cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Dual Modular Redundancy Scheme for CPU–FPGA Platform-Based Systems

This paper presents a practical view of how to implement a dual modular redundancy (DMR) scheme in a central processing unit–field-programmable gate array (CPU–FPGA) heterogeneous platform-based system, which is also described. FPGAs can be valuable resources when determinism and fast response/acquisition rates are required, while processing large volumes of data. On the other side, CPUs are affordable options for most other processing tasks, especially less frequent tasks, such as data recording. A heterogeneous platform is herein proposed and aims to achieve a reliable, however cost-effective solution. Subsequently, this paper proposes a method to implement a DMR scheme for monitoring systems by means of self-monitoring schemes, health indicators, and a voter that is not a physical switch connected to the monitoring devices, but is software-implemented within the interface system after the data storage system. This proved to be an effective way to deal with disagreements between units when an even number of units are being used, thus not being possible to use a majority-based voting system. The implemented design was thoroughly tested, showing effectiveness in terms of redundancy with improved reliability.
Contrast-to-Noise Ratio Optimization in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: Validation in a Swine Model.

Rationale and Objectives The accuracy of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography depends upon the degree of coronary enhancement as compared to the background noise. Unfortunately, coronary contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) optimization is difficult on a patient-specific basis. Hence, the objective of this study was to validate a new combined diluted test bolus and CT angiography protocol for improved coronary enhancement and CNR. Materials and Methods The combined diluted test bolus and CT angiography protocol was validated in six swine (28.9 ± 2.7 kg). Specifically, the aortic and coronary enhancement and CNR of a standard CT angiography protocol, and a new combined diluted test bolus and CT angiography protocol were compared to a reference retrospective CT angiography protocol. Comparisons for all data were made using box plots, t tests, regression, Bland–Altman, root-mean-square error and deviation, as well as Lin's concordance correlation. Results The combined diluted test bolus and CT angiography protocol was found to improve aortic and coronary enhancement by 26% and 13%, respectively, as compared to the standard CT angiography protocol. More importantly, the combined protocol was found to improve aortic and coronary CNR by 29% and 20%, respectively, as compared to the standard protocol. Conclusion A new combined diluted test bolus and CT angiography protocol was shown to improve coronary enhancement and CNR as compared to an existing standard CT angiography protocol.
Short-Term Outcomes of Conversion of Failed Gastric Banding to Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy or Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: a Meta-Analysis

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is associated with high long-term failure rates, often requiring conversion to an alternative bariatric procedure. The most efficacious procedure after failed LAGB is subject to debate. Our objective was to compare 12-month weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) vs. laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) performed for insufficient weight loss or weight regain after LAGB. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Medline for English language studies comparing weight loss after a conversion surgery for failed gastric banding. We examined studies with patients who had at least 1-year follow-up and included conversions to both LSG and LRYGB. A fixed effects model was created, and variance measures were calculated to measure heterogeneity. Both were analyzed for significance. All statistical analyses were conducted with the “meta” package in R 3.3.2. The initial search produced 17 studies. Six studies, consisting of 205 LSG and 232 LRYGB patients, met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Heterogeneity among studies was high (Q = 23.1; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in weight loss after 12 months between the groups (p = 0.14). It remains unknown which conversion procedure is more appropriate to perform after a failed gastric band in order to achieve the highest weight loss potential. In our meta-analysis, there was no difference in weight loss after 12 months in patients who were converted to LSG or LRYGB. Further studies and longer follow-up comparisons are required before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Truth, Lies, and the Confrontation Clause

This essay examines and critiques the recent revival of the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause as a means of improving the quality of criminal trials. The clause is best interpreted as a tool that aims to reduce the likelihood of wrongful convictions by limiting the ability of prosecutors and witnesses to concoct believable but false stories without fear of their deception being uncovered through cross-examination. Unfortunately, modern doctrine has come unmoored from this foundation. Requiring confrontation of available prosecution fact witnesses serves a useful (if narrow) evidentiary function in that it provides a check against an unethical prosecutor who might otherwise prepare and present perjured, misleading, or incomplete substitutes for live testimony. It does not automatically follow that the clause should also require suppression as a remedy whenever witnesses who make testimonial statements become unavailable as trial witnesses. Rather, the courts should only suppress unconfronted hearsay by an unavailable witness when the unavailability was caused by a deliberate choice on the part of that witness or the prosecutor. By contrast, when the unavailability occurs unintentionally, or as the result of a deliberate choice made by the defendant, suppression only serves to undermine the goals that the clause is designed to promote.
Future Liver Remnant Hypertrophy after Portal Vein Embolization Is Inversely Correlated with Intrahepatic Tumor Burden.

Abstract Purpose To determine if there is a correlation between intrahepatic tumor volume and future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy after portal vein embolization (PVE). Materials and Methods Forty-four consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent PVE from 2009 to 2017 and who had complete imaging follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. To maximize the accuracy of tumor volume measurements, 11 patients were excluded for having more than 5 intrahepatic tumors. Volumetric analyses of the patient livers before and after PVE, as well as pre-embolization intrahepatic tumor burden, were performed. Results A significant inverse correlation was observed between tumor volume and FLR hypertrophy after PVE (Spearman ρ = -0.53, P = .002). Initial FLR volume was also inversely correlated with subsequent hypertrophy (P = .01). Fourteen patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy 1 month prior to intervention. The number of chemotherapy cycles did not affect hypertrophy (P = .57). Patients with cirrhosis experienced less FLR hypertrophy than patients without cirrhosis (P = .02). Conclusions Patients with large intrahepatic tumor burden may experience limited FLR hypertrophy.
An integrated computational and experimental study to elucidate Staphylococcus aureus metabolism

Staphylococcus aureus is a metabolically versatile pathogen that colonizes nearly all organs of the human body. A detailed and comprehensive knowledge of staphylococcal metabolism is essential to understanding its pathogenesis. To this end, we have reconstructed and experimentally validated an updated and enhanced genome-scale metabolic model of S. aureus USA300_FPR3757. The model combined genome annotation data, reaction stoichiometry, and regulation information from biochemical databases and previous strain-specific models. Reactions in the model were checked and fixed to ensure chemical balance and thermodynamic consistency. To further refine the model, growth assessment of 1920 non-essential mutants from the Nebraska Transposon Mutant Library was performed and metabolite excretion profiles of important mutants in carbon and nitrogen metabolism were determined. The growth and no-growth inconsistencies between the model predictions and in vivo essentiality data were resolved using extensive manual curation based on optimization-based reconciliation algorithms. Upon intensive curation and refinements, the model contains 840 metabolic genes, 1442 metabolites, and 1566 reactions including transport and exchange reactions. To improve the accuracy and predictability of the model to environmental changes, condition-specific regulation information curated from the existing knowledgebase was incorporated. These critical additions improved the model performance significantly in capturing gene essentiality, substrate utilization, and metabolite production capabilities and increased the ability to generate model-based discoveries of therapeutic significance. Use of this highly curated model will enhance the functional utility of omics data and, therefore, serve as a resource to support future investigations of S. aureus and to augment staphylococcal research worldwide.
Chapter 12 Bankruptcy: Family Farmer and Family Fisherman Reorganization

This chapter is part of the National Consumer Bankruptcy Guide. It provides a practical overview of the reorganization opportunities for family farmers and family fisherman provided under Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code. Extensive reference and citation is made to the case law decided under Chapter 12, with practice pointers included for attorneys representing debtors.
Single fraction high-dose-rate brachytherapy as monotherapy for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer: toxicities and early outcomes from a single institutional experience

Purpose High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) delivered in a single fraction as monotherapy is a potential treatment modality for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer (LIR-PC); however, outcome data with this technique remain limited. Here we describe our institutional HDR monotherapy experience and report the efficacy and toxicity of this treatment. Material and methods LIR-PC patients who received a definitive single fraction HDR-BT during 2013-2017 were retrospectively identified. The intended HDR monotherapy dose was 19 Gy in one fraction. Acute (< 90 days) and late (≥ 90 days) toxicity was assessed using CTCAE version 4.03. Trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and American Urological Association (AUA) symptom scores after treatment were assessed using Bayesian linear mixed models. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS). Results 28 patients with median follow-up of 23.6 months were identified. The median age at treatment was 65 years (48-83). The NCCN risk groups were low in 14, favorable intermediate in 10, and unfavorable intermediate in 4 patients. There were 5 (18%) and 0 (0%) acute grade 2 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, respectively, and one (4%) acute grade 3 GU toxicity. There were no late grade 3 toxicities, and 5 (18%) and 0 (0%) late grade 2 GU and GI toxicities respectively. PSA values and AUA symptom scores decreased significantly after treatment. There were 3 biochemical failures with the two- and three-year BFFS of 90.7% and 80.6%, respectively. Conclusions Early results from a single institution suggest that single fraction HDR-BT with 19 Gy has limited toxicity, although with suboptimal biochemical control.
Impunity and Hope

Is there a duty to prosecute grave international crimes? Many have thought so, even if they recognize the obligation to be defeasible. However, the theoretical literature frequently leaves the grounds for such a duty inadequately specified, or unsystematically amalgamated, leaving it unclear which considerations should drive and shape processes of criminal accountability. Further, the circumstance leaves calls to end impunity vulnerable to skeptical worries concerning the risks and costs of punishing perpetrators. I argue that a qualified duty to prosecute can be substantiated on the basis of a single class of reasons, though also that standard justifications of international criminal law (as currently conceived) are not up to the task. The account exploits the expressive dimension of punishment, but locates the central good of criminal accountability in its capacity to appropriately enable an agential stance on the part of subjects in transitional circumstances. It can legitimate, in a way to be specified, hope. The approach also displays the cynicism of an anti‐impunity ethos in the absence of a robust commitment to securing basic human rights in transitional circumstances.
Time Series Analysis: Theory and Practice I

(1984). Time Series Analysis: Theory and Practice 4. Technometrics: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 412-413.
Deep learning-based cytometer using magnetically modulated coherent imaging

We present a high-throughput and cost-effective computational cytometer for rare cell detection, where the target cells are specifically labeled with magnetic particles and exhibit an oscillatory motion under a periodically-changing magnetic field. The time-varying diffraction patterns of the oscillating cells are then captured with a holographic imaging system and are further classified by a customized pseudo-3D convolutional network. To evaluate the performance of our technique, we detected serially-diluted MCF7 cancer cells that were spiked in whole blood, achieving a limit of detection (LoD) of 10 cells per 1 mL of whole blood.
A variegated look at 5G in the wild: performance, power, and QoE implications

Motivated by the rapid deployment of 5G, we carry out an in-depth measurement study of the performance, power consumption, and application quality-of-experience (QoE) of commercial 5G networks in the wild. We examine different 5G carriers, deployment schemes (Non-Standalone, NSA vs. Standalone, SA), radio bands (mmWave and sub 6-GHz), protocol configurations (_e.g._ Radio Resource Control state transitions), mobility patterns (stationary, walking, driving), client devices (_i.e._ User Equipment), and upper-layer applications (file download, video streaming, and web browsing). Our findings reveal key characteristics of commercial 5G in terms of throughput, latency, handover behaviors, radio state transitions, and radio power consumption under the above diverse scenarios, with detailed comparisons to 4G/LTE networks. Furthermore, our study provides key insights into how upper-layer applications should best utilize 5G by balancing the critical tradeoff between performance and energy consumption, as well as by taking into account the availability of both network and computation resources. We have released the datasets and tools of our study at https://github.com/SIGCOMM21-5G/artifact.
Glycoprotein Biosynthesis: Studies on Thyroglobulin CHARACTERIZATION OF A PARTICULATE PRECURSOR AND RADIOISOTOPE INCORPORATION BY THYROID SLICES AND PARTICLE SYSTEMS

Abstract This report presents a study of the biosynthesis of thryoglobulin from which information was obtained regarding several aspects of the biosynthesis of glycoproteins. A bound protein was released from the thyroid particles with deoxycholate and after isolation was shown to have the carbohydrate composition, the immunochemical properties, and the electrophoretic behavior of soluble thyroglobulin. Radioisotope studies with thyroid slices with the use of 14C-labeled glucose or 14C-labeled leucine as substrate provided evidence that this particle-bound thyroglobulin-like protein is the precursor of the soluble thyroglobulin. In these incubations, the specific activities of all five monosaccharides, as well as of the leucine of the particle-bound protein were found to be considerably higher than those of the isolated soluble protein at all time intervals studied. Additional evidence for this biosynthetic role of the particles was obtained from their ability to synthesize both the carbohydrate and peptide portions of the particle-bound thyroglobulin when incubations of cell-free particle systems with 14C-labeled glucose or leucine were performed. By enzymatic degradation of the radioactive particle-bound and soluble thyroglobulins, it was possible to show that radioactivity was incorporated into both types of carbohydrate units, as well as into various peptide fractions, suggesting that true synthesis of the molecules was taking place. Incubations carried out in the presence of puromycin, both with slices and particle systems, indicated that the peptide portion of the thyroglobulin molecule is synthesized prior to the attachment of the carbohydrate and moreover supported the possibility that the synthesis of the carbohydrate portion occurs by a stepwise process. Studies on the iodine of the thyroglobulin molecule indicated that although some iodination takes place at a particulate site, a significant additional portion must take place at another location. In this report attention is called to the special precautions which have to be taken in the performance of ribonucleic acid determinations in the thyroid in order to avoid the overestimation of this nucleic acid which may result from the large amount of carbohydrate present in this tissue in the form of thyroglobulin. Mention is also made of the observation that thyroglobulin is soluble in ethanol after trichloroacetic acid or perchloric acid precipitation.
MODELING DYNAMICS OF DATABASES WITH RELATIONAL DISCRETE EVENT SYSTEMS AND MODELS

Behavior of relational databases is studied within the framework of Relational Discrete EventSystems (RDESes) and Models (RDEMs). Three behavior specification methods based on productionsystems, recurrence equations, and Petri nets are defined and their expressive powersare compared. Production system RDEM is extended to support non-determinism, and variousdeterministic and non-deterministic production system interpreters are introduced and formallycompared in terms of their expressive power. It is shown that the parallel deterministic interpreterhas more expressive power than other interpreters including an OPS5-like interpreter.Since it is also parallel, this makes the parallel deterministic interpreter a very attractive interpreterfor production systems.
Novel orthogonal codes for MC-CDMA with low crosscorrelation in frequency selective fading channels

Typically, Hadamard-Walsh (HW) codes are employed as spreading codes in MC-CDMA to maintain the orthogonality between different users. However, after transmission through frequency selective fading channels, the orthogonality is lost and MAI is observed at the MC-CDMA receiver. We demonstrate how novel complex spreading codes known as carrier interferometry codes achieve lower crosscorrelations than Hadamard-Walsh codes after transmission over a frequency selective channel. This lower crosscorrelation property leads to higher SIR at the MC-CDMA receiver, and, as a direct result, better performances in term of probability-of-error are observed.
Search rearrangement backtracking and polynomial average time

The average time required for simple search rearrangement backtracking is compared with that for ordinary backtracking when each algorithm is used to find all solutions for random conjunctive normal form predicates. The sets of random predicates are characterized by v: the number of variables, t(v): the number of clauses, and p(v): the probability that a literal appears in clause. For large v if vp(v) 1n 2, there is a difficult region where the average number of solutions per problem is exponentially small, but backtracking requires an exponentially large time. The difficult region for search rearrangement backtracking is only slightly smaller than the difficult region for ordinary backtracking. It is conjectured that search rearrangement backtracking is exponentially faster than ordinary backtracking for nearly all of the difficult region. It is proved that there is no major advantage in using search rearrangement backtracking outside of the difficult region.
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and cardiovascular disease risk in HIV infection.

Objectives HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk as a result of heightened inflammation and immune activation, despite at times having normal lipids and few traditional risk factors. Biomarkers are needed to identify such patients before a clinical event. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) predicts CVD events in the general population. This study investigated the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and markers of CVD risk, systemic inflammation, immune activation, and coagulation in HIV infection. Methods One hundred subjects on stable ART with normal fasting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were enrolled in the study. Plasma Lp-PLA2 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; > 200 ng/mL was considered high CVD risk). Subclinical atherosclerosis, endothelial function, inflammation, immune activation and fasting lipids were also evaluated. Results The median age of the patients was 47 years and 77% were male. Median (range) Lp-PLA2 was 209 (71–402) ng/mL. Fifty-seven per cent of patients had Lp-PLA2 concentrations > 200 ng/mL. Lp-PLA2 was positively correlated with soluble markers of inflammation or immune activation (tumour necrosis factor receptor-II, intercellular and vascular cellular adhesion molecules, and CD14; all R = 0.3; P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with coagulation markers (D-dimer and fibrinogen; both R = −0.2; P < 0.04). Lp-PLA2 was not correlated with lipids, coronary artery calcium score, or flow-mediated vasodilation, but trended towards a significant correlation with carotid intima-media thickness (R = 0.2; P = 0.05). Conclusions In this population with stable ART and normal LDL cholesterol, Lp-PLA2 was in the high CVD risk category in the majority of subjects. Lp-PLA2 appears to be associated with inflammation/immune activation, but also with anti-thrombotic effects. Lp-PLA2 may represent a valuable early biomarker of CVD risk in HIV infection before subclinical atherosclerosis can be detected.
The influence of steel type on the activation and decay of fusion reactor first walls

Five steels (PCA, HT-9, thermally stabilized 2.25 Cr-1 Mo, Nb stabilized 2.25 Cr-1 Mo, and 2.25 Cr-1 V) are compared as a function of time from the viewpoints of activation, afterheat, inhalation biological hazard potential (bhp), ingestion bhp, and feasibility of disposal by shallow land burial. An additional case uses the 2.25 Cr-1 V steel with a metal wall (LMW) protective shield between the neutron source and the wall. (This geometry is feasible for inertial confinement fusion reactors.) The PCA steel is the worst choice and the LMW protected 2.25 Cr-1 V is the best choice by substantial margins from all five viewpoints. The HT-9 and two versions of 2.25 Cr-1 Mo are roughly the same at intermediate values. The 2.25 Cr-1 V has about the same afterheat as those three steels, but its waste disposal feasibility is considerably better. Under NRC's proposed low level waste disposal rule (10CFR61), only the 2.25 Cr-1 V could be considered low level waste suitable for shallow land burial.
Spacing Simultaneously Promotes Multiple Forms of Learning in Children's Science Curriculum

Summary: The spacing effect refers to the robust finding that long-term memory is promoted when learning events are distributed in time rather than massed in immediate succession. The current study extended research on the spacing effect by examining whether spaced learning schedules can simultaneously promote multiple forms of learning, such as memory and generalization, in the context of an educational intervention. Thirty-six early elementary school-aged children were presented with science lessons on one of three schedules: massed, clumped, and spaced. At a 1-week delayed test, children in the spaced condition demonstrated improvements in both memory and generalization, significantly outperforming children in the other conditions. However, there was no observed relationship between children’s memory performance and generalization performance. The current study highlights directions for future research and contributes to a growing body of work demonstrating the benefits of spaced learning for educational curriculum. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A long history of research on human memory has sought to identify the conditions of the learning environment that promote the ability to retain information. A central finding from this work is that the timing of learning events may be central in supporting memory. The most robust and highly replicable observed timing phenomenon is often termed the ‘spacing effect’ (dating back to Ebbinghaus, 1885/1964). The current study sought to extend research on the spacing effect by (i) grounding our investigation in an educational intervention in order to further bridge psychological science and educational practices and (ii) examining if and how spaced learning schedules simultaneously support multiple forms of learning, such as memory and generalization, within the context of an educational intervention.
Stroke of Cryptogenic Greater Than One Cause_Shared Major and Minor TOAST Classifications (P1.120)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of assignment to cryptogenic due to identification of more than one cause of ischemic stroke and combinations of TOAST etiologies. BACKGROUND: Cardioembolic, large vessel, and small vessel etiologies account for the majority of ischemic stroke classification. Cryptogenic stroke includes patients who have more than one identified etiology, but limited examination of this group has been performed. METHODS: Patients admitted to our stroke center between July 2008 and June 2013 for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were identified from our prospective Stroke Registry and retrospectively assessed without excluding any patients. Simple descriptive analyses of demographics and distribution of major (CE, LV, and SV) and minor TOAST classifications of patients classified as cryptogenic >1 cause was performed. RESULTS: Of 1312 patients in the sample, 46 (3.5%) were classified as cryptogenic >1 cause (median age 64 years, 54.4% female, 63% black, median baseline NIHSS 14.5). 26 (57%) had two major TOAST, 23 of whom were classified as CE + LV. 19 (41%) of patients with CE as a major cause had atrial fibrillation, 6 (13%) had a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (<30%), and 8 (17%) had an intracardiac shunt as the criterion for CE stroke. 17 (37%) had one major and one minor TOAST, 14 of whom were classified as hypercoagulable with either a CE or LV major cause. CONCLUSION: Patients with more than one identified cause represent a small proportion of ischemic strokes. Designation as cryptogenic >1 cause is driven by the presence of atrial fibrillation and identified hypercoagulable states. Further research is needed to determine whether in-hospital management and secondary stroke prevention regimens are impacted by the presence of more than one cause of stroke. Disclosure: Dr. Shimamoto has nothing to disclose. Dr. Monlezun, Jr has nothing to disclose. Dr. Scullen has nothing to disclose. Dr. George has received research support from Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Pomeranz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siegler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schwickrath has nothing to disclose. Dr. El Khoury has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martin-Schild has nothing to disclose.
Large-scale computations for high dimensional control systems

We investigate a multiplexing communications system, with many independent users competing for space in the transmitter buffer. The control consists in the deletion of selected low priority cells, or various formally equivalent forms. Under reasonable conditions, such systems can be approximated by diffusion type processes. This approximation is the basis of numerical methods for the associated control problems, which are generally much simpler than what one would have by working directly with the original system. Markov chain approximations are used. They have the structure of the original problem, but are generally much simpler. The numerical data shows that performance can be greatly improved over standard operating procedures by the use of optimal controls or reasonable approximations to them. Details algorithms for 4D control problems are discussed. For high dimensional models, the numerical approximation might have millions of states. One needs to compute quantities which are the equivalent of probabilities of the order of 10/sup -6/ or smaller. Once the basic form of the mathematical algorithm is fixed, efficiency in coding is essential. General software codes are discussed. The effectiveness of multigrid-type solution methods is demonstrated as well its limitations. We also investigate the performance of dynamic memory allocation. >
STAP radar system using FPGA floating point processing

One of the earliest applications of DSP (digital signal processing) has been in radar systems. DSP enabled target discrimination using both velocity and range in pulse-Doppler radar. DSP has also been the key technology behind EASA, SAR radar and more recently STAP radar processing.
RP4 PROMOTION OF TRANSFER OF A LARGE AGROBACTERIUM PLASMID WHICH CONFERS VIRULENCE

Introduction of RP4 plasmid into Agrobacterium tumefaciens promotes the transfer on solid medium of large virulence-associated plasmids from virulent donor strains to a plasmidless avirulent recipient. Exconjugants were selected for the ability to utilize octopine or nopaline as the sole source of arginine, traits which are coded for by virulence-associated plasmids in the strains employed here. All exconjugants retained the arginine auxotrophy of the recipient strain, and were resistant to ampicillin and kanamycin, drugs to which RP4 confers resistance. Five exconjugant clones from one cross were shown by alkaline sucrose gradient analysis to contain both RP4 plasmid and the large virulence-associated plasmid of the donor strain. All five exconjugants exhibited virulence on carrot, sunflower and kalanchoe plants. These results indicate that virulence and the ability to degrade octopine are plasmid-borne traits in A. tumefaciens strains 15955 and A6, and extend the evidence that large plasmids in A. tumefaciens are vectors of virulence genes.
Modeling the impacts of urbanization on lake water level using L-THIA

Abstract Land use change can have substantial impacts on hydrology and the environment. The long-term hydrologic impact assessment (L-THIA) model was used to quantify the impacts that urbanization has on Lake Maxinkuckee in northern Indiana. Three land use datasets (for the years 1951, 1972, and 1997) were utilized to generate four scenarios, which were used to simulate water level in the lake from 1957-01-01 to 1997-12-31. The model was calibrated to daily lake levels from 1957-01-01 to 1974-12-31 and validated with data from 1975-01-01 to 1997-12-31, with daily R2 and Nash–Sutcliffe (NSE) coefficient values of 0.61 and 0.51, and 0.44 and 0.32, respectively. Simulation results showed the daily lake level gage heights, simulated with the 1951 land use (i.e. the base case), varied between 0.69 m and 1.56 m with an average of 0.97 m with the 1951 land use. Scenario comparison revealed that long-term average and maximum lake level increased slightly with urbanization, due to increase in runoff over the study period. Land use change (defined in this study as urban development) can affect lake level, and should be considered in planning of residential development and recreational areas.
Noninvasive hemodynamic profiles in hypertensive subjects.

Background Hypertension is a disease state characterized by increased blood pressure (BP) associated with hemodynamic abnormalities, including elevated systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI); and altered cardiac index (CI). The objective of this study was to use noninvasive impedance cardiography (ICG) to evaluate hemodynamic characteristics of subjects with and without hypertension. Methods A total of 19 healthy nonhypertensive and 136 hypertensive subjects were retrospectively evaluated. Hemodynamic parameters were measured with ICG and included CI, SVRI, total arterial compliance index (TACI), and thoracic fluid content (TFC); these were compared with subject type, blood pressure value, demographics, and medications. Results The BP levels of healthy and hypertensive subjects were 117/71 and 154/90 mm Hg, respectively ( P v 1.21, P v 3418 dyne · sec 2 · cm −5 · m 2 , P v 0.53 mm Hg/mL/m 2 , P v 2746 dyne · sec 2 · cm −5 · m 2 , P v 2.63 L/min/m 2 , P v 37.4 mL/m 2 , P v 0.85 mm Hg/mL/m 2 , P v 24.1/kOhm, P 2483 dyne · sec 2 · cm −5 · m 2 ). Conclusions Hemodynamic parameters from ICG displayed significantly different hemodynamic profiles between hypertensive and nonhypertensive subjects. However, significant individual variation of hemodynamic status exists. Hemodynamic measurements with ICG characterize hemodynamic status and may be helpful in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic decision making in hypertensive subjects.
Effects of age on closing volume during head-out water immersion.

Previous studies during head-out immersion have shown closing volume (CV) to either increase or remain unchanged. We hypothesized that these inconclusive results might be related to differences in the ages of the subjects tested. To elucidate this we studied single-breath growth argon washout tests performed by a younger group (n=8, age 23–26) and an older group (n=8, age 40–54) of males every 5 min during 30 min of seated, thermoneutral head-out immersion. No temporal changes in CV during immersion were observed in either group, therefore values within each group during immersion were combined. In the younger group, CV increased 77% (dry, 0.26 ± 0.11 L; wet, 0.46 ± 0.10 L; Δ = 0.20 L)(P < 0.001) but remained less than the tidal breathing range upper limit [expiratory reserved volume + tidal volume (ERV + VT)]. In the older group, CV increased 34% (dry, 0.83 ± 0.29 L; wet, 1.11 ± 0.19 L; Δ = 0.28 L)(P < 0.05) and was not different from ERV + VT. The absolute increase in CV during immersion did not differ between the groups. ERV decreased during immersion in both groups and was lower in the older than younger group (P < 0.001). Alveolar plateau (phase III) slope became sleeper in the younger (P < 0.001) but not in the older group. We conclude that during immersion: (1) The absolute increase in CV is independent of age, and (2) in subjects over 40, CV approaches the highest lung volumes reached during tidal breathing. Older subjects may be more likely to develop atelectasis during immersion and/or under other conditions in which CV is increased and tidal breathing occurs at low lung volumes.
Some effects of surrounding forest canopy architecture on the wind field in small clearings

Abstract Changes in canopy density or the arrangement of canopy elements cause significant effects on the wind field in a clearing. Both the direction and velocity change to balance the spatial discontinuities in canopy drag on the wind field. Reducing the density of the surrounding canopy increases the overall wind speeds in and near the clearing, especially at the downwind edge. Maintaining a high dense crown with little understory increases the vertical component of the wind, and therefore vertical exchange with the atmosphere, while also inducing a large subcanopy jet into the downwind forest. Reduction of clearing size from a diameter of 5h to 3h causes a disproportionate reduction in the overall clearing effect on the above-canopy wind field. It reduces the wind velocities in the clearing to little higher than those inside the canopy, and induces a large, low velocity, reverse flow rotor in the clearing.
A COMPARISON OF RISK EFFICIENCY CRITERIA IN EVALUATING GROUNDNUT PERFORMANCE IN DROUGHT-PRONE AREAS

This paper contributes to an evaluation of the performance of ground nuts in drought-prone areas by estimating yield response functions to water from experimental data. They are combined with meteorological data to simulate yields by location. Efficient genotypes are identified by several risk criteria. Genotype rankings based on these risk criteria and simulated yields are different from those based on experimental data and plant scientists' traditional methods of evaluation.
Measuring environmental performance: use of the toxics release inventory (TRI) and other US environmental databases

This article examines the most comprehensive databases that measure US corporate environmental performance that have become available during the 1990s. These include the US Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and databases maintained by Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini, and Co., the Council on Economic Priorities and the Investor Responsibility Research Center. We describe these databases and identify the significant studies on environmental performance in the field of management that use these databases. We indicate three trends that should improve the quality and quantity of publicly available environmental performance data. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Secular changes and dark-area regeneration on Mars

Martian secular changes and dark area regeneration attributed to movement of sand, dust and wind caused by elevation and slope differences
Electroencephalographic and reaction time asymmetries to musical chord stimuli

Abstract EEG was recorded over left and right hemispheres at temporal leads (T 3 , T 4 ) referred to the vertex (Cz) in 16 right-handed male subjects. Musical chords were presented randomly in monaural sequence, during a task which required a selective motor response to stimuli presented to one ear. The integrated amplitude of the 8–13 Hz alpha rhythm was measured when subjects listened passively. Under all conditions, a lower mean alpha amplitude was recorded over the right hemisphere than the left, regardless of which ear was stimulated. Alpha suppression over the right temporal area was accentuated when the performance task directed attention to the stimulus. Reaction time to left ear stimulation was shorter than that for the right ear. With monaural stimulus presentation behavioral asymmetry, and various EEG asymmetries can be observed. There is hemispheric asymmetry associated with attention to task relevant stimuli indicated by reduction in the alpha rhythm over the right temporal area and asymmetry in reaction time with greater efficiency of the left ear to muscial chords.
ON THE LOWER BOUND OF THE COMPETITIVE RATIO FOR THE WEIGHTED ONLINE ROOMMATES PROBLEM

We show that the best possible worst case competitive ratio of any deterministic algorithm for weighted online roommates problem is arbitrarily close to 4. This proves that the 4-competitive algorithm proposed by Bernstein and Rajagopalan [3] for the weighted version of the online roommates problem actually attains the best possible competitive ratio.
A comparison of terrestrial and marine ecological systems

I review here the differences between temporal variability in terrestrial and marine environments and consider how this external forcing may affect population fluctuations in the two systems. The internal dynamics and community responses are expected to differ significantly with marine populations more likely to show longer term changes between alternative community structures.
Computational Investigations of Iodine Oxides

Isomers of IO2, I2O, and I2O2 have been characterized by ab initio methods. Vibrational frequencies and geometries were obtained at the MP2/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-311+G(3df) levels of theory, respectively. The thermochemistry was derived using approximate QCISD(T)/6-311+G(3df) (Gaussian-2) energies coupled with isodesmic reactions. Computed values of ΔfH298 for these molecules are the following (in kJ mol-1): OIO, 76.7; IOO, 96.6; IIO, 134.1; IOI, 92.4; IOOI, 156.8; IIO2, 103.0; IOIO, 124.2; OIIO, 224.0. Uncertainties are discussed in the text. The results are compared with some previous empirical estimates and are employed in a QRRK analysis to interpret the IO + IO reaction: favorable products include I + OIO.
Mechanistic Drivers of Flexibility in Summit Metabolic Rates of Small Birds

Flexible metabolic phenotypes allow animals to adjust physiology to better fit ecological or environmental demands, thereby influencing fitness. Summit metabolic rate (Msum = maximal thermogenic capacity) is one such flexible trait. Skeletal muscle and heart masses and myocyte metabolic intensity are potential drivers of Msum flexibility in birds. We examined correlations of skeletal muscle and heart masses and pectoralis muscle citrate synthase (CS) activity (an indicator of cellular metabolic intensity) with Msum in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) to determine whether these traits are associated with Msum variation. Pectoralis mass was positively correlated with Msum for both species, but no significant correlation remained for either species after accounting for body mass (Mb) variation. Combined flight and leg muscle masses were also not significantly correlated with Msum for either species. In contrast, heart mass was significantly positively correlated with Msum for juncos and nearly so (P = 0.054) for sparrows. Mass-specific and total pectoralis CS activities were significantly positively correlated with Msum for sparrows, but not for juncos. Thus, myocyte metabolic intensity influences Msum variation in house sparrows, although the stronger correlation of total (r = 0.495) than mass-specific (r = 0.378) CS activity with Msum suggests that both pectoralis mass and metabolic intensity impact Msum. In contrast, neither skeletal muscle masses nor pectoralis metabolic intensity varied with Msum in juncos. However, heart mass was associated with Msum variation in both species. These data suggest that drivers of metabolic flexibility are not uniform among bird species.
Myth and reality: practical test system for the measurement of anti-DNA antibodies in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

The myth persists that only the labor intensive Farr radioimmunoassay and Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence (CL-IFA) are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-specific tests. We compared them to ELISA with bacteriophage lambda DNA (EL-dsDNA) and denatured calf thymus DNA (EL-ssDNA). By percentile ranking, the specificity cut-off level was set both out of clinical context (SOCC) on 100 blood bank donors, and in clinical context (SICC) on 100 patients with either rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma (50/50). Clinical sensitivity was calculated on 100 random SLE patients. At 95% SICC, the sensitivity of Farr, CL-IFA, EL-dsDNA, and EL-ssDNA was similar (95%CI): 76% (66-84), 76% (66-84), 63% (53-72), and 75% (65-83), respectively; 87% of the patients were positive by at least one method and 55%by all methods. At 99% SICC, the sensitivity was also similar (95% CI): 57% (47-67), 47% (37-57), 58% (47-67), and 43% (33-53), respectively. The areas under ROC curve were similar (95% CI) when patients were used as controls for specificity. At 99% SOCC, EL-ssDNA identified 89% positive, 2 negative but positive by another method at 95% SICC, and 9 negative (i.e. 89/2/9), followed by CL-IFA (80/6/14), Farr (76/12/12), and EL-dsDNA (64/23/13). Thus, at relatively low cost and easy automation, under the same conditions of specificity, the two ELISA tests combined were at least as good, if not superior, to CL-IFA or Farr: they showed similar clinical sensitivity and also identified more patients with anti-DNA antibodies.
Scaling archetypal criminals

The current study introduces an exploratory postdiction scale whose elements are derived from Moffitt’s (2001) developmental taxonomy, specifically her idea of the life-course persistent offender. Using data obtained from a probability sample of 500 adult arrestees in the western United States, this 7-item additive scale postdicts such criminal behavior as violent and property Index arrests, felony convictions, and prison sentences with overall accuracy ranging from 85% to 92%. Unlike other efforts, this scale suggests that most criminals are benign, low-level offenders, a finding anticipated by Moffitt’s theory. Like prior criminological scales, the current measure has difficulty correctly identifying highrate offenders. The merits of using theory to influence scale construction are expressed and suggestions for refining this instrument are offered.
Dynamic shear band development in a thermally softening bimetallic body containing two voids

We study the development of shear bands in a thermally softening viscoplastic prismatic body of square cross-section and containing two symmetrically placed thin layers of a different viscoplastic material and two elliptical voids with their major axes aligned along the vertical centroidal axis of the cross-section. One tip of each elliptical void is abutting the common interface between the layer and the matrix material. Two cases, i.e., when the yield stress of the material of the thin layer in a quasistatic simple compression test equals either five times or one-fifth that of the matrix material are studied. The body is deformed in plane strain compression at an average strain-rate of 5,000 sec−1, and the deformations are assumed to be symmetrical about the centroidal axes.
PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION BY PERIPHYTON IN A WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY1

Five growth experiments were conducted over a 15-month period to quantify biomass, seasonal growth rates, and production of a periphyton community in the secondary clarifier of a wastewater treatment plant. A maximum periphyton biomass of 130 g·m−2 (ash-free dry weight) was achieved during fall. Growth rates of approximately 0.23·d−1 (from chlorophyll a) were observed during spring, summer and fall. Winter values were also high (0.20·d−1). Maximum production was approximately 22 g·m−2·d−1 during spring. Periphyton phosphorus and nitrogen content was variable ranging from 0.4–2.4 and 4.4–15.1%, respectively. Estimated maximum removal rates of both nutrients were high (up to ∼ 160 mg P·m−2·d−1 and ∼ 1900 mg N·m−2·d−1). High productivity and nutrient removal rates in this lotic hypereutrophic ecosystem may warrant further investigation of periphyton as a tertiary biological wastewater treatment in cold climates.
Surfactants from the gas phase may promote cloud droplet formation

Clouds, a key component of the climate system, form when water vapor condenses upon atmospheric particulates termed cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Variations in CCN concentrations can profoundly impact cloud properties, with important effects on local and global climate. Organic matter constitutes a significant fraction of tropospheric aerosol mass, and can influence CCN activity by depressing surface tension, contributing solute, and influencing droplet activation kinetics by forming a barrier to water uptake. We present direct evidence that two ubiquitous atmospheric trace gases, methylglyoxal (MG) and acetaldehyde, known to be surface-active, can enhance aerosol CCN activity upon uptake. This effect is demonstrated by exposing acidified ammonium sulfate particles to 250 parts per billion (ppb) or 8 ppb gas-phase MG and/or acetaldehyde in an aerosol reaction chamber for up to 5 h. For the more atmospherically relevant experiments, i.e., the 8-ppb organic precursor concentrations, significant enhancements in CCN activity, up to 7.5% reduction in critical dry diameter for activation, are observed over a timescale of hours, without any detectable limitation in activation kinetics. This reduction in critical diameter enhances the apparent particle hygroscopicity up to 26%, which for ambient aerosol would lead to cloud droplet number concentration increases of 8–10% on average. The observed enhancements exceed what would be expected based on Kohler theory and bulk properties. Therefore, the effect may be attributed to the adsorption of MG and acetaldehyde to the gas–aerosol interface, leading to surface tension depression of the aerosol. We conclude that gas-phase surfactants may enhance CCN activity in the atmosphere.