regions to reveal the underlying quartz substrate in a predefined circle micropattern. This study focuses on catalyst selection, drying behavior, pattern resolution, feature fidelity, and etchant selectivity ratio, and the results are used to discuss the further potential for catalytic combustion synthesis and shape control.
Mathematical Literacy and Standardized Mathematical Assessments

Mathematical literacy is an important skill that is gaining the attention of mathematics educators. Students are increasingly challenged on standardized assessments to read, create, use, and comprehend numerous mathematical representations as a way of demonstrating mathematical literacy. Test items assessing algebra concepts from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test for Grades 3 through 8 were used for the study. The study examined the frequency and categories of external representations used to present and solve assessment items. The analysis showed a heavy emphasis on verbal representations even though algebra items were to use verbal, numerical, graphical, and symbolic representations. The variety of representations on assessments has implications for professional development opportunities for mathematics educators.
Dose-response relationships in determining the safety:efficacy ratio

The development of inhaled agonists selective for beta 2-adrenoceptors and high potency corticosteroids has improved the treatment of asthma. The delivery of the drugs to the site of action reduces the systemic exposure and hence reduces adverse systemic events. Together, these factors have resulted in improved toxicity: therapeutic ratios. Long-acting beta 2-agonists, such as salmeterol and formoterol, and high efficacy corticosteroids, such as fluticasone propionate and budesonide, now are available for clinical use. Because suboptimal treatment of asthma causes increased morbidity and mortality, and increased costs to society, these compounds are of particular value. Risk factors associated with fatal and near-fatal asthma have been identified, and it would appear that drug treatment by metered dose inhaler per se does not cause increased asthma fatality as an independent risk factor.
Response of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to fire and fire surrogate fuel reduction treatments in a southern Appalachian hardwood forest

Abstract An experiment conducted as part of the multidisciplinary National Fire and Fire Surrogate Study was designed to determine effects of three fuel reduction techniques on small mammals and habitat structure in the southern Appalachian mountains. Four experimental units, each >14-ha were contained within each of three replicate blocks at the Green River Game Land, Polk County, NC. Treatments were (1) prescribed burning (B); (2) mechanical felling of shrubs and small trees (M); (3) mechanical felling + burning (MB); (4) controls (C). Mechanical understory felling treatments were conducted in winter 2001–2002, and prescribed burning was conducted in March 2003. After treatment, there were fewer live trees, more snags, and greater canopy openness in MB than in other treatments. Leaf litter depth was reduced by burning in both B and MB treatments, and tall shrub cover was reduced in all fuel reduction treatments compared to C. Coarse woody debris pieces and percent cover were similar among treatments and controls. We captured 990 individuals of eight rodent species a total of 2823 times. Because white-footed mice composed >79% of all captures, we focused on this species. Populations in experimental units increased 228% on average between 2001 and 2002, but there was no evidence of an effect of the mechanical treatment. From 2002 to 2003, all units again showed an average increase in relative population size, but increases were greater in MB than in the other treatments. Age structure and male to female ratio were not affected by the fuel reduction treatment. Average adult body weight declined from 2001 to 2002, but less so in M than in units that remained C in both years. The proportion of mice captured near coarse woody debris was similar to the proportion captured in open areas for all treatments, indicating that white-footed mice did not use coarse woody debris preferentially or change their use patterns in response to fuel reduction treatments. Land managers should understand possible effects of different fuel reduction treatments on white-footed mouse populations, as they are an important component of the fauna and food chain of deciduous southern Appalachian forests.
RHIC Accelerator Advances for Spin

Spin physics has always had tight coupling between the physics, both experiment and theory, and accelerator physics. We have all benefited from the tradition of this close collaboration. This workshop is focused on physics issues, and this talk discusses recent advances in the accelerator/polarimetry areas for the RHIC spin program. The first polarized proton collisions at RHIC (and in the world) are planned for this winter. (Since the writing occurs near the end of this first run with polarized proton collisions, our instant analysis of this very successful run is included in this written version.)
Fundamental difference between the molecular interactions of agonists and antagonists with the β-adrenergic receptor

Antagonist binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor is largely entropy driven, with only a small enthalpy component. The binding of agonists, on the other hand, is associated with a large decrease in enthalpy which permits a highly unfavourable decrease in entropy. The thermodynamic differences between the binding of agonists and antagonists may provide new insights into the molecular basis for hormone stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of a novel deep-bed solid-state bioreactor for cellulolytic enzymes production.

A novel deep-bed solid-state bioreactor was designed and fabricated for cellulolytic enzymes production using mixed fungal cultures. Better temperature and moisture control was achieved through a unique bioreactor design comprising an outer wire-mesh frame with internal air distribution along with near-saturation conditions within the cabinet. Without airflow through the internal distributors, maximum temperatures of 48 °C and 52 °C were observed during half- and full-capacity operation. These were reduced to 44 °C and 43 °C on resumption of airflow. In terms of cellulolytic enzyme production, no significant differences occurred in filter paper activity with depth in half-capacity operation; however, in full-capacity operation, top-level filter paper activity (5.39 FPU/g-solids) was significantly different from middle- and bottom-level activity. Top level beta-glucosidase, endocellulase, and xylanase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) different from middle and bottom levels in both half- and full-capacity operation. A two-phase coupled heat and mass transfer model was developed that predicted the experimental trends reasonably well. Model predictions confirmed that cabinet temperature of 30 °C and distributor airflow rate of 3.42 kg h−1 during operation enabled effective temperature control.
Gaussian Target Detection in Multipath Clutter With Single-Antenna Time Reversal

We derive the time reversal likelihood ratio optimal detector for a target in stationary random multipath clutter, extending prior work where both are assumed to be deterministic. We suppress the stationary clutter through adaptive power allocation. We show that the Time Reversal Likelihood Ratio Test performs much better than the conventional Weighted Energy Detector. We provide analytical results on the performance of the time reversal detector by approximating it with the Time Reversal Linear Quadratic detector, which models the received signal as a Complex Gaussian. Our simulations show that the Linear Quadratic detector is a good approximation to the Time Reversal Likelihood Ratio Test and that both show a significant improvement of 4 to 7 dB effective signal-to-noise ratio gain over the Weighted Energy Detector. This gain is dependent on the target and clutter power spectral densities.
Developmental Changes in Ovine Corticotrophs in Vitro

We recently reported that fetal sheep corticotrophs (ACTH-producing cells) at 108 +/- 5 d (days) of gestation are relatively more responsive to CRH than to AVP, whereas those at 139 +/- 0 d (term = 145 d) and in the adult are more responsive to AVP. To further characterize these developmental changes, we used immunocytochemical, RIA, and cell immunoblotting techniques to examine populations of corticotrophs and individual cells. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that corticotroph frequency decreased from 22 +/- 1% of all pituitary cells at 100 d of gestation to 14 +/- 1% at 135 d and 9 +/- 0% in the adult. RIA measurements of ACTH secretion by cell populations showed that the response of corticotrophs to CRH diminished, whereas that to AVP increased during gestation and into adulthood. Cell blot analysis of individual corticotrophs identified two types of secretory responses (increases in the number of secreting cells and average amount of ACTH released per cell) to CRH or AVP that changed during fetal development. At 100 d of gestation, CRH increased the proportion of secreting cells from 65 +/- 3% (no test agent) to approximately 90%; AVP exerted a negligible effect on the relative abundance of secreting cells. At 120 d of gestation, both secretagogues, alone or in combination, increased the proportion of secreting corticotrophs from 49 +/- 6% to about 85%. At 135 d of gestation and in the adult, AVP, alone or in combination with CRH, increased secreting corticotrophs from about 53 +/- 6% to about 80%. CRH alone exerted a nominal effect on the proportion of secreting cells. Additional analyses showed that, at 100 or 120 d of gestation, the average amount of ACTH secreted by individual corticotrophs did not change in response to CRH or AVP. However, near term and into adulthood, the average quantity of ACTH released from individual cells increased in response to these agents. Our findings suggest that maturational changes in fetal corticotrophs dictate whether their secretory response to CRH or AVP results from an increase in the proportion of cells secreting ACTH and (or) an increase in the average amount of hormone secreted by individual cells.
Pasarelas y 'Perolones': Mediaciones transformistas en la avenida Libertador de Caracas

Desde hace decadas las transformistas venezolanas han ‘desfilado’ sobre la avenida Libertador en Caracas para exhibirse y ejercer el trabajo sexual. En Venezuela “transformista” se refiere a una persona asignada sexo masculino que ocupa genero femenino. Este ensayo propone entender la ocupacion transformista de la avenida en el marco de la teoria queer of color y la modernidad venezolana. La avenida Libertador es un espacio urbano desarrollado tras un largo proceso de modernizacion. Se ha dicho que la avenida Libertador nace con la democracia. A traves de su ubicacion en esta avenida las transformistas negocian la modernidad sobre sus cuerpos y en el imaginario urbano caraqueno. De la pasarela al ‘perolon’, las transformistas proyectan una presencia imponente sobre esta tarima, que les brinda visibilidad mientras simultaneamente las somete a violencias increibles.
Preoperative irradiation of cancer of the lung: final report of a therapeutic trial. A collaborative study.

Between May, 1963 and December, 1966, 17 medical centers cooperated in two separate but integrated therapeutic trials of primary lung cancer. One study was of patients with lesions considered operable at the time of diagnosis, and the other of patients with initially inoperable cancer but who were considered potentially operable after radiotherapy. Patients operable at the time of diagnosis were randomly assigned to receive either immediate surgery (278 patients) or preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery (290 patients). All but one were followed until death or 5 years of survival. Survival to each anniversary after randomization was almost identical for the two groups. At 5 years the survival rate was 14% after preoperative radiotherapy and 16% after immediate surgery. On the basis of the small standard error of the difference between these survival rates, a large advantage or a large disadvantage for preoperative radiotherapy is unlikely. Recurrence of cancer either locally or as distant metastasis was also similar in the two groups. Postoperative mortality was estimated to be 11% in the immediate surgery group, but cannot be estimated in a comparable fashion for the irradiated group. Certain postoperative complications were more frequent in the irradiated group, but survival during the first year was not affected. Out of 425 patients initially considered to be inoperable, 152 were considered resectable after radiotherapy. These patients were randomly assigned to have either a thoracotomy and resection of their cancer if possible (78 patients) or no surgery (74 patients). Survival to each anniversary after randomization was very similar. After 5 years the survival rate was 8% for the group assigned to surgery and 6% for the group assigned to no surgery. The difference has a standard error of 4%.
Observations on the “explosive” crystallization of non-crystalline Ge

Abstract It is demonstrated that the “explosive” crystallization behavior of non-crystalline Ge sputtered films is dependent on their preparation histroy. For instance, the extent of the crystallization is inversely related to the density of the material. Thus generalizations based on just one or two preparations are cautioned.
Coarctation repair without cardiac catheterization in infants

Abstract Of 35 infants who underwent an operation for coarctation of the aorta, 15 did not undergo cardiac catheterization before surgery. The diagnoses in all uncatheterized patients were made by clinical examination, chest radiography, ECG, and two-dimensional echocardiography combined with pulsed Doppler echocrdiography. Associated anomalies diagnosed by two-dimensional/Doppler echocardiography included a patent ductus arteriosus in all patients, bicuspid aortic valve in six, small ventricular septal defect in four, and complete common artrioventricular canal in one. In no instance was the diagnosis of coarctation in error. In addition, the clinical significance of the ventricular septal defect was judged correctly by two-dimensional echocardiography, and no patient required an early reoperation because of significant left-to-right shunt. Two significant lesions were missed in one patient each: mitral stenosis and aortic stenosis. These diagnoses were missed in patients who were first seen with either profound congestive heart failure or shock. Coarctation of the aorta and associated lesions can be diagnosed accurately by two-dimensional echocardiography. This permits proper patient management without the added risk of cardiac catheterization. Although mitral and aortic lesions may be missed because of low cardiac output, this does not result in management errors.
Two-Dimensional Radiation MHD K-Shell Modeling of Stainless-Steel Double-Wire-Array Experiments on the Refurbished Z Machine

Two-dimensional (r, z) magnetohydrodynamic simulations with nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium ionization and radiation transport are used to investigate the K-shell radiation output from doubly nested large-diameter (> 60 mm) stainless-steel arrays fielded on the refurbished Z pulsed-power generator. The effects of the initial density perturbations, wire ablation rate, and current loss near the load on the total power, K-shell power, and K-shell yield are examined. The broad mass distribution produced by wire ablation largely overcomes the deleterious impact on the K-shell power and yield of 2-D instability growth. On the other hand, the possible current losses in the final feed section lead to substantial reductions in K-shell yield. Following a survey of runs, the parameters for the perturbation level, ablation rate, and current loss are chosen to benchmark the simulations against existing 65-mm-diameter radiation data. The model is then used to predict the K-shell properties of larger diameter (70 mm) arrays to be imploded on the Z generator.
GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR DENSITY SENSITIVITY OF THREE COMPONENTS OF FITNESS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

This study examines natural genetic variation in density sensitivity of three components of fitness in Drosophila melanogaster using the method of chromosome extraction. Different lines are differentially sensitive to density. The distribution of measures of density sensitivity of chromosomal homozygotes is different from that of random chromosomal heterozygotes for both location and dispersion. Density sensitivity of the components is about as variable as any of the fitness components themselves at fixed densities. The consequences of the exact nature of this density dependence are discussed with respect to the stage of the life cycle at which density dependence occurs, and the mathematical form that it takes. There is no evidence of trade-offs among the components or their density sensitivity.
The neglected burden of caregiving in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract Background The number of persons with disability worldwide is estimated at more than one billion, and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC's) have particularly high prevalence. The consequences of disability have garnered growing attention, but the burden of caregiving for persons with disease or disability remains largely unquantified especially in LMIC's. Objective The goal of this paper is to report the results of a review of literature on caregiving in LMIC's, describing the characteristics of caregivers and of persons with disease or disability for whom care is provided, and the burden of caregiving in several domains. Methods We reviewed electronically available literature up to March 2012. Data were extracted pertaining to the following categories: caregiver demographics, caregiving activities, psychological burden, social burden, financial burden, physical burden, and time burden. Results Our review demonstrates that there is considerable and neglected burden on caregivers in LMIC's in physical, psychological, social, time, and financial realms. Existing literature is limited by the small volume of published research available on this topic, diverse methodologies, and lack of consensus on how to define and measure caregiver burden. However the evidence is clear that there are adverse consequences that arise as a result of the role of caregiver in this setting. Conclusions In light of the mounting evidence of the significant burden placed on caregivers of persons with disease and disability, it is imperative that the opportunity be taken to ensure that evidence informs best practice and policy in order to provide the support and services necessary to make an impact.
Argyria: microanalytic-morphologic correlation using paraffin-embedded tissue.

Scanning electron microscopes, which have energy dispersive spectroscopy (x-ray microanalysis) capability, can provide accurate identification of the composition of inorganic deposits in tissue. We report a case of florid argyria in which the same deparaffinized 4-μm sections were sequentially examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, backscattered electron imaging, and x-ray microanalysis to confirm the clinical impression of argyria. We recommend the use of x-ray microanalysis of paraffin-embedded tissue as a simple, rapid and inexpensive means of precise identification of inorganic deposits of heavy elements in tissue sections.
Selling ad campaigns: online algorithms with cancellations

We study online pricing problems in markets with cancellations, i.e., markets in which prior allocation decisions can be revoked, but at a cost. In our model, a seller receives requests online and chooses which requests to accept, subject to constraints on the subsets of requests which may be accepted simultaneously. A request, once accepted, can be canceled at a cost which is a fixed fraction of the request value. This scenario models a market for web advertising campaigns, in which the buyback cost represents the cost of canceling an existing contract.We analyze a simple constant-competitive algorithm for a single-item auction in this model, and we prove that its competitive ratio is optimal among deterministic algorithms, but that the competitive ratio can be improved using a randomized algorithm. We then model ad campaigns using knapsack domains, in which the requests differ in size as well as in value. We give a deterministic online algorithm that achieves a bi-criterion approximation in which both approximation factors approach 1 as the buyback factor and the size of the maximum request approach 0. We show that the bi-criterion approximation is unavoidable for deterministic algorithms, but that a randomized algorithm is capable of achieving a constant competitive ratio. Finally, we discuss an extension of our randomized algorithm to matroid domains (in which the sets of simultaneously satisfiable requests constitute the independent sets of a matroid) as well as present results for domains in which the buyback factor of different requests varies.
The common instrument middleware architecture: overview of goals and implementation

Instruments and sensors and their accompanying actuators are essential to the conduct of scientific research. In many cases they provide observations in electronic format and can be connected to computer networks with varying degrees of remote interactivity. These devices vary in their architectures and type of data they capture and may generate data at various rates. In this paper we present an overview of the design goals and initial implementation of the common instrument middleware architecture (CIMA), a framework for making instruments and sensors network accessible in a standards-based, uniform way, and for interacting remotely with instruments and the data they produce. Some of the issues CIMA addresses include: flexibility in network transport, efficient and high throughput data transport, the availability (or lack of) computational, storage and networking resources at the instrument or sensor platform, evolution of instrument design, and reuse of data acquisition and processing codes
53Gbps native GF(2 4 ) 2 composite-field AES-encrypt/decrypt accelerator for content-protection in 45nm high-performance microprocessors

An on-die, reconfigurable AES encrypt/decrypt hardware accelerator is fabricated in 45nm CMOS, targeted for content-protection in high-performance microprocessors. Compared to conventional AES implementations, this design computes the entire AES round in native GF(24)2 composite-field with one-time GF(28)-to-GF(24)2 mapping cost amortized over multiple AES iterations. This approach along with a fused Mix/InvMixColumns circuit and folded ShiftRow datapath results in 20% area savings and 67% reduction in worst-case interconnect length, enabling AES-128/192/256 ECB block throughput of 53/44/38Gbps, 125mW power measured at 1.1V, 50°C.
Rated association values of numbers from 0–100

Summary Ratings of the association values on a five-point scale by 95 S s are reported for the 101 numbers between 0 and 100. The results reveal sizable and relatively consistent differences between numbers which are shown to be related to learning difficulty, as well as a high degree of individual variability.
Laminate MEMS for Heterogeneous Integrated Systems

Post semiconductor manufacturing processes (PSM), including packaging and printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing are now capable of producing trace widths of a few micrometers, high aspect ratio vias, three-dimensional constructions, and highly integrated systems in a single small package. Such PSM technology can in principle be used to manufacture micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) for sensing and actuation applications. Although MEMS are traditionally produced using silicon processes, the broad array of manufacturing approaches available in the packaging industry, including lamination, lithography, etching, electroforming, machining, bonding, etc., and the large number of available materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, etc., provides greater design freedom for producing functional microdevices. The results of such processes applied to fabricating small systems are heterogeneously integrated MEMS devices. Since lamination of stacked layers is a critical component of this process, we refer to these devices as “laminate MEMS.” In many cases laminate MEMS devices are more suited to their applications than their silicon counterparts, especially for applications such as biomedical, optical, and human computer interface. Furthermore, such microdevices can be built with a high degree of integration, pre-packaged, and at low cost. Indeed, the PCB and packaging industries stand to benefit greatly by expanding their offerings beyond serving the semiconductor industry and developing their own devices and products. This paper illustrates that good quality MEMS devices can be manufactured using packaging style fabrication, particularly using stacks of laminates, and discusses some of the unique benefits of such devices. This laminate MEMS technology promises not only improved methods for manufacturing microdevices but also for heterogeneously integrating them with silicon microelectronics and other components into a single package.
Beta-Endorphin Cell Therapy for Cancer Prevention

Beta-endorphin (BEP) producing neuron in the hypothalamus plays a key role in brining the stress axis to a state of homeostasis and maintaining body immune defense system. Long-term delivery of BEP to obtain beneficial effect on chemoprevention is challenging, since the peptide rapidly develop tolerance. Using rats as animal model, we show here that transplantation of beta-endorphin neurons into the hypothalamus suppressed carcinogens- and hormone-induced cancers in various tissues and prevented growth and metastasis of established tumors via activation of innate immune functions. Additionally, we show that intracerebroventricular administration of nanosphere-attached dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) increased the number of BEP neurons in the hypothalamus, reduced the stress response, enhanced the innate immune function and prevented tumor cell growth, progression and metastasis. Beta-endorphin neuronal supplementation did not produce any deleterious effects on general health but was beneficial in suppressing age-induced alterations in physical activity, metabolic and immune functions. We conclude that the neuroimmune system has significant control over cancer growth and progression and that activation of the neuroimmune system via beta-endorphin neuronal supplementation/induction may have therapeutic value for cancer prevention and improvement of general health.
Low-Renin Hypertension, Altered Sodium Homeostasis, and an α-Adducin Polymorphism

Defining the genetic basis of common forms of human essential hypertension is most informative when correlated with physiological mechanisms that underlie blood pressure regulation. A polymorphism of the alpha-adducin gene as been associated with elevated blood pressure in the rat, but previous studies of the 460Trp polymorphism of the human alpha-adducin gene have not clearly identified an association with hypertension. In this study, the frequency of the 460Trp allele was 19% and 9 of 279 subjects (3.2%) were homozygous for the 460Trp allele. The systolic blood pressure response to changes in dietary sodium was significantly greater in subjects homozygous for the 460Trp allele (25±4 mm Hg) compared with subjects heterozygous for 460Trp (12±2 mm Hg) or homozygous for the 460Gly allele (14±1 mm Hg). Intracellular erythrocyte sodium content, sodium-lithium countertransport, and renal fractional excretion of sodium were significantly decreased in subjects homozygous for the 460Trp polymorphism ( P
Astrology and the Sibyls: John of Legnano's De adventu Christi and the Natural Theology of the Later Middle Ages

ArgumentMedieval authors adopted a range of postures when writing about the role of reason in matters of faith. At one extreme, the phrase “natural theology” (theologia naturalis) was used, largely pejoratively, to connote something clearly inferior to revealed theology. At the other end, there was also a long tradition of what one might term “the impulse to natural theology,” manifested perhaps most notably in the embrace of Nature by certain twelfth-century authors associated with the school of Chartres. Only in the fifteenth century does one find authors using natural reason to investigate religious truths who also employ the term “natural theology,” now in a positive light, for their activities. Among such thinkers, astrology and eschatology frequently played an important role. In that respect, the writings of fourteenth-century Bolognese jurist John of Legnano offer an important example of the place of astrological, prophetic, and apocalyptic material in late medieval natural theology. In his 1375 treatise De adventu Christi, Legnano demonstrated that ancient poets, pagan seers such as the Sibyls, and non-Christian astrologers had all predicted, like Old Testament prophets, the virgin birth of Christ. For Legnano, not simply was Creation part of God's revelation, but, equally importantly, the very categories of reason and revelation blur in a way that points toward the works of Renaissance humanists and lays a foundation for a model of natural vaticination that showed reason's capability to reach fundamental religious truths.
School Desegregation Doctrine and the Performance of the Judiciary

This article presents a summary and analysis of constitutional doctrine dealing with school desegregation. Also discussed is whether or not the courts have adequately carried out their function of keeping school desegregation law clear and understandable.
Using word-level ATPG and modular arithmetic constraint-solving techniques for assertion property checking

We present a new approach to checking assertion properties for register-transfer level (RTL) design verification. Our approach combines structural word-level automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) and modular arithmetic constraint-solving techniques to solve the constraints imposed by the target assertion property. Our word-level ATPG and implication technique not only solves the constraints on the control logic, but also propagates the logic implications to the datapath. A novel arithmetic constraint solver based on modular number system is then employed to solve the remaining constraints in datapath. The advantages of the new method are threefold. First, the decision-making process of the word-lever ATPG is confined to the selected control signals only. Therefore, the enumeration of enormous number of choices at the datapath signals is completely avoided. Second, our new implication translation techniques allow word-level logic implication being performed across the boundary of datapath and control logic and, therefore, efficiently cut down the ATPG search space. Third, our arithmetic constraint solver is based on modular instead of integral number systems. It can thus avoid the false-negative effect resulting from the bit-vector value modulation. A prototype system has been built that consists of an industrial front-end hardware description language (HDL) parser, a property-to-constraint converter, and the ATPG/arithmetic constraint-solving engine. The experimental results on some public benchmark and industrial circuits demonstrate the efficiency of our approach and its applicability to large industrial designs.
Investigation of platinum oxidation in PEM fuel cells at various relative humidities

Surface oxidation of Pt cathode of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells at different relative humidities (RHs) was studied using cyclic voltammetry. The degree of platinum oxidation increased significantly with an increase in RH from 20% to 72%. Holding the cathode at high potentials and exposing it to air instead of N 2 resulted in the formation of more platinum oxides. At 20% RH, 0.85 V, and 100°C, both water and oxygen equally contribute to platinum oxidation; at 100% RH, 0.85 V, and 100°C, water produces more than 70% of the platinum oxidation while 30% forms from oxygen.