cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and performance of speculative flow control for high-radix datacenter interconnect switches

High-radix switches are desirable building blocks for large computer interconnection networks, because they are more suitable to convert chip I/O bandwidth into low latency and low cost than low-radix switches [J. Kim, W.J. Dally, B. Towles, A.K. Gupta, Microarchitecture of a high-radix router, in: Proc. ISCA 2005, Madison, WI, 2005]. Unfortunately, most existing switch architectures do not scale well to a large number of ports, for example, the complexity of the buffered crossbar architecture scales quadratically with the number of ports. Compounded with support for long round-trip times and many virtual channels, the overall buffer requirements limit the feasibility of such switches to modest port counts. Compromising on the buffer sizing leads to a drastic increase in latency and reduction in throughput, as long as traditional credit flow control is employed at the link level. We propose a novel link-level flow control protocol that enables high-performance scalable switches that are based on the increasingly popular buffered crossbar architecture, to scale to higher port counts without sacrificing performance. By combining credited and speculative transmission, this scheme achieves reliable delivery, low latency, and high throughput, even with crosspoint buffers that are significantly smaller than the round-trip time. The proposed scheme substantially reduces message latency and improves throughput of partially buffered crossbar switches loaded with synthetic uniform and non-uniform bursty traffic. Moreover, simulations replaying traces of several typical MPI applications demonstrate communication speedup factors of 2 to 10 times.
A Flexible Peptide Tether Controls Accessibility of a Unique C-terminal RNA-binding Domain in Leucyl-tRNA Synthetases

Abstract A unique C-terminal domain extension is required by most leucyl-tRNA synthetases (LeuRS) for aminoacylation. In one exception, the enzymatic activity of yeast mitochondrial LeuRS is actually impeded by its own C-terminal domain. It was proposed that the yeast mitochondrial LeuRS has compromised its aminoacylation activity to some extent and adapted its C terminus for a second role in RNA splicing, which is also essential. X-ray crystal structures of the LeuRS–tRNA complex show that the 60 residue C-terminal domain is tethered to the main body of the enzyme via a flexible peptide linker and allows interactions with the tRNALeu elbow. We hypothesized that this short peptide linker would facilitate rigid body movement of the C-terminal domain as LeuRS transitions between an aminoacylation and editing complex or, in the case of yeast mitochondrial LeuRS, an RNA splicing complex. The roles of the C-terminal linker peptide for Escherichia coli and yeast mitochondrial LeuRS were investigated via deletion mutagenesis as well as by introducing chimeric swaps. Deletions within the C-terminal linker of E. coli LeuRS determined that its length, rather than its sequence, was critical to aminoacylation and editing activities. Although deletions in the yeast mitochondrial LeuRS peptide linker destabilized the protein in general, more stable chimeric enzymes that contained an E. coli LeuRS C-terminal domain showed that shortening its tether stimulated aminoacylation activity. This suggested that limiting C-terminal domain accessibility to tRNALeu facilitates its role in protein synthesis and may be a unique adaptation of yeast mitochondrial LeuRS that accommodates its second function in RNA splicing.
Effects of relating mathematics to science instruction on the acquisition of quantitative science behaviors

Does it make sense to include mathematics instruction in science classes? Is there empirical support for Gagne's task analysis?
The effects of Ricean fading channel on fast frequency hopping spread spectrum communication systems

The performance of a fast frequency-hopped multilevel frequency-shift keying (FFH/MFSK) system operating through noisy, fading multipath channels is investigated. Additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rice distribution with random-to-specular ratio (K) are used to model the microcellular environment. The effect of a Ricean fading channel on user capacity is evaluated. Expressions are derived for the bit error rate of the OOK modulation scheme in the Ricean fading channel. At an average bit error rate of 10/sup -3/ and with perfect transmission (where the only degradation is due to mutual interference), the system capacity and the spectrum efficiency are found to be 209 users and 33.44% respectively. In microcellular environments the system capacity and spectrum efficiency are found to be 169 and 27.2% respectively, at the same error rate. >
Effective cryopreservation of golden Syrian hamster embryos by open pulled straw vitrification

Golden Syrian hamster embryos are difficult to cryopreserve due to their high sensitivity to cryoprotectants and in vitro handling. The objective of this study is to develop a robust open pulled st...
Bayesian Probabilistic Approach to Structural Health Monitoring

A Bayesian probabilistic methodology for structural health monitoring is presented. The method uses a sequence of identified modal parameter data sets to compute the probability that continually updated model stiffness parameters are less than a specified fraction of the corresponding initial model stiffness parameters. In this approach, a high likelihood of reduction in model stiffness at a location is taken as a proxy for damage at the corresponding structural location. The concept extends the idea of using as indicators of damage the changes in structural model parameters that are identified from modal parameter data sets when the structure is initially in an undamaged state and then later in a possibly damaged state. The extension is needed, since effects such as variation in the identified modal parameters in the absence of damage, as well as unavoidable model error, lead to uncertainties in the updated model parameters that in practice obscure health assessment. The method is illustrated by simulating on-line monitoring, wherein specified modal parameters are identified on a regular basis and the probability of damage for each substructure is continually updated.
Hemodynamic effects of implanting a unidirectional valve in the inferior vena cava of the Fontan circulation pathway: an in vitro investigation

The Fontan surgical procedure used for treating patients with single ventricle congenital heart disorders results in a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) of the vena cavae to the pulmonary arter...
Preparation of multi-functional silicon surface structures for solar cell applications

Creation of superhydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces is an important objective for a variety of applications. Indeed, numerous routes to generate superhydrophobic surfaces have been proposed. In this paper, a facile way of forming superhydrophobic surfaces is reported that uses Au assisted HF/H2O2 etching of silicon wafers. The Au layer was deposited onto a silicon wafer via e-Beam evaporation. By controlling the evaporation and etching times, the surface roughness can be manipulated and superhydrophobic surfaces with different optical properties can be generated. The effect of etchant concentration on superhydrophobicity was investigated by altering surface structures. Contact angles were measured with a CCD camera equipped goniometer; these values determined the water repellency. Light reflection on the as prepared black surfaces was measured to assess the efficiency for low cost solar cell applications. This approach offers a new way both to theoretically study the surface roughness effect and to investigate engineering applications of self-cleaning surfaces in solar cells, MEMS, anti-bacteria coating, and microfluidic devices.
Public Sector Responses to Jail Mental Health: A Review with Recommendations for Future Research

The history of public mental health intervention in the US has been uneven and in some instances is characterized by a strong overtone of neglect. While clinical research in primarily private settings has generated findings that give a strong sense of “what works” in mental health diagnosis and treatment, this review pays special attention to the distribution of mental illness among jailed populations. Local jail systems house a substantial number of mentally challenged individuals but receive less attention than is warranted given their numbers. This paper concludes with a plea for research with a focus on the community determinants of mental health systems in order to enhance delivery of services and increase the likelihood of reaching those most in need of mental health treatment.
Assessing the accuracy of the International Classification of Diseases codes to identify abusive head trauma: a feasibility study.

Objective To assess the accuracy of an International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code-based operational case definition for abusive head trauma (AHT). Methods Subjects were children Results There were 223 children evaluated for AHT: 117 AHT and 106 non-AHT TBI. The sensitivity and specificity of the ICD-based operational case definition were 92% (95% CI 85.8 to 96.2) and 96% (95% CI 92.3 to 99.7), respectively. All errors in sensitivity and three of the four specificity errors were due to coder error; one specificity error was a physician error. Conclusions In a paediatric tertiary care hospital with an EMR system, the accuracy of an ICD-based case definition for AHT was high. Additional studies are needed to assess the accuracy of this definition in all types of hospitals in which children with AHT are cared for.
Analyses of regional-average activation and multivoxel pattern information tell complementary stories

Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) has recently received increasing attention in functional neuroimaging due to its ability to decode mental states from fMRI signals. However, questions remain regarding both the empirical and conceptual relationships between results from MVPA and standard univariate analyses. In the current study, whole-brain univariate and searchlight MVPAs of parametric manipulations of monetary gain and loss in a decision making task (Tom et al., 2007) were compared to identify the differences in the results across these methods and the implications for understanding the underlying mental processes. The MVPA and univariate results did identify some overlapping regions in whole brain analyses. However, an analysis of consistency revealed that in many regions the effect size estimates obtained from MVPA and univariate analysis were uncorrelated. Moreover, comparison of sensitivity showed a general trend towards greater sensitivity to task manipulations by MVPA compared to univariate analysis. These results demonstrate that MVPA methods may provide a different view of the functional organization of mental processing compared to univariate analysis, wherein MVPA is more sensitive to distributed coding of information whereas univariate analysis is more sensitive to global engagement in ongoing tasks. The results also highlight the need for better ways to integrate these methods.
Stimulus-secretion coupling: the concept and clues from chromaffin and other cells.

This lecture summarizes the knowledge in a field dubbed autopharmacology: the secretion by a body cell of a substance prompted by an internal stimulus. The majority of the work reported on here was with the adrenal chromaffin cell. Topics covered describing and proving the release of secretion into the chromaffin cells extracellular environment are means of intracellular recording from chromaffin cells and the effect of acetylcholine on membrane potential and consequences of exposing the cell to acetylcholine (altered membrane chemistry increased membrane permeability entry of sodium and calcium ions and depolarization). Also postulated are 2 possible mechanisms of catecholamine secretion (both involve release directly from chromaffin granules to the cell exterior through frank rupture of the adherent membranes of granule and cell i.e. exocytosis or through some greatly increased permeability at the adhesion site). The lecture then focuses on calcium and stumulus secretion coupling in other systems including the exocrine glands neurones and neurosecretory cells the mast cell and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In a concluding discussion on the role of calcium in secretory mechanisms the presence of prostaglandin in effluent from adrenal glands exposed to acetylcholine is mentioned as evidence of the secretory mechanism being a chemical reaction.
Advancements in Dry Powder Delivery to the Lung

The dry powder inhaler (DPI) has become widely known as a very attractive platform for drug delivery. Many patients have traditionally used DPIs to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Recently, the development of new DPIs for delivering therapeutic proteins such as insulin has been accelerated by patient demands, and innovative research. The current market for DPIs has over 20 devices presently in use, and many devices under development for delivering a variety of therapeutic agents. DPIs are recognized as suitable alternatives to pressurized metered dose inhalers for some patients, but the performance of DPI devices may vary according to a given patient's physiological condition. This variation can be associated with the necessary powder dispersion mechanism of each device. As such, much interest has focused on the development of efficient powder dispersion mechanisms, as this effectively minimizes the influence of interpatient variability. This article reviews DPI devices currently available, advantages of newly developed devices, outlines some requirements for future device design.
Comparing Bayesian models for multisensory cue combination without mandatory integration

Bayesian models of multisensory perception traditionally address the problem of estimating an underlying variable that is assumed to be the cause of the two sensory signals. The brain, however, has to solve a more general problem: it also has to establish which signals come from the same source and should be integrated, and which ones do not and should be segregated. In the last couple of years, a few models have been proposed to solve this problem in a Bayesian fashion. One of these has the strength that it formalizes the causal structure of sensory signals. We first compare these models on a formal level. Furthermore, we conduct a psychophysics experiment to test human performance in an auditory-visual spatial localization task in which integration is not mandatory. We find that the causal Bayesian inference model accounts for the data better than other models.
Alignment of production quadrupole magnets for the LHC interaction regions

Production has started for the high-gradient superconducting quadrupole magnets developed by the US LHC Accelerator Project for the Interaction Regions of the Large Hadron Collider. The first full-scale Q2 assembly has recently been measured during fabrication at Fermilab. This paper reports on the mechanical alignment processes used during production of the combined cold-mass assembly and during its installation in the cryostat, and the validation of these processes in meeting accelerator requirements. Also presented are the results of measurements of the field axis and roll angle of the completed magnet assembly. Results are compared to machine performance requirements.
Practice Patterns in the Perioperative Treatment of Patients Undergoing Septorhinoplasty: A Survey of Facial Plastic Surgeons

ImportanceThe common practices used in the perioperative care of patients undergoing septorhinoplasty are diverse and controversial. A consensus statement on the preferred clinical pathway in the p...
Network Neutrality: What a Non-Discrimination Rule Should Look Like

The debate over "network neutrality," i.e. the debate over whether governments should establish rules limiting the extent to which network providers can interfere with the applications and content on their networks, has become one of the hottest debates in Internet policy. Governments all over the world, including the European Union, the UK, France, Germany and the US, are investigating whether regulatory action is needed. Beyond rules that prevent network providers from blocking applications or content, non-discrimination rules are a key component of any network neutrality regime. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty about how to best distinguish harmful from beneficial discrimination. The paper sets out criteria for evaluating non-discrimination rules and uses these criteria to evaluate two proposals for a non-discrimination rule: • A non-discrimination rule that would ban discrimination that causes harm to users or harm to competition. Whether these conditions (anticompetitive, harm to users) are met would be decided by the regulatory agency in case-by-case adjudication. Such a rule was part of the Google-Verizon legislative proposal. • A non-discrimination rule that would ban all application-specific discrimination (i.e. discrimination based on applications or classes of applications), but would allow application-agnostic discrimination. This rule would allow certain, but not all forms of Quality of Service. Only the second rule meets the criteria for a good non-discrimination rule: The rule protects the factors that have fostered application innovation in the past, ensuring that the Internet can continue to serve as an engine of innovation and economic growth in the future. It preserves the factors that have allowed the Internet to improve democratic discourse and to provide a decentralized environment for social and cultural interaction in which anyone can participate. The rule does not constrain the evolution of the network more than is necessary to reach the goals of network neutrality regulation. In particular, it allows certain, but not all forms of Quality of Service. It provides much-needed certainty for industry participants by making it easy to determine which behavior is and is not allowed and keeps the costs of regulation low.
On Girsanov Type Theorem for Anticipative Shifts

Recently, there has been increasing interest in anticipative Girsanov Theorem (see, e.g., Buckdahn (1991), Nualart and Zakai (1986), Enchev (1993) Kallianpur and Karandikar (1993)) motivated from its applications to anticipative stochastic differential equations (see, e.g., Buckdahn (1989), Nualart and Pardoux (1991)). The classical theorem of Girsanov in Liptser and Shiryayev (1977), considers absolute continuity of the Wiener measure under translation by a particular type of non-linear random functions. This generalizes the classical result of Cameron and Martin (1944) for linear functionals. Under the non-anticipativity of the non-linear functional the problem can be handled by Martingale methods. For more general class of non-linear functionals F, Ramer (1974) and Kusuoka (1982) proved a Girsanov type theorem generalizing earlier work of Cameron and Martin (1949), Gross (1965) and Kuo (1975) for a Gaussian measure on Abstract Wiener Space (AWS). Alternate attack for Brownian Motion case was proposed by Buckdahn (1989), who goes from the finite-dimensional case using uniform integrability of density under a Novikov type condition. It should be noted that all three authors Ramer, Kusuoka and Buckdahn give conditions on the random shift from which finite-dimensional assumptions follow. In Buckdahn (1991), however, a clever approximation by “elementary functions” is used in order to show the sufficiency of a Novikov type condition. We first prove an elementary result (Theorem 1), which in fact exists in previous literature (see, e.g., Kusuoka (1982), Nualart and Zakai (1986)) in a weaker form, by using uniform integrability for the case of a Radon Gaussian measure on a locally convex topological vector space (LCTVS).
Identification of a clinically relevant androgen-dependent gene signature in prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is the principal target for treatment of non-organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa). Androgen deprivation therapies (ADT) directed against the AR ligand-binding domain do not fully inhibit androgen-dependent signaling critical for PCa progression. Thus, information that could direct the development of more effective ADTs is desired. Systems and bioinformatics approaches suggest that considerable variation exists in the mechanisms by which AR regulates expression of effector genes, pointing to a role for secondary transcription factors. A combination of microarray and in silico analyses led us to identify a 158-gene signature that relies on AR along with the transcription factor SRF (serum response factor), representing less than 6% of androgen-dependent genes. This AR-SRF signature is sufficient to distinguish microdissected benign and malignant prostate samples, and it correlates with the presence of aggressive disease and poor outcome. The AR-SRF signature described here associates more strongly with biochemical failure than other AR target gene signatures of similar size. Furthermore, it is enriched in malignant versus benign prostate tissues, compared with other signatures. To our knowledge, this profile represents the first demonstration of a distinct mechanism of androgen action with clinical relevance in PCa, offering a possible rationale to develop novel and more effective forms of ADT.
In the spotlight: Neuroengineering

Considering the high volume of publications and ever increasing attendance at the international conferences, including the 2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (IEEE EMBC 2012), Neuroengineering appears to be evolving as an independent discipline by itself. Continuing the legacy of the previous years' conferences, neuroengineering was one of the most represented topics at the IEEE EMBC 2012, held this year in San Diego, CA. Contributing to the interest were three workshops that focused on systems level concepts in neuroengineering: namely, Brain - Machine - Body Interfaces (led by Gert Cauwenberghs, University of California, San Diego), Brain Dynamics in Human Motor Control (led by David Peterson, University of California, San Diego) and Brain-Computer Interfaces and Electrocorticography (led by Robert Prueckl, Guger Technologies). These and other related works are briefly reviewed.
Renewable resources based polymers: Synthesis and characterization of 2,5-diformylfuran-urea resin

Abstract Condensation of renewable resources based monomer 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and urea at 110 °C by melting a solid mixture gives a crystalline polymer resin in 90% yield. This resin was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H, 13C and 1H–1H COSY NMR, IR, UV, TGA and DTA. The structural unit of this new material consists of one DFF molecule condensed with two urea molecules at the aldehyde group of DFF. A homologous resin was prepared by using 5,5′-oxydimethylenebis(2-furaldehyde) and urea in 84% yield via a similar procedure and characterized as well.
Microtubule assembly and phage morphogenesis: new results and classical paradigms.

Summary The classical analyses of phage morphogenesis provide experimental paradigms for dissecting other assembly pathways. A new set of results, derived from examination of the quantitative controls of tubulin levels and microtubule assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, evokes the balance of components’ hypothesis. These results show that balanced levels of the tubulin proteins are crucial for microtubule assembly. Imbalances leading to excess beta tubulin have far more deleterious consequences than those leading to excess alpha tubulin, including dramatic cellular toxicity, quantitative depolymerization of cellular microtubules, and self-aggregation of the excess beta tubulin. These and other results suggest that beta tubulin may possess a unique ability to interact with a component of microtubule nucleating sites, and provide a rationale for the universal polarity of nucleated microtubules.
On the distinction between yuppies and hippies: Individual differences in prediction biases for planning future tasks

The present study investigated variables related to errors in predicting when tasks will be completed. Participants (N = 184) responded to the Time Structure Questionnaire (TSQ; Jones, Banicky, Pomare, & Lasane, 1999) and Temporal Orientation Scale (TOS; Bond & Feather, 1988) and predicted when they would complete either a desirable or undesirable task. Factor analysis of the TSQ and TOS identified two factors: yuppie traits, which involved being hard-working and goal-oriented, and hippie traits that reflected ‘‘living for the moment’’. Overall, individuals tended to underestimate when they would complete both tasks. However, for the undesirable task, yuppie traits corresponded with less prediction bias whereas hippie traits were associated with greater bias. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Extraction of Respiratory Rate from Impedance Signal Measured on Arm: A Portable Respiratory Rate Measurement Device

In this paper, respiratory rate is extracted using signal processing and machine learning methods from electrical impedance, measured across arm. Two pairs of electrodes have been used along the arm, one for injecting the current, and one for sensing the voltage. After filtering, the frequency components and other signal features have been extracted using Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT). Then aSupport Vector Machine(SVM) model is trained to detect the breath-holding state. Frequency components and signal features of the parts of the signal that are detected to be representing the breathing state are then fed into another SVM model that extracts the respiratory rate and reduces the effect of motion artifacts. A similar method has been applied to the signal taken from end-tidal CO2 respiratory measurement device as the reference signal. This signal has been used as the ground truth for training of the SVM model and for validation of the method. The results are validated using 5-fold cross-validation method. Statistical analysis confirms the significance of the introduced features.
Legal Ramifications of the War in Gaza

This essay proclaims in essence that the firing of rockets by Hamas into Israel constituted acts of terrorism and afforded to Israel every right to defend itself through military action. However, since Hamas operated from a civilian environment, it was inevitable that civilians will be injured or killed, and civilian objects will be damaged or destroyed. That placed on persons in command of the Israeli forces the obligation to consider whether or not the injuries, deaths, damage and destructions would be proportional to, and justified by, “the concrete and direct overall advantage” of an armed attack foreseeable at the time of the attack. The conclusion is inevitable that the answer to this question is in the negative, and that a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute can only be achieved through meaningful, sincere, and effective mediation between the conflicting parties. In developing this theme, it is pointed out that although Israel in 2003 officially withdrew from the Gaza Strip, it for all ends and purposes remained in occupation of that territory. Under the rules of international humanitarian law, Hamas was therefore engaged in a war of liberation. As such, the conflict in Palestine was subject to the laws and customs of international humanitarian law applicable in international armed conflicts. The author rejects the view of those who claim that militant forces engaged in a war of liberation are entitled to commit acts of terrorism. Hamas also could not justify the rocket attacks as a matter of self-defense or as legitimate acts of reprisal. Belligerent reprisals against civilian targets are in this day and age no longer lawful. Conducting military operations from within a civilian environment constitutes a violation of the laws and customs of armed conflict. However, proclaiming this to fall under the proscription of the use of a human shield is not acceptable since the law relating to human shields confines the concept to using particular persons, such as prisoners of war, children, or United Nations personnel, to protect military targets from an attack.
Physiologic Aspects of Bicycling

Body size, state of conditioning, biomechanical factors, and technological innovations in bicycle design each influence physiologic responses in cyclists. This article addresses the basis of these responses with emphasis on their contribution to total energy expenditure and performance.
In Silico Optimized Mechlorethamine Based Drug Structures Targeting Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Aims: Brain and spinal cord tumors are the third most common type of childhood cancer following leukemia and lymphoma. Mechlorethamine (or mustine) is a nitrogen mustard antineoplastic drug. Eleven variants of mechlorethamine are presented that possess molecular properties enabling substantial access to tumors of the central nervous system. Study Design:An extensive in silico search within a data library of molecular structure s identifieddrug scaffolds suitable for targeting brain tumors.
Effect of Aspirin and Related Compounds on the Fine Structure of Mouse Gastric Mucosa

The histology and ultrastructure of mouse gastric mucosa was observed following oral administration of 20 mM aspirin in 1, 10, or 100 mN HC1. Such test solutions invariably damaged the surface mucous cells on substantial areas of epithelium within 5 min, although during this initial phase, the lamina propria and the glandular epithelium remained anatomically unaltered. However, within 10 min, many of the damaged surface mucous cells lysed in situ and were extruded into the lumen. This was often accompanied by breakdown of the thus denuded, underlying capillaries. Fine structural features of the initial phase of surface mucous cell injury were reproducibly characteristic, simultaneously including nuclear “karyolysis,” loss of cytoplasmic matrix material, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and plasmalemmal irregularities. However, the cell junctions and most of the membranous organelles in the cytoplasm remained structurally intact during the early phase of injury. Acetic, benzoic, and salicylic acids were similarly administered, and 20 mM concentrations of these agents also caused rapid injury to the surface mucous cells. The cellular and subcellular pathology closely resembled that produced by aspirin. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to possible molecular mechanisms.
Sustained elevation of intracellular cyclic 3'-5' adenosine monophosphate is necessary for preservation of platelet integrity during long-term storage at 22 degrees C

Preservation of platelet integrity and responsiveness was examined in platelet concentrates prepared in the presence of various formulations and combinations of platelet-activation inhibitors affecting intracellular levels of cyclic 3′–5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Platelet concentrates were prepared and stored in an artificial medium for two weeks at 22 degrees C. Markers of metabolic activity (pH, lactate, pO2, pCO2 in the medium), aggregation response, hypotonic shock response, and glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) expression were assessed along with direct measurements of cAMP in platelet pellets and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) in the supernate. The platelet concentrates prepared with only adenylate-cyclase stimulators (prostaglandin E-1 or forskolin) showed less maintenance of the integrity and responsiveness markers and greater loss of GPIb than concentrates prepared with phosphodiesterase inhibitors (theophylline or caffeine) or combinations with the above. These results were correlated with the ability of these compounds to sustain elevation of cAMP above basal level during the entire extended-storage period. The strong correlation (rs = -0.67) between elevation of cAMP levels and suppression of TxB2 production suggests that the phosphodiesterase inhibitors provided better protection than stimulators of adenylate cyclase alone through a reduction in platelet activation and its deleterious effects on preservation of platelets during storage.
Connexin Interacting Proteins

The list of connexin-interacting proteins continues to grow along with the complexity of potential roles for these factors in gap junctional function and regulation. A recent study using a pull down assay with the carboxy terminal tail of connexin 43 (Cx43) as bait indicated that at least a dozen proteins may bind to this region of the molecule (Giepmans et al., 2001). A similarly large group of Cx43 binding partners was also indicated from yeast two hybrid studies (Giepmans et al., 1998; Jin et al., 2000). Together, these data indicate that a complex of proteins and a variety of regulatory interactions may exist at the cytoplasmic surface of the Cx43-containing gap junctional plaque. This level of regulatory control by connexin interacting proteins may permit subtle differences in function and distribution which may allow for fine tuning of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Although some connexin-binding partners are known, many others have yet to be identified and characterized. This task will be important for the next generation of researchers as it is increasingly becoming clear that gap junctional binding proteins are critical for many essential functions of tissues and cells.
The significance of multiple, recurrent, and “complex” cardiac myxomas

We reviewed the Mayo Clinic records of 56 patients who underwent operation for cardiac myxoma and 29 cases in which cardiac myxoma was found at autopsy. Five patients had a "complex" of unusual findings including multiple pigmented skin lesions (lentiginosis), myxoid fibroadenomas of the breast, skin myxomas, and primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (a cause of Cushing's syndrome). Four of these five patients had multiple cardiac myxomas. Three of the four patients who underwent surgical excision of the cardiac myxomas had recurrent myxomas (the only recurrences in our series), and one of these patients had a second recurrence. The occurrence of multiple and recurrent myxomas in patients with the complex was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than in our 80 patients with sporadic myxomas. The world literature was searched for cases of cardiac myxomas with the unusual associations of the complex, and also for familial, multiple, and recurrent myxomas. A group of patients were identified who had unusual biologic behavior including early development of myxomas, atypical myxoma locations, and a high risk for the development of recurrent myxomas. For these patients, we recommend a thorough search for multiple tumors at operation, close postoperative follow-up, and careful screening of family members.
Automated Blast Hole Logging and Design

Abstract A blast hole drill was instrumented and equipped with a digital recorder to monitor quantitative drilling parameters such as down pressure and rotational speed of the bit. This information was captured on non-volatile memory and transmitted to a mainframe computer for analysis. The variation in the energy required to turn the bit was found to be correlated with the geological structure of the overburden. This information was used to design explosive loads with hole size, pattern and powder factor held constant. The decked shots designed from the drilling parameters produced better fragmentation than the mine's standard undecked design. The monitor system on board the blast hole drill was modified to perform the data analysis, identify the hard to fragment zones, and print the recommended blast designs. This equipment is now used routinely by the drilling and blasting supervisor and is available for further research and testing.
Low-dose maintenance mesalazine decreased relapse rate in cryptogenic proctitis

Source Citation Marteau P, Crand J, Foucault M, Rambaud JC. Use of mesalazine slow release suppositories 1 g three times per week to maintain remission of ulcerative proctitis: a randomised double ...
Pembrolizumab and epacadostat induced fatal myocarditis and myositis presenting as a case of ptosis and ophthalmoplegia.

We report the first case of fatal myocarditis presenting as bilateral ptosis in a patient on combination therapy with pembrolizumab and epacadostat. An 83 year-old man with stage III high-grade uro...
Higher baseline dietary fat and fatty acid intake is associated with increased risk of incident prostate cancer in the SABOR study.

To study the association of nutrient intake measured by baseline food frequency questionnaire and risk of subsequent prostate cancer (PCa) in the SABOR (San Antonio Biomarkers of Risk) cohort study. After IRB approval, more than 1903 men enrolled in a prospective cohort from 2000 to 2010 as part of the SABOR clinical validation site for the National Cancer Institute Early Detection Research Network. Food and nutrient intakes were calculated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards modeling and covariate-balanced propensity scores were used to assess the associations between all nutrients and PCa. A total of 229 men were diagnosed with PCa by prostate biopsy. Among all nutrients, increased risk of PCa was associated with intake of dietary fat scaled by the total caloric intake, particularly saturated fatty acid (SFA) [HR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.07–1.32), P value < 0.001, False discovery rate (FDR) 0.047] and trans fatty acid (TFA) [HR per quintile 1.21; (95% CI) (1.08–1.35), P < 0.001, FDR 0.039]. There was an increased risk of PCa with increasing intake of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (HR per quintile 1.14; 95% CI 1.03–1.27, P = 0.01, FDR 0.15) and cholesterol [HR per quintile 1.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (1.02–1.26), P-value 0.02, FDR 0.19]. After examining a large, population-based cohort for PCa diagnosis, we identified dietary total fat and certain fatty acids as associated with increased risk of PCa. We found no factors that were protective from PCa. Dietary modification of fatty acid intake may reduce risk of PCa.
How Brain Arousal Mechanisms Work: Paths Toward Consciousness

What are the physical paths towards consciousness? How do humans transition out of deep anesthesia, deep sleep, or traumatic brain injury? This book presents a new argument that expands past theories centered on the cerebral cortex, and instead emphasizes the longitudinally-integrated brainstem systems that are essential to the mechanism of consciousness. The workings of these vertical pathways that 'wake up the brain' are examined in neurobiological and molecular detail. Mirroring the evolution of this system from fish to humans, chapters in the book move from hindbrain to forebrain and from animal brain to human brain, developing the unified approach involved in the brain arousal mechanism. Considering consciousness through an array of neuronal structures, this book provides a new physical explanation of the phenomenon. Written for neurologists, neuroscientists, psychologists and psychiatrists, the book's succinct and readable tone means it is also suitable for readers interested in the workings of the brain.
Mediators of intervention effects on dietary fat intake in low-income overweight or obese women with young children.

Abstract Purpose We investigated whether autonomous motivation and self-efficacy might mediate the association between a lifestyle behavior intervention and dietary fat intake in low-income overweight or obese women with young children. Methods Participants were randomized to an intervention or comparison group. Intervention participants received a 16-week intervention aimed to prevent weight gain through promotion of stress management, healthy eating and physical activity. During the intervention phase, participants viewed a designated video lesson at home and dialed in a peer support group teleconference every week (weeks 1–4) then every other week (weeks 5–16). Potential mediation effects were analyzed using sequential mixed-effects linear models and path analysis. Results The intervention led to increased autonomous motivation (β = 0.34, standard error [SE] = 0.15, P = 0.005), which subsequently increased self-efficacy (β = 0.18, SE = 0.35, P Conclusion To decrease dietary fat intake for low-income overweight or obese women with young children, strategies, such as those promoting peer encouragement, may be warranted in interventions to enhance autonomous motivation and/or practical skills for increasing self-efficacy.
Racial differences in developmental patterns of social consequences of drug use

This study sought to examine differences in developmental patterns of social consequences of drug use among youth offenders and investigate the relevance of race for predicting trajectory-group ass...
Identifying families who may be struggling after adoption or guardianship

Targeted prevention efforts after adoption or guardianship from foster care are intended to help families most at-risk and prior to the onset of significant issues. Most adoptive and guardianship f...
Pneumothorax Complications During Placement of Peripheral Internal Jugular Intravenous Catheters

Abstract Background A “peripheral IJ” is a 2.5-in angiocatheter placed in the internal jugular vein with ultrasound guidance but typically no barrier precautions. Previously published literature has shown safety with none to minimal complications. Case Report This report describes 2 cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax that occurred during this procedure. One was caused by an emergency medicine intern, the other by an experienced faculty member. Both occurred in petite women with low body mass indices. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? It is important to remember that there are risks inherent with using the internal jugular vein for intravenous access. Particular vigilance should be used with patients who are thin.
“Why we could not study:” The gendered enrollment barriers of 1.25 generation immigrants

Abstract This paper examines the barriers to school enrollment experienced by 1.25 generation Mexican and Central American immigrants who are undocumented. Arriving between the ages of 13 to 17, a segment of 1.25 generation youth never enroll in traditional K-12 schooling in the United States. Existing literature shows that work demands conflict with traditional U.S. schooling and that lack of information presents barriers to enrollment. I build on existing knowledge by showing that these barriers are gendered. Consistent with existing studies, I find economic needs push 1.25 generation men into low-wage work rather than school. Paid work demands, however, was not the main barrier encountered by 1.25 generation young women. Rather, providing unpaid care work along with lack of information and support kept young women out of school. Ultimately, I urge stakeholders to expand how we think about the work demands keeping 1.25 generation youth out of schooling and call for more targeted supports to address their enrollment barriers.
Reversal of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Successful Salvage of Renal Allograft.

Enteric hyperoxaluria (EH) is a known complication of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and can lead to nephrolithiasis, oxalate-induced nephropathy, and end-stage renal disease. Recurrent EH-induced...
Evaluation of the Quality of BGA Solder Balls in FCBGA Packages Subjected to Thermal Cycling Reliability Test Using Laser Ultrasonic Inspection Technique

In modern integrated circuit (IC) packaging, it is difficult to perceive and evaluate the quality of the solder ball interconnections due to their complex hidden physical configuration and miniaturization. Laser ultrasonic inspection (LUI) technique is a novel, nondestructive, and noncontact method that has achieved great success in evaluating the quality of interconnections in chip-scale and ball-grid array (BGA) packages. In this article, an enhanced dual-fiber array LUI system is used to evaluate the quality of BGA solder balls in advanced industrial flip-chip BGA packages subjected to thermal cycling reliability tests. LUI results are validated with electrical testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dye-and-pry results. LUI results are well correlated with the intermetallic compound cracks in BGA solder balls observed using SEM, and dye-and-pry. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the LUI system for one of the modern IC packages and the potential to use the LUI system for future advanced IC packages such as 3-D packaging.
Refraining on necropolitics: lyrical geographies of labor music

All music takes place somewhere. While geographic analyses of lyrics have focused on the geographies of artists and/or particular places and regions of their inspiration, we see a developing opport...
Strategic placement of localization devices (such as pilot points and anchors) in inverse modeling schemes

[1] Localization schemes using devices such as pilot points or anchors (localization devices) are used in inversion schemes as a tool for gleaning information from measurements that can be used to constrain inversion schemes with the added benefit in the form of a potential for reduction in the number of parameters employed in the inversion scheme. This paper proposes and demonstrates a method for strategic placement of the localization devices. The method combines stochastic singular value decomposition with parameter rejection methods to produce a map of “intensity” scores which allows the inverse modeler to place the localization devices at locations defined by their probability for producing informative, probabilistic constraints on the statistical distributions of the target variables. We also show that the method can be used for selecting measurement locations when designing data acquisition campaigns. The method is demonstrated for the case of steady state flow in a heterogeneous conductivity field using MAD (method of anchored distributions). In summary, the proposed localization scheme intends to increase the information gleaned from measurements while reducing the associated computational costs associated with stochastic inversion.
Stratego: A Language for Program Transformation Based on Rewriting Strategies

Program transformation is used in many areas of software engineering. Examples include compilation, optimization, synthesis, refactoring, migration, normalization and improvement [15]. Rewrite rules are a natural formalism for expressing single program transformations. However, using a standard strategy for normalizing a program with a set of rewrite rules is not adequate for implementing program transformation systems. It may be necessary to apply a rule only in some phase of a transformation, to apply rules in some order, or to apply a rule only to part of a program. These restrictions may be necessary to avoid non-termination or to choose a specific path in a non-confluent rewrite system. Stratego is a language for the specification of program transformation systems based on the paradigm of rewriting strategies. It supports the separation of strategies from transformation rules, thus allowing careful control over the application of these rules. As a result of this separation, transformation rules are reusable in multiple different transformations and generic strategies capturing patterns of control can be described independently of the transformation rules they apply. Such strategies can even be formulated independently of the object language by means of the generic term traversal capabilities of Stratego. In this short paper I give a description of version 0.5 of the Stratego system, discussing the features of the language (Section 2), the library (Section 3), the compiler (Section 4) and some of the applications that have been built (Section 5). Stratego is available as free software under the GNU General Public License from http://www.stratego-language.org.