cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PAWS: a performance evaluation tool for parallel computing systems

A description is given of PAWS (parallel assessment window system), a set of tools that provides an interactive user-friendly environment for analysis of existing, prototype, and conceptual machine architectures running a common application. PAWS consists of an application tool, an architectural characterization tool, a performance assessment tool, and an interactive graphical display tool. The application characterization tool provides a facility for evaluating the level and degree of an application's parallelism. The architecture characterization tool allows users to create, store, and retrieve descriptions of machines in a database. This approach permits users to evaluate conceptual machines before building any hardware. The performance assessment tool generates profile plots through the interactive graphical display tool. It shows both the ideal parallelism inherent in the machine-independent dataflow graph and the predicted parallelism of the partitioned dataflow graph on the target machine. >
Geometric control of ciliated band regulatory states in the sea urchin embryo

The trapezoidal ciliated band (CB) of the postgastrular sea urchin embryo surrounds the oral ectoderm, separating it from adjacent embryonic territories. Once differentiated, the CB is composed of densely arranged cells bearing long cilia that endow the larva with locomotion and feeding capability. The spatial pattern from which the CB will arise is first evidenced during pregastrular stages by expression of the pioneer gene onecut. Immediately after gastrulation, the CB consists of four separate regulatory state domains, each of which expresses a unique set of transcription factors: (1) the oral apical CB, located within the apical neurogenic field; (2) the animal lateral CB, which bilaterally separates the oral from aboral ectoderm; (3) the vegetal lateral CB, which bilaterally serves as signaling centers; and (4) the vegetal oral CB, which delineates the boundary with the underlying endoderm. Remarkably, almost all of the regulatory genes specifically expressed within these domains are downregulated by interference with SoxB1 expression, implying their common activation by this factor. Here, we show how the boundaries of the CB subdomains are established, and thus ascertain the design principle by which the geometry of this unique and complex regulatory state pattern is genomically controlled. Each of these boundaries, on either side of the CB, is defined by spatially confined transcriptional repressors, the products of regulatory genes operating across the border of each subdomain. In total this requires deployment of about ten different repressors, which we identify in this work, thus exemplifying the complexity of information required for spatial regulatory organization during embryogenesis.
The art of productive meetings

Meetings are a necessary part of working in higher education. This presentation will cover the fine points of planning, preparing, and participating in effective meetings. We will also discuss remote attendance, scheduling, formal vs. informal meetings, and etiquette.
Timing channel protection for a shared memory controller

This paper proposes a new memory controller design that enables secure sharing of main memory among mutually mistrusting parties by eliminating memory timing channels. This study demonstrates that shared memory controllers are vulnerable to both side channel and covert channel attacks that exploit memory interference as timing channels. To address this vulnerability, we identify the sources of interference in a conventional memory controller design, and propose a protection scheme to eliminate the interference across security domains through two main changes: (i) a per security domain based queueing structure, and (ii) static allocation of time slots in the scheduling algorithm. Multi-programmed workloads comprised of SPEC2006 benchmarks were used to evaluate the protection scheme. The results show that the proposed scheme completely eliminates the timing channels in the shared memory with small hardware and performance overheads.
High-pressure atomic phases of solid nitrogen.

Several candidate atomic phases for solid nitrogen at high pressures have been studied theoretically. The semimetallic A7 (\ensuremath{\alpha}-arsenic) phase is found to be the most energetically favored of the atomic phases studied which agrees with previous calculations. At extremely high pressures, this phase is found to deform continuously into the metallic simple cubic structure which is unstable at lower pressures. The possibility that a metallic simple tetragonal phase is metastable at lower pressures is discussed.
Metabolism of brain amino acids following pentylenetetrazole treatment

Abstract We studied the effects of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) on brain amino acid metabolism in mice. Administration of this convulsant did not change forebrain concentrations of amino acids, but when treated animals also received an injection of [ 15 N ]leucine, which served as a tracer of brain nitrogen metabolism, total ( 14 N + 15 N ) forebrain [leucine] exceeded control and [glutamate] and [aspartate] were less than control, as were forebrain concentrations of [ 15 N ]glutamate and [2- 15 N ]glutamine. These data suggest greater uptake of [ 15 N ]leucine but diminished transamination of leucine to glutamate in experimental mice. In contrast to the [ 15 N ]leucine studies, which were associated with increased brain [leucine], the administration of [ 15 N ]alanine did not alter levels of alanine, glutamate or glutamine. However, label appeared in [2- 15 N ]glutamine much more readily with [ 15 N ]alanine than with [ 15 N ]leucine as precursor and the ratio of enrichment in [2- 15 N ]glutamine/[ 15 N ]alanine was much higher than that in [2- 15 N ]glutamine/[ 15 N ]leucine, a finding that is compatible with preferential metabolism of alanine in astrocytes, which are the primary site of brain glutamine synthetase. We conclude that PTZ treatment favors the uptake of selected amino acids such as leucine but also diminishes transamination of leucine to yield glutamate via branched-chain amino acid transaminase. PTZ treatment may favor the “reverse” transamination of 2-keto-isocaproate (KIC), the ketoacid of leucine, to form leucine and to consume glutamate. A net result of these processes may be to enable the brain more readily to dispose of the glutamate that is released from neurons during convulsive activity.
Purine deoxynucleoside salvage in Giardia lamblia.

Abstract Giardia lamblia is dependent on the salvage of preformed purines and pyrimidines, including deoxythymidine. Dependence on deoxynucleoside salvage is extremely unusual among eucaryotic cells (Moore, E. C., and Hurlbert, R. B. (1985) Pharmacol & Ther. 27, 167-196). The present study investigates the possibility that giardia lacks ribonucleotide reductase and depends entirely on deoxynucleoside salvage. A ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, hydroxyurea, at concentrations up to 2 mM had no effect on the growth of giardia. This is 15-20 times the ED50 of hydroxyurea for the protozoans Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma gambiense, and Leishmania donovani. A lysate of giardia had no detectable ribonucleotide reductase. Although radiolabeled adenine, adenosine, guanine, and guanosine were readily incorporated into RNA by cultured cells, no adenine or adenosine and only trace amounts of guanine and guanosine were detectable in DNA. This is in contrast to deoxynucleosides, where 58% of deoxyadenosine and 10% of deoxyguanosine incorporated into nucleic acid were found in DNA. Phosphorylation of both deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine was catalyzed by a cell lysate of giardia when nucleoside kinase co-substrates were included in the assay but not when phosphotransferase co-substrates were present. The absence of detectable ribonucleotide reductase, the failure to incorporate purine nucleobases and nucleosides into DNA to any significant extent, the ready incorporation of deoxynucleosides into DNA, and the demonstration of a purine deoxynucleoside kinase suggest that giardia are dependent on the salvage of exogenous deoxynucleosides.
Aldehyde and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixing ratios at an urban site in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ABSTRACT Linhong Jing completed a master's degree in chemistry at UNLV and is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Purdue University. Her address is Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Dr. Spencer Steinberg is an associate professor of chemistry at UNLV. His address is UNLV Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 454003, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003. Dr. Brian Johnson is an associate professor of chemistry at UNLV. His address is UNLV Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 454003, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003. Oxidation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in air, of significance due to, for example, the potential for O3 formation, is believed to be initiated by OH attack on the ring (addition) or on the alkyl side chain (H abstraction). A series of ring-breaking reactions follows, with major products predicted to be a-dicarbonyls, simple aldehydes, and organic acids. To test this prediction, ambient air mixing ratios of aldehydes (formaldehyde, ac-etaldehyde, benzald...
Studies to Determine Whether an Interaction Exists Among Boron, Calcium, and Cholecalciferol on the Skeletal Development of Broiler Chickens

Abstract Two experiments were designed to determine the effect of dietary boron on broiler cockerels and four experiments were conducted to determine whether an interaction exists among dietary boron, cholecalciferol, and calcium. The parameters measured were weight gain, feed efficiency, tibia bone ash, rickets, tibial dyschondroplasia, and plasma minerals. All experiments were conducted with tibial dyschondroplasia-inducing basal diets fed to broiler cockerels from 1 to 16 days of age. Experiments 1 and 2 had four levels of dietary boron (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg (Experiment 1) and 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (Experiment 2). Boron had no effect on weight gain, feed efficiency, or plasma minerals in either experiment. In Experiment 2, increasing levels of boron had no influence on tibial dyschondroplasia but did exert a quadratic effect on bone ash with 5 and 10 mg/kg boron increasing bone ash. In Experiment 1, bone ash and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia were unaffected, but the severity of tibial dyschondroplasia linearly increased by increasing boron levels. Experiments 3 to 6 had a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with calcium at .65 and .90%, cholecalciferol at 110 and 1,100 ICU/kg, and boron at 0 and 40 mg/kg (Experiments 3 to 5) or 0 and 3 mg/kg (Experiment 6). The higher levels of calcium and cholecalciferol improved weight gain, decreased the incidence of rickets, and decreased the incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia. Feeding cholecalciferol at 1,100 ICU/kg increased plasma calcium and plasma dialyzable phosphorus and decreased plasma magnesium. Calcium at .90% had no effect on plasma magnesium or plasma dialyzable phosphorus and increased plasma calcium only in Experiment 4. The only response to boron in Experiments 3 to 6 was a boron effect and a boron by cholecalciferol interaction on bone ash in Experiment 3, in which boron reduced bone ash at .65% calcium and 110 ICU/kg cholecalciferol. From these experiments, there is no indication that an interaction among boron, cholecalciferol, and calcium exists in broiler cockerels.
Optical molasses loaded from a low-velocity intense source of atoms: an atom source for improved atomic fountains

We demonstrate the efficient capture of cesium atoms from a low-velocity intense source (LVIS) of atoms into an optical molasses. The high load rates that are achievable with the technique can potentially improve the stability of and reduce collisional shifts in atomic fountain clocks. An LVIS is an atomic beam created from a small hole in one of the retroreflectors in an otherwise ordinary magnetooptical trap (MOT). Our typical LVIS flux was 10/sup 10/ atoms/s. The asymptotic value for the number of atoms captured in the optical molasses was 1.1(1) /spl times/ 10/sup 9/ atoms, and the fill time constant was /spl tau/ = 290(30) ms. The initial molasses fill rate was R/sub t=0/ = 3.8(5) /spl times/ 10/sup 6/ atoms/ms. At this rate, it would require 24 ms to capture and launch 10/sup 7/ state-selected atoms in an atomic fountain. The fill rate at short times indicates that approximately 40% of the LVIS atoms were being captured in the optical molasses.
Predictors of repeat revascularization after nonemergent, first percutaneous coronary intervention in the community.

Abstract Background We sought to determine the incidence of and risk factors for repeat revascularization after nonemergent, first percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed in contemporary community practice. Methods We analyzed a prospective registry of consecutive patients undergoing isolated PCI in the state of Washington. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine predictors of repeat revascularization (by PCI or bypass surgery) within 1 year after first PCI. Results Between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 1999, there were 3571 nonemergent first PCIs, 87.7% of which involved stent placement. Repeat revascularization occurred in 577 (16.2%) patients. Repeat revascularization was predicted by multivessel disease (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36, 95% CI 1.12–1.66), stable versus no angina (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03–1.57), and maximum stent length used (per 1 mm longer: HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.002–1.02), while prior myocardial infarction (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.96) and creatinine >1.2 mg/dL (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56–0.98) were associated with lower risk of repeat revascularization. Diabetes was a significant predictor only when the outcome was limited to revascularization by coronary artery bypass surgery (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.23). Although glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use was a significant univariate predictor of freedom from early repeat revascularization (within 60 days after first PCI), after controlling for potential confounders, it was no longer significant. Conclusions In this contemporary, community-based registry of patients undergoing nonemergent first PCI, clinical practice and outcomes are consistent with evidence from clinical trials and previous controlled studies. Results from controlled studies may reasonably be extrapolated to such a community setting.
Therapeutic targeting of BET bromodomain proteins in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Men who develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) invariably succumb to the disease. Progression to CRPC after androgen ablation therapy is predominantly driven by deregulated androgen receptor (AR) signalling. Despite the success of recently approved therapies targeting AR signalling, such as abiraterone and second-generation anti-androgens including MDV3100 (also known as enzalutamide), durable responses are limited, presumably owing to acquired resistance. Recently, JQ1 and I-BET762 two selective small-molecule inhibitors that target the amino-terminal bromodomains of BRD4, have been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effects in a range of malignancies. Here we show that AR-signalling-competent human CRPC cell lines are preferentially sensitive to bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibition. BRD4 physically interacts with the N-terminal domain of AR and can be disrupted by JQ1 (refs 11, 13). Like the direct AR antagonist MDV3100, JQ1 disrupted AR recruitment to target gene loci. By contrast with MDV3100, JQ1 functions downstream of AR, and more potently abrogated BRD4 localization to AR target loci and AR-mediated gene transcription, including induction of the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion and its oncogenic activity. In vivo, BET bromodomain inhibition was more efficacious than direct AR antagonism in CRPC xenograft mouse models. Taken together, these studies provide a novel epigenetic approach for the concerted blockade of oncogenic drivers in advanced prostate cancer.
Predictive vector quantizer using constrained optimization

A joint optimization technique is developed for designing the predictor and quantizer of a predictive vector quantizer (PVQ). The proposed technique is based on a constrained optimization technique that makes use of a Lagrangian formulation and iteratively solves the Lagrangian error function to obtain a locally optimal solution for the predictor and quantizer. Simulation results show that the proposed PVQ design outperforms the conventional PVQ schemes, such as the closed-loop design and the jointly-optimized technique. >
Isolation of Presumptive Streptobacillus moniliformis from Abscesses Associated with the Female Genital Tract

We report three cases in which Streptobacillus moniliformis was isolated from abscesses. Abscess material in each case contained small, pleomorphic, gram-negative to gram-variable bacilli. Anaerobic blood agar cultures yielded pinpoint colonies adjacent to small gray-white colonies. The pinpoint colonies did not gram stain, and the gray-white colonies varied from gram-variable coccobacilli to long, curly, gram-variable rods. The pinpoint colonies microscopically resembled L-forms on Dienes-stained agar preparation. Subculture to serum-supplemented thioglycolate broth demonstrated "puff ball" colonies. Fatty acid profiles obtained with use of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showed major peaks for C16:0, C18:2, C18:1, and C18:0 fatty acids, a profile characteristic of S. moniliformis. Results of biochemical testing of each isolate were equivocal. S. moniliformis, bacterial L-forms, and common isolates from genital tract abscesses are discussed.
Reconfigurable responsive structures assembled from magnetic Janus particles

Magnetic Janus particles are assembled into novel staggered chain structures under the action of magnetic and electric fields. The magnetic assembly can result in permanent structures, which could be disassembled on demand by remote demagnetization.
Pharmacotherapy Considerations in Patients with HIV and Psychiatric Disorders: Focus on Antidepressants and Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVETo review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of depressive and psychotic disorders in patients with HIV infection and to provide clinical considerations for the treatment of depression and psychosis in these patients.DATA SOURCESPubMed was searched for articles published between 1966 and August 1, 2012, using the search terms antiretrovirals, HIV, AIDS, depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and individual drug names (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine, duloxetine, mirtazapine, bupropion, haloperidol, perphenazine, fluphenazine, aripiprazole, asenapine, clozapine, iloperidone, lurasidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone).STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONFor the purposes of evaluating efficacy data, we limited our selection to randomized placebo-controlled or active comparator–controlled trials for agents that have been used for depression and psycho...
Performing Holocaust Memory: Judd Ne'eman's Zitra

Memory and its representations can reveal as much about a culture's sense of itself as they do about its past. Israeli critics have traced the ways in which representations of the Holocaust in their country's films reflect, among many other issues, Israeli culture's preoccupation with the construction of Israeli identity. According to one critic, the Holocaust survivor in films of the 1940s and 1950s embodied weakness and passivity: “all the traits that Israeli identity [was] meant to contrast.” In the 1970s, another critic suggests, films “read” the Holocaust from a “nationalist perspective…highlighting heroic resistance….” Thus, within a few decades, Israeli cinema seems to have represented in radically different ways—through the lens of the Holocaust—the intricacies of Israeli identity formation: first, by shaping memory in terms of the putative weaknesses of diaspora Jews, contrasting them with the strengths of the “new” Israeli Jew; and later, by emphasizing characteristics that linked heroic resisters with heroic Israelis.
Increasing robustness of fault localization through analysis of lost, spurious, and positive symptoms

This paper utilizes belief networks to implement fault localization in communication systems taking into account comprehensive information about the system behavior. Most previous work on this subject performs fault localization based solely on the information about malfunctioning system components (i.e., negative symptoms). We show that positive information, i.e., the lack of any disorder in some system components, may be used to improve the accuracy of this process. The technique presented allows lost and spurious symptoms to be incorporated in the analysis. We show through simulation that in a noisy network environment the analysis of lost and spurious symptoms increases the robustness of fault localization with belief networks. We also demonstrate that belief networks yield high accuracy even for approximate probability input data and therefore are a promising model for non-deterministic fault localization.
Direct and indirect mortality in Florida during the 2004 hurricane season

Previous studies have shown that natural disasters, and hurricanes in particular, have led to more deaths than those usually documented in short post-storm surveys. Such indirect deaths, thought to be related to dietary, stress or pre-existing medical conditions, can exceed the number of direct deaths and may persist for weeks or even months beyond the event itself. In the present study, cumulative sum of deviations plots are used to quantify the number of direct and indirect deaths resulting from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne that made landfall in Florida in 2004. Results suggest that there was an elevated mortality for up to 2 months following each storm, resulting in a total of 624 direct and indirect deaths attributable to the storm. Trauma-related deaths that can be associated directly with the storm account for only ∼4% of the total storm-related mortality, while indirect mortality accounts for most storm-related deaths. Specifically, a large percentage of the elevated mortality was associated with heart (34%) and cancer-related deaths (19%), while diabetes (5%) and accident-related deaths (9%) account for a smaller but still significant percentage of the elevated mortality. The results further suggest that the elevated mortality was the result of additional deaths that would not have otherwise occurred within that 5 month period, and not simply a clustering of deaths that were inevitable between 1 August and 31 December 2004. The elevated mortality identified in this study is significantly greater than the official count of 31 direct and 113 indirect deaths resulting from the four hurricanes combined. This suggests a need for improved mortality counts and surveillance in order to better evaluate and identify effective prevention policies, and to identify preventable deaths.
Autocatalysis in bainite transformations

The objective of the study is to provide a better account of the autocatalysis phenomenon in bainite transformation in steels. The phenomenon of autocatalysis is related to the nucleation of ferrite subunits at the surfaces of bainite sheaves during transformation. The analytical forms of the effective nucleation rate are derived based on two different morphologies of bainite sheaves. The first type of morphology of the bainite sheaves is assumed to take the spherical shape. In the second model, the bainite sheaves resemble the morphology of the ferrite subunits that are wedge-shaped. Results are obtained pertaining to the effects of autocatalysis and the overall kinetics of bainite transformation by using a model steel of high silicon content.
Medium Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery for Estimating and Mapping Urban Impervious Surfaces Using LSMA and ANN

Remote sensing estimation of impervious surface is significant in monitoring urban development and determining the overall environmental health of a watershed, and it has therefore attracted more interest recently in the remote sensing community. The main objective of this paper is to examine and compare the effectiveness of two advanced algorithms for estimating impervious surfaces from medium spatial resolution satellite images, namely, linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA) and artificial neural network (ANN). Terra's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer [(ASTER); acquired on June 16,2001] and a Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) image (acquired on June 22, 2000) of Indianapolis, IN, were used for the analysis. The LSMA was employed to generate high- and low-albedo, vegetation, and soil fraction images (endmembers), and an image of impervious surfaces was then estimated by adding high- and low-albedo fraction images. Furthermore, an ANN model, specifically the multilayer-perceptron feedforward network with the back-propagation learning algorithm, was employed as a subpixel image classifier to estimate impervious surfaces. Accuracy assessment was performed against a high- resolution digital orthophoto. The results show that ANN was more effective than LSMA in generating impervious surfaces with high statistical accuracy. For the ASTER image, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the impervious surface map with the ANN model was 12.3%, and the one that resulted from LSMA was 13.2%. For the ETM+ image, the RMSE with the ANN model was 16.7%, and the one from LSMA was 18.9%. The better performance of ANN over LSMA is mainly attributable to the ANN'S capability of handling the nonlinear mixing of image spectrum. In order to test the seasonal sensitivity of satellite images for estimating impervious surfaces, LSMA was applied to two additional ASTER images of the same area, which are acquired on April 5, 2004, and October 3, 2000, respectively. The results were then compared with the ASTER image acquired in June in terms of RMSE. The June image had the highest accuracy, whereas the October image was better than the one in April. Plant phenology caused changes in the variance partitioning and impacted the mixing-space characterization, leading to a less accurate estimation of impervious surfaces.
Can Liberal Democracy Cope with Scarcity

Several common arguments claiming that liberal democratic regimes are incapable of dealing with environmental scarcity are examined and found wanting. Markets appear to be capable of allocating non-renewable resources over time in a satisfactory manner, and appropriate policies are available to manage renewable resources. While there is no guarantee that such regimes will succeed, their fundamental ideologies and institutions do not preclude adequate responses to ecological problems-assuming that solutions are possible in principle.
Complete dynamical analysis of a neuron model

In-depth understanding of the generic mechanisms of transitions between distinct patterns of the activity in realistic models of individual neurons presents a fundamental challenge for the theory of applied dynamical systems. The knowledge about likely mechanisms would give valuable insights and predictions for determining basic principles of the functioning of neurons both isolated and networked. We demonstrate a computational suite of the developed tools based on the qualitative theory of differential equations that is specifically tailored for slow–fast neuron models. The toolkit includes the parameter continuation technique for localizing slow-motion manifolds in a model without need of dissection, the averaging technique for localizing periodic orbits and determining their stability and bifurcations, as well as a reduction apparatus for deriving a family of Poincare return mappings for a voltage interval. Such return mappings allow for detailed examinations of not only stable fixed points but also unstable limit solutions of the system, including periodic, homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits. Using interval mappings we can compute various quantitative characteristics such as topological entropy and kneading invariants for examinations of global bifurcations in the neuron model.
Optimal Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Density and Time of Introduction for Suppression of Bruchid Progeny in Stored Legumes

Abstract The influences of both predator density and elapsed time between initial infestation and introduction of predators were determined for suppression of bruchids infesting stored grain legumes by Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Predator density treatments consisted of zero, one, two, three, or five male:female pairs of adult X. flavipes added to experimental arenas 0, 24, or 120 h after bruchid introduction. Suppression of Acanthoscelides obtectus approached eradication with all predator treatments. For all other bruchid species evaluated (Callosobruchus analis, C. chinensis, C. maculatus, and Zabrotes subfasciatus), the most effective predator density and addition time (five predator pairs at 0 h) resulted in an ∼50% reduction of emerging F1 bruchids compared with progeny produced in arenas without predators. The predator addition time of 0 h, when predators were added to experimental arenas simultaneously with the pest species, was determined to be the universally most effic...
Constitutive Behavior Based on Crystal Plasticity

Constitutive equations are the vehicle by which our knowledge of material behavior enters into engineering design. At the very least, they should be sufficiently accurate. This could be—and frequently is—achieved by an empirical description based on data obtained under conditions that essentially duplicate those of the specific application. Of more general usefulness are relations that can be applied under a wide range of conditions and for many materials, containing a number of materials parameters (the fewer the better), which can be measured in simple tests. Such general relations can be expected to be found only if they fulfill two conditions: they must be phenomenologically sound; and they should be based on as much of the underlying physics as can be ascertained with some confidence. The closer the phenomenological description reflects the actual physical processes involved, the further it can be extrapolated beyond the range of variables for which it was measured.
Monte Carlo simulations of 3He ion physical characteristics in a water phantom and evaluation of radiobiological effectiveness

Purpose: 3He ions may hold great potential for clinical therapy because of both their physical and biological properties. In this study, the authors investigated the physical properties, i.e., the depth-dose curves from primary and secondary particles, and the energy distributions of helium (3He) ions. A relative biological effectiveness (RBE) model was applied to assess the biological effectiveness on survival of multiple cell lines. Methods: In light of the lack of experimental measurements and cross sections, the authors used Monte Carlo methods to study the energy deposition of 3He ions. The transport of 3He ions in water was simulated by using three Monte Carlo codes—fluka, geant4, and mcnpx—for incident beams with Gaussian energy distributions with average energies of 527 and 699 MeV and a full width at half maximum of 3.3 MeV in both cases. The RBE of each was evaluated by using the repair-misrepair-fixation model. In all of the simulations with each of the three Monte Carlo codes, the same geometry and primary beam parameters were used. Results: Energy deposition as a function of depth and energy spectra with high resolution was calculated on the central axis of the beam. Secondary protondose from the primary 3He beams was predicted quite differently by the three Monte Carlo systems. The predictions differed by as much as a factor of 2. Microdosimetric parameters such as dose mean lineal energy (yD), frequency mean lineal energy (yF), and frequency mean specific energy (zF) were used to characterize the radiationbeam quality at four depths of the Bragg curve. Calculated RBE values were close to 1 at the entrance, reached on average 1.8 and 1.6 for prostate and head and neck cancer cell lines at the Bragg peak for both energies, but showed some variations between the different Monte Carlo codes. Conclusions: Although the Monte Carlo codes provided different results in energy deposition and especially in secondary particle production (most of the differences between the three codes were observed close to the Bragg peak, where the energy spectrum broadens), the results in terms of RBE were generally similar.
Epidemiology of Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: A 10-Year Study in New York State.

Background:Despite an increase in the prevalence of medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction of the elbow in professional baseball and popularity within the media, there are no population-based studies examining the incidence of UCL reconstruction.Purpose:To examine the epidemiological trends of UCL reconstruction on a statewide level over a 10-year period. The primary endpoint was the yearly rate of UCL reconstruction over time; secondary endpoints included patient demographics, institution volumes, and concomitant procedures on the ulnar nerve.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database contains records for each ambulatory discharge in New York State. This database was used to identify all UCL reconstructions in New York State from 2002 to 2011 using the outpatient CPT-4 (Current Procedural Terminology, 4th Revision) code. Assessed were patient age, sex, ethnicity, insurance status, and associated proc...
Sorghum Biomass Yield for Biofuel Production in Iowa

The sorghum biomass yield trial conducted at the ISU Southeast Research Farm, Crawfordsville, Iowa, during the summer 2015, is part of the sorghum breeding program at ISU. The long-term goal of this program is developing high-yielding sorghum germplasm to be used as lignocellulosic feedstock.
Maternal effect of diapause in Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead

[Objectives] Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead is an important solitary endoparasitoid of aphids and is a significant biological control agent for these pests. Research on diapause in A. gifuensis can not only help us better understand the development of this beneficial insect, but could also enhance the efficiency of using it as a bio-control agent. Previous studies have suggested that low temperature and short-days can induce this parasitic wasp to enter diapause, thereby extending its "shelf-life" for up to 120 days. [Methods] In this paper, we analyzed the F1 and F2 generation's emergence rate, sex ratio, adult longevity, diapause rate and other biological indicators. [Results] Parental diapause had a significant effect on the biological characteristics of the F1 and F2 generations. The number of female parasitoids and the diapause rate of the F1generation increased significantly; the proportion of females in the F1 generation increased from 0.59 to 0.65 after diapause had been maintained for 30 d. There was no significant difference in the number of female parasitoids between the F2generation and the control; the proportion of females among post-diapause and non-diapause A. gifuensis offspring was around 0.58. There was a significant increase in the diapause rate of the F1 generation offspring, increasing from 44.75% to 74.01%. The parasitic capacity of F1 females increased slightly, but not significantly, compared to the control. The emergence rate of post-diapause and non-diapause A. gifuensis offspring was 88% at 20 ℃and 25℃, L16: D8, RH 75%, 4 400 lx and the average longevity of different diapause duration A. gifuensis offspring was 6.0 days. [Conclusion] There is a significant maternal diapause effect in A. gifuensis, parental diapause can significantly improve the diapause rate of the first generation, which will help it to withstand adverse environmental stress and thereby improve its survival.
Dietary treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Abstract: The details of an outpatient treatment program suitable for those with anorexia nervosa are presented. The approach is predicated upon valid nutritional and psychological principles and encourages the resumption of normal eating patterns, with the patient maintaining control and responsibility for restoration of normal weight. Elements of the treatment plan described include: principles of treatment (involves joint efforts of a physician and a dietitian); preparation for treatment (selection of patients based on motivation); the goals of dietary treatment (to re-establish a normal eating pattern); the role of the diet history; caloric content of initial diet (based on basal kilocalorie requirements for present height, weight, age, and sex); the diet plan design (includes adequate nutrient content); diet progression (highly individualized); weight gain expectations (stopping weight losses primary objective); and the diet plan for weight maintenance (based on goal weight). This educational approach, emphasizing moderation, variety and regularity in eating, offers an alternative to hospitalization of the anorexia nervosa patient. (kbc)
SU-F-J-85: Evaluation of the Velocity Deformable Image Registration Algorithm

Purpose: To perform validation and commissioning of a commercial deformable image registration (DIR) algorithm (Velocity, Varian Medical Systems) for numerous clinical sites using single and multi-modality images. Methods: In this retrospective study, the DIR algorithm was evaluated for 10 patients in each of the following body sites: head and neck (HN), prostate, liver, and gynecological (GYN). HN DIRs were evaluated from planning (p)CT to re-pCT and pCTs to daily CBCTs using dice similarity coefficients (DSC) of corresponding anatomical structures. Prostate DIRs were evaluated from pCT to CBCTs using DSC and target registration error (TRE) of implanted RF beacons within the prostate. Liver DIRs were evaluated from pMR to pCT using DSC and TRE of vessel bifurcations. GYN DIRs were evaluated between fractionated brachytherapy MRIs using DSC of corresponding anatomical structures. Results: Analysis to date has given average DSCs for HN pCT-to-(re)pCT DIR for the brainstem, cochleas, constrictors, spinal canal, cord, esophagus, larynx, parotids, and submandibular glands as 0.88, 0.65, 0.67, 0.91, 0.77, 0.69, 0.77, 0.87, and 0.71, respectively. Average DSCs for HN pCT-to-CBCT DIR for the constrictors, spinal canal, esophagus, larynx, parotids, and submandibular glands were 0.64, 0.90, 0.62, 0.82, 0.75, and 0.69, respectively. For prostate pCT-to-CBCT DIR the DSC for the bladder, femoral heads, prostate, and rectum were 0.71, 0.82, 0.69, and 0.61, respectively. Average TRE using implanted beacons was 3.35 mm. For liver pCT-to-pMR, the average liver DSC was 0.94 and TRE was 5.26 mm. For GYN MR-to-MR DIR the DSC for the bladder, sigmoid colon, GTV, and rectum were 0.79, 0.58, 0.67, and 0.76, respectively. Conclusion: The Velocity DIR algorithm has been evaluated over a number of anatomical sites. This work functions to document the uncertainties in the DIR in the commissioning process so that these can be accounted for in the development of downstream clinical processes. This work was supported in part by a co-development agreement with Varian Medical Systems
Iowa Historic Schools Highlighting Victorian Influence: Photo Study of Architecture

Review of: Iowa Historic Schools Highlighting Victorian Influence: Photo Study of Architecture, by Sandra Kessler Host.
Comparison of Quality of Life Outcomes and Psychosocial Functioning Between Patients Undergoing Myeloablative or Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Myeloid Malignancies

Abstract 843 Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) following reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) compared to myeloablative conditioning (MAC) results in less treatment related morbidity and mortality. RIC permits older and less healthy patients (pts) to undergo Allo-HSCT. Whether RIC is also associated with better quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial functioning (PF) among pts with myeloid malignancies has not been systematically analyzed. We prospectively collected QOL and PF outcomes in 192 consecutive pts with AML (n=130), MDS (n=52), or myeloproliferative neoplasms (n=10) who received MAC (n=154) or RIC (n=38) Allo-HSCT from 2004 to 2010. Psychometric data were assessed longitudinally (at baseline, post-transplant, day100, 180, and 365) by validated questionnaires (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- Bone Marrow Transplant Scale [FACT-BMT], coping inventory [Brief COPE], and Profile of Mood States Short Form [POMS]). FACT-BMT consisted of individual and summary scores for physical (PWB), social (SWB), emotional (EWB), functional (FWB) well-being along with additional concerns (AC). Brief COPE has 14 components such as use of emotional and instrumental support, venting, positive reframing etc. POMS consisted of 6 components such as depression, vigor, anger etc. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), incidence of acute (aGVHD) and chronic (cGVHD) graft vs. host disease. QOL and PF differences were compared between transplant types over time by repeated measures analysis of variance. Adjustment for baseline differences in QOL and PF was made in mixed linear model analysis. Kaplan-Meier and cumulative incidence methods were used for analyses of secondary endpoints. RIC and MAC patients were comparable (all p >0.1) for gender, race, hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index, number of prior chemotherapies, donor relation, length of follow up. Differences between RIC and MAC groups (all p 6 /kg for MAC), GVHD prophylaxis. RIC pts had shorter median time-to-neutrophil (11 vs. 15 days, p p p p p p p p p p =0.02) and use of instrumental support ( p =0.02) during early post-transplant follow up. All QOL and PF metrics equalized between RIC and MAC by post-transplant day365 (all p >0.1). With a median follow up of 34 months, there were no differences between RIC and MAC in incidence of aGVHD or cGVHD, RFS, or OS (all p >0.3). In conclusion, our prospective study provides further evidence on overall comparable clinical, QOL and PF outcomes between RIC and MAC and it is the first to demonstrate significant early advantage of RIC in certain QOL and PF metrics up to 180 days post-transplant across all three psychometric instruments. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
An enzyme kinetics study of the pH dependence of chloride activation of oxygen evolution in photosystem II

Oxygen evolution by photosystem II (PSII) involves activation by Cl− ion, which is regulated by extrinsic subunits PsbQ and PsbP. In this study, the kinetics of chloride activation of oxygen evolution was studied in preparations of PSII depleted of the PsbQ and PsbP subunits (NaCl-washed and Na2SO4/pH 7.5-treated) over a pH range from 5.3 to 8.0. At low pH, activation by chloride was followed by inhibition at chloride concentrations >100 mM, whereas at high pH activation continued as the chloride concentration increased above 100 mM. Both activation and inhibition were more pronounced at lower pH, indicating that Cl− binding depended on protonation events in each case. The simplest kinetic model that could account for the complete data set included binding of Cl− at two sites, one for activation and one for inhibition, and four protonation steps. The intrinsic (pH-independent) dissociation constant for Cl− activation, K S, was found to be 0.9 ± 0.2 mM for both preparations, and three of the four pK as were determined, with the fourth falling below the pH range studied. The intrinsic inhibition constant, K I, was found to be 64 ± 2 and 103 ± 7 mM for the NaCl-washed and Na2SO4/pH7.5-treated preparations, respectively, and is considered in terms of the conditions likely to be present in the thylakoid lumen. This enzyme kinetics analysis provides a more complete characterization of chloride and pH dependence of O2 evolution activity than has been previously presented.
Oral health and medical conditions among Amish children.

Background: The Amish are a growing population who live a traditional, rural way of life, which makes them less accepting of modernism. Most Amish live in poverty and are detached from modern health care. In addition, the recent change of their lifestyle has been reported, such as consuming a nontraditional diet and the usage of electronic devices. As a result, their lifestyle change may have impacted their oral health. However, since only a single report about oral health among Amish children has been published approximately three decades ago it has not yet been updated. This study describes oral health among Amish children and their medical conditions during visits to a mobile dental unit (MDU). Material and Methods: The dental records of all patients (N=216) who visited a mobile dental unit were reviewed, which covers 1 year from May 20, 2011, the first date of service. The following factors were taken into consideration during the review process: parental perceptions of their children’s oral health care, dental care experiences, and general health information. Results: Fifty-four (27.8%) children, ages 3 to 17, have never received dental treatment before visiting the MDU; the average number of untreated decayed teeth was 6.8. In spite of this, most parents rated their children’s oral health as good or very good (87.7%). The high cost and long distance travel associated with routine, professional dental care makes it difficult for children to maintain good oral hygiene. Our analysis revealed that bleeding disorders were more prevalent among this gene pool compared to the nation at large; however, asthma was less common. Conclusions: There are oral and general health disparities among Amish children. There is a lack of awareness among Amish parents with regard to their children’s oral health. Key words:Amish, child, dental caries, mobile health units.
Peripheral venous congestion causes time‐ and dose‐dependent release of endothelin‐1 in humans

Abstract Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is a pivotal mediator of vasoconstriction and inflammation in congestive states such as heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether peripheral venous congestion (VC) increases plasma ET‐1 at pressures commonly seen in HF and CKD patients is unknown. We seek to characterize whether peripheral VC promotes time‐ and dose‐dependent increases in plasma ET‐1 and whether these changes are sustained after decongestion. We used a randomized, cross‐over design in 20 healthy subjects (age 30 ± 7 years). To experimentally model VC, venous pressure was increased to either 15 or 30 mmHg (randomized at first visit) above baseline by inflating a cuff around the subject9s dominant arm; the nondominant arm served as a noncongested control. We measured plasma ET‐1 at baseline, after 20, 60 and 120 min of VC, and finally at 180 min (60 min after cuff release and decongestion). Plasma ET‐1 progressively and significantly increased over 120 min in the congested arm relative to the control arm and to baseline values. This effect was dose‐dependent: ET‐1 increased by 45% and 100% at VC doses of 15 and 30 mmHg, respectively ( P 0.05), and declined after 60 min of decongestion though remaining significantly elevated compared to baseline. In summary, peripheral VC causes time‐ and dose‐dependent increases in plasma ET‐1. Of note, the lower dose of 15 mmHg (more clinically relevant to HF and CKD patients) was sufficient to raise ET‐1. These findings support the potentially contributory, not merely consequential, role of VC in the pathophysiology of HF and CKD.
Technical Violations, Treatment and Punishment Responses, and Recidivism of Women on Probation and Parole

There is much debate about the effects of punitive or treatment responses to the many women who are on probation and parole. This article examines whether types of technical violations (drug or non...