cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decentralized Nash equilibrium seeking by strategic generators for DC optimal power flow

This paper studies an electricity market consisting of an independent system operator (ISO) and a group of generators. The goal is to solve the DC optimal power flow (DC-OPF) problem: have the generators collectively meet the power demand while minimizing the aggregate generation cost and respecting line flow limits. The ISO by itself cannot solve the DC-OPF problem as the generators are strategic and do not share their cost functions. Instead, each generator submits to the ISO a bid, consisting of the price per unit of electricity at which it is willing to provide power. Based on the bids, the ISO decides how much production to allocate to each generator to minimize the total payment while meeting the load and satisfying the line limits. We provide a provably correct, decentralized iterative scheme, termed BID ADJUSTMENT ALGORITHM for the resulting Bertrand competition game. The algorithm takes the generators bids to any desired neighborhood of the efficient Nash equilibrium at a linear convergence rate. As a consequence, the optimal production of the generators converges to the optimizer of the DC-OPF problem. Our algorithm can be understood as “learning via repeated play”, where generators are “myopically selfish”, changing their bid at each iteration with the sole aim of maximizing their payoff.
A status on components development for folded micro NMR gyro

This paper reports on status of components development for miniaturized nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes (micro-NMRG). The reported components are (1) coils to generate and control the magnetic field, demonstrating experimental magnetic field to current ratio of B/I=214.1 uT/A and resulting in an estimated magnetic field homogeneity of H=354ppm, (2) a micro-fabricated spherical cells demonstrating confined alkali metal and noble gas, (3) a heater to keep the alkali metal in the vapor state, showing the capability of heating the micro-cell up to 160 degrees C with 1.44W of power, (4) backbone structure with integrated reflectors, demonstrating the ability to preserve 90.9% of initial light polarization. The introduced design utilized glassblowing process on a wafer-level for fabricating miniaturized NMR cell and 3D-folded-MEMS approach for fabricating the coils, heaters, and reflectors. The field homogeneity of the introduced coil design is capable of achieving the transverse-relaxation time of T 2 =7.5s. The projected ARW of the current design of micro-NMRG is 0.1 deg/rt-hr
Chapter 4 – Injection Molding: Relative Tooling Cost

This chapter describes a systematic approach to those features of injection molding that tend to increase the tooling cost to manufacture parts and for estimating the relative costs of tooling. The system employs a six–digit coding system for determining total relative tooling cost, which groups parts according to their similarity in tool construction difficulty. The system highlights those features that significantly increase cost, so that designers can minimize difficult–to–produce features. Using this methodology, the evaluation can be performed from only the knowledge of whether certain features are present or absent and, if present, their approximate location and orientation. This methodology points out what features or arrangements of features contribute to the cost so that the direction of improved redesign is made apparent. It also discusses how to compute each of these factors and look at examples of their use with actual parts. The chapter provides readers an easy–to–use understanding of Design For Manufacturing (DFM) principles and practices for injection–molded parts.
On the illumination of neutron star accretion discs

The illumination of the accretion disc in a neutron star X-ray binary by X-rays emitted from (or close to) the neutron star surface is explored through general relativistic ray tracing simulations. The applicability of the canonical suite of relativistically broadened emission line models (developed for black holes) to discs around neutron stars is evaluated. These models were found to describe well emission lines from neutron star accretion discs unless the neutron star radius is larger than the innermost stable orbit of the accretion disc at 6rg or the disc is viewed at high inclination, above 60deg where shadowing of the back side of the disc becomes important. Theoretical emissivity profiles were computed for accretion discs illuminated by hotspots on the neutron star surfaces, bands of emission and emission by the entirety of the hot, spherical star surface and in all cases, the emissivity profile of the accretion disc was found to be well represented by a single power law falling off slightly steeper than r^-3. Steepening of the emissivity index was found where the emission is close to the disc plane and the disc can appear truncated when illuminated by a hotspot at high latitude. The emissivity profile of the accretion disc in Serpens X-1 was measured and found to be consistent with a single unbroken power law with index q=3.5 (-0.4,+0.3), suggestive of illumination by the boundary layer between the disc and neutron star surface.
Rapid Growth of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli during Human Urinary Tract Infection

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains cause most uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). These strains are a subgroup of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains that infect extraintestinal sites, including urinary tract, meninges, bloodstream, lungs, and surgical sites. Here, we hypothesize that UPEC isolates adapt to and grow more rapidly within the urinary tract than other E. coli isolates and survive in that niche. To date, there has not been a reliable method available to measure their growth rate in vivo Here we used two methods: segregation of nonreplicating plasmid pGTR902, and peak-to-trough ratio (PTR), a sequencing-based method that enumerates bacterial chromosomal replication forks present during cell division. In the murine model of UTI, UPEC strain growth was robust in vivo, matching or exceeding in vitro growth rates and only slowing after reaching high CFU counts at 24 and 30 h postinoculation (hpi). In contrast, asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) strains tended to maintain high growth rates in vivo at 6, 24, and 30 hpi, and population densities did not increase, suggesting that host responses or elimination limited population growth. Fecal strains displayed moderate growth rates at 6 hpi but did not survive to later times. By PTR, E. coli in urine of human patients with UTIs displayed extraordinarily rapid growth during active infection, with a mean doubling time of 22.4 min. Thus, in addition to traditional virulence determinants, including adhesins, toxins, iron acquisition, and motility, very high growth rates in vivo and resistance to the innate immune response appear to be critical phenotypes of UPEC strains.IMPORTANCE Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains cause most urinary tract infections in otherwise healthy women. While we understand numerous virulence factors are utilized by E. coli to colonize and persist within the urinary tract, these properties are inconsequential unless bacteria can divide rapidly and survive the host immune response. To determine the contribution of growth rate to successful colonization and persistence, we employed two methods: one involving the segregation of a nonreplicating plasmid in bacteria as they divide and the peak-to-trough ratio, a sequencing-based method that enumerates chromosomal replication forks present during cell division. We found that UPEC strains divide extraordinarily rapidly during human UTIs. These techniques will be broadly applicable to measure in vivo growth rates of other bacterial pathogens during host colonization.
Push versus pull gastrostomy in cancer patients: A single center retrospective analysis of complications and technical success rates

PURPOSE To compare the technical success and complication rates of push versus pull gastrostomy tubes in cancer patients, and to examine their dependence on operator experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was performed of 304 cancer patients (170 men, 134 women; mean age 60.3±12.6 [SD], range: 19-102 years) referred for primary gastrostomy tube placement, 88 (29%) of whom had a previously unsuccessful attempt at percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. Analyzed variables included method of insertion (push versus pull), indication for gastrostomy, technical success, operator experience, and procedure-related complications within 30 days of placement. RESULTS Gastrostomy tubes were placed for feeding in 189 patients and palliative decompression in 115 patients. Technical success was 91%: 78% after endoscopy had previously been unsuccessful and 97% when excluding failures associated with prior endoscopy. In the first 30 days, there were 29 minor complications (17.2%) associated with push gastrostomies, and only 8 minor complications (7.5%) with pull gastrostomies (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in major complications (push gastrostomy 5.3%, pull gastrostomy 5.6%). For decompressive gastrostomy tubes, the pull technique resulted in lower rates of both minor and major complications. There was no difference in complications or technical success rates for more versus less experienced operators. CONCLUSION Pull gastrostomy tube placement had a lower rate of complications than push gastrostomy tube placement, especially when the indication was decompression. The technical success rate was high, even after a failed attempt at endoscopic placement. Both the rates of success and complications were independent of operator experience.
Estimating residential energy consumption in metropolitan areas: A microsimulation approach

Abstract Prior research has shown that land use patterns and the spatial configurations of cities have a significant impact on residential energy demand. Given the pressing issues surrounding energy security and climate change, there is renewed interest in developing and retrofitting cities to make them more energy efficient. Yet deriving micro-scale residential energy footprints of metropolitan areas is challenging because high resolution data from energy providers is generally unavailable. In this study, a bottom-up model is proposed to estimate residential energy demand using datasets that are commonly available in the United States. The model applies novel machine learning methods to match records in the Residential Energy Consumption Survey with Public Use Microdata samples. This matching and machine learning produce a synthetic household energy distribution at a neighborhood scale. The model was tested and validated with data from the Atlanta metropolitan region to demonstrate its application and promise.
Influence of the Parameters of a Laminated Structure on the Mechanical Properties of Titanium Alloys

Titanium alloys display a great variety of laminated structures. The mechanical properties of semi-finished products with such structures, ductility in particular, vary over a wide range.(1–3) Thus, for the two-phase alloys with a laminated structure. BT3-1, BT9, and others in an annealed state the reduction in area varies from very low values (5–10%) up to relatively high values (30–40%) approaching the ductility level of these alloys with globular structure. The difference in fatigue strength, fracture toughness, and other properties may also be significant (up to 25–30%) for various types of laminated structures.
Venous air embolism in a patient with a massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Emergency medical responders (EMS) were called in for a subject who developed multiple generalised tonic-clonic seizures attributed to hydrocodone-acetaminophen overdose and possible upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. His medical history was significant for peptic ulcer disease status post partial gastrectomy, chronic alcoholism, polysubstance abuse, factor V Leiden mutation with recurrent deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism on warfarin treatment. On his way to the hospital, EMS had difficulty obtaining an intravenous access, and was only successful after three attempts, and the patient was started on intravenous fluids and naloxone. In the emergency room he had an episode of massive bleeding per rectum and was haemodynamically unstable. Fluid resuscitation was started, second intravenous access was obtained and nasogastric tube was placed. CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis without contrast (figure 1) demonstrated a small amount of air in the right atrium, main pulmonary artery, and right lower lobe …
Spectral and Spatial Uplink Interference Filtering

Two affordable interference protection techniques for uplink multiple beam antennas are described. Adaptive excision spectrally filters high level uplink interference to maintain system linearity. Adaptive spatial filtering applies amplitude monopulse techniques to excision data to locate interference and commands antenna pattern nulls aligned with interference using known antenna data.
Predictors of ischemic bowel in patients with incarcerated hernias.

Diagnosing intestinal strangulation in the setting of incarcerated hernias remains challenging. Hyponatremia has been identified as a predictor of necrotizing soft tissue infections and gangrenous cholecystitis. We hypothesized that hyponatremia could predict bowel ischemia in patients with incarcerated hernias. Medical records for 163 patients with incarcerated hernias over a 5-year period were reviewed. Preoperative clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings and final intraoperative diagnosis were collected. Thirty-six patients (22.1%) had ischemic bowel requiring resection. Univariate analysis identified multiple significant variables including lower serum sodium (p = 0.002), lower bicarbonate (p = 0.04), elevated glucose (p = 0.0002), elevated white blood cell count (p = 0.001), and skin changes (p = 0.001). In a multivariable model, skin changes were associated with an odds ratio for ischemia of 3.3 (1.3–8.6 p = 0.02). Sodium of less than 135 had an odds ratio for ischemia of 3.9 (1.7–9.1, p = 0.004). Hyponatremia should raise suspicion for underlying strangulated bowel and prompt urgent exploration in patients with incarcerated hernias.
Advancing Social Justice with Policy Discourse Analysis

Policy discourse analysis (PDA) draws from critical and poststructural theories to provide researchers with an approach to identifying dominant discourses shaping policy problems and solutions. Such analyses reveal how discourse contributes to shaping subject positions, or roles, with implications for practice. This chapter defines PDA, describes the conceptual principles of the approach, and details the research methods for the implementation of a PDA study. Examples of studies employing PDA are shared to illustrate the utility of the approach.
The “sewing machine” for minimally invasive neural recording

Abstract We present a system for scalable and customizable recording and stimulation of neural activity. In large animals and humans, the current benchmark for high spatial and temporal resolution neural interfaces are fixed arrays of wire or silicon electrodes inserted into the parenchyma of the brain. However, probes that are large and stiff enough to penetrate the brain have been shown to cause acute and chronic damage and inflammation, which limits their longevity, stability, and yield. One approach to this problem is to separate the requirements of the insertion device, which should to be as stiff as possible, with the implanted device, which should be as small and flexible as possible. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of this approach with a system incorporating fine and flexible thin-film polymer probes, a fine and stiff insertion needle, and a robotic insertion machine. Together the system permits rapid and precise implantation of probes, each individually targeted to avoid observable vasculature and to attain diverse anatomical targets. As an initial demonstration of this system, we implanted arrays of electrodes in rat somatosensory cortex, recorded extracellular action potentials from them, and obtained histological images of the tissue response. This approach points the way toward a new generation of scaleable, stable, and safe neural interfaces, both for the basic scientific study of brain function and for clinical applications.
Personality, Cognitive Models of

Cognitive models of personality assume that people differ in their styles of understanding the world and themselves. More specifically, people differ in core self-beliefs and in the processes that shape and maintain the self. Contemporary research has focused on stable individual differences in cognitive content and process that may be associated with major personality traits. Studies of self-regulation and coping link traits to cognitive theories of these constructs. Studies using objective performance metrics allow traits to be further related to individual differences in information-processing. Cognitive neuroscience and cognitive-adaptive theory provide contrasting perspectives on the place of processing differences in personality.
Validation of SNP associations with bovine ovulation and twinning rate.

Previous work identified SNP associations with twinning rate in the US Holstein population and developed a model for genomic prediction. The current study was conducted to assess the association of these SNPs with twinning rate and ovulation rate in a genetically diverse, outbred population selected for twinning and ovulation rate. A total of 18 SNPs that were components of a prediction equation for twinning rate in Holstein cattle were genotyped on 731 animals from the USDA Meat Animal Research Center production efficiency or twinning population. These 731 individuals were sires and dams well represented in the pedigrees of animals from the twinner population, and their genotypes were used in predicting genotypes for animals in the larger population (n = 16 035). Twinning rate and ovulation rate were analyzed in a two-trait repeated records analysis with marker associations analyzed individually as fixed effects. Criteria for marker validation were effect estimate with a sign consistent with previous estimates and significance at a nominal P < 0.01. Of the 14 SNPs passing quality control assessments, only one was validated. A SNP in the 5' flanking region of the IGF1 gene, discovered previously in a positional candidate gene analysis, was significantly associated with twinning rate in the USDA twinning population (P < 0.0002). This SNP may have utility in genomic prediction of twinning rate beyond the Holstein population.
Wavelet Based Machine Learning Algorithms to Enhance Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis

The heart is arguably one of the most vital organs of the human body, pumping blood and nutrients to all other organs. In recent years, the heart has become a popular topic of discussion as the amount of cardiovascular deaths continues to grow at an alarming rate worldwide. Early detection of such diseases plays a crucial role in resolving this health crisis. However, human errors combined with a lack of doctor availability often hinder accurate detection of heart diseases, especially in developing countries. In this study, we have developed a unique combination of machine learning and Wavelet Transforms as a means of detecting heart disease. In the future, this artificial intelligence tool could be implemented worldwide, allowing individuals to record their own heart beat and receive immediate diagnosis.
A rare case of biventricular non-compaction.

A 59-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presented with progressive dyspnoea and bilateral leg swelling over 3–4 weeks. He had dyspnoea on moderate exertion at the baseline but progressed to symptoms at rest along with new onset of orthopnoea. He reported no
Medial Patellofemoral Anatomy: Surgical Implications in Patellofemoral Instability

The soft tissue anatomy of the medial patellofemoral stabilizers is an important topic in the surgical treatment of patellar instability. Of these, the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is most well-known as the primary static stabilizer to lateral patellar translation. Reconstruction of the MPFL has become popularized over the last 15 years, with outcomes showing improved functional scores and low rates of recurrent instability and postoperative apprehension at 36.8 months [1].
Integrating Multi-Scalar Sampling Strategies for Archaeological Sediment Chemistry

Archaeological sediment chemistry is a method for using the distribution of chemical elements across a site or landscape to elucidate site boundaries, site structures, and use of space. Archaeologi...
Generating Training Data for Concept-Mining for an ‘Interface Terminology’ Annotating Cardiology EHRs

Clinical data stored in EHRs could provide valuable knowledge for research if it were annotated properly. However, almost no EHR notes are currently annotated as the performance of off the shelf annotation tools is unsatisfactory. Concentrating on the cardiology specialty, we propose to design a Cardiology Interface Terminology dedicated to the annotation of EHR notes in cardiology. This interface terminology will be developed by the addition of high granularity concepts, mined from cardiology EHR notes, to an initial version reusing SNOMED CT cardiology subhierarchies. Using text mining NLP tools with machine learning for extending this interface terminology requires proper training data. In this paper, we discuss concept-mining of EHR notes, using concatenation and anchoring operations iteratively to create such training data. This approach can be applied to other medical specialties.
Book Groups in the Social Justice Unionism Movement: An Analysis of Teachers’ Reasons for Participation

Abstract: The past decade has seen a rise in social justice teacher unionism, with an emergence of caucuses that focus on bottom-up, race conscious union reform focused on bargaining for the common good. While a burgeoning body of scholarship has focused on understanding the goals and interworkings of these caucuses, there are few up-close accounts of their political education efforts. This study focuses on an annual series of interconnected book groups and aims to understand teachers’ reasons for joining the groups and the role the groups play in the organization’s larger goals. Findings indicate that participants saw building the base, developing skills, deepening analyses, and planning action as four core functions of the groups. After analyzing subcategories within each finding, this article discusses tensions that arise in locating book groups within a political organization and implications for teachers, organizers, teacher educators, and researchers.
Structural and Biochemical Features of Human Serum Albumin Essential for Eukaryotic Cell Culture

Serum albumin physically interacts with fatty acids, small molecules, metal ions, and several other proteins. Binding with a plethora of bioactive substances makes it a critical transport molecule. Albumin also scavenges the reactive oxygen species that are harmful to cell survival. These properties make albumin an excellent choice to promote cell growth and maintain a variety of eukaryotic cells under in vitro culture environment. Furthermore, purified recombinant human serum albumin is mostly free from impurities and modifications, providing a perfect choice as an additive in cell and tissue culture media while avoiding any regulatory constraints. This review discusses key features of human serum albumin implicated in cell growth and survival under in vitro conditions.
An Automated Framework for Deriving Intersection Coordination Plans

The road network infrastructure (signal controllers and detectors) continuously generates data that can be transformed and used to evaluate the performance of signalized intersections. Current systems that focus on automatically converting the raw data into measures of effectiveness have proven extremely useful in alleviating intersection performance issues. However, these systems are not well suited for automatically generating recommendations or suggesting fixes as needed. In this work, we demonstrate the use of machine learning and data compression techniques to build a recommendation system. Specifically, we present an end to end solution for automatically generating intersection coordination plans.
Mortality Risk Among Patients With COVID-19 Prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants.

Importance Antidepressant use may be associated with reduced levels of several proinflammatory cytokines suggested to be involved with the development of severe COVID-19. An association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—specifically fluoxetine hydrochloride and fluvoxamine maleate—with decreased mortality among patients with COVID-19 has been reported in recent studies; however, these studies had limited power due to their small size. Objective To investigate the association of SSRIs with outcomes in patients with COVID-19 by analyzing electronic health records (EHRs). Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used propensity score matching by demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and medication indication to compare SSRI-treated patients with matched control patients not treated with SSRIs within a large EHR database representing a diverse population of 83 584 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January to September 2020 and with a duration of follow-up of as long as 8 months in 87 health care centers across the US. Exposures Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and specifically (1) fluoxetine, (2) fluoxetine or fluvoxamine, and (3) other SSRIs (ie, not fluoxetine or fluvoxamine). Main Outcomes and Measures Death. Results A total of 3401 adult patients with COVID-19 prescribed SSRIs (2033 women [59.8%]; mean [SD] age, 63.8 [18.1] years) were identified, with 470 receiving fluoxetine only (280 women [59.6%]; mean [SD] age, 58.5 [18.1] years), 481 receiving fluoxetine or fluvoxamine (285 women [59.3%]; mean [SD] age, 58.7 [18.0] years), and 2898 receiving other SSRIs (1733 women [59.8%]; mean [SD] age, 64.7 [18.0] years) within a defined time frame. When compared with matched untreated control patients, relative risk (RR) of mortality was reduced among patients prescribed any SSRI (497 of 3401 [14.6%] vs 1130 of 6802 [16.6%]; RR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-0.99]; adjustedP = .03); fluoxetine (46 of 470 [9.8%] vs 937 of 7050 [13.3%]; RR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.54-0.97]; adjustedP = .03); and fluoxetine or fluvoxamine (48 of 481 [10.0%] vs 956 of 7215 [13.3%]; RR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-0.99]; adjustedP = .04). The association between receiving any SSRI that is not fluoxetine or fluvoxamine and risk of death was not statistically significant (447 of 2898 [15.4%] vs 1474 of 8694 [17.0%]; RR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.84-1.00]; adjustedP = .06). Conclusions and Relevance These results support evidence that SSRIs may be associated with reduced severity of COVID-19 reflected in the reduced RR of mortality. Further research and randomized clinical trials are needed to elucidate the effect of SSRIs generally, or more specifically of fluoxetine and fluvoxamine, on the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.
Ontologies are not the Panacea in Data Integration: A FlexibleCoordinator to Mediate Context Construction

Shared ontologies describe concepts and relationships to resolve semantic conflicts amongst users accessing multiple autonomous and heterogeneous information sources. We contend that while ontologies are useful in semantic reconciliation, they do not guarantee correct classification of semantic conflicts, nor do they provide the capability to handle evolving semantics or a mechanism to support a dynamic reconciliation process. Their limitations are illustrated through a conceptual analysis of several prominent examples used in heterogeneous database systems and in natural language processing. We view semantic reconciliation as a nonmonotonic query-dependent process that requires flexible interpretation of query context, and as a mechanism to coordinate knowledge elicitation while constructing the query context. We propose a system that is based on these characteristics, namely the SCOPES (Semantic Coordinator Over Parallel Exploration Spaces) system. SCOPES takes advantage of ontologies to constrain exploration of a remote database during the incremental discovery and refinement of the context within which a query can be answered. It uses an Assumption-based Truth Maintenance System (ATMS) to manage the multiple plausible contexts which coexist while the semantic reconciliation process is unfolding, and the Dempster-Shafer (DS) theory of belief to model the likelihood of these plausible contexts.
Arsenic induces oxidative DNA damage in mammalian cells.

Although arsenic is a well-established human carcinogen, the underlying carcinogenic mechanism(s) is not known. Using the human-hamster hybrid (AL) cell mutagenic assay that is sensitive in detecting mutagens that induce predominately multilocus deletions, we showed previously that arsenite is indeed a potent gene and chromosomal mutagen and that oxyradicals may be involved in the mutagenic process. In the present study, the effects of free radical scavenging enzymes on the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of arsenic were examined using the ALcells. Concurrent treatment of cells with either superoxide dis-mutase or catalase reduced both the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of arsenite by an average of 2-3 fold, respectively. Using immunoperoxidase staining with a monoclonal antibody specific for 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), we demonstrated that arsenic induced oxidative DNA damage in ALcells. This induction was significantly reduced in the presence of the antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, reducing the intracellular levels of non-protein sulthydryls (mainly glutathione) using buthionine S-R-Sulfoximine increased the total mutant yield by more than 3-fold as well as the proportion of mutants with multilocus deletions. Taken together, our data provide clear evidence that reactive oxygen species play an important causal role in the genotoxicity of arsenic in mammalian cells. (Mol Cell Biochem 234/235: 301-308, 2002)
Laplace-Beltrami eigenfunctions for deformation invariant shape representation

A deformation invariant representation of surfaces, the GPS embedding, is introduced using the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Laplace-Beltrami differential operator. Notably, since the definition of the GPS embedding completely avoids the use of geodesic distances, and is based on objects of global character, the obtained representation is robust to local topology changes. The GPS embedding captures enough information to handle various shape processing tasks as shape classification, segmentation, and correspondence. To demonstrate the practical relevance of the GPS embedding, we introduce a deformation invariant shape descriptor called G2-distributions, and demonstrate their discriminative power, invariance under natural deformations, and robustness.
Observational Constraints on Surface Characteristics of Comet Nuclei

Direct observations of the nuclear surfaces of comets have been difficult; however a growing number of studies are overcoming observational challenges and yielding new information on cometary surfaces. In this review, we focus on recent determinations of the albedos, reflectances, and thermal inertias of comet nuclei. There is not much diversity in the geometric albedo of the comet nuclei observed so far (a range of 0.025 to 0.06). There is a greater diversity of albedos among the Centaurs, and the sample of properly observed TNOs (2) is still too small. Based on their albedos and Tisserand invariants, Fernandez et al. (2001) estimate that about 5% of the near-Earth asteroids have a cometary origin, and place an upper limit of 10%. The agreement between this estimate and two other independent methods provide the strongest constraint to date on the fraction of objects that comets contribute to the population of near-Earth asteroids. There is a diversity of visible colors among comets, extinct comet candidates, Centaurs and TNOs. Comet nuclei are clearly not as red as the reddest Centaurs and TNOs. What Jewitt (2002) calls ultra-red matter seems to be absent from the surfaces of comet nuclei. Rotationally resolved observations of both colors and albedos are needed to disentangle the effects of rotational variability from other intrinsic qualities. New constraints on thermal inertia of comets are consistent with previous independent estimates. The thermal inertia estimates for Centaurs 2060 Chiron and 8405 Asbolus are significantly lower than predicted by thermal models, and also lower than the few upper limits or constraints known for active, ordinary nuclei.
Streptococcus mutans strains recovered from caries-active or caries-free individuals differ in sensitivity to host antimicrobial peptides.

Summary Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are among the repertoire of host innate immune defenses. In the oral cavity, several AMPs are present in saliva and have antimicrobial activities against oral bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, a primary etiological agent of dental caries. In this study, we hypothesized that unique S. mutans strains, as determined by DNA fingerprinting from sixty 13-year-old subjects with or without experience of caries, would have different susceptibilities to α-defensins-1–3 (HNP-1–3), β-defensins-2–3 (HBD-2–3) and LL-37. The salivary levels of these peptides in subjects were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We found that S. mutans strains from children with active caries showed greater resistance to salivary HNP-1–2, HBD-2–3 and LL-37 at varying concentrations than those from caries-free subjects. In addition, combinations of these peptides increased their antimicrobial activity against S. mutans either additively or synergistically. The salivary levels of these peptides were highly variable among subjects with no correlation to host caries experience. However, the levels of a number of these peptides in saliva appeared to be positively correlated within an individual. Our findings suggest that the relative ability of S. mutans to resist host salivary AMPs may be considered a potential virulence factor for this species such that S. mutans strains that are more resistant to these peptides may have an ecological advantage to preferentially colonize within dental plaque and increase the risk of dental caries.
Comparison of maturation timing, egg size and fecundity between hatchery lines of chinook salmon and their wild donor stocks

Increasing concern has been expressed about the genetic effects of cultured salmonid fishes on natural populations. Avoidance of extreme negative outcomes was one reason for the establishment of a genetic management policy for the State of Alaska. However, domestication within the hatchery may still cause divergence from the wild donor population. This divergence could potentially lead to adverse impacts on wild stocks through straying and introgression. This study examines potential domestication in two Alaskan chinook salmon stocks. The Little Port Walter (LPW) Hatchery Chickamin River stock resulted from a small collection of wild broodstock in 1976. The LPW Unuk stock was founded with a larger number of individuals in 1976 and has had subsequent infusion of wild gametes. These lines have been maintained at LPW through ocean ranching of tagged smolts. Comparisons are made between the hatchery lines, progeny of wild chinook collected from the Chickamin and Unuk Rivers, and hybrids between the hatchery and wild groups. Mature ocean-ranched female chinook salmon returning to the facility were periodically graded for ripeness and spawned. Body size and meristic measurements were collected from these mature spawners. Maturation timing, fecundity, and individual egg size of these fourth generation hatchery fish are compared with that of offspring of wild fish from the same donor stock. Stock of origin is confirmed for all spawners and offspring using microsatellite DNA analysis.
Multiple congenital anomalies in a man with (X;6) translocation

X;autosome translocations in humans, often associated with congenital anomalies or with gonadal dysgenesis syndromes, are informative for the study of X-linked gene expression and of the phenomenon of X chromosome inactivation. When such translocations occur in association with multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) syndromes, the observed phenotypes are not always attributable solely to disruption of specific genes, if X-inactivation spreads onto the translocated autosome, rendering some distal genes inactive. We report on a man with multiple congenital anomalies and a maternally inherited (X;6)(p22.1;p25) translocation. He has abnormalities not described in the Klinefelter or 6p deletion syndromes. His unique findings constitute a recognizable syndrome, which is likely caused by disomy for a region of Xp in conjunction with a partial 6p deletion.
TH‐C‐BRA‐03: GPU‐Based Cone Beam CT Reconstruction

Cone‐beam CT(CBCT) has been widely used in image guided radiation therapy(IGRT) to acquire updated volumetric anatomical information before treatment fractions for accurate patient alignment purpose. However the excessive x‐ray imagingdoses (a few cGy per scan) delivered to patients from serial CBCT scans raise a clinical concern in most IGRT procedures. This fact has greatly limited exploitation of IGRT's maximal potential. The imagingdose can be effectively reduced by reducing the number of x‐ray projections and/or lowering mAs levels in a CBCT scan. The image quality reconstructed from conventional FDK‐type algorithms however will be highly degraded. Recently total variation (TV) method has demonstrated its ability to reconstructCBCTimages from a few number of noisy x‐ray projections. Nonetheless such a method can hardly be applied in real clinical environments due to its long computational time (a few hours). It is highly desirable to develop a fast reconstruction scheme to obtain high quality CBCTimages from undersampled and noisy projection data so as to lower the imagingdose. Utilizing GPU to speed up the computationally intensive tasks in CBCTreconstruction problems has drawn a lot of attention recently. In this talk GPU‐based CBCTreconstruction algorithms will be reviewed with an emphasis on an iterative CBCTreconstruction algorithm via TV regularization. We have recently developed a GPU‐friendly version of the forward‐backward splitting algorithm to solve the TV‐based reconstruction problem. Multi‐grid technique is also employed. It is found that 40 x‐ray projections are sufficient to reconstructCBCTimages with satisfactory quality for IGRT patient alignment purpose. Phantom studies indicate that CBCTimages can be successfully reconstructed with our algorithm under as low as 0.1 mAs/projection level. Comparing with currently widely used full‐fan head‐and‐neck scanning protocol of about 360 projections with 0.4 mAs/projection it is estimated that an overall 36 times dose reduction has been achieved. Moreover the reconstruction time is about 130 sec on an NVIDIA Tesla C1060 GPU card which is estimated ∼100 times faster than similar iterative reconstruction approaches. The high computational efficiency and satisfactory image quality make the iterative low doseCBCTreconstruction approach feasible in real clinical environments. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand basic concepts of GPU‐based CBCTreconstruction. 2. Understand main challenges in GPU‐based iterative CBCTreconstruction approach and how an iterative CBCTreconstruction problem is solved on GPU. Conflict of Interest: The research presented here is partially supported by NVIDIA.
Stimulated emission as a major channel for the depopulation of laser-excited states in condensed media

Abstract In condensed media, due to the high molecular densities, stimulated emission may become the dominant channel for depletion of population in laser-excited states. The phenomenon is fairly general. The criteria necessary for such a process, the specific cases of vibration excitation in matrix-isolated CH3F and CD3F, and some practical implications are considered.
Toxocariasis: America's Most Common Neglected Infection of Poverty and a Helminthiasis of Global Importance?

New information indicates that toxocariasis is the most common human parasitic worm infection in the United States, affecting millions of Americans living in poverty. The infection is also highly prevalent in many developing countries and its global importance may be greatly underestimated.
Technique for in-office cranial bone harvesting.

PURPOSE: This is a report of a technique of cranial bone harvesting suitable for the outpatient setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone scrapers are used for the harvesting of cranial bone shavings with the patient under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. RESULTS: Graft volumes larger than that usually obtainable from intraoral sites and the tibia have been harvested utilizing this technique. In a series of 8 first patients, the largest volume of bone obtained was 14 cc with no complications related to the donor sites. These cases include the following types of pre-implant reconstructive procedures: large unilateral sinus grafting, bilateral sinus grafting/guided-bone regeneration of an entire alveolar ridge, inlay grafting of the alveolus, inlay grafting in association with distraction osteogenesis, subnasal grafting, alveolar cleft grafting, closure of large oroantral defects combined with sinus grafting, and grafting of an grossly atrophic mandible with simultaneous placement of dental implants via the submental approach. CONCLUSION: This is a safe bone harvesting technique providing an alternative source of autogenous bone graft.
Surgical management of pericardial effusion in patients with malignancies. Comparison of subxiphoid window versus pericardiectomy

There is a lack of consensus regarding optimal surgical management of symptomatic pericardial effusions in patients with malignancies. Subxiphoid pericardial window formation (subxiphoid pericardial drainage) has been considered a safe and effective method for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To ensure adequate drainage, many surgeons prefer the formation of a larger pericardial window by performing either an anterior thoracotomy or a partial/total pericardiectomy. To evaluate the efficacy of these methods for palliation of symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with malignancy, 28 consecutive pericardial surgery cases involving patients with malignancy were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients (Group 1) had subxiphoid window formation, whereas 18 patients (Group 2) had partial or total pericardiectomy or pericardial window formation by anterior thoracotomy. There was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.22) in the survival rates between these two groups. A median survival time of 2.67 months (range, 0.43 to 26.6 months) was observed in Group 1 versus 1.23 months (range, 0.03 to 10.83 months) in Group 2. However, a statistically significant difference (P less than or equal to 0.02) in postoperative morbidity was observed between the two groups: 67% in Group 2 versus 10% in Group 1. Because of lower morbidity, subxiphoid pericardial window formation is recommended by this study as the preferred surgical method for palliation of symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with malignancy.
A unifying theory of movement and madness: involvement of free radicals in disorders of the isodendritic core of the brainstem

Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are both neuro-degenerative disorders which affect a large number of the older population. Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric illness with a variable course which, sometimes, results in a deteriorated state, the so-called schizophrenic burnout. Although the pathogenesi(e)s of these syndromes is (are) not known, it has been suggested that the reported neuropathological findings are concentrated in neuronal systems located within the isodendritic core of the brainstem. It has also been proposed that oxyradicals might play an important role in the development, the manifestation, and the course of these syndromes. The present article provides a theoretical synthesis of these ideas.
Ultrastructural localization of blood group antigen A in normal and neoplastic urothelium.

The subcellular distribution of the blood group antigen A in the transitional epithelium of the urinary tract and its neoplastic growths was studied using transmission immuno-electronmicroscopy. Sixty-five tissue specimens from 50 blood group A1 patients were processed according to an immunogold procedure which was optimized for preservation of both antigen and ultrastructure. The reactions were stronger in the glycocalyx of the luminal surfaces and at the interdigitating cytoplasmic processes of the cells. In the intracellular compartment the reactions were associated with tubulovesicular membrane-bound structures and with the Golgi complexes. Secretory products, intra- or extra-cellular, were also positive. The greatest variability was noted in the cell surface reactions, which were positive in 88% of normal but only 41% of neoplastic urothelial specimens. An inverse correlation was found between malignant behaviour and cell surface, but not intracellular, reactions. We conclude that, in transitional cell carcinomas, there is a quantitative defect in the processing of substance A which affects predominantly the cell surface component and may involve either the transport–insertion steps, the plasma membrane-associated glycosyltransferases or internalization of blood group antigen A.
RRE-deleting self-inactivating and self-activating HIV-1 vectors for improved safety

Retroviruses have been shown to efficiently delete sequences between repeats as a consequence of the template switching ability of the viral reverse transcriptase. To evaluate this approach for deriving safety-modified lentiviral vectors, we created HIV-1 vectors engineered to delete the Rev-response element (RRE) during reverse-transcription by sandwiching the RRE between two non-functional hygromycin phosphotransferase sequences. Deletion of the RRE during reverse-transcription lead to the reconstitution of a functional hygromycin phosphotransferase gene in the target cell. The efficiency of functional reconstitution, depending on vector configuration, was between 12% and 23%. Real-time quantitative PCR of genomic DNA of cells transduced with the RRE-deleting vectors that were selected using an independent drug resistance marker, which measured both functional and nonfunctional recombination events, indicated that the overall efficiency of RRE deletion of hygromycin phosphotransferase gene, was between 73.6% and 83.5%.
The Structure and Relationship of College Women's Primary Abilities and Vocational Interests.

Abstract This study examined the structure and relationship of vocational interests and primary abilities in a sample of college women. A comprehensive battery of well-validated tests of primary abilities corresponding to each of Holland's six vocational interest types was administered to a sample of 149 female college undergraduates. Factor analysis of the ability measures showed a pattern similar to Holland's interest model, except that no ability factor analogous to Realistic interests emerged, and there were two Artistic factors, musical and artistic/spatial. There was relatively little common variance between abilities and their corresponding vocational interests. The results suggested that, although abilities and interests appear to be similarly structured, each domain may be relatively independent of the other. Implications of the study for future research on women's primary abilities are discussed, including the desirability of including measures of musical, artistic/esthetic, leadership, and social abilities in future studies.