cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
POLLINATOR FORAGING ON FOXGLOVE (DIGITALIS PURPUREA): A TEST OF A NEW MODEL.

Plant-pollinator relationships have been recognized as excellent systems in which to test optimal foraging theory (Pyke et al., 1977). In particular, Pyke (1978a, 1978b, 1978c, 1979) has considered the movements of hummingbirds and bumblebees within and among inflorescences to determine the extent to which the behavior of these organisms can be considered "optimal," i.e., that the net rate of energy gain is maximized. Pyke's (1978c, 1979) predictions of how an optimally foraging bee should behave have been based on general theoretical arguments rather than on precise quantitative considerations of the energetic "costs" and "rewards" of foraging. In addition, recent work by Waddington and Heinrich (1979) has revealed new information about the flexibility of response of foraging bees to changes in the presentation of rewards. In this paper we examine the relationship between Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) and its most frequent visitor, Bombus flavifrons dimidiatus. We construct a quantitative model for the foraging behavior of energy-maximizing bees on Digitalis, predicting where on the inflorescence bees will begin foraging, the direction of their movement, and at what flower position they will leave. We then seek to answer the following questions, raised by the model: 1) Is the spatial arrangement of nectar rewards within the inflorescence exploited by foraging bees in the manner predicted by our model? 2) Does the plant's pattern of nectar rewards
Identification of gamma-aminobutyric acid and its binding sites in the rat ovary.

Abstract Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA synthesizing enzyme and GABA binding sites were measured in rat ovaries. The concentration of GABA in the ovary (0.56 μg/mg protein) was less than that in the brain (1.2–3.4 μg/mg protein), but was six-fold higher than any other non-neuronal tissue examined. Glutamate decarboxylase, the GABA synthesizing enzyme was also found in high concentrations in whole ovarian homogenate but not in enriched ovarian granulosa cells, testis, anterior pituitary or muscles. Furthermore, high affinity (Kd = 15–21 nM), specific GABA binding sites were identified in the ovaries by specific [ 3 H]muscimol binding and the majority of GABA binding sites were associated with the granulosa cells. These data suggest a possible role of GABA in the regulation of ovarian functions.
Management of Painful Conditions in the Elderly

Persistent pain conditions in the elderly are most often due to degenerative disorders of the spine, osteoarthritis of the joints, malignant cancer, and vascular disorders. The consequences of persistent pain include depression, anxiety, de-creased socialization, sleep disturbance, impaired ambulation, and increased healthcare utilization. Proper pain assessment is the key to selecting appropriate treatment. Barriers to pain assessment are associated with the patient's perception of pain and the caregiver's attitude towards providing effective treatment. All elderly patients have age-related physiologic changes that affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, and clearance of medications used for pharmacologic treatment. Medications used in pain management include opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentin, nortriptylline, desipramine, and lidocaine 5%patch. Pharmacists have an important role in the monitoring of medications in elderly. As the utilization of prescription medication continu...
Locus of Control and Social Support: Clarifiers of the Relationship Between Job Stress and Job Satisfaction

The present study examined the role of social support and locus of control as determinants of job satisfaction and as moderators of the job stress—job satisfaction relationship. Support from a variety of sources focusing on problems at work was found to be stress buffering for internals whereas supervisory support was directly related to job satisfaction for externals. Type of support (integration) was associated with job satisfaction depending on perceptions of locus of control. In addition, different dimensions of locus of control (internal, external-chance, external-powerful others) had differing effects on job satisfaction independent of levels of social support. It is concluded that the buffering effect of social support may be applicable to job stress only when that support is content specific (issues at work) and individuals receiving such support believe they can impact their outcomes (internals on locus of control). The implication of these findings are discussed in terms of practical application in work organizations.
Coevolution between hosts and parasites with partially overlapping geographic ranges.

Many host species interact with a specific parasite within only a fraction of their geographical range. Where host and parasite overlap geographically, selection may be reciprocal constituting a coevolutionary hot spot. Host evolution, however, may be driven primarily by selection imposed by alternative biotic or abiotic factors that occur outside such hot spots. To evaluate the importance of coevolutionary hot spots for host and parasite evolution, we analyse a spatially explicit genetic model for a host that overlaps with a parasite in only part of its geographical range. Our results show that there is a critical amount of overlap beyond which reciprocal selection leads to a coevolutionary response in the host. This critical amount of overlap depends upon the explicit spatial configuration of hot spots. When the amount of overlap exceeds this first critical level, host‐parasite coevolution commonly generates stable allele frequency clines rather than oscillations. It is within this region that one of the primary predictions of the geographic mosaic theory is realized, and local maladaptation is prevalent in both species. Past a further threshold of overlap between the species oscillations do evolve, but allele frequencies in both species are spatially synchronous and local maladaptation is absent in both species. A consequence of such transitions between coevolutionary dynamics is that parasite adaptation is inversely proportional to the fraction of its host’s range that it occupies. Hence, as the geographical range of a parasite increases, it becomes increasingly maladapted to the host. This suggests a novel mechanism through which the geographical range of parasites may be limited.
Real-Time Imaging of Cellulose Reorientation during Cell Wall Expansion in Arabidopsis Roots

Cellulose forms the major load-bearing network of the plant cell wall, which simultaneously protects the cell and directs its growth. Although the process of cellulose synthesis has been observed, little is known about the behavior of cellulose in the wall after synthesis. Using Pontamine Fast Scarlet 4B, a dye that fluoresces preferentially in the presence of cellulose and has excitation and emission wavelengths suitable for confocal microscopy, we imaged the architecture and dynamics of cellulose in the cell walls of expanding root cells. We found that cellulose exists in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cell walls in large fibrillar bundles that vary in orientation. During anisotropic wall expansion in wild-type plants, we observed that these cellulose bundles rotate in a transverse to longitudinal direction. We also found that cellulose organization is significantly altered in mutants lacking either a cellulose synthase subunit or two xyloglucan xylosyltransferase isoforms. Our results support a model in which cellulose is deposited transversely to accommodate longitudinal cell expansion and reoriented during expansion to generate a cell wall that is fortified against strain from any direction.
Adult Education and the Phenomena of Social Change

This paper has two purposes. The first is to underscore the relevance of historical events and social forces which influence the life experience of various cohorts of adults. To carry out this purpose, the study focuses on one particular cohort—a "cohort case study" as an example of how history and social forces shape the experiences as well as the educational needs of the adult population. The second purpose is to discuss some of the possible implications for adult education given these effects. The underlying assumption is that the more educators know about educational clientele—their social, historical, economic, and cultural pasts—the more successful will be the educational experiences.
A new program at RIT: master of engineering in microelectronics manufacturing engineering

Rochester Institute of Technology, College of Engineering, has established a new master of engineering degree program in microelectronics manufacturing engineering. The program is one year (four quarters) in duration and is designed for BS graduates in engineering or science. The core courses are Microelectronics I, II, III, Microlithography I, II, and Manufacturing Science I, II. Concentration courses may be selected from a list of courses including computer integrated manufacturing, statistical design of experiments, facilities design, safety, and others. The core courses are discussed, and the facilities are described. >
Tobacco industry consumer research on smokeless tobacco users and product development.

Since 2006, RJ Reynolds (RJR) and Philip Morris have both introduced new smokeless “snus” tobacco products. We analyzed previously secret tobacco industry documents describing the history of RJR and Philip Morris's consumer research, smokeless product development, and marketing strategies. We found that RJR had invested in smokeless research, development, and marketing since 1968. RJR first targeted low-income males through sampling and sponsorship at fishing, rodeo, and baseball events, and through advertising portraying the user as “hard working.” In the early 1990s, Philip Morris and RJR hoped to attract more urban, female smokeless users. The current “snus” campaigns appear to appeal to these targeted consumers and smokers in smoke-free environments. These efforts may expand the tobacco market and undermine smoking cessation.
Trends of digital signal processing in automotive

The advent of single-chip programmable digital signal processors (OSP) has expanded digital signal processing into automotive applications. Digital signal processors, compatible in cost to general-purpose microcomputers, offer much higher throughput in performing computationally intensive tasks. Because of this advantage, closed loop control, adaptive control, and digital audio processing can now be implemented in a cost effective manner. Some of the DSP automotive applications include combustion feedback engine control, active suspension systems, anti -skid brakes incorporating traction control and digital audio-based entertainment systems. The availability of digitaI signal processors i s changing many aspects of automotive designs. Early adopters of this technology for innovative automotive products wiII enjoy leadership and financial benefits over their competition. The impact of DSP to the automobile has just begun and will continue beyond the year 2000 ( I ) . This new technology has also presented tremendous challenges to both automotive and semiconductor industries. This paper first discusses digital signal processing characteristics. After reviewing historical digital signal processing solutions, the paper focuses on single-chip programmable digital signal processors and compares their architectural designs to general- purpose microprocessors and microcontrollers. Deficiencies of early digital signal processors are discussed and trends of DSP are explored. Performance and cost benefits of using DSP in digital control systems are explained. Automotive applications of digital signal processors are discussed in areas of powertrain, body and chassis control, and entertainment systems. The last part of the paper discusses the challenges presented to both automotive industry and semiconductor vendors.
Rates of speciation in the fossil record

Data from palaeontology and biodiversity suggest that the global biota should produce an average of three new species per year. However, the fossil record shows large variation around this mean. Rates of origination have declined through the Phanerozoic. This appears to have been largely a function of sorting among higher taxa (especially classes), which exhibit characteristic rates of speciation (and extinction) that differ among them by nearly an order of magnitude. Secular decline of origination rates is hardly constant, however; many positive deviations reflect accelerated speciation during rebounds from mass extinctions. There has also been general decline in rates of speciation within major taxa through their histories, although rates have tended to remain higher among members in tropical regions. Finally, pulses of speciation appear sometimes to be associated with climate change, although moderate oscillations of climate do not necessarily promote speciation despite forcing changes in species' geographical ranges.
Fast calculation of pairwise mutual information for gene regulatory network reconstruction

We present a new software implementation to more efficiently compute the mutual information for all pairs of genes from gene expression microarrays. Computation of the mutual information is a necessary first step in various information theoretic approaches for reconstructing gene regulatory networks from microarray data. When the mutual information is estimated by kernel methods, computing the pairwise mutual information is quite time-consuming. Our implementation significantly reduces the computation time. For an example data set of 336 samples consisting of normal and malignant B-cells, with 9563 genes measured per sample, the current available software for ARACNE requires 142 hours to compute the mutual information for all gene pairs, whereas our algorithm requires 1.6 hours. The increased efficiency of our algorithm improves the feasibility of applying mutual information based approaches for reconstructing large regulatory networks.
A Circuit and Architecture Codesign Approach for a Hybrid CMOS–STTRAM Nonvolatile FPGA

Research efforts to develop a novel memory technology that combines the desired traits of nonvolatility, high endurance, high speed, and low power have resulted in the emergence of spin-torque transfer RAM (STTRAM) as a promising next-generation universal memory. Although industrial efforts have been made to design efficient embedded memory arrays using STTRAM, the prospect of developing a nonvolatile field-programmable gate array (FPGA) framework with STTRAM exploiting its high integration density remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we propose a novel CMOS-STTRAM hybrid FPGA framework, identify the key design challenges, and propose optimization techniques at circuit, architecture, and application mapping levels. We show that intrinsic properties of STTRAM that distinguish it from conventional static RAM (SRAM), such as asymmetric readout power, where a cell storing “0” has 5× less read power than a cell storing “1”, can be leveraged to skew lookup table contents for FPGA power reduction. We also argue that the proposed framework should operate on static voltage-sensing-based logic evaluation. We identify static power dissipation during logic evaluation and read noise margin as key design concerns and present an optimized resistor-divider design for voltage sensing to reduce static power and noise margin. Finally, we investigate the effectiveness of Shannon-decomposition-based supply gating to reduce static power. Simulation results show improvement of 44.39% in logic area and 22.28% in delay of a configurable logic block (CLB) and average improvement of 16.1% dynamic power over a conventional CMOS FPGA design for a set of benchmark circuits.
Electronic Band Structure in the Sodium Iodide Crystal

The electronic band structure of sodium iodide has been calculated by using the tight-binding method for the valence bands and an empirical method for the lowest conduction bands. Functions for the ${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ions have been obtained by solving the Hartree-Fock-Slater modified equation. The $5p$ and $5s$ ${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ functions are allowed to mix at appropriate points in the Brillouin zone. The lattice parameter is varied and yields results for shifts in energy which agree with those observed when the lattice temperature is changed. Spin-orbit interactions are included and yield results for the $5p$ bands which are in agreement with experiment. Effective masses for electrons and holes are calculated at the points $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, L, and $X$ in the valence and conduction bands.
Design pattern decay: the case for class grime

Context: We investigate class grime, a form of design pattern decay, wherein classes of the pattern realization have extraneous attributes or methods, which obfuscate the intended design of a pattern. Goal: To expand the taxonomy of class grime using properties of class cohesion. Using this expanded taxonomy we explore the effect that forms of class grime have on pattern realization understandability. Method: A pilot study utilizing a formal experiment to explore the effects of class grime on design pattern understandability. The experiments used simulated injection of 8 types of class grime into design pattern realizations randomly selected from 16 design pattern types from a set of 6541 realizations from 520 distinct software systems. Results: We found that for each of the 8 identified class grime forms, understandability was negatively affected. Conclusion: This work serves as early communication of research for the validation of the extended taxonomy as well as the method of grime injection used in the experiment.
Emerging design: new roles and uses for abstraction

Most abstractions in software engineering are used for one of two purposes, either 1) for guidance, in which an abstraction created up-front serves as a roadmap for the next activity, or 2) for understanding, in which an abstraction serves to explain the current state of the system at a given point in time. In either case, the abstraction tends to be static: once it has been created, it is not updated very often. Our research distinguishes itself by developing a dynamic abstraction, emerging design, that both guides and helps in understanding, while still able to fulfill new roles in the development process. In this paper, we will focus on the following three roles: (1) coordination: allowing developers to understand how their work influences that of others and vice versa, (2) detecting design decay: preventing unintended, undiscovered, and unauthorized design changes, and (3) project management: knowing which parts of the code are stable, incomplete, or in flux.
Abstract WP57: Utility of Flat Panel CT Perfusion for Physiologic Assessment of Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Angiography Suite

Introduction The decision to perform endovascular intervention in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may be guided by physiologic imaging such as CT perfusion (CTP) demonstrating a salvageable penumbra, but such studies can delay transfer to the angiography suite. Flat Panel Detector CT (FPD-CT) allows pre, intra and post-procedural physiologic assessment using rotational images acquired on the angiography table; however these measurements have not been correlated with conventional perfusion techniques. We began a prospective, observational comparison of standard, multi-slice CTP with FPD-CT perfusion for AIS interventions, and report our initial results. Methods Patients with AIS that are candidates for endovascular intervention and have standard CTP images available were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent and following the IRB approved protocol. FPD-CTP images were obtained with aortic contrast injection and commercially available workstation image assessment (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) before and after intervention, and compared with standard CT perfusion and follow up images. Results A total of 3 cases have been enrolled. All demonstrated anatomic correlations between perfusion defects in the standard CTP and the FPD-CTP. Case example: A 58 year old man developed left sided hemiplegia and standard CTP demonstrated a right MCA defect with a small core infarction (Fig 1 A). Pre-intervention FPD-CTP showed the same defect pattern (Fig 1 B), and successful mechanical thrombectomy was performed (Fig 1 C,D). Post-intervention FPD-CT showed reversal of perfusion defect outside the core infarct (Fig 1 E). The patient had good clinical recovery and only small infarct on follow up CT (Fig 1 F). Conclusions Early experience with FPD-CTP imaging shows correlation with standard CTP images and reversal of perfusion defect following successful recanalization, suggesting it may be a valuable aid for decision making in AIS intervention. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
The Next Generation Precision Medical Record - A Framework for Integrating Genomes and Wearable Sensors with Medical Records

Current medical records are rigid with regards to emerging big biomedical data. Examples of poorly integrated big data that already exist in clinical practice include whole genome sequencing and wearable sensors for real time monitoring. Genome sequencing enables conventional diagnostic interrogation and forms the fundamental baseline for precision health throughout a patients lifetime. Mobile sensors enable tailored monitoring regimes for both reducing risk through precision health interventions and acute condition surveillance. In order to address the absence of these data in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), we worked with SAP Healthcare to re-envision a modern medical record with these components. The pilot project used 37 patient families with complex medical records, whole genome sequencing and some level of wearable monitoring. Core functionality included patient timelines with integrated text analytics, personalized genomic curation and wearable alerts. The current phase is being rolled out to over 1500 patients in clinics across the hospital system. While fundamentally research, we believe this proof of principle platform is the first of its kind and represents the future of data driven clinical medicine.
Los Helados del Norte (The Frozen Ones from the North): Latino Students at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks:

In Alaska, Latinos represent about 4% of the state's population and have been identified as the second fastest growing minority group in the state. This descriptive study looked at a small sample of Latino students attending the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where they constituted2% of the student enrollment in 2001. In conclusion, Alaska, generally perceived as having a hostile environment due to its geographic isolation and extreme weather conditions, appears to be a hospitable state for many Latinos.
Some Viewpoints on the Phylogeny of Rust Fungi. II. Gymnosporangium

The genus Gymnosporangium is a most noteworthy group among the "true" aecioid rust fungi.2 Ordinarily these rusts pass their aecial stage on conifers and their teliophase on angiosperms, but Gymnosporangium produces teliospores on Cupressaceae and aecia on the Rosales. The development of cornute and roestelioid aecia is a further new tendency. These aecia have a mechanism which regulates the expulsion of spores in accordance with changing weather conditions. No other plant rust is known to have such an advanced mechanism. Of further interest are the jelly-like matrices in which the teliospores are imbedded. An extensive taxonomic and biologic treatise of the genus Gymnosporangium was written by Kern (13, 14). Numerous further research records published by Dodge (6, 7) and other authors are summarized by Buller (4, pp. 389-414). Despite this intensive study, both the origin of the genus Gymno sporangium and its phylogeny remained rela? tively obscure.
An Inquiry into the Stability and Restriction of Feeding Habits of Certain Cactus Insects

Notwithstanding the far-reaching importance of the host affinities of plant-feeding insects and the large volume of available data on host relations of particular insect pests, little attention has been devoted to the general aspects of host restriction. This condition is the more remarkable because virtually all problems in applied agricultural entomology are vitally affected by the degree of restriction of feeding habits exhibited by economic species.
The oral lesions of pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract Oral lesions of pemphigus were studied with a variety of histochemical techniques. A marked increase in RNA was observed in the cytoplasm of acantholytic cells and epithelial cells at the floor of the vesicle. The basement membrane was not disturbed and was clearly demarcated in all specimens studied. Techniques for tyrosine, tryptophan, and sulfhydryl groups revealed little of interest in relation to pemphigus lesions.
Interrogating representations of “militants” and “terrorists” in the United States’ Militant Imagery Project and the Counterterrorism Calendar

ABSTRACTThis article adopts a post-colonial approach to analyse representations of “militants” and “terrorists” in the United States’ Militant Imagery Project (MIP) and the Counterterrorism Calendar. It argues that sites such as the MIP and the Calendar produce meanings of “militant” and “terrorist,” wherein Muslims/Arabs are linked with violence. At the same time, similar violence committed by right-wing extremists, gun owners, and so on are ignored. There is also a related assumption about an uncritical, homogeneous audience gazing at these images. All of these serve to continually securitise Muslims and Arabs in the United States. This article aims to dismantle this racialised meaning by illustrating processes through which sites such as the MIP and the Calendar link “militant” and “terrorist” violence with Muslims and Islam. In doing so, they erase Western-led and state-sanctioned violence from representations of “terrorism.” By outlining these erasures and silences, this article questions the meaning...
Submyeloablative Cord Blood Transplant Corrects Clinical Defects Seen in IPEX Syndrome.

Abstract IPEX syndrome (immune dysfunction, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) is a disorder of regulatory T cell function caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene. This disorder is generally associated with a fatal outcome early in life from complications related to bleeding, infection, or enteritis. Allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) can be curative for this disorder, but pre-transplant disease-related complications may preclude a full myeloablative conditioning regimen. We report a seven year old boy with IPEX whose pre-transplant course was complicated by recurrent laryngeal papillomas and severe airway obstruction, frequent pulmonary infections, and recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Due to these problems he underwent a submyeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day for 6 days, Busulfan 0.8 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours for 2 days, then anti-thymocyte globulin 2.5 mg/kg/dose for 4 days. Mycophenylate and cyclosporine were used for graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. This patient received an HLA 5/6 matched (A,B,DR) unrelated donor cord blood transplant with 1.1 ×108 total nucleated cells/kg and 3 × 105 CD34+ cells/kg. His diarrhea and airway issues resolved following the conditioning regimen. The patient achieved myeloid engraftment on day 14, and was platelet and red cell transfusion independent by day 29 and 56, respectively. He had 81% and 98% donor chimerism at 2 and 9 months post-transplant, respectively. While tapering cylcosporine he developed graft versus host disease of the lower GI tract, which was sucessfully treated with a course of corticosteroids. He also experienced reactivation of EBV and was treated with 4 weekly doses (375 mg/m2) of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. This patient has had full resolution of his clinical symptoms and is currently 17 months post-transplant, with no signs of GVHD. For those children who do not respond or have only partial improvement following immunosuppressive therapy, allogeneic SCT using a submyeloablative approach can be well tolerated and result in sustained donor chimerism.
Tracking Inflammation-Induced Mobilization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The act of migration is similar for many cell types. The migratory mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is not completely elucidated, yet many of the initial studies have been based on current understanding of the leukocyte migration. A normal function of MSC is the ability of the cell to migrate to and repair wounded tissue. This wound healing property of MSC originates with migration towards inflammatory signals produced by the wounded environment [1]. A tumor and its microenvironment are capable of eliciting a similar inflammatory response from the MSC, thus resulting in migration of the MSC towards the tumor microenvironment. We have shown MSC migration both in vitro and in vivo. In this chapter, we elucidate several in vivo methods to study MSC migration and mobilization to the tumor microenvironment. The first model is an exogenous model of MSC migration that can be performed in both xenograft and syngenic systems with in vitro expanded MSC. The second model utilizes transgenic-fluorescent--colored mice to follow endogenous bone marrow components including MSC. The third technique enables us to analyze data from the transgenic model through multispectral imaging. Furthermore, the migratory phenotype of MSC can be exploited for use in tumor-targeted gene delivery therapy has been efficacious in animal model studies and is an anticipated therapeutic device in clinical trials.
Precipitate Evolution and Strengthening in Supersaturated Rapidly Solidified Al-Sc-Zr Alloys

Because of the low diffusivities of scandium and zirconium in aluminum, trialuminide precipitates containing these elements have been reported to possess excellent thermal stability at temperatures of 573 K (300 °C) and higher. However, the relatively low equilibrium solubilities of these elements in aluminum limit the achievable phase fraction and, in turn, strengthening contributions from these precipitates. One method of circumventing this limitation involves the use of rapid solidification techniques to suppress the initial formation of precipitates in alloys containing higher solute compositions. This work specifically discusses the fabrication of supersaturated Al-Sc, Al-Zr, and Al-Sc-Zr alloys via melt spinning, in which supersaturations of at least 0.55 at. pct Zr and 0.8 at. pct Sc are shown to be attainable through XRD analysis. The resulting ribbons were subjected to a multistep aging heat treatment in order to encourage a core–shell precipitate morphology, the precipitate evolution behavior was monitored with XRD and TEM, and the aging behavior was observed. While aging in these alloys is shown to follow similar trends to conventionally processed materials reported in literature, with phase fraction increasing until higher aging temperatures causing a competing dissolution effect, the onset of precipitation begins at lower temperatures than previously observed and the peak hardnesses occurred at higher temperature steps due to an increased aging time associated with increased solute concentration. Peaking in strength at a higher temperature doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in thermal stability, but rather emphasizes the need for intelligently designed heat treatments to take full advantage of the potential strengthening of supersaturated Al-Sc-Zr alloys.
Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis of EUV mask reflectivity and its impact on OPC accuracy

Unlike optical masks which are transmissive optical elements, use of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation requires a reflective mask structure - a multi-layer coating consisting of alternating layers of high-Z (wave impedance) and low-Z materials that provide enhanced reflectivity over a narrow wavelength band peaked at the Bragg wavelength.1 Absorber side wall angle, corner rounding,2 surface roughness,3 and defects4 affect mask performance, but even seemingly simple parameters like bulk reflectivity on mirror and absorber surfaces can have a profound influence on imaging. For instance, using inaccurate reflectivity values at small and large incident angles would diminish the benefits of source mask co-optimization (SMO) and result in larger than expected pattern shifts. The goal of our work is to calculate the variation in mask reflectivity due to various sources of inaccuracies using Monte Carlo simulations. Such calculation is necessary as small changes in the thickness and optical properties of the high-Z and low-Z materials can cause substantial variations in reflectivity. This is further complicated by undesirable intermixing between the two materials used to create the reflector.5 One of the key contributors to mask reflectivity fluctuation is identified to be the intermixing layer thickness. We also investigate the impacts on OPC when the wrong mask information is provided, and evaluate the deterioration of overlapping process window. For a hypothetical N7 via layer, the lack of accurate mask information costs 25% of the depth of focus at 5% exposure latitude. Our work would allow the determination of major contributors to mask reflectivity variation, drive experimental efforts of measuring such contributors, provide strategies to optimize mask reflectivity, and quantize the OPC errors due to imperfect mask modeling.
Staffing large-scale service systems with distributional uncertainty

This paper analyzes a staffing level problem for large-scale single-station queueing systems. The system manager operates an Erlang-C queueing system with a quality-of-service constraint on the probability that a customer is queued. However, in this model, the arrival rate is uncertain in the sense that even the arrival-rate distribution is not completely known to the manager. Rather, the manager has an estimate of the support of the arrival-rate distribution and the mean. The goal is to determine the number of servers needed to satisfy the quality-of-service constraint. Two cases are explored. First, the constraint is enforced on an overall delay probability, given the probability that different feasible arrival-rate distributions are selected. In the second case, the constraint has to be satisfied by every possible distribution. For both problems, asymptotically optimal solutions are developed based on Halfin---Whitt type scalings.
Transcription Factors Recognize DNA Shape Without Nucleotide Recognition

We hypothesized that transcription factors (TFs) recognize DNA shape without nucleotide sequence recognition. Motivating an independent role for shape, many TF binding sites lack a sequence-motif, DNA shape adds specificity to sequence-motifs, and different sequences can encode similar shapes. We therefore asked if binding sites of a TF are enriched for specific patterns of DNA shape-features, e.g., helical twist. We developed ShapeMF, which discovers these shape-motifs de novo without taking sequence information into account. We find that most TFs assayed in ENCODE have shape-motifs and bind regulatory regions recognizing shape-motifs in the absence of sequence-motifs. When shape- and sequence-recognition co-occur, the two types of motifs can be overlapping, flanking, or separated by consistent spacing. Shape-motifs are prevalent in regions co-bound by multiple TFs. Finally, TFs with identical sequence motifs have different shape-motifs, explaining their binding at distinct locations. These results establish shape-motifs as drivers of TF-DNA recognition complementary to sequence-motifs.
Coadaptation in plant populations.

One of the important questions of plant breeding is whether alleles at different loci act independently or whether the population genotype is structured so that favored combinations of alleles occur more frequently than expected under randomness. Studies employing allozyme loci as markers have demonstrated that the distribution of alleles in both natural and experimental populations of inbreeding plants is closely correlated with environment on both micro- and macrogeographic scales. Multilocus analyses have also revealed the occurrence within local populations of striking gametic phase disequilibrium (linkage dis-equilibrium). These observations demonstrate that selection acts to organize the population into sets of highly interacting coadapted gene complexes that promote high fitness to the local environment.
Alpha suppression over parietal electrode sites predicts decisions to trust

Decisions to trust help form the basis of relationships and society yet little is known about their neurophysiology. We told participants they were playing a coin toss game with a trustworthy and a...
Rejecting Unwanted Romantic Advances Is More Difficult Than Suitors Realize

In two preregistered studies, we find that initiators of unrequited romantic advances fail to appreciate the difficult position their targets occupy, both in terms of how uncomfortable it is for ta...
Robust approaches to handling complex geometries with Galerkin difference methods

Abstract The Galerkin difference (GD) basis is a set of continuous, piecewise polynomials defined using a finite-difference-like grid of degrees of freedom. The one dimensional GD basis functions are naturally extended to multiple dimensions using a tensor product construction on quadrilateral elements. The GD basis can be used to define the solution space for a discontinuous Galerkin finite element discretization of partial differential equations. In this work we propose two approaches to handling complex geometries within this setting: (1) using nonconforming, curvilinear GD elements and (2) coupling affine GD elements with curvilinear simplicial elements. In both cases the (semidiscrete) discontinuous Galerkin method is provably energy stable even when variational crimes are committed. Additionally, for both element types a weight-adjusted mass matrix is used, which ensures that only the reference mass matrix must be inverted. We also present sufficient conditions on the treatment of metric terms for the curvilinear, nonconforming GD elements to ensure that the scheme is both constant preserving and conservative. Numerical experiments confirm the stability results and demonstrate the accuracy of the coupled schemes.
Expression patterns of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the mdm2 proto-oncogene in human meningiomas

Meningiomas represent a common class of tumors of the central nervous system. However, the molecular events underlying their formation are poorly understood. Because altered expression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the mdm2 proto-oncogene have been demonstrated in a wide variety of tumors, we carried out studies to assess the possible involvement of these two genes in meningioma tumorigenesis. We used Western blot analysis to examine the level of expression of the mdm2 and p53 proteins in a series of sixteen primary meningiomas and four meningioma cell lines. The data obtained from these studies suggest that elevated expression of the p53 or mdm2 protein products does not represent a common event in the development of human meningiomas.
Evaluation and Management of Vesicovaginal Fistulas

A vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is an abnormal communication between the bladder and vagina, resulting in continuous leakage of urine through the vagina. It is one of the most significant and devastating conditions in female urology and urogynecology. VVFs have been recognized and described since ancient times, but successful repair was not reported until James Marion Sims’: first paper in 1852 (1). His transvaginal repair included the use of silver wire sutures. Many principles he originally described are still applicable. Subsequent advances included the first “layered„ repair by Mackenrodt (2) and the interposed labial fat graft of Martius (3) in the late 1920s.
Clinically Relevant Prognostic Parameters in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

Although differentiated thyroid carcinomas typically pursue an indolent clinical course, it is important to identify the subset of tumors that are most likely to behave aggressively so that patients with these tumors are counseled and treated appropriately. Extent of disease is fundamental to the prognostication for differentiated thyroid carcinoma; however, there are additional histologic features of the tumor separate from extent of disease that have been shown to affect clinical course. This review will start with a discussion of aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma, move to the prognostic significance of vascular invasion in follicular thyroid carcinoma, and finish with a discussion of Hurthle cell carcinoma, with an emphasis on why it is not considered a subtype of follicular thyroid carcinoma in the 2017 WHO Classification of Tumors of Endocrine Organs.
Panax ginseng: More Than an Adaptogen Remedy

Abstract The consumption of natural products is rapidly increasing worldwide to cure or prevent different diseases. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been used in traditional medicine in China for millennia not only as adaptogen, able to increases resistance to stress and strengthen mental capacity, but also for its beneficial effects as an antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer remedy. Studies in the last decades showed that ginsenosides, a special group of triterpenoid saponins, are responsible for the biological activity of ginseng. Although P. ginseng is considered safe, it might interfere with blood glucose level, clotting, and cause sleep disorders. This short review will comment on the broad biological efficacy of P. ginseng. Specific issues considered will be safety of ginsenosides and their effects in clinical studies.
Open Non-mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair

Despite the fact that dozens of open inguinal hernia tissue repair techniques exist in the surgical literature, it is not currently a commonly performed technique in the United States. In the past quarter of a century, laparoscopic and open “tension-free” mesh inguinal hernia repairs have been a preferred approach for inguinal hernia repair. However, with an increased emphasis on other outcomes besides recurrence that impact the patient’s quality of life, in particular chronic pain, there is a growing interest in re-visiting non-mesh inguinal hernia repairs. Although not nearly as simple as thinking that mesh can cause chronic pain, it is possible that mesh may be a contributing factor in addition to many other factors, known and potentially not yet known, that result in a complication such as chronic pain. Other complications that may involve mesh as a contributing factor include infection, erosion, contraction, or migration that contributes to a recurrence and rare incidences of allergic-type and systemic/immune reactions. This chapter will highlight some of the established tissue repairs, discuss the reasons why they are of growing interest, and describe some of the general principles in performing a tissue repair.
Graph-based sparse linear discriminant analysis for high-dimensional classification.

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is a well-known classification technique that enjoyed great success in practical applications. Despite its effectiveness for traditional low-dimensional problems, extensions of LDA are necessary in order to classify high-dimensional data. Many variants of LDA have been proposed in the literature. However, most of these methods do not fully incorporate the structure information among predictors when such information is available. In this paper, we introduce a new high-dimensional LDA technique, namely graph-based sparse LDA (GSLDA), that utilizes the graph structure among the features. In particular, we use the regularized regression formulation for penalized LDA techniques, and propose to impose a structure-based sparse penalty on the discriminant vector β . The graph structure can be either given or estimated from the training data. Moreover, we explore the relationship between the within-class feature structure and the overall feature structure. Based on this relationship, we further propose a variant of our proposed GSLDA to utilize effectively unlabeled data, which can be abundant in the semi-supervised learning setting. With the new regularization, we can obtain a sparse estimate of β and more accurate and interpretable classifiers than many existing methods. Both the selection consistency of β estimation and the convergence rate of the classifier are established, and the resulting classifier has an asymptotic Bayes error rate. Finally, we demonstrate the competitive performance of the proposed GSLDA on both simulated and real data studies.
Clinicians' Perspective of the New Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR): Results from an AAAAI/FDA Survey

Background On June 30, 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began implementation of the Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR), which replaced the pregnancy letter category system (A, B, C, D, and X) with integrated narrative summaries of the risks of using a drug or biological product during pregnancy and lactation. The letter category system, first established in 1979, was regarded as overly simplistic and misinterpreted as a grading system. The PLLR labeling format was created to improve the presentation of available data on use of the drug during pregnancy and/or lactation. Objective To survey clinician awareness, assessment, and use of this new labeling format. Methods In January 2018, an online survey, developed in collaboration between the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the FDA, was sent to a random sample of the US membership of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The survey content consisted of questions addressing the following: demographic characteristics, awareness and use of the PLLR, and value and understanding of the PLLR format on the basis of an example of the "Pregnancy" subsection of labeling. Results Of the 1500 members who received the survey via an email, 184 (12%) completed the survey. Respondents had a mean age of 56 years and treated on average 2 pregnant women per month. Less than half (46%) of the respondents were aware that the pregnancy letter category system was replaced with a narrative summary. After reading the example, most of the respondents (68%) did not feel that the narrative summary was concise. However, 71% of the respondents found the background risk and disease-associated risk information helpful. Most of the respondents (95%) continued to use the pregnancy letter category system to make prescribing decisions. Conclusions These survey results suggest that the PLLR format was not known by most prescribers and that the pregnancy letter category format is continuing to be used despite significant flaws in the old system. However, the survey did not address why prescribers were continuing to rely on the pregnancy letter category system. Whether this is due to the PLLR format itself or the lack of quality data to inform the safe use of medications in pregnancy cannot be determined from these survey results. The FDA will use these survey results to refine the communication of pregnancy safety information in labeling and will expand outreach efforts to educate health care providers in the new labeling system.
Smoking and Smoking Cessation Among Criminal Justice-Involved Older Adults.

Background:In jails and prisons worldwide, older adults are among the fastest growing demographic groups. Criminal justice–involved populations smoke tobacco at high rates. Older adults are also di...