cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to Predict the Probability of Collapse of Non-Ductile Building Structures

This chapter attempts to cover the range from rigorous probabilistic collapse prediction of short period low-ductility buildings to simplified assessment of the collapse potential. The rigorous collapse predictions are based on modeling the deteriorating properties of structural elements with low ductility and predicting the collapse capacity for a given structural configuration and ground motion through incremental dynamic analysis. Consideration is given to the variation in collapse capacity due to randomness of the ground motion. A parameter study is summarized in which the effects of strength and deformation capacity on the collapse potential of frames with infill walls is evaluated. It is found that shear strength has the largest effect on the collapse capacity, and that deformation capacity and residual strength are of less importance.
Written Laws are Like Spiders Webs

How is the web changing the nature of public access to legislation? The Scythian Philosopher, Anacharsis, did not have the World Wide Web or legal informatics in mind when he compared written laws to spiders webs, but the simile is apposite. The web has been a force for massively democratising access to legislation and other legal materials. How does the public interact with primary sources of legislation as part of their engagement with legal systems and processes? What do they think they are looking at when they interact with legislation online or understand about the information they are viewing? This keynote address examines the role and expectations of a public legislation service from the perspective of legislation.gov.uk. It will explore the motivations and needs of users, as well as some of the unique challenges associated with delivering legislation online. Web technologies provide the foundation for much of the current research in legal informatics. With legislation.gov.uk the UK Government has taken the first steps towards exposing the statute book as Linked Data, as part of the government's transparency agenda. The aim of transparency is to make government more accountable, through services such as data.gov.uk. This keynote address will describe areas of immediate and sometimes surprising utility of a Linked Data approach to the statute book. What is the role of a Linked Data Statute Book in a web of government data, such as that being nurtured by data.gov.uk? The talk will discuss the core elements of legislation.gov.uk that enable its use and exploitation as Linked Data and the role the statute book can play as a resource on the linked data web.
Mentor perceptions of the value of a fourth year research project for Doctor of Pharmacy students

Chicago State University College of Pharmacy introduced the capstone project in 2011 as a requirement of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The objectives of this study were to assess faculty perceptions of: 1) the value of research in the students’ success in a pharmacy degree programme; 2) the students’ level of preparedness to complete the project requirements; and 3) the students’ ability to complete research projects in their future career. A 35-item survey instrument was administered to 23 capstone mentors to elicit their perceptions regarding the programme and research as it relates to a pharmacy degree. Mentors agreed it was important for students to participate in (n = 15) and demonstrate excellence (n = 11) in research activities. Respondents (n = 12) indicated that students were not adequately prepared by the didactic curriculum and that additional preparation may be necessary to conduct research independently in the future.
2.45 GHz Wearable RF-Harvester for Large Area Textile Harvester (LATH) Integration

We present a textile based RF-power harvester. This power harvester was designed to operate at 2.45 GHz to harvest Wi-Fi power for wearable electronic applications. The harvester comprises of: 1) 2.45 GHz patch antenna and 2) single-diode based rectifier circuits. The antenna and the circuit was implemented on organza and denim fabrics, respectively. The textile patch antenna demonstrated -10 dB Su-bandwidth from 2.38 GHz to 2.53 GHz with maximum realized gain of 4.7 dBi at broadside. Further, the textile-rectifier prototype demonstrated a 43% rectifying efficiency at 2.45 GHz with 0 dBm input power. Thus, a rectifier surface that occupies an area of only 2.2 cm×1.8 cm can operate small body-worn sensors.
Revisión del uso de sellos químicos para el control de agua de producción en pozos petroleros

Production water is known in the oil industry as the fluid that accompanies oil and gas. It contains high concentrations of salts, metals and organic compounds, generating management problems due to its volume and toxicity. In Colombia, it is estimated that about 11.6 barrels of water are produced for each barrel of crude obtained. This excessive water production overloads the surface treatment systems, affecting productivity. Due to these problems that occur with greater intensity, polymer treatments that increase the rate of hydrocarbon production are being carried out. Here is a brief review of the theory and practice around this topic.
Real-Time Identifiability of Power Distribution Network Topologies With Limited Monitoring

Recovering the distribution grid topology in real time is essential to perform several distribution system operator (DSO) functions. DSOs often do not have any direct monitoring of switch statuses to track reconfiguration. At the same time, installing real-time meters at a large number of buses is challenging due to the cost of endowing every metered bus with a real-time communication channel. The goal of this letter is to develop a meter placement strategy allowing DSOs to deploy only few real-time meters. After casting the topology recovery task as an optimization problem, a meter placement strategy ensuring unique recovery of the true topology is devised. A graph-theoretical approach is pursued to partition the grid into connected portions called observable islands. The proposed strategy then simply requires installing a meter in the path between every pair of boundary nodes, i.e., ends of edges connecting two different islands. Under some ideal assumptions, this placement strategy ensures unique recovery of the topology. The approach is also validated through numerical simulations under realistic scenarios using a standard IEEE benchmark feeder.
How do civilians assign blame and praise amidst civil conflict

Understanding the process by which civilians ascribe blame, praise, and intentionality to governments in conflict is key to formulating a successful counterinsurgency strategy. We conducted survey ...
On tenuous plasmas, fireballs, and boundary layers in the earth's magnetotail

The plasma instrumentation (the Lepedea) and the magnetometer aboard IMP 8 performed correlative measurements of magnetic fields and plasmas within the geomagnetic tail at geocentric radial distances of about 23-46 R-E during March-October 1974. The hot tenuous plasmas within the plasma sheet were found to be in a state of almost continuous flow and were threaded with northward, or closed geomagnetic lines. The satellite encountered a region of acceleration in the magnetotail, the 'fireball' which exhibits strong jetting of plasmas in excess of 1000 km/s, proton temperatures of about 10 to the 7th K, disordered magnetic fields, southward magnetic fields during tailward jetting of plasmas, and northward magnetic fields for fast plasma flows toward earth. In addition, the magnetosheath plasmas within the boundary layers which are contiguous to the plasma sheet display evidence of plasma heating, great changes in bulk flow velocities, and acceleration of energetic electrons with an energy of greater than 45 keV.
Bankrupt: Financial Life in Late Mandate Palestine

In the late 1930s, the first independent Arab banks in Palestine, the Arab Bank and the Arab Agricultural Bank, sued customers who had defaulted on loans in an attempt to maintain solvency. Their indebted customers, unable to pay, fought back to prevent their lands from being foreclosed and sold to Zionist buyers. Each party claimed that its position was consistent with, indeed essential to, the anti-Zionist nationalist cause. The story of these pioneering Arab banks and their legal battles with their customers in the wake of the 1936-1939 revolt provides insight into Arab financial life in Mandate Palestine. It reveals the banks’ struggles to survive; complicates notions of Arab-Palestinian landlessness and indebtedness; and argues that political and economic exigencies, not reductive notions of collaboration or patriotism, produced the banks’ antagonistic relationship with their customers, whereby the survival of one came at the expense of the other.
Extraction chromatography of 225Ac and lanthanides on N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid /1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide solvent impregnated resin.

Abstract The alpha-emitter 225Ac (t1/2 = 9.92 d) is currently under development for targeted alpha-particle therapy of cancer, and accelerator production of 225Ac via proton irradiation of thorium targets requires robust separations of 225Ac from chemically similar fission product lanthanides. Additionally, the lanthanide elements represent critical components in modern technologies, and radiolanthanides such as 140Nd (t1/2 = 3.37 d) also have potential application in the field of nuclear medicine. The ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf2]), combined with the diglycolamide extractant, N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid (DODGAA), was adsorbed on macroporous resin support to produce a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) that was investigated for separations of 225Ac and lanthanides. The equilibrium distribution coefficients (Kd) of the rare earth elements (Sc(III), Y(III), Ln(III)), 225Ac(III), Th(IV), and U(VI) on the prepared DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf2]-SIR were determined from batch adsorption experiments in HCl and HNO3 media. The DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf2]-SIR exhibited preferential uptake of the heavier lanthanide elements while allowing for the separation of the lighter lanthanides. Column separations utilizing the DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf2]-SIR were effective at separating the lighter lanthanides from each other, and separating 225Ac from a mixture of lanthanides, 213Bi, and 225Ra without the need for additional complexing agents.
Computational Multiscale Analysis of the Mechanical Behavior of Radially Grown Carbon Nanotube Architecture

AbstractAn atomistically-informed multiscale modeling framework is extended to assess the improvement in mechanical properties of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites with radially-gr...
Air Pollution-Induced Autonomic Modulation

Air pollutants pose a serious worldwide health hazard, causing respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pollutants perturb the autonomic nervous system, whose function is critical to cardiopulmonary homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that pollutants can stimulate defensive sensory nerves within the cardiopulmonary system, thus providing a possible mechanism for pollutant-induced autonomic dysfunction. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved would likely improve the management and treatment of pollution-related disease.
Prolonged cultured human hepatocytes as an in vitro experimental system for the evaluation of potency and duration of activity of RNA therapeutics: Demonstration of prolonged duration of gene silencing effects of a GalNAc-conjugated human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1) siRNA

Abstract We report here the evaluation of a novel in vitro experimental model, prolonged cultured human hepatocytes (PCHC), as an experimental system to evaluate the potency and duration of effects of oligonucleotide therapeutics. A novel observation was made on the redifferentiation of PCHC upon prolonged culturing based on mRNA profiling of characteristic hepatic differentiation marker genes albumin, transferrin, and transthyretin. Consistent with the known de-differentiation of cultured human hepatocytes, decreases in marker gene expression were observed upon culturing of the hepatocytes for 2 days. A novel observation of re-differentiation was observed on day 7 as demonstrated by an increase in expression of the marker genes to levels similar to that observed on the first day of culture. The expression of the differentiation marker genes was highest on day 7, followed by a gradual decrease but remained higher than that on day 2 for up to the longest culture duration evaluated of 41 days. The redifferentiation phenomenon suggests that PCHC may be useful for the evaluation of the duration of effects of oligonucleotide therapeutics on gene expression in human hepatocytes. A proof of concept study was thereby conducted with PCHC with a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA targeting human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1). HPRT1 mRNA expression in siRNA-treated cultures decreased to 21% of that in untreated hepatocytes on day 1,
An Empirical Exploration of the Cboe Volatility Index (Vix) Futures Market as a Hedge for Equity Market Investors

Several recent articles have shown that adding a position in equity volatility, as measured by the CBOE volatility index (VIX), to an equity or hedge fund portfolio can reduce the downside risk and unattractive higher moments exposures of portfolios. However, each of these studies used the cash VIX, which is an untradeable index that measures the 30 day forward implied volatility of the price of options traded on the S&P 500 stock index. Since the VIX futures started trading at the Chicago Board Options Exchange in March 2004, we have had the opportunity to compare the pricing of the cash VIX to the VIX futures. Unfortunately, VIX futures do not closely track the calculated cash value of the VIX index, so investors will likely be disappointed in the performance of VIX as a hedge designed to reduce downside risk during sharp bear markets. It has long been known that the implied volatility of options typically exceeds the realized volatility of the underlying equity index, as options sellers charge a risk premium to options buyers. This article introduces a new risk premium, where the cost of holding stock index volatility futures exceeds the cost of the cash VIX index by over 4% per month. The large size of this volatility futures risk premium prevents the cost-effective use of VIX futures as a hedge for equity market investors.
Promoting colorectal cancer screening: A scoping review of screening interventions and resources

Abstract Background Early detection through screening can reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, but approximately 33% of adults aged 50–75 are not getting screened as recommended. Many interventions to increase CRC screening have been tested, but clinical and community organizations may be challenged in identifying the optimum programs and program materials to increase screening and ultimately reduce CRC mortality. Methods We conducted a scoping review to characterize existing, US-based interventions to improve CRC screening and to identify gaps in the literature. We used t-tests and correlations to analyze the relationship between project features and intervention effect sizes. Results The overall effect sizes were + 16% for changes in screening by any modality. The average effect sizes were greater for projects with more components, used patient navigation, and provided free/low-cost testing. Conclusion Interventions varied greatly in terms of follow-up time, test modality, and data sources. Organizations seeking to implement a program aimed at increasing CRC screening should consider both intervention components and relevant program materials.
Surface crack detection in concrete structures using video processing techniques

Surface crack patterns are one of the earliest damage signs in concrete structures. Existing procedures to visually evaluate the damage rely on experts' judgment to interpret the existing cracks. The initial necessary step to quantify and automate this procedure is crack detection. Precise crack detection provides a reliable basis to update the structural parameters and to predict future behavior. Several methods have been investigated to detect cracks based on image processing methods; but, there are several limitations and inaccuracies in these methods. In a number of cases, recordings during damage occurrence are available. The videos comprise not only spatial information but also temporal information. The videos provide a set of images for a unique damage situation. In this study, using video processing methods, a methodology is developed to track crack formation. In this regard, robust principal component analysis is employed to detect new crack propagation. The experimental test data of RC shear walls are used to assess the implemented methodology. The quasi-static cyclic load is applied to these walls, and several cameras captured the video of walls' behavior. Taking advantage of the phase-based motion processing method, a video stabilization is implemented to enhance the accuracy of the crack detection step. Propagation of cracks is monitored by calculating Gini coefficients for each frame. The results show that monitoring this coefficient can indicate new crack formations.
Learning Dynamics System Models with Prescribed-Performance Guarantees using Experience-Replay

This paper presents an online memory-augmented finite-sample model learning approach for uncertain nonlinear systems with prescribed-performance guarantees. Experience replay is leveraged to form a memory of events that have a significant effect on the performance of the learning mechanism, and the events in the memory are reused in the learning rule to guarantee that the modeling error converges to zero within a predefined settling time while remaining in a preselected prescribed bound during learning. An easy-to-check and verifiable metric defined on finite samples collected along the system's trajectories is provided to certify the prescribed-performance convergence. Finally, a simulation example verifies the efficiency of the proposed memory-augmented model learning approach.
Translational gene expression control in Chlamydia trachomatis.

The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis proceeds through a multi phenotypic developmental cycle with each cell form specialized for different roles in pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms regulating this complex cycle has historically been hampered by limited genetic tools. In an effort to address this issue, we developed a translational control system to regulate gene expression in Chlamydia using a synthetic riboswitch. Here we demonstrate that translational control via a riboswitch can be used in combination with a wide range of promoters in C. trachomatis. The synthetic riboswitch E, inducible with theophylline, was used to replace the ribosome binding site of the synthetic promoter T5-lac, the native chlamydial promoter of the pgp4plasmid gene and an anhydrotetracycline responsive promoter. In all cases the riboswitch inhibited translation, and high levels of protein expression was induced with theophylline. Combining the Tet transcriptional inducible promoter with the translational control of the riboswitch resulted in strong repression and allowed for the cloning and expression of the potent chlamydial regulatory protein, HctB. The ability to control the timing and strength of gene expression independently from promoter specificity is a new and important tool for studying chlamydial regulatory and virulence genes.
Differential Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome

Determining the cause of spontaneous Cushing’s syndrome is essential so that appropriate therapy can be recommended. Most patients (80%) have an ACTH-secreting neoplasm (pituitary or ectopic), while the rest have an adrenal-dependent (ACTH-independent) etiology. After hypercortisolism has been convincingly established, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels are obtained to subdivide Cushing’s syndrome into ACTH-dependent (>20 pg/ml) or ACTH-independent (<5 pg/ml) categories. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation testing can help to define these categories when ACTH levels are equivocal (5–20 pg/ml). Since clinical features are unreliable in distinguishing between subtypes of ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome, additional biochemical, radiologic, and angiographic tests are needed. Diagnostic accuracy of high-dose dexamethasone suppression testing and CRH stimulation testing are poor when trying to refine the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus ACTH sampling with CRH stimulation has become the gold standard in this setting and should be used when magnetic resonance images of the pituitary do not reveal an unequivocal pituitary abnormality in a patient with clinical and biochemical findings consistent with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. In patients with ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome, computed tomography of the adrenal glands is performed and will demonstrate either a single nodule (benign or malignant) or bilateral nodular hyperplasia caused by several unique pathophysiological mechanisms.
Adrenal Gland in Vitamin E Deficiency: III. INHIBITION OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE-INDUCED STEROIDOGENESIS IN ISOLATED ADRENAL CELLS BY ASCORBIC ACID

Isolated adrenal cells from vitamin E-deficient and control rats were prepared by a trypsin digestion method. Corticosterone formation and lipid peroxidation in vitro were measured in these cells in response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate ((bt)2 cAMP) in the presence and absence of ascorbate. The addition of ascorbate to adrenal cells of vitamin E-deficient rats stimulated lipid peroxidation in the presence and absence of ACTH or (bt)2 cAMP. Ascorbate inhibited ACTH-induced steroidogenesis in adrenal cells of vitamin E-deficient rats, but not in the control group. Ascorbate did not affect (bt)2 cAMP-induced steroidogenesis in either group. Intraperitoneal injection of tocopherol to the deficient rat, 16 hours prior to sacrifice, abolished the inhibitory effect of ascorbate on ACTH-induced steroidogenesis and prevented the stimulation of lipid peroxidation by ascorbate. Butylated hydroxytoluene treatment did not have any effect on lipid peroxidation or steroidogenesis in vitamin E-deficient rat adrenal cells. Addition of manganese, cobalt, EDTA, and α-tocopherol to adrenal cells from vitamin E-deficient rats in vitro reduced the inhibition of ACTH-induced steroidogenesis by ascorbate, but only the doses of EDTA and α-tocopherol (5.8 µg per ml or higher) caused diminution of lipid peroxidation. Based on these studies, we suggest that tocopherol deficiency in the presence of ascorbic acid may affect steroidogenesis through interaction of ACTH with the cell membrane prior to the formation of the second messenger.
Is there a liver stem cell

The role of a putative liver stem cell in liver regeneration and carcinogenesis is reviewed. There is increasing evidence that there is a liver stem cell that has the capacity to differentiate into parenchymal hepatocytes or into bile ductular cells. These stem cells may be activated to proliferate after severe liver injury or exposure to hepatocarcinogens. They are not activated by moderate liver injury, which is repaired by proliferation of mature hepatocytes. Exposure to most chemical hepatocarcinogens results in proliferation of a small morphologically indistinct cell population termed "oval cells." These cells have been shown to have the capacity to differentiate into hepatocytes or into ductular cells. The origin of these cells appears to be from transition duct cells, but there is also evidence of an even less mature periportal liver stem cell. Study of the development of these cells during carcinogenesis indicates that liver cancer arises from oval cells by aberrant differentiation of stem cells.
Issues in space photovoltaic research and technology

Key issues and opportunities in space photovoltaic research and technology are addressed relative to future NASA mission requirements and drivers. Examples are given of future space missions and/or operational capabilities that are on NASA's planning horizon presenting major tachnology challenges to the use of photovoltaic power generation in space. A brief description of the capabilities ascribed to the competing technologies of nuclear and solar thermal power systems are given. The performance goals that space photovoltaic power systems must meet to remain competitive are described.
Inventario de la vegetación de la isla de Coiba, Panamá: composición y florística

Mature and Iittle-altered forest cover large expanses of the central and northem regions of Coiba island, Panama (7°29' N; 8 1°45' W). A total of 231 species of plants, 203 of which were trees and shrubs, were recorded. The families with the most species were Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, and Melastomataceae. The higher elevation forest of the island center is dominated by Calophyllum longifolium , Eschweilera pittieri . Cassipourea elliptica , and Ternstroemia tepezapote , while Calophyllum longifolium . Tetragastris panamensis , and Carapa guianensis predominate in the surrounding, low-Iying foresto Pelliciera rhizophora and Rhizophora mangle are the most cornmon species of the mangrove forests along the southero shore of the island, and freshwater swamps are characterized by high densities of Prioria copaifera and Peltogyne purpurea. Within the variegated forest in the northero part of the island, we estabIished two 20 x 20 ro plots. Within each plot we rnarked and rneasured the diameter at breast height (dbh) of all woody plants greater than 1 cm dbh, excluding lianas. One plot yielded 29 species and 156 sterns, while the other had 37 species and 158 sterns. These levels of diversity are relatively low when compared to sarne-sized plots &oro comparable forest areas on mainland Panama.
Toward a Time‐Dependent Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis for Alaska

We report on a time-dependent seismic hazard analysis for Alaska and the Aleutians to complement our recently completed time-independent map. Whereas the time-independent map treats all sources as statistically independent, the time-dependent analysis is based on calculations of the conditional probability of occurrence for the next 50 years by using a Brownian Passage Time model for the seismic sources judged to be characteristic. We then consider how those probabilities are modified by coseismic and postseismic stress changes resulting from large regional earthquakes occurring from 1938 to 2002. Recombining the time-dependent probabilities with time-independent truncated Gutenberg-Richter and smoothed seismicity sources leads to our time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard results. We find that when accounting for time dependence without stress changes, earthquake probabilities can be significantly altered, reducing probabilities to near zero or increasing them to several times the time-independent values. In addition, accounting for coseismic stress changes tends to have a local influence on earthquake probabilities, whereas postseismic effects can be far-reaching in both time and space. In sum, however, since we combine time-dependent and time-independent sources, the modification to seismic hazard is relatively minor, increasing or decreasing hazard adjacent to characteristic faults by about 10%. Most cities, located far from characteristic faults, are little affected.
Advanced system design concepts facilitating silicon based VLSI chip packaging and interconnection techniques

Potentially, the silicon-based VLSI chip packaging and interconnection technology (hybrid wafer-scale integration, HWSI) provides for several thousand high-speed interconnections between individual VLSI chips, allowing an electrically homogeneous chip-boundary-transparent clustering of a tremendous amount of digital circuitry. Therefore, the abstract-structured logic-design methodology can also be efficiently used for more complex system structures, such as an entire central electronic complex of a supermini-computer, which may comprise a multitude of VLSI chips executing heterogeneous system functions. A brief introduction to an abstract-structured digital design utilizing increased intercommunication resources between functional logic modules is given, along with a description of several potential realization concepts of the silicon-based VLSI chip-interconnection technology, which provides an extraordinarily high pin count. In addition, the key aspects of the technology are outlined, and their potential use in system-level design is illustrated by several intercommunication-intensive implementation examples. >
A synthesis method for Petri net modeling of automated manufacturing systems with shared resources

A general approach to synthesizing a class of Petri nets that model shared-resource automated manufacturing systems is proposed. The approach imposes minimal restrictions on the interactions among the subsystems initially so that the modeler is given more freedom. To modularize the synthesis procedure, a shared-resource system is formulated as the processes, i.e., the subsystems, that control the system resources and the interactions among the processes. For modeling the processes, resource control nets are defined as the generic modules. The system model is built by merging these modules through their common transitions and common transition subnets, which denote the interactions among the processes. The merged net is proved to be conservative and thus bounded. An algorithm is also developed for checking two sufficient conditions for structural liveness of the net. This algorithm examines only the net's structure, and appears to be more efficient than state enumeration techniques such as the reachability graph method. >
Selective conversion of 2', 7-bis-monochloroacetylpaclitaxel analogs to 7-monochloroacetyl derivatives by solvolysis in methanol

ABSTRACT 2′,7-bis-Monochloroacetylpaclitaxel analogs can be conveniently converted to their corresponding 7-monochloroacetyl derivatives by allowing dilute methanolic solutions to stand at ambient temperature for 48 h.
Efficient algorithms for common transversals

Abstract Suppose we are given a set S of n (possibly intersecting) simple objects in the plane such that, for every pair of objects in S, the intersection of the boundaries of these two objects has O(1) connected components. We consider the problem of determining whether there exists a straight line that goes through every object in S. We give an O(n log n γ (n)) time algorithm for this problem, where γ(n) is a very slowly growing function of n. In many cases, our algorithm runs in O(n log n) time. Previously, only special cases of this problem were considered: the case when every object is a straight-line segment (Edelsbrunner et al., 1982), the case when the objects are equal-radius circles (Bajaj and Li, 1983), and the case when objects all maintain the same orientation (Edelsbrunner, 1985). All these cases follow from our general approach, which places no constraints on the size and/or configuration of the objects in S.
A brief method for assessing social development: Structure, reliability, stability, and developmental validity of the Interpersonal Competence Scale

Abstract The Interpersonal Competence Scale (ICS-T) is a set of brief rating scales for teachers and parents. It consists of 18 items that assess social and behavioral characteristics of children and youths. The ICS-T yields three primary factors: AGG (argues, trouble at school, fights), POP (popular with boys, popular with girls, lots of friends), and ACA (spelling, math). Subsidiary factors include AFF (smile, friendly), OLY (appearance, sports, wins), and INT (shyness, sad, worry). The psychometric properties of the scale (internal structure, reliability, long-term stability) are presented and evaluated over successive ages. The scale factors have been linked to contemporaneous observations of behavior and social network membership. Developmental validity of the ICS-T includes the significant prediction of later school dropout and teenage parenthood. The ICS-T scale is described, along with instructions for use and scoring.
Numerical integration by deficient splines

A simple formula for numerical integration is presented in which the integrand is approximated by fifth-order polynomials having continuous first derivatives at the joining points. Examples are discussed in which the formula proves to be superior to the Simpson, Weddle, and cubic-spline procedures.
Evidence for a new type of complementation among the cin, lxd and ma-l loci in Drosophila melanogaster.

A phenotypic effect of the lxd locus in the expression of the cin and ma-l gene products has been described. Flies which are genotypically lxd have normal eye pigments, but maternally affected cin; lxd or ma-l; lxd flies are characterized by mutant eyes which are indistinguishable from those observed in ma-l or ry mutant strains. Furthermore, under conditions where there is only partial complementation at the ma-l locus, the presence of the lxd gene is sufficient to prevent normal eye pigmentation. The possibility that these post translational interactions of the cin, lxd, and ma-l loci may prove useful in the isolation of additional loci affecting XDH synthesis is discussed.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Promotes Nonhypoxia-Mediated Proliferation in Colon Cancer Cells and Xenografts

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a transcription factor that directly transactivates genes important for the growth and metabolism of solid tumors. HIF-1alpha is overexpressed in cancer, and its level of expression is correlated with patient mortality. Increased synthesis or stability of HIF-1alpha can be induced by hypoxia-dependent or hypoxia-independent factors. Thus, HIF-1alpha is expressed in both nonhypoxic and hypoxic cancer cells. The role of HIF-1alpha in nonhypoxia-mediated cancer cell proliferation remains speculative. We have disrupted HIF-1alpha by targeted homologous recombination in HCT116 and RKO human colon cancer cells. Loss of HIF-1alpha significantly reduced nonhypoxia-mediated cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Paradoxically, loss of HIF-1alpha expression did not grossly affect the hypoxic compartments within tumor xenografts in vivo, although HIF-1alpha promoted cell proliferation and survival under hypoxia in vitro. To further test the role of HIF-1alpha within tumor compartments, we generated cells with combined disruptions of both HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In all xenografts, disruption of VEGF led to marked expansion of the hypoxic compartments and growth delay. Nonetheless, the presence or absence of HIF-1alpha did not grossly affect these expanded hypoxic compartments. These data provide compelling evidence that, in a subset of colon cancers, (a) HIF-1alpha is a positive factor for nonhypoxia-mediated cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and (b) HIF-1alpha is a positive factor for cell proliferation and survival under hypoxic conditions in vitro, but does not grossly contribute to the tumor hypoxic compartments in vivo.
RU 486. The progesterone antagonist.

Abstract The objective of this report is to review the current and potential therapeutic uses of the progesterone antagonist drug RU 486 (mifepristone). Publications cited in peer-reviewed journals were identified through a search of the Index Medicus from 1987 through 1992. A wide range of research reports was reviewed, including human, animal, and tissue culture experiments. Data from published reports were included in this report if they addressed the mechanism of action, clinical indications, and potential uses for RU 486. The review disclosed that as a progesterone antagonist, RU 486 is clinically effective for inducing first-trimester abortions, for ripening and dilating the cervix to facilitate intrauterine surgical procedures, and as a postcoital contragestational agent. As a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU 486 is useful for treating inoperable cases of nonpituitary Cushing's syndrome. RU 486 is under investigation for use as an antineoplastic agent; it has shown promise as a treatment of meningioma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and hepatoma. RU 486 may also have a role in the treatment of endocrinologic conditions such as endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome. I conclude that RU 486 is effective and in current clinical use for a number of reproductive indications and for treatment of Cushing's syndrome. The drug also has potential as therapy for certain neoplasms and endocrinologic conditions.
Plant species traits regulate methane production in freshwater wetland soils

Ecosystem and biogeochemical responses to anthropogenic stressors are the result of complex interactions between plants and microbes. A mechanistic understanding of how plant traits influence microbial processes is needed in order to predict the ecosystem-level effects of natural or anthropogenic change. This is particularly true in wetland ecosystems, where plants alter the availability of both electron donors (e.g., organic carbon) and electron acceptors (e.g., oxygen and ferric iron), thereby regulating the total amount of anaerobic respiration and the production of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. In this study, we examined how plant traits associated with plant inputs of carbon (photosynthesis and biomass) and oxygen (root porosity and ferric iron on roots) to mineral soils relate to microbial competition for organic carbon and, ultimately, methane production. Plant productivity was positively correlated with microbial respiration and negatively correlated to methane production. Root porosity was relatively constant across plant species, but belowground biomass, total biomass, and the concentration of oxidized (ferric) iron on roots varied significantly between species. As a result the size of the total root oxidized iron pool varied considerably across plant species, scaling with plant productivity. Large pools of oxidized iron were related to high CO2:CH4 ratios during microbial respiration, indicating that as plant productivity and biomass increased, microbes used non-methanogenic respiration pathways, most likely including the reduction of iron oxides. Taken together these results suggest that increased oxygen input from plants with greater biomass can offset any potential stimulation of methanogenic microbes from additional carbon inputs. Because the species composition of plant communities influences both electron donor and acceptor availability in wetland soils, changes in plant species as a consequence of anthropogenic disturbance have the potential to trigger profound effects on microbial processes, including changes in anaerobic decomposition rates and the proportion of mineralized carbon emitted as the greenhouse gas methane.
Magnetic resonance imaging of convection in laser-polarized xenon

We demonstrate nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging of the flow and diffusion of laser-polarized xenon (129Xe) gas undergoing convection above evaporating laser-polarized liquid xenon. The large xenon NMR signal provided by the laser-polarization technique allows more rapid imaging than one can achieve with thermally polarized gas-liquid systems, permitting shorter time-scale events such as rapid gas flow and gas-liquid dynamics to be observed. Two-dimensional velocity-encoded imaging shows convective gas flow above the evaporating liquid xenon, and also permits the measurement of enhanced gas diffusion near regions of large velocity variation.
On-chip point-of-load voltage regulator for distributed power supplies

An ultra-low area, current efficient voltage regulator appropriate for distributed point-of-load voltage regulation in high performance integrated circuits (ICs) is described in this paper. The proposed voltage regulator is a hybrid combination of a switching voltage regulator and a linear voltage regulator. The voltage regulator can supply over 100 mA current while generating 0.9 volts from a 1.2 input voltage. The current efficiency exceeds 99% while the load regulation to a step current ranges between 40 ns and 60 ns. No output capacitor is required to ensure stability. Hence, the required on-chip area is as small as 0.026 mm^2 for the proposed voltage regulator which is approximately four to six times smaller than area efficient low dropout regulators. The proposed circuit therefore provides a means for distributing multiple local power supplies across an integrated circuit, maintaining high current efficiency and small area.
Analysis of Si/Six Ge1 − x/Si microstructures by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Abstract Spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to examine the microstructure of two buried Six Ge1 − x alloy films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. In each case the optical measurements show these heterostructure materials to differ significantly in composition and thickness from those which were intended. These discrepancies indicate that there is substantial mixing of species across interfaces. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, which in principle could be performed in situ to monitor the growth of such materials, is shown to provide a quick diagnostic of this intermixing.
Adolescent alcohol involvement and suicide attempts: Toward the development of a conceptual framework

The present article provides a conceptual framework of the relation between alcohol involvement (A) and suicide attempts (S). This framework can be broadly construed to reflect two dimensions: directionality (direction of causality; A→S, S→A, or a spurious relation) and temporality (distinguishing between proximal and distal effects of both behaviors). We review and evaluate the evidence on the association between A and S among adolescents using this conceptual framework as a guide. The extant data suggest that this relation is complex and not fully understood. Further, it seems unlikely that a single approach will be found to determine direction of causality, and the specification and validation of hypothesized mechanisms will involve a variety of different types of evidence. Suggestions for additional research using informative designs are discussed.
Geometrical structure and ultraviolet finiteness in the supersymmetric σ-model

A complete geometrical classification of supersymmetric σ-models is given. Extended supersymmetry requires covariantly constant complex structures, and Kahler and hyperkahler manifolds play a special role. As an application of the classification, it is shown that a particular class of these models is on-shell ultraviolet finite to all orders in perturbation theory.
Human extrahepatic portal vein obstruction correlates with decreased factor VII and protein C transcription but increased hepatocyte proliferation

Abstract Purpose A 3-year-old girl developed extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) after a liver transplant. She had sequelae of portal hypertension that required another transplantation. The circumstances allowed for comparison of liver-dependent coagulation factor production between the second donor liver and the explanted liver with EHPVO. Methods Liver samples from the explanted first graft and the second transplant were obtained. Fresh tissue was used to perform reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction with primers against factors V, VII, as well as VIII, protein C, and paraffin-embedded sections for hepatocyte proliferation using Ki-67 antibody as well as for apoptosis using TUNEL assay. Results The transcription of factor VII and that of protein C were decreased in the explant as compared with the newly transplanted liver (factor VII, 77% of the donor; protein C, 88% of the donor). The transcription of factor V and that of factor VIII were unchanged. The explant had a greater percentage of proliferating hepatocytes than the new organ (0.85% ± 0.75% vs 0.11% ± 0.21%). The percentage of apoptotic cells was similar between the 2 livers (0.09% ± 0.13% vs 0.09% ± 0.13%). Conclusions Idiopathic EHPVO is associated with a reduction in liver-dependent coagulation factor transcription and an increase in hepatocyte proliferation. Portal blood flow deprivation alters hepatic homeostasis and initiates mechanisms that attempt to restore liver-dependent coagulation factors.
Structure-Guided Design of Fluorescent S-Adenosylmethionine Analogs for a High-Throughput Screen to Target SAM-I Riboswitch RNAs

Many classes of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-binding RNAs and proteins are of interest as potential drug targets in diverse therapeutic areas, from infectious diseases to cancer. In the former case, the SAM-I riboswitch is an attractive target because this structured RNA element is found only in bacterial mRNAs and regulates multiple genes in several human pathogens. Here, we describe the synthesis of stable and fluorescent analogs of SAM in which the fluorophore is introduced through a functionalizable linker to the ribose. A Cy5-labeled SAM analog was shown to bind several SAM-I riboswitches via in-line probing and fluorescence polarization assays, including one from Staphylococcus aureus that controls the expression of SAM synthetase in this organism. A fluorescent ligand displacement assay was developed and validated for high-throughput screening of compounds to target the SAM-I riboswitch class.
Wildlife-habitat restoration in an urban park in Southern California

Within an urban park in southern California, the relationship between the structure and floristics of vegetation and the distribution, abundance, and behavior of wildlife was studied in relatively undisturbed areas (San Luis Rey) and in contiguous areas (Guajome Park) in need of restoration. These data were used to develop recommendations for the enhancement of native animal species in the park. The abundance of amphibians and reptiles was highest in native upland scrub and willow (Salix)-riparian vegetation types, and lowest in dry, disturbed sites. Western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) were the most abundant reptile throughout both study areas. Overall, bullfrogs (Rana catesbiana), an exotic species, were the dominant amphibians; the native Pacific treefrog (Hyla regilla) was rare throughout. At both study areas, the small mammal community was dominated by western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and, to a lesser extent, by brush mice (P. boylii) and exotic house mice (Mus musculus). Negative correlations in abundance existed between house mice and harvest mice, and between house mice abundance and overall small mammal abundance. In riparian sites, cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and various height classes of willow were the dominant factors in the majority of bird abundance–habitat‘correlations and where foraging activities were concentrated. Recommendations for enhancing native animal species include reduction of marsh sedimentation, removal of feral species, and development of connections between the park and nearby natural areas. A corridor of native riparian vegetation (primarily cottonwood-willow) should be developed to replace the existing agricultural fields, thereby linking Guajome with the San Luis Rey River.
2008 NSLS-CFN Joint Users' Meeting Stresses Strategic Planning

Defining the role of synchrotron science and research at the nanoscale for Brookhaven and the nation at large was a key task stressed by government and laboratory officials at the third joint meeting of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) and Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) user communities. About 400 visiting scientists, staff members, and scientific leaders attended the annual meeting, which ran from May 19–21.
Electric conductance of the consolidated crust and graphitization

The influence of inclusions of fluids, ore minerals, and graphite on the electric conductance of rocks of the consolidated crust is considered by using geoelectric investigations in the Ukraine as an example. The abundance of graphite and fluid inclusions is shown, and the anomalies associated with them are estimated.